Good Finds: Manual Lawn Mower

Soooo as I think I've stated before... we live in a tiny house, and with a tiny house, comes a tiny yard!  We pay our HOA dues and they are "suppose" to cover landscaping but no one has mowed, blowed, trimmed or edged in a few months now so we've had to pick up the slack ourselves so it doesn't look like we live in a jungle.

Front yard.

Side yard...

Backyard...

chig-uh-chig-uh... you know the sound it makes :)

Saving the planet... and getting a workout :)

I mowed the entire lawn in about 30 minutes with my woman power :) Yep... me and Brooke got a good lil workout and the yard got a haircut!  We bought this puppy used from a couple from church.  They're pretty pricey brand new ($100) ( I think we paid $30... if that)

Anyways, I love it and I have taken this on as my new chore at the house! Why yes, I do enjoy manual labor... and saving the planet AND MONEY! haha

Good Finds: Apple peeler, corer slicer

So ever since I attended my first Pampered Chef party, ehhh 15 years ago, my mom is a Kindergarten TA and I went along to all the "parties" with her, I have been obsessed with this invention!  SOOOOOO cool! But, I'm so cheap, I never wanted to pay the price they were selling for.  Every time I go to a Goodwill, I keep my eye out for one, and finally, the other day, I landed one!! Wooooo hooo, I was a happy girl!

Note, it's not Pampered Chef and it was a whopping $2.59 :)

So thankfully, we had 2 gala apples at home.  I got home, rinsed everything off, yeah yeah yeah I know I should have sterilized the contraption but I was too eager to peel, core and slice my yummy gala apple!

1. The clamp doesn't open wide enough for our counter so I had to put in on a TV tray.
2. The peeler function didn't work and it mushed the beginning of the apple.
3. One we got it started... PERFECTION! Soooo stinkin cool!
4. It cored like a champ!
5. Eating apples this way is just too fun :)
6. After we completed our 2 apples, we looked in the box and found a missing part... oops, haha guess we'll need to buy a few more apples and try out that peeling function again!

Here we go...

See the apple mush? This was before we fully tightened the clamp...

Almost finished...

Perfection! Look at that fun apple!

 Anyways, once we get the peeler function working, I can turn into an apple pie making machine, yep my old youth pastor's wife gave me an AMAZING recipe that I adore (thanks Bekah)!

Good Finds: Marriage on the Rock

Yes, notice I said ROCK not ROCKS... haha when I told my mom a few years ago that Charles and I were going to a new Bible Study "Marriage on the Rock," she said something like "oh no! You've only been married a few months and you're going to MARRIAGE ON THE ROCKS!?"

haha yes, we get that reaction a lot when we tell people the name of the class.  Marriage on the ROCK is an amazing way to grow in your marriage and build a firm foundation on the Lord... something I think is ESSENTIAL to marriage! Seriously, I've said this time and time again... I think most marriages don't survive because they aren't set on the principles of love and grace that we've been taught by our faith.  Okay, okay... Insert negative comments from people of other religion (or lack there of), I hear ya, but once again... this is my blog and my perspective.  I can tell you this, in my short 3 years of marriage, I am probably MORE in love with this man than the day I married him, I don't know about you but I don't know how many couples could say that. 

From the overflow of my love for the Lord, I love my spouse. 

Yes, ladies and gents... here's how it goes in order of importance/rank
1. God
2. Spouse
3. Kids
4. Parents
5. Others (friends/coworkers)

Yes, God is first and is always first. You should NEVER love anyone or put anyone or anything above him.  I agree, it's hard. Then, your spouse. 

NEXT is your kids, if you have them, your kids are your offspring but, your relationship with your spouse is first and foremost, DO NOT NEGLECT YOUR SPOUSE ONCE YOU HAVE KIDS, and DO NOT LET THE KIDS HAVE CONTROL OVER YOUR LIFE, you are the adult, you need to show them, in love, the order to which they should live their life also. 

After God, your spouse, your kids, comes your parents... once you get married, you "leave and cleave", meaning,  you're a big boy or a big girl and you need to venture away from the shelter and safety of mom and dad's money and develop your own life and traditions with your spouse.  I'm not saying, don't ever spend time with your families, what I'm saying is, make your parents proud and show them that they taught you well.  Honor your "new family", you and your spouse, by taking their advice and working through difficulties with them, and don't go running home to mom and dad to fix things.

wow, sorry I didn't write this post intending to write all of that... but I'm glad I did :)

So, tonight, Charles and I, are going to an event at our church called, Marriage on the  Rock Simulcast.  A 2 day event lead by Jimmy and Karen Evans from California (they are great speakers) on many important marriage topics.  We're excited, VERY EXCITED to do whatever we can to combat societies weak support of the union of a man and a wife in holy matrimony.  Hopefully I'll remember to blog about it next week. 

