Monday, January 31, 2011

heart rag wreath


So easy, I'm thinking about making another one (and...it didn't cost a thing!)

All you need is a wire hanger, an old shirt and a pretty ribbon.

Bending the hanger into a heart shape was the hardest part of the whole thing.

Cut the old shirt into strips (mine were about 4-5 inches long).

Tie the strips around the hanger.

Tie on a ribbon to hang it up.

It took less than an hour to make.

Easy, Simple, Cheap & Cute!

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Saturday Randoms

* I found some really cute stuff at the thrift stores recently.....

This little beauty was only 5 bucks!

(Excuse the Nerf darts and other toys on the floor - Kids!)

$1.50 for these 2 little gems.   The bowl on the right matches another thrift store find from this summer.  And the jar on the left matched another jar that I bought at a different store in another town.


See, almost a perfect match


I paid $3.78 for these, I thought I would paint the basket and use it to hold cooking utensils in the kitchen (I'm using an old terra cotta pot to hold them in now).   The apothecary jar had smelly, weird soap in it (which I dumped in another container at the store ha!)


This little jar was 50 cents.


These little planters were brass when I bought them.  I spray painted them white, they look much better this way.


* Which leads me to another thought ----- Our cat is eating these plants!! He gets fed plenty of food, in fact he's actually kinda fat.  So I can't figure out why he's doing this.  But if you look really closely, you can see the nibbling he has done on the darker one. 

Does anyone know why he is doing this? Or how I can get him to stop it? We haven't had any plants in this house for a long time (because in the past I have killed them).  Now that we have them, I'd like to keep them pretty, instead of looking so dog eared or having the cat kill them!

* And speaking of killing things.....Why, oh why oh why, do teenage boys not care about their hygiene as much as girls do.  I swear, I just went through this with Anthony and now Zach is doing it.  I have to remind and pretty much threaten him to put deodorant on.  As if it's a major chore to contend with.  He never wears deodorant and he pretty much stinks all.the.time.  I have no idea why he doesn't care, but he simply doesn't. 

I have talked to other mothers of teen boys (when Anthony was doing this) and they said the same thing...their sons never wanted to put deodorant on either.  I tried buying him the spray, the sticks, etc.  Thinking different kinds might help.  I tried taking him and letting him pick out his own.  His brothers and sisters are constantly teasing him and harping on him, telling him that he stinks, and yet he still doesn't care.  Ugh! I know this will change eventually, it did with Anthony, but still how long can I last smelling him.  Boys are smelly creatures anyway, why do they have to make it worse? LOL!

* I totally need to clean the fridge!! Talk about smelly things....I swear something crawled inside it and died.  It stinks and I reaaallly need to clean the thing.  But I've either been too lazy or working or doing other things (ok, I've been too lazy - there I admit it! I really HATE cleaning the fridge).

* Which leads me to question, why my kids must open the fridge door a thousand times a day.   I swear that's really how often they open the door.  I should know, since my computer desk is next to the fridge (you would think that would motivate me to clean the stinky thing, wouldn't you? hahah).  Seriously, though they are constantly opening the fridge, starring in there and closing it again.  They do this non stop all day long, as if something will magically appear to be in there since the last time they opened the door.  Why do they do that?? It makes me crazy LOL!

* Another thing that's been bugging me lately is laundry.  Every time I ask Amanda for help with the laundry, she either does one load...washes only her clothes...or takes everything out of the dryer and throws her stuff in and then proceeds to leave the rest sitting in a basket in front of the dryer, until I check on the laundry and discover what she did.  Here's what's really bad, the day of my surgery I started the laundry (thinking someone will finish it for me since they were all home from school on Christmas break).  Well, a few days later I decided to do some laundry and wouldn't you know it...the exact stuff that I put in there the morning of my surgery was still in the washer, soaking wet of course {Huge Sigh!}

* Did I mention how hard this has been to type? I damn near cut my left index finger off yesterday while cutting a styrofoam square down to size, while working on a project.  At first, I thought - Ow that hurt, it's not that bad....then blood started gushing everywhere (as appendages do) and I had a heck of a time trying to get a bandaid on my finger while there was blood spilling all over the place.  I kept thinking what a dumb ass I was to cut myself.  I almost never cut myself (knock on wood) when preparing meals, but I cut myself doing something stupid.  I bet if I went to the ER they would have put some stitches in it...probably 2 or 3, it's that bad.   But I'm thinking the pain of the stitches would be far worse than the throbbing it's doing now, so I'm not going.  It'll close on its own or I'll use butterfly strips to hold it together til it heals.  Yes, I'm a BIG chicken when it comes to needles and doctors!

