Thursday, August 30, 2007

Thankful Thursday


Sting my Heart is hosting Thankful Thursday again this week!
This week's thankfulness has a few that are kind of lighthearted, but it's what I'm feeling...
  • I'm thankful that I have friends to watch the Georgia Tech game with.
  • I'm thankful that we have a home that we can invite friends to (to watch the aforementioned game with).
  • I'm thankful that my arm is sore from playing with our newest toy - our Wii. :o)
  • I'm thankful that my dad is kid enough to come over and play with us - and that he survived a massive heart attack last year in order to do so!
  • I'm thankful that I have a job that I don't dread going to every day.
  • I'm thankful that I have a husband who will put gas in my car for me.
  • I'm thankful for a husband who doesn't mind helping with the laundry since I work full time.
  • I'm thankful that this weekend is a long weekend.
  • I'm thankful for God being God, who doesn't change, "not even a shadow of turning," consistent, despite my inconsistency, amazing God.
  • I'm thankful that people have read my blog and even commented!
  • I'm thankful that you're reading this right now.

What are you thankful for?




Wednesday, August 29, 2007

WFMW-Dividing Toys Among Children



Children advice from a non-parent may sound strange, but we do have kids over sometimes and I have found out something shocking. Prepare yourselves.


Children think that everything has to be fair!

"She got more than me." "He got a bigger piece." "That one is prettier than mine."

I'm sure you parents have never heard these things at your house, but when hubby and I have kids over, we hear it occasionally. This is how we solve it:
For example, I bought a multi-pack of gum. Various flavors=danger zone. We have 4 kids at the house. I tell them, "I'm going to open the gum and set them out on the table. You have 30 seconds to decide who gets what." They know they have 30 seconds for everyone to be happy (as possible) or I'll pick them back up and we'll pick a number between 1 and 25. Whoever gets closest gets first pick, whoever is 2nd closest gets 2nd pick, etc. This way, they have the opportunity to work it out between them, but if it's not possible, a fair solution is right behind them. And, no one gets to really be unhappy because at the end of it, they are all getting a pack of gum.
I've used this before if I happened across a sale of cute pencils or something along those lines where they are all equal, but look different.
This works for us!
Head over to Shannon at Rocks in my Dryer to see a lot of other helpful tips!

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

FALLing in love

Have I mentioned that I sooooo ready for fall? It has been so miserable-muggy-humid hot here in Georgia that I haven't been outside much at all. I miss the outdoors! Labor is this upcoming weekend and I am really looking forward to it.

Not just Labor Day weekend.

But, opening game of my beloved Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets! Go Jackets!

Truly, I love the fall. Spending time outside (especially after being sealed up all summer), visiting with friends, catching up with hubby's college buddies at games, playing hostess to the ones that spend the weekend with us, homecoming at our church, harvest festivals, leaves changing colors, mountain drives, corn mazes, and my favorite day of the year - mine & hubby's anniversary.

Fall can not get here quick enough for me!

Monday, August 27, 2007

Free Purse!

Click over here to visit the great purse that is being given away at Musings of a Housewife! It is yummy!

Great Weekend

I had a fabulous weekend and I just want to blog all about it! :o)

One of my best friends came over and we sewed! I think I finally have figured out how to make a lined purse or tote bag, with pocket on the inside and out. I feel like a rocket scientist!! (ha) You know how it is when you have one of those "aha!" moments, I had one this weekend where I finally figured out how to put it all together it come out correctly. Thanks, K, for patiently answering my questions!

Church was good yesterday. Then in the afternoon, we "babysat" 4 kids ages 7-13 for a friend of mine to give her the afternoon off. We played hide and go seek for over an hour and had so much fun! And, yes, when I say "we" played, hubby and I were right there with them. Then, we were back at church Sunday night and took them home afterwards.

On the way home, we stopped at T@rget and I found something I've been looking for months. Not a need, just a very strong want. Yes, folks, my name is Lisa Kay, I'm an adult and I want a Wii. I'm not ashamed. Not only did I finally find one, but the Lord worked it out that is was on sale! Thank you, Lord!

Hubby is setting it up tonight, so I anticipate lots of fun. I think we're going to invite our Sunday School class over next Sunday night for us to play together. Good times!

Friday, August 17, 2007

Especially Heather

Some of you may be following Heather's journey at Especially Heather. She is about to begin another round of chemo. Let's lift her up in prayer!

Frugal Friday-Saving Change





Crystal is hosting Frugal Friday today and I enjoy participating. And learning!

