I hope to start blogging again next week. It's been kind of crazy here the past month, but I'll tell you all about that next week.
On a whim, I took my resume to one of my customers I used to do business with a few years back. Two days later, I get an email saying they would like to meet and talk with me. Two days after the interview, I was offered a job. Now, this is doing pretty much the same thing I used to do when I worked full time years ago and I have had around 20 years experience in the field so I feel pretty confident I can do a good job. The money is good and will go along way to ease the financial stress we are currently in.
It will be much easier working full time now because I no longer have small children and I am not homeschooling. So my two teenagers (and husband) are going to have to pitch in a little more around here..it won't hurt them! My husband will be home during the day, so I'm glad my son will not be coming home to an empty house.
It will also be nice to have a little money to spend on Christmas as we are usually financially strapped for cash this time of year.
All in all, I cannot wait for 2010....I think it's going to be a great year. I have to say that I am so thankful to God for meeting all our needs these past few months.
There were times when I felt all hope was lost, but God faithfully provided and reminded me that he is in control and that I should not worry (easier said than done).
I hope everyone has a blessed Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Taking a Blogging Break
With everything that is going on right now, I just don't have the time I would like to have to blog.
Our house that we are purchasing was supposed to close on the 27th of this month, but it looks like we will be well into November before closing...sigh.
We met with the couple that we are currently renting from this past week and let them know that we are in the process of buying a house. Our lease here doesn't expire until the 15th of November. So, they have decided to put the house on the market. The realtor is supposed to come by today and put the lock box on the door and a sign in the yard.
It kinda stresses me out because the house will now have to be in pristine condition in order for it to show. Not only that, with my husband's crazy work and sleep schedule, it will make it difficult to even schedule a showing.
Put all that with me still babysitting, trying to stay on top of the loan for the new house, decluttering and packing this house is making me a little on the stressed side.
I know it will all work out. God is in control. I will put my trust in Him.
BTW...today is my youngest's birtday. He is now 15!! We are heading to the DMV this afternoon so he can take the written driving test so he can get his drivers' permit.
Have a blessed Tuesday!
Our house that we are purchasing was supposed to close on the 27th of this month, but it looks like we will be well into November before closing...sigh.
We met with the couple that we are currently renting from this past week and let them know that we are in the process of buying a house. Our lease here doesn't expire until the 15th of November. So, they have decided to put the house on the market. The realtor is supposed to come by today and put the lock box on the door and a sign in the yard.
It kinda stresses me out because the house will now have to be in pristine condition in order for it to show. Not only that, with my husband's crazy work and sleep schedule, it will make it difficult to even schedule a showing.
Put all that with me still babysitting, trying to stay on top of the loan for the new house, decluttering and packing this house is making me a little on the stressed side.
I know it will all work out. God is in control. I will put my trust in Him.
BTW...today is my youngest's birtday. He is now 15!! We are heading to the DMV this afternoon so he can take the written driving test so he can get his drivers' permit.
Have a blessed Tuesday!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Faith Like Potatoes
Yesterday I picked up this movie from Blockbuster - Faith Like Potatoes.
Faith Like Potatoes is a true story about an African farmer, Angus Buchan. He leaves his farm and takes his family to start over again further south. He and his wife struggle and things seem hopeless, then one day, Angus goes to church with his wife and family and is called by God. He decides to give his life, his family, and his farm to Jesus. He puts his total trust in God.
What a testament!! This is truly a movie worth watching. It is inspirational, uplifting, and motivating.
It made me wonder about my own faith. Is my faith that strong. You can't pray to God in the hopes that it will happen. You should pray with the belief that it WILL happen.
God loves each and every one of us and knows us better than anybody...even better than we know ourselves. I know God is watching out for me....I have seen it so many times. I know the power of prayer works! God has ALWAYS provided for my needs....not necessarily for my wants...but always for my needs.
I don't always have the right words to communicate with others, but I know my God is awesome, amazing, full of love and grace and he has blessed me so much!!!!
Faith Like Potatoes is a true story about an African farmer, Angus Buchan. He leaves his farm and takes his family to start over again further south. He and his wife struggle and things seem hopeless, then one day, Angus goes to church with his wife and family and is called by God. He decides to give his life, his family, and his farm to Jesus. He puts his total trust in God.
What a testament!! This is truly a movie worth watching. It is inspirational, uplifting, and motivating.
It made me wonder about my own faith. Is my faith that strong. You can't pray to God in the hopes that it will happen. You should pray with the belief that it WILL happen.
God loves each and every one of us and knows us better than anybody...even better than we know ourselves. I know God is watching out for me....I have seen it so many times. I know the power of prayer works! God has ALWAYS provided for my needs....not necessarily for my wants...but always for my needs.
I don't always have the right words to communicate with others, but I know my God is awesome, amazing, full of love and grace and he has blessed me so much!!!!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Paperwork, and yes....more paperwork.
It seems that all I have done for the past few days is paperwork for our house loan.
Just when I think I might see an end, you got it....more paperwork is needed.
It has been extremely stressful for me trying to get everything in order. For those of you who do not know, my hubby has worked really hard to pay off past debts and become debt free. But due to his diligence, his credit score was reduced to "0". Yes, no credit rating. We were fortunate to find a lender who will do a no credit score loan using non-traditional credit such as rent, utilities, etc. You can have NO 30 day late payments.
We had a hiccup last week when our utility company reported to the credit agency that we had 9 - 30 day late pays! I was incredibly upset as I know that we have never had a 30 day late pay. It took 4 days to get it cleared up. We couldn't move on with the loan until it was cleared. We are already pressed for time due to the closing and the type of loan we are getting (Rural Development loan) and this was a week's time to get it cleared up and looks like it will possibly put us behind on the closing (sigh).
I have to remind myself that God is in control and knows our needs and will provide. I find myself not worried about it, just a bit discouraged.
So, today, I am taking the last of the requested paperwork to our realtor so she can email it to the lender. Then the wait begins. It will also have to go to the USDA for them to approve the RD loan...and according to our realtor...RD takes time.
So, if I could ask for your prayers that the paperwork gets to the right people and gets handled in a timely and efficient manner, I would appreciate it.
Other than that, today I plan on dusting the living room and working on my couponing and grocery list. Hubby is working a 12 hour shift tonight. Blake has a soccer game. And I'm going to do my best in just taking it easy for as much of the day as possible.
Tomorrow I will hit the ground running again.
Have a blessed Thursday!
Just when I think I might see an end, you got it....more paperwork is needed.
It has been extremely stressful for me trying to get everything in order. For those of you who do not know, my hubby has worked really hard to pay off past debts and become debt free. But due to his diligence, his credit score was reduced to "0". Yes, no credit rating. We were fortunate to find a lender who will do a no credit score loan using non-traditional credit such as rent, utilities, etc. You can have NO 30 day late payments.
We had a hiccup last week when our utility company reported to the credit agency that we had 9 - 30 day late pays! I was incredibly upset as I know that we have never had a 30 day late pay. It took 4 days to get it cleared up. We couldn't move on with the loan until it was cleared. We are already pressed for time due to the closing and the type of loan we are getting (Rural Development loan) and this was a week's time to get it cleared up and looks like it will possibly put us behind on the closing (sigh).
I have to remind myself that God is in control and knows our needs and will provide. I find myself not worried about it, just a bit discouraged.
So, today, I am taking the last of the requested paperwork to our realtor so she can email it to the lender. Then the wait begins. It will also have to go to the USDA for them to approve the RD loan...and according to our realtor...RD takes time.
So, if I could ask for your prayers that the paperwork gets to the right people and gets handled in a timely and efficient manner, I would appreciate it.
Other than that, today I plan on dusting the living room and working on my couponing and grocery list. Hubby is working a 12 hour shift tonight. Blake has a soccer game. And I'm going to do my best in just taking it easy for as much of the day as possible.
Tomorrow I will hit the ground running again.
Have a blessed Thursday!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Schedule....what schedule?
I haven't been able to keep to my "schedule" for weeks now. But, the house IS clean and there IS food in the cupboards and fridge. However, when I'm not operating on schedule, I feel like my day is out of whack. But at the same time, I am enjoying the freedom of not having a schedule...crazy huh.
So yesterday was the most perfect beautiful day! Fall is HERE! When I got up yesterday morning and after I sent Blake off to school, I got my cup of coffee and sat out on the front porch just watching the sunlight as it touched the top of the trees and then the light would move farther and farther down. It was just so peaceful just being able to sit outside.
Yesterday, I did wash the bed linens and our clothes as well as put them away. I tidied up the kitchen (I do that every morning), vacuumed all the floors and did clean the bathrooms. I didn't do any baking or cooking yesterday (gasp!) as we were eating with family that night.
The little boy I watch during the day and I stayed outside and enjoyed the fall weather. It was just too nice to be indoors all day.
Hubby was off work yesterday and it was nice to have him home and just hanging out and having a relaxing time.
Last night we went to my husband's uncle's house for a cookout. Got to see some family we haven't seen in months. It's a shame because we live so close and don't visit more often. Will try and change that. Hubby's aunt is really good and sewing and doing embroidery and has offered my sewing lessons anytime I want to bring my sewing machine over, so I think I might just have to take her up on that.
For today, hubby and I are going to go 4-wheelin! It will be nice to spend some time together just the two of us. Then we will head back home to do some much needed yard work. It's been raining so much here, that we are just now able to get the yard mowed after about 2 weeks. But what a great day to be outside!
Hope everyone has a blessed Tuesday!
So yesterday was the most perfect beautiful day! Fall is HERE! When I got up yesterday morning and after I sent Blake off to school, I got my cup of coffee and sat out on the front porch just watching the sunlight as it touched the top of the trees and then the light would move farther and farther down. It was just so peaceful just being able to sit outside.
Yesterday, I did wash the bed linens and our clothes as well as put them away. I tidied up the kitchen (I do that every morning), vacuumed all the floors and did clean the bathrooms. I didn't do any baking or cooking yesterday (gasp!) as we were eating with family that night.
The little boy I watch during the day and I stayed outside and enjoyed the fall weather. It was just too nice to be indoors all day.
Hubby was off work yesterday and it was nice to have him home and just hanging out and having a relaxing time.
Last night we went to my husband's uncle's house for a cookout. Got to see some family we haven't seen in months. It's a shame because we live so close and don't visit more often. Will try and change that. Hubby's aunt is really good and sewing and doing embroidery and has offered my sewing lessons anytime I want to bring my sewing machine over, so I think I might just have to take her up on that.
For today, hubby and I are going to go 4-wheelin! It will be nice to spend some time together just the two of us. Then we will head back home to do some much needed yard work. It's been raining so much here, that we are just now able to get the yard mowed after about 2 weeks. But what a great day to be outside!
Hope everyone has a blessed Tuesday!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Getting Bargains
I am all about finding bargains. Whether I am grocery shopping, buying clothes or looking for just about anything else, I hate to pay full price.
My husband has affectionately labeled me as "cheap". He gets a kick out of my motto "If it ain't free, it ain't for me". And yes, I do get lots of stuff for free! Just check out your local freecycle. People will list things that they no longer need and its just yours for the asking! I have picked up some great solar patio lights, iron patio chairs, buckets for my tomato plants, bathroom mirrors, and even a practically brand new upright freezer! (My husband was really impressed with that last one).
Go to freecycle.org to find your local freecycling group.
Another one of my favorite bargain finding places is craigslist.com. If you are one of those people that have to have "brand new", this isn't for you. However, if you don't mind something gently worn, you can find great deals. Some of my finds include a mahagony dinning table for $75.00, a computer for $40.00, and our couch that has recliners on each end for just $40.00! We love this couch and it looked brand new when we brought it home! If we had bought that couch new, I know we would have paid over $400.00 for it.
Why pay hundreds of dollars when you can get it for so much more less?!
So, as stated before, we are in the process of buying a house (it's the most nerve racking period for me right now - so please pray for me) and the appliances are not in the best shape. The dishwasher is white and is dented. When you open it up, it is yellowish and has an unpleasant odor. The stove/oven is o.k....but I really wanted a smooth top (I've become spoiled with the one I have). So, I started searching on craigslist and I can't believe what I found!! We go and pick up the dishwasher today and we'll probably go get the stove and the over the range microwave next week. They are all black and stainless steel and only 2 years old!
Posting pics below. And the amazing part of this deal is the price! I'm paying just $75. for the dishwasher and $50 for the stove/oven and $50. for the over the range microwave. That's just $175.00 for all three!
My husband has affectionately labeled me as "cheap". He gets a kick out of my motto "If it ain't free, it ain't for me". And yes, I do get lots of stuff for free! Just check out your local freecycle. People will list things that they no longer need and its just yours for the asking! I have picked up some great solar patio lights, iron patio chairs, buckets for my tomato plants, bathroom mirrors, and even a practically brand new upright freezer! (My husband was really impressed with that last one).
Go to freecycle.org to find your local freecycling group.
Another one of my favorite bargain finding places is craigslist.com. If you are one of those people that have to have "brand new", this isn't for you. However, if you don't mind something gently worn, you can find great deals. Some of my finds include a mahagony dinning table for $75.00, a computer for $40.00, and our couch that has recliners on each end for just $40.00! We love this couch and it looked brand new when we brought it home! If we had bought that couch new, I know we would have paid over $400.00 for it.
