Rolled Canvas Print Giveaway

Hey guys!

If you haven't subscribed to Saving Cents with Sense, you NEED to. I get her email and FB updates on all the latest coupons and deals---and I'm doing well saving cashflow for the holidays. More on that later. Anyway, she's got a give-away for a 16 x 20 rolled canvas print. Go to her site and check it out for details. It ends tonight. I wish I would've been paying more attention to alert you all later since there's not much time left, but you all know how crazy it's been in my household lately. Either way, I'm getting my extra entries now!! Yay for me!!

PS. I got my mojo back and have a story involving my case of The Emperor's New Clothes in the process--pretty embarrassing post for later. Hope everyone's enjoying their weekend so far.

I've lost my mojo!!

Last week I was on a roll--decluttering and cleaning like it was my business. Technically, since I'm staying home, it IS my business. I don't know if it's because I went all out, including my birthday, that I seem to have run out of steam....but it's gone. Maybe because there's not as much to do (but still a good amount), I don't feel the pressure. The fact that it's cold out and all I wanna do is be snuggly and lazy. I've always been a major procrastinator (with the exception of grad school), and I thrive on that last-minute work. Is my procrastinator self coming back?? I've gone from doing work to house hunting again. A reasonable person would do the work to get their house on the market BEFORE searching all hours for another house, BUT I can't seem to do things the normal and sane way. So instead, I found myself with 3/4 of a clean and uncluttered house, but plenty of houses I want to go see. To top it off, I've been staying up late searching the internet and doing my research on all things houses, so I'm ready to pass out during the day. Not. helping. at. all. In my defense, I haven't been completely lazy. I've had a few appointments this week, have done a couple trips to Goodwill, rented a storage unit and have brought a load over...and chased around a bug. BUT, I'm just not making the progress I need to be and I could be if I was more motivated.

Cleopatra offered to come help me out tomorrow night, so maybe that will be the kick in the butt I need to get things rolling tonight in preparation for her help. I'm hoping that since I'm throwing it out there, it'll guilt me or motivate me into movin' and groovin' like I was before because I need steam in a bad way!! If someone finds my cleaning mojo, please send it back to me ASAP!

Wordless Wednesday

So I don't quite understand these theme days since I'm a newbie blogger and all, but "Wordless Wednesdays" seem to be all the rage. When in Rome............

SO, here are some pictures of the cutest Bug there is (in my humble and unbiased opinion).

Pictures taken by one of my college besties---thanks, N! She is truly my heart outside of my body...Bug, that is. ;-)  

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

I Hate the Dentist!!

Have I mentioned how I hate dentists?? If not-- I HATE DENTISTS! Ok, I don't hate the dentists themselves. In fact, I have a pretty amazing dentist. The entire office and everyone in it is exceptional (and beautiful--I think they had some sort of mathematical formula for beauty and you could only be hired if you met cerain criteria). So I apologize to them in advance (and any one in the dental field who may be reading), but.....

I HATE DENTISTS!

If you haven't assumed yet, I had to go to the dentist yesterday. This was my second appointment at this place. The one prior to that was 4 months ago and it was about time since I hadn't gone since...hmm....EVER! Ok, slight exaggeration, but it had been a few years since I'd gone. I know, I know....I'm gross and I've made you puke a little in your mouth...AGAIN (but I guess that makes you the gross one, doesn't it?). In my very weak defense, it's more work for a teacher to take off work then to be there. I was the kind that never took a sick day, so the thought of taking time off for appointments just didn't happen with me. Still...I'm gross, but the first step is admitting you have a problem, right??

At the last appointment they said I had some gum problems (not anything you can label like gingivitis--but I was on a bad road if I didn't get it figured out), but no cavitities. Pretty amazing for not going to the dentist in close to 5 years--according to them. Sure didn' feel amazing. So they gave me some meds for my back gums (you know...the ones you can't reach well no matter how hard you try), gave me a pat on the butt, and told me to be on my way. And off I went....in a TON of pain, & they didn't even have to do any drilling. My gums were so swollen, it was a miracle that my mouth even closed. I hate the dentist!!

