Purposely Capturing Happy Moments

The Right to Vote

2011-11-08T16:17:00.004-07:00

No. 8: The right to vote

Today I'm thankful to live in a place where I have the right to vote. I am thankful that women can vote and women can run for office. Did you vote today?

Umbrellas

2011-11-07T17:45:00.003-07:00

No. 7: Umbrellas

I went with Mister's kindergarten class to the farm today. Rain is rare here in the desert. Of course it rained today. I was thankful I brought my umbrella to the farm today.

Coupons

2011-11-07T17:42:00.003-07:00

No. 6: Coupons

We normally have three Sunday newspapers delivered. I was so excited by the baking coupons, I went out and bought three more sets. I am thankful for coupons and the money my family saves using them.

Family Drives

2011-11-05T19:10:00.003-07:00

No. 5: Family Drives

Tonight we drove a distance to and from church. We taught our children a new hymn ;-) ♪♫♪ 99 Bottles of Coke on the Wall ♪♫♪. My husband always being the one to finish what gets started drove laps around the neighborhood just to finish the tune.

Just in case you have not heard the tune-

♪♫♪ 99 bottles of Coke on the wall, 99 bottles of Coke

you take one down, pass it around, 98 bottles of Coke on the wall...♪♫♪

♪♫♪ 98 bottles of Coke on the wall, 98 bottles of Coke

you take one down, pass it around, 97 bottles of Coke on the wall...♪♫♪

On down to 0!

Fallen Heroes

2011-11-04T14:12:00.004-07:00

photo from CCV (Christ's Church of the Valley) Facebook page

No. 4: fallen heroes

I've seen too many of these scenes during my husband's career.

I'm thankful for first responders and their families who do their best to keep me and my family safe.

I'm thankful for a church willing to be the hands and feet of Christ by hosting the memorial for a fallen hero so many grieving officers from around the nation could pay their respects.

Heated Seats

2011-11-03T13:50:00.004-07:00

No. 3 heated seats

When I took our kids to school this morning, the temperature was 46°F. That's pretty cold for the desert. I'm thankful I have the option to turn on my heated seat.

school

2011-11-02T14:52:00.003-07:00

No. 2: I am thankful for my children's school. The teachers readily are available before, during and after school. My children are loved there.

A Month of Gratitude

2011-11-01T16:17:00.008-07:00

Normally, October is my favorite month. Our wedding anniversary is in October as well as Bug's birthday. Then my birthday follows.

However this year, I did not enjoy October. We were so busy changing schools, searching for a church and kids sports. I really could not wait for October to end and November to arrive.

Maybe I was excited for November to arrive because the weather will eventually cool down, our oven will be put to use baking holiday treats and Christmas is just around the corner. But I really was looking forward to November because I could turn my focus off how tired and exhausted I was in October and focus on what I have to be thankful for. There really is a lot to be thankful for.

Last year, Stephanie focused her blog on what she was grateful for in November. This year I'll follow her lead and share what I'm thankful for. Every day this month I am going to share at least one thing I have to be thankful for.

No. 1: I am thankful it is November.

5 on Friday: The Been Gone Too Long Edition

2011-08-26T09:10:00.004-07:00

Bug came home yesterday afternoon with a ton of math homework. He was not doing well in math (one of his strong subjects) Maybe I made a mistake asking his math teacher why if he was doing so poorly, did he not have any math homework the last 2 weeks. I got a Starbucks at 5pm in an attempt to help him through it. That kept me up way to late. So I read through my blog archives last night while trying to fall asleep & I became thankful I have at least blogged a little bit.

1. I have a decent memory. I am great at remembering names. Remembering when my children started walking, talking, getting and loosing teeth not so much. This is one reason I am thankful for blogs. I blogged about when Mister started walking here. I had long forgotten about his first haircut. But here it is on video!

2. In that very same post I declared I was not a "dog"person. Well this Millie has changed my mind for sure. Not really sure if she is a dog. She is the poster dog for all the well behaved dogs out there. Chance (the Norfolk Terrier) not so much, God bless his psycho soul!

3. In fact that post was written nearly four years ago. My husband enjoys what he does, but talks of learning to fly a helicopter (after playing Santa, Christmas 2010) and heading into the mission field. Me? I'm scared of a helicopter tragedy.

4. Costco is still one of my favorite places. I prefer it to Sam's Club any day of the week. Wish the closest one wasn't 12 miles away.

5. Gifts is not my primary love language anymore. Acts of Service is. The act of service does not need to be performed by you. If you call & make the doctor appointment, my tank will fill. If you hire someone to glean the tile grout, my tank will be filled. If you clean the bathroom, I'll be overjoyed.

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Roomies?

2011-08-24T13:58:00.007-07:00

I have had my own room for just five year out of the more than thirty years I've been around. My younger sister (2 year difference) & I shared a bedroom until I moved out.

My two boys who are nearly 12 & just turned 5, have asked if they can share a room. I have no issues with this. They really enjoy each others company, like to play on the Apple iPod Touch together & get into some fabulous Nerf wars!

However, my beloved does not think they should share a room. He thinks the 6 3/4 year age difference is too much. We are blessed to allow each of our children their own space & if being roomies doesn't work out, well we can always revert back.

Here are their rooms about a year and a half ago:

Our older son enjoys all things military, maps, geo caching. Our younger one likes dogs and stuff his older brother likes. I was thinking of decorating one of the walls with various maps, then try & incorporate military & dog stuff in as well.

October 2010 issue of Martha Stewart Living, page 165 via My Insanity

So what about you? Is 6 3/4 years apart to much to share a room?

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Blue Hour Special

2011-02-01T13:10:00.003-07:00

Last week I signed up for Kent Weakley's Night Photography eClass at Darcy's suggestion. My hope was to be able to shoot some decent photographs at night. Within days, his class exceeded my expectations.

I grabbed an older, sturdy tripod my father-in-law gave us, my 28-75mm 2.8 Tamron lens (affiliate link) and ran outside and grabbed a few "blue hour" shots last night. If you need to feel something to get you out of a photography rut, take some "blue hour" shots. If the weather wasn't so windy tonight, I'd head out and take some more.

Out in the Yard

2010-07-27T07:57:00.001-07:00

1/200 sec at f / 2.8, ISO 400

50mm (50.0 mm f/1.4)

The Blossom Workshop began this week over at Love That Shot. I ventured out into the yard in 100°F temperatures (at 6:00 pm!) expecting to capture a cactus. I started out shooting these blossoms and they ended up being my best pics of the evening.

This post is linked to Sweet Shot Tuesdays.

Rockin’ What I Have

2010-07-20T10:18:00.003-07:00

Nikon D40 | ISO 400 | f/4.5 | SS 1/500 | 50mm f/1.4

When I saw that Darcy has a Sweet Shot Tuesday, I knew I had an entry for her. first some background.

I was getting frustrated with my Nikon D40 camera for a variety of reasons. One being what I believed to be the lack of lenses that will autofocus on the D40 body. Another, the expense of the ones that do autofocus on the body.

The first lens I bought was the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D. This lens is not supported on the Nikon D40, D60, D3000, or the D5000. I thought surely how hard can it be to use manual focus? Um, yeah, pretty difficult when your taking pics of your young children! So, I gifted it to my Dad for Father’s Day.

Next I bought a used Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6 G-AFS ED-IF DX. I have not really tried out this lens much since I primarily shoot indoors. I also bought a Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 about the same time. Because of the aperture I was able to shoot with the flash off indoors. However, I still was frustrated that I was not “grabbing” those shots. Things just did not seem sharp when I shot.

So for Christmas, the handsome Sarge gave me the best lens ever, a Nikon 50mm f/1.4G. Love at first sight. I still love the lens. But something was missing.

Since I got the D40 in 2008, I have been using the recompose method for focusing. Basically, if you want to focus on something not centered in the frame, you can focus on your subject by pressing your shutter half way down and then moving your camera (focal point) to where you want the focus. That way works out ok until you accidentally press the shutter to early and you have to start all over.

Last week I learned how to “Back Button Focus (BBF)” which for the D40 is using the Focus Lock. I now only use my shutter button for taking the photo. On the D40, you need to go into the settings to lock the focus because this model does not have a dedicated button to BBF. So I gave this a try on my active children and found out I had so much more control. After I learned to BBF, I became even more pleased with my photos. They were clearer, sharp and crisp!

Last weekend we went camping near Flagstaff, Arizona. A few weeks ago a devastating wildfire burned over 12,000 acres. My handsome Sarge deer hunts in the area where the fire was every fall. We drove back into the woods and saw how terrible the devastation was. There were areas of black, charred ground with new life of flowers growing. We drove around the mountain and eventually came to an area that was not affected by the Schultz Fire. We stopped and I got out and took some photos using the skills I had just learned last week.

I was able to capture the above shot of a bee pollinating in a meadow of sunflowers. I love the shot, but was thinking I needed to upgrade to a used Nikon D200. That way I could have a dedicated back button focus and lower ISO. I was pondering it discussing it with the Sarge. And while he was sleeping one night while I could not I found this terrific post from Amanda at Photography Haven. She wrote about using the stuff you have to it’s full advantage. Through her post I discovered Ruthanne who takes amazing photos with her D60! You need to head over there and read this post, I cannot do it justice.

So now I am rocking what I have. I am going to further my education on photography and get another lens or two.

This post is linked to Sweet Shot Tuesdays.

In full disclosure, links above are affiliate links.

I Changed My Desktop

2010-06-30T14:49:00.001-07:00

I came across Digital Daisy’s Hand Picked Freebies thanks to The Daily Digi. On Digital Daisy’s blog I found this super cute desktop. Go grab one for yourself!

Nerf Wars and Cards

2010-06-13T18:53:00.001-07:00

The kids sure like having their dad home at night and on weekends. I think he likes it too.

Playing to 500 with Nana. Mister became quite the card shark. Bug declared he learned to play at church! I can see the bulletin now “Ladies Bible study will be meeting in the auditorium, children will be in the children’s building playing cards!”

Spring Swimming

2010-04-25T21:37:00.001-07:00

Only a kid would swim in 75°F water. In April. when it is only 85°F outside. OK, maybe if your from another area of the country, you’d join us. Needless to say, the kids enjoy our new pool. I will enjoy not packing up the car in 115°F and heading to the city swimming pool!

Our Grieving Process

2010-04-05T11:23:00.000-07:00

I remember the first time I saw my mother cry. I was four. Her brother had been accidentally killed on a construction site. I remember having compassion for her, but not knowing what to do for her.

Last night I found out a dear friend passed away. Honey Bee saw me crying. She came up and rubbed my shoulder for awhile. I did not know how to react to her. I hope she doesn’t remember how I reacted to her. I don’t. I do remember how consoling she was of me. Later she came and curled up in bed with me. I told her I have hope that my friend is in a better place.

The topic of death has come up more than I’d like it to in the last few weeks. How do you discuss with children death? Especially when it is sudden and unexpected. Thankfully, our family has a faith that we cling to. A hope that we will see our loved ones again in heaven. I do explain that to my children. I hope they feel comfort from it too.

I had been out of touch with Rick for a few years. Sarge had trained rick when he first joined the police department, then again when Rick came home from war. I loved him. He was a genuine guy. A lot of times cops are cocky. Not Rick. Always had a smile on his face and a positive attitude. I would make Sarge sandwiches for work and found out Sarge was giving Rick half of the sandwich. From then on I always made Rick a sandwich too.

When we moved and I made new friends, I found out Rick served in the war with one of my new friends. Gina shared this photo of Rick on Facebook today. He is on the right.

We will miss you Pickle. I can’t even begin to thank you for what you did for my country and the city I used to live in. Rest in peace.

I Think I’ve Found It …

2010-03-23T15:13:00.001-07:00

A purpose for my blog. There are so many wonderful blogs out there on every subject imaginable. Blogs have replaced magazines for me. The only ones I get I subscribed to at insanely low prices. I have not written here because every time I think I have what I am going to write about, I find it already written in a blog.

I was thinking this past month why I write a blog. I keep a blog to jog my memory. When my kiddos are older, we can look back and remember the time we surprised them by skipping school and going to San Diego to camp in our tent trailer; or when we start taking for granted the fact that Dad gets to take Bug camping with his Cub Scout den on the weekend without having to schedule it off work. I keep it so we appreciate the mother-daughter pedicures for when Honey Bee will rather get pedicures with her girlfriends than her mom. I am keeping the blog to remember how hard it was on me to send Mr. off to school everyday when he was only three years old..so we can remember how far he has come in such a short amount of time.

Finally, figuring this out has released so much pressure off me to turn the blog into a faith, scrapbooking, saving money, sewing, fill-in-the-blank type of blog. Sure there will be posts on those items from time to time. I had to come to the realization of where I was taking my blog. Like today's post that I’m sticking in the faith category.

Around June of 2009, I began feeling empty inside… lonely. The feeling was almost like a depression. Sarge had been working the overnight shift for two months. I wasn’t regularly conversing with people whose favorite restaurants didn’t have a slide in it. I had been injured in a minor car accident and the weather outside was VERY HOT! I learned to become independent and stopped relying on God. It was like I was thinking “it’s OK God, I have it from here, go ahead and take a break”. Of course I just bottled up these thoughts and went about my days.

Then in November, things shattered for no apparent reason. I finally told Sarge I felt lonely. I really did not feel like having God get involved again. Don’t let anyone tell you that God doesn’t have a sense of humor. He invented a sense of humor after all. Sarge had befriended a bunch of guys from our church. The Holy Spirit was really working in his life. He and his friends were praying so hard for me. Slowly (because I am so stubborn), I came out of my shell and let the Holy Spirit work in me again.

In January 2010, I began reading Sparkling Gems from the Greek by Rick Renner and Hearing from God by Joyce Meyer. Daily I have stuck with it and read. If I don’t get anything from one book, there is information in the other that speaks to my heart. Then our church started up a Friday night service called Casual Friday. Our pastor has been going over spiritual warfare. I started going to the services and thought nothing of it. I believed what our pastor was saying, but thought I was immune to it or something.

On February 5th, the alarm clock went off loud and clear. Spiritual warfare is real. As I mentioned, our church has a Friday night service called Casual Friday. The service is very laid back hence the name. The topic is on spiritual warfare. Pastor Lee discussed how spiritual warfare is real and shared about a time when he was asked to cast demons out of a woman. He emphasized not to be out looking for them, but just to know that they are real and around us all of the time. He also made it clear that if you are devoted to Jesus, you are untouchable by demons. They can attack you, but cannot take up residence in you.

Back to my alarm clock. After that evenings message, I went to pick up the kids. As I was walking down the hallway on my way to get Mister, the childcare coordinator said bluntly “Can you talk to you’re son”? I knew she was talking about Bug. I asked her what I needed to talk to Bug about. She said she was trying to think how to say this to me. I told her to just tell me what happened. She said I needed to talk to him about respecting adults. There was an incident where he just ran out of the room when something did not go as he wanted. As I was telling her ways we have him work on this, I felt she was rejecting it and I started to get upset. I said this was happening because the devil did not want me attending Casual Friday anymore. Apparently I am a threat to him. She begged me to please keep coming and this is what Bug needs. I was not about to let the devil get a foothold and was still planning on coming at this point.

Unfortunately when I picked up the kids they saw how upset I was, and they did not want to come anymore. The kids told me the teachers had told the kids that if they sat and listened to the lesson, then afterwards they could go on the jungle gym. Then the teachers did not follow through and allow them on the jungle gym. I discussed with the kids that sometimes plans change, but we still need to respect adults.

