Friday, May 25, 2012

Life is Precious, Pay attention!

In response to the challenge put out there from Funky Vintage Lovely's blog, I mentioned that I would share a story with you. This is an example of how our actions as drivers can affect the lives and futures of others. Even if it doesn't affect their life. I mean...in April's story, the old lady didn't even realize she had hit someone! I have always been a crazy lady about Car Safety! After all, I did fall out of a car when I was 6! There are NO quick trips without a car seat or seat belt in my opinion!  I am NOT a perfect driver, and I had in the past been guilty of some of the same indiscretions that April described, maybe even worse??  Not anymore!

On October 27, my alarm went off just like any other morning at 5:35 AM...I woke my daughter up and went for the coffee. It was Volleyball season and there was a big game that day. Pink Out for Breast Cancer awareness...I made her breakfast, we chatted a bit...as much as you can at 6:15 in the morning. Neither of us are big on early mornings! It was a normal day...

Her Ride pulled in the driveway * She had mentioned that she had a sore throat * I asked her what time lunch was that day (they have rotating schedules that I can't keep up with...) I would bring her some soup * She gave me a kiss goodbye * I looked at the clock; it was 6:35 AM

I walked to the cabinet to get a glass * walked to the refrigerator for water * turned around * the phone rang. * It was 6:37 AM

It had been 2 minutes...

On the other end was my daughter, in hysterics. She is not a 'hysterics' kinda girl. She was talking so fast I could barely understand her. She finally choked out to "come to the end of the neighborhood, we've been in an accident"

My heart stopped beating and then I turned and bolted for the front door. Luckily I had the sense to go put on actual clothes. Something told me I better change out of pink PJ pants! I got dressed in seconds. My boys started to wake up. I told them to not leave the house until I got back. Their baby sister was still sleeping and I needed to find out what had happened to Bree.

I was the first person on the there. Before any police, before any medical professionals.

This is what I saw...it was all I could do to remember to put my car in park before jumping out. My Daughter was in the backseat of this car, in the seat behind the passenger. Everyone was still in the car at the time, and the entire trunk was jammed into the backseat. The front of the car was wedged under the jeep in front of them, and the driver of the car Bree was in wasn't able to get out of the vehicle.
There was debris everywhere...it was dark and misting this annoying rain. It was SURREAL... I honestly thought for a minute I was dreaming.


I went immediately to their car and tried to calm my daughter and the other girls down. Her friends mother was driving the car and was in agony. She was crying and couldn't move from behind the wheel.
I stood next to the car trying to calm everyone down. I didn't want anyone to get out of the car yet, there were cars were driving past us trying to get out of the neighborhood before the road got shut down. I didn't know what anyone's injuries were yet!
I was shaking, they were shaking and then suddenly the back windshield exploded. It sounded like a gunshot had gone off. The girls all screamed, and I mean LOUD, terrified screams!

NOT ONE person stopped and offered help.

I quickly realized, even in the surreal haze that there was something even more wrong with this situation.
The driver of the car that hit them started cussing at me. Demanding my phone and just ranting  complete nonsense.
I could smell booze and stale cigarettes.
I called the cops
She cussed me out
I yelled back
It was not a good...

In the meantime, my daughter and the other girl in the backseat were trying desperately to get the glass out of their hair, and clothes, and trying to wrap their heads around what was actually happening to them.


This scene continued to unfold over the next two hours. Eventually the driver of the truck that hit my daughter (and other passengers) was finally cuffed and taken away.
She continued to curse, scream and carry on at the scene. She even tried to drive off. If she had managed that, she would have killed my daughter, me, a cop and two other young girls.

She showed NOT a single ounce of remorse!


My daughter suffered a concussion.
Her seat belt never locked and she hit her head on both the front and back headrest. She was knocked out very briefly.  
Missed out on the rest of her volleyball season.
Spent 3 months under the care of a Neurologist and her Pediatrician for the concussion.
Spent 5 months in Physical Therapy.
And now, at 15 has a permanent back injury.
Still to this day has flashbacks.  

And, All in ALL...she walked away a VERY BLESSED girl!

The driver of the other vehicle.
Drunk

A 43 year old woman...DRUNK at 6:30 in the morning!

Blood Alcohol Count: .21..... legal limit:  .08

BAC taken 2 hours after the accident occurred
Caused a 4 car accident, involving 9 people. 4 of them under the age of 16

Punishment: 60 days in jail.

I could go on and on and on about my frustration over the way the courts handle drunk drivers.  

