PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After 8 years of being a parent, you would think I've got this down. After a lifetime of organizing & loving every moment of it, you would think I would not be here, in this situation, AGAIN. After threatening, bribing, coercing, begging & pleading, you would think we would ALL be better at this. So, I am downright BEGGING for your help. This is what our playroom is reduced to about once a month. 3 rambunctious kids & a mom who is just too plain busy to watch their every move and we are once again standing in front of this nightmare come alive.

You can tell I have more than enough shelves, drawers, compartments & ways to organize & keep everything separated. Ways that are simple for children to understand, ways that make it easier to get a favorite toy & then PUT THAT TOY BACK WHERE IT BELONGS.

My real issues is this....... My children simply have too much stuff. The last time I went through their toys for our yard sale, I really thought I had condensed, that I had gotten rid of all the nonsense, but apparently I have not. I know I need to cut down. I know that if they didn't have SO MANY choices, then there wouldn't be such a mess of this size.

The help I need..... what do 3 kids need as far as toys go? What is the bare minimum I can let them keep? I am willing to throw it ALL away & go back to letting them entertain themselves with books, crayons, outdoor activities & homemade toys like pots, pans, boxes & bubble wrap. But, it's hard to throw away all the things you know you bought them for birthdays & Christmas, because it's so hard to admit to yourself that you bougth them too much or that they really didn't want that toy & only played for it with a few days before they tossed it aside never to look at it again.

So, I am welcoming any & all opinions & ideas about what to do. Please no comments on how terrible it is or how did I ever let it get this bad. I have beat myself up enough, thank you, but I am so ready for any & all ideas on how to CUT BACK. I know how to organize it, I just need to know what to get rid of.

PLEASE HURRY!

I led you astray!

AAACCCKKK!! I hate knowing I tried to promote a product I don't really care for, instead of posting the correct pic of the product I do love, so I must make a correction!!!!

The Electrasol tablets I love to use in my dishwasher are GEL TABLETS, not powder! The secret is in the gel I believe! So, here is a pic of the ones I meant to recommend!

THIS BOOK BELONGS TO ME!!!

I absolutely ADORE these bookplates!! They are free & they are so, so fun! I can think of plenty of my friends that would get a kick out of these too! Put them in your fav craft books, romance books, vampire books, cookbooks!! http://craftsanity.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/blackapplebookplates.pdf

My FAVORITE cleaning product.

I happened upon this cleaning product while shopping at Costco. They had a coupon for it, it looked promising, so we bought it. I had no idea how well it would work & how much I would love it! I have used it on just about every surface in my house & was literally SHOCKED at what a great cleaner it is! And it's good for the environment?!??! EVEN BETTER!!

My Recommendations on some great girlie products!

This stuff ROCKS! I don't like to get burned just to get a tan & I certainly don't agree with using tanning booths, but this lotion will give you a nice summer glow without the chances of skin cancer! And it doesn't overdo it like so many of those self tanning lotions.

I am a lip gloss junkie! But, I am VERY PICKY about the kind I use & when I found this from Avon, I was THRILLED! It gives a touch of color, but has shine too & it stays on really well! I splurged & got two colors to satsify any mood I'm in!

This was one of those products where I said, "Now why didn't someone think of this sooner?" A big brush for your top lashes, a small brush for the bottom. PERFECT! And this stuff works GREAT, no smudging, no clumping, just great length, great fullness & overall a PERFECT product!
If you do shop Avon or you never have, give it a try with my friend, Jean. Link below!!

http://jtagliere.avonrepresentative.com/

This Brand vs. That Brand

DO NOT USE THIS! I was trapped by the ECO nature of this product only to find out it is HORRIBLE at actually getting your dishes clean! And this was even in a BRAND NEW dishwasher.

I will stick to my FAV brand that works EVERYTIME & gives me sparkling dishes, very clean with no residue.

My husband tag!

My husband tag!

What is his name? Mark Ryan Keel

How long have you been married? 10 Crazy, Amazing Years!!!

How long did you date? For a few months when we were in high school & a few dates here & there until we graduated high school & lost touch until we got back together late 1997.

How old is he? 32 (which he hates & he so doesn't even look it!!!!!)

Who eats more sweets? DEFINITELY ME!

Who said I love you first? He did, on the swing in his parents' yard.

Who is taller? He is.

Who can sing better? I think he can sing great, but he just doesn't like to. I think I sing pretty well.


Who is smarter? He is way smarter than me.

Who does the laundry? I do, but he is helpful when it gets to be too much, especially when it comes to his work clothes not being clean. Sorry hunny!

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Facing which way? Am I looking at the bed from the end, if so, he sleeps on the right. When he leaves for work, I like to sneak over to his side & snuggle in his pillow. It smells like him.


Who mows the lawn? Mark mostly, but I help when the kids are calm enough for me to go out there. Sometimes yard work is like a date for us, hahah.

Who cooks dinner? I do. But lately it hasn't been often. I think Mark can cook better than me, but he just doesn't have much time to do it.

