Hell Week: Day 1

Hell Week is the first week of cutting out something you are used to and starting withdrawl symptoms, fighting cravings, and trying to trudge through all the other obstacles that try to keep you from your goal.

Well I've already messed up. In my defense though I had made the decision to start Hell Week today after my first and 2nd cigarette of the day. So now I've made the decision and here we go.
While figuring up budgets yesterday we realized that between hubby & I we are spending about 300 bucks a month in cigarettes. We can't do this anymore. In an attempt to get us to quit, my mother made us a deal. If we quit for 30 days, no cheating at all, she will give us each 100 bucks. So lets see...save 300 bucks a month plus be able to breathe better, taste things we havent tasted fully in 15 years almost plus 100 bucks on top of that. Yeah thats a deal I can't pass up. I dont know if B has decided to do it yet or not but I am. We are not allowed to smoke in the house anymore. I want the stale cigarette smell out of here, for good. I figured blogging about it would hold me more accountable and actually get this done this time. Instead of quitting for a few days and going right back.

Let's see how this goes....

Beauty Of Fall

Since its Sunday I don't have much time to post so I thought this day would be perfect to show a little something. Earlier this week I took the girls out and took pictures of them in the leaves in the backyard. Since Im a scrapbooker just the pictures wasnt enough. I only have one to show today (I'll show the others at another time) this is by far my favorite picture. I just absolutely love it. So heres the layout I did with the picture this week.
Do you have a favorite picture? Or just a great pic you too this week? Lets see. Link me up in the comments.


Kit: Autumn Afternoon Digital Scrapbooking Kit by: Karen Lewis Designz
as a Creative Team member for Daydreamer Design Works I have recieved this kit for free in exchange for layout promotion

Notables

Each week Im going to search and find some really neat sites or add ons or whatever else I happen to run across. Content will vary but they will all be worth viewing. So grab your coffee and whatever else you need to relax and surf for a bit!

This weeks notable places are:

Thanksgiving Countdown: For those of us in the States Thanksgiving is coming way too quickly. I found this checklist (which some isnt going to work now since we are so close but some will) So you arent going to freak out over all the preparations the day before.

ShutterCal: This is perfect for people who are interested in the Project 365. Upload your pictures daily, put them in this nifty calendar and you can later print them out. Order your little shoe box and its custom made to hold a years worth of pictures. Pictures come with dates, captions & with or without borders. Definitely a must for any photo enthusiast.

Feedly: An add on for firefox. This add on turns your favorite sites into a magazine like view. It includes your blog feeds. The best part about this it loads a tiny toolbar on the side of your screen that allows you to instantly share a website with your friends on facebook, your followers on twitter, sharing on google reader, save in google reader, or emailing. This is definitely a must for anyone who uses any of these things.

Kaboodle: While this isnt something new for me and maybe some of you, this site has now captured me. You will need to register (dont worry its free). You can download the toolbar (it puts a K beside your Homepage Button at the top of your browser). Any website you go to for shopping you can right click and choose "Save To Kaboodle" it automatically takes you to their site which you can fill in details for that product. Including how high it is on your priority list, which "wishlist" you want it to be added into and so forth. After submitting it will take you right back to the original site you were on. Pure perfection. It also includes a weekly grocery shopping list! Another must have.

Love

I know Im not such a great blogger. But my friend Angel is inspiring me to get started and keep going. So here Im attempting it again. I have something special for this post.


Today is To Write Love On Her Arms Day.
(taken from their facebook)
"To Write Love on Her Arms is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery.
To Write Love On Her Arms Day is a day where anyone can write the words love on their arms, to support those who are fighting against depression and those who are trying to recovering. On this day, just write love on your arms, and show it off, other people will ask why you have love written on your arms, and you tell them you are supporting to write love on her arms day, and how its benefiting a non profit organization helping stop depression, and make love the movement"

Angel posted some statistics in her post HERE. Ive decided to post warning signs of Depression. If you or anyone you know is suffering please get to a doctor. It's not something to be ashamed of. So many of us are suffering or have suffered. Take it from someone who knows. Those cold dark places you find yourself in constantly isn't all there is.

