...not houses, but hosts.
You can now find the new and improved Home By Hanley at http://homebyhanley.wordpress.com/
You will be able to subscribe by email or by RSS Feed. Don't forget to update your bookmarks!
Hope to see you there!
Allison
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
How Many Steps in this Again?
I have another post in the works, but I couldn't resist posting right now. Arriving home from work today, I had one of those moments that just make you shake your head and wonder.
For the back-story: Shane works on Saturdays but has Mondays off. Since he's able to get to the store on a day and time without hordes of frenzied soccer moms and their whining children running amok up and down the aisles, Shane does the grocery shopping. I love the fact that he does it. It makes the weekends and weeknights easier on me since I don't have to fight the soccer moms and rush-hour shoppers. However, it is sometimes a struggle since I am a control-freak. (I'm Allison, and I'm a control-freak. That's the first step, right?) I have a hard time letting go of the meal planning and the shopping. Sometimes, I miss grocery shopping. I just like the grocery store and the inspiration of seasonal produce. I like to eat and I like to cook - enjoying grocery shopping fits right in. Occasionally, Shane forgets something, or is confused about what exactly I wanted him to pick up at the store and I have to run out at another time to get it. I'm not usually upset - it gives me a chance to get to the store. Other times I am left frustrated or shaking my head. Today was a head-shaking day.
I've been trying to be better about clipping coupons and using them. Actually remembering to bring the coupons and then handing them to the cashier is the biggest challenge for me. 90% of the time, I leave them at home. The other 10% I don't remember the coupons even exist until they've expired. Last night, I took action. I clipped new coupons, threw out the expired ones and organized them all into two piles: grocery store coupons and Target coupons. I placed each pile into its own labeled envelope and left them on the counter. My intention being to use the coupons as we had need for them. This morning I reminded Shane about the coupons and asked him to take the grocery ones with him to the store. Shane not only remembered to take the coupons - he remembered to use them too.
I knew something was up when I got home today and spied a box of Carnation Instant Breakfast sitting on the counter. I knew we didn't need any instant breakfast and since Shane doesn't use it, I couldn't imagine him buying it on his own. So I asked him if he remembered the coupons today. While talking to him, it slowly began to dawn on me that Shane hadn't just used the coupons for items we needed (e.g. the $1.00 off 10 Yoplait yogurts) but that Shane remembered to use all of the coupons.
We now have 2 lbs of unnecessary butter and two tubs of spreadable butter (boy, Paula Deen would be proud) along with two jars of jelly we didn't need and who knows what else. Apparently, the only coupon Shane didn't use was the second $1.00 off yogurt coupon we had.
All I could do was shake my head. He at least used the coupons, something I have not been too successful at doing. I had to calm the control-freak inside of me and let it go. I guess I have some baking in my future to make Paula Deen proud and use all that butter!
Is anybody else a recovering control-freak? Does your spouse take on some of the chores and leave you frustrated? Any ideas for all that butter?
For the back-story: Shane works on Saturdays but has Mondays off. Since he's able to get to the store on a day and time without hordes of frenzied soccer moms and their whining children running amok up and down the aisles, Shane does the grocery shopping. I love the fact that he does it. It makes the weekends and weeknights easier on me since I don't have to fight the soccer moms and rush-hour shoppers. However, it is sometimes a struggle since I am a control-freak. (I'm Allison, and I'm a control-freak. That's the first step, right?) I have a hard time letting go of the meal planning and the shopping. Sometimes, I miss grocery shopping. I just like the grocery store and the inspiration of seasonal produce. I like to eat and I like to cook - enjoying grocery shopping fits right in. Occasionally, Shane forgets something, or is confused about what exactly I wanted him to pick up at the store and I have to run out at another time to get it. I'm not usually upset - it gives me a chance to get to the store. Other times I am left frustrated or shaking my head. Today was a head-shaking day.
