A Bit of This and That

Cell Phone

2011-03-28T08:16:00.002-05:00

I am just amazed at how quickly new, better cell phones are hitting the market. It seems like there is a new one out nearly every month. When I got my phone I felt like it was pretty new and up-to-date. A year later I am finding that my phone is sort of old school. Especially when you compare it to a phone like the Motorola Xoom. Now that is a neat phone. Maybe my next phone I get will be all new fangled for longer than my current one was.

Easter Gifts

2011-03-05T08:29:00.002-06:00

We have never been big givers at Easter. However, I do know that a lot of people give really nice gifts for Easter. There are some great Easter gift ideas from PersonalCreations. There are actually some great personalized Easter decorations, too. My kids are in need of new Easter baskets and I might invest in personalized ones. I almost can't resist the personalized metal tubs. Cute stuff!

Lamps

2011-03-05T08:23:00.002-06:00

My mother-in-law has some really neat antique lamps. I just love the look of vintage lighting. Lamps of old were works of art. I have a hard time finding lamps from today that I would call works of art. Of course, there are some stained glass lamps made today that are. But the everyday, average variety lamp you find in most stores are not. I know that the lamps my mother-in-law has were everyday lamps when they were bought new. Its too bad we can't buy lamps like that now.

Food

2011-02-23T08:02:00.002-06:00

I have 3 teens in my house plus 1 that lives here part-time. Wow, can they put away the food! I don't think even appetite suppressants would put a dent in the amount of food they can consume. Even though I grocery shop weekly I feel like we never have food in the house. It seems as soon as I buy it they eat it. I know that in the scope of things this time will last a short time. I am looking forward to the time when food lasts a little longer in my house.

Funny People

2011-02-23T07:49:00.002-06:00

Have you ever noticed how weight loss pills always take on names that make you think they are actually medicine? The name adapexin p comes to mind right off. It sounds like a prescription medicine. I wonder if that is done so that people will buy it. People are funny like that. We think something is good just based on a name. I'm sure diet pills are no different.

Skin Care

2011-02-23T07:43:00.002-06:00

I have been on a quest for new anti-aging skin products. My conclusion is that anything to do with anti-aging is expensive! If you want to buy the best anti wrinkle cream, then you had better have lots of cash laying around. And if you don't want the best you still better have some cash laying around. I have almost decided that I will just buy regular skin care. I just don't want to pay a lot of money for my skin care.

Losing Weight

2011-02-23T07:39:00.003-06:00

I have decided that there is no way to lose weight quickly. Actually, I have decided that losing weight quickly isn't even the best way to go. Slow and steady wins the race. We've all heard that saying. I believe that is the best way to go in much of life including losing weight. So, with that being said, I am just plugging away a little at a time.

Online Games

2011-02-23T07:12:00.002-06:00

My family really enjoys PC Games. We also enjoy internet games. Lately I have been addicted to SeaFight. I really, really like this game. While you can play it alone it is most fun when you play online with other folks. I have actually had to limit my playing time or I find myself wasting hours. Have you ever liked a game so much you had to limit your playing time?

Gardening

2011-02-23T07:00:00.002-06:00

The garden and seed catalogs have been filling our mailbox at a fast rate for the last month. We have been making lists of seeds and I think I will add some stepping stones this year. I have a few flower beds that are deep. It would be easier to weed if I had a few stepping stones in place. Of course, just because there are stepping stones doesn't mean that I will actually weed the flowerbeds!

Jeans

2011-02-03T07:56:00.002-06:00

I have hopes of hitting some clearance sales this weekend. We aren't looking for discount scrubs but rather jeans. My youngest, despite being a girl, goes through jeans like nothing flat! She is down to 1 pair that doesn't not have holes in the knees. They are all ragged along the hem so they are still not the best jeans. I hope to find her 3 or 4 pair on clearance to get her through the rest of winter and spring.

Snow

2011-02-03T07:37:00.002-06:00

Today is the third snow day we have had this week. Yes, we got hit by that epic blizzard just like most everyone else in the Midwest. Every store sold out of snow removal equipment even if it wasn't on sale. Every school is closed. Many businesses and municipalities are closed. Today folks are finally starting to get out. Tom went to work and I anticipate the kids will be back in school tomorrow. I've actually enjoyed the snow days and the blizzard. But maybe I am just twisted!

Shoulder Pain

2011-01-24T07:21:00.002-06:00

Clint has been complaining of shoulder pain for the last week. I don't think it is anything serious. We are just treating it with ice for now. I suppose that if it continues to bother him we will have it checked out by the doctor. I hate to jump the gun and buy a shoulder brace without first talking to the doctor. Of course, it is my experience that the doctor will usually tell you to ice the joint and take ibuprofen. So that is what we are doing.

Acne

2011-01-20T06:43:00.002-06:00

I am so very thankful that none of my children have had bad acne. I have seen some kids who have really bad cases of acne. I wonder why parents don't take them to a dermatologist when it is so bad. Those kids will be facing acne scars treatment at some point. I am very thankful that I haven't had to take my kids in for acne treatment. Its not that they haven't had acne it just hasn't been bad. Whew!

Temperature

2011-01-18T08:01:00.002-06:00

The temperature is supposed to drop all day. Yesterday we were well into the 30's and today it will drop down into the teens by this afternoon. Today might be a day for thermogenesis to create some heat! I love winter but when the temperature fluctuates so much it is hard for my body to keep warm. I go from being comfortable one day to really cold the next. When the temperature stays even I find that my body stays at a comfortable temperature. Oh, weather. Why do you toy with me so?

Food

2011-01-18T07:50:00.002-06:00

In this house, you either need Appetite suppressant diet pills or you need appetite accelerator pills! We have a few folks who need to loose and a few who need to gain. It makes for a tough balancing act in the kitchen! And, of course, the ones who need to gain have no interest in eating. So, I am pushing food toward one plate and pulling it away from the next. Oh, the life of a mom, I tell you!

Camera Search

2011-01-13T10:05:00.002-06:00

A while ago we began looking at digital slr cameras. Let me tell you, that was an adventure. We decided to get a professional camera because our daughter wants to become a photographer. We felt that she needed to have a really good camera to learn with. My crossover camera was having some issues and my daughter needed something reliable. So we began searching for the camera that would have the features she wanted and the price we wanted. We were lucky enough to stumble upon a great deal on a Nikon with 2 lenses. Our daughter has been very happy with the camera and has learned a lot.

Winter Pains

2011-01-13T10:01:00.004-06:00

I just came in from doing chores outside. It is 5 degrees this morning. I am sure there is some windchill making it feel colder than 5. I have a pair of double knit mittens that I wear when I do chores. I hate work gloves because they don't keep my hands and fingers warm. I also have to take them off in order to do anything. I just as well wear mittens so my hands stay warm when I do have them on. Needless to say, my hands were still very cold this morning. My fingers were aching by the time I came in the house. Then I spent 10 minutes dealing with the pain in my fingers as they warmed up. Oh, there are some good times to be had in the winter!

Prom Dress Shopping

2011-01-13T09:57:00.003-06:00

My oldest daughter and I have shopped for homecoming dresses for the past 2 years. However, this will be the first year that we get to shop for a prom dress! I think I am more excited about it than she is. She really just isn't a shopper not matter if we are looking at jeans or prom dresses. That's okay because her boyfriend is a shopper. He pretty much picked out her homecoming dress this year. I imagine that he will be in on the decisions for a prom dress, too. I would actually rather shop with him than with her! No matter, I know that we will have fun in the end.

Sump Pump Dilema

2011-01-02T09:16:00.002-06:00

We are having problems with our sump pump freezing this winter. We replaced the pump last winter but did not have a problem with it freezing then. This winter has been pretty mild so I am not sure what is going on. Our sump pump runs a lot all year. It may be time to investigate commercial pumps. We have lived here for 15 years and gone through 4 or 5 pumps. So it might be time between that and the freezing thing.

Indulging

2010-12-14T07:56:00.003-06:00

It is the time of year for indulgence. We indulge in spending and giving and eating. And come January we will all be shaking our heads at the bills, wondering where to put all of the junk we got as gifts that we don't need and wondering if we should buy the best weight loss pills. I am trying to not get all wrapped up in indulging this season. I want it to be meaningful and treasured. I don't want it to be just another reason to overspend, overgive and overeat! I am trying to keep my focus on "the reason for the season".

Gaming Systems

2010-12-07T09:24:00.002-06:00

Yep, I've been doing some Christmas shopping like most of the rest of the folks in this country. My kids would love to have a PS3 or Wii. It is almost always on one of their lists. However, my husband is highly opposed to gaming systems. Really, I wouldn't want a PS3. I would love to have a Wii though. All of the kids could play games together. They have done that at a friend's house and have had a ball doing it. I have a feeling that we are fighting a losing battle and we will never get one.

Holiday Pattern

2010-11-28T10:02:00.002-06:00

Now that Thanksgiving is over we are all turning out thoughts to Christmas. We have filled our bellies with turkey and pumpkin pie. We have braved the crowds at Black Friday shopping. We will be looking forward to a string of Christmas parties and holiday food. And then we will usher in a new year and the desire to lose weight and become a better person. I am sure that commercials for weight loss pills that work are at an all time high after the new year begins! It seems that the time between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day follows a pretty predictable pattern from year to year. We all love the comfort of knowing what to expect, don't you think?

Attitude

2010-11-28T09:41:00.002-06:00

Wow. It seems that attitude is running rampant in my house. Is there something we can give kids to correct that? You can give kids shots of human growth hormone if their growth is lacking. So, why can't we give shots of attitude adjustment hormone when their attitudes take over the room? I sure could use some advice on how to solve this problem. I have been feeling so run over by attitude lately I am actually overwhelmed by it. If I am overwhelmed by it, then surely the kids are. Its got to be hard work to keep up an attitude for an extended length of time!

Weight

2010-11-28T09:36:00.002-06:00

One of my girls has lost some weight recently. Unfortunately, this child has no business losing weight. I want to be clear that she has not been taking fat burners or any other sort of weight loss pills or doing anything else to lose this weight. However, it is a concern when your child is suddenly 5lbs underweight. She has been working to put at least 5lbs back on. What a crazy thing this is!

Spending and Christmas

2010-11-28T09:25:00.002-06:00

Tis the season to spend and spend and spend. We have been much more diligent about using cash for all or most of our Christmas shopping in the last several years. I am certain that there are a lot of folks who feel that a cash advance is the only way to manage Christmas these days. I am glad that we made the decision to put money into a Christmas Club account every week. I know that it isn't the best way for everyone but it works well for us. It happens whether I think we have the money to put away or not. It takes that decision away from me which is very helpful. We also use some of Tom's Christmas bonus to pay for Christmas. Next year I am going to work hard at just spending less on Christmas.

Ugh

2010-11-15T11:03:00.001-06:00

At this moment, I feel like I have been kicked in the gut. No need for Diet pills fat burners. None at all. I don't think I could eat if I tried. I wish I could share what has caused this feeling. I cannot. I can only say that I feel like I have been kicked in the gut and had my heart stepped on all at once. I just hope that things will change or at least I will understand them.

Cold

2010-11-15T10:58:00.002-06:00

I certainly have not been in need of a sleep aid lately. Nope. I have contracted my first cold of the season. It is currently kicking my hiney! My colds have taken on a predictable pattern in the last several years. First, I start with insane sneezing. I never used to sneeze very often at all. Now, I sneeze like crazy with a cold. Soon, my nose gets stuffy and my ears plug up. Then it moves down into my chest with congestion and coughing. I get a dry throat and extreme fatigue. I am at the chest, dry throat, fatigue stage now. All I want to do is sleep! At some point today, I will give in to that desire. I know in the end I will get over this thing faster if I sleep.

Meaties

2010-11-15T10:33:00.002-06:00

I am really looking forward to being done with meat birds for the year. We ordered another round of 50 meat chicks in September. I am wishing now that we had ordered them a month earlier. Its getting kind of late in the year to be dealing with outdoor butchering! However, sometime in the next 2 or 3 weeks we will be butchering all of these birds. They had better start their funeral planning because it is inevitable! I am hoping that we can sell most of them so I can buy some more hay.

Mattress Shopping

2010-10-28T09:52:00.002-05:00

I have been looking at mattresses lately. Clint desperately needs a new set. He has been complaining of back pain nearly every morning. I have discovered that there is a hollow in his mattress! No wonder his back hurts. So I have been looking and I have discovered that you can get a decent twin size mattress set for surprisingly little. And I don't mean the kind that you would put on a spare bed, either. The ones I was looking at had lots of good support and a pillowtop. They were very comfortable! Looks like I will be buying a mattress for him very soon.

Invites

2010-10-26T14:37:00.002-05:00

It used to be that invitations were just simple things. Anymore an invitation is an elaborate thing! I have seen examples online of unique baby shower invitations and party invitations. Personally I like simple but some of these invitations are just too cute to pass up! I love the ones with your baby's footprints on them! And any opportunity to put an embarrassing photo of your loved one on a party invitation should not be passed up. Okay, maybe I don't like simple invitations as much as I thought I did.

