Blogs I Follow

Since I have covered all the Apps I use from my phone, but I want to try to keep up my regular posting, I am changing Thursday's Helpful Apps to Blogs I Follow. This week I will link to Organizational Blogs I Follow. I used to follow blogs via Google Reader, but since that site is no longer available, I use Feedly. It works great and since more people are using it, they continue to make nice updates.

Organizational Blogs I Follow:

1. Day One Blog-Day One is a great journaling app I use on my phone. I really like the way it looks and how easy it is to use. So, when I saw they had a blog, I began to follow it, too. 
2. Creative Organizing blog has become Simplify 101. I love this blog and their newsletters. I appreciate their tips and suggestions! For a while I was subscribed to both via feedly and got their posts twice! :)
3. I Heart Organizing Blog-I love this blog because they often show before and after projects, from the writer and from readers. It can spawn new project ideas or design ideas, and it also inspires me to just get going on a project!
4. The Art Of Simple/Simple Mom-I just recently found this blog through another site. I really like the articles and will continue to follow it! It's not just about organizing, but that was how I originally found it. Some nice words of wisdom in her last few posts.
5. Organized Home-Love the checklists posted! And the encouragement to break cleaning/organizing into small chunks, even with a busy life!
6. A Bowl Full of Lemons-I found this blog through Pinterest as I was looking up planner ideas. I really loved the approach I saw here and the many things she was organizing-files/papers, purse, planners, home!
7. Small Notebook-Ways to Simplify Your Home, some How-Tos and ideas for organization. This is another good blog with thoughts, feelings and words of wisdom thrown in, as well.

Do you have any organizational blogs you follow, Reader? And Happy Thanksgiving! I'm grateful you are here!

What I'm Reading Wednesday

What am I reading today? The same things I was reading last week at this time! :) I haven't sat down to read much so far this week. I have been pretty busy! I have been:

• emptying and cleaning out our laundry room, cupboards and all for starters. 
• I also emptied and cleaned our closet-my husband and I share a closet. It isn't huge, I could stand in it and touch the front and back at the same time, and the length is not much bigger. However, we are just fine with it. It has a few drawers for husband's folded clothes and a few cubbies for things like luggage and sleeping bags. I got rid of a trash bag of clothes/bags I don't use and husband got rid of a bag of clothes, as well; things we just don't wear because of the style or fit.
• Also, we worked on our "junk drawer" in the kitchen, the catch all for miscellaneous stuff-we didn't get rid of the drawer altogether, but it is much emptier. :) 
• I emptied out our front coat/shoe closet, too! We needed to sort out and put away summer shoes, get out boots (I certainly hope we don't need snow boots soon, but it was time to get them out...) I vacuumed the carpet in it since shoe dirt falls there, and organized the shoes as I put them back into the closet. 

So, three big tasks and one small task down. They were tasks I thought wouldn't take too long, but each took longer than expected. All three made me sigh in relief when they were done, and glad I had completed the tasks. We also carved our pumpkins, and I got to go get new running shoes! So, it has been a busy, productive week, thus far. Tomorrow I am planning on getting out my children's books and sorting through my "future classroom" items. I am planning on attempting to put favorite books on either Book Retriever or Book Crawler so I know what I have. I have so many children's books-so many tubs full! I would love to have them sorted and out on bookshelves. Someday I will have a wonderful "Grandma" library at my house that my grandchildren will love to come read/be read to in. :) At least that's my dream someday. :)
I did do some reading yesterday, I almost forgot! I kept a kindergarten age little girl for a neighbor and we headed to the bookstore to pick a few books, read and enjoy. I read to her and loved it. :) We read:

• The Day The Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt. It was the first time I had read it and it was a cute book-would be great to introduce children to, or refresh minds about, writing letters. 
• Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson was a good book to read with someone. I don't foresee it being a good read-aloud classroom book, but it was very cute, also, showing changes in seasons and trees through the seasons. It was also the first time I had read this and I found it sweet and simple.
• Last I read A Turkey For Thanksgiving by Eve Bunting. We have it here at home and I didn't care for the selection of Halloween stories/Fall stories, so we jumped ahead to this cute story about Mr. and Mrs. Moose wanting a turkey for Thanksgiving. Also a heart-warming story. What I really wanted to read was Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White, but they didn't have it. Sadly, I don't have it either, I lent it to a fellow teacher while I was subbing and they kept forgetting it. I never got it back. I will have to re-order it so I have it for my collection.