So yesterday I went AGAIN. This time, Bug had to go with me since finding a babysitter didn't work out in my favor. Turns out, things are looking better...but I'm not in the clear yet. So then she asks me THE questions...you know, the ones no one wants to answer (or at least ME). Brushing---check, 2 minutes--check, mouth wash---check, flossing daily--UNcheck! I do floss, but since I'm all about admitting the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, I have to say that it's probably more like every other day. I mean, after you spend 2 minutes brushing, a minute or so going to the bathroom while using mouthwash...I just don't feel like doing it EVERY darn day! Don't they know I barely have time to shower and some days...I DON'T between chasing around my daughter, trying to search for online jobs, imaginary homes, making my house into a model home, and having an affair with DELL????? I know it probably takes most people no time, but darnit if I can turn my hands into Gumby to get way back there well enough. I try...I just don't know how well I succeed. I also think that I'm not going it right. When that dental hygienist does it, I swear she's trying to pull that rope of metal floss right up between my teeth and through my head like those wire cheese-cutters. She's behind my head yanking & pulling with her knee on the chair and her back arched. Ok, ok...slight exaggeration, but that's how it felt. I guess I need to get more agressive with my flossing to "toughen my gums." Ugh...I HATE the dentist.

To top it off, I now have a TINY cavity and have to go back. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that I barely get a real meal in during the day and end up snacking on chocolate grasshoppers, nutty bars, and whatever else I can find that's NOT good for me. Oh, and did I mention that I had to pay $300 plus this last time around because when we changed insurance (LONG and angering story that I'll have to save for another post), we thought we had some sort of dental coverage or discount plan. Turns out...NOPE! So if we don't add something, my TINY cavity (that they said was just barely "sticky") will cost an addition $175. Boo to that!! I hate the dentist.

After a fun filled afternoon, I couldn't get the experience out of my mind. Probably because for the rest of the day (and night) my mouth was going to explode into pieces at any moment!! My teeth ached, my gums were swollen, and my pockets were empty. Not to mention, I'm discussing my grossness with you all. They've taken my dignity people!! :-)

So please tell me I'm not the only one who hates the dentist, who seemingly is 4 years old and doesn't know how to floss aggressively, and who will need to be dragged kicking and screaming when it's time to go back!! If you happen to see a blonde lady with swollen gums whose head has been agressively flossed to shreds wearing jeans with empty pockets...you found me! Did I mention that I hate the dentist? Well, I do!!

And the worst blogger of the week goes to.....

ME!!!

So sorry guys....it's been a crazy week. So I discussed a "Tackle It Tuesday"...well, that theme has continued throughout the week. We've decided that we're going to put our house on the market after the holidays, which means we've got a LOT to do in just over a month (we're in NY over Christmas--so the last 2 weeks of December are shot). So yeah...that's what I've been doing. I've even been so obsessed that I decided to spend my birthday (Friday, the 13th---creepy, I know) taking on the war against the creatures under the bathroom sinks. PLEASE tell me some of your sinks look like mine!! I don't even know how they've managed to stay shut with the amount of crap under there. Seriously....is it even possible for me to have any more lotions, sprays, hair products??? Thanks to former students and Christmas presents...I've got Bath and Body Works under my sink (if only it could hold its weight around here and bring in some profit). Guess we know what all the ladies I know will be getting this Christmas (Mom, just because you're reading this doesn't mean you can't act surprised when you get a full set of lotion, spray, and body wash. Oh, you should also act oblivious to the fact that 1/4 of it is gone!!). So I've cleared out a good amount of my stash and my sinks are slightly more organize...but still full to the max. Oh well....I tried!!

Did I mention I'm currently typing this blog from the guest bedroom CLOSET?? I know, totally ghetto. But I just think we're taking a hint from IKEA and developing our own space saver. Yes, I realize this pimpin' set-up probably won't be able to stick around when we actually open our doors to buyers, but our guest room was functioning as a bedroom/office. Darling Dearest is not about to part with his man den completely (yes, the TV in here is going to have to head to storage too--spacious rooms, right??), so here the desk will stay tucked neatly away in our little clothesless closet. The sad thing is....it's kinda cute! You'd still consider a house with a desk in the closet, right?? Ok, we still have our laptop....but I've already staked my claim on DELL and I don't know how I feel about him two-timing me with my husband. Things get messy that way.

