Author: Laurie

Blogger

Witch Switch

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Pottery Barn Version, My Version

I can finally show you what I’ve been working on for 3 weeks! I saw this in the Pottery Barn Kids Catalogue and I had to have it! 2 other friends of mine wanted to do it as well, so this was a group effort that made it more fun, much easier, and cheaper! We made 6 of them, two for each of us. I’m very pleased at how they turned out. (I need photography lessons, this picture just doesn’t do it justice.)

I gave my second one to my Witch Switch Sister, Jamie, who just received it and to my relief she really liked it. I was a bit nervous about it since it’s more for the kiddos.

I received my Witch Switch gift from Kara. She even decorated the box to coordinate with the gift. Seriously Ladies, we were meant to meet!

Kara made me personalized Halloween Cards, this cute wire box all decked out in Halloween ribbons filled with candy, her homemade caramel popcorn, and this too cute Halloween bag! (notice the flower) Kara I LOVE it!! You completely spoiled me! You are so talented and fun!

I’m so delighted that I’ve made two completely new fabulous blogging buddies. Thanks so much Sue for organizing this, it had to be an invloved process. You Rock!

About Laurie

What’s in Your Wallet?

Laurie9 Comments

Lisa came up again this week! She wanted me to upload the entire New Layer’s Fall line into Executive Homemaker, make her some hangar tags, and update her blog with a slide show and footer. We got it all done in 2 days. To butter me up and free up my schedule, she drove up and spent a couple days with me. Yeah for me!

She came bearing gifts which, hello, is fabulous! I’m defiantly going to put this Mrs. Clause apron to good use, but not in the kitchen, if you know what I mean. (he he)

I know that I have bad luck, but Lisa’s just may be worse. Once again her timing sucks and she came up to see me on Return Day! Do you have return day? I hate to run errands with my toddler, so I stock up on things I need to take back and do it all in one day. It pretty much sucks but it’s only once a month.

Since Drake was over at a friends house for a play date, I decided to make this return day an “Adult return day” and I went through all my wallets and found all the gift cards I have so we could have some fun. I’ll have to do an entire post on my beef with gift cards, but for now let’s just say that I have a lot.

Lisa already posted about our Return day and wouldn’t you know, I got “Blog Bitten!” She’s always getting me into trouble. It’s my turn for the “Ass Award”.

Here’s me in QT using the gift card that Rochelle gave me about a year ago. Lisa totally sold me out. 😉 Rochelle saw it and remembered that she gave me that card. (oops) Sorry, RO! I love you but unbuckling my crazy toddler to go in and a get a drink (as amazing as they are) and then roping him back into his seat has been too much. However, Lisa and I loved it and we had such a fun time! So thanks again!

Lisa left yesterday after a fun lunch with Julie. Now I’m running around like a chicken with it’s head cut off, trying to clean my house before my MIL and FIL come today at 3:00 for the weekend!
Have you been blog bitten?
About Laurie

Mama Bear Won!

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Breaking News! Most of my friends don’t even know this, but we hired an attorney and have been in mediation with the School District since August of last year. The ongoing battle has been about the diagnosis of my son, Davis. I have 4 renown professionals that say he has autism and over 100 pages of diagnosis, as well as medical testing, hair follicle samples, blood work, urine testing, as well as countless therapies. They have 3 tests, 1 hour of observation, and their opinion.

Well, I received a phone call today and received a sincere personal apology for how I have been treated throughout this process and was told that they finally agree, Davis has high functioning autism and will document it as PDD NOS.

Mama Bear and little bear cub have won!

I feel like I should be grateful and count my blessings that the fight, stress, and financial burden of this battle is over. However, for some reason my face is red and I fell like someone just slapped it. (I’m not sure why?) Over the phone, I graciously accepted her apology and agreed with her that this has been a huge burden on our family. But I wanted to say “DUH!” 😉

Mother of Boys

What I Woke Up To

Laurie21 Comments

Sunday morning I woke up to my oldest son fully dressed for church including shoes and playing with Drake. I pinched myself several times because I was sure that I was having the sweetest dream.

After breakfast Davis showed me that not only did he get himself dressed, but he laid out both the other boys clothes!!

What brought on this super-son behavior, you ask? Well, we started Davis on some medication over a month ago. It’s been trial and error for some time now but we’ve finally got the right dosage at the right time.

I’ve been getting up at 5:00 am every morning and giving him a pill. The up again at 7:00 to get the boys ready for school. This way the pill wears off and he goes to sleep on time. I’m really tired, but seeing the changes and the spark back into Davis’ eyes has been so worth it to me. His self-concept has risen dramatically and he’s so proud of himself!! I couldn’t be more impressed with him.

*Please understand, I’m not promoting medicating children. I think you need to do what’s best for your kid. ** This is what I’ve been going through day to day and I feel like I should share it.

I can’t tell you how wonderful it has been to look in Davis’ eyes and see that spark and that little boy I haven’t seen since he was 2 years old. He’s still struggling in several areas and his autistic tendencies are still there. So, we’re still doing everything we’ve always done to teach and help him develop. I just feel like it has been a surprise and a blessing!
Small Talker

New Fall Schedule

Laurie24 Comments

Now that the new fall T.V. schedule is up and running I’m worried how this is going to work into my blogging schedule. I started blogging during the summer so this hasn’t been a problem, until now.