If you are married, seek the Lord and love your spouse by inventesting in strengthening your bond.  If you aren't married yet, be encouraged... Marriage is amazing and when you find "the one", you'll experience love as you never have before.

Good Finds: Goodwill Zumba

haha that title makes me laugh... Goodwill Zumba.... let me explain!   So, y'all all know, or atleast I think you know, I LOVE ZUMBA! I really, really love dancing and Zumba is the PERFECT workout to get you burning calories and having fun at the same time!

So, y'all also know, I'm cheap! haha yes, I do Zumba, but only the "free" large group classes some sweet ladies I know in town sacrifice their time and energy to teach and I am sincerely grateful for them!  Other instructors charge around $5-$6 a class and that would add up real quick, and I'm sorry but I'm not trying to spend all my money that way.  So, when I can't make it to class or need an extra Zumba sesh because I'm feeling a little chubbier than normal, I do my zumba fitness 2 for the Wii, yeah I haven't posted a review on that, I know, sorry.  It has been awesome and I really like doing it, thanks Mom B. for the Christmas present!

Well, what do you do when you can't go to class or you don't have your Wii close by? DVD... yeah the DVD set is expensive, so little ole me didn't want to buy it.  I was at my local goodwill the other day and saw this ...

Yeah, a whole lotta Zumba stuff neatly packed into a box with a $3.99 price tag

Wait a second, I can tell this is older, you know probably first edition but this is a ton of stuff! DVD's, CD's, toning sticks, for $3.99, totally worth it.  So I purchased it. Once I got to my car, I noticed a packing slip ...

yeah, this person who bought this from Zumba back in 2010 bought over $90 worth of stuff and I got it for $3.99!? Holy moly, I feel like a thief! Yay for great finds at goodwill :)

Good Finds: My Husband

Today marks our 3 year wedding anniversary, and what a glorious day it was... okay really, it was a crazy, hectic day but the end result was perfect... WE GOT MARRIED!

One of many bridal portraits at my beloved alma mater, NCSU

Follow this link to view our wedding highlights video made by Charles' Aunt and Uncle, we are so glad to have these memories ... I'm thinkin' we should watch the whole DVD (rehersal dinner, full ceremony, reception soon!)

Us and Pastor Allen, wow, wish I was still that tiny! haha

Okay, I could go on and on forever but I don't want to start crying ... seriously guys, marriage is a blessing and honestly, the best thing that's ever happened to me. 

Growing up my mom and dad were the typical, we're married but we don't love, or really like each other, but we're staying together because we don't want to get divorced and we know the Lord wants us to work things out.  As stated in a previous post, my mom is the head of our family, financially, spiritually, socially due to my dad's illness, frontal temporal lobe dementia.  At times, I feel guilty talking to my Mom about how blessed I am to have Charles as my husband, because she rarely, if ever had that same love and devotion from her husband. But, the one thing I am certain of, my Mom has shown me true love and devotion and what marriage truly is ... you know, for better or worse, for rich or for poor, in sickness and in health ... yep, my mom is a true woman of God and has taught me how to love my husband regardless of the situation, she has shown me, divorce is not an option, and I thank her for that.

Yep, my rock, my best friend (other than Charles), my Mom ...

Well, if you are reading this, you have read or will soon go back in the annals and read some of my previous posts (oh I hope you do!)  and you will see we've had a few bumps in the road over this short 3 years of wedded bliss, but God is still God and we will continue to praise Him for all he has given us and brought us through. 

3 blessed years ago, God joined a man, Charles Barrett and a woman, Kim Hartofelis together in holy matrimony. Praise God for the joys and trials we have endured, for the love we have shown and have been shown, and for the knowledge and grace we have been given. I love you with all my heart and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you Charles Grayson Barrett ♥

"Therefore, as God's chosen ...people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." 
                                                                                          Colossians 3:12-17

Yes, this is the man ...

I prayed to God askin Him to prepare a spouse for me.
I met one day in college and thought he'd never speak to me because he was out of my league.
I spent countless hours on the phone with while we dated.
I got jealous of everytime another girl spoke to him.
I watched teach and play with kids after school at the salvation army.
I went to Chicago, IL for Campus Crusade Urban Immersion with and saw his Christ likeness.
I always wanted to ask me to dance at Red's (Carolina Beach Music "Shag" club).
I fell madly in love with.
Who professed his love to me and asked me to be his wife.
I admired and couldn't wait for him to be my husband.
I walked down the aisle to with a goofy grin and tears of joy in my eyes.
I changed my last name for.
I saved my sexual purity for.
I have loved, honored and cherished for the last 3 years.
I trust with my life, my finances, my spiritual health and my personal security and well being.
I have mourned the loss of a pregnancy with.
I have prayed for continuously.
I don't deserve but am so thankful to have.
Who will be the father of our children, when the Lord blesses us with opportunity.
I can't wait to share the rest of my days with and journey through this life together for better or worse.
Who I will still be madly in love with until the day the Lord takes me home.

