April Showers

Long Weekend

2009-11-10T08:39:00.006-07:00

So, Bradley is home, safe, and not doing great...but if we're considering "alive" great - then yes...he's great. This whole thing is just very, very hard. Emotionally, spiritually, physically, mentally...pretty much all of them...for both of us. I'm gonna go ahead an consider this the hardest thing I've delt with in my life so far. But I've decided that I want to give Bradley his privacy, so I'll stop posting about everything on my blog. Just know that he's okay, home, and we at least have a roof over our heads for the time being.

Moving on - THANK YOU for all the awesome tips in my previous post. I have a really good handle on what I'll be offering, changing, etc... after the new year and all the compliments were nice too!

I took the day off yesterday and let me tell you what - I cleaned and cooked and laundered like a real mommy/housewife and it was TOUGH! Seriously, you have to do the dishes three times or more a day to keep up. Which makes sense given that we eat three meals a day. Folding, cleaning, washing, scrubbing...and I didn't even DEEP clean! I really underestimate all you moms out there. Especially the ones who try to work from home. But man, it was nice waking up to a nice clean house. Sleeping in Snuggle-fresh sheets. Having plenty of MoGees to last me the whole week. Actually CHOOSING what I want to wear instead of forcibly wearing whatever is clean. I even hemmed my new (well, new three months ago) pants, finally! I also managed to get like THREE blogs done which is just a miracle. I vote we have three day weekends all the time. But then I'd probably take Saturday to play Guitar Hero, so it would all be the same. (p.s. I can sing and play guitar at the SAME TIME to "Love Story," "So Yesterday," and "You Belong With Me" on "Expert...yes, it's the highlight of my weekend.)

HELP!!! I need your smartness....

2009-11-05T12:59:00.005-07:00

You're all my friends right? Well...I've realized something about the people who follow my blog. There are two very distinct groups of bloggy friends - ones who want blog designs, freebies, etc... and ones who read my blog just to read it! At least I THINK that's what's going on here. I will likely be re-vamping my whole process of blog designing soon, and I'm hoping (since you're my way smart/talented/grounded friends) you could help me out with a few things...(you can be anonymous if you want.)

Just tell me what you think SUCKS, and what you think is AWESOME about the way I do blog designing. We all know the wait time sucks, and my empty promises on delivery dates suck too. So here are some things for your consideration...

- Should I finally separate my personal blog and design biz? I always thought joining them together was a good thing because people who follow for the designs would get to see the "real me" and people who follow for the bloggy part would always consider me first for anything they need done since I'm a "friend." But is there a downside?

- Should I offer free backgrounds? What do you NOT like about all the free backgrounds that are out there now like at "The Cutest Blog on the Block."??

- Would a dropdown menu at the top be more useful? Or should I keep the tabs? A dropdown menu would mean less originality, but more usefulness. ??

- Should I start using labels again and ditch the blog archive? Should I move the blog archive DOWN? Or just get rid of it all together?

What else can you think of? Anything?

Random Pictures etc...

2009-11-04T09:01:00.009-07:00

Well, my hubby is still in the hospital *sad face* but he's still alive and lucid enough to be bitter that they won't feed him breakfast, LOL. Anyway, if you'd like status updates and details, just add me as a friend on facebook. (Or if you just want to be my friend in general...I wanna be yours!) www.facebook.com/aprildurham17

Of course right now I am swamped with emotions and thoughts on mortality and life and religion and all that stuff. And avoiding wearing eye makeup. But no one wants to read a blog about that!!! (Even me.) I WILL say that being alone in my house is sort of taking its toll on me - this morning my cats started doing that "staring at the wall for no good reason" thing. I hate that!!! They just look up at the wall like there's something there, and then start meowing at nothing. It freaked me out.

Here are some random pictures from my phone...

Bradley got my flowers and a card the first round of Clomid when I found out I wasn't pregnant.

My car hit exactly 70000 miles! A much better feeling than when it hit 66666 miles.

My cats loving spinach? They both ate my leftovers...

I'm wearing a headband today with a zigzag part! *out of the box*

A sunrise.

Bubby...*love you*

Brad's in the hospital again...

2009-11-02T20:33:00.002-07:00

He doesn't want me blabbing it all over...especially to family right now. (Luckily family doesn't read my blog lol...) But he's in the hospital again for the same reason as before basically. This is mostly just to let clients/customers know...once again...that things are delayed. After my last post, this is sort of ironic. So sorry....

