HAVE A BLESSED AND SAFE FOURTH!

UNFORTUNATELY I AM SELFISH...I THINK THE TRUE HEROS AND THOSE WE SHOULD IDOLIZE ARE THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED TO GIVE US THE FREEDOM EACH AND EVERYDAY....THANKYOU TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE, WHO ARE AND WILL SERVE. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJNqep77vBw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERJo5IXPhdc

COUPONS...COUPONS..I met a blogger (sorta) and THANKYOU!

Please folks- I love coupons as much as the next person but when you abuse and see if you can slip or use the wrong coupon on the wrong item..it ruins it for those who really buy the products and do it honestly....


that said also to the managers of stores - please read up on how to tell if a coupon is real...yes there are internet coupons of which I no longer use because the stores piss and moan is it legal BUT companies are now sending out coupons printed on paper..but if you have a brain you will read how to tell if its real...scratch the back with a coin and if it shows the imprint of such and such it is real- also the codes on the front are different...I did not print them so do not tell me you think they are fraudualant and call me a thief. Yep I had a local store tell me a coupon that I had just gotten in the mail and went to try the product and shop told me the coupons I had were fake- darn I should be printing money- he ran off and called several people telling them he had fake coupons- wow- go close a door so I do not hear your crappy comments cause second by second your mouth is running you are losing me as a future customer. He walks back and tells me I am trying to pass fake coupons and that the company that sent them to me which was a well known company sent me fake coupons. I had over 80 bucks in stuff in my cart and said give me my coupons back, you want to treat a person like crap you are going to lose a customer- its not a big store chain but they have plenty in the states I go to...I take a coin out of my pocket and say if you read the coupon it says verifi by scratching the back with a coin- oh I did he states-its not a real coupon..I told him I saw him use his fingernail and a key..not a coin. Oh it mught be real, I am still not going to allow your coupons- wow, I said think twice about accusing your customers because you just lost one for good- seriopusly I have had enough of your treatment- they sell higher than other stores, older items and out of date- enough was enough. He proceeds to tell me this is a Christian store- language such as mine will not be tolerated..hey bud- Christians do not treat others the way you treated you me today- a little trust instead of being a scummy manager and making me feel like a lowlife saying you are trying to pass fradulant coupons right to my face. No apologies, nothing- yes I said something nasty but I was already at the point where it was deserved and he said if I don't like it don't come back into my store- wow- you may own stock in the store but its now your store- doesn't matter you treat an honest customer like crap- you have lost a customer- last year alone my receipts for your store were 3800 before coupons- and yes every coupon was real and you just sent me to your biggest competitor in a time where companies are struggling to stay in business. So if you are a worker...a cashier..a manager- think before you open your mouth...you do not lose money on coupons and learn wheat is real and what is not..just do not jump on a customer like they are a thief because you look like an ass yourself and am sure your employees thought your actions were uncalled for too. Yes the home office was called, I doubt they call me back but hope they review the tape and fire his butt...no not very forgiving or Christian..but at this point I am tired of being treated like a criminal just because I have a coupon and want to save money. Yes I smiled for their security camera and said look at my face because my family nor I will walk into your crappy stores again.

On another note a big BIGGGGGG store recently told my husband and I who had two large carts of groceries and it was all rang up and bag- sorry you have too many coupons- we have a 40 coupon limit...since when??? The laziness of the cashier and the manager-? we had 218 items and 96 coupons....what did my husband do? He took the coupons out of the cashiers and managers hands when they said we cannot honor all these (husband had too many coupons)and went out of the store- I was like oh crap we just spent over an hour shopping..he said let put it back- not gonna deal with the stupidness of stores who think they do not get money back from coupons- hey they get the sales of the items, plus a handling fee for the coupon- the store loses nothing- another educating of coupons to store workers.
Husband went off and did other things and then went to another store and before even shopping asked the manager is there a rule for coupons...manager stated if it is a valid coupon they accept it, and they take as many as I can use as long as the item was the item stated on the coupon.

Please people so if you work in a store educate yourself on what is a real coupon- it is not a free item from the store- the store just got paid plus a handling fee. I am no less a person just because I am being smart and using coupons so I can pay my electric bill this summer or water..or whatever bill..either way not everyone using a coupon is committing a scam or trying to pull something and they should be treated with respect.



On another note I sorta met a blogger this week in my area- but I did not say hello because I was more embarrassed at all she was doing- yep she was in w doing her rr deals in front of me with coupons bitching that the store owes her money because of the overage- hey with coupons they do not have to give back overage- if it says 5.00 off and the items 2.56 they do not owe you the money- they just take off the value of the item...and the fact she asked for a manager and was popping out her boobs squeezing and bending ov er as she was talking and stating you know I have a blog and I could mention all the deals on my blog for a little discount- OMG!!!!! her little ones were right there- the manager told her nope and she was pushing the fact she has a blog...and trying to show cleavage for a discount- oh lordie!

See this is why I try to shop a couple big trips each month- people have gone nuts in the world...and coupons and discounts are partially to blame.

