Backgrounds, Headers, and "Happy Blue Birds"

Okay folks....look up, look WAY up and tell me what you see? (No, Not up in the air, look at the top of my blog silly. Notice anything new and colorful?)

It's my new Header of course!!! (If you guessed correctly you have really been paying attention! I'll give you extra brownie points. Shhhhh, don't tell anyone else, LOL)
Isn't it lovely?
If your curious where I got that most FABulous piece of "Artwork Goodness", you HAVE to check out Daisy @ Daisy Gray Design!!! I stumbled upon her site one day when I was tired of trying so many different blog designs, none of which really seemed to fit my personality.
I was looking for the perfect match and when I saw her site, I knew it was something special! (My background is called "Happy Blue Bird")

She is so creative and has several background designs that are free. (Yes, You read that correctly friends. Free! Can you believe it?) Not only that, but she appreciates comments and/or suggestions and WILL email you back if you have questions.
So, if you are new to blogging and need a background, or you just want to change from old to new....Please go and visit Daisy Gray Design for your inspiration. I am SURE you will love her designs as much as I do!!!

Friday Photo Flashback...Oh What Fun!!!

Alicia @ More Than Words does a Friday Photo Flashback and this week I am joining in on all the flashback goodness!!! Who wouldn't want to check out everyone's old pics right? So, Join In!
Now, come with me down memory lane. (Believe me, this is harder for me than it is for you! LOL)
Yes, I was a cheerleader and pom-pon girl in high school. This one happens to be during my senior year when we had the official pictures taken. I am amazed at my BIG hair...very brown and lots of it with no particular style. What was I thinking? Yikes. (Seriously, If I could have scanned all the other seniors pics as well....SAME HAIR!!! Very funny!)
I was a dancer for 15yrs...started at 3, ended at 18. So, you could say that dancing was basically my life for ALL those years. This picture used to be one of my favorites. It was a very cool dance routine and I just thought this "bright" blue unitard was flattering, hahahaha! That's why it's fun to pull out these old pics....because this outfit WAS the fashion in 1987....I SWEAR!!! LOL Remember the "solid gold dancers"? (Secretly I thought I was one of em!)

WordFul/WordLess Wednesday...Little Tyke

These were taken when my son was probably just three years old, look at that little face.

Oh, how I miss the days when he was a tiny tyke like that...he was so cute.

At that stage of life they have so much expression, they are just little sponges that soak everything up and are so innocent and sweet right?
(You'll have to excuse me, I'm just reminiscing about the old days.)

Don't get me wrong, my son means more to me than anything...But, he is also getting older and along with older you have more sassing, arguing, and oh...maybe a little lying, LOL.
He sure is a character!!! Now excuse me...I need to go into his room and watch him sleep. :)

Let's Remember

To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans "To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence."

Here is to all of the men and women who have fought and died for our great country! (And also to the men and women who are STILL fighting the war in Iraq...)
Happy Memorial Day!

Tea Time Anyone

Ever since I was a young girl I can remember my Grandma having these beautiful china tea cups. It wasn't until I was oh, in my twenties, that I finally inherited a few of those gorgeous cups...and I was so happy!
I have since started collected many more of them from estate sales, thrift stores (I think only one has come from there though) and gifts from my cousin and God Daughters.
This is the collection.
I got this china hutch for the sole purpose of showing all of my teacups, teapots, and dishes. (The funny part....I only got 3 place settings of my good china for my wedding shower, Im waiting for the 4th! LOL)


Here is one of my favorite tea cups.
I just think it's such a beautiful shade of blue. And the flowers inside...well, it's like a little surprise! I don't know about you, but I always feel so much more special when I use these precious cups.




To all of you out there who do not use yours....What are you waiting for?
Life is meant to be enjoyed with daily little pleasures! :)

Gear Up for Summer Party-Step2 Water Rush Quarry (giveaway)

Victoria @ Life Starring Ellie and Eve is giving away a Step2 Water Rush Quarry (sand and water table). How awesome is that? Head on over now to participate...who knows maybe you'll get lucky! (Ive already entered!)

