Tuesday Topics - 10 Things That Make You Happy

New link up.....well hello! I kept seeing the last one popping up all over my bloglovin' but I didn't want to just jump in the middle, so when I saw a new one was coming available I thought I would jump on the bandwagon with Lauren and Tiffany. Head on over to Tiffany's blog too and congratulate her on the birth of her son! She had him yesterday! Congrats to her! YAY!

This weeks topic is 10 things that make you happy! I could list so much more, but I figured I would keep the list to ten! 

#1. This handsome man!

#2 Our fur baby! Miss Shelbydoo

#3 All of these people!

Our adorable Goddaughter! Wish I could squeeze her more! Smooch!

#4 Playing music, listening to music.....anything involving music!

#5 Singing loudly for my hubby to hear!

#6 DANCING! YEA! I tend to turn and kick and shimmy all over our home!

#7 Pampering myself with a little pedicure!

#8 Any visit to the Happiest Place on Earth!

#9 A nice beverage and a relaxing vacation!

#10 The beach, anytime all the time!

Catalina Island

Half Moon Cay

Santa Barbara

Chevron Stripes with the Weekend Update

Wow.....this post is super late today! Eep! Sorry. It was a crazy busy weekend! First off, can I say that I really don't like the update to the blogger app for IPhone. Every time I use it, it makes the quality of my photo's really poor and it formats them weird and left justified! I can't seem to fix it! Any advice? I guess I will just have to do it the ole fashion way....on the computer! Gasp!

Friday we did squat! I actually did some squats; ie; my squat challenge....110 squats. Boom. Other than that we had dinner and some beverages in the form of Blue Moon and watched our DVR.

Saturday, the hubby worked and I got up early to wrap the gift for the bridal shower and get everything ready for the day. I made this cute envelope for the bride to keep all of her honeymoon cash in. Got dressed in my new outfit and made my way to the shower. I was tasked with helping with the games, so I did the purse game and the winner happened to win because she had two mini margarita's stashed in her bag! The other game was you couldn't say the groom's name or you lost your badge. (see photo below) He is a sheriff and the badges had photos when he was little glued to them!

Dress New York and Company; Necklace and earrings: Lia Sophia; Sandals: Hand-me-down; Nailpolish: Julep "Gunta"

After the bridal shower, I picked up the hubby and we made our way over to our good friends college graduation party. There was a taco cart, cookies, snacks and of course CAKE. We stuffed our faces and chatted the evening away and forgot to take photos! OOPS! We celebrate her success anyways! YAY! Miss S!

Afterwards, we made our way to Relay for Life, if you haven't heard of it....it's a wonderful charity fundraiser for all types of cancer. While it's still hard for me to get through the luminarie presentation, its a wonderful event to support people in their fight or success in the battle of cancer, and to remember those who have lost their battle. The hubbs work is a big sponsor so he stayed the night to help man the booth, while I came home and actually slept! Shelby was very happy to be in the bed!

Sunday I got up and did my Saturday cleaning that I couldn't do. Shelby hates cleaning day because I don't just stay in one room....I'm constantly back and forth; stripping the sheets, to the laundry, cleaning the bathroom, organizing the kitchen, dusting.....the whole shebang. She also really hates that loud thing that sucks....(vacuum) hence why she is hiding just out of sight in the doorway to our bedroom.

One eye and an ear! But she can see me!

After all the cleaning, I finished up a project for a guest post that will be up at the beginning of June! Stay tuned for that! It's really cute.

The hubby cooked some hamburgers and I made smoothies for dessert. He went to bed fairly early (as only getting two hours sleep) and I spent the night re-watching The Tudors on Netflix and surfing Pinterest! I hope you had a great weekend! Looking forward to NEXT! Memorial Day and three days off! Linking up with Sami's Shenanigans!

A look into my habits and all about the Mom's weekend!

So the girls behind Coffee and Conversations opened up the topics to all the readers to submit questions for the discussion. A while back I submitted three or four questions and this week they are featuring one of my questions for the discussion. Unfortunately, it was the one question that I was least prepared to answer! What's the habit your most proud of breaking? So, I have a bad habit (pun intended) of starting a goal and not always following it through, so I thought that I would put down a couple of my biggies in an attempt to start really focusing on them and working them through.

