Labor Day Weekend

We have been busy.

I don't have any pictures from the weekend and don't have any time or interest in making some up, so here's a summary post of our long weekend.

Mike had off four days, Sat-Tues, and we had quite the to-do list to accomplish over those four days. We pretty much spent it at Lowes, making a trip everyday. We finished the fence in the front, added some plants here and there and played in the backyard every. single. day.

I'm not sure if we're just not used to it, but man playing outside with your kids to tire them out not only tires them out but you as well. We are definitely looking forward to when they can play and entertain themselves some :)

Happy Labor Day!

Project: Week 1 out of 2

We (mainly Mike) is in the process of installing the last section of privacy fence to our yard. This last piece is way, way, way overdue but it's getting done. :)

And, is there ever a project without a story?

I think not.

So here it is.

Saturday morning Mike went and picked up the rented auger. Augers are much easier than using a manual post hole digger especially in this sandy, thick, horrible soil. Although, after discussing with me (yes, I gave my OK) he rented the 2 person auger. Not until he got it home did we realize that it was meant to be 2 huge muscle bearing construction men that should be using this thing.

This auger stood almost 5 feet tall, weighed a ton (probably only about 70-80 lbs) and was a BEAST that was gas powered!

A picture I found to give you an idea of the size and yes, it was just like this but all you have to do is picture me on one side and Mike on the other. :)

So, this weekend we got to work using our "construction muscles" and started on the fence. And, from the first picture you realize that we did it. We used this monster to sink in 6-8ft fence posts at least 30 inches down into the ground. And, not to mention the one we had to redo since the cement didn't set right :).

Our goal was to get the posts in this holiday weekend...DONE.

Mike even got a little further and started on cross beams and planks :)

Next weekend...hello fence.

Pantry is Post Worthy

Still a work in progress but definitely ready to post this...finally...

Before:

ugh. can't believe we lived like this for sooo long

During:

I can't imagine renovating now...

My little bulletin board project:

We have had this plain jane cork board for so long and it's been several different places around the house. And, now that I'm obsessed with the plethora of craft blogs out there I got inspired to make something. I found this quatrefoil stencil and had to try it out. I'm pretty pleased on how it came out.

And, Ta-Da, The After:

The Right Side

What makes me love this side of the pantry:

-Baskets, Boxes and Can Risers

On the floor I have wire, stackable baskets that I put Sam's Club stuff in. The first shelf, the half baskets are snack baskets. One for Emma, one for Lily and one for Mike and I, no more boxes all over the shelf. Second shelf, a HUGE bread basket and boxes for small stuff and can risers on the next shelf. I am in love with using diaper boxes! I got an inexpensive canvas drop cloth at Walmart and covered boxes to store things in. (You can see on the top shelf and the box next to the bread basket)

Straight Ahead

The bulletin board is slowly filling up with business cards, pictures, phone number lists and honey to-do lists. The white cabinet holds odds and ends as well as table cloths and placemats. And, the throw rug we had prekids from Pier 1. But, again it's an ongoing little area that I'm sure will change a few times.

Left Side

This side contains "everything else". I found these bins at KMart for 2.50 a piece! So for that price I had to get over using them instead of pretty baskets I wanted to use. They do the job just fine. There are bins for bibs and bottles, summer fun stuff like bubbles, craft and seasonal decorating items, sunscreen, and one just for Maci. All of our summer beach towels, Maci mud towels, lightbulbs, toolbox, coolers, humidifiers and a cleaning station. Whew. Lots of stuff we have.

I am now in the hunt for a cool way to label the bins. I have stumbled upon vinyl chalkboard labels on etsy, but not sure the writing will stay put. I have also seen dry erase stickys, but I'm sure I'll think of something :)

Our cleaning station. Still need to get the metal clippy strip from Lowe's so I can just get them off of the floor.

I am completely excited about my pantry and yes, it looks like this all the time. It better.

My Attempt...

...at finally becoming a grown-up.

I have to admit a few things:

1. I don't really like to clean at all but I do like a clean house.

2. I don't mind doing laundry but I don't like putting it away.

3. I really, really like to be organized but it's harder than it looks.

I have learned that keeping a home clean and organized is all about maintaining it and not letting the chore list get too long. Here is my attempt at doing this...

My Notebook.

(Well, right now it's a folder until I have all the kinks worked out and then may have it bound to keep it all together.)

I have my Daily Planner, the Weekly Checklist, and the Monthly Menu Calendar. I have fallen in love with the Simple Mom site ( simplemom.net) and have taken her notebook and adapted to what I think I can work with.

-I also have stopped with all of the notepads around the house and have started my own notebook where I write ALL of my lists in ONE place.

-I am now more in love with accordion file folders than ever before! I used them all the time in my classroom but now they're wonderful and they were in the $1 bins at Target. I have several.

-And, something we found out about on TLC's show about couponing...A coupon notebook! We have now an entire binder dedicated to coupons in sheets made for baseball cards. They are easy to find and keep track of. We also learned that you can order coupons online! We have ordered coupons from The Coupon Master and have saved a bundle already.

So far becoming a grown-up has been easier than I thought but thank goodness I have a good partner to help me through it :).

A Sneak Peek

of my art project for the pantry.

...to be continued...

Sprucing Up

The year of the Check House.

We are in need of some sprucing up, painting and some do-overs to make our house work for us again. Nothing like adding another person to make you re-organize and rethink how your house runs.

First up on our list...the pantry. This is how our kitchen looks :)

Hopefully next weekend we can finish it up and get back our kitchen.