tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67865711093311575852024-03-04T21:39:44.432-08:00My Organized WorldAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11726467687843312520noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786571109331157585.post-84784761601014300522013-08-16T11:08:00.000-07:002013-08-16T11:08:36.438-07:00The Baking Cupboard<div style="text-align: center;">
I think this may have to be my personal motto:</div>
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So if you couldn't figure it out from the huge sign above, I love to bake! Sometimes its just throwing together some muffins with 2 year old B and other times its spending some extra time trying out new recipes or working on making my own recipes (stay tuned for my personal Snickerdoodle recipe in the fall). My favorite thing to do is make chocolate chip cookie dough and keep it in the fridge (its good in there for about a week). Just before I take the kids back to bed I put a couple of cookies in the oven so that when I emerge into the relaxing quiet hours of the night I can enjoy a nice gooey, warm, delicious chocolate chip cookie.<br />
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I could go on and on about baking, but what this post is really about is my baking cupboard. I keep <i>almost</i> all of my baking supplies in one cupboard so that they are easy to find and use. I use the cupboard that is conveniently located just above the mixer so I can have everything in one place.<br />
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Here's a view of the baking area in the kitchen:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpgnI5722mUkGUYwjlqhf4CdKhK7QAXR3Q036G2bK8Mq3JqogtIufz0drMqc47aBy8JCjbhNAY9VAfEh-9EZe6E2shmfVyZsoK2x_6mmN0YCaNC9CcXCp_tEsfWHFBc2vrrCfkt6-k3wN/s1600/bakingzone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpgnI5722mUkGUYwjlqhf4CdKhK7QAXR3Q036G2bK8Mq3JqogtIufz0drMqc47aBy8JCjbhNAY9VAfEh-9EZe6E2shmfVyZsoK2x_6mmN0YCaNC9CcXCp_tEsfWHFBc2vrrCfkt6-k3wN/s640/bakingzone.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And here is the baking cupboard in all its organized glory:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjedkAirCKNmHMTHWpxREsqkFVweqysbgAR9_vBWT7x9jARUMcK9Xzrb8bvCFZKFLthyd7upOPvCHGl-gjKTvnWIf1n8gG4aHkkxizLEyloxgOIjPw1PySyIykIg5mFCQroKGVYkUCu1lhp/s1600/DSC_2041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjedkAirCKNmHMTHWpxREsqkFVweqysbgAR9_vBWT7x9jARUMcK9Xzrb8bvCFZKFLthyd7upOPvCHGl-gjKTvnWIf1n8gG4aHkkxizLEyloxgOIjPw1PySyIykIg5mFCQroKGVYkUCu1lhp/s640/DSC_2041.jpg" width="498" /></a></div>
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The picture is pretty straightforward, but if you keep reading on, I'll give a rundown of all those exciting organizational details shelf by shelf...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AImLLQ1sZFwCGHICmH7tE2e0b_USgII1LVrs7qyClTrtWzCea6JcAWBBefZy644iu9X7pMhhNsalKeTYkeElrUVWp_W7C5eIUQqvbMJlemz14VazmuunutWzStQwc0FKxsAVf6xL7pA5/s1600/topshelf.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AImLLQ1sZFwCGHICmH7tE2e0b_USgII1LVrs7qyClTrtWzCea6JcAWBBefZy644iu9X7pMhhNsalKeTYkeElrUVWp_W7C5eIUQqvbMJlemz14VazmuunutWzStQwc0FKxsAVf6xL7pA5/s640/topshelf.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBr-O3OkbHt3jIoxfzVXgJeAG1HVVdps2psPN96p5ykypi9IbRBnQnOp6QeojLGrJ2JF5TY1g4n_z6wCKONQNIF5rXlgkftdYV3ZdY33c6FZKlH0_AIu85ax0KH1FLq_d68ytAy98aED9B/s1600/middleshelf.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBr-O3OkbHt3jIoxfzVXgJeAG1HVVdps2psPN96p5ykypi9IbRBnQnOp6QeojLGrJ2JF5TY1g4n_z6wCKONQNIF5rXlgkftdYV3ZdY33c6FZKlH0_AIu85ax0KH1FLq_d68ytAy98aED9B/s640/middleshelf.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSFtNiESJMRWf_avE_2t0vJNa1Y4w3XmPN_ryxxA55dlKmqYg5xfsQfWF1iubTYQKEOJoWtUqCiW8HgQ23kzB_1K3GPr2j9bDz8DzgNvq-IMbo8u4ZhyOEoRnDQCTuYNz2skt5HjbE2Vn/s1600/bottomshelf.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSFtNiESJMRWf_avE_2t0vJNa1Y4w3XmPN_ryxxA55dlKmqYg5xfsQfWF1iubTYQKEOJoWtUqCiW8HgQ23kzB_1K3GPr2j9bDz8DzgNvq-IMbo8u4ZhyOEoRnDQCTuYNz2skt5HjbE2Vn/s640/bottomshelf.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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The cookie cutters didn't fit into the baking cupboard, so I organized them into tubs and put them in the cupboard on the other side of the microwave - still within reach of the baking area, of course! :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNYL5kYPZYmKWO6ziPmJzW9jjgkOVjlnCvcSNkwYgZ2BQAb5qQdxSuMIoBSrr03E7Xh50R_23sJbsrJxRBfO7cterEGejWsfbgkzcNkj257BazicwJzzhVd0WC-8_lq3O5JkOU3J8zgbh/s1600/cookiecutters.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNYL5kYPZYmKWO6ziPmJzW9jjgkOVjlnCvcSNkwYgZ2BQAb5qQdxSuMIoBSrr03E7Xh50R_23sJbsrJxRBfO7cterEGejWsfbgkzcNkj257BazicwJzzhVd0WC-8_lq3O5JkOU3J8zgbh/s640/cookiecutters.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Before I got started, I made a list of how I would like to organize the baking items:<br />
- tub for cookie cutters (separated into categories)<br />
- piping bag, tops, food coloring, etc. in bin<br />
- dry and wet measuring items together<br />
- mixing bowls<br />
- gasket jar for cupcake liners<br />
- plastic tubs for flour, sugar, powdered sugar, and brown sugar<br />
- see through containers for sprinkles<br />
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Then I took everything out of the cupboard (I'll spare you the picture of that disaster) and then started putting it all back in the cupboard in its new tubs and containers. Keeping all of my baking items organized has actually saved me quite a bit of time and money because I'm not searching for things and I'm not buying double of what I already have.<br />
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And that's it - the wonderful baking cupboard!! <br />
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On second thought, I think this might be my more specific personal motto:</div>
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<img height="640" src="http://ih2.redbubble.net/image.10340856.6046/flat,550x550,075,f.u1.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" width="513" /></div>
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Want to know what I used to help me organize? I ended up purchasing all of the organizing containers from <a href="http://www.storables.com/">Storables</a>.<br />
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Jar for cupcake liners:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://cdn-us-e.yottaa.net/51f9446cea2e0c535f00052c/b6eab570dcf00130be2812313d08f879.yottaa.net/v~2.12/8049AA/magento/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/265x265/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/g/l/glass-jar-colored-all-_1__492_2.jpg?yocs=_&yoloc=us" style="-webkit-user-select: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">click <a href="http://lghttp.5835.nexcesscdn.net/8049AA/magento/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/492x492/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/g/l/glass-jar-colored-all-_1__492_2.jpg">here</a> for where to buy online<br />
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Containers for sprinkles:</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://cdn-us-e.yottaa.net/51f9446cea2e0c535f00052c/b6eab570dcf00130be2812313d08f879.yottaa.net/v~2.12/8049AA/magento/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/265x265/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/2/6/26241_492.jpg?yocs=_&yoloc=us" style="-webkit-user-select: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">click <a href="http://www.storables.com/3-oz-rectangular-containers.html">here</a> for where to buy online</td></tr>
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Containers for flour, sugar, etc.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://cdn-us-e.yottaa.net/51f9446cea2e0c535f00052c/b6eab570dcf00130be2812313d08f879.yottaa.net/v~2.12/8049AA/magento/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/265x265/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/s/i/sistema-bakery-bulk-containers.jpg?yocs=_&yoloc=us" style="-webkit-user-select: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">click <a href="http://www.storables.com/sistema-bakery-bulk-food-containers-with-scoop.html">here</a> for where to buy online</td></tr>
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Bins for holding wet & dry measuring, food coloring, and sprinkles containers:</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://cdn-us-e.yottaa.net/51f9446cea2e0c535f00052c/b6eab570dcf00130be2812313d08f879.yottaa.net/v~2.12/8049AA/magento/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/265x265/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/l/i/linus-frawer-org.jpg?yocs=_&yoloc=us" style="-webkit-user-select: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">click <a href="http://www.storables.com/kitchen/kitchen-drawer-organizers/modular-drawer-organizers/plastic-modular-drawer-organizers/interdesign-linus-drawer-organizers.html">here</a> for where to buy online</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11726467687843312520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786571109331157585.post-66971395373947725582013-07-30T11:21:00.001-07:002013-07-30T11:21:43.299-07:00Cleaning Schedule<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I like my house to be clean... right! Unfortunately, like most people, I don't like doing what I need to do to get my house clean. I used to avoid cleaning until the weekend and then spend a whole day sweating and madly cleaning the house, but that plan hasn't been working for me. 2 of my friends had good cleaning systems so I thought them over...</div>
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1 friend cleans on Thursday evenings so that her house is clean for the weekend. Oh, and she enjoys drinking a bottle of wine while doing so. Sounds fantastic!! She admits, though, that she sometimes can't find things the next day that she has put away due to the excess wine consumption while cleaning. :)</div>
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The other friend has a daily system. Take out the garbages on this day, clean the bathrooms on a different day, etc. This system sounded like something I could wrap my head around so for the past 9 months or so I've been cleaning this way. Now I don't always get to my cleaning chores for the day and if that is the case then I push them to the next day and everything gets bumped, but I've found that by doing this it only takes me about 20 - 30 minutes to clean daily and I am actually getting to everything every week.</div>
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Here is my cleaning schedule along with my fantasy of what I would like to get done and the reality of what actually gets done...</div>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sunday</b> - Kitchen and Dining Room</span></u></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="400" src="http://images.meredith.com/content/dam/bhg/Images/2010/01/101089318.jpg.rendition.largest.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bhg.com/kitchen/eat-in-kitchen/dining-room-and-eating-area-design-ideas/">source</a></td></tr>
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<i>Fantasy</i> - vacuum dining room, dust dining room blinds, clean dining room table, vacuum and mop kitchen floor, clean all kitchen countertops and stove, wipe down fridge</div>
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<i>Reality</i> - vacuum dining room, clean dining room table, vacuum kitchen, wipe down kitchen countertops with <i style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.thatorganicgirl.com/2012/04/homemade-cleaner-recipe.html">antibacterial all-purpose cleaner</a>, </i>and do a quick vacuum of the living room and entry way</div>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Monday</b> - Kids Rooms, Hallway, Guest Bathroom</span></u></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="332" src="http://images.meredith.com/content/dam/bhg/Images/2012/06/Meredith_RF-YB-0512-Miranda.jpg.rendition.largest.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bhg.com/">source</a></td></tr>
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<i>Fantasy</i> - put away toys and books, dust kids rooms, vacuum and mop floors (because M still spits up and out of her crib so the floor in her room is covered in white spots), clean bathroom well (toilets, tub, sink, and floor get a scrub down)</div>
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<i>Reality:</i> put away toys and books and vacuum kids rooms and hallway, vacuum bathroom and clean well every other week - unless we have company and then I will clean the bathroom (your welcome guests!)</div>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tuesday</b> - No Cleaning Day!</span></u></div>
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<img height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixUmBJ8V4BQyWJOKUb3eFobwDuptxbiYu-7OdCRrnDScVB0Okuc8UjvgkNJWSnTeAB5XQI2x0uhyaxMxL6xbuDCetLF7XJSEDivSZp5Swrcrr8Tc7yj6HN1ATA4cy374ScSuPGdAD-ypk/s1600/50s-wife-list-2.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" width="392" /><br />
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<u><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Wednesday</b> - Living Room and Entry Way</span></u></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="400" src="http://images.meredith.com/content/dam/bhg/Images/2011/07/101588102.jpg.rendition.largest.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bhg.com/rooms/living-room/family/cozy-family-room-decorating/#page=9">source</a></td></tr>
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<i>Fantasy</i> - put away toys, dust, vacuum couch and area rug and floors, vacuum hairs and dirt that cling to the bench</div>
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<i>Reality</i> - pick up toys, vacuum floors and bench, dust when I have some extra time (so not very often!), and do a quick vacuum of the kitchen and dining room</div>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Thursday</b> - No Cleaning Day!</span></u></div>
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<img height="313" src="http://imagecache6.allposters.com/LRG/21/2191/UF1AD00Z.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" width="400" /><br />
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<u><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Friday</b> - Master Bedroom and Master Bathroom</span></u></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="335" src="http://images.meredith.com/content/dam/bhg/Images/2012/06/19/101207198.jpg.rendition.largest.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="403" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bhg.com/rooms/bedroom/master-bedroom/master-bedroom-ideas/#page=13">source</a></td></tr>
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<i>Fantasy</i> - dust, vacuum, clean bathroom well (sink, tub, toilet, and floor get a scrub down)</div>
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<i>Reality</i> - vacuum floors and clean master bathroom well every other week</div>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Saturday</b> - Stairs and Downstairs</span></u></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="400" src="http://images.meredith.com/content/dam/remodel/Images/2008/08/100969956.jpg.rendition.largest.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/remodeling/architectural-details/distinctive-staircase-ideas/#page=10">source</a></td></tr>
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<i>Fantasy</i> - vacuum and mop stairs, organize and vacuum playroom, vacuum laundry room, clean bathroom</div>
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<i>Reality</i> - sweep stairs every other week and vacuum once a month (we don't eat down there and the dog doesn't go downstairs so it really doesn't get that dirty anyway), and when it drives me crazy I will clean the downstairs bathroom but Nick is the only one to use it so I figure if he doesn't care if its dirty then I'm not going to worry about it</div>
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I do what I can to keep the house as clean as possible without devoting ALL of my time to cleaning. There are areas that need improvement in the cleaning routine, but right now it is working for me and I've come to accept the fact that things are going to be a bit dusty and the bathroom isn't perfectly clean all of the time, but as a friend said to me once, I'd rather be spending time with my child than cleaning so things aren't going to get done like they used to (thanks Erica).<br />
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*I would like to add that none of these pictures are from my actual house... just dreaming!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11726467687843312520noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786571109331157585.post-76180701868943762822013-07-16T21:47:00.001-07:002013-07-16T21:47:32.970-07:00Packing PlansJust a warning, this is a long post, but there are lots of pictures if you just want to scan. :)<br />
