Change it up!

5.9.12- 

-Notice anything different???- 

{if you are a frequent reader you probably have by now} 

  I've decided to change things up a bit on my blog.  I've been thinking about it for awhile now.  I've heard from so many of you who love to listen to my playlist & that some of you just click it on to listen to while your doing things around the house during the day. 

{You're like me I do that too} 

But I've also heard people say 

{through blogging groups that I'm a member of} 

that they don't like having music on a blog 

{at least not that comes on automatically} 

& that they find it annoying... like when you are surfing the web late at night, or your kids are taking a nap, or you jump from blog to blog & can't find which one has the music on to shut it off.  

well.....

I LoVE music & that's why I enjoy having a playlist on my blog.  It makes me happy to listen to it.  But I thought it might be time for a little bit of a change so I simply just took it off to come on automatically when you arrive at my blog.  

BUT.... I still have to have the playlist available for you & these girls for moments like this.....  

-Check out those outfits- it's always dress up time around our house!- 

So cute- I love that my girls like to get on H&H's blog just to listen to the tunes,  sing, dance & make up routines to the songs. It makes me happy to see them perform around the house.  It always brings a smile to my face! 

The H&H Playlist is still available for you to listen too- just simply click on the cassette tape picture on the right for the stand alone playlist to pop-up! 

Happy listening! 

{dancing, singing, twist&shouting, Zumba-ing whatever you want!}

{M}
P.S. Do you notice anything else different, hmmmm? 

A DOodle, FraMe & a STaR!

5.8.12- 

-I just have to say my H&H followers & friends are the BeST!- 

  Got this picture in my inbox today from a H&H blog follower & it made my day.  Remember this post?  

-Such a cute little doodle of my family room. GLobe & everything!- 

Well.... sad to say I still haven't done anything with that space yet but I thought it was so nice that one of my readers took the time to sketch this little doodle of what she thinks I should do.  

Isn't that the sweetest??...... THaNKS a bunch {H}!  

Then {while typing up this post} got a text message with a picture attached from my friend {T} who was the WiNNeR of the last H&H GiVEAWAY. Showing me the darling photo she found to put in the turquoise H&H frame she won. So cute!  It's been such a fabulous morning- I LoVE hearing from you all. 

I'm off to go see the STaR of the show {my Audrey} in her play, Rapunzel, tonight. She has worked so hard & is super excited to have all of us see her hard work up on the big stage tonight. Can't wait! 

-Audrey by her STAR on her locker this morning wishing her luck tonight.
A little blurry I know- cell phone pic.-

Hope you are having a wonderful day so far today too! 

{M}

Take a peek

5.6.12- 

  Came across this charming message today & wanted to share it with you.  I love anything vintage inspired & retro looking

{the whole kitchen, her darling dresses & don't even get me started on her glasses... adore}

 but even though it is depicted in a different time the message still remains true today.  
{*Oh, pause my playlist before you start the video-the music in it is charming too} 

I love the whole message of this little video.  I know I need to try to keep my own windows  a bit "cleaner" & not pass judgement on others.  

{sometimes easier said than done but it can be worked on}
 I remember the first time when Pres. Monson shared this story & I'm glad it's been put in a darling video to watch & remember the message again. 

Hope you all have a wonderful Sabbath day today.

{M}

Words for Wednesday

5.2.12- 

  Yes, I'm back for another post of the day.  I have just been sitting here at my computer crying with tears of JoY & want to tell you about it.  

I have had the privilege to serve as the PTSO Pres. for 2 years at Macey's middle school. It's been a great learning experience for me. Many of you might know that I graduated in Secondary Education & even taught for a year so I have a passion for education & teaching.  Thank goodness I had some incredible ladies to help me the past 2 years because without them we couldn't have accomplished all the good that we did. Some things were big things & others small but through out the whole time our goal was 

- To be an Active, Positive Influence- 

at the Middle School & I'm so proud to say that we accomplished just that! 

There are so many things that I'm proud of that we did but I think the one that means the most is our 

Positive Post-it campaign.  This idea came to me & I introduced it to our board last year.  I wanted for us, as a PTSO, to really reach out to the students & let them know that there are people cheering for them & wanting to see them succeed.  

-Life is GOOD!  Love that one & yes, a Smile is contagious. Hope there are lots of smiles at the Middle School today- 

With my first teaching experience, years ago, I saw first hand that some students have such a tough life & sometimes they might not hear an encouraging or positive thing said to them before they arrive at school let alone what they may encounter once they arrive at school.  They need all the positive reinforcement & kind words or just a smile to help them get through the day.  I had students coming into my class that were hung over or I could smell had been smoking or even drugs sometimes & these were 14-15 year old kids.  It broke my heart.  I tried as hard as I could to be an example to them & to flood them with as many kind words that I could in the hour I had them each day.  Trust me they needed it so desperately.  I know that those were extreme circumstances & that not all students are dealing with those kind of things.  But just being a teenager & dealing with friends, school & homework make life seem so hard sometimes. They are all dealing with something each & every day no matter what it is.   

