It was worth it..........

"really Mom....I sleep in these?""
"are you sure they will work?"

"It was worth it "

On my gosh how fast time is going by these days.........hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. It is now game on Christmas!!

BlogHer..final day

Stephanie Neilson
Ricki Lake

Hanging with 3000+ women at BlogHer for a weekend was just what I needed. It's reassuring to know I am not the only person that hears that little voice...."what do I want to be when I grow up?" This conference came at a perfect time.....Sarah just started full day Kindergarten and I need a kick in the pants to start this next phase of my life.

People come in our lives for reasons. Stephanie Nielson has influenced my life in such a positive way. I love her style, determination and feel like she is a long time friend . I follow Nie Nie Dialogues and am a much better mom for knowing her story.

Chatting with Ricki Lake about home births was an interesting experience. I really don't have an opinion about home births but I think if you want to do it ...go for it. She is lovely. She will be back on TV in 2012.

BlogHer also allowed me some time with my friend Natalie. Our lives are busy with kids, school, work but she is the type of friend you can pick up like no time has passed. All these women made an impression on me and it came at a time that I really needed the conversations and motivation. When people ask me about blogging I always think "well, I don't really know why I blog".......after this weekend I know why I blog.

Sunshine and Sausage

Ahhhh Mr. Sunshine
one of the exhibit halls

Bravo TV's Top Chef finalist Brian Malarkey co-owner of Stingaree

New friends
Lori Well Connected Mom and yikes I forgot her name..
Longtime friend Tonya Create-Celebrate-Explore

Second day of BlogHer was even better than the first. It is so inspiring to be involved in all the sessions and parties. These 3000 plus women are in all stages of life and I love getting ideas for my future. My little "tutu monkey" started kindergarten last week and I will now have extra time to go forward in a new direction. Just trying (like many women) to figure out what the new direction is.

Also, who doesn't like getting a picture with a BIG sunshine guy selling sausage?

Puppies and men in dresses

Not the best photo of me but look at that little guy.......wanted to put him in my purse. I kind of get Paris Hilton now and her dog purse.New friends

Hot guys selling soup......Sure...it's July I will have some hot soup!

What EVERY cocktail party should have to help with lulls in conversations......PUPPIES and MEN IN DRESSES. First night of Blogher was so fun.....going solo is kind of fun and liberating.

Blogher...looking for my MoJo!!

I am so thrilled to be attending BlogHer this year is the lovely city of SAN DIEGO!! Nice to have it in my backyard. Hoping to get my blogging mojo back. If you see me...please say hi!!

LEAPING in a New Year!

I am LEAPING into a new year! Yup, today is my birthday. I am so fortunate to have such a wonderful family and friends that made it extra special. We had a family weekend in Huntington Beach for my birthday and it was PERFECT!!!!!! I am truly blessed!

The room we stayed in had HUGE bean bag chairs that got us in the jumping spirit. Usually I am am the one saying "no jumping on the beds"........but man I can see why kids do it...it is fun!!

A new year ahead......Sarah starts the BIG K this JULY (yes July). New chapter of life starting.......lots of new "leaps". (Glad I have goods friends and family to jump with me)

Holy Smokes!! Happy Mother's Day!!

I thought I would share with you the sweetest mom that I have run across in a long time. She is very busy, patient, loving, tiny bit cRAzY, and very crafty..............I can't wait to meet her new little babies. She is turning me around........I might just become a bird gal after all.

Happy Mother's Day to my wonderful Mom (and my many mom friends and family)

Bootcamp.......Hot Shoes!!

Nat-Something for Sanity Tonya-Create Celebrate Explore

Ashley-Little Miss Momma "Hot....high.... shoes"

Boy, do those SITS gals put on a great day long boot camp....blogging boot camp. I started my blog as a journal for my daughter and a way to show off some of my handmade tutu's. I put the sewing aside when my husband deployed last year .This boot camp really helped get me inspired to tackle the tutu world again. I really recommend going to one of these conferences if you get the chance So many wonderful women with great ideas at all levels of blogging. I was a little intimidated to go.......thinking my blog is not "big" enough , organized enough or really worthy......but you know what I am SO GLAD I WENT. I now have a road map to get organized and some new people to call on if I need a little help.

