Project Finally Finished, (almost)!

Remember Project Focused? The boys room is finally finished, well except for the overhead light fixture.(That is on the list of many that need replacing.) For now, me & the handy awesome hubby actually had more than 2 seconds of passing through the doorway so I put him to work hanging the accessories.



My genious partner asked, "how are we going to cover up the ugly electrical panel?" I was still undecided as I do not like posters, only on the back of the door. He suggested a curtain! Brilliant!! I had 2 leftover from the bed-in-a-bag set hiding up in the closet, knowing full well I would use them for something someday!

This room is finally finished, (almost)! It is a room I am very proud of after the last 5 months have been even more crazier than usual around here, it is a room we can really relax, enjoy, and feel blissful in!

Back-to-school-santizied!

Since retiring from preschool teaching, I've realized how much teachers pull out of their own pockets, and how much products kids really go through. So the past 2 years we've tried to help out our kids teachers and in also letting them know how much we appreciate them. I forgot to take pictures, but you get the idea...
I simply wrapped 1 of each of these up in cellophane and tied with ribbon. My 2 youngest who suffer from seasonal allergies will probably benefit from these more than anyone. Here's to a happy & healthy, and hopefully somewhat blissful school year!

Got a picky eater or picky chef !?!

I don't know if many of you have the same problems I do, but in the summer I do not feel like cooking, nothing sounds good, or everything does but it's too hot to cook, or nothing sounds good to the kiddos!



Liven it up! We finally found this fruit -loving-only kid something he likes, chicken nuggets for eyes, and pieces of watermelon (of course 1/2 eaten) for the rest of the face.

What kinds of food/recipes do you prepare to liven up the dinner bliss at home?

Project: Still Focusing!

I love adding up my Rewards $ from my DISCOVER Credit Card! Brad puts all his gas charges on there and our travel expenses, then we turn $20 rewards $'s into $25 for BED, BATH, & BEYOND Gift Cards. I saved up and had $80 worth of cards, and 2-20% off coupons (1 for each bed set),  and waited till they were on sale, only spent $40 for both!



It came with the comforter, sheet set with 2 pillowcases, 1 sham, 1 throw pillow, bedskirt, 1 set of valances, and 1 pair of blue snuggy socks (which they were the most excited about). I think it added some color and most importantly the boys love them. The comforter can also be turned over for plain Navy Blue, something that can grow with them.




This is the etertainment center we bought about 15 years ago. My brother had it for a while, and his wife repainted it and then buffed it for stain. Turned out so cute, then we got it back when they decided to get a new flat screen. Perfect for hiding the gaming systems, and puzzles in the drawer.
We are not quite organized yet, still need to put back the accessories!
So nice to have the whole house matching carpet and somewhat put together after 7 years! But being a homeowner always brings about
 BLISSFUL change!



Project focus-continued!

I thankfully had a really good helper during Spring Break. I did all the cut-in, and trim, and he rolled. I also did the 2nd coat of rolling, just to make sure we were covered. Even though this sweety was careful, there was still some drips on the carpet. Dangit! ;) We finally had to order new carpet for the last room in the house. Odgen's Carpets in Spanish Fork, gave us a great deal! I think it will match pretty well, since our original we put throughout the house 6 years ago has been discontinued but still looks fantastic!

Buh-bye Blue! Hello two-tone brown! I think it will help bring out the other accent colors we will bring in.



This is where the dresser was before. We are hoping to display the legos here nicely, and the toyboxes under the shelves.



This area is where the bunkbeds used to be. Soon to be home to an entertainment center that got a facelift by my fashion-savvy sis-in-law.

I started these ice cream buckets years ago. (I may or may not stick to this method, kind of thinking of getting canvas totes to tuck into all the shelves on the entertainment center.) It keeps most things seperated and easy to tote with one select group of toys before getting another out. This week we will be organizing this a little better while waiting for the carpet to arrive. We will be throwing out broken toys, getting rid of toys too young, and selecting a few for the upcoming team yard sale.

Finally the cobblers children are getting their own pair of blissful shoes!

Project FOCUS!

This is the last room in our 18 year-old house that needs updating and attention! IN A SERIOUS WAY!

I think because it's in the basement I haven't thought (more like been motivated enough) to do much about it. These 2 adorable little boys need to feel like their space matters too!

So here I go, with Spring Break, school ending, and my job security leaving the nest for all day, now is the time to get-r-done! Also our annual Competitive SOCCER Team Yard Sale on or around Memorial Weekend, (we may just hit the mountain in that new trailer of ours-finally), but what a great deadline to get rid of at least 1/2 of this room and repurpose other furniture thoughout the house. And the fact that I'm posting this means there has to be a follow-up.



