20 Things I Am Grateful For This Week

1. Air conditioning (check the highs for Phoenix this week and you'll understand why)
2. Personal progress
3. A happy, fulfilling marriage
4. A clean house
5. Nap time
6. 40% off one-item coupons
7. Learning new skills
8. The ready availability of fresh fruits and vegetables
9. Understanding my husband without saying a word
10. My internet-research skills
11. Another opportunity to contribute to Work Your Wardrobe
12. Making a difference
13. My artwork
14. Hanging the gallery wall frames in my living room
15. Choosing the fabrics for my son's new quilt (even if it took an hour and a half)
16. My son's increasing patience and obedience
17. Forgiveness for both my son and I when we slip up
18. Hearing "Mommy, I love you" ten times a day
19. Visiting my visiting teaching sisters with Nicole
20. Gluten-free chocolate chip cookie dough

Summer To-Do List Update #2

Hooray! I am finally done with summer workshops, which means I have more time to myself and my to-do list. Of course, I do still have a munchkin running around, and we have to pick up my husband at 2pm each day, so it's not like my time is totally unlimited.

I am enjoying the extra time around the house, and Brannon and I have spent a lot of quality time together. It is true that he slows me down, but I think it is easier to enjoy the moment at a slower pace. I love that he is participating in my summer to-list items--sometimes as a spectator, and sometimes as a helper. I think my favorite part is the interest he has taken in crafting and cooking. Well, I call it "crafting," but really it amounts to cutting up construction paper and gluing it in random ways.

Here is what I have accomplished since my last update:

• Bought the fabric for Brannon's new bed quilt (#8)
• Made a DIY bulletin board out of an old IKEA frame & hung it in the kitchen for displaying Brannon's artwork (#9)
• Ran into Stephanie twice at her summer jobs, but I don't think this counts as "hanging out" (#50)
• Used my Gap gift card--with 80 cents to spare (#38)
• Made Father's Day gifts (#65)
• Finally made my mom's jewelry set, and I can't wait to give it to her (#40)
• Got back on the weekly-gratitude-and-Everyday-Celiac-posts wagon, and I plan to continue (#58) (see here and here)
• Sent the HTML Pinterest code to Kim of Work Your Wardrobe (#51)
• Deep cleaned my son's carpet (twice) and the recliner in his room--it smells much better (#45)
• Tried to hang spice racks, but we need different hardware (#61)
• Visited my dad briefly, but I need to see him more (#69)
• Bought Brannon and his cousin matching outfits for the family photo session (#37)
• Tried new recipes and dishes, and already planning to try more (#32)
• Looked into swim classes for Brannon, but I may put it off until next summer (#26)
• Relaxed, had fun, and enjoyed myself in a variety of ways! (#71)

Wow, I accomplished a lot more than I thought. That's what I love about to-do lists--they keep you on task AND show you how much you have done. For me, it's almost always more than I thought!

Who doesn't love a sense of accomplishment?!

20 Things I Am Grateful For This Week

It's been awhile since I've done a gratitude post, and I am starting to feel the loss of it in my daily life. It seems like a small thing, but anticipating this list each week puts a brighter spin on my entire life. If you are looking for opportunities to be grateful, you won't have time to complain. Every day is filled with blessings, so I have no reason not to do these posts each week.

1. My son
2. Summer vacation
3. Professional growth
4. New challenges
5. A renewed since in my creative instinct
6. New friends
7. Relief Society (read about it here)
8. Forgiveness
9. the Gospel (read about my beliefs here)
10. 8 1/2 years of marriage--all of them real, honest, challenging, and life-changing
11. Opportunities to save money
12. Family
13. Teaching Relief Society
14. Finger painting
15. A backyard
16. Gluten-free Chex cereals
17. Smoothies
18. The ability to let go of the small stuff
19. Watching my husband play softball
20. Being able to put others first when it really counts

2013 Father's Day Gifts

One of the items on my 2013 Summer To-Do List is making Father's Day gifts, and I am happy to say I got it accomplished!

Brannon made my husband a craft at school, so I didn't have to worry about making anything for him.

