Goodness

Wow, my post from last night was a bit dis-jointed, huh. LOL

I was not only tired, but I had started to post some stuff that I decided I didn't want all over cyber-space. KWIM?

Anyways, I am in a better mood this morning. It is a payday, so I do a larger shopping trip than normal. Plus, since I will be in Culpeper anyways, I will hit the Goodwill store down there! Now, this is not just a "see what I can find" trip, I actually am looking for a new (to us) floor lamp. Ours finally broke beyond repair. I have been scouting around for over a week, and have decided that if I don't find one at Goodwill, I will get a "cheap" one at Walmart. Not ideal, but I really need a lamp. Our living room does not have ceiling light, so at night you can not read in the living room right now. LOL

Well, that is all for now.

Wait....here is my current 10:

1. My relationship with Jehovah and his son, Jesus.
2. My wonderful DH.
3. My children
4. Thrift stores
5. Unlimited long distance! (I talk w/mom almost every morning!)
6. My mom for still being around, miss ya dad!
7. The ability to be a SAHM. Although there is alot of work involved.
8. The warm weather....please stay for awhile.
9. The ability to grow things! Thank you Jehovah!
10. Freecycle....I have gotten some nice things....plus I have blessed a few with items we no longer use.

Okay, that is all for now. If I find anything exciting at Goodwill, I will share.

Another week (and month) coming to an end

Time is just going too fast. It seemed like I was just preparing for THIS week.

This will be short, cuz I want to go to bed. LOL

Nothing exciting happened, but that is not a bad thing.

Had a family picture made on Tuesday....Jenny made a scene, of course. That doesn't surprise me. The picture looks nice and that is all that matters.

Have a great Friday, and if I don't post tomorrow, have a great weekend.

Morning 10

Good morning all,

1. Relationship with Jehovah and his son Jesus Christ.
2. DH
3. My kids
4. My mom
5. My home
6. My pets
7. The funds to attend WW meetings
8. A DH who is very supportive of my WW journey
9. My blog
10. This new day with all it's possiblities!

Tuesday, 3-28-06

First, here are my 10:

1. My relationship with Jehovah God.

2. My wonderful DH.

3. My family

4. My home that DH works hard to provide for

5. Vetinarians.

6. The health of my cat

7. Being able to be there for Heather (she had to have her cat put to sleep today.)

8. Be able to not work outside the home.

9. The love of a pet

10. My vehicle that works without much cost.

My ten for this morning

1. The ability to have a personal relationship with Jehovah God and his son Jesus Christ.

2. My DH, the best man in this world for me.

3. My beautiful children, and that fact that I have the proud title of "Mommy".

4. My home, it is not big or fancy, but it is ours and I work to make it a refuge for my family.

5. My Mom. She is the one that I look up to, and strive to be like, in everything.

6. My Kitchen Aid mixer, it makes bread baking so easy.

7. My VCR, it helps to entertain my little boy who is home sick from school.

8. My mother's intuition, I have learned to trust it. It has yet to fail me.

9. My cookbooks. They give me inspiration when I feel that our meals are "in a rut".

10. The ability to learn new things.

Ten things I am thankful for today

This is something that is going around on the web, so I thought I would add mine.

1. The ability to have a personal relationship with Jehovah God and his son Jesus Christ.

2. My DH, the best man in this world for me.

3. My beautiful children, and that fact that I have the proud title of "Mommy".

4. My home, it is not big or fancy, but it is ours and I work to make it a refuge for my family.

5. My Mom. She is the one that I look up to, and strive to be like, in everything.

6. The food that I prepare for my family.

7. My health and the health of my family.

8. My front-loading washer and dryer. It makes doing laundry for a family of seven easier.

9. The internet. The friends and information that I have access to with the push of a button.

10. The Dollar Tree store. I bought some very nice scrapping supplies there today.

Okay, those are the ones I can think of right now. Some will never change, but others will change from time to time.

Weekly tidbits

This week was rather un-eventful. (Which is what I like!)

Picked up DS6 from school on Monday. Poor thing had a bad headache, those dang allergies. Put him in my bed with some tylenol and a good movie on the t.v. That helped. :-)

Tuesday, I had a bit of a tummy bug....or something similar.

Wednesday was WW, down a pound, then some errands that didn't get done on Monday.

Thursday, I spent the day baking for the First grade bake sale for Friday. That was fun. Then DH took the two little ones and me out to eat. That was a VERY nice treat. (The older step kids were working.) Oh....plus the little ones received a nice size box in the mail from Grandma in Texas. They loved their surprises.

