A happy me

A happy me
family - is everything

Friday, March 2, 2012

Mr. Eye Candy

Mr Eye Candy.  He's got the day off...well, he always has Friday's off.  However, this is a special Friday. Why? Because he's doing his HONEY DO list. :)  I'm pretty happy about that!

Have you ever read that book: THE FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES  ? Wow.  Awesome book.
1. Acts of Service. 2. Physical Touch. 3. Quality Time. 4. Gifts. 5. Words of Affirmation.

Acts of Service is MY love language.  Where someone does an act of service for you...whether it's taking out the garbage, or cleaning the garage - or in my case, taking out an old toilet and creating a PANTRY for me. We have an old tiny bathroom off the laundry room...that actually makes no sense as to why its there.  We never use it...and we've had the water off pretty much since we moved in here 6 yrs ago.  There is a little corner sink and cabinet in there that we'll leave though.  He has taken out the toilet already, and NEXT will come all my BARN WOOD (oh how I love 100 yr old barn wood!!!!) shelves!! I'm so excited.  I will finally have a place to store a lot of my canning that I plan on doing this fall.   I'm trying to think of as many frugal things I can do as gas prices are sky rocketing!  Our Lawn Care Business is going to take a big hit this year.  I am just trusting God. However, I also know I have to do my part. 

We're going to purchase some more chickens too! I'm pretty excited about that!  We're deciding on Rhode Island Reds (maybe) or probably the Austrolorps that Mr. Eye Candy has wanted.  They are good layers.  We are planning on buying pullets that will be laying already or about to...so by Memorial Weekend we can have our Road Side Stand ready for the campers that come up.  That is basically the first weekend of the summer season for us here in Northern Michigan.  I want to be ready.  I'm also looking at maybe making my own loaves of bread...I spend SO much on bread!  I have not made bread since I was a teenager at home...um..yeah...that was a long time ago! HA HA

I'm still stalled with the weight loss.  I'm not sure why.  I am drinking at least 2 protein drinks a day and eating good veggie meals with protein.  I eat very small portions, but feel I can eat about a cup of food at one sitting.  Maybe more if its soup.  I did drop to 152.3 last week...but was back up to 153.2 today. AHHHHHHHH  I'd love to see below 150.  Any tips girls?

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

More Frugal RUSTIC ideas

Oh how I love Rustic.  I live in a very rustic little 'cottage' feel home...you walk in and just kick your shoes off. Home.

Here are some ideas I fell in love with and hope to incorporate into our little home by the lake.  (Mr. Eye Candy...are you reading this? hee hee)

#1
ok again w/ the hooks...but our house is small and we need hanging areas! This would be great in my closet. :)

#2
Now this one is probably my favorite idea!!! LOVE...and Mr. Eye Candy could EASILY make this for me. :)

#3
These are gorgeous!

#4
Cute idea for an outdoor shelf! Old garden tools!

#5
Now this I love too! Awesome.

#6
My dream table!!!! (although it would have to be thinner! our house is tiny)

#7
for those of you that know me...you were probably wondering when I was gonna post one of these!! HA HA The chair is cool too. :)

#8
And this last one....would be Amazing in the Princess' bedroom! As there is no closet up there!! WARDROBE!

Have a great day everyone!  We are having a snow day...so it's a fun day of cooking in the kitchen for me!

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Frugal fun Projects

So, after receiving news that we are NOT going to be getting pre-approved for a loan...I've embarked (well I have always been searching) on a new quest.  Frugal Franny.  I think I will rename myself. LOL  I have always tried to be mindful of recycling and using up things in our home...but now...well...the space we have needs to have a little help.  I think it's time for SHELVES.  We put away our kitchen table and chairs months ago in storage so the house would be more 'open' and inviting.  I must admit I do love it w/ less!  Don't they say, "Less is More"?
Ok...so this is not a post about weight loss, but just a post of some fun ideas I found and want to attempt in the near future. (ok ok I'll be honest...it will be Mr. Eye Candy's list of things to do!)
#1
I love this cute idea of reusing door knobs:

#2
Oh what a CUTE idea for hanging stockings if you don't have a fireplace!!!

#3
and how unique is THIS???!!!

#4
I do love a quick easy way to spruce up a bathroom!!! Old barnwood would be great for this little quick project!!! Think Mr. Eye Candy needs to get busy on this one now. :)

#5
Here's a cute one for kids!

#6
This one I can do...and so can you!

All of the above ideas can be found at : http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=DIY+Home+Decor&qpvt=DIY+Home+Decor&FORM=IGRE#x0y19003

#7
Old door anyone?
#8
and of course what I WANT my pantry to look like....hey...I just want a pantry!

#9
A great idea for an old window!!! (almost as cool as the pot rack!)

#10
OH I do love this one!! Cool!! Back yard party anyone?

#11
and how about this cute idea? You could do this for CHEAP!

#12
Ok...last is this fun JAR photo display idea:

Ok, I see a theme here...I think I like jars! Oh boy...good think I have 100+ of them!

Have a great week everyone! LIFE IS GOOD!  We can make it that way!

Monday, February 27, 2012

Welcome!

Oh...and HEY WELCOME to all my fun followers!  Who knew I'd be so popular? 34 peeps!  I'm astounded and happy. THANK you for hopping on for this ride!

Lana

Double Finger Post

Ok...not to offend anyone, but this is my DOUBLE FINGER TO THE WORLD post.  Put your blinders on OR...hitch up your big girl pants and read on:

Ok.  Mr. Eye Candy and I have learned to be frugal.  When I say that...I mean, we do not live w/o TV or cell phones, or INTERNET (heaven help me I'd go crazy).....However, we DO buy from second hand stores for our clothing and other things.  (thank you my dear dear friends Louann and Natalie for owning such amazing stores I can shop in!!!! You're blessings).

I never buy anything unless it's on sale or I (hopefully) have a coupon!  I have learned to buy in bulk when I have coupons!!!  It works.  However, I still don't buy it unless I have the $$ to do so.

Mr. Eye Candy works two jobs.  He works full time as a Security officer at a casino....AND THEN, he works our Lawn Care business.  Winter is a slow season for us...but summers....busy.  Or can be.  We work together, he and I.  A team.  I like it.  I love it, actually.  We work well together, and I like to think of myself as the Boss. (ha ha).  He is really the boss as he's the guy w/ all the experience!  The man has done lawn care since he was a teen...and um...he's 38 yrs old...(sorry honey!).

OK...so here's the deal.  We've been trying to sell our little house.  Turns out....EVEN IF WE SOLD IT...we'd never be eligible for another loan from a bank. Even though we owe less than $8400 in debt, and our credit scores are 798 and 783.  Hello.  We made $36k last year... but according to a bank we are PAUPERS. ha ha ha ha Yes...that is me laughing out loud.  Why? Because the 8 years before that we only made $20k!!! HA HA HA  We were ROLLING in it last year.  I paid bills every month ON TIME!!!!! It was freaky!  It was no steal from peter to pay paul routine AT ALL.  Wow. 

So...turns out...I'm "Frugal Franny"!!!  Learning to can my own food and grow a garden...shop at thrift stores and pinch a penny, is the best thing I've ever done for my family.  So, Banks?...I'm poor? NO I'M NOT.  I'm richer today than I've EVER been in my life!!!  I've got a healthy family that refuses to eat GMO's and get vaccinated with poison.  

This is my double finger to the world post....I WILL SURVIVE and I WILL eat well...teach my children the fine art of squeezing the life out of a dollar! :)  Me, Poor? HELL NO.