Free-for-all Friday: Girl's Night Out!!!

Hi Ladies! I'm sooooo sorry I've been MIA (missing in action) lately but let's just say this lil thing called life has been kicking my bootie. Thankfully, I had a long awaited, FUN, therapeutic Girl's Night Out last night that did me goooood and I'm excited to tell ya'll about it!

At the beginning of the summer, Musing Foodie, Carolina Clipper and I put our heads together and were mulling around having a blog GNO incorporating each of our blog's readers. We knew what we wanted to do and were excited about it but we were having a hard time getting the pricing and logistics juuuuust right. Just as we were getting ready to throw in the towel, I shared our vision with my sweet friend and amazing licensed artist, Caroline Simas.
The Lord laid it on Caroline's heart to say, "Hannah! IIIIIIII will create a custom art piece incorporating scripture and IIIII will come share and teach your group how to create that piece." It was an amazing answer to prayer and above or beyond anything our minds could've conjured up!
So, I shared it with the women's ministry at our wonderful church and they not only were thrilled about the idea but wanted our Bible Study, mom's Heart to Heart to host it for alllllll the Women of Central.

Well, last night was THE night and it was so fun to me. There was something so refreshing about getting out of the "mom bubble" and be able to spend an evening with women of all ages and all walks of life. I was able to sit at a table with a beautiful, spunky lady in her 70s that reminded me sooooo much of my grandmother and I loved every minute. The only thing better would have been if my grandmother could have been there, too!

I was so busy that I didn't get many pictures but Musing Foodie catered a FABULOUS baked potato bar and smores bar and Caroline created a mixed media piece incorporating a choice of three scriptures.

• Women of Central theme verse: "For we are to God the fragrance of Christ."  2 Corinthians 2:15
• Roof with a View theme verse:  "What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops." Matthew 10:27
• Mom's Heart to Heart Study of James theme verse: "Consider it all joy, brethren, when you encounter various trials" James 1:2

Here is my creation which I admit felt a little challenged and "special" when I compared it to the others. Once I got it away and on it's own, I was feeling just a tad more confident about it. :)

One girl who happens to be an art teacher got REAL fancy with it! Whoooo would've thought of a bird cage?!?!?

...and HOW about this BABY that could be our RWAV theme picture!?!!? I LOVE it!

Caroline took a TON of pictures and will be putting them on her blog soon so be sure to head over there to see them! Let's hear it for GIRL'S NIGHT OUT!!!!!

Any of you girls that were there and want to show and tell, send me your creations to roofwithaview (at) gmail (dot) com!

Happy Friday, ya'll!

TGIF!

It is FRIDAY! How many of you just finished a first full week of school and are excited to kiss this steamy, hot weather goodbye w/ a long weekend?!?!? While you're taking a brief hiatus from your one week back into routine, the www is BUZZING with all sorts of action and excitement. Wanted to take a couple minutes to fill you Charlotte ladies in on some fun things a few of our friends would like you to know.

Giveaways

• Our friend, Caroline Simas, is giving away one of her Hope and Peace Skinits on her blog! These skinits are so cute so get in it to win it!
• Macaroni Kid South Charlotte is giving away 100 tickets to the upcoming Yiasou Greek Festival! Click here to enter on their website and be sure to like them on Facebook to stay updated on some of the latest and greatest.

Events

• You may remember from back in July that our Catherine (Musing Foodie) won second place in a Cookies for Kids Cancer contest with her recipe for Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies. Well, September is Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month and there is a month of fundraising to go towards finding a cure for kids' cancer. For further details, visit to cookiesforkidscancer.org and gogriergo.com. You can also send a virtual cookie to your facebook friends, and from that one click, oxo will donate money to help the cause!
• Pregos and Mamas w/ newborns, the registration is now open for All About Baby, a network of pregnancy, baby & parent related businesses in the Charlotte area, who have come together to bring you fabulous events and swag. The fall event is September 11 and there are some great vendors and sponsors you won't want to miss! Like them on FB so you can stay updated.

In the news

• Our good ole Carolina Clipper was just interviewed by our friend Dion Lim of WCNC on the topic of coupon theft from newspapers. If you missed the clip, you can watch it here. Check your newspapers before purchasing, or better yet, take advantage of this HOT deal to have them delivered to your home for $1 per paper.

Free-for-all Friday: Everything I needed to know in life....

...I learned from Peanuts...

....or maybe it's Pinterest?

