Hello there!

I know this isn't the most popular blog. I am not sure if it is actually ever "read", but today after managing my other blog, I thought....why not try this again? I need something to call my own. Something for a creative outlet and to follow the blogs that I have grown to love. I do not really have a lot to offer, however, I love to see my ideas in front of me. So if you have somehow ended up on this blog, I am sorry for the lack of excitement, but I am trying to do what I can, all while living life!

Just couldn't stand it....

I just HAVE to post the cutest little frocks. Just looking at these make me in a good mood. Will I ever have to money to buy all of these? Noooo. But a girl can swoon? Right?

Now...this one is simply lucious. I would not be able to put it on without *swishing* back and forth.

and with these tall, dark, and handsomes?

and something simple on the ears....such as these "all purpose" earrings. "All purpose" is what I refer to earrings that will go with anything! Practical is my middle name, honey.

Have a great weekend!

Fall Decorating on a Budget!

Just wanted to throw in one more blog post. These are my cute little dollar store pumpkins. Aren't they precious?

That's it~ I just think they are cute enough to show off!

I joined in with:

More...

Here are some of the other dresses that I had discussed. Even if no one ever looks at these posts...it is my way of shopping without money!

I worship this dress. I love how it fits falls around the body with the A-line fit and doesn't hug. The cute little rows of ruffles. And it is a deep brown overlay. Perfect for lots of turkey and mashed potatoes, right?

And then pair her with these shoes and earrings...****swoon***

Ok. So I haven't got this posting pictures thing down. But I still love to blog and still love things. So this computer ain't gonna stop me! I will just learn as I go!

Have a wonderful week! Thanks for stopping by!

Melissa

Turkey and "Dress"ing

Every year, at Thanksgiving, I have visions of myself, dressed perfectly, carrying the turkey and turning the corner to find my family applauding at the dinner table. Everyone is getting along. No one is arguing. The children are chewing with their mouths closed and saying "Thank you mommy for cooking this amazing dinner".

Like this. See that smile on her face and the hair and make-up looking exquisite?

**sigh**

The real story? Kids are arguing. I am lucky to have on make-up. I am pissed at my husband for not getting ice when he went to the store. My parents are coming, but running late. Oh and the turkey? UM, that would be pre-cooked from Harry's. Thank God for you Harry. You ARE the other man in my life. But, hey! I did make the mashed potatoes!!!!

I am loving dresses that I could see myself dressed in the Thanksgiving daydream. I could, really. Really I could at least dress cute this year? Maybe no one would argue. Maybe my parents would make it on time. AND my darling sweetheart of a husband would get ice. All because of one of these dresses!

So how cute is this little navy dress?

and paired with these shoes?

or maybe for comfort...and just as cute..

Love the scarf......

And did I mention that for some odd reason, OCD maybe, that I think that "Fall" colors should be worn on Thanksgiving. We can drag out the festive colors later. But, that is just my hang up!

And then there is this dress...for when I dream of the country Thanksgiving...

with these......

or these.

I have even more ideas to share tomorrow!

Much reprieve...

Ok, so once again, I am claiming to be back. And I am.



I apologize to myself and others for the long pause. I was just...well...uninspired. But not because there isn't any inspiration out there, it is just hard to get the fireworks when personal life takes over and you have to be a mom first.



Do you really want to hear my story?



Short version (again)....



Married in 2002 because God had blessed me with a pregnancy and a shot gun wedding soon followed. Are you all catching me here? Yes, I was pregnant on my wedding day after only dating only 3 months. So, YES, I was easy. But, ready, nonetheless, to be a mommy and took it on like a professional. I had a wonderful intimate wedding, with a sweet little blessing growing inside of me. The only problem was, unbeknownst to me, was that I was marrying someone completely different than what I was led to believe. So, I kept on eating the right foods...completed grad school....helped my husband at the time renovate "our" house...and then my precious son came along. SKID MARK SOUND HERE.

My husband changed. Were there red flags? Of course there were. Did I choose see them? Of course not. I was going to make this work dammit!!! I had a baby.

Things got worse. The verbal abuse persisted. I was depressed. But I poured everything into my son. And maybe my ex resented me for it. Was I perfect...God no. However, I was working full time with an infant...he chose to call his sweet manager a name I would never repeat here and was fired from a wonderfully paying job. So I had the weight of the world on my shoulders and was continuing the path of a teacher, mommy, and...wife? Fast forward a few years. I had decided that I was done. I had prayed. I had asked for God to lead me in the right direction and it kept coming to having to leave my husband at the time. We decided to take a trip to try and see what happened. Well......I got pregnant again. This time with my precious daughter.
He did not want to be at her birth and left the hospital soon after she was born. I should have left since a series of events followed. But, understand this....I.could.NOT.leave.my.babies. every other weekend. That is the usual visitation schedule and to have them with him. Alone. For a long period of time horrified me. So the protectors us mothers are...I stayed.
On a beautiful fall day in late September of 2006, something happened that I won't repeat here, and I had to leave. A divorce finally snuck itself into the life I had not carved as a dreamy 28 year old I once was. Reality and God chose a different plan again.

Now move forward to November 2008. An angel came into my life. He was in the form of my NOW husband. He SAVED my dream. He was my dream. It was him I had always dreamed of. Sincere. Romantic. Father. Provider. And he loved me for everything I am and was. He taught me to sleep at night in peace. He taught me the love in which you look at him with your children and have to choke back the tears.
However, he has his ex, who to me is a beautiful woman to look at, but can be a bit...um....so anyway. She has not made the right choices for her children and it makes me very sad. She is currently living with her 22 year old, rapper, boyfriend. But who am I to judge? I wouldn't if the lifestyle didn't effect my step-children. But it does. So not only are we in court with his ex, we are taking my ex for non-payment of child support. LOVELY.
Thank GOD we love one another so much.

SOOOOO...that is why I took a break. To try and "find" me and what makes me happy. To focus on my family. And I am sure the long pauses will creep in now and again. I will still be "trolling" other blogs and observing in amazement as I always do.
I will be fine. All southern girls find their way...and with hair done and nails manicured. Right? Uh not this southern girl, but I will try my best.

Have a wonderful week everyone1
Much love,

Melissa

I'm BaaaAAAccck!

Hi all! I took a little time to recoop from my surgery. The hip replacement went well and I am feeling much better. Thank you to all of the sweet notes of encouragement I received. :) They were so sweet. As far as creativitiy?
Nah.
I may be going to Blogger-prison soon since my creative streak has slowed down.

Has this ever happened to any of you?

I am so ready to get back into the swing of things. I am so ready to be back! So, I am off to look at everyone's beautiful blogs that I could never even compare to...but they are amazing and get my motivatin' going!

If this has happened to you...the lull in motivation....what have you done to get it going again?