M.I.A.

It seems like it has been weeks since I have blogged. It probably has. So many things have happened. We made a road trip to Alabama this past week. We got back home Sunday afternoon and man, that was the LONGEST drive ever! My daughter had a good time visiting with her cousins and grandparents, so that definitely made a sad trip turn into a good one. 

Lately, I started working on a new blog. I really miss my Wordpress blog. I love blogger, but I love the WP platform even more. I am customizing every code I can to get it just the way that I want. Hopefully, I will be able to share it soon along with some other new things that I plan on sharing. One thing I can say, the blogger spacing on posts is much easier to deal with. When I enter, it gives me a line break without question. Right now I am having to reformat all of my posts on Wordpress. I bought a new domain so I am trying to decide if I should even move all of my blogger posts. It is becoming more work than I thought it would be to reformat all of the posts. I am such a perfectionist and I really need the spacing to be the same for each of the posts.

I definitely have some scrap booking to catch up on. Working on my smash book has even been put on hold a bit and it makes me sad. Still trying to find things for Aida to do each day. Her birthday was about a week ago, so I officially have a 5 year old. I wake up before her every day, but on her birthday she woke up before both of us. Her dad said she was in face talking about her birthday before he even got up for work that morning. This was the first birthday that we did not go on a big, elaborate trip. I miss that but it was nice celebrating all day (and week) with my baby girl. I have so many photos to work on from her birthday. I need to make a huge task list of photos to edit, share and scrap. Let's hope I even remember to do that...lol!

Just wanted to share a photo of the little lady from April of this year. I was cutting out shapes for her to put together a flower. She enjoyed it and now I have an adorable flower in my kitchen.

I must get back to it now....thanks for visiting!

Cold, maybe?

Looking through photos and I realize why I do not post nearly as many as I have taken. I hate converting and editing! Lately, I have not done much editing to my photos but even the little touch ups on white balance or the brightness or adding a little matte finish or even converting to black and white, I just do not have the drive to do it. It has been a very rainy week and I was hoping that we would be able to get out and explore. It would be nice to take photos elsewhere and maybe of some things, so that my daughter is not bombarded and so that I can have some to look back on of where we lived for this time. 

I do have one to share today of my daughter. This was taken at the end of March. She had gotten some new boots in a larger size for next winter, but she really wanted to try them on. I kept telling her it may be cold. Well, she ran outside so quickly and once she felt the wind, it was over. I told her we would make it quick and this is all she would do.

Decision Made...

Since I have had more time to actually think through things, I have come to a decision. I have a Marketing degree. When I was about 14 or 15, I said I wanted to be in advertising. I grew up and learned that I am too much of an introvert for that. I could never be easily sociable and explain to others the ideas in my head. For a long time I had a cloud over my thoughts. Like I was afraid to process and sort through them..in my own mind, which is just crazy. I know why I chose Marketing. I get bored easily. I change my mind frequently. Marketing was the one area of study that could be used in any field I ever decided to learn more about. My first thought upon entering college in the Fall of 2002 was that I should do something computer related. 

First two years of college are like a "buffer" zone, so I had that time to really decide what my major would be. I stuck with Marketing. Now...I wish I had done web design or something programming related. Those things speak to me. Computer geek stuff excites me. It is like breathing for me. So why did I not do that? It seemed like so many people were going to school for that. What would set me apart? Knowing how to market myself. My favorite professor at UAB taught my International Business course, Mr. Pang. He would always ask us: "What is Marketing?" I would never respond...quiet old me..and most everyone would look around in a daze or confused or just sleep...mostly because that's what we were there to find out...and he would laugh and tell us that it was easy, it was "market things." Really and truly...that is all it is. Market things...whatever your business is..market it...sell it...make someone else want it. I wish I had opened up more in class because now I get it...I get the point of it all, the big picture. So! Know how to market your skills and no matter if you are the best or moderately good, if you market yourself the right way....it will work. 

