This Moment - Unexpected Event

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, hop over to SouleMama over at http://www.soulemama.com/ and add your link to the comments.

 Sneaky girl didn't tell me it was loose! This is tooth #3. Pen for size reference. So tiny!

This is my chance....

to organize the kitchen to within an inch of its life!

But now that the opportunity is here, I'm stuck on where to start. I tweeted my dilemma, but now I'm hoping to get more input if I give more details (and pictures!)

We'll start with pictures since I'm very visual :)

And here is a cheezy floorplan I made in Paint. To give an idea of the layout, it is a funky shaped room. Forgot the window over the sink. And it goes without saying, it isn't to scale :)

There are 2 fridges in the pictures.  Only the one in the floor plan will stay.  There might also be a brown cabinet and doggie stuff in the pictures. That will all go. I'm left with the items in the plan.  The fridge currently blocks off a door to the back porch that we don't use.  We'd like to keep it blocked, either with the fridge or our chest freezer (currently in the basement.)

There are open shelves on either side of the window/sink. They aren't well utilized, what are your ideas?!?!?!

There is no pantry, so food has to go in cupboards.  Most of our dishes are kept in the dining room in a cabinet.  I need storage and organization ideas for all the other stuff: food, pots/pans, crock pots, cooking utensils, etc.

Help! My previous kitchen was TINY and organization wasn't an issue - you just put things where there was room, lol.  This kitchen needs to be husband proof and kid proof - I've got an almost-ten year old and a seven-and-a-half year old.

And the caveat(s):

• free is good (we're so broke, it ain't funny)
• not in the mood to paint (it isn't about looks, it is about function)
• rearranging is fine if it leads to more function
• FREE!!!!!

Thanks for your help! I'll post more pictures after :)

Wordless Wednesday - White Christmas!

I linked up over at Angry Julie Monday! Go check it out!

Christmas Surprises

I hope everyone had a great Christmas!  We always use the old 8mm video camera to tape the chaos.  It is fun to go back and watch later.  This year, I've burned it to DVD and managed to upload my most favorite moment to YouTube! Yay me!  Enjoy this moment with me... pay close attention to facial expressions (and you might want to turn down the volume, it gets shrieky!)



I loved having the chance this Christmas to really surprise the girls.  They were completely convinced they weren't getting any kind of big, fancy gift - money is tight.  Also, a week previous, a good friend of theirs got a DS -  I explained to them that they shouldn't expect that.  They were disappointed, but fine.

I loved this moment!

This Moment

Wednesday evening

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, hop over to SouleMama over at http://www.soulemama.com/ and add your link to the comments.

Save Me!

From myself.  Seriously, the stress of everything is driving me to eat.  One night it was chocolate frosting on graham crackers. One afternoon it was the rest of the lava cake. Another was chocolate chip cookies.  Chips will do in a pinch, as will just about anything else (cheese, crackers, old Halloween candy)  I dread making Christmas cookies with the girls - more to nibble.  My self-control is gone.  Stress -->Eating-->Not loosing weight and feeling crappier about myself.

I know what needs to be done. Exercise. But I'm just feeling so relaxed and lazy that I can't face it.  But I know I've got to...

Anyone out there fighting the same battle? Should I torture my daughters and make them do it with me? *evil cackle* Anyone out there willing to be an exercise buddy? (Since mine is out of town and moving out)

Wordless Wednesday

Our version of the "Elf on a Shelf." Who should be called "Mama's Miracle Maker."