Today around the time my youngest goes to Pre K (AKA noon), I started on my project of the day. My Katherine does not enjoy clutter and her room, since it is pretty large, gets to be a dumping ground. Add to that a little sister that brings toys in but rarely takes them back out and new Christmas toys piled on top of the existing toys and you have a mess.
I was feeling bad and also knew things needed sorted out so I decided last night while falling asleep that today was going to be the day.
It took 2 and a half hours to clean it. Bins of summer / winter clothes needed stacked away again. The toy bins needed weeded and organized. The broken lamp needed removed. The toy box needed cleaned out, especially of the toys that she had when she was 2 (she will be six in March).
I am proud of myself. Normally I have a very hard time getting rid of anything (past blogs talked about this) but today I ended up with two bags of trash and three or four boxes of toys donated to the local Goodwill. In fact, and this will be hard to believe if you know me, I have two boxes completely filled of books to get rid of. Those didn't go to Goodwill. They will go to the local branch of the library. They don't really have room for them but they allow me to take them so other patrons may look through them and take what interests them. With the two story times a week I am sure they will find homes in no time.
I also took the time to wash the sheets, pillows, pillow cases, blankets, comforter, and stuffys from her bed. Of course I also flipped the mattress over.
When she came home I told her there was a surprise in her room. She ran upstairs and the next thing I know I hear giggling. I went up and she was laying on the floor (which I vacuumed) laughing. She saw me jumped up with a big smile and hugged me. She LOVES how nice and neat everything is. In fact hubby stopped at the library on his way home from picking them up from school and they got a new Wii game. They were excited to play it at first, but after seeing her room she just wanted to play and spend time in there.
I can not even begin to describe how great I feel. To know that something that seems so small can mean so much to her. She was as excited about this as getting The Ninetendo DS for Christmas from my Aunt and Mom.
So this evening she did go play the game with Ava and Dad and ate dinner. After that though she spent the rest of the night playing in her room. We started by playing marbles, then sat on the fresh smelling bed and "played" the I SPY book, then did a puzzle, followed by learning about the United States with the Tag, drove the McQueen race car, got out the easel and played hang man, drew some pictures, and finally ended the night playing squinkies.
Justin started working on Ava's room this afternoon but I will need to finish it tomorrow. He's not much on the cleaning and organizing as much as pushing everything out to the sides so the majority of the floor is exposed. Ahhh men.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Snow Day
So last night I fell asleep. Does that really count as not blogging everyday since I can write two today? It's that pesky gray area that drives me crazy.
Maybe I was really tired because it finally snowed. My girls were so excited and they even got the day off from school.
There wasn't too much snow fall so we played by making snowballs. Using the snow that was on the car, hubby and I made piles of snowballs which we threw at one another and also the house. See, Ava likes to throw snowballs at people but not have them thrown at her. We kept trying to explain to her that if she throws one at a person they have every right to throw one back. So eventually she decided it was more fun to throw them at the side of the house and see how high she could get them.
Afterward we got a frozen pizza, some chips, and the cookies we baked and went to my mothers for lunch. It's cheaper than eating out. So we get there and make the pizza and hot chocolate. We also brought the game she got the girls for Christmas, Doggy Doo. Yep the game in which the dog poops. My mother is easily humored and we knew after the hilarity we had with it that she would love it. We were right.
After a few rounds of that game we helped Grammie finally take down her Christmas tree. Then we were ready to call it a day since the kids had school today.
I even had hubby make dinner last night. Don't be too impressed it was a frozen family dinner and mac and cheese. Both of which I told him he could make. Also, the dishes and mess are still out there. Blah.
Maybe I was really tired because it finally snowed. My girls were so excited and they even got the day off from school.
There wasn't too much snow fall so we played by making snowballs. Using the snow that was on the car, hubby and I made piles of snowballs which we threw at one another and also the house. See, Ava likes to throw snowballs at people but not have them thrown at her. We kept trying to explain to her that if she throws one at a person they have every right to throw one back. So eventually she decided it was more fun to throw them at the side of the house and see how high she could get them.
Afterward we got a frozen pizza, some chips, and the cookies we baked and went to my mothers for lunch. It's cheaper than eating out. So we get there and make the pizza and hot chocolate. We also brought the game she got the girls for Christmas, Doggy Doo. Yep the game in which the dog poops. My mother is easily humored and we knew after the hilarity we had with it that she would love it. We were right.
After a few rounds of that game we helped Grammie finally take down her Christmas tree. Then we were ready to call it a day since the kids had school today.
I even had hubby make dinner last night. Don't be too impressed it was a frozen family dinner and mac and cheese. Both of which I told him he could make. Also, the dishes and mess are still out there. Blah.
