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Sunday, December 22, 2013

Cookie Baking Day At Geeg & Papa's...

 We had our annual Cookie Baking Day again this year at Geeg and Papa's house.
It's mostly for the cousins.
The adults just hang out, eat, chat, and supervise.
 Honestly, the "kids" are getting older now...and I honestly think they more enjoy just being together than decorating cookies.
 But some cookies did get baked none the less.
 The cousins...and my sister and me.
 Baked, but not decorated yet...
 My mom is a major "crafter".
 So my sister and I made some ornaments.
 Crafty sisters!
 Another ornament we made...
Shhh, don't tell the hubs and papa I took this picture when they weren't looking!
Haha!
What annual traditions do you have?

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Tree Numero Dos!

 So, after work on Friday afternoon...
We took "ALL" of the equipment out of the room.
 ...and...
 Transformed it back into a formal living room!
Hurray!
We set up our second Christmas tree.
So now we can enjoy one in the family room and one in the living room!
The cat is in heaven.  
Now he has one to sleep under on both levels.
I have to say, I'm quite proud of him...he hasn't tried to climb or do any major damage at all this year (knock on wood).
We are hosting the family on Monday for Christmas.
We'll have our usual munchies, desserts...food galore!
Games, music, movies, and lots of chatter!
It's always so much fun!
What are your holiday plans this year?
Be safe and have fun!
Merry CHRISTmas!

Monday, December 16, 2013

Deck The Halls...Fa-La-La-La-La...La-La-La-La...

 We got the house all decorated (mostly, more on that)...
I got these cute little jars at the Dollar Store, perfect for Christmas candy!
I put some thin mints, peppermint sticks, and peanut brittle in them!
 Got this cute little glass vase there as well...perfect for candy canes!
 Kitty has been a good boy this year.
He hasn't tried to climb the tree...yet.
And he hasn't carried off any candy canes yet either.
 He has the cutest routine.
Each night, he lays on his stocking under the tree...and stares at the Baby Jesus in the manger!
It is just precious!
 The stockings were hung...on the door with care...
(I wish I had a fireplace!)
 I got this "Pinterest-y" idea...
I had all of these little Christmas Carols that my dad had given me years ago...
So I strung them together to make a banner!

 I hung some ornaments with ribbons and candy canes along the patio curtain rod.
I am NOT the best DIY-er or decorator, but I do my best.
 The boys did a great job decorating the tree in the family room!
 My Christmas boxes and wooden tree mom and dad made...
 Some other decor...
I was saying to my mom, that I think she has made or given me the majority of my Christmas decorations over the last 20 years I've been married!
 I love this HOPE plaque and JOY bottles she made!
 I put my usual swags and reindeer in the windows...and added some hanging ornaments and candy canes as well this year!
 I (((heart))) snowmen!
 More decor in the entryway...
 The coffee table...
 End tables...
I have one more major thing to get done.
We are hosting the family Christmas get-together this year...so...
I am clearing out the daycare room and returning it to its living room state!
We'll be putting a second tree in the living room as well!
I'm super excited about that!
Well that it for now!
I hope you're having fun "Decking your Halls" as well!
Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

I (((heart))) chalkboard art!

 I have fallen in love with this whole chalkboard art thing!
I'm not the greatest artist...so I'm so thankful for all of the printables available out there!
All I have to do is scan Pinterest and it points me to so many wonderful blogs full of printables!
There are many ways to "transfer" the pattern onto your chalkboard...just Google it and you'll find a variety of methods.  But for me...I am lucky!  Being a baker, I happen to own a KopyKake projector!  So all I have to do is lay my chalkboard under my projector and trace the image!  And presto!  Woot!  I am still looking for a better chalk.  Typical packaged chalk is so..."clunky".  I have used a pencil sharpener to get a "finer" point.  I have also heard there are chalk "pens" out there.  That is what I need to get.  I just need to locate them!  Will probably hit up Hobby Lobby or Michaels this weekend.  I'm sure they have them.  If you have any suggestions or tips on chalkboard art, please leave them in the comments section!  I'd love to hear from you!

Friday, November 29, 2013

It's really happening...

 It's happening.
My son got his first acceptance letter from a college in the mail today.
He was accepted into Grand Valley State University.
He's not sure if he's going to start out there...or at Grand Rapids Community College first.
I suppose a lot will depend on finances and financial aid, etc.
But it's a good feeling.
He did it.
He did well (honors) all four years of high school.
He did great on his ACT.
It's happening.
It doesn't really feel like it's been seventeen years since I gave birth to my sweet boy.
It doesn't feel like he's been in school for thirteen years (well, maybe some days it does).
But...in just a few short months, he'll graduate.
Whaaaaa!
Can't we stop this somehow? 
At least I have the comfort in knowing he's chosen to go to college locally.
He's not leaving me just yet.
Whew.
Can I just keep him forever?
 

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

October/November Catch-Up...

