What to do with a snow day!?

So what to do with a Snow Day? Too cold to go out, to slippery to drive, to pretty not to look outside....so, it's organization day!! Yesterday I went to the library, got a few books on organization (yes, I need help...like I said I have a very TINY house, so every little space matters....and I need to learn how to make the best of each inch.) I also bought some organizing bins, which everything I read in the book said to not buy the bins before you have a plan...oops...fail number one! Coffee: ready! Chocolate: ready! Labeler: freshly labeled! My goals for today: get my son's dresser situation under control....and get a plan for his toys. Currently, they are in a huge pile in two bins. His room is so small, we got rid of some toys, but he still has quite a bit with books and games. So, here goes nothing! My other goal for the day is to make a family management binder. I found a few sites here and here that I'm using as inspiration...I'm glad that I have enough coffee to get me through today!!



Honestly though, I'm so excited to finally get around to doing this. This definitely fits my personality, I don't do well in a cluttered environment. I need to have organization and routines, it's just the way I am...so, I'm excited to finally be making time to do this.



Cheers...I'll update my progress later!!

cooking adventures

So, I'm not a cook. Never have been...probably never will be....but I have decided to try. I love crafting, I love making things, and it seems logical to think that cooking is the ultimate craft, right?? But, blech...I hate it. None the less, I'm trying, starting small, with basics. Before my "specialty" was chili, seriously, it was the only thing I could really make that I would be proud to share with anyone. So, here are a few pics of what I have tried so far...nothing special...but it was edible, so that was a plus!

This was my attempt at meatloaf. Last December, my husband shot his first deer, so thankfully, we have a freezer full of venison! It wasn't much to look at but it was tasty, and Jonathan said it was the best meal he's ever eaten!

Last night I made Taco Casserole and Mexican Salad. The casserole was crunched tortilla chips, layered with venison and chili beans, sour cream, green onions, cilantro, black olives, tomatoes and cheese. It was very good, next time, I think I'll add jalepenos. The Mexican Salad was nothing special, just salad, with a can of drained black beans, pinto beans, tomatoes, onions, tortilla chips and cheese, topped with Catalina dressing. It was good!

Like I said, it was nothing special, but I'm working at it, we were fed well, and that's all that matters...baby steps, right??

Organization

This year I am going to try to be more organized. I used to be one of those extremely type a personality people, with my color coordinated labels, binders, schedules...etc. etc. I am just not that person anymore, but I am striving to be. Why is it so difficult now?? We live in an extremely small house, I mean...S.M.A.L.L. We are staying here until we decide where we are going to go. Jobs still aren't available here, and to be honest, we just really don't like this area. So, with that said, I'm trying to make the best of a small situation. This house really gets out of control if I let it go for even one day it's unbearable. My goals in the next month, to make a place for everything, to get an envelope/binder for our bills and finances and to get rid of the clutter. Oh geez, I'm excited! I better get new batteries in my lable maker!! And I'm thinking maybe a holster for it too...

Lame-O...I Know...

Ok, let's just forget the past few months have happened....I said I was going to start blogging again, and I lied. But this time it's for real. So, if you're interested, you can head over HERE to find out what has been going on...but as for me, I'm going to continue this blog, and just forget about the past...buahahahahaha!!! Are you ready?? Oh yeah.....blog is back.

Oh GEEZ

I love how over two months ago, I said I was back....and then I never actually started blogging again.

Honestly, the past year has been absolutely NUTSO!

So, in quick bullet points:

-We moved here exactly 1 year ago!
-My husband lost his job. :(
-Husband found a job (not his first choice, but it pays our bills)
-Jonathan started preschool...

and OH YEAH:


I'M PREGNANT!!


That totally wasn't part of "our" plan, but I'm realizing, our plans mean nothing! So, we are learning to just roll with the punches! I am 27 weeks along, and we are having a boy due around January 14th. His name is Daegen Rhys, so we are busy preparing for our new addition!

I still haven't found a teaching position, but again, God knows best, because there would have been NO WAY I could have worked with the way I have been so sick. Just as with my last pregnancy, I have been pretty sick daily, which has been frustrating, because I can't do anything! I haven't been able to do any cleaning, crafting, anything...except lay on the couch or in bed. My sweet husband has been so amazing, and I thank God so much for him.

All that to say, I'm feeling a bit better, and I really want to get back on the blog-waggon...I've missed reading some blogs, I feel very behind on everything!

Warning...

After a LONG blogging hiatus...

I'm BAAAA-AAAACK!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Home Sweet Home

Well, it isn't much, but it's home to us. Again, the pic was taken with my phone....We have been busy getting our things out of storage, and getting settled...so, not much time for blogging. We actually don't have internet access yet.....so, I may have to wait until after Christmas to catch up on my favorite blogs!

If I'm not back before then...MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!

Traditions!!

Every Christmas morning growing up, my family always ate orange rolls. I don't know why, we just did. On Christmas Eve, we always went to the Chinese Buffet....sounds a little like "The Christmas Story" if you ask me! "Honey, that duck is staring at me..." The picture illustrates a tradition, that is more of a family joke...I always make the Green Bean Casserole....always....

Since my husband and I are recently remarried, we are trying to come up with some great family traditions we can have through the holidays that our children will love and always remember...

So, what are some of your family's favorite traditions?

Thanksgiving Scraps

Ok, again...NOT the best photos, someday I will actually take the time to take a good photo. Well, seeing how this week is Thanksgiving, I thought I'd write a bit about some things on my mind, and share this layout I created. When we lived in Barbourville (for three months...stick with me, I know I lead somewhat of a gypsy life) I turned one of the unused Sunday School rooms at the church into a scrapbook room for myself. Selfish, I know..BUT I didn't want to waste such a great space. I made a few layouts that I thought (somewhere in the back of my brain) that I would sell in my etsy shop (no, I'm not posting the link because it's not open right now!) once I got it re-opened.

Well, I truly do have a lot to be grateful for. Sure, life isn't exactly as we had planned it. Absolutely NOTHING has worked out since we've left Phoenix. But, my family has been provided for, we've had a roof over our heads and food to eat. On top of that, we've had some great quality time together as a family. I don't know what's in store for us, but I know who is in control...and thank goodness it ain't me!

We now have temporary jobs (I say temporary, because neither job is something we would like to be doing long term...but we are so thankful to have them!) We found a house that we will be moving into next week (No more living in a camper...can I get a Woot-Woot?!?!) And, our marriage is still great, even after this rough couple of months of transitioning and feeling at times like we were not only wandering through the desert, but stranded in it as well.

I'm so excited and so thankful.

I wanted to post the layout, because it made me think of my friend Beth. We met when I was in high school, and she was a college student. We were both working at the movie theater in our town. We hit it off right from the start, and even though I haven't seen her in over 10 years, we still remain close. I kind of attribute my love of paper crafting to her. Once, I got this strange idea to make a from of a scrapbook out of an old book (now scrappers would refer to this as an "altered book" I was way ahead of my time, and didn't even know it.) I had pictures glued in, and quotes that I liked (this was all before the whole "acid/lignin free" revolution.) Anyway, one day I took the book in to work, and when Beth saw it she said "Erin, what are you thinking? You can't do that to a book! It's destroying LITERATURE!!" But, after she looked through it, she told me she thought it was a really neat idea, which made me feel real good, and if someone else appreciated my work, then maybe it would be worthwhile to share with others. I have been making cards and scrapbooks for people ever since.

I still have that book somewhere...maybe in storage? We'll see next week, when we finally get to unpack our things!!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone!