Do It. Thoughts related to CT Mass Killing

I cried for hours yesterday, horrified yet glued to the news broadcast.

All those children.

Children.

As a mother, as a human, it ripped right into my heart.

I kept thinking about the storms in New Jersey and New York.  We can help to rebuild homes.  We can donate clothes, time, money, food and other resources.

There is nothing to do.  There is no resource to grab up and send to these families.

Families who have probably purchased Christmas gifts that were anxiously wished for and to be opened with glee in less than 2 weeks.

Families who were rushing around, getting holiday preparations in order, taking kids where they needed to go, juggling work and sports and school and homework.

Mothers who were planning to make their kindergartener's favorite meal Friday night.

Fathers who were planning to leave the office just a little early yesterday to take Junior shopping for a present for mom.

Grandparents who were navigating shopping malls and box stores, searching for the one un-findable treasure for precious grandchildren.

Families with one less child to tuck in at night.

A million hugs and kisses that will never be given nor received.

It breaks my heart.

Reality Check

So often, things come across our lives that wake us up.  Usually, we think hard about our lives in whatever area that may be for awhile, and then we go on as we were after a few weeks.

Let's not do that.

I know I am not the only parent who procrastinates.

I know I am not the only parent who wants to do better by my children.

I know I am not the only parent who gets caught up in things-to-do-places-to-go madness, shouting about messy rooms and toys in the living room, loud play, loud music, loud laughter, constant wants for time, for things, for first position in the lineup.

I can pretty safely say that those little children and their parents did not think a moment about a mess or noise or any other annoyance in their last moments and in the moment they heard of the tragedy, respectively.

The next time you are feeling quick to anger, slow down and think of families who wish they had a child to be noisy during the football game or during a phone chat with a friend.



Take them places, and forget about the things-to-do once in awhile.

Lower the standard for mess allowance to a happy medium.  As long as there is not filth and you can navigate, just shut the door.

Grab a basket and throw the toys in.  It can be a basketball game and will quickly be done with joy.

Let them play.  Let them be loud whenever you can. 

When their voices ring out in laughter, treasure it instead of shushing it.  Laughter at midnight is still joy.  Don't forget that.

Give them your time and attention.  This is, for me, the hardest.  I get overwhelmed by so much need for my attention and tend to shut down a bit.  All too soon, they will want nothing to do with you.

Give them things when it is in your power and within reason, and as long as they are grateful and not entitled.

Give them first position.  Also a struggle for me in my household....The answer is, I think, to set up certain times that belong to one child and to one parent only.  I always mean to do this and put it off.

And that brings me to my title.

Do it.

Now.

I am talking to you, yes.  But most of all, I'm talking to me.


Protect with Scripture and Prayer

I am personally speaking Psalm 91 over my household.  My goal is to speak it daily; not yet a daily habit, but I'm working on it.  This is at the urging of a Pastor from our church, and I'm so thankful for it.  I've written it out in the first person and carry it with me so I can read it aloud whenever I feel the need.

I encourage you to do the same; use the scriptures to bind you up in safety and comfort.  When all is said and done, it's all we have and it's everything we need.

Jesus Freak

I haven't posted for a long time.

Well, kind of...

A few weeks ago I wrote a very long post about some really negative self-talk I was going through....I have been giving to myself on a daily basis for the last 20 years.

I didn't publish it, and I'm glad.  You don't need to read that.  It wasn't helpful or uplifting.  I'm not here to bring people down.

This topic has been on my mind for a couple of months.  Someone said to me "...since you got all religious...." in the course of a conversation.  I found it quite funny, but also quite sad.

I didn't suddenly "get religion" or "find Jesus" or however you want to put it.  On a side note, Jesus wasn't lost, people!

I have had, for quite some time, a heart for Christ.  I love Him.  I want to please God....I have a hard time with certain things, but that is my heart's true desire.

However, I let outside influences in, and I let them in hard.  I hid my heart for God; I acted in ways that would disappoint him every single day.  So I can see why people thought my life changing was a sudden change...but it was only the outside catching up with the inside.

When my mother died last year, I was surprised and a little offended by how many people felt they had to assure me she was in a better place.

I knew that!

I didn't cry so much for my mother.  I cried for me.  I cried for my children.  I cried for my unborn nephew she would never cradle in her grandmotherly hug on this earth.

She was an incredible grandmother, by the way.

I was hit with an Emeril Lagasse BAM! by how much of my heart was hidden from view to all those around me.  That's why they said those things...because I never let people see my heart for God.  I was ashamed that I wasn't broadcasting His love for all to see.  How selfish of me.   Selfish toward God and selfish toward every person I had come in contact with who did not see through word and action His love demonstrated.

So yes, I'm different...but the same.  I always had Him in my heart...I just didn't really understand my duty, my responsibility as a Christian fully.  I didn't really take to heart my Christianity, because I was hoarding it for myself. 

I had taken babysteps over the years in my spiritual living with many of the steps being backward in direction, but over the past year I've taken giant leaps in spiritual development.  That's what you're seeing. 

Keep looking, take it all in.  He's still working great things in me, and I'll be glad to share them with you and walk this path together with you in His love.

I can't sign off without a disclaimer:

I'm still going to mess up.
I still have things I'm working on fixing.
I'm not claiming to be perfect.
I'm not claiming to be "better than".

I think people mistake being "Christian" for being perfect and good all the time.

Wrong.

Wrong.

Wrong.

Being Christian means your heart is right.  It means you have a goal and mindset to follow Christ.  It means you sin and you need help and forgiveness...it also means you give those things - help and forgiveness - freely.

It means so many things, but this is the meat of what I want people to understand...

It doesn't mean I've got it all down by the world's standards...

but it does mean God looks at me through a different lens, the lens of Christ's sacrifice. 

It means hope.

Anyone without hope can have it right along with me...you're never too far gone, never too broken, you've never sinned too much...there is no such thing!

Dear New Mommies,

I had a fight with my girls last night.  They are 12 and 14.

I started thinking about you new mommies, with babies and toddlers and preschoolers.

I thought, "If you think this is hard, you are in for a big surprise later on!

Of course, when I was in diaper-sippy cup-tantrum-napping-car seat chaos, I thought it was the hardest thing I'd ever done.  I cannot express to you how incredibly wrong I was.

Hard?  When most problems in your child's life can be solved with a baby wipe, animal crackers, or a nap, be thankful.

