Monday, September 23, 2013

Reclaiming my life....

If anyone has been paying attention it has been approximately one year since my last blog post. It doesn't seem that long ago, but it was. There is one simple reason why. Fatigue. 

I am not talking about the, 'I didn't get enough sleep, so I need a nap, fatigue' or the 'I spent way to much time at spin class, so now I am exhausted, fatigue'. No.  This is a completely different animal. I am talking about the kind that envelopes your life like a shadow and keeps you in the dark with no light on the horizon, fatigue. The kind where lifting your arms just to wash your hair seems like a monumental task. Walking up the stairs, thru quicksand, on all fours, kinda' fatigue.  It has come and gone for the past 7 years and fortunately my good 'spells' were much longer than the bad. Until this past year. 

Some of my friends today are more than a little surprised when I tell them I used to be an athlete.  Most Athletic my senior year in HS. Made the State & National soccer teams  and even played Softball at Ohio State. I had, as one reporter said in an article..'blinding speed'. Now, on most days I can't open a bottle of water or wear my shoes because of the swelling. I can't play with my kids in the backyard or teach them how to kick a soccer ball.

I am not the person I want to be.

The mom I thought I would be.

Some may know I suffer from an autoimmune disorder called psoriatic arthritis. Simply put, my immune system is overactive. My body thinks my joints and ligaments are 'foreign' objects so it attacks these areas causing inflammation, stiffness and pain. Lots of pain. Unfortunately this horrid disease is treated with horrid medications. I have to take something to lower the effectiveness of my immune system called a biologic. My drug of choice these days is Enbrel. One shot, weekly, along with another binding drug called Arava and all should be right in my rheumatic world.

Except, it's not.

The pain persists and the fatigue from chronic inflammation continues to be debilitating. It is my norm to go to bed around 7:00 most nights. Sleep through the night and feel completely exhausted in the morning. Sure there are some good days, but when they do occur I tend to go over board leaving me completely useless for the next couple of days. You never know when a flare is going to hit and you never know just how long it will last. 

In addition to PsA. Thanks to being born with scoliosis, I am also recuperating from my second reconstructive spinal surgery. Muscle relaxers and vicodin are the norm these days. My back is progressing nicely but needs some major strengthening.

My friend 'fatigue' has other plans.

Being fatigued even when you have the ability to lay in bed and rest is hard.  Being fatigued when trying to raise two little boys is extremely difficult. Being fatigued and raising two little boys, one who has special needs is completely overwhelming. How do you meet the needs of a child who is relying on you in every aspect of his life when you can't even load the dishwasher? 

I am going to talk about my kids and their health issues in my next post. This post is just to remind me where I was, with my health, when I started this journey. To remind me how right now at 8:30 pm, I can barely type or keep my eyes open. This blog will hold me accountable and hopefully chronicle my road to relief.  

Today I made a change. I am reclaiming my health and the health of my family. Just a peek of how I hope to do just that.








Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Just a few quick pics...

Hi All! Been MIA for awhile but still have been busy at work. Here are a few recent projects I have finished. I know they all tend to look the same after awhile. But hey, build it and they will come, is my motto...okay, in this case paint it! These combo's sell so well so I stick with what works. Excited for another big Canton shopping trip tomorrow. Will post any exciting finds. I do have amazing news that I hope to be sharing after the first of the year. I hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving and will have just as wonderful Christmas. Alway remember the 'Reason for the Season'!! 


Coco & Old White-Classic







Paris Grey & Old White










Another vintage window sign....love this saying!

Monday, September 24, 2012

My Cameo Silhouette Projects...so far.

I recently purchased a Silhouette Cameo and was so intimidated by it that I didn't even open the box for 2 months!  I don't even know half of the stuff it is able to do but have been having so much fun playing with it. I have learned a few cool things though, like how to make unique tags and stickers (that match my business cards) for my shop, how to make cute little pill boxes, (that I handed out at the Haven Conference with chocolate in them) and how to make really cool vinyl lettering for signs. I love the look of old windows so I have created several 'window signs' to sell in my booths.  

I have a whole pintrest page dedicated to all the projects I want to do including super cute Christmas tags, vintage recipe cards and gift card boxes. Here are a few pics of my recent creations.


These are the boxes I made to take to the Haven Conference. I attached my biz card and put chocolates in them.

I made at least 125 and STILL ran out!

Here are the matching stickers my friend Colleen, at Sweet Sosbee Designs, made for me before I got my machine. She is super talented so check her out for all your invitation/party needs.

I used twine to close up the boxes-didn't want the chocolate falling out!!

Here is one of the old window signs-Eat Local!