Its ALL Good Today Folks

It's that time of year again friends, the time to start thinking about what to get your childs teacher for their dedication, commitment, and hard work throughout the school year!
What do you get teachers these days?
What with the economy the way it is...I wouldn't be surprised to find that many of us just don't have the money to be buying expensive gifts and really, I've never met a teacher that wanted expensive gifts! (I can't speak for all of em.)
Most times, a simple thank you will do! (I should know..I have a teaching degree myself!)

Well, aside from buying/making them a "little" something from your child...I found a wonderful site to make the greatest ecards ever. It's called Hallmark Smilebox. You can go in and make your own beautiful cards, personalize them, add pictures, songs, messages, whatever you choose to do! (And the really fantastic part...you can choose your own price depending on what you add to your card! THERE IS ALSO A FREE OPTION...AND HOW AWESOME TO SEND A BEAUTIFUL, FUN, and FRIENDLY CARD FOR FREE!)
It's really simple with easy step by step directions that even I could follow...LOL.
Being Teacher Appreciation Day at his school, my son wanted to send his teacher a special card that he could add pictures and write a special message. Well, here is what we came up with...Please watch!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Voila...In five minutes time, or less, you have this adorable and creative card that can be sent in just seconds. (You also have the option of printing or posting it, and even making a DVD out of your creation.)
Hallmark is really amazing!



Now on to the awards...I received the "A Sushi Grade Blog Award" from Carma @ Carma Sez. Carma is really one in a million when it comes to humor and entertaining her readers.
Seriously, most everytime I visit her blog, she makes me laugh outloud and I go away with a smile on my face! Her blog is fun and really refreshing...
So, I suggest you skip right on over and check it out!
Thank you again Carma, your a sweetie and ooooh soooo thoughtful too!!! :)

I want to pass this award on to ALL of you today....Really, please take it and put in on your blog proudly! You do deserve it. (In a side note...My followers reached 100 today and as you can probably tell, I am SUPER-excited about it. Yay!)

And last...(WHEW), Imagine my delight when I saw that my son had been chosen as "Tuesdays Tot" @ The Funkey Monkey! I am just a thrilled mommy I must say! Please check it out! (You can even apply to have your tot featured as well! How fun!) We ALL love to show off our kids right?

Okay, Now grab yourself an iced tea or drink of your choice and head on over to Hallmark and The Funkey Monkey to check out all the goodness! And AS ALWAYS...Thank you for visiting me once again!

WordLess Wednesday..."Lazy, Fat Cat!"

This is Chloe the Cat...She loves to eat, lay on her back, fetch, and cuddle....But, most of all, she LOVES to be spoiled!!! (Can't you tell?)

Blueberries and Best Blogging....Hmmmm.

Just for the record...I am NOT a baker! I never have been. And I probably NEVER will be!!! Not even the boxed cake kind, the just add water kind, or maybe not even the microwave kind...although I have never tried that option before.
(Okay, stop laughing!!! I feel bad enough without hearing all of you snickering at me! LOL)
I have never told that to anyone until now. And to tell you the truth I'm not exactly sure why I am confessing this little tidbit about myself, maybe it's therapeutic? (One can only hope right? LOL)
Well, my son has been asking for blueberry muffins. Yes, he has wanted mommy to make some since oh....maybe two months ago! I know, I know...I'm a bad mommy but what can I say, I am just not good at the baking thing okay!!!
In my unimaginable guilt, I decided to surprise him with the blueberry muffins on his return home from school this afternoon. (You all remember...he has been sick and out of school for two WHOLE weeks!!!!) He definitely deserved a little treat. Oh, What Mom's will do for our little ones...even if it means we will possibly be totally embarrassed!
So, go figure...I don't think I have enough oil but I use what I have anyway...and I only have skim milk....so I add it and continue on my journey to bakehood. (Is that a word btw?)
And Voila-here is the result of all my painstaking efforts!

