Christmas 2010

We had an amazing Christmas with our boys! Tom's grandmother, parents & brother were here for Christmas Eve and my mom joined all of us for Christmas Day. I was really dreading the holidays this year but it turned out to be wonderful, sometimes I have to remind myself to let things go and focus on the important things. We still have one more Christmas celebration to go at my Mom's on Wednesday. My youngest brother is home from his second tour in Iraq and we were waiting to be with him and his family, I can't wait to see my three brothers and their families and to eat my Mom's fantastic cooking, yummy!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!!

And The Winner Is...

Hautemama

Email me with your name and address and I will mail your package out tomorrow! My email address is: mts41501@yahoo.com

200th Post Giveaway

WOW! I finally have made it to the 200th post, I can't believe it! In honor of this occasion I am giving away a beautiful Christmas plate, a set a of Christmas inspired dish towels and a $10 Hobby Lobby gift card. All you need to do is leave me a comment on this post telling me what you want for Christmas! I will draw a winner on Sunday and mail your package on Monday, who knows I might even fill the plate with cookies!!

In other news, I'm looking at four houses this afternoon, wish me luck!

Have a great weekend!!

Giveaway Friday

Tomorrow will mark my 200th post, in honor of the occasion I will be hosting a giveaway, all you need to do to be entered is leave a comment on the post and your name will be included in the drawing. See you tomorrow!!

Tales From The Ridge

Well, we have been moved into the rental house for 3 weeks and were considering making an offer, a low offer, because it needs so much work, but I called the owner's today to see where to pay the rent and he told me that the house has sold and will be closing on Friday! Can you believe this?!? And to top it all off we still haven't closed on the house we are selling and just had to sign another 10 day extension because the buyer's are using a piece of land as collateral. The new owner's of the rental house have a bridge loan until they sell the house they are living in so we either have 6 months or 45 days to find another place to live! And did I mention to you that there is NOTHING on the market in our area, we have a large down payment and have been pre-approved and can't buy a house!!!




My lovely husband decided two weeks ago to buy our youngest son a new dirt bike and our oldest son a new laptop without telling me anything about it, yes we had a HUGE fight and yes we have made up but now there is nothing to buy them for Christmas because the little brats, I mean darlings, have way too much stuff and yet they sit around the house saying they're bored! I asked them over Thanksgiving break to make me a Christmas list of about 10 items each, I explained to them that they won't get everything on the list, that has been a week ago and I still don't have their lists, I asked them again this morning on the way to school to make me a list and they both replied, "I don't really want anything"! I think I'm going to take the money for their Christmas presents and give it to a needy family in our area, and I'm not joking!! Kids today are way too spoiled and have way too much and it's my fault for giving in and buying them all this junk, somewhere along the way I have fallen into the trap of my children need to have bigger and better and that stops today!!! I can't believe that I have allowed this to happen! When I was a child we didn't get toys and stuff all year long and just because so and so had the latest and greatest didn't mean we had it! I think I have ranted enough for today.



Be sure to stop by on Friday for a great giveaway, who knows it might be an ipod touch, a blackberry, a laptop , a dirt bike or anything else they don't need! You know and I know that I won't do that, but I should! Have a great day!!!

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!

Busy Busy

Life is kinda crazy right now with the upcoming move. I've been working like a mad woman this week trying to get the rental house cleaned out, cleaned up, carpets cleaned, and painted, shew I'm tired! Check back next week for my 200th post giveaway, it's gone to be GREAT!!

The Crazy World of Real Estate

Home Sweet Rental Home

This week has reminded me why I stopped selling real estate years ago, it's a nightmare!!! We made an offer on the house we wanted, the husband verbally accepted and told the realtor he would have his wife sign and return the paperwork by Saturday, needless to say the realtor did hear from them all weekend then on Monday she called to see what was going on and he said they had been fighting all weekend and they decided not to sell! As frustrating as this is to deal with I'm thankful that we didn't get the house, this was the 3rd time we had tried to buy it and obviously God doesn't want us living there. I looked at a For Sale By Owner in the same neighborhood yesterday, it was a 2400 sq ft home and they wanted $350,000 FIRM, I thought I would laugh in their faces! Our friends who are paying two mortgages are going to let us rent their house for 6 months, it's the one that is in rough shape and we are going to be paying $1500 a month, ouch! I'm just thankful to have a place to live that is large enough for our family and the repairs are mainly cosmetic and it will give me something to blog about, we are moving in November 10th.

When You Don't Know What To Do ~ Eat Cake

This past weekend the weather was perfect! The boys had so much fun painting pumpkins, this year they have decided not to go trick or treating, they just want to stay home and give out candy. This is breaking my heart, it means they are growing up way too fast!

I'm trying to avoid reality so I baked all day Saturday, it's amazing how two kinds of chocolate cake and chess bars can make you forget you're going to homeless in three weeks if our offer isn't accepted on the new house. Speaking of the new house we made an offer on the third house pictured in the previous post, now the owners aren't so sure they want to sell! Can you believe that? After all we've been through to sell this house and the people who are willing to let us rent their home (that needs a ton of work, but that's another story) want $1500 a month, we could buy a $350000 house for $1500 a month!! It amazes me how people think their stuff is worth so much when they only want to give you the bare minimum for your things, go figure! The chocolate cake was really good, oh yea I forgot I started Weight Watchers, OOPS, LOL!!!

I finished this little cross-stitch project this week, I love stitching dish towels they are quick and easy!

A few weeks ago Tom & I attended a small fundraiser for Rand Paul (he's running for a US senate seat) we really enjoyed meeting him and actually getting to do something without the children for a change.

If you will keep please keep our family in your prayers during the next few weeks.

Housing Crisis

This is our current house which is under contract, it is a 3 bedroom, 2 1/1 bath home with 1980 square feet.

This house is for sale in our neighborhood, it has 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bath with 2450 square feet and it has an extra lot that is available for purchase. This house needs hardwood floors, the master bedroom is kinda small and there is only one small closet in the master bedroom.

This is the house that we have tried to buy twice and each time something has happened and the contract has fallen through on the sellers part, well now that we have our house under contract I looked at the house again and this time they are asking $5000 more and will not leave the stove or refrigerator and this house also needs hardwood floors and its at the very top of our budget.

We have so many decisions to make. We have found one house to rent for 6 months but they are asking $1500 per month it needs to be painted, carpets cleaned and baseboards installed in 3 rooms and its 25 minutes from the boy's school on a narrow, curvy country road. I think we should rent for a while so we don't rush into a house that we really don't like but I really don't like the location of the rental house. I know you are thinking just find another rental but the problem with that is there isn't anything, we live in a very rural part of Kentucky, nice housing is very hard to come by. What would do and which house do you like best?

What A Week!

The past week has been one for the record books! I celebrated my 39th birthday, for the first time, celebrated my 14th wedding anniversary, sold my house and I have an ear infection! We aren't having any luck finding a house to buy so we have switched gears and are trying to find something to lease. This move is really invading my crafting time & I don't like it! I have managed to start a small cross-stitching project, it's a cute Lizzie Kate design and I'm stitching it on a dish towel. I would love to learn to crochet, do any of you crochet? Sewing, scrapbooking, card making, cross-stitching and playing with my fabric stash is so much fun, wonder what I'll find when I start packing up all my stuff, LOL!!

I gave myself a birthday present, I joined Weight Watchers! I need to lose a lot of weight. I seriously considered gastric bypass, but as of June 2010 our insurance company no longer covers baratric services and I don't have $20,000 just laying around. I've had a few friends that have gone through gastric bypass and they are all gaining their weight back. it's really sad seeing as what they have permanently done to their bodies. Weight Watchers is very sensible and reasonably priced so I'm giving it another go, wish me luck!!

I have discovered several new blogs in the last little bit, I love seeing all of your comments they always put a smile on my face and I look forward to getting to know each of you!!

Love Story

Tom and I have a beautiful love story, we met in high school but didn't date until 9 years later, we have been through many ups and downs but I wouldn't change a thing! Today we are celebrating our 14th wedding anniversary, I'm so thankful he chose me to be his wife!!

Real Estate

Finally after 5 long months on the market our house is under contract!!! YEAH!!!! We can now buy a bigger house!!! I never spend my money until it's in the bank but the buyers are pre-approved and don't have to sell anything to buy, they also want immediate possession (scary) but the house we want to buy is being offered with possession at closing. Hopefully, everything will work out!


