In today’s society, being a “stay at home mommy” does not have the same meaning that it did in the past. Some moms that stay at home are still earning an income, while completing the many tasks around raising children and taking care of a home. Many are self-employed. With the rise in companies such as Rodan + Fields, Avon, and Mary Kay women are given the option of working from home on a more flexible schedule.

With these companies, mothers can still spend time with their families and do all of the things they want to do while earning a little extra income for their household. The business model of companies like Stella & Dot have been on the rise. More and more people (not just moms) are choosing to work from home on their own terms. In fact, the bureau of labor reports that 15 million people were self employed in 2015. These companies are providing a more flexible work schedule.

There are other ways to jump on this type of work without working as a sales person. Blogging has become a very popular profession. It can be difficult to get started and not all bloggers make a very steady income, but I truly love the lifestyle I have created by becoming a mommy blogger. I get to do all the things I love (crafting, baking, and spending time with the kids) while providing ideas for other moms! What more could I ask for?

Unfortunately, there are a few drawbacks of being a self-employed, work from home individual. For instance, I do not get a lot of the perks associated with a normal job. Benefits such as health insurance, PTO, and company matched retirement savings are not available to bloggers. I also miss out on the interpersonal communication in the office environment.

For this reason, I find it important to give myself the normal perks associated with working in an office. I take lunches with friends to get that interaction during the day. I still take time to myself, planning vacations and scheduling blog posts out in advance. But the most important thing that I do to replicate working in a more traditional career path, is to get health insurance coverage for myself and my family.

Companies such as Health Insurance Innovations are providing affordable insurance options for individuals who are not receiving their coverage through an employer. Plus, you don’t even have to leave your “office” because you can get coverage right from your home by signing up online. In fact, I love this idea so much that I’ve considered becoming one of the Health Insurance Innovations Investors

I would highly recommend looking into becoming a modern “stay at home mommy” and joining the self-employed revolution. It’s a fantastic lifestyle that allows you to spend time with your children, take care of yourself, and earn some extra income. Just remember to set yourself up for the normal work perks and you’ll be good to go.

Hurryyyyyyy, Christmas is in like 15 days.  I cannot believe it.  I’ve been ordering like a champ through Amazon prime (free 2 day shipping).  I’m going to save your life and do your kids shopping for you in 5 minutes  list my 4 and 2 year olds favorite toys that we have.  They pretty much play with all the same toys together (one joy of having kids close together in age).  I will rank them in order of usage.

1.  Bounce House
That is the exact one that we have in our basement and my kids use it every single day and have for over 2 years.  Did you read that?  Every.Single.Day.  We set it up in our basement.  It’s awesome because we change it out with our ping pong table.  It folds up real easy too.  We also use it for all of our kids’ bday parties.  Right now it is $199 through amazon.  GREAT deal.  This is an awesome shared gift for your kids.

2.  Magna-Tiles
These are one of my favorite interactive and learning toys.  My kids play them with each other, by themselves, and with us.  I think my favorite thing about these is that they get used SO much and take up such little space.  They really are worth every penny.  If you get these, make sure you get the 100 piece set, the 32 piece set can’t build as cool of things.

Check out Jamie’s review of them here.

3.  Glider Bike
I‘m a big fan of these.  My 4 year old can practically ride her bike without training wheels now because of this exact bike!

4.  Doctor Set
For some reason, my girls are obsessed with this exact doctor kit.  They have a few kits, but this one came with the bag.  It’s pretty cheap too!  I like it too because it makes them a lot less afraid of going to the doctor.  My girls also have this doctor dress-up.

5.  Tea Set
Let girls be girls, right?!  They can sit down and play tea for hours.

6. Play Doh Stuff
 My girls really love play doh.  These are also great for stockings!

7.  Dress-Up
This set is cute because you can match up different outfits for each princess!

8.  Stamp Set
For some reason kids LOVE stamps.  Last year, it was the only thing my 4 year old asked for from Santa.

9.  Board games
I saw that Wal-Mart dot com had a lot of kids board games on sale for $5.  My 4 year old loves Memory, Chutes and Ladders, Candy Land, Hungry Hungry Hippos and Sorry.

10.  Puzzles
Both of my girls LOVE puzzles.  I actually ordered my 2 year old the one I linked to above for Christmas.  Very educational too!

