Fitblogger Challenge

Here we go with another week of the fit challenge over at Fitblogger.  You can check out my previous posts HERE.

So, this week, I continued on with my semi-Pepsi fast.  I only had two cans this week which is pretty good for me.  The longer I go without it, the less I crave it, which is always a good thing.  With that said, when I REALLY want one, I drink it that way I don't think about it for awhile.

I walked on the treadmill 4 days out of 5.  Ran into one hiccup this week and that was shower wasn't working and I couldn't get it working; I had to wait for my husband to get home Thursday to fix it.  Yes, I could still take baths but trying to squeeze those in also in the morning forced me to push my walk to the evening.  I did fine on Thursday evening but Friday, my husband ended up getting home later than I anticipated so it just did not work!  I learned one important lesson, as much as I detest mornings AND walking in the morning, it really is the best time in our schedule for me to walk right now.  Eventually when I won't have little fingers wanted to play with the moving belt, I will be able to move it to a better time in the day for me.

Finally, snacking.  Lets just say I snacked LOL  Had zero success this week with this one!!! 

So this week, I'm sticking with my same three goals as last week since I did not succeed with #3.

1) Continue the semi-pepsi fast.

2) Walk on the treadmill - my goal is to get all 5 days in this week.

3) Snacking - one thing I have realized is that I enjoy my evening snack.  So, I've found a weight watchers recipe for frozen yogurt sandwhiches using ginger snaps that I"m going to make this week.  My goal will be limit my snacking to healthy, planned snacks and not just eat a bunch of "whatever".  Also, during the day, I need to snack on things like . . fruit, veggies . . and I think I might pick up some of the caramal flavored rice cakes - I really like those and thye are pretty much nothing when it comes to caleries.  So really, my goal this week is to be more prepared with snacks I can eat and not feel quilty about. 

Want to join the challenge?  Just click HERE!

Simplify, Simplify, Simplify #5

Wow!  We are on post number 5 in my simplify journey this year.  I recently shared this idea about having a theme word for your year at a workshop I attended and I was told later that this was the one piece of info that many people took away and many had already applied to their lives.  I wish I could take credit for it but I can't, I got it from Women Living Well back in January.

Our month of May is a little short due to family plans so I want to keep this months goals simple (simplify hahaha)  I was looking around my house and one key thing started to emerge. . .. things seem to get set down wherever because they have no home.  Whether it be no home to live permanently or no place to put things that need to go somewhere (i.e. downstairs on the next trip or where to put things in the basement until it is time to put it away.)

A Place for Everything and Everything in its place

I was going to write a post on the joys of a small house but instead, I'm writing this plan.  When you do live in a small house with many bodies (both human and animal) space is at a premium and if things don't have a specific home, they quickly become clutter.  My dining room table is a huge "hot spot" - it is my storage table, craft space, laundry holder - you name it.  I don't like it.  If I'm working on a project, everything piles on the table and stays there for a week (I always try to do a wrong room rescue on Friday's to put everything away . . .) To try and put a project away means carrying it back downstairs which than means I probably won't work on it again for awhile.  So . . I need to make some solutions.  That is my goal for this month.  For this one I'm kinda going room by room more than anything so excuse the odd list . . .
1. Dining Room - re-evaluate all knick knacks keeping only what is loved; clean up piano area (books, etc)
2. My Desk - clean out the cubbies and label everything (started this project months ago but ran of label maker tape in the middle of it)
3. Kitchen - clean out again - I did this once but I'm still finding that things pile on the counter tops because it is easier than putting them away which tells me that my cupboard organization is NOT working.  I need to be brutal and get rid of things I don't use/don't love and than make sure that I can put things away easy.  Part of this project will be making a wish list of the organization items I want and than slowly saving for them. 
4. Basement - this always blows up and I hate it.  There is so much stuff down there that I have organized and cleaned but it needs even more.  There is something else driving me on this now - Darryl's new job.  Eventually, down the road (a year or two most likely) we will (hopefully) move closer to his work (the 2 hour round trip commute just makes his very long day, longer).  I recently looked at the basement and said to myself "I do NOT want to move all of this STUFF!" so, like the kitchen, I need to be brutal on what I keep and what I don't.  Surprisingly, I'm not a hoarder, but there are still things that I kept because I "might use them" someday. 
5. Craft and Scrapbooking Supplies - Because these items have changed homes about 10 times over the past few years they are just a disaster.  I need to do everything from going through scrapbook paper and cleaning out the junk, to testing all of my markers and throwing out the ones that are bad, to finding a simple way to organize craft stuff for storing for future projects.  This is the only project on this list I began to touch this past month - I started by sorting through all of my scrapbooking paper and am in the midst of reorganizing it. 
6. Garage - we usually clean the garage in the spring and I want to look at this the same way as the basement - get rid of stuff I don't want to have to move eventually.  Now, I will admit, this room is harder because my husband has more say ha!  But, hopefully, I can convince him to get rid of some of the things that the previous owner left for "us" (meaning he didn't want the hassle of moving them either!) We've talked about doing a coating on the floor since the kids go in and out of there all of the time to get toys and want the floor nice and clean for them but I'm not sure that will happen this spring. We didn't even have time to think about this yet and now, it is super hot, so I'm not sure if this will get dune until September!
7. The Stairs - I saw a simple tutorial for now to make a step basket and would like to make one.  I've looked for one for years but they are expensive.  I'd like something at the top of the stairs that I can stick books in or just odds and ends that need to be taken down on the next trip without needing to put them on the counter in the kitchen.  I also want to set up a basket downstairs  where I can put the things that need to be stored - not the things that already have homes, like books, those need to just be put back, but rather things that need to be put away in storage. I also want to dedicate one day a month for putting those items away.



