So this is just a really quick post to show the Halloween Wreath I made! It was so easy and CHEAP! It was fun and I can use the same idea for different holidays!
I hope I can keep coming up with and finding fun ideas for homemade projects that I can use for my own home or for gifts to others. Who knows, maybe someday someone will want to buy something I make too!
It's been awhile since I posted something, and it's been on my mind for several days now but my thoughts have been so scattered I haven't really figured out what to write. Life right now really doesn't have TOO much going on, and I guess I just don't feel like there is much to share. Nonetheless I decided that I should figure something out tonight. So here it goes......
It is not a secret that I don't work out as much as I should, or would even like to. Before my little angel came along I was going to the gym at least 4 times per week, before work, but now I can't do that because Nathan isn't home from work yet. Since my pregnancy (and the large amount of weight I gained while pregnant) I have not been happy with the changes of my body, and to be honest, the depression of that has kept me from doing anything about it. Not that I am depressed, that's not what I mean, but you know that overwhelming feeling where there is so much work to be done that you just don't know where to start, so you just keep putting it off? Well that is exactly how I feel about getting my body back! So a couple months ago Nathan gave me a challenge. He knows that I have great intentions when I start a workout regimen, but I also give up when I don't see results as quick as I want to. I am the type of person that when I work hard I want to see results and if they don't come quick enough then I get discouraged and tend to give up, or at least slow down. So he put some money on the line and challenged me to run a mile, 6 days a week for a month. If I missed a day then I paid him $20 and if I didn't go because he wasn't home, or couldn't watch Lexi while I went then he paid me $20. I agreed. Since I started working from home I don't get out much, so I knew it would be good for me to work SOMETHING into my day, even if it was only a mile.
So at first I couldn't run the whole thing, and my time was AWFUL, but as the days went on, my time got better and I was able to go the whole mile without stopping to walk. I know, I know, big deal, it's only mile. But I was SO out of shape that was a good accomplishment for me. The month came and went and I didn't miss a single day! I was so proud of myself, and couldn't believe how much better it makes me feel to get that workout in, no matter how short, it's better than nothing! So we renewed our deal, uped the amount to $25 for a missed day, and have our agreement thru the end of February. The end of the agreement is to run a 5k with eachother by the end of the agreed time period. I have to say that I have never enjoyed running, but after doing it 6 days a week for 8 weeks now, I am really starting to enjoy it. Over the next couple months the agreement increases the mileage I run, and I find that I am looking forward to my run as my work day ends. So wish me luck and let's hope I continue to stick with it! (or my wallet is going to be hurting by the end of the agreement!)
My new purchase was a fun pair of sparkle heels....a birthday present from Grandma Billie :) Thanks Grandma!
So what else have I been up to? Not much, just enjoying making some crafts, and finding ways to save on $$. I recently made homemade laundry detergent. A friend from church gave me the recipe, and it was so easy to make that I decided instead of buying it (which I needed to do to get laundry done that weekend) I would make it. It really was SO EASY! Borax, washing soda, and Ivory soap (there were other soap options, but this was the only one I found at my local grocery store that was on the recommended list) 5 minutes later I had a batch made that would give me approx 36 washes for less than $2 for the batch! AWESOME, only $0.04 per load. I did some quick math and Tide averages 17-22 cents per load. Pretty good savings if you ask me :) Today I found a recipe for homemade dishwasher detergent, so when I need to buy that I am going to try the homemade stuff on that too.
As for crafty stuff, I have a few friends getting ready to welcome new little babies into the world, so I made a nursing cover for one of them. I really liked mine that my cousin gave me (THANKS JENNA!) and used it all the time. But as Lexi got older I found myself wishing it was slightly larger. So I made my own to give to my friend. It is larger for more coverage, and I added a little pocket (for those pesky nursing pads, or whatever else you may need it for like a binky) and extra material along the bottom for wiping the baby's mouth. I am so excited for how it turned out! I would post pictures on here, but I know she subscribes to this blog and I don't want to ruin it for her....eventhough she already knows she is getting it :) But as soon as her baby shower happens and she has it, pictures for sure! I can't wait to make more for some others, and for myself, whenever I need another one :)
I made some dresses for Lexi, a halloween one, and a lady bug one, which are both posted in a previous entry, I am like them so much I had to share them again! I am addicted! They are so cute and so fun to make, before I know it her closet will be full of mommy projects :)
I also made a crayon holder because she ripped the box to her crayons and they didn't have a home. I love this because it fits so easy in her diaper bag for crayons on the go!
I started making Lexi's Halloween costume too, pictures of that when it's done :) She is going to be Tinkerbell and I am super excited about her costume. We have some plans this month, so hopefully I can get it done before the craziness starts! Nathan's mom sent me a knitting loom for my birthday, and I have had some fun making knit caps too :) Thanks Vanessa!
I can't believe how big she is getting, and she is SO SMART! We got some flash cards awhile ago for her, and have been working with her on them for a little while now. Hopefully everyone can see the video below.....
Lastly, I took Lexi to get her pictures taken for her 18 month milestone, I can't believe how fast time flies! And as you can see, she loves to get her picture taken...
Ok I think I have at least touched on the things buzzing around in my mind, but I will get some more together and write again soon! Until next time....
