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Update on life....

My Mother had her surgery and is doing well. She needs to gain a lot of strength back but is on her way.

I have been having some real issues with my Fibromyalgia and find it completely frustrating. I know that I need to re-adjust the way in which I do things and the amount of things I do in a day but my head is just not there yet and I want life as it was 10 years ago. Sigh.

I am getting on a plane Saturday to fly with my two daughters down to Austin Texas! I cannot tell you how exciting it is! I hope to snap tons of pictures and show you all the amazing things we do together!

Then when I return on the 16th (and my sweet hubby will be glad for the return to married life!) we will have only 2 1/2 weeks before leaving for the Outer Banks to share our vacations with ALL of our children!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The first time in 5 years that we have all been together under the same roof. There will be some loudness going on in that beach house!!!

I am so grateful for house and dog sitters!!! Our crazy mutts would be over the top stressed if we would have to board them during all this!

Once we return from vacation we will be starting a building project which will be an addition to our home of a "Granny Suite".
Yes, my Mother will be living with us (in her own separate suite) permanently by Christmas. We are both happy and a bit sad over this. Happy to have Mom with us safe and sound but sad that the move has to be made. Life is ever changing.

As you can see my summer is full to the brim!

How about yours? Do you have a summer bucket list?

No!! Really? Hmmmmm.....

I can help!!


 

http://annmarieloves.com/2014/05/26/summer-bucket-list-printable/#.U43_LTYo4dU

 

Ann Marie Espinoza over at "Ann-Marie Loves" blog has a free printable summer bucket list just for you!

 

Fun for your children and the adults in your family!

 

Have a super day & get those "bucket lists" in action today!!!

Issues and a Link

I am having issues with my blog, again.

It will not allow me at this time to upload my pictures and that is just about as frustrating as not being able to get a jar lid off of the jar that is the only thing you want in this world.

You get my drift.

So for now bear with me and know that I am working on it!

For today, I am including this link that I found to be very good advice!

10 small ways to improve your kitchen.

Of course, my blog will accept a picture from another blog, go figure!

Anyhoooooo,

here is the link from: The Kitchn.....



Thanks for the great advise Cambria Bold

Cambria is the design + lifestyle editor for The Kitchn

,http://www.thekitchn.com/10-small-ways-to-improve-your-kitchen-in-2014-198756?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Kitchn+1814+-+10+Small+Ways+to+Improve+Your+Kitchen+in+2014&utm_content=Kitchn+1814+-+10+Small+Ways+to+Improve+Your+Kitchen+in+2014+CID_28c7318791a482f01ce280966e183b5f&utm_source=email_newsletter&utm_term=Get%2010%20small%20ways%20to%20improve%20your%20kitchen

Helpful Hints Day

A couple of links that could be helpful for you!

Organizing in 2013. Not a word we always

want to hear, but secretly...we all want to be

ORGANIZED!

Wow, it is even uglier in bold caps.

I may have to work on my attitude today!

OK, I'm better.

I will be more organized in 2013

I will be

I will be

I will try to be.

;o)

http://www.unclebobs.com/the-decluttered-home/index.php/getting-organized-five-tips-to-get-started.html

Thank you Inspired Room!

 

http://delightfulorder.blogspot.com/2012/12/lets-get-organized-in-2013.html

Thank you Delightful Order!



It's "Help Day"

And this help comes at the perfect time,

the time when gardens are fully producing

and fruit trees are one the verge of overloading

us with juicy greatness!

I love this time of year, the days that are

ushering us from the last precious days of summer

into the most glorious time of the year...fall.

 

So I am linking you to thekitchn

and they will fill you with all you need to know

about storing all your fruits and veggies!

 

 

http://www.thekitchn.com/a-guide-to-storing-fruits-vegetables-tip-roundup-176308

 

 

My thanks to thektchn for this information and picture!



Something I Had Not Thought Of Before

This is a help day!

A day when either I or Another Blogger

will give you very useful ideas on all kinds of things!

Today, it is from Apartment Therapy

and is about information you should keep in your phone!

Some really great information!

Thank you Apartment Therapy!!!

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/10-snapshots-you-should-keep-in-your-phones-photo-album-170492

Budget, Smudget! Or Budget Time, WooHoo!

Giving you all a link that is actually quite timely.

During this time of the year when we are all getting or paying

income tax, we all need to be keenly aware of

how our income is being spent.