Today, was spent RUNNING around all day. I put over 100 miles on my mini van. LOL First dropped DS6 and the brownies/cookies off at school, then headed down to the Super Walmart for groceries. Came back home to put the fridge and freezer items away. Then went to the Dollar store, Safeway and Petco (dang fleas!). Then I needed to get home to feed DD4 before heading BACK to the school to help with the selling of the bake goods. It was really fun. After getting home at about 3:45, I then turned around and took DsS16 to work, ran by the post office, the bank and then the grocery store. WHEW!! I was tired. After resting a bit, I then made a couple of simple pizzas, and now I am "relaxing" on the computer.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Spring!

Okay, I know it is not officially spring yet......but today has been wonderful!

It is currently 75 degrees outside! Slight breeze, but not chilly. I was out with DD4 earlier planning where I want my flower beds out front. I have these ideas....plus even a couple of sketches, I now have to see if they are do-able. LOL

Not much else is going on, just fight spring fever.

This spring, some of the frugal ideas that I want to implement are:

Putting up a clothesline. Not only to save money on the electric dryer, but I LOVE the smell of sun-dried clothing, sheets and towels!

Building a chicken coop. This is still in the discussion and development stage. I need to make sure that I can devout the time to this. Also, DH wants to spend a week at the beach...so I have to make sure that someone can take care of them while we are gone. This might have to be a project that waits until next spring. Nothing is decided yet.

Put more attention to the garden this year. Last year, we let the weeds take over becasue we had so many other projects that NEEDED to get done. This year, there are fewer "have to's" around the house. I also plan to invest in more established plants instead of seeds. I am not experienced enough to start my own plants from seeds yet. But I will be someday!

That is all for now.

Kids say the cutest things.....

I was reading the blog of a fellow PH'er (Like Merchant Ships) and it reminded me of something my littlest said the other night to DH. He was letting her eat some chocolate chips in a bowl, and of course, playing around with her by only putting two chips in the bowl. She looked at them and said "only two?" He asked how many she wanted....she said "at least 4 or 3 or 7"...he poured some more in and then asked her "how many is that?" This is her answer...completely deadpan....."Not enough." I lost it....it was so cute.

What is it with kids and their innocent bluntness? My DS6 is called "Mr. Loophole". Seriously, he can figure out how to get around anything! (okay, practically anything. I have learned to word things VERY carefully.) I agree with Meredith......they are sometimes too smart for their own good!

But I would change a thing!

My Children.....my way.

On one of the message boards that I love, there is a thread concerning a "sister issue".

The issue in a nut-shell....the poster's sister wanted to take her daughter out to eat for her brithday. Nothing wrong there, but she wanted her sister to dress 'appropriately" and to not listen to "her music". Her sister got mad and hung up on her and now she is not sure what to do.

Now, for the responses. I was truly surprised at how many people thought the poster should call and "apologize" for asking her to dress a certain way and to not listen to her own music! Call me old-fashion (which I would not mind!) or even over-protective, but if I am allowing MY child/ren to go with a family member (or even a close friend), that does not mean that I am giving up my right, my God-given right to control what my child is exposed to!

I would be the one OFFENDED if my wishes concerning my children were not respected. Even if the family member/friend did not agree with my decision. Unless I am putting my child/ren in danger or at risk, then they need to respect that I am raising my child/ren the way I (I guess I really should say "we" since my DH and I are usually on the same page) feel is best for them.

Okay, I will put my soap-box away for now. Have a great night everyone.

Being Frugal

I haven't posted anything concerning frugality in awhile. That is rather remiss of me, considering the title of this blog.

One of the easiest ways to be frugal is concerning food. Some people show signs of shock when I say that, but it is true. I work very hard in finding ways to reduce the food budget and also the stretch what I do have as far as possible.

First....cook more from scratch. That is the easiest thing to do to reduce your bill. I buy VERY few "convenience" foods. If and when I do purchase them, it is when they are on sale, with a coupon. Every so often, I will be able to get my hands on .50 off one box of Totinos pizza rolls (which I personally think taste like cardboard, but my DsS16 likes them)....now at least once a month one of my local stores sales them during one of their 10 for $10 sales. So, a .50 coupon doubles to $1...thus I pay only tax for the box of pizza rolls. I still have 4 boxes in the freezer from last time. :-) I have gotten several items like that in the past.

I strive to keep my freezers (we have an upright one and the one with the fridge) full of "best price" meats. Then I plan my meals around what I have in the freezer and what is either in my pantry or a "loss-leader" at the stores that week. {loss-leader= items that a store sells at a loss to get you to come in and hopefully buy other items that are not on sale}

A price book also comes in handy. This is a little notebook that I use to keep track of prices in my favorite stores. This way, I can know for sure whether a sale is truly a "sale". I have found that one stores idea of a sale is NOT my idea of one! LOL

I also shop for alot of my food items at Aldi's. A private chain that sells mainly their own private label. They are a "no-frills" kinda place that suits me fine.

