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Daybook

For Today...March 30, 2009

Outside my window... sunshine and Spring weather again!

I am thinking... I am glad that we didn't get the snow that was predicted. We only got a slushy, rainy mix.

From the learning rooms...going to hit Math, Science and History

I am thankful for... Spring

From the kitchen... Irish Soda Bread *yum* and hot coffee

I am wearing... my comfy jammies still

I am reading... Reimagining Church by Frank Viola

I am hoping... that I can survive these next couple of weeks with practice schedules for 3 kids

I am creating... a contented heart

I am hearing... blissful peace

Around the house... house is clean, floors are mopped, and laundry is caught up (except for sheets)

One of my favorite things... the sound of my children giggling

A few plans for the rest of the week... picking up my niece from the airport-we've really missed her

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you..


I'm cheating again...but I love this:

Freebies and Coupons

Go here to get your Free Quaker True Delights.

Go here to get a $1/1 True Lemon Coupon...I love this stuff myself!

Go here to get a $1/1 Coffee Mate coupon

And they keep coming...

Go here to get a $1/1 Tasters Choice coupon. I have seen these for $1 at CVS so that would make them FREE!!!

And so it begins....

Softball/baseball season is upon us, officially. My children went to meet their coaches and pick up their uniforms today. We looked at their practice/game schedule and I have decided that I need to forward my mail to the ball park until July. Some weeks, we have 6 days that we will be at the ball park in a row!

All that aside, one of my children is on the team called...

are you ready for this?


THE BATS!!! No, not the baseball bats, but the flying rodents! They have purple bats on their hats!!!! Can you believe that??? Why not just say, "The flying rodent that knows where Heather lives, breaths, sleeps and wants to attack her"? That would be soo much easier!!!!

April's Challenge

My March challenge went awry, I know that. I wasn't ready. And we would've lost regardless, since our fridge decided that it was time to retire on Wednesday. We knew it was coming, but it was still a loss for us.

That being said, we have stocked our pantry. We were given some money for some work that my hubby did a while ago. And, we talked and prayed about it, and decided that we could stock our pantry and double up our savings to get the money back to where it needed to be.

April's Challenge is going to be tighter than March's was. And my kids, hubby and I are totally committed to it! We have decided on the following guidelines:

1. No more groceries... we eat what we have, and when it's gone, we make do.

2. We will fill the gas tank, and walk wherever we can (spring weather helps)

3. If it hasn't been budgeted for this month, we don't spend it. Our budget for the month has been set, and we have chicks to get, baseball pictures, and a fishing license on there. Other than that, we won't spend the money.

4. No eating out. This isn't that hard for us, since we don't eat out that often anyway.

I am stocked, and have support, and I will succeed this time!

Stay with me!

Facebook, anyone?

It's funny how technology works sometimes. Really. I am a member of Facebook. For those of you who are still behind the times, and don't know what it is, you get an account and you find "friends". Kinda like a popularity contest on the internet.

Some people have 30 friends, some have over 5,000! I mean, really, who knows 5,000 people?

Turns out, as I look at my list, I don't know most of my friends, either. Weird, huh? Well, chalk that one up to "networking"!! I have communicated with most of them at one time, and have gotten to know some of them.

I have also found some friends from elementary school, junior high, and high school. Not a bad feat when you consider that I went to 10 different schools in my lifetime ;)

All in all, it's been fun.

More FREE Arby's!!!

Go here to print some more FREE Arby's roastburger coupons!

Daybook

For Today...MARCH 23, 2009

Outside my window... sun is shining, doves are cooing

I am thinking... that I love Spring!!

From the learning rooms... still trying to get school finished...not ready to fully give up yet!

I am thankful for... the sunshine

From the kitchen... getting ready to mill grain, baking day, a new fridge is on the way

I am wearing... jeans, and sweatshirt

I am reading... God Chicks by Holly Wagner

I am hoping... that it will stay warm, and not have a spring snow storm

I am creating... a decluttered kitchen

I am hearing... When God Ran by Benny Hester

Around the house... laundry is caught up, kitchen is clean.

One of my favorite things... sitting in the sunshine

A few plans for the rest of the week... replacing fridge, installing dishwasher that is being given to us! (thank you, Jesus!)

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

I am cheating on this one a bit, but I love this song!!

$1 Del Monte Fruit Chillers

Go here to get your $1 Fruit Chillers.

So, really...what DO you do all day?

As a stay at home mother, homeschooling one at that, I have often heard this question. But, for some reason, it got to me enough today to write about it. I had a friend (a career mom) tell me that there was no way she could ever stay at home with her kids.