Old Van

2010-10-26T14:18:00.002-05:00

My old van is starting to show her age. She is 10 years old and has over 200,000 miles on her. She also has some rust starting on her doors. She has also been having the occasional mechanical problem over the last year or so. She is getting worn out and some of her parts are showing it. Just last week we replaced her alternator. Pretty soon we will have to put on another set of brake rotors and brakes. I am starting to wonder exactly how much longer this old girl is going to be able to hang in there. I think van shopping is not too far in our future.

I Love Watching Beauty and the Beast on Satellite TV

2010-10-26T14:13:00.000-05:00

Content by Mitch Osborne

Ever since I was a child, my favorite animated movie has been Disney's Beauty and the Beast. I'm not quite sure why it was my favorite. I certainly watched many animated movies during my childhood. Perhaps I identified with the main character, Belle. I have also always been fascinated by the talking candle and the talking clock. During my teenage years I thought I was "too cool" to watch a movie like that anymore. Lately, however, I have been trying to watch it every time it comes on TV. Since I use tvbydirect.com for satellite, I actually get many opportunities to watch it. This is good, since my children seem to enjoy it as well.

This is one of Disney's darker movies, so you should use discretion if you are planning to let your children watch it. There are several times when the townsfolk talk about killing the Beast. At one time, they are marching towards the Beast's home while chanting over and over that they want to "Kill the Beast". I hadn't yet discussed death with my children the first time they saw this, so they were quite confused. At the end of the movie, the Beast seemingly dies, but Belle gives him a big kiss and he turns into a prince. This is one of the most romantic movies that will ever be created.

New Shoes

2010-10-26T13:56:00.002-05:00

I have $40 worth of coupons and gift cards to be used at JCPenney. Normally I use those things to buy things that the kids need. There is always someone around here that needs something! This time, however, I am going to use them toward a new pair of tennis shoes for myself. I have been trying to take better care of myself lately. I am taking a multivitamin and watching what I eat (to an extent anyway!). I am also taking more care in my appearance and this is where new shoes comes in. My old pair of shoes are worn out and used for barn shoes more often than not. If I want to wear them somewhere, I have to clean the mud and stuff off of them first. It is time to take care of my feet, too! By the end of the weekend, I should have some new shoes.

My Real-Life Miracle

2010-10-20T10:03:00.001-05:00

Guest post written by Ann Hall
The one bad part to using the taxi system in New York City? It’s nearly impossible to track one down after you’ve taken a ride. The other day I’d just caught a flight back in to LaGuardia and did the dumbest thing—I left my wallet in the backseat after I paid! I must have set it down as I got my luggage out of the back. I was frantic for almost an entire week, canceling my credit cards and such. Then, a miracle happened.

Some really kind soul actually found my wallet in the car after I’d gotten out and held on to it until they found my number on an old card shoved in one of the corners. knew something like that would happen?

We actually got to talking when she dropped the wallet off. It’s funny, she was on her way to the Miracle Ear location right by my house to have a hearing loss test done. She convinced me to go with her so we could continue our conversation. We went together and actually had a great time, as weird as that sounds. I think this might be the start of a great friendship. Maybe things happen for a reason!

Bad Sleep

2010-10-20T09:56:00.002-05:00

I have been suffering from poor sleep for a few weeks. Some of it has to do with back pain that I have been experiencing. Some of it has been that we have shut off the ceiling fan and closed the windows at night. And some of it has been that I have been doing too much thinking before bed! Needless to say, I have been tired during the day. I have been taking multivitamin supplements but that really isn't going to help the tiredness much. I really need to get back into a good sleeping routine! Until then I am going to have to keep slogging through my days. I do manage to take a short nap every day after lunch. That does help me get through the afternoons a bit better. My days still seem long and mostly unproductive due to the tiredness. I hope to get back to sleeping better soon.

Staying In

2010-10-20T09:50:00.000-05:00

Authored by Alvaro Jordan

As someone who suffers from a self-diagnosed agoraphobia, the idea of leaving the house to watch a movie in the theaters sounds a bit frightening. The dark shadows, empty spaces, and hundreds of people with judging eyes makes me quite uncomfortable. I much rather prefer watching a movie in the confines of my own home, without anyone touching me with their insidious germs, without having to sit on a chair or god forbid a toilet seat covered in invisible disease. Thankfully, modern convenience has made it so we can watch movies on demand from the comfort of our own living rooms.

With a push of a button on my DVR, a wide array of movies are made available for my viewing pleasure. It is indeed a pleasurable experience, because I can feel the false air of the ventilation on my cheek, and hear the tinny sounds from the old speaker system I bought from a garage sale last year. Compared to the baleful echoes and overextended air conditioning of a movie theater, my living room is pretty much heaven on Earth, which is the name of our planet. Also, I don't have to spend a fortune at the concession stand, and can enjoy coke and microwave popcorn with my movie for about one thousandth of the price. If it weren't for on demand and my satellite TV from DIRECTV New Mexico, I'd have to go outside, and that is an exercise in dread.

More Than Chicago

2010-10-20T09:45:00.002-05:00

I had a good laugh today. I received an email from a company I do business with. They were wanting to know, since I was from the Chicago area, if I wanted to attend an event. Hello! You need to check your directory submissions! Just because I am from Illinois does not mean that I live close to Chicago. It is a 5 hour drive and a 4 hour train ride for me to get to Chicago. In fact, if I lived in the southern tip of Illinois, it would take over 6 hours to drive to Chicago. Come on, folks. Look at a map once in a while. Illinois is a long state! Not everyone lives near Chicago. In fact, most people don't. Illinois is largely an agricultural state with great areas of low population. Look at a map before you make an assumption about where someone lives.

Discovered a New Recipe

2010-10-18T15:42:00.001-05:00

Thanks for the post, Kathy Shelton

The other day, I was watching a cooking show on my satellite TV that I got here, and discovered a new recipe to try. The recipe was for chicken tortilla soup. A few of the main ingredients included: diced tomatoes, chicken broth, green chillies, and shredded chicken.

Our family has been trying to live a healthier lifestyle, so this seemed like a good and healthy recipe to attempt. We have been working toward eliminating fast food from our diets. Now, we just want it on an occasional basis. For this reason, I've been looking for new recipes to cook. So, when I saw the chicken tortilla soup, I knew it was something I wanted to try out.

The soup was surprisingly very easy to make. It was also quick. In fact, it only took about forty-five minutes total. It turned out great, too. The whole family loved it. It was a recipe that I will definitely make again sometime in the near future. Along with that, it even left us with some great leftovers to eat later on in the week.

Water Weight

2010-10-18T15:25:00.002-05:00

I seem to be drawn to those things that are natural diuretics. I love lemons and coffee and tea. All of those things help will have you going to the restroom often. However, I was surprised to find some unusual natural things that help rid your body of extra water. Cranberry juice (I knew that one but forgot it!), fennel (yuck!), dandelion, green tea and ginger are a few that will help you get rid of the extra water weight. I may see about a supplement that contains some of these natural diuretics. I know I carry extra water around. I am ready to be rid of it!

Man's Best Friend

2010-10-13T13:39:00.000-05:00

Guest post written by James Henson
It's true what they say--dogs really are a man's best friend. I've had Pal for nearly 15 years now, and we've been through a lot together. Well, I just retired--and I think he's enjoying it more than I am!

We've been adventuring through the town a little more lately, both on foot and by car. Thanks to our roaming, we actually found this great field area that works kind of like our very own Dog Park. I'll take Pal off his leash and let him run around for a while, which he just loves. Plus, it's pretty off the beaten path, so we have it all to ourselves.

He's also taken a liking to riding in the car with me, even if it's just up the street. I've gotten to where I even take him grocery shopping with me! Of course, I have to leave him in the car but I think he really enjoys people-watching.

The other day, I had to go get a hearing test done, so I even took him with me to that. He waited paitently in the car while I got my Hearing Aids by Miracle Ear, so I took him to our special park afterward as a reward. Yeah, the retired life is sweet--just ask Pal.

Going to a Professional Baseball Game To See The Players

2010-10-07T12:12:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Erich Emerson

I love going to professional baseball games to see the players. What really makes professional baseball games fun for me is getting to see the professional players live. When I can't go to the game, I watch it on TV with my satellite TV from www.BestChoiceTV.com. Seeing the professional players in person who otherwise would only be distant people over the TV is what really makes going to professional baseball games fun for me.

As a big baseball fan, and a person who is in a fantasy baseball league, I really keep up with the players and track them through the season. Seeing them on TV and reading about them on the internet is fun, but seeing them in person really adds another layer of reality to the fun that is professional baseball. Seeing the players themselves at the stadium, even if it is from a distance, is what makes baseball fun for me. I love going with my friends to professional baseball games, and sitting and discussing the different players and their performance through the season. Going to professional baseball games is how I like to have fun.

New Freezer, Old Air Leaks

2010-10-07T12:00:00.002-05:00

Recently we had to buy a new upright freezer. Our old one was about 10 years old and just died on us. So we bought a new high efficiency one. Wow! What a difference! The freezer is in our entryway and that room was always warm. Even in the winter it was warm. I know why now. That other freezer must have been running constantly! That room is a whole lot cooler now. In fact, we may have to replace the door hardware on the backdoor. Why? Because we realize that it is actually leaking a lot of cold air into the house! The old freezer running all the time was just compensating for the air leaks. What a way to find out.

Business Travel is Fun

2010-10-06T11:31:00.001-05:00

Guest post of the week by Brittany Booker

I love traveling and I get to travel a lot with my job. Sometimes I am only gone overnight but usually I will be gone for at least a week. Each time I leave on business travel it is always the same routine.

I get up extremely early and drink a cup of coffee. I double check my briefcase to make sure I have all of my documents, and then I load up my suitcase in the trunk of my car. I set my home security alarm that i found at allhomesecurity.com before I leave and then I head out to the airport.

On the airplane I usually am going over my notes for the week and reading about the clients I will be meeting with. By the end of the flight I have usually dozed off.

I fly all over the United States including Boston and Chicago. I have only been to New York once for business travel. As much fun as that business trip was to New York, I much prefer my business trips to Chicago.

The clients I work with in Chicago are easy going and I honestly look forward to meeting with them again. When I travel on vacation I usually stay at economy motels, but when I am traveling for business I usually get to stay in some very nice hotels.

I always return from my business trips with a good story.

Homecoming

2010-10-03T07:48:00.002-05:00

We have all survived Homecoming weekend with needing any medical carts! It was a fun but extremely busy weekend for all of us. When you live in a small town homecoming is really a family activity. We all go to the parade and to the football game. I suppose if we had thought about it we may have even gone to the pep rally. However, we felt that we had plenty of other things to do, too! My oldest 2 went to the dance last night. We have a couple of friends sleeping over so today will be a bit hectic, too. Its okay though. Homecoming only happens once a year!

A Taste of London

2010-09-28T20:18:00.001-05:00

Contribution by Terrance Kirby

It was a rainy day just a few months ago, and I was watching British comedies on the premium channel that our tv offers and trying to decide where I should go on my summer vacation. I've always been a big fan of Britcoms, so I decided to head across the pond to England.

The trip was really easy - I flew out of Atlanta into London Heathrow, then took the Tube into London. Because I was on a tight budget, I stayed in a youth hostel near St. Paul's Cathedral, right in the heart of the city. I couldn't have asked for a better location, as the cathedral was just across the street, and The Globe Theater and Tate Modern were just a stroll across the Millennium Bridge away.

I wanted to get a bit of a different view of London, so one night I joined a London Walks Jack The Ripper tour. It was great! We went to all the spots around Whitechapel where the victims had been found, and ended up at the Ten Bells pub for a well-deserved pint of beer. Whitechapel still feels like what old Victorian London must have felt like, even without all the famous London fog.

I only had a short time to visit, but there's so much to see and do there, I know I'll be going back.

Genetics

2010-09-19T21:38:00.002-05:00

I know that genetics can be a tricky and funny thing. However, it is amazing to me that you can sometimes have siblings that look like they were made with cookie cutters and sometimes they don't even looked related. My kids all look similar. However it is interesting that I have 2 that are very thin and 2 that are a little heavier. Those 2 don't need the best fat burners by any means. They are just heavier. I also have 3 that are tall and 1 that will probably be short. They all have brown hair and brown eyes and 3 of them have dimples. I think they are all amazingly beautiful, too!

Acne Problems

2010-09-19T21:30:00.002-05:00

I was talking to a friend the other day about our kids' break-out struggles. We discussed different acne systems. There are so many products out there. The only way to know what will work is to try them until you find one that works. There is no one magical best treatment for acne. It is different for every person. Sometimes I think going to a dermatologist is the easiest way to find something that works. Luckily none of my kids have had acne bad enough to even consider a dermatologist.

Lazy, Lazy

2010-09-19T21:09:00.002-05:00

Isn't it amazing that even if you type in a misspelling a search engine will still find what you are looking for? For instance, if you type in this phrase "what is three best dfiet pill on the market" you will still come up with the 3 best diet pills. We don't even have to be able to spell correctly to get the information we are after. We sure have become a lazy society, haven't we? Is some pretty crazy stuff!

Weight Loss?

2010-09-19T20:50:00.002-05:00

I have decided that if you are living in this economy and still have the financial obligations of the last economy you certainly don't need the best legal fat burner. Nor do you need illegal fat burners. The stress and worry of the day to day finances is enough of a weight loss program. I am sure that there are folks all over this country that are losing weight due to stress or perhaps even not enough money for food. I wonder if this is the way our country will get back to a normal weight.

Staying Young

2010-09-19T20:29:00.002-05:00

The older I get the busier I am. You think when you are younger that the opposite is true. It is not. I think it is God's way of keeping us "young". Seriously, I think that staying busy and active is better at keeping us young than any of the best anti aging products on the market. I mean internally and externally. My grandma was a very busy woman. She was sharp as a tack and never looked as old as she was. I think once she slowed down age caught up with her. My plan is to stay active and stay young!

Golfing Fun

2010-08-30T13:37:00.002-05:00

A couple of times I have taken my daughter and a bunch of her friends to play miniature golf. The course near us is indoor and during the evening hours you play under black lights. The kids always have a great time!

The last time we went the group was pretty large. It was a bit crazy with some of the kids taking some hard drives at their ball. I think they forgot they are inside! But it was still a lot of fun just to watch how the kids have fun. The usually forget that a parent is there and can act pretty funny. I especially like when they all laugh at how white everyone's teeth look under the black lights. Its always funny to them.

I'm glad my kids aren't too embarrassed to have me along on outings with their friends.

Sledding

2010-08-30T10:46:00.002-05:00

I can't believe that there are only 3 weeks of summer left. Before you know it we will be dragging out our snowboots, gloves, hats and heavy coats. If this winter is wet, people will be dragging out snowmobiles, assorted sleds and snow tubes, too.

There is nothing quite like sliding down a hill at a fast rate of speed. Gosh, we had fun as kids doing that. I think that if I did it now I would really be sore the next day! My Dad used to clean our driveway and pile the snow for use to sled down. I'm talking about a farm driveway. It was big and all of that snow made for some fantastic sledding hills!

Taking a Trip

2010-08-30T10:19:00.002-05:00

This weekend we are planning a trip. We are going to pack our stuff on our thule roof racks and head on out of town! We are going to visit Tom's aunt and cousins that live near St. Louis. While we are there we plan on going to the St. Louis zoo for the day. My cousin and his family are going to meet us there so we can spend the day together. We are all really looking forward to this weekend. It is different than our normal weekend trips. That makes it more exciting for all of us!

Good Memories

2010-08-28T07:42:00.002-05:00

I have a lot of great memories of my Dad. He smoked cigars until I was in 6th grade. More than once as a little kid I would reach up to hold his hand only to get the hot end of a cigar. I know that bothered my dad a lot. That I would get hurt. I can still remember what kind of cigars he smoked. Phillies Sport. Funny the things you remember.

When he quit smoking he started drinking coffee. I have more memories of him with a cup of coffee than I do with a cigar. He would always have a cup of coffee in the truck with him. This was long before travel mugs and there was always spilled coffee on the floor. Thankfully his floor was not carpeted and he would just hose it out. Such great memories.

Local TV

2010-08-23T09:49:00.003-05:00

It wasn't all that long ago that we used to be able to get all of our local TV stations by using our antenna. In fact, we never even considered paying the extra for LocalTV-Satellite when we got satellite TV. It seemed silly that we should do that when we could get it for free. And then the government stepped in. Suddenly we were faced with buying a new TV so we could get local channels, hook our existing TV up to a converter box that may or may not work or we could check into companies like localtv-satellite.com. Nice options, government.

We finally ended up paying the extra to our current satellite TV provider so that we cold watch the local news. I suppose we could have looked into different providers, too. I think we can only get DishNetwork and Direct TV where we live. So, there really aren't many choices in that respect. We are happy that we can get the local channels but in all reality I kinda liked how it was before.

Mesothelioma Cancer

2010-08-18T10:28:00.002-05:00

Isn't it amazing how we go through life not giving much thought about how the small things around us will affect us later in life. I think that is very much the case for asbestos. All of us have lived or worked somewhere that exposed us to this Mesothelioma Cancer causing particle. I know I have and you probably have, too.

I can remember how I loved my grade school. The teachers, the staff, the kids and the building. It was all a lovely picture of love and learning. I have many fond memories of that school. Little did I know that every day I was breathing in something that might kill me later in life. I had never heard of Mesothelioma cancer. In fact, I had hardly heard the word cancer.

Today, we have all heard of Mesothelioma cancer. We all know that at some point in our lives we were exposed to asbestos. And we all know that Surviving Mesothelioma is not a common thing. However, more and more people are battling it and winning. Paul Kraus offers a free book about struggling to survive this cancer. I am sure it would be a wonderful thing to read if you have or know someone who has Mesothelioma.

Unaware

2010-08-08T07:27:00.002-05:00

There are times that I wish I had a few wireless cctv cameras set up around the house. Sometimes I would like to be a fly on the wall to just watch my kids. I don't mean that in a creepy, spy-like way. I just mean I want to catch them completely unaware in those moments when they are completely absorbed in what they are doing. Have you ever been able to watch your kids when they are like that? I have. It gives me such a feeling of love and accomplishment to see them being themselves. I would love to be able to see more of those moments.

Money Management

2010-08-03T12:43:00.002-05:00

I have been doing some thinking about document management lately. I used to have somewhat of a system to maintain our documents. That went by the wayside a long time ago. I used to save all of my paid bills and file them away. Then I started just shoving them in big bags after they were paid. Just recently I decided there really was no reason to save all of my paid bills. My new system is to throw the bills away as soon as they are paid. I am still not completely happy with that system. I think I may save the bills that I cannot look up online for 1 month and throw the ones that can be found online away when they are paid. Sometimes I do look back at the month before. I would also like to start tracking our spending and begin paying for things in cash rather than using a debit card or check. Lots of changes coming in how I manage our money!

Hmmmmm

2010-07-07T18:27:00.002-05:00

I have never really considered looking into adult acne treatments. I mean, I still have breakouts occasionally but it isn't so bad that I need professional treatments. However, I really feel for folks who are dealing with what society considers a teens problem as an adult. It surely has the same effects on one's self esteem as an adult as it does a teen. At least, I think it would for me. I am not an overly confident person to start with especially about my looks. I think if I had to deal with breakouts all of the time I would really be self-conscience.

Different Climate?

2010-07-07T18:13:00.002-05:00

Living in the Midwest in the summer can sometimes be a better weight loss solution than the best weight loss pills. And especially when you live along the Mississippi River. It is just always hot and humid here from May through September. Hot, muggy, can barely breathe kind of humidity. When we moved here we had no idea that it would be so much different than it was 250 miles away where we grew up. We also didn't realize that there is a much greater amount of pollen here. We found that out pretty quickly our first spring here. Tom was miserable and has continued to be miserable every spring since.

What People Think!

2010-07-07T17:59:00.002-05:00

A while ago I decided that if I took prenatal vitamins my nails would be in better shape. So I bought some and my oldest daughter started taking them, too. She made the comment about having to take her prenatal vitamins to a couple of people. She did it innocently without considering what folks would think. Oh, the looks she got! And then I had to step in and tell them that we were taking them to make our nails grow better. Still, people looked at me like I had 2 heads. Seriously, they are just vitamins people!

Unbelievable

2010-07-01T09:58:00.002-05:00

I will never understand how people get sucked into these commercials for hydroxycut hardcore x. I mean, really, have they never looked at the people in the before and after photos. Most times it is pretty obvious they are not the same person. Or better yet, the same head on a different body. Yet, folks still buy into the crappy commercials and the too good to be true promises. I really wish that some of this stuff would just be banned from the market forever.

Car Insurance

2010-07-01T09:53:00.001-05:00

We have good car insurance and it is pretty inexpensive. In fact, when my son was put on our policy our premium went up a fraction of what I thought it would. I know there are a lot of cheap insurance companies out there. I just wonder how good their coverage is for the money they charge. I am glad that my father-in-law is our agent. He finds us the best coverage for the least amount of money. I trust him and know that what you see is what you get. I have a lot of friends who say they have good coverage but pay a whole lot more in premiums than we do. Sometimes you have to do a lot of shopping around to find the best deal.

Egg Scale

2010-06-28T16:56:00.002-05:00

I have been looking at egg scales. I weigh all of my eggs to determine size. I have been using a regular kitchen scale to do this. An egg scale would make things go a whole lot quicker! Most of them just have the ranges of each size marked on the scale. You just have to do a quick look to see which size the egg is. It takes time to allow the egg to settle so the scale can give me its weight. The only problem is that egg scales are a bit pricey. I have no idea why but they are. I will eventually get one though!

Piano Playing

2010-06-28T15:03:00.002-05:00

All 3 of my older kids play an instrument. Clint plays electric and acoustic guitar, Jasmine is learning guitar and has played the piano and saxophone in the past and Karly plays clarinet. They are all talented and I love that they play something. Tom took piano as a kid and hated it. I started on the saxophone as a kid and hated it. I know that playing an instrument is really good for kids so I am glad mine play.

Someday I hope to learn to play piano. I have always wanted to. This beginner piano course seems pretty straight forward and something I can do on my own. I already have an electric keyboard so my only cost would be the course. And really compared to piano lessons these courses are pretty inexpensive. I am definitely putting learning to play the piano on my someday list.

Headway

2010-06-22T08:47:00.002-05:00

I finally was able to get some junk out of my house. A friend and I had a garage sale a few weeks ago. I wasn't able to get as much stuff drug out and priced as I would have liked. However, I did get rid of some things that have been hanging around here for years. On top of that, I also made $90. My goal was $100. I don't think that I did so bad considering how quickly I threw things together. I would really like to get some things to our local thrift store. I am ready to get my house decluttered!

Gold and Silver Investment

2010-06-09T15:29:00.003-05:00

In uncertain economic times, people are always looking for was to be able to retain what they have saved. United States Gold Bureau offers a pretty simple way to do that. They will help you invest in precious metals whether you want to buy gold eagle coins or silver ingots. They have a large, trained staff to help you with your investments. United States Gold Bureau's staff has over 100 years of combined experience! They are also a dealer in precious metals making it easy to buy and sell right through them. They will help you make the investment decisions that are right for you. Gold is one of the most stable ways to invest your money since over time the value increases. And stability is what we are all wanting now.

Stress

2010-06-04T07:22:00.002-05:00

Wow. Who needs the most effective fat burners when you have stress! We are going forward with this addition to the house. Well, as long as our appraisal comes out to where it needs to be. I have had so much stress over this whole thing! Stress over the cost, where the money was coming from, having a second payment, passing the credit check. And now passing the appraisal. Once that is done I can go on to stressing about cleaning out the rooms that will be removed. And then I can stress about not having a full bathroom or laundry for a while. This whole thing while very necessary is also very stress filled for me. I know it will be good in the end its just the getting there that gets me!

Sad

2010-06-03T07:27:00.002-05:00

Yesterday in bible study something was said that really hit home. When a parent dies you really find out how close of a family you really are. I think that it is the ultimate funeral costs. It really summed up what I discovered when my Dad died. My family, as in my siblings, are not close at all. Actually it is really divided between the boys and the girls. I really don't know how or if I can fix that. I just know that it makes me incredibly sad to know that I have a niece and a nephew that really have no idea who I am. And I find it sad that I never know what is going on with my brothers. I guess the only way to fix it is to pray about what to do.

Summer Skin

2010-05-30T19:36:00.002-05:00

All winter long I kept thinking I need to start reading prototype 37-c reviews and other wrinkle cream reviews. My skin seemed to be aging by leaps and bounds. And then the hot weather hit. That's one nice thing about summer temperatures! It makes your wrinkles less noticeable. Of course, the added thickness in my fingers I could do without. I suppose that it goes without saying that each season brings the good and the bad for our skin. Right now I am enjoying the good that summer is bringing to my skin.

Letting Go

2010-05-30T08:38:00.002-05:00

My baby is growing up. She lost her third tooth last week. I feel like she is just slipping away from me. The 2 bottom teeth weren't so bad. But this first top one is such a noticeable, gaping reminder that she is growing. Nothing could hit me harder than my baby growing up. Not diet pill side effects, not running over my own dog, not...not anything. My kids are growing up much faster than my head or heart can comprehend. This would be the hardest part about parenting. You know, the letting go part.

New Weight Loss Program

2010-05-30T08:31:00.002-05:00

Well, we have entered into summer weather. For the last week or so, the temperatures have soared into the 80's and 90's. Weathermen are talking about things like humidity and heat indexes. Here in our house we are starting our summer weight loss program. No, it doesn't include taking adipex or any other weight loss pill. It merely involves sweating. We don't have any air conditioning at all. No central air. No window units. Nothing. We just sweat it out all summer. I must admit that most of the time I'm okay with that. It saves us some money and we aren't holed up inside on hot days. Overall I am glad that my kids are growing up without the luxury of air conditioning.

Grrrr

2010-05-30T07:41:00.002-05:00

Have you ever been around someone and you wish you could put clamps on their lips to keep them from talking? Yeah. I had that experience yesterday. Sometimes your thoughts are just best kept in your head! And sometimes if you are feeling mean and vindictive and spiteful you should maybe just stay home. And the thing is I really was in no place to say anything to this person. I just tried to not be around them as much as I could. No sense in letting someone else ruin my day, right?

New Addition

2010-05-20T20:36:00.002-05:00

I guess its time to order some birth announcements. No, no, no. I'm not expecting. However, I have at least one mama kitty that is. Maybe two but I can't get a hold of one of them. I am curious to see what color kittens we end up with. The mama that is pregnant spends a lot of time away from our place. So the papa could be just about any tom around here. I am hoping for something that isn't black or black and white. A new litter of kittens is just as exciting as Christmas morning!

Hands

2010-05-10T07:15:00.002-05:00

I have noticed lately that my hands look old. The skin is no longer smooth like it used to be. It is not really wrinkled per say but more crinkly looking. I guess I should read some wrinkle cream reviews to see if there is something out there that will help my hands. Regular lotion has not been helping. At first, I thought it was just that my hands were really winter dry. Then I realized, after using lots of good lotion, that it was most likely age. And I hate to say that since I am really not that old! But my hands have taken quite a bit of abuse. I suppose it is only natural for the skin to be protesting at this stage in the game.

Kittens

2010-05-10T07:10:00.002-05:00

Somehow this spring we have zero kittens. We had one litter born to a first time mom. However, they did not make it. All of our older mama cats aren't pregnant at all. I am not sure if they were taking phentermine on the sly and that effected their fertility or what! I miss having kittens and so do my girls. So we offered to take some kittens from a family in town. I was thinking there were going to be cute little kittens. They weren't. They are cute but they are also half grown. I think out of the 3 that we took there is only 1 left in the barn. Or, at least, only 1 that we can find. The other 2 might just be hiding. So that maybe didn't really work out that well for us. Hopefully we will have some late spring/early summer kittens.

Weekend Work

2010-05-10T07:02:00.002-05:00

I suppose that one of the best weight loss products around is spring. At least it is here, we are so busy that we always catch ourselves coming and going. This weekend was constant activity. And I don't mean sports or fun stuff. I mean work. We butchered chickens, planted trees and did all sorts of yard work. We are all generally wore out and sore! And I am sure that we burned off a few extra calories by working so much. That is just the way it goes around here. We spend all winter planning and all spring, summer and fall working. Its a wonder we all aren't underweight!

Cell Signal

2010-05-10T06:43:00.002-05:00

I live in a scarcely populated part of my state. Along with that comes less services like fire and police and cell towers. Maybe that last one seems silly to mention. But there were places in our county where even a cell phone signal booster would not help you find a signal. And there were times, I am sure, that police, fire or rescue were delayed because of the lack of a cell signal. There were all sorts of places calls were lost. Some people couldn't even use their phone in their own house because of lack of a signal. Sometime last summer we started seeing cell towers popping up all over the county. Someone had decided that perhaps it would be a good thing to have more cell towers to expedite help for emergencies. Its been wonderful to not have cell service nearly everywhere we go now!

Bathroom

2010-05-06T08:07:00.002-05:00

Well, we are biting the bullet and having our downstairs bathroom gutted. Actually we are having the entire roof over that addition fixed. And since it has been leaking we have to have the bathroom done, too. I plan to use all of the old fixtures except for the vanity. That needs to be replaced! Its just a cheap pressboard one that will probably fall apart when it is taken out. Oh, I also want to get a nice Robern Medicine cabinet to replace the generic one that we have now. I have also been thinking about what sort of flooring I want put in. Do I want tile or a laminate floor? I just haven't decided. It may come down to cost and that's okay. It would make the decision easier.

Baby-less

2010-05-04T06:53:00.002-05:00

I am just about past the age of receiving baby shower invitations in the mail. Most of my friends have finished their families and most of my younger cousins and nieces and nephews haven't started theirs yet. Its sort of a strange place to be...this place of no babies. I know that eventually it will come back around but for now it seems strange. So, I guess my cousins need to get on the stick and start having some babies. My nieces and nephews can wait because mostly they aren't old enough yet. Come on cousins! I want some babies in this family again!

Stealing

2010-04-14T06:59:00.002-05:00

I regularly read a chicken forum. I get lots of information about raising chickens along with some great stories about chickens. I was shocked the first time I read that someone had installed a security camera to catch who was stealing their chickens. Really? Someone would steal chickens? Usually this sort of thing happens in areas that are much more populated than mine. Okay, that doesn't really mean much since where I live is sparsely populated. Still, I can't believe that someone would just take someone else's animals, especially chickens! Its just one of those things that I have a hard time wrapping my head around and understanding. Chicken stealing. Really?

Wedding

2010-04-14T06:49:00.002-05:00

I was talking to someone about our weddings. And I realized that although our wedding was pretty nice it was, it was also pretty bare bones. My Mom made all of the flower arrangements from silk flowers. That included the center pieces and all of the decorations. I even made the bridesmaid gifts. We didn't spend money on birdseed or bubbles or elaborate table favors. We had good food, good cake, a little champagne and good music. It was a incredibly fun evening and I don't regret the money we didn't spend.

Going Home

2010-04-14T06:41:00.002-05:00

We spent a weekend in our hometown recently. It was nice to see our family and some old friends. We don't normally get to see any old friends so that was a real treat. A weekend back home is really not enough anymore. There is always too much to do in a day and a half. I wouldn't miss home if we stayed longer. Normally when we are there I stay in touch with my friends back home by stealing someone's Linksys router signal. That's enough to keep me happy being away. I am hoping that this summer we can spend a long weekend there. Then we can see everyone and not feel rushed!

Outside

2010-03-27T20:28:00.002-05:00

I will be putting away the treadmill! It has been nice enough to be able to get outside and walk. This has been such a great change from the treadmill. Treadmills are great for getting in some exercise but they are pretty boring! I always look forward to being able to be outside. The warm weather and sunshine just brightens my spirits. I just love spring!

Parenting

2010-03-21T11:29:00.002-05:00

With the teens its acne treatments and with us older folks its the best weight loss supplements. Why is it there is always something to deal with once we get past the age of 10? I think that we should have many more years that are worry-free. I think that perhaps there was a time when there were. And somehow we have now made our kids into small adults at very early ages. I think that 10 might not even be accurate. Kids are worrying about so many things way before that age. And every single day we are fighting for our kids to not fall into that small adult category. It makes us weird parents but that is okay. Its better to be weird than to just follow the pack when it comes to parenting!

Skin

2010-03-21T11:13:00.002-05:00

I have been struggling with getting Jasmine to wash her face. I am glad I am not spending money on the best acne treatment for her. She is terrible about washing her face! I mean even when she is in the shower she doesn't do it. All I am asking her to do is wash it while she is in the shower. Once I get her to accomplish that I will move on to getting her to wash her face before bed. I am not sure how to instill in her the want to keep her skin nice. I'm not sure if she figures she has a boyfriend who loves her so it doesn't matter or what. Oh, the trials and tribulations of raising kids!

Back in Time

2010-03-20T08:50:00.002-05:00

Waking up on the first day of spring a person should be filled with hope and a feeling of renewal. Today is the first day of spring. I did not wake up with either of those feelings. Instead, I woke up feeling like we were just entering winter. After a couple of weeks of really nice weather, we woke up to a sky and the ground filled with snow. That will be a natural fat burner for those birds that have just migrated back to the north after a winter in the warm south. And for us northern folk it is a mental set back. We have been gearing up for spring work and suddenly we are back in the throes of winter. Blah!

How Does It Work?

2010-03-20T08:24:00.002-05:00

My question has never been does nutrisystem work. It works. All sorts of folks lose weight by eating their food. They lose lots of weight. My question has always been what happens when you reach your goal? Do you just keep eating their packaged food for the rest of your life? Or do they wean you off of the packaged food and onto real food? It is something I wonder about every time I see one of their commercials on tv. I wish that on their commercials they would show people who are years out from their weight loss. I would maybe be more apt to believe that people actually keep the weight off.

Contact

2010-03-20T08:04:00.002-05:00

Ah, young love. Jasmine's boyfriend is leaving for about 9 days. She is having a hard time with that. I would not be surprised if she goes off her feed this week. It will be like taking phentermine without the side effects.

I suppose if he had not lost his cell phone a few weeks ago it would make the separation easier. But as it stands she will have very little contact with him while he is gone. It is something that their generation is not used to. They are connected with their friends 24/7. They don't know what it is like to only be able to make long distance phone calls on Sunday night because its cheaper. Or too send a hand written letter because its cheaper than a phone call. Nope. All they know is that they can be in contact with one of their friends via any manner of ways at time.

Its certainly a different world they live in. Personally, I like not having constant contact with my friends and family. It really does make the heart grow fonder.

Keepsakes

2010-03-14T09:07:00.003-05:00

I was cleaning out the girls closet last week. I found a box of clothes that I am saving back. They are clothes that my kids wore when they were little. I have dresses, sweaters, hats, kids ties and little shoes. It was fun to go through that box but also sad. It is so hard to fathom that my oldest is now driving a car and signing up for college classes. And my youngest is reading books and making her own toast. It just isn't fair that the time we have with our kids literally flies. I think that it should be some of the slowest time we experience. But it isn't so I am trying to savor the remaining time I have with my kids. It will be over entirely too quickly!

Tough Times

2010-03-08T08:10:00.002-06:00

Several years ago I would often hear the checkers at stores complain about their job. At the very least, they would be more interested in counted the minutes until they got off than they were in doing their job. Things have changed. Now I may hear some complaints but it is always tempered with "At least, I have a job!". I can only imagine what it is like to try to conduct a finance job search or any other job search for that matter with today's economy and job market. I think most folks are truly thankful for the job they have whether they like it or not! I know I have heard Tom even say that he is just thankful he has a job. It is amazing how our thinking can be changed by tough times.

HOT!

2010-03-08T08:07:00.002-06:00

So the weather has been consistently above freezing for about a week. Even the night time temperatures are warm. (Yes, I said warm!) The other night our upstairs was so warm even without any heat that Tom and I had to open a window. We couldn't sleep we were so hot! The window helped a bit and it was nice to wake up to the sounds of birds. Soon we will be running our ceiling fans 24/7 and wishing we had air conditioning. I don't relish that. For now, I am just enjoying a little more sun and warmer temperatures.

Egg Issues

2010-03-08T07:57:00.002-06:00

Spring is finally starting to raise her head! It brings a lot of great things like warm weather, flowers, birds and sunshine. It also brings an increase in egg production as the daylight hours get longer and longer. I am almost thinking we need to order some fancy point of purchase displays to help sell our eggs. We sometimes have a hard time selling what they produce now. And we certainly never have enough room in the fridge to handle them all. I cannot even imagine the bind we will be in come June when they are all laying. We need to come up with some creative marketing to sell them all.

Yay!

2010-03-08T07:51:00.002-06:00

What a milestone today is. The kids drove off to school today in my son's car. Now they have been driving to school some in my van. But we finally got the auto insurance quotes looked at and the car titled and licensed this weekend. It is now a legal vehicle and I don't plan on my kids riding the bus all that often from here on out. The girls will have to ride most afternoons because Clint has practice. However, the morning rush is not so much a rush when they are driving. That is the part of the day when I am glad he can drive them all to school!

Relive?

2010-02-15T05:38:00.002-06:00

It seems to me that everything from the 1980's is all the rage again. Have you noticed that? Everything from clothing to movies are back. Seriously they are remaking movies from the '80s. Can't they come up with new ideas? Pretty soon there will be a whole new generation dancing to Footloose and making comments in a feminine voice about herpes simplex 60. I already lived the '80s once. I don't want to live them again.

Hard to Find

2010-02-15T05:32:00.002-06:00

The other day I was looking for someone's address. This is someone I know but I didn't want to give them a heads up that I was going to send them something. So I was trying to find the address through other means. It wasn't in the phone book. I tried looking online and couldn't find it there either. You would think that since folks can put together a web directory list of thousands upon thousands of websites it would be easy to find a street address online. Let me tell you it is not! I never did find that address either.

Clear Skin

2010-02-15T05:24:00.002-06:00

It has taken me a lot of years to be nearly acnefree. I was never one to have huge breakouts. However, I almost always had a pimple somewhere on my face. Finally, now that I am in my middle years, I am nearly always breakout free. I guess the chemistry of my skin has changed enough to not foster pimples. I appreciate having clear skin! I really thought I would never have skin that I loved. I do now and it makes me happy. :)

Fixing

2010-02-15T05:08:00.002-06:00

Living in a really old house is enough to make you need antiaging products! It seems like there is always something needing fixed in these old houses. Right now we are dealing with a leak in our upstairs bathroom. I am not one who likes to just let repairs go. I want to get them fixed as quickly as possible so I can quit worrying about them. I will probably call my neighbor today to see if he can come take a look. He is a contractor and I trust him. I know that Tom could probably fix the problem but it would take a lot longer.

Weather

2010-02-06T06:58:00.002-06:00

Despite our January thaw and the milder start to February, it looks like we will be back to frozen pond fountains and water dishes. I read a few weeks ago that February's weather is supposed to be more like December. By the time we hit February, everyone is ready for winter to be done and spring to hurry up. I don't suppose an unusually cold and wet February is going to help anyone's mood. I am thankful that February is a short month and we can get on to March soon!

Some Freedom

2010-02-06T06:51:00.002-06:00

Despite having a newly licensed driver, I have not felt the need to research life insurance quotes! He is actually a really good driver and I feel comfortable with him driving himself and his sisters. I am enjoying the little bit of freedom it has afforded me. Even though we are still sharing a vehicle, he is able to get himself to and from school and practice several days a week. Soon, he will have his own vehicle to drive and I won't have to worry about being his chauffeur. It will be a really good thing!