This summer I also hope to can, freeze and de-hydrate as many vegetables as I can. This way, I will be able to reduce my food budget even more. (Last year was not a good garden year, but we hope to learn from some of our mistakes.)

These are just a few of my thoughts and practices concerning saving on our food budget. I will post some more ideas in the future.

2-7-06

So...so much for my "I am going to blog more" idea. LOL

Well, lets see. I finally finished the second skirt for my mom. Sent those out yesterday, so she should get them by Thursday. I then had to take my sewing room down and relocate everything back to the basement. My step-daughter decided to come back home.

I know I should be happy, because it is the only way she will have a chance to graduate (she is currently failing), but I am just worried she will cause all the stress and disruption she caused before. DH promises that he will not let her and that he will kick her out if she starts all that stuff again. I guess only time will tell.

I am really getting frustrated on a part that I am doing Thursday night! I shouldn't let it stress me, but that doesn't take alot to do right now. I just need to keep in mind 2 Corinthians 3:5
"Not that we of ourselves are adequately qualified to reckon anything as issuing from ourselves, but our being adequately qualified issues from God." I know I will be fine.... I guess I should get off of here and start working on it now. :-)

I will try and type again sooner.

Have you ever sat down and evaluated where you are in you life?

I did this alittle last night. See, today I turn 35. (No, I do not celebrate this day, but I do have to acknowledge that I have to change what I write on medical forms from this day forward. :-) ) How do I feel about my life up to now, and what would I like to change in the future.

I am happy with where I am...a loving DH..two wonderful DC, and two out of three step children that like me . I have the rare and wonderful privilege to stay at home with my children and the ability to piddle in my Mary Kay business. (I do mean to do more than piddle, but for now, I am just trying to stay active and build from there.)

What I would like to see as far as changes.... strive to be a better keeper of our home, increase my personal Bible study, increase my Bible studies with the dc and to increase my activity out in service.

Now, these are ALL do-able...I just have to put forth the effort. And I am PRAYING for help in that matter.

Well, those are my deep thoughts for the day...I am not off to play a game of Dora's chutes and ladders with my little girl.

False hopes of being a writer.....

I have tried to start a post several times today. I felt I needed to write SOMETHING. LOL

I keep getting what can only be called writers block....well, it could be called other things, but hey, I can be delusional, I mean optimistic.

I used to have dreams of being a writer. I wrote short story after short story in high school. Even got a couple published….in the school paper. That doesn’t take a whole lot of talent to accomplish, but it is still nice.

Now, I have trouble thinking of things to post here on this blog. I guess I should be happy that my life is not very traumatic or dramatic.

Who knows, maybe I will start a short story….from a more mature perspective…. The delusion, I mean dream continues!:-)

January 11, 2006

The month is a third over and I haven't posted anything new! :-(

Not alot has happened recently, which is nice for a change after December. I have been trying to get back on track with keeping the housekeeping up. I kinda slacked a bit (okay a lot!) in December.

I have really had to mentally shake myself, because I have been kinda "resenting" the housework I have to do. Then I thought, Get over it Molly! You have the rare privilege to stay at home with your children. You don't have to put your kids in day care or after school programs until you can rush home after working all day in an office! (Sometimes I REALLY have to shake myself up a bit!)

I have also been thinking alot about being there for DH. What can I do to make things even easier on him? Have I mentioned before that he works a full-time AND a part-time job? He does that SO that I can stay home with the kids. He likes that I am here when they get home from school, that I am here to keep them home if they are sick. So, I am trying to go that EXTRA mile to show how much I appreciate what he does. I try to keep things tidy around the house, I also try and do as much as I am capable of around the house (maintenance-wise). I know there are things that I am just not physically able to do, but even then, I am trying to have DS16 learn to do things and have him do them. I truly want DH's evening and weekends to be free for him to do what he wants to do.

It is an ongoing process, that I hope will continue to bear good results.

Have a great day!

Molly

2005

Wow, can it really be the last day of 2005? It seems just like yesterday I was getting used to writing 2005 instead of 2004!

