So today the Mr. decided to iron the blackout curtains he brought home from overseas to hang in the living and dining rooms (which are open to one another). It works well for him since he likes it dark, where as I'm one who likes the blinds open and the sunlight flowing in through the windows. But with his headaches, he wins. I have to give him that. Maybe when he's going to be gone for more than an hour or so I'll open them and have the sunshine for my enjoyment. But being that it's winter weather and below freezing outside, I'll let him think he's won when really it's me who wins because I'm the one who freezes my tokus off and he's the one who's always hotter than all get out! I think it'll work. =)

Because of the curtains going up in the living room, I decided that the furniture must be rearranged so I pulled out the vacuum cleaner and got to work doing just that. So the living room is 1/2 different, swapping places from one side to the other. Which leaves the poor Christmas tree shoved aside, actually blocking the back door at the moment. So I tell the Mr. that our next project needs to be to take that down and put it away. Not sure if he likes that much, but just as I type these very words he started removing ornaments from the tree!! {Whoo wee!} This will be THE earliest that my tree has been put away in at least the last 6 years!! I've been known to be teased for having my tree up past Easter in the last few years. I'm too lazy to do it. It's too pretty. I'm too tired. I just don't wanna. And I could go on and on with the reasons I've used in the past. BUT. Hubby is home and things are different and that simply wouldn't fly with him here. Okay. Works for me! I'm just hoping that because I didn't want to have anything to do with putting up the tree this year (Mr. and the kiddos did it as I watched) that I won't have to do any of the removal part of it either. Wishful thinking?? Maybe. We shall see.

Besides all of that going on. The hubby asked about the extra gazillion wooden hangers that we have next to his side of the bed and in a container in the garage and then what the kids have. They still have plastic hangers. His blue. Hers black. So he counts. Little he counts. I knew little girl has WAY TOO MANY clothes to swap. Little boy wins! So as the winner (which he would call the loser!) he has to remove all of the hanging items from his closet, sort them into piles (wear, holes/stained to throw away and/or put to the t-shirt quilt making pile, doesn't fit/don't wear to donate/sell) and then rehang and put away. So since he "won" I decided to send the little girl off to do the same thing in her closet. Sorting into the same piles. They'll have great looking closets soon. And with the reduction in unnecessary/unused items, it should make things look cleaner (aka better) and reduce stress. For me when it's time to figure out what to wear since that's so difficult! {What parent doesn't go through this at some point with their children - boy or girl?!}

Maybe our reward later will be a family game or movie.

But what I really want to do. Seriously, I do. Although I wonder if I have enough stamina to even think of starting it. What I really want to do is get started again in the craft room. It became the dumping grounds as I lost steam when I first started that project in the summertime and then more so when hubby was coming home and I just had to move things from other areas of the house! I mean it makes sense to just dump it there (at the time) so that it was in one place that had doors that could be shut so unless you knew it was there or opened the door, it just wasn't where everyone else was (aka the rest of the house)! I do want to work on it over the break and just may get started in there. I did do a little bit the other day when I removed all the PS2 stuff on Christmas Eve. Maybe I can ask the Mr. to take all of that to the store and sell it for credit to buy a new game for the system Santa left the kiddos for Christmas.

Gotta go. Hubby says he can't proceed with the Christmas tree until I finish collapsing the boxes from gift giving. Gotta go do that so he can work more.

Happy cleaning!
Happy organizing!
Happy Happy!!

Merry, Merry Christmas!!

 

 

I hope that I can get back to blogging. Football season massively took me away from attempting to do so. But that's behind me. Until next fall, anyways. And I'll have less of a role since my term is almost over for the pee wee organization in my town where I served the 2012 year as both Secretary and Treasurer. Fun. But extremely busy! That chapter of the last 3 seasons is coming to a close, and I can move on to being just the Mom. That, and helping my son's middle school teams on the sidelines again! Perk of being a school district employee ... I was there to help the coaches and players by assisting to keep the boys in the space so we didn't get penalties, stop doing silly things that distract them from the game, administering first aid to those with injuries, having parents sign for release at away games, and water girl. It was a blast! I'm glad the coaches appreciated it, and that the 8th grade coaches told me that they already expect me to do the same for them next year! Have I told you before just how much I {love} football?!?! =)

 

One of the other things that took me away from this was preparing for my husband's return after 5 years stationed overseas. I had SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much to do to try and make things "perfect," although he says all of the time that I didn't need to do that and he'd love me anyways. (Maybe something only a military wife can understand, but still.) Yet I strived to remove as much clutter from our home as I could. I did get some of it gone. But not all. And I still have areas that need my attention. My to-do list is still there and will be fine if I don't get to it for a while longer! {Hee Hee} I also reworked my husband's part of our closet adding shelving and storage. Even a few bins for hiding summer items for myself! Also included, which I did succeed at, was making our master bedroom back to our personal space for just us and no junk or clutter. The only thing I have to remove is the extra wooden hangers for the closet, but need to figure out how I'll store them and where. Not too shabby though. I'm quite pleased with myself. And I do need to add pictures (yet to be taken ... someday!) to the frames that I purchased YEARS ago and place them on the wall above our headboard. Another items for the to-do list that will be fine if I don't get to it for (ummmm ... I don't know how long).

 

 

But. For now. I am still here. In the land amongst the living. And I shall return. Hopefully with some fun, creative, and organized items to share with you all.

Organization - Getting started!!

BEFORE you actually get down and dirty with the task of organizing any area of your home, you must make notes (either mental or, preferably, actually to pen and paper). Note what your purpose of the space is and mandatory items that must be in the space. You'll need to know what kind of budget you have to work with, if any at all. And don't worry ... it's doable to reorganize without spending any money. It might not be the image you found on Pinterest, in a magazine, or saw at someone else's house. But that's okay. It has to work for YOU and your family. If it can do that, then you have succeeded. You'll need to list each space or each room that you have to organize on a separate list.

PREPARE by making signs and gathering trash bags/boxes/tubs. Yes. MAKING SIGNS. Keep. Garbage. Donate. Mending. When you're going to sit down and actually do the work you'll need these items. They can be handwritten on a piece of scratch paper or printed, whatever suits your fancy. You'll end up setting these side-by-side (or spaced out if you have a large space to go through) to make it easy to set/toss items into the appropriate category.

• KEEP. Things you LOVE. Things you use REGULARLY. Things you can't live without.
• GARBAGE. Torn clothing, broken toys. Anything that you won't use and won't benefit someone else by getting rid of it. Now additionally in this pile may be an actual TRASH and RECYCLING pile if you have recycling services available in your area. Of course, I highly recommend recycling whatever you can so nothing unnecessary ends up compounding to the waste in our landfills.
• DONATE. Things you like, but don't love. Things you use infrequently. Something that was handed down to you that you don't plan to keep (remember you always have the memories so you don't have to keep the actual item).
• MENDING. Those items that need the button fixed, screw tightened, etc. This can be done by you or sent out to the seamstress, whichever you prefer and are capable of. The important thing with this pile is to get it done quickly so things can be put in their proper place.