The truck is carrying "Pop Rocks" candy in the back--it took us a second to get the play on words.

However, I still needed to think of something practical yet inexpensive for our dads. Neither my father nor my father-in-law like the idea of their kids spending money on them, and both would rather have no gift at all than a gift they don't really need. At the same time, they both cherish their children and family memories. Since I am a creative genius (and so humble), I was able to make something for each of them that (I think) they really liked.

Dad # 1: A Woodworker

My dad is a woodworker, so a few months ago I stockpiled about 100 of those one-inch foam brushes. He uses them to apply stains and whatnot, and they were on sale at Michael's for about four cents apiece.

To make an otherwise boring gift something special, I used an Ultra-Fine Point Sharpie to write family sayings, traditions and memories on the handle of the brushes.

Practical, inexpensive, creative and family-oriented--this gift could not be more perfect for my father. He loved them, and he was very impressed by my creativity. Of course, he is probably a little biased...

Adapting It

To make this work for the man in your life, try to think of something inexpensive he uses often at home, at work, or for his hobby. Buy a lot of this item and use a Sharpie to write a memory or family saying on each one. 

If you are stuck for ideas, consider buying a pack of his favorite white athletic socks and a laundry marker. You can write the messages on the toe of each sock where they won't be seen. Alternatively, you could select one larger object, like a soccer ball, chef's apron or mouse pad, and write multiple messages on it.

Dad #2: A General Contractor & Father of Seven

As my father-in-law's main gift, all of the kids pitched in a small amount of money to buy him a Harbor Freight Tools gift card. Even if each of the siblings just pitch in $10, we would still end up with a sizable gift. If you have a lot of siblings and a dad who is hard to shop for, this is a great option.

For the second part of his gift, my sisters-in-law and I decided we needed to do a family portrait. With such a large family (seven doesn't include in-laws or grandkids), it can be difficult to get everyone together for a family shot, and since one sister is getting ready to go on an 18-month mission and another sister lives out of state, it will be our last opportunity for awhile.

Since we can't take the photo until my sister-in-law visits in July (that's her on the laptop via Skype), I volunteered to make this coupon to give to him on Sunday.

I started with a group shot we took at my house a few months ago, loaded it into PicMonkey, and added all of the funny embellishments and words. For my in-laws, funny is always a better option than sentimental! When I was done, I printed it on regular printer paper (somewhat accidentally), folded it up, and put it in an envelope.

I have lots of ideas about the actual photo session, but I'll share those a little later this summer. Hopefully they all work out!

Adapting It

If you aren't familiar with PicMonkey, you should check it out. It is really easy to use, and it offers so many amazing ways to customize photos. You know all those pictures you see on Pinterest with text super-imposed on them? That's PicMonkey!

You could use this same idea to make a coupon for just about anything--yard work, dinner, massage, a family hike. As long as your dad will like it and you have a picture to go with it, it works!

If you already have a nice family portrait, you could customize it in PicMonkey by adding funny features like I did above or a thoughtful quote about how awesome your father is. Print it on photo paper and put it in a nice frame.

Dad #3: Two Awesome Grandpas

Brannon being the independent and creative child he is, I knew he would have fun making something for his grandpas. Four also seemed like the perfect age to start such a tradition, and I had the perfect craft: a finger-painted caterpillar.

We used this pin's picture tutorial (the link is dead), but made a few alterations. Make sure you let the paint dry between steps!

• Instead of a canvas, I used a sheet of large white craft foam cut in two. 
• The head of the caterpillar is made from two fists.
• The whites of the caterpillar's eyes, the yellow spots, and the blue in the B are all made from Brannon's fingerprints.
• Everything in black was made using a black Sharpie.

To "wrap" the gifts, I rolled each picture like a scroll and tied it with a bow. Brannon couldn't wait to give them to his grandpas!

If you want to turn this craft into a learning opportunity, check out this awesome website. It uses real-life macro photography to show the full life cycle of one giant swallowtail butterfly. Brannon loved it! You can also follow up by reading "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle.

What did you do for Father's Day this year?

