Last Call for Entries!

Here it is August 31 already ~ last day to sign up for my giveaway.  Tomorrow I will draw for the winner ~ be watching for the post!

Today I spent a lovely day with my dear friend Hayley.  We headed out to drop off all my donations to Goodwill and then to pick up supplies for her new business venture.  She is making the cutest hair bows and blocks ~ check them out here.  It was good to have some adult conversation without little voices interrupting!  We got in a little shopping as well ~ found some great deals at Wal-Mart, some summer clothes clearanced out at $1.00! 

Home now, putting away all my deals, and waiting for the kiddos to arrive home from school.  After the dreary day yesterday, the weather has turned HOT again ~ near 90.  I'm sure they will be tired just from the heat today.

Last night, DS did well again at supper ~ ate more green beans without a word, even had seconds of the main dish ~ bacon cheeseburger pasta.  It's so nice when supper doesn't involve an argument! 

Tonight it's my night out with the girls before the wedding on Monday ~ DH's night with the kids.  I have a feeling it will be frozen pizza for supper ~ everyone's favorite :)

Only 2 Days Left!

Yesterday I finished de-cluttering my closet and dresser.  Whoa ~ was there a lot to donate!  14 bags!  Where it all came from I'm not sure ~ perhaps one too many trips to Goodwill ~ LOL!  I think I heard the closet rod breath a sigh of relief.  No more buying just because it's a good deal.  I'm getting rid of too many thing that match nothing.  If it doesn't work with the clothes I have, it's not a steal even at a few dollars.

The kiddos had a great day at school.  DS has yet to bring any homework home ~ he's been getting it all done at school.  DD had 2 worksheets ~ math and cursive handwriting ~ but she zipped right thru them.  DH had a boys night out last night with 2 of our great friends ~ one is getting married on Monday, so it was like his "bachelor party" (if you consider eating at Bonanza and being home by 10pm a party :)).  So we were on our own last night for supper and the kids requested grilled cheese sandwiches.  DS takes his with some ham add, DD has to have the classic. 

Add a side of green beans and the kids were happy.  Notice that DS has 4 beans on his plate.  This is a big serving for him and a huge deal.  He has been a picky eater since 18 months old and getting him to even allow veggies on his plate has been a struggle.  We've been thru it all with him on this issue ~ throwing fits and throwing up.  Within the last few years, he has made big improvements ~ this being one.  He actually ate all 4 last night without saying a word.  Usually he tries to negotiate his way out of eating any.  DD on the other hand could live on veggies and fruits alone.  Oh, the difference in kids!

Today it's raining and that has zapped my energy to do anything.  So instead of de-cluttering the next closet, I've been linking up with several blogs (see sidebar).  It's been fun looking thru all the link-ups.  There are so many creative people out there!  Haven't come across much prim, but have seen lots of repurposing.  Is that a sign of the economy or are we just becoming more aware of throwing things out instead of looking at them in a different way?  I did a little painting yesterday on an upcoming makeover ~ I must say it made quite a difference on the item.

Hard to believe that August comes to a close tomorrow.  Christmas will be here before we know it ~ it's already arrived at Hobby Lobby by the looks of it.  I seriously don't know why they even put the Christmas decor away there ~ it was out around here before the 4th of July even passed!

Just a reminder that there is only 2 days left to sign up for my giveaway!  Enter here and please share on your blog!

