a yes place

A Yes Place

2011-08-31T15:06:00.000-07:00

Since December, I have been creating my fourth blog, called Dear Sarita, centered around our journey of hosting our foreign exchange student this year.
Until now, Dear Sarita has been private. Now that our Sarita has arrived and her blog has kicked into a full gear documentation of our experiences together, I am making it public for her to enjoy and for her Paraguayan family and friends to better follow her adventures in the United States.

Along with this new blog I have been maintaining A Yes Place, six years documentation of my son's life, as well as a more personal blog/God-journal of about the past year. As I've recently added this fourth blog to my life I've only natural wondered what would have to give.

As it turns out, a yes place dot com has fulfilled it's purpose in my life so well that I have absolutely no problem saying YES to wrapping it up and putting it away in order to prioritize.

So this is the end.
Thank you for following a yes place, making me accountable, and joining me in saying YES these past several months.
I pray that you are blessed in all your yeses!

You can follow any of these other places of interest by clicking on the above links.
God Bless,
Lora

Nasty Confession Time:

2011-08-12T03:30:00.000-07:00

My husband and I have been keeping a dirty secret. We've literally managed to hide it behind closed doors for over 10 years with only a handful of people ever knowing about it. It all boils down to two words:

OUR GARAGE.

I absolutely DO NOT have any photographs.

But if you're one of the unprivileged handful who have seen or smelled it, you shutter at the mere thought. I'm sure you've wondered, how can a family with such an organized and clean home have such a retched, disgusting mess of a garage?

We know that garages are attached to homes for a purpose.

We've seen some people's gorgeous garages.

The type you can fit cars into.

The ones you can slip your bikes in for safe keeping.

The kind you aren't afraid to let your children walk through.

We know all about it. It's the stuff we lay awake dreaming of at night.

Still for some reason our garages have always been a place where we shove things in and quickly shut the door.

From drywall and leftover wood, to every piece of cardboard bigger than a cereal box that has ever made it's way into our lives.

The tools? nobody knows where they're buried.

The sliding glass shower doors we removed from the upstairs bathroom three years ago? Those are with the old armoire and base moldings in a portion of the garage that can no longer be visited.

Photo studio equipment that really was easer to leave up... until it was swallowed into the mess never to be seen again.

Rusty old nails and screws.

Carpet remnants in rolls.

Old broken vacuum cleaners, microwaves, TV sets...

You want me to continue? Because I can.

The only reason we own 20 nice outdoor extension chords and lawn hoses is because we've only ever used them each once, and it's easier to buy a new one than to find the ones we own after they've been sucked into the abyss.

I can not tell you how many times I've had to stop my husband from going to Sears to buy a new tool set when he cannot find what he needs. But we just know it's ALL in there somewhere.

I'm ashamed that "hoarding" doesn't even describe it, because at least hoarders generally have a small distinguishable path from one thing to the next. But the rotting foods and dead rodents that can happen to the worst of them... let's just say there is more than one reason we liked to stay out of our garage.

That was of course, until now... what, you thought I'd tell you all of that before I cleaned the mess? :)

As I have spent the past two weeks absolutely breaking down everything we had in our home to eliminate the unused, unwanted, unloved stuff that was starting to cramp our otherwise fairly minimalist home, I have made my way to the dreaded garage.

I said some hilarious things to my Mom about it this week. Things like, "I just don't want to go in there... I don't even know where to start... I have been praying about it... I'm scared!"

For real.

And it was the very LAST thing I did.

It took me 13 hours over two days to complete. But we are able to park BOTH cars, and all my son's bikes and scooters INSIDE!

The craziest part was realizing that I have never seen this garage since we've owned this house. I had NO idea it is all finished! Painted floor, finished walls and ceilings like the inside of a home. There are outlets on every wall, hot and cold water hose threads (which would have been nice to know when we were filling Zeek's little pools through the window off the kitchen sink!) AND an entire wall of cabinets for ORGANIZING things.

The wall of cabinets is the craziest part because although I knew they were there, I never knew they were actually put up to be used. I assumed (because they are from the original kitchen) that they were just set out there to be disposed of. You know, like we would have done.

Not wanting to pay for the shelving system has always been among my many excuses not to do with my garage what I've done with the inside of my home. And here we have had more than we've needed all along. That has been the God theme since we've moved here.

The shelves were stacked and hiding, and there was no counter tops on the counter... but of course, it's easy to put shelves inside cabinets once you FIND them. As for the counter tops, we had plenty of good material laying around, and once I found my trusty circular saw... :)

I did take pictures of the back wall after the first day of clearing was finished. Mostly for my Mom because I knew she'd get a kick out of seeing what was here all along after all.

It feels SO good. I can't even tell you.

Now that the donations have been hauled away on a truck, and we burned enough cardboard to build a house, and the recycling garbage is slowly but surely being taken into town and distributed to the centers, sometimes I just go inside and sit in the empty space. It sure beats the empty bathtub when I need some peace and quiet.

Having finally done what I should have done 10 years ago, I'm kind of surprised that I don't feel that feeling like I wish I woulda' sooner.

So I implore you, if you have a nasty garage leave it that way until you are good and ready. I'm not a better person today than I was a week ago when I had a nasty garage myself.

I just have a very nice place to park my cars in. YES!

Bathroom Redo: COMPLETE!

2011-08-03T19:57:00.000-07:00

It was a quick and easy change from Zeek's kid bathroom

(which he never uses):

to a more teen/girl style for Sarita:

The last thing I wanted to do was repaint another room. Ever.

Since the old yellow works so well with black and white:

that's what we went with.

Another room done,

and I'm on to the next!

A Garden Update

2011-08-02T02:51:00.001-07:00

Well, this is the first time ever that I have been able to consider a second crop. I've never yielded anything from the first half of the season before, so there's never really been a point to planting more.

Not only was this my first successful gardening year, but everything I planted grew!

Last week, I pulled and tilled more than half of my garden to ready it for another round.

I transplanted nine tomato plants and four pepper plants, all of which I grew from seeds!

I also planted two different kinds of lettuce and two different kinds of spinach again. That is by far my favorite vegetable to grow and have fresh on hand each day. I may even try to grow it indoors during the winter months (if that's possible?).

