Happy 3rd Birthday Mason!!

My baby turned 3 today!!  He woke up to his first present... a pretty blanket of snow on the ground and it has been falling steadily all day.

We celebrated with homemade cupcakes...

 Here he is showing how old he is.  He didn't know which way to look because there were four of us with cameras :)

 He approved of the cupcakes.

 His Nana and Grandpa sent him a Hess truck and $3, he was very happy.

 I decided to go the homemade route with our presents...  I made him a baby carrier to carry around Rosa and a knit hat for Rosa's head(my first knit project!)...

 Then I found a couple on Etsy who make the most beautiful wooden toys...   Ok, so I didn't make them, but they are still handmade.  The toys are very reasonably priced for the quality and workmanship.  Mason has had a thing for military stuff ever since Cameron became a Marine, so I knew he would really like these.

 In these next three pictures he was playing with the helicopter and he exclaimed "I love these!".

I think he had a good birthday. For dinner he asked for chicken and french fries, so that is what he will be getting.

Happy Birthday Mason!! We love you little buddy!!!

Mommy

Crocheting, Knitting, and waiting...

February has creeped up on me faster than I thought it would. I've been doing things, not sure what exactly, guess the winter blas have set in a bit, but I know they are actually some life yuckies.

Anyway, I thought I would share a baby gift I made for a friend's second grandbaby. She is having a little boy this month and I wasn't sure what she needed but thought a blanket and some burp cloths can always be used....

 The blanket is made from two pieces of flannel in a fun patchwork quilt pattern and I decided to add a crocheted edge to it to dress it up a bit.

 Sorry, blogger rearranged my pics...  I've been teaching myself to knit.  I was just not getting it the other night and it was frustrating me to no end, so I put it down.  I picked it back up again today and somehow my hands and needles finally caught on to what my mind had already picked up.  I managed to figure out both the knit and purl stitch and now I can play around with other designs.  On the needles here is not a project, it's just practice.... try not to laugh to0 hard at my uneven stitches.

Here are the burp cloths, flannel on one side and cotton on the other....

 And I found this book at goodwill for $.99, I know my mom will love it. She loves Warren Kimble and it has several of his paintings in the book that she can tear out and frame.

We are waiting for a big snow storm to hit some time tomorrow, two feet or more supposedly, the kids are hoping for a snowday(I am too).  I'm waiting for a phone call from the Dr to let me know that bad news that my heart already knows.

Tiff

Relieved...

I'm sure some of you know what the above machine is.  I had never seen one before today. This isn't a typical blog post topic for me, but since it involves my life, I feel it is appropriate to share.

I don't think I have ever mentioned on my blog that my maternal grandmother died in 2005 of breast cancer. She never told anyone she had it, I think she may have not known herself until it was too late. And we didn't find out until she ended up in the hospital and passed away a few days later, she was 84.  Then, last year, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 67.  She had felt a lump for quite some time and my dad finally convinced her to go to the Dr.(my family has a weird aversion to going to the Dr.).  They removed the lump right away and then she underwent radiation treatments.  They think they got it all, but she obviously is still being monitored.

Last week I noticed that my left breast was aching, which was not normal, hubby said to go to the Dr. Of course I told him No, that I would wait it out(again, weird aversion to going to the Dr, I'm fine with the dentist!). Well, after a couple of days of pain, I felt around, shamefully I hadn't done a real self breast exam in ages, and noticed a lump.  That scared me, and I called the Dr. the same day.

My Dr. appointment was yesterday.  She also felt the lump but she was pretty sure it felt like normal tissue that had made itself into a lump but because of my family history she wanted me to get a mammogram. They scheduled the appt. for it in the office and the hospital was able to get me in this morning.  Hubby went with me.  This was my first ever mammogram and I wasn't sure what to expect other than I have read that they really squeeze things :)

So the technician was very nice and she is taking pictures of both sides and I kept thinking "this isn't so bad, it's not that much of a squeeze".  Then she says that she is going to take some more localized pics of the lump area....Wowzers!!! those last two pictures hurt so much! I didn't think they could safely squeeze them that much.  Luckily it was only few seconds.

She then had to go show the pics to the radiologist. And the wait begins. I hate the waiting part because all the worst things flash through your head.

She comes back in and says they need to do an ultrasound.  Off to the U/S wing I go.  

For the ultrasound I had a student along with the regular technician, which was actually kind of nice because instead of not knowing what was going on, they were talking about things the whole time.  They both looked at the lump and said it was normal tissue, WHEWWW!  But, then they said they needed to look at the dense areas that the mammogram showed, Crap!  So now I'm nervous. Especially when the tech starts to do measurements of something.  

