1.2.10: Organizing Bedrooms

What started out being a simple, let's rearrange Sydney's bedroom turned into a project of painting dresser drawers and a desk!

Sydney's bed was position in a spot where it wouldn't butt right up to the wall because of the electic heater in her room and when she sleeps, she would fall in the crack of the bed. We decided that we could rearrange her room so this didn't happen any more.

I think that the change created more floor space in her room...check out the before (not a current picture but what the arrange was) and after pictures:

Another School Year Started....

School years come quicker and quicker each year...it feels like yesterday that I was sending my first born off to Kindergarten and he is starting his junior year! Wow...where has the last 12 years gone!

With the start of the new school year, for me comes a time to reflect on last school year, make changes to routines and schedules. This year, I am going to do a "New Year's Resolution" and make some new goals for the school year for me, the kids, and my family in general.

I also want to reflect on my 40-before-40 list and see if there are some things that I can cross off before I turn 41 in July 2010.

One thing that I am going to do is to post regularly to my blog...I feel like my blog friends give me support and some accountability that I need! So check back tomorrow to see my goal for the remainder of August!

It's Official....I am 40 years old!

I have reached a milestone! This year has been full of milestones for my family...Connor turned 16 in January, Collin turned 13 and both Sean and I turned 40!

I woke up early on my birthday...yuck! But I have had some time to think and ponder on the next 10 years! They are going to be great! God has given me a wonderful husband and four beautiful children!

"I'm not 40...I'm 18 with 22 years of experience!" Author unknown.

Hickman High School FBLA Winners

District 6 Future Business Leaders of America Conference
February 23, 2009
Jamestown, Missouri

Twenty Hickman students and advisers Jeaniene Thompson and Colleen Goss attended the conference. There are 22 schools in the district. Ten students will represent Hickman High School at the state competition competing in 11 different events; these students' names are indicated by an asterisk. In addition, Hickman won second place in total points. Hickman had the following winners:

Accounting I -1st Place, Kristen Bailey*
Business Calculations - 5th Place, Melissa Green
Business Communications- 1st Place, Ben Hoffman*
Business Ethics (team event)- 3rd Place, Ashlie Anderson-Rice, Connor Hollrah, Brock Loesing
Business Math - 4th Place, Connor Hollrah
Business Procedures - 5th Place, Charlie Chau
Computer Problem Solving - 1st Place, Alan Gatica*
Computer Problem Solving - 3rd Place, Skye Ramseyer
Economics - 2nd Place, Joe Langworthy*
Economics - 5th Place, Josh Jacobi
Electronic Career Portfolio - 1st Place, Erin Chambers*
Entrepreneurship (team event) - 2nd Place, Yohana Ghirmazion, Connor Hollrah, Avy Kea
Global Business (team event) - 1st Place, Kristen Bailey*, Joe Langworthy*, Trey Nelson*
Help Desk (individual event) - 2nd Place, Kyle Bogden
Management Decision Making (team event) - 2nd Place, Grace Cripps, Alan Gatica, Josh Jacobi
Marketing - 4th Place, Trey Nelson
Network Design (team event) - 1st Place, Kyle Bogden*, Josh Boyer*
Networking Concepts - 1st Place, Kyle Bogden*
Personal Finance - 1st Place, Grace Cripps*
Personal Finance - 3rd Place, Gavin Hart
Sports Management - 1st Place, Gavin Hart*
Technology Concepts - 2nd Place, Alan Gatica*
Hickman FBLA Total Points - 2nd Place

One More Down.....34 More To Go! Disney Vacation

We just returned home from a family vacation to Disney World on February 17th. We had 8 awesome days of Florida sun and Disney fun! The girls' dance competition team decided to attend the TwirlMaina competition that is held every February at Disney World and when it was presented at a Booster meeting in August, we decided that it was the right time to take the family to their FIRST Disney trip! Not to mention that it allowed me to cross off another item off of my 40-before-40 list...yeah!!

