tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34475526004007944352024-03-13T12:32:28.668-04:00Nanny's PlaceDebbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17319991952705204675noreply@blogger.comBlogger1562125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447552600400794435.post-87035128484175455522015-10-31T07:16:00.001-04:002015-10-31T07:16:34.580-04:00Sewing Without Swearing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have seen so many ladies lay out and sandwich their quilts on the kitchen. Beats the heck out of crawling around on hardwood floors however It didn't work so well on this over sized quilt :(<br />
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I somehow got a big old nasty wrinkle in the backing that I didn't realize until I had a huge section quilted. More hours than I ever want to spend with a seam ripper later I was back in business<br />
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I was back in business the next day thinking I will finally finish the machine quilting part of this quilt so I can move on to some Fall/Winter hand quilting. I was wrong :) Another day another wrinkle, grrr This quilt has been throw aside for now. Sewing and swearing is not what I want to do!!!<br />
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To get my sewing mojo back I decided to make a frozen dress for Abigail's new Samantha doll. This is but one of many patterns I have collecting dust in the sewing room.<br />
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I pulled out leftover fabric from a Frozen project I did for out little girls last year excited to rock a frozen Samantha dress.<br />
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What the heck was I thinking!!!! I really have to be in the mood for doll dress making. So many tiny pieces, and the fabric frayed like crazy!! I had to go back over every single seam with top stitching, not what I had in mind!!!<br />
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I am using DD#1 original Samantha doll as my model....I am now wondering if the new American dolls are a bit slimmer than the originals from the 1980's? This dress is tight!!!! As we say in the South "skin on bologna tight". I do know from sewing experience the new Bitty Baby has a fuller body than the 1980's Bitty. <br />
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I may or may not have time today to do some alterations to the dress so Samantha can breath and move. I also need to make her cape. While I was out and about Christmas shopping with DD#3 yesterday I found a knock off brand of shoes that fit the American dolls. The crown is a leftover hair pretty from Kara's Birthday Goodie bags. Yaa it works!!<br />
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Now I have to give a shout out to the American Girl company. While their clothes and accessories are VERY pricey I must say the clothes are worth every penny they charge!!!! Our big girls still have all of their doll clothes, they are in excellent shape. Our girls played with their dolls, they toted them around like rag dolls inside outside and in all weather. I don't think little kids should be given a doll or toy they can't play with. These dolls and clothes hold up to real play with real kids :)<br />
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Abigail received her doll 24 hours after I had ordered it!!!! I did pay for express shipping but never in a million years did I think they could have it in her hands that fast!!! Her Aunt sent photo's of her opening the doll.......so sweet of her to share that moment in time with us :)<br />
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I feel it's OK to share the families address (see photo below) on this blog because they have shared it on an open page on FB. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TiffsSarcoma/?fref=ts">Tiffany's Journey</a>. Now that Tiffany has passed I'm not sure how long they will be keeping the page active. The Go fund me account is still active I believe as they are still working to pay for Tiffany's headstone.<br />
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Off this morning for some toddler soccer, need to make a Halloween desert for the little's, and I have a feeling hubby's new costume might need some expansion!!! <br />
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<br />Debbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17319991952705204675noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447552600400794435.post-62658093185412389482015-10-29T10:15:00.003-04:002015-10-29T10:15:50.466-04:00Whirl wind Week and Sad News<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last week before all heck broke loose I went on a field trip looking for backing. Before I went on my fabric adventure I pulled the border and binding fabric from my stash, money saved.<br />
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I can't remember how long it has been since I pieced this Irish Chain quilt. After I added the double borders the quilt grew to king size. What was I thinking!!!!<br />
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Once the quilt top was finished it was time to start marking family fun commitments off the list. Thursday was Karsyn and Mason's Pre School pumpkin patch field trip. Our grands LOVE farms!!! I think this is one of the many reasons hubby is hell bent on finding a little getaway farm :)<br />
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Is this not the sweetest thing ever? Our grands don't mind loving on each other wherever they go. It's not unusual to see them walking hand in hand or arms wrapped around each other. Don't get me wrong... there are days when one or more might be in the mood for a knock down fight but for the most part they LOVE each other to the moon and back.<br />
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Saturday mornings are devoted to toddler Soccer. Mason man is an animal on the Soccer field.<br />
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We tag team Tater Tot when we are out and about. It takes a village to keep up with this little guy. He and Papaw meet up with the Chick Filt A cow. Blake is our No Fear Kiddo. While most of the other little ones were running away when they saw the cow coming Blake just ate him up :)<br />
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We also had a make up Football game on Saturday. We all kept the roads hot!!! Ditto for Sunday.<br />
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The running and doing didn't stop on Sunday. Mommy, Karsyn, and I kicked off her Birthday with brunch at the American Girl store. Her special treat for desert was getting to decorate cupcakes for she and her Bitty baby. As with everything American girl does their Bistro is first class!!! The prices....that will be our little secret. Wink<br />
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Mommy and Karsyn enjoyed their girl time morning.<br />
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Karsyn was thrilled with her Birthday shopping spree!! She was careful to ask "What does dis costs" knowing some things were WAY out of our price range!!!! She stayed within budget something her Mommy and I were hard pressed to do I can tell you :) We wanted it all!!!!<br />
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The craziness has not ended. Tyler has been with me the past few days suffering from strep throat. Three out of five grands so far have been infected. No doubt the last two kiddos will be next. I have a big girls weekend coming up next week. You can bet I have been disinfecting this house with essential oils 24/7!!!!<br />
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With all this family fun came some heartbreaking news. Yet another one of Elijah's friends took her first breath in Heaven October 19 at 11:11 PM. Tiffany left behind oodles of friends and family along with a little Sister who is only eight years old. I just happened to be on FB that night when the news was posted. My very first thought was of Abigail her little Sister. How in the world can a heart so young be healed. Immediately "Samantha" one of the original American Girl dolls came into my heart. What the HECK!!!!!<br />
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Dear crazy mind of mine what's up with that? My prayers that night were for Tiffany's family, her little Sister and so many other families who are battling this nasty stuff. I ended the night with a little chat with the Lord, what in the world...why can't I get that stinkin doll for Abigail out of my mind and off of my heart? How shallow am I that I feel deep in my gut a durn doll can make it all better?<br />
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My entire trip to the American Girl shop on Sunday was spent questioning myself over that doll for a broken hearted little girl. I finally gave in and ask DD#1 what doll would be good for Abigail, I can't get her off my mind? Should we do a build your own doll and name her Abigail or go with one of the regular dolls? Immediately she said "Samantha"...cold chills. Lord is that you talking to me?<br />
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Tiffany's family are not wealthy. For a week I wrestled with this crazy frivolous gift on my heart. The practical thing to do for Tiffany's family would have been to make another donation to her Go Fund Me account, this time to cover the costs of her burial. </div>
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Monday morning one week after Tiffany's passing I ordered "Samantha" to be expressed shipped to Abigail. Hubby questioned what's a doll without clothes, I thought half the fun was dressing those things up. My main man is so smart sometimes on rare occasions he's even right :) It was cold and rainy here Monday morning. A girl needs a good rain coat right? Seeing as how it was on sale I knew I didn't go wrong!!</div>
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So this is a LONG story and post....I think what I am trying to say is God speaks to us in nutty ways sometimes. After lots of prayer, being quite so I can really hear what he is saying we best be doing what he puts on our heart. Since receiving her doll Abigail's family has shared with me CORE CHILLING stories of why this doll was PERFECT. I can tell you after hitting that submit button I felt like the weight of the world was lifted off my shoulders. Now I know why.</div>
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Will this doll heal a broken heart? Will this doll replace a Sister that fought so hard for her life? Will this doll bring her big Sister back? Of course not. But the day Abigail opened her surprise box her day was just a little brighter, that's good enough for me.</div>
Debbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17319991952705204675noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447552600400794435.post-12201750473290148692015-10-21T07:54:00.000-04:002015-10-21T07:54:50.488-04:00Second Play Date for Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Using the sew in stabilizer worked like a charm while stitching down all the little pieces of fabric on my Halloween runner. <br />
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Ta Da!! Another cute finish<br />
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The buttons and rick rack add some cute dimension to the runner<br />
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If there is ever a "next one" I know to use a darker orange thread on the pumpkins as the matching thread doesn't show the detail stitching.<br />
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Once the runner was done and the mess cleaned up AJ the Beagle and I finished up this quilt<br />
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I free motion quilted the body of the quilt, the borders are hand quilted. Can you see the little butterfly? They are floating around all of the points on the quilt<br />
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I can't wait to get this girl washed and dried. I think it's going to look even better all crinkly and soft<br />
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AJ the Beagle jumped right on this quilt after I threw it out for the photo, it's now hers :) If I can figure out how to download photo's from my fancy phone I will have to share it. Sew sweet<br />
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It's been a good two days of play!!! I really needed to get some things out of the mounds of UFO's in the sewing room and I needed to do something for ME for a change!! <br />
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I dug around in my quilt top piles before bed last night to decide what quilt I wanted to work on next....I found two. However they both need borders added as well as backing. I think I have enough border fabric for one the other is going to be a problem as I can't remember where I purchased the fabric from. I will be making a trip to the fabric store today. Focus, I must focus, don't purchase anything other than backing fabric!!!!<br />
