and then, she {snapped}

thursday night

2012-02-23T20:05:00.000-08:00

So today was sort of productive. Since I felt like I had so much I needed to do, I decided the best course of action would be to go play with my friend, Heidi, this morning! She was expecting a big package to arrive and I wanted to be there to help her unpack it. And then we promptly put the kids IN the box. Because we are awesome moms.

Then I went home and worked on my to-do list:

~~fold all the clothes that Charlie "helped" with~~
~~make dinner~~
~~clean the kitchen~~
drive kids around - it was not my carpool day!
~~figure out when I'm going to get my crown done~~ I have an appointment tomorrow morning!

~~choose Charlie's two year old photo from the (not very exciting) studio pics I had done last week~~
~~do more taxes~~ I did 3 returns today, I wanted to do 4
pay some bills
~~try not to scream at my kids~~ we all know I totally failed at that one

today I will be productive.

2012-02-23T07:53:00.001-08:00

Yesterday I updated my facebook status to say that I needed a wife. Somebody who would fold all the clothes that Charlie "helped" with (which, by the way, are STILL all over my bedroom floor), somebody to make dinner, clean the kitchen, and drive kids around. Needless to say I didn't get any offers, and today I need someone to do all that stuff and then some. I need to figure out when I'm going to get my crown done, choose Charlie's two year old photo from the (not very exciting) studio pics I had done last week, do more taxes, pay some bills, and all the while try not to scream at my kids.

wordless wednesday but with words

2012-02-21T20:17:00.001-08:00

So my tooth started hurting yesterday, I ended up calling the dentist today (I hate the dentist), they said that if it hurt only when I bit down on it (which it did) that it was probably a fractured tooth. I stopped in so they could take a (probably very expensive) look, and damnit, but that's what it is. That means I have to get a crown. I've never had one and I'm not looking forward to it. (Did I mention that I hate the dentist?)

Please note that this photo has absolutely nothing to do with the dentist.

PS I love this

2012-02-21T12:18:00.001-08:00

LOVE THIS:

And this too:

Oh, and this:

You're welcome.

tuesday

2012-02-21T09:02:00.002-08:00

Happy Tuesday, peeps! A Tuesday that feels like a Monday since everybody was home yesterday. Except we are that much closer to Friday since it really ISN'T Monday! Woohoo!

In other news, do you ever feel like you can't remember the last time you went to the bathroom by yourself? I mean without somebody banging on the door? Or showered without somebody barging in with some "emergency" like "should I wear short sleeves or long sleeves today" (because the weather is THAT much different than it has been for the past six months?). Or sat down to relax without somebody immediately demanding more milk, or a snack, or...I could go on and on and on.

I was so touched by all of your sweet comments on my change of plans post this weekend. It's so nice to be reminded that not everybody is as outgoing as they pretend to be!

This is what I want to do today...watch TV with no pants on. Wait, that's weird. Nevermind.

linking up with sweet shot tuesday and communal global.

Thank you to all of you who have already linked up in yesterday's Show Off Your Shot! It's a great group that participates every week, and if you're not one of 'em, you totally should be! Remember you have until Friday to link up, and I do love seeing your photos, so please do show off your shot if you haven't already!

show off your shot

2012-02-19T21:00:00.000-08:00

Won't you join me and show off your shot...it's easy!

1) Pick your favorite shot of the week, or one that you otherwise feel like "showing off".

2) Show it off!

That's it!

The "rules":

Please include my button in your post (below) or at a minimum a link back to this blog. (Otherwise I reserve the right to delete your entry).
Please link up to your blog POST and not your main blog URL.
Linky opens at midnight(ish) Monday morning and stays open through midnight(ish) Friday.
Please do visit the other participants and leave some comment love on the other entries! This makes it fun for everyone.

wherein I had a change of plans

2012-02-19T11:14:00.000-08:00

it's about time I come clean. I am NOT the social, outgoing, fun person I pretend to be. I am actually quite the opposite. I'm a homebody. I don't like surprises, and trying new things is really NOT my cup o' tea.

last night I was supposed to go meet up with some local bloggers for dinner up in Bellevue. some of these gals I have met before, and some I have not. some I really like, and some I just haven't gotten to know.

at the last minute I chickened out. I don't know why. I decided I didn't want to drive ALL the way to Bellevue (too far from home?). I worried that I would feel like I didn't belong (I am about 10 years older than the group). it just brought back memories of high school and always wanting to fit in with the "in crowd", although I AM a grown up now, and I DO realize that there really is no such thing as the "in crowd."

so I bailed at the last minute, and went on a much needed date with my hubby (which is a whole other story), but now I'm full of regret. regret that I am NOT that other Rachel, the one who will go anywhere, do anything at the drop of a hat. the one who doesn't get filled with anxiety at the silliest things.

this is me. take it or leave it.

happy birthday Mina

2012-02-18T01:30:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday, baby girl!

