Couple of new columns that didn't make it to the newspaper website:
(concerning my very first job)
Friday, July 03, 2009
Thursday, July 02, 2009
For this week, I wanted to share a bit of kid artwork. This was made by either Hannah or Christopher in 1991 at church. They each made one...I have this one and the other one was given to my mother. I think this one is Hannah's, but am unsure.(they were in a group of three or four kids-so nothing has a name on it from that era where we were attending a Calvary Chapel home church.
This has been in the closet with some other kid art. It is made of art foam, gold stars and ribbon.It felt approapriate to share in honor of our Country's 233'rd birthday (I think I got that right)
I am not crazy about the direction our country is going lately. What this country is today does not reflect where it started. I trust the leaders who are in place are there for a reason God knows, and so will trust God rather than men.
God Bless America,
Land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America, My home sweet home....©Irvin Berlin
Likewise, I know from a heavenly perspective, America is not my home...
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. Ephesians 2: 19 & 20
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. Hebrews 11: 13
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 1 Peter 2: 10-12
Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 1 Peter 2: 10-12
Praise God
Monday, June 29, 2009
Today, as I was running errands, I went into a thrift store that is across town that I do not usually get to because it is just so far out of my usual path.
While there, I found this Ravensberger Puzzle Ball for $3 in their stack of puzzles. It looked like something we might enjoy doing, so I bought it.
My daughter and I opened it and found that the original owner had organized the pieces into ziploc baggies according to what part of the world they belonged to. Since I was unsure how easy doing this puzzle would be-we decided to take advantage of the organization rather than to start with a big pile of pieces.
We started from one of the poles and started building our way up to the middle. The puzzle is numbered on the back of each piece-likewise making it easy to put together (or check yourself if you want to do the puzzle by the picture. I think my daughter and I both decided that our main goal was to get it together-regardless of HOW. (at least for this first effort)
In this last picture, you can see the numbers inside as my daughter, Hannah, holds the puzzle ball up....We are about half way done right now. It is a lot easier than I thought it might be-but then again-there are lots of helps to make sure you get it right.Thursday, June 25, 2009
Well, with moments to go-I sweep into blogger to try to actually post my TIMHT post on THURSDAY this time. I know-will wonders ever cease?For this week's submission I offer the neo to go-antibiotic neosporin in a handy little spray thingy:
As you can expect, I had some handy little coupons that I matched up to a nice little sale Walgreens was having a few weeks ago and got a few of these. I've had my eye on them for a while...yet just had not found a good match.
Once I brought it home, I found it fit quite nicely on my coppertone ring-another good deal found at Walmart a few weeks back as well...
A small antidote concerning Neosporin....
Growing up, as we came inside after playing outside, if we found bug bites on our skin (summer+outside+mosquitos=red bug bite welts in me), my mother would say, "go get the bug bite medicine". This medicine had a name-but we did not call it by that-we called it the "bug bite medicine".
Years past and I started working at a local drug store. Low and behold if the stuff we called "bug bite medicine" was really Neosporine. Ha! I had no idea. This was news to me.
Perhaps the fault is in the fact that often the label would rub off the tube back then or that no one in my family called it by it's real name. Regardless, I have never gone back to calling it bug bite medicine as I learned it could be used on so much more than those pesky welts compliments of some naughty bugs!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Thanks to Money Saving Mom for the heads up about a special Always Infinity deal at CVS today (this week?)
She had learned that these pads were ringing up for $4.99 a box (for the larger size) just like the regular pads were. I decided to check it out this afternoon when I ran some errands.
I bought 5 boxes of these pads @ $4.99
I used 4 -$4 off coupons and 1-$1 off coupon
I had $6 in ECB's left to apply to this order and another $3.15 on a gift card
leaving me with a total out of pocket expense of .08 cents.
.08 cents!!
It was an amazing deal to add to this week's persuit of the big savings !
