oh my...when will i ever quit with the ideas?!? (and actually get to the doing?) I write this b/c i've recently joined Pinterest....need I say more?
(If you don't know what the site is, it is for idea-sharing...and boy are those ideas out there!)
The previous post about dying yarn....well, it's half done...the koolaid ice trays are in the freezer. Luckily the boys forgot about the project b/c I can't find my ball of yarn. Looked for it twice, still MIA.
The most recent idea is this to help with menu-planning:
http://clairsfairytale.blogspot.com/2012/01/ultimate-menu-board.html
It's a picture frame - turned into a menu board that can rotate. Really need help in this area.
And then, I came across this one...
http://fey-next2heaven.blogspot.com/2011/09/our-launch-pad-new-weekly-calendar.html
For an idea to use a dry erase marker on the glass panes of picture frames to creatively write out the week's plans...would be good for use when kids are young and not a lot goes onto the schedule (or at least I wouldn't want to write that much).
oh my.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
discipline...to have or not to have, that is the question
so, one of my favorite blogs (moneysavingmom.com) has been a real inspiration to me. I started going to her site to get tips on my CVS shopping trips and ended up reading page after page, finding inspiration for kid crafts (called Busy Bags) and freezer cooking (which I love) and on budgeting (which I need) and so much more.
And one area that, after reading her goal setting listed in her blog, has been a new 'ah ha!' moment for me is realizing that I don't read enough! It's been very inspiring and I've really felt God lead me to be more disciplined in this area! I've just picked up her ebook called 21 Days To A More Disciplined Life....so I'm hoping this will kill two birds with one stone, at least for now. :)
I think I lost a bit of discipline from working full-time and having a baby at home....I had to be so structured at work so all I wanted to do when I got home was love on my hubby and little one. Now that I am a full time, stay at home mommy, with THREE little boys, there are many days that I know I don't realize or embrace the joy of being with my kids (yet I remember that heartache brought on by dropping them off at daycare)...I'm not sure yet that I have fully comprehended how meaningful it is for me to be here with them...at least I don't get the full picture yet. But my hubby is so gracious with me and our messy house. :)
I've spent the last several weeks planning out some timelines for my days with my boys as well as adding in ideas for activities. Since my parents weren't stay-at-home parents and, growing up my friends' parents weren't stay-at-home-parents, and now as an adult, all of my close friends aren't stay-at-home-parents, I have found it to be a very odd, lonely feeling to have preschoolers running around and not knowing what to do with them for the 14 hours they are awake (minus nap time).
I know, I know...they learn just by being around me. My mom has shown me great examples of this in her care for our oldest over the past 3 years by just spending time with him on the days she kept him while we worked. And once I started working at home and had my kids more full time about 2 yrs ago, my dad released me from the 'sentence' I had placed on myself by saying that my kids didn't NEED a scholastic structure to our days...just be with them and they'll learn. But I've also found that, especially as our oldest has grown in his awareness of schedules and routines, I find that I've lost the structure that creates good habits and have also lost a bit of my love for crafts that bring learning.
So I've made sure to do some planning during my 'spare time' (aka, that's "mom talk" for really meaning that I've lost sleep). I've also realized that I LOVE planning but am not good at finishing what I start. And maybe that's an important first step....to realize that I am not disciplined at even being disciplined. hum...ponder that one for awhile!
Anyway, I have several action plans started and have spent LOTS of time praying over my own motivations. And...
...drum roll please...
...I am excited to announce that I started phase 1 of my new disciplined life because...
I got up early today.
(okay, quit laughing now......really, stop giggling. When I told my hubby this AM what time I got up, his eyes popped open and he stared at me like, "who are u and what did u do with my wife?!?")
This is big.
I got so much accomplished today! It started with coffee and filing at 6:30am. (okay, seriously stop giggling b/c filing at 6:30 is never pretty for anyone.)
