Help for my Friend

My dear friend Mandy lost her husband this last weekend in a tragic accident. He has a pilot in his spare time and on Saturday his plane stalled and crashed killing him. He leaves her and their 4 young children (ages 7-1) behind. My heart aches for her and I wish I was closer to comfort her. One thing I can do is spread the word of a fundraiser that is being put on to help her and her little family out during this difficult time. If you can please donate to her. 

http://www.gofundme.com/brycewinterbottom

Busy Life

Right now I feel like I have a million things going on and am running out of energy! I am lacking motivation to work on any of it and just want to sleep.

I have our kitchen table and chairs I need to get finished (table is almost there I just have the center piece design and polyurethane and it's ready), my sister's birthday presents, tons of Christmas presents, Boog's fiddle lessons every week, a school fundraiser, a 10K run I am trying to prep for (ha like I have time for that I wish I was running every day but there seriously is no energy in me to do so!), trying to keep up on my daily tasks, and who knows what else I think I need to add to this craziness of mine.

Funny how I went from feeling so on top of things about a week ago to feeling so behind and frazzled! I think it may be because I have not gotten any farther on those things since the last time I wrote about them.

Goals for this week:

Run every day even if it's just 1 mile, finish my sister's present, keep up on daily house stuff, and finish table...here's to accomplishing that, now to go tend to the screaming children :)

Tip-of-the-Day~Store perks

If you don't already have store perk cards you should get them. Mainly for the stores you frequent most.

I love it I just received $10 for my animals at PetCo! I have also saved tons on gas with my gas rewards card when I go grocery shopping! This is just another way to save more money. Remember you have them and check your balances and expiration dates often because you don't want to let them go to waste, that would be a sad day.

Sorry for not posting yesterday we were still cleaning up after Thursday's crazy storm!

Why I missed posting yesterday...and a Tip-of-the-Day

I know I said I was back and honestly I am, but I missed posting my tip of the day yesterday and I have a great excuse. We had a massive storm roll through that knocked out the power. So my tip would be: be prepared for emergencies.

First about this storm. I knew there was a severe storm rolling in but according to weather alerts and predictions I should of had another 15 minutes (which would have been perfect for me) but the storm was moving faster than predicted I guess. I was at the dentist getting my permanent crown on (luckily done before storm hit) and Dallas was with Bug and Cookie at Boog's school to pick her up for the day. The storm hit right as school was getting out and the tornado sirens (loud sirens that go off to warn people about tornadoes and to get to a safe place) started going off. I was freaking out (I'll admit it) since I'm a person who likes to be in control and wasn't with my family to keep them safe. I was hoping Dallas would be smart enough to get him and the 2 little girls out of the car and into Boog's school (I learned he was forced inside do thank you to whomever made him go in he wanted to stay out in it!). The storm lasted about 10-15 minutes for the heavy crazy stuff, but the thunderstorm continued without the intense wind for another 3 hours. I was also worried about my poor dog who was outside since we were only going to be gone 15 minutes :( she was wet but safe! We are all well, our house is fine, the yard is a bit messy but I can handle that. I'm thankful to learn there are storm shelter areas within Boog's school! We only live 3 blocks away and so I've contemplated what I would do if the tornado sirens went off during school: do I throw the animals and little girls in the basement and run to get her? Do I sit put and leave her alone? What would I do? This was a stressful situation for me to think about, but now I know they are safe in the school and are prepared for such a situation it eases my mind a bit. There was no tornado touch down that I've heard of but a friend captured a rotating cloud in the air that dissipated...crazy! This storm ripped trees out of the ground! Bigger than not ones, killed the power for 6 hours, caused substantial damage and I even saw 2 cars smashed by trees (parked at their home). This storm caused us to know how we are and aren't prepared for emergency situations.

I'm grateful to have my 72 hour ( quickly accessible and easy to carry 3 day supplies of basic necessities )kits together for each member of the family because of these we had lights to see and snacks to keep kids happy. So get prepared if you're not already! We have 2 candles that last 100 hours somewhere (Dallas thought we wouldn't need them so he stuck them somewhere!) That I need to find to feel better and I few more flashlights (maybe the crank ones) would be nice but other than that I felt OK.

Tip-of-the-Day~Laundry done Quick

So when I am folding laundry (like most people) I am wishing to be done already, but then there's that last step of putting it away..."really I have to do that" is my thought usually. However a few years ago I came up with a way to make putting it away so much faster and easier.

I think it came about after having 4 different dressers to bring clothes to. I know separate clothes into each individual's clothing then I fold it per drawer (example: pajamas, shirts, pants, socks and undies) are how I pile the girls' clothes in the basket to take to their room to put away. Has saved me so much time!

