Happy Birthday Jeremy!

Today is my wonderful husband's birthday so I thought I would dedicate a post just to him! 

(wait, haven't they all pretty much been about him?!)

Jeremy is truly the man of my dreams.  He is an awesome husband and my best friend but above all else an amazing father.  I still get butterflies in my stomach when I am with him and I am still eager as ever to spend every waking moment doting on my wonderful husband.  He is my rock and I have been lost without him the past few weeks.  I've been busy the past few days trying to create the best "birthday box" ever to mail to him.  Usually I'm spot on with things that he needs and wants but this year was particularly difficult.  We've been apart for six weeks now and haven't talked about much other than our relocation preferences, what his training is like, and how much we miss each other.  Prior to him leaving we spent all of our time talking about his upcoming departure and buying all kinds of gear that he needed.  Needless to say this year, I had to get creative!

Jeremy's birthday last year.  Yes, that cake was HUGE!

I was able to come up with a few tangible items like a new watch and a gift card to his favorite store but I wanted a little something more.  Of course, I turned to good ole' reliable Pinterest and found an adorable owl handprint that I wanted to use to make something for him.  Gage and I headed up to The Madd Potter and painted this little plate for Daddy.  I know what you're thinking, cute but what will he use it for?!  My thought was that he can use it to put his keys, change, wallet, etc. in rather than tossing it all on the counter or nightstand.

this is the plate before it was fired! i love it!

The other gifts I came up with aren't as creative at that little plate... He has mentioned several times that other wives and girlfriends had mailed their guys homemade brownies or cookies so not to be outdone I spent a few hours baking his favorites; brownies and chocolate cupcakes with vanilla icing.  I wrapped the brownies and cupcakes in boxes with wrapping paper (first in wax paper and TONS of press and seal) and made a small icing bag filled with his vanilla icing and some sprinkles for him to decorate the cupcakes with when the arrived.  (No word yet if the pastries made it all the way there intact but I'm hoping they were somewhat salvageable!)

his favorite! 

He had also been complaining about being bored on the weekends so I bought him a deck of cards and our favorite game, dominoes.  I know, nothing spectacular but hopefully it will help pass the time.  I wish I had taken pictures of how cute I had wrapped everything and my out of nowhere amazingly awesome box packing skills but sadly I did not :o(.

hopefully they get the message... they are FRAGILE! :o)

For us, birthdays aren't about expensive and extravagant gifts.  What means most to us is the thought that was put into the gift.  I love love love when I say I'd like to have something in passing and he remembers and surprises me with it and I try to do the same in return for him.

Happy Birthday Jeremy!  I hope your day was filled with laughter and happiness.  You are my inspiration and I love you more as each day passes!  XOXO

Until I blog again... Farewell Friends!

Mrs. Fix-It & DIY

I have to admit, when Jeremy left I was terrified.  I had no idea how I would make it without him both physically and emotionally.  I found myself worrying about everything- who would take out the trash?  Who was going to mow the yard?  What if I have a problem with something in the house- who is going to fix it?  Who will I talk to at night?  Who am I going to hang out with?  Text all day?  We have family and friends very close that have offered to help out with everything but as you, know it is hard to admit you need help and ask for it. 

After my two day pitty party, I put my big girl panties on and got on with it.  Well, sort of... I did need my Gram's help a lot during the first four weeks.  She pretty much kept my house running; she did the laundry, dishes, light housekeeping...  Although she was there doing the physical stuff, I was still alone with my thoughts and was sad and lonely.  As time is passing things are slowly getting easier.  Near the end of week six I had a major breakthrough!  Something came over me and I suddenly felt empowered!  I had been wanting to go out for an evening alone without Gage.  I made arrangements for him to stay with my Gram and signed up for a painting class- ALONE!  I couldn't find anyone to go with me- everyone kept saying that the painting was too hard!  I was so incredibly nervous to attend this class alone but I went and I had a great time!  Not only did I get a night out but I made some new friends and had an incredible painting to bring home with me!  

I love it! 

