My First Michaels Haul

Shopping is cheaper than a psychiatrist
Unknown - found on Pinterest



It came! My first Michaels purchase...I'm so excited!
But, I do have an issue with the delivery....the UPS guy didn't even ring the doorbell - he left the box on the back fender of my hubby's truck! I was like, WHAT??? And, you know what's so retarded about that? The doorbell was only two steps away from the truck! Apparently, the effort was just too much for him to handle...
Anyway, here it is...

There really wasn't much - a kraft mat from Ranger and some Heidi Swapp stuff - 2 Project Life Core Kits, 2 Project Life add on kits, 2 stamps and 2 flip albums. The stamps are for my planner and my Project Life album that I'm starting and the flip albums...I haven't decided yet. I may use it in my PL or incorporate it into my golden beauty...still trying to work it out.
There are a couple of more purchases that I need to make online - Wild Orchid Crafts is definitely one of them. I'm trying to abstain from any more planners, but, I still have the Webster Pages Color Crush in my head and I think Kikki K still has a sale going on....
So, I had my first class on Tuesday - and, I like it. There are actually 9-10 different subjects that will be taught over a year long period and super reading intensive. Its a small class - only 8 of us and, besides myself, there is only one other person in there due to Vocational Rehabiliation (when involved in a workplace accident and you are unable to return to the same job, you are assigned to a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and they help with either finding you a new position or work with the insurance company to get you into school). She is a cancer survivor - she lost her left arm because of the cancer and she's inspiring. She said that she may only have one arm, but, she wasn't going to stop living and pursuing a career. I am in awe of her.
My men took great pride in teasing me about homework when I got home from class - I loved it! My Stooges are so supportive of me, it humbles me. Hubby is a little worried, especially since I told him that the classroom is in a far corner of the campus and the lighting in the parking lot is almost non existent. I have a feeling I may be losing my driving privileges soon...
Well, thats it for now...thanks for stopping by and if your day is a little stressful, go and enjoy in some retail therapy...it really does soothe the soul.

Crafty Shopping Haul - The Ink Road and Pretty Pink Posh

I could give up shopping, but, I'm not a quitter

Unknown

You know what really sucks about being a proverbial prisoner in your own home? Nothing, really. 

I mean, my hubby isn't keeping me captive and my kids aren't torturing me...well, not really...but, because of my circumstances, my days consist of: take kids to school, doctors appointments, physical therapy, shrink appointment, take kid to work, pick up said kids, grocery shopping, cooking....need I go on? I mean, I'm not chained to the house, but, there was always the fear that I was being watched - no, its not being paranoid. It's known as being on Workmans Comp.

I have had anyone and everyone tell me horror stories about how their friend, co-worker or relative was in a work related accident, and, thanks to the power of persuasion, I have let that dictate how my day to day life goes. That and the threatening phone call from someone related to the case. Well, been there, done that and I'm done with it all.

Anyway, I digress....during one of my many solitary confinement days, I came across a couple of websites that came highly recommended from some YouTube channels I watch. The first one is:

The Ink Road (Etsy)

I love the pink mailing bag! Packaging makes a huge impression with me and I thought it was super cute...until I opened the bag

and, saw this! I was like, awwww....

My stuff arrived fast and in great condition...this is the first time I ordered from her and I will definitely order from her again! I picked up these from her:

The Heidi Swapp dies, a Heidi Swapp stencil with stamp and a packet of Teresa Collins Studio Gold ephemera. I got the ephemera for my planners and everything else was for purely selfish reasons:) I already used the "Thank you" die for a card and I loved the way it cuts.

That same day I ordered from here:

Pretty Pink Posh

I love the sequins! And, the handwritten thank you note rocked! The colors are super pretty and I can't wait to use them! Any minute now, the guys in the brown truck will be rocking' my driveway with a box from Michaels! We don't have a Michaels here in Hawai'i, or, Joanns, Hobby Lobby, AC Moore, Tuesday Morning and Daiso...sucks, let me tell you.

I have actually completed a couple of things and am working on something for one of my neighbors...for her Hydro Flask. I'll be done with that in a day and I'll share that with you.

Hope you enjoyed the haul share and I'll see you in a couple of days!

Valentines Day = happy tummies and planner love

Life always offers you a second chance.
It's called tomorrow.
Unknown


I wouldn't call this a random post, but, I may jump from one extreme to another. 
Remember in my last post how I said that I'd see you all in 5 weeks? Yep, happy 5 weeks later! 
First...this little beauty came in for me:

First of all, I squealed...yes, squealed...when my son came into the house with my box. Hubby came rushing out of the room, he thought I fell down or something. Needless to say, he did not share in the excitement. Personal thoughts? It's freakin' beautiful...and, its mine! It's big and beautiful and gold!! I love it!! Have I moved into it yet? No! I was so sure what I was going to do with this planner, but, after touching it and smelling it, I'm not so sure anymore. I have a personal Filofax in my bag as my appointment planner, so, I'm leaning more toward making it a "Me" Planner - journal, ideas, sketches, etc. It might sound crazy, but, I actually don't like to put everything in one place. Meaning, I have a planner for the household stuff - shopping, coupons, maintenance stuff; a planner for the family - appointments, field trips, birthday stuff, schedules for work; and, then, my stuff.
In my house, I can't even use the bathroom in private, so,there are very few things I can keep to myself - my cell phone, my purse/wallet, and, now, this planner.
I am still trying to come up with inserts, dashboard, etc., so, its work in progress. I will probably start moving into it in March. I'm also trying to fix the faux-dori I made for the Facebook list group I belong to and I bought some pretty light blue vinyl for a new faux-dori that I will use as my Fitness log/journal. Looks like I'm going to be pretty busy this weekend!

Second, Valentines Day.
Now, in all of the years that hubby and I have been together, he has bought me flowers once...and, then, managed to blow the deal by complaining about how much the roses had cost him. Nice, right? This year, I wanted flowers...told him, too.

"I want flowers," I tell him
"Why?" he tells me
"Because its romantic; c'mon, do something different this year," I tell him
"Huh...well, I'm not romantic and flowers die," he said

My hand is still stinging from the slap I gave him upside his non-romantic head. Don't read this wrong; I wasn't mad...we laughed about it the whole time. It's just not...him to do something as traditional as buying flowers for me. And, he does have a romantic streak...after all, he got me this for Valentines Day:

Yes, it's a Hydro Flask. Yes, I know its not romantic, but, it is practical and something that I will use all the time, so, at least he knows that its a smart purchase. Flowers would have been, too, but, hey, at least I got something.
The tradition for Valentines is that I would make my men dinner - no, we don't go out to eat. First, because its usually really freakin' retarded at restaurants on the day of love, and, second, feeding five is hella expensive. I say five because there would be a slight mutiny within the household if we tried to leave without the other three. Nuff said.
Anyway, I would make whatever they wanted - yes, that would mean four different meals. But, it made them happy and that's all that mattered. Well, thanks to the world of Pinterest and the endless supply of recipes at our fingertips, this year I made one meal that they all loved:

I made a roast, Kahuku Style shrimp, and roasted red potatoes with brussel sprouts, onions and bacon. Dessert was brownies with vanilla ice cream, chocolate rice krispies topping with coconut flakes, walnuts, brown sugar and caramel. Needless to say, it was a success.

And, biggest news of all...I start school tonight!! YAY!!! Hence the quote...basically, I'm getting a chance to start my life over...and, I can't wait! I'm excited...and, scared, but, its a good scared, not the type that has you throwing up all over the place. And, I'm making a planner for that, too!! I mean, completely DIY - printables, cover, inserts, everything. I was joking with my husband about being married to a college girl...he just laughed and said, "whatever."

I've learned something over the last 18 months, 2 days and 3.5 hours...there will always be  another chance to do something over in our lives. Whether it be a casserole or life choices, don't ever think that there won't be a chance to make it right...or to give us a chance to be truly happy. As long as we have tomorrow, we all have a second chance.