January 2014 365

First month of 2014 is already done.  Time flies lately.

Looking forward to getting some kind of routine that involves scrapping 12x12 again, staying mostly caught up with Project Life, working out, and blogging regularly, among the everyday normal things!

January, it's been a cold one.

Target Find

I hit Target up for a new floor lamp and doormats today, not really in the mood to shop but was happy with what I needed and found.

As I was leaving I passed the scrapbook aisle (that's really just a hit or miss mostly), and I was going to keep walking but this caught my eye.

I am loving the Amy Tangerine stitch kits so this was a fun find.  It's got some similar patterns but it's all good.  Don'tcha love when you find the un-expected?

Saturday Snow

We got more snow, and since we have nothing planned, it's a perfect day to finish packing up the Christmas decorations and get them into the crawl space.

 

Time to get the basement back to normal and more efficient. As always there's more to clear out. Might have to enlist the girls to help me with their things. There are loads of un-used toys that need to be packed or given away. I know with Marissa especially, that she hates to part with things and sometimes that's ok. We'll pack those things up and put them in storage. Other things however must go. Some to the trash and some to Goodwill. 

As of last night, I finished our Disney trip in Project Life!  I pushed through it & cant wait to catch up with the rest of the year.  Now to get some decent light & take pics of those pages to share....

Trying To Finish

Scrapping vacation always takes me forever.  This past August's trip is no exception.  I was behind on Project Life before leaving for vacation so coming back with a TON of pics made it worse.

It's always so hard to narrow down which pics to use add to that my constant procrastinating and I'm horribly behind.

Lately though, I'm starting to see the light at the end of the Disney tunnel.  Hoping to get it done so I can share those pages.

Shopping Haul

Seems crazy to be out shopping for new goodies just after purging some old supplies, but I swear I was good!

I went primarily for some white cardstock that I use for all of us.  Joe's work needs signs, the girls' homework, they all use my cardstock!  I couldn't help drool over some of these goodies.

That's mostly what I did though, drool.  I just came home with these.  Wood veneers?  I'm a sucker!  Plus the mustache ones are really for Gianna-she's obsessed!  

Later while checking Instagram, I found Staples was running an awesome deal on photo paper. BOGO free?  You bet I turned off the stove (I was cooking dinner) and ran to my nearest Staples!  

Apparently, I get all my news from Instagram.  LOL!!

My ferocious attack dog guards me well as I IG my score from Staples....I love her.

More Purging!

Today, I was attempting to work on Project Life, when the dogs had a field day with these boxes under my scrap table.  Inside the big box are some purged scrap goodies I've been saving for a friend.

Of course, I couldn't concentrate on scrapping until I had cleaned up the mess.  I found a plastic storage container and transferred everything.  This put me in an organizing mood, and somehow I found myself purging more stuff.  I found these old decorative scissors and knowing I haven't used them in forever I decided to let them go.  I have about 4 that I'm keeping but they're more of a classic design.  

Even found these classic Heidi Swapp playing cards, that I love and can't let go.  I showed them to Marissa who is crazy about card tricks lately and she called dibs on them.  We'll see what it's worth to her!  LOL!

Not how I planned on spending my day, but in the end, I cleared stuff out and puppy-proofed under my workspace.  Makes me feel good!

7th Grade Dance

Tonight was Marissa's 7th grade dance.  Nothing formal, just fun.

She had a blast and said she danced the entire time!  I'm so happy to hear that!  I had to ask her why I never see her dance around the house at all, but in true teenager form, she wouldn't answer. *sigh*  I guess I'll just settle with her letting me take her picture after she got home.  She was so hyper and happy and that makes me happy.

She couldn't resist playing with the puppies when she got home.  Piper is the easiest puppy and will let you do almost anything to her if it means she has your attention. (She's a sucker for her ears and tummy rubbed)

She's a cool puppy

Piper got "lei'd".

Yes we amuse ourselves, but it's harmless.  Piper loved the attention.

Pizza Round Two

Ever since we had our "pizza class" the other day, I've been itching to make it on my own.  I didn't get to do a lot with everyone over that time, but I watched as I ran around doing things.  I looked up THIS recipe on Pinterest and got to work.

When it came time to actually put the pizza together, the girls wanted to help.  I try to always get them involved in the kitchen when possible.  ESPECIALLY if they want to!

Gianna helped make the cheese pizza, since that's what she'll be eating.

Marissa got to work on the Hawaiian pizza.  "Testing" the ham and pineapple along the way to assure quality goodness. 

In the end, I made some mental notes on what I'd change up a little for next time but all in all it came out fantastic!

I even made a pepperoni bread--super yummy!

Trying to change up dinners around here so it's not always the same things all the time.  Just need to break Joe's opinion on crock-pot cooking....he's not a huge fan.

January Means Purging

It seems that I go through a purging/reorganizing phase in January.  I organize constantly throughout the year, but January comes and it hits me hard.

Junk drawers are the worst.  Unfortunately, we have two in our kitchen.  One I've attempted to figure out but haven't finished it since it has mostly Joe's junk in it.  I don't know what to do with those things so I gave up. (Should've never given him that drawer years ago!  LOL!)

Lately on Instagram, I've been inspired by Becky Novacek with her 30 Bags in 30 Days purge.  She is a whirlwind!  I may not go full blast for 30 bags but I get moving.  Starting small, I hit the junk drawer that has gotten out of control lately.  I even remembered to take a before picture!

