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Deciding On New Furniture Is Tough!!!

May 17, 2011 by

A few weeks back I wrote a post on dining room sets and how Melinda loves the one we currently have but is kind of leaning towards making a change.

So we have been discussing what options we have and what kind of new dining room set we may be interested in and we really like the Linon Chelsea Dining Nook Set. We aren’t 100% sold on this yet because we aren’t sure if it may be a little to country for our kitchen but for me the biggest thing I like about this set is the corner bench seating. To me this just looks awesome and really makes this dining room set stand out.

Growing up my parents had a dining room set with bench seating on each side and the table sat 10 which was good because there was 10 of us. I am definitely not looking to seat 10 but I will admit I have always been a fan of bench seats. For me they make to room look sophisticated.

I am not sure which way we will go or if we will even get a dining room set with bench seating but it never hurts to look and see what is out there and available.

How do you feel about bench seating? Do you like it in the dining room?










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My Kids Hate Making Their Bed

May 12, 2011 by

Do your kids sleep on top of the covers? Shaun and Shae do and even Sabreena who is the oldest does. Do you know why they sleep on top of the covers? To avoid having to make their beds in the morning. Really, yes really my kids are that lazy. LOL.

Over the winter Melinda and I would go into Sabreena’s room and find her on top of the covers with only a little blanket covering her and the floor heater blasting. We would always ask her why don’t you get under the covers and keep the heater off at night and it all went back to making her bed.

If you are like Melinda you take the time and find perfect kids bedding that matches the room décor and looks perfect in the room. We don’t buy anything that the kids can’t sleep on or under but I would definitely prefer under. I could understand if Sabreena or Shaun had bunk beds and were sleeping on the top bunk because having to make the top bunk every day is a royal pain in the butt. Trust me, I know from my days of sleeping on the top bunk as a kid.

I guess I could force the kids to sleep under the covers but why because it isn’t worth the fight. The only time I force them under the covers is in the winter so that they aren’t freezing in the middle of the night. Writing this post is making me laugh because making the bed takes maybe five minutes but I guess when you are a kid five minutes seems like forever.

Do you or your kids sleep on top of the covers? If so why? To avoid having to make the bed in the morning?

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A little work left

May 11, 2011 by

A couple months back we started a mini makeover of our bedroom. The addition of my vanity is the most recent update. We’ve also gotten as far as a new headboard and footboard and linens. We’ve also realized that we don’t love our bed. Buying a mattress for Shaun last year brought that to our attention really quick. I tested out a soft cushy mattress and loved it. Rob prefers a firmer feel. Right now our mattress is in the middle. Sometime in the next couple years we WILL be making a switch to an adjustable bed. Of course we need to do some more research so that perfect mattress finds its way in our home.
As for the very near future, new dressers are on the list, pieces that are warmer and darker and much more modern. Finishing touches such as curtains, décor and artwork are harder for us to choose though. We spotted a pretty floral print the other day but just couldn’t commit to buying it. It really is the little things that make the most impact and those things we cannot agree on. I’m hoping everything falls into place soon; I really want my retreat, my sanctuary, my oasis.








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Save the Honey Bees

May 9, 2011 by

Did you know that honey bees are responsible for the pollination of one-third of the foods we eat. Did you also knowthat honey bees are in danger due to “Colony Collapse Disorder”. In the past several years it has been noticed that an alarming amount of honey bees are abruptly abandoning their hives and dying off. The real reason is unknown but some theories are pesticides, environmental changes, genetically modified crops, invading insects and radiation. Whatever the culprit is, the honey bees need to be saved as they are critical to the ecological diversity and health of our planet.
Honey does more than add a pleasant taste to baked goods and drinks. Honey is naturally antiseptic and is used to cleanse in certified organic skin care products, sooth as throat lozenges and heal everyday cuts and scrapes. During the winter when my family gets that scratchy irritating cough I send them to bed with a spoonful of honey to soothe the pain and help get them a peaceful night’s sleep. When Shaun comes in the house with his normal scrapes from just being a boy a light smear of honey kills off the germs and bacteria building up. Zits are no match either for honey. The antiseptic properties kill the germs, reduce redness and brings back healthy clear skin in no time.