For your donate stash, I recommend boxes that you can close up and take straight to Goodwill or whatever agency you have determined will benefit from your no longer needed items. Why touch it twice when you can touch it once and be done with it?! I don't see the point in wasting time that you don't really have or would rather be doing something else instead. Likewise, use trash bags (full size for large spaces, recycled Walmart bags for small areas) for trash and once filled take it immediately to the garbage can so it's out of your way. This will instantly remove the clutter allowing your eyes to rest, and instill a sense of pride and accomplishment at what you are doing.

Determine how much time you have and schedule it. If you have 5 minutes, go through a kitchen or dresser drawer. If you have 15 minutes, tackle the medicine cabinet. Whatever amount of time you have, schedule it. WRITE IT DOWN. DO IT. If you work, do it after work when you can. Do it on a day off, during summer break. Whatever you can do. It will take time to work your way around your entire home, but it'll get done and you'll feel so much better. Keep in mind that you may schedule 15 minutes, but find it so intensely motivating that you end up spending more. That's awesome. Just keep up with your schedule and work your way through every space that you want to do. If possible, I would stick to one room at a time before moving on, but only to have the sense of accomplishment to be able to cross that room off your list (I read an article once that crossing items off your to-do list sends positive signals to your brain).

So ... are you ready to start here?? I'll be back next week with the next part. I'm going to work on one of my spaces and want to chronicle that so that I'm ready to help you with yours. Writing about this, talking about it - makes me want to jump right in and do it myself. And I still have plenty that I can do in organizing my home!!

See you next week.

Online Organization

Feeling a little {I don't know} - unenergetic but wanting to be - this morning and as I was online sorting through emails, both personal and football related, in addition to checking through all of the facebook groups, notices, and posts, I decided that I COULD be doing something that helps to organize me a little while I sit on my duff right here on this silly computer! So I went through my email folders. Whew! I had built up a collection of things that were most definitely no longer needed or good and it was time to "clean house," so to speak.

I already had folders for baseball, coupons/discounts, my husband, kids misc, family, misc, myself (one just to my name, one for work, and one for college items), and football. First, since my son hasn't played baseball since 2010 I decided that folder was no longer needed and I could either toss or move the emails in it, which only numbered 7. So I moved what I'd like to keep (should he change his mind and decide to play again in the future) to my "kids misc" folder and the rest to the trash. Folder deleted. {That feels nice!} On to the next folder. Why do I need 3 folders for me?! Ridiculous. I moved the school and work items to the other folder and then they were deleted. So I deleted 3 folders in total. The next easiest thing for me to tackle was to go through my coupons/discounts and check for things that have expired and hit DELETE. Done. And quickly. Love it! Not sure how many emails in total went "bye bye" in the trash bin, but it feels good to be clean and organized online, as in real life. And it gives a little motivation to get up and get going somewhere around my house - even if only a smidge of a spot! I found a photo of my Mom that I had forgotten about while I was working on this process ... of her in 1967 at a Debutante Ball! I love it! That's her on the top right.

Remember that not only your email can use some organization and purging, but also your favorites/bookmarks on your computer or smartphone. Check to see if you actually use them anymore and if not, delete them. Organize your online favorites by groups (blogs you read, shopping, things around your area to do, educational, sports, etc) that work for you and your lifestyle. Delete anything that isn't needed or is a distraction from the life you want to have. I hope that makes you feel a little better in doing so. I know it does for me.

Happy Organizing, my friends!

Summertime

I {love} summer! I love being able to stay up late, sleep in if I'd like, no alarm clocks. I love being able to go or stay, do or not do. I love being able to work on projects around the house, both new and old. I love spending time with my family.

I'm only 4 days into this and loving every single minute of it! We've had a party to kickoff summer with friends and neighbors, shopped, and played. Some of us are playing more than others, lucky ducks!! And I'm even getting some chores done, too. Today I've been working on laundry, to start it anyways. I have a list going and on that list things are prioritized.

First item is to remove {everything} from my daughter's room and give it a S.E.R.I.O.U.S cleaning from top to bottom. This in itself is quite a task! She's a messy, messy little girl! I have even talked about taking the doors off of the closet and make some drapery to hang instead so that we can put a desk next to her bed. If we don't take the doors off there's no room, so this is a good alternative. And I'll buy regular drapery then embellish the bottom of the new and existing (actually ON the window) treatments so they go to the floor and match. I'll also have to go through and remove items that are not worn anymore to donate/sell and switch out the summer/winter clothing. Then all toys and everything will be scrutinized (by me, not her) to make sure it's not broken and then put back into the storage containers and placed on the bookshelves. I've got that bargain headboard STILL in the box in the garage - it was damaged (splintered) so I got it for $10 when it was originally $100 at Garden Ridge before Christmas last year! It needs to be painted black after some wood glue and clamps take care of the splintered part. And I've thought about painting the inside of her closet for a while, so I need to make that decision and get to that once everything's out if I'm going to do it. I should. Hers is the only kids room NOT painted. And I like the idea of just doing the closet - get the color, but not as much paint or time needed to do so. I like that! I imagine the process for her room alone will take me a week from start to finish!

Other project on the to-do list are my son's room, craft/game room, Master bedroom, Master closet, garage, to file pile, as well as regular chores and all my peewee football/cheerleading miscellaneous. {Whew! I'm wondering if there's time for fun with all those things to do?!}

I'll post as I start and am working on things to document the process. It may inspire you.

Cancer. Such an ugly word. Such an ugly word that causes pain and suffering for families and friends. 
Cancer. Instantly striking fear and worry for someone you know or love who just has just been diagnosed.
Cancer.
Cancer. Brings tears to my eyes as I think of another loved one in my family to be diagnosed with this ugly disease. But not just any type of cancer. Breast Cancer. {gulp} It started the demise of my great grandmother and my grandmother. They both lost their life to cancer, starting in their breasts. It scares me silly. I was young, about 13 or 14, when my GG died. 13, I think. I loved her so much even though I rarely got to see her except for summertime when I'd visit my grandparents or for some occasion that she'd come to our house. This is the sucky part of having a relative in another state. My grandmother died when I was 21 years old and a mother. She had been battling her cancer for sometime and it finally took her. Now. At 40 years old I have found out that my Aunt - my Mom's sister - has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Just two days ago. I've been very, very sad all day about this. Now that I'm not at work, I can finally let the tears come out instead of having to keep them in and worry about students seeing my emotions.
Cancer. Scary. For her, my Uncle, my cousins and her grandchildren. For me, my Mom, and my daughter. For now that I have someone directly above me in the family tree who has been diagnosed with breast cancer will the insurance company finally decide that I am in need of mammograms. Why is that? My Mom or my Aunt had to get this horrible disease before they'd do anything to make sure I don't have it. It sucks that it's this way. I will never understand why insurance companies are the way they are.
Cancer. I hate you. You've robbed me of loved ones and I don't want you taking anymore of the people in my family that I love.
Cancer. With all of this happening today it pushes me forward with my dream, my goal, to walk in the Susan G. Komen 3-day. 60 miles of walking over 3 days. To help raise funds for breast cancer research. I wanted to do this last year for my 40th Birthday, but having had the knee surgery and not being fully recovered and able to train thwarted that plan. And here it's almost summer and I'm no where ready to do it for this Fall. Although if I tried hard enough starting right now maybe I could do that in October ... I will do it at least once. I will do that.
Cancer.
Cancer.
Cancer.

