I never realized how much effort, time, planning, & know-how it took to start a website, but this is alot! Thankfully its very rewarding.
I feel like Albus Dumbledore from Harry Potter, when he was able to pull a memory out of his mind and store it in a jar on the shelf so as to not forget it, and make more room. I think blogging is alot like that. We all have so many thoughts, ideas, brainstorms, light bulb moments, questions, etc swimming around in our heads. And then the one moment comes up when we need to remember one of those things, and we can't remember them! Or remember them clearly.
Thankfully blogging helps with the storage and organization of those thoughts and ideas.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
The Blogging world -- Going Ahead Anyway
Okay, so maybe there's another website out there that's JUST like the one we envisioned, but you know what? We're going ahead w/ ours too! There's enough room out there in the internet for two parent/teacher websites.
So tonight we figured out the little things about wordpress that we needed to know. We uploaded our tip of the week, our recipe of the week and have most of the "guts" for our week of content.
Only one little hiccup...the contributor for the very first post...being an Advocate for your child....isn't responding w/ her quotable quote or info. Small little hiccup. Thankfully one that we can get through.
Now to work on next week's "B" week. Hopefully some teacher's out there will begin following us at the schoolhouse and want to contribute their words of wisdom. :)
Until tomorrow!
So tonight we figured out the little things about wordpress that we needed to know. We uploaded our tip of the week, our recipe of the week and have most of the "guts" for our week of content.
Only one little hiccup...the contributor for the very first post...being an Advocate for your child....isn't responding w/ her quotable quote or info. Small little hiccup. Thankfully one that we can get through.
Now to work on next week's "B" week. Hopefully some teacher's out there will begin following us at the schoolhouse and want to contribute their words of wisdom. :)
Until tomorrow!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
The Blogging World ---- Oh. Crap.
Oh crap. We just stumbled onto a site that is almost EXACTLY like what we envisioned our site to be. Crap. And once again....crap.
So now what to do? Do we continue and still go for it? Do we go back to the drawing board of ideas and content concepts? Do we scratch the project altogether?
Don't know. We have only discovered this and convo-d about this via email. We're going to need a good hour or two convo over the phone to sort this one out. Thank goodness we both have Verizon...
So now what to do? Do we continue and still go for it? Do we go back to the drawing board of ideas and content concepts? Do we scratch the project altogether?
Don't know. We have only discovered this and convo-d about this via email. We're going to need a good hour or two convo over the phone to sort this one out. Thank goodness we both have Verizon...
Monday, August 23, 2010
The Blogging World--Content, here we come!
Checklist real quick...
name of blog...check!
name of website...check!
domain bought...check!
content concept...check!
actual content....ummm need to work on that!
So everyone always says that the key to a successful blog is -- content, content, content... So its time to build that up. We divided up the work load (as sisters we tend to divide and conquer well). So Margie took a couple of the words and Audrey took the a couple. Margie is the organizing queen so she is going to write one tip per week and it will be at the top of the page (we found out this is called a stickie). Audrey loves to cook so she will give one recipe per week that starts w/ the magic letter. :)
Neither one of us are professional therapists or have master's degrees in school counseling, education, etc. so we are enlisting the brains of those around us that do have the expensive parchment hanging on their walls. Thankfully our mom is a math department head of a private school in Atlanta, so we are going to ask her for some info on the addition/algebra piece. We are trying to be as diverse around the country as possible w/ our professionals, so we're looking for a school psychologist or guidance counselor to write up something on "starting school w/ a new attitude" for both parents and students.
Hopefully we'll be able to pull this together in a week. We are hoping to launch schoolhouseabcs.com next Sunday...here's hoping!
name of blog...check!
name of website...check!
domain bought...check!
content concept...check!
actual content....ummm need to work on that!
So everyone always says that the key to a successful blog is -- content, content, content... So its time to build that up. We divided up the work load (as sisters we tend to divide and conquer well). So Margie took a couple of the words and Audrey took the a couple. Margie is the organizing queen so she is going to write one tip per week and it will be at the top of the page (we found out this is called a stickie). Audrey loves to cook so she will give one recipe per week that starts w/ the magic letter. :)
Neither one of us are professional therapists or have master's degrees in school counseling, education, etc. so we are enlisting the brains of those around us that do have the expensive parchment hanging on their walls. Thankfully our mom is a math department head of a private school in Atlanta, so we are going to ask her for some info on the addition/algebra piece. We are trying to be as diverse around the country as possible w/ our professionals, so we're looking for a school psychologist or guidance counselor to write up something on "starting school w/ a new attitude" for both parents and students.
Hopefully we'll be able to pull this together in a week. We are hoping to launch schoolhouseabcs.com next Sunday...here's hoping!
Sunday, August 22, 2010
The Blogging World--Title and Website
We are sisters and we are both external processors. Do you know what that means? Lots of long phone conversations. :)
So last night, we brainstormed in search of a content-appropriate blog title and website domain name.