I was pretty discouraged about my carrots. who I planted in the beginning of spring and still came out as little roots a couple weeks ago when I last checked them. But while I was tilling I pulled a couple of stalks on accident, and LOOK what I unturned:

SO sweet and cute, and ever so tiny.

The second one I pulled was three times this width, twice it's length, and maroon (kaleidoscope). I proudly ate them both, as silly as that may sound, and I can not wait to pull them all up at the end of the season!!!

I'm already making my plans about next years gardens. :)

Bedroom Makeover

2011-07-30T05:15:00.000-07:00

First Bedroom Makeover on the list:

FINALLY OVER.

(Before)

(after)

(inspiration photos from the internet)

In the beginning I was so happy about all

the money I'd save doing the art myself.

I did not expect this to take me an entire day!

Lesson learned: Free art is not free.

(Before)

(after)

So glad to be finished.

Next up, Sarita's room!

List Time

2011-07-26T14:36:00.000-07:00

Months ago I posted a list here in hopes that it would hold me accountable. It didn't really work. To this day I haven't even completed that list!
Right now, I have some serious tasks mounting before me, and I'm a little bit overwhelmed.

I hope I will be able to come in and cross off ALL of these things in the next couple of weeks.
Here goes nothing.

Figure out how to dispose of all the stuff in the garage that needs to go.
Call Sarita's school and ask the questions about a buddy and the swim team.
~~Return Netflix movie!~~
~~Move tomato plants~~.
~~Plant new lettuce crop~~.
~~Plant herbs.~~
~~Burn photos to disks for E, K&E, and K&W~~.
~~Deliver wedding album to S&R~~.
~~GO TO THE LIBRARY FOR BOOKS~~
~~PURGE the whole house, again~~.
~~Call Manna and St. Vinnies to get a truck scheduled to pick up furniture and~~ ~~purging~~.
~~Call Freedom House~~ and schedule kitchen dates.
Turn toy room into new spare room.
~~Turn basement into toy land~~.
~~Finish Zeek~~ and Sarita's bedroom makeovers.
Clean off balconies.
Scrub down screen porch, again!
~~Purge and organize craft room (prep. space for school stuff)~~
~~Organize garage~~.
~~Make curtains for bedrooms~~.
Make dress.
Catch up on cards.
~~Get Zeek's school room cleared out and ready for planning~~.
Make menu plan for when Sarita is here.
~~Haul Kramer's dog kennel back to his house!~~
~~Redo kids' bathroom.~~

Yes, Apple. Good Girl!

2011-07-26T05:37:00.000-07:00

I've never really trained a dog before.

We're kind of passive about obedience when it comes to our pets. We've either had sassy small dogs who we just spoiled to ruins, or we've been fortunate enough to find dogs with well enough temperaments that we've barely noticed they wouldn't "sit" for us if we paid them off the stove top.

I decided when we got our latest Boxer puppy, Apple, that I would take her to classes and actually train her properly.

So far this has been a really great experience!

I never knew that puppies will do just what you say if you invest the time into teaching them.

And it's made Apple and I even closer (if that's possible).

She is remarkable at commands, including things that make having a puppy/dog MUCH easier on us. Things like come, sit, stay, and my favorite, "leave it". And she actually truly does exactly what I ask her to.

She takes amazing walks immediately to my left just a step behind my foot with her front legs. She leaves the nasty water in the mud puddle across the yard. She doesn't run off when she's not on a leash...

The more she learns the more intentional she is in her actions. She really wants to know what we want from her. She sits right down to the side of me with longing eyes ready to work. It is so adorable. Like her.

This is a video of her trainer, Jeff, using her to demonstrate a lesson in one of her classes when she was just 10 weeks old:

Peas Please!

2011-07-24T05:57:00.000-07:00

We've got peas!

They are SO cute.

I love to go out and pick a fresh bowlful before a meal.

I've learned a little bit about how they grow and what would

probably be a better set up for next years peas...

or even a second crop this year still.

I've got big plans!

Now, if only those carrots would start making some sense.

???

Insane Coupon Trip!

2011-06-29T09:38:00.000-07:00

I know I haven't been "keeping up" with many posts of our couponing lately, but this one I just could NOT leave you out of! :)

Last Saturday, I took Zeek and his pal Zach to Copps.

Here's how we did:

Total cost before coupons and discounts: $72.17

Total bill after coupons and discounts: - 16.10

A savings of: 56.07

That's a 78% savings baby!!!

My favorite deal from this trip was making

$1.04 from each of the six Ivory Soap bottles we purchased.

As you can imagine, I was elated with the result.

A YES Summer!

2011-06-13T20:32:00.000-07:00

Last summer, my old habit of choosing no really held us back.
Sadly, it wasn't until the end of August that we finally squeaked in a whole world of fun and adventure for our memory box.

We discovered our favorite beach within driving distance,

spent an awesomely full day at a county fair,

and enjoyed our first ever evening snuggled in at a nearby outdoor theater.

I was so glad to have snuck this all in during the last two weeks of August before we began kindergarten.
I filed these things away with a promise to add to the list and get started earlier this summer!!!

Right now, our favorite summer weekly outing has become the farmers market.

Sometimes we meet a friend.

Sometimes we just go alone, together.

We head into town around 3p. We find our parking spot and set out on foot to explore the stands.

We are getting to know the vendors and artists, and we are enjoying some of our weekly traditions of

dancing with live bands,

face painting,

hotdogs,

cupcakes on a stick,

and visiting Auntie B at her Larky Park tent!

It's such a fun and relaxing afternoon to walk hand in hand, spoiling my little fellow, visiting with all the familiar faces, and being out and about in town, building memories for what WILL be a fun filled summer of 2011.

What's on your "must do" summer fun agenda?

A Full Bag of Yes

2011-06-10T06:51:00.000-07:00

Yes, I am done with my three weeks of constant photo sessions.

this is the building in which I photographed a live surgery for the first time

the most disgustingly adorable sweethearts I've ever photographed

the bay area pet walk coverage taught me a lot about photographing animals

it's so much more like photographing people than I ever knew

Yes, I have tons of editing left to do.

"the band"

Yes, I'm looking for someone to hire out my editing to

in case this happens again.

(because who wants to say no to their favorite kind of work?)

_________________________________________

Yes, the garden is growing so cute!

Yes, I love to go out each day and cut my own lettuce for dinner.

