daffodil lane

AdvoCare Bellingham - Shawn Ellars

Happy Autumn!

 

A huge thank you to all of you who have supported me in my new business over the past couple of months, I truly appreciate it!

 

(If you are brand new to hearing about this, leave a comment with your address and I'll send you a sample of Spark - a healthy vitamin energy drink. Life-changing, no more afternoon naps for me!)

 

It has been a month filled with change as our family transitions from homeschool to traditional school... AdvoCare has allowed us to see that we can afford to send our kids to a smaller-class-size private school where they will thrive! One begins Monday, and one will begin there in the fall next year. We are blessed!

 

Shawn's AdvoCare "Autumn Deals"....

 

Receive a FREE box of Spark with any $100 order placed through my website by

October 31st. I will either deliver or mail the Spark to you, flavor is "variety pack". You can order $100 of anything you choose, but some ideas are listed below.

 

If you know anyone who may be interested in what AdvoCare has to offer, I am hosting another

Coach Purse mixer at my home on November 1, 2011.

Feel free to bring a friend and be entered to win the purse... it will go home with someone that night!

Email/comment for further details and time, I'll get them to you!

 

 

Fun Ideas for a $100 order....

 

Happy Mommy Kit: $109.90

1 Clear Mood (helps mood swings)

1 Canister Spark (happy mommy juice!)

1 Lip Balm Pack

1 Oasis (drink mix for a "relaxed/stress-free" feeling)

+ FREE BOX OF SPARK

 

Golfer-Dad-Gym Guy Kit (aka the "Frank" special):$103.85

1 Spark (Pouches)

1 Muscle Gain Pouches (far better than Muscle Milk)

1 Slam (12pk, just like 5 hour energy except HEALTHY!)

1 Lip Balm (for your wifey's Christmas stocking!)

Did you know there are 100's of NON-PAID sports endorsers for AdvoCare?!

+ FREE BOX OF SPARK

 

 

Athlete/Runner's Kit: $112.40

Rehydrate Pouches

Arginine Extreme (good for everything related to athletes!)

Catalyst (aka the Butt and Gut Be Gone!)

+ FREE BOX OF SPARK

 

24 Day Challenge Maintenance Kit: $104.95

MNS Max 3 Kit

(sold as one kit, it contains everything you need to repeat the challenge from days 11-24, to continue in your health and weight loss journey.)

+ FREE BOX OF SPARK

 

Shawn's Favorite Products Kit: $108.35

Pink Lemonade Spark Pouches

Catalyst (Butt and Gut Be Gone)

Meal Replacement Bars (taste like candy, 16 grams of protein)

Omega Plex

(Dr. Oz even recommends AdvoCare's brand of OmegaPlex based on the quality and purity.

Omegas are good for everything in your body!)

+ FREE BOX OF SPARK

 

OR, the best product of them all, the

24 Day Challenge!

 

I could write 100 great things about the challenge, but to keep it simple:

you will feel SO much better!

Amazing increase in energy, weight loss in both pounds and inches,

and overall improved health with products that are rigorously tested to be safe!

Includes a cookbook, clean eating plan, and nutritional coach.

+ A FREE BOX OF SPARK! :)

 

All orders can be placed through my website at

www.advocare.com/110611057/

(I will see your order and get the free Spark to you!)

THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH

for your support of this new endeavor!

 

 Sincerely, 

Shawn Ellars

(360)714.8696

www.advocare.com/110611057/

 

FOR FUN...

Pamper yourself and make great gifts:

 

Pumpkin Sugar Body Scrub

Mix: 1 c. sugar, 1/4 c. olive oil, 1/4 c. pumpkin puree (canned), 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice.

Use to scrub and exfoliate in the shower.

Makes a great gift when packaged in a mason jar with a ribbon!

Because of the pumpkin, use within 5 days or keep for 2 weeks in fridge.

"Catching Up" would be an understatement!

How did the entire summer get away from me in the blogging department?

