Finding My Groove

fall is here

Well, it has been a month of adjustments around here. The kids are adjusting to school again. I am adjusting to having all three kids in school all day. And I am also adjusting to a new part-time job. I wasn’t really intending on going back to work so soon after school was back in session, but a nearby library was looking for someone for weekday afternoons. I interviewed and got the job. 

I’m working a lot more more hours than what I had been working at “my” library, and it is much busier. The time goes by quickly, but the vibe is very different — definitely not as personal. It’s just taking some getting used to. Since I work afternoons and don’t get home until after 5, I’ve been trying to get everything I need to do done in the mornings — cleaning, appointments, phone calls, dinner prep. My husband telecommutes, so for now it all works. He is able to get the kids off the bus and get dinner going. 

I’ve been ridiculously emotional lately — I think all these changes are causing it. It is strange to not have any little ones at home during day, and I think that is the hardest adjustment for me. I definitely miss it. Luckily, they all love school so the fact that everyone can’t wait to go makes it easier. But there’s also the realization that baby and toddler days are officially gone. And while I know our family is complete, and I really don’t want any more kids, there is a little part of me that is very sad about this.

Stupid things set me off, like driving by our local Friendly’s and seeing that it had closed. I immediately got all teary, remembering how we used to go there all the time when Jake and Noah were little. When we first moved up here, dinner at Friendly’s and walking through the mall was our standard Friday night out. 

Change is hard, even for grown-ups, I guess. Everything just feels different. I can’t explain it and I probably sound like a fruitcake. But like the kids, I will adjust. It only takes time.

In the meantime, I’ve set aside my Stitchcation Afghan and I’ve been working on an infinity scarf. Believe it or not, the yarn is by Red Heart! It is so soft, and the colors are just beautiful. I think RH gets an undeserved bad name. Their yarns (even the SuperSaver) have really improved since I first started knitting and crocheting 10 years ago.

infinity scarf

Outside, it is definitely starting to look like fall. My burning bushes are turning red. Leaves are falling. The days are shorter, and the evenings are cooler.

burning bush

mums

A couple weeks ago, Drew had the brilliant idea to take some extra bricks we had lying around and build a firepit. So on weekend evenings, we’ve been enjoying an outdoor fire (complete, of course, with roasted marshmallows). Saturday night we decided to do sparklers for no good reason other than that they are fun!

sparklers

My parents also visited this weekend. Dad helped Drew paint the back of the house (it’s a huge project, let me tell you), and Mom cleaned up my front garden because she actually enjoys doing that 😉 It looks a thousand times better! I would have gotten around to it (probably), but I am very appreciative that she just did it for me. After my last bout with poison ivy, I’m still kind afraid to touch anything green without wearing a hazmat suit.

So all in all, things are good! My weepies, I’m sure, will subside. I am fortunate to have (so quickly) found part-time work that works with our schedule (because really, the kids are only home for about an hour and a half before I get there — it’s not THAT bad). And really things are just moving right along.

How are things with you?

Rockin’ Out

So, Noah is in 4th grade this year, and you know what that means… Band instrument time! He’s chosen percussion. We have a few things to pick up for his lessons, so we will probably check out guitarceneter and hopefully finish up the music shopping. He is very excited. He definitely has Drew’s musical gene. Even over the summer when he was noodling around on the drums he sounded great! I can’t wait to see what kind of progress he makes over the next few months.

Influenster #VitaVoxBox

#vitavoxbox from Influenster

Is there anything better than opening your mailbox and instead of seeing bills and junk mail, finding a package full of goodies to try out? I think not! I was super excited to be chosen to receive the #VitaVoxBox from Influenster and over the last couple of weeks I’ve been trying out all the goodies.

In case you missed my unboxing video on YouTube, here it is:

I have to say, I was most excited about the First Degree burn cream. I’m a klutz, and I often work around hot things (the oven, stove, my glue gun… you get the picture). I had the opportunity to give the First Degree cream a try the other day when I was making hair bows for Laura. Like a fool, in order to see if my glue gun was hot, I touched the metal part. (It was late, I was tired, and obviously not thinking). Immediately I put a dab of the cream on my finger, massaged it in, and felt some relief. Good stuff!

The SoftLips Cube is OK. Honestly, I am not a big fan of SoftLips products, and I have never tried one of these cube-type of lip balms before. It smells and tastes wonderful, though! And since my five-year-old always wants to share my “lipstick,” the cube works out great because there is nothing to roll up or down or make a big mess. So it gets a thumbs-up from me for those features.

Playtex Sport FreshBalance tampons. What can you really say about tampons? They work well, though I find them a little too scented.