Who drives? I do. There is a guy that checks id's as you go on post to Fort Knox & he will always tease me about chauffeuring him around, like I'm spoiling him.

Who is more stubborn? Me by a mile!

Who kissed who first? He kissed me. And I recall him saying it wasn't a very good kiss & he was glad I got better. Maybe I was just nervous, hahaha.

Who asked who out first? Mark broke up with his girlfriend at the time to ask me to his prom. WOO HOO!

Who proposed? Of course Mark!!

Who has more siblings? I do. He has one sister, I have two brothers & one sister.

Who wears the pants? It's an equal partnership, but we each have roles where we have to wear the pants more often.

Ok now I tag Sybil, Tara, Chandi & Christy & ANYONE ELSE who wants to do it!

 

The Penny: A Novel by Joyce Meyer

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I did not know this was termed "Christian fiction", I just liked what the inside cover had to say about the story. I finished it yesterday & LOVED IT! It was an excellent story, though very heartbreaking at times, but with a wonderful "happy ending" for all involved in the story. It was about the power of God even when it seems like he's not there for us & how we may have to fight longer than we want to, but we will overcome. It also touched on forgiveness & it's healing power & about friendship in times of segregation between two sweet girls from very different families. It was an excellent, very touching story. Highly recommend & it's not that long so it's a great summer "beach" read.


View all my reviews.

Empire Falls by Richard Russo

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was an incredible book. It didn't have all the bells & whistles of some great reads, but it was just clearly & precisely written with insights on human thought and desire. About how people in a small community can have so much diversity in themselves that they can experience the same complexities we tend to think a big city holds. The characters were all well developed and the story was very juicy. I enjoyed it from the first page to the last. I look forward to reading more from Richard Russo.

**I have always said I wish there was a rating system for books as there is for movies, but since there is not, I will add my 2 cents. There are some swear words & a brief description of a naughty incident at a frat party & some boyish sexual feelings towards an older woman, but all in all, the book is a might good read.


View all my reviews.

Beach Bag Essentials

It just doesn't sound the same calling it a "Pool Bag", so although we will only be frequenting the "pool" or the "water park", we will refer to our favorite bag as the "Beach Bag". Mine I picked up at Old Navy on clearance which makes it even sweeter. These are just a few of our essentials that are kept in the bag for an easy pickup on our way out the door whenever the whim hits us to take off for some fun in the sun! What's in your "Beach Bag"??

When God Retreats

I have been reading a book called Empire Falls, written by Pulitzer Prize winner, Richard Russo. I don't know what brought me to the book, but I have been quite enjoying it, despite a rather naughty frat party description, the book has been enlightening about human thought, even venturing into religious views and desires of the heart. Today I read something that was so profound to me, I felt I needed to record it in permanent form to further burn it into my mind. I have been fighting off personal demons of a measure I have never really had to fight before and each moment of truth or realization about ways I can overcome my worst fears are very, very precious.

Here is the excerpt from the book: "...to suggest that while God never abandoned us, neither was He on every occasion equally present, perhaps because His continual presence is what we desire most - that is, to be led away from temptation, away from ourselves. We want Him to be there, ready to receive our call in the moment of our need: lead us not into....Whereas God, for reasons of His own, sometimes chooses to let the machine answer. The Supreme Being is unavailable to come to the phone at this time, but He wants you to know that your call is important to Him. In the meantime, for sins of pride, press one. For avarice, press two...
"When God Retreats" had seemed one of his finer sermons as he'd delivered it to his sleepy early congregation. Exhausted and happy, he could find little fault with it as a personal reflection. That God had trust him to lose and then regain his path had seemed a wise, beneficent gesture."

I too believe that God has to let us go from time to time, mostly when He sees we need it most, to know that we can do some things on our own, only if it is to call on Him.

For those of us with daughters, granddaughters, any growing girl in our life...invest in them to start the change.

Thrift Store Finds

By now, many of you know I am a thrift store junky! It is so much fun shopping for treasures & great deals. These gold sandals that Isabelle fell in love with - a whole $1.40!!!

The lamp I needed badly for our desk in the office. This fits right in with our older decor from overseas. It was a mere $3.20 & works great!!

I collect pitchers and could not resist this mini one. The picture is not so great, sorry about that. But, I paid $1.80 for this baby.

The frame I am not a fan of, but the painting is really painted, not just a print & that is hard to find! And it's of a cello, one of Mark & I's favorite instruments! I have not decided where to hang it, I might repaint the frame first.

Tell me you had one of these as a kid! I just had to get it for the twins. It brought back such strong childhood memories for me & I snagged this vintage toy for a mere $5.40! Well worth it!

My Review of Ariat Flame Sandals - Crackle Leather (For Women)

Originally submitted at Sierra Trading Post

Closeouts . Ariat's Flame sandals will put some snap and crackle into your summer sandal wardrobe. Nicely cushioned, suede-covered footbeds are made of cork and latex for custom landings. Elastic gore to snug fit Two crackle leather straps Polyurethane outsoles Heel: 2" Medium width Closeout...

