Walkin' in Sunshine

SayMMM

2011-10-05T12:31:00.000-05:00

I was playing around with my Say MMM account, actually I was looking for ideas for dinner, using what I had on hand, and learning how to use the menu/shopping list options. They have a new feature over there, you can add up to 100 recipes for the free version, free is good, (paid version is unlimited recipes, add cost of ing, and track nutrients/calories $3 month) anyway, you can now add a link to a recipe online, and it will add the ingredients for you, and make up not only a shopping list but a "check to see" list as well. The "Check to see list is for things in the pantry you usually already have on hand. Your shopping list can be done in categories and/or stores. This makes is easy for me to pull it up, check off what I have, pull out my iPhone, pull up my Grocery Gadget (I have the $5 paid app) click items in, and go, or have my husband pull it up on his phone while he is in town. I can even enter a barcode on most items and it will pull up the price, and add tax for me-cool huh?

What did I decide on for dinner, a recipe from Hillbillyhousewife.com-just entered the link, and there it was, in my list!
Beef Stroganoff-MMMMM
Print Recipe | Printable grocery list

Menu Planning

2011-10-04T12:38:00.000-05:00

Well, I dug out my menu planning gear and made my own planner, and I even used Excel, which I'm just don't know enough about to really be doing anything with it. I'll share it here, if I can figure out how to, and if you know how to link or upload a pdf file and don't see it here PLEASE comment and tell me how. I have not used my menu planner in quite a while now, my husband picks things up as we go, and the budget has been too tight to do anything except have him pick things up on his way home. I know there are many great planners out there, and I have printed a few off and actually used them, but with the rising cost of ink, and paper, I've found something that works for me and decided to share it. I do use SayMMM online for ideas and lsits, but what I did a few years ago is just make my own calendar with Publisher on my computer, and made up 5 or 6 weeks of meals we like, you may need another form. I also left Friday nights open (we have pizza) and one other day a week open for New Recipe night. I then made a staples list, of all the things I need on hand for daily life, and our recipes on that menu. I also added a few lines for items from New Recipe night or things we don't use a lot of. I don't have my list on the computer anymore, but since it's update time, I may do that and share. SayMMM will make lists for you from your menu lists and then you can click on things you have on hand to remove them from the list, and then print or add it to your written list. I keep my master list in sheet protectors on our kitchen bulletin board, then I check things I need as I need them with a dry erase marker. I also just updated my Grocery Gadget App on my iPhone and will transfer my staples to it, then I have a list on my phone, and can even make a separate list for my husband, or by stores. This way I have a "written" list in case my technology crashes, and also don't have to take a list to the store, it's already in my phone. There is a free one I read about on a blog Modern Vintage Homemaking but since I had purchased the Grocery Gadget a year or two ago, I'll keep it, don't' want to pay Stupid Tax.I am not knocking those services who do the planning for you, and even tell you what is on sale, but I cannot even afford the inexpensive $5 a month ones, and honestly since I can do this on my own, I'm not willing to pay for it, I need to save every penny I can now a days!!!

Just pencil in your meals (I did not put Months on my Menu calendar, it just rotates) and then if you like do your own on computer, I can email you this form in excel if you will be kind enough to leave your email in the comments. I put lines at the bottom of the page for notes, and at the right of the page to use for notes, and comments, like family did not like New Recipe Night... Okay, got to sign off and grade Algebra papers, Have a Blessed Day!!! Valerie

Print Recipe | Printable grocery list
What's for dinner tonight? Creamy Chicken, take a look!

Simple Woman's Daybook

2011-10-04T07:34:00.000-05:00

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Click on picture for link.

FOR TODAY

October 4, 2011...

Outside my window...

Crisp cool fall air, finally.

I am thinking...

I hope it rains soon.

I am thankful for...

The rain we have gotten.

From the learning rooms...

Constitution class from Hillsdale College

From the kitchen...

Coffee.

I am wearing...

Sweatshirt & Jeans.

I am creating...

Kitchen Dress Towels.

I am going...

To let my chickens out as soon as I'm done here.

I am reading...

Wuthering Heights.

I am hoping...

For a long Fall.

I am hearing...

Sparky & Roo-Roo crowing.

Around the house...

Morning sounds of family.

One of my favorite things...

Crisp October Mornings.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Catch up on lesson plans and sewing projects.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

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Manic Monday

2011-10-03T15:42:00.001-05:00

Okay everyone all together now, "It's Just Another Manic Monday". I love that song, it's a good mopping the floor song, kinda like "Walking On Sunshine" by Katrina & The Waves....

Things have been so hectic here lately, which I'll try to share over at Rocks in My Garden (which should actually be the 1-Acre Farm) and I actually allowed people to tell me how to run MY blog. I know I asked for advice, I even went looking for advice, but it stopped being fun, and my motto is "If it ain't fun, it won't get done", which is why I like to tune into YouTube for old songs I like while cleaning. Come on, admit it, it takes longer to procrastinate about doing the job at hand than it actually takes to do it!!! So what's a gal to do,

well I'll tell you, do it like Frank did, HIS way, but YOUR way. I have just a few random things I want to share, and that's what I'm gonna do, share them, and share them MY way.

1st Check out the tip of the month over at the top right (underneath that massively huge picture I could not resist using, and just did not feel like figuring out how to shrink any more than it already is).

2nd Menu planning, it's gone by the wayside lately, hubby does ALL the shopping, which was great for a while, but I'd love to know what's for dinner ahead of time. I hope to have some great resources up and share a few tips I've learned along the way very soon.

To wet your appetite, here is a resource I love.

It's almost Holiday season, are you ready? I know I shared this yesterday, but it's absolutely worth sharing again, I LOVE btw!!!

Just the Planner.

Well, I'm off to make some home made noodles using Molly's recipe from over at Econobusters.com, and chicken soup from Suzanne over @ Hillbillyhousewife.com, sorry I don't have the for the one on Hillbillyhousewife.com, I'll never get dinner started, cuz I'll end up chasing rabbits for a few hours, there is SO much good stuff over there.

Have a GREAT day!!!

Valerie!

AWOL

2011-10-02T17:36:00.000-05:00

So I've been AWOL for a long time, over a year in fact. I don't even know if anyone is wondering where I have been, or will know I posted. I'm trying to get back into the swing of things, however with 18 chickens laying eggs all over my yard, every day is an egg hunt, I've GOT to finish that chicken yard.... I'll be back in a day or two, if anyone is still checking in, PLEASE leave me a note and let me know!!!

Until then, here are a couple of things I'll be doing in addition to the chicken yard (and new goat pens)....

&

Valerie

What's for Dinner???

2010-08-25T13:06:00.000-05:00

Don't you just dread that question? I know I do, especially right now. Chronic back pain began to sneak up on me mid-July and has only intensified. Usually my back gives me grief just in the early Spring and late Fall, right before the weather changes, or at least temps drop a bit around here. This time it put me flat on my back, or side I should say, sitting only makes it worse, unless it is on a yoga ball or a hard wood chair, forget sitting in the recliner or computer chair, that means I'm off to bed and dragging my left leg behind me because my hip hurts so bad I cannot lift my leg off the floor.

So, how do I handle dinner, not to mention keeping the house in livable condition? I've got 3 resources that are my go-to, no-fail, works every time, sure-fire, helps.

#1 is FLYLady, when things get bad and I cannot find the floor for the mess, I just hop on over there, see what the zone of the week is, pull out my binder, and do 15 minutes of what needs to be done. It really is true that you can accomplish so much in 15 minutes, which right now is about all I can handle. So, now that the kitchen sink and counter are taken care of, what about dinner????

#2 and #3 are Hillbilly Housewife and Living on a Dime.

Hillbilly Housewife is where I went for dinner or lunch tomorrow. I am making Crock Pot Split Pea Soup. The split peas cost under a dollar and I used bacon instead of ham, (using what I have on hand) the bacon costing just under $3, but I only used 1/4 of the package (if that much) so still under $1. I also grow most of my own herbs and had some home grown and store bought seasonings on hand so for about $2 I am making enough to feed my family 1 meal plus lunch left overs for the kids and I. It may be a bit warm down here for soups yet, but hubby keeps the air on about 60 degrees so when he comes home from being in the sun all day he can relax, so the kids and I really appreciate soups for lunch and dinner. Now I just need to decide which type of bread to fix with it, maybe jalapeño cheddar....

Living on a Dime is the site that inspires me to keep on going, no matter how far G-O-N-E the money has gone. For GREAT tips on how to learn how to have more money than month, or at least as much money as month, give Living on a dime's Frugal Living on a Dime Extravaganza a try. Well worth the investment in your family. To give you just a bit of a taste of what you can learn try here.

Penmanship-Free Resource

2010-04-14T07:49:00.001-05:00

Does anyone remember the days of pen pals, and dotting your I's with hearts or circles? Do you remember the days when you could actually read the writing on the note that cute little boy with the freckles sent you? Has any of you graded a report from your darling child with brb, lol, roflol, or any other acronym in it?

What happened to the art of Penmanship? HERE is a link to a free Penmanship Book to help you and your children learn the art of Penmanship. "What About Penmanship is a 109 page resource for you and your family from Bogart Family Resources. Best of all it's FREE!!!.

While there sign up for their newsletter and receive a coupon for $5 off any of their products, most of which are well under $5.

Simple Woman's Daybook 4/12/2010

2010-04-12T07:52:00.001-05:00

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To Join in go HERE.

FOR TODAY

April 12, 2010...

Outside my window...Birds singing, sun shinning, smell of freshly tilled dirt.

I am thinking...I should have gone to bed earlier.

I am thankful for...being able to grow our own food

From the learning rooms...History of Britain

From the kitchen...Just coffee for now.

I am wearing...Work out clothes, getting ready for a 1 mile walk (indoors)

I am creating...a mess in my yard.

I am going...To Tulsa OK this weekend.

I am re-reading...For the Sake of The Children by Susan Schaffer Macaulay

I am hoping...to get some raised beds built this week.

I am hearing...The washer running, it's Monday-wash the sheets day.

Around the house...Children slowly getting going.

One of my favorite things...Fresh picked lettuce

A few plans for the rest of the week:School, curriculum plans for Kids Cake Camp, Wilton Method Instructor Training in Tulsa...

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

This is one of 2 cakes I made for Easter, the note says "Gone to see Dad, Fixin' a place for you. Be back soon, Jesus"

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Simple Woman's Daybook 2/8/2010

2010-02-08T07:25:00.002-06:00

To Join in The Simple Woman's Daybook go HERE.

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FOR TODAY

(February 8, 2010)...

Outside my window...Cold and wet.

I am thinking...I wish I could have stayed in bed.

I am thankful for...The rain that waters the grass, and helps trees grow.

From the learning rooms...Need to organize supplies

From the kitchen...Quiet.

I am wearing...Jammies, and a Robe

I am creating...An apron, and Crocheted Pot Holders.

I am going...To work on my To-Do list today

I am reading...The Spark by Chris Downie, Still hoping to get Character Makeover book.

I am hoping...To be able to get the Character Make over book and join in with the online book club over at Girls Gathering Place

I am hearing...The buzz of the small heater and the hum of the fan.

Around the house...Stillness.

One of my favorite things...Spring

A few plans for the rest of the week:Finish up some craft projects.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Some of the Pot Holders I made for last year that are still usable.

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Made By You Mondays

2010-02-01T13:17:00.004-06:00

Cindy over at Skip To My Lou, who BTW not only has a place FULL of ideas, also does something called Mady By You Monday's, click the button, hop on over and check it out.
This's theme week is.....

Valentines, and since I home school and we are not able to attend the parties our group is having, I am showing a picture of what I wanted to share last week but did not get to. These are pot holders I made last year from the pattern from "A Year Of Pot Holders" by Leisure Arts.

I am not linking up to MBYM this week, but hope to in the future, you can however. Be sure to check out all the neat ideas from last week too, just click on Cindy's Made By You Monday's link.

Simple Woman's Daybook 2/1/2010

2010-02-01T07:15:00.002-06:00

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The Simple Woman's Daybook with Peggy

FOR TODAY

(2/1/2010)...

Outside my window...The sun is slowly rising.

I am thinking...It's not quiet this morning, it's lonely.

I am thankful for...The rest the winter season brings.

From the learning rooms...New Science on the way.

From the kitchen...The coffee pot, sputtering it's last drops.

I am wearing...My Warm winter Robe

I am creating...Pot Holders & Aprons.

I am going...To Organize a few things today.

I am reading...The Spark by Chris Downie

I am hoping...To get the book "Character Makeover" soon.

I am hearing...The fan and the heater.

Around the house...QUIET

One of my favorite things...Seeing the sun come up and the moon dissapear.

A few plans for the rest of the week:Finish up a few crochet and sewing projects.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...
The view from my kitchen window.

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Follow Friday 1/29/10

2010-01-29T01:04:00.002-06:00

Welcome To Follow Friday brought to you by One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families and Midday Escapades!

Feel Free to leave your FF comments here on this post.

If you are a first time visitor WELCOME!!! Please take just a minute to leave me a comment so I can make sure to come visit with you too.

If you have time to stay for a bit here are 3 posts that I think you may enjoy.
My thoughts on Pro-Football these days.
Tips for joining a carnival.
Politics and Military Family Thanks courtesy of Ray Stevens.

I look forward to getting to know you, but I also wanted to let you know that I have a very demanding family so I don't always have access to the computer especially during gardening season which is February thru October here in NE Texas, in fact I probably should be planting seeds indoors right now, or preparing beds for transplants. So if I I don't visit often, just know that when I do get to visit I enjoy my visits with you even more.

Blessings,
Valerie

Make-Ahead Meals For Busy Mom;s Cookbook Giveaway

2010-01-28T14:39:00.000-06:00

Mommy2TwoGirls is having a giveaway of Jane Doiron's Make Ahead Meals Cook Book, hop on over and sign up!!!

WLW 1/27/2010

2010-01-27T09:32:00.000-06:00

WLW With Chasity

Well I stared off good, I really did.
Sunday was GAME DAY. It was also the last Sunday I will spend with Terry Bradshaw and the Peanut Gallery until September, unless he decides not to come back. I cannot imagine a Foot Ball Sunday without Terry Bradshaw. Not that I am a huge Steelers Fan, I am a fan, have been since the 70's, but the Bears are my FAV. I just enjoy Terry's wit and humor and his down to earth common sense. Oh, I was supposed to be doing WLW, sorry....

Sunday hubby cooked, I ate some, but not all. I had one of his hot dogs wrapped in bacon and cooked on the griddle just so I could affirm his cooking skills and stroke his ego. No bun though, even if I did make them myself.

Monday was a good day as was Tuesday (did I mention I was sick/recovering last week?). I did 15 miles yesterday on my stationary bike in 40 minutes while watching Biggest Loser. This morning I awoke with an itchy throat and a stinging nose-ALLERGIES. I have started making my own cleaning products due to my daughters allergies & nosebleeds, and this means chemicals and perfumes set off mine because I am no longer used to inhaling them. So how does my daughter thank me? She bathes in perfume sprays and lotions..... (Note to Mother-In-Law, no more stinky stuff for my daughter). I will do my indoor walk at lunch time and some strength training then see how I feel about this afternoon's walk. I break up my work outs, 1 mile indoor in the AM, ST at lunch time, 2 or 3 mile walk (or bike ride) at 3. This keeps my metabolism going and I have noticed I don't crank up the heater or add excess wood to the stove (wood burning stove for heat-more allergies) when I am doing things this way.

So I am leaving you with this pre-~~recorded~~typed message from my beloved Spark People. See all of you soon, when I come to visit your WLW posts.

As you may know, I am an active member of the popular healthy-living website, SparkPeople.com. In an effort to help SparkPeople live out their mission of helping millions of people reach their goals and live healthier lives, I have joined a contest they're holding called "The Spark Free Chapter Challenge." If you have one minute to spare, I could use your help, because I REALLY want to win!

So here's the deal with the challenge…

Chris Downie, SparkPeople's CEO and founder, recently published a book called "The Spark" that offers a proven new approach to improving your health, transforming your life and reaching your goals (for example, real people have lost over 10 million pounds using their free online program)!

People like me who are helping them "Spread The Spark" through The Spark Free Chapter Challenge are encouraging our friends and family to download a FREE chapter of "The Spark" book. And for every person I can encourage to download the chapter, I will get an additional chance to win a $500 weekend getaway and other prizes, as well as something they offer called "SparkPoints," which also help motivate me to reach my goals.

All you have to do to help is download a free chapter from The Spark book. Nothing else. To do so, simply go to http://book.sparkpeople.com/book.asp?u=VALERIENEAL and click the button to download your free chapter.

If you would be willing to help me with this, I would truly appreciate it, and I also think you will enjoy reading this free chapter from "The Spark". I know I did!

Thank you for your time. I really appreciate it.

VALERIENEAL (my Spark People ID-look me up!!!)

TOTAL COMPUTER OVERHAUL Finale

2010-01-26T13:11:00.001-06:00

I was unable to finish this Friday due to having to make a cake for a friend of my son's. Yesterday was a catch up day, but that can be a good thing, we had plenty of time to finish up. I honestly did not finish, I still need to back up files, but the laundry is caught up and the kitchen is presentable, even after Sunday's football games and a day of my husband cooking!!!

I hope that you were able to at least get a good start on backing up your files and pictures. We have had computers crash that had tons of family pictures on them, those pictures are gone, no negatives to take to Wal-Mart and have copies made. I recommend putting pictures on a flash drive so you can keep adding to it. You can also use an online account to store your pictures, Wal-Mart, Walgreens, and Photo Bucket are good places to start. If you work from your computer you may want to check out a place like Mozy or Go to My PC, to back up and/or access your files anytime from any computer.

Now that you have your computer backed up, now you can start on that office, or office "area". My office area is where ever my laptop happens to be, right now it is the couch. HERE is a great place to start.