Why pay hundreds of dollars when you can get it for so much more less?!
So, as stated before, we are in the process of buying a house (it's the most nerve racking period for me right now - so please pray for me) and the appliances are not in the best shape. The dishwasher is white and is dented. When you open it up, it is yellowish and has an unpleasant odor. The stove/oven is o.k....but I really wanted a smooth top (I've become spoiled with the one I have). So, I started searching on craigslist and I can't believe what I found!! We go and pick up the dishwasher today and we'll probably go get the stove and the over the range microwave next week. They are all black and stainless steel and only 2 years old!
Posting pics below. And the amazing part of this deal is the price! I'm paying just $75. for the dishwasher and $50 for the stove/oven and $50. for the over the range microwave. That's just $175.00 for all three!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Great House News!
Well, we got the call yesterday from our realtor that the sellers accepted our offer! Whoo Hoo!!!
We are so very excited. We just know that this is where we are supposed to be. We drove out to the house yesterday, because the first time we saw it, it was just "a house"....but now it is "our" house. (or will be once we finally close).
We are looking at a closing date the last week of October. That will give me plenty of time to finish getting the needed paperwork to our loan officer and start decluttering the house we are in and of course, packing.
So, as promised, here are some pictures of the new house we are purchasing:
We are so very excited. We just know that this is where we are supposed to be. We drove out to the house yesterday, because the first time we saw it, it was just "a house"....but now it is "our" house. (or will be once we finally close).
We are looking at a closing date the last week of October. That will give me plenty of time to finish getting the needed paperwork to our loan officer and start decluttering the house we are in and of course, packing.
So, as promised, here are some pictures of the new house we are purchasing:
Friday, September 18, 2009
MIA
Sorry, I have been missing in action....so much has been going on lately.
We have been house hunting. Last week we put in an offer on a house that we liked. It needed some work. The kitchen and the bathrooms were wallpapered in this hideous pattern. But I figured I could take it down and paint and make it like I wanted it. I even went to the store and picked out the paint colors. However, they rejected our offer without even a counter. I was disappointed, but figured that was just not where we were supposed to be.
So, on the same day we received word that we didn't get that house, we found one we liked better on a full acre out in the country.
So, we talked to our realtor and went to see it on Wednesday. There was another family looking at it at the same time. I knew immediately that this was THE house. The kitchen opens up to the family room and it has a split bedroom plan. It's on a full acre out in the country, but only about 15 minutes from the city limits. Hubby only has about a 15 minute drive to work...so that's great!
We went to the agent's offer that afternoon and put an offer on it. So now, here we are just sitting on pins and needles waiting to see if they accepted our offer so we can proceed. Dealing with that and the lender's office however is very "trying". I have been trying to get everything together so we can close on 10/30 if they accept.
We are very excited!!
In the midst of all this, our very good friends from Michigan came down for a visit. We only get to see each other once a year and the time we are together always seems so short. We had such a great time together and miss them already.
As soon as we know if we are going to get the house, I'll post some pictures...don't want to jump the gun yet.
Hope you have a blessed Friday.
We have been house hunting. Last week we put in an offer on a house that we liked. It needed some work. The kitchen and the bathrooms were wallpapered in this hideous pattern. But I figured I could take it down and paint and make it like I wanted it. I even went to the store and picked out the paint colors. However, they rejected our offer without even a counter. I was disappointed, but figured that was just not where we were supposed to be.
So, on the same day we received word that we didn't get that house, we found one we liked better on a full acre out in the country.
So, we talked to our realtor and went to see it on Wednesday. There was another family looking at it at the same time. I knew immediately that this was THE house. The kitchen opens up to the family room and it has a split bedroom plan. It's on a full acre out in the country, but only about 15 minutes from the city limits. Hubby only has about a 15 minute drive to work...so that's great!
We went to the agent's offer that afternoon and put an offer on it. So now, here we are just sitting on pins and needles waiting to see if they accepted our offer so we can proceed. Dealing with that and the lender's office however is very "trying". I have been trying to get everything together so we can close on 10/30 if they accept.
We are very excited!!
In the midst of all this, our very good friends from Michigan came down for a visit. We only get to see each other once a year and the time we are together always seems so short. We had such a great time together and miss them already.
As soon as we know if we are going to get the house, I'll post some pictures...don't want to jump the gun yet.
Hope you have a blessed Friday.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Cleaning Schedule
I have had a cleaning schedule for many years now. Every now and then I will change it up a bit. Some people do "task" cleaning, which I have tried. But, personally, I like "room" cleaning. Whichever you choose is fine as long as it works for you.
Some days I might not get everything done, but having a schedule helps me have direction and a little control (LOL).
So, with that being said, this is what my schedule looks like:
Mondays - Bedroom cleaning.
Tuesdays - Bathrooms
Wednesdays - Kitchen and laundry room
Thursdays - Living and Dining Rooms
Fridays - spot cleaning and grocery shopping
Saturdays - spot cleaning only
Sundays - I try and do as little as possible
I also have certain things that I do everyday...such as wiping down bathroom counter tops and toilets; wiping kitchen counter tops, sweeping kitchen floor, and vacuming living spaces.
I do laundry on M-W-F only.
Starting Monday, I will give a detailed list of all cleaning that I do each day. For instance, since Monday is bedrooms....I will post everything that I do to clean the bedrooms on that day. Your list may have more or less...
On another note, today my granddaughter is coming to visit..YAY! I haven't seen her in quite awhile and am really looking forward to seeing her cutesy face.
The weather has been stupendous here and I want to get out sometime today and enjoy the nice pre-fall weather. Makes me want to go out and buy some mums.
Hope everyone has a blessed Wednesday!
Some days I might not get everything done, but having a schedule helps me have direction and a little control (LOL).
So, with that being said, this is what my schedule looks like:
Mondays - Bedroom cleaning.
Tuesdays - Bathrooms
Wednesdays - Kitchen and laundry room
Thursdays - Living and Dining Rooms
Fridays - spot cleaning and grocery shopping
Saturdays - spot cleaning only
Sundays - I try and do as little as possible
I also have certain things that I do everyday...such as wiping down bathroom counter tops and toilets; wiping kitchen counter tops, sweeping kitchen floor, and vacuming living spaces.
I do laundry on M-W-F only.
Starting Monday, I will give a detailed list of all cleaning that I do each day. For instance, since Monday is bedrooms....I will post everything that I do to clean the bedrooms on that day. Your list may have more or less...
On another note, today my granddaughter is coming to visit..YAY! I haven't seen her in quite awhile and am really looking forward to seeing her cutesy face.
The weather has been stupendous here and I want to get out sometime today and enjoy the nice pre-fall weather. Makes me want to go out and buy some mums.
Hope everyone has a blessed Wednesday!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Goings on......
Wow, I can't believe it's almost been a week since I've posted!
Well, we are in the process of house hunting. Who knew it could take up so much of my time. When we aren't out looking at houses, I'm online looking for houses.
We haven't decided if we want to renew our lease where we are at, or go ahead and bite the bullet and buy. It's a great time to buy, but we are having a hard time finding what we want in our price range. I know it's got to be out there.
Starting Monday, I am going to start babysitting again. I really miss having a little one in the house. The little one I'm keeping is so sweet. He's 18 mos old and is just a joy to have around. I'm sure my schedule will have to be tweaked a bit.
Today is supposed to be my grocery shopping day, but I'm having to put that off since we went house shopping today. Let's just say....we're gonna keep looking.
We have really been enjoying the fall like weather and I hope it doesn't end. Ready to toast some marshmallows! Hubby is gearing up for duck hunting season and has been spending his days getting his boat ready.
I did write out my grocery list and menu for this coming week and the new menu is posted on the side.
Hey...I know this post is mostly random stuff just thrown together...hopefully, I will do better and have more interesting stuff to write about soon.
Have a blessed Friday!!!
Well, we are in the process of house hunting. Who knew it could take up so much of my time. When we aren't out looking at houses, I'm online looking for houses.
We haven't decided if we want to renew our lease where we are at, or go ahead and bite the bullet and buy. It's a great time to buy, but we are having a hard time finding what we want in our price range. I know it's got to be out there.
Starting Monday, I am going to start babysitting again. I really miss having a little one in the house. The little one I'm keeping is so sweet. He's 18 mos old and is just a joy to have around. I'm sure my schedule will have to be tweaked a bit.
Today is supposed to be my grocery shopping day, but I'm having to put that off since we went house shopping today. Let's just say....we're gonna keep looking.
We have really been enjoying the fall like weather and I hope it doesn't end. Ready to toast some marshmallows! Hubby is gearing up for duck hunting season and has been spending his days getting his boat ready.
I did write out my grocery list and menu for this coming week and the new menu is posted on the side.
Hey...I know this post is mostly random stuff just thrown together...hopefully, I will do better and have more interesting stuff to write about soon.
Have a blessed Friday!!!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
New Weekly Menu Posted
Yesterday was such a glorious day that I didn't want to do anything but be outside. Can you believe that the temp here was only 80 degrees and NO humidity....in August!
Yes, the windows were up and I was enjoying the fresh air blowing throughout the house.
This type of weather makes me yearn for fall. It's absolutely my favorite time of the year. I love the colors it brings and the smells associated with it...like cinnamon and pumpkin spice..mmmm!
I know...we still have a ways to go before it gets here, but I'm enjoying the fall like weather for now.
As promised, I have made out my menu for the upcoming week and have posted on the side. Just let me know if you want any of the recipes.
Have a blessed Sunday and go out and enjoy the glorious day that the Lord has made!
Yes, the windows were up and I was enjoying the fresh air blowing throughout the house.
This type of weather makes me yearn for fall. It's absolutely my favorite time of the year. I love the colors it brings and the smells associated with it...like cinnamon and pumpkin spice..mmmm!
I know...we still have a ways to go before it gets here, but I'm enjoying the fall like weather for now.
As promised, I have made out my menu for the upcoming week and have posted on the side. Just let me know if you want any of the recipes.
Have a blessed Sunday and go out and enjoy the glorious day that the Lord has made!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Way Behind
O.K....so I'm a little behind.
We have had a lot going on here and I haven't been able to stick to my normal schedule.
Usually, I will make out my grocery list and my weekly menu on Thursday and do my grocery shopping on Friday.
So, here it is Friday night, no groceries have been bought and I haven't even made out my grocery list or my weekly menu (as you can see from the right hand side).
No worries, it will all get done tomorrow morning. Hubby will be asleep and Blake will be at his dad's for the weekend, so I have all day to get things done and get back on track.
Once I get it written out, I will get back here and post the menu on the sidebar, which I will try to do every week. If there is something that you want the recipe for, just leave me a comment and I'll post the recipe.
With that being said, our little "project" will be taking up some of my time, so I might not have as much time to blog as I would like.
And oh, my camera is on the fritz...so no pictures right now....sorry.
Have a blessed Friday (and weekend)!
We have had a lot going on here and I haven't been able to stick to my normal schedule.
Usually, I will make out my grocery list and my weekly menu on Thursday and do my grocery shopping on Friday.
So, here it is Friday night, no groceries have been bought and I haven't even made out my grocery list or my weekly menu (as you can see from the right hand side).
No worries, it will all get done tomorrow morning. Hubby will be asleep and Blake will be at his dad's for the weekend, so I have all day to get things done and get back on track.
Once I get it written out, I will get back here and post the menu on the sidebar, which I will try to do every week. If there is something that you want the recipe for, just leave me a comment and I'll post the recipe.
With that being said, our little "project" will be taking up some of my time, so I might not have as much time to blog as I would like.
And oh, my camera is on the fritz...so no pictures right now....sorry.
Have a blessed Friday (and weekend)!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Whirlwind Days
This weekend went by so quickly! With my 3 stepkids here, plus two 5 year old twins I was babysitting, I was in constant motion all weekend. My sinuses kicked in on top of that and felt I was in bit of a haze this weekend. Even though it was extremely busy, I loved having all the kids here!
Yesterday started off rough....I woke up still feeling sick. Woke up and noticed my son hadn't left for work yet (he has to be at work at 6 am). He was having car problems....but his boss came and picked him up. Got up and got Blake off to school, took some medicine which made me sleepy and went back to bed.
I must have really needed the sleep because I didn't wake up until 10:00 !!!! Wow, that really threw my schedule off. Hubby had already come home from work and left and was back from the chiropractor. Son called and asked me to pick him up from work...so off I went. We came home and then had to turn around about an hour later so I could take him to the cardiologist for a check up. Then rush back home so I could pick Blake up from school.
Dropped Blake off then left to run some errands....came back picked up Blake and went shoe shopping (it's been awhile since he had new shoes).
Came home started dinner....it was done about 6:30. After that, I was done....Blake and I watched America's Funniest Videos...hubby woke up and ate dinner and then I was in bed at 9:00.
Whew!! That make's me tired all over again just reading it.
Have a blessed Tuesday
Yesterday started off rough....I woke up still feeling sick. Woke up and noticed my son hadn't left for work yet (he has to be at work at 6 am). He was having car problems....but his boss came and picked him up. Got up and got Blake off to school, took some medicine which made me sleepy and went back to bed.
