So my Company is Scaffolding the Washington Monument for the 2nd time!  We originally did it in   

1999.  It's absolutely fascinating to witness.  Very soon we will be finished and lighting will be installed and netting.  It will be lovely at night all lit up!  

I haven't posted on here in forever, I've been so busy with work!  Hopefully, things will even out a bit and I'll be able to get back into a routine.  Anyway- just thought you might be interested to see the project in process.

It's been way too long!

Life sure has gotten away from me. I have the best intentions to do a daily blog then life gets so busy. I've really been trying to focus this year on being there for others more and more. So much heart ache and heart break around me these days. I just lost my Uncle. He was a great man with the biggest heart ever and he is greatly missed. I worry about my Aunt and pray God will bring her peace. People never know the right things to say and frankly not sure there are any right things to be said. It's been 2 years since we lost my Grandma and my world collapsed. I knew in my head she was in a better place but my heart wasn't ready to hear that yet. I just wanted one more day, one more word, one more chance to see her beautiful face. So I can't imagine how hard it is to lose a spouse, I don't do well being away from husband for more than one day. But God does heal our hearts and although we never miss them less he does offer us peace and comfort.

My nieces and nephew are all growing up so fast and I miss them dearly as I never see them enough. I hope that I can always be someone they can turn to.

A lot of decisions to be made this year and hopefully some new and exciting things in store for us. I hope everyone else is having a good start to the year!

God's Timing

It's amazing to me how God works even when we aren't paying attention.  First of all it's been way too long since my last post.  Life has been incredibly busy...well work has been incredibly busy and I've been working very long hours.  So bottom line I haven't had much free time to post anything or even think about posting anything. 

Doug and I had a wonderful summer.  We didn't do anything super exciting just spent a lot of time at the beach, reading and relaxing.  Our time there is always so short.  We really have enjoyed the blessings God has given us and the opportunities he has provided.  I know I've said it a million times but I'm so thankful for my husband- God definitely knew what he was doing when he brought me Doug. 

Okay so back to God's timing.  I've struggled over the last several years with the fact that we haven't been able to have children.  And earlier this summer God placed a special person in my life that has really helped me truly appreciate the blessings I have and helped my heart heal by sharing her love and friendship.  God really does know what he's doing! 

Back in September I was also able to go visit my family and celebrate 7 birthdays!  Yes 7!  There are 10 people in my immediate family on my side and 7 of them have birthdays in Sept-Nov.  So my whole family went to the Pumpkin Patch to enjoy a fun day of corn mazes, pig races and hayrides.  Then we celebrated the birthdays- Mom, Salou, Dad, Jason, Kade, Amanda Lee and Bintou.  Whew...took us forever to get through the gifts :)  So glad to spend time with family!




Can you tell they enjoyed picking out their Pumpkins?

Constant Search for the Perfect Product...

I think most women are on a constant search for that one perfect product.  Mine has been foundation or rather a BB cream.  I am very fair so I need very light coverage so I've really been into the BB creams.  However, I had yet been able to find the perfect one- I tried nearly a dozen before finding the one I love.  Most of them caused my skin to be oily and caused random breakouts.  The one I am using now and absolutely love is Boscia BB cream.  It is amazing!  What is that one product you are constanting in search of the perfect one????

It's been FOREVER....

Can't believe it's been over a month since my last blog post.  To be honest not alot has happened since my last post.  We've been enjoying our summer, spending alot of time at the beach- relaxing.  I got to spend 4 days with my Parents around the 4th of July.  Haven't spent that much time with them in years- truly enjoyed my visit.  We had an amazing 4th of July, full of games, food and spending time in the pool.  During that visit I got to take my nieces, nephew and sister in law on a road trip to Cass Railroad and Snowshoe Ski Resort.  We had the best day!  It's so great to spend time with them and reconnect.  Oh we did have horrible storms and lots of people without power for over a week!  Praise God- my parents got back their electric the day before I arrived.  I also got to spend a whole day with my mom.  Hope everyone is having a wonderful summer!

The Winner is....

Lela- congrats!  If you will send me an email with your address I'll get it out in the mail when I return from vacation.  (scrappin4real@yahoo.com)  Hope you enjoy- it's such a nice set it would also make a nice gift!  Thanks everyone that entered- check back often for giveaways!

Hope everyone is enjoying this lovely Saturday!

