Wednesday, December 07, 2011

$250 on groceries...for the month?!

Ok I am totally intrigued.  I stumbled across a post about it on pinterest and it got me to thinking.  We spend way, way too much on groceries.  And I am horrible at menu planning.  Don't get me wrong this girl can cook but I can't plan out even a weeks worth of menus!  I wanted to share this with all of you so you too can save money.  I plan on reading the ebook and getting back to you about what I learned.  Click the box below to learn more!


Visit Budget101.com

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

cray-cray fri-day!

Okay, so Friday was the annual Mustang cruise that we go on.  This year it was to beautiful Crystal Mountain Resort.  We all met at Bellevue CC to get directions and a map of the route and then we were off.  We took back roads mostly from Issaquah to Crystal.  It was beautiful (cue the screeching record sound) until we hit two miles of one lane road where you had to wait for the pilot car and they only let about 20 cars through at a time.  That was about 40 minutes of torture.  But I did get to see JC scale a 10 foot dirt embankment and almost eat it on the way down.  So we finally get on our way and make the turn on to 410, what a crappy crappy road.  I understand it's technically a mountain pass, but under no circumstances should a classic car be traveling that road.  Too late to turn back now!  We finally get up the resort and it is beautiful!  The sun is trying to peek out and everything.  We go purchase our gondola tickets right away and head up.  JC's mom is afraid of heights but she took the plunge and went up too.  The views were incredible (even with the clouds blocking Mt. Rainier.)  There is a restaurant on the top of the mountain, the highest in the state in fact.  We had a lovely overpriced lunch and then went back outside to take some pics before descending in the gondola.

We get back the car and this lovely couple has waited by our car to ask us how we got a childseat in the Mustang.  JC is happy to show him and drops the backpack he was carrying right by the open car door.  Blah blah blah 5 minutes later some people we caravanned with were leaving so I grabbed Addy and went to the other side of the car.  Next thing you know the car that was parked in the row behind us and one spot over is running over our backpack, with both tires.  Yeah.  Swear words are spit out as everyone runs over.  Lets take a quick roll call: one DSLR, one telephoto lens, one regular lens, binoculars, my wallet, some food for Addy, her cuppy, a survival kit and some miscellaneous items.  My wallet (metal framed) is dead, mangled.  The telephoto lens is busted.  The regular lens has a funky crease near the eye.  The camera has some scuffs but appears to be taking pics ok.  The binoculars are ok but their case is not.  The backpack has some road rash on the back from being spit out by the back tire.  It's funny to me that the thing I'm most upset about is my stupid clearance rack Target wallet.  I have never had a better wallet.  I think the lady felt bad but I still don't know how she didn't see it.  I'm taking the camera and lenses in next week to be checked out and get estimates for repairs or replacement.  Oh well, I'm over it.

We had a lovely drive back home until we hit traffic in Bellevue, Bothell, Lynnwood, Everett and Marysville. :) At least Addy took a nap.

Right before we left
 Hurry up Daddy...
 Addy's first gondola ride!
 Up up and away
 I love the way she is looking at him
 Grandma having second thoughts
 yup
 The best view of Rainier we were gonna get.
 Daddy and bugg
 Grandma & Grandpa
Here comes our ride
 Better on the way down
 That parking lot was full of Mustangs
This is the picture I took just after our camera got ran over.  Had to make sure it still worked. 


Saturday, July 16, 2011

Favorite things

Addy's favorite things right now:

Daddy - always all the time.
Cheese- and she asks for it constantly.
Apple - juice or sauce. Good luck differentiating.
Chester - the original d o double g.
Eleanor - the new dog but just as popular.
Fish - as in goldfish crackers.
Dolly - still
Cheers - yep as is in cheers now let's drink. She tends to cheers everything though forks, bowls, etc.
Elmo - he's ok too.
More - of ANYTHING.
No - even when she means yes.
Moy - which is mommy but she only says it when she means daddy. Just kidding, she asks for me a few times.
Whipped cream - if my daughter ever comes up to you with her pointer finger out and her thumb up (think play gun style) she wants whipped cream from a can squished on her finger.
Music - but only good music. If it isn't good she won't bob her head.
Sunglasses - all the time, indoors or out, sunny or rainy doesn't matter.

