Christmas -- Day 2

On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me --
2 soy lattes, and a cat climbing in the Christmas tree.

Coupon links & online codes

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My own version of a Christmas classic.....

On the 1st day of Christmas, my true love gave to me....a new kitten that climbs the Christmas tree.....

Is it FROZEN FOOD MONTH yet?

I just prepared my daughter's breakfast. Chocolate milk and a frozen waffle. Let me rephrase that: chocolate milk and a waffle right out of the freezer STILL frozen. I am taking a moment to think of her other favorites and am realizing that this child has a real affinity for cold foods. She doesn't just like for her cooked food to cool off. What the child loves is frozen foods right out of the freezer! We discovered this quirk when she was about three and just mastered opening the freezer door to get her own popsicles (a monkey on her back, let me tell ya). She asked sweetly if she could have one, and when I said yes, headed for her beloved Frigidaire. A few moments later I found her sitting on the kitchen floor licking a frozen ravioli. I watched, and as the ravioli thawed a little, she bit right into it and savored every morsel. Amazing. And gross.

In fact, we had a frozen ravioli dinner last night which was preceded by a cold pizza lunch. I know it looks like I'm in dire need of nutritional and/or parenting classes, but I did serve a fruit and vegetable with these entrees. Tonight's special is organic spinach ravioli a la ice crystals with a side of garden fresh cucumber slices. Our dessert du jour is french vanilla yogurt with fresh raspberries and frozen (of course) chocolate chips. Seriously. I wouldn't go back to this restaurant.

Last night, I made the terrible mistake of COOKING THE LAST FEW RAVIOLI which brought about the horrific "WHY?". "WHY?" for those for those who don't live with four year olds is not, in fact, a quick three-letter word denoting a question. "WHY?" is actually a nineteen syallable, ear-splitting sound which begins in the child's nose and ends in the mother's spine. If you think nails on a chalkboard are bad, then you've never been "WAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIed." At least I was able to serve an icy breakfast. I just can't take the "WHY?" before noon.

Baby Talk

Yet another moment of sweetness from my darling daughter...

As she was jamming on my 80s playlist, I overheard the following:

- "Love sticks. Yeah. Yeah." (aka "Love Stinks" by the J. Geils Band)

- "the deep police are a coming for me." (aka "Dream Police" by Cheap Trick)

Ode To My Fellow Multitaskers...(or Are We Really Uber-Efficient or Plagued with ADD?)

I shall start by acknowledging that "Pride is Folly." Yep, I know it to be true today. I generally pride myself on my ability to do multiple tasks simultaneously. I consider myself to be quite efficient this way, and, frankly, I secretly suspect that single-taskers aren't quite as smart as I am. There, I said it. Don't be angry my beloved family of single-taskers. I reluctantly admire your dogged focus to "see it through" whatever "it" might be.

Today, my to-do list resembles the Dead Sea Scrolls which, unfurled, drag the floor. As I scurry from task to task, I come to the hall bathroom which I have just cleaned and mopped. Only a few minor tweaks to check this baby off the list: wipe counters, clean mirrors...hmmm...those soap dispensers look gross. I think I will toss them in a sink full of water and get them squeaky clean.
* Plug sink. Check.
* Add soap dispensers. Check.
* Fill with water. Check.
Dash to master bath to begin cleaning it. Scrub shower. Check. Wonder what that running water sound is. Check?

Oh. My. God. Water. Running. Bathroom. Sink.

I pause for a whole two seconds to utter a prayer as I head down the hallway toward a sink that only plugs properly about half the time, "Please Lord. Let the stopper not be working...." Enter hall bathroom and realize there is no point in finishing THIS prayer. Water, water everywhere.

I can't help but laugh and try to look for the bright side. Thank God I had already mopped so that, while wet, at least the floor isn't wet AND dirty. Thank God we live in a ranch home so I don't have to worry about falling through to the kitchen downstairs.

I start another load of laundry (towels this time!) and ponder my utter INefficiency today. Too funny really and I'm still laughing as I walk past another pile of towels intended for the laundry and head off to finish cleaning the master bathroom...

