The Cake

Still in marital bliss. Being a newlywed is so great. Being married to MY  husband is so great. He's the best. Love him.

Mrs. ABC

My Wedding Day

On August 13, 2011 I married a man who taught be to love and trust again. I don't think he knew that he was teaching me those things but over the last 7 years of our relationship he has taught me many things.

1. To fight for what I believe it
2. To Love with all of me and that that love is good enough
3. That real love based and grounded in the love of God really does exist
4. That I am worthy of that love

And every day since our wedding day has been a joy. We've laughed, played, talked, and enjoyed cooking and decorating our home. Right now were planning our honeymoon and the rest of our lives together.

My family will be happy to know that there have been a few discussions about children in our future but for now we've decided to enjoy each other in totally unabated selfishness.

My wedding day was the happiest most joyous day of my life and every day since has been a dream.

My Daddy escorting me down the aisle

The best day of my life

A wonderful moment with my mother. You can't tell in the pic but she's crying. 

My Jewels. And my something old and blue, a christmas gift from my DH. 

My besties, Ilene and Stephanie

All of the wedding party enjoying mimosas.

This was the best day of my life and everyday since has been a dream. 

My New Home....

I'm getting my first apartment. I applied on Sunday and I'm hoping to hear back tomorrow on whether I was approved or not. Since this will be my very first apartment I don't really know the process but I love the place. It's 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. I'm having a blast on pinterest, craigslist, and etsy planning my upcoming purchases.

I wanted to do an entirely second hand apartment where everything is used but I just can't do second hand fabrics that I can't launder so.....Some things will be purchased new, i.e., couches, upholstered chairs, etc.

Here's what I'm loving and inspired by so far. (If only I could afford all of it...)

 

Living Room

Source: Restoration Hardware

 

Source: Tamara Styles

 

 

Dining Room

 

 

Source: West Elm

Source: Pottery Barn

 

 

Bedroom

 

 

Source: Calvin Klein

Source: ZGallerie via Tamara Styles

I am also loving a few DIY projects that I've found online. Like these:

Floating Shelves

Via: Young House Love

 

 

Scrabble Pillows

via Pinterest

 

Striped Curtains - Must have these!!!

Via Pinterest

 

Scrap Room Inspiration

Via Pinterest

So I have lots of work to do making curtains, and scouring Houston for furniture that looks like the designer brands but cost much MUCH less.

Ciao & hugs,

Angee Lee

.::Daily Thanks 4.23.11::.

Today I'm glad to have time with people who love me. Friends and family. Time to relax, time to play and have fun, time to hang out with my mom and dad, time to hang out with the girls. Time to be me, happily.

.::Daily Thanks 4.21.11::.

Today I'm thankful for friends.

I have some of the best friends a girl could ever ask for. I've never been a girls girl. Growing up I've always had a few girl friends but I've never really understood or gotten along with girls. Now that I'm a woman I've aquired some great girl friends. My very best has been around since 6th grade. She's definitely my bestie. And in the last two years I've added 3 more ladies to that list. They are my co-workers and I call us "Teach-In-the-City." These ladies keep me sane in the crazy world of education.

What I love about my girl friends is that they accept me for who I am right now, they don't try to change me, and we have alot of fun. Before I met them I was a work-a-holic. I actually took my very first vacation last year when one of my girls was getting married on a caribbean cruise. Isn't that a shame. I was 28 and had been working since I was 15 and had never taken a vacation.

Don't worry, I have lots more vaca's planned for the near future.

.::Daily Thanks 4.20.11::.

Today I'm thankful for Tylenol. After my visit to the dentist (orthodontist) I'm in a bit of pain today. It's still been a great day and I'm getting closer and closer to finding out what makes me happy.

I've be on a quest lately to be more of a producer and less of a consumer. I had a epiphany moment a few weeks back (probably after watching Oprah, I'm not sure) that I was consuming way way way too much. From clothes, to shoes, jewelry, furniture, books, and way too many scrapbooking supplies. I needed to make a change, so I committed to becoming more if a producer and less of a consumer, starting with my online presence.

So I have this blog thing that I infrequently posted things on and I figured why limit myself to crafty things when I really want to document my growth and my mission to live life more authentically and find my true identity. So I decided to just do me, in every and whatever form that I can with no qualms or apologies about it.

And here I am with no regrets. Like it, love it, or find another blog to read.

*ok, that's just rude, well not rude but not nice so if you don't like it or love it, please excuse yourself at this time. Thank you. :-D

**as you can see I'm a work in progress.

How exposed are you?

