a special request-

January 31, 2012

see that guy on the left?
 that's my dad. 
he's a pretty cool cat.

 Last night, January 30th 2012
 I got a call from my mom, in panic mode about my dad-
 there was an ambulance taking him to the emergency room
 and I was being asked to call my brother to get a plan going to 
 head over to Moses Cone Hospital to see him. 
 Naturally, I worried because I knew what it was for. 
 It would be his third heart attack. 
I fell asleep thinking everything would be okay 
 knowing my mom would call if we needed to go to the hospital. 
 It wasn't long after that I got a call back saying
 come up here, it's really serious. 

 I hopped out of bed-
 made sure the kids were tucked in tight, 
 and that hubby knew I was leaving
 and I headed on my way- the hospital isn't but five minutes away. 
 Any chest pain, after a heart attack is bad. 
 It's more damage to the heart, 
 more damage to your body. 

 It was 1am. 
 The quality time spent with my mom, grandma, brother and sister
 was much needed- we always laugh and bring up old stories. 
 It was a good to take our mind off of the news the doctors would bring soon. 

 4am: the doctor comes in and sits.
 He tells us that they found several arteries blocked to  100% capacity.
One of them on the right, one down the front center and another that was at 85%. 
They were able to unblock the artery causing the heart attack and left the two
but they are going back to repair one of the others Wednesday-
of course allowing 24 hours time for his heart to heal from the attack.
We asked if his heart was damaged any more than it had
been in previous attacks- the answer was yes, significantly so.
 The doctor informed us that even though the plaque around his 
heart is genetic that it is also very serious and that if he doesn't stop 
his addiction to nicotine, the outcome would be loss of life. 
My grandma- his mother suffered from heart disease.
 She passed away last year due to it.
 I miss her very much so.


 Now, I don't know about you- 
 but I don't want to lose this special guy in my life. 
 He's pretty awesome. 
 I've always been a daddy's girl. 
 I appreciate all the crap he puts up with. 
 I am forever grateful for him watching our kids when I am at school 
 and I am thankful for him as my father- 
 so I owe him a lot, 
 which means he has to live a really 
really
and I mean really
long time because it will take me that long to pay him back
 plus I love him a lot and I couldn't picture him not being around
 not this young, even though he's an old, old man!


The first angioplasty and stent placement for the first blockage was successful! 
The second angioplasty and second stent placement occur tomorrow morning. 
If the 2nd angioplasty gets his enzyme levels down he will be able to go home on Friday.

so I request from you my lovely readers and friends- 
 if you pray, please pray for my dad
if you don't, keep him in your thoughts.  
 he's a strong dude. 
 I know he'll pull through
 but his road ahead is going to be rough and trying,
 it will take will power and love from his friends and family
 to get through it. 
I know he can beat this.
I believe in him.

 thank you to all of my friends and family 
who have already sent messages, texts and things.
You're the best- I needed the cheering up
 and my dad loves the love coming his way!

just because

January 29, 2012


I absolutely love these little birds.
 I found more!




what's in your lunch box?

January 27, 2012


here is set three of Adriana's lunches, 
 these are some of her favorites
 and were some of my favorite to create!

 p.s.
 have you heard the good news?
it's about our lunches!

 lunch day forty five:
"turkey" peanut butter sliced strawberry sandwich
cucumbers with ranch dip
horizon mozzarella cheese
grapes
and a starburst candy!


 lunch day forty six: 
 lentil tomato couscous
sauteed kale with onion
mandarin oranges
chocolate hazelnut sticks
and dark chocolate chips!

 lunch day forty seven: 
gingerbread man and chrismas tree pancakes 
with marshmallow snow and syrup
white cheddar popcorn
dried cranberries
mandarin oranges 
and mini candy cane pieces!


lunch day forty eight: 
sushi with tempura sauce
steamed edamame
chocolate hazelnut sticks
strawberries
and white chocolate chips!

 lunch day forty nine: 
broiled fish on top of roasted brussel sprouts
grapes
white cheddar popcorn
celery sticks 
and peppermint bark!

lunch day fifty: 
rotini with homemade turkey and onion sauce
herb cheese with rosemary crackers
apple cinnamon rice crackers
strawberries and mandarin oranges 
and a stretch island strawberry fruit roll!

 lunch day fifty one: 
a smoked turkey and swiss snowflake sandwich
french vanilla snowman marshmallows
white cheddar popcorn
chocolate hazelnut sticks 
and a yogurt covered pretzel!
 
