Crock-Pot Apple Butter

I made this yesterday. I have always done it on the stove and cooked it for hours while I stir and stir and stir ir. This was much simplier and it tasted so yummy too. I did several batches at once and then froze it. I have one batch left in a crock-pot to finish after the kiddos are in bed tonight. You could can it as well. Just ladle it into hot jars and put a hot flat on the jar. Seal tight with your ring and put in hot water bath.


8 c. apples (peeled, cored and chopped) I prefer Rome and Golden Delicious
4 c. granulated sugar
4t. cinnamon
1/2 t. nutmeg

Put all ingregients in crock. Cook on high for 6 hours. Then reduce heat to low for 12 more hours or so. I then used my hand mixer to get the smooth consistency. Put in freezer cups or jars. Leave 1/2 inch headspace for expansion during freezing (or if you are using the canning directions above, you will still need to do this). Makes 4-5 pints

ENJOY!!!!

Blessings!!!!!

Confession Time ......Again

I used to be (used to be, being the key phrase here) the most organized and put together person. I had it all together, time for myself, the house clean and organized, laundry and ironing was almost always caught up and I could do a million things for everybody else too.

Then came the boys and superwoman fled the building. So, now what? I am the world's worst to procrastinate. I cannot believe I am actually admitting this. I get something out, I don't put it back. I put most everything off. Emails, phone calls, my blog, appointments for me (maybe that is why my teeth are so bad!). The worst part is I just want to forget what needs to be done.

The laundry is the worst. I know it needs to be done a couple loads each day to keep caught up, but something always happens and I cannot get to it that day.

I'm hoping that things get better since work is ending and I will be at home for a few months, but the boys will too. Not that I mind, but how much should I be able to get done with 2- 2year olds, that are CONSTANTLY into everything and always want their Momma (not a bad thing).

Suggestions? How do you (or did you) keep it all done it with littles on your heels, make that toes?

Blessings!!!!

Blessings!!!

Kiddo Questions

the boys last day at preschool is tomorrow. They will go back in the late Spring/early Summer next year. It is not fesible for them to stay during RSV season and even if they could we cannot afford it without me working (as tomorrow is my last day until late Spring/early Summer next year).

Now, on to the questions. I need advice, suggestions and all out help. This is going to be new for me and the boys both. I want them to have a structured environment here at home. It seems to help when you have more than one and especially multiples.

1. The boys have separate bedrooms. They have baby gates in their doorways. They are in their beds by 8pm. Asleep within 30 minutes of then, usually. Tiger us waking (some mornings) by 5am. He scales his gate and comes in the bathroom with me. Usually I am up and getting ready for my day. I need time to do my devotion and pray, as well as shower and get dressed for the day. I have put him back to bed and let him cry, which in turn wakes up his brother. We also have spanked. We have given him books/toys/water/milk/ snack/ took him to potty/ changed his wet pants/ect. NOTHING (above......together or otherwise) has helped. He still gets out of his room regardless.

Also at nap time, Iam afraid this will become a big issue. The boys only have one nap a day and while they do not have to sleep, Iwould like them to have rest time on their beds for 2 hours. I could let them read quietly of they wanted. Still need suggestions.

2. I need info on any activities to use in home when it is too cold to go outside. Things that are high energy. They have a lot of energy!

3. I also need any info/websites/ect. that have any learning/homeschooling /lesson plans for toddlers. These would be things that focus on ABC's, numbers,songs,colors, shapes, ect.

The boys are 2 1/2 years old now.

So, there you have it. Any and all comments are welcome........well maybe not all.

Blessings!!!

Typical Is Not My Breakfast

I love a good hearty meal......anytime of the day.


I am not one for cold cereal or anything cold for breakfast. I alos must always have meat with mine. Sometimes if we are ina hurry I have toast and grits or oatmeal. Otherwise, I can eat anything for breakfast. hubby says I have a stoomach made of iron.


I love pizza, spaghetti, salad (I know it's cold), leftovers.......anything along those lines for breakfast. I also love to take ham, spinach, mushrooms, eggs, onion and cheese and scramble it together for my breakfast. Then I add hot sauce to it. Yum!