Also I want to thank Almost Frugal for the mothers day giveaway- that I won- http://almostfrugal.com/2009/05/03/the-mothers-day-giveaway/ although two of the companies did not send out the prizes which really was disapppointing but please Almost Frugal it does not reflect on you but instead on the shops- I hope you dealt with them and will never advertise for them due to the fact they do not honor their deals.... Thankyou ebill me with csn stores were fast and great about the prize and sent it out speedy, thankyou to the other companies who sent out the prizes- they are so wonderful and so pretty- thankyou CSN Stores ,snugs boutique Snugs Boutique,picklethings(what a cute bag)PickleThings ,OhSewCuteDesigns and Quiltdream. Thankyou for sending out the beautiful prizes that I could share with my family- yep I know it was for moms- but I like to share.

DO YOU LIVE IN YOUR HOUSE OR DO YOU SHOW YOUR HOUSE?

I recently was on a chat with several other men and women who posted pictures of their houses- you know what...none of them looked lived in. Yes some may be selling their homes but I live in my house..I have appliances on the counter, my trash is full, and my floor has footprints. We live in our house, its not perfect...but you know what? I don't mind- we live, laugh and love in our house. Yes I have to holler about the trash overflowing at times but such is life. I used to feel odd that my house was not like my house growing up- sterile, plastic and lysolled to death. My house growing up had a large warm living room that was carpeted but we could only walk on the plastic flooring to get to the other rooms since it was also a walkway..and our family room was cold and sterile. Our games growing up were in perfect condition when the folks donated them..almost new- you know what- our monopoly money is bent and has fingerprints- OHNOS! I want my children to know that a home is for living, not to impress others, but instead a place to live and learn and laugh. Yes we treat things with respect but we use them and not save them to always look perfect. We cook, we draw - we play..we sleep. It is a safe place for them where they can be themselves....take off their shoes, wear a shirt with a hole and not worry if someone is going to judge them on anything. So my question to you today....is your house a home? Do you actually live, love and laugh in your home? or is your home a showcase where you worry to death what if someone drops by what will they think? I have thought about it this way- you can't take it with you....use it and enjoy...if you are going to have it for show give it to someone else who will love it and use it- things are meant to be used, things break and get dirty...its life. I guess I am the odd one out because I do not compete with the jones, I am happy with what I have and do not have a need to impress the world.

CHECK OUT WHAT YOU CAN WIN FOLKS...THIS IS TOO COOL

CLICK ON IT TO SEE HOW YOU CAN WIN ONE- ITS REALLY EASY- IF I DID IT YOU CAN TOO!

THE SUMMER HAS ONLY BEGUN.....

those not so wonderful lazy days of summer....

It is the first few days of June and I realize this is going to be a long, long summer. Nope we have not turned on the air yet, and that may be part of it, but I want to wait till I am totally melting and there is no breeze at all but what gets me, what really gets me is they are home and they fill the sink and act like they did not see the clean dishwasher, yet where did they get that gigantic bowl to eat out of? THE DISHWASHER NEEDS TO BE UNLOADED BEFORE THE SINK FILLS UP AND ALREADY NEEDS TO BE RUN!!!!!!!!!! But Mom I don't know where some of this stuff goes...wow they did learn something from dad- that is his excuse for not unloading.

The other thing that is making me beyond irritated and I am just at the point of yelling some nasty words and filling the curse jar with coins.....is the trash around the house- every can has been full since Sunday night, and I have decided to see how far they let it go....its Tues and trash is Thursday..when will they take it out???? I am watching them gently place trash like its a puzzle, very strategically placing a crushed item to where it will not knock it all down...its just not one of them playing this game...its all of them, even the husband. Me.. I have decided to see how far it goes. I have even gotten to the point where I am walking and finding a trash can that is less full if I have something, but generally am just not using packaging. Yep to them its a place and run and pray it does not fall down-

I am an easy going mom but its the beg of a long hot summer and at some point in the next few days a good portion of my pocket change is going to go into a glass jar because I got tired of saying its time to get up and take out the trash ...I am going to be screaming and I know it. Yes I am human, I am not perfect and they know summer is a chance to detox and relax but being a total freaking slob and maybe I did something wrong along the way but there are going to be big rules set if I have to scream....Looks like time for the chore chart...since I do not have nannies and cooks and helpers...its time to set up a summer chore chart.

and no doubt my son will say yeh yeh I know you brought me into this world and you can take me out...but I am thinking pink underwear and tshirts for all- afterall the washing machine works like crap, it could have been a mistake. :)

CHECK THIS OUT AT AS THEY GROW UP

http://www.astheygrowup.com/2009/05/uprinting-giveaway-win-16x20-gallery.html

WHEN DID YOU GET A PUPPY?

Life is strange- yep- you come into this world naked and pooping with no control and you go out the same way...well most of us.
The first time I thought of potty training I heard all sorts of tales of whats right and wrong, and oh no your child is slow because she is 3 still using diapers....she was the first and I guess I wanted my baby girl a baby as long as possible before she was a teen and so on.

