This Is The Year

Are you ready? Well I hope so, because I have had quite the time putting MPM together this month! The project I had in mind was a bust. I hope to have it done for next month, but it's a little bit more project than I had time to do, and my Monkey has been sick, so trying to actually accomplish something with her clinging to me, and crying for me to hold her was a little difficult. Last night I finally had to throw in the towel on that project (for now). Then I came up with another project, and it was quite simple, and relatively quick. But I have now spent the last 2 hours trying to load my pictures! For some reason my computer is having difficulty reading my new memory card. I'm not sure if it's the computer, or the card! I decided to put one of my old frames to good use, you know the ones that haven't hung in your house for ages, but it's a good frame, so you don't want to just throw it out! I did a quick spray paint job on the frame - I love Rustoleum Espress...

I am participating in my first swap! I've never done a swap, but have always thought it would be fun...so now, my super cool friend Shawn at Seriously is hosting one and I just had to join in! I can't wait to find out who my partner is and start reading up on her so I can put together a fabulous package! It's going to be so fun! If you want to join in, just click on the button and head over to Shawns!! Don't forget to come back tomorrow for Mod Podge Mania!

A while back I promised to show you how to make cookie pops - like this one here ,that I made for a handout for Girls' camp. They're easier than you might think. This is the first time I have ever made them, and they were a huge hit with the girls. You'll want to start with your favorite "cut-out" sugar cookie recipe. If you don't have a favorite, PLEASE allow me to share MY favorite. The recipe below is what I would recommend to anyone who a) has never made rolled sugar cookies, or b) has NEVER had any luck making good cut-out sugar cookies. I just recently found this recipe, and it will now be my only sugar cookie recipe! The dough is a dream to work with, and the flavor is great. PLUS it only has to chill for one hour. First roll out your dough out and cut your shape. I found that a thickness of about 1/2 " works best. Then take a spatula and carfully flip your cookie over so the back side is facing up. Next, take your stick. You can buy these in th...

I have been DYING to feature this project ever since I first came up with the idea of hosting Mod Podg Mania . Meg at Brassy Apple did this FABULOUS desk makeover using...you guessed it... Mod Podge ! Please click here to see how she did it, and see the other side of the desk! Plus see what it looked like before! I wanted to post a little inspiration for all you ladies since Mod Podge Mania is upon us again! Our party has shrunk a little, and I'd like to see more people link up with their awesome projects! So hurry...there's still plenty of time to put something together before July 31!

Well my chicas...I am still a little out of the blogging loop. Please don't hate me for not visiting! I am determined to come visit all my favorite ladies before this weekend is over! Part of the reason I have been MIA is a project I have been working on. Some of you know that my husband and I own a small carpet cleaning business. We have been blessed with steady business, and a continual increase in customers. So far our entire business has been built by word of mouth from happy customers. Although the economy has impacted our bottom line for sure, we still have been very fortunate to have steady work so far this year. Still, with prices going up on EVERYTHING...including our supplies, and the several financial set-backs we've experienced in recent weeks, we decided it was time to pound the pavement and drum up some additional business. As I mentioned before, we've never had to advertise, our customers are our best publicity. So now I am faced with the decision of the best...

I'm sorry I've been such a blog slacker this week. I meant to blog all about the stuff I want to share with you, and get around to visit all my favorite ladies...but it's just been so crazy! Bookworm and Hubby had scout camp on Mon-Wednesday, Hubby had to go get new x-rays, and make sure his wrist is healing up properly, had a Christmas in July girls night on Saturday with the YW presidency and some other fab ladies in the ward, and we still don't have a car! But, the crazy, busy life is being good to me. Even though I had to spend my birthday away from my family, and we have some crazy stuff goin' on, my birthday was one of the best I can remember. Part of the reason for that is the wonderful ladies I have met in bloggy-land who have made me feel so loved! I can't believe you guys! So Wednesday, before I left for camp, Hubby gathered the family around and the kids gave me their cards they had made for me, and I got a few presents that Hubby knew I could really ...

I'm Back! Did you miss me? I missed you! This week's FMM is being hosted by Jolanthe at No Ordinary Moments , and is a perfect oportunity for me to share Girl's Camp ! The task is Vacation ...and we're supposed to share our favorite vacay. Well technically Girl's Camp was a resposnibility for church, but I loved every minute of it...so I'm sharing! If you read me regularly you know I had to go to camp late, due to some unfortunate events that took place during the weeks prior. I'm still really sad that I missed the first 2 days! When I got to camp, the girls were having free time, and they were doing fun hemp styles in each other's hair. You use the hemp twine to twist and tie around the hair, kind of like friendship bracelets, if you ever made those. You throw some beads into the design as well. This picture was the perfect representative of the entire week. The girls were really kind to each other, and there wasn't any girl drama with cliques, an...

