The good, the bad, and the UGLY...

 First of all, has it really been FOUR MONTHS since I posted?

My youngest son reminded me how I HATE when bloggers I follow just "disappear" and quit blogging with no explanation. 

Well...

GUILTY!

Anywho...I figured I better share something for the few who follow.

A week ago Thursday, I was on my way to work at 5:40 a.m. and I was involved in an accident. 

I was traveling in my lane, and a SEMI who was in the left turn lane, decided he no longer wanted to be in the left turn lane, and he swerved back into my lane.

Yep, it's not everyday you can say you were hit by a semi.

But it happened to me.

My BRAND NEW car.

He tore the entire rear bumper off and there is a bunch of damage underneath as well they're telling us.

Thankfully, I walked away unharmed and the car is still drivable.

It goes in to be fixed on Wednesday.

I got a little shaken up later thinking of what could have been.

I mean...it was a SEMI.

And not JUST a semi...a TANKER...full of fuel or chemicals or who knows what.

God definitely had His hand on me that day.

 On a happier note...

I won a sweet giveaway from Flirty Aprons this past month!

Four beautiful aprons of my choice and some chocolate bunnies!

What a wonderful Easter surprise!

I'm still plugging away at school.

Just about to start term 5 (of 8).

I'm totally done with all of my gen. ed. and working on all of my (elementary) education classes now.

It's becoming more real now!

I am exhausted most days...but one day it will be worth it!

So, what's new with you?

Hopefully my next post won't take another four months, haha!

Take care and TTFN!

As promised...the Mitten Bakers Cookie Gathering!

Last Saturday was the Mitten Bakers Cookie Gathering.

The Mitten Bakers is an online group I belong to, made up of bakers from mostly Michigan, but also northern Ohio, northern Indiana, and a few from Canada.  The administrators of our group planned and put together this gathering within just a few short months and let me tell you...it was FABULOUS!  A full day of classes, contests, raffles, prizes, swag bags, food, and friendship!  The swag bags were FILLED with amazing baking items from awesome sponsors!  It was so awesome spending the day with others who share my love of all things sugar!  We had six classes/demos...everything from airbrushing, stenciling, royal icing transfers, hand-painting on cookies, stamping on cookies, and cake pops.  You can read my FULL post about the day on my baking blog:
Sweet Ivy Confections.

The flower cookie above was from our airbrushing class. 

 This super mom cookie was from our stenciling class.

 This cookie was my first attempt at painting on cookies.

Clearly, this isn't my strong point...yet.

Unfortunately my airbrushed cookie didn't make it home in one piece.

All of our airbrushed flowers.

We had a Super Hero themed contest & my friend entered this cookie w/ my photo as a little private joke between us.

This was my entry in the contest! Super Cookier!

 It was an amazing day learning new things and hanging out with some of the most talented women in the state and surrounding areas who share my love of sugar!  We all made so many new friends!  Don't forget to read the full post on my baking blog!

Below are a few things I've been working on since the gathering...practice makes perfect!

Thanks for reading!

TTFN!

Easter and beyond...

 We had a good Easter.

It doesn't matter how old we get...we always dye eggs.

It's just one of those holiday traditions that I don't think you need to "grow out of".

Kind of like carving jack-o-lanterns...everyone should do it...no matter your age.

 We did "glitter eggs" this year.  I had bought this kit on clearance last year after Easter.

It was a good concept, except the glitter didn't really adhere that well.

What did, was pretty.

 The boys didn't want their pictures taken...

And they were acting all goofy.

I promised I wouldn't post them on Facebook...

But...

 I didn't promise I wouldn't post them on the blog.

It's ok boys, no one major reads my blog anyway.

 So ham it up...

We went to church and out to Logan's for dinner on Easter.

It was a good day...and thankfully, no snow. :)

Kitty is doing well.

Making her usual blog appearance.

