Search This Blog

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Our version of Dollar Tree Hurricanes



I have many excuses, none very good ones. Whenever the situation arises in a group to make a craft I get many looks of pity, or someone reaching over and tweaks mine until it's right or sweet children ask if I want to trade. It really is that bad.
Photobucket

You already know how much I adore Melissa. She has a regular feature titled "Under $10.00 in under an hour." She made these
Photobucket
and gave a tutorial using these three items from the Dollar Tree:
Photobucket

It looked so easy that even I could do it. I decided to use coffee beans. I had a really hard time finding unground, whole coffee beans for a price I was ok with. Who knew? Anyway, I got all the supplies and my handy glue gun and a card table ready. My daughter walked by and took off all the price stickers and decals. I had forgotten that Melissa mentioned needing to do that:) Melissa also mentioned that you need to find the center of the vase. Nah, I'll just eyeball it. NOT a good idea. It really does matter! They were all wonky and crooked. Dumped all the coffee out, ripped them apart and walked away. My son and I stood over the vases trying to remember how to find the center of a circle and knowing this should be simple. We walked away.

My artistic husband found them. Immediately figured out what I was doing: glued them, decorated them and placed them on the mantle. The wrong mantle in the wrong room and in the wrong place. Can you tell I am really annoyed that he fixed my mess:)

Here are "Ours". Who knew something so simple would become a group effort:)




Linking up at Works for me Wednesday, We did it! Wednesday, 57th Penny Pinching Party, Make it Yours, Show and Tell, Strut Yourself Thursday, Transformation Thursdays, Show off your Stuff, Hooking up with HOH, Get Your Craft on, Feature Your Sassy Site, Look at me Im so crafty!, Im Lovin' it Fridays, Frugalicious Fridays, Feature Yourself Fridays, Favorite Things Friday, Whatever Goes Wednesday

Friday, October 22, 2010

PLEEASE vote for Rachelle's basement!!

Have you all seen Fingerprints on the Fridge and met dear sweet Rachelle?

Fingerprints on the Fridge


Rachelle:


So what if we havent met in "real life" (that's only because she lives in Michigan!!) So what if I was in highschool when she was born. She is sooo much cooler than me:) but that doesnt stop me from sporting the Jute intital she made for my front door and carrying the keychain she sent for my birthday:) LOVE LOVE this girl!! You will too!!

They are a young family on a small small budget that did an AMAZING kitchen redo. next on their agenda: their atrocious basement.

Rachelle is in the top 10 on True Value's Design SOS Contest!!!
We can vote once each and every day and she and her family could win $2,500 in True value merchandise and a DIY project consultation from a local True Value "Master of All Things Hardwarian."

please head on over HERE and vote for her! Remember, you can vote once a day:)

http://startrightstarthere.com/Contest2010-entry-detail.aspx?entrantId=403



Photobucket blog signature

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Please pray for wisdom with our son's Scleroderma


I have so many fun posts planned! I actually made something crafty and I have a great giveaway in store...but right now my heart is heavy and I need you friends.

Our son Nate, 14, was diagnosed with Scleroderma Coupe de Sabre about a year ago. This is a rare disease and not much is known about what causes it or what it will do. It is considered untreatable. His doesn't not seem to be systemic (which would be fatal) and has remained superficial (only affecting his tissue and muscles.) His started on his chin and is continuing up the left side of his face. He has discoloration on his chin, and above his lip. The disease has taken the left side of his lip, and he has lost all flesh and fatty tissue. He now has skin on bone until right below his eye.

Nate is experiencing a very rare and not very documented disease. It is referred to as an "orphan disease." No one really knows what it will do. It affects people very differently.

The next season is crucial for him. He has had two episodes of pain. The pain normally associated with this disease and Parry Romberg Symdrome is excruciating and untreatable. It is referred to by Drs as the "suicide disease." His pain hasn't been that bad. Pray it doesn't continue. With the onset of this pain many experience seizures and stroke. Our hope and that of his Dr. would be that because his manifestations have been superficial so far they wouldn’t cause these symptoms. Because there is no true pattern this disease follows, we are left to speculate and wonder. I have talked to two families whose chidlren showed the symptoms Nate does and then developed seizures and one a stroke.

