Vacation Complete

My glorious vacation is complete:( But, after being only a 3 1/2 hour drive from the Grand Canyon for almost 7 years, we FINALLY can say we have seen the Grand Canyon. Here are some shots I took with my Iphone. I have to say I am really really pleased with how they turned out!

This picture is totally cool. I didn't do anything to it in photoshop. The rocks just look circular here.

 I changed angles and zoomed out a little so you could see more

 And a great family shot with the Grand Canyon behind us.

Thanks for your patients! We had loads of fun!

The Rare Privilege

My mother in law sent me this book

Hillary Weeks has a great sense of humor, but in one of the more serious moments of her book, this caught my attention and I HAD to share it with you.

"I will spend eternity knowing [my child] as an adult. But tonight, right here, right now, and for the next few precious years, I have the rare privilege of knowing her as a child...For a brief moment during the journey of mortality, we get to watch them laugh, learn, experience, grow."

So, that is what we will be doing this week....my blogging sister is joining me at my home for one glorious week. Cousin sleep overs, making memories, laughing, giggling, swimming, site seeing, and just being a family. So please excuse us for a while as we enjoy "the rare privilege of knowing [them] as child[ren]."

Envelope System

Managing a successful budget can take time and patients. Also, a lot of discipline. I am not great at budgeting. See my budgeting motto has always been only spend money when necessary and buy everything on a really amazing sale or at a garage sell. It's worked fine because we have never been in unnecessary debt. We have tried a 'regular' budget where we write everything down, but I always forget to record everything and hubby doesn't always tell me what he has spent. So basically I needed to think outside of the box for our family.
I have had so many people tell me how they are able to save so much money with the envelope system. I thought I would try it; however, I have lost my wallet and purse more then I care to admit and I don't fill comfortable caring around that much cash.
Here is my solution. We use our credit card like a debit card and pay it off every month. That way we get the free perks from earning points (cash back in our case). So we make money by using our credit card instead of debit card.

I bought a note book and put these cute tabs on the side with the different categories for our budget.

I carry this little note book around in my purse where ever I go. But like the envelope system I have an allotted amount I can spend on each category. When that money is used up, we go without;) We do it week by week. This way takes a little more discipline, but doesn't require caring around so much cash.



















Every time I spend money I immediately (like still standing in the check out line immediately) write it down under the category.

Now for the fix for hubby. He's busy, he doesn't want a bulky note book in his pocket or white coat. Solution, every time he purchases something he texts me the amount and what category to put it under. Then I add it to the portable budget keeper;) And that's it. It works for us and doesn't require caring around a lot of cash. 

Love is in the Air

Hearts, candy, flowers, won't you be my valentine!?!
I just loved this quote so I decided to put it on a printable for you guys!
download 5X7 HERE
download 8X10 HERE

Magnetic Paint

In the mudroom I have this old window hanging that I've converted into a dry erase board and magnetic board.  On the dry erase side we write down things we need to buy.  On the magnetic side I keep the school lunch menu, the little school magnet with the years schedule, important things that week, etc.  On the shelf next to it I keep the dry erase markers and erasers in a candle holder.

Here's a list of things I've learned about this magnetic primer:

1.  You have to stir it a long time.  It is like sludge.  I had to stir sometimes even before I refilled the paint tray.  The metal flakes float to the bottom.
2. Foam roller works best.
3. Takes several coats.  Read the can it will tell you how many to do.  To many isn't good and not enough makes it not work. I did 4 on this window.
4. This is a primer so you can paint over the top.  Since it's dark it takes several layers.  The more layers of paint over it the weaker it gets.  Regular magnets wouldn't stay.   So I discovered these super tough magnets called Rare Earth Magnets.  They have magnets that have a pull of 6 lbs.  How cool is that!  Click on the green writing and it will take you to the website.  You can see all the fun sizes and shapes. 

Now I want to paint a spot above the desk with this magnetic paint covered with the wall color for notes, fun pictures of kids, and maybe the calendar.  Let me know what fun things you do with this paint.

Kitchen

I am doing some organizing in my Kitchen and I decided to make labels for my canisters.

I cut mine out of vinyl, but you can easily print them on sticker paper or print and laminate them.
Here they are in all the glory. I have some weird ones like Chia Seeds or Bulgur so I decided to just give you the basics and empty ones to fill in yourself. Enjoy!

Download HERE

Magnetic Paint

I have had some fun around here with magnetic paint.  Here's the latest project.

Magnetic primer on the wall holding up the kids school art projects with strong magnets.  I didn't have the store shake the paint can.  I had to stir for 10 minutes to get the metal flakes evenly distributed.  If you want to know how to make clean edges when painting then check out THIS. (If you don't have your wall color you can use clear glaze to seal the edges of the tape to get a clean edge.)
Check back Saturday for another idea with magnetic primer.