Yes, I wish I had more time to build, fill and plant a second raised bed

for all my thriving little tomato plants from seed

(but time is not as free for me these days at usual)

_________________________________________

Yes, I love that couponing gives us such a stash of food

that during a busy time like this I can take a week (or two)
off of clipping and shopping, and just pick up my
milk, eggs and produce on the fly.

________________________________________

And YES, that sweet little puppy is mine!

Yes, she's as perfect as she looks.

Yes, I'm head over heals along with the rest of my household.

And yes, you can read all about her here, here, and even here. ;)

What's filling your bag of yes these days?

I am Pro-Sprout!

2011-06-04T19:19:00.000-07:00

First thing's first:

This is a photo of my Mom & her 1st raised bed from a few weeks ago.

Just look at it! Her tomato plants are HUGE!

And this is our precious little crop just 1800 miles north.

Last week I had to "thin" the clusters of baby sprouts.

It was painful.

Each little life was too sweet and valuable for me to just toss...

So, I ended up poking new spaces in empty rows

and transplanting the pulled sprouts, like starters.

Please tell me I'm not alone in saving the veggies.

Are there any other "pro-sprout" gardeners out there?

Special Delivery!

2011-06-02T18:49:00.000-07:00

I'm cheap.

I'm sure I've shared that before,

but I just want to remind you before going further.

I've never ordered mulch to be delivered,

in my life.

In fact, I've often just gone without rather than having

fresh looking beds around whatever home we lived in.

But the garden beds around our current home needed too much

for me to drop a bag here and there and call it good.

So, with some coaxing from my neighbor
and my husband (who is not cheap)

I ordered three yards of hardwood mulch to be delivered to our house.

I spent about twelve hours distributing it and sprucing up

our landscaping over the couple of days after it's arrival.

Of course, Zeek joined me for much of the time.

We were all amazed at the difference it made:

Before

After

It was well worth it:

Before

After

Next up:

sand pit delivery!

Coupon Craze: Another Family Event

2011-05-31T12:09:00.000-07:00

Obviously, as we've couponed we've collect quite a stock of different

frozen and non-perishable foods, as well as household items.

Now that we've compiled so much food there is

less of a pressing need to actually go to the stores.

Of course, we buy our fresh foods; milk, eggs, produce, etc...,

but the weekly cost is cut down to somewhere between $20 and $40.

Having stock in our home has made it possible to begin focusing

more on items relevant to our family that will be on SUPER sale for us.

Often free and even better -ending our balance with a credit

to be applied to anything we owe from other items that were not free!

I saw a woman on the Extreme Couponing program

who said it was really like a video game for her,

compiling a list with stacking coupons to save the most.

I couldn't agree more.

The following coupon trip was from a week ago.

Greg and Zeek joined me, and we doubled our check out

by each adult making their own transaction.

Here's how we did!

Total cost before coupons and discounts: $230.17

Total bill after coupons and discounts: - 108.31

A savings of: 121.80

That's a 53% savings!!!

We've long lost track of how much we've saved in couponing

over the past two months.

All we know is that we have A LOT of food

and it all cost somewhere around 50% or less of its original cost.

Couponing has also enabled us to put away money in savings

like never before, with no sacrificing or going without!

It's so fulfilling not to mention fun! :)

Saving Without Coupons

2011-05-16T15:33:00.000-07:00

I still can't believe how much there is to know about couponing!

As well as learning through my own trial and error over the past month, I've enjoyed using the internet to soak up all I can from some experienced coupon bloggers, like;

Mary Jo

Heather

and this couponing community

The most valuable thing I have invested in is the free 101 Couponing video series from Passion For Savings, here. While it was a little time consuming, it was definitely worth making room for! There is such good information and so many tips for a novice like me.

So far, my coupon files are stocked and organized, my shopping lists are getting tighter and more accurate, my stock-pile of non-perishable and frozen foods is busting at the seems...

but the one thing I am still working on is learning to keep track (mostly in my head) of who sells each product at the lowest price.
I'm finding that just because the sign says "sale" doesn't necessarily mean that product is going to be cheaper than it is someplace else. This is probably the trickiest thing I've come up against so far.

For example: 2 for $5 is not a sale on orange juice at Festival Foods if Walmart sells the exact same thing regularly priced at $2.47 each.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to run all over town to catch the greatest deal in 10 stores a week. Unless I'm in the area of a store where I know I can pop in and make a killing, I'm only shopping at one to two stores a week, MAX.

For instance, when I went to BIG LOTS with a friend of mine during a girls' day out, we found these INCREDIBLE prices on these two regularly stocked items:

Regularly, $2.20 at the cheapest grocery store in town,

this Annie's mac-n-cheese is just $1.20 at Big Lots!!!

EARTHGRAINS is my favorite bread for my guys.

The ingredients is barely a list,

nothing bleached or enriched... you get the point.

But it costs like it is good at over three dollars a loaf.

Sometimes it will go on sale 2 for $2.50 which is a good deal.

Big Lots sells it for $1.10 a loaf!!!

Not only will I never buy these items anywhere else again,

but I won't have to for a good while, since I now have

15 loaves of bread in our extra freezer

and 15 boxes of mac-n-cheese in our stock room! ;)

It's great to save with coupons,

but to find products at nearly 50% off and more

without coupons is too good to be true! :)

>Do you have any good tips or tricks to share with a newbie?

A Sorry-For-the-Delay Final Green Giveaway!

2011-05-13T19:47:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, blogger had a little hold up yesterday and today, so this is coming to you a little later than usual... but IT'S HERE...
the winner of this weeks giveaway AND the promised surprise for all readers/followers of A Yes Place dot com! :)

Watch us act out foolishly bellow for the big reveal!

It's Happening

2011-05-11T20:22:00.000-07:00

We took our garden schoolin' to the next level.

We planted seeds and even watered them everyday that it didn't rain.

Today, we spotted out first itty-bitty sprouts in our raised garden!

Don't forget to hit the giveaway below!

Giveaway: Week Four

2011-05-09T15:37:00.001-07:00

Reusable bags are fun to give (and receive) as gifts!

I sent my Mom her own set of the Kohl's Cares reusable bags from my second giveaway for her Birthday. She got them this weekend and sent me a picture of them in use already!

Way to go, MOM!!!

This is like a gift for me!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

This week, I am giving away this set of seven, olive green, CYMA, reusable shopping bags.

