Yay!!!

two posts in one day... but I realized I hated how dark my blog was!!!! I needed something light and airy!  Something that SCREAMED....

SPRING IS HERE!!!!!!!!

and I like it!

Happy Spring Everyone (even though it doesn't feel like it!)

Faith and Trust

I've always loved the "Faith Like a Child" song by Jars of Clay.  It said so much about trusting God and not worrying about all thats going on around you. God has a plan and even though you don't know what it is or why it is he will not let you fall. 
I fell into a serious bought of depression the other day.  Rich became suicidal again late February and needed to be hospitalized for a week and then was discharged with some new meds.  He was scheduled to go back to work the following day, but once he arrived he realized he still wasn't able to function well.  So after a full day of calling around I found a program here in Dothan that works with the hospital he'd just been dicharged from but was a day program.  He goes from 8-2:30pm they feed him lunch and he's learning new ways to think and to function.  I sometimes see glimpses of the old Rich which is a wonderful thing, but he's now been out of work almost 5 weeks!  Taking a toll on our already very tight and very stretched resources. 
He should qualify for short term disability so we have all of our paperwork in and was told 5-7 days to process and then 2 business days for the check to be direct deposited into our account.  Well we hit our 7th business day yesterday and in true my life fashion there of course is a snag.  They need medical records from his other 2 physicians before they can evaluate the claim.  I decided to call both of those dr's myself and they both take at minimum a week to get the paperwork together. And I'm not even sure if they have started gathering it to send to the insurance company.  I have a deffered car payment due tomorrow.  I'm praying that some old jewelry I had is actual gold and can be sold to come up with some of the cash.  I don't want to, but it's what I feel I need to do in order to keep my car.
It all comes down to I have to trust in God's perfect timing, I have to trust that he has my best intentions at heart. I have to trust in him.  It's hard, I'm not going to lie.  It's so hard feeling like my entire personal world is falling apart.
On the other hand I'm being given great and amazing oppurtunities at my new job, ones that I'm excited and thrilled to be able to do.
Praying, praying for God's will to be done in our lives. 

shocked and numb is how I'm feeling

My sister asks to talk to me tonight when I get home, which isn't usually anything. I knew she had a rough day so I figured it would just be a bitch session which I'm always game for.  When she comes into the kitchen she tell me she's talked to my Aunt Darpy which is a little strange because we don't talk to her that often.  She tells me that my cousin Julie passed away sunday night sometime between 12:30 and 7:30 Monday morning.  It's so much to process!  I hadn't had any contact with her since I had gotten married and and moved.  We had some difference of opinions that made it hard for us to continue to stay connected.  My head keeps spinning, around and around. She was 39, had a history of drug abuse but from what we heard she had been clean for the past year.  She has severe abdominal pain and thought if it was still hurting in the morning she would go to the ER and she never made it.  She NEVER made it.  It's just so hard to wrap my head around all the thoughts swirling.  it also puts me right back to the night I found out my dad had died, just as suddenly and just as unexpectedly.  It just solidifies my thoughts that I need to make an appt to see a therapist.  I still have some things that I need to work out, work on, work through.  and thats where I am tonight. 
She leaves behind a 20 year old daughter and a 9 year old son.  A daughter who my mom babysat for the longest time, who spent the night with us tons of time, who I'd pick up and take out for a fun day.  I stole her for an entire thanksgiving weekend and taking a midnight trip to the mall with.    A son who I nannied for from the time he was 6 weeks till her was 18 months old. My heart is broken for them, losing a mother is a hard hard thing to go through, I pray that the people in their lives are there for them.  I'm going to try to be there for them 350 miles away....
this sucks1!!!

2013

I'm in a funk. Plain and simple!! 1/23 will mark 12 years since my mom passed away.  12 years of not hearing her voice, her words of encouragement, her wisdom, all that she was; gone.  I know she is there for me in spirit, I will feel her sometimes around me and I know that it (whatever IT is that day) will be ok.  But sometimes not so much, sometimes I just feel all alone. 

Rich and I celebrated are 8th wedding anniversary!  We've made it 8 years, through lots of ups and downs and love and screaming matches... we've made it. Part of me marvels that me who was so afraid of this commitment thing has made it this far and when I look to my future I still see myself beside him holding my hand. Still no children, still no idea what God has planned for our life, which is frustrating and maddening, and stressful. I know that God has a plan for us, just wish I could have some clues as to what it is.