Now my kids have all been different- none the same- and each is their own person but the funniest is my second child because he came 5 years later...and he was the most fun with diapers. I do say fun because he was an early walker too which made life really fun. He did not like diapers- or clothes for that fact but the day I really realized he no longer belonged in diapers- I was having a girl scout meeting in my house and he ran thru naked as a jaybird showing the girls all he got...and that was not bad but when a girl in the troop said oh when did you get a puppy was the day I knew he was truly ready for pulldowns and potty training. What did he do..why did she ask if we had a puppy? He pooped behind the recliner and it looked like a poopy puppy pile?
Back then there were not pulldowns-wish there were, and I learned about duct tape and keeping diapers on him because he loved to pull them down- he hated diapers....maybe the material- or he just liked to be naked. We had him potty trained in less than a month and saved a ton on diapers. No child was ever like that..but I still smile and laugh, and still hear the comments from the girls who are grown now and tell my son what a cutie he was and still is. Why can't they all be so easy- yep I had the piles on the carpet because he did not like to poop in the diaper- maybe the mushy feeling against his skin..why can't they all be easy..ok so it was not so easy I had three potties one in the kitchen, one in the bathroom and one in the livingroom so he could drop and do it. Yes, he did learn quick and we had one in the bathroom after a few months, but boy it was so easy and never so easy again- he spoiled me for the rest.
The good old days- oh wait they are still going on- and I figure someday one of them may just change my diaper-or will I run around naked as a jaybird leaving it where the wind blows too- but then it won't be so funny becuase I will be an old lady who has no bowel control not a cute little baby with a cute little tush swinging his thing and smiling and looking innocent. Maybe they will give me a potty in each room for self control- who knows- I was gentle with them and patient when they were young- and I hope they put the best and softest diapers on my old wrinkly but when I get old!

for those beg the training with their first- be patient- each one is unique and different...don't stress it and if you need a potty in everyroom, well get a potty for a few rooms. Enjoy it now, learn to laugh for soon they will grow up and miss the shot in their bathroom...it never ends.
GO CHECK THIS OUT

1) http://www.pull-upspottyproject.com
2) http://blog.parentbloggers.com

Bubble Blowing Skirt and Top GIVEAWAY!!!!

Bubble Blowing Skirt and Top GIVEAWAY!!!!

IS YOUR GLASS HALF EMPTY OR HALF FULL?

Have you ever jumped out of bed to make sure you see the sunrise? I make sure I see the sunrise every morning because I look at it as a new day- another day in my life that God has given me.

I admit I grew up with a crappy childhood- my teenage years were hell so in my mind I created my future...and it was a successful woman- never having to ask for anything from anyone..single, independent and wealthy.
Marriage and children were not in the picture at all. I had a focus of what I thought was a happy life in my head.
Then it happened- what happened? Life happened..at some point I fell in love..made babies..and life happened. I realized what was important and that real love does not hurt. I woke up and knew it was actions and hugs and feelings that made my life wonderful- I no longer needed things.


Life happened again..just when things were somewhat smooth my baby boy was born with a hole in his heart- he was not going to make it. Life was really throwing the crap at me and I had to figure out alot..like why and what is God trying to teach me. It was way before internet chat boards and I felt like I was alone but I learned that I always have someone walking with me. He never had surgery, it healed on its own over time. I prayed alot and my son survived and is actually in college right now- strong and good looking and healthy. For awhile things were going a little better and then my husband could no longer work- he was injured in the military and had lots of medical problems. But he came home to me one day and no longer could work. I learned before then about couponing for fun but now it was survival. I learned to focus on family and importance of being there. I had so many people say he can longer provide- leave him and find a good man. Well, God put us together and I will stand by my man and support thru whatever He chooses for us. We survive and I have learned to be a better person..to focus on what we have and not what we don't have. I have learned it does not matter what others have because on the outside they may be all happy and driving fancy cars BUT look into that window and see the strains of debt, and not being with each other because of work and activities.


Yes, we have been thrown alot of mudballs in life- cancer- heart problems and financial problems to name a few but and its a big BUT we have made it thru - some of the storms are still brewing but we are survivors. I have survived cancer- fingers crossed as it has come back before and no doubt again...but I am ok- we go on- people live- people die...its a part of life.

So I ask you, do you look at things as my glass is half empty or is it half full? DO YOU look at things as what you HAVE or what you don't have?


Everyone is going thru financial hardships right now but I thank God I have a roof over my head and my family nearby.


I look at my view of life as Thank you God for letting me wake up and see another day, to learn more and for more wonderful hugs.

I even hate those fingers and paws under the door when I am in the bathroom, but when they are gone I miss them even though they drive me crazy when it happens.

I cherish the little oddities of life and am thankful for each day, no matter how crazy it may be because God gave it to me.

I am not a big religious person- really I am not, but I do know God is walking with me, and is listening to me. God may be saying things to me and I am trying to understand all He is telling me and teaching me...I know He is listening to me, he may not answer the way I like or want but He has a reason. What is my best view? My outlook on life- to live, love and laugh and cherish each day as if it were my last. Things are great in life but I cannot take them with me...I want people to remember me for what I have done..not what I have left them. I want them to have memories and to learn things are not important in life. When I die I want at least one person to be able to say I made a difference in their life..I pretty sure many can say that..but that's what I want to make a difference in peoples lives not leave things- I want to make a difference and make wonderful memories that they remember. No pictures can show you what I view as my best view because its my thought- my attitude, I believe my attitude of not giving up has taken me on this long path, and yes I am still asking God why he has put me thru it all..but they say God only gives you want you can handle..wow I must be pretty tough then.