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My goal for the day is to add borders to the next quilt, get the backing done, then sandwich the quilt. Starting tomorrow I will have one or more of the kiddo's until next Tuesday. There won't be much time for quilting!! <br />
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The other must do is a little house cleaning as that won't be happening with the grands around. Some meal planning is also in order. We have a bunch of activities going on with the little kiddo's. I want to avoid eating on the run as much as possible with Christmas just around the corner it's time to start pinching pennies.<br />
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Speaking of Christmas has anyone started their shopping? I finally have all of the out of town family and friends gifts purchased but that's it. I have a few things for hubby put back and a small list going of things for the big and little kids. I need to get busy soon but for now I just want to enjoy this fall season!!Debbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17319991952705204675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447552600400794435.post-86151628420611159072015-10-19T23:05:00.000-04:002015-10-19T23:05:49.880-04:00Me Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I realized the photo of the pair of Witch shoes I posted yesterday didn't show the stitch design. <br />
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It's been sew long that I have had time to sit at the sewing machine. I miss our time alone together. The table runner I am making for ME has a whole lot of applique involved. Using sheets of tear away stabilizer makes me nuts, it seems to always tear away before I am finished stitching out an area. This time around I am using a sew on stabilizer, sure hope it works :)<br />
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Sometimes you need to go with quick and easy :) The pattern I am using called for a patchwork border....Seeing as how I had this really cute fabric with no plans on where to use it I went with this easy option. <br />
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One place the is no corner cutting is fusing all these little applique pieces.<br />
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Three hours later it was finally time to start laying out and ironing everything down. Talk about time consuming!!!!<br />
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Late this afternoon I was finally ready to begin machine applique on the runner. After all the cutting of wonder under and fabric I didn't get very far but a start is better than nothing!! Tomorrow I will be ready to rock this baby.<br />
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This evening AJ the Beagle and I FINALLY finished hand quilting the quilt I have been dragging around for longer than I can remember. It feels so nice to get one more To Do out of the pile of projects. Once I covered the Beagle up with the finished quilt I came so close to digging around in the pile of completed quilt tops. NO!!!!! OK, well maybe :) Once I get MY table runner finished I just might begin machine quilting.<br />
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More than likely another quilt will have to be put off until next week as the calendar is pretty full with activities for the Grands. Field trips, Teacher work days, Soccer, Football, and a Birthday party will be taking up most of our time starting Thursday. Keeping life in balance is always a struggle.<br />
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Debbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17319991952705204675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447552600400794435.post-35079515771959715322015-10-18T14:11:00.001-04:002015-10-18T14:11:42.534-04:00Finished Projects are a Beautiful Thing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Five Bikers for Christmas Shoe Boxes pack and delivered!!! I so wish we could have gone with hubby's Biker buddies to deliver these over at the Billy Graham Library yesterday but there were just too many family commitments on the calendar for the day<br />
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Lots of Lollipop toppers are ready for upcoming Pre School parties. Still waiting to find out if Tyler and Kara's schools will be needing any for their parties.<br />
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A few of sets of Oreo Witch shoes are completed. For the life of me I can't get the stickin cookies to stand up nicely. I think I will be checking out the dollar store for a pair of socks to stuff instead of cookies. Have you seen the price of Oreo's these days? Holy cow!!! It takes 20 cookies to make a pair of Witch Shoes.<br />
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Our annual Pumpkin patch afternoon is in the books. The weather was beautiful, the kids had a blast, the adults survived. It was a good day :)<br />
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Little boys just crack me up. As the Mother of three girls everything these little guys do is new territory for hubby and I. Mason man was so fascinated with the pumpkins that were busted open showing the "guts and bugs" that he had a hard time focusing on the perfect pumpkin.<br />
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Monkey see, monkey do!! It didn't take long for Blake to follow in Mason Man's footsteps, he too wanted to find "Guts and bugs"<br />
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Toddler soccer game, pumpkin patch, family dinner, followed by some Bama football all in one day....this schedule ain't for sissy's!!! Today is a much needed quite day. All that is on the calendar for today is Tyler's afternoon Flag Football game.<br />
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Mornings home without ripping and running are so nice. Hubby had a breakfast ride with his buddies...me...I had ZERO to do. Just me and the Beagle enjoying a quite cool fall morning. <br />
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While my furry sidekick napped under a quilt I packed up three boxes of gifts that need to go in the mail in the morning. That makes today a double nice day!! Boxes going in the mail right on time, no need to pay extra for priority shipping. Go Me!!<br />
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This afternoon I am enjoying some time off my feet sewing embellishment's on all the Witch shoes. I have hopes of finishing DD#1's Halloween ornaments today as well so they will be ready for the little's to decorate their tree this week. <br />
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If the grands will cooperate this week I might get two full days of some ME time. In other words some sewing for myself for a change :) I have already lugged the regular sewing machine downstairs. I'm itching to organize my "for me" sewing project but sure as I drag it all out one of the buggers will spike a fever overnight.<br />
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Is anyone else marking off some Fun To Do's for Fall list during this cold snap? Debbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17319991952705204675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447552600400794435.post-58330356398249729742015-10-15T14:21:00.000-04:002015-10-15T14:21:23.029-04:00Fall is Here<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am trying to get a little ahead of the game in the gift giving department. The big kids always hit me up for some last minute gifts for teachers and such during the fall/winter holidays. I still haven't had the time to get the software installed for my embroidery machine but I figured out a work around for now. Once I got started on this years small gift giving item I realized my embroidery scissors had seen better days. As luck would have it they were 50% off this week at Hancock's fabric store, that's a BIG help on the budget!!<br />
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So whats the theme this year? Mug rugs done in the hoop. I am unloading lots of fabric/batting scraps, LOVE that!!! The cost is a big fat ZERO. In the evenings I just have to whip stitch them closed. The big kids can give a set as is or they can add a GC to Starbucks. Hope to find a cute cheap bag at the dollar store today for big kid one stop shopping :)<br />
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If there isn't enough going on around the house our dryer decided to bite the dust on Saturday,grrr. Hubby got busy Saturday night figuring out what was broken. The man can fix anything and everything!!! Problem was that the parts store was closed on Sunday...Monday and Tuesday he was out of town. He started the repairs on Wednesday night but couldn't complete the job when the sun went down. We have high hopes that today the job will be complete :)<br />
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I have had one or more of the rug rats since last Tuesday, oh my!!! Chest colds, sinus problems, then throw in teething to round the out nasty mess. Popsicles are about the only thing on the menu these days<br />
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Kara missed three days of school last week with the nasty junk. I took she and Blake to the Dr on Thursday since they had both been running high fevers for three days. Diagnosis, bad colds...I disagreed but what would I know I have only been at this job for 38 years. Over the weekend they were not getting any better , Kara was starting to get dehydrated. Back to the Dr. on Monday morning I was NOT going to be denied an antibiotic at that point. Sure enough they tested positive for strep. DUHHH. Mom, Dad, both Little's, and now hubby and I are sick. Family sharing....stinks<br />
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One of today's many must do's is filling five Christmas Child's shoe boxes for Bikers For Kids event this weekend. Nothing better than some last minute jobs that throws a monkey wrench in the already overload schedule. Hubby and I had taken Mason and Karsyn shopping for their shoe boxes on Sunday, sure wish I could have done everything at one time!!<br />
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More in the hoop mug rugs for fall this time around. If I could find a FULL day at home alone I might be able to get a whole lot of To Do's done :)<br />
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Once I get today's To Do's complete I plan on going to bed super early with a good book along with a few essential oils tonight. I need to get some extra sleep and healing!!!!Debbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17319991952705204675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447552600400794435.post-91543889681678702562015-10-10T08:12:00.000-04:002015-10-10T08:12:32.099-04:00Where Do The Days Go<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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AJ the Beagle and I finished the animal cuddle blankets this week. One garbage bag full has been delivered, two more to go. I lost count of the blankets at 57, that was a whole lot of cutting and tie I can tell you!!! I now have FOUR empty laundry baskets, go me!!!!!<br />
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Wednesday was my "Day Off" Hubby and I enjoyed a nice breakfast out before he had to go on a quick trip out of town.....what to do with the rest of the day and evening alone? Well I started with deciding on sewing projects I would like to do for Fall and Christmas this year. One thing always leads to another of course. After landing on my SEW want to do projects I pulled out fabric, batting, embroidery machine supplies, and the machine itself. It's been so long since I have had any fabric play I figured I would start with some small, easy, fun things. <br />
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I wasn't crazy about the fabrics I had for one of the Christmas items I wanted to get started on but I was going to "Make Do" That was until.......I found a GC that was going to expire on 10/9, only 2 days away!!!! It was a GC from DD#2 she had given me for my Birthday Last year! <br />
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Two new CD's full of holiday embroidery designs. A little bit of fabric, and a quilting book that has been on my wish list for a long time. I was feeling over the top giddy until........After HOURS of trying to download the designs I found out my design software is not compatible with windows 8.1 GRRRRRR. Next week I will be headed to the quilt shop for assistance on a work around to get the stinkin hate it new PC in line with my sewing machine. It's always something.<br />
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I was NOT going to be denied my play time, so I pulled out a Halloween ornament kit that was stashed away. Only three more ornaments to complete and this kit will be finished!! The grands are going to enjoy having a little something new to hang on their Mini Halloween trees this year. I am going to enjoy having one less thing piled up in the sewing room!!!<br />
