First Week of School!!

Celebrate-go to lunch, Cry or Do the Happy Dance, Break out that Book you've been meaning to Read!!! Whatever the case may be, I know I have mixed feelings. I love the routine of how things function during the school year, (namely bedtime routine), but I am also sad to see my kids growing up so fast.  I have been looking forward to the day when all my kids are in school, and now that it is here, I feel kind of lost. I absolutely enjoy the summer vacation with them, but then there is the last 2 weeks of where everyone is arguing and pestering because they are getting bored. So my plan is to enjoy those 2 1/2 hrs of bliss in the mornings, but to also not waste my time of unfinished projects.
This week I'm working on the clutter; especially the paperwork and junk drawers!

My cubscouter started a paper recycling box in the garage and once a month we find a recycling bin, usually in a school parking lot, to drop off while running other errands. All the newspapers, junk mail, old invitations, drawings, etc., go in this box. This is a great time of year to start if you haven't already, before all the school papers start piling up!
For the school papers, may I suggest some in-and-out boxes in a central location like the kitchen, or some over the door pockets in the coat closet or pantry, or labeled cubbies in the mudroom. One box for you to look over everyday and sign and mark the calendar, and one for each person in the family to take out on the way out the door. Whatever works for you. Getting control of the paperwork will make the rest of the school year go more blissful!

Are you ready?

One more week! I can't believe school starts in just 1 week!! Here we are making our final lists of what everybody needs: backpack-check, lunch tote-check, first new outfit-check, new socks-check, new shoes-check, new folder for the teenager who doesn't want to carry a backpack-still trying to convince....

This year I'm also adding in a welcome gift for the teacher: box of Kleenex, and a bottle of Hand Sanitizer. Partly because being a former preschool teacher I know how fast teachers go through that stuff, and partly because it's usually my kids going through it the quickest because of seasonal allergies.

Also, trying to squeeze in all those daytime doctor visits for the kids, so no one has to miss school, and I can be more useful of my time while they are away, a couple more trips to the pool, one more soccer tournament,  and 1-on-1 Blissful dates with the kids before the schedules get a little more hectic!

Let the Countdown Continue!

Only 2 weeks left! I can't believe it!! School starts in just 2 weeks. Where has the summer gone?

I know time flies, but I swear it flies faster when your kids get older. I love spending the summer with my children; no hectic schedules, no homework, swimming, bike rides, night games, city celebrations, fireworks, camping, hiking, snowcones, and not to forget the awesome Grandma Camp we all look forward to, the list could go on. Yet, there is something to be said for ROUTINE!

About half my children run on routine, the others are pretty easy going, but definately need sleep.  I can tell you also, their parents like it even more. It's great to have dinner before dark, jobs done before school, and a bedtime. By this time of year I'm ready to have my evenings back with my husband. Whether it's watching the new Fall lineup season on t.v. or catching up on missed conversation.

This week turn the clock back on bedtime. Try 1/2 hour earlier to start with. We actually started this last week with 9:30, this week with 9:00, by next week 8:30! You choose what bedtimes are best for your children this is what works for us. The older 2, (6th grade on up) get to stay up till 9:30, but only if in their room reading. (Guess what the teenage boy chooses-Sleep!)

Blissful Dreams!

Back to School!

It's that time of year again! I can't believe it, school is about to start, 3 weeks away!

Is this what your kids closets look like right now? Summer clothes mismatched and thrown in despite my efforts to match a coordinating shirt w/shorts, they still have their fave's! They might have to accidentally disappear for a while, then bring them back. Or not.




Last year's school shoes, definately needing an  upgrade. This pic does not do it justice, there are some seams coming apart. And these maybe the third set of laces. Granted they are hand-me-downs from a cousin (love them) so they well got there use.




So my goal this week is to first go through everyone's closets!
Starting with the oldest, because they may be handed down to the next sibling or cousin or friend in need, before having to put away in storage.
Then go through the drawers, including; p.j.'s, t-shirts, underwear, and socks. These undergarments get bought brand new, but that is my opinion, except p.j.'s.
Then grab your handy-dandy notebook, and make a list of what that child does need and sizes. After making a list for each child, go shopping in your storage bins and cross off list as fulfilled.
Then don't forget to put your list right in your purse to always have with you when out shopping at the stores. Which are having great sales on now!




When putting clothes away in bins, don't forget to label gender and size, eliminating a lot of time and headache later. Notice I also put the boys clothes in blue bins and the girls in silver (I haven't seen a pink bin yet), making it easier to find.




When doing a jean fitting, remember destressed is still in style, so don't feel too stressed to buy all new, they'll come like that anyway now. But if the holes are way to big and the waist still fits, (By the way love the person who came up with the elastic-adjustable waistband!), just make them into cute cutoffs! (It's still warm enough to wear shorts to school for a while.) You may throw away the bottom, but that's not me, I save them and trim off the seams and save to add to the levi quilts I'm making for Christmas! (SSHH!! don't tell my kids, and yes my 14 yr old actually asked for one-makes great for camping.)




