Here I go again... posting tips at almost midnight. Maybe they will just be a welcome surprise on a Wednesday morning after you thought I wasn't going to get them done. :-)
1. Need to give that microwave the once over? Dive into your fresh fruit. Cut a lemon and squeeze the juice into a microwave-safe bowl and then put the lemon in there as well. Place the bowl in the microwave and cook for 3-5 minutes. Carefully remove the bowl and set aside for next tip below. Wipe out the "nuker" and it will be clean and fresh.
2. To sharpen the blades of your disposal, put a few ice cubes in, plug your ears and turn it on. Or, I guess you would have to turn it on and then plug your ears. When the ice is gone, throw that lemon (from previous tip) in as well and your disposal will be smellin' as fresh as the microwave.
3. If you have scuff marks where they don't belong (they don't belong anywhere, actually), use a new tennis ball to wipe them away.
4. Go out and buy the All You magazine that I told you about last week. This months coupons add up to over $100! I will have to let you know how much I can save when I go through them all.
I must tell you that this sweet gal tested the marshmallows in the brown sugar tip from this post. She left me a comment to let me know that she went right away to do this with ONE of two bags. Just the other day, she pulled out the brown sugar to season her carrots and just had to let me know that there was a BIG difference in the 2 bags. Very Cool!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Miscellany Monday
I am linking up with Carissa today because I love her miscellany monday posts.
1. Miscellaneous is how my brain works most of the time. In a spaghetti bowl. Anybody ever read Men Are Like Waffles Women Are Like Spaghetti? If you haven't and you struggle sometimes communicating with your man... go and get it. It will ring true with you but most importantly, it will help your man understand why he doesn't understand you. :-)
2. Getting to do some scrapbooking this week. Actually got those excited chills when I went shopping for some paper and stickers. THOSE 2 THINGS MAKE ME HAPPY!
3. Today is my last day of freedom. I guess I should look at it as my last day to be alone. School is done. The girls will be home. Summer is here.
4. Fixin' (Yes, I am a Texan) to go try a new yogurt place with the girls as a treat for the last day. First to buy them a new book and then some Peach Wave yogurt. Sounds yummy doesn't it?!
5. I figured out that we only have 2 more Sundays with "our Andy" . At what point can I begin to mourn our loss?
Yes, this is how random I usually am on a daily basis. This is a good fit for me.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Summertime Saturday
Well, it's almost here. S U M M E R. I have mixed emotions. I am certainly looking forward to sleeping past 5:00 a.m. but I'm definitely not anticipating 100 degree temps.
The girls have half of their finals under their belts. By Monday afternoon, I will officially be a mom to a Sophomore and Jr. in high school. Excuse me a moment...
I am feeling a bit dizzy... and nauseous.
It just can't be true! Why just last week I was pulling their hair up in pigtails. I know I was. It is all such a blur. There are so many things that I still need to teach them. So many things I still need to say.
We can't go back now though, so being inspired by Kelle's post at Enjoying the Small Things, I will cherish the time we have and look forward to summer.
She has also inspired me to make a "to do" list for the upcoming months of heat. I'm not quite ready to write it all down, but one thing is for sure... a move will definitely occupy the #1 spot. Not because it is what I want the most but because it is inevitable.
This is now in my front yard. That is why there are mixed emotions as we head into summer. An incredible blessing from God that it sold so quickly. So for now, I think that much of my list will be centered around telling this town "goodbye" and savoring my time with family.
This is how we started...
The girls have half of their finals under their belts. By Monday afternoon, I will officially be a mom to a Sophomore and Jr. in high school. Excuse me a moment...
I am feeling a bit dizzy... and nauseous.
It just can't be true! Why just last week I was pulling their hair up in pigtails. I know I was. It is all such a blur. There are so many things that I still need to teach them. So many things I still need to say.
We can't go back now though, so being inspired by Kelle's post at Enjoying the Small Things, I will cherish the time we have and look forward to summer.
She has also inspired me to make a "to do" list for the upcoming months of heat. I'm not quite ready to write it all down, but one thing is for sure... a move will definitely occupy the #1 spot. Not because it is what I want the most but because it is inevitable.
This is now in my front yard. That is why there are mixed emotions as we head into summer. An incredible blessing from God that it sold so quickly. So for now, I think that much of my list will be centered around telling this town "goodbye" and savoring my time with family.
This is how we started...
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Tips Tuesday
Maybe someday soon, or let's just leave it at someday, I will get tips posted at the beginning of the day. At least that way they can actually be read on Tuesday instead of Wednesday!
