Valentine's Day table

Being in a relationship makes all the difference when Valentine's Day rolls around. For many years, I hated the day. Now I enjoy doing small things of love for the special men in my life. It's usually a nice dinner and some yummy baked goods. This year I am making treat packages for my favorite neighborhood kids and yummy red velvet cookies for my guys. I'm not a flowers and chocolate kind of girl. Wait, don't get me wrong, I LOVE chocolate but don't necessarily need it for Valentine's Day. I'm perfectly content getting a card from my sweetheart and sharing the day with special people.
Since we don't have a mantle for me to decorate, I have a holiday table. It usually houses all of our family photos. For Valentine's Day I wanted to keep it simple. I am obsessed with subway art. I have a frame that I use for every holiday. I found my favorite bible verse (1 Corinthians 13) in subway art form here: http://www.oneartsymama.com/2012/01/love-is-subway-art.html  Perfect for Valentine's Day.
I needed to do something creative-I feel like I haven't had much time for this outlet. I saw this on pinterest: http://onlyfromscratch.blogspot.com/2012/01/valentines-day-mantel-that-cost-me.html

I had the twigs, I bought some felt, cut out the hearts and improvised.
Here is what I ended up with:
                                         

Kid Stuff

 

 As a parent, we always want what is best for our kids. Sometimes life throws curve balls and you do the best you can.. I raised my oldest son alone. I always wanted what was best for him but wasn’t always able to provide him with extra perks.. I did the best I could keeping him active in sports and encouraging scholastics. ( maybe someday I will dedicate a post to the trials and tribulations of being a single parent).  I am proud of the adult he has become. He’s hard working and making his way in life in spite of some struggles.. Life changes.. Today I am fortunate to have a wonderful man in my life who is very supporting and provides a wonderful life for us. My youngest son has been living with us full time for the past 18 months., his father and I had previously shared custody. As a result, we were able to put him in a better school district.  Sometimes I look at my youngest and forget that he is 11. He has experienced so many things at such a young age. Things we don’t want our children to have to go through. I see how these  experiences have changed him. He’s wise, funny, smart, loyal, and intolerant when it comes to things he knows are wrong. Someday I hope he realizes how important forgiveness is. Anyway, this is his f,irst year in middle school. At the beginning of the school year we told him he could earn $$ for good grades. No D’s, F’s or U’s allowed. I love that I can check his grades on a daily basis and catch any problems before they get out of control. As a result of his hard work, his first report card consisted of all A’s with the exception of P.E. and invitation to join the honor society. WOW!! I am so excited for him. This is a great opportunity. Oh, and that $$$, I believe we are going shopping for an Ipad this weekend.. We are so very proud of him.

                                   

Small Changes

 

I love when I can change something in our home for next to nothing. Months ago, I  bought some red fabric tape. I wasn’t sure what I was going to use it for and put it away. The crystal lamps in our bedroom belonged to Mike’s mom and I have yet to find lampshades I like. A few years ago, I added burgundy ribbon to the shades. It was ok but I knew I wanted to do something different.

 

Last week I had an Aha! moment….a purpose for the red fabric tape.

I Love it. Just that one little change can make a huge difference.

New Year, New Goals

 

I decided to do away with New Year’s resolutions this year. I think setting goals is a better approach. I noticed that many of the blogs I follow were using one word for their goal for 2013. That got me thinking that maybe I should do the same. I want 2013 to be the year that I finish my Quickbooks Pro Advisor program and get my bookkeeping business going. I decided that if I was going to choose one word to motivate me, it was going to be success. A few days ago, I came across this printable on http://www.poofycheeks.com/ (thank you)

Perfect!!! Framed and sitting on the desk where I will see it every day.