Challenge Day 2: Answer one question I think people visiting my blog may have.

Edited: I thought that it would be a good idea to edit in short answers to these questions for those of you that haven't followed my blog from the beginning. And I'm too lazy to go and search for all of these answers.

This is a hard challenge for me, for some reason. I guess that's why it's called a challenge, huh? I have thought of many possible questions...

Why do you call your "The Wannabe Domestic Diva?"

Because I would love to me a stay at home mom/wife someday. Taking care of the house, baking everything homemade, etc. I'm not a Domestic Diva yet, but I'm a wannabe.

Why do you use your real name as your URL?

Because I knew that I would never stay with the same title of my blog, and my using my name, I could change the title of my blog as it suited me. Though the draw back is that I'm not anonymous.

What is the true point of your blog?

There is none! It's about everything and anything I want too. A little bit of normal, a little bit of crazy.

Why don't you have children?

Let's just say that it's not from lack of trying. The short answer is that I have PCOS, which makes it difficult to conceive. Long answer I'm not comfortable blogging about at the moment. Perhaps one day.

Why don't you have a focus on your blog?

Because if I did, I think I would get bored. I like not having limits to what I can post about on my blog. If it just were scrapbooking, I couldn't post funny stories about my sisters, or my money problems.

What are your hobbies?

Scrapbooking, reading, photography, baking, crafting in general, dorking around online.

Why do you go for such long periods without posting?

Life has it's ups and downs. Sometimes when life gets busy, my blog gets neglected.

I've decided I'm going to not answer any of those as I have answered them somewhat in previous posts. The true question that I think everyone is wondering is...

What did you have for breakfast today?

You might think I am a mind reader right? Ya'll were really wondering that right? Well I am going to put your mind at ease today.

I had a bowl of frosted mini-wheats for breakfast.

Now ya'll can sleep tonight knowing what I had for breakfast.

Challenge Day 1: What the purpose of my website is, who I am, and why my blog is unique.

When I started blogging, it was back in 2005, I wasn't sure what I would write about, but thought it would be fun to hop on the blogging bandwagon. My blog is a personal one, and about a wide variety of topics. The purpose of my blog is to share a bit about me. Almost like a diary of sorts, my personal thoughts, struggles, at least what I choose to share. I like it’s almost like a short record of my life. I also share recipes, my hobbies, and my opinions about topics. For a while it was a place to share my year in pictures. That was fun, blogging nearly every day. My blog is unique because no two people have the same thoughts, opinions, hobbies. I’m trying to make my blog reflect the true me, as I discover who I really am, what is really important to me.

I’m 28, currently living in an apartment, separated from my husband. We are going through counseling and trying to work through things. I’m a Christian. I work full-time as an Administrative Assistant and love the area that I am currently working in. My hobbies include baking, scrapbooking, crafting in general, reading, and photography. I love anything vintage or vintage inspired. I’m a daughter, and older sister. My sisters are 16 and 18, they make me feel so old sometimes. I love music, especially anything country. I love to clean and scrapbook with the music cranked. I’d love to travel abroad someday. I’m currently working to be debt free. I also need to work on getting healthy again. I also suffer from depression, and am working to get that under control. Expect some blog posts on those topics sooner or later. I love watching history type shows on tv, and don’t follow politics, though I know I should pay more attention. I try to catch the news and weather daily. I used to be a news junkie, but it seems like everything is negative, and I need to surround myself with positive things, so I don’t watch or read it near as much as I used too. I love naps, clouds, and owls. I’m a very random person, and often when telling a story go off on a tangent. As Ma says, “It’s the Nelson version of the story.” Nelson is my maiden name. That is me in a nutshell.

The Seven Day Blogging Challenge

Andrew, my Twitter friend is doing a Seven Day Blogging Challenge. He challenged a few people, including me, to do the challenge. I have accepted this challenge and look forward to doing it. Here are the 7 topics that Andrew has challenged us to write about.

Starting Saturday I will write one blog post a day, each with 300 to 400 words about:

1. What the purpose of my website is, who I am and why my blog is unique.
2. Answer one question I think people visiting my blog may have.
3. Write a blog post on the same topic as one my most popular posts.
4. Share a photo I took this week and tell you about it.
5. Embed a legal youtube clip that I either found today or created myself. Then tell everyone about the clip and related information.
6. Create a blog post on a subject I’ve never blogged about here before.
7. Share hints or details of what I intend to write about in the future.

