The "Sisters After Birth" O.A.P. Challenge

Let me start by explaining the title.
The Lord didn't give me a sister growing up.  I was an only child.  I turned out fine.  (no comments allowed about that).
In 2006, He sent me Robin.
I knew by looking at her pocketbook that we were gonna be lifelong friends.  I told her this.
I have a sister, God just didn't give her to me until later in life.
Knowing us, if we had grown up together, we would have caused a lot more trouble.
He knew what He was doing. 

Now back to the challenge.

When we bought our home almost 5 years ago...it was a plain blank slate.  I had never decorated a house before and expensive, magically appearing due to credit cards, furniture was not an option.  And boy oh boy am I glad I had a hubby that would say no!!!! 

It has been a process over the years.  It is definitely still in progress but we've come along way baby! 

But with decorating comes organization.  I love organizing (especially other people's stuff) that I don't have to see get messed up!

I have a toddler.  We have purged a lot of stuff.  But we still have a lot of stuff.   I also have a lot of unfinished projects.  Did I mention I have a toddler???  Come see my half painted laundry room that has been that way for months!

Now I know you are thinking...get on with it Jess, what does my sister after birth and organization have to do with one another.

Well we Robin and Jess have decided to become Organization Accountability Partners. 

I got the idea from I'm and Organizing Junkie.  Not the OAP part, cause I came up with that snazzy-ness (lets just give credit where credit is due folks!).  jk  She basically suggested choosing a room/project a month and focusing on "getting it together" in that space.  She encourages that you take pics of the space before and after.  I loved that part!

I liked this plan.  It requires focus.  Something I struggle with.  And I have Robin to get me on track.  She can pop in anytime to see my progress, and will not judge my mess.  We can bounce ideas off one another and celebrate together when the project is complete.

I encourage you to do this with us.  You don't have to pick the same room or space, just find a bud and get to it.  We will be posting pictures of before and after.  Our first challenge is the LAUNDRY ROOM...dun dun dun!!!!!  It all kicks off in March so be on the lookout for our progress and we hope you will join us.

How to Fold Sheets...The Toddler Way

I get a lot of help around here.

Wookie is learning to fold sheets.

He picked up on it really quickly.

His steps were pretty much limited to "wad", "spread out", "roll around".

 

It gave me took him 20 minutes, and he needed a little help at the end, but whatever works for me him!

 

Menu Plan Monday

Here's "The Plan" for this week....now if we can just stick to it!   
Don't forget to see below for red entree recipes!

Monday:     Chicken and Peppers Fajitas, Hubby's Homemade Guacamole, Veggie Toppings
                  


Tuesday:    Fish Fillets, Pasta Salad , Steamed Broccoli


Wednesday: Hungry Man Mini's, Green Beans, Salad

Thursday:   Crockpot Herb Chicken, Mac and Cheese, Peas


Friday:        LEFTOVER   BUFFET
Saturday:   Valentine's Day Date!
Sunday:    Venison Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Steamfresh Veggies

Hungry Man Mini's

Ingredients:  1 lb. cooked ground beef sauteed with onion, 1/2 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce, 3-4 tbsp. ketchup,
1 can refrigerated biscuits.  
Directions:  Preheat oven to 350.  Tear biscuits (if using them) in half horizontally so you have 2 circles from each biscuit.  Press one circle in the bottom of your muffin tin holes.  Mix ground beef
onion, bbq, and ketchup in a bowl.  Spoon this mixture into each muffin tin hole, filling almost full.  Bake these at 350 for 15-20 minutes until golden brown!

For more great menus visit I'm an Organizing Junkie and Chubby Chica.

Windows of Opportunity

This is the story of three very old window panes who have been nestled in my garage for a couple of years now.

Two of the window panes were very pushy and demanding.  One little window pane was quiet and forgotten about because of the larger two.
One day the two large window panes begged me to paint them and then sell them to good homes in my Mama's antique booth.
I had to tell the two large window panes "I cannot paint you. I have an infant, and I am really into sewing purses right now. There is no time. Check back with me later."
They collaborated and asked me to hang them over my bed.
I had to tell them "I cannot hang you two over my bed.  I am having nightmarish visions of the two of you dropping your glass in the middle of the night and slicing us open in our sleep, leaving us unable to call 911 and tell on you."
They looked at me like I was crazy. Go figure.
They told me I could prevent the middle of the night slicing accident from happening with a little silicone sealant.
I told them, "Sorry window panes.  The gruesome image is already ingrained in my head.  Besides I am busy making Mother's Day presents.  Check back with me later.
Again, with the crazy looks.

Then, the quiet, shabby, but chic smaller pane spoke up.  "Excuse me Your Craftiness?"
"Yes?" I replied.  "Have you considered using me, already painted antique white and chippy, on that blank wall in your dining room?
I did some thinking.  Weeks went by.  I was busy,  I have a toddler and I was really into making vintage wreaths right then.
"Ok, little window pane.  Let's do this.  Your natural with age wooden streaks will go so well with the furniture, and your antique white chippy-ness will match perfectly with the baseboards and window treatment. There is little that needs to be done to make you wall worthy."
The little window pane and I spent a good hour together.  I believe it was during a nap.  She needed a good cleaning and her glass sealed to prevent any slices accidents.
That afternoon we enlisted the help of two very handsome and very handy men.  Well, a man and a boy.
They drilled and screwed heavy screws into the back of the little window pane.

They fastened hanging wire around the screws.  

Being the math minded men they are....they MEASURED!!!

The sweet and shabby little window pane had a new home, now she just needs some sconces neighbors.

And we all lived happily ever after.  We will live happier when we find some sconces.  But you get my drift.

Oh what happened to those two pushy larger panes, you ask?


I mentioned my story of the window panes to a friend.  She (not knowing the "pain' the two large window panes had been) expressed that she was interested in  putting up with  using them in her own home.  They moved to her home last night!  I can't wait to see what they she comes up with to use them for.