Fitness Friday

I didn't walk everyday this week but I was incredible busy with physical activity each day. I am feeling it in my muscles too. My chest is sore, my back ackes and my legs are stiff but it's all good. I am trying to drink enough water but doing so is difficult in this heat. I am not use to high tempatures that don't cool in the evening. I have started looking forward to my evening walks though. It is nice to have a walking partner to talk to. Kaylyn and I have a good time walking and before I know it our walk is done. It may be the slow route but I am enjoying this diet/wt loss plan.......

Food Storage Shelves: Project 26 of 52

A tribute to my dad....

After being unable to find a set of shelves I liked for my food storage I set out to make my own. I searched the internet. Got an idea of simple shelves to make. "I can SO! do this" I said. I worked on them last night, using 2x4's and plywood we already had.

Then I worked to finish them today.  I even had the older boys helping me during nap time. Oh boy! My dad is going to be soooo proud of his country girl, I thought. Voila! All done, uhmmm. Somethings wrong! Somehow, despite all my careful measuring I still managed to get the shelves crooked. UGH! I was so frustrated I gave up. Instead, I fixed lunch and looked online for some shelves to order. Unable to find anything at a reasonable price I set out to organize (or attempt to) the basement. This is the area where all of our unpacked boxes have been dumped. We have a narrow pathway of boxes waiting to be unpacked. Of course to unpack those boxes I need another couple of rooms finished. I did however have the bookshelves set up. I can now say that my books are out of the boxes.....

We love to read. And yes, we often re-read again each of our books. 

I also managed to repair Matthews train table drawer. I plan to finish setting that up for him tomorrow, complete with his Thomas trains. I was feeling pretty good about everything, except that darn shelf. I worked on grapevine garland I want to hang around my front door.

I searched for any coupon deals for school supplies or clothes.

I went back downstairs, looked at the shelves and turned around. I just don't have the upper body strength to push the screws in while holding everything in place. I didn't know how I could fix them myself. So I went into Josh's room and put up the rest of the insulation in the ceiling.
Then Robin got home. We had dinner and he helped me fix my shelves. Horray! I had been so excited to do this "without my hubby" but once again I needed  him. Gotta love that man! We got the shelves moved into the storage room and OH MY GOSH! I love them! They are great and hold a ton of stuff. Our food storage went from being stored in boxes on the floor....

....to stacked neatly on our new, self made shelves. Organizing makes me feel so good. It brings order which I tend to thrive on. Robin said, "now I don't have to dig through boxes to find what we need". 

What do you think? I love them.

Thanks to my dad, who taught me to use tools and work with wood. Who knew helping dad build on the house would be useful in my own home. Guess my dad did!
Linking up....

Dry Erase Board: Project 25 of 52

A couple of weeks ago I found a 20x30 frame on clearance at Micheals. It has some scuffs on it but otherwise was a great frame. I wasn't sure wheather I would craft with it or frame a poster picture of the boys. I opted to craft it. 

I picked up a bit of fabric at Walmart. Placed it under the glass. Then I needed something to spice it up. Today I found just that at a local craft store called "Homebody". I have fallen in love with that store. It is small and wonderfully inviting. I found just what I needed; rushed home and finished my dry erase board.

Of course photos come at night after the boys have gone to bed so the lighting is off but....

I am thrilled with how it has turned out. I plan to add some vinyl lettering for chore assignments on one side of it. But I was so excited I had to have it up.

Here is a sneak peak at what else I am working at for now. Can you guess what they are?

All this in between feeding the hollow legs of 4 little boys, building a bedroom and storage room and generally living. Never a dull moment around here!
Linking up to...

Organization tips: project 24 of 52

As I unpack and find storage solutions to fit our stuff in our new home I thought I would share some tips on organizing. I am not a pro but here are some things that have helped me manage 4 little boys and their toys.

1- I live by the motto "A place for everything and everything in it's place". Assign a place for everything then recruit the kids to get everything into it's place. When someone asks for the scissors they know right where to go.

2- Use baskets: It's helpful to have baskets to hold like items neatly in the closets.

3- Shelves, Shelves, shelves. I love to have shelves to stack supplies on. I assign twin sheets, full sheets, queen sheets or towels all their own spot and stack them neatly on the shelf.

So finally I got my pantry organized. It made me feel oh, so good to have clutter controled. 

I won't show you the basement but it is a work in progress. I desperately need to get some shelves for my food storage. Then I will have my crafting shelves back.

Whats on the Menu

Summer cooking is fun but I pretty much just want salads and fruit. Plus with the heat we are just not as hungry. Of course the exception is always the boys. I'm HUNGRY is always around. I am gonna have to search from some more recipes for summer time. So for this week here is the plan.
Basil Pork Chops
Deli chicken
Chicken Salad Croissants
Taco Salad
Cobb Salad
Flank Steak Pinwheels

I didn't figure lunch or snacks out. I spent time shopping online for school clothes instead. Got some great deals though. We will be having some milkshakes and smoothies. A little vanilla ice cream with a bit of milk and fresh fruit= pure YUMMINESS! Homemade milkshakes are just refreshing.