Polka Dot Mornings

June Goals

2010-06-04T16:42:00.001-04:00

Since I get to take the summer off from teaching, I figured it was time to set some goals for my time "off". We'll see how this goes since I will now be playing dress-up and throwing pretend birthday parties and running through the sprinkler with a three year old all day long. I guess I don't really have the summer "off," it is just a different type of activity to fill my day (a great one, at that!).

HOME:
Paint pantry cabinets.
Print wedding pictures.

SELF:
Drink only water for one week.
Read two books.

CREATIVE:
Finish 4 scrapbook pages.
Make 2 items from my "idea" list.

FAMILY:
Do something fun outside everyday.
Menu plan and stick to it for two weeks.

OK ~ I'll update at the end of the month!

It Can't Be...Finley is 3!

2010-03-17T23:28:00.001-04:00

I still can't believe Finley turned three last week...time really does fly by with a little one. So much has happened in the three years she was born, but at the same time, it feels like it was just yesterday she was born.

Finley had three birthday celebrations - the first being our family celebration. Growing up, we always had a family dinner as part of our birthday celebration. However, Finley's family is quite large since most everyone now lives here in town. So, we had about 25 people at our house for her family birthday party, and there were definitely a few family members missing at that!

Getting ready to blow out the candles on her lollipop cake!

Ribbon Wreath

She had to take a break from opening presents to change into her new ballet clothes

Next, she had a party with her friends at the Creative Discovery Museum. She had a great time at the "screative covery museum" as she calls it! They played all over the museum for a while and then had pizza, cupcakes, and ice cream in the Rainbow Room. Finley had a ladybug painted on her face, and she really enjoyed seeing all of her friends. She even got to sit in a special chair to open presents!

Invitation (information changed for web)

pretty curls!

Goodie Bags, Cookies, and Presents!

Cupcakes!

To end the party extravaganza, Chad, Finley, and I went to the circus. I haven't been to a circus in a LONG time, so this was a treat for me, too! Finley loved the elephants (my favorite, too!), and she didn't seem to notice that the lion tamer almost got eaten!

Frugal Fridays...Swagbucks!!

2010-03-05T14:46:00.000-05:00

Today I'm participating in LifeAsMom's Frugal Fridays event!

OK - I signed up for swagbucks a couple of months ago at the urging of a friend who just purchased a Wii for free with her winnings from casual use of swagbucks over the course of about 6 months. For those who don't know, swagbucks is a "get paid to search the web" kind of deal, but it is google powered, and you can put a toolbar at the top of your browser so you can use it every time you search. I have only been doing this VERY casually for a couple of months (in other words, I don't go out of my way to search with it, and I don't do any of the other offers associated with earning swagbucks), and I already have enough swagbucks for a target gift card. So, all in all, I think it is a pretty good tool to earn a little extra cash and not really have to do anything extra!

Show Us Your Life - A Day in the Life

2010-03-05T08:30:00.000-05:00

What is our typical day like? Well, it would make it easier if we had "typical" days around here, but I will give it a shot!

We usually wake up around 6:00am and the three of us get ready for the day while watching a combination of the morning news, the Today Show, and cartoons depending on who is in the charge that particular day (or who needs the most help waking up!).

Next, I head to school, and Chad and Finley finish getting ready, and then they are off to school.

Then, we all play at school all day!

I finish teaching at 2:45, and then I coach until about 4:00. I head to pick up Finley at school, and we usually run an errand or two on our way home. When we get home, we usually play and read books for a while until Chad gets home. Then we decide what to do for dinner (this part has been interesting lately due to the lack of an oven or sink in our kitchen that is almost finished being remodeled).

After dinner, we each kind of do our own thing (for Chad = watch history or discovery channel, for me = house or crafty project, for Finley = help mommy, i.e. cut paper into teeny tiny pieces all over the house).

Then, Finley takes a bath and picks out her goodnight stories. We read a few stories, and Finley drifts off to sleep. Chad and I have a little time to ourselves before we go to sleep and start all over the next day!

Menu Plan Monday

2010-01-31T21:48:00.000-05:00

We still don't have an oven or even a sink in our kitchen, so this week's menu plan is based on a microwave and a crockpot with minimal cooking and preparing involved. It helps a whole lot that I only have to actually prepare three dinners this week.

