Saturday, October 29, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
On a personal note...
Here is Jeffery on Sunday. Thursday he fell off the play structure at school and fractured his elbow. Having it immoblized in a cast seems to be doing wonders for his comfort.
As of today, Jason and my divorce seperation is off. I have decided to rework at the marriage. This week we celebrate having been together (met) ten years ago. March is our anniversary. Also today, Jason lost his job at Braum's. The reason is a small technicality and is guess it doesn't matter a whole lot once that happens. It sucks.
I am attending classes at the local community college. I am taking 6 credit hours trying to get into a health science field, which I will apply for in the spring. My classes are going well. I have straight A's and have never been so competitive (in a good way) in my life. I like going to school as a grown up so much better. I am focused, have purpose and little social adgenda on campus. I also have a volunteer position on campus writing for the school paper and had 2 articles published this week. I am amazed, however, how much time I spend studying for my two classes. I undestand now, though, what a huge difference there is in getting an A and getting a B. I feel like to get an A, you have to know the material forwards and back, to get a B, you just have to know it going forwards.
Anyway, if you wish to contact me, please feel free to comment or email at oh.scrap@ymail.com. Please dont comment of facebook.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
More Muddy Buddy Pics
I gotta say, for whatever reason my boys clobbered in mud seems to be a good photo moment for me. I cant resist taking pictures.
If I had any advice for any mom just starting out, I would say to quick being grossed out by stuff, like mud. It happens. I did, however, spray my boys of with the hose.
If I had any advice for any mom just starting out, I would say to quick being grossed out by stuff, like mud. It happens. I did, however, spray my boys of with the hose.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Nathan's first lost tooth:)
My Nathan lost his first tooth:)
He was so excited and I wanted to share.
David lost his 3rd this week too. This tooth was probably the first tooth I've ever pulled in my entire life, including all my own teeth. Loosing teeth was always my phobia, but alas I think I may have over come it. Seeing David with a wobbly tooth bleeding and bothering him, I couldn't help but pull it for him when he asked. Jason pulled Nathan's for him.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Jeffery Pic
Soon I hope to have proffessional pictures taken of this cute little guy, but for now some snapshots will have to do.
The dark colored oval on his arm is his scar from his second degree burn from March. It was truly nasty. That happened on a Sunday night. The next Sunday, in the church parking lot, he busted his head opened and we spent the day in children's ER. He now has 2 scars on his forehead, but that's the way it is with fearless kids. He's proud of his scar because he looks like Harry Potter.
Well,that's a little bit of Jeffery, aka Pretty Face.
The dark colored oval on his arm is his scar from his second degree burn from March. It was truly nasty. That happened on a Sunday night. The next Sunday, in the church parking lot, he busted his head opened and we spent the day in children's ER. He now has 2 scars on his forehead, but that's the way it is with fearless kids. He's proud of his scar because he looks like Harry Potter.
Well,that's a little bit of Jeffery, aka Pretty Face.
Spring School Pics
Here are my two big boys! Schools out for the summer and we are enjoying ourselves. I am planning on getting Jeffery's pic taken at some point, but he's seems to always be injured...
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Life and Stress...
We've had plumbing issues at our house. Monday I had the plumber come and resolve 3 small issues. What a relief to get those taken care of.
A few days ago our plumbing started acting up again and Friday I literally washed every towel we own, except the 3 good ones, 3 times. It sucked and I vowed that Saturday I wasn't going to be stuck in the house doing it again. The toilets wouldn't flush and every time I plunged or Jason did, the water pressure would cause clean water to overflow from the water heater and spill through the wall into the entry way and the toilets overflowed several times. ROYALLY SUCKED!!! Jason heard of a product that might help with the problem, so we went to Lowes after work Saturday night and purchased it.
Getting ready for church was stressful. I took a super quick shower for me and the kids and wouldn't let any one flush the toilet. In fact, I turned the water off the toilets to prevent a problem. I almost didn't go to church because I was so stressed out, but I firmly believe in the scriptures "Come Unto Me and Find Rest". I believe it. So, I didn't make it to sacrament meeting, but I did go to primary (which is good because I have a class I teach.) I altered the lesson, something I rarely ever do. I based my lesson on Ether 12:6, which says
Ether 12:6
And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.