Thanks guys.

Running a Business

2009-11-02T09:08:00.006-07:00

So...about a year ago I started this whole "blog designing" thing. I never really thought it would take off as much as it has - but I'm happy to say that doing designs has literally kept us afloat this year. But there are a few things that I wish I would have known before I started, and a few things that I'm proud I was able to handle gracefully.

First, I'm learning in my "Personal Finance" class the importance of "liquidity." Which basically means it's important to have a whole butt-load of cash handy for emergencies every month because chances are, something will come up and you'll need the money. (Like when you decide at the last minute to throw your husband a themed birthday party...) I feel this way with TIME. It seems something comes up every month that steals away my time to do blog designs.

In case you were unaware, I go to work full time...from 8am-5pm every day. I attend school part time. I am a Young Women's Advisor. I have Lap-Band meetings. I handle all the family finances. I workout. Usually. Which all seems pretty easy to keep straight on a timed schedule (like I know what that is.) But what about when you sister-in-law has a heart attack and you have to spend a long weekend away? What about the three months you spend trying to have a baby? (And failing.) What about the people who request freebies for their dying baby/husband/self? What about the 78 e-mails I come home to each day? What about writing tutorials and making buttons? What about going through 34 drafts of the same design? What about when that happens three times in a month? And finally....what happens when your husband has a heart attack at 28, and has to spend a week in the ICU?

Running a business is hard. And it's even harder when you're a "creative" type trying to be an "organized" type. Harder yet when people expect you to devote your life to their blog design and exclaim that you should be "working" instead of playing "Guitar Hero" on a Friday night. Really? Do you wake up at 8am on a Saturday and work until 1am that night?

Anyway, my point is that I need to refocus and come up with a much better plan to give the best customer service possible. I want to work on ONE client at a time. I don't want people to wait three months for a design. I want to offer low prices, and high quality designs to reduce drafts. I also have to stop being so "nice." That sounds horrible, but I can't keep saying "yes" to everyone who wants a free design, another draft, more revisions, etc... etc... I don't want to be a jerk or anything...but my niceness needs to have limits.

I'm not going to be doing any more designs until after the first of the year. (Which really means I will work on the waiting list until the first of the year...) I'm going to re-vamp my bloggy, organize things, make designing really "fun" again, work on offering more freebies and things to get customers to stop by more often...and really focus on giving you what you want, while gaining my life back and leaving enough "liquidity" in my schedule if things go awry. Or if I need a break. Or a weekend to myself. Or like...a vacation in Cabo. (In ten years...)

Okay I Caved...Halloween Pix!

2009-10-31T19:14:00.007-06:00

I actually did it! I made something with glue...I'm proud...

Lulu wants to help too!

So does Allie!

But of course, kitties need a break after all the hard work...

Back to work!

Freaking CUTE!

'Tis the Season...to be CHEAP!

2009-10-30T10:22:00.011-06:00

First of all, happy ALMOST Halloween!! This year it seems that everything is particularly Halloweeny...probably because I haven't had time or resources to celebrate it yet. Sort of like when you're NOT pregnant, everyone else in the world becomes pregnant. Anyway... I have these ADORABLE Halloween themed bag kits that I wanted to assemble and put candy in for the Young Women. So I go to Walgreens (hubbs and I are boycotting Wal-Mart...) and candy is FREAKING $7.99 per BAG!! What the HECK?? I'd need at least two bags to fill these things.

So I pretty much stormed out of there in anger. (After purchasing other over-priced items in my bitter anti-WalMart tirade.) I'm mostly mad that I've had these "bag kits" for over five years and finally got them out to use them, and now I can't! Grr! Just wait, I'll wait another 5 years and candy will be $14.99 per bag. It's a good thing I don't have kids yet - they'd be going as ghosts and baked potatoes in old sheets and tin foil.

Speaking of cheap stuff for the holidays, I forgot to include a sample card and custom illustration for you to see yesterday with the Custom Holiday Greeting Card post!!! Duhh! I made a bunch more, but of course they are all stuck on my external hard drive that doesn't want to work for me! (Doncha just love when electronics work for you?) The first one is the card I made for us last year. Then a sample of a family custom illustration.

