good morning....

When I started this blog I had all the best intentions. I thought that by committing to a blog I would create some space for me to have, well, me time. It worked for awhile there. I was at home on maternity leave with my second child, and I had everything in check.

But then, work happened.

I quickly became overwhelmed with all the responsibilities I carried - wife, mother, professional, a human being. I felt like I was drowning. I couldn't get on top of anything. I felt frantic all the time. I needed to drop something...but what! My husband needed me, my kids needed me, my job needed me (and well to be honest, I needed it too $$). What I dropped without even making a conscious choice was myself. I dropped myself as a woman, as a human being.

I swiftly put aside all the things that made me, me. I stopped running, I stopped riding horses, I stopped reading, I stopped any creative outlet I was keen on at the moment (it rotates...I'm a fickle artist), I stopped writing. I stopped dreaming. I stopped being me. I lost myself.

Almost exactly one year later, I am sitting here with the profound realization of how important I am in all of this chaos called everyday life. If I have lost myself, then what am I giving to my husband, children, and career? I am a shell of a former me. And it is me that they all need.

Changes must happen. I need to be brave and do what is right for me so that I can be something to all of them, not just a ghost. I have had an awakening of sorts. Somewhere deep down, my former Self mustered enough energy to call out and say "you have forgotten about me" and thankfully I heard it. I need to let that voice grow stronger and be heard by not only myself, but others in my life as well.

I am grateful that I have recognized this now, and not 30 years from now - waking up in a cold sweat of regret. So now that I have recognized it, let's do something about it.

I will start by saying Good Morning after this awakening.... and a good morning it will be.....

cool finds

I am all about the cool stuff...yes, I am that momma that thinks she is still all hip and cool (spaghetti in hair not cool?). Okay okay...I like cool momma stuff. Stuff that makes my life or my kid's life easier and nicer.

Here are a couple of my new obsessions:

Meal Planners

If you have offspring, you need this in your life. I am not joking around here people. Find one you like, download and print or if you have the time (what is that T word?) then make your own. I personally like the ones with the shopping list as part of it. I take the whole thing to the store with me and feel oh so cool and hip and on top of it all!







Snacks

When kids are hungry little demons straight from hell come fill the space where food should be. Again I am not joking...google it. It's true. I am on a mission to make sure that space never is big enough for those pesky devils to invade and turn my sweet children into head-spinning evil beings.
Check out this uber cool and very organized approach to snacking!!











Shoes

A list that is titled "cool finds" cannot be without shoes. It cannot. Google that too while your at it.
Oh, what's that you say? Yes, yes, little purple and pink butterfly toms.
You're welcome.

Pinterest captive

While I apologize for lack of posts....I do have a really good excuse. I have been held captive by Pinterest (and if we are being honest - my family and work have something to do with my lack of blogging too!).

I am officially hooked. If you haven't heard of it or checked it out yet - I highly recommend. It is my go to now if I need a recipe or craft idea or decor inspiration or even something fun to do with the kiddos!

Google Shmoogle - I Pinterest it!

As I gleefully collect a plethora of fab ideas on my boards, I also have been trying them out!! Crazy, I know!

Here are a few that I have tried and loved!

Hot Cocoa Cookies - If you love chocolate and still need another batch of cookies for the holidays. Drop what you are doing and go make these. So delish and GORGEOUS on a plate! I added crushed candy cane to top mine - so much more festive and loved the hint of mint with the chocolate madness going on!

Fort Kit - I made this for a girlfriend's little boys for their birthday. It was a hit. I photo-documented it, and will post more on this cool idea later!

Handmade Bejeweled Bookmarks - I made a batch of these beauties to give as teacher gifts (my daughter has FOUR preschool teachers and TWO daycare providers!). I used red and black velvet ribbon and some gorgeous baubles I scored at Walmart! Each bookmark cost me $2.50 to make - yet they look very luxe!

Christmas Tree Tomato Cages - Can you give me a "WHAAAT!". Who are these brilliant people!! I made three of these for my front yard. They look great and took all of five minutes to complete.

Hope these gave you some inspiration to either check out Pinterest, make something, or just add more to your boards! LOL!