Menu Monday

One thing I do to try and save money is planning a menu for the week. I shop at Aldi's once a week....usually. If you haven't tried Aldi's, YOU MUST! Make sure you take your own bags and a quarter to "rent" your shopping cart. The quarter will be returned when you return the cart. One of my goals for 2008 is to not use the plastic bags...i.e. Wal-Mart bags....instead I take my own bags to the store. Wal-Mart does sell recycled cloth bags for $1.00 and I do use those. I like how they have the flat bottom on them. I also have 3 insulated bags. Aldi's is about 30 minutes from home and I need to keep the cold stuff cold.

So, here is my weekly menu:

Monday - Pasta Primivera (using chicken I grilled yesterday), hot rolls and salad

Tuesday - Red Beans and Rice w/ Smoked Sausage, tortillas (fresh from the farmer's market)

Wednesday - Baked Ravioli, salad, garlic bread

Thursday - Grilled Hamburgers, baked fries, baked beans

Friday - Going to a party - taking lemon bars, chip dip

Saturday - Family Reunion - taking deviled eggs, lemon bars, chip dip

Sunday - Turkey, dressing, corn, gravy, potatoes

How to Scare the Bejeebies Out of a Teenager

Ok, try not to scroll down too quickly....I have to set up the crime scene. My middle daughter is the jumpiest child and is sooooooo easy to spook. When I got the sewing dummy to display the oldest daughter's cap and gown at her reception.....I KNEW I had to do something else with it. Now, the two oldest share a bedroom that has a bathroom in it. Their closet is off the bathroom...and they NEVER shut the door.....so, I shut the door to make this more effective because....you see...



When you open the door, their prom dresses are hanging RIGHT THERE with the PLASTIC and all.....sooooo, when the door opens, the plastic gets sucked out....see in the picture? This makes it RATTLE....and by the time she is somewhat startled by the rattling.....she gets THIS.......

BOO!!!!

She screamed so hard, I thought she was joking....til she came RIPPING through the bedroom and stopped dead at the wall and started crying (I didn't know that her eyes could go in two different directions...I guess she had one on the boogie man and one on the wall she was about to hit!).....yes, I felt sort of bad about the crying.....then I felt really bad that I laughed so hard I peed my pants.......ba haaaaaaa....oh, uh, er, evil laugh...bwwhaaaaaaaaa. Ok, I know I won't get a MOM OF THE YEAR award now.....so, guess I'll go do some laundry. She swears she won't do this kind of stuff to her kids and we've all told her it is part of her legacy...my papa used to do that stuff to us.....besides, if she doesn't do it......WE WILL!!!

Don't start commenting me on what an evil mom I am..... I ALREADY KNOW IT!!!

The Gift Fairy has Visited......

Now that I am back online....I can show you the apron my dear mother had sent to me from http://www.stitchthrutime.com/index.html and the books that my wonderfully thoughtful friend, Kim, gave me. Thanks ladies....I LOVE THEM!!!
I couldn't get a picture of ME wearing the apron...because no one is here to take it and also.....I LOOK LIKE I'VE DONE NOTHING WITH MYSELF TODAY.....who am I kidding....I haven't done anything with myself today. SooOOOOoooo, here is a pic of the apron....doesn't it look just loverly on my sewing dummy? Remind me to tell you how I scared the beegeebies out of my middle daughter with that sewing dummy.....rofl.

Oh Where oh Where has the Wheat Gone.......

If you look carefully, you can see that the wheat harvest has started......that THING poking up there is my mister husband's level the ground...before grass...thing. Yes, it has been there for MONTHS.....he even WEEDEATS around it...lol. I'm thinking I could plant a climbing rose bush there....what do you think?
Look closer......yep, that is a pitiful crop of wheat.....what you are seeing is mostly weeds....the wheat IS in there.....somewhere.......
....and this..... is RAIN......which of course means NO HARVEST TODAY.....

Amazing.....