My best view is in my heart and in my head- to be positive no matter what is slung at you in life..because you will get thru it. It does not seem like it at times but you will. Live life how you want to live, not how the jones family is living- enjoy what you have, cherish what you have and go hug your family.

Maybe wake wake up a little bit earlier tomorrow morning to thank God for the wonderful day he has given to you as a gift. Open the drapes and let the sun come thru the window, feel the warmth and look at its beauty.

This has been part of a parent bloggers blast along with windex. Oh I love windew and the amazingly funny commercials they have and love the quality of their products and love that parent bloggers brings parents together. Go check these sites out. You can also go take a quiz to see if you have WWAS (window washing avoidance syndrome- haha!). Yes, I sorta have WWAS- uh oh! Windex also has a great coupon offer up on the site.
1) http://www.windexoutdoor.com
2) http://blog.parentbloggers.com

MOM FOREVER AND EVER

As we near the weekend let me state to my Mother as well as to all mothers...

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
My mother taught me so much in life, and it took me awhile but also realized to thank her everyday because everyday should be Mother's Day. She is beautiful inside and out, and very early taught me no mom is ever perfect like on tv- there is no Mrs. Cleaver. Mother passed on to be to be strong in life and stay true to what I believe, that it was ok to be me and not sway with the crowd.....and that is what I have done. When my father died many years ago, I truly realized what a strong person she is and what had been dealt to her over life and I thank my mom for going thru all she did in life to take care of and show love to her children.

I love that my widows peak is like hers and I see the little things here and there, the shapes of our fingers, the birthmarks on our arms,....there is no mistaking she indeed is my mother. I look like her and I am stubborn like her.
In life people treasure things- but I have cherished the memories and time with my mother. There are so many things mother has taught me over time and I thank my mother for giving all her time and love to care enough. Yes, I am one of the odd ones that thanks my mother year round for all she has done over the years- many many years. Yes I look like my mother, and act like mother. Thankyou mom and thankyou Granny for raising my mother with love to be a beautiful mom, I hope I am doing you proud.

I cherish the fact I am a mom, and the title of mom is forever and ever from conceiving on..those little wrinkled hands and feet grow up and sometimes are bigger than life when they are done but you are still a mother no matter what age, or if they are mommies and daddies themselves. It is an underpaid, underappreciated, overworked job but you do it with love and care because God has placed trust in you.

Yes, Mother's Day is coming up, and please pick up the phone and say thank you...BUT thank her everyday. I do understand some dads take the jobs of moms in life for different reasons...and don't forget to thank them too.

JOHNSON'S® Brand is having their second annual Celebrity Hand Me Down charity auction runs from 7 pm PT on Thursday May 7 through 7 pm PT on Thursday May 14, featuring items donated by celebrity moms Gwyneth Paltrow and Jessica Alba. All proceeds will benefit the new global JOHNSON'S® NO MORE TEARS® Clean Water initiative via their well-known charitable giving site, Baby Cause. Go here to check it out http://www.ebay.com/celebritymoms. This has been a part of the pbn blog blast http://blog.parentbloggers.com . I still had planned on wishing all Happy Mom's Day but wanted to spread the word about the Johnson's auction too, go check it out and ...

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL!


Thank you to all who give their heart and their time in life, to sit and make snowangels, or hold a child when the boogie man is at the window. Thank you to all who have been like a mother in my life, who have guided me along the way- the teachers, the friends, the neighbors who I have grown attached to in life when I have been far away from my mother. Thankyou for reaching out and showing that a mother is not just one who gives birth but wears her heart on her sleeve.

Well well well..now its all my kitchen...

and speaking of spring cleaning......

I have been sick with something for the past few days- although functioning to the best I could, yep this week has been a week of slap it together and help yourself to cereal..sorry but migraines tend to do that and it seemed like the flu hit on top of it- or something...anyway I was in a coma and well my husband said guess what its spring..you know how I know?
Ok my reply was not nice but then he said something really pretty was on the kitchen counter for me and I thought maybe some flowers- who knew...I stumbled back and there they were ants- not everywhere just on one area ( and they lookied like they were having a problem becuase they were just going in circles- like lost souls) of the counter and they came up from under the sink from the outside...ok he said "Your kitchen is being overrun"- ok so I clean it up and spray and yep its a battle but they come in- its life- I cleaned up and threw on clothes and let off bug bombs and carted all off to walmart to let the air in the house cleaned up- Silly question now- its my kitchen and I asked him and he said yep your kitchen- oh heck.. I use it the most- No crap sherlock- I cook and bake for your big but but its my kitchen- since its my kitchen your but is on a diet......so its my food! The he tells me the laundry room is mine too because I use it the most- oh wow..thanks my own room- all nice and private. That cast iron pot is looking like its about to hit a head...oops back to the conversation...and the bathroom is mine because I use more water to wash my hair, bath and do other things- whoa hold on there..won't even go there. Yep so now I have my own rooms in the house- how so cool- rooms to cook and clean for others...of which most I don't mind- but good thing I don't have exlax right now because he might be getting a special batch of brownies so he can sit on his throne- oh wait thats my room-

Nope no fighting but sometimes I gotta wonder where he lost a part of his brain- oh wait I put the flashlight up to his ear and the light goes straight thru- nuff said....:)
and yes I still have a migraine and still sweating up a storm but you know what I could be dying and they would have me make em dinner before I checked out.