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Plans just never go as planned this year :) I am way past the point of letting it get to me (for the most part) I was scheduled to go away Thursday - Sunday this week for a scrapbooking retreat with a girlfriend, OK so that didn't happen. Kara and Blake have both been sick with chest colds, hubby is having to do some short quick trips lately, DD#1 is involved in a large fundraiser for Elijah, she too is sick and could use an extra hand and we are all very emotional over Elijah's condition. Home with our family is where I need to be right now.<br />
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I went to my fall back place when I am a little upset...the kitchen :) Blake, Kara, and I made chocolate chip cookies for everyone. A few bags for friends, of course some for our big kids families in addition to a nice bag for Elijah and his family. When life gives me lemons baking, cooking, or doing something for someone else drives away those dark clouds.<br />
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Weekend to do?<br />
Finish the Halloween ornaments<br />
Finish hand quilting a quilt (that one seems to have been on the list far too long)<br />
Help DD#1 finish up some things for the event on Sunday<br />
Kick back with some BAMA football<br />
Debbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17319991952705204675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447552600400794435.post-12390173521498917102015-10-06T12:11:00.001-04:002015-10-06T12:11:36.162-04:00Weekend Happenings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Anyone who has followed this blog for any length of time knows how much AJ the Beagle loves quilts. Whenever I sit down to hand quilt in the evenings you can bet she is rooting around to get under at least a piece of it. Ditto on Cuddle blankets for the No Kill Animal Shelter :)<br />
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AJ the Beagle wasn't the only thing buried under cuddle blankets this past weekend. It seems Kara too enjoyed a little cuddle time herself<br />
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First batch completed over the weekend. It feels pretty good to be ahead of the game at least in this charity project for the winter.<br />
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Yesterday I cut up more fleece fabric, this was my last night project while watching dumb TV with hubby.<br />
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I finished and folded them all just in time for bed. When I stepped out of the room to lock the house down for the night I came back to this!!! Yep, the Princess loves these things :)<br />
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We had a ton of rain, wind, and cold weather blow in over the weekend figured it was a perfect time to throw together a couple of Pots of chicken noodle soup for Sunday dinner. One pot was with hand cut noodles.<br />
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The second pot was noodles I cut with the pasta machine. The pasta machine noodles won out. However they wanted them a bit wider next time. I'll be ordering another attachment for the pasta machine :)<br />
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Getting every last drop out our toothpaste might seem a little over the top in the frugal department but since we have switch over to the Thieves all natural brand I can't help but scrap that tube clean. our wholesale price for a tube is $10.25. To me that's a bit pricey but worth the cost for Non Toxic product we put on/in our body.<br />
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What's on the list for today?<br />
1.) Cut out the last of the cuddle blankets<br />
2.) Decide on some fall sewing projects<br />
3.) Decide on some Christmas sewing projects<br />
4.) Clean out the fridge<br />
5.) Make a few calls to see what the need/want is for a couple of our favorite local charities this fall/winterDebbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17319991952705204675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447552600400794435.post-2341286870525895342015-10-02T07:05:00.000-04:002015-10-02T07:05:02.010-04:00Productive Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Best way to start off a cool rainy day is working up a batch of bread.<br />
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Workshop, jars, bottles, and such are nice an neat ready to be used when things settle down a bit to do some workshops/classes. They just need to grow legs now and walk up the stair's.<br />
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With all the talk of rain, floods, and a hurricane I got our water storage in order. Lots of filtered water for drinking along with a cases of bottle water in the garage. If things start going down hill I will fill the bath tubs with yet more water.<br />
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I drug out one of the many laundry baskets of fleece I have stock piled. Hope to at least get some of this cut up into snuggle blankets for the shelter in the next few days.<br />
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What is it about a major storm that has me thinking I need to run to the grocery store? Better safe than sorry :) All we needed this week was some fruit but there was a good sale on spaghetti sauce and bacon so I stocked up on both.<br />
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Supper last night was vegetable beef soup with home made bread. I split the pot of soup along with a loaf of bread for a friend who always enjoys a home cooked meal but rarely has the time to get it on the table.<br />
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Yesterday was a non stop day of work. In addition to getting my list DONE I figured I better mow the lawn before the big rains move in. I was only able to mow around 80% of the yard since the hilly areas were so wet it was dangerous to drive the tractor around. Some done is better than none. <br />
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With that job out of the way I did a clean sweep of the garage (dumping ground) Empty canning jars are back where they belong, ditto for coolers and the grands riding toys. Boxes and other junk are now where they belong in the recycle can.<br />
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I finally sat down after dinner last night to enjoy some TV and hand quilting with hubby. Watching the TV was not enjoyable :) Once again we watched reports of the evil and terror one person can inflict on so many. Of course the politicians had to jump in to give their speeches that this newest mass murder is our societies fault. I hope for the day when the powers that be will call evil what it is EVIL!!!!<br />
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Prayers for the families that were affected by this disgusting act of violence.<br />
Debbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17319991952705204675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447552600400794435.post-33401694777991323582015-09-30T18:42:00.000-04:002015-09-30T18:42:24.146-04:00Easy Noddle Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have had noodle making on my mind for awhile now but with all the craziness going on there never seems to be a full day to devote to the task. Yesterday while having a nice visit on the phone with a friend she shared with me how her Kitchen Aid attachment had cut her noodle making time in half. I have had an Oh So Cute never used pasta machine collecting dust for more years that I want to admit.<br />
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I love to read..... reading directions or manuals not so much :) After spending a little time on U Tube I had the cute tool figured out.<br />
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The biggest job for me when making noodles is rolling out all that stiff dough. Talk about a work out!! But by feeding strips of dough into the pasta machine it was a piece of cake!!!!<br />
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I ran a triple batch of dough though the pasta machine as a test. Making changes to tried and true family favorite recipes doesn't always go over well around here. Until I try this new shaped noodle on the family I cut the rest of the dough the old fashion way.<br />
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Twelve batches of noodles done in just under Two hours!!! Once they are dry I will bag them up then pop them in the freezer. Home made chicken noodle soup will be on the stove in the very near future.<br />
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Having knocked the noodles out in record time the rest of the day was spent hand quilting. A bit of down time is a welcome change of pace.<br />
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Today for the first time in eight long days the sun finally peeked out in the afternoon. If the weather man is right we won't be seeing Mr. Sun for a long, long time. We already have flood watches out that will run until at least Saturday. I'm not looking forward to the end of the week with Blake and Kara who have been locked in the house for so many days. An old fashion walk in the rain might be on the activity list.<br />
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Up for tomorrow:<br />
1.) Organize bottles, jars, and such for workshops<br />
2.) Organize fleece fabric to begin working on animal shelter snuggle blankets<br />
3.) Catch up on filing<br />
4.) Find time to relax with hand quiltingDebbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17319991952705204675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447552600400794435.post-10663065415086466782015-09-29T09:34:00.000-04:002015-09-29T09:34:14.585-04:00Savings and Baking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We were getting really low on butter. It was one of the many things on my stock up list when I could find a deal. The week we left for vacation It finally got marked of my list. Cost of 30 pounds of butter? $90.45 saved $65.40. That really helps the budget!<br />
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This week whole pork tenderloins went on sale BOGO. Since I had Blake with me this morning I didn't want to dig around much in the pork counter looking for the smaller packages so I went with just 4, cost? $31.01 saved $31.01 another good buy to help with the budget. After looking around in our pork section of the freezer it wouldn't hurt to pick up a few more before the sale goes off on Wednesday when I am baby free!!<br />
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Since Papaw was home Saturday as my baby back up Kara an I worked up a few batches of sugar cookies. Lord the grands do love their kitchen time :) For sanitary reasons she had her own dough!!<br />
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As an added bonus she got to decorate her own cookies to take home to her family.<br />
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An additional batch went over to Elijah's family in their favorite team colors. Auburn blue and orange. Saturdays game was dedicated to Elijah, such a special day for him.<br />
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Peace and quite with Blake in the house, YAAA. He knocked out on me on the way home from the grocery store. Most of the time a 5 minute cat nap just recharges his battery, on this rainy day he is still out cold :)<br />
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An update on DD#3, so far the second blood transfusion is working. She is still working with Drs. on more testing to figure out what is going on. This is not our first rodeo with her!!!! If all test come back negative she should be having a hysterectomy in the coming months. So far every thing is pointing in that direction. Debbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17319991952705204675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447552600400794435.post-59993099369539786282015-09-26T16:26:00.002-04:002015-09-26T16:26:50.872-04:00The Best Halloween Party Ever!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last night all the kiddo's in the neighborhood gathered at Elijah's front door to kick off his special Halloween Party. A professional make up artist volunteered to do his thing on Elijah!!!! He was over the top happy with the results.<br />
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Elijah's favorite former Auburn quarterback now the Carolina Panthers quarter back Cam Newton surprised the crowd by showing up in an ice cream truck!!!!! Free ice cream for all the goblins! <br />
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How is this for a little boys dream come true. Trick R Treating with your "Super Mama" and Cam Newton.<br />
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And who could forget his other special surprise guest Panthers Linebacker Colin Cole with his cute wife and children.<br />
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The Cole's even had a video game trailer delivered for the neighborhood to play their hearts out all night long!!!<br />
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Elijah was over the moon happy with his Early Halloween Party!!!!!!<br />
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The outpouring of love and support Elijah has had for the past 17 months takes our breath away. Hubby and I sat last night watching photo's being uploaded onto social media of Elijah's party. I was a puddle of tears. <br />