"I mean, what do you do all day? Watch soap operas and daytime TV? I would be sooo bored!"

Since I was laughing so hard, it took me a minute or two to be able to breathe again.

I had a rather slower day today, and have the time to write about what I did today. So, here it goes.

WHAT I DID TODAY
BY Heather

Woke up at 6am with the dogs licking my face, begging to be let outside. Stumble through the house, trying to get to the door in time and chain them up. Use the bathroom, let the dogs back in, and start the coffee.

Wake up sleeping spouse and change into workout clothes. Tie workout shoes. Let dogs back out, since they didn't finish the first time.

Feed dogs, change water. Feed cats, scoop out litter box, change their water.

Get on treadmill, run for 30 minutes (ok, it was only 22 this morning, but close enough!)

Grab shower, fix spouse and children breakfast. Make bed. Start washing machine. Kiss spouse goodbye, get kids started on chores. Pour self cup of coffee. Call friend who was sick this week and check on her. Set coffee cup down and help 4 year old with shoes.

Change the clothes from washer to dryer and start another load. Look all over house for cup of coffee, only to find it got cold. Pour it out and grab another cup. Start children on Math. Answer phone, tell solicitor that I am not interested. Hang up.

Answer questions about fractions, multiplication tables, and counting while fixing self breakfast. Burn toast since I need to explain fractions a bit more.

Nibble on the slice of toast that isn't burnt completely, and let dogs out again. Look all over for that second cup of coffee that got cold again. Sigh, and try another cup.

Let kids have break, fold clothes from dryer, put clothes from washer into dryer. Sweep floors as there is dirt all over again from kids and dogs going in and outside.

Start kids on Science. Decide what to have for lunch, and get 4 year old to stop coloring on dogs. Explain that they don't like to have makeup on. Decide that I am just not going to get a cup of hot coffee, and drink it cold.


Fix lunch. Tell kids that they need to be thankful for it, and not to complain. Get 4 year old to stop trying to shove rice up his nose. Tell 9 year old that the dogs won't help him eat his broccoli, so he should really stop trying.

Get call from spouse who is at work. "I just wanted to hear your voice"...{read: I am having a bad day and want a little cheerleading"}

Cheerlead hubby. Walk his lunch down to him. Grab mail from post office on way back, make deposit at the bank.

Break up fight between boys, start kids on History, lay 4 year old down for nap. Wash lunch dishes. Remember that the grape jelly didn't set, and I still need to get that done.

Check email, pray for friend that is having issues with pregnancy.

Get the grape "syrup" and pour it into a pot, wash the jars, and get the canning pot boiling. Boil syrup into jelly and re-can. Go to clean up kitchen, find that I am out of dish soap. Grate soap for making own dish soap. Clean up kitchen, start dinner. Get jars out of water, set on towel to cool.

Finish schoolwork for day, fold clothes from dryer. Start another load of clothes. Play catch with kids, teaching the 4 year old that he needs to put the ball in his NON gloved hand to throw.

Let dogs out. Have DD check the water levels and feed again.

Have friend over for son for playdate. Chat with mom for a few minutes. Check grape jelly (that I didn't can) and rejoice that it "set" this time.

Pay bills, make phone calls, return emails. Check Facebook home page. Get inspiration for article, write it, and check email again. Switch clothes from washer to dryer.

Get biscuit mix ready for dinner, set table.

Run brush through hair, check teeth, squirt perfume on. Hubby is about to walk in the door.

Make biscuits for dinner, get soup on the table. Feed family.

Have hubby play catch with kids as I clean up the kitchen. Fold last load of laundry. Take out garbage, get kids in bath, and ready for school tomorrow. Try and quiet kids down a bit since Hubby is still working, albeit from home now.

Swiffer floors, pick up legos and books.

Brush kids' teeth, say prayers, tuck into bed.

Get ready for bed myself. Watch TV with hubby for a while, check date book and plan the weekend. Let dogs out again.


Get into bed, get back up and get boys a drink of water. Tuck back into bed.

Climb into bed and fall asleep, finally. It's been a long day!

And that, folks, is what I did today! I didn't even go anywhere, like the library or grocery store. That would've been somewhere between breakfast and lunch, though. And some people think that I just stay home and eat bon bons all day? If only I had the time....

$200 for the Month Challenge update

I had a crisis of conscience this morning. Or last night, really. I promised to update you each Wednesday on how I was doing with only spending $200 this month.

I made a vow to stay out of Walgreens and CVS (which I did after that first time!)

But, I think I failed. Ok, that's not entirely accurate. I KNOW I failed at this. Miserably. I had $106.62 to spend as of March 11 and I found out that I was out of basics, like sugar, cornstarch, baking powder and soda. Not the best time for that, since I bake a lot anyway, and planned on baking more to get us through. So, I spent $39.88 at Walmart on basics like what I mentioned, plus some spices that were $.50 each (like onion and garlic powder) that I needed to make spaghetti sauce.

My resolve to not eat out failed when I took my niece to the airport and spent $14.98 at McDonalds, due to my lack of planning and fixing a lunch for the kids beforehand. They would've been fine with that, too.

Then, I needed gas (like I knew I would) I spent $15 on gas, bringing my total spent so far to $163.24.

I would've been fine with that, had I not gone to the Amish store with my friend. Yep, that's it. Every time I left this house, I spent money! YIKES!!

I did get some really cool deals, like organic tomatoes and tomato sauce for 10 cents a can. And organic apple juice boxes for $.50/6! However, I spent a wee bit more than I should have...like $49.87! I mean, I did get several boxes of food, but I went over my budget! I was up to $213.11 at this point!

Again, I would have been fine. I was making my own laundry soap, hand soap, and dish soap (recipe to be posted tomorrow) to make do with what I had. Then, hubby bought himself an MP3 player, to replace the one that we gave to my niece. Yeah, I promised him one, but did he have to do it this month? :) So, that was $16.99. Total up to $230.10.

My favorite Amish bulk food store (different than the last one) had a sale on ground beef, cream cheese, and butter this last week as well. Again, I got some great deals, but I spent $110! Ok, so I got a 5lb. block of Velveeta cheese, 25lb. horn of cheddar cheese (which we go through like water around here), brown sugar (that I was out of again!), 10lb. of butter for $1.50/lb. and 40lb. of ground beef at the unheard of (around here anyway) price of $1.27/lb.

Total for the month is now $340.10. I am officially $140.10 over my planned budget! I wanted to cry, I wanted to not post this, I wanted to go back and redo this over again. But, I decided that I should be honest about it. Even if it was just for my sake and accountability. It stinks, but it happened.

I did learn a lot about myself this month so far. I have decided that I need to be a better planner each week, so that I don't fall back on fast food when we are out and about. I think that either I will pack a lunch, or reschedule things for after meals.

I also believe that planning better for this next time will avoid the problem of going over budget. I was soooo not ready for this. I am going to do this again this fall, either September or October, and I should have plenty of time to get myself stocked up on basics so that I don't need to leave the house. Every time I left the house, money trickled out of my hands.

So, there you have it, folks. I failed at my challenge, but I gave you complete honesty...gotta like that, eh? :)

I sure hope my cousin is faring better than I am....

DayBook

For Today...March 16, 2009

Outside my window... warmer Spring air, clouds trying to build up, robins singing.

I am thinking... I have too much clutter again and need to move things around.

From the learning rooms... trying to finish up before Opening Day end of April.

I am thankful for... the ability to plant our own garden

From the kitchen... maing room for my grain order

I am wearing... jammies...haven't had the motivation to change yet!

I am reading... the Love Dare

I am hoping... for a sunshiny week and to get a bit more decluttering done...

I am creating... my garden-veggies and flowers!

I am hearing... silence...the kids are still sleeping

Around the house... lots of decluttering to do, laundry soap to be made, yardwork to really begin.

One of my favorite things... digging into the earth to plant seeds and watching them bring forth fruit

A few plans for the rest of the week... yardwork, decluttering, a trip to the thrift store to drop off stuff

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

And the house is quiet...

I took my niece to the airport today. She is going to be gone for 3 weeks, visiting her dad and all the family in Arizona. Sunny, 85 degree Arizona. I say that merely to remind myself that it was snowing when I dropped her off today.

I'm jealous.

It's hard to believe what an impact this girl has made in our house this last month. I miss her soooo much. The kids miss her. Karl misses her. The dogs miss her. The cats are rather apathetic, but that's how they are most of the time anyway.

And not because of what she did. Yes, she was an incredible help with laundry, dishes, and learning how to cook. It was really cool to be able to have her babysit at a moment's notice and know that my kids were safe.

I miss her, plain and simple. I miss her laugh, her smile, and her willingness to learn.

On the other hand, I am glad that she is seeing her father. They have needed this time together for a looooong time now, and it's going to be nothing but a blessing to have them forging their relationship. Especially now that she is an adult, seeing things with a different point of view. I am glad for them. I pray that they will be able to establish that bond that they have not had before, that bond of "daddy-daughter" that just can't be described.

But, still, I miss her. Only 3 weeks, I tell myself. Three weeks and she'll be back. Tan, of course, but back.

I can't wait.