Lest We Forget

2010-01-24T09:18:00.003-06:00

It does not matter what your opinions on war are, what does matter that we unite as Americans, support each other, and support our troops. What I mean is this "Although I do not agree with what you say, I will fight to the death your right to say it"-(credit is commonly given to Voltaire). I'm an Army National Guard Mom and I say "HOOAH"

Your cell phone is in your pocket.
He clutches the cross hanging on his chain next to his dog tags.

You talk trash about your 'buddies' that aren't with you.
He knows he may not see some of his buddies again.

You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls.
He patrols the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists

You complain about how hot it is.
He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow..

You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong.
He doesn't get to eat today.

You make your bed and wash your clothes.
He wears the same things for weeks, but makes sure his weapons are clean.

You go to the mall and get your hair redone.
He doesn't have time to brush his teeth today.

You're angry because your class ran 5 minutes over.
He's told he will be held over an extra 2 months.

You call your girlfriend and set a date for tonight.
He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home.

You hug and kiss your girlfriend, like you do every day.
He holds his letter close and smells his love's perfume.

You roll your eyes as a baby cries.
He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they'll ever meet.

You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything.
He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own people and remembers why he is fighting.

You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of men like him.
He hears the gunfire, bombs and screams of the wounded.

You see only what the media wants you to see.
He sees the broken bodies lying around him.

You are asked to go to the store by your parents and you don't think you should have to.
He does exactly what he is told even if it puts his life in danger.

You stay at home and watch TV.
He takes whatever time he is given to call, write home, sleep, and eat.

You crawl into your soft bed, with down pillows, and get comfortable.
He tries to sleep but gets woken by mortars and helicopters all night long.

REMEMBER our Troops, and do not forget them LATER, Lest we forget!

Ya wanna know what really makes me mad?

2010-01-20T18:45:00.001-06:00

Warning I tend to have diarrhea of the mouth at times and this may very well be one of them.....

We watched the Game Sunday (the one with the Cowgirlsboys) in it. Most of the family are fans, I used to be but there just does not seem to be the same "class" (if a foot ball team can have class) on the team.

So I'm watching this game right, and this 40 year old, no body wants anymore, phenomenon, called Brett Farve, is having a kick butt day. Now I'm not a Viking fan, and I am certainly NOT a Packers fan, I would rather see anybody win than the Packers, does that tell you who my team is, but I know talent when I see it. To be honest too, this guy is a fighter, and if that is what 40 is supposed to look like someone needs to promote physical fitness to older men..... Just sayin', I mean let's lose the beer belly. Ok, I'm running on.

So The Vikings are ahead, and with 2 minutes to go they go for it. They do what they are supposed to do, they have an opening and they take it. THAT IS THE POINT OF THE GAME. It's a game. There is a winner. Can you say DUHHUH???

So this Cowboy guy Keith Brooking, follows Brett and the receiver who made the touchdown (uh that's what they get paid to do), yelling and screaming like a 2 year old. COME ON. Hey's hollering about how classless it was to run the score up. I'm thinking this guy started playing T-Ball when they stopped keeping score and everyone got a trophy. I have NO problem losing, I lost as a kid, ALL the time. I did not get a trophy for every single thing I did, and I am fine. It taught me to be tougher instead of a, well you know.

Now, just to give credit where credit is due, Romo did his job, he was just up against a VERY tough defense. Honestly I don't think we have seen what Romo can do yet, I think he has some untapped talent that is about to blow us all away.

So, my point? If that KB guy were MY son, I wouldn't' care how old he was or how much he made, mama would be out there on TV making him apologize for showing his butt. It was not the Vikings acting in a classless manner, they were doing what they get paid to do, it was him.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Fox Peanut Gallery Pre-Game, Half Time, and Post Game Team Terry Bradshaw and Curt Menefee, analysts Howie Long and Jimmy Johnson, and comic prognosticator Frank Caliendo. These guys are the BEST part of the game. I especially love Terry Bradshaw, loved him in the 70's, he is SO COOL... I heard him in an interview one time talking about a trip somewhere and someone wanted him to go eat sushi, he informed them that where he came from that is called BAIT.

So after the game Terry and Jimmy (who I have grown to appreciate) debated the Vikings going for it. Terry said if he were QB he would not have done it. Jimmy (and I cannot believe I agreed with Jimmy) said "This was a butt kicking, if you don't want your butt kicked play harder". I LOVE it. This is what football is about, kicking butt. I remember the days when the Jerseys were red with blood!!! Now THAT was football. Who remembers the Mean Joe Green coke commercial?

That's just my 2 cents worth though, boy I feel better.... I may have upset some but oh well I tend to do that. Oh, and if you wonder what shirt I will be wearing on Super Bowl Sunday, it's my BEARS one. See, I told you I was used to losing, but that's okay, we have next season!!!!

WLW 1/20/2010

2010-01-20T16:38:00.030-06:00

For more info on WLW and my WONDERFUL friend Chasity go HERE

Some thoughts to ponder before I post my progress and activities...

Poise in the face of frustration

Patience is the key to paradise.- Turkish proverb

Whether waiting to see a change on the scale, dealing with your coworkers, or diligently putting in work and feeling unappreciated, losing your patience is very easy to do. By exercising patience with all people, you are allowing them to become better and to learn on their own through gentle guidance. One healthy byproduct of self control in the face of frustration is that it usually leads to encouragement and enhancement of your relationships. Happy families and friendships thrive on patience and learning. It may take time to learn, but the results are well worth it!

Thursday and Friday I did great. Saturday I took the day off, good thing too Sunday brought a bug that has progressively gotten worse, today I am just a big huge blob of BLAH.

Take Stock of Your Behavior
Fight Computer Butt
16 Reasons to NOT Diet
WAY COOL fitness gear for "Keeping a Lid On The Junk In The Trunk"

Last somethings I found this week that were not directed at a Healthy Lifestyle but just fit right in.

A mind is a terrible thing to CHASE. If you want answers, listen to your body. It will never lie to you. Truth is the only language it knows.

Your mind, on the other hand, speaks with a forked tongue. And it will trick you into believing that it knows what it’s talking about. It doesn’t. How accurate is your personal guidance system?

Don’t build a better mousetrap – build a better YOU. First of all, who the heck still uses mousetraps? What is this, 1946? Call an exterminator and get on with your life. Secondly, mousetraps are overrated.

YOU are the only product that ever matters. That’s what people are buying anyway. What have you done, specifically – in the last 24 hours – to make yourself better?

Enter to Win a 42″ Vizio LCD TV!

2010-01-20T11:40:00.000-06:00

I have no idea how old our TV is, that's how old it is. Maybe having a new TV would inspire my husband to actually build an entertainment center, and we can get rid of the 1970's style TV cart.

YouReviewElectronics.com LCD TV reviews

TOTAL COMPUTER OVERHAUL Day 3 & 4

2010-01-20T10:28:00.002-06:00

Backing up your files is key to helping your computer run smoothly as well as keeping your sanity, not to mention saving you money. How can it help you save money? Well for a small investment you won't run the risk of double purchasing.

Yesterday we starting organizing our files on our computer. Today start transferring those files to either disk or a flash drive.

I just open My Documents, fix the window to the size I want, open My Computer, click on the drive I am transferring to, size it, and then drop and drag. If you are just starting, just take the whole folder over. If you already have a flash drive or a RW Disk you can add to the folders you already have there.

I mentioned saving money earlier. As I was going through some files a week or two ago, I noticed I had 2 or more files that were for school, and not only were they the same subject, they were the same topic. Most of these were freebies I picked up, but some were purchases. I also have many free patterns for crafts and sewing I need to put on a Flash Drive and keep with my sewing stuff, I will make a list for these, so I don't purchase one later.

I have tons of things to move and tomorrow my Mother-In-Law is taking my daughter and I for a panty run, we are headed to Sulphur Springs to the outlet stores to stock up on socks, stockings, and yes, undergarments. So, I am off to catch up on laundry, transfer my files, and make a music CD or two for our road trip.

Happy Organizing,
Valerie

TOTAL COMPUTER OVERHAUL Day 2

2010-01-19T16:12:00.000-06:00

Organizing your files on your computer.

This will be short, I spent the entire day fixing another blog. I would love your input on it, ValeriesGardenBlog.

To start simply go to my documents and hit create new folder. For example I have one for Home Making, one for Home School, and so on. Today we are just going to drag and drop files into those folders. Tomorrow we will start putting them on disk or a flash drive. Make as many folders and sub folders as you need for now, for example I have the Home School Folder, and then each subject, and then break those down such as History, American History, Pilgrims thru Revolution. Got it?

TOTAL COMPUTER OVERHAUL Day 1

2010-01-17T11:15:00.003-06:00

Ok, my challenge for the members of the Total Home Overhaul, and anyone else who wants to jump in is OUR COMPUTERS!! I told you it was one of if not the most ignored but needed projects in your home. If you want to join our Yahoo Group just add your email addy to the info box in the toolbar on the left under Total Home Overhaul. We are a very quiet group working at our own pace and will not inundate your email box with tons of junk. What we will do is love you no matter what, be totally honest with you, and help when you ask, BUT you must first ask.

This is Monday's Assignment.

First things first..... We are going to clean the insides of our computer screen, yes it is possible with just the click of a button, no tools required. Click HERE.

Okay, that's good close out of it.

If you do not have the important information for your computer on the Troubleshooting and Maintaining Your PC by Computers for Dummies. Pick up an inexpensive expand-a-file (now is the time to grab one) and keep this information along with the receipt for your computer (if you can locate it) and warranty information. Gather the information from all your appliances and major purchases as you can (not right now) and file them together.

ALSO you may want to consider investing in an external hard drive, you can purchase one for about $100. If you work from your computer, this is a necessity. If your computer crashes, you still have all your important files backed up as well as pictures, music, movies anything else you may have collected along the way.

Now HERE is a great get started list for WAHM's and SAHM's to go by. It is for Windows XP, but most of it is still relevant and the only help list I could find to date that was not to techy.

HERE is another post on Anti-Virus protection. HERE is another, this one is free.

You will also want to do a defrag and a scan disk. These can be found under Control Panel, Performance Information, Tasks (on left). You will want to carefully manage your start up programs, do a disk clean up, and run a defrag (under advanced tools). One more thing is to go to Internet Options, delete your history and if you need to the cookies, sometimes I do, sometimes I don't.

While your computer is defragmenting you can get back to overhauling your house. Here are a couple of blogs to inspire you.
Mannland5
CleanMamma A Midwest Mom on a Quest for Clean
Donna Days:De-Crapifying the sink.

Tomorrow we will begin on all those files you need to back up and clear off your computer.

The RIGHT Way to Join A Carnival!!!!

2010-01-16T13:13:00.002-06:00

No, I do not mean run away and be a Carny or join a circus. I am talking about those cool Bloggy Land Carnivals that help you get followers. I jumped in on Follow Friday by Midday Escapades, One2Try, and Hearts Make Families. I saw MANY SITS buttons (look for mine on the right, click it-go ahead I dare you), and left extra LOVE too. One post REALLY got my attention, I KNEW she was a SITStah right away!!!

THIS IS HOW YOU JOIN A CARNIVAL!!!!

Take notes, burn this into your brain. Add a post about the carnival so commenters don't have to go looking for an appropriate place to comment. Have your follow button where it can be found. Plug your blog-or introduce yourself. SIMPLE yet EFFECTIVE.

THANKS MOMMY'S STILL FABULOUS!!!!
YOU ROCK!!!

Freezer Foods Friday 1/15/09

2010-01-15T18:03:00.001-06:00

We have been sorta sick around here so I'm posting more of a just my 2 cents contribution and a link to a post I did about soups.

Tip for today, keep some home made chicken soup in the freezer. I usually save the tips of the wings from chickens or boil the back making two meals. Most of the time I make a casserole or soup and we eat it later that week. Some times though I make the soup up and keep it in the freezer for days when we are sick.

Chicken wing tips can be boiled when you have enough (15-20) and then removed, you then have a good broth. You can add seasonings, carrots and celery prior to boiling and then add what ever else you want when the tips are removed. Keep some of this in the freezer for when you are sick or are busy taking care of loved ones.

For the post on soups I did earlier go HERE. All of these are Freezer Friendly.

Follow Friday 1/15/09

2010-01-15T14:32:00.001-06:00

Hop on over and check out this cool idea!!! Want more followers, then this is surely one way to get some!!!

Oh, and if you follow me-yes I will follow you BUT give me time please, I've been at this just over an hour and I cannot keep up. So it may be a day or two before I get back to those I am not yet following-bear with me please.

Getting it All Together

2010-01-15T13:57:00.001-06:00

If you really need help getting it together I have 2 great places to start.
First is Molly over at Econobusters.
The second is Leslie over at The Total Home Overhaul (I have blogged about this in the past.

Day 1 with Molly is HERE. The 31 Days of organization to date can be found HERE. Just because you are not starting with Molly on Day 1 does not mean you cannot start, and you are not behind, just start where you are.

Leslie has done a wonderful job of being open and honest about organizing her home and her life. There is even a yahoo group for those of us who just want a nudge or can go ask for help. We are a very quiet group, we will not inundate you with charts, chores, assignments and such. We are just there waiting for someone to ask for help or pass on an idea. I have one I hope to be sharing next week-stay tuned. Sign up to join the group on the left, as I said we are VERY quiet.

So what are you working on? I did a complete overhaul a few years back and have been maintaining as I go, using the FLYLady system. I also box things up that are not used very often and date the box, if I have not used it in 6 months, it GOES, unless it is canning supplies, those I only use once a year-all summer long. I do need to get some organizers for my kitchen drawers, I HATE knives running loose all over the place, and need to replenish some cleaning supplies, each bathroom has their own set and then the kitchen set. Molly gives you details on how to do this HERE.

Stop by both of these places, tell them I sent you!!!!

Things that Confuse Me About the Last Decade

2010-01-14T14:10:00.001-06:00

This was another awesome email I just had to share. Sheila Wray Gregoire has a way of putting things that just makes perfect sense. Her whit and her humor weaved with practicality never fails to either amaze me or cause me to yet again fall out of my chair due to side splitting laughter. Enjoy.

Things that Confuse Me About the Last Decade
I started this year confused about a lot of things. First, I don't even know what decade we're in. Did we just start a new one? Or are we in the last year of the old one? Inquiring minds want to know.

But assuming the decade is now over, I'm trying to figure out how I started it with toddlers and ended it with teens, while I haven't aged at all.

I don't understand how communication technology has exploded at exactly the same time as spelling and reading comprehension have cratered. LOL.

I don't get Carrot Top.

I'm scared of Lunchables, especially those pizza and sub ones. If it contains meat, it should be refrigerated. If it doesn't need to be refrigerated, it isn't meat. So that begs the question: what is it? And why do so many people buy it? I'm actually afraid to know the answer to that one.

Here's another one that scares me: how can an entire generation be glued to the television to watch people make fools of themselves? The last decade ushered in reality shows, where anyone can claim the spotlight, even—and perhaps especially—total losers. Why do they want to? Why would someone who looks ridiculous want to be a contestant on So You Think You Can Dance ? The nineties saw us watching Elaine on Seinfeld dance as if she were having a seizure, but at least we knew it was acting. This is reality. And we can't get enough of it.

Why can we figure out how to put a computer chip in a phone, how to operate on a baby while it's still in utero, how to grow new body parts with stem cells, and we can't figure out how to create an artificial sweetener that does not carry potential health risks for my preferred carbonated drink? Come on, scientists. I need my Diet Pepsi, and aspartame isn't cutting it.

How can we begin the decade with nineteen jihadist terrorists attacking the United States, and end with a jihadist terrorist attempting to attack the United States, after boarding a plane without proper passport checks, paying for a one way ticket in cash, carrying no luggage, and having been turned in by his own father. I've flown frequently throughout these last ten years, being singled out for special treatment on numerous occasions. I've seen my knitting needles confiscated, my nail clippers seized, my Diet Pepsi being poured out, and I have learned to leave the belts and big jewelry at home. But what have the powers that be learned? Perhaps this is the decade that should better be termed The Years That We Learned Nothing At All Except How to Take Off Our Shoes At the Airport.

Another thing that really perplexes me: if global warming was the huge, urgent threat of the last decade, and in this decade it threatens to consume us all if we don't Take Urgent Action Now, why do all the honchos flock to annual environment conferences in private jets? Over the last decade, I've figured out how to participate in online conferences so that I don't have to leave my home. I can even teach seminars in my bunny slippers. But Prince Charles has to lecture us on our carbon footprint after leaving one himself the size of Idaho. If the Al Gores and David Suzukis and Barack Obamas of the world truly want us to take it seriously, perhaps they should stay home next time. Or at least fly coach with everyone else. Although then, of course, they'd have to share in the indignity of taking off their shoes at the airport.

Sheila is a speaker and author of four books, including To Love, Honor and Vacuum: When you feel more like a maid than a wife and a mother. She blogs daily at http://tolovehonorandvacuum.blogspot.com.

We The People-Ray Stevens

2010-01-14T10:48:00.004-06:00

Thank God for Ray Stevens.....

This PROUD Army National Guard mom says-"THANK YOU RAY STEVENS!!!"!!! HOOAH!!!

Kitchen Helps

2010-01-14T10:44:00.002-06:00

I love it when I run across something that not only makes perfect sense, but I realize it is something I am already doing, or even better have been doing for some time. Loi over at Mentoring Moments (see button on right, too) posted this and it arrived in my email this morning and I started doing the Happy Dance when I read it.......

I realized it was about something I had been doing for a few years now, de-cluttering. Of course my problem is I am a reformed pack-rat married to a pack rat, I mean he brings home things like old water heaters (I mean you can make a smoker out of those ~~suckers~~ things right?), old, broke dishwashers he removes from some one else's house when he replaces it with a new one, Things like that. One day he even brought home an entire garage door complete with tracks and broke opener. I threatened to hang it in our driveway-we don't have a garage.