So my idea for positive post-its came from that experience.  I wanted us to try & reach those students, even if it was just one,  who needed to hear something nice said to them or a positive message to keep them going for the day.  We would put up around 50 post-its after each meeting on random lockers & just hoped that we picked a locker of a student that would appreciate it or that simply just needed it that day.  It was funny how as we would be putting post-its out students would walk up to us & say, "Hey, I want one of those on my locker." or "I haven't gotten one yet, my locker is 317 could you put one on there"  so we would quickly write them down & go put one on their locker. 

Yesterday at our last meeting we wanted our message to be heard loud & clear so we decided to PLaSTeR the entire school with Positive Post-its. {825 lockers worth!} That's a lot of happy thoughts being put out there!  So that each & every student received an uplifting positive message to start the day.  It looked so bright & colorful as we left the school yesterday. We even had some extra so me plastered the Teachers Lounge as well... teachers need a uplifting word too ;) 

-It looked awesome!- 

Funny how such a simple thing has come to mean so much to me & I truly believe it can make a difference!  

I've absolutely loved being a part of this each month & I'm going to miss not having the opportunity to do it next year.  You can read more about Positive Post-its & a day that my heart soared at the Middle School, {Here}  

Share something positive today!

{M} 

Right this way....

5.2.12- 

  Step right up for your ticket to the {Original} 365 Swap 

*-if you love a good find 

*-like getting treasurers for FRee 
*- you have a pile of  great stuff that needs a new home

*-enjoy hanging out with fabulous friends all evening

*-being inspired by incredible creative decor 

THEN... you must come to the Swap.  

This is an event put on by my 5 friends & I each year- 

so fun & incredibly fabulous. 

You can watch {Here} for all the details & tid-bits about the Swap. 

The best thing about getting to host & help put on this event is that every year it is different & NeW.  You never know what you are going to walk in & find.

{Can I just say this time will be something like you've never seen before}   

Oh, & wouldn't you adore getting a cute, personalized  invite in the mail? 

{Yes, the old fashioned snail mail- such a wonderful reason to check your mailbox instead of your inbox. I love it!} 

-invite from the Fall 365 Swap- 

I would love to have you attend the Swap & met you 

{if I haven't already!}  

But you better be quick there are limited tickets & last year they were gone lickity- split so don't hesitate. 

{Hurry, Hurry!} 
** Sorry to say it's SOLD-OUT**

Let me know if you got a ticket!! 

{M} 

Happy May!

5.1.12- 

  Hi Everyone- Happy NeW Month ahead. 

Bring on all the end of school year activities, recitals, plays & spending evenings in the yard playing games, walking around the neighborhood & Summer ahead!! 

{Yippee!} 

Just wanted to share something perfect for this time of year. When you want to start cooking lighter,  eating fresh, yummy tasty & flavorful things- not to mention fire-ing up the grill. 

I've had the pleasure of attending two Gourmet Clubs in the past month & a half & they both have been fabulous!  

{Eat & Springtime Gourmet nights, thanks to all those who put them together- they were wonderful!} 

From the delightful decor {that always inspires me} to each & every fabulous appetizer, entree & dessert!

Be sure to check out the Delish My Dish blog for all the recipes & pictures of the scrumptious food. 

Plan to make something delicious this week. 

-This night was amazing start to finish!  Although I had a hard time finishing my food because each & every one of the appetizers were so  A.MaZ. ing I filled up on those!!  So many great little touches to the printed napkins, wooden silverware, potted lavender plants for everyone & a darling picnic table to sit on made especially for the night by the hostesses husband- what a guy!- 

-Oh, my goodness!  This Gourmet Club screamed Springtime loud & clear.  Such fun colors & decor everywhere you looked- everything was popping Orange & Hot Pink. They even tied the color theme into the Hot Pink Smoothies- so fabulous & healthy for you too! Give them a try- yum! - 

-Enjoy-

I'm off to conduct my last PTSO meeting as President.  Wow, I can't believe 2 years have come & gone already.  It's been a great experience & I'm glad I had the opportunity to be involved. 

-I'm taking yummy cupcakes made by Miss Mace to celebrate all our accomplishments- 

{Take your pick Coconut W/ Lime Frosting or Coconut-Coconut- YuMM!}

{M}