If you're print savvy, it's only $20 for a card design you can print yourself! And only $40 for an illustration like the one above...which is normally about $35 per person.

Click here to place an order and for more details.

Custom Holiday Cards to Help Hubby!

2009-10-29T10:01:00.015-06:00

When my mom needed a car to get to her Dr. appointments, I had a fund raiser and came up with $1000. When my sister-in-law had a heart attack we quickly came up with $200 to help her out. Here's our chance to help out my husband after his his heart attack. Every little bit helps as proven by the previous fund raisers, and more than anything it provides a sense of peace and hope for those who need it (plus you get something awesome in return!!)

Poor guy, the only thing he kept repeating in the hospital while laying there all pale and weak was "When can I get out? This bill is going to be huge." Of course I said, "Shut up honey, it's FREE..." just so he wouldn't walk out in his butt-less robe. LOL. By the way, he's doing well and feels really good. He has to take a TON of pills, but thankfully they're keeping him alive!

So here's your chance to place an order for a Custom Holiday Greeting Card! You can use family photos, or even have me make a Custom Illustration of your family for only $40 (normally about $35 per person.) You can also get 25% off your design(s) if you post about this on your blog! Here is an example of the one I made last year for Bradley and me. Imagine how much better THIS years will be with all my graphic design practice!! Hee, hee! To see more custom illustration examples click here or go to my portfolio. All illustrations are by yours truly unless noted below the image.

&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://aprilshowersblogdesign.wufoo.com/forms/z7x3w1/" title="Custom Holiday Greeting Card Order Form" rel="nofollow"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Fill out my &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Wufoo&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; form!&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

I've Boldy Gone...

2009-10-28T20:52:00.002-06:00

...into the world of Facebook and have made a PAGE for April Showers. It was intense. I didn't know what I was doing. But it is done. And you should become a fan. What's in it for you? I'll bring a plate of cookies to your house, do your laundry, and give you a pedi.* Oh and love you a LOT.**

*statement is completely false.
** statement is really really true.

Also, you can be my friend and I'll love you just as much if not MORE.

Be my Facebook friend here.

Random Questions for YOU!

2009-10-28T10:19:00.004-06:00

Instead of "me, me, me" let's try "you, you, you"!!!

1. Have you seen "Law Abiding Citizen."? I saw it...it was good....thoughts? What movies have you seen recently?

2. What deodorant do you use? I use that kind that's like a "designer" fragrance or something...just to try it. It's alright.

3. I curled my hair today and it's behaving. Woot! What does your hair look like?

4. I'm wearing flip-flops today for no good reason. It's freezing and my pedi is ugly. What shoes are you wearing?

5. I had an Atkins shake for breakfast but it was warm and gross. What did you have?

6. If I could eat anything right now it would probably be Chef Boyardee ravioli. You?

7. How many pairs of shoes do you own? Mine are 90% flats and flops.

8. Minnesota/northeast accents REALLY annoy me the most. Or people who say "Crick" not "Creek" or "beg" not "bag." What accents annoy you the most?

9. Being LDS is awesome and I'm so grateful I'm a member of the church. What religion are you? Why do you love it?

10. I have a 2006 Chevy Malibu that just reached 70,000 miles. What kind of car do you have?

11. Was that new book by Dan Brown any good? I was thinking of getting it.

12. Complete this statement: "If I had a nickel for every time someone told me ______________ I'd be a millionare."

13. What are you going to be for Halloween? I'm going to be me.

14. I love that show "Unwrapped"...what random cable show do you love?

15. I just remembered that I'm getting "Band Hero" in the mail on Nov. 3rd. What are you looking forward to?

More Character Building...

2009-10-27T08:45:00.008-06:00

I'm back. From a weekend in the mountains with family, from a week of sitting by my husband in the ICU, from my last cycle (for awhile) of fertility meds.

Brad is doing okay. We are still walking on eggshells a little...he's feeling very cold in general - probably from the lowered blood pressure, cold weather, and lack of 150lbs he had on last winter. So he's wearing every warm item of clothing he has, plus sock on his hands. I AM worried for his heart still, even though the Dr. assured us everything will be fine. I'm more worried for his mental well-being. Having a heart attack at 28 years old really isn't condusive to a positive outlook from someone who already struggled with that. He says his lungs are hurting "around his heart." I have no idea what that could possibly mean. Maybe it's from breathing the cold mountain air...maybe it's something else. But I'm forcing him to the Dr. with even the slightest pain. (Hey...how much worse could the bill get at this point?)