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No one knew these wonderful caring football players were going to show up. These men didn't bring along the media. They showed up with gifts the entire neighborhood could enjoy. They were just part of the party, not looking for or wanting any publicity. Just REAL MEN with the hearts of giving.<br />
Debbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17319991952705204675noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447552600400794435.post-81323152955393749722015-09-25T19:38:00.000-04:002015-09-25T19:38:25.191-04:00Happy Early Halloween<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Left to right: Tyler, Sam, and Elijah from 5 years ago. </div>
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This morning SIL #1 had this photo show up on his face book memory timeline. It brought our entire family once again to our knees. <br />
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You see tonight DD#1 and her Hubby along with their neighbours will be together to celebrate Halloween Early for Elijah. The entire street has been busy as beavers decorating their homes and yards to make tonight special for Elijah. They have been running around picking out costumes for their kiddo's, purchasing extra special candy, and planning dishes for a pot luck dinner after the Trick or Treating has been completed. Along with working a full time job, taking care of her 3 kiddo's and home, DD#1 worked with the city so their street can officially be closed to traffic tonight for a safe fun night for this special little boy.<br />
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My job was to make cookies and cupcakes for the goblins. <br />
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Somebody special upstairs put this deal in my path :) Having just come off vacation, packing hubby up for a quick trip out of town, and keeping up with Tater Tot I decided to cut corners when it came to frosting the goodies. Regular priced frosting tubes $4.88 each. Sale price $2.44 in addition they were BOGO!! Yes, thank you very much.... I bought enough to take care of the early Halloween party along with Thanksgiving, and Christmas baking<br />
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Tater Tot is earning a new name "Monkey Man" He was into everything under the sun today as I was trying to finish up with our covered dishes to take to the Early Halloween party.<br />
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I finished the sugar cookies in the wee hours of the morning last night.<br />
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The Mummy cupcakes were completed between plucking the Money off on thing or another.<br />
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He climbed on the rungs of this stool to reach Papaws junk drawer. Of course the stool slipped out from under him but he hung on to that drawer without blinking and eye. You can't tell from this photo but his feet are not even touching the ground. Oh my, he is a handful!!!!<br />
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In addition to deserts for the kiddo's Blake and I whipped up a layer dip for the adults and hit the grocery for picnic supplies for the after Early Halloween pot luck dinner tonight. It has been a busy emotional day.<br />
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Knowing hubby would be getting back home late tonight along with being worn out from keeping up with this toddler while cooking/baking for a crowd we are not going to join in on the festivities tonight. We are all a giant wad of nerves, add to that being dog a.. tired I was afraid I wouldn't be able to hold it together when seeing Mommy, Gigi, Pappy, or Aunt Julie this evening. <br />
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Being around Sam or Elijah is easy...while Elijah's health is failing he is still just Elijah. Seeing the rest of the family.......there are just no words to describe the pain. The last thing this family needs is for us to fall apart in front of them.<br />
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<br />Debbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17319991952705204675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447552600400794435.post-57524229621514371192015-09-22T12:07:00.002-04:002015-09-22T12:07:39.477-04:00Forty Years!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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How can it be that forty years ago we walked down that isle making a covenant with God and each other? Boy does time fly!!!!! We are spending 5 days in the beautiful Smokies with one of our best friends who has been in our lives since way before we said "I Do"<br />
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How is this for a morning view over a cup of coffee? <br />
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Hubby and our Buddy have become BFF's with these wild turkeys. How in the world you ask? I caught them feeding theses not so cute birds homemade "Chex Party Mix" grrr. This morning they were bold enough to join me on the front porch, YUCK!!!<br />
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For us vacation is simple....We have spent or days touring all the beauty God has given us for FREE if we are willing to slow down and enjoy his creations.<br />
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Every curve has a new breathtaking view.<br />
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This morning while the boys are out doing boy stuff I am spending my time in a rocking chair working up a quilt.<br />
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Hubby ask last night who this quilt will be going to. I honestly don't know....maybe she will just stay at home with me. Over time my heart will know where she belongs.</div>
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While we are enjoying the simple things this week our hearts are always with Elijah and his family. If you have been following Elijah's fight with this nasty disease on face book you already know his journey here on Earth is almost over. </div>
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God has decided Elijah's little body will be healed in the kingdom that he has prepared for all of us in Heaven. </div>
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Our DD#1 and her hubby while still focusing on what they can do for Elijah and his family are now working with counselors to begin explaining to Tyler what is coming in the near future.</div>
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They are taking baby steps....Tyler knows and understands that Elijah doesn't want to play anymore, he is also aware that it's hard for Elijah to talk these days. He also knows that Elijah still laughs sometimes and he still likes to smile. Tyler's words..."God can make Elijah better even if the Doctors can't"</div>
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Well yes he can, you are right!!! But explaining to a Nine year old that his healing won't be here on Earth for us to witness.....Lord we pray for guidance and strength.</div>
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<br />Debbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17319991952705204675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447552600400794435.post-79743602127542074842015-09-15T22:50:00.000-04:002015-09-15T22:52:01.464-04:00Heart Broken<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/prayersforelijah?fref=ts">Mommy and Elijah</a></strong></div>
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I try very hard to keep my blog uplifting, who needs to be visiting a blogger that has nothing going on in their life but fussing and cussing! <br />
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I know regular reader's of this blog have wondered what the heck is going on with the lack of regular posts the past few months. Here is the ugly truth.<br />
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Our family has been struggling with so many emotions as we deal individually with sweet Elijah's journey to wellness. Posting about gardens, projects around the house, cashing in on deals at the grocery and such as that seems so trivial in the scope of life for us right now. Nothing in our lives are more important than this sweet little boy.<br />
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In our day to day lives we try to keep it normal....whatever in the hell that is now days. Elijah is always on each and every one of our minds and hearts constantly. His little brother Sam, Mommy, Gigi, Pappy and of course Aunt Julie Lord it is just so hard to keep it together and "normal".<br />
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In the past few months two of Elijah's friends he has meet on this journey have lost their battle. Just a few weeks back another child that he and his family have befriended was sent home with hospice. We of course have embraced theses families too, rejoiced in the little victories and cried over the not so good news.<br />
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With the passing of each of these children our world is turned up side down. It's hard to stay focused on the every day tasks some days when we share in their devastating pain. <br />
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Today we have been hit with a double blow. <br />
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DD#3 had a follow up visit to our family Dr. this morning. They sent her back to ER for yet another transfusion. Since her release from the hospital on Saturday she has lost 2 pints of blood. They can find on internal bleeding nor is she bleeding out. <br />
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Just seconds after talking to DD#3 reassuring her the kiddo's were fine with me just take care of herself we got heart stopping news.<br />
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Sweet Elijah has been removed from the trial at Emory Hospital due to his declining health. <br />
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Over our lifetime we have faced this nasty disease with too many friends and family members. Transitioning into the home God has waiting for us all in heaven with an adult is one thing but with a child......<br />
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Please say an extra prayer tonight for Elijah as well as his Mommy, family, and friends. Our faith is strong, but our hearts are broken.<br />
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<br />Debbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17319991952705204675noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447552600400794435.post-74400368792815934052015-09-14T15:34:00.001-04:002015-09-14T15:34:09.915-04:00Review of Last Weeks Goals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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DD#3 while out of the hospital is still feeling very weak. Baby Blake needed his Mommy and Mommy needed her baby!!! Kara on the other hand was A-OK once Mommy returned home she was back to her usual full of life self. Hubby and I took on the wild child for the weekend to give Mommy and Daddy a break. With the beautiful fall like weather we have been having we kept her plenty busy during the day helping with outdoor chores which is a favorite of hers. The evenings....what can I say, we were tired :) It's very rare that electronics are my friend but I must admit this "Nabi" came in handy while hubby and I enjoyed some Bama Football. As you can see by Kara's expression I was getting on her nerves taking photo's of her! This kid cracks us all up.<br />
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A friend brought to my attention that one of the spice clean out photo's from last week showed what looked like wine bottles in the background. We both got a kick out of the thought that I might be indulging in the spirits :) Not that I am criticizing anyone who enjoys an adult beverage, it's just not my thing. Never has been.<br />
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OK, so here is the scoop on those "Looks Like Wine bottles". <br />
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One of the health area's my Dr. has been interested in is the amount of water I drink each day. I shared with her I know I drink between 8-10 bottles a day. Yep, I'm a big drinker. While she was happy with my water intake she had concerns that I was drinking so much bottled water. She suggested that I use bottle water as a convinance but when at home use a "Glass" not plastic :) <br />
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I won't go into all the details regarding bottled water, heck you can google that. I started with purchasing a Brita water pitcher. While that worked great I didn't feel like I could track the amount of water I was taking in. Here is where the "Looks like wine bottles" comes in. I now recycle empty Ningxia Red bottles. Each evening I fill two of the bottles to ensure I get at least 52 ounces of water each day. Most days I end up refilling at least one bottle.<br />