Good Finds: Happy One Year Blogoversary to me :)

Hey ya'll ! Today is October 26,2011 ... My one year blog birthday !!! It's also my 80th post ... haha okay I know  I know, 365 days in a year and only 80 post, give me a break, it was my first year :)   Anyways, I'm glad you're here to celebrate with me! God is so good and I'm so thankful for silly technology that allows me to capture my thoughts and memories for years to come.  
The blog has been seriously fun so far! I really enjoy talking to friends/family that tell me they read it.  I really only do it for fun/for me, it's any easy way to keep memories and information about recipes, crafts and other random things.  I am addicted to facebook, I probably give that more attention, but this has also been fun!  Anyways, that's really all I have to say. Thanks for frequenting my blog ... I hope you continue! Who knows what fun this year will bring in the Barrett household :)

Good Finds: Foods I'm lovin' right now!

Hey again :)

I just went to Walmart at lunch to do some grocery shopping so I thought I'd tell you real quick about some of my favorites finds lately!

I love love love french fries and potato chips... LOVE THEM ! The fattier the better :) But, you know, if you're trying to watch your girlish figure, you can't eat them all the time, so I found these ...



Veggie Stix a little healthier and pretty good



Veggie Straws a really tasty ! I like these A LOT ! They have more flavors I want to try :)

 And it is now HONEYCRISP APPLE SEASON !!! Try them and LOVE THEM ! They are pricey but WELL WORTH IT :)

mMm I love fall !

Good Finds - Christian Zumba Videos

I don't know really how I ran into this, but I did and I'm lovin it ! Okay okay lemmy start this again... I LOVE ZUMBA ! It's an amazing dance/cardio work out that has helped me enjoy exercise and lose weight.  It brings me back to my days as a cheerleader and learning dance routines, LOVE.  Okay SO I first experienced Zumba at our local Gold's gym from an amazing instructor, Michelle Smith who now has her own studio Z Fitness out west in Arizona.  Disclaimer: When I say Zumba, I mean the eastern NC/New Bern Zumba I have experienced.  All teachers are different and have different styles, that being said, I don't like Beto's original Zumba... I know he really made a name and a trend but his workouts don't work me out and they are too provocative.

These ladies in the youtube videos have christian songs and modified moves that give you a great work out and don't make you look like a hoochie.  Given, our routines now are nice and clean but it's always fun to be challenged and learn new routines. Soooo have fun, watch a few, heck, close your door and dance... I think I may :)

Good Finds: Pastor Steve's Sermons

Love love love Temple Baptist Church and Pastor Steve Cobb !  What a blessing !  Two great sermons he's preached the last 2 sundays dealing with Marriage and our roles and husband and wife, beautiful reminders of love and grace.  Here's the notes, read them, commit them to memory, and live them daily.  I love my husband, Charles, through the abundance and overflowing love I recieve from the Lord. I'm not saying this is easy and that it's something I've got down pat ... not at all.  I'm showing you this to urge you on brother and sister to cherish the relationships God has blessed us with and help your spouse reach their full potential. You can listen to the sermons here.   Enjoy :)


Message to the Husbands




Message to the wives



Good Finds : PINTEREST

Sorry I haven't posted in such a long time ... I've well, uhh, just started a new relationship with this awesome website called Pinterest . Don't be afraid, you can click on the link, it won't bite :)  Sooooo I use to see this website as being a great place to get ideas from peoples pictures and links, but now, I have my own account and I can keep track of everything and share ideas I like as well, awesome !  Okay, welp, that's the blog post for now... maybe I'll do something exciting that I see on Pinterest and then write a blog post about it ... maybe :)

Good Finds : The perfect summer drink

mMm I love a good Arnold Palmer :)  You know, the perfect combination of Iced Tea and Lemonade, especially in the summer time it just makes me happy ! I'm normally just a water drinker but this is a yummy treat I indulge in sometimes (I try to do unsweet tea and low cal lemonade).

