Pumpkins and Bleach... Oh My!

A woman at the grocery store told me while I was looking at pumpkins that if you either rub it with bleach water or dunk it in bleach water that the pumpkin will last longer. So, I decided to try it. I just grabbed some bleach and poured a little bit into a container of water. I then grabbed a paper towel and wiped the pumpkin with the bleach water. It made the pumpkin super shiny, so hopefully it'll work. I'll let you know what happens. 

Oh Hole No!

Back in March we found a few places with what looked to be mold on the upper portions of the wall in our living room. Of course we were freaked out, especially with just buying the house back in December. So, we decided to go ahead and don some gear and break through the walls just to make sure there were not any major problems behind it. Fortunately, there was nothing. We decided to investigate a little further with a a few scrubbings and started to notice it was dirt and grime. The people who acquired this place before us just slapped some paint on the walls and called it a day. 

Now, pretty much 7 month's later we're finally getting to the holes. They were covered with contact paper to match the wall color. However, with E's birthday coming up I decided it was time to fix it. 

I just grabbed a few plaster patches from Walmart (they were about 2.97 for 2) and then a galvanized steel patch. Following the directions I placed the patches onto the walls and wet them. Then waited 30 minutes. 

After 30 minutes, I was able to cover them up. 

For my first time doing this, I think I did a pretty awesome job. Horrible place to have to sand, but in the end it looks good. I need to fix a corner piece where I caught it while sanding, but otherwise it's still holding strong. I just can't wait to paint it now. 

Baby E is GROWING UP! - Pulling Out ALL The Safety Stops

Well, over the past few weeks Baby E has COMPLETELY found the cabinet doors. She doesn't pull anything out, but she does LOVE to open and close them.

So, after I fixed the door (I seriously couldn't stand looking at a crooked door any longer)... I pulled my husband in to help me put the safety latches on. I marked where they were to go and he drilled.

It took us about an hour. Mostly because we were also entertaining a 10 month old at the same time with silly dances. We couldn't resist.

Here's the beginning with the sticky tape holding it up.

Here's the end result. 

I will say that these things are awesome! Baby E doesn't play with the cabinets as much since she can't fully open them. However, it does pull out a few dammit moments. I FORGET EVERY TIME!!! Seriously, I go to open the door and it automatically shuts. Great for babies, horrible for adults ;). 

Still Available! - FREE Mrs. Dash Seasoning Packet: Chili or Taco

Through the next 37 days when you "like" Mrs. Dash on Facebook you can play to win a free seasoning packet or entries into the contest to win $2,500.

You can play up to 3 times a day, as long as you share to earn more entries.

It's a fun little game that tests your hand-eye coordination.

Good Luck!

Slightly Fixing Our Kitchen Cabinets

When my husband and I moved into this house 9 months ago one of the cabinet doors was slightly off. We ignored it and figured "hey, we can fix it once we get settled." Here we are 9 months later, still not settled, and it's still not fixed.

However, this go round we had a little motivation to fix the cabinets. Our daughter. She's figured out how to open/close each of them and that's the first thing she does every morning now. Unless she sees the dogs bowls.

So, I grabbed the drill and pulled out the screws. It was completely noticeable on why the cabinet was off. With this picture, I've pulled the screws out. But, just imagine that the gap is pretty much like this with the screws in.

I then just sat there and patiently placed it in several different positions. Holding it up with my foot each time. When I finally got it the way I liked it without any real noticeable gaps (the door clearly did not fit there)... I went ahead and drilled the screws back in. 

And it looks A THOUSAND TIMES better!!! See...

Now, onto the main project and motivation for this.... Baby E's Cabinet Safety Locks!!! 

Baby Pool Ball Pit

A few weeks ago, I grabbed a baby pool on clearance at my local Walmart. I couldn't beat the price and I since I needed to take a part the pack and play for our vacation. The balls needed a place to go. 

This also gave Baby E a little more freedom while playing with them. She hated being confined. Plus, she has the opportunities to throw her balls and roll out whenever she feels like it.