Inspiring, Inspired

So my dear friend from way back when (that I gave the chicken pox to in 6th grade) sent me a message on facebook to tell me that she FINALLY tried making her own laundry soap. Yeah! I love it so much and I was glad to know that someone else had tried it, too. I waited to hear how her first load went and when I did, she was so happy with how it had turned out for her. Double yeah! Me inspiring her and hearing how much she liked it, inspired me again. I am planning to make a big ol' batch again today! After a trip to Wally World to get some more Fels Naptha soap. But I am very appreciative to learn that my friend used her food processor to get the soap finely grated and mixed in with the other ingredients. Now I don't have a food processor. I have been using a handheld grater and my mini chopper (which does not hold much and the mess I make each time putting the soap in and dumping it out, ugh!). So I decided that since the last batch was clumpy (not waiting to mix the ingredients when the soap was freshly grated) I would run it through my blender, which just occupies space in the cupboard. Viola! It's perfect. Better than the first batch that I waited the day and ran through the mini chopper ... So thankful that I was inspired after being inspiring and figured out a solution to my (not so big of a) problem.

I also learned, from her words and going back to the website, that I've been using too much detergent. I've used a handy dandy 1/4 cup measuring cup. WHAT I SHOULD HAVE BEEN USING was only 1-2 Tablespoons per load. Oops! Well ... now I'm on a mission to find a proper scoop so that I am not overusing the detergent, thus making it last even longer. That and to find a cute, inexpensive container to store it in. Something better than the old Tupperware container that was in the pile to donate to Goodwill that I scavenged for when I couldn't wait to try the recipe and had nothing else. And I am inspired to check not only Wally World but the dollar stores thanks to a fan of my fave blog (iheartorganizing) who posted about another reader who redid her cupboards from dollar store purchases ... read the article from 3/14/12 on the iheartorganizing blog to see pictures; it's simply fabulous!

And all of this inspires me more to finally finish the laundry room so I can show pictures of it's prettiness. It's on my to-do list. I promise. But I'm taking my sweet ol' time doing it. Even though I'd rather have it done and my dining room back to be able to sit and eat at the table with the kids! I'll get there. Soon. I promise.

CVS deal - Pediasure

Pediasure is listed for $5.99, with $5 Extra Bucks awarded at the register. So even without a coupon it ends up costing only $0.99. Limit 1. And of course they track it on your card, but this is a good deal if you have little ones. I saw both cherry and grape liquid available to choose from.

Happy savings!!

Coca Cola - my other love

Okay ... obviously I love coffee since I named this blog "a coffee lover's life" but my other favorite drink is a nice cold Coca Cola. Yummmmmmmm. So today I am going to share with you that you can get a boat load of my second favorite drink for really cheap this week.

WHO: anyone else who loves their Coca Colas
WHAT: 12-packs of Coca Cola products, excluding Dr. Pepper
WHEN: March 11-17, 2012
WHERE: Walgreens
WHY: SALE - the ad says limit 3 on a 3/$10 deal, but in the store there was a rolling cart that said "6/$20" and you can earn $10 back in register rewards, making the 12-packs $1.67 each, each can being only $0.14. WHOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Downfall - yes, sadly there is one, is that Walgreens policy about using register rewards doesn't allow you to use it on your next purchase of the 6 12-packs and receiving a new register rewards. So, if you don't mind a little out of pocket now to get them for cheap and you'll go back and use your register rewards before they expire, then this is a FABULOUS deal.

CVS has something similar going on this week in that you can get 5/$15 and earn $5 Extra Bucks. Limit 1. They track this because it's linked to your CVS card. And the 12-packs end up being $2 each, each can $0.17. So Walgreens has the best deal overall, but you can still get a good value on the 12-packs from CVS.

Just thought I'd share ... happy savings!

Hall Closet re-do

I got the itch to reorganize something, and it ended up being the hall closet, which sits outside of the 3 bedrooms at the end of the hallway. Other than the kitchen pantry and doors that lead outside the house, it is probably the most opened door in the house.

Because - (1) it's small and should be easy to do in a short time frame, (2) because of reason (1) it shouldn't cost a lot of money, (3) it wasn't functioning in the manner in which I knew it could, (4) it could be soooo much prettier, and (5) I am seriously obsessed with wanting to redo everything because of my favorite blog {iheartorganizing}.

So I did it ...

I started by taking measurements - length and width of each shelf, height between shelves, perimeter measurements of the closet itself, floor to ceiling measurements - and then inventory of what I stored in the closet. Dental. Haircare. Medicines. Air freshener refills. Hand sanitizer. Soaps. TP. Sheets. Holiday hand towels. Vacuum cleaner. Humidifier. Sleeping bag/blankets.  To make it easier, I wrote the list on the lined side and drew the floor plan with measurements on the blank reverse side. Hence, one sheet of paper to carry on my handy dandy mini clipboard!

     

Then off I went, after deciding a trip to Target should be inexpensive and give me plenty of options. I found a couple of different options from the get go in the dollar bin area. Some wicker-like baskets, but I found 3 in royal blue and 1 in lime green (which I love lime green) and the metal see through bins in lime green and fuschia (my FAVE color combo). Then when I actually got to the bin and storage area, I found the collapsible full size and (way cool) mini bins in a multitude of colors; seriously pretty much something for everyone! Below is a photo of my go backs, because I'd rather have purchased too many and enough options, than not enough. This would have been upsetting and meant that the project would go unfinished for {at least} one night. Not what I wanted to do. Again.

I've had plastic shoe bins before, so I knew I didn't want to go there again. Yes, I could stack them higher and they'd all fit, but there were just too many of them (like 9 to a shelf) and I'd put only one type of thing in each. I didn't like it, although I could see what was inside - which helps with the function; it just wasn't pretty enough.

So ... I got home and took my before pics to document my journey (because this is what all good bloggers and documenters do, right?!).

    

And I went through my list of items to see what I could group together and determined which item(s) went into which basket/container. It was really, really fun to do! Especially to know that I was doing something wonderful. For me. So here, without further ado, I present some of the after shots to proudly display my organizing project. =)

A close up helps show what all these fantastic mini bins hold. I am {loving} them for their smaller size, and lucked out in the fact that they fit so perfectly on the shelving.

I decided that these media containers I had on hand from IKEA would be perfect (perfect measurement for the holiday hand towels) to hold holiday items. Since I had two, and know that I will ultimately purchase additional holiday items, I decided that one container per six months would be perfect. I haven't labeled them yet, but I will. Eventually. And when it is time to transition to the next container, I will rotate them on the shelf. Good idea, huh?!

And this fantastic bin that was on clearance holds the sleeping bag and extra blankets perfectly! It's like it was {made for this} ... love that! And it was only $5.19!!

I even purged some of the bedding. I have a policy that I only keep two sets of sheets per person, three in total for the bunkbeds. This allows that we can have one set on the bed and another that can be laundered. This helps prevent the shelves from being overcrowded and keeping items that we really don't use or need.

