Tip of the day

>> Monday, April 11, 2011


Always look for coupon codes before ordering stuff online! I just got free shipping and 10% off of orders I made for supplies for Mother's Day presents this morning.

I usually just type the name of where I'm ordering from followed by "coupon" or "coupon code" in the little search box at the top of my internet window. More often than not the codes I've used have come from retailmenot.com.

I know this isn't a new concept by any means, more of a reminder in case you have forgotten. I like saving money!

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101 Things in 1001 Days

>> Tuesday, February 22, 2011


Well, it's only been 3 months since I wrote this list... I kept meaning to post it on here, to hopefully keep myself accountable, as well as giving myself something to blog about. We've finished 11 goals so far, which isn't bad, right? Thanks, Autumn, for teaching me how to do strike-throughs! That'll give you an idea of some of the things I'll be blogging about next, if I can ever get into the groove.

So, without further adieu, here are 101 things I want to do in the next 1001 (well, less than that now) days. Ready, set, cheer me on!

Start date: January 1, 2011
End date: September 28, 2013

Home
1.Book storage in W's room
2. Magnet boards in W room
3. Curtains in W room
4. Kitchen curtains
5. Paint chairs
6. Recover kitchen seats
7. Dining pendant makeover
8. Install kitchen knobs
9. Refinish kitchen table
10. Living room curtains
11. LR pillow covers
12. Make desk
13.Paint den
14. Decorate den
15. Paint hallway
16. Paint kids BR
17. Paint/decorate master BR
18. Paint/decorate master bedroom
19. Headboard
20. Paint front door
21. Plant bushes in front yard
22. Build shoe shelf for closet
23. Decorate baby room
24. Master nightstands
25. End table LR
26. Paint/decorate laundry room
27. Fill holes in walls
28. Get more seating
29. Clean all blinds
30. Fix side door
31. Recover high chair
32. Touch up scratched furniture
33. Bed throw pillows
34. Fix sliding door
35. Clean carpets 2x/year
36. Pull all weeds in planters
37. Unpack all boxes/organize
38. New change jar
39. Mini mudroom area

40. Outdoor furniture
41. Hallway Gallery wall

Crafty Endeavors
42. Quilt for W bed
43. Family rules/motto art
44. Silhouette art
45. Crochet something
46. Improve photography skills
47. Finish husband’s mission scrapbook
48. Start/catch up on family scraphook
49. Learn to make bread
50. Make J’s stocking
51. Make quiet book
52. Make file folder/laminated activities
53. Perfect a cheesecake
54. Learn to can--can fruit
55. Make and can applesauce
56. Make and can jam
57. Finish quilt camp quilt and have quilted
58. Make a family cookbook
59. Finish star quilt
60. Make stamped jewelry with sterling silver
61. Give homemade gifts when possible
62. Start an Etsy shop

Personal
63. Build up food storage
64. Exercise 3x/week for 2 months
65. Make cleaning schedule--do 2 months
66. Make budget plan and keep
67. Potty train at least 1 boy
68. Read the Book of Mormon 2x
69. Write in journals regularly
70. Learn to play a song on the piano
71. Read 20 books including:
72. 2 classics
73. 2 church books
74. 2 nonfiction/informational
75. In bed by 11pm for 1 month
76. Make bed everyday for 1 month
77. Ride bikes
78. Volunteer somewhere
79. Memorize a poem
80. Rememorize Articles of Faith
81. Memorize 3 scriptures
82. Run a 5k
83. Update 72-hour kits (add kids’ ones)
84. Invite someone over for dinner x15
85. Go to the temple 1x/month for 6 months

Family

86.Go camping
87. Go on a hike
88. See the Grand Canyon
89. Get a nice picture of Christ for our home
90. Make home video DVDs
91. Go to a waterpark
92. Go to Tucson
93. Go shopping in Scottsdale
94. Go to a Diamondbacks game
95. See the Mesa Temple Christmas lights
96. Go to the zoo
97. Go to a museum
98. Go to Disneyland
99. Go to a concert or play
100. Make homemade baby food
101. Make another 101 in 1001 list

I even printed out a copy to hang up so that when I'm bored I can remember the things I want to get done. Hmm...maybe I should hang it up next to the computer, since that's where I waste the most time...

What are your goals? Are any of them the same as mine? I'd love to hear about them! I'll cheer you on, if you cheer me on!

(And now I'm going to go lie down since both of my boys are sleeping! Yes!)

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What's been going on...

>> Monday, February 21, 2011

I've been on an extended hiatus from this blog, so kudos to you, if you are actually reading this! For a while I just decided it wasn't worth my time to post on here anymore (which is probably still true...) but lately I just keep thinking, "Oh, I could put that on the blog," so I'm just going to go with it!

I wrote a 101 Things in 1001 Days list this year instead of my regular New Year's resolutions, and have been meaning to post it for the last month and a half. Maybe if I keep track of it on this blog, I'll feel a little accountability and actually remember to look at the list once in a while, and get something done! I'll try to post it soon, and you can see what I'm working on for the next 2.5 years. :)

But here's what I've been working on lately:


This sweet little boy is a month old today (though he was only 8 days in this picture). We are loving him!

My 2 year old is loving him a little too much... He keeps trying to pick him up when I'm not looking. Today I ran (literally) out of the room to put something away, and ran back just in time to see Big Brother pick up then accidentally drop Baby Brother! I'm pretty sure I screamed. The baby seems to be fine though. Good thing 2 year olds aren't very tall, so he didn't have far to fall.

I love this little boy! Even if he is constantly getting into mischief.

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Free CUTE patterns!

