to move or not to move - that is the question???

So we have been thinking a lot about our pro's and con's with this whole moving situation. Right now we are leaning more towards not moving just yet. this is a huge relief to me right now, as I was feeling so very overwhelmed with the whole thing. Nothing is set in stone and there is a chance something may change - AGAIN. But for now, I am going to spend the summer with the kids doing fun stuff. continue organizing and getting rid of things.

Today is day 13 of our ~ No Eating Out for 30 Days ~ Challenge and so far so good! Yesterday I made: Clam Chowder, Baked Potato Soup, a batch of Taco meat, a desert, Pizza Crust Dough and one white chicken pizza (2 more crusts left) and I boiled 18 eggs for egg salad sandwiches. I have never made home made pizza crust before and was amazed at how easy it was! If I can just get my thickness and the shape of the crust right - I don't think I will do it any other way!~

25 DAYS TO GO

5 Days into our no eating out challenge. $0.00 spent!

Thursday I had a car show committee meeting and my son had a baseball game away from home. This is one of the hardest times of the year. All of my meetings are in a restaurant and we have 6 out of 9 baseball games away from home. But so far so good!

Thursday I made dinner early at 4pm so we weren't hungry at the game or my meeting. Of course the boy was hungry after the game, but dad cooked up something for them. Saturday we had a baseball tournament, with the first game starting at 11, then 1 then 4. Luckily it was at our park which is just a couple blocks away! So I came home and made sandwiches and threw together a bean soup in the crock pot.

This week is my big meeting week and I will be eating at the Chamber Luncheon on Wednesday but my meals are already paid for the year by our business.

So far so good. Now I am off to make a grocery list, clip coupons and make a meal menu for the week.

The Sun Goes Down

The Sun Goes Down - New Medicine


The sun goes down,
Now you're coming apart, I keep falling apart.
And the sun comes up,
Now I don't know where to start, I keep falling apart.

And the whole damn world
Keeps on breaking my heart, I don't know where to start.
And I can't have my head in circles,
Round and round and round in circles, yeah.

I'm at the mercy of a wasted love,
And all the things that pass me by,
And everything I used to be,
Is coming back to torture me.

I don't know,
If I'll ever bounce back, if I'll ever get it back,
Go,
Down the end of this road and it never takes me home,

I can't have my head in circles,
Round and round and round in circles, yeah.

I'm at the mercy of a wasted love,
And all the things that pass me by,
And everything I used to be,
Is coming back to torture me.

The promises in all my dreams,
I'm broken now, it's all I see.

Don't you lie to me,
I know that I'm not free,
Don't you lie to me,
I know that I'm not free.

[Guitar Solo]

I'm at the mercy of a wasted love,
And all the things that pass me by,
And everything I used to be,
Is coming back to torture me.

My eyes are blind and all I see
As all the world laughs at me,
A darkened light cries out for me,
I wish everyone would let me be.

The sun goes down,
I keep coming apart, I keep falling apart 

That Dirty "M" word

MOVING - ugh I thought we were done. We seriously had decided to stay in this house  (insert little boy from the movie The Sandlot) FOR EV ER. My oldest is 7 years away from 18, Bailey is only two years behind that. We wanted to travel and be able to have the freedom to do what we please, when we please, and we could do that in this house.

We are just now coming to the conclusion that this was never our house, wish we would have come to that conclusion before we put a crap load of money into our "rental."  I do hope my "mother" just saying that word makes me throw up in my mouth a little, enjoys all the upgrades to this house. Of course I don't think she will because I don't see how she can pay the mortgage payment without a J.O.B.

On the up side we have found a beautiful NEW construction home- bigger mortgage, less projects, I am all for it. After going through the receipts of all the projects, upkeep on this house - sod, sprinklers, construction, concrete, fencing, etc, we could pretty much double our mortgage payment. The new house has it all and more.

So for now - I am stressing, packing, cleaning, organizing, stressing some more, getting ready for a HUGE yard sale and stressing some more.
The kids are both wrecks. They will be going to new schools in a new much larger town. I am trying to be as patient as possible. I honestly think this will be a great change. I think it will be easier for me to make the changes that I have been wanting to make in my life. I know that my kids will be fine and I wouldn't consider making this move if I didn't.

