Crappy (Happy) Mom.

It is a amazing how a picture is worth a thousand word.  In this case how about a thousand insults.  This picture below (from Granola Baby) was posted by another blogger, and then her Facebook page was hit with pure hatred. I know hate is a strong word but the words and emotions that was flying around was just disturbing.  Wishing that people would put that much time and energy into something better than attacking a fellow mom. 





Now other blogger mommies have hit the internet with reasons they are crappy moms.  Me I had to join in.  Who can type sarcasm better than me?

How I am a Crappy (Happy) Mom

I am such a crappy mom I started posting this blog while my kids are at the park.
I'm so crappy I let my son play on the big slide and he's only 21 months old.

I'm so crappy I let my daughter spin herself till she gets sick.

I'm so crappy my kids play in the dirt and rocks at the park.
I'm so crappy that sometimes I sit down at a bench eat my lunch while they play.
I'm so crappy I left my Aspergers son at school without me so he can have football practice by himself and I took the other kids to the park.

I am so crappy I wear my son....STILL.  
I'm so crappy for having 5 kids.
I'm so crappy that I let my 14 year old babysit sometimes.
I'm so crappy I still breastfeed my 21 month old son.
I'm so crappy cuz I made informed decisions to get all 3 of my son circumcised, and I'm a nurse that would be in there for the procedure.
I'm so crappy I put in a movie so the kids will watch TV so I can get some work done.
I'm so crappy I make my kids be nice and show respect to people that they don't agree with.
I'm so crappy my kids, almost every weekend, have movie night and fall asleep in the living room.
I'm so crappy because I yell after asking them to do something for the umpteenth time.

I'm so crappy when I let my four year old dress in her own way and then go out in public with her.
 I'm so crappy because I gave my son (11 at the time) a cell phone. 
I'm so crappy because I let my oldest daughter do a beauty pageant. 
I'm so crappy that while typing this my kids are reading over my shoulder telling me how I am crappy.  :)







I guess I am so crappy that I need to be arrested like this woman.

 


I may be crappy but I am a happy mom with happy kids.

Teacher Gifts

Well it is the first official school night and I am still up.  The kids have all been in bed for a few hours now.

So this is what I did.

Used my Silhouette CAMEO to cut out some outdoor vinyl. The little hands on the one bottle just seems so cute.  To me the ribbon adds just that little something extra.

I got the idea when my friend Emily had me cut out vinyl for her teachers gift below.

Now she went all out with this really cute bucket.  The letters on the bucket is silver etching vinyl.  I really like the look that it gave.  Then it was just outdoor vinyl for the  hand sanitizer bottle. 

I really hope the teachers enjoy their little personalized gifts.  It was really cheap to do and adds a little character to their room.  Hopefully I can get an action shot to add later.

My Testimony

I know I am really putting myself out there by posting this, but isn't that what it is all about?  So here we go.  At church our Pastor read from 1 Samuel Chapter 3.  It talks about how the Lord called out to Samuel 4 times before he listened.  He had to be told by Eli that the Lord was calling him.  Samuel then layed down and called out that he was listening.

While listing to the story I started thinking about the time that Lord started calling me. I was in HS and it was the summer of my Junior year and I was at a friends house and I started crying because I didn't know the Lord.  My friends mom asked me if I wanted to, I said yes, she said you know what that means?  I said no.  She then started telling me and I freaked out.  I was thinking I am not giving up on having fun, I can not be that good.  So I turned my back.

Then that same summer the youth minister at the church left.  The church then got divided on who to hire.  There was so much judging on how people talked or dressed.  Picked apart the message and twisted it into meanings that would make your head spin. That was if for me.  I didn't need to be part of that.  If that what being a Christin was about I didn't want it.  I could still be a caring person with out them.

During the second the semester of my Junior year I met Justin. He was (still is) a great guy. We talked about church,  I even ditched a Sunday evening service to hang with him. My church visits where sporadic at best  We then started dating.  During that time I met some of his friends, One was named Josh. One day Josh and Justin came to my house, Josh had his bible in his hand and decided to talk to about Jesus. The three of us talked for hours about my life.  Talk about other people in my life. I said that I agree but no thanks.  Still could not give up on things.  The same time HS was pure torcher and many of the bullies went to church.  They would be nice then turn on me the minute we walked out the doors.  It was so confusing. 