Usually the kiddos eat at school....however tomorrow is their last day of pre-school for a few months. So, they usually have french toast, waffles pancakes and if they think they might starve to death before Mommy can get a homemade breakfast fixed they eat a pop-tart, cereal or something along those lines.


Some mornings when Hubby is home and on the weekends I cook BIG breakfast's. We also eat breakfast a lot for supper. Things we love around here are breakfast casseroles, bacon, scrambled eggs with cheese, biscuits, gravy, fried country ham, grits, fried eggs, hashbrowns and hashbrown casserole. Don't forget the fresh jams, jellies and apple butter too. Add in a hot pot of coffee and some fresh fruit and you have a feast fit for a King!


So, what do you eat for breakfast? Do you like to cook breakfast?


Have a great day!
Blessings!!!!!!

this Week's Shopping Trip

I used a lot of compeitor's ads at Wal-Mart this week. We have an IGA store opening about 40 miles from us and they sent a sales paper out, so I used it at Wal-Mart too.
I also went to CVS and our local Piggly Wiggly.

WAL-MART
2 Oatmeal Creme Pies .88 each (reg. $1.26 each)
cereal $2.18
2 pk. almond bark $1.92 each
Crisco $2.98
6 hamburger helper $.79 each (reg. $1.50 each)
4 BallPark franks $.99 each (reg. $3.48 each)
2 - 10 oz. shrimp rings 2/$5 (reg. $3.98 each)
6 Progresso soups $.99 each (reg. $1.50 each)
2 Eggo Nutrigrain waffles 2/$4 (reg. $2.48 each)
fish sticks $3.34
Smart Taste pasta $1.50
24 ct. Frito Lay chips $4.99 (reg. $7.99)
9 - 8 ct. fun size candy bars $.69 each (reg. $.96 each)
2 - 5# red potatoes 2/$3 (reg. $3.99 each bag........I got both for $3!)
2 - 12 pk. double roll Quilted Northern $5.99 each (reg. $7.76 each)

Then I had $3.25 in coupons. I paid $74.46 out of pocket. Total savings with comp ads and coupons.......$39.12!

PIGGLY WIGGLY
gal. Barber's plus Milk $4.79
4 cans chili beans $.59 each
6.5# boston butt $6.22
8# spiral sliced ham $14.91
8 cocktail smokies $1.99
24 oz. sour cream
1 # turnip greens$1.59
turnips $1.88
2 - 10 oz. French's worchestshire sauce $1.29
1.5 L twin pack Coke $2.49
6 pk. YooHoo's $2.99

Total before coupons $62.34.
After coupons $51.41
total saved with sales and coupons $22.01

CVS
3 - 8 pk. Duracell batteries $5.99 each
12 Colgate toothpaste 2/$4.98
6 Buddy soap bars $1.19 each
3 Reese Pieces $.89 each
24 ct. ibupforen $3.29
2 - 4ct. Bic Comfort 3 razors $3.99 each
8 oz. Robitussin $8
Mucniex $13

total $89.93 before coupons and ECB. After coupons and ECB $27.46 out of pocket. I still have $28 left to spend next time in ECB.$62.47 saved.


Total saved today$123.60!!!! Total spent $153.33! I'm happy with that! Yippee!

Have a blessed day and happy shopping!!!!!

Winter Time in the Heart of Dixie

Burrr!! This morning I heard, "cole momma", cole "momma", as we loaded the boys up for school. It was 31* this morning at 7am and now at 10am it is 30* with a gusty wind a blowin'!

They winterized the tractors and equipement yesterday as well as put extra anti-freeze in all of the vehicles. They also picked the last of the apples and picked all of the green tomatoes off of the vines. The tomatoes never had a chance to ripen, but that's okay. We sell and use as many greeen tomatoes as we do ripe ones here in the south.

I am feeling okay this morning put very uncomfortable.........heck, I'll just say it, IT HURTS!

I was up with monkey at 4 this morning rocking him and trying to help his terrible cough with that mommy's touch.

