So...I Took A Hiatus

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Did you miss me last week? I know I missed blogging! I took a temporary hiatus from technology...for the most part. I still kept up with my Bella Parola business as well as emails and texts, but I didn't blog, I didn't get on the computer most of Thursday or Monday, or all day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. It was nice, but I'm happy to be back!

I spent the time away from the computer with my hubs and our families! Vance came to work with me on Friday and helped me watch Max. I had a nice nap when Max napped, but still went to bed early that night (10:30 is early for a weekend night for us!) After Max's grandma picked him up, the hubs and I went to lunch at Kimono, a japanese restaurant, then to Target (specifically for toothpaste) where we ended up buying Monopoly, the board game. We then went to the general store/mill in Midway to pick up a 50 lb bag of Pride dog food for Petey and Cinnamon. Dinner of Mario's Pizza and a game of Monopoly rounded out the evening.

Saturday was spent watching movies, hanging out, and just spending time together.

Sunday was church, lunch at Grandma's with my side of the family, my cousins' softball game, and a cook-out for dinner at Vance's parents' house followed by s'mores around the fire pit.

Monday, I recovered from the weekend, watched Max for a few hours and had an interview for a seasonal/part-time job at Old Navy. (Please pray I get it!)

I've decided to make some changes to Angela's Favorite Things once again.

1. I wasn't feeling the love from people with my meal plans, which is fine, but since it takes so long to do those, I might as well just make a list and link the recipes. I will continue to review new recipes I make. I just won't put up a detailed meal plan with a shopping spreadsheet for the time being.

2. No more Savings Saturdays. No one seemed interested in those, and frankly, it was somewhat of a pain to do one of those posts on Friday afternoons/evenings.

What isn't changing...
1. Pinterest Wordless Wednesdays
2. Fashion Fridays
3. Giveaways/Product Reviews
4. Recipe Postings/Reviews
5. Updates on my fertility journey
6. Updates on my life in general
7. My Favorite Things posts
8. My wittiness and charm! (hahaha)

So what's coming up in the near future?

1. Wednesday (aka tomorrow) will be a Pinterest Wordless Wednesday
2. Friday will be a Fashion Friday
3. Next Tuesday will be a review about Rump Arounds cloth diapers
4. In the next few weeks, many more cloth diaper reviews AND giveaways will be posted, so be sure to tell your friends!


Thanks for being such awesome readers/friends and for understanding my need/desire for a break!

If you could take 2 seconds and give this a click, it would mean so much to me! Thank you!!

Friday Freebie--Give Thanks/Coupon

The past several weeks, Friday Freebies have been free Bella Parola prints that I've made. I know some of you have downloaded them. One or two of you actually thanked me and told me you downloaded them. (Thanks for that!) I just don't think it's worth my time to make a BP FF anymore. It takes me time to make it, upload it, write the post, etc. and it seems like no one is really all that into it anyway. Please note that I am not complaining or feeling sorry for myself. If you guys aren't into it, you aren't into it. Anyway, I'm thinking I will probably change Friday Freebie to Fashion Friday for the time being. Each Friday I will post a new Polyvore outfit for funsies. :-) Almost every lady likes drooling over pretty clothes, jewelry, or handbags...even if we can't wear/afford them!

Or maybe I'll change it to Fact: It's Friday as soon over at Becky's blog.

Or maybe I'll do a mixture of both. Who knows??? Guess we'll find out NEXT Friday. I know. I know. The anticipation is KILLING you. Tough cookies. :-P

Here's your last Friday Freebie. It was originally scheduled to be used in November, buuuut...well...you know.

Please click the link below for a high resolution download.

Please click here to access the downloadable freebie!

Leave a comment if you download this image, please! Oh and read over the terms of use below, so you don't get in trouble! ;-)

Copyright Angela Bailey 2011

TERMS OF USE

You May NOT:
1. Redistribute the digital file for sale.
2. Claim this as your own work.
3. Sell creations made with this work including but not limited to framing this print and reselling, matting this print and reselling, using this print in website layouts, etc.
4. Alter the digital file in any way, including removing my digital signature.

You May:
1. Print for your own personal use in decorating.
2. Print and frame as a gift.

Also, as a bonus for this being the last, pre-determined Friday Freebie, feel free to download and use the 25% off coupon for any one item from Bella Parola. (Please?)

Have a spectacular weekend!

If you could take 2 seconds and give this a click, it would mean so much to me! Thank you!!

Friday Freebie--Falling Into Autumn

I hope you all had a wonderful week! Here is your Friday Freebie courtesy of Bella Parola. All Friday Freebies are Angela Bailey originals. :-) Enjoy!