But I ~~complain~~ digress, here is the email from Mentoring Moments.; Sign up to get your email while there.

Taking a tidy up approach to kitchen cleaning will only result in rearranging clutter rather than organizing.

Act like you are moving when it comes to de-cluttering the kitchen. What would you take with you? Chances are you are only using 20% of your stuff on a regular basis. Try this approach with cookbooks: take just the ones that are tenderly worn from years of use. Ask yourself would it be worth it to pay someone to moves these cookbooks for you. Pack away, sell on eBay, or put in a garage sale those you do not need.

Uncluttered space makes the best impression. For an instant face-lift in your kitchen, clean off the front of the fridge. Put your favorite pictures, artwork, and missionary prayer cards in an album or on a bulletin board.

For pantry organization I suggest using canning jars. They are affordable and you can see what is inside easily.

WOW, now everything here goes with what Leslie and I were doing for our Total Home Overhaul, and I have incorporated this into my daily life. Call it what you want, de-cluttering, culling, trashing, donating. I call it survival. I have arrived at a place and time in my life where I cannot stand clutter, OMG, I have become my father. Funny thing is I can usually handle a few items here and there, as long as they have a home and a function, but it is behind closed doors that the clutter starts to eat away at me. My dad owned a grocery store when I was a Junior in High School. I got paid $2 an hour to check and when things were slow, face the shelves, that means all nice and neat (dusting included) and all the labels facing out. Honey my cabinets could rival ANY grocery store shelf almost any given day, depends on whether my husband has been looking for something. Oh, and yes most of my items are ABC order. No, I am not OCD, I am CDO which is like OCD, but all the letters are in alphabetical order like they SHOULD be.

Oh boy, I'm rambling again. Click on the link for Mentoring Moments and check out the picture they have with this post, it gives even the most hopeless kitchen hope. I have a drop down shelf for my cookbooks, but it neatly hides again when done. Don't get me wrong I LOVE the one in the picture, but sooner or later it would get in someone's way and end up in the front yard.

A word of caution, don't make a resolution this year/next year to get organized, just start doing it. If you realize things have yet again gotten out of hand, don't beat yourself up, just pick yourself up and start again. As FLYLady says "You're not behind, start where you are". Some one should make a resolution to NEVER make another resolution, heck we should make it a proclamation to stop them from ever being made again. Each day is a fresh start, a Do-Over that God blesses us with, use it.

My tip for Kitchens-computers, flash drives & e-books. We live in a wonderful age and time. Most of my recipes are in e-books or being transferred to a recipe book on a flash drive. I have a few that I use regularly (not enough times to memorize yet) that I have printed out. The few REAL books that I do have are either sentimental or I have not yet weeded out the keepers and put them on flash drive yet. I had about 30 books, I now have about 10, all the recipes I wanted from those 20 books along with the miscellaneous cards and ripped out pages from magazines, and copied pages from someone else are ALL on a flash drive that takes up 1" x 2.5" of space. Now that's organization!!! Yes, I will make copies VERY soon, as the main reason I started this is so I could pass them on to my kids, some of the recipes are family recipes and are older than my parents.

Now, once you make space, the KEY is to NOT fill it with new stuff, unless it is needed NOT WANTED. I NEED more kitchen towels, who doesn't, but I have run out of space. As soon as I cull the recipes that drawer will be for towels only. When we finish our kitchen remodel (right before I die) I would like a small shelf for the 1 or 2 books I plan on keeping, simply because they were given to me by my grandmother the year I graduated High School and then another when I married. Oh, and my Cajun cook book my Mother In Law ~~loaned~~ gave me because I love the stories in it, I may frame that one.

Not Just Another Menu Planner

2010-01-14T10:23:00.004-06:00

My friend Kathy over at Teaching Good Things has posted yet another great tip. I absolutely love Kathy's practical tips, they are not only the best you can find, they are tried and true, or she would not recommend them.

Here is her tip on how she plans her menus. With just her computer, her printer and some card stock, she can change plans at the drop of a hat, and also see what is needed when she goes to the store.

I'm thinking this would work GREAT with my basic shopping list.

I keep a list of staples that we like to keep on hand as well as things that we like to include in recipes on the fridge in a sheet protector, then as we run low I check that on the list. When it comes time to make my list I have already done inventory and don't need to go looking, or I can just add to my list as I go. This also works great for when the kids notice we are low on things like trash bags or toothpaste for their bathroom, they go to the list and check that item.

This Time I Really Mean It Pt II

2010-01-14T09:09:00.001-06:00

I decided to add to this post, I found some really great quotes and inspirations for "starting over again".

From Hillbilly Housewife Newsletter

RECIPE FOR A HAPPY NEW YEAR

Author Unknown

Take twelve whole months,
Clean them thoroughly of all bitterness, hate, and jealousy,
Make them just as fresh and clean as possible.

Now cut each month into twenty-eight, thirty, or
thirty-one different parts,
but don’t make up the whole batch at once.
Prepare it one day at a time out of these ingredients.

Mix well into each day one part of faith,
one part of patience, one part of courage,
and one part of work.

Add to each day one part of hope,
faithfulness, generosity, and kindness.
Blend with one part prayer,
one part meditation, and one good deed.
Season the whole with a dash of good spirits,
a sprinkle of fun, a pinch of play,
and a cupful of good humor.

Pour all of this into a vessel of love.
Cook thoroughly over radiant joy,
garnish with a smile,
and serve with quietness, unselfishness,
and cheerfulness.

You’re bound to have a happy new year.

From a Spark People Blog.

Just occasionally you see meaningful words of wisdom from someone truly 'old enough to know'. People like Henry Allingham and Harry Patch who both died in 2009 as the only remaining military survivors from the Great War - or World War l. They were aged 113 and 111 years respectively, and in recent years had offered their advice to us all.

I have just learned of 90-years old Regina Brett and her lessons in life from her newspaper columns published in The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio I think they are worth noting. She says "To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:."

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends
and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, and wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, and then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

It all makes good sense to us.

Remember that we will always share our spoon with you !

Friends are the family that we choose for ourselves.

From Mentoring Moments.
Making the Lord’s priorities our own for the New Year means setting some boundaries and having a clear understanding of acceptance.

Learn to say no with confidence.

Don’t say, “I don’t have enough time.” Simply say, “No.” Your answer can be given with confidence if you are making it because of the priorities God has given you for your child, family, or particular things He wants to accomplish in your life right now.

The fact is, saying I don’t have enough time actually means: it is not a priority right now. If you offer excuses the person hearing them may not understand and try to offer solutions to overcome your excuses. Keep in mind the real reason for your no is this particular endeavor or activity you were asked to participate in does not line up with where you feel your time should be spent at this point in your life. Politely say no. As you see this person, do not run from her. Inquire how things are going with her endeavors.

Don’t take no personally

Weight Loss Wednesday

2010-01-13T12:13:00.003-06:00

For more info click here

These are some great tips from some great friends on Spark People (SP).

The writer Henry Miller said: "In this age, which believes that there is a shortcut to everything, the greatest lesson to be learned is that the most difficult way is, in the long run, the easiest." Chances are you've tried taking shortcuts before, like going on a crash diet or overdoing it at the gym. And chances are you discovered pretty quickly that those shortcuts don't work in the long term.

Today, take a moment to review your long-term goals (the reasons you started this journey). Then break those goals down into some shorter-term goals you'll be able to achieve along the way.

For example, if there's a certain amount of weight you'd ultimately like to lose, aim for a smaller, reasonable amount you think you can take off in four weeks, and put your efforts into reaching that first, short-term goal. You can do the same with fitness goals (distance you'd like to walk, speed at which you'd like to run), healthy cooking (dishes you'd like to learn to prepare), or any other aspect of the program.

Me-I'm working on a goal of doing 5 full push-ups this year. I cannot do push-ups, I can do a counter push-up (using the bathroom counter) but no lower. Not that I want to do a push-up mind you, but I want to do something I cannot do!!!

There may be no shortcuts, but soon you'll see that making small changes in your life is actually the easiest way to make big changes.

Champions Eat Breakfast

Breakfast is food for thought. Brains run on glucose, which comes from food. After a long slumber, glucose is in short supply, and your body needs a refill. Kids who eat breakfast have longer attention spans and better school performance than kids who skip the meal.

Breakfast is food for (good) mood. Eating a nutritious breakfast promotes balanced blood sugar levels, warding off crankiness.

Breakfast is food for fitness. People who eat breakfast are more likely to maintain a healthy weight. Your child will have more energy to spend for physical activities, promoting a healthy body.

Like Martha Graham, who said that "The body is a sacred garment. It's your first and last garment; it is what you enter life in and what you depart life with, and it should be treated with honor,"

Are you honoring your body with your food choices? How can you love yourself back to a healthy relationship with eating? Take steps towards defeating the natural compulsion or craving that might take you down a path of regretful eating. Remember the sacredness of your own skin.

My accomplishments for this past week.
1.) Consistency-I have worked in exercise constantly for the past week. I break my workouts into smaller bits, that keeps my metabolism going. I know this because I am no longer cold and constantly adding wood to the fire in our wood burning stove.

2.) I have made healthy choices, including eating break fast.

3.) I have tracked my progress on my Spark People fitness and nutrition pages (FREE).

I have not seen a drop on the scale, but I have seen a boost in my mood, I am sleeping better & more, and I just plain feel better.

My exercise plan....
A 1 minute walk indoors using Leslie Sansone and Exercise TV online(FREE)in the morning.

A SP (Spark People) boot camp WO and another quick cardio or ST (Strength Training)video at noon (both about 10 minutes each).

An indoor 3 mile walk with Leslie Sansone at about 3pm, I also throw in the extra ST or Cardio if they were too long for lunch break at this time.

I cannot tell you how much better I am sleeping and that makes late night snacking and grazing almost non-existent. I have not even had popcorn at night for the past week, in fact I have not had any in the past week. I am NOT giving up my popcorn, it's just that I will mindlessly eat an entire bag by myself, and have been known to eat more than one bag in a day.

NEW-Check out the cool new widget I have at the bottom of my page, it's FULL LENGTH & MINI work outs from Exercise TV

Sneaking the Veggies In

2010-01-13T10:52:00.002-06:00

When my older two boys were young and would not eat their veggies, I simply dumped Cheddar Cheese soup or Velveeta on them and they would gobble them up. If you have a picky eater or a veggie hater at your house try these ideas...
The First is from Mentoring Moments.
Sneaky Chef
The Sneaky Chef: Simple Strategies for Hiding Healthy Foods in Kids' Favorite Meals
By: Missy Chase Lapine

The Next is from Creative Jewish Mom
Grated Vegetable Soup

Another grate idea(pun intended)is to hide veggies in muffins. You can use carrots, zucchini, squash, just about anything. Make your favorite bran or oat muffins put some grated veggies in there and no one will ever know. You could even put some banana, pineapple, apple, or raisins in there too, just for a bit of sweet.

Zucchini or banana bread is another place to hide those veggies. You can also use Applesauce instead of oil when cooking, just substitute equal parts. Click HERE for a quick starter recipe.

I like to make Chicken Spaghetti and keep a batch (no pasta yet) in the freezer, just pull & thaw, add fresh pasta, and bake. I put veggies in mine, if you have a picky eater you could grate the veggies and put them in. This is also a great way to have a 1 dish dinner-less clean up. Oh, BTW Mexican Velveeta and/or a can of Rotel tomatoes make for an AWESOME Chicken Spaghetti.

And last a bonus, here is a dinner recipe from Living On A Dime .
Again grate those veggies for picky eaters.

*Mushroom Barley Soup

1-1 1/2 lbs. beef chuck, cut into 3/4 inch cubes
1 cup onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup celery, sliced
1 cup carrots, diced
1 lb. fresh mushrooms, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1 can (14-1/2 oz. or 2 cups) beef broth
1 can (14-1/2 oz. or 2 cups) chicken broth
2 cups of water
1/2 cup pearl barley
Pepper to taste
Salt to taste

Combine all but salt in a large pan and simmer a couple of hours or until meat and barley are tender. Salt to taste.

*Ninety Minute Rolls

2 - 2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 pkg. or 1 Tbsp. yeast
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup water
2 Tbsp. margarine

Mix 3/4 cup flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Heat milk, water and margarine until very warm (120° - 130°). Add to dry ingredients and beat 2 minutes on medium speed. Add 1/4 cup flour. Beat 2 minutes on high. Stir in enough flour to make a stiff dough. Knead 2-3 minutes. Place in a greased bowl. Let rise 15 minutes. Divide dough into 12 pieces and shape into balls. Place in an 8 inch round cake pan. Let rise 15 minutes. Bake at 375° for 20-25 minutes. Makes 12 rolls.

*Brownie/Banana Delight

1 pkg. brownie mix
1 cup chocolate chips
3/4 cup peanuts, chopped
3 medium bananas
1 2/3 cups milk
2 pkgs. (5 oz.) vanilla instant pudding
1 (8 oz.) carton frozen whipped topping

Mix brownie mix according to package directions, adding 1/2 cup of chocolate chips to it. Pour in a 9x13 pan greased pan. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes, until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool. Slice bananas and lay on top of brownies in a single layer. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup of chips and 1/4 cup peanuts. Mix milk and pudding mix on low speed for 2 minutes. Fold in whipped topping and spread over bananas. Sprinkle with remaining chips and peanuts.

If you like their recipes you will LOVE their e-books.

Single Serving Meat

2010-01-08T13:26:00.001-06:00

I must confess, for my first link to Freezer Foods Friday, I am not doing a whole meal post, or even a whole dish, unless you count the conversion at the end. This is reallly just a tip......
My tip for today is......

Single Serving Meat. Yep, you read me right Single Serving Meat.
I am not sure what this was really called, I got the idea from HillbillyHouswife and it has been a bit of a life saver, as well as a money saver.

Ingredients..
Ground Beef.
Seasonings to taste (I also like to add some dried onions and frozen diced bell peppers)

That's it.

Instructions
Brown your beef with your onions, peppers, and seasonings (you could even make this taco meat).
Drain.
Spray a muffin tin with cooking spray (optional-I ran out one time and did not use it, they turned out fine).
Fill each muffin hole with meat.
Flash Freeze, this means stick in the freezer uncovered, takes about an hour.
Pull muffin tin out of freezer and place meat muffins in a freezer baggie.

That's it.

When you need a serving just pull one out. Now, how this saved us money was when I was making spaghetti for my family of 6 I pulled out 1 (yes just ONE) Single Serving Meat and put it in the sauce. It was just enough meat for my family to see and taste that there was meat in it, yet it did not break my budget.

OPTIONAL
Use your favorite meatloaf recipe, divide it up in your muffin tin, and you have single servings. You can even make & freeze these ahead of time, serve with a serving of mashed taters (did you know you can make those ahead of time and freeze them!!!) on top and some green beans on the side and you have a meal, with very little dish washing!!!

Happy Freezing,
Valerie

Last Chance for 70% Off Living On A Dime Sale

2010-01-07T15:29:00.003-06:00

Today is the LAST chance to take advantage of the Living On A dime 70% Off Sale. You get Get The Dining On A Dime and Dig Out of Debt e-Books AND Five Free Bonuses. These two books alone would cost $39.90, add in the Bonuses and you have a STEAL of a DEAL.

Click Here for details.
Your Five Free bonuses are....
* Bonus 1: Saving On Cleaning Supplies
Tawra and Jill spend less than $10 per year on cleaning
supplies. This e-book explains how to use cleaning supplies
effectively to clean and save money. It also includes recipes
for making your own cleaning supplies.

* Bonus 2: Menus On A Dime
Menus On A Dime includes over 70 menus to make your meal
planning easier!

* Bonus 3: Eating Healthy on A Budget
Don't follow the crowd! Eating Healthy On A Budget shares
thoughts on eating healthy without dumping the contents of
your purse on the counter at the grocery store.

* Bonus 4: Is Eating Out Eating You Up?
Eating Out is one of the biggest reasons for personal debt in
America. Is Eating Out Eating You Up? looks at the cost of
eating out and provides great alternatives that cost
significantly less!

* Bonus 5: Money Saving Meats
The Money Saving Meats e-book gives you lots of useful tips to
shop better and use the meat you buy more efficiently. Money
Saving Meats includes lots of great reader tips to help you get
the most out of your meat budget!

This sale ends tonight (1/07/10) at MIDNIGHT. Don't wait go NOW!!!

Can't stick to a budget? Learn why it's not as hard as it seems and how to make and stick to a budget!

Are you actually depriving your kids by giving them the best?

Is your disorganization costing you money every day? Lean the secrets of the organized and start saving!

Can't get rid of anything? Learn strategies for getting organized quickly and, most importantly, easily.

Don't dread the bills in January! Dig Out Of Debt includes a section on Debt Free Holidays.

Are you still here? What are you waiting for? GO NOW get ALL these books for $12.50!!!

Just a few nifty tips and links-sharin' the luv honey!!!

2010-01-06T18:51:00.003-06:00

I just learned in bloggy terms this is called Link Love, so here I go, spreading some link love.
Homemade Gummy Candy from Skip to My Lou.

Made By You Mondays again from Skip to My Lou-this is a linky and there are TONS of ideas.

Let Tip Junkie be your Personal Assistant-some GREAT ideas here too.