Is that the sound of water still running in the shower?

A Clothing Coup

You probably already know that my sweet girl is VERY opinionated when it comes to her clothing. She refuses to wear pants without pockets, long sleeves, turtlenecks, and anything with a "ruffle" (the little "gathers" on sleeves). Shopping with her is about as fun as a root canal, and she's only four!

Nonetheless, I had a wonderful experience buying school clothes this year. I took the latest Lands End catalog and removed every page except those which had clothing I liked. I explained that the clothes in this catalog were the ones she needed for her new big girl school. Then I gave Sophie the catalog and a pen telling her to circle the things she wanted. Easy peasy.

I figure I can keep this up until she can actually read!

Good for a Laugh!

I just LOVE this definition of "deface" from urbandictionary.com: To remove a 'friendship' from facebook due to having either accidentily [sic] adding him/her as a friend or actually adding them and reconsidering later.

"Yeah, there was this guy in my network who added me. I thought he looked ok, but his updates were really cramping my news feed, so I had to deface him."

"I went on a date with a girl I met a week before and like the day after our date she changed her status to 'in a relationship.' I defaced her."

Oops I did it again...

No, I didn't get a new tattoo, shave my head or attack the paparazzi with an umbrella a la Britney Spears. What I did do was to unintentionally offend and hurt someone I care for very much. A couple of weeks ago, I posted a link on my facebook profile to http://www.silencingchristians.com/. This is a one hour movie created by the American Family Association discussing the homosexual political agenda as outlined in the book After the Ball: How America Will Conquer its Fear and Hatred of Gays in the '90s by Marshall Cook & Hunter Madsen (purchasing info and reviews available HERE). I found the movie quite interesting from the perspective that any group could successfully create a real agenda to change the cultural and political tone. I personally have absolutely ZERO "fear" or "hatred" for gays despite accusations to the contrary. Comments to my video link ranged from being called a "bigot" by one of the most intolerant people I've ever known to genuine hurt illustrated by my lesbian sister. Another person to post a comment was a friend I've known since high school although we have not been close since then. In addition to her brief comment, she was committed enough to our friendship to send me a rather thoughtful and thought-provoking email sharing her own experiences as a homosexual woman and questioning my opinions about the video as well as my belief system. I have requested After the Ball from the local library and will postpone any commentary on the actual video until after I have done a bit of research. I would, however, like to address the questions specific to my values today.

• I am a Christian: I believe that God exists and that he does not change (Isaiah 43:11). I believe that the Bible is the word of God (2 Timothy 3:16). I believe that Jesus Christ is the only means to Heaven (John 14:6).


• I believe that each of us (EVERY SINGLE ONE) is a sinner based on Jesus' teaching regarding the Ten Commandments in Matthew 5. Please read the additional definitions and examples of sin found in Galatians 5:19-21 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.


• Fortunately for all of us sinners, Jesus offers us redemption through his miracle birth, death on the cross, and most importantly, His resurrection. Romans 3:23-24 (NIV) says, "...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." As believers, we have merely to confess our sins to be forgiven (1 John 1:9).

Personally, I am guilty of more sin than I can begin to name here. But I have confessed my sins to God and am confident that I am forgiven of them. Do I still struggle? Of course. I am human and every man and woman struggles with his or her sinful nature. I pray constantly to stay in God's will. Am I successful? Ha! I trip and fall every single day (sometimes, every hour of the day!), but I do acknowledge my shortcomings and ask for forgiveness.

So to answer the million dollar question, yes, I believe where the Bible states that homosexuality is sin. Is it worse than my many sins? Hardly. Do I condemn my friends and family who are homosexual? I do not. I pray for them often, and pray for my own understanding and compassion to the issues that they face. And frankly, I hope they are praying for me and my sins as well.

Perhaps the most important issue raised by this video and associated commentary is whether it is possible to be conservative (as in - adherent to traditional, Biblical values) AND tolerant (as in - demonstrating the love of Christ without condoning sin)? I sure hope so. Is that how I live? Depending on who you ask, the answer may be a resounding "NO" these days. But it IS the model to which I aspire. I'm hopeful.