I've been trying to be better about clipping coupons and using them. Actually remembering to bring the coupons and then handing them to the cashier is the biggest challenge for me. 90% of the time, I leave them at home. The other 10% I don't remember the coupons even exist until they've expired. Last night, I took action. I clipped new coupons, threw out the expired ones and organized them all into two piles: grocery store coupons and Target coupons. I placed each pile into its own labeled envelope and left them on the counter. My intention being to use the coupons as we had need for them. This morning I reminded Shane about the coupons and asked him to take the grocery ones with him to the store. Shane not only remembered to take the coupons - he remembered to use them too.
I knew something was up when I got home today and spied a box of Carnation Instant Breakfast sitting on the counter. I knew we didn't need any instant breakfast and since Shane doesn't use it, I couldn't imagine him buying it on his own. So I asked him if he remembered the coupons today. While talking to him, it slowly began to dawn on me that Shane hadn't just used the coupons for items we needed (e.g. the $1.00 off 10 Yoplait yogurts) but that Shane remembered to use all of the coupons.
We now have 2 lbs of unnecessary butter and two tubs of spreadable butter (boy, Paula Deen would be proud) along with two jars of jelly we didn't need and who knows what else. Apparently, the only coupon Shane didn't use was the second $1.00 off yogurt coupon we had.
All I could do was shake my head. He at least used the coupons, something I have not been too successful at doing. I had to calm the control-freak inside of me and let it go. I guess I have some baking in my future to make Paula Deen proud and use all that butter!
Is anybody else a recovering control-freak? Does your spouse take on some of the chores and leave you frustrated? Any ideas for all that butter?
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Etsy-Mania!
I have a confession: I am obsessed with Etsy. I definitely lose myself for hours at a time just browsing. I spent a couple hours the other night perusing the "Geekery" section where I found a plethora of vintage and handmade goods ranging from a Captain America Nintendo Cartridge Clock to a complete Jayne Cobb gift kit from Ma Cobb. I find Etsy's website much easier to use than eBay, in which I never was interested in the first place. I also think the website is easier to browse.
You can search by item type: Vintage, Handmade or All items and then by a number of categories including Art, Furniture, Weddings, Papergoods, Needlecraft, Pets and Holidays among many others. Whether or not I'm searching for something specific, I feel like I'm on a treasure hunt and strike gold every time. You can also take the Etsy Taste Test and identify which objects from a given selection you like and you will have suggestions that fit your taste on your home screen every time you log in. I like that I'm able to "favorite" items I like and come back to them later, or use them to browse different Etsy Shops for similar items. I think the taste test works almost too well. I log on and I'm teased by all the neat things on my home page and can't resist that first click to learn more about something I see.
I've watched a coworker become obsessed with Etsy over the last several months as she prepares for her wedding in October. She has definitely purchased some unique items that will make her wedding extra special and ensure that all her guests leave with the couple's monogram imprinted on their brains. However, I'm pretty fond of the custom wedding hanger she ordered. As I've watched my coworker order more and more from Etsy, I've become wary of creating an account. I know it can be a slippery slope. I can see myself having a hard time resisting that perfect fill-in-the-blank-here that I just have to have and going nuts with PayPal. I've managed to resist until the last week.
While searching Etsy for maps to create my desired map art in my dining room, I caved. In order to save the location of the maps I found, I had to create an account to add them to my favorites. Now I feel myself teetering on the edge, just looking for a reason to purchase all the neat things I've found. There's not a lot separating me from slipping down into Etsy-mania. I hardly sit on my computer and surf the internet, yet I find with Etsy I can't resist. It compels me to sit and look. Yesterday, I found myself checking to see if an iPhone app existed for Etsy to make mobile browsing easier. (A couple 99cent apps do exist, but I'm not sure they are official). Trust me, it's bad when I start shopping from my cell phone.
So far, I've managed to not purchase anything just yet. But be warned...I've probably already found the perfect Etsy birthday or Christmas gift for you.
