The Last Couple of Days

Not much has went on the last couple of days. Hubby was sent off to South Carolina and I have been in agonizing pain. My visitor is here and the cramping has led to less than lady like exits to the potty for vomiting and other unlady like events. Hubby finally got home last night sometime after midnight. I was in such pain that I kissed him, took some more medicine and returned to the bed to curl up in the fetus position. I am allergic to Celebrex (I break out in hives and my whole body swells). I am taking something prescription but it does not last long enough, before the next time to take it.

I do not what he had to haul to S.C. other than he was not allowed to stop the way up and had an unmarked escort (government). He said he would tell me this morning. I am just glad he is home safe and sound. Normally he does NOT have to go off overnight, but there was no one else to go.

He took a vacation today to go with me to the multiples sale. I am a member of the club and it is a wonderful place to find much needed clothing and things for the home and so on so forth.

While I love being a member it is kind of far from my home and sometimes difficult (most always)to participate in the activities. I still love it when I can though. It is so nice to be around Moms that have multiples. It is VERY different that having singletons.

We had a mother's helper coming and we were going to take our time and eat (we had a gift card to use), but now IF we go it will be quick. It is raining here and suppose to have tornados as well. The rain will continue through tomorrow and tomorrow night they are predicting snow. CRAZY!!!!

I am working on getting my plan for Spring cleaning together. I am old fashioned and I like to do it all in a week or so. I know some of you do it a little at a time throughout the year and that is great, but I still do it the old fashioned way. I like to see it all clean at once! LOL! It doesn't stay that way for long though. I also do Fall cleaning.

What have you been up to? How is your weekend looking? How's the weather and what do you think of Spring cleaning? How do you do yours?

Have a great weekend and blessings!

February 26 Spending

Multiples Sale $157
Logan's to eat $29.22
Total for today $186.22

Total remains at $5766.19

Blessings!

Where I Blog

I was tagged from Ellie over at the twins mama.

This is where I blog from the most, probably 90% of the time.

The desk I hope to replace one day with one made from real wood! LOL! I love my chair, it is soooooo comfy and a great find for only $7 at a yard sale.

The boys coloring / activity books are in the floor in thebasket to the left of the desk.

The large basket behind the printer holds stamps and bills and scissors, tape, pens, to-do's and such.

The file box on the right holds potty charts, chore charts, recipes and such.

I keep my recipe books (that I am using for that particular month's meal plan on the roll away part, along with my planner and my homekeeper's notebook.

You are suppose to tag 5 others to play along, so here they are....

1. Nikki


2. Nicole


3. Ashley


4. Julie


5. mykidsmom

Blessings!

February 25 Spending

2 dress shirts from JCP.com for hubby $10.33 shipping and all! Yay!

This month:$5579.97

Blessings!

Planning Ahead

The month of February has eaten a lot of our money up. Money that we did not have until January. That was rather quick, but we had planned ahead. We had very little saved but then we had our taxes done the third week (I believe) in January. It is hard to explain but what it boils down to with hubby winning the truck from his company they added the winnings on to his income because it was over a certain amount and then they helped pay the taxes on it and we were out some but very little. We had to pay into state and we got some back and got to keep the extra on the truck tax. Don't try to understand, it's complicated. Kuddos to you if you do. Our accountant did it, called the IRS and we got it figured out. Basically we came out to the good and decided to do some things.

We paid off 2 medical bills, bought and paid a contractor to install the play yard. We also had my Mom's birthday party, started a savings account, bought the boys clothing and things they would need for the summer, paid for huge dental visits for me, planned their(the boys) birthday party next month, planned an overnight trip and a singing for hubby's birthday next month. We also paid on a cookware set we bought (MISTAKE......don't ask). We also had a few of other things to pay for outside of the regular spending.

So, there you have it in a nutshell as to why the cost of this month's spending is so high. However, we had planned ahead.

Hubby is hoping to sell the old red truck and get a smaller one to drive back and forth to work.

We still are going to open the boys savings accounts this month as well and that will serve as college funds.

So, how are sending/saving your your tax refund?

Thank you for sticking around and many blessings!

February 24 Spending

Mother's helper $20
Piggly Wiggly $12.86
Aldi $61.59
Applebee's $3.11 (after $25 gift cert.)


TOTAL for today: $97.56

Refund from Kohl's $38.13

This month:$5569.64

Blessings!

The Finished Product....well almost

The contractor will be back today to weatherproof it. Then this weekend we will haul smooth pea gravel in and add landscape timbers. Hopefully it will be warm enough for the boys to play on it soon. They did go out and give the slide a run for it's money Saturday before the "fire"!

Blessings!

February 23 Spending

We spent nothing. I got back $24.71 in a refund on the door lock set from Lowe's. that akes this month down to $5510.21.

Blessings!

An Award!

Ellie at thetwinsmama has given me The Best Blog Daily Thinker Award! I am so honored to accept this. Thank you so verymuch Ellie, I am so undeserving!

The rules are to post it and to pass it onto 10 other deserving bloggers.

