We're pre-approved

Yikes! It sure has been awhile since I've updated. Oh well...it's a new year so let's not dwell on the slacking I did in 2009, let's move on.

So Jim and I are officially on the hunt for a house. We decided to keep the new mortgage payment rather conservative so we can still afford our condo (which we are planning to rent) payment in case something happens.

We're currently in an 1100 sq. ft. condo and I'm ready to move. I realize some people say that size is fine, and it is, but it all has to do with the layout. Our condo is two stories and layout just doesn't work for us. We have a small, galley style kitchen which I hate. What I do LOVE about our place though is the 9x9 closet in the master bedroom. Our bedroom is pretty big too. I have a feeling we won't be finding a new house with such a large closet lol.

Here's what we're looking for in our new home:

Minimum 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms

Minimum 1500 sq. ft.

0.3+ acre lot would be nice

Prefer all brick construction but willing to compromise on that

Basement is an absolute must!

At least a 2-car garage (preferably attached)

I don't want to make the must-have list too long because I think it would just end in disappointment. I've already been getting listings from our realtor and we'll officially go out and start looking on the 17th. It probably would have been this weekend, but we're headed to our cabin this weekend.

We're so excited!!

You know you want it - XI

I subscribe to Real Simple and it is my absolute favorite magazine! Here's a few links that caught my eye in the past few issues...

Summer is here...well sort of (in Michigan anyway), but here are some Five-15 Minute Workouts to help get in shape!

Want to know what other tasks you can use a plain old coffee filter for? Well check out 101 New Uses for Everyday Items to find out.

Are you a list type of person? These checklists for everything will excite you then! Also, check out Jott and Evernote to help keep your life in order.

Aren't we all looking for the best bargain? Well learn how to live life on less.

And here are The Best Lip Balms as road tested by Real Simple.

I thought this next product was pretty cool. EasyBloom Plant Sensor shows you what types of veggies, fruits, herbs, flowers, trees, shrubs or houseplants will grow where you live. You put the sensor anywhere, inside or outside, where you want to grow a plant or have a plant you want advice on. The Plant Sensor will measure sunlight, temperature, water drainage and humidity. Then you plug the sensor into a USB port on your computer and easybloom.com adjusts the raw sensor data with your local growing zones, climate, and hourly weather.



And here are a few chairs that I thought were cool...

Resin and Aluminum chair from Cozydays

Osaka Round Back Armchair from World Market

I love these Bamboo Folding Chairs from Ballard Designs

Oh, and this is sweet. Iceorb...the first vertical ice tray that makes, chills, serves and stores

Thumbs down on New Year's resolutions

I hate New Year's resolutions. I never make them because I know I'll never stick to them. I don't know very many people that have stuck to their resolutions either. Like earlier this year I didn't tell anyone that I wanted to quit smoking but I just did it...for about 6 months. I know, why did I start up again?? Who knows. But I didn't want to make some big deal about it being my resolution because if I failed (and I did) I didn't want people all up in my face about it being my resolution and shame on me for not sticking to it. So no resolutions for me, but I am going to set a few goals that I'd like to reach.

1. Quit smoking...again. I'm going to party it up NYE, but then I'm going to try and be a good girl again. I know I can do it. I've done it in the past. There's just certain things that make me want to smoke. Like being with certain people, or hanging out at the bar. It's such a STUPID habit too!

2. Exercise more. Once again, at the beginning of this year I was pretty good about exercising at least 2-3 times a week. I'd like to do that again. With quitting smoking and exercising I realized how much more energy I had and how much better I was sleeping.

3. Try running again. Jim and I both started the C25K program back in September, but then I screwed up my ankle. He continued on for a few more weeks, but then he stopped too.

4. Get up earlier for work. See, right now I work 8-5:30. But sometimes I don't get in until almost 9 so I have to stay until almost 6:30 some nights. Then if I want to work out after work, that means I'm not getting home until like 8:30-ish. So if I start working out and quit smoking, then I'll be sleeping better and hopefully will be able to get my ass out of bed earlier. Then I can go in around 7:00 a.m. and work until 4:30 p.m. which lets me work out earlier and get home earlier. See, I have a plan :o)

5. Help out more around the house. I realize this sounds kind of stupid, since I'm the woman and that's my job (HA!) but Jim really does almost all of the cleaning and laundry. He doesn't complain (he actually likes cleaning), but I know I should be doing more. I don't think I show him enough how much I appreciate him and everything he does. I was thinking about maybe having a cleaning schedule or something. More for me to follow than him...lol.

6. Save money. Jim told me recently that we need to buy new tires for our truck, and I'm still waiting to get my new camera, but after that it's going to be save, save, save!

7. Experiment with different recipes. I already have a food blog, and I'm not the greatest cook in the world, but I'd like to start branching out and trying new things. I'd really like to try some gluten-free baking since a friend of mine found out this year that she has Celiac Disease. And just a note...Jim used to do most of the cooking too, so I've gotten better with at least helping out there.

Well that's about all I can think of for now. I'll just make another post if I feel like adding to it.

You know you want it - IX

I know it's been awhile since I've posted any of these and I have some serious catching up to do on my magazine reading. So here's a few of the things that caught my eye in some of my Real Simple magazines.

Rubbermaid Produce Saver
Keeps fruits and vegetables fresh and crisp up to 33% longer
Fresh Vent™ allows produce to breathe
Crisp Tray™ separates produce from moisture


After all the cookies I made this Holiday season, this probably would have come in handy.
Bakers Sto 'N Go


Microwavable Booties...need I say anymore??
Anti-Stress Microwaveable Comfort Booties



One-Day Financial Makeover