Weight Loss Wednesday

2010-01-06T15:34:00.002-06:00

For today's post I have a list of tips for your "Journey to a Healthy Lifestyle". A while back I joined Spark People, a FREE online community that helps you make the changes you need, and I LOVE it. If you decide to join, look me up-ValerieNeal. I grabbed this tip from another Sparker and she was gracious enough to allow me to share it. So my post for today is some great tips.
1. Don't go "on a diet." While diet plans can be helpful, if you think of yourself as being "on a diet," everything can become too black and white. If you're "on a diet" and suddenly you have a little setback, you may decide you're "off your diet" and go back to your old ways. Think of your new eating plan as more of a lifestyle change -- one that will have ups and downs, with good days and bad.
2. Don't deprive yourself. A food plan shouldn't be about deprivation. It should be about SATISFACTION. Find foods you LOVE -- things that satisfy you but are better choices than the fat-packed alternatives. This is KEY.
3. Drink lots of water. Water is good for you. It's good for your skin and your metabolism. And it helps fill you up. Plus, not getting enough water can make you cranky and more likely to make bad food choices.
4. Listen to your body. It knows things. If eating cereal for breakfast tends to make you hungrier throughout the day, then don't eat cereal in the morning. Pay close attention to your body cues. This will help tremendously.
5. Live one day (or even one MEAL) at a time. Don't be discouraged and beat yourself up if you fall off the wagon and eat badly -- just be aware and make better decisions at your next meal. 6. Get exercise with activities you enjoy. I used to HATE exercising. I feared it. Now I exercise but only do what I like (which happens to be walking on a treadmill five times a week, while watching reality TV, and weight training twice a week with a friend). Find something you actually enjoy doing, and you'll do it. Don't take on an exercise routine that causes pain or discomfort -- you'll just end up ditching it completely. (And I know this isn't an EATING tip, but it's important!)
7. Let yourself cheat a little. Everyone strays once in a while. It's totally normal. Splurge when you need to, and enjoy it. (Don't feel guilty!) Then get RIGHT back on track to prove to yourself that you can handle a cheat meal now and then.
8. Keep track of what you eat. Write it down. As dorky as it sounds, you WILL 100% without a doubt make better choices if you hold yourself accountable for what you eat by keeping a food journal. Just do it --

Living On A Dime SALE!!!!

2010-01-05T12:18:00.001-06:00

Tawra Kellam and Jill Cooper over at Living On A Dime are having a 70% off sale on their e-books Dining On A Dime and Dig Out of Debt.....

•Did you know that dirty dishes cause debt?

•Got leftovers in the fridge? Use them up with our leftover guide!

•Save over $10,000 a year on groceries!

•Read how we paid off $20,000 in debt on $22,000 income!

Click here to find out more and to get your copy NOW!!!

Win a free MP3 Player from Homeschool Toolbar.

2010-01-03T07:53:00.001-06:00

Win a free MP3 Player from Homeschool Toolbar.

GPX 4GB Digital Audio MP3 Player with Stereo Earbuds

Retail Value: $66.00

Favorite tunes play on with this 4GB digital audio
MP3 player. At home or on the go, just plug and play to hear songs
through the stereo earbuds. The headphones give easy access to volume
control and preset equalizer settings let the sounds come through loud
and clear--all the time. From GPX.

•Includes 4GB digital audio MP3 player, stereo earbuds, and cable
•Holds approximately 1,000 songs; 2,400 photos; or 12 hours of video
•Plays MP3, WMA file formats
•Supports USB 2.0 high speed
•Headphone jack volume control
•Five preset equalizer settings
•SD/MMC memory expansion
•Backlit LCD display with artist and track information
•Artist and track information
•Requires 1 AAA battery, not included
•Measures 2"L x 2-3/4"W
•90-day Limited Manufacturer's Warranty

Bloggy Planner

2009-12-31T11:06:00.020-06:00

Lynette Chandler and her crew over at Blog Energizer have created this AWESOME Library of resources to help Energize your blog. Two of the things I love are.....

FIRST, the Blog Planner,
I absolutely LOVE this planner. It is very user friendly, I slip it into my regular planner and keep it handy for when an idea comes along. I have a place just for jotting down ideas and then I have another place to schedule that idea on my weekly planner. I can also assign someone else like another team blogger or ask a guest or ghost blogger to write on something I have no idea about.

The planner has 2 pages.
The first is a list type page, I use 1 page per month for each blog I have. This is the page I jot down my ideas on. The second page is a weekly spread type page. I write the name of one blog at the top of each column and plan out which days to post what topic for that blog. This was so helpful over the Christmas Holiday, I did 5 days of blogging for 4 blogs on Tuesday, scheduled them and all but two went out on their assigned days. Had trouble with WP, but that's another topic.

SECOND, the blog calendar.
Did you know there is a peanut butter day, or was it week? There is also a National Organize your home day-now that should be a month or at least a whole week.

The crew over at Blog Energizer have really put some time and effort into these 2 helps alone. There are TONS of resources there just to help you with your blog, and many of them are free just for the asking. If you need more help with your blog go here, Blogging Starter Pack Blog or here 5 Ways To Sabotage A Blog Before Starting And How To Avoid Them. If you are looking to Unleash The Selling Power of Your Blog eCourse try that link.

Happy Blogging,
Valerie

Just had to brag!!!

2009-12-28T15:56:00.001-06:00

I just had to brag on the new template I found. I LOVE IT!!! It is everything I have been looking for. Want one??????

Head on over to Our Blogger Templates and grab yours, you can change the colors, the picture, what ever you want, did I say I LOVE IT???? I DO!!!!

This Time I Really Mean It!!!

2009-12-28T14:45:00.000-06:00

If you are wondering what this is all about click here. My goals for 2010 are......

Honestly I usually HATE New Years Resolutions, most of us make them and then promptly forget them as soon as Valentines Day comes along, unless it is a gym membership we continue to pay for and never use, we just pay the bill and forget it. Those that do keep those resolutions come in two categories, those who simply accomplish what they set out to do and mind their own business, and those who rub it in. Many times I have considered making a resolution to annoy them as much as they annoy me, however they just don't get annoyed, they are too annoying.

My goal for 2010, is simple, I just want to get back into a routine. Breaking that down is even more simple.
1. Get up at a regular time (notice I did not set a time in stone, just a time frame).
2. Start my day; start the laundry, put clothes on (unless it is Jammie Day), check my schedule, get kids going.
3.Get some exercise in during the day, notice again I have NOT said 30 min strength training and 60 minutes cardio each day, sometimes mopping the floor around here is a workout. Also, I have not set a time to work out, walking in the morning is best in the spring and summer here, but in the AM in the winter, forget it. Let's not forget the garden either, come work our garden over @ RocksInMyGarden, and tell me you did not get a work out in......
4.Work my home life and work life (SAH-HSM, or Stay At Home Home School Mom) to compliment each other. This means blog regularly, but not constantly, school for kids while I am working, do chores as we go.

Fairly simple, I think I can see these getting done. If we shoot and miss so what, we just get up and try again, there is an old saying "If you shoot for the moon and miss, you'll land among the stars". Pretty cool huh?

Last Minute Holiday Tips & Year Round Gift Giving

2009-12-25T00:00:00.005-06:00

I ran across something last year I had planned on using this year, but alas hubby ~~took over~~ wanted to be in charge of gift giving this year, so I let him. I still want to share with all of you however, so happy reading and many, many, blessings to your and yours.

First Tip
For Next Year from Daily Generous Tips for Wives
As you move through the holidays, take note of those things that work and don't work. Write the info down and tuck it with your holiday items in storage for next year or tuck it in the holiday section of your household binder. You won't likely remember next year what worked well and what didn't. A few notes this year can save you a bit of hassle next year and keep your holidays meaningful and organized.

Organization is not an option, it is a fundamental survival skill ... Pam N. Woods.

Second Tip
Budget 101 is an AWESOME place to get some GREAT ideas for gifts, I ran across this printout last year (at bottom of page) and it is not just for Holiday giving, it can be used year round to make sure everyone gits the perfectly thoughtful gift.

Happy Gift Giving,
Valerie

Free Holiday Printables

2009-12-23T16:15:00.000-06:00

Thank you Skip To My Lou for this great resource. Go on over and check them out!!!!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-12-23T11:09:00.002-06:00

My new 2010 Planner!!!

So sorry the bottom one is sideways, I fixed it on my computer, but Blogger kept uploading it this way. The planner is a freebie from Lowe's, I taped the FLYLady no whining sign on the front-I love it!!!

http://www.wordlesswednesday.com

Make Ahead Chicken Piccata from Make-Ahead Meals

2009-12-21T16:55:00.003-06:00

Jane Doiron over at Make-Ahead-Meals (click on the button above) shared this recipe on her blog. I cannot wait to try this!!! Right now though I am headed on over to Great Blog Giveaways to try to win a copy of her book, you should too!!!

Make-Ahead Chicken Piccata

I love Italian food! I hope you enjoy one of ...

See Make-Ahead Chicken Piccata on Key Ingredient.

Testing the new layout

2009-12-20T19:50:00.000-06:00

Just checking to see if things line up, be patient.

Debbie's Lotion

2009-12-20T15:04:00.000-06:00

My friend, Debbie gave me this wonderful recipe for a lotion with coconut oil. Several of us had a very interesting discussion this morning on Face Book about coconut oil, and I finally got this recipe to try with my FREE jar of Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil. That's not all, I was given another free 32 oz jar by Tropical Traditions for referring another participant in the conversation. Now all I need is to find a company giving away a free jar of beeswax to review....... Any ideas?

Debbie's Lotion
1 oz Beeswax(the amount you use will determine the hardness/softness of the final product)

1/2 c. coconut oil (can also add mix and match any of the following mineral,baby,jojoba,sweet almond, avocado,apricot kernel,sesame, grapeseed, cocoa butter,emu oil)

wide mouthed jelly jars w/lids(this is the easiest for getting your hands in)

double boiler

Melt the beeswax in a double boiler or in a microwaveable bowl in the micro wave. Stir in the oil and heat till the coconut oil is melted , stir well, pour into wide mouth jars and cool.
This is a wonderful all purpose cream, I use it all the time on my face, hands, body especially after a hot bath/shower. If I am left w/ a slight sheen on my face, I dab it on a towel.

2009 Holiday Giveaways

2009-12-20T11:26:00.001-06:00

Need A blog make over? Here ya go!!!
http://ow.ly/NY7m

Pattern Giveaway

2009-12-19T08:31:00.000-06:00

Fashionably Modest Patterns is having a pattern Giveaway, until Monday, December 21st. Hop on over and check it out.

A Gift from a Friend

2009-12-18T18:33:00.000-06:00

My friend Leslie Valeska over at Journey To Simplicity (don't we all need one of those) has a gift for you. Leslie has been spending time lately organizing and simplifying her life, her time, her family, and her home.

She started a group a while back on Yahoo called Total Home Overhaul, and she has been doing just that. The group is a quiet one, I may still have the link on my page here, if not leave me a comment and I'll email you. We don't talk a lot about organizing, nor do we send out tons of information, even though there are some AWESOME tips there, so if that is what you are looking for this may not be for you. However, if you are tired of gathering information, I mean let's face it we all have tons of books, boxes, storage bins, organizers, and on and on and on, but we never DO anything with them, and f you are just looking for others trying to get it together and then keep it together and are willing to help you along the way, look no further you just found it.

Well, Leslie has done it yet again, see my post on her book Gift Giving From the Heart, she is sharing something she made to simplify her life and ours. She has made 28 pages of Workbox
tags and is giving them to all of us, just for asking. The system will be akin to Sue Patrick’s Workbox System. Now this is the first I have heard of this, but I am on my way over to check this out. Stop by Leslie's, read her honest post, which is all I expect from her-honesty, enter your email for your tags, and if you have never heard of Sue Patrick's Workbox System, check that out too.

Wordless Wenesday

2009-12-16T13:37:00.001-06:00

MMMM, this butterfly tastes GOOD!!! I caught this little guy eating breakfast in my Morning Glories.

Basic Cake Decorating

2009-12-15T13:14:00.000-06:00

My friend Kathy Brodrock has a great how to video on Basic Cake Decorating. This would make a GREAT Christmas gift. If this is something you wanted to do for yourself or a young (or older) lady in your circle of family or friends but classes don't fit into your time or you budget, then this is the perfect solution. Watch the preview and then head on over and pick it up, order before December 24th and you get a free book to go with it!!!

Click here to view more details

Tea Towel Aprons

2009-12-15T12:05:00.000-06:00

I recently discovered Cindy @ Skip to My Lou, and it was love at first site. She has a VAST wealth of goodies, crafts, and know how over there. Run on over and say hi, tell her how you found her. Today she posted a project I have been contemplating making, but I want to make matching crocheted top towels to coordinate. Cindy's post "How To Make A Simple Apron" is simply priceless. It looks very simple too, any novice sewer could make this one.

Afordable housing for the working poor.

2009-12-15T11:58:00.000-06:00

One of the few things I miss about our satellite is RFD TV, other than that just FOX News and the History Channel. My friend Kathy Brodrock over at Teaching Good Things shared this on her blog, hop on over and give it a read. Kathy, I also caught the comment that if you can't wash your own dishes maybe you don't deserve dishes, I usually just tell my kids THEY ARE the dishwasher.

My Favorite Sugar Cookie And Glaze Recipies

2009-12-15T07:00:00.000-06:00

Here is my recipe for the Christmas Cookie Exchange from Susanne Myers - The Hillbilly Housewife and her friends Bridgett from http://www.SpectacularEats.com , Tracy from http://www.MomsInABlog.com and Loretta from http://www.JustNotMartha.com

Rich Rolled Sugar Cookies
I retrieved this from a forum, the person who posted it said it was from the original "Joy of Cooking". This makes soft cookies, we are not fans of "crunchy" cookies here. I also use this with GREAT success when making cookie bouquets which require thicker cookies, and make great gifts for about $5 your cost.

Using an electric mixer, beat until very fluffy and well blended:
1 cup (8 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup (4.75 ounces) sugar

Add and beat in until evenly incorporated:
1 large egg
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
(Make sure you scrape down the sides of the bowl during this step to get a totally homogenized mixture before going on to the next step)

Stir in until well blended and smooth (I just use the mixer to mix it in; no need to hand stir):
2 1/3 cups (11.75 ounces) all-purpose flour

You will end up with between 24-26 ounces of dough. Divide the dough in half (12-13 ounce pieces) and roll flat (about a 12 inch circle) between two pieces of wax paper.

Now, here's my two cents: before I cut out my cookies, I put the rolled-out dough in the freezer for 10-15 minutes. I then immediately cut out my cookies (believe me, this dough softens quickly) and pop them in the oven for 12-14 minutes at 350 degrees. EVERY cookie I have ever made keeps a perfect shape. I swear. If you adhere to the recipe and use the freezer trick, you will get perfect results every time. Happy baking!

Glaze
6 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup warm water
2 tbsp corn syrup
2 tsp flavoring of your choice

In a medium sized mixing bowl, combine ingredients in order given, using a spoon to stir until well incorporated. The glaze may be lumpy rather than smooth at this point, let the glaze sit for one hour to give the lumps of sugar time enough to dissolve and any air bubbles to rise to the surface. If it appears too thin, add a little (2 tbsp) extra powdered sugar, if it’s too thick, add a little (1 tbsp at a time) extra warm water.

After 1 hour, stir.

I thin a small amount a bit and brush on cookies that are warm to the touch. I did this a while back with a batch of cookies, and then placed them in a container and hid them. I found them 2 months later and tried one, it was as fresh as the day I made it.

To color the glaze, spoon some of the glaze into a container (such as a disposable cup) and add a few drops of food coloring. For red, black or any other dark colored icing, use gel paste.

Use either decorator bags to decorate or parchment bags with small bit of tip cut off.

You can also use this for bunt cakes or cinnamon rolls, just heat a few seconds in the microwave, stir and pour. It does keep in the refrigerator for a few weeks, if you can keep the kids out of it, that is.

4GB Digital MP3 Player Giveaway - Christmas on The Lounge

2009-12-14T16:56:00.000-06:00

Go here for more information.

GPX 4GB Digital Audio MP3 Player with Stereo Earbuds

Retail Value: $66.00
Favorite tunes play on with this 4GB digital audio MP3 player. At home or on the go, just plug and play to hear songs through the stereo earbuds. The headphones give easy access to volume control and preset equalizer settings let the sounds come through loud and clear--all the time. From GPX.

Includes 4GB digital audio MP3 player, stereo earbuds, and cable
Holds approximately 1,000 songs; 2,400 photos; or 12 hours of video
Plays MP3, WMA file formats
Supports USB 2.0 high speed
Headphone jack volume control
Five preset equalizer settings
SD/MMC memory expansion
Backlit LCD display with artist and track information
Artist and track information
Requires 1 AAA battery, not included
Measures 2"L x 2-3/4"W
90-day Limited Manufacturer's Warranty

Win your very own HP TouchSmart 600!!!!!!

2009-12-14T16:45:00.000-06:00

Hop on over to McKiveaways for more on how to win your very own HP Touch Smart 600. This thing is WAY COOL.

NOT your usual cookie exchange

2009-12-10T18:05:00.001-06:00

Susanne Myers - The Hillbilly Housewife, is putting together a Christmas Cookie Exchange 2009. This is not going to be just your usual cookie exchange, those don't really get me stoked, but this one does!!! Hillbilly Housewife has become my go to place for quick, simple, inexpensive, & simple, (did I say simple?), recipes. For more information on the cookie exchange, which starts Tuesday December 15th 2009, click on the picture or go HERE.

Product Review Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil

2009-12-10T17:00:00.000-06:00

Disclaimer: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review in return for the free product.

So, I have been stumped on this one. Before I requested the product to review, I had run across several recipes using coconut oil, now I cannot find one. I must admit I was a tad bit afraid to try it, having had problems with coconut before. The smell makes me sick to my stomach, so I thought at least my family could try it. We received our bottle, it was in solid form as it is cold out now, and I sniffed it, no odor!!! I even tasted it, yep tasted it, no problems there, dinner stayed down. Eating coconut in the past has caused things to come back up. I let it sit for a while trying to decide just what to try first, I had an idea. I had been doing dishes all day and my hands were dry and cracked, so I smeared some of the oil on my hand, WONDERFUL. I loved it, and I did not have to re-apply it again that night, or the next morning. I will be keeping some of this by my sink, and I am guessing by my bed for cold winter nights when my hands look like they belong to an 80 year old woman, not a 43 year old woman. This will come in handy in the spring and summer too as we are big time avid gardeners around here (www.rocksinmygarden.blogspot.com & www.valeriesgardenblog.com). I will be using this product and am currently looking for home made lotion recipes, as well as cooking uses for it.