Since our content will be organized via the ABC's, we thought it would be appropriate to have ABC's or alphabet in the title. But what else? The branch of motherhood that we want to tap into is regarding the kids education and what a parent's role could be with it. So we started looking for ABCseducation, educationabcs, abcsforparents, etc. Nothing available.
Then we had a light bulb moment....what about something with the word "schoolhouse" in it? The word schoolhouse sounds quaint, old-fashioned (which goes w/ our morals), it implies a more intimate setting for school than an institutional setting, positive attitude, and on and on. So when we searched for schoolhouseabcs , sure enough--it was available!! So wahoo-we have a blog title and a website/domain name!
http://www.schoolhouseabcs.com/
Now the real work starts! Content, content, content...
The next job is to nail down the 5 "A" words that we will explore on our first week. So far some of our ideas are, being an ADVOCATE for your child at their school, having a successful year with your AUTISTIC child, school options for ASPERGER'S, and a couple more are still floating around in our heads....
See you tomorrow!
So last night, we brainstormed in search of a content-appropriate blog title and website domain name.
Since our content will be organized via the ABC's, we thought it would be appropriate to have ABC's or alphabet in the title. But what else? The branch of motherhood that we want to tap into is regarding the kids education and what a parent's role could be with it. So we started looking for ABCseducation, educationabcs, abcsforparents, etc. Nothing available.
Then we had a light bulb moment....what about something with the word "schoolhouse" in it? The word schoolhouse sounds quaint, old-fashioned (which goes w/ our morals), it implies a more intimate setting for school than an institutional setting, positive attitude, and on and on. So when we searched for schoolhouseabcs , sure enough--it was available!! So wahoo-we have a blog title and a website/domain name!
http://www.schoolhouseabcs.com/
Now the real work starts! Content, content, content...
The next job is to nail down the 5 "A" words that we will explore on our first week. So far some of our ideas are, being an ADVOCATE for your child at their school, having a successful year with your AUTISTIC child, school options for ASPERGER'S, and a couple more are still floating around in our heads....
See you tomorrow!
Saturday, August 21, 2010
The Blogging World--What's our point of view?
Now we sisters have decided upon what we have in common--motherhood! But what aspect of motherhood should be our point of view? Toddlerhood? Parenting tips? Entertaining children? Meal-making? Coupon saving? Crafting? What?
There seems to be many different sites that cover those aspects very well. One thing we kept going back to was schooling. Our kind of schooling. Even though we are both Christians and raising Christian kids, and have multiple kids each, we are both choosing at this point to send our kids to public school. The trend seems to be to home-school, so there are many sites on that topic. But that's not what we feel led to do with our families (at least not at this point). So since, we are choosing to send our kids to public school, we want to be as prepared as possible, build strong relationships with the staff and faculty at the school and be advocates for our children in any way that they need. We also want to help other parents join us in creating successful school years for their children.
So how will we organize these thoughts?
We are toying with the idea of going through the alphabet--one letter per week and explore words/concepts that begin w/ that letter during the week. But we've got to get busy because school starts...soon!!!
So tonight's homework....brainstorm blog titles and website/domain name ideas! We need to find one that is catchy, content appropriate and most importantly, available!
There seems to be many different sites that cover those aspects very well. One thing we kept going back to was schooling. Our kind of schooling. Even though we are both Christians and raising Christian kids, and have multiple kids each, we are both choosing at this point to send our kids to public school. The trend seems to be to home-school, so there are many sites on that topic. But that's not what we feel led to do with our families (at least not at this point). So since, we are choosing to send our kids to public school, we want to be as prepared as possible, build strong relationships with the staff and faculty at the school and be advocates for our children in any way that they need. We also want to help other parents join us in creating successful school years for their children.
So how will we organize these thoughts?
We are toying with the idea of going through the alphabet--one letter per week and explore words/concepts that begin w/ that letter during the week. But we've got to get busy because school starts...soon!!!
So tonight's homework....brainstorm blog titles and website/domain name ideas! We need to find one that is catchy, content appropriate and most importantly, available!
Friday, August 20, 2010
The Blogging World -- Wordpress design
Oh my goodness. Blogger is soooo much easier to maneuver than a wordpress layout. Yikes! For a non-techy, Audrey is in over her head. Thankfully, big sis Margie, and her hub Walt, come to the rescue! They navigate it w/ ease.
We were trying to choose a layout. We found some educational layouts, but they were either too young, too weird, to modern or too blah. Finally we found one that has a red schoolhouse on it, to go w/ our name: http://www.schoolhouseabcs.com/ !
Now to figure out where to put everything. We would really like for it to look and feel professional, but approachable. Parent friendly, but also parent-respected. That's a difficult balance!