A phrase coined by Sara, at Sweet Magnolias Farm is one of my favorites! I am in LOVE with her etsy shop and carry a lot of her items in my booths.

Paris Flea Market window
 I am contemplating opening an etsy shop within the next year but not sure I will have the time or energy to do that AND both of my booths...(a possible third in the works too..shhhh). I am not sure these would ship very well either. I am now working on a "..it is Well...with my Soul" window and a vintage one for the laundry room. 

If you are interested in placing a custom order just message me on facebook, SkyBluPink Creations or email me at SkyBluPinkCreations@gmail.com.

I am having SO much fun with my new Cameo....are you inspired to get one??

I sometimes party with these peeps!


Monday
Tuesday
coastal charm , todays creative blog , sugar bee crafts , crafty confessions , Farmhouse Porch - Cowgirl Up
Wednesday
Thurs.
Friday









Monday, September 10, 2012

End of Summer thoughts and another Annie Sloan Coco transformation...




Now that summer is over I am so excited to get back to work! I have so many posts to catch up on I don't even know where to start. It is almost impossible for me to put a coherent thought together in the summer that I don't even try. I just consume a ridiculous amount of white chocolate ice storms from Nordstrom's Cafe, take the kids to the bookstore, avoid a bathing suit at all cost and think of EVERY excuse NOT to play Candyland 'Just one more time!".

ahhhhh Fall is almost here...

I have finally organized and edited all my pics so they all ready to go. I went to an amazing Lavender Farm Festival in the Spring, Haven Conference in June (yeah..still haven't done that post, leave me alone!) and opened a new booth at High Street Antiques. My baby started kindergarten, I post-poned my surgery, was going to sell both houses, now keeping both but moving back into the one in Frisco. Lost 10 lbs, gained 15 lbs, started planning our Disney trip and completely renovated the Frisco kitchen for $1200...wait until you see the drastic results! I will review the Rust-o-leum counter top transformation kit, tell you how to transform your wood cabinets without stripping or painting AND defend my decision to send my kiddo to a private school (fists up..;)

Whew..lot's to catch up on!  Let's just start off easy with the ONLY furniture transformation of the summer. It is the first piece I put in the new shop and it sold in 2 days. I have a feeling the Plano mall is gonna' love them some Annie Sloan Chalk Paint!



The lovely before pic...dirty and messy!



Lot's of potential for sure


It was missing 2 of the pulls so I had to scramble


Isn't she purdy??


Love how the pumpkins brought out the Old White detail

details, details, details

I loved these pulls sooooo much that I really tried to find the originals...no such luck!


I still have almost a can of Coco left so don't be surprised if my next 3 pieces are the same color! I know boring.....but beautiful!

Again...So glad to be back in the swing of things! I hope you stop back soon and follow along with my ever so late updates on all my crazy doings!

I sometimes link up with these fun parties!

Primitive and Proper , Domestically Speaking , Savvy Southern Style ,DIY by Design , Not Just a Housewife , Restore InteriorsThe DIY Showoff , The DIY Home Sweet Home , howtonestforless , coastal charm , todays creative blog , the kurtz corner , home stories a to z , carolyn's homework , Tip Junkie , shades of amber , Farmhouse Porch - Cowgirl Up , Miss Mustard Seed






Sunday, July 22, 2012

Coming Up For Air....


This summer has been ca-RA-zee! I can't seem to get my act together no matter how hard I try.  I haven't even had a chance to do a Haven recap, write about having to reschedule my surgery or how we are about to sell our two houses. The kiddos are running me in circles and I am in a constant state of....'what the, what the..???!'.....like I said ca-RA-zee!!!

I have been able to do a tiny bit of painting. The back holds up for short spurts and I try and take advantage of those times as much as possible. I was in desperate need of something to put my tv on in my office/craft room. It needed to have a bunch of storage and HAD to be paris grey. Not to long ago I found a great, ugly, 70's dresser with a bunch of swirls on the front. I painted that one graphite with old white detail and it sold in a day. While combing craigslist I was excited to see a similar piece listed. Unfortunately my before picture was pre-mac and pre-hard drive failure so I don't have photographic evidence of it's ugliness but I am sure you can imagine it in all its orange wood glory....(sorry, for the pics..see disclaimer.)


                   

Pardon the shadow....I took a great photography class at Haven and adjusted my camera to Lord knows what settings!! I am probably the only person EVER that takes worse pictures after sitting through a photography session given by some seriously skilled photographers...
  


Some of the knobs weren't salvageable so I added some clear knobs...love how it gives it even more of a girly touch






The original plan was to keep this in my office. Why do I bother? I sold something quickly in my booth and needed a piece to fill the hole. So this is where this beauty now sits.  While my TV and a bunch of other crap sits on the floor. Oh well, such is life in the furniture biz!