Now that you know how beneficial honey is to your healthy, beauty and ultimately the world around us hopefully you can pitch in and help the honey bees continue to create the beehive products we need each day.

 

 

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I Love My Grill – FINALLY!

May 6, 2011 by

Just the other day I went to Home Depot to get my two propane tanks filled for my grill to get the grilling season underway. Don’t get me wrong we grill all year long but during the spring and summer we grill 3-4 times a week.

I have always has very inexpensive grills that would last a few years and then would need to be replaced so last spring I finally decided that I really wanted a nice grill so I started looking at the Weber and Napoleon grill collections. Someone must have been looking down on me for some reason because last spring Weber contacted us about doing a review of one of their gas grills. When Melina told me this I almost passed out and I might have blacked out for a second due to the excitement of a brand new Weber grill. I know it seems stupid but to men having a nice quality grill to call their own is important and after 36 years I finally have one.

Now that I finally have a nice grill I need to find a website about grills and bbq so that I can become the best weekend griller that I can be because right now my skills are limited. My range of expertise is burgers, hot dogs, chicken, pork and steak. I would love to learn how to cook fish on the grill because from what I hear it is amazing. I am sure after some research and practice I will get it down and now that the weather is turning nice I have all the time in the work for practice.

Do you have a grill? Would you like or do you need a new one?










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I Got It From My Momma

May 4, 2011 by

The one good thing I got from my mother is good skin.My grandmother looks incredible for her age and people are often surprised when they find out my real age; that is until they see my gray hair.  I remember while growing up watching my mother primp and get all dressed up. She’d try on clothes and heels, moisturize her legs and use fancy skincare products then apply make-up at an old-school light up mirror. I try to do the same routine, except for the heels and lighted make-up mirror. It’s been working pretty well for me up until now.

I’ve been noticing dryer skin lately, especially on my hands and feet and legs. My typical products just aren’t cutting it anymore. Shea butter is supposed to be a fantastic natural moisturizer and L’OCCITANE is known for doing it best. Harvesting the Shea nut from the same resource ensures a consistent result, one that consumers have been raving over for years.

“Hands speak your age–but not indelibly. Shea Butter is used traditionally by African woman to soothe and smooth skin exposed to Earth’s fiercest ultraviolet conditions, and now can help relieve and restore yours. Massage this silky treatment into hands to counter dryness, retexturize skin and restore circulation.”

L’OCCITANE is a beauty and skin care company focused on maintaining the integrity of the natural ingredients they use. Taking it a step further in sustainable practices is their use of water based inks, recycled and recyclable packaging materials and naturally obtained energy sources to power factories.

Some of the highest quality and most treasured beauty products have the L’OCCITANE name on them. The old adage “you get what you pay for” stands true here.

 

 

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Desks Are Stressing Me Out

May 2, 2011 by

When we moved last July we had to sell our corner computer desk because we felt that our new place just didn’t have enough space but almost a year later I think we were wrong. On a daily basis Melinda mentions the little nook in our living room and how it would look nice with some sort of desk in it and always tells me that we need to go look at corner computer desks or a nice corner writing desk.

I agree with her to a point because I would like to have some kind of desk to sit at when I work from home or when I am doing blog work but I am afraid it might clutter our living room. This may be the first time in our 10 year marriage that we have had a nice uncluttered living room with nice furniture and I am afraid to add anything new to the mix.

I know what people are thinking, if we get a small nice desk there should be no reason for our living room to become cluttered and in the back of my head I agree but I am just afraid to bring more furniture into the house.

In the end I am sure I will cave and we will be getting a desk and I am sure I will be the one to use it most even though right now I am the one who is hesitant on making the purchase. Now the next step is finding a desk that will fit and look nice so I don’t freak out over the clutter?

Have any desk suggestions? If so I am wide open to them!










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This Will Force You To Be A Safer Driver

April 30, 2011 by

I wrote a post a while back about Sabreena getting her driver’s license in less than a year and how I am freaking out. What worries me most is her being a new driver and being distracted by other people in the car in addition to her phone, radio, etc. I recently stumbled upon a company called Inthinc.

Inthinc offers something called Inthinc vehicle tracking. I would love to have one of these installed in Sabreena’s car and not necessarily because I don’t trust her but more to be able to monitor her driving habits real time.

