Wednesday, April 1, 2015

It's the first of the month!

 Remember that song? Oh, Bone Thugs N' Harmony...There are few things that I like to get done the first week of every month. They are really for my own sanity and peace of mind, so I try to make time to get these things done or else they just seem to build up and haunt me!


1. Organize the bills and file everything from last month-- We keep all of our ever important papers in one place. They used to be spread out all over the house at one point when we lost our office, but I could never find anything. One day we were at Brien's parents and I noticed this little organizer hanging in the mud room," I said oohh where did you get that?" and the next time the in-laws came for a visit this came with them! I was super jazzed!
I put things to file away in the top, coupons, magazines and catalogues in the next, important papers and mail and in the third and the bottom has all of the month's bills that need to get paid.


2. Update the calendar in the mud room--
I picked up this bad boy on a Hobby Lobby trip during spring break. I had been keeping a paper copy on our message board but I rarely looked up to see it. So I think this will work much better!
                                                        
                                                                             So sad!

3. Download all of last months pictures-- If you are like me (or my mom) I have a weird thing about deleting pictures off my phone or camera. I looked one time and I had 800 on my phone and over 1500 on my little camera card. I have this irrational fear that they will disappear forever if I save them in another location. It always seemed like whenever I was trying to catch a kodak moment, that the camera would suddenly say "data card full" or "not enough  data to take a photo" and I had to quickly erase 5 or 10 pictures that I had no idea if they were saved or not, just to make some emergency space! In order to avoid this, or at least happen less often, I always down load them onto a memory stick and then upload them to Walgreens photo. I have like five flash drives stashed in a drawer just in case the house burns down in the middle of the night! Walgreens is great because it seems to have an unlimited amount of space and you can print them off right away (something else I am terrible at!)
                                                      Air Optix Aqua Contact Lens- 6 lenses per box
4. Change Contacts-- It's no secret. I am blind. Blind, as the day is long. When I lived in Texas I had those super amazing contacts that you can wear all day and night for weeks on end without changing them. When I moved to the oxygen-less, desert of Colorado, I tried to keep doing this. I could stretch a 6 month supply of contacts into 2 years, in the humid bliss that is Texas. But when I moved back home, I had so many problems with my eyes, it was horrible. So much for cutting corners. In order to keep my peepers from being infected I had to start changing them once a month. Since then, I have had minimal problems and I am probably saving my eyeballs from further trauma!

                                          
5. Get a new razor--Just like the contacts, I was trying to make razors last months. BAD idea ladies. Change that thing!
                            
                                                                   My car seats best friend!


6. Car wash, yeah!--I hate a messy car. I don't spend much time in the car commuting, but when I am in there, I want it clean. So once a month I go to the car wash, vacuum and clean out the old jeep! I have that terrible upholstery that if you spill a drop of water, it looks like someone peed their pants on the seat, gross! Plus I have messy children who spill milk and smash Cap'n Crunch underneath their seats. Nobody needs that in their lives, so I clean!

I am sure there are more quirky things that I do, but these are some of the more normal ways I try to keep my self in order and not go crazy!



Monday, March 30, 2015

Spring Break is over...

The rest of spring break was slightly productive. I hate that when I have a break, I never get anything done. I wish I could either plan things better or be a better relaxer. The rest of the week consisted of hanging out with Kellen and working on little projects that I wanted to complete.

I had some planter boxes that my mom and I found last year on a walk in her neighborhood, The person who made them had left them out so we rescued them with plans to do something with them. Brien was getting sick of them taking up space in the garage, so I decided to refinish them on Tuesday and now they are ready to be hung up!
They are pretty plain, but the wood is in good shape!
I painted them with a light layer of red enamel spray paint and then immediately brushed them over with an old crusty paint brush that was soaked with water to smooth out the splotchy-ness. In retrospect I probably should have just bought a can of red stain, but this came out pretty well.
Now I am just waiting for Brien to finish trimming the trees to hang them on the back fence! I can't wait to plant some stuff in them when the weather gets nice! Finished product coming some time this spring!