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2 things just happened... 1, Nick, the girls, and I went to San Diego for a little vacation and 2, before going on the trip, I decided to take on a challenge. I came across an article titled <b><i><a href="http://www.stylebookapp.com/stories/packing_list.html">How to Pack 20 Outfits in One Carry On</a></i></b>. It intrigued me because just like pretty much every other person out there, I always pack waaay too much because I never know what I am going to want to wear. For this trip, though, I followed the guidelines of the article pretty closely by packing only a few items of clothing that could all be matched together in different ways. This way I could come up with various outfits using the few clothes that I brought.<br />
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I followed the <i>amount</i> of each item of clothing to bring, but I didn't follow the <i>exact</i> items the article suggested because of where I was going and what we would be doing. It's not like I needed a pair of black trousers and a button front blouse on a trip to a warm climate city where I would be chasing kids at SeaWorld and playing at the beach! Check out what the article said to bring <b><i><a href="http://www.stylebookapp.com/stories/packing_list.html">here</a></i></b> and then check out what I did...<br />
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*Side note: Some of the items of clothing in the pictures are items that look like the clothing that I brought. Not every picture is an exact match of the clothes, but I tried to find pictures of things that looked very similar to what I brought.<br />
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Color Palette: <br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>The article says to pick a color palette and I've read in other articles that this helps reduce the amount of shoes, accessories, etc. that you will need to pack and then you can also throw neutral colored clothes in with your theme. I didn't pick a color palette ahead of packing, but after looking at my clothes, I realized that I actually did have a color theme...</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgOLTrAsbTxwO8LpIQD99DTpX_7a7L4G77oHIGSQphQ7J4TWRcIZYkAsoeCVoou66Pv44Y53bYPJWKYV1TLKDFUKWnxnNJ47Z3uZncAGJK1LTjjF1_cVDIHJ8KpScmlCfV5AXGfrHEFjp2/s1600/IMG_0278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgOLTrAsbTxwO8LpIQD99DTpX_7a7L4G77oHIGSQphQ7J4TWRcIZYkAsoeCVoou66Pv44Y53bYPJWKYV1TLKDFUKWnxnNJ47Z3uZncAGJK1LTjjF1_cVDIHJ8KpScmlCfV5AXGfrHEFjp2/s320/IMG_0278.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Plane Ride:</div>
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<ul>
<li>I wore a skirt for 2 reasons: 1, it was a hot day in Seattle and San Diego and 2, it was my way of bringing a skirt in case I wanted one to wear instead of the maxi dress that I decided to pack as a "Bottoms" item (see Bottoms below).</li>
<li>Instead of packing the Outer Layer cardigan, I brought it with me on the plane in case I got chilly and so I would have more room in my suitcase (also see Outer Layer below).</li>
<li>I always wear flip flops now on plane rides to avoid the hassle of taking off shoes while also trying to get everything up on the scanning belt and then back into the carry on bags, etc., etc.</li>
</ul>
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<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/sd_plane_ride/set?.embedder=4957512&.svc=blogger&id=88554177" target="_blank"><img alt="SD plane ride" border="0" force="1" height="400" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/uoYzENak1vjpi3QYGnXYvg/cid/88554177/id/wzANX7UpRGu98Uq5Z_z8fw/size/c600x674.jpg" title="SD plane ride" width="355" /></a></div>
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Bottoms (4 items):</div>
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<ul>
<li>khaki shorts</li>
<li>army green shorts</li>
<li>jeans - the article says to bring dark jeans, but I knew that if I wanted to dress nice, I could wear the maxi dress, so I opted for the comfy jeans (I never ended up wearing the jeans)</li>
<li>dress - the article says to bring a skirt, but I kind of wanted to bring a maxi dress so I decided to wear a skirt on the plane, just in case I ended up wanting one</li>
</ul>
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<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/sd_bottoms_part/set?.embedder=4957512&.svc=blogger&id=88550435" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="SD bottoms part 2" border="0" force="1" height="400" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/sw5EPWm104Ow88PQh1Fkkg/cid/88550435/id/rncQXG4kQlaUUdyffWU4ow/size/c600x888.jpg" title="SD bottoms part 2" width="270" /></a></div>
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Tops (4 items):<br />
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<ul>
<li>polka dot blouse</li>
<li>navy tank</li>
<li>gray tshirt</li>
<li>white tank</li>
</ul>
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<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/sd_tops/set?.embedder=4957512&.svc=blogger&id=88553346" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="SD tops" border="0" force="1" height="331" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/M4XsMN8eK8F1ZFlsuGBMQ/cid/88553346/id/w0iGno8PQ5y1w9PTfbCBHw/size/c600x500.jpg" title="SD tops" width="400" /></a></div>
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Shoes (the article says to bring 3, but I just packed 2) and Accessories (3):<br />
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<ul>
<li>brown sandals</li>
<li>brown flip flops - I've had these for years, they are my favorite, my staple, and I go nowhere without them!</li>
<li>scarf</li>
<li>jewelry</li>
<li>belt</li>
</ul>
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<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/sd_shoes_accessories/set?.embedder=4957512&.svc=blogger&id=88556299" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="SD shoes and accessories" border="0" force="1" height="297" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/0iqJKfPOPnKmC1Qpq8uIXg/cid/88556299/id/GMZM9J0vSDe8_Gv8ZJk5ng/size/c600x448.jpg" title="SD shoes and accessories" width="400" /></a></div>
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Outer Layers (2)</div>
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<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">I wore the white cardigan on the plane for one less item to pack.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">I brought a hoody in case I got cold at night in the hotel room.</li>
</ul>
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Bags (the article says 2, but I didn't pack any extra)</div>
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<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">Only brought my <b><i><a href="http://myorganizedworld.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-new-bag.html">tote</a></i></b> as a carry on. I had no need for extra bags on this trip.</li>
</ul>
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The article says that every bottom should match every top. I didn't quite meet that requirement, but I was close enough. Here is an example of how my khaki shorts matched every top and the possible outfits that could be put together:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/sd_khaki_shorts_outfits/set?.embedder=4957512&.svc=blogger&id=88584047" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="SD khaki shorts outfits" border="0" force="1" height="515" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/tuwCdDjf2lI3nvnRrcLA/cid/88584047/id/6uay7gp3TBqoXs-TFrkRHw/size/c600x484.jpg" title="SD khaki shorts outfits" width="640" /></a></div>
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Of course, I also had to brings things for the beach (bikini, shorts, tank) and personal items (underwear, bras, white tanks, etc.) that are a given, but don't go on the list.<br />
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So that was my plan. Here are the outfits I ended up putting together...<br />
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<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/sd_day/set?.embedder=4957512&.svc=blogger&id=89180979" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="SD day 1" border="0" force="1" height="451" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/P4SSG251nFMpG5U9J3NG9A/cid/89180979/id/_g2SgCZZQSi1ozeMHlQymg/size/c600x424.jpg" title="SD day 1" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/sd_day/set?.embedder=4957512&.svc=blogger&id=89273327" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="SD day 2" border="0" force="1" height="545" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/CHoS2U6uyOeiqC9pdCPoTg/cid/89273327/id/caZ4TfN6TKuefNJDDmSKPQ/size/c600x512.jpg" title="SD day 2" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikNUc956oPpmV0sPB_f5n2BawJjjbWVSUsEtS0CvoBAQu3mDfwFKJS1szU04qYvsimRpavHs-1gsW9BVTFl6U0ueD29vyfayhNpBOgxw4kxeGHXm_EgmNjw-_KYHlud8PJSjkDQb5i7w9E/s1600/DSC_1973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikNUc956oPpmV0sPB_f5n2BawJjjbWVSUsEtS0CvoBAQu3mDfwFKJS1szU04qYvsimRpavHs-1gsW9BVTFl6U0ueD29vyfayhNpBOgxw4kxeGHXm_EgmNjw-_KYHlud8PJSjkDQb5i7w9E/s640/DSC_1973.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/sd_day/set?.embedder=4957512&.svc=blogger&id=89438651" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="SD day 3" border="0" force="1" height="524" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/94rotlvThEm1Pt4iJxYg/cid/89438651/id/GZLLZSxdTvm7bkFbkJkkXQ/size/c600x493.jpg" title="SD day 3" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuTc5muJzitM_hcmzlquiN1moJiivyStsv68yElv1TDR2PD1TSFic9yBsmFM_kToe5bPyqZLTzX1xDrC_4Bqdb91bDUhINGA_CYM0mwYCuX-Euvxlr4IT0TeKakZLO0qGhbp1sYN-4_JcN/s1600/IMG_0433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuTc5muJzitM_hcmzlquiN1moJiivyStsv68yElv1TDR2PD1TSFic9yBsmFM_kToe5bPyqZLTzX1xDrC_4Bqdb91bDUhINGA_CYM0mwYCuX-Euvxlr4IT0TeKakZLO0qGhbp1sYN-4_JcN/s640/IMG_0433.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaG5K2JV0kIA-A9cJ0oyi_7mwHgCKhRBkKhePT2LYHDxh29I1Cv54tDz1WWNaOpmIjIIL78njG0AvfOBWGz9lqX-KWpIFV7CQvwIOsstuRn8g5jzq3qdZQhjxC0pNoXIydMWxOpPJhouI1/s1600/DSC_1979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaG5K2JV0kIA-A9cJ0oyi_7mwHgCKhRBkKhePT2LYHDxh29I1Cv54tDz1WWNaOpmIjIIL78njG0AvfOBWGz9lqX-KWpIFV7CQvwIOsstuRn8g5jzq3qdZQhjxC0pNoXIydMWxOpPJhouI1/s640/DSC_1979.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/sd_day/set?.embedder=4957512&.svc=blogger&id=89493671" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="SD day 4" border="0" force="1" height="640" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/XT3VuaHqmJ5YICUSHPyU7Q/cid/89493671/id/jijE2VlERxSsFmz6Fa2rOg/size/c600x612.jpg" title="SD day 4" width="626" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/sd_day/set?.embedder=4957512&.svc=blogger&id=89701881" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="SD day 5" border="0" force="1" height="640" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/bwEJdI76WQC042fvS3Pg/cid/89701881/id/aqv3F82BT5K7i_WOOvtqdA/size/c600x805.jpg" title="SD day 5" width="476" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCj3MeFSFlsECbwNgsX8y8VsoF1M3IuTkoK9epzJ27cYOY970PBZjwlGqbqp7ANNO5nkiVGPJazRyb6apncBvRTz1YL3yIAjKhYoHFzGCrgIAe7r2DWpXJJaSLz53ObVSrnisn8Pa55vy/s1600/harbor+seals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCj3MeFSFlsECbwNgsX8y8VsoF1M3IuTkoK9epzJ27cYOY970PBZjwlGqbqp7ANNO5nkiVGPJazRyb6apncBvRTz1YL3yIAjKhYoHFzGCrgIAe7r2DWpXJJaSLz53ObVSrnisn8Pa55vy/s640/harbor+seals.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I was a little nervous because I wasn't sure if I'd run out of clothes. 1 year old M peed on me at SeaWorld so that shirt was out for the rest of the trip (luckily it was hot so the pee dried quickly!), but other than that, I was able to repeat clothes because nothing got too dirty or stinky. :) Nick even forgot to wear deodorant to SeaWorld and he surprisingly didn't stink by the end of the day - he's going to just love that I posted that!<br />
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Also, I had so much room in my suitcase!! I couldn't believe all the extra space in there... I didn't have to sit on my suitcase in order to zip it up this time! AND... I wore jewelry! I never wear jewelry, but since I was following the article and it said to bring jewelry, I brought it... so since it was in my suitcase I decided to wear it!!<br />
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Do you think you could pack like this? It was actually kind of fun putting the clothes and outfits together!!<br />
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P.S. My favorite part of this trip... my little traveler that insisted on lugging her suitcase around both the Seattle and San Diego airports...<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11726467687843312520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786571109331157585.post-65534839819692587102013-06-30T14:23:00.000-07:002013-06-30T14:23:59.257-07:001 Year Old MYep, that's right, baby M is now 1 year old M! To be perfectly honest, I was kind of looking forward to baby M turning 1. She has been somewhat of a tough baby... an all I want is momma and I want her to hold me ALL of the time and I only want to drink milk from mom kind of baby. This would be fine if I didn't also have a 2 year old and work and you know, need to go to the bathroom every once in awhile. <br />
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As the weeks approached the big 1 year birthday, though, I felt less and less that I wanted her to be 1 and wanted more and more to keep her as baby M. She is so sweet and loving and she gives THE best hugs and snuggles - the nuzzle her head into your neck and wrap her arms tightly around me kind of snuggles! And really, can you blame her for just wanting to be hugged?! I get the feeling though that even as 1 year old M, she will always be a super loving and cuddly little one.<br />
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I threw a family party for her at our family beach house. I gave the party a bird theme since she was our early bird by 3 weeks. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oJ_X59B_NSI/Uc4MtItXyGI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/z_cLXKj5HsY/s1600/baby+M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oJ_X59B_NSI/Uc4MtItXyGI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/z_cLXKj5HsY/s640/baby+M.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby M at our family beach house when she was just 2 weeks old and 1 year old M at her party.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here's a look at what I did for the party...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HUuVmzCkm1c/UdCfm7KmvzI/AAAAAAAAAiI/QU0fS9Y9ph8/s1600/table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HUuVmzCkm1c/UdCfm7KmvzI/AAAAAAAAAiI/QU0fS9Y9ph8/s640/table.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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1. Bubbles and Water Fun (for a hot hot day)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dz7vyOomejY/Uc5Og7hmhbI/AAAAAAAAAgg/zVIr3uuJA_c/s1600/bubbles+and+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dz7vyOomejY/Uc5Og7hmhbI/AAAAAAAAAgg/zVIr3uuJA_c/s640/bubbles+and+water.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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2. Adorable and Unnecessary Party Hat (from Etsy)<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tFkAuLtPNXI/Uc5PkTrOR5I/AAAAAAAAAgs/a80Tf3RPCJ0/s1600/party+hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tFkAuLtPNXI/Uc5PkTrOR5I/AAAAAAAAAgs/a80Tf3RPCJ0/s640/party+hat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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3. Bird's Nest Cupcakes<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tz5o4V4ckWc/Uc4J2mQGWUI/AAAAAAAAAfw/JsaYqfbSI7g/s1600/bird+nest+cupcakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tz5o4V4ckWc/Uc4J2mQGWUI/AAAAAAAAAfw/JsaYqfbSI7g/s640/bird+nest+cupcakes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I combined a couple of recipes for these. I got the idea for the cupcakes from <a href="http://www.pillsburybaking.com/recipes/details/6827"><b><i>here</i></b></a>, but instead of their recipe for the cupcakes and frosting, I made chocolate chip cookie dough cupcakes from <a href="http://www.loveandoliveoil.com/2009/03/chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-cupcakes.html"><b><i>here</i></b></a>. Since I'm more of a chocolate lover, I made dark chocolate cupcakes instead of the white cupcakes from the recipe. Some of the cupcakes had coconut on top and some I left plain for those folks that aren't coconut fans. Oh and those cupcake labels came free with the party hat... aren't they adorable!<br />