Iron Chef "MOM" series

Come over to my friend's house to see what she can make to feed her family of 11 on a shoestring! I love her ideas!! Check it out here.

$200 Challenge...Groceries for the week

I went to Meijer and took advantage of their 10/$10 and get the 11th free sale. I had a $20 coupon for filling my prescription there, so you will never guess what I spent on groceries this week:




I paid only $.80 for all of this! That's right, folks! Eight thin dimes, 8/10ths of a dollar...
So, with that in mind, my total is up $93.38 spent and $106.62 left to spend!

$200 Challenge...Making LIquid Hand Soap

This is a recipe that I got of the internet a few years ago, and really like. Since I am not going to spend any more money than I need to (and I already spent more than I want) we made some hand soap today.

First, grate a bar of soap. This would be good to use up any little bars that you have, or to use up soap that you don't like.




Then, place it in a blender with 1 cup boiling water.



Whip for 2 minutes, or until dissolved and well blended.



Cool for 20 minutes, then add 1 T honey and 1 T glycerin. (I found mine for about $3 at Walmart and a small bottle has lasted for more than a year and is only half gone.) You can also add a few drops of essential oil at this time if you like fragrant soap.




Stir, then add cold water until the mixture reaches 6 cups. Stir again for 15 seconds, then store in a jar, uncovered.




This made over a 1/2 gallon worth of hand soap, and the bar of soap that I used was from my "stock pile" and had previously gotten for free.

DayBook

For Today...March 9, 2009

Outside my window... gray, wet, icky. Spring HAS to be coming, though

I am thinking... that I need to replace the alarm clock

From the learning rooms... planting herbs, David and Goliath, math as usual.

I am thankful for... my friends

From the kitchen... my new grain mill is just awesome...

I am wearing... my jammies...woke up late and I am having issues getting rolling this morning.

I am reading... Left Behind Series

I am hoping... that I can accomplish my goals this week.

I am creating... cloth napkins...fun project that daughter and I are doing together

I am hearing... blessed, peaceful silence.

Around the house... people are still sleeping, dogs are eating breakfast

One of my favorite things...the smell of freshly milled flour

A few plans for the rest of the week... library, Healthworks museum, taking Ashley to the airport, schooling, baking day

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you:

$200 Challenge...Menu Plan Monday

In no particular order:

BREAKFAST

scrambled eggs and toast(2x), baked oatmeal, whole grain pancakes, yogurt and granola, whole grain coffee cake, skillets

LUNCH

PBJ's with applesauce, sloppy joes, tuna fish wraps, homemade raviolis, quesidillas, leftovers, sliders

DINNERS

homemade pizza, tomato soap and grilled cheese, beans and rice, Swedish meatballs, spaghetti, tuna casserole, cheesy chicken and noodles

$200 for the Month Challenge udapte

Ok, so like, my hubby and I talked about this over and over and over again. We are totally excited about seeing what we can NOT spend money on this month, yet, we still have things that we are planning on doing.

We have put off buying our chickens until April. For one, we don't want to spend the money this month, and two, they will be on sale at our local farm supply store.
That's a good thing.

What I am having issues with is "killing off" old habits. Anyone else been there? Like buying papers. Usually, I would buy 3-5 papers a week for the coupons, spend an hour or so looking through the sales and seeing what I could get for free. It was "me time" on Sunday afternoons, I guess. That's what makes it so hard for me. Excuses, excuses...I know.

So, this is what I have spent this month so far:

$78 on groceries
$10.17 on my prescription (but I got a $20 coupon back for Meijer)
$1.58 at Arby's (bought a drink and got a free roastburger)
$2.83 at Walgreens


Total for the month so far: $92.58 left to spend $107.42

I will most likely have to fill the gas tank next week, after taking my niece to the airport, but that should be all that I need to spend. We have our grain order in, and that won't be here until April (stay tuned for that!) and we have taken to the idea of cheap dates with the kids. For example, hubby and daughter went out last night on a "date" and they spent 2 hours in the fabric store, which my daughter loves. Didn't cost a dime, but they had a great time.

So, the hardest part for me is breaking old habits. This will be good for us all, I think. Going back to a simpler life is always easier on the ol' wallet. We are making hand soap tomorrow and having a baking day later this week to stock up on pizza pockets, baked oatmeal and the like. I will be posting about those.

Thanks for hanging with me!!

My shopping trip

Even though I vowed to stay out of Walgreens and CVS this month, I had to get TP and a few "feminine items". I decided to take advantage of all the freebies and sale items this week.

