Fall Purging

I was inspired by one of my favorite bloggers, Kelle Hampton, to go through my house and purge! Purge anything that I haven't been using, forgot about, don't need any more, etc.  I am starting with the desk and hoping to get through that and my craft stuff today! 

Wish me luck!  What are you up to today?

An Announcement

You may (or may not) have noticed that I haven't posted a lot on the blog about what I do for work.  It's not that I didn't want to share it with you... I had a part-time, work from home position for a government contracting company and enjoyed the work that I was doing however my contract was only set for one year so when it ended that was it.  After that I started some part-time, work from home things here and there for my dad.  I actually really enjoy the work that I do for my dad however it is increasingly hard to put in hours because I can pretty much only work while Everett is asleep.  If he is awake it is pretty much impossible because he likes to be with me and doing what I am doing all the time!    

So after much thought, prayer, and deliberation about what my working future holds Tyler and I have decided that our best option would be for me to start an "at home day care."  I love working with children and already watch little Miss Lilly a few days a week so I am looking for 1-2 more full time kiddos. Although it may end up being a combination of full time and part time kiddos.  

I am really excited about being "self-employed" and being able to stay home with Everett.  I am also excited about having him be able to interact with kids around his age on a daily basis.  I think that this will be good for him because he loves to play! 

Here's what my "add" on Facebook says: 

Looking for two kiddos (ages 12-36 months) to add to my at home day care- Thompson's Tots located at (omitted) around middle of October. If you are interested, please feel free to private message me or email me at ThompsonsTots@gmail.com for more details. Thanks!

I am not sure how this will effect my blogging, I do plan to at least continue blogging on Mondays, Wednesdays (Mouth Watering Wednesday), and Fridays (Nifty Thritfy Friday/Nap Time Craft Time).  As I mentioned in this post, I do plan on continuing to post a Letters to Everett post and a Currently post.  I also plan on posting Daily Happenings a few times a month as well. 

So what do y'all think about my new endeavor? 

Nifty Thrifty Friday: Sea Shell Lamp

Nifty Thrifty Friday features items that I have either found a thrift stores or items I already owned and have given new life or upcycled.  These items may be as small as a shoe box or as large as a sofa! I hope you will join me on some of my thrifting adventures!

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Welcome to the first Nifty Thrifty Friday post! Remember the lamp base that I found in this post?  It got a make over, but first a little back story! 

 

While we were in Delaware visiting Grandma we saw this lamp at the Sea Shell Shop and I really wanted it! It would have matched our beach decor perfectly but at $169 it was definitely out of my price range. 

Inspiration lamp, $169

I found a few websites that had similar lamps; like this site, this site, and this site. All of the lamps I found were still pretty expensive so I figured that I would never have my precious sea shell lamp. Enter the $5 lamp base that I found at the thrift store in Delaware. As soon as I saw it, I knew what I was going to do with it!

Here's the lamp in it's original state.

So here's the make over! First I covered the glass with a plastic bag and taped off the areas that I didn't want to get sprayed (to include the cord.)  Side note: I tried to take the whole thing apart but the cord was connected and was not able to be taken apart. 

All taped up

While the spray paint was drying, I got out the shells that I wanted to put in the lamp.

The shells were free thanks to Grandma!

After the spray paint was dry (I did two coats), I took off the tape and the bag... and voila! 

Much better than the brass/silver finish

I started adding the shells to the base. This proved to be very tedious because I wanted to make sure that the "pretty" side of the shell was facing out so that when you look at the lamp you don't see all the insides of the shells. 

Adding the shells

Here's what it looked like after I added the shells. 

Getting closer...

Annnnnnd here it is with a shade (that we already had) put on. Pretty darn close to the inspiration lamp?  Actually, I think I like it more than the inspiration lamp!  

Ta-da!

So how much did this all cost? Let's break it down:

• Lamp base from the thrift store: $5
• Lamp shade: $0
• We had this from an old lamp at our house
• Spray paint: $0
• We had this from a previous project
• Sea shells: $0
• Donated from Grandma!

That is a grand total of $5 (no sales tax in Delaware)! Even if you had to buy the lamp base, lamp shade, spray paint, and the sea shells, I think that you would still be able to make out under $169! 

All settled into it's new home!

So what do you think?

Baby Date

Lilly and Everett out on a date.. it's starting too early over here! 