I am going to focus on the positive:
* NEW house
*3 bedroom 2 full bath (in working order)
*3 car garage
* Fully fenced, mature lawn, auto sprinklers
*pantry, linen closet, coat closet-three things that this house lacks that I would LOVE!
* house has a country feel, while still being in a sub-division meaning it has a paved street, sidewalks, etc
* larger city with more than one grocery store, that stays open later than 8pm!
*PIZZA DELIVERY!! to my DOOR! awesomeness!

I am hoping to move at the end of July giving me plenty of time to get packed, move, unpack and get settled before the kids start their new school on August 17th.
My courage for the week:

Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

30 tough days

Today begins day one of NO EATING OUT. 30 days and we are not going to eat out. My son begins his baseball season tomorrow and we have a ton of away games. Time to get creative!

Changes

Sometimes things are just completely out of our control. For me #1 was falling in love with my husband. I am 100% sure and positive that The Big Guy had everything to do with THAT situation. Number #2 was when we moved to Idaho in 2006, I know that He moved us here so I could be here for my step-dad and little sister when he had his triple bypass heart surgery and when my mom left, or came back and left again, and again, and well you get the picture.

"He" is at it again and it looks like we are moving North about 50 miles to Mountain Home Idaho. A Military town of about 15,000 people. My husband is going to be taking a full time job at the base he currently works at and this will put us right in between that job and the business we still own here.

We are working on buying a house and I am trying to not get too excited. I always hate that falling on face when you get your hopes up about something and then you are brought crashing down to reality! I am leaving it up to The Big Guy because he knows whats best for our family. He has already convinced me so far! More to come.

Happy Mothers Day

Today has been a good day. I think the best thing has been that it has been just like every other
Sunday where we just hang out and relax. My family didn't go out of their way to make it over the top. Extra hugs and the kids are better about doing things the first time I ask, but I like that all of our relaxing Sundays feel like Mothers Day!

Mothers day is tough for me, I no longer have a relationship with my mom and yet she is still in my life. My little sister has been raised by her dad which is my step-dad and my family. She is 16 and one of my best friends! I seriously don't know what I would do without her! And I am so very proud of the Lady she is growing up to be. I know today is hard for her and I understand.

I have been super busy organizing my life! I will have pictures to come soon. I have been going through everything!! If I don't have a place for it, I either find a place or I donate it. I have been organizing my totes and putting vinyl on them to mark what is in each of them. I am not finished but already feel so much better!

What I am doing is not just organizing and cleaning but this process is very emotional too. I was raised by a mother who believes heavily in retail therapy.Usually yard sale, flea market, antique store, retail therapy. Always with the intention of  "resale" which never seemed to happen. The salt and pepper shakers, sugar containers, plates, bowls, knick knacks all added up until she just couldn't take it anymore and she left.

I know that hoarding is not genetic - but even the small amount of stuff that my household has been holding onto has become oppressive. It makes me physically ill and I find myself shutting down. I made a decision about two weeks ago to do something about it!

Last week we cleaned out our storage unit and what a relief that was!! It was just a great feeling to take a full truck load to the donation trailer and fill a dumpster with stuff. Stuff I no longer had to hold onto just because I at one time payed money for it so it must be worth money now. Or because I could resell it in a yard sale or at a booth in the flea market - which I never do because I don't like to! But my mom did! ugh!

I am not my mother. I would never willingly leave my children! I will not keep things I no longer need. I will no longer engage in retail therapy where I buy things I do not need to make me feel better at the time. I will finish this project! Happy Mothers Day!

A little compassion

Tonight after a full day of watching coverage of the Royal Wedding - what a fairy tale!! My daughter Bailey who is 9 and my son Quinton who is 11 found ourselves watching Dateline's coverage of the Tornado that whipped through Alabama. We were shocked at the devastation.

I asked my daughter if she would be willing to help me put together a box of goods to send. Bailey is my child who is always making cards and gifts for people- my super thoughtful child. She promptly went and got a box to begin filling. I read them a list of thing that would be good to send. Both kids headed to their rooms and came out with a few items that were in good shape: hats, belts, boxer shorts, t-shirts and a wind breaker jacket.

