tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19944235188829876782024-03-13T08:49:57.732-07:00Easy LivingUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994423518882987678.post-30320944043002285472010-07-21T06:43:00.000-07:002010-07-21T06:43:13.173-07:00Free BBQ Sauce.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSgUImFMVO8RhDCEvm0gzfbDlyeQBDZV-NdJQi9tayMb-oNr8yTsJ54csxzDNgKmgGnrsTvIshmZVmOT6dke3vWR9OdlsSybiN6fm0MtDoix7u6JTQ6NQAbL-5kmk1bAB7XMoFJJhLPct/s1600/IMG_1037%5B1%5D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSgUImFMVO8RhDCEvm0gzfbDlyeQBDZV-NdJQi9tayMb-oNr8yTsJ54csxzDNgKmgGnrsTvIshmZVmOT6dke3vWR9OdlsSybiN6fm0MtDoix7u6JTQ6NQAbL-5kmk1bAB7XMoFJJhLPct/s200/IMG_1037%5B1%5D" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Usually BBQ Sauce doesn't make me happy. However, this one makes me smile! Why? Because it was my very first free item from the grocery store. How was it free? Hyvee had KC Masterpiece BBQ Sauce for 0.99, and I had a $1.00 off coupon for KC Masterpiece BBQ Sauce. I had to take a picture of my first free item. I hope there is many more. This was just an encouragement to keep searching for the best deals...it really does pay off! </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994423518882987678.post-73486359839386164572010-07-20T00:05:00.000-07:002010-07-21T06:35:35.558-07:00the happy wife?<div align="center">I couldn't sleep tonight. I was just laying in bed thinking about <em>everything. </em>Do you ever have those nights? I started to think about my role as a wife. There is a lot of definitions for a wife in our culture today. If you don't believe me...turn on the TV...watch a couple different shows with a husband and wife...then think about the differences. I love to read books about marriage. I love to discuss marital topics. I believe we have lost the focus on the purpose of marriage. We have stepped away from what God designed. We have made our own rules and expectations. We believe that our marriage is suppose to be exactly like the movies. -The happy, beautiful wife is making a gourmet dinner in the picture perfect house. The husband is driving home from work with flowers and a hand written note- Yep, then reality sets in....the baby is crying, the dog won't even eat the dinner you just made, husband walks in with mud on his shoes, and then you wonder if you even brushed your teeth today? I am going to start a series called "<em>the happy wife?</em>"....We need to recapture the joy as a wife. We need to stop focusing on all the negativity. <em>We need to choose to be the happy wife.</em></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994423518882987678.post-25526161181317749342010-07-19T13:29:00.000-07:002010-07-21T06:35:43.330-07:00Money Mondays.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUXICiYixlqz8aDKh_9k1qsEDhrZi7zNkVvY3IybSvHuxmEwZcXyUIp4pLHDedbQimcVLeiD1xYy_mG6Uyq72oFT-BHCy-e_dgFdBBtt7lAUOZC2wS6EmzRk26OcKPCfGrhTmQMqfFqMo/s1600/moneymondays.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUXICiYixlqz8aDKh_9k1qsEDhrZi7zNkVvY3IybSvHuxmEwZcXyUIp4pLHDedbQimcVLeiD1xYy_mG6Uyq72oFT-BHCy-e_dgFdBBtt7lAUOZC2wS6EmzRk26OcKPCfGrhTmQMqfFqMo/s320/moneymondays.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Learning to Manage Money....<em>it takes time</em>. At first I didn't think I had time to spend clipping coupons, looking online for coupons, going to different stores, working on a budget, meal planning, making my own cleaning products, etc. I have really been trying to learn more about grocery shopping (I hope to share all that I am learning on another post)...and I can already see that it is paying off. One of the things I am learning is I can't afford....<em>not to take the time for all this. </em>I look at it like this, if I save $20 at the grocery store, and it takes me let's say two hours to meal plan, look for coupons, and find the good deals....then I made $10 an hour at home while spending time with Mason. (I know it isn't great money, but better than $0!!) I just want to encourage you to take the time...you might be surprised how much time you find...If you have a doctor's appointment, work on your budget while waiting. At every traffic light, think of a meal you would like to make. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Take time to learn how to manage your money, so the money doesn't begin to manage you!</em></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994423518882987678.post-87817873166575027932010-07-16T08:25:00.000-07:002010-07-21T06:35:54.401-07:00oats.