A cut for the baby's room

My sweetheart has been out of town for work for the past three weeks. I had intentions of completing several projects, crafts, and to-do items. My intentions were good but I did very little. I did manage to work on a large project for the baby's room.

The stencil is cut and the painting has begun. Check back soon for the completed project!

Antique German Feedsack

I'm not one to post about other's blogs here, but this one I really like and honestly would love to win. So in that case to increase my chances, no one enter it. :) No, it is a fantastic giveaway at the Inspired Room for an Antique German Feedsack. It would look fantastic in my livingroom once I frame it up. Head here to check it out!

What do you do when.....

So what do you do when your hubby goes out of town on business? Why you create a list of thing to complete. A list with precisely 35 items to mark off. These are not simple get it done in 5 minute tasks. These are the kind that takes days, if not longer to do. How many of these have I done, zero!

Instead I have done other odd projects like labeling office supplies A very important task at that moment. Perhaps I'm nesting and the office supplies must be perfectly organized and labeled before I can have a baby. As if labor and delivery depend on it!

I made a huge pile of magazines to sort, but have not made it past that point.

I reorganized the top shelf of the fridge, another mundane task that simply had to be done.

I have dealt with a screaming toddler whose temper tantrums are getting worse. This is enough to wear anyone out! I should have several boxes to check off on my to-do list reading, "Put Livy in Time-Out!" or "Try to find your happy place during the next tantrum!"

Attended an Ice Cream party at my mother's for all the grandchildren and purchased extra ice cream toppings to do a small repeat at home. We all love ice cream and hubby would probably like to share in the fun too.

I have read several books this past week. I guess this one has to do with the simple fact that most likely in less than 3 months, I will be too busy and tired to even consider picking up a book. I am competing in my own reading marathon to get a years worth of books in. I have read all the books for the rest of the year for my book group plus an additional 19 books this summer alone. (Not including the typical daily 4 that I read with Livy.)

Gone walking every morning this past week (very typical for me) and walked at least 13 miles. Not bad being big and pregnant!

I have spent some good moments with my friends. I'm grateful to have good friends who understand how hard it is playing single mother for a short time (in the long term perspective, right now it feels like eternity).

More importantly; I have laughed, cried, worried, feared, grown, hoped, missed and loved.

What do you do?

Searching for the perfect dress

My thoughts over the past few weeks have turned to Halloween. I know it's only the beginning of August, but I like to plan a head. Plus considering the fact that my baby is due around Halloween, I better be prepared.

I have taken out my trusty Holiday Idea book, filled with things that I would love to create or at least think about creating. I have dog-eared several pages in the hopes of accomplishing a special day for Livy. I have totally slacked lately in more ways than one. Last month when it is was Independence Weekend and I thought to myself, I planned nothing. I should have at least picked up some hot dogs to barbecue. This is not like me! I mean, I'm the one who would have everything planned months in advance. So with not forgetting another holiday, I am starting early.

I've thought a lot about a costume for Livy. This is normally when I start to purchase because I can get a better selection. This year I want to do something a little different.

A month or so ago, Livy came across a Princess dress.

She LOVES this dress! She is wearing it non-stop to the point that I believe it will become a permanent part of her body. (Fortunate for me I was able to wash it.) First thing in the morning I hear, "Princess! Princess Dress!" Quickly followed with "Cinderella Slippers" (the cute see-through plastic ones in the picture above). The remainder of the day I hear her clomping through the house asking to watch one of several princess shows.

For a 2 year old girlie-girl, playing dress-up and wanting to wear a princess dress is nothing. Unless it happens to be her very first Halloween costume worn when she was 7 months old!

How is that possible? I purchased a 6-9 month size and discovered it was a little big. But truly not over-whelming big. It went down to the floor at the time where now it is a whole lot shorter and a little snug in the bodice.

But that certainly doesn't discourage Livy from putting on her Princess Dress. With that in mind, I'm searching for some well-made princess dress-ups that she can wear after Halloween. Why wear a costume only once? I'm placing an order today and hopefully the ones I have chosen will be a great quality and work perfectly for this year's festivities.

Day at the Farm

One of our local "pretend" farms (I say that since they are more for the kids to enjoy then an actual working farm) is having a discount on Tuesdays this month. I thought that it would be fun to take Livy to see the animals.

You see, when I became a full stay-at-home-mom, I was determined that once a month I would take Livy out to a museum, the zoo or some other child friendly place. My intentions were good, but when I became severely ill and then became pregnant I forgot all about it. In making up for my slacking, the farm would be great.

A friend and I loaded up our kids and headed to the farm. But after sitting on the off-ramp for nearly 10 minutes (a ramp primarily used for this location) I figured it was going to be crowded, no parking, and too many out of control kids. We made a quick decision and headed back to the freeway to head to a different farm. With plenty of parking and very few people, I knew that this was a good idea.

Until I thought I was going to pass out from the heat. I don't do well in the heat when I'm normal and I'm even worse when I'm pregnant. I have made a mental note that the farm should be saved for Spring or Fall.

Livy on the other hand, had a fantastic time. In fact, every morning since she comes in and asks to go to the farm.

Soaps and Suds for a year!

I like to save money on my household supplies. Usually this means I purchase in bulk from one of the Big Box Stores, make my own or buy on sale. I typically don't care if it has a brand name or not written on the box. As long as it does the job, I simply don't care.

Eduardo heard about a warehouse that opens up to the public once a month. We had no idea what products were available or how reasonable the prices were. All we knew was the products had been mismarked, dented or simply not able to sale in a store. Today Eduardo went and explored a little for me and brought back some unexpected savings! I figure I probably saved at least $60!

Great Value fabric softener: 51 oz, 60 loads- $1.70 each

Member's Mark Fabric Softener Sheets: 200 sheets per box, double box packages- $2.00 each double pack

Sun Stations dishwasher detergent: 65 oz and 26 oz sizes; Sun Stations liquid dish soap: 25 oz -- .50 cents each!

Clean liquid laundry detergent: 50 oz 32 loads- $1.70 each

Classic Sun Powder Laundry detergent: 4.81 lbs- $1.00 each

If you are in the area and would like a great deal head to:

Sun Products Corporation

1833 S 3850 W

Salt Lake City

First Wednesday, 8am to 10am or 2pm to 330pm.

No children under 18 allowed.

Cash only