Sunday, February 28, 2016

Happiness Is Homemade Link Party #110

Messy Messy Fail - I haven't published my own post in a couple of weeks now.  Lots going on around here - concerts, swim lessons, meetings, but I've got an Easter roundup and a couple of great posts in a different format than what I typically publish coming up, so be warned.

Tidy Victory - I was able to conduct my first all-county ensemble this weekend - an elementary orchestra - and I had an absolute blast!  This ensemble was made up of the best elementary string students in the county and I had the distinct pleasure of leading them through rehearsals and at our final performance on Saturday.  An absolute joy and a treat - this was why I wanted to teach orchestra!

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Happiness Is Homemade Link Party #109

Messy Messy Fail - One of my goals over my winter break was to get our tax information gathered so I could submit it and have that task checked off on the list.  This goal has yet to be accomplished.  Our taxes are not that difficult, but all that printing off of the interest from our student loans and gathering all of our donation letters takes quite a bit of time.  However, if I do submit them during the month of March that will be the earliest I have ever done them!

Tidy Victory - Even though I did not get a lot of housework done on my week long winter vacation, we did get a lot of snowmobile riding in.  We went for two rides together, one of which I got tossed, but I'm okay folks!  On or second ride we went to one of my favorite trail restaurants called Guppy's Tavern where you can get a killer stromboli, and that's exactly what I ordered.  I was even able to pack the leftovers on to my sled when I was done!

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Happiness Is Homemade Link Party #108

Messy Messy Fail - We are winter break from school this upcoming week, and I will say I am embarrassed about the condition I left both of my classrooms in - disaster.  I had a guest conductor in at both buildings on Friday to complete a workshop with some of my students who will be participating in a side-by-side concert shortly and it was quite the whirlwind getting to both buildings on time.  Let's just say I'll be going in for a little tidying up during my vacation.  

Tidy Victory - Last year, I tried making it a goal to do a small organizing/purging project a day.  Be it my makeup drawer, a bookshelf, etc., I wanted to make a little difference one small step at a time.  Sometimes I did my project for the day, sometimes I didn't.  I came across this blog project from Susan at Organized 31 - 31 Days of 10-Minute Purging Tips and I was really inspired.  You can start with her first post at the above link and she gives you a task every day - very manageable (10 minutes or less!) yet very effective.  I'm going to try this and attempt to get rid of some more nonsense in my house!


Sunday, February 7, 2016

Happiness Is Homemade Link Party #107

Messy Messy Fail - Of course I let the spaghetti sauce stains sit on one of the toddler's cute onesies for quite a few days and I just cannot quite get it out.  I've tried Oxi Clean, chlorine-free bleach (as per the washing directions) but nothing is quite working - any other suggestions out there?

Tidy Victory - Made an excellent pork loin in the crockpot this week for dinner - Crock Pot Balsamic Pork Roast.  Apparently it is low on the calorie count but that was not my concern - I had a pork loin in the freezer and all of the necessary ingredients, so that's what sold me.  Absolutely delish, for real, you should really try this if you are a fan of balsamic vinegar like we are!


Monday, February 1, 2016

Holiday Fun with Our Bloggy Friends - Great Ideas for Valentine's Day

Messy Messy Fail - Hubby bought tickets a few weeks ago to see Disney on Ice today.  Come to find out one of the sponsors is Stonyfield yogurt which is ALL the boys eat.  Come to find out there is a coupon code on the inside of our Stonyfield yogurt box for 50% off the ticket price.  Definitely missed that coupon code.

Tidy Victory - We had a great time at Disney on Ice with the UPKer - the look on his face when Mickey and Minnie came out was priceless!


100 Great Movies for Valentine's Day

Messy Messy Fail - A very large wine store in Nana Patti's hometown called Premier was having a mail in rebate sale with Relax wine (I know what my bloggy friend Rhiannon is thinking right now, but she understands my struggle is real) so I bought a bottle.  In order to get the $3 back, I had to mail in the rebate with original receipt by January 15th.  I had every intention, but of course I forgot and completely missed my deadline.

Tidy Victory - The laundry volcano that has been erupting in our house last week finally came under control - about 12 loads later.  I'm not quite sure how it builds up as much as it does, there's only four of us, but at least the multiple mountains of dirty clothes are gone.