Go Hogs!

One of my friends requested a Razorback canvas for her soon to arrive little boy.
I told her that I really had no idea what I was doing as far as painting goes, but she insisted so I obliged. My only request was an extra canvas to practice.
These are 16x20 and Yes, the hogs are very different in each canvas so each one is an original.
(Yeah, that's why.. wink.
It would have nothing to do with my beginner skills. :)

Easter Bunny VS. Wild Thing

The Easter Bunny bit me!



And it really hurt!

Show us your life-Cleaning tips

I have to admit I appreciate a clean house. It doesn't even have to be my house. There's just something comforting about walking into a clutter free area. I try to keep our house picked up all the time, but as every mom knows that gets challenging! Here's a few of my suggestions to keeping the house in order.
1. I agree with Kelly on making the bed every day. It's the center piece of the room so if you want to maintain a neat house then start with the bed.
2. Use a squeegee for glass shower doors.

We stayed in a condo that did this and it worked perfectly. The problem is I never think about picking one up until I'm actually cleaning the shower doors. It worked really well so now that I've reminded myself about it AGAIN I'm officially putting it on the list for this weekend.
3. I use a housekeeper once a month. That's a little treat for myself. It's the best feeling to walk in and know everything is done.
4. For the day to day stuff, I try to keep dirty dishes in the dishwasher, not the sink. Use a swiffer with the wet pads in the kitchen. It's my best friend these days. I try to clean my bathrooms and kitchen a few times/week. I care more about my bathrooms and kitchen being clean than anything else.
5. My favorite tip to keep your life a little more sane---Organize like toys in labeled totes so everything has a place and there is a place for everything. Store the totes in closets. I keep one laundry basket out of mixed up toys for the kids so it's easy to toss stuff in it as we are walking out of the house. These toys can be put away or changed out with other ones to keep it different and entertaining for the kids. Store books in baskets.
6. Try to pick up every night. I learned the hard way that trucks hurt when you step on them in the middle of the night. :)
7. I use OXYCLEAN for stains. A few years ago (pre-kids) I bought some stain remover from a salesman and it was THE BEST. I can't remember the name of it, but I would love it have it again. It worked wonders. Anyone know of this stain remover??
8. Instead of having a separate cleaner for everything, I've been buying the LARGE bottle of Lysol from Sams and pouring it into a smaller spray bottle to use in the kitchen and bathrooms. It has replaced Fantastic, floor cleaner, toilet bowl gel, and bathroom cleaner. It's much easier to tote around an all in one cleaner than a basket full of expensive cleaners. I don't mind cleaning for the most part so every once in a while I will buy some other products, but Lysol is my staple cleaner. I also like the Clorox wipes for wiping down counters, but again you could just as easily use Lysol and paper towels.

All of this clean talk has me in the mood to do some spring cleaning. Do you have a tip of your own? Please share.

UPDATE: There are lots of recommendations for the Shark Steam Mop.
I'll be trying this product based on your reviews.

Thank you!!!

The search goes on.

I have spent two afternoons this week searching high and low for the perfect pair of jeans.
I've been wearing my favorite two pairs for like 3+ years now, but now they have holes in the knees so they must be replaced. Sigh. I used to dread bra shopping. Now it's jean shopping.
They are either too short, too long, too tight, too low, too big, or too crotchy.
I'm about to switch brands to expand my search. I've always liked Citizens for Humanity or Sevens.
Now, I'll just take a pair that fit.

Crazy Spring Snow Storm of 2010

We have had some crazy, all over the place weather lately. Friday I enjoyed shopping in 60 degree weather and Sunday we experienced 10 inches of snow! At least it was short lived. We are supposed to finish out the week with 60-70 degree weather again. Crazy.
The Preschooler and I attempted to build a fun YOUNG snowman, but apparently that was not meant to be because things just kept going south. Meet the very OLD, but friendly couple who appeared out of the snow.
Harry:


He's in his 70s. He's been a finalist in the Ed McMahan sweepstakes for 30+ years so he continues purchasing his Readers Digest in hopes of someday winning.
Velda:

She enjoys sitting by the snow and reading her Better Homes and Gardens. She has purchased the same color Maybelline lipstick from her local Revco store for more than 20 years.
Unfortunatly, Harry experienced some health problems and was not with us for very long. Velda joined him shortly thereafter. :)

A Milking.

We had a milking crime scene this morning. Allegedly.
Here's the person of interest and the evidence looking innocent enough.

He gathers and samples the goods.


He looks both ways and makes a break for it.

But just when he thinks he's made a clean break, he looks up to realize he's been caught. "OH NO"! He thinks.

So I send in my deputy to retrieve the person of interest and the evidence.

No milk was spilled so he was released with no further charges.

Two Yards in Four Hours.

Today proved to be a powerful day for myself. I thought it was going to be an ordinary day where I would pick the Preschooler up early to get a haircut and we would get some mulch or "march" as he calls it to put in the yard. We did those things and as we watched the mulch being loaded on the truck I have to admit I REALLY wanted to drive that machine. I am the Toolwoman after all. :)


Each load is one yard. The Commander and I put out two yards yesterday and I put out two more yards today while he was working. I thought the Preschooler would help me, but he took an extra long nap which is RARE.
So as luck would have it I was all by myself in the yard doing what I love. As I was mulching, I started thinking to myself how I haven't always liked spring. Past springs have been characterized by my Grandmother's passing, the Commander being in Iraq, or a doozy of a fight with him. I'm a worrier by nature so if nothing significant was going on then I would spend my time worrying if this person didn't like me or the way I perceived that person treating me. Last spring I was brought to my knees, but GOD'S love and mercy were revealed to me like never before. He delivered me and gave me a peace like I've never experienced. So last fall I planted tulips for the first time ever as a reminder of this.
As I was pulling away the dead limbs and leaves, there they were. New life. New growth. New beginnings. There was beauty in the midst of all those old, dirty limbs and leaves. So two yards and four hours later, I couldn't help but be reminded of springs past and thankful for springs to come with whatever they may have in store.
I've learned first hand that whatever "season" you are in there is a way of coming back with new growth and new beginnings.