I won....and Resolutions...

I am so excited I just found out that I am one of the winners of the Elmers Glue on the DIYShowoffblogspot!! Woo-hoo! Thank you so much Roeshel (shelly ;))

As I sit and ponder the new year I am more excited than you can imagine! Not to be negative but seriously 2010 was horrible ! really am so glad that it is over! I am one of those people who really loves new beginnings and New Years is always exciting to me. My resolutions are very similar to my birthday goals.
1. Become financially stable - this is my number one because it is the most important. My hubster had back surgery in July and has been out of work since then, he finally started getting disability in December, but needless to stay we are a wee bit behind and I hate the way that feels. I will probably be blogging about this little adventure quite a bit!

2. Do my daily dos - I got the Daily Do list from My Happy Home and they really do make me a much more organized therefore very much more happy person.

3. Lose 30 lbs.- I lost about 30 in 2010 and I would like to do it again for a total of 60. Maybe when I am ready to post an after pic I will post the before pic too!

4. Pray more often- actually this should be and is the most important resolution, I function alot better when I am in contact with my Heavenly Father on a regular basis.

5. Make date night each week with the hubster a priority- he had a bit of a mid-life crisis in April/May and our marriage almost didn't survive it and it scared me to death because I adore him so I am going to make a real point of connecting with him so I know what he is feeling.

So do you have any resolutions? Are you one to actually keep them or are they out the window in a week? Not me, I am determined!

Until later,
Hugs,
Shelly

Christmas @ Nama Halacy's Cottage...

Here are some pics of Christmas in our Cottage, I hope you enjoy.

Our lovely tree, ornaments collected throughout the years.

A little bit of Christmas in our kitchen!


I found this little bird in the hospital gift shop at McKay Dee and I just fell in love with him, I can't tell you why cuz I don't know, but he really makes me smile!

Okay so I went to the Quilted Bear to get something that cost $2.00 and came out $60.00 OOPS! Oh well look how dang cute this is!

Another view..

My daughter found this cool little Santa at the DI for $1.00. Very thrifty and he is a great addition!

Well that is it for this year, I have so much more but I will save it for years to come. I hope you all have a very merry and safe Christmas.
Until later,
Hugs,
Shelly

Tater-bug....

My little granddaughter, Taylor who is two, spent the night with Nama and Dampa Halacy this weekend we had so much fun!! She really is a blast and she loves to craft and to read. I was reading her a book about the Christmas Angels and there visit with Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and the wisemen about the coming of the baby Jesus. After the book she went to the nativity and picked up the baby Jesus and hugged to her little heart and said "I love baby Jesus so much" it was such a sweet moment. It was like the real meaning of the season clicked for this tiny little angel. Definetly one of those moments in time that I will cherish forever!

Happy Birthday to me...

Happy Birthday to me! Yay! I really do love birthdays, it gives you an excuse to elebrate just being you! Today I am 44 years old and for some reason I think that 45 is going to be a big deal to me. It will be the year when I really take stock in what I have accomplished thus far in my life. So of course I have a list of what I need to have accomplished by this day next year. I actually have it divided in two parts, the first being the serious things and the second the not so serious but still important to accomplish, so here goes:

By the time I'm 45 years-old I will
Serious:
1. Be financially Organized
2. Lose 30 lbs and fit in my favorite jeans

3. Excercise 4 days a week for 20 minutes each day
4. Follow my Daily Dos list
5. Remember all Birthdays and mail cards on time
6. Be done with Christmas Shopping before Thanksgiving
7. Get 100 followers on my blog.
Not so serious:
1. Go to the Zoo
2. Go to the Lagoon
3. Go to the Drive-In
4. Go camping
5. Do the I-Fly
6. Sing at the County Fair

So there we have it, it shouldn't be to tough, right? I have faith that this year will be a great one! I will be looking forward to 45 knowing that I have accomplished alot. Not just from this list but from the 44 years that precede it! I will have to go through these items on a later post and explain a bit, but that will be fun! Have a great day!
Until later,
Hugs,
Shelly

Giveaways - Yay!!

Lots of cool giveaways here in blog land! Only Parents Chronicles has a Tassimo Machine -soo cool. Savy Southern Style has $80 to a CSN Store- who doesn't love that? Here we are together has the cutest little book called Full, Full, Full of Love. Go check them out!