Does anybody else have an unhealthy obsession with Etsy or another website? What other neat things have you found while browsing Etsy? Anybody make neat things that they sell on the site?
You can search by item type: Vintage, Handmade or All items and then by a number of categories including Art, Furniture, Weddings, Papergoods, Needlecraft, Pets and Holidays among many others. Whether or not I'm searching for something specific, I feel like I'm on a treasure hunt and strike gold every time. You can also take the Etsy Taste Test and identify which objects from a given selection you like and you will have suggestions that fit your taste on your home screen every time you log in. I like that I'm able to "favorite" items I like and come back to them later, or use them to browse different Etsy Shops for similar items. I think the taste test works almost too well. I log on and I'm teased by all the neat things on my home page and can't resist that first click to learn more about something I see.
I've watched a coworker become obsessed with Etsy over the last several months as she prepares for her wedding in October. She has definitely purchased some unique items that will make her wedding extra special and ensure that all her guests leave with the couple's monogram imprinted on their brains. However, I'm pretty fond of the custom wedding hanger she ordered. As I've watched my coworker order more and more from Etsy, I've become wary of creating an account. I know it can be a slippery slope. I can see myself having a hard time resisting that perfect fill-in-the-blank-here that I just have to have and going nuts with PayPal. I've managed to resist until the last week.
While searching Etsy for maps to create my desired map art in my dining room, I caved. In order to save the location of the maps I found, I had to create an account to add them to my favorites. Now I feel myself teetering on the edge, just looking for a reason to purchase all the neat things I've found. There's not a lot separating me from slipping down into Etsy-mania. I hardly sit on my computer and surf the internet, yet I find with Etsy I can't resist. It compels me to sit and look. Yesterday, I found myself checking to see if an iPhone app existed for Etsy to make mobile browsing easier. (A couple 99cent apps do exist, but I'm not sure they are official). Trust me, it's bad when I start shopping from my cell phone.
So far, I've managed to not purchase anything just yet. But be warned...I've probably already found the perfect Etsy birthday or Christmas gift for you.
Does anybody else have an unhealthy obsession with Etsy or another website? What other neat things have you found while browsing Etsy? Anybody make neat things that they sell on the site?
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
The Man of the House!
It is a pleasure to be writing in this blog now. I have just been introduced to the blogosphere and am now writing my own blog If You Give Your Wife A Cookie and am contributing to RedCoatGamers. Allison wanted me to contribute to her blog as well and it is really exciting.
I recently posted something that I think relates to both her blog and my own. As I contribute more to this blog I will continue to come up with posts that work for both hers and my own. His and Hers blogs... How romantic.
I recently posted something that I think relates to both her blog and my own. As I contribute more to this blog I will continue to come up with posts that work for both hers and my own. His and Hers blogs... How romantic.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Hot, Hot, Hot
Ever seen that episode of The Office when Michael returns from his Jamaican vacation with Jan? He brings back a steel drum that he practices in his office forever playing the one line: I'm feeling hot, hot, hot. Not without reason, I've had that stuck in my head for days now. I saw the rerun of that episode on TBS the other night and it's been flippin' hot here for days.
Okay, it's been typically Washington, DC in July hot all month, but this massive heat wave hit us on Thursday and it's been sweaty miserable since. Last night I turned on the news to catch the weather (like it's going to be anything other than hot...) before bed and it was 90 degrees at 11pm with a heat index of 100 degrees! Holy Cow! I guess I should be happy with the fact that my A/C has been running nonstop and the house is 85 degrees at best. That's approximately a whole 15 degrees cooler than outside, but it just feels [Insert completely whiny voice here] so hot.
I don't know about anybody else, but the heat results in me making poor decisions. Take last night for example. After peeling off my work clothes (stuck to my skin after the walk from the metro station) and getting more comfortable I couldn't decide what I wanted to do for dinner. The heat makes my appetite disappear, but I felt I should try and eat something. I decided to have a glass of wine while I thought it over. My appetite didn't return, so I had a couple more glasses. I ended up giggly and drunk and irritating the heck out of my husband. Finally around 9:30 I broke out the Whirly Pop to make dinner. Nothing does the body good like buttery, delicious popcorn and copious amounts of wine. Needless to say, the heat didn't really help with the hangover this morning.