Not to shabby eh? I have to say I was pretty proud of myself...(hence the reason I took the picture, LOL)
So, this was the before....And NOW for the after! (Hang on to your hats)

Okay...so they are a "little" to brown on the bottoms, but that is a whole different can of worms so to speak. (I'm gonna have to go to cooking school to get that timing right! LOL)
I have to say that all in all I was thrilled to have the muffins ready when my son walked in the door. And yes, he was SO happy...that he even wanted to give one to his little neighbor friend. (I sort of cringed when he said it, but gave one anyway...thinking "Oh Dear Lord!".)
To my surprise, he came back with a chocolate chip cookie from her.... :)

And that's not all girlfriends.
I was just thrilled to learn I had been given this "FABulous" Award from Tami @ Diary of a Mad Woman.
Is this not one of the cutest awards ever???

She has the most heart and can be just hilarious as well. I encourage you to head on over and check out her blog, it will be time well spent!
Thank you again Tami, you are a sweetheart!
I'd like to recognize...
Mimi @ Frump's Findings
Carma @ Carma Sez More
Kristen @ BonBon Rose
Jennifer @ It's a Beauty Filled Life
All of you ladies inspire me...thank you.
To all of you who come visit me....I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it! This award is for ALL of you as well!!! (Time has made me end this post without adding all 20 or 30 of you! But my son is need of a bath...I wish I had 20 fingers to type with, LOL)

Sunny Skies and Sandals

As the weekend approaches, I am hoping for sunny skies and beautiful weather.

You know...the kind where you can put on your favorite flip-flops or sandals and hit the road!
(These are "Coach" Pattey Sandals. Adorable!)


So, whether you plan to stay home and plant your flowers or veggies, go to the park or on a bike ride with the kids, or even a date night with your hubby or significant other....Have A Wonderful Time!!!

We "Heart" Art Too!

I just stumbled upon this great event going on over at Three Bay B Chicks, Im Living Proof That God Has A Sense Of Humor, and Domestically Challenged. Its Called "We Heart Art" and its a chance to display your artwork, and your children's as well!!
How fun! Please go check out all three websites to learn more about it.

Now on to MY Goodies.....
I am a scrapbooking FANATIC and I LOVE all things crafty and creative. Unfortunately, my scanner is too small to show you all of my current scrapbooking work...but, I did find a few entries that I think will show just how much I HEART art!

This is a scrapbook I did called "Teaching Is A Work Of Heart!" It was an A to Z book...and I am including just a few of the pages to show what it was all about...hope you enjoy it!







Now...for the real reason I did this, for my son. He is only five but really has a talent for "all things art!" He will paint, draw, color, and just loves to cut and paste projects! I included some of what I consider to be his most "heartfelt" work. He helped pick these out and well, I just thought he should have a say as to what I posted!!!

He LOVES Firetrucks...he painted this at four after we went to visit the local city Fire Department....How FUN!!!


He is a real softy when it comes to Mommy....and he always draws me Rainbows, Flowers, and Hearts...Such a sweetie!

This is his Halloween Marble Art he did at school...that is a really fun project!


And last, we have this adorable reindeer he made for Christmas...it's so funny because we still have it hanging in our kitchen. It's just too cute to take down! (I know all you Mom's can understand that!)

Well, this was just a blast digging out all the artwork and including it for all of you to see! I so believe that having art, both in our schools and at home, is crucial for children to develop their minds and work those little hands and fingers as well!
Thanks for stopping by to visit us! :)

TAG....

I was tagged by Lisa @ Pink in A House of Blue. I'm doing the TAG because I always think it's nice to share about ourselves....SO, here goes!

Here are the rules of this whole blogger tag game...(forgive me if I happen to change a few....Shhhhhh! LOL)
1) Mention the person who tagged you and be sure to link to them (see above)
2) Post your list of 8's
3) Tag 8 bloggers and don't forget to tell them! (Since this has probably made the rounds already...I'm changing this rule, If you haven't done this TAG game before and would like to give it a shot...please do!)