While that is being set up, we are trying to think of ways to market this new endeavor. How do we get the word out? An unfamiliar shyness creeps in and all of a sudden we both feel like--what if people think its dumb? Honestly, how old are we? And we're still worried about what our friends (or more poignantly, our Facebook "friends") will think about our new pet project. I guess no one wants to fail, and even worse, to fail in front of your friends.
But if they don't still love you after you fail, were they really your friend to begin w/????
We were trying to choose a layout. We found some educational layouts, but they were either too young, too weird, to modern or too blah. Finally we found one that has a red schoolhouse on it, to go w/ our name: http://www.schoolhouseabcs.com/ !
Now to figure out where to put everything. We would really like for it to look and feel professional, but approachable. Parent friendly, but also parent-respected. That's a difficult balance!
While that is being set up, we are trying to think of ways to market this new endeavor. How do we get the word out? An unfamiliar shyness creeps in and all of a sudden we both feel like--what if people think its dumb? Honestly, how old are we? And we're still worried about what our friends (or more poignantly, our Facebook "friends") will think about our new pet project. I guess no one wants to fail, and even worse, to fail in front of your friends.
But if they don't still love you after you fail, were they really your friend to begin w/????
The Blogging World!
We sisters have been talking for a couple months about what we have to contribute to the world via blogging.
Thankfully, the best thing we have going for us is the fact that we are two very different people with different interests and different strengths/weaknesses.
Margie is very, very tech savvy. She has been designing websites for more than 12 years. She can surf the net faster than anyone, and has a keen eye for efficient and asthetic flow. She is a full time working mom of 3 and lives in the civilian world.
Audrey is not tech savvy. She hasn't even had consistent internet for the last 12 years! But she is a networker, a kitchen savvy mother of 4 who lives in the military world.
Between the two of us, we have a 12 yr, 11 yr, 10 yr, 9 yr, 7 yr, 4 yr and 1 yr olds. Since motherhood is the constant factor, that is what we are going to work on contributing to the blogging world.
But now the search continues....the search for a specific and original point of view, catchy title, available website address, contributors and content (lots and lots of content).
So today's task is to brainstorm on what our point of view is. What part of motherhood do we want to talk about???
Off to go brainstorm!! Let you know tomorrow what we decide on!
Thankfully, the best thing we have going for us is the fact that we are two very different people with different interests and different strengths/weaknesses.
Margie is very, very tech savvy. She has been designing websites for more than 12 years. She can surf the net faster than anyone, and has a keen eye for efficient and asthetic flow. She is a full time working mom of 3 and lives in the civilian world.
Audrey is not tech savvy. She hasn't even had consistent internet for the last 12 years! But she is a networker, a kitchen savvy mother of 4 who lives in the military world.
Between the two of us, we have a 12 yr, 11 yr, 10 yr, 9 yr, 7 yr, 4 yr and 1 yr olds. Since motherhood is the constant factor, that is what we are going to work on contributing to the blogging world.
But now the search continues....the search for a specific and original point of view, catchy title, available website address, contributors and content (lots and lots of content).
So today's task is to brainstorm on what our point of view is. What part of motherhood do we want to talk about???
Off to go brainstorm!! Let you know tomorrow what we decide on!
Friday, August 6, 2010
We Love Staples!!
Okay, everyone! 1 cent sale this week!!!
Also, a ream of printer paper will run you $1 as well as a 2GB Flash Drive for $1.
Find out more info here. Be sure to enter your zip code to verify sales in your area!
Happy School Shopping!
Notebook paper is a penny!
Also, a ream of printer paper will run you $1 as well as a 2GB Flash Drive for $1.
Now, for free! (Well, you can get a rebate...)
- Scotch Pop-up Tape Dispenser
- Stickie Notes
- Retractable Highlighters
Find out more info here. Be sure to enter your zip code to verify sales in your area!
Happy School Shopping!
Back To School -Time to Mentally Gear Up!
Very often, the days before school starts are filled with nerves and anxiety.
Will I like my new teacher?
Will my friends be glad to see me?
Can I do this new, harder work?
If you're placing your kids in a new school situation, there may be questions like:
Will I fit in?
How will I know where to go?
As parents, we feel the pressure to prepare our kids with notebook paper, pencils, new tennis shoes and cool t-shirts, but there is much to be done to mentally prepare our elementary school kids.
Consider your routine. Begin going to bed at an earlier hour the week before school starts. Slowly ease your wake up time back to the school wake up time. This will help the kids be rested and know what to expect.
Attend "Meet Your Teacher" day. Many schools will have a time to go and meet your new teacher. This provides kids and their parents to get comfortable with the classroom. Take your time walking from the drop off area to the classroom so your child can get orientated. Let him peruse his new classroom with you nearby. This will help him in knowing that you are comfortable there too!
Start asking questions. It's time to wake up those brains! As you go throughout your day, start to ask questions that will reignite your child's desire to learn.
- "That's an interesting bug! What kind do you think it is?"
- "I just saw a license plate for Georgia. Do you remember what the capital of Georgia is?"
