I had something happen to me yesterday/today on a group that I belong to. I posted something as a joke..just a how come you guys don't ooh and ahh over pics and stuff of my kids like you do the others..and got told I'm being too sensitive. Ok, it totally wasn't meant like that and their response made me cry..but in that, I guess it was time to do some thinking.

Am I sensitive? Yeah..super sensitive. I've been hurt so many times in my life that it's made me scared. I'm terrified of opening myself up to these women because it would be so easy for them to hurt me, sometimes they already do without even knowing it. I don't want them to know that sometimes they make me cry because if they knew, it would give them power over me.

A little while back, I basically disappeared from the group and only one person got in touch with me to make sure I was ok. When I apologized to the group, they all pretty much said no big deal, which to me said they didn't really care if I was there or not. That might not be the case, but that's how it felt. I've been back with this group of women for a year or so now and I still feel like an outsider.

I promised myself that this year was going to be about trying to nurture friendships and to actually have some real friends, but the truth is that I'm afraid. Every time I start to open up to these women, some comment is made and I get hurt and close right back up. I'm afraid of being hurt. I'm so afraid that if I let these women know the truth about me, that instead of accepting me like they have one another, they'll tell me I'm too sensitive and reject me.

I don't have many friends..maybe only 3. One of them I haven't heard much from lately and honestly, part of me is scared that she doesn't want to be my friend anymore. I know how wonderful she is and how people seem to just adore her. Honestly, I'm pretty surprised that she's my friend at all.

Anyway, that's enough of me crying here. Life must go on and I have a cheesecake to go buy for class.

Happy Birthday, to my baby! It's hard to believe that 8 years ago today, I was in the hospital being induced for this guy. After dilating, going backwards and getting there again and a mere 20 minutes of pushing (yes, you can be envious but after the pregnancies "easy deliveries" are good), Pirate Roger came into the world. Most kids come out crying. According to my Doctor, Roger sounded like a pirate. My 9lb 9.5oz 38 weeker is 8 years old now. 8 years old, 2nd grade...man, they grow up so fast! Mommy misses you buddy, but I sure hope you and your brother like your present when it gets there.

Yes, yes, I am finally back! I know it's been ages, but I was out of town for a good chunk of that. I spent a pretty nice three weeks in Michigan with my family. It was so wonderful to have my boys with me again and to play Aunt Trina to 4 really great kids. After that, I had a fantabulous time in Milwaukee with one of my favorite yay me friends, Jim. We hung out, did some shopping, caught up on Season 1 of Survivor (we're working our way through the series together -- note to the movie fairy, we need Season 2!), ate soo much yummy food (we're really good at that!) and went to see Happy Days - the Musical.

From there, I kinda crashed. I admit it. I had a few things happen and it dropped me down. I'm better now though and I decided it was time to get back to our Sunday challenges. Are any of you still out there and wanting to do these? I hope so. I much prefer to do them with friends.

So...what's the challenge this week? Bathrooms!

As some of you know, I'm planning on moving back to Michigan once I graduate in May and as part of that process, I'm clearing stuff out so that I don't have to pack it. So, this week's challenge is to go into your bathroom and open up those drawers and cupboards and cabinets. Once you've done that, go through and get rid of anything expired (please make sure you check online to find the best way to dispose of chemicals and medicines). Then, go through the rest of it and sort it into keep and get rid of piles. If the stuff in the get rid of pile is worth it, list it on freecycle (www.freecycle.org for those of you who have forgotten). If it's not, dump it into the trash. Now, take what you're keeping and put it away all neat and tidy like.

There you go! By the end of the week, your bathrooms should be nice and tidy. I'd love to see before/after pics! Make sure you leave a comment letting me know how you do!

I just wanted to wish everyone Happy Holidays from my family to all of yours. I'm going to be in Michigan for the next two weeks, visiting my family and spending some much needed time with my boys. I will have sporadic connections at best, so if you need to reach me right away, your best bet is my phone. See everyone when I get back!

Since Corinna asked...I'm gonna tell!

SUPPLIES:

• Clear Glass Ornament
  
• Dye Re-inker (Stampin' Up! ink used for these - I do not know how other types of ink will work with this as I've only used SU Classic re-inkers)
  
• Paper Towel
  
• Fine Glitter (I use SU! Dazzling Diamonds Glitter for these or Martha Stewart super fine glitter -- the Dazzling Diamonds works better bc it's super sparkly but I couldn't find mine.)
  
• Small Powder Pal OR scrap paper shaped into a funnel
  
• Small container (I used dixie cups, but if I'd had any I would have used an empty plastic film container)

STEP 1:

Remove the top and hanger of the ornament (be careful as you're doing it as sometimes the glass is very thin and the hanger pops open as it's pulled out)

STEP 2:

Drip 18-20 drops of your ink into the ornament.




STEP 3:

Gently swirl the ink around until the ornament is fully covered. Once you get towards the top of the ornament, make sure that you cover the hole with paper towel, otherwise you'll have ink everywhere!

**DON'T shake the ornament w/ the ink - this creates a lot of bubbles and makes it look splotchy.**

Step 4:

Place ornament upside down over the small container to drain any excess ink.




Step 5:

Place the ornament onto paper towel and rotate it a bit to drain more of the ink (it tends to pool slightly at the opening and on the lip and if you don't drain the excess ink it will run and create streaks when you add the glitter).

Step 6:

Pour about 1 1/2 teaspoons of glitter into the ornament.

Step 7:

Place paper towel over opening and SHAKE the ornament until the glitter has fully covered the inside.

**If you can no longer hear any glitter hitting the inside and you don't think that it's covered enough, add more glitter and keep shaking.**

Step 8:

Turn your ornament over onto your Powder Pal (or scrap paper) and *gently* tap it to remove the excess glitter. When using darker ink colors the glitter will get dyed using it this way - you can save it to use w/ more ornaments of the same color - or you can store it in an empty film container/ziplock bag etc to use in other projects.

Note: these ornament use a LOT of glitter - I used an entire (small)container of Martha Stewart Crystal Fine glitter and had to break into a container of Martha Stewart Carrara marble glitter just to do 6 ornaments. So make sure you have plenty on hand for the amount of ornaments you're doing!




Step 9:

Gently put the topper and hanger back on to the ornament (I found the hanger sometimes scraped a little of the glitter off the inside but it's not noticeable). That's all there is to it. :)

Note: If you want to dye the ornaments without adding the glitter, just stop at Step 5. I will warn you though that without the glitter, these do take 2-3 days to dry fully.