I showed you last week on Yay You Did It some of my awesome readers who not only attempted the Decorated Cakes With No Stress, but blew it out of the water, well I continue to get emails and pictures and links and am so amazed by all of them. I have a few more coming up in the next few weeks but had to show you this one today.
Wendy over at Silly Steeneck's made not one, not two, but three of these babies. She was making these for an auction and her kid's helped her decorate each one. She even posted how much they sold for, I'm not going to spoil the surprise, but WOW, go check it out for yourself.
Just look at these beauties, man I could eat cake for breakfast right about now.
Don't they just scream goodness! Have you made one yet? I'd love to showcase it. I'm thinking I need to make a few more to catch up to you awesome ladies.
I really look forward to Tuesday's Dear So and So post because that means we've once again made it past Monday and one step closer to Friday! Even better this week I'm off Thursday and Friday and going to the beach with my high school girl friends for our annual Mexia class of '96 girls annual trip, HOLLA!!! This year we rented a beach house and just going to laugh, drink wine, and bake, yeah baby! Anyways on to Dear So and So, you know, where I get to say what I really wished I could of said at the time or little love notes to someone special and by love I mean sarcastic and by someone special I mean someone who annoyed me, more than likely.
Dear Bow Flex:
Stop it with the guilt trip already. I hear you calling my name and do realize that you were made to be more than a mere dust collector or catch all bench but I'm really digging my 30 day Shred so until I bore of her I will continue to give you the cold shoulder. Stop pouting though, you look really cute with my paint cans and tool box displayed on you.
Love
Getting it taken care of elsewhere, Me
Dear Customer:
I'm very thankful for your huge order recently. But I did get a little annoyed after the 5th email the very next day wondering if your order had shipped yet. On every page of my website/store it clearly states "Please allow 3-5 business days to ship" That does not mean 3-5 days you will receive it. I make these by hand at the time of order, do not keep stock and am sorry but not responsible for poor planning on your part of needing a bow yesterday and not ordering it until next week.
Love,
Making things special and custom made for you, Me
Dear fomer employees:
I'm very sorry you were "laid off" but I have to ask, were you that shocked? Coming in late and leaving early 4 days out of a 5 day work week is bound to raise flags, not to mention being hung over and taking naps in empty offices just looks bad. I know lots of people who really need jobs and willing to put in the time and effort to keep them. I wish you well but a little upset because now my work load just about doubled.
Love
Annoyed but working hard, Med
Dear Lady driving a SUV Parked in Parking Lot
If you're just sitting in the car with the engine running waiting for someone, do you really have to take up two parking spaces up front? And not just by a little bit, either--you were blatantly hogging them, either that or you bought a car that you don't know how to drive. Thanks for making this momma have to park in BFE and walk in pouring rain toting my monkey simply because you don't know how to park. If you're going to do that, could you at least park further out in the parking lot?
Signed,
Really annoyed and wet Momma
Dear Dude in the BIG Truck:
Than you for laying on the horn trying to tell said lady to move her butt up into one spot! Too bad she seemed to be completely ignorant of why you might be ticked.
Thanks for Trying
Wet Momma
Dear Poppa,
You rock, you didn't make the annoyed Dear So and So list this week actually you hardly ever make it, I need to keep a closer eye on you! I'm very excited for your last night of class tonight but not excited you have to start summer classes in 3 weeks.
Love,
The Wifey
Dear Monkey,
Stop being so dang cute and making Momma and Poppa laugh when it's probably something you shouldn't be doing which only encourages said cuteness. You light up my world.
Love
Momma that loves you to the moon and back.
Dear State of Texas
Really?! I'm at a loss of words right now but thank you for continuing to show me that our decision to home school is the right and best decision for us. All I can say is teachers, you have my upmost respect and my heart goes out to you.
Love
Feeling sorry for Texas Teachers, Me.
Dear Readers:
You know you rock, don't have to tell you but you do! I love every comment you leave and every post you write. I so enjoy the friendships I'm making with each of you!
So do you have any Dear So and So's this week? I'd love to come read them!