Teens are not necessarily bad drivers, but they are inexperienced drivers. inthinc provides a comprehensive solution with real-time mentoring, an opportunity to correct behavior, and accountability that all work together to help teens be better, safer drivers. Families who use the inthinc system may also be able to receive insurance discounts and avoid escalating rates due to tickets or accidents.

To me this is one of the best creations and I know it is used by companies but the fact that this available to the consumer is awesome. It is pretty cool that insurance companies are starting to offer discounts if you use this device. They probably figure you will be a safer driver if you are being monitored.

How do you feel about a device like this in your or your child’s car? Do you think you would be a better/safer driver with one in your car?










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5 Ways to Stop Your Energy Bill from Stealing Your Lunch Money

April 29, 2011 by

If you feel like you’re coughing up your lunch money to some bully in elementary school every time you get your energy bill in the mail, you’re not alone. Normally the solution would be to beat the bully up, but that’s not really an option in this case… at least not if you’re trying to stay out of prison. However, you can change how much money you have to give to the bully each month. Here are 5 simple ways to reduce your energy consumption and the anxiety you get from your energy bill.

1. Seal up the house
Did you know that on average, a properly insulated home improves energy efficiency by 20%? The first thing that you want to do is to make sure that there aren’t any cracks under doors or along windows that can allow air to escape. If you don’t frequent your attic, caulking the crack between the door and the ceiling is a must, since hot air will easily escape through the roof. Weather strips are also a good solution for cracks under doors and other places where caulk can’t be used.

2. Invest in energy-efficient appliancesenergy-star-logo
Different cities have different incentive programs, giving you rebates or tax credit for select appliances. Check to see if your city is in the database of incentive programs or ask a retailer which appliances offer rebates for energy efficiency.

3. Unplug appliances on standby
Most people don’t know that 10% of the average power bill is from appliances on standby. Unplugging idle appliances may be cumbersome, but it will add up over the course of the month. If it’s for something like a home entertainment system, you might want to get a plug bank with an off switch so you don’t have to yank chords out from behind your TV and risk getting electrocuted.

4. Use solar power
Even though solar panels only convert about 10% of sunlight it captures into electricity, solar panels are still a good supplementation to your energy demands if you live in a generally sunny area. However, you might want to check your area’s crime stats though, since you wouldn’t want your alarm system to run out of solar power if you live in a sketchy area.

5. Switch to CFL lights
Every Compact Fluorescent Light bulb can save more than $40 on your power bill over the course of its life. They use about 75% less power than conventional incandescent bulbs and last about 10x longer as well. They also produce 75% less heat, which can save your money on heating as well.

This is a sponsored post written on behalf of The Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) and Home Security Systems. It is meant to be an informative and helpful way promote renewable energy and energy efficiency and safety.










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Bunk Beds Rock For Kids Not Parents!

April 28, 2011 by

I can remember from the time I was a kid always having bunk beds. I have two younger brothers and we always shared a room so obviously to save space bunk beds were essential so we had enough space to just hang out and chill.

I remember bunk beds being a good space saver but not very comfortable to sleep on and that it probably because you typically put the mattress directly on wood or metal slats. I recently discovered wolfe bunkie boards which means no more mattress on two or three slats now the mattress can rest comfortably on a full board making the mattress more comfortable. With all of the bunk beds I have slept on and the ones my kids have you have no box spring just a mattress. Thinking back I am not sure how I was able to sleep on something like that. Currently Melinda and I have a queen pillow top mattress and the thought of a bunk bed mattress right on the slats is giving me a back ache. LOL.

Sabreena got her first bunk bed when she turned five (not sure why since at the time she was an only child, LOL) and to this day we still have them but they are currently split into two twin beds. About a month or two ago Melinda and I looked into buying Shae a bunk bed to save space so she had more room to play. I do love all of the bunk beds and bunk accessories that are available these days. They have come along way and every furniture store seems to sell them.

The kids do get to sleep in bunk beds once a year when we go to the beach and I am a little skeptical letting Shaun or Shae sleep on the top bunk because I am afraid they are going to roll right of onto the floor even though there is a side rail but they love it so I let them have their fun.

Do your kids have bunk beds? What is the main reason for your kids having a bunk bed?










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