When Life Tries to Knock You Down, Hold on Tight

The past few months have flown by. It's funny how when I stop to reflect on everything that has happened of the past few weeks/months I can't even think of where to begin.

I have a lot to thank the Lord for, and I do daily. He has given me the strength to always look ahead and keep moving forward.

Sunny Day

On a beautiful spring day, what is better than  Strawberry w/ cream cheese frosting and Yellow sprinkle  Cupcakes?

Bargains

I am as cheap thrifty as they come. My kids get annoyed that I won't buy them clothes unless they are on clearance. It's not that we can't afford to buy things at full price, I just like to spend my money practically and frugally. I have mastered grocery shopping so that we spend $100/week on food. That is $100 a week for a family of 6. This 100/week includes breakfast, lunch (we all pack a lunch from home daily), snacks, fruit and dinners.

Today, we were on the prowl for inexpensive, high quality bedding. We were due for new bedding, I have had the same comforter for over 5 years. We SCORED. Macy's had an additional 30% off all clearance bedding and the nice lady at the counter had an additional 15% off coupon. The comforter set was originally 350, we purchased it for $60. We found 750tc sheet set on sale for 60 (originally over 200). Our total bill was a little over 120 (sales tax) for merchandise that retails for over $500.

a small glimpse of my weekend projects

This weekend was full of crafts, thrifting, yard work, cooking and even a nice hike with the family. I spent Saturday morning at a softball clinic with my daughter and all of Saturday afternoon thrifting..bliss. I found some great vintage pyrex bowls and a few milk glass pieces to add to my collection.
Between yard work and laundry I found time to complete a few craft projects.

This candle holder was made out dollar store finds. I made two of them for my fireplace mantel. The base is a tea light candle holder that I super glued to a glass vase. I used 2 pillar candles that I hot glued together ( the dollar store didn't have taller candles) and glued a ribbon around the center of the candles. The total cost for each vase $4.00.

I needed a spring wreath, this again was made out of materials from the dollar store. It fits perfectly on my wreath stand in the entry way. Total cost $4.00

The kids computer chair was plain black. I felt that it needed a new look. With a few staples and fabric, it's as good as new. My wonderful hubby helped me take it apart and put it back together. I had the fabric in my stash so the total cost was FREE.

When I was out working on the yard, my neighbor came out and asked if I wanted this table. She was going to give it to goodwill. I love the lines on it. I am going to paint it heirloom white and it will be a great TV stand for my girls bedroom.

I have more projects that were completed this weekend. I will post them later in the week.

Chairs

In an attempt to redecorate our porch without spending money, I spray painted some ugly green chairs that have been accumulating dust in the garage. I recovered pillows that I purchased for 99 cents from the thrift store.

Next weekend, we are going to power wash the front porch and I will be planting flowers in my newly painted flower pots. I like the look of the black chairs and table. I added a Pier 1 candle holder that I also purchased while thrifting for 1.99-added a coat of Heirloom White spray paint and she is as good as new.

I will post more pictures next weekend with the flowers.

First Project on List Completed!!

This is a $3.99 laundry hamper from the thrift store. It was brown with a wonderful peach colored top.
I re-covered the top and used a little spray paint for the base. It now fits the decor in my girls bedroom. This will now be used to store my youngest daughter's doll clothes and doll accessories.

The hamper is sitting on an end table that I found out GW for $2 ( I was excited about that find-It's sturdy and solid)--a little bit of sanding and paint turned it into a beauty.

On The Move

Project list

My craft/project to do list is a mile long. I have a bad habit of purchasing the supplies/material/paint for my projects but I never start and/or finish the project. As a result, I have an over abundance of fabric, paint and items waiting to be re-purposed.

My goal is to complete the projects on the list below before garage sale season begins (end of March). That way I can purchase more furniture and items to re-purpose without feeling guilty (or have my husband think I am a hoarder).

-re-paint the chairs and bench for front porch (paint is already purchased)
-make pillows for the newly painted front porch furniture (fabric and pillow cushions already purchased)
-re-paint the yellow/white dresser in garage (last years garage sale find--paint not purchased as the color is yet to be determined)
-paint planters black ( I saw this done on another blog- Paint is purchased)
-Plant seeds/plants in newly painted planters (seeds have been purchased)
- re-stain armoire in boy's room (stain has been purchased)
-Re-stain Ethan's dresser (stain purchased.. see a trend here? I have purchased everything for these projects..I shop too much)
-sew cushion for entry way bench (fabric purchased--need to buy the padding)
-spray paint hamper and reupholster the top w/fabric (thrift store find-paint and fabric purchased)


Those are the main projects I hope to accomplish by the end of March. I will post pictures as I complete them.

back to the drawing board

I have been stocking  reading many wonderful blogs in blogland over the past year. I have completely neglected my blog... My goal is to post at least one blog per week.

What's in the kitchen: Tonight we had spaghetti and a green salad. This is an old family favorite. I made enough for dinner on Wednesday night also.





Children Issues: Ethan, my eight year old, lost his loving pet hamster Buddy. This was a traumatic experience for him as he is the one to find him dead. I wish I would have found him so I could run to PETCO and get a replacement...again.





Steps to Completing goal: I went to Trader Joe's this weekend and stocked up on natural and organic foods. My husband is a big fan of the chocolate cookies and of the homemade pizza I made on Sunday.

So, I thought I was doing good with getting the kids to eat organic. I was just telling my husband last night that the kids have been eating up the organic cereals I bought. This morning as I walked in the kitchen, my husband was laughing. He watched the kids pour their cereal. They all reached in the cupboard for the SUGAR.... He said the kids have been putting a lot of SUGAR on the cereal. Those stinkers! Needless to say, he hid the sugar.

I am introducing my family to a new way of eating. I have slowly been introducing a diet of all natural, whole wheat, fresh, organic foods. This has been welcomed by my children but my husband is yet to be on board. His perfect meal would include corn dogs, french fries, bacon cheeseburger and a chocolate milkshake. He loves the processed foods. My kids love organic cereal, yogurt with fresh fruit and organic granola bars. Basically, if the food tastes good they will eat it. My mission has been to find healthy, practical, inexpensive yet delicious meals.

This was the side dish tonight along side baked fish-tilapia. I sauteed red onion, zucchini, petite baby carrots, broccoli and snap peas in olive oil. Then I added a pinch of salt with two cups of cooked whole wheat penne pasta. The kids ate it up. It was very flavorful and nutritious.

Much needed break

I feel as though the weight of the world has been lifted off my shoulders. I just emailed my final assignment to my professor. I am taking a short break from school. I was beginning to feel overwhelmed and stressed. Four kids, a full time job and working on my psychology degree.... ugh. To top it off, I just had a partial hysterectomy 2 weeks ago. The break is much needed.
Now, what will I do with my time?
Here are my goals during the next two months:
Finish the Thomas the Train quilt for my nephew, Payton
Start a new baby blanket for my new nephew (to be born in May)
Make cookies with the kids at least once a week
Replace all of our cleaners with non-toxic, natural cleaners
Make curtains for the girls' room ( I have had the material for 5 months)
Take the dogs (2 choc labs) for more walks
Sign up for cooking classes
Plan Nick's 8th grade graduation party


All of this will replace the homework!

Hopefully I will add to this list :)