Ariat Flame Sandals - Crackle Leather (For Women)

PERFECT STYLISH SANDALS

By mmlk from army, usa on 6/25/2008

 

5out of 5

Sizing: Feels true to size

Width: Feels true to width

Pros: Comfortable, Cute, Durable, Stable, Breathable

Best Uses: everywhere

Describe Yourself: Stylish, Casual

These are INSANELY AWESOME sandals. They are stylish, not your ordinary brown or black summer slip ons & I love them! I wish I could get them in more colors. They are so comfortable, unlike other slip ons similar to this style. These are supreme!

(legalese)

Does Anyone Know??

I did not inherit my mother's green thumb, although I did inherit her ficus tree & I just pray I don't kill it! There are more blooms popping up in our yard & I have no idea what kind of flowers they are. Can anyone help??

Simple gifts of love for Father's Day.

Although I was horrible about getting out Father's Day cards to all the special men in my life, I did put together something for the main man in my life, all be it quick and simple. I have been collecting formula cans waiting for a craft I knew would present itself for their use & I think this one turned out really cute & just think of the possibilities with all the craft supplies I have at hand?!?!?!?

Paint the Town!

Every once in a while I can really, really see those gray hairs along my hairline popping up to say, "You're not as young as you used to be!" or "We're here to remind you every single day how you're getting older, " and I'll go out and buy some haircolor because I don't want to spend the money on a professional job although I'm SURE it would turn out much better than my own workings at haircolor. But, it was the night before we were going on a quick family trip for the weekend, so I wanted those gray hairs to be GONE! So, I picked up a box of slightly red haircolor that I thought would be fun for the summer. When I woke up the next morning to plenty of sunshine, I realized when the box said, Paint the Town, it really did mean, PAINT THE TOWN RED!!! I looked like a candy apple! After a couple of days, it calmed down & Mark mentioned it didn't look so bad & I even got a couple of compliments on it throughout the day. Guess I'll keep it for a while!

I swear they're "IN" right now!

Bangs, that is. I tried to explain to my husband why I had chosen to increase the amount of bangs I have. I like them for one & two, they're in style right now. I may be over 30 & I may have several children, but it still doesn't keep me from at least attempting to look stylish. The conversation went like this (we're getting ready to leave the house to go run errands as a family - something I love, something he doesn't particularly care for. He says we look like Gypsies, hahahahahaha)

Me: "Hun, do I look okay?"

Mark: "Ask me later," with a silly smirk on his face. I know something is up.

Me: "What is it? My shirt, my shoes?" His face is still scrunched. I know if I hit the right thing, he'll give in. "My hair," getting warmer. "MY BANGS?!?!?"

Mark: "You're in 1994. What are your other options?"

Me: "Are you kidding me?" I've got my hair in a cute ponytail, bangs laid out natural & a little chunky, but I swear they're in style. Just look at this picture of Reese Witherspoon.
OKAY, I admit, I'm not Reese! But, her bangs look good & I was merely attempting to copy them in some form (see anniversary photo in prevoius 10 years post).

Still don't believe me? Check this link. http://www.stylelist.com/trends/hair-style-bangs He's lucky I'm not doing the blue eyeliner or watercolor dresses!!!!

So, I go into the bathroom. I wisp them to the side, make a little part & flatten them down some more.

Me: "There! That better?"

Mark: "You've hit 1998. It's better."

Whatever! If I like it, what do I care what he thinks? He still has to sleep with me every night, eat the meals I cook & say Yes Dear to stay out of trouble. I love that he tries to be honest. In 1998, I was 21 & feeling smokin' hot & on top of the world & totally in love. I may not be 21. I may not be smokin' hot & I'm not really on top of the world anymore, but I am still totally in love. I'll take 1998. Thanks babe.

Mommy doesn't want to share.

The thing about Freschetta Baby Portabello Mushroom & Spinach pizza is that I don't have to share it because no one else like mushrooms & this baby is covered with em! Just like I like it! So it got me to thinking about the other things I love that I don't want or have to share with the other members of my family. My dirty little kitchen secrets.....

Bagels from Panera Bread!! My favorite, the literally named Everything bagel. If Mark knew I paid that much for bagels he would forbid me from ever buying them again, but they are just sooooooo good, especially with a very flavorful cream cheese to generously spread on them!

Roasted Red Peppers (I put them on sandwiches, salads, pizza or put them in my pasta)

Freschetta Baby Portabello Mushroom & Spinach pizza

Self explanatory & seen in earlier posts, so you already know I love them. They are sinfully good.

These are my top four! WHAT ARE YOURS???????

Sweet Summer Corn

I had been awaiting the display of sweet summer corn at the grocery store with each trip these past couple of months & this last time it was finally there. I carefully picked out 6 ears and couldn't wait to get home and shuck them to savor the smell. We enjoyed them with burgers cooked on the grill & french fries. YUM!