Redefining Perfect

I told you I was busy this month with crafts, decorating the house and just in general being internet lazy (except for twitter, which I think I OD’d on at times…but I digress).  So, here’s some pictures of the decorations I was working on…you’ll have to wait to see the sewing I did for my girls

First item on this list is not actually something I made this year, I made it last year…but I’m proud of it so I’m showing it off again.  It’s my tree topper.  The ribbons went down the tree and wove through he branches and ornaments (will be shown later).

Next is my forest.  I previewed it a couple months ago when I had my first two completed, but I expanded on it…I actually made several more than the forest seen here, but they were given away (to my Mom and Archie took 2 to work)…I apologize for the cruddy picture. My camera did not like the forest and I failed all season to get good pictures of it at all.

Then a series of dirt cheap decorations that were my absolute favorite for the year! Seriously, everything you’re about to see was $5 or under to create…

First, my wreath. All supplies bought at the dollar store. Total cost: $5 (4 rolls of ribbon, 1 styrofoam wreath).

Next, my garland.  Six pieces of felt and sewing thread…total cost: about $1.50

Nothing more than a simple pleasure.  Metal bowl I already had, filled w/ dollar store ornaments, about 3 tubes. Total cost: $3

My snow, one of my absolute favorite parts of my decorations. Realy made it feel festive for a simple decoration. Sparkle felt glued onto cardstock and stuck on my shelves. Total cost: approx. $5

And another super simple one that was just about my favorite besides the snow. Simple dollar store ribbon with bells tied on put on the curtain rod I usually have my quilt on. Total cost: $2.50

And those are my crafts from around the house.  Part of what kept me so busy at home!!  I was very happy to actually HAVE Christmas decorations this year…and all better that I made them myself…and for cheap! 

Now that those, and the Christmas presents (to be shown later) are done…I’m working on something for myself.  Something I’ve been wanting to make for many many many years…but I’ll share that later!

Coming soon, a giveaway to help with your New Years resolutions! I just got it via FedEx today and hope to have it posted up over the weekend once I’ve had a chance to look it over!!

And thinking I should join NaBloPoMo for force my way through this block I’m having!  Anyone else up for it?  But, in the mean time I’ve gotten a few things done around here – and others are in the middle of being done….

I redid a lamp and an end table…and so proud of what I did!!  I’m determined to bring some color into my beige room, and using my mom’s quilt as inspiration for the colors.

The table before:
The lamp before:

And both after…..
(that’s the top of the table w/ distressing…)

So happy with my results.  I’m waiting until after I’m done with all of this madness:
(that is just a whisper, a teeny-tiny note of all the crafts I have half-done and done for Christmas this year)

Before I finish with the new pillows (w/ the same fabric as the lamp as well as other fabric).

Tomorrow is Samhain/Halloween (which I have done nothing for *eep*) and then after that…November!  The days are passing faster than I care to think about – but we’re all still here!  Here’s to hoping November is far better with my posting – just need to force my way through this block!

Did you know that there are only 100 days left until Christmas?

Two days ago I got hit with the bug. Yup, already.  I’ve told Archie to make me  list of his co-workers and friends that he wants included on the list.  Because I’m making plans.

Last year I made well over 1000 cookies, that we pigged out on, I sent in a plate w/ hubs to work, I went to a cookie exchange and took a plate of ALL my cookies-not just my exchange cookies.  I took them to my parents – and we ate them ALL.

This year I’m all about the homemade gifts. I can’t go into too much detail because people read this blog that will get some of those gifts   But I’m making my list, and I’m checking it a dozen times.

I have recipes lining up to make even MORE cookies than previous years, and candies.  I’ll make gift bags of the goodies for friends and family…and for family I’ll also have some non-edible gifts. 

The girls are getting homemade clothes, and I also have purchased clothes for both them and Brandon.  So far I’ve only spent about $40 total and have all of their clothes shopping done (this far in advance! NEVER happens!). 

I have gifts planned for all the youth (older, younger, and unborn)…and simple gifts for the extended family.  If all goes well no one will be without a gift – even if it’s a goodie bag of dessert   I’ve also started giving hubby ideas of what I want *G* Now if he’d do the same (although he’s sort of predictable…I think I can guess)

I hope you’re making your plans…it seems so far – but it passes by so fast!  I hope to finish early…there are other holidays to plan for  

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Any blogging buddies that want a care package of my goodies better email me now so I can add you to my list!!

Last month I cleaned.  I started in my bedroom and into my living room.  I decluttered out about 15 bags of trash and goodwill items.  Out of just the two rooms. 

If you know me at all – you know I’m not a cleaner.  I hate cleaning.  Daily cleaning has never been a thing I do.  I’ve never minded clutter – a point that has bothered my husband for seven years.

Since the declutter I’ve made the bed every single day.  I’ve dne dishes (almost) every single day.  I’m always cleaning my kitchen counters, using the swiffer on a patch of dust.

The cleaning bug came to visit and is stuck like glue.  I’m trying to find a good opening to get the major declutter done on the kitchen – though what it really needs is a remodel – for now I’ll settle for the major declutter.  The kitchen, bathroom and Brandon’s room still need it…but having two rooms that are primarily clean and remaining so has been great…I’m just not sure what’s come over me *G*

For those of you living in a cave…this weekend is the big BlogHer party just a few hours away from me in Chicago.  I made the choice not to go back when tickets were available and I had the cash…and now that neither are available I’m sort of regretting that decision.  But, I’ve found plenty of ways to beat those blues…

1) This post itself.  It’s entered me for a chance to win a $1oo sponsorship from Cozi!  They’re sponsoring 15 moms (with the highest comments…so please make sure to say something!) who are missing the big weekend with $100!  This would help me afford the technology to improve my webmag, so I so need it!! 

