Moving

So we are going to buy our first house (hopefully) in the beginning of next year. When we get our taxes we were told to come back then and get pre-qualified. Fortunately, we should qualify for a first time home buyers loan. All we need to pay is closing costs, which is why we are waiting for our taxes. This is good, though, because it gives me PLENTY of time to get things together.

With the holidays coming up and I will hopefully begin school in January, if I can get financial aid situated, I will be super busy with everything else I wont have as much time to focus on the move. This is why I have started de-cluttering now. I am just going through things and I have a tote I keep behind my couch to put my "donations" in. Once the tote is full I go through it, determine what goes where, and then get rid of it and try to refill as much as I can. This is helping a lot. I will go into more detail about de-cluttering in another post, filled with tips and tricks to help you de-clutter. In the meantime let's talk about moving!

I have started packing some things already that we wont be using until after we move anyways.



My system is this:

• Each room is color coded and has a number. 

• Then there is a following number based on the box. 

Sounds complicated, right? Its not, really.
Girls room:

• So each room is color coded by duct tape. Isabella's room is purple, the kitchen is orange, etc.

• I stick the duct tape so it runs across the top and side.

• I label the box number and what is inside the box (in detail, I might add) on both the top and side. 

• Then I write this down in my notebook. After I finish a few boxes I put them in my storage. (Each house in the complex gets a small storage.)

Let me show you an example:

Box 101 - Isabella's future clothes
Box 102 - toys, books, puzzles
Box 103 - dress up clothes

My bedroom:
Box 201 - Picture Frames
Box 202 - Dresser items

Kitchen:
Box 301 - Plates
Box 302 - oven mitts ? (I couldn't think of any kitchen items, haha)



My goal is that the boxes will easily be able to be separated by its room and checked off once each box is being put away, to make sure we have everything.

I wish I could take pictures to show, it would be so much easier. My other laptop is having major trouble right now and I have no where store my pictures temporarily (this is a chrome book).

When I get all this sorted out I will add some pictures on here and update periodically my move . I have roughly four months until I move (at least that's my goal).

Until then, this is what I do:

I use plastic bags and newspaper for my delicate and fragile items. Forget buying bubble wrap.





P.S. - I will update. This is incomplete.....for now....

UPDATE

So now I have applied for a loan. The lender said we will try for a USDA loan and if we arent approved then we will go for an in-house loan where we put down 10%. 

What we needed to get this loan was:

• 2 years work history at the same place
• 2 years rental history
• 3 or more bills
• 2 years of W2's
• 1 month of pay stubs
• ID's.

They wanted both mine and his for all of this.

It has been three weeks and we are still waiting to hear from USDA. I keep calling my lender but to no avail, she wont call me back. So Im just waiting....Our realtor suggested we go through someone from Wells Fargo where we can possible get a one day approval. I dont understand why it would take one day for that place and not the other but I dont like Wells Fargo. I had them for a bank account when they first bought out Wachovia and lets just say I was not impressed but that is a story for another day...

Back on track:

We have checked out a few houses but when we realized that we were getting nowhere with this loan we decided to take a halt. I'm still packing, though.

So the way I was packing proved to be a success so far as I've needed a few things that were packed away. I was looking for some more long sleeve shirts for the girls, found the box easily; I just looked for the purple duct tape and then looked for the box number (which I knew because I already had box numbers and their contents recorded).

This means there was no reason to open every box until I find it, which is really awesome.

I was thinking about starting my "first night" tote. This is a tote that contains various things needed for a first night in a new house.

DIY Beach Ideas

So we are going to Myrtle Beach this month and I have been looking up beach stuff on Pinterest. Some things I've tried, other things I think are just cool ideas. Here is a list:

Beach Blanket

What's different about this one? It hooks into the sand. Here's how. Very simple.


Ocean Nails

I am so doing this before I go to the beach.


Beach Bag

This is the beach bag I made. Not too shabby for a first try. I'm an amateur sew-er (sewer? Is that right? I don't know...). Maybe the next bag I make I will do a tutorial but here are some other bag tutorials that look pretty cool:
DIY Beach Bag
The One Towel Tote
DIY Beach Towel Blanket With A Pillow
Easy DIY Waterproof Beach Bag



Pocketed Beach Towel

Simple, yet brilliant. Get the tutorial here.


Amazing Beach Life Hacks For Summer has some great ideas.
This pool bag list is pretty cool too.

Are The Standards Too High For Men And Women?

Men are from Mars, women are from Venus. This is true on many levels beyond a grade school one.
Women are detailed, emotional and a bit more involved than our male counterpart. Men are more blunt, forceful and physical.
This difference can be both beneficial and irritating, especially for those "traditional" relationships.
All the expectations are hard to keep up with for both men and women. People always focus on the unrealistic standards that society holds for women but completely neglect that the bar is set pretty high for men, also.

