Christenson September Goal

So due to Mr. Ryker and how he loves to be held I didn't
get to accomplish all I wanted in this goal but I worked on
the linen closet by taking everything out, throwing away
old medicine refolding towels and sheets and lining up
all the free toiletries I get each week! Ron did the pantry
and he took everything out and washed each shelf and
threw away what needed to go and put it all back. I know-
lame compared to the rest of you but maybe one day we
will get to something big like the garage, guest room or
even paint the kitchen. Sorry I don't know how to turn the photos and I knew if I waited for Ron it would never get done. No after picture of the linen closet either

Swenson September Goal

Well I'm finally getting around to posting my pictures for September goal. I actually was going to do the garage, but was quickly sidetracked by my water leaked Giggle Room. I forgot to take a before picture of what the room looked like, but it was quite messy.

This is the picture of our moldy carpet that needed to be replaced.

Here is what the walls looked like. Do you see why it was called the Giggle Room?

New paint and new carpet. I used the colors Light Grape and Smoky Concord.

I also painted the bottom of the closet dark purple and the trim under the shelf was the light purple.
These are the after pictures. I had a lot of plastic drawers that I had been using and I tried to eliminate some of the clutter so that the room would look clean and neat.
I also had to buy a new wooden closet because the old one was completely moldy on the bottom.
I also bought a sewing table so that I could sew without having to put my machine away every time.
I tried to get a new desk but I couldn't spend even more money than we already had. This desk is nice and big, but could use a little work.

That is all the pictures I have, I still need to find some blinds and curtains but haven't gotten around to do it yet. Hopefully I'll get back to my other cleaning goals and continue to straighten and organize. Thanks Leesa for the goal.

10 ways to love

I saw this on Facebook and thought it was great

1. Listen without interrupting (Proverbs 18)
2. Speak without accusing (James 1:19)
3. Giving without sparing (Pro. 21:26)
4. Pray without ceasing (Colossians 1:9)
5. Answer without arguing (Proverbs 17:1)
6. Share without pretending (Eph. 4:15)
7. Enjoy without complaint (Phillippians 2:14)
8. Trust without wavering (Cor. 13:7)
9. Forgive without punishing (col. 3:13)
10. Promise without forgetting (Prov. 13:12)

I thought it was a great thing for us all to work on.

emergency essentials break down

I picked up all the chicken and strawberries from Emergency Essentials yesterday. I got the totals from Leesa... so if they are wrong, take it up with her!

Here is the break down:

Chicken: $27.18 + 3% sales tax= $28/can
Ronda: (2) $56
Leesa: (6) $168
Jill: (4) $112
friend: (3) $84
Sally: (3) $84

Strawberries: $14.29 + 3% sales tax= $14.72
Ronda: (3) $44.16
Leesa: (6) $88.32
Jill: (2) $29.44
Sally: (3) $44.16

Peaches: $5.59 + 3% sales tax= $5.76
Leesa: (6) $34.56


Grand Total/Person:
Ronda: $100.16
Leesa: $290.88
Jill: $141.44
friend: $84
Sally: $128.16
Total: $744.64

We closed our Wellsfargo account so don't transfer money that way. You can either send a check or use paypal. Thanks! And I guess we'll figure out the delivery individually.

Jones Sept. Goal results

Somehow every fall we manage to clean out the garage enough for Dan to park in it for the winter. We have done it again.

We had a lot of canned food in the garage that I wanted to move to the house/laundry room.
We moved a shelf and added a different one. We also sold all of the old kitchen appliances that we still had from the kitchen remodel. The fireplace is leaving soon too. And we just generally cleaned out a lot of junk.

Each before shot is followed by the after shot.

Oct. 2011 Goal

1 Nephi 19:23
"And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah: for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning."
During this last conference there were some great talks about the importance of reading and studying the scriptures.
The goal this month is simple: read your scriptures every day.

Posted by Leesa... for Sally... for Jason. (We pass the bucket so well in our family!)

cook september results

So I didn't finish the goal by the end of September, but it's only the 3rd of October so I feel REALLY successful! This was a goal that my house AND my husband appreciated! So thanks Leesa.