I'm almost home! Have you missed me? Even though I'm writing this post in advance, I can GUARANTEE that I've missed you! I'm sure I'm going through some major withdrawals by this point! Today's theme at camp is Purity . I forgot to take pictures of my handout! But I'll still tell you about it. I used the following scripture: "Who shall ascent to the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation." ~Psamls 24: 3-5 I made small little scrolls that contained this scripture, and attached them to a mini bottle of hand sanitizer. Keeping themselves pure from the evils of today's society will be one of the most important things these Young Women can do to ensure their greatest happiness and brightest future. I pray daily to know how to help...

Well, I'm sorry I can't spend my birthday with you all, but I'm thrilled to be spending it with the Young Women at camp. Today's theme is Faith . I used this wonderful quote from President Hinckley, and made these fun cookie pops to give the girls. When I get back I'll share my recipe and how to make them. I need to say a special thank you to some wonderful ladies I have met through this blog who made a special effort to help me feel loved on this day. Thank you so much...you know who you are, and I will do a special post about that when I return. I hope you are all having a wonderful Thursday! Our strength is our faith in the Almighty. May our faith shine forth as the sunlight of the morning. ~President Gordon B. Hinckley

The theme in camp today is The Spirit. It's so important for us to know, and especially young girls to know that they can receive guidance and direction by living lives that will allow them to feel the promptings of the Holy Ghost. Keeping our minds open and receptive to feeling the Spirit is they way that we will eventually be able to enjoy the blessings of Eternal Life. In 2 Nephi 9:39 it says "to be spiritually minded is life eternal". I saw on http://www.sugardoodle.net/ that someone pointed out that the acronym for this scripture is SMILE. So I got these cute little smiley face noise-makers and attatched the quote. I hope it helps the girls remember. I'm all packed and ready to leave, Cowgirl seems to be doing better and we still don't have a car, but I think they'll be okay without me until Friday! I also got a special surprise today that I'll tell you all about when I get back...and I promise to get caught up on my visits! Thanks again for all your...

"Real charity is not something you give away; it is something that you acquire and make a part of yourself. And when the virtue of charity becomes implanted in your heart, you are never the same again." -Marvin J. Ashton Charity is the theme for camp today. I love how this quote describes the true essence of charity as not something you give, but something you actually acquire as a part of yourself, and your heart. I think that true charity is not an action, but an actual character trait. For my handout I found these really cute wedding bubbles in multiple colors that have a little "heart" handle, and wand. I made some little streamers with hearts on the end in coordinating colors, and attached the quote from Marvin J. Ashton. I also sprayed some glitter on the paper hearts! Glitter makes everything better! I join the girls and other leaders tomorrow afternoon! I can't wait! We've also had another mishap at our house. I've decided I'm just ready for...

Well, I've just bid farewell to all my cute little camper girls, and the rest of the Young Women's Presidency. They're on their way to set up camp. I will be joining them Wednesday night and returning home with them on Friday. I'm really sad to stay back and miss the first couple of days, but we still don't have a car. All the girls met with their gear at 12:30 today at Andrea's (our YW president) house. We have 3 men also driving up and helping haul everything we'll need to take care of 16 Young Women and 4-6 leaders for 5 days! There is A LOT! I hope we got everything! One of my responsibilities was to be in charge of the nightly handouts. They're to leave on each of the girls' pillows in their tents, kind of like the pillow mint at a hotel. The theme for the Young Men and Young Women in the church this year is: "Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity". (1 Timothy 4:12). ...

Thanks to everyone for all the support and sweet comments you've left me during my pity-fest this week. It really means a lot to me. Of course it looks like I have one more piece of bad news to share with you...lets review: Receiving the $500 bill from daughter's near-loss of finger at the hands of scissor-wielding other daughter...check. Sidekick being too sick to accompany me on concert event of the decade...check. Husband falling and breaking wrist , rendering him unable to work...check (we haven't seen this bill yet). Mother who would have assisted husband during Las Vegas absence coming down with Pneumonia...check. Selling the tickets I've cherished in my drawer for months to eager Seattle girl who will now get the chance to tackle Joey instead of me...check. OUR ONLY FAMILY CAR BASICALLY BLOWING UP on the way home from son's violin lesson...check. Yes my friends, I am currently without a vehicle. Hubby has his work van, which seats only himself and a passen...

Since I'm sad about missing my concert, I think I should totally win Shawn's Dog Lover's Giveaway . Don't you think? Here's why: This is Ty. Yes I know Ty is a dumb name for a girl dog. She was a year old when we got her, and she knew her name, so we didn't think we should change it on her. Want to know what's even dumber? Ty is short for Tyrant. Who names a female dog Tyrant? Especially a female dog who is extremely gentle with kids, loves everyone, and actually cowers under the piano bench, trembling when she gets in trouble? Dumb I say. This is Ty laying in her bed. See how well she doesn't fit? Now we're not horrible people...she's had 2 other beds that were large enough to fit her. She never used them. She always curled up in a ball on a pile of dirty laundry, or a blanket the kids left out. Like a tiny tight little ball. When hubby came home with this she curled up in it and it was hers. She has since started laying more sprawled out, but...