Money saving tips for today:
1) If you are a Wal-Mart shopper, look for the All You magazine at the checkouts. This little jewel is put out by Time Inc. (Time Magazine and People) and is chock full of coupons. The May issue has just over $90 worth of savings. Granted, you won't use them all, but the magazine only costs $2.49 and will easily pay for itself. Within the first few pages on the far left, there is a full list of all of the coupons. That way you can even check them out and decide if it's worth the purchase.
2) Got a favorite scent to wear? Check and see if there is a body spray/mist in your fave smell. Many times a spray will cost up to half of the price of the cologne or perfume.
3) Like to shop online? Make sure and look for coupon codes before making any purchases. Put those search engines to work and save up to 50%. The most common savings (that I have come across) are 15-20%. Hey, that will help with shipping! You can even find codes for free shipping with some companies.
You may not be a coupon shopper. I wasn't really until about the past 3 years. I struggled with the fact that I didn't want to keep track and it just seemed like too much trouble. Well, I can't say that I have gotten much better since I started (I waiver back and forth) but I am trying. I heard someone say once that not using a coupon is like throwing your money in the trash. Think about it this way... if someone gave you 50 cents, could you throw it away? Could you actually look at those 2 quarters and then put them in the trash? That, in essence, is what we are doing when we don't use coupons. Ugh. I think I will try harder.
Before closing, I feel the need (in case Hubby ever reads this blog) to insert an omission from yesterday's post. I neglected to add that just after The Beast made its first appearance the other day, Hubby reached into his truck and pulled out a large bouquet of wildflowers. He had stopped to pick them before getting lost and losing his phone. When they first made their appearance they looked quite ragged. They had been riding in a truck for almost 5 hours without water. And now some crazy lady was spouting off at the mouth in their presence... I am happy to report that with a little TLC and proper burial (sink incinerator) of the less fortunate, I now have a beautiful bouquet of yellow and white wildflowers. That remind me of The Beast.
Money saving tips for today:
1) If you are a Wal-Mart shopper, look for the All You magazine at the checkouts. This little jewel is put out by Time Inc. (Time Magazine and People) and is chock full of coupons. The May issue has just over $90 worth of savings. Granted, you won't use them all, but the magazine only costs $2.49 and will easily pay for itself. Within the first few pages on the far left, there is a full list of all of the coupons. That way you can even check them out and decide if it's worth the purchase.
2) Got a favorite scent to wear? Check and see if there is a body spray/mist in your fave smell. Many times a spray will cost up to half of the price of the cologne or perfume.
3) Like to shop online? Make sure and look for coupon codes before making any purchases. Put those search engines to work and save up to 50%. The most common savings (that I have come across) are 15-20%. Hey, that will help with shipping! You can even find codes for free shipping with some companies.
You may not be a coupon shopper. I wasn't really until about the past 3 years. I struggled with the fact that I didn't want to keep track and it just seemed like too much trouble. Well, I can't say that I have gotten much better since I started (I waiver back and forth) but I am trying. I heard someone say once that not using a coupon is like throwing your money in the trash. Think about it this way... if someone gave you 50 cents, could you throw it away? Could you actually look at those 2 quarters and then put them in the trash? That, in essence, is what we are doing when we don't use coupons. Ugh. I think I will try harder.
Before closing, I feel the need (in case Hubby ever reads this blog) to insert an omission from yesterday's post. I neglected to add that just after The Beast made its first appearance the other day, Hubby reached into his truck and pulled out a large bouquet of wildflowers. He had stopped to pick them before getting lost and losing his phone. When they first made their appearance they looked quite ragged. They had been riding in a truck for almost 5 hours without water. And now some crazy lady was spouting off at the mouth in their presence... I am happy to report that with a little TLC and proper burial (sink incinerator) of the less fortunate, I now have a beautiful bouquet of yellow and white wildflowers. That remind me of The Beast.
Monday, May 17, 2010
The Beast
Hubby went for a little drive this weekend to meet up with the dad and brother. The plan was to partake in a little R&R on the river somewhere in Arkansas. Hubby was only able to go for one night, so it was going to be a quick, cram-it-all-in-as-fast-as-you-can restful trip.
On his way home from said getaway, I called to check on him. He was halfway home, doing good, would be ready for a nap upon return. 30 minutes after he should have arrived, I called again. No answer. 40 minutes. No answer. 45 minutes after he should have arrived, a call came in. Hubby's number. Not Hubby's voice. After much confusion and heart racing, I was able to deduce the fact that Hubby had stopped for gas and left his phone. Things are going to be fine.