1. I want to cut the soda out of my life. Diet cola is so bad for you, but since I am not really a coffee drinker I get my caffeine jolt from my daily Diet Pepsi. This has been an especially hard thing for me. I have cut it way back and usually only have one in the morning to have my pick me up and have water the rest of the day. However, there are those weeks when I am out of the office all week, having to get take out for lunch and I fall back into the soda habit and the cycle continues. My hubby, who had a worse addiction to the stuff has almost entirely cut it out, with the exception of one 12oz can a day! That's something to be proud of and I really want to be right there with him! Working on it!

2. I am a face picker/toucher! It's awful and I always have breakouts because of it! Then I pick the scab and make the ugly blemish worse! I have tried desperately to keep my hands off of my face as of late and have seen an slight improvement in my skin, but when I am stressed I go right back to rubbing and picking! SLAP! Stop it!

3. I over analyze EVERY situation. Anything that I can stew over for months at a time I usually will. If it happened I am probably still harping over it! It is really bad and not good for my psyche! I also over analyze situations that haven't happened! I will stress out over something that I think might happen, that actually never does! Sigh. Why do I do this to myself?!!?? I know this has been an ongoing lesson to myself and a major thing that I need to work on. I continue to grow within this aspect, but I still need to continue to work on this aspect of my life, and probably will have to for the rest of my life. Another area, that is along the same lines is going above and beyond to make others happy. Sometimes I go overboard when trying to help someone that I get over-involved and am left feeling under appreciated. I don't do things to get recognition, but when I am left feeling used and abused it really hurts me. I have stopped doing things for people who don't appreciate what I have done for them and try to only do the things that I want and would make my life better and happier. I love helping people and it does make me happy when someone asks for my input, or assistance. I love to give, but have learned to not give so much that my happiness is taken away from me.

Well I hope that was a good response, because honestly I haven't "broken" any habits yet, but continue to grow with each one and take a step further in the right direction. Lauren and Kalyn have decided to make this link up every other week, so my next post won't be until May 27th and the question in the pipeline is: How would you describe modesty for the modern woman & why is (or isn't) it important in today's world? 

And NOW, a recap of the weekend! We all know it was Mother's Day yesterday. A couple of years ago I made this little triptych as a tribute to the three wonderful women I have the privilege of calling mom. My own mom on the left, my step mom in the middle and my M.I.L. on the right. All these women are great people to have in my life and are people that I can talk to when I need to vent, ask for advice or just want to spend time with!

Anyways, lets go in order.....Friday was our typical night to spend time with friends and just hang out. We went over to our friend's Mr. L's for a celebration that his roommate has tolerated the craziness for an entire year! Go S! We had a lot of laughs, some good food, drinks and conversation! Always a blast!

Saturday, I drug my slightly hungover bootay out of bed and met my wonderful mom in Palmdale to treat her to lunch and some shopping. We both got some great comfy summer dresses and I can't wait to wear mine next weekend to all the parties that are going on! Whoop! We had a nice lunch at the Olive Garden and then wandered around the mall for hours. It was good because we got an unusual heat wave this weekend and temps soared to over 100° and it was sweltering outside ! I re-found my favorite conditioner at one of the salons! Off to stock up! Once we said our goodbyes, and I got her part of our gift for the shower, I made my way back home cooked us up some dinner and we caught up on some Game of Thrones Ssn 2! Oh how I missed it!

Sunday I awoke really early, because it was just so hot. I got up and continued to work on an upcoming project! It's starting to look good! Stay tuned for that bad boy! Patriotic and glittery, can we say of course!! We called my step mom and chatted with her for a bit, then the hubby and I got cleaned up and made our way over to his parents to celebrate with his mom. He cooked up some mean steaks and corn on the cob, and I made the salad and the rest of the sides. We toasted a good glass of wine and ended the meal with strawberry shortcake. We had great conversation and a lovely time.

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

Coffee n Conversations #8 - Best Friends

It's Monday! You all know what that means.....back to work. Whomp whomp. It also means that I am linking up for Coffee and Conversations with Lauren and Kalyn!


This weeks question: What is the most valuable friendship you have in your life and what makes it so great? 

Based on previous CnC's I'm sure your all thinking that I am going to say either my hubby or my mom, and for the most part you would be right. These people are my two best friends, but honestly I do have other friends who I am not related to! Haha. So I think for the basis of this post, and because I have already sung their praises in many other posts, I will talk about someone other than these two magnificent people that I have in my life.

So, back in the good ole days of high school.....honestly its been almost 12 years since I graduated, I know I am dating myself here yes I am gonna be 30! We all had that one friend that just stuck out and was always there. For me that was my dearest and longest friend T. I have talked about him in the past.....here and here, oh and here and here!

