Hello Clearance

Our Walmart still has Christmas decor in their clearance aisle and guess what I found in them today.  Ive seen these before and they were marked $5/box.  I wasnt going to pay $5 for them but today they were finally marked down for $1 box.  There are 4 plates inside the boxes so thats .25 cents a piece.  What am I going to do with these?  Well some of them are going to go in my dining room hutch behind some smaller colored plates, some of them will get vinyl decor put on them, and others we will just have to wait and see what I come up with.  All I know is I couldnt pass them up.  I got 2 boxes of salad plates and 2 boxes of dinner plates.  I love clearance!!!

For the love dog

 Today I bought this toy for my dog.  Its a tire, its a strong durable tire too. Ive seen other dog owners have this and when I went to the pet store they said it was for strong chewers.  Strong chewers thats my dog, he chews all of his toys up within minutes.  We haven't found a toy yet that he hasnt been able to eat within 30 minutes.  Apparently the tire didnt work either cause within 30 minutes this is what it looked like.  Here is what it looked like before our monster of a dog got a hold of it.......

And this is what it looks like now......

FOR THE LOVE DOG!!!!

My first tooth, gone gone baby.

My baby boy lost his first tooth today.   Unfortunately we cant find it cause either it went down the drain this morning while brushing his teeth or he swallowed it.  No worries I hear the tooth fairy will come regardless. 

Organizing the hall closet

How many of you have a hall closet that holds anything and everything, isnt nearly big enough, and your afraid to let anyone look inside....Me, me, ,my hand is totally up in the air right now.   This is my hall closet.  Keeping it real people, keeping it real but let me tell you that this closet holds a lot of sh*#.  Its for coats, scarves, gloves, hats,  pool stuff, vacuum, and apparently a bat from what I see at the bottom.  You never know when a metal bat will come in handy.  Ok from this picture I see about 6 pairs of gloves and a few mismatches,  lots of hats, a stethoscope (doesn't everyone have one of those in their hall closet), pool bags, purse, flipflops, sunscreen, and goodness this lists could go on and on.

 This this box at the top of the closet, it was empty.  Yes empty nothing in it, not sure why I was keeping it, totally empty.  This is what it means to have wasted space.

 Here are the items from the bottom only of the closet pulled into the hall.

 Here is what I bought at Target from the dollar aisle.  Its an over the door shoe storage and over the door rack.  Now I have a specific place for it all. 

 This holds it all including our football pompoms that I found at the bottom of the closet.  Normally I wouldn't hold on to pompoms but they are our local school color-my son plays football using these colors-and they werent cheap so yes Im holding on to them.  Now my closet is much neater and doesn't have little items everywhere along the top shelf and bottom of the floor.   No more digging through everything trying to find gloves or hats, now I can see how much sunscreen I have at the beginning of summer, now its all in one place.

Think of how handy this shoe storage could be in your house.  In kids rooms you could use it for your kids socks, hairbows, use it in your bathroom closet to store shampoo bottles, soaps, toothpaste, in the playroom store small legos or matchbox cars  in it, use it in your craft room for your scissors, pens, glue gun, etc.  In the garage to store your hand tools.  Ive even seen one of these on the back of a kitchen pantry with boxes of sandwich bags, aluminum foil, clear wrap,  and trash bags in the pockets.  Thats a great idea and now that Im thinking of it I should of bought more of these.

Usually this week I would be making my husband start celebrating birthday week with me but not this year.....this year I feel like poop.  Im been sick all week and not just a little sick, we are talking levitate above bed, turn your head all the way around, something is taking over my body sick.   It started off with a sore throat and ended up with walking pneumonia.  Hubby came home on Tuesday to find me curled up in a fetal position on the couch trying to watch the kid and dog with one eye open.  Ive been in bed all week and finally today, Sunday I have a voice.  I can somewhat breath now.  Ive been too tired and weak to even type on my blog....thats sad.  I would like to say that Im up and ready to start crafting but Id be lying so give me a few more days to  get back to myself and until then may you each be free from germs.  This house is getting bleached tomorrow. 

101 Short Stories that Will Leave You Smiling, Crying and Thinking

This is probably the  longest blog entry ever  but worth the reading.  These were copied from a book called MMT-Make you think.   These are 101 of the best short stories submitted from others for thier book that will ....make you think