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1 year old M's cupcake didn't have any coconut, but I added some sprinkles to make it look pretty. She ate the cookie dough in the middle, but wasn't so sure about the cupcake and frosting. She signaled all done pretty quickly. On the other hand, 2 year old B loved her cupcake!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZCLLsCkeA0/Uc4Ld_PtYRI/AAAAAAAAAgA/tiWHbSyc1cI/s1600/cupcake+for+M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZCLLsCkeA0/Uc4Ld_PtYRI/AAAAAAAAAgA/tiWHbSyc1cI/s640/cupcake+for+M.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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4. Paint Bird Houses<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d1fmS5KsqM0/Uc5YCe7kulI/AAAAAAAAAh4/dGKQnboRayg/s851/bird+houses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d1fmS5KsqM0/Uc5YCe7kulI/AAAAAAAAAh4/dGKQnboRayg/s640/bird+houses.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
As I was walking through Michael's, I came across these cute little wooden bird houses, so I bought a bunch of them and some paint and had the kids paint bird houses for a fun activity. 2 year old B was the funniest... she was the last to stop painting and she insisted on using every color in the paint container on just one side of the roof. It took all night to dry!<br />
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5. Party Favor - <i style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.momscraftyspace.com/2012/04/bird-seed-ornaments.html">Bird Seed Wreaths</a> </i>(click <a href="http://www.momscraftyspace.com/2012/04/bird-seed-ornaments.html"><b><i>here</i></b></a> to learn how to make them)<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2dAhE2UWyIA/Uc5RkAlNyZI/AAAAAAAAAg8/fiTwmpBEzXU/s1600/wreaths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2dAhE2UWyIA/Uc5RkAlNyZI/AAAAAAAAAg8/fiTwmpBEzXU/s640/wreaths.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
These were so easy to make! 2 year old B helped me stir everything (I had to do the final stir to make sure it was all mixed well). Then she got her hands nice and messy by putting the mixture into the mini angel food cake pan.<br />
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It was a super fun kid activity and we'll probably make them again just for us to hang in our yard this summer! One little tip... you will need to put them out soon after making them. I had a few extra left over from the party that were in plastic bags for about a week and when I took one out to hang outside, mold had grown all over it. The birds weren't too interested in eating it then.<br />
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The party was a whirlwind, but so fun! It was made extra special by our family and friends that came to celebrate 1 year old M's big day!<br />
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Happy birthday sweet girl!!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11726467687843312520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786571109331157585.post-62140128111556772302013-05-30T21:36:00.000-07:002013-05-30T21:36:13.600-07:00Minimalist MayI'm a little behind with my blog posts. May has turned out to be a busy month and I usually work on posts during nap time, but I haven't been home for nap time lately so the typing has been on pause for the month.<br />
<br />
Although it's been a busy month, I gave the month a kind of non-busy theme: <b>Minimalist May</b>. Here's why...<br />
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At the end of April Nick and I took a look at how much money we had spent so far this year, and it was a lot - A LOT! We had to buy a new oven and pay for plumbing repairs (multiple times) and refloor the downstairs, etc., etc. The list went on and on and our credit card bill went up and up.<br />
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<img src="http://rbr.com/wp-content/uploads/Dollar_Sign1.jpg?41ed4f" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" /></div>
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At about the same time, we got on this health food kick and started looking at how much sugar we are consuming, and it was... can you guess was I'm going to say.. A LOT! We have dessert every night, yes, every.single.night. And I drink mochas a few times a week... okay, maybe more than a few times depending on the week. And during the winter we'd have hot chocolate while the girls napped or enjoy an after lunch cookie. I'm not kidding, we eat a ton of sweets at my house!<br />
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<img height="273" src="http://static.freepik.com/free-photo/pouring--pour-sugar--pile-of-sugar--textured_3302046.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none; cursor: -webkit-zoom-in;" width="409" /></div>
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So, we decided to go all in (or maybe all out?) for May. I gave us the Minimalist May theme to keep us going and we set goals for money and sugar consumption. Here was the plan:<br />
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1. Make a maximum goal for our credit card.<br />
2. Keep a <a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_4808882_keep-spending-journal.html"><b><i>spending journal</i></b></a>.<br />
3. No buying clothes (for any of us)... umm, so difficult!<br />
4. No more Starbucks paninis for lunch (I love them, but they are about $6 for a flimsy sandwich so I was okay with saying goodbye to those).<br />
5. Only eat out once a week for dinner, which means cooking at home 5 to 6 nights a week depending on if we have dinner at my parent's house or not.<br />
6. Stick to the American Heart Associations reccomendations for added sugar consumption (maximum 25 grams of sugar per day for women and 37 grams of sugar per day for men).<br />
7. No more than 3 mochas a week. :(<br />
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Here's how it turned out:<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<u>Money</u></h3>
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<ul>
<li>We were able to hold the credit card bill to our goal - whoo hoo!</li>
<li>The spending journal helped because it forced me to really pay attention to what I was buying and how much I was really spending.</li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">I did buy two pair of shoes for 2 year old B, but they were needed and I bought them on sale at Fred Meyer.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">I ended up getting 1 panini at Starbucks, but sometimes when you're trying to get out the door in time and you are starving and your little one falls asleep in the car, you need to buy a panini for lunch on the road.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">We stuck to eating at home most of the week and made an effort to cook meals with ingredients that we already had to avoid spending too much at the store.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">We did eat out once when Nick took me out for a Mother's Day date and we both ended up ordering the most expensive items on the menu... oops (not really), but Nick has the Passport card from work and one of those meals ended up being free because of the card, so we reasoned that it was okay to each choose the most expensive meals on the menu - sure!</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">We did not go minimalist for a BBQ we hosted at our family beach house, but it was so worth it to see these kids having so much fun together:</span></li>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sp-1-ghBRUw/UaJWqD9n7lI/AAAAAAAAAds/SzTXNxzGdeM/s1600/320346_581400658557322_2067354402_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sp-1-ghBRUw/UaJWqD9n7lI/AAAAAAAAAds/SzTXNxzGdeM/s640/320346_581400658557322_2067354402_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<u>Sugar</u></h3>
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<ul>
<li>Stayed within my 3 mochas a week rule - it wasn't easy and I REALLY resisted temptation!</li>
<li>If I had a mocha then I didn't have any dessert that night.</li>
<li>I discovered that I really could go a whole day with no sweets - what?!</li>
<li>We had a slight setback one night... and weekend... and went a little sugar crazy when I made sugar cookies with cookie dough frosting from my new favorite cookbook:</li>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="640" src="http://cdn.iowagirleats.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/DSC_0891_thumb.jpg?cdnrequest" style="-webkit-user-select: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="428" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://iowagirleats.com/2012/06/13/soft-sugar-cookies-with-cookie-dough-frosting-cookie-dough-lovers-cookbook-giveaway/">source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'm pretty happy with the way Minimalist May turned out. I'm going to keep up with the limited sugar intake and also keep going with the <a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_4808882_keep-spending-journal.html"><b><i>spending journal</i></b></a> so that I can keep track of how many times I click "place your order" because it's so easy just to click that button and not realize how much you are actually buying... do you hear me fellow Amazon shoppers?<br />
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What are some ways you keep track of your spending or how do you make sure you stay within a budget? Does anyone else feel like they need to cut back on the sugar too? 25 grams a day for a woman is not that much! That's like just a cookie and a half!<br />
<u><br /></u>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11726467687843312520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786571109331157585.post-32227381713389694182013-04-30T22:04:00.000-07:002013-04-30T22:04:53.765-07:00The New BagI haven't been happy with my purse/diaper bag situation lately. My purse isn't quite holding everything that I need, but I really dislike lugging around the diaper bag. I mention my favorite blog often - <a href="http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/"><b><i>iheartorganizing.blogspot.com</i></b></a> - because she always has really great ideas for organizing just about everything and wouldn't you know it, just as I am thinking that I need a new bag system, I read a post on that blog about her <a href="http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-traveling-blogger.html"><b><i>travel tote</i></b></a>, so I decided to create my own. Here is what I did:<br />
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I got this bag on sale at Target:<br />
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<img height="320" src="http://img3.targetimg3.com/wcsstore/TargetSAS//img/p/14/32/14327605_121228083000.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" width="320" /><br />
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The outside is vinyl so it can get wet without soaking everything inside. It's big enough to hold a bunch of stuff, but not too big. And its pretty! <br />
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Here is what I keep in it...<br />
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My portable purse that holds the wallet, keys, chapstick, and cell phone that I blogged about <a href="http://myorganizedworld.blogspot.com/2012/12/my-purse.html"><b><i>here</i></b></a>:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxOuDioQ8fGmWVyG5zQ0-L9-iNO8u-5kmytLwDJSFhqH-dD9JsMHB1rlqRLDFw5Cy4CHUfAfVt33tYqJyIE8cBBGqiTCw6MYlC1EN3Em8xI7LcRZm2ZbA4zqp5s4cQGPGamMQpDGvKntX/s1600/DSC_1025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxOuDioQ8fGmWVyG5zQ0-L9-iNO8u-5kmytLwDJSFhqH-dD9JsMHB1rlqRLDFw5Cy4CHUfAfVt33tYqJyIE8cBBGqiTCw6MYlC1EN3Em8xI7LcRZm2ZbA4zqp5s4cQGPGamMQpDGvKntX/s320/DSC_1025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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For the baby and toddler stuff, I got this fold over frame clutch from Target:</div>
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<img height="320" src="http://img1.targetimg1.com/wcsstore/TargetSAS//img/p/14/33/14331938_130323083000.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" width="320" /></div>
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I put wipes, a few diapers, an extra change of underwear and pants for the big girl that is being potty trained, a onsie for the baby, a bib, some poop bags that I put the dirty diapers in, and a plastic freezer bag for possible dirty clothes.</div>
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I got a notebook similar to this one from Target as well to keep in the bag:</div>
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<img src="http://img2.targetimg2.com/wcsstore/TargetSAS//img/p/13/29/13294215.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" /></div>
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I tabbed it with a section for to-dos (since I always think of things to do while I'm not near my computer to do list), a section for work, and a section for 2 year old B's preschool class next year because I have somehow agreed to be the parent coordinator which is going to make for a lot more work and many more things that I'm going to need to remember to write down. I also left an extra tabbed section for a possible errand or grocery list?</div>
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I bought these decorative files from Amazon that fit perfectly in the bag:</div>
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<img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51R85AORHrL._SY300_.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" /></div>
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I use 3... 1 file for papers for B and baby M (side note... I'm just realizing that baby M is almost not a baby anymore!!), 1 file for work, and 1 file for B's preschool class (since I'm the parent coordinator I'm going to be hauling around a lot of paperwork for that class too - what did I get myself into here???)</div>
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So far my bag is working out great. There is a zipper pouch inside where I keep pens and mints and other small loose items. The tote isn't too big, yet fits all that stuff and there is still room to throw in sweatshirts or food/snacks or toys, etc. If I am going out without the kids, I just throw that portable purse that holds my wallet and stuff into a bigger purse and I'm good to go. The diaper bag is still around, but I keep it downstairs as a storage place for when I need to do changings, etc. downstairs.</div>
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Oh, and I got almost everything on sale so it wasn't too expensive to put together - yay!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11726467687843312520noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786571109331157585.post-22225521182970094712013-04-14T20:50:00.001-07:002013-04-14T20:50:24.746-07:00Laundry Room IdeasIf you have at all followed some of my last posts, you will know that the downstairs of my house threw up - twice! The first time was the toilet and we had to tear out all the laminate floors and will soon be tearing up the carpet in the playroom to replace since it seems as if the water damage got under the carpet as well. The second time the downstairs had a case of the flu was with the sink. Luckily the laminate was still torn up so no damage to the new floors, but this time the water got under the tiles that are under the washer and dryer, so.... out went the washer and dryer and tiles. <br />
<br />
The new laminate is down (although I know we're playing with fire here, thinking we should have gone with <b><i><a href="http://www.lowes.com/pd_357109-84875-CA8102_4294773821__?productId=3382610&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&facetInfo=">vinyl flooring that looks like hardwood</a></i></b> for possible future floods). The new baseboards are up too, the door that has never closed is fixed, and since we had to remove the washer and dryer we decided that this was a good time to get them on pedestals, so those are in place with the washer and dryer on them. Now it is time to make that space usable. I've been spending some time researching ideas for how to make the laundry area look nice and function well. Here are some ideas I've come across that I like...<br />
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I'm always finding random things in my pockets - yes MY pockets, not Nick's - so I thought this idea for a way to collect those things was neat:<br />
<img src="http://images.meredith.com/content/dam/remodel/Images/2009/01/100495443_0216LRSP.jpg.rendition.largest.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" /><br />
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I definitely need to find space to hang clothes after they've been ironed or for those clothes that have just come out of the dryer, but need a little extra drying time. I like this idea for putting up hooks to hang the clothes:<br />