It has been a fun, busy week! :) I hope yours has been too, Reader!

Thursday's Helpful Apps

Today's Thursday Apps are under the heading Organization for me. They help me organize my data, my schedule,  and my thoughts and ideas. Do you use any of these apps, Reader? Which do you like best? Or do you use something different altogether?

1. I have some apps to organize my to-do list, and notes. I previously noted the Notes app that comes on the iphone. It used to look like a yellow legal pad of paper but since the iOS7 update, it looks a white lined pad of paper. It is just a place to jot down things. I have put addresses in there, foods to look up a recipe for, lyrics to songs to look up or even t-shirt sayings I liked from cross country meets. Again, it's not a fancy app, just a place to jot things down to remember or some people to use it as a to-do list and jot down plans for the day.
2. I also use the Reminders app quite frequently-actually more since the operating system update. On this site, they mentioned these notes below about the app: With Reminders, you can: Create and organize multiple lists, Use Date/Time or location-based notifications, Search for specific reminders, Reorder to-dos, View your reminders by list or scheduled view, and Automatically update all your devices and calendars using Calendar, Outlook, and iCloud.
3. I have a wonderful journaling app, DayOne, also. I had heard about it on someone's blog where they touted its wonderful qualities, but I didn't want to pay the price. Then, I saw where they had a try-it-free promotion, which is when I downloaded it and have been using it ever since. You can add tags to things, for example I have my daughters' names as tags so if I'm looking for a journal note about them I can search by tag. You can also put in pictures, places, links. You can also set reminders. I have one set at 8:00am each day. It reminds me to journal each day then. You can also sync between devices. 
4. Another favorite is GoodReads. I have the app and I use it frequently. I'm pretty sure I've blogged about it before, but I was just telling a friend about it recently and was surprised she'd never come across it before. It is worthy of blogging again. ;) It you are on it and would like to share book information, let me know, Reader! :) I often like to look for books I like at the bookstore, scan their bar code into my app and then I can look them up at the library. It's a nice way to see what I have read, what I want to read and books I have liked so I can look up similar books. Here is itune's description: Keep track of what you want to read, review the books you've read, and organize your reading history by adding books to your shelves. Find new and interesting books by looking at what your friends are reading, and comment on their reviews. No other app combines the power and depth of the Goodreads community with an enormous catalog of books and reviews. Use our barcode scanner the next time you are in a bookstore. Add the book in your hands to your "to-read" shelf and easily view its reviews before buying.
5. I have also mentioned Pinterest, here, as well, I think. I love it. It is also a website, but I think the iphone app is even easier to use than the site. Such a good place to organize ideas for all areas of my life, like organization, gardening, teaching, Bible verses, and so much more. I can get lost on it before realizing how much time has passed. :) It is also nice to use the app from my phone sometimes to send a funny meme to my daughters. A nice, quick, simple way to share our interests and sometimes a laugh. Here is itune's description:Pinterest is a tool to find your inspiration and share it with others. Use it to collect things you love, organize and plan important projects, and more.
   Features
   • Pin images from around the web
   • Explore pins and boards you’re interested in
   • Get inspiration from DIY, Travel, Food and other categories
   • Pin with your camera
6. I used to use Google Reader until it was no longer up and running. I loved having blog posts I read from several different blogs and websites in one place. I chose Feedly as my replacement. I like the website better than the iphone app, but they are making nice changes to it over time, as their user base continues to grow.  "Feedly is a better way to organize, read and share the content of your favorite sites."
7. Last, an app I have and go in phases with. Some phases I love this app, Evernote, and some phases I don't open it for days. I'm sure it could be a wonderful tool to organize so many things, but I haven't gotten into the habit of using it. I could probably use this app for all 6 of the items above, or at least 4 of them. I may, still, but not today. Their theme is "remember everything". Here is the description from itunes:Evernote is an easy-to-use, free app that helps you remember everything across all of the devices you use. Stay organized, save your ideas and improve productivity. Evernote lets you take notes, capture photos, create to-do lists, record voice reminders--and makes these notes completely searchable, whether you are at home, at work, or on the go. 
   
