Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Tis the season



Not that one Candyce!!

The other one.

Yep, the school one.

I am trying so hard to get motivated. Although 104 degrees doesn't exactly inspire enthusiasm...it does inspire perspiration. Seriously. I'm like a sweataphiliac. A sweataholic. I need S.A.

Moving on...

I need to cram 7 weeks of procrastination into the next few days. I'm reading lots of teacher blogs and books and buying cheap school supplies in an effort to focus on my job I go back to MONDAY!!!!

Breathe Val....breathe...

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

I Don't Wanna Grow Up, I'm a Toys 'R Us kid...

Hman and I have really been focusing on our finances lately. We've been reading tons of books and websites to try and ensure the best future for our little family. I've been learning a lot about personal finace.

However the base truth is that being a grown up sucks.

What?! It really, really does. *whining unsympathetically*

Not only do we have to worry about school loans (our only real debt right now), but we're looking at saving up for a down payment, a new car, college bills, retirement. It's enough to make a woman go gray...

Gray and purple-now there's a pretty picture!

Monday, July 28, 2008

Tales of a True Desperate Housewife


Productivity is so hard with little kids underfoot! We are moving in 12 days, and I have officially packed 8 boxes.

Eight.

Only 121 left!

*sobs hysterically*

Here's how my day went:

  • Tape a box.
  • Sit in front of one of my 6 massively overstuffed bookcases.
  • Screaming erupts.
  • Go investigate.
  • Pass out stickers, markers, and/or bandages as needed.
  • Come back.
  • Place one book in the box.
  • Wailing from one room over.
  • Sprinting ensues.
  • Take away the offending toy.
  • Attempt to finish one shelf.
  • Get interrupted 12 more times.
  • Collapse from exhaustion.
It doesn't help that my mom is following me around, chain smoking Pall-Malls and offering helpful packing tidbits like, "I packed all of mine and your daddy's moves by myself, and with all y'all kids, and worked full time." Gee, thanks Mom!

Tomorrow I am aiming to do the kids room.

Pray for me.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Clairol and Heat Make Me Irritable

I really hate dyeing my hair. Why do they even put pictures on the box? I whole-heartedly believe the picture on the box in just a randomly generated image that bears no relationship to the product actually in the box.

You know what brought this realization?

I have purple hair.

PURPLE hair!

Not Brown Auburn as the box promised. Not a rich, vibrant brown with red highlights which the picture promised.

Straight up burgundy.

With church in the morning no less!!

Also it has reached that time of year in Texas where I officially hate being outside. It was 104 outside today. That is just plain uninhabitable. Remind me why I live here?!?

Friday, July 25, 2008

Breakfast with an almost three year old


First as Luke pokes into his egg, he loudly exclaims, "YUM! Orange juice!!!"

Next as I try to cut his egg for him, he protests, wanting to 'open it himself.'

When we hold hands to pray, he begins chanting "Rosy! Ring th rosy!"

Then, while praying, he curls two of his fingers down, and starts making web noises.

This is why we don't eat out. How could I convince anyone else this isn't the first time that child has prayed or seen an egg yolk?!

Thursday, July 24, 2008

As my mind whirs...

So much to say...

School quickly approaches and I am nowhere near ready. I need to just spend two or three days at the library and get some stuff done. Perhaps next week.

I am really doubting my grocery goal for this month. I'm out of everything! I'm shopping tomorrow...we'll see how I do :)

I got paid a day early. Woohoo! Today we went shopping at Cato. I love that store...and it has clothes for all size ladies, from itty-bitty Jade, to pillowy size Val.

I also got the kids hair cut today. Luke did much better this time, only sobbing during the last half ;)

My mom is going through an incredible time in her life right now. She is more fully in God's presence than I have ever seen before, and it is just incredible!!!!

We got approved for our apartment! It is beautiful, and brand-new, and nicer than anywhere I have ever lived, and I am SOOOO excited :)

But now we have to move...

