Sprucing up and organizing

We have been doing a little sprucing up around the place. Ok - I admit it - it's called remodeling. Yes we are also joining others and getting on the organizing band wagon too. And that brings me to this...

In our adventure of remodeling we discovered a wonderful place for all of our remodeling ideas.  What a discovery that was too!

If you are thinking about remodeling go and take a look at all they have to offer.  I can't plan things out and make my thoughts come together but they sure can.  You can get a free account and put all your thoughts and ideas in one great place and have your very own "ideabook" for your remodeling project.  How awesome is that?  I sure wish they would have been around before now.  But I plan on taking full advantage them now.

Not sure where to start?  From wall colors to floor covers, this company will certainly get you going in the right direction.  Got a question?  Head over and ask them.  They have awesome products too - bookshelves, art centers, art, drying racks, storage towers and so much more!

Summers long ago

Oh how I loved summers long ago.  Summers that made me say "YES" I will have a pool when I grow up!  My friend Becky and I lived in the pool.  Ok - not really lived in it but we stayed in the pool long enough that our parents thought we would grow fins and gills.  We never did grow either and we are both thankful for that.  And that's a good thing because the water was so sparkly and clear that anyone could have seen our fins and gills.  Becky's dad was the one that kept the pool so sparkly and it's because he used these pool supplies.  If you are wanting to get and keep that water in your pool sparkly then you really should check this out...pool chemicals.  Start stocking up now because summer isn't far away, and...You can get some great bargains with free shipping and handling.
Now that I'm so much older, I enjoy relaxing with pool accessories such as some of the wonderful floats.  Years ago I was just like my kids and loved the toys and games.  Ok...I admit it...I still play some of the games with my kids.  What's a day in the pool without squirting someone with water?

Me and my Sis

Sissy told me about Just Energy Texas Electricity Provider when I moved here which was good because I was just totally overwhelmed trying to get this house in order. I love a clean home but since this place was brand new it was already clean – but it was too white! I had to paint some stuff to make it pop and I had to go out and buy a lot of fabric to make curtains and fix everything up. I don’t know why but this place just has no character which drives me crazy – I feel like I need to work really hard to get it colorful and cheery like I’m used to. There’s something to be said for making a space your own and that’s what I’m slowly working on doing. I think it’s only fair that I’m allowed to do to the house what I want.

What people say about me

I'm not sure about all this but...here it is...In my "Rural Lite" class, this is what they say about me.

There is no way

that I can do it all!

Felt and a little elf costume got me to thinking.  Thinking about some adorable little things to make and maybe even sell.  But there is no time.  No time at all.  What to do?!  Start now!  If I start now, I will (maybe) ready for next year.  Would that just be awesome if I were actually ready for next year?!  Yeah!

Ok - here is what I'm thinking...
My youngest son loves crafts.  He wants to learn everything that I know how to do.  Knit, crochet, sew, stitch, glue or whatever else there is to do with crafts.  By the way - I don't glue very much at all.
So...I found these links and I am gathering my things and getting ready for next year and here they are...
Felt -o-rama
Felt Mitten and Ice Skate Ornament
Peppermint Swirl Ornament
Felt Christmas Ornaments
Christmas Owl Ornament
Felt Christmas Ornament
Wintertime Felt Ornaments
Embroidered Felt Ornament
Peppermint Candy Stars
Cute Elf Shoes
Partridge Ornament
15 Felt Ornaments to make
Ginger Bread family and a Guinea Pig
Felt Birdcage Ornament
Felt Ice Skates
Jingle Mouse Ornament
Peppermint Bark
Candy Cane Mice
Make a Snow Globe

I think you may have an idea now as to why I can't do it all.

Lazy me

I know somebody somewhere thinks I sit around watching soap operas all day and that I never get anything done.  Well you know what? They are wrong.  Some days I never get anything done but it isn't because I sit around watching soap operas.  So...here is a little bit of what I do...
These things are not in order of how they were done.  Sometimes in a world of chaos, we just take things as they come, order or no order.

We moved a chicken house. 

I crocheted a few (at least 75) flowers for a wonderful person.

We found a corn snake and put him in a safer place.

I finally learned how to make a "tooth brush" rug.

I found a sunbeam in my yard.

We hiked 3.2 miles and swung on a vine.

We saw a Fox Squirrel on a post.

The dog even helped roll the kids around in the barrel.

