Murraytalk

I'm sure by now you've figured out that I always have to be busy doing something crafty - at times my crafts are a bit unusual to some people. Such as decoupaging my daughters bedroom door and decoupaging heads. I love doing heads and have sold a few, plus it relaxes me. My Head The Door I know you're probably nodding your heads about now asking yourself why anyone would want a head in their home, but it really is an art piece. By the time I finish it looks breakable. I want to do a full mannequin, but for now I'm working on half a body. Here's some of my other projects that I do. Personalized pillows and place mats, tutu's for newborns - adults, and for the pups, costumes and pillowcase dresses and tops. Pillow Place Mat Newborn Tutu Tutu dog tutu's                       Just thought I'd share... still need to show you my photography. “Everyone has talent. What is rare is the courage to follow the tal

"In the name of God, stop a moment, cease your work, look around you." Yesterday while Makenna was swinging she would lean her head back looking up at the sky through the leaves on the trees and say, "Wow, look!" She kept a huge smile on her face the entire time. She was pointing at birds in the tree, the cat on the wall, the airplane flying by... taking in the world around her minute by minute. My neighbors heard her excitement and walked out to watch her as she discovered things around her that we forget to take notice of. My neighbors and I started reminiscing about how we loved swinging as a child. I use to live on my swing... looking up in the sky at the clouds during the day as I turned them into pieces of art in my mind... in the evening it would be the stars that I would stare as I counted them one by one reciting Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. What is about swinging that allows your mind to be free and escape all that consumes you. I find myself sit

I'm still pinning things like a crazy woman on Pinterest and have actually picked up items for a couple of projects, and made a couple of the recipes that I put on my board. My suitcase Saturday I went thrift shopping to find an old suitcase which I found for only $10 in perfect condition. I'm actually having second thoughts about cutting and gutting it. If I decided to, this is what the finished project looks like. I know it's kind of weird, but I like unusual and vintage things. Sunday I decided to make a mexican egg bake from Pinterest. It looked delicious, but my husband an I didn't like it. It didn't have enough flavor. If I were to do it again I would make it with salsa, but I don't think I'll make it again. We also made a lemon cheesecake - it was delicious. It was a no bake recipe... reminded me of a mousse....yum! http://blogchef.net/lemon-cheesecake-recipe/ http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/09/mexican-baked-eggs.html We were

I deleted my facebook months ago but I still have people asking me why. So today I'm going to tell the world. First of all, If I didn't talk to you in high school it's probably the same reason I don't need to talk to you as an adult out of high school. Secondly, no one cares that your eating a cookie, doing a jumping jack, or that you're with your boo. ( don't people have real names anymore) And for the people that their water and electricity is cut off every other month, but they're posting pictures of thousand dollar purses and shoes saying," have to have." Really, in what life time? Oh, and we can't forget the one's that have to comment on everything you post, because in their head they know it all and have done it all. I don't care where you're checking in or where you've been for that matter... don't need to see a million pictures of your baby and don't want to hear about the girlfriends you hate or the boyfriend

I saw this poster and thought, shouldn't we all live like we have less and value what we do have. That's the way I try to live. I have always felt that if people weren't so materialistic and selfish with their money, there wouldn't be so many people living in poverty. Is it really necessary to have money in the bank that you will never spend in your life time, or your kids life time. Do you have to drive the most expensive vehicle, carry a designer bag or wear designer shoes. What about having a house that has enough square footage to house a few families. I just don't get it. I realize people work hard for their money and success, but giving is the real key to success in my eyes.                           We have homeless people that didn't choose to be, families without food and water here in the United States. It just shouldn't be... don't become so focused on things that you become blinded to what life is for so many people." Of the world

housewife   [ˈhaʊsˌwaɪf] n   pl   -wives 1.  (Sociology) a woman, typically a married woman, who keeps house, usually without having paid employment. I find myself laughing at all the young girls in their 20's posting on twitter that they want to major in being a housewife. I'm curious what their definition of one would be.  I have worked outside of the home and have been a stay at home mom/housewife. Personally, I enjoy both positions, but I equally enjoy making money. Although I'm home at the moment, I'm always trying to figure out a way to hustle a dollar, but that's just me. To stay home sit and do nothing doesn't exist in my world, besides doing nothing would drive me insane. I run my home like I would my business. Things need to get done correctly and efficiently - some days you put in 12 hours, and typically you don't have weekends off.  I know with all of the reality Housewives shows many young women might get the perception that bein

