Thankful Thursday

*I am thankful that Ethan is starting to feel better.
*I am thankful for being able to take several days
off school to take care of him.
*I am thankful for caring friends and family.
*I am thankful, as is Tiffany, that is was not swine flu-YET!
*I am thankful that Lyns is still cooking her baby and I didn't miss it.
* I am thankful that my friend's needs are being met in a way to bring
God the glory.
*I am thankful that the weather is starting to turn golden, and my kids are spending more and
more time outside, and not underfoot ;)

What are you thankful for?

Is that a better pic?

Wordless Wednesday

Guess Who Has been Licking Toliets at Walmart??

We have the Croup, again ~sigh~

I Just Want to Let Everyone Know...

That my sister is CRAZY!!


She is 37 weeks preggo with a little boy and is currently living in b-ham. Her last name is....just kidding, remember perverts, the pitbulls! Anyway she has a dog that has been her baby, as in this dog would probably be content to nurse and be carried in a sling...except for the fact that Lola is a lab and might not fit in the sling...


This is the first picture I received...

Then I received this one after John and LynsI started taking the birthing classes. Lyndsay writes and I quote," John has been practicing his “swaddling” on Lola every night!! Poor dog!! She has to undo herself quietly or he will go back and do it again! It is hysterical! "

The baby has a name, see if you can figure it out. I hope they don't change their mind to Cayden or anything..

And a pic of the happy couple, I hope they move home soon...

Somehow I don't think this New Years will quite look like this...?? Unless it's "Party in my crib BYOB"

Contest

This looks like a cool DVD set, here is the info

Franklin Springs Family Media is THE best when it comes to family films that are encouraging, uplifting, educating…we love ‘em! I have a ‘hot off the presses’ set of the new “Homestead Blessings” series on the art of Canning, Gardening and Herbs. They are WONDERFUL!!!!! Hosted by the West Ladies, and their sweet, simple charm and they are so easy to learn from-I just love this DVD series….!

So….would you like to win a set for yourself? You can, and it’s SIMPLE.
We’re running this contest the until September 25th! On that date, my handsome 2 year old son will draw a winner out of the ol’ hat We’ll post the Winner on the 26th!
Thanks for playing along….


to enter go here

Upcoming Projects

* Amelia's Quilt (Get Off My Back ;))

* Soap, I plan on making a BIG batch of soap, so if anyone else wants to come and bring their scale and figure my math, I will supply the lye!! Peppermint smells so yummy around the holidays and it tingles when you use it!!

* I really want a fall or halloween quilt for ME! I don't want to give it away. I want to curl up on the couch with it and sit in front of the fire... If it ever got cold enough at Halloween or Thanksgiving for a fire...

* This weekend I am starting all my seeds for my square foot garden, No hoeing for me!

* This weekend Mike is building me 8 4x6 raised beds, Lucky him!

* Liv is very interested in bees at the moment, and the best field trip around is to swing by Lowe's garden center in the morning. There were tons of bees and you could sit and watch them do their bee "thing". So one of our raised boxes will be devoted to bee and butterfly attractant plants. Is attractant a word?? i am so toying with the idea of a backyard hive... Just a little chicken that I may push my neighbors over the edge..

* The laundry line is back in use, my power bill is still outrageous, so I am back to hanging out my undies...

* And last but not least cleaning out my car, this weekend, NO excuses!

Need a new workout program?

Want to make your husband happy?


Here is an excerpt from the program...

"..., do you have any idea what would happen around here if I asked Curt if we could work out with a hoe? He'd look at me and say "It's not even my birthday." and then die from the shock with a smile on his face, that's what."

Go here for the Extreme Hoeing Workout Program, yes girls it's that time a year again ;)

What am I thinking...

* Woohoo AWANA night, 2 hours alone in silence

* My car could be condemned, I should clean it in the 2 hours I have alone...I am pretty sure Debi's girls will have some stories about my car.

* I need to refill workboxes, do the dishes, sweep, mop and finish my ever proliferating laundry pile. My laundry is breeding and I am pretty sure it is on fertility meds with how much it multiplies.

* Instead I am typing this post about what I should be doing...

* Ethan told me he took his pants off in the circle room today with his friend Jared & Sara (who are both boys). The idea that a boy was named Sara should have clued me into the fact that he was telling me a whopper. But I was hanging on every word sure that this may be the final straw in his short lived pre school career. I knew Shawnie would have said something to Mike if there was an issue, however I doubted and called, and guess what?? There is no Jared or Sara or any nudity in the circle room today! I am pretty sure Ethan is going to push me right over the edge. On a good note he hasn't been in time out in a few days ;) at leaast that I know of, and I am going firmly by "what I don't know won't hurt me!!"