So without further ado:

1. Julie


2. Mykidsmom


3. Nikki


4. Nicole


5. Mimi


6. Steph


7. Southern Seven


8. Never Gives Up


9. Dishpan Dribble


10. Thankful for Everyday

Thank you again Elllie!

Blessings!

February 22 Spending

We only got gas today.

$33.01 for my Durango and $31.00 for the white Ford pick-up.

$64.01 for today.

This month $5534.92

Blessings!

February 21 Spending

Labor for playset, weatherproofing, anchoring with concrete and door lock installation. $950
Door lock set $49.71

Refund from Sears (hubby took drill back for a full refund) - $54.97

Total spent $944.74 BOOOOOOHOOOOOOO!

This month: $5470.91

Now, this is a LOT of $$$$! However, we had most of these "extra expenses planned and had the $$$$ put back and some was from tax return.

Blessings!!!

February 20 Spending

Hubby spent nothing. I paid bills and bought groceries.


Tithes $60 (Sunday 2-22)

PT hosp. bill for hubby $200 (pd. in full!)

hisp bills for boy from 7-4-08 $138.38

vech. ins. $155.97

life ins. $108.90

Wal-Mart $92.45 -$25 gift card = $67.45

4 - 16oz. pk Kraft sliced cheese $10 (on sale)
pillow
step stool
3 pk. Nathan's all beef hot dogs
4 pk. Bryan all beef little smokies (2/$3 on sale)
12 pk. honey buns
44 ct. fish sticks
gal. milk
3 - 21.2 oz Quaker cereal (3/$5 on sale)
12 pk. bagels
80 ct. Hall's cough drops
2 pk. toddler wipes
3.30# s/l grapes (on sale $.99#)
3 limes
6 pk. CFL light bulbs
Stride gum

5 boxes of Girl Scout cookies $17.50

Today's spending $748.20
This month's spending $4526.17

Blessings!

Too Much......A Fire This Time

That is hubby's head at the bottom and my Mom in the background. You can see the drum and also the little patch that is close to the tree (real close to the woodline). It looks like such a small area in the picture, but when you are fighting it, it is not.

I thought after the boys locked the deadbolt on my glass storm door last night and locked me out of the house and after the contractor finally broke the lock and I gathered my wits, that we could have a somewhat relaxing, productive weekend. Boy, was I ever wrong......

This morning all was going well. The contractor showed up with his helper at 7am and worked on getting the rest of the play yard constructed. They got it built, hubby ran some errands, we ate a great lunch and the boys went down for a nap. Hubby decided to tear the huge boxes (the play yard came in) apart and burn them in a 55 gallon metal drum (with the top cut off). All was going well and I was cleaning the kitchen up when I saw hubby running toward the house. Then I saw it, the fire was out. The wind had carried it out of the drum and it was spreading fast. Thankfully the boys were asleep.

I called my brother first knowing he could beat the fire department (volunteer)there. He was there in 2 minutes with shovels. Then I called 911. Then my parents. I knew when they saw all of the smoke it would scare them silly. i ran out the front door when i saw a shovel at the play set and we fought the fire for 20 minutes. there was 5 (hubby, me, my brother, and my parents)of us. At one point it was only 2 feet from the wood line and 4 feet from the storage building. All of the dead grass and leaves, oh my. It could have been so much worse. It is really bad since I actually called the fire department back and I told them we had it under control, we actually had it out and they were still not there. It was so scary and the wind would not stop blowing and carrying the fire even further. It took all of beating the fire out and shoveling dirt on it.

Thankfully my brother had several shovels in the back of his pick-up from work digging up asphalt at the school this morning. My Dad had a couple in his truck from working on the lower farm this morning. Thank you Lord, for giving us the wisdom to keep all safe. MY friend CT and her daughter came and took care of the boys once they got up from their naps so hubby and I could shower and get some fresh clothes on. The boys' lungs are not strong enough to handle those odors. Hubby did re injury the surgery knee and he is wheezing a good bit still. My chest hurts from all of the coughing and we are all exhausted. My Daddy's back is really messed up and my Mom is still sick. We are so blessed to have so many that care for us, especially our heavenly Father.

The closest it got to the house was about 60 feet.......TOO CLOSE!!!! Fire is so scary! Oh and have I ever mentioned my fear of fire?!!!!

Please pray with me tonight that everyone stays safe, regains their lost health and no more ANYTHING happens. Have a blessed weekend!

Blessings!

I Almost Lost It

Thank you all for your input about the boys.

This will need to be quick as my nerves are shaken tonight. It has been a very long day. The contractor came with his help yesterday and sterted the boys play yard. hubby has been working awful hours and trav eling hundreds of miles a day on top of it. My Daddy is down in his back, the orchard work is getting quite tedious and it is hard work for a 75 year old man diown inhis back with still a sore face from cancer surgery. My Mom is down with her"nerves" and I am exhausted from taking care of everyone.

Tonight the contractor came up on the porch to talk about the play yard and them being able to finish it up tomorrow. I stepped outside with my hand on the door handle for the storm door, thinking that I would keep the boys from locking (it is a deadbolt) it. WRONG! They locked themselves in. I didn't have my cell and the contractor was just leaving. I caught him in the nick of time. After 20 minutes, a crow bar, hammer and screw driver we finally got it open. It will not lock now, but I got in and my boys are safe. Praise you Lord! I kept calm and didn't cry, but I was a nervous wreck.

