Friday's music of the week: Young Guns

So, I have recently been on hiatus from my blog. I have been going through some personal stuff and I realized I needed to let myself breathe and get my head straight. Story of my life. But even when I am in a funk, my music is always there for me and I need it like I need air some days. So, in the spirit of this, I found new music that I want to share. I recently heard the song "Bones" by Young Guns and immediately fell in love. The band is from the UK, been around since 2009, but I have only recently heard them. I like them, the lyrics are beautifully written and the fact that they are major British eye candy doesn't hurt. Here are a few videos, one of "Bones" and "Stitches." Enjoy!

My latest obsession and why I haven't posted much lately.

OK, I know I keep saying this, but I guess that is my guilt talking. I have not been writing much on my blog because my attention has been on books, and work, and kids, and life. Pretty sure I am driving my husband crazy. What started as just wanting to know what the hype was about, I read "Fifty Shade of Grey", led to reading the other two in the series and from there I kind of went nuts. All I can say is, did it just get hot in here? Not the best written books, but I enjoyed them none the less. I forget how much I love reading. I don't have a lot of time for much, but when I get obsessed about something, I go kind of nuts. My husband and I are both like that. Anyway, so After reading these, I started searching the internet for more books. Usually, I don't read romance books, but I found books that I like from this other book review blog, http://www.maryse.net/ (Thank you, Maryse!) So here is the list of books I have read lately, and bare with me its long...


1. Bared to You - This one was good, alot like 50 shades, but instead of one damaged person, there are two in the relationship and of course there is the billionaire aspect, which is always a fun fantasy. Who wouldn't love to have all the money in the world??? This is also part of a series, the second one, reflected in you, just recently came out, which is a good one too.

2. Gabriel's inferno - This one, I have to admit was not one of my favorites. It was long and kind of slow and kind of mushy. Not that that is a bad thing, but not what I was expecting. Lots of emotions, but like I said, not what I was looking for. This one is a teacher and student relationship. It was sad at times because of the complications of the teacher/student aspect. I am not saying it wasn't worth the read, but it was lacking something for me.

3. Beautiful Disaster - This one BY FAR, is my favorite. Its got your bad boy, a girl with a past she is trying to run from and lots of chemistry and complications that at times, pissed me off. But as all good stories go, it has a great ending. It has a college setting, which I kind of liked. All of it was great. I really like it.

4. Thoughtless - This one I was a bit reluctant to start just because the synopsis suggested cheating within the relationship, but once I got started, I couldn't stop. It has the rock star bad boy, the surfer boy good guy and a silly girl who can't make up her mind. It was emotional and heartbreaking at times, other times it was really hot!!! The second book to the series, Effortless, was really good as well. There is a third one coming out next year!!! I can't wait!!

5. Slammed - This one was really good, and sad. My friend was so mad that I didn't warn her about how sad it was but the story as a whole was really heartfelt. It is a guy who had his entire life dropped in his lap when his parents died and left him with his kid brother to take care of and the girl who moved across the street when her dad died and mom moved them there. There is also the Teacher/student aspect, which is never a good thing. They go to lots of slam poetry nights that yield some really great poems. The second one, Point of Retreat, might have been better than the first one, mainly because of the roller coaster of emotions.

6.Rock Me - Ahh, who doesn't love a hot tattoo artist.... But how do you fall for one when your pretentious parental figures would never go for it. This one was hot and emotional. Definitely a good read!

7. How to Kill a Rock Star - This one I just finished this weekend. I don't want to admit this, but three fourths of the way through the book, I was crying and wanted to throw the book. Luckily I didn't because I was reading it on my android phone and would have broken it. But I finished it and really liked it. I would definitely recommend this one.

8. Fall from Grace - Now on to Paranormal Romances. I tend to like these more, just because I love Vampire, angel, demon books, werewolf  books. I will admit I read the twilight series, but not till after I read the Anne Rice Vampire Chronicles books, all of them, I might add. I love supernatural stuff. I was reading this type before they were popular. Anyway, this is a good one, its a little confusing at first, just cause your not sure what the main character is, but once that was clear it was amazing. She is a soul trapped on earth, going from body to body for centuries all because she kissed an angel back in the day. She searches for him for centuries with the help of the Archangel Gabriel, or so you think. Pretty Cool, huh? They just came out with the second one, Saving Grace, which I haven't read yet, but I am looking forward to it.

9. A touch of crimson - Another Paranormal Romance (this is how most sites categorize them, not my words!) More Angels, More Demons and a girl that has a touch of both. Actually, it has an army of angels, which makes it interesting. I enjoyed this one and am looking forward to reading the rest.

