Where were you?

September 11, 2001...

There are very few days in a persons life that they can recall exactly what they were doing on a particular date and time...September 11, 2001, is one of those days.

For me, like most people, it started out a normal day. I dropped my kids off at daycare then went to work. I remember my boss got a phone call from someone telling him to turn on the news. He called all of us into his office to see the TV and we all watched in a shocked silence at the horrific scene that was unfolding before us.

We didn't get much work done that day. Everyone spent more time watching the news than anything. Watching the planes hit the towers, and then watching the towers collapse was gut wrenching...I'm pretty sure it was that way to most people. When I got back to the home daycare I remember sitting down watching the coverage with  my friend, the woman who ran the daycare, and she had tears streaming down her face.
It was just that kind of day.

My biggest memory from that day wasn't so much the day itself as it was the days following...I remember hearing President Bush on the radio. Regardless of your political views, he was one person, to me, who when he gave a speech could actually make my eyes well up with tears, and make me so proud to be an American and to belong to this great nation. It was the only time that I can remember (in my 31 yrs) that our nation seemed to come together to help and support each other regardless of race, political views, or even religion. We were just Americans feeling sorrow, hurt, anger, and we were scared to death it could happen again...
But as a nation, we were united and determined to rebuild, and never forget the lives lost and the many heroes of that day.

To me and my family September 11, 2011, will be a very hard day. Not because it's the 10 year anniversary, or even because we lost someone to the towers...we didn't...what we did loose though was one of my heroes, my grandfather, on that very same day 1 year ago.

It is so hard to believe that it has been a year already since he's been gone. I still can't think or talk about him (or apparently type..lol) without starting to cry...
He left a large, unfillable, hole in our family when he passed on. They just don't make men like him anymore...I know he's pain-free, and in a much better place now, but it doesn't make loosing him any easier. I still miss him everyday.

September 11, no matter the year, will be difficult to a lot of people for a lot of different reasons, and a day that will not be forgotten.
Take the day to spend time with your family, hug your kids a little tighter, and be thankful that God has blessed you with another day on this earth with your loved ones.

Also take the time to do something nice for someone today..If everyone did this then our nation could come together and it not take a tragedy to make it happen. I made my pledge..have you? K-Love make a Difference in a Million Lives

If you haven't heard this song yet check it out....




And these next two are for Grandpa...It was two of his favorite songs. I love you.






and because I couldn't resist...lol..this is one of my favorites...at 7, this girl has the voice of an angel! :0)

Holy Crap...Christmas is coming up fast!

Holy Crap!!! I've just realized there is only 106 days left until Christmas Eve!

To some of you that probably seems like a lot of time, and to me it usually would too....
But this year, like I say every year(and never do) I'm going to have it all done BEFORE  Christmas Eve...
To those of you who know me...stop laughing....lol...I really am this year!  :0)
But ..that leads to the next problem...what the heck am I going to make?

I always try to make the majority of my gifts every year, and I try to make a little something for everyone. I will buy the majority of my boys gifts, but I love giving something handmade to all our relatives.
I like to think its a way to save money, and some years it is...some years it would have been way cheaper to just buy everyone something...but honestly I enjoy making the gifts, and I think theres just something really special about recieving a gift that you know someone made just especially for you, because they care...and I like to spread that feeling around on Christmas  :0)

So back to the problem at hand...What the heck am I making this year? Honestly I haven't a clue, but thanks to my new found, time-wasting  love... Pinterest...I do have some ideas...Here's a link to my Christmas ideas board
But here's my top favorites I've found so far...

For the kids in the family:

Name appliqued pillowcase

P.J. Eaters...hold PJ's so the kids can find them at night...super cute!

Iphone/ Ipod case

 For the ladies...maybe homemade bath baskets?

Square bath fizzies

Round bath fizzies

Japanese motive soaps

Pantry soaps

or maybe baskets of Vanilla products?

Homemade Vanilla extract - would have to be made now though..takes 2-3 months!

Vanilla brown sugar body scrub

and for the guys I really have no idea, except maybe one of these for my dad...who loves coffee cups, or maybe even  add one of his many funny quotes to it

So those are my ideas so far...Anyone else planning on making Christmas gifts? and if so have you figured out what you're making yet?