Answered Prayer

I've been praying for quite a while, and I'm confident that God always answers my prayers. Sometimes, I "get what I want." Other times, He says "No" or "Wait." These are not my preferred answers, but it happens as often as not.

Yesterday, we had spent the morning at the garden. Tomatoes were staked; weeds pulled, rows hoed, and seeds planted. As we were leaving, I told Sophie that we needed to pray for rain so "we would have good healthy vegetables to eat this summer." We said a quick prayer asking just for that when suddenly the rain started pouring down. Literally. I said "Amen," and Sophie said, "Oh, Mommy. Look!" It was just amazing!

I hope God answers your prayers today.

Wanna save some money?

Check out the links for $10 Bloom coupon and $5 Whole Foods coupon at Southern Savers. Publix at Thornblade will honor these coupons!

Baby Talk

Yet another Sophism:

• "Hankersniff" - Hankerchief

Also, the child thinks that Jesus has a last name. When she prays, she calls Him "Jesus Price" rather than "Jesus Christ."

Baby Talk

A few "Sophisms"to make you smile:

• "Glitterbox" - Where the cat poops...as in "It stinks in here. Skittles must've just used the "glitterbox."
• "Dude" - A form of the verb "DO"...as in "Mama, I "dude" it by my own."
• "Chickalay" - The restaurant "Chic-Fil-A."
• "Bleed" - Noun form of an injury necessitating a band-aid...as in "I've got a "bleed."

My brain is mushy today since I've already forgotten to take my sweet mother-in-law for PT so I suppose that is all I'll be able to recall for now!

An Ode to Moms

Kudos to Nancy Campbell who has penned a fabulous "Poem to Encourage Mothers." I couldn't have said it better myself, so I won't even try. Read the poem though. It is sure to make you smile!

Bedtime Gem

I just love to hear what my child prays about at bedtime. Sometimes, she asks God to bless every single person and animal she knows (except me, of course!) by listing each name. Sometimes, she says the dinner blessing. Sometimes she preaches like Billy Graham. Last night, we had a fun one:

Dear Lord (insert Southern accent here - "Dee-ahr Lawd"),
God bless Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy. I hope you have a good day tomorrow. AMEN.

Ain't that SWEET??

Good Friday

Nothing says it better than THIS.

FREE Dr. Pepper

Enter HERE for a coupon (via snail mail) for a free 2 liter Dr. Pepper.

FREE tote bag

Register HERE to win a FREE reusable tote back from Nature's Source. Offer is available to first 18,000 to register so hurry!

Great Deal @ Publix

Just through today, Publix has Classico pasta sauces on sale BOGO (2 for $2.49). Go HERE to get $1/2 coupons (I was able to print 2 using the back button). Net price is .75 each jar - can't beat it for good pasta sauce! Hurry, though, as the sale ends TODAY!

The Replacement

Welcome Skittles 2.0.....

I am a lifelong cat lover, but I don't really even like this cat. Not that it matters, of course, as long as Sophie likes her & she likes Sophie. But I don't. I REALLY don't like this stupid cat.

Pray for me because this kitten appears to be super healthy so I anticipate she'll live until Sophie is in college.

Explaining death to kids

So we've had this kitten, Skittles, for 8 whole days now...well, not whole days because I just came from the vet where we had to have her put to sleep...arrrrgh...

How do you explain sick, runt kitty = dead Valentine's day gift to your four year old? It's gonna be a loooonnnngg day. Sigh.

Cheap Alli @ Rite Aid

Alli is on sale at Rite Aid this week for $44.99. Use the $5/20 Rite Aid coupon (left column coupon bar on this page) plus the $10 coupon HERE from Alli to get your 30 day supply for only $29.99!

Coupons

There is a great $5/$20 coupon at Rite Aid. Click the coupon bar on the left side of this page and print it today - these won't last I'm sure!

Sickness in the house

I've got sickness here again, only this time it's the cat. Yep. My we've-only-had-her-6-days kitten has the grossest upper respiratory infection ever. She's sneezing and wheezing and she STINKS (literally). Yuck. Yesterday, I spent the afternoon at the emergency vet's office (to the tune of $150) rather than watching the Daytona 500 (not that I'm bitter LOL).

