Monthly Archives: October 2011

Oct 8

Decorating With Dylan

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The boys were getting a bit mad at me. Halloween decorations are popping up all around our neighborhood, and I still hadn’t dug out our decorations. Since I’ve been on a cleaning kick this week anyway, I decided to tackle the scary holiday closet.

It is scary, it is a long, tall, and very narrow closet, and it is filled with Christmas decorations. Which gives a whole new meaning to claustrophobic. I don’t like it in there at all…

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See! I told you it was scary.

I started by dragging out everything in the entire closet, and I also found a lot of items to toss. There in the very back was the one thing that I was looking for.

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They are really cute though, not too scary.

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Dylan loves them, and Thade was so happy to see that I had finally decorated.

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This little decoration made it to the front door.

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I’m so happy that Halloween is almost here!

Oct 7

Thade’s Yellow-tip Belt

Thade has been working very hard, and he was focused on moving up a belt in Tae Kwon Do. On Thursday, he was ready to test.

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He passed his form,

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and did a great job on his one steps too.

He was so thrilled when he earned his yellow-tip.

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We are so very proud of our big kid Thade.

Oct 6

Coupons vs. Frugal Shopping

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I’m on month #2 of my couponing vs. frugal shopping, and so far I’m really surprised by my findings.  I’ll bring you up to speed on my little project… Over the Summer I got really into couponing. I tracked every paper purchased, shopping trip, coupon used, and of course the total. For the next three months I’m backing off of the coupons, shopping less, making more from scratch, and still keeping track of it all. I’m trying to see which method of shopping really saves my family the most.

So far I’ve had a lot of these…

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But I’ve spent a lot less time here…

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And to be perfectly honest I was really surprised when June’s month of mega shopping trips and  multitude of papers purchased, beat September’s frugal numbers. I’m still looking over the spreadsheets just to make sure I’ve got my math right, but so far in this little battle Coupons are winning.

We’ll see what October brings. It is a long month, with a holiday and two birthdays too. My budget is whimpering in the corner…

Oct 5

The Ongoing Project: Boys Room

I know I’ve said it before, and I know I’ll say it again, I dream of one day having all of my clutter tackled and my house in order. Oh yeah and fully painted, decorated, and the list could go on and on. I’m not there yet, but the house is an ongoing project.

I’ve been keeping up with my habit of filling a contractor bag every week or so, and this week I couldn’t take the mess in the boys room one more moment longer. With Dylan and Thade in school, that gives me just enough time to tackle the mess, but with Agnes’ short naps, I really only have about an half an hour a day.

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I decided to go in contractor bags a blazing, and I was completely ruthless on day 1 with the de-cluttering. I gave myself 15 minutes (that was all I had after the morning’s chores) and I filled 2 bags. The boys didn’t even notice, and the room was much improved.

Today I gave myself a little more time (hey, those dishes can wait till later) and I was focused on organizing all of the toys. I didn’t toss as much, but everything is in a bin and it’s own place.

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The shelves are still filled to the brim, but it is organized.

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I would like to invest in some cool organizational bins that will fit their items, and look a little better,

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but for today I’m calling it good.

Gotta go make lunch, and get to those dishes.

Oct 4

September’s Favorite Photos

September went by way too fast. Both of the boys are busy in school, and Agnes is busy being an almost two year old. We seemed to have run the entire month, there were soccer games, and Tae Kwon Do to go to too, I’m still tired. I did get a few favorite photos though…

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This pretty little moth visited our side door one sunny afternoon.

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I was so excited when the Halloween candy arrived on the shelves! I love Halloween, it’s my very favorite holiday.

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I try to get at least one photo of all three kids together at least once a month, and this one well they were looking out the window, and waiting for Dad to come home. I thought they looked really cute.

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I was even more excited when the little pumpkins arrived at the store. I love pumpkins, but I can’t ever carve them.

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I love this photo of Agnes, and she really loves her Panda Pillow Pet.

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The boys are busy playing soccer, and they are having a great time too.

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We visited the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta, and Dylan loved it. That little guy loves tractors, just look at that smile.

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I enjoyed the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta too, the autumn weather was just beautiful.

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We also visited the Fort, we are keeping an eye on the changing leaves, and are planning another trip there soon.

And last but not least, just because there aren’t enough photos of adorable kitties on the internet.

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I just love that cat!