That's ok; I'm still excited!!

I have so much more to say, but must get to bed. Happy Thursday all :)

Monday, July 21, 2008

Menu Planning Monday


Well, as many know, teachers get paid monthly, and for me, payday will be this Friday. Whew! I tell ya, between rising food costs and utilities bills skyrocketing, my paycheck sure doesn't seem to go as far as it used to. One area I can really trim the fat is my grocery bill.

Staring today, I'm going to post my menu for each week, and also how much I spend on groceries for the next month. My goal is $300 for my family of four. Doable? We'll see!!!

This weeks menu:

Breakfast: Cereal, oatmeal or pancakes
Lunch: Turkey. tuna, or PBJ sandwiches, fruit
Dinner: Meatless Monday: Pinto beans, rice, cornbread, sliced tomatoes
Tuesday: Enchiladas, Refried beans, Mexican rice, lettuce and tomato
Wednesday: Roasted Chicken, Rice, Peas, Corn
Thursday: Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, Salad
Friday: Pizza night!

I planned this menu after perusing my pantry and fridge and seeing what we already had. We still have plenty of canned goods, rice, oatmeal, etc. Here's what I bought at the store:

Plums.................................$1.03
Tortillas.............................$1.78
Spaghetti...........................$0.68
Lettuce..............................$1.28
Shredded Cheese................$2.68
Ground beef.......................$6.27
Folgers coffee.....................$3.72
Miracle whip......................$2.50
2% milk.............................$3.89
King size Twix....................$1.00
Eggs.................................$1.53
Whole Chicken...................$3.03
Whole Chicken...................$3.64
Peaches.............................$1.82

Total: $36.23

Money left: $263.77

I comp-shopped the chickens ($0.89/lb) and the peaches ($0.99/lb). Everything not otherwise stated is generic brand. As you can tell, we had quite a bit of stuff in the cabinets, so this is a pretty light shopping trip. Hopefully, this will make it until Friday, when I can do the big shop.

Happy Monday guys!

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Home Again


I really like Amarillo! We thankfully had a very uneventful trip. We tried a new restaurant, Blue Sky, which had one of the best burgers I've ever had out. Hand pressed patties, fresh cut fires-Yum!!

Predictably we hit the mall, but it was ok, because there were a lot of sales :D I'm really not a big mall person, but it's nice every once in awhile.

This morning we went to the zoo (free!) and had a good time. I saw a lion as close as I've ever seem one! The kids had a good time. Seeing my sister was wonderful. I miss her so much :(

Overall, I'm glad to be home, exhausted from driving (which makes no sense since all I did was sit, but you know how it is!) and SOOOO glad to have all my babies back together. I swear Jade grew 4 inches. And when she saw Luke she said, "Oh my gosh, he looks four!" LOL

Good night all :)

Saturday, July 19, 2008

On the road again

Today we are back on the road to Amarillo. My darling daughter has been gone for two whole weeks, which is entirely too long.

We will be meeting up with my sister today, so I get to see my adorable nephew again! Yay!

Quick note about my sister-she is a shopping queen. She is the only person I know to rate entire metroplexes on their mall. As for me...I'm much more of an online kinda shopping gal. Malls aren't a happy place for me...but maybe this list will help!

50 Things To Do At The Mall



1. Ride mechanical horses with coins fished out of the reflecting pond.

2. Try pants on backwards at the Gap. Ask the salesperson if they make your butt look big.

3. Dial 900 numbers from demonstration phones in Radio Shack.

4. Sneeze on the sample tray at Hickory Farms and helpfully volunteer to consume its now unwanted contents.

5. At the bottom of an escalator, scream 'MY SHOELACES! AAAGH!'

6. Ask the sales personnel at the music store whether inflated CD prices are in pesos or rubles.

7. Teach pet store parrots new vocabulary that makes them unsalable.

8. Stomp on ketchup packets at Burger King...

9. ...but save a few to slurp on as snacks. Tell people that they're 'astronaut food'.

