It's all about the cake

So I found the cake I want to have for Bubba's very first birthday...

I emailed the picture to a local baker to see if something like this could be done...

and

it can...

for $150

EEK!

Back to the drawing board.

Pins and Needles

Oh boy, my stomach is in knots. I'm half tempted to take the phone off the hook. Can't lay me off if they can't find me! Either today or tommorrow I find out the fate of my job. For some reason that song by the Clash keeps running through my head..."Should I stay or should I go...". Except in my head it is WILL I stay or WILL I go.

I'm off to paint in the hopes it calms my frazzled nerves...

(Okay I wish I looked this good when painting!!)

My blog has new duds!

So, what do you think of my blogs new clothes?? I decided it was time for a refresh, so I headed over to Etsy and found an awesome seller who was selling this custom blog layout. I LOVE it! It is so fresh and new looking. A mini-makeover for my place. I do kind of miss my photo collage, but I have it set as my desktop background so I can still see it!!

If you are interested in this talented sellers blog layouts or other wonderful creations...you can find her at ForKeeps. She is also a fellow Wisconsinite!! YAY!

Walls of color

Well, we are finally getting started on the painting of the downstairs hallway and living room. It was tough for me to choose colors. Mainly because color scares me. I'm doing a feature wall in my living room which will house my kids pictures and a vinyl saying...so I wanted this wall to stand out. The hall and rest of the walls are to be painted in a color called 'Modern Gray'...and no...it's not really gray at all. It's more of a cool taupe color...hard to describe.

The feature wall is going to be a color called 'Breezy'. Check it out and let me know what you think. I botched my first choice...it turned out to be a minty green more suited to a bedroom or bathroom...not a feature wall in the main room of my home. I think 'Breezy' is just perfect, but I'm a lover of the color blue...

Preparing for the BIG day!!

As I mentioned below, Bubba's 1st Birthday is fast approaching. I've enlisted help in preparing using my favorite website...Etsy, of course, in finding the perfect accessories to make his party memorable (to me) and great.

Here's what a few talented sellers have come up with for me!

This banner was created by ultra-talented platinumdesigns. Click on her name to be whisked to her store where you will find all sorts of yummy custom invites and such. Don't be afraid to convo her either as she is a sweet woman to talk to! She is also working on customized candy bar wrappers for me to give the kids as favors. I don't think there is anything this woman can't do. Thanks Nancy!!

This custom banner was designed by another uber-talented Etsonian, tscrapper. Again click on her name and you will find a shop full of wonderful creations perfect for any celebration. This wonderful woman is also creating custom notecards for dear Bubba to thank everyone for coming to his birthday party.

Think I went banner crazy?? I don't. I challenge you to try and place an alchemy request and then just pick ONE of the talented, creative and downright inspired ideas that you get back. I couldn't do it. Thankfully we have a place for both banners where they will be displayed with pride. I promise to post pics of the birthday celebration after it takes place. It is exactly one month from today...

I'm BAAAAAACCCKKKK!!

Oh boy -- that was tough! I actually did have computer access for a bit but my days have been so jammed packed I just haven't had time to sit down and write!

Things are going okay here. Just okay though. I'm waiting to find out if I still have a job. Our hospital system is undergoing HUGE cutbacks due to the crap economy so I may be on the chopping block. I find out Thursday or Friday. Keep your fingers crossed for me...

Otherwise things are just busy here. I'm still waiting to celebrate Christmas. Where did the time go?? I feel like Rip Van Winkle waking up from a long slumber to a changed world. Is my baby actually going to be a year old in a month??? What happened to that needy little guy who woke me up every 2-3 hrs at night hungry and crying?? Is Jo-Jo already halfway through 1st grade??? What happened to the little boy I dropped off for his first day of Kindergarten with tears in my eyes?? Is The Daughter really going to start 4 yr old Kindergarten in the fall??? What happened to the little girl who used to snuggle on my lap and ask me to play with her hair? Geesh!

Anyway -- here are some pictures I've been meaning to share going back to Christmas gift opening (I guess I was there...hmmm.). Enjoy!!


The Daughter shows off her new Christmas ballerina doll.

Jo Jo shows off his Bakugan from Santa.

Bubba gets a froggy hooded towel for bath time.

The daughter models her pigtails and favorite hair Bling. (Bling created by Pink Tigers Den...see her blog by clicking on link in my favorite blog links...)

Bubba looks cRaZy!

Jo Jo snuggles with his coat on a cold day after school.

Technical Difficulties

Oh boy -- my blog is really being neglected. I haven't posted in the New Year at all yet! Apparently the New Year is being a bit tough on me. My laptop has to go into the shop *gasp*. I guess it needs a new motherboard. Sad thing is it is only about 8 months old. So soon I will be computerless for about 2 weeks. I don't know how I will survive! I have a VERY OLD home PC I guess I could use, but it is located in the room where Bubba sleeps so it isn't super accessible.

I promise tomorrow I will post new pics and such before I send my computer away for repairs.

Hope you all had a dynamic start to the New Year and a fantastic first 3 days! Here's to 2009!!!