Just a Girl

Fake-It Frugal: Fake Betty Crocker Cookie Mixes

2012-03-04T21:40:00.000-08:00

Fake-It Frugal: Fake Betty Crocker Cookie Mixes: Ever have one of those "Ah-ha!" moments? I happened to me yesterday when I was lamenting the price of those very convenient Betty Crocker C...

Love Love Love

2012-03-04T16:24:00.001-08:00

Love Love Love by carlystroman featuring a yellow blazer

Lipsy t shirt
£25 - lipsy.co.uk

Rag bone yellow blazer
£410 - harveynichols.com

MOTHER skinny leg jeans
$196 - otteny.com

H&M short shorts
£20 - hm.com

Skinny jeans
$130 - witchery.com.au

Bruuns Bazaar flat sandals
599 DKK - musthaves.dk

MAYA leather handbag
$470 - lpcollection.com

Crislu cz jewelry
$150 - macys.com

Heart ring
nelly.com

Best Spring Leap

2012-02-24T14:01:00.001-08:00

Best Spring Leap by carlystroman featuring floral pants

Traffic People rosette dress
€130 - welikefashion.com

Theory sweater
$295 - net-a-porter.com

IRO biker jacket
$991 - my-wardrobe.com

Dolce&Gabbana floral pants
£264 - farfetch.com

Lipsy layered tutu
£50 - lipsy.co.uk

Platform heels
myspringshoes.com

Friis Company snakeskin handbag
€43 - welikefashion.com

Assad Mounser facets jewelry
$300 - net-a-porter.com

Crislu cz sterling silver jewelry
$150 - macys.com

Sunglasses
$189 - squidoo.com

Wholly yours

2010-06-16T06:08:00.000-07:00

Where did I go?

2010-06-14T02:57:00.000-07:00

Life has been hectic for me. I finally finished the Foundation classes at my church for Ministry.
I loved everyone of them but I have to admit my favorite so far has been "Fresh Start". It's a mandatory class at the Rock for membership. Wow! I made it through Membership. That was just the start and why I have been neglecting the blog. I got caught up in actually learning and doing. As Pastor Mike says "Get on your feet or you'll lose your seat".

The other courses Share, Shape, Habits for Life and upcoming Lifestyles are excellent. I feel like I am learning again. Before the classes , my religious and spiritual growth had been like the pond cut off from a fresh water source (stagnant) with me being a lone tadpole. And now, what an awesome change in the pond as fresh water enters it and the miracles of all the life and community add their lovely differences. I can not thank Pastor Mike J. enough for the awakening and educational experiences.

Once you get caught up with the Lord, the church and the needs of the community, wow wow wow! I feel like the luckiest person in the world. I am a minister of the Rock now and am expected by my own reasoning to reach out to spread my wings. Pastor Matt asked me to become the Needs Minister of the Church which is honorable in my own mind. It does mean
that I have set certain expectations of my spiritual growth, becoming more than just a title and an actual asset to my church and community. Hope that makes sense to you because I've taken the commitment seriously.

Yet my favorite phrase is "God is a wonderful, loving man with a great sense of humor". I know he has that because he makes me laugh more than I have ever have before. Besides, how could he not be perfect in his laughter as he is in creations!

So here's some idea of what I have been doing. Hope someone can use them as inspiration as they get me dancing in the morning and end my days with a directed sense of doing the best with what gifts I have been given. Here's some ideas of things you can do that inspired me:

Ministry projects with the Books For Prisoners project (develop one, give books , visit prisoners or just help with donation drives of books and bibles for any local jail or prisons)
Going to school again ( Any class that motivates you and stretches your brain)
Volunteer to do some painted vases for a local mission
Do something with evangelism
Grow flowers and veggies for a community garden or homeless shelter
Write a very new devotional based on your own art, photos or words
Donate a Kids Craft Blog for your church
Do digital art or crafts for spiritual gifting
Become a Prayer warrior
Reach out to new local ministers and ask if they could use a hand anywhere
Assist the large extended family of your church family and family (look for needs and assist)
Learn to bake (donate the goods to the church or shelters)
Check on your elderly neighbors a few times a week
Make a new friend
Invite people to your church
Start a new journal
Read a different version of the Bible to get different perspectives
Do one Random Act of Kindness daily
Build a website with encouraging spiritual, positive information
Encourage others to follow their dreams or spiritual direction
Practice becoming adept at Spiritual Warfare (The Good guys should always win)
Teach a course on something you know or enjoy for Free to friends, community or church
Read the Dictionary (Surprisingly, you will expand your vocabulary and spelling) no matter what education level or age you are
Write an article for Wilkipedia on something you feel comfortable with
Volunteer to write for Open Source projects
Sing *With the radio, around people, in church, anywhere* Singing strengthens the vocal cords and lessens the probability of sleep apnea or effects of apnea so just SING!

