Shopping Trip

I've been able to find some great deals this week. Target had several coupons on their website for Up&Up products.  I paid $1 each for the wipes, cleaner and lightbulb. The rest was free....now I've got some great things for the food pantry. Today Hy-Vee had a one-day sale. Everything was on sale except the eggs and bananas. I hated to pay $1.59 for the eggs, but I needed them so I could bake treats for work tomorrow. I had coupons for the soup so I paid a whopping 19 cents a can!! The oj was a great stockup price at 99 cents. Good thing it has a long expiration date.

Flower Arrangment

I've been seeing flower arrangements like this at several stores lately.  I decided to try and make my own.  Originally I was going to put it on the coffee table in the living room, but ever since Christmas the kitchen table hasn't had a center piece.

I got all of the pieces on sale.  The vase came from Michael's and the flowers from Hobby Lobby.  I've had the crystals for a long time and never had a use for them.

It'll be very easy to just replace the flowers when it's time for a change.



Kitchen Cleaning and Decluttering

Yesterday I had a burst of energy so I decided to clean and declutter the kitchen. The cupboards were cleaned inside and out as well as the frig. I found several things for the trash and things for the garage sale box. Why did I have so many extra spatulas and knives??!! The biggest difference was the decluttering of papers on the countertops and the table. Magazines have been put away. Receipts have been filed. Work papers have been filed. Everything is now in its place.  

And no, I didn't just move things before I took the pictures.  I know who you are if you're thinking that!

Things to do in 2011

Better late than never on getting my goals/to-do list posted for 2011. 

• Remove the wallpaper in the two rooms that have it yet.
• Learn to hand quilt.  I have the project made and ready to quilt, just need to get started.
• Expand my knitting knowledge.  I have knitting down, it's the purling that is giving me problems.  I had a co-worker show me a few weeks ago but haven't gotten much practice in.  I want to expand beyond scarf making.  
• Continue my workouts at the fitness center.  I do really great by going almost every day, but the few pounds I lost a year ago have found their way back.  Snacking after I get home from work is definitely my downfall.
• Decorate the spare bedroom.  This is the only room on the main floor that I haven't touched since I moved in.  The wallpaper and blue carpet have to go.  I've been trying to find a bedspread that I like so I know what color scheme to go with, but I'm not having any luck.  It's so hard to order online because you just don't know what color you'll end up with.
• Declutter and organize a couple of closets.  There are still some boxes that are packed from my move almost three years ago.  Obviously, I'm not using that stuff, so it's time for a trip to Goodwill.

Shopping Trip

I had a good shopping trip to Target today.  I found a clock on clearance for my basement, lightbulbs, and lotion.  I had a Target coupon and a manufacturer coupon for both the lightbulbs and the lotion so my entire purchase was $2.17.  The clock was $1.98 so the other stuff was free!!

I haven't found a lot of really good deals lately so was glad I had made a Target run.

My New Addiction

I've been busy making hats.  Here are a few of them.

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Review of 2010

Time to review how my 2010 went:

*Bigger garden:  The garden did get a couple of feet bigger, but not near as big as I had wanted.  I'll have to try again this year for another couple of feet. 
*Bigger flower bed:  This one I accomplished after a lot of hard work.  Some day I'd like it larger still, but for now, it's good.
*Tracking money:  Didn't do so well on this one.  I have all of the information, but it's not organized at all and doesn't do me any good. 
*Workouts:  I did great on this one.  I work out almost every day after work.  Not much weight loss to show from it, but I'm happy that I've stuck with it.
*Remove wallpaper:  I got 1 out of 3 of the rooms done.  The main bath was the room I did, and after spending 30+ hours removing paper, I just couldn't get motivated to do any more.
*Finish sewing room:  I'm very happy with this room.  I got the storage cabinets up and some decor on the walls.  It's a bright, cheery place to sew.
*Work on sewing projects:  I finished Lisa's quilt and also made a wallhanging for the sewing room that I wasn't planning on.

I'm happy with what I got done, but there's always room to do more.  I don't have my 2011 list finished yet but hope to post in a couple days.

Happy New Year!