A Fabulously Flawed Life

Tip Junkie.com is proud to announce the winners of their latest giveaway! Comment #17 was chosen and so the lucky winners are Laura from "The View From Our House", and Angie over at "Seven Clown Circus" for announcing it on her blog and referring Laura! You lucky girls will receive, Chanda's AMAZING Friendship 6x6 Mini Albums , a $39 value. If you didn't win but would still like one for you or a special gift for a friend, you can purchase it and other of Chanda's creations over on Executive Homemaker . This is front and back with 10 layouts fully embellished with over 24 different papers, ribbon, brads, threading, and more! Keep this in mind for special events like baby showers, best friend birthdays, and Christmas.

I just finished reading our last months book club pick " The Glass Castle ". Afterwards it made me feel like I drank two Mountain Dew's it stressed me out so much. It took about 5 hours and a period movie to calm down my overly stimulated memory and emotions. Seriously, I was a little embarrassed afterwards because I was talking so fast to a couple of my friends while discussing the book. Why was I so shaken? Because I could relate and had experienced some of the poverty and trials she had. I have been blessed with a terrible memory and therefore I have forgotten and pushed out the rest of the bad times. I feel like that's how I'm able to stay positive. I was telling my sister Lisa about the book and she kept bringing up stories of our own that were similar. Eeek! I wouldn't necessarily recommend the book because it's so gritty, but it's very well written and engaging. The author has overcome atrocities no child should have to endure. She has al...

My Latest Guilty Pleasure! The perfect blend of mint with a creamy filling. It comes with 2 bars so you can have one before lunch and one after. That is of course if you have the will power, which I don't! ;) I've got meals on the brain. It's a touchy subject at my house these days. I hate to cook!! I can not stress this enough. Why you ask? Because I'm not good at it. When I cook for others, I break out in a panic sweat wondering if it's going to be edible. It's bad. I got a D is homemaking in Jr. High and am still scared to this day. ( Literally , I have a scar on my arm.) Did anyone see Oprah's show with Jessica Seinfeld ? She has this new cookbook out for kids where you puree veggies and cook them into their meals. I might try this out! Of course that means that my man will have to eat kid food since I refuse to cook 2 meals. One is hard enough. My kiddos are so skinny and they don't eat very healthy. I like how organized the program is and it loo...

Yesterday during snack after school Davis and Dylan were talking about Christmas and how they want a PS3. I looked over at them and reminded them that that was a lot of money so don't get their hopes up and be thinking about something else. (You gotta keep 'em guessing. ;)) Davis came up to me after homework and announced that Santa does not deliver the presents. I was surprised and asked him who does? He took both index fingers and pointed them at me, "You do." He was quite frank and resolved about it. I was happy that he finally figured it out (he's almost 9) and then ... panic struck! I shuffled him into my bedroom, locked the door, and went into the conversation, by that of course I mean threats on his life! Jason interrupted us and I explained what happened. Again, I saw the panic in his eyes, "Now Davis you can't tell Dylan..." (more threats) Then Jason said, "Well now that you're in the secret, you get to help us play Santa." Oh ...

In an attempt to have some quality bonding time with my preteen, um I mean toddler, I enrolled us in Mommy & Me classes at ASI Gymnastics. I don't know what I was thinking. Drake is 18 months old going on 13 years old. He is moody, grumpy, he thinks he knows it all, and has a major beef with authority. It's an hour spent constantly re-directing him as he attempts to make a mad dash to the small trampolines. Once caught he looks at me with his signature "go to hell" look and we start the process all over again. By the end we're both exhausted and irritable . There are a couple things my little guy enjoys, yes only a couple. He LOVES the water! Pool, lake, bathtub it's all good! I've been putting him in the tub a lot just to get things done, like get dressed. ;) Drake also LOVES shoes! If you come over and leave your shoes by the door they'll be snatched up quickly. Doesn't his little feet look so cute in Ella's shoes! He was so mad when he ...

Pottery Barn Version, My Version I can finally show you what I've been working on for 3 weeks! I saw this in the Pottery Barn Kids Catalogue and I had to have it! 2 other friends of mine wanted to do it as well, so this was a group effort that made it more fun, much easier, and cheaper! We made 6 of them, two for each of us. I'm very pleased at how they turned out. (I need photography lessons, this picture just doesn't do it justice.) I gave my second one to my Witch Switch Sister, Jamie, who just received it and to my relief she really liked it. I was a bit nervous about it since it's more for the kiddos. I received my Witch Switch gift from Kara . She even decorated the box to coordinate with the gift. Seriously Ladies, we were meant to meet! Kara made me personalized Halloween Cards, this cute wire box all decked out in Halloween ribbons filled with candy, her homemade caramel popcorn, and this too cute Halloween bag! (notice the flower) Kara I LOVE it!! You com...

Lisa came up again this week! She wanted me to upload the entire New Layer's Fall line into Executive Homemaker , make her some hangar tags, and update her blog with a slide show and footer. We got it all done in 2 days. To butter me up and free up my schedule, she drove up and spent a couple days with me. Yeah for me! She came bearing gifts which, hello, is fabulous! I'm defiantly going to put this Mrs. Clause apron to good use, but not in the kitchen, if you know what I mean. (he he) I know that I have bad luck, but Lisa's just may be worse. Once again her timing sucks and she came up to see me on Return Day ! Do you have return day? I hate to run errands with my toddler, so I stock up on things I need to take back and do it all in one day. It pretty much sucks but it's only once a month. Since Drake was over at a friends house for a play date, I decided to make this return day an "Adult return day" and I went through all my wallets and found all the gift ...