During  my senior year I got pregnant.  I later had a 2nd trimester miscarriage (my parents didn't even know that I was pregnant until the miscarriage).  It was later learned that I had lost twins. Did I know that premarital sex was wrong, yes.  Did I care, not really.  After this my heart was dark,  I think I hid it pretty well.  Justin saw my self destruction and again him and Josh tried to bring me to the Lord.

Graduation came and went.  I was now on my own and off as far as I could from Limestone county but within a safe distance to my family.  Guess I was not far enough because many people from hell that had shown up there.  I joined a Christian Sorority, can not tell you why, but it was where I fell lead to go.  All I did was just beat myself up when there. (I do need to add that my Big Sis Nichole never left me.  She saw my struggles and was encouraging.  To this day she is a great friend that leads to me following the right path.  She is the only one from the sorority that didn't turn on me when I left)  I didn't feel like I was good enough even for them.  Justin had also gone to SFA. During this time he had many demons he had to learn to deal with.

Not going into many details (because this could really be a book). I would say that SFA was a downward spiral for both of us.  I can not say who was worse because it was two totally different situations. We got engaged, I got pregnant again, called of engagement.  I went to my parents to get prenatal care and let Justin do his thing.  I was ready to be a young mom at 19, alone.  It was what I deserved.  I was nothing better than that.  My family was loving and think that the self destruction would have been worse if they didn't show me the love that they did.  I thank them for that.

In August Justin and I got married. About two weeks later on Sept. 7th (on labor day no doubt) my first son was born.  We got lucky, because he was the best baby anyone could ask for.  Justin and I struggled as young parents over the next couple of years bringing in another son exactly two years later on Sept. 5th.  We still struggled with our demons.  I continued to fell like I was going to be nothing more than a statistic.  I had no self esteem and was hating my life.

While pregnant with son number two I did mange to get a job as a CNA at Providence Hospital. I loved my job.  It was my escape.  I would work so much over time that some weeks where almost 80 hrs. That Dec. after he was born I got into the nursing program.  Something started feeling right for me at this point.  Between work and school I was hardly home.  Some days were 36 hrs long going from school, to working a 12hr night shift, taking a shower at work, and going right back to school.  Yep I managed to study at some point.  Things with Justin didn't get better. The fighting, yelling, and behavior such as gambling and drinking.

Nursing graduation came and went.  At this point I was plotting leaving my husband.  A co-worker Amy offered me to stay in a small shack on her and her parents land.  Boxes started to fill our trailer and he didn't even notice.  JT was going to a Christian Pre-K by this time, at same church that my nursing ceremony had been held no doubt. I then got into the MOPS group, at the same church.  But my heart really started to feel heavy.  I had opted to get a duplex and leave my husband.  Deposit had been paid and first two months rent.  Then I went home to tell him things had to change and he had until October. I had started not working as much but was spending more time at the church.  It was my escape, my get out of the house and not be near him. My husband wanted to know were I was going so he started to follow me. Then things started to change.  He got a job and came to the duplex with me. He was attending church with us when he could. He started reading his bible and talking about Christ more.

At this same time things where ok at work.  I had also friended a women named Kristen.  She was very vocal about being a Christian and I had started to get comfortable.  We would spend some shifts just talking about what it was like to be a Christian and the bible.  Talked about mean people and how they needed help, guidance and prayer.  Then she asked me if I had ever been saved.  Had I asked Christ into my heart? I said no.  She talked some more, and this time I listened.  I was not scared.  I was ready to change and get rid of the weight and burden in my life.  I wanted something better.

Then it hit me.  I was ready.  So I prayed. I prayed alone. I cried. I cried alone.  Suddenly I felt like the weight of the world had been lifted off my shoulders.  The "drama" was gone.

On July 11th, 2004 I was baptized.  Kristen even came and brought me my first Bible.

Speed up to now.  I am a mother of 5 and still the wife to Justin, almost 14 years now.  I am still not perfect, but I am ok with that. 

Thirty-One

 I know I am SO late jumping on the Thirty-One tote bandwagon.  I have seen them and loved them, but lately the itch is just getting worse.   I first want to get two of the large utility totes for my new car. Keep it clean with all those groceries that get bought for my 5 kids.  Next is going to be the thermal tote for all the grocery shopping that is done.  Last will be the house.  At this point I might just become a consultant so I can save money because that is going to be a big project. 