- "You can play outside for 25 minutes. What time will you need to come in?"
- "Let's bake some cupcakes. Can you help me double the recipe?"
Listen. As the first day of school approaches, listen to what your child is and is NOT saying. Does she need reassurance about carrying her lunch tray? Maybe he is nervous about reading out loud in a new classroom. Do what you can to help develop some of these areas where they lack confidence.
And remember this great quote:
"Children have never been good at listening to their elders,
but they have never failed to imitate them."
- James Arthur Baldwin
but they have never failed to imitate them."
- James Arthur Baldwin
In light of this: stay calm, stay interested, and stay involved.
Like I tell my kids, "I'm sure this will be the greatest year yet!"
Brown Bags vs. Reusable Bag
Am I the only one who has the inner struggle on whether to "go green" and use a reusable lunch bag, or stick w/ easy and use brown paper lunch bags?
So this is my thought process:
Brown vs. Reusable
Brown:
+disposable-just throw it away
+you have to have them anyway for field trips, so you might as well just use them
+inexpensive-100 for $.99
+can't forget it at school
+if something spills, just throw it all away, no need to wipe it out
Reusable:
+"green" -improve our carbon footprint
+can use gladware or tupperware containers, then kids just put it back in lunch box and bring home
+can fit more in it than a brown bag
+some are insulatable
What are some of your thoughts? I need some help w/ this decision and school starts SOON!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Fight the School Lunch Boredom!
If I make another peanut butter and something sandwich, I am going to scream!
All last year my first grader only asked for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, my fourth grader asked for only peanut butter and honey and my 6th grader asked for just plain peanut butter sandwiches. Seriously! Everyday!
So this year I am going for it....peanut butter as seldom as possible, maybe not at all!! Well, let's not get too crazy.
So as I googled for some ideas today, I stumbled upon The Hillbilly Housewife blog. I'm from the south, so that title cracked me up! So here is her list for school lunch ideas to beat the boredom of pbj:
*Tuna salad w/ celery
*Egg Salad w/ pickles
*Chicken Salad w/ raisins
*Baloney and cheese w/ mustard, may
*Turkey and cranberry sauce
*Fried spam and cheese
*Fried canned corned beef & sauerkraut
*Meatballs in hotdog bun w/ marinara
*Meatloaf w/ tomato slices
*BLT
*Bacon and fried eggs
*Fried Baloney and fried eggs
*Sloppy Joes
*Turkey and Bacon and bean sprouts
*Sliced cucumbers and butter
*Sliced Cucumbers and cream cheese
*Cream cheese and jelly
*Sausage and Egg biscuit
*Egg and cheese sandwich
*Pork bbq and coleslaw
*Roast beef and horseradish
*beef and swiss cheese
*beef and cream cheese
*Roast beef and fried onions/mushrooms
*Fried hamburger and onions and cheese
*burritos w/ beef or beans and cheese
*Tacos
*Quesadilla
*Baloney, mayo and pineapple ring
*cream cheese and minced peppers
*baked beans w/ pickle relish
*hamburger w/ fixings
*corn dogs
*hot dogs w/ chili
*hot dogs w/ cheese
*hot dogs w/ coleslaw
*chopped chicken and bbq sauce
*ham salad w/ pickles
*fajitas w/ beef or chicken
*baloney, mustard and sprouts wrapped in tortilla
*fried chicken
*leftover pizza
*chef salad
*pasta and meat salad
*bbq chicken
*ribs
*chicken teriyaki
*boiled eggs
Now some of those my kids would love and some might get a raised eyebrow...
But we all need some help thinking outside the luchbox sometimes.
So for now, I'm stocking up on ideas, brown paper bags and containers that the kids could throw away at school, like butter tubs, cream cheese tubs, etc.
Can't wait to see what Margie posts tomorrow...she finds the BEST deals!
See ya!
All last year my first grader only asked for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, my fourth grader asked for only peanut butter and honey and my 6th grader asked for just plain peanut butter sandwiches. Seriously! Everyday!
So this year I am going for it....peanut butter as seldom as possible, maybe not at all!! Well, let's not get too crazy.
