Ready for Resolutions- I WILL Make my Kitchen More Functional!!

I know it's not the new year yet but it's getting close so I need to get ready asap otherwise it will never happen!  I have a lot on my to-do list.  Too much, probably since I can never get anything done.  People say having 4 kids is easy.  I think they are aliens  ;p  

Anyway, I received an awesome gift- a gift card to Home Depot to kick off my first project- creating an "entry" in the Kitchen.  We don't have a foyer, a hallway or even a closet down here on our first floor.  We have no hooks, no place to put our shoes except a large, but undersized basket in a completely inappropriate place.  I've lived here for 7 years...what have I been doing???  We always use our back door (the kitchen) but drop our coats and shoes in the living and dining rooms (front and middle room).  WHY?!   

There is no seating in our kitchen because of a totally akward layout so one thing I really want is a storage bench to go under the window, along the wall where you walk in the back door (also the way to the door to the dining room.  This would house select items (to be decided) that might include hats, gloves and shoes.  It would allow someone to sit and talk to me while I spend half my day in that confined and miserable (but super-sunny!) room. 

Another thing I plan to get is one of those Martha Stewart and/or Rubbermaid storage cubes.  I need the one that is 2 wide (I measured already).  I'd be putting this to the left of the storage bench.  I won't be able to completely open my back door when I put this there but it will open wide enough for us.  The trash can will fit right beside that, hidden behind the back door.  I'll have 6 storage cubes.  One will be for paper to be recycled.  One will hold trash and grocery bags.  If I can find good paper storage that fits in a cube 1 will be for paperwork that needs to leave the house, like school papers that need signed or records that need to be brought to appointments.  Each kid would need their own box otherwise I'd get all sorts of messed up!  Then I'll have 3 more left...what to do?  This will also open up more storage in my kitchen cabinets which I need so badly!   

To the right of the storage bench is where the dog stuff is.  It won't go anywhere else so I need to make it a little nicer (it's one of the first thing you see walking into the kitchen- bleh) with a big plastic storage container for the food (instead of the messy bag) and, I don't know...a placemat or something.  This is also where the coats and backpacks will go.  I need at least 6 hooks- one for each of us.  But we all have tons of coats- PA has very finicky weather!  So I guess the rule will be 1 coat for each person and the rest go in their bedroom closets...If they are the double hooks there will be enough room for 3 backpacks.  I'd like to get one that is on a rack so that it's easier to hang.

We have our phone/answering machine and a white board above the area that houses the trash can and future storage cubes.  I want to get new key hooks because our key hooks are attached to our mail storage.  That's in the dining room.  Like I said before, we walk in the back door so the key hooks would make the most sense there.  The mailbox is out front so the mail storage would probably work better in the living room, where the front door is.   

Lastly I want a hallway runner.  This will run from the back door to the dining room entrance.  For two reasons: 1 is so the kids can wipe their darn feet and not ruin my hardwood floors.  The other is to kind of separate the entry space from the kitchen. 

This sounds easy enough, right?  Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations for me?  I can't wait to get started.  I just hope I don't do what I always do- dream big but no action.  I want to make my resolutions work!  I have enough HD gift cards to at least get started so money isn't an excuse at the moment.     

Barnes and Noble Children Book Sale + Free Shipping Offer

Barnes and Noble is having a mega-big sale on kids books.  I just bought 27 books for $27 (After taxes) with FREE shipping.  Retail, my order would have cost over $100! 
There are dozens of books on sale for $.99 (normally around $4 each).  Spend $25 and your order ships free!  I saved almost $30 in shipping fees!!  Add the code W9D3B7F to take 5% off each book (it's a $.05 discount per book). 

Shop through Ebates or Shop at Home to get extra cash back on your purchase (8-10% depending on which site you choose).  You must be a member of these sites to shop but membership is free and the benefits are numerous. 


Didn't we just spend a million dollars on Christmas?!  Birthdays are coming up in our family and the selection was perfect for us!      


WW Mama

Beyond the Rack Daily Deals- More Than 50% off Coats & More

Beyond the Rack has coats from Apple Bottom, Ecko, Rocawear and Dereon are more than 50% off today, with prices as low as $29!  Another hot deal is womens shirts all under $25 from popular brands.  Some are going fast! 

Sign up for great deals on awesome products and even enter for your chance to win "the $1,500 look" by inviting your friends. 
Beyond the Rack is a daily deal site where products are deeply discounted.  You must be a member to shop but registration is quick and easy. 