Enjoy the good life at Champagne Living!

Are you an Oscar or a Felix?

DO YOU DO SPRING CLEANING? DO YOU NEVER CLEAN.....OR ARE YOU NICKNAMED FELIX YEAR ROUND?

I used to be a neat freak..nope seriously- as a kid I loved watching the odd couple and being like felix. Wow...life has changed. I used to use lysol to wipe everything down....wow things have certainly changed....

As a teen something happened but my life took a turn- I think I know but the fact is life never was the same..I did not care- I was still organized but not wiping up after and the coaster freak I used to be. Life went on and I got worse..yep- I had children and I cleaned but didn't care- things were clean and tidy but there was no more excitement over organization or cleaning like I used to have.

I think I realized in my life it was ok if something was not perfect as I had to be as a kid, and did not want that strain on my kids. I know, I know so my kids are slobs..well not slobs but not perfectionists for organizing closets and drawers and do not have to wipe down the bathroom everyday, etc. Might be a bad mother to some but after going thru cancer I figured there were more important things in life to concentrate on.

Yes we do have to have a major spring clean because the windows are closed, and everything seems darker and tighter. Unfortunately it still feels like winter here so not even a little motivation has kicked in to start....you know wiping down the fan blades for accumulated dust- yep dusting the blades is a great sign spring is a coming, cleaning windows and washing drapes. That's the first sign I am ready for any type of spring cleaning..and washing the comforters to put away for the season- yes I was cleaned the down comforter and stored that away 2 months ago but its still windy and cold out..no heat needed but rain and wind don't help and feeling like fall does not add to me feeling like Oscar. Another sign I am ready for spring cleaning is when I change out the appliances I use and store the extra crockpots and put away alot- the counter is alot cleaner for a few months- if I get motivated.

Another thing I do every spring is go through my books and donate what I have already read and take up to the local veterans hospital or the high school to be used, and the clothes well we donate what we can to the shelters.

I go through the house and change out the batteries of the smoke detectors each spring, and put new lightbulbs outside and where they are important. But after all that it still is not a showcase....its a home- lived in with piles, and things out..and I am not sorry, its lived in and that's what a home is for- to live, create memories. I see people with homes where you do not sit in the living room, or the dining room...that to me is a waste- I want to live and use my house...not have it as a showcase.....I don't care what the neighbors are doing but I indeed will use my furniture and indeed it will have but marks and paw marks from where people sat and lived. My furniture is not matching or stylish, some antique, some not- when I die whoever wants it can have it but I am going to use it while I am alive. That fancy china will be used all the time- not hidden in a cupboard for one or two holidays a year.


Back to spring cleaning, yep I have started decluttering a pile of this here and there but the major stuff has not happened and will happen slowly when the mood and weather hits- caution do not clean when in a bad mood- does not help either. Also make a box of keep, toss, donate..that helps the sorting. Some never have to do spring cleaning because they are always on top of everything and throw it all away and always are cleaning...I choose to live like Oscar in this stage of life..may not be great for all involved but its alot less stressful and life goes on even if there is a pile of laundry sitting over there to be washed for a few days or if things are not perfect. Hope your spring cleaning goes great...I will let you know when I get in the mood to start mine or just come visit and if you see the fan blades have been dusted then you know I have started my slow journey into summer. This has been posted as part of the PBN BLOG BLAST -METHODS TO YOUR CLEANING MADNESS http://www.howicleannow.com http://blog.parentbloggers.com
Are you an Oscar or a Felix?

Make wonderful Memories

Hope and pray you all had a blessed Easter, we stayed in and well....eggs were 1.48 a dozen where we shop and no one had great deals in the area so I went the save money route( wow when people posted they got them for 50 cents a dozen did I get jealous because I would have bought tons to decorate and freeze for baking- oh well)....I love my eggs, scrambled and in quiche and if there was some miracle of egg salad without mayo- and yep have tried ranch dressing I probably would boil more, but I sure love my eggs for cheesecakes and quiches and omelets. This year I decided two dozen was the limit for decorating and we did not dye- we used paint and markers, everyone got to be creative and do a few. Now before you say how bad am I..I did not even do the candy this year in the plastic eggs for the kiddos- each one got a special color egg to look for and hints like a treasure map and had to figure it out themselves (and we did it in the house because of the rain). When they found the special egg there were little prizes for each when they redeemed the egg and coupon inside. Yep, it indeed rained the day before, on Easter and the day after so it would have been too muddy anyway so my laziness or lack of motivation for hunting looked like I was a wonderful mom...but then I was told they need to hunt and get candy and eggs..nope we had our pretty eggs decorated on the table (no we do not eat them for safety reasons). Sure the kids got candy..I won a wonderful box from Tootsie roll and a blogger contest and it arrived the Friday before and well..lets just say- fedex got some candy...and so did the local veterans hospital..nurses, patients and staff and there was some left for my family but I felt so wonderful passing out the yummy treats and seeing the smiles.
We leave the eggs on display for the week to beautify the house ( or until they begin to smell or accidentally crack) and then yesterday morning we all went out to the field by the house and played smash (by the way I boil the eggs but do not really hard boil them to save them for this fun event so inside they are a little soft and alot stinky by now). We go to the field with a huge plastic black flat bat- I guess you could call it a paddle and take turns whomping and playing ball with the eggs- does not last long but sure is fun and if it happens to break then oh well you get to smell it but its the fun of whacking it out in the field as far as you can go.. we used to have a tossing contest but to many ended up really stinky so this is what we do and goes to the field and goes back into the earth- ok so a little green ..maybe..well I tried. Well that is what we do with our eggs, I just do not hide them because of safety and the stink if I forgot one or a dog decided yummy treat.. Maybe I am old..maybe I am lazy- but we had fun painting and coloring and putting stickers on- one creative person pulled out her piggy paint and made a heart with her name since it was safe for the earth. We did not do the baskets, they got totebags and laundry bags with a few goodies- things they could use- oops and a few pillowcases too!
Whatever you did do on Easter I hope you all had fun and made alot of memories, even if its not the standard..because life is too short and just becuase someone else is doing this and they feel you are not giving your child a proper celebration..if your children know the true meaning of Easter then you are way ahead of the game. God Bless and have a great week.