The other day, for the first time in the six months we've owned her, she discovered the washing machine..go figure.  She was completely intrigued.  Crazy girl.

In other news...

-I passed my science exam/class!  YAY!  I've finished my first whole year at WGU and am moving right along swiftly.  I am now 40% done with my degree.  Only a couple more general education classes and then I'll be moving on to all education classes, yes!

-Saturday I'm going to my cookie gathering/convention.  It will be a day filled with some of the most amazing bakers.  Fun, food, laughter, classes, raffles, prizes, contests, swag bags, and more.  I can't wait!

-It's finally getting warmer out.  I need to make some time to go out and weed the flower beds/landscape.  Pretty soon it will be time to plant the annuals!

I think that wraps things up for now.

Will be sure to give an update after the cookie gathering Saturday!

Hope you all are having a great spring!

MJ

Blogging has taken a backseat...as has everything else...

Easter mantle

 I used to think I wasn't a very good blogger...keeping up with what's going on in my life.

But now...

Now I think I'm a HORRIBLE blogger.

You see, since I started going back to school full time, not just blogging, but EVERYTHING seems to be taking a back seat with school.

School has kept me so busy (and work), it almost feels like anything else I do in life is almost a "treat".  Decorating my mantle for the holidays, doing new chalkboard art, making cookies...shoot, even folding laundry feels like a treat because I get to GET AWAY FROM SCHOOLWORK!  I've been horrible stressed with this science class.  It has been a science class nightmare.  Lord willing, (I'm trusting you God!), I will pass this course SOON!

I did manage to get my Easter mantle done (see pic above).  I framed some free printables, strung some bunnies in a banner, and added some of my old decor I keep stored away.

 My Easter chalkboard turned out really nice I think.

I love that song by Nicole C. Mullen, so when I saw the verse on this pattern, I had to have it.

 Nate had a band concert last week.

It was his last middle school concert.

 We still have some more parades, but this is it for the concerts!

Here he comes high school!

She thinks SHE is the baby of the family

 Katarina is doing well.

She had a small procedure at the vet and has made a perfect recovery.

She is our sweet little stinker.

We love her so much.

 I have a cookie convention I'm going to next month.

And I wanted a t-shirt with my logo on it to represent.

I decided to get some blank iron-on transfers and have a go at it myself.

I just played around on a photo editing site and then printed it on the blank transfer.

I am always fearful doing iron-ons.  Rightly so.  This one gave me some fits.  See how it's lighter in some areas and darker in other (in the pink areas).  Well, when I went to peel the paper backing off, it stuck. Yes, it stuck.  Ugh.  I did manage to get it off after much stress, borderline tears, and a phone call to the craft store where I bought it.  Thankfully, I don't think it looks that bad.  Hubby says it kind of looks "vintage"/"distressed"...LOL!

Yeah...yeah...that's right everyone...I did it on purpose.  I was going for the vintage/distressed look, hehe!

Well, I think that's all that's going on around here right now.

What are you doing for Easter?
I hope you have a very blessed Resurrection Sunday with your family!

TTFN!

Well hello!...

 Hello!

I'm alive!

I know, it's been a while...but I haven't given up the blog and left you hanging like many do, haha!  I've just been buried in schoolwork, not to mention working 55+ hours a week.  It seems all I do is work and study.  But here I am back to let you know what's going on in our lives (not much).  I have already decorated for St. Patrick's Day.  Yes I know, it's still February.  But when you're Irish...ya just can't help but get excited over the shamrocks and color green.  I think my mantel turned out pretty cute.  My mom showed me how to sew "yo-yos" and I connected them all together in shades of green to lay across the top of my mantel.  I think they look really cute.  Then I printed a "LUCKY" banner.  I also printed off some free printables from Pinterest (so perfect for decorating) and framed them.  Last year, I scored some shimmery shamrock garland for...(drumroll)...47 cents a roll!  I got three and laid them across my mantel with white lights.  I love the look.  Added a few green and gold candles and voila!  St. Patty's Day style!

