Merry ChristmaHannuKwaanzakahmas!!!

OK, ok, so maybe a day late--BIG DEAL. Yeesh.  Merry Christmas (belated) to everybody out there.  As for the title, I am Christian.  Not any other religion, and I have noooo problem saying Merry Christmas.  I just saw this on a Christmas card this year and found it hilarious.  Granted, people are more than welcome to worship and celebrate however they please.  Won't offend me in the slightest.  I just personally am a Christian and celebrate CHRISTmas.  I have Jewish friends, Muslim friends and even a few Hindu friends.  Do I tell them what to do? NO. Do they give me the same respect? YES.  I also don't go out of my way to 'convert' people who think differently than I do.  I thoroughly enjoy a respectful, intelligent discussion on the subject when it is approached.  However, I DO NOT believe it is my solemn duty to conform people to my personal beliefs. PERIOD.  If they wanna know, I'll tell 'em.  IF the discussion is RESPECTFUL on both sides. My opinion is that I am best showing the love of Christ by displaying a loving, caring, respecful character to EVERYONE I meet.  Not by saying I'm better than or smarter than those who believe different.  That wouldn't be very Christ-like at all. 
I have to carry on that same way in my own home.  I was raised in one Christian denominatino, and my dear husband was raised in another.  He still holds to many of the beliefs he was taught as a child.  We agreed looooong ago that we would tell our children how mommy believes AND how daddy believes--and allow them to research and decide for themselves when they became old enough to.  In the meantime, we don't tell them 'well THIS is how it is and you HAVE to believe THIS WAY'. No.  We teach our kids that there are several different takes on the religion subject, and lots of different opinions.  We also teach them that they don't necessarily have to AGREE with the opinions of others, but they have to RESPECT them.  When they come of age to make informed, intelligent decisions on their own, I will wholeheartedly respect their choice.  In the meantime, I will just grit my teeth and bear it when I hear folks making fun of others because they differ in that area.  I can't STAND when people do that . . . 

Aahhh, puppies. BLECH!!!!

On Thanksgiving night, my hubby decided to add a new member to our family (which I've already talked about in a previous post).  A cute, four legged, brown, furry, blue-eyed, laid back and loveable member we named Karma. Because we had a major blowout on the way home with her and had to rearrange the car to get the flat and everything else back in.  (Looooong story.) The first comment out of my hubby's mouth was, "That dog's got bad karma or something." Ding-ding-ding!!! Perfect name. Two days later, he decided she needed a buddy; so, her hyperactive, black, furry, LOUD littermate came to live with us too.  Now, we already have a full grown, un-neutered, male basset hound 

and both the new pups are female. (YIKES!!) Hubby has the bright idea that everybody will want basset/lab/walker hound pups.  NOT HAPPENING. Somebody will draw the short straw and go to the vet. (Sorry, Storm.)

Hubby's next idea actually sounded pretty good to me.  He wants me to train both new pups for hunting dogs.  I LOVE the sound of that.  You see, I grew up with dogs.  I love dogs.  I also helped my dad train and breed bird dogs for years.  I truly relish the idea.  UNTIL . . . our little black puppy made us realize that some dogs are true challenges.  Mojo (her current name) should've been named HOUDINI.  She has escaped our chain link fenced in back yard EVERY DAY at some point since the day we got her.  Our lovely fenced in enclosure is beginning to look like an episode of Sanford & Son.  We've got scrap lumber, metal fence posts, an upside-down little tikes slide and numerous HUGE rocks up against the fence all over the yard.  Yet, she STILL manages to escape.  The funny part is that she always runs to the back door and sits and whines to be let back in.  She doesn't run off--she runs around to get back in the fence through the gate.  What a doofus . . .

Now, flashback to last Thursday night.  Hubby is on his way home and he calls me as usual.  He says, "I have one of your other Christmas presents and I'm giving it to you early."  I was fixing to ask what he was bringing me when I heard a sound that brought my heart to a stop-- the distinct sound of a small puppy yapping in terror.  Not from my yard . . . from his CAR.  I promptly hung up on him.