Coincidentally, my tip is quite similar to Michelle's at Life's Accidental Journey. We both have the same philosophy, but put it into practice a little differently.
My husband and I have a habit of never spending "silver" change. All of our silver change is rolled up and deposited into our savings account. We have a vase in our bedroom and at the end of the day or "ever so often," we deposit all of our change into a vase in our bedroom, except for pennies. When the vase is full, I'll roll it. Since there are no pennies, the money total is pretty high each time. (over $100 typically - and it's money we didn't even miss!) Usually we deposit it directly to savings, but we've also used it for our spending money on vacation.
(This is a personal preference - I just don't like to roll pennies. They take as long to roll as any other denomination, but you only get 50 cents for your time.) If I'm at the store and the total is $1.51, I'll give the clerk a penny, then I'll have 2 quarters to add to the vase. I try to spend my pennies so that I can save my other change.




Thursday, August 16, 2007

Free Pattern


I found this at Turkey Feathers and thought I would pass it along


I'm just learning how to sew and I thought this might be a fun project. If you go here, you can download the Butterick pattern - with instructions - for free. There are a few other projects there, too, but I thought this one was the cutest.






Tuesday, August 14, 2007

WFMW-getting rid of food residue

Shannon at Rocks in my Dryer is hosting Works for me Wednesday this week.


My tip is how to get rid of stubborn food that is baked on dishes or (gasp!) went through the dishwasher once and is still there.


This works for me 100% of the time: I take the dish and pour a *little* (1/2 a spoonful?) of powdered dishwashing detergent in/on it, then add water - warm or cold. (Wherever the food residue is, that part needs to be covered with water.) Let it set overnight. The next morning, I'll pour out the water and then rinse it with the sprayer. The food just slides right off! Then I wash as usual.


(I've heard that you do the same thing with a used dryer sheet. I'm not sure if this is true or not, but if you find out it works, let me know!)


Either way, getting my dishes clean without using a lot of elbow grease - Works for Me!

Monday, August 13, 2007

Salmon

I have a very easy salmon "recipe." (I've said before - I use that term loosely.)

I basically put my salmon on a cookie sheet and pour a marinade on top. My personal favorite is a spicy teriyaki sauce that I can only find at Super T*rget. It's a bit strong (which is a plus to me), but you can use as much or little as you like. I used to pour it on top, then bake it, but I found that most of it just runs right off and bakes to the pan (lots of fun). Now, I just bake it (typically 350 degrees) and pour the marinade on top as I take it out - or leave it plain and set the bottle on the table.

Other than grilling, the only other way I've ever prepared salmon is to poach it (I saw Rachae! R*ay do it and I just had to try it.) Start with a shallow baking dish. Place your salmon in there, then pour chicken stock in your dish, nearly submerging the salmon. Add some rosemary to the salmon and in the stock and it will have nice flavor.

We both enjoyed the poached salmon, but still prefer the marinade - which is fine by me because it is so easy!

One other thing. Salmon can be baked from frozen! This was such a help to me. If I *forgot* to set out a meat the day before, I wasn't "dinner-less." Just fix salmon (cooking about an hour) and add any side. Actually, that is the way I prefer to prepare it now because I can just throw it in the oven, do something else for 45 minutes, come back and spend 15 minutes preparing side dishes and dinner is done!

I'm not sure what is the "proper" way to handle the skin of the salmon, but this is what works for me. I cook it with the skin on, but I use my spatula to serve it. When I do, I just slide it in at the bottom (between the meat and the skin) and just leave the skin on the pan.

Hope this helps you.

Tilapia

I thought I would share my tilapia "recipe" (I use that term loosely.) I plan on posting a few recipes, but really my recipes aren't recipes - it's more like "this is how I fix ____." A little of this, a little of that, you can use more or less depending on your taste, etc...

Hubby and I like baked tilapia best. But, I still want it to have some sort of crunch to it. I buy the fish fry seasoning and pour a few tablespoons (depending on how many fillets I'm fixing) into a zip bag and shake&bake at 350 degrees.

The fish fry mix gives it a little spice. If I'm out or in the mood for something different, I'll use cornmeal with a few bread crumbs. Top off with a little pepper - deelish!

Or, just use lemon pepper seasoning sprinkled on top.

Tilapia is one of the healthiest fish(es) out there and it doesn't taste very "fishy."

Hope this helps someone!

Menu Planning Monday


Laura at I'm an Organizing Junkie is hosing Menu Planning Monday again this week and this is my plan for the week:

Monday - Going out for MIL's bday

Tuesday- Salmon with grilled veggies

Wednesday- leftovers/snacks (We always do something quick on Wednesdays)

Thursday- tilapia, whole grain rice, green beans

Friday- (our Friday favorite) baked buffalo tenders and baked French fries

What are you having?