Next, on Wednesday, during what can only be called a spring blizzard, Kellen and I spent the morning at Hobby Lobby shopping, and I FINALLY hung my DIY canvases where I wanted them. I think it came out great! 


The big iron scroll that was here got a new home in the guest bathroom and it fits in just fine!
On Thursday, Kellen and I took coffee to Brien and spent the morning playing on tractors at Grandma's and daddy's office!

Licorice or climbing? Life's decisions...

He was so excited to hit all the buttons!
Friday, the big day had finally arrived... The Fairy Tale Ball at Callie's school. Brien took a half day from work and we had a much needed lunch date and then headed to Callie's school for mini-prom. The whole second grade has been practicing for months and learning dances to perform, they even did a waltz to Moon River. It was seriously so cute!
All dressed up and ready to dance the day away!
Callie and her partner dancing, they were precious!
After the daddy daughter dance... Too much adorable-ness! The Ball was a success!
This weekend has been pretty tame. Brien was on call so we stuck close to home and didn't make an big plans. I am so not ready to go back to school, but such as life... How many more days until summer break??











Sunday, March 29, 2015

Thrifty Finds This Month

This month was a great one! I found lotsa steals on my spring break when I had time to enjoy and shop. Just like the RE-store place when I was looking for accessories for our bathroom (big reveal coming soon, we have just a few more little things to finish up) I do better at thrift stores too, because they have a limited selection. When I go to regular stores I am overwhelmed by choices and I end up leaving with nothing.
Here's what I found...
Gap Tee shirt dress $6.99

Candies lace dress $6.99 --I am thinking this will be my Easter dress

New Bronco shirt for the fall! From Victoria's Secret $2.99


Cute little pocket tank from Old Navy $2.99

I was in need of a new yellow stripy tank after mine got bleach on it last summer. Old Navy $2.99

Gap Tank, new with tags! $2.99



Floral tank, Old Navy $2.99

V-neck  tee, Old Navy $2.99

Work out short, Target $2.99

I am so ready to start running again this summer! Last summer Callie, Kellen and I went for a long walk/run everyday and my I needed some new work out pants!
Nike, $3.99

I have never heard of this brand, but these fit like a charm and they don't move and have to be hiked up every couple of blocks when I run!
$3.99

New mint and red belts $1.99 each

Gap dress for Callie, she wants to wear this for Easter $3.99

Some new clothes for the Baby Man, he needed some new shorts and swim trunks and I thought this dino tee was super cute!
That's all for the this month. I hope next month's hunt will be as good!

Friday, March 27, 2015

Decorating for Easter

Yay for Easter and yay for spring. I am ready! Last year I didn't have much in the way of spring decor, but I keep finding cute stuff for chheeaapp! So here we go!
Last year, I made this egg wreath which is currently gracing the front door...
                                                     

I found this super cute bunting at Target for $5!
I feel like I probably could have made this, but not for $5!

Little egg tree! How cute are these?! Another Target dollar spot find!
Again, probably could have made these, but they were $3!!
Jar o'eggs! I have been wanting a huge glass jar forever and then I finally caught it on sale at Hobby Lobby for $20. I can see using this to change out the seasons and putting cute things in it all year! The eggs were also calling my name and they were $2 for an 8 pack!
Kellen want to play with them real bad, this is why they are on a sturdy surface far away from his precious hands. I feel like "Don't touch it, you'll break it!" Will be our motto for awhile round here.

That's all for now. I saw so many cute things, but I will have to add those in over time, I guess. I saw this adorableness at Target and almost bought it... But you will have to wait until next year breakable bunny!

                                           Ceramic Standing Bunny




Thursday, March 26, 2015

Ritz Toffee Bars (Otherwise know as white trash brownies)

This weekend for family dinner, I made this deliciousness. I had to get them out of my house, otherwise I would have eaten the whole dang pan! There is nothing nutritiously redeeming about this dessert, seriously not. one. single. thing.
They are super easy too!