My hair is still falling out. I pulled huge gobs of it out of the drain this morning. I don't know where it's all coming from because I didn't have much in the first place. Sadly, this is a rare side effect from the Clomid (fertility meds.) Before we left for the weekend I took a pregnancy test. I held it up to the light, let it sit for a few hours, shook it around, turned it upside down, and not even a faint line. It was still 3 days until my period was due...but I took one of those tests that says "99.99% Accurate!"....so I had to repeat that statistic to myself over and over again until Aunt Flo actually arrived. And of course I could time her arrival down to the hour. Once again, 7:30pm, 13 days past ovulation. I will say knowing the exact hour she arrives is very convenient. Albiet unwelcome. I DID tell God that he could have my uterus and hair as long as I get my hubby forever - so I suppose the more uterus and hair I lose the longer Brad will be around....?

We spent the weekend with family, "hunting" in the cold mountains in the middle of nowhere. I don't actually "hunt" - I just pretend to look for innocent animals and secretly divert the hunter's attention elsewhere. I went four-wheeling with my nieces and nephew, hung out around the fire, and for a little bit the rest of the world faded away and everything was normal. Brad had been looking forward to the trip since last year, and it's all he talked about...so even though it was dumb, we took him up there anyway. He needed his family. He took it easy, got plenty of rest, and I took good care of him :D Now he's back home where he should be though.

Sorry my posts have been so long lately! I'm just blah, blah, blahing away! Obviously I'll be getting caught up this week. Trying to get inspiration back for blog designs, trying to let the circumstances make me stronger, trying to realize how lucky I really am. Before we start trying for a baby again, I'm going to lose 30lbs. It'll probably take me 4-5 months. But I'm okay with waiting longer. I want to enjoy my hubby...enjoy life...try to get as healthy as possible. Both physically and mentally. Maybe just say "screw it" and go on a vacation with the money we should be paying the hospital bills with, tee hee!

Anyway, thanks for reading this far if you did! Having you guys for support makes all the difference in the world. (Now if we could only do lunch in real life...)

Be Back Soon!

2009-10-23T13:02:00.002-06:00

I will be away from my computer until Monday night...(late) so I won't be able to check e-mail or blog (sad panda.) But the best affiliate designer in the whole world, Jessica, will be manning (womaning?) the inbox. You may not get a reply unless your design is being worked on...but I'll get back with you right away otherwise!

Thanks everyone again for all the well-wishes and prayers for my hubby. He got out of the hospital today and we're still taking our mini-vacay as planed this weekend. (Now that we really "earned" it after this week.)

The Giant Oak Is an Acorn That Held Its Ground

2009-10-22T14:26:00.003-06:00

When he complained of chest pain and told me to take him to the ER, I knew something was wrong. He would NEVER have me take him to the ER because of the price tag. I drove up to the front door of his work. His face was swollen and red - but I didn't put it together. So we went in to the ER, waited for a little bit, and they took us back and put the sticky things on his chest. The guy doing the EKG looks at the little peaks and valleys printed out as Brad sat on the hospital bed with just his scrub bottoms on. Before I knew it...a wheelchair was brought to us...Why would he need a wheelchair? It didn't even hit me then either. No one looked real serious...everyone was pretty calm about the whole thing. I stood out in the hallway as they strapped him on a gurney. He looked at me and smiled. I had to follow him in an ambulance to the other wing of the hospital. An ambulance with no lights - which I always took as a bad sign.

I found my way to the waiting room where Brad's sister in law and husband met me. We joked. And laughed. This was the same sister-in-law who had the heart attack just six months earlier. We'd say all these heart attacks must be genetic, but she was adopted. LOL!

The nurse called me in to answer Brad's medical history - something I apparently knew how to do very well. Something people usually don't know how to do until they're married for 40 years. I guess that's a "wifely duty." The nurse accidentally dropped the term "heart attack" a few times...and I figured he just didn't know what he was talking about. There's no way.