Arnold Palmer Stix

Anyways ... I found this little gem that is surprisingly guiltless and tasty ! I got mine at Walmart :) Only 5 calories a serving, two servings in a 16 oz water bottle.  Enjoy this crisp, refreshing summer beverage, I know I am  :)

Good Finds : Kellogg's Fiber Plus Bars

Oh my YUM !

Seriously these taste like the girl scout Samoa / Caramel Delight ... AMAZING !!! I wish I could find a coupon or a better deal (a little price for me).  What a yummy lunch treat, to go with my toasted coconut yogurt !  Enjoy !

Good Finds : Weight Loss Helpers

Okay so losing weight is not fun ... at all... period. Charles and I found out the hard way that gaining weight and eating exactly what we want whenever we want and exercising every so often is a bad combination.  So now we have the fun part, trying to shed the pounds.

http://www.onemorebite-weightloss.com/muscle-to-fat.html

Charles found an app for our Android phones called myfitnesspal, and it is so great! You set up a profile with your existing weight and how much you want to lose and you're good to go, this handy app does the rest :) Okay it doesn't really do anything, you input your daily food (you can scan the barcode of food and adjust servings and such).  The fun thing is, it restricts your calories ... wait let me rephrase that ... it has a set number of calories you need to eat less than to lose weight, there that's it. haha so after every meal you see how many calories you have left for the end of the day :) SO FUN ! haha y'all think i'm on crack ... I'm not. 

Screen shots from their site

So when Charles and I get home we know we have to go work out (it also lets you plug in your work outs and the calories you burn so you know how many extra calories you have for dinner).  Dinner is our favorite meal of the day that we can sup together as husband and wife, and well, it's just better if we don't have to eat celery and 4oz of lean chicken !

Definately an inspiration ... yep, my fitness pal is, well, my pal :) Along with my hubby for encouragement, maybe I will be able to shed a few pounds.

Oh yes, and this little bit of deliciousness :) This was part of lunch today ... Yum!

http://www.lightnfit.com/product_details_4pack.html

Good Finds : Healthy(ish) Food

Okay, so I'm trying to tone up/lose some weight before I have to put on the dreaded bathing suit.  I may just rock a tankini and lil swim skirt this year ... haha yes, I'm getting older, I'm happily married and I'm gaining weight.  What a blessing ... I wouldn't have it any other way !

haha so some of the blogs I read have talked about a couple of products that were good so I decided to try them out. 

Athenos Greek Strained Yogurt

So I generally like yogurt.  Sometimes the texture of it is so blah I can't eat it for a prolonged period of time (like one cup per day for one week, then I get sick of it).  Well I heard Greek yogurt was packed with protein and little to no fat.   The yogurt by itself ... YUCK ! With the strawberries ... acceptable.  I doubt I'll buy anymore thought :(

                                       Breakfast on the Go Emerald Nuts


I love smores, and I really like nuts.  They are also a semi-healthy and a filling snack.  Also it wasn't even that expensive at Wal-Mart.  Warning : If you have delecate teeth, DON'T EAT THIS! hahahaha I know that sounds funny but I swear I was going to chip a tooth when I took my first bite :(  The graham cracker bits are the consistency of dog food (not that i've eated dog food) but you know when you can hear a dogs teeth crushing throught the dry food.  There are also these wanna be marshmallows in there that have no flavor and are also very VERY difficult to eat (I take them out).  Everything else in the little pack is great !  I'm interested in trying out some more flavors!

Anyways... I'll keep you updated on any other good healthy(ish) foods I find. Oh yes, and I've been doing ZUMBA ! So fun ! Here's a link to my instructors facebook page and some of her workouts on video ... isn't she precious !?!?!  ZUMBA

Good Finds : It's been a while :)

Well hey blog friends :)

Have you missed me ??? While gone I traveled to LA with work, started volunteering at church with the children's ministry leading praise and worship, and I got the flu :( Sorry I neglected you ... I do hope you forgive me !

So, I'm back, but I really don't have much to share, haha. So here it goes :)

Praise the Lord my 2 year contract with US Cellular was up at the end of February so I started researching unlimited cell phone plans and phones.  Let me tell you, individual plans are EXPENSIVE !!! Charles has a phone as part of his work contract, so thankfully, we don't have that expense :)  He just switched to Verizon and got a Droid Incredible, I was jealous, and had never owned a smart phone so I began researching.  Verizon has the best service ... I like to call it "the Cadillac of Cell phone companies" and well I've always been the kinda girl to look for the best value, so Verizon was out for me ( yeah and just in case you were wondering, an individual unlimited plan with corporate email is like $115 a month ... not gonna happen in the Barrett household!!!)

Sooo I'm really not going to bore you with all the info... I'll just skip to the decision...

