Dresser Check!

I feel great to say that I finished a project. I am usually one to quit very easily. I'm done with the dresser!!!! Here are the photos. 

Before 

After

I primed the wood about 2 coats, then I painted about 3 coats of white paint. Then I thought about it for a few days and decided it would look even better if i distressed the wood with a sander that my great great great mother gave to me for my projects. I think it looks decent, considering the workspace and the lack of time with two small children. 

I don't even think its the dresser that gets me excited, its the fact that I actually finished something and that I can move on to the next project my side table lamp. And that this dresser was FREE from Freecycle, that the paint was already at my house so it was free and the knobs look cute on the dresser so I paid absolutely nothing for it. Now thats a deal! 

Busy Body

Today was the busiest day in my entire life. 
Alicia's text message threatening me to get out of bed woke me up at 5:15am where I stumbled into my car and drove to spin class. Greeted by my out of control tae bo on drugs instructor where I started my day off. Teeth were brushed, I got the children dressed,  Washed and put  sheets on beds and breakfast was served. I rushed to Ana's house all the way in the boonies and dropped my children off, and had a computer 101 crash course/let's chit chat about work with Dr. McCabe. After that went over by about 30-40 minutes, I rushed to Anas house where we got all of the children in the car and drove to Ellington where I purchased a new (used) dining room table off of craigslist. (Mine is way too futuristic lol) Dropped it off in Windsor then Ana had to leave immediately to go to work and I had to rush to Debras house to let her dogs out. 

Does this NOT exhaust you!?!?! After putting the table together, I moved my old table in the basement where I made myself a working area.

 So I do want to thank my dear sister who helped me with my crazy kids, driving all over connecticut and of course being supportive while i'm going through my super domestic phase. (and listens to my millions of "projects" while I listen to hers)

Here's a pic of my cute table. It is mandatory to bring me flowers if you come to my house and you own a flower bush. ESPECIALLY Hydrangeas since they are my favorite. These were Ana's ticket into my house. 

$40.00? Not bad! 

I'll write some more later, I have to go make a homemade Pizza since PIZZA makes Fridays even better than they already are. Have a great night everyone!

Toodles

Busy Me

I've realized today that I have put myself completely on the back burner. Ever since I've had this urge to renovate, my legs look like my brothers', my hair has been in a bun permanently, I have been wearing my husbands t shirts,  my makeup bag hasn't been open in days ,and my blonde streaks look like they belong to trailer trash. What has come over me!? I have always been one to pay close attention to my appearance, however, who the heck has time for that when they are trying to turn into a Martha Stewart?!?

I read a blog today that was a lamp bottom/frame turned into a side table. So what do you think I did? I hopped right into my car, drove to the Salvation Army in Manchester, and found the exact ones I saw in the pictures (somehow? ) and it costed me- ready for this? .99 EACH. Then I headed over to Lowes where I bought some turquoise spray paint and.....well I'll get back to you when it's not raining out there and my kiddies don't have to breathe in the fumes. 

On another note, I have primed 2 coats on my freecycle dresser for Cara's room. Hoping to get it painted by tomorrow and get new knobs.  I am totally excited about my new projects! But the only damper is that the Goodwill has its Target day tomorrow, who has time for all of this WHILE running the household, taking care of children, and cooking!? I will post some pics lata. 

Toodles

Can I blog twice in one day????

Sure I can, the kids are eating breakfast..no big deal. 

I want to tell you about my newest venture. (which is exactly that,..risky) 

I joined Spin classes with Alicia. If you haven't heard what it is..it is a class where you sit on stationary bikes and ride the heck out of them while your up, your down, your crouching over the bike, your all over the place. They BLAST music at 5:45am to motivate you to petal faster and the teacher yells stuff to try and motivate you as well. It is quite intense. 


My body feels like it should be in a coma, I can barely crouch down on the floor, but on the flip side I have a ton of energy! So we are on day 4 of Spin classes, today we skipped since we are so sore and we don't want to strain ourselves but we will be doing some sort of replacement exercise for the day since I have a ton of weight to lose. 

I weighed myself today and I lost 2 pounds. 