1. Today, after a 72 hour shift at the fire station, a woman ran up to me at the grocery store and gave me a hug.  When I tensed up, she realized I didn’t recognize her.  She let go with tears of joy in her eyes and the most sincere smile and said, “On 9-11-2001, you carried me out of the World Trade Center.”  MMT
2. Today, at the age of 70, my grandfather graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree in business studies.  He’s been a successful business owner most of his life, but he told me he earned his degree to fulfill a promise he made to his mother before she lost her battle with cancer 50 years ago.  MMT
3. Today, my mom is a healthy 54 year old who successfully owns and operates a popular bakery downtown – a goal she had all her life.  15 years ago she was diagnosed with cancer.  In the face of death, she quit her store clerk job, opened the bakery, started chemo therapy, and succeeded on all fronts.  MMT
4. Today, after I watched my dog get run over by a car, I sat on the side of the road holding him and crying.  And just before he died, he licked the tears off my face.  MMT
5. Today, as a young ‘up and coming’ lawyer, everyone in the firm was congratulating me for winning my first big case this morning.  And all day long all I could think about is how I used a technicality in the law to help a murderer walk away a free man.  MMT
6. Today, on our 50th wedding anniversary, she smiled at me and said, “I only wish I had met you sooner.”  MMT
7. Today, after 2 years of separation, my ex-wife and I resolved our differences and met for dinner.  We laughed and chatted for almost 4 hours.  Then just before she left, she handed me a large envelope.  In it were 20 love letters she wrote me over the last 2 years.  There was a post-it note on the envelope that said, “Letters I was too stubborn to send.”  MMT
8. Today, when I slipped on the wet tile floor a boy in a wheelchair caught me before I slammed my head on the ground.  He said, “Believe it or not, that’s almost exactly how I injured my back 3 years ago.”  MMT
9. Today, someone else’s tragedy provided the miracle my family had prayed for.  Thanks to this stranger, my dad will have a heart.  It’s so odd to think that an accidental death just saved his life.  MMT
10. Today marks the ten year anniversary of the day when I slapped him and screamed at him remorselessly for not letting me in the bathroom after we ate breakfast.  That moment also marks the positive turning point in my battle with Bulimia.  I think he saved my life that day.  MMT
11. Today at 7AM I woke up feeling ill, but decided I needed the money, so I went in to work.  At 3PM I got laid off.  On my drive home I got a flat tire.  When I went into the trunk for the spare, it was flat too.  A man in a BMW pulled over, gave me a ride, we chatted, and then he offered me a job.  I start tomorrow.  MMT
12. Today, I was working in a coffee shop when 2 gay men walked in holding hands.  As you might expect, heads started turning.  Then a young girl at the table next to me asked her mom why 2 men were holding hands.  Her mom replied, “Because they love each other.”  MMT
13. Today, after the funeral, I went back to my parent’s empty house – the house I grew up in.  As I gazed around in awe of all the great memories we made in it, I noticed an old photo of my parent’s in their 20’s sitting on the coffee table.  In my father’s handwriting, across the back was written, “In this moment, we were infinite.” MMT
14. Today, as I walked away from the airport gate alone with my head held high and eyes beet red from crying, I knew at that moment what it meant to be a military wife.  MMT
15. Today, a lady walked up to me in the gym and asked me to give her some workout pointers.  She said, “You look incredible!  Watching you gradually tone-up and progress in here has become my primary inspiration to get in shape.”  It made me smile because I’ve struggled with my weight since I was 15.  MMT
16. Today, my grandpa died.  As I was crying and telling my grandma how sorry I was, she said, “Let’s stop being so sad and instead celebrate the 80 wonderful years he was alive… 60 of which he spent with me.”  MMT
17. Today, as my father, three brothers, and two sisters stood around my mother’s hospital bed, my mother uttered her last coherent words before she died.  She simply said, “I feel so loved right now.  We should have gotten together like this more often.”  MMT
18. Today, my richest friend growing up filed for bankruptcy and one of my poorest friends growing up purchased his second vacation home.  MMT
19. Today, I pulled into a small gas station in the middle of the desert in New Mexico and realized I had left my wallet at my girlfriends house 5 hours away.  I had no money and barely enough gas to make it another mile down the road.  The only other person that stopped for gas was a burly looking trucker.  I was a bit reluctant, but I asked him for some spare change for gas.  Instead he filled my tank and said, “Someone did this for me a few years ago.”  MMT
20. Today, I was all dressed up and waiting on my blind date to arrive.  He never showed up.  It made me feel ugly.  I thought he may have seen me from a distance and bailed.  Then as I left the restaurant alone, I heard a little girl ask her mom if I was a princess.  It made me smile and it MMT.
21. Today, while I was driving my grandfather to his doctor’s appointment, I complained about hitting 2 red lights in a row.  My grandfather chuckled and said, “You always complain about the red lights, but you never celebrate the green ones.”  MMT
22. Today in downtown San Diego, I watched a blue collar Mexican man get harassed for being Mexican.  It was a blatant act of discrimination.  And the man actually began crying.  As he left the office building, he took off his jacket. His t-shirt underneath read, “I love the USA!”  MMT
23. Today, at a jazz club in San Francisco I saw a man and woman enjoying a drink together.  The woman was a dwarf and the man must have been 6 feet tall.  Later in the evening they went out onto the dance floor.  The man got down on his knees so they could slow dance together.  They danced the rest of the night.  MMT
24. Today, I was the maid of honor in her wedding.  Four years ago she was declared cancer free.  Eight years ago, during our senior year of college, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and told she had eighteen months to live.  MMT