The challenge for me, I think is going to be in the 300-400 word count. The other challenge I think is going to write a blog post about a topic I have never posted here. I look forward to doing this challenge. If you are reading this and want to do this challenge too, join us! Feel free to post a comment on Andrew's blog so he knows you are participating! I'm going to love this challenge!

Money, Money, Money

In my last post I mentioned a couple ideas I had in my head brewing to blog about. I think it's time to get them down. This one is going to be about money. Yup, money. I'm not fond of money. I wish that I could never have to worry about it again. But sadly that is not reality.

I started back full time back in September. I get paid very well for my job, but I have been living paycheck to paycheck still. I HATE IT. I'm fed up with it and need to do something about it. I've been watching a show called "Till Debt Do Us Part" on CNBC, or some channel like that. Anyway it's about couples getting out of debt, etc. It really inspired me.

At first I was a bit hesisant to blog about this, but then I realized, pffft. What do I care? So here it goes.

I'm in debt. Again. At one point in our marriage Jason and I had paid off all of our credit cards and swore to not use them again. I didn't follow that plan. Now I'm in debt. As Dave Ramsey would say, I have a Ph.D in D-U-M-B. So here I am, at age 28, still in debt. No where near I want to be financially. I decided that it's time to be smart about money again and stop acting like a kid and buying what I want when I want.

I have created a budget that I need to stick too. I've refined it a couple of times now, and it's getting better each time. I still need to do some adjusting for gift categories, and car repairs, etc. This month I forgot to budget for my tabs. That was $67.25 that I did not have set aside. Instead I raided my grocery and transportation money, and didn't put anything into my entertainment fund. But I'm learning and it is manageable. I can do this.

I've started using the envelope system again, with money in each envelope for each category. Entertainment, Groceries/Personal Care, Transportation, etc. It's working well, except that I hate fumbling with the damn envelopes. Once I get around to it, I'm going to make cute little pouches and keep all my money for the expenses in there. Maybe a cute fabric with cars on for Transportation, a fabric with food on for Groceries, etc. Then when the money is gone from that category, I can't buy anything. I've learned that I am much more careful when spending cash, rather than whipping out my debit card.

I've started to re-read the "Total Money Makeover" by Dave Ramsey again. Last night I downloaded a couple of his podcasts to listen to while I was making dinner and balancing the checkbook.

I feel like I am finally going in the right direction and have to stick with this. I know that I can do this. I want to do this.

People around me may not understand why I won't have money to go out to dinner, do retreats, and such. But I'm ok with that. I will try to save some money and put it aside for retreats, as long as I know far enough in advance to plan for it. I'm ok with living on a budget and being tight with my money right now. In the long run it will be worth it. Like Dave Ramsey says, "If you live like no one else now, later you can live like no one else." Another of my Dave Ramsey quotes is, "Normal is broke. Be weird."

I also found a forum that is based around Dave Ramsey's Baby Steps. I think this will help me out. I joined it ages ago and just stumbled upon it again. :) http://www.livinglikenooneelse.com/forum/

I do need to go through my budget again and see what I can cut and where. I really want to be out of debt.

I may post updates about this, or I might not, lol. I'm not sure. I mean it's part of me, but I've always been careful about not oversharing. This is a fine line, even for me. Maybe I will just do it on the forum. Hmmm. Decisions, decisions.

Ramblings

It's been a while since I've blogged. As you can tell I started to update my blog. I thought that it would be a nice change for a clean and simple template. I haven't had the time to adjust the banner yet, but I think I will. I'm debating about changing the title of it too, but I'm not positive. I can't wait to make this feel all "at home" again. :) Sorry I've been slow about it!

I'm in the mood to ramble today, so I apologize in advance if this is a rambly post. I'm sitting at my desk at work. I love being by the windows. They are just gorgeous. Today we have some crows that keep flying by the window. The sun isn't out in full force, it was flurrying this morning. But the sun is trying to peek out. I can't tell you how much of a difference being by the windows makes. I can tell that the days are getting longer again. It's not completely dark yet when I leave work at 5 p.m.