 

Here's a quick run-down catch-up before I get back to my more typical (as in never predictable) blogging schedule. What we've been up to:

• I painted just about everything in sight: walls, furniture, canvases. Turns out I really love painting, so soothing!
• We had an amazing week in Maui, a trip my hard-working husband earned through work. Did I mention amazing? The resort was out of control!
• Mady turned 16. Wow. We're entering the stages of full time junior college, driving, and "friends that are guys". Just friends. :)
• There's been a steady stream of friends and kids in and out. Love that, my kids have some awesome friends!
• A certain girl got her braces off, after 7 years of having them on!
• A flurry of horse camps, racquetball camp, a trip to Texas for me, cousin and Auntie visiting, VBS, etc.!
• I fell in love with a company called Advocare and started a business!
• I am working my way through a "24 Day Challenge" - designed to increase energy (yes please!) and lose weight and/or gain muscle. I am really impressed so far, and am happy to be doing the challenge alongside so many dear friends! (Another challenge is starting up soon if you are interested!)
• I'm busily gathering up my supplies and plans for the new homeschool year. I love homeschooling and the fact our state is still homeschool-friendly, despite changes and cutbacks.

 

 

 
 
 
What have you all been doing?! I've missed the little blogging world!

3 Things:

 
1). Inspire me with your summer goals! Giveaway ends Friday night. You know you want me to buy you a Vanilla Bean Frap or an Iced Caramel Macchiato. :)

2). I have a little announcement to make tomorrow. (Nope, definitely no bun in my oven!) But still very exciting!

3). I am savoring summer with Renee at Fimby again today. I am savoring the ability to take ten steps off my back deck and pick our dinner salads! Those grubs put up a brawny fight, but I think I have finally conquered!  Dill, lemon thyme, romaine, flat-leaf parsley, mesclun, radishes... even a strawberry beginning to blush.  What are you savoring this summer? 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Reasons I love my library: (updated a little)

 
1. I can request books I want any time of day, and they get delivered to my little neighborhood branch. For free!

2. They usually have most of the books I want. It's true, if you go to the actual library to find books, the good ones won't be on the shelves. That's why # 1 is so important. Sometimes when I am waiting at the airport, I make lists of all the books that I'd love to read, because the airport book shops only keep the best-sellers and new ones. Then I take my list home and request them all. For free! Sometimes I do the same thing at Barnes and Noble.

3. I could probably homeschool my kids entirely using only library books and the internet. Seriously I could.

4. My library people are very nice. That's why I smile cheerfully every time I pay my bill. It turns out the library is only free if you bring your books back on time.

5. I can renew online. (But I rarely do, which is why I smile cheerfully at the librarians so often.)

6. They have summer reading programs for adults! You just write simple reviews of books or music you've checked out, and they draw winners each week. I have won certificates to Village Books, Katie's Cupcakes and Rocket Donuts. What's not to love about that?!

7. Summer reading program for kids too, of course, teens too. (Along with the other usuals that my kids do - Barnes and Noble, Borders, Village Books (my favorite of all the challenges), and Launching Success. The C Shop offers free snow cones on Wednesday afternoons if you show them a library book you are reading - we heart this one too. :) During the school year we do Pizza Hut's Book It too, for free pizzas each month.

8. I love that I can get cookbooks from the library to try new recipes without the clutter/commitment of buying one. Again, requesting is the best way to go about this to get the good ones.

9. The librarians have been really helpful in helping me find suitable books for Jenson (dyslexic) that have crisp font, and they have tons of audio books which are great for Jenson too.

10. They have great kits - for starting your own book club and kit boxes for preschool kids. They also have Tumblebooks to download and e-books. (Right now they work for Nooks, but soon kindles will also be compatible).

* And I just have to say... see this photo above? Those top two books in the stack are incredible! Chris Cleave is an amazing writer. I highly recommend! There is a movie version of Incendiary too (Netflix instant), but watch it only after you read the book, you'll be surprised at how it differs from the book. Great summer reading books!

Added -- I should clarify the Little Bee and Incendiary books both have some graphic/adult content, as does the movie, definitely an R rating. I didn't find it all to be totally gratuitous in the books, and really overall enjoyed the unraveling of the stories in both books. That's all, just don't want to offend anyone by mistake, I should have mentioned that right away, sorry!

 

We're about to start Mr. Popper's Penguins, just in time to see the movie after. My kids' all-time favorite read alouds are the Little House books. I agree with them! Do you read to your kids? What are your favorite read-alouds?