She seems a bit better today, but far from 100%, or even 75%. I'm hopeful she will rebound tomorrow.

Menu Planning Monday

I love when it's "Birthday Week" because I hardly have to cook at all :)

Monday - Hot Dogs with my parents
Tuesday - Pizza at church
Wednesday - Pasta, salad, broccoli, garlic bread
Thursday - Breakfast for dinner
Friday - OUT with the hubby
Saturday - Ravioli, salad, bread
Sunday - Lunch a la MIL

Pretty easy week, eh?

Spring Cleaning 101

Let me preface this entry by saying that everybody (hopefully) cleans at least on occasion and probably does a very good job of it. However, I think my being OCD clean and uber-organized gives me the leg up to tell you just how to do it. Plus, this fulfills my super bossy nature without alienating my husband or daughter. I, of course, use the products I am fond of; you can certainly use what you like.


THE BATHROOM EDITION

First, remove any shower curtains, window treatments, bath mats, and towels. Wash whatever is washable. If an item is not washable (curtains oftentimes), run them through "fluff"(cool air) cycle on dryer to remove lint and dust.

Using a Swiffer duster (or similar wand), dust the light fixtures including bulb(s). Dust all corners for cobwebs.

Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down each drain (including tub and/or shower). Add 1/2 cup white vinegar. Wait at least 5 minutes then rinse with hot water. This will clean the yucky buildup in your drains.

Meanwhile, bring in your vacuum. Using the brush attachment, vacuum the exhaust fan and all cabinetry including baseboards. Use the vacuum to clean any window blinds or shutters.

Empty trashcan and fill with 1 gallon of hot water. Add 1/2 cup Murphy's Oil Soap. Using a terry rag, wipe down all cabinets and baseboards. Dump water, then use the rag to clean trashcan. Air dry upside down while you continue to clean.

Add 1 cup Orange Pine Sol to 1 gallon hot water in bucket. Using a new terry rag, clean shower, tub, and sinks. If heavily soiled, you may need to use a stiff brush. An old toothbrush works great in corners and tight spots. Rinse with hot water. Pour contents of bucket into toilet.

Use toilet brush to clean commode. Wipe down all surfaces of toilet.

Use Windex to clean mirrors, windows, and shower door. Remove all items from counter, and clean surface with Windex. Clean faucets and dry with paper towel.

Sweep and Swiffer floor. Mop with solution of 1 cup white vinegar in 1 gallon hot water.

When floor is dry, rehang curtains (iron if needed). Replace linens.

Smile because you've worked so hard and accomplished so much! (Can I just add here that I actually did this today in both of our potties, and it is a LOT more work than it looks like onscreen!?)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To keep it clean:

• Whenever you change a lightbulb, remove fixture and wash before replacing.
• Banish bar soaps! Bar soaps are made with glycerin (wax) which leaves the soap scum residue which is so hard to remove. Soft Soap is dirt cheap at CVS every month so buy some.
• Use a daily shower spray. I like Arm & Hammer best. It's pretty green as cleaners go and has a nice scent.
• Pick up a squegee at the dollar store and hang it in your shower. It's ideal for keeping shower doors free from water spots, and since it's a TOOL, men dig it.

10 things that aren't worth the money

In these tight economic times, I'd like to offer my top 10 things you shouldn't bother buying:


1. Degree Antiperspirant - I got one free with CVS ECBs, and started using it last week. Two days later, I have no SKIN under my arms. Don't buy this one, and don't take it even if it's FREE!


2. Burt's Bees Very Volumizing Shampoo - This shampoo dries out my hair like super cheap shampoo except that it comes with a fat price tag. I need 1/2 cup of conditioner just to pull a comb through my hair.


3. Sam's/WalMart brand salsa - One word: EWWWWW.


4. Aldi's brand pizza crust - The texture was stale; the taste was foul. We threw it in the trash and ordered in from Paisano's.


