I am back....

So, I can't believe it has been almost 2 months since I last posted!  Is anyone still here??? Anyone?

I thought I was just taking a quick break from blogging to get my boys in school but it turned out to be a bit longer!  Actually, I have radically trimmed my online social media time as I was convicted that the time I spent online was robbing me and my family from wonderful IRL experiences.  I have trimmed my Facebook time, my blog time, my email time and even the dreaded, but much addictive, Twitter time!  Yes, I have even managed to limit my Pinterest time!!!  It has been a good thing and I feel so much more productive.  At one point in time, when I was writing for publications, I could justify the online time (you know research, inspiration...blah, blah, blah) but since at this time I am not trying to write...yes, dear reader (are there any of you left?), you will have to wait a bit longer on that Great Southern Novel (do you hear the snickering?).... I feel that my time is better served in more moderate doses online.

What have I been doing as late???  Do you mean in between the never ending loads of laundry, living in the car as kids get ferried here and there and the continual DIY projects???  Well...

In late August there were some pretty big changes that came to the Southern Somedays household, starting with my youngest son starting 5th grade, my older son starting 10th grade and my daughter entering her senior year of college.  If those stats aren't enough to freak a Mom out, I don't know what is....I just can't be this old...I am not old enough to have kids this old.  Where did my babies go?  And why is this almost 6 foot young man claiming to be MY son???  Oh...swan!  With school comes football for both boys (although my older son being a Varsity player was at football all summer as well), my younger son is also immersed in a local theatre workshop, not to mention all the church activities that come along with the school year! 

We also saw some big changes on the work front with DH.  He has taken a job that now keeps him on the road during the week and that has been a major change for us.  I have to say I was pretty spoiled with having him home pretty much every night, but the new job has been tons of fun for DH.  It is in a much different industry than he has been in previously and I think he has really enjoyed the challenges so far.  When my kiddos were little DH traveled almost 100% of the time and it was hard....did I mention it was HARD?  But, so far, this has been much different and I am sure it is because I don't have any little ones to manage all by myself.

Hopefully, I can figure out just the right balance between online and IRL and get back to blogging!  I think I have missed it!

 

Summertime!!!

Summer is here!  School is out, baseball is almost finished, friends have graduated and we are ready!  I am so looking forward to this summer.

This year I want to make sure we experience a true summer, one filled with fun, hot, lazy days and friends.  We haven’t made any plans to go on a trip this summer but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to see new things, meet new people and experience different and exciting things!  I also don’t want to see my boys waste their summer in front of a TV or video games.  I am determined to make this a summer of fun.  Of course, I have to say Pinterest (yep, that again) has given me some major motivation and inspiration for fun things to do and create this summer.  I am going to cook new things, do some crafting and some DIY home projects and play!!  We are kicking it all of tomorrow with a big pool party and I can’t wait. 

What are you planning for this summer? 

Better catch it while you can…it won’t be here forever!

DIY Car Care Tip: Headlight Clearing!

I know you have all seen those headlight clearing kits or even seen advertisements to have it done at local auto shops but I decided to try out a DIY trick I had seen on Pinterest (of course!)  My headlights were pretty fogged over and I thought I was stuck with it or would have to shell out some major bucks to get them shiny and clear again but with NO bucks (my favorite!) and a few minutes I was pleasantly surprised at how well this technique worked. 

Here is a before shot:

Here is what I used, I just brushed my lights

with the toothpaste and rinsed off:

TaaDAAAA...here are the after shots:

Pretty cool, huh? 

Garden Inspiration!

Well, it is supposed to be close to 80 degrees here today (and we have had lots of these days lately - I am NOT complaining!) and I think a post of "Garden Inspiration" is in order.  These are all drawn from...you guessed it...My Garden Board on Pinterest. It seems all my inspiration these days comes from Pinterest!  It has become a particularly wonderful friend during the many nights I can't seem to sleep. 

Here are a few things I would love to try this Spring and Summer:

 I think this idea will be fantastic using some old bags that I have for hanging on our gates!

 Who doesn't love Fairy Gardens?  I just think they are magical and think my boys will enjoy helping create one or two of these...though they may turn out to be Fairy Battlefields!

 I already have the old wicker chair for this project (actually it is a wicker rocker that used to sit on our old house's front porch...I will just remove the rockers and it will be perfect for a climbing rose bush!)

One thing that we encountered when we bought our current home is that the previous owners LOVED chandeliers...particularly mid 90s brass ones.  Almost every room had one so I have several of these gems in my attic and I think THIS is the perfect project for one of them.

So, do you have some fun plans for the garden this year?

For reals...

Source: Uploaded by user via Susan on Pinterest

So, do you Sew?

Are you a seamstress?  I. Am. Not.  

It is sad really that this skill has evaded me for 40+ years...and especially through the years when I had small children.  It isn't that I had no interest. I had lots of interest....just not a lot of stick-to-itness.  Some how, I missed those classes when I was in school and I came from a Mother who apparently hated to sew.  But now that I am completely addicted to Pinterest my desire to be able to sew has reared it's crafty head again.  There are just too many cute things!!!!  I love fabric and feel like I could do so much if I just knew how to sew.  I have a friend who says she can teach me and I think I just might have to take her up on her offer (and hope we remain friends through the learning process!)

Here are some of the things I am in love with on Pinterst that have me lusting after the ability to sew:

Source: mama-says-sew.blogspot.com via Bella on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Bella on Pinterest

Source: underwear.sew-ing.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

Source: gap.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Are you Addicted...to Pinterest?

Oh boy am I!  It took me a little while to figure it out, but now I am a pinning fool.  There are just too many good ideas! It is full of great recipes, unique crafts, gorgeous florals, beautiful interiors...not to mention the clothes! 

If you would like to partake in the Pinterest fun leave your email and I will get you an invite! 

Now, off to pin....