I must have really needed the sleep because I didn't wake up until 10:00 !!!! Wow, that really threw my schedule off. Hubby had already come home from work and left and was back from the chiropractor. Son called and asked me to pick him up from work...so off I went. We came home and then had to turn around about an hour later so I could take him to the cardiologist for a check up. Then rush back home so I could pick Blake up from school.
Dropped Blake off then left to run some errands....came back picked up Blake and went shoe shopping (it's been awhile since he had new shoes).
Came home started dinner....it was done about 6:30. After that, I was done....Blake and I watched America's Funniest Videos...hubby woke up and ate dinner and then I was in bed at 9:00.
Whew!! That make's me tired all over again just reading it.
Have a blessed Tuesday
Thursday, August 13, 2009
I'm Not Superwoman
So, I was reading another blog this morning. She was saying that she had a friend that was discouraged after reading so many blogs from women who seemed to have EVERTHING under control ALL THE TIME. This friend had just had a baby and felt after reading from others that if she wasn't superwoman, that there must be something wrong with her.
So, let me be the first to tell ya...I'm not superwoman. Sure, I've had plenty of people tell me, "Wow, you are so organized"..or "How do you always keep your house so clean?"
I wish I was more organized...just open up some of the cabinets and you'll see how unorganized I truly am. Truth is if there was a club called Procrastinators Anonymous, I would be a member. Procrastination is truly my downfall. I make lists not just to be organized, but if I don't make the list....stuff just wouldn't get done!
There are days when yes, gasp...there are dirty dishes in my sink! Somedays, I might not get the laundry put away....and yes, there have been times that I thought...please no one open the microwave door and see how dirty it is.
I don't bake soaked whole wheat sourdough bread...tried it and guess what - my family didn't like it! But I do try and make my own bread along with baking a lot of other stuff as well. I don't make my own laundry detergent...I can buy a box that will last a long time for a little over $2.00.
I wish I could garden more, but lets face it - I just don't have much of a green thumb. I'm blessed to have my two tomato plants living! (and producing...an extra bonus!)
I get up every morning with a game plan and sometimes it works and sometimes life just takes over and my plan has to be put on hold.
That's just all part of it.
I just strive to be a good wife and mom and keeper of my home and do the best that "I" can. So, I'm not anybody else, I'm just me. You should be just you and not worry about trying to be someone else. Just do the best that YOU can.
Have a blessed Thursday!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Feeling a Bit Tired
The above picture says it all. I'm so tired and sleepy. Want to take a nap, but have no time. This may be what I look like at dinner tonight...my head in my plate.
I think I'm coming down with a cold. They always wear me down. Stuffy head that feels so heavy I have a hard time holding it up.
We've been contemplating our housing situation lately. Our current lease expires in November. We've been trying to decide if we want to stay here, or try and buy somewhere else. I love my house here, but not sure this is where we want to stay. Ahhhh....decisions, decisions. Lots to think about and try and put in order no matter where we decide to go.
I know....short post today. Gotta run and finish cleaning the kitchen floor before I have to pick Blake up from school.
Have a blessed Wednesday!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Public School Adventures
Here it is Tuesday (sigh) and I find myself missing our old homeschool routine. Blake started public school last Wednesday. It has been quite a change...for both of us. The day starts at 6:15 when we both get up and start to get ready. He leaves for school at 7 am and school lets out at 2:20 and I pick him up.
He only has 4 classes this first semester...Auto Tech; Wellness; Chemistry; and World History. Of course his favorite class is Auto Tech..he loves cars and racing, so this is perfect for him. His least favorite class is History - no surprise there. He didn't much care for it either when we were homeschooling. The history class is covering the exact same things we covered last year minus it coming from a Biblical point of view.
I was worried about his organizational skills, but he has proved that he can be organized...so that's a good thing.
He is learning that I do teach differently than the teachers at school. For instance, when doing answering questions at home, I always insisted on using complete sentences. I felt that this would help when studying and also helped me when checking over correct answers...not to mention improving English skills. However, his teacher now tells him NOT to answer in a complete sentence that all he wants to see are just the answer on the paper and that by doing this it will help them be able to study better.
In one class, they have been told that they can use their notes at test time. Supposedly this will help improve their note taking skills...but what about their study skills?
Some of the teachers do not have a handle on keeping the classroom under control and the students will just keep on talking. How does this promote a learning environment?
Also, here it is the second week...and still no lockers. Everything has to be toted around in a backpack. My son's pack is so full and heavy that there is no possible way anything else can fit into it.
O.k....enough of the negative. I know that this experience will be good for him. He loves his Auto Shop class and this is what he wants to pursue in the future..so this is a good thing...right?
He is getting a good dose of what it is like in the school system and will be able to make up his mind if he wants to continue with this next year. By the way, next year, if homeschooled, he will actually be old enough to dual enroll in college. That way, not only will he get the high school credits, he will already be earning college credits as well!!
I miss homeschooling...my days are quiet. Blake is at school, son Brian is at work, hubby Brian gets home from work and goes to bed in the morning. Sigh....I should be getting so much done...just don't have the motivation sometimes.
With that being said, I have done the following today:
Hung a load of clothes out to dry
Swept kitchen floor
Loaded dishes into dishwasher
Cleaned shower in master bath
Cleaned counter, mirror, and floors in hall bath
Put a roast in the crockpot for dinner tonight
Swept the dining room and living room floors
Called ALL around town getting pricing for tires and oil change
Made breakfast for son
Changed trash in bathrooms
I still need to clean the toilets, take Blake to get his hair cut, cut up veggies for dinner and take care of anything else that pops up (you know something always does)
Well, I've rambled on long enough - time to get busy!
Have a blessed Tuesday!
He only has 4 classes this first semester...Auto Tech; Wellness; Chemistry; and World History. Of course his favorite class is Auto Tech..he loves cars and racing, so this is perfect for him. His least favorite class is History - no surprise there. He didn't much care for it either when we were homeschooling. The history class is covering the exact same things we covered last year minus it coming from a Biblical point of view.
I was worried about his organizational skills, but he has proved that he can be organized...so that's a good thing.
He is learning that I do teach differently than the teachers at school. For instance, when doing answering questions at home, I always insisted on using complete sentences. I felt that this would help when studying and also helped me when checking over correct answers...not to mention improving English skills. However, his teacher now tells him NOT to answer in a complete sentence that all he wants to see are just the answer on the paper and that by doing this it will help them be able to study better.
In one class, they have been told that they can use their notes at test time. Supposedly this will help improve their note taking skills...but what about their study skills?
Some of the teachers do not have a handle on keeping the classroom under control and the students will just keep on talking. How does this promote a learning environment?
Also, here it is the second week...and still no lockers. Everything has to be toted around in a backpack. My son's pack is so full and heavy that there is no possible way anything else can fit into it.
O.k....enough of the negative. I know that this experience will be good for him. He loves his Auto Shop class and this is what he wants to pursue in the future..so this is a good thing...right?
He is getting a good dose of what it is like in the school system and will be able to make up his mind if he wants to continue with this next year. By the way, next year, if homeschooled, he will actually be old enough to dual enroll in college. That way, not only will he get the high school credits, he will already be earning college credits as well!!
I miss homeschooling...my days are quiet. Blake is at school, son Brian is at work, hubby Brian gets home from work and goes to bed in the morning. Sigh....I should be getting so much done...just don't have the motivation sometimes.
With that being said, I have done the following today:
Hung a load of clothes out to dry
Swept kitchen floor
Loaded dishes into dishwasher
Cleaned shower in master bath
Cleaned counter, mirror, and floors in hall bath
Put a roast in the crockpot for dinner tonight
Swept the dining room and living room floors
Called ALL around town getting pricing for tires and oil change
Made breakfast for son
Changed trash in bathrooms
I still need to clean the toilets, take Blake to get his hair cut, cut up veggies for dinner and take care of anything else that pops up (you know something always does)
Well, I've rambled on long enough - time to get busy!
Have a blessed Tuesday!
Yay!! Blog Fixed
I worked on correcting the problem to my page this morning. Don't know exactly what I did, but just glad whatever it was worked.
I'll get a regular post up shortly.
I'll get a regular post up shortly.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Blogging Problems
I don't know why, but when you visit my blog...it automatically directs to another page to which this is not related.
So, please bear with me. I have notified blogger and hope this issue gets resolved soon.
So, please bear with me. I have notified blogger and hope this issue gets resolved soon.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Simple Pleasures
Do you ever just stop and truly enjoy your day. Sometimes I hit the floor running in the mornings thinking of everything that I need to get done during the day. I tend to get caught up in trying to get everything done, that sometimes I fail at just enjoying the "now".
Here's some simple things that I enjoy during my day.
Hanging clothes out on the line to dry. Our dryer broke down a few weeks back and I've been hanging everything outside on my patio. It's just a peaceful time for me while I'm outside hanging clothes. You can (usually) feel a breeze and hear the birds singing. I find myself singing too!
Watching and caring for our tomato plants. There's just something so satisfying about watching something you planted and cared for grow and produce. While we have only picked a couple of tomatoes, we have about 20 something growing on them right now.
Watching the kids and hubby playing board games.
Just driving around town with my husband. We don't have to spend money, but we do like to go window shopping sometimes or just take a drive out to the country.
What simple things do you enjoy?
Have a blessed Thurdsay!!
Here's some simple things that I enjoy during my day.
Hanging clothes out on the line to dry. Our dryer broke down a few weeks back and I've been hanging everything outside on my patio. It's just a peaceful time for me while I'm outside hanging clothes. You can (usually) feel a breeze and hear the birds singing. I find myself singing too!
Watching and caring for our tomato plants. There's just something so satisfying about watching something you planted and cared for grow and produce. While we have only picked a couple of tomatoes, we have about 20 something growing on them right now.
Watching the kids and hubby playing board games.
Just driving around town with my husband. We don't have to spend money, but we do like to go window shopping sometimes or just take a drive out to the country.
What simple things do you enjoy?
Have a blessed Thurdsay!!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
All I Ask of You from The Phantom of the Opera
I finished watching Phantom of the Opera again yesterday. I am just in love with the music. Unfortunately, for my family, when a piece of music gets stuck in my head, I tend to sing it over and over and over again.
Here's the song that I'm stuck on now. It's just simply beautiful!
Here's the song that I'm stuck on now. It's just simply beautiful!
School days, school days....
Another school year has begun, but this year is quite different. After homeschooling for the past 9 years, my youngest child (the only one who is still school age) is off to public school for the first time! It's hard to let go, no matter what age your child is.
Here's a picture of him I snapped this morning before he left.
He's in the 10th grade this year. This is what he wanted to do...ya know just to see what school is all about. I'm excited for him...but a little sad for me.
We went to new student orientation last night and met his first semester teachers. This school operates on a block schedule. They take 4 90 min classes the first semester and then 4 different 90 min. classes the second semester. This gives you a total of 8 classes or 32 credits by the time you graduate.
The first semester he is taking Auto Tech, Chemistry, Wellnes, and World History. The second semester he is taking Honors English, Accounting, Spanish I and Algebra II.
School starts at 7:15 and ends at 2:15. He was up at 6:15 this morning...the earliest he's been up in a LONG time. He didn't get much sleep last night..nerves and all. I'm sure he will do great today and will be ready to get to bed early tonight.
I will be sitting on pins and needles all day today waiting for him to get home so I can hear how it went.
As for me, I am looking to do childcare and tutoring again. I have some leads that I'm hoping will come thru. I might be keeping a 19mth old 3 days a week and maybe do some tutoring the other two. I'm also going to be keeping 5 yr old twins every other weekend. I met them yesterday, a little girl and little boy. They are so cute! The extra money will really help out as well.
Well, gotta go. Hubby will be home soon and today is his birthday!!
Have a blessed Wednesday!
Here's a picture of him I snapped this morning before he left.
He's in the 10th grade this year. This is what he wanted to do...ya know just to see what school is all about. I'm excited for him...but a little sad for me.
We went to new student orientation last night and met his first semester teachers. This school operates on a block schedule. They take 4 90 min classes the first semester and then 4 different 90 min. classes the second semester. This gives you a total of 8 classes or 32 credits by the time you graduate.
The first semester he is taking Auto Tech, Chemistry, Wellnes, and World History. The second semester he is taking Honors English, Accounting, Spanish I and Algebra II.
School starts at 7:15 and ends at 2:15. He was up at 6:15 this morning...the earliest he's been up in a LONG time. He didn't get much sleep last night..nerves and all. I'm sure he will do great today and will be ready to get to bed early tonight.
I will be sitting on pins and needles all day today waiting for him to get home so I can hear how it went.
As for me, I am looking to do childcare and tutoring again. I have some leads that I'm hoping will come thru. I might be keeping a 19mth old 3 days a week and maybe do some tutoring the other two. I'm also going to be keeping 5 yr old twins every other weekend. I met them yesterday, a little girl and little boy. They are so cute! The extra money will really help out as well.
Well, gotta go. Hubby will be home soon and today is his birthday!!
Have a blessed Wednesday!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Just Passin' Time....
Hope everyone had a good weekend. We had my husband's kids here this weekend until today, so it was a busy house with 5 kids to cook, clean and do laundry for. I will probably miss the hustle and bustle come tomorrow.
Today, I managed to get a couple of loads of laundry done (the weather has been a little more cooperative). I have sheets hanging outside right now. Don't you just love the smell of sheets that have been outside - mmmmm!