This is certainly not all you can do but it's a list that assisted me in getting my spiritual chit-chat right with myself. Hope it helps you or someone you love.

Just a Girl: These Boots are Made for....

2009-07-22T15:37:00.000-07:00

Just a Girl: These Boots are Made for....

These Boots are Made for....

2009-07-22T14:42:00.000-07:00

CONTAINER Gardening! How to be creative, functional and make a definite conversation piece were my goals for boots that were no longer wearable and bound for the local garbage bin. I was reading today about using your creative sources to be green when I looked in our closet to discover these. A very worn out, embarrassing pair of boots that had been sitting in our hall closet begging for me to throw them away. Art sometimes begins as necessity.

First to create your little piece of art, you need some really worn out boots. These are a great example of some good container boots. New boots just don't have any impact here and basically would not be reusing materials to create a greener environment. Those old boots are the main ingredient. These happen to be a size 10.5 but any size makes a great container.

Here's your supply list:

2 Focal Flowers *Daisies, roses or even some lovely asters* 2 varieties you love with good vibrant color(s) are great. I used pink roses and some ice blue tall phlox plantings.
2 vines * English ivy and black heart sweet potato vines were my choices.

Very good potting soil (fill the boot up to the bottom of the tongue to start). Later you will fill the boot almost to the top. make sure when you start (you unlace the boot as shown). Later when we finish you will lace the boot to the top and allow the ivy to trail over the lace of the boot. You want to create a tumbling effect with the vines over the laces.

Spanish moss to fill in the top of the boot and allow the plants to retain more moisture. Luckily we have that in our back yard *which I have already cleaned* and prepared for plants. *Next week a lesson on Spanish moss live and dead cleaning*

Place your focal plants in the middle of the bottom of the boot. Then tuck the roots of the vines and vines in front of the focal plants inside the boot sole. Fill the boot with potting soil to stabilize your plants. Some arranging may be necessary to get the look you desire. Make sure the sole of the boot is full of plant roots to get that lovely antiqued container look.

Lace the boot up to the top and fill in about 2 inches down with soil. Allow room for the moss and to water. Generously place your moss on the top and be sure to fertilize and water your newly started creation.

Place in a location where you can create a focal point. The porch stoop, on the steps beside a pond, on the sidewalk leading off the driveway...let your imagination go here. A friend of mine has her's sitting beside the workroom door (as if they were just taken off to enter the door).

Not only have we created a green container, we have something to talk to our neighbors about.

Wishing you a "boot-i-ful" day!

Roast Beef Relief Act

2009-07-08T07:14:00.000-07:00

Well if there's free food, I'd find it. *Especially if it means a slight reprieve in cooking.* I love to cook but I also like "not to" cook some days. From Arby's where my dear friend is a manager comes this surprise! Check out the proposed Freebies and to get some nice coupons become an Arby's Club member. Here's the Beef: Arby's is going to be offering FREE food on Wednesdays throughout the entire summer. But with some good food, you must purchase a drink and each location varies. Check your local Arby's, since there are some terrific deals out there! At my location, a small soft drink is less than a dollar! July 8th - Free Orange Cream Swirl Shake w/sandwich purchase July 15th - Free Regular Roast Beef w/soft drink purchase July 22nd - Free Roast-burger w/soft drink purchase July 29th - Free Fruit Tea w/sandwich purchase August 5th - Free Regular Roast Beef w/soft drink purchase August 12th - Free Roast Chicken Club w/soft drink purchase August 19th - Free Fruit Tea w/sandwich purchase August 26th - Free Regular Beef 'n Cheddar w/soft drink purchase So much for the Wednesday beef! Thank you Arby's for the Roast Beef Relief~!

Super-Saver Wednesday :

2009-07-01T03:23:00.000-07:00

Hope everyone's having a blessed week.

Well money's tight for us right now (I think it is for everyone) so I did a small bit of research
and came up with some coupons and freebies to post today.

Hope you can use some of these:
$10 off Merchandise July 2-4th at KMART
$10 in coupons when you sign-up for KMART email (you can use both coupons separately)

Then there's one I call A Summer Slam Coupon Site (tons and tons of coupons) Print and Use There is something for everyone at this site (Freebies, downloads for free and coupons for about everything).

Other things I am using to save some costs are downloadable ring tones for free. I almost fell out of my office chair when my carrier wanted $0.99 for a single ring tone (ouch). So I came up with these sites where you can download the ring tones free. Do your search according to your phone type and carrier. Check out: Phonezoo.com and Myxer.com and remember using your own Mp3's you can make your own ringtones!

