So maybe I have ADD..................

I think my blog started as a "running" blog................then carpentry...........................now that I have to get dressed every.day............I'm thinking I should chronicle my work outfits that almost all come via GW! I was once told by a super smart lady that I should call my blog, I make Goodwill look good! Not sure I'm changing the name but I may try this blogging outfits thing! :) I'm thinking I'll list the prices I paid and maybe try to find a comparison look?!?! Don't hold your breath on anything (because I do have ADD) but stay turned! :)

I got the job!!!!!!

I started on Thursday as the Executive Assistant to the VP of the Mortgage Division of the bank. It's been a wild and crazy ride so far.

Yep, this is the job I first heard of on Tuesday and interviewed that night at 7:30 pm and started Thursday morning at 8 am. God can do amazing things, in crazy, short amounts of time!

It's going to be kind of crazy for the next month or so as we all adjust to one another and the new roles that are being formed, but I think it's a great opportunity and I'm going to love it!

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 again to every person who prayed for us as I have been on the job hunt and feel free to continue to pray as I tackle this new position.

Interviews!

I have lots of them! God has blessed abundantly. This morning I had 1 second interview set-up. By 3:00 pm I had 4 interviews! WHAT?!?!?! I had my first tonight and it went fantastic. Seems like a dream (for me) opportunity. Praying like crazy that if it is "the one" God will have his hand in working every last.detail.out. Next one is tomorrow @ 2. Then Thursday @ 8:30. And lastly Monday @ 3. If I'm not starting the first one..............which would start Monday! Follow all that?! God seems to be bestowing blessings on me like crazy. Giving me hope even if not one job works out. For that I am very grateful. I'm also so very excited to see what he can and is doing on my very undeserving behalf! God is truely GOOD! :)

Last post I made was the Monday, before I started working on Thursday........its been a looooonnnngggg 90 days! Is it bad that I'm contemplating pregnancy so I can be a SAHM again?! Totally Mostly Definitely kidding! but, God does plant a money tree in your back yard when you have a new baby, right?!?!?!

It has been a hard, sometimes frustrating working full time. It's so much different than I remember it being...............Oh yeah I only had 2 kids last time I did this. ;)

 I do have like the World's GREATEST Husband. He has made dinner EVERY NIGHT since I've worked. He has also vacuumed, picked up the house, played with the kids, and I'm sure done a million other helpful things I don't even realize! He is wonderful and I'm pretty must blessed beyond what I deserve!

My Mom has also been a LIFESAVER! She comes every morning and takes care of the girls and Jake until he goes to school at 12:30. She plays DS and Wii, Memory, Sorry and I'm sure many more! She helps Jake paint pictures make cards, dress like a superhero, play cars and trains and most importantly LOVES him and the girls. (She loves Caleb equally I'm sure, but he gets on the bus before she gets here everyday!) and she does ALL of this while cleaning my kitchen, doing the dishes, laundry, chasing the DUMB dog, catching the cats that escape and countless other things that I keep telling her to stop doing! When ever we are talking about Grandmas and it comes to my mom, Jake says "Grandma who comes and takes good care of me?!" Priceless! I don't know how "working outside the house moms" do it with out all the help! You are all me heros too!
So THANK YOU MOM!

I am grateful. I do have a job, I have learned lots of stuff and used software programs I never have before. Its been a good "get me back in the workforce" job. I'm relearning that the filter between my brain and mouth isn't natural..........I need to turn it on EVERYday! :)

I felt like this was the position God was leading me to, I am however praying this isn't a long term "learning opportunity"

Then last night I was on Pinterest and found this picture..............hmmmmmm pretty convicting. Mine could say "have you prayed about it as much as you've complained about it?" So I'm working on that!

I have had lots of people stick their neck out and throw job opportunities my way which I totally appreciate.

THANK YOU!

I HAVE A JOB! I didn't get the "2nd" job but I did accept the 1st job that was offered to me. So I start Thursday @ WF (it got bumped back a day due to somethingorother). I feel like God has given us definite answers to prayer and that this is the position I should be in for now! And I found out that I will be able to wear nice jeans to work! Which is majorly exciting since over half of the clothes I've "pinned" on pinterest are outfits with cute/nice jeans! :) Remind me of this excitement after I've been getting dressed and doing my hair 5 days a week! Now I should probably work on getting my house organized......since I've been putting it off for the last 7ish years! :)

And

on a side note the girl that got the job over me totally deserves it and I'm THRILLED for her! I know 'cause it's my SIL! So congrats KATE!:)

My interview went GREAT! I was offered the job! I am going to interview on Friday for a different position too just so we know/have clarity. We have prayed in earnest about this and if I don't get the 2nd job I am completely content with the first position, and it will start on Wednesday! 1 week from today! Which means I will be getting up and putting "real" clothes on and doing my hair 5 days a week. CRAZY!