Did a quick Google search for one of my favorite bloggers this morning. I was looking for a previous post that they'd written about techie stuff, when I happened across SPOKEO.COM. Initially the search result gave me a list of links associated with my blogger but then it showed a map of the USA with all the placed marked where someone of the same name LIVED. I was a little taken aback by this so I did a quick little search of my name. Oh My Word. I did a little more digging and actually found a one search result that showed my previous address as well another one that showed my current one, a picture of my current home with the ENTIRE address listed, my home phone number listed, and my personal email address. WTH?!

I'm a pretty open person and all but I make sure that nothing about me is out there that I don't want to be out there. I Google myself at least a few times a year just to see how long it would take someone (or perhaps an disgruntled student) to find me and and my Facebook privacy settings are check regularly. There are quite a few people in the world that share my name but this information was a bit too much. So I did another quick Google search to find out how to have this information removed.  I completed the removal request for both profiles and had them both deleted within 2 minutes. It was easy peasy. Here are the steps.

1. Visit Spokeo.com

2. Use the search bar at the top of the page to search for yourself. You might have to be a little diligent here but most creeps are so you should be as well to protect yourself.

3. After you find the result that lists your information go to http://www.spokeo.com/privacy and enter in the link for your profile, your email address, and the captcha.

4. Spokeo.com will send you an email with a link where you can delete the profile that you requested.

5. Click the link and the profile is deleted automatically. Done and Done.

Just wanted to give you all a heads up. Take care.

Angee Lee

Forgive yourself...

"Forgive yourself before you die. Then forgive others."

That was the line that struck a chord, hit a nerve, tugged at my heart, or whatever you may want to call it. It hit home in a very big way. It came from this book:

 

Tuesday's with Morrie

I was sitting in my reading chair in my classroom while my students were silently reading and I came across this line in my book. There have been many times when I've been reading during this time and I'd come across something that reaches right to the heart of ME or the "ME" that I desire to become. I'd want to jump, scream, shout, or (more often) cry but that really would not be  appropriate while I'm sitting in front of a room full of 8th graders. I know this could be what we educators call a "teachable moment" but don't quite think they'd understand.  I digress.

This quote happens on page 164 and as much as I want to keep reading I stop and close my eyes for just a second, again I'm in a room of....well you get my point. I recall all the moments that keep me up at night; all the time I've spent worrying about other people opinions of me because I've said no to a request; all the times I've been called selfish because I didn't do what someone wanted me to do. This quote just resonates deep within me rearranging my thought process, my definition of who I WAS, and my goal of who I want to be.

FORGIVE YOURSELF. I hear it all day over and over in my mind, just loud enough not to distract me but persistent enough to keep it at the forefront of my mind ALL DAY.

FORGIVE YOURSELF. For all the inadequecies that you think you have. For all the goals that you have yet to reach. For all the paths you were too afraid to take.

FORGIVE YOURSELF. For all the years you tried, in vain, to live up to everyone else's expectations of you while losing your own definition of self.

FORGIVE YOURSELF. For all the years spent finding yourself again and pissing so many people off because you stopping being their "YES MA'AM"

FORGIVE YOURSELF. For all the things you can not control nor change.

Right now I'm working on forgiving myself for all those things and more. I don't know how long it will take and I don't know where I will be when it finally happens nor how I will feel about myself or you then. And after that I can start to forgive them/YOU. (Colossians 3:13)

Edited to Add:

Saw this on Facebook today and it so matches my feelings above. Sometimes things just happen to coincide. Or you can say GOD confirms things in many ways, even via Youtube. lol.

Supporting our Troops

I post this in honor of my Dad and all of the other service men and women who give so much to keep us all safe.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

International Picture of the Year
Here are two very touching photos honored this year.

First Place :

First Place
Todd Heisler The Rocky Mountain News





When 2nd Lt. James Cathey's body arrived at the Reno Airport , Marines climbed into the cargo hold of the plane and draped the flag over his casket as passengers watched the family gather on the tarmac.

During the arrival of another Marine's casket last year at Denver International Airport , Major Steve Beck described the scene as so powerful: 'See the people in the windows? They sat right there in the plane, watching those Marines. You gotta wonder what's going through their minds, knowing that they're on the plane that brought him home,' he said 'They will remember being on that plane for the rest of their lives. They're going to remember bringing that Marine home. And they should.'


Second Place
Todd Heisler The Rocky Mountain News

.



