Five Things Friday

Oh my! This is scary! It is only 4:30 am and I am already up and at it this morning. Come to think of it, I was up this early yesterday morning! Years ago I got up at this time every morning but then Fibromyalgia hit and with it came Insomnia and Chronic Fatigue:( So, these are mornings I will enjoy and cherish because I know they are short lived! The really scary thing is TWO posts in one day!!!

Last week the dear Carla at My 1/2 Dozen Daily started 5 Things Friday! I wasn't sure I would be able to participate today because I have a VERY busy day ahead of me BUT when I woke up at 4:00 I felt that I DID have the time after all. 5 Things Friday is just random stuff that probably wouldn't make a whole post in themselves but I want to share anyway!

1. Secret Sister Swap...My package goes in the mail today; ready or not! I have one more thing I need to get but I will send that as a bonus for her next week. It is something that was on her list and I know she will love it but didn't get the chance last week to purchase it. Well, I could have this week while we were in Seattle but I am a little (okay, a lot) intimidated by driving in Seattle.
2. Devastation on the East Coast...I was watching a news program last night and saw the devastation on Staten Island and the helplessness of so many people. Justin at jk cards said he is still out of power but his building has a generator so it's not as bad as it is for some. I believe Justin lives on Long Island. The Jersey Shore is another really hard hit area. 
3. My 100 Thing Fling Boogie...Otherwise known as the Reverse 100 Things Challenge. I am up to 50 and plan to increase that amount this weekend with 10 pairs of shoes. I wore a lot of different shoes when I was working in an office but just haven't shown them any love in the last two years so will donate them so someone else can have a chance to love them. I have a doctor's appointment next week that will take me close to a Goodwill Store where I can drop the items off--YAY!--and pick up a receipt for tax purposes. Yes, I have itemized each and every item! I am going to try to gather 25 more items (not counting the shoes) before Thursday.
4. Christmas List...Trying to work on my Christmas list so I can start working on items that I want to make. Hubby and Son are always so hard to buy for--if they want it they have usually already bought it! I may do Coupon Books for them of things I can do for them. What do you think of that idea? Then there is my daughter and granddaughter that I have a hard time NOT buying for--so much to buy; so little money! I just purchased an early Christmas present for my daughter but since she occasionally reads my blog, I can't tell you what it is until she gets it:)
5. Did you know...(and you probably did!) That with the Kindle App for the iPad you can download books from Amazon.com and read them on the iPad? And did you know that a lot of the Classics are FREE! There is also a lot of smut for free but I am so not into smut! I like my books clean and wholesome! Oh, and another thing I found out this week is about SpiritClips. My idea of a great movie is one with no sex, no violence and no bad language; a movie that makes me feel good at the end about the two hours I spent watching it; a movie that makes me want to be a better person. SpiritClips is through Roku (we have a Roku box for our Netflix) and for just $35.99/year (US) you can watch Hallmark Hall of Fame movies! These movies are my absolute favorite and the opportunity to watch potentially 50+ wholesome movies for just $35.99/year makes me over-the-top excited!!! If I watch one movie per week for a whole year, that's only 69 cents per movie!!! I hope you will get excited about this too!

Well, that's my 5 things for this Friday! Now, on to that LONG "to do" list I have for today! Wish me luck!

What is your favorite movie of all time? I would have to give it a little more thought but Freedom Writers ranks right up there near the top!

Kat

Home Again

We got home late last night and I have been busy unloading the car, unpacking our bags, doing laundry, etc.

Before heading home, we stopped at Trader Joe's in Burien, WA. I LOVE this chain of stores! The service and items carried is consistent from store to store and the service is always exceptional!

We then headed toward home but stopped off at Cle Elum to eat dinner. We decided on Los Cabos Family Mexican Restaurant and Cantina. The food was delicious and the service was excellent! I will definitely visit this restaurant again!

Since I was able to get to the camera today I took a few pictures of my new iPad case. The lighting today isn't very good but I did the best I could. 