Please click the link below for a high resolution download.

Please click here to access the downloadable freebie!

Leave a comment if you download this image, please! Oh and read over the terms of use below, so you don't get in trouble! ;-) Have a great weekend!

Copyright Angela Bailey 2011

TERMS OF USE

You May NOT:
1. Redistribute the digital file for sale.
2. Claim this as your own work.
3. Sell creations made with this work including but not limited to framing this print and reselling, matting this print and reselling, using this print in website layouts, etc.
4. Alter the digital file in any way, including removing my digital signature.

You May:
1. Print for your own personal use in decorating.
2. Print and frame as a gift.

Have a spectacular weekend!

If you could take 2 seconds and give this a click, it would mean so much to me! Thank you!!

Friday Freebie-- Be Glamorous

I hope you all had a wonderful week! Here is your Friday Freebie courtesy of Bella Parola. All Friday Freebies are Angela Bailey originals. :-) Enjoy!

Please click here to access the downloadable freebie!

Leave a comment if you download this image, please! Oh and read over the terms of use below, so you don't get in trouble! ;-) Have a great weekend!

Copyright Angela Bailey 2011

TERMS OF USE

You May NOT:
1. Redistribute the digital file for sale.
2. Claim this as your own work.
3. Sell creations made with this work including but not limited to framing this print and reselling, matting this print and reselling, using this print in website layouts, etc.
4. Alter the digital file in any way, including removing my digital signature.

You May:
1. Print for your own personal use in decorating.
2. Print and frame as a gift.

Have a spectacular weekend!

Life Gets The Best of Me Sometimes

I know. I know. I KNOW. It's been awhile. I took a leave of absence. I needed it. I was developing my Bella Parola business on FB. I currently have 621 fans on there! Yay! I've also been involved with some giveaways and some in-store orders including a new local boutique girly type story here in Winston-Salem, NC called simply PiNK. Their grand opening was this past Saturday and let me tell you...that store is ADORABLE! :-)

So anyway...life is what happens when you're busy. I haven't felt much like blogging. I've been in a slump outside of my nannying job/graphic art business. I have struggled with this whole not being pregnant thing. For some reason, I just don't think I'm getting a positive this month either. No proof...too early to tell, but just a gut feeling based on past experience. Plus, if I were to be pregnant, I would be super excited without having worked myself up about it. It's easier that way. I need to guard my heart. Enough about all of this, though. THIS is one reason why I haven't been blogging much the past couple of weeks.

In other news, received my first blog award a couple of weeks ago! My sweet friend, Cami, over at First Day of My Life, bestowed the Versatile Blogger Award on me! Thanks so much, Cami! You rock!

The Rules after accepting the Versatile Blogger Award are:

• Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your post.
• Share 7 things about yourself
• Pass this award along to 10 recently discovered blogs. 

7 Things About Me

1. I double majored in college at Johnson Bible College (now Johnson University.) My two majors were Bible and Elementary Education. I was accepted into the Master's program for Holistic Education, but decided not to go.

2. I am terrified of mice, rats, and most rodents...including squirrels.

3. I LOVE glitter!!

4. My favorite movie is Beauty and the Beast.

5. The paranormal fascinates me, but I do not believe it is ok to screw around with psychics, mediums, witchcraft, etc. I am a Christian and a firm believer that both light and dark forces exist. I have experienced demonic activity as well as angelic activity. Both are VERY real. (If you want to know more about my experiences, please feel free to email me. It really isn't blogging material nor something I want to downplay by putting it on the Internet.)

6. I do not anger easily, but I irritate easily, especially if it pertains to people KNOWING what they should be doing and CHOOSING to do the opposite. I have a low tolerance for stupidity. HOWEVER, I am a patient person, and I forgive easily. I know. I am a conundrum.

7. I've never dyed my hair. I've had highlights a couple of times, but I have never fully changed my hair color. It is naturally DARK brown. People ask me ALL THE TIME which hair dye product I used to get my hair to be black, but not witch-looking. I have to tell them it's natural because I'm Italian on my mom's side and have Cherokee and Sioux on my dad's side. (My sisters' hair isn't nearly as dark as mine due to our Irish, English, German, etc. blood that also runs through our veins.)

15 Blogs That Now Get This Award

1. Always Looking for Something New
2. Baby Making
3. Dandelion Paperweight
4. Domestic Adventure
5. From Inspiration to Reality
6. Live. Love. Oliver.
7. The Diva's Mom
8. The Great Umbrella Heist
9. Tiny Green Elephants
10. Wrapped With Hope

Friday Freebie- Love Makes The World Go Round

I hope you all had a wonderful week! Here is your Friday Freebie courtesy of Bella Parola. All Friday Freebies are Angela Bailey originals. :-) Enjoy!

