Can I have another Day in the Week?

It seems my days are not long enough. I really need to have another day or 2 in a week to get everything done. Sometimes I really wish I could just be a stay at home Mom and work on our home, family and crafts that I love to do so much. But with reality that just is not possible.

People always tell me, 'You are so lucky to have twins!.' Yes we are definitely blessed but however we have double of everything at one time! The homework at least is pretty much the same in their classes, but staying on top of who has what due, or what papers come home for which one can get comfusing. At least the homework is the same!!

Right now I am scanning in each of the papers that they have brought home. I have a bin I keep all of their papers in and at CHristmas time they will go through the bin with me and keep only a few that they really like. All of the papers I scan in, I am going to make into a book and they will each get to keep the book for memories and later to show their children! My Mother bought a kit that you can do this at home with. What a great memory for them to have, gotta love technology these days.

It is taking me awhile to scan each one in, as our scanner isn't lightening speed, but oh well. As soon as I"m done at least I will be caught up and hopefully be able to scan in their papers each week instead of after 3 weeks!

I am also trying to fill a few orders from friends for Cre8tive Cre8tions, as well as make a bunch of stuff for the craft shows coming up and to sell items at the studio. I want to have a variety and I think this year will be good as my Mother is making a few new things and my neighbor Sheri is also going in with us and creating some wonderful items!!

I have also been asked by 2 of my students to make their sweet 16 birthday cakes and another students grandmothers 75th birthday! Really, maybe I should just open a store to sell my items and creative party planning services?! Anyone want to front the costs for it?

Oh well, I better continue to scan in these papers, yes I have been double-tasking or maybe even triple-tasking doing about 3 things at once. It keeps things interesting and my brain working even if some times I don't even feel like ym brain works correctly. Hopefully one day I will get our debt gone, my to-do list done and be able to take a real vacation!! Until then...BACK TO WORK on my TO DO LIST!

Our San Fran and Disneyland Trip

This vacation have really flown by! Why do they have to go so fast and never have enough time? I just wanted to post a few pictures for everyone to see what we have done. Already halfway through our stay I've had to dump both SD cards, one 4GB and one 8GB! Lots of pictures and videos. So here are a few pics from San Fransisco and from Disney.

Jay being Jay!

AT&T park.

At the pier by the baseball field

We are here!

Bay Bridge

Jay and Adam walking in the street. They closed the street for the day so residence could walk, bike, run, etc.

I would never be able to do this on a regular day.

Bella's store! This gelato was awesome!!

Alcatraz

We saw the sea lions!

Before we walked up.

On our way up!

We made it down! Then had to walk more down Lombard!

Golden gate Bridge. We were too tired to walk all the way there.

On the Cable Car!

We got to meet up with Chris! So great to see him after 7yrs!!

We made it to Disneyland!

We feel like GIANTS here, everything is sooo small and compact.

Can you find the castle?

They are still doing it the old way, handstamps when you leave the park!

Potty Training once again

Well its that time when I am sick and tired of changing DIAPERS! It's time to start potty training Brinlee and we will then be done with diapers...woo hoo! She has not wanted to sit on the potty, she screams and throws a fit, nothing like the twins who were interested. I thought she would since she sees them use the potty all them time.

We are going to start today, it will be a huge shock for her and a very long and traumatic week for me. Bring on the alcoholic beverages to get me through LOL! I have to take her to the pedi for an appt, then home to say 'bye' to the diapers and put on big girl panties and start the running to the potty, wetting and messing up the panties until we get it. Of course because of my wonderful couponing skills and stockpiling I am stocked on cleaning supplies for the floor. I'm sure I will need it. At least it's only 1 this time and not twins. I don't know how I did it 2 yrs ago?!?

I will try to keep you updated on how it's going and when we are fully potty trained! I can't wait, can you tell?

Merry Christmas Eve

Well it's Christmas Eve morning and I'm wide away at 5:45am!! Why? Who knows. Everyone is sound asleep and here I sit. So I figured I would do a blog entry. It has been a rough week but I am hoping today the kids will be good for Santa to return tonight with their gifts. We are going to track Santa on NORAD, which I have already been doing! Also on my phone too! We are going to make sure we set out cookies and milk for Santa, head up to my parents for an early dinner, then go to Christmas mass at church, back up to my parents to open gifts there. After that we will all head back home to sleep at our house, put out cookies, say farewell to Murry, our new adopted elf that will watch over us next year and report to Santa himself. Then off to bed for the little ones.