You know what else I did?  I mowed my own grass!  Yes, I am so proud of myself for this one!  Have you seen our backyard?!  I have a new appreciation for my husband and the hard work he puts in when mowing!  No wonder he wears cleats and demanded we get a self-propelled lawn mower.  I actually broke a sweat while I was mowin' and listen y'all, I DON'T sweat!  

this is only the "top" of our yard, I'll spare you the steep sides leading around back

With my newfound strength I decided to tackle another project; our 10 year old range.  So earlier yesterday I was cleaning up the kitchen for our house showing today and guess I pushed too hard on part of the stove... I pushed the screen though/off/out... hell I don't know what I did!  Here is a picture of it! 

you can see that the top, left hand side of the electrical unit thingy got pushed back into the range! wtf? 

So yeah, here I am, trying to prep my house for a big showing the next day and this happens!  My initial solution was this: 

doesn't look suspicious to me!

I'll just put the dish towel over it and hope they don't notice! 

Wrong. 

I had to fix it.  Thank goodness for FaceTime!  I called my father in-law and he helped walk me through what to do!  I had to pull the stove out, take the back off and re-fit the piece back into its spot.  Only problem was the hooks that you screw to the range were broken off!  Since I was limited on time there was only one logical solution; duct tape.  So I fashioned this little beauty back into its place, put the back on the range and problem solved!  Well, temporarily!  

so its pretty ugly- it was VERY hard to do without someone here holding it in place for me!

 I am so so proud of myself for completing this seemingly easy task!  I don't use power tools and I don't "fix" things so this was a huge accomplishment for me!  It was super hard to set the clock after I had it plugged back in so my finished product is a bit wonky.  My father in-law will be coming later this week to fix it for real!  

just a bit crooked but hey, it looks better than it did!

Throughout this process I have learned just how strong and independent I am.  I don't need someone to do everything for me and I don't need someone here holding my hand while my husband is gone.  I can fix things, mow my own grass, and drive more than one hour alone with my child.  I think that many of my family members and some friends have this misconception of me that I am a little girl who can't do anything on her own.  That couldn't be farther from the truth.  On Friday Gage and I are flying to DC to spend the weekend with Jeremy.  Yes, I am very nervous about traveling alone with my three year old but dammit I know it can do it and I know I don't need anyone to accompany me for help!  Nor do I need someone to come sit at my house with me while I pack!  I'll figure it out, just as I have everything else.  Ok, I'll get off of my soapbox... 

I'm slowly figuring out that I'll be just fine until my hubby comes back.  Yes, I still need him but I know now that I'll manage until November 6 but not a day longer!  Hurry home honey! 

Farewell friends!

our song is the slamming screen door...

Last night as I was getting ready for bed I turned on the tv just to have some background noise.  As usual it was on Nick Jr. so I decided to channel surf to see if I could find something a bit more age appropriate and entertaining.  Feeling the need for some music, I stopped on GAC's 20 Greatest Love Songs.  A few songs into the countdown and I was of course in tears reminiscing about my own love story and how we became us.  So here it is, a snap shot from our love story...

In late 2005 I was a carefree junior in college living with my two roommates having the time of my life.  I had just gotten out of a very long and emotional relationship at the end of the summer and was happily living the single life.  For the first time in nearly 4 years I was actually dating.  I met a guy at a mixer, went on a date with a guy I met in class and a guy I met on the bus, even went on a few dates with some guys I knew from high school.  It was crazy, exciting, and I loved it.  I was finally just "Melissa" not "Melissa and... ".  I decided to spend some time getting to know myself and focusing on school and just being carefree and independent.  I had no clue what was in the cards for me in the coming months...

My roommate had a birthday in early December and to celebrate we went to a Rascal Flats concert.  I was decked out in a denim mini skirt and silver cowboy boots and ready to have an amazing night with my friends.  We had a few drinks, went to the concert, and as all college-aged kids do we headed to Steak N Shake after.  We sat in our booth laughing, joking, and wearing the goofy chef hats... classy, I know.  Then I saw him.  He was at a booth in the back of the restaurant with a friend.  Obviously I noticed his uniform first- I mean come on, who doesn't love a man in uniform!  He. Was. Gorgeous.  My friends and I did everything we could to get his attention and he wouldn't even glance our way.  Defeated, we headed out to the car.  As I was climbing in I thought to myself- there is no way I am leaving without giving him my number!  Yes I was gutsy, perhaps it was the alcohol.  I scanned the parking lot for his cruiser to leave my note on but didn't see it so I went back inside.  I gave my number to our server and sent him over to his table.  Jeremy called me 20 minutes later.

