Tackle It Tuesday

Last week Jeter asked me when football started again. I told him preseason would begin next month. He was bummed that he had to wait. I believe his excited anticipation for the next season may have something to do with the re-do of their rooms - which will include framed posters and painted canvases featuring the NY Giants as well as the NY Yankees and NASCAR's Jeff Gordon (for Jeter) and Jimmie Johnson (for Barber).

It's taking me a L-O-N-G time to get started on this project. Do you think that the dislocated/severely sprained ankle has something to do with it? I am on the road to recovery and PT is amazing but I am not allowed to climb a ladder yet. Major problem when the walls are 8 feet high and I am 5'4". Add to this that my injury has brought out the Papa Bear of my Daddy. So I think about him or have his voice in my head - or in my ear because he has called me to make sure that I will NOT attempt to climb up a ladder or even a stool! This alone chases away any thoughts or temptations to attempt a climb. Meanwhile Barbers' walls have to be painted before this weekend - furniture needs to be moved back so we can house the Long Island entourage of family that is visiting. I am so excited to see my family again! Can you say "Mommy to the rescue!"? I am so grateful for her. She worked on the edging and the top 1-1/2 feet and I painted the rest of the wall. We completed the two light blue walls this weekend. Last night we completed the chocolate brown wall while Simms taped off the final wall. The top is going to be a light khaki, the bottom the chocolate brown and the large middle is going to be a medium blue. This actually mimics the comforter set that Barber has - my inspiration piece for the painting of his room. Who knows...I might even attempt some before and after pictures for you when the project is done.

Meanwhile...how do we break the news to Jeter that his favorite NY Giant player - Jeremy Shockey has been traded to the Saints for a couple of draft picks?!?

Tackle It Tuesday

This week's tackle was outside again. I could write about getting laundry done but honestly it doesn't bring a smile to my face the way these do.

I so enjoy flowers and springtime and I really like my Iris garden. It is filled with tall bearded iris. They are reblooming which means they are supposed to bloom in early spring (now) and then again before fall's frost. They didn't rebloom last year but maybe they will this year.

I added six new bulbs this year and my tackle this week was to clean out the weeds (which included a bunch of violets) from my iris garden while Simms opened the pool. Welcome Spring!

To read more tackles visit 5 Minutes for Mom and get inspired!

Tackle It Tuesday

Today's Tackle? Making yummy treats without taste-testing them. LOL.

Seriously though. Thrills, Hands-Free Heart and maybe others from the MIA team are going to descend on this corner for a couple hours as we prepare for tonight's coffeehouse. Our primary mission this morning...chocolate dipped strawberries and pretzels. And if I want to enjoy some of that yumminess tonight then I really do need to resist it this morning. No need to double up on the calories.

Oh...and I think that this is the best thing to listen to when you start your day. I know it put a smile on my face this morning! Check out the Go Fish Video at Like I Was Saying...

Tackle It Tuesday

I did something this week - specifically yesterday - that I haven't done in at least fourteen years. I mowed the lawn!

Growing up mowing the lawn was one of many responsibilities that Promises and I shared. Dad taught us how to use the electric mower - meaning don't run over the cord. Anyway, it wasn't something I disliked but Simms just took on that responsibility once we owned the house.

He hasn't for the last month and thankfully my Dad helped us out a couple times while I was caring for Simms post-op and trying to keep life as normal as possible for Jeter and Barber. Honestly the last thing on my mind was growing grass.

Yesterday Simms transitioned from working at home to the office and the front lawn needed to be done. He is still not supposed to do any strenuous activity for at least two more weeks. So I decided there is no reason why I can't take care of the lawn. We actually have been using a manual mower - no gas or electric. It is powered by the mower - that would be me. Normally, the clippings become mulch. This is a time saver. However it was too long yesterday to allow to sit on our lawn so I had to use the bagger and then emptied the clippings around the outline of our fence. It took me 2-1/2 hours!!!

Even though the project took much longer than I expected (I was banking on 45 minutes to an hour) it was good exercise and I kind of enjoyed it. Barber had fun outside too. Not saying I won't ever let Simms return to this responsibility but for now it's mine. One that I will be tackling more often than once a week - that way I won't have to use the bagger, it will be healthier for our lawn and it will take less time out of that particular day.

So what have you been tackling lately? Check out other projects going on at 5 Minutes for Mom.

Tackle It Tuesday

Last week I was dealing with laundry. I actually spent Tuesday and Wednesday at my Mom and Dad's cleaning clothes and researching what to get and where.

Simms and I made our purchase this past Saturday and I am VERY excited. I have to tell you I cannot believe the difference in prices from place to place. (sometimes as much as $1000 - even after price matching. Don't be fooled - pay attention to warranties, installation, delivery, etc.) I won't tell you the competitor's that didn't even come close because well...that would just be mean. BUT I will tell you who we purchased from and why. Harris TV and Appliance at the Camp Hill site is amazing - not because of ambiance or their snazzy website but because of service. Simms went in on Thursday and told the gentleman what we were looking for - washer, gas dryer and we decided to get the dishwasher too! Do you see me doing the happy dance? I am - really I am. Oh...and I've linked to the whirlpool site so you are seeing the msrp not what we paid. Anyway, he wrote down the msrp and then quoted what he could do it for including installation and delivery in that cost. They also provide excellent rates for extended warranties and they service it themselves (lower than anyone else and for a longer term). And if you're concerned because they are a small privately owned business - think again. They've been around for over 47 years!!! Maybe everyone else knows about this place but for me, it was like the discovery of the best kept secret.

