A Royal Wedding day gift for me!

One of my besties lives in London. (Insert jealously here!). I have been trying to convince the hubby for YEARS now to transfer to the base out there. No luck. Had he granted my request I could be enjoying the festivities live today. Sigh.

I digress. However, the benefit of her being out there is now I can get a boatload of Royal Wedding souveniers! Here's a list of what I'd like please, in no particular order. \

Source



KaTEA tea bags. Get it?! I laughed for an hour. I need these.

Source

The lovely Dorabee introduced these to me. It was love at first sight. I'd like them all. Hey, you never know when guests will stop by!

Source

A bit much? No? Our fridge could use an upgrade.

Let me know if you get/find any awesome Royal Wedding loot!

5x7 Folded Card

Love You Grandma Mother's Day 5x7 folded card

To view Shutterfly's popular Mother's Day designs, click here.

View the entire collection of cards.

Tickle Me Tuesday

I've been totally obsessed with embrodiery lately. I'm not very good at it, but whatevs. I also love cupcakes. Those I am good at! Good at making, good at eating, good at licking the bowl clean. Yum. So why not combine my loves with this!

Cupcake pattern

This pattern is totally free and totally adorable. Sigh, I just wish it was edible. Now I'm hungry.

Wild Olive

I actually bought this one as my newest project. And I totally agree. The roll must go over.



Sublime Stitching: Hundreds of Hip Embroidery Patterns and How-To

I totally want this. It's just full of amazingness.

What's been tickling your fancy this week? And do you have any tips to help me on my new projects?

A Good Deed for Good Friday: Japan Relief Efforts

I've been a Debbie Downer lately because of my job situation and some things going on at home. However, as much as I've been complaining, I realize that there are others who are far worse that I am. Then I feel guilty for complaining. It's a vicious cycle.

Case in point: Japan. Why am I being all down in the dumps when they are way worse off?!

For some of you that are familiar with SwagBucks, I wanted to introduce you to a great effort. You know those SwagBucks you earn? Well, you can donate them to the relief efforts and they will convert them to money and pass them along to Japan. So if you have a boatload of SwagBucks, you aren't paying a penny! Here is more how to donate directly by using those points. And for those of you who have never joined SwagBucks, I recommend it. Whenever I'm searching for something, I type it in the box. Usually once a day I'll earn a few bucks. I've already cashed some out for Kindle Ebooks. If you join now, enter the code HelpJapan and you will automatically earn 50 SB that can be used towards the effort. The code expires May 2 at 12 pm PT.

Here's more information from the site. "Please consider donating some of your Swag Bucks to our Japan Earthquake & Tsunami Relief Fund. All Swag Bucks we collect will go directly toward donations to All Hands Volunteers, a US-based, 501(c)3 non-profit organization, that provides hands-on assistance to survivors of natural disasters around the world, with maximum impact and minimum bureaucracy."

There is no cost to join and I rarely ever get emails from there. I hope you will take time to donate some SBs, if you have an extras!

Open Letter to the United States Postal Service

To whom it may concern,

I am a military spouse- I know how to pack/ship like it's my job. I am a pro. However, when given options, such as parcel post, express mail, or overnight, I usually go with express. However, in this one moment of weakness/cheapness, I went with parcel post. Herein lies the problem.

My husband is currently deployed in a location that was disclosed to your post office. The zip code (it's not an APO) was provided a well. Therefore, when asked if I would like parcel post and I answered yes, the correct thing to do would have been to say, "woops, sorry Miss, that option isn't available." And I would have said, "no worries. Express it is." Simple as that. However, here is how the scenario played out:

USPS: Would you like parcel post for $12.34, express for $20, or overnight for an outrageous amount?
Me: Parcel post please.
USPS: Sure, that will be $12.34.

Luckily, being the overparanoid wife that I am, I ordered the insurance and went on my merry way. This was March 2nd. I have my receipt as proof.

Fast forward to April 2, exactly one month after.

The receipt states that the expected delivery is Monday, March 14. Mind you, I felt two weeks was a stretch, as it took hubby about that long to arrive at the location. But who am I to judge. The motto of the post office is rain, sleet, or snow. So an ocean shouldn't matter either. Wrong.

Being that a month would provide an extra week or two for delivery, I decided to log on to the site to check the status. No info was available. So I called. I was told, and I quote, "it will take awhile. It looks as if it's sitting on a parcel somewhere." Hmph.

Today, April 20, I called again. (My hubby really needs these items!).  Today I was told, and mind you, here is where my problem is, "parcel post should never have been an option and they don't deliver parcel post out there." So yea. Now what? You are telling me that my husbands stuff is what? Being distributed amongst your workers? Being returned to me so I can send express? No. It's no where to be found.