One thing has changed since I've last posted. I turned 28 on January 24. I can't believe that I'm almost 30. It's crazy. Where has time gone?!?! My birthday was good. Jason and I spent it hanging out at the house together, we watched a couple of movies too. Jason took me out to Outback for dinner. Steak and Shrimp, YUM! And I just love their salad. It's the best with Blue Cheese dressing. So yummy. I enjoyed the last of my meal at lunch yesterday. I love having leftovers.

This month I have been reading books like mad for some reason. I have my list over at Listology, which I need to add to again. I've finished 2 more books since I last updated it. If I forgot to add the link, let me know. I'm typing this in Word right now, and I have a feeling I will forget the link. Books are like a comfort for me. I love having them around me. They are like friends to me. An escape from reality as well. I can so easily just get lost in a book. I love the escape it provides me. Though sometimes when I finish a good book, I feel like I have lost a friend and I'm a bit sad. Though I know I can always go back and re-read the book. Some authors I wish they would make a series out of books. I just get so involved in their lives.

Guess what else I did last Saturday? I went cropping for the first time in MONTHS! I had a blast! I am still working on my Cathy Zielske class Me: The Abridged Version. I got the base down for 32 8.5x11 pages. Now all I have to do is finish up all my journaling, and add embellishments and pictures. I loved the format of the pages. Clean and simple. Though I will be adding some embellishments. I also LOVED the line of paper I used. It's from "Crate Paper" and is called "Restoration." It is so ME. I bought way more than I need for my book, so I can't wait to scrap something else with it! It felt really good to get out and scrapbook with Mama Jenny and Mary. It was much needed. I still need to finish organizing my room.

I have a couple more updates, but I think I'm going to do them as separate entries. Do you have any topics that you would like me to blog about? If so, just let me know!

2011

Welcome 2011!

The beginning of a new year brings lots of hope and promise for me. I always like the start of a new year. There is just something about it that makes it feel like a fresh start. You can leave everything behind and learn from the last year.

Each year I usually choose a word or phase, a la Ali Edwards, "One Word." This year I didn't pour over her old blog entries about it. I didn't read through lists and lists of words. In fact I haven't read her blog in a while now, so I don't even know if she is doing it this year. The last couple of years I have chose a word and then didn't really focus on it. I might do that this year as well, who knows what the year will hold. But one word has been nagging at me. "Embrace." I realize that sounds like an odd word for anyone to choose. But I want to Embrace life. Embrace experiences. Embrace everything that happens. Embrace the every day things.

Aside from that I don't think I'm going to make any resolutions per say. I want to work on crossing somethings off of my Bucket List. You can find my Bucket List on Listology. The highlighted items are the ones that I have accomplished. Though I"m wondering if I should change them to a strike through. I will have to check that out. :)

Children Learn What They Live

Children Learn What They Live

If a child lives with criticism

he learns to condemn.

If a child lives with hostility

he learns to fight.

If a child lives with ridicule

he learns to be shy.

If a child lives with shame

he learns to feel guilty.

If a child lives with tolerance

he learns to be patient.

If a child lives with encouragement

he learns confidence.

If a child lives with praise

he learns to appreciate.

If a child lives with fairness

he learns justice.

If a child lives with security

he learns to have faith.

If a child lives with approval

he learns to like himself.

If a child lives with acceptance and friendship

he learns to love the world.

~Dorothy Law Nolte

At counselling last night, the counselor shared this with Jason and I. Just thought I would share.

Roast Chicken, Squash, and Dill Potatoes Romanoff

This was my lunch today. I was going to do it for dinner, but figured that if I cooked it for lunch it gives me a lot more time to clean the mess up, LOL.

I also thought I would document how I cooked this since I really enjoyed it, and often forget these things. (I feel really old when I forget too...)

So the squash was easy. I removed the seeds and the peel, chunked it and boiled it. Once it was done, I added a little butter, brown sugar, sea salt, and pepper. I didn't measure anything, just did it to taste. Then I mashed it all together. So yummy. So easy too.

The Roast Chicken idea was thanks to Roy. He mentioned this to me and it's so easy! All I did was rub the chicken with a little bit of olive oil and season with sea salt and pepper. I was going to put thyme and rosemary on it, but I didn't have them in my cupboard. So I went simple. Then just cook it at 450 until the juices run clear and the chicken is a lovely brown. It's so easy and oh so yummy.

