My Christmas Present

Ok...I asked for it. I know, I know, I really should be careful about what I wish for. My hubby is so wonderful! He likes to get me what I ask for for Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries...romantic man and all.


I made the horrific mistake of asking for an elliptical machine this year. "Honey, I really would like to get back into shape and have more energy", I said. Yeah...

This contraption can only be compared to some torture device that they would use to get me to spill some national security secrets. After 300 steps and about 3 minutes, I was at the threshold of hell. I then knew what pain was really all about. My legs hurt, my back hurt, my knees cried, and my mind was yelling at me to stop. Every fiber of my being has resisted getting back on that thing, and yet, I keep doing it. What a glutton for punishment I am! What on earth was I thinking??????

After Christmas

Well, it's 3 days after Christmas. Your checkbook is probably still in utter shock, your debit/credit card all worn out from overuse, and you are exhausted. But, remain strong, my friend. Now is the time to get all those "didn't get for Christmas" items. Seriously...now is the time to stock up on gifts for the year.
I have found a sewing machine for my daughter for only $10, and that much loved "Star Wars" toy for my son for less than $5 by shopping after Christmas sales. Don't forget to stock up on decorations and paper for next year! Red plates, napkins, and cutlery work great for Valentine's Day and green is great for St. Patrick's Day! Even Christmas candy bought now can be stuck in the freezer and used for stuffing Easter eggs with. Candy canes never seem to go bad, and the crafts possibilities are endless.
Check out the "clearance" aisles in the next couple of weeks for leftover "big ticket" gift items like coffee makers, mixers, and electric blankets. I found a coffee maker last year for only $25...and it was normally a $60 one!
Keep your eye out for the bargains to save yourself money next year. A word of advice, don't forget where you put it, or you will end up spending more! What I like to do is mark next year's calendar on Thanksgiving where I put the Christmas wrapping paper and decorations that I just bought so that when the time comes, I know exactly where they are. Same with decorations for Valentine's Day and such.
Happy bargain hunting!

How We Spent Our Christmas

It was different for us this year, with no extended family. Usually, our house is full on Christmas Eve and Day, along with all the stress and hub-bub of having grandparents, aunts and uncles. Not so this year...just the 5 of us. We had saved for about 4 weeks (along with anyone else we knew) gallon jugs. I have put the "fear of God" into enough people about throwing them away, that no one is able to still :)
Here is what we did with them on Christmas Eve:

And of course, the kids had to open their Christmas jammies...can't go to sleep on Christmas Eve without new jammies!!
All in all, it was a nice Christmas for us. Of course, we forgot to charge the batteries for the camera for Christmas morning, so I don't have any pictures of that! Can you believe that???? We are looking forward to a quiet week before the New Year holiday. Maybe we will actually stay awake until midnight this year...it's been a while! :)

Wordless Wednesday

Santa Tracker

We have always told our children the truth about Santa. They know that a big man with a long white beard and red suit isn't "Coming to Town" and delivering presents to good little girls and boys....
But, this has still been a favorite on Christmas Eve, to "track Santa". We also use it to learn a little about geography, time zones, longitude and latitude, and other cultures. (What Christmas break? :) )

Heart of the Matter

This new cyber-zine is set to launch it's first issue on Jan. 8th, 2008. There are fresh and exciting opinions on things that relate homeschooling. Yours truly will be there as well!
Check it out:
Heart of The Matter

Heart of the Matter

Keep your eye out for this new and exciting Homeschooling cyberzine! It should launch it's first issue on Jan. 8th, 2008! Check it out at:
Heart of The Matter

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday...In Other Words

My second favorite household chore is ironing. My first being hitting my head on the top bunk bed until I faint.
Erma Bombeck

When I saw this, I laughed almost hysterically. I myself hate to iron. Is that what we should be doing with our time? Isn't there much more to life, instead of being in pursuit of no wrinkle clothing? Isn't that what they made permanent press fabrics for? My mother used to tell me stories about how my great-grandmother would iron the underwear and the bed sheets. You have got to be kidding!

I have never figured out how to really iron. My mom tried to show me, and my husband has even tried to show me. Maybe it's because I really am not interested. I just can't imagine getting any joy out of rubbing a hot plated "thing" over a shirt, or a pair of pants.

The Bible talks about how a Proverbs 31 woman works with her hands, and with different clothing. "She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands" (v.13) Does that mean in order to become the wife of noble character, I need to iron? Nah! But, I believe what God is telling us here is that we should be taking care of our clothing. Not letting it lay on the floor, not wearing our "Sunday Best" to play in the mud. Selecting a permanent press fabric for my husband's work clothes and not having to iron them is okay. My children are not less because they wear clothes that do not require ironing, nor am I less of a mother because I do not iron.
I should however, tell you, that I do hit my head on the bunk bed from time to time....but that's a whole different story!