Easy Orange Juice Smoothie (sponsored post)

2012-02-17T00:30:00.000-08:00

Guess who caught a cold this week? I spent Tuesday in my jammies, on the couch. Good thing I had my cold and flu kit all ready to go.When Grace got home from school that day she made me a delicious smoothie made with #FloridaOJ.

She started with some mixed frozen fruit (we buy a package that includes strawberries, pineapple, & mango):

She added about a cup or so of orange juice (and a splash of milk):

Blended for a few seconds (maybe 30?):

And that is it! It was really yummy, and good for me too!

some links to check out:

photos from my sponsored shop
Safeway.com
twitter.com/safeway
facebook.com/safeway
floridajuice.com
facebook.com/FloridaOrangeJuice

This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. All opinions are obviously my own. #CBias #FloridaOJ

my "office"

2012-02-16T15:14:00.000-08:00

we all know that I do most of my blogging on the couch, or in my bed, but occasionally I do sit at my desk, in a chair. (because I have to charge my laptop sometimes, you know)! now that I have a new little office area in my bedroom I am much more inclined to sit here.

look at my favorite new chair. isn't she pretty? she's comfortable too.

purchased at world market with my birthday money!

and my birdie art prints. perfect colors for my bedroom. (and perfect price for me!):

$14.99 each at ross!

Happy Thursday!!

wordless wednesday but with words

2012-02-14T20:30:00.000-08:00

How was your Valentines' Day? I spent my entire day in yoga pants and a hoodie, making spaghetti (it's my valentine's favorite), doing taxes, watching Gossip Girl, and ~~feeling sorry for myself~~ nursing a cold. And you know my favorite thing? When I asked Charlie if he was ready to take a nap today he said, "Ok, Mommy!" and then went straight to bed. How cute is that?

happy valentines' day! free DIY printable

2012-02-14T09:55:00.000-08:00

Need a last minute gift idea for your valentine? Why not make a printable of the important dates for you and your sweetie? I found this idea on pinterest (obviously), and made it a little less frilly for my own taste.

The first two dates are mine and my valentine's birthdates (yes, we are that old). Next is our anniversary in white. The last four are the birthdates of our babies!

I made mine in Photoshop Elements. Start with a new "blank file" in the size you want to print it at. (Mine is 8x10). Fill the background with the color you like (my gray is "544a4a"). Then you just create a new text layer for each date. The font I used is called Modern No. 20, which I downloaded for free (I think from DaFont?). To add the little heart in the anniversary date I used the "custom shape tool" and selected the (obviously), and red (obviously), then just size it to fit in one of the numbers. Flatten, and print! I always choose to print at Costco because they can print a matte finish in an hour, and because I need instant gratification. I picked up a stock frame, pre-matted at Michael's, and, ta-da...instant "art"!

birthday giveaway!

2012-02-13T10:25:00.000-08:00

It's my birthday so I want to give YOU the chance to win one of my awesome camera strap covers!

All I ask is that you are a follower of this little blog (either through Google Friend Connect down at the bottom of the page, or as an RSS subscriber).

The winner will get to choose any camera strap cover from my current inventory!

I'm trying out rafflecopter for this giveaway, so let me know how you like it. ONLY entries via the rafflecopter entry form will be counted (not comments on the blog post).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

show off your shot...it's my BIRTHDAY! edition

2012-02-12T20:30:00.000-08:00

oh HEY! I'm just sitting here in my new chair that I got for my birthday! (thanks, Mom!) What's up with you? I celebrated my birthday this weekend starting with dinner at my mom's on Friday night with my crazy family. Saturday night we got together at our house with Chris' family to celebrate a whole quarter's worth of birthdays with prime rib. OMG, we had never MADE prime rib before, and it was seriously DELISH. US. Oh, and we had red velvet cake BOTH nights, because apparently red velvet cake is in right now.

L-R: Lars, Sean, Crystal (gonna wear a black bra next time), Chris, Me, Clare

Aren't we all so attractive?

I like cake.

I am just loving this shot of my grandparents, so that's why I'm showing it off this week. They were CRACKING. up. It was awesome.

Don't you totally want to be in my family? We'll let pretty much anyone in, so don't be shy.

Won't you join me and show off your shot...it's easy!

1) Pick your favorite shot of the week, or one that you otherwise feel like "showing off".

2) Show it off!

That's it!

