SAHM I AM

So True.

2008-08-12T11:58:00.003-04:00

"In the end, though, what my children and husband need most from me is not a perfect home or perfect training or a perfectly spiritual model or a wife without faults - but a mother and a wife who is committed to doing whatever it takes to love them and make a home for them."

-Sally Clarkson, The Mission of Motherhood

Thank you Crystal :)

Darwin The Jack Rat.

2008-08-01T14:42:00.003-04:00

I am in love with Darwin. Check out that jump over the kitchen counter! Brooke can't wait for our little Pepper to be able to do this... Yikes!

Publix Savings For This Week.

2008-07-15T22:15:00.004-04:00

Whooo. I am so glad all of my shopping is done for a little while. Being frugal is not an easy job but I will admit I get an adrenaline rush when I see that total due going down and down and down.

Yesterday, I shopped Walgreen's, today I hit CVS and Publix and now I don't have to go shopping for a good 3 to 4 weeks! I also won't have to buy any shampoo or conditioner for a couple months and I won't need any jelly, jam or preserves until 2010! Seriously.

Here's what I picked up at CVS:
(Oop = Out of Pocket) (ECB = Extra Care Buck which is CVS' way of paying you back!)

3-Pack CVS Paper Towels: Retail $1.99 <$1.00 CVS Coupon> My Oop: $.99
1 -Herbal Essences Shampoo and 1 Conditioner: 2/$5.00 <$3.00 Coupon> My Oop: $2.00
2-Sure Solid Deodorant BOGO $1.89/2 + $3 ECB <2-$1.00 Coupons> My Oop: $0.00
2- Suave Body Wash $1.99 ea <BOGO coupon> My Oop: $1.99
2- Colgate Total Toothpaste BOGO $2.59 <$1.75 Coupon> My Oop: $.84
1-Clorox Bathroom Cleaner Clearance Priced at $1.60 <.35 coupon> My Oop: $ 1.25
1-6 Pack BC Powder 1.79 <1.79 CVS Coupon> My Oop: $0.00

Then I did a separate transaction to purchase a bag of Starbucks coffee : Retail price: $9.99 <$4.00 ECB> My Oop: $5.99

Publix... I am not even going to try to list everything here as the receipt is longer than my arm so I will just give you the low down:

Total Price: $232.01

My Total Oop: $117.11 :)

Yep. I did a little jig right there at the register and that! guy who was all huffy and puffy because he had to wait all that time for the poor girl to scan my coupons did one with me.. lol. He said he'd make people wait to save that kind of money too! Maybe one day I will run into him again and he will have coupons in his hand. That would be great! :)

Walgreens Savings For This Week.

2008-07-14T23:50:00.005-04:00

I could have possibly done better but here's what I ended up with...

Total before coupons: $91 and some change.

Total after coupons: $40.08.

Total Savings around $50.92 (give or take a few pennies)

It doesn't look like much in the photo but there's alot:

*3 24 ct. boxes Aleve
*3 24 ct. boxes Excedrin PM
*1 Intuition Razor with free trial size Dove Shampoo and Conditioner ( I am excited to try this... I never would buy one before because they were too costly at almost $10)
*1 Loreal Vive Pro Shampoo
*1 Loreal Vive Pro Conditioner
*2 Packs Womens Disposable Razors (totals 22 razors)
*2 Tubes of Colgate Total
*4 Bottles Palmolive
*6 Highlighters
*4 Spiral Notepads
*2 Packs Filler Paper
*2 Packs Papermate Mechanical Pencils
*1 Pack Papermate Colored Pens
*2 Packs Crayola Markers
*1 Pack Colored Pencils
*2 Packs index cards (one colored, one white)
*1 Pencil Sharpener
*1 Pencil/Crayon Sharpener
*1 pair Fiskars Scissors
*4 Boxes of Royal Pudding
*and last but not least- 1 package of stick on fake nails for my little diva! :)

The Story Of The World

2008-07-02T12:40:00.001-04:00

This is an awesome site for anyone using Susan Bauer's The Story Of The World. It has reviews/quizzes that you can use for free! And we all love free!!

Cow Tipping!!!!

2008-07-02T11:42:00.003-04:00

Dress like a cow from head to hoof for our 4th annual Cow Appreciation Day® (July 11, 2008) and get a complimentary combo meal (breakfast, lunch or dinner) from Chick-fil-A.

Not up for sporting the full cow look? Partial cow attire will still get you a complimentary entrée. Request a tall, cool Dr Pepper with your Chick-fil-A and complete your meal.

Oh yeah, why not post those cow pictures on your blogs??? I'll be sure to do it too! :)

Look what I found!

