3 Years

Dear Scott,

It's been 3 years already, can you believe it?? I can't believe how much has changed. It started off us, the 2 cats and the dog. Now we're one cat, one dog, us, and Piper. She is the most precious and amazing gift. Im looking forward to continuing to move forward with you. Who knows what the future will hold.

I love you.

Our New Casa!

Moving day on October 15th came and went. It was stressful and tiring, but the end product is totally worth it! The apartment is old, but it's cute, and we are doing upgrades to it that we were told we can take the cost off the monthly rent for the supplies/materials. First - a few before photos!

So, outdated and old fashioned, yes, but we love it! Here's a bit of the work we've put in so far :

 We painted the nursery before moving day! The color is called Luminary by Behr. Our nursery bedding is raspberry pink, brown, and orange, and we didn't want a typical pink nursery, so we went orange on the walls and love it!

This closet is right outside the bathroom on a half wall, and clearly visible from the bedroom. There is no door that we could get to stay up on it, so I made the green leafy curtain to contain all of our toiletries. 

We've done a few other things, but I have not taken pictures of all of our progress. We did however find time to put the Christmas tree up :)

Time's A Wasting!

When oh when will life slow down for a few?!?! First off, Baby Camera Happy is 25 weeks 3 days today.

My belly is protruding quite a bit more now, I think little one had a growth spurt this week. We had our 20 week anatomy scan, and baby is measuring right on track, and is quite playful! She continuously kicked the u/s wand on my belly as the tech moved it around, and we even got to see her stick her tongue out at us! She's also quite the diva, as her foot was in front of her face, one hand under her chin, and the other hand behind her head. It was adorable, and we love her to bits and pieces already!

In more recent news, we are moving! We found a great old apartment (it's in a big old house that's split into 3 apartments). 2 Bedrooms, 1 bathroom, we get a parking spot in the garage, and the best part? It has a huge fenced in yard and deck, so Riley can be outside playing with the upstairs neighbors dog. We met them on Monday when we did our final walkthrough, and both the neighbors and their dogs seem great! Our moving date is set for October 15th! So there is a lot to be done in a short time span. But it'll be worth it to have a nice separate nursery for Baby Camera Happy to enjoy :) Will post pictures of apartment when we move in, and then as we update it :)

Past events? My birthday was yesterday! DH and I celebrated by staying in, eating chinese food, packing, and watching TV.

Upcoming events?

 - October 12 - My glucose challenge test! Wish me luck!

-October 15 - Moving day!

 - October 16 - Maternity Photo Shoot

 - October 23 - My best friends baby shower (she's due on December 27th!)

 - HALLOWEEN!

 - November 6th, my family baby shower

- November 13 - My friends shower

 - November 18th - BREAKING DAWN PART 1! Can't wait :)

Check In:

• How far along?: 25 weeks 3 days

• Total weight gain: I was up 15 lbs at my last OB appt.

• How big is baby?: Little one is the size of an eggplant this week

• Maternity clothes?:A Million times yes. I don't think my tummy will fit into normal clothes for a while!

• Movement: Baby is a party animal. She's relatively motionless when I'm up and walking around, but when I lay down to fall asleep she starts kicking, and if I'm sitting and eating she kicks as well.

• Stretch marks?: Not yet! Fingers crossed!

• Sleep?: I am still tired all the time. I fall asleep with no problems at strange hours.

• Symptoms?: Nausea has stayed away pretty well. I have troubles bending over to tie shoes or put on pants or socks. I grunt like an old man when getting into or out of my car. I feel kind of like a turtle, and have begun to master to art of rolling off things when I need to get up.

• Food cravings:  Changing all the time. My biggest desire the last two weeks is chocolate milk. I have no idea why, since I hate milk....
• 
  
• Food Aversions: Red meat still skeeves me out. And the smell of popcorn is enough to turn my stomach.

• Belly button in or out?: Hanging on as an innnie by a thread! It's now very shallow, and wide. I'm glad I took my belly button ring out early on!

• What I miss: I miss being able to go out for drinks with the girls, I also miss being able to go out. I'm always too tired to do anything.

• What I'm looking forward to: I am looking forward to lots right now. I can't wait to move into the apartment so I can begin the nesting process. I can't wait until October 16th for our maternity photo session. Most of all I cannot WAIT to meet Baby Camera Happy.

• Best Moment this week: Our final walkthrough on the apartment, and getting told by the landlords that they had absolutely no issues with us painting :)

Excitement!

So tomorrow while I am at work, my hubby and my cousin are going to pick up the old desk at my mother's house that will become my craft/sewing desk after I fix and clean it up! They are under strict orders not to do anything to it, as I want before and after pictures of this process!

Is it sad that I'm this excited over this?