Zulily Events Today: Adorable Winter Clothing Under $20

Today's Zulily events include:

• ADORABLE winter baby (24 months and under) clothes from Mini Muffin- all under $20! 
• If you have a daughter (newborn-10yrs) then Flit & Flitter has charming outfits also under $20.  My favorite are the striped tights for $4.99. 
• For Mom: Pretty silver and gold jewelry, almost all priced under $50 (and up to 55% retail prices) from Alisa Michelle Designs.
• Foxfire Outerwear for Kids has raingear priced under $30.  The dinosaur sets are too cute!
• HOT DEAL!!!  Lily Pad has ONE color left- get their red headband and tutu set for only $11.99.  When this deal started just a few days ago they had at least half a dozen colors but they sold out really fast. 

There are many more awesome deals for mom, baby and kids at Zulily today.  Grab them before they are gone!!! 

I'm Mary Poppins!

A Weaver Short...
Zachary grabbed an umbrella today, started dancing around the yard and said, "look at me, I'm Mary Poppins!". 
He's 9.  I'm not going to let this go anytime soon.  I just wish I had my Flip ready so I could show it to his first girlfriend.  Though I might forget about this in 9 years... ;p

I Won at RedGage!!

Just yesterday I was discussing this site, and how it pays for content that you share. Since becoming active I tried to do a few of the things they suggest, including entering the daily contest. To enter you need to mention RedGage on another site (my blog), submit an entry to their knowledge-based content on the dashboard or invite friends. I had 10 entries (points) for the contest. This morning I checked my email and I won! $25 baby!! I only made $.09 for content but I did sign up knowing that it wouldn't make me an overnight millionaire ;) Since you can withdraw earnings at $25 I could cash out right now. I'm thinking maybe I should wait though. The site has been around for 2+ years so I don't think it's going anywhere.  In the past I've read complaints about non-payment but at the same time read that people were being paid.  I might just let it sit and see how much I can make until March rolls around (Henry's FIRST birthday!). 

What is RedGage?  Well, you can check out this post to learn all about it.  The short and sweet of it is this: submit content- videos, photos, links, blogs, documents (your OWN content!!!) and make money based on unique views.  Import (though it doesn't seem to work right now, but it can't hurt to get a jump on it by  submitting the info awhile) from Blogger, Facebook, Wordpress, Twitter, Youtube, Flickr to earn faster with less work!  Enter the contests as much as possible because you never know when you might win.

And always remember that you can't win if you don't play.  Sometimes luck is earned. 

Baby Bookworm- Henry Sebastian 3 Months Old June 30, 2010

Happy THREE months to baby Henry Sebastian today!!! 

Henry goes EVERYWHERE with me which means that he gets to hear just about every story I read to the other kids.  I noticed today that he was paying close attention during story time, not to me, but to the book.  He was more interested that everyone else!  I got a phone call halfway through Pinocchio so I stopped and put the book down.  Boy, did he get MAD!!  He calmed down immediately when I started again.  I really hope to instill a love of reading in all of my kids.  Dad hates to read but I love it and do it all the time.  Fortunately, he can't say no when his little princess asks for a bedtime story (and Jonas always cuddles up with them) so they still get to hear and see daddy reading too.          

I haven't been talking much about baby Henry anywhere because I've been keeping a written journal with all of his milestones.  Lately he has become such a wiggle worm!  He's rolling over, tries to move around but ends up going in circles (literally), and flips over in my lap all the time.  He tries to sit up whenever he's reclined and if he isn't strapped in he could very well propel himself right out of his seat because he's so strong!!  He has been learning to comfort himself successfully (two fingers and/or a blankie), interacting with his siblings- I've been through it a few times before but it just seems so new and exciting all over again!  He met his car seat buddies today and made instant friends with the cute critters, cooing and batting at them.  We hadn't used it before because the hospital advised against toys in the car.  Now we just use it when we use the seat as a carrier and he adores them.  His favorite position is lying with his belly on the ground and his shoulders and head sideways (see photo below).  It's so strange but really cute.  He loves his long afternoon nap and sleeps so well at night.  He doesn't like to be bothered when he sleeps!  We love to sing, dance and chat together!!  I think that he is going to look up to his big brothers but he will adore his big sister, who is like a mini-mama to him.  ♥   

So that's a little of what's going on with my family!

December 9, 2010- Happy 3rd Birthday Jonas!

