The Cat's Meow

printable bias tape maker

2012-01-08T11:42:00.005-05:00

This is such an amazing idea! I have been wanting a bias tape maker for some time now. I can't wait to try it! You can even play around with the scale and make a tape perfect for every project. You can find the printable bias tape maker here: The Scientific Seamstress.
: )

2012-01-05T09:37:00.003-05:00

Hey guys!

Well, I finally joined Pinterest! To be honest, I am not 100% sure what I am doing yet though. I definitely need to spend some time on the site getting used to it and checking out the eye candy. Any pointers for a newbie?

Are you on Pinterest? Let me know your name so I can follow you! Mine is MissBlueKitty.

Hope you are having a great day!

: )

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T13:35:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year!

Wow! It has been a long time since my last post. Unfortunately 2011 wasn't the best year for me or my family so I am definitely looking forward to the fresh start of 2012!

We rang in the new year babysitting my best friend's little girl Destiny. She has to be the sweetest kid that has ever existed! She was a perfect angel and we spent the evening coloring cupcakes and Care Bears and watching a gazillion kid movies on Netflix! I think she knows how to work it better than I do!Isn't she the cutest!

: )

hello!

2011-07-28T19:44:00.004-04:00

Hey guys! The Life of a Cupcake is having an amazing giveaway to celebrate reaching 400 followers! Hello Kitty, cupcakes, kitties, and more! Yay! The winner will be picked on August 8th! Go check it out!

: )

Cutest video ever!

2011-07-24T21:42:00.000-04:00

Jane Austen

2011-07-16T11:32:00.003-04:00

I am a HUGE Jane Austen fan! HUGE!!! When I saw this on yahoo I got super excited! I hope whoever purchased it decides to publish it and share it with the world! Do you read Jane Austen?

"An unfinished, handwritten manuscript penned by Jane Austen has just sold for more than three times its expected price at a Sotheby's auction, fetching a whopping $1.6 million from an unknown buyer over the telephone.

Entitled The Watsons, it is the only handwritten Austen manuscript still in private hands. No original manuscripts exist of her six finished works, making The Watsons all the more unique and valuable to Austen fans.

Associate Professor of English at Manhattanville College Juliette Wells tells The Lookout that it's "fascinating" the manuscript sold for so much more money than Sotheby's predicted.

"Anyone can go on the web and look at the facsimiles that just sold for 1.6 million dollars," she adds. "So why would you pay unless you thought owning them would bring you closer to Jane Austen in some way?"

Austen has a very devoted following, and this book is the "most precious Jane Austen relic that's come up to auction in our lifetime," Wells says. Dozens of fan fiction spin-offs, movie adaptations and even, of course, a zombie-infused take on Pride and Prejudice have sprouted up in Austen's honor, nearly two hundred years after the writer's death.

The marked-up draft affords a rare glimpse into Austen's writing process, Wells adds. The 68-page manuscript is made up of booklets that Austen created herself by folding her writing paper in half.

The Guardian writes that the famous author began the novel in 1804, when she had just had one manuscript rejected and another spiked by a publisher. Some speculate that she never finished The Watsons because its story hit too close to home: the novel's heroine is worried her ill clergyman father will die and leave the family penniless, which happened to Austen in real life only one year later.

Even though she wrote the book during a difficult time, it shows off Austen's trademark wit. The critic Margaret Drabble called it "a tantalizing, delightful and highly accomplished fragment, which must surely have proved the equal of her other six novels, had she finished it," according to Reuters.

It's unknown whether the Austen devotee who won the bidding war will make the manuscript publicly available or keep it private."

article found here: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/jane-austen-manuscript-sells-1-6-million-auction-152921673.html

finally signing up for Bloglovin!

2011-07-14T23:35:00.002-04:00

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

: )

Google+

2011-07-14T23:25:00.003-04:00

Hey guys!

Just a quick little note to say hello!

I can't believe it has been so long since my last post! Is there anyone still out there?

I will do my best to not wait months between posts this time!

I hope your summer is off to a great start! So far so good here, if we could just stop having these really intense storms. Our power gets knocked out at least once a month and I am sick of it!

Speaking of storms, we are in one now, so I am gonna shut down my laptop and go snuggle in bed!

Talk to you again soon!

p.s.
If you guys are on Google+, let me know so I can add you. You can find me by searching Marla Morrison. ( I think there are only 2 of us. I'm the brunette.) If you are not on Google+ but you wanna be, leave me your email address and I will send you an invite!
: )

Sale!

2011-05-05T10:39:00.007-04:00

Hey guys!

How about a Cinco de Mayo sale!

Enter in coupon code Cinco at checkout at my etsy shop to receive 50% off!!! Ends at midnight tonight!

Bluekitty.etsy.com

Hope you are having a great day!

: )

abc's of me

2011-04-09T14:00:00.001-04:00

A= Available - taken : )

B= Best Friend - my sweetie
C= Cake or pie - cupcakes!
D= Drink of choice - coke or sweet tea

E= Essential item you use everyday - chapstick and lotion (i'm an addict!)
F= Favorite color - turquoise/aqua
G= Gummy bears or worms - worms
H= Hometown - Rome, Georgia

I= Indulgences - way too much tv! I love my dvr!!

J= January or February - February! My birthday is on the 28th

K= Kids and Names - maybe one day. there are several names that I love!

L= Life is incomplete without? - my kitties! and my special someone!

M= Marriage date - who knows, maybe one day

N= Number of siblings - I am an only child
O= Oranges or apples - apples
P= Phobias or Fears - spiders and fire
Q= Favorite Quote - "a girl without freckles is like a sky without stars"
R= Reason to smile - my sweetie will be home in a few hours!
S= Season - Fall
T= Tag 3 or 4 people - everyone that reads this : )
U= Unknown fact about me - I have PTSD. sometimes it is quite severe
V= Vegetable you don't like - cooked carrots
W= Worst habit - letting my depression get the best of me
X= X-rays - both feet, back, chest, teeth, right knee
Y= Your favorite food - bean burritos that we make at home!
Z= Zodiac Sign - Pisces

St Patty's Day Sale!

2011-03-16T15:20:00.003-04:00

In honor of one of my favorite times a year, I am having a sale in my etsy shop! Enter in STPATS40 at checkout to receive 40% off!

www.bluekitty.etsy.com

: )

I just can't stop watching this!!

2011-03-06T09:00:00.000-05:00

laughing my butt off!

2011-03-05T09:00:00.002-05:00

My current favorite thing on the web....

http://pauladeenridingthings.com/

: )

my genealogy brick wall

2011-03-04T14:11:00.002-05:00

Dollie Mae Jordan was my great grandmother. I am lucky enough to have memories of her from my childhood and lots of photographs to cherish that document her adult life, but nothing about her childhood or family.

One of the only things Dollie could remember about her childhood is that she was born on 07 September 1911. Her parents were killed in a train accident sometime between 1911 and 1920. She unsuccessfully tried to find more about her parents, and her brothers and sisters, before she died 5 nov 1998.

Dollie was the youngest of 13 children, probably only a couple of years old at the time of the wreck. Her brothers and sisters were seperated after the wreck, and probably adopted. We don't know anything else about the brothers and sisters.

We have searched on census records, but since Dollie was born in 1911, she wouldn't be on one as a child with her parents. She is on the 1920 census, living with William Morrison. We have searched for families with a lot of children on the 1910 census that are missing from the 1920 census, but not knowing which county to look in has made that almost impossible.

I figure it is a longshot, but she's got to have brothers and sisters out there somewhere who remember their parents, not to mention nieces and nephews who have heard the story.

Cat burgler!

2011-02-17T20:11:00.003-05:00

Check out this giveaway!

2011-02-17T16:04:00.010-05:00

The always adorable Lindsay is having an AMAZING giveaway! There will be 10 winners! Yay! Here are the prizes: The winners will be chosen on Monday, February 21! Click the header below to go to the giveaway!
: )

I'm so excited!

2011-02-15T17:47:00.003-05:00

The new issue of BirdWatching magazine is now available online! Click here to see my mama owl zipper pouch featured in the new section, Birds Around Us. "Without feathers - birds spotted sans binoculars online, in our favorite stores, in galleries, and just around." They are mailing me a copy! I can't wait to see it in print!