I did not return to church the following Friday, because we had other commitments. Friday the 19th, the kids and I went to church a little early. They provide a free pizza dinner before the service. Sarge also came along separately since he was heading to work for the night. We were all eating our pizza and the time to head into the service was quickly approaching. I did not see anyone I recognized to sit with. I started getting anxious. I thought that once Sarge leaves, I will just take the kids and leave. I think Sarge sensed this and was trying to persuade me to stay.

We started walking outside. I still did not see any of my friends. I told Sarge I was just going to leave. He prayed. Still not trusting God, I did not want to go in. I can’t remember what it was, but I decided to take the kids into their class. We took Mister to his room first. Just before we got to his classroom, one of Bug’s friend’s mothers who was working childcare for the event said “I need to talk to you afterwards about something.” Those of you that have kids or grew up with siblings with special needs know the feeling I felt when she said that. I had a pit in my stomach that was thinking “now what has my son done?”. I asked if it was bad. She couldn’t lie (didn’t want her to) and I just freaked out. I really do not remember too much at this point except that I took the kids outside and was going to leave. Bug was pretty upset at this point, crying that he hates his ADHD and why did God make him this way.

Sarge was inside the Preschool building talking with Bug’s friend’s mom and the childcare coordinator. He finally came out said it was not a big deal and that bug just needs to work on what he discusses with friends- kind of a mind your own business deal. Somehow he convinced me to drop the kids off and go hear what Pastor Lee was talking about. I said I would take to their class and once I got into the building, if there were no seats for me, I would pick up the kids and go home. I even told all the kids teachers that I’d probably be back in five minutes! Needless to say, I was acting independently of God; I was making the rules! God had other plans though…

Casual Friday is held in the 3rd – 5th grade room which holds about 350 people. Every Casual Friday has been packed. At our church ,the front rows usually fill up first. I fully expected to not find a seat. When I got there, the band was on the last worship song. Not only did the ushers find me a seat, but I saw some friends up front that I ended up going to sit next to.

That evenings message was on the very fact that spiritual warfare happens all around us and we have to choose sides. You either choose God’s side or Satan’s side. Even if you do not believe in God or are not sure if there is a God, you are choosing a side whether you know it or not. Satan has an army, but know that his army is smaller than God’s army. Knowing this brings me huge comfort as I write. Satan’s attacks are not creative. He knows what you are passionate about and uses that to attack you. He knows in my case I will go to the ends of the earth to defend and protect my kids. So he is using my child’s ADHD to attack me. But I know that I have a Savior in Jesus Christ and I am washed in his blood. I am a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ and I am married to a Godly man who daily prays for our safety. I know that just as I will stand by my children to the end, my husband will do the same. I see the love of Jesus in his eyes, and that is comforting to know that the Lord has given me the strength that I need to equip me with the weapons necessary to fight the good fight for my Savior.

This is what Western Washington Looks Like 9 Months of the Year

2010-01-21T15:35:00.001-07:00

The weather here is bringing back memories of growing up near Seattle.

This is a photo I took this morning of the '”green” area near our house. We often come here to play catch. As you can see the “green” area is filled with water. Here in Arizona we are experiencing unprecedented storms.

Thankfully, we are warm in our house, but not without a memory. We sold my minivan on Tuesday. The Sarge has been in court all week which is a hour away. He has had the truck which meant the older kids had to walk home from school today.

I bundled up Mister in a size 7 snow suit, put him in the jogging stroller and we headed out on the short walk to school. We ran into Honey Bee along the way. She was drenched. I told her we needed to head to school since Bug was waiting for her. Once we arrived at school, he came out of the building relived that Honey Bee was with me. Apparently, we need to put an emergency plan in place.

The kids told me to look on the website as we have been told there may not be school tomorrow.

Off to drink Hot Cocoa. I just feel sorry for the visitors who came for the sun.

While PCHM’s Was Sleeping, Part 1

2010-01-11T14:47:00.001-07:00

There is so much to write about. So much has happened while my little blog was sleeping. The hard drive on my laptop failed and HP was taking their sweet time shipping it back to us. The next few posts will concentrate on what has been happening while the blog, PCHM was sleeping.

Back in September we adopted Chance from the pound. He had warmed up to me especially which I found to be nice since I prefer cats over dogs.

From the start Chance had always been fearful of Mr. Heffelfinger. There was no way Chance would come near him when he was in uniform. Chance would run away from the Sarge in the house on three legs almost like he had been hit by a vehicle.

He was also afraid of any male figure and would cower. I spoke with our trainer and she suggested the Sarge be the only one to give him treats and his daily food. After about a month of this, we started to see Chance change and tolerate the Sarge. He still would ignore him and cower when he came home in uniform.

Chance also had an annoying habit of escaping the house. This required usually me of chasing him. If you know me in real life, you know that I despise running. I only run if Mister is in the street. While, I still do not like running, I now had another reason to run. I learned that I needed to let him run and if I did not chase him, there would be less running for me.

I had really taken a liking to Chance. So much so that I bought him clothes, and special collars. However the chasing after him deal and the fear of men thing was getting kind of old.

Near the end of November, I contacted a trainer and a suggestion was made to get another dog. We found a dog on Craigslist that was described as a King Charles Spaniel. I met with her owner at a local dog park. Her Spaniel and Chance got along great, so I decided to adopt her.

I then took both the Spaniel (who we named Millie) and Chance to my groomer. The groomer said she was not King Charles Spaniel, but an English Springer Spaniel. This made sense since her tail is short and not long and fluffy like the KCS.

Millie is so soft and very well behaved. You would actually think that she was the “model” dog for Cesar Millan’s Dog Whisperer.

So, now we had two small dogs we would take to the dog park. About a week after we adopted Millie, Chance changed for the better. He actually started to play with Mr. Heffelfinger!

Once, at the dog park, a male dog would not stop trying to romance Millie. Chance intervened by barking this other dog up. We thought it was so cute.

Unfortunately, things turned for the worse on Christmas Eve. I had bathed both dogs that morning. I put them in their crate to dry. A couple of hours later, our neighbor’s 11 year old son, returned my Dyson vacuum they had borrowed. He came in to visit with us.

We went over to the crate, let the dogs out so I could brush them. I was combing Chance and our neighbor, Jay was brushing Millie. Out of nowhere, Chance lunges at Jay, biting him in the side and scratching his face.

I grabbed Chance off Jay and tossed him back. Chance then latched onto Bug’s leg. I was screaming, holding Jay. Mr. Heffelfinger was taking a nap since he was feeling ill and slept through it all. I had to go in and wake him. He woke up and called Animal Control.

Jay is slightly crying (probably because I was freaking out). We could not reach his mom, or his stepdad. Mr. Heffelfinger went across the street and asked his sister to reach their mom. She was close to home and arrived soon after.

Jay turned out to be OK. We surrendered Chance to Animal Control. We just cannot in good conscience keep an animal that is aggressive.

The children were so upset and sad. Normally, we open one gift on Christmas Eve after church. We decided to break tradition and let everyone open a gift before we left for church.

While this was not a “happy moment” I did want to record it. Chance was the turning point for dogs for me. I have never been fond of dogs.

Growing up their were a few that I did enjoy. Uncle Vic’s Clementine, Auntie Beth’s Scruffy and Auntie Rose’s Watson were all wonderful dogs.

But there were to many piles of dog poop that I stepped in in my backyard. I grew up in Seattle and the first house I remember living at did not have a fence. There was this one Black Lab named Jennifer that came over to use our yard often. Stepping in dog feces is bad enough. but when you add that with all the rain that Seattle gets, it becomes much worse.

Besides stepping in dog messes, dogs seemed to enjoy biting me. At another house, our neighbor kept their big dog on a lead all day. He was off the lead once and bit my stomach. Then, in 5th grade a friends Pit Bull chased me down the road. No one could help me. I ran into a nearby dentist and the police were called.

Chance changed all this for me. I am still not fond of big dogs, but he expressed a special love to me that I may not have had without him. If he did not have that silly fear of men or the nasty escaping habit, we probably would not have gotten Millie. And Millie is my favorite dog to date.

Still Around

2010-01-05T15:58:00.002-07:00

I have not left the blogosphere (sp?)! My laptop crashed and has been out of commission from 12/19 through 1/4. I have been doing the painstaking task of reloading all the programs we use on a regular basis. I hope to be back blogging soon!

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Christmas Cards | Help Me Decide

2009-12-01T10:38:00.034-07:00

For Thanksgiving this year we headed over to Sarge's older brother's house.

When we pulled up I knew we had the perfect Christmas photo for this years cards.

Across from the house was this old, eighties motor home like you might see in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (affiliate link).

I told the kids and Sarge quick we need one of our nieces to take the photo of us.

The kids really didn't want to do it which made the photo even better.

So, I ~~designed~~ copied two cards. Which one do you like better, the one on the left or the right?

The card on the left is designed using Dani Mogstad Holiday Spirit Cards. The one on the right is copied from Shutterfly. (Not affiliate links)

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November Roundup

2009-11-30T16:26:00.020-07:00

Katie the Scrapbook Lady has been doing a roundup of the month for three years. When I recently read her post on doing on myself, I thought it would be excellent, especially since I do not blog daily. Here is my second roundup.

What books and/or magazines did I read this month?

The Pioneer Woman Cooks: recipes from an Accidental Country Girl -very good read. I love a cookbook that has stories in it. I made her Jalapeno Poppers (to die for!) for Thanksgiving dinner. I also got to browse through Real Simple and Southern Living both $5 a year at press time).

What movies, television shows, plays, etc. did I watch this month?

I watched the usual Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives. I also have been watching Glee. But my favorite performance was watching Bug in his class play.

Did I sell anything or make any special or unusual purchases?
I sold some video games and a book on half.com. I bought PSE 8 at Costco and sold my PSE 7.

We also held a garage sale and donated 100% of the profits to our church food pantry.

What fun things did I do with my family and/or friends?

The food pantry had been running out of food for the 1400 people it serves each day it is open. Our family went around our neighborhood and collected food for the food bank at church.

On Veteran's Day, the five of us took a trip to the local archery range and shot a few rounds. Mister loves archery! Honey Bee has enjoyed it since she was able to hold a bow, and Bug just comes along for the company.

What gifts did I give and/or receive?

Our friends, the Burnstein's middle child, Ty turned two. We went over to their house for a train party. There was even a train driving the kids around the cul de sac! I figured since Ty would probably get lots of toys, so we gave him some clothes.

What were my accomplishments this month?

Making PW's Dinner Rolls for Thanksgiving Dinner.

What were my disappointments this month?

Making Dinner Rolls from Dottie's Bosch Kitchen.

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?
Hooray! No one in our family had the flu this month! I got five cavities filled, and I also had a sore shoulder which brought me into the chiropractor. Honey Bee did have a nagging cough, but nothing to keep her home from school.

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Have I Become a Tech Geek?

2009-11-29T14:29:00.003-07:00

As you know, I enjoy digital scrapbooking. I like taking my photography and displaying it graphically. I do not spend as much time at either and I am sure that is a time management issue.

Over in the digital scrapbooking world, I stumbled upon elements for decorating and changing up your blog design. I always thought it was to difficult for me to do, but thought I would give it a chance.

Yesterday, I downloaded Zoe Pearn's Merry & Bright Blog in a Box (not an affiliate link). I played around with it a little last night and finished it up this morning. I am thrilled. Zoe's instructions were clear and easy to understand. She even pointed out where your mistakes in the code could be. I am still trying to figure out why my post separator is not working, but other than that I am good.

If you were thinking about changing up your blog, I highly recommend heading over to Sweet Shoppe Designs or The Shabby Shoppe(not an affiliate link). Seriously, if I can do this, so can you.

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Window Closure

2009-11-23T08:48:00.002-07:00

So it has been twenty two days since our sliding glass (arcadia) door shattered for no apparent reason. Sarge had even inspected it for the impact point and found no impact to the door. I consider him an expert in this field since he has seen many a broken window in the last eleven years in law enforcement.

The Monday after the incident I made a lot of phone calls. I really do not like making phone calls. I worked in a call center for over two years and really would rather text or just talk to someone face to face.

I called our builder’s home warranty specialist who could not help because we are one month out of warranty. He did provide me with the phone number to our window manufacturer.

So, I called the window manufacturer. They told me, since we put tint on our windows, it voided out their lifetime warranty. I hope this helps someone – read the fine print before signing contracts. Who cares if the party you are doing business with has to wait? The reason the warranty is voided is because when an aftermarket product like tint is applied to a low e window like we have, the tint fights with the low e causing an oven effect which leads the window to break for no apparent reason.

I then called the installer of the tint, Amazon Window Tinting out of Avondale, Arizona. The owner Chris said he would send his installer out that very afternoon. I cancelled my plans and waited for him to show up. He never showed up. Around four in the afternoon, Sarge calls Amazon Window Tinting. He speaks to Chris who says tint does not cause windows to break. Had he installed automotive tint, then yes it would shatter. He tells the Sarge his installer is still on a job, so Chris will come and inspect it for himself in the morning on Tuesday.

I rearrange Tuesday morning. Sarge worked late and was not home when Chris showed up at 9:10am. Wish he was here though. Chris looks at the sliding glass door and says, “this is not thermal”. I asked what it was. He did not know, but repeated it was not thermal. I asked where the point of impact was for the breakage. He did not know, but again not thermal. He said since the temperatures were not hot that day (85°F). He and I get into it. I ask him the brand of tint he uses on the windows. He tells me Sun Tek. He tells me Sun Tek will not warranty this. And yet again makes it a point to tell me he sees this all the time and this is not thermal. I tell him my husband too, sees this all the time in his line of work and since there is not point of impact; it leads us to believe it is thermal. Chris leaves our home without the situation resolved.

I continue to research the breakage cause. I contact Sun Tek. They assure me they will take care of the matter. I tell them the above story and a customer service rep, Gretchen tells me all I need to do is send them my original warranty (since we put on aftermarket tint, Sun Tek says they take over the original warranty), the purchase invoice, and two repair estimates. When I do this they will send someone out to look at the damage.

As I was getting the estimates, both tinting and window companies not invested in our situation said this was more than likely thermal. They explained that our low-e window tint fights with tint creating an oven effect in the window. So in July, when our temperatures are 115°F our windows heat up. By the time November rolls around they are finally cooling off. But in that four month time the tint and low-e are fighting each other like crazy. Add that to the mix that this is a sliding door that is constantly active, opening and closing.

I gather up all this stuff send it to Sun Tek, and get a response that they would like pictures. Seems they spoke with Chris, and are led to believe it is not thermal. We send a nasty email back saying we are not professional window or tint installers and it is in their best interest to send someone out to look at the damage.

We then speak with a regional manager. She tells us without seeing the damage that it is not thermal and they are not honoring their warranty. Sarge in his negotiator voice calmly explains he does not generally use threats but if they are not willing to make a $500 repair, then we will need to take further action and call a local news station and have their consumer reporter look into the matter. The regional manager, Eva says she will get back to us on Monday (a week after the incident occurred).

Eva calls on Monday. She says sun Tek will take care of the window repair, but says that they refuse to say the cause is thermal, so we need to pay the $25 deductible. They also will not pay to tint it again. Fine, Sun Tek, we really don’t want your crappy product on our windows anyway. If we had not already spent $1200.00 on the tint we would remove it all!

So the window repair company comes out, takes measurements, and he tells us the damage is definitely thermal caused. We had our new window installed a week ago.