We then went upstairs to my drawer of travel items. Last year we stayed in many a hotel and I always take the comp toiletries! We went through my new storage area with lots of free or almost free items!

This is what we managed to grab:

 I was surprised we were able to fit all that stuff in those three boxes! The kids also decided to send a portion of their money in their savings, I told them that I would match whatever they decided to send. Both kids said it felt pretty good to be able to help. I hope that this is just the beginning of the help we can give!

This is where we are sending our goods:
http://www.couponingtodisney.com/2011/04/29/how-to-help-tornado-victims-in-alabama-via-an-online-donation-drive-update/

Shopping trip

I don't fancy myself an "extreme" couponer, but I am pretty pleased with my shopping trip tonight and thought I would share it with everyone.

The following is what I got for free:

Most of the stuff I got at Target. I love how you can stack coupons there. There were a few other deals I took advantage of that I did not take pictures of. I took advantage of the Huggies deal and got three packages of Huggies for 8.99 each, received a $5.00 gift card which I used on my second transaction. I used three $2.00 coupons and paid a total of $15.97 or 5.32 per package. I have two sister-in-laws and a couple of friends that have babies on the way as well as my grand baby, and diapers make great gifts! I bought all packages in size 1 since they have the highest count of diapers in the package (50 versus 36) Someone told me that babies stay in the size one the longest too.

Another deal I took advantage of was the Claritin. Both of my kids take Claritin everyday as do I. I buy my allergy meds at Costco. The Kirkland brand is only $12.99 and there is 300 tablets to a bottle. Normal price for the instant dissolve tablets are $9.24 with coupon I spent $5.31. I had three coupons so I bought three boxes, totalling $15.93. Not bad, I just wish that was more than one months worth! The other kid takes the chewables and they come 20 to a box - but they have to chew two! The chewables are usually15.99, they were on ad for 14.39, I received $6.00 off so I paid $8.39.

I signed up for the Target Red debit card tonight. every time I use it I will save 5%. All you need is a blank check and your ID. Tonight I saved $5.80! in addition to my $0.20 for taking my own bags.

Below is my after Easter stock up also bought at Target:

Retail value of all the Easter stuff is: $77.80.  I paid a total of $21.33!! This includes 4 pairs of women's socks - perfect for my daughters Easter basket next year. 4 sets of plates, a tablecloth, Pixos, 7 egg decorating kits - including a Disney kit and a Star Wars kit, a stuffed dog, candy, two baskets hard back book for my unborn grandson! and other little things.

I look to many blogs for my information on all the great coupon deals and one that I just found and really enjoy is: http://www.couponingtodisney.com/

She is located in Alabama and her town along with several others have been devastated with the tornados. This weekend I am going to put together a box of donation items to send East.

Here is just one way you can help: http://www.couponingtodisney.com/2011/04/28/how-to-help-tornado-victims-in-alabama-via-an-online-donation-drive/

TGIF!
Jasmine

Master Bedroom

Our master bedroom is upstairs and runs almost the full length of the house. Here is our stairwell. I would like to pull off all the nasty carpet and stain the treads a dark wood color - you know like all the hot bloggers are doing (or have done!)

Please disregard the mis-matched frames and photos. Another project - another blog post!

I think the people who lived here before put on the sheet rock mud with a paint roller and then didn't knock down the points. I have seriously cut my knuckles and cut my head on these little points SOOOO I took a putty knife to the wall before I painted it!

After: not perfect but much better!

Warm Caramel by Glidden

If you look at the right of the picture you can see that I have started the dark brown color on the bottom half of the wall. I can not decide if I want to bring the Caramel color up and over the ceiling or just to the ceiling. What would you do? I will hopefully have more photos soon. I have been trying to decrapify my room!



My "new" fruit room

We have this dark hole under our kitchen. It has narrow little stairs,you have to go outside to access the door, the walls are made of stone. the shelves are put together with scraps. IT IS FULL OF SPIDERS! Needless to say we have lived in our house for over 4 years and I have never used the room!

I started couponing and I have started to amass quite a collection of free items and "stock"  I started with a shelf that I bought at Target. It has five shelves on it. It filled up very quickly with baby items, cleaners, toiletries, etc...