As for collared shirts or anything you hang, turn the hangers around backwards. When you wear it and hang it back the right way you know you like and wear that item. The hangers that have not been turned around in 6 months obviously are not getting worn and may be recycled.
There are a few things you can do with used clothing.
1. Hand-me-downs! We love these, and I'm sure others do to!
2. Donate-D.I., M.S., etc. Usually these are well worn.
3. Consignment-there are all kinds of shops around now that take clothing, shoes, bags, you name it. Most of these stores will pay you cash, or give you extra for in store credit. My favorite for kids is Kid-to-Kid in Provo or Lindon. My favorite for girls and ladies is My Sister's Closet in Spanish Fork, which will donate if not sold in 3 months.
4. Garbage-holey socks, and used underwear.
5. Rags-t-shirts make great rags for cleaning baseboards or to have on hand in the garage.




Unless you have set aside a budget for school clothes, try just buying one new item a week, like this week all the kids got new shoes. One stop at the shoe store, done! Then the next week, essential undergarments, and so on.

 Hope this makes your back-to-school shopping a little more blissful!

Repurposing!

I'm sure you all have some of these old chairs lying around right? Notice how worn they are, still in good shape, not a crack or break in them, but well worn. I wanted a new patio set, but didn't want to pay the expensive retail price.



So, I got to thinking. For about $9, buys 2 cans of this wonderful spray paint for plastic.
If it didn't work I wasn't out much. Just make sure you lay some cover down not to ruin your concrete, spray in a well ventilated area,  and don't leave the spray can out in the hot sun.




After washing down the chairs and only 1 coat of paint, I think they turned out pretty darn okay! It is Fusion for Plastic by Krylon, in Black Metallic Hammered Finish. I now have 6 new chairs to go with my already 2 white ones that were still in good condition.




To go with the chairs, I already had this table given to me for Christmas one year, (thanks Mom & Pop pop!). I had been using it in my craft room for my sewing machine, but the heavy machine wasn't as stable as I'd like, little bouncy going fast on the straight stitch. So I had the handy husband drill a hole close to center as possible for my new 8 ft. umbrella, found at Sam's for only $26. With a bit more spray paint you could also paint the table if wanted.

  

Can seat 6 comfortably around perfect!





Viola! Put all together with a new tablecloth from Kmart for $2.49 and we have a brand new patio set for under $40.00! And I can still use the table elsewhere as needed, (any other tablecloth could conceal the hole), and the umbrella is perfect for taking to the soccer field  or park!

 Tell me about your repurposing stories, making your life or home a little more blissful!

I LOVE SUMMER, SUMMER, SUMMERTIME!!



My new obsession: BOUNTIFUL BASKETS! For $15 (+$1.50 for shipping per order) you can get all this! It would cost you nearly twice as much at the store and it does not have as many pesticides. Just go to http://www.bountifulbaskets.org/ on Monday 10a.m. to order yours, pick a site near you, pick up on Saturday a.m.  I have cut my grocery bill in half the last 2 months since I've been devouring this delicious, healthy food.  I only go to the grocery store for dairy, and the hostess store for bread,  now that I have a freezer full of beef and fresh produce to eat fresh or freeze.  They do also have bread, and other in-season extras you can add to your order.  Also, I feel I'm giving back to the community supporting local grown farmers and volunteering at the ALA site almost every week along side my sis-in-law who is also well organized and runs that site.  Hope to see you there!




One of my other fav's is gardening! I love working in the yard alongside my hard-working husband and sometimes very helpful children.  I got so many beautiful limes this week in my basket I arranged them in a vase, but when I put them on the table, something was missing.  So as I weeded my way around the yard I had one of those AHA moments, and cut some of my daisies to make an arrangement. Turned out pretty cute, I think!




So, on my way home from ALA (basket site) I go to my favorite S.A.G.S. gas station on 6th North in S.F. for a mixed drink (Diet Dr.Pepper over crushed ice with a splash of Toasted Marshmellow Syrup. Hey, don't knock it, till ya try it. My friend got me hooked, and we are now convinced it's the 24th missing flavor.) It's my one vice! Then I see all these signs for yard sales on Main Street. So I think to myself, if I see something on the way home I will stop. I hit the Car Wash, turned the corner to one address I remember, (I used to remember more-getting old I guess), and I see this cute desk!  I was actually looking for a table for our patio, but I saw this and loved it!  I figure I could put the table that my sewing machine is on now outside and have the handy-hubby drill a hole in it for the umbrella I already bought 2 weeks ago at Sam's Club for $26. and sand and paint this off-white, antique it, and decoupage scrapbook paper on the fronts of the drawers for my craft room. Brilliant right!?! And I only paid $8 and, it's old sturdy wood, not that laminate crap!

 So lots of fun ideas, making my Summer a lot more BLISSFUL!

No more junk in the trunk!

We are heading out for vacation this week, before we leave we are making sure we are certainly prepared.

Make a trunk emergency kit!

In an old duffel bag put: jumper cables, flares, a flashlight, batteries, a first aid kit, a whistle, screwdrivers (flathead and a Phillips), small shovel, ice scraper, cap, scarf, gloves, blanket, waterproof matches, candles, and most important, a bright yellow poncho-to make you visible to other drivers rain or shine.

Also not forgetting enough DVD's, coloring books & crayons, road sign games, and a cooler full water bottles (with names on them-less fighting) and healthy snacks!

Hopefully if you are prepared, you won't need to use the emergency kit, but it always brings peace-of-mind if something does, making your vacation more blissful!