That was all the factual stuff in this window situation. But I know the Holy Spirt was working in my life at that time. I was blogging at the exact moment the window shattered about how I felt so far from God and wanted to come back and be close, to climb up in Jesus’ lap. I have learned that when you are doing what you can to get closer to God, Satan is going to try and divert you to other things. For me, it worked for that two week period. All my energy was on that silly window. I wasted so much time being mad and angry. The situation did turn out in our favor. I have since moved on and and am not thinking about windows constantly. I have been thinking a lot lately of food and the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. Not on how much I’ll be eating, but on how little some will have to eat. More on that, later.

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Proud of My Kids

2009-11-03T06:00:00.000-07:00

This advertisement that came in the Sunday newspaper. It sat on the table in plain view until 3pm. I had to prompt them to look at it. Sarge, I'd say we have some great kids.

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The Sound of Pop Rocks

2009-11-02T06:00:00.028-07:00

I have been having a particularly hard time as of late. Having my own little pity party I guess. I was just telling Sarge that it takes more energy to fight and not let this go and give it to God to deal with.

Back when I had my health scare I wrote about being dependant on God. Then I wrote about Nick saying why is it when we need something there we are pleading with him, but when everything is fine we shelve him. Am I using that as an excuse to not climb up in his lap and be willing to just let Jesus hold me? Am I afraid I will just be using him? Will I just shelve him when all is fine again? Is that really fair to Him? I mean is the only time he spends with me going to be me telling him how life is not fair and sobbing all the time?

I really do want to crawl up in His lap and let him hold me. I don't want to get down. But the enemy is distracting me. If it is not through ADD, then it is something else. Satan does not want me focused on Jesus. Because he know when I am focused on Jesus, I am a better wife, mama, daughter, sister and friend. And when my husband is "on fire" then you had better watch out.

As I sit here typing about this, our back sliding glass door shattered. No one touched the window. A bird did not fly into the window. The kids did not touch the window. No one was near the window. The sounds in the house were calm. And out of nowhere the inside window pane shatters. The sound in the house right after and as I type this sounds like pop rocks. That is the sound the glass is making as it breaks into a million pieces.

I have not been making the choice to listen to one of the many Christian radion stations that are available to listen to in my car. The other day I did. Million Pieces by The Newsboys was playing. I listened to the words.

They all fall
Like a million raindrops
Falling from a blue sky
Kissing your cares goodbye
They all fall
Like a million pieces
A tickertape parade high
And now you're free to fly

Carryin' a millstone malaise
It's been pulling down your gaze
You pound the pavement
It don't give or care
This weight ain't yours to bear

Why you holdin' grudges in old jars?
Why you wanna show off all your scars?
What's it gonna take to lay a few burdens down?
It's a beautiful sound

When they all fall
Like a million raindrops
Falling from a blue sky
Kissing your cares goodbye
They all fall
Like a million pieces
A ticker tape parade high

And now you're free to fly

When that muffled sigh

Says you're barely getting by

Cut your burdens loose and just simplify

Simplify

This is not your floor

You're going higher than before

Drop the weight now

Wait for the lookout guide

Look outside

As they all fall

Like a million raindrops

Falling from a blue sky

Kissing your cares goodbye

They all fall

Like a million pieces

A ticker tape parade high

Now you're free to fly

You've gotta lay that burden down

You're gonna lay that burden down

It's time to leave your burdens in a pyre

Set a bonfire

'Cause when you lay your burdens down

When you lay your burdens down

When you drop them burdens

What a free-fall

What a thrill

Bury them all

In a landfill

That is what I need to do. Bury them all.
Thanks for praying for me. I covet all your prayers and will be praying for you too.

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Trunk - or - Treating

2009-11-01T14:17:00.006-07:00

credits: PSE 7, Lili "Girls Are Yucky" kit and Yin Designs template both from The Digi Files 8. Fonts are LDJ Noodge and Century Gothic.

Halloween in 75°F weather (remember, I envy you in July's 115° F) had us trunk or treating at our church. This sounds a lot easier than going house to house. And it is if you are not toting a 3 year old, and trying to keep an eye on your 10 and 7 1/2 year olds. You definetly get a ton of candy in a short amount of time. Imagine the largest crowd you have been in and that is what it was like last night.

The kids ended up with way too much candy between the three of them, and they have not found where I hid the loot! I was so tired when I arrived home, all I had energy for was to just trick - or - treat on our street . Maybe I should have dipped into the candy on the way home ;).

Note to self for next year: instead of tailgating, park and have Sarge be an extra set of eyes for me. The kids had fun. They saw all their church friends in their costumes. If we had just stayed in the neighborhood, they would not have seen their church friends all dressed up.

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October Roundup

2009-10-31T13:55:00.018-07:00

Did I sell anything or make any special or unusual purchases?

We sold our tent trailer that we purchased last Spring. After five or so trips in it we decided it was a bit small for the five of us. I also listed our Incredibles costumes on eBay after moving them three times with us.

What fun things did I do with my family and/or friends?
Sarge & I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary on a Carnival cruise. My mom flew down from Seattle to take care of the kids. We sailed on the MS Paradise to Catalina Island, CA and Ensenada, Mexico. We spent my birthday sailing at sea.

What gifts did I give and/or receive?

My birthday was the 22nd. I got a fun ball cap with the cross in rhinestones.

I also got an ankle bracelet from Mexico. Bug turned 10 on the 18th this month. We gave the much asked for Legos as well as Wii MySims Agents. Cash was a popular gift for him this year.

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?
I found out I need eight cavities filled. since it is quite expensive, I will get four done in November and the rest in 2010. Sarge had the flu which developed into bronchitis. He was ill for the for the first half of October.

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For Today: October 30th

2009-10-30T16:26:00.008-07:00

Ali Edwards does this on her blog every now and then, so I thought I would do it for today.

Bug has been waiting 7 days for the UPS truck to bring his order from Amazon. Bug has to be in all photos he can! Must be a 3rd child thing.

Outside my window... the American Flag waving in the breeze.

I am thinking...if November 1st is too soon to decorate for Christmas.
I am thankful for... the 100°F + temperatures are over for 2009.

From the kitchen... halloween treats from class parties.
I am wearing... brown long sleeve v-neck t-shirt, dark rinse jeans, and white socks.
I am creating... A Halloween Treat Bag wallhanging.
I am going... to Casual Fridays at church tonight.

I am reading... blog posts, online news, but sadly, no books right now. I’ve got a stack of books I want to read and finish but I just haven’t made any time to lately.
I am hoping...break my sugar and caffine addiction.
I am hearing... the theme song to "Wizards of Waverly Place" in the background. I usually don't let the kids watch TV Monday through Thursday. When Friday afternoon arrives they almost have a free for all!

Around the house...candy wrappers

One of my favorite things…a clean floor.

A few plans for the rest of the week...Trunk - Or -Treating at church tomorrow night then, Trick -or- Treating around the neighborhood.

A picture to share...

Mister at speech therapy.

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Catching Up

2009-10-28T08:11:00.003-07:00

I have said it before, and I will say it again. October is a crazy busy month for us. Anniversary, this year we added the flu and bronchitis, Bug's birthday, my birthday, and Halloween. I need to figure out how to just enjoy it all (ok, I don't need to enjoy watching my family get sick).

By the skin of our teeth, Sarge and I went on a cruise last week. I say that because he had been sick most days up until Bug's birthday on the 18th. My mom flew down from Seattle which the kids adored. Sarge and I took off for Long Beach. So different to drive six hours without Go, Diego, Go playing in the back! When we arrived, we were required to sign a document stating we were feeling well and had not had a fever in the last 24 hours. All true and we boarded the M.S. Paradise.

The cruise to Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico was fun. We had already done this same itinerary four years ago on Royal Caribbean, but the price was low, so we figured why not.

We missed the kiddos soooooo much. Next time they will come for sure. Cruising is for families!

I am finally feeling like we are getting into the routine of everyday life again. Karate practice, guitar lessons, bible study, working out, errands, laundry and clean floors. Oh how I love a routine.

How do those of you who blog so regularly do it? I think I don't blog so much because I read all the other blogs and time runs out before I get a chance to blog. Make sense?

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11 Years Ago Yesterday...

2009-10-04T19:18:00.004-07:00

We celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary yesterday.

My Sarge has the flu.

Friday I made him homemade chicken noodle soup (noodles too)! Yesterday, I made homemade ravioli (I was on a roll, so I made the noodles too) stuffed with Butternut Squash with a Sage Butter Sauce. For dessert we had TidyMom's Chocolate Fudge Peanut Butter Cake.

Today, my beloved husband was feeling much better. He left for work tonight only to be sent home with a stop at Urgent Care!

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Dependent on God or Genies?

2009-10-02T08:15:00.004-07:00

You would think I had learned from the cancer scare to Fully Rely On God. Maybe I would be more dependent on him after going to a church this past weekend and listening to Nick. Nick brought up something I have heard over and over again. He said why is it that when we need something we are always talking to God, but when we are fine and hunky dory, we don't communicate with Him? (paraphrased). So I am at this point where I am treating God and his Son, Jesus like genies. Somewhere along the way I stopped my routine of waking up early, and getting into Scripture. I have heard that this is how God speaks to you. I still need God.

As long as I am here on earth I will need Jesus. We still have medical issues in our house. They will not be going away anytime soon with the level of dependance I am exhibiting. Bug suffers from ADHD. I probably have adult ADD. Mister has Apraxia. I have been to the doctor so much either for myself or the kids, that the staff knows me without me saying my last name or date of birth. I have learned how straws, bubbles, sour spray candy, and horns will help Mister learn to speak clearly.

We will get through this trial. If we had to pick our trials I would rather have this one then the one my parents have gone through/going through with my siblings and their disabilities. I would rather have this trial than the one Kate's family is going through.

But how do I quit treating the Holy Trinity like my personal genies? Daily Scripture reading has helped in the past. Since we are in a 31 day month, I think I will read a Proverb a day. What will you do to prevent God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit from becoming your personal genies?

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Dependence

2009-09-14T08:11:00.003-07:00

In a word... dependence.

That is how I would describe the week we had. On Tuesday afternoon I had my scheduled mammogram and ultrasound. Tuesday morning was not normal. I head out to the grocery store to get ingredients for a slow cooker meal. I decided to stop and get the van washed first. While the van was getting washed, I had a panic attack. The only way I made it back home was through scripture I had memorized. I never went to the grocery store. I just came home and asked the Sarge if he would go get the ingredients. He is better at picking out produce than I am anyways.

When he came home, he made our dinner and we watched 17 Again. I loved high school and would stay there the rest of my life with MTHS's class of '93 if I could. The Sarge did not enjoy high school. I wish I had know him in high school, maybe he would have liked it. He sat and watched the movie with me. I love that he will watch chick flicks with me and he likes them as much if not more than I do! Glad we took the time to watch the movie, it kept my mind off of the afternoon.

Around 2pm, we picked up the older kids from school took them to their grandparents and headed to the radiologist. We waited and waited in the waiting room for my turn. There were no magazines and all I had with me for entertainment was the iPod touch minus a wireless connection and Sarge's cell phone. The waiting room did not offer magazines.

Finally my name was called. I wanted Sarge to come with me. "I'm sorry, it is a women only area back here" the technician kindly says. So Sarge goes back to the ultra boring waiting room. I had the cell and the iPod. I am feeling bad about this because that waiting room was boring. I betcha he prayed the whole time. I felt his prayers. I felt the prayers of my many friends and family.

As my breasts were being pushed as flat as a pancake, I remember praying that I would be accepting of the outcome. That I would be stronger with whatever the outcome was. I kept thinking of Susan and Lori who both were diagnosed with breast cancer very young and survived. I thought of Jenna who lost her baby boy a month before his due date and found out she had throat cancer. And survived. I also thought about vomiting. I hate vomiting.

The mammogram tech took the pictures to the radiologist to see if more pictures were necessary. She said one other woman was ahead of me in the ultrasound room. She came back and said no more pictures were needed. Which was a good sign.

This was a turn around for me. A huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. I could tell I had a small wait ahead of me for the ultrasound. I put on my shirt and got the phone and iPod. I went and let the Sarge know what was going on. He said I could hang on to the cell and iPod. I texted a friend.

I then had my ultrasound. It took forever. I wish my babies ultrasounds took that long. I would have loved to see them that long. Instead I was looking at granular tissue for probably a half hour. The not so chatty tech looked and looked and looked. Nothing. I am fine with nothing. She gets the radiologist and he comes and tells me there is nothing.

I know there was something. We prayed at Marriage Matters that the lump would be gone. I know Jesus took that lump away. This was all for His glory. Not mine.

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Coveting Your Prayers Today

2009-09-08T11:57:00.004-07:00

September 1st I went to get a well woman exam. I have not had one in about three years. I know, I should have, but I guess I was just so busy taking care of everyone else and have neglected myself.

The nurse practitioner found a lump. She thinks it is nothing to be concerned about, but ordered a mammogram and ultrasound to be on the safe side. My appointment is at 3:30 today.

About twelve years ago, I found a lump, had a mammogram and it turns out I just have cystic breast tissue. I thought all that was gone due to having three kids.

I am hopeful that is the case this time too.

My Facebook friends have come out in full force to offer up prayers. Sarah even gave me this verse:

"When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." Psalm 94:19.

I am holding on to that one, because I really need it.

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If You Give a Girl an Apple...

2009-09-06T19:19:00.013-07:00

I first have to say I don't like the Apple Computer company. While I think their products are fantastic, their customer service stinks.

The end of April we went to San Diego ( see post here) to try out our tent trailer. My iPod Touch (affiliate link) out of nowhere quit working. Called Apple. Pleased to speak to someone who doesn't speak english as a hobby. He says he is sending a box, for me to send it to Apple and they'll take care if it since it is under warranty. I get the box two days later, send it to Apple. Four days later Apple sent me an email saying that there is water damage which is NOT covered and they are sending it back to me.

Here is where Apple messed up. 1. Why didn't they say the iPod Touch is water damaged and I could get a replacement for a reduced amount? When I called they said I could get one for $119 plus shipping or go to the Apple store when the broken one arrived in the mail and get a replacement for $119. I chose the Apple store.

I drive to the Apple store thirty minutes away with the three kiddos and was told I need to make an appointment for the next day. Um, why didn't your fine customer service reps tell me this? The nice manager says he'll try and help me out. Takes the broken one to the back, comes out five minutes later and tells me it is water damaged -duh! He asks me how much the 800 number told me the replacement was. I tell him and he says "oh that is the 800 number, ours is $149 plus tax". So, without throwing a tantrum right there (so proud of myself) I ask for the broken iPod back, drive thirty minutes home, call the 800 number and order a new one. The rep says he is sending a box and the cycle begins again! Sixteen days after the death of the iPod Touch, I get the replacement.

And what is so funny about this whole saga is three months after I got the replacement, i dropped it in the toilet. This time i searched how to save a water damaged iPod and got this advice. I had to be patient and let it dry out in the heat of the car for about three days. Luckily the temps outside were over 110°F! After the waiting time, she powered on just fine!

So, if you are still reading this sorry saga, you wonder why on earth would I want another Apple product? Good question. I am asking myself this now after writing it out.

We have one computer. Our older kids are getting to the point where they need to use the computer for school. Sarge enjoys getting online as much as I like surfing bloggs, playing with Photoshop and digi scrapping. So the demand is high for the computer. I figured if we were to buy a desktop computer it may as well be a Mac. I hear you can't beat the graphics. I still need to do more research before we fork over the money.

Talking the Sarge into an Apple is another issue. He is a trained negotiator. I am not. In fact I am awful at it.