2008-06-28T16:16:00.002-04:00

I came across this site by the "Nester" and she uses misc. fabric and push pins to make window treatments too. I guess I'm not so weird after all.

Problem is... she does it soo much better! LOL.

Bookmark It.

What was old is new once again.

2008-06-27T16:55:00.005-04:00

The sky is darkening and I can smell the rain that is about to pour. I love that. And it's times like these when I desperately want a sewing machine. Yes, of course I used to have one but in my desperate attempt to de-clutter when we moved here last year, I sold it.

What was I thinking!?!

I mean I must have been having a "moment" because my sewing machine was precious even though it was missing a part. An unnecessary part that would have been easy to replace.

Oh well. No use crying over spilled milk I suppose.

Tomorrow I will be going yard sale shopping and with any luck I will run up on a great deal on the perfect machine!

Yep. Positive thinking.

In the meantime I am making due with what I have: upholstery pins, safety pins and my trusty hot glue gun.

I've been wanting different window treatments in my bedroom and bathroom but don't like paying huge prices per panel. So I rummaged through the linen closets and came up with this:

They are made with an old bed skirt that I have had for a while and knew that I wasn't ever going to use it again for it's intended use.

Best of all I was able to pull this off with no sewing machine :) All that was required was my trusty scissors and some upholstery pins. Yay! Eventually when I come across some "cheap" fabric I will change them out since I would like to have some long "drape" style window treatments but for now, these will do.

Sometimes being frugal is so easy.

To see more Frugal Friday posts, visit Biblical Womanhood.

Bookmark It.

Making a slipcover look so easy....

2008-06-26T09:56:00.006-04:00

Found this over at Granny Miller's blog.

The music is so sad I almost cried whilst watching her making this slipcover, lol! If you can hold back the tears, this is a great tutorial on how to cover that ugly couch you are sitting on :)

She also has video tutorials on canning! Click here to view....

Enjoy!

Bookmark It.

Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?

2008-06-26T06:30:00.000-04:00

Why, Why,Why ---

Do we press harder on a remote control when we know the
batteries are getting dead?

Why do banks charge a fee on "insufficient funds" when
they know there is not enough money?

Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion
stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?

Why doesn't glue stick to the bottle?

Why do they use sterilized needles for death by lethal
injection?

Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you
throw a revolver at him?

Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?

Whose idea was it to put an "S" in the word
"Lisp"?

If people evolved from apes, why are there still apes?

Why is it that no matter what color bubble bath you use the
bubbles are always white?

Is there ever a day that mattresses are not on sale?

Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes
that something new to eat will have materialized?

Why do people keep running over a string a dozen times with
their vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then
put it down to give the vacuum one more chance?

Why is it that no plastic bag will open from the end on your
first try?

How do those dead bugs get into those enclosed light fixtures?

When we are in the supermarket and someone rams our ankle with a
shopping cart then apologizes for doing so, why do we say, "It's all
right?" Well, it isn't all right, so why don't we say, "That hurt,
you stupid idiot?"

Why is it that whenever you attempt to catch something that's
falling off the table you always manage to knock something else over?

In winter why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in
summer when we complained about the heat?

How come you never hear father-in-law jokes?

And my FAVORITE......

Statistics on sanity are that one out of every four persons
is suffering from some sort of mental illness. Think of your three
best friends -- if they're okay, then it's you.

Bookmark It.

Great Deals!

2008-06-23T00:30:00.003-04:00

On a Sears Craftsman Roll Away Toolbox.

Only $29.99 Click Here.

Also, FREE Senseo Coffee Maker, Pods, and Pod Canister. Just pay $15 shipping! Click Here.

Bookmark It.

MEez...

2008-06-22T11:51:00.000-04:00

It's my 32nd!

Bookmark It.

Survey Says!

2008-06-21T11:04:00.003-04:00

This meme is via Andrea.

-
Maybe I should… stop goofing around on the computer and finish cleaning the house :)

I love the smell of… gardenias.

People would say that I…. love my family.

I don’t understand why…allot of things.

When I wake up in the morning… my back hurts.

I lost my will power to… hmmm. hard one.

Life is wonderful with… my family.

My past made me… who I am. A better, stronger person.

I get annoyed when… there is too much talking in the car at one time.

Parties are not… happening enough.

Dogs are… adorable pain in the sides :)

Cats are … great, funny and all around perfect.

Tomorrow I am going to… celebrate my birthday.

I have a low tolerance for… spying neighbors.

I’m totally terrified of… cancer.

Never in my life… will I worship the devil.

High school was something that… I don't miss.

When I’m nervous… I bite my nails.

Take my advice… men: Just say "Whatever you think is best dear." no matter what. Women: Never let him get hungry.

Making my bed is… important and I do it every morning.