* Oh and guess what else I did....I started ripping the wallpaper off the wall in the kitchen.  Eeeep! There's no turning back now, baby! The white cabinets really brightened up the room, it's almost shocking when you come in and see them.  They look great! I'm really happy with the results and can't wait to get the rest of the room put back together.  It's going to look nice when it's done....can't wait.  (Didn't I already say that?)



Still a work in progress, as you can see.  But it's getting there.  Much to my horror, Rich said "hey this counter doesn't look that bad like it is....HUH? And then says why don't you just paint the walls to match the green in the paper and get a green counter too?  Uh, cause that would look butt ugly! And if you ever want another home cooked meal from me again, you might not want to let that thought cross your mind again!

Well, better get back to work and finally tackle that really stinky fridge, before my kids decide to open the door again and make me smell the nasty thing LOL!




Fashion To Figure Review

I was recently asked to do a review for Fashion To Figure.  Fashion To Figure sells tons of tops, pants, jewelry, dresses, accessories, jackets, handbags and more.   Fashion to Figure caters to plus size women (sizes 12 to 26) looking for trendy clothes at affordable prices.  They asked me to review a piece from their collection.  Since I am in between sizes, I chose to review a pair of jeans (because really, who wants to have to buy clothes in different sizes when you are losing weight). 

I really liked the jeans....my only complaint is that they don't come in shorter lengths.  I'm 5'2" and so the jeans hang a little long on my legs, but overall I loved how they made me feel.  The fit was wonderful, in the hips and butt.  It's amazing how great a new pair of jeans can lift your spirits and make you feel like a million bucks.  They have a lot of cute clothes and accessories.  I totally recommend Fashion To Figure for all your clothing needs.

Check out their facebook page for a special coupon available when you "like" their page.  Oops, it looks like the coupon has expired, but I'm sure they will have another great special soon, so it might be worth clicking on anyway, for future deals.

*Disclosure: I received the jeans from Fashion To Figure for review purposes only.  The opinions herein are my own and were not influenced by Fashion To Figure.  I was not compensated in anyway.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

My Morning....

Woke up 5 mins late....

Woke the boys up 3 times before they rolled out of bed.

Separated the fighting.

Yelled at them for goofying off, intead of getting ready.

Despite having washed just about every piece of clothing in this house....

I still had to run around looking for pants for both boys.

{What do they do with all their clothes?}

Hurry Up or You're going to be late

Eating breakfast.

Fighting over the cereal box

Nathan spills cereal all down the leg of his pants.

Go change your pants, I saw a pair of black ones in your dresser

He goes to the bathroom and proceeds to swipe the cereal off his pants and onto the floor

When I ask him if he at least used a towel...he said I was going to clean it up

Great big HUGE mess of soggy cereal all over the bathroom floor.

Gee thanks I needed something else to do this morning.

Come on let's go already you're going to be late

Mom, Nicholas is bothering me

Mom, I can't find socks

MOMMM get Nicholas to stop bothering me

Get Nicholas to leave me alone mom

Great! now we are late!

Hurry Up!

Mom, I can't find my shoes

Mom, untie my shoes

Mom, tie my shoes

Mom, I think I need to change my pants after all, these ones feel wet.

Oh My God hurry up already!

Where did you put your shoes?

What do you mean you don't know, you just took them off.

Hurry, get your coats on.

Let's go....c'mon

Stop fighting

{Charlene stop YELLING}

Boys, please stop fighting.

Buckle up!

Would you please stop goofying off!

Yup, you're gonna be late.

Mom, why are we late?

Great mom, thanks for making us late for school.

{Hmm, somehow I knew this would be all MY fault.}

Hurry up and get in there.

Proceeds to gander slowly down the sidewalk....

In zig zag pattern.