   New York Times ‘Top 10 Must-Have App’, Winner: TechCrunch Crunchies, Mashable Awards and the Webbys. 
   
   Key Features:
   • Sync all of your notes across the computers and devices you use
   • Create and edit text notes, to-dos and task lists 
   • Save, sync and share files 
   • Record voice and audio notes
   • Search for text inside images
   • Organize notes by notebooks and tags
   • Email notes and save tweets to your Evernote account
   • Connect Evernote to other apps and products you use
   • Share notes with friends and colleagues via Facebook and Twitter
   • Works with Evernote Business: Capture, browse, search, and share Business Notes and Business Notebooks from your iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.
   ◦ Premium feature: take notebooks offline to access them anytime 
   ◦ Premium feature: allow others to edit your notebooks
   ◦ Premium feature: add a PIN lock to your Evernote app
   
   Evernote is free to download and use. Evernote Premium adds the great features above and is available through an auto-renewing subscription.
   
   Two subscription options: 
   ◦ Evernote Premium monthly for $5 
   ◦ Evernote Premium annually for $45 
   
   Subscriptions will be charged to your credit card through your iTunes account. Your subscription will automatically renew unless cancelled at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. You will not be able to cancel a subscription during the active period. Manage your subscriptions in the Account Settings after purchase.
   
   Here are some ways to use Evernote for your personal and professional life:
   • Research smarter: snap photos of whiteboards and books
   • Take meeting and class notes, draft agendas and research notes
   • Plan a trip: keep track of travel plans, plane tickets and passports
   • Organize and save recipes; search by ingredients later
   • Create a grocery list or task list and check things off as you go
   • View web pages saved in Evernote on your desktop
   • Capture ideas and inspiration on the go
   • Access files and notes you create on your phone from your desktop
   • Keep track of products and prices for comparison shopping purposes
   • Keep finances in order: save receipts, bills and contracts
   • Reduce paper clutter by taking snapshots of restaurant menus, business cards and labels
   • Use Evernote as part of your GTD system to help you stay organized
   • To get the most out of your Evernote experience, download it on all of the computers and phones that you use.
   
   Evernote is available for: Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Web
   Web clippers available for: Evernote for Web; Web Clippers for Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Internet Explorer
   
   Learn more: http://www.evernote.com/about/getting_started/

To Organize

My goals to accomplish by this weekend-well, in the next three days-thought I'd set them here to motivate me:

• My closet (my husband and I share and it's become a catch all again!) and dresser (needs a quick purge because it wasn't that long ago that I did it.) I'm planning to do this Wednesday.
• Our laundry room (since older daughter's graduation, some items that we used for serving/special occasions that don't fit in kitchen cupboards have been residing here. Feels cramped and messy when I go to the laundry room to use it for its intended purpose, which isn't fun anyway...) I'm planning to do this Tuesday.
• Our coat/shoe closet (It's time to swap flip flops and sandals for boots-much to daughter's chagrin, and swap out jackets, light ponchos for winter coats and gloves/hats... let the arguing about outer-wear begin... ;))

Any "fall cleaning tasks" ahead for you? I'm trying to tackle a few more before November swoops in.

Thursday's Helpful Apps #1

I decided to try posting a weekly segment about apps I use on my phone. Today I'm starting with the basics. I have an iphone5. I didn't have an iphone before this, but when we upgraded the girls' phones we upgraded mine, as well. I didn't think I needed a phone this "fancy", but I sure do appreciate all it does, now! In the weeks ahead I will visit topics such as photography, social media, health, music, etc. Today, the basics:
*Phone: I use the phone-yes, I actually call and talk to people. ;)
*I use mail-I can connect to my gmail and retrieve all my email at once. I used to have gmail for my school email and received it on my phone, as well, which was nice to have it all in one location.
*I use "Messages" for texting. It is so nice to be able to text my family. Silly, I know, but for my daughter to text and say "Practice is over, please come get me" or "Ready" instead of finding a pay phone, calling collect using the name "I'm ready for a ride". ;)
*I use the "camera" tool. I use it a lot! :)
*I use "settings". This enables me to set the many options my phone offers, such as ring tones, notifications, and wallpaper.
*There is a "notes" app that was on my phone when I bought it that looks like a yellow legal pad. It is just a quick way place to jot down thoughts to come back to later.
*Clock-I use this a lot. I can set alarms with it, naturally, but I also use it for a timer or stopwatch. Very simple to use.
*Calendar-I also have this set to my home calendar and can see all my upcoming appointments. I receive notifications as things are about to show up, as well.
 *There is an "App Store", as well. Not only can you download items from there, as well as purchase them, this notifies me when a new update is available, such as when a company has a bug fix for an app you use. Those are all my "basics" they are apps or tools that came on my phone that I use regularly. Check in next week for others!