When he arrived home, I had settled somewhat.  I asked where the flea-bitten little nuisance was.  Then, he pulled out of his jacket one of the sweetest, most adorable fur balls I had EVER seen.  My resolve and my heart melted in that instance.  It was love at first sight.  I hugged hubby, apologized and thanked him profusely.  I'm not sure what breed she is, but she is the color of a golden retriever, has short, floppy ears, a slightly curly tail, longer 'scruff' around her neck, a long body (like a weenie dog), and very short legs.  With a very wide head, short snout and HUGE paws.  Mutt?  Definitely.  Angel? Absolutely.  So Angel is what we called her. 

I don't believe we need ANY more pets, thank you very much.  We now have 4 dogs and 3 cats.  PLENTY.  On another note, I won't say that training 2 puppies to hunt and housebreaking another is easy, but I'll say that I have my work cut out.  It will eventually be worth it--but not for another year. Or two . . . Oh, boy . . .

Flu lala lala lala la laundryyyyy!!!!

I have spent the last 2 days with some of the worst stomach cramping and tummy bug symptoms known to modern man.  This morning I awoke thinking I might actually be able to stomach some dry crackers--if not for the horrid sore throat and sinus pain I am now feeling.  Yesterday my dear sweet hubby was actually late to work b/c he had to take the kids to school for me. Why? Because I could not walk--only crawl.  Between the toilet and my bed.  Yeah.  No driving for me. (duh)  The only thing that befuddles me is not the tummy cramps, but the backache I was having (????).  Makes me wonder if I had kidney trouble instead or something outlandish like that. Who knows?  All I know is that I am feeling better today and that I need to catch up laundry. Oh. joy.
Speaking of laundry, does it get on your nerves as it does on mine?  I posted a complaint about my laundry recently on another discussion board and a dear friend (with 3 children) gave me a wonderful tip I may just try.  She said in her house, laundry baskets/ hampers are only used for clean laundry.  Her WASHING MACHINE is used for the dirty hamper.  She doesn't keep clothes that bleed so they can all be washed together when the machine is full.  LOVE IT!!!!  I've been trying that for the last few days and I must say, it is quite liberating!  She does admit to keeping a hamper specifically in the bathroom for towels etc., that gets emptied into the washer every morning with what's already there. She also has a cleaning schedule that has every room of the house assigned to a day (with quick pick ups in between) and sheets and blankets for the bedrooms get washed on the day that room gets cleaned. (Genius!!)  However, I shudder to think when the last time was that I washed my sheets . . . ugh.
I also had a little revelation of my own recently. I have had a sock basket for almost as long as I have had children.  I LOVE the sock basket.  I DESPISE matching socks. I was folding towels, washrags, dishcloths and the like a few months back when I thought, "what is the point? who CARES if these get wrinkled?"  Then, the lightbulb went off in my head.  I STOPPED folding those things (GASP!).  So, what do I do?  I'll tell you.  Dishcloths and kitchen towels get thrown directly in a drawer in the kitchen.  Do not fold, do not pass go, do not collect 200 dollars :)  My linen closet has four shelves and the floor section beneath the bottom shelf, so there are 5 sections there (right? right.)  I put a rubber maid tote(minus the lid) on the floor and a laundry basket on the next 3 shelves. Rubbermaid tote holds small blankets and misc. items.  First shelf's basket holds towels and wash cloths (unfolded--just toss em in), second shelf 's basket holds kids sheets and pillowcases(same thing here), and third shelf's basket holds me and hubby's sheets and pillowcases (ditto).  Top shelf holds comforters (these are folded--wouldn't be able to fit much up there if they weren't). You see how much folding I have done away with? YAY!!  Now if the rest of the clothes would just fold themselves, I'd be all set!

Anonymous

I bet some of u may have noticed that I don't put names or pictures on my blog.  And I'll bet some of u are wondering why (or not :)).  Well, I'll tell ya.  Number 1: My hubby has a job where he deals with some shady characters from time to time--and has to either refuse to do what shady characters ask him to, and/or fire them.  Which has led to numerous threats against him (and us!).  So, to ease his mind, I don't tell specifics for safety reasons.  Number 2:  Past problems.  Hubby has a troubled and disturbing past w certain people, that were not of his doing.  And, he is NOT ready to reconcile old differences.  In order to keep things civil,  I just don't get specific and I don't push him to 'make things right', especially when he didn't do anything to deserve the situation in the first place.  Now folks, don't get all worked up.  He is NOT a member of the mob, or a gang, or anything like that.  And his job is a perfectly legal, average, everyday job.  He is just in charge of a LOT of people and things--and occasionally some of them are (dare I say it?) LOONEY. 