Summer To-Do List Update #1

I am feeling a little under-motivated, so now seemed as good a time as any to review my progress on my Summer To-Do list thus far. (If you haven't read my list yet, you can check it out here.)

I am two weeks into summer vacation, and this is what I have accomplished:

• I finished and hung my fish sketch & painting (#1 & 2)
• I had a picnic with my son (#4)
• I got my hair cut and colored (#5)
• I completed Audrey's 7x7 fashion remix (#19)
• I found a good place to store our Slip N' Slide (#25)
• We completed some "kid pin" like activities (#27)
• We played a few founds of Zingo to work on Brannon's number skills (#49)

My thoughts:

It may not seem like I did a lot, but I think I was still able to keep to my "project a day" goal so far. The fish sketch was a time-consuming process, so it was essentially the only project I worked on for the first seven days or so. You'll see pics of it soon when I complete #18: "Fish Sketch Post."

Picnicking with Brannon was, simply put, a pleasure. While I was making chicken salad sandwiches for dinner last night, I decided it was the perfect opportunity to dine al fresco. I spread a blanket in the backyard, brought our food out on a tray, and dug in. Because our puppy loves to beg, we used an IKEA side table rather than eating off our laps, and sweet, adorable Brannon pulled up two chairs while I was inside getting the food ready. When dinner was over, we alternately played with Doc (our puppy) and laid on our backs, staring up at the sky. It was completely impromptu, totally relaxed, and we both really enjoyed it. Mother-son quality time at its finest!

I am so glad to have short hair again, and I am kind of loving being a brunette. I can wear so many more colors now! If you haven't seen my new do, you can check it out here.

Participating in the 7x7 fashion remix was so much fun, and I would totally do it again! If you want to see how other bloggers remixed their wardrobes, check out Audrey's link-up page.

If you have a Slip N' Slide and you don't know how to store it, considering shoving it into an old pillowcase before you throw it in a closet. That way you don't have to worry about folding it, and it is less likely to get tangled up with other items or fall on your head.

I planned to do "kid pin" activities each Friday, but I don't like to plan ahead, and my husband has decided to drive to school on the days I don't need the car for work. The audacity, right? In the end, that meant I couldn't go shopping for things like bouncing bubble and homemade goo ingredients, so I had to make due with what we have at home. As long as he is not watching TV and we're doing something together, I think I am on the right track. Last week, Brannon and I spent much of our time in the craft room playing with construction paper, scissors, paper punches, and glue. At Brannon's request, we did spend a bit of time in the backyard "writing messages" on our block wall using sidewalk chalk. 

Brannon can count to ten or twelve fairly well (although he usually skips seven), and he is great at counting objects. However, he seems to be hit or miss on recognizing written numbers. Luckily, my mom  bought him "Zingo 1-2-3" for his birthday last month. Zingo 1-2-3 is kind of like Bingo, but it focuses on helping kids recognize, count, and add numbers. Brannon loves it! If you have a pre-schooler, I highly recommend you check it out here or shop for it here.

Lots of text, no pics. Being an English teacher is my only excuse!

Now I am off to update my original list. Hooray to crossing off completed items!

7x7 Remix: Shoeless Flo from Hannibal, MO

If you do not get the reference in my title, it probably means two things--1) You were not involved in theater in high school and 2) You are not a nerd. If you do get the reference in my title, it means one very important thing--YOU ROCK!

In my desire to embark on fun new blogging adventures, I decided to participate in the 7x7 fashion remix link-up advertised on Audrey's awesome fashion blog, Putting Me Together, and dreamed up by Natalia at Ma Nouvelle Mode. 

What is a fashion remix, you ask? Essentially, a 7x7 remix requires you to choose 7 clothing items (tops, bottoms, and shoes) and combine them in different ways to make 7 different outfits. Accessories of all kinds--hats, bags, jewelry, scarves, etc.--are all "free" items that don't count towards your 7 pieces.

Why "shoeless" Flo? Lots of bloggers expressed concern about shoes being a limited item, so I decided to skirt the issue by not wearing any. Since my shoes are my greatest wardrobe weakness, it was no big loss.

