Keeping it real....

I made a few changes to my blog. You see, I had set up an appointment to fancy up my blog a bit.... well then I backed my car into our RV in my drive way. So I decided I have no business paying to polish up my blog. Maybe i should pay to polish my backing ability.. ehem. Anyway.. with 2 cars in need of repair I had to decide to love my blogs imperfectness. So I played around on blogger to make it look new, to me! I even taught myself a few new tricks. Maybe some day I will get her some work done... but for now I must be content, which I am here... but everywhere else.....

Today is suppose to be WIWW. I am really struggling with this lately. I have put on 25 pounds this past year.. (This past year has had some really stressful moments!) I have been having a terrible time getting dressed, don't want to go buy new clothes because I am fat and am not loving pictures of myself. I think I really just noticed the past few weeks how much I gained... I guess I knew, I don't know... I'm sad because I have never been this heavy and I don't even recognize myself. Plus I see all these cute women in their cute clothes and it honestly depresses me.

With all that said... I won't quit. Yet. I have started exercising, I'm doing the 45 miles in July challenge and usually exercise makes me feel better. But somehow right now it is overwhelming me... because I already do not have enough hours in the day. Trying to find time to do it as well is stressing me out. I need new running shoes.. but oh wait... I wrecked 2 cars... so, yeah, I will wait.

Eating right is stressing me out just because I am stressed out, and when I'm stressed out, I eat... it's a vicious cycle. My house is in a shambles, my laundry is outa control and I feel behind in every area.  I backed my own car in to my own RV. Are you kidding me? I know it is because I feel so undone. But it just makes things worse.... I feel horrible about the trouble and cost of my stupid mistake.

I feel like I am always behind and I feel out of control. I feel like this is a pity party. I feel bad that you are reading it.

I honestly do try to see the joy and the good in my life but for some reason right now I feel like I can't. But I must. I want to be the mom my kids deserve and I said it last week.... A happy mom has happy kids. So I better get a grip. I think complaining is so unattractive... but well, sorry, I feel unattractive. I will be back to my happy self... I promise, I just need to get things into perspective.

Then a friend texts me with a great compliment about how sweet and polite my son is. A buck walks through my yard. Scott pulls me in close next to him while we watch TV. Maddie tells a silly story, in a way only Maddie can, that makes me smile. Doyle the dog gives me that look, that he understands and loves me... dog owners know the one. And I realize how silly I am being. How out of perspective I have gotten myself this week. How sweet and wonderful my life is and how I'm wasting it by being depressed about my weight. Yes, I weigh more than I'd like and more than I should. Yes I will stop feeling sorry for myself and get off my @$$ and do something about it.

First off I will get my house in order. I do know that if my house is undone I feel like my world is undone. I will keep exercising too.. I said I would and I can't let myself quit.  I need to establish some routine. I need to breathe deeply and focus on the big picture. I will relax and enjoy the rest of my summer, knowing soon fall will be in full swing... school, homework, soccer, cross country. I will miss these summer days.

So I don't have anything I wore this week.... The pictures were fuzzy and I put very little effort into WIW anyway, I know it would make me feel better if I did, so I will start again... 25 pounds and all.

Thanks for letting me rant... "talking out loud" always makes me feel better. It also helps me to see things clearer. I'm off to clean something, fold something and do some mileage. To breathe deep and put a stinking smile on my face!! ;)

I hope I haven't scared you all away.... I will be back... with something HAPPY tomorrow... promise.

Pantry update!

I showed you my pantry here. When I did this pantry make over I had a hard time finding shelf liner I liked  I finally settled with the red and white checks. I did like it ok but the more I lived with it the more it bothered me. It was way to busy.

I decided to paint and I love how it turned out.

I emptied the pantry and got rid of expired food and moved some things that I no longer wanted in there.

I started by painting the walls WSU Gray... yes that is the actual color. Scott has a "man cave" That is WSU Cougar colors. I used his leftover paint. I chose not to paint the top section because I was afraid it would be too dark. I may go back and do this section when I do the touch up. (I always have touch up after my paint dries!)