I think that is more than enough to keep me busy this month!!! 

You can check out all of my SIMPLIFY posts to check on progress.

Happy Mother's Day

I got flowers from this adorable little boy (and his little brother).  He went to the store, picked out the bouquet he liked and than carried them all the way into the house.  (Ok, he did not go to the store by himself, he isn't ready to drive yet ha!)  I than realized how important I was when he said "Ries!!!"  (Yes, McDonald's for lunch was also provided LOL)

Happy Mother's Day!! 

Happenings In this House!

So, this week started out with sickness and that, again was our theme.  Last Sunday, Nate was still fighting a temp of about 102 but did enjoy a little time outside.  By Monday, both boys had horrible coughs and nasty noses.  So, we've used a lot of tissues this week but they both seem to (maybe) be on the upswing.  Otherwise, I think we'll be heading to the doctor on Monday!! Geez! LOL 

 Josh got this Thomas the Train bubble maker in his Easter Basket.  When he blows on it, the whistle blows and makes bubbles.  He loves it.

 Nate - just not feeling good :-(

 The boys had fun playing with Josh's softball set.  Grandma Lebeck got him this for Christmas, I think (or his birthday).  The thing is awesome!  Right now, he just likes to put the balls in and wait for them to shoot up.  Eventually we will use it as a tee so he can learn how to swing a bat.  Little league is just a few years away ;-)  (As is pee wee football . . .bowling . . .hehehehe)

 Josh was obeying.  We told him to come into the dining room and shut the gate so he crawled through the gate, one cheek at a time LOL

 Nate was introduced to his booster seat this week.  We thought he would like sitting at the table since the high chair seems to cause him conflicts some days but, he is not 100% sold on it yet.  He will eat breakfast in it and endures lunch but by dinner, he walks to his high chair and says "up, up" 

 This week, Josh tried to make China his best friend.  One afternoon, Josh sat down in front of China and tried desperately to get her to sing EIEIO with him.  After all, he even showed her the cow and showed her how to say "MOOOO" but she just would not cooperate, not even with his begging "MOO, woof woof, MOOO".  China tried to retreat to the couch but Josh noticed that her nose was running (hahaha) so he took a cloth and kept trying to wipe her nose (I wonder why he would do that? Maybe because he has to wipe his every 2 minutes!)  Later, he lifted up China's lip to look at her teeth and said "ick, woof woof, ick" . . .I decided not to tell him she needs her teeth brushed.  :-/ 

Finally, as with all things we get out that used to be his, Josh had to sit in the booster.  He hasn't used it in well over  a year.  He sat there for well over an hour just chattering away.  (And yes, PJ tops are theme around here - he is willing to put pants on but just loves his PJ tops. )

So, that was our week - I hope you have a wonderful week!!

Creative Memories Spotlight - Punch Happy!

It's Saturday!  The perfect day for doing all kinds of fun things - including crafts!!!  There are some great new things that have come out this month from Creative Memories and the very first spotlight are these awesome punches!

The Blossom Place 'n Punch

And The Postage Stamp Place 'n Punch


I've always liked the punches that Creative Memories has sold but sometimes, I would get a little frustrated because I was restricted to just punching the edge of page - I couldn't punch anywhere I wanted.  Well, that is no more!  These new punches have a removable base which means you can position it anywhere on the page, place the punch on top of it and punch away.  This now gives the you the option of not only making a creative layout with the paper itself, you also have the punch shape to use as well.  Two items for the "price" of one!  The punches create a 1.5 inch punched shape so they are bigger than they appear in the photos.  The punches retail for $24.00 each. 

What is your favorite craft? Scrapbooking? Making Cards? Making crafts with your kids?  The punches would be perfect for any of those items!  They aren't limited to just scrapbooking.