WARNING SIGNS:
Changes in Activity or Energy Level

* Decreased energy
* Fatigue
* Lethargy
* Diminished activity
* Insomnia or hypersomnia
* Loss of interest in pleasurable activities
* Social withdrawal

Physical Changes Caused by Depression

* Unexplained aches and pains
* Weight loss or gain
* Decreased or increased appetite
* Psychomotor agitation or retardation

Emotional Pain of Depression

* Prolonged sadness
* Unexplained, uncontrollable crying
* Feelings of guilt
* Feelings of worthlessness
* Loss of self-esteem
* Despair
* Hopelessness
* Helplessness

Difficult Moods Associated with Depression

* Irritability
* Anger
* Worry/anxiety
* Pessimism
* Indifference
* Self-critical

Changes in Thought Patterns due to Depression

* Inability to concentrate
* Indecision
* Memory problems
* Disorganized

Preoccupation with Death

* Thoughts of death
* Suicidal ideation
* Feeling dead or detached


At my house we are showing our support. I even got my kids participating. I explained to my 7 year old that its to support people who are having a difficult time and who are suffering quietly so she was all for it. After doing her arm my 3 year old had to do it just because everyone else did lol (Pictures to come later of that) But here is mine:



Now write it, snap it & upload it!!!

Music

Like most people Im so addicted to music, for every mood, every emotion, every thought I can always find a song to portray it for me. So Im going to start featuring a song here, video whatever I can find. This one is becoming pretty popular and Ive loved it since the first time I heard it. Theres not much I can say about this one, it speaks for itself...


(Angels On The Moon - Thriving Ivory)

Get Creative

Recently I have become addicted to a show on DIY network called Creative Juice. So today Im showing you a craft project they did, its for an indoor water fountain! I just love these things. You can find the complete instructions and a video showing how its done. Pretty quick and simple but very nice!
Have fun creating your new fountain!

Bit of Motivation

I dont have much prepared for today. Im already proving to be a slacker. Things are still crazy busy. I have decided that each day I will be picking out a quote to post even if I dont have a full post planned. So without further ado:


People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking that they can do things. When they believe in themselves they have the first secret of success.
-Norman Vincent Peale