Monday, January 2, 2012
RIP Sir Mix Alot
Nope not the rapper, my electric hand mixer. Tonight I was working on making more cookies since I have the stuff and hate keeping items that are open in my pantry. During the mixing of the first batch of Chocolate Chip Cookies he started making a funny sound and then started to smell hot. (Yes, you can smell hot).
I got this mixer with gift cards from our wedding 6 years ago. I know many people have told me that 5 years into marriage and the wedding gifts start failing. I just didn't expect it.
Now that we have kids plus other circumstances that make money tight, who knows when I will be able to get another mixer. He was $25.00 and I do want to get another like him..... not sure what the new ones name will be. So if anyone reading this works for Black and Decker feel free to send me another Pro Power mixer. Mine was white and gray.
I know there are some negative reviews for this model but I loved it. You also need to read the reviews (I was on Walmart.com ) . Most were complaining that it was too fast even at the lowest speed and therefore would get splattered my the things they were mixing. Let me remind you of the name - Pro Power. I'm thinking, well I know, the splatter factor wasn't that bad. I enjoyed the extra power too.
Another person said theirs broke in 2 months or 2 years? Not sure why. Mine was a trooper. Guessing there was some user error.
My favorite 1 star review came from a woman. She had a B&D mixer in the past and loved it. However, he husband was using it one day and burned up the motor. She went back to B&D since she had loved the previous product. Only this time they had the switches reversed. To her that was horrible and the reason to take it back ASAP. Hahaha seriously? Guess we all know someone who is not going to be very good with adapting to situations.
I finished the dough by mixing with my wooden spoon. When it came time to enjoy the cookies, we took a moment to honor the one that gave himself to making them. To remember Sir Mix Alot while enjoying the last recipe he mixed for us.
I got this mixer with gift cards from our wedding 6 years ago. I know many people have told me that 5 years into marriage and the wedding gifts start failing. I just didn't expect it.
Now that we have kids plus other circumstances that make money tight, who knows when I will be able to get another mixer. He was $25.00 and I do want to get another like him..... not sure what the new ones name will be. So if anyone reading this works for Black and Decker feel free to send me another Pro Power mixer. Mine was white and gray.
I know there are some negative reviews for this model but I loved it. You also need to read the reviews (I was on Walmart.com ) . Most were complaining that it was too fast even at the lowest speed and therefore would get splattered my the things they were mixing. Let me remind you of the name - Pro Power. I'm thinking, well I know, the splatter factor wasn't that bad. I enjoyed the extra power too.
Another person said theirs broke in 2 months or 2 years? Not sure why. Mine was a trooper. Guessing there was some user error.
My favorite 1 star review came from a woman. She had a B&D mixer in the past and loved it. However, he husband was using it one day and burned up the motor. She went back to B&D since she had loved the previous product. Only this time they had the switches reversed. To her that was horrible and the reason to take it back ASAP. Hahaha seriously? Guess we all know someone who is not going to be very good with adapting to situations.
I finished the dough by mixing with my wooden spoon. When it came time to enjoy the cookies, we took a moment to honor the one that gave himself to making them. To remember Sir Mix Alot while enjoying the last recipe he mixed for us.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Starting FlyLady
Today starts a new year but also a new month. I guess since it is the first month FlyLady starts at step one. That's right Shining your sink. Go to her site FlyLady.net, I believe, to see all her stuff. Every month has something to work on the entire month. Shining your sink is also Baby Step one. So no matter when you start sink shining will be your first challenge? I have copied straight from her site on how to do it. I will be shining my sink tonight after the kids are in bed and I know there will be no more dishes.
I posted about this before I believe. Tons of people get a rush of some sort from shining their sink. That never happened to me and I could not understand how they got so happy about it. That is until I did a detailed clean of my stove/oven one day. The thing shined like new and I was so happy every time I saw it. So I understand.
Have fun and join me!
I want you to smile from ear to ear when you gaze upon your shiny sink. I have heard every excuse in the world. Even old sinks can look new again with a little elbow grease. Here is how you do it:
Note: Be sure to rinse well between each step!
If you still can’t get it to shine after the Windex, put a light coat of lemon oil or olive oil on it. I mean just a tiny bit on a cloth and rub it. This will make you smile. Some people have had very good results from Bar Keepers Friend.
Go Shine Your Sink!
FlyLady
Last note: Be sure you don’t mix cleansers like Comet with Windex (or other ammonia based cleaners); you can create dangerous gases! It is worth repeating: rinse well between each step!