I have been drinking "Young Livings" Ningxia Red for 3 month now. I must say I LOVE it!!! <br />
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One of last weeks goals was to find the time to work some numbers regarding retirement. I concentrated on health care. Hubby has been knocking around the idea of calling it quits next year. He will be 62 at that point, I will be 60. We would need to provide our own health insurance for both of us for 3 years, and additional 2 years for myself until medicare kicks in.<br />
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After speaking to several friends who have retired early the going rate for a couples health insurance policy runs between $1,300.00 - $2,000.00 each month. That doesn't include the cost of co-pays, and deductibles. We do have a HSA (Health Savings Account) but it is no where near what we would need.<br />
Alright so here is how the math worked out going with what seems to be the average for a couple<br />
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$1,500 a month for 12 months - $18,000.00 a year<br />
Drag that ugly number out over 3 years - $54,000.00<br />
The 2 extra years before I would qualify for Medicare - $18,000.00<br />
Grand total $72,000.00 <br />
Keep in mind these numbers don't include the cost of meds hubby and I are on now, regular Dr. office visit, or any illnesses we might run into.<br />
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If hubby can hold on for just 3 more years here is the math<br />
Health insurance for just me as hubby will qualify for Medicare at that point $18,000.00<br />
If we continue to make the maximum allowed HSA deposits as we are doing now that would bump our account up and additional $22,000.00. With what we have already saved in our HSA our grand total would be $42,000.00<br />
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Bottom line - I would much rather have $42,000.00 in the HSA account than pay out $72,000.00.<br />
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This is just one of the many steps involved in thinking/planning early retirement. More to come...<br />
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<br />Debbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17319991952705204675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447552600400794435.post-12579482692010973672015-09-12T20:47:00.001-04:002015-09-12T20:47:50.245-04:00Not So Fun Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Tater Tot and I took on the task of cleaning out the spice cabinets Friday. <br />
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There was a bit of condensing of various 1/2 full bottles, odds, and ends.<br />
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Not happy at all with the spices that had expired. While I know they wold still be OK just not as potent as they should be I decided to trash the whole bunch. With fall comes pretty good sales in the spice department of the grocery store. <br />
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Once that cabinet was complete it was time to move on the the back up spices.<br />
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Once I unloaded everything from the back up cabinet I made the mistake of turning my back. Never ever turn you back on an active one year old that is part monkey<br />
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He was more help than I really needed at the end of a long week but he did at least keep my mind off some upsetting news.<br />
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When I find the time I will rewrite my sloppy copy grocery list of spices.<br />
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Just when things seem to be moving along nicely as always something seems to pop up. Friday was no different.<br />
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I received a call soon after Tater Tot's Mommy got to work...She had passed out. OK, don't panic!! After a deep breath and a quick call to our family Doc who was booked for the day DD#3 headed to the urgent care center.<br />
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It wasn't long before she called back to tell me they were sending her to ER. She was to ill for their staff to handle. More deep breaths. I thought about packing Tater Tot up and heading in her direction however ER's, germs, and toddlers are not a good mix...we stayed home<br />
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After a few hours and many lab tests later she was diagnosed with pneumonia as well as a blood count of 6. Don't panic, stay calm!!!! They were transporting her to the hospital. Be calm and carry on.<br />
DD#3 hubby picked Kara up after school, took a quick shower then passed the kids off so he could be with our DD. Again where should I be???? It was hard not to throw the kiddo's in the car to head to the hospital, I mean after all she is my baby!!!<br />
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Step back don't panic. Little's have no business in a hospital full of sick people who have who knows what. My hubby arrived home soon after to take on the grands so I could get dinner on the table. We tag teamed the buggers until DD let us know she was settled in.<br />
Once the Dr's. had a game plan for our baby girl DD#3's hubby picked up the kiddo's for the night.<br />
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Tater Tot (Blake) has yet to have a sleepover with us which is very unusual where the grands are concerned. He is 100% a Mommy's boy, while he enjoys his time with us after a few hours he begins going to the front door waving Bye-Bye. It's his way of letting us know he has had enough, Mommy needs to be coming home!!<br />
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After a night of no sleep for Mommy while she had blood transfusions she was released today with antibiotics for the pneumonia along with orders to follow up with our family Dr. next week.<br />
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Nothing like a little family medical emergency to get your heart pumping...hubby and I had a nice long afternoon nap today. This evening Kara is having a sleepover with us. Mommy and Daddy need to catch up on their own rest, not easy to do with two rug rats. We are feeling blessed tonight taking the wild child off their hands.Debbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17319991952705204675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447552600400794435.post-18416538600462988222015-09-10T14:19:00.000-04:002015-09-10T14:19:01.317-04:00A Change of Plans<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Changing plans seems to be the new way of life around our home these days. Hubby is all about little adventures no matter the monkey wrench it might put on my "To Do" List :) He called home soon after going to work yesterday letting me know we had a new piece of land to look at after work. Might even be sooner if he didn't have any late afternoon meetings. <br />
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Cleaning out of the spice cabinets was off the list as I knew it could take most of the day to unload everything, wash down the inside of the cabinets, check expiration dates, and all that jazz not to mention putting it all back together in addition to getting the kitchen back in working order. sigh<br />
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So what's a gal to do? Shopping therapy of course!!! The weekly grocery sales started yesterday, after checking out some of the prices that morning I knew I needed to do some freezer stock up.<br />
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I had already done a quick inventory of the freezers awhile back, after taking another peek in the freezer, grabbed my list, out the door I went.<br />
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Being the early riser that I am I was in the store before rush hour was over. I had a list, I was sticking to that list!! <br />
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First stop was the ground beef section...why are the prices not showing the sale price I wonder? I then went on to take a quick peek at the pork chops, same deal they were not on sale. What in the world. Well maybe I pulled up last weeks ad. I went back to the front to check the sale flyer, sure enough they were both on sale.<br />
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Back to the meat dept. to ask the butcher what was going on. I informed him the sale paper showed the ground beef and pork chops were on sale but the packages didn't reflect the sale price. BTW they had the sale sign out in front of the meats.<br />
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He had an odd look on his face...I figured someone had made a mistake, now I'm not so sure. He very nicely told me to pick out what I wanted he would then adjust the price tags. I'm sure he didn't expect that I would clean out both shelves, but I did.<br />
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Once he returned the meat to me with the correct price I ask him what would have happened if I would have checked out thinking the sale price would have been calculated at the register. Another odd look on his face....Well... you would have paid full price for everything. <br />
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Once I checked out I spoke to the manager explaining to him what had happened at the meat counter. Was that a new practice at the store? Did people now have to ask the butcher to adjust to the sale price for each package of meat on sale. He didn't seem very surprised by what had happened but he did offer me a $25.00 gift card for bringing it to his attention.<br />
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I thanked him for his offer but passed on the freebie. I am not looking for anything more that truth in advertising. Next week I will for sure be checking out that meat counter to see if the "mistake" will be repeated. If so I will be accepting that gift card...followed up with a short note to the local news.<br />
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I got busy repacking the meats when I returned home. <br />
10 pounds of ground beef at the cost of $41.98 a savings of $24.16<br />
15 Packages of pork chops/loins at the cost of $54. 92 savings of $38.70<br />
Total spent $96.90<br />
Total saved $62.86<br />
$62.86 is a whole lot of cash to be leaving in the grocery store till because someone made a mistake on every single package of meat on sale...makes you wonder.<br />
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In the ongoing process of letting go around the house I wondered why I still have theses canisters sitting on the kitchen counter doing nothing more than taking up space. I stopped using canisters many years back when we were having an ant problem. <br />
Nothing grosser than pouring that first cup of coffee in the morning only to find ants crawling around in the sugar canister just when you are all ready to Dr. that cup up.<br />
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The sugar canister was cleaned, sterilized never to be used for sugar again. Sugar has been safely stored in the pantry bug free for many years now. So hubby says to me not long after that "I wonder if there are ants in the coffee canister too" Holy crap batman we would never be able to see them, double gross!!<br />
That was the end of using the canisters for anything. They are now in the charity box. Why so many years of hanging on to useless to me stuff? I think sometimes "stuff" just gets lost in the background. <br />
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Today's To Do is getting back to the kitchen clean out. I have Tater Tot as my sidekick today. Who knew cleaning out the spice cabinet could turn into an athletic event? Only Mommy's and Nanny's with rug rats running around.Debbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17319991952705204675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447552600400794435.post-30904799980364945072015-09-09T11:11:00.000-04:002015-09-09T11:11:11.710-04:00The Good, Bad, and Ugly in the Pantries<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is the bad. This is just a bit of the expired/wasted food I found in the back pantry. Three full grocery bags of waste :(. <br />
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The good? Evaluate and learn from the mistakes.<br />
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Why all the crackers wasted? I know of two reasons, reason number one is the grands like peanut butter and crackers as a snack, now that I don't have all of them all of the time we just don't use as many crackers. Reason number two is the whole family would rather have crusty Artisan bread with soups. <br />
Note to self buy ONE box of crackers on the next grocery run.<br />
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What's the deal with all those wasted cans of tomatoes and fruit? Now that I can enough tomatoes/fruit to get from one season to the next the store bought cans just sat around. The exception being the canned fruit that I can't do at home along with tomato sauce I also can't can<br />
Note to self only buy tomato sauce as well as the canned fruit we will really use!!<br />
