{31 Days} Day 17 - The Whys and Whens of Blogging

Why and When did you start blogging?
It is sort of funny why I truly started blogging. I was new to the world of online giveaways. I was also just entering the world of cloth diapers with LJ. He was about 18 months old. When I was entering the giveaways I would always see that I could get extra entries for doing a blog post about the giveaway. For the longest time, I would not get those entries. Then I decided, what the heck. Why not? I started a little blog so that I could post about giveaways and get those extra entries. Then I figured, why stop there? I started writing more on the blog and then building it up to possibly be able to host some of my own giveaways and share my life with others.
My first blog posts were in December of 2009. It is hard to believe that I have had this blog now for over 3 years.
My first three posts were:

1. "Feed Your Stash" fridays button
2. Leg Huggers Giveaway on The Cloth Diaper Report
3. FuzziBunz Giveaway on Suburban Saving Momma

Do you have a blog? Why and when did you start?

Until next time... Happy blogging?

{31 Days} Day 5 - My Favorite Movies

Everyone has a a favorite movie. Some have more than one favorite. There are a few that I have seen and will continue to watch for a long time. Some are newer and some are older. The first is an all time favorite for me. I have watched it so many times. That is Dirty Dancing.

Another really good one is The Avengers. Newer, but so good!

Now, these next two are two that I first saw on broadway. I loved them and now they both have theatrical releases that are really good. Those would be Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables. 

Les Mis actually has two theatrical releases, but the new one that is a musical is the one I am speaking of here. I do not mind the first movie to be released, but it is not a musical and to me Les Mis is musical. I crave the score of the production. I have seen the new movie multiple times and would have loved to see it more. i know for sure we will own it on DVD when it is released. I am just so glad that Hubby loves it too.

What are you favorite movies?

Until next time... Happy Film Watching!

{ Days} Day 16 - Accomplishments

What is your greatest accomplishment?
I am not quite sure how to answer that. Possibly one of my greatest accomplishments was delivering my two children with absolutely no pain meds. They didn't really give me much choice in the matter, but after those two deliveries I knew I could do so much. I really had that feeling of accomplishment after LJ since it was so fast, furious, and unexpected.
I also had a great feeling of accomplishment after nursing BG for as long as I did. We could not get things to work out for nursing LJ. I was able to nurse BG for over a year. That was a great feeling after not having that with LJ.

What are some of your greatest accomplishments?

Until next time... Happy Living?

{31 Days} Day 12 - Missing

This is a tough topic today. What do I miss? There are plenty of things that I miss.Now the question I have to answer for this post is where do I want to take it? Do I want to go sentimental or keep things lighter? To be honest, I don't know. My first answer goes deep. It is a quick gut reaction to the question at hand, and I guess I should run with it.

The biggest thing I miss is my dad. After him, it is my Nanny. I lost my dad when I was 6. He died from lung cancer caused by smoking. It is hard to lose a parent at any age. When you are so young, it can be hard to really process your emotions that well and understand things. One thing I remember from that time is getting a big stack of hand made cards from the kids in my first grade class. I also remember being graveside. It was a rainy day and I hid my tears using my clear froggy umbrella. I loved the umbrella. I also didn't understand why I did not see his casket during the funeral. It was later that I found out he had been cremated.
I was very fortunate to then get a great stepdad. He is pretty great. :)

What is something/someone you miss? 

Until Next time.... Happy Living!

{31 Days} Day 14 - iPods

Now, today we are asked what is on our iPods. Here is the thing. I don't have one. Technically we do own an mp3 player. I cannot tell you however the last time either of us used it. I had it in my hospital bag for both deliveries, but it was never used. Then again I never really had the chance, but that is a different post.
Hubby and I tend to listen mostly to radio stations (93.3 WMMR in particular) in the car and I will listen to Pandora's contemporary christian station when I am working around the house. That is about it. We don't really do the whole player thing. Bummer, I know. Not really.

