Facelift, Anyone?

Oh my goodness!  I'm so ready for a great Blog-Facelift!  I have a blogging friend who got a great facelift (it is absolutely amazing, and I'm so happy for her, it was also lovely before, but so precious-check it out!), and I am ready to seek out her great people, Designer Blogs!  Their work is amazing.  I have to say I have tried my best to "fancy" mine up, but I can't do all the little buttons and titles and signatures, but follow them, and they'll teach you some tricks!
Just wait, I'll have newness for you soon enough! : )  (unless there's a long wait..)
They are also having a sale and a giveaway!  Click the link above, and read all about it!

TGIF, people!  My kids home for three days, a birthday party, an endocrinology appointment (pray for a great A1c please!!), and Ches' checkup at the dermatologist's office to check to make sure he has no more little cancers on his head/ears.  He can't stay off the bike, so he has to sunblock his head (his helmet has air slits-enough to burn his head!) and ears even in the winter!  Lord, we pray you watch over our family and heal them physically!  and bless us in the waiting.

And..speaking of waiting!  My sweet kids can find anything to busy themselves.  We were at Sam's..waiting on our van..and our favorite is their book section!  Ethan just makes himself at home.  I'm sorry, did you need to get your huge cart through here?

Look!  The boat moves!

Can I consider myself really blessed that my kids *love* to read!?  Clay is deep in his book (nonfiction, usually!)

Ahhh..look what she found!  An American Girl party set.  It has supplies for four different parties!  Why can't we get it NOW?  She got some money for her grades, but this was $39.99!  Umm..sweet girl, you don't have enough.

Keep saving?  Yep, you'll get there!

Ahh..books tonight with Ethan, I got to see my desk (the wood surface, people!)  Ha, I'm positively giddy!  I know, I'll take a picture, but I'm not quite done.  I got new folders, and need to make new labels for them, I'm almost there.  Don't you just love the fresh start we get in January?

here are my humble cans all hard at work.  I also got a fat jar for all my Sharpies-all 25 of them!  I *heart* colored markers, pens, pencils, crayons...

I'm switching back to manila folders to calm the color.  And maybe I'll take the label off the little storage caddy?  haha!

notice there's some s-p-a-c-e in there?  Ahh..room to grow. (and get more books!) heehee

(Maybe I should put away my Christmas decorations?  Nah, I'll get to them.  I just love my desk!)  I should definitely pace myself. : )

 I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever.

Nothing can be added to it, and nothing taken from it.

Ecclesiastes 3:14

Not Everything Changes

I've been either too busy or tired to write!  We've been cleaning the attic (Still..) and moving furniture! (well, I'm cleaning it off, Ches moves it, I really clean it, then put the stuff back on..)
We still aren't completely done with the attic.  There are still teacher files all over the dining room floor-maybe 6 tubs and 3 or 4 boxes?  I have had real trouble.  I can't part with them.  It was super easy (ok, pretty easy) to let all the manipulatives go.  I think I realize I can always buy more.  But files.  They take years to accumulate.  They are worth more!  It took me forever to put all those units and author studies together.  I am sure if I ever teach again, it'll be totally different, but math doesn't change.  I have tons on math, science (water, energy, etc.), social studies-things that can't change.  We'll always add and subtract, learn about our environment, and have communities and government.  So, after consulting with three different people (for advice, in case I'm hormonally-off-my-rocker), I've decided to keep them.  Ches told me to try again tomorrow.  Ha!  I did, but cried more.  What if something happened to him (please, God, forbid this)?  It's the only degree I currently have (even if I do want to go back to school..), so I'd have to teach.  And I'd need my tools, beginning with my files and books.  So there.  Back to the attic with you, Dusty Things!
We began clearing out the office-soon-to-be-baby-room.  We have successfully moved both desks, hutches, and the in-between-desks thingie.  Maybe a picture would help? (I'd totally give you one, but I can't find the cord to connect the camera to the computer!!  Haven't you been wondering why all my pictures are old?)  I've put all his stuff back on his desk, so his is up and running, but mine is in shambles.  Really.  There are piles all over the office-quite a mess.  And now I'm tired and ready for a nap.  I can only get work done from 8-1ish, and 4-9ish.  Other than that, I'm kaput (bad spelling..but I mean I'm worthless other-time-wise).
I've excited Ches-I told him that Yes! we could get a new tv to go in the back of our room!  Because Heaven knows we need another one in our house!  He likes to watch some tv (sports, news, American Idol, etc.) while he's working-mostly on the computer.  So,  he wants a new tv between our desks in the back of our room-it would be really awkward to turn around to see the one over by the bed.  Confusing, but just believe me.  Again, looking for that camera cord...and I'll show you!
The big kids are at Mom's-which is how we got all this done today!  We did have one mighty strong helper, but he's busy working at taking a nap right now.  He has to protest loudly and strongly to let us know how much he does NOT want a nap, but then he cries himself right to sleep every day!  He's so much nicer to be around after he wakes up.  It's a hard dilemma (nap or no), but he'll need to take one this fall, so we are working on it early.
Ok, back to some cleaning and a nap for me.  There's still so much to do!  I'm busy growing babies! : )  (Thank you, God, for babies to grow and kids to play with!)
ps-Ok, gotta make you laugh.  About a year and a half ago, I painted the office.  I was working alone mostly, so I couldn't move furniture.  Well, now the desks are moved, and you can see how far I could reach behind the desks!  There are big splotches of the green behind where the desks were!  So, yeah, those will have to be painted...  Did I say how much work there still is to do?