We rolled our kids around in a barrel.

We stuffed a kid in a barrel.

Almost 50 pounds of sweet potatoes.

Me and the boys dug some sweet potatoes.

The SWAT bus I drove in the memorial day parade.

I bought the piece to fix the toilet.  I was going to fix it but

 my husband beat me to it.

 

The tiny screen from the cold water for the washing machine.

This is what came out of the screen.

This is what it should look like.  No sediments clogging it up.

I fixed the washing machine while Superman was out of town.  This was to fix the agitator.

Elf Yourself

Tomorrow is our Christmas party at church and...they want us in costume "if possible".
"If possible"?  Well of course it's possible.  I just had to think and think and think some more...Until, I finally found this website

and here is what I did...How to make an elf or Peter Pan costume

and here is a picture of me wearing it.  Ok - I look like the elf that ate one too many cookies.  

Sometimes I am a Dingbat

According to Urban Dictionary a Dingbat is...
A weird thing, person or situation, a person considered stupid or foolish.
A set of fonts showing pictures instead of letters.
Someone who attempts to provide a definition of the word "Dingbat" and misspells the word "retarded" in his or her definition.
A term used to describe a person (often a woman) who does not think before acting and most times acts on pure impulse.
Yes there are a few others there too, but...we need to recognize other websites.

According to Wikipedia a Dingbat is...
An ornament, character or spacer used in typesetting, sometimes more formally known as a "printer's ornament" or "printer's character".

And, last but not least...
Merriam Webster says that a Dingbat is...
a typographical symbol or ornament (as *, ¶, or X) nitwit or kook

I drove all the way to Gainesville today to buy Almond milk.  Not just any Almond milk.  It had to be Silk Almond Milk (unsweetened).  I choose Gainesville because I needed some Whey Protein too.  So...I gather up my money and my coupons.  Get it - coupons.  I bet you have guessed it by now.  LOL  I stopped at the first Publix along the way and discovered that they did NOT have what I needed or wanted.  Grrr....now I have to drive more into the city.  Did I say Grrr....!  So through traffic.  Ok, not just traffic, it was Gator game day traffic.  Yeah!  I check out happily with my Unsweetened Silk Almond milk and head home.  Secretly there is a half gallon of Publix Pumpkin Pie ice cream in the cooler too.  Shhh....  I finally get home and empty my pockets and find....Yes, Dingbat me, finds the coupons for the milk in my pocket.  Have I said Grrrr....yet?!

I think my "best friend", Webster, figured me out again!

Simpler

Odd looking word.  Simpler - just came to me today when I was trying to explain what my blog is about.  I tried to sum up the blog in, well, should I say one word.  I guess I did it.  Anyway...

simplercomparative of sim·ple (Adjective)

Adjective:

Easily understood or done; presenting no difficulty. Plain, basic, or uncomplicated in form, nature, or design; without much decoration or ornamentation

I think I did it.

Halloween

Do you celebrate Halloween? As a kid growing up, we dressed up and went door to door and called it "Trick or Treating". We never, ever did any tricking. Hmmm....must not of been allowed. As I grew older, I "Trick or Treated" a lot less. Now that I have kids, I certainly have mixed emotions about "Trick or Treating".

How about this...

Do you celebrate Fall Harvest? Our church does have a Fall Harvest and it is just that. We celebrate, Jesus and fellowship and the harvesting for preparation of the approaching winter.

Regardless of what you call it, there is a history behind it all.

Here is something taken from History.com...

"Halloween has long been a favorite holiday, a day for trick-or-treating, parties, costumes and candy. Where did these Halloween traditions come from, and what was their original purpose? The one-hour documentary The Real Story of Halloween uncovers the true history of the holiday, from its sacred roots to today's secular celebrations of hidden identity and marvelous masquerade. The special explores Halloween's origins, tracing it back to the Samhain festivals of the ancient Celts, when communities would gather around November 1 to mark the end of summer. This was also the time of year when the spirits of those who had died were thought to return to visit their homes. As a result, ghosts and fairies became associated with these observances, including the Roman festivals of Feralia."

Whatever you call it or however you celebrate it, remember to keep it safe for everyone!

Monday is over

I am so extremely GLAD that Monday is over. So today...I'm having a Tuesday. Kinda makes ya wonder what having a Wednesday is like. Guess I'll find out tomorrow.

