yes... that dreaded topic!

This New Year's I found a lot of people had resolutions to get fit or loose weight.

I gave up on that idea a long time ago, but I did want to get back into shape and be more active.

I want her behind....

source

And Carrie's legs would be nice too!

source

Well, last night I was feeling particularly bloated from a day of over indulging and I did something terrible... I jumped on the scale!

YIKES!

Why did I have to go and do that!?

It got me thinking I have less than 2 months to get into bathing suit shape for our BIG family vacay!

Ok, time to kick my butt into gear!

This weekend I plan on getting in my yard, working hard and sweating!

If its nice and sunny I would love to take my boys and the dog to the beach, maybe swim off some pounds!

Clock starts today 50 days till vacay can I do it?

Oh yea and remember my lamp project?

I'm FINALLY done and I've actually been enjoying my lamp for about a week now.

I must get my post done so I can show all of you.

Hope you guys have a great weekend, what are your plans?

Are you there people? It's me Rhiannon

So unless you've been living under a rock ya'll have been hearing all the talk about GFC going bye bye for non Google Bloggers. I've been pretty much ignoring the fact that March is ahem... seriously in a blink of an eye.

I'm creature of habit, ok, I'll call it what it is I'm lazy!
I don't want to learn another way to follow my blogs. I love that all the blogs I want to read show up on my old school list on my dashboard.
I still havent gotten used to google reader.

Well, change is inevitable and so I must also evolve.
For those of my readers that do not have blogger and for those of you who do I just wanted to let ya'll know that I now am also using Linky Followers so please sign up so you dont miss any of my sporatic ramblings. You'll see the sign up on the sidebar of my page.

 

Also, who isnt on Pinterest?

I know I am, come follow me too.

Check me out on Facebook

From the Heart on Facebook!

Twitter too...

By TwitterButtons.com

So now that I am ready for the change tomorrow is everyone else??

Happy New Year! It's 2012

Yay! We all survived 2011 and I've already hit the ground running in 2012.

Hope ya'll have a safe and good one.


Last year I posted about my "2011 Goals"
So how did I do??
Let's see....

I am still a procrastinator, but I have made an attempt to get better and NOT being that way.

With everything that I have been through this year, I think I have done my best to stay positive always look for the good in things and be greatful for all that I have.

 I'm still working on getting rid of clutter and simplifing my life. Slowly but surely I'm getting there. I have spent a lot of time getting rid of the unnecessary and even with the last few days I'm getting there. Now just to keep up with it and stop hoarding!

I still have yet to learn PSE8, but I have made a deal with my friend who likes to borrow my camera that she must in turn teach me how to use it.

I sadly still have yet to sit down and get my Etsy Shop going, someone just spank my hand and make me to it already!!

I also havent been a great blogger. I take forever to check and respond to my emails and I dont post regularly. For that I appologize.

My blog just like me and my life is random.
As much as I wish I could be a stay at home mom and blogger, I cannot afford to.
So I work full time, mostly 9 hr days and I get home and cook and try to spend as much time with my family as I can.

My family will always come first in my life, my blog, happens when I have time.
I will try to be a better blogger though, because I find that I really enjoy it... and as the saying goes "a happy wife is a happy life" hehehe

So stay tunned for what 2012 will bring!

Hoo Are you? With Night Owl Crafting

 It's been a while, but Night Owl Crafting is doing their weekly Hoo Are you again!

Here are my answers! 

 

1. Is all your Christmas shopping done?

 

NOPE! But I'm in good shape. I did most of my shopping through out the year when I found great sales so I just have a few last minute things to pick up and then the rest is just baking.

2. Do you decorate for Christmas and if so when?

 

Yes, I decorate usually Thanksgiving weekend or the weekend after.

This year I havent gone all out with the lights on the house and the lighted tree and reindeer in the yard because we just plugged some new grass and I have to water often!

 

3. Do you bake during the Holiday season?

 

Yes, I make myself crazy baking every year, but I have to. I just can't afford to buy gifts for everyone, and who doesnt like a homemade sweet treat? 