I've been blog hopping, something that I don't do as often as I used to and I stumbled upon one where I ended up reading the entire blog, why you ask because this woman has such a strong spirit, even through all of her trials she is praising God and thanking him for what he has given her. Seriously it makes me mad at myself!! In my opinion she has gone through so much more heartbreak and pain and yet she praises God!  So today I start praising God for everything he has done, will do, and continues to do for me and Rich.  I may not understand why were in one situation after another but I do know that I have an awesome God who will never leave me or forsake me! 

It's already November

Uhhhmmmm when did that happen??!!??!!??!!
It's insane, I looked at Rich the other day and realized that we will have lived in Dothan for 10 months on 11th..... considering Rich just wanted to live here like 6 months I'd have to say he's taking it pretty good.... I've already started planning Christmas presents in my head, eventually they will make it to the paper stage which is where I start budgeting and that will be the easiest part for me coming from the last 3 years when we were a 1 income family!!!  However I'm really thinking that this year we are going to go for simple and things that can be used over and over again.  For Rich I've really been thinking about getting him some new t-shirts from his favorite tv shows.  Most of the sites will start having free shipping soon so I can take advantage of these sales. I'm also going to make Rich a pair of  Dallas Cowboys pajama pants, for my sister I'm going to make her a Gator's blanket so she can use it on the couch... on that same note maybe I can make my brother in law a USC or Saints one..... I really think that it's going to be a handmade christmas just because I can.  I'm getting excited thinking about making these things, so if I start to make it now by the time December rolls around I will have a good portion done..... 

It's been too long....

I've been busily reading other people's blogs and haven't written on mine in so long. Getting caught up in Facebook and my new addiction Pinterest.....
I now live in Dothan, AL if you've never heard of it I'm not surprised.  It's small but the biggest city in a 60 mile radius surrounded by farm lands, and cow pastures, and horse farms.  It can be pretty awesome or pretty sucky. 
It's so funny I read a blog the other day from a girl who likened her infrequency on posting to having so much to catch up on that you keep putting it off because well it's so much...
I'm in Alabama from living in Florida my entire life!  I have a job I love, doing something that I am very good at. A job that utilizes and strengthens my skills and gives me the opportunity to learn new ones.  Rich is working for the first time in 3 years. He got a job within a month of being here. He has his moments where he likes his job and likes the people he works with and then can't stand the bureaucracy of it. 
We still haven't been able to do a full fertility workup, we are getting there but it seems every time we turn around something new pushes us further back. 

I will however post my favorite picture of Rich and I from the last couple months!!!  It was taken when we were in Tampa for the KISS & Motley Crue concert.  Which was a blast and part of Rich's birthday present =)

Card Making Fun

Had so much fun making these and had a coupon so I got them for free!! Just had to pay S&H!!!!

Will be great to send to Rich's Mom and Dad and siblings, as well as some to mine..... Rich says I love myself too much =) whatev's!!!

Here is a link to check out the cards

5x7 Folded Card

View the entire collection of cards.

5x7 Folded Card

Happy Day Navy Father's Day 5x7 folded card

Create cute birthday cards, valentines and more at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.

It's been a crazy two weeks!!!

The monday following my last post I got a call from a friend who I worked with at Aetna who told me the company she now works for is hiring for a csr! and I need to get my butt in there pronto so within an hour I was showered dressed and ready to impress! headed down there filled out my application and then was given an immediate interview with the Area Manager. It went awesome and because my friend had already given me such a glowing reccomendation they started all my paperwork, sent in my background check, and gave me the paperwork for my tb and drug test. Despite a small snafu with my drug test on Friday afternoon at 4:55pm I was offered the position of CSR in the Altamonte Springs Office of Lincare =) I started Monday morning and it was a whirlwind of fun, and paperwork, and video's!!! 26 to be exact! Tuesday started my "education" I had two great CSR's to work with and really learn from them what it takes, next week I get an "official" trainer to come in and show me the ropes as well.
I really enjoy the job, the people are amazing, the work is different and interesting, the location is amazing the only thing more perfect would be if I was working out of my home.. LoL only 4 miles away =)
Every night last week I came home on a high and quickly crashed into exhaustion because I haven't had to work in over 3 months.... So I'm hoping that as time goes on I am able to continue with my crafting I still want to open my store.... Just need to get things started =)

Updating the Backsplash on my Kitchen!

For the longest time I had two small yellow lemon and red apple cutting boards stacked and hanging behind my sink.... I wanted something semi prettier so I hung a cherry framed tile in the middle and then my red and yellow boards seperate on either side and then I decided to fix my garbage disposal/plug cover!!!

The before picture of the outlet cover... I forgot to take a pic of the whole sink area...