25. Today, I received a gigantic gift bag from one of my friends.  She said she appreciated me being there for her, and that I am one of her best friends.  She is mentally and physically handicapped, and I merely see her for half an hour once per week.  MMT
26. Today, my close friend died unexpectedly in a car accident.  A cab driver saw me crying outside the hospital all alone at 3AM.  He stopped, helped me into the cab, drove me to my house 30 miles away and refused to let me pay him.  MMT
27. Today, I kissed my dad on the forehead as he passed away in a small hospital bed.  About 5 seconds after he passed, I realized it was the first time I had given him a kiss since I was a little boy.  MMT
28. Today I met a 90 year old woman at Kinko’s who was getting her passport photo taken so she could go on a Safari in Africa next month for her 91st birthday.  MMT
29. Today, in the cutest voice, my 8-year-old daughter asked me to start recycling.  I chuckled and asked, “Why?” She replied, “So you can help me save the planet.”  I chuckled again and asked, “And why do you want to save the planet?”  “Because that’s where I keep all my stuff,” she said.  MMT
30. Today, I am thankful that my family has acquired enough wealth so that my parents can afford to live in their own house and send me and my siblings to college.  But I miss the days when we were younger and were all crammed into a 2 bedroom apartment and forced to play board games and eat supper together.  MMT
31. Today, my father’s mistress saved my mother’s life when she ran into our fire-engulfed house and pulled my mother out to safety two minutes before the roof collapsed.  MMT
32. Today, at a funeral reception, everyone had something kind to say about the deceased.  As they spoke through their tears, many of them admitted that they wish they had told John how wonderful he was before he died.  MMT
33. Today, after watching a violent horror movie, my little brother abruptly asked my grandfather how he wants to die.  “Like the sunset,” my grandfather replied.  MMT
34. Today, when I witnessed a 27-year-old breast cancer patient laughing hysterically at her 2-year-old daughter’s antics, I suddenly realized that I need to stop complaining about my life and start celebrating it again.  MMT
35. Today, as they teased me and laughed hysterically, I just wished they could see the world through my eyes.  MMT
36. Today, as I read my brother’s suicide note, chills ran down my spine because I was horrified by the fact that I could relate to everything he wrote.  MMT
37. Today, my son and I were in a car accident.  I came out of it with just a cut over my eye, but my son fell into a coma.  The doctor said if he doesn’t wake up soon his chances of a full recovery greatly decreases.  An hour ago he opened his eyes and said a word I thought I’d never hear again, “Mommy.”  MMT
38. Today, I interviewed a woman who is terminally ill.  “So,” I tried to delicately ask, “What is it like to wake up every morning and know that you are dying?”  “Well,” she responded, “What is it like to wake up every morning and pretend that you are not?”  MMT
39. Today, I was traveling in Kenya and I met a refugee from Zimbabwe.  He said he hadn’t eaten anything in over 3 days and looked extremely skinny and unhealthy.  Then my friend offered him the rest of the sandwich he was eating.  The first thing the man said was, “We can share it.”  MMT
40. Today, I told my mom that I feel like I’m failing with my alcoholism counseling and that I want to quit.  Then she said my 8 year old brother told her, “I really like the new Elliot so much better.”  MMT
41. Today, I met an amazing guy at a local diner during the breakfast rush.  He was sincere and handsome.  We agreed to meet back at the diner for lunch, but he never showed up.  I found out this evening from a mutual friend that he was in a fatal car accident on his lunch break two blocks away from the diner.  MMT
42. Today, for two hours I stood next to a 50 something year old, burly biker looking guy at a Lady Gaga concert while he sincerely sang his heart out.  MMT
43. Today, a boy in a wheelchair saw me desperately struggling on crutches with my broken leg and offered to carry my backpack and books for me.  He helped me all the way across campus to my class and as he was leaving he said, “I hope you feel better soon.” MMT
44. Today, I lost my mom to cancer.  My whole life I wanted to build an empire of wealth.  And now that I’m relatively wealthy, all I want is my mom back.  MMT
45. Today, after telling my grandmother that I didn’t want to risk making such a huge mistake, she looked at me and said, “Looking back on it all, there are so many mistakes I wish I had had the courage to make when I was your age.”  MMT
46. Today, while everyone else was complaining about the overbooked flight, I smiled and joked with the gate agent about my willingness to sit in the belly of the plane with the luggage.  15 minutes later, the gate agent found me sitting in the gate area and hand delivered a first class ticket to me.  She winked and said, “Thanks for being so patient.  As you know, the coach cabin is full.”  MMT
47. Today, the evening news report forgot to mention that I was driving home from work five miles an hour below the posted speed limit and that he was an intoxicated drug addict with suicidal tendencies who deliberately jumped out in front of my vehicle.  MMT
48. Today at 3PM my wife checked herself into an alcoholic rehab clinic all by herself after our son showed her bruise marks and belt lash welts on his backside that she couldn’t even recall giving him.  I don’t even know how I feel right now, angry at her or proud.  My head is spinning, and it all MMT.
49. Today, I swore to her that if she followed through with it, I’d do the same.  And she slowly pointed the gun away from her forehead and toward the floor.  Then she handed it to me and cried in my arms for almost three hours.  MMT
50. Today, a 12 year old boy died in a house fire near my neighborhood.  After he pulled his mom to safety, he ran back into the burning house for his 5-month-old baby sister.  MMT