Me Monday once again here at Texas Monkey. I'm thinking I might need to switch what day I do this on because waking up on Monday morning to do anything is hard in itself, but to tell a story or share something about me is sometimes torture to my brain. Only because it's not wanting to work like that, not because I don't enjoy doing it. In light of Mother's Day yesterday, I want to capture my thoughts, memories, and pictures from my very special day.
I think of Proverbs 31:10-31 anytime I think about what kind of woman, wife, and mother I desire to be. We are our own worst critic so there aren't many days that I feel I live up to being a virtuous woman but I strive daily to achieve it. I want nothing more than for my husband to and child to know without a doubt they can trust me and rely on me. And this mother's day I felt honored and praised by both of them.
Although time is going by too fast and I struggle with remembering little details of her being an infant/baby which blogging is allowing me to get better about but I must admit that I'm enjoying Monkey being a little older and partaking more in special occasions.
This year at her school they made and decorated heart shaped cakes for us moms as well as decorated pots and planted flowers to give to us. She really seemed to enjoy giving me my gifts and would repeat over and over "I Did It" "I Did It." When we walk into the door and she sees my plant she runs up to it and claps and says I Did It! I Did it for Momma. Talk about melting the heart.
Sunday we went to church as a family with my family and then had lunch and celebrated the moms with gifts and cards.
Poppa and Monkey each got me a card and she even signed it. Poppa got me money to go in my Cricut fund while Monkey along with my plant and cake got me a gift card.
When we got back home I got to get out and do some shopping for my upcoming girls weekend while Poppa kept Monkey then we all met up to eat dinner out. When we returned home I walked in to laundry done, kitchen cleaned and floors vacuumed. Needless to say I had a wonderful perfect Mother's Day. On top of that I get to go Wednesday to have a pedicure.
My Nana loved her Bird Bath I made for her, my Aunt loved her necklaces and my mom got showered with lots of goodies, money, and love from me and Monkey. It was a great family day together.
I can't get over how much she has grown and changed since last Mother's Day, I can't even imagine how much more she will change for Mother's Day 2011.
I hope all the moms out there felt honored and loved for Mother's Day as well as everyday.
Normally Dream Book comes to you on Saturday but our weekend was filled with celebrations and family time and this Momma just did not get around to scheduling this post and since I really have no content for Me Monday this week, maybe later, I thought I'd kick off this week with some great ideas I've found along blog land that you may find inspiring to give to those wonderful teachers as we approach the end of the year.
But first let's look at what not to get teachers.
(Disclaimer, this is only meant for humor, if you get this for your child's teacher I'm sure they will be very appreciative, as it's the thought that counts)
My mom is a 4th grade teacher and appreciates every gift and thought she receives each year but let's face it, like the elder aunt who gives strange gifts at birthdays, there's always some gifts to kind of snicker at.
Maybe Think Twice this year before getting your teacher:
A Coffe Mug: While most teachers love coffee and if they don't enjoy soup or hot chocolate, let's be realistic, after even just 5 years of teaching, most teachers probably have received enough coffee mugs to open their own coffee cafe with.
A Fanny Pack: While I understand that teachers have the summer off and it's a great opportunity to vacation and site see and be a tourist at random spots, no one and I mean no one should be sporting a fanny pack unless it's my Aunt Sissy who looks adorable in anything.
Lingerie: Um if you think I'm kidding, I assure you I'm not, a single father who was in charge of doing the teacher's gifts presented his chid's teacher with this very inappropriate and awkward making moment gift.
Teacher Themed knick knacks: I can't tell you how many countless teacher themed items I find while hopping from one garage sale to the next or how many shelves at thrift stores are filled with it. I promise most teachers fill their classroom with what they like and then pass down the rest. We hate to see another apple shape gift bite the dust.
Chicken Soup for The Teacher's Soul Book: Since more than likely it's her 23rd copy I can bet it's no less cheesy than the first 10 she got.
Porcelain and glass figurines: Do I really need to give an explanation on why this might not be a favorite gift to receive?
In speaking with a few teachers I know I did get a list of items they really LOVE receiving.
A handmade card or drawing by the student.