Sunday night my Husband, wonderful man that he is, helped me clean the dungeon fruit room. and I filled it it with goods!! and I have room to spare - although not much!

My husband then took that black shelf and cut it down so we could fit it in the fruit room. I now have a place for all my paint! It won't get to hot in the summer in the garage, or freeze  in the winter. It will be all organized! Now I just have to pack it all down there! :)

Here are some pictures of my fruit room that I like now. Thank you husband! Best Easter gift ever!

a change of heart

I was pretty sure I was going to give up on blogging. I was positive this just wasn't for me. Life is too busy. Life is too complicated. But I really need an outlet, especially these days. So here I go, prepare yourself.

We moved my step-son here with his pregnant girlfriend March 1st.  We didn't realize that she had a bench warrant for her arrest. She acted like she wanted to take care of it.  19 days of living here and then she went to her moms for Spring Break and was supposed to turn herself in, get bailed out and then we would help her with her fine. She never came back, nor has she taken care of her issues. My step-son moved back to Utah on the 9th of this month. They are living with his mom who is okay with them not taking care of these issues, which is why they moved here in the first place! It was an emotional month. I know that with them living there I don't have much chance of being any part of this babies life.

It is nice however to have my house back to ourselves. My kids seem to have gone through their emotional roller coaster - the one they always go through when their brother moves here - life is turned upside down - brother moves away - etc...

Two weeks ago our business partner came home and decided he didn't like the way I was running the business and fired me. seeing as how we both own the same amount of the company - I am pretty sure he can't fire me. However I am pretty much ready for a break and so now I am home with conflicting emotions. I miss my job. It is our bread and butter and not taking a paycheck is painful. Being home is weird.

I am not sure if it the weather or all the changes but I am a bit of a wreck. Finding motivation is like looking for a four leaf clover in a field of green. Don't get me wrong I have gotten a few projects done and I am pleased with the progress I am making but some days it is really hard to get on with life.

Today was one of those days. It was windy,cold, rainy and hailed too. I had all day. I could have gotten a lot done. I did not.

Tomorrow is another day and I vow to make it a good one. I have been trying to eat good. I have been exercising 3 times a week, dropped my caloric intake to 1300 calories...stopped drinking alcohol and soda. Haven't lost an ounce! I thought I would lose a pound or two just from switching from soda to water. Nope. Nada. NOT ONE OUNCE!! ahhhhh!

Tomorrow I will post some photos of a project my husband helped me with last night.I couldn't have done it without him.

If you have read this far, you need to get a life~! j/k! But seriously thanks for reading my drama! I will try and make it up to you with some better posts in the future!

I feel better.

Oh Monday!

So here is a few after pictures that I promised:

The new and improved sink. We were originally going to replace the faucet, but then we were like how can we put this new faucet on that old ugly sink?

I would REALLY REALLY LOVE to replace the cabinet doors - but that is NOT in any budget I have! I would be content to paint them but I am really not sure where to begin - they are not wood - YUCK!

Here we have those ugly candle holders + dinner plates = super cute mini cake stands!!

I didn't take an after photo of my desk turned sewing table - because it was covered with misc stuff and well I just didn't feel like cleaning it off!

(Keep scrolling for the before photos!)

Tomorrow I will post my project I did on Sunday.

Its FRIDAY!!

I am so excited! TO BE GOING home! its almost 7 and I am just now getting ready to leave the office. The plan is to tackle some projects at home this weekend! And as a teaser I am going to leave with some before photos:

Desk - Before

Gross sink in the gross kitchen - Before!

Ugly candle sticks and two little desert plates bought at thrift store - Before!
Check back in with me to see the afters!

PROCRASTINATION

pro·cras·ti·nate

   /proʊˈkræstəˌneɪt, prə-/  [proh-kras-tuh-neyt, pruh-]  verb, -nat·ed, -nat·ing.

–verb (used without object)

1.

to defer action; delay: to procrastinate until an opportunity is lost.

–verb (used with object)

2.

to put off till another day or time; defer; delay.

 

 

This is me not getting any of my goals done this spring break... I have been working just not on those projects. I hate that!

 

Is it Spring Break yet??

