Happy New Year 2015!

What? I know...I know! Where in the world have I been?

I am still here...just haven't been able to stamp much lately, as my stamp room is all packed up and has been for several weeks! Our air conditioner flooded my stamp room and we had to pack everything up. We plan on buying a house real soon, so there was no point in unpacking everything.

I have been itching to get back into my stamps, ink and paper! I am literally bursting at the seams with anticipation...I cannot wait to begin setting up my dream stamp room. Yes...I will have my dream stamp room. It is a requirement for our new house!

I have been getting creative (just not with my stamps). I  have been antique store hopping a lot. I got started on some projects using very old floor heaters. Super neat! I will definitely share those pics on a different day.

I sat here last night, remembering what I was doing on New Year's Eve last year. I was in my stamp room, watching movies with my boys and stamping the night away. AND...I created my first blog post ever on this blog. New Year's 2014.

Last night...I cuddled on the couch with my Hunny and two of my three boys...and we watched movies and ate snacks. And I actually made it to midnght! 

I didn't get to stamp..and haven't for a bit, but I wanted to update everyone and let you know that I am still here and dying to get creative again! 

By the way...have you seen the new Stampin' Up! occasions catalog and Sale-A-Bration catalog? Squeeel!! I cannot wait to get my hands on some of those goodies...even if I have to wait a bit to play with them. 

Well, here is to a new year! I've said it before but I know THIS is going to be our year! I can't wait to see what is in store for my family. Many blessings to you and yours.

Welcome 2014...Happy New Year!

New year...new blog...first post!

My oh my! What a year it has been...I feel like I have just come to a sudden stop after a wild roller coaster ride! I have never been more ready for a new year, a fresh start. How about you?

2013 has really been a year of ups and downs. No doubt, there were plenty of blessings though. I am pretty sure the last 6 months have aged me..eh..10 years? If you read my other blog (stamperbythesea.blogspot.com) then you know I took on a full time job for the first time in about 8 years this past summer. I started the end of May and I just left that job a couple of weeks ago. THAT was an experience! Lets just say, having a husband that works out of town and three VERY active boys...I took on more than I could handle. I tried to hang in as long as I could and it was very stressful.  Very stressful. I didn't want to leave because I really love the ladies I worked with but my home life was hanging on by a thread. I finally had to make a change...for my family and my sanity.

I hardly had time for anything, much less stamping and other things I enjoy so much. It was absolute chaos. During all that, we were also looking for a new home. I don't even want to re-live that experience! We still have yet to find a home-matter of fact-we don't even know for sure anymore where exactly we want our home to be. So...our search continues. BUT I will NOT let it consume my every thought like I was doing. Talk about draining! 

I can't tell you how happy I am to be back home. Things are so much more calm. My kids love it - I have already seen such a change in their behavior. I have spent lots of time in my stamp room! I want to spend more time stamping - it is my therapy..seriously. And the cool thing is-my kids like to spend time in my stamp room with me! Matter of fact, my youngest is sitting on my lap as I type.

I am glad I went to work and had that experience. I used to always wonder if being at home was what I should be doing. Was I contributing enough? Should I be working since all my boys were in school now?Now I know without a single doubt! I am right where I need to be.

I am determined this year is going to be better. I know I probably said that last year but, seriously, I will not let things get to me like I have been. I will let things go. I admit, I'm a worry wort. I like to be in control. I am going to try real hard to "roll with the flow" (or is it "row"?). I need to let things go so they don't control me (because I can clearly see when looking back - I was never in control). I just want to enjoy each day, thoroughly. I want to focus on my family and myself. Enough putting my energy into things that don't matter.

I also really want to make my family's health a huge priority. Like , for instance, getting rid of all processed food and replace it with real, wholesome food only. This is a HUGE goal because, as you know, fast food and Wal-Mart are quite the convenience. I am totally spoiled. But it is time for a change - I am ready to feel better. I have been reading a lot about the health benefits of eating real food (not that it's shocking that pumping ourselves full of chemicals and synthetic hormones is bad for us...go figure!) and I am really excited to get my family on that path. I've already tossed the chemical filled products in our house and that has been great! That was my first step. Now I know changing our eating habits is going to be a  bit more challenging. I have been following 100 Days of Real Food, which is a fantastic website if you are interested. She helps you shop for whole foods on a budget and even has meal plans. I am looking forward to the challenge. 

Well, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and are as excited as I am to start the new year! What do you think of my new blog? I decided to start fresh here to. My old blog name was too close to another demo's blog name and I wanted something of my own. How much more of  "my own" can I get than my name? Pretty simple, huh? Just how I want this year to be. I hope you will visit me often here at my new spot. If you read my old blog, drop me a comment and let me know you found me! Also, go "like" my facebook page to as I will be sharing daily over there.

Here is to a new year! Bring it on 2014 - I am ready! This is going to be a great year. Enjoy and many blessings to everyone. Stay safe!