I’m just over 19 weeks now, and even though I felt like I was really “pushing it out” in my 19 week picture, I now see that there really isn’t a big difference from 17 weeks. Oh well. However, this past weekend, I realized that my bump must be growing. Maybe some of you can relate… 1. …
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Blog
Worrying – It’s All Mental Clutter
source: Have you ever left for a vacation and spent the entire drive/flight worrying that you forgot to pack something? Have you ever been at work or at the store and worried if you remembered to lock the door, turn off the coffee pot, shut the garage door, turn off the lights, etc. etc. Have …
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How I Remember…Seasonal Home Maintenance
Have you ever wondered… “When was the last time I changed my toothbrush?” “How long has that food been in the freezer?” “Does my car need an oil change?” “Do I need to change the furnace filter?” Me too! After we got married and were “out on our own” there were so many little home maintenance chores …
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Getting Ready for the Canning Season
Once June rolls around, my mind immediately starts thinking about canning and preserving all the many fruits and vegetables that will soon be available across West Michigan. My stockpile is running pretty low {the picture above is from last summer} so I’ll most likely be doing a good amount of canning this summer and fall — …
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22 Free Summer Activities for Kids
I was one of those weird kids who absolutely LOVED school — and I honestly did love everything about school! So even though I was always excited for summer vacation, I was already “bored” and ready to go back after a week or two {I think my mom was ready for that too}. I did play …
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Bouncing Back After a Long Weekend
source I often find that after a long, Holiday weekend away from my “regular routine”, it’s more difficult for me to buckle down and get back on track. Can you relate? Dave and I got SO much accomplished this weekend and crossed a bunch of things off our very long to-do lists. However, this morning, …
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Our Memorial Day Weekend
Happy Memorial Day! I don’t have any fun porch decorations or hanging baskets yet, but our house still looks very patriotic due to the flags…don’t you think? Oh how I love four-day weekends — especially when my “House and Yard Project” to-do list is spiraling out of control and getting longer by the day! Here’s …
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Simple Peanut Butter Cookie Bars
I love fresh-from-the-oven cookies, but I don’t always love the time it takes to scoop out every individual cookie and then wait in the kitchen while the first tray bakes, then quickly swap the first tray for the second tray, move the first try to the cooling rack, scoop more cookie dough onto the next …
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Having a Baby on a Budget
source: Ever since I announced our “big news” a few weeks ago, I’ve been overwhelmed {in a good way} with comments, emails, facebook messages, tweets, snail mail, and even in-person advice as to what I should do, what I shouldn’t do, what I’ll definitely need, books to read, etc. etc. And for the most part, …
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Clutter Control and Summer Vacation
It’s the last week of May — which means school is ALMOST finished and summer break is ALMOST here. And that means you will be in charge of entertaining, occupying, and cleaning up after your children every. single. day. for the rest of the summer! You can do it! I have a bunch of really …
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Simple Tips to Start Meal Planning
I hear women talking, or even posting on Facebook, about the fact that it is 4:30 PM and they probably should figure out what to do for dinner. Of course by that time, they generally realize it’s really too late to actually make a decent meal. And after rummaging through their pantries, they realize it …
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Cleaning With Lemons
I’ve always loved lemons…always! I love baking with lemons, I love decorating with lemons, I love the bright cheery color of lemons, I love the smell of lemons, I love lemonade, AND I love cleaning with lemons! No, I’m not just talking about lemon Pledge — although that is a delicious smell that remind me …
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Blogging Conference, Organizing Bags, and a Baby Bump
This weekend I’m attending and speaking at Gleek Retreat — a blogging conference right here in West Michigan — and I’m so excited for everything I’m going to learn and for all the amazing blogging friends I’ll FINALLY get to meet “in real life”. I’ll share more about the blogging conference next week, but I just …
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5 Simple Spring Decorating Ideas
Spring is here! Well, it’s actually been here for several weeks, but here in Michigan, it’s finally starting to FEEL like spring and I’m ready for that change! Everything is so fresh and new during spring months — and I want my house to feel the same way. However, I’m NOT willing to spend a …
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Simple Alternatives to Sandwich Lunches
It’s nearing the end of the school year, and I’m guessing you’re probably sick of packing lunches every. single. day. NEWS FLASH: I have a hunch your kids are sick of eating those boring lunches every. single. day. And if you pack a lunch for yourself — chances are you could use a few new ideas as well! …
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How to Find Oven Hot Spots
Have you ever put something into the oven only to come back 30 minutes later and find that one section is completely burnt and another section is still not cooked through? When we moved into our current house a few months ago, our VERY old {but still functional} wall ovens were giving me all sorts …
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Time-Saving Wallpaper Removal Tip
source: Over the past 5 years, I’ve had my fair share of experience removing wallpaper. So it’s probably safe to say I’ve tried just about every removal method out there…and am on the verge of being a “wallpaper removing expert”! In our first house, we {and when I say “we”, I really me “I”} removed …
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The Best Mother’s Day Gift – Baby News!
If you are a mom, what might be one of the best gifts you could get on Mother’s day? OK, obviously, there are 101 answers to that question, but I think for MY mom, the answer would be a grandchild. And guess what…this Mother’s Day, she got one! Well, she’ll have to wait until October …
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