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I found this idea at a local playgroup. I had bought oats instead of instant oatmeal for a recipe, and I didn't know what I was I going to use the oats for. When I saw this, I thought this would work out great since I have a whole container of oats in the pantry. I didn't use a lot of oats that today because it was suppose to rain. Not only is it fun for the little ones, the oats give them a different texture to feel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvoH5S1Dl5z-voHGKVZdAadMvQ-hVNDBqe-P8SDTzt_zIVsve9besnRCA1_uI2InLA9I9nhjO0bfYXVtBXpzcD_V-e-gCMzwtYQRb0XfA6lNrNEiA4OUxbrY63qBD2-cdNEiRTwpd6giU4/s1600/DSC00278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvoH5S1Dl5z-voHGKVZdAadMvQ-hVNDBqe-P8SDTzt_zIVsve9besnRCA1_uI2InLA9I9nhjO0bfYXVtBXpzcD_V-e-gCMzwtYQRb0XfA6lNrNEiA4OUxbrY63qBD2-cdNEiRTwpd6giU4/s320/DSC00278.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDbabchTyoWNA78Zi2B8M2R5ywADks3oVl5p0lHD69YFTgh6BTlHdwglXEdKBBg1GRi5rATb8x9qP-DIYI_2egmQkbgVUVtkS0k6MF7fMmAWNoysoUgikwI3vUYxrRWE6D_TfLyoH1qd9/s1600/DSC00281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDbabchTyoWNA78Zi2B8M2R5ywADks3oVl5p0lHD69YFTgh6BTlHdwglXEdKBBg1GRi5rATb8x9qP-DIYI_2egmQkbgVUVtkS0k6MF7fMmAWNoysoUgikwI3vUYxrRWE6D_TfLyoH1qd9/s320/DSC00281.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdOAcXfb5p5Xi-caI5iBZ8Y1Kp0_6a1LKh_gCZts8KSsFsqxMS5pcmAyeM7gfuDG8SKVv5uHGe_O3Ejx_j3eVREnDRadempmV6OhmnVmcXkbdR-_PEoENcAMyNdiRQX-n-vigqERM0cqm/s1600/DSC00283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdOAcXfb5p5Xi-caI5iBZ8Y1Kp0_6a1LKh_gCZts8KSsFsqxMS5pcmAyeM7gfuDG8SKVv5uHGe_O3Ejx_j3eVREnDRadempmV6OhmnVmcXkbdR-_PEoENcAMyNdiRQX-n-vigqERM0cqm/s320/DSC00283.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjZFWPjR_zt0NrM7B4cXG1oxZI6_7LAkdbTcSZYzPZa0pRmMgA48dB0l65tll3I8qXA9F-C9agfSiWyLp7NNA_4cutDvtS5FHw8NkLJ4wpIMsuiLwL1Me5bCnV59IOLcYFjgd0KSCYWyz/s1600/DSC00282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjZFWPjR_zt0NrM7B4cXG1oxZI6_7LAkdbTcSZYzPZa0pRmMgA48dB0l65tll3I8qXA9F-C9agfSiWyLp7NNA_4cutDvtS5FHw8NkLJ4wpIMsuiLwL1Me5bCnV59IOLcYFjgd0KSCYWyz/s200/DSC00282.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994423518882987678.post-21875707895935144082010-07-14T09:31:00.000-07:002010-07-21T06:35:01.026-07:00just for smiles.Sometimes I am the funniest person I know. I love to laugh. I think laughter is a need. Do you ever have one of those "Can't help but laugh at yourself moments?" I had one the other day as my husband and I drove to Illinois. Our little boy was crying, he didn't want to be in the car seat any longer. I decided to turn on the DVD player for him. I kept hitting the play button...and "hold on" kept flashing on the screen. So I would wait...then hit it again...."hold on" still appeared....somehow the DVD started playing. We stopped at a gas station so I turned the DVD player off. When we started down the road again, I was trying to get the DVD to start playing again....patience begins to dwindle, while baby is crying, and husband is wondering why you can't get the DVD playing...Then I had the "aha" moment...."hold on" did not mean wait, but the the hold button on the side was on! AHHH!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994423518882987678.post-31157710825114423112010-07-12T13:48:00.000-07:002010-07-21T06:35:54.402-07:00Money Mondays...."but it was on sale"<div align="center"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimiMOmgY8Q3XO9uiNRMfQINX3SPKU66CJ87oT43eVM6edGekBev1Kt5mzZr8hpgSApbWhK9F6zVUpCoLH_Zi6z8Y7fdvO_Sptzgm6w2Wu92F1HjQ1m-Z0FkWhFY6fMMsj-GncY-QDdPU5J/s1600/moneymondays.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimiMOmgY8Q3XO9uiNRMfQINX3SPKU66CJ87oT43eVM6edGekBev1Kt5mzZr8hpgSApbWhK9F6zVUpCoLH_Zi6z8Y7fdvO_Sptzgm6w2Wu92F1HjQ1m-Z0FkWhFY6fMMsj-GncY-QDdPU5J/s320/moneymondays.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I've been there looking at the sales rack thinking 'it is only two dollars...that is a really good deal.' However, this can also be a problem. I have to keep reminding myself just because it is on sale doesn't mean I should buy it. I was looking through the newspaper ads on Sunday. It is easy to fall in the trap of buying stuff just because it is on sale. Yes, you are saving money....but at the same time you maybe wasting money. I was looking at coupons for a certain cleaning product that I never buy....I don't really like the product. There was a coupon for $2 off...I started to reconsider the product. Chances are I would buy the product, use the coupon, try the product, then leave it sitting in my cleaning closet until I eventually threw it away. So yes, I saved $2...but wasted money at the same time. I am finding this out in other areas of shopping....especially kid's stuff. Mason has plenty of summer clothes....honestly, way more than he needs. However, it is hard to pass up an entire new outfit for a couple bucks....or a really cool toy I find on <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Craigslist</span>. It's like having 10 