When your prayer is that you may be able to get some sleep, be thankful.  One day your prayer will be that you have imparted enough moral strength in your child so they are not going to sleep with some pimple faced, awkward kid who they think the sun rises and sets on.

I've been there.  I'm not speaking from a place of one person who had one child and 6 nannies to help.  I have 4 children...I've done the part you're doing.  I've had a heart attack when they let go of my hand and toddle down the sidewalk.  I've chased kids who hide in the clothing racks in the stores.  I've been that lady with the screaming baby in the grocery store.  I've been the mom who is screaming with fear while they call a  "Code Adam" in WalMart because someone wanted to hop over and "just look at the fishies, mommy."  I've had kids fall in the pool, break bones playing, leave half their skin on the road from bicycle accidents.

I've been puked on, pooped on, peed on, slobbered on, and spit up on, and so have the floors in my homes and some pieces of my furniture.

Get out a baby wipe.  Get some bleach. 

You got this.

Prepare yourself now for teenage years.  You know how much information you read while you were pregnant?

Start now with the teenage years books.  Read them now to prepare.  Start praying now for their teenage years.

This is hard like you never imagined.

See, you will have to protect their hearts, their...psyche, for lack of a better word.

And so many people have access to them in their teen years.  So many people.

It is frightening how quickly a child can change their internal dialogue to say, "I'm no good."

Frightening.

When your daughter's heart breaks, so will yours.

When your daughter is under attack from some broken and confused other teenager, so will you be.

When your daughter comes up short, so will you.

You will feel everything just as you feel every fall as she learns to walk now.

Take care.

Keep them from bumps and bruises, by all means, but shore up their hearts.  Figure it out now, read and gather and fellowship with women who have older kids.  You need that information.  You need to know.

I'm writing this because there are mommy blogs everywhere about little kids.

"How to keep your 2 year old occupied for 1.3 hours"
"Ways to handle tantrums"
"How to feed your toddler"
"Make your own clothes, baby food, diapers, shoes, and wipes"

Whatever.

That is the easy part.  I can tell you all of that in 3 seconds....keep your 2 year old occupied for a long time with water (pool, pouring...whatever)....tantrums - don't tolerate them.  Put your child in a safe place and walk away.  Food-feed them whole foods all the time and they'll be fine.  Make your own - Pinterest!  Ha ha....But use what is available...buy clothes or trade clothes with friends....buy wipes, making them is not worth it....buy shoes...feed your baby the same food you eat, you don't have to go crazy on it, just keep some out before you add a lot of spice.

Life is simple, basic with babies and toddlers.  Enjoy it.  And use the time to prepare yourself for later years.

In 12 years if I still have this blog, you can come back and thank me.

Acceptance

FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I was thinking, during church yesterday, about kids.  I have 4 at my disposal for daily study, so my brain is churning quite a lot.

Kids are absolutely amazing creatures.

I was thinking about the difference between the younger and older, and how they view themselves in light of acceptance by God and by other people.  I'm not sure if it's a personality difference or just an age difference, but take the youngest...

Nuggetizer is friendly.  Although when put on the spot by an adult or faced with interacting with a cute girl in front of his mommy he becomes bashful, in general he is outgoing and without reservation when approaching new kids.

I was thinking about this the other day...Bubba is 8 (almost 9!) and is usually very tough and stoic (read my post about his electrocution here.  However, when faced with riding in the car to football with a kid's family who I know but he barely knows, he actually cried.  Unusual for him, very unusual.

Nuggetizer, on the other hand, has gone to football and faced a playground full (I mean, like at least 25 kids there!) of random kids he has never seen, and before I can set up my chair and put my water down he has a trail of kids following him around and playing with him.  He randomly approaches other kids and invites them to play.

Definitely his father's son.

His mom has panic attacks about attending events where she will know only 1 or 2 people.  Yes.  That's me. 

I once went to a wedding with a boyfriend, and I knew no one.  No one.  After the wedding and before the reception, there was lag time and we stopped at his house.  I panicked at the thought of attending the reception, a much more social event than the wedding, and eventually shooed him off to attend alone. 

I'm not that bad anymore, but I still get very nervous.  It's gotten easier for me throughout my life because I realize that many people besides myself are nervous too.  If I can focus on making them comfortable, it takes the pressure off because I am no longer thinking of myself.

Many things in life can be fixed by taking the focus off of one's self.  That's another post for another day, maybe.

I am taking a very roundabout route to my point.

I started thinking about Nuggetizer's complete acceptance and assurance of God's love, of Jesus' sacrifice for us.  I don't think he, at his age, has ever said in his mind, "I'm not good enough for another blessing." 

How many of us adults have questioned our good-enough-ness in this manner?  I'm not the only one, I know it.

Nuggetizer just says, "Whoopeee!  Another blessing!  Alright!  Yeah!" And moves on with his life.

At what age do the devils of self-doubt, guilt, unworthiness and anxiety creep in?"

When do we start worrying about what others think of us?  When do we start thinking that we need to "deserve" our blessings, and letting doubt sway our thoughts?

Mommydom

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I have been in a brain-frenzy for the past several months.

What should I do?

Who should I be?

Who am I if I'm not "mommy"?

It has really gotten me into a funk.  Two things, I believe, played a part in this...first, my kids started being with their dad for a full week, every other week, for the summer and second, I am facing the empty-ish nest of having my youngest child start full-day school this year.

These two things have thrown me into a state of questioning, of what should I do, of formerly unknown freedom that to me, who has had children at home for 14 years, seems foreign and daunting.

In the toddler years, I though it would never end.  I got so tired of saying, "No!" and changing diapers and cleaning sticky fingers!  Every time I was pregnant I seriously doubted my sanity and sometimes wondered if God hated me.  I'm not proud of that last thing, but it's true.

There were many times when I cried out to him, "Why?" 

Times when I was at my wits end and knee deep in sippy cups, bottles, diapers and potty training.

So now...

I have no diapers.

Everyone is potty trained.

I haven't seen a sippy cup in 2 or 3 years, until my nephew started using them a few months ago, and I never have a bottle to wash unless I'm hanging with my darling nephew.

Random aside - I absolutely adore being an aunt!  All of my other nieces and nephews live far, far away, so I've not experienced aunthood too much since my niece moved across the country 15 or 16 years ago at the age of 9 months.

I have contemplated going back to school to finish a degree. (We started our family as I was finishing my second year, so I stopped at that point for Mommydom)

I have contemplated a full time job.

I have contemplated a part time job with more hours...like...every day hours.  I currently work one or two days a week...usually 4 or 5 hours.

