Can Can Sale

About the Can Can Sale:
In 2011, ShopRite donated 40,000 cans of food to local food banks in commemoration of 40 years of Can Can savings by way of its famous, annual Can Can Sale. Now in its 41st year, the Can Can Sale has become extra special with the “Cans for Fans” Facebook program, which enables fans to get involved in the fight against hunger. During the 2012 Can Can Sale (1/5 – 1/21), ShopRite will donate one can of food (up to 50,000 cans) to local food banks in the communities it serves, on behalf of every new ShopRite Facebook fan.

LIKE ShopRite on Facebook by sharing this link (http://on.fb.me/SRFbook) to the official Facebook page; the more “Likes” that ShopRite receives, the more cans it will donate to those in need – it’s that simple!

Visit ShopRite’s “Get Can Canned” website at www.ShopRiteCanCan.com, to upload a personal photo and become a virtual ShopRite Can Can dancer; the image can be emailed to friends, shared via your personal blog, Facebook or Twitter account, or posted to ShopRite's official Facebook page

Visit www.ShopRite.com for the Can’t Can’t Wait Sale Preview on Sunday, January 1st

Disclaimer: Posting this entered me into a drawing

Verizon Fios

What do I like about Verizon FIOS?

For one, right now we have an antenna, so that means snowy pictures, shows that come in with bits and pieces missing, so anything other than antenna sounds WONDERFUL to me right about now.

The first thing that I love the sound of is that it's weather resistant due to the fiber optic cable. Right now when we have wind, rain, snow or the slightest chance of anything our TV goes haywire. It would be terrific to have reliable reception and constant streaming channels.

The second thing that sounds divine is the flex-view option. The example I was given is: "you missed The King’s Speech in the theater and prefer watching it on FIOS TV on-demand from the comfort of your living room anyway. You rented it late last night and weren’t able to finish it. With Flex View on FiOS TV, you can finish watching it on your mobile phone while waiting in the car pool line." How awesome is this? I would love to be able to watch part of my show at home, then have it streaming to my phone for when I'm sitting in traffic not moving. No, I would not watch it while driving, but for those times where the turnpike is not budging, this would be perfect!

The third reason is the fast internet connection. Our internet comes and goes, and when it is functioning it's very slow. If I try to watch a video on youtube my screen says "streaming" for about 5 minutes before I'm able to watch the 40 second video clip. It's just not worth it sometimes. With Verizon FIOS I wouldn't have to worry about this!



Verizon FiOS on YouTube









Verizon FiOS on Facebook

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Verizon FiOS blogging program for a gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here: http://VerizonFiOS.socialmoms.com/about

GAP DEAL!!!

$25 for $50 worth of merchandise at GAP, Gapkids etc


(in stores only)

March 10-16









In case clicking on the picture above does not work, here is the direct link:

http://s.gap2550.com/coupon.html?utm_source=BuzzMedia&utm_medium=NonMobile&utm_campaign=Gap2550

Mom's the Word on Dinner

"I don't feel like eating dinner now!", "I want ice cream!" For most Moms, these are all too familiar-- and all too frequent -- demands heard by kids everywhere around 5:30 pm. Yes, as Moms we face a set of dinnertime challenges nearly every night- challenges that only another mom can understand. That's why Ragú® is launching "Mom's the Word on Dinner," an online community for moms to laugh, learn and share their take on what really happens at dinnertime.

Ragú® is teaming up with some familiar faces, including some of the fabulous ladies of Momversation™, to bring moms together to share stories and tips, celebrate the small wins and laugh about situations that only other moms can relate to. Each month, this online community will be tackling topics from how to deal with picky eaters, to getting them to eat their veggies to what's being discussed at the dinner table, with some tips from parenting expert and author, Dr. Michele Borba, and Registered Dietician, Dr. Felicia Stoler.

