This Year Was.......

This year was.... a year like any other with it's ups and downs.  Even though it's ending on somewhat of a "down" for me, I don't want to write the whole thing off and say it was totally horrible.

I've had some pretty big personal breakthroughs in the last few months.
It's honestly been the hardest 3 months I've had in a long long time, but sometimes hittin a mental rock- bottom is a good thing. I still have a lot of work to do on myself but for the first time in a long time I do see a light at the end of the tunnel.  I know I'll get through it and figure it all out eventually.

As a 43 year old women who has stayed home to raise my 2 sons for the last 20 years, take care of my husband who's had multiple neck and back surgeries, I never prepared myself for the time when my role of mommy and caretaker was no longer necessary.

This year was....the year that it hit me like a brick wall!  "What do I want to be when I grow up?"  
It's basically a women's mid-life crisis.  I want change, I need change, I WILL change.  

So, for me 2014 is going to be exciting.  I've decided,  it's going to be "The Year of Tina"  

It won't be easy to put myself first and I know it will take some time to retrain my brain, but I am determined more then ever.      

Good bye 2013........Hello 2014

Inspiring Inexpensive Interiors... The Series

I've been wanting to redo my living room for the last 5 years.  I HATE it!

The thing is, the whole living room is in desperate need of a makeover.   I'm talking new couches, tables, lamps, decor, wall repairs and paint.   It's very overwhelming.

It's not just the money that it will take to redo everything, it's the work that's involved.   With Chris not being physically able to help move around furniture or the painting, it's a lot for me to even think of doing all on my own.  So, nothing has changed.

I've thought of just buying new couches but with the walls all beat up and disgusting, what's the point?   I've looked for new pillows, new wall art, new curtains something that would jump out at me and say, "OMG this is perfect for the living room!"   Ya know what I'm talking about, right?    I found a lot of things I like, but nothing I LOVE.  I think it's just been a creative block so-to-speak.   Deep down I wouldn't let myself fall in love with something knowing it would never become a reality.      

The worst part, the stumbling block, is the wall repairs and painting.   My living room has a 15 foot vaulted ceiling.   I've just come to the realization (so has Chris) that we will have to pay somebody to come in and do that part of the job.  Believe me when I tell you it's killing him to give up on that.  He has always loved painting and is a perfectionist.  The thought of someone coming in and doing a half-assed job makes him cringe.   But he can't do it, he has accepted it.  

So, now since that's been decided, it starts..... the saving, planning and shopping.  

But where to start?  The couches? The paint color?   A piece of artwork or a fabric swatch?

That's where the idea of documenting the process of redoing the living room into a series right here on my blog.

I hope you'll join me each week as I share in my quest for an "Inspiring Inexpensive Interior."      

(Next week.... The search for couches)  



 

Wordless Wednesday - I Miss This Kid

My oldest son Nick is spending his summer at the University of Minnesota doing an engineering research project.   He's only been gone for a week and a half.   It's going to be a long nine and a half weeks to go before he comes back home....  (boo hoo)  

He sent me the pic on the left after he bought himself a University of Minnesota hat.   I was shocked how young he looked clean shaven!!  And yes, I was "that mom" that took his picture as he was going through airport security!  SO SUE ME!    

Menu Plan Monday

Not too exciting around here this week.  

I really need to find new recipes to try out. That's my goal for next week!  I'm not that adventurous with cooking or eating anything too fancy but if you have a easy, "different" recipe you can share, I'd appreciate it.  (So would the rest of my family!)      

It's Coming Up Red, White and Blue This Memorial Day with Stop & Shop and #cbias

Memorial Day is this weekend and you know what that means, right?   The official start to summer and grilling season!  It also means my birthday is right around the corner.      

My family has always combined celebrating the Memorial Day holiday with my birthday.  

Just like most Americans we have a BBQ at one of our houses.   I like it that way.  

Some people go camping for the weekend. I'm not really the outdoorsy kind.   

Some people go to the beach for the day.  It hasn't been warm enough here in Connecticut to even think about the beach yet.   

I think it's the perfect time for a staycation at home with the family!  Having a get-together at my house means I get to pick the "theme" for the party.   Since I'd rather forget I'm turning another year older, I'm going to go with the red, white and blue.   And just so you know, I love me a theme.  That means anything and everything I can buy, make or craft in those colors... I will!   

