cleaning

I have a slight obsession, okay a big obsession with cleaning our home. It gets me into trouble sometimes because I can't relax or think straight until I have cleaned. It is not always easy to keep our home sparkling when we have two 100 pound dogs running around. Luckily, I grew up with a mom that is always buying into all the new cleaning products and cleaning ideas. Some may not view that as lucky, but I know that I do because when I walk into a cleaning supplies isle I am like a kid in a candy shop.

When Wyatt and Milton were puppies, my cleaning supplies obsession got a little out of control because I was determined to find the best and safest way to clean around animals. This could be a whole other blog post, which maybe I will take a 1/2 day and let you guys in on some secret puppy cleaning ways.

But, this post is the first of my cleaning advice and findings. I know it is not the most exciting of all blogs, but it is something I enjoy and if you enjoy it too, then you know how insane it is!

Today, Austin and I ventured out to Sam's Club and the grocery store. While at the grocery store I walked straight to the cleaning supplies isle to pick up some Woolite Oxygen Stain and Odor remover for pets. Exciting I know. In the meantime, Austin managed to pick up all the other necessities and then find me right where I started.

My number one must have cleaning supply right now is the Woolite Oxygen Stain and Odor remover for pets. You can spray it on your couch, pillows, carpet, rugs, dogs, okay not dogs, but pretty much whatever you want.




But, today I came across a new and exciting product. Arm and Hammer carpet booster with oxy clean. It comes in a big baking soda like box and it looks like baking soda too. It is user friendly too, you just shake it all over your carpet and let it sit for 15-30 minutes, then vacuum. I used it in our bedroom and closet and upstairs where the dog crates are. it worked really well. The only downside was that I used the whole box, but it only cost $1.80/ box. So, maybe I will stock up? I could see this being a staple in my cleaning organizer. Yes, I do have a cleaning organizer and yes Austin did buy it for me because he knows I love cleaning so much and he knew I would love it. It obviously does not take much to get me excited.



Does anyone else have pet cleaning advice?

New Beginnings

I realized this evening that it has been way too long since my last post. If I got a grade on how great of a blogger I am, I would score very low on whatever scale it is that the "blogger's judges" go by. But, here I am with a promise, to at least myself, that I will do a much better job of keeping up with this! I am very happy to say that we are now halfway into January of 2011 !! After the jam-packed year of 2010, I have a really good feeling about this new year. Austin and I did not make specific resolutions because we have spent the past nine months analyzing and thinking over way too many things. So, 2011 is a slow down! Here are some things that I am excited about...


1 less IS more (this can fall into many categories such as less spending, less home decorating, less clothes buying, etc)

2 being thankful for the little things (a roof over my head, a comfy couch, food in the pantry,etc.)

3 more spontaneous, less planning (this is hard for me because I like to have EVERYTHING planned out, but towards the end of 2010 I realized that I stress myself out way too much trying to plan every single detail that I am too exhausted to enjoy anything. I will most likely still plan everything out, but my goal is to continue to remind myself to slow down and enjoy each day because memories are more important than hours of planning, and also more fun!)

4 if you know me well then you know that I am pretty much all the time thinking about what else I can do to decorate our house. This is fun and all, but whenever I get an idea, I HAVE to have or do whatever it is I am thinking about. So, this year I only have a few things I am going to focus on, which I will get into those later!

5 adventure.

6 giving back. After such a humbling experience with the flood. I am forever grateful to family, friends, and the people of nashville who supported us and our neighbors.

7 of course, last but not least, spending more time having fun and spending quality time with Austin and Wyatt and Milton.


That's a long list for someone who doesn't have a resolution. But, these are things that I have learned about myself in the past year and that I want to continue to improve on.

So, I think 2011 is going to be a wonderful year! Or, we could have a million things happen at once and not get any rest for months in a row, but, if that is the case then we will continue to be blessed by the Lord.

Making a House a Home Again

I feel awful it has taken me this long to update my blog! Austin is helping me create a new and improved blog. In the meantime, check out Rachel Halvorson's blog post about the flood!

http://www.nestegg.typepad.com/

Rachel is the sweetest person ever and she poured her heart into helping making our house a home again. We are forever grateful and so so so blessed!

Thank you Rachel!

Were Back!

Austin and I moved back into our house this past weekend!

We are very excited to be back and enjoying every minute in what feels like, well i guess it is, a brand new home!

We have had so many blessings and have been humbled along the way! I could not ask for better friends and family to have supported us and that continue to support us along the way.

We are hoping to have everything back in order in a couple of weeks!

I will post pictures and more soon!

June Happenings

I'm very behind in postings, but I thought I would give a shout out to my husband for making our 3 year anniversary so special, even in the midst of everything.

I was surprised at work with the lovely bouquet of flowers (shown above) and then a Coach purse!

I have never had a real designer purse so I was very excited! He did really well and I could not be happier!

My mom made a wonderful dinner and we were able to celebrate our anniversary, which I was not sure if we would be able to or not this year!

I am a very lucky and blessed girl!

Like I said in the previous post, this week has been C-R-A-Z-Y!

There are so many decisions when it comes to building a home. Cabinets, door knobs, paint colors, faucets, sinks. Those things don't just show up, someone has to pick them out.

Needless to say, I am now a Lowe's queen! Austin finally decided to go with the subway tile for the bathroom!

Things are really coming together! I can't wait to show the finished product!

Peace, Love, and Happiness- For a day!

This week has been quite busy. Luckily, we were able to escape for a night before it all started.

Last weekend I had a few hours to fill so I went to PD's in Downtown Franklin. Luckily (and I know i'm using this word twice), for Austin's sake, PD's is so far away from our house because if it was close I would probably find myself their every weekend. Take everything I have ever loved or would love to have in my home and you can find it in PD's.

After my PD's trip I snagged a massage! I didn't realize it had been 3 years since my last massage, oops!

THEN, Austin and I decided to go into town and stay at the Hutton Hotel and eat at Bricktops! I ate mussels for the first time. They were actually pretty good! A much needed day of shopping, relaxation, and quality time with the hubby!