Welcome to the world, Grandie #10!!!....

Jackson Dean came into the world on August 30th, weighing 7lbs and 20 inches long! He is a beauty!

Mommy had preeclampsia so it was a bit scary but she pulled through like a champ and both Mommy and baby are wonderful!!

Until later,
Hugs,
Shelly

Day 10....

Someone I need to let go of, or wish I didn't know.
Okay there is someone and I want to be truthful but to save so much trouble I won't mention a name. I will just say that this person is evil and has caused a lot of pain to just about every person they know, their entire family avoids them. I will say that I am sure mental illness is involved. This person can be so hurtful that people are actually afraid of them.

On a much happier note, grandie #10 is being born today!! I am so excited! I will be posting pictures tomorrow!

Until later,
Hugs,
Shelly

Little red table...

So my daughter moved out this past weekend. I don't really know if I am happy or sad. I am proud of her and her little family for being so grown-up and responsible but at the same time I am sure I will miss them.

Especially this little guy :(

Anyway, Ashley had a little table that she wanted me to redo, she will use it inside right now but outside in the future.

Here are the before pics-

Not too cute, huh?
So I used this paint that I had on hand I think I may have paid a dollar for it at one time.

and Ashley found this beautiful fabric at Savers for $2.50! I couldn't believe it, it is beautiful!

Here are the afters!

I love it! What do you think?

Until later,
Hugs,
Shelly

Day 9, Someone who drifted away...

Someone who drifted away. This one is easy. I met Julie when she answered an add I had out to babysit. She showed up to my house with this adorable but filthy dirty little girl. She had just picked her up from her current sitter and she hadn't had her diaper changed or her face washed for the entire day. So sad :( Well we hit it off and I started babysitting Cassie the very next day! Julie quickly became my best friend and Cassie became one of my kids than Julie had another daughter. I adored them all. Julie and I went through so much together, its crazy to think back on it. I helped her to leave her abusive ex-husband. Then a few years later she opened her home to me while I was going through my divorce. She was and still is the funniest person I have ever met, she has a very quick wit! There were days that my stomach muscles hurt so bad from the laughing the night before. After awhile we both got remarried. She ended up leaving her second husband though, again an abuser. One day I called her and she didn't answer. I kept calling and calling, still no answer. I went to her apartment and she was gone. I was worried, angry and stressed. I had no idea what had happened to her. I felt so betrayed. I felt like I was the most stable thing in her life and she abandoned me. Around Christmas time that year I got a letter, it was one of those general family letters that basically just says we had a great year everyone is wonderful, you know, one of those letters. So at least I knew they were alive and okay. So about two years later I am in one of my bosses office at work and I came walking out and there sitting at my dest was Julie, Cassie and Kami. I literally nearly fainted. I started crying and trembling. I honestly don't know if I was happy or mad. If I wanted to hug her or hit her. When I asked her where she went, she said she took her girls and ran to get away from her abusive first ex-husband. She ran to Alaska!! She said she didn't tell me because she didn't want me to have to lie to him or the police if they questioned me. Her reasoning didn't change the way I felt. I still felt so betrayed. She now lives in New Hampshire and I don't talk much to her. I am over the hurt and I still love her and adore her girls, especially Cassie, I practically raised her for 9 years, but our friendship really isn't the same and never will be. I have never had another friend that close and honestly I think it is because I was so hurt by Julie that I don't completely trust that something like this wouldn't happen again.

Until later,
Hugs,
Shelly

Day 8 Someone who made your life horrible...

Someone who made my life unbearable, hmmm, this one takes me back. When I was in highschool I was a class officer and on the Dance team and had alot of friends. However, my boyfriend who was a jock could also be a jerk. He treated people badly. So some of the girl jocks took it out on me. They made fun of me in gym (I really think that it just bugged them because I could do more pull-ups and lift heavier weights, haha) they yelled mean things at me walking through the halls. Pretty much they bullied me. It. Was. Awful. It got bad enough that I went from a girl who was very active and loved school to a girl who just wanted to stay home and hide. Most of the girls were a year older so when they graduated it kind of just faded away. It difinetly gave me perspective on bullies though, so that when I raised my kids I knew how to deal with it. Bullying is never okay, as we see in the news nearly every day, it does impact lives. Some kids just can't deal with it and take thier own lives. Parents need to teach thier kids to treat everyone with respect and also to stand tall. Noone should ever have to live in fear of a bully.

