The Blogger Who Never Blogs and the Family that Loves Her

This is awkward.

I feel like we haven't seen one another in an awfully long time.

I've been distant.  Apologies.

Let's move on to something SUPER exciting which might (maybe?) explain my brief hiatus.

This August, we will become a family of four!  Baby Girl #2 is healthy and kicking, and we are thrilled and blessed beyond belief :)

(That's not a beer belly.  Promise.)

After the First Trimester Sickies of Doom passed, I started reevaluating some of my priorities as a home economist, mother and wife.  I've loved the past two years as a SAHM, but I was feeling a bit overwhelmed with some of my endeavors and goals.  It was time to scale back and assess what I considered "successful".

One major thorn in my side was my feelings of inadequacy as a house keeper.  When I was under the weather and chasing a toddler, I felt like I slipped up even worse.  You know the sad internal monologue of...
"I'm a stay-at-home-mom...why can't I just DO the chores?"
"Clearly, I'm the laziest woman alive."
"I don't have time to do A, B, or C.  Because I must catch up on my Hulu shows and take a nap."
"I'll think about that tomorrow.  Hell, it worked for Scarlett O'Hara, right?"

I needed a solution that actually worked for me and the way I think.  There are LOTS of super organized women out there that write faaaabulous blog entries about home journals, chore charts, and the art of the to-do list.  Lots of free printables, examples, and pretty photos of their organized and sparkling homes.

As I've said before, I am NOT that woman.  If you are - congratulations.

If you're not, join the masses.

A friend and past co-worker mentioned to me what she had been using for years to help stay on top of the housework.  She promised me not to judge the site on first look, but just to try it.  Maybe it could work for me.  This is a friend who always has it together but not in an intimidating manner.  I was sure to take note.

Shortly after our conversation, I checked out Flylady and signed up for the daily emails.  I started slowly and hopped around her site a bit.  Okay, I technically cheated in the beginning, but I found a strategy that worked for me.  So, I'm considering that a win.  I've also maintained (more or less) my new routines and can see a real benefit to me and my family.  With the madness of a newborn in the house, I know I'll be very grateful in the months to come.

If my internal monologue starts up again, I fill it with...
"I can do anything for 15 minutes."
"It doesn't have to be perfect - just do a bit now and more later."
"Whatever - at least I'm dressed to shoes and my kitchen sink is shining!"
"Having a clean and uncluttered home blesses my family."
"Don't get sidetracked.  One job at a time!"

My control journal is still a messy notebook with penciled notes, and I really like it that way.  I've been purposefully resisting my urge to laminate, color code, and obsess about making the journal perfect.  This is how I know FlyLady has creeped into my psyche.

FlyLady does have a shop and lots of fantastic looking products.  However, she really preaches a sense of frugality when it comes to house cleaning.  You don't need the fancy gadgets or expensive cleaners to get the job done.  As she says, "Soap is soap!"

f you feel like you could use some help, I suggest trying it out for a month.  Start here and see how it goes. I'm still "fluttering" but I'm hoping to one day be "flying" :)

Eat Your Greens.

This weekend has been rainy, dreary, and downright melancholy.  There's really only one cure for that.

Soup!

I adore Olive Garden soups, especially the Zuppa Toscana.  I made a fake-it recipe for a friend's baby shower last year, and it was a big hit.  I have been craving it ever since the clouds turned gray outside, so I gathered all the ingredients today.

What's that you say?  You have been searching high and low for a nutritious and cheap green to feed your family? One word.

Kale.

Behold it's many powers.

(Aren't you just overcome?! I wish I could photoshop a lil cape on it's back.  Super Kale!)

But, really, all silliness aside, this is a fantastic veggie.  It packs a major dose of beta carotene and Vitamin C.  Another super power?  It contains sulforaphane - a chemical some people believe to carry anti-cancer properties.  Wow.

Plus, I think it just tastes way better than spinach or broccoli.  Especially in a pot with sausage, potato and bacon.  Mmmmm.

(Try not to overcook it!)

Today, I snagged a whole bag (or maybe a bushel?) of kale for about 70 cents.  It weighs nothing, and even the organic kale is super cheap.  I have some leftover that I might throw into a casserole this week.  I'll let you know how that turns out.

(My husband's bowl.  He's really into red pepper flakes.)

I tweaked the recipe a bit by adding turkey bacon and 1/2 cup of whole milk.  No cream in the fridge, but I think the milk gave it the right consistency.  

Don't forget to include an ice cold Dogfish Head Punkin Ale with this soup.  It screams Fall. Yum!

Thrifty Thursday: Homemade Foaming Soap

How much hand soap does your family use during a month?

How much do you spend on hand soaps?

Do you notice fancy hand soap when visiting someone's bathroom?

Am I the only one who thinks about these things!?

Don't answer that.

In an effort to trim our household budget, I was really inspired to make our own homemade foaming soap after reading this DIY post from Live Renewed.  I took the tip and bought some Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap in a lavender scent.  It smells fantastic and I am anxious to try it out.  For now, I'm trying to use the rest of our Dial soap.

Okay, maybe I'm using an extra pump or two so I can empty the bottle quicker.

Have you ever used Dr. Bronner's soaps?  It's made from organic oils and I like that there are only 10 ingredients.  I also just like to say the word, jojoba.  Try it.  Rolls off the tongue.

Decisions, decisions...

I was gifted a bit of spending cash for my birthday recently, and I have been hoarding it closely.  I won't even put it in my purse yet, because I don't trust myself not to impulse spend on something I don't absolutely love.  I think that's been a major side effect for me.  When I do have money to spend either from gifts or my small bit of blow money, I have a really hard time letting it go.  I'm making a small list of what I could buy with my fund.  Again, battling that want and need see-saw.  

Asics Women's Frantic 3 Running Shoe

I overdid it a few weeks ago in my old Asics and found that my feet were ticked off!  Sore arches and irritated ankles.  I've had to slow down to just a brisk walk, but I have been putting off buying a new pair.  I am digging the purple and grey tones on this pair.  

Updated Flat Iron

Anything newer that five years would be a major improvement to my current flat iron.  Mine is thick and outdated, and maybe damaging my ends.  Not very sleek.  I am searching for an inexpensive and dependable iron, somewhat slimmer in width.  This one is from CHI, and I have heard good things about the brand.  Every frizzy (ahem) I mean curly-haired curl longs for what she doesn't have.  *sigh*

JCrew Fall 2011

Why must they torture me!?  Fall is by far, my favorite season to shop for.  I could not be happier that flair jeans are back.  I am not a woman who is benefitted by the skinny jean craze, although I adore the look.  I also love the mustard hue blazer, and recently got a t-shirt in the same shade.  I might have to settle for some dark rinse flairs from Old Navy this season. 

and just for fun..

Essie Nail Color

Sign me up for all of these.  This brand is my new obsession.  The paint lasts forever and the colors are so vibrant.  Love.

A little(ler) me time

I know this is nothing new, but it's new(er) for me.

Now that my daughter is starting to buck her morning nap, I'm finding it harder to get a mini workout in during the morning.  Honestly, I'm lucky if I am clean most days.  If we get a chance to walk/jog around the block in the morning, I'm thrilled.  However, she thinks it's hysterical when I get out my 5 lb weights and attempt to do any light strength training.

She also finds it comical to climb over me when I'm trying to do a yoga stretch.  Half the time I just end up lifting her airplane style on my legs, and forgetting about any real "work".

Which is fine, sometimes we should just play.  BUT.  Mommy needs a workout like whoa.

Just ask my pants.