10. Bait - Vampire Romance Book. I liked this one. She is, well, the bait for a vampire. She works for a group of mercenaries and they are out to get the "overlord" vampire. So, she is trying to get one vampire and ends up being "given" as a gift to the overlord. Its just gets more exciting from there.  Kind of racy at parts, but who doesn't like a little raciness (is that a word?) This is also part of a series. I haven't read the rest of them, but I am sure I will. Oh and this one is free on Amazon, for kindle at least!!!!

11. Awakened - Another Vampire Romance book, just set in college, and you really don't get that he is a vamp until well into the book. At first, you just think he is a frat boy, little do the unsuspecting co-eds know. So, bad boy vamp, cute girl, lots of excitement and drama. What more could you ask for? Free, that's what. Its free from Amazon.

12. Branded This one was really good. Jessica tries to never fall asleep. If she does, she goes to trial for people she doesn't know in front of angels and demons, who decide the souls fate, up or down. If they go down, she gets the brand, a giant X on her neck, every time. She even has the marks when she wakes up. Its horrifying and she is terrified, but its been happening for years. It gets better when the evil one falls for her while she is falling for another. So, its a fight to keep her sanity. Love this one!

So, I know its a long list and not even all of the books I have read and I will probably give more of my suggestions as I go. Right now, I am reading, Conversion, Vampire romance. He is a part-vampire, part-human, with a crazy part vampire family. I haven't gotten far in it, but I am enjoying it. I will let you know how it goes.

Friday Music of the Week: In this Moment

Ok, so my music this week comes to us from the band In This Moment. As odd as this is to say for me, this is harder music than I usually listen to. But I love it. Its angry and loud and the lead singer, Maria Brink, has the most incredible scream. I think I have a new girl crush. The band rocks and allows me to get my angry on. The video for "blood" is crazy, I don't even know what the significance of the video is, but its weird and scary, my two favorite things. So, here are a few songs from In This Moment. Enjoy!

Music of the Week: Three Days Grace

Yeah, their Canadian, but we won't fault them for that because the rock. I have been listening to these guys for years. They truly have staying power. I always hate when I first find a band and like them, and then you never hear from them after their first album. Happens a lot to stuff I love, I think, because my tastes are a little more on the outskirts of popular music. I love all types of music, but they stuff I tend to listen to most, does not suit most people. Ah, to each their own.

So, Three days grace are coming out with a new album on October 2, and I am soooo excited. Their newest song that they released is really good, can't wait to hear the rest. Its called "Chalk Outline" and it does not disappoint! You can listen to the whole album here!

Chalk Outline

"Without you!"

I absolutely think this is my favorite song from the album Life starts now. Unfortunately, I don't think it was ever played on the radio. Its is amazing and spoke to me when I need it... Music soothes the savage beast, I think that is the phrase.

"Lost in You!"

I love this song too!! So well written and the lyrics can make you melt!

Music of the Week: Halestorm

Lzzy Hale has to be one of the most awesome women of rock. I love that I can listen to her all the time on Lou Brutus's Hard drive XL radio show. He has an entire segment called "ask Lzzy." Its nice when you can hear them talk and they are normal people. She is a lot of fun and insane! I think I have a girl crush on her or maybe I'm just jealous! Anyway, Halestorm is the band, they are made of Lzzy, her brother Arejay, Joe Hottinger, and Josh Smith. When Halestorm first started, Lzzy and Arejay's dad, Roger Hale played bass for them until Josh Smith started in 2004. I think its awesome that it was a family band before they went big. Anyway, I have been listening to the latest album,The Strange Case Of..., for a while, but this week it has been stuck on repeat. Its great to work out to, scream at the top of you lungs in the car, and rock out with the kids to (Kiera's favorite song right now is "Love bites", that's my rocker daughter for you!) So, here are a few of the songs I like the most. Enjoy!!!

I miss the Misery!

I Get off!

Love Bites

(Kiera's Favorite)

ABC's of life

 I first saw this on my friend Holli's page, who stole it from Insanity rule's blog. Love the idea, so, yes, I stole it!

A} Age:  33

B} Bed Size: King, My husband is one big, heated teddy bear, and we both need our space, I HAVE to have my body pillow or I don't sleep.

C} Chore you dislike: All of them?? But mostly I HATE cleaning the kitchen. With 6 people in my household there are a lot of dishes. Can you say 2 loads a day? I thought you could!

D} Dogs:  Technically, we have a rat terrier named "angel" but she lives with my in-laws, can't have pets in my rental. But I have four kids, that's enough animals for me.
 
E} Essential start to your day: COFFEE, COFFEE, COFFEE

F} Favorite Colors: Black, maybe turquoise, maybe scarlet red, it changes weekly.