Our trip started early Tuesday morning. Our plan departed at 7:30 am and we arrived in Florida around 11:00 am (Eastern Time). We caught the Magical Express Shuttle to our resort-All-Star Music. We arrived around noon, got checked into our room, which was a family suite, through on our swimsuits and headed to the pool. I stayed in the room and unpacked our suitcases. I had also pre-ordered groceries prior to leaving Columbia, they arrived around 2:00 pm. The girls participated in the hula-hoop contest, a dance party and a hot potato contest (which both Gracie and Sydney were the winners-they tied). We had reservations at Chef Mickey's so we left around 4:15 to catch the shuttle and to make our 5:05 pm reservations. We were greeted at our table by Goofy, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Pluto. The food was okay...for the price, I wouldn't recommend Chef Mickey's and if we get the opportunity to go to Disney again, we won't go there again. After dinner, we caught the Monorail and rode it through Magic Kingdom...watch the castle change colors, it was quite a sight!

The next day we were up early and off to Magic Kingdom for breakfast at the castle with Cinderella and the other princesses! We were greeted at the castle gate and were treated like royalty! We were "My Lady," and " Princess" and "Young Prince", etc. The breakfast was fabulous! I would recommend the Royal Table to anyone going to Disney for breakfast, lunch or dinner! It was a pricey but the food and service was fabulous! We also got our picture taken with Cinderella before our dinner and those pictures came with the meal! Belle, Jasmine and Snow White greeted us during our breakfast. The girls (and boys) had a great breakfast and dining experience!

The boys took after to ride rides and the girls and I stayed close to the castle because they had an appointment at the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique to get their hair, make-up and nails done for the day. They were absolutely gorgeous after their appointment!

After being transformed into a princess, we were off to enjoy Magic Kingdom. We rode lots of rides, including Splash Mountain and Space Mountain and ended the day at Magic Kingdom enjoying the fireworks! It was a magical first day at Disney.

Our second day at Disney we did a lot of park hopping...started at Animal Kingdom, hopped over to Hollywood Studios (MGM) and ended at Epcot. We were at Hollywood Studios when they had the American Idol Parade and got to see a bunch of American Idol Past Winners, Contestants, Ryan Seacrest and Paula Abdul! It was quite the experience!

The next day we went to Universal Studios and Island Adventure. The boys really enjoyed this park! Lots of daring rides some that Sydney could ride and some that she couldn't ride. She was a little upset when she discovered that she couldn't ride all of the rides! She is a dare devil and riding the roller coaster was exciting for her. Her and Gracie did ride the water raft ride two times and was soaking wet! They enjoyed this ride immensely! We closed the park down and headed back to our resort. We ordered pizza and relaxed in our room that evening.

The weekend was rather busy for Gracie and Sydney, the TwirlMaina competition took place on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday we started the day at Epcot and then headed to Magic Kingdom for the parade that Gracie marched in...which was exciting that she was able to march in a parade at Disney. After the parade they had two performances at the Milk House at Wide World of Sports. We then headed back to Magic Kingdom to rides a few rides and eat dinner with the Patty's and Mary Jo & Cassie. We turned in early that evening because we had to be up and ready for competition to catch our bus at 7:00 am the next morning! Sunday was competition, performance at Downtown Disney, off to Epcot for Showcase and back to Milk House for more competition. The girls, Collin and I headed to Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom for some Disney fun after the competition...we were planning on staying at Magic Kingdom until they closed that evening, which was 3 am but we pooped out and headed back to our resort around 11:30!

The next day we went to Sea World...it was great! The girls loved the aquatic animals, the shows were fantastic! Collin was sick that day so he didn't get to ride the rides, he toured Sea World in a wheel chair and slept off and on all day. I felt really bad for him. We stayed at Sea World until the park closed, headed back to our hotel to start packing for our return home.

Our last day, we spent the morning at Epcot walking through the different countries...we stopped and had pastries in Paris. They were yummy! Collin shopped at the Sportsman's Shoppe in London and got a rugby ball and a Chelsea jacket. We were sad to leave but headed back to our resort to catch the Magical Express Bus at 1:00 pm.

We had a great vacation!

Not Long: Disney Schedule

Last night I laid out what days we were going to the different parks. I have to fit in Dance Competition/Performances, Sea World and Universal Studios into our schedule. I feel like we need to at least have a schedule before we go or we won't get to do everything that we would like if I don't do all of this planning. I know some of the other parents that are going are teasing me because I am planning on laminating my schedule....this doesn't mean that we will stick to that schedule but I just want a "master plan!" I am all about spontaneity!

So far this is what my "plan" for the week is:

Day One: Arrive, Swim at Pool at Hotel, Dinner at Chef Mickey's, and Explore Disney via the Monorail after Dinner, Bed at a descent time.