This has been a good year over-all. Getting more done at the new house. DS6 finishing kindergarten and starting 1st grade. My mom and sister moving to San Antonio, and me half-wishing to move there also. :-) On the not-so-good side.....DsD18 decides to move out on her 18th birthday, and she didn't do it in a very nice nor grown-up way. MIL has decided that we are to blame for Dsd18 moving out. We didn't "provide a happy environment" here! (That is a joke!) But because of that, she is not speaking to us! As far as I am concerned, she is cutting off her own nose to spite her face! I am just sorry that DH is having to deal with this. DsD20 decides to total her car and now has to use her fathers...and bristles when he needs it.

On the brightest note....today is our anniversary! YEAH! We are going out to dinner and then to a the National Theatre to see "Les Mis"...... Wonderful.

I hope to write more in 2006....especially when we start preparing to get chickens. LOL

I hope everyone has a great year!

End of the week 12-17-05

Not ALOT going on this week.

DsD18 came on Monday and picked up her things. I think she was surprised that her father had packed up everything for her. :-) That might have been mean, but I still get miffed when I think of the pain she put everyone, especially her father through.

We have had snow and ice this week. Kids have missed two days of school this week. I really think they should have gone in late on Friday, but that is not my decision.

I am so glad this time of the year is almost over. I do not celbrate christmas, but DH does in a modified way. I am just always glad when the hoopla is over and a new year starts.

Well, I need to get off this computer and start doing some work around the house, I kinda let some things slide while the kiddos were out of school.

Have a great weekend everyone!

You know you're from...

You Know You're From Virginia When...

Speed limits are just suggestions You have at least two friends who have no idea what their relatives do...because its "top secret" government work Most of your senior class wend to Mason, JMU, Tech, VCU or UVA When people ask where you're from, you tell them DC because its easier to explain You've never told someone you're from Virginia without putting "northern," "central," or "southern" in front of it (See above.) It's not actually tailgating unless your bumper is touching the car in front of you. You know yellow light means at least 5 more cars can get through. (Yeah, man...at least. Probably also happens everywhere else.) A red light means 2 more can. You actually know what the black boxes at stoplights are for. Despite the fact that Virginia fought for the south in the Civil War, you are not, under any circumstances, a "southerner" You are amused by visiting relatives who are actually excited to see Washington, DC You took a field trip to Williamsburg as a kid You are amazed when you go out of town and the people at McDonalds speak English You or someone in your family has a Smart Tag An inch of snow and you miss 3 days of school All the potholes just add a little excitement to your driving experience Crown Victoria = undercover cop Subway is a fast food place. The transportation system is known as Metro, and only Metro. They just tore down the old farm house across the street and put 12 new McMansions in its place For the cost of your house, you could own a small town in Iowa If you stay on the same road long enough, it will eventually have three new names. You have to dial the area code to call your neighbor "Vacation" means spending a day at King's Dominion or Busch Gardens. "Going to the River" means any stream with water. You have never been served tea without the waitress asking "sweet or unsweetened?" Your favorite past time is telling West Virginia jokes. Anyone who can't trace his or her ancestry back to at least four generations in Virginia is an outsider. "Going to the beach" means anywhere from Ocean City to Virginia Beach to Myrtle Beach. You actually get these jokes and pass them on to other friends from Virginia.

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God give me strength..

The last 24 hours have not been fun here!

J decided that since she turned 18 on Saturday, that she didn't have to live here anymore. Now, yes she is 18 and technically an adult (yes, there was sarcasm there)....but instead of being an adult and telling us, she snuck-off. We had NO idea where she was!!!!!!!

Finally after calling all over town and dropping hints about getting the Sheriff's department involved to her friends.....she calls! Of course, she *67 the call so the number is blocked, but we are pretty sure we know where she is.

She said she didn't know if she was coming back or not. DH told her that she was 18 and he couldn't make her come home, but the door is always open to her. Of course, he also told her that house rules remain the same. Now, we just wait and see what she does.

My theory is that she thinks she can clean out her savings account now that she is 18, but she can not. It is set up that DH has to still sign for any withdrawals to the account. He is also going to call in the morning and make sure there is a freeze put on the account, just to make sure. We are not trying to be mean or to "steal" her money. We just don't want her to blow it on "whatever". It is supposed to be for her move to California after graduation.

I just wish she would talk to us.....if she truly wants out, then work with us to get her out to California (where her mom lives). If she is not going to finish school here, she can not graduate out there also. But at least we would know she was with family.

Enough for now. This wasn't what I originally planned to write about this weekend, but things change.

I am getting Chickens!!

Okay, well not until spring.....but YEAH!

Mr. Frugal said "sure". So now we get to figure out the "where" and "how big" the coop needs to be.

We plan on having some for meat and some for laying. I am reading all I can so that I am not totally "green" when spring comes.

I have found such wonderful resources online...along with the wonderful people at Prairie Homemaker.

Just wanted to share my news!