Heads...or tails...?

And so Nate says to Jamie tonight...

"Heads, I win...tails, you lose."

LOL!

It took this silly old blonde a minute to get it.

Nate starts that silly, contagious giggle of his and says, "GET IT?!?"

LOL!

One day...that's all they're askin'...

One snow day.

That's all the kids are asking.

Just one.

While the rest of the country has been hammered with snow storms...

We here in Michigan have had a relatively mild winter (for Michigan).

I'm sure the adults don't mind.

But "WE" kids would like a snow day!

Yes, I know I'll still have to work.

But I like havin' my babies home on an unexpected day.

Not one.

We haven't had ONE snow day this year!

It's unheard of!

So...

Mr. Weatherman...you say a big storm is coming Tuesday and Wednesday?

We say, BRING IT ON!

We want our snow day!

LOL!

Mom and my birthday celebration...

Today we had an early birthday celebration for mom and me.

Mom and dad, Jess, Ben, Raegan, and Logan came over.

I made a smothered chicken in the crockpot, loaded baked potatoes w/ butter, sour cream, cheddar, bacon, and chives.  We served the chicken over pasta.  Also made a salad and some garlic cheese biscuits.

I made a cake for dessert and we had come ice cream too.

We had a great time visiting.

Always enjoy having the fam over.

Also, just wanted to share (and show) my new FREE glasses I got from Coastal Contacts give-away!  They finally came and I love them!

What a deal!

My newest cake...

Well, it's finished.

I made mom's and my birthday cake.

It's by no means perfect.

But...

The amazing thing about this cake was, that I didn't stress (too much).

I had fun.

I learned a new technique (cornelli lace).

And it is, what it is.

I think it's kinda cute.

There is much room for improvement.

But hey...for only making less that half a dozen cakes, I think it's not half bad.

I am so anxious to take my Fondant & Gum Paste Course in the spring/summer.

Maybe I will find that to be my niche?

Maybe it will be even more stressful, LOL!

Who knows.

But I'm anxious to try it!

I also made these adorable little bite size cakes.

I think they're cute.

As they say...

Practice makes perfect, right?

Someday...

Someday...

Someday...

Someday...

If I must work...

I want to have a career that I enjoy.

I want to find my passion.

I would love to open a bakery someday.

Even if I didn't have my own shop...

I'd love to have enough business,

That I could work from home and make a decent living.

JUST...

On cake decorating.

I don't mean to sound ungrateful or mean...

But I am so burnt out on my current job.

Under-paid, under-appreciated.

But that's not where I want this post to go.

I REALLY REALLY REALLY to get into baking/decorating.

I'm planning to take my second and third courses this spring/summer...
And I can't wait.

I would love for God to open some kind of door...

So that I could get out of my current situation...

And into something I enjoy.

Passion.

That's what I'm talking about.

He must really love me...

Those who know my best...know...that I have ALWAYS hated my hair.

It is fine, straight as a bored, and won't grow.

I have tried over and over again growing it out.

I know my hubby loves long hair.

But once my hair gets to about shoulder length, it just really draws out my face and accentuates how long and narrow my face and neck are.  My eyes tend to look a little sunken.

It's just not a good look for me.

Plus, my hair isn't thick and full.  It lacks volume.  And so long hair has never agreed with me.

Yet I try over and over again to grow it out.

Jamie doesn't believe me, but I do it for him.

I know he likes long hair.

But the other day, I just casually said how I have never gotten compliements on my hair EXCEPT for the two years I had it cut in an angled bob.  More people told me how cute it was, how good it looked, and how it suited my face just perfect!  It was wonderful to feel good about my hair.  It was easy to style, it looked fuller, and healthier than ever.

And so...

The other day, my dear, sweet hubby says to me, "Why don't you get your hair cut back in the angled bob?"

WHAT?!?!

I said, "Because I'm trying to grow it out?"
He says, "Why?  How are you going to style it?"

"I don't know", I say.

