The benefits of determination and self discipline ....

can mean the same results for you...63lbs lost....yes it did take me 2 and a half years but its amazing what you can do with a little hard work (Gym time) and self discipline ( limiting carbs) Nothing crazy and/or drastic except occasionally getting up at crazy hours to go to the gym (and occasionally knocking a cupcake out of my own hand...I kid I kid)....I will say I am not a hater but the words that really upset me most is when people could see the weight that I had lost and said "It must be nice to have that kind of time to go to the gym all the time"

Well I don't and have never had lots of extra time AND I don't go all the time....I like most people work full time and have children to raise...this is something that you have to make time for in your life if its what you want....if that is important to you....and I did....and I do....IT WAS AND STILL IS HARD WORK!!!

Andddd....please do not get me wrong...I am not saying I looked bad before or that I look great now....

I AM A HAPPY HEALTHIER PERSON NOW....AND LOVE IT....LOVE ME!!!

BEFORE this pic isn't even me at my largest - I had already lost 15 by the time this pic was taken - 2009

NOW - December 3, 2011

Home from the Christmas party and sooo ready for bed ;)

Night night!!!!



So very true...

Life has a way of working itself out....

PURE AWESOMENESS

Yes that is a word in MY vocabulary!!!!

Getting ready to incorporate CONCRETE into my furniture!!!!!!

Getting my order ready now

(and for the record I AM doing my happy dance....soooo excited)

YAYYYYYYY

From one of my fav songs EVAAAA

(Daughtry...What about now).....

But right NOW at THIS moment I need it to read What if I'm making me all that I was meant to be!!!

I always wanted...craved....thought I needed

someone to believe in me.....

BUT I HAVE LEARNED ALLS I EVER REALLY NEEDED WAS TO

BELIEVE IN MYSELF!!!

(Athough it does help when other believe and support you too)

A little positive note to end the evening

Nighty night....Hard work today and hard work tonight...so ready for bed :)

Very busy household last night!!!

 Lil man working on his extra credit project

Me showing lil man how its done.....LOL.....actually he could

more than likely show me a thing or two :)

Gorgeous LeJovrnal Artwork just added to Simplicity Market place

YAYYYY

Just finished this

Gorgeous piece of artwork

This beautiful poster has been added to reclaimed lumber
SOOOO COOL!!!!!
So glad I dont have a huge house.....
I WANT TO KEEP EVERYTHING I MAKE
LOVE IT ALL 

Here is a before pic of the back side...

Are you loving the safety glass headband I have going on...lmao....
at least I remember to put those on :)

Chalkboard Shelf from Scraps

Found this on my favorite site

She actually builds everything on her site

and adds the plans, deminsions,  material and tools list, general instructions AND step by step instructions to all of her projects

so never say that you cant do it....she makes it soooo easy for everyone....

SHE DOES ALL THE WORK FOR YOU!!!!

Ana White Homemaker

PERFECTLY SAID.....

Dear Santa....

Just in case you were wondering what I would like this year

I have put a little something together for you

(and YES I have been a very very good girl)

Who knows when I will need a sexy black dress...just in case though

(I do so love dressing girly)

Love this one from an ETSY store GEMjewelrydesign

Sexy shoes for a sexy dress :) Sometimes a girl just wants to look and feel FABULOUS!!!!!

Found these at Christian Louboutin

I know I am a girl...most of the time a girly girl

but for the record this girly girl uses power tools too

and would totally love you forevaaa if this was under my tree

Yes Santa Baby....I know how many carbs are in this.....

Butttt I have been on a diet for three years now...Just saying

And yes I think I will be eating it all by myself in one sitting... 

(LMAO...anyone that knows me knows I would never ever be able to do it

and just the thought that beautiful yummy looking carb filled cake sitting in front of me waiting for me to devour it....would probably make me sick)

A Girl can dream can't she

YES PLEASE....ALL OF IT....I know...I know...butttt Hardly any of my clothes fit me :( remember the diet thingy...it worked

and remember I have been REALLY REALLY GOOD

Wouldnt I look awesome in this working on all my fabulous furniture ideas in my workshop

(aka...tiny garage but perfect workspace for me)

 anddd maybe a pair of hot pink glitter heels to go with?!?! thats just a maybe...don't want to push my luck...lol

But for the record Santa any of the above will do

just sayinnnnn
and no silly santa I will not really be wearing these in the
workshop

OK...OK....I know this is way much buttt just think If my hair could look like this everday when I woke

up how much extra time I would have left to work on my super cool millions of ideas that run through this head of mine....Hey a girl can dream can't she :)

OHHHH and can't forget this.....can you look into gloves that magically appear on my hands when I start staining, painting or stripping wood....you know...just see what you can do ;)

One lesson I haven't been able to learn from...DARN IT...



