Found on the Web

Friday afternoon the mail lady dropped off our stack of mail into our mailbox. I hadn't checked it in two days because it's been so cold, and I knew it would be bills... so why rush, right?  But upon sorting through the mail I came across a stack of coupons from our local paper. Admittedly, I've been pitching them right away as they just become clutter {that I might use later...} and I'm kicking myself 3 months later when they are all expired, wasted, trash. I used to be quite the coupon-lady, had a whole system down, deal shopped, etc. Now a-days I can score such low prices with just my Aldi visit and supplementing with our local store. So, unless its a coupon for something FREE - it's trash.

Anyway, while leafing through the coupons I came upon this blessedness....

These, folks, are called Cardigan Slipper Socks. And they can be purchased for $12.99. By way of the coupon offer of course. The description goes on to talk about how they are not only a slipper but a house shoe AND an outdoor shoe. Not to mention the cardigan top can remain up or be rolled down per your fashion needs. Obviously, I'm sold. 1) I hate having cold fee  2) I hate feeling crumbs on my floor  3) I love slippers.

Ok, I haven't bought them... yet. But, I'm hanging on to this coupon mail in order. :) And, for those more web inclined - you can find them at www.dreamproducts.com

While web surfing this weekend I also checked out this site full of yumminess. Azure Standard.

A gal at playgroup this weekend mentioned how she was able to get 20lbs of organic apples for $20! That's a fantastic deal and knew I wanted to check it out. It's an easy to search site and I'm hoping to make a list of true needs and maybe jump on board. Anyone else heard of it?

And while not nearly as healthy or necessary... maybe you didn't know that Yankee Candle is having a last chance 60% sale on some of their candles. I have burnt right through my autumn and Christmas candles - so it's a great time. I chose two and cannot wait for the UPS man to show up with them!

 

 

Doesn't that make you want Spring RIGHT NOW?! 

Happy weekend to all! Happy web findings, too!

Two trains of thought.

Remember how a looooong time ago I shared that I was going to turn a portion of our very unfinished basement into a workout room? Yea, still working on that. No where near where I want to be - but, encouraging news is that I made some progress today! After lunch with a friend and some encouraging words, I feel a new motivation to get serious and get moving.
Right now I'm at the cleaning - moving around - organizing stage. This afternoon I was able to vacuum up a zillion dead bugs, lay down the small piece of flooring, move the tv table, tv and dvd player, elliptical and new machine we were given, and prep just 1/4 of the basement to be used until my "dream" room can be completed. Something IS better then nothing, right? Here's the condition now.

I found a massive bucket of basement paint and plan to paint over the highly unsightly yellowing that seems to be happening on the wall behind the TV. Then it dawned on me... if I get this place cleaned up real well, I have LOADS of pink paint and could easily move a few toys down here for the girls, too. That would be after MUCH cleaning, however. At one point I got distracted and might have spray painted a wall with a can of beautiful Gray spray paint I bought for another project. See, I'm distracted. Anyway, though it doesn't look like much - I'm so thrilled to get things going. I want to put some sort of plastic shelving under the table for workout DVDs, my free weights, maybe a jump rope and some music. ??? I'm a looong way from the ideas I've pinned on pinterest - oh how I love this under the stairs storage, green rug and basic beautifulness. 

And this idea - the curtains! The hidden machines! The sight of clean and no dead bugs. Since laundry is my FAVE household chore, I could see lots of time spent in this! 

But it does give me a goal to work towards. :) 

Next train - woooot wooot. Cute things. 

Today while reading through my newest edition of "Living" magazine, I stumbled upon this cute idea - also basement related. I have a drying rack set up in our basement, but, it only holds so much. I try to hang dry several items and this would be such a help - especially as it rolls back up and won't "clothesline" someone. Buahaha. A-hem. 

This is a retractable clothesline, friends. It's supposed to look aged and it's just about the coolest thing I've seen in awhile. So I looked up the website and WOW - if you are into the junkin', antique, old-ish look you want to go check out Farmhouse Wares. www.farmhousewares.com  It has a ton of cute ideas and the prices vary. This clothes line is roughly $13! Some things were a bit more pricey.

I thought this candle holder was pretty cute, too.

Ah, motivation, you are wonderful. Now...back to it!
What projects are you working on? Re-doing any rooms in your home?

Blogs to Share

In the last few weeks I've come across some Intriguing, Interesting and just plain Wonderful blogs and sites. Share-worthy stuff.

A Bowl of Moss and Pebbles is so serene and deep. I love her calmness. I love her thoughtfulness and thoughts about nature and what not... my kinda reading. And, it helps to know I'm not the only weirdo who likes cold weather. Did I mention that in all this GREATNESS she's just 19?! What was I doing at 19?