Then it was on to couponing, breakfast once the boys were up and doing a project with koolaid and then lunch! Then we were off to my eye doc checkup followed by 4 hours of very fun shopping...some of the most fun I've had out on the town with my little boys!
And the shopping aspect wasn't even that enjoyable because spending money is hard right now due to extremely tight budgets now that I lost my income.
But really, God gave me lots of joy (and second winds) in my time with them today. ...maybe because I knew it is a start. Maybe because I was focused on my kids and enjoyed them for who they are. Maybe it's because, for a change, my 2 yr old only threw only a handful of fits and my baby was very happy-go-lucky today. Maybe it's because, when I felt overwhelmed with 3 boys and budgets and busyiness, I prayed for God to lead me (for the two zillionth time). Who knows.
But I'm excited to see what God does with this!
okay, i am off to bed now (at 12:30am). I'll put off being disciplined at early bedtimes until next month. *wink*
And one area that, after reading her goal setting listed in her blog, has been a new 'ah ha!' moment for me is realizing that I don't read enough! It's been very inspiring and I've really felt God lead me to be more disciplined in this area! I've just picked up her ebook called 21 Days To A More Disciplined Life....so I'm hoping this will kill two birds with one stone, at least for now. :)
I think I lost a bit of discipline from working full-time and having a baby at home....I had to be so structured at work so all I wanted to do when I got home was love on my hubby and little one. Now that I am a full time, stay at home mommy, with THREE little boys, there are many days that I know I don't realize or embrace the joy of being with my kids (yet I remember that heartache brought on by dropping them off at daycare)...I'm not sure yet that I have fully comprehended how meaningful it is for me to be here with them...at least I don't get the full picture yet. But my hubby is so gracious with me and our messy house. :)
I've spent the last several weeks planning out some timelines for my days with my boys as well as adding in ideas for activities. Since my parents weren't stay-at-home parents and, growing up my friends' parents weren't stay-at-home-parents, and now as an adult, all of my close friends aren't stay-at-home-parents, I have found it to be a very odd, lonely feeling to have preschoolers running around and not knowing what to do with them for the 14 hours they are awake (minus nap time).
I know, I know...they learn just by being around me. My mom has shown me great examples of this in her care for our oldest over the past 3 years by just spending time with him on the days she kept him while we worked. And once I started working at home and had my kids more full time about 2 yrs ago, my dad released me from the 'sentence' I had placed on myself by saying that my kids didn't NEED a scholastic structure to our days...just be with them and they'll learn. But I've also found that, especially as our oldest has grown in his awareness of schedules and routines, I find that I've lost the structure that creates good habits and have also lost a bit of my love for crafts that bring learning.
So I've made sure to do some planning during my 'spare time' (aka, that's "mom talk" for really meaning that I've lost sleep). I've also realized that I LOVE planning but am not good at finishing what I start. And maybe that's an important first step....to realize that I am not disciplined at even being disciplined. hum...ponder that one for awhile!
Anyway, I have several action plans started and have spent LOTS of time praying over my own motivations. And...
...drum roll please...
...I am excited to announce that I started phase 1 of my new disciplined life because...
I got up early today.
(okay, quit laughing now......really, stop giggling. When I told my hubby this AM what time I got up, his eyes popped open and he stared at me like, "who are u and what did u do with my wife?!?")
This is big.
I got so much accomplished today! It started with coffee and filing at 6:30am. (okay, seriously stop giggling b/c filing at 6:30 is never pretty for anyone.)
Then it was on to couponing, breakfast once the boys were up and doing a project with koolaid and then lunch! Then we were off to my eye doc checkup followed by 4 hours of very fun shopping...some of the most fun I've had out on the town with my little boys!
And the shopping aspect wasn't even that enjoyable because spending money is hard right now due to extremely tight budgets now that I lost my income.