Please click the link below for a high resolution download.

Please click here to access the downloadable freebie!

Leave a comment if you download this image, please! Oh and read over the terms of use below, so you don't get in trouble! ;-) Have a great weekend!

Copyright Angela Bailey 2011

TERMS OF USE

You May NOT:
1. Redistribute the digital file for sale.
2. Claim this as your own work.
3. Sell creations made with this work including but not limited to framing this print and reselling, matting this print and reselling, using this print in website layouts, etc.
4. Alter the digital file in any way, including removing my digital signature.

You May:
1. Print for your own personal use in decorating.
2. Print and frame as a gift.

Have a spectacular weekend!

Bella Parola Giveaway @ First Day of My Life

Hello and good morning bloggy friends!
   No long post today! I just wanted to let all of my wonderful followers and friends know that my pal, Cami, over at First Day of My Life is hosting a 100 followers giveaway...and she chose Bella Parola, my graphic design/print business, to be part of it! :-) Please stop by her blog and show her (and me!) some love!

Clicky Clicky

Friday Freebie- Home Sweet Home

I hope you all had a wonderful week! Here is your Friday Freebie courtesy of Bella Parola. All Friday Freebies are Angela Bailey originals. :-) Enjoy!

Home Sweet Home
(Please visit the link below for a quality download.)

Please click here to access the downloadable freebie!

Leave a comment if you download this image, please! Oh and read over the terms of use below, so you don't get in trouble! ;-) Have a great weekend!

Copyright Angela Bailey 2011

TERMS OF USE

You May NOT:
1. Redistribute the digital file for sale.
2. Claim this as your own work.
3. Sell creations made with this work including but not limited to framing this print and reselling, matting this print and reselling, using this print in website layouts, etc.
4. Alter the digital file in any way, including removing my digital signature.

You May:
1. Print for your own personal use in decorating.
2. Print and frame as a gift.

Have a spectacular weekend!

Friday Freebie- Live.Laugh.Love

Today marks the very first ever Bella Parola Friday Freebie! Some Fridays will be made a little brighter with the inclusion of a free Bella Parola freebie! All images included in these freebies are Angela Bailey originals.

Live,Laugh.Love.
(Please visit the link below for a quality download.)

Please click here to access the downloadable freebie!

Leave a comment if you download this image, please! Oh and read over the terms of use below, so you don't get in trouble! ;-) Have a great weekend!

Copyright Angela Bailey 2011

TERMS OF USE

You May NOT:
1. Redistribute the digital file for sale.
2. Claim this as your own work.
3. Sell creations made with this work including but not limited to framing this print and reselling, matting this print and reselling, using this print in website layouts, etc.
4. Alter the digital file in any way, including removing my digital signature.

You May:
1. Print for your own personal use in decorating.
2. Print and frame as a gift.

Please Don't Give Up On Me Yet...

Not many of you out there in Blog Land (or you visitors from Facebook Land...welcome!) understand what it's like to want a baby so bad and keep getting denied month...after month...after month. I know that it doesn't always work on the first time. I know all the circumstances have to be PERFECT for a baby to conceive. I know that even with two people who have no personal infertility issues, it can still take awhile for them to make a baby. I KNOW all of those things, among others. However, when you FEEL the way I do, you don't CARE about the logistics. You don't care that you're doing everything that you can, because dang it, it just doesn't feel like you're doing enough when you aren't getting the results you desire.

I think it's difficult for me because I am a perfectionist. Not only is not being pregnant month after month heart-breaking, but it's also a slam against my pride. I feel kinda dumb for feeling this way, but they're my feelings and I'll feel them if I want to. Nanny-nanny-boo-boo. :-P Ok. All childishness aside, I feel like I should be DOING something else to make it work. I feel like I've done something to somehow make myself fail at this whole baby-making thing. Yes. I know. That's unreasonable. However, if you are a perfectionist, you know that often times, when things don't turn out the way we think they should, we often think of unreasonable/irrational explanations that somehow imply it's our own fault. (No? That's only something I do? Alrighty then.)

Source
If you don't get it, don't worry about it. It's a math joke about irrational numbers.

