Christmastime Blues

Pinterest has ruined me! It is official. I see all these beautiful crafts that I would LOVE to make. All these sweet little creations that these kids create. I want that! I want a Pinterest perfect Christmas? Is it even possible? Who has the time or the money to do all that work? I work 12 hour shifts. I barely have time to sleep little on decorate my TINY house to the 9's. I have 2 boys, 1 of which is Autistic. I'm a MOM and I feel like a COMPLETE FAILURE. I look at all these people who have it all together and I want to be like that. Is it too much to ask for to not have to stress over paying for Christmas gifts. I WANT a picture perfect house and children who pose for all those beautiful pictures. But, I WON'T change my kids for anything. I NEED to step away from Pinterest. All it does is depress me. Pinterest you are the DEVIL.

Great New book I just have to tell you about!

 

AVAILABLE NOW!

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NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BEST SELLING AUTHOR TONI ALEO PRESENTS THE NEXT INSTALLMENT IN THE ASSASSINS SERIES...

 

LACES AND LACE

 

Nine years ago, things were perfect. Lacey and Karson had found their happily ever after in each other…or so they thought. How do two people who were meant to be move on from that once-in-a-lifetime love?

 

Lacey has a strength inside her that comes alive with the things she’s most passionate about. She’s a fighter, a survivor, and has everything she’s ever wanted but the one thing that matters most—love.

 

Karson is doing the one thing he loves most—playing hockey for the Assassins, yet he knows regret. He knows his life has been missing the one thing he walked away from so many years ago—Lacey.

 

Nine years later, and neither has been able to succeed in moving on from what was, what could have been, and who each of their hearts still beats for. When a chance encounter during a fateful night has their paths crossing again, will the tether still attaching their souls allow them to face the past, present, and a possible future?

 

Can two people with fate on their side find a way back to each other? Overcome all the obstacles in their way to finally live life together to the fullest?

 

Or will they let those around them and the circumstances they face, along with questions and doubt, ruin a second chance at the life they both deserve?

 

Laces and Lace includes the prequel Tangled in the Laces, a dollar of your purchase will be donated to the Nashville Predators Foundation.

 

 

 

GRAB YOUR COPY TODAY! 

 

AMAZON † B&N † KOBO † iBooks 

 

 

 

 

PRAISE FOR LACES AND LACE....

 

"I feel that Laces & Lace was one of the best books in the series, not only because it revolved around heavy matter, but also because it drug you through emotional turmoil and struggles and it wasn’t happy go lucky easy." ~ Amazon Reviewer: Kris

 

"Laces and Lace is a story of survival, bravery, and endearing love. A story of when two people collide and life without the other is miserable. After I read the prequel to Laces and Lace I was dying to read the full novel. This story touched my heart and I urge you to go get your copy!" ~ Brittany @ Spare Time Book Blog

 

"This is such a great read, with more steam than most of Toni's books! And so many laugh out loud moments, seriously - JT needs his own book, and it needs to be amazingly hilarious because I couldn't stop laughing! Overall? Laces and Lace was well worth the wait!!" ~ For Love and Books "Jac"

 

 

 

 

Other books in the series...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Toni Aleo is the author of the Nasvhille Assassins series: Taking Shots, Trying to Score, Empty Net, Falling for the Backup, and Blue Lines.

When not rooting for her beloved Nashville Predators, she’s probably going to her husband’s and son’s hockey games and her daughter’s dance competitions, taking pictures, scrapbooking, or reading the latest romance novel.

She lives in the Nashville area with her husband, two children, and a bulldog. Read more about Toni here.