So, that is the reason why I'm not as specific as I could be on here.  Hopefully, you understand.

Now, would somebody pass the Velveeta?

Last night the Christmas parade went rather well. It was cooooooold, but FUN.  Our last Christmas parade this year will be next weekend.  I'm looking forward to it. 
 This morning I went outside to help my son feed our hounds and twisted my knee.  It's swelled up pretty bad and I can't completely straighten it.  It's really not unusual for that to happen to me--I have had knee trouble since I was in junior high school.  They pop out of socket regularly and take awhile to get back to 'normal'.  So, I guess I'll be spending this morning on the couch with ice on it instead of going to church.  Bummer...  In the meantime, I did manage to go get my Sunday papers bf my incident so I will be clipping coupons while I rest. (YEEHAW!!!)  I'm also going to give the kiddos a chore list and have the boys bring me baskets of clothes to fold. This day could turn out to be interesting . . .

Hats, scarves, coats . . . and Gi's.

Earlier this year, I opted to sign my older 3 kids up for karate. Number 1, I thought it would be good exercise and discipline for them. Number 2, they are members of the local boys and girls club, and karate is offered FREE!!!! Yup, free :-)So, they've been enjoying it for awhile now. Every Christmas, they march in 3 local christmas parades. Last weekend was the first, and the weather wasn't too bad. This weekend is number 2, and the weather is supposed to be FRIGID to say the least. So I have to figure out how to keep them warm without covering up their black karate outfits TOO much. And without them looking like the kid from the Christmas story who falls and can't get up. I hope none of them get dumb enough to try this :

Paper Bags--the new fashion accessory for your HEAD

We got to church Sunday and got settled on our pew. We were singing away when Mr. Busy leans over and whispers, "I can't move my finger, mom." I looked at his hand and his finger was HUGE AND PURPLE!!! I asked what happened to him and he said, "Remember when I jammed it playing football before Halloween?" I was shocked. I do remember that day. I distinctly remember looking at it, noting that it was slightly swollen but he still had some movement, and putting ice on it. He NEVER COMPLAINED ABOUT IT after that so I thought we were good. Well, apparently not. He has very limited movement and it is extremely swollen. It has been swollen so long that the skin around his knuckles is peeling. So today we're going to the doctor and hoping for the best.

Sorry, I HAVE to vent.

Looking for a miracle is kinda like looking for a needle in a haystack. It seems like at the times we need help the most, it is the hardest thing to find. Yesterday we had a wedding in the family. The event was absolutely beautiful--outside, overlooking a lush, green, beautiful area (golf course) with the sun setting in the background. Everyone was dressed absolutely stunningly--especially the bride. Beautiful. However, the part of the whole event that brought me to tears was when she reached the altar. It was COLD. She had on a gorgeous strapless dress. Her husband to be then did something i've never seen at a wedding-- he took off his tux jacket and gently put it around her shoulders to keep her warm. It was absolutely precious. Unexpected, yes, but so sweet. Here's the strange part: I had spent the whole day OF the wedding in one of the foulest moods I've been in for quite some time. I was mad at everybody and everything for absolutely nothing. I would've been quite happy to have stayed under my covers all day and let the whole world go on without me. I tried to smile and look normal (especially when we got to the wedding, for their sakes), but inside I was TICKED. Until I saw that one act of kindness. I'm not really sure why it changed my tune, but it did.
The last few months have been really hard. I've done my absolute best to keep my inner turmoil from my family. I am in charge of the budget (which doesn't squeak, it SCREAMS), feeding my family of six (the difficulty here is numerous food allergies), monitoring my husband's diabetes and the meds that go along with it, cleaning my home and doing mountains of laundry (which sounds really silly along with the other stuff, but it's stressful nonetheless) and making sure my kids are educated, well-behaved,LOVED,clean and healthy. I feel like I'm at the end of my rope, but I don't get the option to stop. What mom does? And since I have no worse problems than many other people out there, I guess there's just one thing left to do. Suck it up, go on, and sneak in a 'locked door bubble bath' from time to time. There will be better things coming. I know that. In the meantime, I will just have to stay strong--or risk falling apart . . .