Mouth Watering Wednesday: No Bean Chili

Welcome to the new segment series of posts called "Mouth Watering Wednesday" ("Fresh Friday" and "Mmmm Monday" were also in the running!)  Basically I am planning on sharing a recipe that I have recently tried and liked or something that is a "staple" at the Casa de Thompson. The majority of these will be paleo (you know since we are into that and all) but they wont be "weird" or anything outlandish- just good food! So to kick us off, I am starting with the chili that I talked about in my Currently post from last week. Let the fun begin! 

Here's what you'll need: 

• 1 lb of ground beef (or whatever meat you prefer)
• 4-5 large tomatoes (diced/chunked)
• 1 green bell pepper (diced)
• 1 small yellow onion (diced)
• 4 cloves of garlic (diced)
• 1.5 tbs of chili powder
• 1 tsp of dried basil
• 1/2 tsp of garlic salt 
• 1/2 tsp of ground black pepper
• Large skillet
• Crock pot (or large stock pot)

Here's what you'll do: 

• In a large skillet combine all the veggies and let them cook over medium heat until the tomatoes are nice and squishy (about 10 minutes)

Smelling good!

• Move about 3/4 of the cooked veggie mixture to your crock/stock pot and put the temperature on Warm (if your crock pot doesn't have a Warm option you will want to cook this close to when you want to eat it.  I left mine in the crock pot all day after it was done cooking so that the flavors could really blend together.)

Spice up your life!

• Next add the ground beef and the spices to the remaining veggies in the skillet and cook until meat is completely cooked through. 

Ready to be added to the crock pot

• Once your meat is done cooking drain off any extra fat and add the meat to your crock/stock pot. I let mine sit in there on Warm for a few hours but you could eat it right away if you wanted to! 

Everett enjoyed some watermelon while I was cooking!

This recipe could be molded to fit any situation, here are some examples: 

• Rather than cooking the veggies first, throw them in the crock pot on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours (with the cooked meat) and let them cook in there all day
• If you don't have a crock pot and you don't want to dirty up a skillet you could brown the meat in a large stock pot first and then add the veggies 
• No bell pepper? Leave it out! This can be one of those things that you just throw in what you have! If you have zucchini in the fridge, throw that in too! 

So good!

So there you have it! If you make this, please come back and leave a comment- I'd love to know how it went!

It's a Shower!

My bestest friend Jess is getting married in a few weeks so to celebrate, her bridesmaids and I threw her and her future hubby to be, Danny a "Jack and Jill" Shower!  It was a great success! :) 

Everett on the way there! 

How cute is this cake? I love the baby's breath!

Everett on the move!

Livy's daughter Ari

My friend Diana (check out her AWESOME blog here!) and Everett

The future Mrs. and Mr.

Easy DIY centerpieces!

Cue the awkward photos of people eating...

Everett and his buddy Ciro (Livy's son)

We played The Shoe Game and it was so hilarious, especially if Danny answered one way and Jess answered another!

Jess and Danny with the cake

Cutting the cake!

Ciro and Mrs. Alva (Jess's mom)

Trying to be artsy...

The Bridesmaids with the beautiful Bride
Me, Livy, Jess, and Lisa

Mrs. Alva and Jess

So cute!

A Little Organization

In an attempt to organize things here at Not So Average Momma, I have decided to add a little structure to my posting. I am adding two new weekly "features" to the blog which will be posted on Wednesdays and Fridays.  The rest of the days will still consist of various posts about family, Everett, etc.  At least once a month I will write a Letters to Everett post and a Currently post.  I also plan on posting Daily Happenings a few times a month as well. 

So with out further ado, here are the two new(ish) features to the blog: 

- Mouth Watering Wednesdays

- Nap Time Craft Time/Nifty Thrifty Friday

I do post recipes and craft activities from time to time, but these are going to be weekly! So it will require some dedication from me to really stick with it! I am going to try it out for the next few weeks and see how I like it and what type of reaction I get (i.e. readership, subscriptions, etc.) If the response is favorable then I will think about adding a few more "features."

So what do y'all think?  Is this a step in a good direction for Not So Average Momma?  What type of posts would you like to see more of? Less of?

The Lorax

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."

- Dr. Seuss

We watched The Lorax the other day and I really liked it. I think that it was a great movie that many people of all ages could enjoy.  It had a great message, like all Dr. Seuss books do, and I really hope that more people will pay attention to how we treat our lovely world.  

Everett actually paid attention to most of the movie and even started breaking it down (that's Laura speak for dancing) when the credits started rolling.  Pretty stinking cute. 

Overall I think that this movie is definitely worth the time to  watch it and the money to rent, (legally) download, or buy it! Enjoy!

Daily Happenings: 8/31/12

Isn't nature beautiful?