What a rebel I am! Now, on to the remix.

First, my clothing items:
I stuck with fairly basic items for two reasons: First, I can pair them with just about anything; Second, I wanted to stay true to myself. Although my style is solidly in the eclectic lane, I gravitate towards solids more than anything else, especially when it comes to tops. I like investing in  versatile, classic, and durable clothing pieces that I can mix-up with a variety of less-expensive jewelry and other accessories. If I don't think I can wear it for several years, and it's not a gift or dirt cheap, it probably won't wind up in my closet.

1. Black pencil skirt Target
2. Teal crew-neck t-shirt Ann Taylor
3. Pink v-neck t-shirt Gap
4. White button-down shirt Ann Taylor
5. Fuchsia 3/4-sleeved cardigan Wet Seal
6. Black short-sleeved peplum cardigan JC Penney
7. Skinny jeans Levi's 

Next, my outfits:

If you've ever wondered how anal-retentive I am, the answer is very. Proof of this is the fact that I actually wrote down a list of 14 possible combinations before I tried on anything or took a single picture. Hyper-organization may be nerdy, but so am I. Also, it helped make sure that I met my quota of seven outfits, and then some. There are eleven total, and I am super proud of them all! I might even wear a few one day. ; )

Remix pieces:

white button-down

skinny jeans

Accessorized with:

gray fedora with flower applique Charming Charlie

black and white floral print scarf Banana Republic

antique chandelier crystal pendant necklace upcycled

Outfit 1: This is the type of outfit that gives me great confidence, partly because I know I am flirting with crazy-town by wearing that hat, and partly because it helps me get in touch with my inner artist. Keeping the clothing items simple creates the perfect canvas to showcase my more standout accessories.

Remix pieces:

teal crew neck t-shirt

black short-sleeved cardigan

black pencil skirt

Accessorized with:

sterling silver hoop earrings Kohl's

black and white floral print scarf Banana Republic

 Outfit 2: Think outside the box. I fiddled with several belts before deciding to re-purpose the scarf in the previous picture as a sash. I decided to forego a necklace to keep the focus at my waist--now beautifully narrowed by the cardigan and sash--and keep the outfit from feeling busy. 

 Remix pieces:

pink v-neck t-shirt

white button-down shirt

black pencil skirt

Accessorized with:

sterling silver mini-hoops Kohl's

shell necklace vintage, inherited from my mom

shell bracelet Hawaii swap meet

Outfit 3:  I feel gorgeous whenever I wear this pencil skirt, so I wanted to try a more casual look for it. Tying a crisp button-down can give it a more relaxed vibe, and the accessories can really help set the tone for an outfit. Throw on a pair of flat sandals, and it works.

Remix pieces:

teal crew-neck t-shirt

black short-sleeved peplum cardigan

skinny jeans

Accessorized with:

black cloisonne earrings Wal-Mart

black stone beaded necklace vintage, inherited from my mom

black and gold bangles gift

 Outfit 4: It took me at least a year or two to work up my courage to wear skinny jeans, and I shopped very carefully when I finally decided to buy some. Although they have shrunk quite a bit and may soon be retired, I liked this pair because it has a darker rinse and (formerly) a more relaxed fit. Does anyone else obsess over how skinny jeans make their butt, hips and thighs look?

Remix pieces:

teal crew-neck t-shirt

fuchsia 3/4 sleeved cardigan

skinny jeans

Accessorized with:

green t-shirt scarf my 1st Pinterest project

gold and fuchsia earrings local bead store

gold bangles Wal-Mart

 Outfit 5:  This is a pretty standard casual look for me. In my opinion, every outfit is better with the addition of scarves, dangling earrings, and bangles. Also, I can wear whatever colors I feel like in whatever combination I want--rules, shmules.

