umm...there's an alien in my pool.....

What I learned today...

Have you ever wondered about your relationship with God? Really, really wondered...


I had. I asked Him one night to reveal what HE thought about the relationship that we had together. I figured that I was reading my Bible, and I knew all about what He says in there, and that I was doing just fine.

Not.

even.

close.


I have a friend in blogosphere. Her name is Amy Bayliss. Really great lady, she is. She has a blog (several) that I read on a regular basis, and I am "friends" with her on Facebook and The Homeschool Lounge. I mean, we are sooo tight that she has read my blog as well,(at least once!) and she has commented on my blog, and I have left comments on hers. I even have her email address...totally best friends, right?

Uh, huh....

You know when you are reading a book or a blog or even an email, you kinda place the words that the person is saying and you have a voice all figured out? Like, you would know what they sounded like the moment they called you or talked to you? I had that same problem with Amy. I had her voice all figured out in my head. And when she was speaking tonight on the Heart of The Matter Homeschool Conference, I was stupdified.

Totally.

I mean, she didn't sound at all like I thought she would. I am not sure how to explain it. It was like I had never read her blogs, or "gotten to know" her any other way. She was like a total stranger to me at first. And the relationship took a different meaning to me. But now, the relationship is fuller. I know who she is and what she sounds like. I would feel more close to her. I would feel that I could trust her...

The lightbulb came on as I was doing dishes. Yeah, God speaks to me when I am arm deep in greasy bubbles and dried oatmeal. My relationship with the Lord was like I had with Amy. I knew Him only from what I read, and left my comments prayers for Him to get to another time. I never took the time to hear His voice. I thought that I had it all figured out in my head what He sounded like. I never really listened, and when I began to realize it, it's like our relationship took another turn. And, it's an awesome turn. When I am really still and listen, I will know Who He is. And I can place the face with the voice, and know that I am home. Sure, reading the Bible is important, and so is praying. But listening to the voice....knowing Who it belongs to...and taking that relationship to it's completeness....that's what I have learned today.

Free Food!!!

The bountiful harvest-to-be that is my square foot garden. All the hours of digging in the dirt, planting, watering, weeding, and fertilizing are about to pay off:

Wordless Wednesday

I love those water wings!!!

Then hubby and I can enjoy the pool without Aaron having a "death grip" on our necks...and he can have fun, too!

Board Breaking, again....

These are Nick and Karl's TaeKwonDo instructors....

He is going thru 3 blocks of concrete here!!


And he is going thru 4 solid blocks of wood!
And of course, my baby!

Tackle It Tuesday...New Window, Part 2

Hubby has had some free time to try and get the window done. He has been doing a great job at keeping up...and I love him for it!
We still need to sand the putty and paint it as of this picture, but here it is...part two of the living room window!!!

In case you are wondering, that thing sticking out of the window is our floor a/c unit's hose for the outside. And the blind will be hung up tonight, when the paint is dry.


New Track Lighting will make this living room sparkle! Along with the paint to cover all the mud and plaster that we had to replace.


I had son hold wubbie outside to block the sunlight to get a better picture...like I couldn't have waited a couple of hours???

Menu Plan Monday

BREAKFAST

bacon, eggs, english muffins

oatmeal with blueberries

wholegrain pancakes, sausage

cereal, smoothies

wholegrain coffee cake

cereal

LUNCH

sandwiches, apples, carrots

sandwiches, carrots

hot dogs, cucumbers

hamburger helper

leftovers

sandwiches, leftovers

DINNERS

spaghetti, garlic bread

chuck roast, corn, bread and butter

chicken, ham, broccoli casserole

pork chops, stuffing, corn

ribs, baked potatoes, cucumbers

red beans and rice

There you have it. Directly from the butcher's freezer to my freezer to my table. With the exception of buying milk, I have all of this on hand from previous weeks. I am happy to say that I won't have to spend a lot at the store this week!

I Have GOT to be CRAZY!!!!

Meet Titus, the newest member of the Harris family. "Dr. Doolittle" (aka Mikayla) was promised another one of these before the kittens came. Then, she was promised that as soon as the kittens found a new home, she could have it. Well, she held her father to it. And, of course, he caved. Gotta love that soft touch!
So, without further ado, here's Titus!












Don't let the "awwwww" factor take you by surprise. He will grow into those paws. He is a mixed breed, with Norwegian Elk Hound and Jack Russell terrier mixed in there. Can you say "large, with lots of energy"? There goes the dog food budget!!!

Are you serious??????

