Finally right?  Thanks for being patient (and I will say this would have been up much sooner…I don’t think I could have had more issues with my camera and blog today if I tried).  *sigh*

Happy 3-Year Blogoversary to me!  In honor of this monumental event (yes, it is monumental to me), I’m having my very first giveaway.  While it’s a girly giveaway, don’t let that stop you if you’re a guy…your significant other (I’m sure) will gladly take this off your hands.

First, let me tell you what’s included in this giveaway (picture below)…

• 7″W x 9.25″H Fabric Covered Journal.  This journal is perfect to use as a notebook, journal, sketchbook, or scrapbook.  I have not added anything extra to the pages as I want it to be up to you to personalize it yourself by adding tags, scrapbook paper, embellishments, etc…  It has 17 enclosures, which makes 34 pages total (since each enclosure is folded in half).  All in all, there are 68 sides to write, draw, or create on.  There are a mixture of papers inside.  Some pages are card stock, some are colored index cards, others are folded envelopes, cards, folders, and time cards.  Plenty included to get your creative juices flowing.
• Gift Card Holder/Business Card Holder.  I’ve been using mine as a gift card holder so I can have them all in one spot and not forget about them.  It has an elastic closure to keep everything inside.
• $5 Starbucks Gift Card.  Of course, something has to be put in the Gift Card Holder and why not a Starbucks gift card (my favorite!).
• 3 Paper Covered Card Stock Stitched Bookmarks.  I obviously just blogged about these the other day.  They slide onto the corner of the page of the book.  Thanks to Danielle’s suggestion, I found three sayings I liked and wrote them on each bookmark (sorry I wasn’t creative with my handwriting).
• 10 Handmade Envelopes.  A few years ago, I received a note in the mail and it was inside a handmade envelope.  I felt so special that someone chose to use such a nice envelope on me, so I started to make my own.  Here’s a set of 10 handmade envelopes (size A2) with labels already on them (so you can write the address and it be seen).  There are no enclosures for these envelopes.  I usually just use cute notepad paper or cut a piece of card stock to size and adhere a colored paper to the back side to make it decorative as well.
• Mini Jar Holder.  This past week I finished a jar of thyme.  I had just read a post about using paper to decorate jars to use to either hold small things (using the lid) or use as a pencil/pen holder (without the lid, obviously).  I figured I’d give it a try.  I did wash the jar, but I still smell thyme.
• Fabric Basket.  This is what I was creating last night and finishing up today.  I just came across a tutorial last night and wanted to make it.  I thought if I didn’t make it to include in my giveaway, the idea would sit forever and probably never be attempted.  It is by far not perfect (at all).  The sides don’t match up, the bottom is “baggy”, etc…, but it’s handmade, still usable (if you’re not picky about it not being perfect) and it’s washable (just take out the cardboard inserts and wash, then replace the cardboard inserts and you’re set again).  Easy.

This will be super simple.  I am not on Twitter or facebook and honestly don’t care if you follow me via RSS feed (if you like my content, you’ll add me to your RSS feed or you’ll mosey on over and check me out every now and again).  So…all that you need to do is leave a comment below.  If you don’t have anything to say, just say, “enter me” (or whatever you’d like).  Only one entry per person, but you can tell your friends and family about it and maybe if they win, they’ll share something with you.

You’ll have until 9pm EST on Sunday, July 24th to leave a comment. At 9pm (when my son will definitely be in bed), I’ll have random.org pick a winner and I’ll post the winner on this blog (so come back and check to see if you won).  I’ll email the winner for their address and get your winnings out in the mail this coming Monday morning.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.  Enjoy!

I will say that I’m the world’s biggest planner, but also the world’s biggest procrastinator when it comes to some things in my life.  My intentions were to get everything ready and post the giveaway when midnight came so it would be up as soon as anyone checked my blog.  I got sidetracked and found one more thing I’d like to attempt to make to add to the giveaway and just don’t have time to do it until my son goes down for his nap (around 1pm).  I also still need to take some pictures of the items I’m giving away.  It all takes time and I truly don’t want to rush it.

With that said, I promise I will have something posted by 5pm EST today. I’ll extend the giveaway entries until this weekend (Saturday) so everyone has a chance to enter who wants to.  I’ll have random.org do the drawing for me and post the winner this Saturday (and can get it out in the mail on Monday).

EDITED:  Ok, so I’ve never been good with math.  My husband read my post (this post) and commented on how it’s been longer than 2-years that I’ve had this blog because my son is nearing 2-years.  Um, duh!  I’ve actually had my URL since January of 2008, but my very first blog post was on July 21st, 2008.  That’s THREE years, not two years.  *sigh*…math.  Why I was off on my dates (thinking it was the 26th instead of the 21st is just pure stupidity…no math involved there).

Tuesday, July 26th Thursday, July 21st marks 2-years 3-years that I’ve had this blog up and running. For my 2-year 3-year anniversary, I thought I’d do my first giveaway.

I’ll do a post on Tuesday Thursday with a photo and list of what is included in the giveaway and if you leave a comment, you’ll be entered for a chance to win (I’ll take care of getting the items to you, so you do not have to be local to enter).  I’m planning on making a few things this week, so my giveaway will include handmade items by me (hope I didn’t just lose your interest).

Stay tuned…

My husband and I have many similarities.  We almost always are on the same page, except when it comes to desserts.  My favorite desserts are donuts, cake, or cheesecake (not to mention anything chocolate).  LOL! My husband?  Fruit is considered a dessert to him.  Give me a break! *sigh* If only I could be more like him.

I’m sure you can guess who had which dessert…

Over the years, I’ve gotten to know our Mail(wo)man.  Her name is Pat. She has two kids and two grand kids (the youngest is about Brody’s age). She loves seeing Brody and knows his name.  She always has a special surprise for him when she sees him.  I just love her!

A few weeks ago, Jason and I took time to power wash our front porch, walkway, and driveway (girls, if you’ve never used a power washer and love the thrill of some power, you’ve got to try this…I loved every minute of it).  LOL!  Anyway, back on topic…  We had a fake topiary plant at the front porch (wish I had a picture to show you).  We’ve had it for probably 6 or more years.  This past year, it started balding (no joke).  It was time to get rid of it.  I searched everywhere online to find a replacement (would have loved to find an exact match).  It looked so real and I remember finding it cheap.  Well, they apparently don’t make cheap fake plants for outside anymore, so we went without anything for a few weeks.  *sigh*

A couple of weeks ago, Pat delivered a package at our front door and we didn’t have a plant there.  She normally would put the package behind the plant.  I picked up the box off of the front porch and saw she had written a note on the package, “Thought I was at the wrong house with the corner planter gone!”.

I laughed so hard when I read her note.  How in the world does she remember all of her “customers”?  How did she remember we had a plant on our front porch (it’s not like she delivers packages on a daily basis here or even weekly).  It just amazed me that she noticed and took time to write a note.

Then, we got a plant for the front porch last weekend.  I didn’t find exactly what I was looking for, but it has character and each time I see it, I’m starting to get attached even more to it.  Now the challenge will be to remember to water it (since it’s not fake like my old plant).

This week, I got another package in the mail.  And again, Pat took time to write a note on our package, “Cool new plant!”.  I again laughed.  She truly is an incredible Mail(wo)man.  She is retiring soon and it makes me sad that we won’t see her anymore.  She will definitely be missed.  In the meantime, we’ll soak up as much Pat as we can get.  She gives the United States Post Office a good name.

Several weeks ago (yes, I have things from even months ago that I still have yet to blog about on here), I was leaving the Starbucks drive-thru and got behind this car…

First off…THAT is still drive-able after all these years? Talk about a boat. Then, I had to look closer and THIS is what I saw…

Is everyone seeing what I saw?  It’s a DEALER’S license plate.  Really?  I wonder what kind of cars are on his lot if this is the kind of car he’s choosing to drive around town.  LOL!

Just thought it was funny and wanted to share it.  Yes, blog post pics can be found anywhere and about everything (this said to my husband’s co-worker, Doug).

I am so behind on blog posts on all three of my blogs.  *sigh*  I’m so sorry for slacking.  It’s been an extremely busy couple of weeks.

I’m sure you’re all wondering what my Secret Sister brought me for week 4.  It was so fun to open my front door to a palm tree piñata (that said “hit me” on the top).  What a great way to take out the frustrations and stress, huh?

The inside was filled with my favorite candy bar (Twix) along with a gift card to my favorite Mexican restaurant (El Tapatio).  YUMMY! What a fun way to give a gift (and such a yummy one at that).

This Friday night is our Secret Sister Reveal where I’ll find out who has me and my SS will find out that I have her.  I cannot wait!  I’m been anticipating this night since the whole thing began.  I had so much fun last year!  A room full of caring friends with fun surprises for each other (not to mention…FOOD!).  LOL!

It’s hard to believe I’ve been married 14-years.  It truly feels like just yesterday (ok, so that’s exaggerating, but it does feel like only a few years ago).

We’ve gone through so much over the years and I wouldn’t change a thing.  Everything has led to the marriage we now have today. A much stronger one, one full of appreciation for one another, and one full of so much love.

Having a child has only enhanced our marriage, made us lean on each other all the more.  It’s created a deeper appreciation for one another and a new love for each other as we see this new role of parenting enter our marriage.  I can’t wait to see how our story continues to unfold.

Happy 14th anniversary to me!

I got another delivery today!  This weeks theme was “homemade” and it was right up my alley!! I cannot even begin to say how excited I got when I read that there was a Chocolate Peanut Butter cake.  Whoever thought of putting chocolate and peanut butter together is just pure genius! There was homemade strawberry jam and corn salsa, packaged so cute!

And you’re going to laugh.  I have been thinking about getting Brody some reusable snack/sandwich bags and even have a couple of options open in my browser on Etsy that I was considering buying.  I know I didn’t mention that to anyone, but wouldn’t you know it…my SS gave me two of the reusable sandwich bags in a fun dinosaur fabric print (and upon telling Brody what it was, he roared several times).

And, if that wasn’t enough, she also gave me a Paper Creations magazine (the 7th anniversary edition)!  I did a quick flip through it this morning as Brody was finishing up breakfast.  I kept thinking (multiple times) that I had to go back and look at that page again and that I wanted to make what was on this AND that page, etc…

What a perfect week!!!  Thanks so much to my Secret Sister!  Once again…she went overboard.  I am truly spoiled!

My Secret Sister did it again! She must know me well. Sitting on my front porch this morning, was a perfectly decorated bag just waiting to be opened. She made this weeks theme “coffee”.

This week she made the most beautiful card for me.  I honestly want to find a frame and frame it to display in my office.  It’s so darn cute!!!

I must have mentioned to her that I have a Keurig coffee machine (can’t remember), but she got me some Gloria Jean’s Butter Toffee K-Cups. Jason isn’t a fan of flavored coffee so we haven’t been buying any lately. I use to get this flavor and love it, but haven’t had it in at least a year (if not longer).  I’ve had two cups of it already today and forgot how much I love this flavor!!!  She also gave me the perfect coffee cup (the size and color are ideal!). And of course, you can’t have coffee without chocolate, so she threw in a Godiva chocolate bar.  Y…U…M!  I love my Secret Sister!