I really wanted leather and since I didn't feel like I could splurge on the Book Book at $80 I was super excited when I saw this one for $30 (regular price $48) at the Nordstrom Rack! I wasn't thrilled with Jessica Simpson's name on the front but couldn't squabble with the price.

I love the super soft feel of the leather and the big pocket on the front.

The inside has elastic/leather loops that hold the iPad nice and tight. Another pocket for a small notebook or receipts. Check out the pockets for cards and the heart shaped slot for my granddaughter's picture:)

Then of course, I wanted it to be able to stand up for when I get a wireless keyboard for it.

Tada! My new iPad case has an easel type stand that snaps down snuggly to the back of the case when not in use.

Overall, I am pretty happy with this new case. Now, to see how it wears! But it should last for a couple of years anyway while I continue my search for the PERFECT iPad case.

Well, I am off to finish my laundry and try to get things straightened up here a little bit. I was reading Carla's post for yesterday at My 1/2 Dozen Daily and I am so far from being the Proverbs 31 woman:( So gotta get this place tidied up! I am still on my mission for the 100 Thing Fling Boogie! I think I am at 40 but will "fling" a few more things and get back to you on that!

What is your favorite restaurant for a sit down meal? My hubby really likes Sweet Tomatoes in Clackamas, OR or Vancouver, WA. However, that is an upscale buffet restaurant. Good food but I really like to be served so I would probably choose a nice Mexican restaurant (like last night) or Olive Garden (love their salad and bread sticks).

Kat

A Little This; A Little That

Yesterday we had a fire going in our wood stove because of the cool weather. The dogs really enjoyed their time in front of the stove with their Nylabones. I thought this picture particularly cute with both of the chewing away. Rocky holds his bone with his paws like a person would use their hands. So cute! By the time they went to bed last night, the living room looked like their toy box had exploded!!!

I am working on my 100 Thing Fling Boogie (see yesterday's post). I added 25 items of clothing to the list today bringing my total so far to 29:) I have exceeded my weekly goal and I'm not finished yet! The clothing items will be donated to the nearest Goodwill. 

Gift bag made by Heather Summers

Today I will be working on my Patchwork Zippy Wallet and some fabric gift bags I saw today at Stamping with Heather. Heather made the gift bags with fabric bought from the Stampin' Up! Clearance Rack for just 99 cents (US) for 3 extra large fat quarters! She figured it only cost her 20 cents per bag!!! She has a video tutorial on how to make these adorable bags! Cute! Cute! Cute! If you want to order some of this fabric please email me!

I have three cards backed up to show you that I am super excited about but they were made for The Cupboard Trilogy as my Design Team projects so can't show them till they go live next month! Be sure to check out the entries for this month's challenge! WOW! I can't believe how many people entered the challenge this month!!! It just keeps growing! 

Well, I guess that's it for today! I hope to have something to show you tomorrow:)

Have a great day! It's hump day today so the rest of the week should be smooth sailing, right?

Kat

The 100 Thing Fling Boogie plus a Flash Card

Brrr...the weather has turned cold. Yesterday's high was about 45 degrees (F) and today we might make 50. So thankful to have a wood stove to back up to! However, we haven't had a frost yet so that's good and bad! Good because we are still eating tomatoes and cucumbers from the garden; bad because I need at least a light frost before we harvest the apples to make applesauce--makes them sweeter. But you didn't visit to hear me complain about the weather, did you?!!!

First up today is The Reverse 100 Things Challenge I mentioned in my last post. I read about it on Carla's blog, My 1/2 Dozen Daily--have you figured out yet that I am Carla's Blog Stalker?!!! Anyhoo, it originally came from Courtney's blog, Be More With Less. As I was just reading Courtney's post she has challenged herself to make this just HER personal items--not household items! Easy peasy for me as I have TOO MUCH STUFF!!! The Fly Lady has a 27 Fling Boogie so to make this challenge more fun for me, I am calling mine The 100 Thing Fling Boogie! So, between now and December 15 I will be getting rid of 100 of my personal possessions--whoo hoo!!! So far I have 3 coats that I no longer need or wear plus a stack of Creating Keepsakes magazines so have a total of 4 items (counting all those magazines as one item) but am planning to have 10 by the end of the day! I will be updating you on my progress on Fridays so be sure to check back!