My lesson was on Faith. Faith is things which are hoped for, but not seen. Ye receive no witness unto the trial of your faith. I talked to my 8/9 year olds about how throughout our lives, there will be tough things, real trials. We talked about what the word "trial" ment and its different meanings. I told them that our Heavenly Father allows us to have trials. Sometimes people think that because God is GOD, he should remove our trials from us. "Why would God let this happen to me?" I compared this to how once upon a time, we were all infants. Our parents allowed us how to learn to walk. It wasn't easy. Babies fall down, cry, get tired, frusterated, bonk their heads, yet we as parents let it happen. Yes, we could stop it. I could, as parent, literally never have let my babies touch the ground and carried them everywhere. However, I let them get stronger legs. They can walk, run, jump, play and experience the joy from overcoming that trial. I hope my primary kids know how much I care about them...They are an amazing group of kiddos and I enjoy being their teacher.
After church, it was time to work on that blasted sewer line again. Yuck. When I went outside, the yard was wet from all the plunging and overflow. Dis-cuss-ting. I had to dig around the access to keep the standing water lower than the pipe so that leaves and dirt would not spill into the pipe...Gross and smelly...I will spare you the vast discustingness that it really was at this point. The tool that Jason purchased is called a bladder, but the one he bought was actually too big, so I will sell it on craiglist. I had to go back to Lowes and get the smaller one. What it is is a bladder that attaches to the hose. You fit it into the sewer line, then feed the hose through, turn on the water and try to break up the clog. GUESS WHAT???? IT WORKED! It was nasty and I got covered in mud and other stuff, but for $35, I didn't have to call a plumber!!! Last time I had a line cleared on the Sabbath, it cost me $183. AND my toilets flush! AND next time it happens, nasty as it is, I can fix it myself and hopefully, it wont be this bad that my toilet has overflowed yuck water into my back yard...
THANK YOU Heavenly Father for answering the prayers sent for this. I will pray that we dont have to replace our sewer lines for a few more years.
Today was immensly stressful. I am so relieved.
(If anyone read this, did I totally gross you out?)
We've had plumbing issues at our house. Monday I had the plumber come and resolve 3 small issues. What a relief to get those taken care of.
A few days ago our plumbing started acting up again and Friday I literally washed every towel we own, except the 3 good ones, 3 times. It sucked and I vowed that Saturday I wasn't going to be stuck in the house doing it again. The toilets wouldn't flush and every time I plunged or Jason did, the water pressure would cause clean water to overflow from the water heater and spill through the wall into the entry way and the toilets overflowed several times. ROYALLY SUCKED!!! Jason heard of a product that might help with the problem, so we went to Lowes after work Saturday night and purchased it.
Getting ready for church was stressful. I took a super quick shower for me and the kids and wouldn't let any one flush the toilet. In fact, I turned the water off the toilets to prevent a problem. I almost didn't go to church because I was so stressed out, but I firmly believe in the scriptures "Come Unto Me and Find Rest". I believe it. So, I didn't make it to sacrament meeting, but I did go to primary (which is good because I have a class I teach.) I altered the lesson, something I rarely ever do. I based my lesson on Ether 12:6, which says
Ether 12:6
And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.
My lesson was on Faith. Faith is things which are hoped for, but not seen. Ye receive no witness unto the trial of your faith. I talked to my 8/9 year olds about how throughout our lives, there will be tough things, real trials. We talked about what the word "trial" ment and its different meanings. I told them that our Heavenly Father allows us to have trials. Sometimes people think that because God is GOD, he should remove our trials from us. "Why would God let this happen to me?" I compared this to how once upon a time, we were all infants. Our parents allowed us how to learn to walk. It wasn't easy. Babies fall down, cry, get tired, frusterated, bonk their heads, yet we as parents let it happen. Yes, we could stop it. I could, as parent, literally never have let my babies touch the ground and carried them everywhere. However, I let them get stronger legs. They can walk, run, jump, play and experience the joy from overcoming that trial. I hope my primary kids know how much I care about them...They are an amazing group of kiddos and I enjoy being their teacher.