For those of you having a marvelous recipe for an egg salad type without any type of miraclwhip or mayo I would love to see them- and try them. I have tried the ranch route and that was not too good so send them my way if you are a creative person and have some ideas.

And remember eggs are wonderful- I love making them in the morning and microwaving a potatoe and cutting it up when its done and adding a little bacon salt and having a yummy breakfast- filling, affordable and healthy.

Thanks to 1) http://www.incredibleegg.org for amazing recipes and information to look at (Go look they have a cooking school) and
2) http://blog.parentbloggers.com

SOMETIMES YOU NEED TO JUST RELAX...

Yes, folks I am alive...took a little spring break...did not go anywhere except the store and to the bathroom but it was still a break nonetheless.

I enjoyed staying up late with the kids- watching movies and playing games..things I will cherish forever and times I hope to never forget.

It is warmer outside and things have gotten busy but pray you are all enjoying your family and making cherished memories. I pray that you all are enjoying the warm weather and fresh air and sunshine..for those of you in snow I am sorry. I guarantee the snow and cold is not gone here but I am enjoying it while I can.

Happy Spring to all..

GOING GREEN COSTS ALOT OF GREEN

I do admit, by nature I try to see the bigger picture and am proud of those homes who have it all together and do the solar powered thing and recycle everything and grow their own produce. I live in a rented house and do go to the farmers market and buy organic produce when its comparable and try to stick to buying locally of anything. But it gets so expensive to really be green.. so I may just carry my bags, and donate and repurpose what I can, at least I am trying. May not be alot but at least I do what I can, and thats all anyone should ask of anyone else...do what they can...because every little bit counts...really I am trying and trying to teach my kids, its hard but we do what we can.


1) http://www.naturessourcecleaners.com
2) http://blog.parentbloggers.com

IT'S NOT ALWAYS THEIR FAULT

My kids are amazing and over the years I have heard excuses for the kids not being able to sleep....like I want to go potty....there was a monster at the window, there are bugs crawling on the ceiling,I just wanted to give you a hug (ok that one makes me want to cuddle with them awhile). How about this one..so and so farted (or even the dog farted)- or the dog was snoring(or having a nightmare and barking) and woke me up. Ok those are all excuses I have heard and have heard alot. As I sit here 3:30 am in the morning I realize my kids are awesome and patient, yep I knew it before but when they wake up from noises in the house that are true and are sweet about it, well that makes me smile. Yep there are times when my kids wake up and want to see what goes on when they are asleep because we work at night from home alot, and my husband tries to not sleep at night because of circumstances beyond his control. What are those circumstances you may ask? My husband sleeps with an oxygen machine that can get very noisy..how noisy? Well when he does sleep later in the night, it will make a loud suction sound like a huge bath drain..and then he snores to add to the noise and makes snore sounds like a jackhammer and scares the kids like they are being sucked down the tub drain- or wherever and they get scared. I admit its a challenge as he pulls the mask off and mumbles and he does the manly noisy too...wow no wonder why I tell him put it back on my eyeballs start to hurt like a migraine is gonna hit - Yep I watch to make sure he keeps it on because he stops breathing in his sleep-so I don't sleep soundly at all. I have tried sound machines to help cover some of the noise and yes I still cna tell when it is off and on- its just so loud! They do not work...so I have the tv on so when I sleep and yep the tv is on I am listening to the tv and not him( and yes I am afraid of the monsters in the closet too- that is why my closet is beyond stuffed). Poor kids when they do get scared of snakes on the wall or monsters under the bed, they tend to turn on the big light and wake up eveyone else because the nightlights we have are in the outlets and tend to not be so bright and have dark spaces here and there. I was notified of some awesome sylvania products like