Well, I will never win an award for photography:( Maybe that should go on my list for next year! The card above was another one of  Connie Stewart's Flash Cards! I am having so much fun with her Flash Cards and her video tutorials are really fun to watch!

For this card I used the following Stampin' Up! products:

• Whisper White and Cherry Cobbler card stock
• Stamp sets: Christmas Lodge (for sentiments) and Ornament Keepsakes
• Classic Stampin' Pads: Early Espress and Gumball Green
• Big Shot plus Holiday Ornaments Framelits Dies and Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder
• Other: 1/2" Circle Punch and Early Espresso 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon
• What! No Dimensionals?!!! Well, it's true:)

Well, need to get busy on that To Do List! I need to find 6 more things to fling plus get started on my Zippy Wallet! I already have the laundry going but have two more loads to go. On laundry day I am just thankful I have a washer and dryer:)

Have a great day! Are you going to join me in The 100 Thing Fling Boogie? Let me know as I am encouraged by your comments!

Kat

Happy Homemaker Monday

Well, in order to get back on track this week I decided to post twice today! I really didn't want to miss out on Happy Homemaker Monday! Happy Homemaker Monday is originated each week by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Be sure to check out her blog to see what she has been up to. 

I am posting this in the evening this week so my answers will reflect that.

The Weather...Brrr! It is 42.9 degrees (F). I don't think it got much over 45 degrees today. And rainy--it's a good thing but I don't have to like it.

Right now I am...Winding down for the day. 

Thinking...About getting ready for Thanksgiving and making some Patchwork Zippy Wallets (tutorial by Carla at My 1/2 Dozen Daily).

On my reading pile...Still the Happiness Key series by Emilie Richards. I am really wanting another Amish series and I see that Karen Kingsbury has a new book coming out soon:) I haven't been reading very much lately.

On the tv...I finished Ringer on Netflix so now will finish watching McLeod's Daughters on Netflix. It will likely take awhile. Hmmm...I think The Voice may be on tonight.

On the menu for this week...

• Monday--Leftover Potato Soup
• Tuesday--not sure yet
• Wednesday--Spaghetti, green salad and french bread (didn't happen last week)
• Thursday--Mizidra
• Friday--Vegetable Stew with dumplings
• Saturday--Potluck at church
• Sunday--Baked Potatoes, Butternut Squash (from our garden), Cabbage Salad with Ramen Noodles

On my to do list...

• Thank you cards for October customers
• Zippy wallet
• Laundry
• Reverse 100 Things Challenge or as I call it The 100 Thing Fling Boogie (thanks to the Fly Lady)--more about this one tomorrow:)
• Clean guest apartment after my brother left
• Get package together for Secret Sister Swap
• Get RAK ready to mail

What I am sewing, knitting, crocheting or creating...

• Do you want to hear it again?!!! A Patchwork Zippy Wallet!!! I hope to have it made and ready to post before Friday. 
• Slowly cross stitching napkins. Having trouble getting into it.
• I really, really, really want to start a winter scarf.

Homemaking Tips...I use Clorox (or other brands) Wipes to clean the toilet. But the best tip is using Clorox Wipes to clean the floor around the toilet; keeps it smelling fresh and clean--even with men in the house!

Looking around the house...I see three lazy dogs snoozing away and their toys are littering the living room! 

From the camera...

A tease for tomorrow's post:)

On my prayer list...

• My brother as he's working his way through the grieving process after losing his sweet wife in June.
• Our Thanksgiving guest list. 
• A friend who is moving to Texas soon to be near her children.

Bible Verse; Devotional...

"But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul." Deuteronomy 4:29 (NIV)

Thank you for stopping by. Have a good evening and I will be back with a card tomorrow--the tease from above:)

Kat