Blessedmama

Greatful...

2011-06-13T07:51:00.000-04:00

Today marks the 2nd week my son has felt good! Bren has been running around like a mad man, hopping, skipping, jumping, swimming. Almost no complaints. None. What a blessing to see God give us this after much prayer and a rough patch. Who knows how long it will last- but its here and its now and we will rejoice in it! After a complete bone scan we had some follow up x rays and are waiting the results. After talking with the doctor there is no need to start new medicine, because we wont know if its a good spell, or the meds working. So the plan is to wait for a crummy spot and proceed from there. His next appt is for PT- to go from stretching to building muscle in weak areas where he has compensated by using the wrong muscles.
All in all not much to share. Other than God is showing us His faithfulness in answers to prayer. And this time it's been a yes.
We had some great family time this weekend. It was nice to just cookout, hangout, and have no big plans. To snuggle and giggle, and talk.
Shaun and I have started getting up at 5AM together and having breakfast/coffee/quiet time on the front porch.
Yes. I know it's summer. No- I don't care. No. Im not completely crazed.
But truly- it has been a blessing. I am ready for my day when munchkins wake up hungry, we get uninterrupted time together, God comes first, and my day starts out right. After reading 'Shopping for Time' by Mahaney and her daughters I am more convinced this is best for us. How often do we see in scripture an example of one 'rising early in the morning' to obey God? Now don't get me wrong- somedays I grumble as I make my way to the coffee pot. Thank God for coffee! But most days I am findng myself getting up easier and easier. And with my kiddos school start time being pushed back over an hour for this coming year, and mornings being Brennans worst time I think this will really pay off come August.
MOPS is coming along nicely for this coming year. I am co- coordinating our group and am truly excited about how God will use this in my life and the lives of the women involved.
Im sure Ill have more to share in the future but I certainly wanted to give an update on our son!

2011-05-14T00:28:00.000-04:00

Today was a long day. This week has been a long week. Bren didnt move off the couch but to pee until it was time for his MRI. The hospital called yesterday and asked what day/time was good for us. I told the nurse ASAP, we would drop it all and make it happen. So today it was. He was able to stay still for a whole hour and 15 minutes. He was fabulous and God SO answered prayers! He took his favorite stuffed turtle with him. Its a sweet soft turtle that his little brother bought him with his own money, which is why Brennan loves is so very much. AndTHAT warms my heart.
We don't have results yet nor will we until monday or tuesday. I am jsut prayign for clear images, and a plan to get my sweet son out of pain! He has not gone to school all week except for Wednesday, and the school called me within the hour to come and get him. Although he was miserable today, and rated his pain at a 7 he insisted on walking through the halls of the childrens hospital. I offerred a wagon, and a wheel chair and he refused. By the time we were leaving he was tripping because his left leg was going out from under him. I am amazed at how he keeps on going, at how he wants to try, to be like all the other kids in the neighborhood, and his brothers. We have googled athletes with arthritis and found 2 olympians. His face lit up. I saw a spark of hope that one day he too could be running, and swimming, and competing, and that this isnt the end. And I wonder- how will God use this? How will he take my sweet son, and mold his heart, and use this disease for his glory? I pray his heart stays soft, and doesnt becoem embittered, or beaten down.
In the midst of all of this I realize this has changed, is changing our family. My oldest is jealous at all the school Bren is missing, and the new bike that he got. My youngest wants my time and energy that has been shifted to another. My husband is trying to stay strong while I am weak in this. I wonder what effect this will have on outings, vacations, etc. We will need to make sure if Brennan is not in remission that our family time doesn't make him feel left out. Or that it doesn't make the other kids feel as if their desires are not as important. Hiking is something we love to do...... will Brennan be able to hike this year at all? What about a day walking the amusement park?
And in all this I am reminded that Gods mercies are in fact new every morning. And this disease seems to be a moment by moment, day by day and we will in fact need new mercies every morning. So lets see what tomorrow holds, because we have soccer games, and my son couldn't walk worth 2 cents today.

F is for frustrating...

2011-05-10T23:38:00.000-04:00

Frustrating. This disease is frustrating. Come to think of it What disease isn't? Brennans eye appointment went great. By Gods grace his eyes are clear. CLEAR. NO inflammation. We see the opthamologist in 8 weeks and then every 3 months after that for well... Im thinking eternity. Thankfully they are nice, the office is a pleasant environment, and they have Veggie tales on T.V. I think we can handle that every 3 months, right?
On another note, as we have hope naproxen would work for Brennan I can say he has only gotten worse since we started it. The day we saw the eye doc Brennan woke up and couldnt walk by himself. He was clutching furniture, falling down, and shaking. I immediately got him flat on the couch with a heating pad, could tell he had a low grade fever, and after a warm blanke and some love he fell back to sleep. By the time we left for teh appt. he was walking but badly. We shuffled throught he halls, and my heart ached as he tried to walk, and aske me if his Dr. K's office was in this building, too. He wanted to talk to Dr. K abotu his legs, and make sure that he knew his ankles were now hurting. I choked back tears and promised him I would call the nurse so Dr. K new he was feelign worse. We went to the store afterwards and he asked for a cart to sit in the back, with his legs straight, instead of a bench cart, becuase that hurts 'worser'. He actually stumbled and fell int eh parking lot. He said his legs just felt weak. His sweet little voice piped up and said, 'I jsut want to be normal again.'
'Normal?' I asked.
'Yeah, normal, like before i hurt. No one else has his. No on else in the family, or the neighborhood.'
I told him he wasn't the only one, I told him he was normal, but I knew he was frustrated. I toild him I loved him, and that we would try our best to get his legs to feel better. And all the while inside I was crying. I was inadequate. I was wondering HOW. How to fix this. How to make it better. HOW. And I knew I didn't have the answers. I still don't. I have love, I have hope, I have prayer. I don't have answers.
jeanette the nurse called back and said Dr. K had squeezed him in at 10 am the next day. His stiffness and instability lasted until about 3 in the afternoon. And then he was runnign in the yard. Wobbly, but running, He slept all night. He woke up stiff, but was bounding down the steps. I saw him stretch his legs out ont he coffee table and as I was fixing breakfast he was counting. I looked over to see him bending his knees to chest each leg, 10 times each, and switching sides adn repeating. And I was amazed.
Amazed that a 6 year old can perservere through pain that would knock many adults flat. Amazed at a sweet child who when asked 'what are you doing?' Responded with an 'Exercising!" as in, 'well mom, whats it look like, im makign these legs do what they need to do!'
And he we are, 13 hours later, and no closer to fixing my sons legs.
Dr. K ordered MRI's. He said the ankle swelling was 'minimal', and not in the major joint, therefore an injection was not possible. Minimal swelling certianly does not mean minimal pain. He said his legs muscles are very tight, and sent in PT.
We are now waiting for an MRI appointment. At that point we can look over the results and discuss steroid injections. And oral medications if the ankle is still swollen. I left with no more answers, the same medication regimen, that is obviously not working, and a child dissapointed that Dr. K did not fix it. He did order repeat labs, and some Muscle enzymes. He stated there are other diseases that also cause muscle inflammation that need to be ruled out. Brennan has now missed 33 days of school this year. and as I was angry and frustrated and listening to Dr. K talk, and tell me this is a long journey, and a puzzle that takes time, and that we still don't have a sub type, and that we needed to rule out other diseases, i was trying to remind myself of a verse my dear friend had sent me.
Lamentations 3;33
for he does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men'.
As I pondered this, and thought of my son, and how my God loves him more than I do, i began to read more, and came across this

Lamentations 3:21-25
But this I call to mind and therefore I have hope. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, hismercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is yoru faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in him. The Lord is good to those who wait in him.
and Numbers 23:19
God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he chould change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken and will he not fulfill it?

And I know I can trust my Gods character. He has spoken. He has spoken that his mercies are new every mornign, and my sweet son, bounding down the steps lived that today. He gave Brennan the strength today to walk, to finish his PT exercises with daddy, and to even, though wobbly and sore after, to play a soccer game tonight. He felt normal today. when asked his pain level he said he felt 'good' and 'fine' today, but when shown the face chart, he pointed to a 5 on a scale of 1-10.
Gods mercy was new today.
And therefore I will hope in HIm.

E is for eye dcotor

2011-05-06T08:47:00.001-04:00

Im not quite sure where these alphabet titles are coming from, lol They just are. At the moment we are praising God because mysweet son can get into the eye doctor on MONDAY instead of June 10th. Hes complaining of burnign eyes when outside, and due to his positive ANA bloodwork is at higher risk for his arthritis affecting his eyes, so they squeezed him in quicker. The doctor is supposed to call me today so we can chat. I am realizing this disease is odd. No clear cut answers, lots of waiting, waiting and seeing. And Im not the best at being patient. Do you think God knew I needed a lesson in patience?
I am currently reading a great book titled 'Raisng Kids with arthritis'. It has me thinking about more and more as we go forward. I was hit last night with the phrase that this a chronic disease that can only be managed with medication, exercise, consistency. Im beginning to accept these things, but want my son to not be defined by this. I want him to push forward, to run still, though it hurts, to keep on being HIM, not going on to become IT.
Its been a rough week for him. A week of sore legs, and now ankles. Stiff nights and mornings, and a sweet little boy that I can tell is worried about this. wondering. Questioning. I pray his heart does not turn bitter and angry over this. I pray for healing, I pray for relief. I praise the one who has already answered so many prayers, in so many ways. And we wait. What drug will work? What does his body look like on the inside? What does his future look like? I dont know, but I know My God holds it in his hands.

D is for...

2011-05-02T21:29:00.000-04:00

Diagnosis day. April 28th, 2011. My son, 6, charming, wonderful, sweet, and practically perfect has juvenile arthritis. Thi blog has been home repairs, things Ive made, etc, etc. And all of those things seem well, trivial to me tonight as I sit and ponder life. It started in january. the 11th to be exact. He woke up like this. Well, it was worse- this is better than how he woke up.

He couldnt walk at first. He was like a sobbing wet noodle tryign to stand. I thought of tumors, and strokes as I dialed the phone and panicked. I obviously wasnt talkign clearly because the nurse, and my husband thought he had growing pains! After bloodwork and exams we were told he had viral arthritis. My husband, whose neck could be 2/3rds severed before he ever saw a doctor took one look at my video footage that night and was silent. For five full minutes. Then quietly he asked when he saw the specialist.
After a short lived break, like 7 days, from the symptoms they came roaring back, and we began to realize that viral arthritis never lasts more than 8 weeks. My sons ANA antibodies were positive, and it was time to see a rheumatologist.
It took 3 months to see our doctor. 3 months of me hoping it was something else. 3 months of me prayign it was someting else. 3 months of me watching him run around 1 day, then sob and shuffle and limp another.
I have prayed God would show my son perserverance. And as these 3 months have gone by, and Ive prayed for healing God has whispered to my heart- :why so quick to pray for perserverance, and then for the trial to be removed? My purpose will be perfected in yoru son. " I was reading abotu the man born blind from birth, who did not sin, but was blind that Gods glory might be revealed. matthew

The author asked- what was harder to accept? the condition, or that it was caused by one who could heal it?
As i read that I was shaken to my core. As Jerry Bridges says in Trusing God- it is far easier to obey God than it is to trust Him. The question I kept being asked was 'Do you trust me with your son?" Do YOU trust me, with your son?" Do you TRUST me with your son? Do you trust me with your SON?
And I have sat before God this week almost silent. I have sewed, and neglected housework to escape, I have driven to the mall, and neglected housework to escape. I have played board games with and snuggled a child who hurts, and is stiff, and is asking- Momma, will my legs ALWAYS hurt? Momma- is it wrong for me to think God is kind of mean to not fix my legs?
And I have tried to push away my thoughts crowding my mind with menial things. And I cannot. God loves me too much to allow it. Tonight as I sat to read with my sons our daily devotion I almost wept when I saw the title. Gods timing is perfect. The passage?
1 Peter 1:3-9

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy,he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, toan inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
and Phillipians 4:13
I can do all thrings through Christ who gives me strength.
And as I asked teh questions that corresponded with the story my son talked about his arthritis. His disease.
And we talked about how our life on earth is but a vapor compared to eternity in heaven. How God can heal Him, but God has a plan regardless. We talked abotu trust, and Gods glory beign revealed in our lives. And I just wanted to hold him, and take that weight from my 6 year old son. My son asking if this will affect his eyes as the doctor mentioned. My son who is too precious to me to see this. My son. MY SON.
How God must have ached as he watched Christ hang on that cross!
I know my God has plans. I look back and see the pain Christ went through was for GOOD. I want to see the future of my sons trial, and all I can do is trust. Do I trust Him with my son?

I'm BAAACK! Sort of.

2010-10-30T09:34:00.000-04:00

Hello all of you out there! I think it's been about 2 1/2 months since my last post. Hmm... Time flies is all I
can say! I just don't have time for regular posts right now. I barely have time to do projects. Why so busy? Well- lets see. Between being a care group leader in MOPS, head room mom for one kid, doing Bible Study Fellowship, boy scouts, hubby having 2 meetings a week, couponing, and helping others coupon, teaching Sunday School, various committees at church... I am really just BUSY. It's okay- I like it. I really do. But I cannot blog, and refinish furniture and doors right now, too.
I think the craziest thing in all of this is half day Kindergarten. I. don't. like. it. Can I get an amen?!?!?! I mean- I am in the car CONSTANTLY!!! I think my next kid will go all day, and then I'll sub part time to pay for it, lol but seriously- that is really keeping me busy with all the broken up days and runnign back and forth. oh- and I hopefuly wil begin subbing on Fridays soon. WHEW! In the midst of all of this I have managed a few things. I have stained the top of our stairs, and am currently painting the 'kickers', I have made knock off Pottery barn sweater pillows for $0.50 each, and ive made some more anthro knock offs. I have stained about 400 feet of trim, but haven't put it up yet, haha. And I managed to fly to Maryland

BY MYSELF for 4 days to see my ailing grandma, and visit the Holocaust Museum in D.C. with Poppa. Ill add some eye candy in, maybe link up to a party or two... We shall see.

Mine. $7.00

Theirs. Necklace $38.00 Shirt $ 58.00

total $96.00

Mines not perfect, but I have had several people ask where I bought it when I am wearing it.It looks adorbale with a long sleeved cream shirt underneath, and long slouchy boots! :-)

my newest project

2010-07-13T16:42:00.000-04:00

Has it really been a month! Geeze. Sorry. I have been spending about all day every day in the pool. If it's not in the pool it's in the herb garden, at bible study, couponing, learning to coupon better, and creating new menus for the fam. I feel as if Ive been way too busy to blog much of anything and my house projects are at a stand still. Why? I. am. sick. to. death. of. them.

Seriously- I needed a break. I ahve hundreds of feet of oak trim needing stained. I have the stain. I don't wanna do it. Not yet. How abot this fall when its cool, but nice, and dry, not sticky, and my 2 oldest are back in school? Yep- sounds like a plan to me!

So- have I done ANYTHING??? I mean besides lay in the pool? Yep, I have. I have been readin gsome fashion blogs. Eek! Fashion, not houses? Yeppers. I have been loving Anthropologies website, and ahve decide dthat I can and will make myself some less expensive knock offs.

The first is for my brothers wedding in 3 weeks. I fell in love with this skirt

at Anthropologie

But the price... Eh, not so much love

4 hours and $5.17 later I had this

Not too shabby, eh?

Like my Steve Madden pumps I paid $0.50 for? Me, too, ladies, me, too!

Please ignore my messy dresser. ;-)

My next adventure was this dress-.

at Anthropologie as well. Price tag $148.

My version cost $4.00 and some change...

I think thats a smug look... Sorry. I wasn't thinking smugly. Well, maybe a little seeing as I saved a whopping $234.00 Next up is their attic treasures tank

We shall see. We shall see.

What have you been doing this summer? Lazing by the water like me?

2010-06-01T08:38:00.000-04:00

I have been MIA lately. I have some good old pictures of previous projects I COULD whip up a post on. But I don't wanna.

Hear the whine in my voice? lol

We have jumped into summer full steam ahead. My kids have swam the past 4 days for a MINIMUM of 8 hours a day. My youngest has had quite the asthma flare, and has kept me up at nights and on my toes during the day to make sure he doesn't turn purple. He did that 3 nights ago. The turning purple thing. By Gods grace we didn't ahve to go to the hospital, but it was a rather close scare. He is a cute kid, but not when he looks like that little girl from Willy Wonka.

I, although not burnt, have somehow got sun poisoning... Go figure.

I have started a new summer schedule for my boys. Call me crazy but I do believe kids THRIVE on structure. They have workbook pages M, W, and F. Quiet reading time mid afternoon, instead of a nap. It gets them out of the sun, and if they fall asleep, fabulous. If not at least they are resting and feeding their minds. And of course there is the chores.

Cause this house doesn't clean itself!

J, 7, and B, 5 are responsible for a bathroom each. Q, 3 has to sort the dirties and they all have to sort/fold/put away their laundry and daddys whites.(I love to hear the cries of "EW! DAds UNDERWEAR!!!!! They're HUGE! Of course hubby is tall and lean and nothing on his frame is huge, but they think so, lol) 1 kid has dishes each meal, the others have kitchen floor cleanup, etc. And of course there is the weeding, stick picking up (our willow sheds like a dog!), etc etc etc. We all pitch in and try to teach these boys the value of hard work so one day I can say "I raised you to know how to do that!" and really mean it, lol.