I painted each of the shelves white, left over paint from Maddie's room. I couldn't find the saw horses..this worked. ;) The grass is dead from a game we played in that spot.

Then I put it all back together. This seriously took me like 4 hours.
Here is the finished product...

It looks so much cleaner with out the busy red and white checks.

I moved the pasta, rice and dry foods to the top shelf.

to make room for the cereal and breakfast foods down lower

I did some rearranging and got some new jars.

The cereal basket is from Hobby Lobby,  Kuerig basket is from Fred Meyer, all other baskets are from 

Jo Anne's. The black wash tubs that hold my flours and paper plates etc are from the dollar store. Spice packet holder from Jo Anne's. All wire shelves are from Target. Jars are from Target, Goodwill, Garage sales and my garage, I love me some bottles and jars! The cute labels are from the Farm Chicks store that is no longer open. My plan is to use my chalk board vinyl on the ones that do not have labels. Wire baskets on top shelf are from a garage sale about 5 years ago... I knew they would come in handy!

 Here is the before.... cute... but too much for my taste.

and now...

 I totally didn't have time for this project but I'm glad I did it. CHECK! 

Next up is my store room... uhg... one trip to Costco and that place is a mess again... I need some organization/purging/rearranging in there! Good thing those are 3 things I LOVE! ~Shelby

HELLO Monday!

Linking up with Lisa Leonard for Hello Monday!

We had lots of pool time this weekend. Friends with pools are the best!

I loved hanging out with little miss Maddie while the boy was at his conditioning camp.

We went for dinner and drinks with my cousin and her husband. It was fun to catch up and this drink was delicious!

I joined my fellow blogger Jodi from Jod a La Mode in the 45 miles in July challenge. Jodi is a cutie! Hop over to her blog and say hi, will you?!! Check out hausofgirls to join the July challenge

 This is my view from my first 3, only 42 to go! I'd better get busy!

I did this on Sunday....

Remember when I told you that red checked stuff was making me crazy!? Well I did it! Bye bye red!

I will show you the finished product tomorrow!

I backed my car in to the RV we just bought. I was in a hurry and forgot it was there.We hadn't even taken it on a trip yet! Scott has been super sweet about it and I feel super horrible! Double whammy, my car and the RV. All I'm seeing is $$$$$$ that we want to and could spend else where. Scott says "These things happen".... I just wish they wouldn't happen to me!

Off to check off some more miles... and do some laundry, and go to my mother in laws pool. 

Happy Monday! Be careful backing up my friends! ;)

These are the days

Linking with Life Rearranged for Insta Friday... Showing my week in pictures! To see more follow me on Instagram! I'm shelbyjojo7. My photos wouldn't or didn't?, download to picasa so I did my best to create a collage for ya so this post wasn't a mile long...

Played with some glow sticks... and made some wishes...

Had tons of fun with the sweet little cousins here!  My big boy surprised the little ones by doing the slip and slide.. in his clothes... the response from one... "Hims crazy"   ;)                                                                                                       

                                                                                       

Made red, white and blue treats and painted red, white and blue toes. Rocked our shades and swam in the pool, enjoyed some fabulous fireworks.

Maddie created a book report form on the computer and did a book report... this is my kid who doesn't like to read? She amazes me! 

Con got some new shoes, his old ones were falling off of him, how he destroys shoes like that I don't know! He asked me to take this picture in Trader Joe's to send to his dad... His reply was Yikes....  Conner  likes the bright blue because they will get noticed, and he will be the only one that has them... I wish I had that confidence.

No pictures but I had a date with this amazing guy last night! Dinner at PF Chang's then we saw Abe Lincoln Vampire Slayer... yes I love him a lot to go see that one.  Actually, I liked it. Tons of action...I held my breath through half of it. If you can handle violence and blood (they are vampires!) go... it was good. I'd go do anything with that fella though!  almost... anything. ;)

I  have decided I might just not get a post done everyday over the summer. I am having a hard time getting in a post writing groove and my laptop isn't working. Sitting in this dark computer room when I could be having coffee on my porch is bumming me out. Plus this summer is going by way to fast and my summer fun list only has 2 checks!! EEK! I gotta start cranking out the summer fun! I will still post a few times a week, I like to do every day, but, the sunshine beckons! I have noticed my page views have are about halve of my usual the past 2 weeks anyway... I know I'm not finding the time to check out my blog friend every day.