: )

hugs

2011-02-14T13:24:00.002-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day!
: )

blue skies

2011-02-09T11:19:00.003-05:00

The sun is shining, the sky is blue, the birds are chirping! I am so ready for Spring!!!!

I hope your day is off to a great start! : )

new addiction

2011-02-04T13:42:00.008-05:00

It has been awhile since I last posted. I completely blame tumblr. I am hooked. Are you on tumblr? Let me know what your name is so I can follow you! You can find me here. Miss Blue Kitty of course!

There have been some fun happenings with my etsy shop lately. My purple blooms zipper pouch was featured in a treasury! My mama owl zippy will be in the next issue of BirdWatching magazine! I am super excited about that because I love bird watching!And most recently, a box of these cuties are on their way to New York City to become part of gift bags that will be given to the top beauty editors at magazines such as Allure and Vogue! I would be doing cartwheels non stop if only I knew how! Seriously, I can't even put into words how excited I have been! I really want to take my etsy shop to the next level this year!

I must end here for now. I will try my best to not wait two weeks between posts! Hope you are having a wonderful day!

: )

2011-01-17T19:23:00.001-05:00

One of my owl zipper pouches from my etsy shop is gonna be in a magazine! I am super duper excited!!!!! More details coming soon!

: )

pen pals

2011-01-06T18:51:00.004-05:00

Hey guys!

Things are finally calming down in my life and I am able to start writing my pen pals again! I have not forgotten about you! I hope to get everyone written back to in the next week! If I owe you a letter I promise it will be there soon! And if we aren't already and you wanna be pen pals, send me your addy! (mraem78@yahoo.com) You can never have too many! : )
Talk to you soon!

*Marla*
: )

etsy treasuries

2011-01-04T11:44:00.005-05:00

I hope your new year is off to a great start! I hit a small hiccup with mine. My back went out on December 30th and has been giving me a heck of a time ever since. I am writing this from bed! I hope that it gets better soon! I really don't want to have to go back to the doctor and possibly a chiropractor.

On a happier note, two of my zipper pouches were selected for a treasury on etsy! I am soo excited. It really means a lot to me! Here they are if you would like to check them out! Sweet handmade fruit items and Owls owls owls

I think Big Boy has the right idea! It's nap time!

: )

a fresh start

2011-01-01T10:19:00.001-05:00

It is a beautiful stormy morning here in Rome, Georgia. Perfect for washing away all the crap that has poured down on me these last few months.

As of my dad's stroke, on Sept. 30, I was down 63 pounds for the year. My life was immediately turned upside down. I tried to keep to my diet and watch my calories, but it is really hard when you are basically living in the hospital. And I'm just gonna be honest. Food was the only thing that got me through these last few months. It brought me comfort in a time when I needed it the most.

In the last week, my universe was shook up a little bit more, but when the pieces began to fall back down, this time they started landing back into place! I am back on my diet as of this morning! I am ready for it!

After going bonkers the last few months, my total weight lost for 2010 is 38 pounds! Watch out 2011!! I'm not holding anything back! Get ready for a smaller, healthier me!

: )

good riddance 2010!

2010-12-31T22:07:00.002-05:00

This was by far one of the worst years of my life. I am soo glad that it ends tonight! I am leaving all the negative, horrible things that happened this year behind! 2011 is gonna be a great year! No matter what! I am gonna live my life to the fullest and do my best to make all of my dreams come true!

Happy New Year!!!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T11:13:00.005-05:00

From my family to yours! Merry Christmas! I hope you are all safe and warm and having the greatest day ever!!! : )

My grandmother and Santa, December 24, 2010

: )

chest pain

2010-12-01T20:31:00.003-05:00

My car needs a new engine, my grandfather has been slowly getting worse, my grandmother fell again and this time hurt herself pretty bad, one of my kitties is sick and has stopped eating, things with my dad have been very rough, and that's just the tip of the iceberg! I am DROWNING in stress!!!

Is there light at the end of my tunnel? Because I am really starting to think there isn't. It's been getting pretty damn dark.

yes please!

2010-11-27T17:34:00.003-05:00

Teal converse for only $10 at TJ Maxx + buy one get one free Fiesta at Belks + a fabulous new concord purple purse 50% off at Belks + a little one on one time shopping with my mom + a yummy chicken salad sandwich from Zaxby's = a kick ass Saturday in my book!

Hope your weekend is off to a great start!

: )

I finally...

2010-11-26T16:06:00.002-05:00

got my hair cut! Yay! I have been wanting it cut forever! 16" gone! I feel soo much better!!! Since it was more than 10" I am able to donate it! Pics coming soon! : )

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T14:21:00.003-05:00

So far today is off to a great start! Perfect beautiful weather, bubble bath, watching Elf, belly full of stuffing (does that make me the turkey? hehe), a little family fun, and now vegging out on the couch watching Elf again! : ) And my plans for the rest of the day are even better! Absolutely nothing! The only thing I have planned is a nap! I can't wait! : )

hello out there!

2010-11-13T18:08:00.004-05:00

Just a quick little post to say hello and let you know I am still alive. Drowning in stress, but still alive! : ) My dad is getting better. He is able to walk a little more and his speech is slowly improving. It's gonna be a long journey but he is a fighter and I know he will do great! I have to run for now. Hope your November is off to a great start!

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-31T11:33:00.003-04:00

: )

update

2010-10-06T09:58:00.003-04:00

Hey guys!

Thank you soo much for all of your prayers and happy thoughts! I am happy to report that they moved my dad to the rehab unit yesterday. This morning he starts physical, occupational, and speech therapy. He is doing much better! He is now able to move his right leg. He still cannot use his right arm, but he has been doing great with his exercises so I know that will come soon!

I have to run for now. Time to head back up to the hospital. Hope you are having a great day!

P.S.
My awesome friend Tiphanie is having a giveaway! Check it out!
: )

2010-10-01T07:41:00.002-04:00

Please pray for my dad. He had a massive stroke last night and is in ICU.

love this!

2010-09-28T17:48:00.003-04:00

"Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."

-Christopher Robin to Pooh

: )

2010-09-25T16:47:00.002-04:00

Oh my! It's been over a month since my last post! I have thought about posting a million times...just never could make myself sit down and do it!

After my fourth time being called in for jury duty I was chosen this time. It was very interesting and I actually enjoyed it for the most part....until deliberation. Oh man! I am way too sensitive to be put in a tiny hot room with a bunch of idiots(I hate to say it, but it's true) that just argued and yelled and cried for hours and hours! At one point I just had to put my head down on the table and think happy thoughts! It was madness! The day after finishing...I had a stress hangover!

I want to apologize to all my penpals! I have not forgotten you! I promise to get back to each and every one of you asap! I am soo horribly behind. It seems like I have just been in some kind of mental daze lately! There has been a lot on my mind and I am having a hard time focusing and finding my words. My grandmother has been having more bad days lately and almost died last week, my mother had to have two more skin cancers removed, and we just got some potentially bad news yesterday about my grandfather. As usual, I am trying to keep my head above the stress waters that are trying their best to drown me!

Yesterday I was able to get out with my bff Heather and go visit a friend of ours from high school who just had a beautiful baby girl a few days ago. She is a very special little girl and I look forward to watching her grow up! This was our friend's first successful pregnancy. She has had 7 miscarriages. Her and her husband have been through soo much and it makes my heart super happy that they finally have a beautiful and healthy little angel!

After catching up we headed out to a football game. This was my first time being back at a highschool football game since I graduated in 1996! I had soooo much fun! My bff's son is in the middle school band and they were playing at half time. They sounded soo amazing! I am soo proud of him! It was more than awesome seeing my old band directors and catching up! I was and always will be the biggest band nerd! I love it! It makes my soul smile! : )

Time seems to be flying by lately! I can't believe it's almost October! It's my favorite month and fall is definitely my favorite season! The weather here in Georgia has been insane this year! It is still in the upper 90s! Gross! I am soo ready to feel that nip in the air and watch the leaves start changing! Fall, where are you??

fabulous mail day

2010-08-20T13:35:00.006-04:00

I've come to the conclusion that I have the greatest secret pal ever! She sent me a fantastic surprise package!
An awesome mixed cd, gorgeous earrings!!!, and the tiniest gumball machine ever!