Paper Clutter

I'm home today with my youngest daughter. She has what I had last week with the coughing, chest congestion, flu-like body symptoms so I'm taking her to the doctor later this morning, so I'm posting.

I know there are some of my readers who have no trouble with paper clutter. In fact, I don't find myself sitting in "clutter" per say, but I do feel like our filing system needs an overhaul. So, I saw a few blog posts recently and started to think about it again. Yesterday my husband did taxes. Although I was/we were very organized, with a "taxes 2010" folder, I did feel like I was searching for a few things that hadn't been placed into the folder. Currently we have three places for paperwork, many files in too many subcategories, papers saved that probably don't need to be... etc. I need to work on it. And, since I'm home and I don't want to spend all my spring break next week working on it, I am beginning today and thought I'd share the blogs that mentioned it. I hope you are not sitting in paper clutter, but that you find these sites useful. I also hope you've had a positive start to your week!
Organizing your way, creating a filing system that works

Project Simplify, manage your paper clutter

Simple Mom, paper clutter hot spot

Hello!

I haven't posted in a while... I was caught up in the busy activities of life! :) The summer vacation seems to be speeding by, but things have gotten done, too. :)
Running: I have kept up with the marathon training schedule very well, until the long run this weekend. I had family here Friday and Saturday, so I didn't get to the 11 scheduled. I tried to run it yesterday, but the only time I had was in the heat of the day... it was 85 and very humid. I ran 6 miles alone and then my husband was going to join me... When I grabbed some water at home, after the 6, I was very hot and not feeling too well. We started out for our last loop and I felt very ill, even sporting goose bumps on my arms! When that happens, you're way too hot, so the rest of the run was scrubbed for the day. I was broken-spirited, but my husband reminded me that I'm doing this for fun, not to hurt myself and it's important to listen to your body... so glad he was there as I walked the last little bit home.
Family: My parents came to visit this weekend! We had a wonderful time! At the local convention center there was a sewing gathering (actually, quilting, Thimbleanna and Molly! :)) and my mom is an avid quilter, so we went and walked-A LOT! :) We saw many finished quilts/competition entries, and many vendor booths. I bought some things... not quilting things, mind you, as I am not an accomplished seamstress like my mom. I bought some supplies to scrapbook with! :)
My husband had his birthday week, as I had mentioned previously, and I saved all the photos, notes and mementos, as well as a new letter from the two daughters and I, and compiled them into a "birthday week" album for Father's Day. Very fun. I hope he likes it. He seemed to when he opened it.:)
The two girls are enjoying summer break, although the oldest daughter is taking summer PE (summer gym class) so that it will free up a study hall for her next year. Otherwise, she'd have had band class and gym class, with no study hall (time to get work done, questions answered at school).
Our youngest and I have plans for some tennis and other fun things while the oldest is away at class. We have had some fun, so far! :)She has read like crazy, entering the summer reading program at the local library (a tradition of ours), already finishing the second recording sheet! She's found some great new books, and been inspired to write a book of her own, with chapters! :)
Home: I have gotten a lot of "chores" done in the almost-two weeks we've had off like cleaning under all the bathroom and kitchen sinks/in the cupboards, finished sealing the grout around the new tile and washing them down once more, cleaning and organizing two closets and our pantry, catching up on the laundry-really catching up like washing all our bed comforters and shower curtains, too!
Reading... I haven't read much at all, other than scrapbook idea magazines, but plan on it! :)
Blogs: I have been to some new and interesting sites lately:
The Simple Woman's Daybook
Apple + Orange
Creative Organizing-I especially liked this post about Finish-It-Friday, which inspired some of my tasks above! I plan on working on something every Friday!
Teaching jobs: I have applied for several, have either heard nothing or rejection on many of them, thus far. Frustrating, but still hopeful, and will wait and see...
Today: I am going to rearrange the furniture in the living room and my den. It's been in the current plan for a while, and the living room really needs a new plan! I also need to tend to the paper file/pile on my desk. I've kept up with the bills, but the "look at later" pile has grown too large!
That is all for now. I hope your week goes smoothly and positively! :)