I got the recipe for Dill Potatoes Romanoff from the Cooking for 2 magazine. Though today I tripled the batch so I would have leftovers and my potatoes needed to be used up. But this recipe is for 2 servings.

Dill Potatoes Romanoff

2 cups cubed potatoes

2/3 cup cottage cheese

1/3 cup sour cream

1 tbsp all purpose flour

1 tbsp dried minced onion

1/4 tsp dill weed

1/8 tsp salt

1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Boil potatoes until done. In a blender puree the cottage cheese, sour cream, and flour. Pour into a large bowl. Stir in the dill and salt. Add potatoes and toss gently.

Transfer to a baking dish coated with nonstick cooking spray. Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese, bake 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.

Makes 2 servings.

Menu Plan, Money, and Ramblings!

Thankfully my migraine from Thursday and Friday is gone. I think I figured out the trigger for that one. Stress, plus I ate bananas. I must remember to not buy bananas.

This afternoon (after my nap, oh how I love my naps!) I made a menu plan. I decided to not make it by the day, but just make sure I have enough food for a few meals with leftovers. Here is what I'm going to make this week and possibly next.

Roast Chicken Legs and Dill Romanoff Potatoes and Squash

Broiled Tilapia

Cilantro Lime Shrimp with Cilantro Lime Rice

Rice and Beans

I have various frozen veggies in the freezer, and some lettuce salad as well. Believe it or not I had most of this on hand. I did pick up some chicken legs for $1.49 for I think 3 pounds. I didn't think that was a bad price.

What killed my grocery budget was that I had to put shampoo, conditioner, and mousse. With my curly hair, I hate using the el cheapo products. They just make my hair a tangled mess. I ended up spending a little over $10 on hair products. Ugh. I hate that, but it's necessary now that I'm working full time and have to look professional. I wish I had the money for the Aveda products, but I just don't. So instead I settle for less ones.

You know I started talking about a budget and did not explain anything. I'm started to re-read my Dave Ramsey book and found a show on CNBC called "Til Debt Do Us Part." Between Dave and Gail Vaz-Oxlade on "Til Debt Do Us Part." I've been really inspired to get my money situation in order. I've made a couple of budgets and started doing the money envelope system. I think I have to make some adjustments, but I know I'm on the right track. :) I'd love to hear your favorite financial blogs/websites. Or if you post about financial stuff! I'm looking forward to being on track, though I still think that Money Sucks, lol. :)

VIntage

I am loving anything and everything vintage lately. While up at the Bruno Thrift Store, I got a ton of amazing deals! I got an entire bag of doilies, lace, and many other things for a grand total of $5! I couldn't believe how big it is. I want to go back again soon. :)

While I was up there, I found these two tea cups. I've been on the hunt for some to put on my desk at work. I wanted to put my post it notes in one since they keep getting lost on my desk. I was going to use the other one for paper clips, but I won Bingo at work and decided to put my truffles in there instead!

Aren't the tea cups adorable?

Comfy

Here I am all comfy in bed. With a cocoon of blankets wrapped around me.

While up north, Ma was holding Ethan and covered one of his ears with his blanket. He went right to sleep. That got us to discussing how we all cover one ear with our blanket and we can't fall asleep unless it's covered, even if it's 100 degrees outside we have to have the sheet over our ear. I do this, Susan, and Julie do this. Ma does this. Lynette also does it. The next day at Lynette's shower, we asked Grandma and she did this too! She also mentioned that Great Grandma did it. It must be something that is passed down on our side of the family. Lynette said that she would start doing this to Ethan too. :)

Norwex!

I am so excited! My Norwex order arrived today! Yay!!!! :D Here is a picture of what I got. You will want to click on it, to make it bigger to see all the words.

Now here is what all I got!