Hubby still feels rotten and has a doctor's appointment at 11:15am. He took the boys to school and is working in my place so I could rest a little extra this morning. I couldn't rest though. I was doing laundry, cooking supper for tonight, unloading the dw, making sweet tea, emptying the trash cans and balancing the checkbook.

I am headed to the shower and then I'm headed to relieve hubby so he can see the doctor.

I also am headed to get another dose of Tyneol/Advil. Thanks for all of your prayers.

Hope all is well and warm in your neck of the woods. I am going to make me some coffee to take with me to sip on. It is coold inside the market, as it is difficult to heat all of the produce so you can stay warm. It makes it spoil quicker. We do have a little electric heater in the office, so I will be keeping that little heater warm today! LOL!

Blessings!!!!!!

I Made It

Well, another visit (to the dentist) down and too many more to count needed. I thought forsure a couple more in the next 2 or 3 weeks would get it. WRONG!!! Maybe 6 or 8 visits in the next 3 months. I knew my dental work was going to be a lot out of pocket but not several THOUSAND dollars. I was guessing about $4000 all total over the next 6 months or so. Try about $7500 or so over the next 3 months. We don't have that kind of money!


Remember we do not use credit. After this week we will be depending on hubby's paycheck alone, as my work has ended until May. I do not usually help with the winter and spring work in the orchards.


We also got a letter in the mail last week from hubby's company stating that they will be holding two weeks instead of one week's pay back effect the first week in November (next week), in order to keep their doors open. At least he still has a job.


My teeth are in awful condition, combined with the gum disease, it is pretty bad. God is so good though. My parents are going to be able to help with some of the cost. Thank you Momma and Daddy!

Now, in the meantime I will be dealing with a lot of pain. I hope you all have a great Tuesday!

Blessings!!!!

Gorgeous Fall Day!

This morning was right chilly for a southern morn.......35* to be exact. I even had some ice on my windshield.

The boys are feeling well and FULL of energy! The Hubby however is fluish. He cannot hear out of one ear, it is so stopped up. We have boiled it out with peroxide to no avail or relief. We have used a vinegar/alcohol solution and ear ache drops as well. Nothing seems to help. The fever comes and goes and the cough is a deep down in his chest. He hurts and aches all over and we are up and down all hours of the night. He is stuffy and cannot smell or taste. Bless his heart..... I am at a loss. I have been alternating Tyneol/Advil and giving him plenty of fluids. He is eating well. We stayed in from church today.

I made a hot pot of coffee, blueberry and apple/bran muffins this morning. I delivered most of that to my parents with their morning paper and picked our paper up out of the drive on the way back in. Then I fixed more coffee, apple wood/brown sugar bacon and homemade peanut butter pancakes for our breakfast. I decided while cooking this morning that today would be a pajama day and it has been.

I have washed dishes, unloaded and reloaded the dishwasher, done 4 loads of laundry, swept the floors and I have black eyed pea soup in the crock pot for supper and I will be baking a pone of cornbread to go with it as well as a sweet potato casserole with pecan and brown sugar topping. I need to put on some tea for iced tea later (before hubby empties the last of the pitcher) and do a few more clothes. I also have managed to inventory the gift closet and hope to see where we stand with Christmas a little bit later today.

The soup smells delish! I cannot wait to dig in. The boys are snacking on Cheerios and I think I might put a pan of brownies in in a few minutes too.

I hope to get things caught up a little more since I have another dental appointment tomorrow. I have to work for a few hours before I go in though. Thankfully my Mom is going to drive me, as I know the pain I will be in and how loopy I will be.

I also would like to inventory my freezers, fridge, pantry, closet and cupboards, so I will know how to plan for the next two months. We really need to stretch things as much as possible with the holidays coming up and all my dental expenses, as well as still recovering from light duty pay.

We are so blessed to grow and be able to store up for the winter and know how to plan and be conservative with. We have several fresh things for a while longer.

I hope you all have a blessed day and night and all of your families are well!

Blessings!!!!!

The Last 36 Hours

Oh goodness! Where do I even start?