<img src="http://images.meredith.com/content/dam/remodel/Images/2009/01/100192819_0216LRSP.jpg.rendition.largest.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" /><br />
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I always have the ironing board open, but lets be honest, I don't iron that much! I'm hanging it on the wall from now on:<br />
<img src="http://images.meredith.com/content/dam/bhg/Images/2010/11/101281466.jpg.rendition.largest.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" /><br />
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I need tubs... for clothes that are waiting to be handwashed, for handwashing clothes, for dirty towels, for clothes that have been stained and need soaking, and for Nick's dirty/smelly workout clothes. I thought these were nice and will bring some pretty color to the drab job of laundry:<br />
<img alt="Gardener’s Supply Tubtrugs" border="0" height="357" src="http://img4-2.realsimple.timeinc.net/images/daily-finds/home/0409/df-gardeners-tubtrugs_300.jpg" title="Gardener’s Supply Tubtrugs" width="300" /><br />
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We need something to cover up the holes in the wall behind the utility sink from when we had to pull the sink out to put down new floors. I'm thinking I like a slatted wall that will hide the holes and be functional:<br />
<img alt="laundry room in garage with slatted wall" class="img-multi" height="400" src="http://img2-1.timeinc.net/toh/i/g/11/interiors/01-laundry-rooms/23-wash-dry.jpg" width="400" /><br />
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I've already decided I'm buying this shelving unit to hold some of the laundry containers that won't fit on top of the washer and dryer now that they are on pedestals. Also, Nick plays basketball in the evenings after the girls are asleep and he likes to go for runs while they are napping. He needs a place to keep his workout/basketball clothes and towels for cleaning up when he gets home. I thought the drawers would be a perfect place to keep those things:<br />
<img class="fullScreen" height="400" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/815LrvbSgVL._SL1500_.jpg" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 189px;" width="379" /><br />
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The last thing I want is a pretty rug to put in front of the washer and dryer. I got caught up messing around with <b><i><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/home">Polyvore</a></i></b> and created this "lookbook" of potential patterns:<br />
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<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/blue_rugs/set?.embedder=4957512&.svc=blogger&id=77590016" target="_blank"><img alt="blue rugs" border="0" force="1" height="640" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/GTAO0tYrxqmVzrcBeUSMyQ/cid/77590016/id/Qqtr3Al4TfWWN9-tt-wE0g/size/c600x689.jpg" title="blue rugs" width="556" /></a><br />
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I need to do all of this on a budget so I might have to scale my ideas down a bit, but its always good to start with a plan!!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11726467687843312520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786571109331157585.post-23186171895498202352013-03-30T22:36:00.001-07:002013-03-31T14:01:24.911-07:00The Hallway Closet ProjectFor those of you <i>Friends</i> lovers out there, you'll understand the following reference... I have a Monica Gellar closet! I know what is in there and where everything is, but pretty much no one else can find a thing!! Usually this is no problem, but with the 2 months of colds and illnesses we experienced and midnight trips to the closet to find medications, I realized that I needed to do something so that I'm not the only one who knows where things are. When you open the doors, here is what you will see...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdqlYS6poRcIm2aoCTNKIpcdOjPOFebIfZZdt8lCr_EN3U1bkwIbJ5jMTi6LVeafTjPnE4CaIJDh9zg6bp9dfni-5i-q4-HDEBTcuqx0yfQftRzpi8iqtLiR4BJlNDK_S_9MVQ8nz2ERg/s1600/DSC_1525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdqlYS6poRcIm2aoCTNKIpcdOjPOFebIfZZdt8lCr_EN3U1bkwIbJ5jMTi6LVeafTjPnE4CaIJDh9zg6bp9dfni-5i-q4-HDEBTcuqx0yfQftRzpi8iqtLiR4BJlNDK_S_9MVQ8nz2ERg/s640/DSC_1525.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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So I exaggerated a little, it's not quite as bad as Monica Gellar's closet, but there is a lot going on in there. I decided to tackle it one step at a time.</div>
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1. <u>Organize those Meds</u></div>
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The medicine shelf is a disaster and as 2 year old B continues to grow, it is also within reach of small hands. I decided to clean out the meds and move them up a shelf to keep them out of reach of curious toddlers. First Nick and I went through all the bottles and tossed* what has expired and what we don't need or use. Then I made groups of like meds. Here they are in their groups just waiting for a storage tub to be placed in:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Mcz1UEhJnRzBgDkiyu18MF8gbUl0vHdn1mUx8NHPIlSM_G4Dqawb7cwc_vnEw_hcV-U1Pq9Xm3UsBqhhOfsV-8oMxWiGeyOHvhTwS1lZVGLBPq4b8cQwMBqKBdgRqMat4M62NhBBoHEU/s1600/DSC_1591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Mcz1UEhJnRzBgDkiyu18MF8gbUl0vHdn1mUx8NHPIlSM_G4Dqawb7cwc_vnEw_hcV-U1Pq9Xm3UsBqhhOfsV-8oMxWiGeyOHvhTwS1lZVGLBPq4b8cQwMBqKBdgRqMat4M62NhBBoHEU/s640/DSC_1591.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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*When I say tossed, I mean dispose of the meds in an environmentally safe way. We threw away the vitamins, but recycled the vitamin bottles. All the other expired and unneeded meds (prescriptions, pain relievers, allergy relief, etc.) we kept in their bottles and containers and took them to a pharmacy where the pharmacy will dispose of them safely. If you are curious about how the pharmacy disposes the meds safely and which pharmacies take expired medications, check out this website: <a href="http://www.takebackyourmeds.org/"><i><b>http://www.takebackyourmeds.org</b></i></a>.</div>
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I also had Nick make a baby dosage table with weight and amount of Tylenol, Benadryl for allergy, and Benadryl for severe allergy needed to add to the Kids & Baby Meds tub for a <i>just in case I am having an emergency and can't think straight </i>moment.</div>
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2. <u>Clean up the Towels</u></div>
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We have so many towels and we hardly use them. It was time to decide what towels to keep and what to get rid of. Take a look at the next picture to see how we narrowed our piles of towels to just the ones we need and use: </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5w5otf3e-sZHfnRvlqMMImH6v65ZkVFQFp6eBDyru9Fxqqnj8PMo3d8cGouTkX0QAtrKWLo9DFTueV0O4D_YTwT2xfgoXLR2HXYlvMqV1QJ39WcUMFE2DZCiCEphGIc9iAnO4FROLEeK0/s1600/DSC_1615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5w5otf3e-sZHfnRvlqMMImH6v65ZkVFQFp6eBDyru9Fxqqnj8PMo3d8cGouTkX0QAtrKWLo9DFTueV0O4D_YTwT2xfgoXLR2HXYlvMqV1QJ39WcUMFE2DZCiCEphGIc9iAnO4FROLEeK0/s640/DSC_1615.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you need a comparison, take a look at the before picture at the top of this post!</td></tr>
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If this looks like very few towels it is because the towels we are currently using are in the bathroom and these are just extras... and some of the extra towels were being used to mop up yet another basement flood at the time of this photo. We also keep the girls' towels in one of their closets.</div>
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3. <u>Everything Else</u></div>
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Just like with the meds, I took out each item on the bottom 3 shelves and the top shelf and either placed them in a like pile, threw them away, or put them in the Goodwill pile.</div>
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Next I found a place on the shelves for the items and put them back in the closet. Seeing where the items will go and how much of each thing I have will help me figure out what type of storage container I need to get:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5qZJhjwtZsr_W4S5vkQn8QBgho49lK6O6oBWI_HM9HEhNpGBRZAsFqaBpAhC1xJnJHQMLGUJL5jZifRF2QWquPLxY6Pf2xBewX1vQ4vfX5QSvwrs0TicawntsEhW20-FgtiOOHKAZA78/s1600/DSC_1612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5qZJhjwtZsr_W4S5vkQn8QBgho49lK6O6oBWI_HM9HEhNpGBRZAsFqaBpAhC1xJnJHQMLGUJL5jZifRF2QWquPLxY6Pf2xBewX1vQ4vfX5QSvwrs0TicawntsEhW20-FgtiOOHKAZA78/s640/DSC_1612.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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4. <u>Everything Needs a Home</u></div>
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Ah yes, the fun part... storage! I have to say that I'm pretty sure one of the reasons I decided to organize the hallway closet was to have an excuse to buy storage containers. Here is a list of what got a home and where I bought the tubs and baskets:</div>
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<li>medications - The Dollar Store </li>
<li>light bulbs - Hobby Lobby</li>
<li>cleaning supplies - Hobby Lobby</li>
<li>linens - Target</li>
<li>odds and ends - Target</li>
<li>thermal devices (yes, we have a whole basket full of things to keep our muscles and ourselves warm!) - Target</li>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqe7aejXEkQAUcPm54vY7QlEMqfS6who-IqUOut485YDCbg1erb73HJnWy6n4SXcPBVZrn40N8KXTQLAjNR8bdv9Jzcpe_iNngtJnL_Y1JVgEsrezYqhbwRIv4mjt-jonfrt25HTfdEAhB/s1600/DSC_1635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqe7aejXEkQAUcPm54vY7QlEMqfS6who-IqUOut485YDCbg1erb73HJnWy6n4SXcPBVZrn40N8KXTQLAjNR8bdv9Jzcpe_iNngtJnL_Y1JVgEsrezYqhbwRIv4mjt-jonfrt25HTfdEAhB/s640/DSC_1635.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
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I also bought<b><i> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lynk-142052-Shelf-Dividers-Chrome/dp/B004DDAZ0A/ref=sr_1_4?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1364679633&sr=1-4&keywords=shelf+dividers+set+of+2">shelf dividers</a></i></b> to keep the items that don't go in tubs or baskets separated, but when I started to put them on the shelves, they scraped the shelf liner (see #5 below) and I ended up with holes in that shelf liner that I had already wrestled to put on, so I ended up only using them for the top shelf:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAOpXjAlZ-8CSWvosjR1gpPw9-TWOxqIaVOROPsE4V5t74oXe8RRWwUn8LWedgftdY8dqCRcXb1iHUzBvSxjtT3lHlAmTKtp3fDCEpBbNoqLZepZtzFM6K8DUJIIHEChuWLM4tJWPCeke/s1600/DSC_1677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAOpXjAlZ-8CSWvosjR1gpPw9-TWOxqIaVOROPsE4V5t74oXe8RRWwUn8LWedgftdY8dqCRcXb1iHUzBvSxjtT3lHlAmTKtp3fDCEpBbNoqLZepZtzFM6K8DUJIIHEChuWLM4tJWPCeke/s640/DSC_1677.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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5. <u>Line the Sheves</u></div>
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I've never lined shelves before, but one of my favorite daily blogs, <b><i><a href="http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/">iheartorganizing</a></i></b>, always emphasizes how the added touch of shelf lining can just brighten up an area and make you feel good when you see it, so I decided to give it a try. I had a love/hate relationship with that shelf liner and it was partly due to the uneven shelves that are in that closet, but in the end I think it added a nice finishing touch.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSfUMff_f8LYVG2rbGNHlMPxFFC8WDghKmvnG17ic09U9vCSm5Tv3YPXwSH4J72RP-rbIRgOyMps5d8ctS-K9dkGvDYYU-TlZVlAVICCZnmvbuEJblaZRER4WJHSDAVsigwU_la8SBJ8V/s1600/DSC_1656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSfUMff_f8LYVG2rbGNHlMPxFFC8WDghKmvnG17ic09U9vCSm5Tv3YPXwSH4J72RP-rbIRgOyMps5d8ctS-K9dkGvDYYU-TlZVlAVICCZnmvbuEJblaZRER4WJHSDAVsigwU_la8SBJ8V/s640/DSC_1656.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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After looking at lots of shelf liner online, I ended up getting <b><i><a href="http://www.target.com/p/adhesive-shelf-liner-sand-18x24/-/A-11172322#prodSlot=medium_1_2&term=shelf+liner">this adhesive shelf line/contact paper</a></i></b> at Target.</div>
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6. <u>Label It</u></div>
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I'm not a big labeler, but I knew that if this closet didn't get labeled, then nothing would get put back in its place and I'd be writing another blog post in a few months about my re-organization of the hallway closet. It turns out, though, that I had a blast labeling. I labeled in 2 ways:</div>
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The first way was to use mini clothes pins to attach labels to the medication, thermal devices, and odds & ends tubs. To make the clothes pins pretty, I had originally planned to use <b><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dress-My-Cupcake-Decorative-Chevron/dp/B00ACH9OD0/ref=pd_sbs_hi_3">washi tape</a></i></b>, but then I came across the new <i><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Scotch-Duct-Plaid-1-88-Inch-10-Yard/dp/B008LAFAJM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1364679263&sr=8-1&keywords=plaid+duct+tape">patterned duct tapes</a></b></i> and I really liked some of the patterns, so I went with duct tape to cover the clothes pins. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIxfIngEMLy8Jaw-OxIg-5bSeXrCoLdrFhILdj6WFNo4_L_yscPJmnNxLLZYVK1ecxFMGcRClDdHDbgwNiugc-wS7y5ooJxAN0r4HL9pAJ-CFaxNZV93J3Ijh3mWM3UCWNWx7wFwV89BC/s1600/DSC_1668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIxfIngEMLy8Jaw-OxIg-5bSeXrCoLdrFhILdj6WFNo4_L_yscPJmnNxLLZYVK1ecxFMGcRClDdHDbgwNiugc-wS7y5ooJxAN0r4HL9pAJ-CFaxNZV93J3Ijh3mWM3UCWNWx7wFwV89BC/s640/DSC_1668.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then I wrote the labels on business card paper that we've had forever, glued those cards onto pretty scrapbooking paper and tada...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wjDQ-FvFa0pOhMA6DKLe2vFLvlLRkwMkhFMhOHFe-4_b3o19DfXk9hYjgtlgM4axGAjG_xDUUpnUTnZ2VjZoC3gqMbZx_wZgSS2VCDZbXw-Xihi1COzs8-wgqcLxXn2EtJc9d8wHRJbu/s1600/DSC_1659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wjDQ-FvFa0pOhMA6DKLe2vFLvlLRkwMkhFMhOHFe-4_b3o19DfXk9hYjgtlgM4axGAjG_xDUUpnUTnZ2VjZoC3gqMbZx_wZgSS2VCDZbXw-Xihi1COzs8-wgqcLxXn2EtJc9d8wHRJbu/s400/DSC_1659.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF-S6arHgNunump-0xBfJ_YpikBpYOwR9c2-V1LkHh2deYNt2XAgrM5L0iVmFdkVmqhs39ZkOwWvsDiVrG5-rqjkTdiIxFGjXHfyNVrFj_3PuIHB_NRYBmbF1MOTy1sRtJljsNJMjfsMNB/s1600/DSC_1660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF-S6arHgNunump-0xBfJ_YpikBpYOwR9c2-V1LkHh2deYNt2XAgrM5L0iVmFdkVmqhs39ZkOwWvsDiVrG5-rqjkTdiIxFGjXHfyNVrFj_3PuIHB_NRYBmbF1MOTy1sRtJljsNJMjfsMNB/s400/DSC_1660.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The other way I labeled was to label the items that sit directly on the shelves. I decided to buy <b><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Small-Rectangle-Chalk-Labels-Chalkboard/dp/B007J7DKS6/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1364682014&sr=8-9&keywords=chalkboard+labels">chalkboard labels</a></i></b> and a <b><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/NeoChalk-Liquid-Chalk-Marker-Chisel/dp/B002MARSJM/ref=pd_bxgy_hg_img_y">chalkboard pen</a></i></b> to make the labels with. They turned out pretty cute and Nick actually thanked me for labeling everything so that he now knows where to put things back and what is what (he could never figure out which towels were rags and which ones were the nicer towels).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzsfiHf13bv3SOyQ60ONA-qAH4bNO_um-nngyxXln2SbdroI5QC5BF2jraLlZsCNsxQq1nmCQHVLWyDdhCwrX2G6hqewPbMMAr4mihSGQZHlRPxUjeR7GDzRZhD8RhJN4USQqHdc_aWhM/s1600/DSC_1669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzsfiHf13bv3SOyQ60ONA-qAH4bNO_um-nngyxXln2SbdroI5QC5BF2jraLlZsCNsxQq1nmCQHVLWyDdhCwrX2G6hqewPbMMAr4mihSGQZHlRPxUjeR7GDzRZhD8RhJN4USQqHdc_aWhM/s400/DSC_1669.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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It took me the whole month of March, but it is ALL done! </div>