Day Two: Breakfast at Castle in Magic Kingdom, Girls have appointment at the Bippity Boppity Boutique-Hair and Nails, and spend the day at Magic Kingdom.

Day Three: Sleep in (everyone will be awake & ready by 8 am-I'm sure), Spend most of the day in Magic Kingdom. Eat lunch at one of the restaurants in Magic Kingdom (one with no reservations!). Spend late afternoon/evening at Hollywood Studio's.

Day Four: Animal Kingdom in the morning (so we can see the animals) and Sea World that afternoon/evening. Dinner at Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney. Extra Magic Hours at Epcot from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm.

Day Five: Morning at Epcot, Gracie has parade from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, Girls Perform at the Milk House (Wide World of Sports) from 4:30 to 5:00 pm, Evening at Epcot until closing. Bed by 10:00 pm (girls are up early for a day of dance-meeting bus at 7:15 am in make-up, hair done, in first costume!) Sean and I have reservations at the California Grill for Valentine's Day at 9:00 pm.

Day Six: No Park fun-Performing all Day from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Day Seven: Universal Studios. Pack that evening, make arrangements to get luggage picked up. Print boarding passes.

Day Eight: Hollywood Studios until we need to leave for airport. :-(

Countdown to Disney-6 days!!!

I am counting down to the day we leave and I feel like I have so much to do! I have 5 days to finish planning our trip, clean my house and pack!

We just watched the DVD that Disney sends to get us excited (not that we already aren't excited) but to see what the rides look like, the shows, etc. and to get an idea of where we want to go! Sydney was a little worried that she wasn't going to be tall enough to ride the roller coasters! She looked up at me and asked (with big tears in her eyes!), "Are you just going to leave me, if I'm not tall enough?!" I got the tape measure out and she is 51" without shoes on, all of the ride requirements are 40-48" except for the race car ride, which she has to be 52" to drive by herself. She is a happy camper!

The kids then asked about where we are sleeping, I said that each of you will have a "bed" and no one will have to sleep on the floor, etc. I said that they have pictures of our rooms online and I showed them. They were very ungrateful! None of them want to "share" a bed! Collin doesn't want to share, but wants the bigger bed that folds out! Talk about ungrateful! I am spending all of the money to go to Disney and they are more concerned about what they are sleeping in....be thankful that you are getting to go!

Oh well....I am sure that once we get there, get settled in and start our vacation that they will be happy with where they get to rest at...after all we are going to Disney! We are going for the rides, the shows, the food and the fun!

The other cool part of this trip is that I get to cross off one of my items on the 40-before-40 list! Taking my family to Disney!

Tips For An Exceptional, Superb & Powerful Life

Tips for an Exceptional, Superb & Powerful Life!

1.) Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate antidepressant.

2.) Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.Buy a lock if you have to.

3.) Buy a Tivo (DVR), tape your late night shows and get more sleep.

4.) When you wake up in the morning ask yourself, "What do I really, really, really want today?"

5.) Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

6.) Watch more movies, play more games and read more books than you did last year.

7.) Always pray and make time to exercise.

8.) Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of Six.

9.) Dream more while you are awake.

10.) Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less foods that are manufactured in plants.

11.) Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

12.) Try to make at least three people smile each day.

13.) Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.

14.) Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your
energy in the positive present moment.

15.) Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class .......but the
lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

16.) Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out chargecard.

17.) Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.

18.) Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

19.) Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20.) Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21.) You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22.) Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

23.) Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

24.) Ladies - Go on and burn those 'special' scented candles, use the 600 thread count sheets, the good china and wear our fancy lingerie now. Stop waiting for a special occasion. Everyday is special.

25.) No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26.) Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

27.) Forgive everyone for everything.

28.) What other people think of you is none of your business.

29.) Time heals almost everything. Give time, time!

30.) However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

31.) Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch with them.

32.) Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

33.) Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. God provides remember?!

34.) The best is yet to come.

35.) No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

36.) Do the right thing!

37.) Call your friends/family often.

38.) Each night before you go to bed complete the following statement: 'I am thankful for __________.'

39.) Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

40.) Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it
and enjoy the ride.

LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH. LIFE'S A GIFT ... UNWRAP IT! Have a Blessed day. Please share with friends!
(Received list in an email from a friend-source unknow.)

New York: Pictures with the Stars

On day one, we had our pictures taken with the stars....wax stars that is ....at Madame Toussad's. It was quite interesting seeing how tall or short some of the stars are!