Yesterday morning I had a dentist appointment. I learned while there that I needed a deep cleaning since I have periodontal gum disease. Insurance paided almost $700 on it, our part this time was $292. Last week we paid $463 out of pocket for the crown that is not finished just yet. This is just the beginning I am afraid. It looks like we will will be out about $4000 in the next while over my mouth......oops, my teeth. My mouth is still sore today after 9, yes NINE injections plus anesthesia yesterday. They could not seem to get my mouth numb enough. I will have to have my teeth cleaned every three months now. After all is said and done. This is hurting financially, really bad. Thank goodness for dental insurance. I will go back on Monday for more torture. They did not get the top done.

While I was at the dentist hubby went to physical therapy. He is doing well and the surgery has seemed to help a great deal. Praise the Lord! He was off work, unwillingly. There was no work yesterday for him to do. It kind of hurts since his pay check has been around the $200 mark each week for the last 5 or 6 weeks. Then all of this dental work. Ouch!


After he picked me back up at the dental office (I was in the chair for 3 hours!) We took a load of apples to T'ville and unloaded. Hubby and i then went to Cracker Barrel where I managed some soup and a slice of bread. It was not real funny at the time, but hubby had to keep telling me when to wipe my mouth (as I had no feeling and I was quite loopy).

While all of this was going on my Daddy was having a malignant skin cancer cut off of his face. It is real bad and deep. It is about the size of a nickel. It is on his cheek. Bless his heart.

We finally arrived home around 4pm and I was headed to bed. Hubby was headed to get the boys from daycare/pre-school. He had been gone awhile when i heard my cell ring. It went dead and I called back......no answer. I was so scared. I threw my clothes back on and started dialing the number again. He answered. monkey was terribly sick and the yuckiness was covering my hubby, the car, his seat and the car seat. One of the teachers was outside helping when I got there. We finally made it home and I got him in the tub and there he went again. Bless his heart. I finally gave him some Phenegran (rectally) and his tummy finally calmed down around8pm and he was sound to sleep. My Mom had come to help and left ab out then and we were able to get both boys in bed by 9pm. Hubby had to be up for work at 3am and we were both exhausted and my mouth was killing me!

I slept until the clock went off at 3 and then monkey woke up. I gave him a few sips of something cold to drink and laid down in his floor. Both boys were up before 6am. I fed them and got them ready. i dropped Monkey off with my Dad and took Tiger to school. When I got back to my parents' house my Mom had let her nerves get the best of her (last night). I then found out that she had an upset stomach and we went home.

I have been checking on her continually today and thankfully Monkey has not been sick anymore (knock on wood). All he want is whole wheat waffles and crackers. That is good though, I guess. He has been such a sweetie and we have had a really good day. He is resting now. The director from the school said I could bring him at 2pm and let him play outside with the other kiddos if I wanted. He feels fine and has had no fever. I think it was his lunch from yesterday that made him sick. We will not describe what beanie wienies looks like the second time around. YUCK!!!!

My mouth is hurting and I have to work 10 hour days tomorrow through Saturday. I will survive. I am just tired. When I take Monkey to school I think I will take a little nap.

I have managed to cook 8# of ground chuck, do 5 loads of laundry, unload and reload dw and think about supper plans (that was easy, it's leftovers!).

I hope you all are having a great day!

Blessings!!!!

Monday Shopping

I decided since the boys were some better and off to school this morning that I should give today a whirl with a good ole grocery shopping day.


So I went to the Piggly Wiggly, here's what I got:

8# ground chuck
1.5 L twin pack Coke
2 # turnip greens
21 load Gain fabric softner

total $20.77 (that's with $3.10 in coupons)

Wal-Mart
24 ct. Nestle water
cheese bread
44 ct. fish stick
80 ct. fabric sheets
Honey Buches of Oats (19 oz.) cereal
3 Smart Taste 14.5 oz. Elbow pasta
4 cans Manwich
1/2 gal ice cream
3 - 24 ct. Red Diamond tea
3 # red s/l grapes
16 oz. cornstarch
Vicks medicated rub
ice oatmeal cookies
wheat bread
mini pretzels

Total: $35.34 (with $4.50 in coupons)

and now for CVS........