The whole family went to see THE PHANTOM of the OPERA last night. WOW!! If you ever get the chance to see the Broadway show, PLEASE DO IT!! My youngest read the book...yes, the actual book.....in 3rd grade....ON HER OWN and UNDERSTOOD IT. She went through a freakish phase where everything was about the Phantom.

I need to pause and let you know that this daughter has ALWAYS had an obsession with SOMETHING. Right now it is RUNESCAPE....everything she talks about is Runescape this, Runescape that..... Her obsessions started at a young age when she saw Beauty and the Beast. Well, most girls love that movie, story, etc....for Belle....well, not Regan, she loved the BEAST....she even would cut out little paper claws and tape them to her knuckles and feet.....and walk around on her toes like the beast....including the BENDED legs...lol. I made her a cape for Christmas that year and it almost touched the ground. She wore it until it was at her knees...that was at least 2 years!

Then, she went on to Ancient Egyptian stuff....MUMMIES in particular....You know the Hermit crab plastic cages? Well, she made a Barbie Mummy ( don't think Mattel has made that version of Barbie) complete with a sarcophagus (aka Hermit Crab Cage) and yes, actually carried it around with her. We could have won $10,000 on AFV for peoples reactions when they asked what was in the case....rofl. Some actually jumped back when she told them. This phase came and went several times...each time she learned more and more about history. We took a trip to Washington D.C. and she got to see an actual mummy.....what a highlight. While there, a school class came through and she walked them around and gave them the "tour"....even the teacher listened. I think she was 7 or 8 at this time. We were in a furniture store and she found a painting done on papyrus paper...framed and all for $30. She asked if she could put it on layaway and the lady let her! Regan went home, told her dad that she wanted to sell her beloved pet goat, Thunder. Long story short....no more Thunder and hello Egyptian painting.

Well, that is enough....that is just to give you a taste of my eccentric daughter's life...She is always amazing us.

Anyhow, the costumes in the Phantom are amazing. I shouldn't even mention the music....ahhhhhhhh, the music. I found myself tearing up several times. We had a beautiful night.....I enjoyed being w/ my mom and dad, sister, and husband and three daughters. I LOVE YOU!!!

We Interrupt this blog......

Are you a watcher of reality TV? We've had fun watching CW19's FARMER WANTS A WIFE! Tonight is the finale'....woohoo.....GO BROOKIE COOKIE!!! I will be sooooOOooOoOooo surprised if he ACTUALLY proposes to one of the girls. I really think Christa is just playing a game.....she will do anything to keep Brooke out of the game. I don't think she really would stay in a small town and be a farmer's wife.....HeLLLLOOOOOOOooo, she is from NEW YORK CITY! (I said that just like the Pace Picante Sauce commercial....could you hear it?)

I do worry that Brookie is quite young though.....well, at least they would make a cute couple. My mister farmer husband thinks that they will reveal that "the farmer" is really an heir to the Budweiser family......it is in Missouri and not far from St. Louis.

We've decided that if they do the show again....my oldest daughter will try out for it and act like a "city girl". All the girls are supposed to be "city" girls. They are tired of the arrogant men in the city. They want a REAL man...with manners and someone who will put his wife before himself......

I'm glad to say that I found that man!!! I LOVE YOU HONEY!!! Ok, got to go get ready for the show.....I'll let you know who wins!!!!

EDITED TO ADD THE WINNER.....

BROOKIE COOKIE.....and that is all we know, there was no reunion show or anything....we don't even know if they are still together. Sheesh, that was a low blow.......I wonder if they even have a national news.....like the way Survivor winners are interviewed the next day....hmmmmm.....what a disappointment.

Weight Loss Wednesday

Woohoo....even with the reunion, I managed to lose again.

-1lb. Total loss = 3 lbs. in 2 weeks

I didn't think I did too well early in the week. I started really doing much better about Monday. I feel like I'm finally getting into the groove.

SCREAMING.........