So yeah, this week has been spent in my PJs as I've been de-cluttering like a mad woman. I only wish Bug hadn't decided to start crawling before we embarked on this journey. It's quite the experience attempting to entertain her while keeping her out of trouble/danger (haven't been 100% successful--but that's for another post) AND getting stuff done around the house. Gone are the days where I could sit her in her exersaucer and do some dishes while she squawked and squeeled (if you knew Bug, you know she makes such high-pitched sounds that only dogs understand). Now she wants to be on the move exploring every facet of the house at ALL times. Needless to say, I'm relieved when it's time for her nap so I can really concentrate on my work. Full disclosure: showering is one task (and yes, it's definitely become a "task" lately) that I haven't fit it as often as I should. How gross am I???

If this picture isn't pathetic enough (and if you're still reading this post while ignoring the fact that you just puked up in your mouth while reading of my nasty self), I seem to have gotten a case of serious project ADD. Now I question whether this is something that just has gone undiagnosed, because I AM all over the place. And being a teacher, I've seen plenty of ADD....and I can totally identify with those little guys. Case in point: Tonight, I was talking to Cleopatra's cute little hubby about real estate when I glanced up at my mirror and in mid-sentence of talking to him, I said to Cleopatra, "Oh, I'm going to put a floating shelf under there," (yes, I DO need her input when it comes to the decor of my house given the fact that hers looks like a model home and mine needs to) then I continued talkingwith her hubby as if I had not totally interupted myself. How ADD am I??

Speaking of.........Where was I going with this? Back to my my original topic--my project ADD. I've been all over my house de-cluttering, but NOTHING is done. I start boxing up books in my room to put in storage when I remember that there are books in the guest room that I should add. So I go to the guest room, get those books, then start on something else in the guest room, which reminds me of something I need to do in the kitchen...then I start on something in there. Do you see where I'm going with this?? Do you feel my spastic insanity?? Do you understand why I have the worst case of project ADD there is?? I've been working my butt off for a week and what do I have to show for it?? A house that looks like a tornado ran through it---piles everywhere (to get boxed, to go to Goodwill, to get put away, etc), in every room!! UGH! It's making me stressed just typing this.

My kitchen pantry, cabinets, and cupboards are all done and organized...but my countertops have some random things on them in the "garbage" and "Goodwill" piles. Kitchen--UNCHECK!! My bedroom--my closet is done (oops, except for one pile of dress pants that I won't be wearing anytime soon--hello jobless--that couldn't fit in one of my packed bins and need to go in another for storage), my dressers (oops, no...they're 1/2 done too), my master bath sink (all the drawers except for my ridiculous make-up drawer---who can even organize that thin drawer in the middle anyway?? HELP PLEASE!).....oh, and I haven't even touched the cleaning aspect. Master bedroom---UNCHECK!! Guest bedroom still has a couple piles, and we've already discussed the desk in the closet---UNCHECK!! Bug's room only has a few things---UNCHECK!!. My garage---oh, I can't even talk about the mess that is, but I've made a dent in it. Why?? Because I have project ADD and am doing EVERYTHING, but finishing NOTHING. What's worse is that I still have all this de-cluttering & cleaning to do and today, I'm out shopping for finishing decor for staging (thanks to my new 24/7 obsession with HGTV--seriously, if you're not into it....it's what all the cool kids are doing. Jump off the bridge with us!!) and contemplating paint colors!! What in the world?? Somebody stop me!! I need some serious intervention! I'm a hot mess and someone needs to put me in my place.

I've decided that no matter how it gets done--project ADD or the one-room-at-a-time approach (like SHOULD be done), it WILL get done this week. All of my de-cluttering and spotless cleaning MUST get done this week. Why?? Because I said so! Didn't your mother ever tell you not to ask why? And hey, I may even add "shower" on my list of things to do (Bug and I have appts on Mon. and Wed---so that's 2 days out of 7, right??). And I leave you with that---the epitome of a hot mess!!