You need:
For the bars:
2 sleeves of Ritz crackers. I went with the low fat kind (healthy?)
1 bag of heath toffee bits
1 can of sweet condensed milk
Frosting in a can or you can make your own, I did!
Frosting:
1 stick of butter room temperature
1/2 cup of shortening
3-4 cups of powdered sugar
1/2 cup of heavy cream


1. Crush up the crackers, we used the standard gallon bag and a rolling pin.
Thanks Super Girl!
2. Pre-heat the oven to 350 and grease up an 8x8 pan.
3. Mix the crushed crackers and toffee bits up with the condensed milk right in the pan, less dishes=good idea!

4. Pop it into the oven for about 10 minutes or until it is solid.
5. Next whip up the frosting. I forgot to take pictures...sooo. Cream together the butter and shortening until it is all smooth in a mixer
6. Gradually add in the powdered sugar.
7. Next, add in splashes of the heavy cream until you get the texture you want.
8. After the bars are cool, add on a thick layer of frosting. I even had some left over, which I am currently eating as a type this!
9. Enjoy, be sure to share, you do not want these sitting around!






Wednesday, March 25, 2015

What I wore Wednesday

This week it has been mostly a t-shirt and jeans or workin'/paintin' clothes, so this was actually some of last weeks choices from school...
What I am hoping will be the last time I wear boots this year!
Cardigan: Target
Tank:?? Thrifted
Jeans: Target
Boots: Target
Belt: from another dress that was probably also from Target

I have not worn this dress in FOREVER! Last year it wasn't fitting so well, the year before I was knocked up, so I am thankful to be able to use it again!
Dress: Francesca's
Cardigan: Old Navy
Tights: Very Jane
Belt: Target
Flats: Target

Warm but springy!
Long sleeve tee: Target
Tank: Target
Scarf: Gift from Callie
Jeans: Target
Flats: Old Navy

And there you have it! See you next week!


Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Spring Break So Far

Well I wouldn't quite call it a break. Although today has been marvelous, but we are off to a good start!
Friday-- We feasted on a pot roast that I had stuck in the crockpot that morning. It was super yummy and easy. See recipe here
Then we played an awesome game of chicken foot...
aanndd I won! I never win, but alas it must have been my night.
Saturday-- While Brien worked on the master bath project, My sister in law, Kellen and I ventured to the habitat for humanity REstore to look for some treasured for our bathroom. It is such a cool place. If you haven't been to one, you should. They have the coolest stuff. I find I do better at places like this, because I have a limited selection it forced me to make a choice. Whereas if I go to Lowes or Home Depot, I am overwhelmed by decisions and I have to go home and think about it and come back. 
I ended up getting a new mirror  for $40 and shades for our new light fixture for $2. I mean let's be real. I would have paid well over $100 for a mirror and those glass shades are like $12 A PIECE! Woohoo for saving!
Don't mind my horribly messy garage...

Since it was such a glorious day the kids played outside for most of it until it was time for family dinner at my parents construction zone...
Callie is OB-sessed with the idea of Brien building her a tree house. We shall see...

Kellen loves his bike. Just sitting on it though, not riding...
Sunday--More trips to the hardware store, but we are in the final stretch! Then Brien's parents came over and his dad helped him almost finish the bathroom. We are so close! More playing outside happened and lots of great family time!
He just saw an airplane! He was so excited, I think he peed his pants screaming about it!
Monday-- Callie played hooky with me and we went to dentist for the first time in forever. Good news we are good brushers so nothing major there. However, Callie has such a small face that they do not know where all her teeth will go, so it might be a turbulent road to straight teeth for this girl. After our crazy long appointment we grabbed some lunch and headed to jumpoline to get some energy out!
Then we headed home and watched Big Hero 6 for the 48th time this week. Then I cleaned out all of our closets that felt good! Much was accomplished!
Tuesday--I am all about relaxing today! I cleaned up the basement a little, went spring thrifty shopping and now I am about to start a little project, that I can't wait to share when the weather warms up!
So far, so good!