 

Okay, those are my top 10!  There Santa, click away and in 10 minutes be done with your shopping and focus on spending fun, quality time with your kids.  Merry Christmas!

 

Yeah, it’s Christmas time!  I love all the fun Christmas shows on TV this time of year.  They always get us in the mood for Christmas!  Watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Charlie Brown’s Christmas, and Polar Express together at Christmas time has become a family tradition for us.

I thought I would post ABC’s 25 days of Christmas TV schedule in case anyone is interested in getting their DVR set up for the good ones!

Sunday, December 1
(7:00–8:30 AM ET/PT) Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas
(8:30–10:00 AM ET/PT) Mickey’s Twice Upon A Christmas
(10:00 AM–12:00 PM ET/PT) Santa Buddies
(12:00–3:00 PM ET/PT) The Family Man
(3:00–5:00 PM ET/PT) Disney’s A Christmas Carol
(5:00–7:00 PM ET/PT) The Polar Express
(7:00–9:30 PM ET/PT) Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas

Monday, December 2
(6:00–6:30 PM ET/PT) Winnie The Pooh And Christmas Too
(6:30–7:00 PM ET/PT) Mickey’s Christmas Carol
(7:00–8:00 PM ET/PT) Jack Frost (1979)
(8:00–10:00 PM ET/PT) The Santa Clause
(10:00 PM–12:00 AM ET/PT) The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause

Tuesday, December 3
(6:00–8:00 PM ET/PT) The Santa Clause
(8:00–10:00 PM ET/PT) Scrooged
(10:00 PM–12:00 AM ET/PT) National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
(12:00–2:00 AM ET/PT) Three Days

Wednesday, December 4
(6:00–8:00 PM ET/PT) Scrooged
(8:00–10:00 PM ET/PT) National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
(10:00 PM–12:00 AM ET/PT) Deck The Halls – ABC Family Premiere
(12:00–2:00 AM ET/PT) A Very Brady Christmas

Thursday, December 5
(6:00–7:00 PM ET/PT) Rudolph’s Shiny New Year
(7:00–9:00 PM ET/PT) The Polar Express
(9:00–11:00 PM ET/PT) The Muppet Christmas Carol

Friday, December 6
(6:00–6:30 PM ET/PT) Frosty’s Winter Wonderland
(6:30–8:30 PM ET/PT) The Muppet Christmas Carol
(8:30–11:00 PM ET/PT) Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas
(12:00–2:00 AM ET/PT) Prancer

Saturday, December 7
(7:00–8:30 AM ET/PT) Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer And The Island Of Misfit Toys
(8:30–10:30 AM ET/PT) Home Alone: The Holiday Heist
(10:30 AM–12:30 PM ET/PT) Prancer
(12:30–2:30 PM ET/PT) All I Want For Christmas
(2:30–4:30 PM ET/PT) Disney’s A Christmas Carol
(4:30–7:00 PM ET/PT) Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas
(7:00–9:00 PM ET/PT) The Santa Clause
(9:00–11:00 PM ET/PT) The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
(11:00 PM–1:00 AM ET/PT) Deck The Halls

Sunday, December 8
(7:00–8:00 AM ET/PT) Jack Frost (1979)
(8:00–10:00 AM ET/PT) Christmas Cupid
(10:00 AM–12:00 PM ET/PT) Snowglobe
(12:00–2:00 PM ET/PT) Santa Baby
(2:00–4:00 PM ET/PT) Santa Baby 2: Christmas Maybe
(4:00–6:00 PM ET/PT) 12 Dates Of Christmas
(6:00–8:00 PM ET/PT) The Mistle-Tones
(8:00–10:00 PM ET/PT) Holidaze – ABC Family Original Movie Premiere
(10:00 PM–12:00 AM ET/PT) Holiday In Handcuffs

Monday, December 9
(6:00–8:00 PM ET/PT) Holidaze
(8:00–10:30 PM ET/PT) Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas
(10:30–11:00 PM ET/PT) Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Grinches The Cat In The Hat
(12:00–2:00 AM) 12 Dates Of Christmas

Tuesday, December 10
(6:00–6:30 PM ET/PT) A Chipmunk Christmas
(6:30–9:00 PM ET/PT) Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas
(9:00–10:00 PM ET/PT) The Year Without A Santa Claus
(10:00–11:00 PM ET/PT) Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town
(12:00–2:00 AM ET/PT) Snowglobe