Sooooo, I was perusing Pinterest and couldn't help but notice this reoccuring trend among "pins"--a little pattern called "Chevron." Call me behind the times b/c I would recognize this pattern but never knew the official "name" of it.  Apparently, it's really "caught on" in the world of accesories, clothing and home decor.

http://theglitterguide.com/2011/08/09/crazy-about-chevron/

I was telling a friend about this trend because she just moved into a new house and I was envisioning a splash of Chevron...perhaps via a lil grey chevron pillow...as a nice touch in her sitting room. 

Not long after, her decorator/sister  called so we inquired. She enlightened us that chevron would be considered fashion forward vs. classic traditional.

Know how once you hear about something new, it pops up like 10 million trillion times and you wonder how you never ran across it before?

Well, a few days later, good ole Stacey (remember her?...theme song...in China) told me she was going to study at the Charlie Brown Cafe in her Chinese town. I made her promise to take a picture so she did. I wish you could see this cute lil cafe but I'm having trouble uploading the picture. Hark! The pattern on Charlie Brown's shirt was stenciled on the outside of the streetside glass windows around the whole outside perameter of the cafe.

It's alllllllllll coming full circle. Could it be that ole Chuck was the original King of Chevron? Who knew that the fashion forward need look no further than Peanuts (and maybe Pinterest) for the answers to all of life's important matters. ;)

Here a a few of my personal fav chevron sightings? 

Chevron Rug

Pink Chevron!

Yellow chevron A-line Skirt

Do you have any chevron? Do tell.

If you're feeling like adding some cheap, crafty, DIY chevron to your home this weekend, here is a step by step tutorial to put a lil splash of it at your entry way or kitchen sink. If you try it, send us a pic!

Free-for-all Friday: Giveaways Galore and Super Doubles!

Have ya'll been praisin' up a storm with our new theme song??!?! I just love it.

Since, I switched things up on ya'll yesterday, thought I'd share at least a couple of fun little tidbits with you today.

First, hurry over to Sarah Masci: a drop of golden sun on Facebook for the last day to enter her giveaway for a set of back to school labels and matching notecards for your child (winner's choice)! Not sure when she's drawing so you might want to enter as sooooon as you can.

Next, howwwww cute is this IPhone case? Want it, need it, gotta have it.

This is one of our friend, Caroline Simas', designs and she is giving away two on her blog right now. You know you want one so go enter here pronto!

Update: Charlotte SmartyPants would like us to make sure that you Charlotte ladies know about their Back to School Giveaway which includes $3oo worth of product from Alphabet Soup, Carolina Pad and Children's Theater (Seussical). To enter, simply fill out this survey.

Last but not least, for those in the southeast, you probably already know that Harris Teeter is Super Doubling coupons right now (until midnight on Tues.). If you are overwhelmed and need a boost, you can head over to Southern Savers to see the sales (advertised and unadvertised) matched up with the coupons to use and plan your trip. If you are like this twin mom, feel free to utilize the reduced $1.95 online Express Lane fee for the last weeks of summer while you can. Don't know where I'd be without it and no need to justify b/c you couldn't even get a babysitter for that!

Happy Friday! Ya'll stay cool out there.

Free-for-all Friday: What's so great about blogging anyway?

A former coworker recently shared a blogpost with me that I knew I had to share with you. If you blog, I think you'll shout a resounding, "Amen!" when you read this. If you're not yet a blogger, it may help you understand all the blogging hooplah and maybe even make you want to start a blog of your own.

Background: Mom in Mendon is a mother and grandmother with grown children including daughters that are probably the age of many of us. She does an excellent job articulating the reason why we thought starting a community such as Roof with a View would be significant for moms. I say, "way to blog, Mom in Mendon!" Us moms following in your footsteps always appreciate the wisdom and insight of our foremothers. You are needed in the blogosphere and on the web! 

Rescued

Blogs are genius. Without question they've done more for Today's Woman than psychologists, counselors, and women's magazines who sought to come to the aid of all those mid-century Donna Reid Moms--mothers like mine. Like me.

In the 1950's and 60's, my mother prepared her four daughters for The Role of house-wifery and motherhood: "The most mundane, yet most meaningful work." She taught us to cook, sew, iron and economize. But she noted, "Happy mothers seem to have something extra going: a hobby, a creative outlet--something besides the Bendix washer on the service porch and a clothes line in the back yard. Something to ease the pressure of keeping up appearances, so all-important in that era. She told me about her friend. Bernice showed her a little pencil sketch she had done. "It wasn't very good, really," Mother explained, but Bernice said, 'I just need to have something else--an outlet.' " Along with all she tried to teach, Mother gave us permission to have an outlet.