G} Gold or Silver: Silver, Always

H} Height: 5'9"

I} Instruments you play (past/present): Piano, I played for like 14 years. All through public school, and two years in college, I "thought" I wanted to be a Choral Director, Silly me...

J} Job Title: Administrative Secretary for the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (sounds way more impressive than it is)

K} Kids: four, Elena, Kiera, Gabriel and Nevin.

I never tire of this picture

L} Live: The great state of Texas!

M} Mom’s name: Neena
 
N} Nicknames: Les, Mom, Babe....

O} Overnight hospital stays: When I had my babies...

P} Pet Peeves: Slow drivers that don't know the right lane is for "passing". Same thing goes for people who see someone trying to politely go around them in the grocery store with four kids in tow and THEY DON'T MOVE!!!

Q} Quote from a Movie:  I would be considered a sick person probably in my past life but I will always love "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas." Hunter Thompson was an amazing writer so my quote is "There he goes. One of God's own prototypes. A high-powered mutant of some kind never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live, and too rare to die."

R} Righty or Lefty: Right

S} Siblings: Two, Older Brother, Younger Sister

T} Time you wake up: I get up at 5 to exercise every morning. It is the only peace and quiet I get all day!

U} URL favorite these days: Facebook, Blogger, TMZ (yes, I am guilty of this one indulgence!)

V} Vegetables you don’t like: Collard greens, there aren't many.

W} What makes you run late: Did I mention I had four kids under 8.

X} X-Rays: Had my shoulder x-ray'd in college when I was trying to show off and do something stupid (isn't thats what college is for?) Bad idea. My now husband, he wasn't at the time, made me go to the hospital, if I remember correctly, its kind of fuzzy. Also, wouldn't let me drive home for the weekend, he drove me, and some one followed to take him back. Hadn't thought of that till now. He was sweet to me even before we dated...

Y} Yesterday memory: My son (who has speaking issues) came up to me and without any prodding, said "I love you, mommy!"

Z} Zoo Animal Favorite: Monkey's, not that I don't have four at home already

Weight loss update: down 40 pounds peeps!!!

So, if you follow my blog, you will notice the lack of posts. Sorry about that, with school starting, it has taken us a while to get into the swing of things. My life is nothing but logistics, which I hate. My mornings consist of getting up at 5 to go for a walk/jog, get dressed, get kids up and dressed by 7, in the car by 7:15ish, get the two oldest to school, the two youngest to the babysitters, the hubby to work, then I get to work at 8. I barely have time to do anything lately, especially crafts or blogging. Which I hate. I hate logistics. I feel like a chauffeur or a maid, half the time, not a wife or a mother, or me for that matter. Thats what started my weight loss journey to begin with. I felt like I had lost "me." So I started exercising, which is definetly paying off. I have now lost 40 pounds. I will now say my actual weight. 245. Its hurts to write it but if I think that 40 pounds ago, I was 285. I can proudly say the other number. GO ME!!

Love this. Think this will become my new background on my android!

Another thing I am doing to reconnect me to myself is I am going to get a tattoo at the end of the month. I am so excited. I have been wanting to do this for years, but there was never time, money or I was pregnant (I think I was pregnant for like 5 years straight, so that kind of dampens any chance getting a tattoo!) So, I am getting it on my wrist and this is what I want...

I am going to get it put on my wrist. Not big, but big enough to read it. Whatcha think! 

Anyway, I have never been able to say this before (which is sad since I am 33!) but I am really proud of myself. I have been in a bad place in my head for too long and I realized I was tired of being miserable. Tired of being fat. Tired of disappearing into the crowd. I used to pride myself on standing out, being a bit of an odd ball, being different. I try to instill that sense of originality in my kids. I don't want them to be one of the masses. I want them to stand out because they are smart, beautiful, and one of a kind. But I have to start with myself before I can convince them of this. Luckily, they are starting to see the changes. Kiera, minion #2, tells me I am beautiful everyday, and she hasn't said that to me until the last couple of months. It makes me melt and then I tell her she is also beautiful, and smart and funny and .....the list goes on. So, I guess I am doing something right...

Music of the Week: Breaking Benjamin

Well, my music of the week is a band that I have been listening to for years. I go through phases where I listen to nothing but them. Unfortunately, they broke up and I will never have a chance to see them perform. Boo!!! But anyway, Breaking Benjamin has amazing songs, there are few of their songs that I don't like or don't know the words too for that matter. This is definitely music to turn up loud and scream/sing your head off to at the end of a long day, especially Friday. Her are a few of my favorites!!

Learning Balance

This holiday weekend was the best I have had in a long time. I spent the more time with my husband, alone, than I have in a long time. Its really tough, trying to get through daily life, deal with the four minions, keep the house in one piece, pay bills, work and find time for each other, not to mention try to take care of ourselves. We are having to learn how to balance everything and being that my life has lately been nothing but logistics, it is really hard.