I am off to do my blog house keeping then to a busy weekend swimming, bbqing, drinks with my cousin and a short day trip in our new RV, we gotta test it out! ;)!!

Go enjoy your summer days...except Jane from Lovely Little Loves, you go enjoy your winter days!! ;) I can't tell you how impressed my husband is the I have a follower in Australia!! Check her out people, she's adorable and she lives in Australia! How cool is that!!?


Love you all! Thanks for reading my nonsense! It still amazes me that you all show up! Thanks from the bottom of my heart!! :)

Happy 4th of July Mantle

Happy 4th of July!! In honor of the 4th and due to the fact that I have had a house full of guests and took no WIWW photos,  I am linking up with Honey We're Home  for the 4th of July link party

I love to style my mantle with the seasons and the holidays. For me it is some what therapeutic. I have this blank space that I can play with. Usually with out spending any money.

In my new house I have red walls in the family room and I am amazed at how well they coordinate with most holidays and seasons. This mantle is one of my favorites yet!

Take a look..

I love how the red walls look with all my red. I worried because sometimes red on red doesn't work. The previous home owners chose this color. Most of their decorating choices I don't like, but this was a home run. If I can find the color, I will share it!

The fireworks were a craft show find. They would be so easy to make.  I found a bunch of great old jars at a garage sale and used them here.  I used cheerful daisies in the blue glass jars and filled the others with shells. I am a beach lover!

My mom went to the Oregon coast and brought me back some star fish... they tie in the beach and the 4th of July theme.

The books are from around the house. I use books in decorating they add the color and the height you need. Peek under the jackets of your hard back books.. you might be surprised at the colors you could use in your decorating.

The horse is a favorite find from TJ Maxx. I left him twice and when he was still there the third time I knew we were meant to be together! ;)

Some milk glass and a blue candle and the mantle is complete!

In between the apple pie and the fireworks today please stop and remember those who have sacrificed for our freedom. I am proud to be and American and I am so thankful for those who serve our country. My grandfather was a POW in Japan for almost 2 years. Tomorrow I will share his story of heroism.

This year my niece is in Afghanistan. She is a nurse in an ER unit. She will be away from her husband and two baby girls for a year. Talk about sacrifice. Thank you to Nichole and all the men and women over seas and all the heroic men and women that have come before them who serve our country and make sacrifices most of us couldn't even imagine and would never even consider.

Here is a picture from her  face book yesterday from Afghanistan. Proud Americans? Absolutely.

God bless America!!! Have a safe and happy 4th!

Almond French Toast

I came up with this french toast when I was somehow out of vanilla.  It is a fun, simple twist on ordinary french toast. I like to sprinkle sliced almonds on mine. I adds a nice crunch and looks pretty.

Almond French Toast

3 eggs
1/2 c. milk
2 tsp. sugar
1 Tbsp almond extract
1 tsp. nutmeg (I like whole nutmeg)
few dashes of cinnamon


Whisk all ingredients together in a shallow bowl. I use a pie plate. Place bread slices in to egg mixture flipping to coat but not allowing to get too soggy.

Fry on  medium hot griddle or pan. Flipping after golden brown. Garnish with powdered sugar, syrup and sliced almonds if desired.

Enjoy!

Just a Thought

I do love these lazy, flip flop days of summer! I am busy playing with 4 of the cutest great nieces ever so I'm gonna make this short and sweet....


I love this quote, and had to put it where I would see it all the time.

I know that my attitude sets the tone for the whole family. Kids feed off of us momma's, so....

If you want happy kids, be a happy mom. 

Happy Monday! Go be happy!

See how I created my magnetic /chalkboard pantry here