Little Precious Boutique

Today's the Day!

2009-07-12T08:12:00.002-05:00

Hoooorraaay!

We are back from "bacation" & back in FULL swing of crazy life here at our house (I'm sure I didn't expect anything less)!! I have TONS of pictures to share!

Right now, I'm tagging clothes for our school fall/winter consignment sale & getting ready for Big O's FOOTBALL meeting this afternoon (break's over folks...football season is upon us...Ack)!

Change is here, finally!

Today is going to be my LAST post on this blog.

Yeah, it's time for the big, exciting "CHANGE" I've been telling (teasing) you about!

I've been thinking about changing blogs for awhile now...I have been sewing my camera strap covers & haven't sold children's clothing as "Little Precious Boutique" in a very long time. I LOVED being Little Precious, I taught myself how to sew & did it well enough to sew clothing for profit...a HUGE accomplishment for me! But, my little family is just too demanding to take on big sewing orders & that's just not who I am anymore.

Seldom is anything about ME around here...you know how it is if you're the mom...you can be hanging over the bowl barfing & dinner is still expected to be on the table, on time!

I decided to make this change for Little Ole ME! ;)

SO...I picked a new name...I tried to keep it simple...I chose THREE words that will tell you a million things about me, before we've even met!

Crafty, Southern & Mama...

Totally me, huh! ;)

of course, I'm still "Mama Precious" for my sewing venture on Etsy (the shop is open btw, new items added daily)...

but from now on you will have to read about my crafty adventures & rambling nonsense over on my new blog...

Come on over & take a peek!

http://craftysouthernmama.blogspot.com/

This blog will remain active in case you need to look up something (use the search box in the top left hand corner). I hope that you will bookmark my new blog, I'll have a BUTTON for you to add to your blog page very soon!

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit, I hope to see you over on the new site soon! :)

~ mandy

Out in the yard...

2009-07-03T08:04:00.003-05:00

It's Show Us Where You Live Friday on Kelly's Korner day!

Today folks are sharing their garage &/or yards. Since the inside of our garage is not a happy place right now (or is it ever, actually), I'm going to share our yard instead! ;)

I LOVE having the opportunity to do this because it made me get out & take some current pictures of the outside of our house. I have a folder on my computer that has photos of the house from the beginning to now & I LOVE to go back & see how much things have changed...we have REALLY put a lot into our yard in the last two years that we have lived here!

The yard started out looking like this...

and now, three years after that photo...it looks like this...

We've been working hard! ;)
It's NOT DONE...not by a long shot...but we've got our feet on the ground, running!

Let's take a walk & I'll show you around.

This is the side of the house that we don't use all that often...this landscaping was done after the house was finished two years ago & has already started to mature...we are so, so happy with it!

Here's the pool house that we finished last summer...landscaping will get going this fall. We're putting in some trees over here & maybe putting a pretty swing on this side of the house too.

Most of the time if you come over here, you'll just see dirty kids out in my yard...like this one.... ;)

or here...

or even like these biscuits...

Here's the other side of the pool house...

The play set....that HUGE yellow flowering plant came from my granny's house after she passed away. I dug up just a small bit of it...SMALL, like one piece! It's MONSTROUS! I like to see it over here...she LOVED to get out & play with my kids...she taught Big O how to hit a ball off a tee, how to ride a bike...she was ALWAYS out playing WITH them instead of watching them play. Seeing this flower out here with them makes me so happy, because I know she's watching over my babies when they're playing.

The other side of the play set...

Down at the pond...which was small when we bought the property, but had it dug out QUITE a bit to level off our yard after the pool was finished.

The side of Daddy P's "little shed"...(aka, his Man Cave). He wanted a place to put his toys & told me when it was being built that it was just "a little shed, honey"...those workers just keep going higher & higher..."little shed", my foot! Last year we had a bit of rock left over from our fencing, so we had these columns & rock fireplace put in...we're having it covered & landscaped this fall too...

If you go up to the back porch you're going to see some action...this is where we hang out, all the time...

and here's our "Garden"...hopefully we're going to get some squash soon!!

and from up on the porch...

Whew, it's a big yard...lots & lots of work!!

Let's grab a cold drink, sit in the rocking chairs & watch the sunset...

I'm so glad you stopped by to visit!
Hanging out in the yard is our favorite thing to do out here. We love living out in the country! :)

I hope you'll visit Kelly's Korner & see all the beautiful yards & garages that are being shared over there today. I'm up & running....lots to get done before our big family trip to the BEACH!

Also, after our trip I will be cleaning out closets...I already have a HUGE box of Miss O's outgrown stuff, mercy that girl has GROWN! I'll be cleaning out little boys size 2T & girls size 7/8....LOTS of Matilda Jane goodness too! ;) Be sure & check back, I'm clearing it out!

Happy Friday!

~ mandy

Weekend Adventures...

2009-07-02T14:33:00.003-05:00

It's been pretty busy here this week...

Recovering from a weekend out of town, doing some bedroom make-overs, & getting ready for our big family trip to the beach!!
Whew, I need a nap (or some chocolate)!

(or both, for that matter) ;)

Last weekend we went to Arkansas to visit our pals, Sharae & Charlie and their three beautiful boys!

We just had a great time relaxing at their house & enjoying that awesome yard they have! It was H-O-T, but it didn't stop big boys from hanging out down by the pond to fish...Big O has been ALL ABOUT fishing lately, he is SO funny!

They even caught a few & threw them back...

It was a great visit for these guys...they've been pals since Kindergarten...I LOVE that they are still best buds going into 6th grade (even if they do live in different states).

My camera was acting funny while we were there, but I was able to catch a few shots...

Sharae & Charlie before dinner...Charlie fixed us the most AWESOME dinner, I was full for two days!!

The "big boys" down by the "man cave" (aka, Charlie's detached garage, LOL)...they were busy plotting their next escape (aka, hunting/fishing trip...)...oh, they wear us out with that!

Sweet, sweet CM...oh, he has grown so much since they came to visit us a few months ago!

The heat was so harsh (101 when we pulled in the driveway at 7pm)...really, the only place to be was in the pool!

Is he not the cutest!!!
We had such a great time. It's so nice to have friends that you feel comfortable with just "hanging out". Sharae & I always talk about how nice it is that everyone is happy just visiting & we don't have to get ready & go OUT to be entertained when we get together. They are great people, great friends, we are so blessed! :)

Tomorrow is Share Where You Live Friday again on Kelly's Korner...Garage or Yards...I hope you will join in on the fun! I'm going to try & get some pictures outside this evening after Daddy P gets his mowing done.

I've got a fun movie on for Sneaky Biscuit & Miss O, so I'm going to make a skirt for her to wear next week when I do pictures of the kids on the beach. You will laugh when you see what fabric I'm using for it! ;)

Happy Thursday!!

~ mandy

PUT the Spray Paint Can DOWN...

2009-07-01T09:59:00.004-05:00

and step away!

;)

Seriously!
I think I have a problem!

LOL

I've been reading a lot of DIY goodness this summer & it has gotten me so excited about SPRAY PAINT! It is SUCH a quick & CHEAP way to get a BIG WOW out of your project!

My crazed painting spree has found me out in the yard in my jammies even...I'm sure the neighbors have been laughing!! I can point a finger at these folks...the temptation to craft is just overwhelming after visiting Just a Girl, The Nester, Pretty Organized Palace, 320 Sycamore, & Centsationalgirl...(but, don't go there unless you want carpal tunnel in your wrist from holding a spray paint can...)

I've already tried my hand on that old little table.

and those blue chairs...

and NOW, I opened a new can this old DESK!
I recently saw where Jenn did a make-over with some older furniture for her daughter's room...is it not TDF!!! I love this!

This is another piece of inherited furniture, it's OLD & not really great quality...very cute, but the paint job was total Brady Bunch! Miss O has used it in her room for awhile now because it is similar in style to the new bedroom furniture that she has. I have been spiffing up her room a bit this week & after moving all the furniture around, we decided that this old desk really could use some POP! ;)

I wasn't sure about the hardware, so I left it as it was...now that it's upstairs in her room....ah, I'm in LOVE! ;)

Ok, so here's where I need your help.

This CHAIR is not cutting it. I thought I would leave it the original color & they would go together ok...but, alas...the chair is in a funk now that it's partner is all spiffed up!

I'm going to recover the seat with Euro Bandana fabric (laying in the chair).

I went ahead & ordered several more yards of this fabric & plan to make shams & a duvet cover for her bed (since that Littlest Petshop comforter has ALREADY started to decline...yes, after just ONE wash...tisk, tisk).

So, what about that chair...if I'm covering the seat all bright & pretty...should I paint it BLUE to match the desk or bright pink (darker than the wall) or maybe apple green?? Or should I get an ivory & just give it a nice solid off white, clean up coat?

Eh?

What do you think?

I think I had better get off this computer & get busy before my lovely children tear the house apart...I hear the makings of "fort town" in the upstairs hall (those biscuits gather up every single cushion & pillow in the ENTIRE house)...I need to contain it before it gets out of control!

Happy Wednesday!

~ mandy

I must be getting soft...

2009-06-30T09:23:00.003-05:00

in my old age.

I am so incredibly ANTI-character...I do LOVE movie & toy characters, but just not on my kids bedding & clothes (well, jammies are fine, & t-shrts are ok too...).

Miss O & I have been at battle over her bedroom for months now!

For her birthday, she asked to have new bedroom goodies & I was thrilled & excited because I was thinking something FABULOUS & classy like this...

or this one...

Ah, or even this...

But, alas....

I should have known that SHE would have something else in mind...lately we are NOT on the same page & I'm having to start digging deep to let her make her own choices a little & be her own person.

Boy, that's hard sometimes.

So, after 20 minutes of begging & pleading & promising to make her bed EVERY DAY...I gave in & bought this...

UGH!!!!!

Thankfully, it's horrible quality & will be in shreds within a year.

But the funny thing was this morning, when she got up...she SHOWERED, dressed & had that bedroom spit-spot before coming downstairs.

Apparently, this new decision making independence becomes her! ;)

Happy Tuesday!

~ mandy

Precious Puppies...

2009-06-26T10:14:00.004-05:00

Yeah, I'll leave you with one more post for the weekend...remember our news about our new puppy?

Here's a new video of Sweet Katie Scarlett & her family...are they not PRECIOUS!!!

The kids have watched that video OVER & OVER...even Lil Smokey has enjoyed it a time or two! ;)

Only a few more weeks until she'll be coming to live with us, we are WAY excited!

Be sure & visit Megan's blog to check out the puppy adventures too! :)

and if you're a Doxie fan, you MUST visit Doxie Crafts...ohhhhhh, cuteness galore!!

Going to pack the car now...

Have a great weekend!! :)

~ mandy

The Master Bedroom Tour...

2009-06-26T08:29:00.004-05:00

Ok, now I'm hooked!

Last week I participated in Kelly's Korner Show Me Where You Live Friday for the first time & shared my playroom. WHAT a treat! I have visited tons of fabulous blogs & had TONS of folks visit me...I feel like I've made a bunch of new friends! You don't have to have some "showplace house" to join in...these are regular folks sharing their space....you should participate next week, the theme is Yards & Garage.(guess which one I'm choosing...*snort*). ;)

Aside from that, Kelly's blog is just a feel good place to visit...she's sugar sweet, her daughter is precious, precious & I always feel like being a better person after I have visited. She's a very inspiring christian. :)

Well, this week's theme is Master Bedrooms!

Mine is pretty barren...I haven't made it back there yet.

There's NOTHING on the walls...the big jumbo recliner made it's way back there for Daddy P to relax (& little does he know that it will be RELOCATING to this "theater room" that he's planning up...((like we need ANOTHER tv in this house))....and it will be replaced by someone slim & pretty...).

The TREADMILL is in our bedroom & where I HATE the way it looks, I LOVE to have it in there...our bedroom is on a separate air unit & it's always like a meat locker back there...mighty nice to get a sweat going where it's nice & coolish! ;) But, it shall also relocate in the future.

I was inspired by Sharae's paint when they built their new house & decided to borrow the idea for our master bedroom. She has her walls one color & the ceiling a different color...then in the master bath it's reversed....& I LOVE it! Check out her master suite...it is SO VERY sweet! ;)

We decided to go with Porter Paint's Charleston Blue on the walls & Buckwheat on the ceiling (this is the same yellow we have in the playroom too). In the bathroom the walls are buckwheat & the ceiling is blue.

Pretty bare, huh?

Our one BIG spurge was on the custom, wooden plantation shutters...with a paint called Charleston Blue, it just seemed "fittin" to have the real thing on the windows! The bedding came from Private Quarters (but the accent pillows all came from TJ Maxx). I had a party with them & got my bedding for a steal! We also have their famous SPA SHEETS on our bed...they are TDF...absolutely TDF! I bought them for Christmas gifts a couple of years ago for my sister & my mother in law...they STILL swoon & carry on about them when they're brought up...they are FABULOUS!!

I'm hoping to get the kids pictures done this fall & have them put up on that wall by the treadmill. Other than that, I don't have any plans back there yet...until inspiration strikes, I guess I'll just leave it as it is.

I'm so glad you stopped by to visit. Be sure & check out all the other other fabulous master bedrooms being shared today over on Kelly's Korner!

We are heading out this afternoon to Arkansas to spend the weekend with our good pals, Sharae & Charlie! I'll be back to blogging on Monday & I'm sure I'll have a ton of pictures to share...Sharae & I will have dueling cameras going all weekend long...no one is safe...haha! ;)

Have a fantastic weekend!

~ mandy

Thrifty Goodness

2009-06-24T14:47:00.003-05:00

This past week I decided that I would try something with Sneaky E.

We BABY him...

Oh, he is the BAAAAABY, big time! I do LOVE that & want to keep him little for as long as I can because I know he's the last baby for me...but part of me feels a little guilty, like we are holding him back.

So, I let go just a little bit & put up the "Big Boy Bed" in his bedroom.

The crib is still up & is STAYING up...I just know his personality & he will do things when HE is ready for them (I found this out after being beat up for 3 months over trying to persuade him to PUT ON A PAIR OF UNDERWEAR...so just trust me here). The bed is up & ready for whenever HE decides he's ready to sleep there...it will happen.