I tidied up the kitchen after breakfast and moped the floors. Our cute, sweet kittens are making such a mess of the floors! I need them gone - NOW! We have 6 kittens that are now 6 weeks old and are ready to find their new homes. Gotta get them out before my hubby becomes to attached. He's already named one Tuna. I love kittens...I even like cats. I don't like, however, having to smell and clean a litter box. YUCK!
I would also like to find a home for my sweet pomeranian, Mitzi. She is a doll...but poms are notorious for their yappy barking. And since my husband works nights, and sleeps days....the barking has become a problem and is disrupting my husband's sleep. I've had Mitzi since 2004...(longer than I've had my husband - LOL).
I'm just ready to go back to one pet...that's all I can handle.
On another note, wanted to pass this along. This is a great schedule to use to read thru the bible in one year. I try to do the reading on a daily basis, but must admit, I have slipped in the past. But it is a great tool for keeping me on schedule. I keep it in a notebook and use a highlighter and mark thru the passages as I read them. On a separate page of paper, I will write down verses that I want to remember. And then, on another sheet of blank paper, I will write down my prayer requests.
Anyhow...here's the link. Bible Reading Schedule
Oh....sorry no pictures this time. Need to get my camera hooked up. The boys did something when they were trying to get the wireless network up and running.
Today, I managed to get a couple of loads of laundry done (the weather has been a little more cooperative). I have sheets hanging outside right now. Don't you just love the smell of sheets that have been outside - mmmmm!
I tidied up the kitchen after breakfast and moped the floors. Our cute, sweet kittens are making such a mess of the floors! I need them gone - NOW! We have 6 kittens that are now 6 weeks old and are ready to find their new homes. Gotta get them out before my hubby becomes to attached. He's already named one Tuna. I love kittens...I even like cats. I don't like, however, having to smell and clean a litter box. YUCK!
I would also like to find a home for my sweet pomeranian, Mitzi. She is a doll...but poms are notorious for their yappy barking. And since my husband works nights, and sleeps days....the barking has become a problem and is disrupting my husband's sleep. I've had Mitzi since 2004...(longer than I've had my husband - LOL).
I'm just ready to go back to one pet...that's all I can handle.
On another note, wanted to pass this along. This is a great schedule to use to read thru the bible in one year. I try to do the reading on a daily basis, but must admit, I have slipped in the past. But it is a great tool for keeping me on schedule. I keep it in a notebook and use a highlighter and mark thru the passages as I read them. On a separate page of paper, I will write down verses that I want to remember. And then, on another sheet of blank paper, I will write down my prayer requests.
Anyhow...here's the link. Bible Reading Schedule
Oh....sorry no pictures this time. Need to get my camera hooked up. The boys did something when they were trying to get the wireless network up and running.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thunderstorms, Tornadoes and Flooding...Oh My!
Last night a series of storms rolled by leaving in it's wake some terrible damage. Fortunately, where we were, the storms just skirted around us producing some heavy rain.
My family lives about 80 miles southwest of us and their area was hit hard. My youngest son was staying with his dad and experienced the horrible weather as well. None of my family was hurt and their properties are still intact.
About 4 tornadoes touched down (two confirmed). At one of the malls, it did considerable damage and shattered the windows of the cars in the parking lots. There was an 18 wheeler that was turned on it's side and a gas pump that was actually turned over on top of a vehicle. Visible roof damage and various debris from nearby business was also found.
Here's some photos from the area. Please pray for those who were injured and suffered storm damage.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
This and That
It's still rainy here. I don't really mind that much. It's made the weather much cooler for this time of year, however, it is still a bit muggy. My dryer started making some weird noises a few weeks back, so I stopped using it and have been line drying my clothes. Yes, it's a little more work, but I don't mind. There's something quite peaceful about hanging your clothes outside.
I found some rope and tied it up between the posts on my back patio. I can usually hang a full load out. With the weather turned rainy, I have been drying my clothes inside. I and them on wire hangers and then hang the hangers on my fireplace mantle. I can usually get a 1 load done a day. It works out o.k. since there is usually just 4 of us here at one time.
I don't like how my towels come out. Anyone have any suggestions? What did people do way back when...you know...when there were no electric dryers and the only choice you had was to hang them out to dry?
My hubby is going to fix the dryer when he has some time to fiddle with it. He has been working so hard lately. He doesn't get a day off until Wed. 8/5. By that time, he will have worked 12 days in a row and some of them were 12 hours a day. He has a very physically demanding job, and is usually just plain wore out when he gets home. I hate to bug him about the dryer...I know he will get to it.
I managed to get my kitchen completely cleaned yesterday in spite of the headache I had. I have been getting them much more frequently lately...and as usual, they will last approximately 3 days. I tried to not take any "meds" for my headache yesterday and drank some tea and kept warm moist heat on the back of my neck/head to relax the blood vessels...but to no avail. I finally broke down about 3:30 and went out and bought some B.C. powder - something I haven't taken in years. About an hour or two after taking it, I started to feel some relief and was able to get dinner done and clean the kitchen up afterwards. Today, I am so much better. Was up at 6:00 am...did my morning chores (wipe bathroom counters, toilets, wipe down kitchen counters, sweep kitchen floors) dusted the living areas and vacuumed the floors, worked on my grocery list and menu (still working on those), washed a load of laundry - still have to hang to dry.
This afternoon, I go and pick up Blake. He's been staying with his dad for almost a week now and I miss him. Tomorrow, we pick up Brian's kids for the weekend. So my now very quiet house will be full of kids and noises this weekend. Then the quietness will return next week as school starts.
Ah well, more on that later.
Hope everyone has a blessed Thursday.
I found some rope and tied it up between the posts on my back patio. I can usually hang a full load out. With the weather turned rainy, I have been drying my clothes inside. I and them on wire hangers and then hang the hangers on my fireplace mantle. I can usually get a 1 load done a day. It works out o.k. since there is usually just 4 of us here at one time.
I don't like how my towels come out. Anyone have any suggestions? What did people do way back when...you know...when there were no electric dryers and the only choice you had was to hang them out to dry?
My hubby is going to fix the dryer when he has some time to fiddle with it. He has been working so hard lately. He doesn't get a day off until Wed. 8/5. By that time, he will have worked 12 days in a row and some of them were 12 hours a day. He has a very physically demanding job, and is usually just plain wore out when he gets home. I hate to bug him about the dryer...I know he will get to it.
I managed to get my kitchen completely cleaned yesterday in spite of the headache I had. I have been getting them much more frequently lately...and as usual, they will last approximately 3 days. I tried to not take any "meds" for my headache yesterday and drank some tea and kept warm moist heat on the back of my neck/head to relax the blood vessels...but to no avail. I finally broke down about 3:30 and went out and bought some B.C. powder - something I haven't taken in years. About an hour or two after taking it, I started to feel some relief and was able to get dinner done and clean the kitchen up afterwards. Today, I am so much better. Was up at 6:00 am...did my morning chores (wipe bathroom counters, toilets, wipe down kitchen counters, sweep kitchen floors) dusted the living areas and vacuumed the floors, worked on my grocery list and menu (still working on those), washed a load of laundry - still have to hang to dry.
This afternoon, I go and pick up Blake. He's been staying with his dad for almost a week now and I miss him. Tomorrow, we pick up Brian's kids for the weekend. So my now very quiet house will be full of kids and noises this weekend. Then the quietness will return next week as school starts.
Ah well, more on that later.
Hope everyone has a blessed Thursday.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Watch Out...I'm Back!!
To those of you who have faithfully been checking my blog, I haven't quit. I just needed to take a blogging summer break.
I will "officially" start blogging again starting this Monday, August 3rd. Wow! Can you believe that it is August already!!
So much has been going on this summer and I just needed to step away from the computer and take care of everything else.
But I have missed blogging and am ready to start up again.
What do you want to see on this blog? Anything particular, or are my ramblings o.k.?
Drop me a comment anytime!
Today is cleaning the kitchen day and I have woke up late (have been doing that lately since there are NO kids here - I'll go into why later). My 18 yr old is at work, hubby is at a friend's house helping with their broken fridge...so I'm enjoying a quiet house. The sun is shinning...although, I believe it will only be brief today as the rain is supposed to be here for 8 days in a row....that's right, time to build that ark! LOL!!!!
I need to clean out the fridge and freezer today and get some more baking done. Yesterday I made two loaves of banana bread and a pan of honey rolls. Today, I need to get some pizza crusts made and hamburger buns. We'll see as I have been battling a migraine for 2 days now, it does slow me down.
Have a blessed Wednesday!!!
I will "officially" start blogging again starting this Monday, August 3rd. Wow! Can you believe that it is August already!!
So much has been going on this summer and I just needed to step away from the computer and take care of everything else.
But I have missed blogging and am ready to start up again.
What do you want to see on this blog? Anything particular, or are my ramblings o.k.?
Drop me a comment anytime!
Today is cleaning the kitchen day and I have woke up late (have been doing that lately since there are NO kids here - I'll go into why later). My 18 yr old is at work, hubby is at a friend's house helping with their broken fridge...so I'm enjoying a quiet house. The sun is shinning...although, I believe it will only be brief today as the rain is supposed to be here for 8 days in a row....that's right, time to build that ark! LOL!!!!
I need to clean out the fridge and freezer today and get some more baking done. Yesterday I made two loaves of banana bread and a pan of honey rolls. Today, I need to get some pizza crusts made and hamburger buns. We'll see as I have been battling a migraine for 2 days now, it does slow me down.
Have a blessed Wednesday!!!
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Happy 4th!
Hope everyone is having a wonderful 4th of July celebrating with their family and friends!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Huh?
Sorry everyone for such short posts. I just haven't been in the "blogging" mood the past few days.
Anyway, soooo, I forgot to take pictures of the bumper pad before my friend came and picked it up. It was my first time making one and I think I did pretty good. If I ever make another one, there will be a few changes that I make.
I didn't use a pattern, just did my own thing. It took about 3 yards of fabric to make it along with the ties. Sewing wasn't hard at all and didn't take long. The most time consuming was pinning and making the ties. All in all, it took me about 4 hours to complete. I bought the foam insert at Walmart and had a lot left over to use for another project.
I had some material left over that I used to make cloth napkins this morning.
I used up the rest of the turkey that I roasted yesterday and made turkey teryaki sandwiches with a curried bean salad ( I love this salad!).
It's just me and two of my stepkids here tonight. We'll probably watch some T.V. and then read.
I've got to work on my checkbook...somehow the bank messed something up and now it's messed us up.. A LOT!!! We've got to get this figured out. Can someone tell me how when we have not used the checking account in over a week that charges are still appearing on our account....one was for 22 cents!! We have not used the account at any time for just 22 cents...come on! Ok....breathing now. I know it will get taken care of. I just need to let it go for now. There's nothing I can do about it tonight. Tomorrow is another day. This maybe one of those things I let my husband take care of just because I can get so emotional.
Take care and have a blessed Wednesday night.
Anyway, soooo, I forgot to take pictures of the bumper pad before my friend came and picked it up. It was my first time making one and I think I did pretty good. If I ever make another one, there will be a few changes that I make.
I didn't use a pattern, just did my own thing. It took about 3 yards of fabric to make it along with the ties. Sewing wasn't hard at all and didn't take long. The most time consuming was pinning and making the ties. All in all, it took me about 4 hours to complete. I bought the foam insert at Walmart and had a lot left over to use for another project.
I had some material left over that I used to make cloth napkins this morning.
I used up the rest of the turkey that I roasted yesterday and made turkey teryaki sandwiches with a curried bean salad ( I love this salad!).
It's just me and two of my stepkids here tonight. We'll probably watch some T.V. and then read.
I've got to work on my checkbook...somehow the bank messed something up and now it's messed us up.. A LOT!!! We've got to get this figured out. Can someone tell me how when we have not used the checking account in over a week that charges are still appearing on our account....one was for 22 cents!! We have not used the account at any time for just 22 cents...come on! Ok....breathing now. I know it will get taken care of. I just need to let it go for now. There's nothing I can do about it tonight. Tomorrow is another day. This maybe one of those things I let my husband take care of just because I can get so emotional.
Take care and have a blessed Wednesday night.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Not Much
It's been a few days. I hope everyone had a great weekend. We were blessed yesterday with cooler weather. The high yesterday was only 88 degrees. It was nice to be able to walk outside without feeling like you were suffocating.
Today, I'm going to be sewing a crib bumper pad for a friend. I have been promising it for the past 2 months, but just never have gotten around to actually doing it. But today is my deadline that I need to have it finished. I don't think it should really take me that long to get it done. I'll post a picture when I've finished.
Other than that, it's pretty quiet around here. Not much going on, so not much to post.
Later I'll be making White Chili which I will post the recipe and directions.
Have a blessed Tuesday!
Today, I'm going to be sewing a crib bumper pad for a friend. I have been promising it for the past 2 months, but just never have gotten around to actually doing it. But today is my deadline that I need to have it finished. I don't think it should really take me that long to get it done. I'll post a picture when I've finished.
Other than that, it's pretty quiet around here. Not much going on, so not much to post.
Later I'll be making White Chili which I will post the recipe and directions.
Have a blessed Tuesday!