I was shocked!  I couldn't believe he called me!  He said that he was flattered that I had sent my number over and because of my "bravery" he decided the nice thing to do was to at least call.  I explained to him which one I was and he actually noticed me!  I'm sure it was the skirt and boot combo I was rocking but I didn't care- HE CALLED!  We spent about an hour on the phone before I was too tired to talk anymore and we called it a night.  As soon as we hung up he text me!   I was ecstatic!  We decided to get together the next day and boy was I nervous!  I had a semi-formal that night and couldn't get home fast enough.  I rushed home, changed, and called him to come pick me up.  I was so incredibly nervous and a bit puzzled when he pulled up in a Crown Vic!  I remember walking to the car thinking this better not be his real car!  (Nope, just his cruiser!).  We went back to his place and spent all night talking and getting to know each other.  Around 4:00 am my nerves started up again- it was late, we were tired, and I was at his place- what was this guy going to expect next?  Shockingly, he offered to drive me home and did just that.  As we were sitting in front of my place he handed me his business card "in case I ever needed anything".  What the hell?  I knew I would never see him again with that goodbye.

Well... he didn't make me wait the standard two days to call.  He called and text me right away. He was so sweet,  a true gentleman, everything I had ever wanted in a man.  We started spending more time together everyday until we were inseparable.  We simply just could not get enough of each other.  In the Spring I went home with him for the weekend.  It was the first time I would meet his parents and see the home where he grew up.  I fell in love with him that weekend.  We spent the next 9 months getting to know each other and falling in love.  He finally proposed to me on February 28, 2007 in our bathroom at home!  At that moment it was wildly romantic but we look back on it now and laugh!

San Diego, August 2006

I knew right away that I wanted to marry him and spend forever with that man.   Our life together has been full of ups and downs.  Happiness and tears.  Laughter and love.  I wouldn't change a single thing about it.  We got married September 22, 2007 and it was the best day of my life until we welcomed our son in May 2009.  The love I had for Jeremy more than tripled when we welcomed that sweet little boy into our lives.  It is so incredible watching your husband that you are already crazy in love with become a father.  It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about what an incredible father he is to our son.  I'm looking forward to spending the rest of forever with him and expanding our little family of 3.  (No, I'm not pregnant!)  

September 22, 2007

Gage Alexander Wright, May 26, 2009

I hope you have enjoyed reading a tiny little bit about our love story.  It sure has been fun to reminisce some of the most special and wonderful days of my life!

Until I blog again... Farewell friends!

an update, a few projects, and a cake, too!

As of today we have 10 days until Gage and I visit Jeremy and 14 days until our location reveal!  It feels like time is CRAWLING and taking its sweet time to pass.  I am hoping that once we arrive in DC that time passes this slow!  I feel like I'm a broken record with this 'location reveal' thing but it is so incredibly exciting!  It is the only thing we have been thinking and talking about for the past few months.  I simply cannot wait to share with you all where we are going!  I'm sure August 7th will be one of the longest days of our lives!  Jeremy will be in his regular training during the day and that evening they will have a ceremony for the big reveal!  It sounds like it will be a pretty exciting experience for him- me? Not so much.  I'll have to work that day and will be waiting patiently by the phone for his call.  I'm sure that day will be the slowest day ever!  

I'm still searching Pinterest for the perfect design ideas for our new home and have been ordering and making things here and there.  My latest obsession is with these adorable felt ball rugs!  Are they not the cutest things ever?!  I would love to make one for Gage's room or any room in the house so I set out on a mission to find the felt balls to make one...

HAVE YOU EVER PRICED FELT BALLS?  Holy cow are they expensive!  The tutorials for the rugs say that they take around 750-1000 balls.   1000 felt balls cost $190!!  I don't know about anyone else but I do not have an extra $200 laying around for me to buy a bunch of balls to *try* to make something!  I'm all about DIY projects but not when they cost this much and the odds of a successful outcome are slim.  Here is a Ready Made Felt Ball Rug that you can order, it is 350 euros so you do the conversion math.  Sadly this Momma will not be making a felt ball rug... or ordering one :o(

Ok, on to some other successful and inexpensive projects!  

