I've just got to RANT on this a bit!!

I know that Hannah Montana / Miley Cyrus is a popular icon right now. My daughter has asked from the beginning if she could watch the show and I always said no. I know she seemed really sweet and innocent, but given what has happened to other young female icons in recent past I was leery. I didn't want my daughter becoming fascinated with someone and wanting to be like someone who could possibly end up heading down the same path as some of the others....like Britney or Lindsey. Of course I had to listen to her complain about how I'm a mean mom and she is the only one out of all her friends who is not allowed to watch it. I talked to her about my fears and tried to explain it as best I could. On top of those fears, I just think the show deals with some topics that a girl my daughter's age doesn't need to even have on her radar....like boyfriends, kissing, etc.

I'm sure there are lots of opinions out there on the matter, and I'm not trying to stir up controversy. But I just thought I would leave you with the most recent photo shoot that Miley Cyrus did for Vanity Fair......you can draw your own conclusion.



Sorry, but this is not who I want my daughter looking up to. And don't even get me started on how inappropriate her performance was for a 15 year old girl on Idol Gives Back. She does not need to be down on her knees and pushing her hips forward towards the crowd with her eyes closed, head turned to the side and her hand behind her head (to paint a visual for you).

I know I don't usually post stuff like this. But I just couldn't hold this one in. My intention is not to judge anyone who is a fan.....just to bring awareness to the situation.

My Birthday Bash!

ok, it wasn't really a BASH. But it was fun!
First I went to dinner with my family and my mom and my Nanny (grandma) brought cupcakes
in this carrier they bought me as a gift
Which she is currently returning for this..... (slight mix-up!)
oh, isn't it cute!

Then I went bowling with some family and friends.



speaking of friends and family.....a few seemed to escape my camera (LeeAnn and Margie!)
Thanks everybody for hanging out and celebrating with me. We really need to make bowling a monthly activity!!

and this last picture is just for fun...............

My dilemma...but not a bad one to have!

Here is my dilemma these days.......
I've got several design jobs going right now and so I don't even have time to download pics and post on my own blog! And I've been busy enough that my husband is becoming jealous of my computer! He's calling it my "boyfriend" LOL! (he's silly!!)

So, I will post those birthday pics soon....but not today! My honey and I are hanging on the couch and watching a movie tonight!

Happy Birthday...To ME!

Today I am celebrating the @#* Anniversary of my 29th Birthday!
Yes, I have chosen to remain 29 forever!! Since I usually make special cakes for people, I thought I'd hop on over to The Pink Cake Box and get myself a virtual cake! (it's easier on the hips anyway!) Isn't it pretty.....



Tonight I will dine at my FAVORITE restaurant...Rib City! (I love me some bbq ribs!) And then I'll go bowling with some girlfriends!

Great New Song From "Idol" Chris Sligh

Ok, do you remember this guy from American Idol?
He has the best song out right now. It's called "Empty Me"
I wanted to share it with ya'll. The chorus so resonates with my soul. It made me cry.

I've had just enough of the spotlight when it burns bright
To see how it gets in the blood.
And I've tasted my share of the sweet life and the wild ride
And found a little is not quite enough.
I know how I can stray
And how fast my heart could change.

Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me so I can be filled with you.

I've seen just enough of the quick buys of the best lies
To know how prodigals can be drawn away.
I know how I can stray
And how fast my heart could change.

Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me so I can be filled with you.

Cause everything is a lesser thing
Compared to you, compared to you.
Cause everything is a lesser thing
Compared to you so why surrender all?

Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me so I can be
Lord empty me of me so I can be filled with you.
Oh, filled with you.
Empty me.

Bloggy Giveaways

Came across this site that helps with blog giveaways. Thought some of you might find it of interest for the next time you do a giveaway. If you want more info click below. And for those of you who like giveaways...getting free stuff....you can visit this site to see what giveaways are out there.

Bibbies 4 Babies

My friend Lindsay has been developing a new baby product for awhile now. I'm so inspired by her determination to have a vision and see it through.

She has created a magnetic bib. They are soooo cute and so functional. No more velcro scrapes on the back of the neck when your little one rips the bib off. These magnets are strong enough to thwart their attempt to remove the bib. She also has burp cloths. She currently has her products selling in some boutiques and has just recently launched her website. Take a minute and visit her site www.lindsayloo.com

Go Shopping....