But really, God gave me lots of joy (and second winds) in my time with them today. ...maybe because I knew it is a start. Maybe because I was focused on my kids and enjoyed them for who they are. Maybe it's because, for a change, my 2 yr old only threw only a handful of fits and my baby was very happy-go-lucky today. Maybe it's because, when I felt overwhelmed with 3 boys and budgets and busyiness, I prayed for God to lead me (for the two zillionth time). Who knows.
But I'm excited to see what God does with this!
okay, i am off to bed now (at 12:30am). I'll put off being disciplined at early bedtimes until next month. *wink*
Monday, January 9, 2012
dying yarn craft
so......I just joined Pinterest....I know, I know. It's been the buzz for awhile and I'm just now joining; anyway.
For those who don't know, it's a site that is like a bulletin for you to 'tag' all the sites that you like/use/bring inspiration/etc. and 'pin' onto your board. WARNING: It's very addicting!
My newest 'pin' is for dying yarn and i'm totally stoked! My latest craft with the boys is creating our Busy Bag Box (more on that later) and my issue is that I only have one ball of yarn. Well, I have a few random yarns but they are very frilly and girly. :) To clarify, I only have one ball of regular yarn. So here is what I found and what we're going to try as a craft this week:
(these are her notes written in 1st person)
Step 1:
Remember to wear your gloves! I took one packet of Kool Aid and mixed it with just enough water to fill 3 ice cube sections (do not add sugar! Just KA and water.) Then I froze them.
Step 2:
I soaked my WOOL yarn in warm water and vinegar for about a half an hour. I gently squeezed out the water and then laid it into a glass 9x13 baking pan. I put the frozen dye cubes on top and set it outside in direct sunlight.
Step 3:
You need the yarn to reach about 180 degrees Fahrenheit (really, you just need it to be HOT!) to set the dye in the yarn. You could also cook the yarn in your oven or microwave it for a few minutes but I wanted this to be a solar project. So I covered it and left it outside all day.
Step 4:
You'll know it's done when your baking dish is hot and the liquid in the yarn is clear- that means that the yarn has absorbed all of the dye. Bring yarn inside and let it cool down to room temperature. I then gently washed the yarn in warm water with some Eucalan (again there should be no dye washing off- your yarn bath should be clear. If it is running color, stop washing immediately and put back outside to cook some more. Or wrap it in saran wrap and nuke it in the microwave for a few minutes.) Gently squeeze the water out and then allowed it to air dry.
source: http://maiyamayhem.blogspot.com/2011/07/kool-aid-popsicle-dyeing.html
For those who don't know, it's a site that is like a bulletin for you to 'tag' all the sites that you like/use/bring inspiration/etc. and 'pin' onto your board. WARNING: It's very addicting!
My newest 'pin' is for dying yarn and i'm totally stoked! My latest craft with the boys is creating our Busy Bag Box (more on that later) and my issue is that I only have one ball of yarn. Well, I have a few random yarns but they are very frilly and girly. :) To clarify, I only have one ball of regular yarn. So here is what I found and what we're going to try as a craft this week:
(these are her notes written in 1st person)
Step 1:
Remember to wear your gloves! I took one packet of Kool Aid and mixed it with just enough water to fill 3 ice cube sections (do not add sugar! Just KA and water.) Then I froze them.
Step 2:
I soaked my WOOL yarn in warm water and vinegar for about a half an hour. I gently squeezed out the water and then laid it into a glass 9x13 baking pan. I put the frozen dye cubes on top and set it outside in direct sunlight.
Step 3:
You need the yarn to reach about 180 degrees Fahrenheit (really, you just need it to be HOT!) to set the dye in the yarn. You could also cook the yarn in your oven or microwave it for a few minutes but I wanted this to be a solar project. So I covered it and left it outside all day.