I posted about this before I believe. Tons of people get a rush of some sort from shining their sink. That never happened to me and I could not understand how they got so happy about it. That is until I did a detailed clean of my stove/oven one day. The thing shined like new and I was so happy every time I saw it. So I understand.
Have fun and join me!
Shiny Sink 101
Dear Friends,I want you to smile from ear to ear when you gaze upon your shiny sink. I have heard every excuse in the world. Even old sinks can look new again with a little elbow grease. Here is how you do it:
Note: Be sure to rinse well between each step!
- Take all the dishes out of the sink.
- Run some very hot water into the sink and fill it to the rim. If you have a two-sided sink, only do one side at a time. Then, pour a cup of household bleach into the hot water. Let it sit for one hour. Now, pull the plug with a pair of tongs. If you don’t have tongs, then scoop some of the water out of the sink into the other sink and use your hand to pull the plug. Make sure you wear gloves so the bleach doesn’t irritate your skin, and don’t get the bleach water on your clothes.
- Rinse your sink well.
- Use some powdered cleanser (Comet, Ajax, or baking soda) and scrub your sink. Be sure to rinse ALL of the cleanser from the sink.
- Take a sharp edge, such as a butter knife, and clean around the rim of the sink, just like you would clean dirt out from under your fingernails.
- Clean around the faucets. You may need an old toothbrush or dental floss.
- Now, get out your window cleaner; I use Windex. Give it a good shine.
- If you still don’t like the way it looks, then you can try some car wax. Just know in your heart that you have cleaned it very well now, and it doesn’t have to be perfect. Our perfectionism is what got us in this situation in the first place!
- Every time you run water in your sink, take your clean dishtowel and dry it out (I lay out a clean one every night as part of my before-bed routine). Before you know it, you will be doing this everytime you leave your kitchen! The rest of the family will, too. No more water spots. You will have a clean and shiny sink.
- Don’t have a fit if someone doesn’t take as much pride in your sink as you do. It is very easy to fix. You have already done the hard part; you will never have to go through this process again. Daily maintenance will keep it looking this way all the time. Nasty, hurtful words are not as easy to repair. Just be sure and tell your family what you are trying to do. They will think you have gone crazy.
- If you don’t have a dishwasher, don’t worry. A dishwasher is just a dirty dish disposal. Clean out a place under your sink and put a dishpan in there. Teach your family that instead of putting their dirty dishes and glasses in the sink, place them into the dish pan. Get into the habit of putting your dishes away as soon as they have been washed and are dry. No more leaving the dish-drying rack on the counter or in the sink. Put it away under the sink when you have finished. If your old one is nasty, you may want to soak it in the sink full of bleach water at the same time you soak the sink, or go buy a new set.
- To insure that your family remembers this, put a note in the sink. It will get their attention and remind them where to put the dishes. Be patient! They have never been taught, either. It is going to take some practice.
If you still can’t get it to shine after the Windex, put a light coat of lemon oil or olive oil on it. I mean just a tiny bit on a cloth and rub it. This will make you smile. Some people have had very good results from Bar Keepers Friend.
Go Shine Your Sink!
FlyLady
Last note: Be sure you don’t mix cleansers like Comet with Windex (or other ammonia based cleaners); you can create dangerous gases! It is worth repeating: rinse well between each step!
Hello 2012
Last year I didn't make resolutions. However, throughout the year I kept finding myself making these promises of things I wanted to change or do. That's a resolution right? This year I decided why not? I'll keep them about as well as anything else I would vow to do during the year.
Here are the things on my list (that I can think of right now anyway):
- Lose weight. I know how very original but a few years ago I was doing well. I'm not sure where I derailed or why I couldn't jump back into it. I am now 60lbs heavier than when I moved here 4 years ago. I need to do it not just to look better by public standards but to set a good example for my girls. Also to help lower my LDLs and improve my heart, energy, and stamina.
- Read a book a week. I achieved this in 2010 but last year only read a dozen. I'm thinking the online gaming and Facebooking helped me stray.
- Read AT LEAST one chapter of scripture a day. I am going to start with The Book of Mormon as I have been a member for almost 16 years, and have yet to read it from cover to cover in order. I know I have read it all but thats from institute and sunday school. Just want to do it in order to get the fullness. Does that make any sense?
- I am also going to actively rejoin Flyladys program. Again a few years ago I was doing great. I know I will be put outside of my comfort zone and have to get rid of much stuff (you can't clean clutter). This is another area I have issues. I am almost afraid to get rid of things. Money is a bad subject for us and I want to keep everything so I don't feel the girls are going without. This has lead to lots of junk (lets be honest thats what most of it is) going to waste and causing stress since there is no place to put it all.
- I also have a goal to blog everyday. Even if the entry is only a few words. Really, why have a blog if I never really use it?