50 it is....DONE!

Sorry folks, I know you are going to be so disappointed when I say this, but I have decided to only do a 50 things about me list. I know, I know, it has been so fascinating so far but to save you from further boredom and because I am apparently so boring I can only come up with 50 at this time that is that. So with no further ado here are the last 20 on my list:

31. I love to garden, even the weeding part. I know it seems crazy to some but to me it is soothing.

32. I have a metal plate in my head. Due to the carpet accident previously written about, I recieved a cracked skull and therefore a plate and some bolts and nuts and screws! Haha that brings a whole new meaning to a few screws loose!!

33. I believe in people to a fault! I always give people the benefit of the doubt, wheter they really deserve it or not. This is not always good and I do get hurt sometimes.

34. I love paper, I use it for everything. I line drawers and cabinets, I make treasure boxes. All kinds of fun things.

35. I am a list fool. I write lists to write lists. Seriously, I carry a notebook around with me so I can add to my lists at all times. I don't think I could function without my lists!

36. I love and am proud of my family from my 85 year old grandpa down to my almost born grandson!

37. I believe in ghosts. I have seen them. I am not weird and if you don't agree with me that is okay.

38. My favorite colors are blue and orange.

39. I love my car! It is sucker orange HHR. So cute!

40. I am a huge Denver Broncos fan and I have been for as long as I can remember. How awesome is it that their uniforms are blue and orange?!

41. I love horses, how awesome is it that there are horses on the Denver Broncos helmets?!

42. I think Josh Holloway is sexy! Not quite as sexy as the hubster but a close running 2nd!

43. I am a total Blog Stalker! I love all the ideas, it is addicting!

44. Bended coffee is one of my weaknesses.

45. I have to get my nails done and my eyebrows waxed proffessionally done every two weeks or I feel unkept!

46. I love my little cottage house. It looks so different than it did when we bought it. Hopefully I can find some befor pics and post them with the afters!

47. I have gone to college for 5 years and never graduated. I still don't know what I really want to be when I grow up!

48. I know that tanning is really bad for you and I hate that my daughter does it but so do I. It helps me feel better when I get a little sad in the winter. I am so bad!

49.My favorite food is a really good green salad with a ton of different vegetables and ranch dressing. YUM!

50. I love color and I use it to decorate! I have a blue bedroom, it is the same color as the sky, I think it is beautiful! I have really light blue green on a wall in the living room and our living room floor is tan painted cement with blue swirls. So cool!

Well there we have it!! I did it! I know originally I said 100 but I know that you are as relieve as I am that we stopped at 50! Now we can move on to funner stuff!
So until next time,
Hugs,
Shelly

Navy boy wants to bring home his girl....

First of all some very exciting business to take care of, there is an awesome giveaway going on over at roomremixblog.blogspot.com for CSN! so worth visiting for, besides she has an awesome blog!!



Navy boy at graduation. I am so excited to see him!

Now for my dilema! Both of my service boys are coming home for the holidays! Yay, I can't wait! However, my Navy boy wants to bring a girl. I am not loving the idea. I guess I am a little selfish but I don't want to share him (I am stomping my feet). Also, I don't quite know the etiquette for this, I am sure I would have to go get her a Christmas gift and set an extra plate for her (haha, jk). What do you think? Should I welcome her with open arms or make a bed for her in the dog run? (just kidding again, I will be nice).

The Beverly Buzz- Meet Me On Monday...

Meet Me On Monday


Welcome to the 25th edition of
"Meet Me On Monday!"

"Blogging is a funny thing...we tell our most intimate thoughts for all to read and yet most of the time I find myself sitting and wondering, "who is this person!?" I know them...but yet I don't know them! I want to know who the person is behind all those words so I thought of a great way for all of us to "meet" each other!"


Questions:

1. What is your favorite kind of cheese?
Mozzerella- yum!

2. What size is your bed?
King sized and I wish I could have larger!

3. What is your most overused phrase?
You can fix fat, but you can't fix ugly! (I know that is so awful!)


4. Green or purple grapes?
Purple!


5. Shower, morning or night?
morning! Hot tub at night!

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=pPViKJRHyZo&vq=medium

This is such a touching song, it is about the true meaning of Christmas! I hope you all enjoy.