{in}courage is probably my new fave. I love every.single.day's worth of reading. And, yes, I do check it daily. SO encouraging! And it's one of those sites that make me want to jump into the Word and get growing... truly, truly, stands up to it's title! They have a book club, too - which, is totally worth your checking out! I'm planning on joining up for their read through Ann Voskamp's book here soon.

Sew Much Ado is challenging and makes me want to bust out my sewing machine (learn how to use it) and get busy! She offers patterns, tips and LOTS OF tutorials! All your crafty-homemaker types {or, the wannabe's like me} should head there... now.

So, there ya go. Some fun new reads for your blog list!

Raising a Girl

My punkin! She'll be 17 months old this month... which, seems impossible. She is spunky, giggly, loves to sing and dance, make "crafts", help me cook and clean... and loves to whine. The jingle, "one of these things just doesn't belong here" is running through my brain. WHINE?! How could she love that? It just doesn't go with the rest of the things she enjoys....

It appears we have reached another milestone in raising this girl. The Whine-o-Meter is registering at VERY HIGH and mommy and dad are just about at the breaking point. Thankfully (and boy are we thankful) God's grace abounds and His mercies are new daily! The battle to remain consistent and love, love, love even when the love looks like disciplining something every second... will pay off! (tho...she may be 20 by then!)

Our newest battle is happening during the hours of 12-3am. Yuck. Let me repeat... 12 to 3 AM! The last 3 nights she has half-woken up screaming and we have no idea whats going on. She has her pacifier, her blanket and seems to be in a fairly comfy spot in her crib... the air feels nice and cool, her body doesn't feel too hot and the fan puts out a wonderful level of "white noise" to rest by. So, we don't get it! Usually when this type of thing happens its because she has been sick - so, rocking her for a little while and soothing away the tears puts her right back to sleep easily. This week its just scream, scream, scream...and all she wants is to be held... in the middle of the night. Which, please don't misunderstand me... we LOVE that we have a child to be able to soothe and love like this - it's just difficult. Especially as we just can seem to put together the "why" of all of this. Lastnight was by far the worst. She was up until around 3:20, after being put back down at least 6 times. Finally, I just pulled her into our bed (something we are not fans of doing...) because I thought I was going to pass out from being so tired. She fell right asleep - and about 30 minutes later I plopped her back in her crib and we all slept till quarter of 10am!

I'm puzzled. I'm slightly bothered. I'm praying all the time for wisdom on how to raise this girl - break these weird/bad habits, love her, discipline without being angry, etc. Because when she does wake up in the morning (normal hours) she LOVES seeing us and it almost erases the horrible nights prior. (I said almost) My heart is full this morning being reminded that God never allows us more then we can bear - and, that this phase will also pass, and that very soon someday she won't even be in this home to wake us up. {eyes welling...} In the meantime, what do you guys think? Did your kids go through this? What were your solutions? Any wisdom on raising girls? She seems to be very emotional, like me, and I'm just wondering if I'm missing something major here. Maybe I should call my mom...

{Random change of thought}

In other news - I came across a new blog this morning that I'd love to share with you. Rebecca Ingram Powell is a blogger who writes about many different things - but what caught my attention was her book called, "Seasons of Change" aimed toward raising middle schoolers. She has a new book out called, "Baby boot Camp" for new parents in first 6 weeks of baby-hood that also looked pretty interesting (or make a great shower gift!). She's a pastors wife and homeschools her 3 kiddos...with vigor! It appears she lives in TN where all the flooding is happening :( I found out about her after reading last months "Home Educating Family" magazine. Which, by the way, you can get a FREE trial issue by clicking that link and signing up. I am really enjoying my issue right now!

Check out her site and see what you think! http://rebeccaingrampowell.blogspot.com

I added her button on my blog, too - pretty cute, huh?

Blog recommendation

I'm still fairly new to all of this - I mean, I've been a "blogger" since 07 but I still don't know many of the tricks that make blogs so much fun and worth reading. But I enjoy the learning and will keep on keepin' on :) Last week I came across a blog that I REALLY like. It's, http://www.crockpot356.blogspot.com/ and its well worth your peek! This lady has created her blog all around using her slow cookers and the recipes to go with. MY kind of lady :) Today's recipe is some kind of duck, which, I won't be making today....but, it was still neat to read through and hear her thoughts about the prep and taste. I don't know about you, but, I can use all the help I can find about healthy menu planning, recipe ideas, etc. So, if you get a chance - mosey on over to crockpot365 and see for yourself. It's worth it. :)