Hail to the Chief......

Or farewell to the thin blooded. So in the Navy there is tradition of having a Hail and Farewell each time a new group of people come to or leave a ship. Along with this tradition there is also the tradition of exchanging gifts, some serious and some not so serious. Last night was The Hubs farewell and in his typical fashion he informs me on Monday night that he has yet to purchase any of his gifts. Sitting at the dinner table talking about not knowing what to do Lippy Lou butts in and says "Ummm HELLO, she's crafty" pointing to non other than myself. The Hubs and I both got a good laugh out of that one! So we tossed a few ideas around and stole an idea from my bff and set off for some serious shopping, have I mentioned that The Hubs HATES shopping??

We ended up with some atomic fire balls, a stuffed squirrel, a play hatchet, a magnifying glass, a map, a horribly flowered button up shirt, some mason jars, a candy bar and some old movies just to name few. After a whirl wind shopping trip we end up back home where I begin to get my crafty on.

Turns out one of the officers on the ship loves Mr. Goodbar so.....

Special thanks to Jess for the great idea, see she was having me cut the vinyl for her shadow box this week and well as you can see I liked it!

And for the poor guy who has to fill in as CHENG until the new guy gets there....

I have to admit that the whole gift card idea was The Hubs but putting it in an old military award folder, that was all me. Here it is complete with the fine print...

So while I am glad and The Hubs is relieved that he won't be going on deployment with his fellow shipmates he sure will miss his crew. He really was fortunate to have a great bunch of guys working for him this tour. Fair winds and following seas!

Breast Cancer 3-Day Training Log

Sunday night while talking with The Hubs we decided that in order for us to get some much needed alone time we would try to start getting up 30 minutes early each morning and walking 2 miles together. We started yesterday and it went really well, it was nice to visit with him and get some training in at the same time. I also walked the girls to school along with The Fish and Bentley and we continued on to do a total of 2 additional miles. After school I got one more mile in by walking to pick the girls up. So Monday's total was 5 miles and it felt GREAT!

Today I started the day out doing 2 miles with The Hub's again. Then after walking the girls to school The Fish and I continued on to Joann Fabrics to pick up some crafty goods, you will see why soon! So that is a total of 4 miles for today.

Weekly Total = 9
2010's Total = 42.5

The wait is over...

So the other day I posted this sneak peak.....

And no one guessed what it was. Mrs. Wright was the closest saying "Is it a headboard from Knock Off Wood!?!" It IS from Ana over at Knock-Off Wood, but it is far from a headboard, unless you like your outdoor living to come indoors. I have been dying to have my husband build us some furniture for months and months and months, but with his job as an officer in the Navy his work hours never really worked with my plan. That is until a few weeks back when he decided to go and form a clot in the vein under his clavicle. Turns out that clot = blood thinners and blood thinners = limited duty. **Jumps up and down with joy that the hubs WON'T be deloying** Never, ever thought I would say I was glad my husband got a blood clot, well not really glad, but relieved that it means he won't be gone for months on end.

Which leads to my master plan to build tons and tons of new furniture for our home. I brought up the subject right before the clot knowing that we were possibly going to have a few weeks of pre deployment leave to do some things around the house and the hubs was game but a little hesitant. I had to DRAG him to Lowes/Home Depot, no joke, DRAG. Not that the man doesn't love tools, he just loathes shopping...of any kind. He was hesitant to spend a lot of money on a compound miter saw that he wondered how often he would use. That is until I told him that we could spend $600 on a saw, a table for the saw, wood, sand paper, stain and all the supplies for two projects or I could just go out and pay $600 for what one of the two projects would complete (yes it's true I am keeping you in the dark on the second project). The first option leaving us with a saw that we would still use on future projects so it would still be a wise money choice. He was quickly on the same page as me, and I reminded him that yes I do think things out contrary to his beliefs. So after much research and price matching we decided to go with Uncle Bob's advice and get the Ridgid 12' Compound Miter Saw and lets just say I am in LOVE. The Hubs may not realize it yet but I may just get out there and start cutting up things on my own!

So without further ado here is our first project from Ana at Knock-Off Wood!

The Bigger Kids Picnic Table

Hope to have many more furniture projects to show you in the near future. We have the wood for one of those projects out in the garage and after that is build and set up I have plans for at least 3 more projects! If you haven't been to Ana's site yet, I am sorry for your new obsession with building your own furniture...trust me, you will have one.

