This morning I woke up early again and GOT UP! :) I decided to finish mopping our tile in the Scrapbook Nook and the Living Room. Normally I wouldn't have been too satisfied and excited to touch it. This morning, however, was rather refreshing and serene. As I mopped and thought, it felt invigorating. I completely detest, with a passion I might add, cleaning. I can't stand it. But it has felt good to have tackled it head on.
Last night I ventured to a new dollar store on my way home from work. I must admit that I was in love!!! I don't typically go into dollar stores anymore. When the first came out, I was a fanatic. I would want to go to the dollar store to see what they had. It was exciting. You could get so many things for a dollar. How much better could life be? Then I came to the realization that a lot of the stuff was junk and cheapo. Some things, however, were worth going there to shop for. Unless I go for a specific item, I don't really go there just to browse.
I found myself excitedly walking through the aisles of this dollar store with eager anticipation. I found some awesome finds. However, I soon realized it wasn't a "dollar store" as you would think. It was soon discovered that this store was a "dollar AND UP" store. Instead of things being a dollar, they were about $1.39 plus tax for the cheaper items.
Still I was soon consumed with such excitement in finding some gorgeous flower, beaded and feathered hair things for my daughter in all different colors. I couldn't resist buying a few. They were so cute. I am so excited to put them in her hair on Sundays for church. When I showed them to her at home, her face completely lit up and she was smiling from ear to ear. I also decided, on a complete whim, to buy me a ring. It might seem to be some cheapo piece of crap to someone else, but I love it. It is silver. It was $1.29 plus tax. That $1.29 is worth the happiness I feel today. :)
What do you think? What are your favorite dollar stores? What are your favorite finds at dollar stores?
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
A Refreshing Morning
This morning I actually woke up and GOT UP on time. Actually earlier than usual. Most mornings are spent rushing to get ready because I just couldn't manage to get up. Getting myself and two young ones ready when I didn't want to get out of bed, just doesn't make for a great morning. Trying to urge them to get up and get ready when they just want to stay in bed results in me raising my voice. I bang things. I yell. I scream. I turn lights on. I turn music or tv on really loudly. I do anything to get them up. Needless to say, not such a great way to start the day.
Today was different. I got up and got ready right away. I urged the kids to get up without yelling. No, they didn't want to get up right away, but they did get up. I ended up having half an hour left til we had to leave and we were all ready to go. I decided to do something I would NEVER choose to do. I chose to do dishes. Remember if you will, our dishwasher is broken. As a result, dishes are washed by hand. A cleaned the sink and got it ready for a load. I usually cringe at the thought of dishes. I actually enjoyed it, believe it or not. Don't ask me why, but it was a great feeling. All the dishes are out air drying.
As I drove away, I feeled so happy and calm. I am sure some of you are thinking I must be crazy today. hahaha But it really felt so incredible. I have three cookie sheets soaking and will tackle them when I am home. I also have a box of dishes in the garage that I am going to wash and most likely give away. We shall see what the evening brings.
Today was different. I got up and got ready right away. I urged the kids to get up without yelling. No, they didn't want to get up right away, but they did get up. I ended up having half an hour left til we had to leave and we were all ready to go. I decided to do something I would NEVER choose to do. I chose to do dishes. Remember if you will, our dishwasher is broken. As a result, dishes are washed by hand. A cleaned the sink and got it ready for a load. I usually cringe at the thought of dishes. I actually enjoyed it, believe it or not. Don't ask me why, but it was a great feeling. All the dishes are out air drying.
As I drove away, I feeled so happy and calm. I am sure some of you are thinking I must be crazy today. hahaha But it really felt so incredible. I have three cookie sheets soaking and will tackle them when I am home. I also have a box of dishes in the garage that I am going to wash and most likely give away. We shall see what the evening brings.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Movie Giveaway
One Momma Saving Money is having a giveaway! As most of you know, we love watching movies together. My kids and I curl up together with a thick, warm blanket and enjoy watching a good movie on the couch. I would love to win this. Check out her blog. http://onemommasavingmoney.blogspot.com/2011/01/family-movie-night-is-back-giveaway.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FxcZwO+%28One+Momma+Saving+Money%29
I personally follow her blog and am always excited when she posts. Check her out. Good luck.
I personally follow her blog and am always excited when she posts. Check her out. Good luck.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
In My Next 25 Years
I just realized that I will be 25 in about a month! I am getting so old. I look around noticing how blessed I have been in my first 25 years of life (well ALMOST 25 years for me ;) ). I wont look in the past thinking of mistakes I have made or things I would have changed, because all the choices I have made have made me who I am. I wouldn't be ME without my past though.
In 25 years from now, I hope I look back and am happy with where I am. In 25 years I will be 50. That sounds sooooooooo OLD! That Tim McGraw song runs through my head in my next ___ years.
In my next 25 years, I hope for many changes in my life.
In 25 years from now, I hope I look back and am happy with where I am. In 25 years I will be 50. That sounds sooooooooo OLD! That Tim McGraw song runs through my head in my next ___ years.
In my next 25 years, I hope for many changes in my life.