The point of this story:
Put down the drink, the cell phone, the ice cream...Get the dog OFF YOUR LAP!

PAY ATTENTION!
Be a better - more responsible role model for those you love and for those you don't even know!

Like the guy on his bike in FKL post, my daughter was just going about her business and someone else almost took her life.

We preach to our children to NOT drink and drive. NOT get in a car with a driver who has been drinking. NOT text and drive. NOT eat, put makeup on, play with the radio, etc...
BUT - what do we do to walk that walk???

I know what I have done to change. I can only hope that others will follow suit!

Along with my plea to be "better" behind the wheel, here is my 2 cents on just being present with our kids... 
Both before and after the accident, I have had many conversations with other Mom's and friends about my choice to get up with my older kids in the morning...after all "it's so early..."

AT 15 my daughter doesn't 'need' me to get up with her in the morning. She doesn't 'need' me to make her breakfast or her lunch. She is an independent girl...all my kids are. I have two in Middle school and they are also capable of getting up, dressed and fed on their own. Heck, my Kindergartner probably doesn't even need me in the morning! lol...

That makes no difference to me...
I need to know that I have laid eyes on my kids before they leave me in the morning (or any time really). I need them to know and hear me say; I love you.
In 2 minutes I could have lost my daughter
Forever!

I would not be able to live with myself if that had happened and I was snoozing just because I wanted an extra hour or so of sleep.
And believe me I could USE IT!!!
Some mornings we don't even really talk...sometimes its just a grunt or two before coffee!  
But they know I am there...and they know when they leave (even if it isn't a perfect morning)that I LOVE THEM!

That's my story folks...
I hope you have a safe and happy Friday!  
Thursday, May 24, 2012

Linked

I was doing a little blog hopping this morning and saw this post on a blog I like to follow....

April Kennedy of Funky Vintage Lovely



This is an important subject to me as well...I couldn't agree more with her idea and challenge!
So, I am challenging you to play along too...

Tomorrow I am going to share a very personal and "REAL" story with you as to why I feel so strongly about this type of thing.

Hope to see you back!

Happy Thursday! I am going to do a little treasure hunting with my Lil' today...no school for Kindergarten today! It will be like old times!


Wednesday, May 23, 2012

What I wore or should have...

I have a serious Wardrobe Crisis!

I am linking to Jeanne Oliver's "I'll show you mine, if you show me yours..."

Well...I don't have pictures of what I wore all week because I apparently wore the same crummy clothes all week and it is embarrassing!  Example of my wardrobe crisis....I had a clothes pin in my hair all day yesterday and the only person who seemed to notice was the Senator! At dinner!
I also like to be comfortable at home and I also ALWAYS change right when I come home. I hate to wear my "good" clothes around the house....all though after this little trip down memory lane, I'm not sure I have any good clothes! I only get "dressed" to run errands....I guess I really didn't leave the house that much last week!

I wore these pants at least 2 days...probably more...they are my favorite pair and the only pair that fit me comfortably anymore!
As a matter of fact, here is an example of an outfit I know included these pants!
Sunday: Art Guild meeting, these jeans
White Tank top: Target
Mustard Yellow Check Camp shirt: Old navy



I wore this attractive pair of pants probably 4 days...I change into them when I am going to "work" in my craft room or on any projects. Since I have that show coming up in two weeks I'm working A LOT! So....I might have worn them more than 4 times....gross!


PATHETIC I tell you!!!
Here are a few outfits I wish I wore....


Image from Pinterest I think...

These would be nice....

This would be cute! Seems I am leaning towards the Country look these days...


But, because I am a SUCKER for some stripes....I would LOVE any of these..





This is about the perfect Running Errands outfit for me....


Alright...well that was fun! lol...I think I am going to go shopping  now.... Happy Wednesday!
Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Tute Tute Tuesday

I LOVE cupcakes...I really really do...

I Miss cupcakes....I really, really do....

I am missing my weekly batch of cupcakes that I usually make...replacing our oven has become a little more extensive than we realized it would be! Like needing a mini kitchen remodel to get it replaced! I personally am FREAKING out about it...its been forever!

Store bought cupcakes just don't do it for me....usually!

...don't get me wrong, I am not going to turn it down if you bring me one!

OK..back to Cupcakes....I have been craving them so I thought I would find a few fun cupcake tutorials for you. Going Old School...not even using Pinterest! haha...

First I found this beauty! Wouldn't you flip if someone gave you this! I would! It is beautiful!! This is made by a talented lady named Norma...never met her but that is lovely work! Her blog, From My Craft Room, looks like it is mainly paper craft lovelies! Which I do love....