"Well, don't you say you don't look good with long hair?  Don't you say you get lots of compliments with your angled bob?" he says to me.

"Yes", I say.

"Well then cut it", he says.

This photo was taken Christmas of 2009.

I am going back to this style.  Though the front length will be a little longer.

The longest length in the front will be more chin length and then I'm going with the dramatic angle and stacked with lots of layers in back.

Victoria Beckham started it.

I tried it.

It worked.

It is the only style I've ever had, that I get complimented on.

And that's not WHY I'm doing it.

But that lets me know, that it looks good on me.

It lookd fuller, healthier, and has more volume.

So...

Our salon is having a sale next month.

So I'm waiting till then.

And back I'll go...

With picture in hand.

And coming home...

Feeling good again!

A lazy kind of day...

I asked for it!

I got it!

I still wouldn't mind more!

Yup!

It's been dumping (snow) on us all day long.

It's still really not that bad.

We've had much worse.

The streets are "travelable" (if that's a word, LOL!).

But I honestly wouldn't care if we got a bunch more!

As long as I don't have to go anywhere...

I'm good with it all.

As you can see...

It doesn't bother Oreo much either.

He's taken to this spot lately.

When napping...
Across the top of the sofa-sleeper.

And when awake...
Right above him on the window sill.

He's really quite unintelligent.

He'll sit there batting at the snowflakes against the window.

It's really quite comical.

Teehee!

Happiness is...

When I've had a rough week.

When I'm feeling low.

Nothing makes me more happy than my family.

My three guys.

My kitty.

What could be better?

I assure you...

Nothing.

:)

If I go missing...due to anxiety, panic, or flat out heart failure...

I'm making another cake.

Yes.

I started my cake decorating journey last summer.

It probably isn't the best hobby for someone as high-strung and dependant on perfectionism like me.

But I'm doing it none the less.

I took and completed the first Wilton Basics class.

And am waiting till this next summer to take the next two, hopefully.

Anyway...

Next week, I will be baking my first triple layer graduated heart shape cake.

I invited the whole family over for dinner and cake to celebrate mom's and my birthday.

Cleaning the house, preparing dinner...

And...

Baking and decorating a cake.

Probably NOT a good combo for me.

I stress as it is when someone is coming over because I want my house perfectly spotless.

I stress when cooking someone a meal, wanting it to taste absolutely perfect.

And now...

I've added the stress of trying something new.

A stacked cake.

I am already stressing thinking about it.

Praying it turns out beautiful.

I am trying to shake it all off...take a deep breath...and have fun with it.

But...

I am a perfectionist.

I want things perfect.

I aim to be the perfect mom.

Perfect wife.

Perfect housekeeper.

Perfect cook.

Perfect person.

I am not.

Ever.

Any of these.

And so I continue to disappoint myself daily.

But...

If we don't ever set goals or try new things...

We can never reach them, right?

When the family gets here,

I know my house will not be perfectly spotless.

I know the meal won't be gourmet.

I KNOW BEYOND THE SHADOW OF A DOUBT THAT THIS CAKE IS GOING TO BE...

Full of little mishaps.

I'm only hoping and praying...

That "I" will be the only one to know that they even happened.

That is will look beautiful...

And taste even better...
To everyone else.

So...

If I go missing...

You hear more screaming...

Slamming doors...

Crying...

Or an all out panic/anxiety attack happens...

You'll know why.

The cake was a flop.

I didn't get the house cleaned.

And dinner was either burnt or not cooked properly.

SO...
Stay tuned...

I'll give you an update at the end of the month.

And if the cake is pretty in any way, shape, or form...

I'll post a picture, LOL!

He picked me...

Not sure where I first discovered "Home Grown Mom"...but this is a blog I REALLY REALLY enjoy! 
She writes from the heart and is so open and honest.
I love it.
I came across this post today and as always...loved it.
Give it a read...it may be just what you need to hear...I know I enjoyed it!
http://homegrownmom.com/a-wife-to-rush-home-to/your-husband-picked-you/3222