I was soooo excited! It is just the cutest thing ever and it perfect for my collection! My smallest one yet! It is not even two inches tall! *love*

And the sweet Jen sent me a fantastic Happy Mail package! Look how cute my name is!
Awesome goodies!!!

The tape stole my heart! I love it! And of course Myrtle couldn't refuse a photo op! : )

Thank you girls! Everything is soo perfect!

I have had a ton of stuff going out in the mail this week! Tons of pen pal letters and some Happy Mail goodies! I have about three more letters to write and I will have written everyone on my pen pal list! Yay!

Gotta run, hope you are having a wonderful day!

: )

caught in the act

2010-08-12T17:25:00.004-04:00

This morning I was walking around outside when I saw something odd out of the corner of my eye. A squirrel had pulled one of our green tomatoes off the plant and had it in his mouth. We made eye contact and he shot up a tree. I had to run in the house and grab the camera!

Hard to be mad at such a cutie! hehe! I love squirrels!
: )

I am soooooo excited!

2010-08-08T11:55:00.003-04:00

I am in a treasury!

First time ever!!!!

I am SOOOOOOOOO excited!!!!

Check it out!

Day of the Dead Treasury

p.s.
I'm the white fiesta de los muertos zippy!

: )

marla on etsy

2010-08-07T10:53:00.000-04:00

I was doing a little surfing on etsy today and out of curiosity I did a search of my first name, just to see what would come up. I was pleasantly surprised! Check out some of the handmade goodies that share my name!

Marla's blood preserves...very interesting!
Marla earrings....gorgeous!More beautiful Marla earrings
Marla - tea and acrylic
The Marla bracelet

Maria and Marla -conjoined twins print - I kinda love this!

Marla the zombie - hehe! awesome!
The Marla - soooo pretty!
Marla mouse - adorable!!!
Soo much fun stuff! Have you tried searching your name on etsy?

: )

ready for fall

2010-08-06T10:50:00.002-04:00

This heat has just been unbearable lately! In the 100's most days! The heat index was 110 the other day! YUCK! Too hot to do anything but stay indoors in the heavenly air! I am counting the days till fall arrives! It is my favorite season! It is magical! I am day dreaming of fall picnics, pumpkins, the fair, candy apples, beautiful leaves everywhere! I am sooooo ready!!!!

P.S.

I lost another 3.2 pounds this week for a total of 59.8 pounds lost in 2010!!!

: )

100 things about me - pt 1

2010-08-05T14:18:00.001-04:00

I've been seeing a lot of people doing these lately and I thought it would be fun to play along!

100 random facts about me - part 1

1. My favorite book of all time is Jane Eyre! I have read it at least ten times!

2. I am allergic to blue food coloring
3. I am a big history buff
4. I am totally obsessed with ancient Egypt
5. When I was little I could play the piano by ear
6. I have played the clarinet for 21 years : )
7. I went to Jacksonville State University on a full music scholarship
8. I have a weird hand issue! There are certain things I cannot stand to touch...like newspapers and styrofoam
9. Lotion is like my nerve pill! I have to have lotion all the time or I freak out big time! (Thanks to my weird hand issue)
10. I can't put anything metal in my mouth. It grosses me out soo bad! I can only eat with plastic untensils!
11. I HATE talking on the phone, but I will text with you all day!
12. I suffered from major depression for many years. After trying every medicine on the market with no success, a simple blood test showed that I was vitamin D deficient. After taking a supplement, my depression disappeared immediately!
13. We planted our first garden this year, tomatoes and bell peppers
14. I am 5'10"
15. Me and my boyfriend Phillip are on a journey to lose 100 pounds this year!
16. So far I have lost 57!! : )
17. I am a MAJOR cat lady!
18. One of my cats is named Hitler

awww! isn't he the cutest!

19. I am an only child
20. I adore all things Alice in Wonderland!!!
21. I never wear makeup. I have only had it on three times in my life and I hated every moment of it
22. Fall is my favorite season!
23. I LOVE Halloween!!!
24. I would love to get married in a pumpkin patch!
25. When I was in kindergarten I drew a picture that I wanted to be a maid!

: )

2010-07-30T11:29:00.010-04:00

Wow! It has been three weeks since my last post! I wish I could say nice things about July...but it has been a crappy month! Sinus infection, my dad's house burning, and a wicked stomach virus...I am soo glad to see the end of this month! I have high hopes for August and I am determined to have a fantastic month!!!!

I am really enjoying the pen pal group! So far I have sent letters to 18 awesome ladies and I will be finishing up the list and sending the rest out this next week! It always makes my day seeing letters and cards in my mailbox! I LOVE mail!!! : )

Here's what I've received so far!

Yay! Soo much fun!

P.S.
I am down another 1.6 pounds this week for a total of 56.6 pounds lost so far in 2010!
: )

hey there!

2010-07-10T16:15:00.002-04:00

Just a quick little post to say hello!

I am enjoying a very lazy weekend filled with nothing but blog reading and letter writing! It is just too darn hot out to do anything else! I finally got some cards and stationery so there will be a ton going out to my penpals on Monday! Yay! I hope you are staying cool wherever you are and are having a wonderful weekend!

I leave you with a cute picture of my grandfather, taken yesterday at Chic-fil-a. He loves having his picture taken and just couldn't resist posing with the chic-fil-a cow! hehe : )

Happy Mail and a Giveaway!

2010-07-09T13:58:00.002-04:00

Yesterday was a great mail day! I got a package from my June Happy Mail partner Kimi! Yay!

Tons of fun goodies! Three cute little jars of yumminess (I immediately was in the skittles! hehe), Hello Kitty memo book and nail files, the cutest little yellow bowl, little yellow camera (LOVE this!), cupcake eraser, a bunch of awesome photos taken by Kimi herself, and much more! Thank you soo much Kimi! I look forward to getting to know you more!

I also got a card from one of my partners from May, Brittany! She is just the sweetest!

My mission today is to stock up on some awesome stationery and cards, I have a ton of awesome ladies to write on my pen pal list! I can't wait to get started!

Before I go, one of my favorite sources of fabric, Fabric Shoppe, is having an awesome giveaway! She is giving away five of her awesome scrap fabric bundles! Stop by her blog and check it out!
Everyday Beautiful

: )

yesterday

2010-07-06T19:55:00.010-04:00

I am soo glad that I am a morning person! It definitely helped me out yesterday. I had to be at my dad's house by 7:45 to take him to the doctor in Atlanta. I was scared to death of driving his new car in all that crazy traffic, but luckily it wasn't soo bad!It was such a beautiful office! Everywhere you looked there were amazing aquariums filled with turtles and the cutest little fish ever!
Everything went great with the doctor! His incision looked great, better than they were expecting and so now he is able to walk with crutches! He is really happy about that! He hates being in the wheelchair. He is very active and likes to go go go!

When we were on our way home we had to stop at the Target in Cartersville!! I love Target and that is the closest one to us. It was amazing as always and I even found a few goodies!

The minute I saw the commercial for this a few weeks ago I knew I had to have it! And it was on sale! Score! And OMG! When I saw this Hello Kitty DS case I was in love!

It is really awesome and was only $20!! It holds my ds, three games, and three styluses! LOVE!

Last night I was looking out the windows, just staring off into space and then all of a sudden....BAM! The power line in front of our house exploded, started sparking like crazy and then caught on fire! It scared the CRAP out of me! The worst part was the sound it was making. This horrible crackling, horror movie, electrocution sound! We immediately called 911 and luckily the police and fire department got here fast! It took Georgia Power what seemed liked forever to turn the power off. It caught the mailbox across the street on fire and then started burning on the ground. Just when it looked like the fire was out it would flare back up!

These pictures were taken through my living room windows, there was no way I was going out there!!!

The power was out for about three hours and unfortunately it was the hottest day we have had yet! I thought we were going to melt! I don't know what I would do without my central air!! I was sooo relieved when it came back on!!!

Today I am hoping for much less action and drama! My plans are just to relax on the couch and catch up on the dvr! I am long overdue for a good ole lazy day!

: )

Happy 4th of July!!!

