May Musings...Let's Catch Up...

 Well, as I've mentioned before...since I've started going back to school full time (along with working full time)...the blog has taken a back seat.   But I figure as long as I can get one good post a month and catch up our family life...I'm doing good!  Ha!

We're doing well, busy as always.  Yesterday was National Hug A Cat Day...hence the first picture in the post, LOL!  Katarina is the little princess in our household, so I had to nab a picture of her for the day.

 Yesterday was Nate's last day of school.  It was his last year at Cityside.  Look out ZEHS...here he comes!  He came home with his Celebr8 video (year end photo/video), a President's Education Awards Program certificate, 8th grade graduation certificate, and a Finish Strong t-shirt (logging hours for staying active/physically fit).  He is looking forward to a summer of relaxation.

 In my "spare time" (right), I've been experimenting with some Pinterest ideas I've always wanted to try...namely dry shampoo.  It turned out really well and I really like it!  This one is very simple...corn starch and oatmeal.  I love that it's all natural and inexpensive...and best of all, it works!

A couple weeks ago, mom, Jess, and I had our annual Girl's Day Out.  We love going to thrift stores.  It's like treasure hunting!  We always enjoy lunch out and coffee or smoothies later!

 We stopped in Hobby Lobby while we were out thrifting and they had a clearance on their wall decor.  I got this cute "J" and pink platter for 60% off.  I'm going to spray paint the "J" and use chalkboard paint on the tray and hang both in my kitchen!

 Between all of our thrift store stops, I found an abundance of cookie cutters!  Cookie cutters are my obsession.  I love coming across unusual or vintage ones.  It's actually rare when I find one I don't have.

 I got quite a few cute clothes.  My summer wardrobe expanded!

 In other news, my rose bushes are blooming!

 As you all know, I'm going back to school to get my teaching degree.  My school (WGU) held a little contest (Thank A Teacher) and I wrote a post about my favorite high school teacher...and I was selected as one of the winners!  I won a $30.00 gift certificate to the school store!  I chose this hoodie!

 I have had this beautiful flowering bush in my yard for 15 years.  Each year I post a picture and ask friends if they know what it's called.  No one ever knows what it is.  This year, a friend of mine helped me locate a picture of it online and we discovered it's called a Japanese Snowball!  Unfortunately, the blooms only last about 2 weeks.  But I love it!

 Last year, my mom gave me some Hens & Chicks to plant...they came back!  I love succulents!

 Nate and I have been taking bike rides in the evenings.  I hope to do this all summer long.  It's one of the few forms of exercise I enjoy!

 Tulip Time was a success again this year.  This was Nate's last year marching with the middle school band.  Next year he'll march with the high school band.  Evan said it was weird NOT to be marching after 7 years in the band!

 The parades are always fun and the evenings filled with walking through the tulips and getting fair food are great too!

 There's my Nate!

 Nate once again made the Champion Chix list all 6 terms and was a part of the awards ceremony.  We were very proud of him!

 I've been busy working with my baking business.  I did this graduation gift for our pastor's son.  If you haven't already, be sure to check out my baking blog at:
http://sweetivyconfections.blogspot.com/

We are also on Facebook:
Sweet Ivy Confections

And Twitter:
Sweet_Ivy_Conf

I have a wedding order coming up...400 cake pops and a small cutting cake for the bride and groom!  So this month will be busy!

 Our car lease was up this year...and we are now the proud new owners of a Toyota Rav4!

We really love it!  We are buying instead of leasing this time.

 And...introducing...EVAN'S CAR!  Yes, my baby has his own car now!

He completed his first year at GVSU and has been working full time this summer at Meijer.  He bought it all on his own!  It's a 2005 Toyota Matrix.  He really loves it.  INDEPENDENCE!

Nate had his end of year trip with his class to Mackinac Island.  He had a blast, but they jam pack so much into 24 hours, he said he's really looking forward to our family trip in June when he can do his own thing, LOL!

Well, that about sums up our May.  Hope you're all having an amazing summer!

TTFN!

EARTHQUAKE!

Today we experienced our first earthquake!

Our Saturday started out as any other.  Jamie came home from his night shift and went to sleep.  I sat around in my recliner checking my e-mail and Facebook sipping coffee while the boys were upstairs having a snack.  At around 12:23 p.m. there was a low "rumble" and we felt the entire floor and house shake violently!  I was SCARED...TO...DEATH.  We have never experienced an earthquake.

I jumped out of my chair and said, "What was that?"  Our kitty came running down the stairs with a perplexed look on her face.  Nate said, "Was that an earthquake?"  Evan said, "We don't get earthquakes in Michigan!"  I said, "What was it?"  I thought maybe there was a pipe or something in the ground going to burst!  I don't know.  I have no clue.  I'm looking outside, in the basement, all over the house.  Nate said, "It wasn't a truck or a plane or the wind!"  Evan said, "Maybe it's the military!"  Let me tell you, we were coming up with every scenario EXCEPT earthquake, because WE JUST DON'T GET EARTHQUAKES IN MICHIGAN!

FACEBOOK!

I said, "Let me check Facebook!"  Sure enough, friends from all over the state had felt it.  Kalamazoo, Galesburg, Vicksburg, Lansing, Detroit, Grand Rapids...ALL OVER THE STATE.

At least I knew I wasn't going crazy.  At least all my family and friends experienced it too.

Turns out, there was a 4.2 earthquake experienced by all of us here in Michigan.

I tell you, it scared the crud out of me!  My heart was racing, my whole being was shaking, and I was praying!  Thankfully it was mild and no one was hurt and nothing was damaged.

I know folks in California experience things like this everyday and it's a normal everyday occurrence for them.  But for us here in Michigan, this was a HUGE deal.  It was scary.

I am grateful we are all fine.

Now there's one more item I can cross off my life experiences!

Ha!

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!)