To start off on my new addiction, you can call it, an old friend of mine is having a contest on her blog to win a free thermal tote. Check out Stephanie at http://futuremrsmathewwolfe.blogspot.com/2012/08/a-thirty-one-giveaway.html?m=1

 

GOOD LUCK!!!!

Being Over Connected, But Under Connected.

   The world of technology is changing everyday.  There is always something newer, faster and better.  Computers are getting smaller and faster.  Tablets are now all the rage from now taking over POS (Point of Sale) Systems, to showing presentations and being the one stop for all your home remotes.  With a phone, you can hold bank accounts, chats, quick e-mail messages in your hands.

   Is all this technology really helping us with the customers?  Sometimes we (business owners) take for granted that the customer may be as connected as we are.  If they are, I don't think they want to communicate with us in that way.

   Let me tell you about an experience that I had with a local lawn company with communication.  Now I will state that the lawn company sends out text reminders about when they come by and payment due dates.  That is totally fine with me.  I will say though that I wish the reminders didn't come at 7p-10p the night before they come out. Any notifications should be sent about 36-48 hours before for this situation.  No notifications after 5p, that just seems lazy and very unprofessional.  The last two weeks my lawn guys have shown up a day late, after the original text stating that they will be there.  After wondering why the lawn has not been done by 6p, I get a little annoyed again that they are not there.  At about 8p there is text from them stating that they had an emergency earlier in the week and they are behind and will be there tomorrow.  Fine, whatever, ok.  So they come and do my lawn in a very unprofessional way (not going to list what all went wrong).  Well my darling husband was quite upset with some issues and the fact they were late again, so he called.  He got a TEXT back saying, "Busy working.  What do you need?"  Well my first thought was listen to your message because you would know what I need.  Needless to say we are dropping them do to lack of communication.

  As a customer with them it really opened my eyes to how some businesses take for granted the technology we have at hand.  It it not there to make our business flow better and provide better customer service not lack of?  Some business now don't even list a number for you to call for customer service.  You can online chat, email, SMS and fax. So much can be lost in a text, e-mail or chat.  A customer may be upset and when reading your message take it on the defense. 

  As a business owner my number is still listed on my website, business cards, invoices and business profile on Facebook.  My customers know I care.

   If you are a consumer how do you like to communicate?

What I Wear to Babywear.

Let me start out by saying that I don't make lots of money, I don't get products for free to try.  Anything that is posted on here is me "buying and trying."Or borrowing from a friend.
 
I was privately emailed about what carrier do I use when I wear JK or AM, I just thought I would answer that question on here.  (I also want to say how cool and fancy I felt getting an email from a totally random person about this,  THANK YOU FOR FOLLOWING ME!!)
  I like to use my Infantino Sash Mei Tai Carrier.  For those of you not familiar with carriers Mei Tai is a Asian style carrier.
  Don't roll your eyes.  I know that Infantino has had lots of problems with some of the carriers that they provide.  This is carrier is a step in the right direction.  It allows baby's hips and legs to be in the correct sitting position when being worn. 
 Here are a few action shots of me, my husband and my son wearing my littlest one.

   As you can see I am a fluffy woman and I need a carrier that is going fit all the way around me and this one does.  For a smaller women the ties might be a little long and confusing.  It did take me a while to get where the carrier tight and high enough.  As you can see in the picture of me he is a little lower than I would like. As with any carrier this could just be a practice thing.  The shoulders are padded and they could use a little bit more, but they do not dig into me.  The fabric is slightly slippery so it does slip off, but I have learned some other ways to tie it with my local babywearing group's help.  For the price of $35 it has been very good to me.  The stitching is still strong and there is not much wearing down of the fabric.  JK is currently 28lbs and my AM is 36lbs.(right at the end of the weight limit)  I do not have any pressure soreness or backaches after wearing them for a couple of hours using this carrier.
I personally do not promote facing baby out when carrying them.  There have been many studies on this, so please do your research.
  So there you have it this is the main carrier that I use.  I do use other but those are for another posting.
  I also encourage you to join or visit your local babywearing group. They can help you find a carrier that is right for you.  BUT PLEASE find a group that is open to all types of carriers and not just one specific.  They should be supportive of all types of babywearing.
Hope this helps you.
Chaun V.