I am very hopeful I will have an oven and a sink by next weekend (especially since Chad has another snow day on Monday)!

Breakfasts: yogurt with graham crackers, cereal and milk

Snacks: trail mix, pudding

Dinners:

Monday - eat out (Baylor/McCallie wrestling match)

Tuesday - chicken fingers, potatoes, mac n cheese

Wednesday - eat at church

Thursday - lasagna

Friday - crock pot tacos and rice

Saturday - out of town

Sunday - Super Bowl party

OK - I'll update to see what we actually ate this week!

Wordless Wednesday - Girly Girl

2010-01-26T22:13:00.001-05:00

Sunday Sweets - Cake Pops

2010-01-17T22:32:00.000-05:00

These are the cake pops I made for Sophie's baptism luncheon. They are oh-so-cute, and they taste delicious, too!

There is chocolate cake and icing on the inside, and the outside is a vanilla candy coating tinted pink and topped with little white sprinkles. Perfect for a precious little girl's baptism!

2010-01-08T10:53:00.000-05:00

New Years Resolutions - I've never really made New Years resolutions because I think I knew I would never be able to keep them :) So, my resolutions are a little different than most! I started the 101 in 1001 on January 1st, so my New Years resolution is to get to work on my list and stick with it!

Wordless Wednesday - Hoping for Snow

2010-01-05T20:21:00.003-05:00

Wordless Wednesday - Cousins

2009-12-30T09:21:00.004-05:00

Tackle It Tuesday - Kitchen Floors

2009-12-29T15:22:00.003-05:00

Tomorrow the new kitchen cabinets are going in...that means the new hardwood floors must be laid by, well, tonight! So, today's tackle is finishing putting in the floors.

Here is the before (how the kitchen looked when we bought the house):

Notice the yellow metal cabinets, creamy colored appliances, and the brown vent hood!

Call me crazy (actually, many did!), but I really did entertain the thought of keeping the floor (see below), painting the walls a pretty cream color, putting in new cabinets and stainless appliances and green accent pieces. A modern take on the retro kitchen? Not to worry, Chad painted part of the floor the first week we were in the house (I'm sure it was an accident!), so back to the original plan of gutting the kitchen, and most importantly, putting in hardwoods!

Here is a closeup of the old floor:

Here is the beautiful new floor being put in:

And, finally, here is the room ready for cabinets bright and early in the morning!

**UPDATE**
Here are pics of the cabinets in place (no countertops or painted walls yet, but we're on the way!). They are alder wood with cinnamon stain.

101 in 1001

2009-12-28T18:34:00.028-05:00

I read about this on Ashley's blog, and thought it was a great way to start things out - the beginning of my blog, and the beginning of 2010. The premise is a list of 101 goals to be completed in 1001 days (about 2.75 years). A few of these have been left blank so I can fill in over the next month as I have time to really think about what I want on this list. Also, a few of these are borrowed from the original list (good ideas!).

For Me
1. Make once-a-month trips by myself to coffee shops to read/relax (1/33 - Jan)
2. Start and keep a binder with future vacation plans.
3. Buy two nice outfits with accessories (0/2)
4. Attend Hodgepodge and buy something (0/3)
5. Get dressed up nicely at least twice a week (0/266)
6. Attend the summer art festival in Gatlinburg (0/3)
7. Read at least 4 books for pleasure each year (0/12)
8. Visit friends in California
9. Buy a new lens for my camera.
10. Get a pedicure and manicure at least twice a year (0/6)
11. Frame pictures for the house (0/20)
12. Have a night out with friends at least once a month (1/33 - Jan)
13. Complete the C25K program.
14. Finish this list by January 30, 2010 with only 2 blank items left to fill in - OK, I have 9 blank ones as of 1/31/10, but I really think I don't want to rush these last ones and leave room to add things...
15. Join the XO alumnae chapter, and attend at least 3 events each year (0/9)
16. Look into joining the Jr. League.
17. Create a paperless kitchen.
18. Attend Mama Mia in Atlanta
19.
20.

For My Mind
21. Read 3 historical biographies/nonfiction books (0/3)
22. Visit Washington DC.
23. Visit Williamsburg, VA.
24. Develop photography skills.
25. Attend the Women's Conference
26. Learn to jump start a car.
27. Make voting a priority.
28.
29.
30.

