High Home Hopes

We have some High Home Hopes for the upcoming year.  Looking back at the last year and a half we have done some major renovating, making our home ours.  Of course we could not have done it without the help from our family. So far we have repainted and carpeted 4 bedrooms/office.  Repainted the hallways and living room.  Dismantled the dark wood paneling and painted the foyer.  Replaced 2 outside lights and 3 inside lights.  Had the downstairs bathroom completely gutted and rebuilt and finally tiled and painted the laundry room.  Did you miss those posts? Click on the 'home' tag on the left.  So what could we possibly have left?  Well the downstairs family room, the dining room, full bathroom and of course the ever so expensive kitchen.
This year we hope to accomplish the full bathroom, downstairs family room and reorganization of the garage.  We have started, well I should say my brother has started the downstairs family room.  Due to our un-handyness and his need for a few extra bucks it's a win-win.

Another dose of paneling downstairs. Luckily this is thin, and luckily we are taking it down since there is no drywall or or insulation behind it. Surprise!!!! (I use sarcasm to hid my tears...)


you are so jealous of that light in the corner aren't you? it's yours for 1 million blog bucks.



Here we are in the midst of demo work and you see the sliding glass door on the right? yes that is why my electric bill is $500 and I am sitting here wearing layers. When I look at the edge of the door I can see right to the outside. Perhaps the people who put it in thought it would be good for ventilation?

So we start the year with more projects.
We'll see how much time and money we have left to see if we can touch the kitchen.  Believe it or not these fake red bricks still are not growing on me.

Valentine's Day Crafts

Sometimes I wonder why I get all moody and tired and stressed.  Um hello maybe because you don't stop.  I can't help it but when I'm super busy I just find stuff to myself to continue on the super busy path till I just burst.
I really need to learn to slooooow down. But till then you get to see the craftyness I've been up to.
I found this lovely fabric flower wreath here.  This project took me way WAY longer than anticipated, but it definately is worth the hard work, don't you think? 

I think for St. Patricks Day I'll do  something like this.

found on feltsocute

But of course in different shades of green.
My biznit and I had a long overdue date this past weekend.  She found this and we HAD to make it.
It's a multi holiday decoration! One side is for Valentine's Day!

And the other side is for St. Patrick's Day!

From now on we will have craft days every other month.  It was a blast!
And this super easy craft literally took 2 minutes.  Draw a heart, fill with glue, put random sized red buttons in the heart. let dry and erase pencil drawn heart!  I'm guessing this would work wonderfully with a shamrock too and green buttons.

Have you taken on making your own decorations rather than purchasing them?

Daily Deal Sites

RueLaLa
Our dream is for Rue La La to become the place where your ooh la la moments spring forth at every turn, the spot where your desire for the exceptional is fulfilled every time, and the destination that you just can't wait to share.

Bulx
Overstocked Home improvement goods and Home Furnishings.

Nomorerack
nomorerack is the place to find your favorite brands & hot items for up to 90% off. One hand-picked product in each of our eight categories is added everyday. The only place to truly find a real deal.  New deals start at 12pm everyday!

Groopdealz
Each day they feature a new deal, be sure to buy it before it's to late!

Groupon
My husband and I loove groupon! Lots of deals from restaurants to deals on activities in your area or plug in your vacation destination a few months prior and get deals on places to go while you are there!

Babysteals
2 deals a day on baby gear!
 
Scrapbooksteals
1 deal a day on scrapbooking supplies!

Woot!
My first daily deal site that I have come across.  My favorite, Woot! Off days where they offer a new item at discount until it runs out then they run the next deal.  This site is good for electronics.  They also have sister sites, Shirt Woot, Wine Woot, Kids Woot, and Sellout Woot!  I have purchase many items off of woot! and many gifts off of Shit Woot!