Remix pieces:

teal crew-neck t-shirt

fuchsia 3/4 sleeved cardigan

black pencil skirt

Accessorized with:

multi-colored printed scarf Gap

sterling silver earrings vintage, inherited from my mother

sterling silver necklace with charm-holder pendant & charms collected over time

silver cuff Charming Charlie

 Outfit 6:  Now, to class it up a bit. Choose your scarves carefully--they can dictate the look and feel of your entire outfit. I get compliments every time I wear this scarf, and I love everything about it: bright colors, bold patterns, great width, awesome length, and very lightweight, soft fabric.

Remix pieces:

pink v-neck t-shirt

white button-down shirt

fuchsia 3/4 sleeved cardigan

skinny jeans

Accessorized with:

sterling silver mini-hoops Kohl's

sterling silver necklace and cherub pendant gift

ribbon belt Express (it came with a shirt dress)

sterling silver beaded bracelet upcycled

 Outfit 7:  This preppy outfit seems like the perfect choice for my son's first day of kindergarten...except that it will still be in the triple digits when I drop him off. Layering pieces can help your wardrobe transition from season to season and expand your style options.

Remix pieces:

pink v-neck t-shirt

black pencil skirt

Accessorized with:

sterling silver earrings vintage, inherited from my mother

pink, gray and white silk scarf  souvenir from Canada

silver hinge bracelet Charming Charlie

 Outfit 8:  I am in love with this outfit--I can't wait to wear it when I start teaching again! A silk scarf is the perfect way to dress up a simple t-shirt for the office, especially when it is too warm for a blazer. 

Remix pieces:

pink v-neck t-shirt

fuchsia 3/4 sleeved cardigan

black pencil skirt

Accessorized with:

turquoise earring & necklace set Charming Charlie

silver cuff Charming Charlie

 Outfit 9:  This necklace and earring set was only $13 (bought with a gift card), but it packs a pretty big punch. Statement necklaces are another trendy way to introduce a new color to the mix. I love how eclectic this outfit is.

Remix pieces:

pink v-neck t-shirt

fuchsia 3/4 sleeved cardigan

skinny jeans

Accessorized with:

adventurine earrings local rock & gem festival

gold necklace with malachite pendant local rock & gem festival

green braided belt Goodwill (1/2 price sale)

green and gold bangles Wal-Mart

 Outfit 10:  I often wear this set of accessories together, regardless of whether or not there is any green in the rest of the outfit. If your accessories match and complement the other colors in the outfit, you wind up with a pulled-together, slightly unpredictable look.

Remix pieces:

white button-down shirt

black pencil skirt

Accessorized with:

turquoise earring & necklace set Charming Charlie

wide gold belt The Limited

 Outfit 11:  Remember that inner artist I mentioned before? Well, she just became the creative director of a major corporation. At least, that's what goes through my head every time I look at this outfit. The structure of the shirt, skirt, and belt make them perfect for work, but the turquoise jewelry sets adds a much-needed dose of color, creativity, and fun. I think I will be wearing this to my next "power meeting" (aka Open House 2014).

Which outfit is your favorite?

Did I inspire you to remix your wardrobe?

Want to check out more great remixes?

Click on button below and head to Audrey's link-up page at Putting Me Together. Thanks for visiting!

2013 Summer To-Do List

The Rationale

Summer vacation is arguably the number one perk of being a teacher. A guaranteed two-months off every year makes things like disgruntled parents, piles of grading, and disappointing paydays worth it. At the same time, I am the type of teacher person who thrives on structure and a sense of accomplishment. While I can spend summer vacation doing (pretty much) whatever I want, I know I will be happiest if I can look back those first few weeks of August and say, "Look what I did!" rather than, "Where did the time go?" How will I accomplish this, you ask? Enter my to-do list.

When I say "tackling life one to-do list at a time," I mean it...literallly. I use to-do lists at work, at home, and in my head. They bring order to chaos, bring me the satisfaction of crossing items off one by one, and release me from the anxiety of feeling like I haven't done "enough"--and trust me, that last one is a HUGE accomplishment. They also keep me from spending hours of my free time on tasks that don't really matter...like watching TV, staring at the wall, and--you guessed it--perusing Pinterest. Whenever I start feeling overwhelmed, lazy, or unmotivated--I know it's time for a to-do list.