In addition to the ongoing fun and conversation, the Mom's the Word on Dinner community will feature videos, photos, polls, quizzes and dinner ideas with quick and easy recipes. With two full servings of veggies in every half cup of Ragú® Old World Style® Traditional pasta sauce, Ragú® provides nutritious meal options for parents to help them on their mission to feed their kids well. This wouldn't be a true community without interaction and Ragú® wants to hear what happens at dinnertime in kitchens and homes across the country! Moms can join the conversation and tell their story for a chance to be featured in a Ragú® ad in PEOPLE magazine at www.Facebook.com/ragusauce.

Disclosure: I was entered for a chance to win a Ragú® prize package in exchange for this post. No monetary exchange took place

Technology Tips

My favorite things to purchase at Staples are the fun little gifts - perfect for stocking stuffers. I love buying beautiful journals and fun colored pens, along with post it notes of all shapes, colors and sizes. Some other items that are fun for kids are the calculators that clip onto a back pack or keychain, and the fun paper clips and thumb tacks. There are so many fun small items to choose from, you can't go wrong!

In addition to all these fun items, they have more electronic gifts than I can even think of like laptops, printers, cam corders, digital cameras, memory cards, USB cards and more.

Here are most helpful tips for holiday tech shopping:

1. Check for the best prices. It may be easiest to go to one store and buy everything you want for the holidays, but it may not be best for your wallet. I love the site froogle.com where you can type in any item and it will list out the price of the item and where to find it. You can search by price. It's wonderful!

2. Another site I live by is retailmenot.com. On this site other shoppers can list coupon codes, printable coupons, freebies and great deals. I use this at least once a month. My favorite coupon codes from this site are for Victoria Secret, Charlotte Russe and Wet Seal, but there are so many more sites on here!

3. Rebates - check for mail in or instant rebates for technology items. So many electronics offer rebates which make the prices more affordable. Take the time to look up the flyers for each store, and compare rebates when considering the final prices.

4. Read Reviews - If an item has 25 bad reviews and 1 good review, then it probably is not the best choice. I find reviews very helpful. They tell you if a product is reliable or a piece of junk and will break right away.

5. Read the fine print - check what the item is compatible with, the warrenty, the return policy. These are all very important when buying technology.

On my holiday list are the following items that can all be found at Staples - mini laptop/netbook, camcorder, and a new digital camera. We have a digital camera that is wonderful for outdoor photos, but awful for low light locations. It would be so nice to have a camera that took decent photos indoors, so we could capture our date nights, and weddings, as well as holiday parties. Maybe someday Santa will bring them to our house, if not this year. :)

Happy Holidays!

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Staples blogging program, making me eligible for a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here - http://staplesholiday.twittermoms.com/about

Staples Holiday GuideHoliday Tech Gifts

10 TIPS TO MAKE LIFE EASIER

Life can be so much easier than it is. How? There are many things that can be done to simplify your life. I know this may sound like an inspirational speech in the making, but it's true. Life is sometimes harder than it has to be.

Tip 1: Cleaning the toilet a pain? Use 1 can of coke, pour around the bowl and leave overnight. Flush in the morning and job done! If only all cleaning tasks were this easy!

Tip 2: I originally found this tip online, but I use it all the time, as I love to bake for my friends. How to Expand Frosting. . . When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per serving

Tip 3: I also found this one online about a month ago, but it's so helpful! Unsticky Measuring Cups . . . Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don’t dry cup. Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.

Tip 4: For making pie crusts this holiday season, it's best to use cold butter for making the crust. Don't melt the butter or "soften" it. It's best when the butter is cut into cubes and kneeded in. The layers of butter between the dough make for a very flaky pie crust. Try it!

Tip 5: If you are making deviled eggs or boiled eggs, here is my tip. As soon as you are done boiling the eggs, rinse them in cool water. This prevents the yokes from turning green around the edges as they cool, and you can also work with them sooner!

Tip 6: I found this product online and think it's wonderful, it's the OK to Wake clock. My coworkers keep complaining about how their kids think as soon as the sun's up that it's time toget up, so they make a product called the "ok to wake" clock that tells kids when they can get up, even if it's already light outside.