These bags have a simple and classy style, while of course, meeting all of my requirements for sturdiness, durability and function.

They have back loops, strong handles, and removable vinyl base inserts in the bottom of each bag.

You know the drill. Leave a comment to make an entry.

Be sure to include your e-mail address if your ID doesn't link back to you.

Have a great week, and we'll see you on Friday for the drawing of a winner and a little surprise for all you loyal Yes Place readers!!!

Coupon Craze: Week Three/Four

2011-05-07T11:18:00.001-07:00

Over Easter, I learned that there are not coupons released on Holiday weeks. I think this is kind of funny, since some people consider couponing a part-(or even full) time job. Not supplying new coupons could encourage those hard "workers" out there to take a break now and then.

I don't know how much of a "job" I would consider my 3 to 5 hours a week investment in gathering, clipping, watching, reading and planning with coupons. I love it too much to call it more than a hobby. But with the kind of money I am saving for my family I can see why some people make more out of it than I'm ready to do.

I made two shopping trips this week.

The first was to an nearby grocery store where my bank has a branch inside. I needed to pick up some cash on Friday for rummage sale-ing with my girlfriend anyway, so I did a little snoop through the weekly circular (stored in my cute new $2 filing case), clipped the appropriate coupons (stored in my other cute new $2 coupon accordion filing case), and made my list.

Here's how that stop went:

Total cost before coupons and discounts: $54.62

Total bill after coupons and discounts: - 27.74

A savings of: 26.88

That's a 50% savings!!!

Which brought my total coupon savings in four weeks to: $175.98

Current average of 49.5% savings.

My second shopping trip was to Copps. I enlisted my son and husband to join me. They had their own separate carts, list, and coupons. It was SO fun to organize for this trip! And my husband enjoyed it so much he said he'd wished we'd have had more time to SHOP!!!? (He had a Harley date at 11a) :)

Here's how it went (brace yourself):

This is both of our orders combined from the morning.

(Yes, there are 30 pkg. of Chicken Cheddar Cheese Nibblers-

my family has an obsession. Don't judge.)

Total cost before coupons and discounts: $435.77

Total bill after coupons and discounts: - 227.16

Plus a $10 paid card from P&G savings - 217.16

A savings of: 218.61

That's a 50% savings!!!

Total coupon savings in four weeks: $384.59

Current average of 49.75% savings.

Today, we are SO grateful for our gigantic extra standing freezer in our garage. I especially love how we were already prepared for the necessary food storage part of this nearly extreme couponing adventure!!!

How is your couponing coming along?

Our Third Giveaway Winner!!!!

2011-05-06T08:38:00.000-07:00

Thank you for your entries this week.

I've been awake since 3am,

so I apologize that I'm a little out of it in this video.

Between being nerdy, absent minded, an unexperienced video maker and

commentator, and now my over-tiredness, I'm not sure what I'm doing here. :)

At least it's entertaining, right?

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

See you Monday for another Great Green Giveaway!

Lightening McQueen & Thomas the Train Reusable Bag Giveaway!

2011-05-01T20:31:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited to be heading into our third week of giveaways. This has been so much fun!!!

This week, I am giving away a new set of six, adorable, character bags.

You can pack up just about anything in these rockin' totes. And your sons or grandsons are sure to be proud and pleased with these Lightening McQueen and Thomas the Train reusable shopping bags in their homes, closets, cars, and carts!

It was icing on the cake when I realized that reusable shopping bags can be useful for more than just shopping. Over the years, we've found a number of handy purposes for our own collection.

As I promised, this week I am going to share some of these alternative uses as well as hear from you about the different ways you've put your reusable bags to good use.

First on my list, and the most obvious:

We store our reusable bags inside of a reusable bag.

Hanging them on the door knob of the front door also makes it

easier to remember to take them back out to the car.

.................

The library bag:

Not only do we use our bags to pick up our library books,

(which, being homeschoolers, we pick up by the hundreds each month)

but we also use a reusable bag to ditch the books we

have exhausted and are ready to return on our next trip.

.................

I always like to have a go-bag ready and waiting near the front door:

Our go-bags consist of the things we might need to just

hop in the car at the last minute and

head off to the beach, pool, park, snow hill,

even the DMV or salon appointments.

I keep these go-bags in the front closet

or on the hooks in my back mud room.

.................

Another thing we do is keep extra winter gear

in the Jeep during the (six) snowy months of the year:

We do this in part, incase of an emergency,

but mostly so our son has a dry spare to change into

when his get soggy wet and he wants to keep sledding.

.................

The safe-keeping bag:

This is a smaller bag that I use it to keep my camera

and extra lenses clean when I am outside exploring with Zeek

and might need to take some cute photos along the way.

....................

These are a few photos I found showing some more

ways we've used our reusable bags:

To hold decorations.

To keep books and papers sand free at the beach.

To remember to take that return item back to the store.

And to tote our lunches with us on a field trip.

All you have to do to enter this week's giveaway is leave a comment below.
I'd love it if you'd share your different ways of using reusable bags.
I'm looking forward to reading your tips and ideas!
Be sure to include your e-mail address if you don't have a blog connected to your sign in.

Have an awesome week, and we'll be back on Friday to announce a blessed winner via yet another embarrassing video. :)

Announcing Our Winner for Week Two!!!

2011-04-29T07:57:00.000-07:00

Thank you for participating in this weeks giveaway. If you haven't won a set of new reusable shopping bags yet, don't be discouraged. We have at least three more weeks left of great green giveaways!

I'll be posting next week's giveaway bags on Monday, but you can get a sneak peek at them featured in our announcement video bellow.

Congratulations!

See you on Monday!! :)

A Yes Garden

2011-04-28T05:49:00.000-07:00

In the past I have often said YES to gardening. It's the garden that tends to say NO to me.

I can grow an amazing green house of starter plants, indoors. It's not the tending to or caring for that I struggle with. It's the knowledge of when, where, and how thereafter. I'm kind of clueless on that front, and I don't really like to find and follow rules.

Having admitted that, and having taken a year off of my attempts at gardening, I have decided to try again.

In hopes of saying good-bye to wasted time, seeds, starters, compost and lawn space, this time I've added a tiny reluctant yes to learning all about just how to make this growing thing happen, FOR REAL.