Yes, I'm in mourning(thus, the black font)....my internet is down. We had a very loud thunderstorm yesterday and one BIG BOOM and it was gone. I'm glad to say that my computer survived, it iwas just the internet. Although I'm sure my father-in-law, Charles, might have to take some antacid pills, due to withdrawal....tee hee. I have other alternatives.....THANKS MOM!! So, posts might be few and far between until it gets up and running.
Also, wanted to post that I got a wonderful little package in the mail yesterday....scroll down......remember the apron? Wellllllll, my beautiful mother had one sent to me.... I LOVE YOU MOM........as soon as I can post on MY COMPUTER, I'll post a pic. They are very well made aprons....and it has a pocket for my cell phone....ba haaaaaa....no, I think it might be for something else.....I used it for a cell phone. I put a towel in the pocket....and COOKED DINNER....then did the rustic SHUCKING OF THE CORN.....well, mister wonderful did most of it since there were WORMS in the top......and I had a hard time not FREAKING out when I touched one. This morning, I put them in the dishwasher...yes, the corn, in the DISHWASHER on a quick rinse cycle.....killed any little buggers that wanted to stay on the corn......then I dumped it in ice cold water. I then used my handy dandy vaccuum sealer, Food Saver...no house should be without one of those.....I got 12 packages. The cost was around $1.15 a package....is that a bargain? I don't know, don't care...it is FRESH!!!!

My Weekend in Review

For your enjoyment, a few pics of our reunion on my husband's side. It was hot, but so much fun to get to see everyone again and some that we've never met. We had family from California, Texas, and Arizona to name a few....probably more people from a far than those who lived nearby..... If you want to see more pictures, click on MY WEB ALBUMS to the right and look for my public albums.

TATTOO

THis is SYDNI w/ a Sharpie tattoo done by a cousin.....FREE HAND. Isn't it amazing...although I'm not too keen on the skull theme...gag.

Copple Reunion

I took this picture at the Copple Reunion.....I'm having fun playing with the edits. Isn't it cool?

MIGRAINE

I would much rather call it a YOUgraine.....no way do I want to call it MYgraine....ick. I wouldn't wish these things on my worst enemy. More like GOAWAYgraine...yeah, that would be much better.
Last night, while minding my own business, just watching the news.....BAM.....the fading light....feeling like I just came into a room after being in BRIGHT sunlight....you know that feeling....like you just STARED straight into the sun way too long? Well, I hadn't been outside....so then the panic sets in.....OH NOOOooOOoOOoOOO.....not a MIGRAINE!!!
After doing the "got to look at several things to make sure it wasn't just a glitch" thing, I ran to the bathroom to search out the meds......I hate taking them because they just put me to sleep. I hemhawed around and finally decided that I had better take it before the PAIN set in.
I was able to stay up longer than I thought....then came the PAIN......so, headed to bed.....feeling quite DRUNK from the meds.
I still had pain, just a dull pain.....I was ready to SHOOT my dog for walking across the floor and having me HEAR the click, click, click, click, click...you get the idea....of her nails! Then, next thing I knew, it was time for dear hubby to hit the bed....which is what it felt like when he climbed into bed.....my senses are so well...sensitive when I have a migraine....I swear it was like he started at the door and ran and JUMPED into the bed and about threw me out......he really didn't, that is just what it felt like, what with the senses thing going on.
Even the bathroom light hurt...and it isn't near my bed!
Now, I sit here today with the migraine BRUISE.....where my brain feels bruised for a day after....and feeling panicked that it might make a re-appearance.......
SoOOOoooo, to any migraine sufferers out there.....my prayers are with you!!!

FAIRY DOOR

Yeah, this post is going to have everyone talking....I saw the cutest thing, fairy doors. Apparently in Ann Arbor, MI several businesses have these outside their business. Google fairy doors if you don't believe me. Well, it got me to thinking....wouldn't my FUTURE grandkids ( I don't want my kids to get any ideas) and the youngsters who visit my house just love seeing one? I just had to go right out and make my own....it is still in progress though. I'm going to try to make a landing/stoop for the "fairies". That way they can leave their "shoes" and other stuff outside the door. Also, it can be decorated for the holidays w/ tiny wreaths, lights, etc. I'll post more as the "house" in progress goes......

