Goodnight

Goodnight my angel, now it's time to dream
And dream how wonderful your life will be
Someday your child may cry, and if you sing this lullaby
Then in your heart there will always be a part of me
Someday we'll all be gone
But lullabies go on and on
They never die
That's how you and I will be

~Lullaby by Billy Joel~


Bargain Beauty

Yes, I am a Bargain Beauty. I am one of those ladies that wakes up before dawn to go treasure hunting. I get a thrill out out the search. I get a high out of finding unique items. And even feel victorious when I win a price negotiation!

The weather was warm, the signs had been put out and the tables set up this weekend so my best friend, Pamela, and I started out early. We were able to hit 6 or 7 sales this weekend. It is early in the season so that was pretty good. We both found great buys and packed the back of the Durango full. I hate I didn't think to take any pictures while we were out and about but I did take some of a few of the items I came home with.



I love the soap and towel holder I found! I also bought the candy dish {minus Jelly Beans} and the picture frame from the same lady. I bought the Price is Right game and card maker CD for $4.

I found this butcher block for $2. I liked that it had the drawer and I can also use it for my crock pot. :)

I have been yard selling for years. In addition to local sales we go on the Hwy 127 Longest Yard Sale each year. With so much experience and as many Saturday's I spend at yard sales each year I made a special yard sale bag last year. I keep this bag packed so that it is ready to go on Saturday mornings and I don't have to worry about anything.

I use a crossover bag so that I don't have to take it off each time I am getting in and out of the car, and it is easier to carry when you have your hands full. In it I keep an extra pair of sunglasses, a snack, lots of extra change, extra batteries, a small screwdriver, tape measure, hand wipes, and goo gone. I have had too many times that I get home and find that something doesn't work and it isn't just the batteries or that it wont fit in the space I had planed for it. Hand wipes are good for cleaning your hands and trying to wipe spots off of items that you aren't sure if they will come off or not. In the mornings I throw in a bottle of water and my wallet and go! I also keep a fold up bag to carry items in.

One of the best things to remember about yard sales is to price negotiation. Especially towards lunch time. People are getting tired and hungry at that point. They are ready to pack up and go inside but don't want to pack the leftover items up. They will be more likely to will and deal just so they don't have to worry about it. I was able to get a whole box of toys for Tempe this way this weekend!

Style by A Belle

I will be the first to admit that I have no style. None what so ever. I would love to have style. I used to have style. That was before I became a mom. Once I had Tempe heels were out. I became a SAHM and jeans were a staple in my closet. Long gone were the days of heels and cute outfits for work and the excuse to buy them!
A sweet girl I know just started her own clothing boutique and has inspired me to get my style back. Why shouldn't I be a cute, 20-something mom running errands and going to play dates? I am in love with a lot of her items she has in stock and have purchased several quite a few items from her already.

Shop

I have been thinking though, just what is my style? And I finally figured it out. It was the style I had in the past and have always loved. I just haven't had it for a while! LOL! My style icon would have to be Jennifer Love Hewitt as Melinda Gordon on Ghost Whisperer. Here are a few inspiration boards I found online.

Source: trueloveforfashionhairandhome.blogspot.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: trueloveforfashionhairandhome.blogspot.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: trueloveforfashionhairandhome.blogspot.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: rhythm-of-living.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

She has a romantic style which includes lots of lace, vintage, pearls, and floral. Very feminine which I love.

I am slowly getting my wardrobe back into style. I am tweaking things a little and going to have more flats than heels but I am excited.

Here are the items I have added already with the help of Shelli at A Belle Boutique{ be sure to also check out her Facebook}. Some aren't so Melinda Gordon but I love them.

 {I also have a skirt and two tops not shown!}

I can't wait to add more.  Such as this lace dress..... {just trying to figure out where I will wear it!}

Via

and this perfect top...

Via

Be sure to stop by and check out all the beautiful items she has. Now I need to go figure out what I am going to wear today! ;)
{I will be adding a VERY special vintage inspired item to my accessory closet soon, about 2 weeks, that I can't wait to share with y'all so be watching for the update}

Weekend Recap

We had a pretty busy weekend but it was so worth it! We spent the weekend with friends and family.

Friday we met some friends for breakfast at IHOP. I am sure the poor guy filling out an application at IHOP was wondering if he really wanted to work there after being seated in the area we were with about 8 baby/toddlers and 8 moms! Lol! Afterwards a few of us went to Marshall's shopping.  I had to return a few items because a very sweet girl I know has opened her own boutique and I was buying very cute clothes from her instead. {a post on this later today}







Saturday we had a very relaxing day and didn't do too much. Josh worked and we stayed around the house. Saturday night we went on a triple date with some sweet friends. I have known these ladies for a while but just recently started spending time with them and they are the most laid back ladies I know. Their husbands are a lot like Josh and have the same interest so that really helps to pull him out of his shell. Lol!