>> Tuesday, December 21, 2010

It's Caroline, I'm hijacking Elizabeth's blog again to spread the word about Home Spun Threads. Right now she is offering super cute patterns to download from her shop for (my favorite price) FREE! Check it out now, it won't last forever!

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Halloween Preview!

>> Friday, October 29, 2010

Okay, I apologize for the poor quality of the picture (sent it to my email from my phone!) and the rushed manner of this post, but I just wanted to take a minute (literally) and post about the homemade Woody costume I made for my 2-year-old boy this year!

It was touch and go there for a bit, but I think it came together so cute! I can't wait for him to put it on this afternoon for our first of 3 Halloween parties we'll be going to today and tomorrow! What do you think?

The sheriff badge, belt buckle, holster and boots are all made from craft foam (either hot glued or stapled together...let's hope it all lasts till tomorrow!). For the boots I just made two cylinders and cut the V shape int he front. He'll wear his brown tennis shoes, and just slip the "boots" over his pants. I made the vest out of white fabric I painted cow spots onto. The shirt I made by painting the plaid and buttons on with some of that fabric paint with the skinny tip.

My husband and I are going to be Slinky Dog! Still throwing that one together though! I'll try and post a picture of that tomorrow.

I'm linking this post up to Fun on A Dime's October Fun Challenge!

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What's your poison?

>> Monday, October 18, 2010

Lately I feel like I need to wear a gas mask when I clean the bathrooms. Because, ironically, the bathroom is about a million times smellier while I'm cleaning it than it is between cleanings. It's not the smell that's really bothering me, I guess, it's the fact that I'm sure something that something that smelly can't really be very good to be around...

So, I want to know, what do you use to clean your bathrooms?

I currently have a handy tote full of cleansers and sprays that I take from one bathroom to the next on bathroom cleaning day... Right now it's got some Fantasik bathroom spray, Lysol toilet bowl cleaner, Clorox wipes, store brand blue glass cleaner, and a bottle of The Works tub and shower spray (which I just used for the first time--not only was I worried my nose hairs were being singed by the chemical smell of it, but it didn't seem to make my shower look a bit cleaner).

I don't mind the wipes, bowl cleaner and glass cleaner so much, but I want to find a better solution for the tub and counter/sink that will get the job done without poisoning me in the process.

I've thought of trying the homemade route, but I always worry I'll go to all that work for something that either doesn't make my bathroom look clean, or doesn't actually get it clean (disinfecting all the dirt, grime, and bodily whatnots that happen in a bathroom...). Any thoughts on this?

I've thought about (but not yet seriously considered) something like the Shaklee cleaning system that professes to be both economical and safe to use. Has anyone tried this?

So, please leave a comment, tell me what you use, what you like, love (or dislike for that matter), and any other tidbit that might help me decide how to clean my bathroom without having to invest in one of these:

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Guest Blogging: Fun On A Dime

>> Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Today I'm blog swapping with Michelle from Fun On A Dime! She has a great blog with lots of fantastic ideas for inexpensive family fun! She was kind enough to share one of her fun projects on my blog today! Thanks, Michelle!

Hi my name is Michelle (aka the Fun On A Dime Lady) from Fun On A Dime. If you are looking for some inexpensive fun for the whole family, you should come over and check out the fun we are having. There are a lot of yummy recipes, crafts, games, and many more fun ideas to keep you and your entire family busy. Come join the fun!

Now onto the fun!

We made these while we were discussing hands and feet, but I think they would make a great present for any mom, dad, or grandparent or great as a keepsake! Super easy to make and the kids had fun decorating them after they dried.








What You Need:

  • 2 c. flour

  • 1/2 c. salt

  • 3/4 c. warm water

  • Large bowl

  • Mixing spoon

  • Baking Sheet

  • Rolling pin or solid cup (I prefer the cup to the rolling pin)

  • Food coloring (optional)


**makes enough for one foot and hand print together or two separate hand/footprints

Directions:
Step 1: Mix ingredients together in a bowl. If the dough is a little dry add water a little at a time. **optional** Mix in food coloring to color the dough.

Step 2: Make a ball of dough, then flatten it to about a one-inch thickness in the shape of a circle. I recommend sticking to the 1 inch thickness. I tried to do less than an inch thick and once the hand/foot prints were finished, it was very thin on the bottom.

Step 3: Place the dough on a baking sheet, if you have not already. Put the baking sheet on a hard surface like a tile floor or pavement. Press the hand and/or foot into the dough to make an imprint. I pressed on every toe and finger and made sure their palm/heel got a good push into the dough.








Step 4: If you want to add a name or a date, the easiest way is to use a toothpick and poke words/date in with many little dots. I tried a few different ways (knifes and dragging the toothpick) and it just kept tearing the dough. (see below picture)


Step 5: Bake at 325 degrees in the oven until hard or let it air dry a couple of days. Once baked, it comes off the pan easily. I recommend baking. I baked one of them right away and let the other two air dry. The one I left in the oven I finally took it out after 30 min and let air dry the rest of the way (it probably could have baked another 10-15 min). The other two started to color oddly and stick to the pan while air drying after a couple of days, so I threw them in the oven for 20 minutes to bake. They get brown underneath but not on top and they didn't stick to the pan once baked.






This is what it looked like after it was finished baking




Step 6: Paint and decorate as you like. I like to let them paint with cue tips, then I do not have to worry about them damaging the few brushes we have while they are painting on this hard surface.










Step 7: Get excited about what you were able to create! **Warning** Mold will break when tossed! After this picture was taken, my son was so excited that he tossed his mold onto the table without thinking about it and it cracked. = ( He now knows to be careful!








Enjoy!

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