Friday, August 10, 2007

Who else would have us?

Some say my husband and I have a sick sense of humor. It's OK, though, because we're think we're just hysterically funny. However, occasionally, trouble can arise when we don't get the other's so-called sense of humor.

I have been working on some serious organizing. Boxing up stuff and moving to the attic, but before I do, making-a-list-of-what's-in-the-box-and-saving-it-on-the-computer-organizing.

Serious. Stuff.

I have a hard time knowing what to do with "stuff." Not items I use or set out, but just "stuff."

So, I got inspired by an idea I read and I am now putting it in action. I am numbering plastic storage totes, then listing its contents in Word, then putting the totes in the attic.

What's in the totes?

Stuff.

Stuff that I can't throw away.

Some of the dresses my mom saved from when I was a baby. Love letters exchanged by my parents when my parents were "courting" when Daddy was in the service. Beautiful vases that I don't really have an occasion to use often (less than once a year), but can't bear to part with. Stuff that is sentimentally valuable, but doesn't see the light of day often. Stuff that I can go years without seeing, but I would miss it if it were gone.

You know. Stuff.

One thing I'm wanting to store is my mother's china. I love it and it's beautiful, but I don't know what to do with it, so I'm putting it in the attic.

Here's what the story gets a little fuzzy.

I gave hubby the box with the China and said, "OK. This box has my mom's China. PLEASE be especially careful with this box. It's sentimental and breakable."

Hubby picks up the box (we're in the basement) and takes it upstairs to the main floor. All of the sudden I hear boom! boom! boom! Obviously, my precious box has fallen down the stairs.

So, I do what I typically do in a panic situation.

I cried.

Quietly, mind you. It was an accident. I'm not hysterical or anything, but the tears are falling down my face.

A couple seconds later, hubby sticks his head in the room I'm in and suddenly his face changes and he loudly says, "I'm so sorry!"

I understand accidents happen, but the words won't come.

He says, "No, you don't get it. I was just kidding. I threw one of my work boots down the stairs. That's what you heard. The dishes are fine. Really."

Me, "What?"

Him, "I was just trying to be funny. I thought you'd get mad, then you'd see that it was just a boot and then we'd laugh." [insert nervous laughter here]

Me, "You thought it would be funny to pretend like my dead mother's China had been broken to bits?"

(Pause.)

Him, "Well, not when you put it like that."


And that's when we both started laughing.

We jokingly say when one of us does something silly (that might irritate the other one), "It's a good thing God picked us out for each other. No one else would have us!"

Which One?

I found this over and Blessed Mom of Four Boys and thought I'd play along. Although, I must confess, I'm never good at trying to choose between A or B. I usually prefer C!


Which one?
Lace or ribbon? ribbon
Mountain or beach? mountain
Reading or writing? reading
Cookie or cake? cookie
Baked or mashed potato? baked
Side or back? back
Shrimp or steak? shrimp
Scrambled or fried? scrambled
Orange or apple? apple
Spring or fall? FALL!
Roller skating or bowling? roller skating
Dvd or theatre movies? DVD
Wood or glass? Wood
Blue or green? green
Chocolate or vanilla? vanilla
Quilt or knit? crochet
Early morning or late evening? content with either
Coffee or tea? hot chocolate!
Watermelon or strawberry? watermelon
Lunch or dinner? dinner
Cold cereal or oatmeal? oatmeal
Song or dance? song
Carpet or hardwood floor? have carpet, prefer hardwood
Red or pink? pink
Cat or dog? dog
Pretzels or chips? chips
Iced tea or lemonade? I'm a Georgia girl - sweet tea!
Non-fiction or fiction? fiction
Rose or daisy? daisy
Sunrise or sunset? sunset
Comb or brush? brush
Pottery or basket? basket
Bracelet or necklace? necklace
Pen or pencil? pen
Couch or chair? couch
Country or victorian? neither
Farm or ranch? farm
Braid or ponytail? ponytail
Cash or check? credit card
Chocolate bar or jelly bean? chocolate bar
Coke or pepsi? Coke
Hot dog or cheeseburger? cheeseburger
Blinds or curtains? curtains
Dress or pants? capris
Sun or moon? sun
Adventure or comedy? comedy
Cloud or star? cloud
Lake or river? lake
Half full or half empty? half full - always!
Truck or car? car
Bath or shower? shower
Clothesline or clothes dryer? dryer
New or second hand? new, usually
Gum or lifesaver? lifesaver
Email or handwritten? email
July or October? October- the month I got married!
Barefoot or shoes? barefoot indoors, shoes outside

If you play along, please leave a comment!