I’m a HUGE bube tube couch potato! Once the boys are in bed, I’m on my lazy boy (no not on Jason – the chair)! 😉 I love movies and T.V. I quite enjoy reality shows, teen shows, and anything with military men! Yep, if it has a sniper, secret agent, or fugitive, in it I’m watching it. (he he)

Here’s my fav shows:

Prison Break
Heroe’s
Bachelor
Bionic Woman
Gossip Girl
Private Practice
The Hills (Thanks Mandy!)
Survivor
Grey’s Anatomy
Big Shots

Thank goodness for TiVo! What new shows are you watching?
P.S. I finally updated more people onto my ‘Blogs I Enjoy’ and Friends tool bar. You guys rock and thanks for all your support!
Home Decorator

I’m Falling for Autumn

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I had decided not to post my trip to Canton on Saturday because I didn’t want to be “showy”. However, Jen talked me into it. I got a lot this trip because I knew I won’t be back until the Spring. I’m posting this because I’m really into home decor right now and hopefully you’ll get some ideas and inspirations. I’m constantly being inspired by you.

Here’s my fall decor in my living room. I’ve gotten all of it from Canton over the past 2 years, except the fall flowers and candles.

I saw this mirror and had to have it! It was only $28. I wasn’t sure where I was going to put it but is spoke to me. 😉

Fun little BOO iron

I didn’t get these jeweled pumkins in Canton. The boys and I made them together a couple years ago. They were an Oriental Trading kit. I usually try to do order several fun projects for the kids school parties and just for fun at home.

The two urns are new. I saw them up high on a shelf and after I purchased them and they brought them down, I was worried that they would be too big. They’re a little bigger than I had imaged, but I think they work.

I haven’t even started decorating my bedroom, yet. I have curtains but that’s about it. I saw these cool sconces and thought they’d add a little femininity to my room. I’ll arrange some flowers in them. One day I’ll find a print or mirror to go in between them.

This is what i bought with the money my Mother-in-law sent me for my birthday. It’s my favorite purchase! It’s in my entry way.

White finial. This won’t be it’s permanent home. I’ll wait until I put my fall decor out and find a better spot.

Black stand w/ glass cover. I bought the green acorns and red nuts and glued them together to make this arrangement. It’s permanent place will be on my mantle after the holidays.

I found this key for $3.50! I’m going to make this board.

Give Thanks iron


I bought these iron angels to go on top of some presents for Christmas. I have several “angels” in my life and I to be sure they know how much I appreciate them.


Tip: Paint screws black! Bere’s a before and after pic.

I bought some other odds and ends stuff. I hope you got a new idea. If you’ve posted your projects or home decor make sure you leave me a comment so I can see it! Do you enjoy decorating for fall?

Shopper

Tip Junkie Giveaway!

Laurie5 Comments

I’m pulling a CrazyMama and decided to post again today because I left way too much negative energy on blog with my last post. 😉 Even though that’s what I’m going through right now, I’m not typically that mean or negative. I’ll get over it soon.

Let’s move on and focus on the positive!! TipJunkie is hosting a pretty great giveaway! Chanda designs these AMAZING mini-albums and sells them on ExecutiveHomemaker.com for $39. TipJunkie is giving 2 away!

There’s nothing that will change your mood quickly like a giveaway! Go to TipJunkie and leave a comment! Good luck, I hope you win!

Genuine

A Little Venting

Laurie11 Comments

Warning! The following content has NOT been edited for your screen. This post is rated PG-13 due to violence and adult language. Audience be advised.

*****

This is purely a venting post on my part so don’t take personal offense to what I have to say. I just need to express myself and let it out! We got a call yesterday from Jason’s mom telling us that Jason’s ex-brother-in-law (xBIL) was killed in a car accident. Apparently xBIL was driving drunk, hit a car, which spun him into a telephone poll. He was killed instantly.

Luckily no one else was hurt or killed. xBIL leaves behind 2 children, 6 and 12 years old. He’s been a dead beat dad and an all around looser. I am so angry that he would be so damn selfish as to drive drunk and put so many innocent lives in danger!

Can you imagine what this selfish son of a bitch has done to his children!! Anyway, Jason’s sister wants him to attend the funeral and be there for her. So this weekend Jason will be driving 12 hours and spending time with them instead of finishing some obligations that he had promised to do here for me.

It is so frustrating that this poor excuse of a man (xBILL) has the power to effect my life this way. Here I am working so hard to be the best mother, wife, and woman I can be and this looser has to ruin a goal of mine that has been months in the making. Ahhh!!

I keep reminding myself that funerals are for the living not for the dead. And Jason will be there to support his niece and nephew, but right now it doesn’t help. The thought of Jason going to this man’s funeral where people will say nice things about him makes me sick!

Logically, I understand that I’m being irrational, mean, and unforgiving but right now I’m just angry!

Business Owner · Girly Girl

Julie’s Rock’n Birthday

Laurie9 Comments

The part-ay and the crafting has continued! We celebrated Julie’s birthday on Tuesday here at my house. Now we’re going to have to make up reason’s to see each other. 😉

Isn’t this such a simple but bold wrapping idea? Love it!

I made this Julie Rocks! game and played it at the party. I’ve known Julie for 2 years now but I learned more about her making this game than I had the past 2 years.

Here’s the inside with the instructions and the game pieces.

How did I come up with this completely fab party idea you ask? I was inspired and plagiarized, um I mean blog borrowed, this idea from the Totally Tiffani game that Lindsey made Tiffani for her birthday. Thanks Ladies!

You can get more pictures and details on how to make this game board on Executive Homemaker. What was your favorite birthday celebration or gift?