P.S...all these pictures I found on Pinterest...I'm not linking each picture back to its original site, but if you follow the link I placed above to my Pinterest Christmas ideas page then you can click on the pictures and go to the links that way. (I don't want anyone to get upset for posting their stuff without them getting credit!)

Decorated Chip Clips( clothespin) Tutorial

Today's project is really simple and I think they turned out really cute.
I desperately needed clips for my chip bags, but it never fails...When I need one, I can't find one.
I've seen lots of stuff on the web about different ways to decorate clothes pins, so I picked up a pack of 50 for $1 at the dollar store and decided to decorate them to make myself cute chip clips.
So here's how I did it...

I started out with some coordinating pieces of scrapbook paper that I've had in my sewing closet forever.

 

Then I gathered my clothes pins on a cutting board , my homemade Mod Podge (click here for recipe)and paint brush, and an X-Acto knife

The next step is really simple, unfortunately I didn't get a picture of it...
Brush on a thin layer of your Mod Podge onto one side of your clothespin.
Place that glue side down onto the back side of the scrapbooking paper you are using.
Then use your X-Acto knife to cut around the clothespin.
Use your finger to make sure that the paper is on there smoothly.
Do that to the other side of the clothes pin also.
Brush Mod Podge over the top of the scrapbook paper to seal. Make sure to pay close attention to the sides to make sure they get covered.
Let them dry

 Once they were dry I put them in a glass jar I also got from the dollar store for $4.

I'm not sure that I really need 50 chip clips, lol, but this way at least hopefully when I need one there will be plenty in the kitchen. Even better is that I spent $5 total for 50 clips! That's 10 cents a clip! Definitely couldn't have bought that many for that cheap in the store!

Homemade Mod Podge

I had a huge bottle of Mod Podge somewhere...Where that place is though, I have no idea...
Do you ever have that problem???
It can't be just me...lol
It drives me crazy!  I swear I've seen the bottle somewhere, but when I needed it last night of course its no where to be found...So I made my own so I wouldn't have to make a trip into town.
It's super easy, cheap, and the best part was I already had everything I needed at home to make it!

To make your own you will need:

Elmers permanent white glue or any cheap brand will work too (Just make sure it's permanent,not washable!)
mason jar with lid
water
varnish (optional)


In your mason jar mix 3 parts white glue with 1 part water.
You can add more water if needed ..you want it to have a runny paint like consistency.
It will look a little filmy when you put it on, but it will dry clear.
Make sure and let it dry in between coats.

I have also read that you can use the following to make glossy Mod Podge, but I haven't had a chance to try it yet. If you do let me know how it works!
1 cup White permanent glue
1/3 cup of water
2 tbsp of varnish
Mix and store in a mason jar

Happy Labor Day....a day late...

I'm a day late, but I hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day!
We celebrated it with my family on Sunday instead of yesterday. My mom and grandma went to church with us, then we went to my moms house for lunch. It was really nice to have the whole day to visit and catch up...Here's a few pictures from our day.

My brother eating all the cheeseball!

My brother thinking he's cute trying to run of with the cheeseball!!! Not cool....

My mom

My mom and Grandma

My niece Natalie

My nephew Vincent...Yes he actually managed to lift that watermelon..lol

My oldest son Tyler

My youngest son Chandler

That kid LOVES watermelon...lol...a mouthful, and a piece in both hands

Someone dug out the Violin

Grandma showing him how it's done

Only my family can go from holding a violin to a gun..lol

3 peas in a pod

How stinkin' cute is she?!?!

My middle son Dylan with Vince

How adorable..and sweet....until they wake up! lol

Pinterest

Oh my goodness...Must . Step . Away . From . Computer

I signed up last night for a  Pinterest account. I'm sure you've heard all the hype about it. I had, but I've been putting off signing up for a while since I had heard that it was highly addictive. The last thing I need is to be spending more time glued to my computer...but I broke down last night and signed up anyways, and everyone was so right! It is very addicting, and I love it!