Virgin Mobile

Yep, I was really gutsy and tried out the el cheapo plan with the cheesy commercials :) haha And I am very happy with the decision so far !  Being a COM major with a concentration in Media and on the Marketing Team at work and not owning a smart phone was really getting me down. 


                                                                      So I got this one :)

No, it's not an iphone or even a "good" Android Phone ... but it is a smart phone with some awesome features.

The other great thing about this plan is ... NO CONTRACT !!! Say whaaaaaaaaaaaat ?! Yep, Unlimited EVERYTHING for only $60 a month thank you very much ! Virgin Mobile is on the Sprint network so you get whatever coverage Sprint has, for me... that's 3G baby :) Once again, great decision.

So Charles and I still think this plan is too good to be true :) haha So I said "oh no babe, they might not let me be a part of their club, "VIRGIN" Mobile ... I'm married and well ... haha Charles laughed and well, Virgin let me in the club and didn't even ask me if I was or wasn't a ... well you know !

So the best part is, I can go into a Sprint store and they can help me with whatever I need ! That great :) SO a good phone, a great plan, nice service, and excellent customer service, what a huge blessing !  Welp, I'm very happy to be a smartphone owner and I haven't stopped downloading apps since I activated my service ... feel free to share any fun apps with me !

Hope you have a great day !
It's good to be back :)

Good Finds : A Much Needed Warm UP :)

Do you see this ... can you read the temperatures !?! I will be traveling to sunny Los Angeles, CA for the next week (leaving wednesday) for work.  I enjoy work travel most of the time, and when I saw this forecast ... my smile spread clear across my face !!! I know I shouldn't brag ... but gahlee, did this business come at the right time or what !?! I can stand much more of this bone chilling cold !


Yes I will miss my husband and the comforts of home, but PRAISE THE GOOD GOOD LORD for the warm weather ! You see that, no snow, no rain, SUNNY WITH A HIGH OF THE MID 70's ... just what my soul needs :)  

Good Finds : Dry Shampoo War

Yep, I'm one of those gals who doesn't wash their hair everyday ... or every other day.  Ehhh it's more like everyother other day :)  No there are not flies buzzing around my head, nor is my hair plastered to my head with greasiness ... I'm blessed !

I use to use this (before all of these fancy dry shampoos came out )

Just a little bit on the roots of your hair soak up the oil, but the smell isn't my favorite.

Boy was I excited when this came out ! But it was/is way too expensive !

While browsing at Walmart the other day I saw this ... Yes I am a Suave kinda girl :) I love the expensive shampoos/conditioners but I have found Suave works just fine, and the price is right !



Half the price of Tresemme, smells better, AND works better !

Tresemme was too wet, it left my hair feeling stiff and it didn't give me any body, it didn't smell good and for my darker hair, I had to work really hard to get it to brush in.  Haha I thought I was getting gray hair and I had Charles come over to look and he said it was just the dry shampoo :) What a good hubby ! (but seriously I think he's right !)

Sooo Suave, has a smell similar to Aussie products, you know the really sweet smell (it takes a little while to get use to) BUT it works really well, not too wet, not to white and easy to blend into my hair !

Once again... the "cheap chic" wins !!! Seriously girls, stop spending money on expensive beauty products, they are a waste of money :)

See :) Looks good eh ? Oh yeah and I think I washed my hair yesterday... but it may have been the day before ?
Eh, who cares :)



Good Finds : AMAZING COUPON

http://jimmydean.socialtwist.com/?taf_c=61pl

Follow this link and you will get an amazing coupon ! All you have to do is email it to 2 people or just post on facebook !!!

Good Finds : Mr. and Mrs. Wuf and Marriage

This clip is so special to me b/c of my past as a former Ms. Wuf :)  And I just love it ... hope you enjoy !!!

Good Finds : Tribe Origins Hummus $2 off 1 !!!

Soooo being the 1/2 Greek gal I am ... I love me some good hummus ! Not too garlicy not to lemony but just right with some pita bread or a whole wheat sandwich round ... yum ! So to start the new years off eating healthy, I googled hummus coupon today and look what I found !!!

http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/12/walmart-free-athenos-yogurt-and-tribe-hummus-for-0-98.html  (yeahhh just follow on the link, you'll be happy you did !!!)

So I ran to walmart and it was on sale for $2.98 ... with this $2 off coupon it was 98 cents for some delicious hummus !!! The coupon is good until 4/30/11 so I will be stocking up (they says it freezes well too) ! 

Lunch today :

Soo yummy !

There are many flavors but I stick with the original

Delicious grapes

Finished it up with a nice tall glass of water :) Happy eating in 2011 ... delicious, full of flavor and healthy !