The night before the burial of her husband's body, Katherine Cathey refused to leave the casket, asking to sleep next to his body for the last time The Marines made a bed for her, tucking in the sheets below the flag. Before she fell asleep, she opened her laptop computer and played songs that reminded her of 'Cat,' and one of the Marines asked if she wanted them to continue standing watch as she slept. 'I think it would be kind of nice if you kept doing it,' she said. 'I think that's what he would have wanted'

Blue Fridays

Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing blue every Friday. The reason, Americans who support our troops used to be called the 'silent majority' WE are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or overbearing.

Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -- and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar, will wear something blue. By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of blue much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If everyone of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in BLUE and it will let our troops know the once 'silent' majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on. The first thing a soldier says when asked 'What can we do to make things better for you?' is .'We need your support and your prayers.' Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example, and wear something blue every Friday

Are you a Coffee Snob??

I am not a coffee snob. I'm not even a huge coffee drinker. I never really was. I have developed an affinity to drinking coffee on occasion when I'm completely overwhelmed, overscheduled, and have looming deadlines (which has been the case more often recently). That being said I can say that I have drank more coffee in the last year than I did in all my previous years drinking coffee. I remember my mom drinking coffee every morning before work. The little Folgers crystals that came in a jar. One tablespoon in a cup of hot water. A little cream, lots of sugar. That's how she likes it. I was never a fan of the coffee crystals. I drank it every now and then because that's was was available at home but my first trip to Starbucks changed all that. Would Starbucks be considered gormet coffee?? Maybe, or maybe not. But it was my first taste at good coffee, and I haven't went back to those crystals yet.

Coffee really became popular for me in college. Pulling those all nighters studying (ok not really studying, he he) and having to be up early for those 7 AM classes, coffee became a regular way of life for me. After getting my first real job as a secretary for a CPA firm, coffee was the culture at work.  Now I drink coffee at least a 3 days per week and sometimes on the weekends. I just like it. And the weird part is that I actually have a cafeine allergy so instead of the energy boost, it totally relaxes me. Weird right??

When my doctor told me about my cafeine allergy, I instantly started researching coffee and it's effects. That led me to research different types of coffee's and tea's, and that in turn led me to a few coffee specific purchases.

Number # 1:

Today as I popped into my local starbucks, Double Grande Vanilla Latte was the drink of choice, I happened upon a French press. I've been looking into getting one of these at work for quite some time because I wouldn't have to have a full fledge coffee maker in my classroom.  These things can get pretty pricey but Starbucks had one for $16.95 and I thought that was a deal. I also got an accessories pack that included a measure, fill (looks just like a beaker from science class, a stir (which is just a wooden spoon, a steep (or a timer.....Gotta love the names), and a clean (which is just a spatula). Was this kit absolutely necessary?? Nope. Is it cute? Yep. And it was on clearance. I'm still a sucker for the clearance rack.

Number # 2

 

 

My starbucks orders have gotten very elaborate. I started off with the Grande Caramel Macchiato. Then it went to a Non-Fat Double Grande Caramel Macchiato, No Whip. Now my favorite is a Triple Grande Fat-Free Soy Vanilla Latte, No foam. Ok Ok, that may be a bit of an exaggeration but it's always weird to have to explain my order to my bff when she's picking up starbucks for us on the weekend. Can you please get me a Triple Grande Soy Vanilla latte no whip. The first time I said this she totally was silent on the phone and I could tell she was trying to figure out what the HELL i was talking about. lol.

Number # 3

So as much as I love starbucks, I sometimes feel that their coffee has a burnt taste. Now I'm not a professional coffee taster by any means but sometimes I feel that my coffee is burnt or the after taste is bitter. Can you burn coffee?? I guess the beans could burn?? And of course you can find tons of blog posts, websites, and articles online about how starbucks over-roasts their coffee beans. In any case,  I've been looking into other coffee brands and friends of mine have recommended tons of them to me,  but I live in the Houston suburbs and Starbucks is the coffee of choice out here. So off for more coffee induced internet research.  I definitely want to try Dunkin Donuts coffee because my friends up north really love it and we don't have Dunkin Donuts here in Houston.  ***I stand corrected. We have 3 Dunkin Donuts locations here in Houston. I will be making a trip there over the weekend.

I happened across a coffee company online via the NYTimes called Stumptown Coffee. They have a wide variety of coffee's from around the world but they are only located in NY, but thanks to the internet I can have the beans shipped right to my door. I'm told that a french press produces a much richer, better tasting coffee but only time will tell. I think I might do a comparison between Stumptown, Dunkin Donuts, and Starbucks coffee. I will let you guys know the outcome (from an ameatur's point of view of course).