There was nothing I wanted more than motherhood. Happily it arrived. But it was a LOT. Consequently, I kept my mother's counsel. With five young children in Riverside, California, I painted watercolors, I learned cake decorating, I tried writing. And mother was right. It helped. But even then, it wasn't enough. "What lack I yet?" I wondered.


Dad wasn't unaware. He praised the BLT's. "This was a lot of work. You had to toast the bread, slice the tomatoes, etc." He willingly sent me off to painting class while he held down the fort. In addition, of course, there were friends and neighbors, girls to call on the phone. 

But despite my best efforts, it was a wistful me who wrote:

1973
Where are all the fans?! Why couldn't someone be there to applaud, or at least nod in admiration...as I deftly, maternally fit a diaper? Or why not a chorus of ooh's and ah's as I place the pot of Spring Garden on the table, with murmured comments around about my ability to balance budget, nutrition and time in one clever meal? I would be modest....[in the face of praise]. An audience is all I require for the maintenance of....patience, wisdom and creativity. In a musical voice I can say to the child bouncing off the couch, "Furniture is not for jumping." The child is bored? "Why, here, Sweetheart. Mother has made this cardboard box into a robot." Exclamations of awe and surprise from the fans. But [the Mom, staying at home in] obscurity has no fans.... If the clean clothes are mounded high on the folding table and the floor goes a few weeks unscrubbed, who will know? If my voice demands harshly, "Get this robe picked up!" no one can condemn.

In fairness to my younger self, I wrote on and explained my conviction that good mothers shouldn't depend on shallow praise for recognition. I ended with a reiteration of my reliance on faith and my certain belief that Eternal Fans watched from beyond the Veil. I still hold fast to those convictions, but it was, nevertheless, a lonely time.

Not so for my grown daughters today. The new Millenium arrived, bringing with it the Web Log. Wow. Precisely meeting their need, blogs provide women with the Audience, with the Fans, with the Recognition. Mothers, wives, single women have been lifted out of obscurity. They don't need a big readership. Mainly, they are no longer alone. That's not to mention the cyber friendships, the fresh ideas, the learning, and the just plain fun they get in online interaction. The internet has filled the void.

I know it's not the answer to everything. We women will continue with our moments of wistfulness. But what a blessing! My daughters are better off. And I'm glad for it.


You can read Mom in Mendon's original post here.

Friday Catch Up

Hi ladies!

There was sooooo much I wanted to share with you this week and BOTH of my computers went on the blink-wouldn't even power up. D-E-A-D. Big bummer but the situation has been addressed and we're up and running even better than before. I still have so much to share with you but some of it I'll save for next week. In the meantime, here are a few events and giveaways you may want to check out if you are a Charlotte reader.

This Saturday, July 23 several of our new friends (The Charlotte Moms and Belly Elan just to name a couple) will be involved at USA Baby's Fuss Free Travel with Kids Event where Britax is giving away SIX of their B-Agile Strollers. Be sure to check it out especially if you have any roadtrips planned for the remainder of the summer. You are sure to get some great tips and hopefully go home with a great stroller. :)

We have a very special sister that you are going to be hearing more about in the near future but she recently shared something on her blog that I think many of you may want to be a part of this Monday, July 25 if you have older children heading back to school and live near Charlotte. It involves a free $10 gift card to Gap and colorful Carolina Pad notebook. Thank you, Caroline!


If you have younger children (ages 3 and up), you may be interested in the Teddy Bear Picnic on August 6th. This event is hosted by MommyB Knows Best who is partnering with the North American Bear Company and various other companies. MommyB herself is giving away 7 spots and the winners will also receive their very own teddy bear and some other fun treats. Visit here to enter.

If you are a mom desiring to meet moms just like you, you are invited to mom's Heart to Heart Desert and Coffee on Tuesday, August 31. Childcare is provided free of charge but you must register here by August 26. Don't delay! Mark your calendars and get your tickets today.