8 of My Favorite Foods
1. Caprese Salad.(Tomatoes, Mozzerella and Basil)
2. Henry and David's MooseMunch...If you haven't tried this...Oh, your missing out!
3. Chicken Greek Salad
4. Blue Cheese Burger
5. Frittata
6. Polenta
7. Watermelon
8. Corn on the cob

8 Things I'm Looking Forward To
1. My son going back to school after being sick for two weeks!!!
2. Planting flowers, tomatoes, and herbs in my garden.
3. Losing some much needed weight...joining Weight Watchers!
4. Making Iced Tea all summer long.
5. Spending time with my mom and son through the summer.
6. Having Central Air that actually works on those hot summer days and nights!
7. Trying to write reviews and having giveaways on my blog.
8. Just being happy and healthy.

8 Things I Did Yesterday
1. Talked to Mom on the phone
2. Took son to the doctor for the 3rd time in 5 days
3. Washed clothes
4. Cleaned the kitchen
5. Made spaghetti for dinner
6. Hung out on facebook...(Can't help it, LOL)
7. Watched Housewives Reunion...oh, so good!
8. Played with my son

8 Things I Want to do Before I Die
1. Have a home with a built on garage and fenced backyard
2. Travel, travel, travel
3. Stay in a five star hotel
4. Write a book
5. Win the Lottery...Okay, I can dream, LOL
6. Start my own company
7. See my son graduate, marry, and have children
8. Retire to a beautiful place and relax with my family

8 Shows I Watch
1. Dancing With the Stars
2. Housewives of Orange County, NY, Atlanta, and NJ.
3. UGLY BETTY
4. Everybody Loves Raymond
5. Gary Unmarried
6. John and Kate Plus Eight
7. Make Me a Supermodel
8. Days of Our Lives

8 Ways in Which I Kill Time
1. Clean
2. Facebook
3. Email
4. Blog
5. TV
6. Phone
7. Read Magazines
8. Sleep

WordLess Wednesday..."Tweet, Tweet"

There is nothing better than finding such cute pictures from your children after they return home from school! (I'm running out of room...I have to keep em all! LOL)

One Lovely Blog Award

Thank you so much to Veronica Lee from OF MICE AND raMEN for this award. She has such a free spirit and I guarantee you will never be bored reading her blog posts!
I can't tell you all how much I appreciate blog buddies like Veronica Lee, it makes having a blog that much more special. Thank you again!

To My Mom...With Love.

"My Mother kept a garden,
a garden of the heart,
She planted all the good things
that gave my life it's start.
She turned me to the sunshine
and encouraged me to dream,
Fostering and nurturing
the seeds of self-esteem...
And when the winds and rain came,
she protected me enough-
But not too much because she knew
I'd need to stand up strong and tough.
Her constant good example
always taught me right from wrong-
Markers for my pathway
that will last a lifetime long.
I am my Mother's garden.
I am her legacy-
And I hope today she feels the love
reflected back from me."
Author Unknown


This is my Mom and I just after my son was born...(summer 2003)



Here's Mom with my son...they are like two peas in a pod, and my son just adores his Nina!

So here is to you Mom...your just a gem of a lady! You mean the world to me and I would like to "thank" you for ALL you do.

WordLess Wednesday...."Flower Power"

Here's to another beautiful Spring and Summer!

This is the back patio where my Dad and I used to have our flower garden.


I took this picture several years ago...it may be a hibiscus. (not sure)

Sleepy Time

Sleep. Ahhhh, I even love saying the word. Sleep, there I said it again. Who doesn't love taking a little nap when they can work one in right?

(Obviously this isn't a picture of me! (Found it on google.) Darn, doesn't she look peaceful???)