Now I do have one minor thing to do before I am absolutely, positively, 100% done with the closet. I didn't come up with a viable option for sorting and storing of the bedding that we are keeping. In the past I started putting the sheet sets inside the pillow cases so everything would be together and you could just grab and go, but then I stopped and just did regular. Sorting in stacks by sizes and a stack of pillowcases. I have to figure out what I'm going to do with those, and then it'll be all done. One idea that I saw on pinterest used shelf brackets as dividers ... this is something I am toying with. I'm also considering buying some more pretty bins from IKEA or The Container Store to put them in. I just don't know yet, but one of these days I'll see something and manage to get that done and can officially cross this project off my to-do list. But for now, I am extremely happy and proud of what I have done.

{Baddah Bap Bap Bahhhhh} I'm loving it!!

Friday night {no lights}

Friday nights are probably my favorite time of the week. Well. Maybe second favorite. I think I like Saturday mornings where I can sleep in until whenever the most. And since I've been such a {self proclaimed} sucky Mom, I decided that when I left work I needed to do something to get the weekend started right. Idea = playing at the park. Kids liked it, so off we went. Scooter. Helmet. Football. Soccer ball. Drinks. Jackets. Man, that was one of the best ideas I've had in a long time. Soccer. Timed races on the scooter and running. Crawling around all the play structures. Even a crash on the scooter. We had fun. And it was about them. And about family. And that makes this Momma's heart very, very happy.

A quick trip to Taco Bell and then plopping our butts on the floor and couches in front of the tv.

Oh yeah. THIS. has. been. {fantastic}
Weekend. started.
Enjoy.

Frito Pie - the real Frito Pie

Okay, so apparently "Frito Pie" doesn't mean the same thing every where you go. I learned this the hard way when we first moved to the DFW area. I was excited to see it on the menu somewhere and ordered it ready - salivating for the deliciousness that I was going to have placed in front of me shortly. Ummmm. Then it landed and I looked at it and the person who delivered it and asked, "What's this?" I received an answer of "Frito Pie. Isn't that what you asked for?" Well, yes and no. I did order that but this certainly isn't what I expected. Now I know that I can't be the only one who gets disappointed when you order and it comes totally different from everything you know!

So ... the very first time I experienced Frito Pie was at Lackland AFB, Texas, when I was first stationed there after Basic Training and Tech(nical) Training. There was a mini restaurant across the street from the building I worked in. I was hooked after only the first time having eaten it. {Heavenly goodness.} So the way they do it down there, and that I expect it to be and how I make it at home is like this ...

~ San Antonio style Frito Pie ~
Place some bagged salad mix in a bowl or plate (size of your choice). Add fritos (and don't skimp on generic here, people!). Scoop warm chili (with or without beans, but I like with) on top. Top with shredded cheese, diced onion, diced tomatoes, sour cream, and/or avocado to your tasting.

I guess it sounds a lot like a taco salad, but it's better. Fritos are much better than tortilla chips and it uses chili instead of ground beef or turkey. So the not so good version that I found here is just chili, fritos, cheese and maybe onions. Ummmm. No. While that does have fritos in it, it's called "chili" people. Seriously. What is wrong with people these days?! {Wink}

So. The next time you need to add something to your menu, try my fave Frito Pie - San Antonio style Frito Pie, that is. You can be good and serve this as clean as you'd like (minus the Fritos, of course). And I hope that you'll enjoy this. It's really one of our family faves. Great for weeknights, especially if you have a lot going on because you really only have to heat the chili and dice tomatoes/onions. Otherwise it's open this and put some onto your plate/bowl. Can't get much easier than that now can you?!

Ole!

Valentine's Day ... ooh la la!

Okay ... so I have a plan for tomorrow to surprise my kids many times throughout the day. I'm soooo excited!! I went to Target today (thanks to getting the ad via email) and picked up some of the $9 movies - I mean, hello ... $20 movies on sale for $9 is a great deal. ESPECIALLY when some are newer releases! I got REAL STEEL and CAPTAIN AMERICA for the boy, and CARS 2 and KUNG FU PANDA 2 for the girl. I also grabbed a bag of Hershey's Kisses (in the festive pinks and silver) to splatter around the counter top around their gift bags in the morning. I'm going to have it out ready for them in the morning. I'm also serving some PINK HOT CHOCOLATE thanks to finding the recipe in last week's issue of Woman's World Weekly magazine. (I'll share the recipe at the end of the post.) I also decided that since I have heart shaped sandwich cutters, I'm going to do some French Toast in the shape of hearts. All of this will be the {beginning} of the surprises for the day!! Then I'm going to make their lunches (which I NEVER do) and I'll again use the sandwich cutter to cut their pb&j (their fave) into hearts, so that's surprise #2 for the day. I also picked up some strawberries and melting chocolate (the kind in a container that you nuke in the microwave, to be found in the baking aisle of your grocery market) to do some dipped strawberries for dessert and that's surprise#3 for the day.

I really can't tell you how fun it has been to come up with all of this - literally all since about 1pm today - and less than 4 hours later I'm good to go with all of it and giddy with excitement! This is so not me, but it sure is fun. I mean I like to do fun, cool things and surprise my kids, but normally I don't get this many ideas ESPECIALLY all at once. Okay, I've had the hot cocoa idea for over a week, but the rest fell in place today. Now there is one thing that I wanted to do but can't ... on Pinterest I saw heart shaped CoolWhip (splat it down, try to flatten and freeze then use cookie cutters to do whatever shape you want!) but couldn't find a heart shaped cookie cutter at either Target or Walmart today. So. Ixney that idea. I think the kids will be in awe of the pink hot chocolate and not worry about (what they don't know they are missing) in heart shaped CoolWhip. {hee hee}

Pink Hot Chocolate -- Woman's World Weekly magazine, February 13th issue

In small pot, heat 2 cups milk over low heat until steaming. (Do not bring to a boil.) Place 1/2 cup white chocolate chips in bowl; carefully pour in milk. Whisk in 3 Tbspn maraschino cherry juice and 1/2 tspn vanilla extract. Divide between two mugs and enjoy! Serves 2.

So as I close, I want to wish you and yours a very happy and love-filled Valentine's Day tomorrow. Hug and kiss those you love, tell them as well as showing them, and may your heart be filled with love and joy as you share the festivities with those you care the most about.

Playing catch up ...

Sooooooooooooooooo ... it's been a {few} days since I last blogged. Oopsie! Time. There just isn't enough of it. Don't you agree? If only we could stop the clock - WHEN THE KIDDO-KA-DINKS are asleep or at school or something so it's just "Momma time" - and get done all that is needing to be done ... laundry, Spring cleaning, organization. Crafting time, painting, chilling out with a magazine. I mean, the sky's the limit. I'd enjoy some time to just do what I needed to do without constant bickering amongst the kids, and all their shenanigans. Some of the things I'd do would be:

• scrapbook
• sew - like quilts and fun pillowcase dresses
• assorted crafting things to decorate my house
• DIY refurbishing of furniture
• gardening
• organization of EVERY nook and cranny in my house
• read every magazine that I have on hand
• massive amounts of baking
• cooking all kinds of fun, fantastic things that would "ooh" and "aah"
• spend more time with friends
• and anything else I could think of along the way!!