(in the mean time I am keeping the crib up to keep him from doing that "getting up at night" thing...this way it's..."you get up & you're going back into your crib...g'night"!)

Live & learn...

Well, the big boy bed sent me on a search for a dresser or chest of drawers. This bed is an antique that was mine when I was a little stinker like E, but we have nothing that matches it. I decided to spend my money on nice bedding from Serena & Lily & get an older (aka, CHEAP) piece of furniture to paint & distress for his room...

So off to the Goodwill store I went.

Didn't find a dresser this time, but I did walk right up on this FABULOUS iron bench (the weiner dog just wandered up looking for shade...heaven forbid that spoiled animal spend five minutes out in the heat...he's such a wuss)!!

It has a fabric cushion that can EASILY be recovered (by me & my handy dandy staple gun). ;)
Judging from this sticker (you move enough in the Air Force & you'll recognize these stickers from a mile away because you've been pulling them off your stuff for years)...I would guess someone moved & didn't have room for it.

I paid $39 for it this thing & look what Emily & I noticed on the bottom when we were loading it up in the back of the car....

I was pretty excited!

Miss O has already been begging to have it painted to put in her room...it would be fetching all hot pink & some wild zebra print on the cushion! But, I was thinking that I would use it in my closet (after we get our cabinets in there) in the the middle of the room...but I'm not sure.

I'll keep you posted on that one...and the new big boy make-over for sure...I can't WAIT to get this bedding! ;)

Hope everyone has a great WEDNESDAY!

~ mandy

My NEW Crafty Space...

2009-06-23T20:51:00.002-05:00

is DONE!

I'm really tickled with how it turned out!
It's not a big MAJOR make-over, just a few things changed here & there for VERY little money...a lot of the big changes came from items I recycled from around my own house! The beef of it was ORGANIZING (otherwise known as "hiding my crap in canvas bins")...

(I'm joking) ;)

Keep in mind how BAAAAAAAD it looked before!
(I just went back & looked...WOW, that was REALLY bad...)

((I can't believe you came back after seeing that...))

Well, I got my act together now...

Welcome BACK to my craft room...

let's squeeze in here again for another look!

After I painted my chairs blue, I cleaned the table OFF & just loved the light dancing off that dark surface....so, I decided that I would wait on painting the big table. Of course, it really IS "a perfectly good table", you know! ;)

Remember my MESS behind the door?
That mess is now the "mess in the closet under the stairs" (& I'll deal with that later)...LOL

Now I have a spot to put my sewing machine & cutting board...AND my basket to catch papers & artwork from the kids....hidden away, nice & neat(ish).

That basket tower that I was using to hoard STUFF is now at the end of the counter & houses camera straps to sew, straps that are ready to sell AND the bottom box is the hubby's "To Shred" box now....hidden away, nice & neat...;)

I ordered letters from Marliyn & added this fun green one on my tub (it is on there slightly crooked & is driving me INSANE)...fabric board all decked out with people I love...fabric put away & labeled.

The mail catcher is cleaned out(ish) & books and camera goodies are all stored away in their own canvas bins...the only thing I'm missing is Edward Cullen (*sniff*).

SO, there ya go!
Not so bad now, huh? ;)

I spent VERY little on this job...the canvas baskets were the most expensive items (from Lowe's)...in all I didn't spent more than $65.

I feel so super thrifty now! ;)
And speaking of THRIFTY, you have got to come back & see what I found at Goodwill today...it is divine...I can't WAIT to get my spray paint & staple gun out after it!!

Come back & visit soon...we'll make something at my CLEAN table! ;)

& I'm dying to tell you about my changes...I DO know that a few of you have already figured out what it is...(I love that link tracker)....you just had to get your CSI on, now didn't you! ;)

Change IS coming, soon!

Night, y'all!

~ mandy

Win a Mama Precious Camera Strap Cover

2009-06-23T14:06:00.002-05:00

Now, you guys know I'm taking some time off this summer to chase my children & get new things sewn up....

BUT, I'll be back to selling my Mama Precious Camera Strap Covers (& lots of other fun goodness) next month...you can bookmark my etsy shop...hope you'll come back to visit soon! ;)

In the mean time, you can WIN one of my straps over on the Lazy Mom's site this week!

All you have to do is just hop over to their site & check out their FABULOUS blog. This week they are taking housekeeping tips...share a tip & you might win this strap:

I LOVE that awesome floral print, don't you!!!

And speaking FREE items!
Stop by Erin's site and check out all the goodness she & her friends are giving away...

W-O-W!!
Some FANTASTIC Handmade stuff, huh!

I'll be back to share the craft room...it's DONE!!
Yeah!!

and Sneaky E has a big boy bed in his room now...
Oh, my...what have we done!!

Hope you're having a fantastic Tuesday!

~ mandy

Birthday Girl!

2009-06-21T08:15:00.003-05:00

It was seven years ago today (but not until 11:37 pm, that is) that a little princess came into my life! She arrived on a day that was a snowball of stress and frustration...but the second she slipped into my arms, everything was perfect...just like her!

(warning...long story ahead) ;)

Daddy P left on Father's Day Sunday for Air Force Officer's Training in Alabama, leaving me home with Big O (aka, "Super Wild Child" back then) & VERY pregnant, but not due until July 4th. The 4th was his leave weekend & we had already planned to be induced so that he could be there when Miss O was born...

However, Miss O had a plan of her own...our confident, headstrong girl knew what she wanted RIGHT from the very start!

That following Friday night I could tell that something was amiss with our little lady.....I called Daddy P to put him on alert, but he dropped some HEAVY news in my lap right then! He was restricted to the base for the weekend & could NOT come home!

I don't think I slept a wink all night...I let Big O sleep in my bed that night & I pretty much just rubbed his back & prayed about what I KNEW was about to happen the following day...

the following morning, with things still amiss...I called my doctor's office & of course they said for me to come on down...G'ma & Big O loaded up with Big Mama (boy, WAS I big) & off we went.

Right off the bat, the confirmed my biggest fear...YES, I had sprung a "slow leak" & needed to head upstairs to get ready for delivery. No, I didn't cry yet...I think I was trying to digest it...I cried a few minutes later when they came back in the room to tell me that MY DOCTOR WAS ALSO OUT OF TOWN & would not be with me today EITHER...

No Daddy P...& no beloved Dr. P....
The next couple of hours were pretty blurry for me...there apparently was a FULL MOON or something because the hospital's new, fancy smancy maternity floor was FULLLLLLL & I was told to head up to the old maternity ward. I walked (I needed to get away, so I walked), up a steep hill next door to the old part of the hospital...snubbing & crying all the way. My poor mother not sure what to do...me squalling & Big O running circles around her like the Tasmanian devil...

I had myself so worked up, I wasn't EVEN shocked when I got up there & they had NOT faxed my records over like they said they would & I had to sit down & go through the admission process ALL OVER AGAIN...I'm sure that woman was thinking I should go up to the crazy ward & not the maternity ward...I was acting crazy FOR SURE!

At this point, I decided to just pray.
I knew there was no changing the situation...often they are able to stop labor, but NOT when you've sprung a leak.
So I prayed.
Took a deep breath...and just prayed.

I have no doubt that what happened next was an answer to my prayers. This angel appeared, her name was Joy Buck, RN...and she had just clocked in for her shift (and was assigned to "that crazy, crying pregnant woman over there")...she took control, she calmed me down, she talked my nerves out of knots...she assured me that everything was going to be fine.

And it was.
About an hour after that, with absolutely ZERO progress with Miss O...G'ma took "Wild Boy"out for some lunch. They were gone about 15 minutes (& in a hospital this big that's about enough time for you to find your car).

They returned...with ANOTHER angel!

My precious, precious girlfriend Rachel ran into them out in the parking lot. She was coming out of a doctor's appointment herself & came running upstairs to my rescue!

In a jiffy she bought me FLOWERS, sat by my side & had me giggling...oh, I do love that girl!
She loaded Big O up in the backseat of her little convertible Volvo & took him home & out of our hair.

The rest of the day was pretty quiet. Miss O was in NO big hurry at all & I was just in total shock at how different this blissfully quiet, stress-free delivery was turning out to be...the opposite of Big O in EVERY possible way. Nurse Joy was with me every second...she and Grandma were right there and watched this beautiful baby girl take her first breath & then snuggle up with her mama.

Poor Daddy P was on the cell phone with us getting the play by play, I can't begin to imagine how bad his heart was breaking not being able to be there for his girls. Miss O was 3 weeks old when he was finally allowed a leave to come home and meet his baby girl...

and she's had him wrapped around her little finger ever since!

So, I wanted to blog today to wish my sweet baby girl a very happy birthday & share the wild story of the day she was born. She is the joy of my life, I love you Miss O!

Happy Birthday

and Happy Father's Day to Daddy P & Poppy too! :)
~ mandy

Let's PLAY!

2009-06-19T12:32:00.003-05:00

Today is share your Laundry or Playroom on Kelly's Korner!

Over the past few months, I've been working on our playroom. I can't believe it...but it's been MONTHS AGO, that I made a few things with my beloved sock monkey fabrics & promised to share when everything was done....I am SOOOO happy that it's all finally done!

My kids love to be downstairs with us, but the MESS was driving me INSANE!! Our playroom is upstairs where all the kid's rooms are, but I tried to create a room that we ALL want to hang out. Now that it's done, we are up there ALL the time...yes, even Daddy P...after the blue-ray player got put in, he's up there watching movies every chance he gets! ;)

Let's go up to the playroom...up the back stairs.
I LOVE to come in from the garage & catch a peek of my favorite faces up there!

Come on in & play!

I decided to stick with a theme of denim (easy to clean) & red (some polka dots) & sock monkeys. Most of the black frames contain their art work from school or photos that I have taken of my kids.

I begged & begged Daddy P to get us the beautiful bookcase from Pottery Barn Kids, but he would NOT budge! He has a friend who plays with wood & had him build cabinets for us...it took NINE MONTHS...but I can't say enough about how much I LOVE them (& the built in desk he added). They are exactly what I wanted & worth the wait (even if it was a brutal, long wait). ;)

I'm still filling the shelves...mostly with art work by the kids, trinkets that have a story & photos of people we love.

The back side of the room is full of books, comfy chairs, more art work, more pictures & the art table & supplies. I recently took the closet door off & sprayed it with chalk board paint...I LOVE the result & the kids have about worn that door out drawing & playing tic tac toe!!

I decided to try something different with some of the matted art I had, instead of frames I put Velcro on the back that way I can change them out easily. It works so far. I also LOVE old, old toys...I can't remember where this little wooden desk came from, but it's one of my FAVORITE pieces up here (next to the little polka dotty rocker that I found for $20 at Big Lots)!

So, that's the playroom...I'm glad you stopped by to play!

Do hop over to Kelly's Korner & check out the other beautiful laundry rooms & playrooms being shared today. I would LOVE to see yours too! :)

Happy Friday...

I'll be back this weekend to share pictures of my little birthday girl! :)

~ mandy

Recycled Lamp Shade Project

2009-06-19T07:28:00.003-05:00

I meant to share these yesterday, but I got busy playing life guard & then it was time to pick up Miss O from her overnight camp...she was exhausted & homesick & needed some mama lovin' when she got home. I ended up taking her with me to Walgreen's to pick up pictures after dinner & let her pick out a bunch of nail polish & junk...we're going to have nail time today while we're out by the pool.

Anyway, my craft room is DONE & I'll get pictures to share with you next week. I wanted to show you ANOTHER recycled project that I completed while decorating in here.

I bought this lamp ages ago, it was a cheap-o...I doubt I paid more than $15 for it. I originally thought I would put stuff in the bottom...like buttons or stones or something fun, but I just could not pry it open...SO, I ended up using the shade for Miss O's old lamp (that needed a new shade) & stuck the lamp base in the attic. I added some ric rac around the bottom in pinks to match her lamp, it was really cute. BUT, she's outgrown the lamp & now it's in the attic with the other one.

After looking around town for a pretty (cheap find) lamp to use in here, I realized I HAD the cheap find already in my attic!! Yesterday, I pulled the pink ric rac off & got out my glue gun!

Now I have another 100% recycled at home (using only items on hand), NEW lamp to put in my craft room! This was SO easy to do, you can spiff up a lampshade easily for pennies!

You will need a shade, glue gun & your choice of trims.

I chose ric rac because that's what I had on hand, but you can find some REALLY beautiful trims at craft stores that will make a LOUD statement for not a lot of $.

I already had a "line" to go by on this one (from pulling off the previous trim), but before you begin you should measure where you would like the trim to go & use a pencil to lightly make a path for your hot glue to follow when it's time to put the trim down. (I decided to place my trim an inch above the bottom of the lamp & the next trim another inch above that one). I did not measure my ric rac & cut it off until the very end. I quickly went around the shade with it to make sure I had enough, but I don't like to cut until the end.

To get started you just find spot on the lamp to begin & put a little bit of hot glue on the path you made. The ric rac will stick immediately to the hot glue & stay in place. You might want to hold it on there for 5-10 seconds to be sure.

Go all the way around the shade, then when you cut your ric rac make sure to put hot glue on the tip/end so that it does not fray. If you're using a trim like the green one I used, you will need to fold it under & glue it down to not show the frayed end.

Then you're ready to add another if you are doing more than one trim like I did.

When your trim is glued down, you can go back & pull off the extra hot glue that might be showing. Mine is not perfect, but unless you are right on it inspecting...you'll never know!

This is an EASY, PEASY project that will give your room a real customized look (for cheap)! ;)

I'll be blogging again later on (since this was yesterday's post).

Today is Show Us Where You Live Friday on Kelly's Korner. I've been working on my PLAY ROOM lately & thought I would use this opportunity to share it with everyone. :) I LOVE to check her site on Friday, it's fun to get a peek into other people's homes! Today it's a choice day to share Laundry Rooms (and you DON'T want to see mine) or Bonus Room/Play Rooms...lots of GREAT shares already...my pal Sharae shared her super BEAUTIFUL Laundry Room! Hop over & check out these great rooms & SHARE yours too!