Prayer Request

So this post is slightly off the norm...BUT, I'd love for you guys to pray for my parents. My mom has taught for free at private Christian school in NY for about 30 years and my dad does plumbing & heating. Well, my dad is currently not working due to some problems with his hands, joints, etc. (he may need surgery), which obviously influences their income. They own some apartment houses (the old-school kind...I'm talking about the kind they bought for nothing 20 or so years ago that require constant upkeep and work) which is a main source of their income. I just found out this morning, that one of their tennants caused a fire in their apartment building which did a lot of damage and left it unliveable until they get things fixed. SO currently, these 6 units are empty and the fear is that these people will find somewhere else to rent, which will leave the apartments empty for a while since people don't typically move during the holiday season. This has put them into a pretty scary place financially, especially with Christmas approaching.

My mom has a peace that God is going to provide for them. She said she was really upset yesterday morning when she started cleaning off her dresser and noticed a watch that neither she nor my dad had ever seen before. It had a cross at the top and on the second hand were footprints walking toward the cross. It reminded her of the poem, Footprints in the Sand--where during the times where we feel like we're alone and things are tough there is only one set of footprints because God is carrying us.  So we know God will provide a way, but I know they could really use some extra prayers that things will work out and that they can get the apartment building up and running again before they lose their tennants. Or just that God will give them peace and a comfort in knowing He's carrying them through this financially and emotionally draining time. It's a miracle that no one was hurt during the fire, so He's already provided in that. If you think about it this week, please lift them up in prayer. I'll update you as I know anything.

Tackle It Tuesday

So in my blog surfing, I found someone who had Tackle It Tuesday as her theme for today(if this was you, let me know so I can give you credit). Anyway, her theme inspired me to do some tackling of my own. In keeping with imaginary house hunting, which I hope to turn into REAL house hunting....a decision has been made to get our house ready to put on the market. This means, a LOT of de-cluttering and hiding things in friend's basements organizing, not to mention cleaning, decorating, and staging. So today, I tackled one of the biggest projects of all---the master closet!

Cleopatra told me I needed to go through and get things into piles, so I decided upon "Goodwill--aka. Why the heck do I still own this? I think I bought this in middle school!", "Summer clothes that I've never EVER actually put away for summer and typically just take up space in my closet and dresser", "Maternity clothes that should've been put away at least 6 months ago but I keep them around because I'm convinced that I can get more bang for my buck if I keep wearing the tops", and finally "I'm no longer working so why do I need dress pants?? aka...I'll wear you later." The clothes that didn't fit into these 4 categories stayed in my closet.

So I left Bug to crawl around on the floor and get into trouble every 5 seconds in her curious exploration of this new world around her while I tore myself through my closet like a Kansas tornado (ok, my only knowledge of Kansas tornados comes from Twister--was that even Kansas?). I had clothes flying off their hangers and parachuting to their appropriate overflowing piles, all while watching Bug eat paper tags she managed to steal from the Walmart bag playing with Bug. Oh, don't hate or chastise me just yet....I was at least watching her chew on these tags. And YES, I did take them away, so don't call child protective services for tag-chewing negligence.

This is what my closet and bathroom looked like after the tornado whipped through.

Once my closet managed to puke up these separate piles, I folded and organized them. I even employed the "EXTREME folding" strategy (aka...nursing Bug on the floor of my walk-in closet while folding clothes). I don't mess around when trying to become Cleopatra. :-) It's all or nothing, baby!! Darling Dearest even brought home storage bins that he picked up on his lunch because there was no way in the world I was heading out in the torrential downpour with Bug. It hasn't stopped all day and is still pounding on my window as I write this. So off to Goodwill and friend's basements storage these bins will go!

Unfortunately, this "Tackle It" theme will have to go on every day until our house shines like the top of the Chrysler Building, as my dad and Mrs. Hannigan would say. I'm regretting that I didn't take any "before" pictures of the closet, but am proud that I even went through undies, bras, winter wear, shoes, belts...you name it! This may be the normal scene for some of you, but the packrat inside me is dying a slow and painful death in the war against clutter. Onto dreams of a clutterless, model home (the one I hope mine will transform into) before waking up to another day of tackling the chaos that is my house and chasing around the cutest Bug ever!