Yesterday was "Meatless Monday" and today I tried something really out there. I gotta ask...Am I turning into a hippy? A few of my friends are starting to call me that.

Today I tried "cauliflower rice". Yes, you silly thing, you read it right. One (1) cup of rice is 170 calories and one (1) cup of cauliflower is only......drum roll.....30 calories. Can you grasp that?! So... that means that I can enjoy other things too.

Here is a video that I found on how to make it ("cauliflower rice"). Oh it was so YUMMY!

I saw a video for "cauliflower pizza dough". Yeppers, that's next.

I'm having a Monday

It has been a long, long time since I have had a Monday. Well...after today, I cannot say that anymore. So...today, I'm having a Monday!
That's how my day started out anyway. The barn was a WRECK and I mean a genuine WRECK. My youngest child is responsible for feeding the horses right now and gosh, I guess that's all he does out there. What ever happened to cleaning up behind oneself? What ever happened to having a "safe" work place? What ever happened to learning from older siblings? Blah...Blah...Blah!!!

I had to call Superman and ask him if he could come home and help me "un-hang" a roll of hay. My youngest had somehow, someway, managed to roll a HUGE roll (not bale) of hay and get it hung on a shelf that is in the barn. So...my wonderful husband aka Superman came home from work, changed clothes, wrestled a roll of hay, changed back into his uniform and returned to work as if nothing happened.

Now my Monday is much better!

Fall is in the air

Oh the beautiful scent of fall in the air! The cooler air as you open the door, the smell of of fall. Today was our local peanut festival and as usual, it was very crowded. Lots to see, friends to reminisce with, people smiling and taking in the "grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwiches". I walked, reminisced but I did not eat the "grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwiches". It was nice to just walk around and not have to make any decisions on which vendors to buy something from. Ha ha....I left my money at home.

And with that, I will close with this...
Heavy on my heart is a sister in Christ who recently suffered a horrific loss in her life.

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. ~Kahlil Gibran

My eldest child

I'm gonna try to catch you up to date on my eldest child. Hmmm...rolling eyes around while brain searches for 411.

William is my eldest child and (if you've been keeping up) you know that all three of our boys are adopted. And if you haven't been keeping up, now you know. William is now in Brunswick, GA at Job Corps. And I gotta tell ya, my dear husband has been catching it from his mom. Oh yeah! She has been giving him an ear full. Back to William. He was going to age out of school and he's at that age where mom and dad just aren't hip (cool) (down with it) (or whatever it's called nowadays) anymore. Hey you remember when you were 17 going on 40! William was and still is very excited about the Job Corps program. This is a good thing. He will either get his diploma or a GED and he will get job training for a career path that he chooses. And...get this...they pay him. For real! I think it is a great program. It wasn't easy to send him out into the world, so we figured an environment that is still controlled and monitored not only eases our minds but helps him to ease into the world.
Our calls to him have been uplifting and we can hear his excitement over the phone.
His one request is for us to please send him some toilet paper, striking paper, toilet tissue or what ever you wanna call it. It's the stuff you clean your bottom with. He says that people still it from the bathrooms.
I know...I'm as clueless as you are.

I Love Yarn Day

Simply amazing! Yes, you read it right...I Love Yarn Day. Who woulda thunkit!
And before I get side tracked and forget what I was talking about...October 14th is the official "I Love Yarn Day". How utterly cool is that!

Science

I think science is really cool but do I teach it...I try not to. Well, maybe that's not correct. We do birds and plants and critters and gardens and butterflies and insulin shots to cats and shots to horses and on and on. Do I teach science? Nope, not really! I just live it.
Now getting to my point.
I am in the process of checking our "Science in Motion" or "The Science Bus". And dig this...the buses name is Galileo. How cool is that! Well I am really excited about checking this bus and this science program out. I personally think it is going to be just awesome! But I promise to let you know as soon as I discover it for myself.
If you happen to beat me to it, please let me know.

Dolphin Tale

We L-O-V-E-D it! No joke! It was an awesome movie. Now...as with most things, there are pros and cons or good and bad things that are involved.

Pros: excellent movie, excellent people, excellent friends.
Cons: not enough people, I wore blue (as instructed) and no special matinee price.

Honestly - I don't mind the cons because the pros surely out weigh them.

If you get a chance to watch the movie, please do.

AND...

We are talking about a Road Trip to go see Winter!