Step 4:
You'll know it's done when your baking dish is hot and the liquid in the yarn is clear- that means that the yarn has absorbed all of the dye. Bring yarn inside and let it cool down to room temperature. I then gently washed the yarn in warm water with some Eucalan (again there should be no dye washing off- your yarn bath should be clear. If it is running color, stop washing immediately and put back outside to cook some more. Or wrap it in saran wrap and nuke it in the microwave for a few minutes.) Gently squeeze the water out and then allowed it to air dry.
source: http://maiyamayhem.blogspot.com/2011/07/kool-aid-popsicle-dyeing.html
Sunday, January 8, 2012
cvs for 1.9.12
Last week, I scored diapers at almost half-price at CVS and got paid 70cents to buy two Triaminic at Walgreens.
So here's my plan of attack at CVS sometime this week....
Buy (9) Finish Powerball, 10-20 ct., at $3.50 each
Use (9) $2.15/1 coupon from 1/01 SS insert
Pay $12.15 out of pocket, get a $10 CVS gift card back
Makes them $0.24 each pack after coupons and CVS gift card
...don't have 9 Q's so i'll add other items for the $10cvsGC promo like...
Rembrandt Toothpaste or Rinse – $3.99 ~~ $2/1 Rembrandt Toothpaste or Rinse printable coupon
Final Price: $1.99
or
Johnson’s Baby Products - $3 ea ~~ $1/1 Johnson’s Baby Product, exp. 2/19/12 (SS 01/08/12 #2)
$1/1 Johnson’s Baby Oil Product, exp. 1/15/12 (RP 11/06/11)
or
Stayfree - $4.49 ea (need to buy two) ~~ b1g1 1/8ss
or
Nabisco Crackers 9-15oz - $2.50 each ~~ $2/3 1/8ss
and if needed...
Coke is 3/$10 and then beverages at 5/$5 (Powerade 32oz or vitaminwater 20oz)
Buy (3) General Mills Cereals, 10-14 oz, at $3.33 each ~~ Get $4 ECBS back Limit 1
Use various $1 coupons found HERE, or HERE or use $0.75/1 coupon from 1/01 SS insert
As low as $1 each after coupons and ECBs
The gal at Swappin' Spoons had good tips on a few items.
http://swappinspoons.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-favorite-cvs-deals-for-108-114.html
So here's my plan of attack at CVS sometime this week....
Buy (9) Finish Powerball, 10-20 ct., at $3.50 each
Use (9) $2.15/1 coupon from 1/01 SS insert
Pay $12.15 out of pocket, get a $10 CVS gift card back
Makes them $0.24 each pack after coupons and CVS gift card
...don't have 9 Q's so i'll add other items for the $10cvsGC promo like...
Rembrandt Toothpaste or Rinse – $3.99 ~~ $2/1 Rembrandt Toothpaste or Rinse printable coupon
Final Price: $1.99
or
Johnson’s Baby Products - $3 ea ~~ $1/1 Johnson’s Baby Product, exp. 2/19/12 (SS 01/08/12 #2)
$1/1 Johnson’s Baby Oil Product, exp. 1/15/12 (RP 11/06/11)
or
Stayfree - $4.49 ea (need to buy two) ~~ b1g1 1/8ss
or
Nabisco Crackers 9-15oz - $2.50 each ~~ $2/3 1/8ss
and if needed...
Coke is 3/$10 and then beverages at 5/$5 (Powerade 32oz or vitaminwater 20oz)
Kodak Archive DVD $4.00 ~~ Get $4.99 ECB = Free
ECB Earned: $3.49 = Free
GE Energy Smart Bulb, 1 pk., $2.99 ~~ Get $2 ECBs Limit 1 = $0.99 after ECBs
GE Energy Smart Bulb, 1 pk., $2.99 ~~ Get $2 ECBs Limit 1 = $0.99 after ECBs
Buy (3) General Mills Cereals, 10-14 oz, at $3.33 each ~~ Get $4 ECBS back Limit 1
Use various $1 coupons found HERE, or HERE or use $0.75/1 coupon from 1/01 SS insert
As low as $1 each after coupons and ECBs
The gal at Swappin' Spoons had good tips on a few items.
http://swappinspoons.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-favorite-cvs-deals-for-108-114.html
Saturday, January 7, 2012
scarfs...a new beginning
In efforts to figure out what God will have me do for income this next year, I have a new desire to go back to my old interests at crafting & see if I can sell anything I make....and it has started with a scarf!