Goodwill Goodie Makeover Monday

Finally ~ I have time to post another makeover.  I had all these big plans to post one a week this summer ~ well, the pool had other plans!  The makeovers didn't happen, but a fabulous tan did :)

The kids are back into the full swing of school this week.  They started back last Tuesday, but we had scheduled early outs every day at 1:30 due to heat.  It's a nice way to work back into the schedule, especially the 6am wake-up call every morning in order to be on the bus at 7:05.  I won't be surprised if we have a few early outs this week as well ~ temps are suppose to hit the 90s by the end of the week again.  Maybe I'll be able to get some sun-time in before fall officially hits :)

Yesterday, after church, we spent the afternoon finishing up the mulch around the house.  Something that should have been done when we moved in 5 years ago, but something that didn't happen until we decided to sell.  Have you ever notice how that happens!  It's okay while you're living in it, but when it's time to sell things suddenly need sprucing up.  Oh well ~ it does look much nicer, even if we will enjoy it for a little while.  Then I started to clean up my flower bed.  Things are slowly starting to fade and I'm ready for a tidy, fall look here.  I cut back a few of the day lilies that have gone to seed and a hosta or two that the grasshoppers have gotten to as well as the sun.  It looks better although there's a few more hostas that need to be moved or at least divided, but I'll wait until it's bit cooler to do that.  We did have some good help, at least with driving the mower and cart around :)

You can tell that we've been in need of some rain ~ look at that poor grass!  If it weren't for the water grass, I wouldn't have had to mow for over a month now.  When I do mow, it's like a dust storm! 

With that project done and the kids back in school, I'm working on downsizing everything.  I don't want to be moving things we don't need or want.  Today's project has been my dresser and closet ~ too many clothes!  I have a habit of keeping things (not just clothes) just in case.  I'm trying to break that habit ~if I didn't wear it all summer, if it doesn't fit, if it doesn't match anything, etc. it's going to Goodwill.  Some one else can enjoy it.  The plan is to start with the closets and work from there ~ a little at a time until the whole house has been de-cluttered and downsized.

I'm also getting back to the treadmill ~ the summer wasn't kind to my waistline :(  The poor treadmill was neglected all summer while we had fun in the sun.  Now it's time to get back to it.  Two years ago I dropped 30 pounds, and some how a few have crept back on.  Time to take them off again.  I'm hoping that with the kids out of the house for the day, it will be much easier to stick with the walking/running routine again and not snack all day long.

Taking a break to post this makeover though.  I found these beauties a while ago and couldn't decide what colors to use on them.  Now with the upcoming move and new wall color, they have been made over and look great. 

I bet we can all remember the apple decor craze.  Isn't it funny how something catches on and then it's on everything!  Sadly, the apples are no longer :)  Come back on Friday and see what they look like now!

Is anyone reading anymore?

Just checking to see if anyone is reading my blog anymore.  I know that I have 78 followers ~ but only 6 of you have entered my giveaway :( 

REMEMBER!

Just a quick reminder that entries for my giveaway must be posted by August 31!  Be on the look-out for changes to my blog coming soon!  Enter here!

Iowa State Fair Spelling Bee

I just have to share a proud mommy moment ~ on Friday, DS competed in the 5th and 6th grade division of the Iowa State Fair Spelling Bee and placed 3rd!  A shiny trophy and new dictionary have found a place of honor on the fireplace mantle.  70 other students from across Iowa spelled their best that afternoon.

Some of you may be familiar with the national spelling bee and may have even watched when it has been televised.  The students involved with that are given a list containing every possible word for the bee.  DS was not so lucky with the state fair bee.  The words are totally random which makes studying nearly impossible.  Oh, he was provided with a sample list in the info packet but only a select few showed up during the actual bee.  I could not believe the difficult words these kids had to spell! 

We are so proud that he placed 3rd and he was happy as well.  He's already talking about next year and hoping that he can at least place 3rd if not 1st.  It will be his last chance to win as 6th grade is the last grade eligible. 

The 3rd place was great, but I think the best part of the day was watching (from the stands) him congratulate the 2nd and 1st place kids.  Must be doing something right.

Giveaway Update

I've decided to wait until the end of the month before I will draw for the winner of my giveaway.  So ~ KEEP THOSE ENTRIES COMING IN!  Please remember to share about the giveaway ~ I really would like to see a few more entries!  Check out this post to see how to enter.