Until later,
Hugs,
Shelly

Day 7 - Someone who has made my life worth living...

Day 7 - Someone who has made my life worth livig - Wow, I have been so lucky in this aspect. I have so many wonderful people that make my life a joy, of course the hubster, my grandies and all my amazing friends. However, the first thing that came to my mind when I read this question was a time in my life when I was very sick. I was 24 weeks pregnant with my third baby (back then babies born that early very rarely survived). My stomach became very hard and painful so I went to the hospital to find out that I had something call Abruptio Placenta. When the doctor told me that they had to take the baby now or I may not make it, the first thing that came to my mind were my two kids that I already had and how awful it would be to miss them growing up for both them and myself. I knew I had to live for them. They have both made my life unbelievable, I am so thankful that I have been given such great gifts in the two of them. I am truly the luckiest mom in the world.

Until later,
Hugs,
Shelly

Day 6...

Something I hope I never have to do in my life. This one is so simple. I hope I never have to bury my hubster or one of my children. I had a stillborn baby girl many years ago and every once in awhile it still hits me. If I am watching something on T.V. or reading somethng it could be a trigger and I begin sobbing completely unexpectedly. I feel so sorry for friends of mine who have lost loved ones and I really just don't know how they move forward. I admire thier strength but I really don't think that I have it.

Until later,
Hugs,
Shelly

Day 5...

So life got in the way and I am really behind on these 30 Days of Truth, but what do you do? You pick up and continue, right? So here goes:

Day 5- Something I hope to do in my life-
Wow this one is so hard, there are so many things. This is going to sound so lame but it really is something I want do. I want to take the hubster to Universal Studios and Disney Land!! I know it seems so unimportant, but he has never been and he is 50!! I think it would be a blast to experience it with him!!

I feel like I should say something like inventing world peace but I am supposed to be honest right?

Until later,
Hugs,
Shelly

My Kitchen has been featured...

I am so excited!! My little kitchen backsplash redo was featured over at Luxe Boulevard It is such an honor and feels so great when someone appreciates your hard work!! Thank you so much Stephanie! By the way her blog is awesome so you should head on over and check it out!

Until later,
Hugs,
Shelly

Family....

My extended family is having some major issues and causing me serious stress. If I don't post please understand it is because I am trying to deal. Love to you all.

Until later,
Hugs,
Shelly

Day 4-someone I need to forgive, you know this one is tough, I was raised to believe in forgiveness and I truly fell like I have forgiven everyone that has ever wronged me and I have to say there have not been many. Forgetting, now that is another story haha, lol!

Until later,
Hugs,
Shelly

Day 3...Somethng I have to forgive myself for... Wow this one is so hard there are a couple things, I just don't know which one to write about. Okay here goes - First of all I have to say I am not meaning any disrespect at all to the person I am writing about, he truly was one of my best friends.
In June of 2007 my ex-husband, who was a very good father but also a very bad alcoholic got physical with our son. In all honesty while looking back I think he was probably in a black out because he absolutely adored his children and would never in a million years intentionally hurt them. Anyway, he called me on the phone to tell me his side of what had happened and it became very clear very quick that he was very drunk. He asked to talk to his son and started telling him that everything he owned would now be his and threatening suicide. I have to tell you that this is something he threatened many times in his lifetime so I didn't take it as serious as I should have. The next morning at a few minutes after 7:00 a.m. he called dispatch and told them that he was going to shoot himself and that he wanted the officers to come quickly so that his children would not find his body, he hung up the phone and he took his life. I wish I would have called the police the night before, because I didn't my kids don't have thier dad. I have learned that if someone threatens suicide one time or a hundred times, take them seriously. I need to forgive myself for not calling the police or his wife. I did call his mother but that is another story I will probably never tell. I miss him and his kids miss him more.
I am sorry this is so heavy.

Until later,
Hugs,
Shelly

30 day truth challenge...

Day 2..What do I like about myself? hmmm, thats a toughy, I think the one thing I really like about myself is my laugh. My laugh is one of those big,loud laughs! It is actually kind of funny because most people don't expect it and it startles them. My kids mimic me and make fun, but I know that they actually love my laugh too!!