dollars and walking down the dollar aisle...sure you can buy more stuff, but the question is<em> do you need that stuff? </em></div><div align="center"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994423518882987678.post-6082751475872267162010-07-09T10:04:00.000-07:002010-07-09T10:04:30.527-07:00"In the Blink of An Eye"There are songs that just grab your attention. This could be my theme song right now. When I started this 'journey' I was more concerned about better ways to handle our money....getting rid of a lot of stuff we didn't need...and to change our mindset about how we view a lot of items. I have accomplished a lot, but still have <strong><span style="font-size: large;">a lot</span></strong> to learn and change....It has been amazing for me, the realization of what we<em> allow </em>to mold us....how we spend soooo much time worrying about stuff that doesn't matter and the things that do matter we don't give second thought to. I hope you enjoy the words to this song by MercyMe as much as I do. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Sometimes I feel disappointed</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">By the way I spend my time</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>How can I further <span style="font-size: large;">Your </span>kingdom</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>When I'm so wrapped up in <span style="font-size: large;">mine</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">In a Blink of an eye that is when</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll be closer to You than I've ever been</div><div style="text-align: center;">Time will fly, but until then</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll embrace<em><strong> every</strong></em> moment I'm given</div><div style="text-align: center;">There's a reason I'm alive for a blink of an eye</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>And though I'm living a good life</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Can my life be something great?</em></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have to answer the question</div><div style="text-align: center;">Before it's too late</div><div style="text-align: center;">Cause in a Blink of an eye that is when</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll be closer to You than I've ever been</div><div style="text-align: center;">Time will fly, but until then</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>I'll embrace <span style="font-size: large;">every </span>moment I'm given</em></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;">There's a reason I'm alive for a blink of an eye</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If I give the very best of me</div><div style="text-align: center;">That becomes <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">my legacy</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">So tell me what am I waiting for?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>What am I waiting for?</em></div><br />
To listen to this song click here ~> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjmpbl2OUMU">In the Blink of an Eye</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994423518882987678.post-16521893525207427862010-07-07T08:39:00.000-07:002010-07-07T08:39:00.053-07:00Mud Puddles, again.<div style="text-align: center;">Think about your day.</div><div style="text-align: center;">What was your "mud puddle?"</div><div style="text-align: center;">What simple thing put a smile on your face?</div><div style="text-align: center;">What simple thing taught you a lesson?</div><div style="text-align: center;">What simple thing made you stop?</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you can't think of anything...</div><div style="text-align: center;">look tomorrow.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Don't miss your "mud puddle" moment.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994423518882987678.post-60865517736910943922010-07-06T09:23:00.000-07:002010-07-06T09:23:00.352-07:00Mud Puddles.<div style="text-align: center;">It has been a rainy Fourth of July. The rain stopped for a little while this afternoon. We decided to take Mason outside so he could push his little lion around. As we were all walking, Mason spotted the mud puddles. His little legs went as fast as they could...he stepped in the water...stopped...then STOMP, STOMP, STOMP. He loved it. I stood there watching our little baby boy...then I just realized how he was looking more like a little boy than a baby. Where has the time went? He is already a year old. Did I take enough pictures? (don't laugh for those who know me) Did I miss writing about something he has done? Did I make the most out of <em>every</em> moment?