2010-07-04T10:28:00.003-04:00

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The 56 signatures on the Declaration appear in the positions indicated:

Column 1
Georgia:
Button Gwinnett
Lyman Hall
George Walton

Column 2
North Carolina:
William Hooper
Joseph Hewes
John Penn
South Carolina:
Edward Rutledge
Thomas Heyward, Jr.
Thomas Lynch, Jr.
Arthur Middleton

Column 3
Massachusetts:
John Hancock
Maryland:
Samuel Chase
William Paca
Thomas Stone
Charles Carroll of Carrollton
Virginia:
George Wythe
Richard Henry Lee
Thomas Jefferson
Benjamin Harrison
Thomas Nelson, Jr.
Francis Lightfoot Lee
Carter Braxton

Column 4
Pennsylvania:
Robert Morris
Benjamin Rush
Benjamin Franklin
John Morton
George Clymer
James Smith
George Taylor
James Wilson
George Ross
Delaware:
Caesar Rodney
George Read
Thomas McKean

Column 5
New York:
William Floyd
Philip Livingston
Francis Lewis
Lewis Morris
New Jersey:
Richard Stockton
John Witherspoon
Francis Hopkinson
John Hart
Abraham Clark

Column 6
New Hampshire:
Josiah Bartlett
William Whipple
Massachusetts:
Samuel Adams
John Adams
Robert Treat Paine
Elbridge Gerry
Rhode Island:
Stephen Hopkins
William Ellery
Connecticut:
Roger Sherman
Samuel Huntington
William Williams
Oliver Wolcott
New Hampshire:
Matthew Thornton

ugh!

2010-07-02T23:06:00.004-04:00

Being sick in the summer stinks! I am soo tired of blowing my nose! My eyes are itchy and red. My nose is stopped up but won't stop running (weird). My throat is sore and scratchy. My ears are achy. I have been sneezing my head off! Ugh!

On a happier note! Today was our 26th weigh in! I am soo proud that me and Phillip have stuck to our diet for six whole months! We are right on track with our goal to lose 100 pounds in 2010! As of this morning I have lost 52 pounds! Yay! Phillip's total is 64 pounds! Things went a little slowly for me in June. I still lost weight, just not as much as I would have liked. My goal for July is to really get my booty moving! I need to walk everyday! I know the puppies love it and it is crazy to not do it when I have the lake with a 1 1/4 mile track around it basically in my back yard! When I saw my dad the other day he said he could tell that I have lost the weight!

Speaking of my dad, thank you for your prayers and kind words! His surgery went well and he gets his stitches out in two weeks. It was a pretty rough surgery. The doctor cut through the muscles in the arch of his only foot, basically destroying the muscles. They were too damaged to be saved. He is in a lot of pain but it is getting better each day. In case you were wondering...10 years ago, a little old lady pulled out in front of him as he was driving home from work. She walked away without any injury but my dad wasn't soo lucky. He busted into the dash and windshield, broke some ribs, his finger, his ankle, and was very banged up. He had to have surgery after surgery on his ankle and after a few years of problems, it had to be amputated. He was doing really well with his amputation up until a few years ago. He started developing cysts on his stump from all of the pressure and had to have a few surgeries to remove them on his knee. Meanwhile, to help relieve the pain and pressure he started depending more on his good leg. He started having horrible foot pain and when he got it checked out, the damage had been done. He had basically been tearing the muscles in his foot with every step. They said this was from over use. He has been through soo much and is definitely a fighter! I know that he won't let this hold him back!

I just realized how late it is! No wonder I am soo sleepy! It's my bedtime!

Goodnight! Sweet dreams!

: )

2010-06-29T21:31:00.006-04:00

Another good day today. I had a ton of stuff to mail at the post office and a bunch of errands to run including two trips to walmart in the same day! Usually going anywhere with my mom and grandfather is a disaster, but it actually was pretty enjoyable! We are a crazy bunch! The rest of my day has been spent relaxing and catching up on the dvr. Some of my favorites that we have been enjoying today....
Cupcake Wars on Food Network! You can't go wrong with cupcakes! And today's episode was even more awesome because Duff from Ace of Cakes was a guest judge! : )

Pawn Stars on the History Channel! I love these guys! They always get such an amazing assortment of stuff brought in! My favorite item brought in so far was the antique diving helmet from the 1800s! I totally need that in my living room! Loved it!

Another fav from the History Channel....

American Pickers! Can't get enough of these guys! I would love to go on the road and rummage through people's stuff! A never ending treasure hunt! Best episode ever was when they came to my town! It was super cool seeing a place I have driven past many many times on tv!

Okay, time for the laugh portion of the evening...Wipeout! Omg! Every episode is side spliting! There is nothing better than watching these people getting whacked and smacked and muddy and movitated, hehe! The big balls are my favorite! We usually laugh until we are crying!

And lastly, our favorite go to show...King of Queens! We have seen every episode a million times but that doesn't stop us from watching it every day! : ) There is nothing bad I can say about this show! I love it all! Kevin James + Leah Remini + Jerry Stiller = PERFECTION! : )

What have you been watching?

A much better day!

2010-06-28T17:30:00.007-04:00

Thankfully today has been a much better day than yesterday! I am still feeling yucky and still have a headache but overall I am not as sad and depressed! My mom brought me some cupcakes and I have been enjoying a lazy day relaxing and watching tv with my sweetie. And to make it even better, Step Brothers is on! OMG I love that movie soo much! Will Ferrell kills me! I definitely needed the laughter today!

When I went out to get the mail earlier, I stopped to check on our little garden. This was our first time ever planting anything and I am soo excited that we already have 6 tomatoes and 4 or 5 bell peppers! The little bell peppers are soo cute!
Hope you are staying cool! It is 98 here today! Luckily the next few days are supposed to be cooler! I have my fingers crossed for rain!

I have to run and get a few things ready to mail out tomorrow. I sold a purse today! Yay! That really helped lift my spirits up! I love etsy! And if you are reading this Terry, YOU ROCK!

: )

: (

2010-06-27T19:34:00.003-04:00

Today has been a rough day for me. Big time!

It started out the same as any other day. But before I knew it, turned into a nightmare.

We took the dogs out into the backyard to do their business and maybe play a little. The sun was shining, there was a nice a breeze. I could hear the ducks quacking at the lake.

Then I saw it.

A dead kitten.

My heart broke immediately and I ran out of the back yard balling my eyes out. I am super duper, border on the crazy side, sensitive about most things, but especially animals, and even more so when it deals with cats!

About a month or so ago, one of the neighborhood cats brought her kittens to our yard. Being the animal lover I am, I have been trying to take care of them and make sure they have food and water. I tried to catch them several times but they were just too wild. And the momma is crazy wild! She jumped at Phillip and even ran at him a few times. So, I have been keeping our dogs in the house and making sure they were as safe as possible. I don't know what happened to the little angel. I do know that it was the runt, the smallest of the three. It was maybe only half the size of the other two. Soo incredibly beautiful! It was my favorite of the three, the only one that would let me get close. It even let me pet it one day.

It has been eight hours since I found it and I am still crushed. And to make matters worse, when I came in I was hysterical for about thirty minutes. Crying soo hard I could hardly breathe. My shirt was wet and snotty so I had to change. As I pulled my top up I got dizzy and I hit the back of my head on my bedroom wall soo hard that I have a concussion!

When it rains, it pours!

My head it still pounding. My eyes are still bloodshot. My face is still swollen. It has been a horrible day.

I thought I might try sewing a little to take my mind off things and the universe struck again! My sewing machine broke. So that was my que to call it a day!

Sorry for being such a downer, but I just felt I needed to talk about it. Time to go cuddle up in bed with my kitties!

I hope your day is going better than mine!

Hello Kitty : )

2010-06-23T17:03:00.004-04:00

After having too many bad days lately, I woke up this morning determined to have a good day today no matter what! And so far so good! I have gotten a lot done today and it feels great! It was even a good mail day. I got a Happy Mail box! Yay! One of my partners this month, Sydney, sent me an awesome box of Hello Kitty goodness!
How could you not love Hello Kitty!! Could this even be any cuter?? : )

I already have plans for those adorable gel clings in the windows of my craft room! Thank you soo much Sydney! You rock!

I gotta run, the puppies are telling me it's time for a walk. I hope you are having a great day too!

: )

I did it! : )

2010-06-18T17:48:00.002-04:00

I have FINALLY hit the 50 pounds lost mark! As of this morning, I have lost 50.6 pounds in 2010! I am a few weeks ahead of schedule and hope to lose another 50 by January 1, 2011! Phillip has lost 55.2! I am very proud of us!