I know God has done all the work every step of the way! Yesterday the interview just went off soooo well. I couldn't believe the answers that were flowing out of my mouth, and the interviewer couldn't either. She kept saying "You know, that's the best answer we've heard." or "That really is the best way to answer that question!" NONE of that could have been me NONE! I haven't worked in a professional setting for years and HATE those questions that they ask. So thanks God! His "writing on the wall" is here it just looks different than I thought.

Still waiting!

I have a second interview on Tuesday afternoon......this job would be completely acceptable. Good pay & fairly close location.

I'm waiting to hear back on a second job, that we (Andy & I) think would be *perfect*! Super close to home, flexible hours, family owned company, business casual wear/casual, etc., etc. I interviewed and it went wonderful! I'm supposed to hear early next week about coming back for a second interview. 

I realize God is in FULL control and I feel like we have literally prayed without ceasing since we first thought I should go back to work......so I'm sure we can live with what ever job I'm offered and know we are on the path following the Lord's leading!

And

WE have settled on childcare for Jake!

This is sooooo crazy HUGE! I can finally breath a  sigh of relief, in case I'm offered a position starting soon. Like in a weekish! Which both of these jobs have the potential for. I have been really hung up on this one aspect thinking that I wasn't sure I could part with leaving him! God has once again provided and we have total peace with our decision! Thanks for praying with us through this ordeal! and I will totally keep you updated once I hear!

My life.....

IS spastic! Or maybe it's just me:)

I got a call on Monday about a job I had sent my resume out for several weeks ago. Had an interview and may be having another next week. It's full time....which will be a crazy change! I'm very nervous and excited.....and maybe they won't even hire me.......I 'm kind of in the place where I wish God would just write on the wall in the living room, with a sharpie, but I'm not so sure he will! :)

I also am working on a few woodworking projects, which I'm still planning on doing on the side, unless we win the lottery soon (anyone want to buy me a ticket!)

So that's the randomness of my life currently! Since I know you were wondering if I was still alive:)

Hope everyone enjoys the great weather this weekend!

Pinterest is AWESOME!

I don't know who invented pinterest, but it.is.awesome! I needed something to make the kids for breakfast this morning and had a limit selection of ingredients. I possibly procrastinate about going grocery shopping. I searched pinterest and came up with 1,000,000,000,000 (maybe a slight exaggeration) different recipes. I settled on this one since I only had to substitute half a few items.
It looks delicious and the batter tastes wonderful! So we will see what the kids think when it comes out of the oven!

Picture from pinterest which linked to this blog.

Buttermilk-Blueberry Breakfast Cake

Serves 6-8

½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature (I only had shortening, and butter flavoring)
2 tsp.lemon zest or more—zest from 1 large lemon (I used a little lemon juice)
7/8 cup+1T.sugar
1 egg, room temperature
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. kosher salt
2 cups fresh blueberries (I only had a frozen mixed berry mixture, that the kids usually eat with yogurt)
½ cup buttermilk (I used 1 tbsp white wine vinegar and milk)

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Cream butter with lemon zest and 7/8 cup of the sugar until light and fluffy.

2. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until combined. Meanwhile, toss the blueberries with ¼ cup of flour, then whisk together the remaining flour, baking powder and salt.

3. Add the flour mixture to the batter a little at a time, alternating with the buttermilk. Fold in the blueberries.

4. Grease a 9-inch square baking pan (or something similar) with butter or coat with non-stick spray. Spread batter into pan. Sprinkle batter with remaining tablespoon of sugar. Bake for 35 minutes. Check with a toothpick for doneness. If necessary, return pan to oven for a couple of more minutes. (Note: Baking for as long as 10 minutes more might be necessary.) Let cool at least 15 minutes before serving.

*******UPDATE!!!!! Even though it didn't look exactly like the picture (I missed the "fold berries in" and mixed them in with the beater) it got 8 thumbs up from my peeps (daddy wasn't home to vote)! They loved it and want it again for sure!*******

My baby is in preschool! I've done nothing since I took him....unless you count me counting down the minutes until I can go get him. So crazy how slow time moves when your watching it! But now I only have 28 minutes left!

It's that time of year......

Today I need a really quick easy dinner because we have 4 kids with 4 different schedules and it just feels like fall so I should totally be making yummy pumpkin treats! So we are eating chili for dinner and having these for dessert! The recipe came from this awesome lady!


Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

• 1 1/2 sticks (6 ounces) unsalted butter, 1 stick melted, 1/2 stick softened
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten
• 1 cup canned pure pumpkin puree (I a little apple butter, too...yum!)
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon plus 2 pinches salt
• 1-2/3 cups flour
• 4 ounces cream cheese, chilled
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar

1. 
   Preheat the oven to 350°. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. 
   In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Whisk in the eggs, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, 1 teaspoon vanilla, the baking powder, the baking soda and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the flour.
3. 
   Using an ice cream scoop or tablespoon, drop generous mounds of batter, spaced evenly, onto each baking sheet. Bake until springy to the touch, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool completely.
4. 
   Meanwhile, using an electric mixer, cream the softened butter with the cream cheese. Add the confectioners' sugar and the remaining 2 pinches salt and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla; mix on low speed until blended, then beat on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes.
5. 
   Spread the flat side of cakes with the cream cheese frosting. Top each with another cake.

I'm slowly making progress at starting my business.........

Facebook page-Check

Craigslist-Check

Etsy Store(nothing listed)-check

Next up: making some items to take to local consignment shops to see if they will let me put a few pieces in their stores. I'm planning on taking....AG bunkbeds, cubbie/shelf, farmhouse doll bed, kids table, kids bench, craft paper holder, and a step stool. Whew! Hopefully I can place at least a few items at each place and sell some stuff!

I'm still really excited mostly nervous! And on a side note, I have the cutest appretice........EVER! Yesterday we were in the garage. I was building, he was coloring on his giant roll of paper. I finished all my building/sanding and started painting. He realized all the noise had stopped and came to investigate my silence.

Jake: Mama?

Me: What buddy

Jake: I LOVE painting.....

Me: K give me a sec and I'll go get your paint stuff and you can paint your paper....

Silence......

Jake: I actually only really like builder paint.

So I gave in and let him "help", this was the end result:) Good thing his outfit was mostly black anyway! That way the paint just blends in :)

Etsy or No Etsy.....

That is the question. For some reason I totally misread the word fee and thought it said FREE! Yep I'm a genius. So now I'm trying to decide if it would be better to just spread the word locally, possibly some farmer's market/craft shows, consignment shops and word of mouth. Not have to ship stuff and pay etsy a 3.5% free fee. What to do, what to do! And of course my husband is sleeping. He does get up in like 3 hours but still......:) I did kind of start a FB page, but I need his help in writing my description, he's way smarter! and I did start a new blog kistenmacherkarpentry.blogspot.com. and Andy is helping me figure out a logo so I can get business cards printed. Yes, I do things totally backwards, are you really that surprised? ;-)So for now it is to be continued...........................

My ledge

It's finished! I'm thrilled with how it turned out and even more thrilled with the price! Yes, I'm super cheap! I bought one piece of trim which cost $6.36. For everything else I just made what I had (left-overs from other projects) work :-).

And just disregard by lack of photography and bed making skills!

This is what I'm making today....

Or attempting to make that is! :-)

The Ledge!

 I've been looking at this since it first came out......like months ago. Right around the time I built the boys' beds...yeah like marchish! I couldn't find any plans that where as close to the real deal as I wanted to I just decided I was going to pretend I was a master builder today! I was just going to jump off a cliff and try. My neighbor had brought me some "scraps" that he wasn't going to use and so I figured worst case I wasn't really out any money and its soooo long I could still salvage pieces from it. It looks pretty good. but I still need to add some trim and pieces and paint/stain. I'm hoping to have it ready to reveal tomorrow! It's going above our bed in lieu of the headboard/foot board I haven't made yet because I opted to pay bills :)

So since I couldn't make my own Farmhouse bed I decided to make one for my niece's birthday!

It's big enough to fit an American Girl doll, or a kitten, or and infant......see its a versatile piece:) and Bella doesn't have an AG doll but she does have a new kitty and will have a new baby soon!

 And this is what I made for my other brand new niece! She was born on Father's Day! I was lame and hadn't built anything in time for her shower so I just gave a lame card promising a handmade gift by me! Thankfully my SIL is super gracious and understanding and still speaks to me even though It took me 6 weeks to get it done!

Sorry about the poor quality pictures... I keep forgetting to take a picture before we deliver these projects so I'm constantly snapping last minute pics on my cellphone.