Fun stuff to watch your bill drop as you check out. I love the reactions between the cashiers/managers and other shoppers as I stand in line. Lots of fun.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
It's hard to know where to pick up and begin to post after a few weeks of not writing here. It seems June hit and time has just been consumed with so many other things.The first week, my husband had off from work. It was a nice simple stay-at-home week where we lived unstructured lives for those few days. We did some projects around the house, went out to eat some and ran some errands. The main accomplishment was that we all had a good chance to reconnect with one another (kids took off from their pt time jobs as well)
After everyone went back to work, life just seemed even more busy than it was beforehand. I guess I had several things that I put off until after vacation week that now needed to be taken care of once we were back to normal (whatever that is anymore) I cannot even think to everything that I did, but I know I've stayed busy most every day since.
While I have not written anything here, I have submitted stories for my column. Here below are the links to those:
Some of the stories touch on things I've already wrote about here on my blog. Other things are new.
Um...yeah...in the dollhouse story...my room was pink and green on alternating walls at the time this photo was made. I inherited this special room from my older sister when she moved out of the house. When I was 17, four years after this picture was taken, the room was painted a nice shade of yellow-the color it is still today.
My son also turned 17 Thursday of this week. Happy Birthday Christopher! Mama loves you dearly. You make me laugh on a regular basis and I marvel at your deep thoughts and ability to solve technical and logic problems with ease.
May God bless you as you grow in His grace and wisdom.
Oh and the picture at the top? I found that in the catalog from my husband's work as it introduced the post it note section. I kind of feel that way most days right now.
I make no promises, but hopefully I'll be back sooner (than later) with less time span in between posts. Y'all be good-
God bless and take care!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
I thought about just saving this photo for THIS Thursday's TIMHT, but in reality, I had it ready to go for LAST Thursday's (yes-really) . I just never got around to posting it.For TIMHT-I am sharing some of the recent things I've bought for free. These are just a few of the FREE items of late. I guess to say that I have "bought" them and then to say they are "free" is contradictory-but since I still had to PAY sales tax on the items-I think it is correct to say I BOUGHT them for free?!
Anyhow...with coupons matched with sales...this is just a part of what has covered my kitchen counters lately-
I honestly have no plans for the Hot sauce-though my husband assures me he knows of someone that would love to have it if he decides not to try it (he is much more brave than I). My mother also uses prizes for the games they play at their senior gatherings at church each month-so she might get some since she indicated that she needed some "men" prizes if I came across something good. Ha!
Paper plates were from Food Lion with coupons matched with a sale.
Free is fun....time consuming some weeks-but very rewarding when you see the benefits in both your kitchen and wallet in the big picture.
I am still working on getting everything stored efficiently. My husband loves coming home to see what "deals" I've scored that day...and enjoys it even more when he comes with me.
Oh and the barbecue sauce (who hasn't bought some free sauce the past few weeks?), that is just a third of what I've stored away and given away...Harris Teeter did good on their recent "buy two get three" deal when combined with awesome coupons!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Monday a lot of the news on the couponing sites had to do with these really good Kraft Foods Coupons . I printed and printed...and printed, ending up with a nice stack of coupons to use over the next few weeks as I shopped.I started cutting them out with scissors, slowly, meticulously...until my daughter said, "Why don't you use your paper cutter thing".
What a great idea, I thought. I pulled the paper cutter thing out of the filing cabinet where it lives and began to cut. Originally this was bought for scrapbooking, but apparently it now will double as a coupon cutter, saving me tons of time.
I cut and cut and cut-ending up with a nice stack of coupons to use on food we buy over the next few weeks.
Likewise I also ended up with paper strips an inch wide.
The first thing that came to mind to do with the paper strips was...can you guess?
It was to make a paper chain-of course!
For more TIMHT-visit MSM's blog
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Friday, May 08, 2009
This week for MommySweetMom's TIMHT, I present the Brother Advanced Deluxe Labeler Model PT-1880 P-touch system (for home and office).
In other words, I present my newest toy.