My hubby works a lot. Like 50-60 hours a week, a lot. He works for us, for our family and he is doing amazing. I don't think I tell him enough how much I love him for that. We have come so far from where we were when we first had Elena. We struggled a lot those first baby years. It was a daily struggle with me at home with the babies. Now, the bills are paid, we actually have money left over for a little frivolous spending, which we never had before. Before we were always working paycheck to paycheck. The hubby becomes superman at work, I know he loves that. He always did thrive at being successful and it is really paying off. I am really proud of him.

So, What did we do this weekend? Well, for the first time, in a while, we had date night. Thank you to my niece for watching the kids!!! We went out to dinner, had drinks, did some shopping, it was wonderful. We stayed out way to late and spent way to much money, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I did feel bad for him thought, he still had to go to work the next day, I didn't. I worry sometimes that I complain to much, and that he thinks I sit around eating chocolate the next day. He would never say that, but I worry that sometimes he gets upset that I am home and he is working his butt off. So, he worked Saturday and Sunday. Sundays are one of my favorite days though, because, even if he has to go to work, its only 12 to 5 and me and the kids get all morning with him. Then he comes home and we have more time together.

I know, it sounds like a codependent relationship, but you have to understand something about us. Fred and I, have been and will always be inseparable. I know people always say they married their best friend, but in my case, I am not just saying that. Fred and I were best friends for 2 years before we even started "Dating," if you can call it dating. We were so together all the time, the relationship just kind of morphed into girlfriend/boyfriend status with ease. When we were friends, we were barely apart long enough to go to class (we meet at Sam Houston State University, we lived in the same dorm!) I think everyone around us knew the inside joke before we did. We have even confessed to each other later in life that while we were friends, other people would hint about wanting to date one of us, and oh so subtly, we made sure that didn't happen. We were protective of each other to a fault. When we finally did get together, it was forever (we had "the talk" and that was all she wrote!) Sorry, I am getting sappy but the truth is, we like each other, we don't really like other people. I get asked all the time, "how can you stand to be around Fred so much? Don't you ever just want to tell him to go away and give you some space?" To which I say, no that never happens, never even crosses my mind. We have even worked together at multiple jobs and still get along. OK, maybe we are codependent, but I don't care.

This is us back in college at a party. Don't you love my hair!! Crazy days.

So, then Monday came. Fred had decided since I had off for the holiday, that he would use his half day off on Monday morning, didn't have to go in till 2. Believe it or not, the two oldest had school (who goes to school on labor day!!!), but we decided to use it to our advantage and sent them to school and the young ones to the babysitters (Mommy guilt spread like wildfire on that one, but we needed time together.) So, we sent everyone off to their prospective places spent the rest of the morning relaxing, watching TV, which we never do, no time. It was great to be home with my husband, alone. I really miss him in this life we have now. (Man, am I confessing to much here?)  We had lunch, went grocery shopping, which if you have kids, going to the grocery store with out them in tow is a mini vacation in itself, then we went home and laid around watching more TV till it was time to take him to work.


For the first time in a long time, my three day weekend was actually a mini-vacation. I actually came out of this weekend feeling better than I have in a long time. Rested, happy and relaxed. Thanks hubby, for making this a really great weekend!!! I love you ...

More modern picture, I don't have red hair (at the moment) but I love this picture!

Music of the week: Black Stone Cherry

I got their album this week and have been listening to it a lot this week. Black Stone Cherry hails from all over the U.S., from Louisiana, to California, to the Midwest and their sound is reflected in it.  The lead singer, Chris Robertson, has a voice like no one I have ever heard, deep, soulful and amazing! Here are a few video's from the band.

Weight loss update

Its been almost a month since I started "trying" to take better care of myself. I have been walking almost daily, give or take a day here and there. I have even started running. We bought a treadmill about a week ago, and the addiction to run on it is ridiculous!!! I don't like running outside on the track across from my house, to much bouncing for the public eye, but the running is getting so much easier. I used to tell people "I don't run unless I am being chased!" HA! Running is so much fun, though. It reminds me of being young and running for the hell of it.

So, for the first time in a while, I finally got on the scale this morning. Now, I am still not comfortable saying exactly what my weight its, but I am happy to report that I have officially lost 25 pounds! YEAH!!!! Go ME!!! I should post a picture, but I will get to that on the next one. Just so excited for myself.