A gift card to a local spa
A movie night
Eating out gift card
A gift that fits their likes, personality, hobbies IE: do they scrapbook, then a Hobby Lobby gift card, do they sew? then Amy Butler fabric, do the cook? Then a cookbook or cook's gift basket, etc.
And my mom's favorite gift, a gift that she can re gift. (I only kid! )
Now here's some more awesome and inspiring gift ideas that I'm sure any teacher would love to receive.
I'm loving this Pencil Vase bouquet of flowers. It says teacher without saying teacher and it's handmade which is an added bonus, very inexpensive, and gets oohhs and awwws!
Almost every teacher I asked said they love handmade cards, drawings, notes and this adorable Flip Album covers them all, what teacher wouldn't love to receive something so personal filled with pictures to hold on to memories for a lifetime.
Goodies are always a treat to receive but this Cookie and gift card Can is a double treat since it's homemade goodness with a gift card tucked inside! I'd love something like this for sure.
The top answer for every teacher I asked said money was their favorite gift. Class room decor and most supplies come out of their own pocket so receiving cash gifts that they can use for the classroom is very appreciative. Most of us in today's economy can't really afford big cash gifts especially if you have 2 or more in school but pooling together with all the kids and parents of the class and making this awesome Money Book could be the answer you're looking for. And if not then browse the other awesome teacher gift ideas over there too.
And here's a cute way to dress up homemade goodies with this Yummy Bread stamped up and handmade card to go along with it. You could also easily tuck in a gift card in the box like with the Cookie Can. And to me this is a classy way to decorate with apples or teacher themed items without screaming cheesy or gaudy! So stinking cute!
That's Dream Book for you, what are you doing this year for teacher gifts? We plan on homeschooling so I won't have to do this but I just may have to make myself a gift or two to show myself my own appreciation when that time comes. So if you home school, whip up some cookies and take your self to the spa! :)
As Normal, if I featured you, go grab you a button!
It's once again Friday, and that means today is for you. Friday's are reserved to show my readers love and tips, advice, and support. Speaking of support, this week is for you and the girls, the cha chas, the ladies, the pillows, Thelma and Lousie, the Ta Tas, the sisters, whatever you call yours, those are the girls I'm referring to, the ones that need TLC and support via a good bra. So let's discuss bras today shall we? I promise you it will be worth your few minutes to read through this as it's not only stocked full of tips but it's got a little something extra for you and a little added humor bonus.
Let's get started shall we?
Bras are a staple to most women's wardrobe. They can make us feel sexy, confident, even powerful, ok mostly the girls make us feel that way but a good bra helps. We use bras as purses when going out I've tucked money, DL, cell phone, and gum in my bra. We match bras to our panties and clothes. Heck I've seen some even bling out their bra. Most of us love a good pretty bra.
BUT, Have you ever found youself stating one or all of the following at some point? “the bra I have doesn’t give much support”, “the straps are digging into my shoulders”, “the band in the back is riding up” or “the underwire is cutting into my sides”?
There are so many little problems that the wrong bra can cause that it ends up being a big hassle when you’re trying to go about your day. And it doesn't matter if you’re a 32B or a 40DD, a 22 year old or a 57 year old, your bra problems are unlikely to go away unless something changes. And the only person who can make those changes is you. I know change can be scary and unwanted but I assure you contrary to popular belief at least in this category if you're having problems change will be AMAZING!
So let's look at a few common bra problems.
Problem: The Girls are bulging out of bra
If your girls sometimes bulge out of the top of the bra cup, then the bra cup size could be too small. If your girls bulge out of the sides of the bra then you more than likely you need a fuller cup or a larger around size.
This leaves you a less than attractive lumpy appearance under clothes and if you’re bulging out, it’s often very obvious to other people that you’re wearing a bra that doesn’t fit properly. This is one of the most common bra fitting problems. Solutions:
Try going up a cup size so that the girls are totally encased in the cups (e.g. if you’re wearing a C cup, try a D). Or perhaps you need a bra for fuller shapes in the size you are currently wearing. If bulging from the sides then try going from a 34 to a 36 or a fuller cup bra that provides better coverage.