I wish I could say I feel better having lost soo much, but unfortunately I don't. It has me worried. Over the last few weeks, I have been getting more and more tired and just not feeling right. It's not depression. I don't know what it is. Phillip thinks it is just stress. I have been up to my ears in it for quite a while now! I hope he is right, I hope it is just stress and it goes away soon. If not, I am going to have to go see my doctor. I just hope nothing is wrong.

On a happier note, I got a letter from one of my Happy Mail partners, Sydney, and a surprise letter from Kirsten in Germany! I love getting letters and can't wait to write them both back asap! I want more letters! Hehe! Would you like to be pen pals? If so, send me a message at mraem78@yahoo.com and we can swap addresses! I think it would be a lot of fun!

I am vegging out on the couch watching Alice in Wonderland again! I love it sooooo much! I will be back tomorrow with some sewing updates. I am planning on sewing up a storm this weekend!

Hope you are having a wonderful day!

: )

2010-06-06T10:47:00.008-04:00

Hey guys!

Hope you have all been having a great weekend! I have been taking it easy and just relaxing as much as possible. It's another rainy, gloomy morning here in Rome, Georgia. I usually love the rain....but I can honestly say that I am ready for some sun! I really want to go swimming soon! It came out a little yesterday to tease us but was quickly replaced with more rain! Blah! I think it has rained almost every day for the last two or three weeks! It probably has a lot to do with how I have felt. I am feeling a little better today!! I am gonna take advantage of it and get tons of stuff done! I have a bunch of cleaning to do, some sewing, and several cards to write. But first, a little more blog surfing!

Before I go, I wanted to share two things with you! First, please stop by and check out my friend Allie's blog, ice pink stars! She is one of my favorite people in the entire world! Such a sweetheart! And an AMAZING crafter! She blows me away with the cuteness she creates! I have stolen a few pics to share with you, I hope that is ok Allie! : )
That blue bird just STOLE my heart! Soo cute! Stop by her blog and say hello! You won't be disappointed! She ROCKS! : )

And second...stop by Consider my Dear and check out her awesome giveaway! There will be two winners! She is giving away one of her awesome hoops! This one is my favorite!

I love me some Hello Kitty! : )

Alrighty...time for some cleaning. It is getting really dark outside..ugh! More rain! I hope the sun is shining where ever you are!

*hugs*

2010-06-04T22:13:00.006-04:00

These last few days I have been feeling soo blah! I have been doing well on my diet, still not much exercise, but it is kinda hard to exercise when you feel like poo! I am happy to report that I lost 3.8 pounds this week for a total of 49.2 pounds lost in 2010! It's really weird...it seems like I have been feeling worse as the year goes on. I was hoping that I would start to feel better as I get this mess off my body! I need to get my butt to the doctor and make sure everything is ok. I am just soo blah. That really is the best way to describe it. I'm not depressed, just blah.

Okay...enough complaining! : )

Yesterday when I checked the mail I had a wonderful surprise waiting for me! A package from my April Happy Mail partner Tiphanie. I can't say enough good things about Tiphanie! She is one of the coolest and nicest people EVER! I am really glad that we were matched up! As soon as I saw that green polka dot tape I was smiling ear to ear! : )

And look how cute the inside is!!
I LOVE the purple and yellow together! And speaking of awesomeness....

Cute! Cute! Cute!

But the cutest thing EVER is this necklace!!!!

A miniature RAINBOW CAKE!!!!!! I love it sooooooooooooooo much! My camera wasn't very cooperative but there will be more pictures coming soon! I can't wait to wear it!!! The colors are soo perfect and beautiful!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart! It really brightened my day!

*hugs!*

p.s
If you happen to have Showtime you absolutely MUST watch Hal Sparks: Charmageddon! OMG! I don't think I have ever laughed soo hard! It took me an hour to type up this short post because I just couldn't stop laughing!!!!

Happy 25th Anniversary Goonies!!!

2010-06-03T20:57:00.007-04:00

I soooooooo wish I could be in Astoria, Oregon for the next few days! It is the 25th anniversary of my all time favorite movie, The Goonies!

I'm not even gonna lie....I'm more than a little obsessed! : ) From the first time I saw it in 1985, I was in love! I remember wearing out 2 VHS tapes of it and I currently have at least three copies on dvd! hehe : ) I watch it almost every night as I am getting ready for bed and falling asleep and if it is EVER on tv I HAVE to watch it or save it on the dvr!!! I have seen it thousands of time! I know every scene and every word! It just has a special place in my heart! It stirs up something in my soul! I couldn't love it more!

In fact, I am watching it right now! : )

Check out the site for the anniversary celebration! Goonies never say die!

Thank you for bringing soo much joy into my life! : )

2010-05-28T15:39:00.013-04:00

Thanks soo much for all of your kind words on my freakout the other day. It really meant a lot to me!! I am happy to report that I am feeling MUCH better and things have calmed down a lot! Phillip's dad recommended a plumber that he uses so we gave them a call. Less than 30 minutes later they were here and it only took them about 30 minutes to get everything fixed! I was super impressed and to top it off it only cost $100! That took a ton of stress away! Later that afternoon the mailman brought me more happiness...Happy Mail!!

My other partner this month, Brittany, is such a sweetie and I know that our friendship will continue to grow!She sent me a bunch of kitty toys for my sweeties, a hello kitty journal with stickers, an Arizona magnet(awesome, I love magnets!), some super cute fabric, a handcrafted M which is already on display in my craft room and a super cool Pez for Petz! I have never seen these before, it holds dog treats!! My kitties have been having the BEST time with the toys! I hear the jingle balls shooting through the house and there are little mice everywhere, hehe, soo cute!

Everytime I went through my craft room there was a different kitty hanging out in the box!
And then yesterday Phillip received some happy in the mail too! His box from his Happy Mail partner in Germany!
She sent some treats for our pups, a blue buddha bank, cocoa chili tea (which I can't wait to try, yum!), a really cool vintage book of artwork, a really cool composition book, a picture of Denmark, a bunch of really neat handmade paper stars, some candy, and more! He loved it all! Especially the blue buddha bank! Thanks Kirsten! : )

I gotta run, all of a sudden there is a HUGE thunderstorm! Wow! I have to go close a few windows! Hope you are having a wonderful day!

: )

Ups and Downs

2010-05-26T11:44:00.005-04:00

Yesterday was a major roller coaster! The first half of my day went well and I got some awesome Happy Mail from one of my partners for May, Siobhan.

Tons of fun goodies! I loved it all, but the tape stole my heart! Look how AWESOME!!!

I love tape sooo much! I can't wait to use it!!! Thank you soo much Siobhan! I hope your package arrives soon!

As the night went on I was finishing up some chores around the house trying to get ready for Glee!!!! So I threw in a load of clothes and sat down to do a little farming on farmville (hehe). Then, I hear it. Bubbling. Strange noises coming from the bathroom. Just as I was telling Phillip something sounded weird in the bathroom....it happened.....WATER! I shot up off the couch and started running towards the bathroom...yelling...GRAB TOWELS!!! OH MY GOD! The tub was filling up and the toilet was pouring into the floor! Luckily he turned off the washer and we were able to stop the water from getting into the hallway.

I just couldn't believe it. There is nothing nastier! Yuk! Phillip went across the street to my mom's house to grab their snake. Such a nightmare! I will spare you the details! They are pretty bad. As I was cleaning the disaster, I had a total breakdown! If you ever saw the movie Last Holiday with Queen Latifah when she has her break down in the church...why me lord?! That was me. I have had soo much shit (no pun intended, haha) happen to me these last few years. It seemed like it just all hit me last night. The robbery, the gun in my face, the fire, losing everything I owned, losing soo many friends to suicide and other weird deaths, my back injury, my depression, my PTSD, Phillip's adrenal fatigue and agoraphobia....the list just goes on and on. It seems like everytime I think my life is getting better and back on track...something new happens. I know it doesn't seem like a big deal to most people. Just call a plumber...but when you pile it on top of everything else and all the weird health problems and money problems...I just couldn't take any more!

I am better today. Not much, but a little. We have a plumber coming out this afternoon. I am dreading it. The last time a plumber was here it cost us $600 and they did a horrible job! I just hope it gets fixed this time. We are using a different plumber so wish us luck!

