"Just Because" to you...

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Hey Good-Lookin’,

Yeah, I'm talking to you.

You, the wonderful person on the other side of the screen reading my blog (!).
I was thinking about you this morning.

How are you?

I wish you weren't so far away, you know.

I wish we could just meet at the local Starbucks or a Mom&Pop coffee joint and talk all day long.

I kinda need that today.

I've been wanting to talk.

Maybe cry a little.

Maybe even laugh until I'm crying.

You know, just be...

Or

I could just listen.  Let you just talk about everything you need to talk about.  I won't even interrupt:)

Maybe we can even take a walk right when Spring has Sprung and see the roses bloom.

And maybe, just maybe, actually stop to smell them.

Love ya tons…

but you knew that:)

ps:

GFC may or may not be taken down tomorrow. 

More than likely though, I don't want to see the numbers anymore...

If you still want be neighbors {or stop and chat once in a while},

you can visit me at my other places.

{on the left side bar}

Mwah!

Love x10

I read

and Ashley has another blog called

She always has a one-week challenge for bloggers...

This week's goal:

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I think this is something we all should focus on more - especially in this bloggy world.  It helps promote positivity and I'm all for that!

How can we "share the love" then?  Well, since today is

I thought I could put my ideas down in 10 ways, right?

1.

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You know how sometimes you read a blog post that you don't agree with or you get a not-so-nice comment from another blogger? Just forget about it.  Don't get into it.  Let others' opinions, be that...theirs.  I know it's hard to do...but we can just step away.

2.

How about that new blogger that is just starting out?  Why not invite her over to your blog to introduce herself to your readers?  It's good for both of you - she gets some exposure and you get a day off from blogging:)

3.

Pick one day a week to do a shout-out on your Twitter page or Facebook page to your favorite bloggers.  Just because.  I love seeing my blog tagged or mentioned somewhere, anywhere...

4.

Along the lines of #3 - how about a post dedicated to a shop or blog that you love or just heard about?  Not because there's a giveaway tied to it...not because of a discount code attached to the post. It's a way to give recognition for the hard work of a fellow shop owner or blogger.

5. 

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You know how one of your bloggy friends just loves owls (or chevron, or pink, or monkeys...), send her a little email (or handwritten card, if you can) with an image of it and a "I was thinking of you".  Brighten someone's day:)

6.

Who inspires you?  Tell them.

7.

Who makes you smile?  laugh out loud? tear up because of the tenderness of their post? Comment.

8. 

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Loved this...because it can be so true...a new friendship is just a pinboard away:)

9.

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Pray for someone.

10.

Last but not least...and it's really as simple as that.

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I hope I've inspired you a little today...because everyday, I am inspired and in awe of all of you.
How will you "Share the Love"?
 

{#24} "Check Her Bloggy Out!!" {silly. beautiful. life.}

Did you have a nice weekend?

Mine was absolutely wonderful.  We went to Disneyland for my son's 6th birthday and it was wonderful family-time:)

So, to keep the wonderfulness going...

Here's our newest blogger-ette for my

The newest member of my blogger-ette family,

from

is 

the "breath of fresh air" of this little family I've created.  I met her through PidgApeg and knew {instantly as I read through her blog} that she was a perfect match.  She is perfectly wonderful and I know you'll like her, too.
{I'm going to stop while I'm ahead, so you can figure that for yourselves:)}

Take it away, lovely Fallon:)
*
*
*
First of all, I want to say THANK YOU to Nay for letting me stop by her blog, and introduce myself to all you girlys! (and guys if there are any that read! Which brings me to thinking, why is it that mostly women blog, and when we think of bloggers, we -or, maybe just me- assume its a girl thing??)
I am a mama to 2 of the most adorable, polite, and funny monsters you'll ever meet!

I started blogging in September, as a way for me to deal with PPD.
(you can hear my story here)

I have always been a crafter. I started beading when I was pregnant with my oldest son, and by six weeks he had been to 2 bead shows! I also started sewing when I was pregnant. I really got hit by the "Suzie homemaker-nesting" bug. It has turned into a way for me to take some ""mama" time, and not feel guilty.

