You are the Cheese to My Macaroni......

(Please click the picture to see it better)

I am always looking for new and creative ways to

use my photography skills.

This picture was done with a great family....

funny story is....

while taking this very romantic picture...

the wife is actually SMELLING

his shirt!!!

The romantic moment is totally broken

by her sniffing and saying, "I don't

think I like our laundry detergent."

HEEELLLLOOOOOOOO!

Total mood buster....pffffffftttt.

Anyhow, I saw a cute poster with a

similar saying on it and thought it would

look adorable superimposed on

this picture......'cause if you didn't

KNOW she was sniffing his shirt,

you would totally think it was a

very romantic picture, right??????

I Believe in the Future of Agriculture (FFA).....and a rant.

As you probably already know, my dearly beloved is

an Agriculture Education Instructor.

aka FFA Advisor.

Back in 1989, the Future Farmers of America

became politically correct and changed

to Agriculture Education....instead of Vo-Ag.

Pffffffftttt.....

Their creed used to say,

"I believe in the future of farming..."

Now....it is agriculture.

Pffffffftttt.....

If you have anything negative to say about

farming, you'd better not say it with a mouth

full of food......or any clothes on your back......or

in a house/building....

Just sayin'

Do you realize that a lot of schools are cutting back on

Agriculture Education to make way

for more COLLEGE-BOUND classes.

If YOU believe in the future of AGRICULTURE/FARMING,

you will make sure that your local

school keeps their program.

Not every child HAS to go to college to become a

productive citizen and it is time we appreciate

their choice.

I have a college degree in education.

I stayed home with my child for a year and had

an in-home child care.

I only had 3 of 7 children allowed.

I made $200 LESS than I did as a teacher.

What would I have made if I carried a FULL load?

College isn't for everyone, so why are we

making them take higher-level classes

when they can't even reconcile their checkbooks?

I see day after day, children who have so much homework

they have no outside life.

They can define biology terms, but can't wash a load of laundry.

They can make an awesome science fair project, but can't sew on a button.

They can read a required book, but know nothing about fixing a stopped up drain.

We as parents are just as guilty.

We micro-manage our children.

I see it every day.

Give a group of children some free-time on a playground

and watch what happens....FIGHTS, BULLYING and BLANK LOOKS.

They don't even know how to PLAY anymore unless

it is totally structured and micro-managed.

If they don't have 3 hours of homework, they have 3 hours of sports practice....

because we ALL know that they can one day make it BIG.

(insert eye rolling)

Parents, you are TEACHERS whether you  have a degree or not!

You need to be a TEACHER and not a DOER!

Take time to TEACH your child some basics, don't DO IT for them!

Yes, it is easier to do it yourself.

Yes, it does take time to teach.

Yes, the rewards are endless.

You will have a child who becomes INDEPENDENT!

Why are we so afraid of that word when it comes to

our children?

What happened to giving them roots AND wings?

Instead, we put their feet in cement blocks

and more or less throw them to the bottom of the ocean.

What happens if something happens to YOU?

See where the cement blocks are going to get them.

Stop letting the "world" dictate what your child needs!

If your child already has everything by the time they get out on their own,

why would they want to WORK to get stuff they already have?

CEMENT BLOCKS or WINGS?

What does YOUR child have?

Unique Baby Gift

One of my great friends had her 2nd child last week.

Since this child is another boy, it is sort of hard

to come up with ideas for gifts.

I decided to make a keepsake.

Military Portraits for a Wedding Invitation

Meet Matt and Jenna.

I was so excited when I found out Matt is in the military.

(Thank you Matt for doing your job so I can do my job!)

I heard Matt has a great sense of humor.

I got the brilliant idea to do the "Palace Guard"

scenario.....

Jenna dances around her soldier trying to distract him....

BINGO!

Show him a little leg, and BAM! he looks....

we found his weakness.....

This was not planned AT ALL...I SWEAR.

He really looked when she hiked up her dress...

How cute is that????

He couldn't control it.....

How precious is she!!!

I could just snatch her up and run away with her.