So as I googled for some ideas today, I stumbled upon The Hillbilly Housewife blog. I'm from the south, so that title cracked me up! So here is her list for school lunch ideas to beat the boredom of pbj:
*Tuna salad w/ celery
*Egg Salad w/ pickles
*Chicken Salad w/ raisins
*Baloney and cheese w/ mustard, may
*Turkey and cranberry sauce
*Fried spam and cheese
*Fried canned corned beef & sauerkraut
*Meatballs in hotdog bun w/ marinara
*Meatloaf w/ tomato slices
*BLT
*Bacon and fried eggs
*Fried Baloney and fried eggs
*Sloppy Joes
*Turkey and Bacon and bean sprouts
*Sliced cucumbers and butter
*Sliced Cucumbers and cream cheese
*Cream cheese and jelly
*Sausage and Egg biscuit
*Egg and cheese sandwich
*Pork bbq and coleslaw
*Roast beef and horseradish
*beef and swiss cheese
*beef and cream cheese
*Roast beef and fried onions/mushrooms
*Fried hamburger and onions and cheese
*burritos w/ beef or beans and cheese
*Tacos
*Quesadilla
*Baloney, mayo and pineapple ring
*cream cheese and minced peppers
*baked beans w/ pickle relish
*hamburger w/ fixings
*corn dogs
*hot dogs w/ chili
*hot dogs w/ cheese
*hot dogs w/ coleslaw
*chopped chicken and bbq sauce
*ham salad w/ pickles
*fajitas w/ beef or chicken
*baloney, mustard and sprouts wrapped in tortilla
*fried chicken
*leftover pizza
*chef salad
*pasta and meat salad
*bbq chicken
*ribs
*chicken teriyaki
*boiled eggs
Now some of those my kids would love and some might get a raised eyebrow...
But we all need some help thinking outside the luchbox sometimes.
So for now, I'm stocking up on ideas, brown paper bags and containers that the kids could throw away at school, like butter tubs, cream cheese tubs, etc.
Can't wait to see what Margie posts tomorrow...she finds the BEST deals!
See ya!
Back To School
August marks the beginning of a new school year!! This year I will have a 7th grader and a 4th grader. (Plus a little peanut who is only 17 months old so he doesn't count when it comes to "back to school".) It seems with each passing year I find that school shopping gets a little more in depth and considerably more expensive!
We still have three weeks until school starts here in central Florida, so I'm in the "preparation" stage. Here are our goals for this week:
Also, I'm adding tri-fold project boards, foam board and poster board to our school supply list this year. It always seems that we need one of those things...right now!! (Your kids probably don't do that. What IS your secret?!)
The one "must have" purchase of the week?
Target. Memory sticks. Love 'em.
USB Boards, $14; available in Target Stores.
We still have three weeks until school starts here in central Florida, so I'm in the "preparation" stage. Here are our goals for this week:
- Purchase any deals that are "better than tax free" (which is in two weeks).
- Make a list of clothing items that are "needed".
- Take inventory of what supplies we can reuse/recycle from last year or the summer.
Also, I'm adding tri-fold project boards, foam board and poster board to our school supply list this year. It always seems that we need one of those things...right now!! (Your kids probably don't do that. What IS your secret?!)
The one "must have" purchase of the week?
Target. Memory sticks. Love 'em.
USB, dude
Portable USB drives make saving homework, documents, and photos easy. And fun designs such as surfboards, skateboards, and snowboards make these USB drives all the more unique.USB Boards, $14; available in Target Stores.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
B and A
Well, I feel like I should start this post with "Don't judge me." It's that bad.
Here is a before picture of my closet.
I told you.
Now a closet doesn't get like this overnight. It's a few "I don't think I'll wear this today..." followed by a few "If I hide my stack of laundry in here, no one will ever see it..." with a little "Don't have a spot for it? Give it to me, I'll put it somewhere..." mixed in. I'm ashamed...but the story doesn't end there!
This is after.
Doesn't that look better?!? I put my winter clothes up in the attic (well they're in a tub and I suppose when my sweetie gets tired of stepping over the tub, it'll go in the attic...) and even put some clothes in a "give away" pile. I have a lot more to do in that arena, but one day at a time.
I have a place for "extras" (usually purchased with a Walgreens coupon deal) that I didn't have before.
On my wall I have a place for my most-used bags. From left to right: Pool bag, workout bag, and my favorite "go-to" bags. And now, I can get to them! (And you have to keep ONE pair of flipflops out. You never know when you'll need them!)
So, I have one more Before and After to show you.
This may be my favorite B and A:
Yep. The easiest cookie recipe ever! 1 cup sugar, 1 cup peanut butter, 1 egg gives you:
Yay! Oh, wait. There's one missing!
"Don't judge me."
Here is a before picture of my closet.
I told you.Now a closet doesn't get like this overnight. It's a few "I don't think I'll wear this today..." followed by a few "If I hide my stack of laundry in here, no one will ever see it..." with a little "Don't have a spot for it? Give it to me, I'll put it somewhere..." mixed in. I'm ashamed...but the story doesn't end there!
This is after.
Doesn't that look better?!? I put my winter clothes up in the attic (well they're in a tub and I suppose when my sweetie gets tired of stepping over the tub, it'll go in the attic...) and even put some clothes in a "give away" pile. I have a lot more to do in that arena, but one day at a time.
I have a place for "extras" (usually purchased with a Walgreens coupon deal) that I didn't have before.
On my wall I have a place for my most-used bags. From left to right: Pool bag, workout bag, and my favorite "go-to" bags. And now, I can get to them! (And you have to keep ONE pair of flipflops out. You never know when you'll need them!)
So, I have one more Before and After to show you.
