Friday, April 30, 2010

Grillin'


Yesterday I got a great deal on some hotdogs. By "great deal" I mean I paid $8 cash and got back $20 "on your next order" coupons. So do the math and they "pay" me $12 to buy hotdogs. I love ACME catalina deals. So guess what we had for dinner?

Whoops! Guess I should have mentioned I got 16 packs of hotdogs. $8 sounds a little pricy for just one pack. Yes, my husband thinks I am crazy. And yes, I will probably end up donating some of them. Unless we eat them all first!

Quick Welcome Facelift

Here is a quick easy idea for a little pick me up for your front entryway. I grabbed my old worn out rug, a can of black spray paint, an easy to make stencil, and a broom. By just giving the front rug a quick sweep and a little personalization to the rug, I have updated the entry way.
Before

After Shot... you have to turn your head for this one. I cant get it to turn. Sorry

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Science Day at Preschool

Little Miss took her daddy to preschool this morning. She was so excited! She is back home now, and MJ is back to work. Here are a few pictures he took. Enjoy!

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

DIY Weekend

MJ doesn't know this yet, but I feel the need to do a little DIYing around this house. I have been spending some "nap time" on the computer checking out some new DIY/Decorating/Beautiful Home Blogs and I have the itch to do something.
I'll be honest and tell you that this usually doesn't turn out well. In the past, while pregnant with my second daughter, I may have torn apart two different bathrooms. That didn't go over so well with MJ because he was left to finish both of my messes. Although I must say, for a city boy, that man can DIY! Those bathrooms are finally done and I really haven't touched much since.
Now to my credit, I am planning two very small projects.
First, since the weather is going to be beautiful this weekend, I am going to paint the chain-link fence. Right now it is a mixture of bare metal and green paint. Something that was probably done in the 60's. I'm just going with a standard black. Truthfully, I already did one side of the house last fall, but it got cold quickly and I never got the other side done. (Ok. Maybe I've done a little DIYing around here, but not much! And yes, I have a hard time completing tasks.)
If that project goes as planned, and I actually complete it, I will move on to my entry rug update. More on that tomorrow!

Warning!!!
The following blogs may make you drool,
and drive to the nearest hardware store.

Don't say I didn't warn you!

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Curb Appeal

I finally got around to planting my front porch planters today. They are a little sparse, but I am hoping with a little Miracle Grow, they'll fill in nicely.

Ok, they might not be Uncle Dale flower pots (my uncle is a full time garden guy who does amazing things with planters) but they cost me about $3.00 each and we are all about saving money these days.
Now who wants to come over and help me rip out the ugly green outdoor carpet? I would do it but I'm not sure how to get the glue off the concrete. Oh yeah, I will also need to repaint the porch and fix the stairs. After that there is the landscaping. My house is a never ending to do list!

Friday, April 23, 2010

Fun on Friday Night

This is what happens when you have a house full of girls. On a Friday night, just before bedtime, you visit their hair salon, and they tell how beautiful you are. Sounds good so far! They wind up spending an hour on your hair.

You emerge looking like this.



After they are in bed, you spend the next hour removing 5 trillion clips.
Friday nights are so much fun!

Thursday, April 22, 2010

New Windows

MJ ordered two new windows for our drafty house a few weeks ago. (Yes Mom, I made him order Pella)They came in today so I picked them up, after dropping Little Miss off at Preschool. I was planning on just waiting until MJ feels better to install them, but my thrifty self saw an add in the paper about 20% off. Just my luck they need to be ordered by Saturday. The reason we only ordered two originally, was because we wanted to make sure we measured correctly. Unfortunately, the only way to truly tell if it fits, is to tear out the old window. So away I went. Turns out, I am fully capable of installing windows. Who knew?
(Just incase you can't tell new from old, it's the level one on the right!)

Now that I have proven myself capable, I think we'll wait to do the other windows when MJ feels better.

We ordered the rest of the windows and saved a fortune! I used a 10% off coupon on top of the 20% off price. Plus we should receive the 30% tax deduction. Whoo Hoo!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Surgery Update

MJ surgery went well. We are home, and he is resting. In a little pain but doing well. He has a great nurse, so I am sure he will be well taken care of.

My "Old" Man

My old man is falling apart. Literally! We are on our way to see the good doctors of Rothman Institute in Philly this morning. MJ is getting his other knee fixed today. (He already had surgery on the other one a few years back.) I'll let you all know how the surgery went, once he is back at home and comfortable. I will be taking advantage of this time with a large coffee and a good book. Do you think they will look at me funny if I bring a pillow and nap?

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Milk Glass

I got this vase at a yard sale Saturday. I think it's Milk Glass. I really don't know how authentic it is, but I don't care. I like it either way. The lillies came from Produce Junction. I love that place!

Monday, April 19, 2010

Picture Day

It is picture day at preschool today.