This is one of my favorite poses....

I love how old abandoned buildings look

in a photograph!

This is something new I tried....after all, I did have a

bunch of scrabble pieces just setting in a jar.

Notice, he is holding her engagement ring.

See!! I swear she was dropped in a bowl of sugar

as a baby......sigh.....

Dave Ramsey Cash Envelopes/Wallets

 We started the official Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University

a few weeks ago.

I have always used the envelope method but got away from actually

using the envelopes...because they tore.

I used the big bulky plastic coupon organizer for years.

I found a great YOUTUBE tutorial on

making a zippered pouch.

She wasn't as detailed as I needed.....I broke 2 needles

learning how to put in the ding dang zippers.

I FINALLY got it!!!

Now I can whip them out in 25 minutes!!!

These used to be ONE pillow case.

Total cost for each was approximately $1.75 to make.

When I get better, I will make a tutorial...but you can go to

youtube and search zippered pouch and get several

tutorials.

In case you wanted to know, we have completed baby step #1.

We are plowing through #2.....

Oklahoma Sunset.....God is Good All the Time!

Out my back door.....

And heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss

And my heart turns violently inside of my chest

I don't have time to maintain these regrets

When I think about the way

 

Oh, how He loves us, oh

Oh, how He loves us, how He loves all

How He loves

(Dave Crowder Band)

My Very First Layered Cake!

I am not a cake baker.

When I bake a cake, it will be reallllly thin...not fluffy and has hard edges.

So, while on my weekly grocery shopping trip to Aldi's, I noticed

a cake mix for a spring confetti-type cake.

I decided at that moment, I CAN DO THIS.

I wanted to try a layered cake....

I bought to boxes for this cake.

I bought the special little round cake pans...at $4.00 EACH...ouch.

I mixed up both boxes...fully picturing that ONE box would make ONE round pan

and the other box would fill the OTHER round pan.

Yah, you see where this is going don't you.....

I have no idea what I was thinking.....

I only had TWO round pans.....and too much cake mix.

Not once did it cross my mind to make CUPCAKES....nope, not once.

What did I do?

I grabbed a glass pie pan.

I made a THIRD layer.

(Picure is sister, Terri, getting the first piece of cake)

It worked!!!

Cake was so fluffy and tall that the cake pan lid STUCK to the top of the cake!

I worried because I made it late in the evening and was very tired.

I pondered how I would frost the cake, because even I KNOW that

you don't frost a warm cake.

My friends in FLYLADY CHAT helped me....

I decided to leave them covered with a towel on a cooling rack overnight.

I put the layered cake together in the a.m.

This cake flavor really resembled a wedding cake flavor.

I used too much frosting....but some people like that much frosting.

I, however, will not use that much next time.

See the post below this post to see the price of the cake mix.

Do You Participate in Lent?

I do believe that Lent is a great time to be more intentional in my spiritual growth.  Each year, I pray about my growth and ask God to lead me to where He wants my focus.  Usually, I am leaning towards "sacrificing" something...such as no soda pop, no chocolate....but this year was different.  This year, God said, "Don't give up, just GIVE."  Hmmmm....give?  So, here is what I did.....I choose to be a blessing to others INTENTIONALLY.  I listened to God's small whisper to guide me.....sometimes I heard it loud and clear, others....I think I might have ignored it.... :(.  I am not going to add pictures to this post because it is certainly LONG enough with NO PICTURES.

Day 1: I took some pictures and blessed 5 families with copies of their pictures. I also made a batch of rolls and took them to GLOW and gave them to the first person who asked about them and in turn, they shared with others.

Day 2 Blessings: We drove through McDonald's drive-thru and paid for the people behind us. I did NOT expect them to drive up beside us and STOP....that threw me off. I just rolled down the window said "I'm passing on the love, know God loves you." They said they knew and thank you. :)

Day3 Blessings: I prayed for each car that passed me while I traveled to OKC. Many people were lifted yesterday. :)

Day 4 Blessings: For our housekeeper at the hotel. When I returned & got in bed, the note was neatly folded and place INSIDE my pillow case..LOL Was that to let me know she got it?