Bible Study Thursday

Almost 6 years ago a friend and I started a women's Bible study at her house on the encouragement of our associate pastor, Yar. We started with Genesis 1:1 and now we are in Chronicles 7. I'm sure we'll either be raptured or dead by the time we get to Revelations. This Bible study has been such an amazing part of my spiritual growth.

You know how reading the Bible is sometimes well, er, uh, BORING? Well, reading it and having different perspectives can really help in that area. There are times when I get NOTHING and then one of the other ladies has a whole new spin on it. We also use the Life Application Bible with footnotes which gives us a focus for the week.

We don't do curriculum and I think that has been the success of our group. If a woman has to miss one or two Thursdays, she doesn't feel like she has missed the ENTIRE book. I can't tell you how many times people have dropped out of those kind of studies, me included, because they feel like they can't "catch-up". The way we are reading through the Bible is like watching a Soap Opera after missing 6 months, you can just pick up and are back with the program after ONE time.

I encourage you to spend daily TAG (Time Alone w/ God), but also to enjoy learning with others. My favorite TAG time is on my porch swing with the breeze blowing.....which reminds me that even when I can't SEE God, I can always FEEL Him. Just like radio waves.....they are around us all the time, we just have to tune in to HEAR them. I can tell when I've not spent time w/ God, I hear STATIC, I worry more, I get crabby, I procrastinate more.....and the list goes on.

May God bless you today and may you be TUNED IN!!

Weight Loss Wednesday

WOOHOO! I didn't think I was going to be able to post a loss.....I'm proud to say that I lost 2 pounds!!! What I did this week was drink way more water and reduce my portions. I started eating out of a coffee cup instead of using a plate. It made me REALLY slow down and savor what food I had. I tried to also eat more fruit......did I mention how expensive fruit is? For some reason, if I eat fruit first thing in the morning, it tears up my stomach....like an ulcer. I have to eat something else before the fruit. I'm talking doubled over pain.


-2 pounds

Thank you Lord for giving me the strength and determination to see this through......

I think I can.....I think I can....I think I can.......I think I can.......

Personal Signature

1940's Aprons

Oh she has the cutest aprons!!! I like the full aprons because I tend to get stuff all over when I'm cooking.....I've just had a hard time finding ones that will work with my body...if you know what I mean. I wish I could splurge on this luxury......til then I'll keep dreaming. Feel free to pop on in and give her some buisness. www.stitchthrutime.com/1940_apron.html

Happy Father's Day

I want to wish my wonder husband a super Father's Day!!!

We managed to pull off a surprise. Regan and I searched and searched for just the right gas grill.....with no luck. I despise buying stuff at Wal-Mart.....I feel like I didn't put in the effort for the gift. I know, what am I to expect in a small town? Well, anyhow I had to run in for something and decided, what the heck, I've got nothing to lose......and guess what? There was the one I liked in my price range and didn't feel like I had to worry whether it would be blown away in a storm or not.

I quickly paid for it and told them I would return the next day to pick it up since it wouldn't fit in my Volkswagon. So, now to figure out how to get hubby to drive the pick up to church....what with it being a diesel and the gas prices. As luck has it, it was stormy this a.m. and I used the good ol' "Let's take the truck in case it hails" routine. It worked like a charm! I secretly laid out some steaks before we left. Well, he decided he wanted to go out to eat after church so we drove to Muskogee.....and ate....now are you ready for this?......we ate at Golden Corral......sheesh, he's easy to please, what can I say?

After lunch, of course we had to make the proverbial stop at Wal-Mart...... ;) He went milling around and I had them pull the grill to the outside gate by the garden center. As we were driving off, I asked him to pull up by the patio furniture to see if "this set" was heavy enough for our patio which gets a lot of wind. We pull up and I'm pointing inside the fenced area.....where there is NO FURNITURE...and saying, "that set, do you see it, will it look good on our patio?"

He kept saying that he didn't see a set.....just a charcoal grill.....and that is when we let him in on the secret.......it was AWESOME!! Yeah, he thinks it will look good on our patio....lol.