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Thankfully I got to all this chicken broth just in time to use it up in the next two month's. We use a LOT of chicken broth but as with the tomato's and fruit I put up home made chicken broth/stock. Having a few cans of the stuff is fine especially during the holiday season.<br />
Another note to self, back away from the broth isle!!<br />
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Here is the stack of tomato's I need to use up over the next six month's or so. They very well may be moved to the DD's homes or given to the food bank/soup kitchen. Why give it away you ask?<br />
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This is the why. I still have 2 cases of quart jar tomato's from last season as well as 1/2 case of pint jars. Salsa is down to only one case. Apple sauce and apple butter...our pantry runnith over!!! I don't think I will be canning apples this year :)<br />
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Another area of clean up was these boxes of Keurig coffee things. I drink only decaf coffee or tea, with a few hot chocolate mixes thrown in (which BTW we don't care for) Hubby on the other hand drinks the good stuff. I had boxes floating around in both the front and back pantries.<br />
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When I can get a killer deal on these things I do it. Looks like I have done it a bit too much in the ME department :) Hubby's real stuff on the other hand is not too bad. He takes a box to work ever week or two to use at the office. We don't drink coffee at home very often as we tend to go out for breakfast most mornings.<br />
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Hubby does not like girly coffee!!! I have no idea how this girly coffee ended up in the pantry other than maybe they were gifted to us. I will be sending in the girly coffee to hubby's office so it won't go to waste here at home.<br />
Note to self, keep an eye out for sales of the good stuff for hubby to take to the office<br />
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Tea, tea, and more tea. Why this much? Well.....partly from really good sales but I think mostly leftovers from motel stays. When we travel I leave nothing behind!!! Hubby knows he better not come home after months on the road without a nice large bag of soaps, shampoos, lotions, and potions to donate to charity.<br />
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To clarify the "leave nothing behind" in motels I am not talking about fixtures or linens!!!! Lord NO!!! Just the leftover coffee packages and tea bags. I pulled together all the baggies and sorted away. I needed to sit down for a bit anyway. I hung on to the decaf tea bags, a nice baggy full of the caffeine tea is going to one of my buddy's homes who loves Earl Grey as much as I do. The rest is going to the food pantry. I'm not sure they will take them since they are just individually packed, not in a box but I would hate to throw out something that could be of use to those folks.<br />
Note to self, if the food pantry/soup kitchen will take these I will continue to collect them. If not walk away from the extras as I have way more than enough no matter how high the lodging prices are :)<br />
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Pull out, sort, pull out some more then sort some more. Ingoing, outgoing, where does it all go? I did finally get this mess squared away today before hubby arrived home so I could prepare dinner but tomorrow might be just as big of a mess as I still have a few more spots to hit.<br />
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I also did a quick inventory of the large freezer. It's looking a bit bare. This past year hubby has be gone more than he has been at home. I haven't been restocking since most of the time I am cooking for one. Sunday dinners consist mostly of cook outs since its too hot to mess in the kitchen in the late afternoons during the summer.<br />
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I have a ongoing grocery list started so I can begin to reload the freezer/pantries as things go on sale. We are close to being out of butter but other than that I don't need to pay full price for anything!!! Debbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17319991952705204675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447552600400794435.post-64676388746742236962015-09-08T13:04:00.001-04:002015-09-08T17:09:27.430-04:00Weekend Happenings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here we go again with the oily adventures :) The DD's and I are looking to knock the toxins out of lots of everyday items we use. While my everyday laundry days are LONG gone (yaaa) the DD's are in the thick of it. After searching around, looking at lots of ways to make home made laundry detergent I landed on this powder. Recipe at the end of this post.<br />
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We all agreed we wanted to go with powder detergent. It's easier to make, store, and no messy spills running down the side of the bottle. The big girls like scented anything and everything, me not so much. I think we have come up with a good compromise when it comes to the smell category :) <br />
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This mix seems to have the right amount of cleaning, deodorizing and, it's a nice fresh smelling blend. The proof is now in the pudding...will it really clean our clothes? So far so good :) <br />
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Here we go with my unknown to me until now bubble obsession. There just aren't any bubbles at all, is it really working without the bubbles? I stuck my hand in to test the water. While my love of a bubbly mix was missing the water felt plenty soapy enough to do the job. The one down side is finding the ingredients might be a bit tricky for some folks. Since we live in a very populated area with a whole lot of organic/healthy living grocery stores I didn't have any trouble other than having to run to three different stores to get everything I needed. Of course everything could be ordered on line with just a click of the mouse but I really hate the on line ordering route if I can help it.<br />
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What about the cost? <br />
Mule team borax - $5.99 (4 pound box) Cost per batch $.56 cents<br />
Arm Hammer Washing Soda - $3.59 (3 pound, 7 ounces) Cost per batch $.71 cents<br />
Castile Bar Soap - $4.99 ( 5 ounces) <br />
Baking Soda - Can't remember but dirt cheap :)<br />
Essential Oils - $2.30<br />
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Total cost per batch - $8.56<br />
This makes 80 of loads per batch for front end washing machines<br />
40 loads for regular washing machines.<br />
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Don't hold me to the math!!! But I think I am pretty darn close<br />
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Tyler was so excited for Football kick off weekend!!! As a special treat he and Papaw spent the Saturday evening Bama game hanging out with Papaws adult buddies. We sweetened the deal a bit by having a sleepover after the game. Note to self, Ty boy needs a bigger Jersey!! That will be going on his Christmas list this year.<br />
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So many happenings in the fall around our home. Along with Football season and Labor day weekend we celebrated our first fall Birthday (lord we have so many) DD#1 Birthday is on Thursday, with jobs, schools, and every ones activities Birthdays are celebrated at Sunday dinner. Sweet Karsyn is a Daddy's girl until it comes to Birthday cakes...at that point she is any bodies girl as long as she can get front and center of the cake!!!!<br />
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I PROMISE I had no idea that there was an essential oil sitting in this shot of the Birthday girl and her baby girl until I uploaded this photo to the blog!!!! I am telling you we really do use our oils :) This particulater oil is purification. Our yard is mosquito's central and I mean it's LOADED in the nasty buggers. A few of the grands got out the back door without being sprayed with our homemade bug repellent. Results of that unprotected outing....not good!!! Purification essential oil is one of our go to oils for skin health in mishaps such as this.<br />
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OK, so maybe this post is turning into an essential oil post after all. After a 4 day weekend of ripping and running my batteries were running on low this morning. Dark Chocolate is my normal go to pick me up but I am trying to limit my intake these days. I have heard great review's on using the Joy blend to get your motor up and running. It was worth a try :)<br />
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Every one is different when it comes to using essential oils in whatever form they are used. I am ULTRA sensitive to smells, it's just part of who I am. Two drops of any of the oils diffused for 20 minutes does the trick for me. I don't really consider that a bad thing since it helps my oils go a long long way. Our motto when it comes to oils is always less is more to start with!!!<br />
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I am not setting lofty goals for myself this week as I know I just can't get everything done I would like to do so I am sticking with the biggies for me.<br />
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Goal's<br />
1.) Clean out the back and front pantries. What a hot mess!!! I am afraid I have let things slip over the summer. Sure hope I don't run into too many expired items but I'm sure there are some.<br />
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2.) Work with some retirement numbers that have been floating around my head since meeting with a financial planner last week. I wish I were one of those people who could just say "What ever you think/want "honey" but I'm NOT!!! The "Honey" while being the bread winner in my case is NOT the numbers person. When the grands are around I am pretty good at multi tasking except when numbers are involved.... forget it!!!<br />
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3.) Work on one of the many charity projects that has been piling up. One of the area's we and the financial planner do not agree on is charitable giving, but he sorta has a point. More balance might be needed. :)<br />
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Now that Summer is coming to end are any of the rest of you trying to clean up your act a little? Like eating an Elephant I know I need to take one bite at a time, but at my age I also know when eating an elephant you can run into some elephant sized Poop. The Poop is what has me setting some LOW expectations this week :)<br />
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Powder Laundry Detergent:<br />
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2 Cups Mule Team Borax<br />
2 Cup Arm& Hammer Washing Soda<br />
1 Cup Baking soda<br />
1 Bar of Castile Soap Grated<br />
20 Drops Lavender Essential Oil<br />
10 Drops Orange Essential Oil<br />
Mix all, store in glass Jar<br />
Use One TBLS of powder for front Loading Machines<br />
Use Two TBLS of powder for Standard MachinesDebbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17319991952705204675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447552600400794435.post-3690501395492655482015-09-05T12:58:00.000-04:002015-09-05T12:58:12.383-04:00Unexpected Adventures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday was little boy day. Mason Man was so excited to have a day with "Baby Blake" all to himself. Things didn't go as well as he had hoped.<br />
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Tater tot has been a little under the weather for the last few days. Mommy took him to ER first thing Thursday morning with a high fever and just not acting right Mommy intuition. Sure enough he had a double ear infection, antibiotics and fever reducer ever 4 hours should have turned things around fast. Of course as all of you know little kiddo's can throw a monkey wrench in just about everything. The little bugger spiked a fever of 106 overnight!!!!<br />
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By the time Mommy dropped him off Friday morning this Nanny knew he just wasn't right. No tears when he cried, no wet diaper over night, and refused to take food/bottles or any of his medication. <br />
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Being the old Nanny that I am and being more stubborn than any toddler that has passed my way he did get the meds in his sweet little body. It wasn't pretty but you gotta do what you gotta do sometimes. Next on the unplanned to do list was get the little guy to our family Doc as soon as the doors opened. Dr. visit results...if he didn't have a wet diaper within 3 hours he would have to be admitted to the hospital for IVs. His little body was getting to the point of dangerously low hydration.<br />