That's my little sweet pea in a nutshell.

Monday, July 04, 2011

sewing

So I had some fabric laying around and I decided to try and make Addy a 4th of July dress since I hadn't gotten her an outfit to wear. I did not have a pattern so I took some measurements and winged it.

It didn't turn out too bad. The only problem is she won't wear it. Oh well it was sorta fun to make it.

cutting...


the finished dress (back)

























the print and ruffle bottom



Happy Independence Day everyone!
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Sunday, May 15, 2011

a giveaway you should checkout

You should head over to 5ksandchardonnay.blogspot.com. She has a great blog and is currently having a favorite things giveaway. So get a move on and check it out!
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Friday, May 06, 2011

20% of at The Children's Place

So now through the 8th you can get 20% off you purchase at The Children's Place just enter mom2011 at checkout.  Plus shipping is only $5 for your purchase up to $75 and free for anything over!

The code even works on clearance items as well making this pink sweater $3.99!


This dress would be 6 bucks and change. FOR A $30 DRESS!


I am so excited to shop for summer stuff!

Thursday, May 05, 2011

Addy's favorite things

1. Dolly. Well both of them. Still.

2. Doing things herself. Like putting on shoes, climbing things, getting in and out of her chair, yada yada.

3. She adores her daddy. She is so excited to see him when he gets home even if he's only been gone 5 minutes.

4. Crayons and the bag we keep them in.

5. Bubbles. Her new favorite thing and word.

6. Apple juice. Diluted of course but she doesn't know the difference.

7. Being a little momma. She takes care of her dollies and other stuffed beings like no other. She makes sure they are fed and loved and given rides her stroller.

8. Being outside. With the few sunny days we have had so far this year we have been outside whenever we can! Out front or on the deck, doesn't matter.

9. Screaming. If you ran into us say, at the grocery store you would think I was fibbing. In public Addy is quiet and listens to us, but at home she is a wild child. She just recently discovered her voice. I'm talking, "someone is trying to steal me" screams while she runs through the house at full speed pushing her stroller and baby of choice. It's so cute.

10. Night-Night Little Pookie. Her new bedtime story.

Gosh I love this kid

Holiday!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!





Now where's my margarita?


Wednesday, May 04, 2011

Fastest cookies ever (and gluten free)

Ok these are super easy when you need/want a quick sugar fix.

What you'll need

1c peanut butter
1c sugar
1 egg
1 tsp baking soda

Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Drop onto a cooking sheet. Use a fork dipped in sugar to put the crisscross pattern on each cooking or experiment with a cookie stamp or other cool patterned object. Bake 12-15 minutes at 350. Makes approximately 15 cookies.

Bam, done. Enjoy!

Tuesday, May 03, 2011

i win!

This box of goodness taunted me all day long! I even pulled a pan out to cook it in but alas I win. It's still sealed and going back in the pantry. Small victories.
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An easy way to help Children's Hospital

These really cool sisters I know run their own business (Loutinen Events) making cards, invitations and other paper products to help pull your event together, yeah they are pretty crafty. Well, turns out the craftiness runs in the family. Shannon's son Charlie drew 4 pictures and they decided to put them on notecards to sell and raise money for Children's Hospital here in Seattle. His goal is to raise $1000 from the sale of these cards, how awesome is he?! They are selling them in their Etsy shop, you should go check them out and spread the word.

Thanks!