Blue Stripe Promotion!

My darling son has been in TaeKwonDo for 10 months now and he absolutely loves it! He has moved up 5 ranks since the beginning. He works hard at it and it's beginning to pay off! Go Nick!!!

Sparring

Jump front snap kick board break...(say that 10 times fast!)

Doing his elbow break...I couldn't watch this one!

Nick getting his blue stripe.

Nick with his instructors.

My Grandmother

I want to tell you all about my Grandmother...
She is a feisty lady, with a smile a mile wide. Now, I know that nearly everyone says that about their Grandmother's, but really, she does smile a lot! My "Grammy" has been through a lot in her life.
She lost both her husband and father within 6 weeks of each other. She still had little ones at home herself, and had to be strong for everyone around her. She moved from the cold, blustery, Illinois winters to the sizzling hot Arizona summers and still travels back and forth yearly.
I don't think that she has forgotten anyone's birthday. With 5 kids, 16 grandkids, and 24 great-grandkids, that's a lot to remember! And yet, she does. She is generous, kind, loving, and caring.
For Christmas one year, I contacted all my cousins, aunts, and uncles. Some of them, I hadn't spoken to or seen in 20+ years! But, each one of them had a fun memory of Grandma. They told stories about bee sting remedies, meatloaf spices disasters, picnics so the house would stay clean, and nearly everyone remembered her glugg. (but, how can you forget a recipe that begins with 5 gallons of port wine?)
Let's not forget Swedish pancakes....I remember when I asked her for the recipe as a teenager, that she had to make a batch to remember what she put in and how much! I guess after a while, it just became second nature to her. I will always remember that her pancakes tasted better than my mom's...but, of course, my children feel the same way about mine...
Grandma had a nasty fall about 2 weeks ago. Somewhere along the way, she became more fragile. I don't remember exactly when. She has always traveled, and been very active. I used to joke that she had a more active social life than I did. She used to go to the nursing homes and "drive the old people" around, even though she was in her 70's herself.
I miss my grandmother very much. Her fragility has made that more clear. And, I miss my mother. I wish that my daughter could grow up with both of them near. I wish that she could see some of the things that I saw growing up. My daughter comes from a long line of Swedish women who are full of life, and I wish that she could know that part of her heritage first hand. I will do my best to teach her, Grandma. Just for you....

Let it Snow, part 2

The mark of a house with children...lots of footprints in the snow...and a snowball always at the ready!

"Gonna getcha, mom!"

"Hi-yah!"

"Mom, can't I just play? Do you always have to follow me around with the camera?"

Aaron was not to thrilled with having to come in from outside to take his picture...but, aren't they adorable anyway? Maybe I'm just prejudiced....

Christmas Traditions...

Ok, Amy, I finally understand what you were looking for! Our family traditions, no matter what they are! I will attempt to tell the world what we go through each year!

• We will always hear hints from mom for about 6 weeks before Christmas, (and Mother's Day, and her birthday) about what she wants, only to have her go buy it for herself a couple of days before! (Although, there was the ceramic pig...)
  
• The kids will always peek at the presents under the tree...and have gotten bold enough to not even try and re-wrap the paper!
• We will drink our glass of OJ before we are allowed to open the gifts. I think that was based on the fact that when I was younger, my father would need the sugar rush from staying up all night putting toys together!
• We will no doubt open gifts that send the message, "You smell!" like bath soap, perfume and such.
• Socks are a must open gift on Christmas Eve...if they show off little reindeer, penguins, or Santas, so much the better. Toe socks? SCORE!!
• My father will always give the gift of nail care. I think that he has kept the "nail clipper" company in business for about 40 years now.
• My mother will always say with a determined sigh, "Next year, I want to have all of you together!"(it's been about 25 years since all 4 of us siblings have been together for a Christmas)
• The kids will lament about opening the last gift, since well, it's the last gift.
• I will chase people around with the garbage bag in the middle of the festivities trying to get them to throw away their trash.
• Someone will always be snapping pictures of us when we are in our "best"...you know, no sleep, pj's and hair all wild. It wouldn't be a family picture otherwise!

Although my family will not be together at all this year, I will be in Indiana;, my sister and bro-in-law in Illinois; my oldest brother and his family in South Dakota; my other brother and 3 of his kids in South Dakota with my dad; my nieces and nephew in Ohio; my mother in Arizona with my Grandmother; and my hubby's family in South Carolina, I have many fond happy memories. I wish that I could get each of my siblings to write on here what memories they have...and I don't mean the jelly, David!! :)
Merry Christmas to my family...God gave you to me...and I haven't figured out why yet.... just kidding!

Let it Snow part 1

So, what do you get when you mix cold, water, a 9 year old girl and her dog? See answer below....




This was our first real snow fall of the year. Reports state that we got nearly 5 inches! The kids' prayers have been answered! Check out the view from the front!

