Happy Friday!

Happy Friday Y'all!

Friday evening is probably my favorite time of the week.  Growing up,  it was the one time each week we ate out and followed with the weekly grocery shopping trip.   For me,  it's usually a lazy evening occasionally I'll try to get a head start on cleaning or meal planning for the week.  Tonight, I thought I would dust off the blog a bit.

I wish I had been blogging more the past two months.  In late June,  I rejoined Weight Watchers.  The primary reason I joined is because I believe 100% in the accountability the meetings bring to the program.  I know there is a lot of science behind their program, but the meetings are what I need.   They help give me focus and self-control.   In August,  I completed JillFit's 20x20 challenge -- it was amazing and deserves a post all to itself which I hope to compile this weekend.  It was amazing on so many levels for me.  In September, I've focused on goal-setting.

Sorry this post is so disjointed, but I really have some much I want to share and need to share!   Even if no one reads this blog -- it is an outlet for me.  In August,  I used Instagram to chronicle my journey, but wish I had shared my thoughts here as well.

We are supposed to have a really wet weekend, so I should have plenty of time to write.  :)

31 Day Clutter Challenge

Recently,  I was intrigued by a 31 Day Clutter Challenge hosted by Living Well Spending Less.  It started on July 1st & has been really easy to follow.  Each morning I receive an email with the target area of the day.  It gives guidelines for the space, suggestions on how to organize, and helpful hints on what to keep & what to toss. 

I strive to maintain an orderly house & clean house.  Although the "clean" seems to be the bigger challenge, we live here!  Back to the clutter, I don't feel like I have a lot; but this challenge has encouraged me to let go of more. 

Today was kitchen cabinets & drawers!  This is my pile for Goodwill (not all from the kitchen) 

While I cook a lot, why I had so many duplicates of things is beyond me.  Some were hand-me-downs, others great deals, and others --- I have no idea!  

The cabinets are looking much better now though!  

Do you purge often or only when it is completely out of control?

Weather!

It seems like much of the weekend has looked like this, and admittedly it has affected my mood.  I've been grumpy & irritable for no reason.  Sigh!   

Of course tomorrow it's supposed to be bright & sunny! Here's hoping next weekend brings lots of sun! 

It's a Good Day to be a Duck

It's been a wet day here, so I've spent the afternoon napping & scouring Pinterest for outdoor ideas.  My outdoor to do list is growing by leaps!   We are redoing the area by our front door.  It will still have some containers for plants but we've added a chair.  

It's a work in progress.  Initially, I was going to stain the chair, but have decided to paint it.  Paint will be easier to change up colors in the future.  I think we are going to do black & add a pillow for a pop of color.  I've been looking at outdoor pillows for a month or so.  I didn't want to spend a fortune though. I found this one while shopping at Aldi on Saturday. 

Score for 3.99 - thank you!!! 

My "to-do" seems to be growing rapidly - don't they always!  Our exterior really needs to be painted.  We don't have money budgeted to hire someone, so I'm on the fence about DIY.  We are one level & there are only a couple areas that are "high".   Regardless of whether we paint or not, the exterior definitely needs to be cleaned & I know we can tackle that ourselves.  

The azaleas finally bloomed this week.  I won't lie - they are not my favorite.  I think they are beautiful when in bloom, but honestly, don't last more than a couple of weeks.  I would love to re-do this area too. 

Do you have spring projects in the works? 

Time flies

It's a week late, but we did celebrate on time!  😉  Super son turned FOURTEEN!   It seems like yesterday we were anxiously awaiting his arrival, his first steps, his first day of kindergarten.  Reminiscing makes me happy & sad... Ahhh, the joys (and trials) of being a mom!  We are treading in the teen years - he's an independent kid with a bit of a stubborn streak (insert mom genes) yet a relaxed, laid back nature (insert dad genes) - he's funny with an old soul outlook.  He makes my heart swell with love & pride and every now and again gives me a gray hair (or five).   I pray he will allow God to direct his path and future!   "As long as I'm living my baby you'll be"

Spring is here!