Have a great weekend!

Feeling Kinda Crafty

Oh this rainy, cold October weather just warms my heart and makes me want to start a million new projects! I'm already scouring Christmas magazines in search of things to craft, I think that I may cross-stitch a few ornaments for my family room tree and I'm going to try my hand at quilting, my lovely neighbor and friend has offered to help, now that's a true friend!


We had one of the best weekends in recent memory at our little piece of heaven on earth (aka Lake Cumberland) we didn't really do anything but the laughter and bonding that was shared between our family was better than anything we could have paid to do!


I will post pictures tomorrow of some of my projects. Take care and enjoy this wonderful October weather!!

Great Product Alert

Oh my goodness! I was checking out at J. Crew the other day and on a whim picked up a bottle of Essie nail polish that was by the cash register (great product placement on their part) this stuff is amazing and wonderful and comes in such pretty colors. I just checked out all the new fall colors on Essie's website and WOW great colors to choose from and compared to what Sally Hansen is selling for at Wallie World this stuff is a real bargain!!

Edible Art

I have long been a lover of beautiful cakes! When I was a young girl I would draw every detail of my wedding cake, I would cut photos of cakes from magazines and beg my mother to make them. I still love edible art, it's a visual delight! Even the worst tasting cake taste good if its pretty! I stumbled upon a couple of new blogs this weekend which led me to more blogs and you get the idea, then I found it, the cake that I want for my 39th birthday, at least the bottom layer. I first saw it on Cake Wrecks then on Martha Stewart's website, it's so elegant!!

A few other blogs that have amazing cakes and cookies are: Cookie Crumbs and Bake at 350, go check them out-you will be blown away by what these ladies can do with a little flour & sugar!

Getting Off The Sidelines

After several days of feeling sorry for myself I'm happy to report with the help of Dillards, Talbots, Neiman Marcus, FedEx and a debt card I'm back to normal. Well, normal for me, LOL!!

I have decided that life is too short to sit on the sidelines! I'm going to pick myself up, dust off the dirt and move forward!!

I'm be turning 39 in a few weeks, I'm several pounds overweight and I have an ugly scar from my thyriodectomy but that's okay, I kinda like me just the way I am. My scar and pounds tell the story of my life, even if it is the recipe for buttercreme icing! Age and weight are just numbers that are constantly changing but attitude is everything! And mine is in need of an adjustment!

I have opened an Etsy shop, I will be selling handmade cards for special occasions and holidays, I will have the first of many cards to come in my shop by Monday morning. Who knows I may actually sell a few. Wouldn't that be great then I could order more fabulous clothes!!

I want to say a special thank you to my Aunt Kathy for being there for me yesterday (always) and to Hautemamaof2 for taking the time to let me know that I'm not alone!

Life

I believe that there is no harder job in this world than that of a stay-at-home mother; with that said, over the past 14 years of being a homemaker I have put everyone's needs, likes and dislikes before my own. Before Tom and I were married and before we had children I had a small career that I enjoyed, I traveled, bought fabulous handbags, and had friends. I still love Louis Vuitton and we travel all the time but something is missing. I love my family and couldn't imagine life without them but I need something more. Our bank called yesterday and ask if I would please consider taking a part-time position, my heart jumped at the thoughts of getting out in the real world for a few hours each day but then they told me the hours and there's no possible way that I could make it work with the boys' schedules and Tom's work. I feel hopeless! I feel so guilty for even feeling this way because I know I have a wonderful husband, two great sons and I have been blessed to be home with my family. I miss the old me, I just wish I knew where she lived.

Comfort Food

Lately I've been having a hard time dealing with some issues in my life, nothing to extreme but nonetheless issues. Mostly I have been feeling sorry for myself because I don't have a sister, a daughter or a best friend :( I know, I know, I have two wonderful sons who I love and adore but people sometimes this house just needs a little more estrogen! I secretly wish that The Pioneer Woman and I were sisters, I stalk her blog everyday, LOL!! When I saw the recipe for Pecan Pie Muffins I knew I had to have me some of them! Hurry get over to her blog, print the recipe and head to the kitchen, you won't be sorry, these are the best little things I've eaten in a long time!