I'm kind of crazy about this guy,

whose videos, seen here, made it easy to learn a whole bunch of basics

with great tips and ideas for planning a successful garden.

This year, another one of my goals while plummeting head long into all these YESES, is to tone it down a few notches. As I've mentioned before, I tend to be an extremist all-or-nothing type.
In trying to learn from past mistakes and aim for a little balance I've noted that often it is wise to even tone down my tone-down (yes, it's that bad).

So after dreams of great garden grandeur, I came to the decision to start with one raised bed this year.

(Of course I have to have an inspiration photo)

After lots of (extreme) research, planning, and finding the least expensive place to buy, my sweet petite and I set out in our little green Jeep early this week to get what we needed.

We made two trips because of weight (even just one 4x8 foot bed needs a lot of soil), and we made one adorable garden box... well okay, we think it's adorable.

Here's how it went:

We picked up three 8 foot long 2"x12" pieces of wood.

We did not buy the $35 a piece cedar boards,

see that would be extreme for just starting out.

Proud? Me too! :)

We cut one of the 8' lengths in half with my trusty circular saw.

We measured the lawn mower first
to determine the width between paths,

and then taking into consideration the possibility of future beds

we mapped out the area we wanted to construct our first box.

The me part of we did a little edge digging and ground leveling,

then we fastened the boards together with wood screws,

leaving one side open for our first half of soil to be dumped in.

Next, we backed the Jeep up to the box as close as we could.

We opened the tailgate and readied for the unload.

I cut open...

and dropped in...

15, 40lb bags (3/4 cubic ft. each) into the box.

Zeek took these fabulous photos for you.

Finally, I mixed in 3 same sized bags of compost

and left the bed for the night.

The next day we picked up the same amount of soil and compost,

attached the fourth side to the bed

and added the last half of the dirt.

Now, we have to leave it sit for a couple of weeks

before we should begin planting.

Meanwhile, we will enjoy digging up worms to throw in,

and mixing in some grass clippings composted from last year

offered to us from a kind neighbor! :)

Do you garden?

Share your favorite garden links and tips with me!

Lord knows, I'll be needing them. ;)

Have you entered the giveaway yet?

We're drawing a winner Friday, 4/29!

Another Great Green Giveaway (CLOSED)

2011-04-25T08:52:00.001-07:00

I'm always trying to convince people in my life (at least the tolerant ones who I can afford to annoy) to start consistently using their reusable shopping bags.

So many people actually have them and just don't remember to use them!

If you are nodding your head right now in agreement, I want to encourage you this week to push yourself into the habit of using your reusable shopping bags.

Come on, ladies... we wouldn't get very far leaving our homes without our keys or our purses, right? For that reason (most of us) make a habit of remembering them before we walk out the door.

Think of ways to train your brain to NEED your bags in order to hit the stores.

I know that I became much more willing to follow through on using reusable bags when I started buying the kind that made me feel good about them. I'm not talking about the walmart or pick-and-save bags. I'm talking about the visually appealing, successful, stand up on their own, stress-free kind of reusable bags.

This week I am giving away SEVEN highly efficient, super convenient, beautifully functional, gorgeously green set of reusable shopping bags!!!!

They're made by Kohl's, but they're no run-of-the-mill store brand reusable bags (those are the ones that never come out of your trunk). These are from the Kohl's cares campaign, and when I saw them online my only concern was if I'd actually be able to give them away. :)

When the box tipped off the brown truck and Zeek and I opened it up to see for ourselves, I was amazed at all the special features they have!

Convenient hanging loops

Easy folding with snap closures.

Solid bottom for better standing.

Large, strong, and waterproof.

Compact for simple storing!

Can you handle it!?

Well, I hope so, because they could be YOURS by the end of the week, so get involved!!!

To enter, just share in the comments what makes (or this week, is going to make) you use your reusable bags.

See you Friday!

Well, you will see us. :)

Announcing Our First Week's Winner Via Video!!!

2011-04-22T14:48:00.000-07:00

My absolute, hands down, favorite thing about this week's giveaway was YOU. I had no idea how blessed I would be by just clicking on your names to visit your sites and "meeting" such an awesome bunch of women.

It's incredible, the things you are doing through your blogs. Sharing your lives, stories, convictions, wisdom, ideas, charities, talents, encouragement... the blessings are countless!

So, thank you for your entries. I know from e-mails that more than one of you will be making the switch whether you win today or not. :) But thank you the most for your beautiful websites and all that you pour into them. I am moved and uplifted by what I have seen and read of you!

Keep on, and be sure to enter this weeks giveaway, open Monday through Thursday at midnight. I want to get as many stylish reusable shopping bags into your homes (and carts) as you'll let me! ;)

I look forward to another week of what you are posting on your sites and possibly meeting even more of you!

Now, for this weeks winner
(this is my first "vlog", so please excuse the novice mistakes and all around nerdiness)...

Congratulations!

See you in a couple of days!! :)

A YES Challenge GIVEAWAY! (CLOSED)

2011-04-18T03:47:00.001-07:00

Last week I saw a woman with her grocery cart full of peaceful, green, canvas grocery bags. I felt a tinge of love toward her earth conscious decision... and then I noticed all the other carts surrounding us that were filled to the brim with noisy, wimpy, landfill-bound plastic bags.

(photo from here)

I declared to my husband right then and there that I was going to bring a bunch of $20 bills to the store and just PAY people who walk out with their reusable shopping bags in use!

I can be a bit of a drama queen.

Passionate and bold, I would seriously hand out money to people who fit inside my ideal perfect concept of just about anything. But this experience really got me thinking... while I am proud of all eco friendly tote users, what could I do that might encourage more plastic bag families to make this responsible switch?

(image from here)

Coincidentally, it just happens to be earth month during which I've decided to begin an earth friendly giveaway each Monday for the next five weeks. My goal is to clean up the planet a bit in gifting at least five of YOU with your own adorable, durable, functional, reusable shopping bags!

Each giveaway will feature a distinct selection of bags

to help complement different individual styles.

I know that reusable bags became an easier part of my routine when I invested in my first beautiful set. They are so fun to look at that they actually made me want to carry them around with me.

For this reason, our first selection is of my very personal favorite!

From Pier One Imports, these six, large, demask beauties are made of non-woven polypropylene (a smart material for strong, stable, long lasting durability). While they can be washed in the washing machine with cold water, I recommend wiping them down with antibacterial soap and rinsing them at the sink to ensure they will long stand on their own.