I was pretty amused when my mom emailed me the following cartoon though:
How are you all staying cool? Does the heat cause anybody else to make poor dinner decisions? Am I just blaming the weather for my poor decisions?
Okay, it's been typically Washington, DC in July hot all month, but this massive heat wave hit us on Thursday and it's been sweaty miserable since. Last night I turned on the news to catch the weather (like it's going to be anything other than hot...) before bed and it was 90 degrees at 11pm with a heat index of 100 degrees! Holy Cow! I guess I should be happy with the fact that my A/C has been running nonstop and the house is 85 degrees at best. That's approximately a whole 15 degrees cooler than outside, but it just feels [Insert completely whiny voice here] so hot.
I don't know about anybody else, but the heat results in me making poor decisions. Take last night for example. After peeling off my work clothes (stuck to my skin after the walk from the metro station) and getting more comfortable I couldn't decide what I wanted to do for dinner. The heat makes my appetite disappear, but I felt I should try and eat something. I decided to have a glass of wine while I thought it over. My appetite didn't return, so I had a couple more glasses. I ended up giggly and drunk and irritating the heck out of my husband. Finally around 9:30 I broke out the Whirly Pop to make dinner. Nothing does the body good like buttery, delicious popcorn and copious amounts of wine. Needless to say, the heat didn't really help with the hangover this morning.
I was pretty amused when my mom emailed me the following cartoon though:
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Abracadabra.... Organize Closet!
I wish I could simply wave a wand and accomplish large tasks with nothing more than a flick of the wrist. In actuality, organizing the closet really wasn't that monumental of a task. I'm also one of those people that love an afternoon spent organizing things to unleash their full efficiency potential. My husband thinks I'm crazy.
Our closet under the stairs would probably afford Harry Potter more room than the one at the Dursley's residence, but it's been an inefficient mess since we moved in. Everything was more or less piled and thrown in there and my earlier attempts at promoting some type of order failed. (The command hooks I bought and attached to the wall to hold our broom, etc. all fell down). It also didn't help that the door needed to be sanded down on the bottom and we were unable to open it more than 8 inches or so without scratching the wood floor. Not only could you not get into the closet, once you squeezed your way in, you had to dig through piles of stuff to find the paper towels or whatever else you needed. It wasn't working and my anally organized self was screaming inside every time I opened the closet.
I was so excited to finally tackle this project, I neglected to take any before pictures. I realized too late that I didn't even have any pictures of the closet from before we moved in. Suffice it to say the closet was so bad I forbade guests from opening it when they visited. Here's the pile of stuff that had all been residing in the closet under the stairs once I cleared it out to start fresh.
Once the closet was clear, I swept it out and dusted off the shelves inside. In order to work some magic, Shane and I picked up two ClosetMaid Laundry Shelves at Home Depot along with a ClosetMaid Broom and Mop Organizer. Shane drilled the holes and I helped him to install the shelves and organizer with the included hardware, I could then get down to my organizing business. That pretty much involved me looking at the various fabric bins, plastic milk crates and Rubbermaid containers and grouping like items together.
Once I had all items sorted and rearranged into appropriate containers, my closet looked like this:
It's still a little bit cluttered for my liking, but trust me, it is a huuuuuge improvement. There are some items, like the cardboard box above, that will move to our shed once we have one. All that's left to do in the closet is to install our plastic bag dispenser, purchased from Ikea, and eventually install a light fixture.
I should also mention, that Shane sanded down the bottom of the door so we can now open it all the way up to get inside the closet. Not only can I find what I'm looking for, it's much easier to get inside too! We would even have room if Harry Potter wanted to visit.
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