Friday, April 29, 2011

sweet pie

She usually runs from the camera probably because I'm always trying to take her picture, she does so many cute things. This time though she just looked up at me with this goofy grin that she no doubt got from her daddy. Gosh I love this kid, more than I ever thought I could.
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Thursday, April 28, 2011

cute find

So I was walking through the bargain bin section at Target and I saw this super cute rubber duck vinyl bin for $2.50! I scooped it up and decided to make a baby bath gift basket out of it. It looked fuller in the store but once I got everything out of boxes it needs a few more things I think. I put the blue crinkled paper shreds in the bottom because it looks like water and its perfect for the bath theme. I like the idea of using a bin or tote as opposed to a bag which can't/won't be repurposed.
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Friday, April 22, 2011

tip-toed out

We tip-toed through the tulips today and that just plain wore her out.
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Thursday, March 31, 2011

My First Book Review

So, I was fortunate enough to get to read Semper Cool: One Marine's Fond Memories of Vietnam by Barry Fixler.  I am pretty naive about Vietnam and what happened there.  I knew that it was brutal, but I didn't have any idea how brutal and I probably still don't even know the half of it.

I really like the way the book was written, kind of little stories within a story.  It really kept my interest peaked.  I went through a whole range of emotions too. I was laughing, crying and at times very scared for all military personnel involved.

I found the author to be a great storyteller.  He doesn't sensor, he tells it like it happened.  There is a lot of swearing and it can be pretty graphic, that said, it would not have been the same book had he censored. 
I would recommend this book to just about anyone (certain people may not be able to handle the swearing.) 

Barry Fixler has done some amazing things since he served in Vietnam.  He raised money for a soldiers family when that soldier was essentially dropped by the VA when recovering.  He fought off armed robbers at his jewelery store (see the video here.)  Now he is pledging to raise $1 million for wounded combat vets from Iraq and Afghanistan, amazing!

So, please go buy this book to help support a great cause and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

more fraud that the state allows!

This infuriates me!



or you can read the story here.

I know I usually don't post stuff like this but I just had to!  Is this really how we want our money spent?!

Monday, March 21, 2011

foot loose and facebook free!

So today I decided to put myself into detox. For Facebook that is.  I am so tired of the drama and moaning and groaning that I am putting a stop to it the only way I know how.  I liked the aspect of keeping up with friends because we all are so busy but I really noticed it was changing my mood every time I logged on and somebody else had some "trauma" going on.  Please don't take this the wrong way friends, I am here for you if you need support but right now that support will not be offered via the wide world of Facebook. So, until further notice you can reach me by phone. (I can't deprive grandparents of pics of Addy so those will still be posted through photoshop and probably blog post links since I will have more time to do this instead of surfing Facebook :)

Sunday, March 06, 2011

the park

we went to the park tonight before dinner and all addy wanted to do was watch the big kids play tag. i just love her.
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Wednesday, February 23, 2011

and its only just begun...

The snow shouldn't even be falling yet according to the weather experts! Maybe we'll actually get a lot. We never do when they say we will, my fingers are crossed!
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Sunday, February 20, 2011

race day!

Today marks the beginning of race season...so excited to root for Jimmie again!

(This is my first mobile blog post, sorry if it turns out weird)
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Wednesday, February 16, 2011

mothers day

I know it's not even close to Mothers Day but something got me thinking about it.  So, in our department mostly because of the union I think they encourage us to submit our vacation requests for the year during "open bidding" at the beginning of the year.  Management then goes through them and either grants or denies them based on whether someone on the same shift wants the same time off and who has seniority.  I was talking to one of my coworkers about how she got denied for her request for Mothers Day, she was so bummed.  She has three kids and wanted to spend the day with her family (we know we are scheduled to work it.)  She asked if I had asked for it off and I said no I hadn't even thought about it.  It's true I didn't think about it, but then I asked myself, why had you not thought about it?  I came to one conclusion: every day is Mothers Day here.  I have the best (most days) little girl in the world and a husband who is so understanding, thoughtful, amazing and helpful in my life around me every day.  I don't need to take one day a year to celebrate that.  They love me every day as if it's Mothers Day and I love them so much for that.  Although, I wouldn't mind an extra Sunday off though!