A Time For Change

No, this post isnt going to be political. I promise. I know Ive been neglecting the blog lately and I apologize. Im determined to keep it going this time around. I want to start off on the right foot and in doing so Im going to be sharing with you. Things I dont normally share with anyone. Im doing this in hopes of maybe helping someone out there and maybe keeping myself motivated.
Almost every single year on January 1st we all make resolutions that we usually break in the first weeks. This year its going to be different. How? We're not doing resolutions this year. We're making goals. Multiple short term goals to reach a larger long term goal. My goal this year is to get myself on the right track. My main goal is weight control.
As I was talking to a dear friend of mine the other day I shared things with her that I have never shared with anyone else. Until now. Im going to share that with you in hopes that someone out there who might happen to read this can relate (not that I would wish this on anyone) but in being able to relate they can get some inspiration out of it.
Im not a small person. Im not even medium. I dont think mcdonalds even serves anything in my size! All joking aside though, I have come to see myself as others see me. Not for what qualities I have or what I could possibly have to offer people. Im not invisible. Far the opposite. People dont see me for me, they see me as the fat chick that should be ashamed to leave home. Sure enough, its true. I hate being stuck at home, but at the same time I am ashamed to go outside. I usually go through everything in my closet before deciding on something that makes me feel like I can blend into the crowd.
A while back I found myself in a thrift shop. I was looking for things I could use my crafty ideas on for our new home we had just bought. I have a serious addiction to books. I came across a massive selection of books so I had to stop and see what all was there. I had found a whole arm load of books and found myself squating almost sitting on the floor to look through the bottom shelves. I was in my own little word, I honestly cant remember having a care in the world at that particular point. Just as quickly as it started, it ended. Behind me I heard a couple teenage girls whispering and laughing. I dont know what they were whispering about but a sense of embarassment and shame took over me. I felt like they were whispering about me. Laughing at me. I quickly got up, gathered up my books and headed for the register. I quickly checked out and left the store.
Last December, I found myself needing an outfit desperately in very very short notice. I had a wedding I needed to attend later that afternoon. I checked multiple shops and made a last stop at Wal-Mart. Blaine was with me and trying to help me find something quickly so we could get back and get ready. Not a single store had anything in my size. I got so frustrated that I found my eyes filling with tears. I tried my best to hide it as I passed people coming into the store as I was leaving, empty handed.
Ive been rejected, laughed at, whispered about and disregarded so much I am now doing it to myself. I find myself at times ashamed for my own husband to see any part of me. No matter how much he tells me he loves me or that Im perfect just the way I am or any other compliment, I cant take it. I dont see it. I dont believe it. Im tired. Im tired of being so down on myself and Im tired of being a joke to everyone. Tired of everyone telling me Im bigger than they are. Giving me things because they have lost weight and it no longer fits, so lets give it to the fat chick!
As I was talking to my friend and telling her these things, she had one thing to say that truly stuck out to me, more so than anything else. "Do something about it". So I'm doing it. Starting now. And I hope that as I write you will find that if you are in this position too, you will know you arent alone. That you can do this. We'll do it together.
So if you want to get healthy, make the call to your doctor and get a checkup. Talk with your doctor about starting a routine for lifestyle changes. This isnt a diet so dont think of it as such.

There are many other things to come to this blog as well, so there will be something for everyone, I hope, if anyone ever comes across it to read! lol and just for the record, Kelly...thank you!

Rednecks & Beer

There just isnt words to describe this! I dont know whether to laugh or hang my head in shame! Aint no wonder people call us rednecks!

Mommy Meals

If you are anything like me you love something quick and simple, yet good! So Im going to start doing these Mommy Meal recipe posts. A lot of these will be things Ive found online or in my books but mostly things Ive just whipped together last minute.
On another note, most all recipes you find in these posts will not have exact measurements so add what you think you would like based on each ingredient.

Spicy Italian BBQ (Chops)
- pack of boneless porkchops
- Honey BBQ Sauce
- Soy Sauce
- Spices: Crushed Red Pepper, Soul Seasoning, Garlic/Salt/Pepper, Chicken & Rib Rub,
Italian Seasoning, Onion Powder
- OPTIONAL: onions, green peppers, tomatoes

Put all your chops in a large baking dish. Cover each one with the honey bbq sauce. Add enough water to the pan to just barely cover the chops. Add about 1-1.5 tsp of soy sauce. Layer all your spices (about half to 1 tsp each). Cook at 400 degrees for about 1 hour if frozen. 400 degrees for about 30 minutes if thawed

We are serving the Spicy Italian BBQ with baked potatoes and parmesan noodles from Pasta-Roni just follow directions on the box.

Bathrooms

I know Im so far behind. Things have been sneaking up on me. Anyway, Im back and ready to do the assessments for our bathroom area.

Bathroom:
The most dreaded task that we face in our bathrooms are our medicine cabinets and "extras". So we will start with those. In our medicine cabinets we all have stuff thats gotten pushed to the back or has otherwise left our memories thinking we didnt have. The best way to handle this is to take everything out of the medicine cabinet and start fresh. Since its completely empty clean the shelves. Now we're going to start putting things back. You want to toss out anything you no longer use, anything that has no label and check ALL the expiration dates on the boxes or bottles. Now you want to start putting the most commonly used items (pain medicines, daily prescriptions, etc) on a particular shelf (whichever suits you and your family best). Make sure all the labels are facing you so its easy to find what you need. Add bandages and first aid items to another shelf. If you have room add some of the things you dont use as often. Most medicine cabinets come with a 3rd shelf so all the seasonal items (cold medicines, seasonal allergy medicines, etc) should go onto this shelf.