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Be back later, you guys have a FAB Friday Morning!

~ mandy

Keeping Up...

2009-06-17T18:06:00.002-05:00

just barely!

It's been another wacky week around here...
I have to say that I was DELIGHTED to hear Big O & Miss O both WHINE about getting up & going somewhere this morning!!

NOTHINGness starts on MONDAY!

& I can't wait!

Happy Wednesday!!

~ mandy

Father's Day Pics...

2009-06-16T15:53:00.003-05:00

Boy, It STORMED today!

Whew, we had a scary bit there...I tried to get into town to pick up the kids from camp before it hit...OH, MY! I hadn't watched the weather, so I wasn't aware that there were possible tornadoes out there!!

As soon as I get in town the tornado sirens started going off...folks coming out of their homes & businesses looking up at the sky...scared me TO DEATH! Miss O's group was already huddled in the gym locker room...bunch of 1st graders squalling their eyeballs out! I grabbed her & then ran over to get Big O two streets over...they were also taking cover & he was so happy to see his mama! ;)

We managed to drive around the worst of it & got home safely...WHEW!
I don't like scary!!

It cleared off nicely & there wasn't a BIT of humidity, so we got cleaned up & prettied up to do our yearly father's day pictures. These are not a surprise for dad (although, it will be this year since they turned out SO MUCH cuter than last year).

Didn't they do good!!!

& then I got one of them all three LOOKING & SMILING! THAT so NEVER happens!!

I'm so tickled with them!

Do any of you guys do pictures for Father's Day?
Post a link if you do, I would love to see them!

Hope everyone is having a great Tuesday! :)

~ mandy

And, It's Monday...

2009-06-15T16:05:00.003-05:00

Daddy P & I went to the CMA Fest last night & did not get in until 1:30 am...I tell you, MAMA is getting way too old to stay out that late! I was up at 7 am getting folks dressed, fed, greased up & packed up for their respective camps...

then I went a funeral for one of my parent's friends....oh, I will miss him...:(

and now I am tired!

I've busy for the past few days...it seems like I have to make a HUGE, HUGE mess in order to get organized! I still have a couple of piles to put away, but the inside of the craft room is COMPLETELY organized now!

I've still got a few things to put in place & I'll share the finished product (before it gets messed up again that is, *snort*) ;)

I also have ANOTHER little crafty tutorial to share with you!

Check back this week for the finished product & a bit of crafty goodness...I'm either going to grab some coffee or try to catch a couple of winks before dinner!!

Hope everyone has a great Monday!!

~ mandy

Change is coming...

2009-06-13T09:01:00.006-05:00

I've been working on something new...besides organizing my crafty room!

A little Crafty Southern Mama is coming your way soon! ;)

Happy Weekend, everyone!

~ mandy

Old Blue Chair...

2009-06-12T06:53:00.004-05:00

I'm SOOOO, SO excited! :)

Sunday night, the hubby & I are heading to Nashville to see the 4th concert of the CMA Fest....BECAUSE my precious Kenny announced that he will close it out with a surprise appearance! We've been to see him EVERY summer for the past FOUR summers in a row...I was very disappointed this year when we weren't able to work out a trip to go see him...I do love me some Kenny tunes!

I'm working on this room (cross my heart!!), but it's going to take me all summer at the rate I'm going...these kids are SO incredibly demanding this summer! Changes are coming, I promise!

I realized while I was painting these old brown chairs & getting them sanded & distressed that I now have my OWN "Old Blue Chair" (a pair actually, even better!).

Enjoy yourself a listen, this has to be one of my favorite Kenny songs!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFKr0njXw98

I'm looking forward to getting these guys finished up & my table painted (which will have to happen IN THE CRAFT ROOM as Daddy P is refusing to help me move it out to paint since it's a "PERFECTLY GOOD TABLE" to begin with...meanie!)

Next weekend is Miss O's big 7th birthday!!!
Her birthday has NEVER, EVER fallen on Father's Day, so I didn't even bother checking when I scheduled her party...I few days after I received the completed invites in the mail from Erin (you MUST check her out, she's a rock star & is SO fast)! I saw a sign in a store & SURE ENOUGH her birthday is on Father's Day...Bah!! (double Bah, ugh...I felt SO rude imposing on a daddy's special day)
Talk about stinky luck!

Miss O picked THIS invite from Erin's stash & she changed out the fonts to hot pink & apple green...it turned out OH, SO cute! (Thank you, Erin...we LOVE!!) & check out Erin's blog, it's adorable!!

Of course, you know how I get when birthday's roll around here...yes, I'll be dragging out those baby pictures soon! ;)

Well, we're up & heading out the door for our last day of Art & Baseball camps...whew, the week FLEW by while I was running up & down the road!!

Hope everyone has a fabulous FRIDAY!!

~ mandy

Roses Gone Wild!

2009-06-09T14:40:00.004-05:00

Now, I'm sure you guys get sick of seeing pics of my flowers.

Makes it look like I think I'm some Lil Miss Green Thumb or something! But in reality, I'm the worst gardener on the planet...everything I touch dies...seriously! I have had such giddy, good luck with these Knock-Out Roses, I just can't seem to stop myself from sharing...they are such a joy to look at out in my yard (knowing that I touched them & they didn't DIE)!!

A couple of summers ago we decided to have our yard landscaped professionally & they put in these little bitty rose bushes...I was skeptical at first because I KNOW roses are a lot of work, but they assured me that these bushes were EASY-PEASY & not to panic...ah & they did not lie!

Take a look at these guys in August 2007, just put in the ground:

(this pic was Miss O's first day of kindergarten & Big O...he was still looking like a baby going into 4th...tear my heart UP here, oh my!!)

and then the following year...first day of school, August 2008...same spot, BIIIIGGG difference!

Wow, huh!?!

Well, our landscape guy came by the other day to turn on the irrigation & he was super complimentary about my roses...he said (and I'll quote, *snicker*) "they're some of the prettiest I've seen" in whole town! ;) That sweet, southern boy knows how to kiss up to a mama doesn't he! ;)

He also told me that a lot of folks think that these roses are NO maintenance, but really they are just super LOW maintenance & that I do a great job taking care of mine.

(Pat, pat, pat my plant killing back...)

Please understand that I am NOT claiming to be a knock out rose specialist, nor do I have a degree in horticulture...this is simply what I do to take care of mine gathered from a little goggle & a lot of good luck.

Mine are set out in FULL Blown beat you down sun, they are watered DAILY (via irrigation) & are treated with Sevin Spray (via hose, not the dust) every 10-14 days (because, as God is my witness...those evil Japanese Beetles will never eat up my rose bushes EVER again!!).

They bloom & they are beautiful! But, after the bloom is done it dies. Here's a pic so you can see what I'm talking about.

Some blooms are fresh, some are older & some are stubs without petals (that look like stars).

You can LEAVE these guys alone & the bush WILL continue to bloom. But, I have found that pinching these off (just under the bloom, it's rounded before you get to the stem) it will force the bush to grow faster...kind of like if you get a scrape, the body sends a crew to that site & it gets fixed up...the bush it like this too.

After you pinch them off, your bush is going to look like this:

Take extra care to not break off the unopened blooms. The bush will look bare for a few days, but you will begin to see small reddish colored leaves (like in the pic above, in the top right side) forming where you broke dead flowers off & the entire bush will break out in new blossoms very quickly. I do this to mine a couple of times a month. They bloom FULL & BEAUTIFUL from late April all the way until the end of October here in TN.

Ok, that's all my gardening tips for today. ;)

What do you have good luck with in your yard? Is there anything you have put out that just took off & exceeded your expectations?

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week, I'm out to finish painting these chairs before the rain rolls in!

Happy Tuesday!

~ mandy

Apron Winner!!

2009-06-09T13:16:00.003-05:00

I'm walking out the door to get Miss O, I'll be back to share some gardening tips from my beloved landscape guy...he says my roses are the prettiest he's seen around (he's such a kiss up...haha)!

I counted the two comments from my last post, making it a grand total of EIGHT comments!!!!
WHOOOOOOO!!!
Put them into the random generator (like this one):

http://www.random.org/widgets/integers/iframe.php?title=True+Random+Number+Generator&buttontxt=Generate&width=160&height=200&border=on&bgcolor=%23FFFFFF&txtcolor=%23777777&altbgcolor=%23CCCCFF&alttxtcolor=%23000000&defaultmin=1&defaultmax=8&fixed=off" frameborder="0" width="160" height="200" scrolling="no" longdesc="http://www.random.org/integers/">The numbers generated by this widget come from RANDOM.ORG's true random number generator.

And it said that comment #5 is my winner!!

Jennifer, my "lurker from Canada" is the winner!!!
YEAHHHHH!!

Jennifer, email me with your mailing info (oh_fiddle_dee_dee@hotmail.com) & I'll see if I can figure out how to ship something over the border...;)

Be back at nap time!

~ mandy

Mama & Daddy P...

2009-06-07T14:24:00.003-05:00

got dressed up & went out!

(without kids, YEAH!!)

We went to a black tie dinner last night & had lots of fun!

In the mean time, I've got one chair painted (& I'm loving it in BLUE)...gotta head over to Home Depot in the morning to pick up more spray paint & look for some storage containers!

I'll wait a couple more days & allow comments about my mess down in my last post. I'll be drawing a name for the Mama Precious Apron on Tuesday!

Check out this fun blog I found...I LOVE how she gets folks to share their homes...I love to look inside other people's houses (especially when they're all clean & prettied up)...LOL!

I'm excited about getting a craft room all prettied up & ready to show you guys very soon!!

Happy Sunday afternoon...we're getting ready to take a NAP! :)

~ mandy

The Walk of Shame!

2009-06-05T08:21:00.003-05:00

I can't believe I'm going to share these with you!

But, I'm determined to get my act together in here...and admitting you have a problem is the first step, right? ;)

(I hope I don't scare you off here...)

Ok, here goes...I have a HUGE mess & need to get it organized.

Before you look & ask...NO, this is NOT all my fabric...I have a separate closet for that (more shame, LOL)...this is just the fabric that I like to look at & use a lot. This tiny room is right off the kitchen & is quite often the "dumping ground" or the "holding pen" for items that have come in, but haven't been put away...although my husband has an ENTIRE, HUGE room that is HIS "office/library", MY tiny room is where he likes to hang out (well sure, there's tons of stuff to look at in here & of course he just can't be away from me...harhar...).

I'm welcoming (scolding, er) suggestions here, so get your comments ready! I will pick one comment (out of the one or two, as I hardly ever get more comments than that...but yet my traffic feed tells me that TONS of folks are visiting my blog...who are you people!??!)...one winner to receive a FREE Mama Precious Hip Apron...this one right here, if I can find it in this mess...(joking, it's right here):

Ok, you ready?

(boy, this is really embarrassing)

Welcome to the craft room, let's all squeeze in here for a peek...

Here's the monster computer chair...it needs to go...but it's a perfectly good chair, but it needs to GO...it's way too much chair for this room!

The sewing/craft table...a super bargain from Big Lots, came with two pub chairs...I love that thing! I'm CONSIDERING painting it ivory & then sanding it to make it distressed...then painting the chairs BLUE (like the iron piece behind my monitor that you will see in these next pics)

Yeah, BIG mess here...my printer died & yesterday I bought a new one...going to get that puppy hooked up at nap time today...love me some nap time, we may never take that crib down!

I found this fabulous spray paint in a calm, beachy blue...painted my calendar board frame with that...I love it...but, have no love for my hubby's idea of organizing the bills...that rack is there to tell you what needs to be paid, then you shred...not stick it back in there!! ACK!

Ok, now remember these tiles?
I used that fab, blue spray paint on them...they are BEAUTIFUL...I had a nail in the wall there, so I stuck one up hoping for inspiration...I'm just not sure where they should go...should I put them all three up above the windows (behind the big computer chair) to draw your eye up when you come in here (as if you would ever come back in here after seeing this...bahaha)...the RABBIT pen holder (note Mr. Spoon in there) was my great-grandmother's...I love to have that guy around, he's one of my favorite pieces (not to mention Edward Cullen just casually sticking out of that pile of stuff there...that was no accident, haha)...

My new fabric message board hiding behind a pile of camera straps to sew, fabric to organize...tisk, tisk, tisk...

Cool white tub (I need something fun from Marilyn on here, eh?)....full of Un-Finished Objects & stuff that needs to be listed on ebay...(you're having an anxiety attack now, aren't you...deep breath, deep breath...in & out, you're ok...)

Behind the door (the perfect place to hide stuff)...Miss O's Hello Kitty Sewing Machine is under all that...I'm still waiting till she's ready to give it to her, it's too cute to let it get torn up!

The craft/sewing table...what do you think? Should I paint it & distress it & then paint those chairs blue? I also considered making a little curtain to go across the front so that I could hide stuff underneath...but I think I need to just quit hoarding CRAP, don't you!?! However, those tubs & baskets contain school art & awards that I need to put into scrapbooks...the big blue tub is full of stuff to SHRED...holy....

and another glance at the desk...tisk, tisk, tisk...

well,
it was nice knowing you...I'm sure you'll never come back here after seeing all this!

Shame, shame, everyone knows your name...

So, who wants this apron?
Help a girl out here...tell me when you're coming over to organize me!! ;)

Big O & Miss O will be in camp all next week...so, this room is going to be my PROJECT...tell me what to do with this mess!!

Happy, happy Friday!!

~ mandy

Make a Fabric Message Board!

2009-06-04T09:32:00.002-05:00

Ok, I'm so out of it...I blogged earlier & thought it was WEDNESDAY!
Mercy...

Here's a free tutorial on how to make a Fabric Message Board...tomorrow is GIVEAWAY day, so check back!

********************************************

I was spiffing up my craft room this past weekend & decided that a fun fabric message board would REALLY brighten up my spot!

I had this little fabric message board that I purchased at Big Lots for Miss O, but she didn't like it & it's been in my fabric closet for a year now!! I decided that I would do some recycling with it! I think I paid $3 for this thing, but of course you can use any piece of wood & add a layer of batting yourself. I decided to recycle & use the one I already had.