I Love My Cricut

I absolutely love my Cricut die-cutting machine, it amazes me! Oh and I tried SMOOCH for the first time tonight and I can't wait to buy one in every color. I made this beautiful card for a friend that is becoming very dear to my heart, I used the Walk In My Garden cartridge and Pearl SMOOCH. Something about fall makes me want to scrapbook, I'm counting down the days until my next scrapbook retreat, are you crafting this weekend? Have a good one!!

Manolo

photo courtesy of Neiman Marcus

I thought I would let you know a little something about me today, I love to watch Sex And The City! I watch reruns, the movie and I'm counting down the days until the SATC2 is on dvd. This week in particular I have watched more than usual and the shoes that the "Girls" wear are fabulous!!! I decided that I need a pair of Manolo's! I will be 39 years old in less than a month and a thirty something gal needs a WOW pair of shoes! Do you own a pair of Manolo's? If so are they on display in your china cabinet or on your mantel, LOL!?!





Have a great day :)

Scrapbooking

It seems to me that the closer we get to cooler weather the more I want to craft and nest, does this happen to you?

Jonah, my youngest, has been on to me for months to make a scrapbook of his first year, this has brought back so many wonderful memories and made me realize just how fast my sons are growing up. This is one of the pages I have done for his book, I still have this little outfit. Hopefully, one day his son will be able to wear it!

Good Times

Tom & I had a wonderful week long vacation without the children, this is the first time we have left them for more than two nights. We spent a few days at the lake, visited the Amish country, shopped our way through Pigeon Forge we stayed at The Inn at Christmas Place it was fabulous!! I can't wait to go back again this winter.

I can't believe that it is only four months until Christmas, YIKES!!! I'm trying shop earlier & wiser this year.

The boy's school starts next Wednesday, they are so excited to see their friends and meet their new teachers. This summer seems to have flown by.

Tomorrow will be one year since I had my thyroid removed, I feel like I have been given my life back!!!

Unpredictable

That is the only way that I know how to describe the last two weeks of our lives, UNPREDICTABLE!! Hopefully, these last few weeks before school starts will go a little smoother.

Tom's parents have graciously offered to watch the boys next week, we are dropping them off on Saturday and heading west for the week, we don't have a clue where we are going or how long we'll be gone, this is hard for me because I am a planner by nature. We have been looking at the atlas all week trying to decide where to go, if you have any suggestions for something in the Midwest region leave me a comment.

It's Been A Great Day!

I love days like this, everything has gone smoothly, the children have gotten along and I have kept the house picked up. We only have about 5 weeks until school starts back instead of wishing the time away I have decided to make the most of it and enjoy every minute with my sons. My dear Mother reminded a few minutes ago that all too soon they will be grown and that I would be wishing for them to this age again, she is a very wise woman!

They wanted a boat for the pool today but couldn't decide how to pay for it, I offered to buy it in lieu of an allowance they quickly agreed and I actually saved about $5 this week!

I'm loving this blog hop, I've found several new blogs to read and follow and I love a good blog almost as much as I do a good book. I hope that you are having a great day!

Commenting Challenge

I stumbled upon a blog that is hosting a commenting challenge, so often I read blog posts and really can relate to the author but I never leave a comment. This week I will be visiting and commenting at least 10 blogs each day, good thing I cleaned the house. I hope to meet new blog friends and discover new blogs to read.

Total Relaxation

Friday evening, I started my weekend alone by watching one of my favorite movies of all time, Sex and the City I have watched this movie at least 15 times and I think I could watch it 15 more. While I was watching the movie I shaped my eyebrows, painted my fingernails and gave myself a french pedicure. Also, I started reading a new book, The Guernsey Literary and Sweet Potato Pie Society.

Saturday morning I attended a baby shower for a first time mother, the home was decorated beautifully and the food delicious. After a champagne toast the mother-to-be opened several lovely presents.I have been praying for some time now to meet some new friends, it was really nice to have been invited to this shower and I feel like I may have met a few people who have the same interests as me.

After the shower I drove to a neighboring town to shop at my favorite scrapbooking store then I came home and watched another great movie (that I've seen a zillion times) and I went to bed early.

