Happy New Year!!!! 2014

                 Hello ya'll! I hope everyone had a great and safe New Year! We had a blast with our neighbors. Staying at home, us girls did some online shopping while the guys went out and put the husbands tractor back together! So we accomplished a lot! It was great catching up with them. 

                 The husband got out there this morning and tested and ran the tractor! I cleaned up the cow stall. I checked the cows for bugs/mites, and good news everyone was CLEAN! I just love it when my animals are bug free! I have been thinking about a lot of things I would like to accomplish in 2014. 

So here goes my list of goals for 2014:

1- You know I LOVE books. But I think my husband will start throwing out books if they dont get read. I made a good dent in the books in 2013, but I still have many, many, many more to read. Sooooo..... I am not going to PURCHASE any books in 2014. (If its FREE that's not a purchase) I must read what I have already been blessed with. Read more! I want to read 30 books! 

NO PURCHASING BOOKS IN 2014. 

2- You know I love to be organized. So I have found an app "Meal Board" in the App Store. I LOVE this app. It has a pantry, shopping list, recipes, the works!!!! You can also go and get recipes from websites (there is about 15 websites connected to this app) I am going to be using this app a lot in 2014! I am very excited about it. 

MEAL PLAN BETTER

3- Ya'll know I have been moving towards better foods for my family. So in 2014 I am moving a little closer to CLEAN EATING. I have read some terrible things about the chemicals, hormones, pesticides, and all around junk in our food. So I have several goals in the category lined up. The first one is no more fast/fried foods. I also want to master a homemade hummus recipe this month! I have tried a few and can't seem to master any of them! 

MOVE TOWARDS CLEAN EATING. 

3- Adyson- Sometimes I feel that her needs are pushed to the bottom of the pile. For example, Adyson loves to go to Story Time at the library. Sometimes I just cant get going fast enough in the morning to take her. I feel bad that she misses out on that time, its only once a week!! Also I feel bad that I don't read to Adyson at night. By the time bedtime comes I am just ready for the house to be quiet and lights out! Adyson deserves my undivided attention for 15-20 minutes everyday.

4- Brittany- Her and I never have time to just hang out! There is always an excuse, - can't find a sitter for Adyson, there is work to do around the farm... She is a teenager and does want to go out with her friends but we don't get the chance to do much together. 

5- More Positive- I worked on this in 2013, I fell off the wagon a few times, it happens. 2014 is going to be the year! No more yelling. No more getting frustrated with things I can not control. I need to learn to ENJOY life. I will step in JOY! 

6- Blog on time- Life happens, lazy happens, but this year I will be more aware of blogging on time. My biggest issue is doing exactly what I'm doing now and thinking and typing at the same time. I need to take notes throughout the week so when its time to blog its easier! I plan on posting a lot more this year! 

7- Continue with natural cleaning-  I am going to continue with finding as many natural cleaners and making what I can! I can't wait to find recipes for window cleaner, tub scubs, floor cleaners, etc. 

8-Work out 3 days a week- I jumped on this band wagon for about 2 months in 2013. I lost interest when it got cold outside. Sorry I am not fond of the cold. Yes I know I can exercise inside, I guess I just needed the "cold" excuse. I am going to pick random work outs from my Pinterest. I'll work on getting a routine when I get into working out!

9- Music- My wonderful husband bought me a keyboard for Mothers Day 2012. I have learned a few songs, but dying to learn more. So this year I am going to try to teach myself to read music and play! I am hoping to be able to play 12 songs (1 song a month) by the end of the year. I would love to be able to play some Christmas songs next year! Anyone know of a good music app that will help me read sheet music?

10- Christmas stuff- I would love to make our own ornaments and decorations this year and have an "old fashioned" Christmas. I have found lots of ideas on Pinterest on my Christmas Board. 

11- Do more myself- I hate when I can't do something and I leave it for the husband to do. I am tired of always giving him a "to do" list. So 2014 is the year I will learn to be more "manly". I will learn to use a drill, level, and a whole bunch more! 