I’m almost always…cleaning.

I’m addicted to… this computer (obviously) and to taking photos (even if they aren't always the greatest)

Bookmark It.

Currently Reading:

2008-06-21T11:00:00.001-04:00

This.

Has some great info on saving money on gas! Check it out :)

Bookmark It.

Our growing little Pepper Beans.

2008-06-20T16:31:00.003-04:00

Such a cutie pie. (click to see larger)

Her favorite filthy toy:

What? Where are you taking my toy???????????

Hopefully it will make it through the wash in one piece because she may never forgive me if it doesn't.

Frugal Friday :)

2008-06-20T08:01:00.003-04:00

One of my new favorite ways to make free money is by using Brring. It's quick and easy to sign up and you can start making money right away by giving your brring number to friends and family.

Here's how it works.

Brring assigns you a telephone number and you give it out to your friends and family and ask them to call you on that number from now on. Each time they call they will hear a quick ad then the call will forward to your private home number.

Every time someone calls, you make money!

One of the things I love about it... Telemarketers never sit through the ad to get forwarded to my real number - so no more annoying telemarketing calls!

If you decide to sign up, please use my link. I promise to return the favor one day :)

This is not a paid ad. To see more Frugal Friday posts visit Biblical Womanhood.

Bookmark It.

Homeschool Woes....

2008-06-17T14:10:00.002-04:00

Thank goodness home school is over for today. It was a very challenging day for Brooke as well as myself.

She just couldn't concentrate, manly because kids were outside playing and she wanted to be out there with them. I finally put an end to it all by letting her know that if her work wasn't completed properly and neatly I would erase all of it and she would start over. And if that were to happen there would be no playing with friends at all today.

That took care of it but it was still a rough day and I for one am glad that part of it is over.

Bookmark It.

Update On The Dining Set That I Was Willing To Sell Internal Organs For....

2008-06-16T19:46:00.003-04:00

The guy agreed to sell it for a certain price then turned around this evening and sold it to someone else for $100 more.

Can you feel my pain?

Bookmark It.

Anybody needa organ or two?

2008-06-16T06:13:00.005-04:00

Yesterday I was surfing our local craigslist for homeschool material when I ran across this absolutely beautiful dining set that I am in awe of. No, please don't ask me how I ended up looking at a dining set when I was supposed to be looking at curriculum. It is just how I work, it is the magic that is me.

Let me just tell you, I am just eaten up by this dining set, it's all I can think about! So eaten up that I am thinking of selling one of my very own organs or a limb whichever gets me closer.... I really did list our own dining table for sale in hopes that someone will buy it so I will be a bit closer to getting this one.

Solid cherry post WWII dining set, includes dining table (with leaf), 6 chairs, breakfront, and buffet.

The hours that I have spent staring at these photos is absolutely a waste of my time but I can't help myself, I can see myself sitting right there in that middle chair.

The owner of this set (which should be me) is supposed to call me this morning and I am hoping that he will be so generous as to take a deposit to hold it for me and take the rest upon pickup.

Lord Willing.

Because if I can't find a way to get this I may just fall completely apart.

And NOBODY wants mama to fall apart. Dear.

Bookmark It.

So Imperfectly Perfect.

2008-06-15T14:16:00.010-04:00

It's started out as a very gloomy rainy day here so going outside was out of the question.... After Brooke quietly read book after book I finally pulled out the paint and here is what we have spent most of our day on (other than spoiling the best dad in the world!)

These are the kind of messes I love.

By the time the paint was drying, the rain storm had passed so we moved on to this:

Now, Mike has the grill going and the smell of chicken and burgers is filling the air!

Speaking of burgers, I 've got something swirling around this brain of mine but I will post it tomorrow!

It's been a good day. I hope your Father's day was great too!!!

Bookmark It.

Pretty Homemaker :)

2008-06-13T06:50:00.004-04:00

Homemaking can be a dirty job but if you have a pretty apron it's not so bad! I've found some free online apron patterns you might like, here are the links to them:

Lined & Reversible Aprons

Dishtowel Aprons

Knit & Crochet Aprons

Vintage Style Aprons & Vintage Patterns

Full Aprons

Tea Party Apron
Smock Apron
Butcher Style Apron Pattern
Crafty Gal - Dressing For Success
jcaroline Creations Apron Instructions
Martha Stewart - Bakers Apron, template is here
Apron Tutorial - Jeans Apron
Free Apron Pattern
Taly’s Very Easy Apron
Suzy Homemaker Apron - Tutorial
Make a Plain Apron
Apron Pattern (not English, Japanese? but is fully illustrated) download file is here

Craft Aprons

Housekeeping Aprons

Sew A Clean Sweep Apron!
Martha Stewart’s Carryall Apron - This is basically a full apron folded up & sewn for pockets, easy!