I ASPIRE to some day perk up my little "sewing studio"...but alas...I'm not doing a good job getting this MESS picked up in here! I will continue to aspire until motivation hits...LOL!

Anyway, I have these fantastic green polka dotty shades in my craft room, so I wanted to blend in but not be all matchy (Sharae has taught me well...she rocks out decorating!!) ;)

I decided to recover the board with this amazing Amy Butler Belle, Chrysanthemum fabric that I've been hoarding...my local crafty store had it on clearance about a year ago...$4 a yard, I about died!!

This project was SO easy, all you need is fabric, ribbon, thumb tacks or upholstery tacks, a pair of scissors, staple gun & maybe a hot glue gun if you are picky about edges.

The first thing I did was cut the ribbons off the old message board & add a layer of fusible fleece over the top of the fabric that was already in place (to keep the castles & flowers from showing through onto my new fabric.

This stuff I used is FUSIBLE, so I just ironed it down & was ready to go!

Next I cut my fabric. You want to cut it about 2 inches longer on each side to give you plenty of fabric to fold it over to the back.

Then you need to lay the front of your fabric face down & place the board face down on top of that.

Easy so far, heh? :)

When I make one of these I always start with by folding the corners down first & stapling them in place with a staple gun (you can also use hot glue here). You might want to turn the whole board over & pin your fabric to the matting to keep it where you want it, but that's totally up to you. ((I always like to sew things that are pinned or glued down myself.))

When your corners are secure, then work around the sides stabling it down & making it nice & tight.

Once all your sides are stapled down it will look like this on the back:

That's when I crank up my hot glue gun!
Turn those frayed ends under & glue them all down so it looks nice & neat from the back.
(this is an optional step, of course)

Ok, so your board should be looking a bit like this one by now:

To finish it off you add ribbon or RIC RAC (so fun) to create slots to slide you pictures or messages under. I was recycling here using only items I had on hand, so I used some bone colored grosgrain & white thumb tacks to finish my message board off. The ribbon can be placed any way you like, it's entirely up to you! :)

Now, all I have to do is get this MESS picked up & I can show you my snazzy message board in use...

(wait, that may never happen)

I think I will challenge myself to get this mess picked up once & for all...tomorrow, I'll show you my MESS (then you can scold me...haha...mabye that will make me get my act together here...)!

I'll be picking a random ((scolding)) comment to receive a FREE Mama Precious Sassy 1/2 Apron!!

Happy THURSDAY, everyone!

~ Mandy

Remember when I said...

2009-06-04T07:37:00.003-05:00

I wasn't running all over the place this summer?

I'm not doing a very good job sticking to that so far...UGH!
I guess old habits die hard.

Big O had the opportunity to attend a football skills camp hosted by a former NFL player this week & that kid has been on CLOUD NINE! Luckily, it is not too far from our house (about a 1/2 mile)...he's played ball, run drills, swam in the lake, fished in the lake, played more ball, played football on the big screen...come home stinking like a dirty, sweaty dog & talking non-stop about his Big Coach & all the assistants (who are college ball players).

Since Big O is my energetic child, I am thrilled to death that he got to spend the week in constant motion...I know those guys WORE HIM out every day...I bet he will sleep all weekend to recover from it!

Ball season is still sputtering along like a Tin Lizzy that needs a good cranking...it's supposed to rain, YET AGAIN all day today...this was supposed to be our last week of ball, but now we're trying to keep the make up games from getting rained out too! Mercy, it's been a weird season!

My little nephew just started his ball season (isn't he just stinkin cute!!). I LOVED it when Big O played in that league!! They don't even start until the middle of May & play through June. It was so much easier than this league where we're playing at 7:30 & not getting home till 10pm & still have to get up & go to school in the morning!

Last weekend we did make up games on Saturday & it was BLINDING...hot & sunny! Since my nephew finished his little games, my brother in law came over to watch Big O's game too.

Seriously now, do you SEE who Big O looks like...it's not me & Daddy P...he's an Uncle Andy Mini-Me! ;)

Just listen to me rambling on...good golly!
I should never blog before my 2nd cup of coffee...

**********************************************************

I did a fun little project for my craft room the other day & I took pictures to show you step by step how to make one for yourself....look for my free, step by step fabric message board tutorial tomorrow! :)

and I'll leave you with some shots of our new little lady...we'll be picking her up in 4 weeks! Sweet Megan sent us pictures of our little Katie Scarlett at 3 weeks old....look at her down there, licking! AWWWWW!

and look at this rolley polley belly!!

Miss O is beside herself with excitement...she's going to have a lot of fun with this lil gal! :)

I'll be back to share that tutorial tomorrow & I'm so excited to see people are leaving blog comments...

pat, pat, pat your back!! ;)

I knew you could do it!! You're getting warmed up for our very first contest...I've got some Mama Precious goodness to give away on Friday! :)

Have a great day!

~ mandy

Did you see...

2009-06-01T15:21:00.004-05:00

The New Moon trailer on the MTV Video Music Awards last night?

ahhhhhh.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=capQ9gNegWI

I can hardly wait till November!!!

~ mandy

Last Day...

2009-05-31T11:07:00.004-05:00

to get your $12 Mama Precious Sassy Camera Strap Covers!

I'll be taking a few weeks off to play with my kids on their summer vacation. I will still be blogging about crafty adventures & rambling family nonsense....and I'll EVEN be giving away a few things in the upcoming weeks (but you folks have GOT to leave comments to win, take a deep breath, don't be shy now!!)...

Get on over to my Etsy Shop & get that strap you've been eyeballing!
My vacation settings take effect first thing in the morning. ;)

Meanwhile, we're starting off the summer with a bang around here!

Miss O & Daddy P are at the ER as I type...she's apparently allergic to BEE STINGS...*sigh*...never a dull moment here, that's for sure!!

Happy Sunday!

~ mandy

"It Stormy!"

2009-05-30T08:24:00.002-05:00

Sneaky E is completely fascinated & terrified of storms...

He is SO funny about them! Quite often he will ask me very seriously, "it rain today?"...I don't know what goes on in his little head, but stormy weather is definitely in there!

We watched a storm roll in this week from the back porch....the clouds were dark & kinda scary! The sun was still shining where we were, which made all the colors in the yard pop...it was beautiful!

(we finally got our new patio furniture delivered & set...I'm in LOVE)

Don't forget, tomorrow's the last day that my Etsy shop will be open...I'm taking a few weeks off to enjoy summer vacation with my kids. I mean, sitting on the porch watching storms roll in with THIS guy...who could resist taking a break! ;)

Hope everyone has a HAPPY weekend! :)

~ mandy

Father's Day & Random Nonsense...

2009-05-29T07:59:00.003-05:00

Well, another Father's Day is sneaking up on me!

For the past couple of years I have done pictures for my hubby for Father's Day. He always loves them & puts them up in his office. I borrowed this idea from one of my ebay pals (Carrie, I think)...

Sneaky E was just a wee two months old, so these were easy-peasy...

but then the next year...photography skills got mucho better, but Sneaky E did NOT! ;) I had to retake his later!

but I DID snag a rare group shot, so I think I used this as my Father's Day pic that year...

then LAST year was a total BUST!

The O's did great, but E was uncooperative...such a biscuit! Evey Betty tried to help perk him up, but alas...no luck!

I ended up with this as my Dad gift...

haha!

What do you do for Father's Day? Any special tradition like these pics? I would love to hear your ideas!

I'm trying to decide how to do mine this year, I'll get back with you on that...

On a side note...my Fitflops were NASTY...so, I used a bit of SHOUT & scrubbed the footbed to get the dirt loose...then threw them in the WASHER! They came out looking BRAND NEW, washed up perfectly! Very Pleased, Indeed! :)

I believe I am going to close my Esty shop for the summer. This way I can get some things finished up & be ready to stock it full in late July. SO, if you're wanting a strap (for $12) this is the last week they will be available. If you don't see what you're looking for, leave me a comment here or shoot me an email thru etsy's "contact the seller" option & I'll whip it up for you if I have it in stock.

I believe that is some RAIN coming over the hills....UGHHHHHH!
I don't have the actual numbers, but I BET there have only been 6-7 days this WHOLE MONTH that it has not rained!! I cannot remember it ever being this wet here in May!! Speaking of rain, I have some cool pics to share of the storm that rolled in a couple of days ago...the dark, dark sky made everything POP...the colors are fabulous, I was so excited!!

Miss O is up (8:27 am) & fixed breakfast again & just fixed me a cup of coffee...wow, I could get used to this! ;)

Hope you all have a Happy Friday!

~ mandy

Is it Thursday Already!?!?

2009-05-28T15:49:00.002-05:00

Good golly, the week is flying by!

Today was the first full day of summer vacation!!

Big O was up at 6:45 (grrrr).

Miss O slept till 8:30 & then promtly fixed herself breakfast upon coming down the stairs.

Guess who my favorite kid is today...

I wanted to share these fun pics from our weekend at our neighbor's party. They have a beautiful home on the lake & welcomed the entire neighborhood over to play & eat all day on Saturday! We had a glorious time!! Thanks again for having us over!

Here are my hubby & my sweet pal, Amy...

Amy's lil guy Not So Sneaky E ;)

My Sneaky E out on the boat...

The girls...

Miss O after riding the tube...

LOVE these...Amy & Jen take on the tube...these girls will do ANYTHING, they are so funny!

& sweet T giving mom a thumbs up on the tube (or maybe she was giving Mr. Brent the "go faster" signal, I dunno)...

The view of their house from the lake...BEAUTIFUL!

Whew, you KNOW it was a good party when folks are still talking about it a week later!

Well, I'm heading back out to lifeguard...I DO hope my new umbrella gets here soon...it's roasting hot out there!

I'm starting to think about how to do my Father's Day pics this year...last year's pics were a bust! Bah, that Sneaky E!

Hope everyone is having a great Thursday!

~ mandy

It was an A+ School Year!

2009-05-27T13:32:00.002-05:00

and it is officially...now...OVER!

Summer!!!

Woot, woot, wooooooot!

Today was Miss O's awards day & the last official day of school!

Both kids took gifts today to thank their teachers for all the love & learning they received this year. I cannot say enough about how happy we've been with all the teachers we had, they ALL rocked out! (and let me tell you, it takes having a stinky one to make you EXTRA appreciative of the great ones your child is placed with)...

Big O had three teachers this year in 5th grade, so I used these cute metal containers that I found at Wal-Mart & the letters that I got from Marilyn on Etsy & this is how they turned out...

Not bad, huh?!! ;)

and I was in charge of putting together Miss O's teacher's gift....& I was tickled to do it...back when I taught 2nd grade, her oldest daughter (who is DRIVING now, mercy) was in 2nd grade & she was a stay at home mom like me. I was thrilled to death to find out that Miss O was going to have her this year, I always enjoyed working with her back when I was teaching!

Anyway, here' s a shot before I finished filling it up...I added a few more goodies in there before taking this fun RELAXing themed tub to her...

I liked this one so well, I decided to do another one for a wedding gift that I needed to buy...a GREAT deal on a nice container ($19.50 for container & letter) & then fill it with some nice bath towels & candles for the newlyweds. It will make a really pretty gifty. :)

Well, I think the rain is stopping & the kids are wanting to play outside...SO...I'll be back to share more later.

Hope everyone has a great Wednesday!

~ mandy

Sneaky E's Program...

2009-05-24T09:01:00.002-05:00

I can't believe I forgot to share these with you!!

The week before last was Sneaky E's last week of Mother's Day Out for the year & they had a wonderful little program that night. They held a "graduation" for the 4 year olds who would be heading to kindergarten in the fall & each of the little classes came down the center isle, sat on the steps and performed a little song or two...ALL of these children were perfectly well behaved...EVERY one of them!

As they got closer to E's class, I started to sweat... I was absolutely terrified of what he would do when it was his turn!!

and he did NOT disappoint...

the little darlings came down the isle, took their little spots & Miss Mary Anne started the song...oh, they all started singing...just as cute as can be!

And then, something caught E's eye...his DADDY!

and it was all over from there!

I did not put my camera down the entire performance because I knew that my face was BLOOD RED, everyone in the church was LOOKING at us!!

Instead of singing, Sneaky E kept pointing in our direction & calling out "That's my DA, That's my DA"....

oh, the biscuit!!

It was hilarious & he was just precious!

We had a wonderful Mother's Day Out year, E LOVED every second!
Thank you again, Miss Mary Anne...we love you!!

I'm SO glad we got out & had our Memorial Day festivities yesterday...it is pouring down rain this morning!! Miss O slept until 9:15, so that should tell you about how much fun she had out on the boat...she never sleeps past 7 on the weekend, EVER!

Anyway, Daddy P & I are going back on the hunt for patio furniture today...I swear, I ought to just buy some online myself & be done with it...that picky man can't make up his mind!! He's worse than a woman about that stuff!

Hope your Sunday is a wonderful one, I'll be back tomorrow to share shots from the party on the LAKE yesterday! What a FUN time it was (and the pics are hilarious, no one is safe!)!!

~ mandy

Summer Break is Coming...

2009-05-23T08:06:00.004-05:00

Wow, what a week it's been!!

We've had the END OF THE YEAR CRAZIES here...whew!

Sneaky E & I ended up at the park with Miss O & her first grade friends on Tuesday (or was that Wednesday? eh? anyway...). I was thinking it would be a little play time, have lunch & head on home...so I volunteered to drive since they didn't have use of buses for the day...the next thing I know, I'm STUCK at the park from 9 am till 1 pm with a gazillion wild 6/7 year olds & a sneaky biscuit!

but, boy we did have fun & E napped allllllll afternoon when we got back (which was great, because I was absolutely exhausted)!!

Wednesday I had a ton of stuff planned & it all got changed, but my babysitter arrangements DID NOT...so I was off to the Maxx, CHILD FREE!! (thanks again, Nana!!) ;) I snagged some AWESOME spiral shrubs for my front porch, I'll get a shot of them later...I got SUCH a steal of a deal on them, I'm still on a high from it!!!

Then all the sudden it's Friday & Big O had his 5th grade awards day...I was so proud of my little holy man receiving outstanding achievement in Bible! ;)

I ended up signing both kids out early & Daddy P took the day off & took the O's fishing...