Hugs,
Shelly

Better picture..

Sorry I didn't realize how tiny the pics of my fireplace were before so here is a better view. Thanks for visiting.
Until nex time,
Hugs,
Shelly

fireplace...

I finally got a picture of my fireplace/mantle. We actually have a wood burning stove that we do use, but I wanted to be a part of the Linky party at the Letterhead Cottage so I did it up anyway!




So cute and homey!

More about me...

If you are getting tired of this I am soo sorry but I feel like I have to finish it cuz I started it, so here we go again.

21. I am a member of TOPS that is Taking Off Poiunds Sensibly. It is a weight loss support group and it works for me, the weekly weigh-ins are great for accountability and getting ideas and making friends is a bonus!

22. I am in love with purses, seriously I know I have a problem but there are so many cute ones. I really do try to be practical but sometimes the cute just out weighs the praciticality and I have to buy a new one. I will have to get a picture of my beautiful collection and post!

23. I also love bras, I know that no one sees them except me and the hubster but seriously if you have great fitting hot looking bra it can make you feel like one hot Nama! haha! I promise I won't post of picture of those. LOL!

24. I wish I could own a horse, I have always wanted one by my hubby is very allergic, so that dream is dashed.

25. If I could I would seriously live in Lake Powell. It is the most wonderful place in the world and I love it there!

26. Hi, my name is Shelly and I am addicted to Reality T.V. I know most of it is horrible but I am a junkie!! Give me Big Brother or the Bachelor and I am good for an hour.

27. Okay this one is more about my kitten than me. She thinks that the bathroom rug is her mommy. Seriously, she suckles it and kneads at it and purrs as if she was in heaven, it is soooo bizarre.

28. I have never dyed my hair. I have always just really liked the color of my hair and had no reason to, but now that I have noticed a few grey eyebrows I am thinking the day may come. :(

29. I am an outdoorsy girl, I love to be outside, I love the weather, the air the whole thing. I am really so amazed and thankful for the world that you can't see when you are all cooped up in the house.

30. I just barely discovered that I am creative and I am actually really good at it! I love to share it with my granddaughter Taylor too, she is already a creative little bug!

All for today!
Hugs,
Shelly

Wednesday Hodepodge

Wednesday Hodgepodge

I love today's Hodgepodge from The Other Side of the Pond! So here are my answers.





1. What is the most interesting thing you've done in the last year?
I discovered that I am actually very crafty and good at it!

2. What is your most meaningful family heirloom?
I have my Grandma's pearls and they are so lovely. I really feel her with my every day.

3. What food festival would you most like to attend? The HOF Winterfest- not really a food festival but lots of yummy food there!

4. Snow...do you love it or is it considered a four letter word where you live?
I love the snow, which is a good thing considering I live in Utah! I just don't love it on the roads!

5. Can you ski? Do you ski? Are you any good?
I don't ski, crazy since I grew up here!


6. What quality in your spouse or best friend are you most thankful for?
He treats me with total respect.



7. Describe the coziest spot in your home.
Cuddling with hubby and pets on living room couch in front of a warm fire! Sooo nice!


8. Insert your own random thought here.

It is never to late to become all God can make me!

Until later,
Hugs,
Shelly

Harder than I thought...

Wow this is so much harder than I thought, I am actually walking around with a notebook writing things about me down so I can remember them for this crazy list so here we go with some more...

14. I am totally an adrenaline junkie, I love cliff diving, roller coasters, scary movies (intense scary not bloody scary), I would love to skydive but the hubster doesn't love the idea, but we will see as far as I can tell I've still got it in me!

15. I am absolutely addicted to sugar. Any sugar, I love chocolate, smarties, pixie sticks anything. I do force myself to drink diet otherwise I would be as big as a boat but I really can't live without my sugar, if we don't have any candy in the house I become a little grumpy. LOL.

16. I am a people watcher. I love trying to figure people out. What do they do for a living, where do they come from are they crazy -lol, all of those questions. You really can come up with a life story for someone if you use your imagination.

17. I sing all the time, words or situations or anything, trigger songs and singing. My family acts annoyed but I know deep down it is one of those quirky things they love about me and will talk about after I die, like "Hey do you remember when mom made spagetti and started singing ON TOP OF SPAGHETTI ALL COVERED WITH CHEESE" and then they will laugh!