Also, if you are needing some solid encouragement and are trying to plan your mornings for the fall, there are some great weekly Bible studies being offered by the Women of Central. We'd especially like to invite you to the one for moms, moms Heart to Heart, which will also provide social and fellowship opportunities outside of the study. If you happen to be a working mom, you can still join the study online and we'll keep you posted on the social/fellowship fun. Oh! And I must not forget to mention that there are some amazing giveaways lined up for every single week which you won't want to miss. We'd like to think of it as not just a study but a COMMUNITY of moms just like you! The hardest step is deciding just to check it out. Once you take the plunge, I promise you'll be glad you did. How do I know? Because I was in those shoes four years ago and it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

Happy Friday!

Love ya'll!
Hannah

Free-for-all Friday: Mompreneur~SoupKids' Custom Covers

We LOVE Mompreneurs here on the Roof and we love to support them. Today is devoted to an amazing Mompreneur and her cutie patootie creations.

Ladies, meet Kristin Campbell of SoupKids (get it? Campbell Soup. I tell you what~she's good!). Kristin is a dedicated, genuine, nurturing, determined, comical, infectious wife, mom of three and friend. In fact, she was the very first friend I met on my very first day of college waaaay back when we were 18 and her friendship has been a blessing to me ever since.

Kristin has always been creative and taken her ideas to "the next level" no matter what they are. When she taught herself to sew, I knew she wouldn't stop there...and she didn't. As she birthed her new talent alongside three beautiful children, she also began the venture of SoupKids- classic, customized creations for children. You can ask my college sisterhood just how delighted we've been-especially about her mad monogramming skillz. I don't think one single one of the sisterhood's collective 40 children ranging from birth to elementary age have gotten past infancy without a SoupKids monogram or creation. We Southern girls are thrilled for the legacy to continue as long as our children will allow!

Clearly, I could go on and on but I'm excited to share SoupKids' most unique custom item. I think this is definitely my fav of Kristin's brilliant ideas. It is also one I get asked about pretty much everywhere I go--her custom covers. Kristin has multiple fabrics that you can select to cover your car seat, bouncy seat or high chair OR you may send her your fabric of choice if you wish. She will make a cover to fit your item and finish that baby off with a coordinating monogram. Here are just a few examples:

These covers have a two in one benefit. They make your baby equipment more appealing to the eye AND keep them protected from stains leaving them virtually spotless which makes them PRIME Craigslist inventory later!

If you are interested in your own personal SoupKids creation or need a FABULOUS gift, email Kristin at kcampbell84(at)nc(dot)rr(dot)com. Her going rate for the car seat cover is $68.00 if she provides the fabric. However, Kristin wanted to show the ladies of the Roof some love and if you tell her we sent you, she will give you a 10% discount! She's sweet like that. :) So, order up and share your SoupKids creations with us!

Here's to MomPreneurs! Happy Friday!

Free-for-all Friday: Consignment Store Props & Monthly Reading Program

Awhile ago, my friend, Katie, referred me to a new consignment store in our area. I've had some bad consignment store experiences--mostly due to lack of organization--so I ventured to this new store called Kid 2 Kid with somewhat low expectations. Much to my surprise, it exceeded my expectations and I instantly fell in love.

The store was clean, organized, not crowded, pleasing to the eye...It didn't leave me with the feeling that I needed to plow through dust and moth ball odor to find a glimmer of a treasure. In fact, at just a glance, I spotted many boutique and trunk show items in excellent condition at a fraction of the cost. Right up my alley! Not to mention, the toy, book, gift (many brand new Melissa and Doug items) and BOW selection (beautiful, brand new bows of all sizes at very reasonable prices. Oh, how I love those bows!).

Kid to Kid (K2K) is a nationwide chain and we are blessed to have TWO in our hometown. I highly recommend you check their website to find the closest one to you. They have some great programs from which you can benefit.

• Income- If you consign at K2K, you have the option to receive cash or an additional 20% if you choose to receive store credit.
• Frequent Shopper's Discount- Be sure to ask for a punch card and they will stamp your card for every $10 you spend. After you fill the card, you will receive 20% off your entire purchase on your next visit.
• Discount per transaction- If you sign up for their email list, K2K will email you any sales and specials plus a monthly password so that you can receive $5 off a $25 or more purchase. This usually ends up scoring me a free bow! :)
• Reading program-This last program has been a hidden gem and you don't want to miss it if you have a K2K in your area. Praise the Lord for my friend, Tara, that spilled the beans, or boy, would we have been missing out. Turns out, K2K will give you a Book Club card per child (they even gave me one for my one year old twins) and your child (or you) can pick one book-per card-per month- FREE up to $1.99. If you select a book over $1.99, you simply pay the difference. It makes for a great summer outing and we ended up getting three precious books today for a mere $3.00 out of pocket. How perfect is that to add to your fab new book organizational system from yesterday?!?! :)

Hope you have one of these great franchises near you so you can take advantage of it's opportunities. If not, perhaps you should open one in your area?!?! Just sayin...