In the midst of our new schedules I have added in working out 6 times a week

and changed our eating habits.

NOW you get why I haven't posted projects, eh?

Seriously- working out that much and coming up with new menu plans and changing our cooking style has kept me BUSY BUSY BUSY! I am feeling much better, as is hubby. My tummy is getting tight, and my thighs are getting firm. My boys are actually enjoying the new menu stuff. Especially mommas homeade- whole wheat -flax waffles. And they adore the yogurt, fruit smoothie popsicles. It's amazing how making all these changes can put a ripple in the rest of our lives. I haven't go it down to a fine science yet. My friend laughed and said that I probably won't until August when they all go back to school. Okay with me! This Wednesday starts a new womens bible study at church, as well. I am looking forward to it!

So- that is what we have been doing.

I shall go now to work ont hat menu and grocery list, and leave you with my waffle recipe!

2 Cups whole wheat flour

1/8 cup ground flax seed

1 3/4 c buttermilk ( I cheat and use 2 T ob lemon in 1% milk)

1/2 C canola oil

4 tsp baking powder

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp salt

2 eggs

mix, pop in your waffle iron and enjoy!

Grocery Blessings

2010-05-21T08:02:00.000-04:00

I have said it before, and I shall say it again. God is faithful to grow us. He always is. Especially when we realize we need to grow in an area and ask for it!

I was blog hopping yesterday and came across a fabulous post. Unfortunately I. cannot. find. it.

It's not in my history, Ive spent hours looking. I cannot even remember the name of the blogger or how I got to her site. So- I shall summarize for you. This woman does not like to grocery shop. I understand. I spend, on average, 2 hours making my lists, gathering/clipping/organizing my coupons and deals and calculating my costs before I leave for the store. (budget is King!) I then drive to the store, load things in the cart, then on the conveyor belt, then back in the car, then in the house, then in the pantry/fridge.

However, this woman had a lightbulb moment.

Let me highlight some words above for you.

Drive.

Car.

Store.

Cart.

Car.

Pantry.

Fridge.

Are you getting my point? The point this woman made, who has a great blog that I. cannot.find.

Am I really complaining about going to the store to purchase food for my family? I have a store to go to. My children do not look like this.

And I am complaining!?!

Shame on me.

Shame on you.

According to the CDC in 2008 19.6% of 6-11 year olds were obese.

18.1% of 12-19 year olds were.

Lets not even discuss adults.

Now- I am not picking on people who are overweight due to health reasons, or really picking on overweight people at all. But lets ask ourselves- WHY the large numbers?

Because we can afford to feed our children.

We are cramming them full of sweets and junk and there are THOUSANDS of children dying the world over DAILY from hunger related causes.

Because we are SO well fed we take it for granted and think it's our right to even complain about going to the store. I spent 3 summer soverseas- 1 of them in Asia. Ive seen people lying in the streets hungry and children as little as 1 trying to sell things on the streets for food.

And yet I complain about going to the well stocked, clean grocery.

I vowed yesterday morning to not have a bad attitude while shopping.

Ever. Again.

And then I took 3 boys to the store, to 3 stores actually.

And the gal at Meijer rung my order wrong and owed me $15.00 for not scanning my coupons correctly, which I didn't notice until I was BACK in the car with all 3 kids and had to go BACK in the store to wait in line to get my money back.

And I thought to myself- I could complain. This is frustrating. I am hungry and it is dinner time. My kids are rowdy and hungry, too.

But I just spent more in this store than some people will have in a lifetime. I am going home to put my food away, and I can eat a disease free, bug free meal tonight. I will be getting more back in change than many people live on in a years time. Hungry to me means nothin really. I don't KNOW hunger like many people around the world do.

And I praised God for the oppurtunity I had. For the country I live in. For giving me the tender heart to see how truly blessed I am. For the oppurtunity to grow my attitude and perspective. For my children being well fed and cared for. I thought of the little guy we sponsor. And the girl we sponsored for 10 years until she went to college. And I praised God. And I praised God. And I praised God.

How is your attitude?

Morning Bessings

2010-05-14T08:33:00.000-04:00

My mornings are hectic. What else could you expect with 3 boys, 7 and under, and a puppy? I wake up, ~~crawl~~ immediately walk to my coffee pot and get it started. My sons are NOT morning people. Well- I take that back, the 2 that are in school are not morning people. I am usually greeted by whines, and 'more sleep!' or a made up ailment such as 'my tummy hurts, 'my head hurts', etc. I think that they think I was never a child myself and maybe I will one day buy into it and let them stay home. NOT HAPPENING boys.

Usually after the whining comes the craziness. A hyper puppy thrilled that his best playmates are up is racing to and fro. And I mean RACING. As in Indy 500 time trials racing. And the oldest is racing right along with puppy, the youngest has spilled his milk, AND oatmeal, and the middlest is making some sort of odd noise- this morning it was an indian war cry. Why you ask?

I have no earthly clue.

I laughed and shook my head and bit my tongue wanting to be short and say 'Will you be quiet??!! Calm down, stop being so...

Happy? Full of life? boyish? a child for now?

I have not had a peaceful quiet morning in 7 years, 2 months and 15 days. I probably won't have one for another 14 years, and 6 months. And then- will it really be peaceful? Will I enjoy it?

Or will I be crying my eyes out as my baby flies the nest?

A tempted as I am some mornings to squash the child in my children I realize that they will be children for only so long. Instead of the shushing, I giggle at the indian war cry, instead of grumbling and being angry I remind myself these are memories, moments I can not get back. I want my sons to remember mornings full of laughter, and a puppy and his boy gallopping along happy to see each other. NOT some monster mom in all her grogginess snapping their heads off and getting their day off to a rotten start. Who wants to be snapped at first thing in the morning?

I doubt you'd see any hands raised if this question was asked in a room full of people!

My children are a blessing. A gift from the Lord. Even if that blessing is using his Indan war cry at 7 am.

I am thankful my God loves me enough to touch my heart and remind me that 'mans anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.' (James 1:9) And I so desire a righteous life in my children. How can they love God more when momma doesn't model that love?

Even at 7 am.

Even with a war cry.

Even with a puppy knocking into my legs.

Even when I was tossing and turning all night due to a migraine.

Even with a whiny 'I don't want to get up!'

Even with spilled milk.

Have you remembered your blessings in the morning? Or is today a day to be reminded of that?

The Joys of Boys 3

2010-05-04T08:21:00.000-04:00

My house is full of testosterone. Even our dog is a boy. There is so much 'boyishness' a gal can sometimes get overwhelmed. What does an overwhelmed Mama do? She laughs ALOT, she has her girls nights, and she decides fi you can't be one, why not join them?

On Sunday morning we were running late to church. I was 'putting on my face' and Jackson comes running into my bathroom holding this

MOM! (In a whiny tattletale voice, wearing an impish smile...)

'LOOK at what Brennan drew!' I looked, and tried to not bust a gut laughing in front of my 7 year old. 'Mom- just look. ' I looked again, said 'Thank you' and continued applying my mascara. I am prettys ure he was hoping to get his brother in trouble. No such luck. A few moments later hubby comes in for his shower. I showed him and we both cracked up. I mean seriously? Fart, Pee and Poop? WHY are little boys obsessed with bodily functions? My kids have recently learned how to make that 'fart' noise with their armpits. I hear it ALL DAY. And then last week when in Meijer Jackson went to use the bathroom. I waited outside, listening, always afraid for the scary man in the bathroom picking on my kid like thos horror storied youve heard. Jackson comes out giggling. Well he met a scary man alright. And that man ripped one at the urinal and declared' Ahh... that's some paradise'. WHAT? WHAT?? I thought boys outgrew this- or at least some of them?

Hubby and I decided Brennan need no punishment. If we make a big deal out of his drawing poop, he will be all the more obsessed with drawing it and quite frankly, I don't care. Call me names, tell me I'm a bad mother, email me how I should be teaching my child about poo. I'm just not worried about it. We did however tell him that potty drawings do NOT belong in school or at church. While my boys love to rip one, it may not be done at the table, or during prayers, and family devos. They are learning to go outside to the sandbox and giggle about it, or up to their room and howl with laughter while belching the ABC's.

After I was ready for church, Quin came downstairs declaring he was ready. He was in grubby shorts and a play shirt. I promptly told him to take off those shorts, they were not church shorts. He drops his drawers and it is all hanging out.

'QUIN! Where you going to NOT wear underwear to church?!?!?!'

The most impish smile I've ever seen was accompanied by a matter of fact grin and a 'YEP!'

That boy hates underwear- I think he may be a boxers kinda guy...

Table and chairs and such

2010-05-01T09:24:00.000-04:00

After our week of craziness I have been unwinding. Unwinding in Gods word, unwinding by relaxing, unwinding by actually letting a few things go around here. And then today I caught up, well, mostly. I have also been working on some new projects. Here's a peek of my inspiration and what I have to start with.

This lil' Lady I have had my eye on for a couple of months. She was in our Salvtion army, and I couldn't believe it when I went back for her and she was there. She was hiding among several large couches, as if playing hide and seek with me. She was not priced, and since the manager knows me because I am in there ALL THE TIME, she let me have it for $5.00.

$5.00!

Look at those awesome feet! I love how they are metal, so they won't get ~~gnawed to bits by Noodle~~ dented or chipped.I cannot wait to see the end result!

Now this next set of photos is my chairs that have me thinking if I EVER see another piece of sandpaper it will be to soon. I bought these a year ago for $5.00 a piece, with the seat cushions. They have been hanging out, being used, but needing loved.

I believe the previous owners were smokers. I was literally SCRAPING this gunk off the legs of these chairs. and It was nasty sticky, too. There were so many layers under the top one that it took me 6 HOURS with a power sander to even get to the bottom on the flat surfaces of 2 chairs. Power sander and 6 hours do NOT belong together in the same sentence!

UGH! I was wanting this set of chairs to become like this...

Pottery Barn... Beautiful... $299. per chair... $999. for the table...

So- I rounded up some Rustoleums Heirloom White, some Kilz Spray primer, Some clear coat and got busy.I would show you what they looked like after those 6 hours, plus many more hand scraping ones, but my camera battery died. Here one is after a coat of Kilz, and such...

I am almost done them, and by done I mean the cute little slip covers they are gettng on their seat is almost done. You can wait for the final shot, right?

To go with these lovelies I want a table to match! I already have a table, but she is ~~orange~~ honey oak in color. However- this is what I am thinking...

My table has the same legs as the PB table, but I would like the top to resemble the picture below.

Little Bits of Bliss

You should check out the total transformation!

Hubby said building a new top would be easy- and Knock Off Wood has plans for a similiar table. I would also like to build some benches. Our kitchen is too small for 6 chairs around a table. I believe that just looks cluttered, so... We are in process of table transforming!

I also took a sad day and turned it into an Anthropologie knock off of sorts.

You see- I had this beautiful little vase- Kind of reminded me of Ballards Onion pendant

My puppy knocked down my side table, and the glass broke. I kept the piece of metal, I knew I would find a use for it somewhere!

Theirs...

Mine...

It's unique, and makes me happy that I salvaged something from my lil vase to reuse.

Have you salvaged something damaged that you loved? Or redone a table and chairs lately?

Enjoy your weekend!

Someone tried to take a dump on my week...

2010-04-17T13:43:00.000-04:00

Ever had one of those weeks? You know THOSE weeks? I swear we have gone through periods in our life where our circumstances would make a 'Uh-Lare-ee -us' sit com episode. This week was one of them. On Tuesday, unbeknownst to my hubby I began painting my boys room. It was in seriosuly bad shape- they had gone through a color on the walls phase 2 years ago. Yeah- it was bad! I moved all of the furniture myself, etc.
Wednesday my littlest got bit in the face by a neighborhood dog. Thursday my middlest was 'triple dog dared' to jump OVER the sprinkler. He takes after his clutz of a mother, and landed ON the sprinkler splicing his foot wide open. A trip to the E.R. concluded it was so wide and deep it could not be stitched back- the tissue was dead. It has to 'fill itself back in'. So, after a needle being jammed into the wound, and the dead hanging tisue cut off ( I know GROSS) we were sent home with orders to stay off it. In carrying around a 50 pound kid I pulled a muscle in my groin area. I am sure it has nothign to do with my new rigorous workout schedule, or moving dressers and bunkbeds by myself!
Then Friday rolled around. I was having Jacksons friend party that night, and had been up till 1 am the night before finishing a dragon cake. Jackson woke up in so much tummy pain, that we went to the doc. He hasnt been eating, it hurts to touch, etc. We were thinking appendicitis. Honestly- we have no clue what is going on, so we will be seeing a G.I. Soon. I had no way of getting ahold of 5 of the kids from school that he invited to the party, and my house was a wreck. BEFORE we left for the doc, he was wanting to show his brothers his cake. It was on the botton shelf of the garage fridge. They left the door to the fridge open, and then the littlest let the dog out to go potty. Need I say that the dragon got mauled? I had nothing but dragon butt left to serve the kids. Dragon Butt Cake. FAB-U-LOUS!
At this point I cracked up, because it was either laugh or cry. Hubby suggested the kids wouldn't care- it would be awesome to eat mauled dragon. I think the look I gave him told him otherwise.
So- how does my week end? I have NO IDEA. I am baking some crazy deserts for a family get together, carrying around a gimpy kid, and concernedly looking over a 'not himself' kid.
I DO know that Gods grace is sufficient for me, and His power is perfect in my weakness. For without Him I think I would have pulled my hair out this week! Go ahead ABC/NBC call me, we can work on the script together!

Etsy update!

2010-04-08T22:35:00.000-04:00

Hello! I know, it's been awhile. Life has been Busy. BUsy, BUSy, BUSY. Did I mention we have been busy?

Spring break was last week, and besides my 3 wee-uns, I had another lil guy for the week. I am SO outnumbered. We packed the week full of hiking, picnicking, indoor water parks, treasure hunts, a movie, a sleepover, and the like. It was fun. It was also exhausting. So- I'm playing catch up on the house, and catch up on sleep, and catch up on laundry.... You know what I'm talking about! Add to my being behind, 3 boys and a dog in the mix, and working out, and house work... And, well- my poor blog was neglected. But my kids have kept me on my toes with things like toothpaste in brothers hair, etc, etc, etc. I also have been working on a little something for my etsy shop. I have handpainted myself several pillows- numbers, definitions, monograms, etc. And, well, I finally decided to update the neglected Etsy shop. If you click here you will find my pillow covers. I am loving the Jamaican Sea Monogram. Turquoise is finding it's way into my heart... Yes, I still love red, but um... I'm thinking I'm having a little emotional affair with Mr. T lately. He's just so fresh, and young, and lively. Sshhh! Don't tell Mr. Red, he would really be heartbroken. And do NOT tell him that once I repaint my living room I MAY have Mr. T on my windows instead of him.

Anyhwo- check it out. Tell me what you think. I could use some feedback seeing as I really am just getting my feet wet. Thanks!

2010-03-22T20:38:00.000-04:00

For me, it isn't really Spring until we dust off the grill and make big, huge, artery clogging burgers! And by big... well...

You get the idea!

A hopping good shopping time and a PB pillow knock off

2010-03-15T22:23:00.002-04:00

This past Saturday was Beckie and Sarah's Goodwill Hop n' shop. It was a blast! I met many new women, awesome women, with blogs of their own. Gail from My Repurposed Life even drove from as far as Louisville! THAT is awesome.

Lunch at Bucas was fabulous. They were even great about my food allergies. Our swag bags rocked. I have already used my 3M painters tape- though not to paint, lol. My sons wanted a circle for playing marbles on their floor... I also won a $10.00 gift certificate from Goodwill! ME! I never win anything!

Here are some photos from the event.

Ali and Trish

Me, Shannon and Megan

Is that parrot not the most hideous thing you've seen today????? No- Kelly didn't buy it. But we DID put it up on the highest point we could find for all to see...

My loot...

A small vintage Syroco mirror-perfect for our room once some Heirloom White hits it

A broken lantern to be turned into a cloche

Thsi thing was SO ~~trashy~~ brassy that my flash kept bouncing off of it like a prism!

Imagine her white... So pretty for spring!

A trash can for our master bath remodel.... Again- WHITE she shall be!

Isn't this plate PURTY?! I think it will hang on our bedroom wall.

I also scored 3 pairs of brand new shorts for my boys- 3 denim, 1 levis and 1 Sonoma, and 1 adorable plaid pair for Quin from Tar-jay. I love getting NEW shorts for $1.99- especially Levis!

I found several blouses for myself- 1 from Express, 1 new from Charlottle Russe, 1 from New York and Company and another new one from Tar-jay. I thought there MAY have been a fight over it if it didn't fit me. Girls were lining up. Alas, it fit and the cat fight was avoided. I brought home an adorable tube top for summer, and a Nine West bright yellow, show me some spring shirt that needs some chunky jewlery to go with!

Why no fashion show you ask? Because I cleaned today and have not showered and am too vain to do one without... Sorry. Just trust me when I say that I scored some GREAT deals!