Tonight's menu will consist of 'Crazy Yummy Soup' and homemade onion bread. Crazy yummy soup is what my kids call my 'pantry and fridge cleaner' soup. This version will contain turkey, celery, onions, carrots, egg noodles, rotini, and large shell noodles. Yum!

Frustration

I sat down this morning and checked our budget for the next month. Eeeew . . . and at Christmastime, no less. I'm fixing to pull out my little notebook of tips and tricks to get us through without feeling like we're doing waaaaaay without. I guess I'd better get crackin' . . . later . . . when my pain meds for this headache kick in . . . ugh.

One little, two little, three little indians . . .

Mr. Busy approached me last night (at bedtime, no less)and reminded me that he had a project due Friday morning or he risked getting a big fat ZERO. What kind of project, you ask? A diarama of a SIOUX INDIAN VILLAGE. Um, yea. I wish he had either: A)reminded me SOONER, or B) taken it upon himself to work on the project unassisted. Alas, neither occurrence took place. So we did half of it last night and will do the other half tonight. I actually dreamed last night that I lived in a teepee made from pieces of a paper grocery bag . . .

Dad's Dentistry--now open for business

Bubba was complaining to me this Saturday that his mouth hurt. Nana and I looked and discovered he had an adult tooth growing in front of a baby tooth that was still very much attached, and not very loose. I told him to wiggle on it so it would come out. Well, that didn't go very far . . . So, last night daddy decided to do something about it, and DID. He held Bubba's head in one hand and pushed the baby tooth backwards with the other until it popped free . . . . It was loose at the time, just at a very awkward angle. I wasn't much help though, as that stuff makes me reeeeally sick. Maybe Superman should open a dentist's office? NOT.

Aaahhhh . . . diesel fumes! Blech :-P

Tommy came home from work last night with his work clothes drenched in diesel. I figured I'd just wash it right out. Well, we're on attempt number 5 to no avail. His cousin just told me to put some bubble bath in the washer with it. I'll let u know if it works. Crossing my fingers!

Breakfast: the fuel of champions!!

As soon as I finished posting this morning, it occurred to me that my opinions of what 'breakfast' is all about have changed drastically in recent months. Mainly out of necessity. Last year, when I was working and could afford it,the kids ate breakfast at school every day. I had to be at work between 7:30 and 7:45 every morning--after dropping the kids off at school. I was also going to college at the time and would stay up late studying every night, so I was in no shape to get up at 5:30 or 6 daily to fix breakfast. The little one went to work with me daily (preschool) and would eat breakfast there. So this year, I have had to get back into the groove of fixing a morning meal of some description, without it eating my lunch (yuk, yuk, yuk).

When most folks think of breakfast, conjured images of pop tarts, dry cereal with milk, or bacon and eggs come to mind. All of the above are well and good--and pricey. I do use eggs, but not generally as the main meal. I use them as an ingredient to muffins, coffee cake and the like. Feeding eggs to our family of 6 on a daily basis would require a whole dozen EVERY morning. Um, yeah. That gets pricey. Also, I hardly ever buy dry cereal. Why, u ask? Because unless I have a coupon and can get it for around a dollar or less a box, it costs a LOT of money for us. We could plow through a whole box each DAY. I also don't buy pop tarts for the same reason, with the exception of exceptional deals via coupons and sales. You may now be wondering what exactly I do feed my kids. So here is a small list: muffins (Jiffy muffin mixes are dirt cheap and very tasty!), coffee cake (there is a recipe for blueberry style on the side of the blueberry muffin mix box--yumm!), cinnamon toast (made with homemade bread I bake a few times weekly and freeze), fruit and regular toast, banana bread, malt-o-meal (lasts forever but they'll eat it gladly), and oatmeal. I will back up a little here and clarify one thing: I DO boil a dozen eggs periodically for breakfast and label that carton to keep in the fridge. Boiled eggs stretch farther than scrambled and seem to fill the kiddos up better. I know, I know, I'm a tightwad. But, ya gotta do what ya gotta do. As long as we're eating well, who cares??? lol

Bah!! Monday :-(

I love these cold, rainy mornings . . . makes me wanna hop right outta bed. NOT!! My alarm went off at 6 this morning and hubby said he heard a horrible mumbling grunting noise coming from my side of the bed, lol. But, I got up and got his clothes ironed for him while he showered. Then I had to fix breakfast for the kids and get them ready for school. I am so thankful for my couponing on mornings like this. I picked up cinnamon rolls (the GOOD kind) this past week for about 40 cents after coupons. Woo-hoo!! MUCH better than fixing something elaborate when u just wanna crawl back into bed and lay there all day.