He wants to get a dog. Thankfully, a small dog. He works overnight four nights a week. He wants a small dog to be an extra set of eyes while he is away at night.

I do not want a dog big or small. I end up being the one who cares for the dog. I have enough on my plate and just don't want a dog.

The Sarge can't stand tattoos. The area of the country we live in tattoos on moms are very popular. Not one tattoo, but many. I have one and you would never know it. I told the Sarge that if I can get another tattoo in a visible spot, he can get a small dog. He considers it. Asks me what I'd get. Where I'd get it. I don't know, I never thought he would consider it.

Two days later, I get smart. I say to him "instead of another tattoo, how about a Mac"? He replies "I will definitely consider that", and the dog search steps up.

We head over to the pound today. And we found a dog that I adore. We have to name him because he was a stray. Very, very timid. But he warmed up to us. He need to be neutered and Wednesday we can bring him home. He is a three year old Norfolk Terrier (affiliate link). My auntie Beth had a Norwich Terrier (not an affiliate link). Her dog Scruffy was a great, social, family dog!

Photo from Zara Norfolk Terriers

We are trying to think of a great name for him. He responds to Buddy, but our neighbor has a cat named Buddy. Here are some names we like:

Chance - Bug says because he got another chance to have a family.

Diego - we like San Diego and it is Mister's favorite show.

Oliver- we like the name and Sarge used to call Bug Ollie when he was in the womb.

Wilbur - The ship Sarge was on in the Navy.

Rudy, Arthur, Toby, Ralph, Dodger, Duke, Shorty, Henry, & Tiger

What name do you like?

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Thinking About Coats in 115°F Weather

2009-08-31T08:07:00.005-07:00

This past weekend in USA Weekend, there was an article on Tim Gunn from Project Runway. I have not had a chance to see this show, but I probably should DVR it because I am horrible at fashion. I noticed off to the right side of the article, were some tips from past show contestants. This one from Christian Siriano caught my eye:

Christian Siriano (winner, Season 4): "Your coat for fall and winter is so important, and it's really such a staple because you wear it every single day. It's something people should invest in, because it's not just a throwaway piece. It's important, especially when you're budget-conscious and can't buy a whole new collection every season."

The reason it caught my eye this beautiful morning is because this is one less fashion mishap I have to get a zit over! One of the blessing of living in a place where you can know what it is like to walk on the sun. Seriously, here in the Phoenix area, we probably wear a coat or jacket for about a week when the temperatures get below 70°F!

For me getting the perfect coat because I wear it everyday is one less thing to put on the winterizing list. Getting the right bathing suit, now that is another post.

But, if I had to buy a coat, I would buy this one that I found here. Of course it would have to be on clearance since it was last years fashion -gasp!

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Gonna Persevere and Forget About My Fear

2009-08-24T12:20:00.005-07:00

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:7 (New Living Translation)

I have heard that if you memorize scripture (know as hiding it in your heart), when you need it most, you will "hear" from God. Something must be working for me then.

I was leaving a comment on digi scrapbooker Anna Aspnes blog. She is doing a Shutterfly photobook giveaway and asked her readers to comment on what they find most difficult about creating photobooks.

I told her that for me the most difficult thing is the fear of failure, then listed all these what if's for not doing a photobook.

That was my lightbulb moment. I have so many unfinished projects around the house to do. Sure, I have no problem starting something, but when it comes to the end result, well you might see that in a few years.

Take this Halloween Treat Bag quilt/wall hanging I started last week.

{Halloween Treat Bag Quilt}

The quilt blocks are assembled, and all I have left to do is piece the back batting and top together, machine quilt and bind. Really it probably would take me about 6 hours. But, I have never done those steps. I always send it out to a machine quilter to do. If I did that this time, the lag time would have me ready to hang the wall hanging about New Years!

Where are these thoughts coming from that I end up struggling with unfinished projects? I can tell you those negative failure thoughts are NOT from God! As I was posting on Anna's blog, 2 Timothy 1:7 popped into my mind. And that will give me the confidence to finish the quilt in time for Fall decorating next week. And it gave me confidence to digi scrap more, to actually finish pages and print them.

Are there scriptures that you have hidden in your heart that have helped you out in the past?

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Blogging, Facebook, & Twitter, Oh My!

2009-08-18T08:40:00.003-07:00

Ok, so obviously I blog. But did you know I am on Facebook and I tweet as well?

The main reason I started to blog was we moved one hundred and fifty miles away from the city we lived in for over ten years. I wanted a way to be able to keep in touch with our treasured friends.

I got on Facebook because I wanted a way to reconnect with friends from high school. I now live 1500 miles from where I went to high school.

I am still trying to figure out why I tweet. I have heard that the main reason people tweet is so they can be up to date on the latest instantly. I can see how Twitter could be beneficial for the business owner to get their name out there and all. I have recently started to follow some who post deals they find and that has been good for me. Another thing about Twitter is, I am always having to go and block questionable people from following me. Seems like one more thing I need to keep up on.

A couple of months ago I installed TweetDeck to my PC. This is a great tool because I can update my status on both Twitter and Facebook at the same time. I have not taken the time to learn the ins and outs of TweetDeck (or Twitter for that matter), but just found this article on Wikipedia that does a good job explaining TweetDeck.

I have a love/hate relationship with Facebook.

LOVE IT for the reconnection I can get with friends from the past. I missed my ten year reunion (dating myself!) and Facebook provides the ultimate online reunion. It does not just have to be high school. I have a large extended family and can catch up with everyone on Facebook!

HATE IT for all the silly applications I get. I ignore most of them. I do enjoy Kidnap, but the passing of drinks and stuff is just a waste of time. For instance, I will have four drinking requests in my inbox at any given time. I can only accept and send on one drinking request a day. I am supposed to send to 20 friends and that takes forever.

So do you have a blog, on Facebook or tweet? How do you feel about it? What applications do you like?

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A Day Off

2009-08-12T17:17:00.003-07:00

I just realized that today, I had a day off. I did a small amount of laundry and that is about it.

Good thing too since last night was not so restful. Mister has been having daily/nightly nosebleeds. My thinking is that since the air is so dry around here, Mister's nose is reacting by bleeding. Guess what? The nose has no idea if it is 2 am or 5pm when it decides to bleed! So I was up a lot last night (this morning) taking care of my baby.

When I am awoken in the wee hours, I am not nice! And it takes me even longer to get going when the real morning has arrived.

OK, back to my day off. Sarge was making dinner and Bug says "I need to bring my folder to school tomorrow" I then say to him, "I had the day off today, so I filled out all those papers parents have to fill out at the beginning of the school year." Then, I realized that today, I didn't make any meals or do any cleaning. My sweet, dear Sarge who has the middle of the week off took care of the meals so I wouldn't have to.

It was a nice day off. Thanks Sarge, I love you!

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Having Some Snickers Therapy

2009-08-11T10:37:00.003-07:00

My Mister started preschool this morning. He will be gone from his mama four days a week for three and a half long hours.

I keep telling my self like I did during the first three weeks of ISR, that this is best for him. I need to set myself aside and think about what is best for him.

Mister more than likely has Apraxia. I had wondered somewhere between 18 months and 2 years old if his speech was delayed. He is not able to enunciate his consonants, just his vowels. My blogging buddy Karin is a speech specialist and suggested to get in touch with our local school district. Late spring we did just that and after a testing process, we were told Mister has a severe speech delay.

Tomorrow will be easier, right? OK, back to eating that Snickers.

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And Off to School They Went

2009-08-10T10:29:00.002-07:00

I miss my two older ones already. Even though I have been sending kids to school for five years I still get that lump in my throat when they go in their classroom. Honey Bee wanted me to go with her, Bug waited for me until I go to the door. I think he still wanted me to go to his classroom door. Mister wanted to go to his school. well that is tomorrow and I am sure I will have more than a lump in my throat. As much as they bicker, I like having them around.

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Smiles for the Weekend

2009-07-24T21:51:00.001-07:00

This just made me smile!

We Went On Holiday

2009-07-21T13:48:00.004-07:00

To our spot, San Diego.

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Family Reunion Name Badges

2009-07-15T13:36:00.005-07:00

Haven't blogged for awhile because I have been working on these:

Supplies used:

Sandbox BADGE album, Sandbox Alpha from The Shabby Shoppe

My mum's (Naomi) side of the family is having a family reunion in Whitefish, MT at the end of this month. Our family intended to make the long trip from Arizona to Montana, but with the recent accident I can't travel for to long in a car.

So, my mom was talking to me about buying some "Hello, My Name Is __________" self adhesive name badges for all our family to wear. I casually mentioned that I could make some badges for her. Above is the result. Here is how I did it.

1. I used a pre-made digital template from The Shabby Shoppe.

2. Used photos supplied to me from my mom and Facebook.

3. Converted the photos to black and white and added a nice blue tint. I did this so none of the subjects clothes would clash with the badge.

4. Inserted the photo into the template.

5. I put two 2.5" x 3.25" badges on a 4 x 6" photo canvas in Photoshop.

6. I uploaded the pictures to an online photo developer.

7. And voila, nice personalized name badges.

My mom is going to trim them apart, and have them laminated, a hole punched in them so they can be worn at the reunion.

Making these badges provided me a way to get to know my family a little better without being able to go. However, it made me want to go all the more!

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When You are Involved in an Accident

2009-06-29T08:24:00.006-07:00

This is the damage from the accident the kids and I were involved in recently. Looks like not too much damage was done to my van. The insurance adjuster estimated over $1100 in damage. Broken lens, scratched bumper and auto body.

This could have been so much worse. I was stopped at a stop light. I looked in my rear view mirror and saw an car coming straight at my van at about 40 mph.

The older kids were in that back seat just in front of that light. Mister was in his Britax Car Seat. So thankful we were all in safety belts and the kids were not messing around picking something off the floor or laying down on the seat!

I froze. I probably said somethings to the kids like hold on or something. I don't really remember. I kept looking in the rear view mirror. All of the sudden he swerved sharply to the right. On the road I was traveling, there are three lanes of traffic on the east bound side. Traffic around me was swerving to avoid the driver. His driver side mirror hit my van. I am telling you, it did not feel like a mirror was hitting my van. I felt the van jolt and move forward. I did not hit the car in front of me. The driver had gone into the two other lanes.

In shock, I managed to move ahead and pull into a local business.

I got out, asked the driver if he was alright, he did the same. I looked at the damage, determined it was minimal. His car was worse off having pulled his electronic mirror off.

I said that we probably did not need insurance to get involved since the damage was minimal to my vehicle. This was mistake # 1.

I called the Sarge who I disturbed from a deep sleep. He said get insurance info, and check drivers license to be sure driver is who he says he is.

A sheriff's deputy shows up with her lights and siren on. She asks if everyone is OK. I say yeah, I think so. I tell her about my husband being a Sarge and all. she then says "Oh he is the one who called and said there was a multiple injury accident here and we need to get the ambulance and firetruck here ASAP." I said no, but while thew accident was occuring, it looked like it was going to be awful. Someone who witnessed it had probably called. Nice of them to stop and help! She then calls off the fire truck that is coming lights and sirens.

She looks at the damage, I think then determines damage under $1000, so does not take a report. Mistake #2.

She takes our licenses, finds out we are both good and not wanted on anything and leaves.

After I exchange info with the driver I leave.

I feel nauseated the rest of the day. I kept thinking what could have happened. I have a headache the rest of the day.

Sunday, my back is stiff. Honey Bee says her back hurts.

Monday I call my insurance agent and we set up a claim. By Monday afternoon Bug's neck is tilted off to the side.

We go in to see a chiropractor. We are doing better now. The kids a not complaining of pain so much and I am stiff in the morning and evening.

Here is what I should have done and what you should do if you are involved in an accident.

1. If you are able, pull over to a safe location.
2. Determine if the passengers in your vehicle are OK.

3. See if other people involved in the accident are OK.

4. Get the other driver's insurance info. You need the company, policy number, agent name, and phone number.

5. Get a phone number where the driver can be reached at.

6. Get names of everyone involved in the accident.

7. Copy down the drivers driver's license, address, and plate info.

8. Make sure to get a police report! We all thought the damage was minimal. I am not an insurance adjuster, so I really should not have made this uneducated guess. Plus, injuries we received started affecting us after we left the scene.

9. Discuss the accident only with police and your insurance agent. Let the police determine fault. In my case it was obvious who was at fault.

10. Call the insurance company. The sooner the better. They will want a police report number if possible.

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Recovering

2009-06-24T08:59:00.002-07:00

I was involved in a car accident this past weekend that has made me prioritize what is really important in life. Blogging to me is definitely up there as being important. I want my kids to know who I was if/when I am no longer here. However, I may be away from blogging for a few days while I try and prioritize things in my life better.

The accident was not horrendous. Although it came within inches of being so. The kiddos were with me and I the driver. We were rear ended. So we are recovering from whip lash and back pain.

I have a post up my sleeve for you to help you out if you should ever become involved in an accident - God forbid.

Take care and love on your loved ones.

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A Father's Day Blessing

2009-06-21T20:10:00.012-07:00

My babies' daddy.

What makes a great dad?

A great dad knows that children are a gift from God.

A great dad intentionally supports his family.

A great dad intentionally spends time with his children.

A great dad intentionally teaches his children something new.

A great dad intentionally looks into his children's eyes and tells them he loves them.

The Sarge is a great dad!

Happy Father's Day!

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My Time Out

2009-06-18T20:59:00.004-07:00

Today I was given a little time to myself. It felt ~~good~~ great. The Sarge told me to go and get out on my own. At first I was going to go with my neighbor, but she was not feeling well, so it was just me.

I got into the ~~taxi~~ minivan and headed to Real Deals. Bought a beautiful Iron Cross with a ♥ in the center.

Next I headed to Hobby Lobby. I ♥ Hobby Lobby. I wanted to get some apothecary jars that are sale this week 50% off. I have one with seashells in it and wanted a couple more. I was feeling inspired by an old post from The Shabby Nest. Not sure if you have been to her blog, but she has a kagillian apothecary jars. I have been waiting for her post on decorating with Longaberger baskets for awhile now. Anyway, I am getting so off topic. I found a few apothecary jars and today they were marking home decor clearance 80% off! I picked up some ducks and did some Christmas shopping. I would make the Flylady proud, I came home and promptly wrapped it!

At first when I stepped out of the house, I felt guilty. I did. No one was with me. Sometimes Mister will come with me, or even Honey Bee. On a rare occasion Bug will come along. Not today. Sarge said he goes out and shoots archery all the time and this was my turn to get out.

How about you? How do you make time for yourself? What do you do when you need to regroup?

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Technology Can Be Downright Scary!

2009-06-17T20:25:00.006-07:00

I was just out in the internets perusing blogs and I stumbled on this widget (who ever thought we'd be saying widget in 1993?) BlogFrog. What drew me to click over to BlogFrog was the teaser "Who is really visiting my blog?" I do wonder who the numbers are out there when I read the site meter reports.

So I head over to BlogFrog and go through the registration and I find out that Karin, Jen, The Pioneer Woman, Nikonians, & Water Safe Kids were all just here reading my little 'ole blog!

I am almost as giddy as I get when I read the comments you all leave me!

♥ you BlogFrog!

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They Say The Darndest Things

2009-06-16T06:00:00.007-07:00

We all went to Furr's again on Friday night. If you are not familiar with the buffet style restaurant's main demographic, let me me put it this way, we were the youngest ones in the joint by at least 40 years.

We brought the kids cups for the kids that we received last time we visited. The kids were waiting ever so patiently in the s l o w m o v i n g line looking at the "new" kids cups that were displayed.