They wheeled him in after his angiogram...it's where they stick a long wiry thingy in your femoral artery, and it goes all the way up to your heart. Creeeepy. They found a blockage in his right coronary artery - but couldn't tell what the blockage WAS exactly. Plaque? Blood? Blood would be good - they could suck it out. Plaque would be difficult, but unlikely. Even 150lbs heavier his cholesterol was only 106. And now it's at 91. The blockage was around a curve that bent around the back of his heart, and when they attempted to unclog it, they thought they poked a hole in his artery. Which is BAD. So they waited...

...and we waited. Brad couldn't believe it. He felt sad, embarassed, confused - and probably more emotions that he didn't care to reveal. He layed in the hospital bed in the ICU, wires and stuff stuck all over him, in a hospital gown that strategically covered important areas. Every now and then his chest would hurt, and he'd arch his back and furrow his brow - the nurse would come in and give him more pain meds, and within minutes he was passed out. Then he would wake up and I would attempt to console him. I'd give him a hot towel and rub his back. Even while he was dead asleep he'd squeeze my hand back when I held it. I prayed that I'd never have to hold his hand without it squeezing back. We'd cry a little....and he felt better when I cried for him. And I felt better when he consoled me. The doctors knew that chest pain wasn't good. They thought with all the meds they had put in him that the clot would bust up and dissolve. Some crazy nurse came and told him that if his chest pain didn't stop, they'd have to crack him open. I'd like to go punch that nurse in the face.

I wasn't allowed to stay the night...so I went home, alone. Silently checked my e-mail. Pet the confused cats. Did chores and cleaned up the house. Brushed my teeth. Crawled into my side of the bed. Brad's side was still perfectly tucked in as the cats took his place and stared at me from across the bed. I turned out the lights and had dreamless sleep. Then in the morning I turned up the radio and sang along while getting ready for work.

I sat at my desk and explained to my coworkers what happened as they shook their heads in disbelief that 1) he is so young and 2) I was even AT work. I tried to go about my day thinking about Brad still in the ICU. But when I got a text message saying he's going back in for another surgery, I just had to go see him. I was terrified.

The doctor explained in detail what was going to happen. Best case scenario we would clear the clot and worst case scenario we wouldn't, and that part of his heart would have to die. Which apparently isn't that big of a deal because she said he'd go on to live a nice long happy life in either case.

In the back of my mind of course I'm thinking "Or, you could poke a hole through his chest and he's dead on the spot....

So they wheel him away, and of course I go down to the cafeteria to try and eat my feelings. Without luck of course. Stupid lap-band.

I chill out in the waiting room for two hours, Facebooking, blogging, trying to get my mind off what might come through the door. Happy faces? Sad faces? Will they say "We 'lost' him?" like they do in the movies? Soon the doctor approached and quickly said "He's okay, but we couldn't get it unblocked." And she drew a nice little diagram on her lined notepad. (similar to my image above, only without the sad-looking heart)

I went in to Brad's room. He was mad and grumpy - probably because he hadn't eaten in 24 hours. I was so sad for him. He's an eternal pessimist really, and this was the icing on the cake. But, as the promise of food drew nearer, and his parents finally showed up - it was a miraculous turnaround. Then when the AWESOME doctor came in and started explaining everything, his eyes lit up and he started laughing again.

The doctor really was amazing - shorter, thin, maybe late 50's, and with peppered swept back hair and a big white smile. He had a thick Spanish accent and when he explained everything he always followed it with a joke, laugh, and smile. He didn't rush out of the room, and he even indulged Brad's parents history, Brad's history, and looked genuinely interested in Brad's entire life and family. He would tilt his head and instead of just nodding and saying "Mmm hmm...yeah...mm hmm," he would actually offer a professional opinion and really TALK to us.

The doctors said they honestly didn't know why he had a heart attack. Sure, he is and was (150lbs ago) a very large guy. The machine they used for the angiogram had put out so much radiation to see through his giant barrel-sized chest that the doctors were pretty much glowing green afterwards and the machine had to cool down ALL day.

So now they have to wait for his pain to completely subside before he can go home. He wasn't having any chest pain before I got there this morning at 11am. Then all of a sudden after I hugged him it came back. I just want him to stay there as long as possible to make sure nothing goes wrong.