After church, it was time to work on that blasted sewer line again. Yuck. When I went outside, the yard was wet from all the plunging and overflow. Dis-cuss-ting. I had to dig around the access to keep the standing water lower than the pipe so that leaves and dirt would not spill into the pipe...Gross and smelly...I will spare you the vast discustingness that it really was at this point. The tool that Jason purchased is called a bladder, but the one he bought was actually too big, so I will sell it on craiglist. I had to go back to Lowes and get the smaller one. What it is is a bladder that attaches to the hose. You fit it into the sewer line, then feed the hose through, turn on the water and try to break up the clog. GUESS WHAT???? IT WORKED! It was nasty and I got covered in mud and other stuff, but for $35, I didn't have to call a plumber!!! Last time I had a line cleared on the Sabbath, it cost me $183. AND my toilets flush! AND next time it happens, nasty as it is, I can fix it myself and hopefully, it wont be this bad that my toilet has overflowed yuck water into my back yard...
THANK YOU Heavenly Father for answering the prayers sent for this. I will pray that we dont have to replace our sewer lines for a few more years.
Today was immensly stressful. I am so relieved.
(If anyone read this, did I totally gross you out?)
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Funny Funny Buggy
As mentioned in my last post, I sold my VW on Saturday. When the guys came to get it, Nathan popped in the car (with his brothers), put it in neautral, released the emergency brake and started rolling down the road. It about gave me a heart attack. He was really proud of himself for getting to drive it before I sold it.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Good-Bye first car...
I sold my beloved VW today. Watching someone drive off with it was devestating. This was my first car. I got it right before I turned 21, 8.5 years ago. I have fond memories of it. I wish I had a picture of my with the three kids as babys in carseats in it...Needless to say, I've bawled my eyes out, even though it was time to sell it...I'm devestated.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Family Backyard Campout
Yeah, we finally did a backyard campout, in preparation for a real adventure. We set up the tent and the kids were just happy to play in it for hours. They had many races in and out and wore themselves out doing that alone. Then we ate chili hotdogs on the back patio and chips. They boys were really excited that I bought those small cans of 7-up. Dessert was oven roasted smores. Yum! Then we went in the tent and I read them the first chapter of "Harry Potter and the Sorcer's Stone". It was bigtime windy, so at 10, the boys elected to get into their beds. Unfortuantly, even though the tent was staked, out tent blew away. What's lost is found, though, except a sleeping bag bad and I will search the neighbor's yard later when they are awake.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
"Cad-nt-bury" our Appreciation
These are the cute little teacher appreciation gifts my son took to his teachers today. I hand wrote the sentiment with "We cad-nt-bury our appreciation for you" on each tag...I just hope they like cadbury milk chocolate bars:)
I actually didn't used my cricut at all for this project. That is a bit unusual for me, but nevertheless, I'm sharing because this was such a fast project. I had a CVS coupon for the chocoate bars, buy 1 get 1 free. Then, I used some scrappaper, leftover from my Caramel Corn project, and cut it at 6 inches wide. Ideally, I would have cut it wider, but I was using scrappaper (My Mind's Eye). I wanted to use the same paper for each project, so I cut it to 6 inches long. It wasn't quite long enough on the back, but I didn't think it mattered and taped it. I also used on of my MS around the page punches to give the left side some interest. I had some scrapribbon for the tag.
Speaking of the tag, once upon a time I used my sizzix machine and tag dies and cut up all my scrappaper into tags and embossed them. This has been a big asset to me. I always have a plethera of tags on hand for a quick label, gift or what-knot. I
I used a Mickey Mouse punch with some of the same scrappaper to give the tag a little bit of interst.
:) I hope you enjoyed my project. I've spent more time typing about it than actually doing it:)
Friday, April 22, 2011
Laughter is the Best Medicine
I have 3 very active boys. As much as I love them dearly, sometimes they truly drive me crazy. They are everywhere. I love them to pieces and do the very best I can. I love them, read to them, take them to do cool things, I give them jobs, I put them to bed on time, feed them, take them to church, ect... Just because my kids act like wild-crazies doesn't mean that they aren't disiplined or taken care of....Back to my story...
I have one child in particular that has a tough time in the bathroom. I keep the very bare minimum in there because it will get dumped out or some other heinous thing will happen. For a while, I didn't even keep toothbrushes or toilet paper in there...A little bit of an issue of when I had company. Luckily, I've only had to have Rootor Rooter come out twice, in the same weekend(!!!). Gradually, I've been trying to place more items in the bathroom.