The $20 Challenge

My dear husband doesn't understand the joy of couponing. His argument is that couponing just makes people buy things that they don't need, or won't use, just to get a deal. Which I guess could be true, although I know many people that get free items via couponing and then donate them to animal shelters, hospitals, or send them to Iraq. So I don't know. He decided to give me $20 to see what I could do, saying that everything I bought had to be something that we need or would use. I chose Target and Meijer as my stores of choice for this challenge, and off I went.

Meijer

The Goodies:

2 Betty Crocker Warm Delights : on sale for 99¢ each

Used 2 75¢ / 1 coupons (SS 3/28/10)

Cost: 24¢ each

2 Snuggle Exhilarations Sweet Blossom and Pomegranate fabric softener sheets (70 count)

Priced at $3.48 each

Used 2 $3/1 coupons (SS 3/28/10)

Total cost: 48¢ each

3 Boxes Of Barilla Pasta

On sale for 89¢ each

Used Meijer Mealbox coupon for $1 off 3

Cost $1.67

2 V-8 VFusion Juices

On sale 2 for $5

Used 2 $1/1 printable coupons- Found Here

Used Meijer Mealbox $1/2 coupon

Cost: $2.00

Always Pads

On sale for $4.95

Used BO GO (12-22 count) free coupon from 4/4 PG

Register decided to take off the $4.95 for the larger package, rather than the $2.99 for the smaller package

Cost : $2.99 for both packages combined.

Cost Wrap Up!

Meijer Promotions Savings : $2.02

Meijer Ad Savings : $6.20

Coupon Savings: $14.45

Total Savings: $22.67

Final Price: $9.36

Amount remaining from $20 challenge - $10.64

Annnnd onto Target!

The Goods:

4 Banquet Frozen Dinners (yes, healthy I know!) : 

Priced at 89¢ each

Used $1.50/4 coupon - Found Here

 Cost: $2.06 for all 4

Degree Invisible Solid Men's Deodorant
Priced at $1.97 each

Used $1.25/1 Coupon - Found Here (as well as some other good coupons!)

Cost: 72¢

1 Package Ball Park Angus Beef Franks

On sale for $2.49

Used 75¢/1 Coupon found on http://www.coupons.com

Cost: $1.74

4 Pack Activia Yogurt

Price Drop to $1.87 per 4 pack

Used $1/1 coupon from SS 3-28-10

Cost: 87¢

Trial Size Clean & Clear Morning Burst facial scrub

Priced at 97¢

Used $1/1 coupon from 3-28-10 SS

Cost: FREE

Trial Size Johnson's Lavender & Chamomile lotion

Priced at 97¢

Used $1/1 coupon from 3-28-10 SS

Cost : FREE

Trial Size Tide 2x Laundry detergent

Priced at 97¢

Used $1/1 coupon from 4/4/10 PG

Cost: FREE

Tums Extra Strength 750 (116 tablets)

Priced at $3.89 on sale

Used $1/1 printable - Found Here

Cost: $2.89

1 Jar of Ragu

Price Dropped to $1.87

No coupons, had just run out at home!

Cost : $1.87

$0.05 credit for bringing my reusable shopping bag

Cost Wrap Up!

Total saved : $9.55

Final Cost: $10.62

Amount left in $20 challenge : $0.02

I'm waiting for him to get home and see my victory now!

XOXO

-V

Saving Money! Coupon Crazy :)

I know it's been a while :( I've been neglectful to this blog. Life went back to being chaotic again!

This week started K-Marts Super Doubles event. Doubling coupons is fabulous, although their new 5 coupons doubled limit kind of kills it a little. Luckily it's close by home, so it's not out of the way to go up there and take advantage of the sale!

I went to K-Mart this morning with my stack of coupons in my hand. I walked out with this:

I know i know, microwave steamer bags take all the nutrients out of the steamed veggies I love so much, however since we are always on the go, they are more practical for us to use, and we love them nonetheless.

I walked out with:

3 packages of Large Ziploc Zip 'N Steam bags : $2.89 each at the store.

Used 3 of the $1/1 coupons from the 3/28 SS insert
Final Cost: $0.89 each after doubling!

Hartz Crunch N Clean dog biscuits : $3.99 each
Used one printable $2/1 coupon (Found Here)
Final Cost: FREE

1 Dove Ultimate Visibly Smooth deodorant: on sale for $3.79
Used printable $2/1 ( Found Here )
Final Cost: FREE

Left me enough money to pick up that cute red shirt in their $1.99 Winter clearance clothing!
Total Saved: $7.38
Final Transaction Cost : $5.56

Annnnd Walgreens:

 There weren't too many completely awesome deals at Walgreens this week, however I did score a few goodies for a small price!
1 box 30 Tuf trash bags : $2.99 after coupon in Walgreens ad
1 package Pilot Frixion gel pens : Sale for $1.19
Used $1/1 from Walgreens April coupon book
Total: $0.19

Walgreens storage bags:
$0.99 after in ad coupon

Dawn hand soap:
Normal price : $1.99
Used $0.99 coupon in Walgreens ad
Used $0.50/1 coupon from 4/4 PG Brandsaver
Final cost: $0.49

Total savings: $8.70 (includes sales, and coupon savings)
Final Cost: $5.03



So it was fun. I like saving money, especially since we're just not making enough right now! And we will be well stocked on the things we run out of after this week is over :)

I'm working on putting more things up in my Etsy shop as well.

