100 Followers!!!

I've dreamed of this day for so long and always thought I would have a HUGE celebration when it did happen. Well it happened tonight and I broke out the extravagant foods and invited over a stripper to help celebrate! If your idea of extravagant foods is cheesey salsa chips intermixed with the nakeness of a toddler, then you must be here celebrating along side of me!

I'm flabbergasped that I have so many followers and many of you started following just a short week (or two) ago with my first hop. I always thought the only people that'd be interested in my blog would be family and friends...and now my blogging friends too ;)

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I'm not sure how to go about this, but I'd like to share with you a very touching blog post written by a best friend of my "adoptive" sister. Let me first explain that last little bit of information for those of you that might be scratching your head right now.

1. I'm not adopted.
2. My parents did not adopt any children

What did happen is that I was babysat by a very loving family from when I was about three months old up until they moved away in the when I was in the seventh grade. I would be there as much as I could and was allowed. (Not that my childhood was anything horrible, but it was always fun to have sleepovers!...and still is) What resulted in my failure to leave was a loving bond and an "adoptive" family.

These people are the some of the best people that I have ever met or will meet in my life. They are inspiring in more ways than one can imagine. I feel privileged to have them in my life on such a personal level. Please stop over and read this post on Multiple-y Blessed about one of my "sisters"; I think if you do, you'll understand just how special not only she is but the whole family is as they all have their own yet similar incrediblenesses.

And while you're there, check out Kim's incredible family story too! She truly is multiple-y blessed! Not to mention she is quite an incredible woman herself! (Sorry Kim for stealing your word!)

It's Official!

This is a pre-work post, so it will be short I promise. I just wanted to let you all know that the URL has changed from crystalnnick.blogspot to

thedirtroaddiva.blogspot.com

Exciting, I know! I can't wait to post some tonight and this weekend. I have a HUGE surprise coming in the mail today and can't wait to share.

I've decided

I've decided to go with "The Dirt Road Diva" as I think it best represents me and the blog. I had a hard time choosing between "The Dirt Road Diva" and "Dirt Road Dreams". It doesn't pigeon hole me into a specific blog category, which is exactly what I wanted. I like the freedom to post about whatever I want whenever I want.

I've been working away on a new header design and I LOVE it! I can't wait to show it off to you, but before I do I want to get everything else designed to go along with it.

I have already reserved the blogspot address: thedirtroaddiva.blogspot.com so be sure to update/change your following feed address otherwise you'll miss out on all the good posts to come! I'll remind you again when it is closer to the switch over date. I'm hoping before this long weekend is over.

Because I'm gushing over the header I made I want to give you a sneak peak! Are you ready?

1....
.....2.....
.............3!

EEEK! Sorry, but I can't help but squeal every time I see it because I love it so much. And if you haven't already figured it out, YES, I'm a HUGE DORK!

Simply Kay Kay

A friend of mine wanted to start a blog but was having trouble making it look like she wanted, so I offered to help her because I know a LITTLE about digital designing and that type of thing peaks my interest. Hence, the million bajillion blog changes since its start. Here is what she told me:

I like your polka dots...I would like it to be pink and brown!! I had it all pictured in my head but did know how to do anything with it....lol!!!
I wanted an about me section that was like this..... I Am: Girly,Procrastinating,A Mother, A Little Sister.
I believe in: A child's wonder, Honesty, Trust, Wine to make it better.
I'm overjoyed with: My children, Good Wine, A Good Book, A day of shopping, My Canon Camera
I'm grateful for: My wonderful family, Loving my Work, My amazing friends. 


From that, and many more facebook messages back and forth we came up with Simply Kay Kay.

I wanted to keep it fairly simple for her as she is new to blogging and gets easily overwhelmed with the process. I like the way it came out, what do you think? I'd be happy to help you with your blog, should you need help. I don't charge anything, because well, I'm not a professional, but I promise to try my hardest to give you want you want. I'm also working on creating my own backgrounds. Exciting, I know. :P

Welcome to the blogging world Kristin!

Fallen into an ABYSS!

I do realize that the little posts I have done in the past couple of weeks are well, SUCKY! My biggest apologies. Let make a quick little list to help you try and understand why.

1.   Bug was sick and in the hospital
2.  Bug has had MANY follow up appointments (she is much better now)
3. BIG grad school assignment is due this Sunday. I've been trying to find time for it, but much like the blog that too has been neglected. I dare to say that I should be doing my homework rather than blogging this little bit. (WHOOPS!)
4. Work stress. State tests are coming up. People aren't getting tenured. Threat of cuts. Lots of SCARY business happening around the halls.