I came to the realization, with this weight loss and energy I now have, that age really is a state of mind. I am only 33 but until I started exercising and eating right, I felt more like 43. Now, I know I am not old. I have to remind myself of that constantly. It doesn't help that I live in College Station, home to A&M and 50,000 energetic college kids. I think living here has made me want to be a better, fit person. These kids are always running. I can't drive home from work without seeing multiple co-eds in nothing but a sports bra and shorts running their butt off. It used to piss me off, now its a motivator. I am looking better and feeling better and have the experience of my age to back me up. I am better than them. I am better with my kids, my husband, everything is better now that I feel good. So, wish me luck. I am going to be looking for some kind of race or walk to enter. I want a goal, not just my weight loss, to complete. 

Wish me luck!

The Minions are getting older....

My two oldest, Elena and Kiera, started their first day of school yesterday. Elena started 2nd and Kiera started Kindergarten. I would like to tell you that I cried when Kiera went to kindergarten, but I think I kept it together due to the fact that last year she was in the Pre-K class at school with Elena, who was in 1st grade at the time and I did my "oh my baby is growing up" cry then.

Aren't they cute!! They even match (not intentional!)

They have come a long way from here!!!

My girls are so different, yet so alike it astounds me. For the first day of school, we made sure to take the two youngest to the babysitters early so we could walk the girls to their classes on the first day. Needless to say, Gabriel was none to thrilled to be going to the sitters without his big sisters, poor guy. Anyway, I took Elena and Fred took Kiera. When we walked into the class, Elena was all smiles and excitement. She seemed like she was ready to kick me out of the class till I actually started to leave. Leave it to my emo-child to immediately yell "Mommy" and come over to hug and cry. I knelt down to look her in the eyes and said, "Baby, it's OK, It's school, you love school. You will make lots of new friends and have lots of fun. Now, take a deep breath and stop the tears. I love you and I will see you when I pick you up from school and you can tell me all about your day." With that, Elena took two big breaths to steady herself, stood up straight, gave me one more hug and went to sit at her table. She has always been my emotional one out of the bunch but oh so brave. This has become such a tradition with the first day of school, I wonder if I will be doing the same thing when she is a senior in high school.

Now, Kiera on the other hand, she has always been the fearless one. I don't know where she gets it from. Fred took her to her class, she walked in, hung her backpack where the teacher told her to. Gave her a butterfly entrance (they have to do some kind of greeting every time they walk in, there is a list to pick from, she chose butterfly) and walked into the class. She had seen the class already at the "Meet the teacher" night, but she was still a little hesitant, mainly because there was a lot going on for the first day. But as soon as the teacher gave her some options on what to do till school started, she headed to the book area and sat down to read a book. She barely even looked at Fred and Me (I went to find him after dropping off Elena). Kiera had this look when she finally did look up that basically said "Get lost, Mom and Dad!" I suspect I will see this look many times from her when she is a teenager. So, we said goodbye, more confident that Kiera was going to be better than Elena will be. Like I said, two totally different creatures.

When I got off work, and picked them up from the Babysitters, they didn't stop talking for like an hour and it wasn't easy to listen. Both of them are talking Ninety miles an hour at the same time. I couldn't keep it straight. A little tip for any mothers out there, when this happens the best thing to do, just cause you don't want to kill their excitement, listen and even if you don't catch everything, repeat back a few words they say every now and then while nodding. I do this constantly. I get most of what they are saying and they feel satisfied that they were heard. It was a great first day at school and they passed smooth out when it was lights out that evening. I love school as much as they do!!!!

Home is where your heart is, I hope.

Well, this weekend was a sad one. My childhood home that I grew up in is being sold and today they are closing on it. I had to drive to Houston to help my mother get the last bits of things out of the house on Sunday. It was so weird walking around the house. It was so empty. That house held 28 years (or so) of stuff, My dads, My moms, My sister and My stuff. No one ever really moves out of their parents house. There is always residual "stuff" from your past. I guess what makes me sad is my parents home that I could always run to when I needed my mommy, is gone.

My parent divorced a few years ago, separated close to 6, and put the house on the market soon after separating. It finally sold after many years on the market and walking through the house was definitely surreal. I don't think it has really hit me. I want to cry but don't have the energy to, to much other stuff going on. Walking through my old bedroom that was now completely empty made me sad. I have great memories in this house. I had my first sleep over here. I learned to do lots of the crafty stuff I do here with my Mom and Sister. You don't realize how much impact a piece of property can have till its gone. I have many wonderful Christmas memories, birthdays, first dates, Homecoming, and prom. Not to mention the wedding we had for my aunt that I was a flower girl for.  I will miss this house. I am sad that my kids, although some will have memories of it, will not have Christmas here ever again.

My beautiful mom, and me in front of the house, excuse our appearance, we were sweaty from moving furniture!

 

My and the hubby, again, sweaty from moving furniture.

