A Fabulously Flawed Life

Boy do I have a silly treat for you today. {{snicker}} A fabulous friend of mine {and someone who I greatly admire) guilt-tweated me into posting a Mom Casting video submission for the new blogger reality show that's in the works.  {{bwaahaa!}} I'm only doing this for YOU my dear Ciaran. Only for you! and Yes "guilt-tweeted" is a word. {Watch Laurie's Mom Casting Video submission on YouTube} In all honesty, there's no way that I'll be chosen so I'm not worried about it. The blogosphere is filled to the brim with successful mormon-mommy-bloggers to be the resident LDS reality show contestant.  Most of whom are way more talented than little ol' me. Why did I finally cave and do the video?  Well... a while ago, I realized that I was sabotaging myself and not accepting offers because I was scared that I wouldn't be able to pull it off, or that I would be so nervious I'd be a sweaty mess. So I decided to stop that behavior immediate...

Thanks to my dear friend Lisa for the cake!  A little piece of heaven. This year I spent my birthday in the most beautiful place on earth for a crafty mom-preneur, The Creative Connection Event. I blogged all about what I learned and who I met over on Tip Junkie: How to Launch a Business How to Use Social Media as a Marketing Tool Entrepreneur Lunch Panel Taking Business to the Next Level Getting Published and Editorial Credit The Future Face of Retail ~ The Digital Marketplace As an aspiring business woman myself, I was honored to rub shoulders with uber successful women like Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman, blogger, turned business woman, turned author, she's the next "Rachael Ray".  Ree is so gracious and it was a highlight getting to chat with her several times throughout the weekend. Heather Bailey, graphics designer and blogger, who now licenses her designs with major corporations and has a fabric line, pattern line, and stationary line. I'm sure ...

Yes, I believe in evolution. Not the kind where we have evolved from monkeys, but the kind that slowly happens over time as you overcome your trials and find your purpose in life. I'm an "all or nothing" kind of gal. So when when I first started blogging three years ago, my goal was to make my blog as close to my real life as possible. Well, as my blogs and sites have evolved my free time has too. I was no longer able to keep my goal for my personal blog and with that came consequences. Since I couldn't blog the way I wanted to - I went private. Since going private, I have really missed the "deadline" that sort of comes when being accountable for updating a blog. I've actually missed a lot of the perks of having a personal blog. Therefore, I decided to completely reinvent it to reflect myself as I am now - and stop trying to keep it to where I was at in 2007. So it's out with the old... and in with the new thanks to Kreated by Kelsey who d...

Laurie is a creative soul who has a passion for embellishing life. She launched Executive Homemaker in 2006 which has over 600 printables for busy moms. Laurie loves to promote creative women through their fabulous ideas and products with Tip Junkie that features the best tips and tricks from everyday women. To meet the need of affordable advertising for Mom-prenuers she co-founded Chic Chick Media and Buy Mom Made.org . Laurie lives in Dallas, is a mom to 3 boys, cruise director for her family, and all around girly-girl. Her focus is to create moments that matter for herself, her man, and her children. Contact Laurie via E-mail Laurie's Blogs & Sites: Tip Junkie - Creating moments that matter TJ Blog Events & Giveaway Directory - Free Stuff TJ Mom-preneur Shops - Promoting women in business TJ Community - Uniting creative women Twitter: @TipJunkie Follow on Facebook Buy Mom Made.org - “I pledge to buy products that are created and sold by moms and encourage othe...

After months of working out alone, I've finally gotten a work out partner! His form is fantastic for his first time! Notice he's totally looking at the TV screen to know what to do. {{snicker}} It's about time that I retire my latest workout routine, 10 Minute Solutions Slim & Sculpt Pilates . Pros: I can queue up several 10 minute work outs or do just 1. It's quick. I like using the band. It works. Cons: I'm bored to tears with it. Any suggestions?

(Pic from Feb.) I found this song from Lisa's blog as she has the best taste in music! Billy's been living with us since February and I know they're looking forward to her house selling so they can reunite and be together once again. On a personal note, Jason's been traveling a lot this summer and it looks like he'll be home for a while and taking a traveling break. Having him home consistently, I've realized how much I've missed him! You know how it is, you get in the groove and take on single-motherhood without looking back. But now that he's in our life full time, I know that I couldn't do this without him. "I never realized not having you here would hurt so much... I need your loving hands to come and pick me up. Every night I miss you!" He's such an amazing man and totally gets me. I love you honey and (once again) I'm so glad you choose me. {{smooches}}

**Warning! Gush Fest** Disclaimer: I feel compelled to share my feelings and gush a little on the women who have helped me during such a dark time. Please note this isn't a brag, it's a tribute to those women who have have consistently been there and to those who continue to lift me up. This post is about F.R.I.E.N.D.S. (Like my reenactment above. HA!) This topic has been on my mind a lot lately and was even more so before my back injury. It was inspired by Celia Fae's post on 'Homies' . She cracks me up with her sharp whit and fabulous definitions. She has a classification for pretty much everything! In her post she defines different types of friendships. I would classify myself as the Friend Collector . According to Celia , "Friend Collectors don't acquire friends willy-nilly. They are deliberate. Friend Collectors find people who are very interesting or excel in one area, and then they befriend them. " I wouldn't say I "collect" frien...

I've been meaning to do this post for a while now. I've been in physical therapy (pain & torture) 3 times a week for around 5 weeks and tomorrow will be my last session. My doctor had told me that I would need to go to P.T. to strengthen my back and learn how to properly lift things after my surgery. However, he did NOT tell me that it would be more like rehabilitation! My body was so week from 6 weeks of agony and non-use that my left leg even atrophied. It was hard work getting my body back to normal. Candy, my physical therapist, put my body through the wringer and pushed me to my limit. (Which in reality isn't very far. teehee) I've felt like a weakling for too long and now my body is stronger and ready to be free of tri-weekly torture. I'll still do some of the exercises on my own to keep my back strong. I took all these pictures so I wouldn't forget the moves. ;) Now you know what I've been spending all my time doing. Absolutely nothing productive....