• Dishwashing Liquid--It's phosphate free and biodegradable!
• Dish Cloth--This is mainly just netting (nylon) but it is great for removing flour dough from countertops! I have issues with that, so that is why I got it.
• Spirsisponge--This is a scrubber that is safe for use on Teflon and flat top stoves. I got 2 of these!
• Tea Towel Set- (1 Tea Towel and 1 Kitchen Cloth) This is made from antibac Microfiber. Since it is antibac and dries quickly you supposedly don't get that sour smell from dish cloths/towels. I can't wait to see if this is true. Even leaving a cloth out for a day it gets that icky smell and I HATE it.
• Kitchen Cloth Set--(Set of 3)-, Read above. :)
• Enviro Cloth--(1, 13"x13" cloth)--Once again this is made from antibacterial microfiber. It can be used on all washable surfaces and removes dust, dirt, and grease. This thing is AMAZING.
• Enviro Cloth Travel Pack-Set of 4, 6"x6" cloths. Read above, same thing, just smaller!
• Optic Cloth with Case--You can use this to clean eyeglasses, camera lenses, computer screens, cd's, etc. I needed a new cloth to clean my glasses and thought it was worth the try!
• Window Cloth--You can use this to clean or polish windows, mirrors, jewelry, etc. You ONLY use water with this. It's AMAZING. I was sold on this.
• Dusting Mitt--This is once again antibac microfiber, and you use it for dusting. Can't wait to try this out!
• Body Pack--(Set of 3 cloths)--These are once again antibac microfiber. These are made for removing make up, regular facial cleansing, exfoliating, or in the shower. This is one of the 2 things that I bought at Mama Jenny's Norwex Party. These are WORTH EVERY PENNY. You use these on your face with just water, NO CLEANSER. I have found that since using these my face breaks out MUCH LESS. It's AMAZING. Worth every penny! So happy that I have a 2nd set now!
• Dryer Balls--I've been wanting a set of these for a while now! I'm so excited to try these out! You put both of them in your dryer, and start the dryer. The dryer balls lifts and separates the laundry while softening fabric. It reduces drying time, static clean, and removes wrinkles naturally. NO NEED TO USE FABRIC SOFTENER! :D
• Bathroom Scrub Mitt--This has microfiber fabric on one side and a scrub mesh on the other. I can't wait to try this with the descaler that Jason bought!
• Magnet Ball---The Magnet ball prevents calcium molecules from building up in dishwashers and washing machines. I can't wait to try this out in my dish washer as I HATE all of that crap on glasses.
• Washing Bag--(Ok, it's really called a Washing Net, but whatever :P) It's a mesh bag, that has 2 layers of mesh, which allows the water to flow through the bag optimal cleaning. It's great for washing all your microfiber cloths or delicates.

I am so excited by all of this! I can't wait to see what products that I can get rid of. The more natural way of cleaning the better, in my opinion. :D

A Father's Love

First watch this video:



This song reminds me of dad. He's a mechanic. He helped me with my first car and worked on it and made sure that it was a good car for me. He has always done this for me with all my cars. I've called him from Rochester, knowing that he can't come down and help me, but some how he is able to diagnose the car over the phone if it's making an odd sound or something. Just knowing I have someone who I can call with car questions is a god send.

The Kia is getting older, and since it is, there are more repairs that are needed. When the car couldn't start in September, and the dealership tried to rip me off, Dad drove 2 1/2 hours down to fix my car.

I'm up north for Thanksgiving right now, and he wanted to take my car in to just look it over before winter came. Dad took it to the shop today and checked it over. He ended up replacing the thermostat. He won't take a dime for it. Not only that he filled up my gas tank and refused to take money for that.

It's just one of the ways that Dad shows me that he loves me. I think you can tell why this song makes me think of him.

Black Friday!

For the first time in as long as I can remember, I haven't gone shopping on Black Friday! Wow! I don't feel like I missed anything since I didn't even get the paper to look at the ads, lol. I kinda missed it, but enjoyed a day with the family. :)

Lynette and Ethan came over this evening! Of course I had to hold and love on Ethan. :) He is just such a cute little bundle of joy! I can't believe that he was 4 weeks early. He is just so perfect! Lynette and I scrapbooked 5 pages of Ethan and while we were doing that my sisters were taking pictures of Ethan. This picture below just makes me smile. :)

Thanksgiving

This year I am so thankful for my family, friends, and to have a job that I enjoy. I am beyond blessed. There is so much to be thankful for this year.