Linking up with the great parties...

 The DIY Showoff , howtonestforless , coastal charm , Primitive and Proper , 
Domestically Speaking , Not Just a Housewife , Restore Interiors , The Shabby Creek Cottage , Miss Mustard Seed , Friday Feature @ Redoux




Sunday, June 10, 2012

My '25 Things' List...

I love meeting new people. I especially love meeting new people who love meeting new people. Although I am extremely excited to go to my first Blog/DIY conference I wish I knew a few things about my virtual friends. I would love to be able to turn on my computer after I meet them and put some facts with the friend. Nothing too personal, mind you..(unless you are REALLY into sharing:) but something that goes a little deeper than a business card and a smile. So here I figured I would make a list of 25 things that may (or may not) be interesting about me. I hope I can find 25, but I guess I will give it a shot!

1)  I am a Believer

2)  I come from a large family, 4 sisters, 3 brothers.

3)  I am originally from New Jersey but have lived in Texas since 1993

4)  I want to eventually move to Colorado

5)  I am 100% Irish, red hair/freckles and all

6)  I am terrified of Spiders (no roommate pranks Brandi!)

7)  My favorite movies are The Notebook (so predictable) and The Shawshank Redemption

8)  I have an amazing husband who I have been told looks like Donny Osmond

9)  I secretly love John Denver (but my fav music is classic rock)

10)  I have 2 amazing sons..Ryan (7), Sean (5)

11)  We found out Ryan had Down Syndrome when I was 12 weeks pregnant.

12)  I believe in miracles....see #11

13)  I was voted Most Athletic my senior year in High School

14)   The name of my business is inspired from my Grams. We loved to go to flea markets and garage sales and when we would be driving there early in the morning the texas sky was a beautiful landscape of colors. "Look, Franny...SkyBluPink"...she would always say.

15) I hate hot weather..yes, does make #3 a tad confusing!

16)  I never painted a piece of furniture until I read MMS post about ASCP. Addicted!

17)  My starbucks order is Grande Nonfat Green Tea Latte

18)  I love to read

19)  I love coffee ice cream, coffee fraps & the smell of coffee...but hate actual coffee.

20)  I still watch Friends all the time

21)  I am terrible at math

22)  I hate 80's music (except classic rock)

23)  I have super, super curly hair that I straighten

24)  I am a french fry snob

25)  I am doing exactly what I want to do with my life!


I thought it was going to be hard but I guess I know more about myself than I thought;).

10 Days to Haven. Can't wait!



Monday, June 4, 2012

Teacher's Appreciation Gift {Mason Jar Vase}

It is 3:45 in the am and I am wide awake..yay. Since my surgeon has changed my pain medication my sleep schedule is completely out of whack. The new meds are making me soooooo sleepy and I struggle to stay awake during the day...which in turn makes me awake some during the night. Ugghh. I am trying to do some projects here and there but man I am like a walking zombie!  Countdown to surgery is 6 weeks! Extremely anxious to get off all these meds and see what the real me feels like! 

Schools out and now a whole new level of intensity ramps up on the home front. Ryan is, to say the least, energetic and since Sean has turned 5 he is right there with him. For someone who has a tough time staying awake during the day this should be interesting:) Routine and repition is extremely important for Ryan and it will be a challenge to, even remotely, keep up with what his amazing teachers have been doing the whole year. He loves school so much and Ms. Duncan, Ms. Cotton and Ms. Moore are the reasons why! I was trying to think of something super cute to give them for Teacher's Appreciation Week when my friend, Melissa, asked me if she could buy a large mason jar soap dispenser from me. She was going to do a 'spa in a jar' theme that she saw on pinterest. I really liked the jar idea but decided to go in a little bit of a different direction. I sell tons of mason jars in my booth at Frisco Mercantile and also have the flower frog lids that are great when looking for a unique vase. So I decided to fill up the jar with just a bunch of little stuff that I thought they would love...just happens that it was stuff I love too...go figure! 


       I added pretty purple flowers and yummy Godiva Chocolate/Strawberry lollipops


Just a few gifts for them, mentos, gum, chalk pen, starbucks gift card, chocolate covered graham crackers and a Keep Calm and Have a Cupcake book mark.


I can't thing of any group of gals that deserve a cupcake more than them!!


                          I bought the small chalkboards and pretty magnets from
                                           Funky Junk at Frisco Mercantile.





Cute pic of the final project!


Ryan will miss his teachers so much over the summer but man do they deserve the break!!!



                                 What did you do for the teachers in your life??