 

4. What are your favorite smells of this time of year?

 

I'm  not a peppermint fan, I do like cinnamon, cookies and the smell of fresh trees. We never have a real tree but I catch a wiff when we go to the stores.

 

5. What are your favorite things to do during the Holiday Season?

 

I love to drive around and check out everyone's houses all decorated with lights.



mama got a new do... oh and i was featured!

 Yay! Cool beans! Marcie over at Don't Waste Your Homemaking featured my Alpha Block project.  

It was such a simple project, and it was free and educational.
Go check out all the other great projects too.

So, its been WAY over a year since I got my last hair cut and color.
Picture one year of root growth.
It was bad.
Black roots, blonde tips... not a pretty picture.

Yes, I took the cheezy car photo. I was on my way to my hair appointment and just had to get a quick shot of the before.

Just look how long it has gotten, no wonder I live in a pony tail.

And here it is... well 2 days later.

I just love the look and feel right after you leave the salon.

But I got caught in the rain about 2 mins after!!! UGGHHH!!

So, actually its a bit flat.

I'm loving thats its so much shorter and easier and faster to get ready in the mornings.

Plus if I have to, I can still put it in a sassy little pony tail.

I'll give you guys the real look as soon as I get a good pix.

***DONT FORGET***

Tomorrow is the very first WTF Wednesday!

Get your Deal or Rip Off ready to post tomorrow!

Hooo are you? 58



 Its been a while... but I'm joining Hoo are you again today.Click on the link above for more info or to join in. 

Here are this week's questions! 

1. Do you sleep with the window open or the fan on no matter

what the weather is like?

the window is ALWAY open, unless its raining so hard that its coming in.

the fan goes on mostly during the summer. its super hot where we are and we have no ac

2. What is your favorite comfort food?

hmmm thats a hard one, i would love to say my gma's fried chix but I havent had it since she passed. I would say.... tea and rice with furikake.

source 3. Do you ever go to a chiropractor?  I have never gone to a chiropractor. I have been to a physical therapist with a massage license but if I have any ailments I go to my Sifu (martial arts teacher) he was trained with the ancient art of Chinese massage.Boy is it painful, but let me tell ya, it works! 4.What is your most memorable Halloween costume growing up? Hahaha! I love Halloween love love it! When I was growing up I wasnt allowed to participate. In Elementary school, they would have a dress up day and a costume parade in the courtyard with all the students Kindergarden to 6th grade. EVERY year my mom dressed me as an angel, this one particular year, she dressed me as Lydia in the bible and everyone thought I was a homeless bag lady. Needless to day, once again, I was an angel every year after that again... untill high school that is. 5.Do you prefer the sunrise or the sunset? Ohhhh SOOOO NOT a morning person. I love sunset. I am so lucky to live where I do, the sunsets are gorgeous right out my back window. (sorry I was trying to find a pix but I dont have one!)

Flashback of 1978

Yup, 1978.

Today's M4 is songs from the year you were born.

Have a great Monday and Rock on!

Enjoy...

Hoo are you?

 Here are this week's questions!   
1. Have you ever attended a professional sports game?Yes I have, once in high school we were at a DECA conference in St. Louis and went to a cardinals game 2. Have you ever been to a concert and if so which one was your ultimate favorite performance?Yes several local performers but I honestly havent been to a concert in YEARS!! I think my all time fav was UB40. I think I was in the 6th grade! LOL 3. Have you ever been to Disneyland or Disney World?Disneyland yes! Disney World no, but would like to one day. 4. What is your favorite theme park?I have only been to a few, since we dont have them in Hawaii! I have always wanted to go to waterloo (is that what the water park is called?) I love watching those shows about the different theme parks. I had a great time at 6 flags cause I love coasters! If they suspend you and go upsidedown the BETTER they are!! 5. Do you have a favorite vacation spot?
We dont vacation enough to have a favorite spot. Infact we dont vacation. It's too expensive here to go anywhere. I am looking forward to a vacation that I demanded for our 20 yr anniversary. I demanded that my husband take me to wine country.


 

Hoo are you no. 42

I've got two posts coming at ya today.. got another project done as well, but I have to save something for tomorrow!

So lets start with our weekly...
Hoo Are you?