*****Update: I had my day's mixed up. We did date night Friday night, not Saturday. Saturday night I went ring shopping again! I wonder if my mind stays in bed after I get up some days! LOL!*****




Sunday our parents came and we made our Disney reservations!!! I am stoked about this trip! I told Josh we didn't have to take any other vacations because I love Disney! We went to Cold Stone Creamery after for some yummy ice cream then came back and grilled hot dogs.







I love weekends like these. Family, friends, and fun! Have a great Monday Y'all!

- Posted by Jennifer using BlogPress from my iPhone

Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend

Last night I got to do something I have NEVER done before, ring shop! My best friend will be getting engaged soon and her boyfriend has enlisted me to help him with the ring. I feel so honored to have been asked to be apart of such an important time in both of their lives. We love them both dearly and are so happy they found each other. Pamela and I met for dinner last night and decided to make a trip to the mall for some ring shopping. We had so much fun! 

I have never been diamond shopping, even before I was married. So it was fun to get to look at different styles and cuts. What was interesting was all of the rings Pam had seen online that she thought she loved once she put them on she didn't like them. We went to three different stores and I bet she tried on 20 rings or more. She narrowed it down to 4 she likes and ranked them for me but we have two more local stores to go to this week before we will know for sure which is  "The One"! I am not going to post pictures of the rings but I do want to share this cute picture I sent to her boy friend before we went in the first store.

Tempe kept saying "Ring Mommy. Princess Ring. I want a ring." It was too cute and I wish I had thought to video her. Pam's hand shook the whole time we were looking. She was so nervous which shocked me. She has waited so long to find Mr. Right. She was excited too. I am so happy for both of them and cant wait to experience this with them.

Wordless Wednesday

Catching up through Wordless Wednesday!

I have such a talented Husband!

Two of the greatest people I know, Josh's grandparents.

Pratcing fine motor skills through beading.

A lamp I painted for our living room! LOVE the green!

Having a Popcorn and Princesses night with my very own princess!

Finally working on Project Life and loving it!

Hope you all have a great day!!

A Day in Our Life

I have seen several people post about their everyday life and wanted to do the same. I think that it will be fun to look back on in a few years! This is what most of our days are like. Our "weekend" days change each week according to Josh's schedule. I like to keep this routine as much as possible so I don't go crazy and Tempe knows what to expect each day.

Early Morning

I try to wake up before Tempe so that I can get the day started without having to rush or feel out of sorts. First things first I enjoy a cup of coffee and devotional. I unload the dishwasher and load the clothes washer. If we have somewhere to be I will get dressed. If not I try to at least fix my hair and/or makeup. If something needs to be started for supper I do that also.

By this time my sleepy head is awake and we eat breakfast together, waffles or eggs. While she finishes eating I double check my planner to see what, if anything, is going on for the day.

Late Morning

After breakfast we will play for a while. If there are errands to run we do those. We work on Tot School at 10 and on Tuesdays go to gymnastics at 11 {no tot school}. We eat lunch between 11:30 and 12. After that we lay on the couch and watch Nemo. Some days Tempe takes a nap other days she lays there for only 5 minutes! I try to make her at least rest for 30 minutes. If she does sleep it is rarely longer than an hour. During that time I catch up on RH or DH. I'll check email, social sites, and Pinterest.

Afternoon

Our afternoons consist of playing, cleaning, and whatever else I can find for us to do! The afternoons are hard for me, always have been. Having ADHD my mind runs a million miles a minute and at this point I am wore out! Lol! When she wakes up Tempe and I cuddle on the couch with a snack and I will turn the t.v. on just for noise. Tempe has started playing by herself in the playroom really well so I will try to clean or craft while she plays. If it is a warm day we will go outside to play. I start or finish up supper and we try to eat around 5:30 or 6:00.

Evening



 

After supper Josh and I take turns giving Tempe a bath while the other cleans the kitchen. On Mondays and Wednesdays I go to the gym for class so Tempe gets time with Daddy or one of the sets of grandparents.  We put her to bed between 8-9 depending on her mood and if she has had a nap or not. After she is in bed I fold the clothes from the morning wash {dried during cooking}, make sure all of the toys are put away, floors swept and mopped, items for the next day laid out, and take a shower. After all of that I get to spend time one the computer blogging and pinning!  I go to bed around 10pm and read for a little bit. Then we wake up and do it all again!

 

This is how a "typical" day goes. Of course we have days that we have somewhere to go or something special to do but I try to keep at least my morning and evenings the same. This helps me keep the house in order as much as I can. I am a person of habit and love a schedule. I have had Tempe on a schedule since a few months old.

 

I hope you enjoyed experiencing a day with us!!

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Snow Day

Yay for snow!



We have simply enjoyed a snow day! Wow, my girl is growing!

Tot School {Polar}

I feel like I am a little late in the year with this theme but it worked out well because they are calling for our first SNOW it is SNOWING tonight! Woo Hoo!!!

