Proverbs 31 - A Wife of Noble Character

........Oh, to be this strong, this wise, this fair....that's what this blog is about after all...... Learning to live well and love well and to do all things for His glory...


GOT SOMETHING TO SAY?

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Being Intentional

This morning I met with one of our pastors about some, eh, issues I've been having with our church and its programs, and I can't tell you how great it feels to have someone listen to and validate my feelings! On that note, I will strive to be intentional this week in the following:

~Let my "yes" mean "yes." I've made several offers to volunteer with different ministries, and it is so important that I follow through with my commitments.
~PRAY for my brothers & sisters in their projects.
~Commit to my family care whether it be through special times, finishing this kitchen project (!), or doing laundry.
~Prepare for Saturday's adoption parenting class, open my mind to learn something and not feel like I've wasted a day of this long weekend!

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Book Review

I just finished a wonderful novel this weekend by Jamie Langston Turner. THE SUNCATCHERS is an uplifting story about a troubled sociologist/author who moves to S.C. to write about evangelical Christians. As he makes friends with the family next door, he learns why they act the way they do. This is a story of hope, and who can't use a little more hope these days?

Monday, August 25, 2008

Baby Talk

Sophie just kills me with the funny things that come out of her mouth. Tonight, I woke her to take her to the potty when I returned home from our neighborhood HOA meeting.

Our conversation:
"You're home! (insert genuine surprise & big hug) What did you do at your meeting?"
"Well, we talked about neighborhood business and grown up things."
"Did you do any arts & crafts?"

Gotta love the mind of a 3-year old!

Publix deals

Wow! I scored a cart full of goodies today.

Items Purchased:
1 - bag Fresh Express lettuce shreds (1.99)
1 - bag Publix baby spinach (2.29)
1 - pkg. portabella mushrooms (1.50)
1 - Pillsbury French loaf (1.67)
1 - Frigo string cheese (3.50)
1 - Publix cottage cheese (1.99)
1 - Tennessee Pride sausage (2.50)
1 - Hillshire Farms pastrami (3.00)
1 - Sarah Lee 100% whole wheat bread (2.49)
2 - SeaPak shrimp scampi (7.29)
2 - Kraft Easy Mac (3.39)
1 - Pace Pico de Gallo (3.49)
1 - A&H baking soda (.59)
2 - Ken's salad dressing (2.99)
1 - A-1 Sauce (1.91)
2 - Mott's Natural apple juice (2.59)
1 - gallon Publix vinegar (2.79)
1 - case Publix bottled water (4.99)
2 - bottles Shout (2.89)
1 - Kotex tampons (1.53)
1 - Ziploc freezer bags (2.00)
1 - Publix Greenwise toilet paper (2.49)

Coupons:
1 - .35 Pillsbury IPQ (doubled)
1 - 1.00 Hillshire Farm Q
2 - 1.00 SeaPack IPQ
1 - 1.00 Kotex IPQ
1 - 1.00 Kraft Q
1 - 1.00 Pace Q
1 - .75 Ziploc IPQ
1 - 1.00 Tennessee Pride Q
1 - .55/2 Ken's Q
1 - $1/2 Motts Q
1 - $2.49 Free Sarah Lee Bread
1 - $2.89 Shout BOGO Raincheck from last week
1 - $2/2 Shout Publix flyer
1 - $2.38 Publix Greenwise TP - penny item sale
1 - $2.00 Food Lion produce IPQ
1 - $10/35 Bloom grocery Q

Regular price total $85.06
- $24.89 (sales)
- $28.87 (coupons)

Total OOP spent: $31.30

As my friend Sarah would say, "Yay, me!!"

Check out Fiddledeedee! for shopping tips and coupon links!

Rainy Days & Mondays.....



I love this idea from http://www.orgjunkie.com/ - posting a weekly menu. This should keep me on track with my manic grocery shopping!

Monday - Spaghetti
Tuesday - ChickN Nugget Pot Pie
Wednesday - Tacos
Thursday - Italian Sausage with bowtie pasta & spinach
Friday - Steaks
Saturday - Neighborhood Potluck
Sunday - Paella

Breaking the Silence



Silence

Sometimes silence is a good thing, like the middle of the night when your child has been sick. Other times, silence can be devastating, like keeping a painful secret. Yesterday, one of our incredibly talented musicians at church shared her difficult testimony including sexual abuse, addiction, and mental illness. To see how breaking the chains of silence started her road to recovery and healing, click HERE or see the podcast link under "Breaking the Silence."