I started two different areas because both Annie's room and the storage room were in pretty bad shape. (I'm still working on Annie's room since I've been waiting for the season change to remove all clothing tubs.)

As for the storage room, I've just been throwing all the extra food storage we've gotten lately in there, since it's been so unorganized and I'm obviously mid-project (like always, hence the table) so it makes for a pretty crowded area.

So here is the storage room:
BEFORE:




I had to do a lot of rearranging... I moved the food storage from under Liv's bed to under my bed, and then put some from down here under Liv's bed (since her under-bed is easier to access than mine.) I didn't go the painting route... there are too many shelves and not worth the pain. But I did buy some crates to store my fabric that has been piling up since the dresser was no longer big enough for all my awesome remnant finds!

And AFTER:




And just because I can... a picture with the closet doors closed!



I have my card/craft table behind the door so I will still be pulling that out to do projects, but until I get started on another one... it sure is nice to have some walking room....

Group buy special

I got the Emergency Essentials magazine/sale ad thing in the mail yesterday. Here are some great buys if anyone is interested. Maybe Sally will pick them up again??

Freezed-Dried White Meat Chicken (21 oz.) normally $42.95.
Group buy needs a minimum of 12 cans - $28.00 per can

Tomato Powder (68oz) normally $30.95
Group buy needs 12 - $20.oo per can

Freeze-dried Strawberry Dices (7 oz) on sale $14.99 a can
discounted to $14.29 if you buy 6 or more

They also have a new can size, better for a pantry. #2.5 size.
The best deal in this size is the peach chunks (4 oz). ( I know we did peaches last time too)
#10 cans of peaches are 8 oz. and cost about $3.00/oz. This can size on sale is about $1.45/oz. Quite a bit cheaper. The peach chunks are $5.99 per can or $5.79 for more than 6 cans. They also have a pop top lid and they have the same long shelf life.

They also have many of their Mountain House entrees on sale this month.
You can check out the prices on www.beprepared.com or call me and I'll look at my list for you.

Some of these things are limited quantities so the sooner we order the better.

If anyone wants the chicken or tomato powder we HAVE to get at least 12 altogether.

I'm looking forward to seeing how you improved the organization of your homes too!!

September Goal Update

So, when I read Leesa's goal for September I got all hoity-toity and thought, huh, my house is already cleaned and organized...what..am..I..going..to..do. Turns out....I have a lot to do. I now get to clean out my ENTIRE office (Aka giggle room), clean everything off (in case mold spores are on it), pull up the carpet and pad, replace carpet/pad, possibly paint and then move everything back into the room without my large wooden cabinet (that now has to go to the dump) which held most of my things. This is by far the most expensive family goal I have done all year. Boy, I just hope it gets done by September 30th. I would hate to fail the goal.

Oriental Grilled Chicken

So when I was in the hospital having Ryker I ordered from
the menu an Oriental Grilled Chicken Salad and liked it
so much I tried to copy at home and think I did pretty good.
I bought a bottle of Lawrys Hawaiian Flavored Marinade which
is in the section of at Walmart by the BBQ sauce. I marinaded the
chicken and then grilled it. So you need
Grilled chicken
lettuce/spinach
green onions
cheese
tomatoes
mand. oranges
chinese noodles ( I got Rice Noodles)
slivered almonds
and Kraft has an Oriental Dressing that is almost exact.
We have all loved having the salad so thought I would share.

Rocky Mountain Cookies

These are the cookies that Steve made for FHE the other night.


Rocky Mountain Cookies
1 c. sugar
1 c. packed brown sugar
1 c. softened butter
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking powder
2 c. oats
2 c. Rice Krispies
1 bag chocolate chips

Cream together butter and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla and beat well. Sift dry ingredients separately, then add to mixture. Fold in oats, cereal, and choco chips. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto a greased baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes or until very lightly browned. Yields 6 dozen cookies

santa baby annie

We went to Walmart the other day to get Annie's traditional red and white suit pictures done. Here's the link if you want to see the cute little button.

In case that didn't work, go to www.myonlineportraits.com. The session number is 104440 and the password is 2VDCY

And if that doesn't work, well they probably aren't there anymore. :)

We are using picture #32 for the world to see....