Our Day

Today was pretty quiet. Normal stuff going on..nothing too fun. Ohh! The other day we went to get the enrollment information for my dd to start kindergarten in the Fall. She was very excited about that (as she is about most things)! Mommy is still nervous and will be until, and after, that first day. I am going to try this. There is a virtual academy and there is home school, soooo....if it is not to my liking...who knows what will happen.... I really want her to go because I know she is different than I. She loves interacting with other children whereas I enjoy the quiet more, away from others. That and all of the sad, tragic news stories...scare me about sending my child to school. I figure I can say that here...but at the same it SCARES me to even say it...think it...but I am a realist and cannot ignore the negative things in life. At the same time, I do believe there is a higher power in charge and the fate of the world has already been written. And if I believe it's written, then I know it cannot be changed. So...I live my life day to day. I do everything I can to have a good day and to make it through one day and then I deal with the others as they come. School and my child - I definitely see it the same way. Things can happen walking out the front door or just driving down the street....one day at a time and I am breathing, slow and steady...lol! 

Her Words...Not Mine

April is here and the anxiety of my child turning 5 years old in May is really getting to me. I have never been one to ask others to babysit. She is my child and I wanted to have her for a reason. I love being around her. Yes, she jumps on every last nerve I have...and at the end of the day, I laugh about. How can a little person come up with all of these things to do? Lately, her vocabulary has been changing and she is using new words. It is FUNNY to hear her come up with these outlandish phrases. 

So Many Flowers

Saturday...Saturday.... I no longer count down the week days waiting on the weekend to get here for relief. My mind is clear. Sometimes it is too clear that I start to think of or find things that I just need to be doing. Being a working mom since my daughter was born makes it a little more trying to be a stay at home mom. She is 4 and we are able to do more things, but there have been days that I felt like I was just getting to know this little human being next to me. That made me sad. Fast forward a few days and you have her telling me she wants mommy to get a job so that she can go to a new daycare and make new friends (she is such the social butterfly!). We only have a few months or so left until she begins school and I am not sure how we will make it. Some days she wants to leave the house and some days she does not. I ask her to play or start some reading exercises and she is like, "Mommy, I am busy." Lol! So that makes it hard to determine how she really is feeling. I know she is okay but I also know she likes to be more social than I.

I have always been quiet and to myself. I have moments where I wish I had someone to talk to but those moments are not very common for me. Most times I would rather enjoy the quiet or I will just talk to Denard or call and see what one of my parents is doing. Aida is a little different; she is more outgoing, like her father. I have made us a little calendar of the things going on in the area at the library, Childrens' Museum and natural science center. Hopefully she will enjoy those. 

It's Official!

In a few weeks, Aida and I will be joining the old man (Denard) in Madison, Wisconsin. She is excited about seeing her dad. I am pretty sure she will trample him when she sees him cause it's been about two months. So far, she has done well with the temporary change of routine. I always tell her our "plan" for anything that we do. I have been doing that since she was an infant and now that she is older, she tends to ask me every day "what are we doing mommy." For the most part, I state out loud what I am going to do so that I can remember. If I hear or see it, I will remember the moment I heard it or read it like it is a movie and that makes things easier to remember, but it has also helped her when we need to do things that are not part of our normal routine. She knows what to expect so it is not a surprise to her and if she needed to have a tantrum about it, most times, she will have had it when I was telling her the plan. Some times it works out and some times it doesn't ....lol!! I just try to go with the flow. :)

Let Her Win?

It has been a long week, or at least it seemed that way to me. I slept through my alarm two days in a row. I got to work 20 to 30 minutes later than usual. It really was not as big a deal as I made it out to be but it really throws my entire day off when I start it later than normal. Forgetful is my middle name. I try to do things in a routine - the same way every day, or at least in the same order; it helps me to remember things. The best way to make sure I remember a thought or a moment is to associate it with a sound or song. Sounds strange when I type it out and re-read but hey...it helps! Lol!

Finally...

Yesterday my mother was over to relax with Aida and I. Somehow I mentioned getting Aida's ears pierced. When she was a few months old, everyone kept asking if I was going to get them done and my answer was: no. I want her to decide when she is ready to make these type of permanent choices. With any decision, there is a certain time (in my mind) when it is okay for you decide the when and the where. Ear piercing- as long as she is old enough to understand that we have to take care of her ears and that there will be some pain involved- I was willing to let her decided when and if she wanted this done. I cannot remember having mine done, but my mom says that I was around Aida's age. So if I was...I don't even remember it so it could not have been too bad (I hope...lol!). Anyway, I told her it would be like getting shots at the doctor's office (which she never cries about) and she was okay with that. 