I have the best mother-in-law EVER! she is taking my 9 year old and my 11 year old for the week of Spring Break - Beginning Saturday! I SOOOO need a break. Just some peace and quiet. Some time to get caught up. Some time all to myself. Maybe a trip to the spa, get my nails done...

YEAH RIGHT! I have a CRAP LOAD of things to do, finish, START!

Goal #1 Get little sister - (who has left to go on a trip to Ireland, England and Wales - BRAT!) Get her room emptied and painted. This is a HUGE project! Her room is HUGE and full of STUFF - Most of it she no longer wants or has just plain grown out of so I have to box up, clean and move it to the other room and THEN I can begin painting. she wants stripes just like the ones I did in my living room. See below: But she wants the stripes in Purple and Silver. (she is 16)

This photo was in 2008 and boy have things changed! I will have to post about that!

Goal#2 Finish work in Bathroom - entails more painting. (caulking, filling holes, more painting)

Goal #3 Finish Taxes  I don't even do them I just have to organize a HUGE stack of papers, list all the totals for my accountant!

Goal#4 do not add anything else to the to do list!

WISH ME LUCK!

Coupon Organization

I started "couponing" last summer and I have been trying to find something that holds ALL my coupons - yesterday on a little trip to "town" I found it!

 It has 19 pockets, is long enough to hold coupons without folding them and I think it's pretty too!

I made a list of how I seperate my coupons

Then I made labels! Now off I go to fill it with savings!

Getting caught up.

I am currently cleaning out my craft/office room, garage, laundry room and I have some serious Spring Fever. The last two weeks I have spent in the car - Dr appointments, meeting after meeting, running the kids to appointments, and when I didn't HAVE to go somewhere - I did NOTHING. So now I am cleaning looking at projects. The Husband and I went out in the backyard and went over plans for laying railroad ties and filling spots with fill dirt.
I just confirmed the kids are going to Grandmas for Spring Break! How I love my Mother-In-Law! I have plans for some board and batten, painting and I am sure lots of working late!
I should have some photos tomorrow!

Moving Day

This is what we are doing this weekend

Moving these three (my Grandbaby is in there too!) from Utah to Idaho. Lucky for us all their stuff fit into the horse trailer. We have moved enough times that we consider ourselves professionals so this was cake!

Nobody got one of these!

I am really trying to get to where I can get some crafty stuff done! Maybe this next weekend! Thanks for stoppin by

I'm Back!

So sorry to leave ya'll hangin! In January I had a pesky gall bladder removed from my guts and just as I was feeling good - I got the flu. Luckily this last weekend we were able to get away on a small family vacation to a cabin in the mountains.

This was my view from my leather recliner with my electric blanket! I didn't move from this spot all that often!

Ahhhh. Coffee and a book.



We got a kick out of the slot machines. Little Miss B must have the magic touch because she cleaned the one machine out!

Kids did lots of playing in the snow! And Dutchess followed them everywhere they went, not letting the kids out of her sight!

We didn't leave the cabin until evening - getting us home late, it seems no one really wanted to leave! I am thankful for a long weekend to recharge and relax.

It's a good thing too, because these next couple of months are going to be an uphill battle!

an open letter to the flu

Please leave! Now! and don't even think about making my kids sick!

Sincerely,
Jasmine

*going back to my couch now. hope to see you all soon!

NEED vs WANT

So I am working on what I NEED vs what I WANT and frankly I NEED the hardware above this door! I have a door, oh yeah!

http://www.whisperwoodcottage.com/

I am gonna put Papa R (the dad) on this mission! He is all about finding "stuff" at auctions and such!

Simplify

This is the quote I have at the very beginning of my home management binder!

I think Marjorie Hinkley is a dang smart woman! I don't know her personal history, I don't know her at all actually, but I have a quote from her and I am going to read it everyday!

" We women have a lot to learn about simplifying our lives. We have to decide what is important and then move along at a pace that is comfortable for us. We have to develop the maturity to stop trying to prove something. We have to learn to be content with what we are. As you create a home, don't get distracted with a lot of things that have no meaning for you or your family. Don't dwell on your failures, but think about your successes. Have joy in your home. Have joy in your children. Have joy in your husband. Be grateful for the journey."
                                           Marjorie P Hinkley

Home Management Binder

I am participating in A bowl full of lemons weekly organization challenge and Week #1 is the home management binder.