In a nice, clear "outside" voice, our little Honey Bee points and asks me "What's that dinosaurs name?"

I am ready to crawl under the walker of the woman in front of me.

Oh, she is asking what the dinosaur character's name, not the grandparently looking person standing in front of the cups.

Now, it would not be fair to share a darndest kid saying without sharing one from Bug and Mister.

When we lived in the mountains, Bug had a speech problem. His favorite veggie was corn. He could not pronounce the hard "c" sound like in cake or cookie. Instead it sounded like pake or pookie.

So, we are in the grocery store and he wants me to buy corn and again in his "outside" voice says "Mom, don't forget to buy the ?orn!" (put a p where the ? is)"

When our Mister was learning to swim, his teachers created specific points where he needed to swim to. They call it the "bar". Really, it is the step or the side of the pool. Mister always wanted to go there because he knew his exercise would be over and he would get a rest.

Of course, we are swimming at the city pool and Mister says "I want to go to the bar".

So there you go, I have three great kiddos. One is judgmental of dinosaurs and the other two have addictions.

What have your kiddos said that made you blush?

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5 Facts for Flag Day

2009-06-14T07:40:00.007-07:00

1.) June 14 was originally celebrated as Flag Birthday to observe the Flag Resolution of 1777.

2.) Waubeka, Wisconsin was the birthplace of Flag Day in 1855.

3.) 2009 marks the 60th year the United States has officially celebrated Flag Day.

4.) Flag Day is NOT a federal holiday. However, Pennsylvania is the ONLY state to celebrate Flag Day as a state holiday.

5.) The week of June 14th is designated National Flag Week.

Bonus: If you like to study flags, then you are a Vexillologist!

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This One is Headed Back to the Library Shelf

2009-06-12T08:03:00.002-07:00

However, I am sure it will not sit there long!

Yesterday, Darcy announces on her blog that Dianne is giving away a copy of Understanding Exposure.

Yesterday, I shared with you that I continually check this title out from my library. Often I have to wait for someone else to return the copy before I can check it out for the 57th time! I always am trying to renew it, but can't since the book is in high demand. Even after all the times I have been able to check it out, I still have not finished it. Maybe I should review chapter by chapter of Understanding Exposure here on pchm.

Thanks Darcy for pointing me to Dianne's blog, and thanks Dianne for the giveaway. Now off to try and win a membership to NAAP, Photoshop CS4 for Digital Photographers or Lightroom 2 for Digital Photographers from Dawn.

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Mittens in June?

2009-06-11T08:19:00.010-07:00

You know it is June in Flagstaff and the the calendar has not skipped ahead four months when your friend has her mittens out in the mudroom. We took a little road trip north to Flagstaff. When we moved away last year, we said we'd come back often. We have not been going back as often as we'd like.

We visited our favorite Mexican restaurant, some of our favorite people and found a new favorite swimming hole.

This morning, I caught up on my Google Reader and found out via Darcy that her friend Dianne is giving away Understanding Exposure. This book is a must have. My library has it, and I am ALWAYS checking it out. I think it is time I got my own copy.

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Works For Me ~ Just One Club Card!

2009-06-09T22:00:00.002-07:00

Today is my first time participating in We Are That Family's Works-For-Me Wednesday! I found this nifty little site just this past Sunday on What Summer Says's blog.

Are you like me with memberships to at least ten different stores? I am telling you it makes for a heavy wallet and or key chain. This is where Just One Club Card come in very handy.

All you have to do after you arrive at Just One Club Card is type in the number on the back of your stores card and choose the store from the drop down menu that the number belongs to. There is enough room for four stores on the front, and four on the back. I put four grocery stores on the front of mine, and miscellaneous stores on the back. Print it off on some card stock, laminate it and voila you are ready to go.

This has helped me so much. Some stores have key tags and some do not. Now I have them all in one place!

I have not tried this yet at Costco or Sam's Club. I am not sure how it would work there since they scan the card through a card reader.

Attempting to Button Up

2009-06-08T15:17:00.007-07:00

Here is my attempt to make a button. Being my first button, I naturally googled it and came across Following The Footsteps button/chiclet tutorial. She does a pretty good job explaining how to do it, but I have a coupole of questions. I would just ask her, but the post is well over a year old.

1. How do I make my image smaller? If you look over to the right you will see the button I made. "ense.com is cut off.
2. When making buttons how do I put pertinent info in such as my referral code and Instructors name? Is there some way to fit all this in? How would you like to save 50-70% on your grocery bill? Contact Andrea Van Horn and I will show you how to save BIG on your groceries and toiletries!!!!

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Five Dollar a Month Virgin Without Commitments

2009-06-06T07:23:00.008-07:00

photo courtesy of http://www.greekcomm.com/blog/?p=14

So I called Verizon on the 2nd of June, the last day of my bill cycle. I push through the prompts until I finally get to the cancellation department. I politely tell "Mandy" that I want to cancel our service. She then informs me she is sorry we want to cancel and that there will be a $105 cancel fee for Sarge's phone and $145 for mine. I tell her I am aware of the fees and still want to cancel.

She then asks the dreaded question "Why do you want to cancel?"

To which I respond "The economy sucks right now. The way the government is running the country scares me. We need to stockpile our money for a rainy day (when that will come in the desert is a mystery to me!).

She then says how she is sorry about our situation and says she can freeze our account for 90 days. We would not pay our $90 a month for those 90 days. Normally she tells me, the fee is $15 per line but she is willing to waive it for us. I tell her no thank you, I want to cancel and am aware of the fees.

She then says to me "What is the real reason you are cancelling?" Um, I thought I just told her that. Again I tell Mandy that the government can't handle money right now and really has never been able to real well, so we need to stockpile our cash. We are not hurting I tell her, which is exactly why I am cancelling now.

"OK" she says. The next five minutes are silent as she cancels our account. Then she tells me we will have our phones turned off near the end of June due to the billing cycle. Oh, well at least it gives us time to put our contacts in our $5 a month Virgin phone. If you want some FREE minutes when you sign up with Virgin, just copy my Kick Back Code: kTHJVU5p and enter it when you activate your new phone.

God's Eye Candy

2009-06-05T08:02:00.006-07:00

Nikon D40

1/15 sec

f/11

ISO 800

55mm on Nikon 18-55mm 3.5-5.6

straight out of the camera

Ali Edwards Days + Months Title + Journal Photo Overlays

I have been snapping photos like crazy as of late. In manual! Sometimes when I hear photographers say they shot in manual, I think of how when moms tell their birth stories and say they had their baby all natural! I mean who really cares if the photo was in manual or auto? Is it a photo you like? If so then it is great.

Jen inspired me to take some pictures of the sunset last night outside in out driveway. Sunsets are some of my favorite pieces of eye candy from God. I have never looked up and thought, what a nasty looking sunset. He always seems to make them look spectacular, even with all the smog we have put in the air.

Living Like No One Else, So Later...

2009-06-01T18:42:00.006-07:00

Dave Ramsey often says on his radio program "If you live live no one else, later you can live like no one else.

Our family is about to do just that. Tomorrow we are giving up our cell phones in trade for a $5 a month cell phone. Before the month of June ends, we will no longer be using Direct TV's services. Add to that, we will be going to just a basic land line!

I do think it will be difficult at first. Satelite and cell phones are not just pennies a year. By giving up these luxuries will save us over $1800 a year! If we put that money in just a regular savings account at our credit union, after five years we will have saved over $10,000. seeing it in writing has me really excited!

I am not a disciplined saver. Oh, I want to be. This is one reason why we are cutting out luxuries in our life. I wonder how my time we spend watching TV, texting, etc when we could be getting to know our kids better, or volunteering, serving others, finishing projects we have had in the closet.

The main reason we are cutting these luxuries is we want to pay off this:

and now that all three kids swim, get something like this:

So see it can't be that bad when you have an end result in mind. What do you think? Are we weird? I hope so!

Hot Summer Radio Contests

2009-05-31T08:03:00.007-07:00

Here in Phoenix we have a plethora of radio stations. They all tend to have contests of one sort or another. Mix 96.9 FM last year, and until this past Friday was giving away 4 Disneyland Park Hopper tickets and a two night stay at a Disney resort. They were giving away the trip 4 times a day. All you had to do was listen at 9am, 11am, 3pm, and 5pm for your name. If you heard your name called you had 45 minutes to call and claim your prize.

Last summer, the kids and I listened for my name. We never heard it. This year they started calling the names around the beginning of May. So I began to listen. I even set a reminder on my phone to listen at the designated times. Then, this past Friday, the radio station announced that they were giving away a vacation to the Happiest Place on Earth every hour between 9am and 5pm! I out out the word to my friends at Coupon Sense (see link in the side bar). I didn't hear my name or any of theirs.

Mix 96.9 is now offering San Diego vacations at the above times Monday to Friday. Go over to their website and get entered to win! Email me to let me know you entered and I will call/email you if I hear your name.

Another contest they are holding is a Stay and Play at Tucson's El Conquistador Resort. You do not even have to listen for your name! Just enter your email and you are in the drawing!

The last contest I entered over there was for the chance to win tickets to see New Kids on the Block! I know, it is crazy and I am showing my age (34), but I am pretty sure my sister-in-law Blythe would go with me.

Best of Luck if you enter!

Kinda Bummed..

2009-05-28T06:00:00.002-07:00

I just started getting back into the coupon thing again. I have been dabbling in it over the year or so. I think the whole moving transition is what made me not shop so much with coupons. I have been getting my coupons together and organized (which is it's own post in itself).

A great place to save a ton of money is shopping at CVS. They have a program there called Extra Care bucks. You go in spend x amount of money buying certain items, then pay for the items then, the cashier gives you your receipt along with Extra Care Bucks you earned by buying those items. I am still trying to master the whole Drugstore game, but have found these blogs to be helpful at teaching me how to play this game. Money Blue Book lays it all out for Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid.

Now I will tell you why I am kinda bummed. I have $11.97 in Extra Bucks for purchasing Colgate toothpaste and Softsoap body wash. They expired on May 18th. On May 18th, I thought I would not go use them because I heard on a message board that I can call CVS and they will reset the bucks for me. Yesterday I called and the representative said they can not reset the bucks unless they are ones I have earned from the store vs. from a vendor. Oh well, better go see how to earn the store kind.

We've Come A Long Way, Baby

2009-05-27T09:35:00.004-07:00

My baby bear is swimming. He really does not like to go. He whines and cries when it is time to put on his trunks. He does the same when he is in the water with Mr. Carlos or Mrs. Tammy. when it is time to work on his skills he does his best. He is even better when his big brother and big sister come along to watch.

Reflection and Looking Ahead

2009-05-19T06:00:00.002-07:00

Amy from Muddy Boots posted this meme (I'm not really sure what "meme" means) on her blog today. I thought I'd play along:

15 years ago today I would have been:

um, nineteen and not looking forward to going to college in Orange City, Iowa

working as a lifeguard at The Pavilion

listening to country music along with Nirvana hey i grew up in Seattle grunge capitol of the world!

10 years ago today I would have been:

twenty four years old, pregnant and not enjoying life in Flagstaff, AZ

5 years ago today I would have been:

1 year ago today I would have been:

counting the days left of school for Ryan and Reagan. No more bus rides on the Loop 303 for them

wondering why are beloved Mac is acting so strange.

wishing the City of Surprise had given me the correct password for swimming lessons

This year I am:

looking forward to all three kids swimming this summer, spending mornings in our garden, camping with my family, & hoping to improve my photography skills - hopefully with a new lens... or two.

Today I:

exhausted from arguing with chip about my photography hobby

thrilled I kept my end of the bargain and kept Jack out of a swimming pool all weekend in the 106°F heat

praising God for Slip n' Slides

Next year I hope:

to be less tired

to be more organized

to have a clue what I am doing with photography

In five years I hope:

to have adopted (or be in the process of adopting) a child

have a degree

Do you know what meme means? Leave me a comment, because I ♥ comments!

2009-05-18T06:08:00.004-07:00

This past Friday, Ali Edwards challenged her readers to "Capture the Weekend". The idea is to keep your camera on hand to capture those unexpected moments. If it gets me to practice with the camera, then why not.

Just before Ryan was born nine and a half years ago, my sweet tooth was in full swing. We were so broke and Chip wanted to satisfy my cravings. The night before he was born, Chip took me to Furr's Family Dining in Flagstaff. Furr's is no longer in Flagstaff, a Wells Fargo is in it's place. The memories will always be there for us. All you can eat & sweets as far as the eye can see. We call Furr's, "Ryan's Restaurant". Saturday after visiting Chip's parents, Chip declared he knew where he was taking us to dinner and I would never guess where. He was right! We haven't eaten at a Furr's in eight years.On Sunday, Chip's niece, Kaylee was confirmed in the Lutheran church. We are proud of her choice and pray she continues to make the right choice.

Supplies used in both photos:

Saturday & Sunday - Ali Edwards

Grunge & Film Frames - Jen Maddocks Designs

I did not capture as many moments as I could of. I did learn that I would like a lens that can "grab" more than my 18-55mm kit lens. I did learn how frustrated I am that my dad's 70-300mm will not auto focus on my D40.

Aside from the frustrations of the camera, the weekend did have me pondering what I want and what would be practical.

Jen also participated check out her take on the challenge here and here.

Under Liner

2009-05-13T09:14:00.003-07:00

My handsome husband Chip, is an under liner. When he get me cards and I open them, the phases that pop out to him the most are underlined. I read this as this is exactly what he would write.

Our Core Group from church is going through the One Month To Live Challenge. Honestly, I was not excited to get into something that involved homework. I was excited to join a group of people from church. We wanted to make some friends. The group we are in consists of 4 law enforcement families and 1 Air Force family. The kids are encouraged to come too! I know God's hand was in this.

Our group meets tomorrow night. As the PROcrastinator that I am, I cracked open the study guide in hopes I could catch up. I was pleasantly surprised to see that each day's section is only a 4" x 6" section! I can do this!

If you looked in my guide, you will see a ton of underlining. Here are some light bulb moments for me-

Day 2: God created you to take risks in faith and to conquer the giants that can sometimes paralyze you with fear. What area of your life are you suffering from the "Someday Syndrome"? for me, i tell myself that I will get to unfinished projects and hobbies when my house is orderly.

Day 3: could be it's own blog post. A regular time of rest and recovery is essential in your schedule. how would you describe your current season of life? does it feel like your buried beneath a frozen tundra, emotionally hibernating? Or is it more like spring, with signs of new life in view? What does it mean to accept an honor your current season? Two words describe my current season, CrAzY busy. I feel like I am in the frozen tundra emotionally hibernating. I am still pondering the answer to the last question. Jen even mentioned to me last week about the season of life I am in.

Day 4 left me with this verse to think about 2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV) "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but a power and love and self-control."

Now, I actually look forward to this study.

How I Spent My Mother's Day

2009-05-10T08:34:00.024-07:00

5:30 am - My alarm goes off. I know it is crazy, but if I get up early, I get time all to myself. Uninterrupted.

6:00 am - I actually get up.

6:30 am - I sort out the coupons from the six papers I get every Sunday. I belong to a wonderful money saving site that allows me to receive six papers on Sunday, hence lots of coupons.

6:45 am - I start vacuuming the tile. What? I am supposed to be taking it easy!

7:00 am - Chip gets home. I visit with him and he goes to sleep. But, not while I am visiting him.

7:15 am - I start washing the floor and scrubbing the grout. I don't even listen to myself.

8:00 am - Update my blog, surf the blogosphere.