IF ONLY ............. {sigh}

So I feel as if my life is in complete chaos lately. Obviously if there isn't enough time to get it all done, right?! I just have this strong desire that I {HAVE} to get my house in perfect order before the end of the year, with stuff being gotten rid of and organized in the best way possible. It's just time. I've done this to myself from procrastinating over the past few years, but can no longer do so. It's just TIME. Add to this mongo list of things to do the fact that work has been chaotic and stressful, stealing my energy to do the things I need and want to do outside of work, and my kids not behaving the way that I'd like them to. You know, the way that they should and the way that their Momma raised them and somehow they have forgotten it all and act the way they want to. {Ugh!} I tell ya ... STRESSED is the one word I would use to describe my life for the past few weeks. And it's time for this unwanted visitor to take notice and shove off!!!!!!

Anywhoosers ... I've not finished the laundry room; haven't touched it since almost two weekends ago when I last blogged. I did, however, move all of the crafting supplies from my master bedroom to the craft room. I know, I know. It's about time. It's only been my room since August. Hee Hee. It's still a work in progress. Much like the laundry room is turning out to be, or the fact that my Christmas tree is still up and decorated in the living room. {Hush!} I only had some storage and I moved it in the same configuration as it was and set it on this one wall where it fits perfectly, but I have SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much more that I need to find the {perfect} storage for. If there is such a thing. Perfect. But I managed to get every single thing out of my bedroom. It looks so weird! So empty. I do still have all of the stuff in my closet, too, and I'd like to get it out and into the craft room. It's going to be interesting and take a lot of planning. DEFINITELY will need to use the vertical space! Not just for pretty stuff but also for functionality, too. I'm working on the design as I can. I've been eyeballing a desk system from IKEA that I think would be amazing for that room! I plan to do a full wall's worth and a separate desk area for sewing. I think it's going to be AMAZING when it's done, but want to do it as cheaply as possible and still have it looking good.

So much to do. So little time to do it.

Wild Hair = DIY project

So as I was sitting at work on Friday I got a wild hair. {Thanks, Pinterest!} I decided that I wanted to paint the laundry room. It's the (your house came this one shade and that's the way it's been for 7+ years) color of off-white whatever. I decided on lime green. Why? Because it goes with turquoise, pink, black, yellow. So many options for accessorizing and such. I kept looking on google.com images of bathrooms and Pinterest as I could the rest of the day. And immediately after work I drove past my house, straight to Lowes. I didn't like any of the shades of green I was seeing and was drawn instead to a lemony yellow. So a quart I got. Thinking that would be enough. It is a small laundry room where the washer and dryer are on opposite sides of the door from the garage and to the kitchen. This small pass through that is a laundry room. {Oh how I dream of a fantastic and large laundry room where I can have containers for each darks, colors, whites, towels, and linens. But that'll never happen in this house, so it will remain in the "someday" dream section of my brain for who knows how long until I might have a different house. No plans on that anytime soon.} While there I also picked up a galvanized metal container in silver/aluminum natural metal color. And off we went, to check out any miscellaneous items I might just "have" to have at Ross. Surprisingly I found none. I did, however, grab a funky rug that I'm thinking I can conveniently pin down under both the washer and dryer to keep in place. When it's all said and done and I'm at that point to accessorize, I'll try it out. If it doesn't work like I would like it to I will take it back to the store and get a refund. No worries.

So then after supper I get crack-a-lacking and remove everything from the tiny, boring space to the loveseat and dining room. (It's gotta go somewhere, so this is what I must go through for now. It takes making a mess before it can be beautiful!) And I wipe down the walls, dust the woodwork and floors, and wipe down the appliances. Good to go! Have I told you before how I {love} to paint?! Well, not on the blog I haven't, but some of you that know me may have heard this before. Maybe once or twice. =) So I cut in without taping (so proud of myself!) and painted away, but not wanting to get too close to the ceiling and deal with all of the issues there (orange peel textured walls), I decide to add to my project ... solution being crown molding! Oh yeah, baby! I've never worked with it but have always wanted to. I love how it looks. And I'd have no problem mitering the corners to 45* angles, but I don't feel like it since this house wasn't built to perfection (you should see the kids' bathroom wall to understand what I mean!) I decided that I'd do those corner thingees and straight molding with no angled cuts. Yep. I think that will be easy enough and look fantastic.

Long story short, I finished up painting after midnight. But it's not done. I didn't have enough in the quart that I bought. Stupid textured walls! So I had to go back today for another quart. Lady at the paint counter asked if I just wanted to get a gallon and I told her, "You're a day late, lady. If you had asked me last night and I had remembered the texture on the walls when ordering my paint I'd have taken you up on that. But since I'm almost done, I'll just get another quart, thank you." {Smirky smile on my face the whole while I said it.} I also picked up some brackets and shelving to add (3) 12" x 36" shelves; one replacing that ucky ugly white wire shelf that was previously installed. I decided to put two of them above the current shelf (all of this above the washer) instead of the furniture piece that was laying sideways to give me extra storage. And when I got home I thought how cool it would be to do a wrap around shelf at least on the 3 walls above the washer, but it'd be over the door jams, too, so maybe (now that I'm thinking about it) it would be cool to do the entire span of the tiny not so boring anymore room. Hmmm?!?!

And we shall see how this dilema unfolds. Later. I'll post pics (hopefully of the original space, then what I had last done to better organize,) and what I'm currently working on. Later. I'll be finishing up the painting tonight.

And did I tell you that while trying to paint on the sides and behind the washer and dryer I had another wild hair - that makes the 3rd - of bead board around the entire bottom part of the room? I just don't know if I'd have to remove the baseboard molding and haven't looked online to see how to do that. Yet. So there may still be more to come one of these days. Hmmmm?!?! {wink}

What are you doing for DIY/Weekend warrior type stuff??

3-day

I am soooooooooo glad this has been a 3-day weekend. It allows me more time to get things done around the house and a little down time, which I sooooooooooooooo desparately need! I could use extra time to get lots of projects done, too, but that will have to wait and/or be done in itty bitty pieces of time. Drats! Anywhoosers. I have the chores done, including laundry. Yeah!! Kids will have to empty and reload dishwasher with the few things on the counter, but that's it. And I'm excited that we are going to have one of our family fave dinners tonight ... make your own pizzas! Each person gets to design 1/2 a pizza any way they want to. We love it! Been doing this for about 2 years now I guess. Gives them what they want on a budget that I can afford! And it's healthier and we know what's going into it, unlike eating out. I don't know why I haven't put it on the menu lately. Such an easy supper to do. And the leftovers, if there are any, are even better the next day!! So let me share this week's menu with you ...

• Make your own pizza
• Mac-n-cheese with veggies, and a grilled chicken salad
• Church night!
• TV dinners (basketball games)
• Eat out night - Chick-fil-A with coupons from kids good behavior at school so I'll only have to pay for my meal!
• Brats and dogs (since the girl for some strange reason won't eat brats!) with carmelized onions, baked beans and pasta salad
• Roast with baby new potatoes

I always plan my menu around what all we have going on for the week. Work. Gym. School events. Sports. Paydays. Etc. I try to ask the kids for their input on ideas to add to the menu. I love when they get to add to it and I don't have to think about it so much. It gets old being the only one to figure out what we're going to eat around here!!!

