There are many things that happen at the beginning of the month… NEW coupons, organize and purge expired coupons, and sanitize your washing machine.

If you have been following me any amount of time you know I suck at laundry (I am sorry, but there is no polite word to explain just how bad I am).  Since I frequently forget to switch the wash, I not only get smelly laundry, but I also get a smelly washer.

Luckily I now have a washer with an automatic cleaning cycle, but I seriously had no idea you needed to clean your washer – I mean it has soap and water in it all the time – right?!?  Well my friend Lauren over at MamasLaundryTalk recommends sanitizing your washer monthly.  Since it is the first weekend of the month, that is what I did.  You do not have to have an automatic cycle, Lauren has the instructions right here for older washers.  Do you sanitize your washer?

Now I have a long way to go before I can even say I am adequate at laundry, but I continue to take baby steps.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

I do not know about you, but this summer has been extremely trying for this stay-at-home mom.  The kids have been fighting non-stop.

I remember when we used to just be so happy to be out of school.  Unfortunately in these unsafe times, kids have lost the ability to figure out how to have fun on their own.  Even though I am not one of those parents, our society has turned into scheduled time for all kids – planned playdates, craft time, multiple sports, etc.

What ever happened to “Just go out and play?” I am lucky that my kids are pretty good at this, however if I get the question – “What can I do that is fun?” one more time, I may just scream.

Last week, my sister asked us to go to the beach with them. I will admit, I am my own worst enemy sometimes. It was 90-100 degrees and yucky and the thought of lugging 3 kids – one just a toddler, to the beach is not my idea of fun. I have no beach toys and just visioned sweating to death and chasing my 20 month old all day long, keeping her from diving into the ocean.

I went anyway – that is what mom’s do for their kids. AND I have not planned anything much for them this summer – so I owe them one – even though they have been getting punished most days by noon – LOL! Much to my surprise, it was pleasantly cool at the beach and my 20 month old was awesome. Everyone had a blast, even though I got sun burned – blotchy type. I am great at sun blocking the kids, but then get distracted doing mine. So I missed one whole foot, my forehead, knees and a few blotches here and there. Let’s just say it is a little sore and not at all attractive.

BUT that does not matter. My kids were smiling and said it was the best day of their life.

AND THAT IS WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT…

So when you are having those – “I want to kill my kids!” days, just take a listen to this awesome Trace Adkins song: Then They Do.  (Sorry I could not embed it, but follow the link over to YouTube and watch the video – you will be glad you did – brings a tear to my eye everytime!)

ENJOY… and love your kids before you miss them….

Have you all been watching America’s Got Talent? I am constantly amazed by the deluded people who think they are talented – some of who you know have GOT to be there on a bet. They just have to be.

However, every year there are acts that surprise us and take our breath away. We are VERY stressed and on edge in my house, trying to sell the house and this clip was just what I needed.

It was not that the performer has epilepsy…

it was not Sarah McLaughlin’s song – which always gives me chills…

It was THAT truly relaxing, stunningly beautiful performance…

(though I wish they did a better filming job)

HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT!

It is Sunday again, can you believe it. Spring is in the air and it did not come soon enough.  The air is crisp, the sun is shining (unless you are in Texas where it was snowing last night – sorry guys!) and everyone is anxious to get out and move.

As a New Englander, we relish the winter ONLY for the ability to wear comfy, baggy clothing that hides all those flaws.  You know the ones… the extra winter weight we put on.  Little did you know it is an evolutionary necessity to survive in colder weather – LOL!!  Sounds good right?

Unfortunately that does not explain the “muffin top”

defined by Wikipedia as “Muffin-top” is a generally pejorative slang term used to describe the phenomenon of overhanging flesh (fat) when it spills over the waistline of pants or skirts in a manner that resembles the top of a muffin spilling over its paper casing…

that I sport all year long.  I blame it on my kids… having them, the stress of taking care of them and the emotional eating due to the fact that they do not listen to a thing we say.  You know I am kidding – well sort of.

So along with all this fab weather comes the fear…

So what am I going to do?  I have no flippin idea.  I know what I SHOULD do… exercise, eat better, blah blah blah.  My logical self completely understands and knows what I need to do.  Now I just need to get the rest of me signed up!  I did get these really cool Sketcher Shape-up’s (do not worry I got a killer deal at Kohls with sale, free shipping, % off coupon code and CASH back through Shop At Home).  I am expecting in no time I will be a goddess just by doing my house work and walking around all day in these bad boys.  Just kidding – I know that won’t work – they are really cool though.

I will exercise more AND start eating better.  I found this really cool info that puts things into perspecitive.

Of course the portions of veggies (yuk) seem much LARGER than I would like.  We will get into the veggie thing another time.  I could go on for days on that one.  In the past, I became generally aware that we all eat too much when reading the side of the cereal box that claims – 1 serving is 1 cup or something foolish like.  Have you ever poured just that much in a bowl.  I know, I see all the emails flying in now – of course that is all we eat fatty – LOL!

But seriously, even though I know we, as Americans especially, are into the super size me (did you see that documentary by the way – OMG).  I had no idea what the portions we are supposed to eat looked like.  It is definitely an eye opener.  Although – HELLO – a tennis ball sized plate of pasta.  Who in the world…

What surprised you most about the portion sizes?

So I venture forth to attempt to modify my eating and get off my lazy ***

Stay tuned…

I know it has been a while since I have shared with you some simplification tips as well as exposed you to other fantastic bloggers and resources. The reason for that is that my life is in chaos!!

OK – here is my dirty little secret – ok, well maybe not so little! I am horrible at laundry. I hate to do it and I procrastinate which turns into this monster ALL THE TIME.

So what should I do? I know I should have a schedule and all that. I am working on it. AND I have found a really great site – Mama’s Laundry Talk. Can you believe someone actually likes and even LOVES doing laundry? Well, Lauren Hill does. In addition to having a home laundry business, she recently started her blog to share her passion for laundry with us.

I love her ideas on what to do with stray socks and her Keeping your Bedroom Smelling Fresh post really hit home for me. She shares weekly laundry soap deals along with her helpful laundry tips. What I am most looking forward to is her continuing series on creating a laundry schedule. You can all see from the above photos that I really need one!

So check out her site and tell me what goodies you like. I love that she makes me “ALMOST” excited about doing laundry – I have every confidence that as I continue to follow, I will be converted.

I was so excited the other day when I discovered my washer has a timer so I put a load in the before bed so it would finish right when I got up. Usually it sits wet in the washer for days and then I have to re-wash it. What do you do to keep laundry in check?