My friend...and amazing artist...Michelle Allen finally opened up an Etsy shop.
She sells VERY unique clocks and gifts. Check it out!

Creative "Birthday Card"

As I was blog hopping today I came across this ADORABLE idea for a "birthday card" from Kim at For the Love of Paper. She has some more detailed pics as well as a ton more great paper projects!

Tip Junkie Blog Design

Ok people I'm so excited to share with you that I just completed a new blog design for Laurie at Tip Junkie. Tip Junkie has been one of my sidebar links for awhile now and I was SO THRILLED when she contacted me to design her blog. Her blog is always filled with great ideas and if you have one of your own you can go to her blog and submit a tip to share with the world! But even if you don't have a tip to share....head on over there and check out the new design!

New Design...seashells & bird's nests

check out my latest blog design at www.eightcrazydesignstwo.blogspot.com

Fabulous Blog Find

I came across a blog that I recently added to my list on the side. It has so much great inspiration for tableware, entertaining, decorating, etc. It's Kim Vallee and she is worth checking out!

Cute Nursery!

I love the cute new dots-n-circles line that Target recently got in for nurseries. I don't have...and won't be having....any babies, but everytime I see it I think that everybody should get it. So when I was directed by Tip Junkie to take a look at THIS BLOG it made my heart smile with glee!

Have you heard the buzz......there's a new design up!

A new design is up at www.eightcrazydesigns.blogspot.com

Somebody Pinch Me!

Uh.....did I just see and here what I think I just saw and heard? Did they just sing "Shout to the Lord" on American Idol? Wow! There's something I never thought I'd see.

Building Update

It's been awhile since I've posted pics of the house progress. So here they are......

This is the pine tongue and groove ceiling in the back patio. We will stain this to be natural. We will use the same tongue and groove for the ceiling in the vaulted kitchen, but it will be painted cream.


This is the view from in the kitchen look towards the sink and through the pass thru that looks into the family room.


Here is how the outside of the house is looking these days. The gable on the left and right are shingles and the middle gable with the windows is bat-n-board.

I went to start looking at interior products today. Of course I found the "perfect" wood floor and then found out that the price wasn't so "perfect"! I hate that. Then you compare every other choice to that one! grrrr! It was good to start narrowing down some choices though.

By the way...sorry I had to add the word verification, but I kept getting those "see here" comments, so I had to take action!

BURRR!!!

Well, we are back home from Phoenix and it is 40 degrees colder here than in Phoenix! Needless to say....I'm stinking COLD! It was sooo sad to get off the plane and see the cloudy gloomy sky again! It is supposed to be nice later this week though. YEAH!

We had a lot of fun in the sun and we got to spend some time with friends of ours who moved to Phoenix a few years ago. I need to download my pics. So I'll post some tomorrow hopefully...as well as some updated pics of the house progress. Looks like we should be ready to sheet rock in about two weeks! That means that I have A LOT of decisions to make VERY SOON! Paint....flooring....backsplash.....tile......countertops....trim style....etc. But after a week of rest and relaxation, I'm ready to go!

Oh, by the way....I went with option 2 from the last post. Part of the reason I wanted to figure it out is that I want to put sconces above the beds in my kids' rooms. Like these.......

Sunshine Sweet Sunshine!

Last week at home the weather was horrible! In one day the weather was different every hour....rain, sleet, snow, hail, rain, hail, sleet.....you get the picture!

So we planned a last minute spring break vacation and I spent yesterday by the pool in the sunny 85 degree weather! I love the sunshine!

I totally needed a break from all the decision making back at home with the new house. I'm hoping to return rested and ready to make all the upcoming decisions !

enjoying the sunshine by the pool......

Space Planning Help

Ok, so I have to decide where to put plugs, lights, etc in all the rooms. I'm having trouble with my kids' rooms because I'm not sure how I want to set them up. So I'm posting three options and I need OPINIONS!! PLEASE

This is for my son's room......
Which option do you think works the best and provides the best amount of space along with the best visual appeal?

Option 1......

Option 2......

Option 3.....

Option 4....
Thanks for you help!