We all know that it is expected for women to look like Victoria's secret models, no hair on our bodies unless it is growing from our head, which we must keep cut, dyed and beautifully made up. When you add it all up it's a lot to keep up with. Heels, hair, make-up, hourglass bodies, clothes that fit tight on slim girls and loose on big ones. There are rules that big girls can't wear bikinis, crop tops, or anything else that demonstrates their "thickness", which society claims is because it "promotes obesity". In all actuality it is because women are supposed to feel shame over a body that is plus size. And if you feel comfortable enough with your body to wear clothes that are a bit revealing you are looked down upon also, regardless of size. Sometimes it feels like a catch 22 trying to live up to the standards that a lot of young men expect to be realistic when it just....isn't. Don't they understand these women they see are like 50% Photoshop? Damn men and their physical nature of life!

This is usually where women start shaming men for even setting these standards to begin with. Ah ah ah! And this is where I start shaking my finger back at you because: remember how women are more emotional? Well, that is where we set our standards.

Us females expect our boyfriends to be Ryan Gosling in The Notebook. Not. Gonna. Happen. Unless, of course, you are married to Nicholas Sparks. We are constantly stuck on them "getting us flowers or jewelry" (I prefer chocolate). We expect special love notes, speeches and displays of their affection both publicly and privately. We want to cuddle and snuggle and expect to be praised. Well, when this doesn't happen we get upset. We believe this is what a relationship is supposed to be when it is no where close to that. Yes, guys do that in the beginning to court you but after you two are settled, what is the point in doing it then? Women expect these things before, during AND after. Men don't always understand this and why should they? Who said that to display your affection for one another you need a diamond on your finger (which brings up society's perspective on marriage, I will write about later because I have some strong opinions on that, too). No one said that you need to write sappy love poems to express your feelings. That doesn't mean he shouldn't take you out for ice cream every now and then, but we females are guilty of setting a high standard, as well.
I want my daughters to understand this so when they grow older they wont be disappointed when their boyfriends don't do all the sentimental things they do in the movies. Just wait until you've been together for five, ten, twenty years. Things change as a relationship matures.

It's as if we are more drawn to what could be than what is. Always searching for the greener grass instead of enjoying the freshly trimmed lawn on our side of the fence. So our yard might have some dirt spots and a lot of bugs, but everyone's does and to think that anyone's yard is a perfect one is delusional thinking. Okay, so that wandered off a little, but do you get what I mean?

Basically,  I just think that society as a whole needs to stop setting such standards to begin with.

World Map Mothers Day Present

So for Mothers Day I decided I wanted to make my mom a world map that she can put on her wall. She loves maps and globes and traveling. Wanderlust; it runs in the family.

So I decided her map has to have the following:

• The entire world. All seven continents, four oceans (although recent studies claim five, I will stick to four.) and everything in-between. 
• An inspirational quote or two (She's a sucker for that kind of thing. Sorry mom.)
• Pins to mark both the places she has been and the places she wishes to go. (Well, that is what I wanted to do but didn't add that part.)
• And lastly, something to write where she has been and where she would like to visit. 

So first off I needed a map. I wanted to print it off so I can work with it the way I want. Plus, if I mess up or change my mind how I want to do this I don't waste any money buying a map. So I searched and searched the internet (mostly Pinterest, since it's my go to for everything). This is the most accurate to what I've envisioned. BONUS - It has the templates ready for download. 

Now of course I will be doing mine differently. Using PicMonkey photo editor, I made an "inspirational traveling quotes" picture along with a "Where I'm going" and "Where I've been"

Next I printed the pages and arranged them how I would be putting them together. 

Then I taped the back of the pieces together so it wouldn't show in the front.

I know the quality of pictures is mediocre but my camera is dead and my phone is all I have charged (for once!).

After this I put in a white frame and began to outline and color every. single. country. Well, most of them. Some were too small.

*FuN fAcT* There are 196 countries. Although the US doesn't consider Taiwan a country, it is run as it's own independent country.

I was never able to get a picture of it finished. My camera AND phone was dead. Go figure. It did turn out pretty cool, though. There were a few little mistakes, but I thought it gave it character and showed just how much effort I put into this. I outlined, colored and labeled just about every country in this world. It was time consuming for sure but well worth it. Next I will be making one for me.

This would be a great project for many ages. Not only does it make a colorful map, drawing it out makes it a little easier to remember where different countries are located. There were places I never knew existed or thought was located somewhere else. It was a really fun experience to figure out where everything was. Then again, I love maps, traveling, the world... See? Runs in the family. 

15 Ways To Save On Expenses

We all have our luxuries. I mean, let's face it, we are addicted to convenience and comforts in life. But that doesn't mean we can't give up a few things here and there. 