Friday, June 26, 2009
Quickie Post
Hope everyone is having a wonderful Friday.
This is just a quickie post. I'm working a temp job at a law firm today. It's just a one day thing...but hey...every little bit helps and we can really use the extra $$$ right now.
I'll post later tonight and let you know how it went.
Have a blessed Friday!!!
***UPDATE*****
Work went great today! Everyone was really nice and I really enjoyed working the front desk. I hope it leads to more jobs that are similar in nature.
This is just a quickie post. I'm working a temp job at a law firm today. It's just a one day thing...but hey...every little bit helps and we can really use the extra $$$ right now.
I'll post later tonight and let you know how it went.
Have a blessed Friday!!!
***UPDATE*****
Work went great today! Everyone was really nice and I really enjoyed working the front desk. I hope it leads to more jobs that are similar in nature.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Ahhh...the dentist
Last week I took my 18 year old to the dentist for a regular check up and a cleaning.
When we left, we were told that my son would have to have extensive dental work done and that I needed to come back next week for a "planning" meeting. When you have to come for a planning meeting, you know that it's bad.
So, I went today, and I was right....it was BAD! How did my son's teeth get into such bad shape? One of the answers I was given was : too much soda. So, we have tried to cut out the soda...I don't really drink it anymore, but Brian does. So, he has snuck one in here and there, but for the most part is trying really hard not to drink sugary drinks. We mostly drink water here...occasionally tea or a sugar free drink like Crystal Light.
So....with all the work that needs to be done, the total comes out to be over $6000.00. You saw that right...$6,000.00!!!! Praise the Lord for dental insurance. It will reduce it by $4,000. But that still leaves us $2000.00 that we will have to pay out of pocket. Fortunately, we do not have to pay that all at once. If we did....he probably wouldn't be getting dental work done because we just don't have the funds at this time.
Anyway, we will start small and get some work done a little at a time as we can afford it. Luckily, nothing is causing him any pain at the moment and hopefully, we will be able to get stuff done before it does cause any pain.
I'm not going to freak out over this and will just try and go with the flow and know that God is in control...he will provide, he will provide.
On another note, I sent in my resume to a temporary staffing agency. Took my tests on Tuesday and they called me for a temp job yesterday for tomorrow at a law firm. It's just a one day job, but it's a little extra $$$ and I like that I'm not tied down to something everyday.
I'm going to try and get some pizza crusts made today for pizza tomorrow night. Other than that, I'm going to stay in (where it's cool) and try not to get into too much trouble :)
Have a blessed Thursday!!!
When we left, we were told that my son would have to have extensive dental work done and that I needed to come back next week for a "planning" meeting. When you have to come for a planning meeting, you know that it's bad.
So, I went today, and I was right....it was BAD! How did my son's teeth get into such bad shape? One of the answers I was given was : too much soda. So, we have tried to cut out the soda...I don't really drink it anymore, but Brian does. So, he has snuck one in here and there, but for the most part is trying really hard not to drink sugary drinks. We mostly drink water here...occasionally tea or a sugar free drink like Crystal Light.
So....with all the work that needs to be done, the total comes out to be over $6000.00. You saw that right...$6,000.00!!!! Praise the Lord for dental insurance. It will reduce it by $4,000. But that still leaves us $2000.00 that we will have to pay out of pocket. Fortunately, we do not have to pay that all at once. If we did....he probably wouldn't be getting dental work done because we just don't have the funds at this time.
Anyway, we will start small and get some work done a little at a time as we can afford it. Luckily, nothing is causing him any pain at the moment and hopefully, we will be able to get stuff done before it does cause any pain.
I'm not going to freak out over this and will just try and go with the flow and know that God is in control...he will provide, he will provide.
On another note, I sent in my resume to a temporary staffing agency. Took my tests on Tuesday and they called me for a temp job yesterday for tomorrow at a law firm. It's just a one day job, but it's a little extra $$$ and I like that I'm not tied down to something everyday.
I'm going to try and get some pizza crusts made today for pizza tomorrow night. Other than that, I'm going to stay in (where it's cool) and try not to get into too much trouble :)
Have a blessed Thursday!!!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Monday madness
My youngest son made it back yesterday and I also brought home my 17 yr old nephew to spend a few days with us. It will give my 18 yr old someone to just hang around with. Wow...three teenage boys can sure eat A LOT!!!
I hope I have enough groceries to last the week.
My hubby has to work on Sunday's, so we are celebrating Father's Day today. He is off today and tomorrow so that works out well. He's taking it easy catching up watching the NASCAR race that he recorded from yesterday. Then we are going shoe shopping....for him. That is what he asked for - a new pair of gym shoes. He wants to get back in the gym. Both of us have kinda let ourselves go. Maybe he will inspire me to get back in shape as well.
We are having grilled New York Strip steaks for dinner. This is a real big treat for us. I have them marinating in the fridge right now.
Right now, I am emotionally exhausted. Maybe, I'll feel comfortable posting more about that some time in the future. However, right now, I just don't feel like doing anything but taking a nap. I have washed and dried one load of clothes, have another load that needs to be dried. I've cleaned up the kitchen, cleaned my room, baked a loaf of bread and made lunch for me and hubby. (Youngest spent the night with a friend and the other two boys are still asleep...so they are on their own for lunch).
It is hot, hot, hot, here...which is MISERABLE. I hate summer! Love spring and fall, but can't stand the extreme temperatures. Is there somewhere you can live that is just mild year round?
Well, I think I'm going to lay down for a bit while hubby is still watching racing and then I think we will be out the door for a bit. Thank goodness our car has air conditioning!!!
I hope I have enough groceries to last the week.
My hubby has to work on Sunday's, so we are celebrating Father's Day today. He is off today and tomorrow so that works out well. He's taking it easy catching up watching the NASCAR race that he recorded from yesterday. Then we are going shoe shopping....for him. That is what he asked for - a new pair of gym shoes. He wants to get back in the gym. Both of us have kinda let ourselves go. Maybe he will inspire me to get back in shape as well.
We are having grilled New York Strip steaks for dinner. This is a real big treat for us. I have them marinating in the fridge right now.
Right now, I am emotionally exhausted. Maybe, I'll feel comfortable posting more about that some time in the future. However, right now, I just don't feel like doing anything but taking a nap. I have washed and dried one load of clothes, have another load that needs to be dried. I've cleaned up the kitchen, cleaned my room, baked a loaf of bread and made lunch for me and hubby. (Youngest spent the night with a friend and the other two boys are still asleep...so they are on their own for lunch).
It is hot, hot, hot, here...which is MISERABLE. I hate summer! Love spring and fall, but can't stand the extreme temperatures. Is there somewhere you can live that is just mild year round?
Well, I think I'm going to lay down for a bit while hubby is still watching racing and then I think we will be out the door for a bit. Thank goodness our car has air conditioning!!!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Dinner Menu for the Week
Here is our dinner menu for the coming week:
Sunday: Tacos
Monday: Grilled steaks, fresh corn on the cob, baked potatoes
Tuesday: Creamy spinach sausage pasta with garlic bread
Wedneday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, baked beans, homemade rolls
Thursday: Crock pot steak with baby new potatoes and seasoned green beans
Friday: Homemade pizzas
Sunday: Tacos
Monday: Grilled steaks, fresh corn on the cob, baked potatoes
Tuesday: Creamy spinach sausage pasta with garlic bread
Wedneday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, baked beans, homemade rolls
Thursday: Crock pot steak with baby new potatoes and seasoned green beans
Friday: Homemade pizzas
Saturday, June 20, 2009
My Trip to the Farmers Market
We have a farmers market here every Saturday. Last weekend was the first time I went.
We met someone who owned a local cattle farm. It was great to learn that all his cattle and sheep are grass fed...no antibiotics and no hormones. Also, they only supplement the grass with feed in the winter. My husband and I really want to be able to buy a 1/4 cow and was delighted to find out that they do this for .90 cents a pound (live weight). Now we just need to save up the money (about $250.00).
Today I did buy 10 pounds of ground beef - I'm going to use one in some spaghetti tonight. This farm also sells lamb, chicken and eggs - so I also bought a dz eggs. We just love the brown fresh eggs so much more than the ones at the grocery store.
Along with the above, we visited several booths. I bought another pound of home churned Amish butter and some Hickory smoked cheese; small red potatoes, 1 dz ears of butter sweet corn, and some pure honey from a local beekeeper.
I am so glad we found this place and I'm looking forward to making it a regular Saturday trip.
Have a great weekend...gotta go and get the spaghetti started.
We met someone who owned a local cattle farm. It was great to learn that all his cattle and sheep are grass fed...no antibiotics and no hormones. Also, they only supplement the grass with feed in the winter. My husband and I really want to be able to buy a 1/4 cow and was delighted to find out that they do this for .90 cents a pound (live weight). Now we just need to save up the money (about $250.00).
Today I did buy 10 pounds of ground beef - I'm going to use one in some spaghetti tonight. This farm also sells lamb, chicken and eggs - so I also bought a dz eggs. We just love the brown fresh eggs so much more than the ones at the grocery store.
Along with the above, we visited several booths. I bought another pound of home churned Amish butter and some Hickory smoked cheese; small red potatoes, 1 dz ears of butter sweet corn, and some pure honey from a local beekeeper.
I am so glad we found this place and I'm looking forward to making it a regular Saturday trip.
Have a great weekend...gotta go and get the spaghetti started.
Friday, June 19, 2009
One Thing After Another
Yeah....its Friday! I love Fridays...I don't have a "cleaning schedule" to follow on Fridays because if I have done what I'm supposed to have done during the week...it should really all be done.
Today I am baking a couple of loaves of bread because I am on my last loaf and I didn't bake any earlier this week. Laundry is done, except for my clothes that still need to be put away. I also need to go ahead and make out my weekly menu and grocery list...I'll try and share that later today or maybe tomorrow morning.
Like my post title says, this week and really been one thing after another.
Earlier this week, I was washing a load of clothes and came back into the laundry room to check on where the cycle was when I noticed there was water all over the laundry room floor. I immediately shut off the washer. Our washer is on the wall that backs up to our outside storage room. Sure enough, the storage room was flooded as well...uggh! With my husband's schedule, he wasn't able to check it out until Wednesday. Poor guy....it was raining that day and he needed to climb on the top of the roof to check something out - don't ask me...he told me, but I can't remember.
He worked on it all day and after making two trips to Lowe's was able to get all the piping worked out and low and behold...I was able to wash clothes again!! I had LOTS of clothes to wash. It really starts to back up after a couple of days. Luckily, it was just three of us here and not the usual 8, the amount of clothes could have been a lot worse.
Also on Wednesday, our air conditioner was just not doing a great job cooling down the house. With the humidity here, the temp has been in the low 100's. Just miserable to be outside, and it wasn't much better inside. The inside temp was 82. And while, that may be ok for some of you, we couldn't stand it. My wonderful husband brought home yesterday and guage and determined that we were really low on freon. So, fortunately hubby has a friend in the business and was able to come over yesterday and put more freon in, check everything out and pronounce it good to go. Wow....what a difference!!! The air that is now coming out is 68 degrees. Yay...it is soooo nice to have a cool house again. I just couldn't bake in a hot house.
Hubby also had to work on our lawnmower yesterday, but was able to get that going as well.
I feel that we have been attacked from all sides lately. I am so thankful that God has blessed our family with such a mechanically inclined husband who is able to take care of things around our house.
Have a blessed Friday!
Today I am baking a couple of loaves of bread because I am on my last loaf and I didn't bake any earlier this week. Laundry is done, except for my clothes that still need to be put away. I also need to go ahead and make out my weekly menu and grocery list...I'll try and share that later today or maybe tomorrow morning.
Like my post title says, this week and really been one thing after another.
Earlier this week, I was washing a load of clothes and came back into the laundry room to check on where the cycle was when I noticed there was water all over the laundry room floor. I immediately shut off the washer. Our washer is on the wall that backs up to our outside storage room. Sure enough, the storage room was flooded as well...uggh! With my husband's schedule, he wasn't able to check it out until Wednesday. Poor guy....it was raining that day and he needed to climb on the top of the roof to check something out - don't ask me...he told me, but I can't remember.
He worked on it all day and after making two trips to Lowe's was able to get all the piping worked out and low and behold...I was able to wash clothes again!! I had LOTS of clothes to wash. It really starts to back up after a couple of days. Luckily, it was just three of us here and not the usual 8, the amount of clothes could have been a lot worse.
Also on Wednesday, our air conditioner was just not doing a great job cooling down the house. With the humidity here, the temp has been in the low 100's. Just miserable to be outside, and it wasn't much better inside. The inside temp was 82. And while, that may be ok for some of you, we couldn't stand it. My wonderful husband brought home yesterday and guage and determined that we were really low on freon. So, fortunately hubby has a friend in the business and was able to come over yesterday and put more freon in, check everything out and pronounce it good to go. Wow....what a difference!!! The air that is now coming out is 68 degrees. Yay...it is soooo nice to have a cool house again. I just couldn't bake in a hot house.
Hubby also had to work on our lawnmower yesterday, but was able to get that going as well.
I feel that we have been attacked from all sides lately. I am so thankful that God has blessed our family with such a mechanically inclined husband who is able to take care of things around our house.
