4 Skirts!!!! Whata week!

Let's break last week down to a list of highs and lows....

Lows

1. It is not possible for me to be "in bed" at 10 pm. There is an opposing magnetic forcefield that cannot be broken until 10:30 at the very earliest.
2. It is NOT possible for me to wake up at 6 am without a very major incentive or person waiting for me...do it for myself??? nahhhh.
3. Allie got very sick on Wednesday and did not fully recover until Saturday....hence the week was not on schedule as planned. Now Darin and I are sick!!!! (that sentence sounds weird but I'm sick so whatev.)
4. Sister Oster has ruined LOTS of bread this week and now I'm out of yeast! (She's such a whiner sometimes!)
5. Sister Crock-it thought it would be funny to get in on the act and turn off mid-cooking! Haha jokes on me after a very long Sunday.


Enough already.....

Highs

1. Last Monday and Tuesday went off perfectly!!!
2. I made not 2 but 4 skirts!!!! (pics below)
3. I feel like I accomplished so much more this past week but sadly the house looks the same. (this is still a high because I feel more accomplished!)
4. I am NOT giving up and am working out the kinks to the schedule and meal planning.
5. Stocked up on 3 month supply of one meal...we are doing this each week until we have a complete 3 month supply of food in case of an emergency.


Back to the skirts....I'm so proud.

#1. Is made from a man's XXL t-shirt from Old Navy. It cost $0.99!!!!!! Yes, less than a dollar. When I first eyed the shirt Darin started shaking his head...I laughed because he thought I was buying TWO of them for him! haha (Sorry if you own this shirt, but seriously???)






#2. Is made from 2 bandanas that cost $1 each! Great, cheap project if you want to learn to sew. This took me like 10 minutes start to finish! It's Red Ribbon Week at school and the girls had to wear red today...voila! 2 adorable (if I do say so myself) skirts!!!







Sorry but these adorable models are under an exclusive contract! ;-)

My Friend's Blog Is In InStyle Magazine!!!

So - yes I will update my progress from last week but first some huge news. My BFF out here in California has an amazing blog that you have to check out. She gives you decorating ideas for kids/teens bedrooms and parties! ALSO...she was just listed in InStyle Magazine as one of their top 200 sites!!!!! Seriously!

Congrats Toni!!!

Official Change Your Life Week

I should say that it's MY official Change My Life Week. I decided to post this so I'll have to report in on my progress. What am I changing, you ask? First of all...I'm incorporating a new household cleaning scheduled. YAYYYY! (I can hear the cheers!) No, seriously this is big news. I have lots of excuses for why I need a schedule but basically I've been choosing "FUN" over "Chores" (boo) and apparently choosing "FUN" is not a good way to teach your children the importance of "Chores" (boo) .

Basics of my program : Do 4 chores each day (one is a rotating chore that I do once a month). Of course doing dishes doesn't count towards my 4 (boo).
So I just do 4 things a day and hopefully by the end of the week our house will be sparkling.
{Thanks to Carmel for giving me a copy of her schedule! Her house is inspiring, beautiful, organized, and clean!!!}

Another thing I'm doing is plan our menu in advance and prepare dinner during the afternoon, either crock-pot or something that can go in the fridge until it goes into the oven. (today is Enchiladas).

Also, I'm working on going to bed at 10 ...cringe and waking up at 6.... double cringe!

FINAL BIG ANNOUNCEMENT....I hereby promise to FINISH my Halloween T-shirt into a Skirt project for the girls that I've been working on (neglecting mostly) for a few weeks! I will post pictures next Monday. There, I said it and now I'm committed.

Please tell me I'm not the only one who struggles with time management, desire to clean toilets, and ability to finish projects in a timely manner???!!!!

Muahhh XOX, I'm off to do some laundry!

Kitchen Help....I splurged and hired out!

Everyone who knows me knows that I HATE TO COOK! Seriously hate it. We could have yogurt, cold cereal, sandwiches, frozen dinners daily and I would not complain. Fine with me. BUT, I do think that dinner together as a family is important...dang voice in my head! So I've offered a swap to friends...if you cook for me, I'll clean for you! deal? ....so far no takers. Well...until now!

I've hired some help, two very sweet ladies who are a whiz in the kitchen!


Meet Sister Crock-it and Sister Oster.....



















I just dump some stuff in them in the morning (when I actually feel like being in the kitchen) and I leave to hang out with him.... jealous?


















When we return...voila Cheesey Broccoli Soup and Bread Bowls! Yummy! Ohhhhh, and they make a mean barbque chicken grill bread! (okay, a certain handsome Orthodontist had to help them a bit.)


















Who likes the new kitchen help?! (nevermind that one of these kids is eating a hot dog ;) )


















Just thought I'd pass this joy along, it is quickly making my life very close to perfection....well I just have to teach them to mop!

Here is Sister Crock-it's recipe for Panera Cheesey Broccoli Soup

2 can Cream of Chicken Soup (or one big can)
2 pkg (10 oz) frozen chopped broccoli
1 small onion chopped
1 quart half and half
1 pkg American cheese (cubed)

Dump and cook on high for 4 hrs. It's also great with diced potatoes and bacon.

For bread bowls just make your favorite roll recipe...Sister Oster has her own.... divide the dough into 4 -6 giant rolls and bake at 400 degrees for 10 min...or whatever you think. hehe Look at me sharing recipes! These ladies have already taught me so much!