12- Schedule- I need to create a schedule and keep it! I have certain things that I do on certain days (I will start blogging about all this, this year). Since the holidays have kept me hopping and has blown my schedule out of the water. I need to plan a little better this year! 

In case you haven't noticed my "theme" of goals this year is to take a step back and enjoy life. Try not to be so rushed. I'm going to start small so its not so over whelming. 

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Happy New Year! What are your goals? What are your resolutions? How are you going to make 2014 count?

A year in review

                       I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas! We had a great year this year. We took a different approach to Christmas this year and I think it worked out beautifully. Instead of buying a bunch of little gifts the kids were asked what "big/most important" gift they would like. We were tired of buying the little stuff that always gets broke, lost, or never used. So this year the kids  picked out a "big" gift and that was it! It was simple, the kids were over joyed!!! 


                     I'm proud of all of my accomplishments this year! I'm glad I had the support of family and friends. My biggest accomplishment this year was QUITTING SMOKING!!! July 17 was the last real cigarette I had. I had an electric cigarette for a bit, but I don't remember when I gave it up! During week 1 I listed all my goals for 2013. 

GOALS 2013....

1- quit smoking----DONE- I feel great since I quit smoking! Everything tastes better since I quit smoking!

2- Family Time- DONE- every Sunday is family day!  This is how we spent this last Sunday. Teaching the youngest to IMessage! She was so excited that she could text her daddy, sissy and mommy.... Oh and did I mention she has figured out how to video chat too? She can call her grandmother now! 

3- Get Organized- DONE- operation-kitchen-reorganization, Adysons Room I would like to organize my room and closet in 2014!

4- Eating Healthier- DONE- I no longer buy the boxed/frozen meals. I read labels of the products I buy. I'm cooking healthy! Buying healthier cuts of meats. Buying more veggies and fruits! 

5- Exercise- I have been a little sporadic with this. I plan on improving this in 2014. I have gone through Pinterest and found 100's of pins for exercise and pinned them to my board. 

6- Read More (52 book in 2013)- My last count was 13 pleasure books and 17 educational/informational... not too far off!! 

7- Brain games- I loved this challenge. I did use up all the crossword puzzles, Sudoku books I had. Now I have them on my phone and ereader! So I can play them all the time and be more Earth friendly! 

8- Blogging- Considering this is my 1st year of blogging I think I did alright. I have lots of ideas for next year to improve! If you have any suggestions let me know! 

9- Be More Positive- This was a tough one. Everyone has moments of frustrations, anger, its just a part of life. However I really tried to keep good spirits through it all this year! I am going to focus on only positive in 2014. 

10- Crafts- I may not have done 1 craft a month (which was the goal) I did more then I had done in 2012 (which was NONE) my favorite craft was the Halloween Village, Halloween Soaps, Laundry Soap, bath soaps, Christmas Ornaments. OK so I had fun doing them all!!!! 

11- Music- FAILED-  I am going to start over in 2014! 

12- No Chemicals- I tried lots of things this year. Most of them worked. I had a few fail. The biggest disappointment was dish soap I was really hoping to make my own stuff. After tons of research and several recipes everything failed. It failed because my water is too hard! So I found commercial stuff by 7th generation that is more natural and Earth friendly. 

13- Gardening- This went OK. Not as prosperous as I thought! But I am gaining experience and thats what matters! But I did have great luck with African Violets I'm very proud of that! I plan on starting more in February!  This is what they look like now almost 6 months later! I am so proud!! I am going to do many more in 2014

I had a wonderful year. I am blessed! I learned a lot about myself and my family in 2013. I can't wait to see what 2014 has in store for us! 

See you all in 2014!! 

Appleby Family Christmas Letter week 50 & 51

I've enjoyed the holidays this year! Family gatherings, catching up with distant family. Christmas is almost upon us! I can't beleive how fast this year has gone by! We're in week 51!!! My shopping is done. I can relax most of my presents are wrapped. I'm just waiting for Christmas, I'm just as excited as the kids, I can't wait to see the looks on their faces!