Day 5 Blessing: Because I wasn't sure if the housekeeper spoke english, I got a little more creative and wrote note in spanish. If you can't tell, the $5 is made into a dress..looks vintage doesn't it?

Day 6 Blessing: A little more spanish a little more origami and a little more joy in my life.

Day 7 Blessing: It was rather simple, I resisted an urge to not really scare a woman who walked around the corner while I was crouched on the floor looking at something. If you know me, you know how hard it was for me! So really we were both blessed.

Day 8 Blessing: I blessed 2 girls with the ride of their life touring Bricktown on Segways! Once again, I was blessed as well

Day 9 Blessing: I made a homemade pizza for Carly since she has been such a blessing and watching the house while I was at OKC. (I am back early because David's grandfather, Coy Baker, passed away.) Thank you Carly for blessing others. I love you!!!

Day 10 Blessing: I let 2 people move ahead of me at the check out even though they had full carts and I had 2 items. :)

Day 11 Blessing: I admit, it won't sound like much, but it was a BIG deal for me. I held my tongue when I was ready to jump up and scream at some people. I am not an actor and never claimed to be one. People can tell when I am upset or disagree......I managed to bless someone by not saying anything. The names shall remain anonymous. :)

Day 12 Blessing: I sent ice cream to youth last night!

Day 13 Blessing: I gave a roll of quarters to an unsuspecting person. :) Do you know how easy it is to drop those in someone's purse?

Day 14 Blessing: I put together 2 trash sacks of clothes for the Love Closet on Saturday from 9 - 2 at the First United Methodist Church! If you have extra hangers or paper bags, we could use them also. We will be at the church Fri. night at 6pm to set up

Day 15 Blessing: I drove through Taco Bell's drive thru and paid for the people behind me. This time, I made an escape before they were able to drive up beside me! A blessing for me is hearing that my friends are trying to pass on blessings as well....makes my heart swell

Day 16 Blessing: I shot some pigs. :)  (Before you freak out, it was a photoshoot)

Day 17 Blessing: I took an hour to pray for people who have requested prayers. Please know that each one of you were lifted in my prayers.

Day 18 Blessing: The LOVE CLOSET! We gave away over 200 bags of clothing! Save your clothes, we will have another one before school starts back.

Day 19 Blessing: Wow.....I didn't intentionally do a thing....must do 2 today!!! tsk, tsk......

Day 20 Blessing(s): I bought a gallon of milk for a stranger. I was stopped by a train and for every car that passed, I prayed for each person that God placed on my heart. To that certain person who was brought up more than once, I specifically prayed for your depression to be lifted. ;)

Day 21 Blessing: I chose to allow cars to get in front of me....and then I prayed for each one.

Day 22 Blessing: I made a batch of rolls for a family. In this, I discovered that if I let the rolls rise longer...they are much more fluffy and I like them better. :)

Day 23 Blessing: I bought a few packages of panties and socks to give away at the next LOVE CLOSET in July. We were really shocked at how fast those thing went at the LOVE CLOSET. Every person should get to enjoy the feeling of new under garments.....not hand me down ones. :)

Day 24 Blessing: I bought lunch for some special friends. I also supported a fundraiser. I shall not mention that I also pulled an April Fool's joke on my "nameless" hairdresser.....who knew letting out a blood curdling scream while she is ripping off my eyebrow could get a reaction like that..... :/

Day 25 Blessing: We bought dinner for some new friends. I gave random hugs.

Day 26 Blessing: I used a blessing God gave me to bless a family with some family portraits.....and they turned out half decent even with the wind blowing 500 mph!

Day 27 Blessing: I changed a program I was going to give at a group yesterday by listening to my heart. I encouraged the group to write down their "story" and share it with others. We have a woman in the group who is turning 100! She said she didn't believe anyone would want to hear her story! What is something about your life you would like to make sure is passed on for others to remember?

Day 28 Blessing: I went barefoot all day to encourage people to think about those in the world without shoes. I believe I got at least 5 pairs of shoes to be donated to our LOVE CLOSET!

