Clean Home??

So I have been wondering, how do people who have children have nice homes? I mean, I have three kids, work full-time, and I cannot seem to keep this place clean! I spent the better part of the weekend picking up after them and they just came in behind me and messed it up again. Now I do have them help in some areas: taking out trash, taking down the laundry hampers, and emptying the dishwasher. But it just never ends!

I am getting ready to paint the whole first floor of our home - a nice clean tan color. I now have to paint the trim again too - it has been a few years. I am just hoping now that the kids, 11, 9 and 5 1/2 are ready to keep their hands off the walls.

I have been watching WAY too much HGTV and the Get It Sold show. That's the one where they stage the house before they sell it to make the most of it. I love it! It makes me want to decorate even more. Oh, but we don't seem to have a decorating budget. It seems all of our $ goes to soccer-related items: cleats, camps, etc. Oh, and my oldest is now into dressing nice - for the ladies (will be in seventh grade - oh help me!).

I will keep you posted - if I am sane! SUE

My October Girl!

I just came across this cute Candy Corn Witch, my daughter Sydney. It was two years ago. She has been home sick with daddy watching over her. She has a fever that doesn't want to go down. I may take her into the doctor if it's not normal in the morning.

Have a super Spring night! The chickadees are so loud this evening. SUE

Happy Spring! Today was a gorgeous day here in Michigan. Ironically, we had all six soccer games cancelled due to poor field conditions; there has been so much rain and the fields just haven't dried out. So with my new-found Sunday off, I decided to sew some new curtains. I used natural onasburg. The look is so calming. It is light enough to blow in the breeze when the windows are open and still gives privacy.

I purchased two club chairs at the MSU Surplus store for $15 each and I am going to be slip covering them with white drop-cloths from Lowe's. I am so excited to get rid of all the color in the room - for a change. I will keep you posted as I go. No crafting lately. It seems I can't relax with all the chaos of life! I am working on that. Have a good week! SUE

I Won!!

I recently won a Giveaway Contest from Snippets & Scraps of My Mind. Joanne had a crazy contest question - of which no one (eligible) guessed the correct answers. Since no one guessed right, she drew a name from those that participated. I WON!! This great red ware hooked mat is what came in the mail today - awesome! I totally love that I can keep it out all year long - oh, I will. Thank you Joanne! SUE

Busy April

So much is happening around here it is hard to keep up! April has to be my second favorite month, only behind October. It is the beginning of warmer weather, my hubby and I had our first kiss (4/17), we were married (4/20 will be 20 years), my Jacob James was born (4/12) and so much more! Scott finished a farm table for me recently. I just have to paint the legs black and it will be finished. It is over six feet long and fits wonderfully into my dining room. Now I just need to paint the dining room and we will be all set (til I get the bug to do it all again - which I will). Nick had a soccer tournament in Middletown, Ohio and the team got 2nd place. He is really becoming a good player! That is Sydney under the sport umbrella keeping dry. It actually didn't rain that much. This tournament marks the start of the BUSY outdoor season. I have the day off today (well, I gotta go in at 5:30). I ran a ton of errands, went to Weight watchers and worked out. I seemed to have stalled a little and need a jump start. This has been a good day; learning about "ME" time. See ya! SUE

Spring

Hey Everyone! I am still around. I have been keeping up on all of my favorite blogs, I just haven't done much to blog about. One thing I have done is started Weight Watchers. It has been a blessing to me, giving me some much needed control in this crazy life of mine. I have lost 22 1/2 pounds in 9 weeks. My sister and Mom are also on the plan, though they are in Illinois and I am here in Michigan. It has been good for me to have buddies on the same plan. I have been trying new recipes for the family so we can all eat better. One thing I know, I don't like to cook! But, fast food is not an option anymore for this girl! I have been cleaning, organizing and purging my craft space. My sister came and stayed in the extra bedroom and I think she felt comfortable. It looks cozy and crafty without being cluttered. I think that is what I am trying to achieve in my WHOLE life. I got my Hartman rug hook and I LOVE, LOVE it! It sure makes hooking easier. I have only hooked a little as the organizing of all of the wool - a particular OBSESSION of mine - has taken a priority due to the recent house guest. No pictures today, but I will try and scrounge some up. Spring Break started for the kids today. I am taking 5 days off to go to Illinois to see my Mom and Dad and the rest of my family - I cannot wait! I have been particularly lonely for friendship lately - maybe this will cure me. I gotta think about starting a rug hooking club in Lansing - hmmm, not a bad idea. Have a wonderful weekend! SUE

A Much Needed Change...

Last weekend I decided that my house needed a entry/mud room. When we purchased our (first) house eight years ago, we only had two small boys and didn't have a clue on what we were going to need as they got older. Well, now we have three kids. And, they are growing like weeds. There are coats, backpacks, boots, shoes (oh, the shoes!), soccer bags, training clothes, soccer balls, mittens, hats, did I say boots? Well, I decided to do some much needed work on the front entry way.

I moved in the bottom half of a large hutch from the garage, and filled it with shoes, boots, gloves, hats, etc. I added hooks under the mirror and a red bench to keep my purse on. I moved a lamp and an enamel tray for keys, wallets, etc. onto the hutch top.

I like the way the hutch creates a separation of the entry and the living room. I have many more changes planned too as the weather gets warmer.

Have a good day! SUE

Winter Welcome

Well, I have been working a lot lately. I haven't had too much time to hook or craft, or clean for that matter. One night this week I got to actually clean the main rooms, set the table and make a beautiful dinner. It is amazing how much better I feel when I can accomplish homey things.

The snow is coming down again. we only have a few inches on the ground. I do love how the world looks under a fresh blanket of snow.

I am looking forward to a crafty weekend. Have a wonderful day! SUE