I have contemplated starting my own business.

Here's the thing.

Who said being a mom isn't enough?

I mean, how did that get into my head?

I don't know what has gotten into me that I feel I suddenly have to get a full time job because there will be 6 hours in the middle of every day when children are not here.

I could easily fill these hours with laundry, cleaning, groceries, volunteer work, etc. 

Or maybe, just maybe, I will read a darn book as a reward for being "on call" for the last decade and a half!!!!

Don't get me wrong...

I'd like to not be on the budget I'm on.  I'd like to buy a newer car, maybe, or go get a pedicure.  I'd like to not have to say no.  I'd like to go buy my kids the expensive tee shirts just because I feel like it.

But....is that worth having to scramble to get someone to watch them when they have to stay home from school, sick?  Is that worth having some other woman take their temperature and soothe their aching belly?  Is that worth missing field trips, helping in the classroom, being there as they get off the bus to say, "How was your day?". 

Many days may be just fine, but there are days when a child dissolves into tears the moment they get off that bus and away from friends.  Is it really the Internet or television or food that needs to soothe them on those days?  Do they really need the loneliness of an empty house then?

No.  They need their mommy.

What about summer?  Especially onlies or youngest...I believe strongly that leaving children home all day long with nothing to do is a recipe for disaster and trouble.  Yes, I believe children need a chance to get bored and creative, but with direction available if needed.  So if I commit to a full time job, what will happen during summer?  I can't just quit every June.

Being a mother is the most important job I have.  Everything else must work around that.

I can't figure out what made me think that I should look into trying to work being a mother around something else.

Childhood is so incredibly short.  Every year goes by faster and faster; it's beginning to take my breath away.  There will always be time to make money, there will always be more things to spend it on, but the time to make memories and to write in the life stories of my children is fleeting, and I'm not sacrificing it for anything so selfish as a bigger house, a newer car, or anything else.

I don't need to be "something else" because the truth is, I'll always be a mother and I'll always be "mom" but the days of being "mommy" are short and precious.  I intend to be present for them, every day.

I'm a citizen of Mommydom, and darn proud of it.

Enough

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I have been on a journey of sorts.  A personal journey.  A spiritual, emotional, mental journey.

See, my life is not perfect.

I know, it's a huge shock to everyone.  It's true.

I got myself worked into this frenzy that I had to be perfect in order to present....present what?  Some image to the blogosphere that doesn't exist.

I know, I know.  Some people are out there creating beautiful things and blogging about it every day, it seems.  What am I creating?

I had to stop blogging.  It was too much.  I wanted to think of these wonderful things to say and all that was happening was that I was talking myself out of wonderfulness.

I want to be real.  I want to be present.  I want people to care enough to come back to the blog...no...that's not it...

I want people to be impacted enough to come back to the blog.

I started psycho-analyzing it.  I started to worry, and here are my worries:

If I don't give them some solution to some issue in their lives, they won't read it.

If I don't have some fabulous photograph of whatever I'm talking about, they won't come back.

If I expose too many flaws, they won't put stock in what I have to say.


Do you get where my mind has been?  And then, through the miracles that God works, He led to me to see the truth:

I am enough.

What I have to offer is good.

It might not be the best, the most beautiful, or the smartest.

But someone needs to hear it.

Someone's life will change because I took a chance.

And that is enough.


Come back tomorrow (or the next day) to read about why being a mom is "enough" for a lifetime's work.

I love you, each and every one.

Thing About Thursday: What happened to Wednesday?

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Yeah.  Wednesday.  Remember Wednesday?

I totally forgot.  Well, that's not true.  I remembered my blog at two different points in my day; points at which I was unable to jump right into it.  So here ya go.

Read my bio.  I'm a work in progress!

Blogging is interesting to me.  This may be a bit of a boring post but it's what is on my mind right now.

I see so many adorable, really chic-looking, well done blogs.  And mine seems, well.  Mediocre.

It is mediocre.  That's not a negative or positive; it's a neutral statement about a middle-of-the-road blog.

I've seen much worse.

I've seen much better.

I've tried blogging.  I like it....sometimes.  Sometimes it stresses me out.   If I can get stressed over 14 followers not getting their feed, what would happen if I became viral like Inspired by Charm?  That guy is doing things.  His pins are amazing, his B & B looks adorable, and he's always got something really neat going on.

I'm guessing he's single and childless.  That makes me feel better about the fact that the only things I actually try from Pinterest are the recipes.

Do I want that kind of online success?

I don't know!

I don't think I do.  I don't think I want that obligation.  I don't think this is the job for me.  It's a hobby.  It needs to be, I think.

I don't think, unless I'm getting a salary, that I will ever devote the time and learning to figuring out how to make my blog be so attractive, to finding all the super ideas and photos out there to link to, to figuring out who's hot in the blogosphere so I can link up....

I really don't know what "linking up" means.

I get frustrated that I've pigeon-holed myself into these categories.  Sometimes I come up with really funny and interesting stuff, but it doesn't fit the magazine-style categories I've created.  So it flutters out into nowhere.

But to have a successful readership, I'm supposed to find a niche.

I can't find it.

I don't know what this means for my future of blogging.  I'm not ready to give up.  Just sharing my...itch.

I think my pastor would say that God's getting me ready for transition.

And my Daddy in heaven is probably getting a good chuckle, because I'm surely his most impatient child!

Onward.  Tune in tomorrow for Fashionista Friday.  I think I might blog about how the heck I'm supposed to get into a swimsuit this weekend because not only have I not lost any weight despite running and dieting, I've gained a couple of pounds.  Yay.

Tightwad Tuesday: Art Appreciation (or not)

OK, I read about this sale of a Rothko painting in early May and I was going to write about it then, but it got away from me.

Have you ever heard of Mark Rothko?

Yeah.  Neither had I.

But I'm not a big modern or contemporary or geometric art fan.  Whatever you want to call it.  I'm more of a moved-by-the-tilt-of-the-head in a painting type.  Or something. 

Mr. Rothko (may he rest in peace) just had a huge, record-breaking sale.  His painting sold for $86.9 million!!!!  Can you imagine?

Here it is:

Mark Rothko; Orange, Red and Yellow

Now, I don't know about you, but I think this guy is just a paint genius, don't you agree?

Do you have any idea what I could do with $86, let alone $86.9 million??????

I am thinking, what person says, "Yeah, $86.9 million?  Is that all?  Good deal, let's shake on it!" (The actual sale was a Christie's auction, I'm just being facetious here.)

It blows my mind.

Please don't think I'm completely uncultured swine.  I spent a large portion of my childhood in art museums, attending plays, ballets and operas.  I've travelled to Europe and viewed magnificent works of architecture and history.  I've seen works of art that have made my heart stop and my breath catch in my throat.

If you haven't experienced that feeling, seek it, I implore you.

Back to the subject at hand.....

Mr. Rothko also has another mind-blowing example of his talent, which sold for many millions too...I had no problem finding info on it a couple of weeks ago when the story broke about the above piece, but now I can't find No. 14's last sales price...it was either in the seventy-millions or the twenty-millions...in either case, I know everyone likes different things, but

really?

Click here for original picture attribution

Well, mama needs a new pair of shoes (so does everyone else!) so I put my baby to work:

Bubba's Art

Look for it on ebay.

I'm serious.  It really moves me; makes me feel something.  I almost want to cry when I look at it.

Mostly because I know I can buy a lot of shoes with $86.9 million, but still.

I'm a proud mama, shedding my tightwad ways and becoming a big spender.  Thanks Bubba!  I'll catch you when the driver brings you home from your private school......xoxo






P.S.  I hope everyone gets my humor here and no one is offended. :)

Monday Motherhood Musing: Bubba's Beautiful Hair, an Electrifying Story!

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It's a rainy day here, the kind of day that just makes you want to stay in bed.

I've been staying in bed lately.  I've been getting up after 6, or 6:30 even. 

I used to roll out of bed at 5:30 or so, but I've gotten lazy.  So I got out of bed and saw the girls off; before they left Nuggetizer was up, so we hung for awhile before I started waking Bubba up.  That's a feat in and of itself, but it wasn't too bad this morning.  About 8:30 I was in the basement dealing with some laundry and I heard a loud, "Aaagh!" from Bubba. 

I thought, "His hair must be really aggravating him!"

Bubba has this wonderful, thick, loppy, sand-colored hair with giant waves in it.  When it gets long it gets curly, but not kinky-curly like mine; he has these beautiful medium to large curls and waves that I just salivate over.  One of those heads of hair that should belong to a girl....however, on an 8-year old boy, they can be frustrating, particularly when he has decided a more shaggy length is his "thing", rather than the buzz or crew cuts I freely give with the clippers.

His hair has become an issue for him.  I've taught him to completely wet it or to at least wet it down to the root in the sticky-uppy sections so he can tame it.

If anyone can relate to untameable hair, it's me!

Back to my story.....

So he came downstairs to the basement, crying.  I immediately rushed to him because Bubba is not a cry-er.  He is very stoic. 

Bubba once did this really cool and scary flipping, rolling, tucking thing off of his bike, not on purpose, and basically left a good portion of his arm skin on the road...and he sucked it up and kept it together.  He made it all the way to the house with me, waited for me to open the door, stepped inside, and then he burst into tears.  His buddies and some neighbors were outside, so no way was he crying until he was out of sight. 

He's a tough cookie. 

So I knew that something was really wrong.

He shocked himself.  Plugging in the hair-dryer.  He must have zapped it but-good because it hurt for over a half-hour.

Off to preschool with Nuggetizer we went, with me calling the doctor on the way...I just wasn't sure what to do.  He got a pretty good zap, I figured, if he reacted that way.

He's not like Nuggetizer, who cries a lot.  Well, he cries more than Bubba anyway.  Everyone cries more than Bubba, actually.

The doctor's office took 40 minutes to call me back.....guess electrocution is not that serious!  They wanted him to come in for a quick check so we ran into the office for a check on his heart, some questions, and a few finger pricking episodes to make sure he had normal sensation in his hands.

We're all good.

And me, the mom with four kids who should know better, got a lecture about electric appliance safety.

Like I don't know.

I just got comfy, right?

Sigh. 

Isn't it the worst when you have to listen to information you already know so it feels like they are just rubbing in the stupidity surrounding you dropping the ball as a parent?  I hate that.  Mostly because it puts a microscope on my parenting imperfections and I like to think I'm awesome!

I have reviewed safety with blow-dryers with the girls, over and over, but never with Bubba specifically.

Go grab your boys and tell them about blow-dryer safety, please.

Because guys blow-dry too.

Fashionista Friday's Day Off



Courtesy of Stuart Miles; FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Sorry, people.  I am just not feeling it today.  Got a few things going on with my kids and their dad and whatnot and I am pretty much balled up about it, and I've got to spend the morning on my knees talking to my Father in heaven.

I know you'll understand.

Thanks for stopping by today; I'll 'see' you Monday!

"Thing About" Thursday: The Thing About Reality

Courtesy of Victor Habbick; FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Fantasy vs. Reality

I have fantasies all the time.  Every morning, noon and night.

Get your minds up here, with me, please.  I fantasize about all I'm going to do in a day.  My fantasy day would look something like this:

5:00-6:30 Up, jog, shower, dress, bed made, get girls up

6:30-7:00 Breakfast and girls off to school

7:00-7:30 Blog - I've got to get this done early since I have millions of followers, generating passive income so that my days are full of taking care of my children and not worrying about trying to fit in for-pay writing or my part-time job....

7:30-8:10 Get BubbaB8 up and fed and off to school

8:10-8:45 Get NuggetizerB5 up and fed and off to school

9:00-9:30 Clean up breakfast and kitchen, including floor.

9:30-11:20 Clean entire house.  No need to organize it, because it's already perfect.  (ha ha)

11:30 Pick up NuggetizerB5

11:40-12:00  Healthy lunch with NuggetizerB5, we discuss his school activities

12:00-3:00  Educational activities and outdoor play with NuggetizerB5.  I squeeze in a load or two of laundry...no need for more than that, since I'm always caught up on laundry.  We also bake cookies, which are fresh and coming out of the oven at 3:00 when....

3:00 Girls arrive home for yummy homemade cookies (which are, of course, gluten and sugar free and fabulous!)  We discuss their day together and laugh heartily at some funny occurrence.

3:30  Girls begin homework, with joy and pleasure over more learning!

3:40  BubbaB8 arrives home and we enjoy cookies and discuss his activities with similar joy I shared with his sisters.

4:00 BubbaB8 does his homework, thrilled to complete it in its entirety and safely tuck it away in his school bag, ready for the next day.

4:30 We all head outside to play basketball, ride bikes, and frolic in the yard together.  The kids support one another and cheer for each one in turn, hoping for the best outcome for each individual, knowing that every person's joy is the family's complete joy.

5:00  I start dinner while the children continue to play.  A beautiful meal is soon on the table, which is set to perfection because every day is a special occasion!

5:30 My darling love is here by now, and if it is a day for his children to come over, they are here as well.  We all sit down to a lovely dinner, happy, content, enjoying the food and the hard work that went into working for the groceries, into shopping for, planning for, and storing the ingredients for the meal, and the work that went into preparing it.

6:30  It's a long dinner because we just can't stop talking and laughing and enjoying one another.  All of the children jump up, arguing over who will do the dishes, and they quickly settle it and all join together, knowing that many hands make light work.  My darling love and I take a few minutes for an evening walk together, knowing if we make little moments, our love will be healthier for it.

7:00  Depending on the weather, we join together to play a game outside or a board game inside.  On a rare occasion a special tv show will be watched together.  In this fantasy, the tv is rarely on.

8:00 The day begins to wind down, each child bathing and preparing for bed in his or her turn, according to age.  They each settle sweetly into their beds, eyes fluttering to a close as I softly shut the door to their (perfectly clean) bedroom.

Are you laughing yet?  Sick to the stomach?  What?

P.S. If the above is already your life,

 Go Away!!  Congratulations!!

Here is my reality...and just in case you wondered, I wrote down my reality all day most of the day yesterday just so I could be completely mostly accurate.  The last time I wrote this down I had a lot more accomplishments, I don't know what has happened to my "accomplishing gene", but it appears to be missing.....

6:45 Overslept!!!!!!!  Jump (ok, stumble) out of bed and down the stairs...thankfully the girls are much more responsible than I am and are up, ready, and waiting for the bus.

7:00 I'm just going to lay back down for a minute....

7:45 Are you kidding me?????  Fell back to sleep...fly into the boys room....BubbaB8 gets up quickly, thank goodness....make some breakfast for him and get him on the bus....

8:15-8:45 Frantically work on blog while telling NuggetizerB5 to get dressed, intermittently getting his clothes out and helping with breakfast.

8:50 Click "publish" and take Nuggetizer to school.

9:00-10:30  Go to track and jog; leave track and go to grocery store

10:30 -11:00 Put away groceries, talk to sis, clean up dishes from breakfast, have coffee

11-11:15 Try to clean living room upholstery with Magic Eraser; don't ask; this twill furniture is the bane of my existence!

11:15-12:15  Shower, dress, lotion, make-up

12:15-12:45  Talk to my darling love while stripping bedsheets, put away my clothes, wipe fingerprints from walls all over the house for most of the conversation

12:45-12:50 Play on my phone

12:50-1:05 Laundry in/switch over/fold clean stuff

1:00-2:30  Bible study work

2:30-3:00  Write some notes in journal; laundry

3:15 Pick up Nuggetizer

3:35 Home....Bubba home shortly after....snack for the boys and change clothes

3:50-4:15  Outside with boys; their dad comes to get them

4:15-4:45  Fold and put away laundry; fresh sheets on bed; talk to my darling love

4:45 Go pick up girls from cheer practice

5:15 back home, boys get home shortly after, everyone's just chilling and playing, including me.  Clean up living room, wipe down sink and toilet, pick up random collected items on stairs, pick up dirty laundry from living room, make more coffee and drink it, pick out shoes to wear, freshen up, the boys ate with their dad and the girls grab some leftovers to eat.

6:50 Head to bible study - wait - have to get frustrated and wait for someone to get picked up - ok it's fine-chat with the friend's dad-then head to bible study

7-9  Bible study

9:00 Home.  My darling love's daughter is here to help the girls practice their cheers.  Lots of music and jumping ensues.

9:15-9:30 Battling the boys to get to bed, it's late, I'm tired and so are they.

10:00  Cheer practice is over.  I am heading to bed and see a little face full of tears in BubbaB8's room.  BubbaB8 is very stoic and if he is in his bed crying, it's definitely something big.  I go in and we have an emotional conversation about why his dad and I are not together and why he doesn't have friends over more and why I haven't taken them to the park and roller skating.  I finally roll into bed, certain of my failure as a mother and human being, and go to sleep.



I don't know what my point is in this blog post.  I was just thinking about how much I imagine I can get done and how I imagine being supermom and it so often does not happen.  I think I need to adjust my expectations a little.  Even as I read back through my "fantasy" day, it doesn't even sound like my fantasy looks in my head.

Whatever.  I'm going to go organize something.

What's Cooking Wednesday: Spring Flavor Party!

Spring is a lovely time of year, isn't it?  Even if it has been a mild winter like the one we just had, there is something invigorating about seeing the growth of new life, the casting off of gray, dull weather, and the welcoming of bright, colorful warmth.

I love spring.

You can bring spring into your kitchen by trying this ah-maaaaz-ing recipe from Rachael Ray.  As Guiliana Rancic would say, "Ah-maze-balls!" 

Springtime joy on a plate!

The combo of basil, mint, asparagus, pistachios....oh...the whole thing seemed slightly odd to me....but when I had my Cuisinart pumping and the scent of this marvelous pesto was wafting up through the opening, I was literally dancing with joy and anticipation of the mouth party I was going to experience.

Now do you understand why I can't make my life about just dieting?  I just have to run 10 miles a day.  Anyone who dances at the Cuisinart just can't stop cooking.

There are so many things I would like to try if I had the budget to just test and toss (when necessary); so many avenues I would like to explore!  I'm not super-inventive and I can't see myself working in a culinary position because I think it would make me insane if someone was telling me what to do in the kitchen, but maybe somehow I can channel this into a money-maker....

For now, I will keep hunting down recipes that are affordable and that my family will eat, and sharing with you!  Enjoy!

Oh!  Here is the link for the recipe:  Asparagus and Pistachio Pesto Pasta

Tightwad Tuesday: How to Spend Less on Vacation Activities

Courtesy of kongsky; FreeDigitalPhotos.net

"Mommy, I wanna play miniature golf!"

"Mommy, I wanna go to the water park!"

"Mom, I wanna go shopping!"

"Mom, I wanna go to the boardwalk!"

"Mom, I wanna....."

"Mom, I wanna...."

How can you mitigate all the "I wanna" requests, have an enjoyable vacation yourself, and not go into the red trying to appease all of the kids' desires?

If you are lucky enough to take a family vacation, you probably book your accommodations many months in advance, maybe even a year ahead.  Start preparing your children at the same time!

