Uncommon Gifts for "That Person" from UncommonGoods - A Gift Guide

Messy Messy Fail - After our huge kitchen facelift (a before and after post perhaps?) everything is back to normal with the exception of one thing.  I noticed last week when I was cooking on the front left burner of my glass cooktop stove that everything seemed to be either A) cooking much quicker or B) simply burning.  After a few ruined meals that had to be thrown away from that particular burner, I proceeded with the boil test and sure enough - I was able to boil a pot of water on the "2" setting.  Now I'm trying to figure out if we are within the limits of the warranty still.  In the meantime, only boiling on that burner.

Tidy Victory - Our beyond slow internet has been fixed!  Over the years, the speed of our internet has become so slow and cumbersome until just this last week when it took at least 2 minutes to load a web page, and sometimes they just wouldn't load at all.  A quick call to our provider along with the reminder of the competition's great rates got a service technician to our house within a few days.  Apparently over the years as the phone line has been moved around the house, the old lines were not cut off.  As the internet was passing through all of the old lines, it was slowing the whole process down.  Whatever that man did, it was amazing - my Snap Chat has never loaded so quickly (lovemymmmess)!

Happiness Is Homemade Link Party #136

Messy Messy Fail - Glow sticks from the Dollar Store for the kids to whip around at night can be a wonderful thing.  That is until the dog gets a hold of one and now has a glowing mouth.  Kind of a funny scene actually.

Tidy Victory - You know that pile of mail that tends to build up, the one that has the semi-important information from things like automatic bank statements that you can't just toss in the recycling bin?  My pile has been growing for quite some time, and I finally made myself go through it and shred while sipping a delicious One Buffalo beer from Southern Tier Brewery.  It's the only way to organize, really, with some libations to keep the motivation alive.  Mission accomplished!

Happiness Is Homemade Link Party #135

Messy Messy Fail - I thought I was all set to make venison tacos with my favorite homemade taco seasoning - I got the sealed package out of the freezer this morning to thaw during the day.  I was quite disappointed when I realized I had grabbed medium heat ITALIAN venison instead of just ground.  Don't try making Italian tacos, doesn't work too well.

Tidy Victory - It's taken me four years to figure it out, but I finally know how to clean my stainless steel appliances.  Clean with vinegar, then go over and "polish" with oil.  No fingerprints, no streaks, picture perfect!  Give it a try and let me know how it works for you!

Happiness Is Homemade Link Party #134

Messy Messy Fail - One of the final steps in our kitchen facelift project this summer is sealing the grout on our groutable vinyl tile.  Because it is not sealed yet, the water bowl for the animals currently sits on our L.L. Bean waterhog mat in the middle of a doorway.  I've completely kicked the water bowl over 3 times now.  It has since been moved into the powder room.

Tidy Victory - We were finally able to visit some friends in a neighboring town who had a baby about two months ago.  I always like to make a dinner for new parents - if I can relieve them of one duty for the day I am happy to do so.  My husband requested I make his favorite enchilada recipe for them - Chicken and Black Bean Enchiladas by Robin Miller from the Food Network.  I believe there were no leftovers, so I think they liked them!  And I got to hold a newborn for a good chunk of time, so that's a win-win in my book! 

Thomas Land - A Family Review

Messy Messy Fail - I met a friend and her two sons for a swim date at one of our local pools. I slathered both of my boys in sun block, and I thought I had covered myself pretty well.  One day and a nasty back sunburn later, I realized what I had missed.  Ouch.

Tidy Victory - I was in Cleveland, OH over the weekend enjoying some much overdue college friend reunion time when I remembered that the Olympic opening ceremonies were on! I had only missed the first 45 minutes so I quickly texted my husband to record them.  Do you think I've watched them yet?  Nope :)  Going to save the recording for Saturday night!

Happiness Is Homemade Link Party #133

Messy Messy Fail - Let's do a throwback - in college you remember from this post that I was not familiar with the kitchen, the stove or food preparation in general in college.  One night my dearest roommate Topic informed me it was my turn to cook us dinner.  The frozen Morning Star burgers we had in the freezer called for using a skillet - we didn't have one of those (wink wink)!  Or to be exact, I had no idea what that was.  We had frying pans and such, but as far as I knew no skillet.  So OF COURSE I ran upstairs to ask our male housemates if they knew what a skillet was, could I borrow one, etc.  Let's just say I was humiliated on their front step.  If they could only see me now!

Tidy Victory - I am typing as we speak from an undisclosed location in Cleveland, OH and having a BLAST with some college friends.  We have not all been together for at least 4 years and are having a terrific time catching up and reminiscing about one of the best times of our lives.  Always remember to keep in touch with your friends near or far - it's worth it.