What do you listen to?

Until next time.... Happy Listening!

{31 Days} Day 11- Books

Books. Reading. I will admit, I don't do that much. The books I read are children's books, and I am reading them to the kids at night. I can't fully remember the last book I read for myself. I think it might have been a book I read for review on here. That was The Medium Next Door. I did that review back in June of 2011. It has been awhile. I think part of my problem is there is so much more that I do instead of reading. It can also take a lot for a book to grab me enough to keep me reading. It is hard to find those books.

What is the last book you read?

Until next time...Happy Reading!

{31 Days} Day 13 - Regrets...Live without them

The prompt for today is all about regrets. I am not sure that I truly regret much. Everything that I have done in my life and that has happened has made me the woman I am today. Yes, there are unsavory things in my past, but if they have shaped me. If there is really anything to regret in life it would be not trusting the Lord enough. He has my life planned. He knows all that will happen. if this is true, how can I regret it, for He has determined life events to shape us into who He would have us be.

Is there anything you regret? Are you working towards living with no regrets? 

Until next time... Happy Living!

{31 Days} Day 10 - Our Daily Routine...?

 Our daily routine can truly vary from day to day. I keep some things fluid as it works for us. Hubby and I plan some things, but then when it comes to the little things, we like to let it flow.
Here is the basics of our routine each day.

Hubby gets up and goes to work by 630

Kids and I wake usually by 800

We get up and head downstairs

The kids get some milk and cereal (or what they might like for breakfast that day)

M/W/F LJ has school

School days, LJ is dressed and Mommom takes him to school @ 9

BG and I pick up LJ after school at 1130

Lunch

Nap-time starts at 1

Hubby usually gets home around 4

Dinner

Milk and some TV time

Bath time is around 730 (when needed)

Bedtime is 8 for the kids

I have told LJ and he now remembers that I enforce nap-time until Kindergarten. Both kids have to lay in bed for the duration of their lullaby CD. If I have to go up and make them get back in bed or stop playing/messing around, I restart the CD, so they are up there longer. This is some of my best to time to get work done around the house. 

Mornings have the greatest amount of playtime for us. That is most of what we do, unless I have to do some errands while LJ is at school. The kids are up from nap-time by 330 and then it is playtime until dinner, as well.

We keep our weekends very flexible. We still try to get the kids to nap at some point, but the weekends are family time and we usually don't plan that until the day of. 

So, there is our daily routine. What is your routine?

Until next time... Happy Living!

{31 Days} Day 3 - Happiness is...

To me Happiness is

Warm Hugs from loved ones

"I love you" coming when it is not expected

The smell of freshly baked goods

Smiles on faces

Curling up on the couch with warm drinks and loved ones

New baby smell

Snuggling with children after bathtime

Listening children pray

Faith in God

Fellowship is friends and family

Hearing my son praying the sinner's prayer and asking to be born again so he can one day be with God in Heaven

Yes, I was so blessed and thrilled when my son's SS teacher came to me and told me that LJ was asking to pray the prayer to have God in his heart and be born again. He knew what he was saying and what it meant. Later that afternoon we sat with him and my husband prayed the prayer with LJ. It was such a special day for us. Truly special. 

What makes you happy? What puts a smile on your face? Please share so that we may share the happiness with you!

Until next time... Happy Happiness!

{31 Days} Day 9 - Life List

I have to be honest with you. I hate these type of posts. I really do not like the idea of bucket lists. I do not have one. I also do not really do the whole New Year's resolutions thing either. Yes, there are things that might be nice to do some day, but I don't like the term bucket list. Maybe that is my problem, the terms/phrases and their over use.
 One day I would love to be able to tour Europe with the family. Hubby and I have said this since before we were married. We want to take much of a summer to do it. Time to travel to many European countries and show the kids the world. History books are well and good, but seeing the places in person is a whole different thing. They will always remember the trip and the things we did and saw. Pictures in books fade quickly.
 I hope and pray that I will be able to see my children get married. For them to have children of their own.
I want to own a home free and clear. Get the mortgage paid off and not have to deal with all of that none sense.
Really, there isn't a ton on what some might call a bucket list.

