21 DAY ORGANIZING CHALLENGE

I came across this cool CHALLENGE on Pinterest (my new addiction- sorry Facebook!) and here is the post : http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/2011/04/21-day-challenge-revisited.html

She did her challenge awhile back so I'm on my own here (unless you want to join).  I look at my house everyday and wish I had more storage or why do I feel the clutter (clean of course) is going to attack me someday.  I do daily clean up but you know everyone has those "AREA'S" that you just cringe or cover up when guests arrive.  Well I have several, LOL!  So let's DO IT!

21 DAY ORGANIZING CHALLENGE

• Day 1 - Junk Drawer
• Day 2 - Computer Desk
• Day 3 - Tupperware Cabinet
• Day 4 - Linen Closet
• Day 5 - Under kitchen sink
• Day 6 - Dresser Drawers
• Day 7 - The Pantry
• Day 8 - Coat/Shoe area 
• Day 9 - Toy organization
• Day 10 - Laundry Room
• Day 11 - The Freezer
• Day 12 - Spice Cabinet
• Day 13 - Kitchen Desk
• Day 14 - Under bathroom sink /medicine cabinet
• Day 15 - Kids Room #1
• Day 16 - The Fridge
• Day 17 - Computer Clean up
• Day 18 - Keepsakes/Photos
• Day 19 - Kids Room #2
• Day 20 - Storage Area
• Day 21 - Craft Area

I tweaked a couple days on the list to reflect what I need to do around here.  Now some are small projects and some are all day projects.  I'm going to blog everyday too, so I'm going de-clutter and get in the HABIT of daily blogging!  I love when I can multitask! 

Anyone up to following my lead and doing this challenge?  If so let me know and we can keep each other in line!  I might really need that..BTW! 

I will begin Sunday November 27th!

Thanksgiving 2011

Now I might not have all my kids in one location but I can do a scrapbook page as if they were all here together.  I miss you Nick!

I'm full and tired now so I will write more about this day tomorrow!

X-Factor Top 9 Performance

Last night was all about THANKS!  Everyone did a great job and some brought tears to my eyes.  My hubby enjoyed Rachel Crow, even said "she puts on a show and I'm sure her life is changed from now on"  Awwww- wasn't her story just so uplifting too- I want to say THANKS to her parents too! 

Well I picked top 2 and bottom 2 but tonight we will see who goes home- you never know and BTW 2 go home tonight- boohoo!

My Top 2:

LOVED: http://www.thexfactorusa.com/videos/rachel-crow-top-9

LOVED: http://www.thexfactorusa.com/videos/marcus-canty-top-9

My Bottom 2:

http://www.thexfactorusa.com/videos/drew-top-9

http://www.thexfactorusa.com/videos/lakoda-rayne-top-9

Win It Wednesday~ My Memories Suite Software- CLOSED

I'm going to admit I have scrapbooking material, books, paper, special pens, and stickers sitting in a drawer just WAITING for me to do something with them...umm they have been there for a couple years!  Now look at what I did in an hour with the help from www.MyMemories.com! Oh my gosh it was so easy and so much fun.  I have ideas just coming out of my head!  I even made a Thanksgiving Card that I will be sharing with everyone TOMORROW!  Also working on a XMAS CARD.  The things you can do are endless! 

These are just the FRONT pages of my kids digital scrapbooks. 

My Memories Suite is the #1 rated scrapbooking software and I totally agree they should be!  This software can be used by beginners and experienced scrapbookers. There are ready made templates and embellishments or you can custom design your own templates/layouts.  When I opened my software it already had pre-loaded design templates, embellishments, word art, and much more.  WOW!  You can also purchase additional scrapbooking kits plus they offer FREE ones too!

I was very impressed how simple it was to SHARE my new found hobby~ digital scrapbooking software!  I was able to print from home, save it to JPEG, send it to have printed on all kinds of products (xmas gifts people!), you can even send it to your iPod!  I saved as a JPEG and put in on Facebook and got so many LIKES. 