 I did a quick St. Patty's Day chalkboard today too.  Not my best work.  But hey, I was in a hurry and...it works.

 Katarina is doing well.  Mischievous as ever.  She is the little princess of the house.  We recently were having issues with her scratching (she has all of her claws) and so we took her to the groomer and had SoftPaws (caps) put on.  I have mixed feelings.  I really like them over all.  She can't snag up the furniture anymore.  But because our carpet is so thick, she can still hook the rubber caps into it and pull the fibers out.  So we're still trying to figure out a remedy for that.  Otherwise, she is doing great and we love her to death!

The boys and I are doing great.  We've all been healthy.  The boys are doing fantastic in school (as am I).  We all have our challenging classes (for me, math and science)...but we're managing and doing well.  Hubby recently had a health scare.  He spent 2 nights in the hospital.  We found out he has an ulcer.  He will be having a scope done next week to find out the best treatment plan and more about it.  We appreciate your prayers.

Other than that, things are going well at our house!

How is your winter going?  Are you surviving the frigid temps?
Stay warm...

Until next time...

Mantels...

Christmas 2014 mantel

 I've been having so much fun with my mantel!

Yes...I wanted a fireplace for the warmth, ambiance, coziness, etc.

But decorating a mantel is so much fun!

Winter/Snowman 2015 mantel

 So far I've done Christmas, Winter/Snowman, and Valentine's Day themes.

I already have ideas for St. Patrick's Day!

I just think it brings so much festivity to the home.

Valentine's Day 2015 mantel

Do you decorate your mantel for each holiday/season?
If so, where do you get inspiration and ideas?
Pinterest has been my go-to thus far.
Share your blog link if you have photos!
I'd love to see!

I Feel Like A Slug...

me with my boys on vacation...approx. 9-10 years ago...

I'm not quite sure what happened.

Or how it happened.

Or when it happened.

But my metabolism just isn't what it used to be.

on a trip w/ hubby...probably 9 or 10 years ago...

 So many moms gain their weight during their pregnancy, and then have a hard time losing the baby weight.  That was never the case for me.  I only gained 19 pounds with my first son, and 22 with my second.  I walked out of the hospital after having my first son weighing one pound LESS than my pre-pregnancy weight.  Yes.  I said A FULL POUND LESS than my PRE-pregnancy weight!  (please don't hate me!)

 I always had a great metabolism.  I never had to diet.  I could eat whatever I wanted.

I never really exercised.  I mean, hubby and I took walks.  I chased the boys around.

But I didn't "really" exercise.  And I never gained weight.

me and the boys 9-10 years ago...

 Then I started gaining weight.  It was a slow thing at first.

Each fall/winter, I'd gain maybe 4-5 pounds.  You know, it starts at Halloween with all the candy.  Then the big Thanksgiving dinner and pies.  Then Christmas comes with all of it's dips, spreads, cookies, and treats.  But after the holidays in late winter/early spring, I'd go on a diet and start exercising and I'd lose 7 or 8 pounds.  I'd get rid of the gut, gain more energy, look and feel better about myself.

me and my sis probably 7 or 8 years ago I'm guessing...

But then this year...everything changed.  I really don't know what happened.  Age?  Hormones?  Who knows.  Instead of the 4-5 pounds I normally gain each winter...

Between August and December...I gained 15 pounds.  It might not sound like a lot to some people.  And people who see me now say, "Oh, you look fine!"  Well, let me tell you...it's all about the clothes honey!  I do a lot of camouflaging!  All of my jeans are too tight.  All of my shirts are too tight.  I go through my closet each day looking for the baggiest/flowing blouses to hide my (more than) muffin top.  And it's not just how I look...it's how I feel.  I feel like a slug.  I feel unhealthy.  I feel tired...lethargic...unenergetic.  I feel out of breath doing the smallest things. 
It's time to change.

me...7 or 8 years ago...

