My '25 Things' List...

I love meeting new people. I especially love meeting new people who love meeting new people. Although I am extremely excited to go to my first Blog/DIY conference I wish I knew a few things about my virtual friends. I would love to be able to turn on my computer after I meet them and put some facts with the friend. Nothing too personal, mind you..(unless you are REALLY into sharing:) but something that goes a little deeper than a business card and a smile. So here I figured I would make a list of 25 things that may (or may not) be interesting about me. I hope I can find 25, but I guess I will give it a shot!

1)  I am a Believer

2)  I come from a large family, 4 sisters, 3 brothers.

3)  I am originally from New Jersey but have lived in Texas since 1993

4)  I want to eventually move to Colorado

5)  I am 100% Irish, red hair/freckles and all

6)  I am terrified of Spiders (no roommate pranks Brandi!)

7)  My favorite movies are The Notebook (so predictable) and The Shawshank Redemption

8)  I have an amazing husband who I have been told looks like Donny Osmond

9)  I secretly love John Denver (but my fav music is classic rock)

10)  I have 2 amazing sons..Ryan (7), Sean (5)

11)  We found out Ryan had Down Syndrome when I was 12 weeks pregnant.

12)  I believe in miracles....see #11

13)  I was voted Most Athletic my senior year in High School

14)   The name of my business is inspired from my Grams. We loved to go to flea markets and garage sales and when we would be driving there early in the morning the texas sky was a beautiful landscape of colors. "Look, Franny...SkyBluPink"...she would always say.

15) I hate hot weather..yes, does make #3 a tad confusing!

16)  I never painted a piece of furniture until I read MMS post about ASCP. Addicted!

17)  My starbucks order is Grande Nonfat Green Tea Latte

18)  I love to read

19)  I love coffee ice cream, coffee fraps & the smell of coffee...but hate actual coffee.

20)  I still watch Friends all the time

21)  I am terrible at math

22)  I hate 80's music (except classic rock)

23)  I have super, super curly hair that I straighten

24)  I am a french fry snob

25)  I am doing exactly what I want to do with my life!


I thought it was going to be hard but I guess I know more about myself than I thought;).

10 Days to Haven. Can't wait!

Teacher's Appreciation Gift {Mason Jar Vase}

It is 3:45 in the am and I am wide awake..yay. Since my surgeon has changed my pain medication my sleep schedule is completely out of whack. The new meds are making me soooooo sleepy and I struggle to stay awake during the day...which in turn makes me awake some during the night. Ugghh. I am trying to do some projects here and there but man I am like a walking zombie!  Countdown to surgery is 6 weeks! Extremely anxious to get off all these meds and see what the real me feels like! 

Schools out and now a whole new level of intensity ramps up on the home front. Ryan is, to say the least, energetic and since Sean has turned 5 he is right there with him. For someone who has a tough time staying awake during the day this should be interesting:) Routine and repition is extremely important for Ryan and it will be a challenge to, even remotely, keep up with what his amazing teachers have been doing the whole year. He loves school so much and Ms. Duncan, Ms. Cotton and Ms. Moore are the reasons why! I was trying to think of something super cute to give them for Teacher's Appreciation Week when my friend, Melissa, asked me if she could buy a large mason jar soap dispenser from me. She was going to do a 'spa in a jar' theme that she saw on pinterest. I really liked the jar idea but decided to go in a little bit of a different direction. I sell tons of mason jars in my booth at Frisco Mercantile and also have the flower frog lids that are great when looking for a unique vase. So I decided to fill up the jar with just a bunch of little stuff that I thought they would love...just happens that it was stuff I love too...go figure! 

       I added pretty purple flowers and yummy Godiva Chocolate/Strawberry lollipops

Just a few gifts for them, mentos, gum, chalk pen, starbucks gift card, chocolate covered graham crackers and a Keep Calm and Have a Cupcake book mark.

I can't thing of any group of gals that deserve a cupcake more than them!!

                          I bought the small chalkboards and pretty magnets from
                                           Funky Junk at Frisco Mercantile.

Cute pic of the final project!

Ryan will miss his teachers so much over the summer but man do they deserve the break!!!

                                 What did you do for the teachers in your life??

                                         

           

It's been awhile...

It seems like I haven't posted in forever. The last month has been full of quite the distractions..good and bad. First the bad, while sanding the edges of a table I hurt my back. Well I shouldn't say I 'hurt' more like irritated a back that has put me through the ringer most of my life.  Most don't know of my back struggles and I won't bore you with the details. Generally, I was born with scoliosis, had reconstructive spinal surgery in 2003, pain got worse, found out in 2010 that it never fused. This latest incident has forced me to have the revision surgery and has limited any extensive furniture projects until the fall. My doc has started me on a nerve pain med and a muscle relaxer that seems to get me through the day without wanting to cry. I have been able to paint some but in short spurts and luckily have friends that are willing to step in and help out some. The surgery is scheduled for July 5th. Can't wait to get it over with and on with life..hopefully with a lot less pain!

