I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy. I'll think about that tomorrow.

Ever had your A/C unit go out... in August... in Houston...? It's pretty much just miserable. Doing our best to get through this, but it will likely be several more days before we figure it all out.

I'll play catch-up and post these pictures of Dean's first haircut. The first two are the front and back 'BEFORE' pictures. Notice those cute little curlies at the back? Adorable, I know, but he was looking a little scraggly and I was worried that trimming up over his eyes and around his ears while preserving those curls would border on mullet-town. Just had to do it!

I'm so glad it was my AMAZING sister-in-law who was able to give him his first haircut.

THANK YOU Aunt Wendy for the new cool 'do.

~Carri

Poor Baby!

See this sweet boy?

He just turned 1 last month and, for his life up to now, has been relatively healthy. But a few weeks ago, he got sick... fever for days and... um.... diaper issues. He got a horrible, awful, painful diaper rash. The fever lasted over a week and we finally got a diagnosis of Hand, Foot & Mouth disease. The symptoms paled in comparison to the side effects. It was the first time he'd had a BAD diaper rash.

And I mean BAD!!!

So... what's a Momma to do? Me? I whip up some 'homemade diaper cream'! Yep - it was a 'recipe' shared on a ParentsPlace message board when my daughter was little - so that was over 8 years ago. It's still the best thing I've ever used to clear up that rash super fast. I mean, within half a day the pain seemed to be gone (no more tears at diaper change time) and the redness was significantly reduced. Let me share...

1 part original Desitin (not Creamy, generally 4 oz. - accept no substitute)

1 part Maalox (generic is ok, flavor is irrelevant :-)

1 part Eucerin Cream (not lotion, generic ok here too)

Mix together. Sometimes it takes a while to incoporate the liquid (Maalox) into the creams, but it'll get there. Slather on GENEROUSLY at every diaper change and you'll be AMAZED at how quikly it works. I know the Maalox helps to neutralize the acid from the 'upset stomach issues', the Eucerin soothes, and the Desitin protects.

So on his Birthday, this sweet boy was feeling much better:

Cabinet makeover

Okay, here's where we'll start.

Do you 'do' Craigslist? Never have before (too many seedy stories) but started checking out the 'for sale' section just for my little area of town. I was looking for some dining room chairs to go with the 'new to me' table my sis-in-law gave us. But then I saw this cute little cabinet... perfect for in my downstairs bathroom.

Get this - it was only $10. But the color was all wrong. I love the 'shabby chic' look, but didn't like the orangey-wood showing through on this.

So it's in process - the results will be posted in a few days.

Welcome to my blog!

How did I miss out on such amazing blogs for so long? Really, when I first heard about people reading blogs I thought it was just mindless meandering thoughts... accounts of boring daily lives. I guess I 'discovered' blogs when someone sent me a link to Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon Rolls - I LOVED the step-by-step photos and spent days reading through ALL of her recipes. If you haven't tried any yet - do it now! Then I discovered her Confessions and was hooked!

Then... I saw people linking to THEIR blogs in her comments section. And most of THOSE blogs had links to OTHER blogs THEY enjoy. I found blogs about cooking frugal family meals, baking, crafts, family life, sewing, home businesses, decorating, and even cutesy girly hairdos. There are just NOT enough hours in the day! Really!

So... so... well... I like to cook... I often make frugal family meals... and I adore baking (just ask my thighs)... and I've always enjoyed sewing and lots of other crafts... and who wouldn't want to read about my family... and I should have a blog!

Welcome. Enjoy. Come along on this journey with me. I can't wait to become a part of an amazing community and to share my everything with others. ~Carri