Check the map to see where the phone is. 30 minutes due north of where my man was when I talked to him last. How could that be since he was supposed to be headed due west for home? Call to the brother. No answer. Text to the brother. No reply. Call to the sister-in-law. Then the realization on both of our parts that we don't even know exactly where our men are in the hills of Arkansas. And there is not good reception there. Wherever THAT is.
Heart begins to beat a little faster. Sister-in-law has her mother in town and they are out shopping. They go back to the car to pray. I receive a text with said prayer just mere seconds after Hubby pulls into the garage. God was fast with that one!
Relief sets in. For a moment. But then The Beast appears. Do you know the one? The one that comes out and attacks the man? The one that says something like, "Where have you been? What happened? Do you know you lost your phone? Why were you so far off your planned course?". Hubby looks confused. Doesn't understand why sister-in-law is texting me a prayer for him. He just took a wrong turn. Then The Beast appears again after a very brief intermission. "Did you ever think about calling to let me know? I don't even know the name of the closest town to where you were! How would you feel if that had been me? Don't you understand how unsettling it is to get a call from a strange man on YOUR phone?"
When the Hubby can get a word in, he says...
wait for it...
"Wasn't the sermon about worry this morning? This must have been a test. Did you pass or fail?" The Beast retreats with its tail between its legs and goes to take a nap. Ugh.
More than one apology has been issued.
Hubby is now returning from a 5 hour round trip to retrieve that stupid phone.
On his way home from said getaway, I called to check on him. He was halfway home, doing good, would be ready for a nap upon return. 30 minutes after he should have arrived, I called again. No answer. 40 minutes. No answer. 45 minutes after he should have arrived, a call came in. Hubby's number. Not Hubby's voice. After much confusion and heart racing, I was able to deduce the fact that Hubby had stopped for gas and left his phone. Things are going to be fine.
Check the map to see where the phone is. 30 minutes due north of where my man was when I talked to him last. How could that be since he was supposed to be headed due west for home? Call to the brother. No answer. Text to the brother. No reply. Call to the sister-in-law. Then the realization on both of our parts that we don't even know exactly where our men are in the hills of Arkansas. And there is not good reception there. Wherever THAT is.
Heart begins to beat a little faster. Sister-in-law has her mother in town and they are out shopping. They go back to the car to pray. I receive a text with said prayer just mere seconds after Hubby pulls into the garage. God was fast with that one!
Relief sets in. For a moment. But then The Beast appears. Do you know the one? The one that comes out and attacks the man? The one that says something like, "Where have you been? What happened? Do you know you lost your phone? Why were you so far off your planned course?". Hubby looks confused. Doesn't understand why sister-in-law is texting me a prayer for him. He just took a wrong turn. Then The Beast appears again after a very brief intermission. "Did you ever think about calling to let me know? I don't even know the name of the closest town to where you were! How would you feel if that had been me? Don't you understand how unsettling it is to get a call from a strange man on YOUR phone?"
When the Hubby can get a word in, he says...
wait for it...
"Wasn't the sermon about worry this morning? This must have been a test. Did you pass or fail?" The Beast retreats with its tail between its legs and goes to take a nap. Ugh.
More than one apology has been issued.
Hubby is now returning from a 5 hour round trip to retrieve that stupid phone.
Friday, May 14, 2010
New and Improved
Ta Da!
How do you like it? I have had so much fun working with my blog gal, Amber. Boy, has she been patient with me! I have asked loads of questions and have given her a ton of suggestions. She hung in there with me though, and I am so very pleased she did. If you are ever in need of a blogover :-), she just might be your gal too. She is also a digital scrapbooking designer for ScrapMatters.com. All of the paper and accessories you see on this blog are her designs. Aren't they great?! You must stop by and see all of her goodies.
I still have a few touch ups to do, but for now I must go to bed! Feeling sleep deprived. Until tomorrow. Actually it is already tomorrow. Good grief. Good night.
Thanks again Amber!
How do you like it? I have had so much fun working with my blog gal, Amber. Boy, has she been patient with me! I have asked loads of questions and have given her a ton of suggestions. She hung in there with me though, and I am so very pleased she did. If you are ever in need of a blogover :-), she just might be your gal too. She is also a digital scrapbooking designer for ScrapMatters.com. All of the paper and accessories you see on this blog are her designs. Aren't they great?! You must stop by and see all of her goodies.
I still have a few touch ups to do, but for now I must go to bed! Feeling sleep deprived. Until tomorrow. Actually it is already tomorrow. Good grief. Good night.
Thanks again Amber!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Brain Blip
It is already Thursday and just last night I realized that Tips Tuesday slipped right by me. I didn't even think about it. Wow. Where have I been? Actually, I know what I've been up to... working on my new blog design with my design gal. :-) I will introduce you to her when she gets it up and running. Soon. Very soon.
