Ann Taylor Loft Sale...

Run to your nearest Ann Taylor Loft cause they are having 40% off everything on sale, and ALOT is on sale... I ran by yesterday and scored a crazy amount of stuff. Love that store and love their sales! Sale runs through Sunday.

Happenings....

*I got the flu shot today at my work, will be getting the H1N1 too as soon as it comes in. As for my kids I usually do the regular flu shots for them, but I am still on the fence with the H1N1. The H1N1 has already hit my children’s preschool, but so far knock on wood, they have been fine. One day I say I am going to get it for them, and then the next day I read about someone having crazy complications from it, and it scares me off.

*So excited that Halloween is almost here! My kids have Halloween parties at their school this week, and Halloween costume parades. Tomorrow I am taking off to attend Laura’s school party, and see her parade in her super cute lady bug costume. Friday we do the same with Rachel. The girls are going to be so cute dressed up in their frilly costumes! I am already itching to take pictures!

*I am toying around with the idea of a new car. I am on the fence with this decision as well, as my car payment is super low, it’s almost paid off, and it’s the only car payment we have going on the three cars we own. It’s still is good condition being a 2006. There is a really good deal going and we could get a awesome trade in… but of course our payment would go up, and then we would have a payment going for a while instead of just a few more months... However, the car we have found we are obsessed with… it’s the same kind we have now, but new and has all the bells and whistles…Seriously, it’s the nicest thing I have ever sat in…I love it. But is it worth it? These decisions are so hard when you have three kids. You just never know what unplanned expense is going to come up. But on the other hand, it we would have a nice warranty, and not have to worry about car repairs, and if we wait, down the road our payment would be a lot more since our trade in would not be as good… I’m not going to lie, I want this car super bad, but it wont kill me if we decide to hold off. I still have a super nice car that has plenty of room for my family, and for that we are blessed. I just wish I had a crystal ball to see if it’s the best decision. Mean while at least this has inspired my husband to clean up the car really nice to get top trade in…

An attempt to be trendy...

I forced the husband to take me to the mall last night, because I had a mission. I NEEDED this sweater dress, and decieded I needed to be trendy and get leggings too....The dresses are on sale currently in store (old navy) for $25 (all the other styles too). Totally wanted a crazy amount of them but I was good and just got one... The leggings I got at Macy's and they are by HUE. They were not on sale and apparently their stuff runs a tad high.... They do feel like good quality though...they were $25 too, but I loved how this brand didn't have lace on the ends like a lot of the more affordable brands and stores have the leggings...

Ok, so this outfit is very Lindsay Lohan like....but I love it! I rocked the leggings in the 90's and you have to admit, that was a very comfy style. Hey I could also wear these suckers like long underwear when we go on our vacation this Jan. because they are very warm. I am now impatiently awaiting for the weather to get cooler so I can wear this new outfit, because the last few days around here have been warm... That's Virginia weather for you though!

The end of a busy week....

Today I was channeling the tired mom from the Suave commericals...the one that is a complete mess. Rachel had preschool this morning, so I took advantage of doing some cleaning in the house, and a lot of it was gritty stuff so I made sure to wear old clothes, and I skipped the shower this morning. I got a lot done, and then took some time to eat a doughnut... When I went to pick up Rachel from school I soon found myself completely embarrassed to wait in the hall, as the "elite moms" were there looking all perfect in their top of the line clothes, and decked out in David Yurman. Totally would kill for one of those bracelets.... Don't get me wrong, their nice as can be, but seriously, most of them are stay at home moms, what's with dressing up so much? Here I am coming down the hall in jeans I have had since my junior year of college, a t-shirt, and some old flip flops and my toes are seriously lacking a pedicure... Not to mention my greasy hair from lack of shower, and I skipped the makeup.... nice....

Oh and to top it off, when I got home I noticed I had some leftover doughnut crumbs on my face... naptime mission today is to get my butt in the shower.

Projects....

Poor husband.... I seem to always have a ever running list of projects going on that require his assistance in some major way.... He's a good sport, and once he get's motivated he comes through...Here are some projects I want to accomplish ...

1. Paint our kitchen table and chair black. I got this set when we built our house, and I bought it at Haynes. It was cheap, and it fit in the breakfast nook. Note to self, never buy crap from Haynes because everything we have ever bought in an effort to save money has been a pile of poo. We had to take two chairs back when they arrived because two came broke. (a dresser we bought has issues as well). Anyways, back to the painting project- I want them black now, and if is a big fat fail, then we aren't out of much as the set was uber cheap.

2. Hooks for the laundry room to hang coats and book bags.

3. Re-do Laura's room. I want to convert her bed to a full big girl bed, and paint her room.

4. Paint hallway upstairs. This hallways still has the original flat paint that the contractors used.

5. Paint play room. This should be done already, but I couldn't choose which color... I wanted to do a hot pink, but then I thought it would be a bit extreame.