* My schedule is still very crazy, I hope I find my groove soon..

* I am thinking about whether or not I am going to panic or not about swine flu. I always like a good disaster scenario, but I really don't have time to get all into it right now...

* Ok, I really am going to use my time constructively and go do some work...

Who in Lake County has not seen me today without my bra?

Raise your hand??


I was running late with school so I opted to make up time by skipping the morning dressing and shower routine. So of course

*Rhonda and her mom stopped by

* My talkative neighbor stopped in..

* My mother came by for a chat..

* and Debi picked up my kids...Thank you..thank you...

and the whole time I was wearing sleep pants and a white t-shirt minus that one important article of clothing that would have made the whole outfit respectable. I could have dealt with the smeared mascara, greasy bedhead, or the fact that it was 2pm and I was still in my PJ's if I had my bra!! Makes you wonder did she brush her teeth??

Oh well if anyone missed it I don't think I will be hopping in the shower for another 30 minutes. Please ring the doorbell ;)

Did I Mention Maddy Is Home??

I realized since having her home, how much I have missed her. We just finished reading Walk 2 Moons and we laughed and cried and just REALLY enjoyed this book together.

It is nice to have my pre teen home ;)

Oh, and go out and get this book, it is fabulous!!

My favorite quotes

"don't judge a man until you've walked two moons in his moccasins."

and

"In the course of a lifetime, what does it matter?"

If we only lived with these bits of wisdom...hmmm

Maddy's Back

Labor Day Fun Freebies

For Labor Day how about a free sandwich and movie?

Redbox code for today is T46T3Q7 & wear your favorite team t-shirt to chick fil A for a free sandwich.

What Could Almost Make Me Want Another Baby?

Would you all think I was crazy if I wore this to park day with Liv's bitty baby in it?

Does anyone have a baby I can wear for a little while? I need a reason to buy one of these cool wraps from loveyduds

Come on ladies he's going to make one of your girls a good daddy one day ;)

Spoiled at home

I have come to the revelation that I am totally spoiled and cannot function well without Mike. Last night I had to drive both to and from AWANA, get the kids fed and to bed all by myself, lose half a nights sleep because I heard suspicious noises and I was trying to recall why we live in the pervert capital of the country and did I chain lock the back door. I don't know why I worry my 2 pitbulls would make short work of anyone trying to step foot in the house uninvited ;) Then I had to drag my sleep deprived butt out of bed, get the kids ready, let the chickens out, drive to preschool and then pick up from preschool... So at about 2:45 ish I had the grand idea that I would drag out a big bucket of Leggos, lock the doors (put the pitbulls on duty) and let the kids play leggos while I caught a nap on the couch. Yeah, that never goes too well for me...

Me: Liv you and Ethan play here quietly, I am going to take a little nap ( I am five feet away on the couch)
Liv: Yes mommy. (I fall asleep)
Liv & Ethan: AHHHHHHHH..crying..crying...AHHHHHHHHHHH...
Me: What's going on? Liv give him what he wants , just keep him quiet for 30 minutes..please!!(I fall back asleep)
door opening..
Me: Who's going outside???
Liv: I am going to see if a chicken laid an egg...
Me: NOOOO!
Liv: Ok mommy..(I fall back asleep)
sounds from the kitchen
Me: WHAT IS GOING ON?
Liv: We are just making a snack...
Me: NO, get back in the living room and play with the &%$ LEGGOS, NOW!
Liv; Yes, mommy (I fell back asleep)
Liv: Mom, it is three and a three and a three. Is that time for dinner?
Me: no, I will cook dinner in a little bit. ( I fell back to sleep)
Liv: Mom, shaking me, it is a three and a four and a one, is it now time for dinner?
Me: Getting up, Yes, Liv it is time for dinner and then you and your brother are going to bed

To get myself going I ate the rest of the artichoke dip and drank a glass of sweet tea. So Mike if I gain five pounds before you return, I am blaming it on the kids! Well I gotta go feed the dogs before they eat the neighbor's cat or some intruder.

Lyns's quilt

A big thank you for Amy who figured out my *math* and how to bind with satin ;)

Baby Quilts

This picture was taken quickly at night so it doesn't quite do it justice color wise. The back is a blue ribbing. Hopefully Amy will take some pics in the light.

Guess Who's Back?

Well not Liv of course, but ETHAN!!

Big Plans

I have been inspired from my friend at Hillside Hollow to formalize our plans for a new school year on paper, or screen as it may be.