Here are some easy ways to cut some of your expenses (and save a little money):

1. Eat at home. No take-out. No fast food. Pack your lunch and make your dinner. There are some very simple, quick and low-cost recipes to make. 
2. Coffee at home. As difficult as it is, brew your coffee at home. I know it doesn't have that same creamy flavor as the gas station or your favorite coffee shop but there are ways to enhance the flavor to taste just as good. Here is a link to a great Iced coffee recipe.
3. Online streaming. I don't have cable. I use Netflix, Amazon and Hulu. I have enough movies and TV shows to stay entertained well. There are kids shows for Isabella and Emily, TV shows for me, movies for Joe. All of this at a fraction of the cost of cable. Netflix and Hulu are about $8/month with features you can add on for a small price. If you get Amazon prime for around $100/year you get not only Instant Streaming but free shipping on Prime items and Prime deals. One site I have heard about but never personally tried is SlingTV (basically live TV on your computer). There are many options that are worth looking into to find what is best for you. 
4. Walk places. This only applies to some people considering others live in the boonies. If you live in a town or city, consider walking or carpooling. If you live further out in the country, this option maybe isn't for you. Walking and carpooling saves on gas as well as wear and tear on your vehicle. 
5. Turn off lights. Every time you leave the room, even to go potty, turn the light out. 
6. Goodwill. Salvation Army. Thrift stores. Sometimes you can find really good sales at the regular stores, also. Point is, cut back on your designer jeans. 
7. Sales, coupons, digital coupons. Exactly as I said. If you can find a really great sale AND a coupon for it, get it. Sometimes, at the Kroger's near by, they have a sale on top of a sale. For example, said product is already on sale for a dollar or two cheaper. Every few weeks they have a "Buy 5 save 5" or "Buy 6 save 3" where you buy so many of the sale items (which are brands throughout the entire store in different sections) and you get the sale price. Put it simple, I have bought boxes of noodles for less than 40 cents a piece. Pair this with a coupon if you have one and you can get some really great deals. 
8. E Cards. Cheaper than a Birthday card. Besides, anymore everyone says "Happy Birthday" on Facebook, anyways. 
9. Air dry clothes and dishes. During the nicer weather, consider hanging your clothes on a clothesline. dry your dishes in a drying rack. This saves the cost of using the dryer and the dishwasher for drying. 
10. Diy cleaning products. Simple. Very simple. Just about every cleaning recipe begins with water and vinegar. I use this cleaning solution for just about everything and costs SO much less than regular cleaning products. 
11. Energy saving bulbs. Its in the name. Energy saving bulbs. 
12. Rechargeable batteries. This one costs more to buy than regular batteries but will make up for it in the long run. We still have the battery chargers we bought several years ago. The batteries cost more than regular batteries but you can charge them afterwards and reuse them instead of throwing them away. All in all, I'd say it's a win. 
13. Don't let the water run. While you are brushing your teeth, doing the dishes, taking a shower; don't let the water continuously run. Okay, they suggest you turn the water off while you wash your hair but that is not going to happen here. I'm sorry, I love my showers too much for that but everything else I will do.
14. Open the windows. Let some fresh air in. If it isn't too hot or too cold, it can save the cost of using the heating/AC. Not to mention, it just feels good. 
15. Use a fan or a heater. Do you know just how much energy you can save using a fan or plugging in a heater? Try it out. 

Best DIY Iced Coffee EVER!

That's right, DIY iced coffee that tastes just as great as the store bought stuff. Not to mention, it is oh so simple (and much cheaper, too).

First, brew a full pot of coffee. My coffee pot makes 12 cups.
Then, in a container (at least 2 qts.) put in some condensed milk. I use the whole can, but I like it kinda sweet. You can adjust to your preference.
After your pot is finished brewing pour the coffee into the container and mix.
That's all!

I have even added creamer for a little extra flavor before, but it tastes just fine without it. Next time I might try adding some whip cream and drizzle. Tastes good hot or cold, actually.

Here is the link where I originally found this recipe.

She uses a glass jug and shakes it, but I use the plastic drink containers from the dollar store and mix with a spoon (like Kool-aid or Crystal Light). At first, I had a concern of the plastic melting from the heat of the coffee, but I have made this many times now and have never experienced this problem.

Yummy.

Pizza Bites

I love these. So does my daughter, her daddy, his daddy....

They are small, taste good and can be made to your liking. Just use a glass (or cookie cutter) and use it to cute a circle out of a piece of tortilla bread. After that add sauce and toppings. I prefer cheese and pepperoni, ham and pineapple (which I usually don't like on pizzas) or spinach and mozzarella. Also you can add sausage, bacon, bbq sauce, (I did that one night and it was uh-maze-ing! I haven't tried freezing them yet (there is never enough left after I make them!) but Im sure it would freeze good. I did refrigerate it for a few days and used it as lunch for Isabella.

To bake them, heat oven to 425* and put them in about ten minutes, give or take, until desired crispiness.