Now, I know I owe some of you ( a lot of you) somethings (responses, emails, comments and award reception). It will be done before monday sometime. I am going to sit and hold my hubby for a while and enjoy my family this weekend. I hope you are blessed and safe!

Blessings!

February 19 Spending

Hubby spent nothing. I spent $41.96 at Piggly Wiggly, $8.40 at the post office and $14.08 at the pharmacy.

New grand total for the month $3778.07

Blessings!

February 18 Spending

I spent nothing on this day. Hubby spent $$29.94 on a 10 count roll of Copenhagen and some extra food and a Mtn. Dew.

This month's total $3716.62 - $2.99 rebate on Arm & Hammer cleaning product.

New total for the month:$3713.63

Blessings!

'I Don't Know What To Tell Ya Hon"

These were not the words of encouragement I was hoping for from my hubby this morning as I called him in tears.

A little back ground from the last couple of weeks. I am sick, the boys have been sick, but are better, Hubby is working ungracious hours and getting home long after the boys are in the bed. He is leaving most mornings by 4 am and not getting home until 8 or 9pm. I am tired and to make matters worse the cold I have is worse. The nausea will not go away and hits at all times of the day, my appetite is very poor and My cycle that I only have once very three months (due to anemia) is due within days.

I have turned into a wicked, evil woman that needs a little time for herself. I love my boys, but enough is enough!

My typical morning is awake 4am pack hubby's lunch and get him off to work. Go back to bed. Up by 5:30am. I do devotion, pray, read Bible , check email and then start getting ready (shower, hair, makeup, dress, make bed). Then i usually get the boys out of their rooms between 6:30 am and 7am. If i cannot have my time with God in the mornings things are so bad during the day........

If the boys need to potty/change pullups, that is fine, But we have one rule, you must stay in your room otherwise. They do not want to do this anymore. First of all, do not tell me they should NOT have to stay in their rooms. they have gates up in their doorways and just take them down when feel like it. the point to leaving them up is for their safety and so i can hear them come out of their rooms (say in the middle of the night).

We have tried everything. I have become this awful Mommy the last few days. I just want a little time to get it together in the mornings before them running loose the rest of the day. We have tried sticker charts, spanking, rewards, taking privileges (toys, ect.). I am so tired. I am at wits end and need help. Please share your advice. Suggestions please!

Blessings!

Elvis Has Left the Building (or house)

This was so funny. My Mom thought she, her sister, her niece and I had reservations at a swanky restaurant. There she was caught in the middle of "SURPRISE"! That is her as she walked in my front door. We had to tell her to please come inside, the boys were crying to see her. HEhe! We are so sneaky!




This she and my Daddy. She was still in tears she was so happy.

Here she is posing with Elvis 1 and Elvis 2!

This is me, the big one in the white, my Mom, my cousin and my Aunt.

Here are her rose arrangement and cake.

Here is some of the food. There was soft drinks (I forgot to make coffee, oops!), nachos and cheese, buffalo chicken dip, hot crab dip, cheeses and crackers, summer sausage from venison, veggie bars, grape salad, fruit tray w/ cream cheese dip, pigs in a blanket, chips and french onion dip, the cake was homemade strawberry and then we had mini cupcakes (chocolate w/ mint icing and butter w/ chocolate icing) and then there were nuts.

This is my brother and his family, with our twin boys.

Here is my Mom, still in shock, although she decided she liked being 56 better than 65 She is so funny!

Here she is opening gifts. That is a framed picture of my nephews in basketball uniforms with Coach (my brother, their Dad). That would be Tiger looking on

Here she is looking at a cute rose bush and that apple in the basket is a bird house. I love that!

Well, there it is! My Mom is still talking about the party and what a great time she had. My goal was for her to feel special and I think it worked out well! It was all for her and praise the Lord for a great Mom! I love you Mom!

Blessings to you all!

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day was spent partying with my family for my Mom's birthday. Here is the beautiful bouquet that hubby and the boys got me.

Hope you all had a great hearts day!

Blessings!

February 17 Spending

I spent nothing today. hubby bought extra food and a 10 count roll of Copenhagen today. $29.34.

That brings the month's spending to $3686.68

blessings!

Better/Worse

I still have the ickies but am feeling better becuase I know what today holds! Promise of course!

They delivered the boys playground yesterday and the contractor will start on it today. Yay! We are so excited!

I am tired this morning and many things are calling my name. I started a wee bit late this morning. Expect pictures (if blogger is cooperating) later in the day with detils of the party and Val. day! Hope you are blessed today!

Love & Hugs!

February 16 Spending

I will not list all of the stuff I go at CVS this evening, so here is the total: $81.18.

After coupons and ecb and using my friends card and ours and my Mom's I got over $600 worth of stuff for that! Yippee!


I also got Jack's for the boys for supper. Hubby worked late and I felt like phooey. that was $6.92.


Fireproof cd from fam. chr. bs $17.01 (ordered online)

Total $105.11- $30 (our Angel food order got canceled- our order refunded)

Today's new total $75.11


Monthly total: $3657.34


Blessings!

February 15 Spending

Tithes $50

CVS:
1 - 8ct. Scott paper towels $4.99
3 Pull-ups @$8.99
2 Colgate tpaste @ $2.99
2 Herbal Essence shampoo @ $2.99
2 Kleenex $2.39 +$0.1 for the second one
CVS cough drops $.50
24 ct. Goody's headache powder

total after coupons and ecb $13.76

today's grand total $$63.76

Total for the month : $$3582.23

Blessings!

Sick of It!

Are you as sick of seeing our spending, as I am of writing it? I got up sick this morning with the tummy yuckies and not to mention the time of month that is coming up, add in two little ones with colds and recovering from a hum dinger of a party for my Mom and Valentine's Day, church and marriage enrichment class. WHEW! I am worn out!

But, getting back to the topic at hand. Please just bear with me through the end of the month and I promise I will NEVER keep track of my spending on the blog again!

I hope to be back tomorrow with pictures from the party and lots of posts! Hope all is well!

Blessings!

February 14 Spending

Well, today was a big day. In the spending and every other category.

hubby spent $10 haircut
also $80.33 for balloons and roses and flowers for me and my Mom

The cake for Mom's b'day was $25
Mother's helper for 4 the week was $90
monthly netflix was $5.29
Cleaning lady $75
Angel Food $30

total was $315.62
I was reimbursed $30 by my brother for some of Mom's b'day stuff

That brought today's total down to $285.62

The month's total $3518.47

Blessings!

Menu Weekly Challenge February 14

We spent nothing for supper. It was leftovers form the birthday party.

Blessings!

February 13 Spending

Well today we spent:

Wal-Mart (Val. gift hubby, b'day gift Mom, groceries and party stuff) $104.08
Gas-Ford pick-up $30
Pizza-supper $22.72
Hospital bill $100
Verizon $95.30
Townecraft $700 (don't ask)

total for today $1052.08- $50 rebate
$1002.08 for today

Month's tally $3232.85

Menu Weekly Challenge February 13

Well, we did like Ellie's family and had pizza. WE got two large for $22.72 and had leftovers. That will be lunch today (2-15) after church. It was so yummy! And NO cooking for me! Yay!

Blessings!

Happy Hearts Day!

Today has been a busy day, even the days leading up to today. We had the party today and my Mom was so surprised! More on that later though.

I got the most gorgeous flowers from hubby and the boys. More on that later as well.

I hope cupid struck you as well. I hope all is well and the hearts all floating all around. I hope to catch up on my spending posts and with you all as well.

Things hopefully will be back to normal the first of the week. Tomorrow is church and marriage class tomorrow night.

Have a great Saturday night and a wonderful Lord's Day! Blessings!

February 12 Spending

gas $20 for Durango
Mother's helper $20
sitter for the morning while at the dentist $25
Dollar General $4.81

Total today $69.81
Month's total $ 2230.77

Blessings!

Menu Weekly Challenge February 12

I am in pain tonight, lots of dental work today.

We took it easy.

The boys had
2waffles $.20
2 pc. sausage $.17
milk $.75

hubby had chicken salad
chicken $1.07
mayo $.12
pickles (free-home canned)
tea $.10

I had 2 all beef hot dogs on bread w/ hot sauce
$1
coke $.25

mother's helper had peanut butter sandwich and water
$.20

Total was $3.86 for supper for 5.

Blessings!

February 11 Spending

Would you believe I spent NOTHING! We had storms and I was homebound, so no spending! Yay!
Total from month $2160.96

Blessings!

Menu Weekly Challenge February 11

Tonight's supper was fried chicken (no breading) (3 breasts) $2.22
mac and cheese $.30, milk and butter $.25
leftover veggies from lunch (free-canned from garden)
milk$.75
tea $.20

$3.72 for all 4 of us

Blessings!

Sunday in the Park & Outside Monday

I think they have been enjoying the warm weather. Spring is around the corner, we are getting a taste of it now though. It was so nuce to get some fresh air!
Here is Monkey, being all serious about his ride.

Here is Tiger being silly!

Here they are at our house yesterday (Monday), playing outside with the red four wheeler and the JD Gator.

Here is Tiger having a time!

Here is Monkey playing.

Have your kiddos gotten to play outside? Are they enjoying the weather too? Blessings!

Style

Everyone has style, right? At least at some point in their lives. I am wondering where and when mine disappeared? I was stylish, at least a little before my pregnancy. I was really stylish during my pregnancy and then........NOTHING!


I have little time for myself. I take little time for myself. I really dislike that! I hate being FAT! Yes, I actually just typed that! I am overweight and was doing something about it. I have gained back some of the 10 pounds that I lost in the last month. I cook, I eat, I love food! I could make excuses, but really there are none.


Motivation, I have motivators a thousand of them to be exact. My parents offered me a $1000 shopping spree to lose 35 pounds (that would be a healthy, realistic weight for me). I had open heart surgery and was given a new life. I have a wonderful husband and two adoring children that deserve a better me! I deserve a better me! I am so ashamed.