I'm not sure what we are going to do now. I'm not sure how he feels now. I don't know if he's optimistic, or bitter, or both, or neither. He really wanted to start his exercise program, go hunting, and do all these things that he won't be able to do for awhile. For at least a month. He's worried about the hospital bill, him being out of work, and tons of other things that I can't even hope to fix. We were almost okay financially, but now it will be the hugest burden he's thinking about. When we had the lap-band, the hospital bills and issues surrounding that gave him horrible panic attacks and anxiety...I've never seen anything like it. So I'll just have to really plug away at blog designs and work extra hard (pull a few all nighters! HA!) and I bet we'll be okay.

Thanks for all the prayers and support guys!

Add me on Facebook for updates

2009-10-21T10:32:00.001-06:00

Hey everyone...

Just FYI I am sort of updating family and friends (that's you) about what's going on with Brad on Facebook. So if you're curious, just look me up!

www.facebook.com/aprildurham17

I heart Bubba

2009-10-20T21:28:00.004-06:00

Here I am, in the ICU sitting next to my husband. I walked through three sets of doors, rubbed my hands down with the hand sanitizers on the wall as I made my way down the hallway of the Heart and Vascular Center. Room upon room of open-mouthed gray haired patients hooked up to tubes and wires under harsh fluorescent lights....then my husband. Dark brown hair, handsome...not really pale or flush. Just normal. In a nice quiet, dimly lit room. His feet touching the base of the bed, his head all the way at the top - talking wearily on the phone...joking about death and giving me suggestions on his coffin and obituary... His beard makes him look all rugged and sexy so I can't slap him for saying stupid things like that. I guess I wouldn't slap a heart-attack patient anyway. He specifically requested his size 6x shirt that says "Are You Going to Eat That." The same one he wore for our Lap-Band surgery day back in December. The same one that fails to evoke any humorous emotion from anyone but him and myself. He spent the day in and out of sleep...looking out the window at loaders, construction workers and an amazing view that will soon be covered by the new hospital wings they are building. The place he's in now still smells like paint. He gave me the "if anything ever happens to me speech..." He said he doesn't leave any of his things to anyone else but me. Except his dad's rifle. His chest was hurting all day, so they gave him some pain meds and he's catching flies and snoring right now...tee hee. But the nurse just woke him up so he could take his sleeping meds....lol...

Blood pressure now: 128/60
Blood pressure at admittance: 180/114

I'll have all the boring details later - he's doing well and doctors and nurses are optimistic. As a wife of course I'm a little more worried. At first I was fine. But I must be going through "stages" coping with the problem because now I'm all upset. Anywhoo...thanks for all the thoughts and prayers. Here's mine:

Dear Heavenly Father,

I don't wanna learn my lesson the hard way. I don't wanna be "stronger for it in the end." You can have my uterus. And my hair. I just want my husband forever.

Love, April

You're not gonna believe this...

2009-10-20T09:02:00.003-06:00

But uhh...last night my husband had a heart attack. He was at work - complaining of chest pain - and so I took him to the ER (a place he refuses to go unless his leg is actually severed from his body) and they ran all sorts of tests....he took a fun ambulance ride....and at the tender age of 28 he had a HEART ATTACK!! Anyway...more details will follow, but I just wanted to let you know and ask for some prayers! He's doing well in the ICU right now....but seriously?? Can you believe THAT??? *passes out* He's lost 150lbs and his cholesterol is 91. My cholesterol is 211. *dumbfounded* Well...I guess I'll find out more today. Love you Bubby....

Lost in the Archives

2009-10-19T11:00:00.000-06:00

I have no clue where my head has been at, but I managed to miss like a gazillion different layouts and headers that I never put in my portfolio!! Gah! Here are some oldies and some more recent ones that I just plain forgot about! I have a bunch more to add too (see my design schedule and the "ready to install" blogs) so keep an eye out for lots of new stuff!

Hip Mama: Girl and baby by iStockphoto

Jamie Scraps: Girl by iStockphoto

Laughing Through the Chaos: Fridge/laundry by iStockphoto

Handbags and Handguns: Girl/purse/gun by iStockphoto

Izzie Makes Three: House by iStockphoto.

Orange Juice: Tree by iStockphoto

Bookkitten: Books by iStockphoto.com

Urbangirl Fitness: City by iStockphoto

Look! It's animated! How cute huh??

The Winners Are...

