CHEERS TO YOU ALL and TO THE HAPPIEST OF ALL NEW YEARS!!
~~ Wishing for you the VERY best 2012 has to offer ~~
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Dedicated to my girls, who are my ♥ heart ♥
There are so many things we want to teach our children! So many things we want to protect them from. Here are a few of my favorite quotes and life lessons! My girls will hold my heart FOREVER!
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
The ugly sweater....
We've all gotten them... the dreaded UGLY SWEATER!
You know the one, from the family member that thinks it's wonderful and you're like "uhh... what?! Pah-leeease tell me this is a white elephant exchange and I didn't get the memo?!"
You know you should smile and say thank you and be grateful and appreciative...but com'mon! Even THIS may be asking more than what even HE is capable of...
So what do you do with it now?? Do you keep it? Do you, OMGSH.... WEAR it and take Holiday pictures in it??
Do you do what we did......
and REGIFT IT!!! ;)
♥ Hoping this Christmas season finds you very, very MERRY!!! ♥
You know the one, from the family member that thinks it's wonderful and you're like "uhh... what?! Pah-leeease tell me this is a white elephant exchange and I didn't get the memo?!"
You know you should smile and say thank you and be grateful and appreciative...but com'mon! Even THIS may be asking more than what even HE is capable of...
So what do you do with it now?? Do you keep it? Do you, OMGSH.... WEAR it and take Holiday pictures in it??
Do you do what we did......
and REGIFT IT!!! ;)
♥ Hoping this Christmas season finds you very, very MERRY!!! ♥
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Cool Kiddie Crafts
As most of you know, I am a preschool teacher. I (and my co-teacher)
teach a class of 3 yr old chir'rens on Monday and Wednesday and I (and
another co-teacher) teach a class of 4 yr olds on Tuesday, Thursday,
and Friday. We are ALWAYS in search of new, fun, exciting, crafty things to do with our class! They It can be a challenge at times! ;) I have found soo many wonderful ideas thru Pinterest!! {Btw, If you're not a member... you really should be! You can find everything under the sun there! Literally!}
Anywho... I thought I'd show you just a few of my fave's for this time of year! I only WISH I would've had these examples or ideas when my girlies were little!! OMGSH! Every frame in my house would have adorned little hand prints, foot prints and art work..... and I would've saved more milk jugs!! ;-)
Anywho... I thought I'd show you just a few of my fave's for this time of year! I only WISH I would've had these examples or ideas when my girlies were little!! OMGSH! Every frame in my house would have adorned little hand prints, foot prints and art work..... and I would've saved more milk jugs!! ;-)
These are just a few of the fun things you can do on the cheap! ~~I love me some cheap crafty things~~
Monday, November 28, 2011
Wanna know how to make a dollar store paper ornament go from drab to fab?!?!
USE GLITTER!!!!
Ahhh..... Glitter makes the world such a happy place ;)
Don't get me wrong. This is really pretty just as it is. And it was a BUCK! One whole dollar!
But if you use a tad bit of Mod Podge and a dash, or two or three, of glitter....
SHAZAMMM!!
These are just some sneak peeks of my mantel - still in make over mode -
So what kind of things have you gussied up with a little glitter?!
Thursday, November 24, 2011
On this day of THANKS, my hope for you is
a chance to have a full belly
a chance to have a full belly
A prayerful heart overflowing with gratitude ...
An opportunity to share love with those you love...
A time to rest...
But most of all, my hope for you is to be surrounded in love that lasts a lifetime!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU ALL!!
~~ BE BLESSED ~~
~~ BE BLESSED ~~
Sunday, November 13, 2011
My Fall Fantasy Picks
My friend Kerry, over at HouseTalkN, has a super fun idea.... a girl version of Fantasy Football with a fun twist!! ~ I would have to agree with her. Fantasy fb can suck it... I mean, let's be honest... statistics are boring. Fantasy is fun! Only a man would think to combine the two! Psh!
If you wanna check her list, which I suggest you do, go here. But here's MY fantasy list: (a to add a little friendly competition... after all that's pretty much what the whole football-statistic-fantasy blah blah is) feel free to play along!! Make your own list! Have fun fantasizing ladies ;)
MY FANTASY CLOTHING CATEGORY:
MY FANTASY style HOUSE:
MY FANTASY BACKYARD:
MY FANTASY RUN ROUTE: {{HAHAHA.. Who am I kidding.. I don't run! But since this IS fantasy.. how about this one...