Fall is usually an exciting time for me. I love getting ready for a fresh new school year. The anticipation of new things to learn, classes and projects to start. However this year I am feeling like there is not a clear line marking the "new" start of the year. We have continued with school through most of the summer (we took off most of July) and we are not starting our "new" curriculum til the end of September. This may be contributing to the feel that it is not a clear cut "new" year.

Anyway here is some goals for the upcoming year:

Maddy

* Teaching Textbooks Math 5 & tutoring with Ms. Tiffany
* Finish Sonlight Core 4 Start Core 5 in October
* Home Ec for Homeschoolers book 3
* Quilting a block each month themed by the month
* Spell to Write and Read
* Wordly Wise 5
* Find a grammar curriculum
* Bravewriter ??
* Sonlight Science 5
* Maddy has earned her tuition for theatre and we sent in registration today..
* We will do Awanas, and maybe swim team this year
* PE & Book Club

Olivia

* Horizons K book 2
* Sonlight Core 1
* Quilting a simple block each month
* Spell to Write and Read/ Explode the Code C & 1
* Wordly Wise K
* Home Ec for Homeschoolers Book 1
* Sonlight Science 1 with lapbooking
* Olivia is going to participate in Awanas, swim team, a dance class (if I can find one), and art

Ethan
PRESCHOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ME

*chicken lapbook
* a halloween and fall quilt
* planting my fall garden
* knitting some washcloths
*park days (I really am missing these)
* I am going to drive kids to awanas, swim team, PE, book club, theatre, art and dance ;)

OUR START DAY IS TOMORROW

The tooth fairy is coming tonight...

This is our tooth fairy pillow. My mom made it for Lyndsay and I when we were little, and now her grandchildren are tucking baby teeth in it eagerly awaiting a visit from the fairy. All of Maddy's teeth have at one time seen this pillow. Now Liv is tucking each of her baby teeth in it, soon Ethan and Lyndsay's babies will use it and then maybe our grandchildren.

Changing Your City's Chicken Laws

One is the loneliest number...

Our first egg

Oh Where Oh Where Is My...

Little Buff Chicken? Oh Where, Oh Where Could She Be??

Freaking OUT!

Ok, so I have a rooster that I am taking to the Eustis farm auction at 4:00. I have been praying that he would remain silent until we got rid of him.

I went and picked up Dreamer from Camp Challenge, my other rooster...

Well I wanted to put hay in Dreamer's cage so I asked Maddy to hold him, while I put in the bedding. She opened the door and let him walk out as pretty as you please.

My neighbor is walking in the cul-de-sac (our chickens are on the down low), and I have to make sure he doesn't crow, squawk, or fly over the back fence..

Maddy is not a good chicken catcher, she always let them run past her.. and now my calm quiet roo in the pen found his voice and I hear a pathetic weak CROW, that gets louder and louder...

"GRAB the chicken and then go get the other one, NOW!!! " Lots of chicken indignation noises from the hens, squawks from Roo as I try to muffle his voice... It doesn't really work well to put your hand over their beaks, I think you have to squeeze their necks to make them shut up ;)

So I grab Dreamer, she grabs Roo and we put them in seperate cages in the garage with the door down..


So the key point is they are leaving here tonight, and not coming back...We are off to the auction!

Peer Pressure

I have spent my morning commenting on all my friends blogs. I have noticed that a few of them were suffering from a "quiet" summer in blog land, and were not feeling the love. I now feel compelled as I lurk through my blogs to think up nice, funny, connecting things to say. So if I haven't commented on your blog and I know you IRL (in real life) that's blog talk, yall, please forgive me... I have a very busy life.. I get my kids up in the morning send them to music camp, pack Ethan off with his dad, and I get to spend 6 glorious hours of silence. I have surfed the internet, couponed, listened to talk radio, sat and talked on the phone through 2 cups of coffee without making sign language threats to my kids. It just has me wondering is this what back to school means to most moms?

I think we are missing something ladies....

Ok, enough chit chat, I must go pour my 2nd cup of coffee and call OBM to harass her.

Things I really love...

*Amelia Rosia

* The song "Revelry" on my playlist

* Watching my hens peck around in the garden from my kitchen window....

* Getting a good deal at the store, it's like coupon crack!

* The feel of a fresh school year beginning to start.

* Being home with my family...most days...;)

* Dr Quinn Medicine woman

* Planning my square foot garden...

* August in the mountains... not this year, but maybe next...

* The thought that I will be a auntie soon to a sweet baby boy. The idea that Lyns may be moving home soon..

* Harry Potter!! I am eagerly awaiting taking the family to see the newest Potter, we are finishing up our Potter marathon, and then off for the show...

* Did I mention I really love my chickens??

Things I really hate...