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BEFORE</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVYcLnmo3_bGZoVOpdnHzBmqJkKwyCMht-V0pmFkxDvJaVU2RnlBlA6fmfCwyvZDhZY5dYGEJxeBu3zlxhQceG2XY2m_HxASAfh6hlHBvSkk5xIPXhsUmq-nrfsz8Ichcyh2QzYtQvxDxp/s1600/DSC_1525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVYcLnmo3_bGZoVOpdnHzBmqJkKwyCMht-V0pmFkxDvJaVU2RnlBlA6fmfCwyvZDhZY5dYGEJxeBu3zlxhQceG2XY2m_HxASAfh6hlHBvSkk5xIPXhsUmq-nrfsz8Ichcyh2QzYtQvxDxp/s640/DSC_1525.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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AFTER<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4mDuxrVDfCH-tYfY88X5SiRO2vZuG-U-Mh6WTfFh22aG902Yb9_55ktZOtVUw-f0-82VMqXill-2FCHFHEDynQe27REqRbJngxXoMdFICTwf4gaDnbVCJkLhAvndpTZplhPHdtAyCSFq/s1600/DSC_1658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4mDuxrVDfCH-tYfY88X5SiRO2vZuG-U-Mh6WTfFh22aG902Yb9_55ktZOtVUw-f0-82VMqXill-2FCHFHEDynQe27REqRbJngxXoMdFICTwf4gaDnbVCJkLhAvndpTZplhPHdtAyCSFq/s640/DSC_1658.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">As I added that last picture, I noticed the tube of toothpaste that a certain 2 year old must have added to the closet as I was doing the finishing touches - that little sneaker!</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">It feels so good to have that space organized. I keep opening up the closet and admiring the calmness of it!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11726467687843312520noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786571109331157585.post-78656455500201224762013-03-11T21:49:00.001-07:002013-03-11T21:49:58.702-07:00Organizing Ideas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As baby M was peacefully napping in my arms and 2 year old B was sound asleep in her room, I spent a quiet afternoon engrossed in the <a href="http://www.bhg.com/"><b><i>Better Homes and Gardens website</i></b></a> getting all kinds of fun organizing ideas. I came across a slideshow of <a href="http://www.bhg.com/decorating/storage/organization-basics/free-printable-storage-labels/#page=1"><b><i>free printable storage labels</i></b></a> and although I don't know if I'd label everything, I liked a lot of the organizational ideas. I thought I'd share some of my favorites...<br />
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1. Magnetic Menu Board - Keep a list of dishes on magnetic labels under headings and then mix and match on a magnetic calendar board to plan meals.</div>
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<img height="585" src="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/550x/24/65/8b/24658ba9e4a3839f6ce37e1b4a63b502.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" width="438" /></div>
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This seems like a lot of work to make, but for a person who loves to plan meals ahead of time, this system looks like so much fun!<br />
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2. Shelf Labels - My next home project is to tackle our hallway closet so I was intrigued by the idea of labeling the places where items should be so that those items will always make it back to where they belong.<br />
<img height="688" src="http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/550x/31/98/0b/31980bbd4e9a47d4b097b5a2fe898ca4.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none; cursor: -webkit-zoom-in;" width="516" /></div>
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3. Weekly Wardrobe - Back when I was working full time I used to try and lay out my clothes for the week so that I could save the time searching for clothes in the morning and sleep a few extra minutes. Once 2 year old B starts school I can totally see laying out a weekly wardrobe for her. I love the idea of putting hooks on the closet to hang the outfits.</div>
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<img alt="Pinned Image" height="640" id="pinCloseupImage" src="http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/550x/ec/b0/63/ecb0639b0974a6753f15b685359a7108.jpg" width="480" /></div>
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4. Clear Canisters for Beauty Supples - I not only love the clear canisters, but I love the idea of putting them on a cute tray to keep them in one place.<br />
<img height="648" src="http://media-cache-ec2.pinterest.com/550x/ac/df/d8/acdfd88ab1d9612d22c56c0c4a90d297.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none; cursor: -webkit-zoom-in;" width="486" /></div>
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5. On the Go Bags - So you're never left scrambling for a snack or activity!<br />
<img src="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/550x/e8/9a/d4/e89ad4f22b2344e78a4828adce60a3c8.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" /></div>
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6. A Place for Everyday Things - I have already started to try and organize something like this in my house. I'm not so much for the labels, but I like the idea of dividing items. I have a tray I keep these things in and now I need to find a way to divide them.<br />
<img src="http://media-cache-ec7.pinterest.com/550x/e0/0f/5b/e00f5bca5037c03970bef87348a1b9f8.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" /></div>
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7. One Basket Per Person - A great way to keep shoes, hats, scarves, etc. organized and easy to find. Ooh, and I could designate one basket for the on the go bags (see #5 above)!<br />
<img height="675" src="http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/550x/8e/a7/ed/8ea7edb196afc46bb89bb727ba0617f1.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none; cursor: -webkit-zoom-in;" width="506" /><br />
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Not too bad of a way to spend a lazy afternoon! <br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11726467687843312520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786571109331157585.post-15872969075840220692013-03-02T13:30:00.000-08:002013-03-02T13:38:30.098-08:00Weekly Menu: Back to NormalWith things relatively back to normal around my house, I decided to pull out some favorite recipes that we haven't had for awhile and throw in a new one while I'm at it. Here is what we ate this week:<br />
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1. turkey tacos and peppers<br />
2.<b> <a href="http://www.foodfanatic.com/2013/02/tomato-soup-with-rice-and-spinach/"><i>spinach and brown rice tomato soup</i></a></b> (this was the new recipe) and paninis - So this one didn't turn out very well. It has potential, but I followed the recipe to a T, even though Nick and I questioned its methods. The recipe says to add the rice to the soup 5 minutes before serving. Well, that made for some crunchy tomato soup! If I try this again, I will <i>cook</i> the rice before adding it to the soup. It was pretty inedible.<br />
3. meatball sandwiches, Caesar salad<br />
4. <a href="http://acozykitchen.com/homemade-fish-sticks-with-spicy-tartar-sauce/"><i><b>homemade fish sticks</b></i></a>, kale, bread<br />
5. spinach and chicken quiche, broccoli as a side<br />
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The things I love about quiche are that I can make them ahead of time, I can put whatever I want in them, they make great left overs, and they remind me of home. Here is the quiche recipe that my mom still uses and that I now get to make:<br />
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veggies and/or meat of your choice<br />
3/4 cup Bisquick<br />
3 eggs<br />
1 1/2 cups milk<br />
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese<br />
2 Tbsp. butter<br />
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1. cook up any ingredients that need to be cooked (I use 2 chicken breasts, but my mom likes to use 1 lb of bacon)<br />
2. spray the pan and layer the veggies and/or meat with cheese (I go... chicken, spinach, cheese, chicken, spinach, cheese)<br />
3. beat the bisquick, eggs, and milk in a bowl and then pour the mixture into the pan<br />
4. slice the butter and place it on top of the mixture...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSqtRxQ4raOfIQ3YmQw6BUbwCuyGv2ZkKYBRW0zUN7u5Mheb7NFCj_bUPPbLx4D5c9bchp7Tc0fDEI4p6dKa6tfR6B73h0h7wKon_AYwo0EmotJpv1TT-jojq8hT1_sHkV6Zj2cFV0q15q/s1600/DSC_1577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSqtRxQ4raOfIQ3YmQw6BUbwCuyGv2ZkKYBRW0zUN7u5Mheb7NFCj_bUPPbLx4D5c9bchp7Tc0fDEI4p6dKa6tfR6B73h0h7wKon_AYwo0EmotJpv1TT-jojq8hT1_sHkV6Zj2cFV0q15q/s640/DSC_1577.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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5. bake at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes<br />
6. let cool for a few minutes after taking it out of the oven to let it set completely<br />
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The final product...<br />
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Well there you go! Hope everyone else had a relatively normal week!!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11726467687843312520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786571109331157585.post-54398322336070390072013-02-17T13:48:00.002-08:002013-02-17T13:48:44.565-08:00From Bad to Worse... to Worser??Okay, I'm not sure if worser is a word, but I've decided to make it one. If you read my last post you'll know that there isn't a whole lot of sleep happening in my house. Most days I can get up from a loooong night and somehow function as if I'd had enough sleep, but other days I drag. On Monday morning after being up with a coughing baby for 3 hours, I was having a hard time functioning. I was foggy, baby M was cranky, and the impulsive neurons in 2 year old B's brain were firing at full speed (I don't know if that's a real thing, but it makes me feel better to give a scientific explanation to the reason why 2 year old B is only wearing tennis shoes and a soft cap while wildly running around the house yelling, "bare bum Baya, you better watch out!" while I am trying to catch her so I can get her dressed and in the car so I can make it to work on time - ah). <br />
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On this morning, I somehow managed to get all 3 of us dressed, fed, had my 4 + bags packed and ready to load in the car for the day, and I just needed to run downstairs to throw some dirty towels in the wash. I grabbed the towels and headed downstairs and if you were a fly on the wall in my house, you would have heard the following series of sounds as I stepped off the bottom step: "squish squish squish, splash SPLASH, "oh @#$%!"<br />
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Worser.<br />
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It turns out that way far down in the pipes a root worked its way in and has been collecting all kinds of fun things that try to flow past it and then one day it collected one too many things and blocked up the whole outflow pipe which caused a water explosion out of the toilet! At the time though all I knew was there was a lot of water... I mean A LOT of water just pooling on and under the laminate floors, under the washer and dryer, around the water heater, and in the bathroom. The water managed to seep its way into every crevice and under every piece of furniture it could. Oh and the water even made its way into my <a href="http://myorganizedworld.blogspot.com/2013/01/office-update.html">newly organized office area</a>. I used all the towels in the house to try and soak it up and eventually had to give up because I needed to go to work. This is where the best dad in the world comes into play and came over while I was at work to Shopvac up as much water as he could. He said he quit after vacuuming up about 3 gallons of water! Although anyone who looked at that room would think it didn't look organized, it actually was. There were just piles of things to go to goodwill scattered about and a bunch of Christmas lights that needed to be put away lining one of the walls. But now, it looks like this...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVFT0_ZcqpLcdVa2YLtmB4PFxU-ylQZVkyZBA9KqxrVtTj8YxT0jRX_ZwUr5MWtVu_12d2M0FHDy63aV3iLhbGN6s1QxmSk3GcIvIgLGEO1uQ3k_YcFqt0-j6zrYuyENer7dyfGcWQmWi/s1600/DSC_1513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVFT0_ZcqpLcdVa2YLtmB4PFxU-ylQZVkyZBA9KqxrVtTj8YxT0jRX_ZwUr5MWtVu_12d2M0FHDy63aV3iLhbGN6s1QxmSk3GcIvIgLGEO1uQ3k_YcFqt0-j6zrYuyENer7dyfGcWQmWi/s640/DSC_1513.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those towels piled up in the sink are from my frantic attempt to mop up all the water.</td></tr>
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Oh and my newly organized <a href="http://myorganizedworld.blogspot.com/2013/01/office-update.html">office area</a> looked like this for a few weeks...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fOIdaSJf8Xg/UPxfWDhBr5I/AAAAAAAAAP8/fe2xCBTJ-W0/s1600/DSC_1450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fOIdaSJf8Xg/UPxfWDhBr5I/AAAAAAAAAP8/fe2xCBTJ-W0/s640/DSC_1450.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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But now it looks like this...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyK15EG-AxISCw34-DTKAQrRjRKOQSLKMwmSMoX06ndE9RaOtbmLzY_leo0gkcBbmOC_oNyYFW55e_P5QWKFJGkh5BJqA4OkBZzA0l_4w73F7GDAxe0u0jrStmZoLwL11jNQUHfIyebfmz/s1600/DSC_1514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyK15EG-AxISCw34-DTKAQrRjRKOQSLKMwmSMoX06ndE9RaOtbmLzY_leo0gkcBbmOC_oNyYFW55e_P5QWKFJGkh5BJqA4OkBZzA0l_4w73F7GDAxe0u0jrStmZoLwL11jNQUHfIyebfmz/s640/DSC_1514.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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And the playroom we love to spend so much time in now looks like this...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zimNc3CwBdRRdbFdZxTynTDSoQuxDc1VtDa0ftq9SPUx_FdprWmQ7rM0Ie3WK1oWJQOcLDWrn4nRXq3AumB2mOzh9sTdXIQ-BGhxIbDp50-AmCXbGsz7iIFxjSLqL_n078Y75pMmhAzZ/s1600/DSC_1516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zimNc3CwBdRRdbFdZxTynTDSoQuxDc1VtDa0ftq9SPUx_FdprWmQ7rM0Ie3WK1oWJQOcLDWrn4nRXq3AumB2mOzh9sTdXIQ-BGhxIbDp50-AmCXbGsz7iIFxjSLqL_n078Y75pMmhAzZ/s640/DSC_1516.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Ugh!!<br />
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P.S. To make matters even worser my nanny quit... by voicemail... with no notice so I was left scrambling to find childcare! <br />
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Geesh, rough week!!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11726467687843312520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786571109331157585.post-30671091289813253412013-02-06T20:54:00.001-08:002013-02-06T20:54:52.786-08:00Baby M's calendarI'm tired these days, oh so tired! Since going back to work baby M has decided she needs extra cuddles at night, then she got sick, then I got sick, then 2 year old B got sick, then Nick got sick, and now that we're all sort of healthy, baby M has decided to practice her new rolling over and moving around skills in her crib in the middle of the night instead of sleeping. And don't get me started on getting up with 2 year old B... that is its own set of issues! Sleep isn't the only thing that I either haven't done or done very little of in the last 7 months, though. Since I'm tired, I get a free pass at being whiney and will provide you with a list of the things I have been missing out on lately: <br />
<br />
1. Sleep!<br />
2. What is a haircut?<br />
3. And remind me again what a hair dryer does??<br />
4. My teeth could definitely use a good clean and polish.<br />
5. The closest thing I've had to a girls night in a while is drinking wine while watching Downton Abbey and The Mindy Project with Nick.<br />
6. Exercise.<br />
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Okay, enough complaining, and really, who needs those things when you've got these girls to play with and snuggle everyday...<br />
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Well actually, a cute smile won't clean my teeth so maybe I do need to make it to the dentist. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">This blog post is actually about number 7 on my list of things that haven't really happened in the last 7 months - the baby book. </span><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">To be perfectly honest, I don't have a book for baby M... I never even ended up buying one for her. What I did end up doing was a calendar. I give all the credit for this idea to my friend Katie B. who told me her mom did this for her and her brother and sister. When baby M was getting closer to arriving and I was thinking about a baby book for her, I came to the conclusion that I needed something easy and accessible to help me remember all of her milestones and development. That's when I decided to keep a calendar by my bed. I printed a monthly calendar from </span><a href="http://www.printfree.com/">printfree.com </a>for baby M's first year. Here is what the February one looks like:</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"><b>February 2013</b></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Sunday</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Monday</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Tuesday</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Wednesday</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Thursday</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Friday</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Saturday</span></div>