 Here are this week's questions! 1.  What is your favorite thing cooked on the bbq?Oh boy, what don't I like cooked on the bbq? We grill everything over here. Atleast once a week that grill is hot and were cooking something up. I love a good rib eye and potatoes and some corn on the cob. A hot dog should always be cooked on the grill, theres just no other way to have it! 2. How do you celebrate Memorial Day?I never made plans before since my hubby would go to either Maui or Oahu for races but since he doesnt race anymore we have the long weekend together... NOT. Now he works in the tourism industry so he doesnt have the long weekend. We are planning on packing up the car and driving to the North Shore this year and packing a picnic lunch and just hanging out for the day. Its been almost 3 years since we drove out to the North Shore. 3. Do you like your handwriting?not really but I've been told its really neat like a teachers 4. Do you still have your tonsils?yup 5. Do you unite your shoes when you take them off?Well I hardly ever wear shoes since I thankfully live in Hawaii and can wear SLIPPERS! yay!But when I do wear shoes no, I dont untie them

I'm back from a break and with Hoo are You no. 41

I took a little break from blogging to just well catch up with life.

Work has been hecktic and the hubs has been gone for a fishing tournament.

I'm back now!

And back with Hoo are you #41

Here are this week's questions...
1. What type of diamond cut do you like?
Ok, honestly... I have no clue what the different cuts are.
I don't even have a diamond ring, seriouslly!
I think if I would pick one out now I might pick a square. And then I just googled what they mean and now I find out it has nothing to do with the shape... gosh what kind of girl am I?!?

 

2. If you are married when is your anniversary. if not what month 

would you like to be married in?

I was married in September

3. What were or would you like your wedding colors to be?

My colors were black and gold... yes a black wedding! hahaha

4. How many bridesmaids did or would you have at your wedding?

I had 3, my bf from preschool, my bf from highschool and my sister

5. How long have you been married?

Wow this year we will be celebrating our 11th anniversary!

Hoo are you no. 40

 It's a Mother's Day edition of Hoo are you...
1. Are you a mom and if so how many kids do you have? Yes, I'm a mom to a terrible two year old boy going on 13.(and a 34 yr old going on 2)

2. List 3 qualities that you love about your mom.

Gosh, for those that know me, know that I have a difficult relationship with my mom. All that we've been through, we're probably at the best our relationship has ever been.
I think my mom has a great heart and she always means well. She doesnt have the best execution but she does want the best for the ones she loves.

3. What is your fav thing your mother cooks.

 

This one makes me laugh because growing up she never cooked and if she did... well lets just say that she would burn food, never cook. But I guess when she got older she learned how to cook.
She makes a pretty good fried chicken, not better than my grandma, no one makes better than my grandma but her's is pretty good. She makes good creative pastas too.

4. What do you love about being a mom?

 

Wow, how do you describe this one? I love the little human being that thinks the world of you, thinks the world is crashing when you scold them and thinks you saved the world when you hug and kiss them. The love is undescribible. Not to mention the headaches as well! LOL

 

5. What are your plans for Mother's Day?

 

I dont have any plans for mothers day. I would love to have brunch but I dont want to go out to a restaurant. Maybe spend a relaxing day with my loves at the beach.

Hmmm... or maybe a pedicure, yea thats sounds good

Hoo are you no. 40



 Wow hard to belive this is number 40!I know I jumped on the bandwagon late, but this has been so much fun! Here are this week's questions... 1. Do you plant a garden or flowers or neither? I am so NOT a green thumb!
When we first moved into our house I said grass ONLY nothing else to take care of.Well I guess I kinda broke out of my box because I have a garden and I have flowers and plants making a debut! I mine as well since my grass is the HARDEST thing to take care of now! 2. Does it bother you to have your blinds or curtains open after dark so people can see in your house? OMG! I hate that!!! But the side the breeze comes from is also the side that faces the road! What can it do?! I have a bush that I planted in front of the window that you can see us eating dinner and I just cant wait for it to grow enough to block the window! And everyone in our neighborhood goes walking at night!!!! 3. Do you like to go camping? I used to LOVE camping! We would go every summer when I was growin up. Now with a 2 yr old its so much work! I do promise that I will take him again this summer. I think we need to have practice nights in the backyard this summer. 4. Do you have a laptop or a desk top computer? I now have a laptop. I swore I would never get one just because I like working on normal size computer, now that I have a laptop... I'll never go back to a desktop! 5. What time during the day do you have the most energy? I think I get a good boost mid-morning, prob after the coffee has kicked in and then again mid afternoon, by evenings I'm kinda beat! 
 

