A Productive Holiday Weekend - #10, #63, #97 {and Almost #90}

Our Memorial Day Weekend was wonderfully quiet and lazy! The only plans we had were to have friends over to swim one night and possibly go to the movies. In the meantime, I was itching to declutter and get organized. A perfect opportunity to cross some items off my 101 Goals in 1001 Days list!

10. Get rid of the swing set in the backyard - DONE! Mike put the giant pieces out on the curb for our bulk trash pick up next week and within 3 minutes, someone loaded it all up into their truck. One person's trash is another person's treasure!

63. Declutter the coat closet - DONE! I have rearranged the items on the shelves a few times over the last few years, but the bins on the top (albeit labels and organized) haven't been touched since 2009. Mike and I sorted through the endless cords and connector pieces and filled two giant bags full for Good Will to put to use.

Before: the right side of the closet (overflow storage for kitchen/entertaining supplies)

After: all of my supplies for my Tastefully Simple parties are within easy reach and I  emptied the blue buckets to use them for store returns, library books, etc.

Before: the left side (coats and shoes)

After: I can see the floor!

Before: labeled and organized bins that haven't been touched in years. Time to donate the contents!!!

Jason kept busy by taking pictures of Mike and I going through the countless number of useless cords and electronic "stuff"

90. Get a new kitchen table - Not done, but we are so very close. We spent Saturday shopping and Mike is almost ready to commit. I'm SO done with our 20 year old bachelor kitchen table from Mike's college days!!!

97. Buy new dishes - I have been looking and looking for weeks and have found NOTHING that I love. While at IKEA on Saturday, Mike and I picked up some plain, boring, sturdy white dishes that are fine with matching bowls that are perfect for soup, cereal and ice cream. I've hated our too-shallow bowls forever and these new deep bowls are fun and awesome.

Mike's Hollywood Twin

#22 - Get a media cabinet for under our t.v.

I have been waiting patiently to fill the void of emptiness under our t.v. in the family room. I knew that I wanted something with storage that would give me space on top for pictures. Thanks to these cool "points" that Tastefully Simple gives out for sales, I got my media cabinet for FREE!!!  And it only used up half of my points! I was hesitant to buy furniture on the internet, but I couldn't be happier with how it looks in person. #22 on my 101 Goals in 1001 Days list is DONE!

Before and After - My 20 Minute Makeover

Last week, my bloggy friend (Emily at Practical Paleo) posted a link to a gal who gives beautiful makeovers. The before and after pictures were amazing! I found myself daydreaming about what my "after" pictures would look like if this gal got her hands on my face.

You see, I don't get dolled up very often. Why would I? We spend most of our days at home and when we do leave the house, we are quickly running to the grocery store, the library or the gym. And I'm not one of those people who wears jewelry and makeup to the gym.

I put on makeup when Mike takes me on a date or when I have a Tastefully Simple party, but for the most part, I look like this:

Hot, right? I did not ugly myself up for that picture. It was taken by Kaylin on Sunday after I was done showering before church. I didn't wash my hair (I only wash it every few days. Don't judge!) and it was looking a little greasy. Instead of pulling it back into a pony tail, I decided to curl the ends. And put on foundation. And make sure my eye make up didn't look like Jason put it on me.

This was the result:

Seriously? These pictures were literally taken 20 minutes apart in the exact same spot in my bedroom. I changed my shirt (as I tend to do several times before leaving the house) but other than the quick hair and make up...WOW. I had no idea I should put myself together more often.

I've been a stay at home mom for nearly nine years. It takes me a loooong time to go through my makeup because I rarely wear it. And when I do decide to throw on make up, it's usually just on my eyes. I'm realizing that foundation makes a huge difference in the skin tone of my face.

No wonder my kids say, "Mommy, you look beautiful!" when I'm walking out the door for a party.  They're used to staring at the "before" picture all the time! Now if I could only figure out how to do the dramatic smokey-eye technique, I could really look like a rock star!

How to Get Kids to Pick Up Their Stuff

Have you ever stepped on a Lego in the dark? Or a Polly Pocket? Or a Barbie high heeled shoe?  