I apologize for the complaining. I am a very private person. I don't like talking about my problems. I am usually always happy and positive. I just had to let it out before I exploded! If you are still reading at this point I thank you! I know that things will get better and that it will all be okay in the end...eventually. Thanks for listening!

*hugs*

amazing giveaway!

2010-05-25T17:39:00.003-04:00

My super sweet friend Jamie is having a giveaway to celebrate her two year blogaversary!!! She is giving away 32 of her favorite things! That's right!! Thirty two!!!! She has awesome taste, you will not be disappointed! Check it out!

: )

Brain Cloud

2010-05-24T17:26:00.003-04:00

Has it really been 10 days since my last blog post?!! Wow! I knew I was in a little funk, but it didn't seem like it had almost been 2 weeks. I have been off. Not my usual self. If you have ever seen that old Tom Hanks movie Joe Versus The Volcano...I felt like I had a brain cloud! I thought I was doing okay with my diet, but the weight refused to come off. I had a slight gain one week and then lost it and was back down to the previous week's weight. So basically I wasted two weeks! Blah! I was very angry with myself. I am starting to feel a little better and can happily report that I am back on track! My total pounds lost for the year is 43.2. I can not wait to hit that 50 pound mark!!!

Saturday, one of my favorite Blue Kitty customers (also one of my favorite people ever!), Terry, asked me if I would make her a custom travel jewelry roll. I was super nervous and didn't know if I would be able to make it match the image in my head. But I decided to challenge myself and I am really glad that I did! I did a lot of things on this that I had never done before...the inset zippers and the curved top. Overall, I think it turned out great! What do you think?

I forgot to take a picture of the inside of the pockets....they are lined with hot pink leopard print fabric! Sooo awesome! : )

I think the best thing about it all is that is sparked my interest in getting my butt back behind my sewing machine. I have three purses cut out and ready to go! Now I think I am ready to whip those cuties up and cut out a bunch more. I have a ton of beautiful summer fabrics and some Eiffel Tower fabric that is just screaming to be a beautiful purse! There are soo many amazing things floating around in my head! Now is the time to get busy and just do it!!!

I have to run for now...I need to get the last of our tomatoes in the ground. So far they are looking great! Talk to you again soon!

: )

I am soo proud!

2010-05-14T09:59:00.006-04:00

Yesterday, my cousin Randa's new website went live! RandaJordan.com I am soo incredibly proud of her! She has just released a new cd!

Growing up she was always singing and playing the piano...by ear I must add! She has always had a pretty voice but man oh man! The years have been good to her! Her voice has matured and is just heavenly!

If you have a free moment today, please stop by her site and listen to her featured track, The Broken Ones. The first time I heard it yesterday, it brought tears to my eyes! I just can't express how proud and happy I am for her!

My other cousin Wes, her brother, did the website for her. He did a great job! It looks really great! He is also an amazing singer! Wes, Randa, and her husband Josh have a cd too. They were a fantastic trio, Latter Rain!

Enough gushing about my awesome cousins, hehe! I leave you with a HILARIOUS photo of me and Randa from 1987! Oh the 80's and my mother's home haircuts were soo cruel to me, hahahaha! I don't know what's better, my kickass hair, or that rockin' sweat shirt! : )

Hope you are having a fantastic day!
: )

Giveaway!

2010-05-12T23:59:00.004-04:00

Hey guys!

Janel is having an amazing giveaway on her blog, Run With Scissors . She is giving away a box of awesome handmade goodies from 28 different artists!!! Plushies, journals, original art, jewelry, and much, much more!
Check it out! You won't be disappointed! She rocks!

: )

Mother's Day

2010-05-10T17:11:00.005-04:00

Just wanted to share a few pics with you. Yesterday we all gathered up at my grandmother's nursing home for a nice long visit. She was doing very well and was in a great mood! These last few years her health has been declining and her alzheimers has been getting worse. I am soo thankful that she is a fighter! She is such a strong lady and has been doing great lately! I really treasure every moment with her. Luckily I remembered to take my camera and we snapped a few pictures!

My mom and grandmotherThree generations! This picture cracks me up! We couldn't stop laughing and my grandfather just kept snapping away! The look on my mom's face kills me! Me with my grandmother and grandfatherMy mom with her parentsThere were some HILARIOUS outtakes but my mother would kill me if I posted them on the internet! hehe! It is never a dull moment when we get together!

My mom had been hinting around for awhile that she wanted me to make her a new purse for Mother's Day. She had picked out some fabric awhile ago and so I finally got my butt in gear and got it done. She loved it! I wasn't sure about the fabric to begin with, but it really came together nicely! I like the gold sparkly parts! It seems like it has been forever since I made any new purses! I have a few new styles that I want to try and I am up to my ears in some amazing fabric! I think it's time to get cutting!

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day!

: )

2010-05-05T19:47:00.003-04:00

When we took the pups out into the backyard our neighbor came out with her puppy and brought me some flowers she had picked from her yard. They are soo pretty and they smell heavenly!

Our kitty Calleigh loves them too!

: )

and the winner is

2010-05-04T11:29:00.007-04:00

Good morning everyone! I hope your day is off to a great start! I am feeling a little bit better today so lets get right to the giveaway!I wrote everyone's entry on a slip of paper, folded it up, mixed them, closed my eyes and picked a winner!And the winner is...... Congratulations Ice Pink Stars!!!! Send me an email at mraem78 on yahoo and let me know which pouch you would like!

Thank you soo much to everyone that entered! It was a lot of fun and I know there will definitely be more giveaways in the future!

*hugs*
: )

under the weather

2010-05-03T21:14:00.005-04:00

Just wanted to let you guys know I haven't forgotten about the giveaway! I haven't been feeling too well these last few days. My stomach is all screwy and my blood pressure was really low today. I will be selecting the winner first thing in the morning and will get it posted asap!

Giveaway!!!

2010-04-26T09:46:00.008-04:00

I've been thinking about this for a while now....and I've decided to just go for it! I'm having my very first giveaway! : )

Let's start with the prize!

Your choice of any zipper pouch in my etsy shop! There are currently 34 different ones listed but I will be adding a bunch more throughout the week!

And now for the rules!

You must be a follower of this blog to enter! There are three ways to get an entry!

Blog about this giveaway
Share the link to this post on twitter
Become a fan of Blue Kitty on facebook

Please leave a separate comment for each entry! The winner will be chosen next Monday, May 3rd.

: )

Rainbow love!

2010-04-25T09:50:00.009-04:00

Every morning while I am checking my email and surfing my favorite blogs, I catch up on my dvr. This morning I was watching an episode of Martha Stewart from a few days ago, The Color Show. Wow! This cake blew me away!

Sooo beautiful! I'm in love! The recipe can be found here! I think it would be soo much fun to make! It would be an amazing birthday cake for my little sister this summer! Luckily for me and my diet, I won't have to worry about the temptation of eating it! I'm allergic to blue food coloring!

: )

Favorites

2010-04-22T09:52:00.016-04:00

I saw this on Carrie's blog and thought it would be fun!

1. Favorite hobby?

Definitely sewing. I only learned a few years ago but I love it! It is very relaxing!

2. Favorite tv show?

I am a big tv person! There are sooo many shows that I love right now...Flash Forward, Pawn Stars, Project Runway, Ace of Cakes, Nurse Jackie, US of Tara, Ruby, Modern Family, King of Queens, Tori and Dean...I could go on forever! But if I had to pick a favorite it would definitely be a tie between Fringe and Glee!!! I simply CANNOT miss an episode!

3. Favorite restaurant food?
Without a doubt...a bean burrito supreme, side of rice, and a cheese dip from my favorite mexican restaurant here in Rome, Las Palmas! Heaven!!!

4. Favorite thing to shop for?
Fabric!!! I have way more than I should! Lately, I have really been enjoying shopping for goodies for my Happy Mail partners! Soo much fun!

5. Favorite animal?

Kitties!!! Especially this one...my handsome Hitler! : )

6. Favorite song?
Lately it has been the Glee version of Defying Gravity! I put that baby on repeat when I am sewing. Love love love it!

7. Favorite word?

That's a toss up between smile and yay. I say both words at least fifty times a day! hehe

8. Recent favorite youtube video?
Gonads and strife!! hahaha!

9. Favorite movie?
The Goonies all the way! I keep this in my dvd player in my bedroom and watch it every night when I'm getting ready for bed! : )
10. Favorite childhood memory?