Get Smart about how you download Mp3's too. Racking up endless Mp3 downloads can cost you up to a $1.00 per song. Rhapsody.com has a free download section . ClassicCat.net has oddles of FREE classical songs you can download free. For the cowboys out there, there is also CountryWeekly.com just search for Free Music Downloads. When visiting Amazon.com you can go to digital downloads on the lefthand menu look for Mp3 downloads. Look for Most popular and there you will find Free Songs and Special deals!

My Favorite 4th Freebie is Florida Based. The Rock Church is having a Rockin' the 4th picnic and bash (get it Rock=Bash) anyway...BBQ chicken, ribs at noon and 5:00 pm. There's no cost to attend. The Rock is located at: 2901 S.R. 544 Winter Haven, Florida 33881. Activities include: *Hoping it does not rain*, Jetskiing, fishing,boating, frisbee, Canoeing, Valleyball, Sunbathing,tubing/skiing/waterboarding, swimming or just sit around and relax! Questions?
Call the church office at: 863-295-5585. Covered dish is welcome!

Service with Pastor Mike starts at 6:00 pm and we hope you attend but it is not mandatory. Maybe we will even hear from our new Youth Pastor Jack.....never know!

Have a frugal Wednesday filled with blessings. Remember to take time to pray today and everyday. God Bless!

Many thanks to Ms. Nell for sharing a photo of this beautiful flower she's growing in her yard. Ok, Nell you are now blogged :-0

2009-06-27T12:08:00.000-07:00

Recipe of the Day
A Canadian friend introduced me to Nanaimo Bars. These are not for the faint-heart chocoholic or weak to count calories....It's one of those : You must try them once in your life and on very special occasion bars for our family. Here's the recipe and the lovely city it's named after in Canada. Nanaimo Bars Recipe
Enjoy!

The picture above is my dragon's tears plant. Later it gets red bean pods!

Friday Freebies

2009-06-26T19:27:00.000-07:00

Love chocolate? Don't forget to Register for your free chocolate bars at Mars. They are having a "Chocolate Relief Act" Friday's.

I am for anything free that puts smiles on hundreds of folks faces!
Go here to register Chocolate Relief Act (and yes, I did get an actual coupon worth up $0.85 for any Mars product I selected). So it is real and I do check the links I post.

But I think my coupon may have been misplaced in my DH's hand......

Have a great weekend!

How to Make a Solar Oven | eHow.com

2009-06-25T18:40:00.001-07:00

How to Make a Solar Oven | eHow.com

Shared via AddThis

The Rock

2009-06-19T19:07:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged enough about our church and what we do there. Besides being a great place to learn about the Lord, we have a ton of activities.

This week is Vacation bible school and coming up is the Rockin' Life Camp experience which I truly believe can change a young person's life. It can do that for the Adults too but we all need to volunteer a smidgen more than we have been. Why's it so hard to give time when it's all for the Lord?

I think I am guilty of forgetting that this world passes by quickly and what we do for Christ in his name is all that really matters.

Come see us at the Rock! Say hello or listen to some of the sermons by Pastor Mike. I think you will love it as much as we do.

For the kids today, come visit this fun site (adults will love it too!)

Weekend Freebie in Florida

2009-06-17T04:38:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wanted to have a great weekend and just didn't have the funds? Well Florida's State Parks have surely cured the "Blahs" for many families by offering Fee Free Weekends. Most state parks offer the same program so check with this listing for information.

Here's the listing of Florida and other state Fee-Free State Parks! Enjoy!

This is a UFO Pepper bush our son Marcus started for me :-) Have a Blessed day with the Lord.

Crafts For Kids

2009-06-15T20:27:00.000-07:00

Hope you had a great day. I stumbled onto a great (really creative) kids craft site tonight while checking my email. Alpha-Mom(tm) has instructions for making a really neat art notebook that I fell in love with. It's an excellent way to preserve any age groups refrigerator art and could even be done with a theme in mind.

They are an awesome craft site. Be sure to look over the crafts for kids of all age groups.

Check out: Alpha-Mom(tm)

This is some Purple-leafed Basil starting to grow in my herb garden.

Where to find Good Reading

2009-06-11T00:22:00.000-07:00

I love being online. I like to answer my email, look at links, respond to posts, collect recipes (which I actually use) and do my Swaptree trades. I also love to read online and have found the Bible, Dead Sea scrolls, Apocrypha and discussion forums at : Interfaith Lovely site with various versions of the bible.

If you have old books lying around, CD's, DVD's or games I highly recommend SwapTree. You can trade items for other items for the cost of postage. Really nice, secure site. If you join, please mention me Sleepy554 as your referring member. Thank you!

Enjoy the links!

Today's picture is Imagine *Emma-jean* enjoying the flowers!