The "rules":

Florida OJ (sponsored post)

2012-02-12T15:52:00.000-08:00

I was selected to go shopping at Safeway to purchase 100% Florida Orange Juice as well as to put together a cold cough and flu kit for my family. We love orange juice, (and shopping), so of course I agreed! The kids and I headed to the Safeway by our old house to do our shopping! Click here if you want to see all the photos from our trip.

As far as keeping my family healthy we start off cold and flu season with flu shots all around. The kids ~~hate them~~ usually get theirs at the doctor's office, but Chris and I got ours at the pharmacy this year. (Insurance even paid for them!). I know the Safeway pharmacy offers flu shots as well! The kids also take their Gummy Vitamins and a chewable Vitamin C each day. I try and remember to take a multivitamin everyday as well (prenatal works, even though I'm NOT pregnant). Chris swears by Airborne, but I'm still on the fence about it. Keeping things as clean as possible around the house through hand washing (particularly when kids return from school, and before dinner), helps to keep the spread of germs to a minimum. Even with precautions, inevitably somebody gets sick. When that happens we load up on more Vitamin C, lots of water, and even more hand washing. For coughs I love Delsym (I swear it's the only cough syrup that works)! Chris is a big fan of Sudafed when he gets stuffed up.

I don't buy a lot of juice, but I do make an exception for 100% Florida orange juice, simply because it does have lots of vitamin C in it.

How about you? How do you keep the germs at bay? What do you do when somebody does get sick (despite your best efforts!)?

This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. All opinions are obviously my own. #CBias #FloridaOJ

fun with cropping

2012-02-09T21:07:00.000-08:00

don't mind me... just sitting in my bed, watching grey's anatomy, playing around with lightroom.
you know, the usual.

Oh! and I'm so excited because tomorrow I get to go meet our friends Dan and Lindsy's brand new baby! SO excited.

wilco. was. awesome.

2012-02-08T20:21:00.000-08:00

wordless wednesday but with words

2012-02-07T20:00:00.000-08:00

Charlie and I got a bunch of shit done today. We started off with getting my emissions on my car checked, then a quick trip to the Costco near there. Then we went to another Costco (because the first didn't have one thing I needed)! Next we went to the Oreck store to buy bags for my amazing new vacuum cleaner, THEN we went to the car wash. Then, we drove through Starbucks to get a decaf tall vanilla non-fat latte (for me, not CP) and then to the park to "play" a little bit. My ulterior motive for the park was for me to get Charlie's TWO YEAR OLD (!!) pictures taken, but have you tried getting a two year old to look at you? I took about 47 pictures and none of them are going to work. Finally, we headed home for lunch (or maybe oreos, I'll never tell) and Umizoomi, then nap for Charlie and taxes for me.

And if THAT's not enough...Chris and I are going to see Wilco tonight. Woohoo! I can hardly wait! Do you love Wilco? I do.

I don't really "get" wordless wednesday. So around here words are totally ok, and actually encouraged! So if you like words too and want to link up your wordless wednesday, but with words, please do. And if it's Thursday by the time you get around to it, well heck, that's ok too.

Grab my button and link up below and with some of my favorite wordless wednesday hostesses: project alicia, live and love outloud, the paper mama, the daily wyatt and naptime momtog.

tuesday

2012-02-07T03:30:00.000-08:00

Don't mind me, just playing ON my train table.

linking up with communal global, sweet shot tuesday, and weekly kodakchrome

(isn't he totes adorbs?)

show off your shot

2012-02-05T20:30:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you, but I just love having show off your shot on Mondays. I hope you like it too. I have all weekend to find my favorite shot, get it ready to show off, and schedule my post. Times like right now, when my boys are watching some dumb basketball game, and I can sit by the fire ~~ignoring them~~ with my laptop. Why yes, I do have pinterest open on another tab. And facebook. What about it? ; )

Charlie is still celebrating his birthday...we are finding many uses for his birthday balloons! (And in case you're worried, that is not a rat in the tub with him).

Won't you join me and show off your shot...it's easy!

1) Pick your favorite shot of the week, or one that you otherwise feel like "showing off".

2) Show it off!

That's it!

The "rules":

I announced the winner of my $600 Oreck Vacuum Cleaner giveaway, was it you?

HEY! Just realized my linky subscription expired. I renewed, and am waiting for it to kick back on. Please bear with me if the linky isn't showing up yet. Sorry! I didn't realize it was about to expire!

Friday!

2012-02-03T11:14:00.001-08:00

Yay! It's Friday! And it's SUPERBOWL weekend! Which is awesome...because we are going to a SUPERBOWL party! Where our hosts have assured me we don't actually have to watch football. Which is good, because I don't even know (or care) which teams are playing, nor do I know (or care) anything about the game itself.

This is Camden playing BASKETBALL, which I do pretty much understand, but which for some reason I always refer to as SOCCER, every single time, despite the big ugly shoes that obviously have basketball written all over them.