Tuesday night, I sent this young man in to the bathroom to take care of business. I sat at the computer on the cricut messageboards and tried to participate in the Tuesday 1-hour challenge. I stay nearby because he sometimes needs help or so disaster doesn't strike. While I was sitting right here, another young man, much smaller announced that he'd had a pooping accident. So, I depart with him to the other bathroom and clean him up. He'd been playing outside, so I decided to give him a shower. I put him in the shower (no water on, thankfully) and go get the shampoo out of the other bathroom...Uggg...The first thing I notice is brown on the floor. Fortunantly, it was just cardboard, but there was a soaking wet towel in the sink. I tossed in the tub, only to discover that the sink is full of big soap suds and water. Now, the sink stopper is broken...Uh-oh. I stick my and in there and discover a big time toilet paper pulp. I order my son to stand in the tub. I scoop handfuls after handfull of toilet paper pulp from the sink. (I also send Nathan to get Jeffery dressed). I ask my boy "What Happened?". "There was a roll of toilet paper in the sink." Apperently, he wasn't sure what to do about it...Meanwhile, he has orders to stay in the tub while I'm frantically digging out toilet paper out of the sink and drain. Next thing I know, he's bouncing around on the toilet, and the toothbrushes and toothpaste fall in the pot. Yes, I did fish them out...gross, but at least the #2 had been flushed. He is re-ordered to stand in the tub and dont move so I can continue to get out the toilet paper pulp. The next thing I knew, the shower curtain was IN THE TOILET! Oh My Gosh! This is like a bad comic from Dennis the Menace. So, young man gives him self a shower...
Fast Forward to yesterday. The sink is still clogged because I've been too upset to do anything about and a certain person thinks that taking the U bend off will damage the pipes...I find this...
In my trying-to-remain-calm voice, I said "Jeffery, what did you do?"
His happy response "I was trying to make it smell better."
I guess I can't argue with that, right?
I wish I had a funny way of writing this. That's Bear's talent.
Thanks for reading. :)
I have one child in particular that has a tough time in the bathroom. I keep the very bare minimum in there because it will get dumped out or some other heinous thing will happen. For a while, I didn't even keep toothbrushes or toilet paper in there...A little bit of an issue of when I had company. Luckily, I've only had to have Rootor Rooter come out twice, in the same weekend(!!!). Gradually, I've been trying to place more items in the bathroom.
Tuesday night, I sent this young man in to the bathroom to take care of business. I sat at the computer on the cricut messageboards and tried to participate in the Tuesday 1-hour challenge. I stay nearby because he sometimes needs help or so disaster doesn't strike. While I was sitting right here, another young man, much smaller announced that he'd had a pooping accident. So, I depart with him to the other bathroom and clean him up. He'd been playing outside, so I decided to give him a shower. I put him in the shower (no water on, thankfully) and go get the shampoo out of the other bathroom...Uggg...The first thing I notice is brown on the floor. Fortunantly, it was just cardboard, but there was a soaking wet towel in the sink. I tossed in the tub, only to discover that the sink is full of big soap suds and water. Now, the sink stopper is broken...Uh-oh. I stick my and in there and discover a big time toilet paper pulp. I order my son to stand in the tub. I scoop handfuls after handfull of toilet paper pulp from the sink. (I also send Nathan to get Jeffery dressed). I ask my boy "What Happened?". "There was a roll of toilet paper in the sink." Apperently, he wasn't sure what to do about it...Meanwhile, he has orders to stay in the tub while I'm frantically digging out toilet paper out of the sink and drain. Next thing I know, he's bouncing around on the toilet, and the toothbrushes and toothpaste fall in the pot. Yes, I did fish them out...gross, but at least the #2 had been flushed. He is re-ordered to stand in the tub and dont move so I can continue to get out the toilet paper pulp. The next thing I knew, the shower curtain was IN THE TOILET! Oh My Gosh! This is like a bad comic from Dennis the Menace. So, young man gives him self a shower...
Fast Forward to yesterday. The sink is still clogged because I've been too upset to do anything about and a certain person thinks that taking the U bend off will damage the pipes...I find this...
In my trying-to-remain-calm voice, I said "Jeffery, what did you do?"
His happy response "I was trying to make it smell better."
