Real Life: Live & Unscripted

Vacation

See ya'll in a couple weeks!

Linky Love.....

(this has been in my drafts FOREVER. I just added a few things to it lol)

GREAT post!

http://www.neveragainministries.info/blog/2011/05/14/So-wheres-all-the-good-men.aspx

 

Another great post. Long but worth the read:

http://serenity23.blogspot.com/2011/05/cleaning-up-junk.html

OHHH, Y'all KNOW I love sparkly! Thanks to Mrs. AKAtude for this link!

http://glitz-n-glamouronline.com/index.php?route=common/home

Great post for married couples with kids http://newmamaswagger.com/2011/07/12/scheduling-sex/

SO MAD AT NETFLIX for this!!!! http://www.marketwatch.com/story/netflix-separates-dvd-streaming-plans-2011-07-12

Fantastic read! http://blackandmarriedwithkids.com/2011/07/08/are-you-living-your-life-for-what-really-matters

Great article!
http://www.neveragainministries.info/blog/2011/07/21/Things-I-Wish-Singles-Knew-Before-Marriage.aspx

OMG - Tany is the woman I want to sew like when I grow up. I've been seeing snake print stuff in ALL the magazines. I will make some form of snake print dress for the fall. It's a MUST lol.

http://tanyetlamode.blogspot.com/2011/07/diy-snake-print-dress-vestido-estampado.html#comment-form

Pictures from my G2: Photo Dump Part 2

Yes yes YES. Best $16 bucks I've EVER spent on a cup! It keeps my hot stuff HOT and my cold stuff COLD. I LOVE IT.

 

The kids had a great time with some water guns at the YMCA. We go nearly everyday to swim lol

 


Went to Cajun Steamer with my boo for lunch. Love that the kids are old enough for us to just leave so we can continue to build our relationship with each other.

She was in the WRONG section at the library lol

Saw some great fire works. Tells you how long some of these pics have been in my phone lol.

Mom has a great patch of canteloupe. It's SO good.She has a great garden every year. She is going to help me plant one in the fall. YAY!

I don't knwo where we were coming from but they were KNOCKED OUT.

Lookie at Kayla when she was a little babyyyyy. Awwwwwww.

Me and my sweetie pie.

Aren't these cute? lol

Kayla spent some time getting a pedicure!

On Friday's the YMCA has the snow cone truck lol.

I get my swim ON. I love that they will give you a lane to swim laps so you don't have to share the pool with all DEM kids lol. Swimming is the best exercise EVER.

Hey kids!!! (this was while Jaelyn was in China, that's why she isn't in most of these lol)

Taught Kayla to knit....she hasn't picked up the needles SINCE then lol

We hit up a book sale....man, we had a GOOD time lol

Organized and got rid of belts. I LOVE belts.

Love this pic of my dad cutting grass EARLY lol

Finally ate at Zea's. VERY GOOD.

Touch screen soda machine thingy lol. I don't even DRINK soda but I almost wanted one. There were like five different types of sprite lol. The kids loved it lol

 

Ok that's it. We are ALL caught up lol

Toodles!

 

 

 

Have y'all seen this?

Ok, dude got me TRIPPEN lol

 

I'm trying not to watch ALL his videos lol.

Pictures from my G2: Photo Dump Part 1

OMG YALL!!! lolI JUST figured out how to upload pics DIRECTLY from my phone to my blog! ITS ON lol

Got some new polish!! LOL don't worry, two of them are being mailed out today lol

You seriously get as much icing as you do cupcake. Aj and Jaelyn don't like icing lol. Well not a lot of it. The more the better for Kayla and myself lol.

We FINALLY made it over to Gigi's Cupcakes. The red velvet cake SUCKED. It was horrible. Icing was good, cake was TERRIBLE. The wedding cake cupcake was INSANE. SO GOOD.

Genghis Grill is becoming my favorite. I LOVE IT.

I got this over the door rack for my accessories a few months ago. I LOVE this thing. SO good now because I can see all my stuff and I know where everything is lol.I also know what I want/need to add to my collection. Accessories are the best and cheapest way to change an outfit. IMO lol

My camera had to go in for treatment lol. Did y'all know Wolf Camera no longer carries Canon cameras IN the store??? THE NERVE. I'm about to get a new camera though. YAY!

 

 The girls were picking polish fresh out the swimming pool lol

I hate when Tony goes to get a haircut and brings these home lol. I have to TELL him before he leaves the house do NOT stop by that dreadful place lol. If the "hot" sign is on, its OVER lol.

This sweet lady had on a skirt made from the SAME fabric as my dress lol. That has NEVER happened. She purchased hers a couple years ago lol. I JUST made mine lol.