They finish up and say that they will take the results to the radiologist, but not to get dressed because he may want to do the ultrasound himself.  The wait begins again. Did I mention that I hate the waiting part?!

The two women come back in with the radiologist. He does the ultrasound. Confirms the initial lump is normal and then looks at the other areas from the mammogram.  He's nice and talks and asks me how long I have noticed things. Then he says that the other areas are decent size cysts. He said "these are benign, again benign, not cancer, nothing to worry about, just cysts, and you can go enjoy the rest of your day".  Thank you Lord!!    Apparently cysts can form anywhere in your body, especially where there is fiberous tissue(like the breasts) and can come and go with hormones of your cycle. And because of the size of them, that is why I was achy. 

So there, that was my first experience with a mammogram and realizing that I'm not a spring chicken anymore and that more of these will be in my future. And tonight I need to call my mom and ask her what kind of breast cancer she had because the mammogram tech said that it was important to find out because of the family history.

Moral of the story, if you think something is wrong, get it checked out, catch it early or find out it is nothing to worry about.

I'm relieved to say the least and now I can enjoy the weekend.

Tiff

Scene from the week...

A view of my coffee table during the week... Mason style :)

Happy Weekend everyone,

Tiff

Our 20th Wedding Anniversary....

Twenty years ago today, hubby and I got married in Rye, NY and then took the train into NYC. We ate at McDonalds, he bought me a faux Chanel scarf from a street vendor, and we walked around the city.  I have no regrets, but I do wish we would have taken at least one picture of us that day(young and stupid).  

Here we are today, we've grown together, shared good times and bad, been each other's strength, been each other's best friend, created seven beautiful children together, created more wonderful memories than I can count...and were aren't even close to being finished :)

We had a meeting to go this morning, then afterward we went out to lunch....

We were hoping for a snow day(it did end up being early release because of the snow) so that it could be just the two of us, but we are lucky that Mason is such a good little boy and we can take him anywhere :)

I left hubby a message on the magnet board in front of us...

So my love, come grow old with me, the best is yet to be!

All my love,

Tiff

Pinned It, Made It!!!...

I've got to stop worrying so much, stay informed, but not obsess, that is what I am telling myself. Remember history and try not to let it repeat itself, but in the great scheme of things, I am just one person and right now I  need to focus on my family and make our small world the best it can be.

Ok, on to what I pinned and what I made. Remember those Mr. and Mrs. pillows?  I finally got around to making them today.  They were super quick and easy!

Here they are on the bed. And you notice the collage of pictures on the wall... that was the Christmas present from Cameron... they were perfect for over the bed :)   Yep, and it's January 14th and you are seeing correctly, the windows are open! It's gorgeous outside and I opened up the whole house.

 This is the view from the doorway looking into our room.

 The desk and chair are two family pieces that my mom passed down to me.

 The red pillows are made from two sweaters that I no longer wore.

 Close up of the pillows.  I was going to use white fabric, but I didn't have any thick enough. So I used some leftover drop cloth from the camper cushion project. The letters are just done with sharpie, like I said, super easy!  I made the Mrs.one more feminine than the Mr. and they are on the bed this way because these are the sides we sleep on :) Best of all, this project didn't cost a dime, I had all the materials and the pillow inserts were old ones from our couch.

 Couple more views of the room...

Here is the pin...

 And here are mine...

Have you made any pins lately?

Have a fantastic day,

Tiff

Well....

I want to sincerely thank all of you who commented on my last post, they all meant so much to me. I do plan on emailing you all to(some are no-reply though, so thank you if I can't email you back!).

Cameron is doing well and we have heard from him. His training got delayed by a week and half,which he was not happy about, I guess there was a scheduling snafu and now there is a whole platoon down there just twiddling their thumbs!

I'm doing better emotionally, I just wish I was physically better. I have been battling something since before Christmas break. It started in my nose and turned into some sort of sinus infection, that cleared up bit it went directly to my chest and I have been coughing and short of breath for 2 weeks. And to add to that, I did something to the inside of my ankle and if I walk too much it hurts and swells.  I'm just a basket case!

Ok, deep breath and telling myself to just let it go....so I decided to delete the whole second half of this post because it will not do me or you any good.  All I will say is that my hubby's paycheck today was not a pretty sight. And our monthly loss is significant. We will be cutting some lifestyle things, and now I just had to delete the second half of this sentence because I want to say some things that I really shouldn't say.  I need to keep this blog positive, not because I'm scared to say what I think, but because I need to stop letting fear and worry creep into me. I have faith, I am praying, and God will prevail over the evil that is out there.