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One thing I had noticed while "administering" nice way of saying forced those meds in his body was that he had a couple of odd looking blisters on his gums. The Dr. checked it out, diagnosis...could be he is cutting more teeth along with the ear infection. Her words "You never know with these little kids, they are always throwing us curve balls" We love our Dr's!!! They tell it like it is :)<br />
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Papaw and Mason Man got to work on the little guy pigging out on ice cream and Popsicles. They were able to get 2 toddler Popsicles in him!! YAAA for men talk!! I figured now that his mouth was nice and frozen he just might take a bottle. Sure enough he kicked back a double :) <br />
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So proud to report his tinkle machine is working at normal speed once again. Another reason why we LOVE or family Dr's....She called both DD and I after 3 hours to see what Tater Tot was up too. With the holiday weekend she knew the hospital would get nuts she wanted him in sooner rather than later.<br />
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Window's 8 laptop, fancy phone, and Fitbit. </div>
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One of the many frustrating I may never "get" this stuff things I have had to deal with this past month has been electronic gadgets. Honestly some days I think they will be the death of me.<br />
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My trusty flip phone of 13 years gave up on me during our disastrous family beach trip this year. Mobile Phones were our life line during that stomach bug. The infected condo would call the well condo (mine) to request, food, fluids, more OTC drugs whatever was needed while the adults were down and out. I was the runner :) OK by me as long as they kept that bug isolated. Once my phone went down we had to revert to face to face communication. I was tempted to have them pass notes under the door so I could use rubber gloves to read the list but...well we are family good or bad we are in this together.<br />
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After purchasing this overpriced but cute phone the instruction time began. Between the big kids and Tyler who is only 9 years old they had me up and running for the most part. We ran into a problem in that Hubby had set our apple account up for his phone years ago. For me (the kids) to do what needed to be done on some things I had to get into that account. Do you really think hubby remembered his password? Heck he couldn't even remember his log in ID.<br />
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While I still think the new gadget is over priced I must say Apple has AMAZING customer service!!! It took 2 trips to the Apple store to resolve hubby's lack of memory problems but the reps stuck with us never making us feel like tea total morons!!! The last visit they even told us to please come back they would show us lots of really cool stuff that the fancy phone can do free of charge.<br />
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The Fitbit...... <br />
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DD#2 convinced me purchasing the Fitbit would help inspire me to stay on track in my journey to better fitness. She was unable to shop with me to pick out this little gadget due to the opening of the school year so I was on my own.<br />
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Who knew there was so many to choose from, not me I can tell you!!! I went with the cheapest one they offered. Now to turn it on.....I won't even go there. Once she was up and running, connected to the new fancy phone (what the hell is that all about?) I was ready to rock the world on Nanny fitness. OK Rock is a strong word. <br />
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Me to DD#2 - This thing is not working right, it says I don't have any friends to challenge, and it makes my arm sweat<br />
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DD#2- Mom, yes it does. You are just not doing it right.<br />
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Me - Duhh<br />
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DD#2 - OK, here is what you need to do...gibberish to me<br />
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Me - Nope, none of that is working. It isn't tracking my heart rate, and a bunch of other stuff you said it would do<br />
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DD#2 - Mom yes it does, don't be stubborn just do what I say. More gibberish<br />
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Me - Nope, mine must be broken<br />
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DD#2 - What did you buy and where did you buy it?<br />
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Me - Wally world, they had the best prices. Got it for $99.00<br />
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DD#2 - You get what you pay for. You bought the cheapest one they make it won't do all of what you want and need it to do. Take it back and get the more gibberish model.<br />
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Me - Hells bells NO!!! That would mean I would have to go back to the Apple store to get this economical one off then add the new expensive one on. Not gonna happen!!<br />
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DD#2 - OK Mom, BTW when you work out you are going to sweat get use to it and wear a sports bra for Gods sake!!!!<br />
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My review over all of the Fitbit? <br />
Maybe I should have gone for the more expensive one after all but for now I am going to go with what I have got. <br />
The thing is plastic, it makes my wrist sweat, yuck!! <br />
Also FYI it doesn't track a single step I do when I take one of the Little's for a walk in the stroller.<br />
I am going to hold out until Fitbit comes out with one that will track stroller time. I can clock between 1 or 2 miles a day with the stroller when one or more of the grands are making me nuts with there cute antics. That should count PEOPLE!!!<br />
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<br />Debbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17319991952705204675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447552600400794435.post-48548907977236433062015-09-03T21:25:00.000-04:002015-09-03T21:25:09.342-04:00Essential Oil Play Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Two posts in two days!!! It's a miracle! As I shared in yesterdays post I have been playing with and learning a lot more about Essential Oils. One of the area's our DD's and I have been excited about has been replacing store bought cleaning products with safe toxic free cleaning. On this day I was working on dish washing detergent. The ingredients were simple and very inexpensive.<br />
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I used Lemon, Thieves, and Lavender for their properties. The smell is really nice too :)<br />
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It took no time at all to mix up and make a nice size batch.<br />
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Now for the bubble test. It was looking promising...But in the end the bubbles disappeared pretty quickly.<br />
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After washing up a pile of pots and pans there wasn't a bubble in sight. <br />
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Even without any bubbles the pots and pans came out squeaky clean. <br />
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One of our other oily adventures was making a Lemon Freezer Pie. Kara was my helper for the day.<br />
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Once I had the pie put together I let Kara have at it with the leftovers. As you might be able to see in this photo there was a whole lot of taste testing going on :) Kara has never been a sweet eater so I was really surprised she liked this so much. Recipe <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b00pmWbbNd0">Here</a> It is a U Tube video<br />
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I got the recipe for this pie from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b00pmWbbNd0">Alissa Brewer</a> it is super easy to put together and tastes great. One of my buddies is a Key Lime Pie crazy nut, he LOVED this pie. I plan on substituting the lemon juice and lemon essential oil with lime next time around to blow the socks off my good friend.</div>
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As far as the dish soap recipe.... I'm still not sure how I feel about it. No doubt the dishes got clean, the smell was lovely but I have a thing about bubbles.</div>
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I find washing dishes by hand with a sink full of thick bubbles relaxing. Call it crazy but washing dishes by hand helps sooth my soul. It's just me with a pile of dishes enjoying the view out the kitchen window. I never have to worry about anybody bothering me when I wash dishes by hand, I mean really who wants to take part in that task these days.</div>
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When any of the grands are around dish washing becomes on a whole new adventure. When there is a pile of dishes waiting the rule is let Nanny catch up then you can have at it. If its a small pile and no glass is involved they "Have to do all the work". They get such a kick out of "Doing all the work" The pride on their faces is priceless. </div>
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If the little's are busy playing while I am doing the dish washing I leave the dish water. Nothing keeps those rugs rats busy and quite than a surprise sink of bubbles. Sure there is water going everywhere but I consider it an opportunity to do a much needed quick mop of the kitchen floor.</div>
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With all that said until I find a nice bubbly home made dish washing recipe I am going to hold off on sharing the "How To"</div>
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Time to hit the sack for hubby and I. We have a big day with the little boys tomorrow. It will be their first time all alone together. Mason man is so excited to have some me time with "Baby Blake".</div>
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<br />Debbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17319991952705204675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447552600400794435.post-60095992643057828982015-09-02T17:18:00.000-04:002015-09-02T17:18:39.225-04:00It's been too long!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Where in the heck did the last month go?!!! <br />
It has been CRAZY busy. I have been working a ton with our Essential oils. To say we are happy with the results so far would be an understatement!! I will be sharing what I can within the FDA guidelines soon :)<br />
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Hubby has been running the roads between home and a project in NV. It's a four day drive one way!!! This man of mine is NUTS. He is home for now trying to catch up with all of the fun things he likes to do with the grands. This day was devoted to rocket launching.<br />
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Each grand had their very own launch, hubby loved it. Me not so much....You see while he was standing next to the Captain of each rocket I was in charge of ground control. In other words keeping the other 4 kiddo's a safe distance from the launch pad. No easy task I assure you.<br />
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Another "great" idea of our Papaw's was to have a camp out at our house with the older four grands. Here we have the girls tent and boy tent set up on each end of our room. I am sure you can guess how that worked out. Yep, all of the kiddo's in our bed, papaw in the spare room and I slept (not much) across the bottom of our bed.<br />
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I have been trying to work different area's of our home that needs some TLC. Now that Tater Tot is into everything rearranging of glass cookware/leftover storage became a MUST do. I am trying to convert over to mostly glassware for leftover/warming up storage. Plastic will still have a place in the kitchen but it has taken a minor role when it comes to leftover storage and warming up of anything<br />
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So far the reorganizing is working pretty well. Since I am the only one who puts up leftovers as well as cooking maybe this system will stay as is. Hubby is really great about unloading the dishwasher, he knows all glass cookware needs to be left on the counter. Don't mess with Nanny's cabinets!! Men really can be some what trained in small tasks :)<br />
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Mailing of goodie bags, thinking of you, and feel better cards with GC enclosed has unfortunately been a weekly task. Sometimes more that once a week. In the past month there has been so much heart breaking news of children we have meet during Elijah's battle with cancer. Sending out little treats for these children is the least we can do for them.<br />