Shirts for the Ranger Game

Now that I have this awesome Silhouette CAMEO I have been a machine making shirts and such.  Well we will be going to a Ranger game and I wanted to make shirts that fit each of our personality.  I even made one for my Aspie son who loves Star Wars.  So I made him the Yu's The Force shirt.  GET IT?!  I was pretty smug with myself on that one.

This year is also the Rangers 40th anniversary so I made my teenaged son the throw back shirt (grey shirt, tip right).  That is also why two of the shirts have 1972 added.

 

The shirt on the top right and middle right were made using printable vinyl.  As you can see with the blue shirt I was not sure about how to cut it so it looks funky.  The gray one was printed thru the Silhouette CAMEO then cute using the CAMEO. It was my first time to use the print and cut feature. On the other shirts I just used the Siser Easyweed
Heat Transfer vinyl.  

UPDATE:

I can say we looked pretty awesome in our shirts.

I updated the above pic with my son wearing the shirt at the game.  The most complements I got where on the top two and the babies shirt.

TTFN.

A Piece Of My Childhood RIP Maurice Sendak

Within minutes of posting about baby wearing, I was notified of the death of Maurice Sendak.  To many he is know for "Where the Wild Things Are", because of the movie that came out in 2009. 
I fortunately was introduced to him by my mother at a young age.  While reading about his death of a stroke, thoughts of my mother reading the books came to mind.  I giggled about Mickey swimming in the nude in a bottle of milk.  What girl at any age doesn't giggle at that?  Then I quickly thought of the book "Outside Over There" and how I tried to get the goblins to take my little sister away. Let's not forget "The Sign on Rosie's Door"  that made me think everybody had a secret to tell.   Last, would be "Where the Wild Things Are". I had the fortune of introducing this book to two of my kids before the movie came out.  What kid didn't feel like Max?  Being a mother now, I saw the book from a whole new light.  I saw each of my kids in this story and me. 
So, we now say good bye to a great literary writer of our times.  As his story ends, I hope he knows the many joys his moralistic dark writing did bring us.
Good bye, Mr. Sendak, may you now forever be in the joy of your books.

Yes, I Baby Wear

I am far from crunchy. I am overweight, I like meat, and I use disposable diapers. About the only thing that would make me remotely comparably crunchy, to my friends, is my need and want to recycle, and UpCycle, use of reusable bags, breastfeeding (past a year) and baby wearing. So, I say I am a pretty normal person.

So why is it when I wear on of the two little ones, there are looks, stares, comments and questions? OH the comments and questions. Here are a few of my favorite ones that I have gotten. “Baby doesn't like that.” “Shame on you for putting baby on your back.” "They look so dangerous! “ “How can that be comfortable?” “Your going to delay her walking carrying her all the time.” “Your baby is spoiled (because you wear them)” Oh and my favorite from my sons youth minister I got one Saturday, “They have a group for that?” While laughing. I am sure that some of you have heard worse.

When I first thought of typing this post, I wanted to be snarky to the comments above and say what I really wanted to say, but I think we get enough of that. We need encouragement and support. We just need to know that we are not alone. We need to learn to educate others by showing our love and passion for our kids.

We all baby wear for many different reasons. Bonding, economical, high needs or special needs child, have more than one child, for health, the list can go on.

No matter what your reason is don't let people discourage you or put you down. Even if you are a first timer or seasonal you know why you are doing what you do.  I am lucky to have great husband, that when I got the comment “Shame on you for putting baby on your back”, he came running over to my defense and spoke up (I was about in tears). As a parent we want to do what is best for our child and for that split second someone had me doubting that, and this was me wearing baby number 5! Now that I have a great group with the FWBW, I have found my voice (so did my husband) and now I educate people. I hand out cards to older people and younger people so they can see their blog and read more on it, and who knows they may give that card to someone else that needs help.

So wear your baby/child and march forward moms and dads. Take the comments and questions with stride and teach everyone how great baby wearing can be....besides what on earth could possibly be better than having your favorite person within easy gazing, snuggling, sniffing and kissing distance?