Wednesday, December 11
(6:00–8:00 PM ET/PT) Holiday In Handcuffs
(8:00–8:30 PM ET/PT) Melissa & Joey – All New Christmas Special
(8:30–9:00 PM ET/PT) Baby Daddy – All New Christmas Special
(9:00–11:00 PM ET/PT) National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Thursday, December 12
(6:00–6:30 PM ET/PT) Baby Daddy – All New Christmas Special
(6:30–7:00 PM ET/PT) Melissa & Joey – All New Christmas Special
(7:00–9:00 PM ET/PT) National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
(9:00–11:00 PM ET/PT) Scrooged
(12:00–2:00 AM ET/PT) All I Want For Christmas

Friday, December 13
(4:00–4:30 PM ET/PT) Winnie The Pooh And Christmas Too
(4:30–6:20 PM ET/PT) Disney∙Pixar’s Toy Story
(6:20–8:20 PM ET/PT) Disney∙Pixar’s Toy Story 2
(8:20–10:30 PM ET/PT) Disney∙Pixar’s Toy Story 3
(10:30–11:00 PM ET/PT) Disney∙Pixar’s Toy Story Of Terror!
(12:00–2:00 AM ET/PT) Chasing Christmas

Saturday, December 14
(7:00–7:30 AM ET/PT) Winnie The Pooh And The Blustery Day
(7:30–8:00 AM ET/PT) Winnie The Pooh And Tigger Too
(8:00–9:30 AM ET/PT) Winnie The Pooh—Abc Family Premiere
(9:30–10:00 AM ET/PT) Winnie The Pooh And Christmas Too
(10:00–11:30 AM ET/PT) Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas
(11:30 AM–1:00 PM ET/PT) Mickey’s Twice Upon A Christmas
(1:00–1:30 PM ET/PT) Mickey’s Christmas Carol
(1:30–2:00 PM ET/PT) Disney∙Pixar’s Toy Story Of Terror!
(2:00–3:50 PM ET/PT) Disney∙Pixar’s Toy Story
(3:50–5:50 PM ET/PT) Disney∙Pixar’s Toy Story 2
(5:50–8:00 PM ET/PT) Disney∙Pixar’s Toy Story 3
(8:00–9:45 PM ET/PT) Disney’s The Little Mermaid—Abc Family Premiere
(9:45–11:30 PM ET/PT) Disney’s The Little Mermaid
(11:30 PM–1:30 AM ET/PT) The Muppet Christmas Carol

Sunday, December 15
(7:30–9:00 AM ET/PT) Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas
(9:00–10:30 AM ET/PT) Mickey’s Twice Upon A Christmas
(10:30–11:00 AM ET/PT) Disney’s Prep & Landing
(11:00–11:30 AM ET/PT) Disney Prep’s & Landing: Naughty Vs. Nice
(11:30 AM–12:00 PM ET/PT) Mickey’s Christmas Carol
(12:00–2:00 PM ET/PT) – I’ll Be Home For Christmas
(2:00–4:00 PM ET/PT) All I Want For Christmas
(4:00–6:00 PM ET/PT) Deck The Halls
(6:00–8:00 PM ET/PT) The Muppet Christmas Carol
(8:00–10:00 PM ET/PT) National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
(10:00 PM–12:00 AM ET/PT) Scrooged

Monday, December 16
(7:00–9:00 AM ET/PT) Snow
(7:00–9:00 PM ET/PT) The Santa Clause
(9:00–11:00 PM ET/PT) The Santa Clause 2
(11:00 PM–1:00 AM ET/PT) The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
(1:00–1:30 AM ET/PT) Disney’s Prep & Landing
(1:30–2:00 AM ET/PT) Disney’s Prep & Landing: Naughty Vs. Nice

Tuesday, December 17
(7:00–9:00 AM ET/PT) Three Days
(11:00 AM–1:00 PM ET/PT) Unlikely Angel
(1:00–3:00 PM ET/PT) Prancer
(3:00–5:00 PM ET/PT) – I’ll Be Home For Christmas
(5:00–7:00 PM ET/PT) The Santa Clause
(7:00–9:00 PM ET/PT) The Santa Clause 2
(9:00–11:00 PM ET/PT) The Polar Express