Have a blessed Friday!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
It's Okay to Have a Lazy Day Sometimes
Let me first say this....I have been dealing with guilt issues a lot here lately. I won't go into all the details, but let's just say that it has been weighing me down more than I think I can bear sometimes. With that being said, I'm am learning that it is okay for me to just step back sometimes and not put so much pressure on myself to get it all done on a specified day.
I love having a schedule and it makes me feel so good when I can mark off my list things that I got accomplished that day. However, it can also be a two edged sword...when I don't get everything done that I wanted to get done, it can make me feel extremely guilty. I'm sure some of you know what I mean...oh, I didn't get this done, or that done...I'm a bad housekeeper, bad wife, bad mom....and this list can go on and on.
It's okay to let it go sometimes...but just don't get in the habit of doing it everyday.
Yesterday, I took my son to the dentist. We had to be there at 8:00 am. We didn't leave until a little after 10:00 am. Well, that little trip threw a wrench in my schedule. My husband was still home and thankfully had my washing machine fixed (I had been without a washing machine for 3 days..YIKES!)so I proceeded to go ahead and get some more clothes washed. Before I knew it it was lunch time. I hadn't so much had begun to clean my kitchen like I normally do on Wednesdays.
So I took a schedule "time out". You know...my kitchen will still be here and I can do a deep clean another day. So yesterday, I did as much laundry as I could before it got too hot in the house(another problem I am dealing with) and spent most of the afternoon on the phone with our mortgage officer.
So cleaning for the day was pretty much out....and you know what...it's okay! I spent the afternoon renting movies and watching T.V. with my husband and son....
So, I was "lazy" for a day...so what! Maybe we all need to be lazy sometimes.
Sorry if this post doesn't make sense. It is early here and I haven't had my morning cup of coffee yet - but I have given the dog a bath!
Have a blessed Thursday!
I love having a schedule and it makes me feel so good when I can mark off my list things that I got accomplished that day. However, it can also be a two edged sword...when I don't get everything done that I wanted to get done, it can make me feel extremely guilty. I'm sure some of you know what I mean...oh, I didn't get this done, or that done...I'm a bad housekeeper, bad wife, bad mom....and this list can go on and on.
It's okay to let it go sometimes...but just don't get in the habit of doing it everyday.
Yesterday, I took my son to the dentist. We had to be there at 8:00 am. We didn't leave until a little after 10:00 am. Well, that little trip threw a wrench in my schedule. My husband was still home and thankfully had my washing machine fixed (I had been without a washing machine for 3 days..YIKES!)so I proceeded to go ahead and get some more clothes washed. Before I knew it it was lunch time. I hadn't so much had begun to clean my kitchen like I normally do on Wednesdays.
So I took a schedule "time out". You know...my kitchen will still be here and I can do a deep clean another day. So yesterday, I did as much laundry as I could before it got too hot in the house(another problem I am dealing with) and spent most of the afternoon on the phone with our mortgage officer.
So cleaning for the day was pretty much out....and you know what...it's okay! I spent the afternoon renting movies and watching T.V. with my husband and son....
So, I was "lazy" for a day...so what! Maybe we all need to be lazy sometimes.
Sorry if this post doesn't make sense. It is early here and I haven't had my morning cup of coffee yet - but I have given the dog a bath!
Have a blessed Thursday!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
The Best Banana Bread Ever
I usually try and bake on Wednesdays, but I have some bananas that I need to use TODAY. So, I'm going to make banana bread. My family absolutely loves banana bread and I've tried many different recipes. What I am using now is acutually not for banana bread, but I tweaked it a bit and now it is super! My son says it is the best banana bread that he has ever had. I will put nuts in it, if I have it on hand...if not, I just leave it out.
Best Banana Bread Ever
1/3 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups ripe mashed banana (sometimes, I will use even more)
1 1/2 cups bread flour (or all purpose flour)
3/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice
1/2 cups nuts of your choice
In a large bowl, you will need to cream your butter and sugar. We went to our local farmers' market this Saturday and picked up some home churned Amish Butter.
This is what it should look like once you have "creamed" your butter and sugar.
I had three bananas that needed to be used up, so it equaled a little over 1 1/2 cups when mashed.
Next add your bananas and 1 egg to bowl. Then mix well.
In a separate bowl, comine the flour, baking soda, connamon, baking powder, salt, and spices.
Mix your dry ingredients into your banana mixture using a large spoon. Once mixed well, you can fold in the nuts if you want to add them. Your dough should look like this:
Pour into lightly greased loaf pan.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 1 hour.
I have to say that it will make your home smell so WONDERFUL while baking.
Take out and let cool.
Best Banana Bread Ever
1/3 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups ripe mashed banana (sometimes, I will use even more)
1 1/2 cups bread flour (or all purpose flour)
3/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice
1/2 cups nuts of your choice
In a large bowl, you will need to cream your butter and sugar. We went to our local farmers' market this Saturday and picked up some home churned Amish Butter.
This is what it should look like once you have "creamed" your butter and sugar.
I had three bananas that needed to be used up, so it equaled a little over 1 1/2 cups when mashed.
Next add your bananas and 1 egg to bowl. Then mix well.
In a separate bowl, comine the flour, baking soda, connamon, baking powder, salt, and spices.
Mix your dry ingredients into your banana mixture using a large spoon. Once mixed well, you can fold in the nuts if you want to add them. Your dough should look like this:
Pour into lightly greased loaf pan.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 1 hour.
I have to say that it will make your home smell so WONDERFUL while baking.
Take out and let cool.
Just a Tuesday
Sorry, I didn't get the pictures and recipes posted the other day for my homemade barbeque and coleslaw. Storms rolled thru on Friday and I didn't want to et on the computer much.
We also had bad storms come thru yesterday afternoon. We were under tornado warning for quite some time. There was a funnel cloud spoted about 2 miles south of us.
We cleared out the linen closet in our bathroom so we could get in...there was just the three of us yesterday. It did get extremely dark and it hailed. The hail was about nickel or quarter size. My son was very grateful that there was enough room to pull his car under the carport.
But we made it through that, and then about an 1 1/2 hours later, more storms came thru, but we were just under a flash flood warning and a thunderstorm warning at that time. Whew!! It made for an exciting late afternoon!
Other than that, things are pretty quiet here. Other than the fact that we are dealing with......FLEAS! We have been trying to bathe our 2 dogs everyday and I vaccum the entire house everyday. We have hardwood floors and not carpet, which I am thankful for. Does anyone have any good remedies for getting rid of and keeping the fleas away? I really don't want to use harsh chemicals.
We also had bad storms come thru yesterday afternoon. We were under tornado warning for quite some time. There was a funnel cloud spoted about 2 miles south of us.
We cleared out the linen closet in our bathroom so we could get in...there was just the three of us yesterday. It did get extremely dark and it hailed. The hail was about nickel or quarter size. My son was very grateful that there was enough room to pull his car under the carport.
But we made it through that, and then about an 1 1/2 hours later, more storms came thru, but we were just under a flash flood warning and a thunderstorm warning at that time. Whew!! It made for an exciting late afternoon!
Other than that, things are pretty quiet here. Other than the fact that we are dealing with......FLEAS! We have been trying to bathe our 2 dogs everyday and I vaccum the entire house everyday. We have hardwood floors and not carpet, which I am thankful for. Does anyone have any good remedies for getting rid of and keeping the fleas away? I really don't want to use harsh chemicals.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Sigh
My dogs are driving me crazy! My pom woke me up early...actually, she has been whinny/barky all night long, but I just tried to ignore it. So, here I am up early, really early for me lately. And I don't want to be up yet. I just want to be back in bed. I let the dogs out and turned my back just for a minute and the next thing I know my pom has run out of the yard and down the street...she's that quick!
So, out I go in just my bathrobe calling down the street for her. I knew she was out front and down the street because I could hear her barking at a woman jogging.
Finally get her to come back to the house. Bad doggie!
This is not how I wanted to start out my morning.
Big Sigh.....
So, out I go in just my bathrobe calling down the street for her. I knew she was out front and down the street because I could hear her barking at a woman jogging.
Finally get her to come back to the house. Bad doggie!
This is not how I wanted to start out my morning.
Big Sigh.....
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Work at Home Ideas?
O.K...here's the deal. I would like to bring in some income to help my family. I always have been able to until we moved here.
Before I did some part time accounting work and I did in home childcare/preschool. I haven't had any luck here with the childcare, but it is something that I truly love.
Does anyone have any other suggestions? I do NOT want to do any time of MLM program. I don't have a land phone line either. I can do small bookeeping, and can type 75 wpm.
I can sew a little, but I'm still a beginner. I have tried selling my bread and stuff, but it's hard when you don't really know anyone and don't really have friends here since moving.
If you have something that has worked for you, could you PLEASE leave me a comment?
Upcoming for tomorrow: Today I am making homemade barbeque sandwiches, homemade buns, homemade coleslaw and potato wedges. I am documenting and taking pictures which is will post tomorrow along with all the recipes, so check back tomorrow!
Before I did some part time accounting work and I did in home childcare/preschool. I haven't had any luck here with the childcare, but it is something that I truly love.
Does anyone have any other suggestions? I do NOT want to do any time of MLM program. I don't have a land phone line either. I can do small bookeeping, and can type 75 wpm.
I can sew a little, but I'm still a beginner. I have tried selling my bread and stuff, but it's hard when you don't really know anyone and don't really have friends here since moving.
If you have something that has worked for you, could you PLEASE leave me a comment?
Upcoming for tomorrow: Today I am making homemade barbeque sandwiches, homemade buns, homemade coleslaw and potato wedges. I am documenting and taking pictures which is will post tomorrow along with all the recipes, so check back tomorrow!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Random Pictures
I know I have been promising some pictures, but our computer went whacko and my husband had to erase our hard drive and start over...uggh!
So here's some random pictures I took this morning.
This is one of my loaves of bread that I baked yesterday. We just love homemade bread. I have in the past made the sourdough wheat bread, but my family really doesn't like it. This is potato bread, which is one of my husband's favorites. You can find the recipe by going to the left and clicking on recipes.
These are our upside down tomato plants. We originally planted them in a half gallon milk jug, but transplanted them into these 5 gallon buckets I was able to pick up for free from our local freecycle group. As you can see, we only have one tomato at this time. My husband says he will really be disappointed if we only have the one. Keeping my fingers crossed for more.
This is my weekly dinner menu that I started posting on the fridge. I started putting it there because after awhile I really got tired of hearing 5 million time a day "What are we having for dinner?" Tonight we are having bacon wrapped steak fillets and baked potatoes and probably steamed veggies...yummm!
This is our T.V. showing what I have on in the mornings....Contemporary Christian music...My radio doesn't pick up K-Love here, and if I put it on the computer, I wouldn't be able to hear it in most of the house. So, I just listen to the contemporary music channel from our cable company.
This is the inside of my fridge today....pretty messy huh? Well, today is "Kitchen" day and the day that I clean out the fridge. Since I worked the past two weeks, unfortunately, the fridge was neglected. It needs some love. I usually try and not let it ever get this bad. Maybe I'll post an "after" picture tomorrow.
Here's the picture of the fridge after I cleaned it out. I took out the bottom bins and washed them out and wiped down all the shelves. Looks much better now. Also, I know that looks like beer on the bottom, but its non-alcoholic (for my hubby).
Well, I guess that's it for the random stuff. Like I said before, today is "Kitchen" day, so I've got lots to do. I try to schedule it the day before my garbage man comes so I can clean the fridge and stuff and not worry about it sitting out in the garbage for days.
I hope everyone has a blessed Wednesday!
So here's some random pictures I took this morning.
This is one of my loaves of bread that I baked yesterday. We just love homemade bread. I have in the past made the sourdough wheat bread, but my family really doesn't like it. This is potato bread, which is one of my husband's favorites. You can find the recipe by going to the left and clicking on recipes.
These are our upside down tomato plants. We originally planted them in a half gallon milk jug, but transplanted them into these 5 gallon buckets I was able to pick up for free from our local freecycle group. As you can see, we only have one tomato at this time. My husband says he will really be disappointed if we only have the one. Keeping my fingers crossed for more.
This is my weekly dinner menu that I started posting on the fridge. I started putting it there because after awhile I really got tired of hearing 5 million time a day "What are we having for dinner?" Tonight we are having bacon wrapped steak fillets and baked potatoes and probably steamed veggies...yummm!
This is our T.V. showing what I have on in the mornings....Contemporary Christian music...My radio doesn't pick up K-Love here, and if I put it on the computer, I wouldn't be able to hear it in most of the house. So, I just listen to the contemporary music channel from our cable company.
This is the inside of my fridge today....pretty messy huh? Well, today is "Kitchen" day and the day that I clean out the fridge. Since I worked the past two weeks, unfortunately, the fridge was neglected. It needs some love. I usually try and not let it ever get this bad. Maybe I'll post an "after" picture tomorrow.
Here's the picture of the fridge after I cleaned it out. I took out the bottom bins and washed them out and wiped down all the shelves. Looks much better now. Also, I know that looks like beer on the bottom, but its non-alcoholic (for my hubby).
Well, I guess that's it for the random stuff. Like I said before, today is "Kitchen" day, so I've got lots to do. I try to schedule it the day before my garbage man comes so I can clean the fridge and stuff and not worry about it sitting out in the garbage for days.