Those are the major things happening. Of course there are the little things that just add to it all.

I promise I will get back into the bloggy world as soon as I can. I miss it so much. I feel like a big creep-o for blog stalking and not contributing. Could it be that the C in C&N stands for Creep-o? lol

Honored!

Guess what?!




I had my very first feature today!!!! I can't tell you how much this has made my day. I am still glowing over it. I told the hubba-bub (who doesn't get the whole blogging thing) and even he was impressed!  I even created a little spot on the blog for the button of the wonderful blog that featured me!

A big thank you to Carmen from whoopidooings who submitted the mini-chalkboard project to hand.made.heart.felt.Hand.made.heart.felt is a blog that was born Jan.1 of this year and already it is a popular little spot. Go check it out and I think you'll see why! They have something for everyone (in terms of the crafters). They are also hosting a giveaway; really, go check it out!

And The Winner Is...

That's right- it is #3 which translates to the third comment on the giveaway post. Who is it?! It's Zakry! I will be sending them out tomorrow via USPS, unless you would like me to maybe embroider something special on them (maybe names on the back?). I will be contacting the lucky Zakry via email to let them know they won.

Thanks again to everyone who entered. This was a lot of fun and I think I might do another one sometime soon.  

What would you like to see as a giveaway next?

Am I The Last Person...

Seriously, am I the last person to know about blogger's "pages" update? That makes my life ohhhh so much easier. Thank goodness I didn't go out of my way to figure out how to add links to the tops of the blog (I did on Bug's). I guess I'll have to try my hand at messing around with them for what I want. My goal is to set up an online shop...maybe this is the way to do it?!

I'm so excited about this, you can't even imagine. The possibilities are now endless, well not endless- 10 pages, but that's still pretty darn good in my book!


What is even more exciting is that I have been scouring the internet for a user-friendly website program to build a class website with, NOW I CAN USE BLOGGER!

Dear Blogger, 

    I love you, I love you, I love you.

Thank you!!!

...I'm off to play...(and maybe clean up some of the sidebars)

Giveway!!!

I have been wanting to do a giveaway for the blog for quite some time now but wasn't sure what I wanted to giveaway. I was online talking to a very special gal I know, and she showed me these pillowcases! I thought how perfect! Instead of buying them though I would hand embroider the design on them (with some slight changes) and that could be my giveaway!!! Then I was over on The Home EC Teacher's Daughter and entered her mystery giveaway; she was celebrating 200 posts. I was curious to how many I had and went to check. I had EXACTLY 200! It's all meant to be, huh? So without further ado...

Sorry about the wrinkles and such...I was just too excited and HAD to get a picture posted asap!

 

 

Cute, right? Even better is that they are a very soft 300 count cream color. Perfect for the upcoming Valentine's day or as an everyday addition to your bed!

What do you have to do to win?

 Leave a comment, any comment (include your email address, please so I can contact you when you win) before February 10th and you'll be entered! 

God Speed The Adderall...

I am beginning to think that I really need to be checked for some adult ADD. I'm not even kidding! Today was the day that I was going to reveal the "teaser" surprise, but instead of working on that today I went grocery shopping painted the top of the coffee table, took apart a cheapy picture for the frame and painted that! It isn't even that I would RATHER do those things. No, that's not the case at all, I just can't seem to work on something and finish it. I am determined to get that darn teaser finished tomorrow and posted so there will be some excitement around this blog because as of lately it has been pretty lonely. (I hate being back to regular school days; it makes it so hard to post regularly)

On a bit of a side note. I have found something that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE! I was searching the addicting Etsy when I melted into a puddle as a result of spying this beauty on the main page. If anyone is feeling a little more lovey than usual this holiday and has an extra $1400, well then by all means contact me for my address because I truly don't mind you buying me this beauty from Beth Cyr Weddings - Organic/Metal Etsy shop! To some this might not tickle their fancy or might even look repulsive, but to me, it simply speaks to me. I love the simplicity, the "bark" look, the tree representation (I LOVE TREES!), I just love it all!

Don't worry my hubba-bub won't be at all disturbed by the gift, I promise!

Teaser Update

I had planned for the teaser to be revealed this past Sunday, but as the subtitle for the blog states "The best laid plans of woman and man often go astray..." Once again life has proven that it is the stronger force in this duet. I've been swamped getting back into the groove of things at school after having a week "off". Not to mention that I am at wits end trying to figure out how to handle a discipline problem (yes, I'm being nice) that keeps arising within the classroom and sometimes even walks out. This problem has consumed my waking and nonwaking hours. It's creaping into my dreams, that's how ridiculous it has become!