What is on your bucket list? Do you even have one?

Until next time... Happy Dreaming!

{31 Days} Day 2 - Favorite Quotes

 Today, I am going to keep it short, I think.  There are many times that I find quotes and things in my internet journeys that I like. Then when it comes time to think back on them, they are just not there anymore.  One will always remain though:

Nobody puts Baby in the corner.

 Yes, Dirty Dancing. I used to watch that movie all the time. For a spell, it was watched every weekend.
Another quote:

God is Good!
All the time!
And all the time,
God is Good!

Source: havenandhome.blogspot.com via Lynanne on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Lynanne on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Lynanne on Pinterest

There you have it, some quotes I love and try to live by. Some may be funny but others are ones to truly meditate one.
What are some of your favorite quotes? 

Until next time... Happy quoting!

{31 Days} Day 8 - Pet Peeves

Everyone has pet peeves. Some have more than others. Many times if I am asked what my peeves are, I can't think of many right away. Then as the day or days go on, I think of more as I think back on the conversation. Here are some that I could come up with for this post:

• Poor Spelling. Now, I know some people aren't the greatest at spelling. This just does not fly though when you are using a computer. It drives me NUTS when I see poor spelling on websites, in emails, etc. The more official the format (website, email, etc) the worse the offense. I blame the English teacher in me. 
• Double Standards. I think this just goes without saying. :)
• Fake/Mean People. Truly, who likes this kind of person. 

At the moment, this is what I have come up with. What are some of your pet peeves? Let's here is ladies and gents!

Until next time.... Happy Living!

{31 Days} Day 7 - Dream Jobs

I know that I have not done any of the previous posts, but I am going to do my best to participate in another monthly blogging challenge. AS time goes on I am going to work to catch up, but for now here is today's challenge post. Please, feel free to join in on conversation in the comments section. 

Everyone has their own idea as to what a dream job is. To some it could be the jobs available down-under that pay 100K for 6 months of fun (I actually saw some of GMA this morning and this is one story they covered). Or it could be planning weddings, being your own boss, etc. 

But what is my dream job?

I am a lucky one who can say, I am working my dream job. It has the best pay, too. I am a stay at home mommy who sells her creations, when I have the time to do that. My main job is mommy. I wouldn't have it any other way. Some days are taxing, but what job doesn't have that? The pay? Hugs, kisses, and love. To me, you can't get better than that!

There have been times I have been told I should get a job outside the home so I can have more adult time. Time to not deal with the stresses the kids can pile on me some days. Adults can be just as childish though. And I get to play!

Before I know it, the kids will be in school and then I will be heading back to another job I love, working for a great auctioneer. It may not be in the field of my degree, but they are jobs I love. Would I rather try to go back to school to get a job I may not love or really even like just because that is what I went to school for? Yes, the money might be better, but there is so much more to life. If we can live on the one income that Hubby brings home, we can live with me bringing home whatever I can. Besides, He will always provide. 

What is your dream job? Is it your current job?

Until next time.... Happy Dreaming!

{31 Days of Blogging} Day 31 - Why do I do what I do?

This was another prompt that I was really looking forward to writing. Warning: This may get to be a long post! :)
Why do I blog? Well, the answer to this question has changed since I began this blog. When I first started blogging, I was entering giveaways galore. So often when entering giveaways, you can get extra entries by writing a blog post. For the giveaways I was entering, I wanted as many extra entries as I could hoping that I could win some cloth diapers for LJ and other nice goodies. So, I started blogging for extra entries. Looking at my first posts, you can see that plain as day.