I guess what I find most frustrating right now is that regardless of that negative (read:stupid) blood-drawn pregnancy test, I still have all of the pregnancy signs that made me (and others) feel like I should get the dumb blood test to begin with! I still have weird spurts of nausea and headaches. I still have metal mouth at times. I still am fatigued. I still have bloatiness throughout my stomach that doesn't feel the same as it does during PMS. I still have crazy tender boobage. Like so sore that I can't sleep on my stomach because it crushes and hurts my nipples. (Sorry if that's TMI, but I'm trying to get my point across.) I still haven't gotten my period. I'm on day 49 of my cycle. (I've had a regular 31-34 day cycle since last September.)My husband even looked at me two nights ago and said, "Have your boobs gotten bigger?" Great. I already have DD's. I don't need them getting bigger for no flipping reason!

So what to conclude?
A) The blood test was wrong.
      Yes, I know it happens. Yes, so-and-so's sister's cousin's second cousin had it happen to her, but that doesn't mean that's the case with me. There's the exception and the rule. The rule is that blood tests are accurate. There is always a small percentage that the blood test is wrong, but those cases are not as common, thus they are the exception. Until further notice, I consider myself the rule, not the exception.
B) I just skipped my period this month and everything will go back to the way it was next month.
     This is my hope anyway...if A doesn't pan out. I just hope that something in my insides didn't go haywire to where it won't fix itself naturally. In the past, I didn't know when my period was coming. I didn't know if I'd get it at all. In college, I was stressed, overworked, and underslept most of the time, so it never surprised me to miss my period. Hopefully, whatever is going on with my body will straighten itself out...if A isn't true.
C) Something is medically wrong.
     I'm not fully ready to grasp this reality, so we shall revisit it another time.

I'm taking it a day at a time...

P.S. Be sure to come back tomorrow for Bella Parola's first ever Friday Freebie!! :-)

Bella Parola Giveaway!

Hello Blog Land!

A few entries ago, I wrote about my new business, Bella Parola. Well, as luck would have it, Krista and Jamie from The Playdate Crashers, stumbled upon my Etsy page and liked what they saw! Krista contacted me about doing a giveaway on their blog...and I agreed :-)

If you'd like to enter, please head on over to the Bella Parola Giveaway and fill out the entry form! Contest ends Monday, July 25th at 11:59pm. If you win, you'll either receive a digital copy of the print you choose or design to be printed wherever you so choose OR a hard copy of the print that is already professionally printed for you.

So what are you waiting for? Head on over to the giveaway and enter! :-)

Pregnancy, Prints, and Parola, Oh My!

Greetings friends!
I realize I have been absent for quite a bit these past couple of weeks. For that I apologize. I am just working a lot, starting a new business, feeling naused out, etc. So...let's get down to business.

I know my post title mentions pregnancy and for anyone who read my last blog entry, TTC, you know my husband and I have been trying to have a baby for the past year or so. Well...I am not getting my hopes up too high, nor am I jumping to conclusions, but let me lay the facts out for you...
1. I used an ovulation prediction kit this month. I got a smiley face (meaning I was going to ovulate within a couple of days) June 21st, or day 19 of my cycle.
2. My cycle lasts 31-34 days.
3. The hubs and I did the baby dance (Thanks Amy @ Dandelion Paperweight for that term! Love it!)
4. I have been naused out for the last week and a half to two weeks. It only happens every so often. I've only had the urge to vomit 2 or 3 times during that time.
5. I'm on day 39 of my cycle. Still no period or signs that I'm going to get one.
6. I have taken two pregnancy tests that came back negative.
7. My mom's second pregnancy (my sister Kristin) only came back positive with a blood test.
8. My mom only had real "morning" sickness with my sister, Hannah (her third pregnancy.)
Conclusion: I might be pregnant. I might not be pregnant. Still too early to tell, but it's nice to think of the possibility, without allowing my hopes to get up too high. Every time I go to the bathroom, I'm afraid I'm going to see the start of my period. So far...so good. Keep praying for/thinking of me, please! Positive thoughts, people, positive thoughts!!

Which brings me to item number two/three in my title. Prints and Parola. Prints as in the digital kind. Parola as in "word" in Italian. I have now opened an Etsy shop called Bella Parola (meaning Beautiful Word) selling digital prints. Each print can be customized with background color, font type, font color, and optional single or double borders. Each print is 300ppi and is emailed to you as an 8x10 JPEG file. You may then print it at home or have it professionally printed at Wal-Mart, Shutterfly, CVS, etc. You may use the print in your own home decorating in places such as nurseries, bedrooms, living rooms, entry ways, hallways, etc. OR give a framed copy to a friend or family member as a gift. Don't see the quote/song lyric/saying/verse that you'd like? No problem! Just email me with your request and I will make one for you! I also have a Bella Parola Facebook page. If you have FB, please check me out and "like" my page on there, too!

Here are a few "proof" samples: