December 24, 2008

  • Tis the Season....

    to FORGIVE!  I heard or read somewhere that holding on to anger is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die!  Ouch!  Life is short, I don't want to spend mine taking poison.  I choose to forgive, not forget, (I'm not that fa la la la loopy...)  but I choose to let it go.  Things are what they are.  People are who they are.  Life is too short and I'm too blessed to waste another minute of my day holding on to anger.  I choose to make 2008 a poison free year. 

    5 Things I'm Thankful for

    *A loving heavenly Father who blesses and loves me even when I don't learn my lesson the first 4 times....

    *Fred, my best friend, I love him more with every passing day.

    *Trey, Savannah, and Tony

    *Fred's Dad who may get to come home from the hospital on Monday

    *Having my Mom and brother here in Texas. 

     

     

     Wishing all my xanga friends a Very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

     

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    tree

     

     

December 15, 2008

  • Boo Mama's 2008 Christmas Tour of Homes

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    and

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    This is my 2nd year participating in Boo Mama's Tour of Homes, my first with Hooked on Holiday House Tours.  I'm so excited about both that I'm up at midnight!

    I concentrated last year on some of the great deals I've gotten on Christmas decor threw out the years, I'd like to do the same this year.  I buy Christmas decor anytime of the year I find a good deal on it, sometimes a tree isn't exactly what I had in mind the first year; but will become, with time, one of my favorites. That's what happened with my back yard tree this year but I'm getting ahead of myself.  The point is, I don't spend big bucks, I take my time and find good deals and by no means did I do it all in one year, I'll likely be working on my "Christmas collection" for the rest of my life

    So without further ado, Welcome to my Very Merry Frugal Christmas

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    I retired the 7 1/2 Foot formal Tree this year as earlier this year I also retired the "formal" living room, it's now what it should always have been, a room for my kids.  I replaced the big tree with an idea I got from the tour last year, actually I think it was an idea I got from our host, Boo Mama herself.  I loved her Christmas Card tree so we've been filling ours as the cards come in. 

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    First off on our "Frugal tour" is the entry tree I added last year after Christmas, 50% off at CVS and I used Extra Care bucks to pay for most of it, out of pocket it cost me $11   I keep the lights burning threw out the year (sort of a pretty night light) and change the foil tinsel with the holiday. 

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    Here's the Christmas card tree (in the kids living room) I told you about earlier, I bought the tree from a yard sale a few years ago for $10 and the beautiful decorations come in the mail box every now and then all month long. The Penguin trio was an after Christmas purchase last year, 90% off, I think I paid $1.40 for it.   The penguins sing and dance, Savannah loves it. 

     

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    I added icicle lights to the new fence behind the pool this year, you can see them threw the back door, I love to sit outside and see the reflection in the water.  I bought the two gold tree's on the mantel at a yard sale for $2 a couple years ago.  I bought the Santa clock which plays a different Christmas song every hour, at Walgreens in November with Register Rewards, out of pocket I paid $9. 

     

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    My dinning room tree and a ceramic tree I rescued from the rubble of a fire that burned my Grandpa's house to the ground last year.  It was covered in soot, I brought it home, 1200 miles from SC to TX, cleaned it up, put new bulbs it and now I have something beautiful for my Christmas collection that belonged to my Papa. 

    The dinning room tree is where we put all our family ornaments, I collect ornaments whenever we go on vacation.  This is my 2nd favorite tree this year and here are some of my favorite ornaments on it.

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    Fred bought me the cute little teacher ornament this year and the one beside it came from the Grand Canyon while we were out west this year.   The Sand Dollar came from Myrtle Beach about 3 years ago, I love hanging them on the tree and remembering the fun we had at each place.

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    My favorite tree this year is my patio tree,  I bought the tree itself at a yard sale a few years ago for $15, last year was it's first year outside and some of you will remember it only had the poinsettias on it last year.  This year in keeping with my "beach" theme I added some pretty shells.

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    Most of the shells came from an estate sale I went to earlier this year and I picked up the star fish at Walmart.  Fred showed me how to use the drill and I drilled the holes myself   I was very pleased, didn't break even one.

     

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    I'm still not totally in love with Trey and Savannah's trees but they're a work in progress, I add ornaments each year and when they grow up and move out they'll have a nice stash of Christmas ornaments to take with them.  The part I like most about these tree's at this point is that they look pretty from the outside and T and S both love to sleep by the light of their trees. 