And sometimes, when you feel pretty, you just feel like dancin'

Don't forget to smile!

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Yard Sales

I planned on going out bright and early for some yard sale shopping this morning, but my MJ offered to make eggs, and I wasn't about to pass up his omelets. They are soo good.  With a nice full belly, I set out a little late to find some treasures.

Yardsales are funny things. I feel like I usually make out great, or fail horribly. There is no middle ground when it comes to yardsales with me. Luckily for me, this time I did well. I spent about $20 all together.
(MJ's opinion of my success depends on whether or not I have a place to put it. Let's just say, I'm not very good at that part.)

 Do you want to know what I got for 20 bucks? Check it out...

Practically new pack and play, which I'm hoping to leave at the pool this summer. That way I don't have to haul one down everyday. $2

Shopping cart cover for peanut $2

2 milk glass vases... I immediately put my fresh flowers in one.
a few clothes for the girls... i really struck out on the cute clothes. I couldn't find much.
5 handheld toys for Peanut. One that attaches to the table at dinnertime.
Ariel style me toy for Little Miss
2 adorable TCP Halloween outfits for a friend.... all that for $2

a spare booster seat for carpooling .....$2

3 Cookbooks. Even an old cookbook from the LPA... Little Peoples of America. How great is that!?!
2 DVDs for the girls.... all for $1

3 Matching jewelry boxes that have the twirling ballerina inside playing "When You Wish Upon a Star" $1each

a pink canopy thing... $5
Just think....
And my best deal of the day....
The cutest headboard that will one day be in a big girl room. I love it! I will post a picture of it soon. $2

Anyone come out next Saturday morning with me?

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Miss K

Everyone say a big hello to Miss K from the Land of the Letter People.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Just call me Martha

I might be the least crafty parent out there. I don't scrapbook. I don't sew. I can count the number of times I have been in a craft store on one hand. So when my five year old told me last week that we had to make her a costume for Letter People Day, I rolled my eyes and put it off. Then I got a killer cold and didn't move off the couch for a few days. So today after preschool, we headed out for the craft store. I thought we could get a shirt and maybe some iron ons or puff paint. Instead I end up buying some special glue and red glitter. This only means one thing. I am in way over my head. I'll let you know how things turn out.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Feeling better

I am finally starting to feel human again. I have been battling a nasty cold for the past few days. I am still a little tired and achy, but I finally got a few things done around the house this afternoon. My poor house has suffered.

I even made spaghetti and meatballs for dinner. I still can't taste much, but it got good reviews from everyone else. I cheated, because I am sick, and used a jar of sauce, but I made the meatballs from scratch. I didn't use measurements but here is the list of ingredients I used:
ground beef
italian sausage
eggs
breadcrumbs
parmesan cheese
diced onion
finely diced black olives
garlic powder
black pepper
italian seasoning
parsley

I bake my meatballs in the oven on a broiler rack for about 20-25 minutes. Then I let them simmer in the sauce for a few minutes before serving.


Thursday, April 8, 2010

Feels like summer

It has been unseasonably warm the past few days here in NJ. It was 89 degrees yesterday. Yep... 89 and it is the beginning of April. Today was warm as well, about 85 or so. We decided to take advantage of the nice weather and take a trip to the zoo.
Sorry about this picture. The giraffe wasn't cooperating with me, and did I mention it was hot. This was toward the end of the day and they are starting to melt.

Here is what they looked like on the way home.
I love nap time!

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Looking Good

The girls got haircuts today. I took them to Sweet & Sassy's. It's a mini salon for little girls. It is way over the top, but the girls love it there. They give the girls glitter hearts on their cheeks, smelly spray glitter in their hair, and to top it off a nice sticky sucker!

I took some before and after pictures. I hope you enjoy!


Little Miss Before

Little Miss After

Lexa Loo Before

Lexa Loo After

I don't actually like the way they cut Little Miss. I'm going to give it a day or so, and then decide if she needs to go back.
Even our dog got a haircut. This one courtesy me. I cant bring myself to pay $69 for a dog. That's almost more than I pay to get my haircut. Which by the way, I need a haircut myself.

Scruffy Mutt Before

Mutt After

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

One year later

Happy Birthday to my baby girl!

I guess I should have gotten a "clean" before dinner shot.

What a difference a year makes... 
This shot makes my heart hurt. So sweet and so little. I just want to kiss that little face.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Happy Easter

We drove home from the Poconos today so we could enjoy this beautiful weather. MJ got some time working on the bikes and I had some time on the yard. The girls are once again getting sick. Alexa can't kick this ear infection and Elizabeth's cough is getting worse. I'm hoping that the warm weather ahead will help us all get healthy.

Friday, April 2, 2010

The Poconos

We are in the Poconos this weekend for Peanuts birthday and our Easter dinner with MJ's family. I will post more pictures of the girls soon.