Happy Friday ya'll!

-Hannah

Free-for-all Friday: Road Trip Survival 101

Yesterday was my childs...

It's officially SUMMAHTIME (at least, for us). It's also a LONG weekend and there was no better way to kick it off than sitting down last night for BLT's after a day in the HOT sun topped off with a Bruester's Ice Cream celebration. Just the beginning of barefeet, smell of fresh cut grass, sound of kids playing outside, bounty of produce from the garden, days at the pool, road trips..... Love me some summer in the South!


Speaking of road trips, many of you are probably headed out somewhere for the weekend. If not this weekend, I've heard of lots of people hittin the beach as soon as their own school gets out. You don't wanna forget Angela's road trip survival kit for your sweet lil car riders!

When my boys were 3 and 6 months, we took a car trip to visit family and it was a nightmare! An 8 hour trip took 10. There was screaming, throwing, spills, and when we arrived to our destination, I was worn out, had a pain in my neck and I wanted to run away and scream! I didn't have a plan. My boys are now 6 yrs and 3 yrs old. Car trips are still a challenge, but they are much better because we have a PLAN! 

Our family has several big trips this summer. Lots of weddings and visiting family. A few of them are 8 hours or more. I love the dvd player in the car, but I really don't want my kids watching non-stop dvd's the entire time. Not that there is anything wrong with it, but they get cranky after all that tv. My HUSBAND came up with this clever little idea for my boys for the car. It's BRILLIANT! (Man, I really wish I had come up with it.) But, I decorated them. Yep, eh! :)

1. Travel Tubs:
Each of my boys have their very own tub. I drew some of their favorite themes on the tops. I took them to each of their rooms and let them pick a few toys and I put some inexpensive NEW surprises in there too. Yes, that is a PEOPLE magazine of Zack and Cody in Will's box. He loves that show. There are some activity books, a new box of crayons (Crayola $1.14 at Wal-mart), action figures, etc. I didn't let them open their boxes until after they ate their breakfast in the car. The anticipation made it more fun!

2. A CAR SCHEDULE!!!

Yes, I wrote out a schedule. My sister n law gave me this idea. This helped me SO MUCH on a recent trip. I found my boys asking me..."Mom, what's next on our list?" When I gave them allotted time for an activity, they were much more likely to finish it and not get bored. And, bonus, we didn't have the dvd players on all day. 

3. Honest Kids Juice
I'm a huge fan of these juice drinks. They are 100% natural, and VERY LOW IN SUGAR! They are high in antioxidants and have fruits like pomegranate. These 2 things do not go together: being cooped up in a car and sugar. They do not mix! These handy fruit drinks keep my kids hydrated and we don't spend the extra money on drinks through the drive thru's.

Be safe in your travels this summer! Happy Trails!

Love, Angela

Free-for-all Friday: Royal Wedding Roll Call

Do you remember where you were on this day~July 29, 1981?

I was here.

In my grandparent's bed eating breakfast in bed on a tray~one of THE biggest novelties of spending the night with my grandparents as a child. Di and Charles' Royal Wedding was no exception. :)

I was even in the same place on July 23, 1986 for this wedding.

I also remember awaking around the same early hour and sharing a box of Krispy Kreme's in our apartment building with sweet friends on the sad day of Diana's Memorial Service. 

So the burning question is if, where and how are you enjoying the nuptials of these two on April 29, 2011.

How I would love to be in my grandparent's bed getting served breakfast on a tray. Look like now it's my turn to do the servin'. :) I'm excited!

If you're looking for a party, feel free to come join the fun at Royal Wedding Roll Call. Promise not to be a lurker. Comment, for goodness sake! :) Also, double dog dare you to change your Facebook profile pic to one of your wedding pictures so it can be wedding day all over FB. It's so fun seeing people's wedding pics! Happy Royal Wedding Day!

Free-for-all Friday: Local Area Easter Activities!

Ladies, ladies, ladies,

Spring is here and Easter is quickly approaching! We want you to be able to get out and do some fun things with your families. We love our readers from all over the country and your local areas have so much to offer for one of our fav seasons and holidays.