I hope everyone has a blessed Wednesday!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Productive Day and Bathrooms
Today was a productive day. I did get my three loaves of bread baked..yay! It's been over two weeks since I've baked bread. I actually had to go and buy store bought bread last week.
Since today was Tuesday, it's the day I have set aside in my schedule for cleaning the bathrooms. Normally, I will, on a daily basis swipe the toilet seats and wipe down the bathroom counters. However, on Tuesdays, I really clean the counters, sinks, inside and outside of the toilets, scrub the tubs/showers and clean the tiles. I also clean the mirrors, wipe down the light switch covers and wipe down the doors. The area around the handles can get really dirty with so many little hands touching it, so it is important for me to clean those once a week. I also will sweep and clean the bathroom floors.
If you do this once a week and just swipe the toilet and the counters on a daily basis, you can keep the bathroom clean.
I have a fear of someone coming over to visit and then asking to use the bathroom and my bathroom be nasty. Years ago, when my boys were little and I was working full time outside the home, this would be a problem. I cringed whenever anyone wanted to use the bathroom and would fly down the hall to check it out quickly and make sure the boys didn't leave it in a total mess (you know how little boys can be sometimes).
Now, I don't worry so much about that....It's not always spotless, but I'm not embarrassed by it either.
Since today was Tuesday, it's the day I have set aside in my schedule for cleaning the bathrooms. Normally, I will, on a daily basis swipe the toilet seats and wipe down the bathroom counters. However, on Tuesdays, I really clean the counters, sinks, inside and outside of the toilets, scrub the tubs/showers and clean the tiles. I also clean the mirrors, wipe down the light switch covers and wipe down the doors. The area around the handles can get really dirty with so many little hands touching it, so it is important for me to clean those once a week. I also will sweep and clean the bathroom floors.
If you do this once a week and just swipe the toilet and the counters on a daily basis, you can keep the bathroom clean.
I have a fear of someone coming over to visit and then asking to use the bathroom and my bathroom be nasty. Years ago, when my boys were little and I was working full time outside the home, this would be a problem. I cringed whenever anyone wanted to use the bathroom and would fly down the hall to check it out quickly and make sure the boys didn't leave it in a total mess (you know how little boys can be sometimes).
Now, I don't worry so much about that....It's not always spotless, but I'm not embarrassed by it either.
Great News!
Just a quickie here while I have a moment. Great news, my 18 yr old is moving back home with me! I have missed him terribly since we have moved.
Please pray for all of us as he will be looking for a job and we will be moving things around in the house to make additional room. This will be a big change for all of us since he has not lived at home in over a year.
Well, gotta go and clean those bathrooms!!!
Please pray for all of us as he will be looking for a job and we will be moving things around in the house to make additional room. This will be a big change for all of us since he has not lived at home in over a year.
Well, gotta go and clean those bathrooms!!!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Monday, Monday....
I hope everyone had a great weekend! Wow...it sure is quiet here with all the kids gone. My husband came home this morning and oops....I slept in. I didn't mean to. I woke up and looked at the clock and it said 6:40, so I thought that I would just lay there until 7:30 and get up and get things started. Well, about 8:30, my cell phone rang and it was my husband. He was at the back door without a house key. He took my vehicle last night and my house key wasn't on the set of keys, it was in my purse - oops!
He decided that he was hungry and wanted to go out to breakfast.....it has been AGES since we have done this, so off to IHOP we went. Yummo!!!
We got back and I really needed to get busy...so I've managed to get two loads of laundry done, deep clean my bedroom, deep clean the computer room/stepdaughter's room, and get one loaf of bread started, tidy up the kitchen and living room.
I still need to get another loaf of bread started, deep clean my son's room (while he is gone), deep clean the boys' room, get to the post office and bank (I might put off the bank until tomorrow), and get dinner going.
Hubby just went to bed and I hope to see him up around 7:00 or 8:00 tonight...otherwise, its just me!
I'm going to try and post a little later (but can't make any promises).
Have a blessed Monday!
He decided that he was hungry and wanted to go out to breakfast.....it has been AGES since we have done this, so off to IHOP we went. Yummo!!!
We got back and I really needed to get busy...so I've managed to get two loads of laundry done, deep clean my bedroom, deep clean the computer room/stepdaughter's room, and get one loaf of bread started, tidy up the kitchen and living room.
I still need to get another loaf of bread started, deep clean my son's room (while he is gone), deep clean the boys' room, get to the post office and bank (I might put off the bank until tomorrow), and get dinner going.
Hubby just went to bed and I hope to see him up around 7:00 or 8:00 tonight...otherwise, its just me!
I'm going to try and post a little later (but can't make any promises).
Have a blessed Monday!
Friday, June 5, 2009
Changes AGAIN
I promise that I am not trying to neglect my blog. It has been a difficult week this past week. I can't believe I haven't written since Monday...wow! I will definitely have to do better with that.
I took off work Wednesday because my son Brian was having some health problems and we ended back at the cardiologist office that day. Fortunately, his EKG and his blood pressure were fine. They determined it was probably just a panic attack. He is still here with me until Sunday. It will be hard to see him go. However, there is a chance that he might move back here permanently in the near future. We'll just have to see how that goes.
As far as my job goes, I hated it...so after talking it over with my husband, we decided it just wasn't for me. So yesterday was my last day. I know...short lived. It's not that I am opposed to working, but this particular job was just not for me. Plus I have decided that if and when I do go back to work, it will NOT be full time ....part time only. It was a difficult and emotional decision for me and I did cry because I felt that I was letting my husband down. He works so hard and I wanted to be able to give him a break. But it was truly making me miserable. And you know the saying, "When momma ain't happy, no one is happy".
So, here I am back home. Still trying to figure out where my place is and what I want to do. Going to try and leave it in God's hands and trust in his promises that He is in control and will provide for all of our needs. Sometimes it is easier to say than do.
My step kids just left about an hour ago and it will be much quieter around here. My youngest stepson and stepdaughter and I watched a movie last night and they gave me a great massage at the same time...how nice! They will be gone about 3 weeks before we see them again. My two sons will be leaving on Sunday for 2 weeks. I will have to find something to occupy my time while they are gone. It will be a good time to try and catch up on my sewing. I STILL have a baby bumper pad to sew that I promised almost a month ago....bad me!
Well, I guess that is all for now. Blake is bugging me to get on the computer. I hope your weekend is off to a great start!
I took off work Wednesday because my son Brian was having some health problems and we ended back at the cardiologist office that day. Fortunately, his EKG and his blood pressure were fine. They determined it was probably just a panic attack. He is still here with me until Sunday. It will be hard to see him go. However, there is a chance that he might move back here permanently in the near future. We'll just have to see how that goes.
As far as my job goes, I hated it...so after talking it over with my husband, we decided it just wasn't for me. So yesterday was my last day. I know...short lived. It's not that I am opposed to working, but this particular job was just not for me. Plus I have decided that if and when I do go back to work, it will NOT be full time ....part time only. It was a difficult and emotional decision for me and I did cry because I felt that I was letting my husband down. He works so hard and I wanted to be able to give him a break. But it was truly making me miserable. And you know the saying, "When momma ain't happy, no one is happy".
So, here I am back home. Still trying to figure out where my place is and what I want to do. Going to try and leave it in God's hands and trust in his promises that He is in control and will provide for all of our needs. Sometimes it is easier to say than do.
My step kids just left about an hour ago and it will be much quieter around here. My youngest stepson and stepdaughter and I watched a movie last night and they gave me a great massage at the same time...how nice! They will be gone about 3 weeks before we see them again. My two sons will be leaving on Sunday for 2 weeks. I will have to find something to occupy my time while they are gone. It will be a good time to try and catch up on my sewing. I STILL have a baby bumper pad to sew that I promised almost a month ago....bad me!
Well, I guess that is all for now. Blake is bugging me to get on the computer. I hope your weekend is off to a great start!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Just a Followup
Well, dinner has been eaten and the kitchen cleaned up. Laundry has been folded and put away. I wash all bedding on Mondays and the kids are responsible for putting the sheets back on the beds.
The three oldest boys(18, 14, 13) are in the living room watching a movie. My stepdaugher, Kaylin (9), is in my son's room watching a movie and my stepson, Jared (10), is lying on the bed next to the computer reading a book. And my husband is in bed sleeping before he has to go into work tonight.
It is nice to just have a (little) break. Of course, I still need to pack my hubby's dinner for tonight, which I'll do in just a bit. But after that, I'm done for the night.
I realized I never elaborated anything about my son's surgery. We had to be at the hospital at 8 am on Friday morning. I went back with him around 9 am so they could do his blood work and the IV. While this was being done, his face turned scarlet red and he almost passed out. I had to rush to the bathroom to get a wet towel to put around his neck. After that, he felt much better.
Then they took him to the Cath Lab Pre/Post Room where we said our goodbyes before they took him into surgery. Back to the waiting room I went. I received a call about 10:30 that morning telling me that they were about to get started.
The staff was very good at calling me to give me updates throughout the procedure. His surgery lasted until about 2:30 or 3:00 at which time the doctor called me and said that they found something totally different than what they thought they would find.
In a previous post I wrote that my son has a condition known as Wolf-Parkinson-White Syndrome. When they did the catheter abalation this time, they discovered that the cause of his rapid heart rate was known as Atypical AVNRT. They said while this is common, it is very uncommon for a patient to have both Wolf-Parkinson-White Syndrome and Atypical AVNRT.
Brian was finally brought up to a room on the Cath floor of the hospital where we were informed that he was the youngest patient (18) on the entire floor. It was a rough night. The anesthesia gave him a very bad headache and he also suffered from severe nausea which caused MUCH vomiting (I know, yuck!). I felt really bad for him.
Also, after the procedure is done, you have to lie completely still for 6 hours. You can raise your head only 20 degrees. So you can imagine how hard it was being sick to your stomach.
It would take an hour for the nurse to get to our room after we made a call. Also alarms would go off in our room and the nurses would never come to check on them. This made no sense since his room was directly across from the nurses station. A couple of times, I had to open the door wide open and then ask them if they heard the alarm. Thank goodness there was not something going on that was life threatening!
Anyhow, he was released from the hospital on Saturday around 12:30 pm. I have called the cardiologist today to try and make a follow up appointment, but so far...no such luck. I'll try again tomorrow.
Again, thanks for all the well wishes and prayers!!
The three oldest boys(18, 14, 13) are in the living room watching a movie. My stepdaugher, Kaylin (9), is in my son's room watching a movie and my stepson, Jared (10), is lying on the bed next to the computer reading a book. And my husband is in bed sleeping before he has to go into work tonight.
It is nice to just have a (little) break. Of course, I still need to pack my hubby's dinner for tonight, which I'll do in just a bit. But after that, I'm done for the night.
I realized I never elaborated anything about my son's surgery. We had to be at the hospital at 8 am on Friday morning. I went back with him around 9 am so they could do his blood work and the IV. While this was being done, his face turned scarlet red and he almost passed out. I had to rush to the bathroom to get a wet towel to put around his neck. After that, he felt much better.
Then they took him to the Cath Lab Pre/Post Room where we said our goodbyes before they took him into surgery. Back to the waiting room I went. I received a call about 10:30 that morning telling me that they were about to get started.
The staff was very good at calling me to give me updates throughout the procedure. His surgery lasted until about 2:30 or 3:00 at which time the doctor called me and said that they found something totally different than what they thought they would find.
In a previous post I wrote that my son has a condition known as Wolf-Parkinson-White Syndrome. When they did the catheter abalation this time, they discovered that the cause of his rapid heart rate was known as Atypical AVNRT. They said while this is common, it is very uncommon for a patient to have both Wolf-Parkinson-White Syndrome and Atypical AVNRT.
Brian was finally brought up to a room on the Cath floor of the hospital where we were informed that he was the youngest patient (18) on the entire floor. It was a rough night. The anesthesia gave him a very bad headache and he also suffered from severe nausea which caused MUCH vomiting (I know, yuck!). I felt really bad for him.
Also, after the procedure is done, you have to lie completely still for 6 hours. You can raise your head only 20 degrees. So you can imagine how hard it was being sick to your stomach.
It would take an hour for the nurse to get to our room after we made a call. Also alarms would go off in our room and the nurses would never come to check on them. This made no sense since his room was directly across from the nurses station. A couple of times, I had to open the door wide open and then ask them if they heard the alarm. Thank goodness there was not something going on that was life threatening!
Anyhow, he was released from the hospital on Saturday around 12:30 pm. I have called the cardiologist today to try and make a follow up appointment, but so far...no such luck. I'll try again tomorrow.
Again, thanks for all the well wishes and prayers!!
Why I Am Working
My first and foremost love is staying at home and being a supportive wife to my husband, keeper of our home and a caring mom.
If my children were younger, I would NOT be working outside of my home. However, since that is not the case, I decided it would be nice to be able to be caught up on our bills and give my husband a much needed break from working so much overtime.
Last week he worked 72 hours..he worked 21 days straight with only 1 day off. He has been great doing whatever is needed to provide for our family, but I can see that it is taking a toll on him.
And yes, it is only day 4 working away from the home and we are still adjusting. The kids have really stepped up by doing whatever is asked of them. It is really nice coming home to a cleaned up house. Since I made a computer schedule for everyone, there is no more fighting...whoopee!!!