- I hope to be happily married to Mr. Right. :) Let's hope at least.
- I hope to be a stay at home mommy. Maybe having grandbabies by then. Who knows.
- I hope to be happy and content.
- I hope to be healthy.
- I hope to have many friends
- I hope I will still be close to my family.
- Above all things, I hope my kids are happy and well. That is what I live for. THEM.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
A New Year, A New Me
I would be lying if I said that 2010 has been a good year for me. At the beginning of the year, I was let go from my job due to "reduction in force". I had my sister renting a room from me and worked the figures out with how much I would be getting for unemployment and figured that we could make it. She was paying part of utilities, groceries and her share of rent. Deep down I thought it would be kind of fun to get a chance to stay home with my kids. However, those 6 months were so stressful for me. I was so beyond sad and depressed. I would spend hours upon hours sending my resume all over the place, including other states. A draw back to losing my job was I didn't really know myself. You see at the time, my work was my identity. Everyone knew me from that company and the crazy hours I would work. Heck, I knew me from that job. I didn't know me without my job. I didn't really know my kids as much as I thought I did. It took a lot of adjusting. I was used to going to sleep early and waking up really early. I fell out of that habit. I would stay up sending my resume around, online and just mindlessly watching movies upon movies.
On June 15th my cousin passed away in a tragic motorcycle accident while he was driving to work. I was so crushed and sad. I just couldn't believe that he was gone. My son looked up to him and was really close to him. At my cousin's viewing, he told me, "When 'Tavis' wakes up we are going to play!" I couldn't stop crying. The tears just kept flowing. My son thought he was just sleeping and would wake up to play soon. It was so hard on him. It was even harder for me to watch my son going through that. It was a painful time for us. My son would go to my grandma's house thinking that Travis would come around the corner at any time. That was his buddy.
In the midst of this time frame, my sister completely stopped paying me rent. She just stopped. There was always an excuse. Her check hadn't been that much. She had bounced this. Something. I let her stay there with the promise of her paying on the next check. She never did. I had to tell her it was time for her to move. I was really counting on that rent money, especially with being unemployed. In the end, she left without even packing her stuff. My daugther and I packed it all up and cleaned the room out. I was so disappointed to see the mess she had left. I had asked her numerous times to clean up her room and she never had. There was candy and food just sitting on the carpet, broken dishes and everything else. It took us a long time to get that room cleaned out. She came to pick everything up and told me she would be paying me $50 a paycheck until she was all caught up. I haven't seen a penny. She owes me $800.
When I got the job i found I was so relieved. That would be short lived. Instead of focusing on the blessings we have received, I started thinking so negatively. How I wished we could afford _______________. Seeing those around me embarking on such luxuries, and I couldn't because I had taken a paycut from my last job. I missed my old job. Then I wished I was home again. After not working for 6 months, it takes some adjusting to. When you aren't used to someone's personality and you are working for someone who has to be in complete and total control, it can be hard. I was only trained in 2 days before the girl left. 2 days! The manager expected me to have it down and I didn't. I didn't know contacts, companies, or anything. It had taken the other girl 2 years to be at the point she was at. How could he expect that in 2 days from me? In the time I have been here, it has taken some patience, and learning to deal with his personality. It has been an adjustment.
As the end of this year approaches, I am letting go of some things. First, I am letting go of such negativity. Life isn't for being miserable. Yes, trials occur. They make us who we are. Embrace the trials and enjoy the ride. Second, I am forgiving my sister for stiffing me. Things happen and I know I have to forgive her. This has taken a great deal of time to let this go, but I am. I wont hold such resentment and horrible feelings for her. It isn't worth spending my days miserable and hateful. Next, I am going to start being a better cleaner at home. I just put it off so much. I am going to get rid of more "STUFF" at home. Less clutter means a happier me. I am going to cook more and enjoy better/healthier foods. I am going to stop comparing myself to others around me. I am going to work on being more satisfied.
Out with the old me, in with the new HAPPIER me. I am thankful for all that we have been blessed with. I am so thankful for my adorable children. They are such blessings in my life. I am thankful for a supportive family. I don't know what I would do without them. I adore our ward and how loving and accepting they are. I am so thankful for good, loving friends.
I will leave you with a quote: "What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise” - Oscar Wilde
On June 15th my cousin passed away in a tragic motorcycle accident while he was driving to work. I was so crushed and sad. I just couldn't believe that he was gone. My son looked up to him and was really close to him. At my cousin's viewing, he told me, "When 'Tavis' wakes up we are going to play!" I couldn't stop crying. The tears just kept flowing. My son thought he was just sleeping and would wake up to play soon. It was so hard on him. It was even harder for me to watch my son going through that. It was a painful time for us. My son would go to my grandma's house thinking that Travis would come around the corner at any time. That was his buddy.