I am a pinterest addict and I am a horrible cook, so I love being able to "pin" recipes and try them out on the fam! (Hubby says that I am actualy getting good at it... although I dont know if I would use the word "good") I am in love with my crock pot, so more often than not, when you stop by the blog to check it out, you'll see crock pot dinners galore! (I am even going to try a breakfast, and maybe desert. LOVE my crock pot!)
I can't wait to meet all you new bloggy friends, and check out your blogs too! So make sure if you follow me, you let me know where I can follow you!!!

  I told you she was a sweetheart!  Thanks for coming by, Fallon.  And, oh my goodness, how cute are your little monsters!?!

I know you don't want to hear me babble along - you want to know more about Ms. Fallon!

So go visit her and give her some l♥ve:

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

and her shop!

Silly.Beautiful.Life

not much from me, but others do!

Good Morning, My Loveys…

I don't have anything today.

Zilch...

Nada...

Zero...

{You know me, though, even if I don't feel it, I cannot just *not* blog  - 'cause I feel guilty...}

But no worries 'cause I have an idea (!)

Since you can't read anything interesting here today {sorry}, you can go to any of these fabuloso blogs and get your fill instead:

So…

Be friendly with

{or}

Grab a cup of coffee and head on over with

 for a nice chat

{or}

 Write some letters at

{or}

 Do anything you'd like at 

Just Have Fun…

 Love to you all&Happy Friday!

routine-lovin' girl right here!

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That is my wonderful, amazing, happy relief!

I don't ever put a lot of thought into what I do.  I just do it.

*

I wake up, shower, put make-up on {and maybe do the hair}, get dressed.

I blog, enter giveaways, reply to blog-related emails, follow back, link up.

I go to work, push paper, meet clients, go to meetings.

I eat breakfast, lunch, dinner...and a "few" snacks in between.

I go home, spend time with the kids, put kids to bed, prepare for the next day.
Every. Single. Day.

It gives me a sense of peace when everything stays the same, so I don't have to think about it.
I am *not-so-sweet* when there's a bump in that cycle.
*

I run out of time in the morning because I can't decide what to wear.

My blogger account won't cooperate and it takes me longer to post something.

I eat way too much one day because of work stress, personal stress, or run-of-the-mill stress.

Kids get in trouble at school, son won't eat all his dinner, ran out of bread for kids' lunches, traffic home.



It feels like everything goes wrong afterward. 
Yes, I know. 
It's all in the way that I take it in and how I react to it.  Well, it's one of my quirks...getting annoyed easily.  {Picture me stomping my feet like a terrible, tantrum-filled child - ha!}

But I'm okay with it... :)

Share your thoughts with Manda Jane

"just because" in a box

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Packages Made with Care…



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It’s always a thoughtful and meaningful touch…

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I have this running joke with one of my girlfriends at work…

We always talk about great ideas that never happen. 

 “Wouldn’t it be a great idea to…{insert wonderful idea here}!”

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One of my all-time favorite “doesn’t happen” ideas is *just because* care packages…

The thought of someone dear to me going to the mailbox or their front step and finding a box of wonderfulness & all the most favorite things and goodies inside.

That just warms my heart.

I do try to do stuff like that…a little “I was thinking of you” kinda thing, but not as awesome as the ones I found on pinterest. {But pinterest always has awesomeness, doesn't it?} 

I know it's the thought that counts, so I think I'm good.



Join in on the
♥ at http://www.lollipopscards.com/



How do you show your "I'm thinking of you" or "just 'cause" ?

our children...

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Look at these children...

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What do you see?

Source: Uploaded by user via Karin on Pinterest

Innocence. Sweetness. Truth. Love.
That is what all children are...
But not everyone sees them like we do.  They see someone who is an easy tool for their perverse acts.  They think they can use and abuse these children and nothing will happen to them.

