Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Me Part 2

  So I gave you all a little preview of my life yesterday, I don't know if I should go anymore in depth into it or not...it's kind of like my singing.  I do it in the car where only my close friends and family can hear me (I lock the doors and put the child safety locks on so they can't bolt at stoplights.)  So I'm afraid if I indulge too much in my life everyone will go running in the other direction.  Oh well, here goes any way's.
  Yesterday I said we have two dogs, our 9 year old Maggie, and recently adopted 11 month old Reese Cup (Reese for short.)  Reese has decided that she really likes the cat's litter box.  This is literally driving me insane!!  I feed this dog 4 cups of food a day, not the cheap crap either!  We're talking Rachel Ray's premium super yummy chicken and rice dry dog food.  Reese loves it, her tail goes slap happy when I pull out the Rachel Ray!!  Does this satisfy her? NO!  Two seconds later after I turn my back and walk the five steps into the living room she darts into the downstairs bathroom.  As I whirl around and yell out NO she comes flying out with a face full of litter and spits out a "brownie."  I do not believe in smacking an animal but my palms are really starting to twitch (yup 50 shades right there) I have scolded this crazy brownie hunting girl and made her sit in the corner a dozen times, but its not helping.  Yes, before you ask I have moved the kitty litter treasure trove to an upstairs spare bedroom.  Has that deterred my snack happy puppy? No.  She decides to dart in there this morning as soon as I take the baby gate down at my bedroom door.  I guess I'm going to have to buy another baby gate to block off that room from her.  So frustrating!
  Also she keeps eliminating in her crate (that sounds better than pooping right?) She was doing really great in her crate when we first adopted her, only the occasional accident, plus she had surgery the day before I got her, so I expected some mistakes the first few weeks.  It's now become almost an everyday occurrence though.  I do not use her crate as a punishment zone, nor is she put in it without comfort items.  I work 9 hours at a time, but she only has to spend three days at most one week, and two the next in the crate for an extended time.  Then the next two weeks not hardly at all because my husband is on his night shift and the dogs get to stay with him.  Does anyone out there have any suggestions they could leave in the comment boxes for me?  I love this crazy girl to death so she's not going anywhere, I'm just a little tired of cleaning up the eliminations.


  Alright enough complaining, digressing, straying off the path, however you want to say it.  Back to telling you more about me.  Did I mention I love to read? :-) I recently finished the 50 Shades trilogy, now I am on to the Crossfire series, but super disappointed that the third installment doesn't arrive until mid 2013!!  So I have kind of slacked off a bit on reading the second book.  When I read I like to go out and get all in a series at one time, or over the course of a few weeks.  I like to have them all on hand because I read so fast, for instance The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo trilogy I finished in 3 weeks, and they were kind of boring at times.  (Still a great read though)  Oh, Oh, Oh My Gosh I almost forgot to tell you about one of my all time favorite series, The Dark-Hunter series by Sherrilyn Kenyon...AWESOME books!! I love them (like you couldn't tell)  I have almost all of her books!  My husband bought me Night Play, and after starting it I realized it was a whole series. So I immediately put it down got my butt in gear to Barnes and Nobles and proceeded to rack up a hefty bill getting all the previous books in the series, and a few after the one he had gotten me.  They are a more adult look at God's and Goddesses, Vampires, Shifters, Demons etc.  She has a few spin offs from the Dark-Hunter's too that are really good, and she also writes as Kinley McGregor (they're really good books too)
  Well I believe this is good bye for the day, my husband and I have to go to our 5yr old's parent teacher conference.  (I'll give some more details about that little stinker tomorrow)  I hope you are all enjoying my blog.  Adieu for now...

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Me Part 1

So I've never really done this before...bare with me.  Here goes...let's get to know me first...that's a good start right? 
Name: Shanda Whetzel
Age: Technically in my 20's :) that sounds pretty good :)
Sex: Not often enough according to my husband...Oh oops LOL female :)
Height: 5'5 ish 
Weight: None of your business thank you very much...yes that's a touchy subject.
Favorite Food: No one real favorite, I like all kinds of food :)
Favorite Drink: Depends on my mood...I like beer, wine, liquor, tea...I love trying new beers or wines with outrageous names...