Next I thought I would revisit a tutorial that I tried a while back. I can't remember if I posted it here or not...


I made this cute little cupcake headband for Lily. She LOVES cupcakes too and she also has several outfits that have a cupcake theme. I like to accessorize you know....

I couldn't find the EXACT tutorial I used the first time, but I will tell you that I found these two, and thought they were VERY close to what I had done! Click on either picture and it will take you right to their very informative tutorials!!!

Little Bit Shoppe Blog



 Viv out on a Whim

lets make cupcakes

For MINE I didn't do the base part of either tutorial because I was using mine as a headband....

What I did do, as you can see in this horribly lit picture, is take a small balloon and pipe the spackle right onto it.

 After it had set a bit, I popped the balloon and turned it over to air dry.

Then I cut a piece of felt in a circle and glued the finished cupcake topper to a headband and backed it with the felt! I cut a berry from a Christmas pick to make my cherry.

Lily gets soooo many compliments on her cupcake topper! It has held up really well too....

Thirdly, I thought I would actually torture myself with a REAL cupcake....
Don't these look DELICIOUS!
It is the type of frosting I use and everything....I don't like greasy frosting! YUCK!!


Coconut Cupcakes with Seven Minute frosting and coconut flakes
Coconut Cupcakes with Seven-Minute Frosting and Coconut Flakes

Sorry, had to go with Martha...there are sooo many blogs to choose from, but Martha can make a good cupcake. Or at least her staff can....lol...
Click the picture to go directly to the recipe.

I am officially tortured now for a cupcake!

Have a great Tuesday!!!

Monday, May 21, 2012

Good Morning Monday

Another Rainy Monday here on the East Coast... I would actually really enjoy it if Summer vacation had started for the kids because then we could all be lazy and cuddle together!

But, I sent the kids off to school and I am going to run to one of my favorite little junk spots! It is only open on Monday AM's...not the most convenient! Still one of my favorite spots though!

Here is my Monday recap of last week....

Spent a few mornings at Pops
Baby Geese are everywhere! Usually we don't like the geese in the yard because they Poo everywhere, but...when they have little babies we are a little more lenient.

It was a gaggle of geese parade! Three sets of Mama & Daddy with their babies, all different ages.
One set, lost one of their 3. I was there on Tuesday and they had 3 little ones and by Thursday, only 2...sad. 


This poor Mama was down 5!! She started with 10....sad....


I was just trying to enjoy a cup of coffee and Izzy wouldn't stop staring at me...while perched on my lap! Worse than a little kid I tell ya!

Speaking of kids...this was my Saturday AM...trying to get around this group while doing laundry and "chores".


Little Birthday party for one of Lil's classmates. Lil LOVES to bowl! lol...



Trying to get ready for the art guild show....I have SO MUCH to do...


Hope last week was Picture Perfect for you!!

~Heather
Thursday, May 17, 2012

Sketch, Etch, Solder

This seems to be my Mantra this week...

Sketch, Etch, Solder...

Sketch, Etch, Solder...

Sketch, Etch, Solder...

I am not kidding, I was walking around my house today repeating it in my head!

Baseball is still running my life, and with it being National Police Week in D.C. it makes my life a wee bit crazier than usual!
Which is OK, I'll take the crazy schedule as long as my husband still comes at the end of his shift every day!

I am working on a new collection that I will be featuring in the  upcoming Muddy Creek Artist Guild Show the first three days in June.

Feeling a little pressure...it's my first showing with them....
I never call myself an "artist"..."Artisan", yes...artist...no.

Yesterday at the ball field I was watching the game and doing some primitive sketches...
and I do mean primitive! I get an idea and throw it down on paper but I really don't know what it is going to finish up with until I can lay my hands on the pieces!

It was hard to take my eyes off this guy though...he is pretty stinking cute!


While I was sketching, so was Lily...this has to be the funniest thing I have seen in ages! I'm sure my oldest daughter isn't going to agree...you can decide for yourself!



That's Phonetic spelling of "Bree in her Bathing Suit"....

Still chuckling over this...

OK, Time to get back to my
Sketch, Etch, Solder...

I veered off course a bit in blogland!



Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Showing you Mine

I'm tagging along to Jeanne Oliver's "I'll show you mine, if you show me yours..". This week is my Purse! This is actually not as full as it usually is! There is usually a ton of stuff in there....the lighting is pretty bad because it is cloudy this morning!