We will then work our 'elfy magic' to help Santa put out gifts, and put a few together. Which reminds me we better go get some much needed batteries and garbage bags! I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas with their family and friends. I do miss my family up north and can not wait to see everyone next year when we visit. I also miss performing in the Nutcracker too! I watched a 2000 video last night and felt 'CFB homesick.' Well time for family now and can't wait to see the kids faces tonight and tomorrow!! I am very blessed with the family that I have, even when I complain that they are bad.

With much love, have a wonderful Christmas!!
Picture/video will come soon!

Just Keep Saving, Saving, Saving...

Yes I know I haven't posted on here in a long time! Better late than never, busy times here. Anyway had to share my wonderful savings today!! Are you ready? I had to go to Publix for a few things, mostly the BOGO and did extremely well, you gotta love those BOGO deals topped with coupons and then those that also have competitor coupons as well...A STEAL!

For everything you see in the picture, minus Bella and Brinlee my total was:
Without in store savings/BOGO/coupons total would have been: $99.62
Special Price Savings: $41.09
Vendor Coupons: $16.65
Store Coupons (Competitors coupon from Winn Dixie for $5 off $50 or more): $5
Total Savings: $62.74
I had a giftcard as a gift: $20
So my total OOP was: $16.87!! Still without the giftcard my OOP would have been only $36.87

My items in my cart were:

(* = Coupon, BOGO= BOGO offer, ^= Sale)

Hot Dog buns

2 Bic Lighters BOGO **

2 6pk Orville Popcorns BOGO **

2 Ritz Munchables BOGO **

1 Danimals yogurts *^

2 Ragu pasta sauces ^

2 Jimmy Deans Sausages BOGO *

19 Yoplait yogurts ^ ***

2 Chex Mix Cereals BOGO *

2 Lays Potato Chips BOGO

2 Crisco Oils BOGO **

2 Mulluers Pastas BOGO ***

4 2ltr Publix Sodas ^

2 Musclemanns Applesauces BOGO

2 Publix Sweet teas BOGO

1 head lettuce

2 Sunmaid Raisins ^ *

2 Fantastik Cleaners BOGO **

I want to thank my most amazing, talented, thoughtful boss, Jamie for the Publix giftcard, it was put to really good use!! If you want to know how to save like I did here, saving more than you spend, sign up for one of my Cre8tive Couponing classes or ask about holding a Cre8tive Couponing Party! Believe me it's worth it, don't believe me ask those that have taken my class, you can save more than you spend. My pantry and stockpile is STOCKED, I think I need another pantry to hold even more!

Sarah's 30th B-Day Minute to Win It Games

OK so here are the games we are going to attempt to play...If you are lucky enough to be reading this before the party, you can see what game you'd like to play. Alright got all the videos embedded. I can't wait to see if we can actually do these. Ready for a good time and laughs? You bet!!

*All of these games are from the NBC Minute To Win It Site*

Don't Blow the Joker


Keep It Up


Spoon Frog


Face the Cookie


Extreme Hanky Panky


Scary Cherry


Stack Attack


Johnny Applestack


Keep the Change


Tweeze Me


Bulb Balance


How's it Hangin'


Penny Hose


Suck it Up


Noodling Around


Separation Anxiety


Chocolate Unicorn


Dizzy Mummy


Movin' on Up


Elephant March


Nose Dive


What a Racquet


Office Dominoes*We will do this one with CD cases, 15-20 of them and a garbage can*


Caddy Stack


Hangnails


High Strung


Magic Carpet Ride


Matchmaker


Stick the Landing


Rapid Fire

Please help me win! I entered the Glade design a candle contest. Please help me WIN!! Follow the link and vote vote vote for my design. I called it 'Presence of Peace' definitely what I need around here some days. If I win they will make it for purchase in all stores. Woo Hoo!!
Please vote everyday, I need all I can get!