This may be my favorite B and A:
Yep. The easiest cookie recipe ever! 1 cup sugar, 1 cup peanut butter, 1 egg gives you:
Yay! Oh, wait. There's one missing!
"Don't judge me."
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
B and A
Before and After week continues!
1 whole zucchini
One zucchini cake
One chocolate zucchini cake
So as I walked through the food line at our ladies Bible group, I noticed this big homegrown zucchini laying there on the table with a cute little sticky note that read "Please take me home with you". Well who could say no to such a cute zucchini, especially when thoughts of zucchini bread, zucchini cake w/ cream cheese frosting, zucchini cupcakes, etc floating through your head. So....Before:
1 whole zucchini
After:
One zucchini cake
One chocolate zucchini cake
10 lbs about to be added to my butt
1 size about to be added to my pants
30 hours of working out about to be added to my week
Maybe I should have taken a pic of me before I eat all this yumminess and then I can take a pic of me after! :)
Monday, July 26, 2010
Before and After (B and A)
Woohoo! Its before and after week here on The Girls Take On and we are ready to start some changing!
My frie
nd Meredith and I hit an estate sale-furniture shop and made out like a bandit! For $200.36 I got 2 real wood bookcases, a huge old stained glass window, a wooden crown piece, long wooden bench for my dining room table and a new piano bench. Not too bad, eh?
Since my family just moved, I've got alot of before stuff to do. As the movers were packing up our stuff in California, I threw away all our crappy fake wood bookcases. So when we got here to Kansas, that was one of the first things we needed to replace.
My frie
nd Meredith and I hit an estate sale-furniture shop and made out like a bandit! For $200.36 I got 2 real wood bookcases, a huge old stained glass window, a wooden crown piece, long wooden bench for my dining room table and a new piano bench. Not too bad, eh?So here are the bookcases before the books were on them:
And here they are w/ the books. In the pic on the left, you can see the bench that I bought as well! I'm not sure if I'm done with these bookshelves or not, I might paint them, so its possible this could be another before pic later on in the week! :)
So now tell us, what are you going to do over? Something small like bookcases? Or maybe something huge!!
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Double It Up! - Day 5
I'm late with this post. You wanna know why?
I Doubled It Up down in Orlando for a wonderful anniversary celebration! My husband and I went to House of Blues for dinner (one of my favorites) and then to Cirque Du Soleil! It was wonderful.
The best way to sum up our Double Up is to say:
2 tickets to La Nouba
2 stops on the way (bathroom on the way there, Starbucks on the way home)
2 rows from the middle (great seats)
2 $20's to the babysitter
2 kids still awake when we came home
So after 15 years of marriage, here's hoping we can Double It Up for 15 more!! :)
M
I Doubled It Up down in Orlando for a wonderful anniversary celebration! My husband and I went to House of Blues for dinner (one of my favorites) and then to Cirque Du Soleil! It was wonderful.The best way to sum up our Double Up is to say:
2 tickets to La Nouba
2 stops on the way (bathroom on the way there, Starbucks on the way home)
2 rows from the middle (great seats)
2 $20's to the babysitter
2 kids still awake when we came home
So after 15 years of marriage, here's hoping we can Double It Up for 15 more!! :)
M
Friday, July 23, 2010
DD5
TGIF!
Today's doubling it came in the form of double duty w/ friends.
I got to have coffee and furniture shop w/ one during the afternoon and then finished the night off with the dinner at the second friend's house. Bought some fabulous bargains at the furniture shop (pictures to come) and had wonderful pasta for dinner.
I pulled double duty w/ the kids too! Car wash + kid entertainment for over an hour=a clean minivan and wet happy kids. :) *evidently for my family, a water hose and bucket is all you need for fun!
So it is the end of double duty week and I would love to do it again sometime, but am totally looking forward to our endeavor for next week! Check back on Sunday for our next "taking on"!
What will those girls take on next??
Today's doubling it came in the form of double duty w/ friends.
I got to have coffee and furniture shop w/ one during the afternoon and then finished the night off with the dinner at the second friend's house. Bought some fabulous bargains at the furniture shop (pictures to come) and had wonderful pasta for dinner.
I pulled double duty w/ the kids too! Car wash + kid entertainment for over an hour=a clean minivan and wet happy kids. :) *evidently for my family, a water hose and bucket is all you need for fun!
So it is the end of double duty week and I would love to do it again sometime, but am totally looking forward to our endeavor for next week! Check back on Sunday for our next "taking on"!
What will those girls take on next??
DD4
Well, my DD4 wasn't as *action-packed* as big sis', but we still had fun...
The day began doubling curtains. In our California home, the boys rooms had 3 windows, so I had 3 blue jean curtains (the kind w/ the overall-looking tab-tops). Of course the new Kansas house has...4 windows (they are actually 2 double windows). Anyway, I cut the old curtains in half and made 6 panels so that 3 can be on each window.
