Oops! I totally forgot!

As I was racing out the door last night, I realized I never did get around to updating my blog. Sorry! I probably could have squeezed it in but the sink was piled high with dishes, the couch with laundry and there were strawberries needed to be cut and put into the freezer on the kitchen counter. I was already feeling guilty for leaving when the house was in such a state. I figured updating the blog would be pushing my luck!

I would like to start doing something different on Friday's. Share some fun and fabulous finds, give a shout out to those who leave comments, do a giveaway, that sort of thing.

I don't have a ton of time to throw something together today so bear with me here...

I have this wall cling on the wall in my hallway and this one in my dining room. (From ScribbleIt) I get compliments on them all the time. Someone asked me if I painted them on my wall. Heehee!! I wish! They're so fun! I'd love to get more, but I'm holding off until we know what we're settled into something more permanent.

I have super dry skin on my upper arms that take the form of little bumps. I have a horrible habit of picking at them (they pop like a zit, super addicting to pick at) which makes it worse. I went to the dermatologist once to get a mole removed and asked him what caused the bumps. He said "it'sdryskin.here'saprescription.don'ttakeitifyou'renursingorpregnant" and he was gone with a flap of his overcoat. I was left sputtering on the exam table. So much for that prescription. Then I found Extreme Cream from Cozy Moments. After a week of using it, my bumps started going away. I need to order more of this...

Love this fabric combo!! Kaia Dress from 1crown3tiaras. Also check out her fabric shop. The owner of this shop is my mom's first cousin. She makes some darling clothes!

You all have a great weekend! I better get busy around here, I have a ton to do as usual!

I'm spoiled

and I know it! (I'll try not to be a spoiled brat though!!)


After lunch I was



while in the kitchen this was happening...

Yep! My oldest two girls, organizing cupboards to their hearts content. It's actually quite amazing that they're both doing it, usually it's just my oldest (the one with the dreaded Tupperware cupboard).

She at least organizes quietly, does it neatly and loving every minute of it. I try to give her one organizing job a week because it's totally her "thing". She'll sometimes ask if she can organize, clean or bake something for me. (Told you I'm spoiled!)

Her sister (the one with her head in the pantry) dishes out "abuse" while she rummages thru her assigned cupboard.

"Seriously Mom, we have enough paper plates. You don't have to buy any more!"

"Looks like we have wild rice so you don't have to get any." (thanks, I just picked that up at City Market yesterday since soup is on the menu for the week. I may be scatterbrained, but not that much.)

"Ugh! Isn't this box of crackers nasty by now? It's been sitting in here, like, forever!"

"Check this out! Moldy bread! Disgusting!" (shrieking loud enough for the entire neighborhood to hear)

This girl isn't into cleaning much, spewing complaints the entire time she's doing her jobs. Hand her a baby to bounce and she's as happy as a clam. Fine by me, but I still make her do her daily chores. (I'm such a mean mom!)

I've got it made in the shade. I have a cleaner and a baby lover. What more could a person want? :)

I'm not complainin'

I'm just sayin'...this summer break thing is throwing me for a loop. I feel like I can't get anything accomplished. The day flies by and before I know it it's bedtime. Sheesh. It's amazing how adding a few more kids to the mix can make life easier in some ways yet harder in others. I know I'll adjust to the new routine, it's just taking me a week or so.

So far this week (a full two days into it ;)! ), I've found myself in one of those "funks", uninspired, lazy, just plain blah. Last night after dinner, I came into my office to work on some magnets. No designs jumped out at me as I was looking thru my supplies. Next I pulled out my fabric. Same thing, nothing exciting there. Blech. (Seriously, as if. I have a ton of fun, cool fabric. I did end up making three blankets last night.)

I think my problem is that I put myself on a self imposed supplies buying freeze until I use up some of what I have. I've been doing great sticking to it, until this week. I need some fresh inspiration around this place.

So, you know what I did? Yehaw!! Etsy, here I come!! I was browsing for fat quarter bundles and came across this designer. Drool factor of 9.5!!! Four clicks later and it's all mine! So much for my buying freeze!

It's amazing how now I have a whole new outlook on life. I did my workout with new gusto, I can't wait to dig into my supplies and whip out some magnets and light switch covers, I'm going to throw on my tennies and whirl around the house for an hour cleaning like a mad-woman...

It's kind of sad in a way when you really think about it, isn't it? I mean, as if a person has to spend a little bit of money (a whole $12 plus shipping in this case) to have new inspiration! But I did and I don't feel the least bit guilty!

I think it's a trait I get from my mother! (heehee! Love you Mom!)

I'm considering it my workout for the day.

On Saturday morning Hubby announced he wanted us to go check out some land/houses that are for sale in our area. He first took us to a piece of land up a curvy dirt road. We had already talked about this chunk of land and I crossed it off my list without seeing it first. The reason...It was only accessible in the Spring via 4WD. Too sketchy for me. He kept driving right past it saying there was another road/sign he wanted to check out. We started heading out into the middle of nowhere.


Soon I see the sign that reads "Road not recommended for 2WD vehicles or trailers." Oh great. Immediately my whole body instantly tensed as I began my protest.


Hubby was wondering why I was having such a hairy canary. I told him, as I'm white-knuckling the arm handle, "I'm a Minnesota Girl and I'm not used to such sketchy roads. Most roads we travel on like this are paved and have guardrails." I'm actually quite surprised at myself how nervous I was. I didn't think I was like that. The road was gravel, wide enough for a car and a half, the weather was clear and no one else was on the road. Ideal conditions for a drive like this. I really had no reason to be nervous. I tried to relax and enjoy the scenery, not only for my sake but for the sake of the kids. They were starting to get nervous as I continued my hooting. I settled for not-so-silent gasps instead of all-out yelps.We were on our working way up to the top of this plateau. You can't really see the road in this picture very well but it criss crosses up. There is also a bike trail up to the top. There were lush meadows, pine tress and unbelievably gorgeous views!Our trusty "Extra Large Yukon" (as our kids call it) made it to the top in fine form.



We all got out and ran around for a bit. We could see the clouds starting to roll in and didn't want to be caught on top in ishy weather, so we didn't stick around for very long. We slowly made our way down,

passing a huge flock of sheep at the bottom.

I did have to admit that it wasn't so bad after all, it could actually be enjoyable and I would like to go up there again sometime. I'm going to have to toughen up if we're going to live down here. Drives like that are usually worth it, you can see so much more from way high up.

I counted it as my workout for the day...Toning since every single muscle was tense the entire way up and cardio because my heart kept racing then lurching then racing then lurching (interval training).