I fell in love with a pin I found of a glass ornament that had a wedding invitation inside of it.  I dug out one of our invitations and found my one of my cricut cutter accessories to use to slice the invitation horizontally in even strips.  After cutting the strips, I wrapped them around a pencil so they would have a "curly" look to them and slid them inside the ornament.  I had to stick the pencil inside of the ornament a few times to sort of arrange and organize the pieces.  I also cut a few strips from our envelop so to give it a little color.  I am so happy with the results!  From every angle you can see wording from our invitation and it takes me back to that magical day when I married my best friend.  This is one of my most favorite projects from Pinterest and will cherish it always!  This project was ridiculously inexpensive- I paid $3.99 for 4 glass ornaments and I already had the cutter and the pencil!  ;O)

 

I'd like to share some photos of the adorable ballerina cake I made for my niece Maya's 4th birthday.  I was elated at the chance to make this birthday cake for her!  She is such a joy to my life it was my pleasure to create this little cake for her!  I molded the little ballerina out of fondant.  She took me about an hour to make and then three days to dry.  I covered the cake with a light pink fondant and added some quilting detail around the sides.  The entire cake (and ballerina) was dusted with pink sparkles that I think made the cake!  Maya is a very popular little girl so I also made some cupcakes to go along with the cake!  I am so so proud of this cake!  Everything I know about cake decorating (with fondant) I've taught myself.  I'm still learning and have a long way to go!  I would love to make a cake for you or your loved one!   Although you can't see it very well in the pictures my sister in-law had a gorgeous white cake pedestal.  I was in love with the simplicity of it and have decided to order one for myself!  You can see it here.  (Shout out to my Pampered Chef consultant, Ann Cheuvront!)

why, hello there

I also made cupcakes to accompany the cake and topped a few of them with tiny plastic ballerinas

the cake was perfect with a sparkly pink 4 candle!

I want to say thank you again to all of my readers.  So many of you have continued to reach out to me to show your support during the time that Jeremy and I are spending apart and to tell me of your love ad appreciation for my blog.  While this experience has been difficult it has also been very rewarding.  Not only will this time apart strengthen my love and relationship with Jeremy but it has also strengthened my relationship will all of you.  I've definitely found out who my friends are through this process and I am thankful for each one of you!

Until I blog again- farewell friends!

thanks for the memories

Did y'all know our house is for sale?!  Of course you did, you know we're relocating!  The process of selling your house is STRESSFUL!  I feel like every time I turn around the house is a mess and I need to clean it again for another showing!  I'm not complaining that it is showing so much- I am thrilled that we are getting so much traffic trough our home!  What I'm not happy with is the lack of offers!  We haven't received a single offer on our humble abode nor have we received a single complaint about it!  I am so so nervous that we won't be able to sell and will have to rent it.  The thought of renting is terrifying!  This is more than just a house to us and I'd hate for someone to come in here and not cherish it as much as we have over the years....

Jeremy bought this house 6 months after we met.  It is a sweet little house that we have filled with so many memories over the last 6 years.  This house was Jeremy's first home and the first home we've owned together!  He proposed to me in this house and carried me over the threshold into this house.  We brought our son home to this house, spent our first married Christmas and family of 3 Christmas here.  We've celebrated all of Gage's birthdays in this house.  I've had two baby showers and we've hosted numerous cookouts and get-togethers in this house.  My Dad put down the floors in this house; my in-laws have painted the entire inside of this house; my brother has lived in this house and it has been a resting place for many family members who have traveled here to visit.  So many firsts have happened here.  We've planned our entire future from this house and leaving it will be bittersweet.

My heart is in this home but I know we're destined for bigger and better things.  While I'm sure it will be an emotional day when we leave, we will always have the memories we've made in this home and will take them with us wherever we go.

ignore the ahoy mattes sign, we're not pirates!

"A" list

Let me begin with a sincere thank you and apology for my last post.  I was completely caught off guard by the overwhelming response to my post about Jeremy.  So many of you sent me such nice and thoughtful texts and Facebook messages.  I truly felt all of your love and support and am so grateful to be surrounded by so many positive and uplifting friends.  I do want to apologize to those I might have offended- this is personal and simply a collection of my thoughts and feelings.  I do not intend to upset or offend anyone and I am deeply sorry if I have.


Lots of you have been asking about the infamous list of cities we have to choose from for our relocation preferences.  While I'm not going to share our list/rankings, I will share a few cities from the official list we have to choose from.  These are just a few of our choices...