Grammy Story #1

I started this post a few weeks ago.  Since my Grammy has passed, and while we are mourning the loss we find love and laughter in the memories we have of her.  This story is classic and I want to remember it so it's here for all to see, I had planned to post more 'Grammy stories' but I did not have another chance.  My Grammy was a strong woman, knew what she wanted and went after it.  While a death of a love one brings everything into perspective, the one thing I have learned is to keep family close they are your most valuable asset.
Here is my Grammy before 8 children, 32 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren, what a swell gal.

12/23/10-
Since my Grammy has not been in a state to be left alone the family has been taking turns in shifts staying with her.  I've used this opportunity to get to know her better and my family history better.  I feel as though I've opened a whole new chapter in my life that I have not ventured into before.  During the holiday's cookies were a focus on our discussions.  While we were taking a trip down memory lane she gave me some inside stories and I hope to share them here with you.
Grammy story #1.  Grammy's Chocolate Addiction.
Grammy confessed that she once stole money from the church collection.  She was 12 and wanted chocolate. Who is to blame her!  I get some pretty strong chocolate cravings as well.  She assured me that she needed that money much more than the church at the time.  And also assured me that it was well worth it because the chocolate sure was tasty!
My Grammy then told me her and her 3 siblings didn't have much growing up.  Her father passed away from a heart attack when she was 2, so her Mother had to raise all 4 kids on her own.  She got teary eyed when she mentioned she always wondered what it would have been like to have a Dad, if things would have been different.  My Great Grammy did not go out much, my Grammy thinks that she was afraid of what people would think of her going to church without a husband.  So she would send the kids to church (in their silk dresses and bonnets) and to the store to get her things.  Perhaps this freedom got the best of my Grammy.
She said she never got caught, or told anyone.  I must be special.

Love you Grammy, Rest in Peace.

Weight Loss Resolutions

Ahhh yes the time of year when everyone puts down the cookies and grabs the carrots.
Of course I had all intentions of trying to be as good as possible during the holidays but that sugary food is addictive.  The more I ate the more I craved.  And now I feel bloated and gross.
Operation UF is in full force again.  Prior to the holidays I was down 17.5lbs total from July.  I haven't stepped on the scale yet but I'm sure I'm up quite a few.   So lets get back on track together, what do you say?
First step, removing all the leftovers and candy...and that doesn't mean by eating it!  While I hate throwing food out, those leftovers won't be doing anyone a favor by sticking around.  The candy?  I'll bring that into work.  Cookies, I have in the freezer so I can pull those out in emergancy situations.  Don't laugh!  Cookie emergancies are serious.  Think about it...you need something sweet but you got rid of everything so instead of eating one cookie you eat everything in sight to make up for that one cookie.  It is nothing to laugh at.  Okay maybe it does sound silly, but the sheer joy when you realize you have a cookie in the freezer when you thought you were stuck with veggies is pure bliss. 
So it's back on the bandwagon we go to skinnytown.

After Holiday Sales

While it's easy to run out on the day or two after Christmas to snag some deals, been there done that...I have found the best deals normally start mid to the end of the week.  I also find that during those first couple days after Christmas I buy stuff that I won't use.  With the thoughts of "oh I should pick this up and give it to so and so next year", it usually does not work as well as it does in my head.  Mid week the sales drop from 50% off to 75% off. Instead this is the time to stock up on gift wrapping supplies, and not just for Christmas.  I usually stock up on tissue paper and tape, and sometimes boxes, bags and wrapping paper!  Look for items you can use for birthday presents or other festive events.  Also a great time to stock up on those rubbermaid totes, does it really matter that they are red or green???
Great places to find deals would be all the chain drug stores and super stores.
The other day I was able to snag some a 3 pack of heavy duty scotch tape for .50.  Also a King size set of flannel sheets for $10 at Target!

Happy clearence shopping!!!

2011

One year ago I started this blog.  92 posts later and here we are, I can't wait to see what the next year of blogging has in store.  I'm sure you are uber excited as well to see what will happen in my life adventures.  I hope you stay around for the ride, it might get bumpy.  But in the end isn't that what makes life interesting?

Cheers to a fantastic 2010 an even fantastic-er 2011!