In the mean time, I've been doing some thinking...& I've decided that

I'm keeping it low key this summer...really low key...

I MEAN IT!

The past few summers I have run myself all over the place the entire month of June...up & down the road to swim lessons, tennis lessons, art camp, church camp, baseball camp, football camp, bible school...HOLY COW!

After I wanted to check into a hospital for exhaustion last year, I SWORE we would NOT do it like that again!!

This year we will have the first two weeks off...to be lazy, to craft, to cook, to swim...to whatever we feel like doing! The second week Big O & Miss O will do quick MORNING camps & we will be home for lunch & have the whole afternoon to be lazy. (notice the repetition of the word lazy here folks)

The third week the O's will do ALL DAY camp...I figured they would be getting cabin fever by then.

Miss O is going to a friend's church camp...((it's awesome, btw...they are required to wear a swimsuit under their clothes each day & bring a change of clothes every day, wear OLD play stuff daily & she comes home so nasty & exhausted it's bath & bed for that girl every night))....Big O will be doing all day baseball camp at the local college...it's a combination of hitting & fundamentals...they will do game situations & scrimmages after lunch...it's a full, big day of baseball Mon-Thurs (& he's never done this one before, let's keep our fingers crossed that he's not fighting tooth & nail about going back after the first day).

Then, that's IT!

Besides going on our family vacation in July, I don't plan to leave the house again except to get groceries!! (or to escape for a child free visit to TJ Maxx) ;)

So, I'm putting together some ideas that for some summer crafts that we can do together here. The kids & I are going to have a "family meeting" this weekend to make a list of all the things that they would like to make or learn how to do or make this summer, then I'm going to try & round up materials to have on hand when the crafty mood strikes!

One thing I DO plan to teach both the O's this summer is how to prepare a few simple foods (scrambled eggs, bake a box cake, make mashed potatoes), how to DO their own laundry & how to make your bed like you're at boot camp! I foresee lots of tears, foot stomping & huffing in my future, don't you...it will be worth it though, independence is the greatest gift a parent can give! ;)

WELL ANYWAY...I've been hunting up craft ideas & look at these cute crayon prints! I found them both on Tip Junkie & Sweetfunkyvintage featured as Teacher Gifts...but I think they would look right fetching in my playroom with my kid's names!

It would be awesome to have an entire alphabet done too...but that might be biting off a bit too much for us! haha

I have some teacher gifts to share next time, so be sure & check back!

I found that I have a collection of empty laundry detergent bottles...what on earth could we make with those?? I was thinking about some kind of bird feeder...but, I'm not sure...anyone have a good craft idea for that one??

We're off to a Memorial Day party down the road, it's an ALL DAY event...going to be tons of fun (and making me feel glad that I went to bed early last night)!!

I hope everyone has a wonderful, wonderful holiday weekend!!

~ mandy

Wow Wednesday!

2009-05-20T08:12:00.003-05:00

I am still laughing at the local peeps who told me they thought I was going to report that I was pregnant when I said I had some exciting news!

You goof balls know I would TELL YOU before I blogged about it!
What kind of a girlfriend do you take me for!?! ;)

Pregnant...the thought makes me about want to spit out my coffee like some scene from a Steve Martin movie!

Y'all are too, too funny!

*******************************************

I'm racing out the door again, but just wanted to share this WOW that I saw yesterday!

You know I've already confessed to reading that gossip blog...(and here's why)

doesn't this just give you chills!?!?
OMGosh, I can't hardly wait till November!!!!

Here's the article if you want to read about it...(careful though, that site is addictive!)

Happy Wednesday!!

~ mandy

Excitement!!

2009-05-18T13:26:00.002-05:00

Yeah!

I started out with just one exciting thing to share, but now I think I have TWO!

It looks like Sneaky E is about done with pull-ups!! YEAH!! I've had a few (reverse psychology type) arguments with him about wearing pull ups & wearing the big boy underwear...you know the kind...

me: you don't want to wear those big boy underwear, pull ups are so much better...sneaky E: I not wear that pull up, I wear big boy pants...me: are you sure, these pull ups are so nice...sneaky E: I say I NOT WEAR THAT!!

haha, that little stinker!
He doesn't want to do ANYTHING mama suggests that he do...it's only natural that I suggest the opposite (hey, I got three kids...I'm a professional here). ;)

****************************************************

Well, the BIG news here at our house is that we are EXPECTING!!
Our big crazy family is about to grow by FOUR feet!

Meet our precious Lil Katie Scarlett, born last week on May 12...

She's home with her mama and siblings, all doing well...

Here are her proud parents...

Mama Paige

and daddy, King Louie ;)

sweet Katie Scarlett will be coming to live with us in July, we are so VERY excited!!!!

Now, I just gotta break the news to Lil Smokey...

~ mandy

Love Me Some Fitflops!

2009-05-17T12:55:00.003-05:00

Yeah, you thought I forgot all about it!

I probably do have Adult ADD...my entire day reads like one of those If You Give a Mouse a Cookie books...but this, I did not forget (I've just not been sitting in front of the computer every time I've remembered)! ;)

Ah, yes...the FITFLOPS!

You remember earlier this spring when I first ordered these shoes...they CLAIM to tone your legs and tighten your hiney! I couldn't resist putting them to the test!

I gave them a shot & I have to say that my legs DO feel STRONGER. They say wear them gradually & that is true...my legs were EXHAUSTED the first few days I wore them...like I had walked the zoo ALL DAY barefoot exhausted!

Have I lost inches off my hiney? I don't really think so...BUT, these shoes are SO AMAZINGLY COMFORTABLE I do not even CARE! I feel good & I feel strong when I wear them!

and I wear them, folks!

I wear them ALL the time, ALL the time!! If they don't go with my outfit, I am changing into them as soon as I am home...I wear them ALL the time, THEY ARE SO COMFY! I saw on the website someone claimed "you will never want to wear your other shoes again"...SO, SO TRUE!

SO...if you were wanting to try a pair, I say give them a shot!
They have been worth every penny to me! :)

~ mandy

Vinyl...Letters...Oh, My!

2009-05-16T16:40:00.003-05:00

Now, y'all know how I love me some vinyl letters & you also know how I love me some Etsy shopping! ;)

Well, I was tell you in my last post about Marilyn's Etsy shop...she did these vinyl names for my cork board:

I have been browsing through her shop the past couple of days & I am LOVING everything!!

Look at this goodness:

(I totally want to get this for Miss O's room)

(this is sold in a set of three decals, you can stick them on whatever you like)

AND she has a second shop for small things (gifties with the letters already on them for you)...WWW.SassyMonograms.Etsy.com...I LOVE these:

(totally buying these for my powder room & the pool house bathrooms)

This would be a CUTE graduation giftie, fill it with bath goodies for that gal or guy going off to college...

Aren't they awesome!!!
She's reasonable & SUPER FAST & her work is fabulous!
Go get over & check her out & do tell that sweet gal I sent you! ;)

www.DecalMonograms.Etsy.Com

WWW.SassyMonograms.Etsy.com

We're getting ready to head out for a graduation party & then off to another birthday party tonight!

I've got some very EXCITING news to share...but it will have to wait a bit because this party starts in an hour & no one is dressed & Daddy P is still napping...OH, MY!

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!

~ mandy

Tool Belt Diva...

2009-05-14T13:56:00.003-05:00

Ok, so I really didn't use any tools except spray paint & sand paper...but still...

I've been on a DIY (Do It Yourself) marathon this week!!

Last weekend I was able to get over to Lowe's with the fam & we loaded up the truck with FLOWERS & I was able to pick up a few items that I had been needing to finish some projects here at the house (which is just HUGE because I can hardly go to the store with Sneaky E lately...he HATES to shop & is such a biscuit when we go...wears me out).

Anyway, I inherited this cute little floral table when my granny passed away a couple of years ago. I've moved it ALL OVER my upstairs & just couldn't find a place for it to call home. It's cute as can be, but had painted chipped all over & was missing a huge section right out of the front....(ignore those metal tiles, I'll tell you about them later) ;)

I've been reading some GREAT blogs that feature DIY Crafty Goodness lately and have really been inspired to do something fun with this table (I just wasn't sure what exactly)....until I saw this bathroom make over on Just A Girl...aside from being SUPER creative, this gal is also hilarious! Every time she updates her site, I'm all over it...she's one of my favorite blogs to read! Another great one is THE NESTER! Oh, LOVE!! She is powerhouse crafty (and thrifty too)! I love to visit her site!

Ok, back to the table...

I decided to give it a shot & painted it a nice chocolate brown...let it dry overnight & then I assaulted it with a pad of sandpaper!

And just lookie at how it turned out!

It already had this delicious texture & a bit of detail to it...they REALLY stood out after the sanding! My jaw was seriously hitting the floor when the hubby got home...I asked him what he thought & he said I should get into the furniture business! ;) Love that guy!!

I found this cute little frame at TJ Maxx (and the boxed topiary too)...it reads "Count Your Blessings for Wonderful Friends"...just perfect to house my beautiful "Lunch Bunch" picture in. Sneaky E thought it would look wonderful on this table & got busy naming off all the mommies of his pals...

HOWEVER, Miss O was quick to tell me that she didn't understand WHY I had FRIENDS on my new table & when the iron wall sign plainly said FAMILY...(tisk). She's too funny!

WELL, while I was at Lowe's last weekend I found this curtain that I loved for the Pool House...I only bought one just to see if it would look good. It was a perfect match, so this morning while Sneaky E was at Mother's Day Out I ran into Lowe's to pick up another panel...and LOOK at what I ran up on!!!!

OH, MY STARS!!
I've been looking for one of these for Miss O's bedroom since we built this house! But, being the big CHEAP-O that I am...I just could NOT spend the high $$ on a chandelier for a little girl's bedroom! They have them in the Pottery Barn Kids catalog...I LOVE this look & it matches her furniture perfectly!

This one was a FLOOR SAMPLE & the guy said he just took it down not FIVE MINUTES before I walked up! Is that not crazy! I snagged that puppy for $60! I was SO excited!!

NOW, those hideous rosettes & bows are going to have to go...without a doubt! but I can easily add a trim to it or just buy new shades...how much do you want to bet that Miss O says she LOVES those roses!??! haha!

I'll be sure to share pics when we get it up (and Miss O gets her mess picked up)!!

and while I was on that side of town, I ran in to Wally...and look what I found in there (I'm telling you, it was a great morning....) haha!

For just $15!!!

Yep, I already contacted Marilyn on Etsy about doing a vinyl letter for them...remember these that she did for my cork board....LOVE THEM!!

But, these buckets are not for ME....they are gifties....I'll share them when I get them ready!

Whew, it's time to go (watch Twilight on my iPhone) get in car line!
Hope you all are having a VERY

Happy Thursday!!

~ mandy

Baby Blue Eyes...

2009-05-13T08:14:00.002-05:00

My big baby boy is getting so big!

After two full weeks of rain (it is SO green here, it's amazing), things have dried up & ball season is back in action!!

I am LOVING these georgous royal blue uniforms this year! They really make Big O's eyes sparkle (but don't tell him I said that, he would think I was very "uncool")...

Dad's not coaching this season, so we are actually getting to SIT TOGETHER at the games & watch our son play (for the first time in 3 years)...it's mighty nice, I might add! ;)

I am looking forward to this weekend when they play on Saturday morning. All of their games have been in the evening this year, too dark for good pictures. I'm taking my "big daddy" lens with me this weekend...so, watch out! ;)

I'll be sharing some DIY Home Decor projects tomorrow...be sure & check back!

Happy Wednesday!

~ mandy

Pretty Peonies...

2009-05-12T08:14:00.004-05:00

I absolutely LOVE peonies!
They are without a doubt, my MOST favorite flowers!
They bloom in several different colors...I love them all!

The blooms are so full & fluffy, the colors are always beautiful & their fragrance makes them almost irresistible!

Here in the south they are known as the "Mother's Day Flower" because they bloom ONLY in the month of May, usually around Mother's Day.

These beautiful flowers take me back, every spring!
Ahhhhhhhh......
Just one sniff of their enchanting aroma and suddenly I'm eight years old again, playing in the yard in between my grandmother & great grandmother's houses (getting into trouble, no doubt).

Both avid gardeners, these gals had white and baby pink bushes in several different spots. On a hot spring day, their sweet smell would fill the air...it was WONDERFUL!

These flowers are even more special to me now that those two amazing ladies are gone. When they begin to bloom every May...I can close my eyes & see Grandma & Granny both out digging in the yard, pulling weeds and keeping everything watered...

When we first moved in to this house two years ago, I went to the grocery store one day & they had these AMAZING magenta peonies out front! These flowers are REALLY hard to find, sometimes you will see them at expensive nurseries...SOMETIMES...so, naturally I snatched them RIGHT UP!

Well, at the time, our yard was a huge pile of DUST...we were not doing our landscaping until the fall & I knew they would get destroyed & run over by bobcats if I put them into the ground...

SO, they did their amazing blooming & died down...and that summer (in the mist of one CRAZY summer unpacking with three kids underfoot), they DRIED out in those little bitty pots they came in. I was so mad at myself for letting them perish!! Even our landscape guy said I should probably just toss them in the garbage, that they wouldn't come back...

but, I just couldn't do it...I could just HEAR my granny chewing me OUT...
Oh, my gosh....

First, for KILLING them & the second, for even considering putting beloved peonies in the GARBAGE can!

So, I did what I thought was right...I gave them a proper burial way out back by the fence.

AMAZINGLY...for the past two years in a row they have bloomed where they were planted....

And, this silly part of me feels like that's my granny looking down on me from heaven and saying "good girl".

Happy Tuesday!

~ mandy

Family Fun Weekend...

2009-05-11T18:42:00.003-05:00

It was a Family Fun Weekend here...whew!

We spent the day Saturday with my parents, my sister & brother in law, and our sweet cousin Emily. We rarely ever get to just "hang out"...it sure was nice to spend some quality time with family.

Here are a few shots from our fun Mother's Day Event...

me, my mother, my cousin (holding my dear friend "mr. spoon"...*snicker*) & my sister (in the back):

We've had so much rain lately, we were deliriously happy to see some SUNSHINE for a change!!