This Is Hard

So, I really want to try to do this BLOG thing.  I have so much stuff that runs through my head and feel like I need to share.  Why not?  I am still breastfeeding my 17th month old, babywear, do attachment parenting, run an at home business, have a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (Aspergers), have 5 kids (which explains why I can not get to the computer to type), first time homeowner, a husband who is a chef and goes on fancy trips (he is my fancy life), and I"m adopted.  OH and the last thing, currently I am doing a weight loss challenge of 110 lbs.

What do I not have to write about?  Do I hold back because there are so many bloggers out there?  Is it because I can not pick just one thing and write about it?  Am I worried about the bashing and name calling that comes with trying to just share my thoughts?

Well now that is all going to stop.  I am going to add another thing to my list of challenges and that is to blog three times a week.  It may be random, it may be boring or it may be something right up your ally.  Either way, I keep having this draw to this and I just want to share.

Get ready world because you are about to get Chaun-afied, and read about my Plain & Fancy Life.

Chaun V.

OOPS I didn't do it.......again.

Well in my plain life of taking care of kids, being a wife, helping out at church and helping run a fund-raising walk, I again have forgotten to post.  OOPS I am so sorry, because not till this very moment did I realize that it has been a month.  I have had so much happen with my life and kids that the time has just flown by.

I just want to say one thing GREAT that has happened in my life with my Aspie.  His teacher the other day came to the car and told my husband that my DS has been working very hard on his social skills and has seen great improvement.  Because I am a sap, this made me cry.  It showed me that he is learning to over come and take control of himself.   It goes to show how much early intervention is so important and can truly help.  He is 11 and maybe just maybe if we had gotten a diagnoses of his ASD earlier and not at the age of 7 (end of 1st grade) that this moment would have come sooner.  Guess late is better than never. 

So parents, if you think something is going on with your child, and think you need help, keep pushing your doctor.  If they will not help you then switch doctors and find an advocate to help you.  You know your child, and getting early intervention is key. 

That is why I am helping out with an Autism walk in April for my area of Texas.  People need to know about the resources there are here, and get the help they need fast.  http://www.defeatingautismtoday.org/
Any parent with a child of any disability will tell you, you can not do it alone and you don't have to.

Glad It's Me Not You

As a mother of 5 I really hate hearing, "You've got your hands full." "Glad it's you and not me" and "You're done, right?"  I can not think of anything less sensitive to say to woman who is trying to wrangle their kids.  It's like saying, "I see you are having a hard time with your kids, and I am not going to help you because you did it to yourself."

Well to those three comments I have something to say back to you.  Yes my hands are full, full of love, hugs, kisses, book, awesome cookies, toys, sweet little feet, and always a hand to hold.  Those things are what I get back with my hands being full of dirty diapers, dirty laundry, dishes, messy house and  few moments of fit throwing and temper tantrums.  So my answer is yes my hands are full, but my heart is never empty.

And you know what I am glad it is me and not you.  God never gives you more than you can handle.  Yes I thought God was playing some cruel joke on me at first (because I always said that I would never have any kids), but I would not trade it for the world.

DONE.  I thought I was done 3 kids ago.  I tried to play God and do things to not get pregnant but God had other plans for me.  By the way, what business is it of yours anyway?  You make it seem like I have done some horrible disservice to you or my children by having so many. You don't have to be our friend if you don't want to; if that is your attitude I don't want to be yours.  And YES I love each one of my kids the same.  They are all special to me in their own way.  Who knows, just because I can not have kids biologically, we don't know what child might come before us in other ways.

 Check out Evil Genius Tees for great snarky large family gear.