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    Fred (dh) adds a little to my obsession collection every year with gifts like this old world santa who at present sits on top of the fridge in the kitchen.  The Dancing Santa is something I picked up a few years ago at a yard sale, I paid $25, at the time they were still selling at Wal-mart for close to $100   I bought the Penguin last year for Savannah,  I used CVS extra care bucks and paid $4 out of pocket

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    Savannah loves to bake with me anytime of year but we tend to do more at Christmas time.  Fred (dh) bought her a pretty little apron the other day and she's enjoyed "playing cook" all week... She sets up a station at the kitchen bar and "sells" her goods to Daddy and Trey. 

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    Well this is Christmas at our house, I'm looking forward to seeing Christmas at your house.  Check out all the other Boo Mama participants by clicking the here and here

    Christmas illustration of Jesus and shadows of Mary, Joseph

    Have a Wonderful and Blessed Christmas!

     

December 12, 2008

  • The Full Cold Moon

    We sat in the back  yard tonight and did a little star gazing  The Full Cold Moon was beautiful, dh and I both saw the same shooting star just underneath the moon, I told him that means we'll love each other forever..... yep, I totally made it up.    We'd do that with or without seeing the star  

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December 7, 2008

  • Today I'm Thankful for......

    A fun filled time at Chuckie Cheese...... I'm also thankful that it's over and I'll never make the mistake of going on a Saturday afternoon again.  One of the great things about homeschooling and having a husband who works from home at least twice a week, we can go on Monday's at lunch time when all the other little rug rats are in school   

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    We finished shopping for Tony this afternoon, he's working a project in Boston for the next few weeks, home on weekends though so he'll be here for Christmas.  I noticed his footprint in my blog a couple days ago, I'm sure he LOVED the dancing elf video    We finished shopping for Trey a month or so ago but Savannah has to go everywhere with me so it's been hard to shop for her.  I'm planning to sneak off next weekend to finish up everything.  So are you guys done with all your shopping or just getting started?

     

December 5, 2008

  • Tonight I'm Thankful for

     A God who loves me and blesses me everyday

    A warm home

    Savannah who makes me smile everyday

    Trey, my first baby, my "Mama's boy"

    Tony, who's the best big brother I could ever have asked for

    My Dear Sweet Husband, he brought me a pretty little "Teacher" ornament last night

    My new 1000 count, egyptian cotton sheets, Black Friday deal I couldn't pass up and they are heavenly

    That my Mom and Brother are both in TX now

    My husbands job, it supports us and enables me to stay at home and teach our children

    My home, lit tonight by Christmas lights and candles

    My sweet love birds, psycho dog, cuddly bunny, pretty red fish, and Larry the gecko

     

December 1, 2008

November 29, 2008

  • Sorry I haven't been around as much lately, no excuses, just enjoying life.    We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, Tony was home from Houston and my Mom and brother both came over.  I cooked the Turkey, Ham, deviled eggs, green bean casserole, and desert, my Mom cooked everything else, it was nice to have someone to share the responsibility with.  We enjoyed a nice casual dinner and then watched a couple movies, "Wall-E" and..... well I fell asleep during the second one  

    Friday afternoon (no, we don't do the bright and early shopping thing) we all went out for a little after Thanksgiving shopping.  Fred, Tony, and Trey hung out at Best Buy while Savannah and I checked out the Going out of Business sale at Linens and Things.  I didn't find anything that compared with the deal I got that morning on Amazon.com, King size, 1000 TC Egyptian Cotton sheets, regular $400 for $79!   I can't wait to sleep on them!

    My Mom took the kids to the park and back to her house for pizza this afternoon, Fred and I enjoyed a little time alone.    Thanks Mama!  I've enjoyed the holiday weekend but I'm looking forward to getting back to a routine on Monday.  Hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving and I'll be around to say hi soon.

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    Trey helped his Daddy cut more firewood, I love my Thanksgiving fire, even if I have to turn the air on to enjoy it....

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    Yes, Trey desperately needs a hair cut in the picture and he got one today  

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    Savannah playing dress up and helping me make cookies, you can tell she's quite pleased with herself! 

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    Last but not least I wanted to share a picture of my favorite tree this year. (cause yall know I've got em' all up!)   I'll share more Christmas decoration pictures on December 15th during BooMama's tour of homes.  If your not sure what that is but are interested check the button on the left hand side. 