5. Method organic daily shower cleaner - Maybe it does work (I can't tell), but the smell is horrific.


6. Sam's/WalMart brand alfredo sauce - Tastes like water/flour paste, not alfredo-y at all.


7. Charter "bundle" for telephone, internet, and cable services - Our alarm went off at least once/month while we had the bundle. In addition, I went through 3 (!!) telephone modems in one year. I went back to Bell in August, and my telephone has worked every day since. AND my alarm hasn't gone off once!

8. Viva paper towels - The texture of these towels is just weird. They are very soft, almost like a super-thick baby wipe. The thickness is adequate for spills, but they are quite lint-y so you wouldn't want to use them for cleaning.

9. Crest Pro-Health toothpaste in cinnamon - Imagine an atomic fireball candy without sugar. Two uses caused major irritation on my gums, and the roof of my mouth peeled!

10. Wish Bone Lite Ranch dressing - Yuck. I HATE the funky "lite" aftertaste. Their regular Ranch is just fine though.

Valentine's Day Dance

I am so excited to be going to a Valentine's Dance tonight! I don't think I've been to a Valentine's Dance since High School, IF then. You are all welcome to join us. Click here for information.

Happy [Early] Valentine's Day

We are now cat-owners (again). My cat, Jabba, died in November 2007 after sharing over 13 years with me. My husband had long ago declared that we were on the "Cat Non-Replacement Program" due in no small part to his raging cat allergies. However, Jabs has been dead over a year and he sneezes no less than he did when she wallowed all over every thing we owned....soooo....we are cat owners (again).

Officially, "Skittles" is Sophia's Valentine's present from me & John. Truthfully, the cat is a sweet gift to me & Sophie from my very dear, very accomodating, very lots-of-nice-things husband!

Menu Planning Monday

Well, last night I almost killed my family with the most decadent dinner and dessert ever: Chicken Pasta Alfredo with salad and garlic bread and S'more cookies for dessert. The cookies were so rich I could barely eat one! I got the recipe from Parenting magazine (thanks Jan & Sarah for the gift subscription!) and will post it later.

This week, I intend for us to eat meals from what I have on hand in the pantry and freezer. The only things I'll need from the grocery are milk, yogurt, and fresh fruit. Cheap week!

Monday: Corned beef hash with potatoes and onions, Eggs, Fruit salad
Tuesday: Turkey noodle casserole with peas and carrots, Salad, Bread
Wednesday: Broiled sole, Baked potato, Green beans, bread
Thursday: French toast, Sausage links, Fruit salad
Friday: Free For All - leftovers, sandwiches...you fix it, you can eat it :)
Saturday: Ravioli, Green beans, Garlic Bread
Sunday: Shrimp scampi, Pasta, Broccoli, Bread

I think that will nearly wipe out my freezer!

Wordless Wednesday

Up at 4 a.m.; down at 2 p.m.! This is probably only her second nap in the last year!

5 things I miss

I've been a Facebook junkie for the last week. I've reconnected with a number of old friends and have been musing a bit about life. First, let me say, I REALLY like my life a lot and wouldn't trade my home or family for all the tea in China. But there ARE a few things I miss....

1. An unwrinkled forehead (Botox, here we come!)
2. Sushi for dinner 4 nights a week
3. Spending my Christmas gift cards on stuff for me rather than clothes for my daughter or stuff from Lowe's.
4. Sleeping all night, uninterrupted.
5. My '94 Miata

Menu Planning Monday

Monday: Beef stew, rice, roasted asparagus, green salad
Tuesday: Roasted chicken, brown rice, green beans, tossed salad
Wednesday: Chicken noodle casserole, peas, tossed salad
Thursday: Minestrone
Friday: Pizza
Saturday: hmmmm
Sunday: more hmmmm

I'm not motivated enough to think past Friday right now!

Baby Talk

Sophie, playing Hide-N-Seek:

...eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen....HERE I COME OR NOT!

I'm easy to find because I'm laughing so hard!

Energy Crisis

Who cares about the so-called "oil crisis?" What I want to know is how a sick four year old still has infinitely more energy than a healthy adult! I should have sent her to gymnastics this morning to burn some of this off. I could really use a nap right now, and SJ doesn't even take naps anymore. Arrrgh again.

