Maya Mondays: Because It Has a Song.

"A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song." ~Maya Angelou

Snapshot Sunday

Somebody better tell this dog that music + laundry x 1 fussy mama = find something to clean!  

I guess his sentiments for my busy weekend and cleaning days around the home are passively expressed in his loud snores!!

It's been an epic weekend!  I can't wait to share what's been happening tomorrow!

Here's hoping your weekend has been productive (or not, if that's what you prefer)!

The Dress Form - A Thrifty Find & DIY Stand

Howdy, Islanders!

It's been a busy time 'round these parts.  It's not that we don't usually have things going on but with Nuke, the football baby shower prep and recovery, third grade, the approaching wedding/event season, hosting an offsite for my 9-5 and much more, I haven't had much time to edit and publish the posts I've started.  All those excuses aside, I couldn't let this Frugal Friday pass without sharing a thrifty find and a super easy (and cheap) tutorial!

Do you remember that dress form I purchased during our thrift shopping trip in Columbus, GA?  You know the one Mommy was SO excited about?

The one she threatened to buy for me if I didn't buy it for myself.

Priced at $9.90, it was a no-brainer for me.  Sadly, however, it sat on the floor alongside the other craft pile o' junk for eight long months.  You read correctly.  Eight WHOLE months.

Maya Mondays - Unless You Love It.

Snapshot Saturday

It's been a busy day... The highlight, however, was Nuke meeting a client.  He was great until he snored during our meeting.  Man, can he snore loudly!

I hope your Saturday was peaceful!

DIY Bleacher Cupcake Stand

Thanks for all the sweet comments about the football shower; you know they warm my party plannin' soul!  I have to be honest, in the heat of the event, I wasn't that impressed.  I felt, with the unexpected surge in guests, I lost control - not enough linen for the last-minute tables we had to pull out, not enough favors for each guest, not enough printables for one of the games.  In the moment, I was kicking myself thinking, "TABITHA, why didn't you plan for this?!" That only lasted for a few minutes because I took a moment to look around.

People were dancing, catching up, enjoying great food and THIS was 30 minutes after everything "ended."  Guests didn't want to leave and the parents-to-be had the party they wanted!  Why was I tripping?  Why was I kicking myself? It was a great event.  Plus, my star of the show, the cupcake bleachers, were a hit!

Down! Set! Fun! - A Baby Shower

Can you tell I had an eventful weekend?  Saturday, we hosted an awesome baby shower for Hubbs' favorite cousin, Selena and it was loads of fun!

Because I had to decorate from afar, I focused my efforts on easy-to-pack paper crafts and decor.  I knew I wanted to fill the walls  but I didn't want the traditional football party items sold at the party stores.  Instead, I used black foam core board and chalk to create large-scale wall art that resembled football plays.

Guests were greeted by a sign that read, "Down! Set! Come In!"

WW: Cut and Color

Hello, Handsome.

Islanders, I have some exciting news.  I also, however, kindly request that you check your judgment at the door.

I've spoken many times about PeePuppy... you know, how I gave him away and how he's very happy with his new home.  I like him.  I love him.  He just wasn't a fit for our life at the time.

Recently, my friend posted a picture of a dog at the local shelter where she volunteers.  I called Hubbs and told him our next dog will be a rescue.  He agreed and said that he was just thinking about a dog. We spoke that evening and decided to find a dog that fits our lifestyle.  For Hubbs, the perfect dog was a bull terrier.  Ya know, the Target mascot.

Maya Mondays - Without Courage

"One isn't necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential.  Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency.  We can't be kind, true, merciful, generous or honest." ~Maya Angelou

The Craft Room Reveal!

It's time! It's finally time!   I'm ready to share the craft room!  Rather than bore you with details (today), I'm going to let the pictures speak for themselves.

Here are before photos of the space:

Here are the after images!  AAAHHHH!!