Clean your desk, Clean your life!

I'm sleeping so soundly at night! I think it's all the busy in the day. And at night...
Ethan sleeps for about an hour in the day now, since he has the new bed. He's still so excited maybe? Then he doesn't go to sleep until after 10pm. This morning he woke up calling out, "Ma-mop! Ma-Mop! Where are you, Ma-mop?" and I just can't lay in bed. He's such a sweetie, and how long has it been since someone really wanted me? Precious is all I can say. I will sacrifice sleep for an angel. : )

We went out this morning. First, we washed and vacuumed the van. Oh, and how great that feels! To get rid of all that road grime from a week of rain! (I washed it last Saturday too, but it rained on the way home that afternoon!!) The absolute best car wash is Happy Bays on Sunset in Springdale! I get the $8 wash, and when I'm done, my wheels are so shiny, and my tires are somehow shiny and armor-all-y! Just a miracle! I love it. I have a frequent washer card, and I'm almost to my free wash! (Just imagine, $80 for a free wash...) And you get an alcohol-y type wipe, and while I'm being pulled through the long wash (in neutral), I wipe down my windows, dash, and the entire front of the car! Then I pull over to the *free* vacuum, and suck out all the week's garbage (crumbs, popcorn, Dorito pieces, straw wrappers, cup holder ick, etc.). I just love going! It makes me clean out the car, and it's the best! Then I want to come home and clean my house the same way!

I have been cleaning my desk all afternoon. I get so tired of it looking messy. I have piles everywhere (that must be my messy style), so they had to be retired. I reorganized all these little bins, cubbies, drawers, and boxes that I have. It feels all aired out (kind of like my van!).