10. Follow patrons of B. Dalton's around while reading aloud from 'Dianetics.'

11. Ask mall cops for stories of World War I.

12. Ask a salesman why a particular TV is labeled black and white and insist that it's a color set. When he disagrees, give him a strange look and say, 'You mean you really can't see it?'

13. Construct a new porch deck in the tool department of Sears.

14. Wear pancake makeup and new clothes and pose as a fashion dummy in clothes departments, occasionally screaming without warning.

15. Test mattresses in your pajamas.

16. Ask the tobacconist if his hovercraft is full of eels.

17. If you're patient, stare intently into a surveillance camera for an hour while rocking from side to side.

18. Sprint up the down escalator.

19. Stare at static on a display TV and challenge other shoppers whether they, too, can see the 'hidden picture'.

20. Ask appliance personnel if they have any TVs that play only in Spanish
.
21. Make unusual requests at the Piercing Pagoda.

22. Ask a salesperson in the hardware department how well a particular saw cuts through bone.

23. At the pet store, ask if they have bulk discounts on gerbils, and whether there's much meat on them.

24. Hula dance by the demonstration air conditioner.

25. Ask for red-tinted lenses at the optometrist.

26. Sneak up on saleswomen at the perfume counter and spray *them* with your own bottle of Eau de Swane.

27. Rummage through the jelly bean bin at the candy store, insisting that you lost a contact lens.

28. Ask a saleswoman whether a particular shade of panties matches the color of your beard.

29. In the changing rooms, announce in a singsong voice, 'I see London, I see France...'

30. Leave on the plastic string connecting a new pair of shoes, and wander around the mall taking two-inch steps.

31. Play the tuba for change.

32. Ask the Hammond organ dealer if he can play 'Jesus Built My Hotrod'.

33. Record belches on electronic sampling keyboards, and perform gastric versions of Jingle Bells for admiring onlookers.

34. Ask the pharmacist at the drugstore which leading cold remedy will 'give you a really wicked buzz'.

35. Ask the personnel at Pier 1 Imports whether they have 'any giant crap made out of straw'.

36. 'Toast' plastic gag hot dogs in front of the fake fireplace display.

37. Collect stacks of paint brochures and hand them out as religious tracts.

38. Ask the information desk for a stroller, and someone to push you around in it.

39. Change every TV in the electronics department to a station showing 'Saved by the Bell'. Chant the dialogue in a robotic voice, and scream if anyone tries to switch channels on one of the sets.

40. Hang out in the waterbed section of the furniture department wearing a Navy uniform. Occasionally run around in circles yelling 'scratch one flattop!'

41. Hand a stack of pants back to the changing room attendant and scornfully announce that none of them are 'leakproof'.

42. 'Play' the demo modes of video games at the arcade. Make lots of explosion noises.

43. Stand transfixed in front of a mirror bobbing your head up and down.

44. Pay for all your purchases with two-dollar bills to provoke arguments over whether they're real.

45. If it's Christmas, ask the mall Santa to sit on *your* lap.

46. Answer any unattended service phones that ring in department stores and say 'Domino's.'

47. Try on flea collars at the pet store while occasionally pausing to scratch yourself.

48. At the stylist, ask to have the hair on your back permed.

49. Show people your driver's license and demand to know 'whether they've seen this man.'

50. Buy a jawbreaker from the candy store. Return fifteen minutes later, fish it out of your mouth, and demand to know why it hasn't turned blue yet.

Friday, July 18, 2008

Darn it...Darn it all!!!

H-man, pointing at a hole on his left sock and seductively wriggling his toe: "Can you fix that?"

Me: "Hmmmm, I don't know....Maybe God's telling you to clip your toenails more often."

H-man: "Why does everything always have to be my fault?!"