Chicago

Omaha

St. Louis

Houston

New York City

Seattle

Los Angeles

Anchorage

New Orleans

Louisville

Norfolk

Pittsburgh

Tampa

San Diego

Miami

Atlanta

Dallas

Knoxville

San Juan

Kansas City

Phoenix

Salt Lake City

Birmingham

Denver

I randomly chose these from the list but I will let you know that our #1 is on this list.  As a matter of fact our #2 is on there too!  This whole process is so incredibly exciting and yet stressful and overwhelming.  Its tough to rank 56 cities!  So much thought absolutely has to go into this process- they will consider our relocation based off of our preferences so we have to make sure that we have it ranked correctly! 

I've said it once before and I'll say it again now-  I think we have really surprised ourselves with where it is we want to go!  Way back in the very beginning I wanted to list St. Louis as our #1.  I wanted to be close to my brother and my Dad and there was no way anyone was talking me out of my choice!  Well Matt moved and some other things impacted my decision and I've since moved it down on my list...  Then well fell in love with a city... Our hearts were set and we wrote down our list, in ink.  It was permanent, official, for real.  Well... not so much.  We thought Jeremy had to turn the list in his first week.  We're starting week 5 and he still hasn't had to submit it.  It has been frustrating but we decided to review our list and make some changes... Now we have a new list; it is very similar to the original one because we just can't fall out of love with this one city... :o)


We've decided to keep our preference list private because of so many negative comments about where we want to go.  We are looking at this as an adventure.  We have an opportunity to move to a new city easily with a GREAT JOB and amazing support system already lined up!  We are taking full advantage and choosing a city that is intriguing, exciting, and what we want!  While we appreciate advice, feedback, and personal preference we are sticking with our gut.  It is always easy to give advice but not so easy to follow your own...

The reveal date of our relocation has been pushed back and is now sometime in August... I am looking forward to FINALLY finding out and sharing our exciting news with all of you!


Until I blog again... farewell friends!

it ain't getting any easier...

Jeremy and I are finishing up our fourth week apart. This is by far the longest we've ever spent apart and sadly it isn't getting any easier. The first night I was home was absolutely the worst. His towel was still hanging in the bathroom, his cup from breakfast a few mornings before was still in the sink, and when I laid down in our bed I could still smell his cologne.  I'm pretty sure I cried for three or four days straight. I could hardly look at our son or walk into our bathroom where his things were noticeably absent from the counter and drawers. I think I sat in our closet for an hour one night wrapped up in one of his t-shirts just sobbing.  And sadly, I just changed our sheets last night...

I know that he is only gone for a while and I haven't lost him forever.  I know that in a few weeks I'll look back at all of this and it will seem like it was nothing but right now it feels like an eternity since I've last seen him or will see him again. He doesn't have cell service and even if he did he can't have his phone with him during the day. We can't text and the only thing we can do is Skype and FaceTime in the evenings and on the weekends.

I honestly thought this whole process would be different. I've always been strong and have never needed anyone to hold my hand but this is just different. Life here hasn't stopped- I still have the same responsibilities if not more without him here. Our son has had major separation anxiety and won't let me out of his sight. I lay in his bed with him at night until he is asleep and I sneak out to my room where I lay awake until 1 or 2 am. Shortly after I drift off I hear little feet running down the hall to my room and my little man is climbing into bed with me. He says things like "don't leave me Mommy" and "where are you going Mommy" when I try to walk into the kitchen or take a shower. It is heart breaking.

I have to be honest here- I was slightly looking forward to Jeremy being gone. We are creeping up on our 5th anniversary this September and things were slowing down and becoming even more comfortable between us. I thought that this time apart would be good and I hoped that he would appreciate me more. What I wasn't thinking about was how much I took him for granted and what little appreciation I had for him. Until he was gone I didn't realize how much he helped out with around the house and house much he did with Gage. I didn't realize how lucky I was to have a husband who would do so many things without me having to ask. A husband who put myself and Gage first. He would never ever choose to spend a day of doing something alone, for himself, or without Gage and I. I didn't think I'd miss his terrible jokes, his awful dance moves, and his smelly wash cloth hanging in the shower.  I miss the wrong way he folded our towels and how he would drive the hell out of our car.   

I miss every single thing about him.