Butterfly

You know how we all get the pass along emails to special friends that we want to have good luck, prayers answered or special $$ winnings. This was in my email box today from my cousin and if I didn't pass it on to as many people as possible this butterfly would come live at my house (in wings only).

Made me laugh and a little concerned it might be true so I am putting it out there to as many people as possible!!

Hope you had a happy day!

Fat Tuesday!!

Paul had a meeting in New Orleans last week and he came home with the MOTHER LOAD of bling. You can imagine the delight with the Mermaid necklace......

"No you can't wear all of these to school today Sarah...pick one......"

Whew...that month was fast!

This entire month has been CrAZy!

Lots of fun changes on the horizon.......we are moving... got the keys yesterday! A few of these pictures are from our new backyard . The new house is not by the beach (sob!) but it has a lot more room to play and create!! We are only about 12 miles from the beach .......that will work.

Here is another great thing about February,

U2....."It's a beautiful day"

"It's a beautiful day".............................................

Good bye....Adios....See ya later January!!

Good morning sweet February....I have many things to be thankful for!!!

Mouse Fever!!

I know the days of hanging out with Mom and Dad and LOVING IT won't last forever so I am eating up EVERY minute while I can. Today we had a great day at Disney ......no coats.....no snow.....no lines......life is good!! Hope you had a good day too!!

foamboard and glitter =

"Trashy Parisian Passion"
Last night I got to spend 4 hours at Paper Tale's taking a class from the fabulous mixed media queen Julie Haymaker Thomas and soldering goddess Terri Brush. The added bonus is I did all this with the felting princess and good friend Val. It is so fun to take classes with people who love to create.......this is my "clubbing". (yes I am a dork) I love to hear "oooo's and ahhh's" when a little crafting tips are given by the instructors......it is like the Superbowl for mixed media fans.

I have been in a creative funk and taking this class really helped shake me up a bit. This was my first time working with foam board. I was a little surprised that I was so timid with some of the different mediums....but Julie helped me tap into my "Trashy...Parisian Passion".

I am on week 2 of the Brave Girls Soul Restoration course........learning a lot about myself. ....I really recommend visiting this site......!

1-11-11

Started my Brave Girl Soul Restoration 6 weeks online course today............these little homes don't have much to do with anything but I would love to hang out in one of them for a week and get caught up with my crafty self.

Hop on!!

the

CREATE TRAIN!!

These 3 beautiful women

.....CREATE wonderful treasures!!!

Breathing Beside Us, Val's Art Studio and A little of this, that and the other having our seasonal "meeting"......I always leave wanting to make something. I am still creating special order tutu's, but the days of me making a bunch of tutu's to sell at art fairs might be coming to an end......I need a new creative outlet and hoping 2011 will open some new doors.

My 2011 road map includes surrounding myself with people who love to create....

I will be starting it off at

Paper Tales

January 19, 2011

4pm- 9pm with

Julie Haymaker Thomas and Terri Brush!! (great price)

Check it out.....join me!!

Thank you

Sarah stayed home sick today......... giving us time to finish our Thank You notes! I am so fortunate to be able to have lazy days like this with my funny little girl.

What do you mean it's over!!!

Don't we all have friends that "pick us up"?.....I am sure glad I do!!

The Christmas season started with a "Women's Tea"........the message came at a good time.....

"slow down......simplify.....enjoy" ....and that is what I did. (thanks for the invite)

We had a second Christmas with my sister, mom and family in Arizona. I love having pajama mornings for the kids to hang out and play. Since we have one child I really try to have Sarah feel grounded in love and family. I have said this before but I want her to have people close to her that can help decide the flavor of my jello in the nursing home....(cherry is good)

My girlfriend (in the first picture) had herself a Big (kid less) Birthday Bash . At her party I was thrilled to finally meet another "blog friend". I LOVE meeting blog friends.....she is just as sweet and funny in person. We bowled on New Year's eve......yes.....I know......bowled! It ended up being really fun .
Family...Friends(new and old, near and far) that's what it's all about!!

Welcome 2011.......I am ready for you!!