That is all. Toodles. 

My touch

Since I moved into this house in December, I have not completely settled in. Yes I moved all of my stuff in but I haven't added any real personal touches. But all of the sudden after I read "Heaven is Here" by Stephanie Nielson something snapped inside of me that made me realize that I needed to be more domestic. That was 4 weeks ago and ever since then, I have made every single dish, cleaned my house from top to bottom, and now I am in the process of adding my touch to the rooms. 

I started with Cara's room. Her room was so bare before, there was nothing on the walls, and it was just pretty much a crib. I am not done but I will give you a sneak peak! 

People do not realize the fun and creativity you can have with thrifting. It's rare when I don't do it at least twice a week. When Scott asks me "Your going AGAIN?" I rationalize it by telling him- "Oh I'm just looking" and before he gets home from work I put all of my new treasures in a safe place. 

(Hahaha! Shh!  A girls gotta have a little fun right!?)

I am going to add freshly painted dressers and a white rocking chair with new pillows that I'm hoping one of my sisters can make for me because I am not quite there yet with my sewing. 

After I was done revamping Caras room a bit, I had to make dinner and a little dessert. I would snap some pictures, but A. I lost my Cannon camera in South Carolina (I know don't remind me...) and B. the problem with my meals are, they are DELICIOUS (or so I've been told) however the presentation lags. I have to work on that. But heres the recipes-

Bean-and-Beef Enchilada Casserole

• 1/2
  pound lean ground beef
• 1/2
  cup chopped onion
• 1
  teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2
  teaspoon ground cumin
• 1
  15 ounce can black beans *rinsed
• 1
  4 ounce can diced tomatoes with green chili peppers * comes in a can
• 1
  8 ounce carton dairy sour cream or light dairy sour cream
• 2
  tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/4
  teaspoon garlic powder
• 8
  6 inches corn tortillas
• 1
  10 ounce can enchilada sauce or one 101/2-ounce can tomato puree
• 1
  cup shredded cheddar cheese 
  
  
  
  

directions

1.In a large skillet cook the ground beef, onion, chili powder, and cumin until onion is tender and meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir pinto beans and undrained chili peppers into meat mixture; set aside.

2.In a small mixing bowl stir together sour cream, flour, and garlic powder until combined; set aside.

3.Place half of the tortillas in the bottom of a lightly greased 2-quart rectangular baking dish, cutting to fit if necessary. Top with half of the meat mixture, half of the sour cream mixture, and half of the enchilada sauce. Repeat layers. Cover dish with plastic wrap; chill in refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

4.To serve: Preheat oven to 350F. Remove plastic wrap; cover dish with foil. Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until bubbly. Uncover; sprinkle with cheese and bake 5 minutes more. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Enjoy! **Toodles

Cara.

I'm back. 
It's only taken me two years. 

I'm different than I was two years ago. I have another child; Cara (so I should probably customize my profile a bit so that she doesn't think I have any favorites. Although Mom, I know I'm still your favorite) I live in a different zip code, I am older and wiser. (;-)) Scott and I got married after I stopped writing in this blog, and Chloe our big german shepherd joined the family. 

My newest addition, Cara eating some pancakes I made her.  

Toodles. 

Potty Time

I have never felt more accomplished as a mother in my life until yesterday.

It was the day that Taylor started going to the potty. He had no accidents and he got 8 stickers on his chart. (somewhere around there)

Today again ,...no accidents and he even went poop!! That was seriously the highlight of the year. It feels so good to say that he is half way there!! Is it disgusting that i even took a picture? And that i almost cried over.....POOOP??? This means...

• I did it!! I successfully potty trained him.
• He can go to pre-school in September.
• NO MORE DIAPERS! Until my next kid that is...
• I am done changing smelly diapers.
• Bragging rights that my 2 1/2 year old BOY is potty trained. ( and so quickly I might add)
• No more outings with me forgetting to bring a diaper (oops!)
• I'm sorry did i mention NO more diapers?!?!?!?!?

Excuse my excitement, but if you have children.. you understand the excitement of this all. Now maybe we can get another dog??.....Just sayin...