It is no secret that I love a tidy house, but it is nearly impossible to keep up with the tornado of toys all by myself. And we all know my kids will help for a little bit, but there are always straggling pieces and parts laying around the floor at any given time, day or night.

The other day, I met a mom of six with a clean-freak husband who figured out the secret. After all of her kids are in bed, she goes around the house and gathers all of the stray shoes, toys, books and games. She then puts them in her trunk and her kids have to buy them back, $.25 per piece. Shoes? $.25...each. Legos? $.25 each. The only thing safe from her wrath are school books and backpacks. 

If the kids are indifferent to buying back certain items, they know that she donates them to Good Will. It keeps her floor tidy and her house slightly less cluttered.

This is not a new concept, but it's definitely not one that I've tried. Oh, but I will. And I can't wait for the results!  I'll keep you posted.

#76 - Make a new recipe off Pinterest twice a week for a month

Week 1:

* Healthy Greek Yogurt Fruit Dip - YUM!  We've made this again and again.

* The Biggest Loser Oatmeal Pancakes - So filling and surprisingly delicious.

* Chocolate Chip Quinoa Trail Mix Balls - Not a huge hit, but my family ate them.

Week 2:

* Avocado Chocolate Mousse - Addicting! The perfect period food for clean eating freaks.

* Paleo Banana Pancakes - Epic fail. I'm thinking the bananas aren't supposed to be ripe.

Week 3:

* Clean Eating Brownies - YUM! This was soufflé-like. I'll make them again!

* Primal Banana Bread - A perfect pre-workout snack or breakfast on the go.

Week 4:

* Paleo Chicken Fajitas in the crockpot - Served on tortillas for my family, they were easy and so good.

* Paleo Tropical Turkey Meatballs - Not a hit at ALL, until I pulled out the Tastefully Simple Honey Teriyaki Sauce to dip them in. Then they were a tropical dinner wonder! My kids licked their plates clean and begged for more.

Thank you, Pinterest, for giving me recipes and new ideas in just moments!  #76 is officially crossed off my 101 Goals in 1001 Days.

"...because I'm too big for diapers..."

I walked into the boys' room today to put Jason down for a nap and was overwhelmed with the stench of urine. Jason had mentioned this morning that he wet his bed "a little", but that's not uncommon after he swims, because I think he swallows pool water by the gallon.

I was too tired to change his sheets, so I laid down a towel on the dry bed, only to realize that his comforter was soaked. On the floor next to his bed was a gently worn, very DRY diaper.

Me: "Jason, is this your diaper from last night?"

Jason: (smiling proudly) "Yes. It's the one grandma put on me after we went swimming."

Me: "When did you take it off?"

Jason: "After I was in bed."

Me: (*sigh*) "Why did you take it off, buddy?"

Jason: "Because I'm too big for diapers. I go potty in the toilet."

Me: (breathing in...breathing out...) "Yes, you are getting to be a very big boy, Jason. But you still have accidents at nighttime. When we put a diaper on, you have to keep it on until morning."

Jason: "Why?"

Me: "Smell your bed."

Jason: (sniffing) "It smells like pee."

Me: "That's why."

Jason: "But do I need to wear a diaper now for my nap?"

Me: "Nope - you just went potty, so you can wear your big boy underwear."

Jason: "Can I not wear pants? Because Daddy doesn't wear his pants when he goes to bed. Just underwear."

Me: (smiling) "Sure. But let's get you some clean, dry covers. This comforter needs to be washed. Again."

Believe me...I'm as over this diaper nonsense as anyone can get. I've been washing and rewashing sheets and deodorizing mattresses for nearly a decade. But it's not time to move on just yet. Hopefully soon. Very, very soon.

Meal Plan - 5/13/13

Monday - Paleo Chicken Fajitas in the crockpot *
Tuesday -  Paleo Tropical Turkey Meatballs *
Wednesday - Lasagna Soup
Thursday - Giada's Ravioli with Balsamic Brown Butter Sauce
Friday - leftovers
Saturday - Tastefully Simple Honey Apple Pulled Pork
Sunday - Tastefully Simple Savory Grilled Chicken, green beans

Also trying these recipes:
Green Smoothie *
Sweet Potato Paleo Brownies *

#27 - Take Kristi's crazy spin class at the gym...without leaving early

These girls would wig out if they knew I sneaked a picture of their backsides during class today. But blog posts need a picture, so it's dark, but it's better than nothing!