* when there is a really good coupon and I have no ink to print it, yet I try just because I am sure one more drop can be squeezed out, and the bar code is so faded that I know I will have to convince the cashier that no, I did not copy this illegally... and when I go back to print it when i have ink it says "you have already printed this the number of times allowed"


* Feeding a chicken for 2 months and anxiously awaiting the first egg, only to be told by my ten year old niece that the chicken in question will never lay any eggs because she is a he.... and having to tell my husband that invested 2 months in a rooster and will have to continue purchasing eggs while just enjoying the "look" of our million dollar chicken coop....


* Spending 40 minutes checking out at customer service because they would like to analyze every bar code and coupon I used legitimately, with three kids in tow. At that point I no longer got onto the kids when they popped their 3rd balloon, and Ethan kicked the battery display stand over...Oops ;) Maybe they will check me out faster next time, huh??


* sassy mouthed pre teen girls.....ughhhhh.....


Hope everyone is having a good day...

Roo or Hen??

Publix Grocery Trip

I went to Publix yesterday with the hopes of reaching 90% on my bill. I had ordered 20 A-1 coupons that would have given me 20.00 in overage, but they have yet to come in, so I hit 75% instead.

1-Bunny Giant Bread- 2.69 no Q
3-Bottom Round Roast 10.76 (B1 get 2 free Albertsons)
2-Muir Glenn Tomato sauce( printable Q= free)
1- Publix butter- 2.50, no Q
6- Curleys BBQ pork - 11.07 (raincheck from B1G1, and (6) 1.00 off Q's)
2- Kashi Waffles - (50% off sale, (2) 1.00 off Q's & target (2) .25 Q's = free)
2- Tombstone Pizza's- 5.00 (1.00/2 Q)
6 Klondike boxes- 4.50 (B1G1 & (6) 1.25 off Q's)
2- Kraft shredded cheese- 3.38 ( (2) 1.00 off printable Q's )
1- Romaine Hearts- 1.99- no Q
2- Cabbage- 1.38- no Q
1 head lettuce- 1.49 no Q
1-group banana- 1.54 no Q
70- kool aid packs - free (kool aid Q for 2.00 off 10 + Food lion 1.00 off 5 Q- this gives overage)
2- Apple & Eve organic juice boxes- 1.00 off Publix Q & .50 off manufacturer Q = free
1- Capri Sun- 1.14 (.75 off Q)
1- onions- 1.19 - no Q
1- Wavy Lays- 2.99
2- Ruffles- 4.00 ( 2.00 off Q)
6- Smart Balance butter blend 6.27 (B1G1 , (3) 1.00 off 2 Q's)
6- Smart Balance Milk- free (free milk when you buy 1 butter)
3- Brown Sugar Publix brand (free) (2.00 off koolaid/sugar Q + food lion) gave overage
4- White sugar Publix- free (kool aid sugar Q + food lion) gave overage
2- Reach Floss- free ( Publix Q + Manufacturer Q = overage)
1- Publix eggs- 1.09 no Q
3- Carefree Pantiliners- free (Manufacturer printable Q + Publix Q = free +
9- Johnson & johnson Red cross gauze/tape/pads - free (3/2 Q + 5.00 Publix Q = free + overage
10/50- Winn Dixie Q
Total- 229.82 before Q's
Out of Pocket - 53.53

Br eakdown of savings-
Vendor Q- 78.25
Competitor Q- 60.00
Advertised savings- 34.00
Advantage buy- ? water spot on receipt

If I had the A-1 coupons I would have had another 20.00 in overage and only spent 33.53!

Okay, and I forgot to add shopping like this is a completely different system of planning. I have been doin this for months so I have a stockpile of meat, chicken, canned, frozen, baking, and all other items stored up from previous trips. So we won't have to eat roast, kool aid and klondikes all week ;)

If you buy when it is cheapest and think ahead. Like I need baking things for Christmas. Well I can buy now and save rather than when I need it and it is not on sale. Also would you rather have mayo at 4.99 or .50? Buy these items when they clear out Summer stock.

I only bought on sale stuff and went gung ho, so for the first month it was pretty creative with the dishes I cooked, but after month one we had a pretty good supply.

Chicken is ALWAYS cheapest at albertsons 1.68-1.99 lb for boneless skinless.
ground beef t pay 1.99/lb. when you see it at Publix- STOCK up!! These prices have gotten few and far between. In a pinch Albertsons always has ground beef 80/20 for 1.79-1.99, I just like Publix meat better ;)

You can go to any 7-Eleven on Saturday (7/11) between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. for a FREE Slurpee (7.11 oz) on 7-Eleven Day to celebrate the chain store’s 82nd birthday. According to reports on Facebook –the cups may have a little surprise on them!

Swim Lessons