Another sucker punch was given to me by my computer..or hard drive to be more specific. It just died. No warning, no goodbyes..just flat out flat lined. Never good when you turn on your laptop and there is nothing but a black screen and blue letters that look like they are from the early years of DOS. Even the geek squad couldn't save it. All of my pics and files since August are lost in the black hole of cyber space. So stinkin' sad. I know, I know. We should have been backing things up and you are right. Just allow me to be your example and BACK UP PEOPLE!! The geeks said they could send it off to their 'team' and see if it can be saved. It would be somewhere between $500-$1000!!  

The Good. Love my new Mac computer. Still a learning curve but man is it fast! 

The Good. Had an amazing time in Austin with a bunch of friends. We went for a 3 day weekend to the Country Living Fair and had an absolute blast. Please don't ask for pictures since I had just downloaded them onto my computer the night before the crash. I had sooooo many blog posts planned (misty eyes).

The Good. The meds the docs have me on will allow me to still attend the Haven Conference in June. I am so excited! I can't wait to meet all of my blog friends and find out how to step up this blog of mine. Since I will be laid out most of the summer I think it will be the perfect time to concentrate on the writing aspect of it. Can't wait to share the party with you!

Up until surgery time I will be focusing on some projects around the house, hanging out with the kiddos, getting this out of shape bod ready for surgery and preparing for Haven.  

I guess God has a way of telling us to slow down, take care of yourself, your house and your kiddos. He sure isn't subtle about it either. I guess he knows the stubborn ones.

My discouraging day in court...

I don't normally cry. So pissed they made me do it today. I know they think it was about the stupid $140 I was forced to pay. Please. Nothing could be further from the truth. I am still in tears as I write this. Why can't we just get to the point where educated adults can decide this is right and that is wrong? What happened to common sense and decency? It certainly was nowhere to be found in The Colony Courtroom today. Being a a parent and advocate for a special needs child is one of the hardest jobs there is. I try to never stress over the stares, questions, idiocy and ignorance of people. But today was about my little boy and how he needed me to be his mom.

Prosecutor Chase Griffith, could anyone be more smug, heartless and condescending? The second I sat down he wanted to show how 'smart' he was. Guessing my 'crime' like it was some kind of game show. Yes, he has seen this same citation walk through the doors many, many times. I knew from the second I met him he was a class A jerk. Yes, I made an illegal right turn into the driveway, but do you even care why?  You did it, period, end of story, who cares if your kid has a medical emergency while the driveway is blocked, who cares if you can't get to him if he needs you. You make that turn you are getting a ticket.

A little background. Ryan, my 7 yo, has Down Syndrome, OCD, Hyperactivity, Implusiveness, Sensory Processing Disorder, Chronic rectal prolapse and is on the Autism Spectrum. He goes to  Morningside Elementary in The Colony Texas. Morningside is an amazing school with an amazing special ed program. What isn't so amazing is the design of their parking lot.

Ryan had been riding the bus since Kindergaten but recently he was having some anxiety/behavioral issues that caused me to start driving him. Life is not easy for this little guy so if I can reduce some of his stress, than of course, I am going to do it. Now let me see if I can explain the craziness that is Morningside's parking lot. During afternoon pick-up the car pool line starts backing up pretty early. Sometimes as early as 2:15 the cars are already forming for a 2:50 dismissal. When the line starts forming there are about 8 cars that are physically in the parking lot then the rest start forming a line down the drive and onto the street. The entrance to the driveway has two lanes, an entrance and and exit. Since the bell doesn't ring until 2:50 no cars are ever exiting between 2:15 and 2:50..you can't move until you get your kid, right?

When I told Ryan's teachers he was going to stop riding the bus they said 'okay, our kiddos get let out around back at 2:30'. Now the special-ed driveway is not accessible from the street. You have to drive into the main parking lot to get to it.  So therefore, in order to pick him up at 2:30, I, along with all the other special-ed parents, sometimes have to make a right hand turn into the parking lot by-passing all the cars in the carpool lane. This is just the lay of the land at this school. I have seen it be done a MILLION times since he started there. There is only one way in and one way out so when the only way in is blocked by cars we have no other option but to go around them. I honestly thought it was understood that this is how it was done. Evidently not. Since this incident I was informed we can pick our kiddos up after the bell. But that doesn't solve the access to my son issue.