VOTE HERE 

Sarah's Update...and then some

Had my check up today for my ablation surgery. Everything went really well and he expects good results, won't know for sure since I will have discharge for up to 2 weeks, then have to wait and see next month what happens and months after that as well.

Also during my check up I got to see pictures of the before, he still has to find the after pictures, but they all look like Mars to me LOL! He did find a cyst, and I could feel where it was too. He was going to order a sonogram for me for it, but decided to do it right there in the office since it seemed to be about 5-6cm. Well measuring on the sonogram it's 7cm! Clear fluid which is good for now. He said that this is something that needs to be watched. It could have been a small cyst that was aggravated by the surgery and will get smaller, or could grow larger.

Come to think of it I have had sharp pains there in that same spot in the past few months not thinking anything of it thinking that it was just from my bad cramps, etc. I will go back in 1mo, have a blood test prior to that as well and see if it has grown and then what the next steps are.

I feel good today but have been in a little pain from him pushing on the cyst today. No cramping which is good. I did feel sick to my stomach and I think that is from a bad breakfast, my Mom was awful sick today as well as the twins having the stomach aches.

So I will have more updates on this, thanks for all the support during the last surgery, might have to have another one done too.

Surgery Update

Yes I had a small surgery on Friday morning. I have been having very heavy periods and severe pain in my hips each month with each cycle. One of my options was to have the NovaSure Ablation done and I decided this was the best option for me. Despite sinus congestion last week and day of surgery everything went well. My gyno was able to do the ablation, and said it went very well. He wasn't sure if it was possible at first because I had had 2 c-sections and the microwaves from the procedure could have cut a hole in my uterus where the incisions were, if they were too thin.

Apparently our of recover it took me 45min longer than they expected for me to wake up. Hey I was sleeping, enjoying the peace and quiet!! I don't get that. I was about to yell at them when they woke me up shaking my legs. Hello!! I'm sleeping!!!

I went home that day, Jay made me some soup and I slept most of the afternoon. I then sat on the computer and worked on a picture video for work. Didn't do much at all. Saturday the same thing. I was feeling a lot better too! Yesterday, Sunday, I felt fine. We went to a birthday party and came home to make tacos and hung out with my Mom and John and Michelle. Janelle came over with Payton too for a short visit.

I don't know if it's from the surgery or because I was due for my next cycle this coming week, but yesterday afternoon and today I've been spotting/ bleeding a little. I'm not too concerned because I'm not gushing or anything nor and I in pain. If this is what my period is going to be like I'll be happy! I have my post-op appt on Wednesday to see how everything went and ask questions. I'll give you an update after that.

Vote for Sarah!

MOST CREATIVE MOM!

Jay entered me in the Micheal's Most Creative Mom contest on Facebook. Of course with my creative help we put together a video. All we need you to do now is log onto Facebook through the below link and VOTE VOTE VOTE!! You can vote once a day through may 9th! Make Sarah's Mother's Day very special by giving her the most votes so she can win a Micheal's Gift Card, since we find here there a lot. 

Click on this link to go and VOTE: Be sure to tell all your friends to vote as well!!

http://apps.facebook.com/creativemom/profile.php?id=369

Here is the video that we submitted with 3 pictures too:

 

Set for Friday

I had my pre-op today at the doctors office and at Winnie-Palmer for my surgery on Friday morning. I will be having a D7C done as well as the Novasure Ablation. Things went pretty smooth today, even when I had to get blood taken - I didn't faint!! Lots of paperwork of course and things I need to do tomorrow night, that will not be fun.

Please keep me in your prayers Friday morning that everything goes well, no complications and I can eventually be pain free each month! I will let you know how everything goes on Friday.

Washer Update 3

OK well on last Friday never heard anything from Lowes. SO I packed up the kids and picked up my Mom and headed straight there to see if I could get an answer. The guy I was talking to during the week was out sick, but I talked to the store manager. Quickly explained my situation and he seemed to not really care what it was but immediately said lets get you a new washer.

He took the information on what washer I had and scheduled a swap out for that afternoon/evening. I didn't have to do a thing but be at home by 5pm. The same installation guy showed up and was great. Took out the old washer, put in the new one and have a nice day!