So I know a few people who are coffee snobs but I certainly don't think that I am one of them. I'm just delving into the world of gormet coffee. And really, what in the world does gormet really mean? Is it gormet just because it's expensive? Hard to find? Not available to a mass market? Not known on a wide scale? Who knows. I just want coffee that taste good, if not great. And I'm on a mission to find it.

Are you a coffee snob?? Pop over to ineedcoffee.com  to see. It is a pretty funny read.

My Shopping Addiction-Relapse, Big Relapse.

Ok Ok. Yes I said it. "Hi, my name is Angee Lee and I have a shopping addiction."

Its true. Very VERY true. I SOMETIMES have a shopping addiction. It comes in waves though. Last year I went on a shopping fast and didn't purchase anything but gasoline and food (Bills paid of course) for 3 months. It was super fantastic. I thought that afterward I'd go on a binge but fasting from shopping actually carried over for the next 8 months. I didn't by clothes, even though I found some awesome coupons and deals. I didn't buy shoes, although I have a SERIOUS love of them. I didn't even my crafty stuff. Can you imagine I didn't stalk Papertrey Ink like I normally do every month on the 15th. I was so proud of myself.

Well christmas time came around and my will power went out the window. Actually it was after Christmas. Since I don't have children or a spouse I usually only buy for my parents and my brother. But I think I went a bit overboard for my birthday, which is on the 15th. I bought all crafty stuff for my birthday and mostly from Papertrey Ink. But the after Christmas/New Year sales were my doom this year. I've never been a holiday shopper. I don't normally like all the crowds around the holidays. But this year I got out with my friend, Ilene. I bought perfume (Michael Kors - Very Hollywood, Donna Karan - Cashmere Mist, Viktor & Rolf - Flowerbomb), sweaters, pajamas, boots (that I had to return later), and some costume jewerly.

But I got 2 big purchases that I love. Want to know what I got??

That is the Accucut GrandeMark. Yes, I did. I first saw this a few years ago when I was apart of a kit club with Marion Smith. (More on this later). I've seen quite a few people with them, Bona and Arlene.

When I first heard of the machine I immediately went to the website. Ummm. $595. I think not. I may have a shopping addiction, but I'm also a frugal shopper. I don't buy anything unless it's on sale, I have a coupon, or it's a super great buy.  I knew I could find one online for cheaper. It took me a long time  and I found a few on ebay but they weren't priced right for me and they didn't come up very often, but I finally found one last week on etsy and I ordered it. How much you may ask? $250. Yes, that is not a typo. Your girl is good like that. I can find a deal on almost anything. (And that included shipping...Ha!) I had to jump on that and I did. It should be delivered on monday.

Oh and it didn't stop there.

That's right. I've been eyeing this baby for quite some time. I'd made up my mind a long time ago that I wanted one but I didn't know when I'd get one. Well my bestie Ilene got one for Christmas and I knew I had to have one too. We  talk books, share books, and love books. It was just fitting that I needed one too. Plus when I heard this week about the new Kindle share feature I was sold. I ordered it this week and it should be here next week. I'm so excited about this.

So now my shopping is over. I'm fasting again from shopping for the next couple months, maybe. he he!!

In other news, my dear friend Marion invited me to be apart of her new kit club. How cool is that right! So the name of the club is Alpha Scrappa Omega. So cute, right?! Love that name. I will have more info on that soon.

Scrap Sweet,

Angee Lee

What I know about myself. So far.

I am kind.....because I love genuinely.

I am loyal.....even when I shouldn't be.

My favorite drink is sweet tea......southern style, iced.

I only drink coffee on a whim. Strong with lots of cream and a little sugar.

I can be very anti-social at times or the exact opposite on occasion.

I learned, this week, that I have a trust issues.

~I don't like being in crowds of people I don't know, or ones I do know for that matter.

~I don't like meeting new people, in the romantic sense. I like being in that comfortable place.

I avoid conflict like the plague.

I fear losing control of my thoughts, words, and my actions.

I've learned to work hard at controlling my feelings, and my tongue.

I often have anxiety about things that haven't happened yet but might.

I have an opinion about almost everything but will not tell you unless you specifically ask.

I have some of the best people in the world around me who love me just as I am right now, even when I don't sometimes.

I have been in some pretty dangerous situations and made it out alive. Thank God.

I am almost 30 and just starting to be happy with where my life is, where it's not, and where it's going.

Papercrafting, Photography, and my iMac changed my life. (Ok maybe not my iMac but I still love it.)

I am inspired the most by these crafty ladies. Sasha, Nichol, Karla & Maile

I started making cards after watching one of Kristina's videos on youtube.

