Success

It's a goal. A life journey.  To be successful. To find success in whatever you choose to do with your life.  If you work, your goal is to be successful in business, to climb the ladder, make more money, live a better life.  For me as a stay at home mom and wife, success is measured a bit differently.  I don't get monthly status reports or raises for a job well done or a project completed.  I often don't get praise for the work I do or recognition for the choices I make for my family or myself.  Success for me is measured in the smiles I get from my daughter when we start out on a walk for the park.  In the happy little laugh when her daddy is tickling her and in the whispered "I Wuv You" after bedtime kisses.  Success is in the satisfaction knowing that my house is clean and laundry is done and that my family has a home to be safe in.  In Knowing that my husband leaves this house everyday to go to work to make sure his wife and daughter are taken care of.  I have been successful in love knowing that the man I have married will always be my best friend and will never break my heart.  I am successful because I am aware and abundantly thankful for the gift of God 's unending love and that the journey I have been on has led me back to Him.  So no matter what you do in life, you can find success.  Don't measure it in terms of money or job titles, but in the everyday activities and people you encounter.  I know that I am loved, and that I have love to give. I know that I am raising my daughter the very best way I know how.  I know that I have friends and family that will always be there for me and I for them.  And THAT is what makes me successful.

Thrifty Finds!

When my husband and I decided that I would stay home from work with our daughter I knew I would have to give up my first love.  Shopping.  Some people have hobbies that include knitting, sports, drag racing (in my husbands case), etc. Mine is shopping.  I get high on spending money. I can't help it, it's genetic, just ask my dad.  So reducing our income meant I had to give up my shopping sprees, $200 jeans, yes I actually spent that much on ONE pair of jeans.  I'm not proud of it, and they don't even fit anymore!  I had to figure out a new way to shop that included spending less money.  I am now proud to admit that I am a true bargain shopper.  Thrift stores now excite me and me at a garage sale is like a kid in a candy store!  So on my most recent shopping trip with a friend, she bought some killer jean shorts that I was salivating over.  The damage, $40.  No way was I going to spend that on one item.  So the next day I headed out to my local Goodwill store and came home with a pair of Gap jeans for $5.89.  Then I got to work...

Here is the inspiration pair of shorts from American Eagle

Here are the jeans I bought. Cute jeans, but they were high waters on me!

Hello Toe!

First put the jeans on and mark where you would like them to hit on your leg.  I'm cuffing these so I marked where I would like the bottom of the cuff.

Next gather some supplies.  You will need a razor blade, scissors, tweezers and an old magazine.  Cut straight across the mark on the jeans to cut the leg off...

Next decide where you would like the distressing. Insert the old magazine into the pant leg so you don't damage both sides of the jeans.  Then use your razor blade edge moving it up and down with the grain of the jean.  You don't want to cut through the jean, just break down the fabric.

Then use the tweezers to pull out the BLUE thread. This will reveal the white thread to give you the distressed look without leaving an actual hole in the jean.

 I added distressing to both legs and one on the back pocket.  You can also use your razor blade on the pocket edges and zipper edge of the jean to make a more worn look.  Just run the blade back and forth until you get the desired look and fraying.

Next you will need to wash and dry the shorts. This will make the parts you distressed open up a bit to reveal more of the white thread. Roll up the bottoms to create a cuff.

 And your done!  You now have an expensive looking pair of distressed shorts for less than 6 bucks! 

Look how excited I am in my new shorts!  HOLA!!  

Your husbands will thank you and praise you for your bargain hunting skills and your girlfriends will never know you went Goodwill hunting, unless you want to share your mad skills with them!

And She's Gone...

As a stay at home mom the moments you get all to yourself are few and far between.  Simple tasks such as going to the bathroom alone are often taken for granted. Conversation that doesn't involve me decoding the mystery language my daughter speaks is much coveted.  So whenever grandparents offer to have take Ally and keep her overnight, I am all for it!  I don't want to seem too eager to get rid of my lovely for the night, but inside I am jumping up and down!  Here is my chance, my much needed hours of me time. The opportunity to go shopping and not see the look of horror on the other shoppers faces when I come walking in dragging a screaming toddler behind me. FREEDOM!!!  Don't get me wrong, I will miss the 6 am wake up call, the hour process of bedtime, the plate of dinner food being tossed on the ground, the screaming and yelling, and the few hugs and kisses Ally throws in just so I don't go stark raving mad.  But I know, like most moms that in order to truly be a good parent, you have to take time for you every now and then.  So I will enjoy my afternoon and evening then wake up bright and early ready to see that precious little face again.

Moment of Grace

Feel compelled to put into words how incredibly blessed I felt last night, when after a stressful day, my daughter took time out of dancing to her Wiggles DVD to sit on my lap and tell me she loved me.  She melts my heart and I am so so thankful that God placed this sweet child in my life.  She is the ultimate stress relief!

Ugh...Summer!