Until later,
Hugs,
Shelly

30 days of truth...

Ok here goes day one, first truth...
Something I hate about myself, hmmm I think when I was younger I may have had many things that I hated about myself but as I have grown older and wiser I have learned that everything about me is essential to make me the person I am today and honestly I think I am a good person. I like me and I think most people like me. However, there is one thing I really, really hate about me and that is my migraines.

I hate that I get them and I hate that I have had to claim ownership of them as if they are some prized possession!! Ugghhh! I started getting these lovely headaches as a teenager, I was constantly downing ibuprofen, asprin, tylenol, anything I could get my hands on to try to ease the pain. My parents really didn't get it they used to say I just liked medicines. Really?, who likes those kinds of medicines. Anyway, there have been times when I have headaches every single day, sometimes so bad that they lead to an anxiety attack. I become frightened that they are something more even though I know rationally that they are not. I have been to many doctors and tried many different medications, even becoming dependant on one (don't worry I am off that now). So now I am at a point in my life were I am doing alot of contemplating on my quality of life. I really love my life, I have a great job, a great family and great friends but the migraines do take over at times and it really just ticks me off!! They do affect my quality of life, there are days of work missed and family time interupted and frankly I am not okay with that. So there you have it in a nutshell, what I hate about me. Depressing huh? If anyone has any ideas I am always willing to listen and take advice.

Until later,
Hugs,
Shelly

30 Days of Truth....

So I saw this idea on Live, Laugh, Love your Guts and thought it would be a very interesting thing to try. I have to admit I am a little bit afraid. Some of the questions will be uncomfortable. At the same time I think it will be alot cathartic. So starting tomorrow I will begin my-

30 Days of Truth


Day 01 → Something you hate about yourself.
Day 02 → Something you love about yourself.
Day 03 → Something you have to forgive yourself for.
Day 04 → Something you have to forgive someone for.
Day 05 → Something you hope to do in your life.
Day 06 → Something you hope you never have to do.
Day 07 → Someone who has made your life worth living for.
Day 08 → Someone who made your life hell, or treated you like shit.
Day 09 → Someone you didn’t want to let go, but just drifted.
Day 10 → Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know.
Day 11 → Something people seem to compliment you the most on.
Day 12 → Something you never get compliments on.
Day 13 → A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough ass days. (write a letter.)
Day 14 → A hero that has let you down. (letter)
Day 15 → Something or someone you couldn’t live without, because you’ve tried living without it.
Day 16 → Someone or something you definitely could live without.
Day 17 → A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.
Day 18 → Your views on gay marriage.
Day 19 → What do you think of religion? Or what do you think of politics?
Day 20 → Your views on drugs and alcohol.
Day 21 → (scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?
Day 22 → Something you wish you hadn’t done in your life.
Day 23 → Something you wish you had done in your life.
Day 24 → Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all the songs. (Just post the titles and artists and letter)
Day 25 → The reason you believe you’re still alive today.
Day 26 → Have you ever thought about giving up on life? If so, when and why?
Day 27 → What’s the best thing going for you right now?
Day 28 → What if you were pregnant or got someone pregnant, what would you do?
Day 29 → Something you hope to change about yourself. And why.
Day 30 → A letter to yourself, tell yourself EVERYTHING you love about yourself

Wish me luck!

Until later,
Hugs,
Shelly

Kitchen redo....

Remember this post of my kitchen?

Kitchen before.


Well while I was away I made a few changes-

This is a picture of the kitchen during this remodel.

Hubster doing some cabinet painting.

This is the paint we used.

Backsplash in progress, I bought the round clear colored stones at the dollar store and put them up with tile adhesive and then filled them in with grout, really so easy! I have to give thanks and credit to Laura at Design Share, for this idea. Thank you so much Laura, I loved it in your kitchen and I love it in mine!

Finished cabinets.

Finsished backsplash.

Finished kitchen. (well almost, still need to do tiny little finish things!)
I really can not believe how easy this was, it did take time, but was really amazingly easier than I thought it would be and I love it! It brightens up my kitchen so much!

I hope you enjoy my new kitcen as much as I do!

Until later,
Hugs,
Shelly