Lego (Aspie) Land

So over the 4 day holiday weekend we went to Lego Land Discovery Center Dallas (thanks for the gift mom).  I have read from many other blogs how great Lego Land DC Dallas would be so great for one of my sons (Jarrett), because of his Aspergers.   I really didn't know what to expect when going to Lego Land.  My older son thought it was going to be like Six Flags.  It is not, my husband had the best description of it, a over sized McDonalds Play ground.  Kids of all sizes are running around while most of the parents are sitting on benches playing with their palm sized computers (not even to take pictures). As I tried to allow Jack (1yr) to play and be his monster self by tearing down towers of foam Legos, Ashlynn (3 yrs) weaved in and out of the array of children and sitting parents and got LOST!!  Luckily there is a guard at the exit who found another worker who walked to circle with Ashlynn to find me, but I was looking for her by this time because another parent who was paying attention better than I was, saw my daughter run off and came to get me. So as I gather Jack and Allie (6 yrs) to collect Ashlynn from lost and found I quickly scan for Jarrett.  Jarrett is over at Lego Racers.  OK.
As Justin and I switch shifts, I go enjoy a couple of times around the one true ride, Merlins Apprentice, with my oldest son (hey if this is what I have to do to have a moment with him I am taking it).  We come off the ride and I do quick scan, Husband (Check), Kids (Check) and Jarrett is at Lego Racers.
We spend a little time at the race cars, with even me building a couple and loosing.  As I stood there watching my husband doing a head count every couple of minutes, J.T. being a smart butt, Jarrett getting more and more detailed with his cars, the girls are trying to do anything and everything to keep up with their brothers and Jack is now back packing it on Justin, I see a child with a set of head phones on.  I kind of stare at him, watching him build a building that will survive an earthquake.  He is very methodical in building his building, he would build a little then shake it (to make sure it was sturdy), build a little more and shake it again.  It wasn't just that, it was the colors and layers he is using to build his building.  My Aspie-dar goes off.  As I start looking around among the chaos I see it, I see Aspie Land.  OH and Jarrett is still at Lego Racers.
I will have to say that I was slightly shocked at how well Jarrett did among the crowd and noise at LLDC. The only thing that would have made it even better for him would have been some Star Wars Lego display.  As I think about it then we would really have a Lego (Aspie) Land.

Doing Harm By Doing Nothing. Denied Do To Mental Disablility

Almost 24 hours ago I caught a post on Facebook from a disability parent-advocate , that I follow, about a 3 year old child that was denied a kidney transplant because of her mental disability, "mental retardation" they called it.  I am nurse myself and I still have a hard time saying that word "retarded". It just seems so mean and final, almost like there is NOTHING that that person can do.

Here is the blog for you to read Amelia's story and the stomach churning moment that no parent want to live through when trying to fight for their child.

As I read the story my heart just broke and I cried.  I cried because my faith in the health care system was just shattered.  As a nurse I tried to see it how the doctors see it, but I couldn't.  I called medical friends and tried to have them explain it to me, they couldn't.  I was at a loss for words.  These parents were not being told, "There is nothing we CAN do for your child."  They were being told, "We are NOT going to do anything for your child.  We feel your child's live is not worth saving."
Can CHOP (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia) really say, "we did everything we could to save your child"?  I would say no.

I guess what really bothers me is that they are playing Darwin's , survival of the fittest (even though Herbert Spencer is who coined the term).  We allow abortions and death penalty, what have we really shown in regards to the human life.  Now it just seems to many that life is a game and not a treasure.  The only value is how much money someone is willing to pay for that person to live and some cases die.

I don't know what the future may hold for Amelia, I don't know what Amelia thinks or feels, but I do know that she already has shown a purpose on this earth, and that is to show no matter how little or how much someone can do, all life is worth trying to save.

Here is a petition for you to sign that Sunday of Extreme Parenthood started through Change.org  (while there check out their many other petitions that have been started by this organization).

Here is the information to file a suggestion, complaint, or grievance by discussing with the clinic, unit, or department manager or any other supervisory person, by contacting The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Family Relations Office phone at 267-426-6983 (inside the Hospital dial ext. 6-6983), e-mail at FamilyRelations@email.chop.edu, fax at 267-426-6990, or by snail mail addressed to the Family Relations Office, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 34th Street and Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104.

Plain & Fancy Pasta

Here is an easy pasta dish, that you and your kids will like.  This dish really lets the pasta be the showcase by  not overpowering it with a sauce.  

Ingredients
l lbs of pasta of your choice (I used basic spaghetti)
6 TBS of butter (unsalted)
1TBS of garlic powder (can use fresh)
1 8oz can of tomato sauce
6 oz of fresh spinach
Chunk of hard Italian Cheese
(I used Piave vecchio)
Start your pasta according to package instructions.

While pasta is cooking, get large saute pan on preheat on
medium. 
Melt your butter.