OK I LOVE summer, but there is one impending task that makes me cringe.  I'm getting the shakes just thinking about it.  Full on hurl inducing visions are dancing in my head.  Swimsuit shopping! Let's hear a collective sigh from my ladies!  There was a time before bearing a child that this task wasn't so bad.  A time when stretch marks and saddle bags didn't stare back at me in the mirror laughing and torturing me so!!

I say we bring back this style...

 I like it!  It leaves a lot to the imagination.  Completely accessorized with a hat, belt, and shoes.  Now THAT is beach sexy! Problem: My husband said he wouldn't allow me on the boat in this.  I like the boat.

Maybe something more practical.

Full hip coverage, check. Cleavage (or lack of) hidden from view, check.  Butt cheeks not flopping everywhere, check check check! Target does sell something called a "Swim Dress."  I was ready to purchase! My friend said she would laugh at me.  Darn.  Check out the prices on these suits! 

All I'm saying is I need a suit that makes me look 10 pounds thinner, completely covers my belly, adds 2 cups sizes to my girls, takes the flub from my thighs and adds a little cushion to my flat back with a crack (sorry for the visual).  Is that too much to ask?

Things that make you say WOW

Might as well start right in and talk about the most current WOW of the week, the fact that my beautiful 25 pound almost 3 year old was briefly taken over by a tiny insane person!  I must first explain myself, I am a bit of a push over when it comes to my daughter, OK, bit of a push over doesn't quite sum it up, I do as I am told, I keep the peace, I prefer calm rather than screaming.  But today I decided to stand my ground, I WILL NOT be bossed around by my spawn! So when Ally told me to find a toy for her in her toy box, I politely declined and kindly asked her to get it herself.  Next came something the likes of which I have never seen!  Full on tantrum, the kind you see on Dr.Phil. She donned the strength of a 200 pound man.  It was excruciating and awe inspiring all at the same time. 

 I didn't think it was appropriate to take a picture of her during the fit, so we'll use this as a visual.  Ok, I couldn't find the camera or I totally would have taken a picture!


A 30 minute scream fest ensued ( I took advice from the above mentioned Dr. Phil and did not raise my voice, but oh was it tempting!) and I am proud to say I was victorious!  Not sure what I was victorious in because she and I had both forgotten what the initial struggle was about, but I am victorious none the less.  My sweet little angel has been returned to me and is sleeping soundly in her bed, which happened without struggle as well!  I celebrated with a brownie, or 3.  Why is it my favorite capri jeans from last year don't fit?

Speaking of brownies!  My BFF Pioneer Woman has the most amazingly delicious, WOW inducing,  ooey gooey goodness, recipe.  You must try this.  If you're dieting, stop. Eat 1 or 5, then go for a jog.  There IS NO excuse to not try these brownies!

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/05/knock-you-naked-brownies/

I would insert a picture of them here but I ate them all.  Don't judge.

My bestie also gave me Wednesday's dinner entree, which, say it with me now, tasted WOW!  Try this. Now.  Why are you sitting here still reading? Go, Eat!

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/04/Cajun-chicken-pasta/

Here's a pic of me cooking it, proof that I am indeed wonder woman, (she cooks, she cleans, she is raising the next generation, she speaks French and Spanish!) The steam melted all my make up off, I am usually not this glowing!

The glossy look on my face has nothing to do with the empty bottle of wine in the background...I swear.

PS...I know that Ree, AKA, the Pioneer Woman, and I are not actually best friends, we haven't met yet, or we totally would be!

Things to be Thankful for...

All too often I get in a mood. You know the kind, you feel sorry for yourself because something didn't go your way, or you didn't get exactly what you wanted, or your favorite capri jeans from last summer are so ridiculously tight they might actually cut off circulation kind of mood.  It's way easier to pout about it, but why not try to think of the things you are thankful for, rather than dwelling on what didn't go your way. 

So today, here is what I am thankful for...

The sunshine and warm weather

The beautiful, fragrant, flowering tree in my front yard, all though I have no idea what it is

The fact that I have sense enough to know that just because you can get the jeans buttoned does not mean you should wear them in public

Glade fabric and air freshener that covers up the smell of my dog Daisy on our living room rug

My comfy pants and maternity t-shirt I am wearing right now (no, I am not pregnant)

My Scentsy warmer by the kitchen sink that is covering up the horrible smell coming from the kitchen sink

The wonderful card I got from my husband for Mother's day, the same man who doesn't believe in cards or Hallmark, or holidays made up by Hallmark for the purpose of selling cards.

The conversation I had with a great friend yesterday after getting my spirit lifted at church.

The attic fan that sent the cool breeze throughout the house last night

Healthy Choice Sweet Asian Pot stickers frozen meal I am about to devour for lunch

That it only took 35 minutes to get Ally to stay in her bed and fall asleep for nap time today

What I am NOT thankful for...

The big girl bed.