2009-10-19T08:30:00.001-06:00

Free Digital Scrapbooking Kit: "Sweet Nothings" by JB Digital Creation

WINNER: Tricia @ the Zoo

Free Logo Design by Maria Lira

WINNER: Dana

VERA BRADLEY Zip ID Case - Caffe Latte

WINNER: Krissa

Free Custom Crown by BetterThanNormal Blog

WINNER: Mom2Boys

Bath & Body Works® Gift Card $25

WINNER: Krissy

muvee Reveal software Giveaway

WINNER: Adie

Pre-Made Holiday Layout, or Holiday Theme to Current Blog Design

WINNER: News Around the Blogs

Only TWO HOURS Left!!!

2009-10-18T10:18:00.002-06:00

My Super Saturday Giveaway Ends at NOON Mountain time! So you only have about two hours to enter!!! Go for it!

Super Saturday Giveaway is TODAY!!!!!

2009-10-17T11:41:00.004-06:00

There are tons of great things for you to win!! Here's what to do:

1. Follow/Subscribe to April Showers.
2. Make a comment on this post telling me you did the above, (and you can also throw in a note about how awesome I am...whatever...you know.)

Extra entries:
5 Extra - Put my button in your sidebar!
10 Extra - Twitter or Facebook about this Giveaway
15 Extra - Post on your blog about this Giveaway
20 Extra - Visit at least THREE of the featured blogs/sites and make a comment here about each.

*REMEMBER* You don't have to post a comment for EACH thing you do - just post ONE comment with all the stuff you've done...sorry I didn't tell you that....lol.

Giveaway will last from Saturday Oct. 17th at 12pm MT to Sunday at 12pm MT.

Free Digital Scrapbooking Kit: "Sweet Nothings" by JB Digital Creation

This digital scrapbooking kit combines a "homemade" feel with a touch of glam! Many of the embellishments come in a variety of colors ensuring they will match with any of the included scrapbook papers. This kit contains:

-7 Papers
-4 Paper Bits
-4 Butterflies
-4 Gemstone Flowers
-1 Frame
-1 Gold Sparkle Overlay
-1 Water Droplet Overlay
-1 Word Art
-1 Ribbon
-1 String

If you like what you see, please visit my digital scrapbooking store. All of my digital scrapbook kits are currently on sale for $1.00!

Free Logo Design by Maria Lira

I will provide a free logo or brand with with your name or name according to your preferences.

VERA BRADLEY Zip ID Case - Caffe Latte

VERA BRADLEY "Zip ID Case" has an easy-zip top. Here's a clever way to travel light! This compact case features a silver signature key ring and front ID window, plus an interior compartment for cards and cash. Dimensions: 5" x 3". Color: Caffe Latte (coffee).

Oct. 11 - 18: A pair of "Think Pink" die cuts and a Petite Pewter BC Bookmark from Wysiwigs (one winner)
Oct 18 - 25: A Survivor Pocket Mirror
Oct. 25 - Nov. 1: (2 winners) A HOPE scrabble tile a FAITH Scrabble tile

Free Custom Crown by BetterThanNormal Blog

We make fun custom designed crowns for birthdays, gifts, dress up or just for fun! Come see what we have, or better yet design your own and I'll make it!

Bath & Body Works® Gift Card $25

muvee Reveal software Giveaway

muvee Reveal is a program for creating movies from your photos and home videos. It's a truly simple system with many features. Save your creations to CD or upload them to your favorite video site and share them with family and friends.

Pre-Made Holiday Layout, or Holiday Theme to Current Blog Design

From yours truly of course, choose from any of my pre-made holiday layouts to customize for your blog! OR allow me to "holidayize" your current blog design by adding fun festive elements to it!

More Opinions Needed...!

2009-10-16T10:43:00.002-06:00

Thanks everyone for your input on my portfolio! It helped SOO much. I have another question for you about this kick-A widget I just found. I have been DYING to get this cute little tabbed navigation sidebar, but I am really not sure WHAT I should put in it!! What do you think? What would make life easier for you? Having Tutorials, Freebies, etc... THERE? Or Maybe my contact info? Or like, put the contact form in there instead? Any suggestions would rock my face off. (As usual.)

You can see the widget in action on my Babymakin' Blog. I am thinking of setting up my blog sorta like this...with a larger sidebar to the right, that splits into two columns on the bottom.

I need your HONEST opinions....

2009-10-15T09:22:00.002-06:00

I've just made my first REAL online portfolio. You know...like...a "real" one for potential employers and important people to look at. One that isn't on the same website as one where I reveal entirely too much personal information. (I have a feeling any potential employers will likely find this site too... which I highly doubt will work to my advantage.)