I went to my closet to get dressed for my hair appointment and just almost let the tears go. I like to feel pretty, who doesn't? How can i, when my clothes are too small and what fits is worn out. We have extra money in our budget for clothes but where do I start? When do I start?


I will have 40 or more relatives at my house on Saturday for my Mom's 65th surprise birthday party. Some I have not seen in years. They remember me as the 135 pound, 5'10", classy girl that won pageant after pageant. Land sakes!


I am having my hair highlighted this afternoon. That usually helps. I hate my glasses, I mean I hate wearing my glasses. I want to wear my contacts again, I want eye surgery, but my eyes are not healthy enough for either. I need new glasses. I want someone to tell me you need this, let's try these.


I need bras and panties to come to think of it. I actually ordered both and neither fit, correctly.


My buck teeth (temporary crowns on my front two teeth are not helping. They are soooooooo sooooooo UGLY! My permnament ones will be placed in Thursday! Praise the Lord!


I really don't know where I am going with this. I do know I am going to make an appointment to get fitted for a good, really good bra. I know I will have a new outfit for this weekend. I will have blonde roots once again and painted, manicured fingernails and neatly pedicured toenails.


I will put on a smile and make everyone feel welcomed, show off my babies, hug on my Mom and sing to her and pretend all is well in my world.


Monday I am going start whipping my own butt into shape (excuse my language) and start finding myself (and my style) again!

Sorry for venting. I just needed a rant. Thank you for listening.

Menu Weekly Challenge

This evening I went to have my hair done and was not home. Hubby was super late getting home last night and did not want supper, just a hot shower and to sleep. That left enough leftovers for the boys and the mother's helper tonight. So I guess I kind of cheated?

Anyhow, she drank water= free
The boys had milk = $.75

hubby is working late again. I grabbed Zaxby's $5.77

So that was well under $6.52 for all of us.

Have a great night! Blessings!

February 10 Spending

I went and had my hair highlighted. I was only 2 months overdue. See, I'm getting better! LOL! I also got another light trim. I also got some styling products.
$67

Aldi for a few groceries $27.09


Mother's helper $22


Supper $5.77

Kohl's $46.86

Today's Total $168.72

Month's total: $2160.96

Blessings!





Today's total:





Monthly total:

Saturday on the Farm

I love this picture of the boys looking out my parents dining room window. They are looking at the packing house.

On the way home, with Daddy.

The pond, with the apple orchard in the background. You can't tell much with the foliage gone.

This is Pawpaw with the the boys on the tractor, after feeding the cows. Their Daddy closing the gate in the background.

This is our twin baby calves (fraternal) with their mommy, born in December.

What a time we had and we worked hard that day too. Blessings!

February 9 Spending

Boys cotton sheets for their toddler beds $58.
9 dvd's for Christmas and Valentine's presents $46.91
Piggly Wiggly $13.51
Mother's helper $22.
Today $140.42

This is looking really bad. Goodness sakes!

This month $2114.10

Blessings!

Menu Monday Weekly Challenge

Today is the first day of the challenge over at Ellie's. I am keeping meal, dessert and drinks under$5 for 5 people. The 5th person (our Mother's helper, KK) will be over a lot this week, getting ready for the party this weekend.

Here is what is on the menu:

Hamburger pasta with mushrooms

Green beans

Cream Corn

Cornbread muffins

Honey baked apples

Iced sweet tea and milk

Now, let's break down the cost.

3/4# ground chuck $1.49 (reduced $1.99#)

hb helper $1 on sale -$.25 coupon =$.75

can of mushrooms from Aldi $.49

2 boxes corn bread muffin mix $.88-$.55 coupon=$.33

green beans (canned from garden)=free

cream corn (corn frozen from garden)=free

apples and honey (from our bees and orchards)=free

milk (for the boys 24oz.) $.75

iced sweet tea (24 count family size $1 on sale-$.50 coupon) (one box makes 8 gallons) plus sugar =$.25 for 3 lg. glasses full

milk for hb helper, muffins and corn $.50

butter for muffins and corn $.20

oil and salt for green beans $.15

Grand total: $4.91

I thought that was good. How did your first meal go? How low did you go?

Blessings!

February 8 Spending

I am terrible at the no spend thing. Really bad! We ordered the above in the picture for the boys birthday next month. That was a chunk! WE had planned for it though. The good thing is that my parents wanted to pay for half. So, thank you Momma and Daddy!

We spent $650 on our part of the play set. We spent $22 on supper out. Got caught out at the park, met with friends and had not planned ahead for that.

That was $672 for today.

$1973.68 for the month.

Blessings!

February 7 Spending

Yesterday's spending was something I just prefer to hide. Maybe I should have done this next month.......LOL!

For those of you wondering how I did with the list, we got almost all it done minus 5 things. Yippee!

Now on to the spending:

We caved and ate at Jack's for burgers and fries: $13.85

Then I ordered tickets for a Singing for hubby's birthday: $44.40

Then I ordered birthday party decorations for the boys' birthday next month {{cringe}} $70.90.

Summer clothes (3 outfits each, swim outfit each and Easter outfit each) for the boys $ $117.30.