We first met on day one of Senior Year. He had transferred from another school to come to mine because we were an arts and technology magnet school. We were both on the dance team and by mid year he invited me to his 18th birthday party. This is where it all began. After that, it seemed like we were constantly together. He had many friends, and I didn't have very many. I was an extremely introverted teenager and he completely ripped that person to pieces and pretty much transformed me into the person I am today. No more thin skin and being overly sensitive....well somewhat...we had many inside jokes and we were constantly laughing and having a wonderful time. He and I both worked at Disneyland where we made many other friends and he eventually introduced me to my loving husband. My life would be completely different if he wasn't in it! He makes both D and I laugh and he is a person that can truly be trusted to be at your side. If you are a friend he goes above and beyond to make sure you know it! He is one of those people that I can not see in months and when we return to one another, it's like no time has passed at all!

One of my favorite memories is downloading Britney Spears music videos (this is pre You Tube folks) and watching them over and over copying the choreography until we had it memorized. Honestly, anything to do with dancing and we were pretty much doing it. Taking classes, going to competitions and conventions, doing gymnastics and having my back thrown out, (so fun) choreographing, and making costumes. Even today, when we get together we sometimes have a high kick contest, he tends to win because he still dances and I usually end up being really REALLY sore the next day! We would drive with musical soundtracks like The Lion King, Newsies or 42nd Street blasting and singing every line. Going to midnight showings of every Marvel movie, seeing The Lord of the Rings the Fellowship of the Ring twice and falling asleep! Oh and there was that time when he fell asleep on the dvd remote and I had to listen to the intro to Legally Blonde for hours because I couldn't see to turn off the tv. "It's a perfect dayyyyy, with nothing standing in my wayyy." That line will forever be burned into my brain! AND! My first speeding ticket was with him. We were coming home from our shift at Disneyland and Caltrans decided to close every major freeway to get home at 1AM. We ended up on PCH completely lost. Apparently they were doing road construction there as well.....although no signs were posted. I get pulled over, T starts laughing hysterically on the phone with his mom and the CHP didn't believe that we were truly lost until after he gave me the ticket (for speeding in a construction zone) and I asked him for the 4th time how to get home. He finally changed his attitude and gave me directions, honestly he probably thought we were stupid teenagers just acting ridiculous! Thanks. I wouldn't trade any of these memories for anything in the whole world!

We still get together at least once a month to hang out, laugh, watch movies, play video games and just be overall silly! Throughout the years as you acquire friendships or acquaintances you grow apart from those that were once very close to as a younger adult. You learn about yourself through each of them and change ever so slightly. The ones that stay, and stay forever are the truly special ones. Not many people can say that they have had the same friend their entire life, like my hubby, but we both cherish this friendship because he truly is a special part of both our lives. Even with all the teasing, and the nickname I hate, (which wont be mentioned) I know that he will forever be a loyal friend and somebody that I can count on whenever I need a laugh, an ear, or just a hug. That is what makes a best friend. I love his family as though they are my own, and to me he is FAMILY, not just a friend.  I hope over the next 13 years our friendship only grows stronger! Love you T!

Now for the photo dump!

Please be kind.....some of these photos are not the greatest of me. I didn't edit any of them! My mom has a million more, it's just getting the scanner to her house and getting them all digital!

Cupcakes to Polka Dots Bloglovin Link Up

Today I'm joining up with Heather from Cupcakes to Polka Dots to co-host her Bloglovin' Link Up!

She hosts it the first and third TUESDAY of every month!

Have you heard the news that Google is getting rid of it's Reader feature?

Thankfully bloglovin is here to fill in that gap!

Here's the rules:

 Follow Cupcakes to Polka Dots and the co-hosts (that's me!!) on Bloglovin & then add your own link & then share it on Twitter! The more who join the more new exposure you get!

Hi!!!

Make sure you follow Cupcakes to Polka Dots on Bloglovin'
&

Say hello to the lovely sponsors!!

Lauren from LB in Wonderland

Diane from DD Kimball Road

Brittany Jean of Where My Soul Belongs

Rebecca from Caravan Sonnet

Make sure you tweet out:

 I joined the 2nd @Bloglovin Bloghop hosted by @heathgiff! Come join us! http://hgifford.blogspot.com/2013/04/bloglovin-link-up-2.html

Ps. If you're interested in co-hosting next month (it's free!) e-mail Heather at cupcakestopolkadots@gmail.com!