Thursday, July 17, 2008

I don't think I have 13 in me today, so let's downsize :)

::Guys and Dolls ::


Onesome: Guys-- do the darnedest things, -right? What's the darnedest thing you've had a male acquaintance do that you just know a gal would never even think of? (Okay, girls, toilet seats do not count on this one!)

Not to be graphic, but I would have to say public scratching. Learn some self-control man!

Twosome: and-- to turn it around, what's the darnedest thing you've had a female acquaintance do that you just know a guy would never even think of? (Okay, guys, that hair-flip move doesn't count either...)

Not eat on a date to appear petite ;)

Threesome: Doll--ing yourself up? What is your idea of dress-up? Hmmm... Let's go with Summer wear for now!

Well, the cooler the better, so I would say a nice breezy top and skirt.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ahhh, much easier than 13, and got the writing juices flowing. :)

We have a lot going on here right now. For the last 8 months we have been an extended family living together, and the time has come to part ways. Hman and I are seriously considering downsizing to an apartment. We looked at a beautiful place Wednesday. It's very low-maintenance, would be quite a bit cheaper, and is nicer than any place we've ever lived in! It would be our first home with a dishwasher :-O

Any prayer warriors out there, I would appreciate any and all prayers for wisdom and guidance on this decision. Also, we are traeling this weekend, so prayer for traveling mercies would also be great :)

Thanks, and have a wonderful Thursday!!

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Pecans in the Cemetary


On the outskirts of a small town, there was a big, old pecan tree just inside the cemetery fence. One day, two boys filled up a bucketful of nuts and sat down by the tree, out of sight, and began dividing the nuts.

'One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me,' said one boy. Several dropped and rolled down toward the fence.

Another boy came riding along the road on his bicycle. As he passed, he thought he heard voices from inside the cemetery. He slowed down to investigate. Sure enough, he heard, 'One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me.'

He just knew what it was. He jumped back on his bike and rode off. Just around the bend he met an old man with a cane, hobbling along.

'Come here quick,' said the boy, 'you won't believe what I heard! Satan and the Lord are down at the cemetery dividing up the souls.'

The man said, 'Beat it kid, can't you see it's hard for me to walk.' When the boy insisted though, the man hobbled slowly to the cemetery.

Standing by the fence they heard, 'One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me.'

The old man whispered, 'Boy, you've been tellin' me the truth. Let's see if we can see the Lord.'

Shaking with fear, they peered through the fence, yet were still unable to see anything. The old man and the boy gripped the wrought iron bars of the fence tighter and tighter as they tried to get a glimpse of the Lord.

At last they heard, 'One for you, one for me. That's all. Now let's go get those nuts by the fence and we'll be done.'

They say the old man made it back to town a full 5 minutes ahead of the kid on the bike.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

The One Where A Crazy White Guy Dances and Makes Us Laugh

Bad news abounds. Housing slump, rising energy prices, failing businesses...It's easy to get down. But I don't believe humanity is doomed. I look at my kids, and a beautiful sunset, a rain storm, or a long walk with my husband... And that's really what life is about.

And then there's Matt...

Monday, July 14, 2008

Just When I thought He Couldn't Surprise Me

My hubby is not known for his memory skills.

That's putting it mildly.

He spelled my name wrong for the first year and a half we were together. He routinely leaves himself voicemails with such trinkets as, "Check email," and "Val's b-day-one month." He's been saying "Man, I really need some ginko biloba" since he was 15.

And always forgetting to buy it.

OK? Ya with me?

Well, tonight at dinner I remarked I used every last grain of salt we had for tonight's potatoes. Lord help me I'm getting as bad him if I can't remember salt, but that's another post. I remarked if he wanted to eat tomorrow he should bring some salt home tonight after work (it sounds a little mean when I type it, but it was said very lovingly).

I just went into the kitchen and noticed a Walmart sack on the counter. Lo and behold-SALT!

He may not have put it away. He may have left his keys next to it, and his socks and shoes under the dining table, but by Jove, he brought salt!!