One afternoon as I was making my 'illegal' turn to go pick up Ryan. Officer Simmons of The Colony PD followed me behind the building to where the Special Ed kids are let out.  He pulled up behind me and waited while I struggled for 10 minutes to get Ryan in the car. It was his usual yelling and dropping to the ground routine that we often go through when getting him to do something he may not want to. He literally stood there and watched me have a anxiety attack over my childs behavior. I didn't know he was waiting on me so I asked him..'Are you needing me?" He said 'Yes, but I will wait until your done." Seriously?? So I pulled up and he proceeded to tell me he was giving me a citation for making an illegal turn into the school. I was speechless. I thought that was how we were suppose to get to our kids! I asked him how I was suppose to pick my son up. His response."I don't know, you should ask the principal". And my favorite..."We are really cracking down on this so I am not going to give you a warning.". Thanks, buddy, like I don't have enough stress in my life right now. Of course they are cracking down so much that I haven't seen one cop pull over another car since that day. And believe me everyone is still doing it.

I, of course, decided to fight this ticket. Why is it okay to block the only entrance to a school? What if my son's colon prolapsed and I had to go to him immediately? What about the American with Disabilities Act that says all public buildings must have an accessible entrance/exit?  Fast forward to today and my meeting with Prosecutor Griffith. Who had an answer for everything but said nothing. "Yes, if a lady is having a baby and her husband is speeding to the hospital they can get a ticket"... zero common sense left in this world. How can it be that the only way I can get to my son is to break the law?  I asked several legitimate questions that he of course did not have the answers too..."Why is it okay for all of the cars in the carpool lane to block the only entrance?", "What about the ADA act and my son's right to have access in and out of the parking lot?", "What if there is a medical emergency and I had to get to him?". Mrs. Forman this is a traffic court I don't have the answer to those questions. Of course not, it is real easy to do your job when you don't have to think very much. "I only have to prove you made a right turn, doesn't matter why you did it.". 

 No of course it doesn't matter, to you. And there lies the problem.

Vintage Train Baby Shower & Annie Sloan

This past week has been exhausting! Unfortunately potty training has been a complete bust. Oh well, if at first you don't succeed....yeah, yeah I know!  Still stinks though. Things started looking up toward the end of the week where I met the gracious and uber talented Annie Sloan! I was so impressed with everything about her. Her genuineness, talent, relatability, humor and love of her work. It was a great day and I met some great new friends. Can't wait to see some of them at Haven!

                                                     The one and only...

Saturday brought another kind of fun. My friend Angie and I threw a shower for her sister Katie. She is about to have her third son and is now officially a 'Boy Mom'! Katie has done some sewing projects to sell in my booth and has quite the creative side herself. I am so excited for her and her family and pray this little man blesses them in so many ways. She is decorating the nursery in a train theme so of course we followed suit when decorating for the shower. We had so much fun doing it and I think it turned out so dang cute too! I want to thank Alicia at SweetBeeDesignShoppe for creating the most adorable party accessories for us. I ordered everything at the last minute..of course...and she was amazing with all of my last minute neurosis. Check out her shop for the cutest party theme ideas. So here is how everything turned out. We had a blast!

                               Table and hutch display, love the vintage train and suitcase

                                          (courtesy of sister Angie & cousin Lauren)

Closer shot of hutch, wooden train whistle and adorable.."I think I Can Book" were added to the mason jar display. The red train gift boxes courtesy of Katie's cousin Bekah were so precious!!

Love, Love, Love Mason Jars so I had to incorporate them anyway I could. Nothing more vintagy then mason jars with jute twine

                                

Super cute vase with color coordinated candy and vintage train pieces

Another shot of the hutch

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can....

Long time family friend, Lauren, made the most delicious chocolate dipped oreos...mmm. Those little red boxes were filled to the rim with these goodies.

Another mason jar! This time with a flower frog lid. White daisy were the perfect pick for a little boys shin-ding! The mason jar was a vintage blue dug fresh out of a country farm.

Bekah also put her creative skills to work with these adorable cupcake holders. Man that Silhouette Cameo is AMAZING. So getting one of those, like yesterday!!!

Aunt Lisa was so sweet to make the most adorable diaper train..the wheels had holders for 'first tooth' and 'first curl'..love the love in this family!!

Another shot of the table..pre-feast!

I love anything galvenized and vintage 'like' crafts are perfect for parties. We used pint sized mason jars for drinking glasses.

Can't forget the water labels...

Again, Ms. Bekah with her mad cameo skills. This is going to look PERFECT in the nursery!