November 21, 2008

  • Another Thankful List.....

    because you can never be too Thankful

    *I'm Thankful for a God who loves me and blesses me more than I could ever list

    *I'm Thankful for a family enjoying my homemade chocolate chip cookies (for the 2nd night in a row, I'm feeling very Martha-ish)

    *I'm Thankful for my husband, who brought me a pretty little Christmas ornament home in the saddle bag of his motorcycle yesterday afternoon, just because.

    *I'm Thankful for a king size bed to stretch out in with my hubby, after 4 years Savannah has moved from our bed to Trey's (he also has a king size bed so there's plenty of room )

    *I'm Thankful for a fully potty trained little girl, I waited until she was ready and it was a breeze. 

    *I'm Thankful for the funny "cookie dance" Fred and Trey are performing in hope of more cookies.

     

     I'm also thankful for my camera, that I can capture moments that seem to go by SO fast. They grow up so quickly.

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    I think Trey's about 3 in this picture.

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    Savannah, a little more than a year old.

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    Tony just before HS graduation, now he's all grown and living 300 miles away. (he's the one in glasses)

    Makes you want to hug them a little tighter while they still fit in your lap!

     

November 10, 2008

  • My Thankful List

    *I'm Thankful for a God who loves me even when I'm tired and grouchy

    *I'm Thankful for all the cleaning I've gotten done this week, yes they'll mess it up again, and I'll TRY real hard to be thankful to clean it again

    *I"m Thankful for Fred, my best friend, in 4 years we will have loved each other for half my life

    *I'm Thankful to have my Mom and brother here in Texas, I can't wait for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners

    *I'm Thankful for my children, Tony, Trey, and Savannah.  They are all so different and I love every little thing that makes them who they are.

    *I'm Thankful for a warm home, a comfy bed, and plenty of food to feed my family, I know that not everyone is as fortunate.

    *I'm Thankful that Fred is able to work from home 2 sometimes 3 days a week.

    *I'm Thankful for a husband who works hard so that I'm able to stay at home and teach our children

    *I'm Thankful that it's "beginning to look a lot like Christmas"  around here, 2 trees up 4 to go, I should be done just in time for Thanksgiving at our house.

    *I'm Thankful for a husband who turns on the air conditioner so he can live threw the fire he built for me

    *I'm Thankful that we were able to take a great vacation this year, one we've wanted to take for a long time

    *I'm Thankful for winning THREE blog giveaways in the last 2 weeks (I never win anything)  I won a beautiful lap quilt, a great book, and a 1 year mag subscription! (I'm thinking of doing a giveaway here soon) 

    *I'm Thankful for all my xanga friends

    What are you Most Thankful for today?

     

November 7, 2008

  • Halloween post

    I know this is late, seeing as how I'm starting to work on Christmas around here   What?  You knew I would, I make no apologies, I love Christmas, I love the way my home feels at Christmas and I needed the distraction dang it!    Don't worry, I'm only working on the inside, I don't want my neighborhood to know I'm a wack, I save that all for you guys!

    Fred and I took the kids around the short block in our neighborhood and then we came home and let Savannah pass out some candy.  Obviously Savannah enjoyed the candy but I think she enjoyed passing it out just as much. 

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    My next door neighbors go ALL out for Halloween, actually they go all out for every holiday.  At Thanksgiving they have a Giant blow up Turkey on the lawn   I don't have to do much for Halloween I can just send the kids into the front yard if they want to see decorations.  My house is the gray brick to the left, my neighbor is sitting in the gray "column" and as people walked from their house to ours (in the dark and not expecting anything) he'd whisper "happy halloween", it was pretty funny, they make sure not to scare kids, it's all in good fun.

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    The pumpkin head guy with the chain saw was in another yard, we thought it was stuffed, it was NOT.  It scared me a little, ok a lot, and Fred was lucky enough to get it all on film

     

    Last but not least it's been a while sense I shared any "pressure washer" stuff with you guys, yes I'm still addicted.  It's too much fun, not so much if you hit yourself with the stream of water though.   I was holding one end of the dog house while pressure washing with the other hand, I took about 4 layers of skin off my thumb  this was 3 days after the stove incident..... I got a nice little lecture from Fred while he was doctoring on my finger   Like I told him, "look how clean that is!!!"

    Before                                                                                                  and AFTER

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    I did learn my lesson and if I can't pressure wash it without holding it then, well I probably wont pressure wash it.  But tell me it doesn't look like NEW. **insert tim the tool man grunt**