Twin Tip Tuesday; Scrub-a-Dub

I read the books about having multiples (in our case, twins). Now that I am mama to twins, I feel I can give little tidbits of useful advice.

This weeks' tips- bath time! How do you bathe climbing, crawling, pretty much walking twins- alone?

I set a laundry basket in the tub, put water in the tub, and pop the boys in. The laundry basket is small enough they can't escape on me, climb, bump their noggin, or any of the other crazy stuff they try.

Just a small twin tip.

Have a great day!

Goals and Menu for the week

We had such a wonderful weekend! Hubby got home Saturday afternoon. Say the family was excited to see him!

What did I learn? Being a single parent is hard! He was only gone a week. A long week. Nonetheless, I am so thankful that I have a husband that after a hard day of work jumps right to Daddy mode. Hugs, kisses, games, diapers, baths, feeding- yup he helps with it all!

How did I do on last weeks goals?

1. Work for 15 minutes a day cleaning computer room. I did 15 minutes a day for the first couple of days, then Wednesday I worked on it during the boys' two and half hour nap time, and after they went to bed. Still needs much work.
2. Refine my own chore chart. Nope. I know having it in my head isn't helping me. This week I am committing to writing it down, even if it is only a basic routine.
3. Find 7-10 meals for 30 meal list. Again, things don't work so well if I keep them in my head.
4. Make journals for the men in my life. Procrastinator!
5. Read to the boys everyday, take reading charts to the library. We read, but didn't go to the library (vehicle problems).
6. Continue to get up between 6:30 and 6:45. Doing great, think this is a habit now.
7. Sew 2 headbands, 2 bibs, and 2 burp cloths.  *Find dress to make.
8. Crochet 2 dishcloths. Didn't do this week.
9. Work on etsy shop. Worked on, need to get over my fear of imperfection and just list items!
10. Get resume together. Nope.

*I did get a lot of my unfinished projects finished this week.

This week:

1. Resume!
2. Make journals for the men in my life.
3. Find 7-10 meals for 30 meal list. Involve the family.
4. List items in etsy shop.
5. Finish computer room.
6. Make journals for my men.
7. Sew 2 headbands, 2 bibs, and 2 burp cloths. *Find dress to make.
8. Crochet 2 dishcloths.
9. Continue reading to the boys everyday.
10. Make 2 Christmas presents.

What we're eating:

Our pantry and freezer are a mess (this seems to be a continuing theme in my life). Hubby made the suggestion that we focus on eating what we have this week to clean stuff up. So this may be a mash-up month.

• Monday- venison steak, beans and rice
• Tuesday- hamburger (or tuna) helper. Yeah, I know this stuff is gross and unhealthy- but we are not the throw away food type of people.
• Wednesday- chicken on the grill
• Thursday- roast
• Friday- homemade pizza
• Saturday- eating with friends
• Sunday- chicken fried rice.

Do you make weekly goals. If so, do you have suggestions on getting them done?

Raiding Hubby's Donation Pile- T-Shirt Refashion DIY

I have a problem. I am taller than the average woman.

This is not an actual problem. I quite like my height. The problem is buying clothing. Most jeans are too short. The talls are usually too long. I also have a problem finding t-shirts that are long enough.

What's a girl to do? Keep an eye on her husband's donate pile.

Hubby was given this shirt.

He was never going to wear it. It is a v-neck; a no-go for hubby. It is a medium (he likes large-x-large). It has what he calls 'girly' stripes. So this t-shirt floated around the house; getting stuffed one place, then moved to another.

I finally took matters into my own hands.

Here's what I did:

I pulled out one of my t-shirts that I love the fit of. Turn the big shirt inside-out. Place the little shirt on the big shirt. You can trace, or pin along lines. (Although I hate pinning, I pinned. I didn't want the side seams to shift.) I kept the extra length in the torso and sleeves.

Sew along marked lines (yellow lines). Try shirt on. This is important! Try it on before you make any cuts! (Remember measure twice, cut once.) If it fits, cut off the extra material.

Add extra embellishment if you wish. I had some iron-ons in my stash, so I slapped 'em on.

All done. Admire your new shirt. (Bonus: no more worrying about showing too much cleavage, front and back.)