Have a fabulous weekend!

embrace the camera

2012-02-02T08:23:00.000-08:00

Just me and my boy on his SECOND BIRTHDAY. Can't believe my BABY is TWO!

embracing the camera with the anderson crew

International Delight Iced Coffee

2012-02-01T19:09:00.000-08:00

I recently had the opportunity to sample International Delight's new #IcedCoffee and I have to tell you this stuff is GOOD. Like I could easily become addicted kind of good.

CP and I headed to Walmart to purchase the beverage, and of course I took pictures while we were there. Click here if you'd like to check them out.

Then I threw a little party to share the stuff with a few friends. I decided that Charlie's birthday party would be the perfect opportunity, so while the kids stuffed their faces with donuts and apple juice (and completely trashed my house), the adults (and Grace) sampled the original flavor of International Delight Iced Coffee. As the package says, it is "sweet and creamy". I like a little coffee with my sugar, and this fit the bill just perfectly. This new drink also comes in vanilla and mocha, but unfortunately my Walmart was out of stock of those flavors, so we just tried the "original", which actually tastes a little bit vanilla-y and a little bit mocha-y.

All you do is pour it over ice and enjoy it. Have you ever had an espresso float? (A scoop of vanilla ice cream with a shot of coffee over it)? That's what this International Delight Iced Coffee tastes like to me.

Grace and Hilary tried it. And liked it!

Steph and Scott thought it was hilarious.

Then Scott proceeded to chug the rest of his. No really, we all liked it.

The Iced Coffee is exclusively at Walmart right now, and costs under $4.00. Seriously, for the cost of ONE iced coffee at a coffee shop you can get this whole carton and serve all your friends. I would definitely buy this again, especially during the warmer months.

This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias #CBias. All opinions are (obviously) my own.

wordless wednesday but with words

2012-01-31T20:05:00.000-08:00

I'm in a funk. I think I'm just a little bit stressed out, that usually does it. Or maybe I'm just tired, you know? Tired of the same thing every day. Tired of the routine. Tired of kids bickering. Tired of having to cook dinner...Every. Single. Day? Tired of washing clothes that really don't need to be washed, because somebody thought it was easier (for them) to put it in the dirty laundry basket than in the drawer. I'm tired of reminding people to wash their hands. And brush their teeth. And put their ~~shit~~ stuff away.

So now, I'm going to go watch Glee, and everything will be better tomorrow...

But first, enjoy this picture of cute kids in jammies...

how to make a simple envelope pillow cover

2012-01-30T20:46:00.000-08:00

When we were snowed in the other week I decided to finally get around to finishing a little project a started before Christmas and that was recovering my family room throw pillows. You see they used to be red, but I was going for a blue theme. It's TOTALLY easy to make an envelope pillow case. You don't have to know how to do a button hole, or put in a zipper, or anything else difficult like that. ALL you have to be able to do is sew a semi-straight line. And trust me, if I can do it, you can do it.

Cut your fabric in a rectangle shape. If you are making a cover for a 20" pillow your width should be 20 + 1 (for seam allowance)=21"and your length should be (20x2) + 3 (for your envelope "overlap")=43"

Next take your fabric and fold it over (right side in and overlap the pieces approximately 3 inches. (I didn't not hem the ends of this since it doesn't fray. If your fabric requires it you can finish the two short ends of your rectangle before proceeding).

Pin.

Now sew both sides as shown (this would be your long ends of your rectangle if it weren't folded). I used a 1/2 inch seam allowance on each side. Be sure you leave your overlapping flap open.

Turn right side out and shove your pillow form in through the open flap on the back. (Or be like me and shove your dirty old pillow in there with drool stains and all.

Tada!

I made the blue ones too. : )

Sorry I forgot to straighten this photo. The straightening tool (in LR 3) is seriously my FAVORITE tool ever.

Let me know if you have any questions! Otherwise, go hit up the clearance fabric section and re-cover your pillows! It literally takes 15 minutes. Or less.

and then, she {snapped}

thursday night

today I will be productive.

wordless wednesday but with words

PS I love this

tuesday

show off your shot

wherein I had a change of plans

happy birthday Mina

Easy Orange Juice Smoothie (sponsored post)

my "office"

wordless wednesday but with words

happy valentines' day! *free DIY printable*

birthday giveaway!

show off your shot...it's my BIRTHDAY! edition

Florida OJ (sponsored post)

fun with cropping

wilco. was. awesome.

wordless wednesday but with words

tuesday

show off your shot

Friday!

embrace the camera

International Delight Iced Coffee

wordless wednesday but with words

how to make a simple envelope pillow cover

happy valentines' day! free DIY printable