I will be posting more on this as I use it, so check back often or subscribe to my blog in email, it should automatically let you know when I update. Here is a video about the company and it's product.

For more about the company and an offer for a free book and some legal info, read on.
Tropical Traditions also has a Referral Program, so if you place an order with them as a first-time customer, please select “Referred by a friend” and in the box that says “How did you hear of us?” enter my sponsor ID number… 5723870. By telling Tropical Traditions that I referred you, you will receive a complimentary copy of the book Virgin Coconut Oil: How it has changed people’s lives and how it can change yours! by Brian and Marianita Shilhavy with your first order! This book is filled with testimonies and research showing how healthy coconut oil is, and it also includes over 85 recipes showing how one can incorporate coconut into their diet.

Here are some easy to use directions for your referrals:

1. Add the items you would like to purchase from the order form linked to Tropical Traditions. Visit www.healthybuyersclub.com/orderform.cfm

2. You'll be directed to the Order Form at the Tropical Traditions/Healthy Buyers Club website. You do not have to be a member or purchase a membership to buy from Tropical Traditions. Membership in the Healthy Buyers Club allows you to purchase in bulk amount at club member discounts if you choose to join. If you choose not to purchase a membership to the Healthy Buyers Club please order under the heading “Retail Sale Items”. This will enable you to purchase less than case amounts of any of the individual items without a membership.

3. Select the items you would like to purchase.

4. When you are ready to check out please click on the "Continue'' link which will take you to your shopping cart.

5. Review your order and then click on the "Check Out" button from your shopping cart.

6. Fill in your account information as directed. In the box: "How did you hear of us?'' you must select: "Referred by a friend'' on the drop down arrow. When you make this selection, a box for your sponsor's User ID number should appear if you are a first time customer.

7. Enter your sponsor's User ID number 5723870.

8. To complete your order click on "Save and Proceed to Checkout" at the bottom of this page and follow the instructions through the checkout process. You will receive an order number when you have successfully placed your order.

By following these steps, you will receive a complimentary copy of the book Virgin Coconut Oil: How it has changed people’s lives and how it can change yours! by Brian and Marianita Shilhavy. Your sponsor will receive a coupon for a complimentary gift to redeem on their next order. You may view the current complimentary gift being offered here: http://www.tropicaltraditions.com//referral_program.htm

Those with additional questions about taking advantage of the referral program when creating their new account may email us using this link: http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/customerservice.cfm

New Online Retreat & 1 Free Ticket

2009-12-10T11:20:00.000-06:00

Cindy Rushton has a new retreat just in time, as always, and I will be there, will you? The thing I absolutely LOVE the most about Cindy's retreats and online events is you can attend the live version for free, or purchase a ticket and listen as you want or need too. You can also earn Mommy Homework Credits and attend many of her retreats and/or seminars for FREE, you heard me FREE. What are Mommy Homework Credits you ask? Click here for Mommy Homework Credit information.

All the details about Cindy's new retreat can be found here. I'll miss tonight's session, but I'll be tuning in LIVE tomorrow, which means I have a few things to do, including preparing lunch for tomorrow ahead of time, oh wait I've already done that, so I'll cut this short and start checking off my to do list.

Want to go but can't attend it live, and/or can't buy the ticket just now. I have 1 FREE ticket to give away. All you need to is leave a comment, and tell me why you would love to attend, and/or share this. In other words, leave one comment for each time you FB, Tweet, or blog about this event, and a comment telling me why you want to attend, and I will put your name in the hat 1 time for each time. Yep, it'll be a hat, I don't have the random drawing thingy set up yet, so I'll have my kids pull a name out. This will close at 5pm central time (yep, last minute, I know) so you can get all your info by 7:00 pm when it starts, well internet cooperation considered and all. Okay, so leave your comments and post away!!!

Comments are now closed, Candy Foote was the only commenter, ans so she is our winner. Thanks Candy!!!!

2 New Books for Review

2009-12-09T14:42:00.000-06:00

Candy Foote over at Foote Family Ministries was looking for ebook reviewers on FaceBook this past weekend and I gave her a shout. Her husband and her have put together a series of ebooks called "The Word of God". I was delightfully surprised upon opening the two ebooks I agreed to review, "The Word of God on Being a Woman, a Wife, and a Mother" and "The Word of God on The Words of Your Mouth". These ebooks are not just another study, nor are they just someone else's opinion on what the word of God says. The Foote's have taken the time to put together the scriptures on each subject. I found myself getting lost in the scriptures again. I thoroughly enjoyed reading what God had to say all over again. If you are not fortunate enough to have a computer Bible and need scriptures based on a topic, this is the perfect solution. I have not yet read through either book, as they are both 133 pages long, yet I look forward to reading them. I will be using the "Words of Your Mouth" for our home school lessons. These are great for copy work for your children too.

I do have a PC Bible, and I do have a reference book, as well as a concordance, and I love them, "The Word of God on" ebooks will be added to those favorites and kept handy for easy access. Head on over to the Foote's (http://candyfoote.com/services.html) and check out all the other ebooks they have, there are many. Thank you for allowing me to review these ebooks, I pray you help many with these.

Joining a new SITStahood

2009-12-08T15:20:00.000-06:00

Yep, joining up and saying, Merry SITSmas!!!!

Lookin' for a new tradition at your house? We started celebrating Jesus' Birthday a few years back. I put it all up on another page, you can find it at, www.squidoo.com/forsarah. I also have a pdf I can mail you if you are interested. Just leave me a note.

Quilting , Crocheting, Gardening & Cake Decorating.

2009-12-04T11:45:00.000-06:00

My friend Kathy Brodrock over at Teaching Good Things has some awesome instructional DVD's. If you are looking for a gift for a young (or older) lady who wants to learn any of these skills look no further!!!

Make a Patchwork Quilt.Click here to visit Teaching Good Things.

Learn to Crochet. Click here to visit Teaching Good Things.

How to Grow and Use Culinary Herbs Click here to visit Teaching Good Things.

AND

Basic Cake Decorating. Click here to visit Teaching Good Things.

Video coming soon.

Any or all of these would make GREAT gifts for someone, young or old, who wants to learn a new skill.

Some NEAT finds for a Crafty Christmas.

2009-12-04T10:09:00.000-06:00

I have recently run across some pretty neat finds while sipping my morning coffee and wanted to pass them along. I hope to get started on a few projects soon, but being a 1 car family with a crazy schedule makes gathering supplies interesting at the very least. I'll try to keep updates on my progress.

Skip To My Lou is a crafty blog that I recently ran across and I fell in love with it. There is also a page full of free downloads-free is good.

For the rest of my new finds, check out the cool buttons at the right, click on them, say hi and tell them I sent you!!!

IT'S HERE, IT'S HERE, IT'S FINALLY HERE!!!!

2009-11-25T11:41:00.000-06:00

OMG, I just got my hands on a copy of Leslie Valeska's new book

Giving Gifts From the Heart

and I am just beside myself with joy!!!!

I just finished reading through Leslie's book and I am so excited!!! It was everything I had hoped for and more. Having all these wonderful ideas in one place is going to save so much time. Leslie also shares her journey through a "scrooge" stage in her book, come on, who hasn't had one of those? Although this book comes out in time for Christmas, it is not just for Christmas gift giving, it can be used year round, and even better, there are ideas for hard to buy people in there too. She also shares many recipes for jar gifts, I am thinking about taking some of my unused Mason Jars and making up a few to have around here for when I am in a time crunch, you know gifting yourself!!!! That idea alone is worth the cost of the book, not to mention not having to spend time searching through all those bookmarked internet pages.

I had heard her talk about putting this together I think it was last Christmas. This is one I am going to not only back up on my flash drive (had a computer crash last year) I am printing this one out. I have seen several of the ideas in her book on the internet, and even have a few (25 at least) bookmarked, but I honestly cannot remember what is where, and it would take me all day to find the one I want. Leslie has taken the time to put all of those ideas in one place for us-God Bless her!!! Imagine, having all these wonderful tips and ideas all in one place AND right at your fingertips. You can even start making next years gifts right after this Christmas, hit the sales and get started, have a few made up and then you will never miss gift giving occasion. Also, if you are making gifts in a jar, NOW is the time to stock up on jars, canning season is over and some stores (if they still have them in stock) will be reducing them for a short time. Hit the scrap corner in your fabric store, invest in some zig-zag or decorative fabric scissors and make "fancy" covers for your jars.

Just some of the ideas mentioned.....
Lots & Lots of Jar Gifts (again ALL in one convenient place)
Bath Salts & Body Scrubs
Gifts for men
Kids Crafts
Make your own bags.
And an extensive list of other ideas, like One of those home made Heat/Cold Therapy Pillows-My husband just bought me one made out of flannel with rice in it. I use it like the hot water bottles of old-warm it up and put it in the bed where my feet go, MMMMMMMM nothing like roasty-toasty toes in the winter.

Having all of this all in one convenient place is priceless, as my time is valuable and searching the internet is a huge time sucker as I am sure you know. Act quickly and you may still be able to catch the discounted price. Get a copy for yourself and buy another for someone you know that loves to make home made gifts, (please remember sharing is not only illegal but also not the Christian thing to do).

Valerie

Black Friday

2009-11-24T09:14:00.000-06:00

Black Friday is coming, why they call it that I have no idea. I will admit, I have gone to 2 or 3 of these, and I picked up some GREAT deals. However, it is not worth getting trampled over. I saw on TV last night that Old Navy will be open at 3 AM. I'll also admit, this was exciting, my daughter is hard to fit, she is a 12 long and about a 6 wide. We love to hit the Old Navy Sales because we can find clothes that fit, and look great, and I also love their T-Shirts, they wear well, wash well, and I love the way they fit and they are made to last. Their T's will be on sale at 3 AM this Friday for $5. If I had the money, yes I would be there. Another place to consider hitting for BF is Best Buy, they hand out coupons in the parking lot prior to opening their doors. They ask what products you are there for, hand you the coupon, and when the store opens, if you have a coupon, you get the product. When they run out of coupons, they are out of products, no trampling. This year Wal-Mart will be handing out the products, we'll just see how this goes, I have heard of people grabbing items from others buggies when they weren't looking, or just grabbing their buggy and making a run for it. I have never been to WM during the rush of BF, I went a few hours later, and I did manage to find the 10 Hot Wheels car set for the $5 sale price, I have a grandson, and let's face it Hot Wheels are still cool. I wish they would do the BF sales in increments online, most stores, including Wal-Mart, have free shipping to the store, you just go to customer service and pick it up. Some years I just want to throttle the first gift giver for Christmas, but that is another post entirely, Christ died so we could live, not kill each other over a sale.

The links to sales have now been deleted, as the sales are over. I did leave the sites up however, for those looking for ideas for Christmas shopping.

Notebookingpages.com

GREAT resource, I have a couple of their free pages and bought the Latin & Greek Word Study Pages, they are perfect if you use English From the Roots Up!!! Debra is a homeschool mom, she teaches 6 of their 7 children, and has worked very hard to create and share these amazing products.

Next is Teaching Good Things.....
I love Kathy's wit and humor, I even added her as a friend on my Face Book account so I could get more of it. Last spring we joined in on their Gardening challenge but, we got so busy in the garden we did not have time to update our Garden Posts. Need some ideas for a Home Made Christmas?

Next is Graham Family Ministries...
I have Sheri's Holiday Combo Pack, it was given to me, and although I am not currently using it this year, I did use it last year and loved it. I probably need to use it this year, but we have everything covered and will not be at our home for the Holiday's so there is really no need at this time, and gifts are covered, it's just baking a few things I need to write down. That is the beauty of planners like Sheri's, just print out what you need. (I also have and LOVE Sheri's Menu planner by the way it contains a recipe for casserole soup-cream of......., her Season For Giving is on my wish list!!!)
Click here to view more details

If you celebrate Advent or have a Jessie Tree in your home for Christmas try this. We used this last year, and may use it again this year, if I can find a place for a tree that is. I save my juice can lids, the pictures in the book fit nicely on them, just put a hole for string, past the picture, string & hang!!!
Click here to view more details

Earlier I mentioned some ideas for a Home Made Christmas, here is another one.
Leslie Valeska has put together an ebook full of ideas called Gift Giving From the Heart. I have seen several sites on this, and I have about 25 bookmarked, but I hate going through them all (even though 15 of them are on the same main site) because I have to track them all down, weed through them, print them out (hubby HATES buying more paper) and well you get the idea.... Leslie has put several GREAT ideas in one place. You don't even have to print it out, just make sure you save a copy on disk or your flash drive, computers are man made after all. I have Leslie's Simply Frugal Beauty ebook and LOVE it, in fact I am planning on buying a binder and putting a copy in it for my daughter for Christmas, she just turned 11!!!

Living on a Dime

Living on a Dime is a GREAT resource for ideas for gifts for others and yourself. I have not yet purchased any of their products but I do know several who have and love them. I do receive and love the newsletter and often visit their blog, both are awesome!!!! Know someone who needs help financially these days, here is an idea...

If Lapbooking is your thing....
Try a Journey Through Learning. I have a friend who uses their lapbooks and is very happy with them.

A Great Place with some AWESOME resources and some great freebies is Hold That Thought. They also offer a free CD......Receive a FREE CD with your order! If you post this offer on your homeschooling blog or tell at least 2 other homeschoolers about us we will send you a free CD. We have decided that instead of spending money on advertising we will reward you for promoting our products instead. When you order a CD from us, all you have to do when you are checking out is write the name of the CD you would like us to send you free of charge in the “comment” section (it needs to be at least the same price or less than the CD you are purchasing).

And let's not for get the QUEEN of Sales (Oh & Binders too) Cindy Rushton.
Cindy is having a huge half off sale on EVERYTHING in their store. Hop on over and check out all the goodies there, and sign up for her emails. You can even take a listen to one of her shows. I am unable to listen live lately, but I am catching up on her Proverbs 31 study, it is AWESOME, as are all of her shows, chats and talks. If you have a wish list for any of Cindy's items, now is the time!!!

I AM SSSSOOOOO EXCITED!!!!

2009-05-31T09:39:00.000-05:00

Hey!

I just got an email from my friend, Cindy Rushton. She is "pumped" about her Ultimate Homeschool Expo resource library. Actually, she is so "pumped" that she has just shared a sneak peek into her Membership Site.

You see one of the neat things about the Ultimate Homeschool Expo is that everything is ONLINE as more than a convention--it is the ULTIMATE homeschool resource library.

With every online event that Cindy plans, she builds a private, exclusive Membership Site that includes everything from the UHSE in one place--it has audios (from all of the sessions and from the bonus gifts that her speakers give to us), ebooks, complete unit study guides, articles, printable notebooking pages, cookbooks, on and on. I can't believe all of the things that we receive for only $39.95. It is truly ULTIMATE!

Anyway, back to the reason that I am sharing with you...

Cindy just sent me permission to give you a sampler of one of her free gifts that is included on the Membership Site. I am so excited to give it to you! It is a audio and ebook set that she actually sells on her website, but she is giving away on the Membership Site. Here is the link:

Let’s Get Ready for a New School Year Super Set!

Let’s Get Ready for the New School Year Mommy Planner…
Ebook by Cindy Rushton

Need some help gearing up for the new school year? Wish you had a friend to take you by the hand and help you plan your year? You will LOVE this! It includes a quick Mommy Planner with a potpourri of planning sheets from all of Cindy's products to help you get started on the right track with your homeschool planning. It is full of goodies! AND YOURS...

Download Part One
http://www.cindyrushton.com/pdfs/GearingUp1.pdf

Download Part Two
http://www.cindyrushton.com/pdfs/GearingUp2.pdf

PLUS! Companion Audio! :)
Let’s Get Ready for a New School Year–Audio

Download by Mp3
http://www.cindysdesktop.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/GetReadyNewSchoolYear.mp3

Isn't that FUN?

You know the saying that a picture captures a thousand words,well...what about a a gift like this??? And, just think...this is only ONE of the awesome gifts included on the Membership Site. There are hundreds more!

Take my word for it, you will WANT a ticket to this event and access to all of the wonderful resources. Grab your ticket here:

http://tinyurl.com/seeyouthere

Sincerely Yours,
Valerie

Confessions of a Binder Junkie.....

