Coffee or Cocktail Anyone?

Wouldn't this be the perfect answer to a tough day?? Caffeine to satisfy my current addiction, mocha for my daily requirement of chocolate, vodka to take the edge off and the valium to make that whining that my little one does alot less annoying! Let me know if any of you try one. LOL!!! My friend Trina sent me this one and I just had to share it with all of you Mom's out there.


Speaking of coffee, my Mom sent this cute cup cozy this week. She actually sent me 3 so I can stash them in both cars and one in my purse. They fit my Starbuck's cup perfectly and I can stop using and throwing out those heat sleeves. Mom made these like an actual cup with a bottom and it is great because they don't slide or stretch out. Thanks for the crocheted goodies, Mom!

"Bracing" for Round 2

I have never used my blog to vent or even to express anything but my usual peaceful nature, but I am completely irritated and disappointed! I mentioned on my Birthday post in November that I was getting braces at age 42. I didn't elaborate on why I was getting braces then, but the plan was to hopefully correct my very ugly under bite by putting braces on my bottom teeth only. The orthodontist lowered the boom on me Tuesday and told me that I would have to have them added to the top to try and fix this issue. She is trying to pull the top teeth forward and the bottom teeth back.

I never had braces as a child because I was blessed with very straight, very pretty teeth. So why now??? Well, because of the way I bite, my lower teeth are getting pretty banged up and I was told by my dentist and consulting orthodontist that I am at risk of loosing them in about 20 years. That was not an option, so I decided to get the braces and correct the problem now rather than deal with loosing my teeth in my early 60's.

I have disliked these braces from the start. They have been uncomfortable and irritating and the thought of getting the tops done is making my crazy sad and mad!! I know I am whining, but now I am very worried. If she can't get this to work, I may be forced into surgery to fix a problem the braces may make even worse. I am trying not to fret about it, but the whole thing has me nervous. Besides, now I am really going to be self conscience about my metal smile. I want ceramic braces on the top because they are clear, but they want an additional 350.00 for those and Hubby is not going for it. Wish me luck in convincing him that I NEED the ceramic ones!

For those of you who have read this, thanks for listening! I will keep you posted. This is going to suck!

Mamma Mia, Martini's and PJ's!

Saturday night was our first Girls Night of 2009. We have been meeting as a group for a year now, so we toasted to the new year and for keeping our little group get togethers going all last year. Sometimes we meet taking turns at each others homes and sometimes we do dinner and a movie out on the town. No matter what we do, we always laugh and have a great time.

I kicked off our first get together with a Mamma Mia Pajama Party.

Here we are in our sweet and sassy not so sexy PJ's. From left to right we have Trina, Stephanie, Marla, Annette, Me and Suzanne! We had the party out in my pool house and started the night off with Apple Martini's, wine and a great Greek salad in honor of the movie!
We settled in to watch the movie and treated ourselves to buttered popcorn, classic movie candies and more martini's. When the movie was over, I gave the girls each their own copy of the soundtrack so they could take ABBA home with them and have a memento of the fun evening. We then cozied around the couch together and chatted late into the evening. Our little soiree broke up at 12:30 am. We came out with a long list of books that we have read and I am excited to start reading some of their favorites.

Our next outing has been determined that it will be out this time and we are going bowling!! Go rummage your closets girls and find those funky, retro bowling shirts. I will share with you the fun pictures. I hope none of us throws a back out or worse breaks a nail. LOL!

If you don't get together with a group of gal pals, get one started! It is such a treasure to have these friends and neighbors to spend time with, to laugh with, to learn from and to grow with.

Stay tuned for bowling night!!

Cards Filled with Love...

I have been enjoying this Valentine holiday time of year. I have been busy making some cards to sell in my booth at the Carriage House. Here is a look at some of my creations.

I will be putting some up on our Lollishops store soon, too!

This week my girlfriend, Annette and I got together to make party favors for her girls birthday party. We will be going to Build a Bear next weekend for the party. Here is what we put together.
These honey bears are filled with some yummy candy. The kids are going to love these.
I saw this idea several month ago on Jen's Blog, Eye Candy Creations. It was such an easy project to do.