I guess I can't argue with that, right?
I wish I had a funny way of writing this. That's Bear's talent.
Thanks for reading. :)
Sunday, March 27, 2011
New Friend Blog Fun:)
I got a comment on my last blog post leading me to Andi's fun blog:
http://sparkymom76.blogspot.com/ and I'm delighted with her fun blog. She has 3 boys about the same age as my own "wildboyz". My own sons are 7,5.5 and 4. They are all 18 months apart. Mom life is sometimes a crazy time, but I dearly love my boys. Anyway, please check out Andi's fun creations. She just won a stylish blogger award and linked me as a newfound blog:) She shared 7 fun facts about herself and I will do the same:
1. My family is my life.
2. I run and bike and have done to USA Triathalon Association sanctioned Duathalons (run (5K), bike (about 15 miles), run (5K). Tons of fun and last time I ran as an athena (over 150 lbs (I was 153)) and got 3rd place in that group.
3. This year, I dont think I'm going to do a duathalon, but hope to make it up to Cincinatti to visit my dad while he's on a work location and we hope to do a century ride: 100 miles in 1 day.
4. I need to get my booty cycling to be prepared for #3. (lol)
5. I enjoy sewing, but have zero desire to sew clothes for my sons at this point. So, I do about 1 or 2 sewing projects a year. I would like to do quilting, but that takes up so much room that that hobby is on hold.
6. I love Strawberry Shortcake and my strawberry themed kitchen.
7. I'm a clutterbug that loves organization...
I hope to have some more scrappy stuff to post soon. The last few projects I've posted have been really simple. I will post something more sophisticated soon...
Happy Crafting:)
http://sparkymom76.blogspot.com/ and I'm delighted with her fun blog. She has 3 boys about the same age as my own "wildboyz". My own sons are 7,5.5 and 4. They are all 18 months apart. Mom life is sometimes a crazy time, but I dearly love my boys. Anyway, please check out Andi's fun creations. She just won a stylish blogger award and linked me as a newfound blog:) She shared 7 fun facts about herself and I will do the same:
1. My family is my life.
2. I run and bike and have done to USA Triathalon Association sanctioned Duathalons (run (5K), bike (about 15 miles), run (5K). Tons of fun and last time I ran as an athena (over 150 lbs (I was 153)) and got 3rd place in that group.
3. This year, I dont think I'm going to do a duathalon, but hope to make it up to Cincinatti to visit my dad while he's on a work location and we hope to do a century ride: 100 miles in 1 day.
4. I need to get my booty cycling to be prepared for #3. (lol)
5. I enjoy sewing, but have zero desire to sew clothes for my sons at this point. So, I do about 1 or 2 sewing projects a year. I would like to do quilting, but that takes up so much room that that hobby is on hold.
6. I love Strawberry Shortcake and my strawberry themed kitchen.
7. I'm a clutterbug that loves organization...
I hope to have some more scrappy stuff to post soon. The last few projects I've posted have been really simple. I will post something more sophisticated soon...
Happy Crafting:)
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Fun Picture;)
Just a quick post to celebrate my mom's trip here during spring break. She is a wonderful grandma to my boys and we miss her.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Another little annoucement:)
I have decided to divide myself just a little bit:) Yesterday I created a seperate blog for my crafty stuff and keep this blog for family updates, household stuff and an occasional recipe.
my new blog addy: www.scrappystuff4you.blogspot.com
Happy Sunday and crafting:)
my new blog addy: www.scrappystuff4you.blogspot.com
Happy Sunday and crafting:)
Friday, February 18, 2011
Preview of next project
Most scrapbook layouts I make use the cricut, but are pretty simple. Occasionally, however I like to do a really special page with lots of cuts. Here are some samples of what I'm working on from the new cartrdige, Disney Best of Pixar:)
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
1 hour challenge recipe LO Break Off Bread:)
This is a recipe that I tried a few days ago and I enjoyed it. It is from a cookbook called 52 weeks of recipes for your Picky Eater and is called Pauper French Bread. I've changed the title to make it more exciting for my kiddos. Of course, my picky eater wont eat anything that he knows is bread, but I made it anyway:) (He will eat plain pizza, cresent rolls and crackers, just not bread).