This morning I woke up early and gave our house a deep cleaning. I was so excited to see Tom and the boys pull in the driveway, I didn't realize how much I had missed them until I saw them. I'm so thankful for Tom he is truly a wonderful husband & father.

What To Do, What To Do...

Before my husband left for work this morning he woke me to let me know that he was taking the boys to the lake for a guys weekend so I could have a little time to myself. He is such a wonderful husband and father, I'm thankful that he realized I was at the end of my rope and needed a break. The boys were so excited they packed their own clothes, I wasn't allowed to see what they packed, LOL! They called Tom 20 times today wanting to know if he could leave work early, he did and they are on there way to a fun weekend of boy stuff.

I on the other hand have no clue what to do, I have a baby shower to attend in the morning then I think I may scrapbook a little or lay by the pool with a book. I miss my guys already but I really need a break.

I hope that all of you have a wonderful, safe weekend!!!

Book Review

photo from Amazon.com

This is a fabulous true story about the life of the author growing up as an unwanted daughter. It is a very fast read!

Birthday Weekend

We had a fabulous weekend of birthdays! My youngest brother is home on leave from Iraq for two weeks, his wife planned a family birthday party to celebrate his 30th and their two daughter's 3rd & 1st birthdays. It was wonderful to see him be able to celebrate with his children.

Camper to Cottage

Last year for our anniversary Tom & I bought an acre of land at Lake Cumberland, it is a beautiful lot in a small subdivision that is only about a 5 minute walk to the lake. We have a 36 foot, 2 bedroom camper that we have on a permanent campsite but lately we have been thinking about building a house on our land. The camper is great and we love the atmosphere of the campground but during the late fall and winter we can't stay in the camper it's way too cold (we tried it this January) we love this area and hope to retire there one day. I have been pouring over house plans and think that I have found one that we suit our family now and in the future when the boys are married and have lots of grandchildren for us to enjoy.

In order for us to be able to afford to build we need to make some major financial adjustments! We spend way too much eating out and buying stuff that we really don't need, so I have to decided to start saving by not eating out as much. Every time we want to eat out or normally would eat out (i.e. Saturday mornings & Sunday afternoons) I'm going to transfer the amount that it would have cost into my savings account, I already have transferred a $100! I have also decided instead of buying magazines at the checkout I will subscribe to my favorites and save the difference. My grocery bill is OUT OF CONTROL!!! I spend around $900 a month for a family of four, THIS IS CRAZY!! I want to cut this down to around $450. What are your best money saving tips & ideas?

4th of July at Lake Cumberland

Our friends Jamie & Tammy and their two girls spent the 4th with us at the lake, we had a great time eating out, boating, swimming, watching a magic show and fireworks at Jamestown Marina!

Jonah

The boys enjoyed being at the camper and playing with their friends, our campground neighbors are fast becoming dear friends to our family! Their son Zachary and our boys love going to the dock to eat dinner and get flavor-swirled ice creams.

Johnson


Jonah, Zachary & Johnson

Conley Bottom Marina on beautiful Lake Cumberland

Tom is a mine manager for a large coal company in Eastern Kentucky a few weeks ago he told the men if they could go 100 days without a lost-time accident he would let them shave his hair off, YIKES! Before we left for vacation he came home bald! Needless to say we had to buy extra sunscreen, LOL!! Unfortunately, they had a roof fall while we were at the lake and we had to come home early :( Thankfully, no one was hurt!

My love of reading seems to grow in the summer, I guess it's because I have a little extra time on my hands. This is one of the best books that I've read in a long time, it has a great story line and I wanted to cry when I read the last page because I wanted to know the rest of the story.


I hope that each of you had a fabulous 4th of July!!

The Best Pizza Ever!

Red Lobster has the greatest pizza ever!! Lobster pizza, it's laden with fat and full of deliciousness, run don't walk to your nearest Red Lobster!!

We are heading to the lake for a much needed break, I hope that all of you have a great 4th!!!

Defeated

Do you ever feel as if you have given up on all your hopes and dreams?

Lately that's all I can think about, don't get me wrong I love my husband and children with all my heart but sometimes I feel like there's nothing left at the end of a day for me. I have only had about 3 hours alone since May 28th and I think I going to lose my mind!!! The things that I want are not even in the realm of possibilities at this time, nor would they be what is best for our family but the selfishness in me wants what I want and I want it now!! I feel like all I do is give up or settle for the things that matter to me most.