I shop for my parents and a friend (so I use their cards too)

15 Butler twin pk. toothbrushes (I got all Crayola ones for the kiddos) yes, that is 30 of them
9-12pk. Coke products
6 pk. Brach candy corn
3-32 oz. Powerade
3 just For Men haircololrs
4-29 ct. Huggies pull-ups
6-4 pk. Energizer D batteries
4 Children's Tyneol liquid
2-20 ct. Excedrin
3 Colgate toothpaste
2 gal. Clorox
4 Bumble Bee 6 oz. white albacore
3 Sure deos
Pert shampoo
Arm and Hammer cleaner

total $139.34 (I used $108.23 in CVS coupons and ECB)
(I used $22 in manny coupons)
(I will get a rebate back on the cleaner (arm and Hammer $2.99)
( i have $77.52 in ECB for next time)

I could have done better with the CVS transactions, but I was in a hurry and I still did pretty good, as it stood. Without any coupons or ECB I would have spent $269.57.

Today I spent $195.45. I saved $29.60 in manny coupons and $108.23 in CVS coupons and ECB.

I hope you all have a happy and blessed Monday!

Prayers For The Boys

The boys got up this morning not feeling well. Mainly coughs and fevers. They stayed home from school and Mommy stayed home from work. I finally got the doctors office on the phone to discover that our regular peditrician was not in the office today, so we saw one of his associates.

Tiger has a double ear infection and bronchitis. This is not easy for any 2 year to overcome, muchless one that was born 2 1/2 months early with under developed lungs (still under developed), that has had them to collapse before and that has a very low immune system.
Also, he is allergic to penicllin. I must not forget that he had already started wheezing when the dr checked him over. He is on Zithromax. Possibly breathing treatments if he does not show some improvement by Friday.

Monkey has the all out croupe (for the third time in his short, little life). He is on steroids. They both are on a Rx cough med. Tiger is also taking Children's Advil for pain in his ears.

I am one tired Mommy! Today was the first time I have ever done the peds office with both of the boys by myself. My mouth is really hurting and I forgot to mention that my gum line had to be "trimmed" up a little for the temporary crown to fit better.

We are not big on halloween, BUT I will be glad to see October 31st come! That is the boys last day of preschool until I have to go back to work next May. Thank you Lord!!!!

Oh, I got an award from Julie, except I can not figure out for the life of me how to upload the image to my post to accept it. Help.......please!!!!!! I am a little green when it comes to technology.

I hope you all had a Wonderful Wednesday!

Blessings!

Goodbye Tuesday!

Today is one day that I am glad to see the end to. I am absolutely, positively exhausted!

This morning I did 5 loads of laundry, stripped the boys beds and got them off to school. That was after being up most of the night again. Monkey still has that croupy cough. I came home and put on a pot of soup and a boston butt (in separate crock-pots). I also balanced the checkbook and paid some bills.

Then I showered and got ready for my dentist appointment. After 5 shots to get me numb enough and 9 x-rays later I now have a temporary crown. I go back next week for some more work and a cleaning throughout. We know I have 3 more cracked teeth and at least 6 cavities.

I came back and we loaded the truck and off I went to deliver the 80 baskets of apples. I had to drive an hour to get there. My mouth was beginning to hurt. I had to run to Target to get the boys' halloween costumes exchanged. Then I ran to the bank to make a deposit and then to Aldi.

The hour's drive back home was painful. I hurried home and put away the groceries and then made it to my Mom's where hubby, my parents, the boys and some other relatives were there waiting to eat supper. I had a piece of homemade sweet potato pie. Yum!

All of the adult males went to my nephew's football game and the rest of us stayed and cleaned up and talked. I got the boys home, gave bathes and meds and I hope they are down for the night. I am exhausted.

I work a 10 hour day at the roadside market tomorrow. I wish I could spend 10 hours asleep. Hubby had to go in to work at 2 this morning and at 4 in the morning.

So, with all of that being said......night night and sweet dreams!