In my search of a gazillion (yes, that's a word, I don't care who you are) blogs, looking for things I wanted to copy, I came across the CUTEST idea for a birthday party. You must check out this bumble bee party over at Design Dazzle and from there connect to the birthday girl's mom's blog for even more pics. I don't think I have ever seen such a fab celebration for a 3 year old.
Short post for today as I am off to finish the details that I need to send in to my design gal! ;-)
In my search of a gazillion (yes, that's a word, I don't care who you are) blogs, looking for things I wanted to copy, I came across the CUTEST idea for a birthday party. You must check out this bumble bee party over at Design Dazzle and from there connect to the birthday girl's mom's blog for even more pics. I don't think I have ever seen such a fab celebration for a 3 year old.
Short post for today as I am off to finish the details that I need to send in to my design gal! ;-)
Monday, May 10, 2010
Something's brewing...
OK, so I admit it. I wish I hadn't promised to write down what has been going on at our house. As you can see, I put it off as long as I could. Here's the deal...
Friday afternoon I got a call about showing our house at 8:30... A.M... Saturday morning. Seriously? Yep, they even got here 5 minutes early. I had to tell the realtor to go to the front door so we would sneak out through the garage. They were inside for 25 minutes. Now, from our experience, that is pretty good.
We secretly watched from down the street as they drove off and thought that we would now be able to relax and enjoy our day. Phone rings around 12:30p.m. They want to come back at 2:00 and bring the mother or grandmother... whichever. And so we watched and waited again. 45 minutes this time. That's a long time people. Something's up.
I didn't care at this point, I just wanted a nap. The next call came at 4:20p.m. and it was our realtor... with an offer. For real. Back and forth a couple of times... By 8:00p.m. we were signing a contract. Seriously. Less than 12 hours from beginning to end. Ugh.
You wonder why my emotions are all jumbled up? You want to know why I wasn't swinging from the chandelier dining room fixture? Because it all happened so fast. AND, this is the big one... Hubby's job is ending on the same date we are scheduled to close on our home. There is nothing else planned beyond that date. Zilch. Nada.
So, I let sin creep in. The fear... the anxiety... the worry. Yes, I know that God will take care of us. He always has. Yes, I know that God has plans to prosper us and give us hope and a future. Of course I do. But will everything come together when we think we need it to? Will we have a job before this one ends? Will there be suffering?
This, my friends, is where I let Satan stick his big fat ugly foot in the door. I can see God at work. I realize what a miracle Saturday was for our family. We are blessed. But I'm still struggling. It makes me feel weak...
Friday afternoon I got a call about showing our house at 8:30... A.M... Saturday morning. Seriously? Yep, they even got here 5 minutes early. I had to tell the realtor to go to the front door so we would sneak out through the garage. They were inside for 25 minutes. Now, from our experience, that is pretty good.
We secretly watched from down the street as they drove off and thought that we would now be able to relax and enjoy our day. Phone rings around 12:30p.m. They want to come back at 2:00 and bring the mother or grandmother... whichever. And so we watched and waited again. 45 minutes this time. That's a long time people. Something's up.
I didn't care at this point, I just wanted a nap. The next call came at 4:20p.m. and it was our realtor... with an offer. For real. Back and forth a couple of times... By 8:00p.m. we were signing a contract. Seriously. Less than 12 hours from beginning to end. Ugh.
You wonder why my emotions are all jumbled up? You want to know why I wasn't swinging from the chandelier dining room fixture? Because it all happened so fast. AND, this is the big one... Hubby's job is ending on the same date we are scheduled to close on our home. There is nothing else planned beyond that date. Zilch. Nada.
So, I let sin creep in. The fear... the anxiety... the worry. Yes, I know that God will take care of us. He always has. Yes, I know that God has plans to prosper us and give us hope and a future. Of course I do. But will everything come together when we think we need it to? Will we have a job before this one ends? Will there be suffering?
This, my friends, is where I let Satan stick his big fat ugly foot in the door. I can see God at work. I realize what a miracle Saturday was for our family. We are blessed. But I'm still struggling. It makes me feel weak...
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Mother's Day
I had hoped to write something wonderfully profound this morning. That won't happen. My emotions are all confused. Yesterday was a day that will be remembered for some time. For me, it was full of anticipation, uncertainty, anxiety and yes, downright fear. Most of that... not good. I know. I confessed. And again. And yet again.