6. Paint Master Bath.

7. Find new chair cushions for kitchen chairs... I want zebra ones... I found some sweet ones, but it would cost $200 for 4, and chances are the kids would stain them on day one, and all the happy pills in the world, wouldn't prevent me from losing it.

Sigh... not sure when everything will get done, but that table is going to be painted within 2 weeks. Now I just have to inform Dave.

tadaaaaa!!!

Yes that is a witches boot hanging from the berry wreath... I love my pumpking urns... Dave says it's looks like a rich persons porch lol.

Fun with spray paint...

Friday morning project: operation fall decorations with spray paint... these urn thingy's were given by a family friend who didn't want them anymore. She had found them at Walmart. I have spent the morning spray painting them black while Rachel was at pre-school. I have one complete as you can see... I had to put some random items in the urn so that my items sit level on top (if you peek inside it you would find a sand bucket, and a big candle holder lol) I covered the top with a huge bag of spanish moss and then stacked two pumpkins on top of each other that we got at the pumpkin patch last weekend....

I plan on putting them on either side of my front door when I am done with the other one. Of course that means I have to figure out where the other crap on my porch is going to go now or things will look too cluttered.... stay tuned for final picture...

Getting ready for Christmas...

The dress above is what I ended up getting with my gymbucks from Gymboree this past weekend. It's going to be Laura's Christmas dress. Rachel will be wearing something similar but it's red and green plaid, and her dress I got at the Hartstrings Outlet when I went to PA with my parents. I have yet to figure out what Emily is wearing... I am sure everyone is shocked that they wont be in the same dress, but I figured they might appreciate their mom chilling out with that. Emily has quite the extensive holiday wardrobe with all the Christmasy handme down outfits from her sisters, but you know I will end up getting her something special for Christmas day...

We had a busy weekend with a trip to the pumpkin patch (check out my scrapbook blog for those pics or look at my facebook), and this coming weekend I am taking the girls to the Poquoson Seafood festival Saturday, and then Sunday we are going to the mountains for the day with Dave's side of the family. I will be sure to take lots of pictures!

I have not been doing much p90x lately, mainly because I have been short on time, but I have been going to the gym regularly. I still plan to do do the videos when I have some extra time, but at least I am making good use out of the gym membership.

Easy Craft...

(the blanket in the picture is one I found online, not one I have made because I am lazy and didn't feel like taking a picture)

I mentioned I bought some fleece to make my neice with an upcoming birthday a no-sew blanket. I made it Wednesday night, and it was soooo easy... I am sure everyone has seen them either at a craft show or from another friend, so this is nothing new, but it's my first attempt at them and it's fun, quick, etc.

I actually went back to the fabric store and bought more fleece to do more. I just made a Virginia Tech one for a nephew for Christmas, and I have some material to make one for my grandma. Next I plan to try to find some zebra and pink for my niece, and West Virginia Football theme for another nephew.

All you need to make these are fleece, scissors, and your hands. I bought two yards of coordinating fleece, (I found some cute prints at Hancocks and Joanne's, you wont believe how many fleece patterns are out there).

These blankets are so cuddly and warm. Such an easy project, and makes a good gift since you can really personalize them.

No time for a real post, but here's what's going on with me...

*You know those no-sew fleece tie blankets? I’m going to make some of them for Christmas presents. I got material today during my lunch break, and I am going to make my first one to give to my niece for her birthday. She’s 13, so she might just think it’s stupid, but hopefully the material I picked out is cool enough for someone her age. I plan on doing one for my grandma too. Grandparents are so hard to get things for because they have everything. My grandma will just eat it up though because she loves handmade stuff, and what older person doesn’t need a blanket?

*After being stressed and full of anxiety for a million and half years I finally got some meds. A part of me feels embarrassed to cave and get meds,(I know Miss Social Worker here being a total hypocrite) and the other half of me is just as happy as can be because those meds have been quite the life saver for me. In all seriousness, it’s been the best thing I have done for myself. My mind is not racing as much, and more importantly I can finally sleep. Total life saver.

*Dave is getting an award from MADD (Mother Against Drunk Driving) for his high numbers of DUI tickets. So proud of him!

*We had back to school night yesterday at preschool, and it was a nightmare doing both because my kids were overly tired, and wound up with all the people running around acting crazy, so they of course thought they could act that way too. Emily was cranky because she has molars coming in, and Rachel was having a melt down because she didn’t want to wear tennis shoes. It was just horrible. If nothing else we gave the parents of only children reason to stay on birth control.

*We booked a place in Massanutten, VA to go in January. I don’t think I will have the girls attempt skiing. We shall see though… We are definitely going to do tubing though, and the resort has an indoor water park that I know they will love. I’m excited about going though.

*The new gym finally opened, and I have gone three times already. I really like the place. I like the circuit training area they have.

*The girls start gymnastic classes this week. So my Wednesdays and Thursdays are permanently booked now. Today will be Rachel’s first class, and she’s so excited!