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<tr><td align="left" height="106" valign="top" width="94"></td><td align="left" height="106" valign="top" width="94"></td><td align="left" height="106" valign="top" width="94"></td><td align="left" height="106" valign="top" width="94"></td><td align="left" height="106" valign="top" width="94"></td><td align="left" height="106" valign="top" width="94"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">1</span></b></span></td><td align="left" height="106" valign="top" width="95"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">2</span></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left" height="106" valign="top" width="95"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">3</span></b></span></td><td align="left" height="106" valign="top" width="95"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">4</span></b></span></td><td align="left" height="106" valign="top" width="95"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">5</span></b></span></td><td align="left" height="106" valign="top" width="95"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">6</span></b></span></td><td align="left" height="106" valign="top" width="95"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>7</b></span></span></td><td align="left" height="106" valign="top" width="95"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">8</span></b></span></td><td align="left" height="106" valign="top" width="95"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">9</span></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left" height="106" valign="top" width="95"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>1</b></span></span><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;"><b>0</b></span></td><td align="left" height="106" valign="top" width="95"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>1</b></span></span><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;"><b>1</b></span></td><td align="left" height="106" valign="top" width="95"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>1</b></span></span><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;"><b>2</b></span></td><td align="left" height="106" valign="top" width="95"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>1</b></span></span><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;"><b>3</b></span></td><td align="left" height="106" valign="top" width="95"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>14</b></span></span></td><td align="left" height="106" valign="top" width="95"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">15</span></b></span></td><td align="left" height="106" valign="top" width="95"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">16</span></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left" height="106" valign="top" width="95"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">1</span></b></span><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;"><b>7</b></span></td><td align="left" height="106" valign="top" width="95"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">18</span></b></span></td><td align="left" height="106" valign="top" width="95"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">19</span></b></span></td><td align="left" height="106" valign="top" width="95"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">2</span></b></span><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;"><b>0</b></span></td><td align="left" height="106" valign="top" width="95"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">21</span></b></span></td><td align="left" height="106" valign="top" width="95"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">22</span></b></span></td><td align="left" height="107" valign="top" width="95"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">23</span></b></span></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left" height="107" valign="top" width="95"><span style="color: blue;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> 2</span></b></span><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;"><b>4</b></span></td><td align="left" height="107" valign="top" width="95"><span style="color: blue;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> 25</span></b></span></td><td align="left" height="107" valign="top" width="95"><span style="color: blue;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> 26</span></b></span></td><td align="left" height="107" valign="top" width="95"><span style="color: blue;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> 2</span></b></span><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;"><b>7</b></span></td><td align="left" height="107" valign="top" width="95"><span style="color: blue;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> 28</span></b></span></td><td align="left" height="107" valign="top" width="95"></td><td align="left" height="107" valign="top" width="94"></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.printfree.com/Calendar_files/2013calendars/012013Blue.htm">January 2013</a></span></div>
</td><td align="center" colspan="5" height="14" width="471"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;">Printfree.com <a href="http://www.printfree.com/Calendars.htm">Printable Calendars</a></span></td><td height="14" width="95"><div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.printfree.com/Calendar_files/2013calendars/032013Blue.htm">March 2013</a></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I keep the calendar in my nightstand drawer and the plan was that when I would go to bed at night I would jot down baby M's milestones. It turns out I don't remember to do it every night, but I manage once or twice a week to pull out the calendar and write down some notes. I'll write things on specific days, like when she first smiled and laughed and rolled over, etc. I also write notes for the week. For example, last week I wrote across the whole week, "Rolling over in her sleep at night and doesn't like it!" I keep track weekly of how many naps she's taking, when she has been going to bed, what she's been eating, and what her new developments are for the week. I keep waiting to write, "started drinking from a bottle," but that hasn't happened yet! This week I need to write that she loves it when I hold her and we chase 2 year old B around the house. I've never heard her laugh so much as when we play chase! </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">The calendar I use isn't super cute and looks really messy with all my notes written all over it. I could have gone with a pretty notebook or planner, but it works for me and with this system I can write things down as I remember them and then someday I'd like to make a cute baby book that I can put all this info in. I think if I didn't have the calendar by my bed I'd never remember to write anything down and since I can't remember things that happened an hour ago, I know I'd forget all those important milestones that happened during baby M's first year. Thank you Connie and Katie for the great idea!!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11726467687843312520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786571109331157585.post-20121821650079695572013-01-21T14:04:00.001-08:002013-01-21T14:04:38.832-08:00Office UpdateWaaay back in November, I wrote a post about how I wanted to organized an area in our downstairs. It functions as a kind of everything space and it was a disaster! If you want to read that post, click <a href="http://myorganizedworld.blogspot.com/2012/11/officebarpartial-playroom-project.html">here</a>. <br />
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Well, it's finished - almost! There are a few little details to be taken care of - like labeling and filing, but the majority of the work has been done. All I have to say is thank goodness for the playroom because just about every evening for the past few weeks Nick and I have taken the girls downstairs and they have been keeping busy playing (for the most part!) while we have been organizing away. <br />
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We got the <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70201811/#/40047675">IKEA EXPEDIT shelving unit</a> and I love it! It has just enough room to fit everything, but is small enough to force me to purge, and purge we did! We donated, recycled, and threw away at least half of what was on the large and small bookshelves and the contents of our files. I also moved some things around and got rid of a few pieces of furniture. <br />
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Are you ready to see what it looks like? Here you go...<br />
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before:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNLrP4dK1x7KgaIgCIuKzBsN5Z1_61ZaeNjLOn6NkOiI5BqFTxfrS1V7hrCMslkfn5vCfgXZcPfWu-FDf4nSW1gLHp8cH-TvyZ6uFU5Y50LT2o4YmUVu9HfTYBbZ2hAbKWeEmE-696Vo3/s1600/DSC_0969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNLrP4dK1x7KgaIgCIuKzBsN5Z1_61ZaeNjLOn6NkOiI5BqFTxfrS1V7hrCMslkfn5vCfgXZcPfWu-FDf4nSW1gLHp8cH-TvyZ6uFU5Y50LT2o4YmUVu9HfTYBbZ2hAbKWeEmE-696Vo3/s640/DSC_0969.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jW6qLqbFIGg/UPs7Evoc7DI/AAAAAAAAAPM/YjAqSeD4VHo/s1600/DSC_1447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jW6qLqbFIGg/UPs7Evoc7DI/AAAAAAAAAPM/YjAqSeD4VHo/s640/DSC_1447.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0aT1cLAYgnY/UP2xs83KIyI/AAAAAAAAAQs/7SfkXhgaOdQ/s1600/DSC_1471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0aT1cLAYgnY/UP2xs83KIyI/AAAAAAAAAQs/7SfkXhgaOdQ/s640/DSC_1471.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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You'll notice there is no desk and that is because we decided that we really don't need one. We both have desks at work, and TRY to keep our work at work. My laptop and Nick's ipad go with us everywhere around the house so we didn't feel like we needed a place to keep them. If we need table space, we either use the dining room table or the kitchen counter.<br />
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Want another look? Check it out...<br />
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before:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmhIe9paozgQ17YsKVrkLYCr_vy6obLS3KYblSXLw4Wj__JQiJTYJxuDcUViNEEaUMUo24R5tNzadsdZnJFGAMrKy0sVR6-ccHLGXWkbrTQUEL1ayCFTNUeGTGyy-aHCV6zfg4g8qmQRT/s1600/DSC_0970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmhIe9paozgQ17YsKVrkLYCr_vy6obLS3KYblSXLw4Wj__JQiJTYJxuDcUViNEEaUMUo24R5tNzadsdZnJFGAMrKy0sVR6-ccHLGXWkbrTQUEL1ayCFTNUeGTGyy-aHCV6zfg4g8qmQRT/s640/DSC_0970.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fOIdaSJf8Xg/UPxfWDhBr5I/AAAAAAAAAP8/fe2xCBTJ-W0/s1600/DSC_1450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fOIdaSJf8Xg/UPxfWDhBr5I/AAAAAAAAAP8/fe2xCBTJ-W0/s640/DSC_1450.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I turned the back corner into a sort of bar area and since that is kind of Nick's domain, I added his replica high school helmet to give the corner a Nick feel.<br />
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Here's one more before and after...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63omorya_OVAfeac3K7t1BlP2qR5YtP21P0a728Qkf8UQ7zU6IYfoj0N1uzuoEuqu9yGBJ1wh0JJw3AjOewMZe0vBk2SAQlhqrM5tT2vnMAOncgq5h4ieBr3bTBKim_P_MElwBNZGp5C0/s1600/DSC_0973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63omorya_OVAfeac3K7t1BlP2qR5YtP21P0a728Qkf8UQ7zU6IYfoj0N1uzuoEuqu9yGBJ1wh0JJw3AjOewMZe0vBk2SAQlhqrM5tT2vnMAOncgq5h4ieBr3bTBKim_P_MElwBNZGp5C0/s640/DSC_0973.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dbXmrkpn7S8/UP2yF9biZNI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/Gt7T58ppBvA/s1600/DSC_1477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dbXmrkpn7S8/UP2yF9biZNI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/Gt7T58ppBvA/s640/DSC_1477.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Did you notice how the Keurig was on the wine fridge before? I moved the utility cart to where the wine fridge is and made a coffee area. We keep the Keurig downstairs because we don't use it that often and it takes up too much space on the kitchen counter, but at least now there is room to make a cup of coffee when it does get used and to top it all off, there is room on the utility cart for when I need a little desk space.<br />
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Well, what do you think? I'm loving it! In a future post I'll explain how I organized all of the stuff we didn't purge so that I can find and file things easier, but here's a sneak peek at how I have decided to organize all the pens, notepads, paperclips, etc.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qr9vACHEveU/UPxgVkEmJ-I/AAAAAAAAAQI/JnIWlrVmzYY/s1600/DSC_1456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qr9vACHEveU/UPxgVkEmJ-I/AAAAAAAAAQI/JnIWlrVmzYY/s640/DSC_1456.JPG" width="552" /></a></div>
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P.S. I just have to add this disgusting picture because look what I found making a home in the corner behind one of the shelves...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFVZ9RNzghcrEt3he7ZIB5eyunt1c5TDT8shqlAmblbdcNrXC2jI2C8GhtzlY8ud-Tz59d_nRPRwMWgMk2gAA5RHAukfNLcNZEjDOJcWUx4VUxYP1ZlaF8c1Yr2s_QECBxYPG5VxJd4xX/s1600/DSC_0974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFVZ9RNzghcrEt3he7ZIB5eyunt1c5TDT8shqlAmblbdcNrXC2jI2C8GhtzlY8ud-Tz59d_nRPRwMWgMk2gAA5RHAukfNLcNZEjDOJcWUx4VUxYP1ZlaF8c1Yr2s_QECBxYPG5VxJd4xX/s640/DSC_0974.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Yuck!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11726467687843312520noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786571109331157585.post-48142364180706978012013-01-10T21:31:00.001-08:002013-01-10T21:34:16.184-08:00Monthly Menu: No Bake MealsHere is the timeline of events:<br />
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4 weeks ago - the oven (actually both ovens) stopped heating up<br />
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3 weeks ago - the repair man said the oven needed just a little part to fix it, then he called in to make sure the part was in and discovered the part isn't made for our oven anymore<br />
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2 weeks ago - after the Christmas craze it was time to start shopping for a new oven<br />
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this week - the oven was SUPPOSED to arrive, but apparently now it is on back order and won't be in until the 23rd!<br />
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So yep, that's right... we've been without an oven for about a month now and we still have a few more weeks to go. If only it were summer and we could BBQ everyday! We've had to really think hard about what we are cooking for dinner because we didn't realize how much we used our oven. It seems like every meal we think of requires the use of an oven... ugh! <br />
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Here are just a few of the no-bake meals we have made over the past 4 weeks:<br />
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1. penne with homemade pesto*<br />
2. breakfast (we did this a few times and switched it up between pancakes & breakfast sandwiches with fruit and turkey sausage as sides)<br />
3. spaghetti and meatballs & broccoli<br />
4. paninis & ceasar salad (pretty much our go to quick meal... we seem to make it once a week)<br />
5. <a href="http://acozykitchen.com/vegan-white-bean-chili/">vegan white bean chili</a> & tortilla chips (I usually make my own chips by baking tortillas, but since that requires the use of an oven, I was forced to indulge in some very oily and salty tortilla chips - yum!)<br />
6. salmon (cooked on the stove), kale, & toasted bread<br />
7. <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/down-home-with-the-neelys/easy-lemon-pasta-with-chicken-recipe/index.html">lemon chicken pasta</a><br />
8. turkey tacos & peppers<br />
9. green chili cheese soup (with another bag of chips... might as well milk this no oven thing for all its worth in the tortilla chip department)<br />
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Christmas breakfast - <a href="http://www.allkindsofyumm.com/2011/10/crock-pot-breakfast-casserole.html">crockpot breakfast casserole</a> (Thank you Amy for being a life saver and sending me this recipe!)<br />
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New Year's Eve dessert - <a href="http://www.bakerella.com/chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-truffles/">chocolate chip cookie dough truffles</a> (I also made these for some friends when we watched the Seahawks playoff game and decorated them with blue and green sprinkles.)<br />
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*I have to make homemade pesto because Nick is allergic to tree nuts. I've come up with a pretty yummy one. Here is the recipe:<br />
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1. heat 1/2 cup oil and 2 cloves of garlic on medium heat for 5 minutes<br />