Yep, totally my fault, huh?

I mean, I am the MOM afterall!

Late ~ Just Great!

Saturday, January 22, 2011

My Kitchen Is Getting A Mini Make Over

Nothing too fancy here.  Just a little sprucing up.

When we first moved in to this house six years ago, we did nothing to it.  It had and still has in some rooms, "old lady" wallpaper in every room.  If you remember me posting about that before, we're talking some rooms with two different patterns on the walls and the kitchen is one of them.

We left it alone all these years, talked about redecorating, but never did anything.  Last year, all the wallpaper (that the kids have started ripping off) really started to bug the crap out of me, so slowly but surely I started ripping it down and painting rooms one by one.  I did the girls' bedroom.  I ripped off the border in the older boys' room (still have to paint in there), did the living room, hallways and entry way.  And now I'm in the kitchen.  Our cabinets were dark wood and ugly.  The kids were bending the knobs on the drawers and doors, breaking one door completely off the hinge.  Not to mention peeling the paper off the wall.  Rich kept saying pick a color and let's do it.  I kept putting it off.  I need to "see" something to decide if I like it.  I have a hard time visualizing what something could look like when it's done. 

We did decide on painting the cabinets white and I did pick out the new hardware for the cabinets as well.  Also decided on white wainscoting on the bottom half of the wall, but I am still undecided on the counter tops and wall color.  I can't decide if I want something simple and classic like white or gray.  Or if I want something bold and colorful.  The room is bright and it gets lots of sun and can probably handle something a bit brighter or bolder....but I don't know.  Every color that I have picked out so far has been neutral, which is why I'm leaning towards the brighter shades, something different.  But I tend to play it "safe" as far as colors go, which is why I'm also thinking of something classic.  I realize that it's only paint and I can paint over it.  I also realize that this is more or less a "temp" job.  We will be remodeling some where down the line when we close up the back porch and turn it into a dining room, but that won't be for a while.

What to do, What to do.....

Anyway, there's no turning back now on the cabinets, since yesterday our friend Bob came over and started taking down the doors and drawers and sanding and priming them.  Because school was cancelled, the kids were home and since I have severe asthma I had to get out of the house (the dust was terrible).  So, I took the kids out for some errands and McDonalds.  They played while I froze in the play area....seriously that room was COLD!

Wanna see some pics? Sure you do - here ya go........


The dark wood


With the primer....I'm getting a new range hood (in stainless steel).


The walls look really U-G-L-Y now, don't they? LOL!


 I had the easy job, keeping the kids busy...







So, what do you think about paint color? Should I go for...

Bold and flashy?
or
Neutral and classic?

I seriously cannot decide!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Just wanted to let you know....

I didn't fall off the face of the planet.  I've just been working for the past 3 days and now I'm sick or something.  I've spent the whole day in my jammies sleeping, not eating, catching up on some tv shows that I had on the dvr, reading books with the kids and losing a game or two of Memory.

Praying I'll feel better soon, I'm not a very good patient.....trust me - or, just ask my ever so loving hubby.  Thank God he loves me enough to put up with my grouchies!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

It's Picture Day Today (A Hodge Podge Collage)


When I saw this book at the book store, I just had to get it.  It's Picture Day Today by Megan McDonald is a delightful tale of crafty items getting ready for picture day.  Buttons, feathers, pom poms, strings are ready to go....only someone is missing.  And you can guess who (no really, you have to read the book, I'm not giving it away hah). 

We made "hodge podge" collages using all kinds of different craft items...buttons, sequins, feathers, wagon wheel pasta, fabric leaves, ribbon, pom poms, beads, etc.  The boys had fun designing their collages.  It looked like so much fun that I made one too.  We ended up using tacky glue because things stick to it better than regular glue.




this one is mine




these two are Nathan's


this one is Nick's

Linking to......

Shibley Smiles

Melted Snowman Cookies


I thought these were too cute not to make.  And they were super easy to make as well.  I found the idea at Crazy Domestic.  I tweeked it a bit.  I used the slice and bake Pillsbury Sugar Cookies from the refrigerated section.  And made my own icing (powered sugar, milk and vanilla). Her's are a lot cuter than mine, but I was kind of in a hurry to finish them so mine came out a little sloppy...but that's okay, since they are "melting" snowmen anyway.