The Days

I cannot believe how quickly December has gotten here. I just realized this is the last day of November ( well, almost...as I am typing it is literally 40 minutes away..lol!). My daughter was sick this past weekend, so we did not get a chance to put up the tree. I was soooo ready to officially introduce Aida to her elf and read the story and all of that...but, this weekend works fine too! I think this will be fun. I have not set a plan for each day...I am just going to go with the flow. I was thinking of him leaving her letter clues to make a word that will give her the opportunity to open one gift early on Christmas Eve, if she can sound out the word. We will see what happens...I am just excited! I am about to head for the bed but first wanted to share a photo that was taken this past weekend of my dd. I love this little cardigan she is wearing. We got it from the clearance rack at JCPenney's a few weeks ago and of course, I had to get a photo of her wearing it.

Time-2-Scrap/Aida's Hair

I have had quite a weekend. Scrapping...browsing the internet....styling hair and all of that goodness. First, I will share the photos of my daughter's hair. I usually take about 2 hours on a Saturday or Sunday to wash her hair and put in mini twists. For me, 2 hours is not a lot of time because the twists are usually small and I let her keep them up for two weeks. She has eczema, so I co-wash her twists 2 or 3 times during that time period. I wash her hair with the same products I use for myself - these shampoos: Shea Moisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo, Shea Moisture Organic Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo. KeraCare Cleansing Cream; or these conditioners:Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner, Aubrey Organics GPB Conditioner or Cantu Shea Butter Moisturizing Rinse Out Conditioner. For a leave-in conditioner, I have am in love with the Giovanni Direct Leave-in Conditioner (the regular version or weightless moisture). I usually catch it on sale at Vitacost.com and buy 2 or 3 bottles at a time. When twisting her hair, I rub Amla & Olive Heavy Cream by Qhemet Biologics (QB) and Coconut Oil on the section of hair I am working on and I start parting small pieces with my fingers for twisting. I dab my fingertips in Aethiopika Hydrate & Twist Butter by QB to seal the twist.

Random Thoughts

Been a moment since I have posted. Decided to update my blog once again. Certain things I am just not good at making a decision about. What I like one day could be something totally different the next day. I am going to try to blog more often. I used to blog (online) all the time in college. I had a couple of blogs that were just about random things I dealt with day to day. I have always felt like an outsider when I was school, so the journal keeping started when I was about in the 4th or 5th grade. It has never stopped. I can think more clearly if I can go back and read the words. I will tell anyone that I am not a good listener. I know it is true. It was very hard for me to listen during school. I would read at home either before class or after when it was time to do my homework (lol!). Somehow I still made the honor roll. I am a visual learner 100%. I do not like watching video tutorials because I just do not listen well. Write up and let me use the search function (ctrl + f) and we will be good!

Henna + Indigo = Loving my natural hair...even more!

So this post is a little bit different. I mentioned using Henna on my hair and have yet to post about my experience. I especially want to document for myself as a reference ....and I definitely need to do it while it is fresh on my mind. I am going to start with a little background on my natural hair journey.

When I was about 5 or 6 years old, my mom started perming my hair. I can remember getting it pressed a couple of times, but mostly remember getting that burning white stuff put on my scalp. I absolutely hated it. As I got older and was going to the hair salon, I watched our stylist (and wonderful family friend) as she did my mom's hair. I wanted to learn. I always knew that I needed to nurture my hair before it could look the way I wanted it to. With chemicals, a little extra care is needed...but all hair needs "special" care. By the 11th grade, our stylist moved to another state and I started doing my own hair. I learned quickly that cheap shampoos were no good. I had to persuade my parents that letting me spend money on decent hair products I was saving them money. '$60 for a hair product bundle that'd last me 3 months or so' vs '$30-40 per hair salon trip.' Of course, the product bundle won out. I loved experimenting with or without relaxers. I started blowing my hair straight and just wearing it big with a head band. My hair has been black, brown, red and blonde. All the colors in the world did not have me satisfied with my hair.

The Good and the Bad

Today was an okay day.  I dropped Aida off at daycare and she was actually awake, which is rare.  No matter how early I have her in bed, she never goes to sleep until around 10:30 or 11:00 at night. There were a few people that actually warned me about this happening. I am a night owl and so is her dad. Every now and then she will admit that is sleepy...it is not very often. Anyway, I am anxious for the weekend. I placed an order for some Fresh Moroccan Henna and Indigo. I really want my hair to be dark again and I want to do some mini twists. I really want to try to wear a protective style at least for a couple of weeks to give my hair a break. I plan on doing some layouts/blog posts about my natural hair journey. I am glad I got rid of the rest of my permed ends last November. My hair is the same length as it was before and still growing. I am ELATED about that of course.