***Notice the scratches all over it and it was painted over badly!***

The entire back sink area =)





Love the way it looks now

and then a close up of the redone outlet plate cover




***notice the screws blend in to the outlet cover!!!!***



My fun project yesterday I had a blast making it and am thinking about getting more to make.. The covers tend to be super cheap, and I have all the paints needed =)

Pillowcase Dress

so yesteday i posted that i was going to make a pillowcase dress... I'm missing two things.... bias tape and elastic... Lol don't think I will be able to talk hubby into a trip to Walmart for thos things.... so i think what I'm going to do is get everything ready for two!

sewing FUN

I think that I am going to make a pillow case dress!!! something fun and funky!!! I promise to take before, during, and after pictures...

My goals for tomorrow....
1. Make a pillow case dress and take pictures.
2. do 1 load of dishes
3. Make a Chewy Cake for dinner with Jeremy and Dawn!
4. Find something funky and unusual to make for Reed....


**********Wednesday Afternoon Followup************

1. See above post... missing some key materials
2. done and running.
3. Have all the things needed just need get it mixed and made!
4. Have a brontosaurus globe for him to hang....

thoughts

ahhh friday night! I usually get really good things in the mail on friday nights LoL tonight I got my new business cards for my soon to be coming etsy store! so excited I just want to have the right mix of stuff to list and get some stuff out there so that I can make custom listings for people. I have finished my first scarf it came out pretty good!!! I want to add some tassles to the end to make it look more professional. I have some cards made and wants to get those posted I'm sending my sister the cards first and then will scan one and make it my profile pic link my facebook to my etsy and then let the fun begin!!!
found a pattern for a totally adorable top/dress =) I just have to find the right fabric I think that wednesday will find me at the discount fabric place I haven't been in years but I am so looking forward to it =) maybe I can walk away with some really cute looking fabric for really cheap... ahhhh off to bed for me but this weekend I'm posting some pics of some of my crazy projects.

Something New.... The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY

Outside my window... The sun is shining it's a beautiful 81 degrees

I am thinking... about a lot of things.... mostly I want to go swimming!

I am thankful for... A roof over my head and food in my fridge

From the kitchen... It is a complete and total mess, I need to load the dishwasher and wipe

down the counters

I am wearing... my pajamas still, I see no reason to wear "real" clothes unless I'm headed out of the house

I am creating... LOTS I finished two sewing projects yesterday and today as soon as I'm off the computer I will be knitting some on a scarf project maybe for a mothers day present

I am going... to the store today sometime, we need water and bread

I am reading... Jodi Picoult's Keeping Faith only a couple of pages in but so far it's really good and I think I'll take some time today to read a few more pages, I'm also trying to keep up with my Bible in a Year reading..

I am hoping... to find a job soon, although I have LOVED being home my bills do not appreciate it at all!!!

I am hearing... The t.v. as Rich watches ESPN nest to me

Around the house... working on laundry and have to wash the bedding today

One of my favorite things... Ladybug my chihuahua curled up on the floor at my feet

A few plans for the rest of the week: Tomorrow Rich and I are headed out to Mimi's for breakfast with a BOGO coupon the only way we go out anymore... LoL

Here is picture for thought I am sharing... one of my sewing projects from yesterday

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Our Valentines Day!

Well our plans didn't come to be as we expected. Rich's arm was bothering him so much he spent most of the day on his pain pills or in extreme pain. So we had a homemade breakfast and sandwhiches for lunch and then by dinner he wasn't hungry at all so I ended up making a pizza for me.....
Today is Friday which is nice! I am however going to do something fun for breakfast tomorrow morning the only reason I didn't do it this morning is because the pan isn't clean... LoL so today will be working on the dishes again and hopefully will get them all done!

Random thoughts from last night....

I wore 3in heels for over 2 hours last night... Uhmmmm i've never done that before so between that and all the dancing I did in super cute provided flip flops for dancing..... I am sore and very achy.... It was a beautiful and amazing wedding.... Jon and Liz are truly meant for each other and I know that this will be a marriage that will last... I made their wedding card and it came out beautiful and I was so freaking impressed with myself but forgot to take a pic...... so now I need to make one for Laurie and Jeff and that way I get to send it off with my neice's Emily's gift =) ahhhhh so funny I put my hair in a modified bun last night and then when I took it out this morning I had a riot of curls!!! it was awesome..... The wedding had a candy bar as favors with the chinese take out boxes to fill up... So super yummy Rich Jenny and I shared a slice of the red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting... ahhh the food the amazing and yummy food... Cesar salad, Chicken cabernet with spinach and ham, Salmon, roast beef sliced fresh, Mashed potatoes and bread... and then a table with sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped bacon, bernaise sauce and horserasish sauce..... Ahhhh it was so amazing Ok I've over used the word amazing....