Here's what I got at Walgreens:




Trans #1

8 Dove bars

Total $8.56 (on gift card)
Got $10 RR

Trans #2

1 Colgate Toothpaste $3.52 (on gift card)
Got $3.50 RR

Trans #3

6 Rolls TP ($3)
2 Fiber One granola bars (sale for $1.99-had 2 $1.35/1 coupons)
1 Walgreens ultra thin pads ($2.99)
1 Walgreens headache medicine ($2.99-Free after rebate)
1 Revlon mascara ($2/1 coupon)
1 Revlon eye shadow (bogo and had $2/1)
2 Double mint gum (free with coupons)
1 paper plate (for family night)($.99)
1 Dawn dish soap ($.99 had $.50/1 coupon)
1 Walgreens aspirin (free coupon from mailer)
2 Walgreens hand sanitizer ($4/2 with coupon from mailer)
3 Fructis conditioner ($.50 each after ESR and mfg coupons)
1 Fructis leave in conditioner ($.50 after ESR and mfg coupon)
2 Colgate Toothpaste ($.25/both after ESR and mfg coupons)

Total before coupons $64.81

Total after coupons and RR $18.31 (all but $2.83-had to use cash for that!)

Will get back $9.87 with 10% bonus


At CVS, I only had one transaction.



I got:
1 Slimquick $4.99
1 CVS Vitamin D $2.99

Used $5, and $3 ECB, no cash OOP and got back $4.99 and $2.99 ECB

Earn Money From Home

These past two months, I have had some fun opportunities to earn some cash and some gift cards for free. What I had to do was simple, although sometimes time consuming. Here’s some of what I did and how you can do it, too.

to see the rest, join me here.

Earn Money From Home

These past two months, I have had some fun opportunities to earn some cash and some gift cards for free. What I had to do was simple, although sometimes time consuming. Here’s some of what I did and how you can do it, too.

to see the rest, join me here.

Girl of the 70's

I got this in an email today, and I laughed so hard my daughter asked what was wrong. I remember doing most of this...does that age me or what??

Girl of the 70's


You owned a bicycle with a banana seat and a plastic basket with flowers on it.




You learned to skate with actual skates (not roller blades) that had metal wheels.



You thought Gopher from Love Boat was cute (admit it!)




You had nightmares after watching FantasyIsland.




You had either a "bowl cut" or "pixie", not to mention the "Dorothy Hamill". People sometimes thought you were a boy.



You had rubber boots for rainy days and Moon boots for snowy days.





YEAH! You owned a "Slip-n-Slide", on which you injured yourself on a sprinkler head more than once.




You owned "Klick-Klacks" and smacked yourself in the face more than once !





Your Holly Hobbie sleeping bag was your most prized possession.



You wore a poncho, gauchos, and knickers.


You begged Santa for the electronic game, Simon.




You spent hours in your backyard on your metal swing set with the trapeze. The swing set tipped over at least once.


You had homemade ribbon barrettes in every imaginable color. (Oh yeah!)


You had a pair of Doctor Scholl's sandals (the ones with hard sole & the buckle). You also had a pair of salt-water sandals.





You wanted your first kiss to be at a roller rink! ---- yes it was!


PONG! ("video tennis" ) was the most remarkable futuristic game you've ever heard of !



Your hairstyle was described as having "wings" or "feathers" and you kept it "pretty" with the comb you kept in your back pocket.
When you walked, the "wings" flapped up and down, looked like you were gonna "take off"



You know who Strawberry Shortcake is, as well as her friends, Blueberry Muffin and Huckleberry Pie.


You carried a Muppets lunch box to school and it was metal, not plastic.
With the thermos inside some were glass inside and broke the first time you dropped them.





You and your girlfriends would fight over which of the Dukes of Hazzard was your boyfriend.





You often asked your Magic-8 ball the question: "Who will I marry. Michael Jackson or Todd Bridges?"




You completely wore out your Grease, Saturday Night Fever, and Fame soundtrack record album.




You tried to do lots of arts and crafts, like yarn and Popsicle-stick God's eyes, decoupage, or those weird potholders made on a plastic loom.




You made Shrinky-Dinks and put iron-on kittens on your t-shirts!




You used to tape record songs off the radio by holding your portable tape player up to the speaker.




You learned everything you needed to know about girl issues from Judy Blume books. (Are you there God, It's me, Margaret.)




You thought Olivia Newton John's song "Physical" was about aerobics. (?? its not??)





You wore friendship pins on your tennis shoes, or shoelaces with heart or rainbow designs.



You wanted to be a Solid Gold dancer.




You drowned yourself in Love's Baby Soft - which was the first "real" perfume you ever owned.



You glopped your lips in Strawberry Roll-on lip-gloss till it almost dripped off.