So if you ever have problems, or are thinking of getting new appliances go to LOWES! They have great customer service and care about their customers. They listen. I always feel odd when I go into a Home Depot but Lowes is so friendly with great prices.

So we have been sinning around again with our washer and dryer. It's nice to be able to do laundry again. Now to fill out the paperwork fr Whirlpool to get my money for the mattress pad that was ruined.

Please welcome...

Well I am still making bows, crayon rolls, and have expanded to other things. I went away with the name Simple Creations and came up with a wonderful new name to be able to cover all the wonderful and fun things I have to offer. Please welcome my new online store:

www.cre8tive-cre8tions.com

I am still in the process of setting everything up on the website, pictures of products have been taken, and prices set. All of my cre8tions still have to be added in so please check it out frequently as I get things added. With a full-time job, a husband and 3 kids time is limited so I mostly do it all at night when everyone is asleep! Quietness!!

What do I offer?

• boutique bows, clippies, headbands
  
• crayon rolls, potato sacks
• photo editing
• logo design
• announcements/invites
• digital scrapbooking
• more cre8tive items to come (they are in the works)
  

Everything is custom made to fit your needs. I will have a few items that are ready to go but I will not stock items. Once you order I will then start on your item(s) so they are custom to your needs! If you do't see something you like JUST ASK!

So please tell others, I will offer coupons, sales and other deals here and there. So keep your eyes open. I hope you will support me in this kinda-new adventure.

Spinning Around....

Well I am very excited and I think everyone else is too! We were able to work it out to get a new washer and dryer! Much needed around here to help save money on water and electric with Energy Star and HE!! We sold our old washer and dryer within 1 hour of posting on Craigslist too!

Here is a short video of our adventure....

Fun family day!

This is a week old but finally getting around to posting it. We went to DAK on March 7th for a fun family day, without Daddy :( We took Nanny and Gramps and a picnic lunch and so much fun!! We met up with our twin family friends from the Tampa area, walked around with them and also saw Festival of the Lion King show. It was one of the first warm, beautiful days in FL in a long time.

Here is a video of our day, enjoy!

Valentine's Day weekend and Big Girl Bed!

Well a little late in posting this but here we go....

The day before we took the kids to the local pottery place, Plaster Cottage in town and had a lot of fun. The twins each painted 2 things they got to take home. Bella chose a seashell and a car, and Quinn chose a car and Spongebob. Brinlee just watched of course. Jay and I painted letters for their names. Uncle John and Aunt Michelle met us there too to have some fun.



Afterwards Bella and Jay had a dinner date night at Chik-fil-A. So darn cute. They were seated at tables that had linens, and their orders were taken, and even got a desert and a Free picture! (I'll have to scan that one in at a later date). They had a nice little Daddy-Daughter date while Me, Brinlee, Quinn, John and Michelle at at Steak-n'-Shake, Quinn had no problem with that for sure! Brinlee had a lot of fun with the stickers at SNS!!!



Valentine's Day was a fun day. Jay had to work so it was me and the kids. We decided to go ahead and change Brinlee's bed into a BIG GIRLS BED!! I don't think she knew what was going on but sure did have some fun, here are some pictures.







The kids were also excited because they got some cards in the mail from Aunt Marlene and Uncle Dan. They each got $1 and the first words out of the twins mouths were "Let's go to the dollar store!" And of course we did. Quinn bought a box of DOTS CANDY, Bella bought a blue baseball bat and Brinlee picked out a pink calculator. Well Quinn's dots were eaten up fast, big surprise there huh?! Brinlee decided to eat off 5 of the buttons within 5 hrs, and Bella still has her bat to play with.

They also got really cute cards from Uncle Mike and Aunt Debbie. They were so excited to get even more mail!! They each got $5 which they wanted to put in their piggy banks.

Here are some pictures:

Then I was going to make Creme Brule for Jay as a V-Day gift but after buying the ingredients I realized it had to sit overnight, ugh. So I made a nice dinner and made KeyLime Parfait. I made my own recipe: Juicy Chicken and Delicious Dill Potatoes. You can find them on my recipe blog called Yummy Tummy Eats. Link is in the sidebar on the right!! Try it you'll love it! Here are some pictures.