The blue paper is American Crafts and the patterned papers are Cosmo Cricket. The recipe card and word art are from From My Kitchen and the hearts are from Gypsy Wanderings.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
I'm selling the cricut circle 3rd quarter cart: Cricut Everyday
I am a happy member of the cricut club, the Cricut Circle. Our new quarterly cartridge has just been released and is en-route to my house. Out of the three cartridges released, this one is my favorite. I love the font with the antenas, the cricut cake scallopy circle, the scrappy phrases... I actually have a lot of ideas about this cart. It makes it hard to sell it, but I'm selling it because I have some other carts/supplies that I want more than this one. I hope it finds a home with lots of other carts/paper and adhesive. I've decided to wait until Friday to put it on ebay. I might try craiglist first, though...
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Jeffery's 4th Birthday
I used CosmoCricket paper for this layout. I've been hoarding it for years and decided to finally use it. Its not typical birthday paper but perfect for my little boy who loves to play in the dirt and hold his pet toad. Cartridges used were: A child's year (cupcake) and Birthday Cake (font).
Shoot For the Stars! Scrapbook Page
Nathan is facinated with basketball and his favorite shirts are his basketball jerseys. I made this simple layout with paper from my DCDW stack "All about Boys". Cricut cartridge used were "Basketball" and "Holiday Cakes" (font). The title was welded on my Gypsy.
Happy (6th) Birthday:)
I am finally getting caught up on Birthday pages. I put them off because I think I have a complex...I want them to be perfect like so many I see on the messageboard. However, I decided a few days ago that completing a page and doing a little journaling was better than not doing it at all...
Monday, February 7, 2011
Valentines Swap:) My goodies
This was my first swap and this is what I recieved from my generous and talented friend Shawn.
There was a mini album, a word album "I heart you", a word albulm "love", embossing powder, inks, acrylic stamps, flocking powder, 3-D stickers, heart jewels, yummy herbal tea, adhesive, and card bases (scallop and rectangle scallop border).
Here are the pics: BTW, Thank you so much!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Leftovers....
My friend asked me for some advice on recycling leftovers. She and I both have men that wont eat them, so it takes some creativity. Here is the note that I sent her of some really simple things:
Leftovers Recycled
Oven Fried Chicken
One of the things that I do to make this dish easier is to mix up the coating mixture into a baggie to make clean up a breeze. You can even mix up several baggies full of the flour mixture at once to be a big time saver.
Chicken salad
Chicken Parmesan: chicken covered in spaghetti or pizza sauce with mozzarella or parmesan cheese on top
Chicken Quesadilla
Chicken Sandwich
Casserole that calls for a plain chicken (I haven't actually tried this yet because Jason wont eat casseroles)
Ground Beef
When I'm organized, I buy a 5lb. roll of beef. While 2 lbs of it are cooking in a skillet, I mix 1 lb of it in a bowl to make meatballs. Then I freeze them after I shape them. Then I use the same exact bowl and mix up meatloaf and freeze it in a bag. (After the meatballs are frozen, throw them in a bag). You can stick the baggie in the fridge the day before or that morning to defrost. You can also stick the meatballs frozen in the oven, but watch them closely so they wont burn. They will take about 35 minutes to cook. The 2 lbs of meat that I brown, I add 2 packets of taco seasoning to it and let it simmer, then let it cool and freeze. Ground beef can be refrozen and it refreezes well.
Meatballs and Meatloaf
Both recipes are similar. Both can be served with a brown gravy, ketchup, BBQ sauce or plain. I will usually have one the first week and the other the second week. Leftovers are good in a sandwich, beef stroganoff (if it doesn't have sauce on it), spaghetti (if it only had ketchup on it) or refrozen.
Taco Meat
I usually cook 2 lbs of taco meat at once and freeze it into two containers. Tacos are the one way that Jeffery will willingly eat meat. Taco meat can also be mixed with rice or refried beans if you don't want to consume so much meat at once or are looking for variety. Leftover taco meat is excellent in chili or can be used in a quesadilla. I buy those "taco bell" kits at Wal-Mart. They are $2.25 and come with 6 soft tacos, 6 cruchy tacos, salsa packet, seasoning and Kool-Aid. Buying the taco bell kit is cheaper than purchasing everything separately.