Tip 7: Thanksgiving is just around the corner . . . we all love turkey, but what do you do with the leftovers. Every year my family makes turkey noodle soup. You boil the turkey carcas, and that makes a tasty broth, then add in some carrots, noodles, celery and corn and you have soup (of course, take the carcas out before you eat or serve the soup)

Tip 8: For those of you with kittens/cats. . . here's a tip to keep them from going after toes or hands. When they are little provide them with plenty of toys, but NEVER use your hands or feet to play with them. If you use the toys, it teaches them that toys are ok to chase. By using your hands/feet it teaches them that it's ok to chase and attack body parts, so start with toys when they're young. . . not human hands/feet.

Tip 9: Potty Training Tip - if you have a son and want to teach him to "aim," use cheerios. Put a few in the toilet bowl, and tell him to aim for the cheerios. It's great for learning, but can also be a game . . .win win!

Tip 10: For holiday shopping, here are some great money saving sites:
retailmenot.com
couponcabin.com
ebates.com

Try out some of these tips, for a less stressful and easier life. Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think of my tips, or if you have any to add.

Thanks and Happy Holidays! :)

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Oral-B blogging contest, making me eligible to get full-sized Oral-B Glide products and a $30 Target gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Ragu

To help make sure your kids get the veggies they need (and the meals they love) Ragú® Old World Style® Traditional Sauce now has 2 servings of veggies in every half cup! Available soon in major retailers nationwide, the healthy, great tasting Ragú® Old World Style® Traditional pasta sauce that is already a kitchen staple has a new, naturally thicker recipe.

Healthy, delicious and now with a naturally thicker taste the whole family will love, Ragú® Old World Style® Traditional Sauce is a perfect component to pulling together quick and tasty meals during this busy time. And Ragú® wants you to be among the first to try out their great new recipe! To be one of the first to taste Ragú® with 2 servings of veggies in every half-cup visit them on facebook.com/ragusauce for more details.

Disclosure: I was entered for a chance to win a Ragú® prize package in exchange for this post. No monetary exchange took place

sharing 10 ways of making your favorite foods healthier

Does anyone else hate trying to be healthy, but knowing it's best? Does anyone else out there prefer a good cookie to an apple? If so, then you may be interested in this post:

Here are my 10 ways of making your favorite foods healthier:

1. If you love cake, like I do, then one way to make it healthier is to use fruit preserves as filling instead of icing. I like using sugar-free personally, and it keeps the center of the cake very moist, which is always great.

2. To make the cake even healthier, use orange zest, or top it with sliced fruit instead of chocolate. Or simply use powdered sugar and sliced fruit for a beautiful look and a great taste!

3. For more baking tips, try using applesauce or olive oil instead of vegetable oil. It's healthier, and it makes the flavor richer (I would use applesauce for yellow or spice cakes, and EVOO for chocolate cakes). The outcome is fantastic!



4. Instead of making muffins that are full or chocolate and cream, try using nutella or real fruits like sliced strawberries, lemon zest, or apple. I try to switch things up in my recipes, and cut out the chocolate and add in fruit. It's not quite the same, but they still taste great.

5. In staying with my cooking/baking theme, try using more garlic in recipes, especially pasta. Garlic has many health benefits, so it's great to add to meals. We like to add garlic to our Italian dishes, and also to our seafood. Salmon with garlic oil is a tasty combination.

6. When making pasta, try switching to whole wheat, or just wheat pasta. It's a great alternative, and has a great robust flavor.

7. If you like seafood, then try eating more fish with healthy oils like salmon and tuna. These are "fatty" fish, but it's good fat. It sounds gross, but these are the tastiest and healthiest foods from the sea, full of omega-3 fatty acids.

8. Switch from ice berg lettuce to romaine or spinach lettuce. The darker the lettuce the more health benefits it has. If your kids won't eat salads, try to top it with fruits like strawberries, mandarin oranges, apples, nuts, raisens or craisens. With more to look at, they may consider trying it!

9. Use blueberries. Blueberries are one of the superfoods in today's society. Packed with antioxidants and phytoflavinoids, these are also high in potassium and vitamin C. I've heard they can help lower chances for heart disease, which I think is great! Try adding them into muffins or pancakes, or make a blueberry smoothie for breakfast!