2009-03-22T09:02:00.000-06:00

I am a Binder Junkie, I love to buy the latest, neatest, coolest, binders. The 2 main qualifications of my binder is their must be a clear pocket outside on front AND back, and pockets on the inside of both said parts. I tend to stash and dash, (file in under "to be filed"), I know this, I accept this, I embrace this. This gives me the liberty to dump things in a spot for later, for example, do a brain dump on paper, put it in the pocket, come back later, edit it and file it, or put my ideas in the spot they go. I get to just jot everything down to clear my mind, then "organize" it later if I still need the info, some of the stuff running around my brain is just junk, but it still needs to be dumped even if it ends up in the trash, that for me is a visual of DUMPING it.
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My favorite place to get Binders is Staples. They let me come in, sit on the floor and just explore, they even put carpet down for me to sit on. I also get a teachers discount because I am a Homeschool mom, isn't that cool!!!!
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Right now I have a couple of binders, I have to catagorize a few things, and keep them seperate in my mind, so they are seperate in binders. Most of my binders are the white, clear pocket on front & back, with pockets inside. Only thing about those is they are cardboard inside the vinyl, and if something heavy gets set on top of one, the cardboard bends and eventually breaks. The rings on the 3" binders are also those D rings, I just HATE those. I found some 3" O ring, totally plastic binders, yes at Staples, and they had all the pockets AND were only about $2-$3 more than the other kind. Now, yes I make my own laundry detergent and am researching making my own soaps and such, but I will pay a few bucks more for something that will last years longer so I can save even more down the road. Also, one reason I make my own when I can is so I have more $ to spend on quality, like my Olay Definity!!! Yep, I spend the $ for that, I had major sun spots on my face and nothing on the market would cover them, so I forked over the money saved from making my own and well, the ugly brown spots are gone, so gone in fact my husband commented on it. But I digress.....
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I have had so many types of binders, and so many types of forms and calendars and all kinds of junk in them, that by the time I got done cramming them full of the latest "got to have" system, I would not touch them, first of all they intimidated the fire out of me, second of all they were just to heavy. I keep a homeschool binder seperate from everything else just because I have to have so much information and printouts at hand to put it with my main binder would be to much.
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As much as I wold love to give everyone a tour of my binder, right now I just can't. My laptop is my camera, I have a huge garden that is right now hollering at me to come plant broccoli & tomatoes, and my binder is a work in progress at all times. What I have in mine may not be what you need in yours, plus there are so many others out there that have tours, and printouts, and all kinds of help, why re-invent the wheel, especially when my wheels tend to be the ones that a hamster jumps on.
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If you have a specific question please ask me and I will gladly answer, but keep in mind although I have CDO tendancies, I am a messie who has no idea what to do with those tendancies nor her stuff half the time. Also, I have somewhere along the way picked up anxiety attacks. I used to be able to pull out the entire contents of a closet, sort it as I pulled it, re-organize it, put it where it belonged in 2 hours total, that included taking the shop vac and detailing the whole thing. The last 2 times I have tried to just clean one side of a closet, I pulled it all out, sat in the middle of the pile and cried. I could not breath nor could I stop shaking. I still need to get some kind of closet organizer for the master bedroom, but this time I have hubby's help AND I am purchasing & building shelves and things for the closet piece by piece.
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As you can see I need to do a brain dump, I have so much running around right now.
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I found a really neat place a while back. http://www.tipnut.com/ and went there this moring, can't tell you why now, I found something on binders. Clicked on it and found several links to binders and forms and helps and yes, I started clicking. Now I have not hit all the links, but the ones I did hit were worth mentioning. One spot had forms that you could download for free and some that were for a minimal cost. Time was I would have resented paying for things like that, BUT, along the way I have made so many of my own forms and worksheets and planners that I now understand the time that goes into them. Also I have lost said forms and had to re-do them, or things changed and I had to edit them, and again that is more time spent not doing other things. Granted sometimes making a form is a brain dump for me, however that is still time that I could have (or should have) been doing the floor or dishes (or the dishes on the floor, heehee).
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The main spot is http://tipnut.com/make-a-household-organizer-notebook-buncha-links/
The link that is titled Full-sized Household Planner Printables has some forms that some of you from the TotalHomeOverhaul have been looking for. If you cannot find them email me or comment and I will send you the direct link to that form. The website is http://blog.yorkteachingstudio.com/store/ This is the one that has freebies and purchases. I was happy with some of them, and plan on grabbing some of the freebies.
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Okay enough for now, kitchen needs a quick 5 minute room rescue, I need to eat, and get outside and soak up some sunshine!!!!

Valerie Neal

YOU HAVE GOT TO SEE THIS

2009-02-28T11:01:00.000-06:00

You just absolutely have to check out Clara's blog. She is 93 years old and has videos on YouTube on Depression Cooking!!!!! Clara brought back memories of my visits to my Great-Grandmother's house. Those memories are some of the most precious memories I have. As I watched Clara I remembered standing on a chair doing dishes or cooking with Grandma Hoppy (her last name was Hopkins but I could not say it when I was little so she became Grandma Hoppy).
Get a cup of coffee (strong coffee), sit back and enjoy!!!
http://www.youtube.com/user/DepressionCooking
http://depressioncooking.blogspot.com/

Rain X

2009-02-21T08:41:00.000-06:00

Today Walkin' in Sunshine is walking in the rain. So in honor of the good Lord watering his creation I am gonna share a post from another blog that tells you how to get a Rain X kit, including wiper blades for your car. The Clan McLeod is the link telling you how to win.
The Clan McLeod is here.
http://dewgin.blogspot.com/2009/02/rain-x.html
Rain-X is here.
http://www.rainx.com/

I am off to sing Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head, I prefer B.J. Thomas to that old guy who was singing in the rain.

Total Home Overhaul-Master Bath

2009-02-20T10:38:00.001-06:00

Well, it is the end of the week for our Master Bathroom in our Total Home Overhaul. I just snapped a few pictures here to show you what our Master Bath looks like. I want to start with the sink. Yes, I am VERY aware that I am putting a picture of a broken mirror on the world wide web. I want to share that there was a time that not only would I NOT post a picture like this, but there was also a time that I would not have bothered cleaning the sink area and/or mirror with it broken. Yes, I do clean a broken mirror, just makes the view from the camode a little nicer. As we move on from our Master Bathrooms, I want to say to those of you who did not get to finish overhauling the MB, make it a goal to clean and keep clean the sink area. This does not mean stop cleaning the toilet, and focus on the sink as I would have done in the past. Did you realize that in most homes in America the toilet is cleaner than the kitchen sink? What this means is if you drop one carrot in the sink and one in the toilet, you are better off eating the one from the toilet? Why, because at least the toilet gets rinsed. For me personally, keeping the sink area clean, inspires me to keep the rest of the bathroom at least straightened up. Now I did not post pictures of under the sink because it is a little full, I have a foot bath that needs to find a home, right now it is renting a space under the sink, just to keep it out of sight. If you look closely, you can see I need to wipe the cabinets down, they have tootpaste on them, but I will get to that later today. I know a mom who had problems with kids getting toothpaste all over the sink and counter. Of course each one said "Not Me did it". What she did was to buy each child their own toothpaste, what they did not know is each kind was a different color or a gel or paste. Within 2 days she had found the culprit. Just thought I would share that, someone may need it, now here I know who gets the toothpaste all over my master bathroom, and it is certainly "Not Me".

Okay, here is the view when you walk in the door. Yes, I know there is an exercise bike in my bathroom, I put it there, only place for it to go for now. The shelves and window are full of egg cartons that have our seedlins in them. 16 different kinds of tomatoes, every color of Bell Peppers exccept purple (I even picked up a Coca Cola Colored Bell). To check the progress on those head on over to my garden blog.

Next, is Garden Tub & Camode. I love being in that tub, I HATE cleaning it, it hurts my back, so what I usualy do is before getting out, wipe the sides down, and when I clean it I use my mop.

Next is the view of the shower and sink, the towel from hubby's shower last night is hanging to dry, I will run it through a 10 min dryer cycle with a dryer sheet to "freshen" it up. My thoughts are you get in the shower, you get clean, the towel can be used 2-3 times. This saves you money on buying so many towels because they have frayed, saves you money on running the washer (electricity & water) and saves wear and tear on your wahser.

Well, that is my Master Bath, it usually takes about 12-15 minutes to maintain, depending on how well I keep the sink area and tub area clean. I need to get in my shower and clean it, but I do that while taking a shower so next time I hop in I will spray it, get in, wipe it, and shower. We also have extremely hard water, so once a week I throw the shower curtain in the washer for a rinse cycle with a little bleach.

To maintain the MB, when that room is the zone of the week, here is my schedule.

Monday-use sponge mop to wipe walls, front of cabinets.

Tuesday-Window, glass (clean mirror REAL good), & faucets.

This weekly zone is also shared with one additional room, which happens to be my sewing room, so for that one...

Wednesday-Windows

Thursday-Clutter

Friday-Floors

Now, on Firday, (that is the day I clean the MB) I sweep, mop, do a good cleaning of toilet. When I do this routine faithfully, each cleaning session only takes about 15 minutes. If I keep the sink area clear, wipe tub as used, swish & swipe toilet each morning, it takes less time than that. Sometimes I will do little bits of my Friday routine on Wed. or Thur evening saving me time on Friday.

Things I want to do to this room, invest in one of those automatic shower cleaners. Fix the mirror, & pick up a few rugs. That is really all I want to do for now, as my hubby has plans to remodel it. We have a jacuzzi tub we are going to install soon, but we are discussing rearanging the bathroom, possibly combining tub & shower, which means one less thing to clean!!!! Iusualy have more candles out, but put them up a couple of weeks ago, just wanted less of a cluttered look.

Storage Solutions

2009-02-19T12:44:00.000-06:00

Well I finally did it, I packed up my Christmas ornaments and decorations. They were in “boxes” but not packed. I had put them in my sewing room in a corner for later packing. I was tired of finding decorations here and there up to a month later so I just put it all in a corner to pack away later.
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I have used the Sidetracked Executive system to store things in the past, and wanted to do that again. 3 Christmas’ ago we had a very tough time so things were just thrown in a box and put in storage, and then followed suit the next year. This year I pulled out my green index cards, filled under storage, out of my index card box and went over the cards. I had labeled them C1, C2, C3 & C4, then I also had CC (Christmas Can, the trash can on wheels I store the tree and lights in) CV 1-3 (Christmas Village) and W-1; Winter decorations, you know snowmen, snowflakes, all that stuff that can be brought out the day after Thanksgiving and left up till the first day of Spring, or until you get tired of it.
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I then crossed off the things we had gotten rid of or given to older kids as they moved out. Got smaller boxes and labeled them with the C#, and on the index card adjusted what was in each box. This may sound like a time consuming thing to do, and it was the first time I did it, but it only took my 20 minutes this time. This way when if have a smaller house or less space, or grandkids who will play with the village, we don’t have to drag every thing out. We can just glance at the index cards, pull out the coordinating boxes and leave the rest in storage.
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Also, if you just want to know where one thing is you just have to look at the cards instead of going through the whole thing, which is usually what happens, you drag everything out and then finally find what you are looking for in the last box, then have to put it all back. This works great for lots of things in storage, not just Christmas stuff. I also put on the box a note to self, like C-1 Under the tree, this tells me what is in the box when I glance in it. So if you were doing kids winter clothes you could label it, WCS for Winter Clothes Sarah. Or if you have a big family but need to store what is not being used, BC-5 for Boys Clothes size 5.
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Tomorrow I will put it all in storage, I try to do just a little at a time, or I will spend all day on doing one thing and then look at the clock see it is 5:00 and realize I have nothing thawed for dinner. I also found a Christmas Candle Holder in a closet as leaving the room and it needs to be put in a box, so rather than run into lunch time and then overhaul our storage area, I stacked it up nice and neat by the door in my sewing room and tomorrow (my zone for the week is extra room) I will put all of that in storage, sweep the floor and do the windows in my sewing room.

Coming clean

2009-02-16T19:42:00.001-06:00

This is in relation to The Total Home Overhaul that my friend Leslie Valeska is doing. I took some pictures of my son's room a while back. Now keep in mind, I am in the maintain stage of my Keeper at Home career, but that does not mean my son is, or anyone else here for that matter. I just wanted to let you know that setbacks happen, kids get "lazy", yes I said lazy, hey even I get lazy so let's just call it what it is.

So without further ado I want to show you what my 12 year old son calls clean, and then what I think is clean. Yes, I keep the pics so I can show him what clean is.

Simple Woman's Daybook

2009-02-16T12:32:00.000-06:00

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FOR TODAY February 16, 2009

Outside my window...Sunshine, lots of sunshine….

I am thinking...About doing some small things around the house….

I am thankful for...A weekend with my grandson……

From the learning rooms...Reports on any President or any First Lady….

From the kitchen...Left over Heart cake on the table, & Daffydills….

I am wearing...Work out pants & a Tshirt….

I am creating...Shamrock Pot Holders….

I am going...to take it easy today…

I am reading...Irregular People….

I am hoping...My hubby enjoyed his special weekend…..

I am hearing...The washer & dryer going….

Around the house...Little things that need attention…

One of my favorite things...Seedling poking through….

A few plans for the rest of the week…..Yard maintenance, finish chicken coop & start greenhouse….

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
My cactus garden, the sticks are my Mimosa and I hope to have a Yucca there soon too....

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/
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Simple Woman’s Daybook

2009-02-09T11:11:00.000-06:00

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FOR TODAY February 9, 2009

Outside my window...A nice steady rain after a hard day of yard work yesterday….

I am thinking...How glad I am we spent the day in the yard yesterday….

I am thankful for...God taking the time to water my garden after my son tilled it yesterday

From the learning rooms...Middle Ages

From the kitchen...Remnants of yesterdays rush & dash, and back ache last night.

I am wearing...sweat pants & a t-shirt, canvas shoes with no socks….

I am creating...a HUGE surprise for hubby from kids & I….

I am going...to throw the new driveway alert alarm thingy against the wall soon…

I am reading...Gardening Catalogs….

I am hoping...The rest of my cabbage and bells poke up soon…..

I am hearing...Kids and the dripping of the rain & James Taylor….

Around the house...Remnants of a whole day in the yard, not bad, just distracting…

One of my favorite things...Fresh from the garden.

A few plans for the rest of the week…..Garden, garden, and did I say garden….

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Broccoli!!!! (and there is a whole other tray full too)

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Laundry Detergent

2009-01-23T10:53:00.000-06:00

Well today I took the plunge, I made liquid laundry detergent. I have been making powder for a while, last batch was made prior to Thanksgiving and using 1 tbsp per load we just finished it this past weekend (Jan 17). Don't ask me how many loads I did, I had a bucket that held 96 oz (6 lbs) and used a tbsp per load for a family of 5 with occasional visits from a grandchild. The cost was about $1.50 for the bucket. I got this recipe from Sherrie Graham.

1 bar grated soap (Fels Naptha or Ivory)
1 cup baking soda
1 cup borax

Mix everything and store in an airtight container. Use 1 tablespoon per load. Use 2 tablespoons for heavy soiled loads.Note: Add powder to empty washing machine and start water. Once the powder is mixed with the water a bit, then add your clothes.

I loved it and actually I prefer powder to liquid and loved the baking soda in my laundry (keeps hubby's clothes, and him fresh) but got tired of making it and did not feel like making a big batch of this. Last batch was a double batch by the way.

Making the liquid I could make more at one time and just keep some baking soda in the cabinet above the washer and sprinkle as needed.

Sherrie also had 50 uses for vinegar on her site that is awesome. I use the 1/4 cup vinegar for my fabric softener, just put it in my Downy ball and shut the lid of the washer. I will be picking up some essential oil this month for smell, put it is not necessary, I mean after all what does clean smell like? Most of what we call fresh and clean is perfume and chemicals.

Okay, on to my liquid recipe, I got this one from the Duggars, yes I am a Duggar fan. For this one I am gonna send you to their site, they have several options for detergent, fabric softener, and dryer sheets.

I made the liquid yesterday, and gooped it into containers today. I knew I wanted to try the liquid soon, so I saved 1 lg liquid laudry detergent container, 2 gallon vinegar jugs, and a small liquid laundry detergent container to keep on the bottom shelf. This makes 5 gallons as is (I had to use a milk jug too). When using mix half of the goop and half water in your container, shake and use so you actually get 10 gallons. I "watered down" just enough for now, and put the rest up in jugs, I use vinegar for cleaning too so I have those jugs sitting around. You will need to adjust the amount for your washer and water. Just remember, just because you don't see bubbles does not mean there is not enough soap. This is a low sudsing recipe and since most detergents stay in your clothes causing wear and tear, this is best. Also using vinegar for your rinse cycle will remove any left over detergent, and you will not smell the vinegar. We have been fed lies for years from manufactures and one of them is "lather up". The bubbles and lather stay behind on your skin and in your clothes causing dry skin, and wearing of clothes. If you don't believe me, just look at your shower curtain.

For stain remover, I use vinegar and baking soda, however you cannot let it sit too long, or you will have to treat the whole garment. I had a blood stain I treated this way once and I had a light spot where the stain used to be, kind of like a bleach spot but not so white.

For light cleaning I use a mixture of water, vinegar, and baking soda. This is quite challenging as we all know what happens if you mix the vinegar and baking soda..... In a bowl or large measuring cup mix half water half vinegar, slowly add 2 Tbs of baking soda, let fiz die down and add more. I use an old spray bottle and shake before each use. Don't make to much at one time as the baking soda's power weakens. Also if you have a stain on a counter, baking soda and vinegar (and maybe a little lemon juice) work great.

Okay enough for now, gotta go tackle my next project, maintaing!!!!

The Total Home Overhaul

2009-01-13T08:39:00.001-06:00

Although the only thing that would truly overhaul our home is to haul it off (we live in a mobile home that was manufactured in 1978), I strive to keep clutter at bay. Truthfully though, our home's foundation is sound, the walls are still sturdy, and only a few minor repairs are needed. However just as letting a few minor repairs go, like not fixing a leak right away so that you don't have to replace the floor later, letting those little piles of paper and clutter go means that we will have to invest large amounts of time cleaning, when all we had to do was maintain. Don't get me wrong, from time to time we will still have to do a "spring cleaning", but if you maintain that cleaning, that "spring cleaning" could be done in a weekend instead of a month. If you are not organized by nature, or were not taught organization skills while growing up there is hope.

One of my online friends and Talk-A-Latte sisters is overhauling her house and inviting you to join her here. Leslie Valeska is that friend. Although right now she is in week 2, you can still join her. Just start with week one and go from there, you can still post and blog about your progress, and comment with others. Even better you can see the problems others have had and learn from their trials. I hope that you get to know Leslie through the process too, maybe we can get her to put a youtube video of her on her blog, especially of her wonderful laugh!!!

I am joining in, although I will not be doing as in depth as those of you who join in. I am constantly watching, maintaining, and purging. This has been an 11 year journey for me, beginning before the birth of my daughter. I have since moved 3 times, acquired a grandchild, sent one son to Iraq, and I am also married to a pack rat, who brings home things like water heaters and basketball goals. We do haul these things off for scrap when we get a trailer full, and it has put food on the table, so I am not complaining, just letting someone know they are not alone, I too have a spouse who drags stuff home.....