ABC's of ME!

I just saw this on Personalized Sketches & Sentiments and thought it was sooo cute and so much fun to do!

So now it's my turn.

ABC~ABC~ABC~ABC~ABC~ABC~ABC~

 

Age: 32... and honestly since I made 30, I cant remember my age! I always have to look at my husband for help!. LOL Or like Maria I have to subtract the year from my birth year.


Bed size: Double... yes my husband and I share a double, its bigger than the twin we used to share in my first apt.

Chore you hate: washing and cleaning the car!

Dogs:  I'm not a dog person

 Essential start to your day: Coffee!!!

Favorite color: gosh I dont have one fav color. I like different colors for different things. I like greens and greys and browns and yellows

 Gold or Silver: Gold

Height: 5' 9"

 Instruments hahaha I thought of a sarcastic remark for this one, but lets keep it PG so no, I have no musical talent.

 Job title: I dont really have a job title and when people ask I say Supreme Being but technically I'm the office manager/accounting & pay roll clerk/ Secretary

Kids: I have 1 son for now.. maybe one more would be a good addition


 Live: ...Kauai, Hawaii... dont be hating

Mom's name: Doreen

 Nicknames: Rhi, Reenie, Ann, Annon


Overnight hospital stays: once when I went into premature labor at 29 weeks and then when I gave birth.


Pet peeve: People who dont use their turning signals, going into an office and they dont have a receptionist, people who drive slow and when you have a chance to pass them they speed up, when its really busy in a store and they have only 2 check stands open..... gosh I have a ton of these.. and I too critical?
 Quote from a movie:  Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. " - Hitch

Righty or Lefty: Righty


Siblings: one half sister 6 yrs younger than me

 Time you wake up: During the week my alarm goes off at 5:40 am and on the weekends, whenever the boy gets up... well I stay in bed and prob get out about 8:30

 Underwear:...um...yes thank you


Vegetables you dislike: I cant think of any veggies I dont like.. is bitter melon a veggie?

 What makes you run late: me, I just dont manage my time well and I think I can do things faster than I really can.

 X-rays: Tons of them, I'm pretty sure I've X-Ray'ed every bone in my body and with all the injuries I have had in my life I cant belive the only bone I broke was on the top of my foot and I didnt know it was broke till a month later!

 Yummy food you make: I like to think all the food I make is yummy, but I can be pretty darn proud of my roasts; pork or beef

 Zoo favorite animal: um, well being that we have a pretty sad zoo here i think i would say the monkeys!














~

Thankful Tuesday no. 5 and a Lovely Blog Award

It's Tuesday, what are you thankful for?

(ok so it's Wednesday, the days are just slipping by me!)

I am thankful for the opportuny to blog and share my thoughts and feelings and adventures and that all of you actually care enough to stick around and read them!

And Patty over at My Chaotic Home is one of those fab people!

She gave me a lovely blog award!

Thanks so much Patty! I am so honored!

Go and check her out, she's a busy mom with 4 daughters! Can you imagine having that many girls in one house?! And one of her daughers is named Rhiannon... just like me :-)

So, because I got the award I'm supposed to list 7 things about me you may not know just from reading my blog...

1. I am deathly afraid of spiders and heights.

When I'm up high, I just can't control myself and I don't feel like I'm going to fall more like I might throw myself over! WTH right?

2.  I am was completely obsessed with Hello Kitty. I had an entire Hello Kitty room with bedding and everything. When we found out we were having a boy, Hello Kitty went into the closet and hasnt been out since.

3. One of my fav foods since I was a child is tuna and tea and rice with furikake.

4. My parents were told that they were having a boy and so they were going to name me Isiah Kalaniokekai, they got a surprize when I was born.