My neighbor Ali

has dreams of turning her basement into a dark room. She found a photo enlarger, and crazy her decided to drag it home. It was raining so it ended up in the cab of the (stick shift) truck with the 2 of us. Can you tell by this picture that I was twisted like a pretzel the whole way home?

Seriously gals! It was nuts! I am so glad she scored such a great piece, and cannot wait to see what she does with it.

On another note the night before our Shop n hop I was working on this

A hand painted pillow knock off of Pottery Barns pillow.

For $49.00 plus shipping I decided to make it myself!

Theirs

Mine.

was. free.

Gotta love the stash in my white dresser and computer room closet!

I printed off the font in the size I wanted and just traced onto my fabric with a quilting pen, then handpainted it. My 3 year old kept bumping the table in his desire to watch, but it turned out okay. I then stuffed the cover with a pillow form I had lying around. Free. Free. That way when I get sick of it i don't feel bad swapping it out, or pawning it off on ~~Megan~~ someone else.

It was a great weekend, and I do hope to get to know some of my new bloggy friends better.

I am linking up to Lindas Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays ladies- new frinds- join me!

Blessings,

Lifes playground

2010-03-15T11:00:00.000-04:00

This is a repost from last June, and yet it was such a sweet reminder to me that I wanted to share it again, or for the first time with you Newbies. :-)

I am sitting here thinking that I have too many online things to keep up with. Blog, facebook, Myspace, email, googling anything my heart wishes to read about(which is mostly dec stuff these days...) and I realize that I often neglect some in order for the others... My Myspace hasnt been updated in ages and i dont really care, either. Facebook- eh... it can sit- I think I shall focus on my blog for abit.
Yesterday we took our sons to the Air show. Amazing is all I can say about the mena nd women who defend our freedom from thousands of feet up at warp speed! The blue angels took my breath away- the power behind those planes and the precision in the pilots. WOW!

Last week we took the kiddos to Holiday world and what a day it was! We camped the night before, and the next mnorning as we were walkign to the bathhouse Quin saw the campgrounds playground. He jumped up and down and said YES! YES! Mom- it's HOLIDAY WORLD LET'S GO! Oh I laughed until my sides hurt at my son staring as a slide, and 4 swings, and 1 climby tunnel thinking THIS was what our 3 hour drive and overnight stay was for. If he only knew how much better it would be!
And I realized- How often does MY Father say the same thing? How often have I shouted YES! LET'S GO! And God wants MORE for me than my lil' pea brain can comprehend? How often have I begged for that little playground and God has said "Okay, honey, I guess I will say yes, but i wish you would do it MY way." And His heart aches as I contentedly swing, and slide, all the while He knows how much MY heart will ache when I realize what I have missed out on?
I have found myself praying Psalm 34 lately- that God would give me the desires of my heart. In typing that please understand that as I draw near to God, my hearts desires change, and they become more in line with HIS desires for my life, therefore, as I draw closer, the desires of my heart granted are not self centered, but God centered. I pray He delights in my ways and that in turn my steps are firm. I want to have a heart that sees Him in all, in my pain, in my joy, in sorrow.
This year has been tough for me. So much I have struggled through with the Lord on a personal level. And as I have sat begging God to remove the thorn from my flesh, He has said No, But His grace is sufficient for me for His power is perfected in my weakness. And as He has said no, the desire of my heart has changed- from no longer begging, pleading, but asking HOW God? HOW can I use my luggage for your Glory? How can I use my hurt/illness/etc for YOUR glory? And the focus has changed from ME to HIM. Which is what He wanted in the first place. How stubborn of me as I was begging for a park here on earth, He was wanting heaven in my heart...
What are your desires?

A touch of spring

2010-03-12T21:45:00.000-05:00

Spring is here! I can hear birds chirping every morning, ah- I LOVE that sound! My kids shoes are muddy, thank God for boot trays, and it is nice enough to be outside most of the day. With spring ont he outside, i needed al ittle spring on the inside.
If you aren't familiar with Vintage Printables, you should be! Great website with tons of vintage images. I perused and picked out some botanicals and butterflys. I then uploaded them to my Walmart account and had them printed. After some spray painting of frames, and mounting on cardstock, here is the end result.

This beautiful Poppy botanical cost me a measly $0.19- the frame was $0.60, and I had the spray paint, and sandpaper to make it go from gaudy to pretty.

What is Spring without butterflies? I look forward to our zoos gardens butterfly exhibit every year. It is an indoor garden exhibit with hundreds of butterflies. They have a spot where the Chrysalis' are hanging, and whent he butterflys hatch, they take off and 'do their thing'.

AHH! Fresh touches of spring throughout the house!

How have you been decorating for spring?

My bathroom dilemma- show me some ideas!?

2010-03-10T08:27:00.000-05:00

Well, floors are done, trim is awaiting my hubby a day of rest. What a guy! he finished those floors while sick and icky! I am already mentally gutting our bathroom. My house needs put back together...

Yesterday a friend and I went to Assets Recycling. Now- this place is in ~~THE GHETTO~~ on the opposite side of the tracks ladies. BUT- it is a true diamond in

the rough. Oak trim for .30 a linear foot? Yes, please. Colored brand name grout at $3.00 a bag? Yes, please. How about Behr stain quarts for $1.25, and unfinished cabinet drawers and doors, brand new for $1-$5 A POP!? Granite is at $1.00 a square foot.

Anyone in Indy know of a guy that does granite on the side? As in cut AND install?

So- if you live in indy, check it out,. Just take hand sanitizer, albuteral if you are asthmatic, and a friend. I scored a brand new jug of Valspar Mocha glaze for $3.00. WOOT WOOT!

So- here's my thinking. I want some glazed bathroom vanity love going on in my master bath. Like this

Something like an off white, glazed. NOW- If I want to do beadboard, HOW will that look? Remember I have about 50 library books on baths? And not a one of them has glazed vanity, with crisp off white beadboard. Now- I am a rule breaker. There are no rules in this house as far as decor except for the good old 'If you like it, it must be right' rule.

So- ladies, what do you think? Anyone have any inspiration for me that I can see? I would love your input!

updates on floors

2010-03-09T08:33:00.000-05:00

My house is in shambles. My poor kids had thawed out sausage patties, strawberries and mini wheats with no milk for breakfast. (I forgot to buy more milk , and the stove was inoperable, and we do not have a toaster...) I think they survived just fine.

Here was my house Sunday, as I began this post...

I TOLD you it was a shambles. I have furniture in the garage, on my front porch, and stuffed into the office. My laundry room is um, scary. However, as I type this morning, my living room is done, other than trim, and my bedroom over 1/2 done. My new floors are a dusty, muddy mess. Hubs keeps racking in crap when going back and forth to the saw in the garage. Ahh- mopping. I get the privelage of mopping once again!

Forgive the unropped, crappy shots. I had cropped them, and lost them and have things to do and places to go and not the time! lol
On another note- can ANYONE tell me what game this is?

I have searched, googled and about knocked myself out trying to figure it out. It is not a fox and geese board. The one side has 7 marble holes on it, the others only 5. I figure this would be an awesome wall hanging once I get ahold of it with some sandpaper and such. However, I would LOVE to know what it is!

(IM)patiently waiting

2010-03-05T19:57:00.000-05:00

I have spent most of the afternoon boxing decor up, and moving furniture out to the garage. In the midst of this I have spray painted this dresser,

because the white that I brush painted it was not working for me.

Thank you Rutoleum Heirloom white!

You may not see the after until I show off my floors.

And I cooked the best chicken tortilla casserole ever.

I am so tired that although I KNOW I had a purpose in this post, I have literally forgotten it!

Wow. Total. Brain. Fart.

On that note I am going to sign off and go to bed. I wonder- is it just exhaustion or the spray paint fumes, 2 cans worth, that I inhaled today?

2010-03-05T08:34:00.000-05:00

You ever ask God to show you a certain area of your life that needs work? I didn't think I had a problem with pride. Nope, not me. Mu husband thought differently. Whatever, honey. Not MOI! But- I conceded that I would pray about it and ask God to show me if I was wrong.

God is faithful. Amen. But lessons in pride are painful. Amen? AMEN!

He was faithful enough to let me swallow a big fat dose of myself yesterday. Ugh. I am an overly opinionated, argumentative kinda gal, who is learning to become more gentle and quiet.

Ona nother note, my floors go in tomorrow! TOMORROW! TOMORROW!

However, today I am sick, running a fever, and am thinking that I have literally the energy of a slug to pack up things and move some furniture. Ugh.

Thats okay. Hubs can do it without me! I cannot wait to share pictures of the after- cause you all have seen my AWFUL sub floors!

Nifty thrifty linkin up

2010-03-02T08:15:00.000-05:00

It's today! It's today! The Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays at Coastal Charm! I decided to post pictures of one of my very first thrifting buys. I used to avoid thrift stores at all costs. I paid full price for things. (Hangs head in shame) I did not like used things. (hangs head even lower) ThankGod i am a changed woman!

When hubby and I first redid our bedroom, I was looking for wall accents. I spotted this piece ona bottom shelf for $1.99. I kept picking it up, putting it back, over and over. Finally I decided that I could always redonate it if it didn't work.

It worked. The camera catches more goldish tones th at it really lets off, but I LOVE this piece. I get so many compliments on it. A friend who is an interior designer once said ' That piece could have gone Either way- really good, or REALLy bad. It is REALLY GOOD.' In the same week I also found the fabric for my curtains at $1.00 a yard, and fabric for my pillows at about $1.00 ayard as well, and several milk glass pieces to accents my valances.

Now- these are OLD pictures- we have white nighstands now, and this week my woodwork is getting a treatment of white paint, and new floors are going in. I am wanting to paint- lighter shade, but we shall see. So I shall show you the updated shots soon. However- for under $20.00 we made curtains, and put up a unique piece on the wall. I once saw the same piece in an antique store for $45.00!

Go on over and link up to Lindas party, peruse others thrifty finds, and have a blessed day!

A show off and a cry for help!

2010-03-01T09:02:00.000-05:00

Hey there Readers! It is Monday morning. 2 of my kiddos are off to school. Breakfast is picked up, the dog has been out to poop, I have relieved myself, and had 2 cups of coffee. AHH!

I know, probably more info than you wanted, but seriously- YOU all get up, pee, drink coffee and go about your day, too!

My youngest is watching some toons, and I am blog reading. How many of you could spend HOURS online? I know I could with all the great creative blogs out there.

So- have you seen these bottles?

At $149.00 for three from Wisteria, they are unique, beautiful, ~~WAY overpriced~~ and completely out of my budget range.

I have seen other bloggers make them using twine, and while it is nice, I wanted the soldered look.My hubby has all the tools, but I was a little worried about burning down the house, setting my hair ablaze, or getting a glass bottle so hot it exploded and left me scarred for life. Yes I have an active imagination. Yes, I am a tad bit clutzy.

SO- here is my version.

The bottle was $0.99 at my salvation army. I already had the oyster shell. I used a low melt glue gun, and then raided the crayon box. I used matches to melt a black crayon onto my glue, and just held the bottle sideways and rolled it around to get the desired look. I am only out 99cents and a few mild burns on my fingers. Thsoe matches were crazy fast burning! I think I used like 40 of them. Oh- I also heated up the crayon in the microwave when it became just a nub, and I kept burning my fingers. Then I used the soft wax to kind of paint with my fingers on the bottle, and heated it up with another match. Clear as mud?

I will be looking for some awesome stuff to 'solder' to more bottles for a trio this spring.

So- on to my cry for help. I found this perfect jar at the salvation army. Only it has this ~~hideous~~ unperfect Christmas tree on it.

HOW do I get it off? Ive tried sanding... To no avail. If I used paint thinner would it ruin the glass? Seriously adies- I NEED your help! Thanks. And sorry about the shaky pic.

More than enough

2010-02-28T17:11:00.000-05:00

This morning was pretty rough. What is it about Sunday mornings that bring out the carnal in us? Seriously- we are on our way to CHURCH!

My oldest was being completely disobedient and arguing about EVERYTHING. My youngest was testing the waters and my middlest was pulling the good ole 'I have my head in the clouds' routine.

We made it to church on time, without daddy because he is sick, but not happily. I bawled them out the whole way there. Okay- MOST of the way there. I wanted to wring their necks I tell ya! I considered threatening them with bodily harm, but realized it was futile as I am not trained in the arts of CIA torture procedures, nor could I really carry them out on my sons. And then I walked into the worship service and was reminded that...

All of You is more than enough for all of me

For every thirst and every need

You satisfy me with Your love

And all I have in You is more than enough

You are my supply

My breath of life

And still more awesome than I know

You are my reward

worth living for

And still more awesome than I know

All of You is more than enough for all of me

For every thirst and every need

You satisfy me with Your love

And all I have in You is more than enough

You’re my sacrifice

Of greatest price

And still more awesome than I know

You’re the coming King

You are everything

And still more awesome than I know

More than all I want

More than all I need

You are more than enough for me

More than all I know

More than all I can say

You are more than enough for me

By Chris Tomlin

I raised my hands and the tears welled. He is enough for me, enough for my weakness, enough for my mommy exhaustion, enough for my heartache, enough for my impatience. And He will give enough to be the momma He wants me to be. Praise God for the reminders given when we need them.
Our day has gone much better, as I laid down my anger, my frustrations and my pride before the one who is more than enough. Are you allowing Him to be more than enough for you, too?

Before I sign off I want to ask for your prayers. Not for me, but for my hairstylist. She was recently diagnosed with brain cancer. Her brain surgery was this past week. Penny will be going through Chemo and radiation. She knows the Lord, and Loves Him dearly. I know she will walk this path set before her trusting in Him. Please lift her and her family in your prayers.

Germies Of the worst kind

2010-02-27T19:09:00.000-05:00

My children crack me up. Tonight they were instructed to pick up the large pile of bakugans and put them away before we read Junie B Jones. If you have never read Junie B. to your kids YOU are missing out, and so are they. My husband practically begs us to not read the next chapter without him.

Anyway, as Quin had many more bakugans than hands he announced- "Hey- i can put them in my pants!'. Jackson shrieks' NO! You will get underwear germs on them!'.

Quin replies innocently "But Im not wearing any underwears, Jackson'.

In bursts Brennan "EW! WIENER GERMS! EW! Those are worse than underwear germs!'.

Jackson in the background 'DON'T Quin, thats gross, I mean it.

I do NOT want you wiener germs on MY Bakugan!."

For the next hour Quintin randomly would say quietly-

"Wiener germs. Now that is uh-lare-ee-us."

They are 3, 5, and 6 in case you were wondering.

7 years ago

2010-02-27T16:19:00.000-05:00

I was in labor. 21 hours of labor. 4 hours of pushing with no meds, and a sunny side up baby with his arm stubbornly over his head FINALLY appeared. My eyes were so um, boogered, from pushing that out of my right eye I was seeing multiples of everything.

And it was worth it.

The above is a page in his scrapbook- ya know before everyone had a digital camera?

Happy Birthday to my little big man. My silly, goofy, analytical, scientist in the works, bug loving, A plus on every spelling test, math whiz, Bionicle building, puppy loving, stubborn son.

Love you!

Paint

2010-02-26T22:07:00.000-05:00

Can I please just say as a disclaimer, that my living room paint is NOT as ~~Hideous~~ brightly,yet darkly gold as it looks in my pictures. I am perusing old photos, and blog photos and CRINGING, Making faces, choking, and gagging, at how um, ~~hideous~~ gold my walls look. MAYBE one of these days I can get better pictures? Until then, please take my word for it- its not THAT bad. Okay- I feel better. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest.
P.S. Many of you will say- just repaint it. I shall beat you to it. I can't. 'Budget is king' as hubby says, and unless you GIVE me 4 gallons of a more neutral shade it ain't happening this year gals! Praise God for new floor, though, right?

It is HERE!

2010-02-26T19:40:00.000-05:00

My flooring that is. It is HERE! It is in the garage. It is awaiting hubby to schedule 2 vacation days and me and 3 boys and a dog to vacate the house. If you wonder why I am SO excited let me fill you in.

I have been living on subfloors fo almost a year. Some of you have crazy sympthy for me, like my 1 friend, Karla, who swears she would have killed her hubs or moved out by now, and some of you are thinking' SO what, I'm on subfloors, too." BUT- In our bedroom we have been on subfloors for almost 5 years.

FIVE YEARS.

Why? We married young (20-barely) and in the hole. 18 months later I was pregnant, and became a full time mommy. 5 pregnancies in 5 years... Three boys in 3 years, 2 heartbreaks in between... A job working full commission. We ALMOST lost our house when I was 9 months pregnant with our 3 yr old. A new job, starting out at the bottom of the pay scale. Finally made top pay, and then paycuts, taking us back to about the bottom of the scale. SIGH. And well, floors were um, low on the list. Top of the list was food on the table and diapers on little butts. Oh- and electricity is also kind of a neccessity. So- here we are. Many years later, having learned the difference between wants and needs, and as thankful as I am for those lessons, I am SO EXCITED ABOUT FLOORING!!!!!! It is called antique oak. Wide planked beautiful, I cannot wait to get it down.

CASH GIVEAWAY!