18. I have a really loud laugh, I can't help it. I try to make it quieter but I can't. It's just loud, another one of those quirky things they will talk about after I die, haha.

19. My eyes are green, or are they brown? Really usually my eyes are brown but sometimes depending on the mood or if I cry they are very, very green. It is actually cool, one of the things I like about myself.

20. When I was growing up I felt like my family, all of us the extended folks too, were special, almost like royalty. My grandpa and his brothers owned a glass company called Linford's Brothers Glass and they were pretty successful and the family was huge and had these unbelievable 3-day family reunions up in the mountains at cabins with big dinners and stuff. I thought it was amazing and special but then when I grew up I found out that alot of families have reunions like that. How lucky are we all to be so fantastic?! LOL!

Well, I guess that is enough for the day. Who knows I may finsish this list by the end of the year. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Until next time,
Hugs,
Shelly

Give away at Todays Mama AWESOME

Great giveaway at Today's Mama


Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme


TodaysMama (link to: http://bit.ly/tmwishlist) and GameStop (link to: http://bit.ly/gamestop10) are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.


1. What is your holiday wish for your family?
Comfort and joy.

2. What is your Christmas morning tradition?
Getting up early to open gifts!
3. If you could ask Santa for one, completely decadent wish for yourself, what would it be?
Money (hubby is on disability and has not been paid for 4 months)
4. How do you make the holidays special without spending any money?
Crafts and decorations
5. What games did you play with your family growing up?
Spoons, hide and see in the snow!
6. What holiday tradition have you carried on from your own childhood?
Baking holiday goodies!
7. Where would you go for a Christmas-away-from-home trip?
Disney Land
8. Check out GameStop (link to: http://bit.ly/gamestop10) and tell us, what are the three top items on your GameStop Wish List this year?

Call to Duty -Black Ops, Kinect Sports pack, Sonic Burn

Lies, Almost Death and Weather!

11. I seriously can tolerate alot, but the one thing I cannot take for any reason at all is lying. Lying causes so much damage! I am most annoyed by those who lie for no reason at all, seriously, do people need that much attention?! I hold myself to a pretty high standard the only time I lie is if the truth will make someone cry like "Yeah your new pixie haircut looks so much better than the beautiful cascade of hair you used to have nearly to your behind" then you have to lie, its just considerate.

12. I almost died every year for 3 years in March. The first time I was 24 weeks pregnant with my third baby when I suddenly got abrupto placentae, I was bleeding internally for quite awhile before I even knew anything was wrong. So to save my life they did an emergency C section and my little girl was stillborn. It was so difficult. Then the same thing happened again exactly 1 year later at 17 weeks pregnant. Needless to say the doctor said no more and tied my tubes. (Sorry if TMI).
So a year later I was helping my then husband unload a huge roll of carpet and it somehow flipped out and hit me in the head and then landed on my head after I had fallen down. It broke my skull and I spent a week in the Intensive Care unit in a coma. When I woke up the doctors told me that I might not walk right or talk right etc., etc.. But I am seriously one of those stubborn types, so if you tell me I can't I most certainly will! After that for quite awhile I was a little afraid of March, I know its silly but with the record as it was I would be very cautious during that month!!

13. I love, love that I live in Utah, I so love the seasons. We are getting ready for a huge blizzard and all though its a bit scary, I am soo excited! I love that we have pretty flowery springs, hot fun summers, beautiful colorful autumns and white fluffy winters! Woo-hoo how lucky are us Utahns!!

I will post pictures of this snow storm as soon as it happens, wish me luck!!

giveaways...

awesome giveaway at A Little Tipsy go check it out!

8. Unfortuneately, I am one of those poor people who suffers way to often with migraines, been to a few doctors and nothing really eliminates them but there have been some things that help.

9. I am the only girl with 3 brothers and I love it! I was the oldest and I loved that too, I really do sometimes wish that I had sisters they always seem to have such a bond, and always a friend to go too.

10. To ten honestly this is harder than I thought it would be! But here is my last for today, I love, love holidays! Everything about them, getting the family together, crafting, cooking, shopping, decorating, everything. So excited for Christmas!!!

on to the next...