10. Add some dark chocolate to your diet! New research has shown that dark chocolate is packed with antioxidants and can lower blood pressure, so I say bring on the chocolate :)

I think the last tip is my favorite, as it gives me permission to continue eating chocolate, in moderation of course. I think these are som great ways to make unhealthy foods a bit healthier, or to eat healthier in general. I hope you enjoyed them.

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and WeightWatchers SmartOnes blogging program, making me eligible to get a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”

Flavorful Low-sodium Family Meals

There are many ways to jazz up your meals without using a lot of salt. Whether you use tricks like "oven frying" instead of deep frying, sauteeing in low-sodium chicken broth instead of oil, or incorporating fun herbs and spices, like Mrs. Dash salt-free seasoning blends into your dishes for extra flavor, we want to hear how you make your family meals flavorful and appealing!

When we cook we use low fat milk, and low sodium chicken and beef broth. It is so important to keep your sodium levels down. It makes you feel better and your body will appreciate the thought you put into your diet and your menu selections. Always cut the salt in half, or use unsalted butter on veggies and in dishes. It makes a world of difference!

Using Mrs Dash salt-free seasoning blend is a great idea to add flavor to a meal without the added sodium. Many people in my family have to watch their sodium intake, so this is so helpful!

I wrote this blog post while participating in the Mrs. Dash and TwitterMoms blogging program for a chance to get a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here

Flavorful, Family Meal Ideas




More Mrs. Dash Recipes

Apple Turkey Stuffing Recipe:
Ingredients:
3 Tbsp. (45mL) Mrs. Dash® Garlic & Herb Seasoning Blend
1/2 cup (120mL) chopped hazelnuts
2 Tbsp. (30mL) butter
1 large yellow onion, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 1/2 apples, ideally Granny Smith or Golden Delicious, peeled, cored and diced into 1/4 inch (6cm) cubes
1/4 cup (60mL) apple juice
1 egg
4 cups (960mL) day-old country-style bread, cut into 1/2 inch (1.25mL) cubes, slighted dried
1/3 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp (2.5mL) dried sage
1 cup (240mL) parsley, stems removed, chopped coarsely
1 cup (240mL) chicken stock

Directions:
In a pre-heated 325°F oven, toast hazelnuts on a cookie sheet for 10 minutes. Let cool and reserve.
Melt butter in a large sauté pan over medium high heat and sauté onions, celery and apples for approximately 10 minutes, or until they begin to brown.
Remove pan from the heat and stir in apple juice, using the liquid to loosen up any brown bits from the pan.
In a large bowl, beat egg. Add bread, Mrs. Dash® Garlic & Herb Seasoning Blend, cinnamon, sage, parsley, chicken stock, hazelnuts and the sauteed onions, celery and apples. Toss thoroughly.
Place stuffing in the turkey cavity (but do not over-stuff) and cook with bird. Bake any leftover stuffing in a shallow baking dish at 350°F for approximately 30 minutes, or until a crisp crust has formed on top (all of the stuffing can be cooked in a large baking dish if desired).

5 things

Share five simple things you can do for your child to help keep their smiles healthy and bright:

1. Brush your teeth
2. Brush your tongue
3. floss
4. chew sugar free gum
5. Avoid sweets

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Trident blogging program, making me eligible to get a $25 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here

Learn More on Facebook

Trident Gum

Nanny McPhee Contest

Five Lessons Every Kid Should Learn:

1. To exercise, prevent poor health later

2. To brush their teeth twice a day

3. To drink plenty of water

4. To share with their friends and school mates

5. To be kind to others

Nanny McPhee Returns (the movie) and TwitterMoms are joining forces to present you with a fun blogging program! Share Five Lessons Every Kid Should Learn, and the first 50 qualified participants will get a $50 Fandango gift card! Do you teach your kids not to talk to strangers? Do they know when to say please and thank you and to respect their elders? Did you teach your kids to look both ways before crossing the street? We can’t wait to read all of your important lessons for kids!