         

                   Angie really out did herself with the food but the big hit was the yogurt bar.

                                  You can really see the love between these two sisters.

                                          It was in every detail of this amazing party!!    

                                                    

                               Little Liam is so blessed to have such a wonderful family.

                                      Hope you enjoyed the party as much as we did!!

                                       Congratulations Josh, Katie, Caleb & Reagen!!

Linking Up With:

Monday                                                            

Home Savvy A to Z , Making the World Cuter , Debbie Doo's , The DIY Showoff , The DIY Home Sweet Home , Lines Across My Face    

Tuesday

howtonestforless , coastal charm , todays creative blog , the kurtz corner , home stories a to z , carolyn's homework , sugar bee crafts , my uncommon slice of suburbia , crafty confessions , Tip Junkie , shades of amber 

Wednesday

Primitive and Proper , Blue Cricket Design , Domestically Speaking , Savvy Southern Style , DIY by Design , Not Just a Housewife

Thursday

The Shabby Creek Cottage , Somewhat Simple , Beyond the Picket Fence , House of Hepworths , The 36th Avenue , Live, Laugh, Rowe

Friday

Miss Mustard Seed , Finding Fabulous , At the Picket Fence , Shabby Nest , A Little Knick Knack , 30 Handmade Days , Addicted 2 Decorating , Tatertots & Jello , Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage , Potpurri Friday @ 2805 , Fridays Unfolded @ Stuff and Nonsense , Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground , Friday Feature @ Redoux , 52 Mantels

                                                     


                                                                                                                                      

Abilify, Pedicure and Mini-Wheats...what a day

Deep breath. As most of you know I have a gorgeous son, Ryan, who was born with Down Syndrome. He has since developed an array of behavioral disorders such as Sensory Processing Disorder, OCD and ADHD with impulsivity. We took a trek to his pediatrician this morning for his annual check up. Much to my disappointment our well sought after pediatrician seems to have zero tolerance for a child with Ryan's..let's say 'energy'. Bright and early at 8:00 I am standing in the hallway between the bathroom (where my 5 yr old decides it is the perfect time & place to go 'poopie") and the exam room where Ryan is strapped into his stroller awaiting the doctor to come in. Now Ryan doesn't just sit anywhere. He is in there moaning, yelling, banging, pushing his stroller back against the table..you name it. Well as I am awaiting Sean to finish up. The doc looks at me and says..'Can you please corral your children...I need to get started.". Now needless to say I was speechless..and being a girl from Jersey that is saying a lot!! When I finally gathered my thoughts enough to respond I was furious. I said..'Coral my Children??" Which one? The one strapped in the stroller or the one going to the bathroom?? She then proceeded to walk into the exam room and sit down. Ryan was still going a mile a minute with his yelling, moaning,and repetitive "momma, momma. momma, momma'. At this point she put her hands on her head and said "I can't stand it", "How do you handle this?" She said, "I have 15 minutes for this appointment and with all of this going on I can't even think". DID SHE REALLY JUST SAY THAT?????? I said, "What would you like me to do? You are not being understanding of my situation AT ALL!!".  I was so close to crying, screaming, beating her..you name it. I just sat there while she did her exam. She wants to put him on Abilify for his behavior issues. Okay, sounds great to me. He has been like this for over 3 years and she finally is giving us something. I guess him pushing us to the edge every day wasn't enough for her, looks like he had to give her a little shove. She did apologize, kinda'. "Give me a hug..you poor thing...I don't know how you do it".  Well take a look at this face. That's how I do it.

We have been with her for over 5 years. Do I want to start at the beginning with a new doc or just chalk this appt up to God allowing it to happen so she would actually know what we go through everyday?!? Of course, there is no excuse for her behavior but she is the last thing I need to be worrying about right now. I may ask to switch to her partner, he seems so nice. I need nice right about now. After the appointment I dropped the kids off at school, got a pedicure and then went home and ate two bowls of cereal...frosted mini-wheats. There is nothing that a great bowl of cereal can't fix...(that addiction for another post:)

Our Life...

I wanted an area on my blog that gives me the outlet to record all those things in life that deserve the time and effort of remembrance. I don't keep baby books, I purge way to many school projects and recently I have joined the 'dangnamit where is my purse, keys, shoes, mind' team. Our life isn't always easy but I am a firm believer that we must go through all things..the ridiculously impossible and the ridiculously hilarious to mold us into who we are meant to be. Kevin and I have been on an unbelievable journey these past 10 years and we still haven't had the chance to pause (or breathe) much for reflection. It is my goal for these stories to be that pause.