Did Y'all Survive 2016? | My Hot Mess

Did y'all make it?I mean, a lot of people on social media are saying that 2016 was the toughest year ever.Was it though?

Many people say that 2016 was rough on their childhood stars. We lost many 1980's actors and actresses. We had a phone literally blow up in our faces. The presidential election was ca-ray-zee.  A gorilla was shot ... a mass shooting in a club in Florida and the terror in Niece, Italy. An alligator attacked a toddler at the happiest place on earth and then there was Ebola and Zika scaring everyone. Hurricane Matthew and the bombing in Brussels and the Berlin attack. A boxing legend passed and the death of Prince.  Wild fires and shootings in churches.... I could go on and on and on.But .... here's the thing. There were a lot of good things in 2016 as well.Think about it : 

The Cubs finally won the World Series, The Cavilers won their first championship and a military BRAT freaking took the Olympic gymnastics by storm (and not to mention the Final Five took Gold!)! Americans can freaking visit Cuba now! Pandas are no longer considered endangered and tigers have increased in number enormously. Leonardo Dicaprio FINALLY won an Oscar -- that in itself is amazing right?! Catholic and Orthodox leaders met for the first time in 1,000 years and freaking Harriet Tubman is on the $20 bill! Hey, and Americans apparently became Measles free. Hello?! That's awesome. And not to mention teen pregnancy is down AND high school graduates are on the rise!Guys, there's a lot that you can sit and sulk about. But I mean, I'm pretty sure 2016 was NOTHING in comparison to 1347 when the "Black Death" plagued the world and claimed 50 million lives ... Or in 1918 when the flu claimed the lives 675, 000 Americans -- roughly the same as the Civil War.What about 1929 when the stock market crashed and we were sent into us into years of depression?Sure, we lost Princess Leia, David Bowie, Professor Snape, Willie Wonka & George Micheal, but guys ... people live and people die.Unfortunately, when it comes to humans, there's going to be hate, terror, and lots and lots of sarcasm.But remember, there's also love, admiration, heroism, bravery and did I mention love to be shared and idolized? We need to focus on that.Don't dwell on the bad. If you do, then of course your 2016 and your other years to follow will be terrible. Believe that there is good in 2017 and your 2017 will be "good." Personally, my 2016 was pretty alright. Sure I had some downs ... but I also had a lot of ups. You know what that's called? LIFE.An exciting life -- a life worth living is full of challenges and struggles - because without those, our successes and triumphs wouldn't exist. Count your lucky stars that you lived in a year that most consider horrible, because, shit - you're a badass for surviving! Y'all, I want you to party your little hearts out tonight and be safe. I want you to kiss your loved ones and hug your friends. Because face it, 2017 isn't guaranteed to anyone. So make the last hours of 2016 the best hours of your life.

And let's make 2017 a year to remember!Good luck and Happy New Year!

Stocking Holder When You Don't Have a Fireplace | My Hot Mess

As you know, we have recently moved from North Carolina to Texas. We've lived in our old home in NC for 11 years... we had a fireplace. We never used the damn thing, but we had one. 

Flash forward to our Texas home ... we don't have a fire place. Did we notice this when looking at the house? 

No.

I mean, it's just something you don't really look for when trying to find an affordable home for three years and you tend to look over the little things like that because ... well ... it's not your forever home.

Do we need a fireplace?

No, I mean, we had one for 11 years and never used it. The realtor asked us if it worked because the buyers were asking ... we just looked at each other and shrugged our shoulder.

Shit. We didn't even try. 

Well, we tried once ... but nothing happened and we didn't feel like getting blown up (it was a propane...gas?) one so we just turned off the air vent and went along with our lives.

With Christmas finally here in the desert... I started pulling out our holiday decor ... and that's a whole other fiasco because face it, you buy the decor to fit your house. The lights (we had to buy more because the new house has more roof than our old), the tree/tree stand (there really isn't anywhere to put the tree so we had to move the dogs bed and confused the hell out of them), the garland (Have way too much for such a tiny space) and the stocking holders. 

Wait ... shit. The stocking holders. Where the hell am I going to put the stocking holders? We don't have an mantel. We don't have built in wall shelves. I didn't want to add holes to the walls .... What the hell was I supposed to do?

Pinterest to the rescue. You'd be surprised some of these crafty people came up with! Hooks on a beat up fence. Hooks on a reused pallet. Hooks on a 2x4 that they hung on their wall. Cardboard boxes to look like brick and pile them up to look like a fireplace. And then there was an old fence pole with antique hooks on it. Self standing. No additional holes on my rental's walls AND it was cute!

So, I made it.

The fence pole is from Home Depot - $15

Long, skinny piece of wood - $3 (I had originally grabbed 4 pre-cut designer pieces in the table isle but when I found the long piece for cheaper, I knew I'd be able to cut it and still look nice.)

The paint - FREE, was left in our rental's garage (I think it's the interior wall color) - Free

Antique hooks from Hobby Lobby - $6 (total for all four)

Also used cabinet silencer thingies - FREE (had already) on the bottom of the stocking holder since we have tile and I didn't want it to wobble or scratch the floor.

I had originally found cheap pack of 2 hooks from Home Depot but when I went to Hobby Lobby, they were having 50% off antique hooks and knobs. So instead of paying just $3 for plain hooks from Home Depot (and they looked harder to put into the pole), I paid just $3 more and got hooks I really loved.

Tools - circular saw, wood screws, electric drill/screwdriver (all in which we had laying around the garage)

Total project: $24 and some quality time with the hubby

I wrapped some garland around it to make it more festive ... I had it laying around and figured I should use it. I know this defeats the purpose of the antique hooks ... but I still love it and it looks great in our odd corner where the tree is.

And oh look! I transformed our Halloween pumpkin decor into Christmas decor! ;) Just bought the $4 white spray paint and used acrylic paint for the features, my sons hat, and my "Gru" scarf from Halloween 2014. :) When you pay $30 for your pumpkins you make them last through Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas!

What are some DIY projects you've come up with since moving to accommodate your new home?

Update: So, two nights after I put up the stocking holder ... the dogs grabbed the Elf on the Shelf from a stocking in which he was sitting in and pulled the entire stocking holder down. Yeah ... momma was not happy ... and the kids were traumatized. LOL Don't worry, our elf is safe and sound - and healing just fine. The bandages and cast are completely off of him now. Just a sweet cheek scar is left of the "attack" but shit, chicks dig scars  ... right? ;)

12 Days with the Damn Elf | Raising the Boys

Please tell me I'm not the only one that dreads this damn thing. I mean, it started out as fun and cute for my eldest. He was acting up in school, saw the Elf at Barnes & Noble ... thought it'd scare the shit out of him ... Bought it. And Ta-da! End of misbehaving right?

Nope. Not even close.

This damn guy has been on strike due to behavior, has went back to the North Pole and threatened not to come back, he's given writing assignments and he's been chewed up by the dogs ...

He's given secret missions for the kids to spread kindness, and he's made them go out and find things for exercise ...

Given them crafts to make for loved ones ... told them that they're special ....

Shit, he's even portrayed a favorite book character to get them to behave.

And yet? Nothing. The kids aren't scared of this guy. They enjoy waking up to see what sorta thing he's been up to during he night. And to be honest, I don't even think my eldest believes he's moving by himself any more.

I purposely didn't have him show up after Thanksgiving this year ... why? Because I'm running out of ideas to do with this guy! We've done Ninja, Minecraft, Star Wars, Spiderman, Harry Potter, This Day In History, Crafts, Threats, Daring Feats, Silly Mischief, Camera Fun ... I even hand cut damn snowflakes into Star Wars characters! What more does a mom have to do to make their kids happy?