PalPODzzz™ Portable Nightlight - Ladybug and

PalPODzzz™ Portable Nightlight - Rocket Ship

Nope not a paid review- I am going to go look for them in the store because they are not just a nightlight that sits on a dresser or nightstand next to te bed of the child, but a flashlight-oops I mean Rechargeable LED Flashlight - no battery searching when the kids play chase the bugs or make my name or play light wars. These things are neat and have 3 Functions in 1:

LED Emergency Back Up Light during power outages

Rechargeable LED Flashlight

LED Nightlight

The company has alot of stuff go take a look at their site and see all the neat new stuff they have- hey we could of used some of the stuff when we recently had an ice storm with the power on and off. Go check out the new inventive things they have at http://www.sylvaniaonlinestore.com and go check out http://blog.parentbloggers.com as they are having an Are You Afraid of the Dark? promotion. Yes I admit I am afraid of the dark, and yes my kids know it and yes I turn on the light when going down the hallway because I am afraid of the dark of what I might step on...or bump into.
How about you..are you afraid of the dark?

YOUR CHILD MAY NOT BE TELLING YOU WHAT YOU HEAR.....

What I mean by that my child came and tugged at me while I was cooking...and stated....


"I was in the potty and now I am empty"

ok I took that as no toliet paper, no soap to wash hands...

"Come look"...SO AS A MOM YOU GO L@@K...

and there was soap and toliet paper and the seat is lifted...."SEE..I am all empty now and ready for dinner"

Ok..toliet gross out as I was cooking dinner- I flushed and walked out wondering where that expression came from.

Next time I will proceed with caution as I thought I heard..ok I interpretted something else from it.

Sometimes you have to just laugh...

Caution...before reading this please put down your drink..NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT SHOOTS OUT YOUR NOSE OR MOUTH FROM EXTREME SHOCK OR LAUGHTER!
A couple weeks ago my husband and I celebrated another year of marriage- wedded bliss- well past 20 years but still in love. I do not like going out to restaurants- would rather cook a nice meal and sit at home, I am just one of those unless we are on a trip in a big city. I hate seafood with a passion...it smells, it stinks and hate it in my house- yep when it comes to cooking it is my house. I get in moods to make things for my husband, my poor kids do not like to eat seafood either but I have never said- it stinks or why I do not like it. By the way I do not like it because in the 70's as a kid we opened a can of tuna and there was an eyeball..enough said. I searched out how to cook and make lobster..my husband kept on saying oh..that looks so good when he saw commercials for local places...so I decided I would surprise him and make him lobster..and to surprise him...Well he is home 24/7/365 so that is a hard one right there...so when I get to surprise him I amaze myself. I decided this was the year my husband was gonna get a real treat from me and I read up on the internet..on wonderful cooking sites like culinate.com. Ok so I thought I had prepared for it all, but really should have hired someone from the site to come cook for me when it came to this. They really have taught me how to bake many things but this just went over my head. I read up and prepared up until the morning of our anniversary and went out to get some lobsters at our local supermarket- picked out two because they were 2 for one and picked the biggest because they were a set price. Ok that was the start of my adventure... I had brought a container to place them in instead of the bag and the cashier had decided to tell me he must bag them..and what did I say "I don't want to suffocate them" and the cashier laughed and thought...what was I thinking but only the beginning. I got home and walked in and saw husband was napping so I went into the kids bathroom..yep..the kids bathroom and ran them a bath- not too hot. I also decided they needed a wash so out came the dawn dish detergent......omg and I let them play in the bubbles as much as they could play.
I set up dinner and then my eldest son came home- and well I forgot to tell him what was in the bathroom and he screamed..and then then said he was sitting there and thought it was strange and heard water in the tub and pulled back the curtain and surprise! Yep as Gomer Pyle would say SURPRISE.>SURPRISE! He said it scared the crap out of him....good thing he was in the bathroom! Luckily my husband was still napping..but my son asked me why I was washing them and well I said they were dirty and were swimming in other fish and their fish doodoo. Did I do something wrong? I didn't think so..but son was like its gonna get clean when you boil it..well I wash everything or at least rinse it. That turned into the entertainment and my husband not once wondered or went to the part of the house where the kids had gone to see the lobsters. Personally if it was me if I didn't know what was in there I would have thought they were up to no good. Forward on....husband is at computer and I am making dinner..places are set. He thinks we are having chicken breasts, mac and cheese, rolls, vegetables and cheesecake. Why would I have the big chili pot out?? He thought I was making a huge pot of mac and cheese even though the mac and cheese was already in the oven. Duh duh duh.
He is back at the computer in the next room and I go get the lobsters and carry them in with the laundry - since I have to walk by him...


and then I am in the kitchen and the loudest squeal and high pitched squeaks come out. I felt so bad..... I screamed- why didn't the husband at least ask if I was ok? My son said are you ok Mom...someone told me later it was the air coming out but still felt so bad. Once again the man is like duh, I guess he thought it was the teapot although I have not used the teapot in ages.