 

 

Website † Facebook † Twitter † GoodReads 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislK_g4Pq_rfsJXXMrFxQl9CA5u6bbnlhGrLr98gx2Yql5kofBCwNgBTOjENIrXNspo5mtgcIUmbOvfpHNoysjYB68HAd7tBKhA_n_pMTt4k_lg-No4N64_08xpBBw-e4MWVZXPSoNKYM7/s1600/Laces+and+Lace_high.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislK_g4Pq_rfsJXXMrFxQl9CA5u6bbnlhGrLr98gx2Yql5kofBCwNgBTOjENIrXNspo5mtgcIUmbOvfpHNoysjYB68HAd7tBKhA_n_pMTt4k_lg-No4N64_08xpBBw-e4MWVZXPSoNKYM7/s1600/Laces+and+Lace_high.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>

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<b><span style="font-size: large;">AVAILABLE NOW!</span></b><br />

<b><span style="font-size: large;">Add To <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21623991-laces-and-lace?ac=1" target="_blank">GoodReads</a> </span></b></div>

<br />

<br />

<blockquote>

<i>NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BEST SELLING AUTHOR TONI ALEO PRESENTS THE NEXT INSTALLMENT IN THE ASSASSINS SERIES...</i><br />

<br />

<b>LACES AND LACE</b><br />

<br />

Nine years ago, things were perfect. Lacey and Karson had found their happily ever after in each other…or so they thought. How do two people who were meant to be move on from that once-in-a-lifetime love? <br />

<br />

Lacey has a strength inside her that comes alive with the things she’s most passionate about. She’s a fighter, a survivor, and has everything she’s ever wanted but the one thing that matters most—love. <br />

<br />

Karson is doing the one thing he loves most—playing hockey for the Assassins, yet he knows regret. He knows his life has been missing the one thing he walked away from so many years ago—Lacey. <br />

<br />

Nine years later, and neither has been able to succeed in moving on from what was, what could have been, and who each of their hearts still beats for. When a chance encounter during a fateful night has their paths crossing again, will the tether still attaching their souls allow them to face the past, present, and a possible future? <br />

<br />

Can two people with fate on their side find a way back to each other? Overcome all the obstacles in their way to finally live life together to the fullest? <br />

<br />

Or will they let those around them and the circumstances they face, along with questions and doubt, ruin a second chance at the life they both deserve? <br />

<br />

<i><b>Laces and Lace includes the prequel Tangled in the Laces, a dollar of your purchase will be donated to the Nashville Predators Foundation.</b></i></blockquote>

<br />

<br />

<br />

<div style="text-align: center;">

<span style="font-size: large;"><b>GRAB YOUR COPY TODAY!</b>&nbsp;</span></div>

<br />

<div style="text-align: center;">

<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://tiny.cc/wxc2ox" target="_blank">AMAZON</a> † <a href="http://tiny.cc/iyc2ox" target="_blank">B&amp;N</a> † <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/laces-and-lace" target="_blank">KOBO</a> † <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/laces-and-lace/id939277863?ls=1&amp;mt=11" target="_blank">iBooks</a></span>&nbsp;</div>

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<b>PRAISE FOR LACES AND LACE....</b><br />

<br />

"I feel that Laces &amp; Lace was one of the best books in the series, not only because it revolved around heavy matter, but also because it drug you through emotional turmoil and struggles and it wasn’t happy go lucky easy." ~ <i><b>Amazon Reviewer: Kris

</b></i><br />

<br />

"Laces and Lace is a story of survival, bravery, and endearing love. A story of when two people collide and life without the other is miserable. After I read the prequel to Laces and Lace I was dying to read the full novel. This story touched my heart and I urge you to go get your copy!" ~ <i><b>Brittany @ Spare Time Book Blog

</b></i><br />

<br />

"This is such a great read, with more steam than most of Toni's books! And so many laugh out loud moments, seriously - JT needs his own book, and it needs to be amazingly hilarious because I couldn't stop laughing! Overall? Laces and Lace was well worth the wait!!" ~ <i><b>For Love and Books "Jac"

</b></i><br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<div style="text-align: center;">

<b><span style="font-size: large;">Other books in the series...</span></b></div>

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<div style="text-align: left;">

<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-family: inherit;">Toni Aleo</b><span style="font-family: inherit;">&nbsp;is the author of the Nasvhille Assassins series:&nbsp;</span><a href="http://tonialeo.com/books/taking-shots" style="color: #6699cc; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;">Taking Shots</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">,&nbsp;</span><a href="http://tonialeo.com/books/trying-to-score" style="color: #6699cc; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;">Trying to Score</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">,&nbsp;</span><a href="http://tonialeo.com/books/empty-net" style="color: #6699cc; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;">Empty Net</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, Falling for the Backup, and&nbsp;</span><a href="http://tonialeo.com/books/crossing-the-line" style="color: #6699cc; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;">Blue Lines</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></span></div>

