Bring out the old Christmas Pictures...

I was looking through our Christmas pictures from last year and it amazes me how my kids have grown in just one year. I love to display old Christmas pictures around the house as part of the Christmas decorations. The kids love to see old pictures of themselves too. It's nice to see their reaction when they are looking at the pictures. They ask a million questions and want full detail of every Christmas past they were too little to remember. I just switch out the current picture that is in the frame and replace it with Christmas pictures from the past.

We are off to get the tree and trimmings tomorrow. I'll keep you posted with the progress!

Cheers, Theresa

Blogs That Inspire Me

I finally figured out how to add some of my favorite blog spots and I wanted to share them with you. These blogs are the reason I am clued to the computer for hours ;)

I am trying to learn everything about my blog set up on my own. My husband is the computer geek and I am always asking him for help. Setting up blogs may be pretty elementary to some of you, but technology and I really don't go hand and hand. So, with that said, I am proud of myself for creating this blog on my own. I know there is room for improvements (like my spelling :) but good things come in time...now I need to figure out a better layout. Wish me luck!

I am starting my Christmas decorations tomorrow for my house. Check back this weekend for pictures. I completely understand why the retail business has to display Christmas decorations early, but for some reason, I just can't decorate my home until December 1st. I guess it is due to the fact that I must have a fresh tree. Fresh trees and greenery are a must for me. That is one thing Nate Berkus, Martha Stewart and I have in common :)

Enjoy my favorite blogs!

Cheers, Theresa

Are you a Helicopter Mom?...

I had to visit the lab today to have my blood drawn. No worries, just part of my routine physical. I was instructed to fast by my Doctor. Not so good for me. Remember, I don't do well without my coffee in the morning. But, I managed to be kind while I was sitting there waiting patiently to be poked in the arm. I picked up a magazine which I have never read before "Working Mother". Have you read this magazine? Where have I been? This particular issue was the October issue. I started flipping through the pages and stumbled on a topic I thought was pretty interesting - "Good Enough Mom" I think we (Moms) all have asked ourselves this question at least once. Some of the statements really hit home for me...like the following:

"A "perfect" life for you and your children isn't only unattainable, it's not desirable".

"All children need a secure environment in which to grow up and a sense of permanence - the feeling no matter what happens, they can count on you. Land your helicopter - by hovering less, you'll reduce not only your own stress level but your child's too".

These statements are so true. I was happy to read the second statement. My husband and I pride ourselves in providing a secure environment and a sense of permanence every day for our kids. At least that part I know I am doing right :)

When I expect perfection from my children, I can make things too complicated and frustration occurs with both of us. Particularly when it comes to my son who is 8 years old. I think I fall into first born expectations. I want him to do well in everything. I think I "Hover" more with him than I do with my daughter who is 6. After the first quarter report cards came home and his report card was much better than I had thought it would be. I realized that I needed to give him more credit than I have been. I started hovering less and he actually stuck to his homework routine on his own. I found it pretty ironic that I stumbled across this magazine with an article on this topic today...funny how things work isn't it? My daughter, that's a whole other blog story - she is a girl. Wouldn't even notice if I was hovering, she's gonna do what she wants anyway, that's all I have to say ;) I love her dearly for that.

Go to http://www.workingmother.com/ click on current issues - then October featured articles - Focus on You - Good Enough Mom. This is a good read. Actually they have lots of great articles to read. Enjoy!

Cheers, Theresa

Holiday Decorating On A Budget...

I was asked by the owner of UpCounty Fine Wine & Beer store to decorate the Clarksburg Ombudsman building and Mayorga Coffee Shop for an upcoming event December 8th "Clarksburg Holiday Boutique and Wine Tasting" This event will be between the hours of 10:am to 4pm. There will plenty of wine tasting and over 20 vendors selling chocolates, jewelry, hand made purses, candles and much more. The event will be held in two buildings. Mayorga Coffee Shop and the Ombudsman Building located on the corner of 355 and Stringtown Road. If you are local, please stop by for a visit.

Less than three weeks and a small budget of $125 for the House and $40 for the Coffee Shop, I had to act quick. Off to Michaels and the Dollar Store I go. The garland, wreaths and door spriggs were all 50% off. I found the perfect coordinating ribbon and just loosely tide them around the wreaths. I had twelve windows to decorate and four doors. I put the wreaths on all the windows around the entire house and the spriggs on each door. The ribbon has just the right amount of shimmer which reflects from the sun during the day.

The coffee shop decorations are the most adorable little boxes and large ornaments from the dollar store. You should have seen me, I had all the boxes laid out on the floor before I purchased them. I was trying to imagine how they would look in the coffee shop. Of course I purchased several for myself. They are the perfect size to put cookies in for the Teachers or a small present to give to that special friend. I had everybody in the store wanting them after I told them how I was going to use them. I used the ornaments, gift boxes and cut some garland pieces to fit in the boxes so the ornaments would sit nicely on top of the box.

I hope you enjoy the pictures. Go get some of the boxes at the Dollar Tree before they are all gone. Too cute...

Cheers, Theresa

Diving In Feet First...

Diving feet first is exactly how I feel when starting this blog. I am not sure what to say or what topics to write about, but I am joining blog land anyway. I think sometimes we make things harder than it should be for ourselves with too much thought. So with that said, I am diving feet first to share my decorating ideas, decorating projects, life experiences and more.

I hope you stop by often and feel free to leave comments and or questions. If you are joining me today, thank you for starting this journey with me. I am very excited!

Theresa