Anywhoo - I wanted your opinions on how easily you can navigate it, if any improvements can be made, etc.. etc... BE HARSH! BE CRITICAL! Give me any tips you can think of that might make it a better site. I'm turning on Anonymous comments so you can be totally honest.

Visit My Portfolio HERE

Tomorrow is the LAST DAY!

2009-10-14T14:48:00.003-06:00

Tomorrow is the last day to get in your items for my SUPER SATURDAY giveaway! Be sure to check it out because I have some secret fun surprises up my sleeve. Well...I'm wearing a t-shirt so it's not a very long sleeve...anyway....

Just by donating any item, you get TEN ENTIRES into the contest. If you post about this on your blog, you also get TEN whole entries! Woo hoo! Have an Etsy shop? Great! Feature your items here! Just have some fun stuff laying around that you're not sure what to do with? Me too! Here are some stats on my site if you're curious:

Average 161 Visitors Every Day
Average 346 Pageviews Every Day

I'm for SURE not a SITS or Perez, but if you're just gettin' your name out there and want to get noticed, this would be a great way to do it!

Fill out my Wufoo form!

One Year Ago Today

2009-10-14T09:55:00.006-06:00

I thought this would be fun - I posted THREE blog posts on this day last year...

Interesting Pix
Oddly enough, it snowed two weeks earlier this year. Global warming my eye.

Ooooh Designs
Wow...I've definitely progressed since then. But I'm still a little proud of that corvette ad.

Drastic Measures: Getting the Lap Band
Both my husband and I ended up getting the lap-band. He has lost 150lbs as of yesterday...and I've lost only...well...like 20-30 depending on when you talk to me. But HEY...I started having more regular periods in May, went on Clomid (fertility drug to induce ovulation) back in July, and this is my THIRD month on it! Right now the little fertilized egg should be making it's way down to stick to my uterus...at least that's what I'm hoping for! If it doesn't happen this month, we are taking a break to lose a ton more weight.

Other posts around this time:

FREE Blog Header
Back when I was all unfamous and not in high demand *hair flip* I offered FREE blog headers to build my portfolio. Those were the days... (Never mind that I JUST did this with free wedding announcements, stationary, etc... ha, ha!)

The Top Ten Best Song/Video Combos
Back when I was trying to make "The Top Ten" one of my regular things....

Woot Woot!

2009-10-13T09:27:00.004-06:00

I normally reserve cool stuff like this for my Babymakin' blog, but I just wanted to announce that I ovulated! *dance dance* This is my third month on Clomid - and LAST one. This last dose made me go BALD!!! Okay, not completely. But I started losing my hair a few weeks ago, and now it's REALLY thin and it's pretty bad where my bangs are. Hubby didn't notice or believe me until the drain was completely clogged with a giant Aprilhair wad. So that "side effect" has been a little tough. It's not noticeable really unless I point it out. But I'm hoping it's worth it. Crossies that this is our month!!! *get pregnant body!*

In other news, I got a fill in my lap band on Tuesday. I weighed in at 186lbs, which is 22lbs since surgery day, 38 since my first consult, and 57 since my fattest. I actually got down to 181, but GAINED...not sure HOW! And even WORSE?? I am now 192!!! I GAINED 6lbs this week! I think it's because I stopped my metformin after the fill thinking the pill wouldn't fit. That and I've had a milkshake every day almost. I suck. But I'm back on it TODAY. This is just ridiculous. I am now 8cc's in my 10cc band and feel a LOT of restriction...A LOT. I am drinking an Atkin's shake right now and it's going through SLOWLY.

Sigh. So there's a nice load of random TMI for you.

Also, don't forget to get your stuff in for my GIVEAWAY on Saturday!! Your listing includes a product highlight, a link to your blog, etc...etc... It's a great way to give your blog more traffic, and get your name out there. Your stuff can be handmade, something you sell like Scentsy or Mary Kay, anything you want!

Oh, and in case you missed it Jessica and I are now offering the ability to "holidayize" your blog and we also made some cute pre-made holiday layouts!!

And as if I weren't completely crazy for doing all the above plus regular blog layouts, I will shortly be announcing that I'm taking orders for SEASONAL GREETING CARDS!! I freakin' love the holidays...