Monday, February 07, 2011

hmmm...

I don't have much to say this week but I do need to mention my friend Kim's blog giveaway.  How cool is that, she has such a great blog people are giving her stuff to giveaway!!!  She is a navy wife and mom (and my friend Cerisa's littlest sister.)  She has a great blog and she also has a book club that she does.  I just love reading about what's going on in Connecticut with her and her little family and the things she goes through, like when her husband was deployed...I cannot imagine.  So if you get a chance to check our her blog!




Look who's getting into trouble...

She's figuring out how to move stuff around so she can stand on something and grab stuff she's isn't suppose to...oy!

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Date Night / Pictures / Finger Paints

Oh my gosh it was so nice to get out of the house and have a drink (or two) and see a movie.  I love my little girl but it was just so laid back being out without a baby.  JC's parents came over after we put Addy to bed and we headed out to Amigos for our favorite jumbo cadillac margaritas, oh so good.  We also got an appetizer that was sauteed shrimp and mushrooms, very tasty!

We saw No Strings Attached with Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman.  I really like both of them as actors and then to see them in a rom-com was so perfect.  I really enjoyed the movie.  It was a cute date night kinda movie, a little predictable,  with some good laughs though (i snorted often.)  I have really liked Ashton Kutcher's latest flicks like Killers with Katherine Heigl.  And have you ever heard the story of JC and I having drinks with Natalie Portman in Hawaii, yeah it happened.

We had a killer sunset the other night.  I snapped this pic from our deck and it is unedited.
beautiful sunset

And then I found this other one on the camera that I snapped of the Olympics while JC was driving on our way to his parents house one frosty morning.
snowcapped olypics
I love photography!

I was at Michaels the other day and decided it would be fun to try and finger-paint with Addy, so I got paints and a large book of paper.  Before her bath on Friday I stripped of her clothes and tried to show her how to paint.  Well...she absolutely does not like having her hands in paint. I don't know if it was the wet feeling or what but she hated it!  So I ran upstairs and got her a brush and that was so much better.  She would pick the color, hold it over the paper and squeeze, then grab her brush and go about it.  It was pretty cute.  So if you are in the market for an Addyson original let me know and I'll have her whip one up for you!

Sunday, January 23, 2011

It's been so long!


So a lot has happened since the last time I posted.  Addy turned one! (and now she's already 15 months!)
she's so silly
tutu butt
her first cupcake!

And then we had Thanksgiving at Grandma and Grandpa Dahlbeck's house.  Addy loved all the food. I swear the kid never gets full!

Then there was Christmas at our house, everyone was here.  Addy love opening presents, she got lots of practice because she is so spoiled.
christmas morning. santa brought her a quad!

taking time to play with a box
a bear her cousins sent her
again with the box
so full after all the good food


Then Addy had her first visit to the ER (12/26) after Chester threw her forehead first into the wall.  She is fine, just a lump and a bruise.

Then came New Years and my birthday both just spent quietly at home.  Oh and I got a Kindle!  I absolutely LOVE it.  I haven't read a book pretty much since Addy was born but this makes it so easy.  I take it everywhere!

JC and I have been snowboarding a few time this season.  Addy goes to visit grandma D and we hit the mountains, works great!  We have thoroughly enjoyed being back on the hill.

So now you are pretty much up to date.  A few things about Addy these days:
  1. she walks up the stairs now, no more climbing them.
  2. she has two dolls that she has to take EVERYWHERE with her now.  I had a hard enough time keeping track of one and now two...ugh.
  3. she loves veggies, carrots a lot.
  4. she like to give fist bumps and hi-fives. but she can't just give them to one person, she has to go around the room to everyone.
  5. she loves eating in restaurants. mostly because she gets to eat from both of our plates and because she gets milk in a cup with a straw.
Okay that's all...I think.