2010-02-26T19:27:00.001-05:00

Who doesn't love some CASH? Linda over at Coastal Charm is doing a cash giveaway! I am SO hoping to win. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to redo Gwenevieres sister chair. She seems sad , lonely, and I think a tad bit jealous of Gwennies new makeover. And, please don't tell her, but she really does stick out like a sore thumb now!) If I win, she will get redone ASAP. If not, poor Rosalinda will be getting a life lesson in longsuffering. Coastal Charm will also be doing Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays parties. Kick off March 2nd- so get ready gals! I already know what nifty treasures I shall be sharing! Hop on over and peruse Lindas blog, and get yourself signed up for some MOOLAH!

And it was finished... Almost

2010-02-25T15:15:00.003-05:00

I am putting this post up to link to Jennifer Junipers party. And Miss Mustard Seeds Furniture Feature Friday! Thanks for the invite Jennifer. This woman is 'uh-lare-ee-us as my 3 yr old says. I especially loved her Birds and the Bees saga- seriously I almost peed my pants. But enough- heres the deal. My chair, THe chair, the Abe Lincoln chair as a buddy called it, is ALMOST done. I have upholstered all but the piping on the arm rests. It will have to wait because I need to go to the grocery and do my car pull duties... Here she is in all her glory. Her 'I was made in 1926 by Thomasville, still had the original tags and fabirc' remade glory.

Do you think she feels better?

I must say once it was done (almost) I thought of white wood, and khaki upholstery, OR ticking stripe piping... OR cream wood, and a pattern... But seriously- this is fine for now. I made sure that while she is durable, the pipinbg will come off somewhat easily.

Ah- that splash of color is so much better! Like Noodle the sheepadoodles bear?

(A side note- flooring s ordered!)

Here is the before in case you missed it...

I used a low melt glue gun, staple gun, and regular old machine and presser foot(yes, even for double piping!) I have never reupholstered anything beyond a dining chair cover- which does not count if you ask me! Okay- off to get some kids from school!

Slowly Slowly Said the sloth...

2010-02-24T07:40:00.000-05:00

At 1 am last night I finished this boxed and welted cushion. I despise making them. Okay, I DID despise making them. This one went pretty easy. No cursing, only 1 pin in my finger that caused bloodage on the cushion, and no broken sewing machine needle. For those of you that say you cannot reupholster, or do not have the neccessary tools, I shall show you when this is all over what I used and you will see where there is a will there is a way!

Slowly but surely

2010-02-23T11:50:00.000-05:00

Out of order

2010-02-22T20:24:00.000-05:00

My bed looks like an explosion of cream utility cloth, hideous green fabric, copper staples, and screwdrivers. My bedroom has been taken over by this lovely lady.

It was going along beautifully and then I ran out of staples... RAN OUT! AGHHH! So why havent I bought more NOW? I have dinner to put on the table, a child to do homework with and another to read with. Yes, Brennan has begun reading. Out of the blue, he just decided to read. And i love it! And he loves it!

Anywho- thats why I havent gotten staples. I guess that means I have to do the sewing part I was putting off until tomorrow, huh?

2010-02-21T21:12:00.000-05:00

I wonder if this chair will survive me? I wonder if the end job will be imperfectly beautiful or an epic fail? I wonder if i can actually FINISH this without losing a fingernail, finger, dog or my sanity in the process? I wonder if when I am done I will actually tackle the matching chair, or quickly list it for sale? i wonder if the woman who so lovingly ordered this from Thomasville, custom ordered the tag says, is rolling over in her grave crying tears of anguish as I rip apart her chair. I wonder if cream colored utility cloth was the right choice with a puppy and 3 boys...

I wonder if my to do list is getting to long?

Chair/s

curtains for bathroom

finish shower curtain (after I locate a crisp white sheet with no stain)

finial things sanded/painted, etc

dresser for my room-painted/new hardware

dresser for front room-painted

Knock Off Pier 1's throw pillows

my 7 yr olds birthday celebration(shouldnt that be at the top?)

I don't need to wonder that it is time to be still and know that he is God, and to put my priorities in the right order.

Jackpot!

2010-02-20T10:03:00.000-05:00

I spent some time treasure hunting lately looking for fixtures and hardware for our bath remodel. And boy oh boy did I get blessed!

My light fixture, toilet paper holder, and towel racks. Total cost?

$19.00! NINETEEN DOLLARS!!!!!!! That includes the $3.00 for paint, folks. WOO-HOO!

The toilet paper holder was $4.00 at Goodwill- it was still in the package, with all hardware, and the price tag of $30.00 was still on it.

SCORE!

This light is $34.58 at Lowes

And I am sure anything Oil rubbed bronze would be more!

My shower curtain is still in the works. Slow, but steady, right?

I am confident that it will be fabulous when it is done! We shall see. Now- can I get those shower clips and curtain rod for pennies? Hmm....

2010-02-16T20:00:00.000-05:00

a sneak peak of what I like, what I am currently working with and what I am working on.

All of the above are from Anthropologie.

All of the below are from my local thrift store. Many sheets, pillow cases and curtains. All shades of white/cream- NOT yellow- the lighting is bad- sorry!

Now- this is my mad pinning skills in action!

Still looks yellow- not in the least finished... But an idea of where it is heading...

As far as the painted fabric curtain goes- I am sure you have figured out that painting is one idea I have tossed out. Now- to make my sewing machine sing!

Obsessive much?

2010-02-13T20:47:00.000-05:00

I am obsessed. With shower curtains and bathrooms. It seems I can NEVER find what I want in a store or catalogue. I find ideas and then I jump off of them and make them my own. My man laughs, and delights in the fact that I have creative ability while also groaning, sometimes in wardly, sometimes ouwardly, at the mess, and the process of me creative decorating. I have found some more pics that I like, and alas no shower curtain is screaming 'take me home baby!'
BUt I DO have a grand idea. Muslin, linen, paint...
Do you see where this is going?

Anthropologies curtains got my mind a workin...

Some of this is pottery barn, some Ballard.

I have NO CLUE where this is going to end up...But i have a feeling it will be with some $1.99 (half price couponed added to that of COURSE)102" wide Muslin, and my acrylic stash... At that price I can afford a major disaster, right? ;-)

Blessedmama

A bathroom done, and a bathroom begun...

2010-02-13T13:32:00.000-05:00

We are restarting our remodeling. I am excited and dreading it at the same time. Excited for the changes. dreading the process with 3 lil boys, and 2 very different yet stubborn people. I have not shown you all picturs of our bathroom redone. It took me some time to figure this one out. I wanted a touch of red, a pale green, and some sort of checks or stripes. We went from deepr ed walls and cabinetry with an OLD UGLY sink to this

Yes i realize the wondow is unfinished- once the snow melts my new window goes in and THEN it will be trimmed and curtained.

The most frustrating ything Ive ever sewn! Thsi shower curtain took some figuring after I had some odd sizes of fabric to work with, lol

Am I insane having a shower curtain drag the floor in a BOYS bath?!

Hubby did the tile, I just adore this goose neck faucet.

The leaves on the wall is actually a towel holder- my sweet sons have dirtied all my handtowels and they are currently spinning in the wash.

rocks, nests, feathers, art

Love me some birds and a touch of nature.

I do like the funky fungi and such but this arrangement needs some help. Some grounding, some depth... SOMETHING!

I really like the detail on the antique knobs. I scored 7 knobs for all of $0.50- my friends hubby sandblasted them for me at work, and they then were sprayed.

Graphics fairy and the vintage moth outfitted my art for FREE!

As I was fixing my kids lunch This idea came to me....

Better? Maybe?

Anywho... THIs bath is pretty much done- it's tiny, it is hard to take good pictures of UNLESS you stand in the closet. I am especially proud of the fact that while Hubs was out of town, and I was home with 3 boys, I measured, cut, with a hand saw i must add, nailed up with the nail gun, painted and finished the trim myself. I was rather proud. So was hubby. He said he was going to go out of town more often. I said okay, just teach me how to use the table/circular saw.

Now- on to inspiration for my next bath. This bath is long and narrow. I refuse to show pictures in its current state because I am just not ready. Yes, it is THAT bad.

I want it to flow with my current bedroom.

I somehow have lost the folders of bedroom pictures.

I have blues, crisp white, a splash of red( OF COURSE) and a khaki/gold in there. I was considering a straw/oat color for our bath with white cabinets/molding and beadboard ceilings. I have a framed mirror and would love a vintage light. As for the shower curtain I am toying with plain muslin, with a border of something along the bottom... Anyway here are some inspiration pics...

I have requested about 20 boks from the library, and am listing and breaking down our budget... Remodel here we come!

Decor dillemma and emotions amock

2010-02-04T16:04:00.000-05:00

I shall start with the decor dilemma first. Not all of you want to hear of my emotional weekend. :-)
This is what you see when you walk in my front door.

Thisis a small wall that dosnt ahve room for much else. This display is about as taller than I am- (5ft6)

And I get many compliments on the frames, and 'wow- what a cool idea's.

Now- you may be asking- what is the dilemma?

I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO PUT IN THESE FRAMES!!!!!!!!!

I don't have 2 8x10's that I really love- nor do they look right in there. I was considering a verse split between the top and bottom. I LOVE what Nester has done with frames before... Like framed nests, etc. But folks- I'm clueless here. CLUELESS.

Shall I leave them empty? I once heard that empty frames are a sign of no life. Yep. true story.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated! As well as pictures to suggest help.

Now- On to my emotional week.

It's nothign huge, really. Just being a woman. My hubby and I have had one of those weeks. Ya know- where you are at odds and don't know why. he is anoyed, youa re annoyed, and it seems as if the tempter is crouching at your door. He has said he feels oppressed lately- tempted in all areas, knowing he is doing right, and yet feeling incredible overwhelmed and tested in the areas he KNOWS the Lord is working in his heart. So i recruited some girlfriends to pray for him/us. We have been working together on many areas, and it seems as if the tempter can't get to us through our choices in finance, children, etc., he WILL get to us through attitude and relationship to ona another. This adds up to a crummy week for the entire household.

Now- add in an odd work schedule, cold weather, 2 asthmatic flares, with 2 different kids, and a set of stitches.

THAT is from our youngest ~~choking~~ hugging our new Sheepadoodle, Noodle. Noodle furiously paddled to get away and my babies ear caught the brunt of that paddle. Enter mommy- cause I do so much better waiting for the doc, and away we go. This is the SAME kid who got stitchess on our day of Utter choas, and had a set before that for falling on the wooden edge of the sandbox. BOYS!

Anywho- we headed to the hospital and saw the nurse. They originally said something about not being able to stitch it because it was done by an animal. The crabby smart arse in me wanted to ask WHAT IF a Pittbull had torn my arm open- you gonna leave me bleeding profusely? HUH?

I didn't. Instead I politely asked if they were going to do more than clean it for $1,000 ER bill, because I can do that MYSELF.

Long story short he finally got stitched up. BUT as we were being registered I heard the intercom announce 'code blue', code blue, code blue.' I askd teh registrar

Doesn't that mean heart failure/death?' She quietly said 'yes.'

Quin and I bowed our heads and began to pray for the family and doctors of the person who had passed. As we prayed and then said amen we heard 'Code blue canceled, code blue canceled!'. I looked at the registrar, she was crying, I was crying, and she reminded me what an awesome witness to others such circumstances can be. I was, and still am, reminded of what an awesome God we serve! And here I was worried about my son needing stitches. Stitches- when someone else lost a loved one, and then was given them back. Who am I to cry over a crabby week at home, a kid witha torn ear, and MORE medical bills? God is bigger than all of it. I sat there and crid, and was reminded that if my God can answer prayer in such a big way, he can surely provide for my needs as he promises, and work in my life and my husbands. So- there you have it. An emotional week. But we have in fact survived it well! :-)

As for me I KNOW...

2010-01-31T20:53:00.000-05:00

Tonight during devotions we were discussing heaven, and the many questions that a 6, 5, and 3 year old will ask to go along with it. One is concerned that he will be bored in heaven without his bakugan, because surely God doesn't have THOSE. The only answer we could come up with is that God knows what we need, and if God thinks we need toys in heaven, He will have that covered. After that was settled, and a few more little questions the big one came up. "Will Evan be a baby still, or big like us?"

We lost Evan on September 20th, 2005. My oldest was 2 years and 7 months. My youngest was 1 year and 1 month. They don't remember much, other than asking why we 'had to give their sister back to God.' Jackson had been begging for a sister for a while, and well, we finally starting praying that if God wanted him to have a sister He would provide one. And He gve, and He took away. And Blessed is His name.

And tonight, even after 4 years and 4 months the tears flow freely. They are still flowing. My son asked why I was crying over a baby we never knew.

Ah son, I knew my baby. Our baby. I knew how my baby felt, I knew the hopes I had for my child, the fears I had of too many babies too soon, the worries of wondering if everything would be all right, and the pain of realizing everything wasn't all right. I still wonder- red hair or blonde? Blue eyes or hazel? Joyful? Bold and busy? Or quiet and thoughtful? Strongwilled? God knows my little Evan Avery. He knit my baby in my womb, and intimately knows my child. And one day, I know that I will know my child, too. In ways that I never had the oppurtunity to here on this earth. And until then, there will be nights like tonight that it hits me like a ton of bricks, and my husband will pray for me, and hold me, and remind me to be sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1)

I was reading Job last week and just love this verse.

As for me, I KNOW that my Redeemer lives, and that at last He shall take His stand on earth.

Job 19:25

My Redeemer has conquered death, And because I know this, I am comforted.

That organization post i promised... FINALLY!

2010-01-30T21:20:00.000-05:00

First let me declare that I have been doing taxes all day. ALL DAY. Like for 8 hours. I am so brain fried that as i was typing my title I could not figure out how to spell finally/ finnally/ finalle/ I got it right. I think...

I have pisctures of my system and will be blunt and say you are not gonna get em tonight! I cant remember where my camera is... and I dont want to hunt and search.

SO... without further ado...

Organizing your couponing Craziness!

You will need

Manilla folders

an expandable file folder/divided box thingamajig

pens

A smaller coupon thingy/expandable file

a place to store all of your flyers/coupons, etc.

I have a nifty little organizer thing I bought at T.J. Max about 8 years ago. It is pretty with its dark glossy wood and caning, and pretty useful. Looks sort of like this, only with more slots for files, and cubbies, not drawers...

I purchased awesome folders for CHEAP - I have a thing about my office accessories being pretty AND functional! They are labeled as follows

Meijer receipts

Kroger receipts

Walmart receipts

Aldi receipts

CVS/Walgreens receipts

Rebates

ForSaleOrTrade

I obviously file my receipts. Why?

I like to see how much I have saved. It makes me feel proud, thankful, and well, flat out giddy!
I may need to return n item (example- Ive been wanting to switch to another brand of haircolor. i bought 4 this week for a total of $15.00, saving $25.00. I am HOPING the color match was correct. If NOT I will be returning the other 3 for the Right color)
Rebates come up, and some I have found go back as far as 2 months... You may need those receipts to make $10, $20 or even $30!

Im my rebate file I have all of my active rebate forms. First expiring is in front and so on. I paper clip the receipts applicable to the forms, as well as a copy of the receipt, my addressed stamped envelope, a list of what else I need to purchase, as well as any coupons for the needed items.

I have a spot for my sale adds for the week. While I can view them all on line, I do like spreading them out side by side on the table. Just personal preference.

I have a spot for paper- sometimes a printable coupon wil print off 1 per page- leaving me with almost an entire sheet of paper unused- I stack them up and you guessed it- run those babies through again! Or give them to my boys to draw on. Waste not want not

I have a spot for my pens, my list pads, and paper clips.

I keep my unclipped coupons ina spot as well, still in their flyer.

My Walgreens, and Kmart coupon books also have a spot.

It is like a mini office all in one.

Inside my expandable file I have my coupons organized alphabetically, by product name. Ziplock In Z's, Betty Crocker in B's, etc. I ALSO have multiples paperclipped together. This helps when i am in a store aisle and see something on sale or clearance and go looking for a coupon. All 20 of my Pilssburry and 25 of my Loreals are clipped to one another. Then I only have to flip through neatly organized stacks, not a clusterscrew of a mess.

Three are plenty of ways to organize- this jsut works for me. Now- i won't do you any good to organize your coupons if you cannot organize your list ladies(and Gents- yes, one of my hubbies coworkers is reading these posts)

I start out with a list on my fridge. Anytime we are out of something, or low i write it on my list. This weeks list had lemon juice, better than Bouillon, and mayo on it. I always refer to this list when planning my grocery list! I will also start to put items that I am low on my stockpile in on this list. I then plan a weeks or 2 of meals.This list is centered around whats in the freezer, cupboards and on sale. Example- poirk is on sale for $1.69 lb this week, so we are having pork roast. There will also be 3 more pork roasts in my freezer, and some loin cut into chops. Chicken was on sale last week, as was ground beef, so meatlof, mexican night, and Broiled chicken over spinach salad is on my list. Oatmeal, cereal and eggs are in abundance, so breakfast is covered, and lunch is some leftovers, and various other things in the fridge/pantry.

This type of listing saves money and time!

Once I have my list I taake my small coupon organizer and file the neccessary coupons under store name- Meijer/Kroger, etc. I have a master list with my items on it, and I write the sale price in one column, and the price after coupon in another item.