A cheap and easy play toy that barely cost $5.00. 

Now, all I have to do is teach our puppies that they can't sneak into her room and steal them whenever they want. They are obsessed! 

FREE Mrs. Dash Seasoning Packet: Chili or Taco

Through the next 40 days when you "like" Mrs. Dash on Facebook you can play to win a free seasoning packet or entries into the contest to win $2,500.

You can play up to 3 times a day, as long as you share to earn more entries.

It's a fun little game that tests your hand-eye coordination.

Good Luck!

FREE Nexcare Waterproof Banadages

Today and through the next 3 days, Nexcare is giving away 25,000 samples of their waterproof bandages. All you have to do is like them on Facebook, watch the short minutes video and fill out the corresponding form.

Good Luck!

FREE Munchkin Click Lock Cups!! Tomorrow 9/17

I just noticed this on my Facebook and am super excited about it. Starting tomorrow (9/17/13) at 3:00 PM EST, Munchkin will be giving away click lock cups to the FIRST 100 people who fill out the form. This will go everyday until 9/20/13.

However, if your unable to get one you'll also receive a $1.00 off coupon.

Good Luck!!

Click here for the link to Munchkin's Facebook

FREE Bag of Snickers Bites

Here's a chance to score a FREE bag of Snickers Bites. All you have to do is "Like" Snickers on Facebook. Fill out the form to receive your free sample. A coupon for a free bag will be mailed to the address provided within 4-6 weeks.

Good Luck!

Cork Board Project Part 1 : The Possibilties

I haven't quite figured out what I'm going to do with this cork board yet, but I'm thinking of quite a bit of possibilities! 

Here a few:

Thinking of maybe a place to store important notes in my makeshift office...
An art space for Baby E during each of the holidays...
A place to store menu's/weekly meals in the kitchen...
A place to store some of my husbands mini tools in the shed...

My Favorite Thing...

Just the beauty of living out in the country. I love waking up and looking at this everyday. 

What's your favorite thing? 

Baked Onion Straws

The other night I decided that I wanted some onion straws. I have no clue why I was craving them, but I wanted them. So, I decided to take the rest of an onion and make some. My absolute first time making them and they turned out pretty good.

All you need: 

- an onion (whole or left over) - I had half of one left and it made quite a bit.

- 1/2 cup of bread crumbs 

- 1/2 cup of flour

- 2 eggs

- 3 bowls

- baking sheet

- fork (to scramble eggs)

- old bay seasoning (any other seasoning you feel like adding)

- salt

Directions:

Heat the oven to 400 degrees. 

Line up your three bowls and place your pan at the end. 

Add 1/2 cup of flour into bowl.

Add 1 egg into one bowl. (add other egg when wash becomes low)

Add part of the 1/2 cup of bread crumbs into the last bowl. Sprinkle with old bay seasoning. (add the rest of the bread crumbs when it begins to clump)

** You're adding half because you will need more as the dry ingredients begin to clump **

Take your mandolin/knife and cut your onion into thin slices --- but not to thin!

Once you've sliced your onions. Begin by placing a few of your onions into the flour mixture.

Coat the onions well.

Then dip into your egg wash.

Then coat with bread crumbs/old bay seasoning.

Place on pan. 

Continue to do this until you have used your entire onion. 

Cook for 7 minutes. Check it. Flip over. Cook for another 7 minutes. 

Watch very closely.

Enjoy!

Baby E's 9 Month Favorites

Ahh! I cannot believe in just 2 short months Baby E will be a year old. The time has flown by so quickly. We haven't really bought any toys, because E seems to be more entertained by everything around us. She'd rather sit outside and play with the sticks/leaves/grass/acorns as well as throw things rather than play with actual toys. She's just a very curious little girl.

Although she's not big on a lot of toys. We do have a few new ones that she seems to enjoy.

Fisher Price Rock a Stack, Fisher Price Paint Brush

She also has a set of Disney keys that she loves to play with while we're driving down the road and as she plays in her walker. However, she also takes the toys above and just moves around like there's no tomorrow. Even as she explores everything else.... dumping them into containers, water bowls, and even the attempt into the toilet. She's a mess, but I love every moment of it... I swear some days I couldn't trade all of this even for the world. 