On to the next part of my list, I actually have many things screaming in my brain but so little time so let us begin with number 4!!

4. I love farm animals well actually all animals, I have 3 dogs, a cat and a rabbit, I am also one of those people that acknowledges grand-animals, therefore I have 6 granddogs and 2 grandcats and some grandfish!! My kitchen and dining room are decorated in farm animals and I love them! At one time I had 12 chickens and roosters but a mean racoon (one of the very few animals I don't love) ate them all!! :(



5. I am one of those freakish people who love, loves her job, I love what I do, I love the people I work with, I just love it!

6. I think my hubby is hot!! I hope that is not TMI, but you can certainly judge for yourself, check out the pic!


7. I actually had a secret admirerer in highschool, he sent letters to my house and everything, it was actually so sweet every letter he sent would have one more letter of his name in the signature until I figured out who it was, my boyfriend at the time didn't think it was so sweet he told him if he didn't stop he would beat him up, what a jerk!

Well I need to get back to working at that job that I love so much so I will add to my list later!

Hugs,
Shelly

100 things....

I got this idea from Beverly at her Blog Bervery Buzz, to write 100 things about me that you may or may not know, sounds like alot of fun, who knows I may learn or remember something about me I didn't know too, haha!! This may take a few days so here goes:

1. I am actually enjoying getting older, I am really comfortable in my skin, I am happy with how my life is (always knock on wood), I am getting more wise everyday. So all in all age is not an enemy.

2. I just barely discovered my crafy, seriously I didn't know I had it in me but now I am suprising my self, I especially love to repurpose - I love my plate rack made from my grandbaby Taylor's crib. She loves it too, she thinks it is very funny that it is hanging on the wall in the dining room, haha!



3. I love shopping, right now it is all about my cottage so it is a little pricey, but I can't help it (whine) it is so, so much fun and satisfying!

Okay, 3 is a good start, who knows maybe I will be back later today, if not for sure tommorrow. Check out awesome give aways at Room Remix!!

Hugs,
Shelly

Dilema...and baby

What to do, I have an old church pew that I have recovered time and time again and frankly I am just not so sure I feel the love anymore :( I am thinking about selling it but because it has been a part of my family for mor than 15 years I am a little hesitant. I know it is just furnature but it really is one of a kind. Do you have any furniture like this? I really just can't make a decision yet and it is definetely time for another recover! What to do??!!

Also, went to the doctor with my daughter today and heard little Boston-Ray's heart beat, it is crazy you can love a little person so much befor even meeting him, I just can't wait!

give away...

Another great give away I am suprised at the quality of give aways in blog land now if I would actually win one HaHa this one is over at Tater Tots and Jello for a beautiful quilt made by Honey Bear Lane, I sooo want it!!

giveaway..

there is an awesome giveaway at Brown Paper packages, be sure and check it out!!

Meet Me on Monday is hosted by Java at Never Growing Old.
Java asks 5 question for all to answer. What a great way to get to know eachother a little better.

Questions:




1. Do you eat Sushi?

2. What kind of bath soap do you use?

3. How often do you talk to your Mom?

4. What TV shows do you watch on a regular basis?

5. Did you start Christmas shopping yet?



My answers:
1. Do you eat Sushi?
Honestly I have never tried it but I would!
2. What kind of bath soap do you use?
Ivory
3. How often do you talk to your mom?
Not enough, once a week?
4. What TV shows do you watch on a regular basis?
Reality TV junkie here, I know it is not real but for some reason I am fasinated!
5. Did you start Christmas shopping yet?
Yup, but I wish I were finished!

Military...

I didn't have access to my computer yesterday so I could not post about something that I am so, so proud of and that is of my 2 sons who are currently serving our great country. I have one son in the Army and one in the Navy and I am so proud of the men that they have become. I am also so thankful to all the men and women who have served or are serving for their great sacrifices made for everyone's freedom. To my sons I miss you everyday but I am PROUD. To all in the services THANK YOU!

Weekends...

I love weekends, time to spend time with my family and play in my house. Right now I am getting ready for a pretty big project - I am going to remodel a tiny room into a nursery/craft/guest room! Woot-Woot!! Wish me luck! first tho I think I will go home and cuddle with these two to get some motivation!