I hope and pray many of you are blessed (ya, like I have throngs of followers) on the Journey to Simplicity (Leslie's main page) with Leslie and friends. I also hope and pray that I can share some of my set backs and failures so that someone else does not make the same mistakes I have made along the way.

One tip I want to leave you with is one of the FlyLady's tips, you are not behind, just jump in where you are. Quit beating yourself up, put your big girl panties on and deal with it (that one is mine). Each and every morning that we wake up, we get a do-over from God. We get to begin again. Simply say, "okay, so I had a set back yesterday, life happens, today I am going to begin again and do what I can".

KISS (Keep It Simpe Sweetie)
Valerie

Veteran's Day

2008-11-11T21:31:00.000-06:00

Okay people it's Veterans Day!!!

I know I should have posted about this topic this morning, but we did our first lapbook today, and yes it was one on Veteran's Day.

Go to this site for some awesome facts

http://www.brownielocks.com/veteransday.html.

Also I have a trivia question for you and I am not going to give you the answer right away, you have to leave your guess.

What is a few years younger than the Mayflower Compact (1620); a lot older than the Declaration of Independence (1776) and U.S. Constitution (1787); predates the U.S. Army, Navy and Marine Corps by 139 years; and is 311 years older than the Air Force?

Happy guessing!!!!

Valerie

Let's Make A Memory with Cindy Rusthon

2008-11-10T22:45:00.000-06:00

Wow!!! What a seminar Let's Make a Memory was this past weekend. I was so blessed to have been able to attend, werent' you? What you weren't there? You know what, it's not to late to go. That is just one of those wonerful things about Cindy's Talk-A-Lattes. They just keep talkin'. Follow the link below and attend yourself, at your leisure, and in your jammies if you want to. Bless yourself and your family for generations to come.

God bless,
Valeire
http://tinyurl.com/makeanewmemory

2 Cent Soap Box

2008-11-10T15:14:00.000-06:00

Howdy from NE Texas!!! This is my 2 Cent Soap Box, however you can hop on my soap box too, and give your 2 cents. I do ask a few things though. Check here for guidelines please.

For the week of November 9-15

Fall is upon us and Winter is fast aproaching. I have heard that studies have been done where poeple keep time with the sun, no I do NOT mean Daylight Savings Time, I mean get up and go to bed with the sun. These people are healthier, happier, and get this, not tired. When they are up they work, when they rest they rest, what a novel idea. What do you think?

I think we ought to strive to do less rushing and running in the winter months, have you ever read Little House on the Prarie, how the girls looked forward to winter because it meant Paw was home more, and they had more family time? As for Daylight savings time, well read the story below.

His a funny to read from my friend Jeanette.

Why Arizona Doesn't Have Daylight Saving Time
The state of Arizona listened to the Wise Old Indian... When told the reason for daylight saving time the old Indian said, "Only a white man would believe that you could cut a foot off the top of a blanket and sew it to the bottom of a blanket and have a longer blanket."

Let's Make a Memory Over Books

2008-11-05T22:05:00.000-06:00

Let's Make a Memory...Over Books!
by Cindy Rushton

http://tinyurl.com/makeanewmemory

Hummm…was it the giggles the whole way through adventures with Pooh? My constant sobbing through every page of The Little Preacher? Our total addiction to every single page of Pilgrim’s Progress? The giggles and strategy as the children would run off to “play” every single bit of Daniel Boone’s life—with stiff warnings from Mom that NO ONE really got the hair-cut! Peeking outside to see the hard, hard work as forts were raised and mud pies “baked” for our beloved “soldier.” Oh, the precious, precious memories! Precious memories that are OURS forever!
Want the best homeschool year yet?

Why not make it a priority to curl up as a family over the pages of a great book each day? Get the water going…pull out some nice snacks…settle down for tea (or hot cocoa!!)…and dig into great books!

Game, but have no idea where to begin?? Come home with our family and get a picture of how easy AND awesome building a memory—over a great book—can be!

Decide a Good Time for Read Alouds…

Over the years, I have found that even though I LOVE great literature and believe passionately in the power of a great book to inspire us toward greatness, teach those facts in a palitable manner, and feed our hungry minds with great ideas, there has still been a constant battle with distractions from our beloved typical family reading time. Constant phone calls…friends dropping by…never the same day to day family life because of constant interruptions…the list could go on and on! I found that we needed a more consistent time to read, study, and cuddle. A time that was just ours!

The best time for this was at the end of our busy day. Our family reading tradition began years ago when my husband worked as an Alabama State Trooper. We found ourselves up until very late hours. Those last few hours before he came in seemed perfect. They were not likely to be times for calls, errands, or drop-by guests. They were the easiest to preserve for our special time whether we were on the road traveling or cuddling on our sofa or snuggled in my bed for a nice-long read aloud! Those moments were the perfect ones for our family. Now, since the children are almost grown up, the schedule is more complex than ever, and dad is now retired and running the family business the ONE constant that we all cry out for in the midst of busy or chaotic or even the most hum-drum day is our evening family read aloud and pow-wow time!

So, the first things to decide–what time would work best for your family? Look at your schedule? What time of the day is the most constant…the most uninterrupted…the easiest to settle down? Set that time aside—you have a treasure house of memories coming your way!

Bit-By-Bit!

Perhaps a set time is not the problem. Perhaps the greatest need is dealing with the struggles that make read alouds an utter impossibility. An ideal! Certainly not a reality! You know…settling down the children…containing the messes long enough to finish one small part of a story…getting their interest? The habit that becomes a treasured tradition begins bit-by-bit! Here are a few ideas that may help:

* Get to know YOUR family and their interests. Each and every family is completely unique. What we love to read as a family, your family may not like at all! Our children may be completely different ages as yours. Our family preferences may be completely different than yours. In fact, our choices for read alouds now that our children are at these ages are very different from the choices we made in the early years. The key to a sizzling read aloud program rests with getting to know YOUR family and their interests and then basing your choices upon where you are.

* Use a reading list! Have no idea which books to begin with? TOTALLY confused with all of the options? We have a couple of recommendations. First, we recommend our book The Never-ending Rushton Reading List (soon to be re-released in ebook format after being TOTALLY revamped–working on that now!). It is very reasonable, compact, simple, and easy to begin using today. It includes suggestions that are perfect for teaching every subject with great books AND it has a basic list of recommended read alouds that EVERY (smile!) family should read through! As they get older, another recommendation that we have is our book Inspiring Our Children Toward Greatness Using Great Literature (also, out of print right now–look for it to be re-released in ebook format very soon too! One powerful book!) which has an extended list of recommendations for life-transforming literature and great books that you won’t want to miss. You can also find great recommendations in other books, catalogs, and at your local library.

* Make it FUN! Reading need not resemble the drudgery from our school days. Rather, it can be a great big family party! We have a daily “tea time” with our read alouds. When the children were little, I found very soon that our children were much more attentive if their bellies were full and their hands busy. Being a “tea-time addict,” it was almost the “given” thing to do! This may seem a bit artificial to your family. Find what works. Some families settle down with snacks like our family. Others entertain the children with play-doh to keep their hands busy while mommy reads. Other families give their children sketch books to “draw” what they imagine while mommy reads the book. Just make it a FUN family time! You will be amazed at how much the children will learn while making a memory!

Choose the BEST! Great Literature!

The still, quiet spirit of our home was only the first part of this special family tradition! Great books were musts! My children love to read. We have a library just for them filled with books that they can choose during their free time. They cover a wide-range of studies just by using whole, living books full of ideas and great information. For our read alouds, I did not want a repeat of those books. Instead, I wanted life-changing literature. Because of this heartbeat, I am extremely selective to choose the very BEST books for this special time.

I have a very simple test for discerning if the books are life-changing. I ask myself, “If these were the last moments that I had with my children, would this be the book that I would want to be the LAST ONE?? Would this be the memory that I want for them to carry with them?” “Is this book capable of teaching those life-lessons that they need to carry them through life?” This limits my choices to those books that are absolute MUSTS for my children. Those books that all well-educated children should dine upon. Those books that feed the spirit…challenge the soul…and encourage us to keep on persevering through it all!

I have been amazed at the way the Lord has led us by His Spirit to each book that He has wanted for us to read as a family. From The Hiding Place to Basket of Flowers to The Elsie Series to Hedge of Thorns to Passion and Purity to great poetry to Christmas stories to a multitude of biographies…God has had specific direction for us right when we needed to know His next choice!

Once I know which book we will read next, I usually hunt for a nice, large print edition, if at all possible. These are wonderful for helping us take turns. My son used to be so intimidated by small print in books. The large print editions are easier for him to read comfortably from. They also make great texts for copywork lessons. I saw the advantage to the large print as we read from Corrie Ten Boom’s The Hiding Place. There were so many wonderful quotes that I felt were important for the children to copy into their copybooks. While we read aloud, I simply marked them with a highlighter. On those mornings that the children were drawing blanks for copywork ideas, all they had to do was open that book to find a plethora of excellent choices! I found that to be helpful for my writing and speaking as well because I could easily find those great thoughts that had been planted in my mind while we read!

We usually take turns reading. This is the perfect way to help beginning readers ease into reading aloud for others. Their work can be so mundane if they practice with readers or insignificant reading lessons. A great book invites children to read with expression. When I would notice them tiring out, (you probably know that time because that is when they get REAL monotone…AKA boring!!) I would join in and read for a little while. That usually brightened up the pace so that when they would begin again, they would sound expressive and enthusiastic. Now, I absolutely LOVE to listen to them read aloud. It is neat to hear them stress those words that I would stress…or pause as I would pause! What a treasure!

Well, that is only part of the treasure! One thing that I love about this precious time with my children is that I find out just what they think, feel, and believe. We have tremendous discussions almost nightly about great ideas. I remember this being a goal for my children as they matured into adulthood. I never dreamed that I could have this blessing with little children! It is during these quaint moments of reading while sipping our tea, that I get a peek into their heart! I see their heart’s desires…their struggles in their character…the depths that God’s Word has worked in their lives…and their instant choices when faced with adversity (through the pages of the books). I can also help them trouble-shoot making decisions that may prevent them from irreparable errors later in their lives! Yes, those are the gifts that come with serving up great literature to our children.

Just This Easy…

Our daily read aloud time is just this easy. We don’t make it complicated by tests…by book reports…by written narrations on all we read. We are not even legalistic that our time be limited to books. We have been known to cuddle up with art prints JUST like we do our books. When we include art prints, we simply cuddle up to “listen” to the artist as he or she communicates through the canvas. My little ones have been known to sketch or paint the recent art print with their own style while I read a section from a great book. We also LOVE biographies, so we have enjoyed reading sketches about artists or the latest composer that we are getting to know! Each day, we use this time to also read through the Bible together as a family. This only takes minutes, yet the results have been overwhelming in our lives. Just a bit here and a bit there has helped to carry us into our world with a little bit more understanding about the worldviews of our culture! Not to mention, great art and music feed our minds with ideas that keep us growing into the vessels that God can really use in our culture!

Well, why not put on a little Classical Music in the background. Warm some water…EVEN if you prefer to use it for hot chocolate with fluffy marshmallows! :) Dust off those poetry books or that book you keep putting off for another day. Curl up with your little ones…there is NOTHING quite like the memory that can be made over a great book!!

About Cindy Rushton...

Cindy Rushton is the hostess of the Let's Make a Memory, her annual holiday fling for mothers around the world. She is recording Preview Chats for the Let's Make a Memory RIGHT NOW! Join her wonderful guests FREE for the next weeks as they count down to the Let's Make a Memory Virtual Seminar (November 7-8--BUT! NEVER ENDING because it is an ONLINE seminar!). Get your ticket NOW and begin to dig into her FREE gifts now! Check out all of the details here:

http://tinyurl.com/makeanewmemory

2 Cent Soap Box

2008-11-04T12:41:00.000-06:00

2 Cent Soap Box
Howdy from NE Texas!!!
This is my 2 Cent Soap Box, however you can hop on my soap box too, and give your 2 cents. I do ask a few things though. Check here for guidelines please.

For Election Day and week of November 2-8, 2008

Election Exit Polls & Presidential Primaries....

When should the results from elections be allowed to start being released. In other words when should people in Hawaii and Alaska find out who is ahead and who has won the state of Maine? As for the Primaries, should they continue as is, or all states on the same day?

In my opinion, there should be no exit polls (stations should loose their broadcasting license for doing them) and no results should be announced until the very last poll closes (which is in Alaska, I have heard). Not only have I heard stories on the news of people in the western states staying home because thier choice was behind in the projections, but I have spoken to people who listen to those stupid polls (who are they polling anyway no one ever calls me) but they watch the news to see who is ahead and then do not vote, thinking their vote does not count. Let me just say, if your vote does not count honey, why do you think these people spend millions of dollars to try to get it.

Also, I am so sick of the campaigning and slinging going on, I think that there is plenty of time to get your message out there and hold all primary elections on one day, I mean come on I know we live in a Republic and not an actual Democracy but the process is Democratic and how Democratic is it when some states do not even get to take part in choosing a candidate? And if your state's electorial vote does not follow popular vote, maybe it is time to clean house!

Just my 2 Cents

2 Cent Soap Box Guidelines

2008-11-04T12:33:00.000-06:00

2 Cent Soap Box

Howdy from NE Texas!!!

This is my 2 Cent Soap Box, however you can hop on my soap box too, and give your 2 cents. I do ask a few things though.

1. No bashing of others opinions or beliefs.

2. Please be tactful, if you need to take some time and do this in Word or some other program so that you can save it and come back to it later and edit it, please do so, I do.

3. Please be considerate of others, let God guide your words.

James 3:3-8

4. Be merciful, remember if you want mercy you must first be merciful.
Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Luke 6:36

And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. Luke 10:37
For there will be no mercy for you if you have not been merciful to others. But if you have been merciful, then God's mercy toward you will win out over his judgment against you.

James 2:13

5. Do not speak in haste, this is tough for me too so I sympathize, that is why I suggested doing this in another format and copying and pasting your post.
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: [and] he that shutteth his lips [is esteemed] a man of understanding.

Pr 17:28

6. Copy and paste the topic and title on your blog, linking back to me, come back and use Mr. Linky, entering the link to the page your post is on (not the whole blog) and then leave a comment on my blog. I will do my best to check each one to make sure we are keeping in format but if this ever gets to big I may have to stop linking.

If you need help doing any of this, please ask, I am new to this too and I just learned how to do it, so don’t hesitate to ask.

Simple Woman's Daybook

2008-11-03T22:15:00.001-06:00

For Today...November 3, 2008

Outside my Window...dark and cold, we had a cold front come through

I am thinking...I need to get to sleep and get some rest

From the learning rooms...Wrapping up BC, going to stop for some thankful focus next couple of weeks then head into AD

I am thankful for...being able to put the big garden to bed for the winter, nothing but broccoli out there now. Brought a few peppers up to the kitchen garden with my lemon balm and feverfew.

From the kitchen...popcorn

I am wearing...jammies

I am reading...Mansfield Park with Miss Amanda and my daughter

I am hoping...to get the cd drive in my computer fixed soon so I can load front page and get to work

I am creating...a new kitchen garden

I am hearing...local news and my husband picking his guitarAround the house...everyone getting ready for bed

One of my favorite things...kettle corn with parmesan cheese

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...finish babying pepper transplants, praying over them too.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...I am actually sharing a picture with you, it is of my pittiful bell peppers, please pray for them, I have never had good results with bell peppers.

Need some inspiration?

2008-11-03T20:58:00.001-06:00

I don’t know about you but from time to time I just need a breath of fresh air. Well, sometimes I need some spiritual CPR, someone to breath life into me. Having said that, I have a folder in my email box that is called Devotions for Saturday. I subscribe to several e-votions, and such and rather than skim that down or just skip over some, I save them for Saturday mornings. Saturday mornings are mine. That simple, from the time I get up till noon is mine. My kiddos are older, (22, 20, 12, & 10) but still Saturday’s have been mine for some time. I either allowed some cartoons or sleeping late or such.

Back to CPR, I read these evotionals, that I just cannot get to, or are to long to read at that moment, for Saturday morning. From time to time I will take what I call God stops, where I just read a devotional, evotional, or just some scripture. I want to share with you a couple of my favorite writers of those evotionals. For Encouraging, Inspiring, & Supporting women on the journey to godly womanhood, there is Leslie Valeska. For a Heart Changing Place in a front porch atmosphere there is Kathy Butryn. Then for Proclaiming God’s Faithfulness, there is Phyllis Sather.

Leslie is very real, very down to earth and teaches life, the simple way. She rolls up her sleeves and deals with debt. Yet all the while guiding us in our journey to godly womanhood in a simple easy way. Need help simplifying your life, check her site out.

Kathy Butryn had been a voice in the darkness to me. Sometimes I get an evotional from her and I say to myself “self, you are not alone”. She reaches out her hand and pulls you up and out of the darkness, and helped bring a joyous anticipation to the birthday of the Christ child to my life. Oh, and her daughter is getting married soon, stop by and wish this new family well.

Phyllis Sather has a wonderful planner she put together, I have heard that if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Phyllis’s weekly evotionals have been funny and light, yet to the point. This weeks evotional is her testimony. She peels back the layers and bares all. If you do nothing else this week stop by her site, bookmark it and save it. You may not need it but someone you know or will know just might.