I love this quote primarily because I have never fallen in the so called ordinary category. I'm different in my thinking, style, and ideas. I have never been a play -it -safer. When I have an idea or a vision of something, I'm willing to take a risk at it becoming a reality. Finally, I refuse to change who I am to fit in socially. I'm all about loving who you are and embracing each others differences.                   This morning when I was getting my two year old granddaughter dressed to go out for breakfast she decided to wear rain boots with her outfit. My 11 year old granddaughter said, She's wearing rain boots? " I love that she has her own style at 2 and doesn't care if the other 2 year old is wearing them. I can't tell you how many people looked at her and made a comment about them. It didn't phase her one bit, and hopefully it never will. It's important to begin loving who you are when you're young... there's plenty of y

Lately I have found myself thinking quite a bit about what I'm suppose to be doing with my life. I think that thought passes through most of us every now and then, but it's been going through mine quite a bit... maybe because I just turned 53, or maybe because I'm just not busy enough. Everyone that knows me will say, "you're busy watching grandkids."  Although that's true... I have to do a ' me ' thing. I have a difficult time not being busy doing something hands on... creating something. I love the feeling of crazy busy when you have to multi task like a mad woman. Anyway, I've been praying about all of this and my good friend Eric Winfield called  - we're collaborating on a project that should come to life in May. Also, another friend has started up a non profit that she has asked me to get on board with. I'm excited to be involved with both since I have a passion for each of their projects. In addition to working with them, I

How many of you have joined Pinterest? A few of my friends were telling me to check out the site, so I finally did this past week. I can't say that I really understand it, but I'm hooked. You pin items on boards that you name, such as cooking, design, etc.... guess it's similar to doing a vision or dream board. I love doing interior design... I have found great ideas that I can duplicate for my home from the walls to flooring and furniture. Furthermore, I was kind of in a slump with my meals lately and have found some recipes that look amazing. For example, doesn't this Vegan burger look delicious? You can find the recipe for it at  http://kblog.lunchboxbunch.com/2012/02/easy-sweet-potato-veggie-burgers-with.html  And how cute are these cookie monster cupcakes?One of my granddaughters is a cookie monster addict. Her birthday is next month so I'm going to attempt to make them for her.                                                                     

Sunday as I was getting caught up on my cleaning and laundry I started thinking about the days when Sundays were strictly reserved for family time. As a child Sunday was always the day that you just hung out at the house as a big meal was being prepared. My parents tiny kitchen became a busy assembly line while the younger ones stayed out of the way. Unfortunately, I never got the opportunity to partake in the preparation of our Sunday meals, but some of my best childhood memories are from our Sunday dinners.                                                                                                                                                             This tradition continued when I had my children. We always knew that on Sunday at 11 o'clock we went to my parents home for some good old southern  cooking. There were many times that we felt it was a chore to get there, but we always showed up, and was always on time. As I look back I'm not sure if we made the effo

The Ten Rules For Being Human. 1. You will receive a body. You may like it or hate it, but it’s yours to keep for the entire period. 2. You will learn lessons. You are enrolled in a full-time informal school called, ‘life’. 3. There are no mistakes, only lessons. Growth is a process of trial, error, and experimentation. The ‘failed’ experiments are as much a part of the process as the experiments that ultimately ‘work’. 4. Lessons are repeated until they are learned. A lesson will be presented to you in various forms until you have learned it. When you have learned it, you can go on to the next lesson. 5. Learning lessons does not end. There’s no part of life that doesn’t contain its lessons. If you’re alive, that means there are still lessons to be learned. 6. ‘There’ is no better a place than ‘here’. When your ‘there’ has become a ‘here’, you will simply obtain another ‘there’ that will again look better than ‘here’. 7. Other people are merely mirrors of you. You canno