Now for the "extras" we all have them. Find a great deal on shampoos & conditioners. The extra shaving cream we picked up because we thought we were out. You get the idea. Before we start digging into this stash we need to work on the bathtub. Check all the cans & bottles and other things you store there for easy access. If its empty toss it. If theres just a little bit left in a bottle can you combine it with another bottle? (i.e. scented shampoo matched to the same brand/scent in another bottle). Check all razors and if the blades are rusted or no longer usable, toss it. Now you have room for the stuff you actually need in there, so we can get to the stash under the sink or in the closet.
Once again, take everything out. We're only going to put back what we need and know we will use. First pick all the things you dont like or wont use and set them aside. Go through the rest of them and start putting the things back you want to keep. Keep all shampoos together (again with all labels facing you when you open the door), keep all shaving items together, and so forth.
Make a list of the things you have found you are completely out of, pack up the stuff you set aside and ask a neighbor or someone close to you if they can use it.

Now the hard part is out of the way and it wasnt as bad as you thought it was going to be. The rest is in your hands.

De-Cluttering

Im sure you've heard the old saying "You have to spend money to make money". Well in ways its true for saving money too.
My family, all of us, is horrible about just buying the cheapest thing to get us by. We keep the train of thought "it will do for now". Really it doesn't though. It usually causes more problems than we had originally. And now we are out the money for the "cheap/quick fix" and still have to shell out for the right product to fix the problem.
Where Im going with this is there are tons of ways to save yourself money already in your home. Its the thought process that you have to re-evaluate. Sure some things you are going to need/want to buy. Myself I'm trying to go with the new motto "If it cant be used but for one thing I don't need it". This is a very hard concept for me as Im a packrat through and through. If its cute I want it, if its shiny I want it, if I dont know what it is I want it. Okay Im not really THAT bad. But the basic meaning, I hold onto too much junk.
We are having a 4 family yard sale the first weekend in August. Why August? This was my mothers brilliant reasoning. School starts back on August 7th where I live. We have all kinds of clothes that we are putting into the sale. People who have found themselves in a rut and not able to afford all brand spanking new clothes this fall for their kids will be hunting for bargains. And the kind person I am I am going to offer them more bargain than they imagined!
Now we come to the part where we have to decide what goes and what stays. If you are like me and hold onto lots of things this is going to be very difficult for you. We have to assess what we have, what we need and what is just in the way. We're not going to jump in and do it all at once. Baby steps for those of us who cry over throwing away dryer lint!
since I have an average of 5 weeks, we are going to do this in 5 weeks. 1 task per week. The tasks arent going to be very easy but they will be efficient and I promise you, you will see a big difference in your home, your ability to find things, and your mood. So lets get started...

Week 1: Bedrooms
Week 2: Bathrooms & Laundry Room
Week 3: Kitchen/Home Office
Week 4: Living Quarters
Week 5: Garage & Other

To start with your bedroom, pick out your most dreaded task. For me its clothing. I hate going through and trying on clothes. It makes me feel horrible to see the things that fit last week I cant get above my knees this week. I am determined. I know I have barely anything to wear and people I run into more than a couple times a week are beginning to wonder "is that the only outfit she has to wear OMG!" Almost yes. but at least its clean!