Food Savin' Days

For those of you who are unfamiliar with this, Walmart Super Center will price match any competitor's ad sale price for sale price. That means, if Martin's has their store brand (Spartan) mac and cheese on sale for $.20 a box, then Walmart will give you their store brand (Great Value) for the same price.
I was able to get approximately 3 weeks worth of meals by comparing prices and bringing in ads to Walmart. Sure, it took about 2 hours of planning, but I think that it was worth it. Coupled with the coupon sales from Walgreen's (which aren't priced matched since it's an instore coupon ad), I was able to get food, paper towels, dish soap, garbage bags, dog food, cat food, and water softener salt for a total of $181.29.
Now, before you ask, "What's the savings on that?", let me tell you what kind of food I got...

• 4 family sized lasagna's
• frozen orange juice
• mac and cheese
• peanut butter
• 10 pounds of ground chuck! (you read that right!)
  
• a pork roast (large enough for 2 meals)
• bananas
• apples
• pears
• oranges
• smoked sausage (enough for 5 meals!)

and more!!! I was able to get enough toilet paper, paper towels, and personal products for a month. I also got enough dish soap (8 bottles of Dawn) to last several months! We have the supplies for our holiday baking. Yeah!!!

The method is very simple....you will want to plan at least an hour or two for this...but, I figured, if I can save money, it's worth my time!
Start with collecting the sales papers for your local grocery stores. You can print them from online as well. I like to have the originals. That way, there is no question about size, quantity, or brand, but the printed versions will be okay as well.
I then make a list of whats on sale in each paper. Doing this has also saved me money since many times, the same item is on sale at different stores for a different price. Then, I go through and make sure to write down each stores prices. I also complete my list for shopping at Walmart. As I go through the store and shop, I make sure that I check prices still. Sometimes, Walmart has better prices on their everyday items and if you aren't careful, the cashier will still override it for you, but you will be paying the higher price! Gotta watch those prices!

Checking out, I make sure that I put all the items that are priced matched first. I place each store's groupings together so that I only have to have one ad available at a time. This makes it easier for both you and the cashier to verify, if necessary. Sometimes, the cashier has already rung that price or seen the ad, but you always want to be ready!
Once I get my stuff home, I update my inventory list, and then make up meal ideas. We put together about 3 weeks worth of ideas for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Then, when the kids choose the menu idea for that meal, I simply cross that off. They then know that they have to choose something else next time. That has saved us many arguments over "Yuck" meals as well as avoiding the peanut butter and jelly every day pitfall!

Shopping is a difficult job, and making your dollars stretch is even more so, but I think that this system works. Try it, what have you got to lose? Maybe you'll save enough for this yummy treat:

The Christmas Letter

Dear Children,

It has come to my attention that many you are upset that folks
are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten
that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and
that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate
My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival.
Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be
most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed
with children of your own.

I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate
My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the
town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My
birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santa's and snowmen
and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If
all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such
a scene on the town square because there would be many of them
all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree
a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made
all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree.
Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that
one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and
what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one,
look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth
here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My
birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope
to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and
lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know
them personally. They just need to know that someone cares
about them.

3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on
the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write
and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family
this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you
again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't
afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them
the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down
here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love
them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him
or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take
their own life this season because they feel so alone and
hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving
everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town
calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there.
Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't
allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you
from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday.
If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd
close and let their employees spend the day at home with their
families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a
missionary - especially one who takes My love and Good News to
those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole
families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas"
tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or
receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few
gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other
charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery
for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief
in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do
things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let
people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love
Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all
the rest.

Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll
help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a
most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and
remember:
I LOVE YOU, JESUS

earthly author unknown

My son's awards

My darling boy went to his TaeKwonDo awards last night. He has worked so hard this last year, and he earned some awards! He got a 3rd place trophy for his last tournament for doing forms, and was awarded "Student of The Year" and "Most Dedicated Junior Student" for his school. We are so proud of him!!

Deck the Halls....

Yeah, we got our tree up. I have some pictures wrapped in gift wrap to help decorate. The bank next door had Santa come to visit for the kids today. I took my BFF's son, Stephen, too. They were all excited, including Aaron. That is, until Santa walked in. Aaron didn't want anything to do with him, and the sooner we got him out of there, the better! He did get his orange and candy cane, though.

One of my dining room walls...


Love that "classy" tree!

Aaron before we went to see Santa...notice the smile :)

Ka telling Santa, "Bring me a another puppy, please!"

Nick is never sure what to ask for...can you say "unmaterialistic"?
Stephen really smiled nice for this picture!


It was fun. After all, the kids know that Santa doesn't really exist. They know the TRUE story of Christmas. But, it's fun for them and it gets us adults in the holiday spirit. And the free candy bar, pack of gum, orange, and candy cane sure is nice, too!