I went to Staples to buy the Casio Labeler that they had for sale for $20 that had a rebate for $20. Free appeals to me. I got there and asked where the labelers that were on sale were. The salesman grabbed one off the pegs and handed it to me. I did not have the sale's ad with me and did not check to make sure it was the one with the rebate. I paid my $20 bucks and went home. As I poked around the Internet trying to figure out where the rebate was since the sales guy did not give me one, I came to realize that I did not get the eventual free one after rebate. I got another one that was for the same price. Mine had an instant rebate taking the price from $50 to $20.I knew that somewhere this sales guy-a young guy that did not seem to have the ability to listen to what any customer had to say after some long observations (made when the power went out for 20 minutes during a downpour). The salesperson seemed to think he knew what we were going to ask or say and tuned out anything we said beyond what he wanted to hear.
Anyway...so I sat here...sad to find I did not have the right labeler to get the free one...but likewise finding myself sold more and more on this one in particular the more I looked into it's superior qualities.
It was too late to take it back that day (and a 30 minute drive in the rain at that) . I called my husband, who is in the wholesale office supply business, to ask him some questions about my new problem that would not have been a problem had they given me the RIGHT LABELER!!!
Breatheeeeeeeeeeeeee
Anyhow, he informed me that I had the better labeler between the two....one of their "best sellers" at that and encouraged me to just keep what I had since I in reality got a $30 dollar savings rather than the $20. (But Freeeeeee is Freeeeee I kept thinking)
I decided to just open it up and keep it. I placed the batteries in the back and loaded the label tape. It did not work.
I checked to make sure I had the batteries in right. It did not work.
I checked to make sure I had fresh batteries. It did not work.
I plugged it into the wall with an adapter. IT DID NOT WORK!!!
Breatheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
I shoved it all back into the packaging and into the bag with the receipt. Frustrated, I knew I'd have to make another trip to Staples the next day. Oh joy!
At this point I rethought the whole thing and debated the two different labeler machines. I compared the features online and thought and thought some more.
Thankful that this was my biggest problem for the day, I went to bed indecicive about which labeler, if any, should come home with me the next day-provided the Staples I went to would have options.
I ended up doing an even exchange. With all that this one can do, all the neato features, I think it will service us well as we try to um...er...label things. It really is a neat machine-something I have had on my "wish list" for several years since using one.
The only thing that really bugs me in this is that the original sales guy sold me the wrong thing. I do not know if it was ignorance on his part (not knowing what I was asking for) or if they did not have the special ones or what. When I went to exchange the one, I did not even see the special ones on the shelves or a regular place for them on the shelf. I am guessing it is something you had to ask for by pointing at the picture in the sale paper or something and they would get it from the back or something. I kind of feel "had" a little bit-but am happy with my new machine. I did not put out MORE money than I would have for the other one initially-I just am not getting any back.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Once again, chicken is the theme of my TIMHT entry. This week I share my chick fil a sandwich from earlier today-it was surprisingly in the shape of a heart. My husband brought me this sandwich in love and in turn the chicken molded itself into the shape of a heart enroute! ::nods::
For more TIMHT fun skip over to Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
My character in Animal Crossing, "Kitty" standing outside of her house with net in hand ready for a day of catching bugs and butterflies.Thursday, April 23, 2009
For this week's TIMHT I submit a bag of frozen chicken. This is not just any baggie of frozen chicken-oh no! This is a bag of chicken that when being placed in the freezer decided to wrap itselve around the bar of the defunct ice maker that we no longer use. This bag of chicken is now hanging on for dear life as it does not want to come out of the freezer without a fight. I continue to try different things here and there, but I am about to the point where I need this bag of chicken, so it's days are really numbered.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Earth Day-
I remember the "Give a Hoot, Don't pollute" campaigns of the early 70's and other various messages passed along so that people would think before acting. Our problems seemed as simple as do not throw trash out of your car when you are riding down the highway.
As Earth Day came this week, I felt more inundated with the "Earth Day" message more than ever before. Store Sales all revolved around saving the Earth and being kind to the world. Everywhere you went this week there was some message-reminder that seemed to border on Earth worship. There were giveaways of light bulbs and specials on products that were made from recycled materials. I scored some reusable shopping bags from Walgreens-for free, though hated it took Earth Day for them to offer something that essentially saves the store money in the long run. I guess I was just so surprised how this has developed in some new holiday almost.