Sorry to prolong the wait...

I wasn't aware that stainable wood filler took so long to dry so we have to wait until tomorrow to reveal the project we have been working on. And sorry Mrs. Wright but it isn't one of Ana's headboards, although they are beautiful. Be on the look out for some fun projects to come.

Sorry I have been a little slow the past few weeks I spent 5 days in my hometown and while I was there I lost a family member to the big "C" word. I am still grieving the loss and trying to come to terms with the fact that my step father is gone. He was such a great man who would have done anything for my mother. He was her rock and her strength when she didn't have any left in her. If I ever become ill like my mother did I pray that my husband would treat me the way that he treated my momma. He was amazingly good to her and the definition of unconditional love. It saddens me that he had to fight a losing battle. His battle with cancer has only made me want walk those 60 miles in 3 days even more. Yes it is a walk for breast cancer and yes his cancer was in his bones, but once the cure for breast cancer is found it will only lead to the cure for ALL cancer. Sorry for the ramble I have a lot going on in my little brain these days.

Can't wait to get back in the crafty groove and show off all the projects I have running around in my head!

Breast Cancer 3-Day Training Log

Today my goal was to get in 5 miles and I decided to be an over achiever! Bentley, the dog, and I took a 3.2 mile walk before dinner and right after dinner I decided to hop on the treadmill for 2.8 more. It was a really refreshing walk/run cross train for the walk and a great way to end a great weekend.

Today's total = 6 miles
Weekly total = 18.8
2010's total = 33.5

Sneak Peek...

Here's a sneak peek into what Mommie (and Daddy) of 4 Munchkins have been up to. I can't wait to share the full reveal, hopefully tomorrow evening!

Breast Cancer 3-Day Training Log

Well today I was lazy, well not really lazy...but lazy on the training front. I walked -0- miles :(, but yesterday I did walk the girls home from school so I did get one mile in yesterday. So all was not lost. I did a lot of other stuff today that I will be willing to talk about in a few days, but not yet....

Weekly Total = 12.8

2010's total = 27.5

Here's to hoping I can get in at least 5 mile tomorrow!!!

Breast Cancer 3-Day Training Log

Today was a great day for training. I was able to sneak on the treadmill for a while and go 2.5 miles, it was nice to do a little running for some cross training! Lippy Lou had a project for Earth Day at school so I walked down with The Fish in the stroller and we planted plants in the garden box under the school sign and then we walked home and I walked back to pick up the girls after leaving The Fish with Ky Guy, total miles for 2 round trips plus a extra little bit for forgetting the camera was 2.3 miles.

Today's total = 4.8 miles

Weekly total = 11.8 miles

2010's total = 26.5 miles (I will so be celebrating every time I hit a 100 mark!)

Breast Cancer 3-Day Training Log

I now realize that I am not going to be able to keep up with this everyday. With 4 kids, 2 sports, a husband, a dog and a cat I am just having trouble remembering to hop on and let you all know what I have done each day. So my new goal is to get on at least every other day and at the end of each week to keep you updated on my progress. I was able to get in 2 miles on Tuesday and another 2 miles Today. It was hard to sneak them in today as it was raining cats and dogs for the first 4 hours of the day and we had soccer in the evening. I walked to pick up the girls from school and back (1 mile) and after soccer I took the dog out for a walk. On Tuesday I walked the girls to school and then continued on with the dog and The Fish to make a total of 2 miles.

Weekly Total = 7 miles

2010's total = 21.7

Breast Cancer 3-Day Training Log

This morning my friends and I woke up extra early to get in one last walk together before leaving town to head back home. We got up at 6 am and walked for 3 miles, it was a great way to start my training week and a great way to end a trip full of many different emotions. This weekend I lost another loved one to the terrible C word and it was a bitter sweet trip. My step father lost his fight with bone cancer just hours after I saw him on Friday. I am very grateful that I made it in time to see him and to give him one last hug. I find peace in the fact that he is now able to hug my momma again and that they are able to watch over us all together.

So this year when I walk, I walk not only to fight Breast Cancer but to fight ALL cancer. It is a horrible, ugly, nasty disease that rips apart families and weakens the strongest of men. Frank will be forever missed by my family.