Jessica Simpson and the girls.

I will post more pictures. (my battery went dead and I used my Aunt's camera and she will get the CD of pictures to me when we get home!)

My Summer Resolutions

Yes, you read that correctly....summer resolutions! I am one year and almost a month away from turning 40 years old and I have not even put a dent on my 40 before 4o list! Also, with each new transition, I always set goals and try to achieve them....start of summer, start of the school year, start of a new year. It's an opportunity for me to look at what's working in my life and what isn't....and work on improving and making changes that will not only benefit me but my family as well. So what are my summer goals?

We will be having our family meeting on Monday, June 9th....figure I will let my kids relax and enjoy the first three days out of school and I am planning on sleeping in and enjoying the first couple of days.

1. Developing and establishing new routines with the kids. Bed made each day. Showered and dressed each morning by 10:00 am.

2. Chores. This summer the boys will get the opportunity to learn how to sort, wash and fold their laundry. Each week they will rotate who's job it is!

3. Each week, two will help with the grocery shopping. This means, cutting coupons, looking at ads, planning what we will eat week, help with the shopping, cooking and cleaning up.

4. Setting and enforcing house rules. We just had new carpet installed downstairs from our sewer back up in January and had the upstairs carpet cleaned so no time like the present to enforce the shoes off at the door and no eating/drinking in the living room & family room.

5. TV/Video Games/Computer Time will be limited each day this summer. I want to spend each afternoon at the pool soaking up the sun and working on my tan to hide my cellulite-tan fat looks better than white fat!

6. Workout each day. Connor has a 1 mile run that he must meet under 6 minutes 4 out of 5 times during HS Soccer tryouts so we will be spending some time training on the track and trail. I would like to achieve my goal of losing 20 pounds over the summer.

7. Putting in a garden. We are planning on planting tomatoes, cucumbers, squash and a herb garden.

8. Finish deck.

9. Finish painting house.

10. A Garage Sale, start working on cleaning out the attic.

11. Sort Christmas decorations that have been piled on the saw horse table in the garage and placed on the shelves in garage.

12. Plus have fun this summer reading, spending time with my family and soaking up the sun at the pool.

What's your plans for this summer????

Mother's Day 2008

What I Would Like for Mother's Day 2008

I made a list last night before I went to bed. Sean came down this morning and said that he thought that they would be able to meet my Mother's Day demands :-)

1. Breakfast-kids clean kitchen afterwards.

2. Sydney-pick up bedroom, take sheets off bed to wash, take things to bedroom from other rooms (living room, etc)

3. Gracie-pick up bedroom (I have asked her several times this week to pick it up from her sleepover & it's still not picked up), take sheets off bed to wash, take things to bedroom from other rooms (living room, etc)

4. Collin-take sheet off bed to wash, clean shelf by bed, all trash in bedroom thrown away, clothes put away, clean/organize desk

5. Connor-take sheets off bed, all trash in bedroom thrown away, clothes put away, clean/organize desk

6. All-be respectful to everyone, no yelling, no ugly words to any other family member, help keep living room/kitchen picked up, shoes in basket if wearing the next day or put away, back packs hung up, trash thrown away, dishes put in dishwasher-not in sink, blankets folder after using, pillows neatly replaced on sofa

I would like to see my children take responsibility for their belongings and the imitative to help keep the house picked up and in order.

Wishes for EVERYDAY....not just Mother's Day:

1. Less time in front of TV, computer or video games. More time with family, reading, playing outside, etc.

2. Help with dishes each day-put dirty dishes in dishwasher.

3. Take out trash when full.

4. Make beds everyday.

5. Keep bedroom clean-clothes put away each day-after being washed and placed in bedroom.

6. Empty soccer bag after game day so uniform, socks can be laundered and bag aired out each week.

7. Dance bags cleaned out each week-dirty clothes put in laundry-trash emptied.

8. Car cleaned each day-take in trash, jackets, clothes, etc everyday.

9. When asked to help-not put job on someone else because you didn't get it out, etc. We are a family and we are here to help each other make our home and family run smooth.

How was your Mother's Day celebrated?

Happy Mother's Day to all my friends!

Setting Routines

Hi all....it's been a while since I have posted! Life has been crazy with soccer, dance-competition and recital preparations, and my business!