I don't feel like myself at all. I don't ever want to leave the house, I don't want to talk to anyone or see anyone. I don't even feel like doing laundry, cleaning, or putting anything away. Thank goodness for my Gram- she has literally been coming over nearly every day and keeping up with my house. In the midst of all of this change we are still tying to sell our house and the fear that we might not sell it is overwhelming.

I am ever so thankful to have Gage. He brings so much joy and laughter to my life. I don't think I could get through this without him. I need him like he needs me. Being alone with him has been challenging and we've certainly pushed each other's buttons over the last few weeks but he is my strength and what gets me through the tough days. He is so much like his Daddy it is scary. From his facial expressions to his mannerisms and infectious laugh it's like I have Jeremy here with me always.

I'm trying to stay strong for Jeremy and Gage but it's tough. Questions like "Why you have tears come down Mommy?" remind me to hide my emotions from Gage and thankfully my tears can't always been seen over the webcam. I'm hoping that once our assignment is revealed I will be a bit more busy and have less time to think about how incredibly alone I feel.

Right now I'm counting down the days until Gage and I get to see Jeremy. I'm sure it will be an emotional reunion and I am elated that it is only a few weeks away. I've been debating on just packing up the car and driving 10 hours to Quantico and surprising him but I know that's not the best plan. We're trying to save every last penny for our big move. There are so many things we want and want to do the sacrifice right now will be worth it.

So I'm going to stop with my pitty party and focus on the positives- only 20 days until we get to see each other and only 4 hours until he calls again. Hug your significant others, you'll miss them if they're ever gone.

I love you with my whole heart for my whole life Jeremy.

champagne taste on a beer budget

Have I mentioned yet that my husband and I are ELATED that we get to move?  We simply cannot wait to find out where we will be relocated and have spent countless hours researching all of the different areas we could move to.  We definitely have our preference of where we would like to go-  no, I'm still not going to tell you our preferences right now but I promise I'll post our list after we are assigned! I think we've really surprised ourselves with where we would like to go.

With that being said, my mind has been full of ideas for our new house!  My addiction to Pinterest has only grown and my boards are filling up quickly.  I'm totally in love with neutral colors and have a growing appreciating of "pops" of color.  I am obsessed with turquoise, gray, mint and coral!  Here are a few of my favorite pins for the home... 

I am in love with the looks in these homes!  But with a gorgeous home and matching gorgeous decor comes a hefty price!  I've been trying to collect small things here and there that we can take with us to our new home but it has proven to be quite difficult!  How do you buy things for a house you don't have yet with money you don't have yet either?  Most everything I want is ridiculously expensive to purchase new or would cost an arm and a leg to just buy the supplies let alone the time to make it!  I guess I'll have to continue planning my dream home in my head and through my Pinterest pins, sigh...  

I'm dying to find an old dresser that I can paint and refinish but I'm not having much luck.  I don't have $200 laying around to spend on a dresser that I will try to paint and my hubs won't let me paint our current furniture.  I'm a fan of the Georgia based business Southern Priss on Facebook and I HIGHLY suggest you check out her site.  She and her husband paint and refinish some AMAZING vintage pieces of furniture.  They even build custom furniture. (As soon as we figure out our house/moving situation I'm SO ordering a custom kitchen table from them!)  She auctions off her pieces on Facebook fairly often; first person who comments SOLD wins! Only problem for me is that she is located in Brunswick, GA;  I was lucky enough to win a gorgeous old farm table a few months ago and had to literally wait months until my step-dad could drive it up here for me.   Click here to visit Southern Priss!

My most favorite item that I've purchased "early" for our new house is this set of nesting baskets! Here is the original pin from Pinterest: 

I LOVE these and I LOVE the whole idea!  I spent about a month or so searching in stores and online for a similar set and finally found a set here:  Ventana Nesting Tote.  I actually found this set on my cousin's wedding registry so I ordered a set for myself :o)  (Thanks for registering for these Justin and Becky!)

I also found this mirror on Amazon.com that I think is similar enough the one in the photo I posted of the mint green bedroom.  I've ordered it and and I'm waiting on it to come in!  I haven't decided if I want to leave it gold or try to paint it white or a metallic silver. 

I hope you're enjoying my blog- I'd love to know what you think so please feel free to leave comments and/or feedback for me!  