Wednesday, December 18
(7:00–9:00 AM ET/PT) Holidaze
(9:00–11:00 AM ET/PT) Secret Santa
(11:00 AM–1:00 PM ET/PT) The Mistle-Tones
(1:00–3:00 PM ET/PT) Santa Baby
(3:00–5:00 PM ET/PT) Santa Baby 2: Christmas Maybe
(5:00–7:00 PM ET/PT) The Polar Express
(7:00–7:30 PM ET/PT) Winnie The Pooh And Christmas Too
(7:30–8:00 PM ET/PT) Mickey’s Christmas Carol
(8:00–11:00 PM ET/PT) Mary Poppins

Thursday, December 19
(7:00–9:00 AM ET/PT) Eloise At Christmastime
(9:00 AM–12:00 PM ET/PT) Mary Poppins
(12:00 –2:00 PM) 12 Dates Of Christmas
(2:00 PM–4:00 AM ET/PT) Holiday In Handcuffs
(4:00–7:00 PM ET/PT) The Family Man
(7:00–8:30 PM ET/PT) Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer And The Island Of Misfit Toys
(8:30–11:00 PM ET/PT) Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas
(12:00–2:00 AM ET/PT) Deck The Halls

Friday, December 20
(7:00–9:00 AM ET/PT) Chasing Christmas
(9:00–11:00 AM ET/PT) Christmas Every Day
(11:00 AM–1:00 PM ET/PT) Christmas Do-Over
(1:00–4:00 PM ET/PT) The Family Man
(4:00–5:30 PM ET/PT) Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer And The Island Of Misfit Toys
(5:30–6:00 PM ET/PT) Frosty’s Winter Wonderland
(6:00–6:30 PM ET/PT) A Chipmunk Christmas
(6:30–9:00 PM ET/PT) Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas
(9:00–11:00 PM ET/PT) National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Saturday, December 21
(7:00–7:30 AM ET/PT) Nestor, The Long-Eared Christmas Donkey
(7:30–8:00 AM ET/PT) The Little Drummer Boy
(8:00–9:00 AM ET/PT) Pinocchio’s Christmas)
(9:00–10:00 AM ET/PT) The Life And Adventures Of Santa Claus
(10:00–10:30 AM ET/PT) ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas
(10:30–11:30 AM ET/PT) Rudolph’s Shiny New Year
(11:30 AM–1:30 PM ET/PT) Rudolph And Frosty’s Christmas In July
(1:30–2:30 PM ET/PT) The Year Without A Santa Claus
(2:30–3:30 PM ET/PT) Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town
(3:30–4:00 PM ET/PT) A Chipmunk Christmas
(4:00–6:00 PM ET/PT) National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
(6:00–8:00 PM ET/PT) The Santa Clause
(8:00–10:00 PM ET/PT) The Santa Clause 2
(10:00 PM–12:00 AM ET/PT) The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
(12:00–2:00 AM ET/PT) The Mistle-Tones

Sunday, December 22
(7:00–8:00 AM ET/PT) The Year Without A Santa Claus
(8:00–9:00 AM ET/PT) Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town
(9:00–11:00 AM ET/PT) I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
(11:00 AM–1:00 PM ET/PT) Unaccompanied Minors
(1:00–3:00 PM ET/PT) The Santa Clause
(3:00–5:00 PM ET/PT) The Santa Clause 2
(5:00 PM–7:00 AM ET/PT) The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
(7:00–9:30 PM ET/PT) Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas

Monday, December 23
(7:00–9:00 AM ET/PT) I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
(9:00–11:00 AM ET/PT) A Dennis The Menace Christmas
(11:00 AM–1:00 PM ET/PT) Home Alone: The Holiday Heist
(1:00–3:00 PM ET/PT) Deck The Halls
(3:00–5:00 PM ET/PT) Disney’s A Christmas Carol
(5:00–6:00 PM ET/PT) Jack Frost (1979)
(6:00–7:00 PM ET/PT) Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town
(7:00–8:00 PM ET/PT) The Year Without A Santa Claus
(8:00–10:00 PM ET/PT) The Muppet Christmas Carol
(10:00 PM–12:00 AM ET/PT) The Polar Express
(12:00–2:00 AM ET/PT) Scrooged