2. meanwhile, combine the following ingredients in the food processor and pulse until well mixed:<br />
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1/2 cup sunflower seeds</div>
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about 3 large handfuls of basil</div>
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1/2 cup parmesan</div>
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juice of 1 lemon</div>
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about 2 tsp of kosher salt</div>
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20 grinds of pepper</div>
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3. add the oil and garlic to the basil mixture and pulse until smooth (you may need to add a little more oil as you are pulsing to get the right consistency)</div>
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4. I usually add the pesto to penne pasta with feta and halved cherry tomatoes that I warm up in a little oil on the stove to make them softer for about 5 minutes...</div>
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The pesto is so easy to make that sometimes I will make an extra batch and freeze it for a really easy cooking night!</div>
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Hope this gives you some ideas for no bake meals. I would love to hear if any of you have meals that you love that don't require the use of an oven... since apparently I have a few more weeks of no bake meals to go!!</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11726467687843312520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786571109331157585.post-16353147533389713162012-12-30T20:19:00.000-08:002012-12-30T20:19:25.176-08:00My Purse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When I first had 2 year old B, I don't think I ever left the house without her... and therefore never left the house without the big diaper bag. There came a point in time, though, that I started venturing out without the little baby in tow and found myself throwing this light and pretty thing that I hadn't seen in months over my shoulder. It's called a purse!! Then at some point I discovered I didn't need the diaper bag and could just throw a few diapers and a wipes case into my purse when out and about with the little one. But that was short lived because not too long after I put the diaper bag away, baby M arrived. <br />
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Here I am again, at the in between point of switching between diaper bag and purse on a regular basis. I have 4 things that I always take with me when out of the house: my wallet, my cell phone, the car keys, and Chapstick (because I'm addicted). When 2 year old B was a baby, I was always throwing these things in the diaper bag, losing them, digging around to find them, and then throwing them into my purse... and then repeat when I needed to use the diaper bag. Then I discovered a brand of mainly baby accessories called <a href="http://www.petunia.com/">petunia pickle bottom</a> and fell in love!! They have the prettiest prints for any baby and travel organizational needs. They are way out of my price range, but, on one of those daily deals websites, I was able to purchase a <a href="http://www.petunia.com/accessories/powder-room-case">Powder Room Case</a> similar to this one:</div>
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It solved my purse/diaper bag switching issue perfectly. I put my "always take with me" items in the case...<br />
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... and then I just move the case from diaper bag to purse as needed. See:<br />
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This little system doesn't have to be used solely for diaper bag to purse switches, it can even be used for purse to purse change ups too... as long as you have a large enough purse! The next purchase I would love to get from petunia pickle bottom is the <a href="http://www.petunia.com/accessories/wanderlust-wallet">Wanderlust Wallet</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.petunia.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/7/3/738-2-1024x1024_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.petunia.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/7/3/738-2-1024x1024_1.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" width="320" /></a></div>
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I can't justify spending $62 on a wallet though, but I'm keeping my eyes out for a deal!! <br />
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In case you are wondering, I do own just one other petunia pickle bottom item. I needed an Ergo carrier when baby M arrived so I went with a <a href="http://www.petunia.com/carriers/ergobaby-petuniaorganiccarrier">petunia pickle bottom one</a>. It was actually only a little bit more than the regular Ergo carrier, but so much prettier! Here is the one I have:<br />
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How do you make the switch from diaper bag to purse? Or purse to purse? Is it a free for all where everything just gets thrown in, or do you have a way to keep it all organized? I'd love to hear!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11726467687843312520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786571109331157585.post-60619090322802519872012-12-24T13:15:00.000-08:002012-12-24T13:15:13.620-08:00Sugar Cookies<div>
There are so many traditions and fun activities to do during the holidays, but my favorite one of all is making cookies, specifically cookie cutter cookies. Every holiday season my mom and I would transform the kitchen into cooking baking central where we would mix, frost, decorate, and best of all, sneak bites of cookie dough in between batches. As an adult, holiday cookie baking has looked different for me every year. Some years I have made them at my mom's house or sadly made them on my own when we were living in San Diego (although that's not as fun, but can be made more joyful by blasting the Christmas music while baking) and one year I even got Nick to make cookies with me. Last year my friend Chelsea and her baby came over to bake with B and I:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOK5enO7K_QcUs8qA7FSkgK5gAylGoCy_ff6viDE5yk5yMGMOc92ipRcxO1nIMhPAbtzsWbfNsHxDL-OiOV0o24aVuChz-YDksGkBaa4ECuGoV3v6oHyjJYFj7RWj7SEcwh80lAuiUkr2M/s1600/DSC_0554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOK5enO7K_QcUs8qA7FSkgK5gAylGoCy_ff6viDE5yk5yMGMOc92ipRcxO1nIMhPAbtzsWbfNsHxDL-OiOV0o24aVuChz-YDksGkBaa4ECuGoV3v6oHyjJYFj7RWj7SEcwh80lAuiUkr2M/s640/DSC_0554.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aren't they the cutest in their matching bib & apron!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQPpsgp7_A4KgUetQK_rbji5rEPEccCvV0M1ydWOGj97n33zNhHgL7ekgmdQNefZMFikjrzjWB0hC7ZvS3wXmLmlQ_fGKi_tfMJUAxSwpZwhKDa360KhMl4-G0hKUr3TrBq_SYNYGkXEn/s1600/DSC_0556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQPpsgp7_A4KgUetQK_rbji5rEPEccCvV0M1ydWOGj97n33zNhHgL7ekgmdQNefZMFikjrzjWB0hC7ZvS3wXmLmlQ_fGKi_tfMJUAxSwpZwhKDa360KhMl4-G0hKUr3TrBq_SYNYGkXEn/s640/DSC_0556.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baya did a lot of tasting, but very little baking!</td></tr>
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This year seemed a little more special than others. The reason... 2 year old B is able to actually bake with me. She has been helping me "make cookies" for a few months now and it warms my heart every time. She gets her measuring cup and teaspoon and bowl and big spoon and she "mixes" her ingredients while I'm mixing mine. She even sneaks bites of her cookie dough (which I woudn't recommend since I only give her the dry ingredients). <br />
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Before we started the cookie cutter process, we needed to make the dough and let it chill overnight in the fridge.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGcap65bvY_eRnYaGVan8TdnWnD1H5oC7pmpstj1tb2E62w_DtdEZ2Ioej8zqvLaHBx9rTeF0hwxZ4IyxhM_3dWOjQZlzDhwFsbZJDdSpQbXLjcMzqbxnGGlyRyEGUO8MS3vkzMA4zuTB/s1600/DSC_0800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGcap65bvY_eRnYaGVan8TdnWnD1H5oC7pmpstj1tb2E62w_DtdEZ2Ioej8zqvLaHBx9rTeF0hwxZ4IyxhM_3dWOjQZlzDhwFsbZJDdSpQbXLjcMzqbxnGGlyRyEGUO8MS3vkzMA4zuTB/s640/DSC_0800.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making cookies is serious business!</td></tr>
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2 year old B had to be sure she was wearing the proper attire.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vZsd2ApIQ9w/UNc1ZPGVRLI/AAAAAAAAAL8/_F_FZ0Os780/s1600/DSC_1182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vZsd2ApIQ9w/UNc1ZPGVRLI/AAAAAAAAAL8/_F_FZ0Os780/s640/DSC_1182.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This apron and hat were made by a teacher I used to work with. She makes the most beautiful and adorable kitchen clothing and makes sure that all of us teachers with kids have matching bibs and aprons (see the photo of Chelsea above).</td></tr>
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Baby M helped pick out which cookie cutters we were going to use.<br />
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Then it was time to start baking! The girls and I spent the afternoon with my mom, friend Patsy, and even my dad took part in the decorating and frosting cookies.<br />
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The first step was to roll out the dough and cut out the cookies. <br />
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2 year old B quickly got tired of cutting out the cookies and enjoyed decorating the cookies much more.<br />
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Did I say decorating cookies? I meant pouring decorations on the cookies.<br />
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Here is her very green and very sprinkled tree.</div>
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Even baby M tried to get in on the cookie decorating.<br />
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We decorated half the cookies and baked them and the other half we baked without decorations so we could frost them. 2 year old B chose 2 cookies that she frosted to death. One for daddy and one for mommy... so sweet!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-clZ6Y_8MdUk/UNffc2CYUsI/AAAAAAAAAN0/AU43nD1qOd4/s1600/DSC_1291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-clZ6Y_8MdUk/UNffc2CYUsI/AAAAAAAAAN0/AU43nD1qOd4/s640/DSC_1291.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's not chocolate frosting... Apparently B is into mixing colors!</td></tr>
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Somebody learned how to sneak licks of frosting very quickly.</div>
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Everyone has their own favorite sugar cookie recipe. Here is mine.<br />
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1 cup of butter<br />
1 cup of sugar<br />
1 egg<br />
1/2 cup sour cream<br />
1 tsp. baking soda<br />
1 tsp. baking powder<br />
2 cups flower<br />
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1. beat together butter & sugar<br />
2. add the egg<br />
3. first mix the sour cream and baking soda, then add to the butter, sugar, and egg mixture<br />
4. add the baking powder and flour<br />
5. the dough gets dry by the end so you will need to hand knead it to make sure it is all mixed together<br />
6. wrap in plastic wrap and chill overnight<br />
7. bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees, but don't over bake them or you will have hard cookies and those never taste quite right</div>
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P.S. I don't save cookie cutter cookies just for the holidays. One year I made special cookies for a few of my friends for a girls night. Check out the martini glasses, red heel, and wedding dress for that bride-to-be:<br />
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Merry Christmas everyone!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11726467687843312520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786571109331157585.post-5427861318626974362012-12-18T20:15:00.000-08:002012-12-18T20:15:21.147-08:00Hand and Footprint OrnamentsAt this time last year I was pregnant, sick 24/7, and exhausted. My husband recently commented about how we didn't do many Christmas activities last year and I had to remind him that I was basically nonfunctional during the month of December. There were a few good days, though, and on one of those days I spent a cozy morning with my moms group. We attempted snow globes that fell apart almost immediately and then we all sat our kids around the table to make handprint ornaments. With a bunch of 15 month olds running around, its amazing we got anything done, but with snacks and toys, we were able to keep them busy so we could chat and be crafty. <br />
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This year it was just the kids and I making the handprint ornaments, but my inspiration came from one of the moms from that group. She made the cutest handprint ornament on a bulb with her son last year and so I decided to try the bulb handprint as well. I started with 2 year old B and had this <i>brilliant</i> idea to use glitter over the paint, but it turned out looking like this:<br />
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Kind of funky looking, right? So I started over. 2 year old B loved the feeling of the paint on her hand and she kept asking me to paint her again... and again... and again!<br />
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I had her hold her painted hand out and then I rolled the ornament over her hand. I learned from a couple of tries that you need to do the handprint higher up on the ornament (like closer to the part that hangs) and that you need to start with the palm of the hand and roll up to the fingers. I started with the fingers on one try and the palm didn't make a print. I also discovered that baby wipes take the paint right off if you make a mistake so it was really easy to keep trying until I got a handprint that I liked.</div>
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Making baby M's handprint turned out to be impossible. I painted baby M's hand and then she closed up that hand into the tightest ball that there was no way of even peeling the fingers apart to attempt a print. So I ended up doing her foot. I did the same process with the foot and started with the heel and pressed her foot around the upper part of the ornament. It took a couple of tries, but I think it turned out pretty well. Once I had a nice footprint, I wrote her name on the paint, but the black writing took something away from the cuteness of the ornament. </div>
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Luckily I only wrote on one ornament so I was able to pull out those baby wipes again and make another footprint. I made 2 ornaments for each kid. One for us and one for grandma and grandpa. Once they were dry I made name tags to attach to ribbon on the ornaments and voila, our 2012 hand and footprint ornaments are ready to be hung on the tree. I thought about putting tinsel in the bulb to fancy them up a bit, but when I hung them on the tree they looked pretty enough with the lights shining through.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11726467687843312520noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786571109331157585.post-68183507942089339182012-12-09T21:17:00.001-08:002012-12-09T21:17:04.267-08:00Christmas Cards11 months out of the year I could really care less about what comes in the mail. In fact, if Nick is out of town and it is up to me to check the mail, I kind of forget about it. Every once in awhile I get those nice surprises in the mail in the form of a thank you note or baby announcement or invitation, but usually what arrives in the mailbox is nothing to get excited about... until December! My first card arrived Thanksgiving weekend (thanks Becky) and at that moment the holidays began. I love each and every card and in the years past, I haven't been able to find a way to display all of them, but last year I found a solution to this problem. In the entryway I hung shiny, skinny, silver ribbon and tied bells on the ribbon. Then when I got a card, I inserted it between the slits in the bells like this...<br />
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Sometimes the cards fall out if the slits are too big, so I just add some of the paper from the envelope the card came in to the back of the card to make it thicker so that it will stick in there. As the cards trickle in the display looks better and better, but right now, my display is looking a little empty. <br />
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">A few days ago there was a post on one of my favorite blogs <a href="http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2012/12/our-super-simple-christmas-card-display.html">iheartorganizing</a> that addressed just this issue. The blog suggested using cutouts and ornaments to fill the empty space until more cards come in. With going back to work and all the things that need to be done this time of year, I was trying to figure out when I could have some time to make pretty cutouts, but then while I was at Michaels I found these felt decorations...</span></div>