My Memories are giving ALL my readers a special deal : $10  discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software ($39.97 reg) and a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store - $20 value!) Please use my code: STMMMS73670 HERE to get this AWESOME SOFTWARE for $29.97. 
ALSO I'm GIVING AWAY a full version of the MY MEMORIES SUITE software please use the Rafflecopter form below. Thank you MyMemories!





My Memories Suite Blog
      
My Memories Suite Facebook
       
My Memories SuiteTwitter

I was provided with a free download of the My Memories Suite Software so that I could provide a honest review.


MY MEMORIES SUITE DIGITAL SCRAPBOOK SOFTWARE WINNER: Kristin Wheeler!!!

The X Factor- Top 10 Performances

Rock was the THEME this week and oh boy did some of them fail.  They did awesome performances but not ROCK PERFORMANCES and some of the songs they were stretching it.  Really the only one who ROCKED it last night was Josh Krajcik and he should have!  I'm not a Josh Fan but I voted for him last night because he deserved it. 

http://www.thexfactorusa.com/videos/josh-krajcik-top-10

My opinion on the other contestants:

• Drew~ well she has a different kind of voice but its the same every week.  Kind of boring.
• Melanie Amaro~ has a beautiful signing voice for sure- but not my favorite last night.
• Stacy Francis~ Oh my what happen last night to her- she didn't take the criticism very well either. 
• Lakoda Rayne~ They are good but last night wrong song choice!
• Rachel Crow~LOVE LOVE everything about her!
• Marcus Canty~ He is my favorite right now- he is an ENTERTAINER and I didn't care what song he sang, he did his thing!
• LeRoy Bell~ I love him but I do agree with the judges- he needs to connect with the audience and do something different next week.
• Chris Rene ~ WRONG SONG DUDE!  But hey he is so cute I hope he stays! 
• Astro~  what can you say- he did his thing too!  But more ROCK would have been nice. 

Wonder who will go tonight:  My prediction in Drew, Lakoda Rayne or Stacy Francis but you never know! 

Tip Tuesday~ Uses for Peppermint Oil

I've always loved smelly stuff and lately been using aromatherapy (thanks Mom). I like to use oils to help with different ailments and love the way peppermint makes me feel.

Anyways, I was checking out what different oils can do besides just smell good and I found a whole list of what Peppermint can be used for:

• For morning pick up~ place drops on shower floor
• Add a pep to your step by placing 2 drops on bottoms of socks
• Place a diffuser at your desk and first thing in the morning put 2 drops in
• Later in the afternoon inhale for a cooling boost
• Put a couple drops in the car while you are driving- keeps you alert
• To energize at YOGA: mix 6 drops per 1 oz water and spritz your yoga mat
• Freshen the bathroom (or any room): mix 6 drops per 1 oz water and spritz in room
• Inhale prior to workout routine to amp up the energy
• Sore Muscles: add 12 drops per 1 oz of skin care oil and massage muscles- good as new!
• Even helps with nausea on boat~ inhale and sail on.
• Dilute and rub on temples when feeling the effects of a long day
• Transporting Dog~ place 1-2 drops on floor of pet carrier- calming!

What do you use Peppermint Oil for or on?

BTW~ I got this info from www.auracacia.com

Also here are some Health Benefits of Peppermint Oil: http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-oils/natural-essential-oils/health-benefits-of-peppermint-oil.html

I Suck at Cooking!

So this is one of the wifey/mommy duties that I just can't get right.  I pretty much got everything else down but COOKING well is not my forte.  There is a couple dishes I can make that everyone loves but this day to day cooking thing is something I stress about every morning- what can I ruin tonight!

I go through cookbooks, websites, and even been getting recipes from Pinterest but do they come out like they should...nope!  I just don't have the cooking gene.  They kids even say "Daddy is a better cook, mommy"  "Thanks kids...I know!"  Now I just wish my hubby would cook but I can't ask him too because he works hard and shouldn't have to come home to cook. Plus I stay home M-F.  It's not his fault his wife sucks at cooking.  I even watch cooking shows to get inspired but it just doesn't work. 

