Tutorial Tuesday - A Tutor for All

Since it's back to school for most of your kiddos and some of you - I thought I would share a little golden nugget for the Tutorial Tuesday Party. over at Hope Studios. It's not your traditional tutorial, but I am positive most moms, college students, and back-to-school moms can appreciate the significance.

If you haven't guessed, my head has been buried in books for the last week. I am being thorough in my note taking, chapter reading, and key term defining for my Medical Terminology, Intro to healthcare and Biology classes. These are classes that I am loving. However, I am taking one that I don't love, but thanks to a FREE online tutor that helps me understand concepts that I never understood before, I can get through the subject of Algebra. Not only do I think this fabby tutor will help me get through the course, I think he will help me earn a solid B! Who is this wonderful tutor, and will he work for anyone for FREE? His name is Salman Khan and if you haven't heard of the KHAN Academy - you should hop on over there and see what all the fuss is about. He can help anyone at just about any level of Math and Science...he even has some financial literacy tutorials. His mission is to 'empower everyone, everywhere with a free, world-class education' - I think he's off to a good start. Really, if you are a student, a parent who needs help in order to help your child, a teacher or just a person who likes to learn new things, take a gander - it's FREE and worth your time!

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This Morning I am reviewing the Parts of a Cell and a few of the Pre-Algebra Tutorials because I have tests in both of these classes this week. Enjoy the video or go poke around on the KHAN Academy site - I have some flashcards to make. Tata for now!

Works for Me Wednesday - Kitchen Drawers

I wanted to share something that I have been thinking about doing for year, but just recently tried and I am so glad I did.  Several years ago I was going through the Good Things of Martha's Mag and spotted some major eye candy for me!  An organized Knife and cooking utensil drawer.  It was beautiful....what made it so beautiful and how did she keep it that way (oh yeah, I forgot - she has a staff)?  I loved it so much I vowed to do that very thing to make my new kitchen (new is now 6 years old) even better.  Sooo, I happened to be in the neighborhood of our local fabric store and that eye candy popped into my head!  Straight over to the felt I went and now for a little over two weeks, I have had the most perfect knife and gadget drawers.  Take a peek!

I would have never showed you this drawer before...wait what am I talking about, I showed you PC's sock drawer!

Seeeee! I told you it's pretty!  I know, I know, my knives are all dull and a mix-mox - but don't they look nice on the grey flannel?  Yep that's the secret...Martha has her drawers lined with grey flannel.  It makes the knives pop for easy visual recognition (I was looking for a different word than "spotting") AND they don't move around! They little organizer in the back holds all the steak knives.

Sorry, I'm just in love with this drawer : )

And this one!  Nothing shifts around and when I put the dishes away - everything has a place!

This is another  little secret (not Martha's) that I wanted to share...I got this little secret SitsaM...she's a little Italian cook, who has been teaching me the art of "sauces". While I was in her kitchen, I noticed that she has silverware in two drawers, one near the table (where mine is) and one next to her stove. The one next to the stove only has a few spoons, forks and knives, but I watched her reach for those while she was cooking instead of taking from the "tableware".  Smart! Huh?  If you already do this - I think you are a genius! Well, it just so happens I have one set of silverware that is not a complete set and now it has a home and everybody knows where they go based on their pattern.  So that's what works for me (and Martha) Grey Flannel!  I'm going to go organize another drawer or something, Tata for now!

Summertime Day 3

Oh! I'm so excited! My Momma sent me a thunderstorm all the way from Ohio! It is the perfect day to putter around the house and organize my closet! I chose this project for my Tackle it Tuesday and Works for Me Wednesday because I was procrastinating and letting it get worse by the day AND I already knew that Color-coding my closet shaves at least 10-15 minutes off of my morning routine. Added bonus: I used Tracy Porter's idea for creating a Jewelery Nook - because my Jewelry is always a mess in my drawer. Not anymore! Isn't it Darling! What a beautiful day and it's only 9:00!

Here are a few Before shots:

See, everything is just thrown on a hanger and hung on the rod - no rhyme or reason, looking through this just frustrates me!

My shoes are the worst - I have shelves - but for some reason, they end up here.

This little chest is at the end of the closet, serves it's purpose with the drawers, but I am about to spice it up (it's a little boring).

Now the After shots (I Love this part)Color Coded - ROY G BIV then Black, Gray, white, Cream, Brown

Shoes back in their place on the shelves , window seat to sit and get dressed. Lovely!

My brand new Jewelry nook! Pay no attention to the men's clothes to the side - he has to have somewhere to put his clothes.

I don't have a lot- so this is too perfect. The Picture, the relish plate and boxes were bought at yard sales, the scarf in Paris, the Cake plate was a birthday gift from a friend. I think it needs a mirror of some sort.

Oh, this so something my Momma would do!

I hope ya'all enjoyed the post - have a great day!

Summertime Day 2

Well as I was reading my favorite blogs last night, I stumbled onto Rhondi's Porch & Patio Party. Our porch is currently under construction, but I took pictures anyway (my momma wants to see the progress). I loved seeing all of your beautiful porches, a real inspiration to what my will be soon. You may see caution tape and dirt, but I see a little bistro set sitting stage right, red geraniums on the steps, and two beautiful topiary on each side of the door. My Prince Charming has been working very hard on the weekends, and as you can see - not much left to do; 1 step and the stucco on the walls. Then the dirt mounds on the side will be a small hill of grass (we have to plant grass out her ya'all). I can't wait!

This is the little spot of color that makes me smile right now. My Momma left me her container garden, and I plan on bringing everything up front, but for now, this little guy is the winner.

As for my Tackle-It Tuesday, I am heading into my bedroom closet and will post pictures tomorrow because it also counts for a Works for Me Wednesday. Curious? It's no big deal, just something that makes my mornings smoother. OK, off to have a little yearbook party with the kiddos at school (I will be having fun, I will not be working). Yearbook day is so exciting (especially this year - I was the advisor), I already pulled my Junior Year (1987) off the shelf and ruffled through the pages of time. Can you say "Big Bar Hair" , girls what were we thinking?! Oh, I hope twenty years from now EHS students ruffle through and say "Why is my belt around my knees?". TaTa for now.