Blessings!!!!

A Little of This and A Little of That

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! For our anniversary we went out of eat at our favorite seafood restaurant and then we went to the mall where I bought me some clothes, a bunch of clothes. Three sweaters, a flannel nightgown, a pants suit and a pair of slacks. Yippee! I love my new clothes.

Then we went to see FIREPROOF. It was awesome and just what we needed. We both cried. This is one great movie. No s*x, voilence or foul language. It was truly wonderful!

We have talked and talked since and we are Fireproofing Our Marriage. Praise the Lord! We are so excited to be taking these steps together and making our marriage better.


We had a good, laying around, doing nothing Sunday (besides going to church and then to BK for lunch).


Monkey has the beginning stages of the croupe. He is on 2 scripts (a cough med and a steriod for his lungs). Tiger is still well! Praise the Lord for that!


Last night I got three hours sleep, maybe four......definately NOT enough! Monkey coughed and coughed....bless his little heart!


Hubby started his regular job back today. No more light duty and only one more light duty paycheck. He is in some pain, but tolerating it well. He will still continue with PT for another 3 weeks (twice a week). I did not work today. I did get an order ready that I have to deliver tomorrow (80 baskets of apples).


My cell phone (personal one) kind of broke today. You know where the hinges hold a flip phone together? Well, mine is holding on one side. I guess it could be worse! Both sides could be vroke and it could be completely in TWO parts.


I also have a dentist appointment tomorrow. I so dread that. I had a tooth to break when a filling came out of it a few weeks back, so that will need repaired. I also have two porcelain crowns on my front teeth that I had root canals done through when I was expecting the twins. The fillings have both come out of them. Then I have another cavity (a bottom molar tooth) that needs a fillling. I am in desperate need of a cleaning as well. I brush my teeth after EVERY meal and sometimes in between. I have inheritied my parents teeth genes. They both had false teeth by age 22.


I guess that's all I have for now.


I hope you all have a wonderful night and great tomorrow!


Blessings!!!!

How Many?!

Wow, I cannot believe it is here! Hubby and I have been married 10 years today! We dated 23 months to the day we married.



We had a wonderful wedding in our church (we have since moved churches).



I will never forget crying the whole way down the isle. It was all my Daddy could do not to cry. Then I cried the whole way through the ceremony. I was not so sad, just emotional. My brother says I were my feelings on my sleeve. He's right......I DO!



It was so wonderful. We have learned a lot in the last 10 years. It has not always been easy and hubby did some things that warranted me washing my hands of it, but through our almighty Lord we survived. Thank you Lord for saving our marraige

Yesterday's Happenings

Before I start........Julie to answer your question about what I did with my birthday loot. I bought a patio set. It was marked from $498 to $198. It includes a love seat, 2 chairs, 2 pillows, all of the cushions and a coffee table. It looks fabablous on our front porch. I like about $50 having enough to pay for it, so I used some of our extra money. It is beautiful and I am one happy Momma, with a great looking front porch!

Yesterday was busy. Here's what I did.......

• worked for an hour at the market
• got the boys ready and off to school
• got me ready
• paperwork and bills
• called about medical bills
• returned company calls
• 9 loads of laundry
• cleaned up the walk-in pantry
• swept the litchen
• cleaned both toilets
• post office
• Captain D's
• CVS.......made 6 transactions
• Wal-Mart
• Piggly Wiggly
• Homecoming parade (my bro &sil were the grand marshalls)
• cooked supper
• put away groceries
• made a couple more calls
• went and picked up the boys
• visited with my parents
• back to the Pig (I forgot to get milk out of the freezer to thaw and we were out)
• home
• at supper
• cleaned up
• gave the boys bathes
• vaccumed
• unloaded and reloaded the dw
• 2 more loads of laundry
• boys in bed
• some tv/computer
• 10pm........asleep!

Hope you all had a great Thursday and hope today is great too!

Blessings!!!

Thank You Thank You!

Thank you all for your great birthday wishes! I had a great day!

My Mom and I shopped and shopped aznd had a great lunch. We had an ice cream cake drizzled with chocolate and caramel. We had a great pizza supper.