So, we have taken some of our viewer areas and are letting you know a few things that are "out there" so you can join in the fun. Don't delay! Gather your munchkins and hop to it (pun intended). :) Keep in mind these may not be complete lists and please remember to check with your local churches for Easter concerts, plays, and services.

First, check out Taste of Home's guide to our nation's best Easter Egg Hunts here. I can attest that the White Houses' Easter Egg Roll is one of my all time fav childhood memories!

If you can't make it to an event on that list, click below on the area closest to you for more fun. If we're missing your area or fav activity, by all means, give us a HOLLA and let us know so moms near you (and their families) can benefit. We'd especially love to hear how you churches are celebrating!

Charlotte, NC area
Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, NC
Wilmington, NC (here and here)
Cleveland, TN area
Memphis, TN area
Charleston, SC
Metro Atlanta, GA area, North Georgia and Augusta
Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia
Dallas, TX Metroplex area
North Florida
Florida
Denver, CO
Minneapolis/St. Paul
San Francisco Bay Area
Oregon
Washington State (here and here)

Happy Friday!

Free-for-all Friday: Babyfood In My Hair

I don't know about you, but before I had a baby, I pretty much had most things under control (at least that's how I remember it now- ha!). But I cooked dinner most nights, my house was usually clean, the laundry was regularly folded and actually put away, and my worst surprise in the way of messes came if my dog shed a little more than normal. Well, imagine my surprise how many changes occurred once my sweet little angel was born!!!  Having life under control seems like a distant memory (although I must add that the trade-off is more than worth it!). That's why I got such a kick out of the name of this blog: RocksInMyDryer. I think it's a phrase only a mom can relate to, and doesn't it instantly make you think of all the confusing and surprising.... ummmm.... what's the word I'm looking for here- things that can happen once a child is brought into the mix?  Since finding that blog, I've often found myself wondering what the name of our family blog would be if I named it in the same fashion.  Here are a few of my current thoughts:

MilkOnMyCouch
PaintOnMyBaby
Cheerios...Everywhere
ChocolateOnMyMind
DishesInMySink
MoneyInMySavingsAccount (haha, yeah right!!)
ToysInMyToilet (yes, my ten month old has already figured this one out)
DogInMyShower (I just found her in there today for the first time.... I'm baffled!)

And I have to add one last one because I happened to be the wife of an amazing man and the mother to an amazing baby: LoveInMyLife.

If you had to name your family blog, what would it be?

Free-for-all Friday: REAL Houses of the Roof

Are you one to carry the weight that every square inch of your house needs to look perfect at all times....only to feel more weight of all the other things that "need" to be perfect...clothes, kids, meals, you know the drill. Well, loosen those too tight ponytails (your eyes are starting to slant), let down your hair, take a deep breath and say with me, "IT's OOOOOOKAAAAAAYYYYY!"

A dear, sweet and what I would consider "clean" friend recently sent me my most fav email ever....a pic of her messy kitchen for the sake of accountability BUT what she got was replies of pics of other messy kitchens (including mine). It was my most fav email thread ever for a couple of reasons.

1. It was freeing to know I wasn't alone at that moment and I'm not the ONLY one w/ an overwhelming mess on my hands at times.
2. It was REAL.
3. Believe it or not, it gave me incentive to get busy on the whizzy and begin somewhere despite my feeling of being overwhelmed.

Soooo....the Women of the Roof  are here to say that we have messes, too. Our houses are real just like yours. Granted, they cover a broad spectrum~little piles and clutter to BIG piles and clutter BUT despite the size of our messes, I can attest the one common thread behind every single picture below was the woman that shared it obviously felt guilt (we woman are good at carrying that) judging from each detailed description and reasoning that accompanied each and every picture. Every picture. No joke. I'll admit it gave me a good chuckle. No judgment here. At least, the good (or bad) thing about a mess is it's not going anywhere. It'll wait for you. It's the one thing in your life that's not in a hurry.

So, tell us to which mess you most relate. Do I hear an "AMEN!" for...

...messy kitchens!

....cord clutter!

...dirty sinks (don't tell the Fly Lady)!

...strowy closets!

...overwhelming "catch all" rooms!

....stacks of papers, etc!

...toy areas!

....bathrooms!