I am still learning everyday about her, and most of the time, I like the person I see in the mirror looking back at me.

I don't know where the inspiration for this post came from but I'm pretty sure that this post had something to do with it. <3

Happy ChristmaHanaKwanzika!!!!

Where ever you are, What ever you believe, Whatever you celebrate,

I celebrate you and the relationships I have made this year through the online crafting community. It has been a joy to be welcomed into a group of ladies (and gentlemen) who are so open, creative, and giving. I have never met so many kind generous people in my life.

May your Christmas be filled with love, good food, happiness, and joy. God bless you and your families.

Hugs & Ciao.

Angee Lee

A Happy Birthday Thank You!!

Hi all.

I have to say I had a great birthday yesterday. Being that my birthday is so close to Christmas I normally don't really celebrate my singular birthday. Since I was about 15 or 16 I've always had a sort of joint celebration during the christmas holidays and that included joint presents. <----No fun at all.

As I've gotten older this has become the norm and my actual birthday has become just a normal day. This year was different. My good good friend Ilene conspired with my co-workers and friends to offer a great celebration. I recieved the most delicious chocolate chocolate chip pound cake from Susan, and giftcards from one of my favorite places.......Starbucks. :-) We had wassail at work with gingerbread cookies (albeit it was for the entire faculty not just me...ha!), and I was serenaded each class period by my students including a viola solo from the music department. It was the best birthday that I've had in awhile. And the best part is that it all resumes on friday (since I had my final grad school assignment for the semester due last night). Oh, and I'm on Christmas vacation for the next two weeks.

With all that being said, I just want to say a big big thank you for making my birthday a very special one.

All my love.

Angee

After Thanksgiving loves.

Hi all,

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday this year and I hope you had the same. We ate some great food prepared by my mom, my dad even came over and spent the holiday with us. Thank God everyone survived the day. lol. It was a great holiday with family and friends and I had a great time playing bingo with Collin, Chantel, and Nate.

My cousin Collin and Me playing with photobooth.

I also welcomed my first god-daughter, Leah Camille Gaston, on November 24th. She weighed 6 lbs 35 oz. She is the most precious little thing I've seen in a long time. I've been spending lots of time with this one in the last few days. I have to freshen up my baby skills. My youngest god-son is 6 now so it's been awhile.

Leah Camille in the hospital

The thing I love about this time of year is the point right after Thanksgiving until right before Christmas. What I love about after thanksgiving is the holiday music and christmas lights. This is my favorite time of year. Not just because my birthday is in two weeks......but because everyone tends to be in a better mood, people are nicer, and more caring, and the world seems to become a better place to be. At least to me. Oh and also because I get two more weeks off work for Christmas..........Teaching has a few perks.

I will be post Christmas cards starting on Monday so get ready for that. And expect to see Miss Leah's face around here as well.

Hugs & Ciao.

Who is Angee Lee Butler?

My legal name is Angela Butler. So who is this Angee Lee person, you ask?

Angee Lee is  a mixture of my nickname (Angee) and my grandmother's middle name (Lee). I decided to name my blog this because my grandmother has been such a huge influence in my life not only personally but also in my creative process.

Being a southern woman, I was raised with a keen since of appropriateness, etiquette, and expectation. What I mean by that is this:

I know how to set a table for a seven course meal even though I've never in my entire life eaten one.  I learned at a very young age that you do not cross your legs at the knee, only at the ankle, especially around men. I learned to always say Please, Thank You, Yes Ma'am/Sir, and No Ma'am/Sir. Among other things, I also learned a gentleman is to walk on the outside if walking on the sidewalk with a lady.

That being said, my grandmother adhered to all those expectations, and more,  placed upon her by others with a smile and never a harsh word, while never losing her love of God, nor her family. She was a servant of others all her life, as is my mother. As I, too, hope to be.

However, growing up in the modernity of today society I've also grown into a knowledge of my self that I can express in ways that my grandmother and mother could/can not, and I thank both of these phenomenal ladies for giving me the tools, support, and motivation to be who I am know, who I want to be, and someone that I know they are proud to call Daughter and Granddaughter.

So Angee is truly me, and Lee is the legacy of women who made me who I am today.

Angee Lee Butler

Funny quotes I came across online today:

"The most well-bred person in a room is the one who makes the fewest other people uncomfortable." - Lord Chesterfield




"I don't understand how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little, if only out of politeness. And then you never know, maybe that's the day she has a date with destiny, and its best to be as pretty as possible for destiny." ~CoCo Chanel




I find these highly amusing. =)