5. I HATE to balance my checkbook. Always have and never did a good job at it. Scary since I work in accounting. LOL

6. I have size 11 feet!

7. I always wanted to be a laker girl. Paula Abdul was my idol growing up.

I am supposed to list 15 other blogs to award but because I'm so thankful for all of you that any one of you reading this right now.. IT'S YOURS!
I'm giving it to you!

Go ahead and pass on this award and make someone else's day.

So what are you thankful for?

It's Hoo are You time..

Here are this week's questions....

1. What is your favorite magazine?
I actually dont have anytime to read magazines :-( I love to look at catalogs though ;-)

2. What color are your eyes?
my eyes are plain brown, my son lucked out and got some kind of hazel sometimes its green kinda colored eyes

3. Do you go to the dentist on a regular 6 month schedule, or do you put it off?
Ok, I'll be honest and don't judge! I didnt go to the dentist for 16 years! Only once because I had an impacted wisom that locked my jaw shut for 4 days! Then a cracked tooth gave me soooo much pain I was up at night for days and I prayed that if God got me through the nite I would make an appt the next morning. Well, I made it through the night and true to my word I made an appt and for a year and a half now I go every 6 months. I dont know why I didnt do it sooner!! I love the clean feeling from the dentist!!

4. Do you use anything to make your house smell good?
I have a bath and body wallflower and I love the jar candles I get from Kmart. Dont know the brand but my fav flavor is sugar cookies I think?

5. Do you have any pets?
Oh we had a beloved family cat, he was our baby! He wasnt a pet he was part of the family. He passed when my son was 4 months old and my husband refuses to get another one, he said no cat can replace our Blu.
Hes a dog man and I soooo do not like dogs. Untill then we have a turtle named Sammie.

after weekend vent session....and boobies

I've had a completely exhausting weekend... oh how I wish I had one more day to recover!!!

I have lots of little projects to share with all of you and so much to catch up on.

I got my sample of basic H2 cleaner that I won from a giveaway hosted by A bowl full of lemons, I so wanna tell you guys about that.

We changed out the light above our dinning room table and for a great deal.

I picked up a craigslist desk for $25 yay! I now have a place to craft instead of my bedroom floor!

I sometimes feel like I am caring for a 2 yr old going on 15, a 34 yr old going on 3 and lets not even get into mama drama and daddy drama...just plain old family drama. (btw none of the family drama is connected to the other, its all seperate)

And just all kinds of other little things that make our life so crazy and hecktic.

(all photos via google and all I'm feeling as my anthem right now)

But, this morning I read {this} post over at Hip Chick's Guide to PMS, Pregnancy and Babies!

Hanna from The Olive Parent is guest posting on her journey of breastfeeding all 7 YES SEVEN of her children.

I feel like she was telling my story!
I breastfed for exactly one year at that time my son decided that he was done breastfeeding. I didnt have to fight him he decided, and I was so greatful for that.

Breastfeeding was not an easy task for me. I knew the health benefits and I wanted that bonding experience with my son. Not to mention the cost of formula!

I had so much pain while breastfeeding and everyone told me thats how it is in the begining, it gets better. My son nursed every hour and a half and when he was done I was left with burning nipples to the point I was crying instead of a close bonding feeling that I thought I would have. It must have been over two months before we got diagnosed with Thrush. It was THE most painful experience ever. What hurt even more was thinking that my son was suffering because of it as well and that I missed out on that bonding feeling from the very begining. I was tired and cranky and lets just say it a bitch for a while.
It took two rounds of antibiotics and a week of blow drying my nipples before it cleared up. But when it did, breastfeeding was a breeze. I couldnt think of any other way to have it.

I have a smart, happy and healthy boy. (not to brag or anything) I feel so blessed to have been able to give him the gift of breasfeeding and to have had that closeness and bonding time.

Go read her story {here} if youre a mom who breastfed you can appreciate it.

I am:

Hoo are you no. 37

 Its that time again, time to get to know me a little better.How about you??