So tonight as we eat our homemade pizzas we'll sit in the living room and enjoy last week's and yesterdays episodes of ONCE UPON A TIME together. It's our favorite family show and I {love} that there is a show out there that we can all enjoy. As a family. How often can we find that anymore?!?!?!

Enjoy your day!!

Carumba!

I am feeling sad that I haven't blogged since last Sunday - a whole 6 days ago! It feels weird. I wanted to blog daily, but it can be a burden some days and there are some days I don't feel as if I have anything worth writing/sharing. So let me catch up ...

• Monday - work, gym, supper, and bed.
• Tuesday - work, gym, supper, and bed.
• Wednesday - work, church, bed.
• Thursday - work, basketball game, bed.
• Friday - work, basketball tournament, chores, bed.

Today ... basketball tournament, and home where I am doing chores to get my house in order. It's a 3-day weekend {wahoo!!!!} and I'd like to get my chores done TODAY so I can enjoy the next two days with the kiddo-ka-dinks. The basketball tournament was great (9 games since 4:45pm yesterday) and I earned some extra money for my family, which is awesome. The part that's even better is that in addition to making extra money, my kids enjoy being there with me and have made friends, but I am also getting to know students that I wouldn't normally and see them doing what they love. It's awesome when you see a "TEAM" that is working like one instead of five people out on a court. I love it! After that was done I made the kids smoothies that they have been BEGGING me for for quite a few days now. They loved 'em, and I love that they enjoy healthy foods. So now that my kiddos are out playing, I am here in the quiet of my sanctuary and am busting my buttocks to get the chores done. I've folded two loads of laundry (that were already dry, one being towels) and have sheets in the washer. When it's time, I'll rotate that and get another load of my clothes going. I'm going to dust, vacuum, then sweep and mop. I don't know if I'll get to my bathroom or not today, and I probably won't do the kids' clothes (as they are responsible for bringing their baskets to the laundry room) either. I do have a chicken in the crockpot, resting on an onion (with another stuffed inside) and some Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning mix over the bird. That'll be in there a while before I add some baby white potatoes and mini carrots. Supper's going to be super yum tonight!

Oh, and I'm excited because we started another round of BIGGEST Loser at school; our first of this school year. I ALWAYS enter, but haven't won yet. I like participating even though, like in slots, you mainly deposit without getting a return! ;) It's fun to participate and help encourage those who, like me, would like to become healthier and lose weight/get in shape. I like it for that aspect. Now if I win, I'll be all over that, too! I can handle an extra $120 in my pocket before Spring Break!! And that's the kind that is TAX FREE!!!! Oh yeah, baby!

I hope that you have a wonderful holiday weekend.

Ewwwww

I've had it with bagless vacuum cleaners! I've tried. I tried being environmentally friendly with my vacuuming but can no longer do so. With dogs that shed it is not feasible for me. Too much hair combined with dirt and nastiness that I have to stick my hand in to clean. And far be it for anyone else to help with this. So it's all on me. Well I've had it. After today I have decided that I am buying a regular old fashioned bagged vacuum cleaner on payday and this thing can make it's way to a friend who may want it or to the Goodwill. What's the point in *cleaning* when it only makes a mess to empty the stinking thing?! It is a time sucker that makes absolutely no sense in my life and I will no longer stand for it.

This is the pile of dirty crud left on my carpeting after emptying the vacuum cleaner.

 This is what my vacuum cleaner looks like after the emptying process. It looks as if it's been in some old lady's attic for years and years and years. Disgusting!

 And this is what I was actually able to get into the trash can! Tons of doggy hair and nastiness. {Blah!}

I didn't even take a photo of what my hands looked like from cleaning the stinking thing out. Absolutely disgusting! And I can no longer do this. Well, I guess I will have to for about a week or so, but that's it. As soon as possible I *HAVE* to get a new vacuum cleaner. And this will make me MUCH, MUCH HAPPIER!!! No fuss. No muss! That's how I like it!!

So on a separate note ... I cleaned out the boxes by flattening them and getting them to the curb last night for someone who is preparing for a move. {Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.} And I straightened the pile of whatnot that is going to Goodwill to one area. It is my plan to drop it off still today. It's going to take a long while to get the garage done again, but here are photos of how it looks now even with the donation pile. I *will* get this done before summer arrives. I want it nice, neat, and orderly. I want to do that as a gift to my husband. I want to wow him with a fantastic garage that is (mostly) his. I cleaned out the hallway and part of one bedroom with things from my oldest moving out - sort to keep memorabilia, things that can be donated, and garbage. Done. Boxed and labeled, ready to go into the attic and also added to the Goodwill pile! But I went to clean the carpeting and that's what lead me to have to empty the vacuum and the mess that ensued. Seems wasteful of my time, which is very valuable to me. I don't have time to do many things that I want let alone need to do, but I have to spend time cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. That's why in 2012 I vowed to myself that I will get organized and keep it that way. It is my mission.

Stay tuned for mission status reports ...

Funk

I had to sleep with my legs propped up on some pillows last night. Couldn't get comfortable otherwise. Once I slid them suckers under my knees it was 1000% better and I could doze off. I didn't make it through Oprah's new show on the DVR after I did that! Slept in today. I {love} sleeping in! Have I said before how much alarm clocks annoy me?! Got up and did some laundry that I should have done last night, but didn't. Then worked on my budget some more and found a way to pay off an extra almost $700 in credit card debt by tweeking my order of repayment. That makes me happier! I got so lost in doing that that I lost track of time and didn't get to my friend's yard sale to help her. She text me wondering if I was coming, and then I got there an hour later (I had to get ready 'cuz of course I was still in my pajammers!). I went to grab Sonic drinks {gotta love HALFY HOUR!} for her and her other friend (and I treated my daughter and myself, too, with the gift card I received for Christmas!), then went off to do some of my errands. I had some shopping to do today with sales that were ending and coupons ready to expire.

First stop - Walgreens. Dasani water was on sale for $3.99, which is $2 off the normal price. Not too shabby for 24 16.9 oz bottles of my fave water! I got two, although the limit is 3. I'm trying to be good with my budget and I'm tight right now until payday on the 13th. Spent $7.98, saved $4.00. Outside there were Girl Scouts selling cookies. Yes. It's that time of year already! So I treated my daughter and she got to pick one box. Thin Mints. Cost $3.50.

Second stop - CVS. Shick Intuition refills offered $3.00 Extra Bucks, limit of 1. I found two different varieties that had a freebie bonus "3+1" so I picked one of those to maximize my money/savings. Originally $11.79, I used my $2 coupon and earned a $3 Extra Bucks to use before the 6th. At the register there are lots of candy bars that are on sale for 75 cents and you earn 75 cents Extra Bucks, limit 1, so I grabbed that, too!

Third stop - Mrs. Baird's Outlet (the day old bread store). I had a full punch card which entitled me to a FREE fresh loaf of bread. I got that, a $2.15 savings, and a sale loaf of mini rounds for $1.29. Of course I presented my new punch card to earn that $1 stamp towards another freebie!