It may not look like much, and it's not really, but it's something.  It's a good start.  I tackled it while the puppies were outside playing and I could keep an eye on them from the kitchen.  Win-win!

Hoping to tackle more of the bigger areas around here soon!

Monday Happenings

Mondays for me are pretty routine.  Food shopping is usually on the agenda.  That's one of my least favorite chores.  I have it down to about an hour and I know that's not long but I just don't like it.

After rushing to put all the food away, I made it to my annual eye Dr appt.  This is another thing I'm not crazy about but only because I don't like getting my eyes dilated.  It gives me a major headache that lasts all day.  Not fun.  However, I do like my Dr.  He explains things to you in plain English, and is just a nice guy.  Luckily, he said he has a new machine that will do the same thing for the dilating part without the drops that give me a headache!  I had to pay extra for it but I consider it completely worth it!!  Add to that, he had me try new contact lenses that were even more comfortable than my last lenses AND for filling out a survey, he gave me a Starbucks giftcard.  NICE!

When I hang out in my scraproom, the puppies have the option of laying on a bed or the couch (tough life, I know!).  Lately they've been wandering a little. I had thought Riley was sleeping in my bathroom, but couldn't find her.  Knowing the doors were closed and she was just hiding, I kept calling her name.  In the end, Piper lead me to her.  She was napping in the closet, under Joe's shirts!  

You can hardly see her!

She must've been sleeping soundly, since she just laid there and after a little love from me, she went back to sleep.  Too funny!

I spotted this fox at the jug handle by my house today.  I've never seen one that close up!  It was feasting on the dead deer that must've been hit by a car (GROSS).  I can't wait to show Gianna since she is all about "What does the fox say?"

That's my Monday.  I gets wild and crazy around here! LOL!

Bread Making Birthday Celebration

During our annual Christmas get together with our cousins, my sister Marie, and I talked about how making bread/pizza intimidated us.  My cousin Maria has made her own bread and pizza for awhile so we made a plan to get together for a bread making lesson.  We all got together at my house and my cousin did most of the work.  The best part was even the kids got involved, mostly the older ones, but it's all good!

We made 4 pizza doughs, and 2 bread doughs, there were 13 of us, so we had to plenty to go around.  We made 3 pizzas, Hawaiian, Cheese, and caramelized onion.  We made a sausage/pepperoni with caramelized onion bread, and 2 loaves of Honey Wheat bread.  It was all so good!

Of course, no get together would be complete without a picture!

The bread was devoured with butter while it was still warm.  So good!

The pizzas were fantastic.

After we were all nice and stuffed, we ended the night celebrating my sister Marie's birthday.

It was a fun night. Our next plan?  Pasta night!!  LOL!

Saying Goodbye To Annie

We've been puppy sitting Annie since December, and have to admit, we've grown attached to her.  We considered adopting her but I wasn't sure if I could handle it.  

Yesterday, we were told that she was adopted and would be going to her new home on Thursday.  Joe is not taking the news well at all.  They have a bond, and now I'm just kicking myself for not adopting her sooner.

Update on Riley

We took Riley to the vet today, who confirmed that she had a bad scratch in her eye.  Not sure how it happened.  We have to apply two different ointments directly to her eye, multiple times a day for 10 days.

She's not happy about it.

I miss her adoring eyes, and playfulness.  My poor little puppy.

Random Happenings

We're having a super cold snow day today.  The kids are happy they get to stay home.  I'm happy not to have to go out in this weather.

Gianna lost a tooth, making it the first of the year.

I got started packing up the Christmas decorations.  Usually I leave it up until the middle of the month but something got me motivated to start.  

Gianna likes how toasty warm the Christmas stockings are.  She's my little goofball, always looking for a laugh.

My sweet Riley seems to have hurt her eye.  She won't open it and I'm freaking out.  Taking her to the vet tomorrow.

Piper just wants to be loved.  Always.

Lots of randomness from these last few days but that's life around here.

Riley's Half Birthday

This sweet, sweet girl is SIX months old today!  So glad she's come into our lives, but how this is comfortable is beyond me. 

Happy Moments

This morning on my way to work, I was treated to a coffee at my normal drive thru. This made my day! 

Thinking about making a simple mini album of some sort to keep the happy moments of the year in. Sort of like the jars where you write something good down on slips of paper....I know it's just one day but it's the start of the year, and I'm hoping it's a great one!!

Happy New Year 2014!

Last year, we started a new tradition to take family pictures on New Year's Eve. I like ending the year with these pictures but in truth I have another reason I take them.  I use them for our opening page in the next Project Life album.  Yes, I know I should technically take them on the 1st and maybe not in front of the Christmas tree but maybe I'll plan it better next year. (I said that last year too--shhh!!!)

We went out to dinner at Outback, then came home and I set things up. I start out with individual shots of us all then a family shot. Tripods and self timers are a wonderful thing. 

After making sure I had the pictures I was looking for, we all got comfy and hung out. I ended up having some computer issues and spent some time messing around with that. Not how I planned on spending the last night of 2013 exactly, but I got things "close enough" so we could all watch the ball drop together. 

It gets real exciting around here. 

Hoping for a great new year! 

Welcome 2014!!