Going to the Smithsonian. That was when I fell in love with ancient Egypt!

What are your favorites?

: )

Happy Mail!

2010-04-21T17:41:00.009-04:00

Look what the mailman brought me yesterday!!! Happy Mail! : )I was greeted with my favorite candies of all time! Lemon heads, starburst, and skittles!!! YUM!I absolutely love this tissue paper! Very pretty!Wow! Soo many amazing goodies! I don't know where to begin! I love it all soo much! Paint by number kittens, pez, hello kitty goodies, turquoise fingernail polish(love it!), and so much more. Tiphanie you really brightned my day! I don't even think I can put into words how awesome your package is!I love this glass bottle of gumballs! Soo awesome! I've never seen these before! It is gonna look soo great in my collection! And there aren't even words to describe how much I ADORE the totally amazing awesome gumball machine plushie! You really did a fantastic job! I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!

Tiphanie, I have had such a great time reading your blog and getting to know you! I hope this is only the beginning of our friendship!

: )

GLEE!

2010-04-21T11:49:00.005-04:00

Yay for new Glee cds!!!

I don't usually get all freaked out over cd releases...but it was only $8.00! That's just crazy! I had to have it!!! I have already listened to it twice! It will definitely be my sewing soundtrack for today!

And my oh my! Last night's episode is definitely one of my favorites! Matthew Morrison was sooo frigging HOT in the Like a Virgin scene. WOW! I will definitely be watching this one again today!

: )

Finally Rain!

2010-04-20T10:23:00.004-04:00

1. Red light, 2. rose in the rain, 3. spring rain, 4. "Anche Le Pozzanghere sn Belle a Roma" - Isabelle Caine, 5. raindrop daisy (see description), 6. Pink Umbrella, 7. Drops, 8. Wellies***, 9. Macro Shot of Rain Drop On Leaf

It's a beautiful rainy morning here in Rome, Georgia! Soo peaceful and relaxing! Tons to do today....mailing off my happy mail package to the awesome Tiphanie, a little housework, tons of sewing, and definitely snuggling up on the couch and catching up on the dvr! (Castle, Nurse Jackie, US of Tara, Pawn Stars, Kendra, and more!) It's gonna be a great day! I hope yours is off to a great start!

: )

Shop Update

2010-04-18T15:39:00.005-04:00

After what seems like forever, I have finally been getting back into my sewing groove! I have a ton of zipper pouches and purses cut out and hope to get my shop inventory back up soon! Here are a few of my favorites...

Being a pez freak, I LOVE the last two! : )

What do you think?

2010-04-16T18:20:00.009-04:00

My Happy Mail partner Tiphanie is the sweetest! I was keeping an eye out for her card and she surprised me with a package! A journal, a book of sticky notes, cool clips, an oops eraser, and the cutest paper clips! I love the Hello Kitty card! You can never go wrong with Hello Kitty! : )

Thank you Tiphanie! You definitely brightened up my day! I started putting your package together today! I can't wait to send it your way! : )

We seemed to have skipped over our usual rainy April here in Georgia. We didn't get the showers, but we definitely have been getting the flowers! I have no clue what these are but I love them! They are growing outside the windows of my craft room! Soo pretty! This tree is growing next to our house. If you happen to know what kind of tree it is, definitely let me know. It is soo beautiful! I love the blooms! They are HUGE!
I've also been thinking about doing a giveaway! I am super nervous though. I've never done one before. What do you think? Should I give it a go?

P.S.
I lost 2.8 pounds this week for a total of 38.8 pounds lost in 2010! Woo hoo!
: )

Yep, I'm addicted! : )

2010-04-09T18:52:00.003-04:00

A few new gumball machines I got last month!
My little collection is growing! I am totally addicted!!! I can't help myself, they are just soo cute and they make me smile! : )

Angela Rocks!! : )

2010-04-04T15:07:00.004-04:00

Just wanted to show you how AWESOME the gumball machine my Happy Mail partner Angela sent me turned out! I have been itching to get more gumballs and finally made it out to wally world yesterday. It looks soo amazing on my aqua walls! I hung it under the shelves that hold all of my small gumball machines! I am sooo happy with it! I have wanted one of these for soo long! Thank you soo much Angela! You rock! : )

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T09:31:00.003-04:00

Happy Easter
and best wishes for a
wonderful spring!

Happy Mail Bliss!

2010-03-29T20:27:00.013-04:00

Wow! Today was a GREAT mail day! I am always excited when the mail comes but today the mailman parked and got out!!! So I just knew we had gotten some goodies! Oh boy did we ever! THREE Happy Mail boxes!!

I gotta be honest, we were like a couple of kids at Christmas, hehe! First we opened up Phillip's from his Happy Mail partner Tiffany.

Tiffany, you did an AMAZING job picking out stuff for Phillip! I asked him what his favorite item was and he couldn't pick one! He loved it all soo much! The Superman stationary is AWESOME!!!!!

Next up was a HUGE box from one of my Happy Mail partners, Angela.
It looked like it had a rough time in the mail, but luckily everything was perfect inside!

LOVE the tape and the sticker!

Thank you soooo much for the goodies! I love it all! ESPECIALLY the wall gumball machine! I was soo excited, I just couldn't believe it! I have been wanting one of these for awhile now!! You TOTALLY made my day! I can't wait to fill it up with gumballs and get it hung up! The red is gonna look amazing on my aqua walls!!! Thank you sooooooooooooooo much! : )

Next was from my other partner, Janel. I love the tape she used!

Another awesome box of goodies! Once again, I love it all! The magnet, the deco tape, the mini crayons, and OMG the Fiesta gravy boat! Thank you sooo much! I don't have anything in that color! I love it! And the cutest owl card in the most amazing shade of purple! Thank you both for making my first month of Happy Mail so special!

: )

Visitors Galore!

2010-03-20T10:32:00.000-04:00

There were soo many cuties that stopped by to say hello this week!

I have become totally obsessed with watching all the birdies and squirrels outside my window! I can't wait for the weather to warm up so I can open up all of the windows and listen to them sing!

: )

Spring is in the air!

2010-03-19T12:09:00.003-04:00

Hello sunshine! I've missed you!

I have been soo down and depressed lately. It has been nothing but dark, gloomy, and gray for what seems like forever! We haven't even been getting much rain, just the gloom. But this morning....SUNSHINE!!!!! The flowers are blooming, the birdies are singing, the sky is blue...I have cabin fever! I absolutely must get out of this house today and enjoy this wonderful weather before the gloom returns! It is supposed to be 70 degrees here today! WOW!!!! I am super excited! Unfortunately it isn't going to last. Rain is heading our way for Sunday.

I will be soo excited when summer is finally here! I am ready to go swimming!!! And I am looking forward to being significantly smaller than I was last summer! Wearing a swimsuit may not be as scary! Not so much for me, but for the poor people that have to see me, haha!

One of my goals for this summer is to get a bike. This bike....

A Hello Kitty Beach Cruiser from Nirve.com. It is AMAZING! And OMG...look at the tires!!!!!!!!! Love love love!

Oh yes! I can picture myself cruising through the neighborhood and around the lake on this little beauty!!! : )

Our pup Rusty says it's time to get outside. Time for some frolicking! I hope you are having a wonderful day!

P.S.
I lost 1.6 pounds this week for a total of 32.8 pounds lost in 2010! : )

Oh how I love thee!!

2010-03-18T09:23:00.000-04:00

I couldn't be happier about the new Alice in Wonderland movie! It was one of my favorite movies when I was growing up and I have read the book over and over and over again! So far I have been able to resist all of the goodies that have been popping up everywhere..clothing, jewelry, posters...but this bad boy has stolen my heart! This book is HUGE! Almost 1200 pages! The hot pink leather and the gold pages rock my world! Soo beautiful!Amazing illustrations!

Everything that Lewis Carroll ever published in book form appears in this volume. Thank you Barnes and Noble for making such a lovely edition! And thank you sweetie for getting it for me! I LOVE IT SOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!

: )

yay for happy mail!

2010-03-17T10:24:00.000-04:00

I got cards from both of my happy mail partners this weekend! I love mail! hehe!

I have had a great time getting goodies together for these girls! (Janel and Angela) I mailed out my packages today! I can't wait for them to get them! I sent them priority mail so hopefully they will get them by this weekend! Yay!