Add your spinach to the butter to start to wilt.
It should be about 2 1/2 minutes.
Get all Paula Dean on the spinach leaves.
Half way through add your garlic powder.
(if you want more then add more)

Your pasta should almost be done so turn up the heat to medium
high.  Add your can of tomato sauce and mix.
Drain your pasta (don't rinse) and quickly add to the pan.
Mix together and keep it moving to avoid pasta sticking to the pan.
After it is all mixed well remove from heat.

Plate your pasta and garnish with shreds of your Italian cheese.
Shred it over the plate.  Again you can add as little or as much
as you want.
Now ENJOY!!!
If you would like a little wine with your meal get a nice
dry Rose.

Square Up...WHAT?

Another $45 dollars down the drain (monthly), and I didn't even sell $45 worth of stuff that month.  Why because I signed up with a credit card (CC) processor that didn't tell me all about the little fees.  OH and also, you can NEVER, and I mean NEVER, have a free credit card processing machine.

Wait a min.... I think I might be wrong.  Have you ever heard of Square Inc? Square Inc. is a San Fransisco based company that has found a way for us little people to process credit cards with the small computers we carry around, called a smart phones.  iPhone? No Problem. iPad? No Problem.  Android (most)? NO PROBLEM?  Square has you covered.

Oh but how much does it cost? Reader? FREE. Phone application? FREE. What about the monthly fee? Here is the best part, get ready for it, if you don't use it then you don't have to pay for it that month.  It is just a 2.75% per swipe (3.5% + 15 cents if keyed in) and that is it.

I know I know it seems to good to be true.  I thought the same thing.  After being completely shammed by my old credit card processor I was a little skeptical at first. But then it hit me.  I could not be any worse than the situation I was already in.  So I waited and waited to get my square and why?  Because I needed to get me a smart phone first.  So when my upgrade time came I went to Square.com and picked a phone that was compatible with their reader and app. (my reader even came in before my phone did).  I have been with Square for almost a year now and I have not had any problems.   I love how someone can order a bow and pay me right then.  I can go to a craft show and not worry if there is electricity or WiFi (it even saves me on booth fees if I don't need the electricity). I love how fancy it makes my business look and the questions about my toy.  So now all I am waiting for from Square is two things.  Online processing and an app for the Kindle Fire.  For now, I will just use my Samsung phone.

So if you are looking to get out of the round and round circle of your CC processor then you need to just Square Up.

Love this Machine. Just Wish I Had One.

The Janome Sewing Machine Company is having a great giveaway.  They are calling it the Friend-To-Friend Facebook Challenge.  All they want to do is reach 20,000 Facebook Fans. 

Here is the easy part.

Just Two Steps To Enter To Win

1. Visit janome.com each day, read the article of the day, and leave us a comment about it.
2. Keep an eye on our Facebook friends and followers total, and help us boost that number to 20,000.

So go and enter.  Then if you win you can give the other one to me.

Almost Not Famous

So being a stay at home mom it doesn't take much for me to get that fancy shmacy feeling or to feel like I met someone important.  Also, being a stay-at-work-at-home-mom I might have a little more time for the Twitter, Facebook, YouTube stuff.  While playing around on YouTube one day looking for some Criminal Minds stuff I found this really cool web series called PRETTY the Series. With my background of making beauty pageant accessories and having a young girl child that has been in them, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the mockery of it.  Why would I not? See for yourself.  You can read more about them and see all the episodes from season 1 to season 3 here.
So how does this all make me almost not famous?  OK. I was playing around computer and if you know me I am a HUGE Criminal Minds fan and I am so inspired in my work by Kirsten Vangsness's character Penelope Garcia (and by KV herself).  While tweeting a few little tweets in desperation to get her attention to make her something for Criminal Minds the executive producer for PRETTY the Series caught my tweets and offered for me to make a hair piece for her for the series.  HELL YEAH!!  So a few e-mails later, making a total of 7 pieces (figured it upped my chances on one getting on KV's head), one lost package, remaking all 7 pieces again and shipping overnight and then finding said lost package, my hair pieces made it.  And the rest is just a PRETTY dream for me.
 No, not everyone is going to know that it was me that made the (what I call) famous cross headband, that the "recovering atheist" character wears in so far 2 episodes (or a few other pieces).  But I do. So in my mind I am "almost famous". To you....... who cares.