Apparently keep up the charade of this damn elf going back and forth to the North Pole every night to tattle on the kiddos to Santa - the big boss. And my creativeness is just going to have to rely on Pinterest and Google searches! Good luck out there parents! If you get an Elf on the Shelf ... be prepared! And if you wanna follow our elf, Raheem, every holiday season ... check out my photography Facebook Page and my Pinterest!

God Speed!

Wait, What Day is It? | My Hot Mess

Uh, guys ... did you know today is November 30th?

Like ... December will be here tomorrow.

Like ... what the what?!

I'm sooooo not ready for December!

I still have Thanksgiving decorations up.

I know right? GASP!

HAHA!

I know many of my friends have had Christmas decor up since like, Halloween was over.

Not me, I'm a one holiday a month kinda girl. And I ride it out too.

Halloween decor went up in middle of October, stayed until I put up the Thanksgiving decor...a week into November ... and Christmas decor probably won't go up until Mid-December.

Normally, they'd be going up tomorrow, or this weekend, but I'll be out of town for Army training, and face it. The decorating ain't my husband's thing. LOL I MAY get him out this weekend to hang lights, but I'm not banking on it.

captured a pic of santa last year next to our Trees for Troops tree!

He's in charge of getting the tree while I'm gone because Trees for Troops is the 9th and I'll be gone (or I'd be getting it). LOL I love him, but he's not a decorator. LOL

Do you guys partake in Trees for Troops? You should! It's for military members E6 and below to get a free tree! A REAL TREE. Shooooooot, I take advantage of it every year, and I'm pretty sure this will be the last as my husband does like to get promoted ... haha!

I seriously encourage you to see if they'll be stopping by your post/base this year. Check them out HERE. I love it because we also get a little note from a child or someone who paid for the tree to thank us for our service. So sweet. <3

Also, we have one of those pesky elves that come every year. Normally he shows up after Thanksgiving, or at least the 1st of Dec, he ain't coming until I get back from training ... how will I explain it to the kids?

They've been misbehaving ... so "Raheem" is fed up ... he ain't coming. The eldest is already afraid that the elf doesn't know our new address ... haha!

Kinda trick scare them?

Or maybe say something like he's still making toys at the North Pole ... some shit like that. I don't know. The husband says I'm better at the elf stunts and he forgets a lot of the time. So, the elf will have to wait. LOL

Speaking of new addresses, we still haven't taken our family photo for the Christmas card. It is going to have our new address on it... but the way it's been going, I'll be answering multiple texts and messages and emails with our new address with people individually asking for it instead of being "pleasantly surprised with a beautiful card with our smiling faces on it proclaiming 'WE'VE MOVED!'"

Oh well ... life happens right? 

Who decided to make Oct-Dec the busiest months out there? Like, the year is coming to an end and the Mayans were like, "Shit! we forgot all these holidays! ADD THEM IN QUICK!"

LOL -- I know my history folks. Just go with it.

After all these holidays, my eldest's birthday is in the beginning of January too ... so like, straight from Christmas gifts to New Year sparkling cider to birthday gifts.

Guys, I don't even know what is going on an hour from now ... what day is it?!

Hang in there people, the holiday's will be over soon and soon, we can relax ... until February.

Good luck!

How NOT to Buy a Mattress | My Hot Mess

Y'all.
I got a new mattress. 

I got the mattress of all mattresses.

I mean, this thing can do everything and anything you want it to do.

... tho it doesn't eject me outta bed in the mornings ...

Did I want a new mattress?

No.

Did I need a new mattress?

Yes and no.

You see, what-had-happened-was ....

Since the move, our "Numbers" bed wouldn't inflate.

On my side ....

Like, I was sleeping in a hole for weeks.

I literally had to ROLL outta bed.

We thought we could put in a claim to have it replaced ... or at least FIXED.

The military came back and said, with a big fat smile I assume too, "NOPE."

Their response was that the bed SHOULD still be under warranty and that there was no wrong doing found on the packers or movers part.

Which is all fine and dandy BUT -- the thing is, the bed DID inflate before we moved.

Now it doesn't.