You should clean your desk (or work space today):
1. Organize your pens (throw out the ones that don't work!), scissors, rulers, colored pencils (I keep a cup of these just to decorate stamped cards, but you can decorate your calendar! You do have one, don't you?)
2. Clean up your calendar: get all those little business cards with appointments and school notes with upcoming events and merge them to one calendar! (I do this with ALL calendars: sports practices, boy & girl scouts, gymnastics, games, parties, church events, kids' PRE schedule, hair/dentist/doctor appointments, library story times and events, and play dates. Don't keep all those individual schedules and cards-they'll drive you to drink! (and not Coke!) Ok, then: Throw All That Extra Paper Away! or recycle it.
3. Set up a file system for things that come your way. Bills/Budget, Store Sales/Coupons, Things to Process (or Things To Do), Upcoming Travel Info, Stuff to Scrapbook (although I'm up to boxes of stuff..), and you may need a file for birthday cards for upcoming birthdays (I can't possibly do that, but I'll explain why next).
Keep these on top of your desk or very handy, or you won't use them, and you'll go back to Pile Methodology.
4. I have three boxes (photo boxes) full of cards. Some are thank you's, some are blank (inside, and some are blank all over so I can fill them with print, flowers, punches, tags, brads, and eyelets..), some are for certain holidays, party invitations, etc. I have small (handmade) tabs/file dividers to divide the occasions for the cards. When an occasion arises, sometimes I have a card that fits. I buy them if I walk by and they catch my eye (but I don't really need them...yes, an addiction), because one day I'll want it, and I won't be able to find it again! (yes, it's happened!) So, if you have a Card Addiction, clean them up, and throw away those ugly Thank You's from the 90's and freebie cards from non-profits that you will never use. Get Real.
5. Only touch your mail once. Open it over a trash can. If it's not a bill, throw the whole thing away (or throw away the garbage inside, and keep the one page that you like/or don't). If it's a sale flyer that you might use, put it into your Sales file.
6. Have your tape/stapler/punches/new monogram embosser (just got it and LoVe it!) out and reachable (but not by your two-year-old).
7. Clean your computer screen, keyboard, mouse (if you have mice. If so, get a mouse trap), and the top of your desk. Drink rings are not okay.
8. Deal with all the bits of paper that aren't appointments. They just collect dust. Get a box for all your papery bits and notes, or trash them (or put them in an adorable little pink pail!)
9. Get yourself a little basket for odd shaped things that have made their way to your desk, but plan to put them away asap (camera, baby monitor, gift cards, pictures).
10. Keep a couple of sweet pictures out to remind you of what's important, and plan to get a small lamp-it makes it so comfy and reduces the screen glare!
11. Take out all the trash (you do have a trash can, right?) you've removed, and voila! You have a cleaner desk and more room to be creative and process life as it happens!
*Bonus: I have little labeled clothespins (make clear labels with a tiny font then cut out and stick to the clothespin-it looks like they are printed!), then I tie little bows on them out of scrap ribbon. They make you want to organize your paper stuff! I have one for receipts (that are getting ready to be used to return an item), one for stuff to do ASAP, and one for This Week. I also have a few just with bows to group things that are in-the-process. They are just so darn handy!

So, clean your car, and clean your desk! I think I really breathe better afterwards! (you know, not that shallow, I-am-overwhelmed-have-too-much-to-do type breathing!) You have to start somewhere!

Don't YOU need a new hot pink purse?

Well, I was quite productive! I had the runaround to deposit a check in the bank (insurance check for my painter made out to me AND ches AND my mortgage co, so I took it, it was refused due to lack of mortgage co signature-what?-then went to mortgage bank, had to wait almost 20 minutes for signature, then she told me to *be careful* that the check was *endorsed* and Just Like Cash-since I look 12 or something-then ran it back to my bank-all so dumb), and got plants, and had ice cream, and made it to Hobby Lobby for new wreath material, returned more library books, and got my plants planted before the rain!, met the painter, paid his deposit, gave slippery baths, read more Ramona Quimby, Age 8, ordered new purses and shoes (use code MACYSFF for 25% off and free shipping TONIGHT ONLY!!), and caught up on emails, and had to feed my family leftover Southwestern Soup due to my productiveness. They didn't complain, so all's well. : )

Tomorrow is Mother's Day Out, and I haven't decided whether or not to send Ethan. He's better, no fever in over a week, but I just worry about him catching something new, and everyone is just crazy over this H1N1 virus! I don't want anyone getting anything! The painters start tomorrow, and will be here till Friday. I don't know whether I should be worried when I'm alone with them. Ches will be here some, but has a meeting tomorrow at lunch. I also have Clay's Reading Restaurant tomorrow from 8:15-10am. So, I'll have to run over there either before I drop Ethan or afterward. Both ways, I can only stay a little while.

My desk is all a mess. Again. What on Earth happens to this space? It's like my mail threw up and my kids played in it. Papers, pictures, water bottle, phone, folders, pump pouches, a ring I ordered (and haven't decided if I'm going to keep), and all sorts of things-none of them in their places. : ( A messy desk makes me feel messy.

Do you help with your Mother's Day gift? Is it better to get something you really need, or leave it to chance? A couple of years ago, I told Ches to take the kids to WM and just let them pick out some stuff for me. Never again. They visited the office supplies department, and got me a pack of 10 short, colored, Sharpie markers (that you can hang on things ?), and a pack of 4x6 photo paper (that I've never used), colored post-its (that I did use), and some pens (that I used up). I am a tad more specific these days. Last year, I took the kids to Brighton and told them to surprise me. I had the lady wrap the gifts, and it was so fun! (for me!) So, this year, I ordered a ring my friend recommended. It's very pretty, but very square-ish, and flat. You'd have to see it. Here. It's just great, but maybe not for my short fingers with no nails. It doesn't make me feel like a better mom, but I found something maybe better! I found the Macy's sale (thanks, Mom!) and ordered a couple purses (hot pink and a green) and some shoes. I think I feel better already! : ) I hope I like at least one of them!