Also, Carly and the rest of the family made it back safely from Hawaii!!! Yippee!! They had a wonderful time and now Carly is ready to go to work on a cruise ship.

I love you David, for the father that you are the husband that you've been and the friend that you continue to be......you are my knight in shining armor! I thank God daily for blessing me with you. Kiss Kiss!!!

Weight Loss

Ok, I've decided that maybe if I go public with my weight then maybe I'll be more motivated to lose it. I am disgusted with my weight gain and nothing seems to work for me right now. So, each wednesday, I'm going to weigh-in and post my loss or gain. Hopefully, I'll add pictures too. I'm not so much worried about what the scale says as I am about what size I am. I would love to see a size 10 again. I hope you will join me on my journey or at least support me.

What I'm Reading Now....

I got this book while at the Homeschool Convention last month. It is an easy read. They have a great website as well. http://www.therebelution.com/ Twin brothers decided to go against the low expectation norm set for most teens and do hard things. To be honest, I bought the book thinking my daughters would read it just because the boys are cute....well, I don't care if they think they are cute or not, it is going to be mandatory reading. I think all youth groups should read this as well. The authors' older brother, Josh Harris, wrote the book, I Kissed Dating Goodbye.

Isn't it true that the most people expect of teens is to clean their room, not wreck the car and make good grades? They even have the Muskogee Mayor on their website...an extraordinary teen.

OFFICIAL BOOK DESCRIPTION
The next generation stands on the brink of a "rebelution."With over 16 million hits to their website TheRebelution.com, Alex and Brett Harris are leading the charge in a growing movement of Christian young people who are rebelling against the low expectations of their culture by choosing to "do hard things" for the glory of God.Written when they were 18 years old, Do Hard Things is the Harris twins' revolutionary message in its purest and most compelling form, giving readers a tangible glimpse of what is possible for teens who actively resist cultural lies that limit their potential.Combating the idea of adolescence as a vacation from responsibility, the authors weave together biblical insights, history, and modern examples to redefine the teen years as the launching pad of life and map a clear trajectory for long-term fulfillment and eternal impact.Written by teens for teens, Do Hard Things is packed with humorous personal anecdotes, practical examples, and stories of real-life rebelutionaries in action. This rallying cry from the heart of revolution already in progress challenges the next generation to lay claim to a brighter future, starting today.

We Survived the Reception

It is strange how there were deadly tornadoes the day of her graduation and now, the day of her reception, there were severe storms all around. I prayed early that the Lord would hold them off until after the reception and PRAISE HIM, He did. We had a wonderful turn out despite the weather.

Here is Carly and her beautiful cake. Once again, Muskogee Cake Co. did an amazing job. I tried to get Carly to wear her pink prom dress but she wouldn't....wouldn't it have looked great with all the pink and yellow? I know my little vintage strawberry candy dish would come in handy....I found the handle at the Goodwill store....I had to buy another candy dish, but Regan is using it and doesn't mind that it doesn't have a handle.
This is her display...notice the pink prom dress with the graduation gown.....at least we got to put it on display. We ran her senior pics on the tv as a slide show. Also, we had a powerpoint presentation running at the table where everyone signed a picture mat for Carly.
I had to put this picture in because it shows off my spoons on the kitchen cabinets. I finally got them on just a few days ago. Thank you to Bobby Peters for helping my wonderful husband get the nagging job done. I can't count how many fingernails I've broken trying to get the doors open. The lights were supposed to hang outside on the porch, but due to weather, I moved them to this spot.....they looked amazing.

This is my daughter, Sydni and a friend, Cooper.....don't they make a super pair? He is the best baby.

I'm putting this picture in to show the beautiful flowers my friend, Kim, made for my grandparents grave....there are really two arrangements, I just got this in a picture. She delivered them to my mom, that is why they are at my house and ended up in a picture. I guess I'll mention the guys.....the one in the plaid is my dear husband, David. He has been one super dad to Carly and will miss her dearly when she "leaves".