Free images from FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Then I realized that I really liked blogging. I wanted to share my life with others online. I started blogging more about life in our house. This was very therapeutic at times. My love of cloth grew during this time too. I wanted to share cloth with the world. At least the small part of the world that found my blog. I wanted to advocate the products I love. Share my experiences good and bad.
I like love to write. I love the community of people that blogging brings together. I love reading the stories from other moms. I love finding and building relationships with other moms and caregivers out there who have shared in some of the experiences I have had. I love sharing about my life. I have found blogging to be a wonderful outlet for so many different aspects of life. Yes, blogging as made it possible to try out some great products for free, but that is not my main reason for doing so. I am trying to give my family the best life I can. At times, blogging as given me the chance to vent and stay sane, and other times it has offered me other options to problems I face. Blogging has given me a wonderful outlet. I love blogging. I am so glad that I started this and I look forward to keeping at it for some time.

Photo by: planetofsuccess.com

Now, on to closing up this great challenge. I can't believe that it has been a month of blogging ever day. The time did go by quickly. There were days when really, I just wasn't feeling the prompt or did not have the time needed to write the best post possible. There is still one post that I have yet to do even. The Fridge post. Part of me hates the idea of showing off my fridge as it is a disaster. Also, I haven't really had the time to work on the post. It will be up, eventually. Now that I will not be working to keep up with the challenge prompts, I can go back to it and work more on it. Hopefully in a few days you will see it. I hope you have enjoyed the little posts that have come each day. I have enjoyed writing the posts. I do hope to not fall off of the frequent posts quite so much. I know it might not be every day, but I am going to try for posting a few times a week.

Until next time.... Happy Blogging!

{31 Days of Blogging} Day 30 - My Makeup Bag

Let me start by saying that since I stopped modeling, I have hardly ever worn make-up. I have a very large bag (think an over night bag) that is filled with all sorts of make-up from my make-up obsessed days. Yes, I know this is all pretty much expired. I hate feeling like I am throwing away money. 

Anyway, I have a pretty small clutch now that has just what I will actually use in it. I have a sponge on concealer/foundation pressed powder. I have a set of eye shadows that has the high lighting shadow, plus the one pink and neutral tones (light and dark) for the smokey eye. I have a lipstick that will last all day in a pink shade. To be honest, I do not even know if I have blush in there or not. I believe I might since that is something I cannot go without if I am truly putting on my face. That has held on since the modeling days. I do have a brown eye pencil in there as well. 

Between modeling and being in guard in school, make-up and playing with it was a big part of my life in junior and senior high. Then I got over it and didn't wear any make-up for years. I wore very little on my wedding day. Now, I put on a little if I want to feel a bit more dressy when going out with Hubby or getting mommy time away from the kids. I am happy that Hubby loves me when I don't wear any make-up. He doesn't care for it. That makes life much easier, I must say!

Until next time... Happy Face Making!

{31 Days of Blogging} Day 29 - Oh the Places You'll go.

Now, that we have talked about trips we are planning, let's talk about places I have already traveled to. 

Today we are focusing on places we have been to. I have been a few places. Some have been with school, others with family or friends. Each one fun and memorable in its own way.

I have been to US places like:

• Texas
• Maine
• New Jersey
• New York
• Florida - Yes, this will be my 5th time at Disney

I have also been to more international locals:

• London and Harrogate England
• Scotland
• Nova Scotia and St. Catherines, Canada
• The Carribean - Our cruise took us to four different ports of call.

Travelling can be so much fun. The key is to not let yourself stress about the little things. Enjoy the journey and the destination. Fretting about all the little things on your trip will make it no fun at all. Also, leave time for fun, not just plans. 

Until next time... Happy Travels!

{31 Days of Blogging} Day 28 - Great Expectations

Today's post is quite an easy one for me. Truly, I have talked about it a lot lately. When asked what I would be looking forward to, I bet many of you could answer easy.
Q: What AM I looking forward to?