Day 29 Blessing: I spent some special time with the XS Group yesterday. Although, I do believe they are more of a blessing to me. :) I don't think a time goes by without laughing. Wait until you see the train pictures....bahahahahahah.

Day 30 Blessing: I gave a small sack of soap, shampoo, toothpaste and some change to a person standing on the corner needing help. :(

Day 31 Blessing: I bought 2 more packages of socks for the LOVE CLOSET. I encourage you to do the same please. Socks, underwear and bras were some of the first things to be gone at the LOVE CLOSET. The next closet is July 30th.

Day 32 Blessing: There was a lady at an estate sale who ran out of cash and I paid for her items. :)

Day 33 Blessing(s): We bought lunch for some people. I shot some photos of some girls. I helped with a Sunday School class. I did NOT scare the girls after watching a scary movie...because they made me PROMISE

Day 34 Blessing: I failed....must. work. on. it. today.

Day 35 Blessing: I mailed some random people cards to cheer them up. Making up for Day 34, I took someone's cart back to the little cart parking spot for them at the store.

Day 36 Blessing: I parked at the back of a parking lot and as I walked into the store, I prayed for each person and/or car I passed. I prayed God's abundant blessings and the wisdom to recognize them for each one.

Day 37 Blessing: I judged some FFA Creeds last night at the District Speech Contest. Glad I went....they were having a hard time getting all their judges with the storms. I believe in the future of agriculture.....

Day 38 Blessing: I blessed my Carl with a wonderful romantic night at home.....sigh....The rolls were part of the dinner I planned...Chicken Alfredo....yummo!!!

Day 39 Blessing: I attended a benefit event that supports a medical clinic in Ecuador where American physicians provide care to indigent families... and train local medical residents. I also blessed a woman by paying for her dinner. :)

Day 40 Blessing: I made cinnamon rolls (from a can) for the children's camp fundraiser at church. I also helped Amy while she teaches jr. high sunday school.

Day 41 Blessing: While at Braum's I let a woman go ahead of me. When I got my item, it was rung up wrong.....at least $3 less than what I owed. I corrected the cashier and paid the correct amount. She said, "Wow, that is a first, I've never had someone tell me they owe more than they were charged." she thanked me and thanked me. That broke my heart.....why do people think that is ok to cheat business?

Day 42 Blessing: I gathered stray carts at Wal-Mart and put them in their little parking spot. I know, it is lame.... I shall do better today. :)

Day 43 Blessing: Apparently I didn't take the cart pushing blessing seriously enough. I kid you not, I had to run into Wal-Mart and didn't notice the carts.....til I walked into one! I looked around, and they are all over the place! So, guess what day 43 blessing was? I promise, I will not underestimate the blessings God puts on my heart.....pinky swear!!!

Day 44 Blessing: I went through the drive-thru at McDonald's and paid for the person behind me. One thing has really surprised me each time I've done this....it has been less than $10. I was actually paranoid I was going to have someone who had a $20 order or something....actually only one time did it go over $5. This is one blessing I think I shall continue beyond the Lenten season. :)

Day 45 Blessing: I dropped a $20 bill into a woman's purse as I walked past her....she was busy looking at something on a bottom shelf. (Next time, I will do an origami design) It was just a spontaneous thing....making mental note: carry origami bills in my purse. :)

Day 46 Blessing (Final Day): While grocery shopping, I helped 2 women do their shopping...one was in a wheel chair. I got them a cart, which they didn't have and I gave them one of my shopping bags. I also helped them get to their car.

Final thoughts:  I do believe I was blessed far more than I actually blessed!  This kept me focused through the Lenten season....I felt closer to God this year than any other previous year.  Thanks for letting me share with you!  I hope you had a beautiful Easter!!

God loves you....oh YES He does!!!

    

Do You Shop at Aldi?

Several years ago, I was driving by some construction and noticed

a semi-truck with some advertising on it.

It said, "Save 50% or Better on Groceries"

To be honest, I thought the building looked a lot like

a pharmacy.  I didn't recognize the name Aldi.