Does your baby have a favorite toy or activity right now? Or are we just cruising around the house into everything?... I know mine is ;)

Waiting to Fix Up the Old - Back Porch Style

Looking at this today really made me think...  that I cannot wait till next spring to work on this. We may try in the fall, but with Baby E's birthday coming up and apparently Virginia weather being ridiculously unpredictable right now, it might have to wait. Mostly all I want to do is replace several of the boards that seem to be rotting and where the dogs have had a field day eating while attacking bugs. But, I also would like to reseal/paint everything to make it last a lot longer as well as for aesthetic purposes. Plus get rid of that HORRIBLE burgundy. The back porch actually used to be white until the investors painted it this blah color.

Labeling Baby E's Storage Tote

Okay, so a few days ago I shared with you the fact of how I had stored Baby E's bassinet, swing, and bouncer in a large storage container. However, I didn't really talk about how I would come to recognize what was in that storage container. Besides having to remember. 

So, I grabbed the storage container that I had put everything in and put it to the side. Then I pulled out a few old sheet protectors and decided to cut them. I just went along the perforated edges and just cut/rip. Ending up with two sheets. 

I then printed up two signs. One to sit on the outside and the other to sit on the inside. 

After that, I went back to the sheet protector and folded it to make a large envelope. Once it was folded, I just grabbed some regular scotch tape and taped the ends shut. 

Once, it was all taped together. I opened it up just to make sure that it wouldn't come apart on me. 

Once I confirmed that it wouldn't rip open, I went ahead and placed the two sheets of paper inside of it. First to go in was the paper with the names of the stuff inside and then I placed the itemized list on the inside. 

Lastly, after everything was stuffed into the envelope. I just grabbed my tape and placed it onto the outside of the container. Mostly in a space that I knew I could see and easily access the list just in case. 

                                     

Once it was taped and all said and done. I just placed the storage container in Baby E's closet. She has the room and with the fact that it's been so hot especially in the attic... I'm just kind of being lazy and don't want to store it up there at the moment. Mostly, because I'd like to be able to breathe and not feel like I'm suffocating. So, for the time being until it get's cooler it's just going to hang out in her closet. Next to the storage bin with her clothes in it.

Hello Screen, Goodbye Screen!

With Summer in full swing, we've noticed a TON of bugs coming in and out of the house. Especially, when we have to stand there forever waiting for the dogs. It just seems like all those little buggers sneak on by us.

While watching TV we saw an infomercial on a little screen for your door. It's magnetized in the middle to snap easily after you without letting all the bugs in. We laughed about it. Then a week later, my husband brings one home.

After, a few weeks of having it sit on the table... we decided to put it up.

I laid the screen on the dining room floor and placed the velcro strips in their designated places. We then brought one by one outside and hung them up.

     
      

Of course, we were super excited when we were done. We could let the dogs in and out. Not having to worry about stealthy fighting the bugs coming and then chasing all the ones that get by us. Of course our puppies were a little weirded out by it. Mostly with the snapping of the magnetic strips. They quickly got over it though and made it ten times easier to just let them do their thing.

That lasted about a few weeks.

My puppy got overly excited chasing a bug that was sitting on it. She jumped up and scratched the hell out of it. Which then in turn pulled it from the top. Needless, to say it ripped.

Now it's gone. But it was awesome while it lasted. Thank God it was free! And no, my husband didn't steal it, one of the businesses around his work threw it out in the trash. A brand new box. So, he took it.

Storing Baby E's LARGE Items

Baby E has pretty much outgrown several of her essential items. So, the other day I decided it was time to pack them up. My baby girl is growing up. A bitter sweet moment.

So, before I started to pack everything up. I took pictures of everything. 

• how the item looked (before I broke it down)
• the items that belong with it (seating pads, screws, rods, etc.)
• the labels (everything that I labeled)
• everything together while it was broken down

Taking the pictures kind of helped me to remember everything that went together as well as hopefully help me in the future. 

