Look what I did today...organized on a budget

I am totally serious about starting an organizing business. Thinking about it, it really makes sense for me. I can't function if my desk is messy. I HATE it when my dvd's are not alphabetized. And nothing is more annoying than when I go to get something I need and it's not where it should be.

So in my thinking about starting a business, I figured where better to start than in my own home. Now don't get me wrong, we are a tidy household. We can accumulate the typical messes but for the most part, our house is always neat. Over time, I've come to learn that there is a difference between being neat and being organized. Although my house was clean, it isn't totally organized.

This morning, I decided to organize my laundry room. By organize I mean, completely gut the entire reach-in closet, paint, and then organize. (all done before 11 am- yes I'm bragging) I wish I had taken a before shot but I'll include the after shot.

Now how much did this cost me?
Paint- FREE- left over from a previous painting job in the house
Trash bin- $3.99 at IKEA
Bins- $4.96 at Walmart

So my total was around $20!! Talk about organizing on a budget! *added bonus: this gave me a chance to clean behind my washer and dryer!!

Anyone need their laundry room revamped? :-)

Yummy yum yum...

When I say that I'm a lucky girl and married up, I'm not kidding. My husband is an amazing man and an awesome cook.

If you've read my blog you know that we make a monthly menu to help organize things and keep us from spending a fortune at the grocery store. Noah and I both feel that it seems as though we hve the same meals each month. He decided it was time for something new. He found this amazing recipe for sesame chicken- like you get at a Chinese restaurant. I am not a huge fan of Chinese food but I figured it was worth a shot.

Well I'm here to tell you...fantastic!! The recipe is below. Please let me know what you think!


Prep time: 30 mins
Cook time: 20 mins

Ingredients

2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon dry sherry
1 dash sesame oil
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon canola oil
4 (5 ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into 1-inch cubes
 
1 quart vegetable oil for frying
1/2 cup water
1 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 teaspoon red chile paste (such as Thai Kitchen®)
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

Directions

1. Combine the 2 tablespoons soy sauce, the dry sherry, dash of sesame oil, flour, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 2 tablespoons water, baking powder, baking soda, and canola oil in a large bowl. Mix well; stir in the chicken. Cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
2. Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
3. Combine the 1/2 cup water, chicken broth, vinegar, 1/4 cup cornstarch, sugar, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons sesame oil, red chili paste, and garlic in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Turn heat to low and keep warm, stirring occasionally.
4. Fry the marinated chicken in batches until cooked through and golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
5. Transfer the chicken to a large platter, top with sauce, and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Mommy Monday morning- part 2 (mom super powers)

At 2:32 am, my son decided to wake up and start crying. Now, I've come to learn that most times (especially at that hour) he's just making noise and quickly falls back asleep. So I usually look at the video monitor to make sure he's ok and he will soon fade back into that blissful and QUIET sleep. However, this morning, he didn't. I know it wasn't time for him to eat so I changed his diaper and put him back in his crib.

As I trudged back over to my own bed, I crawled in bed just in time for him to start crying again. Now remember, it's not time for him to eat so he needs to go back to sleep. I had a few choices. Let him cry it out, which is annoying and hard to sleep through, or go rock him to sleep, which is uncomfortable sometimes and can take a while.

So, as to not wake Noah, I went back over to Ayden's room to help him fall asleep. It was then that I realized that I didn't have to rock him at all and that I have super powers.

I found that if I just quietly whisper to him and rub his back, he magically falls asleep. I never thought I'd have that much power. So in a few short minutes, he was fast asleep and I was going back to bed.

As I moved Mac and slid into bed, I had quite a sense of accomplishment. I comforted my son to sleep.

Thank you Thursday

Vacuum all three floors AND stairs (using 2 vacuum cleaners). Empty the vacuum cleaners. Dust all appliances and furniture and fans. Clean all three bathrooms- including scrubbing the three toilets and two showers. Clean out the pantry and refrigerator. Take out the trash and recycling. Clean all the dog slobbers off the windows...in the living room, kitchen, AND guest bedroom. Steam the kitchen floor and the foyer. Pick up all the dog piles in the backyard. Pay the mortgage. Pay the cable. Pay the trash bill. Pay the water bill. Pay the electric bill. Pay the home insurance...on and on and on. Annnnnnd repeat.

No I'm not complaining. By having to do these things, I'm reminded that I'm fortunate enough to have a home. It's nights and temperatures like these that make me realize how lucky I truly am. No it's not always easy to appreciate cleaning and paying bills, but I am truly lucky to have a wonderful home.

Mommy Monday morning- part 1

I know being a new mom can be exhausting. With feedings, diaper changes, spit up, analyzing cries, and all that goes with babies, things can get frustrating. But I have to be honest, I have an amazing child that can start my day off on the best note ever.

Each morning at 5 am, I get up to feed the little man. Well, let me rephrase that. He usually wakes me up to let me know he's hungry and needs new "seat covers", as my mom says. So I roll out of bed, avoiding Mac, as not to wake him. (he thinks that when I move, it's time for breakfast and a walk) I blindly walk to Ayden's room and turn on the little night light. When I turn to his crib, there he is kicking his little legs and looking around with those bright eyes. All I have to do is say "mornin' baby" and there it is. This is what makes my day worth it. This little thing completely wakes me up and lets me know that my day matters.

My son smiles at his mommy- because he knows me and more importantly, loves me.

Bring it on 2012

Each year, I create a huge list of books to read, a specific workout schedule, a hobby I want to try and basically a million other resolutions to try and stick to. (none of which I actually master) So this year I'm going to keep with tradition and DO THE SAME THING. The only difference this year is that my resolutions aren't going to be a list a mile long- just one. Also, I'm going to post them here to have some accountability. That's right! I'm allowing all of you the privilege of calling me out on any of my resolutions. Please understand that I'm not perfect by any means but if I have someone checking in on me, I think that will help. So check on my progress- I'll keep you updated on here as well.

So here we go...

1. SIMPLIFY! I read books all the time on how to simplify my life, and yet, I still get stressed and continually run ragged with the busy things life brings about. I imagine it's inevitable but there are times when I bring the stress on myself. In 2012, I'm determined to destress and simplify. More family, less work. More reading, less tv. More exercise, less sitting. More saving, less spending. More blogging, less venting. More friends, less excuses. More hobbies, less "no time for that". More compliments, less cursing. More fun, less boredom and certainly less pessimism.

I know that sounds like a lot. Didn't I say I was not going to make a bunch of resolutions and just simplify? I know. I know. But in reality, this is my one resolution (with subcategories). :-)

So in general, I'd like to spend more time being with my family and less time thinking about work. I want to be able to focus on what is truly important in my life. I want to finally read the books that I buy and never seem to get to. I want to eat a more healthy diet and get some exercise. (not go crazy with dieting by be healthy) I will finally pay off my car this year and I'd like to start saving for a big family vacation. I want to use this blog more than I have. It's stress relief for me and I don't know why I don't write more. I want to spend more time with friends. I get to see a few of them from time to time but not nearly as much as I'd like. I want to spend more time on my hobbies instead of starting something and never finishing. I REALLY want to stop with the potty mouth. I realize how silly I sound sometimes when I use those words. I want to start living in the moment for once. I find that I plan way too much and although I enjoy a good plan, I'd still like to enjoy my plans when they are unfolding.

There ya have it folks. My 2012 new year resolution. I'll keep you updated on my progress and feel free to check in on me and keep me accountable. Happy new year to you all and I wish you a happy and safe year!