MY FANTASY BODY IF I RAN...
MY FANTASY FAMILY DINNER:
MY FANTASY ENTERTAINMENT:
MY FANTASY DINNER GUEST:
MY FANTASY FOOD:
MY FANTASY DRINK:
MY FANTASY BFF:
Feel free to play along by Linking up! .... WHAT ARE YOUR FALL FANTASY PICKS??? : )
If you wanna check her list, which I suggest you do, go here. But here's MY fantasy list: (a to add a little friendly competition... after all that's pretty much what the whole football-statistic-fantasy blah blah is) feel free to play along!! Make your own list! Have fun fantasizing ladies ;)
MY FALL FANTASY PICKS!
MY FANTASY CLOTHING CATEGORY:
Source: theberry.com via Casey on Pinterest
MY FANTASY style HOUSE:
MY FANTASY BACKYARD:
Source: browndresswithwhitedots.tumblr.com via Emily on Pinterest
MY FANTASY RUN ROUTE: {{HAHAHA.. Who am I kidding.. I don't run! But since this IS fantasy.. how about this one...
MY FANTASY BODY IF I RAN...
Source: wordsforyoungmen.tumblr.com via Blanche on Pinterest
MY FANTASY FAMILY DINNER:
Source: aandbstories.com via Krystle on Pinterest
MY FANTASY ENTERTAINMENT:
Source: google.com via Kristy on Pinterest
MY FANTASY DINNER GUEST:
Source: google.com via Kristy on Pinterest
MY FANTASY FOOD:
Source: bakerella.com via Michelle on Pinterest
MY FANTASY DRINK:
Source: epicureanmom.com via Brooke on Pinterest
MY FANTASY BFF:
Source: instyle.com via LaDan on Pinterest
Feel free to play along by Linking up! .... WHAT ARE YOUR FALL FANTASY PICKS??? : )
Sunday, November 6, 2011
The ECLECTIC process begins...
Like many, well MOST, of you, I am addicted to Pinterest and Houzz! I am drawn to so many different styles, but the one that I keep going back to... the one that calls my name... is a sweet mix of Traditional Vintage Eclectic. I love everything about the old and the classic and the patterns and the pops of color and the sheer organized chaos of it! So as I looked around my house, I asked myself, "Self, if you love eclectic design so much... why in the world does your home not shout it?!" {not to worry. I didn't actually answer my self... well, not audibly anyway} ;)
Don't get me wrong. I have bits and pieces, here and there, of funky unexpected little things (for example.. I have the fun elevator sign at the stairs),
but it never seemed to be "just right".... so here's where I've started to change that. I dipped into my throw pillow stash (I have a sick obsession) and VOILA!!
My living room before.....
(My apologies... I am fully aware at how much my camera sucks!)
And the AFTER....
Can you even believe the luck in ALL my throw pillows working together so harmoniously?!?! I love, love, love it! ♥♥ NOW.... it's really time I get my rear in gear and find a new rug!
Ugh.... it never ends...... which leads me to another thought....
I am seriously considering renaming my blog "IF YOU GIVE KRISTY AN IDEA..." You know, after the book "If you give a mouse a cookie"... Because one thought ALWAYS leads to another... and another... and another.... :D hahaha :D
Linking up with
Don't get me wrong. I have bits and pieces, here and there, of funky unexpected little things (for example.. I have the fun elevator sign at the stairs),
but it never seemed to be "just right".... so here's where I've started to change that. I dipped into my throw pillow stash (I have a sick obsession) and VOILA!!
My living room before.....
(My apologies... I am fully aware at how much my camera sucks!)And the AFTER....
Can you even believe the luck in ALL my throw pillows working together so harmoniously?!?! I love, love, love it! ♥♥ NOW.... it's really time I get my rear in gear and find a new rug!Ugh.... it never ends...... which leads me to another thought....
