Friday, December 30, 2011

Goals for 2012

I have a lot of high expectations for 2012.  After this past year, it has got to be good.  There were a lot of projects that had to be put on hold after my diagnosis in July, but I hope to tackle them in this new year.  I've learned that I need to take the time to enjoy life, and not just tackle my to do lists.  I finish my chemotherapy treatments at the end of January, and after that here is what I will be up to:


1. Take the time to read a book a month.  I have a list started, but if you have suggestions, leave them in the comments! 


I just finished this one after Christmas.



2. Simplify and declutter.  I have already started a list of donations as well as a list for Craigslist.  I'm tired of digging through a closet of old clothes I don't wear (and I'm talking some pieces that I've had since high school, I know, I know...).  Books I've read, home decor that is no longer my style, etc.  I take good care of my "stuff" so sometimes it sticks with me longer than it should.


3. Something I've wanted to do for a LONG time, is transfer all of my pictures onto CDs.  I haven't done this in years.  It's going to be a huge undertaking.  Also, filling all of my empty picture frames. 
August 23, 2008




4. Eat for my health.  There is something about being told you can't have something that makes you REALLY want it.  I dream of salads and grapes...and sushi...  I want to eat more fresh foods and cook at home more frequently.  


5. Exercise more.  I don't love cardio.  But I am going to at least get down with my Just Dance game and take walks when the weather is nice.  If I forget to close my curtains and you see me flailing around my living room, keep driving...  I have a lot of work to do to build my endurance up to what it used to be pre-ginorm chest tumor.






6. Spend more time on Fancy, even after I go back to work.  It has been a great outlet for me these last few months.






7. Blog once a week-ish.  I'm not going to make any promises.


8. Finish the second floor of our home by the end of 2012.  This will mostly be a Josh thing, but I am hoping to help more when I am done with treatments.  He has been very diligent and working up there when he has time.  




9. Have a little vegetable garden.  I started one last year right before my life turned into chaos.  Needless to say, that didn't last long.


10. Dig up the monstrosity that is my backyard.  The previous owners left remnants of their pool and surrounding plants.  Time to rent a bobcat and dig it all up.  It's seriously a jungle by July.


11. Do a daily devotional or read the bible daily.  I already have the book on my nightstand, just need to stick with it.


12. After all of the people who reached out to me these last several months, I really want to spend more time helping others, outside of my job.  




Happy New Year and be safe!



Saturday, December 17, 2011

Christmas Tour 2011

Here's just a little sneak peek around my house.  I only did one tree this year, and left a lot of old favorites tucked away, just not enough energy.


Would love to find some burlap or linen stockings.

Closeup of the mantle.  


Closeup of the sofa table.

Hanging above my stacked suitcases.




Still on the hunt for an old sled.


I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying this special time of year.  

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!


This year I am so thankful for all of my friends and family that have supported me through this crazy time in my life.  So if you've said a prayer for me, sent a card, brought me dinner, etc. I am thankful for you!  I couldn't fight this without you.  Enjoy time with your families today and put aside any problems, because you never know what could happen.


Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Etsy Coupon Code

Enter coupon code "thankyou" at checkout and receive 15% off in my etsy shop.
*Coupon code must be entered in the appropriate box after selecting "pay for item".  Do not enter the code in "note to seller".  This coupon code is active now through Cyber Monday.  









Friday, November 11, 2011

Quick & Cost Effective Chicken Noodle Soup

When I cook I look to a recipe for inspiration, but rarely follow one closely.  Part of our budget plan is to stretch leftovers and pantry staples to make hearty and pocket-friendly meals.  One of our sweet church friends brought us a whole chicken the other night, so I cut the remaining meat off the bones to save for this soup.


Here’s what I did:


Chop 3 long and skinny carrots.  
Chop 1 medium onion.
Add to stock pot and drizzle with a little olive oil.  Add garlic.  I didn’t have any fresh, so I had to use powder.
Sautee for about 5 minutes to soften them a bit.


After the 5 minutes were up, I added 6 cans of chicken broth.  
Add the shredded leftover chicken.
Season to taste with:
Salt & pepper
Basil
Oregano
  *This is what I had on hand.  You can also use parsley, thyme, etc.


Bring to a boil.
Turn heat to low and simmer for 20-30 minutes.
While the soup is simmering, make ½ a bag of egg noodles according to the package.  Drain and add to the soup when done.  You can cook the noodles in with the soup, but you would need a lot more broth because it will soak it all up.


That’s it.  Very basic so you can add whatever your family likes.


Happy Veterans Day


This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. 

Elmer Davis



It is easy to take liberty for granted, when you have never had it taken from you. 

