The good parts are in pictures, the bad parts are in words.

*I will now interject here how the day was filled with some great things...
and I chose to document them in photos so I had proof some part of the day was good,
but I was hell-bent on having something good come from this day.

The rest of the day not featured here consisted of sibling fighting,
cleaning up a maggot-fest in the garage
(trash hadn't been taken out in a few days)
dealing with a daughter that stated how she would
never
speak to me again,
picking up the package of coffee cups I won in a contest...
only to find them smashed to pieces (except 1 of them...so sad)
trying to turn things around by taking the kids for a walk,
and subsequently having Paige break out in to hives after rolling down a hill.
Poor kid can't really be a kid.
She is allergic to everything!
Then, I load all the aforementioned maggot trash
in to my car to take it to the compacter
(apartment living!)
only to find out my car won't start,
and probably needs a new starter.....because we couldn't jump it....
so I am now waiting on a call from the Tow Truck folks to get the ball rolling.
AND....
Riv had strep a few weeks back, and then 2 weeks later was in the ER again.
He just finished anti-biotics for the latest double ear-infection and bronchitis, and woke up with a 104 temp....so I don't think that infection went anywhere.
Maybe it just got the memo and knew I couldn't take anymore bad yesterday.

The point of sharing all this....
is not to hear an "I'm sorry"

The point is to
keep trying to turn your day around,
even if it keeps turning around and spitting on you,
or slaps you in the face,
or gives you a baby that has a fever...again!

The point is to be hell-bent on fighting back,
and sticking a camera in your kids face,
and not letting them see you sweat the small stuff.
Because it is all small stuff...or something like that.

Life is tough.
Yesterday and today are particularly challenging my skill-set as a Mom and spouse,
but I am turning it around.
OR, at least
Trying to with all my might.
I guess that is my take-home lesson from this bad day.


Pray for my sanity.
Enjoy the highlights of your day to the MOST-EST,
because we aren't guaranteed a thing.

Feel free to blog your bad day, and let me know.
I would love to come by and read yours.

xo

Take it off, and make it great!

So I thought I should start Monday off with
something I actually do get questions about.

My Eyebrows

enjoy.



And, because Sometimes Sweet is setting goals
to make her week ah-may-zing, I thought I should too.

One Week to a better ME!

Nutrition: Take the sugar out! Cut back, and be smart. Enough said.

Exercise: Do Zuzana's workouts all week, and 2 long (6miles) runs.

Relationships: Spend some quality time with each of my 3 people, by themselves. Steal away with Paige for a girl date, take Riv on a walk...just him, and wake up early to spend a few with Justin before he goes to work...he leaves at 6....coffee at 4:45 it is!

Creativity: push on getting things done for the new shop....yee haw!

Me-Time: Paint my nails, toes too....and enjoy some quality time with my new book(s). I picked up The Pillars of the Earth, and The Zookeeper's Wife in case you were wondering.

What are you doing to make this week great??

xo

And the winner is.....

Ok, so email me your new address at aalatimer@yahoo.com,
and I will send those right out to you!


Thank you all for playing...
it was fun, right?!
There were 27 of you that participated...
and you are all super cool!

Welcome new followers....
nice to have you!!!

Have a great weekend!
xo

FREE STUFF!

I won something today....
wanna see???


(photo by Abby)

How cute are these??
The ultra-crafty Abby is doing lots of amazing things over at her blog
http://www.aestheticoutburst.blogspot.com
And I was lucky enough to be a winner of one of her
20 handmade treasures for her 20 in 20 giveaway.

Go check her out and see what you might win!!!

So in the spirit of paying it forward,
in a very simple way......


Want some free goodies???

Who wouldn't, right?!
Watch this, and then leave me a comment below
and tell me what your favorite beauty product is.


If you can't comment here for some reason, you can
comment on my facebook page under the post associated with this video.
Make sense?
Only one comment per person, mkay!

Love you girls!
Oh, and guys, you can enter too...
your girlfriend or wife would love some samples, promise!

I will pick a random winner on Friday,
and post it here and on FB.
Stay tuned!!!

sprinkle & dash

Ok, here we go...

So, some of you know that I had/have an etsy shop called pdbumbum
and I made and sold kids clothing, quilts, etc. there for the last
4 years or so.

Well, I am kind of over that shop, that name, that deal.
I want a new deal.
A new shop.
A new feel.
I want to do it right, do it better.

So that is what I am up to. That is what I am doing.
It is called sprinkle & dash, and I am really excited about it.

I am making things that I love.
I am making things that make me happy.
I am making things that I am excited to make.
I am making things that will make your house a home.

That may sound very self-serving, and it totally is
but that is what was lacking in my other shop.
pdbumbum started out as a fun outlet for me.
But it quickly turned into a chore, and I let it happen.
It became all about what everyone else wanted.

no more of that!

I will be making items that will be ready to ship and gift,
and I couldn't be more excited about it.

The name came from the idea that our homes shouldn't be perfect.
They should be
a little of this
and a little of that.
A sprinkle of vintage, and dash of whimsy, (and A LOT of fun!)

So that is what you will find at sprinkle & dash.
All products will be handmade by me and will include:

Pennant Buntings
Embroidery Art
Hair Accessories
Jewelry
Other Housewares

The shop will be open at some point in April.
I will let you all know when it gets closer to that time.

As always, you are the best!
Thanks for all the love and support in my creative adventures!
xo, A

obsessed much

Happy Tuesday.

xo, A

mix & match

I have had good shopping karma in my life.

Like I just happen to stumble upon sales,
crazy good sales.

Or I just happen to find shoes at
Walmart
in my size
that I actually like.

The clouds part and a heavenly chorus sings on days like that.

(Now, I have only gone to Walmart 2 times since rolling in to San Antonio
which I like very much, but I appreciated it while we were up in WA.
It was good to me.)

I think it is great to mix and match your higher end and lower end
super-duper-great-and-cheap stuff.
Like your $2 Walmart loafers with your Calvin Klein jacket from Macy's.

Jeans: Target
Tee: Target
Jewelry and Purse: Mom
Son: Priceless, with an itchy face apparently.

For this one, I wore my favorite Walmart sandals, and kept it simple.

(These sandals are amazingly comfortable, and have held up SO well. I can't gush enough about them really. And, I get compliments on them ALL THE TIME! Nobody believes they are from WalyWorld!)

Jeans: Ross
Tee: Nordstrom Rack
Necklaces: Handmade by Me
Ring:Target

These sandals can also be seen here, with a little more color.

Jeans: Express
Tee: GAP
Cardigan: Target
Purse: Lucky Brand

The weather is warming up here,
and soon the comfort I find in throwing on jeans
will
not
be
an
option.
I am on the hunt for flattering shorts and skirts,
and dresses that are machine washable and kid friendly.
I hope the shopping gods are hearing me on this one.
Hot weather from now till October/November requires a bit of clothing!
We will see what I can come up with!

xo

Bang-Up Job!

Apparently, every three years I cut bangs for myself.
Maybe it is therapeutic.
Maybe it is a little crazy.
Maybe it is just out of boredom.
Maybe it is because I wanted to look like Reags.

Whatever the reason, I do it.
And, this is the latest cut.

I think I will like them more in May...
once they have grown out a bit.
I always cut them shorter than I really want,
but they are fun
and they are a change.
Change always feels good,
especially in the Spring.