A: Disney!!!!!!
Oh, yes, we are all really looking forward to our Disney World trip this fall. Okay, well, the kids aren't so much but that is because we are not talking about it with them yet. That would be too much for LJ, I think. We still have months to go before the trip and that would be a long time of anticipation for a 4 year old. When I say we are really looking forward, I mean me, Hubby, Mommom and Pop. Okay, I am not even sure how excited Pop is, but he doesn't always show his emotions much.


See, I told you this would be a super easy post for me. I am going to keep it short seeing as I have been talking about it to much. Much of what I would tell you here, I have already written in other posts. I don't want to bore.


Until next time... Happy Trip Planning!

{31 Days of Blogging} Day 27 - Food, Glorious Food!

Sorry, again I was compelled to break into song when writing the blog title. I tend to have random one line lyrics running through my head, so they pop up whenever they find their chance.
Anyway, today I want to post one of my all-time favorite recipes. Now, this has changed, been added to in the past, but it is such a comfort food for me and now Hubby. I make this mostly during winter months and also when I can get cabbage on the cheap.

Cabbage and Noodles
1 Sm. head of Cabbage, chopped to desired bite size
    - Mom has used a food processor in the past to quicken the chopping
1 lb box of Noodles - pick your fav. shape
1 lb bacon - chopped to bite size
1 sm to med onion chopped - optional


Prepare noodles to al dente, drain, and set aside. (I tend to be working on the other steps while the water comes to a boil and then noodles cook)
Cook bacon, drain, set aside. You can reserve some of the drippings to add flavor and moisture to next step.
In large pot, cook down the cabbage (and onion) to tender, using drippings or oil to help with sticking. If you are wanting to cut down on some dishes, I use the noodle pot for this, while the bacon and noodles sit together in a bowl. 
Combine all ingredients into the large pot. Mix well. Set the temp on the stove to low. Allow to sit and get all kinds of happy for a few hours, until supper time. Stir every once in a while to make sure nothing is sticking to your pot bottom. 


We started adding the onion just to add another little bit of flavor to the dish. We like it. Also, have fun with what kind of bacon you use, applewood smoked, thick cut, double smoked, etc. To help us save even more money on this dish, we have found a local butcher who sells bacon scraps (the parts he just can't use on his regular bacon, odds and ends). They are much cheaper than buyer a pound of bacon, so I buy these instead (buying like a pound and a quarter helps if you end up with more fat and meat).

{31 Days of Blogging} Day 26 - The "olden" days

This is just a mean prompt. It forced me to go back to childhood pictures to find one that I would actually allow to be posted on the internet. lol. Then I had a brainstorm. I have family and friends on facebook who have posted older pictures of me. I went looking at them. :) This would make my job a bit easier. I actually found one that was already online and wasn't too terrible. So, here you go...

This was taken at my "Aunt's" house in NY when I was obviously pretty young. I have Aunt in quotes only because she is not by blood, but close enough. My mom and her have been such close friends since before I was born. That is her son and pup in the picture with me and my doll.

Until next time... Happy Reminiscing! 

{31 Days of Blogging} Day 25 - Blogger Love

Today I want to share some blogger love. There a bunch of bloggers out there. While I tend to look at many blogs across the blogosphere, there are a few that I tend to open up every email I get to look at their posts. Here are just some of those great blogs out there...

1. Double Duty Mommy
2. Happily Domestic
3. The Mommy Times
4. Dirty Diaper Laundry
5. RaisingMy5Sons
6. A Year with Mom and Dad
7. Mama Dweeb
8. Mom Spotted
9. Two of a Kind, Working on a Full House
10. A Mom's Balancing Act

These are some great blogs, really. I also follow these wonderful ladies on my facebook. I know that today the prompt was for 5 of my top blogs, but these are my ten. 

Until next time... Happy Blog Reading!