51. Today, my electric wheelchair broke down as I was rushing across campus to take a midterm exam.  Two female joggers noticed I was stuck and asked if I needed assistance.  When I explained my dilemma, they both pushed me simultaneously all the way to my class and got me there just in time.  MMT
52. Today, I was in line at the store behind a man holding a dozen roses.  When he got up to the cashier’s counter, he realized that the cashier looked sad.  The man smiled and said, “I’m buying 11 of these roses for my wife.”  And then he handed the cashier the 12th rose.  She smiled from ear to ear.  MMT
53. Today, I asked my 6 year old son what he wants to be when he grows up.  He said, “Mommy, all I want to be is happy.”  MMT
54. Today, as I watched my 75 year old grandmother and grandfather being silly with each other and laughing in the kitchen, I felt like I got a short glimpse of what true love feels like.  I hope I find it someday.  MMT
55. Today, we were supposed to meet in the park.  But instead I met her in the hospital’s intensive care unit.  And as I sat beside her bed and staring at her unconscious body hooked up to all the breathing equipment, I reached into my pocket, pulled out the diamond engagement ring, and cried.  I’m still here waiting and hoping.  MMT
56. Today, when I told my 8 year old son that all of our dreams are within reach as long as we follow our heart and take action, he asked me if it was always my dream to be a waitress.  MMT
57. Today, after spending the last year working 60 hours a week in an attempt to give my family a more comfortable life, I forgot about my son’s 14th birthday.  My son told me what the family really needs is more of me at home.  MMT
58. Today, I was diagnosed with a malignant tumor and given 3 to 6 months to live 10 minutes before the hospital realized they mixed up my biopsy results with the patient in the next room.  MMT
59. Today, as my son cried in my arms, he said, “What nobody realizes is that it’s torture.  Every day of my life I wish I wasn’t gay.”  MMT
60. Today, my blind friend explained to me in vivid detail how beautiful his new girlfriend is.  MMT
61. Today, my mother passed away after a long battle with cancer.  My best friend lives 2000 miles away and called to comfort me.  While on the phone, he asked, “What would you do if I showed up at your house and gave you the biggest hug in the world?”  “I would surely smile,” I replied.  And then he rang my doorbell.  MMT
62. Today, the main girl who bullied me in high school came into my office apologizing and pleading for a job. I’m still thinking about it.  MMT
63. Today, I was stopped at a traffic light when a mid-aged homeless woman asked me for change.  I usually I don’t give out dollars to the homeless because I assume they are going to buy booze.  But I saw her 45 minutes later at 7/11 buying bread and peanut butter.  She was so happy to see me.  MMT
64. Today, my sister told me a student of hers turned eight years old on Friday.  When I realized he was born on September 11, 2001, I said, “How horrible for his family.”  My sister explained that his grandfather worked at the Pentagon and skipped work that day upon learning his daughter was in labor.  MMT
65. Today, I was driving to a job interview when I saw a businesswoman standing next to her BMW on the side of the road.  She had a flat tire.  I pulled over and helped her put on the spare.  When I arrived to the interview, the woman who I helped ended up being the CEO of the company.  I got the job.  MMT
66. Today at the Atlanta airport, as I walked off a plane dressed in my Army uniform, a little girl grabbed my hand and asked me if I would be going back overseas soon.  I told her I would be in 6 weeks.  She smiled and said, “Can you please tell my daddy that I love him.  My mommy told me he’s never coming home from over there.”  MMT
67. Today, I waited on an elderly woman at the local restaurant where I work.  She left me a $90 tip on a $10 tab with a handwritten note that said, “I’m 86 and I can’t take this money with me.  So please spoil yourself with it.”  MMT
68. Today, I met an elderly man at a bar in Miami.  When I asked him if he was vacationing, he handed me a photo from his wallet and said, “Today would be our 50th anniversary.  And although she’s been gone 10 years now, this bar still reminds me of her smile - when we shared our first laugh here so many moons ago.”  MMT
69. Today, another cancer patient of mine cried and begged me to let her die.  MMT
70. Today, my father told me, “Just go for it and give it a try!  You don’t have to be a professional to build a successful product.  Amateurs started Google and Apple.  Professionals built the Titanic.”  MMT
71. Today, as soon as my 5-year-old baby brother came into my room, I yelled at him to get out without even looking up at him.  When he didn’t listen and I turned around to yell again, I noticed he had a bowl of cherries (my favorite) in his hands.  He said, “Sorry, I just wanted to share these with you.”  MMT
72. Today, when I got home from dropping you off at the airport, I sat at our kitchen table and stared down at my wedding ring and then up at the photo of my dad hanging on our refrigerator, and then I cried. I just hope the war doesn’t take you away from me too.  MMT
73. Today, after spending the last 3 years viciously bickering with the college kid who lives next door, I found myself crying in his arms and thanking him repeatedly for saving my son’s life.  MMT
74. Today at the diner where I work, an elderly couple came in for the 4th time this week and requested my table.  I asked them what kept them coming back.  They told me that I reminded them of their granddaughter who passed away 6 years ago.  Then they told me her name.  She was my best friend at the time.  MMT
75. Today, my dad told me and my little sister that we might lose our house. I was sad, angry, worried and stressed.  My 14 yr old sister asked me what’s wrong.  When I told her, she said, “It’s just a house.  I don’t care where we live, as long as we’re together.”  MMT
76. Today, I read countless articles about the slain soldiers at Fort Hood.  And it occurred to me that if these soldiers had been deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq and died there, their deaths wouldn’t have made the front page of the newspaper.  MMT
77. Today, I was walking past a group of homeless men who live near my complex.  A cab pulled up next to the men and the driver opened up the rear door and pulled out two huge grocery bags full of food.  He set them down next to the group of men, got in his cab and drove off without saying a word.  MMT
78. Today, for the four hours he was breathing, his father and I loved him for a lifetime.  MMT
79. Today, as I watched my oldest daughter graduate at the top of her class from Harvard Medical School, my wife reminded me that we had her when we were only seventeen.  MMT
80. Today, I stopped to chat with the office janitor like I do every Monday morning on my way into work.  And at the end of our conversation he grinned and said, “You know, you’re the only one who ever stops to talk to me around here, and you’re the President and CEO.”  MMT
81. Today, exactly twenty years ago to the hour, I risked my life to save a woman who was drowning in the rapids of the Colorado River.  And that’s how I met my wife - the love of my life.  MMT
82. Today, I’m in Iraq on my third tour of duty fighting for a cause I no longer believe in.  And I want to go home.  But ever since I caught my wife having an affair 6 months ago, I’m not sure I know where home is anymore.  MMT
83. Today, as I stared down blankly at the $750,000 life insurance check, I couldn’t help but wish it had been me instead.  MMT
84. Today, my wife checked herself into an alcohol rehab clinic after she glanced up at me while she was eating her breakfast and asked how I got a black eye and fingernail scratches all over my face.  MMT
85. Today I found out that my high school friend I’d been meaning to get in touch with for the last year died last week.  MMT
86. Today, I asked my mentor – a very successful business man in his 70’s – what his top 3 tips are for success.  He smiled and said, “Read something no one else is reading, think something no one else is thinking, and do something no one else is doing.”  MMT
87. Today, after spending the last ten years serving liquor to alcoholics all day every day I looked in the mirror and felt disgusted.  I’ve concluded that I am, in fact, a failure, even though all my friends call me a successful business owner.  MMT
88. Today, as my grandfather (a military doctor, war hero, and successful business owner) rested in his hospice bed, I asked him what his greatest life accomplishment was.  He turned around, grabbed my grandmother’s hand, looked her in the eyes, and said, “Growing old with you.”  MMT
89. Today, it’s just the six of us.  One was raped when she was fourteen.  Three come from abusive households.  Two were orphans.  Like me, one spent almost two straight years in a psychiatric facility as a kid.  But I wouldn’t trade a single one of them for all the perfect friends in the universe.  MMT
90. Today, I was walking home from work in the pouring rain without an umbrella.  I was walking just behind an elderly man who had an umbrella.  As we both passed under the overhang to an apartment building, he stopped, turned around and handed me the umbrella.  He said, “This is my stop and you look like you need an umbrella.  Pass it along someday when the opportunity arises.”  MMT
91. Today, my friend told me she didn’t mind being legally blind, with only 12% of her vision.  She said, “After it rains there’s usually a dew left on the grass.  And because of the way my eyes refract the light, I see rainbows in the grass.”  MMT
92. Today, at a neighborhood BBQ my neighbor’s son - a 25 year old Marine – dropped to the floor and started crying when one of the other guests lit off a round of firecrackers.  MMT
93. Today, the teenager I scream at almost every day for driving too fast in the neighborhood because it worries me that he’s going to run over my kids, ran across the street from his driveway to ours and grabbed my son off of his tricycle in the middle of the street just before a swerving drunk driver ran over my son’s tricycle and kept going.  MMT
94. Today, I was in an accident that left me with a gash on my forehead.  The doctors wrapped a bandage around my head and said I have to keep it on all week.  I hate wearing it.  Two minutes ago my little brother walked into my room wearing a bandage on his head.  My mom said he insisted that he didn’t want me to feel alone.  MMT
95. Today, when I tapped the side of my wheelchair and told my husband, “You’re the only reason I want to be free from this contraption,” he kissed me on my forehead and said, “Honey, I don’t even see that thing.”  MMT
96. Today, I was jogging in Central Park when this lady started screaming for help.  Her husband was having a heart attack.  I ran over and checked his pulse.  He didn’t have one.  I gave him CPR and got his heart beating before the paramedics arrived.  I’ve done some bad things in my life, but today I saved a life.  MMT
97. Today, I met a powerful businessman who is worth 100 million dollars.  In conversation he told me he regretted never making it to his son’s hockey games or his daughter’s dance recitals.  It made me smile because my dad is probably only worth as much as this man’s last paycheck, but he made it to everything.  MMT
98. Today, at the food court in the mall, a beautiful girl about my age came up to me and hugged me with tears in her eyes.  Once she calmed down, I realized that I had pulled her out of a bathtub a month earlier, her wrists covered in slashes. I am an EMT, and her gesture of appreciation MMT.
99. Today, my fiancé was in a head-on collision car accident.  He is currently in a coma.  And all I can think about is the argument we had this morning.  I screamed at him for screaming at me.  It was a petty argument.  But if he could scream now, I wouldn’t say a word.  I’d just listen to the sound of his voice.  MMT
100. Today, I have two twin boys in my kindergarten class.  I have heard from other parents that they come from a very broken home in which their mother is in and out of rehab and their father is always away on business.  But their 16 year old sister never fails to get them to school on time or pack them a healthy bagged lunch with a smiley face on it.  MMT
101. Today, I interviewed my grandmother for part of a research paper I’m working on for my Psychology class.  When I asked her to define success in her own words, she said, “Success is when you look back at your life and the memories make you smile.”  MMT

40 Extraordinary Things Happening Right Now

Things that are happening right now in the world.

1. A soldier of sorts is diligently fighting the fight so you don’t have to.
2. Someone who suffered from a severe injury last year is back on their feet.
3. A small group of people are building something that will soon make the impossible possible.
4. Somewhere on Earth a double rainbow is stretched from one end of the horizon to the other.
5. One of the next Billboard-chart-topping musical artists is patiently rehearsing in her garage.
6. A piece of literature is being written that will eventually change your perspective on life.
7. Young children all over the world are singing and dancing before they even realize there is anything that isn’t music.
8. A friend is helping a friend rise above thoughts of suicide.
9. Someone is thinking what you’re thinking, but hasn’t said anything yet either.
10. Two people in your hometown are falling in love.
11. Somewhere someone is admiring a breathtaking sunrise, and somewhere else a surreal sunset.
12. People of various religious backgrounds are in temples, churches, masques and other places of worship praying, wholeheartedly, for world peace.
13. Someone who has struggled with their weight for the last several years is standing on a scale and smiling.
14. Hundreds of cute elderly couples are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.
15. A baby girl just took her first few steps without falling.
16. Two best friends are laughing so hard they aren’t even making any noise.
17. A future world leader is in grade school at recess.
18. Someone is in the process of sincerely forgiving a seemingly unforgivable act.
19. There’s a kid studying hard somewhere who aspires to get to where you are in life.
20. A firefighter is running into a burning building to rescue a perfect stranger.
21. Someone in your vicinity genuinely wants to be your friend.
22. A young mom is lying in a hospital bed and holding her newborn baby twins for the very first time.
23. Someone is taking a shower and singing happily at the top of their lungs.
24. There is someone out there who smiles when they think of a specific moment they once shared with you.
25. An alcoholic just celebrated one full year of sobriety.
26. Volunteers in major cities all over the world are working at homeless shelters caring for those who are less fortunate than themselves.
27. A young man is pulled over on the side of the road helping a young woman change a flat tire.
28. A high school athlete just broke her own personal record.
29. Two teenagers just received their very first kiss ever from each other.
30. A husband and wife who were drowning in debt five years ago proudly hold a balance of zero on their credit cards.
31. Someone is hugging a friend who desperately needs it.
32. A new small business owner just wrapped up his first profitable year working for himself.
33. A grandfather is holding his granddaughter’s hand and they’re both smiling from ear to ear.
34. Someone just placed their spare change in the charity collection cup at the grocery store.
35. A small group of friends are sitting around a table sharing funny stories and cheerfully reminiscing about the good old days.
36. A breast cancer patient just found out her cancer is in complete remission.
37. Someone out there is missing you and looking forward to your next visit.
38. Honest people are working for various government entities to help protect your basic human rights and civil liberties.
39. An emergency room surgeon is in the middle of saving his patient’s life.
40. Someone is holding the door open for the person behind them.

Happy Birthday hubby

Happy Birthday to my sweet hubby today.  I wont tell you how old he but its old...its older than me.....he has gray hair I have none.....he listens to music that Ive never head of cause its so old......he has been driving a lot longer than me......when his mother gave birth to him she had on bellbottoms......he was born before Happy Days aired......he was born the same year that the original movie Mash was made.......the US dropped their voting age to 18yrs of age the same year he was born......the cost of a gallon of gas was 36 cents.....the average cost of a new house was $23,450......if he could read the year he was born (and if you know my husband he probably came out reading) he could of purchased Sports Illustrated for 15 cents......Jimmy Hendrix and Janis Joplin die the year he was born.......he was born before my older sister.......the Baltimore Orioles won the world series.....Kansas City Chiefs won Superbowl IV (yes you read that right Superbowl 4 people)...... in the year hubby was born God knew that he would someday marry a redheaded southern spitfire that would test his patience, love him more than herself, father their kid, laugh, cry and share many many birthdays together.  Happy Birthday-I love you!

New ideas

I can not wait to find a project so that I can use this....Im thinking a lamp, candle stick holders or vase .  This stuff can turn ordinary glass into a decorative mirror.

Clothes closet tip

 Here is a great tip for organizing your clothes closet.  When you are purging, cleaning, decluttering etc., as you are returning the clothes to your closet and hanging them up turn your hangers backwards.  Like this.

When you wear something and hang it back up turn the hanger the correct direction. See pic below.  Since most people purge their closets about once a year the next time you organize your closet and are trying to decide what clothes you can donate, sale or get rid of  you can see by the hangers what hasnt been worn. This can be done in the kids closet as well.

Closet Sanity

Im amazed that my closets stay clean for a total of 7 days.  Why 7 days- cause I catch up on laundry during the weekend and therefor my closet gets messy again with all the clothes that need to be hung up and  I go to the grocery once a week so my pantry stays clean until grocery day.  Case in point. Here is my pantry.  Whatever your about to see dont hold it against me. 

 Here are 7 boxes of cereal.  That is just crazy.  Why are there 3 boxes of special K cereal. I really must pay more attention of what I have before going to the grocery store.

 Im a tea lover!  I am from the South ya know.

 I pulled everything out of the pantry and put stuff in baskets.  Here is the popcorn basket.

 I got rid of boxes and put all my keurig coffee's in a basket as well.

 This basket now contains all my hot drink items such as hot chocolate, teas, and my sweet n low.

 Before you look at this next picture dont judge me.  We Bolins are M&M fools.  We always keep them in the house so after holidays I stock up on them.  Stop judging me!!!

 Here are all of the boxes that I was able to throw away by combining things into baskets and containers.  Wow we eat a lot of crackers.

 Ahh here is the pantry now.  I am restoring sanity and order into the Bolin house one closet at a time....ok maybe not sanity but definitely order.

Wonder how long this will stay clean?  My money is on 7 days.  What do your closets look like.  Have you tackled them yet for your New Years Resolution to declutter/organize.  There is nothing like opening up a closet and being able to find exactly what you need.   Over at http://www.beneathmyheart.net/ on Mondays Traci is talking about organizing your heart and home.  She started this Monday the 10th so be sure to check her post from Monday and the days after that since she is all about organization these days.  She blogs about the home organization and her sister blogs about organizing your heart.  More info can be found at  http://www.beneathmyheart.net/.  Have a good one! 

2011 projects

Every year I have a lists of projects that I would like to complete.  This year is no exception so here is my running list,  I add to the lists all the time when I see something that I feel I can copy or do myself. 

• Pull up carpet on stairs
• paint living room/office and hallway a new color
• Switch out living room/office with dining room. Dining room will now become office and front room will become dining room.
• frame bathroom mirrors
• paint front door, shutters and mailbox a different color
• recover back of dining room hutch
• remove the front door window panes if possible.
• Continue decluttering the house.
• Add ceiling fans to kids rooms
• Make a knockoff potterybarn craft table
• Tile master bathroom floor

Thats enough for now.....I am only one woman!!!

Things money cant buy

• Talking to my family on the phone, it makes me feel like Im right in the room with them..
• The warm coziness of my own bed.
• Playing a game with my child.
• Crying on my familys shoulder.  Without the help of my family and close friends, I would be lost in a world of emotion, stress, and confusion.
• The joy of holding my nephew.
• The proud look on my 5-year-old son’s face when he learns a new skill.
• The emotions that rush through your body as you watch your kids go to school. 
• Time with the love of my life.
• Favorite song playing on the radio and ending just as you pull into the driveway.
• The comforting sound of my husbands car pulling into the garage after returning home safely from work.
• When my baby boy looked up at me and said, “Mommy” for the very first time.
• Seeing two elderly people hold hands.
• Kissing,
• The first day of Spring
• The sound and sight of ocean waves.
• The feeling you get inside when you make someone else's day better.
• A good photograph of a special person or moment.
• A rainbow .
• The little kicks and pokes I would feel daily as I entered the last month of my first pregnancy.  Amazing.
• Sharing a good laugh with friends and family. 
• The excitement of swinging on a swing as high as you possibly can.
• Saying I love you
• The sounds coming from Preston and his friends as they play wii
• The tears of joy and sorrow
• The soothing comfort of an old familiar smell- for me its Old Spice
• Seeing a smile on my Mammy's face.
• A first kiss. 
• When you look into the eyes of your best friend and know, without a doubt, that you can trust her.  You can see it in her eyes and you can feel it in your heart. 
• The first sight of daffodils poking through the snow after a long, hard winter.
• The feeling of true love
• An unexpected compliment. 
• Time with your loved ones.
• The feeling of self-confidence.
• The excitement of Christmas.
• A pillow fight with your kids.
• Seeing my son and hubby play together
• A good homecooked dinner.
• Talking to one of my best friends-my sister
• Hearing my brother say I love you at the end of our phone conversation
• Hugging my parents
• Dreaming about the past and the future
• The good chill bumps my husband gives me each time he touches me.
• Great neigbors and great friends.

I borrowed this post from a blog that I read everyday. Its from Real Housewife in Minnesota and her entry was way too funny not to share with you.!

I borrowed this post from a blog that I read everyday.  Its from Real Housewife in Minnesota and her entry was way too funny not to share with you.!

 

Real Housewives: my not-so secret obsession...

Let it be known. I've abstained from tasteless celebrity gossip for approximately 4 days. Don't ever ask me to do it again. It may be obvious here, but one of my favorite shows are the Real Housewives series on Bravo. Holy disasters. I love EVERYTHING about these shows. Tacky, tasteless, and filthy rich. What's not to love?

Until they cast me for the Real Housewives of Minnesota; I figure it's within my rights as a superfan to chime in my two cents on the series. Bravo producers: are you listening?

Atlanta

Person who deserves a punch in the face: Phaedra. Give her the boot and bring back baby-makin Lisa.
Biggest Hot Mess: Kim for sure. The wig line. The anonymous rich sugar daddy. It's just too much.
One I'm rooting for: Kandy. Good lawd. This girl just needs to catch a break!
Housewife I'm over: Sheree. Your clothing line sucks. You are SUPER high maintenance, and you seem like a royal pain in the @$$. That being said, I'd kill for those arms.
Rock Star Housewive? Nene Leaks! If you're going to be crazy, at least own your insanity. I love everything about her. She's brash, she's aggressive, but at least you know where she stands.

Beverly Hills: quickly becoming one of my favorite casts!

Punch in the face: CAMILLE. She's straight off the crazy train. She actually could be somehow related to NYC's Ramona with those crazy-eyes and bi-polar tendencies.
One I'm rooting for: Taylor has me a bit on the fence. I love her commitment to activism, but I don't understand her relationship or priorities. It's clear she's struggling, but with her heart of gold I hope she can find some peace!
Housewife who should sure her plastic surgeon: Adrienne I love you but holy moly. You are just 2 steps away from looking like this lady. 

Even worse? I'm pretty sure her husband is responsible for some of those operations. No good. 

Rock Star Housewife: Lisa! She's legit. Her restaurants, her ridiculous dog/husband (often confused with one another I'm sure), and her smokin' hot pool boy Cedric. (Too bad he's probably not interested in most of the female race, but he's still great to look at) LOVE her and love her british accent. **Kyle is a close 2nd for me here. Love her confidence and loyalty. (Also don't mind her husband who often walks around sans-shirt)

The originals: Orange County

Punch in the Face: Gretchen. Her and Slade? NASTY. Her Anna-Nicole style relationship with a man on his deathbed? A bit sketchy.
Biggest Hot Mess: Tamara. She lost her mind last season. I understand her divorce was real rough, but the multiple displays of public ridiculousness earn her this award.
One I'm rooting for: Please let Lauri find some peace. She loves her family, she's found a good man to share her life with, and she had the good sense to leave the show when it became too much. Now if she could somehow get back her pre-surgery looks I'm sure I'd like her even more.
Housewife who needs Dr. Drew: Lynn. Go to therapy! You are clearly under the influence of something that is not legal.
Rock Star Housewife: Honestly? Vicki is straight off an advertisment for all sorts of perscription drugs. She needs some uppers, some downers, and some ritalin. That being said; I love that she works her butt off and is always insane. Consistency is good in this world!

