A Martha Stewart Moment....from Jacqui?

I know, you're thinking (if you know Jacqui)...she's not your average Martha Stewart. No offense, but neither am I. Well, I had a little wax accident when I was moving my scensty candle. Wax spilled on my tile covered built in entertainment center. I didn't want to scrape...because I didn't want to scratch it. And, I tried to do it with my finger, but really..it wasn't working and it hurt. So, what does Jacqui show me? She takes a paper towel, lays it on top of the wax, and runs an iron back and forth on it. The iron heats the wax, and the paper towel absorbs it. Now, I'm not sure if any of my dedicated readers have had this problem of being clumsy and spilling wax, or may have it in the future--but if I can teach just one person this nifty trick, I feel I have done my good for the day.

Don't Judge.

The fact that I am not organized is not a secret. Sometimes I am, but usually not. But I really do try. I guess I'm not a natural at it...and it's not from being raised that way. My house that I grew up in was always clean. We all had our chores. We all helped out. But, don't think for a second that when I cleaned my room when I was younger and things were just shoved in my drawers or under my bed that my mother didn't dump that stuff right back on the floor and tell me to put it away properly. It was the only thing that worked with me. But, making myself do it myself as I get older is soooo hard.
Okay. So, when I moved into this house a couple years ago, the closet under the stairs was the PERFECT place for me to store all of my crafts, and also a few things that shouldn't be in the garage (I have a townhouse, so no basement.) I put my stuff on the shelves, put my craft cart in, and the boxes around the corner. SO perfect, right?
Well, this closet quickly became where I put everything I didn't know where to put. I put coats in there and really every random thing that I had no place for. Especially when someone was coming over and I had to hurry and pick up the house. It became so full of really....I had no idea what that I could hardly get in there. Even if I wanted to get my crafts out I couldn't get in there. It was really sad.
Also at the same time...we were having a slight problem with Kira's growing supply of toys. They weren't fitting in the toy basket. They were getting everywhere, and it was really not fun because the only space she has of her own is her room, and I don't like for her to hang out up there too much on her own.
Anyway-Long story. Jacqui, once again, helped me simplify. We pulled out all of my stuff (really, it was 99% my stuff) --and either threw it away, or put it in a container I can get to in the garage, or put it where it belonged. It took the whole evening...but now Kira has her own play area!!!

BEFORE


AFTER

Thanksgiving....

Kira showing her babydoll the decorations around the house.

I love this face more than anything in the world.

I didn't take a lot of pictures on Thanksgiving...truthfully I wasn't feel that well. We went to Aunt Bernice and Uncle Steve's house for dinner....it was so yummy, and it was fun to see family. And, as I've lucked out every year of my life so far, I didn't have to cook! I've got to learn someday... :) In the morning we watched the Macy's Day Parade...that was some good entertainment. Not so much the parade--but Kira's reactions to the parade. She's my sweet child.

I LOVE winning at Bunko!!!

Take a look a these soooo cute Bunko prizes!!!

Guess which one I won???

That's right. None of them.

Whatever.

LAME.

He's HERE!!!

Savas Kade Steen is here! He's healthy, adorable, and finally here! Congrats to McKayle and Brian for this sweet addition to their family. I love him already.

I didn't get to see him right away....I waited until the day after he was born--the hospital has this rule about toddler sized visitors--so Kira and I stayed home. But, I got to go the very next day! I can't wait to watch him grow up and watch Kira get to know her cute little cousin!

La Frontera

McKayle had her baby, and while she was in the hospital after the baby came...we all went out to La Frontera. lol. We seem to always go to that place atleast once when family comes :) It had a been a long day for everyone, but it was fun to get together!

For the Love of Nature

As most of you know, I worked at the jail for 5 years, and left to work for the health department about a year ago. When I worked at the jail there was an officer named Johnny. Now, we weren't bff's or anything, but I've chatted with him, and I obviously worked with him, and he was such a nice guy. Several months ago (I can't even remember exactly when) he got in a terrible bike accident, and was hurt pretty badly. He's made an amazing recovery and is such an example of how a positive outlook, a great support system, and whatever else he had on his side was helping him in get back to his "old self." (No, I'm not saying he's old...you know what I mean.) Well, Jacqui and he are good friends, so I went along with her to go visit him (he lives out in the boonies with his parents for the moment.) We went to visit, ended up going on a "hike" to see a really cool waterfall, and it was just so fun to get out and be in the fresh air. Kira loved stomping around in the muddy snow, and I loved a fun little roadtrip and hanging out. I'd love to take Kira there again in the summer to play in the water.