It seems like he was just born yesterday. But today my little Jonas Robert is 3 years old! This is the first time I could ask what he wanted and he could tell me. It was very exciting for me! Jonas is a typical annoying little brother but he is the absolute best big brother ever. His little brother is 8 months old and since day 1 Jo has been such a big helper and cares so much for the baby. He is always looking out for him and it's so sweet!
Jo (his nickname) told me that this year he wants a firetruck (he already has one!), dinosaurs, a motorcycle, rocketship and cars.

What he did not tell me, but I know all too well is that he wants a camera. He is constantly taking (and LOSING) my camera. It isn't a super expensive camera but it's costly enough that mommy isn't happy about it! So I got him his very own camera- the Vtech Kidizoom, which had the best ratings of all the cameras. I'd take pictures of all the presents he is getting but SOMEONE lost my camera...It's orange, has a screen so he can see the pictures he is taking and even has games on it. I haven't played around with it yet but I'm very excited to see how well it works.

Self-Portrait

Another thing he is getting is two of the dinosaurs from Dinosaur Train. It's a cartoon with these cute little dinos. I've only seen one episode so that's all I know about the show. They have lots of different toys but the ones he wanted were (of course) the expensive talking dinos that interact with each other. I saw them when I was shopping for his cousin's birthday over the summer and had a blast playing with them! He told me he wanted the Triceratops but I couldn't find it anywhere. So he's getting the pteradactyl and I think the other one is a stegasaurus. Another thing I know he will love is a microphone. And I'm totally okay with the noise I will have to put up with! But I messed up and thought we had something the microphone could plug into but it was only an output so now I'm searching for a CHEAP something or other where I can plug in the microphone. He is also getting a Hot Wheels track and I know he'll enjoy that because he loves "playgrounds"! I really wanted to get him a rocketship but the only one that he wanted was $40 (eeek!). Last night he was at a friend's birthday party and saw a Lego Toy Story ship that he really liked- I'm wondering how much that cost...He also loves to pretend to strap on a Jet Pack and flies around the house. There are two Buzz Lightyear jet packs that are for sale this year and one is $30. I might cave and get it for him for Christmas. I can't wait for him to wake up!!!



So, to the charming boy who has "magic kisses that make it all better" I say, Happy third birthday big guy- I love you so much. I am so amazed by everything you do and all the things you learn each day and I'm so proud of the crazy little guy you're becoming! You are growing up too fast and I plan enjoy every second if it.



Love, Mama

Haute Look- Hurry! Hot Deals are Going Fast!

Today's Haute Look daily deals are HOT and they are going fast! 

Some awesome deals:
Urban Decay makeup for only $2 (regular prices between $14-35).  These are going SUPER fast.
$9.99 and up Soy Organic clothing from Baby Star.
Ending Soon: Moe's Home Collection- more than 50% off home decor and furniture including awesome (and only $13-15) retro and rosette cushions, set of 2 black and gold floral table lamps for only $38, a wine tree for $44 and a $1600 (TWO zeros) Crystal Superiore Candelabra for only $700 (I know, a little pricey but who knows- someone might have the cash for this gorgeous piece!).  Talk about steals! 

These deals only last about 2 days and then they are gone so grab them while you still can, and while they last!  Registering is free and you'll be the first to know about all the exciting events and discounts.

RedGage- Make Some Extra Money

I signed up for RedGage a year ago and then immediately abandoned it. Last night I decided to give it another go and logged into my profile.


RedGage is a site where you can make some extra money doing what you already do- sharing your passions with the world. With a few clicks you can share your blog, photos, videos and more. They even have some simple (seriously- even I figured it out!) tools to import content. You can import from Youtube, Flickr, Blogger, Wordpress, Facebook and Twitter!  I played around and managed to get a few things set up.  I was having some difficulty getting certain sites imported, not because it's hard but because it just wasn't going through.  After a few tries it worked. 


Every time you share something with the RedGage community you can earn money.  The more your content is viewed and rated, the more your earning potential. You also have the opportunity to have your content featured which may give you a bonus. It's not much but every little bit helps, right?  Payment can be requested when you reach $25.  You are paid via a RedGage Visa.   


Earnings are easy to follow- earnings are displayed on individual content. You'll know what content is making you the most money which is really neat!

Head on over to RedGage and sign up to make the most of your time.  Look for me when you get there!  My RedGage user name is Arose.  Please share your experiences- good or bad (and YOUR RedGage name) in the comments!  I'd love to connect and help you out as well :)