Something's got to give.

I cannot do this anymore.

It's time to get back to portion control and exercising.

Because I feel (and look) awful.

I refuse to buy larger clothes.

I hesitate to share when I'm dieting because if someone sees me at a restaurant or eating pizza, they're thinking, "Uh-huh...there she goes messing up her diet!"  I can't "diet" like some people.  I'm not going all lean protein and greens.  I'm not counting points.  I cannot live if I deprive myself.  What I will do is do portion control.  I will make sure I'm eating "serving sizes".  If I want a cookie, I'll have ONE.  If I want ice cream, I'll have ONE scoop.  If I want pizza, I'll limit myself.  I'm not a HUGE eater to begin with.  I think the biggest thing for me is exercise.  I've got to get moving.  I'm rejoining our gym.  Hubby and I are going to get on the ARC trainers every day and get some cardio in.  I'm getting back on my fitness ball and doing my crunches again.  Gonna start working with the weights in my basement.  The slug is saying goodbye...because when your sweaters fit like spandex, it's time to make a change! 
(Note...these are all OLD pictures of me.  What my goal is!  I'm too embarrassed to post pictures of my currenet chubs!  Ha!)

Growing Out The Pixie...Update...

So...it's been nearly 18 months of "growing out the pixie."

I can't believe I've lasted this long!

Nearly every time I get my hair cut short...I never last.

I end up chopping it off short again.

Don't get me wrong...

I've been tempted...many a times.

I've seen A LOT of cute short cuts out there!

And I've gone through some major awkward stages.

But...

I did it!

I'm actually happy with my hair!

People are starting to compliment me on it!

Yay!

I've never had "good hair".

So to get a compliment on my hair just MAKES MY DAY.

I usually get more compliments when my hair is in a shorter style.

People seemed to like the pixie.

But I got THE MOST compliments when I wore a short angled bob.

I used to wear it super short and layered in back...

And then angled on the sides.

People seemed to really like that style on me.

"I" really liked that style on me.

Only thing, it required SO MUCH upkeep...keeping it trimmed every 6 weeks...

Well, so did the pixie...

That's the great thing about growing my hair out now...

I haven't had it trimmed in...

I don't know how long!

I was going every 6 weeks during the first few months because I was in such awful "growing it out" stages.  I HAD to keep it trimmed to have any kind of style to it.

But now...it's so healthy, I haven't even had the ends trimmed in several months!

I use Healthy Sexy Hair on my hair (argan oil) when I blow dry.

And if I roll it in sponge rollers at night, I put some leave-in conditioning oil in it before I roll it.

I forget the name of it.

I've just been trimming my own bangs (I know...naughty).

But so far...it's working for me!

I've been taking Biotin for the entire 18 months I've been growing it out and I think it really helps.  My hair normally grows SOOOOOO SLOW.

Not sure how long I'm gonna let it get...but for now...we're just still growin'!

Stay tuned for more updates!

Update on my schooling...(WGU)

Just thought I'd give a little update on my progress and where I'm at with school.

I've already completed one term and am working on my second term.

I am a little over 1/3  of the way done...falling somewhere in my sophomore year.

I am loving this school.  I don't think I would have ever went back if "traditional" school would have been my only option.  WGU is geared specifically for working adults.  You can accelerate if you want, but don't have to.  Each year is broken up into two 6 month terms.

You work at your own pace, but you still must finish the term by the end of the six months.

If you finish your course load early, you can accelerate and add another class in that term before it ends.  It is extremely challenging.  If you aren't the kind of person who is self-motivated, can work independently, or set and reach your own goals...it's definitely not the type of school for you.  It's A LOT of work.  You have to be a go-getter.

The support of the student mentors and course mentors is AMAZING.