If the USPS knew that parcel post wasn't an option, why did they offer it? And why can't I have my box back to re-send?

I am extremely disappointed about the lack of communication from one end of the spectrum to the next. If anyone can tell me where my package is and how the heck I'm supposed to find someone to retrieve it, that would be great. Otherwise, I'll assume it's missing in action like Ameila Earhardt.

Yours truly,
A new Fed Ex or UPS customer,

Megan

ABC..it's easy as 123...

A - Age: I don't want to talk about it. Basically it goes like this: Dirt, Hugh Hefner, Me. Oye. I'm old. :(


B - Bed size: King. However, the way the kitten sleeps in it you'd think it was a twin and we didn't have any room.


C - Chore you hate: Everything. I'm lazy. I honestly would have to say though cleaning the fridge. It makes me gag. I'm fine with dishes, cleaning the cat litter, and vacuuming. Although I do want to hire a maid. The hubby is putting his foot down. Sometimes he makes me so mad.

D - Dogs: I have a Jack Russell but my mom has him. She claims he'll eat my cats. He has yet to prove that theory. The roomate has a Pit named Remy. My kitten beats her up. It's priceless.

Raven is such a bully!

E - Essential start to your day: Coffee. I'm another word for a female dog if I don't have any. Stay away. Far away.


F - Favorite Color: Pink. Thank God I have a loving husband and amazing besties that let me have a pink wedding. :)

G - Gold or Silver: Silver for sure. I wear gold once in awhile like for big rings or earrings. But I am more of a silver/white gold gal. However, I'm not complaining if someone wants to throw some gold my way!

H - Height: 5'4"

I - Instruments you play: I played flute in elementary and middle school, but I get bored easily. So I sucked and quit. Then I bought a guitar and have yet to take it out of the box. Oh, in case you couldn't figure it out, it's hot pink.

J - Job title: Program Manager as of now. That is subject to change. I'd like to add millionaire to this list.


K - Kids: Do furbabies count? No? Then nada. Hubby deploys every other year. He must be here to be at my beck and call during pregnancy. It's a must.

L - Live: Unlike my dear friend Steph, I consider Maryland the South. However, we don't serve sweet tea. Which is good. That stuff tastes like poo.


M - My mom's name: Mom

N - Nickname: Megs. My dad calls me Meg. My mom never used to call me anything but Megan. Now all of sudden she calls me Megs. It's weird. I don't like it. Not the nickname, I like that. I don't like her calling me that. I don't know why. I'm weird. Hubby calls me Wifey. I think it's darling.


O - Overnight hospital stay: I got sinus surgery and I was alone all night and ended up watching Slugs. I have never looked at a slug the same way. I run like the wind still 20 years later. True story.


P - Pet Peeve: Slow drivers. People that don't clean up after themselves. I'll contain myself from going off on a tangent here.

Q - Quote from a movie from a movie: "I don't think that word means what you think it means." Five points if you name the movie!

R- Right/Lefty: Righty. I'm boring.

S - Siblings: Step-brothers and a step-sis in law. But we call each other brother and sister. And now my in-laws! I have sisters, yipee!


T - Time you wake up: 6:30/6:45. I wish this was a lie.


U - Underwear: Granny panties FTW!

V - Veggies you dislike: I love all veggies except brussell sprouts. They bring back memories. I had to eat them once at my Grandparents and didn't like them but couldn't have dessert unless they were gone. So I flushed them. Then the toilet overflowed. Needless to say I didn't get dessert.

W - What makes you run late: My kitten. He either breaks something or flips over the water dish. Or climbs a bookcase and gets stuck. This is why we don't have kids....

X - Xrays you've had: Teeth, ankle, hip, fingers. I break things a lot.

Y - Yummy food you make: I don't cook. I can make a mean mac and cheese. Oh! I do make a badass key lime pie. Boom.

Z - Zoo animal: Zoos make me sad. :( Although I wouldn't argue if someone gave me a baby lion or tiger. C said if I get one I can keep it!

Tickle Me Tuesday

It's finally beginning to feel like spring! And the first step in welcoming spring in DC is the Cherry Blossom festival. Now, I'm a nervous nelly and don't do well in huge crowds of people, so I tend to steer clear of the festival. (I need to get over my fear, but I overwhelm easily, sigh). Anywho, since I didn't get to see the cherry blossoms and I'm about 99% sure the hubs would frown upon me planting a cherry blossom tree in the front yard I have decided to incorporate them into my everyday life.