Next we played a double game of bowling while middle boy was in bowling camp. Guess how much it was for 5 people to bowl 2 games +the cost of shoes? The sign said $2.50 per game, $2.00 per pair of shoes, so inside my head I was calculating about $37....The guy said, $3.75! Lo and behold I had stumbled upon quartermania Thursdays! Woohoo! Needless to say, we'll be back next Thursday...
We topped it off w/ double pizza for dinner: 1/2 pesto 1/2 hamburger on one, 1/2 cheese 1/2 meat on the other. They were delicious!
As for the goals for today....workout? nah. remembering kids? yes! baking? none! :)
-Audrey
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Double It Up! - Day 4
Will this first picture give you an idea of my day?
These went down since 5:00 pm. Let me tell you why...
2 members of my family came home after being gone (separately) for a week!! They both came home with stories to tell, ailments to share, laundry to give, attention to crave...you get the idea. :) So, 2 Diet Mountain Dews later...I'm blogging. (And these are full caffeine diet mountain dews. What's the point of Caffeine Free, anyway? Haven't tried that, seems like an anomaly to me...)
Today is my 15th wedding anniversary, and I am staring at 2 tickets to Cirque Du Soleil! Hubby and I are off to have a special date night. Dinner at the House of Blues and then La Nouba. Doubling It Up in Orlando...can't wait!
And the last double up I have for you today is not good news. It seems that I have 2 appliances that are on the way out. To the curb. My microwave is gone altogether. Now my dishwasher is making some pretty scary noises. This is not the kind of doubling we were hoping for!!
May tomorrow bring the greatest doubling of them all!
M
These went down since 5:00 pm. Let me tell you why...
Double It Up!
2 members of my family came home after being gone (separately) for a week!! They both came home with stories to tell, ailments to share, laundry to give, attention to crave...you get the idea. :) So, 2 Diet Mountain Dews later...I'm blogging. (And these are full caffeine diet mountain dews. What's the point of Caffeine Free, anyway? Haven't tried that, seems like an anomaly to me...)
Today is my 15th wedding anniversary, and I am staring at 2 tickets to Cirque Du Soleil! Hubby and I are off to have a special date night. Dinner at the House of Blues and then La Nouba. Doubling It Up in Orlando...can't wait!
And the last double up I have for you today is not good news. It seems that I have 2 appliances that are on the way out. To the curb. My microwave is gone altogether. Now my dishwasher is making some pretty scary noises. This is not the kind of doubling we were hoping for!!
May tomorrow bring the greatest doubling of them all!
M
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Double It Up! - Day 3
I'm not really sure where the day went. Oh yeah, I remember:
Don't you just love So You Think You Can Dance and Losing It?!?!
Day 3...check.
M
- Hit the alarm clock 2 times.
- Fed 2 boys breakfast.
- Bought 2 packs of tortillas, 2 bags of meatballs, & 2 containers of crystal light. (BOGO at Winn-Dixie!)
- Cleared 2 paper jams in the copier at work.
- Wished 2 parents (both mine) a Happy Anniversary.
- Proofed a document 2 times and missed something anyway.
- Had 2 dear friends remind me that this 16 month temper-tantrum stage is going to end.
- Changed 2 diapers before putting the sweet baby to bed. (Oh, and found 2 pacifiers under the crib.)
- Got double-jumped at checkers. Again.
- Kissed my 9 year old 2 times (once for his sister who is on a trip).
- Now, I think I'll finish the evening off with 2 DVR'd shows that are calling my name.
Don't you just love So You Think You Can Dance and Losing It?!?!
Day 3...check.
M
DD3
I did it! I finally ran! I didn't wake up early and do it though, so I was hurting when I finished those 4 miles at 2:30pm... The last mile I kept thinking, "if I pass out from heat exhaustion, surely someone will find me". :)
I also accomplished the goal of making caramel popcorn and mayonnaise cake for the BBQ tonight. Both were absolutely delish. I thought one of the ladies was going to gag when I told her it was mayo cake, though!
I also doubled up on piano lessons... All 3 older kids got their double-lesson today!
I also accomplished the goal of making caramel popcorn and mayonnaise cake for the BBQ tonight. Both were absolutely delish. I thought one of the ladies was going to gag when I told her it was mayo cake, though!
I also doubled up on piano lessons... All 3 older kids got their double-lesson today!I even doubled up on the coffee: w/a cup this morning and another tonight at the BBQ (I used coconut creme creamer from Coffeemate for the first time...wow! Loved it!)
All in all it was a doubly-good day!
Goals for tomorrow: Work out (maybe weights? arms? abs--where abs should be--)...
Remember to take the kids to their camps...
Not bake anything...
~Audrey
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
DD2
I'm 2 for 2 on waking up early to run... ( and each evening I keep saying to myself--get up and run early b4 its too hot!--oh well...)
Got SOAKED twice in the torrential downpour! (but after living in the Mojave for almost 3 years, a little rain is refreshing)
Ate 2 lunches, a pb&j first then a baked potato later...