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> I am learning that children can teach us so much. Mason didn't realize while he was stomping in the water, mommy was learning a lesson. Mason will never know all that he has taught us. Today, I may have not felt like going outside. I may have not wanted to take a walk. Then I would have missed out on a great lesson from Mason. As he stomped around in the water, I began to think how we have to make the most out of every moment. We have to immerse ourselves in the moments. We have to stop and enjoy these moments....See if the rain stops tonight, there is a chance that mud puddle will not be there tomorrow. Mason may not get another chance to enjoy stomping in that exact mud puddle.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> I am just realizing more and more how precious<em> every</em> day is....how precious <em>every </em>moment is.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am excited about the new adventures & milestones in Mason's life, but I just don't want to loose focus on taking in every moment today.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994423518882987678.post-65391909805867507522010-07-05T21:22:00.000-07:002010-07-05T21:39:19.049-07:00the WANT continues....<div align="center">Do you ever find yourself happy in the moment. </div><div align="center">Just content.</div><div align="center">Then you look around.</div><div align="center">She has that. He bought what. They went where.</div><div align="center">I want. I want.</div><div align="center"> Why can't I have that? Why can't we go there?</div><div align="center">Not happy. Not content.</div><div align="center">Today was one of those days. </div><div align="center">It hadn't been a bad weekend, but it just hadn't been a <em>perfect</em> weekend.</div><div align="center">It rained for the Fourth of July. I just wanted Mason to see one firework. He was so tired so I put him to bed....then the rain stopped...the fireworks started. I could go on and on about the little things that just didn't work out this weekend. Tonight, I heard my phone beep which meant I had an email. I was reading a devotion that was sent to me. I began to think about the devotion and my weekend. I just felt so....what's the word...silly, childish, ya know one of those I can't believe I was thinking/acting like that moments. See I look at pictures on Facebook or read other blogs.....I begin to "compare" my life. I begin to look at all the negative parts. I begin to think about all the stuff I need to do tomorrow. I dread doing all the laundry. I dread cleaning the shower. </div><div align="center">BUT someone out there is WANTING to do laundry for their own child. </div><div align="center">Someone is WANTING a shower to clean at their own house. </div><div align="center">Someone is WANTING to spend all day with their kid. </div><div align="center">Someone is WANTING the rain.</div><div align="center"><em><strong>Someone is WANTING what I have while I am wishing for something better.</strong></em></div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="center">"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." 1 Timothy 6:6-7</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">"In every thing give thanks..." 1 Thessalonians 5:18</div><div align="center"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994423518882987678.post-22263754060908656292010-07-01T12:38:00.000-07:002010-07-01T12:38:08.101-07:00Yellow Watermelon<div style="text-align: center;">YELLOW Watermelon...</div><div style="text-align: center;">I just discovered this on Tuesday.</div><div align="center">I was at <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Walmart</span> with my husband, and he said he wanted to get a yellow watermelon. I thought he was talking about the rind so I said no it won't be any good...get a green one. Well we ended up with two watermelons. I went to the library to pick up a couple books. I came home to find out he wasn't talking about the rind....but the watermelon was actually YELLOW. Yes, Yellow. I was amazed. Heath couldn't believe that I had never seen yellow watermelon, and he was even more amazed that I had never heard of it. So I posted a picture on <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Facebook</span> to see if I was the only person who hadn't heard of yellow watermelon. I was glad to know I wasn't.