Ouch! Just wait until I post today's spending. We are ordering the boys actual birthday present.

total spending for the day was $246.45.

Total for the month: $1301.68. Yuck!

How are you doing with the challenge? Blessings!

Menu Monday Weekly Challenge

Ellie over at The Twins Mama is having a challenge to see how low you can feed your family each night this week. So I'm in ..............I'd better get planning! Thanks Ellie! Are you in? How low can you go?

Blessings!

On Today's Agenda

We are getting ready to host 50-60 people in our home next Saturday, so we are busy doing home projects, tidying up and the usual things. We hope to fit a trip to the park in today since the temp is suppose to hit the 60's. Dinner is at 5 pm at my parents. We also will be attending a southern gospel singing with the boys at 7pm at a local church.

ToDo:
Run dw and unload
Wash front porch
Clean off front porch
Clean patio furniture
Haul two loads (6 round bales) of hay for the cows on the lower farm
Wash china on hutch
Polish hutch
Glue loose piece of flooring down in kitchen
Get brush up from edge of wood line
Get boxes and garbage up
Clean up extra "junk" from the back of the house
Take stroller to packing house
Take drill back to Sears
Fix plumbing door behind washer and dryer
Put up pantry organizer
put up radio under cabinet in kitchen
Clean off top of extra fridge
I have 6 loads of clothes to fold
I have 3 more to wash, dry and put away
make 2 gal. tea
order sheets for boys beds
clean off desk
fix vacuum
call CT and DJ
order party supplies for boys b'day next month
order their play set from Sam's

I think that is all! Wish us luck! ;)

How is your weather? What plans do you have today?

Have a great weekend! Blessings!

February 6 Spending

Today was shopping day and it was complicated. I got a lot of stuff and we needed a bunch of it. I went to CVS first. I have two cards, mine and my Mom's. Here is what I got:



8ct. Fusion power razor blades $23.99

Fusion shave gel - free when you buy blades

2- 36 ct. cvs children's asprin-free after ecb

4 EARinse- free after ecb

2 instant energy shots (2pk.)-free after ecb

Old Spice deo on clearance $.75

4 Colgate kids toothpaste $10

2 Colgate 360* toothbrushes $5

12 pk. Kleenex BOGO

L'Oreal foundation $9.99

L'Oreal powder- free when you buy foundation

4 Glade candles $10

4 Glade plug-in refills $10

2-10ct. Excedrin vials-free after ecb

2 L'Oreal lip liners BOGO

2 Old Spice deo $5

Gillette shampoo $5.99

Lady Speedstick

2 Irish Spring bodywashes $5

1 Softsoap bodywash $2.50

1 Softsoap hand soap $1

2 Palmolive dish det. $1.94



Total was $239.30 before coupons and extra care bucks for all of it. I broke it into 5 transactions.

I had over $25 in manny coupons and a bunch of CVS coupons and then a bunch of extra bucks.

I paid $45.91 for all it!!!



On to Wal-Mart. I took back a baby monitior and a windsuit. I got $35.22 back. Here's what i got:

1 gal. Barber's ABC milk $4.42

Coffee $3.22

2 Honeycomb $3.96

filter for humidifer $4.96

boot scraper $11.97

kitchen towel $2 (gift, was on clearance)

kitchen rug $2.50 (gift, on clearance)



$33.03-$2 coupons+tax=$33.83 Nothing spent out of pocket! I still had $1.40 to apply to my CVS bill.



So groceries and h&b aid and stockpiling cost me $44.51 today.



On to bills:

credit card (working on paying off) $100

hospital bill $100

Water $43.54

Tithes $55

Home phone, cable and internet $129.23



Hubby: $4.51 (extra food and drink)

I forgot I went by Dollar General too.
foil and 2 letter coloring books reduced to $.50 each
Total $2.72



Today's total $479.51



Monthly total $1055.23

Blessings! How is your month going?

February 5 Spending

This is not looking so good.

First let me tell you, hubby is a dipper. Not a skinny dipper. LOL! Seriously, he dips Copenhagen. His Dad gave him his first dip at a very early age and he is having a difficult time quitting. I will NOT even go there. let's just say his Dad is dared to bring a can of that MESS in my house! YUCK!!! Hubby has been doing this over 16 years. So, that will explain the tabacco being bought in today's spending. No, I don't like it, but he is a grown man. WE made the decision it will NOT be around our children!

He bought a biscuit, a Mello Yello and a roll (10 cans) of Copenhagen. $38.52
I bought nothing. I traded supper to my parents for a gallon of milk.
Then I earned $10 for deep cleaning my Mom's carpet.

Take my earned money from his spent money and we spent $28.52 today.
That brings the month's total to $575.72.

Blessings!

10 L's

My blogging buddy over at Never Gives Up was doing this tag and I asked her for a letter. You are suppose to come up with 10 things that you like that begin with that letter. So here goes.

