Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Project Life {October 1-15 happenings}

I had some time over the long weekend (while Mike was busy painting the exterior of our house), to work on my PL album.  I am super excited that I am almost at the end of 2013!!  I may actually catch up!!!

Here is 2013 - October 1-15
One of my favorite photos in this spread is the one of me and my 2 lap dogs (80 & 60 pound lap dogs, LOL!!).

Kit used = Slate

Full Layout
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Left Page
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Right Page
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Enjoy Today!

Monday, May 26, 2014

weekly phone dump ~ may week {four}


From left to right:
1.  I ordered a new decal for my vehicle.  Cause I do LOVE my pit bulls.
2.  I needed to use up some blueberries, so I made some blueberry buckle.  My grandmother used to make this recipe a lot (she always had sweets to serve with coffee, which explains my love of sweets and coffee), I always think of her whenever I make it.
3.  Mike and I bought a LOT of paint on Friday night.  I was happy to hear that  Home Depot had a Memorial Day sale, so we saved some $$.  I think we ended up with 41 gallons total (I had to make 2 extra trips to get more) *what?!*
4.  Who needs an alarm clock on the weekends?  Not us.  We have 2 cute pups that wake us up at our normal work day time (well, Mike's work day wake up time).
5.  Of course I had to make some potato salad for Mike and I for our mini cookout (him and I).
6.  House painting began on Saturday morning, bright and early.  Don't these 2 look excited for the job ahead?
7.  Mike rented a paint sprayer from Home Depot,  that thing worked amazing!!  It still took a long time, but so much better then rolling it on.
8.  On Monday, Mike and I had to go to Lowe's to pick up a few items, so we decided to use the Chili's gift card I received as a Christmas gift, YUP, I hoard my gift cards, LOL!
9.  Here is our loot from Lowe's, nothing too exciting:  a replacement burner for our grill, a new light fixture for out back patio, some anchors and screws and a new light switch for our front lights (it blew out), that trip was much easier on the wallet!!.  

Enjoy Today!!

Friday, May 23, 2014

#100HAPPYDAYS {74 days in}


You may remember me talking about the  #100HAPPYDAYS project, back in March.  If not, you can read the post HERE.  

Well, Ashley and Jess decided to play along too (LOVE them!).  Ashley and I were curious how much longer it was until we reached the 100th day.  I had to go back to Instagram and count my hash-tagged photos.  I could not believe I was 74 days in  and have not missed a day *woot*  Only 26 more days to go. 

If you didn't sign up yet, no worries!!  You can start it at any time.  
Just click HERE.  

My thoughts as this project is coming to an end...I love the fact that every day I have to think of something that makes me happy, even when I am not feeling happy.  There is always something to be thankful for!!  I think I will continue the project even past the 100 days, but I won't stress if I miss a day (I get pretty competitive with myself, LOL!).

Enjoy Today!! 
BE HAPPY!!

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Project Life {September 16-30 2013}

Here is the second part of September 2013.  
It appears that the second part of September was pretty uneventful, but I did get a few everyday things documented.  It feels good that I am moving along, however can you believe June is right around the corner?  

I am hoping to get a few more pages done, since Mike and I took some extra time off to make this coming weekend extra long *woot*  

However, our plan is to get the exterior of our house painted.  This project got moved to the top of the list, since the Arizona temps are getting in the triple digits.  I am excited to see it finished!!  I KNOW there will be a blog post about it in the near future, LOL!!  

We were both talking last night, when we took the dogs for a walk, that we can't wait until all the projects are complete and we can have our weekends back!  It is the finishing work that takes the most time.  I am excited to share the final project soon!


 
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 Left Side



Right Side





Enjoy Today!!