This is something that no child can get rid of.  The only way to make it go away is communication, protection...
Communicate with your children.
Protect your children.
Be a parent who will do anything to protect them.

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I had to have this type of talk with my kids (well, to tell you the truth, my husband and I have been having this open communication since they could understand) just the other night.  There have been so many cases in the media lately on abuse towards children.  I have to explain to them what is good versus a bad touch - that any secret is a bad secret...I had to explain things I don't want to have to...
It makes me want to throw up.
It makes me want to crawl into a dark corner and cry.

It brings back memories that should have been forgotten already.  It doesn't go away.  It doesn't matter how many times it happens, how many people do it, how long ago it has been.  It still hurts.

I know I don't have to write about it for you to understand...
I know you would do anything for your child.
I know you are a good person.
But not everyone is like you and me.
And it has to stop.right.now.

This has been on my heart, in my nightmares, in my thoughts...and I had to just talk about it.

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Thank you.

10 Letters...

Wanna know a little secret?

I am in awe.

This blogworld has been an eye-opening experience for me, to say the least.

Why am I a little flabbergasted?

I have made friendships...

{in the most unlikely way}

...

Women I have connected with in this world of blogging.

Women who are on the other side of the country or in another country altogether. 

Women that I have wonderful relationships with. 

Women that I know that if we lived on the same block - our kids would be playing together, we'd be getting together all the time - it would be great.

But we get together on here...which for now will have to do.

Each of these women have been there for me.  They answer my questions (no matter how idiotic), listen to me gripe,  lift me up, make me smile, support me, promote me.  I don't know if they know how special they are...if they know what an impact they have on my life...

But you do, ladies, you do!

Miss Pidgy:

We started as stalkers and look how much we've grown. 

You're my sister from another mother.  I wish that tunnel we're digging to Wyoming would get done already...but you know how it is.  He's preparing us for that chapter - we just have to preath.  Loves you - and meese you to pieces!

Hey Lei:

You always answer my dumb questions.  It's nice to know that you are there - our constant.  You're our veteran and thanks for always taking time out for us little guys:)

Besos!

Brooke!

How can you be so cool?!  You're like a little sister to me.  When I need you, you're there.  You make me feel better all.the.time.  I am happy to have you in my life and can't wait to meet you for realz:)

Lena-girl,

You've been here since the beginning.  Remember when we reached our first 100 together? I knew we were meant to be friends from that moment on.  I've met wonderful bloggers through you, as well.  You're a blessing!

Sister-Friend:)

Along with Lena, you've been a wonderful woman to me since the start.  You are real and for that I am grateful.  I've learned from you and I'm so very happy to know you, girl.  {And I look pretty darn fabulous today because of you - purple suits me~!}

Nat,

God put you in my life to show me what friendship is all about.  He shows us what we need to hear and He does is it in the coolest ways.  He knows exactly when I need to read to your blog and what I should take out of it. Thankful for you.

Mrs. Beth,

What can I say about you?  There are no words.  You've been so welcoming to me - instant friends in this "hot mess" of world.  Your posts continuously make me say, "Exactly!"  You go, girl, with your wonderful self!

Megan!!!

You always hit it right on - every post makes me happy to know you.  You are a breath of fresh air and always say what's on all of our minds.  Well, someone has to do it, right? :) xoxo!

Mama Lacee.

Do not mess with this mama, people!  Girly, you are mahvelous - I can't tell you enough.  I knew that if Pidgy knew you, I had to know you too...and she was spot on about you!  You are a wonderful, real, true woman.

Can I be like you when I grow up? :)

Last but never least, Salena:

Who do you go to for support? Who is there through thick and thin?

You.  You've always been there...always.  Thank you.

And you?

Yeah, I'm talking to you...

Thank you.

I can't wait to get to know all of you even more

and

welcome you to my "just a little crazy" world called

Thank you for being here...*and* always sticking around.

 

linking it up at