More Aprons

Free Directions to Sew an Apron Using One Yard of Fabric
Shimmy, Shake, & Bake Apron pattern download is here (pdf)
Pleated Embroidered Apron
Jeans Apron and another similar concept here
Valentine Ruffle Apron
Keeping it Real Sewing Series: Apron Tutorial pattern downloads: Part 1 and Part 2 (both pdf)
Half Yard Apron
Make a Pretty Paisley Apron (popup warning)
Scalloped Apron the pattern download is here (pdf)

Clothespin Aprons

Children’s Aprons

Men’s Aprons
(just throwing these in for extra credit)

Bookmark It.

Our Current Homeschool

2008-06-11T19:43:00.006-04:00

I have added a list in the right hand sidebar of what my 8 year old is currently doing in homeschool. And here I have it posted as well:

Bible Study: Family Entertainment Network: Animated Stories From the New Testament (currently reading John The Baptist)

Copy Work: Rules Of Civility

Penmanship: A Reason for Handwriting

Read Aloud (read by me) Anne of Avonlea (click to read online for free!)

Reading: Currently, The Secret Garden (click to read online for free!)

Language Arts: Learning Language Arts Through Literature (Yellow Book)

Math: Horizon's Grade 3

History: The Story Of The World Vol. 1 and History of US - The First Americans

Science: Considering God's Creation & Exploring God's Creation and Scott Foresman Science Diamond Edition Grade 4 ( love this one! It is allot of fun!)

Art: Abeka Art 3 as well as various misc. projects and crafts from here and there.

Foreign Language: Hugo in 3 months Spanish

I don't know how well the Hugo in 3 months - Spanish is going to work out as it seems to e targeted at a much older audience so we'll see what happens.

Other than that everything is going great!!

Bookmark It.

Menu Plan Monday Tuesday :)

2008-06-10T13:11:00.007-04:00

Yay! I haven't been to the grocery store in what seems like forever and today is finally the day!! Problem is, I am starving at the moment and going to the grocery store hungry is a big N-O in my rule book. While I am waiting on some food to finish cooking I thought I would share my menu in no particular order.

Breakfasts:

Cereal
Pastry
Waffles
Pancakes
Muffins
Banana Bread
Fruit
Eggs with Toast
Grits
Oatmeal

Lunches:

Spaghetti-O's (Brooke's request, I personally can't stand the stuff)
Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches with fruit
Baked Beans with hot dogs (Beanie Weenies)
Pasta
Chicken Nuggets with corn
Macaroni & Cheese
Leftover Chili
Leftover Salisbury Steak
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with veggies

Dinners:

~~Tacos~~ Chili - Sometimes that happens when I get to the grocery store - something just sounded better on a rainy day like this :)
Pork Chops with broccoli & cheese rice and rolls
Ribs with baked beans and fries
Grilled Steak with Asparagus, pasta and bread
Chicken and Rice with biscuits and veggies
Eggs, Hash browns, Sausage and Toast
Smothered Chicken with green beans, corn and rolls
Hamburgers & Hot dogs (off the grill) with potato salad and chips
Bar-B-Q Chicken with something (undecided!)
Salisbury Steak with mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet peas and rolls

Desserts: (I don't make dessert every night, only a few times a week or so as leftovers can serve for the next day)

Cinnamon Rolls
Cake with butter cream frosting
Chocolate chip cookies
Brownies with Ice Cream
Apple Pie and Ice Cream (for father's day, it's his favorite!)

This is enough food to feed us for 2 weeks. I know it doesn't look like enough meals but it is because some meals have left overs and we may eat out at least one time.

Well, my food is ready! If you want to check out other menus, click here to go to Menu Plan Monday. (yeah yeah, I know I am late, sorry!)

Bookmark It.

Tweak Tweak

2008-06-10T11:43:00.001-04:00

Don't mind me, I'm just doing a little tweaking...

WAHM?

2008-06-09T17:46:00.005-04:00

Need some extra money coming in to cover the cost of gas? Just want a little extra income or are you looking for a full time work at home job? Every now and then, I post work from home jobs I come across and here are a few!

Current and up to date Work At Home positions available, to read more about each one click on the words in red:

Own an iPod Touch or iPhone? Love to write? If you answered yes to both then this could be a great job for you!
Computer Game Reviewers - compensation is 50% of ad revenue.
Customer Service for DirecTV (you even get FREE directv service!!)
Research Assistant/Data Entry
Hilton Service & Reservation Specialist
Freelance Indexers for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Company
Apple Customer Service (Austin, TX area only)

This is NOT a paid post. I just love sharing, that's all!

Bookmark It.