Problem: Bra cup Wrinkled and squashed Solutions:
You may want to try one cup size smaller as if it's wrinkled and squished it probably means your cup is too large. However, if the wrinkling is only at the tip of the cup, this could mean that the cup size is too small because your breasts cannot fit into the cups properly – in this instance, try one cup size bigger.
You may also want to try a cup with fiberfill or a stretch cup to avoid this problem.
Problem: Bra Underwire sticks out or digs in
Bra Underwire can sometimes stick out, or more uncomfortably dig in under your arms. This is often a sign that the bra cup size is too small and your breasts are forcing the bra away from your body. Solutions:
Try one cup size larger so that the wires lie flat against your body and fully encase your breasts. You might also want to try a non-underwire soft cup style.
Problem: Bra straps dig into shoulders
When the bra straps dig into your shoulders it can cause tension, piercing pain, strain and make for a very long and uncomfortable day and it could be a sign that the back size of your bra is probably too big. Also make sure that you have the right cup size. A cup that is too small won’t support full figures and can create a lot of pull on the shoulder straps. Solutions:
The main support provided by a bra should come from the strap around your back and not from the shoulder straps. If your shoulder straps are digging in, you are probably wearing a back size that is too big for you, so try going down a back size. Alternatively, you might simply need to loosen the shoulder straps. Wider or padded straps also might help stop the shoulder straps from digging in.
Problem: Sagging Girls
It’s possible that your bra band and cup size are too big. When the band is too big, it can ride up your back, resulting in your girls being pitched downward. If your cup size is too big, your girls have more room to sag. If you’ve been wearing the bra for some time, it might simply be that you need a new bra.
Solutions:
If you have naturally sloping shoulders, this could contribute to slipping straps consequently allow more sag. If your shoulders are rounded and sloping, try a t-back or leotard-back bra, which bring the straps closer together in the back and help prevent strap slippage.
If you’re not already doing it, try a bra style with departing cups and / or an underwire. Try shortening the straps. This pulls the top of the cup upward, repositioning the breasts and minimizing any sag. You should also try to avoid stretchy fabrics.
Most all Problems stem from NOT wearing your size. And most all solutions consist of getting fitted and wearing the correct size.
What's that you say? Oh you were fitted for a bra two years ago. Um does it still fit? If the answer is no then you're not alone.
While it’s great that you were measured for a bra two years ago, because of the changes a woman’s body can undergo over time, it’s recommended that you get your bra measured about twice every year. Did you have a baby in that 2 years, lose weight, gain weight, have stress, age, etc? More than likely you and your body went through changes, small or big and that can alter the girls even in the slightest and the slightest can change how your bra supports those ladies.
If you’re still wearing that same bra you bought two years ago, it’s likely to have stretched considerably and sadly …worn out.
So go get fitted again and show those problem causing bras to the door and show your girls some love with a new bra. Oh and since you're getting a new bra how about some tips on taking care of it.
Home Weekly have but together some simple tips to keep your bras looking fresh and new
1.Wash your bra often so perspiration and body oils don’t linger. A bra will be worn next to your skin, so it’s essential that it’s free of dirt, sweat and grime.
2.Fasten the hooks on the bra before washing. This will prevent them catching on trim or on other clothes and place in a lingerie bag.
3.Hand-wash a bra to prolong its life. Use cool water and a gentle soap made for delicate fabrics
4.Place the bra in a lingerie bag if you machine-wash it.
5.Wash your bra in cool water on the delicate cycle, using a mild detergent.
6.Air dry your bra after washing.
Oh and since I said this would be worth your few mintues of reading and more than likely you are like me and in dire need of a fitting and a new bra then how about a $20 gift card to Victoria's Secret?!
Ok you talked me into it, it is FOR YOU FRIDAY after all.
So how do you enter to win?
Simply become a follower if not already and in the comments section tell me what's your favorite bra, a funny bra story, an embarrassing girls story, a tip, a suggestion, what you carry in your bra, nything related to the girls or bras, just can't be a "I'm now following comment" I want to know you read this and what your thoughts are in order to be entered. That's easy enough right?
And since I promised some humor, spend another few minutes and watch Anita Renfroe give tribute to underwire.