I worked on it over the weekend and this is what I came up with:

 I bought the binder at Office Max and I can't wait to dust off my vinyl cutter and fancy it up!

The inside pocket will hold the "right now" paperwork. The first page is a fabulous quote that I will share with you in another post.

My tabs are just post it notes stuck on because I wanted to be able to move things around if I didn't like the order and I am glad I did it that way because I want to move "Finances" up.

Currently I have the following tabs:

To Do

Finances

Calendar

Cleaning 

Menu Planning

School

Contacts

Vacation

RevvNRG (a business of ours)

I have a few open places just in case I need to add

Medical is a little different - Each member has a sheet protector with a copy of his/her birth certificate and social security card ( I actually made a few copies of the card and the certificate together and put 4 copies for each person) Then in each sheet protector goes their immunization card, health insurance card, dental insurance card and military ID card (for our kids)

A few of these sections will take me a little while to get used to. The cleaning list section I am thinking of laminating a few lists so the kids can take a list for a room and go to town cleaning!

The menu planning is empty right now, but I really like the system my friend Peggy uses. I tried it before and it really was easy and worked so I am going to try that again. I will share when I find something that works!

I am super excited that my important stuff is now all together! Now whatever doesn't go in the binder will need to be filed - THAT is a whole other post for sure! But I am pleased my desk piles are now cleared!

This is my 2011 resolutions and they go something like this:
#1 Purge and organize house & business so that there is more time to enjoy life
#2 Get Fit - excercise regularly, eat better, continue to drink more water (I just recently stopped drinking soda!!) My ideal weight is 125 - I am currently (I can't believe I am gonna post this!) 188 so my goal is to lose 63 pounds!
#3 Get financially fit.

I am going to go work on some spreadsheets for my binder now! Happy Monday!

Need organization now....

I feel like a thirsty person, trudging through the desert under the hot sun...."need organization." huff puff, dry mouth... "need organization now"

this is my desk at work: (one of them)

See that pile of paperwork on the right hand corner? My husbands military schedule is in there somewhere. Also in that pile: receipts - personal and business, coupons, these cute little lunchbox notes that I really want to cut out and put in my kids lunches, Bills, tax paperwork, registration stickers for our motorcycles, (I am facebooking my aunt for her mailing address that she has given me at least three times already!) and this cool 2011 Resolution packet that I printed off from : http://www.howdoesshe.com/how-to-set-achievable-goals 

I actually filled it out last night COMPLETELY!  My number 1 goal : GET ORGANIZED!!

Here is my other desk:

I can't even begin to tell you what this stuff is, I'm too embarrased.

A little bit about WHY I want to be more organized. The paperwork is killing me! I look at my piles and just shut down!
These are the "hats that I wear":

MOM

Wife

Business owner (currently own & run 3 of them)

Sec. Chamber of Commerce

Director Library Board

Treasurer of local Youth Athletics

Director of Baseball Ages 4-15

I have 2 grade school aged kids that are both very active: Football, dance, baseball, boy scouts etc.

I have a 15 year old sister that is like my first child. She is very active and we love to go to movies, concerts, and shopping of course!

I have a Step-son who lives in Utah. He will be 18 this month and is making us Grandparents in August! (that is a whole other post blog!)

My husband and I run our 8-6 Monday through Friday Business together. So I work full time, but have the advantage of being the boss which allows me to make my own schedule. Down fall: I can sit and blog all day and not actually work because I am the BOSS!

My husband is also in the Military.

We LOVE to travel - so that makes me the Travel Agent

I plan all parties and events - Event Planner

I pay all the bills and do all of the budgeting.

I have a lot on my plate and right now it is all in one big heap! I like my paperwork just like the food on my plate - all seperated into neat little piles!

So I have decided to link up to a bowl full of lemons and commit to her weekly challenges. #1 is the Family/Home binder which I plan on putting together this weekend while the hubs is working for Uncle Sam.

Have a Wonderful weekend and Thanks for Stopping by!

 

Guest House before and afters

Here are some more guest house before and after pics.

and after we painted and did a little decorating:

We have big plans for this little cottage this summer! Can't wait to show you!