As I read the following article on MSN, I had to laugh. Can a family of 4 eat for $100 per week? And she was having problems with that! And there were no teenagers, no hungry friends to feed...Anyone else think it's crazy to spend $250 a week at the store for a family of 4 or is it just me? Am I just that cheap to think that a family of 5 can eat fairly well on $70 per week?
Check it out and let me know what you think!

Wordless Wednesday

How I Saved Money This Week....

Here's a breakdown of my shopping excursions:










that's right...there were none! Hard to believe, I know...but I saved tons of money this week by simply not going shopping. CVS did have some good deals, and it was really hard to pass up on the $3/$15 coupon deal, but I did it. And, we cleaned out our fridge and freezer, and I found more food than I realized that I had. I also put in an order for a split side of beef and a split hog, so I am picking those up on Tuesday. A trip to the bread thrift store should complete this stockpile.
My garden is producing cucumbers by the dozen already and the tomatoes should be turning red soon. I planted 15 tomato plants this year...I will be up to my ears in tomato-y things soon. Spaghetti sauce, salsa, canned tomatoes, and the like. I can't wait. (I am sooo turning into Martha Stewart...except that insider trading thing...)

So, there you have it. I saved money this week by staying out of the stores and not spending it. This next week, I will be picking blueberries again, stocking up on eggs at the farm, and possibly getting milk as well. Depends on the freezer space. (did you know that you can buy milk when it's on a good sale and freeze it? It really does work...just thaw in the fridge about 2-3 days before you need it)

Sooooo....my menu plan Monday will be fun. I should have some fun things like ribs, and steak, and roasts. Yeah! We're eating meat again! But, also keeping in mind that we are still being frugal and wanting our meat purchases to last as long as possible, I am still going to sneak in the black bean burgers and meatless spaghetti sauces. Whole grain pancakes and fresh fruit smoothies will still be at the top of my frugal breakfast list. Stay tuned!

My New Kitchen...part 2

Ok...so the floors aren't done yet, but I did finish the table and chairs. I had to paint the chairs, then pull the vinyl covering off the cushions, recover with fabric and about 1,000,000 staples (first timer, ya know) and then screw them back into place...

and fineto! Here it is!!
'

Wordless Wednesday

CVS Advisor Panel

Would you like to earn more Extra Care Bucks for your favorite store, CVS? Stop by here and become an advisor today...be on your way to letting CVS know what you buy, think about different areas, and earn Bucks at the same time!
Check out what it says:

The purpose of the CVS Advisor Panel is to solicit your input about CVS stores, products and services, and to obtain your suggestions for how we can improve CVS. Your guidance is especially valuable as we strive to make your shopping experiences at CVS the best they can be.

Throughout the year, we will send you invitations to participate in online surveys about CVS products and services. If you choose to participate in our surveys, we thank you for your time by crediting your ExtraCare account with $5, $10 or $15 in ExtraBucks. Becoming a member of ExtraCare and the CVS Advisor Panel is FREE.

OH, the wonderful tastes of summer...

We went out blueberry picking today. I love spending time out there, in the fresh air, with the sweet berries just waiting to be picked. The kids get their fill of the juicy blue goodness and I get to take home about 10 pounds a trip. All in all, not bad for a morning's work....

Just check out how big these beauties are...



Jealous?

Make You Smile Monday

A dog is man's best friend, but I say that a cat is boy's best friend!



Join us for more Make You Smile Mondays

CVS trip

I went to CVS today as I had need of some items...and boy, did I have fun!

TRANSACTION 1

1. 3 Sally Hansen Nail Color
2. 1 Goody Brush (hubby needed new brush)

minus coupons

• $3/$15 CVS
• $3/2 Sally Hansen
• ECB's used $1.98, $2.98, $3

total OOP $1.28




TRANSACTION 2

1. 2 Sure deodorant
2. 2 Pledge aerosol polish
3. 1 lysol wipes twin pack
4. 1 24 pack bottled water

minus coupons

• $3/$15 CVS
• $1/1 Sure
  
• $2.99/bogo Sure
• $1/2 lysol wipes
• ECB's used $10, $4.99

total OOP $.99




TRANSACTION 3

1. 2 Lipton Tea Togo
2. 2 24 pack bottled water

minus coupons

• $3/$15 CVS coupon
• $1/2 Lipton Tea
• ECB's used $3,$3,$2

total OOP $5.96




I miscaculated on this last one, but that's okay. We will drink the water pretty quickly. All in all, I'd say it was a good trip. How did you do this week?