Tuesday, December 24
(7:00–9:00 AM ET/PT) A Very Brady Christmas
(9:00–11:00 AM ET/PT) ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas
(11:00 AM–1:00 PM ET/PT) Scrooged
(1:00–3:00 PM ET/PT) The Polar Express
(3:00–5:00 PM ET/PT) The Muppet Christmas Carol
(5:00–7:00 PM ET/PT) The Santa Clause
(7:00–9:00 PM ET/PT) The Santa Clause 2
(9:00 -11:00 AM ET/PT) The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
(12:00–2:00 AM ET/PT) National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Wednesday, December 25
(7:00–7:30 AM ET/PT) Frosty’s Winter Wonderland
(7:30–8:30 AM ET/PT) The Year Without A Santa Claus
(8:30–9:30 AM ET/PT) Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town
(11:00 AM–1:00 PM ET/PT) The Muppet Christmas Carol
(1:00–3:00 PM ET/PT) National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
(3:00–5:00 PM ET/PT) The Santa Clause
(5:00–7:00 PM ET/PT) The Santa Clause 2
(7:00–9:00 PM ET/PT) The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
(9:00–11:00 PM ET/PT) National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

I made these delicious cupcakes for my baby brother’s birthday.  I say baby brother since he is the youngest of us 7 kids, but he actually just turned 22.  🙂  Once the baby brother, always the baby brother!

He is so much the cool bachelor that I can only lure him to hang out with us with delicious goodness!  I found this simple recipe at keyingredient.com and made these awesome oreo cupcakes.  Then I texted a picture of them to my little brother and he came over within the hour with a couple of his buddies.

Works every time!

 

 

I grew up with Little Debbie cakes and pies. My mom would let me get one box per week for my lunch box. Most of the time I chose oatmeal cream pies (nutty buddy’s and swiss cake rolls are pretty dang good too!). I recently came across this recipe on Pinterest, so I thought I would try them and I loved them. The icing, especially, was amazing.

I also added a little orange sprinkles for our Halloween dessert!

All you need for the cookie part is:

• 1 1/4 c. butter, softened
• 1 c. brown sugar
• 1/2 c. white sugar
• 1 1/2 c. flour (I was advised to use closer to 2 cups, so I did)
• 3 c. oats
• 1 egg
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon

For the cookies:

Cream butter and sugars in mixer. Meanwhile mix dry ingredients together. Add eggs and vanilla to butter mixture. Cream. Add dry mixture to butter mixture. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto a parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for 10 minutes. Let cool on pan before removing (so they don’t crack).

For the icing, you need:

• 1/2 c. butter
• 2 c. powdered sugar
• 1-2 Tbsp. heavy cream (I didn’t have cream so I used milk)
• 4-5 Tbsp. shortening** (This wasn’t part of the original recipe but it needed something to taste lighter and fluffier. This was the perfect trick. Made it taste more like cream filling and less like a buttercream frosting.)  Thanks for the advice, Shan-made!
• I also added 1 tsp. of vanilla

For the icing:

Cream all ingredients together until frosting is a light and whipped consistency.

 

Frost insides of cookies once completely cool!

Yummmmmmy!

This was a great ending to our perfect Halloween night!

Every holiday comes too fast for me.  I feel like I never get to do all that I want with the girls before it is over.  This year I wanted to let them choose what they wanted on their pumpkins.

I picked up some pretty good pumpkins at our grocery store (Harris Teeter).  They were pretty big and they were 2/$10.00 – I didn’t have to pay by the pound.

We let the girls pick what they wanted on their pumpkin.  My five month old obviously couldn’t pick, so husband just drew and carved (see middle pumpkin).  My four year old wanted Hello Kitty and my two year old wanted Dora.  I’d say they turned out pretty good.

In case you’re wondering, we did the obvious (obvious that we never thought to do before) and googled “Dora pumpkin stencil”.  It took my husband to the Nick Jr. site that has a TON of characters.  He also just googled “Hello Kitty pumpkin stencil” and Ella chose the one she liked best.

Here’s Ella with her stencil:

What you need for the stencil is:

• pumpkin
• pumpkin carver, my neighbor let us borrow her electric one.
• Big spoon for all the guts
• stencil of your choice
• lots of tape
• candle (I used votive ones)

After we carved them, we noticed a lot of light wasn’t shining through, so I had to go back and kind of thin out the inside lining of the pumpkin and make the lines a little wider.  I’m not sure if all pumpkins are really thick, but ours seemed to be.

I will say that it was pretty tedious, but I was really happy with how cute they turned out.  In the end, husband and I did all the work, while these two ran around and looked cute.

This was a no brainer pic.

Here’s a close-up!

Happy Halloween!