Lighted Cherry Blossoms

Throw these in a cute vase and I have my very own cherry blossom! Without the pollen and allergies. Score!

Cherry Blossom candles

These are a must! I love pink! And now my house can smell like them without the crowds. Yipee!

And how goregous is this print? It's like I'm really there! Lovely.

Cherry Blossoms spring print

There you have it. I revealed a little secret about myself- that I'm a big fat chicken. But I hope you do get, at some point in your life, to experience the cherry blossoms. And if not, I hope these items hope you feel like you are there!

When the husband's away, with yarn I play!

I get bored easily. With C being deployed it's been bad. I come home and mess with the cats for hours, which usually results in them biting or scratching me to tell me they've had enough. (Party poopers). I also have been going to town making fabric button earrings. I don't know why, but it keeps me entertained. Anyway, I have been eyeing yarn wreaths for awhile now. Like this one.

Button me up Wreath

Or this one

Modern Spring Yarn Wreath

Swoon.

However, here lies the problem. I've been trying so darn hard to be good and not shop. So, in an effort to alleviate my need for a wreath and my cheapassness (yes that's a word!), I decided to DIY. Boom.

Here's the deets:

Supplies:

1 wreath (duh). I used a plastic covered straw wreath, 10". I am sure you could use foam, my Michael's sucks by my house and only had like 2 wreaths. FAIL.

1 spool or whatever it's called of yarn. I used a mustard color. By the way, Vanna White makes yarn. And I thought she only turned numbers for a living. You learn something new everyday....

Fabric glue

Decorations

Steps:

I wrapped my wreath with the plastic cover still on. Like so.

Sorry so dark. My cell takes crappy photos.

I'm sure if you use a foam wreath you could unwrap it, but I have yet to test that theory.

I tied a knot at the end of the yarn, glued it in place where I wanted it, and wrapped away. Then Tiger decided to QC my work. Just to make sure I was doing it right.

He also brought me the remote. He's weird.

I wrapped the whole thing, made another knot, and glued the two knots together in place. It didn't take as long as I thought actually. I did it while watching What Not to Wear. Don't jude me.

Lastly, I attached a pretty purple felt flower to the wreath for a pop of color. I glued it, and then sewed it later once the glue was dry. I have a bad kitten. I worried glue would make that sucker pop off and he'd eat it.

My final creation! Now, I just have to find a place to hang it....

The second most important man in my life

For the longest time my Grandad was my number 1. He was/is my best friend. I'm not even kidding. I could call that man drunk off my ass lost in DC at 4 am and he would laugh and tell me which metro take home or find the number of a cab for me. He never judged me. I could tell him things I could never tell my mom and he wouldn't ever crack my secrets. He still hasn't ever told anyone things I've never asked him to repeat. We share inside jokes. We have a crazy love for Britney Spears and Jimmy Buffet and we both have the same color green eyes. He told me when I got married that now C has to be my number 1. That upset me, but I know what he means. Now they both are my best friends and I'm totally ok with that!

When I was little my Grandparents practically raised me. My mom was an operating room nurse and worked about 23 hours a day. I rarely saw her. I remember one day I was so excited and she picked me up from my Grandparents, and, as we were driving home for the weekend, her pager went off. She stopped at the gas station to call in, and we made a U turn. I hated her sometimes for that, but as a single mom, she had to what she had to do. I get that now.

When I would cry about missing my mom, my Grandad would make me laugh. He would make me ice cream and waffles and we would watch the Wizard of Oz or Mary Poppins together and I'd act the movies out for him. He's the best.

I remember once when I was playing with my dolls and told my Grandad that, "when I get married you are walking me down the aisle." Fast forward 23 years later and it finally happened. As my Grandad was walking me down the aisle he whispered to me, "it's about time. I couldn't wait forever." HA!

I just wanted to post about how amazing he is and tell the world and God and whoever else is responsible for keeping folks here on the planet about how awesome my Grandad is and that I'm soooooo happy and thankful he was able to share my special day with me.

Love you Papa Bear!

I heart Etsy

The lovely Lisa from Fantabulously Frugal sent me an email the other day about this amazing site called Heartsy. Basically, it's just like Groupon, but for Etsy. Now, I don't know about you, but I'm obsessed with Groupon. C will laugh at me because I will always, "oooo I saw that on Groupon, or, I have a Groupon for that." And, from reading my posts, you know I'm IN LOVE with Etsy. Like, bad.

So you can only guess how excited I was to check out Heartsy. Read the post here! And I definitely recommend checking Heartsy out. You can thank me later. :)