Watching all the specials is my FAVORITE thing to do over the holidays! It reminds me of memories growing up. The most wonderful memories I have growing up involve my Aunt Julie & Uncle Jim out on on their farm. Uncle Jim would style his hair & put on a Santa suit and sing! My grandmother, aunt and I would stand up and sing back up for him as he sang Elvis Presley's Blue Christmas! 

Jackie and I both quit smoking this year! We're very proud! He still travels for work, I have a feeling 2014 is going to be his year for great things! We certainly miss him around the house when he's gone! 

Brittany, well she's a teenager! She's a freshman!!! She turned 15 back in September. She is turning into a beautiful young lady. We are so proud of her! She's already learning the ins and outs of high school and life. A couple weeks ago 

she got her braces off! She has a beautiful smile to go along with her personality. She's doing great! 

Adyson, well, she turns 5 in February. She's growing like a weed as most kids her age tend to do! She will start kindergarden next school year. She's learning to operate the DVR remote control, so every 5 minutes "Mommy come help me!" is yelled out of her bedroom. 

Farm happenings- everyone seems to be doing great. Looks like all my female goats (nannies) will be having kids as early as January!!! Looking forward to that. As most of you remember the last couple of months were rocky, we lost Adysons Chicken Girl and both pigs. 

I HOPE EVERYONE HAS A MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Enjoy family, friends and good times! 

Wishing everyone Merry Christmas!

Week- 49 

             It's been a busy week! Running to the grocery store to prepare for the winter storm headed my way! I'm all prepared to bundle down for the weekend and watch the weather. This will be the last weekend to relax before all the holiday plans start. So I think instead of going for a story telling we will stay home. 

On the way to run errands Adyson & I found something...in the middle of the road!!! We couldn't believe this guy was wondering the roads the day before freezing weather was due to hit us! 

I've been doing lots of searching this week for recipes in preparation for one of my goals for 2014. I've been playing with an awesome app too! I'm very excited about it! I can't wait to tell you about it, next year! I hope you guys will like it! 

HOMEMADE- I've made a new batch of  a few things! I love my homemade stuff. My skin has never been softer in the winter! You remember I have made these before and loved all of them! FACIAL TONER

MAKEUP WIPES

2 cups DISTILLED water 

1 Tbl face soap

1 Tbl coconut oil

1 Tbl jojoba oil

2 drops tea tree oil

Mix all together and heat in microwave for about 1.5 minutes

Cut a roll if paper towels in 1/2.

Use a container big enough to hold & keep wipes air tight, such as a pitcher (this is what I use, & pull wipes through the pour spout;) )

Put wipes cut side down in container. Pour liquid over the top & let sit for 5 minutes. The. Pull the cardboard out of the middle & start your roll! 

I have missed these. It's been a few months since I have made any but I will never be without them again. 

 BODY SCRUB-

Equal part olive oil and sugar. If you notice its too runny add some sugar. Put it in a container ( I used an empty body wash bottle) and set in the shower. I use this every other day. BE CAREFUL THIS WILL MAKE YOUR SHOWER SLIPPERY!!!  I wash/soap up and rinse then use the body scrub and really scrub it into my skin. Leave it on for a few minutes and gently rinse off. No more winter dry skin!!! All natural and healthy for your skin! 

READING- I've caught up on all my magazines, I had a TON of them! I hadn't read any since September. So I caught up! I love my magazines! Quick little articles, wonderful pictures, recipes, apps to try, new & up to date information. I cut out all my recipes & exercise/workouts, & stapled them into my spiral notebooks. I have 4 magazines I subscribe to, SHAPE, Fitness, Women's Health, Women's Day. 

                                              

Follow me on Good Reads to catch me on the latest book

I finished Haunted on Bourbon Street by Deanna Chase. Loved it if you like ghost stories, etc. Great, funny! Now I am reading The Accidental Demon Slayer by Angie Fox  and loving it so far! 


EATING HEALTHY- I've been loving having a small crock pot for breakfasts or smaller portions for just 2 people! I have made several breakfast casseroles and oatmeals since I got it. 

AWESOME BROWNIES

I am loving these for a treat/snack! They are awesome! 

REVIEW TIME-  
Last week we updated to the HOPPER with Sling. I am not that impressed. So the HOPPER is the main box( in the living room), and the girls and master bedroom have a Joey. (Yes 4 boxes in all) The feature of Sling is what sold me. Being that my husband travels I thought it would be nice for him to be able to watch his shows at his convenience (airports, hotel rooms, where ever he had wi-fi). This is not what its cracked up to be. 
Sling- When my husband watches Live TV on his device he takes up a "Joey/Tuner" from our home TV. So If Brittany is watching "A", Adyson is watching "B" and I am watching "C"  my husband has to watch what we are watching, and if he chooses to watch "D" then he will change our station!!! 
HOPPER- Same goes with the HOPPER, If Brittany is watching "A", Adyson is watching "B" and I am RECORDING "C" then we are stuck watching C. This " Record 6 shows at once" is for PRIME TIME TV only Monday - Saturday  6pm-11pm?? something like that. So it records the ABC, NBC,CBS, FOX, etc for those hours. 
It is nice that the girls can record what shows they want. However there are KNOWN system/software issues with the HOPPER with Sling according to the "advanced tech support" people I have talked to about these issues. Some of my shows do not record, although the HOPPER says its recorded. You can set up folders, so every one's recordings go into their own folders, but my folders don't work!
Everyone can press a button on their remotes and everyone can see what everyone else is watching. I can see from the living room or my bedroom what the kids are watching. The kids can press the button on their rooms and see what I am watching. That fact what not explained to me BEFORE I got the HOPPER. 

I'm still deciding if this is what we want/need or if we need to add a HOPPER to the bedroom. UGHHH decisions, decisions, decisions. 



My Christmas decorations- I love my Charlie Brown Christmas tree! My husband and the kids got it for me this year!! It plays music too!

A Special shout out to My Cousin Abby- Adyson Loves her TMNT sleeping bag! 

 

 
Every year since we moved into the house, Brittany has been putting bows on all the knobs in the kitchen. She coordinates them every year. It cracks me up. I love her to death and wouldn't change a thing!

He is one of my favorites, given to me by my Aunt Julie.

                       Merry Christmas!!! 

Week 47 & 48

                I'm trying to get the last little bit of Christmas shopping done. I HATE shopping after thanksgiving. I go into a panic if I still have gifts to purchase. 24 days until Christmas! It's so exciting I'm totally feeling the spirit this year! 

The Girls decided they wanted a small tree in their room this year!!! 


Adyson is purple.                                                     Brittanys is Blue & Silver! 

             

I must admit I'm very proud of my self and all the goals I have accomplished this year! I had 13 of them. I have accomplished I think 10!  Which is more then I thought I would get done honestly, but when you write down everything you do and share it with the world it gives you that extra push you need! 

The family has been a little scattered this last week. We are helping Aunt  Nancy pack for her trips over the holidays!  Aunt Nancy had a few appointments to get through, Kids with dentist appointments, grocery shopping, etc! Hopefully now that Thanksgiving is over it will calm down. 

I know its still a few weeks off but has anyone started working on their 2014 goals? I have a few that might surprise you for next year! I'm getting excited for it! Gives me something to look forward to! 




FARM HAPPENINGS-  Very sad on the farm Tuesday morning. I went out to make sure everyone was OK because it was so cold Monday night. I found that my pigs had gone out in the middle of the field and made themselves a hay pile instead of going in their stall to stay warm. Many of you remember these cute little guys when we brought them over here in June. So Rest in Peace Hammy and Bacon. 

 HOMEMADE-   Well I have come to the conclusion after MANY DAYS of research and blog searches that my water is VERY HARD.  After a few weeks of using homemade dishwasher powder my dishes had a film that would not come off. I used vinegar as my rinse aid. I also can not make a dish soap for washing dishes in the sink that is tough enough because of my hard water. So I have gone back and researched some more natural dish soaps/detergents and found Ecos at SAMS Club  and this is my new dish soap, for a really good price! I bought some generic tabs to try until I find some natural/better ones. 




READING-   I know I promised to have Angels & Demons read but I'm about 40 pages in, and just can't stay interested. Sorry guys! Makes me mad that its looking like I won't make my goal of a book a week!! But I found a wonderful E-book box set titled Six Times a Charm and from the set I'm reading Haunted on Bourbon Street by Deanna Chase from Barnes and Noble. I have busted out my my long lost friend Nook Simple Touch from www.bn.com. My wonderful husband bought this for me while we were on vacation over the summer so I could read on the beach! I love this better than anything else. I can read in direct light/sunlight with no problems. Best of all Adyson doesn't want to play with it because its black and white. So its all MINE!!! 


EATING HEALTHY-  Well all the Halloween candy is just about gone.  I have been using my little crockpot (1.5 qt) like crazy for breakfast lately. Its just so nice to wake up and your house smells wonderful from breakfast that is already cooked! I am loving my Breakfast board on Pinterest. I have made a few different oatmeals and breakfast casseroles. They were all great!!!  I'm going to post more meals as I make them! 

I think I told you guys about Chickens in the Road she has a fabulous website about the "noodles and sauce" pouches you buy & how to turn them into homemade. So far everyone I have tried has been great! She gives me lots of inspiration! Thank you very much Suzanne! 

 FAMILY TIME-  It was great this passed week with Thanksgiving and going to the in-laws and spending time with extended family! We all had a great a time! Then Daddy and Adyson decided to play TMNT. Daddy was a Foot Soldier, Adyson was Donnatello

Can't wait to post pictures of the house decorated on my next post! Until next week see ya later!!! 

Week 45 & 46 Winter Prep!

                  Its been a slow 2 weeks. I have not done anything really exciting. I am preparing for the winter months. I know Tennessee doesn't have "rough" winters but it never hurts to be prepared.  What have you been doing the last 2 weeks? I know I have been slacking! I am sorry! 

I'm sitting here watching The Brady Bunch the  T.V. show as I am writing the blog today. I am remembering a simpler time. No computers, internet. People took pride in their families, jobs, in themselves. Crime wasn't as bad or crazy. Everyone appreciated what they had. I think I will make a goal about this for 2014. 



Prepare for Winter- I guess you can say I have been playing squirrel. Going around and making sure everything is secure for winter. I have been making sure I have plenty of canned veggies/fruit in case we need them. Making sure there is propane in the tanks of the grill/BBQ. I put 5 jugs of water in the garage for the toilets in case we lose water. Some people say I am paranoid. All I can say is at least I'm prepared! I also try very hard to keep my pantry really stocked over the winter so I am not the one running out at the sound of the word "storm" or "blizzard". 

I make lots of meals in the crockpot over the winter. I always have left overs that get put in the freezer.

I also have all my animals to think about. So I make sure to keep extra feed bags in the garage just in case. 

So I have been making sure the kids are up to date on doctor appointments. I have been reading up healthier foods to eat in the winter that gives us the booster for our immune systems. 



Reading-  I have not been reading the last couple weeks. I am still working on Angels & Demons by Dan Brown. 

Updated Reading List

I promise by next blog post I will have read the book and hopefully watched the movie! 



Family Time & Crafts - With a teenager in the house its hard to get family time. So me and the hubby puts some rules in place for our teenager. My favorite is the Sunday rule, so everyone is home on Sundays to spend time and recoup together. No one is allowed to come over, no one goes anywhere. Its great!  We did crafts last week. They turned out great! I can not wait to decorate the Christmas tree Thanksgiving weekend!!! 

We did the snowflakes and snowman ornaments and glitter ornaments

REVIEW TIME-  So I am still LOVING my Shark Rotator Lift-Away Vacuum. Its works great! Its sucks everything up! 

Dishwasher soap- So I have given this a try for a few weeks and I am not quite happy with this. Its starting to leave a residue on the dishes. I guess it needs to be stronger.  It does NOT get the greasy stuff off at all. Here's the recipe that I started with. I'm going to do more research and tweak it a bit! I'll let you know in a couple weeks. 

So PhotoStream is still not working quite right. I have been on the phone over 5 hours in the last month with Apple. My issue in October and September still has not been fixed. This is why this blog post and others in the past don't have as many pictures! 



GOALS-  I have been looking over the goals I set in week 1. I am very proud that most of them have been accomplished. Especially my number 1 goal, quitting smoking!!!!  There is only 1 that has been put to the side. Which I am not going beat myself up over it, but it will be in the top 5 goals for 2014. MUSIC... I keep forgetting to make time. 



PROUD MOMMA MOMENT-  Brittany is getting 2A's and 2B's in school!!!! So proud of her! 

Adyson used her ALLOWANCE, (yes my 4 year old gets an allowance, she EARNS every penny) to buy herself something. TMNT pillow! 

Until next week!!! Have a great weekend! 

Week 44

                    So I hope everyone had a great Halloween. Had a great time at the Fall Festival last week in Franklin TN. I am trying to get out in the community more. So if any of you hear of  anything in middle Tennessee feel free to comment below! I would like to have a better grasp of what my communities around me have to offer. So I went to a craft fair and looked around and got several different magazines from the community. I got on Facebook and liked all the pages I could find. I also found a local farm that sells HONEY!!! I have been looking for someone who sells local honey for a long time.

Its been a slow week here. Resting after the crud from last week. Preparing for Halloween this week. Adyson decided she wanted to be a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle- Donnatello again. The rest of us didn't dress up this year. Which is a little odd for us, because we LOVE Halloween. This year the weather was not very good. Getting cold this year quick! I have already gotten out my winter woolies, and had to turn on the heat once.

                REVIEW- So I am so far pleased to announce I made my decision about vacuums. After watching the infomercial about the Shark Rotator Lift-Away (red & white in color) I did pay extra for the caddy and home/car detail kit. I got the vacuum and put it together. Everything snapped together, no screws! I had to use it but I used my old Hoover first, then used my new Shark! Look at what the Shark picked up AFTER I had already vacuumed with the old (new as of January so its only 10 months old).
I like all the features and accessories. I LOVE being able to lift-away and take it to the cars to detail them. Set the canister on the seat and vacuum the inside of the cars. Its great! My favorite part is 5 YEAR WARRANTY!!!

On the left is the Shark, on the right is Hoover. Look at how much the Shark picked up AFTER I had vacuumed with my Hoover.

So last week I started trying a homemade dishwasher soap. So far its ok, but it doesn't do well on greasy/nasty stuff. So I am going to tweak it and let you know about the revised version in a couple weeks.


Oh guess what else I bought this week and LOVE??? I did go buy a little 2 qt slow cooker to make breakfasts!!! You can slow cook oatmeal, breakfast casseroles, etc!!! I loved being able to wake up to a HOT & COOKED breakfast. It was fabulous!!!

Its so cute and little! 

CRAFTS & FAMILY TIME- We started our Christmas crafts this week. We did the SNOWMAN  ornaments  and snowflakes. The whole family enjoyed it!

                              

BUGS- So in Tennessee this time of the year we get over whelmed with Asian Lady Beetles. I went to town and ran my errands and came home to the invasion. So they invaded within a few hours.

The outside of my house near the garage

These ladies decided to come INSIDE my backdoor

Inside my backdoor

So I hope everyone had a safe and happy Halloween. I will see everyone next week!