Just think of how enticing these would be at your doorstep, all folded up neat and waiting for your shopping trips! :)

There are two ways to enter this giveaway:

First, simply leave a comment below. Be sure to include your name and e-mail address if your comment doesn't link to a personal website. I need to be able to contact you when you win! ;)

Second, you can mention this giveaway on your own blog with a link to this post, then link your post bellow for a extra entry.

Each name will only be entered into the drawing two times at most.
Friends and family are welcome to participate.
I will select and announce a winner via video post on Earth Day, this Friday.

Thank you for entering and considering making the switch!

Blessings to you.

Coupon Craze: Week Two

2011-04-15T08:04:00.001-07:00

Before I share my latest couponing experience I want to invite you to:

My first ever fabulous giveaway, this coming Monday, April 18th!!!!

On to the couponing:

I was just about to tout my failure of being off my goal by 5% savings this week when I realized that this is indeed a YES place, and there will be no such whining around here! :)

My success this week comes in the form of time. Setting things up for the first time last week was consuming; seeking, combing, clipping, ordering, signing up for and facebook "liking" every brand I use and don't use... then choosing a store, devising a plan, writing it all down with zero certainty ANY of it would actually pan out.

When I posted that I was sweating a little at the check out last week, I was NOT kidding!

This week, I sat with my coupons, flyers, circulars, and my preferred websites on my laptop. I printed and clipped with a little more confidence. It only took me about two hours total, including the three minutes it took me to come up with this quick makeshift organizer for leftover coupons I needed to tote to the store with me.

(simple and free to create)

I went back to the first grocery store where I originally saved 27% on accident. As I mentioned before it is a little more pricey than most grocery stores in our area. None-the-less, I was able to save quite a bit!

This is what I bought:

Total cost before coupons and discounts: $208.80

Total bill after coupons and discounts: - 114.07

A savings of: 94.73

That's a 45% savings!!!

Total coupon savings in two weeks: $149.10

Current average of 49% off before coupon totals.

As night and day as my husband and I can be on frugality, he surprised me last night with his enthusiasm around unloading these groceries, taking in all the purchases and savings, and setting it all up for a photograph.
This is becoming quite the family affair!

Remember: GREAT GIVEAWAY ON MONDAY! :)

YES to FES through AFS

2011-04-14T08:03:00.000-07:00

What does all that mean. It means the paperwork and waiting is FINALLY OVER, and we have a foreign exchange student from Paraguay coming to live with us for the coming 2011/12 school year!

We are SO excited!!!

Click here to read a complete post about our experience and to learn more about our Sara! :)

Accountability

2011-04-13T12:56:00.000-07:00

(Originally posted on March 13, 2011)

Apparently, if I mention on one of my blogs that I'm going to do something I DO IT.

For instance, this YES place is becoming kind of silly to me as YES has just become the way of doing things and not so much of an effort anymore. I come to share here thinking, "which one of my yeses this week might be of interest here" rather than "I can't believe I actually did it! I can't wait to write about it!"

So, I'm thinking I will use this to my advantage as more of an accountability place for a bit. See how it goes.

Things I need to do (say YES to, if we must use that lingo):

~~plant my pepper and tomato starters~~
~~buy the wood and amendment soil to create our raised beds~~
~~create our raised garden beds~~
~~amend the soil and let sit for two weeks~~
~~plant and replant in the beds around the house~~
~~order mulch~~
~~distribute mulch~~
order sand and put it in the pit
~~pick up the supplies to do Zeek bedroom mak~~eover
~~do Zeek's bedroom makeover~~
get the paint for our trim and kitchen/hallway ceiling
use the paint for our trim and kitchen/hallway ceiling
clean out and organize our "winter" garage drama
~~find out what Sarita likes for her bedroom colors and style~~
~~do Sarita's bed~~room makeover
~~read the flag books~~
finish proverbs 31 study
make proverbs 31 woman cards
~~get a new camera~~ don't get a new camera
~~transplant starters to garden and plant seeds (in their time)~~
~~summer-ize the screen room~~
purge the craft room

I will be adding to and crossing things off this list until complete. :)

Coupon Craze

2011-04-09T16:57:00.000-07:00

A few months ago I found a bunch of abandoned coupons at one of my local grocery stores. I used many of them and left the rest for another passer-buyer. Discounting multiple groceries at once saved a bit of money and kind of gave me the bug.

Each week we get a flyer for another local grocery store that is a little more expensive than I prefer, but I was able to use those coupons and a few from coupon.com to save 27% of my bill last week!

Not too bad, I thought.

So THIS WEEK, the week that TLC's outrageous Extreme Couponing series just happened to begin airing, I decided to aim a little higher (not too high because I tend to be a little extreme myself if I'm not careful).

My goal: to get groceries my family will use for somewhere around 50% off.

I chose an all together different area grocery store.
I clipped from their weekly flyer which comes in the mail.
I stacked those coupons with in-store sales also shown in their flyer.
I added my own free printable coupons found online.
I made a detailed list on ONLY things that my family uses.
I took my reusable grocery bags (always) for -.05 each.
I grabbed a store card at the service desk on double-double day (where the grocery store will double 10 manufactures' coupons valueing up to $1 each).
I shopped for about 20 minutes for only the items on my list (plus full price lettuce for a dinner with friends this weekend).

I'll admit I was sweating a little by the time I got to the checkout...

but DID I EVER SAVE!!!!

This is what I bought:

Total cost before coupons and discounts: $101.86

Total bill after coupons and discounts: - 47.49

A savings of: 54.37

That's a 53% savings!!!

Can I get YES!

____________________________________________________

There are SO many online sites where you can learn more about the art of couponing if you're interested in saving some of your own hard earned money.

My personal favorite has been Passion For Savings.

Get involved.

I'd love to hear how much YOU can save, too!

The Purrrfect Yes

2011-03-31T09:28:00.002-07:00

My son's in love with cats. Like, out of this world IN LOVE.

I'm mildly allergic to them, so we've never been able to get him a real cat.

He would rather see cats than ANY animal, so sometimes instead of the zoo we go to the area animal shelter to hang out with their cats for adoption.

During a visit about a month ago it was brought to my attention that the shelter has a foster program for pets who can't be left in the shelter overnight alone, i.e: animals who are injured, expecting, or with with their babies.