Fallen off

Seems as if I've fallen off my blog posts. I was doing so well for a while, posting frequently. Not much to say, as of late, I guess.
I am happy to report that it seems our countertop will arrive sooner than expected and is coming this Thursday! Just a few things left to complete the whole transformation: light fixtures and one other wall detail for now, I think.
The laundry room came out as nicely as I'd hoped, although I still have one photo/canvas detail to finish up and hang up. I was thinking this week that I feel blessed to be able to afford these things right now, in a bad economy.
Speaking of economy, looking forward to the inauguration this week. Hopefully wonderful changes ahead.
My family came down for the weekend and it was very nice, as always.
I haven't taught much lately, but I feel like I've gotten a lot done here at home. I rearranged my "office" and cleaned everything out. After painting the kitchen, my husband and I went through all the cupboards and got rid of a lot that we don't use. I also cleaned out the cupboards in the laundry room. We had a charity come on the 12th and pick up things, so we put out about 8 laundry baskets/trash bags full: clothes, kitchen items and more! It was such a nice feeling. Another charity is scheduled for rounds in our neighborhood on the 28th, I think, so I'm hoping to do basement purging and prepare another load! :) Just feeling like we have too much STUFF.
I've also updated my resume, with a few questions remaining, and am taking it to some new schools this week. Scary and exciting all at the same time. :)
I have been working on my one little word, "peace", this month. I looked up "peace" in the concordance of my Bible and have been reading a verse per day, along with the daily devotional and daily Bible reading. I'm still working on the book of Romans, right now, but am 2/3 the way done. I also ordered a peace ring from LizEaton, and a peace charm from Beautiful Soul. I ordered a "faith" charm last year from the same shop. I wore it everyday and really liked it.
I also saw this "butterfly chandelier"
in a pottery barn kids store this weekend, while shopping with my parents. I loved it, but thought 79 dollars was a lot. I thought I could do it myself, but it didn't turn out like I'd hoped. I couldn't find the metal hoops, so I bent metal hangers, which didn't come out large enough to get the full effect. I couldn't find a butterfly punch, so I used flowers, and on one daughter's I lined them up, and on one I didn't, so they look more like a round flower.

Our oldest daughter turns 14 this week! I look at her and she looks so much older these days.
The running had taken a toll on my knees, I think it's the extra weight I have on right now, or the getting older, I'm not sure. :) Anyway, I started walking, fast pace, at an incline, on the treadmill indoors, instead of out on the ice and below 0 temps, and I have felt pretty good. I'm looking forward to getting back outside and running more. I just don't like running on the treadmill.
I am about to start reading the Thirteenth Tale for the online book club I had mentioned previously. We start discussions the second week in February, if anyone is interested in joining.
That's about all the update from here. I hope you are well, and enjoying winter... :))

So far, so good!

The week's going well, so far! :) I skipped ahead on my schedule over the weekend and just spent quite a bit of time organizing my scrapbooking supplies. I labeled everything and grouped things accordingly. I am really happy with the results. Now to sit down and find the time to use them! :) I spend the entire morning organizing one of our crawl spaces. I got rid of one big wooden chest with a crack in its lid, a set of file cabinets-too small to fit most documents, so I'm not sure as to why we bought it! :) Anyway, I also got rid of a garbage bag full of things that were there and never used. It looks nice and organized. I could really find things if I needed them! :)
Then I subbed in a fourth grade classroom in the afternoon. The kids were chatty, and wound up, but it was an ok day overall.
I ran yesterday again, but not today. Hoping to get another run in tomorrow! :)
Smiles to you, as we approach "hump day"! :)