The mattress isn't under warranty anymore, it has expired and would cost more to fix than replace.

I slept for three months on this damn mattress, hoping that the military loved us enough to fix it.

We appealed the process and got declined again. I'm now in the process of taking it higher, however, the fact remains:

I'm sleeping in a freaking hole!

So, the day before our 13th anniversary, we - on a whim - bought a new mattress.

A "Tempur-pedic."

We's fancy now.

We went from a $4000 bed to another $4000 bed ... and we haven't seen a penny from the military yet.

DOH!

We did get free pillows and a free bed frame ... we also upgraded the size and now we are sleeping on a continent instead of an island ... BUT we are STILL fighting the military to get reimbursed for our broken bed.

It may be an never-ending battle and we may lose in the long run... but dammit, I'mma try my damnedest.

I'd still have our Numbers bed if it wasn't for the moving across the country. I know for a fact. And I'm pissed.

Though, I am sleeping better.

But I'm still pissed.

Road Tripping' | My Hot Mess

Hey all! The family and I just got back from a quick trip up to Ruidoso, NM and surrounding areas for the Veterans' Day Holiday.

We had a blast. We probably would have made it up there sooner or later, but because my mom and dad were wanting to meet up there, we happily jumped on board.

Do you guys like driving places? 

I don't.

I'm good for an hour ... maybe two. But after that, if I'm the passenger.... I'm struggling! I hate road trips. I became super spoiled since my mom worked for the airlines upon her Air Force retirement and we flew free!

I mean you can't beat that right!?

Well, it's hurt me in the long run because I cannot stand driving long distances. If I'm the driver, it's not too bad, but I still hate the long time just SITTING in that damn car seat.

Not like, an actual carseat crazies ... the actual seat of a car.

Luckily, we only had to drive two and half hours to our place, but we actually stopped in White Sands because, face it. White Sands National Monument is flipping amazing. (Free for military card holders! Can get up to 4 people in on one card.)

So in actuality, we drove an hour and half and then another hour; so it wasn't too bad. Tip#1 - break up the driving.

BUT

(You know there's always a BUT)

Ruidoso is beautiful, but just so damn small. Everything to see is about an hour or so away ...

BUT

You have to take the road that goes around mountains. We did go THRU the mountains, but as you can see on the map ... there's really no "shortcuts" to places!

The first time we went to White Sands we saw people sledding. ... I wasn't prepared for that and didn't want sand everywhere in the car. So we didn't sled. This trip ... we sledded down the slopes. LOL You can buy a board from the gift shop for like $15 and you can return it and they'll give you $5 back. We decided to keep ours because we had so much fun!

 

The only sucky part is going back up the dunes! lol it's quite the workout!

The first day, we hit up the Hubbard Museum of the American West in Ruidoso, Lincoln and Fort Stanton.

At the Museum of the American West, military ID card holders get in for $5! And kids 6 and under are free. My 9 year old cost $2.

It's a cute museum that is mostly comprised of artifacts a pretty interesting woman collected over the years. Lots of horse buggies, indian and cowboy information, mining information and a fun kids area!

Lincoln State Park is literally a one tree town. It's cute and informative. This was the last escape Billy The Kid would attempt before getting killed.

Because we are all Veterans (my parents are retired too) we got into Lincoln for free! (because it's a National State Park)

Apparently, I didn't take any personal photos here ... I don't know why .... come to think of it, I think it was because my littlest fell asleep getting there ... it was about an hour drive there.

(We were slow getting out the house, so we didn't start our day until about 10/10:30 am. So by the time we were done with the museum it was lunch time

We ate our pre-made sandwiches on the ride to Lincoln. Tip #2 - We pack our lunches not only to save money, but time too!

This kid said, "Leave me 'lone." And slept-ate his cheetos. What a nerd.

Even though I didn't take pictures here, you totally should! I know my mom did! And if I wasn't baby wearing my littlest as he slept through this awesome site (he did wake up towards the end and I still didn't take pics), I wouldn't taken a ton. We learned so much about Billy the Kid and the history that surrounds the land! Please click the link above or HERE to read more! I definitely want to go back as they have a reenactment of the Kid's escape.