You name the area and the mess and between all of us, we most likely have it covered. If you need motivation getting started, trust me. Take a picture and email it to us (roofwithaview at gmail dot com). It will get you started when you see your mess in an actual picture. Another piece of good news is Catherine is going to be giving us her tried and true Spring Cleaning tips since the Spring Cleaning bug has bit her good. Maybe it's contagious. :)

BTW, names were not shared to protect the innocent. ALTHOUGH, Angela wants her name shared so someone will see her bathroom mess and have a burning desire to select it for a makeover. Any takers? She deserves it just for being loud and proud.

Happy Friday!

-HPS

Free-for-all-Friday: Feeling clumpy and comfy? Find the runner in you!

If your answer to today's title is a resounding "yes!," we have a special treat for you~a guest! Today we are featuring Melanie (aka Bella Mella) who has been a RWAV reader (and commenter-gasp!) since we began 2 1/2 years ago. She has been a pleasure to get to know through the the wonderful world of blogging and I know you'll relate to her and find her story inspiring. I'll admit she has given this exercise hater, non-runner, "better get my badonkadonk busy cuz summer is comin' FAST" girl some incentive to hit the pavement! Sock it to us, Melanie....

Melanie's Story & Defining Moment
Several years ago I was listening to my husband and his running buddy talk about their upcoming race. Incredulously, I thought, “They really enjoy running and racing!”

Then I thought of Jr. High school gym class: the ugly one piece gym suit, jumping jacks, square dancing and running. I hated all of it, especially the running. Running always made me feel slow and clumpy. And I invariably got that painful stitch in my side.

Interrupting the “guy talk,” I said, "I wonder if I could run."

Probably based on the fact that I had recently stopped nursing our youngest child and was still carrying quite a bit of “pregnancy fluff” my husband answered, "You're not built for speed. You're built for comfort."
We all laughed but secretly I took that innocent response from my husband as my personal challenge. I thought, “I’ll get some cute running shorts and an industrial strength running bra and when no one’s watching, I’ll run.”

That was over a decade ago and with several 5 k’s, a 10k and a half marathon later, I have to agree with my husband. I am not built for speed. In fact, I’m pretty happy when I am running a consistent 10 minute mile. But I disagree with the “built for comfort” part; I have discovered that I am built for endurance and I actually enjoy running several miles each week.

Melanie the Runner
So how did I go from hating running to running six days a week and loving it?

On my daily walks I began doing a little running. Very little. I walked a little and ran a little. Gradually I began to run a little more and walk a little less. I wore a stop watch and began timing the walk part and the run part. I remember the day I could run for 3 minutes without stopping! And then 3 MILES! Yeah...baby.

The Runner in YOU!
Spring is just around the bend and now is the time we women usually start trying to lose a few pounds and shape up for the summer. Running is a great way to get in shape fast, and if you have always wondered if you could be a runner, the answer is, “Yes!” If, that is, you are in overall good health, then there is probably no reason you cannot run.(And this is where I should probably say, check with your doctor before beginning a new exercise plan.)

Baby Steps~A Starting Point
The number one mistake of a beginning runner is starting too fast. Don’t try to sprint. You are not in a race. Start by walking 10 minutes at a comfortable pace to warm up.
Then run a minute or two. Or run from one mailbox to another, then walk for a while, and repeat.

This is how I began all those years ago. In fact I called myself a “mailbox runner.” Gradually over a few days time, decrease the minutes you walk and increase the minutes you run.

Don’t worry about how you breathe, just breathe. It will get easier as you continue your running routine.

Helpful Tips on Form

• Swing arms forward and back not across the body.
• Run tall. Any lean in your stride should start from the ankle, not your waist.
• Relax your shoulders. Hunching eats up energy.
• Land lightly to reduce bounce in your stride.

Fitness Fashion :)

• Wear shoes designed for running, not for playing tennis, and not those “shape-up" type shoes. You will most likely need to go up a ½ size or more in a running shoe.
• While it is not necessary to look cute while running, I find it makes it more enjoyable!
• You will need a running bra and running clothing that wicks away the sweat. Target and Marshall’s are good for finding inexpensive running shorts, bras and tops.

Additional Resources

• Runner's World is a great site for finding articles for beginners.
• You can always visit my running blog See My Mom Run for a little inspiration and motivation to run your race with endurance!

Beyond Running
Starting a new fitness plan is a good time to think about healthy eating. Three do-able changes that anyone can easily incorporate are:

• Increase fiber intake so that you are consuming 25 grams per day.
• Drink 16 ounces of water within a half hour of waking.
• Stop eating at least 3 hours before bedtime.

Each of these healthy habits will help decrease your appetite, fill you up with the good stuff and help you sleep better.