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They work perfect and make the card display look so festive!<br />
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Happy card season everyone!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11726467687843312520noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786571109331157585.post-921905763313872452012-12-07T21:20:00.003-08:002012-12-07T21:20:44.802-08:00Weekly Menu: Back to Work I GoWhen you live with someone long enough (and also happen to have 2 kids with them) its easy to look past all the good things. Well, this week, my husband reminded just how great he is. I went back to work this week after 5 <strike>glorious</strike> <strike>stressful</strike> interesting months at home with my 2 girls. I stayed home for a whole year with my 2 year old and I am feeling like I have somehow cheated my 5 month old by not only going back to work after just giving her 5 months of me, but by only giving her 5 months of half of me since the other half of me was learning how deal with the emotional roller coaster of a 2 year old (more on that in a different post). Going back to work is so hard and figuring out a new balance is even more difficult, but luckily for me, my husband didn't offer to, but just planned 4 meals that HE was going to cook this week. Oh, and he went to the store. If I sound like I'm bragging a little, I am... it was great!! Here is what he cooked for us:<br />
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1. homemade pizza & roasted veggies<br />
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2. asian chicken salad & bread<br />
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3. chicken caesar salad & paninis<br />
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4. <a href="http://joannagoddard.blogspot.com/2012/06/best-buttermilk-pancakes-youll-ever.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FbboSV+%28A+CUP+OF+JO%29&utm_content=Google+Reader">buttermilk pancakes</a>, fruit, turkey sausage<br />
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Before the work week started we rode the Santa train where we had hot chocolate & cookies and the girls got to sit on Santa's lap. Baby M cuddled right up to Santa's belly and snoozed and as usual, 2 year old B refused to smile, but at least there were no tears!<br />
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I am so grateful that Nick took charge of the meals so that I could just relax and play with these wonderful girls when I got home from work. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11726467687843312520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786571109331157585.post-74068857077173700532012-11-29T13:49:00.000-08:002012-11-29T13:49:34.841-08:00This Week's Menu: A Dinnertime MomentNick and I make it a priority to eat together as a family. Since we've had baby M, timing is everything to make sure that we can sit down and have a meal together. Typically I prep dinner while Nick is playing with 2 year old B or doing something around the house. Then when it is time to nurse, Nick will cook and by the time I'm finished nursing, dinner is ready and it is time to eat. It sounds simple, but it takes a lot of thought and planning to make it all work. <br />
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Baby M is 5 months now and she's spacing out her feedings and taking less naps so suddenly I feel like dinnertime is less complicated and I can really enjoy the nights my husband does all the cooking. On one particular night this week, 2 year old B was busy "washing dishes," baby M was cruising around in her activity center, Nick was cooking, and all I had to do was sit back and enjoy my family.<br />
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When the week started, there were a few nights that we weren't sure if we'd be home or not for dinner. I decided to plan for 4 meals, leaving one take out night, and possibly 2 dinners with family. Here is what I planned...<br />
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1. salmon, kale, bread<br />
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2. <a href="http://www.thecomfortofcooking.com/2012/08/crock-pot-honey-sesame-chicken.html">crock pot honey sesame chicken</a> from <a href="http://www.thecomfortofcooking.com/">The Comfort of Cooking</a> (I put the chicken in the crockpot for too long and the chicken came out pretty dry so next time I need to follow the timing directions on the recipe), broccoli<br />
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3. breakfast sandwiches (we made them with asiago bagels from Panera - yum!), fruit, turkey sausages<br />
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4. Yakisoba with chicken, peppers, snow peas, and broccoli<br />
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The Yakisoba noodles come with a seasoning packet... so easy!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11726467687843312520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786571109331157585.post-81454821048891058562012-11-23T08:25:00.001-08:002012-11-23T08:25:25.959-08:00Office/Bar/Partial Playroom ProjectWe have this area in the house where we keep our wine fridge, bar items, books, office supplies, pictures, etc. and it opens up right into the playroom so it also functions as a partial playroom... you know, because filing, drinking, reading, and playing with the kids all go hand in hand, right?? The area needs A LOT of help, but I have a plan to make it functional. Take a look at what it looks like now and what I'd like to do to change it:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNLrP4dK1x7KgaIgCIuKzBsN5Z1_61ZaeNjLOn6NkOiI5BqFTxfrS1V7hrCMslkfn5vCfgXZcPfWu-FDf4nSW1gLHp8cH-TvyZ6uFU5Y50LT2o4YmUVu9HfTYBbZ2hAbKWeEmE-696Vo3/s1600/DSC_0969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNLrP4dK1x7KgaIgCIuKzBsN5Z1_61ZaeNjLOn6NkOiI5BqFTxfrS1V7hrCMslkfn5vCfgXZcPfWu-FDf4nSW1gLHp8cH-TvyZ6uFU5Y50LT2o4YmUVu9HfTYBbZ2hAbKWeEmE-696Vo3/s640/DSC_0969.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;">I'm standing in the playroom that opens up into the office area in this picture... you can see how the space also functions as part of the playroom!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmhIe9paozgQ17YsKVrkLYCr_vy6obLS3KYblSXLw4Wj__JQiJTYJxuDcUViNEEaUMUo24R5tNzadsdZnJFGAMrKy0sVR6-ccHLGXWkbrTQUEL1ayCFTNUeGTGyy-aHCV6zfg4g8qmQRT/s1600/DSC_0970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmhIe9paozgQ17YsKVrkLYCr_vy6obLS3KYblSXLw4Wj__JQiJTYJxuDcUViNEEaUMUo24R5tNzadsdZnJFGAMrKy0sVR6-ccHLGXWkbrTQUEL1ayCFTNUeGTGyy-aHCV6zfg4g8qmQRT/s640/DSC_0970.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Yikes! The tall bookshelf is not only an eye sore, but slightly dangerous. The shelves are swaying and the back is falling off and for some reason it is leaning a bit toward the right.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63omorya_OVAfeac3K7t1BlP2qR5YtP21P0a728Qkf8UQ7zU6IYfoj0N1uzuoEuqu9yGBJ1wh0JJw3AjOewMZe0vBk2SAQlhqrM5tT2vnMAOncgq5h4ieBr3bTBKim_P_MElwBNZGp5C0/s1600/DSC_0973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63omorya_OVAfeac3K7t1BlP2qR5YtP21P0a728Qkf8UQ7zU6IYfoj0N1uzuoEuqu9yGBJ1wh0JJw3AjOewMZe0vBk2SAQlhqrM5tT2vnMAOncgq5h4ieBr3bTBKim_P_MElwBNZGp5C0/s640/DSC_0973.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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In place of both the small & tall bookshelf, the black filing cabinet, and the unit in the corner that continues to have things piled on top of it, I want to get this unit from Ikea:<br />
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<img height="400" src="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/expedit-shelving-unit__0092718_PE229441_S4.JPG" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Before I start buying boxes and cubbies to go in the shelving unit, I need to think about how to organize the things I have. If I don't really take some time to think about exactly what I need to organize, I'll go box crazy and buy way too much! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">There are some read for pleasure books, educational textbooks for me, and medical textbooks for my husband that will probably take up one whole row of shelves. I REALLY need to organize the pictures, computer software odds & ends, and the greeting cards/stationary that are just kind of tossed in random places. I think I'd like to use these to organize the pictures and computer software:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span> <img height="248" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61Sv6rCzptL._SL1500_.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" width="320" /> <br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And possibly organize my greeting cards in this:</span><br />
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<img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/318V7d%2BHDxL.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Paper and notebooks are another item that pile up and I never know what we've got. I'd like to use these to be able to see everything easier:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm going to try these out for our files. I'm thinking I'll start with 2 and go from there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">And finally, I need to have a place to put paperwork that needs to be filed, so I'd like to get this:</span></div>
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So t<span style="font-family: inherit;">hat's my plan for now. What do you think? Stay tuned for the final product...</span></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11726467687843312520noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786571109331157585.post-10886677104875722852012-11-22T14:12:00.003-08:002012-11-22T14:12:58.144-08:00ThanksgivingHappy Thanksgiving! Thanks to pinterest, this is my contribution to the Thanksgiving meal this year:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOVt4AWUPiItDdNdJZAP_WBKub-MGPIoBeusWXjLGAkm4O2CIvi1GZuo4vvE4wXj5SM4xX5e_HClWKIdNxH5ojHAVwQf_Jcgc1muWR73bEG7gJbfcvnW56WPgSlK4nzNsvNZlXBzcBd1I/s1600/DSC_0978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOVt4AWUPiItDdNdJZAP_WBKub-MGPIoBeusWXjLGAkm4O2CIvi1GZuo4vvE4wXj5SM4xX5e_HClWKIdNxH5ojHAVwQf_Jcgc1muWR73bEG7gJbfcvnW56WPgSlK4nzNsvNZlXBzcBd1I/s640/DSC_0978.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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For directions on how to make this lovely turkey veggie platter, click <a href="http://www.eatingwithfoodallergies.com/turkeyveggieplatter.html">here</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11726467687843312520noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786571109331157585.post-87706893284205807802012-11-16T13:56:00.000-08:002012-11-16T13:56:30.892-08:00It's an easy meal kind of a week!Nick and I like to plan what we eat for dinners for the week on the weekend to help make the week run smoother and to help us figure out what we need at the store. Nick was out of town for the weekend and it was just the girls and I for a few days. When I woke up Sunday morning with a scratchy throat, I knew it was going to be one of those weeks where we needed to make easy meals for dinner. Little did I know how tired we were going to be this week from Nick feeling run down from being out of town, both of us getting sick, and to top things off, we stayed up all night with a very sick 2 year old for a few nights in a row. I'm so glad I planned ahead...<br />
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1. chicken caesar salad & paninis (I buy frozen chicken cubes to add to the caesar. Nick usually puts deli meat on his panini and I usually just stick with cheese.)<br />
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2. breaded frozen fish from Costco, sauted kale, & rosemary bread<br />
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3. whole wheat spaghetti with turkey meatballs & broccoli<br />
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4. <a href="http://skinnymom.com/2012/10/22/skinny-detox-soup/">detox soup</a> from <a href="http://skinnymom.com/">Skinny Mom</a> & rosemary bread<br />
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5. quinoa with sausage and peppers & homemade tortilla chips<br />
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You'll notice I don't assign meals to specific nights. I like to plan 5 meals, leaving one day a week the option of eating out and the other day we usually do dinner at my mom and dads. In the morning I usually think about what's happening that day and choose one of the meals and take out anything that needs to be defrosted. You'll also notice that I used the rosemary bread 3 times this week. Once with the paninis and then the other 2 times as a side... getting bang for my buck with the loaf of bread!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11726467687843312520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6786571109331157585.post-12599570096770711232012-11-14T21:16:00.001-08:002012-11-14T21:16:54.038-08:00The DishesThis is my first post! I have been a reader of blogs for quite awhile now and I finally decided to just give it a try and start my own blog. This first entry is actually about a way that I am not organized, but work to be better at. We all have our chores that we dislike. My husband hates to put away laundry so much that he will just pile his clothes on top of the dresser and pick from that pile when he's getting dressed everyday. My dreaded chore: putting away the dishes! I have no problem cleaning the dishes, but I absolutely, without a doubt, cannot stand putting them away. We used to have a dish rack next to the sink and my husband called it my Jenga pile because I would pile all the clean dishes on the rack and then precariously pull them out without making other dishes fall when I needed something. I really wish I would have taken a picture of what my Jenga pile looked like because I'm kind of proud of it. One day, my husband kindly asked if we could remove the dish rack and try a different method. In the spirit of being compromising I went for it. We said goodbye to the big dish rack and hello to a little teeny tiny towel where we could keep the sippy cup and toddler plate and utensils that get used for every meal. My husband even showed me how to place the towel over my shoulder and dry the dishes as I cleaned them - thanks! His goal was to have our kitchen look like this on a daily basis:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6OGQC2EID2a8Zyb9cPJuc86DubO3i5yJ4pMqGh5eFa2efMBEDtGg2OJBKxnNlmylE_HtdYuZkrtSmJMiz1vrEt4P14LQQGtQxiYklplqdnSSZJ3DRHKlyblrwuyql4yxmnaVwsQ6Edu7/s1600/DSC_0920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6OGQC2EID2a8Zyb9cPJuc86DubO3i5yJ4pMqGh5eFa2efMBEDtGg2OJBKxnNlmylE_HtdYuZkrtSmJMiz1vrEt4P14LQQGtQxiYklplqdnSSZJ3DRHKlyblrwuyql4yxmnaVwsQ6Edu7/s320/DSC_0920.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Guess what? It worked! The kitchen stayed clean for approximately one week and then I realized a couple of things. If I dry each dish right after I wash it then I'm wasting time and water. So, I tried a different plan. I laid out a towel and placed each dish on the towel after I cleaned it. Then, I would dry the dishes and put them away. But I realized that I don't like drying dishes in the first place, so this system still isn't working for me very well. <br />
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If there is one rule to go by when keeping organized, it is to prioritize. It may sound very cheesy, but my priorities these days are my kids, so spending time putting away dishes isn't at the top of my to do list. What I have learned is that I can leave the pile of dishes on the towel and put them away at some point in time during the day when the kids are taking their naps or busy eating lunch or breakfast (and it surprisingly doesn't take that long). So for now, my husband has also decided to meet me in the middle and has accepted that our counter looks like this most of the time...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZBXuup7-c0HF15vml1QRDjIVub0hfrF-DI-bOVDWJPick3NlFNZzN-tnEUfr0Dkxn7ZSEbnNycKxopZnK3wRXR6c7AQnBr_AeDeXzBNoQBYJWOG573qbGkz3vZioaxKxdGKcEJwRnz0s/s1600/DSC_0923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZBXuup7-c0HF15vml1QRDjIVub0hfrF-DI-bOVDWJPick3NlFNZzN-tnEUfr0Dkxn7ZSEbnNycKxopZnK3wRXR6c7AQnBr_AeDeXzBNoQBYJWOG573qbGkz3vZioaxKxdGKcEJwRnz0s/s320/DSC_0923.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm curious to hear... What is your dreaded chore and how do you get yourself to do it?<br />
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Thanks for reading my first post. I hope you enjoyed it!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11726467687843312520noreply@blogger.com0