  Okay enough of the whole questionnaire format...how about this.  I am a Mother of one sweet, smart, handsome, ehhh mean, mouthy, smart-alec 5 year old.  I've been married for 6 years, but with my husband since the beginning of time...okay just the last 13 years.  We've had our ups and downs, ins and outs, but who hasn't :)  We bought our first home 2 1/2 years ago in my husbands hometown.  He had never lived in a subdivision before, so that took some getting used to for him, and other than stopping him from trying to pee off the back deck I think he's adjusted quite well :)  We have two dogs, Maggie a Sheltie mix that we rescued about 9 years ago, and Reese a Pit mix that we just recently adopted.  Also a Cat, not quite sure if her name is Fuzz, Kitty or Steve, but she answers to all three.  Oh and can't forget Lightening McQueen the fish my son had to have, and now I think he has forgotten all about.  
  I have worked in hell, quite literally, Wal-Mart is pretty darn close to it, but for the last 6 years I have been at a small locally owned Video rental store.  I became manager a short 6 months after starting work there, and well, yea, I can quite honestly say I love my job!  My husband works for a book printing company...therefore no Kindles are allowed in my house...sigh...we both work full time, but still make time to spend with each other, and family.  I feel quite blessed with my beautiful family and home.  Blegh that sounded to hallmark card like....I am very happy with life in general, and getting to spend time with my crazy silly family!
  I LOVE LOVE LOVE to read, listen to music and watch movies (well duh) Currently working on the Crossfire books...Book 1 down in just 2 days...did I mention I LOVE to read?  50 Shades of Grey...all 3 done in a week, maybe 2.  I do not understand what the hype is over with the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy...I could digress on that by itself for a few paragraphs, but I'll save that for later.
  I think thats enough for now....leave you wanting a little more :)   Until next time :)

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Valentines "I LOVE YOU" Card

My Preschooler really wanted to decorate a card for Dad for Valentine's Day :)
So after getting some ideas off the internet, here is what we came up with :)
We traced our hands and cut them out, then glued down the ring and middle fingers to make the ASL "I LOVE YOU" sign.  Then cut out two hearts and wrote on them.
Daddy really liked it when he came home from work :)
We also wrote 10 Reason's why we love you on our DIY chalkboard.  Just a nice little surprise that our Pre-Schooler could join in and help put some love into!

Friday, February 3, 2012

Using baking soda to clean

My new love: Baking Soda
I have a stainless steel pan that was on the verge of getting tossed out because of hard water spots etc that just would not come out.
A friend told me to try baking soda to scrub the spots out.  Not being too optimistic I decided to try it...
Before, fresh out of the dishwasher

Using the baking soda

Like New!!! :)

So then my cat gets sick on my WHITE carpet!!  YUCK!  I scrubbed it and there was still a nasty orangish brown stain, so just having tried the baking soda on my pan I got the idea to try it on the spot....brought it ALL out!! :)

DIY Chalkboard

Unfortunately we have a stainless steel fridge so are unable to put any magnets on it. :( 
So I came up with a solution...
There is a small foot and a half section of wall separating the kitchen area from the living room. (The whole downstairs is one big open room) I decided to paint a three foot section on this wall with DIY chalkboard paint.  I didnt want it to be black so I opted to make my own, and went with a deep red to match my accessories.

I LOVE IT!
Before

Taped off, and started to paint

Done :)
So here's what you need: Flat Latex paint in your choice of color.  UN-Sanded grout. Small roller or brush. 150 grit sandpaper. And Chalk
I was doing a small section so only mixed one cup of paint up.
Use 2Tbsp of grout to 1 Cup of Paint
MIX WELL
I taped off the area I wanted painted, then painted the square.
I had to put on three coats for good coverage.
When fully dry, I waited overnight, sand down with paper until smooth, then use chalk to rub all over the area and condition it.  There you go, your very own chalkboard.
I'm thinking about painting my sons closet doors next! :)

Permanent Marker "Tye Dye" Shirts

Got this idea off of Pinterest.  Of course I had to go out and get some white T's and try it!  :-)

Materials: Plastic cup, Rubbing Alcohol, Permanent Markers, Rubber band, and Dropper

Take plastic cup and put under shirt, put rubber band over top to keep in place

Have your little one go to town coloring the circle


Then drop some rubbing alcohol on the marker

Add enough alcohol to spread it out, then move to a new spot.
I put a piece of cardboard in the shirt so the ink wouldn't bleed to the backside

Next circle.  (I used off brand markers, next time will def get sharpie brand)


After dry.
My little one wasn't feeling well so this shirt isn't done yet ...

Mommy got bored and made a Valentines shirt for her niece :)

Thursday, January 26, 2012


 House Projects...
#1 REPAINTING!!
Kitchen Before

Living Room Before

Bonus Room Before

Spare Bedroom Before

Hall Bathroom Before

Master Bedroom Before

Another view of the Living Room
 Thats Right, EVERY room of the house was YELLOW when we moved in!! NO thank you, had to change!!

Living Room in Progress

Stairs to basement. Color is now Chocolate Milk

Painting Above the Kitchen Cabinets

Living Room and part of Kitchen all Chocolate Milk


Master Bathroom Slate Grey


Master Bedroom Blue Herring (Kind of a greyish Green)

Another of the Master Bedroom


Almost all rooms are done.  My son's room is blue and grey, alternating walls.  One wall in the living room is Chocolate truffle, as well as the bathroom off the dining area.  The upstairs hall bath is a dark grey to match our son's room.