Category: Life

Keepin’ it real, the struggles and the joys.

Frugal, Home, Life, Organize

Tidy and Thrifty*bring in 2018!

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If selling a house has taught me anything it’s that you can always use a healthy edit. This is true for our inner lives as well as possessions. I like to dig through cupboards and closets periodically and just get a little ruthless with the items hidden within. Has it been used in the last year? Do you love it? If either of those is a no then it’s probably something you really don’t need. Well, I love gathering as much as I love purging so this is an almost endless cycle at times. I’m working on a new edit system so we don’t get a pile up. It helps to keep things from coming in the house so that it doesn’t become clutter in the first place.

I always love a good container too. If I find some thing that fits the bill I will use it no matter what it looks like. If I find something that fits and is cute I will love it forever.

Here are a few of my finds from my latest thrift trip. They are of the functional variety, not the cute kind *sigh*

Gloves! And hats! And scarves! Oh my! Love these hanging organizers for those little items.
Napkins, we need them, OFTEN. Now they can stay on the table:)
The farm animal closet holds all of our extra small feeders and medicines. I found a small wire basket to keep the bunny water bottles in place.
Junk drawer organizer? I think, yes:)
Old samsonite to keep my sewing notions in one place? Yes, please!

I usually go there first if I’m in need of something then go to the next expensive place. The order is: thrift store, Dollar Tree, Walmart, Amazon – (that’s my money saving buying progression) so now you know another one of my budget secrets. 😉

Happy New Year everyone! I hope it’s fresh and bright and tidy and filled with blessings!

Being Mama, Kids, Life

Growth

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The fuzz free boy holding one of our monster icicles

Yesterday was not a holiday and I was actually feeling pretty decent so off we went to Walmart for some post Christmas clearance. Seems we were not the only ones who had the same idea. Normally this is when I buy cards and treat bags as well as a few baking supplies and small gifts for birthdays and such. There, now you all know my secret.  Extra frugal tip: use a gift card that was gifted to you and then you can get a years worth of items for nothing! Hey, when you live on a budget you gotta pull every punch sometimes. Anyhow, I was cruising along and I made 2 purchases that kinda made me want to turn back time. I bought my son a shaving kit….and showed him how to use it. That peach fuzz kept getting fuller as the days went by. You are all welcome. Secondly,  I bought my youngest a bath set with deodorant. Yes, she is little but she is mighty….mighty stinky! So I’m reaching new mommy milestones every day as my kids grow ever close to the adults they were meant to be. Well, this house has fresh faced and clean smelling kids in it and I am forever grateful to be called their mother. Now if they would just quit wasting all the dish soap!

Happy Wednesday!

Extra little fun side note: those charcoal sheet masks are EXCELLENT for scaring your kids!

Life

All In A Day’s Work

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I went out to do chores this morning and made my sniffy girl some chicken soup.  The washer decided to die this morning and the laundry was getting iffy. My husband was able to borrow a washer so he went out to pick it up. I was expecting someone to drop by so I squeezed in a shower before things got crazy. I heard a crash juuuuust as I was stepping out of the shower. Please.don’t.be.the.soup.

I wrapped in my robe and cautiously peeked out. It was the soup… and so there goes miss sniffly’s meal and there goes my morning. *sigh*

*But* we got a washer in place. It’s borrowed but I am ever so thankful for friends that let you borrow such things as washers. And the kitchen got cleaned. Again. So that’s good too. And I was super quick getting ready today so it’s a win. Right?;)

Happy Saturday!

Life, Random

It’s too Early

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I’ve been getting up around 4:30 every morning.  My body adjusted pretty well to Eastern time and now it doesn’t want to get back to Pacific. In those early morning hours I have been able to get a lot of stuff done. The down side is my day is half over at 12 and by 8 I want to be asleep. While I was up this morning I thought I’d do a 10 things about me post. I did one on Facebook but took it down. My husband who is a tech wizard lectured me on the horrors of online chain letters and super spamming and identify theft.  He’s no fun.

So here is my list:

1. I can eat a whole pumpkin pie in one sitting

2. I once chipped a tooth onstage while playing the role of a drunk man

3. I have never had stitches or surgery or a broken bone- I don’t like going to the doctor either

4. I really and truly love cooking – especially healthy food for my family…but my favorite food is pizza

5. I love learning and trying new things. I want to go in a hot air balloon and/or skydive before I die

6. Loud chewing will make me homicidal…

7. I used to play the flute in the pep band for home games in high school.

8. My hometown has a population around 3,000

9. I attended a University in Tacoma and was elected dorm president before I moved to Oregon

10. I am addicted to canning and baby animals and gardening and anything diy- no surprise there 😉

Farm, Home, Life

Frosty Morning on the Farm

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We had an early morning appointment for my middle girl today. She has been seeing the physical therapist for her digestive system and her appointment times are usually 7 am. We were on the verge of running late but it was just so beautiful in that barely there light I had to take a couple of pictures.  I have never felt more at home than I do here. God has truly blessed us and this morning was a perfect breathless moment when it all flooded in.