Thursday's Thoughts

Well, here we are, over halfway through the week, already! :)
Yesterday I was a substitute teacher in third grade. As I do in all my new jobs, I took notes on things I like about the room/organization/information. Then, if I were lucky enough to get a job next year in that grade, I'd have some ideas to start on, or even in an interview. I got about a page and a half, and then we went to another third grade teacher's room for a half hour movie on mapping, where I got another page and a half of ideas! :) One thing, very fitting for the season, was a science discovery table. You usually see them in younger grades, but not in third. This table had gourds, small pumpkins, fruits of the season, magnifying glasses, other discovery tools for the kids to be "scientists" and observe. I thought what a great idea, to get them thinking about classifying things, thinking about differences, etc. You could change the items on the table according to the science unit or season, also.
Today is our oldest daughter's conference day. We'll go in at 9:30 and we will see all of her teachers, while our daughter leads us through the conference. It's a good way to get them to self evaluate, and the teachers give their input, as well! :) Our oldest received her grade card and a t-shirt from the school. The shirt said "Scholar Athlete" on the front and 3.5+ on the back for her gpa. It was something she was pretty proud of, as I think she should be! :) I thought it was a good way to encourage the students to keep working hard!
The turkey is holding up well with his new feet, waddle(it was also made of Crayola Model Magic and the hanging part broke off...), and neck glue. :) Paint touch-up is today.
I have big plans today! I am cleaning crawl spaces. I always say I'm going to and then I get in there and am overwhelmed, so I get back out! :) I have big plans in mind... like making my oldest daughter who is home today help me! ;) I'm sure she'll love it... although she might be happy to get back to school on Monday! :) I am really in a purging mood. I get that way when thinking about the holidays, how we don't need anything, how we have too much, etc. So, this year I'm acting on it, at least that's the plan. :)
I saw some holiday ideas/thoughts on Ali Edward's blog that were on simplifying, getting ready before Dec. 1 with all the things like shopping, organizing decorations, etc, so you could do things you really want to do but "never have time" like baking cookies. I love to do that, but "never have time" so, I'm working on that. I finished up my nieces and nephews' gifts yesterday. When they arrive in the mail, I just have to wrap and they'll be finished! I have one sister in law about done, also. Although that is where I stalled... :)
One other thing. I always do handwritten Christmas cards, and I mean a note in each one, not just signing my name. I also do a picture for each one. Last year I did 103 Christmas cards, and finally resorted to a typed, impersonal "newsletter" for them because I was subbing. I think I should cut back. Once, when we were married just a few years I said to my husband, "I think I'm going to cut back and not send to people who don't send to me." He replied, "Is that why you do Christmas cards? I thought you said you did them to let people know we love them and are thinking of them." First, he doesn't write any of them, but I do believe that. That's why I handwrite each one, a note, asking how they are, trying to let them know they were worth my time. But 103 or more? And just buying them is expensive. Even our discount stores have them 12 cards for 7 dollars... 9 boxes is 63 dollars, plus stamps and purchasing 100 photos of the family to go in each one. It adds up. But, a few dollars per person is worth it to let them know... or should be...?
Well, enough rambling. Off to get this day underway! :) I hope your week is running smoothly!

Not a Knitter

Ok, I have begun cleaning out my craft stuff. *If you've read my posts before, you will see that I like to "organize" and "reorganize". Now that summer's here, I'm ready to "purge" from the basement, craft cupboards and crawl spaces.* Anyway, I looked at all my knitting stuff, some cool stuff... but I have no patience (or skill for that matter) for knitting, for sewing of pretty much any kind. I also have lots of cross stitch items, sewing machine, and fabric pieces...but I have no patience for sitting and working on any of it. I thoroughly enjoy scrapbooking, from reading the books, looking at layouts, to magazines and wandering through the stores. That and photographing (which I'm learning more about). I guess I've been thinking about time limitations when I get a full time teaching job, with family, running and regular house chores... I don't have time for a bunch of crafts/hobbies. So, I need to limit, organize, clean out the items I don't totally love doing.

