Thursday, January 28, 2010

DYI Vision Board & Decorative Flower Box

I really like the look of flowers in a small vase, but couldn't find something that was not overly valentine's like but still red and white. With 2 Micheal's Craft store coupons and 15 minutes, (yes that is it!) I was able to make a nice decoration for my living room.



I wanted something pretty for a Vision Board. The book The Secret talks about having visuals for for your goals and desires and posting them in your home (or at work), this way you can see them daily.
I had this large picture frame from Ikea, that I LOVED but I couldn't find the right picture for it. I had an idea and lucky me, my Husband Greg was able to make it into reality!
I am really happy with these 2 DYI projects. I think I am going to have to try something diffrent next month!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Kim in the Kitchen

Wahooo! I have been keeping up on trying new recipes and cooking more at home. These are some of my goals for the year. Here is what I made:
I attempted Sheppard Pie for the first time and it was a HIT! The recipe was right off of Food Network and was from Rachael Ray.

I did my own version of Scalloped Potatoes and Pork Chops. I used a bit of olive oil and a packet of Lipton Soup mix to make some "Delicious" (as my husband described them) potatoes.

I also used the Food Network website to make Homemade Mashed Potatoes (Paula Deen), Lime Talapia (Bobby Flay) and edamame.


The cookies I made 2 weeks ago came out really nice! I made 50 Crosses for my Church Coffee Hour that I was hosting with my Grandpa. I also made Onsie cookies for a surprise Baby Shower for one of my girlfriends.






Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Nervous Nell

I am a bundle of nerves right now!
Greg and I have seen about 10 condo's at this point and are thinking that we are going to go in the opposite direction and get a House instead! Saturday we took some time and drove down to a neighborhood where I have seen a lot of homes online that are in our price range. We have heard mixed reviews of the neighborhood and were not sure what we were going to see. As we drove into the neighborhood, we saw charm, families and lots of opportunity! Of course just like any other town or village, there is good and bad parts, but the homes that we saw were located in the good. It was like a sigh of relief! So after almost an hour and a half of driving block by block and looking at homes we decided that, YES we are going to keep looking in this area and see what we can do with our money.
Today I am calling the bank to see about getting a pre-approval letter for a mortgage. Hopefully we will be approved for an amount that will meet our needs for these homes. We don't want to get in over our heads, but this could be just what we are looking for. Fingers Crossed!

Friday, January 15, 2010

"It's Complicated" and old lady perfume

Last night the hubby and I had our date night. It was great because we had a set of tickets and a Gift Card to the movie theater and we didn't have to spend a penny! We saw "It's Complicated", with Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin. The movie had a great set of actors in it and was very funny. I was happy we chose it, and Greg seemed to really enjoy it too.
While we waited for the movie to start there were about 20 other people in the theater, then 2 women walked in and sat about 4 rows down and to my left. With in minutes the couple that was sitting about 5 feet of them moved to a row near us away from them, and Greg said to me "I smell old lady perfume". Next thing I knew I smelt it too.. so did the people who were around us. There was lots of mumbling and comments and waving of hands in front of peoples noses.
I am not sure how this woman who came in with someone else didn't realize she was wearing THAT much perfume. You would think that the person who was with her would have said something (or maybe she did), but it was very strong. I tried to get the smell out of my nose, by sniffing our popcorn and breathing in and out of my mouth, half way through the movie, I no longer smelled it. My point is, if I ever get to a point where I pour on that much perfume, I hope someone tells me it is TOO much.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Kim in the Kitchen

This week I started off on the right foot for one of my Goals and Resolutions for the year which was to cook at home more. This week I made Chili in a bread bowl, home made Fajitas and also sauteed shrimp and avocado - tomato salad.
The Chili was a Crock Pot recipe and it came out wonderful! I took a tip from one of my new favorite blogger The Newlywoodwards- and picked up 2 bread bowls from Panera Bread. It made for a great presentation, and Greg loved it.
The Fajitas were just amazing! Simple to make and just a really filling dinner. Plus VERY inexpensive. I used some items that were in my kitchen already, and got some fresh peppers and sauteed it up.
Same went with the shrimp and avocado - tomato salad. I used some of the same ingredients from the Fajitas, and was able to defrost some frozen shrimp and add a little Olive oil and fresh garlic for a great meal.
All in all it was a very exciting week for me, starting off my year the right way!

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Need to learn some tips!!

Ahhhh!!! I love looking at some of my favorite blogs because they are appealing. Their pictures are well placed, they have links and tend to look... well BEAUTIFUL!
I need to find some tips on how to spruce up this blog from boredom!

Saturday, January 2, 2010

January 2010


So here we go January 2010 Goals:
1. 12 days at the gym (or working out)
2. Clean up and organize work desk
3. Make 2 new recipes this month
4. Organize Livingroom closet
5. eBay 5 items
6. Blog weekly
7. Stick to spending plan (record spending)
8. Organize and scrapbook more
9. Print Disney pics







Friday, January 1, 2010

2010 Goals

2000 - 20009 is done and what a decade it was! I can not believe that it is 2010. This is going to be a big year. I am turning 30 half way through and will be enjoying every minute I can.
I wanted to make improvements to my Resolutions and goals list from last year. I made a decent list last January of what I would like to accomplish, and although they are not complete, I was happy with my progress. The monthly goals I made helped me to achieve balance and some purpose to my daily life. The list that I am making this year is a bit more detailed and involved. I really hope to make a dent in these goals and make more monthly list.
Kim's 2010 Goals

1. Read at least 2 books a month
2. Learn and expand my knowledge to further my career goals
3. Learn to Knit or Crochet (make a scarf and a blanket)
4. Eliminate clutter around the house, make our home more organized
5. Stick to my monthly budget
6. Be accountable and more conscious of my daily/weekly spending
7. Pay off my car and find a replacement
8. Contribute more to our savings for the purchase of a house
9. Do a 5k
10. Make a fitness routine and stick to it (realistic goals)
11. Make 4 new recipes a month
12. Make more creative meals, and cook at home more (will help us save more $$ for the house)
13. Help out and donate time to my church or other charities
14. Be a better blogger
15. Scrapbook more, document our life in creative ways
16. Be a supportive, loving and helpful wife, sister, friend and family member


Best wishes to every for the New Year.