Monday, January 10, 2011

This is why I hate working

I came home last night to find that that damn not me kid broke the remote to the tv in the living room
This is the second time they've done it
Rich was able to fix it the last time...

(pic from google images)

That's even worse than coming home to a missing remote.
If it's just missing at least there is hope that you can find it.
A broken remote, just means no tv and SILENCE

You would think I would relish the silence.
And honestly, most days I would love to have some peace and quiet

But, I don't really like it too quiet. 
Too quiet means someone is getting into something that they shouldn't be.
Too quiet means they are coloring on the walls and plotting and planning against me.
These ears of mine have been well tuned for almost 18 years now.

I like background noise.
It's what I'm used to.
Not a day goes by where there isn't something going on to hold my attention
Silence just freaks me out.

I'm seriously going through withdrawls.
Let's face it though, if I did have a remote
I wouldn't really be watching the tv anyway
I would be listening to it, from another room.

So, I come home to a complete mess.
Amanda made cookies
And then left them out on the counter ..... all night long
And left a nice, well, not so nice little mess for me this morning
Cookies stuck to the tray....looks appetizing, no?


Not to mention that......

No one gave Nathan a bath, even though I texted three of them to remind them.
The poor dog was left outside and it was freezing out there.
My laundry room looks like it puked up dirty clothes (Mt Everest has nothing on this pile - trust me)
There was playdough on the table that no one put away.
The clean baskets of clothes that needed to be put away was still sitting in the same spot.
There were dirty dishes in the living room under the couch

I'm thinking to myself this morning, why bother cleaning it up
I have to work again tonight
I'm sure it'll be just as nice when I get home.
A nice little "welcome home mom" surprise, just for me.

Sunday, January 09, 2011

I'm a Featured Blogger Today....

Shibley Smiles Sunday Blog Hop

I'm being featured on Relax and Surf Sunday's blog hop today.  Every week Colleen (Shibley Smiles) and LeeAnn (The Life of Rylie...And Bryce too) host the Relax and Surf Sunday blog hop.  Blog hopping is a great way to build your readership and promote your blog.  And find some new blogs to read as well.  Head on over to their websites and join in on the fun!

If this is your first time here, let me introduce myself.

I'm Charlene wife and mother of six (yes that says 6) children.  I'm a stay at home mom, but I also work part time as a nursing assistant a couple days a week. If you take a look around my blog you will see that I love making crafts with my kids, discovering new children's books and activities for them.  I also love to cook and bake and try to share my recipes as well as others that I tried and loved.  I also discovered a new love of "treasure" shopping.  I love doing product reviews and usually try to keep those centered around my life as a mom or homemaker...and occasionally fun stuff just for me.  You will see that this blog is very family oriented and that's because my life revolves around my family.  For more about my family feel free to read the About Us page at the top.  Any questions, just ask.

Oh, and if you really, really like what you see, please "like" my fan page on facebook or follow me on twitter!

Hope you have a great and relaxing Sunday!




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Saturday, January 08, 2011

One Snowy Day


We recently read the book One Snowy Day by Tammi Salzano.  I thought this was the perfect book for our recent snowy weather.  Penguin and his friends love playing in the snow in this board book, with a padded cover.   It's a cute little counting book, perfect for preschoolers.  One woolly hat, two warm mittens......Nine snowy footprints, Ten marshmallows in Penguin's hot chocolate.  Nathan wanted to count everything on the page as we read.    The illustrations are bright, cheery and fun.  We loved it!

We were inspired by the book to make a penguin craft.  We used white, black, orange and green paper, scissors and glue.  I cut an oval shape using the white paper and two small circles for the eyes.  Then I cut two flippers and a circle for the head out of the black and two more smaller circles for the eyes.  Next, came the beak and the feet.  We used the green as a backdrop, even though our penguin overlapped the green - it was enough to give it some extra color.  We glued all the pieces together and wallah.....a penguin!










Cute, huh?

*Disclosure: I received this book from Tiger Tales for review purposes only.  I was not compensated in any way.  The opinions here in are my own and were not influenced by Tiger Tales.