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.

75 Followers Giveaway!

Finally ~ I have some time to post up the details of the giveaway.  Since this is my first one, I'm going to keep it really simple.  To enter leave a comment (on this post) about your favorite Goodwill Goodie makeover featured on my blog ~ new followers are welcome to enter, the more the merrier!  For a bonus entry, share a post or photo about the giveaway with link to my blog on your blog ~ let me know if you do so I can get you entered twice.

I need to do some checking on shipping rates, so it may be limited to residents of the United States.  By chance, does anyone know how much more shipping to anywhere outside the U.S. costs?  I'm planning on researching it tomorrow and will let everyone know if I'm going to have to limit it.

Are you interested in what I'm giving away?  Everything included is a Goodwill Goodie!  Here you go ~

The shelf is a Goodwill Goodie makeover of mine ~ the house, star, candle tray are just goodies.  The candle is battery operated ~ oops!  that's a clearance find at Dollar General, but at $.50 a goodie as well!

Be sure to share for that extra entry!!

Goodwill Goodie Makeover Monday

Due to some technical difficulties (I'm blaming this hot, hot weather we've been having), I was unable to get the Finish Friday post up or the giveaway post up.  It looks like everything is cooperating today.  Instead of a project ready for a makeover, I'll share last week's finished project.  If you remember it was the nice, round piece of wood that I just know everyone was envying ~ LOL!

Here's the finished makeover ~

I'm sooo happy with how it turned out.  This weekend I was in one of my favorite prim stores and there was a plate similar to this for $25!  Mine cost nothing near that ~ in fact I think I paid $1 for the plate!

Here's the display ~

Notice the courting candle holder ~ Goodwill find for $.50!  I did purchase the Scentsy warmer new ~ I just had to have it.

I've got the giveaway package narrowed down, now I just have to take the time and get the post ready.  Keep watching for the details, I'm hoping that everything continues to work today and that I have time to get it all posted!