Happiness Is Homemade Link Party #106

Messy Messy Fail - The snow has nearly melted away, which means the snowmobile trails are closed AGAIN until further notice.  Because don't you know this is what happens - you get new sleds and it's a lame-o winter.  I can't even believe I am complaining about having no snow.  I'm really not crazy.

Tidy Victory - I have had an idea for a post for literally nearly a year now - to interview one of my favorite Etsy shops - and it finally happened!  I do not want to give away too much too soon, but if you are interested in crocheting and/or starting your own Etsy shop, you need to stay tuned folks!  :)

My Word for 2016 - Ahead

Messy Messy Fail - I know that I definitely have food in the refrigerator leftover from Christmas - I spotted some sautéed green beans, mashed potatoes and the remains of a leftover roast in the back of the fridge.  Good thing garbage night is tomorrow evening.

Tidy Victory - We had some friends over to celebrate our Christmas together quite late on Friday and I made a terrific somewhat authentic Mexican dinner - hard and soft shell tacos with my own taco seasoning (I just cannot use the packets anymore, so salty!), Paula Deen's mexican rice and this delicious recipe for restraunt style refried beans.  Let me just say there were no leftovers.  

Be ahead of the game. 

Think ahead.

Be ready.

Be early.

Do you see the common theme?

Punctuality is not necessarily one of my strong suits.  I am a procrastinator tried and true.  ESPECIALLY if it is something that I don't really want to do.  

But you know what?  That's a terrible excuse - I can be very lazy and that's the truth of the matter.  

Therefore, my word for this year is AHEAD.

Anticipate what is coming and be ready.

Think about the future and plan accordingly.

Do not set it aside for later, do it now.

Some of my specific goals include:

• better meal planning - I typically plan ahead for a week in advance, trying to go to the grocery store only once a week.  However too often we resort to running our for a quick pizza or sub. 
• keep our wipe off calendar in the kitchen updated - it's pointless to have if we don't use it properly!
• try to stay tidier - I'm always in a mad rush the night before our house cleaner comes to get clutter out of the way
• finish the task at hand - I am notorious for starting something then getting distracted by something else
• try to keep a "big picture" view - what will the consequences of my choices be and how will they affect others and not just myself

How ironic that my word for the year is being posted at the end of January ;)

What is your word for year?

Did you set specific goals for yourself?  I'd love to hear about them!

Click here to see where I like to par-tay!

Happiness Is Homemade Link Party #105

Messy Messy Fail - There is nothing worse than trying to snowmobile and your face shield keeps icing over!  It's so cold out and I can't figure out the right combination of vents open/closed to fix the problem.  In the meantime, that means I have to pull over every 5 minutes on the trails to scrape ice so I can see.  Calling the manufacturer........

Tidy Victory - On the positive side, we've put 170 miles on the sleds having only been out three times so far.  The difference between our old sleds and the new ones is HUGE - the new rides practically drive themselves.  Makes for a less sore day after!

Holiday Fun with Our Bloggy Friends - Great Food for the Big Game

Messy Messy Fail - In our low-budget remodel of the finished part of our basement, my thoughtful husband pulled out the carpet and foam padding to save some money.  He's such a DIYer, that guy.  Unfortunately, the foam padding with quite securely glued to the cement floor, requiring a straight edge shovel to literally scrape it off of the floor.  Truly a messy messy mess!

Tidy Victory - The new carpet is being installed in the morning, a few pieces of new furniture and my husband's man room will be complete!  I've already been banned, from decorating that is ;)  I have a hard time incorporating deer heads into my typical decor.

Printable Super Bowl Party Prop Sheet

Messy Messy Fail - All I want is one of those cute tribal/geometric print open front sweaters with the angular cut.  I see them on Instagram all the time - usually worn with leggings and riding boots.  Do you think I can find one here?  Not at Old Navy, Bon Ton, Maurices, American Eagle, JC Penney or even Sears.  TJ Maxx is my last hope tomorrow......to be continued.

Tidy Victory - I have successfully cranked out nearly 4 posts in 2 days - a little delay on my image mapping led to this slight cluster, but I am publishing and rockin' the blog this week like no one's business.  Boo ya!

Game Time Chili

Messy Messy Fail - While switching back to the middle school building on Friday afternoon (I typically travel 2-3 times a day between schools), I left my cute Nine West riding boots at the high school and had to wear my big new Sorel winter boots while conducting orchestra at the middle school.  The middle school kids didn't say anything, though, since half of them forget their shoes at home and wear their boots throughout the day, too.  They sympathized as I tripped around the room.

Tidy Victory - Does anyone else out there have a smart TV or blu-ray that they do not take advantage of the smart capabilities?  I finally hooked up both devices to our wireless and it's pretty cool!  Our internet service is slow in these parts, but it's fun to listen to Pandora or Spotify through our TV speakers while I cook dinner in the kitchen, great sound!

Happiness Is Homemade Linky Party #104

Messy Messy Fail - The UPKer got all smiley faces on his school behavior chart for Thursday - I told him the day before that if he accomplished that, we would go to McDonald's to use his free sundae coupon he had received for Christmas.  While waiting in line to order, I decided to just get both boys a Happy Meal for dinner because we were running out of time before we were due at their haircut appointments.  In my rush to get them and the Happy Meals into the house, I happened to dump one completely out of the bag and into the freshly fallen snow.  Good thing that snow was clean.  And that they didn't notice the decreased temperature of the fries and nuggets.

Tidy Victory - My new snowmobile outfit is complete - picked up my sweet new helmet today!  It's by Divas Snow Gear - White Aztec modular helmet with pink accents and I LOVE it!  Now we just need snow.

Even the light is pink, I can't stand it!!

Happiness is Homemade Link Party #103

Messy Messy Fail - For months I've nurtured and carefully looked after three leaves I saved from my failing African violet.  I researched and slowly let the leaves take root in a tall shot glass on my north facing (should have been east facing I think but anyways) window sill.  Refilling the glass when the water line would get below the fresh root system.  They finally grew enough so that I could put them in a small planter.  Two of the leaves did not make it, but I had one strong one left.  I made sure to refill the self-watering planter it was in before leaving for our 2nd Christmas with my family.  Upon returning, I found that the dirt in the planter had completely dried up and my strong little African violet leaf - shriveled up.  So much for that.

Tidy Victory - The new sleds are here!!!!!!!!  It's so exciting to be able to invest in a hobby that for now, hubby and I, but later our whole family can enjoy during the winter months.  It's amazing, when you step on the sled the whole machine sinks from the unbelievable shock system - no more standing up to take the bumps on the trails, woo hoo!

Friday Favorites - Post-Christmas Recovery

Messy Messy Fail - My feet are horrendous, just ask my husband.  I pay regular visits to my podiatrist, but for the 2nd time I completely forgot about an appointment this past week and didn't even realize it until days later.  I felt so badly - when I called to reschedule, I identified myself as "The jerk who forgot about my appointment again.".  Thank goodness they are so understanding.  

Tidy Victory - Over our vacation, hubby and I managed to clean out the unfinished portion of the basement.  The pantry and baby clothes were resorted and organized, wrapping paper totes cleaned up, kitchen appliances reconfigured and decorations all boxed up in labeled containers.  Pandora helped out A LOT with that project.  What can I say, music inspires me!