See the little preschool toys, they maybe getting sold or donated to family with littler ones. Sniff, sniff, the last little nephew will also not be coming here for daycare anymore as for bitter-sweet, his mom will get to stay home, which means I don't get him all day.




The boys probably won't need a little cupboard in their big boy room. We've hidden it nicely inside another closet in my upstairs craftroom. (Will not be getting rid of that-Gpa Hooper made it just for me.) But the table will be a great place to sit and put legos together. As for the toybox, the goal is to actually shut the lid!




TOO MUCH!
Idea: Seperate the bunkbeds, getting bedskirts, and hiding huge diesels and trucks under the bed.




Adding more shelves and utilizing the alcove for the toyboxes.




There will be structure! And alot less blue! (It seemed a good idea at the time....)

 Wish me Luck! Hopefully my boys will have a beautiful (yes, I said beautiful-your home should be beautiful to you) and blissful space of their own! Stay tuned!

Shake things up!

Those dang Leprechauns got our house!

How fun it was to wake up with my little boys this Saturday to an unusual sight!

I love Holiday traditions and adding to them. We had our usual St.Patty's Day dinner consisting of a pot of gold, (chicken nuggets and tater tots), and the oh-so-sugary pistachio salad. But this year I thought it would be fun to have the Leprechauns visit!

 It was funny to hear my boys say, "I didn't do it!"

Maybe next year we will have to set a trap!

Sometimes it's fun to do things out-of-the-ordinary.

What fun traditions do you do to make your family life more blissful?

Scheduling Problems!?!

My life is crazy busy! I seriously think I've lost my mind sometimes. And just when I think it might slow down, something seems to come along to speed it up! Like my children getting older and more involved in extracurricular activities, and that husband who feels he needs to coach everything (which he is awesomely talented at!), and the fact that I have a hard time saying "NO" sometimes. I am getting better about that. Okay maybe not saying "No", but definitely contemplating more about my kids schedules before I volunteer for one more thing. But before I book anything I always check this "Brain book" of mine, so we are not over scheduled, making sure to also get that one-on-one date with the hubby, that does not include dinner out with the kids after a game at least once a week. I know, I know, you're all thinking, why doesn't she just get a smart phone. Well, because first it would take so much more time to put it in and figure it out, and B, there is something gratifying about checking off my to-do list everyday, even if it includes watering the plants. At least I know I did something constructive besides being a chauffeur.  So the point of this one is, I have an extra one of these magnificent planners of mine. It opens up to a week-at-a-glance, and a month-at-a-glance. It is approximately 5"X7" fitting nicely into your bag. It could be all yours for free when you book an organizing job with me. First come, first serve! I have openings starting next week. Message me, email me, or just call or text! One way or another, I would love to help you get your life more blissfully organized. (I also do gift certificates. Mother's Day is coming up!)

Rules of the House!

If you sleep on it... make it up.
If you wear it... hang it up.
If you drop it...pick it up.
If you eat out of it... wash it.
If you spill it...wipe it up.
If you turn it on...turn it off.
If you open it...close it.
If you move it...put it back.
If you break it...repair it.
If you empty it...fill it up.
If it rings...answer it.
If it howls...feed it.
If it cries...love it.

Hope you have a blissful, sweet, Valentine's Day!

I HEART You!

How many of you have a pile of thank-you cards you have recieved? Of course, all of you, because I know all of you have done sweet things for friends, neighbors, family, co-workers, and other people you love! This pile could also include birthday, anniversary, or just a quick note from a friend.  I bet your wondering what to do with this and does it really matter. Well I say Yes! Have you ever had a "poor-pity-me-day"? Wouldn't it be nice to open up a book to remind yourself how nice and great you really are!?! And a great way to display all the time and effort someone put into sending you a note of how fabulous you are and them for sending it!





If you have many for your family, try sorting the pile into individual piles per person and making each their own book.




Very simple, just start with some colored scrapbook paper, glue sticks, or acid free tape, and get going.




I tried to designate different colored paper with different occasions, then you can add to it easier.



Now I need to work on mine. Remember organization is an on-going process.



With Valentine's Day quickly approaching, I thought this might give some of you an inexpensive idea for someone you love. I put one together for my husband for his last birthday. He loved it! I think it is also great for my children to see what an awesome selfless man he really is, making my life alot more blissful!

Savvy Savings!

I've noticed, it is a great time to go shopping this week! All the stores are clearing out their winter inventory and making way for, (I can't believe I'm about to say this) SPRING! It's hard to think about with snow still on the ground, and frigid temps in the mornings, (at least at my house with the wind-chill before 10a.m.), but what a perfect time to grab the one trend item for the season, or stock up on gifts for next year!