My long-time friend Heather and I took a sewing class right before Christmas and we learned how to make an 'Infinity Scarf'. And here is the result....ta da!
The teacher reviewed my sewing machine parts to help me better familiarize myself with the pieces of the machine. My sweet hubby bought me this machine for Christmas almost 10 years ago right after we got married and I've really only used it to mend items. I'm going to try my hand at a few old projects and see if they'll be marketable on my new Etsy.com account (site for homemade items)!
And in talking about scarves, here is one of the coolest videos! I found the video on one of the blogs I follow and was inspired by the 25 different ways to wear a scarf:
http://moneysavingmom.com/2011/10/25-ways-to-wear-a-scarf-video.html
(If you can't view the blog, here is the youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=5LYAEz777AU#!)
My long-time friend Heather and I took a sewing class right before Christmas and we learned how to make an 'Infinity Scarf'. And here is the result....ta da!
The teacher reviewed my sewing machine parts to help me better familiarize myself with the pieces of the machine. My sweet hubby bought me this machine for Christmas almost 10 years ago right after we got married and I've really only used it to mend items. I'm going to try my hand at a few old projects and see if they'll be marketable on my new Etsy.com account (site for homemade items)!
And in talking about scarves, here is one of the coolest videos! I found the video on one of the blogs I follow and was inspired by the 25 different ways to wear a scarf:
http://moneysavingmom.com/2011/10/25-ways-to-wear-a-scarf-video.html
(If you can't view the blog, here is the youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=5LYAEz777AU#!)
Here it is....
Okay folks....here it is.....
It seems that 2011 brought on a year of changes and I'm ready for 2012 to be a year of being inspired by those changes.
Last year was a year to learn by being challenged. I learned through challenges in my job working from home. And at the end of the year, I dealt with the emotions of job loss and have been challenged with praising the Lord despite our finances being re-arranged. It seems my title of "Event Planner" has taken me from the corporate world into the domestic engineering world -- I learned through struggles in finding ways to keep two little boys busy when at home and being challenged at time-management of our house. I learned about being a new mother of 3 and dealing with anxiety. I got a short introduction to emotions involved with unhealthy births and learned a new appreciation for my healthy babies. And finally, I learned from other blogging moms and felt God give me the challenge to produce 'fruit' from that time spent learning.....hence the title of this blog.
This year is a year to apply skills and talents then watch how the Lord will produce fruit. So I'm starting here....with a blog. My goal is to note down a variety of items from my daily life -- from fun crafts with my boys, to items I'm working on for the home or on my etsy shop, to 'super couponing' deals, to items that give me inspiration from other mommy blogs, and so forth.
Thanks for reading!
It seems that 2011 brought on a year of changes and I'm ready for 2012 to be a year of being inspired by those changes.
Last year was a year to learn by being challenged. I learned through challenges in my job working from home. And at the end of the year, I dealt with the emotions of job loss and have been challenged with praising the Lord despite our finances being re-arranged. It seems my title of "Event Planner" has taken me from the corporate world into the domestic engineering world -- I learned through struggles in finding ways to keep two little boys busy when at home and being challenged at time-management of our house. I learned about being a new mother of 3 and dealing with anxiety. I got a short introduction to emotions involved with unhealthy births and learned a new appreciation for my healthy babies. And finally, I learned from other blogging moms and felt God give me the challenge to produce 'fruit' from that time spent learning.....hence the title of this blog.
This year is a year to apply skills and talents then watch how the Lord will produce fruit. So I'm starting here....with a blog. My goal is to note down a variety of items from my daily life -- from fun crafts with my boys, to items I'm working on for the home or on my etsy shop, to 'super couponing' deals, to items that give me inspiration from other mommy blogs, and so forth.
Thanks for reading!
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