We took some paperwork home, talked with my husband about it and within a week were approved as a foster family and waiting for our first call!

Yesterday, we took home a mama cat and her four three week old baby boys. They are quite the center of attention, of course. And YES, my guilt over not being able to "own" a cat is definitely in remission. ;)

Fishin' with Gus!

2011-03-24T19:43:00.000-07:00

The day after my Mom and I discovered that our original fishing plans were not going to happen as we'd hoped, we received a Groupon with a good deal on a nearby, half-day, private charter fishing boat excursion. The price was a little steep, even with the groupon, so we hemmed and hawed as to whether or not we should do it.

As my Mom went over the details I was silently filling with a thousand what ifs and probably nots. I felt a little YES squeeze in (it just might in fact be becoming a habit) and my heart quickly raced right over the top of my nay-saying, leaving no in the dust.

We called to see if there was an opening for us. One thing led to another perfect thing, and it was done. Three days later we were Fishin' With Gus!

It was a blast!

Captain Gus & my baby

my Mom

my Dad

me and my big mouth... bass

Higher Places

2011-03-19T02:25:00.001-07:00

I was so excited when my Mom talked about climbing

Crowders Mountain with us during our vacation in NC.

This is exactly the kind of YES opportunity I have been scouting out!

It was a good thing we got a move on the day after we arrived,
because it was the only weather that's been cool enough for such a climb, since.

photo by Zeek

I was happy to be accompanied by my sweet little main man
for his first climb of this magnitude...

and, of course, my Mom and Dad.

photo by Zeek

I was especially grateful for my Dad when my son
decided that he was done climbing Crowders Mountain for a bit.

We couldn't have made it, or found our way to the top without him!

It was really amazing!

At every angle, every view was more breathtaking.

And then there was him.

I was so surprised when I looked down and saw huge birds soaring below!

This is definitely an amazing YES memory!

Vacation

2011-03-14T15:33:00.001-07:00

Yes, I'm in NC with my son. Yes, It is warm. Yes, we are having a blast! And of course, I will be back!

Traveling Lightly

2011-03-06T12:59:00.000-08:00

I love the motivation of this YES project. It's my answer when I'm stumped wondering should I or should I not? It makes things much quicker putting the YES in place of the list of why nots.

This is how I came to the carefree decision to not check luggage at the airport for our trip to NC this week.

Not a suitcase. Not a box. Not even a car seat.

We bought some adorable little carry-ons with wheels (Zeek liked RED and I said YES), we have scaled back what we need to bring with us, and we are going to use only these two bags for our 11 day vacation.

I can't wait to step off the plane and head straight for the exit door! :) No paying for luggage. No waiting for luggage. No losing luggage. No heavy hauling of luggage. Just traveling light!

A Humble Yes

2011-03-04T16:51:00.001-08:00

I have never gotten a blogger award before, so I was very honored yesterday when I was graciously awarded two awards for two of my blogs, both on my Birthday!!

Thank you so much to Marianne, @ Pieces of My Mind for choosing a yes place for this award. You have been a blessing to me these past few weeks as I've lifted off on the mission to say YES to my life. I love and appreciate your evolvement and encouragement!

As part of the honor of accepting this award you are asked to pay it forward by:

1. Thanking and linking back to the person giving you the award.
2. Sharing 7 things about yourself.
3. Passing this award on to another blogger who you think is fantastic!
4. Contacting that blogger and blessing them with it.

So, who is the fantastic blogger I am going to chose for this award?

None other than, my good friend Emily, @ This Family Squish. This fun blog features Emily's awesome photography presenting her family life and activities, including her and her husband's two biological sons and the international adoption journey that led to the completion of their family of three adorable boys.

I've always enjoyed having a sneak peek into the life of this witty but candid Mama who takes a no holds barred approach to letting all know that this mama stuff ain't anyone's cake walk!
Not that I'm worthy of passing out awards, but congratulations Emily. You deserve it!

Seven Things About Me (aside from the obvious):

1. I am a natural blonde. However, my color is NOT pretty enough to wear, so I say YES to brunet from a box.

2. I L.O.V.E. to fish. And I don't know why I don't do it more often. It is one of my favorite things to do. It's high on my YES-list as soon as the waters thaw!

3. I prefer yard work to house work. There is nothing like taking my leaf blower, wheel barrow and chain saw out to the woods on my property and spending a day clearing and burning.

4. I am OBSESSED with card games. Rummy 500, Canasta, and Hand Over Foot are my top three favorite.

5. I do NOT work out. At all. No change of pace YES-ing about it either. I don't like to run to my car in the rain. I have unsubstantiated theories as to why and I'm not afraid to use them. In fact, I revel in them. ;)

6. I live in hoodies. I'm embarrassed by the number of them I own. I'm even more embarrassed that most of them come from the "teen" outlet Aeorpostale. What can I say? They have the best ones with the best sales.

7. I'm a germ freak, yes. ONLY when it comes to viruses though!!! I have excuses as to why I think I'm not THAT bad, but the truth is, those things that I don't do are only things I secretly wish I could do but know would put me over the top and make me certifiable.

Thanks for reading my nerdy list of me stuff.

And thank you the most for reading and joining in at A Yes Place.

Award worthy or not, I pray that this blog, while being a great accountability place for me, will also serve as an encouragement and inspiration for other women to say YES to life.

A Living Room Make Over

2011-03-03T18:15:00.000-08:00

I've been turning down the living room of my home since the day we moved in, almost two years ago.

Before:

sad little room

In trying to keep with the frank lloyd wright inspired architecture and modern-minimalist style of the home we have been more than intimidated by this room in particular. Not to mention that the cost of that "minimalist style" can be steeper than we'd like to afford for the luxury of having things feel nice.

Thus, the previous consistent "no" word.

But, with my birth-week upon us and this crazy idea to say "yes" to the nagging "nos" in my life, I decide to stop hemming and hawing over this stark unwelcoming living room of ours and take the bull by the horns.

I did some research, a lot of bargain shopping, a little grunt work to save some money, and I'm supper happy with the results of this YES (finally) project!

Without further boring you to pieces with the before details...

Meet Masculine and Contemporary, our new husband approved lampies.

Cozying things up for those evening Psalm readings, and early morning coffee-ing with gratitude journal.