Back the to teaser though, I've been working hard at it tonight and made some great progress. The good news is that is a two piece surprise, and I have the first done and half of the second finished too. Did I mention that Bug helped me tonight? She sat on my lap while I ____________-ed away and even giggled a time or two.

I am hoping that I can have it finished and posted by Saturday night. :)

Teaser...

Something special is in the mix for the blog....you'll have to check back soon to find out what!

Trust me when I say I think you'll really want to....

Button, Button, Look Who's Got a Button!

I recently overhauled the the blog and with it I decided to create a button! Nothing too special, but still a big step for me :) First I found a tutorial on how to create a button here. Then I had to decide on what to make it look like. I wanted something simple, classic, and cute and in one. Thus, I used the free background from shabbyblogs.com that is my blog background. Only this time I turned it horizontal and placed the blog header in the white space. I thought I was done with just that, but still felt that it needed something else. During a random moment of grading papers it had come to me: scallops. It needed scalloped edges! And that leaves us with this:

Which you can now put onto your blog by copying the code below and pasting in on your sidebar using the HTML widget.

<br><br><a border="0" href="http://crystalnnick.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmy4oO_DkE_h5ZT8rtUONwut6asXoLzugTyRy6C9mE4ayJDj0T6bUd1TixSzOUAeJyfSCDyzjo6ZRtU4ya8EJD0-9UDWDYgDQj_tqpJDreovNssG71EaIU_-Q1OaNxs6xCKBFX01katMQ/s800/blog%20buttonn.jpg" /></a><br><br>

Go ahead, take it!(You know you want to!)

One of the best parts is that before I made it public on the blog, I emailed Megan from shabbyblogs.com to see if I could have her permission to use the design, and she obviously said yes.....and.....that I did a really good job! *blush* She's so sweet and has such cute designs; take a peak!

Fingers Crossed

One thing that I want so badly that's not on my "WISH LIST" is an ereader. I have been searching the internet for giveaways on them and finally found one that hasn't expired! Of course I turbo'd my internet butt over to The Bibliophilic Book Blog to check out the requirements of what I had to do to be entered into the giveaway and what else I could do to up my probability of winning. Hence this post. I am posting to promote the giveaway and get 5 extra name submissions! Wish me luck and keep those fingers crossed!

New Name!

I've been wanting to change the name of the blog for quite sometime now, but couldn't think of anything to change it to that I liked. I wanted something simple, but something that represented the family, the blog, and our lives all in one. Not too much to ask, right?

Finally last night I was talking to Nick half joking around and said, "We need to have a little boy!"
Nick: "Why?"
Me: "So we can name him Oscar, and then become C&N co. Get it? C-Crystal, N-Nick, little c-bug, little o-oscar!"
Then I got to thinking that I could name the blog C&N c{o}. and have the "o" in {} because, well, we don't have an "o". Not to mention that it looks so darn cute!

After playing with some fonts we now have a new blog name! I tried changing the URL, but realized that if I change it without telling anyone, then you won't be able to get to the blog! Plus I can't get the url that I want! ARGH!

Who said being a follower is a bad thing?

Why don't you become a follower of the blog? What do I mean? Well by being a follower you will receive updates when the blog is updated and new posts arrive. This will keep you from coming to the blog and being disappointed because I haven't had time to get my butt on the computer and write, and as a result save you time too! So become a follower, all you need to do is enter your email address on the right side of the blog and click subscribe. You won't get annoying spam emails; just notifications of new updates to the blog!

Calla's Blog

You may have noticed that Calla's blog is private again. This is because we do want to protect her. We made it public before because we felt that it was too quick of a change, but now I think it is ok. If you would like to read it though, and haven't been invited it is because I don't have your email address so all you have to do is email us (click it)and say "I want to read Calla's blog" and I'll add you to the list of authorized readers! Please understand we aren't doing this to be difficult, and we love it when you read ALL of our blogs, but we don't want just any creep to be able to track Calla's updates and look at her pictures/videos. I think you can understand where we are coming from. Thank you for your patience and understanding!

Private Blog

Nick and I have decided to make Calla's blog private. This means that if you don't have an invitation to read, then you can't read it. To get an invitation all you need to do is send us your e-mail address, so we can invite you as a blog reader. We aren't doing this to be difficult in anyway and it may go back to being public (still not sure), but as of right now we are doing it to protect our daughter. Hope you all understand!

email us your address at: crystal.n.nick@gmail.com

Music

You may or may not have noticed that we added music to the blog. Before any rumors start please understand the picking of songs...

*Some we just like
*Some we think are funny
*Some have meaning


That's all that we are saying; we'll let you try to figure out which ones belong to which category, but you have been disclosed.