Monday, May 19, 2014

weekly phone dump ~ may week {3}



From left to right:
1.  My new coffee cup for work.  I like to switch them out, so I don't get bored.
2.  Pete having dinner with me.
3.  Corn on the cob=YUM!!
4.  Just a selfie on my way to work on Friday.
5.  Mike power washing the second floor, so we (and when I say we, I me he), can paint the house next weekend.
6.  Bella trying to figure out how to bite  the water from the power washer hose.
7.  On our way home from Fun Day Sunday, which in doggie language means the bark park.  We are loving our pet net to keep the pups in the back seat.  
8.  We celebrated Josh's birthday on Sunday afternoon, I always love when the kids come over.
9.  One of my Mother's Day gifts, that smells so GOOD!

Friday, May 16, 2014

one organizing project at a time {linen cabinet}

I think I am at the half way mark with my organizing projects.  
My goal was to get all my closets, drawers and cupboards organized.  
Today's project is this weird cupboard we have in our loft.  It never dawned on me, when Mike was putting in our new flooring, that we should take this cupboard out.  
So I am going to embrace it for the time being.  


This cabinet houses our beach towels, bath towels, and blankets.  
I am embarrassed to show you the before photo.  
I knew I was going to organize this cupboard, so I didn't really put things away nicely for the past few weeks - don't judge, LOL!

Here is the before:





I threw out sheets,  towels and blankets that were worn out.  
Then  I wiped down the interior with my favorite cleaner:  

(Recipe: In a spray bottle fill 3/4 full with Water; add 2 Tablespoons  Dr Bonner's Citrus Castille Soup, and 10-15 drops of orange essential oil; (fill to the top with water if needed) 

Then the fun part, I put everything back in.  
I had a lot of towels that were still in great shape, so I will donate those 
 (they put out a request the other day on Facebook for items they needed).  
The rest of the stuff, sheets, mattress pad, sofa cover 
will get donated to Good Will.  

Here is the after:






I purchased the bin/totes from The Container Store, 
(HERE is the link). 
I wish I would have bought a few more when I was there, 
they are pretty handy, They have handles and lids.
I like that I can grab the entire bin of beach towels and bring it down to the pool, and then I can transport all the wet towels into the house to get washed.  The other bin holds our blankets.  
The white towels in the center are for Sophie and Bella 
when they get a bath/swim. 

It feels so much better with this job checked off my list. 

Enjoy Today! 



Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Project Life {September 1-15 2013}

Sometimes life throws you a curve ball, and you have to document the good, bad and ugly.  Back in September I was going through a really rough patch (Mike was laid off from his job and we decided to leave our church).  After months of internalizing it, my body let me know it was time to "let go of the stress."  I am so glad that that is behind me and I am moving forward.

 That is what Project Life is all about...documenting LIFE, all of it. 



Left Page
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Right Page
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Enjoy Today!

Sunday, May 11, 2014

weekly phone dump ~ May week {two}




From left to right:
1.  Mike and I had an appointment after work on Monday night, this was what we had for dinner.
2.  My mom sent me a package that included some of her famous cookies, YUM!
3.  This week our department went to an ACA (Affordable Care Act) seminar.  The more I learn about the ACA, the more confused I get!!  I think they are making stuff up as they go along!!
4.  Bella and Sophie LOVE green beans.  Thursday night I made extra, so they could have their own little plate (my dogs are not spoiled, LOL!).
5.  I picked this guy up on Friday night, to spend the weekend.  Josh and Jess went camping, so Kodi came to visit us.  
6.  One of my favorite 2 point snacks.
7.  Mike and I went to Church on Saturday night, I love when he gets the idea to stop at SB's first!!
8.  I bought these collars for Soph and Bella.  How cute are they?
9.  Our usual Sunday Fun-day...on our way to the Bark Park!!

Enjoy Today!

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Project Life {August 2013 happenings}

 
Just popping in quick with my recent Project Life pages.  
I am excited that I am almost to the end of the year of 2013 *woot*!!.  
I realized that I did not take a lot of photos in August.  So August will end up with only 2 pages (I love that PL can be whatever you want it to be!!).  

I was excited to get 30% off PL digital kits on National Scrapbook Day, 
I bought 2 new kits.  
I used the  Slate kit for this layout.
 

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Left Page
(Click image to see larger)

Right Page
(Click image to see larger)



Enjoy Today!