Last night my girlfriend Arlene invited me to Manuels in Scottsdale to listen to a band that her former high school friend is in. I wasn't sure what to expect, but Alan Harkrader was amazing. ( http://www.alanharkrader.com/     He played with the rock group  The Gringos in the 70's.  First photo of The Gringos I not only enjoyed listening to Alan's incredible voice and guitar playing, but loved how the cantina was filled with Arlene's classmates. They not only enjoy the band, but each others company as well. I think it's great how they have a meeting place to reconnect and reminisce. I felt as if I had known each of them for years as I looked at cell phone pictures and received birthday wishes as Alan sang happy birthday to me.   I thank Arlene for introducing me to a fun venue and fabulous people. If you have the opportunity I highly recommend that you stop in at Manuels  http://manuelsaz.com/  and take a listen...I guarantee you won't be disappointe

This is a poem called A Reason, A Season, A Lifetime .                                                                       People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move

Today I'm giving myself a birthday gift of dedicating my blog to me with some of my favorite quotes from women that I admire and inspire me. Nadezhda Mandelstam, Russian writer, Hope Against Hope I decided it is better to scream. Silence is the real crime against humanity. Eleanor Roosevelt, activist You Learn by Living You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, "I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along." You must do the thing you think you cannot do. Oprah Winfrey, American TV personality As you become more clear about who you really are, you'll be better able to decide what is best for you - the first time around. Janis Joplin, American singer Don't compromise yourself. You are all you've got. Dolly Parton, singer If you want the rainbow, you've got to put up with the rain. Maya Angelou, poet, educa

Tomorrow I will be a year older. I have never concerned myself with aging...it just wasn't in my thought process. Although I have plenty of friends that to this day won't reveal their age, and others that almost needed therapy when they turned 40. I just don't get it. In fact, for years I've said I still feel like I'm 17, but something changed when I turned 50. I feel like someone came in the middle of the night as I slept and snatched my body, leaving me with this old used one. Definitely what once was, isn't anymore. I have always been physically active, but now getting out of bed is part of my exercise regimen. I have to stretch just right before swinging my legs out of bed or it feels like I pulled my hamstring... if I turn my upper body to quickly, it feels like I dislocated my shoulder. Also, my body has to really warm up after I finally get out of bed, otherwise my walk is like doing a shuffling and step move. I use to hear my mom dragging her feet down

I didn't anticipate continuing my blog regarding drugs. But, I read an interesting article this morning about Whitney Houston, which led me to ask a question about responsibility. Chaka Khan was interviewed by Piers Morgan - she stated that someone should have been with Whitney to supervise her - to keep the riff-raff and dangerous people away. My question is, when does it stop being every one's responsibility to take care of the people that have chosen to live a life of drugs.                                                                                                                     I've questioned myself with the situation in my family, but I feel at some point people need to take responsibility for their choices. We can't go through life babysitting them... we can't fix someone that doesn't want fixing, and we surely can't be with them 24/7. Furthermore, if they die from drugs I can't place blame on someone else for their death. We need

We are not human beings on a spiritual journey. We are spiritual beings on a human journey. —   Stephen Covey    Another one of my favorite quotes that I thought I'd share with you.   This quote describes what I work at doing in my life, and what I strongly believe every human should do. I believe that we're all connected and that our main purpose in life is to help others. I woke up this morning and immediately started working on paperwork for a non profit that I serve on the board - One Step Two Step Operation Hope & At Risk Youth Services   onesteptwostep.org   We're working on a huge President's Day Event in hopes to reach several our troubled youth. After juggling laundry, cleaning house and working on the paper work for One Step Two Step, it inspired me to write a short blog on giving back.                             I know for most of us we live a busy and at times hectic life - so it's not always easy to remember the less fortunate, much les

It's funny how my 2 year old granddaughter thinks her Papa is the answer to everything in life. Every time the computer messes up she yells, "Call Papa." I couldn't find the pasta... call Papa. The call Papa list goes on and on... in her eyes he can do everything. I have always envied my friends that have been blessed with the privilege of having their grandparents in their life. I love hearing the  fun stories and their silly family songs. In fact, my husband has passed on his family Nimmy Nommy song to our children and grandchildren - it has brought smiles and laughter to each of them. I'm pretty sure 'Nimmy Nommy' will be around our family for generations to come... I love knowing that. I believe that the relationship between a grandchild and grandparents is one of life's free small treasures - leaving everlasting memories in their hearts.                                                                                           Grandparents