2) It turns out I’m so not alone.  There are tons of parties going on across the blogosphere.  I’ve found 4 of them and added their links to my side bar!  Check them all out!  Some started last night, some tonight…join in the fun!! 

3) I may have a chance to see some of my Indy girls that are home as well…if we can coordinate it!

4) It looks like the weather is finally looking up.  Maybe I can finally get the kids out of the house!!

5) My house cleaning is close to compete (only my kitchen and bathroom need major overhauls now)…so I can sit back and just do maintenance cleaning this weekend.

6) I can spend some time seeing just how easy it is to adapt my Cozi account to my Home Management Notebook.

7) I get to do some back-to-school shopping for my oldest.  It’s hard to believe that his school starts in 2.5 weeks! 

I may get some time to myself, too.  I have a gift card to JoAnn’s that I got for my birthday to spend…and it’s burning a hole in my pocket!

9) I’m hoping that our potty training journey is just about done.  I’ve been trying some advice I got – so I hope it works better than any other I’ve gotten.

10) It’s time to Dave Ramsey it…Total Money Makeover.  So I shouldn’t be out in a hotel spending too much money on food and drinks anyway…so it’s all for the better that this homebody is home!!!

I hope you’re weekend is great, and I hope to be back with picutres from our cookout last weekend (croquet! So long since I’ve played!!), and other assorted posts in between all the things I hope to do this weekend!!

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For those coming here for the parties – let me introduce myself!
I’m Sarah, of Casa de Perfect. I’ve been blogging for almost two years now!

My hubby, Archie and I are the parents of 3 great kids.

Brandon (10) is neurotypical and in 5th grade.

Riley (3.5) is mildly autistic and has RSS. She’s in special needs preschool.

Angel (2.5) has CF, severe truncal hypotonia, dysphagia, tibial torsion, sensory disoroder, and anger issues.

Every day we redefine ourselves, our lives, and our definition of perfect. We hope we can redefine yours, too.

Here’s to living life beyond our labels…and to redefining perfect for everyone.

**This is not my actual house, just one similar to it I found online. Ours is like this, small, one floor, no landscaping, tree in the front yard…but our is more rectangle than square **

When we moved into this house 7 years ago it was as a ’starter’ house.  It was perfect for our ’small’ family of three.  3 bedrooms, the largest of which was 13X12, the smallest 9X9. The kitchen and living room were a good size and there were two bathrooms (unique for this neighborhood).

Since them our ’starter’ house has become our permanent home.  We’ve made mistakes financially, which we are now trying to correct, but the end result is we are here and likely not going anywhere for a long time. 

In a way, that’s okay with us.  The neighborhood is amazing.  Our neighbors are wonderful.  The street has no outlet-which means no through traffic, only 95% residential traffic-so the kids (and there are a LOT of them) can run and play up and down the street with only minimal chance of danger.  Brandon can go out and play and I know that if he’s up to no good where I can’t see him a neighbor will call and let me know.  We all watch out for each other-and I couldn’t ask for a better place to live.

But the house is SMALL.  When we first moved in we took the biggest room, put Brandon in the next biggest and turned the tiny box into an office. For the two of us packrats, the office became the catchall and by the time I became pregnant with Riley it was packed full of junk.  We cleaned it out and somehow turned it into a nursery, putting much of the junk in the garage. When Angel came along we made another switch, putting the two girls in the big room and squeezing poor Brandon into the 9X9 room.

Guess what, the packrats that are us still needed a catchall.  It became our bedroom.  Every other room would be ‘clean’ (but filled with clutter), and our room would be the pit.  It was the last room I would touch, and was so packed that I was overwhelmed.   We needed Clean House in the worst way.  But in the absence of ‘reality’ television…I finally had to bite the bullet and DO something.

This week I’ve started.  Our house is way too small for 5 people and the amount of clutter we had.  I don’t have the money for clever storage plans (oh, but I wish I do) so I have to cleanout completely.

I started in our bedroom.  From top to bottom I cleaned I rearranged and the room is now the cleanest in the house for a change.  It needs a coat of paint and some nice curtains, a new bedspread (Indy Girls, I’ll take offers )… but it’s CLEAN. 

Since then I’ve moved onto the living room – clutter central in a way I never realized…I’ve been finding clutter everywhere. 

But clutter is slowly taking it’s exit of my house.  I’ve thrown away probably 20 trash bags in the past week, and that’s just in two rooms.  I’m sure some of the items we could have done in a garage sale, but I’m just getting rid of everything. If I hold it for a garage sale, I’ll never have the sale.  I’m being realistic and aware of my own lethargy/procrastination on some matters.

Over the weekend I’ll finish the living room and move onto the kitchen next week (be afraid. Be VERY afraid).  I would love for the boys (my husband and neighbor) to just cut out the wall separating the living room from the kitchen while I’m working on this (we have talked about doing this, just not actually done it)…but for now I’ll just be happy to clean.  I hope to get paint and paint the rooms that need it (living room needs fresh coat; hallway, bedroom, and kitchen desperately need paint)…once everything is clean.  The last two rooms I’ll do is the boys room (I got started, didn’t finish) and the bathroom (hubs asked me to wait until he and Moe finish up the remodel…hopefully that will happen SOON).  The girls room is the closest to already clean that there is…as I regularly clean it out when they outgrow clothes. 

So now that this is being done I’m trying to shed my packrat ways…and the spending habits that came with her.  It won’t be easy – but I’m going to try!!