I am settling into the spring season and wanted to share with you my new daily routines:

Monday: (Soccer Day)

Quiet Time
Work Out
Pick up from the weekend-wash uniforms, resort dance bags, etc.
Plan weekly menu
Assign Referees for CMSL
Every other Monday, conference call with the MasterMoms group on parenting.
Shop if cooking on Tuesday for the Friendly Freezer
Collin-soccer practice

Tuesday: (Cook Day or Catch Up Day)

Quiet Time
Work Out if not cooking (every other Tuesday Tina and I cook for our business)
Catch up on laundry, errands, Bible Study, or soccer responsibilities if not a cooking day.
Laundry, if not a cooking day-wash a load of whites and/or darks
Pick up girls for Dance after school
Connor-soccer practice

Wednesday: (Soccer Day)

Quiet Time
Work out
Laundry: Wash towels & change sheets
I work every other Wednesday until recital at the studio.
Collin-soccer practice
Connor-soccer practice

Thursday:

Take 2
Lunch with the ladies (Mindi, Kim, Margie and other T2 Ladies)
After lunch-check emails, do a load of laundry, set out dinner, get dance bag ready
Pick up girls for Dance after school
Work at the Academy (I work every Thursday)
Connor-soccer practice

Friday: (Soccer Day)

Quiet Time
Work out
Get everything ready for the weekend-soccer games, tournaments, dance competition, etc.

A Boy with a Driving Permit

On January 17th, my oldest son turned 15 years old. Well, here in Missouri, that means driver permit time! On January 18th, we went to the Missouri Motor Vehicle Driver's testing office and Connor took the written exam and passed! He now has a Missouri Driver's Permit License in his wallet! Oh boy! I feel so old! I have a son who will be driving on his own in 11 short months.....YIKES!

On the 18th, he asked me if he could drive home after he got his permit. The answer was a firm, NO. I needed to have a drink and relax before getting in the car with him behind the wheel. No really, I wouldn't think about drinking and letting my son drive! My dad was at my house when we got home & Connor talked his poppy into taking him to Cosmo Park and letting him drive through the park. They came home and Dad told me, while trying not to laugh, that he did very well.

I got the nerve up to let him drive that afternoon and evening around town, trying to avoid any roads that had traffic or vehicles on them. In Columbia, that's not possible! Maybe at 2:00 am in the morning but not during day light hours! He drove down Stadium, while I braced myself in the passengers seat with my foot on the pretend break! He did pretty well. We need to work on the stopping and starting. I am sure that a couple of times I was close to having whiplash! The most exciting part of our driving experience that day was driving into our garage! As we pulled into our driveway, I told Connor to make sure that he clears both sides of the van and make sure that he doesn't hit the mirrors. He got a little close and I told him to back up a little and straighten out the vehicle some, well, instead of backing out a little, he backed out all the way to the road! While we were driving back up the drive into the garage door, I proceed to tell him to take it slow and when he reaches the ball hanging down to STOP!!!! He reached it before I could finish telling him what to do! He comes to a screeching stop and I am relieved to be stopped and getting out of the vehicle at that time!

The next day we were going to KC to a soccer tournament. He asked me several times if he could drive some more. Well, it will be a very long time before he is allowed to drive on I70 but I would consider letting him drive on Highway 50 when we head to Sedalia on Sunday evening from KC. I do let him drive from Warrensburg to Sedalia. We had 2 very exciting moments on that little trip! One a car was turning right off of the highway onto a side road, Connor is driving full speed and I'm trying to tell him that he can get in the passing lane and pass him but make sure their are no cars in that lane....well he had to put on the breaks before he could look and get over! Second, we have a little trouble when we come up on a big curve. He is driving with the cruise control on and as we approach this curve, I start to tell him that he will want to put his foot of the pedal so he has control over the vehicle and the speed of the car because sometimes it picks up speed around curves. We picked up speed until he put his foot on the break to slow down.

The really awesome thing about the drive from Warrensburg to Sedalia is that each time he was tested in his driving skills, we smelled a skunk! You may ask-soo? What's so great about that? My grandfather, who was killed in a car wreck when I was in 8th grade, loved the smell of a skunk-he said it clear his nostiles! Everytime I am on the highway driving and I smell a skunk, I think of my grandfather and smile and know that my guardian angel is with me on the road. My grandpa was with Connor and I and I felt a little more secure after smelling the skunk. When we got to my Mom & Dad's, I asked them if the smelled the skunks coming home and they didn't! Just a little more proof that I have a guardian angel :-)

I am sure that I will have some more stories about riding in the vehicle with my son! Just keep us in your prayers! I am so nervous and scared about letting him drive on his own when he turns 16 and get's his license! I am thankful that he has a whole year to become comfortable with a vehicle.