I am seriously considering renaming my blog "IF YOU GIVE KRISTY AN IDEA..." You know, after the book "If you give a mouse a cookie"... Because one thought ALWAYS leads to another... and another... and another.... :D hahaha :D
Linking up with
Saturday, October 29, 2011
My Hiatul Come Back
I like the phrase "hiatul come back". To my ears, it has a sort of ring. So I used it despite the little red squiggle line under hiatul... I'm a rebel like that ;) So please know that I know it's a Kristy-ism.
Ok... down to the nitty-gritty... This thing called LIFE~
Since I am not only using my blog as a crafty-fun blog, but also as a "doing real life" blog I will attempt to make a long story short... but since I am not really known for being a woman of few words, I highly doubt it's possible ;)
This is what life has been like for us for the past 6 weeks.. And just to set the ground work... GOD IS GOOD PEOPLE!! HE IS SO GOOD!
My 18 yr old daughter has been diagnosed with Lupus. Autoimmune diseases run in my family (I actually have hypothyroidism secondary to Grave's disease/Hyperthyroidism after having my thyroid eradicated in 2000). Tho the weight of the diagnosis for her was so heavy and so scary and so heart-breaking, let me tell you how good God is..
A year ago we had Jordan tested for anemia because she began bruising super easy.. to the point of "where in the world did this come from" easy. Tests were negative.. blood looked fine. Fast forward a year... She was put on antibiotics in August. Three days after taking her first dose she began aching, her joints began to painfully swell and she was unable to walk comfortably due to the pain in her feet. I took her to the dr and had blood tests run. Tests showed a positive reading for ANA (Lupus). Her dr. said it is most likely a drug reaction and discontinue the antibiotics. However, the blood tests also showed she had a very low platelet count and that concerned him. A normal count is 142,000 to roughly 400,000. Hers were 19,000. Dr. put her on a low dose of Predisone to elevate her platelet count. After a day or two of being on the Predisone, all symptoms subsided. Life was back to being good :) We went back to the dr. a week later for another blood test. Platelets were up to 124,000. Good news, right!? Well, the following week when we had to return for another blood test, her platelet count was at 14,000. Umm..Not so good news! She was dangerously at risk of hemorrhaging bc your platelets are what clots your blood. Hers are not high enough to clot. We saw a Hematologist immediately which led to more blood tests (and a high dose RX of Prednisone).... which led us to a Rheumatologist... which led to more blood tests... which led to the confirmation of Lupus. The type of Lupus she has THANKFULLY has NOT settled in her joints. What she experience previously, was indeed a reaction to the meds. It is however attacking her white blood cells/Platelets. This is where the Lupus has settled. She is negative for Rheumatoid arthritis, but positive for Sjogren's (autoimmune disease that produces dry eyes and mouth). She is symptom free of the Sjogren's, thankfully! At her last blood test, her platelets were up to 199,000!!!! ONE HUNDRED NINETY NINE THOUSAND!! THIS IS FANTASTIC news! Her body is responding to the steroids so she is now on the Lupus medication to PRAYERFULLY get her into a remissive state! She has horrible body aches from time to time, which has been explained to us a Pleurisy (an inflammation of the lining in the lungs). Apparently, the two sort of go hand in hand. Massage helps if we do it at early onset. Needless to say... this has been an incredibly emotional journey for us! I know things can ALWAYS be worse... I know this. But this is my baby girl.. my child. It pains me greatly to see my children hurt and to know her life will be altered just deflated me. After MANY MANY prayers, God spoke to my heart. He showed me the silver lining. He showed me that my prayers WERE, in fact, answered! This is what He showed me....
*Had Jordan not had the reaction to the antibiotics, we never would have seen her low platelet level
*Had we not seen the low platelet level, the Lupus would most definitely have settled into another area of her body (her joints)
*Had we not had to rely on the strength that can only come from God, our relationship with Him would not have had the opportunity to grow as it has
*We prayed for healing if it was God's will... but if her body was to have Lupus, we prayed for the BEST cast scenario... and PRAYERS WERE ANSWERED!
I would have to say that not only is our silver lining there... but it SHINES! Thank you Jesus for mercy!
So.. with all of that said... we are in a better place, moving forward with her new "normal" and all is as it is meant to be. And for that, I am thankful.