1. Have you ever had a professional massage before?

Oh yes! I've gone with my mother in law and sister in law to a spa for the day and my friend's brother in law opened a day spa with his girlfriend a while back and we had a 'test private party' it was LOVELY!
I get 'stoned' every mothers day from my grandmother's neighbor.
(stoned meaning stone massage, I just wanted to clarify)

2. When drinking bottled water do you have a preference on which brand you drink?

Not really, I dont buy bottled water that often... re-use reduce recycle!

3. What is your favorite kind of soup?

oh my well, I guess it depends on how I'm feeling.
There's a deli in town here that makes the best darn clam chowder, I make a pretty mean portuguese bean soup which is perfect for a hearty cold weather meal, I love love miso when I'm feeling sick. Makes me feel better and reminds me of growing up with my grandma.
But sometimes I really love a good lentil soup.

4. Do you have a preference on which Kleenex brand you use?

I never did, until I was introduced to Puff Plus with vicks, I'll never go back to anything else!

5. What is your favorite breakfast food?

I love breakfast food! I can eat it morning noon and midnight!

I love pancakes, bacon, crispy hashbrowns or fried potatoes, omlettes you name it I love it!

Blog Anniversary....

Tomorrow From the Heart turns 1!

photo source

One year ago I had a crazy idea to start a blog.

It started as just talking about weddings since I love weddings and parties and I perform the ceremonies.

Then I got introduced to blogs like: All Things Thrifty, Kevin & Amanda, The Pioneer Woman, Bakerella and Vintage Revivals just fuled me to do more.

More with my blog, more in my home and more for special occasions.

I expanded from what I started as Weddings By Rhiannon to what it is today.

I have had such a great time meeting people, becoming blogger buddies, connecting with other women just like myself and learning so much.

Blogging takes up a lot of time and you really have to do it for the right reasons but its totally worth every minute of it.

I really appreciate all your support over the past year as I have grown and developed my own style and explored things I normally would never have tried.

I'll announce a few giveaways to say thank you to everyone, nothing spectacular but just somethings to say thanks!

See ya'll then!

Hoo are you? #36

Here are this week's questions!


1. What are a couple of your favorite green foods?
spinach, broccoli, salads, zuchini

2. Do you decorate for St. Patrick's Day?
nope, never did

3. Do you have Irish in you?
I sure do!

4. Do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day?
In my younger days we would go out and have some irish car bombs, someone would always make corned beef and cabbage and then we started mixing up our own drinks anything that would be green. Now, the party days are way behind us and we dont do anything. Maybe this year I'll make some green eggs and spam for dinner.  

5.Use one word that represents each letter in the word LUCK in your life!
hmmm this is a tough one..
L - LOVE
U - UNIQUE
C - CARING
K - KOOKY

Hoo are you #35....

 Yes! I'm a day late, just possably a dollar short as well, but don't hold it against me!Here are this week's questions, wont you play along as well??  1. Do you pay your bills online or through snail mail?
Both, I pay credit cards online but my utilities I do the old fashioned way of snail mail. Most places here are kinda slow on the technology and I dont even know if our water department does that? Hmmm I should check...
2. How many email accounts do you have?
Uhhhh... call me obsessive.... or maybe its just cause I have ADD... I don't even check all of them regularly because I have too much, I have... wait let me count them... 6
3. Do you use XM/Sirius, radio, ipod, CD, or etc.. in your vehicle?
Ok, laugh at me now.. I dont own an ipod, I dont have a smart phone... Im soooo tech-illerate (is that a word) I stopped burning my own cd's after the whole limewire, stealilng copyrighted music thing happend a few years ago. I listen to the radio and get very frustrated with the lack of choices we have here. 4.  What shows are sparking your interest on TV right now?
Hmmm, well we have our usual line up of shows: NCIS, Mike and Molly, Greys, Private Practice, Two and a Half men (btw who else is bummed the show is now cxled?!) How I met your mother, Modern Family, Cougartown, anything DIY, HGTV, Foodnetwork and Travel, totally bummed theres no more Hills and The City (that was my guilty pleasure)... recently weve been watching Glee and that new show Mad Love.
5. Name 3 things that you think of when you hear the word "GREEN"! I think of recycling, how I want my kitchen to look (I've been obsessing over whether to do it in red or green) and veggies!