Stop and Shop is my go-to grocery store.   Seriously, I'm in there two, sometimes three times a week.  

One time the lady who works at the People's bank inside told me I should just get an account there since I'm in the store all the time.   Yeah, I'm there that much!  

When I saw this week's flyer with all the great sales and extra gas rewards points, it was a no-brainer.  

I'm a list maker and coupon cutter.  Well, most of the time.  I really hate to just go to the store all "willy-nilly"  It's never good for my diet or wallet.     

I know it sounds dorky, but I always take a quick stroll through the florist department.  All the pretty flowers, arrangements and balloons make me happy.   And yes, I'll "do cake".... anytime, anywhere.  

 Is there anything better then fresh corn on the cob?  Do you remember the days of rolling the corn on a stick of butter?  I love spray butter!  Best invention!

 Shhhh.... I don't tell anyone in my family that the hot dogs I buy are lean.  They NEVER can tell the difference anyway.

Everything I need and want is on sale... and I have coupons!  Go me!

Since it was a really hot day, I decided to cook the steak and a package of hot dogs outside on the grill for dinner that night.  While standing outside grilling, it was the perfect time to hang up the bunting and put out the other Americana decorations I bought at Stop and Shop.

 Okay, so I might have had a beer while standing out there too.     I couldn't resist, it matched everything else!

We also "had" to try out the s'mores.   They are mine and Thomas' favorite summer dessert!  I mean, really, who wouldn't love graham crackers and chocolate with red, white and blue star marshmallows?

If this is making you hungry or making you think about grilling this weekend you have to see everything else I found at Stop and Shop by checking out my Google + album. 

What do you do for the Memorial Day weekend?   Do you stay home or go away?    

P.S.  If you have any good red, white and blue themed ideas you want to share with me just leave me a comment with idea or a link.  I would love it.  

Happy Memorial Day!  Happy Start to the 2013 Summer/Grilling Season!   

The Blog Workshop... It's My Kinda Conference #TBWC13

I'm pretty sure that if you ask anyone who really knows me, they would say that I'm outgoing. (and by outgoing, I mean BIG MOUTHED)  But actually I'm probably more shy and insecure inside then I seem from the outside.  That's why I think I was immediately drawn to The Blog Workshop.

A couple months ago I was doing a Google search for blogging conferences in 2013.  I had come across The Blog Workshop Online Conference.  How great is that?  A conference that you can do from your home or anywhere for matter.  Don't have to worry about travel costs, hotel rooms or what to wear.   I like the idea that I can focus solely on the sessions and what the speakers have to say.  

The conference runs for 3 days from May 17th - 19th and get this, it's only $175.  Believe or not they are also offering a payment plan when you register.  What a deal for a 3 day line up of 15 speakers from IZEA, Blog-Trends, Attorney Jeneba Ghatt, Blogads, Sverve CEO Rohit Vashisht, Tap Influence CEO Holly Hamann just to name a few. With a jam packed agenda that will really help you whether you are just staring out or have been blogging for a while, it's going to be a great weekend.
But you have to act fast, the ticket are on sale only until May 10th and it will fill up quickly now that it's getting closer.  

Another awesome thing about this blogging conference is that 10% of all ticket sales will be donated to two very deserving organizations, Wellspring Living and Atlanta Day Shelter for Women and Children.

*Wellspring Living's mission is to confront the issue of childhood sexual abuse and exploitation through awareness, training, and treatment programs for women and girls.

*Atlanta Day Shelter's mission is to ease the burden of homelessness for women and children and to assist in establishing self-sufficiency by providing comprehensive education and supportive services in a manner that respects human dignity.

Are you sold yet?  If not you can check I've put a video for you to check out with a little something from some of the speakers.  It will really get you excited to sign up right away!  Also a copy of the agenda so you can see for yourself how much information will be covered.
PS.  There are also going to be giveways throughout the whole weekend.  

*Disclosure*  I was given free admission into The Blog Workshop Online Conference for sharing this information, all opinions are my own. 

Menu Plan Monday

Happy Monday!  I am super happy about my menu plan this week.   I have just about everything I need already in the house.   You know what that means.... no big grocery shopping trip for me!  It's the little things, isn't it?  

Do you meal plan?  I'd love to check out what you make for dinner.  I'm always looking for new ideas and easy recipes.