~*~

Here are two of the items that I took pictures of before breaking them down. 

 

After I had taken the first picture, I began to break down the swing. I broke it down one by one and labeled everything as I broke it down. That way when we go to use it again for a future baby, we know how to put the stuff back together. This is mostly because my husband threw away the directions to the items and we can't find them on the companies websites.

 

Once everything was labeled and pictures taken, I placed them into the bin. I also grabbed all of the screws/tools and placed them in corresponding plastic sandwich bags. 

~*~

This is where it became tricky. I wanted to fit the swing, bassinet, and bouncer together in one box. And I was able to as well, except for the frame to the bassinet. That part didn't break down (I'll explain what I did with that part later). 

With trying to get everything to fit, I just had to find a way to get everything to work. I would lay out the different parts and move them around if necessary. 

Once, I got the basis down of how I wanted to lay the majority of the rods and especially the top of the swing. In the picture below, you can see that all the rods are in place for all three items. The top of the swing is laying on its side. I placed a few grocery bags around it to support it. I also took majority of the swings parts and placed it in the blue bag next to it. Also providing additional support.

Now, before placing the seat pads and other miscellaneous fabric parts into the bin; I made sure to wash each one. This way I could get any stains and funky smells that may have been embedded into the fabric. I can't stand putting dirty things away. Especially in storage.

After everything was washed and dried, I placed them in several grocery bags and used those as cushions as well.

I then placed the seat to the swing on top of everything.

To ensure that the screws and other items that were in plastic baggies wouldn't fly everywhere in the bin or get lost at a future date, I decided to tape them to one side of the bin (on the inside).

After taping them to the side, I placed the swing cushion on top and then to top it all off... I also placed the wooden bottom and cushion of the bassinet on top of that.

Then closed the bin and that's all she wrote.

Now, all I have to do is write up the labels for the outside of the box.

Baby E's 8th Month Favorites

I honestly don't have any 8 month favorites for Baby E. Unless you count the pool and her pool toys. Those have been by far her favorite things. 

We're crawling around and attempting to walk so you know everything is now awesome! Between the tables to the chairs, the DVDs, dog toys, and even the dog bowls. Oh yeah, we found the dog bowls.

However, since we don't have any 8th month favorites I figured I'd share that bitter sweet moment of packing some baby things up (that will be in a follow up post).

Does your baby have any favorite items or does everything seem to be awesome at the moment?

The Bags Need A Container.

Okay, so we all have it. That moment when you open up the doors underneath the sink and every bag falls out. Of course, you may have a few words come out and then shove them back in. Talking about how you'll find something to put those bags in, then of course you never do it. Getting more and more frustrated each time. Of course, that's my husband and I.

So....

One day after perusing Pinterest, I found an easy way to kind of maintain the bags and store them in other places. You know, where they're actually needed but aren't really there. This way you don't have to walk everywhere just to grab a bag.

So, like I said while I was perusing I found this awesome way to reuse a Lysol/Clorox/Store Brand/Whatever You Use Container into a plastic bag holder.

It didn't require shoving bags into a jumbled up mess. It's so neatly organized. It's awesome.

I clicked on the picture and found this adorable little website called Infarrantly Creative with detailed directions on how to complete this.

I grabbed all my grocery bags and threw them into the laundry hamper.

I then picked through each. Throwing away any that had random holes in it. I then flattened out the good ones on the table.

Once flattened, I would fold them in half. Smoothing them out and placing them to the side. I did this about 14 times.

 

As I finished that, I laid each on top of the end of the next one. Making a little train.

I then tightly rolled them together, pushing any air out as I went.

Grabbed my Lysol Container and placed the bags into it. With the tail sticking out.

 

Taking the tail, I pushed it through the opening of the top of the container. Sealing it.

I did leave the outside blank. This one just hangs out next to my daughters trash can. You can't see it. So it's all good.

Oh and let me just say, this has become ridiculously hand when it comes to replacing the trash bags in Baby E's trash can. Just pull, replace, and go.