Rain Rain Go Away

Well, it's been raining for the last week, and chilly! I was all ready for warmth and working in my garden. Then the rains began and the temp dropped.
I haven't subbed since Friday, which has been nice. I had time to get a haircut, get groceries, catch up on laundry, prepare for our Bible Study, and tidy up around here. I feel like the things at home get dropped when I work outside the home. The girls keep me busy, as does volunteering in their school, but teaching takes up more time. I have subbed for the last sixteen school days. It has been fun, but I needed a couple days to catch up around here! :)
The girls only have about fifteen days of school left in the year. So, time has flown by again this year. We have soccer tournaments for our oldest daughter on Saturday and then soccer is over until next fall! Some weeknights will be free! :) I saw this article on bhg.com (better homes and gardens magazine online) about happy families and it was interesting, so I educate here: :)
I have only run a few times per week, so that hasn't improved, but hopefully it will. A marathon is a big goal. Hopefully I will someday be in shape again!!
I have now become like the people I know from high school who blog...too long in between updates! And not enough time to type up an update when I do sit down here...
One thing I do enjoy and that makes more time is organizing around here... I saw this site and thought it was good, too.
http://www.organize-everything.com/

Red Velvet Cake

My oldest turned eleven and we had a busy day. We did flowers, balloons, and decorations. She played at a friend's house for a short while. I cleaned house, cooked cheesey potato casserole, and then began the long, arduous journey of red velvet cake. It was passed down to use from my husband's great-grandma, Marie. She made it as a tradition. Now, I do. I make it for my husband's birthday every year and this year our daughter requested it for hers. Here is the recipe (to make sure I'm sharing info with the readers. :))

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 2 tablespoons cocoa
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 oz. red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon baking soda sprinkled over 1 Tbsp. vinegar

PREPARATION:

Cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Sift flour, salt & cocoa together. Add alternately with buttermilk. Beat 3-4 minutes after each addition. Stir in baking soda and vinegar mixture by hand. Bake 30 minutes at 350° in 2 9-inch greased and floured pans. Some online recipes say three nine inch pans, but they are incorrect because it is spread too thin.

Then the frosting that came with our recipe that makes the cake:

• 1 C. Milk
• 1 1/4 C. granulated sugar
• 1/4 C. flour
• 3/4 C. Shortening
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Combine milk & flour & cook until thick (like a white sauce) Stir constantly. Set aside to cool. Cream sugar & shortening until light and fluffy. Add vanilla & cooled cream sauce. Beat until icing becomes stiff.

It is truly a wonderful cake. It takes a while, with the cooking of the frosting and all, but it's worth it.

So, before my in-laws got here, I finished the housecleaning... to inform my readers, here are some housecleaning tips:
I found these at allabouthome.com

Refrigerator Odors

• A little vanilla poured on a piece of cotton and placed in the refrigerator will eliminate odors.
• After cleaning the refrigerator add a dash of lemon extract to the rinse water for a fresh scent.

Stuck on Food

For stuck on food on a casserole dish, try adding 2 tablespoons of baking soda and boiling water to cover the stuck on food. Let sit for a while. The dish will be much easier to clean.

And this from good old Martha (www.marthastewart.com go to living and homekeeping) here is how to make a bed...if you get around to making it!! :)

How to Make a Bed

Follow Martha’s easy, efficient system for making a bed perfectly. 1. Begin with a good-quality mattress and box spring. Protect the mattress with a cotton cover; Martha adds a wool pad. 2. Unless you’re using a fitted sheet, make hospital corners with the bottom sheet, starting at the bed’s head: Drape the sheet evenly over the bed, leaving about 1 foot of fabric hanging beyond the head. Stand beside the bed, toward its center, and pick up a side hem. Pull the hem toward you into a taut crease, then raise the creased section over the mattress so the sheet makes a triangular tent over the bed. With your other hand, smooth the sheet flat along the mattress’s side. Then fold the creased section down over the side, and tuck the sheet snugly under the mattress. Repeat the process at the foot and other side of the bed. 3. Add the top sheet, and make hospital corners at the bed’s foot. 4. Leave the sides untucked for easier sleeping. Finish with a blanket, quilt, or down comforter.

Ok, enough informing for tonight. :) I am enjoying deciding what information I'm going to add to the blog. At least for now, I am. :)
Tomorrow my daughter takes her birthday treats to school (store bought this year) and we are secretly repainting her room while she's at school! My husband took the day off so we could work all day and then surprise her when she gets home...Fingers crossed that all goes well!!