Only one more week until school starts....where did summer go? :(

I'm thinking of starting an Etsy store to try selling a few things.....So I'm wondering, out of my 5 blog readers:), if anyone has a suggestions for a store name/maybe a new blog name? (Since I pretty much write nothing.about.running.) I'm seriously lacking creativity today!

AND

if I use the name you suggest you.will.win.something.AMAZING! I'm not sure what yet, but you know me it.will.be.cool! Or coolish for sure:)

So leave me a comment with your name suggestion.

Thanks!

I'm in love....

With building! AND my husband, of course! I found out today that they filled the job share with one full timer (It would end up being cheaper that way). So I'm at square one again trying to figure out what to do. In the mean time I've been in the garage every day building away! I think I'm an addict :)(I just finished a kids size table for my newest niece as well as a slightly smaller version of the cubbie shelf I made for myself and my MIL, pictures to follow soon!) With being outside all.the.time comes seeing the neighbors all.the.time! Thankfully we have been blessed with AWESOME neighbors its like having an extra set of parents next door and grandparents across the street. They truly are incredible. They both have been checking the progress of my builds, sharing tools, giving advice and are totally encouraging me to start selling some of the items I've been making. I'm really excited, scared, unsure of the prospect. I will have 3hrs/4days a week (Jake made it into preschool) to do whatever I want i.e.build uninterrupted.....so I wouldn't be taking away from the family as much. I'm just not sure that my ability it sales worthy, and I'm a little nervous that once it became a j.o.b it would lose the fun aspect. I also have no idea where to start for a price point on things. Several things I have made are a pottery barn knock-off but that just gives me a super high-end price that doesn't transfer over. So I'll be working on that and wondering where SUMMER went. School starts in 2.5 weeks :( So I better enjoy every.last.bit before I have a pre-k, 1st, 4th and gasp......7th grader!

It's done!

Well mostly! I have a few more details to add, but it is functioning! So without further ado.........

Our new KITCHEN!

I'm so excited! It went together really quick (1day).

Then I got kind of hot.....and lazy so it took 2 days to sand/stain.

Then I started a few other projects (ie:3 cubbie/shelves, kids picnic table, kids regular table, a mini bench etc.), Hey I have undiagnosed ADD :) And had a garage sale.(that made hardly any money:( )2days.

Sunday was another hot/lazy day.

Today I painted the white, finished the oven drawer and installed the oven glass, I also sewed the ruffle!

Since my wood was all "reclaimed" this was a super cheap project! Here is where I spent it:

Hardware $13 (target clearance a couple months ago)

Stain $5 (it was a gallon of "oops" stain in the exact color Ash wanted!)

Sink $4 (crock from GW)

Faucet $5 (bought at the restore)

(4) Door Hinges $11.50 (reg. price)

Plexi-glass $4 (reg. price)

(4) Caster wheels .09 (yep that is 9 CENTS! Thank you GW)

I already had the curtain fabric and the white paint as well as the other random hardware I needed.

Grand total!!!!!!!

= $42.59

My knock off shelf

No new job news here...my application is "in process" not sure exactly what that means.....so I've been keeping myself busy building!

 I was going to have you guess which one I made but I think with that beautiful backdrop I have going on its a no-brainer......mine is the one on the right......just in case anybody missed that:)

Pottery Barn shelf = $99.00 + shipping.

Mine = FREE!

I used scraps and reclaimed of the side of the road wood and already had the paint/stain! I LOVE projects like this!

Its nice to know blogger thinks it knows what I'm thinking when arranging my pictures!

And the kids kitchen is completed (yes the one I promised Ash I would make at the beginning of summer!)...the stain is drying as we speak so I can put the hardware on in the morning and move it in the house! YAY!

Note to self for future projects.......don't let  a 9 yr old talk me into staining it red....unless I really enjoyed the 180,000,000,000,000,000 coats I put on. I know it looks great, but really :)

Also it would possibly go a tiny bit quicker if I didn't let anyone under the age 25 stain, just sayin'!

I'm thrilled with the finished product though and no one has any injuries! Trust me there could have been! Jake + air nailer =...........but I'm still living, he's still living....we're good!

 I will post pictures and details soon!  

And thanks to Ana White at knock-off wood for the awesome plans!

So I submitted an application for a job today. It's a part-time job share....not really what I thought I wanted, but it fell into my lap so I figured maybe God has a plan.....I mean I know there is always a plan! This just seems to be one of those weird things where someone I haven't talked to f.o.r.e.v.e.r. called me and asked if I would consider it. So we'll see. They may look at my application which has some employment gaps (insert 4 babies) and throw it out the window.....who knows!

And it has finally cooled down so we can breath outside! YAY! Have a good Friday!