When it finally opened, I decided to just go check it out.

I went to grab a shopping cart that was in a little area outside by the door.

I pulled....and found out they were chained.

I figured they must keep the carts we are to use inside.

I went inside.  No carts.

Finally, I walked back outside and watched a person slip a quarter into the little box

on the cart.  The chain unhooked from the cart.

AHA!!!  You had to PAY for a cart!  How dumb is that I thought....they might

save you some money on groceries, but they were going to get it back by charging

to use a cart!

Long story short....you DO get your quarter back when you return your cart!

Isn't that ingenious?  No more stray carts all over the parking lot.

You also need your own sacks or you will have to buy their sacks.

You also will have to SACK your own groceries....they WILL not sack them for you.

I have been known to throw my sack in the cart and ask that they throw everything

in the sack...it was a free standing sack.  They DID do that for me...when it was only

ONE sack.

Aldi's is a great place to load up on your staples.

I go to Aldi's FIRST and then fill in at other stores if needed.

I tried the coupon thing.....I was a failure....didn't have the time to

devote to it.

Aldi's was the next best thing.

I am going to show you what I got this week and let you comparison shop.

Now mind you, this is a weird week for shopping...with me buying some extra stuff

for the Easter holiday.

I also make a lot of stuff homemade, so don't buy too many pre-made items.

Black beans @ .55 x 2

Condensed Tom. Soup @ .49 x 4

Coffee Creamer @ $1.49

Refried Beans @ .69 x 2

German Coffee @ 4.99 x 2 (this is $1 higher than I normally get)

Deli Sliced Cheese @ $2.19 x 2

Elbow Macaroni @ $1.49

Powdered Sugar @ $1.49 x 2

32 oz. Ketchup @ 1.19 x 2

Cocoa Rice Cereal @ $1.59

Real Choc. Chips @ $1.79

Pecans @ $3.49

Sugar, 5 lbs. @ $2.68 x 2

Beef Hot Dogs @ $2.29 x 2

Multi-Colored Peppers @ $3.29

Old Fashioned Oats @ $1.99

Boneless Chick. Breasts @ $5.49

Sour Cream & Onion Potato Chips @ $1.39 x 2

Butter Quarters @ $2.29 x 2

Sour Cream @ .99 x 2

Oregano @ .99

Margarine @ .99

Confetti Cake Mix @ .95 x 2

Spring Frosting @ $1.19 x 2

Cream Cheese @ $1.29 x 2

8 oz. Cheddar Cheese Chunk @ $1.89 x 2

Subtotal = $77.97

Tax @ 8.5170% = $6.64

TOTAL - $84.61

If you are afraid of generic brands, I encourage you to try Aldi's brands.  The sour cream and onion potato chips taste just like the name brand LAY's chips.  The CHEESE is out of this world awesome. 

Normally, when I shop I spend an average of $75 for a week's worth of groceries.  I do not have to buy beef as we butcher our own.  Before the economy went south, I was able to shop for our family of 5 for about $50/week.  Now, for 3 of us and then some...we do the $75/week sometimes longer.

DIY Rootin' Tootin' Cowboy Wallet/Card

It never ceases to amaze me what people will share for FREE on the Internet!

I found the blog, JustSomethingIMade over a year ago.

This woman is AMAZING in the creative department.

My great nephew just so happened to be turning two when I stumbled upon her latest creation.

I knew immediately I had to make this wallet.

She made a cute little card to go inside.....I made a cute little vintage

kid on a vintage pony picture.

She had some doo-dads to add to the left-side.

I decided to make some origami bill art.

A cute little cowboy shirt and chaps....yah! they are CHAPS....

who cares if they look like pants!!

IT IS MY THEME HERE!!

On the back of the little vintage picture...I printed the "card" for Tristan.

Yes!  even the stitching is REAL....the rest is just printed from card stock.

She did all the hard work.

From start to finish, this probably took less than one hour.  (At least 20 minutes

was spent searching for WHITE thread....which I have NONE, so I used yellow)

Make sure you check out her blog!