My parents got me a sewing box and gave me $100! Hubby and the boys got me cards, Deanna Favre's book and A Christian mom's Organization Journal and $20 from each of the my little boys ($40). My brother and his family gave me $25.

I don't feel any older........just yet.

Thanks again! Blessings!!!!

Happenings and What is Not Happening

AS far as what is NOT happening would be me being able to get my pictures to load to blogger. I have been trying, but with no luck. Is anyone else having this problem?

As far as happenings go......last week I lost a huge filling out of one of my teeth and to top it off part (yes, half) of the tooth broke off as well. OUCH! The bad part is that I cannot see the dentist until next Tuesday the 14th.

My Mom has been having major issues with her breathing the last few weeks, so she went to the lung specialist last week and goes back today to find out whether or not she has cancer.

MY Dad is on edge as the rest of us about his possible brain tumor. He sees the neurosurgeon next month to see if there has been any change.

My best friend's daughter tried to commit suicide last week and is still in a facility to get her the help she needs.

Please pray for these things.

My little boys are getting so big! They are talking up a storm now! YAY!

Hubby is still doing therapy and he sees the doctor tomorrow to see if he will get to return to driving or not.

I am running errands today and washing clothes and the usual.

I hope you all have a blessed day!

Blessings!!!!

32!

Can you guess what the title signifies? If you guessed my birthday, you are RIGHT! Today is my birthday and I am spending it with my Mom. We are headed out for lunch and lots of shopping. My two favorite things to do.

Now, I have a request........if you are reading this, leave a comment. Please delurke!

I hope you all have a great day!

Thank you in advance!

Blessings!!!

The Winner!

JULIE, you are the winner of the suggestions for traveling with little ones. Congratulations, you have won the book, Just Hand Over the Chocolate and NoOne Will Get Hurt!

Email me at blessedfrugalness@hotmail.com and I will get it out to you! Thank you everyone for your great suggestions!

Blessings!!!!!!

Our Trip

We left last Saturday morning and stopped for breakfast at Shoney's. We were toward the end of our meal when the lady behind us said she didn't feel well. The next thing we knew she slumped down in the booth. She was having a heart attack. They called 911 and we took the boys to the front and paid the bill. They always freak out when they hear sirens, so we exited as quickly as possible.

I do wonder what happened to her though........


Then we made our way to Lake Winnie. We had free tickets (my Mom won them for us)for admission and rides. The boys and us rode the train, the antique cars and the carousel. Tiger did NOT like the Carousel. It was a great day. The food there was also inexpensive. It was pretty good. We had chicken fingers, hot dogs and such for lunch. We fed the ducks and watched the other riders and the paddle boats. It would be an even better trip when the boys are a little bigger. Having the free tickets made it worth it's wild though!


After we left Lake Winnie, we traveled on into Chattanooga. We wanted to stay downtown, close to the Aquarium (we were going the next day). My brother and his wife had stayed at the Hilton's Garden Inn & Suites before, so we checked it out. It was close to the aquarium. Hubby still cannot do a lot of walking due to his knee (so we needed something close). It was super nice and very upscale. So, we chose to stay there. We checked in and then headed to Chili's for supper. It was yummy as usual. We decided to go to the river and walk around. It was so awesome. The sunset was beautiful, the boats were grand and the boys loved every minute of it. Then we had ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery while watching the boat parade. The boys did really well without a stroller. They did not seem to get very tired and loved having a little more independence. Back to the hotel we went.


We finished watching the Auburn game and then watched the Alabama game. Tiger and I shared a bed, while Monkey and his Daddy shared a bed. The boys were asleep by 9pm and we were by 10pm. We were sleeping so good when the alarm clock went off. WAIT.......we did NOT set an alarm clock. It was the smoke detector. It was 4am. I called down stairs and could not get anyone. We grabbed my purse, changed our clothes (all the while I am dialing out on my cell to the hotel). There is a fire, get out of the building immediately, said the attendant. LOVELY!