Along with apparel shopping, I'm also talking grocery Savvy Shopping. Maybe most of you know already, but I'm putting it out there for the reminder to take advantage of the great offers out there that most stores are trying to earn your loyalty.
For example: Walmart has double coupon day on Tuesdays, they will double manufacturers coupons up to $1.00 or match a sale price from a competitor with ad. Make sure you go to the designated checkout lanes as to avoid confusion with the other sales associates who may get confused. Another one I've found is Kmart. (I am stocked up for a year with toothpaste, deoderant, shampoo, and paper towels.) They will also double up to 5 coupons per customer on Wednesdays and Saturdays and have a rewards card you can turn your points into cash at anytime on your purchases. Be sure to watch the expiration date on those points.

This may take a bit more planning, and organizing, but definately worth it! I love seeing the total add up then, slowly taken down with coupons.
You could also go beyond just saving the money, and actually SAVE the money you are actually saving in a jar for a reward. Simply look at the bottom of your receipt and put the cash in you saved from your shopping trip! Just a tip I learned from my frugal momma!
If you know of any more great sales or offers please share, making all of our lives a bit more blissful!

Making Memories Last!

C'mon, admit it! We all know each of us have a box somewhere in that storage room, that has made its move to every living space with us since we turned 18 and moved out. Or since your parents decided to turn your bedroom into their theater/exercise room/craft room and your mom said "here, do something with this, it's yours now." Well, then what are supposed to do with all the 4-H trophies, competition ribbons & medals, t-shirts from every camp you ever attended, and of course not to forget those heavy yearbooks you really never look at again?

Solution: Take a picture of the trophies and medals, maybe you already have a pic with you holding it when the event actually happened. Let's face it, none of us are proudly displaying all of the little league sportsmanship trophies we won, because we lost every game that 1986 season. So what to do with the little gems after, giving to goodwill sounds okay, or I have another funny story. Regift to your kids replacing the plaque with their name on it for something amazing they have done. Our 6 year old still has the one we gave him on top of his dresser for being the 2nd best Red Rover player in Preschool after mom of course, because he wished he could be as good as mom and have his own trophy. Still laughing at that one, but cheapest, best then 4 year old birthday present ever!

And how about all the t-shirts you've collected over the years from every camp or college or souvenir from traveling? Why not keep them and turn it into a quilt? Easy tutorial here: http://www.goosetracks.com/.

Such a fun and blissful way to still have those memories for you, and to have proof to your kids that you were cool once!
 As for the yearbooks, if you are not so attached and don't have that wishful library room in your house yet, maybe consider ripping out the pages carefully with an exacto knife that mean the most to you, and tucking inside some acid-free sheet protectors, and scrapbook them with the pics of the trophies. I recently had a friend tell me she widdled down a huge tote, to 1 scrapbook, making her life and storage more blissful!

Craftroom Makeover

Remember the plastic table I turned into an outdoor table with an umbrella? (Previous post) Well, it was in my craft room, then I found this beauty!

I know, you're probably saying, "What was she thinking?" But for $8 at a yard sale, with a little sand, paint, craft paper, modge podge, new knobs ($5 at Hobby Lobby), and a little love, $13 later we have...

I love it! It transformed my highly undecorated, unmotivating, craft room, into a more anticipated jumping off point to finish this room. More to come on that. In the meantime, you can find all kinds of containers and helps around the house to help you organize some of your own creative spaces.


Simple little rubbermaid containers can hold those small buttons and little spools of ribbon. These ones form a moon shape, so when stored close together make a full circle, or you could use square or rectangle ones for stacking also.




This is an inexpensive craft organizer purchased from Walmart, for just a couple bucks. Helps store beads, sorted by color and size.




This one is my own invention of an on-the-counter- towel rack used as a larger ribbon holder. The spools already come with a perfect size hole to slide these babies on.




Also my own idea, a used dishwasher detergent container, turned craft paint holder. It is the perfect heighth for storing brushes with the paint. Using some of the craft paper matching the desk, and painting the words "Paint" with puffy paint, it is well used as you can see.




Reusable glass jars are a pretty touch too! Storing anything your imagination holds!

 Organizing doesn't have to cost alot. See what you can find around your house to help you start organizing your own creative, blissful space!

Cash for Clutter!

Now is the perfect time of year to start decluttering. I love this time of year when it is too cold to go out, you've put the holiday stuff away, and you can start Spring Cleaning early. Start with just a closet, you'll be amazed how much better the space feels and yourself. Before you toss everything out though, consider selling a few items and earn some Christmas cash for next year!