Keep praying my friends,

Tiff

Emotional...

Emotional, VERY, the only way to describe me.  If I talk about it out loud, I cry, so I'm busying myself by cleaning the house. 

My baby left again today, off to infantry training for a month. I'm glad we got an extra long leave with him, but it doesn't make saying goodbye to him today any easier.  We don't know if we will see him after this or if he will go straight to his school, so that makes it even harder... the not knowing of when the next time will be.

Mason is taking it hard.  When we would mention that Cameron would be leaving again, he would tell us "no he isn't, he's not going anywhere".  And this morning he didn't want to say goodbye. Cameron had to go pick him up and give him a hug, then  Mason ran off to the other room and was in denial(I think he still is).

I'm so proud of Cameron and I know we did a good job raising him, but boy o boy, this parenting thing stinks sometimes...it's so hard to let them go.
Keep him in your prayers for me, that he stays safe and is happy.

Thank you,
Tiff

Pinterest Problems?

Thank you all for the suggestions on yarn. I've looked into them all, but nothing is like this yarn. I'm actually beginning to think that they no  longer make it and that is why my mom got it on clearance at walmart. I will take the suggestion and bring a sample to our local yarn shop and see what they think and the butchers twine is a fabulous idea!

Now onto Pinterest... it started last night with a few of my boards coming and going. One minute they would be there, then gone for 1/2 an hour, then reappear for a few minutes, then on and off again all night. I emailed pinterest and got an automated response with no real answer.  Then I noticed someone else pin about it happening to one of her boards, just happened to be her political board... mine were two political boards and two random boards.  The boards came back this morning. BUT, now as I type this at 12:45 in the afternoon, ALL my boards are gone!! The only board left is the public Animals board I joined. So all the boards that I created have disappeared.  I emailed again, we will see what they say.  Anyone else experiencing this?

Tiff

Looking for yarn, can you help?

A few years back my mom gave me a bunch of yarn that she no longer wanted.  It was a fat chunky 100% cotton yarn, like a heavier version of the kind you make dishcloths with.  I'm pretty sure she got it on clearance at Walmart, but I forgot to save a label, so I don't know the brand.  I have used it all up in a rug, a bath mat, and a dish drying mat(which we use daily and I love). I want to make some more(maybe to sell or for gifts, but I need to find the yarn).  

Here is a pic of the rug I made while it was in progress....

 And here is the bath mat...

Has anyone seen this yarn before?  Anywhere on line sell it? And do you know what weight it would be? It's not the normal 4 that cotton dishcloth yarn is, like I said, it is very chunky(works up quick).  I've looked everywhere, including Hobby Lobby(which I supported today!).

Thanks,

Tiff

Now what do you think?

I wasn't totally happy with yesterday's try of the new look, so I made my own header today with my own pictures and I think I like it much better.  I still may play around with the fonts, I just want to make it look good but easy to read.  Is the all white background too much?

Tiff

I think the Update is Done and Pay it Forward

Ok, I think I'm done updating for now. I deleted a lot of blogs... I was a bit stunned at how many I had to delete, but any that hadn't been written on in 11 or months had to go.  I added those who commented, if you are not there, it was not intentional, please let me know.  And if anyone else wants to be added, leave a comment because my blog roll editing is finally working!

And now for the question of the day... What do you think? Tell me the truth? Do you like it? Is it easy to read? Hard on the eyes?... just let me know. Thanks!!

Now for the Pay it Forward... I responded to Tammy's PIF(over at A Primitive Place) and I'm copying what she wrote(hope you don't mind Tammy)...

2013 Creative Pay It Forward....

the first 5 people to comment on this post stating “they would like to Join In” will receive something from me sometime this year.

I don't know yet what it will be???

Maybe a handmade creation, or a prim candle, or a decorating book, ???

Just what ever comes to my mind or spirit.

I can promise that it will only be a type of item that I would want to receive myself.

As for the “Catch”…

The first 5 people to request to be included must make the same offer on their blog and follow through with the giving.

*You must say you want to join in on the PIF in order for your comment to be counted.

Lets spread a little Love this year, my friends.

What do you say??

Wanna join in??

Have a wonderful day,

Tiff

Updating Blog Roll... Want Me to Add You?

Happy New Year everyone!!  And with a new year, I thought it was about time to update my blog roll.  Over the next few days I'm going to be editing it(taking off blogs that haven't posted in a long time and adding new ones).  I know I have a lot of followers who aren't listed on my blog roll and I want to change that.  The main reason you aren't there is really a silly technical issue. You see, when I'm online I am usually signed in under my google account that I get my email with, but for some reason, to access my blog(and make posts) I have to sign in under another account(the email address that my internet service came with, that I no longer use for email). So if I am on using my normal account and go to look at your blog and become a follower, when I go to add you to my blog roll it is not there because I did not become a follower under my blog account. Make sense?  I just need to take a few hours under my blog account and follow everyone and then I can add you all.