A New Look

Well the Valentine's Day look is up! yea! I just love it, it gets me out of the cold mood that we have had here in FL. Ummm...moved to FL for the warm weather not the cold. Besides the new blog look, I got a wonderful gift from Dianna! She was so sweet to gift me some beautiful highlights for my hair. She came by today and highlighted my hair for me and it looks soooo goood! Dianna, I'll be calling you to do all my highlights. I will try to post a picture this weekend too.

I have to brag a little now too. I had a blast teaching my pointe class last night. We started experiementing with recital dances. The pointe number is going to rock! The girls are really into in and it will look so cool! I can't wait to start all the other dances as well. Sometimes I get a blank in my ideas and choreography, but feels so good when the ideas are flowing.

Well back to getting recipes added into my recipe blog, have a lot to do there as well.

Sarah's Foot Recovery

It's day 2 of recovery and ugh it's long. Yesterday my parents were over with the kids and made dinner. I slept a lot, the meds make me tired which is fine and I normally don't get much sleep. Jay was a big help by getting things, ice packs, drinks, food, etc. I did have a fever of 100.6 last night so on top of pain meds I took Tylenol as well. From all the sleeping I was up at 3am, so I did some scrapbooking on the computer.

I have been camping out on the couch all day and night. Can't go anywhere except for the potty, which is a chore in itself! Trying to get around toys, moving stools, etc. Bella was a huge help today when I went to brush my teeth, she got me a towel, put my brushes away, etc. My little nurse!!

I'm losing my voice and I don't know why? I'm thinking it's from stress, this dang FL weather too that can't decide what it's doing. My foot is still hurting and throbbing. I took a picture again today, not sure if you'll see much of a difference since it's still bandaged up. For some reason my ankle is hurting too. Oh the pains of getting better.

I'm looking forward to Christmas tomorrow, a very different one since I can't participate like I normally do, I hope that the twins don't run Jay down like they already have, but that's normal for them! LOL! Have a wonderful Christmas and I'll keep you updated on my progress.

Here is my foot on Weds. yep can't tell much but it is definitely swollen!

Here is my foot today, Thursday, I put my other foot next to it so you can kinda see the difference.

Sarah's foot surgery

Yesterday I went in for foot surgery, 12/22/09. I was getting my bunion corrected, some pins/screws put in, etc. They rattle ff all those medical terms it totally confuses me. I had to be there at 7:20am, sat in the prep-area for a long time while they started an IV, asked 100 questions, talk to the anesthesiologist, etc. They had to lay me back with a cold compress because I started to pass out after they gave me the IV, I'm such a wimp! Dr. McRorie came in to also mark my foot and initial it so there were no mistakes. Jay stayed with me till I went into the OR. There was a nice flat panel tv to watch so we watch 'Let's Make a Deal.' Random thought I know.

My surgery was scheduled for 9:20am, they didn't roll me out of the prep area till about 10am. I remember getting wheeled into the OR, transferring to the bed, them strapping me down to the table and that's it. I think I woke up around 1pm, then we left around 2pm or so.

I slept all day yesterday after I ate, I was so hungry. The meds are making me very drowsy and itchy too. The itching is subsiding a bit. It's hard for me to keep my eyes open, but I guess my body needs a rest. Just getting up to go to the bathroom on crutches is a chore and very painful, my foot throbs soooo much, so the couch is very much my best friend right now!!

Jay and I decided to get a new camera as our family Christmas gift so I played with that for a little bit yesterday and today. I will try to take some pictures of my lovely foot. You can't see anything right now because it's all bandaged up! More to come later this week.

Pics from 12-22-2009: Day of Surgery

The look of Cheer!

Oh yes my favorite time of year I changed up the look of our blog!! Isn't it awesome? I used a kit from MK Designs, her stuff can be found at www.shabbypickle.com for all you scrapbookers out there. It was very cheerful and bright and goes well with the Christmas music that I have for our playlist too.

Well I better go and get the tree decorated, I hope to get out of the house tonight and get a good meal if we can find someone to watch Finna to give her her meds every 2hrs. Long story there, I had a very rough day yesterday and today so I think I need a good meal and a drink! And even better...we have gift cards!

Till next post....Love you all!