A Kid's Cup of Holiday Happiness!

I had a friend tell me that her husband grew up in a family of little means. Her husband has not-so-fond memories as he remembers dining out as a family. Dad would get a soda and he and the other kids would get water. And I must admit, that more than a few handfuls of times, I have done this. Not that my kids need overloads of caffeine and sugar, but neither do I! Also, I want to be an example to my children of putting others first, not selfishly hoarding.

So today, with my Starbucks gift card in hand (from my sister), my kids and I hit the drive thru. But this time was different. I did get my caramel macchiato, but my kids got their little treat, too. I ordered a tall hot chocolate and asked them to split it three ways into espresso cups. So CUTE! Three tiny little to-go cups for my three oldest with their mini kid-sized lids! Still frugal, but they felt like it was a very special outing. Riding in the cart at Walmart has never been so exciting!

Ten Weird But Real Fixes For Everyday Life

10. Eat a banana for heartburn relief.
9. Eat a spoonful of sugar to stop hiccups.
8. Oil and vinegar are more than just salad fixings. Clean stainless with them.
7. Rub your hands on a stainless steel surface after cutting onions to remove the onion smell.
6. Pinch the skin between your thumb and pointer finger to alleviate headache pain.
5. Put Noxzema on a sunburn to take away the pain.
4. Good dental care lessens the chance of heart disease.
3. Add a slice of potato to absorb salt in over-salted soup or sauces.
2. Rub a dryer sheet over hair to eliminate static electricity.
1. Press your tongue to the roof of your mouth to get rid of "a brain freeze."

"Anything worth doing is worth doing half-way." Linda Dollar

Like I've stated before, I am an all or nothing person. Half-hearted is just not how I want to be described. But really, if I had to have a bachelors degree in every activity I tried, I wouldn't do much.

Here enters the quote at the top of this entry. For context: Linda Dollar was a role model in my community when I was in high school. Her simple statement meant a lot to me then and still does now. It motivates me to give something a shot and not fear failure. If it's worth my time, then even doing some of it will have merit.

Personal application #1: recycling. I used to think that recycling was for the truly dedicated. If I couldn't do it like the real green people, then I shouldn't try. But then one day I realized that even doing it a little was better than nothing.

Personal application #2: sewing. My mom is a professional seamstress. She can whip up a wedding dress faster than I can cook dinner. And believe me, it's art. My version is not so much. This used to be where I stopped. My sewing machine would gather dust and rust in my closet. But, I have decided that a sundress here or there for my little girl is better than nothing. (And I can call Mom for advice when the thread bunches up on the back of my project!)

Personal application #3: you're reading it.

Toss the Project

I love the idea of redeeming objects. When I see something with potential, I grab it. That tossed out chair by the dumpster. That dresser someone is selling for pennies at a yard sale. That yardage of fabric grandma doesn't want.

My home is decorated with re-purposed or renovated items. It's cheap and it's rewarding, but it has a dark side.

For every warm feeling that comes from finishing a piece of reclaimed furniture, there is the ever-looming guilt of what is yet to be finished. There's not much that stresses me out more than unfinished projects. The do-it-yourself becomes do-it-or-else. The undone do not go unnoticed.

So enough! Just because it can be done, doesn't mean I should do it! There is a time for seizing and redeeming, and there is a time for releasing and relaxing. Today, toss one of the burdens. Evaluate your awaiting project and ask yourself if it will be worth the time. Also, is it worth the daily weight it puts on you before you can finish it. If it's not, send it to the charity store or put it by the curb for the next ambitious project manager. Who knows? It may be exactly what someone else needs right now.

5 Tips for a Good Paint Job

1. Prep the walls.
You wouldn't put make-up on a muddy face, would you? Stripping wallpaper, filling holes, sanding rough spots, and wiping down with a tack cloth will insure a better finish every time. Preparation is the most tedious part of the whole project, but this is what separates the sloppy from the sleek.

2. Use primer when color is drastically different.
A good primer is almost always worth the money and time. I recommend Kilz brand. One coat of primer and one coat of paint often are better than two coats of paint.

3. Buy the right paint for the job.
If it's a kitchen or bath, buy kitchen and bath paint. Research, ask professionals, and ask the person assisting you at the paint counter. In my humble opinion, for walls, I love eggshell finish in most brands. It is usually able to be wiped clean. Eggshell reflects some light, but still does not highlight every imperfection like semi-gloss or gloss. It also does not absorb oils and stains like a flat finish.

4. Get a good quality angled brush for cutting in.
I learned this lesson the hard way. After cutting in (painting the edges of) five spaces with cheap, straight-edged brushes, I felt I was just bad at the whole painting thing. My mom recommended a Purdy brand angled brush. Wallah! I felt like a pro! I've since discovered that other brands are wonderful as well. I like the 1 1/2 inch angled brush best. For me, a proper brush eliminated the need for taping off. If you are new to painting, I would still recommend painters tape, but the right brushes make a much cleaner edge.

5. Buy two shades lighter than what you think you want.
Have you ever gone into a home and thought to yourself, "Good grief! Did the owner color match their paint to a box of magic markers?"
More often than not, the intentions were a subtler hue. When you paint four walls in one shade, the result is more intensity. I have never heard a homeowner say, "I thought this would turn out brighter, but I'll have to settle for this washed-out look, I guess."
In this realm,"Less is more." Thanks for the quote again, Robert Browning.

Happy New Blog!

With the new year comes new goals, new resolution, and new ideas.

Let's start with a new book! I recommend Lose 200 Pounds This Weekend by Don Aslett.

Most of us just received a plethora of wonderful gifts in the past month. Now we suffer from affluenza. Affluenza is an overwhelming sense of dissatisfaction amidst bountiful provision. While we desire to "count our blessings," we dread the upkeep of our possessions. Being thankful becomes difficult because we have too much. Let's be honest, all of this accumulation just doesn't bring affirmation.

While taking a huge pile to the local Goodwill may not nip the bud of American consumerism, it may be a great start to the new year. Why not? We have so much to gain by losing some of the stuff.

Read the book. It's fun and motivating. When you finish, pass the book on to someone else who wants it.