Oh, and I just wanted to add: I've only knitted 4 rows on my (1) dishcloth. Maybe I'll give 'em as Christmas gifts NEXT year . . . heehee :-)

Oh, and by the way . . .

tonight's menu is Taco Salad and cornbread, with oreo cheesecake for dessert. Heheee!! YUMMY :)

Knitting up a FIT!

I got this brilliant idea after church (and a nap) today. I haven't broke out the old knitting needles in awhile and christmas is coming up. I thought I would knit up a bunch of dishcloths for christmas gifts. . . Ahem. Apparently it's been awhile since I've knitted. Once again my ambition may have gotten the best of me. So here I sit, knitting up a fit. Literally. Yes, knitting needles and yarn are inanimate objects. Yes, they have no clue why I'm yelling at them. But you know what? It makes me feel better. So there!

It never ceases to amaze me how people go into complete panic mode during a 'tight' spell, financially speaking. I have been in this situation many, many times myself. It stinks; reeks, even. Granted that my husband makes a fair amount of money, and does get a V.A. check every month. I chose to be a stay-at-home mom this year. Long story short, it was MUCH, MUCH, MUCH better for our family that I stay home. The other addition is that we have four children. Four kids do not an easy, breezy budget make. You have to feed them, shelter them, and there are always things they need for school ( I said need, not want.) Also, my hubby is diabetic, among other health problems. Prescription medication is not FREE, but it is NECESSARY for him.

In the past (and recent times!), we have had multiple ways to get through financial hardships. Have there been times we have had to ask for help? Certainly. Am I proud of that fact? NO. However, there are a few strategies I have in place to not only help prevent things from getting too out of hand, but to pick up the slack when unexpecteds DO happen.
Here are a few:

1. Budget, Budget, Budget. I cannot stress enough how crucial this is to almost anyone who has to manage money. I HAVE to know where the paychecks are going, and what needs to be done with them. If you have to cut back in other areas when things are tight, DO IT. I have discovered that many utility companies, and other bills, have arrangements you can make with them to help you through a rough patch. Pick up the phone--it can't hurt to ask! Also, if you have to cut back a little on groceries, there are ways to do this without starving. I'll add this in next.

2. Menu Planning. Let me just say, the weeks I DON'T plan a menu, everything suffers. I don't set anything out the night before to thaw because I don't know what I'm gonna fix the next day. When 5:00 sneaks up on me (Wow--already????), I don't have a CLUE what to fix. Many times this has lead to getting take-out--another evil to us tight-budgeted people. When my menu plan is in place, I don't have the anxiety of 'what to fix'. I know what I need to get ready, which in turn gives me more time to do housework and other things that need to be done. Anything that gives me more time is a GODSEND.

3. Just say no! I don't care if everybody and their little brother has it, why do YOU need it? 'Nuff said.

4. COUPONS, YAAAAAAAYY!! I am fairly new to the whole coupon thing. I have discovered recently that it honestly is worth my time, and a few dollars for a Sunday paper and an All You magazine, to clip these suckers. I will also freely admit to doing my shopping at least 30 minutes away from home to save myself some money. I did the math, and I save more in groceries and supplies than I pay for the gas to drive where the deals are.

5. Pantry Challenge. Before you EVER leave the house to get groceries, take inventory of your pantry, fridge and freezer. ESPECIALLY if you are having financial trouble. I take a note pad and go through all these areas and start making my 2-weeks menu based on what I already have. There have been times I have actually got away with only buying milk, eggs and cheese to get us through because we already had a LOT hidden in the nooks and crannies. Once you make your list, STICK TO IT. It will eat your budget alive if you don't.