May Giveaway

It's time for another giveaway- just because!  This is a really nice set I believe it sells for $35 on the website and I'm pleasantly surprised at the packaging it really looks more high end.  So it includes 64 eyseshadow shades, 8 lip gloss shades, 4 blush shades, 4 bronzer shades, 1 lip brush, 1 eye brush and 1 face brush.  It is brand new in packaging!  It would be a nice gift for someone starting out with makeup or a nice piece to add to any collection.  I use quite a few of their products (e.l.f.) and I really like them and they are very affordable.

So in order to win the giveaway I just need you to comment below telling me what you are most looking forward to doing this summer!  This contest will run from today, May 17th until May 31st!  Good luck!

My new love...LUSH!

So you may or may not have read when my BFF was here several weeks ago we stumbled upon a Lush store in the mall.  I had heard of their products but had no idea what all the fuss was about.  So they do bath products-BIG DEAL!  Well let me tell you I am in love with LUSH.  Everything from there is simply AMAZING!  At first I only tried a couple of their soaps- Sultana, Honey I washed the kids and Buffy.  I absolutely loved them all!  I also got some No Drought- Dry Shampoo- love it!  Also- got a sample of The Big Tease- Hair Gel- Loved that too!  They had so many other products I wanted to try- I'm not even a bath person and I was dying to try some bath items and take a bath.  So for my birthday this past week I took my Birthday money and headed to LUSH.  I bought several Bath Bombs (you simply run a bath and drop one in- it fizzes and creates some bubbles but mostly amazing bath water), I bought some other random bath items some Bubble Bars (you crumble them while running a bath to create bubbles).  I haven't tried the Bubble Bars yet- I will be trying these out in the near future, perhaps tonight.  I also got a new shampoo- I love Juicy- amazing and even more amazing- I got a sample of Big Shampoo- That shampoo is the best shampoo I've ever used- highly recommend it. 

So let me tell you about my first experience with the Bath Bombs- I tried the Twilight Bath Bomb on my birthday.  Now let me tell you I normally only last 5-10 minutes in a bath, it's simply not my thing.  Well I ran a bath, got my book ready and a bath pillow and got in and dropped the Twilight-Bath Bomb in the tub.  It instantly smelled amazing and turned my water a rose color and made my skin feel like silk.  I felt so pampered, so relaxed and so LUSH!  So I was in the bath for almost an hour- that's right you heard me an hour!  It was that AMAZING!  I smelled like a flower and felt so soft when I got out.  I found myself trying to figure out when I could do another bath. :) 

I want to get everyone I buy gifts for LUSH this year so they can experience this amazing line of products.  If you ever have a chance to try them- you must.  www.lushusa.com

And no LUSH isn't paying me to write a review or push their product.  Although free stuff would be awesome :)

My Review of Big

Originally submitted at LUSH USA

Sea salt gives limp locks a major lift, so we put as much as possible into this best-selling shampoo (about half the content is sea salt). This is the shampoo for thin hair in need of volume. We add toothed wrack seaweed infusion for nourishment and softness and fresh lime juice and lemon infusion ...

Big

Addicted to LUSH!!!

By LUSH 4 LIFE from Chesapeake Beach, MD on 4/21/2012

 

5out of 5

When you survey your stash, you label this product: Must-Have

Hair Type: Straight Hair

Pros: Adds Volume, Improves Hair Health, Lathers Well, Cleans Thoroughly, Great Smell, Gentle, Adds Shine

Best Uses: Oily Hair, Thinner Hair

Describe Yourself: Beauty Conscious

I was pleasantly surprised at how much volume it gave my hair and how thick my normally fine, thin hair felt, almost like it doubled my hair folicles. Amazing shampoo and my husband said my hair smells and looks great after using it only one time!

(legalese)

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...

So I went for a walk by the water this morning and what a beautiful day it is.  It's so refreshing to hear the birds chirping, feel the breeze and smell the water.  Thumbs up to God! :)  We are surrounded by such beauty.  As I sit here typing this I am truly overwhelmed by God's Blessings.  Too often I get bogged down with what isn't right in my life and the things I feel I'm missing out on that I forget to stop and appreciate and be thankful for the amazing things I do have.  So I just turned 37 yrs old and I have a new outlook this year.  I still have deep desires in my heart but I've changed my prayer- I still pray for those desires, but I also pray that if God chooses not to give me those desires that he will take those desires away from me so I can be at peace.  That is a huge step for me and while I truly pray that God will bless me, you know what he already has!