Theme
Polar/Arctic

I want to start the week off by watching this video I found on YouTube.  It will give me the chance to talk about and show what the Arctic is.

Book: 

I already had this book and thought it would work well. I love the illustrations in it. I hope that as I plan more in advance to be able to check theme books out of our local library.

Table Time:

 I found this tot pack from 2 Teaching Mommies that is perfect! We will be using the match, color, and size pages from it during our table time.

Trays:

I am doing 3 tot tray activities this week. I am slowly getting back into Tot School so I don't want Tempe to be over whelmed by so many options.

We will be working on sorting by colors. I am using a tray from Dollar Tree, cards from Candy Land, and counting bears. You could use anything you have several of that are the same color though!

We had this Counting Penguin already so I pulled it to focus on colors and counting, which Tempe is obsessed with right now! She does pretty good but we just started this past week and I wanted to spend a little more focus time on them. This will also help with small spaces because she will be feeding the penguin. I am sure if you didn't have something like this you could turn a milk carton into a penguin and cut fish out of paper to feed it.

The last tray/bin is a basket with one of her winter coats, a pair of boots, and mittens. She loves to dress herself and it is a skill that her School Readiness teacher brought information on. She already knows how to put them all on but the coat we will be able to work on zippers and snaps. It is something she enjoys so I know that this will be a favorite this week. {no photo because she put them on to go out in the snow tonight, they were the closet ones and in her reach :)}.

Sensory:

We will also be making snow to play in. All you do is crush ice very fine in a blender. This will be her sensory activity for the week and will be something we do together! ;)

{Update: we will hopefully be playing in the snow outside!}

Cooking:

 In the kitchen with mommy is going to be these cute jello ice bergs.

Source: 2teachingmommies.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Art:
Painting with snow!!

Source: momendeavors.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

And using cotton balls to make polar bears!

Source: makinglearningfun.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Bible Story:

This is something I also found on 2 Teaching Mommies. They include a memory verse for each lesson. Tempe is not old enough for that yet but I feel this is the most important part of our lessons. I will be including a Bible story from one of her Bible's each week to read every day. This week's will be the story of Jesus feeding 5000 with bread and fish.

 Remember, Tot School is fun! It is not about setting down making your tot memorize his colors and ABC's. It is about spending time focused on just them. Exposing them to new experiences and doing a little learning along the way!

'Ole to Yumminess and a Cracked Counter

My previous post I wrote about how I have been into list this week. I wanted to share one of those list with you. I planned our menu for part of last week and all of this week! And I am so excited about some of the meals I am making. I was talking to Tori this week about it and where some people make the same thing over and over I have the problem with finding something different to cook (thinks Pinterest) each day so we rarely eat the same meal twice! What I was most excited about was that other than the trip to Sam's Club I stayed in my budget. But Sam's is a once a month or few months trip so that doesn't really count. ;) And also my trip to the local meat market. I can remember growing up going with my mom to the meat market so we stopped in on our way home from Sam's. The prices were great and meat even better! I cook mostly deer meat but will need chicken and some beef on occasion.

SUNDAY

Source: smittenkitchen.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Buttermilk Roasted Chicken
Bacon Green Beans

Monday

Source: thecrockstar.blogspot.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff *See my note about Crock Pots*

Homemade Mashed Potatoes

Tuesday

Homemade Veggie Beef Soup
Grilled Cheese

Wednesday

Source: health.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Meatless Black Bean and Corn Potatoes

Thursday

Source: myrecipes.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Chicken Pot Pie

Friday(Mardi Gras Date Night)

Source: plainchicken.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Jambalaya Pasta
King Cake Knots (photo above)


Saturday
Chicken and Dumplings

It makes me hungry just looking at it!

 We have solid surface counter tops and about 2 weeks ago we had a huge crack appear. I was not a happy girl! I tried to contact the company but nothing could be done warranty wise because all of our records had been purged. Once again not a happy girl, we have only been in the house 6 years. Josh found a repair man and I called to set up an appointment. On the phone he told me not to be shocked that sometimes these can run upwards of $450 but he would just have to look at it. Well, he came and looked. Guess what? $450 worth of damage from the good 'ole crock pot! He said that he knew that is what caused it because of the way it is cracked and they have caused most of all damage to counters in the past 14 years he has been in business.  When he said why, the heat over long periods of times, it made sense. He recommends setting your slow cooker on a FOOTED butcher block. Make sure it has feet. Or set it on the stove top. Needless to say mine will be found on the stove top from now own! He is going to email me photos he has of damaged counters that I will pass along to you but for now here are photos of ours.

Pass the word!!! I would have never guessed this from a crock pot. And neither did most people I have talked to. So share it, post it, tweet it, call ya Momma, sista, and twice removed cousin of your bff and tell them, do NOT put your crock pot on the counter!