While I am all for being a good steward of what God has given us, so much of the message of Earth Day gets turned into something more. Even in our Wii Game, Animal Crossing City Folk, the day was called Nature Day and Tortimer told us to remember to thank the earth on this day.
This whole week, I've had this very on my mind though-and how it just seems to apply to Earth Day in particular right now.
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.Romans 1: 21-25
Friday, April 17, 2009
As spoken by Christopher, my son refering to the deep grass stains on his pants.The first time I fell in the wet grass, it was an accident. It did free
me up to fall on purpose the rest of the time though.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
21 years ago today...At 3 pm...
Photo of my daddy in his recliner by the big picture window in the living room of the house i grew up in. When I was little, I would crawl up in his lap when he was there to snuggle or sneak pieces of popcorn out of his bowl.
I haven't participated in TIMHT (or blogged much) in a while. This week, I actually have something that seemed worthy of posting for this weekly meme.
Let me present to you:
Let me present to you:
The lid off my jello pudding cup as it appeared naturally as I peeled it off the cup. It looks amazingly like a face IMO-more specifically like my son's character in
For more TIMHT-be sure to visit MSM's Blog !
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Who Will Call Him King of Kings -Sandi Patty
Their cold despair,
they'd laid Him in the tomb
the body of their master fair.
Third morning came as they returned to pray
light was shining every where
But Jesus body was not there
And as they gazed at an empty grave
the earth around began to shake
and they were so afraid
But voices of angels filled the air
Their shouts proclaimed "He is not here."
And you could hear them say
Who will call Him King of Kings
and Who will call Him Lord of Lords
Who will call Him Prince of Peace
Such a wonderful counselor, Mighty God
Who will call Him King
Their spirits soared as fear was turned to joy
standing there before their eyes
Jesus clothed in radiant white
and with a voice they they heard before
he told them to go and tell the world that I'm alive
They ran as fast as feet could fly
"The Lord is rise", was their cry
and you could hear them say
We will call him king of kings
We will call him Lord of Lords
We will call him Prince of Peace
Such a wonderful counselor, Mighty GOD
We will call him king of kings
and we will call him Lord of Lords
We will call him Prince of Peace
Such a wonderful counselor, Mighty God
Just like he said
He's risen from the dead
And the people say
We will call Him King of kings
We will call Him Lord of Lords
We will call Him Prince of Peace
Such a wonderful counselor,
I will call Him King of Kings
and I will call Him Lord of Lords
I will call Him Prince of Peace
Such a wonderful counselor, Mighty God
I will call Him King
I will call Him King
I will call Him King
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Caffeinate Cleverly Lattes Don't Have to Break the Bank: We wouldn't dream
of asking you to quit cold turkey, but weaning off Starbucks could save you
money. A 20-ounce latte from Dunkin' Donuts runs $3.29; at Starbucks, the
same-size drink sets you back $3.65. Plus, at Dunkin' Donuts you don't have to
say "venti" when you want a large.
Kiplinger's March 2009 Issue
I am not a coffee drinker, but I do love a Venti Hot Chocolate with extra whip for a treat now and again from Starbucks. I found this clip in their March issue made me smile. A rose by any other name is still a rose. (in other words, call it a large or a venti-it's still the same amount of drink, Yes?) My hot chocolate obsession/issues/addiction?! is not a regular enough thing to matter-especially with spring here and summer close on it's tail. Speak to me about this again in November or December when all the cute Christmas Cups are out again.
Oh and BTW, this was a magazine that I found at CVS for $1 in a buggy full of month old magazines as they new ones were brought in. Nice to find a Personal Finance Magazine for a discount . That too made me smile...saving money getting tips on saving money. :)
Kind of a recap of this post -but with a little more information after the fact. I continue to go and see tremendous savings there.