Example

Kraft cheese 3/$5.00 ($1/2 &$1RR) 3/$3
Cereal 4/$10 ($4RR+ $1/2x2) 4/$4

Total is $7.00

I make my lisxt like this so I can see how much I am spending. BUDGET is KING as hubby says.

It helps to kno whow many of what and how much I am getting. I can then put it all in my cart in an organized fashion and stack it on the belt in an organized fashion and see where my savings really are(or if they are) coming off my bill.

I spent $89 at Kroger this week. My saving were $170+

I think I will gladly take 2-3 hours to make my lsit for that kind of savings!

One thing I have thought of this month as I am on my adventure of savings is to be leary of the 'that is such a great deal i must buy it!' attitude.

If it is not an item we like, or really can use I should not buy it just because its a great deal.

Then I would not be saving, even if it is dirt cheap.

After only 3 gorcery trips I believe I am stockpiled enough to only buy the freebies, almost freebies, produce, meats and dairy this week. WOO-HOO!!!!

And before I go get a good book and take a bath let me tell you I got 6 bricks of Philly, 2 cartons of Philly Spreads(the spinach artichoke is KILLER!) and 2 large Breakstones Sourcream for a TOTAL of $1.56

ONE brick of Philly at Meijer is normally $1.74.

GO COUPONS! GO COUPONS!

Happy dance at the keyboard here.

2010-01-25T10:00:00.000-05:00

This morning as I sit and try and blog I am mentally going through my to do list for the day. I have so much to do! Packages to ship,toilets to scrub, children to teach their abc's, a workout to do, dinner to defrost,etc etc etc. I am also going to go crazy looking for an aerobic step to use with my Firm videos. Thriftstores LOOKOUT! Woman on a mission will be coming today! Can you believe they no longer sell them?!?! I mean- geeze! And to buy one on ebay with shipping is around $50.00. Wally world has a basic step, still not what I need for $40.00... I think I shall just save for the WAVE system- whch by the way looks AWESOME!

Okay anyways....

I promised to share more about how you can save more Moolah at the store. Not many poeple commented on my last post, so I have no clue how many people actually want to save money, or coupon, but ya know even if it is only 1 person out there I would love to share what is making a difference for my family!

If some of you are missing my craftiness, sorry. I am going through a dry time right now. It is probably due to the hours spent trying to learn couponing, the multiple bible studies I am keeping up with, and the cold weather which does not permit spraypainting. Not to mention stayng out of the stores I like because I am SO trying to not nickle and dime myself to death! WHEW! Did you get all that?

Back to coupons!

Since I began my adventure I have saved over $200.00. I began my adventure 2 weeks ago. I am going to share some fabulous links for you ladies today that will help you get started. BUT first! Heres some

couponing 101.

How to USE your coupons. Even those ones that have you buy 3 items to save $0.40!

1.You can only use one manufacturer’s coupon per item. You will know a manufacturer’s coupons because “Manufacturer’s Coupon” will be printed on it.

2.Most stores will allow you to use a manufacturer’s coupon and a store coupon on the same item. This is called stacking coupons. (Meijer, Target, CVS, Walgreens,Marsh and Kroger all allow stacking!)

3.If the coupon value is greater than the item value, you may be able to make money on that item in some cases. (It depends on the store.) If the store will not allow an overage, you can ask them to reduce the value of the coupon to simply make the item free.

4.If there is a Buy One Get One Free sale, you can still use one coupon per item. Meaning FREE items!

5.If you have a Buy One Get One Free coupon, you can combine that coupon with a Buy One Get One Free sale and get both items for free!

6. If there is a B1G1 1/2 off you can use a coupon for each item. Example. Loreal Feria haircolor B1G1 1/2 off- 1st item at 8.99 2nd item at $4.49 2 coupons at $2.00 off of 1 Loreal hair color. Total cost. $9.48

There is also an entire LANGUAGE in coupon world!

Coupon Language 101:

MQ – manufacturer’s coupon

•ECB – Extra Care Bucks – CVS “money” printed on receipts to be used like cash in store on your next purchase.

•RR – Register Reward – Walgreen’s “money” printed on receipts to be used like cash in store on your next purchase.

•ESR – Walgreen’s Easy Saver Rebate Program

•ESC – Walgreen’s Easy Saver Coupon

•OOP – Out of Pocket – actual cash paid

•BOGO or B1G1 – Buy One Get One FREE!

•SS – Smart Source insert in Sunday’s paper

•RP- Red Plum insert in Sunday’s paper

•P&G or PG – Procter and Gamble insert in Sunday’s paper

•Peelie – Peelable coupon located on packages

•2/$5 – This means 2 items for $5, can be any combination.

•$1/2 – This means $1 off of 2 items, can be any combination.

•WYB – when you buy

•MIR – Mail In Rebate

•PSA - Prices start at

•crt – cash register tape, a coupon printed at the end of a receipt sometimes called a Catalina.

Catalina: Sometimes abbreviated as “CAT”, Catalina coupon machines located at register, dispense long receipt-like coupons that may be used on a future purpchase. Catalinas, refer to the coupons themselves which may be manufacturer or store coupons. Some Catalina coupons are advertised and some are generated based on consumer behavior.

IVC: Instant Value Coupon. IVCs are store coupons found in the weekly Walgreens ad. IVCs may be stacked with a manufacturer coupon.
Store Coupon: A coupon created by the store to entice you to buy a certain product at their store. Stores receive no reimbursement from store coupons. Store coupons may be found in the weekly ad, printed online or downloaded as e-coupons. Kmart and Walgreens both offer booklets set out each month. I pick up 2-3 of these.
YMMV: Your Mileage May Vary. A phrase used to describe that an experience one shopper has may differ from your experience. One store may allow you to stack additional promos and another location may not do the same. Many websites will tell you of a deal and add the above lingo to let you know that YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY!
Store Loyalty Card: A free card which you present at checkout to receive additional savings. Fill out a short application to receive a loyalty card at your local grocer. Kroger, CVS and Marsh offer these.

One Coupon per Transaction: Limits you to only using one of this coupon per transaction. You may request to do separate transactions. Example: If you have 5 coupons that read “one coupon per transaction” you may request to separate into 5 transactions and pay 5 times.

E-Coupons: Electronic coupons may be downloaded onto your store loyalty card or cell phone. Download from your PC or go mobile and download to your loyalty card through your cell phone. Grocery coupons must be downloaded to your loyalty card and will be deducted automatically when you swipe your card at checkout. E-coupons may be downloaded to your cell-phone for other retail items such as movie rentals. Download a coupon using the mobile ap and show your discount code to your cashier great websites for ecoupons are Cellfire, Shortcuts and Upromise.

Okay- now you have a lot of the lingo. What you need to do is work on your stockpile!

Stockpile: a food storage or stash of food and non-food items. Buy items when they’re on sale and you have a coupon. Buy products before you need them and build up a stockpile of food and toiletries. When you run out of an item shop from your stockpile. We shop the house for decor,why not food, etc?

It can take a couple of months to build your stockpile ladies. Many women I read about are only spending $40-50 a week on groceries! HOW? They have a stockpile. If its not on sale, or an absolute neccessity, not cheap or free they DO NOT BUY IT! I currently have not cut down on my weekly amount but have received twice the amount of items for what I was spending, and my stockpile is growing quickly.

Example. My hubby uses Mitchum deodorant. I had a Walgreens coupon for $1.99 limit 3. I also had 3 MQ for .75 off of one. I purchased 3 deodorants for a total of $3.75. NORMALLY they are $3.69-$4.00. EACH.

Crest was on sale for $1.68. I had 3 $.75 MQ's. I received 3 toothpastes for $2.79 or a total of .93 EACH! This stuff is normally $3+ a tube!

I have stockpiled dish soap, laundry detergent, toiletries, paper products and so on. I cannot wait until I am down to that $40-50 per week!

Of course, as hubby reminds me it is only SAVINGS if we do not blow it elsewhere. AMEN? AMEN!

Now- here are some tips for while you are at the store.

You can ROLL your transactions to maximize your catalinas.

I did that this week when shopping for the 'Hateys'

You will seperate your transactions to use 1 catalina for your next purchase and so on.

Example. Huggies items were on sale, and I had $2/1 coupons. If I bought 3 Huggies items I received $4.00 off my next order. ($10.00 in savings!)

I paid for my Huggies, and then used my $4.00 off and more coupons for the cereal bars in my next purchase.

For the 5 boxes of cereal bars I recieved a catalina for free O.J. I then STACKED a coupon for $2/2 on O.J. Receiving 2 Tropicanas for $1.00.

ALWAYS take your coupons- you never know when a deal may turn up. Like an item on clearance that you also have a coupon for.

BE ORGANIZED! Stack your items on the belt in an organized fashion so you and the cashier are not annoyed. KNOW what your coupons are for and what you are buying., price matching, etc.

I will say this takes planning and practice. You may get the blurry eyes from all the reading the first week, but it is SO worth the money saved. Just think of your growing retirement, college, vacation or decor funds! AHH!

So- i will leave you with some fabulous links, thanks to my friend Natalie(who does not have a blog) and I encourage you to check them out. My next posts will be on some of these fab sites and what tools they offer as well as how to organize your hot mss of coupons!

Heres Natalies list

Online Coupon & Free Sample Sites

http://www.couponmom.com/

- Download program to be able to print manufacturer coupons (I have never had a problem after downloading)

- I love the mom forum. You get insider info about deals at CVS, Walgreens, your local supermarkets and rebate forms for products you normally buy.

http://www.mysavings.com/

- Able to order free samples of everyday products

- Samples usually come with coupons

- Rebate section (I complete rebates and deposit the checks into Gaines’ college savings account. I usually use a coupon for the product and then receive a check for more than I paid. FREE COLLEGE MONEY!!)

Is this woman smart or what?!?! WHY didnt I think of that? Oh wait- I had no clue rebates existed on food and household items!

http://www.iheartcvs.com/

- Able to get CVS flyers prior to Sunday paper to know upcoming sales

http://www.iheartwags.com/

- Able to get Walgreens flyers prior to Sunday paper to know upcoming sales

http://www.simpleanddelicious.com/

- Coupons for Conagra food products (Healthy Choice, eggbeaters, Hunts, etc)

- Recipes

http://www.redplum.com/

- Coupons, sweet finds, online discount codes and deals

- Type in your zip code and you will get discounts to local eateries

http://www.slickdeals.net/

- Daily deals & rebates in the Forum section

http://www.freebirthdaytreats.com/

- Sign up for free items on your birthday, your kids’ birthdays and your pets’ birthdays

http://www.smartsource.com/

- print manufacturer coupons

http://www.pgeverydaysolutions.com/

- Download Proctor and Gamble (Pampers, Tide, Iams, Gillette, Oil of Olay, Bounce etc) product coupons to your Kroger plus card or other local grocery store. When you purchase the product and scan grocery card, it automatically deducts the coupon on your receipt. Note, you can also use manufacturer coupon (Double Dip!!)

http://www.cellfire.com/

- Download grocery coupons to your Kroger plus card or other local grocery store. When product is purchased and grocery card is scanned, it automatically deducts the coupon on your receipt. Note, you can also use manufacturer coupon (Double Dip!!)

http://www.shortcuts.com/

-Download grocery coupons to your Kroger plus card or other local grocery store. When product is purchased and grocery card is scanned, it automatically deducts the coupon on your receipt. Note, you can also use manufacturer coupon (Double Dip!!)

**Note…often Shortcuts & Cellfire have same coupon downloads (e.g., Huggies & Fiber One products)+ use a manufacturer coupon = Triple Dip!!!

http://www.upromise.com/

- Sign up and input area shopping card numbers (Meijer, CVS, Kroger, Marsh) when you buy certain grocery items and scan your shopping card, then you receive money into your upromise account. You can use the money to pay on a student loan, deposit the money into a 529 college savings plan or request the money to be paid to you via check. You can also download “e-coupons.” When you purchase “e-coupon” product and scan your shopping card, you will get the amount of the coupon deposited in your upromise account. Register a debit or credit card and eat at various restaurants (Q-Doba!), 8% of bill paid by registered card will be deposited into upromise account. Go to upromise site, click on shopping, click on store you want to shop online, pay with registered card and a percentage of your purchase will be deposited to your account. Easy!! (Be sure to register beneficiary information)

http://www.target.com/

- Go to site and scan down to bottom of home page. Click on text “Grocery Coupons.” Click on coupons you want printed and they will print. Target policy is that you can use both a target coupon and a manufacturer coupon for the same product (Double Dip!!). If your cashier questions, just let them know that it is Target policy. I have never had any trouble, but have had to nicely state this information one time.

http://www.cvs.com/

- Go to CVS site and register your CVS card. Usually at the end of the work week, CVS will email a coupon only good for the upcoming weekend (eg., $5 off a $20 purchase). These work great when they have diapers on sale for the week. You can use this coupon along with your Huggies manufacturer coupon and usually pay a pretty good price (even better if you have CVS extra bucks ) Don’t forget to download your upromise “e-coupons” before going. Usually upromise has Huggies “e-coupons” that will deposit $1 to $1.50 to your upromise account. Just be sure you scan your CVS card!!

http://www.momsneedtoknow.com/

http://www.coupons.com/

http://www.coupongeek.net/

http://www.thefrugalgirls.com/

http://www.moneysavingmom.com/

http://www.allyou.com/

Okay BlessedMama back here- I also really like these blogs- they really spell out the deals for you!

Savvy Steward

Cha Ching on a shoestring

Krazy Coupon Lady

Go ahead and think of your questions and leave them in my comment box because Savvy Steward is coming back next week to answer them!

Helping Haiti

2010-01-23T16:02:00.000-05:00

There are so many poeple doing wonderful things to help those in Haiti. My boys ave wanted to do something. 1 suggested we go over there and dig people out. He has no concept of mileage. Another wa wondering why we were helping the mean people. Huh? H sas' Yeah- Aren't they mean? Why would we help them?" I asked Why he would think they were mean people. He matter of factly replied with all the innocence f a 5 yr old. 'BECAUSE mom, Haiti, haters, hate people- you know Hateys.'

As I was trying not to spew Coke out of my nose we had a little lessons on how the Haitian people are not Hateys, and even if they were we are told to love our enemies, Treat our neighbor as ourself, etc.

So, today we loaded into the car with our list and coupons and headed to Meijer. Our church is asking families to fill a bag for Haiti. Items such as baby food, diapers, wipes, soap, and packaged snacks are needed. By using my coupons, and Meijers sales and instant in store coupons we were able to get 2 large packages of Huggies diapers (for cheaper than Walmart Brand diapers!) a large refill wipes pack equivilant to 3 tubs of wipes, and 5 things of granola bars for $20.00. I could have just gone to Walmart, and bought $20.00 worth of baby items and food there, but I realized I would have gotten much less for the convenience. And even after I arrived in Meijer with all 3 kids in tow to realize my coupons were at home on the table, we STILL came back for the items. You see, If I will go to great lengths to save my family money and be a wise steward with what God has given, shouldnt I go to great lengths to MAXIMIZE what we have alloted to give back to Him? What an important lesson for my sons as I showed them our savings in coupons that we could turn around and give right back to those less fortunate!

How are you maximizing to give to those in need?

Guest Blogger The Savvy Steward

2010-01-19T12:43:00.047-05:00

Today I am featuring a guest blogger. Annie Shaw from Savvy Steward is so graciously offering to bust the 'I can't save much/any money with coupons' myth. After reading Annies post, think of some questions you would like to ask her because SHE IS COMING BACK to do a Q&A for all my fabulous readers! Aren't we lucky?

Annie was featured on the news for saving $15, 000 last year couponing. Yes, THOUSAND not hundred. It was this clip that caught my attention and had me thinking I CAN do this. And folks- let me tell you Annie is the real deal. You are about to meet a Godly woman of integrity, who I know personally. So please do not roll your eyes and say 'yeah right' SHE IS FULL OF IT. After you read my blog, go check out Savvy Stewards blog and see if you can join in on one of her classes. Alright, enough of me. Drum roll please.... HERE'S ANNIE!

Debunking The Coupon Myths:

Everyone has their own idea of how to save money. For some, it is eating out 3 times a week as opposed to 4. For others, it is taking the sales flier with you to the store, planning to buy healthy but cheap items…and then throwing all the expensive junk in instead. And for a handful of people, it is stocking up on items that you can get for extremely CHEAP or FREE, so you never have to pay full price again. I am in that handful of people. Many times I get comments about how people envy my stockpile and desire to learn how to get their own cool stockpile. (They don’t envy me, just my stockpile. I am just not as cool as 25 bags of free frozen veggies. Lol) BUT, more people often ask questions that lead me to believe, they just don’t think couponing will work for them. One of my long lost friends, Sarah, recently asked if I could debunk some of these “myths” that many believe about coupons, brand names, and fresh foods!

Myth #1: Your list will be limited to ONLY what you have coupons for and usually what you need is NOT what you get coupons for, the brand you use, etc.

Busted: Your list is always going to include the items that you need and want. The problem is, Americans are a “we want what we want…and we want it now” nation. If you truly desire to save money, you will start realizing that if you just wait a few weeks, you can get whatever you want/need for free or close to free. If you seek any specific brand, all you have to do is go to Ebay and type in the brand. (example: Gillette coupons). If you do not find that coupon anywhere, just contact the corporate office via their website and they will send you coupons!