Leftovers Recycled
Oven Fried Chicken
One of the things that I do to make this dish easier is to mix up the coating mixture into a baggie to make clean up a breeze. You can even mix up several baggies full of the flour mixture at once to be a big time saver.
Chicken salad
Chicken Parmesan: chicken covered in spaghetti or pizza sauce with mozzarella or parmesan cheese on top
Chicken Quesadilla
Chicken Sandwich
Casserole that calls for a plain chicken (I haven't actually tried this yet because Jason wont eat casseroles)
Ground Beef
When I'm organized, I buy a 5lb. roll of beef. While 2 lbs of it are cooking in a skillet, I mix 1 lb of it in a bowl to make meatballs. Then I freeze them after I shape them. Then I use the same exact bowl and mix up meatloaf and freeze it in a bag. (After the meatballs are frozen, throw them in a bag). You can stick the baggie in the fridge the day before or that morning to defrost. You can also stick the meatballs frozen in the oven, but watch them closely so they wont burn. They will take about 35 minutes to cook. The 2 lbs of meat that I brown, I add 2 packets of taco seasoning to it and let it simmer, then let it cool and freeze. Ground beef can be refrozen and it refreezes well.
Meatballs and Meatloaf
Both recipes are similar. Both can be served with a brown gravy, ketchup, BBQ sauce or plain. I will usually have one the first week and the other the second week. Leftovers are good in a sandwich, beef stroganoff (if it doesn't have sauce on it), spaghetti (if it only had ketchup on it) or refrozen.
Taco Meat
I usually cook 2 lbs of taco meat at once and freeze it into two containers. Tacos are the one way that Jeffery will willingly eat meat. Taco meat can also be mixed with rice or refried beans if you don't want to consume so much meat at once or are looking for variety. Leftover taco meat is excellent in chili or can be used in a quesadilla. I buy those "taco bell" kits at Wal-Mart. They are $2.25 and come with 6 soft tacos, 6 cruchy tacos, salsa packet, seasoning and Kool-Aid. Buying the taco bell kit is cheaper than purchasing everything separately.
A Simple Invitation:)
This was cut with the cartridge "A Child's Year". One of the things I love about the full-content cartidges are all the "bonus" cuts: all the icons and tags, beyond the origional cut. This cute cupcake was cut at 4.5. The green layer was embossed with the "swiss dots" embossing folder, the cherry was embossed with "divine swir"l and the tag was cut with my sizzix scallop tag (red die) and embossed with "floral screen".
Monday, January 3, 2011
Couponing Tips
When I'm organized, I am a coupon shopper.
Here are the keys to being sucessful:
1) Think of it as a job.
a. Make time to do it.
b. have organization materials (binders, etc.)
2) You have to anticipate what you need. I know there are certain things I will always need to buy and use: deoderant, toothbrushes, femine supplies, toothpaste, paper towels, etc. Stock up when you can get a deal. The key to getting good deals is to be able to anticipate so you can buy it at the right time.
3) Buy only stuff that you will actually use. Getting something that doesn't apply to you or your family isn't a good deal if its just going to be clutter.
4) Read the ads and know store policies: which price match, which have store coupons that can coupon stack, price guarantees, double coupons, etc.
5) Find out it your favorite stores have a rewards program. Sometimes I stop in CVS just to scan my rewards card to get extra coupons. I get killer deals there when I'm organized.
6) Get online. www.pinchingyourpennies.com has tons of shopping lists that help you get started as well as links for coupons. This summer there were several coupons for a new razor, average retail price was around $9 and there were several manf. coupons for $4 off. Well, I found the razor at walgreens for $7, with a deal to get $4 off my next purchase and with my coupon, I made a dollar right then PLUS from the pinchingyourpennies.com, I found a rebate and got a check for $8 in the mail.