My story I will tell tomorrow. Hang in there with me. I don't want today to be about my struggles. I want it to be about my rewards. My 2 beauties and a hubby that loves me.
Determined to enjoy this day, I found a post that touched my heart. It is written by this beautiful woman that I "follow" and whose story I love. Her love of life is encouraging and I hope that you will stop by and read her post about the House of Motherhood. I believe it will bless you as it has me.
Happy Mother's Day!
My story I will tell tomorrow. Hang in there with me. I don't want today to be about my struggles. I want it to be about my rewards. My 2 beauties and a hubby that loves me.
Determined to enjoy this day, I found a post that touched my heart. It is written by this beautiful woman that I "follow" and whose story I love. Her love of life is encouraging and I hope that you will stop by and read her post about the House of Motherhood. I believe it will bless you as it has me.
Happy Mother's Day!
Friday, May 7, 2010
Fingerprint Friday
Beki over at The Rusted Chain blog has a recurring Friday post that she started based on a Stephen Curtis Chapman's song. I loved it so much that I began to be more observant of "The Fingerprints of God". I go through periods in my life where I am keenly aware of God's designs, but there are also those times where busyness runs amuck in my brain. So, I thank Beki for starting her "Fingerprint Friday" to remind us to stop a moment and take it all in.
These are some of my favorite pictures
of God's fingerprints.
Where do you see God's fingerprints?
These are some of my favorite pictures
of God's fingerprints.
Where do you see God's fingerprints?
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Tips Tuesday
I can't believe it is already Tuesday again! Boy, when you make a recurring commitment, it comes around quickly. Makes it seem as though the weeks are flying by. If there wasn't a calendar on my wall and weird Oklahoma weather to convince me, I would almost swear that it should be fall.
Back on track~
1. I used this tip just 2 days ago... rub a touch of Pam (or oil of your choice) around the outside of the rim on your jam jar. You can also do the same for the inside rim of the lid. I would suggest that you put it on a paper towel instead of spraying so you don't end up with Pam jam. :-) This keeps the lid from sticking.
2. To get the shower door clean and shiny, rub with a damp sponge soaked in vinegar. The smell will evaporate!
3. If your bathroom mirror tends to fog, put a little bit of shaving cream on a rag, spread it over the mirror and then wipe off with a clean rag. This should keep it fog free!
On another note, I finished my blog re-do homework and sent it in. Got a message from my blog gal and we will soon be underway. Yipee! You should see the results in about a week and a half. Can't wait!
Back on track~
1. I used this tip just 2 days ago... rub a touch of Pam (or oil of your choice) around the outside of the rim on your jam jar. You can also do the same for the inside rim of the lid. I would suggest that you put it on a paper towel instead of spraying so you don't end up with Pam jam. :-) This keeps the lid from sticking.
2. To get the shower door clean and shiny, rub with a damp sponge soaked in vinegar. The smell will evaporate!
3. If your bathroom mirror tends to fog, put a little bit of shaving cream on a rag, spread it over the mirror and then wipe off with a clean rag. This should keep it fog free!
On another note, I finished my blog re-do homework and sent it in. Got a message from my blog gal and we will soon be underway. Yipee! You should see the results in about a week and a half. Can't wait!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
I have found her!
Ok, I know that I said that I was "Done for now", but it was so not true. I have been a bit absent from the blogging world because I just wasn't settled. Even though I LOVE the paper I chose from Summertime Designs which was made into a background by Simply Blog It Backgrounds, it just didn't seem to fit my "name". (By the way, the young ladies at these 2 blogs were Oh. So. Kind. to me and very prompt in their replies to e-mails I sent their way!) Anyway, I wanted to bling out my blog a bit. :-) I was spending WAY TOO MUCH time learning how to rewrite codes, etc. to get what I was wanting and I wasn't spending any time writing.
So, without further ado (on National Scrapbook Day, yesterday) I found her. The one who will put me at ease. The one who is going to design my blog the way I wish I could. She designs exclusively for Scrap Matters.com. I am so excited! Literally. I feel as if I have been set free. What a feeling! That may sound weird, but so true.
It will take a few days to get it complete, but now I feel there is hope. :-) I can now devote my hours of internet search to writing. And cleaning. And laundry. Oh joy.
So, without further ado (on National Scrapbook Day, yesterday) I found her. The one who will put me at ease. The one who is going to design my blog the way I wish I could. She designs exclusively for Scrap Matters.com. I am so excited! Literally. I feel as if I have been set free. What a feeling! That may sound weird, but so true.
It will take a few days to get it complete, but now I feel there is hope. :-) I can now devote my hours of internet search to writing. And cleaning. And laundry. Oh joy.
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