8:45 am - My kiddos are giving me the best Mother's Day gift. They are sleeping in! So, I start digiscrapping.

8:59 am - Reagan gets up and surprises me by brushing her hair, her teeth and getting dressed.

9:13 am - Reagan wants me to open her presents. Jack gets up. I open their gifts.9:22 am - I ask them NOT to wake Ryan. They do not listen. Ryan is sad. He wanted to give me breakfast in bed. Seriously guys, you sleeping until 9 or 9:30 is a way better than me getting breakfast in bed.

10:00 am - I save the 365 page I am working on and go make up some Blender Pancakes. Gonna kick it up and add chocolate chips!

10:33 am - Hear my all-time worst kids movie playing in the background "The Adventures of Shark Boy & Lava Girl" oh well, their being quiet.

10:45 am - Whew the movie is over! I get to eat breakfast now. Then I work on Project 365

11:45 am - I work on our budget.12:47 pm Lunch time!

2:07 pm clean up Jack's pee pee (don't ya just love potty training!)

2:45 pm Reagan & I leave for our traditional Mother’s Day nail appointment

3:00 Reagan & I get a mani/pedi and it took a long time.

5:15 pm Arrive home, kiss Chip good bye as he heads to work, & start dinner.

6:00 pm Kiddos are eating dinner and watching America's Funniest Home Videos. I am eating too & surfing the net.

7:00 pm I give Jack a bath & get him in his jammies that he wore all day!

8:30 pm I crawl into bed with kiddo company of course.

I love being a mama!

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-10T08:11:00.002-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms and special ladies in our lives. Take it easy today and do not try and do it all (at least for an hour).

Anita Renfroe William Tell Momisms Official Version

I Heart Faces - Constructive Feedback Friday

2009-05-08T08:17:00.005-07:00

I just found I Heart Faces. Like just this past Monday I did. I have seen Heidi talk about it on her blog and finally decided to click on over. Wow is that a fun site for the photography nut like me.

Anyway today they giving constructive feedback to amateurs and beginners on their photos.

Here is my photo that I would love some constructive feedback. I had just changed my hairstyle and everywhere I went people asked me about it loving it.

SOOC

F-Stop: 5.6
Exposure Time: 1/20 Sec
ISO: 1600
Focal Length: 34mm
Camera: Nikon D40
Exposure Bias: -0.67 eV
Meter Mode: Pattern

I have Lightroom2 that I am still learning and PSE7 which I am knowledgeable in.

The shadows in the photo bother me. When I do edit it, I seem to go heavy on brightening it up.

Thanks in advance for your feedback. By the way if you have not checked out I Heart Faces, go do it!

But, I Want Time To Do My Hobby!

2009-05-06T14:59:00.003-07:00

Maybe this is a bit of a whining/venting session. But here is goes. You may be going through something similar. Seems like the chores just keep piling up. I get the front room straightened up and a tornado has hit the family room. I get the family room straightened up and the front room is back to being a disaster. Meanwhile laundry is not done, dinner needs to be made and the kids need help with their homework. This cycle is never ending. I am having a difficult time managing all the necessary tasks and still making time for my hobby (digiscrapping and photography).

Yesterday, I got chewed out by my trainer because I have been maintaining my weight for the last six months when I should be losing. I have about 10 pounds to lose before I am safely in the "healthy" category. She said I need to do 50 minutes a day, 5 days a week of cardio and 30 minutes 2-3 times a week of strength training. She said I need to add this to my calendar like an appointment.

I think I need to add my hobby as well to my calendar as an appointment too. And my devotional time. Chip said something to me this afternoon that hit the nail on the head for me. He said "I wish I could do my hobby (archery) while I'm at work too." I need to own this stay at home mom thing like it is a career. Just because I am not on someones payroll does not mean I do not "work".

I may of found some hope to help get me on track. Lindsay blogs about crafts, cleaning her house, and decorating. Here is a spreadsheet she created to help her with all those daunting chores we have throughout the week. Her title for the blog post is perfect - Secrets to Relaxing at Home. Then yesterday, as I was updating the menu in my Google calendar, Becky Higgins posts her meal planning system! Don't you just love the Internet?

I am off to work on a better routine so I can be a super CEO for this corporation.

Road Trip

2009-04-29T09:35:00.003-07:00

We're taking a road trip. Be back soon.

Still Missing

2009-04-20T19:21:00.004-07:00

You would think I have a spotless house trying to locate where the iPod is. Still, no iPod and the house is not much cleaner.

If only Jack could tell me where he left it. Unfortunately, his speech is not nearly as great as his potty training skills. Being that our temps are near 100°F here, I have been letting him run around in his birthday suit. He has been telling us when he needs to go! Have to say, I highly recommend Potty Time With Bear. He is glued to that DVD.

UPDATE:
Just found the iPod! Jack had put it up by the phone where I normally keep it. I tell ya that kid is smart. However now he is keeping Ryan and Reagan up hollering that he wants to listen to Hawk Nelson's "Friend Like That". Ok, I am off to see if Apple has an "app for that". Lost iPods that is!

Is There An App For This?

2009-04-17T22:38:00.004-07:00

You've seen the commercial. You know the one from Apple. They must play the thing four time each American Idol show. The commercial showcases the fabulous Apple iPod Touch, letting the viewers know all the things they can add to their iPod Touch/iPhones. The tag line is "There's an app for that"

OK Apple, I need an app to find my iPod Touch (for the sake of typing my iPod Touch will now be referred to as "my iPod"). You see I have an iPod Touch that I can't call like when I loose my cell phone. Since it is not an iPhone, I can't locate it.

This morning my 2 1/2 year old son was playing his all time favorite song, "Friend Like That" by Hawk Nelson on my iPod. Jack plays with my iPod often and hasn't lost it. When Chip and I were getting ready to leave for the gym three hours after I had last seen it, I went to look for it. i am still looking for it more than thirteen hours later. So Apple, I need an app to locate the non iPhone version of an iPod!

The iPod is not the only electronic missing in the abyss of our 2000 square foot adobe. No I am afraid the Nintendo DS also got swallowed up by the black hole as well earlier this week.

To me, this is a sign we have too (sp?) much clutter. This weekend will be a cleansing weekend indeed. We are purging away. And I will let you know if I locate the electronics.

Don't Judge a Book By It's Cover

2009-04-16T21:08:00.001-07:00

I can't believe I hadn't heard of Susan Boyle until last night. Watch this video and pay attention to the judges expressions.

Take Me the Way I Am

2009-04-13T19:43:00.002-07:00

This one is for you Chip. I'd buy you Rogaine if you wanted me to. However, I take you the way you are. I think you are quite handome without hair anyways.

Writing

2009-04-10T12:10:00.010-07:00

I think I have mentioned here that I feel I don't write as well as other bloggers. did I just write "other bloggers"? That means I think of myself as a blogger! I have been told by a few that practice is the only way to get better at something. I have an ongoing list at things I'd like to become better at - writing, photography, digital scrapbooking, sewing, cooking for my family, loving my family, and saving money. I can think of no better place to become better at all those things than a blog.

This week our family turned a new page in our story. Chip went to work Monday night as a Sergeant. While the "overnight" shift may not sound desirable, to me it is better than the "swing" shift. With "swings", you have to wait all day to go to work and have to always be home by a certain time. With the "overnight" shift Chip still gets to spend a ton of time with us if not more. He goes to work just after the kids go to bed, comes home as they are waking up, and get up for the day as school is letting out. So far, the only "bad" thing is having the middle of the week off vs. weekends. In summer, this could be a plus for quick getaways.

Tonight we are heading to Radiant Church for their Good Friday service. They are having six Easter services beginning tomorrow. Out in the parking lot, a carnival will be going on with a 50' Ferris Wheel, an Octopus ride that make you crazy dizzy, and giant slides among a bunch of bounce houses. On Easter Sunday we are heading to Mom & Dad H.'s house for the egg hunt and dinner.

What are your Easter plans? Let me know in the comments, I relish your encouraging words!

Four?

2009-04-01T06:00:00.003-07:00

April Fools

Thirsy

2009-03-31T15:05:00.001-07:00

It has been so long since my last post that I forgot what I last posted about. Oh right, it has been just over a year since we moved to “the Valley”. In that time so much has happened. Chip is now a Police Sergeant, I have the shortest hair I have ever had - & I like it, Ryan is reading fluently, Reagan enjoys playing just about any sport we’ll let her try, and finally Jack is start to potty train.

We have been in our house since September 26th and I am just beginning to feel like it is our home. We had to adjust our game room three times, but hey, third time is the charm – right?

I haven’t posted much for several reasons.
1.) I have too many irons in the fire.
2.) I always feel a need to have a picture in each post. I really haven’t been keeping up with Project 365, which means I haven’t been taking pictures to post.
3.) I have been really tired. I began a new daily medication, which made me pretty tired at first. The medication also has a lovely side effect to make me VERY thirsty. At least I will drink a ton of water.
4.) I have been reading other mommas blogs and destructively comparing myself to them. I think that I cannot write that well so why bother. Need to work on that one.

Chip starts 3rd shift on Sunday. He is beginning to get nervous. I know he has nothing to fear. He is a fabulous leader and terrific motivator. The kids have just 52 calendar days until school is out for the summer. That means the days of high temps (115°F) will be here. Hopefully, I can blog more since the only places we will be is inside & in our neighbor’s pool.

And, speaking of pools, tomorrow is April Pools Day at our city pool. We can swim for free and they will test the kids to see what level they are at. Saturday morning is sign up day. Last year the city gave me the wrong password, so we missed out on swim lessons for the season. Please pray that we get in this year!
So there you have it a post hopefully of encouragement and a little update as to where I have been.

What I Miss About Flagstaff

2009-03-10T09:11:00.010-07:00

It has been just over a year since we moved from Flagstaff to Surprise.

Chip misses Flagstaff more than I do. He may comment on that. Some may even be surprised I even have a list but here it goes.
-the plethora of thrift stores that are not picked over by zealous eBay sellers
-the changing seasons; autumn into winter into spring and summer
-2 1/2 acres of land to play on
-getting to have a red house with a white fence

-Flagstaff traffic
-no fees at the library!
-our huge kitchen
-my crafting area
-my girlfriends
-CCOF Womens' Bible Studies
-CCOF
-Cromer and Sechrist Schools. Especially talented and quality teachers that care like, Mrs. Ruth Donnelly, Mr. Jeff McQueen, Mrs. Carrie Hiser & Mrs. Caroline Hughes
-cold water in summer from the kitchen faucet
-small town parades
-snow days
-great water, even at restaurants & it wasn't hard like here

What I don't miss? Wind. High house payments. Mice. Wind. The drive from Doney Park to "town". Poor customer service. Lack of places to shop at such as Hobby Lobby. Wind. Digging out from a blizzard. Driving off the road in a snow storm. Having to buy cars, fix them up and sell them at a profit to survive. Wind. Hippies. Heather our next door neighbor at the red house.

We are so blessed. Even when times were not as good to us as they are now, we were still blessed.

Have you moved recently? What do you miss? What don't you miss?

Psalm 37:4
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. (NLT)

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

2009-03-02T14:07:00.001-07:00

Today we are celebrating Dr. Seuss’s 105th birthday! In honor of this special day, we will make a special trip to the library. What is your favorite Dr. Seuss book? Mine is The Sneetches and Other Stories.

It Pays to Check for Coupon Codes!

2009-02-25T08:06:00.007-07:00

My favorite candle scent is the "Warm Welcome" from Gold Canyon Candles. I have been out of the candle for awhile now. I have burned through other candles I have trying to find something else I like equally as the "Warm Welcome". Last summer, Chip even bought me a Scentsy Pot and three different scents for it. They have one that is close but just not it. plus, with Scentsy, you have to plug a special pot with a light bulb inside into an electrical outlet to get the scent. This makes the house hot (which we do not want in AZ!) and runs up the electrical bill. A couple of weeks ago, I was washing dishes and accidentally knocked the pot over! he pot broke and the wax spilled all over the counter. So no more Scentsy for me.

Today, I caved after smelling many a Yankee candle and others at local stores and bought some "Warm Welcome" votive and a 20 oz. jar from Gold Canyon Candles. I just wish "Warm Welcome" was in the tea lights too! I got to the check out, and thought I wonder if there is a promo code out there. Sure enough, I found $10 off and FREE shipping on $25 or more!
Always check for coupons you never know how much you'll save.

On the Mend

2009-02-24T09:07:00.006-07:00

Giving it my all to try and get back into the routine. Everything came to a grinding halt Saturday. I woke up feeling awful. Chip had already made plans to go to an Archery Shoot in Timbuktu. I had wanted to go to a local children's resale shop for their weekly 25¢ sale. The children were looking forward to this sale. We had never been and they wondered what goodies awaited them. Usually I would be at the sale by the time the doors opened. Not this day. I slowly got ready and we made it out of the house by 9:15am. I let them know we would stop at one or two yard sales before getting their. Our first stop was about a half mile from our house. The sale had two fun chairs that would be great for our front room, plus some lighting to replace our outdated lights that were standard from the builder. I asked the price for the chairs and the lighting. While I liked both the prices, the lights were two different shades of brown. The lighting would be close to each other in our house so I need them to match. Passed on that deal. The chairs were $75 for both. I had just $25 on me, so I left a deposit and went and got the rest of the cash. We made it to the 25¢ sale ten minutes before it was over. We managed to find fourteen items we desired before it was over. Here is how the sale works each week. Moms bring in their items to see if they are worthy to be resold. If the moms do not claim their items within 24 hours of dropping them off the store puts the items they do not want to sell in the 25¢ sale. When the sale is over, a local charity picks up what is left.

After the sale, I took the children for a surprise to Build - A - Bear Workshop. Reagan was given a gift card for her birthday to the store and had her eye on a new bunny. We tried to go their last weekend, but the line to build a friend was out the door!

Since I was still not feeling well (felt like I had morning sickness, and no baby is on the way!) I let Chip know that he could take his time coming home from the shoot since we would not be going to Saturday evening church.

Sunday, I got up feeling better, but not 100%. I took the children and their friends to the 11:00 service. Sundays are fun at Radiant, they serve plenty of Krispy Kreme Donuts! Chip had left very early for his shoot, called around 3:30pm and reported he had done very well! We made a Fettuccine Alfredo from Sam's Club for dinner. Within two minutes, Jack spewed his all over the floor. I really did not think to much of this. Two and a half year old kids do this often, right? I continued to offer him more which he happily ate! Reagan did not eat hers, but ate the rotisserie chicken we had also gotten. Around 8pm I felt AWFUL. By 10pm, we changed Jack's bedding. Sunday night Chip was up MANY times with the boys. By morning, I was better, and Chip was down. He did not even go to work yesterday. Ryan and Reagan made it to school a half an hour late. Ryan was quite weak, but made it through. I was just so week that the house was in shambles. I don't have it quite organized yet that it would be self sufficient if I was not running it.

My mother-in-law just called and said that eleven of the Diamondbacks had a similar virus. Maybe we did not have food poisoning after all.

We get the award for having the best neighbors! They just called and said they are ordering pizza and would be bringing us two, so don't cook! You guys rock!

So, today we are on the mend and I have high hopes for it to look like it was trying out to be on HGTV. We shall see.

I am looking forward to Jessica Sprague's new class, Photo Editing: Good-to-Great Workflow that starts tonight. The class is self- paced, which is great for all you busy moms!