CnC #5 - Emotions on Edge

Here we are linking up again for Coffee and Conversations like we do every Monday with Lauren at Simply Free and Kalyn at Love, Laughter, Happily Ever After. This weeks question: What are you currently struggling or grappling with in your life?


I haven't really shared my thoughts on this very often in the blog world or with anyone other than my hubby and my parents. Currently I am struggling with coping, coping with feelings of inadequacy. Almost three years ago the hubby and I decided it was time to start a family. I went off birth control, and we said "when it happens it happens." I wasn't ready at the time to have children, but figured we would just let nature take its course. I had a lot of stress on my plate with dealing with the death of my father and many other things that happened in 2011 and 2012. In September of 2012 when I had to deal with my ectopic pregnancy I at least felt relieved that we were at least successful in meeting sperm to egg. I mean 2 years of strange cycles, stress and everything else can make you think that something is wrong with you. So even though we had to deal with the loss, we both felt good that we could at least get there, even with the risks of another one eventually happening.

However here we are, April. 4 months after the go ahead from the doctor to start again and here I am, baby-less. I have cried a lot this month. Those feelings of inadequacy are running really high. I had huge hopes that March would be our month but our last day in Florida I lost my hope. It just sucks. I know so many people that are welcoming their babies into the world over the last month, and all the while I am so happy for them but can't help but wish for my turn. I know I cannot compare myself to others because I don't know what struggles they have gone through for their family, but I see pregnant people everywhere! There's always that joke that there's something in the water, but I know that its not an epidemic, that its on my mind and I am noticing it more. But going to baby showers and feigning excitement is getting really hard. Making tiny gifts and looking at registries just makes me want it more.

I have told the hubby that all I want for my 30th birthday is to be growing a child, but as that date creeps closer and closer (June) it gets harder to imagine success. I know I still have time. I broke down, used some Amazon credits and bought an OPK's to try out. Maybe my little phone app is just off to when I actually ovulate and even though I'm temping, it still is really hard to get an accurate time because I can't really trust the damn thermometer. So were gonna try this for a couple of months and see how it goes. Frankly, almost everyone that I personally know has conceived using them, so I don't know why I waited so long to buy them. I am trying to keep all my thoughts to the positive side, still hopeful that things will come the all natural way. Send me baby dust! I could really use it!

So here in lies the truth behind my crafty craze lately! I need to keep my mind, hands, and everything else busy! At least you all get to enjoy the fruits of that! Coming up this week.....baby diaper and wipes case, and hoping to have completed the cute crochet pillow that I talked about here. I also went shopping for fabrics for the hubbies quilt! Stay tuned for an update on that!

Preview of pillow top.

Coffee n Conversations #2 - Thankful

Here it is week #2 of coffee and conversations. Although for me it's more Caffeine and Conversations or Coke and Conversations as I rarely drink coffee.....but anyways that's not why we are here is it! I am linking up again and every Monday with Lauren at Simple Free and Kalyn at Love, Laughter, Happily Ever After and this weeks topic is: What are you most thankful for this year so far?

I am sitting to write this post several days early as we are currently in Florida visiting family. I did write an I am thankful post back in November for Thanksgiving, but I figured that I could go a little more in depth. First off I am thankful to have such a wonderful support group that is my family including my extended family. When my dad was sick and when he eventually passed, family I had never met came to my side and was there for me. Even now, after only meeting them once or twice in my adult life as I head to Florida I have been swamped with facebook messages about wanting to see us and visit. I have gotten many notes over the last two years and our first day in Florida is going to be a mini family reunion as well as a friend get together of all the people that were there for me and my stepmom that year. I am looking so forward to seeing all of them. Also I am thankful for the relationship that I have with my stepmom. Our relationship hasn't faltered and we still talk on a monthly basis to catch up on each others lives. I am truly blessed to have her in my life.

I am thankful for my parents; my mom and stepdad. They have always been by my side and truly only want what is best for me. They have brought in my hubby and have truly made him like a son to them. Our memories that we have created over my 30 years are some of the best times.....including the time you threw me in the corner dad! Yea! I know you know what I am talking about. To clarify, the abridged version, he didn't throw me in the corner. We had a ritual at night where he would take me to my room for bed and without turning on the lights would throw me from my door into bed, then we would read a story until it was moms turn to tuck me in......well one day my mom cleaned my room and, because she was unaware of this ritual, moved my bed to the complete other side of the room. Needless to say I was left in a crumpled mess on the floor and my dad was a wreck. Well its safe to say that ritual was shot to s#^t. Haha. Even though I wasn't the easiest child to deal with, they both always loved me with all of their hearts and still do. There support emotionally and financially growing up...their advice and ear in my adulthood is the best thing to have. I love them so much!

