Closet Tips...

I spent a portion of my Christmas Day free time re-organizing my closet. This also included giving The Him the dresser and taking over the ENTIRE closet :)

I happen to crave organization although I am terrible with the upkeep. But when its done, it is esthetically very pleasing. 

  I have a ZERO budget when it comes to allocating awesome organization tools, so along the way I had to improvise on some things...thought I would share.

 Perhaps its a little OCD, but i HAVE to have all the same color hangers and my clothes HAVE to be seperated by color. So much easier for me to find crap that way. (plaid IS a color btw...Please note that I KNOW I have a lot of clothes. Half of them are my 'skinny' clothes man...SOMEDAY I will be able to wear them again :-P )

First issue I had was in this hanging organizer. Ive had it for 7 or 8 years and it is now officially broken, but I still needed something to organize different articles of clothing. So... I TURNED IT SIDEWAYS and stuck it on the shelf!



plaid bottoms, skirts, long shorts, short shorts, pjs

It also helped that I confiscated one of these organizers from The Him in the switch, so I still have a place for my jeans.


The second issue I had was in my floppy boots. I know they make things that you can buy and stick in your boot legs...but I cant bring myself to spend money on something I can create myself. Thus...this idea. I had just finished, in the days prior, wrapping presents and coincidentally used a LOT of rolls of wrapping paper. Guess whats on the inside of those rolls...cardboard tubes of sorts. Guess what I tend to hoard...random shit that can be used later.

Step 1: Cut! I cut mine in half because I have tall boots!!

 
Step 2: Insert into boot, all the way to the bottom. 

Step 3: ENJOY!!!

A Christmas Tradition..

Typically on Christmas, the family gathers in the morning, eats breakfast, takes turns giving, and then goes our separate ways by 11 or 12...including my kids (they go to their dads). So that leaves pretty much the entire rest of the day open.

Not having the kids on Christmas started of course when I left their dad in '08. My sister was living with me at the time, so it helped ease the void. Naturally, our go-to is going out and doing something fun, but we never have money at Christmas so it has to be something free. Looking at our options, we had rain, a car, golf clubs and a bat bag in the trunk, and a park near by. Golfing in the rain it is.

This has now become a must every year and I get all giddy if it is raining on Christmas day. One year we walked on to a golf course and just played till we got bored. Lots of divots that day. One year we played at a parked filled with geese, ducks, ponds, and playgrounds...all just hazards in the game. I think I managed to break 2 or 3 clubs that year. Doesnt really matter where...as long as houses and cars wont be injured...

True to form, we busted out the clubs and the golf balls I bought at a yardsale  and trekked over to our local baseball park. This was awesome. The goal was to hit it clear over the backstop and over the homerun fence. Its not as easy when its raining and bitterly cold. Cant tell you how many balls we sliced to the other diamond...or into the bleachers.

 I must say...retrieving the balls was half the fun for me. Mud, squishy grass, HUGE puddles. The EXACT reason I always wear steel-toe rubber boots...ya never know when yer gonna need em!

We found MOST of the balls we started with, plus, someone ELSE's totally jacked up ball. Its a momento for another successful Christmas spent golfing in the rain :)

Goodwill Hunting 12.20.12

Gettin Thrifty Wit It...Na na na na na nA NA,... Na na na na na nA!...You know you were singing along... ;)

We still needed a few more gifts to fulfill our gift giving experience this year so we headed back to Goodwill after work. (It is safe to say that 90% of our gifts will be from the Goodwill this year. With so many treasures for such affordable prices, one mans junk is my "omg...SCORE!!") I am thankful that I have people in my life that can appreciate this same awesomeness. 

Todays mission: find some more clothes for Logan (my oldest), maybe Wyatt (my youngest), my sister, a White Elephant gift for the E&C party, and if cool enough, something for us.

I hit the Men's T-shirt rack first. BAM!
 

Objective 1: Logan. Check.

Sac Kings T-$2.99, Vans  T/long sleeve combo $5.99, Santa Cruz T-$1.99

Objective 2: maybe Wyatt. Check

Homer T- $1.99

Objective 3: My sister. Just in case she's reading this...not gonna post it :p

Objective 4: White Elephant. aaaahahahaa. This one is so awesome. I cant wait for the party. I will put up another blog post later with our rad gift ideas (we have two White Elephants this year)

Objective 5: Us. Ooooh us. We are so awesome.  