Kayla LOVES this flower lol. It's suede AND bling lol.

I had to speak on a panel at church. I really enjoyed it!

I love this necklace lol

After drinking this with all those extra shots...I could NOT go to sleep that day, and I had it around 9am O_O.

Smells SO good in my truck! Thanks Kisha lol

Best $5 I've ever spent lol.

 

Jaelyn bought me some angry birds back from China lol

I LOVE BOMB POPS!

Mannnnnnn she KILLIN THE GAME! LOL

Started a GREAT Bible study with the girls. They are really liking it.

When ever we crave something fried (fish or chicken) we always cook it outside. I will NEVER fry in the house again. Tastes SO much better lol.

My brothers gave me some loveeeeeeeeeeeee lol

 

Love getting mail like this *SMILES*

Kids played in the pouring down rain the other day.

This is how Jaelyn does her summer work. O-O

Me and Emileeeee.

Ok, I'll upload more later lol. I'm WAY behind lol. Guess this is Part 1 lol.

 

Vogue 8648

 

Vogue 8648

 

 

Pattern Description: Lined dresses A, B, C, D, E, F, fitted through bust, mid-knee, have princess seams, bias midriff and back zipper. A, B, C: bias sides, straight skirt with back slit. B: contrast sides and midriff. D, E, F: bias side bodice, circular skirt, narrow hem. E: contrast bodice. C, F: above elbow sleeves.

Pattern Sizing:14-22


Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes
Were the instructions easy to follow? Very easy

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? Loved the style


Fabric Used: Cotton Sateen with lycra


Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I didn't line this dress. I also didn't add a zipper. My fabric had SO much stretch to it that when I added the zipper it almost looked like it was trying to "ruffle up" if that makes sense. So I took it out and basted it closed to see if I could get away without putting the zipper in. I didn't need it AT all. I was able to pull it over my head with no problem. I also added two inches to it. Without that it would have been too short for my taste. It hits right below my knee.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I might make another view of this for the fall, I really wanted to showcase this gorgeous fabric. I highly recommend it if you like this style.

Conclusion: Great pattern, very easy to make.

Soul Food, My Walk With God

 

FRIENDS

Over the past few years (really the past 8 or 9 years) I have always been surrounded with "friends".

I always thought I had to be around a bunch of people to be happy, so I was ALWAYS around a bunch of people. I knew folks from everywhere and was ALWAYS talking to someone.

That got me into some trouble. Trouble I didn't see coming, but trouble Tony saw coming a MILE away. I ignored him. I kept thinking, dang, dude just doesn't want me to have ANY friends. BOY was I wrong.

It had gotten to a point where Tony would warn me EVERY time I introduced him to a "new friend". I was living the high life, but my marriage was failing.

You see, Tony can "see" people. Like forreal. Don't think you are gonna pull one over on him. He can tell right off if you are up to no good or not. He has ALWAYS been like that. ALWAYS. Now, when he tells me about someone, I listen. I've learned the hard way. I'm through with that test.

We went through some VERY rough times. REAL rough. Like ready to throw in the towel rough. We got through it. Thankfully.

I thought I was good. I thought I was over the friend thing. NOT.

What I've learned is that you will take the SAME EXACT TEST until you pass it.

I make "friends" really quick. I click with a lot of people instantly and that isn't always a good thing.

When I think back over these past years and all of these past friendships, my heart will start to get heavy. WHY? Because there were SO many different people in my life. Some we just lost touch, some friendships grew apart, others were ended and they ended bad.

Then I start to REALLY think about these people that have been in my life. Some were in it for one reason or another, some for a "season". I think about the good times, the bad times, and where things went wrong.

I think about all the lessons I've learned, and boy have I learned a LOT of lessons.

One of the most important lessons I've learned is HOW TO BE A FRIEND.

I have NOT always been a good friend. I've done things I'm ashamed of, said things I shouldn't have said and gone places that I had NO business going.

I think God allowed me to go through the things I've gone through concerning my friends so I could REALLY learn to be a GOOD friend.

When I gave my life back to God in January, I had to let go of a LOT of people. It wasn't because I didn't care about them or thought I was better than them, it was because I just couldn't be in a friendship where I wasn't being a blessing to someone OR if that person wasn't being a blessing to me.

Now, hopefully that doesn't come off as selfish, but I can't be around people who are always bringing me down. I know we all have our "moments" but that's all that they should be, moments. Moments SHOULDN'T be an everyday thing (IMO).

I didn't feel bad about my decision, but at times I wondered if I was doing the right thing and EVERYTIME I would wonder that, God would confirm it for me.