Happy running!

Melanie Dorsey
http://www.thebellamella.com/
http://www.seemymomrun.com/

Free-for-all Friday: DIY Silhouettes & Local Event

If you were to ask me one piece of wall decor that I've observed throughout my life and sticks out in my mind, I would say framed silhouettes. Even as a child, silhouette pictures drew my attention. Something about them fascinates me. They look so pretty on a wall, are such sweet snapshots and just timeless and classic!

I've seen on many blogs that silhouettes are supposedly a fairly easy DIY project. I haven't gotten brave enough to attempt one yet but it is a craft project I've been aspiring to try for awhile.  I think my oldest daughter is the perfect age to put a ginormous bow in her hair or fix a cute little ponytail and capture her precious profile...long eyelashes and all. One link with step by step instructions is here.

In the meantime, I'm thinking about taking up a local boutique, Shower Me With Love, on their special event this weekend. If you live near Charlotte or will be in the Queen City area tomorrow, March 5th, or Sunday, the 6th, they are hosting THE Silhouette Man, Tim Arnold. He will be hand cutting silhouettes of your child. You can take your child to the store OR simply take a side profile picture and he will do one pair for $40. It takes him 5-10 minutes (amazing)! Slots are filling up so you may want to make a reservation by calling 704-302-1555. They'll also be glad to answer any questions you may have.

If you've ever done your own silhouettes, are a proud silhouette hanger or have implemented silhouettes to create other cool crafts, we'd LOVE to see pictures of them in all their glory. Send them to us at roofwithaview (at) gmail (dot) com.

Speaking of silhouettes, as I type this my 3 year old has been playing quietly and brings this picture to me on her etch a sketch saying "Mommy, does this look like a horse?" Pick. my. jaw. off. the. floor. I hope it doesn't come across as bragimony but did I mentions she's only three? Thank you, Jesus, for amazing me every day! :)

In case you can't tell from Monday's post, horses have kinda been the topic of the week around here.

Free-for-all Friday: DIY Valentine Wreaths!

Alllll I have to say is some of our peeps have some goooood lookin front doors! Two of my college sistah friends were feeling pretttty crafty and shared some presh DIY Valentine Wreaths. Trust me that you'll wanna try these.

First, we have Claire in VA. Claire and her kiddos made this darling wreath.

LOVE it. Wanted it. Tried it. Here YOU have it...

What you need:

• Large heart cut out of sturdy cardboard
• Colored tissue paper (cut in 5x5 squares), around 6 dozenish
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Coordinating decorative ribbon

Cut tissue paper in 5x5ish squares

Put hot glue on cardboard heart and glue tissue paper onto heart. Fill with as much tissue paper as you can.

I'm not gonna lie. This started out as a craft to do w/ my 3 year old but she became a little distracted after she realized there was a large surface area to fill so I cut her two smaller hearts where she could go crazy. It actually occupied her quite well. She covered one with leftover hearts from this craft and then made a smaller heart wreath for her bedroom door.

Finished product! I'll admit I like Claire's reddish one better but since we have a red door, we went hot pink and light pink.

Note from Claire: Be careful that your wreath isn't directly exposed to natural elements such as rain, snow, etc. because the tissue paper will bleed.

Next up we have Jennifer C. of good ole NC but we call her Cole. Cole whipped up this adorable wreath.

 What you need:

• Styrofoam wreath or straw wreath w/ plastic wrapping left on
• Pack of 36 in. red felt cut into 3 inch circles
• Straight pins

 Fold circles in half and then in half again. Stick straight pen through bottom like so (don't my girls nails look fab?!?!!?)...

 ...and stick onto wreath.

She said the trial run took about 1 hr. 45 minutish but that it's soooo cute that it was worth it. She loved it so much she also made a smaller one. Maybe her learning curve will help it go even faster for you!  Granted, this may be an adult only craft but her hubs was out of town so this was one fun way to fill her time!Thanks, Coley. B-E-A-utiful!!!

I love all of these FUN, easy and affordable Valentine ideas! What tricks do the rest of you have up your sleeves?!?! Do tell! Do tell! We wanna know! Special thanks to Claire Bear and Coley for sharing their ideas. Also, I LOVED getting an email from an extra special reader, Anna, that she enjoyed doing this craft with her 3 boys. Here was their finished product. How pretty!?!?

TGIF, ya'll!

Love,

Hannah

roofwithaview (at) gmail (dot) come