Who says marriage gets stale? It's the little things people...the little, delciously salty things.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Have you heard?!

William Shakespeare folio worth £15m recovered 10 years after being stolen

* click for full story goodness

My favorite part? That the crazy guy who took it to be 'evaluated' is so strange. I doubt he was the thief...how dumb would you have to be to take your stolen good to a library?

But ironing seat covers and living with your mom? Guilty or not, these are the kind of details that stick around a long time.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Ponderings





If I use Grey Poupon on my fried bologna sandwich, does that make me less white trash?








Photo from : Lydia at http://theperfectpantryfavoriteblogs.blogspot.com/

Friday, July 11, 2008

Wearable Food-The Next Big Thing?

Any Wall-E fans out there? It's just a matter of time, people....


New Wearable Feedbags Let Americans Eat More, Move Less

"We're always looking for more efficient ways to get our food products into our customers gaping maws...and it's fun."

Thursday, July 10, 2008

T13 #7- Kid (and Wallet!) Friendly Summer Activites



Thirteen Summertime Activities

Ah, summer...long days and no school leaves plenty of time for family activities, but my teacher budget doesn't have room for pricey theme parks or cross-country trips. I knew I would have to be creative in finding stuff for my kids to do. Here's a basic list of things almost any family can enjoy, and best of all, they don't break the bank!
  1. Set up a sprinkler. This keeps them happy for hours.
  2. Cloud watching. My son is just starting to really use his imagination, and he really seems to like this.
  3. Star gazing goes along these same lines. To get even more out of the experience....
  4. Hit up your local library. (So often an under used treasure!) Look for a book about the solar system and turn start gazing into an educational experience. While you're there check out DVDs, CD's, story times, and computer games....oh and books too! ;)
  5. Go see a matinee. Tix are usually under $4, so if you can manage to bypass all that buttery goodness, you can enjoy some icy air and a flick on the cheap!
  6. Go to a children's museum. This is great on those super hot days when you can't bear to go outside. (I usually bring a book-ahhh, multitasking.)
  7. Our city pool costs $2/person, making this a super cheap day. We go early and during family swim to avoid the screaming hoards.
  8. We also love the lake. State parks and lakes are definitely a treasure, and a bargain at that. Pack a lunch, grab the Frisbee, and enjoy a day at the water.
  9. Garden. It's never to late for this one! Our local dollar store has seeds for as little as 10 cents. Let your kids each pick one (sunflowers are a great place to start), and beautify your yard while bonding with your kiddos.
  10. My sister loves going to the mall, even when she's broke. Walking a couple of laps also beats sitting at home. But beware, window shopping can be more fun for adults than little ones, so use your best judgment. ;)
  11. Summertime is prime picnic weather. Make it as simple or as fancy as you like-kids usually love the novelty of eating outdoors more than the food itself anyway.
  12. Lucky enough to have a community or university theater in town? Kid friendly productions usually abound in the summer. Next week we are going to see Treasure Island for less than a matinee!
  13. Finally, check your community calendar. Fairs, parades, block parties are happening all over-see what's happening in your neck of the woods.
And have a great summer!!!!


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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!


Tuesday, July 8, 2008

More Kid Quotables

We've been working on opposites with Luke.

Me: "Luke, what's the opposite of hot?"

Luke: "Hmmmm...apple!!"

Me: "Actually, it's cold.

Luke: "Ohhhhhh."

Me: "What's the opposite of sun?"

Luke: "Ummmm...wa-wa hose!!"

By jove, I think he's got it!!

Monday, July 7, 2008

Tales from the Trip part 2

On an Amarillo Burger King: "Now hiring: Work for the King, Not For the Clown"

In front of a Lowe's in Whitesboro: "40 % Clearance: Semen Extenders and Breeding Supplies" (so glad I'm not a farmer)

At the Dairy Queen in Henrietta: "New Loaded Baked Potato Thin Mint Blizzard" (yum!!)