Ok, to make a long post short... if you aren't on my blog roll and want to be, leave a comment with your blog address and sometime this week or weekend I will add you.  I think I'm also going to change my blog from a 3 column to a 2 column layout, which may take some time because I have to then remember how to add the templates and such, which I'm not good at.

photo courtesy of Mrs. DIY and the Tennis Guy

And the pic above... I want to make these for the master bedroom, our anniversary is coming up and I thought these would be cute... but in a white fabric to go with the room. Here is the blog they are from.

Have a lovely day,

Tiff

2012 simplified

I thought I would would start a new tradition on my blog... logging down some memories of the past year on the final day of it.  A simple bullet list of 20 points in chronoligical  order to look back upon. These aren't exactly family points, but more My points of the year.  Feel free to leave a comment and share your list....

1)  My addiction to pinterest was in full bloom
2) Started weight watchers
3) Started to change the style of the house, lighten up on the heavy prim
4) Finished more projects than I realized(pinterest was inspiring)
4.5) Somewhere in here I gave up on weight watchers
5) Slacked in my blogging, lots of big issues
6) Had our annual yard sale(realized how much crap I accumulate)
7) Began to really become concerned about the future of our country(and still am)
8) Got into the Goodwill habit again(not a good thing)
9) Started redoing the camper
10) My school volunteering picked up, back to the bulletin boards
11) In the midst of a crocheting frenzy(pot holders and washcloths)
12) Trying to eliminate the chemicals from our lives
13) Major emotional processing of my oldest baby leaving the house for Marine boot camp(still processing this)
14) Trying to deal with the emotional toll of having major baby fever(for over a year), with no baby to resolve it.  Adopted a crazy wacky kitten, she's great(in her own way), but it didn't help.
15) Watched my 19year old baby grow up through the letters he is wrote me from boot camp
16) Did something for myself, threw a gingerbread house decorating party with friends, it was great
17) WATCHED MY BABY GRADUATE FROM BOOT CAMP!!! Can't even begin to explain how proud I am of him
18)  Successfully survived a long car trip to and from Parris Island, SC with all the kids
19)  Had what I think was the best Christmas days that I can remember, it was absolutely perfect
20)  Still the very proud mother and wife of the best family in the world.

Happy New Year!! I wish you all the very best for the upcoming year and may God Bless you and watch over you.

Tiff

Picture Perfect....

Merry Christmas!! I hope you all are having a wonderful day.  Ours has been just perfect and I couldn't ask for a better Christmas.

We have a tradition in our home... the kids camp out in our room on Christmas eve, then on Christmas morning they have to wait for us to get out of bed and wake up, this usually is around 9am(this year it was almost 10!).  Then I take pictures as they are coming down the stairs....

They get to have their stockings and santa presents(which is usually one large present that isn't wrapped that shows up on Christmas eve) but nothing else.  Then we head to the kitchen and prepare a big Christmas breakfast..... 

 After we eat and clean up from breakfast(yes, everything has to be washed and dried!....I like to make the day last as long as possible)... we all head to the family room.... group photo....

 We then go around one by one and open gifts....

 We had to convince Mason that it was OK to rip open the paper :)

 Warm fuzzy Marine jacket from big brother Cameron...

 Cameron bought us all presents this year and spent his own hard earned money. He did an awesome job picking out the perfect gift for each of us(I think he did better with the kids than I did!).  I was the last one to open my gift from him.  I had no idea what the package could be and all he had told me was that it took awhile to put together.  All I can say was that I was literally brought to tears when I opened the package.  Not only did he get me a beautiful collage of frames, but he took the time to have prints made of pictures of us and put them inside all the frames.  Wow! I totally did not expect that. The Marines definitely made a man out of my boy, not that hubby and I didn't play a part in that, but I think they made him realize how important family is.

 And if they day couldn't be more perfect, it snowed all day... a beautiful soft snow. We had none on the ground, now we have a pretty light covering....

 Nothing better than opening up presents around the tree while pretty white flakes are falling....

 Somebody is wiped out from the day....

But the day isn't over yet, we still have a birthday to celebrate!! My youngest daughter is 15 today. Happy Birthday Becca!! She gets to choose her birthday dinner, which will be chinese this year(thank goodness they are open). Then we will have cake and icecream followed by more presents for her birthday.

I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!! 

Tiff