When my parents separated, my family (my husband and kids) moved in with her to help Mom out (of course it was to help us as well through a tough time). My kids consider that house their home as much as I did and still do. The pool in the backyard was their play toy as much as it was my moms relaxation pool. My swing set, which is a huge industrial metal pipe structure cemented into the ground, is still there. I am sorry my kids were never really old enough to play on it. OK, now I am crying.  I guess it took writing about it to spring the tears... Oh well, I need to focus on the great times we had. I had a wonderful childhood here!!

Friday Music of the Week: Lacuna Coil

I love these guys. They are an Italian goth band. I have yet to hear any of their songs that don't speak to me or at least get my head bobbing. I don't know much about them except what I found on Wikipedia, which to be honest may not be the most accurate resource, but the lead singer's Cristina Scabbia and Andrea Ferro are a great duo. His voice is deep and harsh contrasting her angelic voice. I love any band that can incorporate hard alternative rock with a female voice. I think it springs back to my delusions of wanting to sing in a rock band, I told you I was a choir nerd in high school, right? Anyway, enjoy these videos I found on you tube!!! 

 

 

Pickled Peppers

I am proud to say that we actually have a working vegetable garden. We have banana peppers, green peppers and tomatoes. We planted them a little late in the season, so we don't have any tomatoes yet and I am starting to wonder if we will get any at all.

Thankfully, peppers are really, really, really easy to grow and banana peppers grow the fastest in mass quantities. So, what do you do with banana peppers, we pickle them.

Not long ago, in a Kroger coupon book (believe it or not), I found a refrigerator pickle recipe. So easy and quick.

You need lots of peppers, at least we did, our peppers wear small.

Chop them up.

Place them in a clean mason jar (does not have to be sterilized)

and fill the jar with the following:

equal parts vinegar and water

I added a little salt 

and a bunch of fennel

Leave it in the Fridge for 48 hours, and Voila! You have your very own pickled peppers. I don't know how long they are supposed to last, but mine have been in the fridge for over a week and still taste amazing!! 

Music of the week: Crossfade

Hello everyone. I have been stuck in my world and not done much in the blogging world this week. I don't' know what it is but music has always soothed the savage beast in me and this week it has been Crossfade that is my therapy.  The song "So far away" has been my friend this week (meaning I am wearing out the mp3 on my player) so i want to share it with you. I can't find an actual video which is a shame. But at least you get to hear it.

Here are a few more that have been in rotation this week by crossfade.

"Colors"

"Cold"

Enjoy.

I will be announcing the winner of the giveaway this weekend. And I will have more posts on some projects I have been working on.

Birthday Month Giveaway

My birthday is here, I thought I would celebrate by giving away some great stuff. Almost seems a little backwards but hey, I love birthdays. Not the getting older part, but the presents and the time with my family. For my birthday I want to go to the beach. 

But, around here, we are limited to Galveston or South Padre Island. And as SPI is about 7 hours away and my idea of vacation is not 7 hours in the car with my four children, I think I will settle for Galveston. 

Galveston beach

Not necessarily a tropical paradise, but its close and I feel like we need to support Galveston. After hurricane ike ravaged the area a few years ago, Galveston has taken great strides to renew and revamp the town and beach for tourists. Can't wait to take the kids. Sadly, they have never been to the beach. So, wish us luck. 

Now for the giveaway! I have some amazing bloggers (and/or sponsors) who were kind enough to join in the giveaway. 

Maria-Isabel from Mommy Made

is giving away "The Daddy" Ad space

Blog | Shop | Facebook | Twitter

Emily from Insanity Rules
is giving away an awesome 8 by 10 school subway art and this cute hand stamped kitchen towel!!

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Jill from Ernestine Edna and her really BIG ideas

She is giving away an amazing "Lorax" Package full of wonderful goodies, including

Small ruffled pouch from  http://www.etsy.com/shop/marineparents 

Bonus Market flower from  http://www.etsy.com/shop/marineparents 

Custom Sign "Unless" sign from  http://www.etsy.com/shop/bubblewrappd 

"Truffula Tree-O" from Ulta Nail polish

A New copy of The Lorax (2012) 2D on DVD (coming out 8/7/2012)

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And 

Kassi and Kayli From Truly Lovely

is giving a lucky winner Medium ad space on Truly Lovely, 

includes group feature post and option for group giveaway.

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This is a ONE winner TAKES all giveaway. 

Please use the widget below to enter the giveaway. 

Please do the task assigned to the entry (I will check!!)

I will announce the winner in a post after the raffle is over!!! 

GOOD LUCK!

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Ok, I am a slacker, sort of.