This summer, I want to live a more project-oriented life. I want to serve my husband and my son. I want to challenge myself, reinvigorate my creativity, and learn new skills. I want to be a better mom and friend. That is what I will build my summer around, and this to-do list will help me do that.

The Plan

Today, I write my list. Tomorrow, and for the rest of the summer, I will make every effort to do or at least work on one item from the list each day. When I find myself hating the invention of Netflix and shaking my head in disbelief over the time I've already spent on shows like "30 Rock" and "Parks and Recreation," I will pull up this list and find something better to do. To help keep me honest, I will track my progress via roughly weekly posts on how I've spent my time and what I've accomplished, hopefully inspiring one or two people in the process.

The List

Nota bene: Be prepared for a very, very long list. I like to itemize projects so I can cross off items throughtout the process. Tedious, right?

BTW: If an item has been strikedout, then it moved from "to-do" and became a "to done." ; )

1. Finish my fish sketch
2. Hang my fish sketch
3. Add bath photos of Brannon or other artwork to finish out the hall bathroom
4. Have a picnic with Brannon
5. Get my haircut
6. Repair the holes in the walls
7. Patch the holes in the closet doors (all from Brannon)
8. Start Brannon's bed quilt (Pattern & fabric bought)
9. Set-up a display system for Brannon's art & worksheets (I'll add more later)
10. Do something with unused picture frames & family room walls
11. Hang Derek's guitars (although this is really a honey-do item)
12. Install a clothes line on the back porch (even if I never use it) (Bought the hardware--waiting for hubby's help)
13. Finish decorating laundry room--wall art, homemade bunting, picture frames
14. Memo board tutorial post
15. 7x7 Putting Me Together fashion link-up
16. Sew a skirt
17. Sew something from Goodwill fabric
18. Make infinity scarf for Sande
19. Make blue and white infinity scarf
20. Make a wreath or other door hanging for the front door
21. Find a good place to store the Slip N' Slide
22. Sign Brannon up for swim classes (Decided to do that next summer)
23. Do one "kid pin" with Brannon each week (ongoing)
24. Plant something with Brannon
25. Paint something with Brannon
26. Create Brannon's fourth Shutterfly book (So VERY close to finished--just waiting for hubby's letter)
27. Help my husband lose weight (ongoing, but started)
28. Try new recipes (ongoing)
29. Read The Perks of Being a Wall Flower
30. Do work stuff that shall not be named nor fully committed to (working on it)
31. Take a road trip
32. Hang hooks in the master bedroom
33. Hamel family portrait session
34. Use my Gap gift card
35. Use my Target gift card
36.  Make the necklace and earring set for my mom
37. Weed the front yard (again) and treat it with pre-emergent spray
38. Purge all closets and storage areas
39. Decide whether or not I should continue to hoard Brannon's baby clothes
40. Start taking Doc for regular walks (started & he LOVES it)
41. Deep clean carpets, hopefully erasing the pet smell from every carpeted room in our house
42. Buy yard clippers
43. Use yard clippers to clean up bushes in the front yard
44. Help Brannon learn his letters (ongoing)
45. Help Brannon learn to recognize written numbers (ongoing)
46. Spend more time with Stephanie
47. Send Pinterest code to Kim
48. Transfer features and shut down "To Blog or Not to Blog" (decided I may as well ignore it & leave it up--no shortage of space on the internet, right?)
49. Try to make gluten-free play dough...cheaply (decided to skip this project)
50. Make family-photo monogram (decided to skip this project)
51. Family-photo monogram post
52. Wash the car
53. Continue weekly gratitude and The Everyday Celiac posts (ongoing)
54. Moon Valley Ward nursery post (letting go of this one, too)
55. Identify & commit to family chores
56. Hang spice racks
57. Repair grout in dining room
58. Deep clean shower and tub stalls
59. Deep clean and whiten bed pillows
60. Father's day gifts
61. Send verification of residence to NSP
62. Get knives back...hopefully
63. Make a decision about my birthday gift from my dad and act on it
64. Spend time with my dad
65. RELAX, HAVE FUN, and ENJOY MYSELF