Kristi is an instructor that transferred over from my old gym and she is in incredible shape. She used to be a very normal size, still smaller and more fit than I, until she got serious about her diet and now she probably a size 2. I had no idea she had any weight to lose!

I would see her at the old gym and now see her often at the new gym, and each time I see her, she invites me to her cycle class. 

"No, thanks. Cycling makes my butt go numb," I argue.

"Oh, don't worry about that! In my class, we hardly ever sit down." 

Her class completely intimidated me. 

So I've been exercising longer and harder and trying to get back in shape since starting this awesome new gym in December. A few weeks ago, I finally got up the courage to do this die-hard class. 10 minutes into it, I caught myself checking the clock. This is what I do when I'm miserable and want to leave.

Not only did I make it through the whole class, but I've returned every week since. I figure my workout routine needs some variety. And maybe if I keep torturing myself, it's entirely possible that someday it won't be so horrible.

Meal Plan 5/6/13 - Mostly "Clean Eating", some Paleo

This is a week of trying new recipes. I've been collecting new ideas in my Pinterest boards and it's time to actually make them! It's a quiet-ish week around here (no more football) so I will have some extra time in the kitchen. Not all of these recipes are Paleo this week, but they're pretty clean. Going back to Paleo next week. (fell off the wagon during my getaway this weekend!)

Breakfast:
Paleo Pancakes - (2 eggs + 1 banana) I tried these last week and they were way too mushy. I wonder if the bananas are NOT supposed to be ripe?
The Biggest Loser Pancakes - OHMYGOSH these things are so good. And filling!!!
Banana Oat Breakfast Cookies *
Paleo Blueberry Pecan Breakfast Cookies *

Lunch:
Paleo Avocado Chicken Salad *
The Biggest Loser White House Salad *

Dinner:
Monday - Meatloaf and green beans
Tuesday - Greek Pizza on Pitas *
Wednesday - Quinoa Black Bean Burrito Bowls *
Thursday - Skinny Chicken Broccoli Alfredo *
Friday - Burgers on the grill with homemade ketchup *

Desserts:
Clean Eating Brownies (I made these last week and they were delicious, but they separated into two weird layers. I don't think Ryan whisked the ingredients enough, so this week I'm going to try again)
Avocado Chocolate Mousse - Avocado's are 3/$1 this week, so this is a must. It's very rich, so I actually use only 1 T. honey, but Mike thinks he can taste the avocado. I can't. It's the perfect chocolate fix for this sweets-deprived girl!

#99 - Toss the schedule and sporadically be completely unproductive all day

Kaylin woke up yesterday feeling sick, so I accidentally accomplished the task of sporadic un-productivity on my 101 Goals in 1001 Days list. 

I woke up, dressed for the gym, then didn't leave the house until it was time to take Ryan to his last football game of the season at 5:30. The schoolroom was vacant. I didn't pack anyone for the Cub Scout campout this weekend. The kids watched The Prince of Egypt while I blogged. Ryan and Jason wrestled. Kaylin took a couple of naps. I may or may not have dozed off {twice} on the coach. Kaylin and I watched Matthew McConaughey on Guy's Big Bites on Food Network. (And he can cook!!! If he were a Christian and wore deodorant, he might be the perfect guy. Minor details.) 

We watched so much tv yesterday that the house didn't get messy because hardly any playing was done. 

Kaylin got out of her PJs around 4:30pm. With a little Ibprophen, her fever went away in time for Ryan's game. After the game, my mom came over and put the kids to bed while Mike and I sat down and talked for the first time all week. Our nights have been nuts lately and he had a busy week at work. 

Today was wonderfully lazy. I did a little laundry, but it was because Jason had an accident in his bed the night before, and it was nothing that felt truly productive. In fact, I had no desire to be productive at ALL, which is very unlike me. I honestly can't remember much about how the hours passed throughout the day.

And it was wonderful.