Today's Training Walk - 3.0 miles

This weeks total - 3.0

2010's total - 17.7

(I do realize there was a 3.1 mile jump in here and that is due to the fact that I was out of town and didn't enter a training walk this weekend on Friday evening) ;)

And the winner is.....

Today's the day to announce the big winner's of the Spud and Chloe Yarn Raffle for a Cure!

The top donor is.....

Amanda Jacobsen who donated $100 to my walk.

And our random draw is

Anne Anderson

Congratulations girls, I will be emailing both of you soon!

Please visit www.spudandchloe.com and let me know what your top choices for color would be so when I go shopping this week to pick up your yarn I have an idea of what you would like. Please let me know if you would like multiples of one color and let me know more than five choices in case our store is out of stock. I will be shopping at Sarah Parker's Wildfibers in Mount Vernon, WA!

A special thank you to everyone who donated to save the tatas, together we raised $200!!

Breast Cancer 3-Day Training Log

Today I am at my friends house and tomorrow we are traveling together to our hometown to visit friends and family. In order to get some walking in we walked to dinner. Gave me a total of 1 mile today, it wasn't much but it was something.

Today's total = 1 mile

Weekly total = 11.6 miles

Breast Cancer 3-Day Training Log

Day 3 and I walked 1 mile to my son's school and back for his science fair after almost jumping in the car and driving. And then Ky Guy and I set off to walk the dog together so I could show him how it's done. Bentley, the dog, is still being leash trained so I had to show him how to work with him as I will be going out of town for a few days and need him to step in while I am gone. We got in another 2.2 miles this evening and even got The Fish out in his stroller. It was a great night hanging with the boys!

Today's Total : 3.2

Week 1 Total : 10.6

Breast Cancer 3-Day Training Log

Today I decided it was time to test out our puppy's ability to walk on a leash with me pushing The Fish in the stroller and we had SUCCESS! We did a 3.2 mile walk this afternoon and this evening Bentley, the pup, and I did another 2.1 miles.

Today's total = 5.3

Weekly total = 7.4

I will be looking for a couple sponsors each week to pledge $1-2 per mile I train, please let me know if you are interested!

Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk Training Log

Today was the start of my training for the Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk. From now until the actual walk I will be posting each time I walk the amount of miles walked and the total miles accumulated. I am curious to see exactly how many training miles I will complete between now and October.

Today's count.

2.1 miles

Update on the Spud and Chloe Raffle for a Cure

Just a reminder that I am hosting a Spud and Chloe Yarn Raffle for a Cure. For each $15 donation you will be entered to win 5 skeins of Spud and Chloe sweater weight yarn. The person who donates the most will win 5 skeins of Spud and Chloe Outer. If there is a tie for the most amount donated I will draw a winner for that as well. So far there are only 13 entries so your chances of winning are very good! Each donation not only earns you a chance to win some awesome yarn but it also helps me raise money for a great cause! I will be walking 60 miles in October to raise awareness and funds to help find cure for Breast Cancer!!!

So hop on over to my Breast Cancer 3 Day page and donate for a cure and I will do the hard part.... the 60 mile walk.

Hint, hint...the top donation so far is $100.....

Ultimate Blog Party 2010

Welcome fellow bloggers! My name is Linsay and I consider myself to be a jack of all trades. I am coming to you from my adorable pink MacBook who seems to be my right hand lately. I am a WAHM of 4 who was offered a job by a fellow classmate while attending college online via University of Phoenix. It has truly been a blessing because not only am I allowed to be home for my kids while working for our family but my job moves with me. Yes I said moves with me, as not only am I a wife, I am a Navy wife. Our family is never in one place for long. Our typical tour is 18 months. So far this works for our family, but I am sure one day we will have to find a duty station where we can semi settle down.

When I am not working for my "real" job I am busy enjoying life with four kids and the hubs, making binky leashes etc. for my online store, knitting for my friends and family, training and raising funds for The Breast Cancer 3 Day, sewing straight lines, making wreaths, building furniture, and occasionally I get some sleep in there.

My best friend and I also share a blog, Nip Cancer Girls, where we feature other Etsy sellers and friends who have donated items to our Etsy shop where 100% of our the sale price of our items is donated back to our Breast Cancer 3 Day. Our shop is centered around all things PINK! If you love to create and would like to donate please let me know! If you have a chance check out my Yarn Raffle for a Cure, ends April 16th.