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School also started last month. Lots of back to school shopping for the grands as well as our two Daughters who work in education. Ouch!!! Here is Wild Child Kara on her first day of Kindergarten which she LOVES.<br />
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Tater Tot and I are Lone Rangers for the most part these days. This has been an adjustment for both of us. Blake is use to having playmates around...he is feeling a little lost. As for me? I am loving having some one on one time with this little guy. <br />
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I have hopes that things will begin to settle down around here. I have been hoping for that for a whole lot of months :) Now that Hubby is back home, the little kids are settled in school/pre-school we just might have a normal schedule of sorts beginning.<br />
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One of my biggest personal hurdles has been to get my health issues back on track. I want everything done and done fast....ain't nobody got time for this mess :)<br />
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As a family we are all struggling with our little buddy Elijah's continuing battle with cancer. Watching he and his family fight so hard for his life is overwhelming some days. Its really hard to focus on every day things when this nasty black cloud hangs over us all. <br />
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Maybe, just maybe I can get back on track :)<br />
<br />Debbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17319991952705204675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447552600400794435.post-36499665699540956492015-08-04T14:51:00.000-04:002015-08-04T14:51:21.705-04:00It's Always Something<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Checking the garden every day for ripe veggies or fruit has become a chore, forget about weeding I am long past having the time or energy for that!!<br />
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Baking little treats for a care package to send to hubby as often as I can find the time is not just a chore it has been emotional knowing how much he is HATING being away from home<br />
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Tracking BP and Blood sugar several times a day, recording the levels and my diet is a new chore I am not enjoying!!!! Normally I love to learn new skills, finding new ways for our family to separate ourselves from all the nasty stuff the world is so full of these days...its just another chore :)<br />
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Thankfully our family physicians are great cheer leaders in my quest for natural health and wellness, otherwise I think I would just throw in the towel and opt for yet another pill or two<br />
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I won't put off enjoying special simple things with the grands no matter how weary I am some days.<br />
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Keeping up with Tater Tot, oh my!!! It's exhausting, fun, physical, and precious. I don't want this time to be a chore!!!!!<br />
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A week at the beach with a family the size of ours takes a whole lot of energy. Keeping the costs within our budget, planning meals, activities for possible rainy days, packing linens, pots and pans large enough to feed a crew, not to mention all the beach gear...enough said :)<br />
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Watching the older kiddo's teach the babies the tricks of the trade when it comes to beach play...priceless<br />
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Due to one of my reformulated meds I can no longer spend much time in the full sun, grrrrr but in the evening....OH YA. Our little girls had a blast dancing away<br />
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They danced and pranced by the moon light stopping only for a sprinkling of Nanny's Fairy dust now and then. <br />
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That was the good stuff<br />
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The bad. Lord have Mercy!!!!<br />
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Eight of the 11 of us came down with the Noro-Virus. Can we say NIGHTMARE. For the first time in I don't know how many years we didn't have washing machines. The big kids had to make daily trips to a laundry mate to disinfect linens, clothes, towels, you name it the little kids hit it if you get my drift :)<br />
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Somehow some way I was one of the lucky ones that stayed health. My job was to be the store runner for liquids, OTC meds, at one point I felt so bad for the big kids I bought new undies for all of the grands so the Mommies and Daddies had a few more back ups. <br />
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The theme for my life this year seems to be if it can happen it will happen. If it can go wrong you can bet your sweet (insert whatever bad word) it will.<br />
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Must Do's, need To' Do's, reminder notes or phone numbers, general lists of whatever are scattered here, there, everywhere. There are so many balls in the air most days I don't know which way to turn.<br />
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This is so NOT ME!!!! Not only is this not me, it's not working for me.<br />
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I can go by the seat of my pants for awhile, but not on a daily bases. I need to get a GRIP!!!<br />
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I am a firm believer, always have been that cute counts. A budget counts too, but at some point the budget has to take a back seat to sanity and cuteness. <br />
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This morning I drug my overwhelmed slow moving rump out of the bed for some retail therapy. Maybe a new planner to at least store all that jumble of mess will help. It needed to be cute as well as functional, if I could find it on sale all the better. If not....hells bells it's cheaper than a trip to the funny farm. (maybe)<br />
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I went with Becky Higgins Project Life Planner. I am using one of these planners for our Essential Oil journey with great results.<br />
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Cute - Oh Yes!!<br />
Functional -Yep, by purchasing individual components/kits that work for me to add to the planner<br />
Price - Debatable, I bought my first one to try out when Hobby Lobby was running a sale so the price was pretty good.<br />
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Today...Nothing was on sale, refer back to this years motto :)<br />
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Did I print a 40% off coupon before I left home, of course not<br />
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AHHH, but I did have a brand spanking new smart phone (don't ask) that I have seen ladies use to pull up the coupon. Bingo!!!<br />
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Did I know how to use fancy new phone for the coupon? What do you think?<br />
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Everyone in the world knows how to use all these new phone I will just be bold (or stupid) and admit to the clerk my <span style="background-color: white;">dilemma.</span><br />
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As I was checking out I explained to the lady I had forgotten to print a coupon but that I did have a super cute (It matters) new phone. She smiled and said that will work, YAAAA<br />
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I then handed her the phone.<br />
Her - I don't even know how to turn it on, I have a flip phone<br />
Me - Me too until yesterday. I don't know how to use it but I do know it will do lots of stuff.<br />
Her - She ask one of the other clerks for help. Turns out she too had a flip phone. Just my observation but it seems like the over 50 crowd work in the mornings. They are my kinda people<br />
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End results - They ask the manager for a code to get the coupon, the manager was more than happy to help out. I save $20.00<br />
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More importantly their customer service made my day, really it made my week :) Their kindness, time, and energy, was just what my stressed out self needed. Thank you Hobby Lobby, your always my first choice in all things crafty, home related, party supply go to store.<br />
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<br />Debbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17319991952705204675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447552600400794435.post-79873368734754658942015-07-16T14:09:00.000-04:002015-07-16T14:09:49.804-04:00Some Just Like it Simple<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Kara and I had a play date yesterday. Since Tater Tot has joined the family Kara and I don't have as much time to do the things we use to do. We wouldn't trade Blake for anything in the world but babies do wreak havoc on every day doings :). <br />
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First on our list of activities was to find a bathing suit or two for our upcoming beach trip for the wild child. Waiting so late in the season is a good time to get in on some great sales but the pickins are not great!!<br />
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Kara got to choose where we would go out for lunch, she wanted beans and squashed potato's (mashed), works for me :) <br />
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The big event was an afternoon movie, her VERY first!! Kara is so full of energy that she doesn't even watch a full 30 minutes of cartoons, the exception being "Caillou" sometimes. I wasn't sure how it would go.... <br />
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First stop the concession stand. I knew popcorn was out as she hates that it gets stuck in her teeth, she is not big on candy but she has discovered soda in the past few months, grrrr. She decided on water and carrots, figures...she is always surprising us in what she does or asks for. OK, they had water but no carrots...I remembered I had a baggie of almonds in my purse for emergency snacks for myself. Thankfully she was all in for that snack. I'm telling you this kid eats the oddest things<br />
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She sat quietly, minded her manners, even moved over closer to me for some cuddles. An hour into the what I thought was one of the most boring movies ever she ask if we could go home. Are you sure? Yes, she wanted to work in the garden. Heck ya!!!! We are so outta here!!<br />
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For whatever reason the middle of the kitchen table is where she likes to enjoy her treasures. Who cares...my motto is pick your battles, is this the mountain I want to climb? NOPE!! :) How many kidletts do you know LOVE bell peppers? She likes them raw, no dip or sauce, just cut up and served.<br />
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OK, so this photo is a little gross....Who but a child doesnt' mind having straight from the garden tomato juice and seeds running down their chin and neck? My adult taste leans more to a fresh tomato sandwich!!<br />
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Washing the veggies is a favorite for all the grands, really any reason to play in the water is a good time. I was shocked to see her lining up the tomatoes in the window after she finished washing them. It's one of my favorite sights in the summer :) Be still my heart<br />
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Before the day was done she wanted to pick some peaches to take home for Daddy. Aww. We didn't make a dent in our overloaded peach crop this year. Once again notice where she is setting? In the middle of the kitchen table :) After deciding each and ever peach was the "Bestest one eber" it was time to wash them off.<br />
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Kara works every job/task with flourish. With her hair flying it didn't take us long to get the peach washing complete!!<br />
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We finished our Play day off by eating all of the cucumbers we "Founded" Our Kara likes the simple stuff in life.<br />
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Having all of the grands together in one place is a hoot!! They remind me of a litter of puppies romping and rolling around., so cute. I must admit other times its more like a riot, punches being throw, emotions on edge, everybody wants to win at any cost!<br />
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Having them all alone, just one on one, Nanny and me time....it's so sweet. They get to be the star, no need to share, no need to compromise, they aren't just one of the gang. It's such a special time, so much sweetness, my heart swells with love. <br />
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Yep, I like it simpleDebbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17319991952705204675noreply@blogger.com0