I love making wreaths.  Every since my first wreath two Christmas’s ago, I just can’t stop!  They are so easy and inexpensive.  I give them as teacher gifts for the holidays as well.

This fall wreath cost me about $5 to make.  The wreath part itself was on sale for $2.99 at Michaels.  Then you just pick out whatever accessories you want from the sale holiday isle.  They are usually range from 50 cents to $2 depending on how extravagant you get them.

I didn’t use any Halloween stuff this time, although there were plenty of Halloween items for those interested.  I wanted to be able to use the wreath through November as well so I kept it simple.

I just use hot glue and put it together how I want.  Looks great every time!

 

Here are a few we have made in the past:

 

Yep, 2 ingredients.  Can’t get any easier than that!  We had husband’s parents over a couple of weekends ago and I made these with some chili.  I really couldn’t believe how good they were!

All you need is:

1 box of spice cake and 1 can of pumpkin (make sure it’s only pumpkin)

All you have to do is mix these two ingredients together with a mixer and pour into a muffin tin (you can use cupcake wrappers or spray the pan).

Cook for 18-20 minutes on 350.

This made 11 muffins for me, but you could easily stretch it to 12 (two little girls each ate one before they got to the plate)!

These were delicious and a great side.  They could even be used as a breakfast muffin!

Yum!

Remember when I refinished my buffet?  I ended up redoing the kitchen table and chairs to match!  This is a set we have had for quite a while now and has survived three moves and three children.

It was pretty beat up so I was really anxious to refinish it once we got settled here in Florida.

The chairs were the worst because they have spindles and took a lot of extra time to paint.  I am pretty sure I will never do chairs again!

 

Supplies:

Oil based primer (I recommend Zinsser)
Sand paper and electric sander (sanding between coats and parts your are staining)
latex paint (I used a satin finish)
water based poly (I recommend Minwax Polycrylic)
Elmer’s wood filler (to fill in any grooves or scrapes)
Wood stain (I used the darkest stain I could find, Kona)

1.  Start by repairing any major scrapes or dents with Elmer’s wood filler.  I used a lot of this to fill in the natural grooves the table came with.  I hated them… food was always getting stuck in them.

2.  Start sanding!  Use an electric sander to sand off the tops of the chairs and the top of the table.  Make sure you get all the finish off.  Do not over sand unless you are sure your table is solid wood.  I did this and could see part of the particle board show through in one part.

3.  Clean all the dust and start priming the table and chair legs.  I did two coats.  Lightly sand any drips between coats.

4.  Ready to paint!  It takes two coats of latex paint on the table and chair legs.  Work slowly and carefully on the spindles to avoid clumps and drips.  Sand any drips between coats.  I also like to add some floetrol to my paint.  This helps condition your wood and also slows down the drying time to minimize viewable brush marks.

5.  Stain the top of the table and chairs.  Use painters tape as needed.  I did three coats of stain to get the color as dark as I wanted.  I used a stain called Kona.

6.  After 24 hrs I started the poly coats.  Make sure the poly is completely dry between coats.  I did three coats of poly.  Sand between coats as needed with a very fine grit sandpaper.

Make sure you wait 24 to 48 hrs before putting your table and chairs into regular use.  It turned out great!  We have been using it for a few months now and love it!

I absolutely hate it when my husband picks up his phone while driving.  Even if it’s something that he’s doing quickly to update the GPS in the phone to help us get to our desired destination.  I’d much rather do it myself than take the risk of the driver being distracted.   It’s just not worth the risk.

Let’s face it, texting while driving is a problem.  Too many people do it.  We’re all attached to our phones and whether you’re stopped at stoplight or moving down the highway looking down at our phone instead of paying attention the extremely heavy vehicle we’re controlling is dangerous.   I’ve read recently a number of reports about how texting while driving has the same impact on a drivers skills as does driving while under the influence.    What amazes me though is that driving under the influence has significantly greater punishments than the punishments for people that text while driving.  The map below highlights the fines related to driving under the influence and driving while texting.

The difference in most states is huge.  Except for the people in Alaska, who have clearly identified the serious problem of texting while driving.  In many states the financial penalty for drinking while driving is almost 10x higher than if they texted while driving.  Some one needs to review these laws and get that fixed.

If you’re one of many people that text and drive every day, now is the time to stop.  Your message can wait.  And if it can’t, then pull over to focus on your important message.