Mama says Emily could be her very own daughter since they look so much alike (except for the part where Emily's hair is naturally that color...ahem...)...I agree...I consider her a little sister myself! ;)

I love this shot of my mother & my beautiful little sister...and then they were attacked by a wild animal...

and one of us & mama holding her precious fur grandson...

this is a rare shot, as my sister & I are seldom in the same place at the same time...I hope the future will find us spending more quality time together...

my sister and her husband (isn't he a cutie pie)...

and Sneaky E in true form...WAY too busy to stop for a picture (WEARING a pair of Big O's knit boxer shorts, I might add)!

I've got some fun things to share this week...the sun's out & the ballgames are BACK ON! I got out & took some pics of my big guy heading out for his game (just minutes before Sneaky E started barfing on the hardwood...*sigh*...I'm glad I decided to stay home, I would have been turning around & coming right back).

I'll be following up on that Fitflop blog entry (wanted to give them a TRUE run before I made comments about them)...I also got some great shots of my FAVORITE flowers...LOVE!!

AND, I got crafty this weekend...I mean, REALLY crafty...spray paint, sand paper & everything! ;)

Hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend!!

~ mandy

Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-08T08:36:00.003-05:00

A friend of mine sent me this via email yesterday...

Before I was a Mom...

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby. I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests, or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.! I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.. I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay. I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom...

and if I could add to it...

Before I was a Mom,
I never realized how much I took my own mother for granted, never understood how hard her job really was, never knew how much my actions or mistakes broke her heart.

Before I was a Mom, I never really appreciated the sacrifices she made or knew how exhausted she was from dealing with my "needs".

Now that I'm a Mom...I know how lucky that I am to be the product of this amazing woman that I call mama. I am so blessed and pray I can make her proud by raising my own children the way she raised me.

You're my best friend.
I love you, mama!

(and just look at my sister in the middle looking like Sneaky E...that biscuit!)

Wishing all my mommy friends & my own mommy a VERY...

Happy Mother's Day!

~ mandy

May Special!

2009-05-05T20:50:00.002-05:00

Busy, busy here...whew!

Found a new "prop" for my camera straps (just $9 too)...love TJ Maxx!

Sneaky E has been super demanding lately...getting into stuff & whatnot...wear me down! I'm hoping to crank out the rest of these straps I've been promising you on Thursday while he's at school (um, or I could get up & sew right now while he's in bed...except he's exhausted me to the point of being completely useless....).

Here's a few new ones & don't miss out on the May Special... All Straps $12 & several styles moved to the CLEARANCE section in my shop!!

Love to snag a great deal...love it even better when YOU do!

We're down to the last three weeks of school here...already planning out which "camps" we're going to attend next month! I can't WAIT till the kids are done with homework & getting up early for a while...we're going to play hard around here this summer!

Happy Tuesday!

~ mandy

FINALLY!!

2009-05-04T11:17:00.002-05:00

You know, I've been waiting for nearly FIVE YEARS to see that funky broken tooth gone!! Miss O fell off a stool at my mothers & hit her mouth right on the edge of the counter when she was about two & a half...it's been a yucky brownish color forever & I'm SO happy to see it out of her mouth finally!!

Happy Dance, happy dance!!

and can you BELIEVE those fat caterpillars!?!?
they DEVOURED my new little rose bushes, tisk!!

I decided to run my Mama Precious Camera Strap Covers for $12 again all this month...I do love a good deal, don't you...visit my Etsy Store to check them out! ;) I am ALSO doing something fun with my pal Amy of Tote & Tee on Wednesday...stay tuned!

The rain has stopped, but it's still dreary & damp...I need to go do some laundry, but I would REALLY rather just pile up on the couch with a book & the weiner dog for a few hours...however, I only have THREE more Mother's Day Out days left & I'm not about to waste a second...I'm jumping up to be productive instead!!

Hope your Monday is a great one!!

~ mandy

Silent Saturday...

2009-05-02T13:17:00.002-05:00

Oh, don't I WISH!

Somehow April didn't get the message about showers & we are getting them in May instead...ball is cancelled today & the kids are screaming & running through the house & building forts with every cushion & pillow in sight...sword fighting with wrapping paper tubes (where they came from, I do NOT know)...

I was reading some of my regular blogs yesterday & ran up on my friend Sharae sharing her beautiful kitchen...I tell you, this girl is the MOST thrifty mom I know! She's smart with her money, her boys are perfect gentlemen & her house ALWAYS looks like you've stepped into Southern Living magazine! Do check her out & get you some decorating ideas...I LOVE her french country style! ;)

All this CLOUDY, drizzling rain (reminds me of Forks)...whew, I totally could go for a nap today...or maybe I'll watch Twilight again instead. ;)

Happy Wet Weekend!

~ mandy

Mockery...

2009-04-30T09:35:00.003-05:00

You know, every day my husband comes home from work telling about the various (impressive) procedures that he's done...how he's changed some one's life by fixing their smile. He LOVES his job and the fact that he can help improve some one's self esteem...I LOVE that he loves his job and am very proud of the way he values each person who passes through his office...he says he is going to treat you like family and he really & truly does.

However,
by the time he's finished telling about his day...there's not a single word that I can say that will top it. I don't even bother trying. And sometimes I suspect that he might be mocking me, because he can look around the downstairs & very plainly see what I DID NOT accomplish that day...

So, I have to remind myself (er, often) that where I don't have the public recognition & approval that I used to have as a teacher...I really DO love MY job & I REALLY am changing some one's life, just by being in it consistently...loving them, caring for them, playing with them...

Some days it's unbelievably hard work!

Some days I want to run away from home...

but, most days my crazy life goes pretty much like this...

And,
I
wouldn't
trade it
for
the
WORLD! ;)

Happy Thursday!

~ mandy

Security Alert

2009-04-28T08:24:00.003-05:00

is officially ELEVATED here at my house now!

The pool guys came out yesterday & removed the cover...

Sneaky E was loving the "work"...he helped the guys pressure wash the cover & get it ready to be stored away...then he helped maneuver the hose to find the perfect spot to fill the pool back up again. ;)

meanwhile, I began looking up locations for the little sneaky little buggar to take swimming lessons...ASAP...oh, my NERVES!!

On the flip side, these roses are looking lovely...but the new ones that I bought for my side porch have become a buffet for a mad team of FAT caterpillars!

And remember Miss O's Broken Tooth...well, the Tooth Fairy is circling the neighborhood...that baby is dangling by a few roots (but she WILL NOT let anyone pull it)...it's driving me INSANE, I want to yank it out of her mouth every time she opens it (which, if you know her in real life...you know that her mouth is open A LOT...) ;)

(love her anyway though)
I'll keep you posted on that one...

Happy Tuesday, everybody!

~ mandy

Nowhere to Go, Nowhere to Be...

2009-04-27T14:26:00.003-05:00

now, wouldn't that be something?!?

I can't think of a time recently that I had Nowhere to Go, Nowhere to Be...seems like I've always got WAY too many places to go & WAY too many places to be...ALL the time!!

But, yet I'm loving this Kenny Chesney song today:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9eANBKGfhQ

Enjoy yourself a little listen...while I GO get the clothes out of the dryer...Nowhere to go...
*sigh*...
(boy, that would be so nice!)

Hope everyone is have a beautiful Monday! :)

~ mandy

Lazy River Day...

2009-04-26T08:43:00.003-05:00

Yesterday we spent a lazy day out on our riverfront property.
(warning...PICTURES galore today)

Although, it ended up being a perfectly lazy spring day...it certainly didn't start out that way! You know with three kids, it's like herding cats trying to go somewhere...and when dad starts loading HIS toys up on the truck...WHEW!

It's a good little drive out in the country...far enough away from where we live to feel like we got "out of town"...we're hoping to build a little cabin out there one day. (ONE day, I say...don't get any ideas in your head Daddy P)

Well, we get out there & right off the bat we ran into trouble...

Not these guys, they were more like the audience...haha!
There was a HUGE tree down in the "road" (aka the winding dirt path), so Big O & Dad had to break out the muscles!

These friendly guys came over to cheer them on...Sneaky E was tore up seeing these beauties up close!

Well, then before we can get the gate unlocked...we've got to cross over the railroad tracks! I had totally forgotten about this & they turned out to be a perfect spot for me to jump out & get some pictures! (thus promting whining from the backseat..."come on, mom!!") ;)

Daddy took his big mower, Big O took his 4 wheeler, Miss O took her Littlest Pet Shop, Sneaky E took THREE pairs of shoes (he's into shoes right now), and I (was prepared) took my newly downloaded copy of the Twilight movie to watch in the shade on my iPhone! ;)

Sneaky E got bored changing his shoes & rode on the mower with dad for awhile, Big O blazed the trails, Miss O was spread out on the blanket playing...I wandered around with my camera to capture some of this amazing GREEN!

This property is entirely enclosed with trees & in the middle is a HUGE, flat field. If you've read the Twilight series, you can get inside my head here...this is the location I picture in my mind where the vampire stand-off takes place...the wolves go after Laurent, the Newborns attack, the Volturi confrontation, etc...(minus the blazing sun, of course)

Anyway...back to the lazy day...(I've lost you now, I know...you ran & picked up Eclipse & you're reading like crazy)

It was a great family afternoon...

UNTIL I noticed seed ticks on my ankles & that was the end of it for me, I spent the rest of the afternoon up in the truck inspecting every freckle on my body (that looked like a bitty tick at a glance) & itching like crazy....UGHHHHH, I can't handle something crawling on me...totally freaks me out!!

Big Daddy wanted to take a little walk on the paths he had mowed down...I said, you can go right ahead! This was AFTER he got mad at me when I showed obvious disinterest in his suggestion that we CAMP IN TENTS on the ground (the very ground that just covered me with seed ticks too...UGH, no thank you!)

WELL...off the little biscuits went & the weiner dog & I took a nice snooze in the breezy shaded truck bed! (too bad no one snapped a picture of THAT...haha)

Naturally, Sneaky E decided that a life jacket was more appropriate attire for a walk (even though they weren't going down to the water)...so, of course...he got hot & took it off after awhile...

and when they all got back...everyone was tired & happy & ready to head home FOR A BATH!! (and some Benadryl...look at these itchy little eyes)

It was a beautiful afternoon...I think a cabin out there might not be too bad after all...

Hope you all have a beautiful Sunday! :)

~ mandy

It's SOAP BOX time!

2009-04-24T07:55:00.004-05:00

You knew it was coming...

you KNEW you wouldn't be able to escape this beautiful spring weather without me jumping up on my soap box & preaching to all about the dangers of the SUN!

LAST SPRING, I had a bit of a run in with BCC...SKIN CANCER & you might remember me telling about that...(I'll let you read last year's earful instead of getting back into full Soap Box mode here). I ended up having several "spots" removed & sent off for a biopsy. I was very lucky and am MUCH, MUCH smarter about my skin & my family's skin now!

This year I'm doing ok, new freckles...that's normal...but now that I'm the SKIN POLICE, I'm right on top of it! In the past few months several people that I love have had things removed that were skin cancer related...I am so proud of them for stepping up and taking the bull by the horns! If you have any odd shaped/colored moles or small places/scabs that won't heal, I strongly suggest that you get them checked out...just in case.

Here's an updated list recommended products from the Skin Cancer Foundation, do check them out & protect yourself and the people that you love (please).

Ok, off the soap box now...

see now, that wasn't so bad! ;)

Happy FRIDAY!!

~ mandy

BUS*Y!

2009-04-21T09:40:00.003-05:00

Whew!
Busy times, busy times! :)

Just wanted to pop in & share a lil sneak peek of the new straps I'm listing in my Etsy Shop today! If you don't see the one you're loving in there, please check back. I've got SEVERAL more to finish (ahem, like 20) & photograph today, I'll be listing new prints all this week!

Hope everyone is doing well & having a beautiful week!

~ mandy

New Stuff! & a WINNER!

2009-04-17T13:45:00.002-05:00

I've been listing new stuff in my Esty shop!

Yummy new Mama Precious Camera Strap Covers AND some CLEARANCE Fabric! Don't forget, FREE SHIPPING on all camera strap covers in my shop the entire month of April!

Here are a few (& I have 36 more to list over the next week, so please check back):

AND I also have a WINNER from Tuesday's blog contest:

Lazy Mom Leslie, it's YOU! :)
Please email your name & mailing address AND what fabric you would like your strap done in to oh_fiddle_dee_dee@hotmail.com.

Hope everyone has a Fabulous Friday!

~ mandy

Sibling Rivalry...

2009-04-15T07:47:00.003-05:00

Blogging about Donald Davis' wonderful books yesterday got me to thinking about this little rivalry that my mother & my aunt had over him a few years ago. ((and how could you not be fighting over him, he's adorable!!))

Remember, I told you how he comes to my mother's school here in middle TN every year to tell his stories and do a workshop with the students...well, my AUNT lives in Jonesborough ...TN's oldest town AND the home of the National Storytelling Festival (an event that Donald Davis participates in EVERY year)...((and just look at who is on their front page, btw)).

On a side note...if you ever get a chance to attend this fabulous festival, I highly recommend it! My aunt took us to the GHOST STORIES event one year...MERCY it was AWESOME!! I'm planning to take the kids one day, I know they would LOVE this!

ANYway...my aunt lives in the heart of Jonesborough, but had NEVER met Donald Davis. Now, of course...my mother enjoyed this fact & was always bragging about her visits with The Donald to her little sister...

Every year mama would enjoy a visit, have her picture made with Donald & then make a point to MAIL my aunt a photograph of HER and Donald Davis just to rub it in...this went on a few years...

until one year...
when Donald Davis paid a visit to my aunt's school (she's a teacher too).

Ah, yes...Sis plotted her visit well...when it was her turn to have a photo opt with The Donald, she whipped out a photo of him & my mother from a previous visit & TOLD him about how mama had rubbed this in her face repeatedly...year after year!!!