I will talk more on this subject later, but for now, this should suffice. Just these five little tricks have saved us a bundle.

Mmmm . . . seaweed!!

We, like many American families, live paycheck to paycheck. Generally speaking, the last few days before my husband gets paid again are 'lean' days in our household. So to be blunt, we're broke. This past paycheck we had more than the usual bills to pay so the pantry and fridge have been pretty bare the last couple of days. So what's a girl to do? Scrounge around in each location to find the hidden treasure that lies beneath, er, inside. Last night I fixed a supper that would've made my memaw proud: turnip greens with bacon, fried okra, pickled beets, and homemade biscuits. I was so proud of myself for finding such good fare when I originally thought things looked pretty bleak. I set the table with some of our nicer dishes, laid out the food, and stood back to admire how 'good I done'. I will admit to being a little nervous. My children do eat fairly well, but sadly, they are used to chicken nuggets, french fries, pizza and the like. However, they will usually scarf anything that is put in front of them. I called the kids to the table and they all took their usual seats. The older kids looked at some of the dishes and asked the usual questions of 'what is that', 'have we had that before', and 'why don't you fix biscuits more often?'. I was contentedly filling everyone's plates (feeling quite proud of myself), when above the usual din the four year old pipes up, points to the turnip greens, and says, "Mmmmm . . . SEAWEED!!" You could've heard a pin drop. I was sitting there with my mouth open and my fork in mid-air. Then the dining room exploded in laughter. The older kids and I were laughing so hard our sides ached. Through it all, the four year old sat in her chair looking quite confused at how we all found this so humorous. When things calmed down, I said, "No honey, those are turnip greens." She looked completely astonished at me. "Well, then, I don't want any." Her older brother pointed out that she seemed excited about it only moments ago. Her reply? "THAT was because I wanted SEAWEED." Okay, okay, so what I did next may not have been the right thing, but I couldn't help it. "Wait a minute. Let me check the label on the can again." So I did. And I fibbed. And I glared at the older children not to breathe a WORD. And we all happily ate our seaweed and called it a day.

Breathe in, breathe out

Gee whiz, looks like I've missed half a month of blogging! In our house, we have had 3 (count 'em: 3!!!!) rounds of the stomach virus. So, there have been a few things put on the backburner. Like blogging. And dishes. And laundry . . . you get the picture. The house and laundry are slowly getting back into shape. Hoping to have it back up to my slightly OCD standards by tomorrow. I may have set my sights too high however, because I have blinking lights going on in my peripheral vision. For those of you who are not savvy, it means a migrane in my very near future. Maybe I can get things mostly done by this afternoon.
The older kids had their first night of karate last night. They did really well for first timers. It's a really good form of self-discipline and exercise. I did it when I was little and really enjoyed it, so I hope it will be beneficial to them.
Ally brought home a note from school informing parents of the field trip on Friday. They will be visiting the Dale Bumpers Research Center. She will have a blast. She absolutely LOVES animals and farming stuff. Maybe someday we'll have a farm of our own . . . oh, who am I kidding?? Ed McMahon ain't showed up on MY doorstep yet . . .

Tah-Daaaaaahh!!

Today is Day 1--of my blogging that is. It just so happened to also be the first day of school. Each and every year brings with it a new set of frustrations. Example: school supplies. Ugh. It seems like it never fails that when school starts we are either to broke to get EVERYTHING on each list (all at once), or the local Mart-Mart doesn't carry something. Anywho, I got my 3 school aged kiddos off to their first day without a hitch. Actually getting them there was a nightmare, though. The parking lot and school building were flooded with the usual 10 million cars and parents hustling their little ones off to class. So now I have just one child at home until next year when she starts kindergarten. I envisioned cleaning the house to a pristine state and finishing climbing Mt. Washmore. However, I guess the quiet house and less than usual chaos have a sedating effect. I laid down with Lena at noon and woke up at . . . FIVE!! Yikes! Thank goodness the older kids went to the Boys and Girls Club after school or I may have had a problem. So, tomorrow morning at around 6, I am heading to Wal-Mart before school. Why so early? Because we still need a few supplies . . . and shoes . . . and my hubby's paycheck gets deposited tonight at midnight . . . :-)