I hope you are all having a great weekend!

Some Lovely Finds...

Isn't she sweet? I found this little gal and her dog at an Antique Mall in Byron, GA. It was such a joy to find both her and her little poodle intact with the leash and all. She is in perfect condition and available on Lollishops!!

My other great find last week was a visit to Faded Plains. Andrea has the neatest shop full of goodies and she is such a doll! Andrea had a January sale going and I bought the cutest bag that I had been watching for a while.Andrea makes receiving your purchase a real treat. She wraps things with such care and she always puts in some extras. She has some great tags, stickers and packaging. Here is what I bought.
I love this little cloth bag. The colors are perfect for this Valentine season. It is hanging on a door right now off of my kitchen and it just adds the right amount of cheer. I also bought some blue admit one tags for some invitations that I getting ready to send out. Go chcek out Faded Plains and say hello to Andrea.

As you can tell, I am gearing up for Valentine's Day. Don't you just love my banner? I won this banner last year from the super-talented Susan Tuttle in the One Heart One World Giveaway. If you haven't been to Susan's blog before you MUST visit. Her words and her artwork are a daily treasure. You will be adding her to your favorites list.

Have a good week ladies and I will be back with more Valentine Goodies.

Valentine Ornament Swap!

10 little ornament bags prettied up and ready to fly!! My Gal Pal, Natalea from Kandeland has put together an intimate little swap just in time for our Valentine decorating. Yes, I did use the word decorating so soon after taking Christmas down, but in the crafting world we are always pushing things forward.

I just love Cavellini and Co. papers. These Valentine postcards are by them and were a find at the end of the season last year and just perfect for dressing up these bags to ten talented women. I can't wait to see what they have made.

Sorry...I didn't mean to get you all excited about seeing what I made. I am only showing the backside of my ornament until Natalea sees them first!! Okay, maybe a sneak peek.

Stay tuned for more Valentine delights. I will show them off when I get them off to the Swap Hostess.

The Winner Is....

Our winner is sweet Grace from Pink in the City! I hope she will enjoy adding a little blue to her pink collection. Congratulations, Grace!

Many thanks to all of you who came to visit and congratulated me on my 1 year of blogging! Hugs and Kisses to you all!!!!!!

GIVEAWAY!! 1 Year of Blogging

Hello Everyone! On December 27th, it was my 1 Year Anniversary of "The Other Side of Me." I can't believe that a whole year has past. What an amazing year it has been! I had no idea how much this blog would change my life! In honor of all of you wonderful ladies out there who have contributed so much of yourselves, your art and your time, here is a GIVEAWAY just for you!I have made up a sweet pail full of goodies! I have chosen a blue theme in honor of my Blue Sky Studio that my Hubby built for me this year. Let's see what's inside:I tried to keep in mind all of you vintage lovers as well as the scrapbookers and card makers.Some Blue Bling to get things started!

A Blue Mercury Glass Ball.
A 1/2 yard of this French Country Toille fabric.

A lovely vintage hankie with a scalloped edge.
This large wooden mounted rubber stamp of a bird's nest with eggs by Inkadinkadoo and pale blue ink pad.

Large sparkly blue letters.
Little blue ceramic bunny.
Blue rick rack and some Mary Engelbreit Note Cards.
Blue rhinestones perfect for any project.
A snowy house for you to decorate up!
Last but not least, a crown ornament to remind you of the Queen that you are!

The Winner of the giveaway will be anounced in one week from today, Tuesday, January 13th! Good Luck to all who come to visit and leave me a comment! Please be sure to include your email address.

A very Special Thank You to Lee who convinced me to start blogging, and the following ladies who visit me everyday and every week and who have made a wonderful impact on my life!

Hugs and Kisses to you all!

Natalea from Kandeland

Tam from Lollishops

Karla from Sugar Bear Designs

Luz from She Flies With Her Own Wings

Susan Tuttle from Ilka's Attic

Thank you, Dear Friends! You do inspire!