Some lose their organs. It appears that Nate's eye will not be affected by the disease but losing the fatty tissue in that area can cause the eye to sink bank into the socket and disrupt sight. There is a woman on youtube who "looks fine" but describes her Sceleroderma and deteriorating sight.

Nate is being referred to a neurologist, an ophthalmologist and will have blood tests done. These may or may not show us what is going on but will serve as a base line to anything that does happen. Nate is being prescribed medication that we aren't sure about. There are also some routes that we would like to take nutritionally. The drugs that are typically prescribed would inhibit the immune system (because his is attacking himself.) I have not seen cases where they truly help the way that we would like to see. There are some nutritional things (like shitake mushrooms) that can help calm his immune system and balance. He was prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs. There are things that can be done nutritionally to do this but they would drastically reduce his diet.(no diary, wheat, corn or eggs, among other things) Keep in mind that nothing has been shown to slow down or combat this disease. We, as the parents of a child afflicted are trying to find a cure for an incurable disease.

Please pray for wisdom, for answers, for peace. For the physical and emotional energy we will need during this time. For unity and laughter for us together as a family.

Nate continues to have an amazing attitude through this all. His parents are worried yet trusting God. How will we pay for any of this? How can we quickly figure this all out when the experts can't? What is going to happen to our son? What is his future? Where would a stroke, loss of eyesight, seizures or chronic pain leave him? What about all the dreams we have for our first born?

I have no eloquence right now.  I included pictrures of Nate because he really doesn't look that bad. He does have severe facial deformity but because of it's placement it needs to be pointed out. So far. These are especially odd pictures because he is ALWAYS smiling. Even when it really isnt the right time to be:)



There is some information online that will better explain the things that I had trouble with
Sceroderma Coupe de Sabre:





Parry-Romberg syndrome:




Neuropathic Facial Pain and TN (Trigeminal Neuralgia)


God Bless!

Photobucket blog signature

Monday, October 11, 2010

Looking for blog design? at 92%off!!

My blog has not been keeping up and is looking very shabby and cluttered. I just dont speak html and designers are expensive...unless you find a great one and a great special!!
Inspiring You To Save!!: $105 Blog Design Package Only $10 (92% Off) - 1 We...:
"Package Includes: 
Custom Header
Custom Background
Custom Button w/ Code
Custom Post Divider
Custom Signature
Matching Text Color
Text Navigation..."

BUT HURRY! This special ends 10/11 at 11:59!

Photobucketblog signature

Monday, October 4, 2010

Blog Hops?

How do you all feel about blog hops? Have they enriched your blogging?

I am torn. I love the opportunity to meet new bloggers and make new friends and look around AND gain exposure. Somehow though, it kind of feels like cheating. People "follow" you because you "follow" them. they don't actually "like" my blog or get my point, and may not even be interested in what I have to say. What do you think? Am I being too thin skinned?

I amhonestly torn. I have found some amazing blogs and made some great friends through blog hops. I also get a lot of "i follow you now follow me" comments and feel like Im playing tag and just trying to pump up my followers. Maybe that's not a bad thing?

Why do you blog hop?

Which are your favorites?

I have chosen these hops to link up to:

mingle mondays button
GiveawayBlogdom
Photobucket
Photobucket


Bassgiraffe's Thoughts Thursday Blog Hop




The Two Savvy Sisters



http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q310/christi3715/FriendlyFriday_Button.jpg
Just Married with Coupons



Photobucket blog signature

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Great Deals on Magazines

Amazon has some great deals right now on magazine subscriptions.
They are offering 10 for under $10.00.
They would make good Christmas gifts.

10 under $10.00

Better Homes and Gardens magazine $5.99:


Good Housekeeping ($7.97):

AND to further sweeten the deals--they are offering $5.00 certificate towards a furture magazine purchase! Are you seeing the potential here!!


Redbook ($8.00)


Family Fun ($9.95)



Photobucket

blog signature