Yesterday was a lovely day! After Everett woke up, he, my mom, and I ran to Target so I could pick up The Lorax movie (we are big Dr. Seuss fans in this house!)  When we got back we were so excited because baby Brenden and his mom Daphne were coming over to "play!"  This was the first time we got to meet him and we were so excited!

Gran and baby Brenden

Everett got to hold baby Brenden!

After Everett took his nap I decided to take him to the Wacky Bear Factory here in town so that he could make a new stuffed animal friend!  Wacky Bear Factory runs an 'Internship Camp" for kids ages 7- 12.  They get to come to the shop every day for camp and learn all about the store, how to work the stuffing machine, the register, etc.  Baby Brenden's brother, Aiden was at the camp this week and was able to help us with our new friend! Everett decided to make a new bull dog stuffed animal, we named him Dozer! 

We watched The Lorax when Tyler got home and then had burgers on the grill for dinner! Once E was asleep my parents, sister and her boyfriend, Tyler, and I all played Train! Overall it was a great day! 

Day to Day to Day

So this past week I have been trying really hard to get back into the swing of things around the house.  I have set up a "schedule" of sorts for the morning and evening which helps guide me throughout the day.  I know this isn't super fun or exciting to you reading this but it is nice for me to have some consistency back in my days. 

I set my alarm for the same time every morning, which is usually about an hour before Everett wakes up.  Ideally he would sleep for another two hours but it really just depends on how well he slept throughout the night.  This one to two hour time in the morning is when I get most of my "housework" done- folding laundry, sweeping, etc. I am also trying to incorporate my daily scripture reading into this time slot as well, I need to set a reminder!  

When Everett wakes up we snuggle for a few minutes and then I take him to the potty. After he goes potty and I get a new diaper on him I usually will put him in his highchair and get him some breakfast.  At this point, if my post for the day is ready, I will get on my laptop and publish my daily blog post (sitting right next to E of course, don't want him to choke on his eggs!) After breakfast we usually go about our day playing, running errands, eating lunch and snacks, playing some more, running, chasing, laughing, crying, etc. 

Everett has pretty much narrowed his napping down to once a day which is actually fine with me because he is sleeping really well at night (usually) and sleeps in late in the morning. I usually use his nap time for one of three things: 1.) Nap Time Craft Time, 2.) Any extra housework that needs to get done (to include meal preparation), or 3.) Work.  Yes work!  I work a few hours a week for my dad doing research. 

Tyler is usually home by the time Everett wakes up from his nap so we spend the late afternoons hanging out together and eating dinner as a family. 7:30pm is bath time for the little mister.  I try to let him play and hang out in the tub for as long as he wants (which is only about 15 minutes right now).  After bath time, he is prepped for bed with lotion, a clean diaper, and jammies. I have learned that Everett needs the room to be as dark as possible, he needs to have two pacis (my mother in law actually figured out this one), the sound machine needs to be on, and he likes to hear me sing.  For those of you have heard me sing, I am sorry. Seriously, I am completely tone deaf and have no rhythm.  I can't even clap in church because I am always off.  But I guess E didn't get the memo that Momma's voice could use some help so I sing and I sing and I sing.  He usually nurses for 10 minutes or so and then just lays there for another 10-20 minutes listening to me sing. 

I really need to compile a list of songs because this is the typical line up: 

• The ABC song
• Jesus Loves Me
• Good Night Everett
• Row Row Row Your Boat
• Why Haven't I Heard From You (by Reba)
• The ABC Song 
• Blue Skies and Rainbows
• Mary Had a Little Lamb
• Red Solo Cup (Toby Keith) 
• Jesus Loves Me 
• John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt 
• John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt 
• John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt 
• John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt 
• John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt 
• John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt 
• John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt 

Ya, he loves that last one. So once he falls asleep I walk to the far side of the bed, crawl over our bed and lay him down in his crib (which is side car'd next to our bed with one rail taken off.)  Why do I crawl over the bed when I could simply lay him down in the crib, you ask!?  That would be far to simple. No, the creaking sound that the end of the bed always wakes him up. So instead, I have to use my ninja skills to lay him down and then quietly exit the room. (Chaunie from Tiny Blue Lines wrote a great post about this the other day- check it out!) After 5-10 minutes of him sleeping in the crib, and I know that he is good and asleep I then return to the bedroom to write out the post for the next day. (Hello from yesterday!) 

Sometimes he doesn't always go to bed as easily as others and sometimes he wakes up after he has already been asleep, but in general that's how our mornings and nights go!  For those of you with kids, what does your schedule look like? For those of you without kids, have I scared you enough to make you not want them anymore! :)