- I also need to clean up the language. I guess I am so used to hearing "spicy language" used that I don't really notice when I use it. Plus this is one of the things I can control.
- I also plan on starting a scripture journal. I love the idea of it but honestly am not sure what to do with it. So if you have any tips, ideas, etc let me know.
- Finally, I want to be a better mommy. Too often I used the phrase "I busy right now" and though that may be true a times most of the time I just dont want to. Then I realized how that must feel to the girls. So once a day I will say yes to them. "Do you want to play with me?" "yes" I can always get back to whatever I am doing later.
I truly hope that I do well with these. They are all pretty important and can only help me. May all of you also achieve in this new year.
Here are the things on my list (that I can think of right now anyway):
- Lose weight. I know how very original but a few years ago I was doing well. I'm not sure where I derailed or why I couldn't jump back into it. I am now 60lbs heavier than when I moved here 4 years ago. I need to do it not just to look better by public standards but to set a good example for my girls. Also to help lower my LDLs and improve my heart, energy, and stamina.
- Read a book a week. I achieved this in 2010 but last year only read a dozen. I'm thinking the online gaming and Facebooking helped me stray.
- Read AT LEAST one chapter of scripture a day. I am going to start with The Book of Mormon as I have been a member for almost 16 years, and have yet to read it from cover to cover in order. I know I have read it all but thats from institute and sunday school. Just want to do it in order to get the fullness. Does that make any sense?
- I am also going to actively rejoin Flyladys program. Again a few years ago I was doing great. I know I will be put outside of my comfort zone and have to get rid of much stuff (you can't clean clutter). This is another area I have issues. I am almost afraid to get rid of things. Money is a bad subject for us and I want to keep everything so I don't feel the girls are going without. This has lead to lots of junk (lets be honest thats what most of it is) going to waste and causing stress since there is no place to put it all.
- I also have a goal to blog everyday. Even if the entry is only a few words. Really, why have a blog if I never really use it?
- I also need to clean up the language. I guess I am so used to hearing "spicy language" used that I don't really notice when I use it. Plus this is one of the things I can control.
- I also plan on starting a scripture journal. I love the idea of it but honestly am not sure what to do with it. So if you have any tips, ideas, etc let me know.
- Finally, I want to be a better mommy. Too often I used the phrase "I busy right now" and though that may be true a times most of the time I just dont want to. Then I realized how that must feel to the girls. So once a day I will say yes to them. "Do you want to play with me?" "yes" I can always get back to whatever I am doing later.
I truly hope that I do well with these. They are all pretty important and can only help me. May all of you also achieve in this new year.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Goodbye 2011
I can not say that I am too broken hearted to see the year end. By see, I mean knowing that when I wake in the morning it will be a new year. No staying up for this mommy.
With that said here are a few things that happened this year:
- My girls are both officially in school. Ava in Pre K and Katherine in Kindergarten.
- We cleared the house of the toddler cups. You know, the ones with straws that pop up. We also packed away the toddler forks and spoons. I still can't part with them though.
- Ava is pretty well potty trained though we are still working on it. She is a strong headed little girl and we are trying to get her to makes sure she pottys ALL the time for EVERYTHING.
- I learned to whistle. Yep, it took until I was 30 to learn how.
- We took the girls to the movies for the first time this summer. Katherine hates loud noises and we were worried she wouldn't do well in a theater. She did great. So did Ava. Katherine's first movie was Cars 2. Ava was Smurfs which we all went to see on my 31st birthday.
There are many things that have happened and continue to happen that are not good. I just don't feel like seeing them in black in white. Besides, who wants to read a blog with a bunch of sadness?
May 2012 hold much more of the good and skip the bad for us.
With that said here are a few things that happened this year:
- My girls are both officially in school. Ava in Pre K and Katherine in Kindergarten.
- We cleared the house of the toddler cups. You know, the ones with straws that pop up. We also packed away the toddler forks and spoons. I still can't part with them though.
- Ava is pretty well potty trained though we are still working on it. She is a strong headed little girl and we are trying to get her to makes sure she pottys ALL the time for EVERYTHING.
- I learned to whistle. Yep, it took until I was 30 to learn how.
- We took the girls to the movies for the first time this summer. Katherine hates loud noises and we were worried she wouldn't do well in a theater. She did great. So did Ava. Katherine's first movie was Cars 2. Ava was Smurfs which we all went to see on my 31st birthday.
There are many things that have happened and continue to happen that are not good. I just don't feel like seeing them in black in white. Besides, who wants to read a blog with a bunch of sadness?
May 2012 hold much more of the good and skip the bad for us.
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