When Life Throws you Curve Balls

2009-02-18T12:55:00.004-07:00

Today, I was all set to do one of my favorite pastimes...... go thrift store shopping. Yesterday, during afternoon nap time, instead of blogging like I should have been, I was catching up on some blog reading. One of my favorites is Meredith at Like Merchant Ships. I think hands down she is the thrift store queen without all the tackiness. she had me all inspired to go and find us some treasures. I had mapped out where some nearby ones were located.

Then, early this morning, Jack woke up crying. I went and got him and he was just burning up. I brought him back to bed. Chip asked me if I gave him anything for his fever. No, I say. I didn't even think of that. I am so not coherent at 3:30 am! Thank goodness he got up and got the poor little guy some Motrin.

So, my plans changed. As I type, two out of three kids rooms are clean, I was able to put some pictures from grade school and high school on Facebook, and I will do my workout on Wii Fit. I didn't want to go to the gym anyways. They IRRITATED me yesterday.

Laptops and Foosball

2009-02-11T08:33:00.002-07:00

My laptop had a system failure. The laptop that Chip bought me Valentine's Day 2008 is our only computer. OK, we have the iPod Touch as well, but typing blog posts on that is not very handy. I hope this explains the lack of posting in the last four weeks. To get the laptop repaired involves the following process:
1. Call HP
2. Dial through the numerous prompts (at least it is not voice activated!)
3. Explain to the kind people in India what is wrong with the laptop.
4. After Habib has me take apart he back of the laptop, unscrew some cards, he decides it need to be repaired.
5. HP ships me an empty box.
6. I package up the laptop, take it to Fedex, and ship it to Tennessee.
7. Within 5 days the laptop is back as good as new!

The moral to this story is: have an external hard drive (EHD) or a back up system, and an extended warranty.

I know Dave Ramsey says no warranties because they are a rip off. This laptop's warranty ended in December. The screen had already broken once and I thought it was our fault. I had it repaired here in Surprise, which took as long as the HP repair and ended up spending $500 out of pocket. After I spent the $, I was told the screen issue was probably not my fault! $500 in stupid tax spent! So in December, I spent $229 and got a one year warranty. Probably paid for it self on this last repair. I won't do this every year, because the older the laptop get the more obsolete it becomes!

OK, enough geek talk. Chip says I am a gadget geek & I see what he means every day with all these gadgets he buys me.

Our family acquired a new toy that we all enjoy. I think Jack enjoys it the most! We got our family a foosball table. We had been looking for a while for one to fill the space where our dining room table should go. The other night while I was at Gravity class at the gym, Chip found one on Craigslist for $25. It was probably worth $100 due to the shape it is in. It has a few wrinkles in the legs and a couple of scratches. However we are not foosball pros so it is ok for now.
Last night we got down and dirty, deep in a foosball competition. That is Chip and I. He basically kicked my butt at the game. later he tells me he likes it more than our Wii. Well, of course you do Chip, you are good at it! Since I suck at foosball, I get on the handy dandy iPod late last night and find some good videos with tips and tricks. I should be a pro in no time.

In Case You Have Not Figured Out By Now

2009-01-16T09:16:00.005-07:00

Just in case you have not figured out by now, I really enjoy photography. I enjoy sharing photos I have taken here on this blog. I have enjoyed this hobby for quite sometime. My dad had a dark room back in the dark ages of the late 70's. He gave me his Nikkormat camera to use in Mr. Link's Photography classes in high school. Sadly, that SLR no longer works, but I still have it for the memories. I thought about doing photography as a business, but fear always gets in my way. Fear people won't like my work. Fear of telling people what to do. So, for now, I use it as a hobby.

I signed up in September to take Candice Stringham's Oh Shoot Photography Class on Jessica Spragues site. A limited number of participates are allowed at a time. I jumped the gun, and got in. I shouldn't have signed up because we moved to our forever house two weeks later. I still have access to the helpful videos and book work, but it is just not the same. Over at Jessica Sprague I first heard about Clickin' Moms. I went to check it out only to see that they are subscription based at $6 a month. I was hesitant and did some Googling and found DeAnn's blog, From One Clickin Mom to the Next. She shared so many helpful lessons on basic digital photography. So, I got my feet wet, sprang some big bucks and signed up this past Tuesday.

I received a 50mm f/1.8 lens in the mail last week and was a bit frustrated with the focusing of it. I posted this photo on the Clickin' Moms forum and got great advice on it.

They gently explained to me that my shutter speed is to slow and I should bump up my ISO, to try shooting in manual (lesson 3 in Oh Shoot!)! They also explained a good rule of thumb for shutter speed is at least twice the focal length of the lens. In this case shoot a shutter speed of 1/100 or more.

Here is what I got this morning before I edited it:

My result is just a much more pleasing picture. I am sure I will be learning exactly why it is in Clickin' Moms.

If you are a hobbyist like me or are thinking of starting a business in photography, or even if you already have a photog biz-go check out Clickin' Moms.

By the way, I am not saying Candice's class is not good, I am only on week 3, Shooting in Manual, so I cannot give a fair review of it. I am thrilled I always have her videos to refer back to though.

Kreativ Blogger

2009-01-13T03:50:00.013-07:00

My cyber and fellow Spraground friend, Jen , has chosen me to receive the Kreativ Blogger award. My first blog award and I am very honored, thank you Jen. I have only know her a short time and get inspired by her creativity, photography and digi layouts. Her paper projects make me regret selling my paper scrapbooking supplies at our garage sale. Plus Jen had digi templates... FREE. So, now I get to turn around and nominate seven blogs that I feel deserve some attention and notoriety from an average Jane like me. Jencropable is definitely one, but the cycle would continue around and around defeating the purpose of the award.

So, here are seven blogs that I think rock:

1. Karin @ 6ByHisDesign I envy her writing style. Reading her blog is like curling up with a great book.

2. Jenn from A Picture In Time. I just discovered her on the Spraground. Her photography is amazing. Her art inspires me to keep learning more.

3. DeAnn gives great photography instruction on her blog: From One Clickin' Mom to the Next. Because she shoots a Nikon as well, I have learned so much about my Nikon D40's buttons.

4.Meredith, plays over at the Spraground friend and shares some super fun templates at Moriginals.

5. Amy has Benefits Loaded Daily. Fellow Spraground playmate and digi 365er. Love to see her scrapping life with teens! I can only dream about days when I am not cutting other peoples food!
6.Anke is also from the Spraground. She has some beautiful digi layouts on her blog.

7. Linda's blog has beautiful digi pages as well. She is taking a different spin on Project 365 and doing Project 52. Go check it out.

Okay fellow recipients, here is what you do:

1. Post a link to my blog.

2. Choose seven blogs you love to read and give them this award. Don't forget to save the jpeg image above to post on your blog.

3. Post a link to their blog as well.

I hope you become regular readers of these blogs and enjoy them as much as I do!

It Finally Clicked

2009-01-12T08:28:00.008-07:00

I had signed up for Candice Stringham's "Oh Shoot Photography" class this past September. This was the second time the class was offered and had sold out in 10 minutes the first time it was offered. I was quick to sign up this go around. However life got in the way with the move and school starting, so I have yet to complete the 6 week class. I felt and continue to feel guilty about taking the spot that someone else could have had. The nice thing about classes at Jessica Sprague is you get access to the forums, videos, etc. forever. So, I have been plugging along at the course. I am still on Week 2 out of 6 - Aperture!

Candice advised us to buy a 50mm 1.4 or 1.8 lens for the aperature lesson. I bought the 1.8 and received it last week. I was not thrilled at first. No matter what I did my pictures were not in focus. This was the first photo I took with the 50mm 1.8, straight out of the camera (SOOC) in Jpeg.

Not to clear, can not tell what is in focus. This is the case every time I am not shooting in an "Auto" mode. So, I googled about this and found something called a diopter. Looked in the Nikon manual which basically tells me to be careful not to poke my eye out while adjusting the diopter. I am thinking how do I adjust the diopter when I find this article. So I adjusted my diopter and here is the first photo I take SOOC:

This one article has changed using my DSLR for me. I even have near perfect vision thanks to Lasik. Not shooting on Auto has clicked. No pun intended. I am so looking forward to using this lens and shooting in Aperture mode and moving on to Manual!

So, maybe, I am just a former blonde. Maybe everone knows how to adjust the diopter. maybe you don't and your like me, Googling to find out how to adjust the diopter.

Blender Pancakes

2009-01-09T09:38:00.006-07:00

My absolute favorite pancake recipe. As fast as the kind you buy at the grocery store, but so much better for you.

BLENDER PANCAKES

Combine the following ingredients in blender and mix on high speed for two full minutes.

1 cup whole grains (wheat or buckwheat, etc.)

1 cup milk and blend two more minutes.

Add:

2 eggs

1/3 cup canola oil

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. sweet spice blend

1 Tbs. honey ( or 1 Tbs. apple juice concentrate)

Blend Well. Can store overnight.

Just before cooking, add 1 Tbs. Rumford baking powder. Blend in gently with moment speed until mixed.

I received this recipe from Dottie's Bosch Kitchen in Sun City, AZ. They are a kitchen store offering the best in small kitchen appliances and groceries. This is where I bought the sweet spice blend. They also offer and are best known for their free nutritious cooking classes.

I used a Bosch similar to this one for this recipe. I am not sure if another blender works to blend the wheat up or not.

Need To Get Back On Track...Like Last Year

2009-01-08T07:21:00.030-07:00

First post for 2009. I have not written down any resolutions for this year. As i thought about it, I really don't make resolutions. That is right I don't resolve. I do however make goals all year long.

I have accomplished goals, but don't remember celebrating the accomplished goals. So, one of my goals this year is to celebrate accomplished goals. So now I need to think of how to celebrate an accomplished goal.

I also need to break goals into short and long term goals. For example, I would like to go to the gym three times a week this month. I would like to loose 13 pounds by April Fool's Day (not kidding!). And, I would like to have my Body Fat Percentage down to 22% by December 31st.

I am also struggling with routine. I THRIVE with routine. Of course, with Christmas/New Years break, I got all out of routine. Monday rolled around and I was good about getting back on a routine. I was up at 5:30 am walking Marjle, doing a Beth Moore Bible Study, then getting Ryan & Reagan off to school. When they left for school, Jack & I headed off to the gym. The same thing happened Tuesday. But, I fell off the wagon yesterday and here I am today. I am struggling to get back on my routine. Our house desperately needs to be cleaned. Christmas decor needs to be put away. I should not beat myself up too bad - we haven't been eating out all week!

Since I was already off routine, I justified doing some digi scrapping. Here is what I have been doing:

click on image to enlarge

Credits: Scrap lifted design from CK Special Issue Super-Fast Pages with 4x6 Photos pg. 118 layout by Sara Wise, all papers & elements are Shabby Princess Damask & Dots kit. Overlay is Trish Jones Distressed Diva Distressed Edge, Fonts are AnzeigenGrot, Century Gothic, Times New Roman.

Credits: I will post them in the next 365 layout. I just went with it here. Each weeks will be similar so I will have a better idea what I used next time.

This is the first weeks layout for CK/Becky Higgins Project 365. I did not order the kit since it is currently available only in the paper format. I scrap lifted what I had seen on her blog and in the magazine and putting my own words and photographs in of course.

Here are my favorite pictures from our Zoo trip.

Spider monkeys, not the frisky monkeys I journaled about in the first layout.

I love taking shots from behind of people walking.

A giraffe's tongue is around nine inches long!

All images can be clicked on to enlarge.

I used Jessica Sprague's Grunge Frame in all of them.

Jack is our little "French" boy. He LOVES to kiss. I mean even when you are not ready for it! We are in the petting zoo and he was so good and gentle with all the baby animals. Here he is kissing a chia (a baby llama). I just love how the llama fully cooperated!

Enjoy your day and make the most of it. Hopefully I get around to my routine so I can write later about my RAW frustrations.

Project 365

2008-12-31T18:56:00.005-07:00

The end of the year has me thinking about the new year. Over at Creating Keepsakes magazine they are doing The 365 project. basically, you take a picture every day and then scrap all of those pictures. They are selling a kit through CK that was put together by Becky Higgins as their "kit of the month" (aka KOTM), you can check that out by clicking HERE. In this kit they provide all you need to record a years worth of memories. They also have an idea list in case you run out of ideas of what to take photos of.

I really admire Becky Higgins and think the kit is a good value. But, I don't paper scrap anymore. I like how she puts more than three photos on her pages. It seems in perusing the digi galleries that many digi pages have one photo.

My style usually includes more than three photos. So, imagine my delight when I saw that Meredith over at Moriginals developed a template to use for project 365! I am such a template junkie. Maybe on be of my resolutions should be to "not be so afraid to show my creative style"

I am also afraid Project 365 will turn into Project 37. I am not going to commit myself to take a photo every day. That only sets me up for failure. maybe for me some days will be a journal. Photojojo has a great article on a photo a day idea. Here are some more sites that have digi stuff for Project 365: Designs by DeDe & Ikeagoddess

Here is my picture for today, December 31st.

We had a coupon from the Home Depot for 10% off for moving into our house. The coupon expired today, so we went to the store and bought I think 268 12 x 12 blocks to make into a patio. Not to many other places in the US can one be installing a patio at the end of December / beginning of January!

Christmas Recap

2008-12-29T07:57:00.003-07:00

Ryan and Reagan finished school for the year December 19th with a early dismissal at 12:15. Ryan's class did a had a "Holiday" party with a book exchange and watched The Polar Express. Funny, how they watched that movie and yet called it a holiday party. Quite sure they would not be watching Polar Express for Spring Break. Reagan's class also had a party and the star of her show was her teacher making a visit from maternity leave with the baby.

The beginning of the week went fairly well, nice for me not pushing the kids to get up and get ready for the day! However by mid afternoon the fighting among Ryan and Reagan escalated. Jack was thrilled to have them home to play with him.

Tuesday Chip stayed home from work sick. He NEVER stays home sick. He is the one who goes to work and infects the office. I was glad he stayed home since Thursday would bring his family here to celebrate. I needed him to get his rest for Christmas Day.

We had been planning to go to church to one of the two services that day, however with a sick one at home we decided to wait until Wednesday and go to the 4 o'clock service. We were running behind because I was digi scrapping a page all day and needed by Thursday. We needed to stop at Costco and pick up the page.

They closed at 5pm that day so the pressure was on. We made it to both Costco and church on time, but had to sit in overflow seating. I was happy to see that so many were coming to church that this "problem" occurred. We went and sat in the coffee shop for a little more than half the service. When jack got to restless we ended up leaving. From the part I saw, the message given was similar to Rick Warren's book The Purpose of Christmas.

After church we continued our Christmas traditions by ordering in pizza. Since we have moved this year we couldn't order from New Jersey Pizza Company in Flagstaff, so we ordered from our new favorite place, Bronco Billy's. The pizza was not as wonderful as it normally is because it had been resting to long before we picked it up. Oh well.

I spent an hour wrapping gifts. I had shopped all year for the kids and did not do to much Christmas shopping this year. We were doing our best to have a simple Christmas with an emphasis on experiences rather than gifts. I think we both did well on that part for the kids, however with each other Chip and I did not. Because of a great deal he had made he got me an iPod Touch. I gave him money to spend on his shop and archery. I know, I know so meaningful. In my defense, he is INCREDIBLY difficult to shop for as i explained in my December 9th post.

Thankfully, I had been preparing our house for the Christmas celebration we would be having with Chip's family, so once Christmas morning arrived, we were pretty much ready for the afternoon.