: )

Happy Mail : )

2010-03-05T09:29:00.001-05:00

A few months ago I came across a button on someone's blog that caught my eye....
I decided to check it out and I am soo glad that I did! Happy Mail is an amazing group of people that swap names every month and send out letters and packages filled with goodies! Who doesn't love getting fun stuff in the mail!!!

I was telling my sweetie about it and he signed up too! He is the first guy to participate. Yay! Go Phillip! : )

We each signed up for two names each and got some pretty cool people! We went to the antique mall yesterday and found a bunch of goodies that I think our girls are really going to love!!!

If you haven't already, stop by the Happy Mail blog and sign up today!!!

: )

coming soon!

2010-03-02T10:03:00.009-05:00

Over the last few days I was able to squeeze in some time in my craft room! Yay! I cut out fabric, linings, and interfacing for 48 new zipper pouches! I am really excited about this batch! Today I plan on getting the interfacing all ironed on so that I can start sewing them tomorrow! I will finally get to break in my new office chair!
I walked in the other room for only a minute.....

Hehe...Hitler decided that my zipper drawer was just too inviting not to check out. He is such a cutie!

: )

well hello there!

2010-03-02T09:27:00.009-05:00

Hey guys!

Just wanted to share with you a few of the visitors that have stopped by to say hello this last week. : )
: )

p.s.
It's snowing here in Rome, Georgia this morning!!! The biggest flakes I have ever seen!

Happy Birthday to me!

2010-02-28T10:07:00.002-05:00

: )

Birthday Celebration Parts 1 and 2

2010-02-27T21:49:00.008-05:00

Yesterday was a great day! My mom took me to the mall to pick out my birthday present...new converse! Yay! And to top it off, they were having a sale! Almost $20 off and buy one get one half off! I walked away with a pair of black and a pair of red!

Before we left, I had to stop in Claires...there always seems to be something cheesy in there calling to me! Look what I found!

Gumball slot machines!!!! Yep...had to have them! : ) There were two other colors, but I was a good girl and only bought two.

When we got back from shopping, UPS had dropped off a wonderful little package for me too! The pez fabric that I ordered from Hancock Fabrics. I was shocked to see it soo soon! I had just ordered it two days before! I love it and can't wait to cut into it!

This red one is my fav! I am already planning a purse for me! : )

Part 2 of my birthday celebration was today. I got an email from my dad asking what I wanted for my birthday...and I couldn't resist...the converse were still soo fresh in my mind! So a few hours later we met up and headed to the mall. He also thought the sale was too good to pass up!

Four pairs of converse later....I am very happy girl! Here they are...my new babies, hehehe. Black, red, grey, and bright blue!

: )

I Spy....

2010-02-20T19:44:00.005-05:00

An adorable woodpecker!

Birds always make me smile! And this cutie was no exception. It was super sunny out this morning, so the photo is washed out, but I love that you can still see his red hair!

: )

Goodies Galore!

2010-02-20T19:04:00.011-05:00

The weather has been pretty nice these last few days so me and my sweetie have been getting out a little more. We were checking out a few places and decided to take a look around Big Lots. We don't go there that often and almost never find anything worth buying. This trip was going the same way until we were getting ready to leave. We cut up through the candy aisle and these little beauties jumped out at me! I couldn't believe how cute they were. Only a few inches high and only $1. I was soo excited and had to have them. I scooped them up and started making my way to the register when I just happened to spot the heart shaped gumball machine all by itself in the Valentine's section. It was only $1 so it had to come home with me too! : )

The next day we were getting some groceries in Wally World when I found these cuties! I was soo excited! I couldn't believe my luck! They were only $1 each so there was no question...they were in the buggie before I even knew what had happened, haha!

SEVEN new gumball machines in two days! I'm a happy camper! : ) My little collection is growing!

Fast forward a few days....I got a flyer in the mail from Hancock Fabrics. They were having a big sale so I figured...what the heck...let's go check it out. I don't usually have much luck finding fabrics I like there...but this time I hit the mother load!

The next day I went with my mom to the East Rome Walmart and lucked up on a fabric I had been wanting forever! They are closing their fabric department so I decided to go ahead and get the rest of the bolt. I'm soo glad I did!

Yay! This will keep me busy for a while! I see lots of zipper pouches, purses, and more in my future!

Gonna get offline and watch a movie with my sweets! Hope you are having a great night! Talk to you soon!

: )

Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-14T10:12:00.003-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day babe!

I love you!

more gumball goodness!

2010-01-25T12:08:00.006-05:00

A few flickr goodies!

1. a gumball for everyone, 2. Gumball Machine, 3. gumball wizard, 4. Gumball machine in repose, 5. Gumball Machine, 6. Gumball Machines, 7. February 25, 2007, 8. Gumball row, 9. Gumball Machine

The picture in the middle is a CAKE!! WOW!

: )

a new collection : )

2010-01-25T11:17:00.007-05:00

Lately I have found myself being drawn to gumball machines. When Walmart put out the Christmas stocking stuffer goodies I was soo excited to see an adorable little red gumball machine for just a dollar! Of course I HAD to have it! : ) About a month later I came across another awesome gumball machine...this time it was pink! It was in my shopping cart before I even knew what had happened! Fast forward a week or two and I caught myself searching for gumball goodies on etsy. I found a miniature gumball machine for dollhouses and just had to grab it! So I now have a mini collection of four gumball machines! I love them! Every time I look at them they make me smile!

I am trying to convince Phillip that we need to go to Wally World today so I can grab a bag of gumballs to fill them up!

: )

2010-01-08T14:39:00.006-05:00

Last night walking up to my mom's I couldn't believe what I found in her driveway!!

Adorable kitty paw prints in the snow!!!

: )

SNOW!

2010-01-07T19:51:00.009-05:00

I can't believe it actually snowed here today! Crazy! I haven't seen snow in years! I think the last time was 1999! As soon as the flurries began we decided to harness up the pups and walk down to the lake to check things out.

Isn't Rusty the cutest in his sweater! hehe : )

We had a blast. It was Winnie's first snow! The lake was frozen and everything was soo beautiful!

This one is my favorite!!! The perfect snowflake on Phillip's coat!

After it had been snowing for a while we went back out so they could frolic.

I'm not sure who enjoyed it more...me or the puppies! : )

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-24T20:04:00.004-05:00

Christmas wishes tried and true

I'm sending now, just for you...

a little love, a little cheer,

and wishes for a great new year!

1. A Winter Entrance, 2. Bubbles, 3. my apologies to the purists, but I do love my fake plastic turquoise tree with oooooh shiny mirrored disco ball ornaments, 4. Decorated Snowflake Cookies, 5. Fabbbbulous vintage ornament wreath, 6. christmas lights, 7. christmas tree skirt, 8. snow globe christmas cookies, 9. A Splash of Christmas Color!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

2009-11-26T16:45:00.003-05:00

Hope you are having a wonderful day!

: )

Fiesta Flickr Favorites

2009-11-11T13:44:00.002-05:00

1. blue and yellow, 2. Fiestaware Rainbow, 3. IMG_4412, 4. IMG_4421, 5. get a grip., 6. My Palette, 7. bowls, 8. Display of Fiesta Colors, 9. IMG_4414

Just a few of my favorite fiesta shots from Flickr. I have been collecting fiesta for around 10 years now. I adore it! Every time I look at the rainbow of goodies in my china cabinet it makes me smile! I definitely need to photograph my collection soon!

: )

Shop Update

2009-11-05T10:32:00.012-05:00

Hey there!

Time for a quick shop update! These cuties were added to the etsy shop last night!

The three awesome black tattoo flash zippies were snapped up immediately! More of those coming soon!

Hope you are having a great day!

: )

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T10:30:00.002-04:00

Awesome Giveaway!

2009-10-26T16:02:00.004-04:00

One of my favorite stores on etsy, Fabric Shoppe, is having an amazing giveaway on her blog, everyday beautiful! She is giving away two awesome sets of fabric from her stash. There is 1/2 a yard of each fabric shown so each set has a total of 5 1/2 yards! She will be drawing 2 winners next Monday (11/2)!

Definitely check it out! And while you are at it, check out her etsy store, Fabric Shoppe! Every week she offers a different FQ for only $1!!!

: )