• Small kitchen appliances-expecially bread, pasta, and expresso machines. Sometimes people just sell these items at yard sales, but they could go for almost 20 times as much on eBay. Just make sure you're upfront about the condition of the item.
• Video Games- gazelle.com will pay up to $30 per game as well as shipping costs. They also buy used electronics and old movies.
• "Tacky" Sweaters-believe it or not these beautiful hand-knitted, appliqued, brightly colored holiday sweaters are back in high demand. Resale online or at consignment shops.
• 1950's furniture-dining tables, dressers, desks, bed frames, and vanities all in good condition will sell easily, some the same day at consignment stores, or you might get more out of them on eBay or Etsy.
• Vintage Electronics-if they are still working, collectors will pay top dollar for these. Tape decks, LP Turntables, amplifiers, and high-end speaker systems, pre-1980's stereo and hi-fi equipment.
• Lunchpails-rare-mint condition can go for $20-$50 for pre 1990 metal or plastic boxes, earlier could go for thousands! Try yardsellr.com, a no-fee site like ksl.com/classifieds
• Gold-around $1800 an oz. right now is great time to cash in some old gold chains or mateless earrings sitting in your jewelry box. You can check out your local jewelry store to see if they purchase gold or go to mygoldparty.com to learn about hosting a gold-selling party.

I organized an office for a friend/neighbor about a year ago, and wish I took my camera. It only took us 3 hours-$40 my fee-and she sold all kinds of old medical recorder equipment online for well over a thousand dollars! It helped her pay off some debt, and she had a beautiful, full-functioning office to work from home in, and a space for her children to do homework next to her. If you don't want to mess with taking pics and selling online, you could also consider starting a Yard Sale pile maybe to donate the proceeds to another person in need. Just make sure you label in totes or boxes for Yard Sale and designate a different box for stuffed animals, clothes, etc., so when time comes to set-up in the driveway you're already organized.
So, now is the perfect time to declutter, and make your spaces, (even if it's just a closet), a little more blissful!

10 Ideas to help ring in 2012!

I know this may sound a little hypacritical after the last post, but you can't serve other people unless you take care of yourself first. This year it is my goal to be more calm, cool, and collected. Thus being more organized, finishing things I start, and feeling better about myself and my surroundings!

1. Taking care of yourself is Job One. No one else can do it for you. Putting yourself at the top of your to-do list is not selfish; it's actually self-preservation.
2. Today is the starting line. When I was younger I hardly ever wore sunscreen, thinking after the first burn I'll just brown. I was wrong. I am now trying to erase those sun-spots, (good thing I'm an independent beauty consultant). No matter how bad your habits have been until now, if you change them today, you can be a little healthier by tomorrow.
3. Fad diets don't work. Lose too fast (more than 2 pounds per week) and you lose muscle along with fat. then if you overeat again, the weight comes back and so does the fat-but not the muscle. The result: a sluggish metabolism, so your body needs less food and it's harder to lose the next time. What works? Slow, steady shrinking.
4. Beauty comes from inside. Even if I have a pimple, feel exhausted and have been eating too much chocolate, I tell myself: Smile! No one notices your imperfections, but everyone notices your bad mood. I may never be a great beauty, but I can always try to be a great person. That's way more attractive!
5. Having fun keeps you young. It's that simple. I think kickboxing is fun, especially when I'm challenging myself. Plus, I have the coolest instructor, who is soooo fun! I feel so much better every morning, then I'm ready to tackle the day. Figure out how you have the most fun, and do more of that.
6. Confidence is key. I love the concept of the word empowerment. To me, it means caring less about what others think and doing what's right for you. Follow your heart, and it will lead you to your best you.
7. Giving back feels like getting. We all worry we don't have enough time, money, or commitment to get involved in a cause.  But the truth is, giving back, even if it's with little gestures, is the most fulfilling thing in life.
8. Growing means taking risks. Being fearful is natural, but getting beyond your barriers leads to growth and reward. Move ahead, even when it terrifies you. You'll be happy you did.
9. We are all too hard on ourselves. We need to cut ourselves a break. I always feel like I have to do more/better/faster/sooner! And yet I encourage other women and tell them, Good job! If only we could praise ourselves the way we lavish compliments on others. Try!
10. This is your moment. There is always work to do, bills to pay, pounds to lose.  Forget all that, and live this very moment to its fullest. The rest can wait. Right now is the only moment that exists. Make it count!

So whether it's a daily tip to live by or a grand-scheme ideas that shapes your long-term thinking, my wish for you and myself this year is to grow and be more blissful from within!