Author Unknown




Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Silent Auction Sneak Peek

Here's a little sneak peek of the items I put together for the silent auction Saturday.  


10 Greeting Cards & Envelopes
10 Gift Tags
1 Santa's Magic Key Ornament





Monday, November 7, 2011

My Favorite Things: Beauty Products

Since the holidays are coming up, I thought I'd go over some of my favorite things.  These products would make great stocking stuffers!  Feel free to link this to your hubbies :)


1. Smith's Rosebud Salve  I love to use this stuff as a lip balm but it is also perfect for chapped skin.  If you get a red nose from a cold or cracked hands in the winter, this is a must!  Plus, the tin is too cute to pass up.


2. L'oreal True Match Super Blendable Makeup  I am on my second bottle of this product.  It blends really well and there are a TON of shades to choose from.  I am N3 Natural Buff.



3. Mary Kay Enriched Moisturizer Formula 1  I have sensitive skin that tends to be dry and this moisturizer keeps me soft and flake free.



4. Milani Minerals Blush in Luminous  This is a dupe for NARS Orgasm, and will look good on almost all skin colors.  I'm on my second pan, just make sure you use a real blush brush and not the dinky one that is included.



5. Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion  This stuff is a must to wear under eyeshadow, just make sure to blend the edges into the skin.  My only complaint is the shape of the package.  When you start having trouble getting product out, pop the little plastic thingy out of the bottle and you will be able to reach into the curves where all that stuff is hidden!



6. Revlon Extra Curl Lash Curler  You may not think it makes a difference, but it does.  Trust me.

7. Cover Girl Lash Blast Volume  I usually have a difficult time finding a regular wear mascara that will hold the curl in my lashes, no problem with this one!



8. MAC 224 Tapered Blending Brush  I love this brush for blending, use small circular motions.  Repeat after me "I will NEVER use the little sponge applicator that comes with eyeshadow ever again."  



I hope this helps...all of these products are tried and true.  Have any questions?  Comment below.  


Sunday, November 6, 2011

Chemotherapy and Hair Loss

I miss my hair.  I still catch myself watching youtube videos from my favorite gurus, and thinking "oh, I've gotta try that.."  Or scaring the crap out of myself when I get up in the middle of the night (like right now) and catch my reflection in the window.  I even have dreams about my hair.  It will grow back, I know.  


I had super long hair before all of this began.  I was even going to jump on the feather hair extension bandwagon.


At the bottom of the slide with my flowing locks. 
I didn't dye it, or heat style it too much.  I washed it every other day and always conditioned.

One week after my first chemotherapy treatment, I donated my ponytail to Locks of Love.  

Sporting my shorter 'do.

I liked my new hairdo.  I only got to spend a few days with it, but it was easy to style.  I picked out my wig the same week.  I tried on a bunch of different styles, but chose one that felt like me...which happened to be long with side swept bangs.  

One week after donating my hair, my worst fear was coming true.  Every time I touched my hair, strands would fall.  I had my hair clipped back that day and I was afraid to wash it or brush it.  Finally, I went into the bathroom, pulled the clip out of my hair, and with it came the majority of my little ponytail.  I was crying hysterically, as I just kept pulling the hair from my head.  It seemed surreal.  I filled trash cans.  I knew I couldn't spend the next couple of days doing this, so I called my mom and told her it was time.  That night, my aunt came over and buzzed the rest of my hair right off.  For some, that decision can seem terrifying.  I was definitely nervous.  But I was going to lose it anyway, right?  I wasn't going to let cancer play with my emotions and control my life.  Seeing a stray one inch strand of hair was a lot easier to handle than a bunch of long hair coming out all over the place.  

I wear my wig here and there.  If I'm at home, I'm usually running around like an ostrich with all 10 hairs sticking up.  Most of the time, I throw on a bandana.  Two etsy friends have sent me hats, which are my favorite things, especially now that it's getting colder.

I don't have a good picture, but here I am in my green hat, chowing down on a picnic.
Although thinning, my eyebrows and eyelashes are hanging on.  Thanks to my Bohemian blood, I've always had plenty of brow to spare, so now I tweeze less and make due with what I've got left.  My lashes are thinning more noticeably than my brows.  I have a "normal" looking amount on top, where they used to be full and long.  And my bottom lashes are sparse.  If I can hang on to this much for the rest of my treatments, I will be happy!  

And for those who are wondering.  And I know you are.  Body hair is business as usual.  Kinda.



Friday, October 28, 2011

Etsy Shop: 25% off Halloween

I have marked my Halloween items down, stock up for next year!  Each item has already been reduced 25%.


Click here to go to description.

Click here to go to description.




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