For the Me: 

Zac Brown Concert T-$2.99, Special K, just like my daddy calls me, $0.99, and a pair of awesome jeans for $5.99 

For the Him:

One snazzy black suit jacket for $7.99 and one badass mug to add to the collection for $2.99

Twas a great day at the Goodwill :)

For the victims of Sandy Hook

My fiance was touched by the tragedy, as we all were, that happened to the people in Newtown, CT. Not knowing what to do or how to help, he did what he does best. He wrote this song in an effort to hopefully provide some sort of comfort in a time of grief.




He has also partnered up with Circle of 5ths Entertainment to provide a donation link where 100% of the proceeds will go to the Sandy Hook Victims fund. He will also send you an mp3 copy of this song with your donation. Every bit helps I am sure. 

Wait...what? DUDE! 12.19.12

Normally I just stick the plastic wrap and the cardboard tray together in the recycle bin, but this time an idea hit me. Use the cardboard tray for the new fire pit! ....Brilliant!

As i struggle to get the cardboard tray out of its plastic shroud, another idea hit me...make it into a shadow box! That could be so cool! maybe some flowers or some skulls for the kitchen...hmmm, hows it look on the wall?...kinda sticks out, but in a very 3-D way...I like it...oOOooo, what about the inside? the texture on the bottom of the tray is coined sized bubbles...those would make for interesting 3-D...things. Hmmm. Flip it over so its like a fatty canvas...thats kinda cool too. Hmm. What's this black stamp Id have to 2nd coat or decoupage over? 

THIS CORRUGATED FIBREBOARD HAS AN

 EDGE CRUSH TEST OF NOT LESS THAN 23#

INTERNATIONAL PAPER

ELK GROVE, CA

Elk Grove, CA? o wow! Thats local! Wait...Thats cool! My super cool water bottle company uses a company in Elk Grove to package their water! Thats awesome!!.........But wait......why would my super cool spring water company use a company in Elk grove? Do they bottle locally too?

I checked the counter for an empty bottle. Hmmm. Nestle Pure Life. Check.  3 happy stick figure people on the label. Ok. Good Food, Good Life, Nestle. yada Good to talk nestle-purelife.us yada yada NUTRITIONAL COMPASS blah blah blah Please Recycle I do! SOURCE: Public water supply, Sacramento, CA......SOURCE: Public water supply, Sacramento, CA...Sacramento, CA...Public water supply...SOURCE....omg....OMG....Sacramento water? are you kidding me?!.....Public supply...REALLY?! Son of a bitch!!...You mean Ive been drinking Sacramento water after all?...SON OF A BITCH! I thought this shit was spring water!! 

aaaahaha. That's what I get for not reading the labels. $3-ish per case for purified water bottles seems like a bitchin deal. ah...son of a bitch! I looked back at the label of the water bottle. Nestle. Pure life....awe look! Its written so pristine like with that majestic little sunburst behind it. and oh look! The happy little stick figures seem to be rejoicing at this glorious water of...of...Pure Life!! Alas! Its Purified Water: Enhanced with minerals for taste! .....You jackasses with yer tricksy little labels. Yer selling me purified SHIT water!

Lesson learned. I will spring a little extra to buy the better water. get it? hahaha..................well I thought I was punny. At least I now also have some sort of craft project at hand...or maybe just something to burn. Either way, happy ending :)

son of a bitch!

Goodwill Hunting 12.16.12

Mission: Christmas Shopping.

Objectives: Wyatt, Logan, Niece, Nephew, Sister N Law, Brother, v103Rock White Elephant

Objective 1: Wyatt. Check

Studdly button up shirt $4.99, pair of play shoes $5

Objective 2: Logan. Fail. 

Sometimes you just strike out. 

Objective 3: Niece. Check!