Nanny McPhee Returns Trailer





Nanny McPhee Returns on Facebook I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Nanny McPhee Returns blogging program, making me eligible to get a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here

Back To School With Staples

Widget for Staples:

Back-to-School Savings

Staples Back-to-School

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Staples makes going back-to-school easy for 2010:

Staples provides significant savings, a wide selection of quality products, and a one-stop shop and stress-free shopping experience.

Staples is in-stock throughout the entire season and into the start of the school year.

Staples kicks off the back-to-school season to provide customers with an official start date for back-to-school shopping and a clear roadmap for value throughout the season.

Staples is the expert on back-to-school, with more than 20 years experience.

Staples offers more ways to save from hot buys like penny and dollar deals to savings on technology to reduced low prices on hundreds of core items.

More info: http://www.staples.com
Join Staples on Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/staples
Follow Staples on Twitter: http://twitter.com/staplestweets

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TEN TIPS:

1. Coupons

2. Sales

3. Bulk purchases

4. Grow your own herbs

5. Grow your own veggies

6. Use leftover to make new meals

7. Don't waste

8. BOGO Deals

9. Borrow school supplies

10. Recycle

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Staples blogging program, making me eligible to get a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here

Tips for a Safe School Year

Ten Tips for Ensuring a Healthy, Safe and Successful School Year:

1. Make Friends
2. Be nice to everyone
3. Forgive Others
4. Don't fight - turn the other cheek
5. Think of others before yourself
6. Be patient
7. Keep your word
8. Always put family first
9. Take care of your body - sleep and nutrition
10. Keep a first aid kit on hand for boo boos

About Airwear:
Airwear polycarbonate lenses are a product of Essilor, the leading manufacturer of optical lenses in the United States. Airwear lenses are light, safe and embrace environmentally conscious manufacturing practices.



Safe, Healthy, Eco-friendly Eyewear









Airwear Back-to-school Eyewear

Disclaimer: I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Airwear blogging program, making me eligible to get a $25 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, visit http://airwear.twittermoms.com/about.

Our financial life is "better than ever"

LIVE: Our financial life is "better than ever." We recently went through a financial class that helped us to save up an emergency fund, pay off all of our debts other than our mortgage, save for retirement, and put extra payments on our mortgage. Since we went through this program we don't have to worry about money, and we have a written budget each month. It's such a nice feeling, and it's definitely better than ever!

Dove® gofresh™ is also sponsoring a Facebook photo contest that you can share with your readers. Encourage your blog readers and followers to share their photos about what's "better than ever" on the Facebook contest page for a chance to win a spa weekend getaway in Sedona, AZ, and thousands of dollars worth of great prize packages from Dove® gofresh™!




Check out Dove^® gofresh™ with NutriumMoisture™








Dove^® Better Than Ever Facebook Contest

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Dove® gofresh™ blogging program, making me eligible to get a $25 gift card and some product. For more information on how you can participate, click here.” (include this link to the discussion page: http://www.twittermoms.com/forum/topics/celebrate-the-things-in-your)

Celebrate Summer with Solo! Fun Photo Contest

Our friends at Solo are back this summer with their second annual Solo Online Photo Contest! And like last year, they are unveiling new must-have product just in time for summer barbecues. Solo Squared™ plates and bowls are the perfect complement to their popular Squared cup. These durable, single-use cups, plates and bowls cut down on clean-up time, which means more time for summer fun!

Speaking of fun, how does winning great prizes sound? The Solo Cup Company has launched their second annual online photo contest with a grand prize of $5,000 for the best photo featuring Solo products. You'll be able to enter your favorite photos at http://www.solocups4ever.com/ until August 6th. In addition to the grand prize, two $1,000 runner-up prizes will be awarded at the end of the contest. By entering, you'll also have the chance to win daily and weekly prizes of gift certificates and Solo products- a great way to extend the fun of summer well into the fall!

