HELLO, My Name is IDIOT!!

Well.....I am always complaining about not having enough time to do what I really want...blog, read, create, decorate, socialize, take care of my family.....well....I guess my prayers were answered....In a twisted sort of way. On Friday, I received the news that my employer is shutting down my division....I have joined the ranks of the unemployed. Even though this happened on Friday, I am sitting here on Tuesday afternoon, fighting back the nausea in my stomach, still unable to completely digest the whole thing. I am a VERY (annoyingly so, at times) upbeat, positive person. I suppose my desire is to always bring a positive outlook to those I touch, and when I simply can't put my "pollyanna" spin on things, I just go silent.

I know I am rambling a bit but I should have felt this coming....I mean who doesn't watch the news and think, "that could be me"??? I was literally told to "pretend" to be busy at work.....thus....I began blogging! (I know.....I am a naughty secretary!!!) I would be an idiot to feel secure in that job!! Hello, my name is idiot!

I guess with all of that being said....It is time to see what I am really made of....I mean, this blog was created to share the creative ways that I was able to re-use, re-cycle and re-purpose my thrift store and garage sale "finds" with little to no money! Well....looks like someone is "calling me out" and asking me to prove it when the chips are down! It will take me a bit to digest all that is happening with me sooooo...please be patient and walk through this "adventure" with me.

Lotsa Love and HUGS,
Idiot (Tracey)

A New Baby in Houston!!!

Miles-1, originally uploaded by Houston Zoo.

I am sooooooo in love with this little guy!!!! He is the new baby giraffe "Miles" at the Houston Zoo!!! I soooo badly want to go meet him in person!!

New Creations!! YAY!!

I have not been blogging as much lately because I have been working on getting my Etsy shop up and running. Go check it out. There are changes still to be made, but overall I am pretty happy with how it is coming together. You can find me on Etsy as "dottiepearldesigns"...my sweet grammy's name...she would be sooooo proud!!! Here are some pics of the latest creations:




(remember the "If You're Cheap and Ya Know It..." post?? The last purse was created from some of those fabric swatches I got at Garage Sale!!)


ps...if anyone could help me figure out how to do the etsy display widget thingy on my blog....shoot me an email!!!

CAN NOT BE QUIET BOUT THIS ONE.......

I try very hard not to get “on my soapbox” about issues, as I feel my blog is not the appropriate place for that. I use this blog as a creative outlet, a place where people get excited about creating, decorating or just plain ole trying something new!! But, after hearing all of the hub bub about certain celebs and their domestic violence episodes of late, I MUST SAY SOMETHING!

The numbers are alarming. I heard this on the news last week:
Numbers from the State Attorney General's Office reveal that a third of Texas teens (did I hear that right....yes...teens) are abused in some way in their romantic relationships. The numbers also show that half of all reported date rapes involve teenagers, and nearly half of adult sex offenders say they committed their first offense before the age of 18.
It’s not just adults, it is our teens!!! This makes me want to cry.

I thought I would share with you a pretty good definition of abusive relationships from the National Domestic Violence Hotline

What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence can be defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner.
Abuse is physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure or wound someone.

You may be in an emotionally abusive relationship if your partner:
• Calls you names, insults you or continually criticizes you.
• Does not trust you and acts jealous or possessive.
• Tries to isolate you from family or friends.
• Monitors where you go, who you call and who you spend time with.
• Does not want you to work.
• Controls finances or refuses to share money.
• Punishes you by withholding affection.
• Expects you to ask permission.
• Threatens to hurt you, the children, your family or your pets.
• Humiliates you in any way.
You may be in a physically abusive relationship if your partner has ever:
• Damaged property when angry (thrown objects, punched walls, etc.).
• Pushed, slapped, bitten, kicked or choked you.
• Abandoned you in a dangerous or unfamiliar place.
• Scared you by driving recklessly.
• Used a weapon to threaten or hurt you.
• Forced you to leave your home.
• Trapped you in your home or kept you from leaving.