Actually spring is struggling to convince itself to be here - we had freezing temperatures over the weekend, but a gorgeous clear blue sky!   Super-son is on spring break this week, so he and I have ventured to the beach.  It's a sleepy little fishing town which I prefer as I grow older.  My parents are here so it's been nice to spend time with them. 

I took a challenge this week to do a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise at least 5 times this week.  Despite the temperatures & wind,  dad and I got in a walk.  Pace didn't matter yesterday - just time with my dad. 

Happy Valentine's Day

Hopefully, this post won't come across as pessimistic!  I feel Valentine's Day is just another opportunity for retailers to cash in.  Every day should be about showing love & acts of kindness to those we care about it.  Quite frankly, I'd rather have flowers out of the blue - than the one day of the year they cost twice as much.  Even as I looked at cards, I thought this is ridiculous to pay someone else to say how much I love super husband so I came home & made my own card.  Enough about that!

Overall, it was a great week.  Super husband started a new schedule.  It's not ideal, but it's more hours & allows him to see super son when he gets home from school.  He's also able to get him started on homework which is a huge help to me!  

It was week three of the exercise class & I am loving it.  It is so true (the first step) in getting yourself there is the hardest,  but after the first class I was hooked.  It is metabolic effect & tabata style workouts which I love!  The workouts end with a quick devotional.  I had forgotten how much exercise helps mentally too.  Thursday night, the instructor shared these muffins & the recipe - very yummy!

I have ribs in the crockpot & light Mac & cheese in another crockpot for our Valentine dinner.  Do you have plans with your love?

Small Bathroom - Redesign on a Dime

I literally laugh out loud when searching for "small bathroom ideas" on Pinterest.   Some of the bathrooms are 3 times the size of our truly small bathroom.  About a year or so ago, I had the bright idea I would use paint leftover from the kitchen for the small bathroom.  This worked out beautifully until I ran out of paint & bought a quart to finish the project which didn't match up 100% - project FAIL!   I wish I could share a before picture, but it crashed with my phone - so just trust me on that one.  

Super husband's coworkers came over after the holidays for a post-Christmas celebration.  Apparently, I like working under pressure because I started the project on Tuesday & they were coming over on Saturday.  I found a gray & white chevron shower curtain awhile ago, so it was the inspiration for the room (& we love the gray in our master bath).  

Here it is in progress - I was already loving it at this point.  I wanted a new light fixture too, but it will have to wait.  

Sorry for the tilted picture (remember I keep it real on my blog),  the mirror was previously red, so I updated it with a 97 cent can of spray paint. 

The cabinet received a fresh coat of with paint.  The over the toilet shelving was a curbside find!  Shower curtain came from Kohls online.  Bath rug came from TJ Maxx - it was a two pack: one solid gray & one chevron. Paint color is Behr - Gentle Rain.  Overall, it looks so much better! 

I still want to: replace light fixture, add pops of Aqua for color; & fix ceiling (possibly headboard). 

Have you done any DIY lately?

2015

It's hard to believe we already into February!  Time definitely flies as you get older!   Nothing incredible to share with my -2 readers!  What's happening now...

- I struggled last year with finding my exercise routine (due to new job & superson starting middle school).  I've found a Tues/Thurs evening class that is very similar format to the early AM boot camp I loved!  Super husband gave me shoe tags for Christmas #soretoday #strongtomorrow - love!!!

- I am doing Weight Watchers online.  It's not a diet or a fad - it's real food & living. I've never tried the Simply Filling option, so I thought I would try it & so far so good.  I'd like to switch over to meetings when I am closer to goal.  We have an awesome leader in our area. 

Everything Bagel Thin, egg, slice of cheese, 2 pieces of bacon, crystal light "orange juice" -- see real food 

- I am taking a break from Facebook for the month of February.  I have a love/hate  relationship with it anyway!  It tends to become a time suck - hoping to read some books instead! 

- Superhusband & superson are well!  We are half-way through our second year of middle school.  It's been an adventure to say the least.  

Sorry this post is full of random thoughts!  What's new with you?