Budget sheets are a great way to "see" where all the money

goes, stays, is given or overflows.

Martha Stewart has a very easy to use sheet, and I am sharing that with you all today!

http://images.wholeliving.com/images/content/web/pdfs/2009Q2/bs_0509_expensesworksheet.pdf?xsc=eml_2012_03_26&om_rid=DlB4ow&om_mid=_BPcFtvB8d-4kCe

Organization Hint

This is by Martha Stewart,

and I am including the link.

I just happen to think that this a most

ingenious idea!

A super way to keep all those wires

hidden under your desk...

makes cleaning so much easier,

and looks SO much better!

http://www.marthastewart.com/274366/desk-organizing-ideas/@center/276989/organizing#/213500?xsc=eml_org_2012_01_31&om_rid=DlB4ow&om_mid=_BPJ$grB8d-r2cV

Help For Your Kitchen

Since I am once again leaving for a few days, I am going to give you today, a helpful tool from The Kitchn

HOW TO GET YOUR KITCHEN CLEAN (AND KEEP IT CLEAN) IN 20 MINUTES A DAY FOR 30 DAYS

Day 1. Wipe down the fronts of appliances, large and small.

Day 2. Clean the inside and outside of your trash can.

Day 3. Tidy cookbooks, aprons and towel and linen drawers.

Day 4. Wipe down baking containers (flour, sugar, cornstarch).

Day 5. Clean out your refrigerator. Wipe down shelves and tidy freezer.

Day 6. Wipe down cabinet fronts (dust and polish) and range hood.

Day 7. Mop the floor.

Day 8. Wipe down the fronts of appliances, large and small.

Day 9. Clean the inside of your utensil holders and top of refrigerator.

Day 10. Clean under your refrigerator and stove.

Day 11. Clean the seal on your dishwasher and garbage disposal.

Day 12. Clean windows and sills (if you have them).

Day 13. Wipe down decorative accessories and pictures.

Day 14. Mop the floor.

Day 15. Wipe down the fronts of appliances, large and small.

Day 16. Tidy pantry, canned goods, boxes and bags.

Day 17. Clean cleaning items (clean the sponge, wash towels, etc.).

Day 18. Wipe down interior cabinet shelves.

Day 19. Wipe down walls.

Day 20. Wipe down cabinets (dust and polish) and range hood.

Day 21. Mop the floor.

Day 22 Wipe down the fronts of appliances, large and small.

Day 23. Organize pots, pans or other frequently used under cabinet drawer.

Day 24. Scrub out sink and wipe down faucet.

Day 25. Clean out your refrigerator, wipe down shelves and tidy freezer.

Day 26. Clean the inside of your microwave and set your oven to clean.

Day 27. Wipe down baseboards.

Day 28. Mop the floor.

Day 29. Wipe down the fronts of appliances, large and small.

Day 30. Dust light fixtures, clean switch plates, vent covers

Thank You Faith from The Kitchn....a great plan!

I am posting this recipe from "Apartment Therapy"
I love using natural cleaners in my home, as I have asthma, and do not want to exacerbate my issues with chemicals floating in the air!
I do have this to add, before you use this recipe....Hydrogen Peroxide does loose it's power after a few days. It will begin to become less effective over time, so you may want to use a small spray bottle, and even consider cutting this recipe in half. If you are concerned about buying a lemon and using only a small portion of it for a batch of cleaner, just juice the entire lemon, measure out the juice in 1 tble portions and freeze those that you do not use that day! Then you will have fresh lemon juice at the ready for what ever need you have!


You can make your own all-purpose cleaner using three basic, inexpensive, non-toxic ingredients. They are: water, hydrogen peroxide, and lemon juice. You can use this cleaner for everything from streak-free mirrors to wiping out the cat litter box.

The recipe:
1 cups Water
1/2 cup Hydrogen Peroxide
2 Tbl Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
Mix and adjust to suit your needs.
Hydrogen peroxide is the key to this cleaner. It’s inexpensive, non-toxic, and readily available. It's a nearly odorless liquid that is commonly used on open wounds and therefore safe to use around pets and children. Hydrogen peroxide has stronger cleaning capabilities than vinegar and works much like bleach, just without any harmful health or environmental effects. You can also add about half a cup of this mix into laundry water to whiten clothes. The acidic lemon juice helps break down grime and add a fresh citrus scent. Water helps dilute the mixture. I keep it pre-mixed in a reused windex spray bottle for easy access.