1. LULLABIES help us all sleep at night. The boys have always listened to a cd ever since they were brought home. We change it out every few months.
2. Our family has so much LOVE! I can only imagine how much the LORD our Father loves us! I never knew how much you could LOVE until our boys were born!
3. I LOVE LUCY! My Mom, LUCY is my best friend!
4. Watching my LITTLES LEARN everything, especially LANGUAGE! Thinking they were barley speaking less than 8 months ago, they are amazing!
5. Hubby's LIPS are one of my very favorites! You can take it from there.....this is a family friendly blog after all!
6. They say LAUGHTER is the best medicine! I love hearing my kiddos laugh! Anyone for that matter!
7. LEMONADE has to be one of my favorite icy drinks. I make the homemade kind where you squeeze your own LEMONS and all!
8. MY LEATHER FURNITURE has been a lifesaver with LITTLES around! I wish it all were LEATHER!
9. I have to have my LIGHT! I want all of the curtains, blinds and front door open to let the LIGHT in. I hate the dark!
10. And last but not least, I could not do this or even blog without my trusty LAPTOP! I love it!

There it is! Let me know if you want to play along and i will be glad to send you a letter! Blessings!

Date Night aka Valentine's Date

Since my Mom is having a surprise birthday party at our house on her birthday (Valentine's Day), we opted to celebrate this past weekend. The plan was to go to eat and then to a movie. We went to Huntsville, about an hour away. We had a wonderful meal at T.G.I.Friday's and then ruled the movie out. We had a half off appetizer and then I had a coupon for buy one entree and get one free. Yippee! The food was delish! We both had steaks of sorts and shrimp as well. When the waitress found out that we were celebrating Valentine's early, she brought us a brownie type dessert! Yummy! we were stuffed and had plenty of leftovers. One of my favorite parts of supper was the sweet potato fries. They were out of this world! I sure do wish I had the recipe! Supper and tip was about $30.

After supper we headed to Barnes and Noble to walk supper off and we had a blast! We each found some books (10), a video for the boys and a calendar for my parent's office. We paid less than $50 for all of it. We stayed and just shopped for about 2 1/2 hours. we sang and laughed all the way home. We came home to the boys fast asleep and a tired but happy sitter.

Many Blessings on your Valentine's Day! What are you doing this year?

Ole Farm Breakfast Casserole

We love this casserole for supper. Served with fresh fruit and toast. i also try to add a slice of tomato and each piece of casserole. Yum!

3 c. frozen hash browns
1 c. shredded monterey jack cheese
1 c. diced ham
1/4 c. finely chopped onion
4 beaten eggs
12 oz. skim milk
1/8 t. salt
1/4 t. ground mustard

Grease baking dish (I use a 2 quart).
Arrange potatoes evenly in the bottom of dish.
Sprinkle with cheese, ham and onion.
In a separate bowl, combine eggs, milk, salt and mustard.
Pour over potato mixture.
Bake uncovered in 350* oven for 40-45 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting.

NOTE**********You can put in fridge overnight. You will need to cook an extra 10 minutes or so that way though.

ENJOY!!!

Spicy Southwestern Chicken Sandwiches

1/3 c. mayo (I use light)
2 T. fresh chopped cilantro
1 1/2 t. grated lime rind
1 1/2 T. fresh lime juice
1 Jalapeno, seeded and minced
4 skinless, boneless, chicken breast halves
1-2 T. fajita seasoning
1 T. veg. oil
4 hamburger buns
1 tomato, sliced
4 slices of purple onion

Combine first 5 ingredients in a small bowl; stir well and set aside.
Place chicken between two sheets of plastic wrap; flatten to 1/4 inch thickness, with a meat mallet.
Sprinkle chicken with fajita seasoning. Cook chicken in a large skillet with beg. oil, over med-high heat (about 4 minutes on each side).
Spread 1 tablespoon of mayo mixture evenly on bottom half of each bun.
Top with chicken, tomato, onion and 1 more tablespoon of mayo mixture. Add top of bun.

Yields four servings. I like to serve this with baked nachos.

ENJOY!!!

Popovers

1 c. all purpose flour
1/4 t. salt
1 c. milk
2 large eggs, lightly beaten

Combine all ingredients; beat at low speed, until smooth. Place in a well greased, preheated (425*) muffin pan. Pour batter into hot tins, until each is half full. Bake at 425* for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350*; bake for 18-20 more minutes. Turn oven off. Pierce each popover with the tip of a knife to let the steam out. Return popovers to oven for 5 minutes to crisp.

Yields one dozen.

ENJOY!!!

Corn Chowder

2 -16 oz bags frozen corn or 8 ears fresh corn (cut off)
6 slices bacon
1/2 c. chopped onion
1/2 c. peeled, cubed potato
1 c. water
2 c. milk, divided
1 t. sugar
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. black pepper
1 T. cornstarch

Cook bacon, reserve drippings. Crumble bacon, set aside. Cook onion in drippings; stirring constantly (about 4 minutes). Stir in corn, potato and water. Bring to a boil: cover and reduce heat. Simmer for 10 minutes; stirring occasionally. Stir in 1 1/2 cups of milk, sugar, salt and pepper. Combine the other 1/2 cup of milk and cornstarch in a small bowl. Slowly pour into corn mixture, stirring until smooth. Cook uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring often, until thickened. Top with crumbled bacon.

Yield is 6 one serving cups.

ENJOY!!!