Is my family doomed with crappy dinners for the rest of their at home lives (oh boy I feel sorry for hubby)?  I guess I can only hold on to the hope when he retires he will cook. Or maybe I will win a lot of money and hire one of these cool chefs and my family will eat like kings...I know wishful thinking plus I don't even play the lottery so winning money won't be happening either.  Sorry family! 

Lil Man Rolling His Eyes- Hate It!

My son is really into the ROLLING OF THE EYES lately and I just want to scream STOP IT- oh I think I have expressed my feelings on this matter to him.  This isn't really his fault since I am QUEEN of the Eye Rolling (ask anyone).  But now that it is done to me OMFG I hate it!  I am sorry to everyone I ever rolled my eyes at...oh wait never mind they all deserved it!  LOL!  Just Kidden Mom!

Yesterday I got a text from one of my son's teachers letting me know he rolled his eyes at her and they had a talk (I know the talk very well).  As mom I don't like that he has picked up this habit but as a person it's a lot better than flipping them off behind their back or talking back- they are all bad habits and shouldn't be done.  I had the "RESPECT your teachers, parents, anyone older than you" talk with him last night and DON'T ROLL YOUR EYES anymore.  As I was walking away found myself rolling my eyes...need to stop that, lol! I'm not being a very good example but at least he didn't see it. 

So what to do...not sure since this is my bad habit too.  Sometimes parenting sucks but it has to be done! 

Somedays I wish we were the Jetson's

Today trying to get my kids dressed and out the door was totally trying and with no coffee in my system I was having a hard time keeping it together.  I pick out the kids clothes at night, I let them see what I have for them and I get a nod or OK Mom.  When they get up in the morning its SUPPOSE to be stress free RIGHT???  Not with my kids!

This morning Lil Mama didn't like how the school pants fit her and then we couldn't find any other school pants (that she likes) to wear so she picks a dark pair of jeans (not school uniform).  She informs me that a lot of kids wear jeans.  Now I'm active parent that KNOWS you are NOT to wear jeans but I guess my kids know best because I turn around and Lil Man has on jeans too!  Ugh..its too damn early to fight and in my head I'm thinking well I hope you get in trouble at school so we don't have to go through this again. 

Then they are tired of cereal...yes I'm not the best morning person so making a big breakfast in the morning is not realistic in my world.  But they don't want toast or eggs they want a smoothie!  Really...fine guess that's not hard but still upset they are messing with me.  Okay so whipped up some strawberry, banana, OJ thingy and they drank it up!  They hugs made me feel better. 

I try to pack their backpacks but they are always emptying them and rearranging or whatever they do to their backpacks in the morning.  When we are walking out the door I ask...lunch, homework, paperwork all in bags...I get "YES mom" with of course the eye rolling and then off to the car.  I drop them off and head back home and walk inside and starting picking up and in my son's room I find his lunch and on the kitchen table I find paperwork that needed to go to school.  I had all that packed in their backpacks plus asked.  Ugh! 

I would love to be able to put them on a converter belt where they get dressed, backpacks packed, lunches made and OUT THE DOOR YOU GO- with no issues! 

Plus I would LOVE LOVE the Jetson's Maid!! Pretty Please!

Halloween 2011

Wow yesterday was fun packed full day!  The kids had to dress up as a book character and later in the day did a neighborhood parade. 

My Thing 1 and Harry Potter:

Then they turned into Zombie things for the nighttime Trick N Treat.



I'm just HAPPY it's over.  We stayed busy all weekend- going to parties, festivals, and events.  So after all that running around and doing this and that can you believe they gave me such a hard time when I asked for some candy.  Geez can I get a piece of candy for all the hard work I put in.  Guess I asked for too much.