I feel guilty for even complaining there are so many people in this world who have it far worse than me and I know that my life is very blessed, I guess I'm just having a bad week! Feeling defeated can really take a toll on a person.

Ahh Summer

Summer is a magical time of year for our family, we spend weekends at the lake boating, lazy summer days laying by the pool, bedtimes are a little later than normal and everyone is happy!

I especially love summer because it means that I have extra time for reading. On my nightstand at this moment are two new books; Eat, Pray, Love and Barefoot, I'm almost finished with EPL and plan to start Barefoot tomorrow on the drive to the lake, that's one perk of having a 2 1/2 hour drive every Friday. What are you reading this summer?

Learning More Every Day

Even though school has only been out for 26 days, I've learned a lot about myself. I have discovered that I'm capable of smiling through some very difficult things from the past that I have no control over, I've learned that 15 year old girls change their minds as often as they do their clothes (My step-daughter moved back home after only 22 days), I have learned that I need to slow down and not jump into everything with all my heart because it will get broken, I have found a whole new kind of love and respect for the wonderful man that I married, I have learned to stop and listen to my sons when they speak because in a few short years they will be silent even though they will want to talk to me and I've learned that I can run, the couch to 5K program is going to kick my booty into shape!

One Month

I can't believe that it has been one month since I posted! Then again, yes I can, LOL!! We have been so busy with end of school year activities, vacation, my step-daughter coming for the summer, showing the house and trying to relax that I have not kept up with much of anything in the blog world.

We had an amazing vacation and I can't wait for our July vacation at the lake, the 4th is so much fun in the campground. I have been on a mission to have the tackiest camper at the ground for the 4th, look out Big Lots here I come!

I can't believe that June is half over! Where does the time go? We have lots of fun things planned for this month and in July my baby brother will be home from Iraq for two weeks, I can't wait to see him.

Have a safe summer :)

This & That

It's official our house is on the market, we have signed a contract on our new house but we have to sell this house first.


Thursday was my wonderful husband's 39th birthday, we celebrated with a four-day weekend at the lake, the candles on his cake set off the smoke detector in the camper, LOL!! He didn't see the humor in this!


My step-daughter will be here in less than two weeks to spend the entire summer with us, she is saying that she is going to live with us for the next school year, we'll see what happens. She is a lovely young lady and would be a delight to our household.


I have been looking for new furniture for the new house, my goodness its expensive!


I hope that you have a wonderful week!

Happy Mother's Day

My beautiful Mom and me on Saturday.

Happy Mother's Day to all my blog friends!

Show Us Your Life

Kelly's Korner blog is hosting her link party today and this weeks theme is children's names, what they are or what you hope them to be.


Family has always been important to Tom and me, Tom comes from a very small family and I come from a HUGE family. While we were dating we decided if we ever had a boy his first name would be after Tom's great-grandfather and the middle name would be after my Daddy, so we named our first born son:

Johnson Douglas

When we found out we were expecting again I wanted to name our future son Anderson Thomas, after Tom's other great-grandfather and Thomas is Tom's given name. After our second son was born we called him Anderson Thomas for the first day, told everyone that was his name, it was a done deal, NOT! Before Tom went home that night he wrote down four or five names and said "pick one and I'll fill out the birth certificate in the morning", I told him he could write all he wanted his name was ANDERSON. That night I had to leave my newborn bundle of joy in the nursery because I was having surgery very early the next morning and I had a rough delivery, I kissed him on his tiny soft cheeks and said, "goodnight Anderson, Mommy loves you" and started to walk away, he cried and without even thinking I said "JONAH Mommy's right here" he couldn't be anything other than:

Jonah Thomas

I believe that the name we as parents give our child is one of the greatest gifts! Have a great Mother's Day weekend!!!

Summer Style

I normally never wear dresses, my "uniform" is capri pants and a Talbots t-shirt but this summer while I've been online shopping I have fallen in love with several dresses. Here are a couple of my favorites from JJill, I have ordered the blue dress now I need to find the perfect shoes, LOL!!!