Did double laundry...which means 4 loads...today
Played 2 games at youth group with oldest (sharks and minnows, and dodgeball)...
Ate 2 more pieces of pork n beans bread...again...
Now 2 watch a movie w/ hub (Bounty Hunter) and hopefully get up early tomorrow morning...
Going to make some goals for 2morrow...
~make caramel popcorn and mayonnaise cake for a cookout tomorrow night
~run 4 miles (fingers crossed)
~ skip yelling at the kids 2 times...
Wish me luck! ---Audrey
Got SOAKED twice in the torrential downpour! (but after living in the Mojave for almost 3 years, a little rain is refreshing)
Ate 2 lunches, a pb&j first then a baked potato later...
Did double laundry...which means 4 loads...today
Played 2 games at youth group with oldest (sharks and minnows, and dodgeball)...
Ate 2 more pieces of pork n beans bread...again...
Now 2 watch a movie w/ hub (Bounty Hunter) and hopefully get up early tomorrow morning...
Going to make some goals for 2morrow...
~make caramel popcorn and mayonnaise cake for a cookout tomorrow night
~run 4 miles (fingers crossed)
~ skip yelling at the kids 2 times...
Wish me luck! ---Audrey
Double It Up! - Day 2
On Day 2 I started with the most basic of doubles. Rinse and Repeat. Have you done that? It feels amazing. I use cheap shampoo and conditioner, so why not double-up!
I had two meetings at work today - double your pleasure, double your fun!
Maybe not, they were work meetings after all...
So then I had to go to the bank and do you know what? It was Customer Appreciation Week and we got 2 ice cream treats!! This was my ice cream of choice:
Because my husband is out of town, I had 2 waffles for dinner today. Mulitgrain from Publix.
To end the day, I got double-jumped in a game of checkers by my 9 year old. The worst part was that I didn't even see it coming.
2 days of doubling down. (And I wasn't referring to poker...)
M
I had two meetings at work today - double your pleasure, double your fun!
Maybe not, they were work meetings after all...
So then I had to go to the bank and do you know what? It was Customer Appreciation Week and we got 2 ice cream treats!! This was my ice cream of choice:
Because my husband is out of town, I had 2 waffles for dinner today. Mulitgrain from Publix.
To end the day, I got double-jumped in a game of checkers by my 9 year old. The worst part was that I didn't even see it coming.
2 days of doubling down. (And I wasn't referring to poker...)
M
Monday, July 19, 2010
Double It Up--Day one ---Audrey
Day one, day one, how I love day one! So many possibilities...
I broke the fast with not one, but 2 waffles and blueberries...
Baked 2 loaves of pork n beans bread (weird, huh? absolutely delish!)
Drank 2 cups of coffee...
Gave all kids 2 kisses at a time...
Thought about working out twice...
Hubby bought 2 for 1 garden hoses at Home Depot...
Day two is going to be even better!--Audrey
I broke the fast with not one, but 2 waffles and blueberries...
Baked 2 loaves of pork n beans bread (weird, huh? absolutely delish!)
Drank 2 cups of coffee...
Gave all kids 2 kisses at a time...
Thought about working out twice...
Hubby bought 2 for 1 garden hoses at Home Depot...
Day two is going to be even better!--Audrey
Double It Up! - Day 1
Today is the first day of Double It Up week, and frankly, I think this is going to be a good week. You might as well call it, "A Little Extra" week. Or maybe "Lagniappe" week. No matter how you slice it, two is better than one!!
My day started off as normal. The little one wakes up and acts as if he hasn't eaten in days. His breakfast of choice is a cereal bar. Any brand will do and any flavor is also acceptable (except apple). But today, he was hungrier than normal, so because I had "Double It Up" on the brain, he got TWO cereal bars! He thought he was having Christmas. :)
I had extra laundry today (from some slacking this weekend that we don't need to talk about) so I did TWO loads today. I think I'm going to really work on staying caught up though. That stuff multiplies!
Then our neighbor friend came down to swim and we "doubled up" in the pool!! :) That is until an unfortunate water gun episode turned ugly...
So, we're back at it tomorrow! Looking for "double" the fun tomorrow too!!
M
My day started off as normal. The little one wakes up and acts as if he hasn't eaten in days. His breakfast of choice is a cereal bar. Any brand will do and any flavor is also acceptable (except apple). But today, he was hungrier than normal, so because I had "Double It Up" on the brain, he got TWO cereal bars! He thought he was having Christmas. :)
I had extra laundry today (from some slacking this weekend that we don't need to talk about) so I did TWO loads today. I think I'm going to really work on staying caught up though. That stuff multiplies!
Then our neighbor friend came down to swim and we "doubled up" in the pool!! :) That is until an unfortunate water gun episode turned ugly...
So, we're back at it tomorrow! Looking for "double" the fun tomorrow too!!
M
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