Bikini-Ready Gummy Vitamins were an interesting product. It’s hard to say much about them because it was a one-shot sample, but they tasted like candy (though there was an odd aftertaste) and definitely gave me an energy boost.

The Pure Leaf sweet tea was tasty. I will give some of their other flavors a try.

And finally… the Elizabeth Arden Flawless Future serum. I haven’t tried this out yet, but I plan to this weekend. I’ve been neglecting my skin care routine in general, so one of my goals now that school is back in session is get back into a daily regimine.

So there you have it! have you received any Influester #VoxBoxes? If you’re interested in signing up, email me and I will send you an invitation! It’s so fun. You write some reviews, take some surveys, and get to try out products.

FTC: These products were sent to me compliments of Influenster for testing and review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Crafting up a Storm

It’s going to be strange with all three kids in school. The first few days, L. just has class in the morning, but starting next week she will be in school all day long like her brothers. So I’ve been thinking about getting back on Etsy or selling my crafts on Facebook. I’m not sure about… just thinking. I was digging through my closet the other day and found all my hair bow things. If I found heat guns, I could shrink wrap my barrettes and make them look really pretty. Craft fairs, maybe? We’ll see… it would be nice to do a little something, but still have the flexibility to be around for the kids.

{Recipe} Marinated Butter Beans for your Antipasto Platter

Marinated butter beans

When we have parties, my favorite appetizer to prepare is an antipasto platter — delicious savory treats, piled high on a platter, and shared family style. Add some crostini or baguette to soak up the vinegar and oil from the various foods and you’ve got a treat that will please everyone. The time may be over for summer BBQs, but as the holidays approach, so will entertaining opportunities!

My typical antipasto platter includes cured meat (usually pepperoni or salami), fresh mozzarella, olives, roasted red peppers, maybe some artichokes or pickled asparagus… really, whatever I have on hand. Last month I got the idea of using beans on the antipasto tray I prepared for the boys’ birthday party. Not sure how or why that popped into my head (possibly they were talking about a bean salad on an NPR program about picnic foods that I was listening to as I drove). I threw this recipe together for Marinated Butter Beans and they were a huge hit! Not only were they delicious on their own, but they added zing to a tossed salad and bulked up a pasta salad, too. You may have seen marinated butter beans at the deli case or in the “olive bar” area of your grocery store, but why pay those prices when you can make it yourself for a whole lot less? 

Marinated Butter Beans
A tasty addition to your antipasto tray
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Ingredients
  1. 1 15-oz. can of butter beans
  2. 1/4 c. olive oil
  3. 3 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
  4. 1 tsp. capers
  5. 1 Tbsp. minced onion (not dried)
  6. 1 tsp. diced red pepper
  7. 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
  8. pinch of salt
Instructions
  1. In the bottom of a mason jar or a bowl, combine olive oil, vinegar, capers, onion, red pepper, Italian seasoning, and salt. Drain butter beans and rinse well. Add beans to the jar and stir to coat. Refrigerate the beans for at least a few hours, or better yet, overnight.
Notes
  1. Add to your antipasto platter, salad, or just enjoy as a snack.
Pure Sugar http://www.puresugar.net/

For more yummy recipes, head over to Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Cooking Thursday!

First Day of School 2014!

 photo backtoschool_zpsc0524758.jpg

I know for most of you, the first day of school is a memory already. But unlike a lot of other areas, we don’t go back in August… it’s always the Wednesday after Labor Day. In other words… today! And for us, it was an important day because our littlest started Kindergarten!

But let’s start with the oldest. Jake is in seventh grade. No longer the youngest kids in the middle school — hooray! I remember when I was in seventh grade (not in a middle school — just a regular classroom back then), our teacher had a foozball table in the corner of the room, he picked his nose, and was known for various quips that I still remember (such as “There is no ‘noise’ in Illinois!” — he’d get aggravated when people mispronounced it). Ha! I think he’s looking forward to getting back into his intramural clubs, though. 

jake

Noah is in fourth grade this year and actually has the same teacher that Jake had, so I know what to expect (which is kind of a nice change). He’s looking forward to seeing all of his friends again, and I think he’s looking forward to being in class just in general.

noah

Of course, for Laura, school is pretty much old hat. She loved preschool last year (and has several of her pre-K buddies in her class). And she spent two weeks at day camp this summer, so I’m not worried about her in full-day K. (Although for the first few days, the little ones are dismissed early to ease the transition).

laura

waiting...

the bus!

It was very sweet watching Noah let Laura go in front of him to get on the bus. I think it’s going to be a great year!