Until my kids started fighting in the car at least!

Wherever you are I hope you are at home.

Being Mama, Life

Proud

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An old picture of my silly girl in her “Proud Mil Kid” Shirt!

I have been absent from my dear little blog for a few days.  We have been in NC with my husband’s family.  I was blessed to be a part of my father in law’s memorial service.  I only wish someone could have recorded the military salute.  If you have never seen one you really should.  If you have never been much of a patriot it just might change your mind.  It’s an honor and we are so very proud to have been a part of a military family.

My girls and I sang “Tell Your Heart to Beat Again” and it was tough to get through it. I couldn’t look at my youngest as she would put her mic down every 5 seconds to wipe away her tears. I want to say again thank you to everyone who has prayed for our family.

I am thankful for the amazing things that have happened.  Isn’t it funny how hard things seem to draw you closer?  Anyhow, God is good to us and I am forever grateful for His mercies.

Lamentations 3:22-23 (KJV)

22 It is of the Lord‘s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Life, Love
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Here’s the hubs working away…(what he does best). My father in law had a memorial with military honors and my husband put together a shadow box with the flag presented to my mother in law and all of his dad’s service medals. I’m so glad we had time to be here and do things like this. After all the legal and financial dust settles there are these projects to tend to.

I found the box at Michaels and it was on sale (60% off ) so I had to get it. We headed down to the PX to furnish the medals and my mother in law found the perfect picture for the frame. Team work!

By the way…I kinda really love being on base sometimes. I also really would love to have a PX close by but that is not going to happen anytime soon. Where else can you buy designer pursues and starburst candy in one purchase? No where. *sigh* I bought neither of those things but daughter #1 and I had fun critiquing all the fancy brands in the perfume aisle. We giggled and snorted and gagged like the refined and cultured individuals that we are and came to the conclusion that just because it has a high price doesn’t mean it smells pretty! My husband made me change clothes after our spritz fest….The boy also perfume bombed my backside when I wasn’t paying attention… keep an eye on your teenagers folks!

Anyhow, I’m glad we were able to be here for this time. Even if I did repulse a few individuals with my unique blend of scent.

Life, Random

Oh, Good Grief!

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20170530_083048.jpgSo my husband’s dad recently passed away.  He seems to be holding up well and many have sent their best wishes and prayers.  We appreciate it, believe me we do.  Funny thing is even though everyone is doing incredibly well grief has a its unique way of presenting itself to each individual.

My husband grieved prior as my father in law’s health declined.  It’s almost as if the final event was the last show and the previous months were simply a dress rehearsal.  My kids are doing well but I’m sure the funeral will be when things really hit home for them.  Me on the other hand…I’m doing great until I’m not.  I’m sure some of it has to do with my season of life (hello to all you who know what I’m talking about!)

Anyway, here is my list of why grief is dumb (tongue in cheek people)

  1. Nobody knows what your grief process will be like –  not even you
  2. It doesn’t show on the outside and because of that everyone assumes you are perfectly fine
  3. You have to do your regular stuff when you don’t feel like it – that pretty much applies to just about everything though doesn’t it?
  4. It comes at odd moments, at least for me it does.
  5. Kinda the same thing as 4 but you never really can tell when you are “done”

Good things?

Time really does heal

God is our comforter He’s available any time and at all times.

It brings those who grieve closer.  Sometimes it takes a tragedy to gain a miracle

 

To Everything There is a Season

1To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Ecclesiastes Chapter 3

 

Life, Random

Challenging Myself

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I made a few goals for myself recently.  I was unhappy being in a repetitive and habitual routine and wanted to change that. I’d like to share a few with you all but a funny thing happens when I just put it out there. My goals evaporate. Weird. So I’m just going to have to live my goals and let you figure out what they might be 😉

I’m thankful God gives us life in 24 hour installments. Each sunrise is an opportunity to start fresh. His mercies are new every morning. Today is a new day. It’s the first day of the rest of your life. You get the picture. I’m not getting any younger and I want to LIVE not just fill the time. Whatever your Monday brings you I hope you are enjoying the gift of one more day.