They WANT you to succeed. They want you to graduate.  They will do anything they can to help you succeed.  That is something I never experienced in traditional college at the other two schools I attended.  It is difficult, challenging, trying, and overwhelming at times...not only the course load, but balancing it all with a full time job (2 businesses), family, and other day to day responsibilities.  This is why I stress over and over again to my sons..."Finish college while you're young.  Don't get married and start a family before you finish.  Don't quit.  Don't give up.  Do it while you're young."  I hope by my example that they will see that it's worth it to have a college degree.  It's been so nice being in college again while my oldest son is in college as well.  He has helped me a lot.  I'm hoping to continue to accelerate and graduate early...but if I don't and it takes the full amount of time...that's ok too.  The point is...I WILL GRADUATE!  I am NOT giving up or quitting this time!

It's gonna be so worth it in the end!

This and that...early October happenings...

 We are just plugging right along.  Life seems to just move more swiftly along the older you get.

We are so blessed.  One of our more recent blessings has been the addition to our family of sweet Katarina Blue...our part Russian Blue kitty.

 For those that follow my blog, you probably remember that our former fur-baby Oreo always slept in this little box-bed that Nate made seven years ago.  Sweet Oreo slept in that bed for the full seven years he was with us.

 When he passed on, the box went to the basement.  However, when we adopted Katarina, Nate brought the box back up.  I really didn't think she'd go into it.  But look where sweet Katarina is sleeping!

 Yep!  Nate is thrilled that she has reclaimed the box-bed!  Sweet girl.

 This kitty-girl has brought so much joy to us.  Our home was so empty after sweet Oreo passed.  And now it's filled with kitty love (and kitty fur) again.  I snapped this picture as she was climbing on me and I called her name and as she looked at me, she must've blinked as the flash went off.  Isn't it adorable?!?!

 Most of you know I decorate custom cookies.  And not much makes me more happy then new cutters!  My momma scored these vintage cutters for me and brought them up to me today.  What a great surprise!

 I haven't posted any hair updates like I had been.  It's been 14 (very long) months since I started growing out my pixie.  Here is a side-by-side of where I was 14 months ago...and where I am today.  I think it could have been a little longer, except I had a few scissor-happy gals who trimmed it a couple times.  But we're getting there.  It's progress!

 I've been working on a big cookie order for some special people.

For those who don't follow my blog, check out my Sweet Ivy Confections blog:

http://sweetivyconfections.blogspot.com/

Or look me up on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sweet-Ivy-Confections/247776648584544

I'm also on Twitter:

@Sweet_Ivy_Conf

And Instagram:

sweetivyconfections

 These are just a few sneak peaks of what I've been doing.

I can't share the full pictures yet because the folks who are getting the cookies, don't know they're getting the cookies!

 Today, my mom, sister, and I went thrifting.

It...is...a...thrill.

We go crazy thrifting.  It's like finding treasure.  We have a lot of great thrift stores around here.

I ended up with:

5 sweaters

2 dresses

2 blouses

3 scarves

1 headband

1 necklace

1 make-up bag

1 pair of shoes

1 coffee cup

2 vintage coffee mugs

2 vintage cookbooks

1 vintage ice cream scoop

ALL THIS...FOR A GRAND TOTAL OF...are you ready for this?

Drum-roll...
Less than $30.00!!!

Can you believe it?

Neither can I!!!

 Here we are making our, "Can you believe how much stuff we bought?" faces.

LOL!

 Our haul in the trunk...

 Our, "Our husbands are going to freak out" looks.

LOL!

 Selfie!

Or is it a "groupie"?

Hehehe!

 Well, now that my hair's finally growing...I can finally get it in rollers!

Yay!

I was able to fit it in my hot rollers today.

It was SO NICE to rock a different look!

I love curls!

 ...and a few edits for fun...

Well, I think that's about it for now.

Between working full time, going to school full time, baking, and keeping up with the family...I don't blog as much as I used to.  I do try to fit in at least a few a month though.

I hope this finds all of you happy and healthy!

Have a blessed autumn!