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Great Buys @ Wal-Mart



First, if you know me well, you know that I can't stand shopping at Wal-Mart. Yes, I know the deals are great, but I spend HOURS going from department to department to get what I need (HBA aisle for trial sizes & feminine items, infant clothing for J&J Bath Buddies, gardening for charcoal, cleaning aisle, office supply aisle). Sheesh. By the time we finally leave, both my daughter & I are rabid. However, I have finally given myself over (or sold my soul depending on who you ask LOL) to making a regular stop for the super sales.

Today, I scored:

Kotex pantyliners (14, 16 and 18-ct.), $1.00
$1/1 Kotex Pads, exp. 8-3-08 (SS 6/8/08)
$1/1 Kotex Pads, exp. 9-14-08 (SS 7/20/08)
FREE after coupon! (Thanks, Tara)

Eucerin 1oz lotion, .97
$1/1 HERE
FREE after coupon!

Johnson's Buddies Easy Grip Sudzing Bar, $0.94
$1/1 printable
$2/2 printable
FREE after coupon! (Thanks, Tara)

Huggies Clean Team Wipes (40-ct. soft pack), $1.64
$3/2 Huggies Cleanteam Flushable Moist Wipes, exp. 9-13-08 (SS 7/20/08)
$3/2 Huggies Clean Team Products (Huggies mailer)
$0.14 ea. after coupon! (Thanks, Tara)

French's Mustard, $0.92
$0.50/1 French's Mustard, exp. 8-31-08 (SS 6/22/08)
$0.42 after coupon! (Thanks, Tara)

Solo Plastic Divided Plates (15-ct.), $2.23
$2/1 Heavy Duty Paper Product, exp. 8-31-08 (SS #2 5/18/08)
$0.23 after coupon! (Thanks, Tara)

HP Printer Paper, $3.97
$3/1 printable HERE
$0.97 after coupon! (Thanks, Tara)

Lysol Disinfecting Wipes, BOGO $2.28
$1/2 HERE
$.064 each after coupon!!

Total OOP: $3.18 plus tax

With deals like that, I guess I have to go back!! Next time, I'll get a sitter & wear comfy shoes.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

I love great deals!!





Woo hoo! I just came in from Target where I got some great deals:

Malt-O-Meal cereal 1.99

2 Tylenol gelcaps (8ct) 1.94

Satin Care shave gel .99

Clean & Clear scrub .99

Glade candle 2.00


7.91 Total

less COUPONS!

Malt-Meal -1.00


2 Tylenol -2.00


Satin Care - .55 (newspaper)

Clean & Clear -2.00


Glade candle -1.00 (newspaper)


TOTAL OOP $1.36


For more great deals and coupon links, check out Denise's blog at THE CENTSIBLE SAWYER


HAPPY SHOPPING!





Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Nonstop Chatter

I remember my Daddy telling me that my daughter did not need speech therapy, that one day I'd be sorry I ever taught her to talk. Today was such a day.

My Sophie is a talker. As in nonstop, all day, no nap talker. She talked to other children and adults at gymnastics this morning, family at a luncheon, strangers at the mall, her baby dolls and stuffed animals, and almost constantly to me. In fact, the last thing I said to her tonight was, "Shhhh. We'll talk more tomorrow. Go to sleep."

My neighbor Mimi says to enjoy this because her teenagers barely speak to her anymore. Surely, there is a happy medium, some middle ground. Any suggestions?

Monday, August 18, 2008

Being Intentional

"Be Intentional." My friend Traci tosses this expression around quite a bit, and I like it. http://www.thesaurus.com shows "intentional" to mean "calculated, deliberate." I get it. I should plan and act accordingly. It means that I should think about what I want and need to accomplish this week and work toward those specific goals without letting my carnal foes, busyness and idleness, take over my precious time.

My goals this week are:
  • Help my daughter deal with Daddy's business travel
  • Help my daughter acclimate to new preschool schedule & teacher
  • Paint primer on all the moulding in my kitchen
  • Paint the baseboards (OK, maybe I won't get to this by Friday, but I'm feeling optimistic!)
  • Call gym
  • Call social worker about home study

Interestingly, I notice two more synonyms: voluntary and willing. Willing to give some of that precious time to a friend maybe?
  • Spend Wednesday afternoon with Susan
  • Babysit for a friend Friday afternoon

We all get absorbed in our day to day activities and get distracted from the things that matter. What will you do to be intentional this week?