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Have you ever eaten yellow watermelon? </div><div align="center">(The picture is a little blurry from my phone)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGwsSFwCEoFGvudpm51xGR-1UaF1ANrfD3Z3v0DMpWTed6u5-k7UZevSPx76-uVsKS8xFq7GEcWZiE1LCPWbK1fiyNaAPOKPPdCEfbizQNkvV7od2Q5_tnK7zFMuw0FuB0hWOUsTc3cIh5/s1600/yellowwat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGwsSFwCEoFGvudpm51xGR-1UaF1ANrfD3Z3v0DMpWTed6u5-k7UZevSPx76-uVsKS8xFq7GEcWZiE1LCPWbK1fiyNaAPOKPPdCEfbizQNkvV7od2Q5_tnK7zFMuw0FuB0hWOUsTc3cIh5/s320/yellowwat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994423518882987678.post-31604610943988810072010-06-30T12:42:00.000-07:002010-07-01T12:54:40.530-07:00Carter's Outlet.<div style="text-align: center;">I love, love the Carter's Outlet. Mason is definitely a Carter's baby. I just can't bet the prices anywhere. I receive coupons weekly, but I don't go weekly. I went today to get Mason another pair of PJ'S. Then I started looking around on the 3.99 sales rack. I was buying complete outfits for $3.99. Plus, if I spend $40 I get the 20% off. (<em>The best sale Carter's has is the Super Duper Sale...where you take 20% off clearance, PLUS 20% off $40 or more.)</em> So I have been stocking up on the basic clothes...<span class="goog-spellcheck-word">polos</span>, pants, t-shirts, shorts. I have a rule that I will not spend more on Mason's clothes than mine or Heaths...and I am a bargain shopper for our clothes...Children's clothes can get expensive. Clothes that will be in mud, have food all over them, & anything Mason can get into! I can't wait to see Mason in all his cute clothes.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994423518882987678.post-32306643331905614842010-06-26T19:27:00.000-07:002010-06-26T19:27:36.317-07:00perfect vs balanced motherI really enjoyed reading this older post today....<br />
<a href="http://inspiredtoaction.com/2010/01/perfect-mothers-vs-balanced-mothers/">http://inspiredtoaction.com/2010/01/perfect-mothers-vs-balanced-mothers/</a><br />
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Let me know what you think.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994423518882987678.post-80489759580195082212010-06-25T19:42:00.000-07:002010-06-26T19:00:19.404-07:00house vs. home.<div style="text-align: center;">We all dream about our dream house....</div><br />
I remember building my Barbie's house...everything had to be set up just right. I would even have cleaning days for my Barbie's house. My <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">mamaw</span> told me once that she didn't think anyone had a cleaner Barbie house than me. As I grew up, I began to notice houses that I liked. I have tons of ideas about what I want when we build our first house. My husband told me to start a folder of ideas. Since we have rented a couple places, we have saw a lot of ideas we like and don't like. We constantly see ads about the latest ideas for our houses. I imagine the picture perfect house, everything in the <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">hou</span><span class="goog-spellcheck-word">se</span> has it's own place, there isn't a speck of dirt, plus we have a room for everything even the dog, I know the colors I want, I could go on and on. Then I look at where we live right now...it is clean even the baseboards (because I grew up with Bob <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Saget</span> as a dad), toys are spread out in every room, the mail is laying on the kitchen table, the high chair is in the living room, finger prints on the door I just cleaned....but it is our home. See I think we have been focusing so much on having a house that we haven't made it a home. I have been in houses where children live, but I see no signs that they live there....the house is perfect though. I don't even want to sit down because it seems too perfect. I am guilty of picking up toys as Mason plays. I am guilty of nagging at my husband for not picking up his stuff. I worry about Mason making a mess as he eats. I could wipe the glass doors down every hour so there isn't any fingerprints....until I heard a friend say...those fingerprints wouldn't be there, if he wasn't here. <br />
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At that moment, I wanted to take Mason's little dirty hands and touch everything in the house. (Don't get me wrong children do not need the okay to just destroy the house) I began to think though how our focus has become to have the perfect house, but we are missing making it a home. When we first moved to Kansas, we had a beautiful house...everything had it's place, but it was way more of a house than we needed....our master bathroom was bigger than most people's living room....but we have moved since then to a smaller place. This place has taught me a lot. I see how much stuff we have that we don't need. Moving has made me realize that it's not about the structure, but what's in the structure....the family, the love, the moments together.....see if you took away your "house" would you still have a "home?"Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994423518882987678.post-88703216371218139062010-06-23T11:22:00.000-07:002010-06-23T11:24:22.881-07:00thanks hunny.<div style="text-align: center;">Have you said 'thank you' to your husband today? </div><br />