I have been a slacker this week. Well, that's not entirely true. Let me rephrase. I have been a slacker to my blog. I have been in a slump, but I have been exercising every morning, so I have not been a slacker to myself but to my blog. My wifi router went out, so, I didn't have internet for a few days. But that is really just an excuse. I didn't realize how much time blogging really took, I think I was burnt out being a slave to my blog. I was writing and posting and watching my followers climb and really excited about it but not really living life.

 

I have been getting up, pretty much, every morning at 5 (yes, I said 5 a.m.) to walk/exercise. I have been doing 2 miles every morning and surprisingly, I am not tired of it. I love getting up in the morning and have peace and quiet for the 30-45 minutes I exercise. No one asking me for something, or screaming or saying "Mommy...." I know that probably sounds horrible. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids, but there are four of them. Its exhausting sometimes and I have realized going for a walk every morning helps me get my head together and it has really helped. I like to think it makes me a better mom or at least I hope it does. I do feel better, I am now down 14 pounds since I started this weight loss journey. Its great that clothes I haven't worn in a while fit better. Hell, I have underwear that fit better now! I felt ridiculous as I typed that, but its true, so sue me!

I think the fact that tomorrow is my birthday and I am turning 33 (ugh, I hated writing that) has helped and hindered me. I am exercising like crazy, but I am still kind of in a funk. I think I need a vacation but when the hell is that ever going to happen. I have four kids, a full time job, a house to run, a blog, and hobby to feed. Ok, that last one probably should be erased, but if I didn't make stuff/craft, I would be way worse off mentally. I tend to think I am the artsy fartsy type, meaning I am moody and emotional and need to create to feel human. I think I am just a raving lunatic in a sane persons body (does that make sense).

Well, I think that is enough from this raving lunatic today. Check back tomorrow when I have my birthday giveaway! I have some really great prizes from some really great bloggers! Laters!

Vintage Wedding Colors

I realized I hadn't put any details about the wedding I am planning. Well, aside from the Vintage Part. As I said before in Painting on Ceramic: an experiment...  D'anna already had her colors picked out and paint samples in hand when I went over to her house to take pictures of her house, where she wants to have the wedding. She hands them to me and I immediately love the colors.

Soft Coral

Wasabi

So, I will be posting lots of tutorials with paint in these colors. FUN!!!


Funny story... I have these colors so stuck in my head because I am trying to come up with ideas for the wedding, that I was mixing polymer clay the other night, just mixing colors for fun to see what I could come up with and then I was going to braid them into my favorite bangles that I make. Low and behold, I had made a soft coral and a wasabi bracelet. Of course they had glitter in them, so it wasn't exact but they are really pretty together. Can't wait to see what I come up with (yes, I am my own cheerleader! GO ME!)

Painting on Ceramic: an experiment!

With D'anna and Andy's wedding coming up. Remember them? From here :Introducing the Bride and Groom!  We are starting to play around with the decorations and with her paint samples in hand she says can we paint this and hands me this:

Yeah, you probably had the same reaction I did. What the hell is that? Luckily, I said "what is that?" D said "I have had this for a while and haven't done anything with it because it is not my style. She said can we paint it and put a single flower in each spot for one of the tables?" My response, "why not, if you don't like it the way it is, then lets change it." Now, have I ever painted porcelain (I think that's what it is made of!), No I haven't. Do I know how its going to coat, or stick or peel? No. But whatever, An experiment! 

 I used Valspar in Soft Coral and a sponge brush for this. I thought it would give less streaks in the paint. 

So, First Coat...

I will say it was a little drippy, and I am glad I was using a sponge brush. It helped it stick.

Second Coat...

Don't you love the splattered pain, and the crayon in the back (I have kids, what do you want!)

It really did need the second coat. It made the blue under the paint completely disappear and smoothed out any drips. I just wish I had some flowers to see what it will look like for the wedding. Maybe I will add that later. Also, I am not sure I am done. I am thinking of putting polka dots all over it with her other color which is wasabi!! 

More to come!

Mommy Made Giveaway featuring a prize from ME!!!!

The sweet Maria from Mommy Made is hosting a giveaway!!! Lots of great prizes to be had including some of my polymer clay bracelets!!! Come enter and Win!!!

Mommy Made: Target And Coffee And Ad Spaces Oh My!: Target And Coffee And Ad Spaces Oh My! Yes, Oh my, Oh My! Today I have a GREAT giveaway that you do not want to miss out on! My "Mommy" ...

Weight loss update!

Small steps, people, small steps! 

So, This week has been amazing for me, and I am not usually one to toot my on horn!