Lately, well actually its been the past SEVERAL years, I haven't been able to sleep through the night! I'm not exactly sure why....It may have started in my college years when I decided that I would stay up ALL night talking to friends and partying in the dorm rooms! (I mean we were aloud to have boys in the dorm room right next to us...crazy!)
Or it could have been when I moved out on my own. I just didn't sleep as well living alone and was up with every little tiny noise. (Hey, I was a gal in my twenties and even though I had the sweetest kitty in the world at my side, she really wasn't much of a help when it came to weird sounds.)

See what I mean, LOL!

I still hear every single sound my son makes....every sneeze, cough, whimper, you name it...I hear it! So, what's a gal to do???
"Ask the doctor" you say...done it. Drink some milk or decaf tea...done it. Take a bath or shower, keep your room dark, make sure your comfy and not to warm or cold, don't exercise right before bed...done it, done it, done it!!! (I have tried EVERYTHING!)
It's getting to the point where I can't seem to function as well as I used to...I'm just too tired! My only saving grace is the fact that my son is in full-time Kindergarten and I can take a nap everyday. If I couldn't do that, I would probably fall asleep while emptying the dishwasher or folding the laundry. Or, while eating dinner...LOL, that would be a funny sight!

I'm sure that there are many of you that can relate to what I am saying. I mean, most of us are moms, we either have to work at a job or are SAHM's and we ALL have the kids, the cleaning, the house, the errands...but without sleep, what's a mom to do?

Well, its off to making dinner now and then a little clean up, followed by some time with the most adorable boy EVER...his bath, a story, and off to bed. Tonight I may just pop in one of my favorite movies and try to relax....I may not get much sleep but life really AIN'T that bad!!! LOL

I Just Couldn't Get Off The Couch Today....

This picture REALLY says it all...LOL. How funny!

TAG...You're It!

How fun is this bloggers??? I've been tagged twice today, so I am going to do them both at the same time!!! (Hey, the questions are almost the same, LOL)
First one was from Deb @ Life With Birk, and the next was from Silvia @ Mama Latina. They are both great gals and have fantastic and entertaining blogs!
So, I guess the rules are this....Respond and rework. Answer questions on your own blog. Replace one question. Add one question. Tag some bloggers.

Here I go...

1. What are your current obsessions? Okay, I have two. One is my ipod. It is crazy how much fun it is to download songs and pod casts on these little tiny devices...LOL. And, FACEBOOK!!! I could spend days on at a time, not sure why...isn't that funny? But it really is addictive to interact with old high-school and college friends, play crazy games, and just check out what everyone is up to!!! AWESOME!
2. Which item from your wardrobe do you wear most often? Honestly...probably my really comfy t-shirt dress, I wear that while I'm in the house just hangin!
3. Last dream you had? I think I was actually on vacation ALONE enjoying a Mimosa and reading my book poolside!! LOL
4. Last thing you bought? I think it was laundry detergent...they were having a buy 1, get 3 free sale!
5. What are you listening to? I'm lovin me some Robin Thicke right now.
6. What do you want to be when you grow up? Oh maybe a graphic designer or writer...I've always wanted to write children's books.
7. Favourite holiday spots? My Mom's! Her home is always lovely at Christmas!
8. Reading right now? "Eat, Pray, Love" I can't seem to finish this book, why?
9. Four words to describe yourself. Mom, Daughter, Trustworthy, FUN!
10. Guilty pleasure? Shopping Online
11. Who or what makes you laugh until you’re weak? "Everybody Loves Raymond" I could watch that show a thousand times and still laugh!
12. Favourite spring thing to do? Clean up the yard, plant the flowers and veggies, and go to the Farmers Market.
13. Planning to travel to next? Florida...DisneyWorld, but that will be next year!
14. Best thing you ate or drank lately? A Blueberry Pomegranate Propel water...delicious!
15. Dream vacation? Probably traveling down the East Coast and visiting as many States as possible.
16. Favourite film ever? Oh wow, I refuse to answer this...I have so many I can't possible narrow them down, sorry!
17. Care to share some wisdom? Live, Love, and Laugh! OFTEN!
18. Song you can't get out of your head? Spongebob Squarepants....My son loves him!
19. Thing you are looking forward to? The smell of fresh herbs on my kitchen window!
20. How much time do you spend on the computer everyday? Too much! LOL 4 hours.
Okay...I Tag
Alicia @ More Than Words
Betty @ Its Me Betty
Tami @ Diary of A Mad Woman
If you would like to play along...please do! If not, that's OKAY too! :)