Today I did Thanksgiving with the Nelson crew! It was great seeing everyone, but also bittersweet. It just wasn't the same without Grandpa Nelson being there. It just seemed like a huge void. I miss him so much. I know I didn't see him often, but he meant so much to me. I honestly view him and Grandma as a second set of parents to me. As I write this, I am sitting in Grandpa's chair. No one ever sat in the chair except for him. I miss him so much.

Exhausted

For some reason I'm exhausted today. No idea why. I went to be around 11 and got up around 9. I slept ok. I didn't do hardly anything today. Mom took Susan and I to the casino and then came back and visited with Lynette. I made my coconut cake for Thanksgiving tomorrow.

I'm so thankful that I came up north last night. Today it's snowing and we were getting about an inch an hour. I'm so thankful to be with my family and all nice and cozy in the house.

Road Trip!

I headed up north tonight to spend Thanksgiving with my family! On the way up, I had a blast. I have forgotten how much I enjoy driving on the quiet roads. I'll admit I did speed a bit, shhhhhh. I cranked the radio and sang my heart out. It has been a long time since I've done that. I mean I'll crank the radio in town and sing, but not sing at the top of my lungs. It was a wonderful 2 1/2 hour drive up. Though my throat is a bit sore from all the singing! I'm looking forward to this vacation!!! :D

Oh and I managed to beat the icky weather! Even better!

My 3's

Since I've been getting inky tonight, I don't really want to think about what to blog about. I was tagged in this note on Facebook and thought that it would make a great blog entry!

Three Jobs I've had
1. Nursing Assistant
2. Administrative Assistant
3. Cashier at a Scrapbook Store


Three Places I've Lived
1. Kerrick, MN
2. Finlayson, MN
3. Rochester, MN

Three Favorite Drinks
1. Ice Tea
2. Coke from a can, in a glass glass, with 3 ice cubes
3. Ice cold water

Three TV Shows that I Watch
1. Glee
2. Hoarders
3. Chopped

Three Places I've Been
1. Rapid City, SD
2. Duluth, MN
3. Wyoming

Three of My Favorite Foods
1. Cheese
2. Sourdough Bread
3. Cookie Dough

Three Friends I think (hope) will respond
1. Linn
2. My Captivating Images
3. Susan


Three of my favorite colors
1. Pink (BRIGHT)
2. Black
3. Red

Three of my favorite types of candy
1. Mounds
2. 3 Musketeers
3. Dove Dark Chocolate

Three Things I'm Looking Forward to
1. Thanksgiving with my family.
2. Seeing Ethan (and family) again. Giving Lynette her gift!
3. Christmas. I just love the season.

Three Things that are ALWAYS by My side
1. Phone
2. Book
3. Notebook and pen.

Three Things in my car right now
1. Lots of reuseable bags

2. Scrapbook supplies

3. Dirt. (I REALLY need to clean my car, it's driving me NUTS.)

Three Things I did Today
1. Survived a slow day at work.
2. Got inky with my scrapbook supplies!
3. Talked to Ma on the phone.

Currently

Sitting: At the dining room table on my laptop, with bills and budget stuff, and lists spread around me.

Watching: The slight breeze blow the leaves outside.

Wearing: Super comfy knit pants and my Twilight t-shirt. Comfies are made for Sunday's.

Drinking: A can of Coke in my red polka dot glass, with 3 ice cubes. Love.

Scrapping: Linn's Scrapbooked Postcard. Gotta get that out soon! So sorry Linn that it's been so long!

Hoping: That the weather will be good for my trip up north for Thanksgiving.

Loving: The Apple Jack Scentsy type thing I have melting. My house smells like fall. The cool crisp air outside. Time with friends and family. Hugs. Bubble Baths. Headache Free days.

Listening to: A document of the Amish on National Geographic TV.

Note: I stole this from Lisa at The Moments in Between. If you get a chance, you should check out her blog. Full of inspiration and fun.

Reading Nook

The fabulous Linn recently sent me a scrapbooked postcard from Germany! I loved it and thought since I very rarely get fun mail, I thought I would keep it up. That same day I was organizing my reading nook and thought it would fit perfect on my little stand that is by my chair. Since Linn also loves to read, I thought it was perfect. Linn wanted to see it, so I snapped this quick picture. :)

Btw, the shall on the back of the chair was one that Mom gave me growing up. I don't remember if it was hers or one of the grandma's but I just love it. :)