My son, Brian, is home with me from surgery...so we have a full house - 5 kids...three of which are teenagers. I can tell you that my grocery bill was sky high this time around....they can eat A LOT!!!
Next week, however, it will be very quiet as we will have no kids. That's right...two weeks with no kids! I will miss them much probably after a couple of days (but I'm still looking forward to the peace and quiet and control of the T.V. again...LOL).
For tonight, I make Baked Penne Pasta with a tomato zuchinni sauce. My oldest stepson is a vegetarian so I try to incorporate some vegetarian meals into our menu.
Well, dinner is about done and I still have two loads of laundry to get done.
Have a blessed Monday!!!
If my children were younger, I would NOT be working outside of my home. However, since that is not the case, I decided it would be nice to be able to be caught up on our bills and give my husband a much needed break from working so much overtime.
Last week he worked 72 hours..he worked 21 days straight with only 1 day off. He has been great doing whatever is needed to provide for our family, but I can see that it is taking a toll on him.
And yes, it is only day 4 working away from the home and we are still adjusting. The kids have really stepped up by doing whatever is asked of them. It is really nice coming home to a cleaned up house. Since I made a computer schedule for everyone, there is no more fighting...whoopee!!!
My son, Brian, is home with me from surgery...so we have a full house - 5 kids...three of which are teenagers. I can tell you that my grocery bill was sky high this time around....they can eat A LOT!!!
Next week, however, it will be very quiet as we will have no kids. That's right...two weeks with no kids! I will miss them much probably after a couple of days (but I'm still looking forward to the peace and quiet and control of the T.V. again...LOL).
For tonight, I make Baked Penne Pasta with a tomato zuchinni sauce. My oldest stepson is a vegetarian so I try to incorporate some vegetarian meals into our menu.
Well, dinner is about done and I still have two loads of laundry to get done.
Have a blessed Monday!!!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Son Out of the Hospital
Just have time for a quick post. My son did great in surgery Friday and is now home with me resting comfortably.
I wasn't too pleased with the care he received in the hospital however.
I will go into more details tomorrow evening. Just wanted to let everyone know.
I wasn't too pleased with the care he received in the hospital however.
I will go into more details tomorrow evening. Just wanted to let everyone know.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Taking a Posting Break
This will probably be my last post until Monday. As many of you know, my son will be having heart surgery tomorrow and I will be going out of town so I can be with him.
I know the Lord will take care of everything and I'm not really nervous about it especially since we recently went thru this in October.
My husband and his kids will be staying here. I know they will enjoy having their dad just to themselves. And I know he will enjoy spending time with them.
I know I have been lacking putting up pictures lately and I hope to remedy that next week.
I've also got some great recipes I want to try and get posted as well.
Well, gotta go. I still need to make dinner for everyone and get my stuff packed and try and leave in about 2 1/2 hours.
I hope everyone has a great weekend!!!
I know the Lord will take care of everything and I'm not really nervous about it especially since we recently went thru this in October.
My husband and his kids will be staying here. I know they will enjoy having their dad just to themselves. And I know he will enjoy spending time with them.
I know I have been lacking putting up pictures lately and I hope to remedy that next week.
I've also got some great recipes I want to try and get posted as well.
Well, gotta go. I still need to make dinner for everyone and get my stuff packed and try and leave in about 2 1/2 hours.
I hope everyone has a great weekend!!!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Working Outside the Home - uggh!
Okay...I started a new job yesterday. I already realize that I HATE this job...its just not for me. I'm glad it's only temporary, lasting just 90 days. I think I can tough it out for that long, but it will be nice to have the extra money. We can really use it.
My hours are from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm with an hour for lunch. I get up at 5am and take my shower and start the coffee. I then put a load of laundry in the washer and go ahead and unload the dishes. While drinking my cup of coffee, I make out a list of chores that I want the kids to accomplish by the time I get home. Realistically, they SHOULD be doing them before any computer or video time...we are still working on that. I will also write out a menu for the day...it lists breakfast, lunch, snack and what I will be making for dinner when I get home.
Just to give you an idea, here's the chore chart from today. I put everyone's name in front of the task (but I'm not going to list their names here, only the chores)
sweep kitchen floor
spot clean kitchen floor
vaccum living and dining room
feed animals
put laundry from washer into the dryer and turn on dryer
clean outside refrigerator
clean bottom kitchen cabinets
clean ALL kitchen counters
clean outside microwave
clean outside of stove/oven
wipe down bathroom counter
wipe down counter & table after lunch
put away dishes that you use - everyone
sweep laundry room
I know that looks like a lot, but with 4 kids, it only comes out to be 3 tasks per child.
I also have to list the following or they won't do it :(
eat breakfast
brush teeth
brush hair
get dressed
make bed
tidy room
Yesterday was our first day with the routine, and we had some issues with one child...and we had issues today with the same child. Hopefully, tomorrow will go more smoothly.
I come home for lunch and try to fix everyone's lunch before I have to get back to work. I can tell, this is just not the life for me.
Anyway, I am leaving tomorrow night to travel to the hospital as my son will be having heart surgery Friday morning. My mother-in-law will be coming over to spend the night with the kids since my husband works night shift - otherwise no one would be here. I am hoping to be back in town sometime on Saturday and will be looking forward to some down time.
My hours are from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm with an hour for lunch. I get up at 5am and take my shower and start the coffee. I then put a load of laundry in the washer and go ahead and unload the dishes. While drinking my cup of coffee, I make out a list of chores that I want the kids to accomplish by the time I get home. Realistically, they SHOULD be doing them before any computer or video time...we are still working on that. I will also write out a menu for the day...it lists breakfast, lunch, snack and what I will be making for dinner when I get home.
Just to give you an idea, here's the chore chart from today. I put everyone's name in front of the task (but I'm not going to list their names here, only the chores)
sweep kitchen floor
spot clean kitchen floor
vaccum living and dining room
feed animals
put laundry from washer into the dryer and turn on dryer
clean outside refrigerator
clean bottom kitchen cabinets
clean ALL kitchen counters
clean outside microwave
clean outside of stove/oven
wipe down bathroom counter
wipe down counter & table after lunch
put away dishes that you use - everyone
sweep laundry room
I know that looks like a lot, but with 4 kids, it only comes out to be 3 tasks per child.
I also have to list the following or they won't do it :(
eat breakfast
brush teeth
brush hair
get dressed
make bed
tidy room
Yesterday was our first day with the routine, and we had some issues with one child...and we had issues today with the same child. Hopefully, tomorrow will go more smoothly.
I come home for lunch and try to fix everyone's lunch before I have to get back to work. I can tell, this is just not the life for me.
Anyway, I am leaving tomorrow night to travel to the hospital as my son will be having heart surgery Friday morning. My mother-in-law will be coming over to spend the night with the kids since my husband works night shift - otherwise no one would be here. I am hoping to be back in town sometime on Saturday and will be looking forward to some down time.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Children and Lying
My stepkids are here for two weeks, so we have a full house and it has been quite busy. It will be interesting to see how it goes since I will be starting my new job tomorrow. I am looking forward to it and dreading it at the same time. My anxiety level is extremely high right now.
How do you teach a child that lying is just plain wrong? It is something that we struggle with my stepkids. In the past, this is what we have done. I made a "lying" bag out of a ziploc baggie. In the baggie, I included 5 blank index cards along with a pencil. On a separate index card, I wrote down 4 questions:
1. Is lying wrong?
2. Why is lying wrong?
3. Have you ever lied?
4. Is there ever a time when lying is acceptable?
I will usually "ground" this person form T.V. and video games until this assignment is complete.
The child is instructed that he must interview 5 adults. The child will ask the adult to sign his/her name at the top of the blank index card along with the date. The child will ask the adult the questions and will write the answers down on the card. The child is NOT required to tell the adult why he/she has this assignment.
Once all cards have been completed, the bag is returned and the assignment is completed and the child can be "ungrounded".
The child is put in control of how long he/she is grounded.
The next time the child lies, give him/her the assignment bag again. This time tell the child that he/she has to interview 10 adults and 5 of them MUST be from the previous interview.
It has worked for us in the past.
How do you teach a child that lying is just plain wrong? It is something that we struggle with my stepkids. In the past, this is what we have done. I made a "lying" bag out of a ziploc baggie. In the baggie, I included 5 blank index cards along with a pencil. On a separate index card, I wrote down 4 questions:
1. Is lying wrong?
2. Why is lying wrong?
3. Have you ever lied?
4. Is there ever a time when lying is acceptable?
I will usually "ground" this person form T.V. and video games until this assignment is complete.
The child is instructed that he must interview 5 adults. The child will ask the adult to sign his/her name at the top of the blank index card along with the date. The child will ask the adult the questions and will write the answers down on the card. The child is NOT required to tell the adult why he/she has this assignment.
Once all cards have been completed, the bag is returned and the assignment is completed and the child can be "ungrounded".
The child is put in control of how long he/she is grounded.
The next time the child lies, give him/her the assignment bag again. This time tell the child that he/she has to interview 10 adults and 5 of them MUST be from the previous interview.
It has worked for us in the past.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Big News
Well, my Big News is........I got a job! It will really help get us back on track. I love, love, love being able to stay at home. But this is the right decision at this time.
It has been 10 years since I worked full time and a lot things have changed since then. One, I won't have little ones to take care of or worry about daycare, so it should make it MUCH easier.
However, I go into this with concern and worry. Will I be able to keep up with everything? Will I be able to keep my house clean (to my standards), cook, bake, laundry, and still have time with my family?
It will definitely be a big change for everyone involved as I will be seeking more help from them to keep things running smoothly.
I will be working this weekend on writing out a new routine which I will be happy to share with you. My step-kids are coming tomorrow and will be here for two weeks so I want to make sure EVERYONE has something to do while I am away. Luckily, my husband will be home during the day to supervise...LOL.
On another note, we just found out that my son Blake probably will NOT be going to public school in the fall. I talked with the school this morning and was very upset. The will not accept any of his highschool grades/credits! They will require him to come and take their final exam in each of his subjects. Whatever grade he makes on their final exam is the grade that he will receive for that class. He would have to go and take 9 final exams which is ridiculous! My oldest son went to public school in the 10th grade and just had to take a placement exam...no problem.
But this other is just..plain STUPID.
He was really looking forward to going to "school" in the fall. I guess we will just have to look at other options. I checked into some of the private schools, but the tuition is just way too expensive and not at all feasible.
Well, I've gotta run. There is so much stuff that I need to get done.
Hope everyone has a great Thursday!
It has been 10 years since I worked full time and a lot things have changed since then. One, I won't have little ones to take care of or worry about daycare, so it should make it MUCH easier.
However, I go into this with concern and worry. Will I be able to keep up with everything? Will I be able to keep my house clean (to my standards), cook, bake, laundry, and still have time with my family?
It will definitely be a big change for everyone involved as I will be seeking more help from them to keep things running smoothly.
I will be working this weekend on writing out a new routine which I will be happy to share with you. My step-kids are coming tomorrow and will be here for two weeks so I want to make sure EVERYONE has something to do while I am away. Luckily, my husband will be home during the day to supervise...LOL.
On another note, we just found out that my son Blake probably will NOT be going to public school in the fall. I talked with the school this morning and was very upset. The will not accept any of his highschool grades/credits! They will require him to come and take their final exam in each of his subjects. Whatever grade he makes on their final exam is the grade that he will receive for that class. He would have to go and take 9 final exams which is ridiculous! My oldest son went to public school in the 10th grade and just had to take a placement exam...no problem.
But this other is just..plain STUPID.
He was really looking forward to going to "school" in the fall. I guess we will just have to look at other options. I checked into some of the private schools, but the tuition is just way too expensive and not at all feasible.
Well, I've gotta run. There is so much stuff that I need to get done.
Hope everyone has a great Thursday!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Another Graduation
Another milestone came and went Friday...my son Brian graduated highschool!
We started homeschooling Brian in the fourth grade when I removed him from public school and it was the best decision that I made.
It has not always been easy, you'll have to trust me on that. In fact, when he started 8th grade, we decided to put him back into public school because he was such a strong willed child and I was having some difficulty. However, putting him back in public school was a disaster! He hated it, I hated...it was awful. We both stuck it out for the entire year and that was enough. He came back home to school when 9th grade rolled around.
Homeschooling thru highschool CAN be done. Brian is my second son to homeschool graduate. Also, they DO have a graduation ceremony and the DO get a valid diploma...and the DO NOT have any problems getting into college. If you have any questions about homeschooling in highschool, just leave me a comment and I'll get back with you.
We started homeschooling Brian in the fourth grade when I removed him from public school and it was the best decision that I made.
It has not always been easy, you'll have to trust me on that. In fact, when he started 8th grade, we decided to put him back into public school because he was such a strong willed child and I was having some difficulty. However, putting him back in public school was a disaster! He hated it, I hated...it was awful. We both stuck it out for the entire year and that was enough. He came back home to school when 9th grade rolled around.
Homeschooling thru highschool CAN be done. Brian is my second son to homeschool graduate. Also, they DO have a graduation ceremony and the DO get a valid diploma...and the DO NOT have any problems getting into college. If you have any questions about homeschooling in highschool, just leave me a comment and I'll get back with you.
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