I am thankful for my little family. Our pup is the light and the silly in our lives! I am so glad that we decided to rescue her and bring her into our crazy family. I am so truly thankful for my husband. I cannot say this enough and many people I know are probably like *puke! stop talking about it!* but in all seriousness, I couldn't have chosen a better partner. Yes, marriage isn't easy. It takes a lot of compromising and forgiveness, but without that you never learn about yourself or the other person. Patience and a good ear for listening are key. Also keeping the love alive and a smile on your face. After 12 years we still love each other just as much as we did the first year! He is my rock and my warmth. I love you babie.

This last thing was more for last year. I am thankful for the lessons. Things happen in your life and either you can let them tear you down or you can learn and grow from them. I had my dark times and I needed that dark time. I saw the things that I needed to change and made the steps towards those changes. I still have work to do, because we are always works in progress, but I feel like I have made leaps and bounds towards a new and better me. A healthy outlook on the future and my life!

There you go. My philosophical moment is over. I hope you all will join in on this link up! The questions are great and insightful! Happy Monday!

Coffee n Conversations Link Up with some Bucket Lists!

So I am trying something new this week and linking up with Lauren at Simply Free and Kalyn at Love, Laughter, Happily Ever After and their Coffee and Conversations Link Up. I have never participated in a link up before but this one seems like its a good one.


This weeks question is: What are you most thankful for this year? Even though this year is still relatively new, I am so thankful for my husband and my family, including my extended family and friends family. They continue to remind me how wonderful people can be. All the memories that have been made already this year will last a lifetime and I am thankful to have their support! My husband truly is the best! I couldn't ask for a better man to share in this journey. And even though we continue to try and start our family.... each month that passed he's ready and willing to do what it takes! And for that I am truly blessed. Hopefully as the year progresses I will have much more to be thankful for, but for now it's the memories that we make and the people that have helped to make them! I love you all!

In addition to being thankful for all those in my life, I am thankful that we checked off two, well technically three, more items on our bucket list this weekend!!!! If you know, my hubby and I have a lifetime bucket list (listed at the top under Lifetime of Memories) and also a yearly bucket list which we try and accomplish little things around our area. We live in the touristy area of Los Angeles, and there are many things that we have not done so its a fun way to create memories and see all that California has to offer. This weekends task: City Walk, Saddle Ranch and riding the mechanical bull. We have both been to City Walk, but not really together.....yea there was that one time we went to Tokyo Delves and walked to Howl at the Moon, but we never went to City Walk to see what it's about. Granted....it's just food and shopping, but its something fun to do on a Sunday afternoon without breaking the bank with theme park prices. Our friend's The Morr's joined us with their little one. We walked around and decided that we were going to eat at Saddle Ranch, ride the bull and then go and do the indoor skydiving.

The Infamous Globe

Lunch was great and the boys partook in the bottomless Bloody Mary's (D) and Mimosa's (R). Every so often a waiter would pass with the biggest cotton candy tower I have ever seen and we all were drooling so we ordered one and between the five of us packed that bad boy away! James was a little perplexed by it's size, but once he had his first bite of sugary goodness he was hooked. We then signed our liability wavers and went to ride that bull. We were a little intimidated as the girl said "In the year I have worked here I have only seen 5 people get seriously injured." Um.....yea. Not something you want to hear when you are willing doing something like that. We each had our turn and R and James thought it was thoroughly entertaining watching us ride the bull. Did we get video.....heck ya! Check out D and I below!

3 Feet of sugary goodness!

Save a horse, ride....a mechanical bull?

After all that fun had ended, we made our way back over to the indoor skydiving....only to find out it was a three hour wait cause we didn't have a reservation. :-( The guy was super helpful and even gave us a tip to come back on Wednesdays after 6pm.....half price! So much better and worth the trip back! On the list to do! We went and did a little shopping and then went into Jillian's to play some arcade games. We did a little ski-ball and James won a water gun! Yea! We had such a blast with them and can't wait to go back and do the indoor skydiving! It looked so fun! Hope your weekend was fun!

Here's us on the bull! HAHA!