This past Sunday was Father's Day, and I have been thinking about the importance of dads...well men. I am guilty of always thinking how everything wouldn't get done if it wasn't for the woman. I often joke with Heath and say....Man's work is from sun up to sun down BUT a woman's work is never done :) However, a man's job is important and so many times not appreciated. I want my husband to know he is appreciated for all his hard work. I want him to know his wife is thankful for everything he does. We often spend more time looking at the things are husbands didn't do...or how they should have done it the same way we do....and we do not notice all the things they do.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994423518882987678.post-70549140055607107992010-06-22T09:31:00.000-07:002010-06-23T11:23:58.738-07:00croutons.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzmO1BKgQKCpMEtIaFoF3kYI2Ki8lXvaP97uTXeP4J5cz7meZAWTfMV5UVO0FmFT-qhPFBwYxipBosP1pE7WaIzQaXKA94MwU12Q9kd7bPNHLVFbGcqOgT6lMvD0z3eu_gFmKBCn9Lw5rN/s1600/IMG_0895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzmO1BKgQKCpMEtIaFoF3kYI2Ki8lXvaP97uTXeP4J5cz7meZAWTfMV5UVO0FmFT-qhPFBwYxipBosP1pE7WaIzQaXKA94MwU12Q9kd7bPNHLVFbGcqOgT6lMvD0z3eu_gFmKBCn9Lw5rN/s320/IMG_0895.JPG" /></a></div><ol><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cut some day-old or stale french bread into cubes. </div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Drizzle the french bread cubes with olive oil. Toss in a pan.</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Spice them with a few shakes of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, or whatever sounds good. Toss again.</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bake at 400 degrees for 5 minutes. Shake and toss. Bake until toasted. **Pay attention so you don't burn them!** (Recipe from Amy's Finer Things)</div></li>
</ol><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>YUMMY! and super cheap.</strong> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994423518882987678.post-88800270139443072342010-06-16T08:37:00.000-07:002010-06-16T08:42:08.753-07:00blog junkie.My husband told me I was becoming a blog junkie!ha I decided to start a blog about Easy Living...I had just found one blog that talked about frugal living. Then after I started our blog, I found <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">sooo</span> many other GREAT blogs....I am learning so much...about coupons, parenting, being a better wife, money advice, etc. I do not just take advice from anyone... but I do think we all need advice...I want to learn more. I am amazed how many other moms or just other people are on a journey like us....trying to change our focus. It is encouraging. I love to read other blogs by moms...see how they tackle everyday chores. I often wonder why people look down at people who look for advice or research parenting---it is one of the most important tasks we encounter, however we just think it will all come naturally......We study for school. We train for our jobs. We read books/magazines for our hobbies. BUT we think people who do any of this for parenting (or you could use marriage as an example) are kind of <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">umm</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">werid</span>. Then please, don't listen to the doctor who has four kids of his own. It is kind of funny when you think about it. I KNOW. I KNOW. My great grandparents didn't need any help, but look around times have changed. I can be a parent...I can take care of Mason....I can teach him things...BUT I don't want to just "get by" with parenting....like I do a lot of other items in my life. I think Mason is worth it. I know that I will make mistakes in my journey of parenting. I am not perfect. I will probably look back and wish I would have handled something differently. BUT if someone could give me advice...and I can learn from something they have already went through...or just learn better ways...I will gladly take it. I think we have the idea that if we ask for parenting "help" then we are not the best parents....I look at it differently....I think the best parents look for better ways....they understand the importance of parenting...that is why they want to learn the most about it.....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994423518882987678.post-2975088370146375902010-06-15T13:03:00.000-07:002010-06-16T08:42:16.913-07:00papers.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.jevin.net/images/pileofpaper.