new years!!!

first attempts at ipod pics...merry Christmas from our master of ceremonies for present opening!

he had so much fun at the beach!!!

no make-up selfie....note to teenage girls, never pluck your eyebrows, you will hate yourself for it in your 30's when you attempt to grow them back. and watch out, they don't grow back...but still attempting to love myself with or without make-up!

shredding with their new pal...

snack break, and the hubby ready to sneak away to shred it himself.

grow hair, grow!!!

camera hog!

ready for a new year to begin. I have been a little under the weather and so my hubby and boys have been sweet enough to tend to my sickly needs. went and ran errands with me. made me tea and food, made sure I had a smoothie and vitamins this morning...that is what life is all about, right?

we r having a low key new years at home, just the family, probably in our pajamas watching Man of Steel and eating a little BBQ....ribs for the boys, vegan bratwurst for me, zucchini, baked butternut squash, roasted red potatoes...we got a few fireworks, but hopefully I will be sound asleep before things get wild. I worry a bit about my munchkins when my hubby and stepson become pyros with those dang fireworks...

I am excited to get back to blogging again in 2014. been really getting inspired by some amazing and talented bloggers as of recent. love my fashion blogs, but for me this holiday season has introduced me to the world of organic living, health, beauty, fitness blogs. A lot of women similar to myself that have transitioned into a eco-living lifestyle and being. I am taking it one step at a time, but want to document my journey...I led anything but a healthy lifestyle in my 20's, even into my 30's...now that I am nearing 38 I want to finally take full control of my health. Eating better, continuing to exercise, but also trying new forms of exercise, ridding my house and personal care items of chemicals and toxins that are terrible for us and our world. I am taking it one step at a time, but feeling incredible with my baby steps.

For now I want to wish everyone out there a fun night no matter what your plans are, and a 2014 that brings happiness and success to all. I have a few iPod pictures to share...my iPod touch has a camera only on one side of it...my stepson said this is odd. It has caused a ton of perplexing situations as I have tried to get some nice shots. I also can't figure out how to zoom out so I apologize for all the close-ups...soon enough it will all be like second nature to me.

Thanks for stopping by as I attempt to Reinvent Merdy!!!

The Band...

I got an ipod for Christmas...spent a lot of the day trying to get my mind and body updated with the latest technology...the hubby and I are a bit country...we share a cell phone, cheapest plan and model AT&T allows. We have a boom box outside that just broke that I would do aerobics with...old CD's of Heavy D and the Boyz, Deee Lite and Erasure...so the hubby broke down and surprised me with my very own ipod touch. My stepson laughed at my un-understanding of this little device. I will probably figure it out, and then Ari will tell me I need the new updated version. No thank you...

I found some cool radio stations on iTunes, and reveled in the pretty holiday music and a guest DJ station hosted by the talented John Mayer. I know John Mayer has done a few silly things in the media in the past, but that silliness aside he is an amazing musician...and we like a lot of the same favorite songs...a lot of the classics. I love me some classic rock. So, for my return to the blogging world a nice video of a handsome group of guys from the past that I still love listening to today. On Christmas and everyday in between...

 

And now let us rest until New Years. I think 2014 has good things coming it's way for all.

holidays...

my laptop has seen one expert and may be done for good. I cannot for the life of me figure out how to import all my camera pics on our desktop. we have family in town, and I still have presents to make or buy. thus my absence is excused, right? I have been busy with my boys, and attempting to make homemade beauty, skin and hair products. still trying to figure out how to properly budget during the most spending month of the year. I am trying to get it all together without too many panic attacks, succeeding with that, but my blog has taken a back seat...once Christmas has come and gone and family retreats back to the mainland I can refocus again. for now, I eat delicious treats, watch Christmas movies with my family, snuggle in the morning chill, and feel thankful for my lovely little family. and buddy the elf...

music on the weekend...

i picked up patti smith's book just kids a year ago, but it is so hard to find a spare moment to really engulf myself in books. tv is easier with kids, no need to stay super focused most of the time. since my laptop is still down and my noa woke me up at 5am the last few days in a row, i have found my hour or so to read uninterrupted as keoni and daddy sleep...noa has become quite fond of Daniel tiger's neighborhood, and i can't fault him for finding it a bit fascinating. if he is going to enjoy a little tv, i prefer something like Daniel that teaches him good concepts in life. thus, the moral of this blog post and video...noa watches his show, and i have been lucky enough to read amazing tales of patti, her beloved Robert, and other friends and family along the way. i still have a ways to go, but it has been so wonderful to delve into the fascinating world of patti smith. she is truly a artistic genius. and i love this song.

 

happy weekend and holiday season to all!

Rest in Peace...

 

 

Rest in Peace Nelson Mandela...such a wise and wonderful human. We must remember all he was teaching us.

simple...

trying to simplify my life a bit, de-clutter, refocus, get my priorities together, and make some resolutions for the new year. it has been good for me to reflect and really grasp what is important to me in my life, as a mother, and a wife. one step I am attempting to take is putting our family on a budget, and as well spend less on material possessions. I have found myself using this blog as a reason to shop, and we simply can't afford to be frivolously spending. it is also teaching my kids a bad habit, that possessions are a quick fix to life's stress. they may give you a quick rush of happiness, but I have learned they are a temporary fix...I end up feeling even more guilty afterword because I am not earning a paycheck right now. I want to get back to my schooling to finish up my teaching degree, and this can only be even more inspiration to save, save, save. I just never really had that guidance growing up. My mom likes to shop, she hates sales if you can believe it, and will pay full price for everything. And yes she goes to the grocery store almost daily. Bad habits, and ones I cannot repeat anymore. wish me luck!!!

great thanksgiving, the boys had a blast, and my stepson was able to indulge a bit without his blood sugar spiking. our dear friend Samantha and her boyfriend and son came to visit, and they are just wonderful people.

now we are attempting to get things rolling for Christmas, and unfortunately yesterday my laptop became infected with a virus that our Norton protection can't fix. The last time something similar happened, it was about $300 to fix. We just don't have the money right now to fix it. Luckily, we do have a desktop, but I do have to fight my way to use it once in a while...the hubby, munchkins and stepson like to dominate it. I may be somewhat missing in action again on the blog for a week or so, but once we figure out what to do about my laptop hopefully I will be back soon in my little blog world.

Happy December! Keep warm, unless you live in the tropics like me...go to the beach and be thankful we aren't freezing!