Changes, Decisions and an Invitation

I love blogging. I really do. Having a blog has allowed new windows to open in my world and new friends to be found.

I've had many evenings, of late, where I've slapped my forehead and said, "I forgot to blog!".

My life has suddenly become quite full. The boys are getting older, I'm taking more leaps with Anna K. Originals, and now *gulp* I'm going back to college.

That's right. This over-thirty momma is going to college!

I'm almost finished with the application process to be accepted into the Art Institute of Pittsburgh's Online Digital Design program. It's a one year diploma program and I'm stoked about it, but nervous at the same time. Classes start very soon...

So, here's the thing. For the time being I think I'll be blogging exclusively over at my Anna K. Originals blog. I hope y'all will stop by and visit me....

After all, the welcome mat's always out over there, too!

Sweet Shot Tuesday

I happened to have my camera with me before my trio practice at church a week or two ago. I couldn't pass up the sunset scene that greeted me when I pulled into the parking lot. So out I ran around in the frigid wind snapping away and to tally blissed out about using my new lens ~ a Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS. Hooray for Christmas and Birthday money!

Thanks for stopping by! I'm linking up with Darcy over at My 3 Boybarians for her
awesome Sweet Shot Tuesday event. Swing by and see all the talented entries....

Instead of our regularly scheduled programming...

Exciting news to share over at Anna K. Originals {blog}. Click on the art above to check it out!

Etsy Find {In Touch Clutch}

Every now and again I like to peruse the pages of Etsy. I like to see what's popular, what isn't, and what's new and interesting. I love that I never quite know what I'll find.

I stumbled across the In Touch Clutch from downstairsDesigns. Having a bent towards being unorganized, I'm always fascinated with easy to use items that save me a little stress and some time.

I saw the In Touch Clutch and I was hooked! I've always got papers that I'm trying to keep track of, notes that I want to write down before I forget or ideas that I need to jot down or draw. I could see myself using this beauty for my day-to-day business or even on a trip out of town.

I chose the pretty blue model that you see in the above photos. Y'all, I had a hard time choosing between the different accent fabrics! They run the gamut from having a vintage feel to more modern patterns...all of them in lovely colors. In addition to the In Touch Clutch, you can buy an In Touch Pouch for your iPhone/iPod, a Snap Pouch for your business/credit/gift cards, and even gift packs (think bridesmaids gifts).

My In Touch Clutch will be in the mail soon and I can't wait to get my hands on it! Thank you downstairsDesigns for creating such a pretty and practical way to make this mommy's life a little easier!

On the hunt....for a purse?

{I know that this photo isn't directly related to the post below but...it's my party and I can post photos all I wanna! ;o) Besides, it's not that often that I get to take in a snowy scene in our front yard.}

I'm on the prowl for a pretty bag.

Not a gift bag...heaven knows, I've got hundreds of those. No, really, I do.

I'm looking for an attractive but functional bag that I can use as a camera bag and a purse. Because I want to avoid looking like I'm going on a weekend away when I'm just going to a program at my son's school!

I've seen the lovely, lovely designs on the j,ill-e site, epiphanie, etc. *sigh* The bags that I fell in love with were too much for my little wallet to handle right now. Did I mention that they were lovely?

So I, being the creative type, decided to take a shot at making my own...kinda.

With the help of some protective camera bag inserts and {fingers crossed} some luck finding a bag I like, I think I'll be able to enjoy the best of two worlds- creativity and functionality.

So I'm off.

To hunt.

For a purse.

Ladies, you understand...right?

Linking up with Darcy for Sweet Shot Tuesday.

All I want for Christmas...

For the holiday season I fully expected to feel chillier temps, see the warm glow of twinkle lights and sing lots of Christmas songs. I wasn't expecting to be a nurse to two very sick boys...but that's life when you have young'uns, right?

One has strep throat and a nasty cough, the other has a major double ear infection. Yikes!

All I want for Christmas is for our boys to be healthy.

Will that fit in my stocking?

Joy in the Simple Things...and my Birthday

Well, I'm a year older today.

Hopefully I'm also a bit wiser, too! I mean, what's the sense in the passage of time if I didn't learn and grow along the way?

I miss my Momma something fierce. Something about the combination of my birthday and Christmas...makes this time of year not as fun as it once was. I've shed more than a few tears.

I'm learning that there is joy in the simple things of the season. The excitement of our boys, planning Christmas surprises with the Hubs, singing with my Dad, a phone call to out-of-state relatives and sweet messages in cards.

Those simple things have brought me the most joy when enjoying the season seemed impossible.

The perfect gift, no fancy wrapping required!