Valentines Day is just around the corner. Personally that's one holiday (if you can call it that) I've never bought into. My feeling is, it's just another overly commercialized day that retailers guilt people to spend money on. I shared that opinion with my 10 year old granddaughter, and her response was, "How can you not like Valentine's Day, it's a day of love." Do you really have to take one day out of 365 of them to show and tell someone that you love and care about them? I don't think so. I pick up random gift items for  the people in my life through out the year, along with putting cards in the mail, or sending a text message when I'm thinking of them. I know it's fun for kids... they get to pick out a cute box of cards for their classmates and decorate boxes to put them in, but truthfully, it gave me anxiety as a kid. I had the stress of creating a beautiful box that would be displayed in the classroom, and then the headache of what ca

"Some people drift through their entire life. They do it one day at a time, one week at a time, one month at a time. It happens so gradually they are unaware of how their lives are slipping away until it's too late." Mary Kay Ash I love this quote because I believe this happens to often to so many people. For example, my mother lived her entire life for other people. She didn't get to do the things that she truly loved, or experience life outside of her environment. She allowed other people to dictate her life, and she got lost in the shuffle along the way. By the time life allowed her to be herself... it was to late. She didn't have the energy, the desire, or age on her side to pursue her dreams. I myself have been guilty of drifting certain times in my life - living day by day, but not really living. I've worked jobs that I allowed to consume me to the point of where I wasn't enjoying the little things that I'm blessed with each day. However,

Zumba was my choice of exercise last night for the first time in a long time. My daughter was subbing a Zumba class at  her gym so naturally I attended. We're both certified instructors, but it's been over two years since I've taught or participated in a class.  http://www.zumba.com/  It kicked my butt, but felt amazing. I love any type of aerobic exercise that involves dance with upbeat music, which is exactly what Zumba gives you. Also, it's amazing how many calories you burn in an hour. I encourage everyone that wants a fun way to get in shape to find a class and give it a try. Initially the first class can be a bit intimidating only because they yell out moves such as salsa, samba, or beto  - unfamiliar dance moves to most, but once you get the steps down, it's a blast. THE ORIGINAL "FITNESS-PARTY" As a fitness instructor in his native Cali, Colombia, Beto's life took an unexpected turn one fateful day in the mid-'90s when he darted off

OMG Facts tweeted yesterday that you can survive days without eating but will live 11 days from not sleeping.  http://www.omg-facts.com/  I'm teetering on being sleep deprived at the moment. My 2 year old granddaughter has been staying the night and she won't sleep in her room.  She is a 2 year old that is the height of most 4 year olds, and she sleeps horizontally. It's not bad the nights that I get her head in my chest, but when its a night of the feet and getting kicked... forget about it. No sleep! I did some research and of course there has always been pros and cons about children sleeping in the same bed. Dr. Phil is opposed to it  - one of his reasons is it can cause regressive behavior.  http://drphil.com/articles/article/114  Personally I disagree - I loved having my kids by me and saw no side effects from it. They knew that they were always welcome in my bed, so naturally the same rule goes for the grandkids. It's just this is the first time having a littl

Damn You Auto Correct is a website that I recently found while surfing the web. It consist of iphone fails...most not appropriate for children to read.  http://damnyouautocorrect.com/   But it's the funniest site that I've come across in a long time - you have to check it out.                                 The day that I found  it I couldn't stop reading page after page of text messages gone wrong.  I went from sitting at the computer reading and laughing out loud, to my couch using my cell so I could continue the madness. Before I knew it I had 4 other people sitting around laughing... each trying to read out loud but couldn't because we were all in hysterics. I couldn't even see after awhile from my tears of laughter making my eyes burn from my mascara. As I looked around the room at us it reminded me of our game nights we use to have. Each of us trying to be first, speaking over each other, and talking all at once. The only thing that was missing was an argumen