Here are the good things on this site:
a. shopping lists that help you match up current coupons with sales at chain stores and tell you how to get good deals, like getting store coupons from your purchase and making a second purchase right away.
b. rebates
c. coupons
7) CVS. Here are some of my CVS ways to get deals
a. They have store coupons- get them online and in the kiosk * use both
b. They have their register rewards programs to get dollars off your next purchase
c. Green Bag program* buy their green bag tag for $1, then bring in a reuable bag when you shop, get your tag scanned and every 4th scan gets you a CVS dollar.
d. Every $20 you spend on pictures gets you a free 8x10. If you pick up your pictures between 3-5 pm., its "happy hour" and you get 10% off pictures. When you order pictures on CVS online, get a minimum of $5 worth of prints or you get a $1.50 fee.
e. Match your coupons with their sales/deals/register reward items. They have deals on old spice body wash from time to time to get $4 in register rewards when you buy one. I get buy 1 get 1 free coupons for those, so I can make $4 off that when they have a limit of 2.
f. When you you use your extra care card, you get 2% back in store credit at the beginning of each quarter. Just today I printed off a certificate for $5.50.
8) Prescriptions: many stores have a deal where you get a gift card when you tranfer prescriptions. I got a $25 CVS one the other day for filling an $11 prescription. My sister buys prescriptions every month and circulates between walgreens, CVS and Target to get a gift card every month.
9) Look for deals like Angel Food Ministries where you are ordering with a mass amount of people privately to get wholesale prices. Google Angle Food Ministries and you will find a location, usually a church to get good deals. I haven't done this yet, but the deals are great.
10) Printing coupons online
a. Dont limit yourself to 1 website
b. you can recycle the backs of paper to save money
c. swich from every day printing to fast/economy printing
d. dont use color ink: which to black only
.
Here are the keys to being sucessful:
1) Think of it as a job.
a. Make time to do it.
b. have organization materials (binders, etc.)
2) You have to anticipate what you need. I know there are certain things I will always need to buy and use: deoderant, toothbrushes, femine supplies, toothpaste, paper towels, etc. Stock up when you can get a deal. The key to getting good deals is to be able to anticipate so you can buy it at the right time.
3) Buy only stuff that you will actually use. Getting something that doesn't apply to you or your family isn't a good deal if its just going to be clutter.
4) Read the ads and know store policies: which price match, which have store coupons that can coupon stack, price guarantees, double coupons, etc.
5) Find out it your favorite stores have a rewards program. Sometimes I stop in CVS just to scan my rewards card to get extra coupons. I get killer deals there when I'm organized.
6) Get online. www.pinchingyourpennies.com has tons of shopping lists that help you get started as well as links for coupons. This summer there were several coupons for a new razor, average retail price was around $9 and there were several manf. coupons for $4 off. Well, I found the razor at walgreens for $7, with a deal to get $4 off my next purchase and with my coupon, I made a dollar right then PLUS from the pinchingyourpennies.com, I found a rebate and got a check for $8 in the mail.
Here are the good things on this site:
a. shopping lists that help you match up current coupons with sales at chain stores and tell you how to get good deals, like getting store coupons from your purchase and making a second purchase right away.
b. rebates
c. coupons
7) CVS. Here are some of my CVS ways to get deals
a. They have store coupons- get them online and in the kiosk * use both
b. They have their register rewards programs to get dollars off your next purchase
c. Green Bag program* buy their green bag tag for $1, then bring in a reuable bag when you shop, get your tag scanned and every 4th scan gets you a CVS dollar.
d. Every $20 you spend on pictures gets you a free 8x10. If you pick up your pictures between 3-5 pm., its "happy hour" and you get 10% off pictures. When you order pictures on CVS online, get a minimum of $5 worth of prints or you get a $1.50 fee.
e. Match your coupons with their sales/deals/register reward items. They have deals on old spice body wash from time to time to get $4 in register rewards when you buy one. I get buy 1 get 1 free coupons for those, so I can make $4 off that when they have a limit of 2.
f. When you you use your extra care card, you get 2% back in store credit at the beginning of each quarter. Just today I printed off a certificate for $5.50.
8) Prescriptions: many stores have a deal where you get a gift card when you tranfer prescriptions. I got a $25 CVS one the other day for filling an $11 prescription. My sister buys prescriptions every month and circulates between walgreens, CVS and Target to get a gift card every month.
9) Look for deals like Angel Food Ministries where you are ordering with a mass amount of people privately to get wholesale prices. Google Angle Food Ministries and you will find a location, usually a church to get good deals. I haven't done this yet, but the deals are great.
10) Printing coupons online
a. Dont limit yourself to 1 website
b. you can recycle the backs of paper to save money
c. swich from every day printing to fast/economy printing
d. dont use color ink: which to black only
.
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