Happy Summer Reading! 

The gist of things & it's my favorite time of the year.

  
{Source: marleyandme via tumblr}

The gist of what's been happening for the last month...

• Project Birthday was a huge success! I delivered 26 bags of groceries and two heaping boxes for their freezer. Best birthday ever, thank you so much to everyone that made that happen. Thank you cards are in the works, I'm just slow. Obviously.
• Project Minimize is still moving along. Though I must say, it is a really messy process. Closets and drawers unpacked and sifted through everywhere. Save for a couple of closet spaces, I am nearly finished.
• It's St. Paddy's Day, and I have a brisket and cabbage in the slow cooker. Yep, I'm still a vegetarian though (nearly 18 years now). But, my sweet husband is not. Hence the hunk o' meat. I can't get the disturbing smell off of my hands.
• Also for today, a Clover Party for our 4-H group. You know, the whole 4-H clover logo thing and all, it seemed a good idea. Should be quite fun, the kids are doing the whole party themselves - games, decorations, treats and crafts.
• The head: I have started a new-to-me preventative medicine for my migraines (which I had for 7 straight weeks this winter), seems to be working! There are a few hitches, like needing to increase doseage to get it effective, and the morning drowsiness. But oh-my-goodness, I haven't felt this good since my car accident 6 years ago. (I was rear-ended at a high speed, resulting in back/neck/migraine issues).
• To my friends who were there that morning, can you believe it has been 6 years? Also, best place ever to be in an accident, on the way to a MOPS meeting. Friends everywhere stopping on the roadside t to take my children, call my husband, call 911. I had no idea the pain that it would result in, and walked into MOPS still, an hour later, and they were in the midst of praying for me, all 100+ women. It was awesome. :)
• I am leaving next week for a trip, passport in hand. Cannot wait to see our Caidee!
• It's daff season. (The real daff season, when you can get a 10-stem field bunch for a buck fifty. Go Yellow! Why I love daffodils: here.
• And that's it, I beleive we are now caught up. Good?

Use What You Have Month(s?)

 
Going into the new year, our family has agreed on a motto, in line with our recent goals...

More experiences, less 'stuff'.

I also declared January "Use What We Have" month. The two tie in nicely together. We'll aim to not purchase anything other than complete necessities - gas, milk, and migraine pills! It's so refreshing to be content in all that we already have, rebuild our bank account after Christmas spending, and it stretches me to get creative in cooking and meal planning. I always have a well-stocked kitchen and freezer, and it's nice to use up some of that. With the exception of a little produce and milk for the kids, I am sure I can get at least 30 meals out of my pantry, if not 45.

In the past we've embarked on this for a couple months at a time, and I've made lists to remind us of all the fun things there are to do for free and with what we already have (or for just the cost of gas). I have been asked by several friends for those lists, so I am going to share them here. I'm probably not the only one cutting back on expenses and reminding the kids to be content after the holidays!

 
This is our own personal list, but I think much of it can be adapted or inspire your own ideas. Some are ideas for the kids, some for me, and even some dates.  And in case you missed it, I am kind of a list girl. :)