When the kids woke up on Christmas morning they opened their gifts. Ryan got clothes, and Wii games. Reagan also got clothes. She also received a few DVD's. Jack opened Mr. Potato Head and his police accessories. All the kids opened a clock radio from Chip and were so excited by this little $5 gift! Each night, when they go to bed they listen to Adventures in Odyssey and head off to dreamland. Well, they often fall asleep without turning off the radio. Chip's had a wonderful idea to get them clock radios so that the radio would turn off on it's own.

Around 11:45 Chips' family began arriving with his Mom and Dad first to arrive. The brought the best part of the meal in my opinion, the dessert. Then Jeff and Dorene and the girls arrived. Hilda (our great friend who also moved here from Flagstaff recently arrived. David, Blythe and their three arrived and I think Sherry, JJ and Tyler came after them. We ate wonderful food. Chip had barbecued London Broil to perfection! Jeff had brought a ham. There was so much food!

After dinner the kiddos opened their gifts, we all played Mom H.'s favorite game "The Left Right Game", followed by our traditional white elephant gift exchange. We then ate dessert and everyone went home.

Around 6 or 7 Chip went and got Chinese food. We have done this for ten years. He used to always work on Christmas, so we never really had a big meal that day. In Flagstaff, the Chinese food restaurants were always open on Christmas and we would eat there. We had a heck of a time finding one that was open here in Surprise, but the Golden Wei came through for us.

Yesterday was the changing of the guards for us with my parents coming in to visit us until Saturday. The kids were thrilled to open yet more gifts. Reagan was thankful to get the Kit Kittredge Movie!

This was quite a wordy post. Not to many photos. I really don't like to blog without a lot of photos. In December I started to shoot in RAW. I am really struggling with RAW because of the amount of time it takes to prepare the RAW image for blogging or scrapbooking. on the 26th I changed my setting back to JPEG and will need to research this RAW thing some more. RAW is nice because you get to set the white balance. But it is not nice because you have to edit every stinking picture in PSE's Camera Raw!

Not On My To Do List Today

2008-12-17T07:00:00.002-07:00

This is not on my to do list today:

However, I am wishing this was:

Saturday Link Love :) Happy St. Lucia Day

2008-12-13T07:39:00.000-07:00

I have been reading the American Girls Series of Books to the kids. Last month we finished up Kit Kittredge and learning about life during the Great Depression. This month we have been reading about Kirsten Larson. We are taking particular interest in these books because the kids have Swedish in their ancestry. Kirsten's family came to America in 1854 from Sweden. Her books share life as a pioneer family. Last night we finished Kirsten's Surprise. Next year on December 13th the kids want to celebrate St. Lucia Day.

Here is some Saturday Link Love of posts I really enjoyed reading this week.

Jen posted that Big Huge Labs helps you do some cool stuff with digital photos. Like puzzles, frames, badge makers and more.

Heidi has been 'traveling' around the world this Christmas. She has already been to Ireland, Morocco, Sweden, and Germany!

Can't wait to try Crock Pot Hickory Smoked Brisket from Stephanie!

Amazon is offering one free Christmas music mp3 download until December 25. Download daily!

When your longing to work outside the home Simple Mom's article on The Best Place to Work will inspire you.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Digi or Paper (aka Hybrid) Scrapbooks?

2008-12-12T14:13:00.000-07:00

Jen sounded shocked I left paper scrapbooking and she wants me to tell her all about this she she hasn't completely left the dark side.

First you may be asking what Digi Scrapping (Digital Scrapbooking) is.

Digital Scrapbook Memories has a fantastic video here on what digi scrapping is. In a nutshell, instead of creating my layouts on paper, I create them on my computer. I use PhotoShop Elements 7 that can be purchased at discount stores and membership warehouses.

Here are a few reasons why I digi scrap:

MUCH less money per page than paper scrapping. I go online and have found many freebies of paper and elements and I can buy digi kits for much less than shopping at a local scrapbook store. The digital elements can be used over and over. Once you "cut" a page on the computer, I can use it on another layout! Creating Keepsakes is having a challenge to create a layout for less than $5. That is easily achieved with digi scrapbooking.

I can give pages I have made as gifts. So, say I buy a digi kit online at one of my favorite digi shops The Shabby Shoppe for $7.95(on sale today for $5.96). Included in that kit are 53 pieces which equals about .15 per piece which remember I can use over and over again. I then make a page I really like and post it here. My mom then says she likes the page and wishes I would make her a page. My mother-in-law asks for a page every Mothers Day and Christmas. These are just two people who want pages. If I was able to buy that same 53 piece kit at a local scrapbook store, I would have to buy more than one kit. Also, sometimes there are pages I make that all of my children will want to take to their homes one day. We can easily make them each an album when it is in the digi format.

Printing is less than you think. Today at the garage sale someone mentioned that she doesn't digi scrap because it uses too much ink. I do not print layouts at home. I have Costco do this for me. If I order one 12 x 12 sheet they will charge me $2.99 a sheet. If I make a CD, bring it in and have them print it while I shop, they will charge me $5.00 per 36 x 12. I put 3 layouts on a 36 x 12 and cut them apart at home making them $1.67 a layout.

One of the main reasons I no longer paper scrapbook is getting out my supplies and then having to pack them up again. With digi, all the supplies are stored on my external hard drive. I do not have to worry about jack getting ahold of the glitter or spilling a drink all over the table.

I really don't have space to paper scrapbook at the moment. While our new house is the largest we have lived in since we established our family ten years ago, there really isn't a place to store cardstock, eyelets, brads, frames, tools, and the list goes on and on.

My pages turn out as great as paper scrapbooking. I was worried about this at first. I took Jessica Spragues Up and Running with Photoshop Elements October 2007 and tested out the cost of digi, as well as the look. I was pleasantly surprised when I picked up that first layout from Costco. Actually, that was the moment I left paper scrapbooking behind.

Those are just a few reasons I came up up with as to why I left paper scrapbooking behind. I still have about 2% of my paper scrapbooking supplies I will keep. I still subscribe to Creating Keepsakes Magazine. I use to subscribe to Digital Scrapbook Magazine, but they ceased that publications print edition due to the economic downturn we are in. I wish Becky Higgins sketches, CK's sketches and Becky Fleck's page maps were available to buy as a template at some digi store. For now, I just scrap the sketch myself.

December Daily, & A Garage Sale

2008-12-11T16:12:00.000-07:00

[December Daily]

Ali Edwards is hosting a fun project meant to celebrate the traditions and everyday blessings during the month of December. She is posting daily and helping her readers make their very own album. Since I left paper scrapping just over a year ago i won't be doing the paper scrapbooking part of this project. So imagine my sheer delight when I found out that Jessica Sprague is doing a December Daily type event too. Post a photo or layout a day during December and she will pick one a week during December and the winner gets to pick out a class to do for free! I am eyeing that Photo Editing class she has coming up. My ADHD has kicked in full force and I finally posted my first post for the December Daily challenge yesterday! This brings me to todays entry:

Yes, it is a picture of a garage! Crazy, but that is my everyday life right now. I have been working on this garge sale for months meaning to have it before we moved to the new house. But temperatures were over 105 degrees when we moved and I was in no mood to run around my garage in that kind of heat! So this weekend while the Midwest is covered in snow, I'll be having a yard sale in sixty degree temps!

[eBay]

The auctions were kind of a mixed bag for me. The premium cloth diapers barely worn by Jack could not be sold on eBay because eBay does not allow this anymore! I achieved my goal of getting lots of bids on the Scanner I had listed, and the Hotsling, as well as the Becky Higgins School Years Kit of the Month. The Mei Tei only sold for $5! So someone got an awesome deal on that. I have plenty more scrapbook items as well as some hair bow ribbon stuff to list. I am thinking about opening a store for that until it is sold.

A New Tradition

2008-12-10T16:56:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday, we hosted a Cousins Gingerbread House decorating party. All the cousins were here except Tyler. He is the big man on campus up north. Averi was a wonderful observer at five months old. Jack even decorated his own house. Kristi had a very color coordinated house, Kaylee's house would make the Sims proud & Kortney was so helpful with Reagan & Jack's houses while I played hostess. Ryan did a wonderful yard and I said both he and Reagan's houses belonged in Seattle with the lack of snow on them. Next year we are handing out awards! After the decorating we had hot dogs and chips for lunch. Then all the cousins went home. Then, I cleaned up the snow that fell that day in Surprise. It sure beat shoveling snow that falls in Flagstaff!

25 Days of Christmas Questionaire

2008-12-09T08:28:00.000-07:00

I have been tagged many times by this questionaire this season. I don't even think I have sent it to anyone but B & C. So, I will take the time and answer it here. If you want go ahead and change all the answers so that they apply to you. Then send this to a whole bunch of people you know, INCLUDING me....Tis the Season to be NICE!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? bags, they can be recycled year to year saving a ton of $$

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial, since I am allergic to pesticides in "real" trees. Someday, I would like to go to the mountains where we used to live and cut down a pesticide free tree.

3. When do you put up the tree? I like to have it up after Halloween ;)

4. When do you take the tree down? Why do we have to take it down? We take it down in January

5. Do you like eggnog? Yes, but can only drink low fat which doesn't seem right.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Hot Pink Converse High Tops. I wanted some like Lisa Bonet had on the Cosby Show (only she had black ones)

7. Hardest person to buy for? Chip. He does NOT abide by the "No Buy Zone" (just before my birthday 10/22 thru 12/25 you can't buy anything for yourself)

8. Easiest person to buy for? Jack

9. Do you have a nativity scene? No, I have several. I collect them.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Something in the Heffelfinger White Elephant Exchange

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? I am a sucker for Christmas movies. I enjoy Christmas Vacation, Christmas Story and It's a Wonderful Life

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? December 26th

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? duh!

15.Favorite thing to drink at Christmas? Pumkin Spiced Latte

16. Lights on the tree? The little white ones

17. Favorite Christmas song? To me, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without Johnny Mathis. If you aren’t listening to Johnny Mathis, your Christmas is seriously lacking! My second favorite is John Denver and the Muppets: 12 Days of Christmas .

18.Travel at Christmas or stay home? Usually stay at home

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Of course!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel that has been in C's family for years with a crown of thorns beneath it that we added.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? An incredibly LOUD dancing Santa.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Simple red balls and through the years ornaments

24. Favorite meal for Christmas dinner? Whatever I am not making

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? The Willow Tree Nativity

Have a blessed Christmas Season!

If Jesus Needed Your (Fill In The Blank) Would You Give It To Him?

2008-11-25T09:22:00.000-07:00

Maybe you have seen this video already, but it is too powerful to be missed. Please take the time to watch if you haven't already!

So I have been thinking alot about ways I can give beyond our tithe. I am just that way always looking to give. With so many people strapped financially around me I wanted to share a few ways you can give that cost little to no money.

World Vision Gift catalog $30 Give five ducks to a hungry family today and they’ll benefit from hundreds of large, protein-rich eggs throughout the year. Extra eggs and hatched ducklings can be sold to buy medicine or help pay for children’s school tuition.

Last weekend we went to church again at CCV. The sermon was on generousity. We watched the video below and then without notice we were asked to give our shoes. So many in our world are without shoes and could use them. If Jesus needed something from you would you give it to him?

I wish I could have seen Jesus' reaction to me getting ready for church that afternoon. I purposely put on my super cute, cheetah print ballet flats before we left. When we got to church, we sat next to a friend we invited and she says "cute shoes". About one hour later I gave up my favorite pair of shoes. For a moment I did not want to. Then as I was listening to Pastor Don, I was thinking that God gave up his favorite thing in the world, his Son Jesus because he is crazy about you and me. Surely I can give up a $25 pair of shoes if God can give up his Son.

Over 11,000 pairs of shoes were donated. They will be sent to Peru, Some countries in Africa and right here in the US.

eBay

2008-11-23T08:03:00.000-07:00

I know, what am I thinking. I am a HUGE Becky Higgins fan. And here I am selling her original School Years Kit. Here is why. I made the switch last winter during the start of our transient period to Digital Scrapbooking. Becky's Kit is for those who paper scrapbook which she primarily does. So if you are a scrapbooking, Becky Higgins crazed fan here is your chance to get her kit brand new never used! Did I mention I started the bid at ONE CENT! I know I am crazy, but so is our economy.

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photo courtesy of www.hotslings.com

Jack is to much of a wiggler to be worn anymore. I never got to use this with him he was and is always on the go. Again I started the bid at ONE CENT. Would make a great gift for that mama to be or special mama in your life!

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photo courtesy of http://www.meitaicarrier.com/

I have had nearly all the baby holding brands you can get. Mei Tai Carrier is the most practical best carrier I have ever owned. My back did not hurt like it did in the Snugli or the Baby Bjorn. I truly enjoyed my Jason's Circles Mei Tai Carrier. You know I even listed this starting at .01 cent on eBay!

*************************************************************************************

Jack was going through a time when premium disposable diapers gave him horrible rashes. I could only use cloth diapers for him. The Happy Heiny's in here were the best. They worked just like sposies only you kept them! Very easy to clean too. I will be listing this soon as well.

Well those are a few of what I have up on eBay. I'll let you know next week how the one cent starting bid went for me.

Desk Envy

2008-11-05T14:59:00.000-07:00

Jack and I spend the day driving around doing errands and looking for a desk like this one: We find this one minus the piece that "L's" off the left side at a local store. The manufacturer no longer makes this coloring and the store says they will sell it to me 30% off their asking price. I say I have to ask my husband before I can drop that amount of money.

We get in the van to drive home and Sean Hannity is on one station and Dave Ramsey's on another. Since Sean is in a commercial I listen to Dave who is talking about tithing. Within two seconds I an convicted and start thinking, Dave says when you have debt (we have truck debt) Christians should tithe 10%. When they don't have debt, they should tithe 10% and feel free to give offerings. So does that mean I drop the offering for Andrei the boy we sponsor through Hope 4 Kids International?

We arrive home and I check my Facebook page and a friend from high school posts this video:

All work no play may have made Jack a dull boy
But all work no God has left Jack with a lost soul
But he's moving on full steam
He's chasing the American dream
And he's gonna give his family the finer things

Not this time son I've no time to waste
Maybe tomorrow we'll have time to play
And then he slips into his new BMW
And drives farther and farther and farther away

So He works all day and tries to sleep at night
He says things will get better;
Better in time

And he works and he builds with his own two hands
And he pours all he has in a castle made with sand
But the wind and the rain are comin' crashing in
Time will tell just how long his kingdom stands
His kingdom stands

His American Dream is beginning to seem
More and more like a nightmare
With every passing day
"Daddy, can you come to my game?"
"Oh Baby, please don't work late."
Another wasted weekend
And they are slipping away

'Cause he works all day and lies awake at night
He tells them things will get better
It'll just take a little more time

He used to say, "Whoever dies with the most toys wins"
But if he loses his soul, what has he gained in the end
I'll take a shack on the rock
Over a castle in the sand
Now he works all day and cries alone at night
It's not getting any better
Looks like he's running out of time
'Cause he worked and he built with his own two hands
And he poured all he had in a castle made with sand
But the wind and the rain are coming crashing in
Time will tell just how long his kingdom stands
His kingdom stands

All they really wanted was You
All they really wanted was You
All they really wanted was You

Why after those thoughts do I want the stupid desk? Let me share with you they are clearly selfish.

1. The desk would be the first thing one sees when they enter our house.

2. Right now, in the space the desk would replace the ugly white table.

Who am I trying to impress? Or am trying to make others who can't afford the desk feel bad when they walk into my beautiful home.

Maybe for now I need to be where my children want me - with them and not salivating over a dumb desk.

I can't believe the first photo I share with you after we moved in was this one. Now that is transparency.