Joyful Mother

Loving Our New Apartment

A month ago our family moved into a brand new apartment - no one has ever lived in it before and it feels awesome to something so nice!  One of my favorite things about the whole place is the food disposal.  It's a long standing "thing" around my house that I do not like food in the sink.  When I found out that we had the disposal, I was geeked!!  Now everyone can put their dishes in the sink without scraping them and mom is happy!!

We also have a Home Security system that is awesome.  I think it is really great of the apartment owner to put these in.  We have alarms on the windows and the door as well as a built-in sprinkler system.  It has added a level of security that I didn't realize I wanted.

I really do love just about everything about apartment living.  My only regret is that there's not a place where the boys can play basketball.  As a compromise, though, we take them to play basketball several days a week at a local school.  Yeah, we like it quite a bit.

Making a really easy DIY dog bed

Guest post written by Henry Billows

I'm not all that crafty and creative but i really wish that I was. I read all kinds of craft blogs and wish that I could come up with ways to make myself better at drawing, sewing, painting or really any of that stuff! But I guess that one thing I am really good at is using a staple gun, so I try and zero in on projects where I can just use that type of stuff. It's so much easier that way! So when I was looking for stuff like that to make, I ran across a DIY dog bed. I've needed to get my dog a dog bed for a while now anyway that I thought this was just a perfect coincidence!

I foudn the diea for the dog bed online with my Miami Clear Internet and started mentally picking out fabric for it immediately.

I used a really cute little old serving tray to attach the actual cushion part to, which just reinforced making stuff without sewing. I'm extremely proud of my easy DIY dog bed and I think that my dog really loves it too!

Dreams of Remodeling the Bathroom

I don't think of remodeling very often.  I'm married to a painter who is well-skilled in painting, sheet rock work, and a number of other handy remodeling skills but usually he is busy doing those jobs for customers!

So, as you can imagine, bathroom remodeling has been very far from my mind.  Well, not far from my mind but far from believing it is going to happen anytime soon.  However, yesterday I was looking around Pinterest and came across a beautiful bathroom done in a light turquoise and white - and the wheels started turning.

Now I can't stop looking at photos of bathroom design, fixtures, floor tiles and things like that.This time, picking the colors was easy and all I have to do is tell the hubby what I want and there he goes - but what fun I am having dreaming about counter tops and mirrors and lighting!

Hot Days of Summer?

Like we did with spring, it seems like we are going to skip right over much of fall and go straight to winter.  When it starts getting so cold, I start thinking of the warm days of summer.  Isn't that funny?  We always seem to want the the things we don't have.

One of my favorite things to do as a child was to swim.  There is not much anything better than jumping into a nice cold pool on a hot summer day.  I would always enjoy my time because I had my sisters to play with - there were three of us.  We didn't have worry about anything like pool supplies, we just enjoyed the water!

Now I'm an adult and have my own children.  I love seeing them enjoy the water as much as I did.  Now is when I have to take care of making sure the pool has the things it needs - mainly pool filters.  They don't have to worry about that - it seems like we take for granted that the water is going to be clean.  Making sure you have a good place to get your pool supplies is a number one priority.

Summer will be here again before we know it - and again we'll be wishing for cooler weather.  I think I need to learn contentment!

Being Away

I appreciate the guest post, Ignacio Phillips

I have a Home Security SYSTEM which makes me feel a lot better about going out to the stables all the time. My horses are the loves of my life and I know they need so much of my attention so when I get off work I usually just head straight out there to ride them. I spend a lot of time on their care and comfort and I feel like they appreciate and look forward to it just like I do – I’m definitely one of those “horse people!” My house is rarely used except when I’m sleeping so I’ve even been considering buying something smaller out near the stablesso I won’t have to travel so far. I really appreciate how much work full-time stable keepers put into their jobs and you know, if there was any money in it I think I would do it, too! That’s how much I love horses but I just don’t think it makes sense for me to quit my great bank job and give it all up to horses.

 

Energy Savings Starts Now!

The time will be coming soon when we will start focusing on our home needs to prepare it for the winter.  Do you know what I am talking about?  Yes, home insulation.  We'll need to determine if we have any places cold air can get in or warm air can get out!  Items such as outdoor lighting also need to be checked as air can leak from around them.

You may not think it is time to be thinking that far ahead or as far ahead to Christmas, but believe me-  it sneaks up on you quickly.  I suggest eco friendly toys and gifts for you gift list this year.  Everyone is going green and wooden toys, and reusable shopping bags would be perfect choices!

Florist Shop

Thanks for the guest post, Nora Howe

Florists generally love what they do, and I'm no exception. I've always been into playing with flowers and design, so it was a natural progression for me to go into flower arranging. I own my own small shop and do lots of weddings and bridal designs, but I'm also a specialist in making geometric arrangements as well. I have three employees who also love what we do, so my work is really rewarding. I needed to do a few upgrades to the shop and saw a good HIGH SPEED INTERNET online offer, so I got mobile Internet for the whole office. Everyone loves staying connected and we've found some great inspiration on floral websites. I like being able to send my clients digital pictures of designs, as well, to see if they'll like what I'm doing. 'saves them the hassle of having to come downtown to the store and saves me the headache of having to remake an entire design and set up a second appointment! Its a win win!

The Long Hot Summer?

Sure I know it's not summer but you know what, last year we skipped fall and went straight to winter.  This year, it feels like we are going from spring straight to summer.  I really feel for my hubby having to work in it. 

He is a painter and works in a lot of new homes.  It's nice when he has an inside job during this weather but sometimes in a new home carpentry work or stone floor restoration can halt his job and sending him looking for something to do while he waits.  He says that once summer arrives it takes him a few weeks before his body fully acclimates to the heat and then he can work out in it without many problems as long as he keeps himself hydrated.  Me, I'm a big wuss when it comes to heat.  I'd rather take a more unique job doing marble polishing than spend the day sweating.

Speaking of marble, if you live in South Florida you should check out Custom Marble Restoration.  It is a family business and they take care of all aspects of marble, from restoration to cleaning.  Visit their site and get a free marble care guide.

Conserving Engegy With Replacement Windows

We moved into our home about four years ago and I can tell that the electric bill has gone up considerably.  That may be because the number of windows have increased.  It is as if our money is running away from us and making a fast getaway through the roof.  I've read about Philadelphia replacement vinyl windows and I think they might be the solution to the problem.

If you are in the Philadelphia, are you should check out the Green Energy Audit website to see how much you could save on your Philadelphia energy efficient windows.  You could save up to 25% energy savings.  Wouldn't it be great to go from one part of your home to the other and notice no difference in the temperature?

Philadelphia energy saving windows are not the only ways to save money according to their site.  Need blown in insulation?  How about air sealing to care of those drafty areas in your home?  This company of professionals understand everything from construction types to the common mistakes homes have in the Philadelphia area.  They will help you reduce your energy bills - give them a call!

Men's Wear

I'm not sure how it is that I have not ever heard of the coogi brand of clothing. I guess it is because I don't do that much shopping for my husband and am just not aware, know what I mean? I was browsing some of their clothes today and I really like what I see.

I think the boxers are fun and I really like their faux leather jackets. Be sure to check them out for the men in your life. I think they will probably say "thank you".