 We did our annual pumpkin carving a few days before Halloween.
My husband always asks when we're going to quit carving pumpkins, dying eggs, etc.
I said, "NEVER!  It's a tradition!"
 I don't think you're ever too old or "grown-up" to do anything.
If you enjoy it...do it!
 Nate did a spooky "Welcome" dracula bat.
Evan did "Assassin's Creed". 
 ...and Nate had a second pumpkin that he brought home from art club that he turned into a silly cat!  We had a fun Halloween as always.
 Lately I have been getting into the art of chalkboard art.
My mom made me a nice chalkboard to hang up.
I'm having fun trying out and creating new quotes and pictures! 
And in other news...
I was working on some Christmas crafts last weekend and was using my EXTREMELY sharp fabric scissors.  I was curling some "curly ribbon" and I went to curl one up and BAM!  Caught the tip of my thumb and sliced the tip!  Ugh.  I got it pretty bad.  Had the worst time getting it to stop bleeding.  I've had it bandaged for two days and been putting Neosporin on it but it seems to be taking FOREVER to start the healing process.  Complete klutz, I tell you.
We got some snow this week and they say more is on the way.
I'm happy we're staying put for Thanksgiving.
I always hate traveling in bad weather.
Tomorrow I'm going to do a little cleaning and then...
It's...
CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS!
Yay!
I can't wait any longer.
When do you put your Christmas decorations up?
Do you already have them up?
I can't wait!
 

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Girl Time...Shopping, Dinner, Coffee...(what could be better?)


 (Ok, first off...I have to apologize for the quality of my pictures lately.  I've been taking a lot of snapshots on my iPod...and the quality is NOT good.  So sorry!)
With that out of the way...
Last Friday, my sister messaged me on Facebook last minute, out of the blue, and asked if I wanted to meet her at the mall for a night of shopping, dinner, and coffee!
Are you kidding me?
YES!
We started off in the food court with some loaded cheese, bacon, ranch fries...YUM-O.
That gave us just enough energy to start our shopping excursion.
We browsed through many stores...window shopping and admiring all the things we wanted, but didn't want to pay full price on, LOL!
Then we got to Old Navy.  Neither of us are big Old Navy fans.  I like the low prices on their sale/clearance racks...however, I have issues with some of their quality.  Many of the things I've bought there come unstitched and the necklines run notoriously large and gap.  Most of their clothing runs small too.  So I made a vow...no more paying full price at Old Navy.  If I come across a REALLY good bargain on the clearance rack, that's the only way I'm spending money there.  Well, as luck would have it, I found these two cute tops...leftover spring/summer merchandise.  I got one in aqua and one in coral.  They are loose, billowy, and longer...so they cover your fanny.  Great to layer with a long sleeve shirt and pair with leggings and boots in the fall or with sandals and flats in the spring/summer!


 I wore the coral one on Saturday and really liked it!
Oh!  I forgot to mention the best part!  These two awesome shirts rang up at $3.12 and $2.78 respectively!  Ha!
 I also found these two cute cotton sleeveless dresses.  Totally long and flowy.  They don't cling to the midsection at all...which is my biggest concern.  I'm thinking I may wear the red one for Christmas with a black long sleeve shirt underneath, black leggings, and either a long necklace or scarf...and of course my black riding boots.
 I was playing with this plum colored one once I got home and put a black shirt under it and a multi-colored satin scarf that I knitted with it.  I haven't worn it yet, but I think with black tights or leggings and boots it will be a great look!
And the best part about these two dresses...the cost!
Can you say $4.00???

 Next we went to Target down the street.
Boy did we score some bargains there!
They were obviously clearing summer/spring items as well.
I got this cute little dress for $7.00!
I'm thinking I may be able to wear it even now (before spring) if I pair it with my little black button down sweater and some black tights and boots!


 Same with this one...$7.00!!!
Pairing it the same...with the black sweater and tights/boots.

 These sheer little tops must be popular or something because I'm seeing them everywhere.
I got my first one this past summer at a garage sale and I would have totally never bought it if my sister hadn't talked me into it.  I'm so glad I did, because I LOVE IT.
So when I saw more of them at Target, I grabbed one in each print!
I got these for $4.00 each!
This blue one has a floral print.  Great to wear with leggings or skinny jeans and boots, with a long sleeve shirt underneath.
 This one was $4.00 also.
And don't laugh...the print on this one...it's purple...ANTELOPES, LOL!
I asked my fashion conscious sister if that was tacky and she said no.  You can barely tell what they are anyway.  I was surprised when I went home that I had the PERFECT matching long sleeved shirt to wear underneath and I'm wearing it today!
And my last $4.00 number!
This one is a charcoal gray and has a floral/bird print.
I'm so excited about my bargains!
It always feels good to restock your wardrobe...especially when they're bargains!
Woot!

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Growing out the pixie...Month 4...

Well, it's strange.
Some days I really see the growth in my hair.
Other days it still seems really short.
Don't worry, I'm not giving up!
In fact...
I'm being even more proactive.
They say Biotin is good for hair growth, so I'm headed out to Walgreens tonight to pick some up.  It's on sale Buy 1, Get 1 Free!
Then my hubby (bless his heart) found me some salon products online (shampoo, conditioner, oil, and leave in spray treatment) that is supposed to support hair growth and healthy hair.  So I'm going order some of that as well.
I'm doing all I can.
And I'm not giving up!
Stay tuned for next month's update!