Ok... down to the nitty-gritty... This thing called LIFE~
Since I am not only using my blog as a crafty-fun blog, but also as a "doing real life" blog I will attempt to make a long story short... but since I am not really known for being a woman of few words, I highly doubt it's possible ;)
This is what life has been like for us for the past 6 weeks.. And just to set the ground work... GOD IS GOOD PEOPLE!! HE IS SO GOOD!
My 18 yr old daughter has been diagnosed with Lupus. Autoimmune diseases run in my family (I actually have hypothyroidism secondary to Grave's disease/Hyperthyroidism after having my thyroid eradicated in 2000). Tho the weight of the diagnosis for her was so heavy and so scary and so heart-breaking, let me tell you how good God is..
A year ago we had Jordan tested for anemia because she began bruising super easy.. to the point of "where in the world did this come from" easy. Tests were negative.. blood looked fine. Fast forward a year... She was put on antibiotics in August. Three days after taking her first dose she began aching, her joints began to painfully swell and she was unable to walk comfortably due to the pain in her feet. I took her to the dr and had blood tests run. Tests showed a positive reading for ANA (Lupus). Her dr. said it is most likely a drug reaction and discontinue the antibiotics. However, the blood tests also showed she had a very low platelet count and that concerned him. A normal count is 142,000 to roughly 400,000. Hers were 19,000. Dr. put her on a low dose of Predisone to elevate her platelet count. After a day or two of being on the Predisone, all symptoms subsided. Life was back to being good :) We went back to the dr. a week later for another blood test. Platelets were up to 124,000. Good news, right!? Well, the following week when we had to return for another blood test, her platelet count was at 14,000. Umm..Not so good news! She was dangerously at risk of hemorrhaging bc your platelets are what clots your blood. Hers are not high enough to clot. We saw a Hematologist immediately which led to more blood tests (and a high dose RX of Prednisone).... which led us to a Rheumatologist... which led to more blood tests... which led to the confirmation of Lupus. The type of Lupus she has THANKFULLY has NOT settled in her joints. What she experience previously, was indeed a reaction to the meds. It is however attacking her white blood cells/Platelets. This is where the Lupus has settled. She is negative for Rheumatoid arthritis, but positive for Sjogren's (autoimmune disease that produces dry eyes and mouth). She is symptom free of the Sjogren's, thankfully! At her last blood test, her platelets were up to 199,000!!!! ONE HUNDRED NINETY NINE THOUSAND!! THIS IS FANTASTIC news! Her body is responding to the steroids so she is now on the Lupus medication to PRAYERFULLY get her into a remissive state! She has horrible body aches from time to time, which has been explained to us a Pleurisy (an inflammation of the lining in the lungs). Apparently, the two sort of go hand in hand. Massage helps if we do it at early onset. Needless to say... this has been an incredibly emotional journey for us! I know things can ALWAYS be worse... I know this. But this is my baby girl.. my child. It pains me greatly to see my children hurt and to know her life will be altered just deflated me. After MANY MANY prayers, God spoke to my heart. He showed me the silver lining. He showed me that my prayers WERE, in fact, answered! This is what He showed me....
*Had Jordan not had the reaction to the antibiotics, we never would have seen her low platelet level
*Had we not seen the low platelet level, the Lupus would most definitely have settled into another area of her body (her joints)
*Had we not had to rely on the strength that can only come from God, our relationship with Him would not have had the opportunity to grow as it has
*We prayed for healing if it was God's will... but if her body was to have Lupus, we prayed for the BEST cast scenario... and PRAYERS WERE ANSWERED!
I would have to say that not only is our silver lining there... but it SHINES! Thank you Jesus for mercy!
So.. with all of that said... we are in a better place, moving forward with her new "normal" and all is as it is meant to be. And for that, I am thankful.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
A Link Up :)
Well, there has been QUITE alot going on around our house the past few weeks and I am planning a big ol' share day soon. Until then...
I have linked up to Eighteen25 Halloween spectacular! (THANK YOU LADIES!) Have you seen their blog?? AHHHmaazing!! You should really check them out! Go on... click the button... It's on the right side of the page... see it??.. it's ok... I'll see ya soon.. :)
Monday, October 3, 2011
No words... ; )
This is Big Daddy....