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" qu="true" src="http://www.jevin.net/images/pileofpaper.gif" width="186" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">What are your creative ways to organize papers?....</div><div style="text-align: center;">Owner's Manuals? Documents that you need to keep? </div><div style="text-align: center;">Receipts? Bills? Or any other kind of paper?</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994423518882987678.post-16741274388201135782010-06-13T12:09:00.000-07:002010-06-13T12:09:05.566-07:00thoughts about stuff.It may come across that I don't buy anything or do anything fun...but that's not it. I am not against buying stuff...nice things....things I want. BUT I just have a different approach to it. First, I do not think I should buy a new watch (just an example) and put it on a credit card. I am not against buying anything, I just think we should rethink our thoughts....do we want things because someone else has them? <em>Do we have the money to buy these items?</em> See if I bought a new pair of jeans and didn't have the money to pay for them....I would worry the whole time how I was going to pay for them...plus think about when you add interest the price of the jeans, double or triple. <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">HMMM</span>.<br />
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I think we should learn a lot from our grandparents...they were frugal...they saved money for "rainy days"...they paid for stuff with CASH (something that is not normal for my generation). For us, purchasing a new boat, which my husband really wants, is not as great if we don't have the money to pay for it....I know the thought crosses your mind, if you wait to have the money, then you will never have the boat. We don't think so....if you didn't have payments (not including utilities) then how much money would you have a month? <br />
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I read this on <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Facebook</span> today....."Jesus told 52 stories in the New Testament, 38 concentrated on 1 of the biggest distractions of all time: The love of money & possessions"Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994423518882987678.post-89134344309178546932010-06-11T08:02:00.001-07:002010-06-12T07:25:32.297-07:00back & birthday.We are back from a great trip. We got to see a lot of family and friends. I decided not to post while I was away so I could make the most out of every minute!<br />
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Yesterday was our little boy's FIRST birthday. How exciting! I struggled with what to do for his first birthday. There is a lot of pressure....well it is his FIRST birthday....we need an outfit, we need party supplies, we need a cake, we need invitations, we need it to be PERFECT!!...BUT then reality sets in....I realized a lot of what we do for these events are not for the kids. Instead the events are for the parents...we want to look like we are the best parents. If we do not throw the best party, then what will the others think?!? In this journey, it is about changing our mindset. It is trying to find ways to save money, start traditions in our own family, and focus on what really matters. Take a look at children- We buy them TONS of toys...but the children would rather have a box (really anything that isnt a toy)...Children really can teach us sooo much about easy living. They are pretty simple. Our son would rather wonder around the house carrying a child's coat hanger or one of my socks. I try to get him to play with all his toys (toys that we have purchased at garage sales or craigslist) instead he finds a piece of paper and begins to play. Are you beginning to see how much stress we add to our own lives?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994423518882987678.post-27046742304989046882010-06-07T18:51:00.000-07:002010-06-07T18:53:21.745-07:00just think about.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_NmyJQ-XJNrgHsVcllZijAMWj3qGQPMmXHpggR6sO-jz86SDd8N5rtA9Nd6lrXEtuCgtvmXRg0e7oN7tX-duBUM05XifDoWgjOzDUFoILiLfi4U15DHEEToOivIOh0S1Z_JQU4jW_QYcE/s400/moneygoing1.jpg" width="400" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994423518882987678.post-75696617091250844212010-06-01T17:58:00.000-07:002010-06-01T17:58:13.914-07:00be patient.The next few days I probably will not post. I am visiting all the family, and I am trying to make the most out of every minute. So be patient. I will get back to posting. I have lots of ideas for upcoming posts. So just keep checking back. Enjoy the Summer! Keep thinking of creative stuff. If you have ideas for posts, let me know! Check back in a little bit! :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994423518882987678.post-69420408373488599942010-05-31T06:04:00.000-07:002010-05-31T06:04:00.784-07:00Money Mondays.