So what does this have to do with Tackle It Tuesday? Well...I am expecting my new washer and dryer this Friday and I'm not exactly sure when the dishwasher is coming - should hear today. I am getting the house ready for the delivery men - making sure they have plenty of room to get my washer/dryer down to the basement without getting scratches on it. :)

But first...I'm off to see Promises - Brady and Barber have definitely been missing each other. Oh - and for the record, Promises and Dawson were the ones to share their discovery of Harris with us.

If you're interested in what others are tackling today visit 5 minutes for mom and check out those links!

Tackle It Tuesday

What am I tackling today? L-A-U-N-D-R-Y

You know...my most favorite thing in the world! Yeah, right. And because it is my most favorite thing I am completely baffled by the fact that we are all running out of our undergarments.

Here's my problem. My dryer is done. Toast. No.More.Heat. I've been in denial for awhile but when a load is not dry after 3 hours at the hottest level it's time to face reality. Now, I can do without a dishwasher but I can only handle the improvise for this (no dryer) on a short term basis. Simms and I will be shopping for a new washer and dryer this week! (I'm not really upset about this). In our fourteen years of married life I have never bought a washer or a dryer - which really means I've never experienced this in my lifetime. I really want one of these and one of these but we have to make a decision - and soon (any advice or experience you have would be great!). We currently have a gas dryer but can go either way - need to figure out (with today's economics considered) which one it truly more efficient. Obviously the ones we have were part of the deal when we bought the house so they've lasted a good 15 years (according to how old they were when we bought the place) and we have never experienced the new technology that's out there.

But I digress...

So, how am I to tackle my growing mountain of laundry??? Did I tell you how wonderful it is that my Mom and Dad live a 1/2 mile around the corner from us? So...with their permission (I still need to call them this morning and ask ;) ), Barber and I are going to invade their home today with quite a few loads of laundry to tackle. It works out because Simms is helping my Dad fix his toilet downstairs tonight. Our family is like that - we help each other out.

So...what will I do while their washer and dryer are doing their thing? I'm thinking probably some crocheting and maybe some good conversation over a nice cup o' coffee. I'm actually looking forward to doing the laundry now!

Tackle It Tuesday

Here was my list at the start of today:

1. MIA - wrap up for November. Start paperwork required for December.

2. Picture ornaments - complete.

3. Christmas Newsletter - begin.

4. Laundry - get moving on it.

5. Invitations - address for mailing.

6. Kitchen - clean countertops, stovetop, dishes, finish making apple crisps (I made four yesterday and froze three of them). Clean out fridge.

7. Vac the downstairs.

8. Decide menu for party (what the invitations in #5 are for).

9. Go through the paper. Write shopping list and secure coupons for stated shopping.

10. Go through schedule folder and fill in calendar as needed.

11. Continue working on current baby afghan.

Do I really expect to get it ALL done. NO. But I have already accomplished a good deal. Barber had a playdate with pumpkin pie. My kids always play so well together with theirs - it actually makes less work for me! They played trains, cars, giggled, ate together and tackled tough issues like the fact that boys do not have babies in their bellies. Only girls do that. When they are all grown up of course!

Meanwhile I was able to bake two more apple crisps and get the kitchen straightened again (just have a few more dishes to complete), vac'd the downstairs...basically I accomplished #6, 7, 9 and 10. We'll see what else I am able to cross off my list before I go to bed tonight.

Oh...one more thing to add to the list...dinner...hmmm I'm thinking pizza!

Tackle It Tuesday

This is my first "Tackle It Tuesday". This past year Tuesdays were my "free" days. Lil' sis and I would go to my mom's house with Brady and Barber. We would scrap and the boys would play with their Poppy. Schedules changed and we haven't done that for quite awhile. We are talking about starting up again but until then I have plenty to keep me busy.

Here is my list for today:
1. Straighten rooms in house - which translates into get toys put away and everyday clutter (that can easily build up) off of the kitchen counters and dealt with.

2. Laundry - all down to the basement and completing at least 2 loads.

3. Finish cleaning the boys bathroom. I got the mini-blinds cleaned last night while the boys bathed.

4. Vac the house.

5. Go to the park with the boys. Cannot work ALL DAY LONG. Besides Monday is usually my day for cleaning (the dental appointment and errand running yesterday just changed everything!).

6. Finalize plans for the 4th. Traditionally we spend this day with family. Everyone comes here because of the pool! Lil' sis and I were reminiscing about the family BBQ's we had growing up. Swimming, American and Italian Hero (another Long Island speciality), fruit salad, baked beans, vege platter, stuffed eggs, etc. We're thinking of including some of the food items this year...ahhh the memories!