For WEEKS after we joined our new church home, someone was ALWAYS talking about friends, and how you just can't hang out with everyone. WEEKS. WEEKSSSSS!! I was like ok God, I hear you, and I stood firm on my decisions.

I made a vow when we got to our new church, I was going to Praise and Worship my God, and hear the Word. I was NOT going to make friends. I didn't NOT want to make friends based on someones apperance (because let's face it, that's all you see at first). I told God, my purpose was to serve Him. "IF" I made a friend along the way, fine, but I specifically asked Him to place people in my life who were good for me, and people who I could be good for.

No more dead weight. NONE.

No more takers. NONE.

ONLY people who would be a blessing and people I could be a blessing to.

God has indeed started to place those people in my life. I appreciate what He is doing, but I'm thankful that He trusts me enough to have a REAL friend. To BE a real friend.

I've messed over so many friendships in the past, I now know how to appreciate a friend. I know how to BE a friend. I know how to be a wife AND a friend. Things I had NO idea about before. That is why my marriage suffered. I would put my friends BEFORE my husband.

BIG HUGE NO -NO. But yep, I did. (dumb huh? lol) Had some reallllllllllllllllllllllllyyyyyyyyyyyyyy not so good days lol.

I'm thankful that God kept His hands on my marriage. Even through all my junk. Don't get it twisted, Tony hasn't been a Saint, but this ain't about him. It's about ME and MY junk.

 Tears fill my eyes because I feel a release. One that's I've been praying about since January. I've needed to truly let go of something and it's finally happening. I thank God for it. I truly do.

I no longer need to be around everyone all the time. I no longer need to be around "everyone". The people I need to be around live in the same house as me.

Now that doesn't mean that I don't go out and have a good time. I do. WITHOUT the folks that live in this house lol. I need that. Shoot, we ALL need that, but that "need" for everyone is gone.

God has filled my life with SO much.

That "need" for people has turned into a "need" for prayer and a "need" to read God's Word. That not only benefits me, but it benefits those that God has placed in my life. It benefits those people I will cross paths with on a daily basis. It benefits those who call/email/text/facebook/tweet me needing some advice or asking me to pray for them.

I don't have many people I talk to on a daily basis. THREE that are constant. ONE of those people I don't live with but love her dearly. We both know that God placed us in each others lives at the right time. She has told me what her reason for being in my life is(said she got real nosy and started asking God all kind of questions about me lol) , and she has told me why she believes I'm in her life but I know ONE reason God placed her in my life is because He can now trust me with HIS people.

That means a lot to me. A WHOLE lot.

That's all I have for today lol. My heart is so full because God has answered my prayer. I'm free from it now and for that I am thankful.

 

I'm not perfect, just striving to be the woman God wants me to be. Keeping my life lined up with the WORD!

McCall's 6355

  I've been sewing my behind off lol. It's been a busy couple of weeks and I'm way behind on reviews. I made this one last week. I've also made like 3 maxi dresses, a swimsuit, a tunic and something else lol. Hopefully I'll get to post them this week, if not it'll be in a couple weeks.

I'm getting all this summer stuff out of my system, but I'm trying to use colors that will transition well into the fall. Think maxi dress, cardigan and a cute boot lol. It stays hot for SO long here in Alabama, I'm gonna make this work lol.

 

 

McCall's 6355

 

**Does anyone have any tips on matching stripes????? The other side matches fine, but the side you see does NOT. They didn't match until the bottom O_o. Any tips would be greatly appreciated**

 

Pattern Description: Semi-fitted top, dress have optional front and back vertical darts, self-neck binding and optional invisible side seam zipper. A, B: Self armhole binding.

Pattern Sizing: 16-22 (This dress REALLY fits. I didn't want it tight, I wanted it to skim my body so I cut the 16 and graded out to an 18 at the hips. Had I made the 14 it would have looked like a 1995 Body Dress. Remember those?? O-O


Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Pretty much, I just made it maxi length.

Were the instructions easy to follow?I didn't even use them.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I loved the style of this dress. I've been seeing tank dresses everywhere.


Fabric Used: Cotton Jersery


Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I made it maxi length and I used FOE instead of self fabric binding.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?I might sew this style again. It's a great way to use up some extra fabric.

Conclusion: Great pattern. Very quick and easy. I've been seeing stripes everywhere and this was a great way to add a simple dress to my wardrobe.

Here's a quick cell phone pic of the FOE I used:

Questions about Jaelyn's China trip

Hey guys, Jaelyn is going to do a guest post about her trip to China. Have any questions you want to ask (I know Monique does lol)? Ask away and I'll let her answer them. Gonna try to have it up on Friday.