Monday, May 5, 2014

weekly iphone photo dump ~ may { week one}




From left to right:
1.  I had Monday off, to work on some stuff around the house.   I made sure that I did one thing for myself~the tootsies got a little love.
2.  I am the kind of person that will eat the same thing for breakfast every day.  In the colder months I had oatmeal every day.  Now that it is warmer, my new breakfast is Greek yogurt with berries and Kashi cereal sprinkled on top.  SO YUMMY!
3.  On my last trip to Target, I saw these sandals and wanted to make sure they were not "old woman-ish" so I took a picture to ask Ashley, my fashion consultant.  They got a thumbs up.
4.  Just some of my favorite popcorn for a snack.
5.  Bella watching me eat my dinner, LOL!  needless to say, she likes  LOVES to eat. (I may or may not be holding up a cucumber slice for her~she LOVES them).
6.  These were back in stock at Sam's Club, so I picked some up for the dogs.  They love them, and they are made with 5 readable ingredients (and made in the USA).
7.  I am also on a salad kick.  Last week it was kale, cucumbers, carrots and 3 bean salad, with poppy seed dressing.
8.  After our FUN DAY Sunday, at the bark park, my car smelled like doggie breath and dog, so I picked this up while running some errands.  
9.  Sophie and Bella have been having some trouble with allergies, so I got them this shampoo.  I love that it says "Life's an Itch"  It smells yummy too.  They both got a bath on Sunday.

Enjoy Today!

Friday, May 2, 2014

{one organizing project at a time} kitchen cabinets (the top ones)

I am still plugging along at Simplifying my Life, one project at a time.  

Next up:  Kitchen Cabinets (the top ones).

I started by taking everything out and checking expiration dates and determined if it was something I used and wanted to keep.  Sometimes I buy an item for a new recipe and never use that item again (a waste, I know!).  
I was surprised at how much stuff had expired (like in 2011!!).  Once I had decided on what I was going to keep, I wiped out the cabinets with my favorite all purpose cleaner:

Recipe: In a spray bottle fill 3/4 full with Water; add 2 Tablespoons  Dr Bonner's Citrus Castille Soup, and 10-15 drops of orange essential oil; (fill to the top with water if needed).

Then I put stuff back.
I purchased the handle baskets a while ago, from The Container Store.  I love that I can pull out the entire basket to find what I am looking for!!  
They are HERE
My flour, sugar, powdered sugar and brown sugar containers 
are from IKEA (HERE).



what I keep in here:  
baking supplies on the top shelf (flour, sugar, baking powder, etc); 
pasta, instant rice (rice pilaf), taco seasoning, Lipton Onion Soup, Hidden Valley Ranch dried seasoning packets on the middle shelf; 
Hot chocolate, and Tea on the bottom shelf.

For my spice cabinet, I use a small carousal (middle shelf) to be able 
to locate what I need.  This has worked awesome!  
THIS is one similar to what I have, 
also from The Container Store.




What I keep in here:  baking spices, vanilla and honey on the top shelf; cooking/savory spices on the middle shelf; 
vinegars, worcestershire sauce, large spice bottles on the bottom shelf.

Since I was doing the food cabinets, I decided to include the cabinets next to the fridge.  This is where I keep snacks, pet treats and canned goods (there were a lot of expired canned goods in there).  
I keep most of my canned goods and big box purchases 
from COSTCO/Sam's Club 
in the closet my hubby turned into a pantry.





what I keep in here:
pet treats and thermoses top cabinet/top shelf; 
popcorn, pretzels, chips top cabinet bottom shelf;

cereal, oatmeal and protein powder bottom cabinet/top shelf; 
granola bars, fruit snacks on the second shelf; 
crackers, m&m's, trail mix and nuts in THESE storage containers 
(peanut butter in the back) on the third shelf; 
canned goods, salad dressing, etc on the bottom shelf.

It felt so great to get that expired stuff out of cabinets and put everything back in.  
It has definitely made me feel less stressed!
  Especially when I am cooking and packing lunches.  

Enjoy Today!