Sickness in the house

What is it about saying "I can't believe we haven't been sick all season. Knock on wood." that causes an immediate epidemic in my house? Arrrgh. Sniffling kid, wheezing husband....I can't believe I haven't caught it. Knock on wood.

Menu Planning Monday

Monday: Pork chops, pasta, green beans
Tuesday: Baked tilapia, salad, roasted new potatoes with rosemary
Wednesday: Spaghetti
Thursday: Shrimp scampi, pasta, veggie
Friday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, veggie
Saturday: OUT
Sunday: Stir fry chicken with rice

CVS Deals

This week I got:

1 - Colgate toothpaste (2.50)
1 - Colgate kid's toothpaste (2.50)
2 - ALL laundry detergent (7.49)
2 - Robitussin cough syrup (6.49)
3 - Kleenex (1.49)
1 - Gummy Vites (6.49)

and used these coupons:
-.40 ALL
-.40 ALL
-.50 Kleenex
-.75 Colgate
-1.00 Colgate
-1.00 Robitussin
-1.00 Robitussin
-5.00 CVS email coupon
-10.50 ECB

Paid only $10.26 and got $2 ECB back!

What a brat!

I have been pondering last night and all morning trying to determine what on earth got into my sweet natured little girl this past weekend. She was insufferable: screaming in a restaurant, openly defiant when asked not to do something, pushing and hitting her friend (and other children), and slapping and biting herself. The bite was pretty disturbing to watch as she bit down on her forearm hard enough to leave marks two days later! Time outs did nothing at all but deliver more screaming and slapping.

First, the backstory - we had friends visit for the weekend who have a son the same age (4) as Sophie, and we just love them all to pieces. Usually, we vacation together, and honestly the kids are never really a problem...BUT...this time, my sweet girl turned into psycho kid!

After much thinking and rethinking, I think the problem was that we were here at home with the same old "at home" rules...You know that crazy stuff like "Don't jump on my bed & hang from the pulley chains on my ceiling fan." (I'm so unreasonable.) When on vacation in a neutral place, frankly I am much more lax (primarily because I don't have to replace the furniture, curtains, dishes, etc.).

I'll need some help planning our next get together. Obviously the "No rules theory" doesn't flush with me; and the "I hate rules theory" is Sophie's personal philosophy when it comes to our get-togethers. There has to be some middle ground that seems fair to a four year old yet keeps me from replacing everything in my house. Anyone have advice?

Another New Year

WELCOME 2009, I've been waiting for you. I've been tossing all the ideas & plans for things I need to accomplish into a mental pile in anticipation [dread] of this year's resolutions. As a rule, I am ridiculously organized, but writing these resolutions has been HARD this year, so much so that I'm two days late. And so...ta da...THE LIST (in no particular order):

FINANCIAL:

• I will not use my credit card ONE SINGLE TIME all year.
• I will pay off our credit card balance.
• I will pay down (waaaay down) our HELOC.
• I will enroll in autodraft for our weekly tithes.

SPIRITUAL:

• I will read a devotional every day.
• I will rejoin my ladies group for Bible study & accountability.
• I will be a more loving & tolerant mother.
• I will commit at least one hour per week to volunteering.

PHYSICAL:

• I will lose 2 dress sizes.
• I will quit smoking.
• I will get at least four hours of exercise every week.

It was easier when all this was still in my mental pile where no one could hold me accountable, but that's not the way we're supposed to live, is it? I'm praying all these will be painless. Hope yours are too!

Cleaning Frenzy!

I found out yesterday a.m. that two great friends & their son are coming for a weekend visit. Unfortunately, I had yet to take down my Christmas trees so all the decorations, boxes, wrapping paper, etc. were piled HIGH in our office/guest room. YIKES...all day today I've been in a frenzy just to pack up all the holiday decor and clear out this room (it looks great; the attic, not so much).

I've decided that I'd like someone to come every year at this time to MOTIVATE me!! It takes me weeks to put all my decorations up, and now everything came down in one day. WOO HOO!!