 

Toodles!

Soul Food, My Walk With God

Change

I looked up the definition of change and I liked this one:

2. to transform or convert

 

These posts aren't for y'all but to remind me of where I've come from so I won't go back there again. Might not share all the intimate details of my wrong doings or my trials but I was deep off in sin. Doing things and participiting n things I knew were not of God, and doing these things NOT so long ago.

I'm so thankful for where I am in God today. I learned (just on yesterday) that growth in God is a process. It won't happen overnight, so I'm going to enjoy this process. This very internal change that God is doing in my life.

Not just MY life, but in Tony, Jaelyn, Kayla and Aj. It's amazing what can happen when your entire family has the same goal. To live a life for God.

I tried for so long to stop the crap I was doing. I went from one horrible thing to another and it just kept getting worse.

What I learned is that change happens from the inside out and no matter how much someone ELSE wants you to change and do right, you HAVE to want it for yourself. There is no other way around it.

If you change for someone else and not yourself, you will be back to your old ways in no time.

That's why it's so important to do it for YOU. You have to do it because YOU desire to do better, because YOU want to do things differently. If you don't do it for you and you alone, you will fail. No way around it.

That's all I have to say lol. Just wanted to get that out.

I'm not perfect, just striving to be the woman God wants me to be. Keeping my life lined up with the WORD!

Butterick 5490

Butterick 5490

Pattern Description: Fitted, pleated dresses A, B, above mid-knee or evening length, have lined bodice and midriff, flared skirt and back zipper.

Pattern Sizing: 8-14


Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

YES!
Were the instructions easy to follow? Very easy. I think I only glanced at them when I started.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I loved all the pleats!


Fabric Used: Cotton


Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I made it a little longer than the short version. I think I added two inches.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I doubt if I will sew this again, but if you like this style I do recommend it.

Conclusion: Great patter. Another simple summer dress.

Here are some additional pictures:

Ugh, I need a new dressform lol. Don't laugh at her. She has some issues lol

I love the pleats!

Funny thing about that zipper. I ALWAYS keep zippers here. ALWAYS, and uhhh well I didn't have a white one long enough so I used  a black one. Great thing about invisible zippers....you can't see anything except the tab...IF you put it in right lol. Mine was in the right way lol

I kept my accessories simple since my necklace was bold.

Having fun with the director of photography Jaelyn lol

Y'all have a good one!

 

Hump Day Ramblings....

OMG it's been forever since I rambled lol. Lets gooooo lol

• I just ate a poptart. I haven't had one in FOREVER.

• We bought a mega pack of beef jerky. We love beef jerky. So does AJ lol.

• 150 days.

• I have about TWO FULL weeks to get some major stuff done. THAT IS ALL THE TIME I HAVE. WHOAAA.

• I've been doing great with keeping up with my email lol.

• We swim everyday.

• Swimming will WEAR YOU OUT. Best exercise ever.

• I'm about to get my hair done sooooooo, umm yeah lol. I'll be in the cool gym lol.

• I STILL love my G2.

• I'm learning to love not being around a lot of people all the time.

• I'm not on twitter as much as I used to be. Not during the week anyway. I have fun on the weekends on there. Well, Friday and Saturday lol.

• I love what God is doing in my life.

• I haven't always been a good person OR done the right things. I thank God for forgiveness and grace.

• I saw something today that made me think back. I smiled.

• I kinda want some idle time. Like forreal. I think when the kids go back to school I'm gonna take that week to just be idle. No TV, no driving (other than school) no nothing lol.

• God will let me know when I don't need to fool with certain folks. I listen to Him too.

• TONY STUPID LOL. He tricked me lol

• Jaelyn made brownies yesterday. They are good lol

• Google really works. I wish some folks would try it.

• I didn't want an Ipad. Like I REALLY didn't. Now I do lol. Shoot. lol.

• I'm not going to sleep through my alarm clock in the morning lol. Promise.

• Having two successful business-ess-esses,lol is a lot of work but so worth it. God has blessed me indeed!

• My side hurts...whoooaaa what did I just doooo???? lol

• I need to order my MIL her bday gift. Like TODAY lol

Alright, y'all ramble!! it's been a minute lol

Tagged!

Monique tagged me so here goes lol

RULES:

List 7 random things about yourself, pass the award to bloggers

and answer a couple of questions....

• I don't ever walk around with bare feet.
• I hate b.r.a.s. I think they were invented by the devil himself.
• I don't like sleeping with my closet doors open. HATE IT.
• I love loud music.
• I have only read one book this year lol.
• My car is often junky.
• I kissed Andre and Z the other night and it was HILARIOUS because neither of them was expecting it lol.