Through the simplicity of portion control and exercise (shocking, I know!) I have managed to loose 5 pounds already!  We are lucky enough to have a walking track across the street from my house at my daughters school. I have been taking full advantage of it. I even got up this morning at 5 a.m. (yes, that is 5 a.m.) to go for a walk. It was really great! I forgot how alive I can feel after exercise! It makes my day so much better too! I am more alert (mentally and physically) and ready to go. I am REALLY sore, because my body is having to adjust from a sedentary lifestyle to an active one but every movement that makes my body shrieks with pain is a reminder of what I am trying to accomplish. As stupid as this sounds, it makes me feel prettier too! Its a great feeling. OK, I am done congratulating myself. Update next week!! 

Introducing the Bride and Groom

The "Vintage Wedding" that I have previous posted is going well. I will have tutorial coming tomorrow on some ideas we are toying with. But I realized I hadn't introduced the bride and groom. This is D'Anna and Andy.

Such a cute couple!

and oh so funny!!!

I may have D'Anna write a little post here telling me more about her and Andy. To be honest, she is a co-worker with my husband at Palm Harbor Homes in Bryan. She and I have gotten to be pretty good friends, and she knows how crafty I am so I told her I would help with the wedding as long as she didn't mind me posting everything we do. Its a fun project that we both benefit from. I look forward to how this turns out!! More to come!

Christmas in July

I should have posted this way earlier. I received my gift for the Christmas in July gift exchange, with happyhourprojects.com, earlier this week. So, Now I am. I swapped with Pam over at pam-thebestlaidplans.blogspot.com.  She was really sweet and sent me this wonderful gift. 

I love the M. So cute! I get a gift and supplies. Jackpot! Thanks again Pam!!!

Vintage Wedding!

 So, I have been a little lapse here lately. Haven't posted any good tutorials for a while. I am even skipping music of the week. But I do have news to share. My friend D'anna is getting married! Yeah! And...

I am going to play Wedding Planner! 

Scary!

Now, have I ever planned a wedding? No. The hubby and I were married by a JP. Do I personally want a wedding? I didn't used to, but now that I have been through two weddings in the last year and am now doing this one, I realized I missed out. Anyway, that is another post for a later time, if ever. 

So, D'anna is getting married to Andy and she wants to do it at their place, completely DIY and she knows that DIY is my thing, so she asked me to help, plus she knows I will do it practically for free because I can post about everything we are working on. She also thinks that I manage to keep four kids in line (do I?) so I can handle the day of the wedding and she doesn't have to. I can understand that!

So, she wants to do Vintage Wedding. Which I love. Its perfect for DIY too!! Here are a few ideas I have found that we are thinking about. 

We want to do this but maybe with lace, more feminine! Tutorial to come!

Love this!

Well, I am going out there today to take pictures and do a little planning. Wish me luck! Hopefully I don't screw it up and she never talks to me again.  Anyone have any suggestions!?! I am all ears!

Oh, and I will be posting tutorials throughout this process. Everything will be handmade, so get ready!

Our Reflection: Meet & Tweet Twitter Hop

I am joining in the blog hop over at Our Reflection! Go over there a meet new people.

<div align="center"><a href="http://our-reflection.blogspot.com/" title="Our Reflection "><img src="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g383/_laurahernandez/MeetTweet-2.jpg" alt="Our Reflection " style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Our Reflection: Meet & Tweet Twitter Hop: I heart Thursdays! I love the opportunity to meet so many new friends. Last week we had a record breaking turnout with over 200 link...

It's Time!

OK, its time to put this out there. I am overweight and unhappy about it. 

Not that I should complain or be unhappy. I mean I am finally at a place in my life where we are (Dare I say it) stable financially, and by that I mean the bills are paid, foods on the table, and a roof is over our head and we have money left over. Not much, but we are finally at a really good point. The kids are happy and healthy. 

I love this picture!

However, I have not been taking care of myself and have been self-medicating with food for far too long. I wish I could say its baby weight, but Nevin is about to be two so that theory gets thrown out the window. Recently I have started being more aware of what I put in my mouth and we bought a scale this weekend. (I scream in horror!) 

So when I got on it I almost cried. No wait, I did cry. I don't know if I am comfortable putting the number on the screen, because then its like alcoholics anonymous. "Hi, My name is Leslie, and I am a fat ass!" Yes, I said that. Anyway, So I think I need to put it out into the universe (blog universe, but still a universe) that I am going to start chronicling my weight loss journey including what I ate each day. So far, for breakfast, I had a yogurt parfait and a diet coke. Oh, and a 5 hour energy drink, but I am not sure that has calories, guess I should check. So, I will let you know how the day goes. Oh, and I have started exercising too! If you have never tried them, The Leslie Sansone walking DVDs Rock!!Your walking but its great exercise, you even run a little! Its especially great on days you can't go outside for a walk (Its been raining here in College Station for like two weeks!). So to rap up: Eating Better! and Exercise!  That is All!