February 4 Spending

Well, I stayed home and everything pretty much stayed the same. Hubby bought our tow county papers today for $1 total.

Month's total is $547.20.

We'll see what happens tomorrow! Blessings!

Marva's Brunswick Stew

This is my very own contoction and is very good , although the ingredients don't sound very good together. Children also seem to love it! A plus in my house! LOL!

1 # ground chuck browned (and drained) with one small chopped onion and 1/2 t. garlic salt
2 cans pork n beans
2 cans cream style corn
28 oz. can diced tomatoes
1 c. ketchup
1 - 10 oz. can Ro-Tel (tomatoes w/ green chiles)

Combine all and simmer for 30 minutes. I personally like to put in crockpot and cook on low for a few hours, until needed for supper.

NOTE********* DO NOT drain the cans.

We love this with a hunk of hoop cheese and saltines.

ENJOY!!!

The Call Came

UPDATE! I jusr got off the phone with my Daddy. They are out of the doctors office. He was trying to make light of things. The doctor reomoved some more off of his face. He is very sore. My Mom said they took alot off. It is melanoma. We will not know anything else until next weekk, when we hear from pathology. The prayer is that is was all removed and it is contained. Please continue to pray! Thank you all!


Yesterday my Daddy got the call from the skin specialist and he wants to look at the place again. That's all that was said. We have been through this several times. I hate to say this and should have my jaws slapped for typing it......but we've never heard those words before. Usually they tell us that he needs to come back and they need to remove a little more. Heavens my nerves are shattered. I want to go so badly and take them! The appointment is at 10am central time. Please pray! As some of you may remember we lost my Daddy's, Daddy to melanoma several years ago. It can spread rapidly and it deadly! Daddy has had numerous melanomas removed in the past. i just have a different feeling this time.

I will keep you updated as I know. Thank you all for the prayers. Blessings!

February 3 Spending

I think I should resolve to keep up with my spending for each day of February and to forget the challenge of NO spending. I am not doing so well. I currently am trying to loose weight and I only have one good pair of jeans until yesterday morning. For those of you that do not know....Desitin can and will bleach things. Let's just say my purchase of new jeans was justified. Being that I have a weird body shape and I am close to 6 feet tall, I am hard to fit.....the reason for the price! Oh and I saved $5.25 from a coupon code I found on line! Now, for the spending....

The total from the last couple of days was $484.03

Jeans $35.92
Mother's Helper $20.00

Hubby's new truck gas $33.00
Hubby food $6.23

Total today:$ 95.15
Total month: $579.18

I also got back $10 rebate check and got a refund on some other jeans $22.98.

That brought the month's total back down to $546.20.

Blessings!

3AM

After a wonderful 5 hours of blissful sleep I am awoke.....by the hot sweats and "the pain". I am so sick that my bottom hurts, literally. Thankfully I never vomitted but am so neasuated. I am in rare form today, no make up, pj's and completely undid hair. Oh, sipping a Gatorade.

My Mom is sick with a bad cold and there is noone else until 3:30pm (YAY!) to help with the kiddos. We will survive. We will make it, with the Lord's help an lots of Gatorade!

Say a little prayer this morning for me and th boys. Have a good day!

Blessings!

February 2 Spending

We needed a gallon of milk this morning. It was cold and raining and I did NOT want to have to get the boys out. I called my Daddy and since he was getting out anyhow, he picked it up and delivered it. He would not have any money for it, so I made them a seven layer salad for supper with homemade potato soup. My Mom is sick and she said she thought she could eat that. So, technically I spent NADA! Yippee!


Hubby spent nothing as well.

However, every Monday we have $25 transfered from checking into savings.....so that counts.

$25 today for savings and i forgot that we paid $400 for a dental bill. YUCK!


Total $484.03 (for the month)

Blessings!

February 1 Spending

We chose yesterday the 1st to be one of the two Sunday's we would eat out after church. The boys were grumpy and hungry to say the least.


Captain D's $19.03
Tithes $40.00

Total $59.03

The No Spend Challenge

I have thought long and hard about this and am still not sure. Amy has guts, let me tell you. She has been an inspiration for many years now. She has an incredible will and desire that many lack.

We are going to take her challenge, although going by a few of our own rules, like allowing hubby to buy an extra Coke, of he gets caught out later than usual or something along that line. He hauls hazardous waste (like nerve gas, chemical agents and such). He packs a lunch, but some days turn into 16 hours or longer, so......he can do as he needs.

We will eat out two Sunday's this month after church.

However, my goal is to cut our monthly expenses. By how much I am not sure. We shall see about that one come March 1 when it is all tallied up.

So, you might be asking what the goal is. Well, that's easy on paper (to tell you). That would be to have $100 left each week out of hubby's check after paying bills. Now, some weeks his check is down to $300 or so, because there is not enough work to go around. So, we will just have to do the best we can. I currently do NOT have a check coming in from the farm and will not until in June.

We also normally spend $400 a month on groceries, wipes, pull-ups, paper products, cleaning supplies, gifts, toiletries and cosmetics. We will bring that down to $200 this month.

I also will give a day by day account of where and what we are spending money on.

So are you with us? If so jump on board!

Blessings!