If you haven't been over to the Ultimate Blog Party 2010 you should check out it. There are so many great prize to be had! My top three are...

$200 GC to Apple.com from CMomGo

Your Shape Wii Fitness Game from Kristie's List

$100 GC from StomperMom

Chore Charts - WFMW

Last year I made up chore cards and while they worked for a while some got lost and interest got lost as well so I decided it was time to change it up. And here is the new system I came up with.

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I got this adorable 16X20 inch frame at Michael's on clearance about 6 months ago with this idea in mind, but just last week had the time to put my idea into action. I then took a 12X12 pad of scrapbook paper and cut four coordinating pieces each 8X10 inches in size and taped to the "picture people" picture that was already in there. Then I printed out each chart made in excel for each child with their list of chores for the week and one blank calendar sheet for the 4th box as The Fish isn't old enough to do a chart with chores yet. I also cut our the names and the word "calendar" on my Cricut to add to top of each chart. I used the opposite paper scraps to do this so they would all match. Once it was all stuck down I put it behind the glass and had the hubs hang it in the pantry for easy access. The calendar is completely blank under the glass and I use a dry erase pen to fill in the month and dates and things like soccer, gymnastics, dr appts etc. But having a chart on the wall in the pantry has never quite fully worked for us either so I went one step further and made these...

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Each morning I put down the Morning/After School charts and as they do each item they mark them off and are on their way. They remain on the counter for after school as well. Then around dinner time I get out the evening sheets for them to get started on as well. We started these on Sunday and so far they are working great. We haven't been late getting out the door one day this week which is AMAZING! They are notorious for forgetting to do something making us a few minutes late going out the door. Ky Guy, the 12 yo, even mentioned that he likes that it says "pick up bedroom" because now he has just a little to do everyday and it doesn't get out of control. I have noticed this is working well for the girls too.

Each of these were printed on white card stock and tapped to scrapbook paper that coordinates with the chart in the pantry. Once they were all put together I laminated them so we could use the dry erase pens on them as well. What the kids don't know is that at the end of the week if they have at least all but one thing marked off for each day of the week they will be getting to choose something from a list of goodies that they can have for doing a great job. Each week the list will change. I plan on putting things like 1 hour of Wii time, paint nails with mom, go to ice cream with mom or dad, board games with mom or dad, etc on that list.

And that my friends WORKS FOR ME!

Tie Dyeing Easter Eggs

So when I came across the post on Our Best Bites for dyeing Easter eggs with men's ties I knew we would be trying it out this year and I. AM. IN. LOVE. I don't think we will ever dye eggs any other way again.

A couple of days ago the kids and I went to Value Village and Goodwill to check out their supply of silk ties and here is what we found.

Then we called over some friends to come help us out!

And then we wrapped each egg first in a piece of silk tie and then in a piece of one of my husband's old shirts. I do not recommend using an old shirt of your husbands if he works on a ship and sweats a lot...lets just say my house didn't smell very pleasant after boiling those puppies...yeah YUCK!

Put them all in a pot with 1/4th cup of vinegar, brought to a boil and set a timer for 20 minutes.

We put ours in a strainer after they were done and ran cold water over them to cool them down a bit and unwrapped them and here is what we came out with.

And because we didn't have enough ties to cover all of our eggs on the first go around we used the ties a second time and it changed the dynamics a little. As you can tell in this picture the egg on the right was lighter and the one on the left was darker. The one on the left is from the second go around.

And in these two photos the eggs on the right are from the second go around and the ones on the left are from the first. I am tempted to boil the ties next year before I put them on eggs just to see if we always get darker more vibrant results.

And my all time favorite.....

And so if you have not tried this, you should and NOW. Like I said before I don't think I will ever go back to dyeing eggs any other way.

And for the record "they" suggest you don't eat these eggs. I am not sure why but everything I have read says not to eat them.

Easter Wreath Revisited

About 3 weeks ago a friend of mine sent me into Winco to buy her some bulk spice drops for a project she was working on and I came across the most beautiful Jordan Almonds ever. I couldn't resist making a new Easter wreath since the one I made last year faded. This year I decided to spray the new one down with clear coat so I am hoping it stays beautiful for years to come because I just love it. I also think I will leave it up as a "Spring" wreath so I can enjoy it a few weeks longer.