I'm actually thinking about learning how to make soaps and candles, but we shall see.

I wish there were more hours in a day!

XOXO
-V

One Down!

Sunday I went to my mother's house so we could do a test run on one of the purses we want to eventually sell. I needed a new bag, so we made one for me! It turned out great. It's really roomy, and I love that I got to pick the fabric out :)

There is the finished product!

Annnnd a random cute picture of Riley through the screen wanting to come back inside!

Scrub A Dub Dub

Me and my hubby have been on a massive cleaning kick today. Everything is getting a top to bottom scrub down. We finally just finished, and put up our Christmas tree :)

I will try to get a better picture of it once it's dark inside and out! I love all the pretty colors, and was excited to put up a few of my new ornaments.

While cleaning the office, I stumbled upon a merchandise certificate from http://www.orientaltrading.com for $10.

Upon browsing their site I found this bad boy:

for only $8.99!

I ordered two of them, and will probably be spray painting them all one color, as I'm not too fond of the colors. I can't wait to get these here and hang them up!

Life, or something like it!

Ahhhhhh, finally a week without too much work in it! And a few days off to boot! One of the many things I am thankful for this Thanksgiving! Next week is also a pretty light week, so I'm workin on getting those creative juices flowing again :)

The weather is finally switching from a VERY warm fall, to Winter type weather. I am not sure how I feel about this. Snow is a beautiful thing, but I hate driving in it. It's best for me when I'm looking out my window at it, nice and warm.  I hate that it is now pitch black by 430 or 5 PM. Makes it feel like the day is already completely gone. However, I love taking photographs in the winter time, so that is for sure an upside :)

I started my Christmas shopping this past Sunday. Partially online, and then me and my mother went out shopping. I got some great deals on the items I am purchasing, but many of my gifts are going to be handmade this year. As I type this, I am waiting for the first layer of paint to dry on my recipe box for my grandmother. I haven't quite decided what to Mod podge on to it, but I figure once I see it fully painted, something great will come to me :)

I was very excited to find a US Marine Corps Snuggie on www.harrietcarter.com, as my grandfather is a proud marine, and we have gotten him all the Marine Corps items we could find over the years.

Upon further discussion on our home situation, we have decided to stay where we are. What it came down to was when I have a child, what school I would feel comfortable sending him or her to. We have worked out a fantastic deal, and are starting to upgrade the house further in February 2010.

So that's my update! I plan on getting my booty in gear with crafting, and then soon decorating for Christmas!

How are all of you doing?

XOXO-
V

Work Workety work work work

Nothing but work! ALLLLLLLLL week. Luckily, this upcoming week I have 3 (yup thats right!) THREE days off! This has not happened in about a month. I'm pretty excited for it.  Haven't had time for any fun crafts or recipes or anything this past week, so I don't have much to write about. Hopefully I will get a lot done this week. Have the Twilight New Moon meet and greet on Tuesday, so I'm sure I will update on that!

We are in the process of figuring out if we want to stay in the house we are in now, or go buy a different house entirely. There are pros and cons to each.

The house we are in now:
PROS:
-is in a great safe neighborhood
-has room to add additions and whatnot as we may need
-we wouldn't have to move if we stayed here.
-We wouldn't have to get a mortgage loan.

CONS:
-It needs a TON of work. Flooring, drywall, upgrades, siding, fence, landscaping, heating, air conditioning etc etc etc
-it is a 2 bedroom, 1 (teeeeeny tiny) bathroom ranch house, so additions would be necessary if we were to start making babies, which is on our list for next year.
-It would cost us $144,000 to own. (which is REALLY steep for the condition and square footage of the house)

The houses we can afford:
PROS:
-We can get a 3-6 bedroom, 2 bathroom fixer upper home for under $100,000. Since hubby does hardwood floors and knows an arsenal of various other handymen, we could probably get that work done, and still not hit $144,000
-We would be able to start fresh in a house I didn't live in with my mother when I was younger
-We would have more space to work with, and potentially not have to add any additions to the house.