What Have I Been Up Too Lately?

It's been a while since I have blogged and you my be asking yourself....what has that woman been up to? Life has been very busy lately! I don't think I have caught a breath since the first of December! Many of you know that my good friend, Tina, and I have started a new business....check it out! Since we launched our business, I have been running on fumes! Here's a small list of what I have been up too.....

1. Cooking (3 sessions)

2. Delivering (3 sessions)

3. Stoning dance costumes

4. Sick kids-CWH, GLH and SJH (and me) have all had some sort of a strep throat strain...no fever just a really sore throat that last for 2 weeks with aching muscles in your neck and back.

5. Trying to keep up with the laundry-that's been a little dificult since the motor went out in our washing machine last week (Wed). We are pretty sure that the water damange from the sewer back up got the motor wet & that's why it's broke.

6. Futsal-scheduling and supervising games with hubby.

7. Indoor Soccer tournament in KC. Drove back and forth on Sat and Sun because CSH had cotillion Saturday evening.

8. Stayed in Sedalia for a jewerly party, which many of you will be invited to mine & Tina's party on March 15th---check out the jewerly! I attended the party and provided 2 dinners from The Friendly Freezer to help launch our business in Sedalia.

9. Working on recital packets.

10. Heading a committe for Futsal for MYSA.

11. Riding in the car with my son who recently got his driver's permit! That has been an experience. Really not too bad! Just a little nerve wrecking but we have been having fun!

12. Starting to work on Spring soccer for CMSL.

When it Rains.....It Pours

What started off to be a beautiful warm day in January in Missouri turned out to be a rotten, stinky day. Tina and I did our shopping for our second cooking session for the Friendly Freeze. Dropped everything off at the church and was feeling really great. Around 3:15 pm, the Tornado sirens went off! I went into panic mode because my boys were due home from school within 5 to 10 minutes and that meant they were on the school bus! I pick up the phone to call my oldest to see where they were when he called me! They were headed back to the closet school. He wanted me to come and pick up & Collin up! I was a little shocked that he wanted me to get out during a tornado warning to pick him up. He was fine with my firm answer. Needless to say, I got a little freaked out about being home alone during a tornado, most of the time I had one of my kids with me to snuggle up to but not this time. I had to wait out the storm all alone.

We had a nice dinner. Got everything laid out that I needed for tomorrow & headed to bed. Early for a change. I watched the new Challenge with Bruno & Carrie Anne and was getting ready to snuggle down and close my eyes when my husband and boys started yelling at me to come down stairs.....I was worried! Something had happened and I wasn't going to like it!

Well....it's 1:21 AM and since 9:30 PM we have been soaking up water with the wet vac, pulled up carpet because the sewer has backed up into our house. Water was pouring in the the sink in the boys room and we have not been able to stop the water (or sewer) from coming in! We called the sewer company and they are working on the problem. Because of all of the rain the manhole has flooded and our house got to be the lucky one that got the overflow!

I am going to get some new carpet out of this! What a way to start the new year!

What does your month say about you?

My friend, Notes from the Queen, recently posted about her birthday month & what it says about her. To find out about your month check out the link.
Here is mine:

JULY: Fun to be with. Secretive. Difficult to fathom and to be understood. Quiet unless excited or tensed. Takes pride in oneself. Has reputation. Easily consoled. Honest. Concerned about people’s feelings. Tactful. Friendly. Approachable. Emotional temperamental and unpredictable. Moody and easily hurt. Witty and sparkly. Not revengeful. Forgiving but never forgets. Dislikes nonsensical and unnecessary things. Guides others physically and mentally. Sensitive and forms impressions carefully. Caring and loving. Treats others equally. Strong sense of sympathy. Wary and sharp. Judges people through observations. Hardworking. No difficulties in studying. Loves to be alone. Always broods about the past and the old friends. Likes to be quiet. Homely person. Waits for friends. Never looks for friends. Not aggressive unless provoked. Prone to having stomach and dieting problems. Loves to be loved. Easily hurt but takes long to recover.