I called dinner and everyone was served and husband got a small portion, and started complaining why he was getting such a small portion of just vegetables. Then out came the butter, and he thought why butter - yep real butter for the rolls melted..hmm. Then I brought him his platter- yep a turkey platter with his two lobsters. I had won the battle and the secret was kept...and had a happy hubby who was totally surprised. Yes he was totally surprised..as he sucked and cracked the lobster. I told him if we are married ten more years I might do it again for him but he better save up his money if he wants lobster before then. I loved the adventure of cooking lobster for the first time and really believe it will be my last time...but Paula Deen would be so proud I got real butter! I love my husband but since our anniversary the laughing from all about the bubblebath for my lobsters has not stopped...sorry people I am human, and not a chef. I created a family memory for sure, but have learned save up the pennies and go out so I do not have to hear the squeal sounds..that was horrible. Even if husband just wants to go eat lobster by himself- that is fine but I never want to do that or hear that sound again. Sometimes it is better to just go out and enjoy a little luxury in life and give the restaurant your business... ( or order a precooked meal delivered to the door). So I gave a lobster a bubblebath- they clean ducks in it when they are stuck in oil.

I can laugh now, but that day was full of stress and I looked like a looney lady- asking them to weigh the lobsters to make sure the weights were close to eachother to get my moneys worth, to not suffocating them in a grocery bag to giving them a bubblebath. Life is short and we learn and laugh and yes that day was a day that anyone who was around me will never forget.
Happy Anniversary honey.....next year you can surprise me with a cruise and then you can have all the lobster you want for a whole week!

Puss Ann Guest GIVEAWAY!!!!

Puss Ann Guest GIVEAWAY!!!!

ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLACES TO HANG ON THE NET...BEAUTY STYLE WATCH

I have alot of sites I go and look for reviews of kids items, and recipes but one of my most favorite places to hang is beauty style watch. I personally love the fact I can go read and not feel like I do not belong, I love the fashion and beauty (and seeing the stars in what they wear- and well George Clooney every now and then does not hurt!).
I would love if you went over there and took a look at all they have to offer and meet the beautiful women who run the site. They are about to start a HOT MAMA promotion..and I know alot of you are HOT MAMAS! (My husband cannot keep his hands off of me but it may be that I put food behind my ears to keep him going- ok j/k- but tomm is our anniversary and we are still in love even after 100 years- ok it feels like it but we have been together since sometime in the 80's - thats all I will say!)


http://www.beautystylewatch.com/?p=1538

oh and for some eye candy-Roll down till you see the hunk in the tux!..... http://www.beautystylewatch.com/?p=1405

Thankyou Beth and Te-see for having such a wonderful site!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

My Adventures in Blogging ...

I admit I love reading others blogs...some I learn how to save a buck or print a coupon. Others I read about journeys of life and struggles and conquests. Some of you have mad me laugh, some cry. Overall blogging has been fun. I was asked by someone who or what got me started, and I look back and I was looking at book reviews and also for how to knit blogs. Along the way I have met some awesome people, and some very talented people. I have won a bunch of things and read alot of great reviews of things I may never have known about without playing blog tag from blog to blog. I have been introduced to many new products, thankyou to those who give honest reviews. For those of you who do reviews, let me say this... we as the public love real reviews, if something is not great, please say so and have the courage to do that, not just say its great becuase its a review. Also for those who have giveaways make sure you send out the product or make sure your sponsor sends it out- do a little follow up to show you care because some of your stores and people do not send the items out. I belong to a little chat board where people get disgusted with blogs because they do not get the product and the blogger says tough luck its out of my hands. In a way it reflects bad on your blog as well as the company. I have had a handful not care and I personally will not shop at the shops or buy the products, after not getting an item or a so response. Trust me I hate going to stores and going out, I may not be a normal mom, but going for a gift, or something for my home I first shop online if I can- I love etsy and love when people show me small businesses who are trying to make it, and I give the smaller businesses my money over big dept stores for quality and to help them along. I have been dealing with one of my first wins still- battling with the person because they did not feel they got enough business so they are not sending the win out even though they had made an agreement to give it away- hey great company...the blogger who advertised it was notified but could not do anything(or care to do anything) and in turn I have stopped reading and shopping her links, and the business who was supposed to send it out lost my business...Now I am talking I have been in touch and emailing for 5 1/2 months so I have been nice and patient. Please bloggers follow up and make sure the people are getting the prizes they have been promised because like I said I have seen at least a dozen people post on a chat boards of assorted places not sending out the prizes and it does reflect on your site if they do not get it. You may say hey I do not have enough time to do that- keep a list of winners and email to make sure they got it once a month..you are blogging for that item to be given away too and it should be given away. Please do not flame me or get mad..there are awesome companies that send quick but there are some bloggers who do not care, and I am passing this message on from others who say they want to go to the blogs but most do not seem to care about the readers. Show you care about the readers, and make sure you send a giveaway out in a timely manner or that the company or store you are dealing with does too. Like others I just give up but will never give a shop my business when they pull something like that.

CHECK OUT THIS SITE AND THIS AWESOME GIVEAWAY!

Blushing Buttercream Pettiskirt GIVEAWAY!!!!

Her website is so beautiful and she is so talented!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

We are still repairing/recovering from the famous ice storm of 2009 but as I looked at my photos I saw this and thought how pretty- and amazed it survived without much damage (saw the other side is damaged) considering everything from the roof, to planters and even the fence and more were damaged....thats the sky back there- all white. Yep it is sunny today and cold but thank goodness this is gone for awhile- they say winter weather will be back in a few days but I want to see my birds, and flowers and green grass.