Q and A session

Favorite Color: Orange

Favorite Song: Souled Out by Hezekiah Walker

Favorite Dessert: Birthday Cake

Biggest Pet Peeve: People who don't tell the whole truth!

When You are Upset, You: Pray & Cry.

Your Favorite Pet: KITTENS!!!

Black or white: WHITE!

Biggest Fear: Not being a good wife or mom. (Was a horrible one not long ago lol)

Best Feature: My heart

Everyday Attitude: Thankful

What Is Perfection: When the entire family is happy at the same time.

Guilty Pleasure: Single Ladies. The show is horrible lol. A train wreck lol. Can't seem to stop watching lol.

I'm not going to tag anyone but if you want to play along have at it and have fun lol

McCall's 6204

                                    
                                                            McCall's 6204

Pattern Description: Loose fitting, pullover tunics A, B have extended shoulders and stitched hems; tunic A has short sleeves on right side, left side drapes, angled hem, optional purchased jewel appliques, wrong side of fabric shows; tunic B has shirt tail hem, purchased jewel stones.

I made view A.

 
Pattern Sizing: 8-16


Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

YES!
Were the instructions easy to follow? Didn't even use them.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I never noticed this pattern until Erica B made it. I fell in love instantly lol. I LOVE everything about this pattern.


Fabric Used: Some type of sheer mystery knit lol. I loved the colors in it and had to have it.


Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I made it a little longer so I can wear it belted.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I don't know if I'll make it again but I'm going to hang on to this pattern JUST in case. I highly recommend it.

Conclusion: Great pattern! Very simple.

Here are a couple more pics:

Just a pic of it without my belt on.

I fell in love with this belt a few months ago.It was featured here:

HAD TO HAVE IT lol.

The skirt I'm wearing is McCall's 5523 view A.

I won't review it again, I made view B here. This is QUICKLY becoming my favorite skirt lol.

That's it. More reviews later this week lol.

I'm thankful for my mojo y'all lol.

Butterick 5652

 

Butterick 5652

 

 

Pattern Description: Misses' Top, Dress, Caftan, Jumpsuit and Pants

Pattern Sizing: XSM- MED


Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

YES!
Were the instructions easy to follow? I didn't even use the instructions lol

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I loved the style and how easy it was lol. I'm ALL about the simple stuff right now lol.


Fabric Used: Challis


Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I made it shorter than the original version.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I do plan to make it again. It was SUPER easy and really comfy!

Conclusion: Great pattern. Looks WAYYY better than the pattern envelope lol

10 Day YOU Challenge - Day Eight

Eight fears.

That I'm not being the best wife I can be.

That I'm not being the best mother I can be.

Snakes.

Bugs.

ANYTHING creepy and crawly.

ANYTHING that flies!!! I don't like flying bugs either!

Food poisining. Don't even ask lol.

Dropping my phone. Whatttttttttttttttt??????

 

lol toodles!

McCall's 6348

My sewing mojo is BACK!! I've made like 3 dresses, a tunic and a skirt lol. More reviews to come lol  *please excuse my extra puffy hair, humidity ain't NO JOKE lol*

 

McCall's 6348

 

Pattern Description: Misses Dress

Pattern Sizing: 12-18


Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

YES! Even the same color.
Were the instructions easy to follow? SUPER easy.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I loved the simplicity of this dress.


Fabric Used: Ponte Roma. I'm in LOVE with this stuff.


Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: None

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I WILL be making this again in black. I always say that lol, but this will be a perfect LBD.

Conclusion: SUPERB pattern. Very simple and I love it.

Here are a couple additional pictures:

A back view.

I wore it with a cardigan to church. What this made me realize is that this cardigan makes me look so "Susy Homemaker" lol. I'm going to make a "jazzy" cardigan. That would have really taken it up a level lol. *point noted* lol

Alright, back to the sewing machine I go!!! I did make a vest which was the WRONG thing to start with seeing as how I haven't sewn since MOTHER'S DAY lol. So the things I've been making are just simple things. Like REAL simple. Works for me lol.

 

10 Day YOU Challenge - Day Seven

Seven wants.

This one might be kinda hard because I don't really WANT anything. Like I'm not agressively seeking to have someTHING. lol

Let's see how this goes.

A closer relationship with God.

A new fridge. We have had ours for a LONG time. I just WANT a new one lol. It is NOT a need lol.

New doors on the house.

Another macbook. Y'all know my laptop died right? I need to remind Tony about that lol.

To babysit Aiden more lol.

To travel more.

New windows on the house!

 

ROFLOL, that was harder than y'all think lol.