After a quick cappuccino and exploring, we hoped in the car and drove 15 more minutes to see Fort Stanton State Park. Now this place was FULL of history. It has such a diversity of history I was confused at first!

Again, it was free for military Veterans! Woot! 

We breezed through the empty buildings since we got there 15 mins to closing, but the barracks was set up with dress up clothes and the boys LOVED that!

This used to be a army post, a hospital for tuberculosis patients,  a German interment camp, a mental hospital ... I mean, it was so much! It was crazy!

We then stopped at the stables ...

selfie it up with the horse!

And the cemetery.

 We drove a lot the first day and when we got back to Ruidoso, we just took the first turn we could see (since it was dark) for dinner and surprisingly, it was fantastic! 

We ate at Rio Grande Grill & Tap Bar. They're pricey but WOW! The food was amazing and the craft beers were fantastic! Tip #3 - reward yourself with good food after traveling!

Next day we drove to Roswell, NM -- in hopes of finding Aliens!!!!!

The Roswell UFO Museum is the only place we stopped at here. I mean, I'm sure there's more to see, but we were more interested in this museum!  It was $3 to get in for military card holders, 4 and under free and 5-15 $2.

There was a lot of reading and it was fairly small, but I enjoyed it. It really makes you think ... what really happened with the "UFO CRASH?" It's definitely a place to stop and see.

My eldest also said that the McDonalds there was supposed to be shaped like a UFO ... but we forgot to go check it out! Maybe next time ... Tip #4 always make reminders for yourself if there's things you most definitely want to see at a place.

We stopped at a local park to eat our packed lunches and let the kids run around before getting in the car for a long ride to the Three Rivers Petroglyph site. This wasn't the ideal travel plan, but we had so much to see (and more that we didn't) in a short amount of time. I will update y'all when my mom and dad come back to El Paso. They are currently still touring around that area!

Three Rivers Petroglyph site was pretty awesome. Again we were free because we are military card holders. The website says it closes at 5pm, but the ranger there said they don't close the gates and you can stay as long as you want.

We were there around 3/4 pm and stayed to see the sun set. The hike to see the drawings is only about a half a mile and they're everywhere! It's not like some places where I had to hike 5 miles to see three drawings on the side of the cave. These were drawn on each and every rock out there it seemed. It was super interesting to see them.

My husband and I went a tad further up the mountain to see if there was anything else to see, but really every thing can be seen in that first half mile!

 

There were lots of signs warning us of snakes along the trail, we didn't see any snakes, but we did see this cute little bunny ... and HUGE jackrabbit!

Tip #5 - enjoy your location ... even if you're trying to watch the clock ... take time to enjoy it. because the ride back is just as long as it was getting there!

That night, we had noodles and my mom's famous sauce. She started it in the crockpot before we left, and then when we got back to the condo all we had to do was cook the noodles. Tip #6 find a hotel, condo, or rental that has a stove so you don't have to eat out all the time. Saves time and MONEY.

Our final day, we laid low. LOL We stayed local in Ruidoso and checked out the cute little shops in town. We came across a Christmas Shop  (Rocky Mountain Christmas) there and the owners were fantastic! They were an elderly couple and they were full of information about the area! They made me and my husband want to play hooky from work and home life to stay longer!  Their merchandise is adorable and oh so affordable! I highly recommend!

That late afternoon, we headed home - to El Paso. 

It was a great - but short - getaway and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I hope to get back that way to check out the stuff we missed and all the beauty of the mountains again!

Tip #7 - Don't try and see everything in one trip ... unless it's a once in a lifetime trip ... but there will always be a new attraction to see. So if you don't see everything, don't worry. Just book another LONG road trip at a later date! ;)

Again, I'll update once I hear more on what my parents saw after we left to go back to the real world. But until then, carry on! And don't trip on your road trip! ;)