In the midst of this time frame, my sister completely stopped paying me rent. She just stopped. There was always an excuse. Her check hadn't been that much. She had bounced this. Something. I let her stay there with the promise of her paying on the next check. She never did. I had to tell her it was time for her to move. I was really counting on that rent money, especially with being unemployed. In the end, she left without even packing her stuff. My daugther and I packed it all up and cleaned the room out. I was so disappointed to see the mess she had left. I had asked her numerous times to clean up her room and she never had. There was candy and food just sitting on the carpet, broken dishes and everything else. It took us a long time to get that room cleaned out. She came to pick everything up and told me she would be paying me $50 a paycheck until she was all caught up. I haven't seen a penny. She owes me $800.
When I got the job i found I was so relieved. That would be short lived. Instead of focusing on the blessings we have received, I started thinking so negatively. How I wished we could afford _______________. Seeing those around me embarking on such luxuries, and I couldn't because I had taken a paycut from my last job. I missed my old job. Then I wished I was home again. After not working for 6 months, it takes some adjusting to. When you aren't used to someone's personality and you are working for someone who has to be in complete and total control, it can be hard. I was only trained in 2 days before the girl left. 2 days! The manager expected me to have it down and I didn't. I didn't know contacts, companies, or anything. It had taken the other girl 2 years to be at the point she was at. How could he expect that in 2 days from me? In the time I have been here, it has taken some patience, and learning to deal with his personality. It has been an adjustment.
As the end of this year approaches, I am letting go of some things. First, I am letting go of such negativity. Life isn't for being miserable. Yes, trials occur. They make us who we are. Embrace the trials and enjoy the ride. Second, I am forgiving my sister for stiffing me. Things happen and I know I have to forgive her. This has taken a great deal of time to let this go, but I am. I wont hold such resentment and horrible feelings for her. It isn't worth spending my days miserable and hateful. Next, I am going to start being a better cleaner at home. I just put it off so much. I am going to get rid of more "STUFF" at home. Less clutter means a happier me. I am going to cook more and enjoy better/healthier foods. I am going to stop comparing myself to others around me. I am going to work on being more satisfied.
Out with the old me, in with the new HAPPIER me. I am thankful for all that we have been blessed with. I am so thankful for my adorable children. They are such blessings in my life. I am thankful for a supportive family. I don't know what I would do without them. I adore our ward and how loving and accepting they are. I am so thankful for good, loving friends.
I will leave you with a quote: "What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise” - Oscar Wilde
Monday, December 27, 2010
I'm Back
My kids were so excited Christmas morning and it really was nice. We had a great holiday together filled with lots of family and fun. I definitely enjoyed it. Sadly I am sitting at work today. Being at home sounds like much more fun that being here. **grin
New Years Eve is coming up. What fun things do you have planned? I think I want to have a fun night with the kids. Pizza, movies, candy, games and just hanging out together. I think it would be a lot of fun. Maybe we will invite some others over to make it more magical. I have had invitations to do things for the holiday and asked to find a sitter, but I don't want to. I simply want to spend time with my kids and enjoy the time I have with them. Truth of the matter, I don't even usually stay up the whole time. Call me crazy but I like my sleep a little too much, hahaha. I guess we will have to see how I am feeling at the end of the week.
I am currently fighting a cold and it isn't fun. Let's hope my kids don't get this. Last night I looked at my house and all the mess. I walked away. I didn't even bother with it. I take that back. I had the kids clean their rooms and I kindly helped them, but other than that, our house is a complete and total mess. I will be handling that this week for sure.
I got such a great present for Christmas. Something I have been wanting for years now. I GOT A KITCHENAID MIXER!!! I am so excited to start using it. First things first, the house MUST be thoroughly cleaned.
New Years Eve is coming up. What fun things do you have planned? I think I want to have a fun night with the kids. Pizza, movies, candy, games and just hanging out together. I think it would be a lot of fun. Maybe we will invite some others over to make it more magical. I have had invitations to do things for the holiday and asked to find a sitter, but I don't want to. I simply want to spend time with my kids and enjoy the time I have with them. Truth of the matter, I don't even usually stay up the whole time. Call me crazy but I like my sleep a little too much, hahaha. I guess we will have to see how I am feeling at the end of the week.
I am currently fighting a cold and it isn't fun. Let's hope my kids don't get this. Last night I looked at my house and all the mess. I walked away. I didn't even bother with it. I take that back. I had the kids clean their rooms and I kindly helped them, but other than that, our house is a complete and total mess. I will be handling that this week for sure.
I got such a great present for Christmas. Something I have been wanting for years now. I GOT A KITCHENAID MIXER!!! I am so excited to start using it. First things first, the house MUST be thoroughly cleaned.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
48 Hour Giveaway: Pillow Pet
You guys know how much my daughter wants a Magical Unicorn Pillow Pet. She has been begging for one from Santa. Right now Kostiuk Crew is having a 48 hour giveaway. Check it out here : http://megankayden.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-pillow-pets-review-and-giveaway-48.html
As I have blogged previously, Pillow Pets are awesome. They have a great variety of different characters. I hope my daughter finally wins a Magical Unicorn. She has been wanting one for such a long time. Check out the blog and enjoy. :)
As I have blogged previously, Pillow Pets are awesome. They have a great variety of different characters. I hope my daughter finally wins a Magical Unicorn. She has been wanting one for such a long time. Check out the blog and enjoy. :)
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