(for the full list go to National Domestic Violence Hotline)

If you answered ‘yes’ to these questions you may be in an abusive relationship; please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), 1-800-787-3224 (TTY) or your local domestic violence center to talk with someone about it.

Ladies....this issue is very dear to my heart....tears dropped from my eyes as I reviewed the list and had to say "yes" to more of them than I care to remember. When I was younger, I lived out this nightmare for myself. Please know that if this is you....help is available! There is life after this....a happy, contented, full, joyful life!!!

If I am talking to you.....here's a few of my "quotes" that I held on to dearly while walking through this time in my life:

Jeremiah 29:11 (New King James Version)
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Isaiah 49:16 (Amplified Bible)
Behold, I have indelibly imprinted (tattooed a picture of) you on the palm of each of My hands; (My Daddy God has me always on his mind!...I AM worthy of THAT kind of unselfish, unconditional LOVE!)

and lastly, sometimes it takes the simplest of things to "hold on to" that really help us through;

Christopher Robin to Pooh Bear:

"You are braver than you believe.

You are stronger than you seem.

You are smarter than you think."

DO NOT.....I REPEAT DO NOT believe what you are being told!! Find that place deep down inside yourself that knows you deserve better than this and GET OUT!!!

BIG HUGE HUGS!
Tracey

Seven Years Ago Today......

I couldn't stop smiling

NOTHING could have burst my bubble (not even news that THERE MIGHT NOT BE A CAKE!! OH WELL!! Let them eat the grooms cake!)

I entered in to the best partnership of my life

I DID NOT want to take that dress or the tiara off! (notice hubs is already in street clothes!!)

I felt like a princess

I knew I was embarking on the most important journey of my life

I married my absolute best friend in the whole world

I said "I DO" to man of my dreams, A man of heart, integrity, wit, creativity and passion.

Happy Anniversary to my sweet hubs!

BAGtastic!!

I saw this tutorial on "how to make bamboo handled purse" at Little Birdie Secrets and abSOlutely fell in love, love, love!!! I took her instruction and added a liner and pockets!! I love this purse!!!!! Looks like I will have to make some more of these little puppies!!









ps.....I already have a set of handles and new fabric for the next purse....see if you can spy the fabric in this next pic of the Little Missy exhausted after performing a dance routine at last nights basketball game!



Yep, that's it..she's laying on it!!....along with all of the other "stuff" in the back seat of my car!!
(she still has on "performance make up".....NO she doesn't wear it like this normally...I knew you were worried!)

0 MILES TO EMPTY

Have you ever been here? ZERO MILES TO EMPTY? I think that's where I am right now. I am running on fumes. I seriously NEED to REFUEL. Spiritually, Physically, Mentally....ALL of me. Have you ever felt like you were running on empty? Coasting on fumes? Or perhaps, broke down?

I am no stinkin' good at New Years resolutions so maybe I need to have "February Resolutions" instead. What do you think?

Here's what I know NEEDS to be resolved:
I NEED to slow down and refuel!
I NEED to give my body healthy fuel to run on, give me energy and keep my brain sharp.

(photo from diet.glam.com)
I NEED to exercise or at least get my booty movin' towards a more "active" me!
Last but certainly not least......(I swore when I started this blog that I would never get all "up in your face, preachy"......and I still won't!! no worries)
I really NEED me some time with my Daddy God!!!! I need that quiet devotional time to reflect, repent, restore and re-FUEL!! I need spiritual fuel too!! We all do! What do you do to refuel?? I REALLY love long walks. It really reminds me of everything dear to me and seems to bring me back in focus. It gives me time to think, to admire the Masters handy work, to regain balance and to whisper my thank you's to the One who makes it all possible!

It is a beautiful day with clear skies and a temperature of 60.....sounds like this blogger needs to put the computer down and go for a nice walk!