Soothing Crochet

I have been SLOWLY crafting through my stash. I have a few reasons for this. One reason is to clear the clutter my crafting addictions have caused. Another reason is to have things to list in my (hopefully) soon-to-be etsy shop.

I hope that an etsy shop will help me be more productive and consistent in my crafting endeavors, and earn a little bit of money along the way. We'll see.

Anyways, enough dreaming, more doing.

I have been crocheting (one of my new found crafting loves). Yesterday I made an observation while crocheting. I have been using a yellow, green, and blue variegated cotton yarn (Lily Sugar 'n Cream) .

My mood changed as the colors changed. Not a full-on mood swing, more of just a twinge (which is good because the colors changed often). Yellow seemed to make me feel more energetic, green was a calm feeling, and blue was a happy feeling. Hmmm.

Does this happen to anybody else? Or should I be thinking about getting some help ;)

Have a lovely day!

No Vinyl, No Problem. DIY Puffy Paint Labels

One of my to-dos are canisters. I have this shelf space above the cupboards in our kitchen. I want my (bulky) baking stuff up there. Stuff like flours and sugars.

I found canisters that I like at Bed Bath and Beyond. I have bought three (with coupons of course) so far.

The problem? They are not labeled. Then use your fancy vinyl cutting thingamajig. Right?
Nope, I don't have one, and since I am trying to use what I have in order to clear space and save money- I am not about to buy one.

What's a girl to do? Put it on her do-it-later list? Wrong! Use what she has.

I came across a post about puffy paint. Remember that stuff? Nineties flashback! (I was a young, aspiring designer because of puffy paint.) At Doodle Craft they found that puffy paint can be used as window clings.

Hmmm. I think I can make this work...

Here's what you need:

• glass container
• image to trace
• tape
• Windex, paper towel
• puffy paint

1. Clean the area you are painting.
2. Tape image on inside of glass.

3. Trace image with puffy paint. *if you are a lefty, write from right to left (how do you think I figured that one out?)

4. Let Dry. *I had to put jar on its side (with paint on top), because the first try ran.

5. That's it! Enjoy your vinyl-less canisters.

Note- this stuff is just like a window cling when dry. So, it may not be a permanent solution, but it works for me.To wash, either peel off, or wash very gently. (The good news is that if you mess up, it peels right off!)

One more to-do done! Do you have a favorite vinyl alternative?

Two Year Anniversary

Two years ago today, my little brother walked me down the aisle, and gave me to this wonderful man. We promised God to love and cherish each other forever. We celebrated amongst family and friends. It was the most wonderful day of my life.

It seems like its been much longer. We sure did cram a lot into two years!

I love this man. I am so fortunate to be married to him. He is a wonderful hubby, and extraordinary father.

Here's to many more!

Weekly goals

Hubby is out of state for work this week. This is our first time truly spending time apart. This is also the first time hubby has been away from the boys. I have an awesome husband, and the kids have a wonderful father. He not only goes to work every day so I can stay home with the littles, but once he comes home he jumps right in to daddy/hubby mode. I am so fortunate to have a hubby that helps cook, changes diapers, helps with baths, maintains the yard, well- the list goes on. I have a feeling I will appreciate his presence so much more after this week!

What are my plans? Get stuff done!

Last week I didn't do that good with my goals, so I am starting from that list- and adding on. I have so many projects around here that are unfinished- and I just need to get em done.
This weeks goals (actually last weeks list, re-posted):

1. Work for 15 minutes a day in the computer room. Didn't do once last week.
2. Refine my own chore chart. Started working on morning and night routines, then the season changed.
3. Find 7-10 meals for 30 meal list. Did not do
4. Make journals for the men in my life (hubby and twins). Again, did not do.
5. Read to the boys everyday, take boys' reading chart to the library. Was much better at this. Still need to take chart to the library.
6. Continue to get up between 6:30 and 6:45. Yes! (although I really did not have much of a choice some days.)
7. Sew 2 headbands, 2 bibs, and 2 burp cloths. *Find dress to make. No sewing done.
8. Crochet 2 dishcloths. Done!
9. Work on etsy shop. Did minimally, so like all other goals staying on list.
10. Get resume together. Nada.

Whew. Lots to do. On top of that hefty list, I hope to finish the boatload of unfinished projects I have around here. This seems to be an ongoing theme in my life. Oh, well.

Off to the printer, maybe having my list posted will help. Keep you updated.