June 11 & 12 $5.00 off coupon

2009-06-10T01:21:00.000-07:00

Well, for anyone frugal this June 11th and 12th Walgreen's is giving a $5.00 coupon toward any purchase of $25.00.

Here's the link to print the coupon. Walgreens June 11th and 12th Special offer

This a fire Dahlia starting to bloom in my little garden :-) More as it progresses.

Paper Toys to Make for Gifts & Fun

2009-06-10T00:13:00.000-07:00

I found the most creative link on the web that I have the opportunity to share with you all.
Marilyn Scott-Walters has created a nice little free section on making paper gifts. It has to be one of my favorite links of all time.

Have a look, make some toys! Make someone's day with a gift... Perform a RAK *Random Act of Kindness*. Just make everyday count, every second a treasure and every life around you a joy.

The picture is of my recent bouquet from the ceremony renewing our vows at the Rock with Pastor Mike Jarrett officiating.
I guess I'd marry my Marine everyday and feel like I do everyday. It's great to be able to do that. Praise report *smiles* It's cool to have Pastor J actually performing the ceremony. It means more to us than the first time just having him there. Thanks Pastor J!

Have fun!
Now on to the toys!
Fun with Paper!

How to Save Money at the Grocery Store

2009-06-09T23:53:00.000-07:00

I found that by looking through the sales ad's of all the stores I shop at, I can make a list easily.
There's a pretty awesome link that lets you pick and print coupons, compare sale items, mark items then print your list.
This week alone, I saved over $80.00 using this. Now, to me that's a bunch but to some it doesn't mean much. I guess in today's economy, I feel any savings helps.
Thank you to Duke University Digital collection for the awesome grocery-related pic.
Here's how to save some money on one of those things we all need (food)! Free Grocery Store Lists

Until the next post, God Bless!

Garden Based Learning for Educators

2009-06-08T08:59:00.000-07:00

Afternoon all, there's a really cool site dedicated to teaching gardening to youth. Complete with lesson plans for educators, summer camps, volunteers and anyone loving gardening.

Cornell University sponsors the Garden-Based Learning Site which rocks!
Check them out here! Cornell University Garden-Based Learning Site

Have fun and be sure to post some of your activities to me so I can blog you.

This is Florida "Lake Smart" at dusk.

How to Make Paper Look Old

2009-06-08T03:41:00.000-07:00

If you haven't discovered WilkiHow, this might be a great time to. One of my favorites is WilkiHow to Make Paper Look old. You can make paper look ancient which is excellent for my handmade journals and papers.
Here's an example of some old paper, many thanks to Duke University Digital Collection for providing the world's greatest old ads and more.
Here's a picture of the garden this morning. Enjoy and Have a blessed day!

Bottle Brush Tree

2009-06-07T21:05:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Mimi from Hawaii and Yahoo Groups PlantSwap, the mysterious tree has been identified! The lovely red flowers and bark are really unusual but she identified right away from my little badly taken picture.

If you love swapping plants in a great environment, check out the group. You will find resident experts on plants, information galore and a group of for the most part real nice folks. No money exchanges hands here so it is not a vendor forum. It is trades only here.

Check out the forum if you love plants and like interacting with other plant lovers.

The picture enclosed is a Croton. The one below is the Bottle Brush Tree.

Enjoy!

Our new Youth Pastor Jack

2009-06-07T18:49:00.000-07:00

Jack leaves Florida with the kids tonight for Cedar Point , Ohio where they earned a trip pulling Cat tails from the lake channel. They also sold Photos, did church clean-up and other healthy activities for a much deserved outing.

This is their first official trip without Pastor Mike on board so we are all praying for a safe, fun trip for the kids. Have fun y'all!

If you haven't seen Jacks Blog, please take a moment to go visit him and say Howdy!
http://jackjarrett.com/ We are really pleased to have him at our church working with our kids.

The sermon rocked today and I figured out I needed to understand revelations instead of running from it. It's one of those books of the bible, I never tried to really understand. With Pastor Mike's help I am getting there....sloooooowly but surely.

We sent taco fixings with the kids and hope they get more meals to assist them with their trip. They get the opportunity to cook at churches along the way to save their much needed cash reserves.

Have fun guys! and take pictures!!!

God Bless!

Playing With Spiders

2009-06-07T13:27:00.000-07:00

My friend Diane amazes me. She's a Master Gardener, a good friend and she shares fun things.
Well last night in my email, she shared a game with me. I just have to pass it on...*Big Grin*
There must be some goal to the game? See for yourself.
Playing with spiders

The picture of the day is Imagine, our kitten pronounced *Emma-Jean*. She talks to plants. Enclosed photo should brighten any plants day even during our rainy Florida day.

Iponea Leaves from the garden

2009-06-06T05:02:00.000-07:00