Use What You Have Month

• use (overly abundant supply of) scrapbook supplies to make Valentines
• read new books from Christmas,
• and visit the library
• work on our hiking goal and walk the dog
• take a Thermos of steamy coffee to Boulevard park for a free date
• watch Netflix (our favorite genre: science and nature documentaries)
• work on our sign language learning
• play games (our current favs are Blokus, Settlers of Cataan and You've Been Sentenced)
• Dance! (Wow, version 2 is a lot harder than 1!)
• go to church
• organize the house, room by room
• take a lot of that 'stuff' to Goodwill
• improve the photography! (Me. Mady is so good already.)...
• which means, read Understanding Exposure and bribe kids for photo shoots
• make sea salted caramels with my new Salish smoked sea Salt,
• and add heavy cream and butter to my 'neccessities list'
• Just kidding
• Not really. Adding it now. Who needs migraine pills?
• Customize and print an owl lover's calender. One for me, one for Mady, one for a January birthday!
• Legos. Nuf' said.
• Draw from Ruby's new book, a perfect gift for her! :)
• work on Awana books
• knit (looms for the younger two)
• finish all our undone craft projects!
• paint some furniture with paint I already have
• cuddle up at home and plan for an upcoming trip (free date night)
• paint favorite quotes and verses on canvas
• go to the beach, collect shells and beach glass
• make this for my deer girl Kes with our glitter stash
• everyone sew fresh throw pillows for their beds
• organize the recipe box
• bake WHO bread
• swim, play raquetball and go to yoga or zumba classes at the gym
• give ourselves manis and pedis. I'm getting quite good at the self-done french tips.
• use our children's museum membership, and invite friends to use our pass too!
• bike rides and scooter rides
• eat pasta, try new recipes. I have about 20 boxes because it was on sale for $1. :)
• hit up the recycling bin and make ice lanterns
• go sledding
• begin our geology unit and tumble rocks!
• read my awesome magazine. (thanks cg)
• read Mady's magazines and try to learn something
• resume our read aloud of the Little House books. I think we have 3 books left.
• make friendship bracelets and give them to friends
• watch The Bachelor with Mady. Smut, yes, but we like smut sort of.
• play on the trampoline, preferably in pj's
• invite friends over often
• play webkinz
• go to a "cousin's" Soup Saturdays (drop-in January dinners with family)
• have girlfriends over to scrapbook/craft/chat
• finally use old coupons for free photos at Costco
• write cards and letters and send real mail to people we love
• nap.

 I do believe that is enough to keep us busy!

:: Happy January ::

Goals

 
Today we got a jump start on one of our family goals, *to hike 100 miles together this year. In true Pacific Northwest style, it was soggy, but we had a good time and worked off some cookies.

 
We sat down last week, first Frank and I, then the whole family, and decided how we want our year to look for 2011. There are "marriage-betterment" goals, like *go on 25 dates, *attend a lawn concert at Chateau St. Michelle winery,  *walk or run a 10K together, and a few others.

 
Our list of family goals is far ranging, everything from *acquire no library fines, and *no new cavities to *take a family photo each month and Keston's suggestion to *explore an island. 
 
Everyone has a list of personal goals too - including *learning to ride a bike unassisited, *reading Harry Potter Books 1-3, *submitting writing and photos each month for consideration of publishing, and *a savings goal for each child, to list a few.

 
We have a list of to-do's also - more like a chores list, of things like *organize the garage, *build a better deck, and *flip a couple rooms around in the house.

Frank and I also wrote a bucket list of sorts, though we have a different name to it. :) I read something on Zen Habits a while ago, about beginning with the end in mind. This is a great time of year to do that, looking ahead to what things you'd like to see accomplished during this year. The article I read was more along the lines of what you want your obituary to say, but I like this better for now. Frank reminded me that it is also a popular Steven Covey (7 Habits of Highly Effective People) concept, begin with the end in mind. And of course any goal written out is far more likely to be accomplished. So we are well on our way to achieving some good family-centered things for the new year!

 

Something for everyone

I've started filling in my summer calendar!  For a couple years I posted summer activity ideas on my old blog. (Find them here, though some links may be outdated.) This year I've found a few more things to add that look fun, and there's something for all ages...

Mady has taken several writing and poetry workshops in this beautiful space. Now they are offering a teen drop-in art night, Tuesdays from 6-8, $10. You can find the Young Writer's Studio information and summer classes here, too.

The Junior Ranger program and others through the Birch Bay interpretive center look interesting. We have been to the small museum there on the beach and the kids enjoyed it. These programs look similar in concept to the Hovander ones that were shut down with budget cuts. We'll definitely be attending the archaeology program!

And at Village Books this week, a presentation by the Urban Pantry author. They had me at the pretty book cover and great title. I already have a friend-date plan to go.

I could spend the entire day searching around online for activities, but I should probably take a shower and enjoy the day. :) If you have other ideas, please leave a comment and enlighten everyone! Let the summer begin!

Summer Reading

(Mady, summer 2009)

Each summer my children participate in all of the reading programs that we can find in our area.  One of my kids needs that extra incentive to read, and one needs no incentive at all. In fact, last year she read so many books that she blew the competition out of the water and won the award for most books read through the public library. The public library has an adult reading program too - last year I won a $20 gift certificate to Village Books for participating!  Check out the links below...