What You Need

A jar, piggy bank, or some kind of container for each child

Envelopes, coin purses, or some portable means of taking money out and about while keeping it separated

Ground rules and guidelines

How It Works
Each child saves money for the time period leading up to the vacation, depositing it into their container.

Money is saved according to the ground rules and guidelines (see suggestions below)

Money is taken on vacation and used for leisure activities and shopping outside the scope of the planned family activities

Suggestions for Ground Rules and Guidelines

Require money to be saved.  Kids are not born knowing how to handle money, and they need some rules to get them going.  Require that they save a portion of their allowance, gift money, or money from a job.

Consider a matching program, if it is in your budget, where you match the amount they save.

Make it competitive.  Some children will choose to save more, some will choose to save the minimum.  Check up on the amounts regularly and keep the competition going.

Give the kids some ideas of what they are working toward.  Google local activities for your vacation spot and get ideas about costs.  Kids can then look forward to what they are saving for.

Set the rules for what the money will be spent on.  For example, I might plan to take the kids miniature golfing one time during a week, but two or three of them may wish to go multiple times.  Explain that family activities and meals will be part of the family budget; extras will be out of their pockets.

Keep the money separated when on vacation and consider having one of the parents handle the money.  I think kids should be taught to be responsible, yes, but sometimes the excitement of new and fun things leaves responsibility flying out the window.  I have had children lose money and said, "Oh well" and I believe that's a fine response, however, I think it best to try to preserve the fun and relaxation of vacation time by doing what's easiest. 

Put another way, use the time leading up to the vacation as teaching time; use the vacation as time for fun!

Above all, relax and enjoy yourself and each other!  Try my tips to take the hassle and bugging out of your vacation.  Your response to requests can simply be, "Do you have enough money?"

I love that!

Monday Motherhood Musing: Mother's Day

Courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Happy day after Mother's Day to all!

Mother's Day this year was weird for me; completely weird.

I have always deferred to what my mother wanted to do for Mother's Day; as far as I can remember, it was never what I would choose myself.

I grumbled about this when my mother was alive.

I thought Mother's Day should defer more to mothers with younger children; that grandmothers should still be included but should pass the baton of choosing the day.  I grumbled about having to pack up my kids and travel to restaurants in the city where parking was difficult and food prices were high.  I grumbled that I just wanted to stay home and relax.

Last year on Mother's Day was probably the first year since 1998 that I did not grumble about Mother's Day; my mother was deteriorating quickly at that time.  We did not know that her end was coming, but we did know that it wasn't good.  Last Mother's Day we all spent in her hospital room.  We brought lunch and my sis brought a laptop and movies for the kids.  I didn't complain, for the first time in 13 Mother's Days.

When my mother died in August, the guilt over my Mother's Day grumbling hit me like a giant football thrown straight at my gut.  I've had a very hard time getting over my guilt about this behavior.  I think I've mostly moved on from it now; I've prayed about it and repented for being a brat because, well, that's what I was being.  A brat.

Be careful what you wish for! 

Yesterday, I had freedom.  I could have chosen whatever I wanted for Mother's Day activities.  I could have had a day without kids.  I could have had a day to go out and run around to where ever I pleased, with or without them.  I could have locked them all in a room with me and forced them to snuggle me all day long.

Houston, we've got a problem.

My long awaited day had come.  My turn.

No clue what I wanted to do, or how I wanted the day to go.

The only thing I knew was that I wanted to go to church, which I did.

My poor darling love walked around on eggshells all day, trying to guess what I wanted.  Trying to guess that would have been a magic trick, because I didn't even know myself!

It was a miserable day.  We were both agitated and grumpy with one another.  I was grumpy because nothing I wanted to happen was happening.

Keep in mind I have no idea what the heck I wanted to happen.

By the end of the day, I realized what I am writing here....that because I never had considered what I wanted to do, I had no idea.

Here's what I figured out, finally:

• I'd like to be surprised in some way.  Like a lunch or dinner out, or giving me a book I've been wanting and taking the kids out so I can read it.
• I liked not having to make dinner as part of Mother's Day (my darling did go out and get food for the grill and cook! Yay!)
• I'd like to have some plantable flowers or a hanging basket as a gift (I got a pot with spearmint planted in it.  Yay!)
• I like cards, bought or homemade (I got several.  Yay!)
• I like other presents too!  (Got a present! Yay!)
• I like taking an afternoon nap (Yep, did that too! Yay!)

So what did you do?  I might need some more ideas because I do not want to repeat this year's not knowing what I want ever again!

Fashionista Friday: Fat Brain

Courtesy of smokedsalmon; FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I've figured it out.  Finally.  I know what's wrong with me.

I've got Fat Brain.

Something in my head that tells me I'm disgusting.  That I'm weak, ugly, worthless.

It's full on Fat Brain.

It's that illness where the number on a scale sets the tone for the entire day.

It's that crazy brain cell that says, "You're up a pound - just eat everything in the house."

It's that nagging thought that I've got to figure out how to cover myself so I can take the kids to the pool.

As you may have guessed, the bikini readiness is at a standstill.  It's part physical, mostly mental.

It's Fat Brain.

I'm fighting Fat Brain every day, much more than I fight anything in the fridge. 

Fat Brain is telling me horrible things about myself, when in reality, a size 8 or 10 is not the worst thing in the world.  Who knew?

Fighting the Good Fight

I stopped weighing myself.

I started running 5 or 6 weeks ago.  I'm improving every time and I'm loving it.  It's "me."

I eat lots of vegetables.  I eat other things too...and I've always loved vegetables and eaten them in plenty, but I'm eating even more now.

Right before I started running, I put a pair of size 8 (not stretch) jeans on.  The button and buttonhole at the waist were about 2.5 inches apart and not budging.  I hung them on my closet door as a reminder.

About 3 weeks ago, I got into those jeans.  I previously could only wear my size 10 jeans and a pair of junior 13's.  This weekend, I tried on some smaller jeans. 
(They are junior size 11, but I don't know how to factor those things in with women's sizes since even when I was my smallest since having kids I wore a size 4 or 6, but still needed a 9 or 11 in junior?  weird sizing, I don't get it.)
The jeans are very tight.  I can button them but I can barely move.  They are on my door now, my next reminder.

I'm in a constant mode of reminding myself what God says about me.  "You are fearfully and wonderfully made."  I think how disappointed He must be when He hears all the things I say to myself about myself.  I am His kid; you know how mad you get when someone talks about your kid?  Imagine how He feels.