 lunch day fifty two: (picked by her as her first day back lunch) 
vegetable stir fry
steamed edamame with sea salt
mandarin oranges
chocolate hazelnut sticks 
and an A for Adriana strawberry fruit straw!

 lunch day fifty three: 
tuna and carrot "sushi" sandwich
peanut butter granola chunks with dried cranberries
baby carrots
salsa and chips 
and dark chocolate chips!

lunch day fifty four: 
romaine lettuce with croutons and Italian vinaigrette
itsy bitsy strawberries
two big heart brownies 
and dried cranberries!

lunch day fifty five: 
heart pancakes
granny smith apple wedges
strawberries and mandarin oranges 
chocolate dip for all the fruit 
and a caramel candy!

lunch day fifty six: 
rice, teryaki chicken and broccoli
pineapple chunks
honey roasted peanuts
krab roll in sweet spinach seaweed 
and fruit leather straws!

lunch day fifty seven: 
chicken & vegetable soup from dinner
multigrain mini crackers
grapes
cherries 
and a bite size lemon shortbread cookie!

lunch day fifty eight: 
heart shaped chicken, corn and salsa whole wheat taco
xo (doughnuts with frosting and sprinkles)
strawberries
red grapes 
and a heart shaped marshmallow!

a little birdy told me

January 24, 2012


i love all things birds. 
so here is a little birdy love-
plus they are so sweet and little humorous.
 happy tuesday.






oh rainy days

January 23, 2012

I can't remember the last time I saw the sun
 the house has been gloomy gray
 and we have been trying to keep our spirits up with 
 music and dancing and things that give us energy!

it's been a rainy, rainy weekend.
 though it feels like longer
 I'm being dramatic. 
 I don't mind the rain but sometimes when it sticks around 
it can make you feel a little doom and gloom. 
news to be heard: the munchkins have caught a cold, 
Adriana mentioned a girl in class having a fever on Thursday- 
I never will understand why parents let their kids
 go to school or anywhere for that matter sick, 
 especially with a fever.  
 sigh. 

speaking of rain- the weather this year
 has been completely out of whack.
 we haven't had a really cold day here in Greensboro yet. 
 I always remember it being mildly cold in the November, December months
 and then getting frigidly freezing in the January, February and March months. 
 Instead there are tornado watches and storms everywhere. 
 I continue to keep all of those who have been effected
 by this insanely unstable weather in my thoughts. 
 I hope it gets better. 
 and would it hurt to ask for a little snow around here?
 just a little.

I suppose I will be imagining what the next sunny day will be like.
 Until then, the kids will watch a movie and play together
 and this momma will work on my design homework, read for art history, 
 and continue to brainstorm new idea's for all of the lovely
 things going on around here. 

<3
 how's the weather where you are?
 are you rained in or enjoying your sunny or snowy day?
 happy monday!

a peak--

I woke up yesterday, really anxious
 knowing that I had to finish cleaning the house
 and get all of the stuff ready to make our doughnuts
 for the photo session at three o' clock.

 I made sure to prep as much as I could 
so that there was less to do later on.
 The kids jumped with joy when Sarah got here
 as they were eager to make, bake and eat doughnuts. 
 
We had a lot of fun!
Adriana had a blast
 and Ryland...
well we had a mini melt down
 after he wanted to eat the whole bowl of frosting
 instead of decorating them, but boys will be boys. 
 he sat with daddy the remainder of the time
 and Addi enjoyed her "spot light"
as I do think of this more for her
 since they are her lunches and well, 
 mostly her healthy belly ideas!

I have only one photo Sarah 
 has shared with me to share with you all 
 and then a few of the doughnuts I took after!
  so a bit of a sneak peak--

 enjoying her masterpiece!





  
 I used a recipe I found on pinterest
 which was linked back to these amazing ladies whose blog I adore!
and let me tell you, they are so delicious. 
 I prefer baking doughnuts than frying, 
 not only because its less fat 
 but because it's far less messy!

 I will be making these again and adding 
 them to my recipe box so that others can follow 
& link back to the lovelies.
 I did a few things differently
 and had some trial and errors, 
 so I think posting those will help others
 when making these, too!


p.s.
 thanks so much for all of the excitment
 good vibes and support in comments you guys, 
 it makes us super happy!

vintage photography inspiration II

January 21, 2012

I have an extreme obsession with photography
 taken when photography started.
here is some vintage photography-
entertainment, media and fashion based.











 all via google web//vintage photography