I spent forever on my computer last night saving things that I found to my boards...and to make it even better there's a Pin you put in your bookmark toolbar and you can save things you find online to your boards also and it will save a link to the site you found it on. So not only do I not have to use my bookmarks and save everything to my computer anymore, but I can save the picture and link in the category I want on Pinterest and access it with one click..You can also share your boards with your friends and family, and have followers, and follow other people boards...All in all,I have to say it's pretty cool!
If you want to follow me you can find me at http://pinterest.com/hflotamoore/

Last thing I have to say about it is if you do not have an account yet, and you love decorative, and crafty stuff... Enter at Your Own Risk!  :0)

Rules and Expectations Contract

I have recently made up a  rules and expectation contract for our household. My boys, ages 7,12, and 14 are for the most part relatively well behaved, but we definitely had some issues that we needed to work on. I have to admit some of the problems were as much my fault as theirs since I tend to let them get away with more than I should. So this is as much guidelines for me as it is for them. I made it like a contract and I sat down with them all and we read through it together, and I answered any questions they had, then I had them sign it...maybe a little over dramatic for some of you, but to me I see it as a way to ward of future arguments. When there's a disagreement over someone saying they didn't know that was the rule, I can pull out the contract they signed and show them they did know. :0) So here it is...hope it can help someone else and their family in the future...Keep in mind this is geared more towards my teenagers...would need to be modified I'm sure for younger children.

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Rules and Expectation Contract

As children you have a legal right to adequate food, shelter, education, health care, clothing and protection from abuse. We, as your parents, are not required to give you anything else.

You will follow directions and requests made by parents. Parents may discuss the matter and explain their reasons, but parents are not required to explain or justify their decisions. There will also be no argument over this. If there is an argument, than that means you've made you point at least once. We do not need to repeatedly hear it.

All children are responsible for cleaning their own rooms and keeping their own rooms tidied up between cleanings. Cleaning is done weekly including dusting and vacuuming and cleaning the closets.

All homework and chores will be completed daily before any tv, xbox, computer ect.

If books are not brought home you will be immediately taken back to school to retrieve them. All homework will be monitored by parent and student online on a daily basis. There will be no excuses tolerated for incomplete work.

Prior permission must be obtained for all outside activities including going to the neighbors, visiting friends, after school activities, dating, etc. If a child is missing for more than 30 minutes without permission, it is considered a runaway and the police will be notified.

Prior permission must be obtained before riding in anyone else’s car. The  parents or approved sitter must meet the potential driver, approve of him/her, and see his/her driver’s license prior to receiving permission to leave.

No fighting or property destruction. Disciplinary action for any roughhousing is time out for 15 minutes or as determined at the time by disciplining parent.

No smoking at any time. No drug or alcohol use.

If caught with any drugs, or alcohol all privileges will be revoked and depending on the circumstances therapy or rehab will be required.

No profane language. Consequence: $0.25 taken for each offense out of money jar.

Amount can be raised by disciplining parent if needed.

Maximum Curfew—8pm or before its dark, unless prior permission has been granted by parent
Discipline for late curfew: grounded one day for each 5 minutes late. 

Parents will be given access and may monitor all e-mail and internet use. If information changes you will inform parent of password change or your accounts will be deleted.

Children of opposite sex are not permitted in bedrooms at the same time. If parent has approved this then bedroom doors will remain open AT ALL TIMES.

All food eaten in the house is to be eaten in the kitchen unless special permission is granted.

All tv's, Ipods, xbox etc. must be turned off at bedtime. Radio may be listened to as long as there is no arguing over the channel.

Bedtime on school nights is normally 10:00 p.m. for older children over age 12 unless a special privilege has been granted.

Younger children have earlier bedtimes at 9:00 p.m.

Extra money can be earned by assisting with chores other than routine weekly house cleaning. Allowance will not be paid if chores have not been completed. If no allowance is granted for that week then any deductions will be noted and will come out of the following weeks allowance.

Church will be attended, unless sick, on a weekly basis without complaint or excuses.

You will not take or use things that belong to others without permission.

Return all borrowed items as agreed and in the condition they found it.

Hygiene will be daily and at an appropriate time. Parents will designate what must be done and will become more directive if you fail to manage this responsibility. 
Example: If you want your hair long, keep it washed and non greasy looking, or you will be taken to get it  cut

No guests may be invited while parents are away.

Permission must be obtained prior to inviting any guests to the home.

Parents will try to help, support and solve problems if you are having problems. You will lose some freedoms, choices and privileges if you do not cooperate or if you refuse to follow the house rules.

Sign below to indicate that you have read and fully understand the above.
Signed and dated,

_____________________________
(Teenager/ children)

_____________________________
(Parent or parents)

_____________________________
(Date)