Must Have's for A Weekend Getaway

#1 - blazer

#2 - Gold/silver shoes
#3 - Jeans or Jeggings

#4 - Oversized shirt or long shirt

#5 - Wide Belt (preferable with sparkle detail or flare)

Gap Twitter Discount

Exclusive Gap Outlet and Banana Republic Factory Store Savings

More About Banana Republic Factory Store
Banana Republic Factory Store offers Banana Republic Style at brilliant prices.
Gap Outlet Offerings
Gap Outlet is offering a doorbuster sale with up to 40% off all adult items and 30% off all kids items from May 25-31, 2010! THEN, Gap Outlet extends the sale with up to 50% off select styles! Also, Gap Outlet is offering an exclusive coupon code to the TwitterMoms community for an additional 15% discount on all purchases, with a minimum spend of $75. This exclusive additional discount is available to all TwitterMoms friends and family from May 25 - June 7, 2010!
Banana Republic Factory Store Offerings
Banana Republic Factory Store is offering 40% off the ENTIRE STORE from Wednesday 5/26/10 – Monday 5/31/10 ONLY! In addition, Banana Republic Factory Store is offering an exclusive coupon code to the TwitterMoms community for an additional 15% discount on all purchases, with a minimum spend of $75. This exclusive additional discount is available to all TwitterMoms friends and family from May 25 through June 7, 2010, so hurry to your closest location today.
Get your coupons today at http://gap.twittermoms.com/I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Gap Outlet blogging program to be eligible to win a $20 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here

the "kids"

Cute new picture of our kittens

Kid Friendly Vacation Ideas

I'm new to Twittermoms but it looks like fun participating in the challenges and contests. For my first Twittermom's challenge, I'm going to blog about five fun family activities your kids will love. If you want to be a part of it, you can too here.

The beach is always fun for everyone. We used to go every summer!

Camping is an inexpensive adventurous vacation. I've never really "roughed" it, but it looks like fun.

I always loved playing mini golf, bowling, or going to outdoor concerts. My sister and I would dance around on the grass while the music played!

Something that is fun no matter what your age is - water parks or swimming pools! There is no end to the fun you can have when water or rides are involved.

All good vacations need one thing - GREAT FOOD!

Fun Family Vacation Activities

Visit Williamsburg

I wrote this blog post while participating in the Williamsburg Tourism and TwitterMoms blogging program for a chance to get a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here

win $100

Southern Hospitality’s daily morning cup of coffee must have flavor and LOTS of sweet! See which Coffee-mate flavors are her top picks!

Domestic Fashionista adds flavor to her life by adding details to every aspect of her world. A new chandelier, a new recipe, or a new outfit all gives her that extra oomph in her day!

Since Space Suitcase made the resolution to take one photo daily, she has been able “to look at everyday things in a new way through the lens. You never know what you're going to see!” Check out how dabbling into various craft projects adds even more flavor in her life.

After backpacking across Europe for six months and bungee jumping in Zambia, Cookin Canuck is still able to keep her life flavorful through food. As her children grow older, she’s hoping that she’s able to instill in them a sense of self-confidence and adventure too.

Whatever mood Grandma’s Briefs is in or whatever mood she wants to be in, there's a musical artist with just the right flavor to keep her right where she wants to be. Read more to see which artists put her in a sweet, bitter, or umami mood!

Steece’s Pieces changes her hairstyle when she wants to bring a new flavor to her life. She’s experimented with curls, spikes, and whole color changes, to even PINK highlights — click here to see the photos!

The Wilder Coast is able to send a little flavorful cheer to her friends and family despite her pitiful monthly bank statement—and it only costs 42 cents!

The public library was able to keep Raising Colorado’s childhood extremely adventurous and flavorful! Read on to see how she’s ensuring her children are able to “have a little accident with a peach tree!”

“After I turned 29, I created a list of 30 Things I hoped to do before I turned 30.” Find out what Slice of Pink has already crossed off to add flavor to her life!

Life In Chicago knows it’s her friends that bring “FLAVOR to my life, like nothing else does… They influence me, inspire me, edit me, and credit me. They make me who I am!”

Our House's Progress

About a year ago my husband and I purchased our first home, and it was a disaster, but we are happy to report that it's coming along - slowly, but still - we are making progress. Here are some photos of the before and after: