New Year's Resolutions

Hi to you and you and you! It's that time again for making New Year Resolutions. In the past, I thought it was quite silly to make New Year Resolutions. Why make resolutions only at the beginning of the year and not throughout the year as you see fit? However, this year I'm making mine... I may be getting old or something because I find myself liking, doing and saying things I never thought I would. I'm 33. Is that when you mature? {giggle}

 

I have considered, very seriously, what my resolutions will be. What kind of wife, mother and lady do I want to be in a year? I have many places that I can improve on.

 

While I have been thinking about resolutions and how to keep focused, I am reminded of an idea that I read in a book written by Anita Stansfield. Her character, Alex, was an intern at a hospital. He lived in a small, cheap but decent apartment and drove a car barely hanging on. Taped to his bedroom mirror was the house and car that someday he would like to have.

 

What a great way to keep focused! It is easy to lose sights of what we are doing and why we are doing them. An every day reminder is helpful.... now if I can actually fit the time to cut out pictures.

 

Take care and Happy New Year all!

 

Smooches.

 

 

 

 

Book wreath

Hi girls! So are you looking for something to fill up space on a wall? Particularly low budget and easy? I spotted this cute wreath on Pinterest.

Follow this tutorial.

 

 

However, I'm adding a couple notes... I didn't find a foam wreath at the Dollar Store. I went to Michael's and used a 40% off coupon. I used a 12 inch wreath. I rolled all of my pages. I used 1 and a half books. The books were approx. 300 pages. Yeup, that is A LOT of pages.

 

I had my wreath up for about 2 weeks and couldn't get past the stiff look. I took action, threw my wreath on the floor and sat on it. I squished it with my hands. Some of the rolled pages came unglued and I had to reglue them. I also moved it to a different wall.

Better!! And I love that it cost me about $10.

 

 

Hair Moisturizer

While at the salon, the stylist suggested this moisturizer. I love the way it makes my hair look and feel. I bought it at Target for $6 and you only need a pea size.

 

Teaching my kids

Ohmigoodness! I just got done settling my kids sibling argument. I know that totally doesn't make sense. Let me explain. My daughter falls. My 9 year old quickly yells at my 4 year old, thinking that the 4 year old pushed my daughter. In turn, my 12 year old yells at the 9 year old. I run downstairs and find my 9 year old in the corner crying. AHHH!!!!! Who did what to who? When? Where? WHAT?!

 

Finally after hearing who did what, who yelled at who, who made who cry - I'm left figuring out who gets what punishment.

 

I decide on the first thing that pops into my mind... it's called mother's intuition {well, that's what I'm calling it anyway}. I decide to have my 9 year old read two stories from the Friend, a church magazine and my 12 year old read two stories from the New Era, another church magazine. After each of them finished reading, I asked them "How did you feel reading those stories?" and "How did yelling at your brother make you feel?" I tried to make them understand that yelling at their brothers was not Christlike; how quickly the Spirit leaves when we are yelling.

 

Yes my 12 year old rolled his eyes! It might have been a lame way of teaching, but it's my privilege of teaching them. I'd rather it be lame then not take the time to teach.

 

I added that I am guilty of letting my emotions go and being quick to anger {tail tucked between my legs - GUILTY}. I told him that I'm learning to change this behavior in myself and I want to teach them this lesson now, rather than them figuring it out when they are 33.

 

Fingers crossed that this lesson sinks in for them... and ME!

 

 

Colonial Williamsburg Apple Tree

While on one of my many blog hopping adventures, I found myself at Between naps on the porch. She had this amazing centerpiece. I followed this tutorial.

 

Towel Hanger

After taking a shower, I like to have my towel close by. Have you ever had to run to the other side of the bathroom dripping wet?

 

I purchased a wreath hanger. You can find them at the Dollar Store or Wal-Mart for cheap. I put a floor protector (those round fuzzy things for the bottom of chair legs) on the back so it wouldn't bang the shower door when I opened and closed it.

 

You can use one or two towel hangers. Your towels are convenient when you get out of the shower. 

 

P.S. This also frees up your towel rod for those pretty towels that no one is suppose to use.

Baby Jars for touch up Paint

 

If you are like me, touching up your walls is not easy. Imagine going into the cluttered garage and figuring out which paint went with which room. Finally pulling out the gallon of paint, cracking it open with the closest flat head screwdriver and then dousing a brush into the big can. There's got to be an easier way! 

 

To make it easy and convenient grab some baby food jars. Fill it up with paint.

 

 

I typed up labels in Word, labeling which room the paint was used. You may have to be specific. Cut them into strips. I used packaging tape to adhere them to the jars. This way it is organized and easy to identify where the right paint goes.

 

 

Put them somewhere that's easily accessible.  It makes them easy to grab to touch-up in a hurry!!!!  If there is a dent or writing on the wall, I can fix it in no time.

 

Dryer Sheets Cut in Half

Hello Girls {and guys}!
 

So I wanted to share a great money saving tip that I learned from a dear friend. I've learned many great ways to be a better mom, wife and homemaker from her. But I'm not sharing them all in one post! You have to be patient.
 

Several years ago, we were visiting friends in Colorado. We were there for a week and with a family of 5, I was not about to drag loads of dirty laundry back home. While I was doing laundry at our friends home, I noticed that she cut her dryer sheets in half. I was skeptical at first {okay, A LOT} about a couple of things {Do they come out smelling just as fresh?} And guess what?! Not a difference. I love that it saves money!

 

However, I confess that I've thrown in 2 half sheets in larger loads. It doesn't make a difference, but in my OCD mind, it does!  

Necklace Organizer

Hi girls!

 

One night I was laying in bed and my mind was going... as usual. I have many necklaces and not enough room in my jewelry box {I know, you're thinking, "Poor her, she has too many necklaces."} and I don't like that they get tangled.

 

While on one of my trips to the thrift store, I saw a paper towel holder. $2 - I know!!... it's brown & ugly. But I knew it could be so much more.

 

 

 

I took the towel holder apart and sanded it down just enough to take off the shine.

 

I lightly sanded it to take off the finish.

Spray painted it - White with Satin finish by Krylon. I thought it would be cute to dress it up. I bought 2 drawer knobs at Home Depot for $5 each by Liberty.

 

I found a space on my closet wall and hung it up.

Ain't she pretty?! Necklaces are easily accessible and in my closet for easy matching!