Barnes and Noble  (national) Print a reading log yourself or pick one up in store. After any 8 books read, return the log to pick out a free book (they have about 20 different titles to choose from).  Available for 1st-6th grade. Begins May 25th.

Borders (national) Print the form, read ten books, and return to Borders or Waldenbooks to choose a free book from one of 10 that they have pre-selected. For ages 12 and under.

Bellingham Public Library (local) Child, teen and adult programs, as well as activities throughout the summer. Great prizes that have been donated from local businesses. Last year our family received certificates to Mallard's, Rocket Donuts, and Village Books. Details coming soon from their website.

Village Books (local) Pick up your challenge form at the shop. After reading a variety of books, including poetry, historical, non-fiction and biography, plus those of your own choosing, receive a $5 gift certificate to Village Books and an ice cream cone at Collophon Cafe next door. I love this one because it stretches kids to read a broader variety of books, and because who doesn't love free ice cream? Ages 13 and under.

If you need any ideas for great reading material, a friend of mine recommended this book to me - Honey For a Child's Heart. We have  Honey For a Teen's Heart as well, and use both regularly. Our's are filled with notes and underlined for books we want (meaning I want the chilren) to read. They are of a Christian perspective, but offer all types of (appropriate) books and advice for character building through books and give great advice for developing your children into reading lovers. (If you are a local homeschooler and belong to MP3, mine were covered by Star funds, and yours likely would be too.)

Happy summer reading!

Thank you to Homeschool Creations for hosting the Preschool Corner. Check it out to see more fun ideas for preschoolers.

This week was:

:: a field trip to Seattle with 50 other homeschool friends, aboard the Amtrak. We loved the 2 1/2 hour ride each way, along the shoreline. We spotted many great blue herons, beautiful scenery, and a scavenging bald eagle along the beach. When we arrived, we broke into groups and enjoyed Seattle on foot. We hung out with a favorite family - our kids all match up in age and gender. The older girls spent a good chunk at the Art Museum, while we took the younger crew to the Aquarium and a delicious Brazillian restaurant. (Oh my goodness, a new favorite place!) We wandered Pike Place, Native American art displays, and quaint shops, then headed home on the train with sore feet and views of the sunset.

 This week was also:

:: 15 yards of dirt. Oh my. I have blisters, bruises and sore muscles, but the transformation of our side yard will be worth it! Poor Keston has the junkiest view out her bedroom window, and I set out to improve that as much as I could this week. There will be a grassy patch and a tiny garden. My first garden intended primarily for cut flowers. If only I had a before and after photo!

:: Awards Night at Awana. It was great to see all the kids with their proud parents as they received their awards for working hard all year. Mady and I have served as leaders this year, and it was touching to hear the sweet comments made about Mady and the other teen leaders, who are on such good paths with their lives. I am so proud of her! Jenson and Keston, too!

:: An 8 hour play date for Keston at a friend's house. The mom is a veteran homeschooler, and gave me great advice when I was worried a little about next year. We will be off-campus next year (no twice a week classes, but a more traditional type of homeschooling), and I wanted to make sure to provide consistent opportunities for the kids with their friends. While I know socializing isn't even a concern, I do want to give them a chance to have deep, impactful friendships. My friend's great advice, was that each Friday, she lines up a playdate for each kid for the upcoming week. So simple, yet brilliant! Just being intentional should do the trick!

:: Game Night at our house with Mady and a few of her friends. It worked out so well, we all agreed to make it a monthly event. Mady's friends are just a joy to have around the house. They are wonderfully tolerant of the younger ones! I am already looking forward to next month with them here.

:: A nice dog taking up residence at our house while her owners were away. She is such a great dog, and Jenson is so responsible with her, it has made us consider getting a dog. If only we could just have that actual dog that is already so well-trained and gentle!

:: A mountain of laundry, (seriously, a mountain), that sat unfolded all week while we had such beautiful weather and busy schedules.

Isn't it ironic that when things are winding down for the school year, it is suddenly so busy?

Speaking of homeschooling...

 
I can't wait to tell you about:

...the groove we've finally settled into, our current unit study, books we love, friends we've made, and the way we organize it - all sprinkled with lots of happy photos.Try to breathe. I know, it's exciting!