85 degrees....in my bedroom!

It was a rough night for me Monday and today was not any better. We had a band of bad thunderstorms that started after midnight or so. I had just gotten in bed about half an hour before midnight, so I was not completely asleep. The thunder was rolling and clapping so hard plus the lightning was lighting up the room....I could not sleep! I tried to turn away from the window but that did not help. I end up having a headache after 5 hours of half sleep. Our lights went out in the middle of the night. I have no idea for how long because I was half sleep and could not see anything without my glasses. I just know they came on in time before it started to get hot. Then I get up at 5:30 for work and the storms are still just as bad. I see the crazy lightning going on and watch the news- they are saying to stay indoors. Soo..that's when I said- I would just stay home. There was a lot of flooding in my area. Most of the day it was pretty dark outside and on-and-off rain, but the heaviest was in the morning hours. By the time it was 12:30 in the afternoon, I realized our AC unit was not blowing cool air. Since we rent, I called the building manager...got a voicemail as always. For me- that drives me up a wall!! I will leave a voicemail but can you at least return the call just to let me know you heard the message and are working on getting the problem fixed. Usually the freon runs out once a year and we are without air for a day, and they have it filled and blowing nice and cool the next day. I hope that is the same this time because this has been pure hell. Thought I could scrap and relax with my baby girl today....get that room of hers gutted..but nooo- we had to stay piled in my room with 2 fans and a standing AC unit running all day (thanks to my lovely in-laws!). I have just been frustrated to say the least. I think I am ready for work tomorrow..lol! Ugh!

Independence Day

I was about to finish up a scrapbook layout when I realized I had sat here all evening playing the Sims 3 with my daughter and now I just want to see pretty photos. I should be asleep but that is just too easy. Here is a photo of my daughter and her cousin from the 4th of July:

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Happy Tuesday!!

Looking for that one

Hey there! Ooohhh...what a Sunday it has been. I woke up out of a crazy dream. Last night I watched "An Officer and a Murderer" on Lifetime and I kept watching after the movie was over to see the true story. I kept telling myself I should not have watched any of it but I could not help myself. I ended up having a dream about those horrific home invasions and that I had to catch the guy. When I woke up, I was "almost" about to catch him...so my heart was racing and I was in a panic...until I realized I was dreaming. Lol!!! I have quite a few "save the world/people " kind of  dreams." No idea why! I have always wanted to work for the CIA...hmm...lol!

After all of that craziness, I started searching online for bedroom stuff for my daughter Aida. She will be going to school next year and I really need to get a start on getting her on a tighter schedule. Some days we do okay and other days I just let her go to sleep whenever she falls. I do not like sleeping and right now, (being open and honest here) my daughter sleeps in the bed with me. She has had a crib and toddler bed that she has never used. She has taken a few naps in the toddler bed...but that is about it. I am not ashamed of it at all. I just want whatever is easy.  I already hate that she has to go to daycare everyday so that I can go to work, but that's life...and this how I'm dealing with it. If I could, I would keep her with me all day. Now, I think it is time she embraced her own space. She has always had a room full of toys, clothes and whatever else she puts in there...but never slept in there. My cousin's wife gave her a tv...I thought that'd get her to fall asleep in there.... nope! lol! Sooo I have got to let that all go and get her used to being in her space and enjoying it. When I was around her age, I asked for my own room because I wanted to be able to play and close my door. Our house was small but my parents turned the den into a room for me.  I was too happy about it - especially sleeping in my own bed, alone. No idea why- but I just wanted my own space. I even remember picking out the pink paint. I had a white bed with little flowers on the headboard and a matching desk and dresser with the mirror. I think I kept that set until I was halfway through college..lol!  Sooo...yeah, I am getting Aida involved in picking the things for her room. I finally found a bed I liked and a comforter with her favorite color (purple) but not too crazy. I am going to get her some Princess and the Frog things to go in her room, which I know she'll get a kick out of.

Here's a photo of my little munchkin outside riding her bike:

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I thought she would be afraid to ride it but she has been trying to ride the thing since this past Christmas. She was a little weary at first, but that did not last for long. She has even been trying to stand and ride....that really tripped me out. I have a few scrap booking pages to share before I head off to get ready for bed.

This first page is about my sweet little great-niece- I love this girl so much and she is always so fun to be around, even if she's constantly eating...lol!

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digital supplies used:

Cindy's Layered Templates Set 125 by Cindy Schneider
Strawberry Fields by Jenn Barrette

Miss Aida in her new "big girl" (booster) seat. She just reached 40lbs so she will still be riding using the back of the booster with the harness.  I bought her a travel pillow for our trip to Florida and she is still using it any time she is in the car and wants to "nap."

digital supplies used:

Scenes From Real Life by One Little Bird
Splats N' Stains by Just Jaimee

... and more pages :)  ...

digital supplies used:

I Hope You Dance by Traci Reed
Cindy's Layered Templates - Builders 1: 6x12 by Cindy Schneider

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digital supplies used:

Fuss Free:Third Time is the Charm 5 by Fiddle-Dee-Dee Designs
Country Fair Picnic (papers),Country Fair Picnic (elements),Country Fair Picnic Freebie ,Everyday,
Jacquard Ribbon Trim No. 2,Painted Alpha, Sunshine Sticker Alpha by Sahlin Studio
Petals,Trillium by Sara Gleason (Zinnias & Swallowtails)

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digital supplies used:

Goldenrod by Sara Gleason
Beach house (wood papers), Button It Up: Fresh, Grandma's Dresser,My Happiness, Autumn Afternoon Flowers by Sahlin Studio
Today Journal Cards by Valorie Wibbens

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Thanks so much for visiting!

Pretty Late

I have had the pleasure to be off from work the last 5 days and I must say I feel like a new me. In 5 hours 45 minutes, I am sure to be back to the old me. Sleepy and dreading the drive to work....lol! Yes,  in that small amount of time my mood will change. I am not a morning person...ever!  I just wanted to share a few photos from our 4th of July celebration. There are a few more I plan to edit and make pages for, but these are the first I have touched. I know what photos I wanted to use with this gorgeous kit but I did not know the theme of my journaling - until I thought of a conversation that I was sitting in on today. It may seem strange to some - maybe - depending on how you see things. The main idea I wanted to covey to Aida in this page was - be you - be free and never be afraid to be who you want to be. I have always been the one to not follow the crowd and do my own thing - even if on my own. I would not expect any different of her. 

Sooo....here a few photos of my munchkin:

Here is the scrapbook page I made - credits are below:

 digital supplies used:

Fresh by One Little Bird and Sahlin Studio
Goldenrod by Sara Gleason

Ohhh did I mention I love this collab?? I was making a page with a kit from each of them and said...man I wish they'd collab. That next week I noticed a tag line with a photo in one of their newsletters, probably OLB's, that mentioned they would be releasing a collaborative kit soon...I was beyond excited. I am really glad they did this one together...their styles blend so beautifully...and of course, I do plan on using this kit again....and again....  Nowwww I am out for the night...have a good Monday all!! I will try to....at least...lol!!!

Way too hot!

100 degree weather...in Alabama??!!? Ohhh this is not goooodd. During the summer, we always go to the store at night- after 7:00 pm but it will still be in the 90s around that time. All I can say is: "oh my electric bill!" That is where all of our extra money will be going just to keep cool...lol! I was supposed to run my errands early this morning but I just did not feel like it.  Pretty sure I will regret that now. Oohh welll!!

I have a few pages to share today. On my Facebook page, I start an album every month with the pages I have created. For June-there are 32 photos in that album. Surprised myself because I felt like I was not able to scrap as much as I wanted but obviously I did plenty. Here are a few pages I created this week- I even made one about myself. I really need scrap more of my own thoughts, photos of things I like. That is going to be my July goal-to focus more pages on myself and not just Aida. I love scrapping about baby girl, but there is more to who I am - or at least that is what I remind myself...lol!

digital supplies used:

Fuss Free: Wall Art by Fiddle-Dee-Dee Designs
Enjoy the Ride, Beyond Measure by Gina Cabrera
Juan Carlos & FiFi,Lucky Stripes Alpha by Creashens
Today Journal Cards by Valorie Wibbens
Font: Angostura

 digital supplies used:

One of a Kind by Meghan Mullens and Captivated Visions
Font: Geordie Girl by Darcy Baldwin

digital supplies used:

Oh my, The Terrible Twos by Jady Day Studio

I am going to get on with getting our day started. Enjoy your Saturday and thanks for visiting!!