Merry Christmas!

Hope everyone had a great Christmas! We sure did! The kids got just about everything they asked for and more! My hubby and kids got me a present that I have been wanting for quite some time.....a Kitchen Aid! plus I got a cold too....see the last picture in my video! My Grandma gave all of the family a very special gift, which I helped her with, 4 CDs of my Grandpa playing the fiddle, her singing gospel music and the grandkids annual Christmas program on Christmas day! It was really touching and special. My sister read the letter out load that we put on the back of the CD cover. It brought tears to everyone's eyes!

Tackle It Tuesday (Sydney's Bedroom)

I'm embarrassed to upload a before picture of my daughter's room .....so I won't and upload the after when I get it finished. For some reason, Sydney's room becomes a drop off/hide it room for Gracie & Sydney's folded clothes, etc. There is no reason for this because I have plenty of room in their closets and drawers to put away their clothes. I am just a little lazy, I guess!

My tackle for today is to put all of the clothes away properly, clean out her sock drawer and her dance drawer. I will post the after pictures when I have it completed!

Okay....I didn't get this project quite done. I have about half of it done. Something came up & I didn't get it completed before I had to leave for dance.

I did get my Christmas decorations put on the tree however...I will upload those pictures with the Tackle It Tuesday final project!

What's in Your Freezer?

I know what's in mine! A freezer full of quick and simple meals for my family! I'm in a freezer co-op called The Freezer Chicks and we prepare 3 meal (5 times) for each family in the co-op & we meet once a month to exchange our frozen goodies and plan the next months meal. It works great for our family-I have 15 meals each month to serve my family! It saves me a lot of time & money each month on food. My typical grocery bill was running me close to $200.00 a week, plus $200.00 a month buying food from Schwans, PLUS the times we ate out because that was quicker than running home and trying to prepare a meal that I had bought on the ingredients for etc! Most of the meals that I have in my freezer can be defrosted really quickly in the microwave (if I forgot to set it out to thaw that morning!) and on the table in less than 30 minutes! My grocery bill, including eating out, is now down to about $600.00-I have saved closed to $400 to 600 a month using wants in my freezer to feed my family!

So why I am blogging about my freezer...well my friend Tina (Notes from the Queen) and I have started a new business based on this concept! We are preparing freezer meal for your family. Our website (blog) is up & running-it's still needs a little work-the header is too big, etc. etc but the main concept, meal choices, price list etc is up on the website for you to order from. We already have clients-we delivered meals to 2 families this week! Come check it out & see if we can help you get dinner on the table to your family each evening. We have lots of ideas that we will be implementing and adding each month:
1. A monthly newsletter.
2. Cash & carry meals-just in case you need something quick for the evening and your freezer is empty.
3. Meal cards-ideas of what to serve with the entrees.
4. Tasting events-where a client hosts and evening or afternoon at their home and we bring in same sample entrees for your friends to try & take orders.
5. Customer appreciation card.
6. We are currently working on getting the nutritional value of the meals that we prepare.

Etc. Etc. We do prepare the meals in a commerical kitchen to meet the Health and Safety Guidelines. Each month we have will have a list of meals that we prepare for your family. The monthly menu features the following groups of foods:
1. Monthly entrees-in season meals.
2. Fast meals-quick simple, on the table in less than 30 minutes.
3. Family favorites-tested by our families and the most requested!
4. Figure friendly-meals that are low in fat.
5. Crowd pleasers-enough to serve 12 people.
6. Soups, stews, stoups & chili.
7. Desserts

We are working on a "catalog." We would also love the challenge of preparing dinners that are your family's favorite by submitting a recipe to us & letting us prepare it for your freezer!

All of your meals will come to you frozen & ready for your freezer.

If you are interested in ordering from us or would like to check it out. Come visit us at The Friendly Freezer!

If you want to place an order give us a call (the phone numbers are on the website) or email us your order at thefriendlyfreezer@gmail.com. We are currently taking orders. Order by Dec 14th for delivery on Dec 19th-21st. Just in time for the holidays!

So....what's in YOUR freezer? Hopefully, you will do yourself a flavor & order some magnificent meals from the Friendly Freezer!

Enjoy the Holidays....

My friend, Mindi, posted this fun dancing elf clip & thought we would join in on the fun with my family....check it out!

www.elfyourself.com/?id=9586397235