Farewell Friends!

thank you! thank you!

Wow!  What a warm welcome and overwhelming response to my return to my blog!  Y'all sure do know how to make a girl feel good!  I am truly humbled by all of your kind words and encouragement and even by the few I've "inspired" to blog!  Although I am relatively new to this I must say that writing is something that comes naturally to me.  When I first decided to start blogging I wondered what I would write about and somehow I come up with the words to say... or, er umm... write :o)

So first things first.  I'd like to share some of the projects that I've been working on over the past two weeks.  I am addicted to Pinterest but come on, who isn't these days?  A few weeks ago while I was pinning along I realized that I had over 600 pins on my boards and I hadn't made or attempted to make any of things I had pinned!  So I decided that I was going to try my hand at some of the seemingly easy and amazing pins!

My first try was a wreath.  Let me first say that I was SO HAPPY with the results!  And proud- you betcha!  BUT this wreath was nowhere near cheap or as inexpensive as others had bragged about on Pinterest!  I spent close to $50 bucks on this thing!  Needless to say, it will be "hanging around" for a long, long time!

my little helper :)

LOVE my wreath!

The next thing I wanted to try was as DIY Mercury Glass Lamp.  The tutorial was simple enough; old lamp, Krylon Looking-Glass spray paint, spray bottle of water, a little tape and presto: a mercury glass looking lamp.  I was thrilled to find an amazing deal on a great lamp on Craigslist.  I scored my lamp for $10!  I spent about $15 on spray paint- I bought primer, metallic paint, and after checking Lowe's and two different Wal-Mart stores I finally found the looking-glass spray paint. I taped up the important parts, primed my lamp, sprayed it with water, and applied the looking-glass paint.  Although the can of paint clearly states that it is for use on glass objects, the tutorial said nothing about the item you paint having to be glass.  The looking-glass spray paint was a waste of time and money.  I wouldn't stick to the lamp, actually pulled away the primer and the sprayed water that was supposed to give it that "distressed" look just looked like, well, beads of water.  I ended up wiping down the whole lamp and re-spraying the entire thing with silver metallic paint.  I blotted it with a paper towel for a nice somewhat distressed look.  The pictures don't' really do it justice but it turned out to be a gorgeous lamp.  I found a great new shade at Wal-Mart for $15 that I think really sets it off!

before

I had also seen a lot of pictures of rope-wrapped jars and cans.  It looked simple enough and I just happened to have an extra empty pickle jar laying around.  I picked up some rope at Lowe's, fired up my glue gun, and ended up with a pretty cute little jar.  My husband says it has a beachy feel and I tend to agree.  I'm not sure what I'll use it for but for now its sitting out on my kitchen counter collecting miscellaneous change- feel free to stop by and drop some spare change in ;o)

 

So these are the only projects I've been able to get around to but my next plan is a trip to Ikea to pick up an awesome shoe cabinet for our future new home!  I hope that my small attempts at some Pinterest projects inspire you to try some of your favorite pins!

Until I blog again... farewell friends!

UPDATE!

I almost forgot to share my very first Pinterest project that ever I attempted!  I painted this silhouette of my son, Gage.  I am so so proud of myself for painting this of my baby!  It was so incredibly difficult to get a good profile shot of my ever active little guy but boy was it worth the effort!  I will treasure this always :o)

Gage Alexander, 2 years, 9 months

cake decorator in training

As many of you know, I've been trying my hand at this cake baking/decorating thing lately and I have to say I am pretty pleased with how it is going!  I took a basic cake decorating class in September of 2009 and learned a few things about how to stack and ice a cake.  I learned nothing about fondant in the class so I have taught myself everything I know.  Some of the cakes I have made have been for my family at their request but most of them have been freebies that I have made on my own and brought over to birthday parties or given to friends.  I'd like to share some of my work with you and appreciate any feedback- positive or negative!  I'm trying to come up with a name for my little cake business and hope to expand and create more cakes for family, friends, and strangers!

first ever cake!

cake with coordinating cupcakes

my first ever buttercream cake

mini shark cake

autobot

graduation farm cake

pirate ship cake

frosty cake!

blue jeans with buckle

Can anyone tell my how to rotate my pictures lol?? :o)

If you are interested in a cake please let me know!  I would be delighted to create a cake for you or your loved one for their special occasion!