I've set new goals, keeping my self in mind.  How I work.  How I'm wired.  Here's the thing.  I like ice cream.  I like spaghetti.  Do I have to eat these things every day?  No.  (And I don't!..usually!)  But I want to eat them once a week.  I decided my goals have to be about doing not about not doing.  Make sense? 

My ultimate goal is to be running 5 to 10 miles most days of the week.  This will enable me to have an increased calorie intake without adding pounds, in theory.  First goal is a 5k...Father's Day in Baltimore.  Once I get there, I plan to increase my mileage by 1/4 mile a week (more if I can handle it, but I'm starting small.)

Fat Brain is curable, I'm sure of it.  The disease is working it's way out of me, slowly but surely.  Every day I don't weigh myself and every time I remember that my jeans size is not the size of my worth, I am winning.

Thursday's "Thing About": The Thing About Change

Courtesy of Stuart Miles; FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Change.  How many little sayings about change can we come up with?  How many motivational/self improvement things have you read or seen over the years?

My pastor talked about transitions last Sunday, and it started me thinking through my transitions in life and wondering if I'm in one now.

One of the things he pointed out was a statistic that 70 percent of people do not like change.

I challenge this statistic.  It's inaccurate.

We don't have a problem with change.  Think about it, ladies.  How many females love shopping?  Why do you love shopping?  Well, for me, it's because I want new and different things to wear, to look at, or to experience around me. 

That's a change.

And it's one a lot of us embrace and seek out.

People don't dislike change.

When change takes place within our sphere of control, we enthusiastically welcome it!

What people dislike, avoid, and panic over is the loss of control!  Right?

Moving on.

If I could let you inside my head to see what I thought I was going to write about versus what actually shows up on the page, you'd be shocked.

Anyway, I've been thinking about a change in my life.

I'm in a funk.  I'm in a weird place.  I'm trying to figure out what I want to do when I grow up.

My youngest child is going to kindergarten in the fall, and it's got me all balled up.

Notice I said "balled" not "bawling".  I'm looking forward to it.  He'll be 6 in September and he and I are both ready for him to go.

I have really been in a bit of a mental flurry over this.  I've been running over the options in my mind...of course, I could remain working outside the home part time evenings and devote all of those kid-free school hours to freelance writing.  I could convert those evenings to part time days and do what I do now...write when I can squeeze it in.  I could get a full-time job....although I don't really think I have time for that.  I could start my own business, I've had a few ideas.  I could take classes and finish college.

Before I had kids, I just worked full time, sometimes more than full time.  When my first child was 2, I started my SAHM-ness.  I also helped to build and run my then-husband's business.  In 2008, I got the part time job I still hold today, but I still consider myself a SAHM.  I'm home all day with NuggetizerB5.  I'm here when my kids get home, I'm home to pick up sick kids from school or to run to and from practices, concerts and appointments.

So my life will change greatly in just a few months.  I'm feeling pressured (by my own brain) to decide what I want to be, in addition to "mom."

What's Cooking Wednesday: Salsa Chicken from Rachael

Oh.  Holy. Schmoley.

I have a new love.  My new love is a cooking channel I did not realize existed.
 

Here is the link to their website:

www.cookingchanneltv.com

You must go.  You must check it out to find out the airtime for your area. 

On this channel are some old favorites I thought were lost forever, like Nigella Lawson (can you believe she is 52?)  I also found an old favorite with a new-to-me twist - good ole Rachael Ray has a show called "Week in a Day." 

Even though they are calling 5 days a week, I'm still in love.  The recipes are mouthwatering, easy to prepare, and complete with make-ahead tips.

Love.

Love.

Love.

I don't find myself in a time crunch at dinnertime too often, so I didn't do any of the make ahead parts.  I just cooked myself into happy, happy, happy places today with her Salsa Marinated Chicken

I am in love.  Did I already say that?

I made this recipe for 8.  (It is only very slightly different from hers)

3 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast
8 medium roma tomatoes (a touch smaller than a baseball)
1 medium red onion (size of a baseball)
3 teaspoons minced garlic
2 jalapeno chili peppers
2 T. dried cilantro  (I am guessing...you might have to add more)
Salt, to taste (sea salt or kosher salt)
Olive oil

1.  Using a food processor with the grating disc, quarter the tomatoes and cut out the core, leaving all the juices and seeds.  Add the red onion after peeling and quartering it, using the same disc.

2. Chop the jalapeno pepper finely after taking out the white insides.  Leave the seeds in or take them out, it doesn't matter.  Some of the kids are not thrilled with hot foods, so I left most of them out of the salsa.  Add the pepper to the tomatoes and onion and mix, also adding the remaining ingredients except the olive oil.

3.  Put the chicken breasts in a flat plastic container or plastic bag, whatever you like, and spread about 1/3 of the batch of salsa over the chicken.  Add olive oil, about 1/3 cup according to her recipe (I didn't measure) and mix it all together.

4.  Put the salsa without chicken in the fridge and marinate the salsa chicken as well for a few hours.   I ended up having it in the fridge for about 4 hours.

5.  Grill the chicken breasts over medium-high flame until cooked through, about 15 minutes if they are not too thick.  I like to cut my chicken up into smaller pieces so they cook faster and so I can more easily make sure they are cooked thoroughly.  Just dump all the marinade and juices right on top of the chicken.  Yum.  Yum.  Yum.

I served mine with cilantro-lime flavored barley.  The barley was absolutely fantastic, so I must share what I dumped into that.

Cook the barley according to the package directions (warning: it takes 50 minutes after water boils)

I would recommend cooking it in chicken broth.  I forgot that I wanted to do this, so I ended up adding 2 bouillon cubes to the already cooking barley and it turned out well.  I was sad that I forgot to defrost some of my homemade broth for it though.

This is what I used for 3/4 cup barley (measured DRY)

2 T. dried cilantro
2 T. olive oil
Juice of 1/2 lime
1/2 T. butter

Mix ingredients in serving bowl.  Add cooked barley and mix.

So good.  I wanted to eat it all, but I did not.

I added some steamed mixed veggies, my go-to, just tossed with olive oil, salt, and garlic.

Don't forget the salsa in the fridge!  Serve it with your delicious dinner.

I had some right on top of my veggies and added more to my chicken as well.

Tightwad Tuesday: The Tightwad Gazette

Frugal Tips From the Tightwad Gazette – Book Review

by heather on May 6, 2009

Reposted by republishing permission; original article posted at The Greenest Dollar

 

If you’re into frugal living and saving money tips, then I’ve got a treat for you.