New York City

Punch in the Face: Kelly. Go away. You have CRAZY selective memory, and honestly seem WAY off your rocker. 

Biggest 180: I don't know if it was the Bethenny break-up or what, but Jill really went off the deep end last year. She was crazy defensive, but also pretty harsh. Hopefully next season she'll go back to her usual witty self. 

One I'm rooting for: I have to admit that LuAnn is just as wonky as the next person, but she's one of the only ones I think I could stand in real life. Even if her single sounds more like RuPaul than the Countess....

Housewife who needs Supernanny: Alex. Jill is right. Your kids are a smidge insane. And your husband? Don't even get me started.

Rock Star Housewife: Bethany! There's a reason she got her own show people. She's the only one who works for a living, and I typically agree with 94% of the things coming out of her mouth. 

DC: 

You were so lame I fell asleep just searching for a picture of your cast. You don't even deserve this post. Sorry bout it.....

New Jersey: Oh how I love thee.

Punch in the Face: Do I even need to say it? Danielle is NUTS. She's literally got to be clinically insane. The things she shares with her kids, her freaky "bodyguard" Danny, and her slightly sketchy past? All crazy. 

One I'm embarrassed to love: Theresa is nuts. There's no way around it. But holy cow is she a pit-bull. And when she speaks Italian? Awesome. This is how I imagine J-Woww from Jersey Shore to be in 10 years. She's old school and I love it. 

Housewife I'm pulling for: Jacqueline hopefully has some good things going for her. The daughter is a royal pain, but Jacqueline is one of the only slightly normal ones it seems!

Rock Star Housewife: Caroline does no wrong in my book. She's the mama-bear you don't want to piss off, and I dig it. 

What cities are left? Here would be my picks for upcoming seasons.

- Dallas: Give me some southern belles, rodeo queens, and cowboy wives. I'm SURE they'd be good.

- Miami: Bring on some sizzling latinos with some sass. Guaranteed drama here. 

- Vegas: I have to admit this was my husbands suggestion but he's right on. Lots of money, lots of clubs, and LOTS of former strippers. Would be a sure hit. 

This might be the longest post I've ever written. Embarrassing. 

Or awesome......

:-)

Yet another easy valentine wreath

This wreath started off with a wreath from dollar treee=$1
And I found these valentine cupcake holders at Hobby Lobby for $1.18/pack of 50
  Total cost of project=$2.18
They had many to chose from but I chose the red with white polka dots.  I plan on
 re- purposing this wreath in July by adding a flag or star, and I can use it during Christmas as well.  Which is why I didnt chose pink or heart cupcake holders.
I started by flipping the cupcake holders inside out so that when I attached to the wreath you would see more red color and not to much white.

 I then gathered at the center of the cupcake holder and started gluing to my wreath

 This is the finished project.  I plan on adding a heart cut from construction paper.

Think back to your wreaths you may have used at Christmas.  Do you have any red ones?  Most wreaths can be taken apart pretty easily so see if you can remove the Christmas-ey part of the wreath and just add a heart.  Next Christmas you can just reattach the Christmas part of the wreath.

Re-purposed Valentine Wreath #3

Remember this coffee filter wreath at Christmas time that I made?  Well its time to change it up a bit by re- purposing it for Valentines Day.

 All I did was recover the "B" with the valentines napkins that I purchased the other day, added the pink garland that I purchased from clearance after Christmas and used Valentine ribbon from Dollar Tree.

Remember the Valentine napkins I showed you yesterday from the dollar store?   Here is what you can do with one napkin and a little bit of construction paper.  Get creative, you could insert a picture into the hearts of your favorite person, frame a valentines card,  use red tissue paper as the background, anything that you have laying around your house would work.  Cut out small hearts and have your kids write the things they love into each of them that are one worded and then put them in a frame.  Attach a piece of tape to the back of the hearts so that they stay in place.  Examples would be mommy, daddy, dog, candy, etc.  This would look cute on a mantel or in a corner of the kitchen. 

Valentine Decor from the Dollar Tree

Valentine Decor Idea-  As you all know Im a huge fan of the Dollar Tree store.  I think I should be their spokeswoman ...just saying.
When it comes to decor my philosophy is always save money when you can.  Here are several things you can use for decor that you can find at the dollar store right now.

   How cute would this be filled with candy and given to someone special.  You could use this as a vase for flowers as well.

 Valentine ribbon-use this to hang up your valentine wreaths, use on your mantel, wrap just enough of it to go around the middle of your candles and secure with glue, tape or straight pin, wrap around your glass vase or go ahead and wrap yourself up with it and let "you" be your valentines gift to your hubby. 

 Silk Roses-you could make your own rose wreath with these

 Heart shaped glass bowl, this would be cute with heart shaped soaps in the bathroom, candy for your countertop, votive candles or rose petals.

 I picked up these napkins the other day at the store and I plan on using them 1-for napkins and 2-I can put one in a picture frame, more pics to follow on this one.