Cleaning out the closet

I stuffed my closet with everything I didn't want to deal with finding a space for, or clothes I couldn't fit, or didn't like.

I didn't like the doors open, or seeing the clutter inside.
I felt depressed, or stressed every time I went to get something out of it. So.. Monday morning , I decided that is enough. The closet is supposed to benefit me-so I decided to purge-BIG time. I started throwing things out on the floor.

Then I took out all the shoes that were dated or uncomfortable and threw them out of the closet.

I bagged it all up, and placed it by the front door.

I saw how much space I had, and all the extra hangers I could use!

I realized I own way to much black attire, and made a mental note to get more " color" in my life/wardrobe.


And I motivated myself to only purchase clothes that made me feel pretty, or fit well, and I cleaned out my purse! It was a great motivator- I know I can always buy more clothes, because there's always a sale, and it will be fun as I lose weight.

Sunday Family Day

Brian's birthday fell on a Monday this year, so on Sunday afternoon, we had a "family day" to celebrate together. He drove over near Diamond Head, to the beach.

Sawyer wore Levi's goggles the whole time.

He picked up sand ...

and threw lots of sand back into the ocean.

The kids collected coral and shells,

and Levi boogie boarded.

I relaxed and soaked up the warm sunshine.

Afterwards, Brian wanted to show the kids a Cactus garden at a local college.




I did not realize there are so many varieties.
I took a lot of pictures , but do not know the names of the plants.
This one was bulbous at the bottom...

And this one looked like a tree-, but without leaves and poky, spiky things instead.. (real scientific aren't I)


This obviously isn't a cactus , but I liked this tulip tree...

Afterwards, we drove around the island past Hawaii Kai, and stopped in Waimanalo at Keneke's to surprise the kids with a shave ice. Look at the shock on Sawyer's face -they were so huge!

We got home in the early evening, had a lite dinner, then watched Ice Age 3 together. It was a great family day.

PS (Saturday Mr.B and I have a "date night", to celebrate our November birthdays together)

Harvest Party

We went to our church's Harvest Party for Halloween.

A fireman attended... ,
a soldier... (we made him leave the air soft pistol in the car after the photo-was not happy),

and an Indian. (She said she was a "Crow Indian", because she was born in Billings, Montana-near the Crow reservation)

There were " bandits" there...

and Princesses.

Donut eating contests...

Hot Wheel car races, (Sawyer won 4 times)

outdoor fishing holes,

indoor ping pong games, (he threw the ball instead of bouncing it once, on the table-yet made it 3 out of 4 times in the cups!)

a putting range, (he made a hole in one , and "pared" the course )

and remote control car races!

Plus candy ...

Lots and lots of candy!

It was a fun, relaxed evening, and the kids came home, then went to the next door neighbor's party, and were in bed by 9 pm. All in all , a very good time.

Card Class

I've been making Christmas cards with lots of glitter and fake glistening snow crystals..
(As always-click on picture to see more details...)
The first card is "Shellebrate"- I used the seashell tree stamp, but there is also a surfing snowman in this set. I also used some new Stampin Up paper "Christmas Cocoa". I love this paper because it is flocked. The ribbon is from last years Christmas mini catalog.




The second card was made using the "Dasher" stamp and another set called "Snow Swirled". I also used a large felt snowflake, and some rhinestones placed in the deer's antlers. It's hard to see in the photo, but I used Martha Stewart coarse glitter on the snowflake, and around the circles. I shaded this card with the new Soft Suede ink in this years catalog.

Sticker mania

The other night, I was in my "craft room" outside cutting card stock for card class, and Sawyer was with Brian in the living room...umm, so I thought.



In actuality, he was in the kitchen drawer, getting out the smiley face stickers.

By the time I came inside the house, he was putting them all over his arms and legs, and tried to share them with me. The stickers are for my calendar for good behavior-not for body art.

(Forgive the "wardrobe", all my pics seem to catch him un-robed because of the warm weather! )

Winter cards

I used two sets at my card class, that invoke memories of chilly nights, and snowy evenings in Montana.

The first set is new "Cold and Cuddly " and I embossed the polar bear and put glitter on the ice. The decorative paper is older from Stampin up "Wintergreen". I love it-yet hate using it, because I know it will soon be gone. (Didn't let that stop me!)

Next up is a retired set called "Espresso Yourself" . I love this set. I especially love the new decorative paper from Stampin up because it reminds me of knit sweaters and mittens! I put glitter on the marsh mellows and mug. I also used a lot of creamy carmel to give it a vintage feel.

It is very hard to "feel" wintertime approaching here. There isn't alot of change in weather, and I know I wont be seeing any frost on the ground anytime soon.

I am however, enjoying all the Christmas decor out in the stores, and thinkin' about who, Christmas represents.

Easy as 1 - 2 -3 !

I'm so excited about cooking this dinner! Yes-I actually used excited and cooking in the same sentence! I got a recipe from a local girl at my Mops meeting, and today I'm testing it out.

The kitchen is smelling delicious, and the kids asked "What's cooking?" when the came home from school.

I'm actually excited to sit down tonight and get their reviews.

So what is this easy as 1,2,3 recipe you ask?

Well, you'll need a crock pot to get started. Mine is from my mom, and I used to use it in Montana, all the time for stew. Since living here in this 82 degree weather, I've only pulled it out of the cupboard to cook little smokies at our Christmas party last year.

First ingredient - pork butt. OK yes, I said the B word. My kids were amazed.

Nothing fancy, just grabbed a medium size one at the grocery store.

Second ingredient-Liquid smoke.

Third and last ingredient- Hawaiian Sea Salt and Seasoning.

Prep-Remove lid from crock pot.

1. Place the P.B. in the crock pot.

2. Pour 1 1/2 tbsp. Liquid Smoke on top of P.B.

3. Pour 1 tbsp. Hawaiian Sea salt on top of P.B.

Finished-Place lid on crock pot , turn knob to low.

Go to craft room and play.

( Well, I wanted to play in craft room-that would be the ideal plan)

Later in the day -admire the wonderful smell and hard work of the crock pot. Impress your neighbors as they smell the scent coming thru your kitchen window!

Get out your trusty,yet ugly, rice cooker and let it go to work for you as well.

Enjoy!!

Yum yum!

Bedtime and Books

I love this time at night-after bath time, before bedtime, when Brian sits and reads a book to Sawyer.


He practices his speech and listens intently to facts about animals, or insects, and studies every page. I tried to sneak a couple pictures before the flash caught and diverted his attention.