Fourth stop - Brookshire's. There were a few items advertised that I wanted to look at with my coupons. Nature Valley Granola Thins - bogo 1 cent with 75 cent coupon, so 2 boxes for $3.25. 8 cans of Progresso Soup for $8 with coupons. SlimFast shakes were buy 2, get a FREE snack/treat and I had coupons to buy one 4-pack get one free. So I combined and got 4 4-packs and 1 freebie (I didn't think it would be right to ask to get a free snack on items I got for free; I'm not greedy!). Spent $23.23, saved $36.54. And at the check out I received some printed BONUS Box Tops - 90 of them for my kids' school!!

Total spent: $39.91.
Total savings: $48.69.
Savings of 55.96%.
Not my best, but not the worst. I could have paid full price for it all, right?!

Here's a photo of today's haul.

It's rumored (Working Mom Coupons on facebook) that there are going to be six coupon inserts in the Sunday newspaper tomorrow! That's better than the 4 from last week. Sure is exciting! I am eager to get to the market to find out what's in there. I can see what she has listed on her site, but I like to physically look at the coupons. I'm a visual person like that. It'll be fun to see what I can do with those coupons, the new weekly ads, and the market (grocery store for those of you that don't like my country term) ads for both this week and next week!

What did you do for savings for yourself and your family today?!

Friday Sweet Friday

I woke up in a fairly good mood today. Not because I had to get up to that awful alarm clock, but because it's Friday and that means an end to the work week, the ability to wear jeans to school, and the weekend is for me and mine to do whatever or nothing at all!! Whoooooo Hooooo!!

Work. Gym. Home.

That was my day today. I'm excited about most all of it. {Hee Hee} I wasn't really feeling it at the gym, but neither was my workout buddy. We kinda slacked at a lower pace on the treadmill, although I did put it to an incline with my 3.0 to 3.5 pace that I moved at today. Regardless of how much time, what incline, and all of that gobble-dee-goop ... the point is that I am *MOVING* and that is fantastical!! That makes 5 days out of 6 that I've been physically active - and the one day I didn't was because we were at church. Rock on, me!! So proud of myself. It takes 3 weeks to make or break a habit. I'm 6 days out of 15 on my way! I learned that when I subbed for the middle school Teen Leadership class 4 years ago. 3 weeks. Perserverance. Determination. Goal setting. Support group. These are things that will help you obtain your goals. I keep going. I am determined to get and stay healthy. I have set my goals. And I have poeple that know my goals and are helping me to obtain them - by cheering me on and/or by going and working out with me. So thankful. So thankful for each and everyone of my cheerleaders and my workout partner, which I believe will be growing to partnerS after learning that one of my fellow teachers is trying out the same gym as me! Coolness.

Since I didn't start my soup this morning, but on my lunch instead, it wasn't ready when we got home so I hurried to cook some hot dogs which the kids devoured as they are watching this POWER RANGERS MORPHENOMENON marathon on tv. I'm not keen on this show, but whatever. I remember when it first started and my oldest used to watch it. Guess it's fitting that they all have had some sort of POWER RANGERS to enjoy. {Could be worse, like Barney or Yo Gabba Gabba or something.} So my soup is still cooking in the crock pot - Senate Soup aka Navy Bean Soup. I like "Senate Soup" better. That's what they called it at one of my childhood favorite restaurants (was it Union Hotel or that other old fashioned place?!). So easy to make. Navy beans. Onion. Bacon. Chicken broth. Salt & Pepper. Garlic powder. You throw it all into the crock pot (uncooked) and cook it. It's a "Fix it and Forget it" recipe for sure!! So as that continues to cook, I am blogging after having checked emails and facebook. But I'll be doing laundry here shortly so that I can have that done and out of the way for the weekend. I really do like doing the laundry on Friday nights. Then we can enjoy the weekend. And we rarely go out on Fridays so it really works well. For me. Maybe not for you, but that's what is so great about time management and being the logistical leader of your family. We are all trying to find what works for us. It's a never ending mission. Don't you think?! I say all of the time that organization is an ever evolving process that must be re-evaluated every so often. Times change, therefor your organization must, too. Here is a picture from my laundry room organization in 2011. I added the broken shelf sideways on top of the shelf that the builders put there and instantly added space! That's thinking outside the box. I had added the wire shelf unit a few years ago for my laundry products. I still use this as it is displayed in the photo almost a year later. It's still working for me. Coolness. One thing I don't have to have on my to-do list. At least not now anyways.

Speaking of organization, I hope to do some around the house this weekend. I want to work on the craft/game room. I add the "game" part because I do store all of the Board games in the closet and the old PS2 is in there, but I doubt much else will be done gamey in there. {Hee Hee} I am just excited at the notion of being crafty again! Scrapbooking. Sewing. Miscellaneous crafts. I like a lot of stuff and thanks to Pinterest I am finding a WHOLE lot more to inspire me! And with having more "me" time in 2012 as well as family time, I anticipate a lot of crafting - individually and with the kids - this year. Yeah! I think they'll like that a lot. My kids love being artsy fartsy. Like their Momma. Like their Grandma. I guess it's "in the genes" as my Mom says. Maybe it is. Maybe it is. Below is a project I did that I absolutely love. I think I did it in 2011, also. I learned from Teresa Collins (fabulous designer of scrapbooking products) how to make the paper flowers. I was instantly hooked and wanted to flower EVERYTHING. I did this altered photo frame for my daughter's room. It still has no photo, but sits on top of one of her tall bookshelves. I love the quote, too. SO true!

So what are you doing to start your weekend??

Happy Friday to you, blog world. Enjoy!

Lost and Found

I woke up this morning feeling so ... "Ugh. Do I have to get up?" and could barely get myself moving. I slummed it again just throwing my hair up so that it'd take less time to get ready. But I've never been one to view work as a fashion show that I gotta get all dolled up for. Maybe every once in a while, but not normally. So I got there and did a whole lot of stuff, which was fun. I went and mentored, which I *love* doing. I was most excited about the 4 o'clock whistle blowing so I could dart out of there and head to the gym!! Which is what I did. After a pit stop at home to change and grab the munchkins. It just feels soooooo good to be doing something good for my heart and soul (and all the rest of my body parts).  Afterwards we came home and I needed to make spaghetti and meatballs, because that's what my menu said to do tonight! I *love* my menus!! I do. I cooked some fresh asparagus and zucchini to go with it - separately. Heaven forbid my kids should eat zucchini! That was all for me. (Hee Hee) And we shared the asparagus.

So as I was cooking I did something that I haven't done in almost a year and a half. I called my Mother. She asked in a text yesterday if the kids could call today or tomorrow and I replied that they would. So they did. And they talked to both Grandma and Grandpa, filling them in on how school is going, how during football season they made it to playoffs but lost this year, how he isn't interested in baseball this year but would rather play soccer but can't because Mom won't let him until his grades are up, how she isn't getting into trouble at school, and thanked them for Christmas gifts. Then it was my turn. She wanted to talk to me. So we talked. Caught up. Learned a lot of good and bad things that have happened in both households since that day (September 16, 2010) when she left for unknown reasons as I was working shortly after my knee surgery on August 26th. I talked to my Mom, and then my stepDad. When I hit the red button to end the call I looked at the timer. 1:33 and some odd seconds. Wow! That was a long first conversation. That was nice. I hope there will be more and we can rebuild our relationship. This makes my heart happier.

