If at first you don't succeed...

I am trying...to stay focused AND motivated...

The MASSIVE purge continues - I haven't been able to get to the downstairs craft closet yet...

But, I have  :

Cleaned out a 55 gallon trash bag FULL of stuff from the girl's rooms to be donated to thrift store - yes, you read that right!  It's one of those industrial strength black trash bags - you know the kind that when you see them pull one out in a movie - that someone is going to end up chopped up and put inside?!  They got rid of clothes, shoes, toys, puzzles, stuffed animals, dress up clothes, My Little Pony figures, ETC.!!!!1
So PROUD of them.  Usually little sister just wants to move big sister's stuff into her own room, but this time she was the main one to donate : )

Went thru most of my closet - I can now walk in it again : )

Sorted out paperwork/bill files for the new year and can actually GET TO THEM!!!  A key factor that has jacked me up before.

Went thru the kitchen cabinets and got rid of mismatched or unused plastic storage containers and gadgets that I don't use.  Although I did hold on to the bundt pan even tho I have never made a bundt cake...it's good to have goals...I am a pretty big baker, but mostly cookies and bars - cakes and pies are not exactly my gig...yet...

My main purpose/goal here is to be more realistic in exactly how much shit we own...I am done trying to cram 10 pounds of shit in my 5 pound bag...trying to get it down to around 7 pounds of shit...I live in southern California - I am not getting a bigger "bag" anytime soon : ( 

New CAR!!!!!!!!!

Just brought home my new (for me) car : )

An 08 Honda Pilot - pics tomorrow Mys ; )

F-M-Car....

So, it's official - I'm screwed...the verdict on my car running hot...partially blown head gasket...the price to fix...$1,300 (+$1,000 of other stuff i had been putting off) the value of my 1997 CRV with 170,000...$2,800 :(

Sooooo looks like I am in the market for a slightly used car, low mileage and low price...the car I want?!  A Honda Pilot...the chance of me finding one I can afford?!  Slim, but not impossible...

Not only had I not had a car payment in about 8 years, my car insurance and registration will go up considerably...and thanks to the morons in control of CA's government, they are trying to make up for a lot of the state's $ shortfall by increasing THE SHIT out of car registration and smog requirements - BOOO!!!  HISS!!!!

The semi good news is that my mechanic, who also buys cars at aution will give me $1,500 for mine in the condition it is in, I have a little bit of money in the bank and I do have my part time job...

But it just sucks that when things got a little easier and the financial noose not soooo tight...something's gotta break...oh well, beats walking...

Waiting for the 5 year old's "light bulb" moment

So she starts being "bratty"...screaming at her sister...went from playing to screaming...no argument, no friction, just didn't get what she wanted and SCREAM!!!!!  So, I sent her to her room where I can hear her lamenting about how she's having a bad day, she has the worst sister ever, how I must hate her...not really realizing that HER behavior got her sent to her room OR that the minute she can keep it under control and her mouth shut...she can come out...She did come out earlier...immediately went to her sister and whispered "It's your fault" and got sent right back to her room...

Can't wait until she's a teenager...better start stocking up on prozac, Guinness and adult diapers now...

I may not make it folks...

Woulda, coulda, shoulda...time for a change

Yep, it's time

Monumental purge time...

All those crafts I said I was going to do...all those ideas I was going to copy...all those projects I was going to finish when I had more time...all those things I said I would find a place for-later...all those clothes that I said I would get back into one day (seriously...black velvet cigarette pants...even if I could...I wouldn't)...

It's time to say goodbye...

You have been a part of my life for so long you have become a part of my family, but it is time for you to move on...fly out of the nest and go make a home of your own (via the local thrift store)

I must go now and say goodbye...and call the salvation Army for a pick-up for Friday...gotta move fast...1st stop - Master Bedroom : )

If at first you don't succeed...

I tried posting earlier in the week and hit some wrong thing on the keyboard and "poof" all gone...just ...like...that   : (

So my resolutions, the encounter with the live rat and other fun stories will just have to wait...

Today I have a barfy baby that needs mommy snuggle time and a mommy that is supposed to be cleaning her room...decisions, decisions...back to bed with my baby : )

Back home where I belong :)

After being gone for 2 weeks and having a quite eventful trip back home I am ready to face 2012...later..

First I need to unpack, take down all the Christmas decorations and find new homes for all of our new stuff...but first...after a hard morning of getting kids off to school and hitting the stores for some food...I really, really, really need to play some bubble burst on my new nook tablet before I pick up the kids ; )