Sunday Happenin's - Little Ladies' Book Club

After the fun evening at the spa, I spent the following day at an event hosted at church.  It was the monthly Community and Faith Exchange (C.A.F.E.).  This month's event was all about the 5 love languages...  We had five different couples speak on each of the languages in their own words.  It was a great time and the food is always good.  You should totally make an effort to come next month, there's going to be a guest speaker you won't want to miss ;)

I decided to stay in Saturday evening and begin projects for the football baby shower this Saturday. Munch and I ran to Lowe's for some supplies.

I'd say Saturday was productive but Sunday was monumental!  Church was great and I was bummed that I had to leave but some major things were scheduled to happen!

Photographers came by to capture some awesome images in the craft room but we will get to that a little later (like tomorrow?).

After they finished capturing the space, Munch and I rushed to her inaugural Little Ladies Book Club meeting.

We've discussed Munch's struggle with reading in the past.  Well, I'm happy to report she has made amazing progress and is performing much better!  During my last conference, her teacher informed me that Munch does, however, struggle with comprehension.  I've noticed she can recite details from the book but general questions like, 'what was that chapter about' or 'what is the book's main idea?' have a long response.  She struggles with summarizing.  My conversations with other moms were very informative and I've learned Munch was having a very common struggle.  Let's just say Hubbs has told me to get on with it a time or two in my adult life, lol.  Anyhoo...

We've been reading everyday, she has a great reading voice (tone and inflection), we just needed to make it fun.  One mom mentioned an age-appropriate book club and I brought my version of the idea to the girls.  Of course, having crafty, party plannin' moms is always a plus - we offered to theme the meetings with questions, activities and more.  They LOVED the idea!  Sherry agreed to host the first one and we arrived a little late for the first meeting this past Sunday.

Sherry provided lunch.  The food was delicious but what was the most exciting? The presentation.

Those pretty floating things are the pinwheels I've shown you how to make (here).

Sherry made a different variation using book pages and paper!



They were so fabulous!

While Sherry led the discussion of the book with questions about the setting, the characters, their favorite parts, etc., I was nosily admiring all of her goodies.

Bookwiches

Corn dog bites

She made a giant book with the Dr. Seuss book!!

Hershey bar books!

The girls enjoyed fresh baked cookies with chocolate or strawberry milk

The Diary series of books is formatted to read like a kid's actual diary.  Sherry gave each girl supplies to make their own Little Ladies' Book Club diary.

A hole punch and some ribbon made for the perfect binding supplies.

I loved that the girls wore their nerd glasses.  Aren't they cute?

As an additional favor, Sherry made bookmarks for each girl.  She used ribbon, a button and a hair tie to make them!  They are SO COOL!

 

As a final check for reading skills, Sherry asked if the girls ran into words or phrases they didn't understand.  No one could think of any.  Sherry asked the girls to clear the table and revealed that she found some she wanted to talk about.

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Each girl wrote what they THOUGHT words and/or phrases meant and Sherry took the opportunity to teach.

It was an awesome activity!  Sherry really set the tone for a fun book club!  Munch had a blast and really impressed me with her involvement.

I can't wait to host it in two weeks!  If this goes well, we're going to expand the group to invite other girls in our area.  Who knows... maybe it'll become a VIRTUAL club too!

I'll keep you posted on the fun!

Sheena's Spa Birthday

Hey, hey, hey!

This is going to be a great week and I know it.  I can just feel it!  This weekend was amazing - busy but refreshing.  It all started with a Friday evening at the spa in celebration of Sheena's birthday.

Maya Monday-Some People Can't Offer Shirts

Snapshot Sunday

You know some pretty photos of the craft space are coming when this happens.

Happy Sunday!  I hope, despite the time change, you've had a great and creative day!!!

Munch - Lip Gloss, Tutus, Working and a DIY!

Islanders, this weather has just-about driven me crazy.  I've been working from home and, when she came downstairs wayyyy overdone and ready for work, Munch was working from home too.

Lipstick.  Tutu dress.  Big fancy purse.  She headed to the dining room (her office) and mimicked me for about two hours.  She had multiple teleconferences and "big" meetings.  She even had to leave to get her baby doll from daycare.  During the snow-induced cabin fever it's easy for me to spend more time fussing at Munch than enjoying time with Munch.