Example: Your husband loves Gillette Fusion Razors. They are $11.00 a piece at CVS and pretty much every other place around. You pay $11.00 for that razor every other month, or so…which equals to about $66.00 a year. Just for a crazy razor for your husband. If you waited, you can get these razors free using a coupon and an extra care buck, about every other month at CVS! Seriously…just by buying your razor at CVS, you can save $66.00 a year!

You can normally stock up on whatever item it is that you love, but you have to be willing to wait for the deal…and then go out and get it!

Myth #2: It is cheaper to shop Aldi’s.

Busted: Aldi’s is for lazy shoppers. Lol. At least in my case! Whenever I did not want to spend the time to pull together my coupons and such, I would shop at Aldi’s. But, the truth of the matter is this: I spent more money…and got a pantry filled with sodium enriched food. Consider the fact that things rarely go on sale at Aldi’s and that you can not use a coupon. Now consider the fact that your local grocery store will often have sales and not only allow you to use coupons…but double them!

Example: Here is a price comparison of common items I might buy at Aldi’s compared to what I pay for name brand at Meijer with sales/coupons.

Aldi’s Meijer

Generic Spaghetti O’s .69 Real Spaghetti O’s .25 (I buy reduced sodium!)

Generic Chicken Noodle soup .43 Campbell’s Chick Noodle .25

Loaf of Wheat Bread .89 Aunt Millies Wheat FREE or .50

Cream cheese .99 Kraft Cream Cheese (FREE or money maker)

Carton of OJ 1.99 Tropicana .50 -1.50

Onion Soup .49 Lipton Onion Soup FREE

Generic A-1 1.49 A-1 THE REAL STUFF FREE + 2.00/meat!

Generic Koolaid 1.49 KoolAid FREE ( made $16 to take 20 cans)

Generic Miracle Whip 1.99 Kraft Miracle Whip .75

Generic Oatmeal 1.79 Quaker Oatmeal Free (this week even!)

Generic Salad Dressing 1.19 Kraft Salad dressing FREE

Generic Cream Soups .59 Campbells Cream soup FREE

Generic Taco Shells .99 Ole El Paso Taco shells .79

Generic Boxed Stuffing .89 Stove Top .50

Generic Frozen Steam Veggies 1.89 Birdseye Steamfresh FREE

Bottled Water 3.79 Ice Mountain 2.49

Generic Hefty Bags 1.99 Hefty Bags FREE

Generic Margarine .99 I can’t Believe Its Not Butter FREE

12 oz Shred Cheese 1.99 16 oz Kraft Shred Cheese 1.32

To Show the real savings, multiply all of these items by 25:

$663.75 $208.75

Okay girls, BlessedMama here- I just did the mathand $455.00 is the difference. My retirement, savings, vacation, kids college funds could certainly use that kind of boost! Yours? Back to you Annie!

Myth #3: Coupons are for brand name items which are always more expensive than store brand!

Busted: That is actually true for the most part. Coupons ARE for brand names…which typically ARE more expensive than store brand. The problem comes in where a coupon and a sale price makes any given item CHEAPER than the store brand. This happens every week. I rarely ever buy store brand. In fact, I just checked my pantry and I have only 3 store brand items in it. They are chicken bullion (I just like this kind!), sugar (it was free), and Tortilla chips (.99 at Kroger).

Example: Generic stain remover was 2.79 at my local Meijer. TIDE stain remover was on sale for 3.79. I had a 3.00/1 coupon. I got TIDE stain remover for .79. I purchased 15 of them at this price and will not need anymore for the rest of the year. (Hopefully)

BlessedMama Again- Annie spent 11.85 on a YEARS worth of stain remover. She saved $45.00, and will not be buying that item again for another year... Hmmm... Sounds like a plan to me!

Myth#4: The most expensive part of my list is organic and produce. Coupons are for junk foods only.

Busted: Where there is a will, there is always a way! My husband and I are currently on a 12 week Body For Life Challenge. While it is not easy, I still saved 50% off my clean food total. And that was with only 1 hour of prep work! I typically get all of my frozen veggies and fruits for free. I often get 1.00 off any produce coupons (have some right now!) If you are brand specific to organics…email the company and get their coupons. They have them. Just ask.

Myth#5: This takes too much time, time IS money!

Busted: I am a home school mom, a Pastors wife, and drive 45 minutes to get to my grocery store. You can do it. This is just an excuse. Please never say it to me. LOL

I take about 2-3 hours of prep time and then 45 min at the store. I spend about $35.00 at the store, and save about $150.00. If time is money, then I just made over 50.00 an hour. Sure, I could have spent those 3 hours of prep time, sitting in front of the tv or talking on the phone, but why would I when I know that I could make $150 in those 3 hours? If someone said that you could work for 3 hours and get paid $150…would you do it? Of Course! I know women who work 50+ hours a week…and still coupon. I know women who stay at home with 5 kids under the age of 7… and still coupon. I know women who have to drive 45 minutes to the store … and still coupon. 3 hours a week to save your family $7800 a year, is SO worth it. The typical cashier has to work 27 hours a week to make this much in a year! It is a matter of priorities, if saving money is not yours, then that is totally ok and up to you! But, it does not take much time when you think of how much you earn!

Thanks Annie!

Wow! Anyone elses head spinning? Good! Keep those wheels turning ladies and think of what to ask Annie. I already have some thoughts... The FREE really has me wondering!

While my blog will not become a frugal find blog on a regular basis, because there are so many great gals out there who do it SO much better than I ever could, I will be featuring some things over the next week or two to give you the resources to save money in this new year. I shared in my last post how I have been convicted to change certain things, and obviously being a good steward of what God has given us is one thing I am continuing working on. I realize more and more that no matter how little or much money we bring home, this is a LIFESTYLE. I mean, so what if hubby made 6 figures, (WE WISH!) WHY throw money away?

Remember- ask those questions in my comment box!

GIVEAWYS! and other fun/thought provoking stuff!

2010-01-15T16:53:00.000-05:00

Let me start with the Giveaways! Centsational Girl is giving away fine art! Check it out. I DO hope I win the Root Series for hubbies office. He is into anything that grows, bonsai, cool looking 'root structure' etc. What a perfect Fathers day gift, eh?

ALSO- hopeful Housewife over at Hopeful Home is doing a giveaway TOMORROW featuring my Etsy shop. Up for grabs is a scarf and brooch of your choosing. I will be adding some more vintage items to my shop tonight before the giveaway so check it out TOMORROW. Did you catch the TOMORROW part?

Okay- onto other things.

In my last post I mentioned savings. Ah Money. We love it, we hate it, we need it, we want it, we abuse it, or we use it wisely. In our case we are continuing to try and be more wise with our finances. Sigh. SIGH. I KNOW we are to be good stewards. Its TOUGH! And up until this year I admit I have seen it as drudgery, avoided the little things that add up, ignored the Holy Spirits whispers to my heart about my fountain cokes at $1.00 a piece every where I go... And the clearance rack at Target, and Kohls, Old Navy, etc, etc, etc. And oh, the thrift stores! How easily my little treasures can add up there! So- whats a gal to do? My hubby talked ALOT to me about my spending, and it went in one ear and out the other. After all- I was't spending much! its not like I went to the mall and blew $100.00 a week! And then I saw the effects of his paycuts. They add up to almost the cost of our mortgage monthly. And I saw a quote by Dave Ramsey that was something to the effect of 'Say No today so you can say yes to tomorrow'. It got methinking. I DO NOT want to be barely eaking by as an old couple, dependant on my kids, or the government because I did not adequately prepare. And I know that my husbands prayers for my heart attitude to line up with his were answered. God had my attention. God has SO much to say about money. And I know that while we have had our share of difficulty, paycuts, medical expenses and such we could be doing so much more. Here are a few things we are doing different this year.

Cutting out the t.v. No- we haven't gone amish :-) We have had cable for about 6 months(yes, only 6 months), and it was savings at first do to a bundling of our services. BUT now if we cut it out we will save $30.00 a month. We are NOT buying a converter box. Why? Glad you asked. While I do not think by any means that it is wrong to have a t.v., I feel for us much more good will come out of not having one. Shaun and I will spend more time communicating instead of being tired and vegging out in front of the good old 'idiot box'. We are spending wisely AND using our time more wisely. We will both be more apt to pick up our bible, a good book, a sudoku, etc. Our brains will get more exercise, and so will our hearts. As a mother I won't be as tempted to say 'SURE you can watch t.v.!' so i can get XYZ accomplished. Now- this will be tough at first for all involved but we WILL have a dvd player that will still function, and we have tons of card and board games. The t.v. goes after the Superbowl, or before, if our beloved Colts lose tomorrow night.

NOT buying a 2nd vehicle. Due to Shauns schedule we can actualy share a car quite easily. We were planning on buying a car this spring, now we are asking- Do we really NEED 2 cars? No, we don't. Let's let that money sit in the bank, and save on insurance, and gas, and maintenance, etc. Why in our country do we believe we need to cars, and 2 new ones at that? We have made due just fine since July and will continue to do so. If his schedule changes and the need arises, the money will still be saved, so no biggie. We can look, find, wait for the best deal on a used mini van, and not buy out of a false sense of need or on a whim.

Not feeling entitled to go to Starbucks, the video rental box, etc once or twice a week. These things really add up! If I went to Starbucks once a week we are talking a $20.00 per month expense! And quite frankly our budget cannot handle a $20.00 monthly bill. When you begin to look at things as a BILL it makes you think. Would I sign us up fora $20.00 lawn or cleaning service? NO! We cannot afford it. So WHY are we renting new releases, and getting the $1.50 candy every weekend? We need the time for US, DON'T need the calories and sugar, and should be going to bed early not staying up till 1 am to fall asleep in front of the $3.00 movie we rented. Please don't hink I am saying you can never do these things, but when we do them less, don't we appreciate them more? I cannot help but think of Laura Ingalls Wilders recollections of Christmas as a little girl. A piece of candy and a hair ribbon to her were a treasure! Oranges a treat, and a treat they got 1 time a year! How I wish my children were so appreciative instead of whining when they don't get something at the Meijer checkout. Would doing less make them more appreciative of what they do get? Probably. And by doing less I mean by the worlds standards. My boys love to snuggle up and read with us, and play cards, and giggle and laugh, and build tents and take hikes. They don't need Chuck E cheese every week to grow up whole. They need us, lvoe, and encouragement and the Lord.

Couponing- this is a new one for me. Oh, if I got coupons I would use them, but then I saw THIS clip. And it got my wheels turning. I started searches, and reading, and spent hours pouring over the how to's. I always thought that coupons were a gimmick. I mean $0.10 off of 2 cas of soup? HELLO! Why waste my time. Then I learned about the drugstore game, and stacking, and printables, and YEE-HAW! the lights came on!

I mean who knew that if you Have a 'Buy one get one coupon' AND the store has the item on sale B1G1 you get that item for FUH-REE!!!???!!!???!!! WHERE have these resources been all my married life?!?!?!?!?! And you can actually use 2 coupons for those things that are B1G1 free or B1G1 1/2 off.

I am learning the art of stockpiling and cutting out. I actually did not buy myself a 2 liter of Coke this week. I may be going through withdrawl BUT I stayed UNDER budget! Hubby suggested trying off brand cola. I gave him the look that could melt the North Pole. I cannot wait until I can spend $9.00 and come home with $70.00 worth of groceries. At least I hope it comes to that. Just to give you an idea of ho the first fruits are paying off I SAVED $118.47 at the stores this week. I matched my adds, my coupons, my printables, my stores, etc. I went to Walgreens, CVS, Meijer and Aldi. The drug store trips took 5 minutes each. I got FREE eyeshadow this week, and FREE cleaners and FREE Kraft Naturals cheese. Nuff said.

We are putting our under budget money in a seperate jar NOT buying more with it. If I had $100.00 budgeted for X this weeek and only spent $89.00 this does NOT mean I can go to Target and score a pair of cute shoes, or shirt for $11.00. That is the kind of thinking Washington does. And look where it has landed us. At the end of the month we add up the jar and see how much we save. And then we decide WHERE it goes. Retirement? College? Undies and socks? Those %$#& medical bills?

We have envelopes for grocery, gas and entertainment. The ONLY thing that should come out of the account on a regular basis are the budgeted for bills, and the alloted cash amount transactions. No more little $2, $1, $15 here and there. NO MORE.

We are saying no to more and yet I think we will be living more adundantly. While you will not find me refusing to color my hair to save money you will find me stockpiling my haircolor when at rock bottom prices. I will still dress stylishly, no housecoats or holey jeans here, I will just not get something new as often as I would like.

So- now that I have shared my challenges or should I say oppurtunitys for the new year I shall go and finish uploading to etsy for TOMORROW.

P.S. Anyone know how I can get spell check on my blogger dahsboard? Methinks I need it...

Christmas Catch up

2010-01-05T09:24:00.000-05:00

Did y'all survive and enjoy the Christmas season this year? Ours was nice. I had alot planned the week before Christmas, with family in town, hosting, having a cookie exchange. The day after family left I kind of 'checked out'. I felt 'peopled out' if you know what I mean. I love hosting, I love having family in town, but I needed some time to just myself. Hubby had 5 days off work and we spent a lazy week together with the kids. We hung out in p.j.'s on Christmas day and built legos, played Didj, and played with Noodle.

My Inlaws and Hubby were good to me- I received some ADORABLE clothes, and a pair of black boots and some brown scrunchy buckle boots that are HOT! My Inlaws always spoil us.

We have been to the carshow, had movie nights, game nights, reading nights, snowball fights, bowling nights, and lots of snuggle time this Christmas break. The 29th the tree came down. As did the moutnains of fresh greens, and anythign else glittery. As much as I loved my Christmas decor this year I was so ready for it to go. And the next day was spent making Pottery Barn and Ballard Knockoffs of bottles, and some moss balls.

I've neglected my blog to focus on my family, and really have been enjoying the little things. Ya know- like snuggling WAY TOO LONG on the couch in the morning watching Tom and Jerry with my 3 yr old. Or falling asleep reading on the couch next to my man instead of upstairs in the office by myself glued to the LCD screen. So this morning is a morning of catching up on the blogs I follow. With Coffee in hand, of course.

Before I leave you with some pictures- Did any of you decide to do something different this year? Not necessarily a 'resolution'- those always get broken! But a committment to well, be different in some way. Maybe a commitment out of necessity? Or Conviction? Hubby and I are reading through the bible together in 1 year. Its been good so far, although I must say I DREAD Numbers and parts of Chronicles... Lord show me SOMETHING through those books!

I also have decided to work harder at my grocery budget. Aren't groceries ridiculously expensive? Seriously folks! I have been perusing websites and such and will have some posts for you coming up on being more grocery budget savvy. That is if I can figure it out myself! Enjoy your day and we shall talk again soon!

A manly teacup for the tea drinking man!

WHY are my pictures all over the place???? Oh well- hope you enjoyed a small glimpse in our lives- I need to get pictures from My Inlaws camera from Christmas at their house!

2009-12-24T08:40:00.000-05:00

Have a wonderful CHRISTmas everyone!

2009-12-19T08:16:00.000-05:00

Company is here.They flew in safe and sound and we are loving it! They are loving my puppy. My Uncle plays musical chairs around the room strategically placing himself next to whoever has the puppy so he can find ANY oppurtunity to have the lil guy. Even the 'Do you want me to take him outside?' Translated. "Give me the puppy NOW! I want a turn!' I am loving it. My Aunt and I have been a whirlwind in the kitchen. I love it. My cousin crashed my place last night as I tried to stay up and watch a Brad Pitt movie. Girls- not even his handsomeness could keep my eyelids up last night!
In less than 48 hours I have hosted 2 events, as well as a Christmas party for 1st graders at my sons school. I cooked for 20 people after cooking for 10 women the night before. i have stayed up late making gifts for little girls and family and gotten up early to bake, cook, clean, etc. My puppy is an early bird. EARLY early bird. He is great but it is rather like having a 6 wk old baby! I adore hosting- I am truly in my element when cooking and entertaining. However, this morning I am glad the past 3 days are behind me. This morning I have NOTHING to do. Nothing. NICE. Give me some coffee, my bible, and a snuggly kid wanting to curl up and watch Pink Panther. This afternoon is Christmas at the grandparent In-laws. Awesome! :-)

Cookie Exchange recap

2009-12-17T21:17:00.004-05:00

I had so very much fun tonight! A Lovely group of women, and delightful edibles! I made this soup recipe and it was KILLER! Maybe a little less basil, but really, really delicious! I wanted my friends to have something to take home with them besides sweets and so I whipped these up last minute. Literally.

I had 2 different verses and an enlarged Noel Noel Born is the King of Israel. I let them fight out what verse/saying they wanted. It almost came to blows with a red maglight... Poor Ali- she was rather fiesty! ;-)

The ornaments didn't turn out quite as nice as I wanted, and yet as I was modge podging and drilling and tying I realized that as we are trying to teach our children that Christ is the best gift EVER, that He came for our imperfection, my friends could be reminded of His perfection to redeem our imperfection as this ornament hung on their tree.