This is my prized Halloween possession...
See the resemblance!?!
This is my prized Halloween possession...
See the resemblance!?!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
OoKy SpOoKy
I LOVE to decorate for Halloween! Love it, love it, love it!! WHY?? Because I love folky vintagey kinda stuff and Halloween decor HAS it! I usually pick one or two things up a season to add to my collection. It's so much fun. I typically find my goods at TJ Maxx or HomeGoods~~ BEST stores evaaa!!!
But this year, I decided to do something a tad different in my formal dining room. I am not limited to my love of all things vintage... oh no... I really love blingy, flashy, fun, funky too!
SO.. bet you're wondering what I got, huh?!
First, lemme ask ya a question...
What would YOU create with a wreath, a silk rose, a blingy skull, paper candelabras, a couple of birds, spiders and sparkly feathers from Michael's??
Hmmm......
What if I fluff up the wreath.... add these here....
(these feathers were actually with the CHRISTMAS decorations! Yes, Christmas and Halloween are out in the same season. You know, cuz it makes perfect sense!) {Not that I'm complaining.. because without it, I wouldn't have these fun little feathers. Happy I was able to cringe and smile all at the same time *wink, wink*}
OK... and so maybe that there.....
And put these guys here and here....
Oooo... I think I might likey.....
I DOOO likey!! And the very best part?? NO GLUE GUN REQUIRED! Not that I don't thoroughly enjoy using the glue gun, but if I can whip up a table wreath in 2.5 seconds... I'll take it! I haven't found "THE" perfect table cloth as of yet. Thinking I may just go get some sparkly purple fabric and then cover it with black netting to give it dimension and a touch of glam... What do you think?! I also currently do not have any curtains in there so I am thinking maybe something in a gauzey material?? I don't know yet.. gotta put on the ol' creative thinking cap~
Suggestions are ALWAYS welcome! See that little comment section down there? That's where you can leave me your thoughts ;)
Like I said, I don't normally decorate with this "style" ( my mom said it reminds her of Guns and Roses! HA!! I didn't even know my mom knew who Guns and Roses WAS!! lol!!)
This is more my Halloween decor...
See what I mean... So totally different. And I'm just fine with that~
I really like my fun blingy table wreath and paper candelabras! They are different and fun and little funky... just like me :)
Here's one more peak...
Happy decorating!!
But this year, I decided to do something a tad different in my formal dining room. I am not limited to my love of all things vintage... oh no... I really love blingy, flashy, fun, funky too!
SO.. bet you're wondering what I got, huh?!
First, lemme ask ya a question...
What would YOU create with a wreath, a silk rose, a blingy skull, paper candelabras, a couple of birds, spiders and sparkly feathers from Michael's??
Hmmm......
What if I fluff up the wreath.... add these here....
(these feathers were actually with the CHRISTMAS decorations! Yes, Christmas and Halloween are out in the same season. You know, cuz it makes perfect sense!) {Not that I'm complaining.. because without it, I wouldn't have these fun little feathers. Happy I was able to cringe and smile all at the same time *wink, wink*}
OK... and so maybe that there.....
And put these guys here and here....
Oooo... I think I might likey.....
I DOOO likey!! And the very best part?? NO GLUE GUN REQUIRED! Not that I don't thoroughly enjoy using the glue gun, but if I can whip up a table wreath in 2.5 seconds... I'll take it! I haven't found "THE" perfect table cloth as of yet. Thinking I may just go get some sparkly purple fabric and then cover it with black netting to give it dimension and a touch of glam... What do you think?! I also currently do not have any curtains in there so I am thinking maybe something in a gauzey material?? I don't know yet.. gotta put on the ol' creative thinking cap~
Suggestions are ALWAYS welcome! See that little comment section down there? That's where you can leave me your thoughts ;)
Like I said, I don't normally decorate with this "style" ( my mom said it reminds her of Guns and Roses! HA!! I didn't even know my mom knew who Guns and Roses WAS!! lol!!)
This is more my Halloween decor...
See what I mean... So totally different. And I'm just fine with that~
I really like my fun blingy table wreath and paper candelabras! They are different and fun and little funky... just like me :)
Here's one more peak...
Happy decorating!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)