<div style="text-align: left;">

<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When not rooting for her beloved Nashville Predators, she’s probably going to her husband’s and son’s hockey games and her daughter’s dance competitions, taking pictures, scrapbooking,&nbsp;or reading the latest romance novel.</span></span></div>

<div style="text-align: left;">

<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">She lives in the Nashville area with her husband,&nbsp;two children, and a bulldog.&nbsp;Read more about Toni&nbsp;<a href="http://tonialeo.com/about" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;">here</a>.</span>

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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://tonialeo.com/" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Website</a>&nbsp;†&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/tonialeo1" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Facebook</a>&nbsp;†&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/tonilovesweber6" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Twitter</a>&nbsp;†&nbsp;<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5255580.Toni_Aleo" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">GoodReads</a></span><span style="font-size: medium;">&nbsp;</span></span><br />

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MIA

I have been MIA for quite some time.   Who has been occupying all my time?  Well that would be this handsome little man: 

This little guy was born August 13, 2012.  He has brought more joy and happiness into my life than I ever knew was possible.  Watching him with his brother never ceases to amaze me.  

You could spend hours getting lost in these blue eyes! I am truly truly blessed.  

In order to have this bundle of joy I had my band deflated.  Towards the end of my pregnancy I found out that my lap-band surgeon had left his practice and they were no longer doing maintenance.  

So, I have slacked on finding a new surgeon.  Now, I am BIGGER than I have ever been. I mean majorly big! I went to meet my new surgeon today and am determined to get back on track.  I have a long way to go, but 2 beautiful boys to get me there! 

60 lbs!!!

I did it!!! I am 60 lbs lighter!!! I feel amazing!!! I still have a long way to go, but I am so proud of myself! I also won the competition at the YMCA.  They are so wonderful and have been a big help.  I am going Thursday for another band fill, so its back on liquids for 2 days! EEK! I have been doing a little baking, but haven't gotten the skinny part down yet! I did make snickerdoodle cupcakes that were to die for! I topped them with a cinnamon buttercream frosting! The little guy told me to forget Girl Scout cookies he wanted these! He has also already requested them for his birthday in September.  He is posted below enjoying the cupcake! I will be baking "skinny" soon so stay tuned!!!

Life after banding!

I am officially banded.  My surgery was last Monday and everything went smoothly.  I am healthy and happy and 32.4 lbs lighter!!! Very happy with my results.  Thank you all for your prayers and support!!!

In other news, we are moved in! I used my kitchenaid for the first time to make a yummy bacon cheese dip! I will share the recipe in my next post. Hope everyone is doing well! Thanks for reading!

10.2 lbs!!

I am officially 10.2 lbs lighter! Not bad for a weeks worth of work.  Liver shrinking diet has been going well so far.  Met with the surgeon Friday and everything is set.  My lapband surgery is Monday.  I am moving Saturday, so wish me luck.  After I get settled in from the move, I will be starting to bake again! Can't wait hubby got me a Kitchenaid for Christmas!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2010 is behind us now.  Time to move on to a new year.  Hello 2011!!! I spent New Year's with my husband and had a nice time.  I hope you all had a good one! NEWS: I have my surgery date! I am scheduled to get my LAPBAND on January 17th! YAY! Yesterday, I decided to start the liver shrinking diet to see how I could handle it.  Well, first day didn't go soo great.  I got protein powder called "Nectar" the flavor was fuzzy navel.  I was able to stomach the first shake, but it was making my stomach hurt.  So, I decided to wait and try another shake.  Today, I tried "Atkins Rich Chocolate Royale" I was once again able to stomach the first shake.  But, when I tried it again for lunch I couldn't get through it.  So, I guess I am gonna have to keep switching flavors.  I am determined to do this and get this done.  I am ready for a happy new me!  I will update next week with how much weight I lose.  Thanks for reading!