I'm sure he was delighted & laughing over it...because they had their picture made WITH Sis holding up the the most recent photo that mama had sent her!! (thus sparking a duel much like the legendary "battle of the lamp" from the Christmas Story movie)...naturally, a copy of the photo was made & MAILED appropriately for my mother to enjoy on her walk back from the mailbox (just as my aunt had done many times before)

& of course, it didn't stop there!!
The very next year, without missing a beat...mama gets her school visit with Donald Davis, just like she does every year...and at photo time, out she whips that photograph of Sis & Donald Davis! ((I'm sure if he didn't already know my mother pretty well, he would probably think we were a bunch of lunatics...))

but, alas...a new photo was taken...this time, of Mama & Donald Davis...HOLDING a picture of Sis & Donald Davis...who, IN THE PHOTO are HOLDING an older photo of Mama & Donald Davis...

tisk...
those two...
never a dull moment, that's for sure!
I'm anxious to see what will happen the next time my aunt gets to visit with Donald...you can always count on her to keep it fun! ;)

Well, I've got to go check on my sick lil lady...perfect attendance tarnished...*sigh*...

Don't forget about the FREE Camera Strap Cover from yesterday...leave me a book suggestion in the comment box. I will draw a winner on Friday morning.

Happy Wednesday! :)

~ mandy

Summer Reading List

2009-04-14T07:47:00.003-05:00

I am slightly dreading it...I know Big O is going to get one this year (worse than last year's, I'm sure). He's not my reader...that's Miss O...he would rather be doing ANYTHING else besides reading (which makes me sad really, because a good quarter of my life has been spent with my nose in a book). You know, there is something so brutal about reading because YOU HAVE TO, just takes all the fun out of it...but, I guess that's just part of growing up. I do hope he has a list of books he can CHOOSE from (like last year), that makes it so much easier for a non-reader like him!

I'm putting together a (short, let's be realistic here) list of books I want to devour this summer & a couple of them are books I have already read! Since they're good enough to enjoy more than once, I thought you might enjoy them too!

They are by my FAVORITE storyteller, Donald Davis!
His books are stories that have been passed down in his family and several are about his life and his family growing up in rural a North Carolina Appalachian mountain community.

Donald Davis visits my mother's school (she's a teacher) every year and does a live storytelling presentation for the school, then again for the public and THEN he spends a day with the students teaching them about how to tell (or write) their own stories. I've had the honor of meeting this adorable man and that makes his books just that much more special to me!

His stories are about life, love, respect and family...some are heartbreaking, but most are absolutely HILARIOUS!

There are three in particular that I HIGHLY recommend...(did I mention how HIGHLY I recommend these?!?)

RIDE THE BUTTERFLIES...

I absolutely LOVED this one & I usually give this my children's teachers as a gift for teacher appreciation week with a little Starbucks gift card or something. This book compiles stories from Donald Davis' school years. I've read chapters of this book aloud to my 2nd grade class before...they were rolling on the carpet howling over DD's first day in 1st grade! The book is entirely rated G and would be loved by all ages!

SEE ROCK CITY...

I think this one is my favorite! I know for a fact that I've read it myself 3 times...I also know for a fact that I have LOANED my copy out & it never came back! This one is SO hilarious...I can remember reading it in the car on a family trip & just sitting over there laughing until I cried...my husband would make me back up & re-read it aloud (when I finally got myself under control) so that he could laugh over it too! This book is FILLED with hilarious stories about Donald Davis' family & vacations! I've given this one to teacher's at the end of the year with a beach bag/towel...summer reading at it's finest! ;)

and MAMA LEARNS TO DRIVE...

A newer publication from DD sharing stories of his life and his mother. I list this one last because there are several stories that he tells here that are touched on briefly in these first two books that I suggested...you don't HAVE to read the other two, but I enjoyed running up on things that I remembered (with fondness, like they were family) and hearing more about them.

These, however are only three of nearly 50 publications from Donald Davis...so don't just stop there! ;) You can find his books at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or right here on his publisher's website...August House.

What are you planning on reading this summer?

Leave me a book suggestion down there in the comment box & I will put your name in a drawing to receive a NEW Mama Precious Camera Strap Cover...if you're the winner, you can pick a print from the encyclopedia of fabric that I have in stock! (here's a peek at one I'm putting on Etsy today) ;)

The winner will be chosen on Friday morning.
Good Luck!!

I'm jumping up to get some laundry going before Sneaky E wakes up & takes the day by the horns...hope you all have a great Tuesday & Happy Reading!

~ mandy

Hippity Hoppity!

2009-04-13T14:30:00.003-05:00

What a glorious Easter Sunday it was!!

I've been super busy today getting some Mama Precious Camera Strap Covers ready & taking pictures of the ones I already had done...I have already listed a few new in my Etsy store & will have several more in there tomorrow. Don't forget, my April Special...FREE SHIPPING on all Camera Straps!

Look at my handsome new model...;)

Here are a few shots from yesterday...whew, what a fun day we had!!

I made another pathetic attempt to get a picture of all three kids...here's what I delt with...."it's TOOOO BRIGHT out here"....ugh!

and this was the best I got...I didn't even edit...there was NO WAY to touch up that hideous bruise on Miss O's head! I'll keep trucking....I am HOPEFUL, because suddenly Sneaky E is all about looking at the camera, breaking out in a huge smile & saying "CHEESE"!

He's a mess!

I did get a few shots of them hunting eggs at Aunt Tisha's...

Big O on his quest for the Golden Egg!

Miss O in our favorite Matilda Jane outfit...

Sneaky E in Whimsy Kids...

My nephew, Braden blowing bubbles...he's a BUSY fella...I have NEVER been able to catch him for a picture! Don't don't you worry, B...I'm NOT giving up! ;)

My niece, Drew...oh, she is GROWING so fast! Remember her last summer...she was just a bitty baby!

& with a lil chocolate bunny...oh, yeah! ;)

AND my other niece, Melanie (Drew's big sis) looking like a total rock star at the egg hunt! I do love this sweet gal! ;)

My hubby & his sweet mommy...(or "Bubba & Nana")...she's a frequent blog reader (she likes to get her dimple fix)...she helps me SO much, I swear I would lose my mind if it were not for her sometimes!!

And of course...had to share this one...my oldest child (aka Daddy P)...gotta love him here! ;)

Ok, gotta shut down the computer...another round of storms is blowing through TN today & Sneaky E is (scared to death of storms) & is hanging off me like a wet rag (which I secretly love since my other two kids are ferociously brave)...looks like Big O's first ballgame is going to be rained out too...

keep safe, folks!!

~ mandy

NOT Obsessed...

2009-04-11T11:20:00.004-05:00

I mean it, I'm really NOT! ;)

For some reason, I find myself visiting this celebrity gossip blog a few times a week...it's not bad gossip & the blog author is always complimentary & positive about every picture she posts. There's just something interesting about these people being out in real life...mostly I read just to see what these folks are wearing in their "down time"...I'm curious...but NOT Obsessed! haha

http://imnotobsessed.com/

and speaking OBSESSED...I broke my promise...after TWO full weeks of reading in the car...here a page, there a page...I brought Breaking Dawn back into the house...it's SOOOOO good...I can't stand it!!

I'm feeding my kids some lunch & settling in for a bit of LAZY Saturday reading!

Hope everyone has a wonderful day & a very Happy Easter Sunday! :)

~ mandy

Rougher or More Rough?

2009-04-10T08:22:00.004-05:00

Seriously, either one will do here...

As I was hoping yesterday's ROUGHness would taper off after lunch...unfortunately, it was pretty much a repeat of my morning! I made the mistake of turning on the local news at lunch time & ended up crying at the kitchen counter over the coverage of our beloved local anchorman Dan Miller...oh, so sad...such a good man!

The kids came home from school & since the weather was so nice, we were right outside enjoying it! They had originally wanted to play "Egg Hunt" (the game which involves me hiding empty eggs & they practice hunting...good, cheap fun)...But, when we went to get some eggs...someone had beat us to it! UGH!! (SEE why we call him Sneaky E?!?!)

Oh, that little biscuit!!

So, we're off to play outside...everyone enjoying the weather...

UNTIL...

like something out of a Tom & Jerry cartoon...Miss O comes bolting through the yard and steps on a SHOVEL that someone has left out (don't ask)...steps on the end & the wood handle comes flying up & CRACKS her on the forehead!!!!!

Unbelievable!

And of course we have TEAM PICTURES for Swim League that night (and I did find the purple shirt)...so, she went sporting an Easter Egg sized KNOT on her face!!

Boy, was I happy to see this...
Whew! What a crazy day!

On the BRIGHTER side...day two of wearing my new FITFLOPS...

Day one...

I wore them ALL DAY (even though the tags say "wear them GRADUALLY") & I felt like I had gone to the Zoo & walked it all day barefoot! My legs were EXHAUSTED!

Day two (yesterday) was better, but legs were still tired & happy to be climbing under the covers at bedtime. I haven't noticed visible results, of course...I'll keep them on & keep you posted! :) In the mean time, I discovered TONS of them on Ebay & snagged another pair for $21 yesterday! Woot!!

We're getting ready to get out & run errands, then off to see the new Hanna Montana movie this afternoon! I'm going to take the weekend off from blogging, but will be back with bunny tales on Sunday night or early Monday.

Hope everyone has a beautiful Easter Weekend!

~mandy

Rough!

2009-04-09T12:18:00.003-05:00

It's been a rough day...

First thing this morning I see on the news that my favorite local news anchorman, Dan Miller passed away last night. Although, I've never met him...he has been a part of my home since I was a little girl. My husband and I watch wsmv news every night & always enjoy his witty comments & quirky smiles...I feel like I've lost a friend and dread turning on the news tonight and not seeing him there (almost as much as I dread the faces of his co-workers...working, as the news must go on).

Then before I can get myself jerked up this morning, Sneaky E managed to flip himself off the back of the couch...landing HEAD FIRST onto the hardwood floor! I heard it from the kitchen & bolted in there expecting to see the end table knocked over or something...we spent a good 15 minutes rocking & both of us got a good cry in.

*Sigh*

So sorry to be a downer today...I am hoping for a much better afternoon & will be back with a Fitflop report soon...(but first I have GOT to find Miss O's team shirt for tonight's swim league pictures)...ACK!!

Hurry Up, Weekend!!!
~mandy

The TEST!

2009-04-08T08:02:00.002-05:00

I found these shoes online last week at Piperlime...The Fitflop...a new (and wildly popular, I have found) invention in shoes claiming to tone your legs & hiney!

I was needing some new flip flops anyway (and the dreaded bathing suit season is coming at me fast)...so, I just couldn't resist giving these a try...WILL they actually tone my legs & bum?!?!

We shall see (but so far, I can say they are REALLY comfy shoes...I got the dark sequin pair in the photo above)!

Here's what I found on them:

http://www.newsweek.com/id/32749

http://doesitwork.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/07/17/1204959.aspx

I'll keep you posted. The weather is supposed to be warmer, so I plan to wear these babies every day for the next week & just see if they really DO what they claim! (and if they DO, I will be hunting up THIS pair next...go with everything...aren't they CUTE!?!)

Hope everyone has a great Wednesday & Happy, Happy Birthday to my sweet cousin Emily today too!! :)

~mandy

Confessions of a Lazy Mom

2009-04-07T10:16:00.005-05:00

I am a HUGE fan of the Lazy Moms blog...if you haven't paid them a visit yet, you are really missing out! Lazy Mom Leslie & Lazy Mom Amanda take turns blogging every day sharing great tips & funny stories...

"What is a Lazy Mom, you ask? A Lazy Mom isn’t really lazy. She finds fast and efficient ways to get more done so she can have more fun."

Today they are having a Mr. Linky party, so here I must share my Lazy Mom Confession with you! ;)

I must confess that I keep the UPS guy busy!

(what is this? there is no shock on your face!?!) ;)

I would much rather pay $5 for shipping than pay $5 for GAS...ANY day! Shopping online is faster & saves me lots of headache (I have three kids, you know...do YOU want to go shoe shopping with three kids...or even ONE KID for that matter!?!?)...

Do visit the Lazy Moms site to read more great tips & not so LAZY confessions!

(after you recover from my blogging TWICE in one day that is) ;)

Happy Tuesday!

Spring Shopping!

2009-04-07T07:56:00.002-05:00

It is completely unavoidable...everyone GREW...I have naked little bodies & feet all over the place here! I've been SLOWLY doing some spring/summer shopping (online, of course)...it's been tough to get in the mode with this CRAZY, freezing spring weather we have had!

Here's some really cute stuff that I've found:

For Miss O...these rockin' TDF, pink glitter converse shoes!!! OH, I love!!

A beautiful, (yet SUPER comfy) dress made by my pal Tanya of Bug-n-Belle on Etsy...

For both Sneaky E & Miss O (accidentally, as I ordered the 4 for E but it fits Miss O right now & she ran like the wind with it when she saw it...so, I had to get E the 3) from Paper Lily....SO stinkin' adorable Guitar Super Star Tee & they are on sale for $10 right now!!

And how about THESE...Limeade & Flowers Flare Pants with a built in skirt on sale at Twirly Girl! Their things are SO comfy!!

This is one of my MOST favorite places to shop...www.crazy8.com...it's owned by the Gymboree folks, but the clothing is cheaper than Gymbo & just as nice...I can buy for ALL three of my kids here (which I CANNOT do at Gymbo) since the big boys sizing goes all the way up to 14 & lots of their little guy styles remind me of Boden! I snag deals there CONSTANTLY...(& I feel guiltly not sharing the love)! Look at these cute spring/summer outfits they have right now...

Here's another Etsy seller that I LOVE...fun, fun little tees...this one is Oog the Cowboy Monster...too cute!

I'm just DYING over the goodness that Heather has in her shop right now...Little E Designs on Etsy...get over there & check these out (I want some of those stretchy headbands for myself)!!

I'm still shopping for SHOES...these little feet, ugh!! I found what I needed for E at Piperlime & snagged a GREAT deal on some New Balance tennies for Miss O...FREE Shipping & FREE Returns too, gotta love that! I'm STILL hunting for khaki crocs for my boys, anyone know where I can get some online?