(T.J. Max steal at $39.99 each)

Lamp #3 better known as Sexy (if I may)

stationed across the room with individually controlled duo light bulbs

and the drum shade I've been been dreaming of, not to mention his dreamy price tag!

(okay, I'll mention it: $59.99 NOT on sale. T.J. Max doin' it again!)

I'm not going to say who, but somebody named Greg broke

one of our brown leather ottomans last week.

SO, I thought I'd just have a little look-see incase I could find something fitting to replace it.

Do you see it!? Isn't it fun? Oh yes, Jesus was involved.:)

(Another T.J. Max extraordinaire NOT on sale, but possibly mismarked at just $19.99!!!)

This is just a little pug love, because the plastic orange basket we've been using

was screaming ghetto a bit loudly and it was time to say "more black and white Demask?... YES PLEASE!"

(T.J. Max $14.99)

After we

yesed our way to a living room mantle full of our five year old's art,

combined with his huge canvas art already above the couch,

we began to look a bit like a daycare.

These glorious gigantic frames with a quick and easy print and poster

inserted once home added just the touch of

class and grown-up we were in need of.

(Frames on sale from $50 to $20 each at Kirklands + my 20% off coupon = about $16 a piece -

Eiffel Tower photography print, $15 with my Michael's 50% off coupon,

insisted upon by my son who would just

"love to go to china to see it" for himself -

Alphabet Blessings, $8.46 with my Joanne's 40% off coupon, also a favorite of Zeek's)

Afters:

YES!!!

I love this new motto.

Jumping on the YES Wagon

2011-02-27T20:46:00.001-08:00

Sledding,

or really anything outdoors in temperatures under 30 degrees,

has been a pretty solid "no" for me for the past couple of winters.'

Our neighbors have an amazing hill on their property.

They are always telling us to come over to sled with them anytime.

I'm sorry that we missed out more than once this year...until now.

Since I struggled up to my first "sure"

(begrudging under my breath that I ever started this "yes" thing)

we have thoroughly been enjoying the fruits of one after the next

YES to sledding!!!

Both, at the neighbors' hill and with a girlfriend of mine.

Erika, has jumped on the YES wagon with me.

Our plan is to tackle one thing a week that we dream of saying yes to

but have always managed to weasel our way out of.

Who knows what will be next on our list!

All we know for sure is that

THE ANSWER WILL BE YES!

What have you been dreaming of but skirting past these days?

Link up and share bellow!

______________________________________________

I'm so excited to be adding a yes place blog button

(the button code is located in the right side bar)

and including a weekly link up for readers

to encourage, inspire, and share in our adventures together!

I look forward to reading your stories!

Rewards

2011-02-22T14:49:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, saying yes is tough. The motivation isn't always there, especially when the warm sun in scarce and the endorphins are low.

My intention was to clear our traditional looking mantel decor in exchange for something more fitting to our home and family. Since we love to hang our son's art all over the house I thought it would be cool to set up a bunch of empty canvases on the mantel and let him have at it when ever he was in the mood.

before:

Inspirations:

(internet search photos)

It was a good idea, but realistically large blank canvases in quantity aren't exactly a frugal girl's idea of good stewardship. So, in brainstorming for a better plan I remembered that I purchased way too much wood backing for a framing project I did this summer

...I could measure out the leftover sheets and cut them into the exact shapes and sizes I wanted. FOR FREE!

but it is winter here

and although I love any project that requires the use of a power saw, cutting indoors would surely prove to be a challenge

and what about that dusty wood shaving mess

and saving the time might just be worth the money after all...

Can you hear that infamous "no" rolling down the tracks?

Well, despite my habitual internal naysaying I gathered up my materials,
decided on sizes, measured, marked, and cut.

I even primed and painted each art surface a solid color so they would be all ready to go!

I pieced them onto the mantel and ta-da! Free decor, free art canvases, free fun for all!

The rewards of this YES are certainly worth the time and effort.

After:

What project are you turning your no into a YES for, today?

yes please!

2011-02-21T14:47:00.001-08:00

I told her on the phone how disapointed I am in my laziness over the last couple of years. The way I stopped saying yes to those potential moments that tugged at my sleeve to climb that hill, hike that path, drive, wade in, stop, breathe, look... the way I'm realizing I may have taken learning how to say no quite a bit beyond the healthy boundary it was meant to establish.

My heart soared when she, with the credibility of knowing me all my life - knowing me inside and out, assured me there is not a lazy bone in my body. And she changed the word lazy to the more appropriate word, inactive.

Inactive. It sounds much less permanent and difficult to reverse than lazy, doesn't it?

It was easier to be active when I was fresh-new-mom-finally and I kept the now KeepingZeek.com in it's first phases known as BabyZeek.com. That blog space and the special moms who read and shared in it with me motivated and inspired me to go, go, go and do, do, do! It was somewhat of an accountability space.

But it turned into blogging for an audience, and I went from life-loving-idea-sharer to lady on stage with a hot spotlight burning sweat beads off forehead. And I had to close the curtain. I had to take a bow and learn how to live my life out from behind the lens of my camera and the cyber ink of my laptop.

And now here I am, almost three years later with THREE blogs!

And it's kind of embarrassing. Not that I have them all -they've each been planted, carried and birthed rightfully - but the fact that at any minute of any day God could whisper one soft "stop" where they are concerned and all three would be gone in seconds.

But so is my entire life as past blogs, facebook, a Chihuahua named Chico, an unowned D700, and online canasta can all attest to on my behalf. I will do as He says, and if He says no, I listen.

Ann wrote it months ago, and I told it too to my Mom, wrote it on our kitchen chalkboard and in journals, because I sensed it's importance was on the horizon...

"We are always being wooed and each grace-filled moment waits patient for our yes to His love. We become the bride of God whenever we say yes to this moment."

Yes! That's it. It's time to start yes-ing. Yes, to the few minutes of meditation carved out in the day, yes to the moment of gratefulness for tiniest flicker of HIs majestic work in a grain of sand, yes to that project, or crazy crafting idea that just beaconed, yes to stop the car, get out and-climb, pick, photograph...

Yes! YES! YES!

I'm done saying no, who cares? why? what will come of it?

I'm filling this place with all the moments I say yes to, and in one year when I look back through this place I will see how wonderful and memorable YES was!

Many yeses to come.