There is a special going on right now as well!  Check this savings out:


You can get both punches plus a 20 pack of cardstock (in summer colors, no less!) for $48.00.  There are 4 sheets of each color shown.  So, yes, you are getting all of that paper for free!!!  This special will go until June 30th or while supplies last.  For all of you that love making cards - this is the deal for you! 

There are many more punches available through Creative Memories including this neat puzzle punch


And the scallop circle maker.


Be sure to check out my WEBSITE to shop for the above items or to get anything you need for your crafty self!  (And please, share my website with other crafters you know - I appreciate the business!)

Lemon Chicken

Yummy!  We love this chicken recipe!!  This is an old recipe of mine that goes back to high school.  I had dinner at a friends house and her mom made this recipe.  I loved it, wrote it down and have been making it ever sense.  I'm going to give you the "true" recipe and than give you my "cheater" tips too. 

Lemon Chicken

2 large lemons
1 ½ teaspoons salt
1-3 tablespoons oil
1 cup chicken broth
2/3 cup flour
1 teaspoon paprika
3 tablespoons brown sugar
8-9 chicken breasts

Grate and reserve peel from one of the lemons, then cut lemon in half and squeeze juice over chicken, thoroughly coating each piece.  Combine flour, salt and paprika in small bag.  Place chicken, a few pieces at a time, in bag and shake to coat completely.  Heat oil in large frying pan over medium heat.  Add chicken and brown well on all sides.  Transfer chicken to 9 x 13 pan and sprinkle with reserved lemon peel and brown sugar.  Cut 2^nd lemon into thin slices and arrange over chicken then pour broth over chicken.  Cover.  Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes.  Serves 4-6 people

So - my "cheater" things:  I don't use lemons.  Instead, I dip the chicken breasts in lemon juice, then dip them in the flour mixture.  When I put them in the 9x13 pan, I don't use lemons :-)  Instead I just pour about 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice over the brown sugar on each chicken breast.  I tend to forget to buy lemons plus, sometimes the rind gets a little sour so I like it better without that baked into it.  

Enjoy :-)  

Mommy School - Our First Week with a New Schedule

Last week I posted about your new schedule and ideas for Mommy School.  I had one little hiccup to start with and that is the printer.  My printer, despite being a color printer, gets an attitude when asked to print more than one or two pages in color - the pages start to get a really odd discoloration and all kinds of streaks.  I had uploaded them to a zip drive to print at an office store but never made it into town to do so.  I printed the best I could and just did a few at a time :-)

I picked my ideas from over at 1+1+1=1 and started right out with the letter

 This little game was one of Josh's favorite.  I printed two copies of the fruit shapes; one I cut apart and than taped to a piece of white card stock before laminating to make a game board.  The second sheet I laminated, than cut apart for the pieces.  I also put circles of Velcro on the pieces/board so that Josh could stick the pieces on easily.  We played a few different ways - first, I just handed him one piece at a time and he matched them; next, I held up two different pieces and would state the shapes, then ask him to pick a specific shape; finally, I just gave him all the pieces and he played for a good 20 minutes. 

 He's so cute!  He really enjoyed matching the pictures.

 One of the things I mentioned in my first post was focused playtime - here is an example.  We pulled out all of the puzzles; Josh and Nate sat together and worked on putting them together for a long span of time one day.  Nate is getting very good at being able to match the pieces too.  One day, we also practiced cleaning up - we used the dreaded Legos - Josh had already dumped them out once so, we cleaned up; then I let him dump them out again and we sang our clean up song.  We are really working on getting the boys to start cleaning up toys when they are done playing - it is not an easy skill to learn ;-)

 Here we are working on our verse that goes with the letter A.  I didn't get a picture of it but we used little snack puffs on each of the words; than as he would eat a puff, I would try to get him to say the word.  On another day, I used legos and would ask him to pick up the "blue" lego - that way we worked with color and on the words as well.

Another page we did was a coloring page.  I laminated it so we could re-use it but, washable markers don't work well on it.  I may need to get some dry erase markers for him to use on these pages.  I made up all kinds of tunes for "A is for Apple"

So, yes, we had some fun this week. I also enjoyed some play time with the munchkin as well as some book time with Nate.  I really am enjoying this relaxed, yet set schedule and find it easier to get things done.  One other thing I learned - I need to order our library books two weeks in advance, not just one week.  I'm planning on finally getting are "a" books today so we can get busy on reading more books!

The weather didn't cooperate a whole lot so we haven't been outside; Wednesday was really nice but both boys have a pretty nasty cold so I didn't want to take them out in the cool air.  Maybe next week! 

Don't forget to play with your kids today!