Took a Mental Break...now I'm back!

So I was feeling overwhelmed this back week and a half. I mentally shut down and wasn't feeling very friendly to say the least. I have been fighting and stressing trying to get our family the correct health insurance that his employer approves of and let me tell you that was a struggle! We had to find one comparable to the one they currently give to their other employees, but it was either a little better or a little worse and I wasn't sure which way they were going to choose. Thankfully we (and by we I mean my husband) have a great employer and they gave us the one that was a little better and covered maternity (my biggest stresser with this knowing next time I will be considered high risk and have more appointments, ultrasounds, and tests therefore costing us more money).
I have had children not exactly being the best they could be, I've had birthdays to get things ready for (Bug just turned 3 on Monday!) and I've been working on refinishing our kitchen table, making birthday gifts, and getting Christmas gifts made.

But I think I am in a better place now that things are figured out, I finished my sister in laws birthday present, got Bug's present and birthday behind us, half way finished with my sister's birthday presents, got the first coat of paint on the table (I had to sand it down and everything...a post when it's completed I promise) and so now I am back and will start doing my tips of the day again.

Tip-of-the-day~mental overload

Today was one of those days...the kids thought they didn't need to listen to me and Bug and Cookie thought they could be mean and hit me. I was just fed up and had no patience from the time I woke up. I mentally was done before the day began.

Honestly I just want to smack everyone around and had no desire to be social but with it being Sunday I was at church for 3 hours with people around, Blog and Bug were in their classes the last 2 hours but Cookie was with me and just yelling and hitting me.

My solution make my husband deal with them, ignore them, and send them to bed.

I think the best way to deal with a mental overload (you know where when anyone opens their mouth and all you want to do is punch them in the face no matter who they are) is to just isolate yourself and do something relaxing, for me I crocheted today.

Tip-of-the-Day~Toy room

To contain toy messes dedicate an area just for them and insist that's where they stay. 

Ours is downstairs and toys don't come up the stairs.

Tip-of-the-day~Oral Health

Just take care of your teeth daily! Teach your children young to brush and floss...I didn't as a child and have horrid teeth and just had a root canal done.

Take care of them now and you'll save yourself pain and money later.

Tip-of-the-Day~saving money

Not many new tips but great ones that work for me.

Don't go grocery shopping hungry...eat a nice meal and bring a drink so you don't get anything unnecessary.

Make a list! And sort it by aisle/ categories so you aren't meandering around the store looking for things. Group produce, meats, soups, canned foods, snack, act together on you list you bring to the store. I make a list at home then reorganize that into categories before I go shopping.

Use coupons...you don't have to be a crazy couponer but if you get a Sunday paper cut ones you would use when you go shopping. Our Dollar store here sells them Sunday-Wednesday check yours, get to know your neighbors, and locate your recycle center.

Make a meal plan. I do an entire month and buy everything at once then I can switch thing around if that meal doesn't sound good. I only buy fresh produce for two weeks at a time. The less you go to the store the less you are going to spend.

Watch sales...cereal you can always use so when it's on sale stock up! Toilet paper, laundry detergent, and other necessities that won't spoil stock up on when they are on sale.

Tip-of-the-Day~Oven Cleaning

Recently we bought a house and the stove/oven were disgusting! I spent 2 days scrubbing and disinfecting this thing! Day one was the slowest progress even (granted it was about 10pm when I started the process and I was up until 1am before I decided it was time to call it a night) however Day two was much more progressive. The reason ***drum roll*** I used the BBQ brush! I must say this has been one of my most genius thoughts lately! This worked wonders on the inside of the oven, but was even better on the racks! Oh and I have a gas stove so that made cleaning those pieces quicker and easier as well.

So the tip???? USE A BBQ BRUSH TO CLEAN YOUR OVEN! Just a little hot water with dish soap works perfectly! Then you just wipe it out with either paper towels or a washcloth (if you're cheap like me).

Tip-of-the-Day~Frugality 1

To save time, water, and money bathe kids together or shower with your spouse.  All three of my girls get in at once and whomever I'm not washing (Boog washes herself but waits until I'm done with Bug and Cookie) gets to play while I wash the other.

Anyways just fill up one bath (your money and water saving are awesome but the time you save not refilling or trying to keep the others from coming back to the bath after they are in their pajamas is amazing too!

Tip-of-the-Day~Make memories

So I missed posting yesterday because I was visiting with family. Today I will post 2 tips today.

This post comes about because this last weekend we took a family day  trip and it was so nice to just spend time with our kids. I know there were things Dallas and I could be doing at home but I feel ,especially for Boog, the kids got a lot from our trip to Nauvoo and Carthage Illinois.