For My Family
31. Have weekly dinners with my extended family (2/143 - Jan 10)
32. Make an advent calendar
33. Take a family vacation with my side of the family (0/3)
34. Take a family vacation with Chad's side of the family (0/3)
35. Go to the Atlanta aquarium.
36. Find at least one ministry to serve in and be actively involved.
37. Decorate for Christmas in November. (0/3)
38. Visit a pumpkin patch in October (0/3)
39. Always have pumpkin butter in my refrigerator while it's in season.
40. Visit relatives in North Carolina (0/3)
41. Eat out no more than twice per week (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
42. Update/get us all passports.
43. Take a family picture at least once a quarter (0/11)
44. Monogram our Christmas stockings by November 15, 2010.
45. ~~Create~~ and use a zero-based budget.
46. Change our address on all bills and other mail/accounts.
47.
48.

For My Marriage
49. Date night twice a month. (1/66)
50. Take a trip without Finley just for fun.
51. Plan an overseas trip for 2012
52. Attend Wine Over Water
53. Try a new recipe at least once a month.
54. Spend a weekend at the cabin.
55. Go to a movie that Chad picks.
56. Frame our wedding pictures.
57. Spend uninterrupted quality time together each day.
58. Go to a concert with Chad once a year (0/3)
59.

For My Health
60. Work out at least 3 times per week.
61. Drink at least 3 glasses of water daily.
62. Take thyroid medicine and vitamin daily.
63. Run a 5k at least once a year (0/3)
64. Make a new meal at least once every two weeks.
65.

For My Wallet
66. Utilize coupons.
67. Plan meal menus every week.
68. Have at least one garage sale.
69. Find 5 free/unique things to do in Chattanooga and attend/see them. (0/5)
70. Add to our savings account each month (0/33)

For My Blog
71. Find 10 new interesting blogs to follow. (0/10)
72. Post something at least once a week with pictures. (4/133)
73. Participate in one blog activity each week (4/133)

For Others
74. Pay for the person behind me in the drive-thru on 4 occasions. (0/4)
75. Host something in my home at least twice. (0/2)
76. Sponsor an Angel Tree child at Christmas (0/2)
77. Go through house/closet twice a year. (0/6)
78. Buy three gifts from Etsy (0/3)
79. Give Finley's teachers gifts at the end of the school year (0/3)
80. Donate to at least two charities each month (2/66 - Janx2).
81. Go to the Chattanooga Market once a month and buy something (0/33)
82. Sponsor a compassion child.

For Our Home
83. Put up curtains and closet doors in bedroom.
84. ~~Finish Finley's shelves~~ and curtains.
85. ~~Buy new sofa.~~
86. Decorate guest bathroom.
87. Put in countertops.
88. Buy eight accessories/items for the house that make me happy (1/8).
89. Help Chad make art for the walls (0/5)
90. Clean floors once a week.
91. Make an antique window into a photo frame.
92. Plant flowers in bed out front (0/6)

For My Child
93. Take Finley to the library once a month (1/33-Jan)
94. Buy a personalized dinner plate.
95. Create an updated scrapbook.
96. ~~Create a savings account~~ and deposit something into it each month (1/33-Jan)
97. Spend uninterrupted quality time together every day.
98. Give Finley at least one "forever gift" for her birthday and Christmas (0/6)
99. Create and implement a chore chart.
100. Give Finley vitamins everyday.

101. To Be Determined!!!

Begin Date: January 1, 2010
End Date: September 30, 2012

~~Crossed out~~ = done!
Italics = in progress
Normal = not started
~~Crossed out in red~~ = FAIL!

I Never Thought I Would Do Something Like This...

2009-03-16T22:03:00.005-04:00

Start a blog that is.

But, I enjoy reading everyone else's blog,
so I think it is only fair
I share my side of the story.

I'm Elizabeth,
married to Chad,
and we have a
two year old little girl Finley
who loves polka dots
(her mommy may have
rubbed off on her a little).

This blog will hopefully
be a place we can look back to
in the future
and see what was going on
during this crazy, exciting time in our lives.

Stay tuned...