But then I folded a load of laundry, put away food and cleaned the kitchen from supper and was losing momentum and steam, feeling oh so tired. Until I spoke with a friend that I hadn't talked to in almost two weeks. Now, this is a friend that we normally don't go more than 3 days maybe without even a few minutes to chat. So it was quite refreshing and even though that conversation lasted nothing near the length that the convo with my Momma did, it gave me the energy to actually post to my blog. 'Cuz before that ... I had considered skipping a post today! {Shrieks, "egads!"} I'm glad that my energy, although lost earlier, was found. But I don't think it's gonna last too long!

But as I go to bed tonight and wake up to that dreaded alarm clock in the dark hours of the morning, I can rejoice in knowing that it's FRIDAY!!!! And that means not only is the weekend eminent, but that I can relax and wear jeans to work. Oh yeah, baby! I *love* me some jeans days!!

What was "lost and found" in your day today??

Pooped Out

I did NOT want to get up this morning. No, sir. I was a slugbug in pajammers! I think the notion that students would be returning today (I run the in-school suspension class at a middle school) didn't help put some "giddy" in my up!! But I did eventually get out of bed and get moving - coffee and oatmeal helped. I got a lot of miscellaneous things done at work, helping here and there. I like doing that! I like helping people; it makes me feel good. Is there a position that is for a knowledgeable go getter to just "float" and do miscellaneous things for all kinds of people? I want that job! Actually I'd like no job, but like most of us I must work to help pay the bills. {If only ... (sigh)} I was proud of myself for actually leaving on time!!!! That's a new thing for me. There's always that "one last thing" that I want/need to do while students are gone and/or to prepare myself for the next day. Not today. Nope. I finished with bus duty, signed off the computer and was outta there.

I had a reason to want to leave in such a hurry. I was excited for church tonight. I mean there hasn't been any Wednesday night church the last two weeks and I have missed that time. Time to eat a nice supper that I didn't have to plan, prepare, cook, serve, and/or clean up after. And for such a nominal amount. I love it. And then the kids have missed their classrooms, friends, and teachers. And I miss my friend that I spend my "me" time with if I'm not involved in a class at the time. It's a win/win/win situation! Every Wednesday night when I plan my menu for the week says "church" and I know that I have nothing to do that night to feed my family except to drive to the church. =)

So interestingly enough, the kids said they had a hard time staying awake in choir tonight. I guess going back to school tuckered them out. So they came home, tucked themselves into bed (clothes and all) and crashed. It was so quiet. You know that quiet that as a Mom you know something's up or someone's asleep? THAT kind of quiet was happening in my house. So I went to check on the kids. I thought maybe they had decided to start reading a book without me since we had discussed our group reading time together tonight before bed. Nope. Not what I found. Nothing in the first bedroom. Then I spied with my little tired eyes, one girl tucked in bed with a boy on the outside edge, both sound asleep. So the interesting part about this is that it was just after 8pm!!! I was happy. Happy that they knew they were tired and went to sleep. Happy that I wasn't going to have to have the "it's bedtime" battle with one or more of them. Happy that I can have some peace and quiet time before I myself sink on into the sheets to read the story written on the inside of my very own eye lids.

Zzzzzzzzzz.

Oh, yeah!

I had the {joy} of having to get up and go to work today. Why can't I have money without HAVING to work?! I mean, come on. I don't know why, but getting up was pretty painless though. Shocking, I know. I am normally so sleep in until the last minute possible, pressing the snooze button as many times as possible. But today I didn't. My dearest friend since 7th grade, Char, called and it's the first time we've spoken since before the Christmas break two weeks ago. It was GREAT to catch up, but sad that she lost her sweet doggie, Zach. I actually made myself some oatmeal with dried cranberries and golden raisins (thank you, McDonalds, for introducing me to this yummy morning treat that I was able to do on my own at home for WAAAAAAYYYY less money - instant apples and cinnamon oatmeal, add cranberries and raisins followed by water and remember to add a smidge more since the fruit will soak up some of it, too) and loved having a *warm* breakfast in my tummy on a cold day. It was only 24* outside today. Brrrr! Luckily, being that no students were at school today, I could wear yoga pants, t-shirt, hair up messy like and be good to g-o! LOVE it!

Work. Training. Blah. Blah. Blah.

I actually did well for eating my leftovers that I took for lunch, which WAAAAYYY filled me up. I only ate the pasta and my cheese. I left my yogurt for later, but wasn't hungry before leaving. Yeah! Oh, and NO SODA POP today!! Whoo Hoo! Go, me! I drank my coffee and sweet tea that I took with me in the morning.

Grabbed my kiddos right after work and went straight to the gym and onto an eliptical machine. 20 minutes later switched to a bike, then after another 15 minutes there went with Stef to do some arms and abs. We went outside, where no one seemed dare go, and flipped some of those big honking tires like you see on THE BIGGEST LOSER. There was this one and it was just too stinking heavy, so even though I tried ... it gets to stay right there and rest a little bit longer. Hee Hee. I did find a smaller one (still good size, like 4' in diameter) that I could lift up and throw around for a bit. It was kind of fun flopping that big ol' thing around. THEN ... I started kicking that body thingee with my foot and just kept kicking and kicking and kicking! It was so much fun to kick! Felt really good to workout. That's 3 days in a row! Total workout today was about 1 1/2 hours. Yeah!!!

Happily home, I grilled up some yummy sammies (Rachel Ray's term that I love!) for the fam. Choice of meats (turkey, turkey pastrami, honey ham) and cheeses (cheddar, mozzarella, pepperjack). Too bad the bread I intended to use had gone bad and were molding in the pantry, but luckily I had some honey wheat in there we could use. Sliced avocado, tomato, and mixed salad greens for me. Can I tell you how much I *love* using my George Foreman grill?!?!?! So fast and easy and healthy! Here's a picture to make your mouth water! We had it with leftover baked beans or pasta salad from last night's supper. Super yum and super quick.

So we got done in time to watch the latest episode of NCIS - my fave show! Dishwasher going. Kids' lunches made for school tomorrow. Blog updated. And there's still stuff recording on the DVR and NCIS: Los Angeles to follow on the television. Oh, yeah, y'all ... me likey!

Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday to my blog! It was just born. Welcome to the world, little blog of mine. I've named you "a coffee lover's life" because of how much I love coffee (and what was available, and what I could think of to name you). {giggles} I don't know what this will be like, but it's worth a try. No regrets! I hate regret. I had pondered starting a blog, so here you are. This is something I thought of to try for myself with the New Year here.

I plan to share information on a lot of things that I've learned in life, from family and friends, things shared from friends, magazines, websites, and such. It could be a lot of fun. Time will tell. Hopefully readers will come. And hopefully information will be useful to someone. You just never know who and what will affect anyone/everyone. So I'll type and share and see how it goes.

Coupons. Cooking. Health and Fitness. Crafting - Scrapbooking, Papercrafting, Sewing, and so much more. Baking. Decorating. Homemade this and that. Organization. Gardening. Cleaning. Family. Education. Budgets. Shopping. "Me" time. Friends. Gift giving. Home. And who knows what else will come up?!