A few days ago I took out The Tightwad Gazette II: Promoting Thrift as a Viable Alternative Lifestyle , by Amy Dacyczyn, from my local library. And, I was enthralled from the first page.

This book teaches you how to frugal hack anything. You can open up any page of this book and find something useful.

The Tightwad Gazette was a newsletter that Ms. Dacyczyn started back in the ’90s. It was a smashing success with readers because they learned tons of ways to save money, and make their things last longer. In fact, Ms. Dacyczyn made so much money off the newsletter and book sales she was able to retire early and raise her family at home.

High fives to her!

All this speaks to the treasure trove of wisdom in these pages. There are three Tightwad Gazette books, and all of them are completely wonderful.

Another cool thing about these books is that Ms. Dacyczyn included countless tips from readers who wrote in over the years with frugal tips of their own. And, these nuggets of money-saving wisdom are invaluable.

So, want to learn some frugal living tips from the Tightwad Gazettes?

Tightwad Gazette Frugal Living Tips

1. Reuse Junk Mail Envelopes- You can reuse the junk mail envelopes you get by carefully turning them inside out. This hides the postal bar code on the front (which would send your mail to the wrong place) and extends the life of the envelope.

2. Make Your Shoes Fit With Ice- I loved this tip! If you have bought boots that are too small, try this tip: put a garbage bag into the shoe (make sure it has no holes!) and fill it with water. Tightly tie the top of the garbage bag and put the water-filled shoe in the freezer. As the water turns to ice it expands, and will stretch the leather enough to give your toes more room.

3. Save Money By Marking Your Hubcaps- If you lose a hubcap it’s going to cost $100 or more to replace it. Be proactive by taking off your hubcaps now and, with permanent marker, writing your name, phone number, and “Reward” on the inside. If they fall off, paying someone $20 for returning them will save you big.

4. Don’t Buy New Gas Caps- If you lose your car’s gas cap, then don’t spend money on a new one. Most gas stations have a “lost and found” box full of forgotten gas caps. Often they’ll gladly give you one for free.

5. Regulate Your Kid’s Bathwater- If your kids love to take baths, then put a piece of electrical tape on the inside of the bathtub to let them know when they should turn the water off. This will save money because they’re using less water.

6. Freshen Your Car Naturally- Instead of buying air fresheners for your car (which are nothing but chemicals we shouldn’t be breathing in anyway), put cloves in your ashtray and leave it open a bit.

7. Make Your Own Puppets- If your kids are hankering for puppets, don’t buy new ones (which are insanely expensive sometimes). Buy stuffed animals at thrift stores and garage sales, open the back seam, and take out the stuffing. You’ve got a great puppet for a fraction of the cost of a new one.

8. Save Your Six Pack Rings- Instead of recycling (or worse, throwing away) those plastic rings that hold six packs together, save them up (and ask your friends to do the same). You can tie them together with fishing line to make a sturdy, lightweight hammock.

9. Reuse Your Onion Bags In The Bathroom- Those plastic mesh bags that your onions (or oranges) come in are invaluable. Use them to store toys in the bathtub; when you hang them up in the tub they can drip dry during the day.

10. Save Your Metal Juice Lids- Glue a piece of magnetic tape to the back, and a small picture of your child to the front. You can use these to keep track of who’s doing what chores on the refrigerator chore chart. Or, you can use them just as cool, funky magnets.

11. Save Stuck Envelopes- If you have old envelopes that have sealed closed because of moisture, stick them in the microwave for 20 seconds. This will extend their life, and help you save money on not buying new ones.

12. Throw Your Ziplocks In the Wash- If you want to extend the life of your plastic bags, turn them inside out and put them into your washing machine with a load of laundry. They’ll be brand new and sparkly clean when the wash is done, just make sure that you get them all out before the load goes into the dryer!

13. Save Those Boxes- If you buy your kids new toys for Christmas, keep the boxes and store them in your attic or basement. When the kids grow tired of the toys and you’re ready to garage-sale them, put them back in the box. Toys in boxes are always bought first, and you can ask a higher price, especially if the toys are undamaged.

14. Save Your Bread- If you live in a one or two person household, you might find that going through a loaf of bread is impossible before it gets moldy. So usually, you waste part of the loaf. To prevent this put the bread, two slices at a time, into small Ziplock freezer bags and toss them in the freezer. Keep the first half of the loaf fresh. When you get down to the last few slices, start “unfreezing” the frozen bread. Keeping it with just two slices per bag will help prevent freezer burn. You can also save money (and use less plastic) by easily reusing the Ziplocks each time.

15. Get Your Teeth Cleaned- If you don’t have dental insurance, you can get routine cleanings done for a fraction of the cost at your local dental school. The students have to complete several cleanings in order to graduate, and they do a thorough job because a) they’re watched like hawks and b) they’re graded on each cleaning.

You also learn…

• How to start a great garden using stuff you have around the house (like egg cartons, milk jugs, old lumbar and windows…

• How to revive old cast-iron cookware to make them good as new

• How to make your own gourmet mustard

• Why buying in bulk sometimes isn’t the better deal (statistically, you use more of the product at a time when it’s bought in bulk)

• How to make refrigerator bread dough that is cheap, long lasting, and easy to make

• How to make your own toaster pastries at a fraction of the cost of store-bought ones

Last Word…
Seriously, I’m in love with these Tightwad Gazette books. There is so much fantastic information here, and there’s no way I even covered a fraction of it. I’ve greatly trimmed down my books lately, but these are three that I might have to add to my collection.
One thing to note: because these books were written back in the 1990s, the prices are, understandably, a bit out of date. Remember when a gallon of gas cost $1.20? And that was high?
I couldn’t help but laugh at that one.
There’s also tons of frugal recipes in here. I’m definitely going to be trying the refrigerator bread dough one soon, and I’ll post that as soon I make it on my own. Hot cross buns sound pretty yum!

“Budgeting is the art of doing that well with one dollar which any bungler can do with two.”

-Arthur Wellington, British soldier and statesmen (1769-1852)

You can find out more on The Tightwad Gazette II: Promoting Thrift as a Viable Alternative Lifestyle by clicking that link, which will take you right to my Amazon store.
If you’d like to just go straight to Amazon to find out more, you can click here (I’m pretty sure the books are out of print, at least part II and III are, so you might have to buy them used online or in a used bookstore if you can find them).
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