So Excited....

Today we are headed to a wedding for Rich's nephew Jon and his wife to be Liz. An amazing couple who are so sweet and and so amazing... It was fun trying to decide what to wear Joyce, had a lilac dress that was very pretty and did amazingly fit me despite being a size smaller than I normally even try on.... LoL and so I was pretty sure that was what I was going to wear... it's a night wedding being held at Casa Feliz so I know it's going to "fancee" LoL and then I tried on another dress which was an 18 which fit me yes about 3-4 sizes smaller than I normally wear and I loved the way it looked on me when I looked down and then I walked out to the living room and Rich asked if I was naked underneath... it has a nude sheath and then a black gauzy overlay with black satin stripes.... So I went and looked in the mirror and understood what he was talking about I looked NAKED!!! So out went that dress.... back to the lilac one which was very pretty and very dressy but it was sleeveless with this little cape.. I've very insane about my arms showing it is the least favorite part of my body.... so I was uncomfortable in thinking about wearing it... So I remember I do have a very pretty dress at the bottom of my closet that I wore to my Dad and Sherry's wedding and it being very comfortable so i pulled it out and modeled it for my hubby who said he liked it a lot and so that is what I will be wearing... It's red and black and beige rectangular blocks... We headed out this morning orginally to get a button extender for the top button of Rich's shirt and some Rit dye to dye rich's shirt black.. well we couldn't find any extender and happened upon a short sleeve black shirt so Rich will be wearing a black jacket, black shirt, and gorgeous gray pants with black stripes... I can't wait to take pictures =) I'm going to post a pic of me wearing the dress 6 1/2 years ago....

Amazing Find!!!

I was reading my cousin Tonya's blog and happened across a post about http://www.paperbackswap.com/ So of course I followed the link and got excited I read a lot of book and can sit down in an afternoon and lose myself in a book and finish it that day. So I registered my 10 books and got 2 credits right away and promptly ordered a Jodi Piccoult book.. so excited and can't wait to get it and read it. I am going to have to tell my sister about the site.
I'm trying to get everything together to make a card for my husband's nephew wedding tomorrow. I printed some pictures and want to cut them out and decoupage them on the bottom of some plates and then give them some ball candles. I think that's a good personal and frugal present.... things I already have but something unique and enjoyable.

Happy the weekend is coming up!

My Background...

So I have a background on my blog of an elephant my favorite animal =) We were at the Flea Market about six months ago and I came accross two pics of elephants and really wanted them.. but I only had 2$ and the stickers on them we're 3$ and 5$ the guy who was selling them walked up to us and asked if I wanted them and of course I said yes but I only have 2$ and he said sold I'll take... so they came home and I looked at them and wanted to hand them but wasn't sure where, so finally right before everyone came down I came across them on my dining room table and picked them up and was determined to hang them in the next 5 min so I walked in my room saw a picture hanging hook above my bed and one on the other side of the wall and went there they will go and now they are hanging =)

I found this cute elephant template and want to find some fabric and sew it on my light blue fleece blanket and make a soft and cuddly blanket with elephants on it =)

Rich told me now with our new printer I should print pictures of elephants and frame them and hang them in the room

Rich had me print a black and white pic of Elvis it looks amazing but I wasn't paying attention and printed it on a 8 1/2 by 11 paper which means it won't fit in a standard 8x10 .... I am almost postive I can get a certificate frame at Walmart for like 4$ and either spray paint it black or paint it...

Ok going to sign off and maybe I can work on a pet book and get it listed on Etsy =)

Happy February!

LoL Whatever you do you should not hit enter after typing your title..... why because all of a sudden it says your blog has been posted... Uhhmmmm I didn't type anything witty or charming or just plain snarky!!! I was writing a good friend an email this morning and I told her that one of my new years resolutions was to connect more with my family that I liked and my awesome friends.... For me sometimes that will mean just dropping them an email or inviting them over for a meal and good times =) I need to find my camera plug so I can charge it... the one I have doesn't want to work which I remember happening last year but i don't remember what I did to fix it...
Ughhhh my family has gone back to Dothan so now it is up to me to take the tree down finally I had it up for almost 2 1/2 months.... it was fun to have it up and add new homemade ornaments from this year and I know we'll be adding more next year I just can't help myself! LoL I need to find a way to get and stay organized on the cheap. I have my kitchen table covered again with all my crafting supplies in less than a week....