I enjoyed the girly talk, and the chocolate. I feel like my belly will pop if its poked. And now I am off to finish the kids teachers ornaments, my sons teachers scarf, and 11 brooches for the girls that always say to me 'Mrs. C. I like your flower!'

Sleep tight my bloggy friends.

Aw Fudge!

2009-12-17T06:57:00.001-05:00

I spent yesterday baking. Tonight i am having a cookie exchange, and had cookies to make. I also made fudge and truffles, the boys made Chocolate covered pretzels for their teachers. Do you have any idea how messy a 6, 5, and 3 yr old can make a kitchen with melted chocolate???? Anyways- I had hubby sample my fudge and I wanted to shae this recipe! he said it was 'fudge heaven'- and this man is NOT a big sweets eater!

Candy Bar Fudge

1/2 cup butter 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup milk 3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

11 oz of caramel melts, 1 tablespoon water 2 cups salted peanuts

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips 1 cup milk chocolate chips

Directions

Grease an 8x8 inch square baking pan.

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine butter, cocoa powder, brown sugar and milk. Microwave until mixture boils. Stir in confectioners' sugar and vanilla extract. Pour into prepared pan. Let set in fridge for 30 minutes.

In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave caramels and water until caramels melt. Stir in chopped peanuts. Spread mixture over chocolate layer. Spread CAREFULLY!

In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine semisweet and milk chocolate chips; microwave until melted. Spread over caramel layer. Chill for 4 hours, or until firm.

It looked heavenly and I SO wanted some! But alas, I am an almond allergic and Nestles Milk chocolate chips state they are made on the same equipment as tree nuts.I read this AFTER making the fudge, but BEFORE I tried it. Im heading to the store today to look for more Milk chocolate chips that I can eat!

I also made a coffee fudge- it was good. it called for a dash of cinnamon and I realize i am just NOT a cinnamon kinda gal.

What have you made this week?

In awe

2009-12-14T23:08:00.000-05:00

Can I tell you all how amazed, excited and flabberghasted I am at your sweet commetns about my Christmas Decor? Seriously! I mean it. You see- where you guys see beauty I see chole.sputter.cough.hack. subfloors.
Where you all see a tree skirt worthy of compliment I see that I cannot.drape.garland. and more subfloors.missingbaseboards.
God is SO teaching me patience and true beauty gals. If you are new to my blog let me tell you it's been one heck of a year, or two or 6. Last MARCH we had a flood caused by our youngest, some poo, a faulty toilet, and a washcloth. (NEVER leave a decorative bowl of rolled up washcloths on the back of your toilet when theres a 2 yr old around!) Anywho- we had a rather large insurance claim and began tearing into the house. I got EXCITED. Understatement ladies. Then life happened. Our van got crushed, and somehow when we added it to the insurance 4 months prior and just told them to SWITCH our current coverage amounts they left off the comprehensive. Dear hubby somehow missed that in the paperwork. OOPS. UNDERSTATEMENT. So- all that nice new flooring? On hold. My couch reupholstering? on Hold. I got mad. Understatement. The medical bills kept pouring in, my hubby took a 15% paycut, etc, etc, etc. I do not blog this to complain, or air our laundry so to speak. This is our reality. And it flat out SUCKED! Yet I was reminded that what Satan meant for our harm, God meant for good. Not at first of course. I was hacked off. I wanted MY hosue to look MY way. NOW. After all, I'd waited so long. My kids were getting bigger- it was time to do these things and have more ME time. Self. Self. Icky sticky sinful fleshy self! Thankfully God didn't leave me in my mad.raging.spooiledbrat.can't. have. my. floors. NOW. way.
I am learning so much. We as a husband and wife have grown so much closer, and have seen how every tiny or not so tiny event in our lives has had a purpose to mold us and make us more Christlike. I was actually considering not posting Christmas Tour photos because of the backgrounds of my pictures. I was wishing for amazing photoshop skills, or heck, to actually HAVE photo shop! For awhile I didnt want to have company over. But then I realized thats crazy! Shallow. So what if I am on subfloors for now? Yes, its been 9 months. But my house is clean. My cooking, or so I have heard, is company worthy. And I have come to realize many people get the whole new floors vs. a new car (we are currently sharing 1 car) and if they don't so what. God gets it, He gets my heart, I know what he is asking of me. And asking me to wait until next month or February isn't THAT big of a deal. I think Dave Ramsey would agree?...Thanks for seeing the beauty not the unfinished floors, gals! May God continue to mold me and make me more like Him! Amen? Amen.

The Pasta IS HERE!

2009-12-14T18:28:00.000-05:00

We brought home Noodle yesterday. He was ready, and my hubby couldn't handle waiting any longer. Seriously- he's worse than a kid! So- heres some pictures to enjoy!

Ahh... A boy and his dog!

2009-12-13T13:10:00.000-05:00

Hey all! I Just wanted to let you know that my Etsy shop and Blog were featured on Hopefull Home this week.

If you haven't checked out her blog pop on over and look at her for an Etsy Alphabet featuring fabulous stores on Etsy with great last minute gift ideas. Yes, you heard me right. LAST. MINUTE. To me this is last minute folks! GET YOUR SHOPPING DONE! Then you can RELAX! Ahhhh......

She also has many great inspirational ideas. I loved the Christmas inspiration post and may just have to go buy a bag of walnuts to paint...

Thanks for the feature Hopeful Home!

Christmas tour of homes entry preview

2009-12-12T19:18:00.002-05:00

And Over at Southern Hospitality And at the Hooked On houses Tour.

I am SOO excited about this years decor. Mainly because Ive never done so much decorating for Christmas. With 3 boys in 3 years there was always a toddler/baby to keep me running half ragged and eat anything I wanted to display. NOW not so much! I was also int he middle of a changing of tastes, mine hadn't developed yet fulyl and it was kinda scary...

I am also proud of how I have done everything so beautifully (at least I think so) for so frugally. I shopped my house, SA, and DT for frugal finds. As we got hrough my home I will do the rude thing and tell ya how much I spent. I know, talking about MONEY! AHH! But seriously- I want you to know how you can have a beautiful Chrsitmas for less!

First we shall start with my
Roadkill Rescue Dresser.

I have fresh greenery here that my neighbor allowed me to clip from her many pine trees, and some from my 1 lone pine. The ONLY things I bought were the 3 gold frames- the largest one is so old an unique- the mat is actually carved wood! I LOVE it! total for the 3 frames $3.00.- and the bird in the sticks ($2.75 maybe?) Everything else you see I shopped the house or yard for! I became creative and made the words myself, the tassel was on a gaudy wine bag, the candlesticks were in my candle basket, they just needed some glitter, etc. Oh- the Peace ornament was a gift from my dear M-I-L.

The cone tree was $1.00 from DT, it was disco -ballish SO I wiped it down with Walnut gel stain to antique it. MUCH BETTER!

Grand total for this display is $6.75

On to the the
Hallway

I purchased 2 frames and a mirror months back, knowing they would be great for Christmas. Maybe $4.00 at the most. I repainted some of my frames, and used clippings from garland I had, and a dollar store pick at 2 for $1.00. The topiary container was $1.00 and got a fresh coat of paint, the moss was $1.00 and so was the star. Everything else I had. I plan on reusing the topiary year round without the gold star, and a coat of heirloom white on the base...

Total $6.50

Tree

I purchase a new ornament every year- this years was $2.00. I also made the garland this year that will last for many years to come. buttons were $8.00, ribbon $2.00. I still have some left over!
I redressed my angel out of fabric I already had...

My tree skirt is a hodge podge of stash and freebies

It's patches were printed out on my computer. i love it! i know some people think a tree skirt is a waste of money, but we don't put ANYTHING under the tree until our children are fast asleep on Christmas Eve, so we look at that skirt for a month before the big day! To me it is worth it!
Total $12.00

Coffee table top

An antique soup tureen and more fresh greens with picks and pears from the DT already included in costs elsewhere. My table has a small burlp runner that was a cocoa bean sack, given to me.

$0.00

Stockings

LOVE the print on this one, and how quaint the burlap garland looks!

Again- printed on my computer...

I have to have SOMEHING girlie int his house full of men!

Here is a peek of Noodles stocking- he-he! It can't be hung YET!

I used fabrics I already had, for the most part. $2.00 of fabric was purchased for J's stocking, and $1.25 was purchsed for Noodles stocking and some toys for the pup.

Total $3.50

Garland

I found 4 nice garlands at SA this summer with the tags still on them. They were from Michaels and were anywhere from $10-$20- I scored ALL OF THEM for $3.00 TOTAL!

I purchased 5 berry rings from the DT for a total of $5.00

I also purchased some different styles of pine pics from Michaels to mix in for a total of $10.00

I used pinecones from our yard, and wire from hubbys stash.

This FABULOUS garland was grand total of $18.00
The nice part is that much of it can be used elsewhere year round, or taken apart and redone in the future.

Okay...
The top of my mantel!
FIRST- remember the BEFORE of my mantel? Seriously! It overpowered my entire room! And was truly an orange color. Well- I LOVE how simple my new one is. And there is my $4.00 vintage mirror- the date was on the back- it is 69 yrs old! I think it allows my furniture and decor to sing, and serves as a nice backdrop, instead of being the gaudy focus!

Ooop- do I see a Leaning Candle of Pisa?

I used candles I already had, and glitter and candle sticks I already had.

The bowl I had, the greenery I hacked, and some more berries-already accounted for in my garland cost. The glittery pick was $1.00, the pears were $1.00- I used them in my hall, my table, etc. The topiaries were my biggest cost here. I bought cheap plastic ornaments(the biggest ones the DT had) for $1.00 a piece and hot glued old garland chopped up to them. I purchased 2 glass containers for $1.00 a piece and spray painted them black, then wiped Folk Arts Pure Gold acrylic paint over top of the black. More berries already accounted for in my garland price.

Total $6.00 (of which the topiaries were $4.00 of that)

My armoir
got in on the action with another $1.00 cone, antiqued as well, and some fresh ~~stolen~~ hacked greens.

The glittery pics are a mix from Michaels, also used elsewhere- $2.00 The topiary up top was a plastic ornament from my stash wrapped in fabric from my stash. It was then hotglued with pieces of my thrifty find garlands, and stuck in a $0.50 wood box that I repainted. I LOVE how with a coat of cream on the base I can reuse this year round on my mantel, or right where it is! And the leaves almost remind me of feathers, too...

Total $3.50

Next up
my card display!

An old cabinet door, and some twine, heirloom white paint and staple gun...

On my telephone table

The plate was a gift from my neighbor, the chippy candle holder I had, as well as everythign else you see.

Total $0.00

When you first walk in this wall is what you see-

It really isnt crooked, I promise.

I painted fabric to say Unto us a Son is given, and put it into the frames that were already there...
my $2.00 nativity sits on the table underneath...

I have been toying with the idea of adding a swag to the top of this display....
Maybe when I am done this post I will!

Am I done?... Let me think... I am sure there are more odds and ends lying around, but if there are I have already had them, so no cost involved.
OH- my Pillows!

I TOTALLY see some cheesecurl and chocolate fingerprints! Into the wash they went after their photo shoot. And yes, the inkjet printing survived the wash just fine!

These were FREE! I used what I had! Really! and my advent envelope garland was also made from my stash.

On the back of my ( needs-to-be-redone-but-are-waiting-for the money in my blow fund) host and hostes chairs I put these wreaths. A $1.00 berry ring, some of my thrifty garlands and some ribbon from my stash.
Total $2.00

My little side table
got a new cover a while back from leftover fabric and a sack given to me
The birdcage, finial and candle I had in my stash. I just fille dthe birdcage with gold berries, a glass knob and such from my stash.

Isn't this cloth just darling?

I see a lego on the floor! :-)

I think that ABOUT covers my Christmas decor...

So- after adding all of this up I came up with $58.25. not bad! And Definately not bad for someone who has not really decorated for Christmas before.
GASP!
Yes, I said it... It wasn't for lack of desire, or cheer, just funds, babies, etc... And my $58.25 certainly wasn't spent all at once! I picked things up here and there as early as summer knowing what I wanted to do. As I said, I gleaned from my stash, and reused what I had. My husband was worried that I had too much to store. I laughed- silly man! Most of this is stuff I was already using! He loves what I do, but certainly does not recognize something if its been moved around or repainted. So- how many of you have had a thrifty Christmas? Anyone beat my $58.25? Anyone who hasn't decorated very much before beat my $58.25? Anyone aghast that I talked about money on my blog?? ;-)

A Mantle

2009-12-08T16:50:00.000-05:00

My mantle is done! Its simple and beautiful as far as I am concerned... and now to the decorating! Pics to follow probably tomorrow- I have TONS of garland awaiting my nimble fingers, but I think a trip to the SA may be in order to add some heighth to what is there... We shall see. Stay tuned. Oh- on another note, it looks as if Noodle will be coming home earlier than Christmas. Why? ~~My hubby is a nerd and can't wait~~
My hubby and F-I-L think it will be best if we give the pup some time to adjust, and are thinking that Christmas morn would be INSANE with a dog and presents. Hubby will have some extra days off and thinks it would be helpful in getting Noodle into a routine... I say as long as we incorporate him into our advent envelopes I am OKAY with it, I guess... I must say I am a little bummed over my hwole bvring him out last idea on Christmas morn, but then I remember its not about the presents, really, is it? So- what to do to gear up for a dog to arrive in 6 days NOT 17 days? Good thing I finished his stocking and such, eh? :-)
Alright- off to bedeck my mantle...

2009-12-07T21:26:00.000-05:00

I cannot think of a title for this post, so I shall not try any harder. My husband, children and I have just finished reading 'A Cosmic Christmas' by Max Lucado. Now published under the name 'An Angels Story', this book is AWESOME! As part of our advent countdown this year we began rading this 5 nights ago. It was a quick read out loud as a family. We started the first readin goff with these verses.
Ephesian 6;12-20
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not againstflesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preperation of the gospel of peace ; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all timesin the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
This book is about the spiritual battle that may have gone on as God was sent to earth to be born a babe. It is of course a fictional account based on biblical happenings. We began our first nights reading also asking questions of our sons to get 'their wheels turning' if you will.
We asked such questions as ' Whose Idea do you think it was for Herod to have all the baby boys killed?' Of course 1 of my sons answered Herod! Another enthusiastically shouted out 'God!' (isn't that ALWAYS the answer at devo time? lol) and another said- 'Satan???' Bingo! The idea was something that Satan meant for evil. Yet Gods will prevailed as it always has, will or does. We discussed Joseph and his brothers, how again, what Satan meant for evil God used for good. We had a great discussion about how we cannot always see what is going on in the heavenly realms, but rest assured, there is a battle, and God has a plan. My boys and husband LOVED this story. Tonights last chapter had tears running down my face as I was reading out loud. God came to earth for ME. For YOU. To take back what is His from this wretched fallen world and reclaim us unto Himself. The infinite God in the form of a babe. The creator of language humbled enough to be taught to speak by an earthly mother. The One who holds the seas in His hand having to hold anothers hand to walk on unsteady legs. The one who provides for us needing food and nourishment provided for Him. THAT is the Christmas story. THAT is what we celebrate. Amen. Amen. Amen.

The 2nd best Christmas present ever!

2009-12-07T14:35:00.000-05:00

because y'all know Christ has the first one trumped from before the dawn of time to eternity!

It's Noodle- Our soon to be new Sheepadoodle!

Seriously! SOO STINKIN'CUTE!

Yes, he is DEFINATELY the 2nd best present ever!

I CANNOT WAIT to see my kids when they see Noodle!

2009-12-06T14:23:00.000-05:00

Something about the holidays always has me struggling with sadness. As we decorated our tree this year I was, as every year since 2005, missing Evan. The child I never was able to hold, kiss, smell that sweet new baby smell, a child that never had an ornament on the tree or a stocking on the mantle. The grief of losing our child has not gone away if you will, but gotten sweeter with time. It's no longer a raw burning pain. It has been 4 years. September 20th, 2005. Four years, 2 months and 16 days. My child would be 3 going on 4 now. Would Evan have red hair like Quin? Or blonde like Bren and Jackson? Jackson asked this morning on the way to church if our baby would be a baby in heaven or all 'growed up' when we get there. I do not know the answer to that question. 'How will I recognize my brother?' Jackson asked me- I dont know how. I just know we will. I am certain I shall see my child again. I praise God for that assurance, that peace, even as I miss the baby, I never got to hold, more this time of the year than ever. And I am thankful for the 3 I have gotten to hold and love, and for the sweet chubby little cheeked baby girl that made me smile all through service today.

JOY

2009-12-06T13:31:00.000-05:00

To the world...

I was looking for SOMETHING to fill some empty frames on my white dresser and in my hallway... I found the answer in some cardstock, glitter and modgepodge.

First I picked a font I liked- This one is call A Yummy Apology- and printed out my letters on my card stock. I then used a thin paint brush to fill in the black printing of the letter in modgepodge and sprinkled a silver/gold glitter mix all over the letters. Easy Peasy so Pretty and not so cheesy!

Next 'Noel' went in my Hallway in my one empty frame as well.

I just used a mix of silver and gold glitter from the Dollar tree- I know German glass glitter is best- but this I already had!

Sneaky hacker

2009-12-03T22:02:00.001-05:00

I have my greenery up- well almost all of it... My mantel will be done tomorrow. (It was my mantel or night at the museum 2 with the kiddies.)