Leggings $1.99, Plaid sparkly shirt $2.99, Plaid skirt $2.99, Summer tank $2.99, Pink Raincoat $3.99, and a giant bouncy ball $1.99

 Objective 4: Nephew. Check. (tho I need more)

Kings Jersey $3.99

Objective 5: Sister N Law. Check

Awesome candle holder/vase $2.99, Purple votive holders $0.50ea, Butterfly candle majigger $1.99

Objective 6: Brother. Check

Bears shot glass $0.99, (plus a weber bbq i bought at a yardsale)

Objective 7: v103Rock White Elephant. Check. 

Brand spankin new fondue set with original packaging $5.99

 

BONUS:

Even tho I wasnt looking for it, it practically begged me to take it home. 

Bag full of wine bottle corks for future craft project $2.99

Frugal for life.

Simple Truths: A Fear

Everyone has fears. Some of them are very random.

When I was around 8 or 9, mom told me to take out the garbage. It was already dark and cold outside so I of course was procrastinating... which pissed mom off a bit. Reluctantly, I grabbed up the trash bag and headed outside. The thought had never crossed my mind that something might be lurking inside that trash bag that would try and gut me like a fish...not that I  pay attention to shit anyway. I barely got two steps out onto the driveway when BAM, a tin can lid sliced open the inside of my ankle. How the hell it got the INSIDE of my ankle I dont know, much like most of the bruises I have on a daily basis.

Mom was already pissed off at me so I was very hesitant to go get this blood gushing wound bandaged up. I sat in front of the doorway to the bathroom, where she was on the throne, just staring at the door. I sucked it up and took the verbal lashing she dished as she victoriously doused the wound with peroxide and gave me a bandaid.

Damnit. I still had to take out the garbage. Limping back outside, I grabbed that damn bag, went to throw it in the can and on the way up, sliced the other side of my ankle. WTF. This time, feeling more like a dumbass than the time before, I heistated even longer outside her throne. Our hall closet was right next to the bathroom and had no door. I nonchalantly stook my ankle up against a blanket and let it bleed all over. I heard the toilet flushed and panicked. Ran to my room and just let it bleed.


 So now...not only do I have two scars on my ankle, but I also have a BIG fear of tin can lids. Those things MUST be stuffed into the can and stuffed into the middle of the garbage can OR if I save the tin can for a craft project, i find some other piece of trash to wrap the damn thing in...and I DEFF hold the damn garbage bag a foot off to the side when I carry it.

Xmas Ornaments

Decorating ornaments is easy!! Here are two we are decorating to raise money for charity at our 3rd annual Tone Deaf Caroling event. Vote for your favorite in the comment section. ALSO, simple directions to recreate these beauties below :)

What you need to make your own:
 Ornaments: I bought these two ginormous balls at The Dollar Store
Glue: Elmers for drawing your design.
Glitter:  Whatever colors tickle your fancy. Sprinkle on the glue.
Some sort of ring for holding your ornament steady. We used rubber bracelets. 
Paper: Work on the piece of paper so you can easily dump the glitter back into its container when you are finished

Easy Mistletoe Craft

Decorating a doorway with mistletoe is an old tradition...and very simple to do! 

Step 1: Look for the only green spots left in the trees. After all the leaves have fallen, it is very easy to spot. Cut it down with tree trimmers. Either cut small portions for personal use or the whole bundle to make a lot :) 

Step 2: Trim the branches leaving enough stem to tie them together.

Step 3: Separate your trimmings into big and small piles. (IF you cut down the whole bundle that is) I used the bigger ones to make fancier decorations (that Im selling for $2) and the smaller ones for a more simple look (selling for $1).

Step 4:  Pick out 2-3 branches from the same pile and bind them using bread ties, pipe cleaners, ribbon, string, or anything you have that is strong enough. Using the same ribbon you are going to use for decorating will work as long as its tight enough for them not to slip thru.

 Step 5: Make a small loop for hanging before tying ribbon around mistletoe, using the same ribbon to make a bow.

Step 6: Decorate! Ribbon scraps are excellent for this project. you can also get festive ribbon at the Dollar Store. 

Fun Extras: I used some jingly bells and silver star garland that I also found at the Dollar Store. You can twist the wire garland around your finger to give it a spiral look. 

 

 

 Small and simple ones