1. A Hat...I always have a hat in there.
I have crazy hair, especially when it gets a little humid here.

2. Epi Pen: Deathly allergic to Bee's and Cinnamon

3. Receipts and Handiwipes

4. Makeup pouch...filled with lip gloss and more lip gloss

5. Notebook

6. A little purchase from an Antique shop

7. Mail...always a random piece or two of mail

8. A scarf...never know when I will need to dress up an outfit.

9.  Roses balm...love this stuff. Especially for my fingers...

10. More Lip gloss

11. Vintage Cigar case that I use to conceal my tampons!

12. My Wallet. I love it, orange leather. It's my favorite...




As Jeanne mentioned in her post, I also love random info about people! It's fun!
Now, to be truthful...there are usually more snacks, sunglasses (a few pairs...girl needs options) a random piece junk, My Phone (used to take the picture), ear buds, and my keys are never in my purse!

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Tuesday Tute: Bows

Even though Mother Nature is sooooo confused around these parts lately, one day it is FREEZING cold and the next it is BEAUTIFUL and sunny...really doesn't seem to be any middle ground!  It is time update our wardrobes!

Way back in the day, when the Lil' was a baby, I made hair accessories and cute little boutique outfits for her. I LOVED it! It was really fun to accessorize and "decorate" her cute little noggin... Since I have just purchased a few new outfits for the little cutie it is time to make some coordinating hair bows! Seems that I barely have time to shower every day (shhhh...please don't tell anyone...) much less create my own tutorial!  And really, there are some great ones out there...thanks Pinterest for helping me find them! 

I found these two tutorials on how to make bows that seemed pretty easy to follow. I will say that I did sew the bows I made for Lil', I liked them better than the glued ones...now that I am usually creating a hair accessory for her as she is waiting to get on the bus, I have become a fan of the glue gun! I can rip apart a flower and glue it to a headband faster than anyone I know! ....

These are a two different techniques...give them a try! If your little one doesn't like a barrette as much, take the tutorial to a new level. Get yourself a pack of headbands and glue the bow to the headband! I do this ALL the time!

Check out this one...but, please....finish the edges of the bows off! Either cut them at an angle or in a V. Grab a match and lightly burn the ends. Then you wont get that frayed look!
(Click the Image)


The one below is great for doing a hand sewn bow. They hold up REALLY well!
(Click the Image)




Go Forth and make something cute! XOXO!
Monday, May 14, 2012

Monday: Photo Insta.Recap

It's a rainy Monday...great day to sleep, difficult day to get motivated!


Lil' and Izzy...Izzy looks a wee bit terrified! 


I tried my hand at making a ring...I was pretty happy about it! Working on new skills!


Hard day on the ball field! The worst of the season for her...and not because of her pitching!


There was a house across the street for a few days...drove my pups crazy!


Last hanshake of the season.... Sad day for my baby girl. #10 is a Senior, and my girl only a Sophmore! LOVED the way the two of them played together and loved the way #10 kept my girl going even in the toughest of matchups!


Playoff Game. They didn't advance and the opposing team left some pretty nasty press for my girl. Haters....


Cleats are even cleaned off yet and she is practicing for her fall sport.


Happy Mothers Day....on the side of a ball field!




Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Weekly Smashup...

I'm sensing a pattern here....my blog, which I love so much is falling behind! I LOVE my blog!!!! So, here is a little smash up!

I am SO excited about my steps towards building my business....I am not a fan of saying "business" because I absolutely LOVE what I am doing right now. It is a blessing to be able to start bringing my love of design/jewelry/vintage all together!

I also find that my kids LOVE me so much, they never want to leave me alone....like by myself all day when they should be in school. I love being home with my kids and obviously they know that! Haha.. But seriously...they keep bringing home EVERY virus that the school system has provided them! It is getting ridiculous!

And...lets NOT forget Baseball/Softball!!!! I only have 1/2 my crew playing this year...don't know what I would do if they ALL were playing!

MY Monday Recap:

This seems to be a "Ground Hog Day" situation for me...but I adore these girls and would rather them be here than "out"...


She is on the side lines on the weekend!

BEAST....Such an amazing little ball player


Remember....the virus situation?!? See Lily's face?? She just heard she was going to have to have another Strep test!


Custom piece made for a friend. LOVE IT!! Came out sooooo "Goddess Like"


My Art Guild Bio photo....
sums it up...



Tuesday Tutorial!
Great Class...You should take it! This isn't for a "project" so to speak, but it a tutorial on creating a better business for yourself!




Wednesday Whimsy:

Check bag on Thursday...lol.....