CONS:
-The neighborhoods are not nearly as desirable as the one we are in now. And a few of them are not the safest neighborhoods
-The commutes to work would be a bit longer
-We would have to move (I HATE moving and packing)
-Credit fixing. I got my credit report run to see where I was at, and found a bevy of things that have been paid off, and reported incorrectly to the credit reporting agencies. I've started to fix all of it, but it's going to take a while to get everything cleared up.

We don't know which side we are leaning towards at all. We both love the neighborhood we are in, and would like to stay here, but we don't know that the price of the house is worth it.

Ahhh decisions decisions..

Least we have all the time we need to decide :)

Hope all you out there are doing lovely!

XOXO
-V

Oh Blankie Where Are Thou?

So today I finally sat down and finished my blanket. Easy project I know, but it felt good to finally cross one thing off my list! It's extremely warm, and I've been snuggling under it since I pulled it out of the dryer. I was right, took about 5 minutes to pin, and 5 minutes to sew.

Winter, bring it on! Now I have TWO layers of fleece to fight you with :)

Just Beachy!!

After our honeymoon to Cancun, I completely fell in love with tropical/beachy themes. It inspired me to redecorate my office and use a beach/sea kind of theme in it! Here is a picture of the room:

To Do List for Office/Crafting Room:

• Re-drywall, whoever put the drywall in this room did a horrible job. You can see seams and patching all over the place.
• Take down Stucco ceilings, and drywall those too. This Stucco is AWFUL, and it must go.
• Replace trim around ceiling and doorways
• Change ceiling fan, that thing has to be 30 years old! The shades are white with little blue flowers on them. Maybe I can talk my dear husband into a fun leaf ceiling fan, or just get a plain white one and call it a wash.
• Change out switchplate and outlet covers, they are currently a coppery color that I'm not a fan of.
• Replace carpeting with hardwood (this will be one of the last things we do, but hubby does hardwood floors for a living, so it's only a matter of buying materials.) Plus, we want to do hardwood throughout the whole house, minus my massage therapy room and the bedroom, so it can definitely wait.

We will be getting rid of the piano on the right (since it was my mom's, we have no use for it, and she doesn't want it anymore) and putting in an old computer desk (once we're done refinishing it) to serve as my craft and sewing desk. This will wind up being another post when we start working on it, as there are a lot of changes to turn the old desk into a masterpiece. I don't have pictures, it's currently in my mothers basement.


We replaced the curtains with these:

 

From Bed, Bath & Beyond - $14.99 per panel

Calypso sheer panels in sky 

I didn't think to get that curtain rod with the starfish on it...but I may go back to get it.

We are painting the walls a sandy color, ones we like so far are:

Glidden - Oyster Shell

Glidden - Navajo Sand

Valspar - Riviera Dune

We have not purchased any yet, we are still deliberating!

I have lots of leftover seashells from our honeymoon, so I'm going to make a few of these, inspired by Linds over at  That's So Cuegly (Seriously her stuff is amazing, and you should check out her blog!)

I would also like to make a couple of them covered in blue (to match the curtains) and white feathers.

 

I guess it is time to break out the old glue gun!

Pantry Wars

So last night, on a whim, I decided it was time to clean out the pantry. It was so full of stuff for so long, that we could barely fit anything else into it without it toppling over when we opened the door.

I know it's not the BIGGEST difference ever, but there is so much more room in there now, and with the use of a couple plastic shoeboxes and baskets, and some snapware I had laying around, it is much easier to find what we are looking for :)  We still have to clean off the bottom shelf, that is where the wedding gifts we haven't opened and put out yet live currently. Then it will probably become the shelf for baking stuff (cake and muffin pans, etc)

UH Oh....

I think I've caught it. The fever....

BABY fever.

Is there a cure for this?!

Adventures Of The Dog Bed - Part 2

Annnnnd we have a dog on a dog bed!

Adventures Of The Dog Bed - Part 1

So, Riley likes his bed. He doesn't LOVE it yet, but he lays on it and enjoys it. While Riley was playing outside in the yard, I walked into the living room and saw this :
Hendrix LOVES it.

Working On The House - Project Numero Uno!

So, living in my moms old house is pretty great and all. I lived here for quite a few years. I'm comfortable here, I know where everything is, and I feel safe living in the same neighborhood that I spent that many years in. However, (sorry mom) she has awful taste in many things home related. Her obsession with purple took over, and it's everywhere. We are starting projects in the house now, from small to large. So our first project will be to paint the hallway walls, ceiling, and doors (don't mind the banner on the door in the 2nd picture. It was on the door when we arrived at the resort for our honeymoon, and he wanted to keep it around. It won't last long! The other picture is a close up of the horrendous purpley blue paint that we can't wait to get rid of! We went and picked out our paint color today! (Glidden - Mid-Day Mocha) We are hoping to get started on the painting sometime this week.

Purple walls, get ready, because you are going down!