Some Award Love

As a new blogger it is hard to get started and prove yourself amongst the WONDERFUL talent in the "mommy blogger world" so to speak. And it can be very intimidating to say the least.
But what keeps me going are all my lovely blogging friends that I get to interact with each and every day! (And if you are reading this...you are probably one of em!)

Well, one of these very special ladies is Jenjen over @ GottaLoveMom! She has awarded me with the Blogger Buddy Award....And I could not be more grateful!

Please take a moment and click on over...I promise that you will NOT be sorry. She is not only extremely talented (and you will find this out as you read her inspiring and amazingly well-written posts) but she is just a people person as well! Thanks again Jenjen!!!
Okay, since I am quite new to all of this I want to name ALL of you that constantly visit me and/or comment on my posts. Thank you so much for all the support. So, if you are back reading today, please take this award as your own...You deserve it, and I appreciate ALL of you more than you will EVER know!!!
You are ALL my "Blogging Buddies!"

"Happy With Some Humor on the Side!!!

Since Friday is just about the BEST day of the week, (JUST ABOUT...I'm partial to Saturday and Sunday myself!) I want to focus on what makes me truly happy. I mean the little things we look forward to everyday, whatever they may be, that make us smile or giggle!
Its just like when you hear that really catchy tune on the radio and can't help but re-sing it ALL day long! Or when our children say something so funny...so adorable, we run out of the room and grab the journal or camera to capture the memory so we NEVER forget it!!! (C'mon, we have ALL done that one right?)

I'll give you one example of something that happened to me yesterday. I was in over my head with a really sick son, a broken air conditioner, and car brakes that were in such dire need of repair....that I couldn't even leave the house anymore! So, our air conditioning was fixed by 11am, Yay! (Its okay to be happy about something even though you payed a BIG price to have it fixed, isn't it?) And the brakes were done by 6pm, Yippee! (Again, I'm showing excitement even though the price for my happiness was several hundred dollars, LOL.)
In the midst of all these little things happening, my mom stopped by and brought lunch to me. I cannot tell you all how sincerely touched I was by that act of kindness. (And even now as I am typing this...I'm STILL smiling!)

After she left, I was able to sit down and eat some lunch while my son took the longest nap ever! (Just to let you all know...he woke up feeling much better, so that nap did him so much good.)
It was really nice to be able to have a moment to myself and have a little lunch. Okay, I did watch a few minutes of Days of Our Lives...one of my guilty pleasures I must admit! (giggle, giggle)
But there is one thing that makes me smile ALL the time and I do it...Well, I try to do it everyday! (Okay...it's not what your all thinking but I wish it was...We haven't been doing THAT everyday for some time! LOL)
It is looking at my old scrapbooks. These books I just adore and I try to get them out by myself and reminisce about old high school years or just great weddings that I've been to....and my son loves to search through his baby book and find old family members or pictures of when we were all a little younger and thinner! (Isn't that the truth?)
I thought I would share with you some pictures of my youth, the olden days of life WAY WAY back in the 80's...when the hair was big, the leg warmers were pink, and life was a little less complicated. "Like...Oh My God, Totally Awesome Right?"

Here I am with my Dad...who, as you can probably tell, LOVED to sit in the sun for hours and hours and didn't mind if I did either...(If we knew then what we know now right?)


This was my "sweet sixteen" Bday party. Well, I know I WAS sixteen in that picture, but I'm not exactly sure how 'sweet' I was....Just Kidding Mom! (I'm the Blondie with the big hair and my cousin is the cutie next to me.)

So...enjoy your day today, try to take a moment for yourself, remember to laugh (or giggle as I like to say), and always make time for those little things that make you happy!!