Frugal Friday


Biblical Womanhood is hosting Frugal Friday again today and I just love it!

My frugal tip is dealing with your cable provider. Ours is constantly advertising specials. We never pay full price for the movie channels - and often get them for free!

I'll call occasionally and ask what special they currently have. Oftentimes, there is an unadvertised special that is great. We've gotten free movie channels for 3 months. We've never paid more than $5 for 3 months of premium channels. Considering it is nearly $4 to rent ONE movie, this is a big savings. About the time we've seen all they have to offer, I'll call and cancel.

That is an important step - once the 90 days is up, call to cancel the service or they will start charging you. I will often write it in my planner or calendar it in Outlook.

For more tips, visit Crystal at Biblical Womanhood!








Prayer Request

Daddy has been trying to witness to the family across the street from him and the mom is now going through an especially rough time.

Last night her boyfriend came home after drinking with the guys and was starting trouble at home. She sent her little boy (who's starting kindergarten Monday) to go get my dad because she was afraid for her safety. Long story short: he's gone, but she is concerned about how to pay the mortgage without his income. She wasn't able to go into work that day due to car trouble and was fired.

In addition to the problems they are going through, this family needs the Lord most of all.

If you have time, please pray for: E (mom), R (boyfriend), D (son) and I (baby).
Thank you.

Thursday, August 9, 2007

Five Links

I saw this meme at Life's Accidental Journey and thought I'd play along.

There are Five Rules:
1. MUST be clean. No R rated sites.
2. Only FIVE links.
3. MUST tell 5 people.
4. A link back to the person who tagged you
5. Lara’s Place is the meme originator. (an active link would be appreciated)

They can be business links, favorite sites, affiliate links, whatever you want…

So, I'm going with the five links that I either use the most or find most entertaining.

1. Guess the Sitcom Character This site is just generally cool. It's almost like the site can ready your mind. Kinda. Sorta. Think of a television character in your head, then it asks you a series of yes/no questions and at the end, it tells you who you're thinking of.

2. Splitcoast Stampers. I enjoy making cards and other items using my rubber stamps and this site has lots of great ideas. And, the site is organized quite nicely and has a search feature.

3. Wists I am learning how to sew and this site has great step by step instructions (with pictures!). I am getting some great ideas for Christmas presents already!

4. Typing Test This is a free site that will let you know how many words per minute you type. I was curious about my speed and still check it occasionally.

5. Sheep Dash Game This is just a silly game that will gauge your reaction time. You click your mouse as you see sheep moving across you screen. My husband and I joke because he has a very slow reaction time, but when it comes to this game, he beats me every time!

I hope you found something here that you will enjoy. I don't really have any regular readers to tag, so if you're reading this consider yourself tagged!

Friday, August 3, 2007

Saving at Target



Crystal at Biblical Womanhood is hosting Frugal Friday.

I confess: I am not good at keeping up with my receipts!

My post is not necessarily about saving money, but a way to ensure that you can return items, even without a receipt. It certainly saves money to be able to exchange items that don't fit or to be able to return an item if I bought too many.

I love to shop at T*arget. Their stores are always clean and I just love the merchandise in general. I, however, do not love their return policy. No receipt, no return. Period. The customer can exchange an item, but that's it. And, an exchange must be for a "like item." Returning a game, get a different one. That doesn't really help, I don't think.

Anyway, here's the good news. I always pay for my "stuff" at Target with either a credit card (with a rewards program - and I pay it off in full each month) or use a debit card/check. I never use cash. T*arget keeps a record of the purchase on file for 90 days. If I need to make a return, I simply walk up to customer service, hand the clerk the item, let her scan it, swipe my card, and I am automatically credited the amount of my original purchase. Takes less than two minutes!

Being able to get my money back if I need it helps me!

Thursday, August 2, 2007

Thankful Thursday




Sting My Heart is hosting "Thankful Thursday."


I'd like to say that I'm thankful for the following:


  • Jesus Christ, whose love for me, I can not even grasp. Without Him, I couldn't love others, including-

  • My wonderful husband, who is my perfect partner in live (neither one of us are perfect, but we're a perfect match - make sense?)

  • Parents who didn't send me to church, but took me to church. There's a big difference!

  • I'm thankful that it's August because that means September will soon be here - I love the fall!

  • Amazing friends. I'll never be someone with a "huge circle" of friends, but my friends are very precious to me - and they are high quality!
  • Lou. We have the best dog in the world! We do, however, realize that she is a dog, but she's the best!

What are you thankful for today?