Somewhere on HW 87: "DO NOT pick up hitchhikers in this area-May be escaping convicts." (isn't that ALWAYS a possibility? just sayin'....)

Sunday, July 6, 2008

These Miles Keep Rollin....

16 hours of driving.

Three children.

Two "Hurry-and-pull-over-before-he-ralphs" pit stops....neither of which were executed in a timely enough manner to stop said ralphing.

$42.00 in snacks (from Walmart too-none of those high dolla gas station munchies), $168.37 in gas, and $70 to split a room. (Traveling sho is expensive these days!!!!)

But this face?




Sooooo worth it!

Have a great vacation Jadra...and I'm counting down the days 'till I see you again! Muah! XOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Friday, July 4, 2008

From a hotel room, far, far away...

I greet you tonight from a lovely hotel room 400 miles from home. Ahhhh, the miracle of Texas-400 miles, countless towns, 20 counties-and I'm still in the same state!

Six bathroom stops, lunch, and one horrific bout of carsickness that will probably change the way my cars smells for the rest of its life, and we finally made it!

We drove to the panhandle today to meet my sister and her family, who drove about an equal distance from NM. She taking my rugrat, Jade, for two weeks.

Tomorrow another 8 hours home. How exciting!!!

Happy 4th Everybody!

You are ALL weirdos...Ain't America grand???

Thursday, July 3, 2008

T13 #6-Musings on Teaching and Living in the Same Itty Bitty Town




Thirteen Reasons Not to Live in the Same Town You Teach In

  1. Kids all around....all the time.
  2. Wal-mart becomes even more of a nuisance when parents want to talk grades over produce.
  3. Friends Jade invite over that are siblings of my students (note to self-keep house cleaner)
  4. No such thing as an "off" day...I always have to put on my "teacher face"
  5. Always have to fix my hair when I go out
  6. One town-one pool...Students seeing me in my bathing suit does not equal fun for me!!
  7. A walk down the block turns into meet and greet.
  8. The gym? Yep, parents work there...and want to talk about grades.
  9. Always aware of how my kids act in public-It all reflects on me!
  10. Can't drink at local restaurants-not even a glass of wine!
  11. And not that this is a particular issue for me, but beer buying is pretty much out as well
  12. Expected to go to all extra-curricular events-soccer, football, baseball, foos-ball...
  13. Did I mention I never get away from these kids?!


Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!



Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Oh those lazy, lazy summer days...


To do list? Pssshaw!
Strenuous reading? Meh.
Deep cleaning? How 'bout no, Scotty-boy?

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Reflections of a Mom

I love seeing my children grow, learn, become their own people. It's like everyday I see a new aspect to them, another sign they are growing up.

Jade has been carrying a purse more and more, with trusty items like a brush, a mirror, some string, two bobby pins, a small puppy dog, and a pocket Bible. If only my heart were that pure, that my Bible made every trip with me.

Luke is starting to play games, and understand imagination. One of his favorite games is to stand in a room and shout, "Mommy...Where are me?!" And I say, "I don't know Luke. Where are you?" He answers, "Inna ba-froom, Mama. Come get me!!" So I do.

He also loves showing me his cupped hands and telling me he has a surprise. So I beg and beg for him to open his hands and show me. When he finally pries his hands apart, he darts his eyes around and says, "Look, a bee-moth! Where is it? It flew away! Oh no! Not a bee-moth!!!"

I am amazed at the precious gift God has given me. Who am I that these wonderful people are mine? Who am I , to be trusted to raise them in a Godly manner, to guide them into adulthood, in this fallen world of ours?

Lord God, make me the best mom I can possibly be. With every part of my being I thank you God for these blessings. Lord, guide my heart everyday, and let me reflect Your holy love on to these precious gifts. Let me not get too caught up in the daily tasks of running a house that I forget to also make it a home. Curb my tongue, temper my impatience. In all things I do, let me be more like You. Amen.