Plate rack..

I have to admit that at one time I loved to just peruse many fantastic blogs and steal very clever ideas!! Therefore, now that I am actually living my own bloggy adventure I can't remember who I stole some of the most clever ideas that I have copied. So in advance I am going to apologize for not giving credit where credit is due. So here is one of the many projects that I have stolen, I mean borrowed :)! I made this plate rack out of my granddaughters crib and I love it and so does she. She thinks it is very funny that her bed is now on Nama's wall. LOL!

So beautiful...

Everyone really needs to run and check out the nativity set give away at The Best Mama Chef it is really so beautitul, especially if you are a collector! Good luck!

Sorry no pics of the how to. I made this a couple years ago but I really love it so I wanted to share: It is made of 3 half circles, 10 inches, 8 inches and 6 inches. The ten inch one has ten holes drilled in it for the suckers, the 8 inch has 7 and the 6 inch has 5. The turkey head is kind of shaped like an 8 that is about 2 1/2 inches wide and 3 1/2 inches tall. Clear as mud? He is loved by all, I have him on my desk at work and I am constantly refilling the suckers!!

Congrats...

Congrats to the Birthday Blog! 200 followers, woot-woot!! Hopefully I will be following in your footsteps!!

Family....

So obviously in my all about me segment I mention that I have a large family, with the hubs, our 8 crazy kids, and the 8 1/2 perfect grandkids. But, that is just the begginning of it. I also love, love animals so from time to time you might get to meet a few of my petlets!! I have 3 dogs and a granddog living with me, a kitten and a bunny. I love them all them make my home even more cozy!!

More of fall, just a little different angle!! More to follow!

So here it is my very first picture on bloggerland!! I am so excited! This is just a brief look at my indoor fall deco's.

getting started...

Ok I am just getting ready for this big adventure in blogging seems like the perfect time to start, right? With all the holidays and all the ideas I can't wait to share. I will be posting pictures asap of all my halloween stuff, it is so dang cute!! I am thinking of changing the name of my blog to Nama Halacy's Comfy Cottage, what do you think?

So thankful...

I went to my future daughter-in-laws baby shower on Friday night. It was really nice and I was able to meet Farrah, one of the most admirable little mommy's I have ever met. Farrah has two kids and her baby just recieved a liver transplant. The calmness and ease that she carries herself with is amazing! It just made me realize how lucky I am to have 8 healthy little grandbabies. I am truly thankful everyday at how lucky I am to have such an incredible family! I am often amazed at how beautifully we have blended!!

Just like any other day...

June 20, 2007 -it had been like any other day, stessful, running my kids here and there, like any other mom. Later in the day my daughter and son were helping there father to move from his place to a nice apartment, one with a pool. He had been drinking, not unusual. As my daughter tells the story he and my son started arguing really about nothing, he was drinking and hard to deal with, again not unusual. It quickly escalated to thier father getting physical with his son this was unusual, he was in an alcohol induced blackout I am sure of it, but he had his son in a choke hold and he couldn't breath he was turning blue, his daughter walked in and begged, actually screamed for him to stop, for him to let go, she knew he was going to kill her brother. They were on the floor so she started kicking him over and over he wouldn't let go, she finally kicked him in the face and he finally let go. The kids ran, sped off in thier cars and came home to me, when they arrived at home one at a time they collapsed into each others arms sobbing, distraught. I considered taking my son to the hospital, he had some bruising but he insisted he was fine. Then thier father called desperate and so drunk, at that moment he didn't remember that is daughter, his baby girl had kicked him in the face to save her brother. He was desperate begging his son to come back and threatening suicide. I called his mother asking for help, asking her to help him, he was her son, the father of my children but my ex-husband, she needed to take over she needed to help him. She had had enough and said "tell him to do it." I would not, I could not ever tell someone who at one time had been the love of my life who at one time had been the most incredible father, who at one time was a normal contributing member to society to kill himself, my kids needed their father. I told him to go to sleep that we would talk in the morning when he was sober. I never got the chance. On June 21, 2007 at about 7:00 a.m. the father of my children called 911 and told them, "I am going to shoot myself please come so my kids don't find me this way." He hung up the phone and shot himself in the chest with his sons hunting rifle.