I think too much today kids are getting memories and time spent with loved ones replaced by material things. Those material things only hold attention and last so long but memories can last forever especially when you take pictures.

Anyways spend time with loved ones and make memories you never know when they will be gone.

Tip-of-the-Day~Road Trips with kids

Mainly this deals with the many potty breaks younger kids "need" during road trips.

Our solution in this house it to bring along a potty training toilet that way you can stop anywhere!

This also works great with potty training and having to drive even 15 minutes somewhere.

Tip-of-the-Day~projects

This is a simple tip...one I should have minded with my last project.

Measure twice! Cut once! Ugh....such is life :)

Tip-of-the-Day~Indulge Yourself

 Whatever it is you indulge yourself in something you enjoy.
Food, shopping, a movie, spa, massage, time alone, a trip, whatever it may be indulge and enjoy something for yourself once a month (unless it's a big thing like a long trip that costs a lot of money then maybe twice a year depending on your income and responsibilities).

You will feel refreshed and happier after you do something for yourself and indulge in something you love!

Tip-of-the-Day~Christmas Bliss

That's right I'm already thinking about Christmas and what to do for it...truth is I have been since March!

This tip is to help alleviate the stress associated with Christmas. Start early buy a small gift one month maybe save for a couple to purchase a larger one and just find a place to hid them...however don't forget you have them! To avoid "losing" them in your hiding spot (let's face it we have all done that thinking we cleverly hid something then completely forgot about it) right after you hide it place the name of the item or "X's gift" in your calender on your phone set for the beginning of December so you can start slowly wrapping them.

If you are a handmade crafter (such as myself) then start projects early and avoid the late nights close to the holidays that turn us all into Grinches.

Anyways I will be starting a bunch this week, already have one going, and finishing 2 more hopefully in the next week as well.

Tip-of-the-Day~Finding Pets

1) Check your local shelter first!!! Often the animals come spayed/neutered and are up to date on shots and medicines. Our shelter even microchips the animals. Also all shelters do promotions (especially when they are getting crowded) so watch for those and it really cuts the cost, but don't hesitate to get an animal if you find "the one" when it's not during a promotion.

2) Know the time, space, and money you are willing to put towards your animal and select accordingly (a low maintenance do that doesn't require a lot of attention for those away from home for most of the day or a cat who doesn't mind being left alone)

3) DON'T settle! If the animal it the specific breed/type you want BUT there is NO CONNECTION then don't get the animal! The right one will come along.

4) The "RIGHT" one may not be the breed/type you were anticipating. We wanted a short haired no shedding dog (such as a Lab) but the one that found us (well connected instantly with Dallas and was great with our 3 girls) was Alice who is a German Shepherd/Lab and German Shepherds have an undercoat therefore they shed A LOT!!! Dallas was worried about this but I told him I would sweep and vacuum EVERY day to keep it under control and that is what I have done. When you find the animal you connect with don't be put off by anything that connection doesn't always come and you CAN make adjustments to have that animal (besides uprooting and finding a new place I don't think you should do that unless you were wanting to anyways)

I'm telling you when that connection is made you grab hold of it (this was her first night with us and the ONLY time I allowed this to happen)

She is so good with our girls I love it!

The girls love her too (this is just a week after getting her)

Tip-of-the-day~ Avocado prep

Ok so Boog LOVES avocados and I like to make guacamole so the need of knowing how to easily pit and "peel" an avocado became a necessity for me.

You will need an avocado, knife, cutting board, a spoon, and clean hands.

Here are the basic steps to getting an avocado editable-y ready:

I start at the top of the avocado and push my knife down until it hits the pit then rotate it around until there is a slice around the entire avocado.

Second I twist one side (helps if your avocado isn't as ripe as it needs to be other wise you usually can just pull it apart, but I like to twist them ;)) in order to get the halves to come apart.

Now you have one side that has a pit in it that needs removed...

Third I squeeze the sides of the avocado just a little to help loosen the pit then I take my spoon and go around the pit and it will pop out.

Now the pit is gone.

To get the avocado out of the peel I do the same thing as I did with the pit I take my spoon and place it inside the peel between it and the fruit and make my way all the way around at a slight angle so that you get under all or it.

Here is the peel free of the fruit after going around it. Now do it to the other half (if you will be using it as well)

Now you are ready to enjoy your avocado!

The technique of going around the peel with a spoon also works wonderfully with Kiwis!

Hope this was helpful to someone ;)

Tip-of-the-Day~getting around fast

This is especially helpful when you have kids.
I set clothes out for the family before bed and when it comes doing the girls' hair for church and they want something fancy like an up-do we do it the night before and just pin back what came loose during the night. Ladies you can do this too. Just think ahead and you can save so much time...try outfits on and determined what you want to do hair wise before bed.