These three ladies, I now consider them my sisters in Christ, have just been such a blessing to me and I wanted to bless them by sharing them with you. Please go by and meet them, maybe even sign up for their newsletters and evotionals, you will not regret it.
Valerie Neal

Let's Make a Memory...Over Tea! With Cindy Rushton

2008-11-02T22:04:00.000-06:00

Let's Make a Memory...Over Tea!by Cindy Rushton

http://tinyurl.com/makeanewmemory
A cup of tea???
Tea…What comes to your mind?
As I think back over the years since that first cup of tea, I think beyond the various types of tea…the beautiful tea rooms and homes that have welcomed me for the ritual…the unique cups and teapots, each with its own story…all those details blur. But, one thing brings me back to “tea” over and over again…relationships! Relationships forged over moments shared over a cup of tea. Sweet, sweet memories that forge forever relationships.
My very first memories of tea were on the front porch, truly Southern Style with Iced Sweet Tea. There was never a meal served or a family gathering without plenty of Iced Sweet Tea. Just visiting Mamaw, I could always expect a big, tall glass of Sweet Lemon Tea whether we were working in her kitchen or swinging on the front porch enjoying her flowers and sweet conversation.
My very first cup of hot tea was typical Southern Style as well. At the end of my first year of homeschooling, I spent a wonderful day with a dear fellow homeschooler. We were preparing dresses for her to hand-smock for her youngest little girl. Her precious pre-teen came in mid-afternoon to ask if we would care for any tea. Being the TRUE Southerner that never passes up a great cup of tea, I said, “Sure!” She went on preparing tea, as was usual in her home. When she brought it out, I had to ask for directions on how to “take tea.” That moment my true love for tea was born!
Since that moment, I have developed a true passion for ANYTHING to do with tea of ANY kind! I love the different types of tea. I love the books that all share little tidbits about the fine art of tea. I love collectables that each have a story to make them more and more endearing. I love the recipes for goodies that make a nice addition to ANY day. I love the versatility of tea for all ages, all settings, all occasions. Want to see me in pure bliss? Take me to a tea room! But, most of all, I love the many sweet, sweet relationships and precious memories that have been forged over cups of tea, both hot and cold!
Tea truly meets us right where we are. If we love to collect antiques, we can’t help but to fall in love with the little dainties that are hidden away in all of the antique stores around. If we are looking for a healthy treat, none can be greater than tea! If we want to take a moment away with our children to build relationships and memories, tea is a must! If we want a perfect touch to a holiday, tea makes the day. If we want a theme for a party, tea always step forward with its touch of femininity. If we just want to minister to a friend or relative, tea ministers to their belly while “we” pour forth into their heart!
My prayer is that you will see the beauty, grace, encouragement, tradition, and fun that is awaiting you. I pray that you will find that touch of tea. I pray that you will make sweet memories with those you love the most, over a cup of tea.
So, my friend, do you hear the call beckoning to you? Take a moment, pour a hot steamy cup and come apart with me…
…it is time to make a memory over a cup of tea!
With Love, Cindy
“You prepare a table before me…my cup runs over.”Psalms 23: 5 Amplified Bible
About Cindy Rushton...
Cindy Rushton is the hostess of the Let's Make a Memory, her annual holiday fling for mothers around the world. She is recording Preview Chats for the Let's Make a Memory RIGHT NOW! Join her wonderful guests FREE for the next weeks as they count down to the Let's Make a Memory Virtual Seminar (November 7-8--BUT! NEVER ENDING because it is an ONLINE seminar!). Get your ticket NOW and begin to dig into her FREE gifts now! Check out all of the details here:
http://tinyurl.com/makeanewmemory

Redistribution of wealth

2008-10-31T20:40:00.000-06:00

I first saw this on Amanda's blog, http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SurvivingTheTestosterone/612495/.
It is cute, but also true. Stop by her spot and comment.

Redistribution of wealth

Today on my way to lunch I passed a homeless guy with a sign the read "Vote Obama, I need the money." I laughed.

Once in the restaurant my server had on a "Obama 08" tie, again I laughed--just imagine the coincidence.

When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to him that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept. He stood there in disbelief while I told him that I was going to redistribute his tip to someone who I deemed more in need--the homeless guy outside. The server angrily stormed from my sight.

I went outside, gave the homeless guy $10 and told him to thank the server inside as I have decided he could use the money more. The homeless guy was very grateful.

At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment I realized the homeless guy was certainly grateful for the money he did not earn, and the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he worked for and rightly deserved.

I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept rather than in practical application.

2 Cent Soap Box

2008-10-31T19:57:00.000-06:00

Howdy from NE Texas!!!
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This is my first myo (make your own) meme. This is where you can just come and go and leave your 2 cents or hop on your soap box for a minute.

For the first 2 Cent Soap Box, climb on and chat about

"What makes a qualified Comandar in Chief?"

Personally, and this is simple because it is brief, in my honest opinion our Commander in Chief should have served at least one tour in the military. I mean how can you be in charge of the military if you have no idea how it works.

Just my 2 cents.

Today is Reformation Day

2008-10-31T14:08:00.000-06:00

Hey, want to know what is REALLY so special about October 31st?

Head on over to my friend Sheri's place and see.

Thankx!!!

Proud Army National Guard Mom sounds off. HOOAH!!!

2008-10-31T10:14:00.000-06:00

I often think of the old saying "The best offense is a good defense" when watching the political coverage these days. Take for example the Chicago Bears. Now I know that Chicago has never had a Dynasty, however, when the Dynasties of old (Dallas & Pittsburgh) were preparing to meet Chicago they knew that if they were to win, it would not be an easy win. Each and every point on the board for the opposing team is hard fought for and not easily won. We as Christians are called to be soldiers, yes soldiers. Paul gave an analogy in 2Timothy 2:3&4, I really like the Amplified explanation to this one, 4) No soldier when in service gets entangled in the enterprises of (civilian) life; his am is to satisfy and please the one who enlisted him. Now, to me this is a call to vote, to be about putting God's agenda through. Sitting by and allowing Pro-Choice and Pro-Gay rights leaders to be put in office is not God's orders for his troops. When we sit idly by and allow these things to take place, well then we deserve God's judgment. Many take this verse to mean to not get involved in politics, I do not believe that to be true. By doing nothing we are helping satan get things done. We are to fight the good fight, run to win the race, go and make disciples.
How does all this tie into our military? Giving our front line troops less than the best allows the enemy to cross that line time and time again. Prayer is the best support we can give our troops, first rate equipment is the second best thing. Just as God equips the called, so should we. They are defending our Christian beliefs, if we don't stand up for them, who will stand up for us. Let's face it, this war will be fought, where it is fought depends on the troops currently over there now. Do we really want the protestors fighting it here? Do we really want to be tolerant to the point of living thought what France and England lived through in WWII? I have spoken to soldiers who were over there in the Middle East, the average citizen wants our help, desperately.
Although I will vote pro-life, and take into consideration a verse from 2 Thes 3:10 (For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat), in other words I do not believe in the “share the wealth” theory of one of our political parties. God did not punish Abraham for being wealthy, he did not take away from him to give to those who had nothing. Over and over God talks about being slothful and forward. He even said go to the ant, consider her ways (Pr 6:6). The bottom line for me in this election will be who do I trust most to see to it my second child is best equipped to do the job he was called to do. Remember, God does not call the equipped, He equips the called, and so should we. I think it is time Christians fish or cut bait, in other words get off your blessed assurance and take action. No where in God’s word are we to sit comfortably by and say “as long as I am a gatekeeper in heaven”. Not me, I want to be as close to Him as I can get when I get there. How many others are not getting into heaven because we sat by and let satan’s agenda get passed. We have the opportunity now to actually go to the world. What are we doing with that opportunity? Are we praying for our troops, that they would listen to the chaplains serving with them, have we even covered those chaplains in prayer? Do you know that the old saying “there are no atheists in fox holes” is true, but what about when those troops get out of the foxholes, is there someone there to show them the love of Christ? Are we sending missionaries in, are we covering those missionaries with prayer? Have you adopted a soldier who gets no mail from home, partnered with your church to send that soldier a bible? Have you sent a soldier candy to hand out to the children in the country his is visiting? Whether or not you support this war, you should support our troops, they are Americans, they are fathers, they are mothers, they are our sons and daughters, our brothers and sisters, they need our support. We saw the results of spitting on our soldiers and calling them baby killers 30 years ago, keep in mind our troops were not the ones strapping bombs on children and sending them in to the “enemy’s” camp. Those we are fighting now, hide behind women and children, they enlist women as suicide bombers. They have declared war on Christians. This war has nothing to do with oil, look at where it is being fought, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob walked where this war is being fought. We have been warned (read Rev), do you want God to say to America, “Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting” Dan. 5:27? We as a nation have become fat and lazy, our arteries are clogged with cholesterol and our hears are hardened. We need a good diet of love and compassion (not tolerance), some serious rolling up of our sleeves and applying some elbow grease, and start acting like children of God.
As for the “Share the Wealth policy” read the updated story of the Ant and The Grasshopper.
OLD VERSION The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.
Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed. The grasshopper has no food or shelter, so he dies out in the cold.
MORAL OF THE STORY:Be responsible for yourself!
MODERN VERSIONThe ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away. Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while others are cold and starving. CBS, NBC, PBS, CNN, and ABC show up to provide pictures of the shivering grasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food. America is stunned by the sharp contrast. How can this be, that in a country of such wealth, this poor grasshopper is allowed to suffer so?
Kermit the Frog appears on prime time with the grasshopper, and everybody cries when they sing, It’s Not Easy Being Green. Others exclaim in interviews that the ant has gotten rich off the back of the grasshopper and call for an immediate tax hike on the ant to make him pay his fair share.
Finally, there is drafted the Economic Equity & Anti-Grasshopper Act retroactive to the beginning of the summer. The ant is fined for failing to hire a proportionate number of green bugs and, having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes, his home is confiscated by the government.
A law firm represents the grasshopper in a defamation suit against the ant, and the case is tried before a panel of judges. The ant loses the case.
The story ends as we see the grasshopper finishing up the last bits of the ant’s food while the government house he is in, which just happens to be the ant’s old house, crumbles around him because he doesn’t maintain it. The ant has disappeared in the snow. The grasshopper is found dead in a drug related incident and the house, now abandoned, is taken over by a gang of spiders who terrorize the once peaceful neighborhood.
MORAL OF THE STORY:Morals? We don’t need any morals!

* BFS Assignment #107- When There’s No Tomorrow (Mercury) *

2008-10-29T19:49:00.000-06:00

My Blogger Friend School
When There’s No Tomorrow (Mercury)
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Memory Verse: Ecclesiastes 1:13-14
I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy burden God has laid on men! I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
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Assignment: We only have today. Should God take you today, have you accomplished everything that you wanted to, needed to. Have you said all the things that needed to be said? Let’s have no regrets, let’s make sure we get to those things, so that when we’re standing before the Lord, the only thing we need to do is to worship him.. and not regret not getting to that thing on our to do list. Stop - go take care of that thing…. then, come tell us what you choose to share. Don’t embarrass yourself or any of your loved ones
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Honestly, I try to always live like there is no tomorrow. Of course I also strive to live like there will be no electricity tomorrow which inspires me to keep up with the dishes and laundry. A few years ago I read the words:Sing like no one is listening, dance like no is watching, love like you've never been hurt, and live like there's no tomorrow. For me the first 2 are easy, I will crank up the volume and dance with my broom or vaccum, which ever is handy, the second 2 I sometimes have trouble with. Loving like I have never been hurt is hard for me, but I remember what my Lord did for me. What He did for me on that cross is amazing, He loved like He had never been hurt. Live like there is no tomorrow, I tend to get so caught up in the day to day things that I almost wish there was no tomorrow, and lately with all the politicking going on I find myself praying, how Long Lord, how long will you tarry. Jesus was the prime example of singing like no one is listening, dancing like no on is watching, loving like no on has hurt you and live like there is no tomorrow, but more than that He is the perfect example of "pray like God is listening". When he went off and prayed ,He laid all His cards on the table and believed that our heavenly Father heard him. He was open, and honest, and so trusting, that is what I want. I want so very badly to trust my heavenly Father again, trust Him like a little child. I believe that trusting Him with everything I have and following the little motto above I will have no regrets when I go to meet Him.
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And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou [wilt]. Matthew 26:39

TightWad Decorating

2008-10-21T11:40:00.000-05:00

What is Tightwad Tuesday? Head on over to Mary's place and get all the details.

Part of this post is from last weeks post, can you guess which one?
Actually this was writen last week, which is actually this week now, but will be posted next week. HEHEHE!!! In other words, I got an idea wanted to try it, and then wanted to share it, so I wrote this up on the 14th saved it to draft so it could be posted on the 21st. Not that I am organized, just had to share this with you and did not want to add more to today's TWT, and knew that if I did not save it, I would forget all about it.... You know the old saying "I have slept since then".
Anyway, I have had almost everything her for awhile now, the candle is new, oh, and smells of pumpkin spice, MMMMMM, the stringy beady thingy was a gift from my mother a few years back (free is good) the glass heart shaped candy dish was on clearance at Wal-Mart for 50 cents about 5 years ago, the glass candle holder was from a candle that burned out, yep, I dig out the metal wick holder soften the wax and re-use the glass container. Throw this together with one of last week's (or this week's to be posted next week which is actually this week now) items (find it yet???) and all total it cost me $3. Not bad huh? Pretty too, not that I am bragging, and that smell, MMMMM. Let me know what last weeks tightwad item is.
VALERIE

SWD 10-21-08

2008-10-20T21:52:00.001-05:00

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Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY (October 20, 2008)...
Outside My Window... The sunshine is warming the nip in the air, slowly.
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I am thinking... It is time to switch to half decaf, I am far to dependant on cafine.
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From the learning rooms...In Rome, headed for the birth of Christ, I am so excited....
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I am thankful for... Intellegent people (nuf said)
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From the kitchen... Perk, Perk, Perk, with sausage & Eggs
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I am wearing... still in my robe, going on a field trip today, getting husband fed and out before getting ready.
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I am creating... A place of peace and harmony.
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I am going... To one of my favorite places to visit, Jefferson, TX, with my Mother-in-Law, my favorite travel buddy.
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I am reading... I read Miss Jocelyn's Decoding the Proverbs 31 Woman last night, very insightful.
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I am hoping... To find some Jadite dishes at a flea market for way under market value, so I can re-sell them on ebay and help pay off our land.
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I am hearing... The news on one TV, the coffee perkalator, and music on the other TV, I am turning that one off.
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Around the house... Husband talking to his mom, 22yo son getting ready to leave for work, 12yo son getting up, 10yo daughter washing her hair, mom is lining everyone out.
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One of my favorite things... Going to Jefferson, TX with my MIL.
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A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Search my materials on hand for good material to use for History, Rome-the birth of Christianity. Want to be in Rome at about 1 AD at Christmas time. We are currently at Julius Ceasar.
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I don't have a picture to share right now, the only way I have to take pictures is my laptop and it is not practical to haul it around like a camera, sorry. Maybe I'll post one of our trip, if I remember to haul my camera with me.
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Note.... We had a GREAT time, did not get to go looking for dishes, but I love old towns full of old buildings. This town has been around for, well since way before the civil war and is full of Bed & Breakfasts. Jefferson, TX used to be a port town, comparable in size to New Orleans at one time. It has spanish moss hanging from the trees and the people there are absolutely charming, as is the town. No pictures yet, sorry.
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FS&T Oct. 17,2008

2008-10-17T09:58:00.000-05:00

What is Friday Show n Tell??? Head on over to Mary's.
This is my first Friday Show n tell!!! So, I am sharing 3 special events with all of you. I was unable to make a cake for my son's 12th birthday (no, he did not die of dissapointment) and was planning to make my own for my b-day, I know what I want so I wanted to do it, it's MY birthday after all, but dh kidnapped me. We went out to a real restaraunt and a movie, yes popcorn AND dinner, man I felt rich. So, no cake. Well, today (Wednesday, I am writing this early so I don't forget or loose the pictures) I made a cake for those 2 occasions and our 23rd wedding anniversary. Yep, 23 years ago we were married, well we ran off and eloped. Dh had been married before so he had a wedding, I did not have to have one, and really I could not see his mom and my mom planning MY wedding. Now don't get me wrong, I love both ladies, but I did not have a great relationship with my mom, and did not know his, someone told me she did not like me because I was a yankee and I ate funny. Wonder who that was?!?! They told her I did not like her either because she could not cook, ssssooooo. Anyway, now my MIL and I are bestest buds, we are road buddies, we are more importantly Naomi & Ruth, we change places so it is hard to tell who is who. Probably a good thing we live an hour apart, or we would be running the roads hitting garage sales and flea markets and resale shops and second hand stores and.......

Anyway, here is my picture, I had planned to ice it with yellow icing, but forgot (sinus medicine-like I need help with forgetting), so it is white with yellow and orange mums and border. Thought about putting leaves on it, but I have hit a brick wall, I am tired, and headed to bed, so without further ado!!!!

Do not tell me you cannot do this, I just learned 4 how years ago and now I teach others. You can do this, there is no reason to have to buy a Wal-Mart cake, unless you just want to. You can check at your local craft store to see if they have an instructor, get some other homeschool moms to go with you, take your daughter or son. Call the instructor and see if they would come one of your homeschool group events. If none of the above are possible Kathy at Teaching Good Things has a DVD on cake decorating. This could be Home Ec, do you realize how much we could save on cakes???? The video is $21.97, you could do a co-op. I am an Instructor and this DVD is on my wishlist....

I do not want to hear one single "I wish I could do this" from any of you, you can. If I can anyone can, it took me 9 months to get my roses to look right, but I kept going.

In over my head

2008-10-12T11:53:00.000-05:00

OMG, I just learned how to use myspace and homeschoolblogger this year, I also just figured out to use myyahoo and yahoo 360 the begining of this year. Now I am hopping over to blogger, facebook, and twitter and I have no idea how to do this, let alone what to put here. I guess I need to just sit back, dring another pot of coffee and then I won't care how this looks or how it works.... So, just bear with me pleeeze and hey if you know how to do this, PLEEEZE, tell me.
Valerie