Back to the drawing board....

Someone else's little taste of Simplicity

Stripped and refinished one of them and it needs to be darker

wasn't real fond of the stain I had chose....the one with the

Polyurethane already in it...YUCK....Not for me and clearly

 not for this beautiful piece of furniture...It went on really thick

so I stained and then wiped it down

(which is a process I love doing it shows the true beauty of the wood)....
If I would of went with my gut and bought the regular stain it would
of turned out perfect the first time
LESSON LEARNED :)

 Both Before

Left is the same - Right is redone

Original

 Refinished

NOTE TO SELF WEAR GLOVES WHEN STAINING (DUHHH)

AND

NEVER BUY STAIN WITH POLYUETHANE ALREADY IN IT (YUCK)

It did turn out beautiful....just not dark enough

2nd times a charm....right?!?!?!

Thank God I learn from my mistakes :)

Except the glove thingy (?!?!?)

Love this....

PICTURE PERFECT

Love this idea that I found over at 

The Sassy Pepper 

of making  a picture canvas.

The  tutorial is so easy to follow and the final
look is simply awesome.

Pictures can make a great gift and
they are a super easy way to
decorate your home as well.

I love how she finished the sides of the canvas with
the craft paper… They look so darling.



PLEASE....PLEASE....PLEASE REMEMBER.....

Being a woman that grew up with a lot of negativity in my life you would think I was damaged to the core but I am not....

I REFUSE TO BE AND TODAY I AM

WORKING ON MAKING MY DREAMS COME TRUE!!!

I AM MAKING MY DREAMS COME TRUE....
I CONTROL MY DESTINY....
MY TOMORROW.....

AND GUESS WHAT YOU DO TOO
REFUSE TO LET NEGATIVITY IN YOUR LIFE...
IT WILL TAKE OVER

I PROMISE IT WILL TAKE OVER AND CONTROL YOU
BUT ONLY IF YOU ALLOW IT...

Always remember the person throwing out the negativity is trying to compensate for their own insecurities and make themselves feel better while they are tearing you down and ruining everything in their path (kind of like a tornado and most of the time they don't even realize they are doing it) instead of digging deep to repair themselves. Its easier for them to ruin everything and everyone around them to make themselves momentarily feel better....until next time...then the vicious cycle begins again and again and again...until you end the cycle and start repairing yourself from the damage caused. Then they can take a good look at themselves and start to repair themselves too. Its the most wonderful breath of fresh air being strong enough to walk away knowing your tomorrow is finally going to be a better day. Its a horrible vicious cycle As well as abuse....it runs deeper than physical abuse....It ruins people from the inside out...some people it will ruin forever....you have to take charge of it otherwise it will go on the rest of your life....
You have to believe in you before anyone else can believe in you...you have to finally stand up and realize the horrible things coming from that person is not true....as hard as is it....you have too.
Its hard when you have been told many negative, horrible things over and over because you actually begin to believe it yourself. When actually that person just doesn't want you to feel better or good about yourself...because they don't feel that way about themselves. So they reach and pull anyone they can down with them. You can't blame anyone...not even the person inflicting this pain or "abuse" you can walk away at any time....talk to someone...talk to anyone...Just think once you walk away from that situation EVERYONE can begin to heal....

SO VERY SORRY FOR MY THERAPIST MOMENT...Someone I care for very much is going through this...It even hurts being on the outside looking in and seeing it happen to someone else....there is nothing I can do...they have to be ready to walk away....they have to be ready to make their life better....They have to want a better life...a HEALTHY LIFE. I am fortunate I started the repairs at a young age (I don't know where my strength came from but thank god I had it...I know that I had a very strong influence and maybe I learned from her...My best friend...My aunt Jan...she is one of the strongest most beautiful people I know inside and out...When my confidence was torn down and I was at my lowest she built me right back up...every time) and I can finally live my life free and clear from negativity and maybe just maybe I can help someone else do it too.....its the best feeling ever to know that you never have to allow it in your life....
it really is your choice

IT IS YOUR CHOICE TO NOT CONTINUE TO LIVE THAT LIFE!!!!


Lets make that today.....everyday is a BRAND NEW DAY!!!!

P.S. I hope people that know me are (especially friends...I hope they would always remember me as being positive and upbeat) surprised to know that

 I grew up with negativity because I have worked
very hard to overcome it and to keep it out of my life and my children's life.Even when it was being inflicted upon me everyday I teach my two beautiful boys that anything is possible and

I believe in them and I am there for them no matter what

THE SKY REALLY IS THE LIMIT!!!!!!

Fabulous Daybed/Couch and Industiral style Coffee Table...

for sale in the Simplicity Market Place