Oh & that brings me to my last & latest find...www.whatapair.com...WOMEN'S shoes galore! You can go to their advanced search option, put in your size & it will give you everything they have in stock in your size! There are TONS of great deals here, I found these FUN Rocket Dog tennies for just $9.99!

Alrighty...I think that's enough shopping love for you for today! ;)

I've got to get some things done before it's time to take Lil Smokey over to the school. Big O is doing some demonstration in his classroom...how to get a dog to beg...I didn't argue, I'll let him find out that all he is going to be demonstrating is how to keep a weiner dog from eating your classmates alive...*sigh*....live & learn!

Happy Tuesday!
~Mandy

Happy...

2009-04-05T07:32:00.002-05:00

It's been a pretty happy week around here, but I'm really glad it's winding down.

Sneaky E had is 3rd birthday on Friday. This kid is obsessed over the Cars movie! He probably has 15 different assorted Lightning McQueen car toys in the house at this very second! He LOVES Mater (& the "Ghost Light") the best though & it is INCREDIBLY hard to find toys that feature him! Our sweet pal Tracee got him a plate/spoon set with Mater on them AND a Mater matchbox car (our FIRST ONE too)...E sleeps with that little Mater all the time, he LOVES!!

Since there was no Mater available, we got him a super FAB Lightning McQueen power wheels riding toy for his birthday...& OHHHHH, he LOVES it!! Is this thing not the coolest!!

We also had our annual Egg Hunt out here at the house yesterday! I didn't get a chance to count, but there were a TON of kids out here (& all over the inside/outside of my house) haha! It was a GLORIOUS sunny day...couldn't have asked for more perfect weather!!

Naturally, it was all so crazy that I didn't even get a decent shot of anything during the party or the hunt...just a bunch of running kids & the backsides of my girlfriends (who would choke me if I posted them)! I did make off with this one though, I believe I'll be ordering a large print of my guy here...

We're getting ready to enjoy another beautiful day. I think we're going to ride out to our property on the river & do some fishing. I fear that the hubby really wants to go out there to talk about the cabin he's wanting to build (oh, my nerves can't take that right now)...However, I wouldn't mind them doing some fishing so that I could stretch out & READ a little bit! haha!

Hope everyone has a great Sunday!
~ mandy

Mr. Man is Three!

2009-04-03T07:37:00.002-05:00

How can it be!?!

Just a blink ago we were expecting a new baby...now my Mr. Man is done with babyville & heading straight into the independent pre-school years! I just CLING to him staying little, but I know I can't keep him that way much longer. In the next few months the crib (yes, I told you I CLING) will come down, the paci will disappear & potty training will be finished (ok, I hope)...

It was just a minute ago that the nurses were all swooning over this charming little guy..."LOOK, he's got DIMPLES!"...was the first thing they said after he was born!

and he was wrapping folks around his little pinky the very second he came home from the hospital...

My busy, busy little man...
Modeling for mommy...

Here on is first birthday...what a gloriously, warm, sunny day it was!

Playing in the MUD!

Making my heart melt...

Doing portraits on the beach...

Earning the title of Sneaky E...

Being my superhero!

Riding on his beloved "cycle" (as in pop cycle) ;)

Having birthday #2...

Last summer playing in the sun...

Modeling for Tote & Tee...

Being the Big Cheese...

and now he's turning three...

Happy Birthday, sweet boy!
I love you so very much!

(and can't wait to see your face when we pull that Lightning McQueen riding toy out of the garage tonight for your birthday...OH, my!) :)

Hope everyone has a super Friday!!
~mandy

Things...

2009-04-01T20:05:00.004-05:00

I saw outside this afternoon...

it was GLORIOUS...clear blue skies & 75 degrees...hard to think about doing much of anything besides wandering around out in the yard with the kids!

I started the last book yesterday, but am forcing myself to LEAVE IT IN THE CAR...(No this is not an April Fool's gag...haha)...I am going to read in car line & at ball practice & whenever so that I can stretch it out & make it last longer. (you're laughing, I know...) ;) But, the set has been so good I just couldn't gobble it all up fast like I did the first three!

Speaking of April Fool's Day...I broke down & did the math...my hubby & I had our first date on April Fool's Day...a wee....18 years ago today! (yikes)

And speaking of the hubby...he informed me last night that our NEW PUPPY was two weeks old today...we're getting a NEW PUPPY (I was informed) whenever it's time for it to leave its mommy...I'll not spoil the surprise for YOU...you'll have to wait & find out what breed of canine american is about to turn my life completely upside down...oh, my!

Did I mention that we're having a birthday here this week?
Ah, I'll be dragging out some sweet shots of Sneaky E (dimples galore) in the next couple of days...do check back. In the mean time, here's a sweet shot of Miss O in the afternoon sun.

Hope you are have a wonderful week!
~ Mandy

Camera Strap Sale...Last Day!

2009-03-31T09:40:00.002-05:00

Where on earth did MARCH go!?!?

Today's the last day for my $12 Mama Precious Camera Strap Sale!
Tomorrow they will be regular price $14.99.
Don't miss out!

Little Precious Shop

and you will be proud of me...I still have NOT started reading Breaking Dawn...I'm just not ready for it to end just yet...I'm taking it SLOW! ;)

Still...

2009-03-29T08:47:00.003-05:00

Bitten!

I warned you, I told you it was BAD!
I've been walking around with a book in my face all week long!
And what's worse, I somehow managed to bite my pal Carrie...so now SHE'S got a book in her face as well! (sorry, pal) ;)

I finished the third book in the series, Eclipse on Friday night...oh, they are all so, so good!! However, the hubby has been VERY patient all week long (he's been on vacation & I've been up every night till midnight READING like a woman possessed)...so I promised not to start Breaking Dawn until he goes back to work tomorrow! (in the mean time, I had to console myself by watching the movie again last night...*sigh*...I've got it bad!)...

Ok, before you get BIT...I'll distract you with these cuties!

It's Birthday Week here at our house...Sweet (but Sneaky) E is turning THREE on Friday! We had a little party with our pal, Sweet (& not Sneaky) T last night (this is my "bitten" pal, Carrie's son)...are they not the CUTEST!?! Amy sent us these tees...they were PERFECT for our little birthday boys! You can find them on her site...http://www.toteandtee.com/catalog/.

I'll share more of their fun evening later, I just wanted to pop in & let everyone know that I was still...without a doubt...smitten with a fictional teenage vampire (and loving it...bahaha)...;)

Bitten...

2009-03-25T07:57:00.004-05:00

I apologize for the lack of blogging, but I have been somewhere else...mentally...for days now!

The dear hubby was out of town on Sunday, so after the kids went to bed I decided to settle in on the couch with a glass of wine & the weiner dog & watch a movie that I figured he would have NO interest in watching!

All I have heard is rave & swooning over the Twilight book series...at one point I had a borrowed copy in my possession, but I was actually AFRAID to start reading it...afraid of what would happen to me (because I heard it was SO good, you couldn't put it down).

Let me just clarify what I heard for you...
the book really is SO GOOD YOU CAN'T PUT IT DOWN!
But, it was this good for ME....AFTER I saw the movie (em...twice in a row on Sunday night...)...
you might even say I was "Dazzled"! ;)

The characters were all there, firmly planted in my imagination...the book (which I just finished last night, after racing out on Monday morning to purchase) was SO delicious! It was like watching the movie AGAIN, but with all these extra deleted scenes & back stories!

I enjoyed the movie so much on Sunday night, that the first thing I did on Monday was head to Walmart (the closest store) to buy the DVD & the book! BUT, Wally didn't have it on Blu-Ray...(if you have seen a movie on Blu-Ray, then you understand my NEED to get this moive on Blue-Ray...haha). I settled for the book & a copy of the regular DVD (for my MOTHER, harhar)....but as the day wore on I couldn't stand it! When the hubby took the kids to ball practice, I RACED to the nearest Target store to buy an exclusive Blu Ray copy AND found the remaining three books from the series on sale...I wish you could have seen the look on the sales boy checking me out...scanning all three books & then the movie (that's all I bought)...
his look was like "YOU have some issues, lady"...

YES...I totally have to agree with him!
I'll be back to regular blogging as soon as I can get this delicious Edward Cullen out of my head...in the mean time, ask me what movie I'm watching tonight! ;)

Get Your Easter Goodies...

2009-03-22T11:00:00.002-05:00

Right here! ;)

I'm cleaning out some closets this weekend & listing goodies on eBay...

do HOP over & get yourself some deals!
Most of these are NEW with tags & have Buy It Now options attached!

Little*Precious Resells on eBay

Do check back, I'll be listing a few more things throughout the day!

PLAY Ball!

2009-03-21T07:49:00.003-05:00

It's official...ball season has BEGUN!

Big O has been practicing a couple of weeks now, but today is Miss O's very first softball practice!

I took advantage of the warmer weather to get out & work with her this week...she did really well, but then got distracted by this BOX TURTLE in the yard (& that was the end of that).

While I was helping her set up Turtleville on the back porch, I looked over to see Sneaky E still out there in the yard...my little MVP in the making! ;)

He is SO stinkin' funny! I love that kid!

Gotta go get Miss Grumpy Gills up & fed for her morning ball practice. I'll leave you guys with a little "dimple fix". ;)

Happy Weekend! :)

Spring BREAK!

2009-03-20T07:26:00.003-05:00

It's been a full week here & I'm still waiting for the BREAK part to kick in!

We've gotten a touch of spring here & there...today it's supposed to be sunny again & a bit warmer, I'm hoping to get out & get some shots of the kids now that the grass is turning GREEN!!

But, I've YET to see the BREAK part! Whew!
Next week Daddy P is taking off & I seriously think we are going to RECLUSE & have some serious family time before ball season gets off the ground! (besides, we have to get ready for another birthday coming up too)...

Well, anyway...Sunday was Big O's birthday, he's on vacation at my aunt's house in the mountains for the weekend...we're a two kid household for the next couple of days, it feels really weird! I just wanted to share a couple of shots from being EXACTLY 11 years old...wanna try & guess what he got for his birthday?

Here's a clue...

NO, no...it's not a pig...(LOL)

It's more like...um, leverage...you know, as in "you better get that bedroom cleaned up, young man...or ELSE!"...haha!
This is him when dear ole dad drove it around back & surprised him while I was taking his birthday pictures (you know they ones you take of your kids when they're "exactly __ years old")...anyway, he's not allowed anywhere near it unless dad is riding (his dirt bike) & they are both wearing HELMETS!!

And here's a sweet shot of my boys on the day that Big O is exactly 11 years old...so sweet! Sneaky E was giving me the POINT (when means, "quit messing with me") because I said "Look, Mater's on my camera"...it worked, he looked! Haha! :)

Hope everyone has a GLORIOUS first day of spring & a very happy spring weekend!!

SO Lucky!

2009-03-17T08:16:00.002-05:00

Seriously, life is good!

I really don't know HOW I got to be so lucky!
I am so blessed...so, SO blessed!

In the past couple of years, I have gotten to be friends with this group of gals...we all live out in the same area, so we're neighbors & our kids all go to the same school...we drive each other's kids all over the place, tag team at birthday parties & play dates, get our toes done together, we SHOP together, go to lunch together (naming us "The Lunchbunch"), we party together, VACATION together...EVEN our HUBBIES have play dates together (which we think is hilarious)

We stick up for each other & literally WEAR OURSELVES OUT trying to take care of each other! I LOVE these girls, their hubbies AND their beautiful children! Nothing makes me happier than to have ALL of them & their families tearing through my house or out in the pool...when they are around, we always have a glorious time!

Now, being the good girlfriend that I am... I would NEVER share a less than flattering photo of my gals. So, here's one from our "annual cookie swap" at Carrie's house...lip gloss touched up & everything! ;) Aren't they gorgeous!?!

Well, anyway...I wanted to blog about them because last week they threw me a little (early) birthday party...I must have really been kissing the blarney stone this year...I have never had anyone be so sweet to me...THANK YOU, girls!

They made my FAVORITE, the tres PERFECT Rice Crispy Treats!! haha!

Pitched in together & bought me a FABULOUS new Vera Bradley "pack pack" so I can look all showy this spring at the ballpark!! ;)

And even let Sneaky E have a practice run blowing out some candles (since he's NEXT on the birthday list around here)...

Are they not the sweetest, EVER!?!?

I seriously don't know what I ever did to deserve such good pals, but I DO know that I appreciate them more than I could ever put into words!

Thank you, girls!!
I love you!
Mandy

Little Precious Boutique

Today's the Day!

Out in the yard...

Weekend Adventures...

PUT the Spray Paint Can DOWN...

I must be getting soft...

Precious Puppies...

The Master Bedroom Tour...

Thrifty Goodness

My NEW Crafty Space...

Win a Mama Precious Camera Strap Cover

Birthday Girl!

Let's PLAY!

Recycled Lamp Shade Project

Keeping Up...

Father's Day Pics...

And, It's Monday...

Change is coming...

Old Blue Chair...

Roses Gone Wild!

Apron Winner!!

Mama & Daddy P...

The Walk of Shame!

Make a Fabric Message Board!

Remember when I said...

Did you see...

Last Day...

"It Stormy!"

Father's Day & Random Nonsense...

Is it Thursday Already!?!?

It was an A+ School Year!

Sneaky E's Program...

Summer Break is Coming...

Wow Wednesday!

Excitement!!

Love Me Some Fitflops!

Vinyl...Letters...Oh, My!

Tool Belt Diva...

Baby Blue Eyes...

Pretty Peonies...

Family Fun Weekend...

Happy Mother's Day!

May Special!

FINALLY!!

Silent Saturday...

Mockery...

Security Alert

Nowhere to Go, Nowhere to Be...

Lazy River Day...

It's SOAP BOX time!

B*U*S*Y!

New Stuff! & a WINNER!

Sibling Rivalry...

Summer Reading List

Hippity Hoppity!

NOT Obsessed...

Rougher or More Rough?

Rough!

The TEST!

Confessions of a Lazy Mom

Spring Shopping!

Happy...

Mr. Man is Three!

Things...

Camera Strap Sale...Last Day!

Still...

Bitten...

Get Your Easter Goodies...

PLAY Ball!

Spring BREAK!

SO Lucky!

BUS*Y!