We grab the boys and go out of the room. Thankfully I had checked to see where the stairs were when we first got there. There were NO emergency exit signs. They had been taken down, to be replaced. Hubby started with monkey down and I with Tiger. Hubby was hurting so bad I had to take both of the boys. We were on the third floor and the closer to the ground we got the thicker and stronger the smoke. I was carrying the boys, trying to remain calm and trying to check the doors to see if they were hot. Hubby was hollering for me to go ahead and get the boys out.


I have NEVER been so glad in all of my life to see the outside. Thank you lord for keeping us safe. We came out a side door that led to the back of the hotel. That is where we were parked. Hubby took Monkey and we went on around and set down. The boys were in their pj's and us in short sleeves. It was 49*. I told hubby I had a quilt in the car. He said I think we are going to need it. Mon key had just tee teed all over himself and his Daddy. Thankfully there was 2 pull-ups in the car too. WE got Monkey and Tiger changed and Monkey had no pants, but we were all safe and had the blanket to stay warm. When we got all of this done was when the Fire Trucks started rolling up. Can you believe it actually took that long?! Also, they were still people in the building. Someone had caught something on fire and couldn't get it put out in the kitchen. We were all allowed to go back in about 7am.


The boys decided we all needed a little more sleep, so we went back to bed for a while. We got up, got ready and went down stairs for a free breakfast. They had fowled up our order and we waited for over 40 minutes. So, it was free ($21.73).


We went back to the room and got out things, loaded the car and I went to check us out. The front desk attendant was very sweet. I asked if we got a discount for the inconvenience and she said yes ma'ma, of course. she saw the boys and we got to talking and I told her about monkey pee peeing on his Daddy and himself and she almost cried. She said she didn't even think about all of the people with small children. I handed her the $200 in cash for our bill of $180 or so. She told me (quietly) to keep the money. Our room was complimentary. Thank you! That was so very nice of them.


Then we went to the Aquarium and had a blast! The boys loved it all. The sharks we some of their favorite. We then had lunch at the indoor food court. It was okay, not great but edible.


Then we walked down by the river again and went back to the car. We made the trip home and visited with my parents and then went out to eat at Ryan's.


That's it in a HUGE nutshell. We had a great time and will be going back sometime in the near future (maybe the Spring). There is so much to do and it is a great family vacation. The atmosphere is very relaxed and laid back.

I will try and post some pics this weekend.


Blessings!

Quirkiness Tag

Mimi and Nikki tagged me for this.

Here's how to play.
1. Link to person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Liszt six unspectacular quirks you have.
4. Tag 6 bloggers by linking them.
5. Leave a comment on taggee's blog to let them know they have been tagged.

So, here we go.......

1. I pick out the white pieces (no not the egg whites) out of fresh eggs before I cook them.

2. I hang all of our clothes with the hanger hooks toward the right shoulder.

3. I sit all of my toiletries, make up, clothes, etc. out the night before.

4.While cooking supper I always get everything out of the fridge to begin with (including condiments).

5. I have a very hard time buying myself anything (spending $$$ on me).

6. I call my parents EVERY night (no matter what) at 9pm to tell them I love them and goodnight.

So, there you have it.

I am tagging:
1.Stephanie (Problem Solvin' Mom)
2.babychaser
3.The Red Sock Diaries
4. mykidsmom
5. Nico
6. Southerner

Blessings!!!!!

Accounted For

I just wanted to let you guys now that we are all okay. I have just been extremely busy. WE arrived home late Sunday night. I worked 10 hours Monday. I am still trying to get house and laundry caught up. I also am canning and freezing 7 bushels of peas. I got an off day yesterday and went to the city and finally got a hair cut and highlight. I also went to Goody's, Sam's, Aldi's and Target. I got to have lunch with a sweet friend. I arrived home just in time to pick up the boys and unload the car. then it was time for bathes, supper and family time. We have been shelling peas by hand (all 7 bushels) and finally finished last night. I have to work an 11 hour day today.

I will announce the winner, give trip details and respond to Mimi and Nikki's tags tonight and in the morning.

Thank you all for understanding.

Happy Wednesday!

Blessings!!!!!