It is going from this...

(in my defense this pic is like 3 1/2 years old!)

to something SOO much nicer!

Ugh- can we say UGH! UGH! UGH! You cannot tell but the wood is that orangy shade of honey oak that nothing matches and is UGH! I dont mean to offend if you have orange wood. but UGH!!!!!!

As I was putting up CHRISTmas decor I realized I needed more green. As in more pine-ish green, or maybe more moolah- that would have done it. But my Decor budget is NIL this month with a puppy comming so I had to get creative.

I called the neighbor and asked if I could hack at her 4 pine tree/shrubs. My hubby scolded me- he just 'couldn't believe I dared ask her for clippings'. He actually made me feel embarrassed! So I did what any creative DIYer would do. I took my 3 year old on a bike ride and found some pine trees by our neighborhood pond, and a foreclosure sitting empty not yet listed for sale. And ~~hacked at~~ pruned their overgrown evergreens. I am quite sure the bank/realtor will appreciate it when the place DOES go on the market. My husband told me to STOP hacking other peoples greens. Uh-huh. I am misting mine with water for now and think another walk will be in order in 2 weeks... SHH!

Loving my old antique soup tureen!

Dollar store cone gals!

DIY glittered candles saves me some MOOLAH!

Oh- I wanted to share my pillows! Thank you printer for printing these fabulous pieces on fabric!

Love the words here and the promise that they contain!

And finally my card display- an old cabinet painted and decoupaged clothespins!

Yes, live trees were harmed in the making of my garlands/cones/centerpieces. Get over it. Yes, I will post more and better pictures once I get my mantel decor up. Yes, I made a wreath but its too dang cold out to take a picture of it right now. And I think it needs some more filler...

Good night y'all!

A fabulus advent idea you too can do! Decor series #6

2009-12-03T12:47:00.001-05:00

Okay, Okay, so it is the 3rd and this is just going out... May I suggest the 12 days of Christmas instead of 24? I swear if I plan on doing another series I shall prepare my posts WAY in advance- and my hubby is NOT allowed to go out of town, nor are robbers allowed to be wretled on my lawn, nor is my child allowed stitches while it is going on! Oh- but before I forget- Rose Pressey wins my giveaway! It seems I can't give something away- even when Im giving it away! Geeze! Rose can you send my your snail mail again? Thanks!

Now- for advent!

You will need

fabric for 24 envelopes

fabric for the envelopes to be strung on

24 buttons

numbers printed on muslin and cut out

coffee/coke/christmas music

I saw this adorable little idea on Craftzines website.

I wanted to make it match my decor,though.

You know- soft greens, burlap, muslins, linens, silver, gold... So I found some fabric I've had for EONS folks and got to cutting out my envelope using their pattern. I DID add 1/2 inche to the pattern size because I was sewing mine. First print our your numbers on muslin. How? Use scrapbook squares to adhere your fabric to paper, and send that baby through your printer! I used the algerian font...

Once printed cut out into the size you want.

Fold your envelope to wher you want it and decide where your numbers should go. Stitch them on.

Now fold your envelope over and sew up the 2 sides.

Leave the flap alone for now. Turn rightside out and iron!

What a sweet little number on the outside!

Now finish that flap!

I used a zigzag/satin stitch combo on my flaps to finish the edge, you could do that OR press over the edge and sew it down...

Repeat this process 23 more times!

Now for buttons!

I folded my flap in half like so

And cut a little slit in it.

I did not do a true buttonhole. Why? I didnt want to. I figured they get opened once a year and if I need to satin stitch it in the future I can. Call me lazy.

Put you button inside your slit

that way you know where to sew it!

Sew that button on!

Look at that!

Now you will cut strips about 1 inch wide and 6 inches long. Know them end to end to make a chain and button your envelopes on it!

Curently mine are taped to the wall... The kids can reach it without fear of knocking down vintage glass, greenery, or falling into a crackling fire. Each night they open an envelope and we do as it says. I have scripture for each night, and an activity as a family.

Heres some ideas

a quarter for each kid- Christmas is in 25 days. Read the story of the widows giving and discuss how God wants ALL of us, too

Make popcorn garland for the kids bedroom trees

decorate christmas cookies

decorate the tree

wrap presents

Read Cosmic Christmas by Max Lucado (after reading Eph :10-12 and discussing the concept)

Make cocoa and watch 'A king is born'

Play Uno and discuss the 1 true sacrifice for sin

Candy canes, mini size, and the candy cane legend

Make dinner for a shut in and deliver it

Drive around and look at ligths and discuss Jesus being the light of the world

Get together with neighbors or friends and make paper chains for your kids room

Paint suncatcher ornaments (pack of 8 and Dollar Tree)

make ornaments for the grandparents

make goodies for the teachers in your childs life

If you google advent ideas you will find TONS of them! I love how my kdis get so excited each night to do

this. I also love the family asnd Christ-centeredness of it all. You could just put candy int he envelopes but I wanted the focus to be on togetherness and our King instead of the me, me, my, gimme, gimme I. We battle that enough this time of year, don't we?

Enjoy your garland making ladies! I am going to take a rest- I have an 'acute sinus infection' and feel as if a truck has run me down.

A swallow of Pride

2009-11-30T00:00:00.000-05:00

I cannot believe it is the 29th already! I am so dissapointed in myself and my first series. You see, I had high hopes, at least 12 post ideas, and a schedule. A SCHEDULE PEOPLES!
Its been 5 posts, and pride swallowing. I was so excited about this to begin with, and so puffed up with pride about my first series. I didn't quite realize the time that would go into it. (opr the stinking picture taking!)Next year I shall start in October drafting, and have some stuff ready ahead of time for days when Chaos hits. Or laziness. Or both on the same day. I think God just wanted to teach me some things. Like priorities, and um, a lesson in pride. I've always been the kind of gal that can 'get it done'. Come hell or high water, it will be finished, by golly. And finished well, no not well, dang near perfect! I usually thrive under pressure. Somehow I think my God wanted me to learn to lean on Him, and not be so full of me. He is the one that gave me my talents and creativity and I need to be using them to glorify Him, not self. So- as I learn a little more in the pride department, I will try and get some more posts out this month. No promises on how many, but I shall do my bestest. You live and learn , eh? Thanks be to God he doesn't leave us the way we are!
In the past 2 weeks I have finalized my sons Chrstmas, I had stocking stuffers to get, and somehow convinced hubby that we needed a puppy as a Christmas gift. We had to put our dog down last March, and my hubby and sons are dog lovers. The kids have been begging for a dog for, well, since March. We have looked at many different breeds, and um, they are expensive! I came across an add one day that mentioned Christmas puppies had arrived. The price was perfect! I emailed the breeder asking for more info and mentioned it to hubby. His eyes twinkled and I got giddy at the idea of the bestest Christmas gift my kids havehad/will ever have beyond Christ.
We promptly looked up the breed, a sheepadoodle. Old English Sheep Dog/Standard Poodle. The 'designer' breeds are supposed to be great- any poodle mix I have heard great things about. Even though I would never own a straight up poodle! Anywho- we picked out a sweet little guy affectionately dubbed 'Noodle, the sheepadoodle'. He will not be ready until the 21st, but the breeder will hold him until Christmas Eve. He will then spend the night at my In-laws, and after my boys open their presents, daddy will slip out adn go get him, and he shall be the last gift! I am so stinkin excited! I went black friday shopping with the M-I-L ( a much looked forward to yearly tradition) and we picked out fabric for a puppy bed, and toys and a stocking! Yes- a stocking. Okay- if you know me- I am NOYT an animal lover. But Noodle seems to be changing that. Huh- odd the things we do for our hubby and kiddos, eh? Anyways... I. Can. Not. Wait.
Shaun is going through Noodle withdrawl. He says he may have to slip him home on Christmas Eve because he cannot bear to be away from 'his' dog. Uh-huh. Alright- off to bed for me- I think tomorrows post shall be advent related!

Chrsitmas decor Series #5- Ballard Inspired Birds

2009-11-24T23:08:00.002-05:00

It seems as if the birds are taking over, doesn't it? Everywhere I look it's birds, birds, birds. I am not complaining. I like the little dears. And I really liked these from Ballard.

I have literally looked all over town for wooden dove cutouts to decopouge.

You. Will. Not. Find. Them.WILL. NOT.

If you do I will either slap you through the screen, or send a high five your way. Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Joanns, Wally World, Meijer, I have looked EVERYWHERE I expected to find them and everywhere I didn't expect to find them. My point? I mean beside you NOT finding them?

I found some!

nah-nah-nah-boo-boo

(online)

This

is available from this seller on Ebay

It shipped quickly, and is lovely. It was $1.00, and regardless of quantity you pay $3.00 shipping. Imagine the possibilities with so much lovely Scrap Book paper available!

I will not show you a made one tonight- it's not done, and I'm too ~~lazy~~ excited to show you how I made the other Ballard Inspired ornament!

I decided on twill instead of Burlap- the Burlap in my stash has a rather large weave.

I used this pattern and altered it a litttle. As in left the tail out...

First- blow it up. I went to 150%

Follow directions #1-3

You should have this

NOW- I got out my twine and made some loops

I stitched my 5 loops together on the sewing machine

I then took my loops and tucked them inside my birds body.

With the seam side sticking out a little.

I sewed my bird all the way 'round EXCEPT for about 1 1/2 inches on his left side.

Turn that bird inside out, and stuff it! Thats right- get your practice in for Turkey day!

Now your darling Mister Birdy needs wings!

Make 3 more loopys

and tie them off. Now tie a knot on the top of the part you just tied to hold firm.

Start winding your twine AROUND the knot, but flat, in a circle. Use a needle and thread to stitch in place.

Make 2, of course, or he will fly in perpetual circles...

Attatch to the sides of Mr. Bird with needle and thread or hot glue.

I painted Mr. Birds eyes and beak on, but Ballard used beads I think... My beads were too little and my buttons too big, so paint it was!

Oh- don't forget to sew that hole up in mr. Birds tummy!

Not bad, eh? i think he is adorable! And would also look cute with numbers on him for the three calling birds... Of course he isn't perfection- I think he's a little big, maybe 125% on the pattern would ahve been better, and he is a little understuffed, easy enough fixed. Mrs. Bird will be ~~darn near~~ perfect!

Okay- NOW I DO plan on wrappng up this series on teh 30th, BUT I wanted to let you all know that on the 11th of December I will be having a Show and Share. (Can you tell I have preschoolers?)

So- show and share party on the 11th- Show me what you've made from this series and share how you have done so, or improved upon the ideas!

Christmas Decor Series #4 - sad to joyous!

2009-11-24T00:19:00.000-05:00

How does one take this sad little cupboard door frame and make it happy again?

Well, first you rip off that awful fabric, and paint her heirloom white. Then you rough her up a bit with some heavy duty sandpaper. Sit her aside, and explain you have some prep work to do before her make-over is done.
Then you pick a phrase/verse/quote, etc. Find a font you like and print it off nice and large. Lay the paper BEHIND some fabric of your choosing, and trace that phrase/verse/quote, Unless you are more talented than me and can freehand letters. I. CAN. NOT. I used a quilting pen that dissapears- genius, eh?

Oops- shes sideways... You get the idea, though, right?

Then get out your trusty thin paint brush and a paint color of your choosing. I went with my new Holiday fave Folk Art Pure Gold.

Paint that font in, and keep your hands steady!

Set aside to dry, and gather your embellsihments. Mine were ribbon from the Dollar Tree that had a fab texture, but cheap looking edges, so I cut off the edges!

Some glittered leaves, and stems of cones and pears, and some greenery.

Get that hot glue gun and have some fun! I didnt take pics at this poitn because, well, I am pretty sure that if you are reading this you are NOT completely craft challenged, AND I was using my industrial strength glue gun, and trying to not melt my fingers off! Yes, industrial strength. Hubby got it for me one year for Christmas, cause my little ones were' cheap and junky'. The directions stated it could cause 2nd degree burns. It does. I know this from experience. I gave it back to him to take to the shop(hes a mechanic). BUT- my lil junkjy cheap one broke,(big surprise, eh?) and well, anywho...

You get the idea- make your embellishments and do somethign like

THIS!

I cannot wait to show it off when it is in its rightful spot! All in all less than 2 hours, and $4.00..

I have 3 more of those cabinet panels left...

I think I may turn 2 of them into card display holders, or maybe not...

Where do you find old cabinets? I got mine at the Salvation army for $1.00

The Restore is agreat place for those sorts of things. We have a salvage yard place around here that has all sizes of cabinet doors for $1.00 a piece... But you know- a niec large frame would work well, too! Happy hunting!

P.S. Linking up to DIY day at ASPTL

Christmas Decor Series #3 AND a giveaway!

2009-11-20T20:49:00.000-05:00

I am recuperating from our Utter Chaos thanks be to God, family, prayer and chocolate! It was a rough 5 days with my hubby gone, and after all the other stuff I shared with you, my youngest had a rather scary asthma attack Monday night. I was dialing 911 as I was praying God would open his airways. And God did before I got that second number 1 dialed. He is good, isn't He? I DO apologize for halting my Christmas series for a week, but ya know ladies, my God and my family come before this blog and I couldn't do it all last week! I know I am hearing some 'Amens' on that! Once hubby got home on Tuesday I just needed a few days to veg, unwind, and well, catch up on sleep!

Okay, so, now that I have unwound and slept a little, back to Christmas. I do love the cooking, and baking and sharing of recipes. I love the eating, too. And I can tell about mid January how much I loved it cause my pants always get tight...

So, in honor of the love I have for food, and sweets, I am going to share with you today

THE BEST EVER CHCOLATE COOKIE RECIPE!

I hope you all love this recipe as much as I do. I got it years ago at a cookie exchange. You know, where you get a bunch of ladies together and swap cookie recipes and cookies, and fill up your tin with 10 kinds of cookies when you only baked one kind? And you EAT, and EAT, and EAT cookies. I LOVE those! I actually will be having one this year, but back to the recipe I got at the cookie exchange...

(In defense of the scratched chocolate on my cookies... they are all that was left after a mob of chocoalte- craving- women rushed the platter, fighting over the chewy delicious morsels, hence, scratched chocolate...)

Originally called Chocolate Sour Cream Cookies... I think they should be called SOMETHING more divine. Suggestions are very welcome!

Hey- let's do this- A GIVEAWAY!

AFTER you bake them, and eat some, leave your cookie name suggestion in my comment box, and hubby and I will pick a winner! The Winner will receive this unlined Ballard inspired black and white Damask stocking!

The giveaway ends on the 26th of November.

Okay- heres the recipe!

Mix together and set aside:

4 C. flour

1/4 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

Cream together:

3/4 C. softened butter

2 C. sugar

3 1 oz. squares of bakers semi sweet chocolate, pre-melted

Add:

2 large eggs

2/3 C. sour cream

1 tsp. vanilla

Add dry ingredients slowly and mix until blended.

Roll into 1 inch balls (kids LOVE this!) roll balls in sugar( kids REALLY love this, as they LICK LICK LICK their hands!) and place on cookie sheet. Bake 11 minutes. Let cool 2 minutes before removing to cooling rack.

Makes about 40 cookies...

Okay- so let me describe these cookies. They are like a soft, chewy, sweet cookie/brownie all in one. THE BEST cookies you will ever make. Hands down. BUT if you want to take it one step further, or if it's that time of the month and you NEED chocolate overload, melt some chocoalte bark and DIP THEM. YES, dip them right into that chocoalte and let them cool on wax paper. I am salivating just thinking of the cookies I ate 10 minutes ago. and shaking all over. and salivating some more. I made these for my ladies night last night and well, not many were left.

Enjoy- and don't forget to help me rename my cookie!

Utter Chaos

2009-11-15T14:37:00.000-05:00

I was planning on a post yesterday for my Christmas series. Then life happened. LIFE HAPPENED.

My washer broke, and a burnt belt filled my house with the smell of an electric fire. My dryer is on the way out, too, by the way. My son fell off his bike and had to be taken to the ER for stitches, and to make sure he didn't ahve a concussion. 5 minutes after getting home from the ER my behind our house neighbor calls while I am picking up my other 2 children at the neighbors a street over. She wanted to know what was 'going down' in my front yard'. Neighbor who had my kids hubby took off to see what was going on. A robber with a gun was going down- literally -because neighbor 2 houses to the left tackled him and neighbor who was watching my kids hubby was also sitting on said robber.

Did I mention my hubby was out of town deer hunting?

A night of scared children, me not sleeping, bunking out at my inlaws and migraines are what followed. Then a birthday party for child number 1 today.

I apologize for the interruption of this regularly scheduled program and please stay tuned for Christmas Decor Series Post #3 on Monday.

Yes we have an alarm. Yes Robber is in jail. No, he wasn't trying to rob my house, he robbed a house on neighbor who had my kids street and was cutting through my street when he spooked neighbor 2 doors downs dog. No we don't live in the ghetto- we live in a very nice neighborhood, but with 4 teens that are trouble, but now are going away for awhile! And no this kid doesnt always pack a gun, he had stolen it from the house he robbed... Now- off for a cup of coffee, a good 'I am so tired and thankful we are all okay' cry, and then to pick up my blessing of a washer and dryer that are being given to us.