We are headed to Disney on the 14th, so I thought it'd be nice to have a smaller purse to wear across my body, so I'm trying it. It's like 8.5 inches square (theme here?), with a long strap, so we'll see. Wanna see it too? I've figured this out! Here. Ok, I tried that one, and you have to click on the hot pink color to make the purse pink-so cute.

Alright, the coffee is wearing off, and I must sleep. Hope you have a great Mother's Day with something YOU want (hot pink purse?) rather than something you need (post-its). B : )

My Desk Got a Makeover!

I'm finding ways to compensate for not working out lately (well, wii-ing at least). I am now eating more carrots, climbing the stairs more frequently, eating (really yummy Cascadian Farm Organic granola and) yogurt, not getting popcorn at the movies, sharing a meal at a restaurant, coughing frequently to work out my back and chest muscles (and abs!), umm. maybe that's it. Yeah, I know, not much. It's a small effort. But I've been sick! And I DO have guilt, so I'll be back at it soon enough! : )

I want a panini press. I just heard another Hot Pockets commercial for their new paninis, so it made me think of it! But, I would really like one. I HaTe sandwiches, but not paninis! There's something about melty cheese on meat between buttery grilled toast. It's just good. You can put AnyThing in between the bread, and it'll be great! I order them when I go to Johnny Carinos, Mimi's Cafe, or Panera. And I like them with bacon, or red onion, turkey, pepper jack cheese...maybe that's why I'm having to do all the above! ; )

Well, the movie last night was great! We saw He's Just Not That Into You. Ches says he was in the very low 5% man-population-viewing-audience. I don't think it was really ThAt bad, but close. THere was one part in there just for men! It was hilarious! I'll let you see it. If you don't make it to the theater, you'll have to rent it! : )

Today, I got a lot done! I made my bed (woo-hoo for me!), gave the kids baths, cleaned our bathroom, cleaned out the creepy bathtub (turned on the jets for MC, and got stuff coming out!?), went to church, dinner at Chili's, cleaned/stripped my kitchen (changed up stuff, took out toaster oven, added new lime green towels), and spent all other minutes in the day cleaning my desk/office/scrapbook stuff. Whew. Three bags of trash. I'm just finishing up. I reprinted new file folder labels (and added lots of files), made cute little labeled clothespins (which I use for everything: to mark my calendar, hold together receipts, clip on To Do stuff, as chip clips, etc.), cleaned off my bulletin board and desktop, removed a computer tower I don't use anymore (filled it with scrapbook paper), cleaned out my boxes of cards (relabeled the tabs for thank you notes, blank notes, invitations, stickers, etc.), relabeled boxes, moved a bunch of books into a basket on top of my desk to free up a shelf, reorganized my stamps, etc. As I said, it's been all my spare minutes! I now have three empty tubs! What shall I fill them with.... ?

And I vacuumed and mopped downstairs. You know, I think when I mop, it either makes people drop drippy stuff on it, or it gathers stuff that is repelled by a dirty floor. I had to remop one area immediately since two people walked across it. You know, if I'd been doing laundry (yep, did that too), they hide out so they don't have to help or put their stuff away. But, mop and they feel hungry and need to keep coming in the kitchen!

Church was fun(ny). They PlaYeD a tape for the homily today. Yep, not only is that weird, they had so much trouble with it, and it took a good 5-10 minutes for them to figure out how to play it, and everyone just sat so quietly. Even Ethan-that's the weirdest. Then toward the end, Ethan dropped (!) the kneeler on the top of my foot! It hurt soooo bad! Apparently I made an awful noise since people asked me about it after church! Oops, sorry. Pain causes you to do unknown strange involuntary things (like yelping)!

I think I'm going to paint this week. I have found the most AdoRabLe pictures the kids have made. It makes me want to preserve them forever! There's one Mary Claire made of Mary with wings and it says, "I love you, Mary". There's another one where she's sliding down the slide headfirst with her friends doing the same-it's so cute! Then there's the one Clay made of our house: it's a layout of our house with us in different rooms doing stuff. It's just so sweet-and it's his perspective. I love it! I think I'd love to paint them for the kids. I've had them paint their stuff before, but I did one of Clay's last year, and it was so sweet. I just like to paint. It's therapeutic! And I could use a break after all the storm damage and estimates!

Ok, to bed-the kids will be up early in the morning!