My assessment:
I know what I want and what I dont want. I am only 25 years old I should not be wearing the same styles and patterns as my grandmother is today.
I LOVE baggy t-shirts for my comfy days and the snug fitting jeans. This is what I keep. I have worn gray and black for the past 3 years. Im sick of it. All gray and black shirts must go with the exception of my 2 Ryan Newman shirts!
I LOVE those same jeans with my "date" shirts. I only have 3 or 4 of these, I will keep.
Shorts, Skirts and other: I hate shorts/capris/pants that do not zip and button. In other words anything with elastic must go. Ok I'll keep 1 pair for lounging around in. All others must go. I do not wear skirts, Im by no means a girly girl and if I can wear jeans thats what Im wearing! all skirts must go. Other: for me would be shoes. I have 2 pairs of sneakers, one good pair for wearing when I leave the house, 1 pair for mowing the lawn and general housework. These both stay until I get another suitable pair. I have 1 pair of lace up boots. I wear these on my date nights, they stay. I have 1 pair of outdated sandals and 2 pairs of crocs. One pair of crocs stay, other pair and sandals must go.

KEEP:
shorts/capris/pants that fit and that button & zip
dress shirts (3-4 total)
Shoes: 2 pairs sneakers, 1 pair crocs, boots
Select few t-shirts

GOES:
shorts/pants/capris with elastic
black & gray t-shirts
shirts I havent worn in 2 weeks
sandals & 1 pair crocs


Now we have a basic starting point and a list of what we are keeping and what we are not keeping. The remainder of the room should be pretty easy to get through once the daunting task of the clothes has been taken care of. Now its in your hands.

PLEASE DO NOT put these clothes in the trash! If you dont have a local goodwill or salvation army store/drop off, call your local fire department, local churches. They usually take donations for people who have lost their belongings to natural disasters or for the homeless. It would truly make someones day to get them that needed them.

For the Kids

Its been a while since Ive written. Just had too much going on lately. I am hoping to get back into the daily posting of something. But to make up for the lack of posts I have some extra stuff for you for today.
I've been talking to my good friend Heather, who is doing all kinds of neat stuff with her kiddos this summer. Shes got some great ideas and if she allows me permission I will be back to edit this post with a link to her blog. Since it features pics of her kids I wont do so until she gives the ok!
Shes inspiring me in so many ways and this area is one of them. So Ive been doing some hunting and found a whole bunch of neat things for you to do with your little ones!

The Idea Box
Begin your new "Boredom Cure" with a tissue or shoe box. Which of course, has been decorated by your little one. When you come across an idea that strikes your fancy, write it on a slip of paper and place it in the box. Send them running to the idea box when they say they are bored.

Windsock
Home Planetarium
Card Creatures
7 Backyard Activities
Get Dirty Activities
Summer Movies for Rainy Days
Word Searches, Coloring Pages, Travel Games
Summer Books
Game Night Suggestions
Indoor Boredom Busters (whole list)
Garden Stones
Chinese Fan
Flip Flops
Bottle Cap Ladybug
Princess Castle
Photo Coasters
Recycled Notepads
CD Case Photo Frame
Collage Cards
Bird Feeders

I will have more lists as time allows! now write these down, print them out, bookmark them and go get started!

This Should Brighten Your Day

Todays post is all thanks to my DH! Him and his buddy have been all over youtube tonight and came across these videos. I couldnt help but to share with you!

Give Her the Ol' One Two

While debating on what to post about today I found a video that I wanted to share. So thats my post for today. I dont know the whole story here and by the looks of this video I dont even want to. All I can say is Im glad they were both charged. I believe that the student should be expelled from school and if her last year, revoke her graduation privileges. I also think that the teacher should be handed walking papers. No matter who was initially at fault they were both throwing punches and its totally uncalled for by any means. Even though I do believe that the teacher had a right to defend herself.
What are your thoughts? What if it was your kid? What if you were the teacher?

What to Expect

Basically the truth is you dont know what to expect. If you keep that mindset you wont be disappointed. However the reasoning in starting this blog is to connect women of all communities, all walks of life. I will be covering many topics from news stories to my kids and products I particularly like or dislike to hobbies. Theres bound to be something here to suit everyone. The plan is to talk about something every day.
So add me to your bookmarks and keep checking back as I get the ball rolling. If you have a blog add me to your blog roll! Comments will be open to all so you can post your opinions on the days topic or suggestions for another topic. However lets act like ladies here and be respectful of everyone!
Thanks!