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg85Y1SdA3vpGRmhQl00HUd_fSRoAZ8hzgIJcjeuPmM-mh54EybIRFbnYWbNkBcd-thdS_IFEayui2d2fcft-XGZJGf9O9lSeDKJekEiJw2iUyLUE_tUGSK8C9trO3eFMjEJAn34Yi6wyL/s1600/moneymondays.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg85Y1SdA3vpGRmhQl00HUd_fSRoAZ8hzgIJcjeuPmM-mh54EybIRFbnYWbNkBcd-thdS_IFEayui2d2fcft-XGZJGf9O9lSeDKJekEiJw2iUyLUE_tUGSK8C9trO3eFMjEJAn34Yi6wyL/s400/moneymondays.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am going to start Money Mondays. It will cover anything that </div><div style="text-align: center;">has to do with money! So keep checking back :) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994423518882987678.post-59075535956615443832010-05-29T06:02:00.000-07:002010-05-29T06:03:09.862-07:00Basement Update.I just work on the basement a little bit every day (or try!) It is coming along...we have made $193 through selling stuff. I created sections...one to sell or donate....one to go through (like papers)...one for trash...then I have added "I'll think about section"...This section is for odds and ends, I've been trying to figure out what I could make with these items or reuse for something else.<br />
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I hope that maybe you have started to look around your house, and think of new organizing ideas or projects that need to be done. Maybe you will share those ideas with me because I need tons! :) If you don't remember how to comment....check back through older posts there is one post that will tell you how to comment on the blog. Any questions just email me <a href="mailto:brandi51008@hotmail.com">brandi51008@hotmail.com</a> I really look forward to hearing as I post because through this journey I want others' help. Don't be scared...I won't let me ferocious dog bite you....too hard :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1994423518882987678.post-71064237821129368802010-05-27T13:47:00.000-07:002010-05-29T06:04:43.716-07:00Easy Living Defined.<div style="text-align: center;">Just for Fun....here is easy living defined by Maci Dog :)<br />
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Life doesn't get much easier than this. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">No real worries. Food and Water Provided. Treats Daily. "Spa Days"...includes hair & nails.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Sleep all day, play when you want to. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxiNbheaOSOaM7tQCLIgYkKfpvUFynJdlVpMwWmbiTsX3sCF27YWWsVic_-BL0e5dZpMUVPxXM5AXzTlm0KW8u6ZOjoz4HwddXRTuwJXr51vVR_3dSNp0CumvAhs6qrDWa3bj00AToPnb/s1600/IMG_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxiNbheaOSOaM7tQCLIgYkKfpvUFynJdlVpMwWmbiTsX3sCF27YWWsVic_-BL0e5dZpMUVPxXM5AXzTlm0KW8u6ZOjoz4HwddXRTuwJXr51vVR_3dSNp0CumvAhs6qrDWa3bj00AToPnb/s320/IMG_0014.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILuGuAaMb1CMN1FI5bGQmIXj-6UAnbhZPDn8QFsGI1V7abft2p3Z8PLayi13LgALO8_f5gWeZE3MU2spU345XpkXwu7darV6dFtXYwBmkR8IBBOQaRmHMY-EL4g-zxTdQsO7LyVm9IRdI/s200/IMG_0260.JPG" width="200" /><img border="0" gu="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqD9cr2t8lUaEk3EmZXBuY9WBgppQ-tiTYv0MICsXtAOIW1lm3TO7fCO0Gm0MegvhB3ieZAaQ0-PHgJt3QBK10k8JKFh8Y6xcLdkNUKZK9QU3q2mUK1LyILCgaGjdeGmZcd3rfUje2TgBd/s200/IMG_0654.JPG" width="200" /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Notice she is asleep in our bed with her head on the pillow. This was not staged. We let her sleep with us on the nights she has a bath. She really sleeps with her head on a pillow. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq8ShE-wx7E6V7oQ4wWmIunrddv_I9iPEZKM5KSdV13JEjDQdnJsibUEVGVVWAqk_4gOU02DYR5oK2YKqJ9HHDwKj3r85x0pjNY2FielavK2_1IB0wlYXO5H1dVPzuYcbBquB7f3wbfOcO/s200/IMG_0733.JPG" width="150" /><img border="0" gu="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJlAAFtSxcgEQX-wDPeKSAwPOPUfixeUEgvTAhwK0P36n0flMMJVbzSxu9rSlz4ql8CS9misFlLOa0VNKnk23URqtwWnbz0pypeXL3PFbJuwTcKpu2LOLblMkYCegq-gpHE54OjE78F0h/s200/IMG_0785.JPG" width="150" /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Hair did. Before I even get my hair done!??!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYxeGYf77bKDgAbbM60OrndW9HyGte59u3zkouQBcefY-lBuHWe83CQPGT0J1pUvF_8H2bmWgCOcieH2JhBfV_-FTIHPorZltKOl8JphiSmefUwhGYt1BltEIa3d5kuq5phACY4MARnOB/s200/IMG_0787.JPG" width="150" /><img border="0" gu="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYQggk5NvRJaqzV6GM7y4-NvZdFtJTURkflP80xcZdR54e_AmXjaAklNFT_1hLQ3UgP_I9tXb9hyphenhyphent7HZPrj_TLQJegoNHphjShk72U8WhOkOV2HFMNnIUnvOELJ4BaYb7wa43z6qMKtJ4/s200/IMG_0788.JPG" width="150" /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0