Thanks Employer… uh…not

I was excited to see that we had received a yearly calendar in the mail from my husband’s employer.  I thought, how nice!  You really do not see a lot of companies handing out yearly calendars any more.  Maybe it’s because so many people have gone to online or electronic calendars and they feel it is a waste of their money.  I like to keep a calendar near my desk that I can put things on quickly then add to my online calendar later.  Plus it helps to have the visual reminder in my face.

This is what I found when I pulled the calendar out of the envelope. 

 

So, I’m thinking this is a good sized calendar.  Might not be pretty inside but a good size to jot appointments and bill due dates on.  Then I opened it….

 

 

 

Seriously????   That huge thing to insert a tiny calendar like that???  It’s useless!  It’s going in the garbage.  It’s a waste of paper, of company money and it killed some trees! 

So much for companies doing a nice thing for the employees. 

My Mom

This is my mom. It was taken today by my wonderful nephew Stevie. They were at the Pierce Family Reunion that is held every year in November. Hopefully I can make it to next years. I sure miss seeing everyone.

Funny and True...

A friend had this on her pinterest.

It's scary that most of it is so true...

Source: stumbleupon.com via Krista on Pinterest

A Quick Dinner Cheat

 

There is a place here that you can get a whole large pizza for $5.00.  Not bad.  Cheaper than many frozen ones.  However, we are a 35 min. drive from town.

There are many nights when I don’t feel like cooking.  So,  hubby will pick us up 2 of the $5.00 pizzas about once a month.   You might be thinking 2 pizza’s for two people…that’s a lot.  What I do, however, is take two pieces at a time (after completely cool) and wrap in foil and pop in the freezer.  On those night I don’t want to cook or I want a quick lunch.  I pull out a package open the foil and pop on a baking sheet to heat up.

My hubby will pop his in the microwave but I like my crust crunchy so it’s oven all the way.  It’s so much better than the frozen pizza’s from the store and freezing it in 2 piece packages allows us to just fix what we want instead of making a whole pizza. 

This came in handy last night. 

Tuckered Out

 

 

After a long day playing fetch with the boy you can find Shuie here, in the corner of the breakfast nook on the A/C vent catching a few winks.  Keeping up with little boys can be exhausting you know.

Wordless Wednesday

There’s A Mouse In The House

Last night I discovered someone from my hometown had created this great site on Facebook called “You know you’re from Canisteo When…”  It kept me up into the wee hours of the morning remembering with friends.  Such great memories of growing up in a very small town in Western New York State.

I finally went to bed a little after 2:30 in the a.m. While I had been on the computer I had Design Star on.  So, when I got into bed I HAD to turn on the last twenty minutes or so because it’s a crime if you don’t see the “after’s”.

I was lying there all comfy when what do I see… a mouse!  He scurried right past my bed and into the master bath!!  I literally screamed!!  I had to right?  There’s a law that says if a woman sees a mouse she MUST scream.  I’m not sure what the punishment is for not complying but I wasn’t going to take any chances.  I screamed a real good scream if I do say so myself.  It worked too because my hubby, who has a back injury, literally jumped out of bed!  (ok, that part wasn’t so good, thankfully he didn’t hurt himself any more than he already is).   After explaining why I had screamed and getting yelled at he went right into the bathroom to find the culprit. 

Only he couldn’t.

He wasn’t there.

Even though I hadn’t taken my eyes off the door.

He.  Was.  Gone.

Yup.  Not only do we have a mouse in the house but his name is Houdini.  There are absolutely no holes in the bathroom walls.   None.  There is no place he could have went.  But he was not there.

Hubby said while I was panicking I obviously had taken my eyes from the door and he was probably under our bed.   Well, thanks, honey, that is reassuring.

However, being the smart woman I am, I immediately seized upon this wonderful opportunity that Houdini had given me.

“I am definitely getting a cat.   Or two.”

Hubby has been fighting me on having a cat for the last couple years after our last cat disappeared never to be seen again.

Now I NEED a cat.  The house is big.  I NEED two cats.  They can patrol at opposite ends of the house.  Then, I can feel safe.

My husband didn’t say anything to my declaration about “needing” a cat, or two.  He might have resigned himself to the idea…

Thank you Houdini.  But, could you not come in my house again please.  I hear the neighbors have much more refined tastes then us.  We have Velveeta.  They eat brie. 

Technorati Tags: mouse,funny,mice

What NOT To Buy At Save A Lot

Generally, I love the products offered at Save A Lot, a discount food chain found in many states.  Their canned vegetables are better than named brand.  I have found, however, one product to avoid.
My two year old is a picky eater.  I’m happy when I find things he likes to eat.  He LOVES french fries but I don’t like giving him them all the time.  Last week when I shopped at Save A Lot I found these:


They look pretty good, right?  Made from sweet potatoes so they should be a bit healthier and they are one of Save A Lot’s new $1.00 items, so not too expensive.  They are a smaller serving though but what do you expect for a buck.  I did not expect this:


Quite the contradiction from the pretty picture on the box.  I don’t think there is one normal sized fry in the box.  They should be called “bits and pieces”.  Needless to say I will not be purchasing these again. 

Technorati Tags: reviews,food review,product review,save a lot

Our Chicken Finger Recipe

First thing you NEED is this wonderful seasoning I found a few years ago.  I don't even remember where I got it, more than likely Big Lots and never could find it anywhere again.  Was glad when I found I could find it on Amazon.  (it's amazing on baked fish)  I'm sure there is something similar you could use this is just what I use in everything.  It's great on pork chops and grill them.

So, we used boneless, skinless breast.

Cut into the size pieces you want.  We did strips but you could easily do nuggets too.

Soak in buttermilk with about 1 1/2 tablespoons of red hot sauce.  (this adds flavor not a ton of heat.  My little one ate them with no prob).

In a bowl of flour (about four cups) I added about 1/8 cup of the bbq seasoning (I'm guessing, I cook like my gram... never measure)

black pepper (I'm not a huge pepper person so just a few shakes)

Onion powder ( probably 2 tbsp)

Panko Japanese bread crumbs (not regular, need the panko for the extra crunch)

Once your chicken has sat for at least an hour dredge in the flour mix and deep fry.

I actually put each strip in the flour mix and pressed on the mix w/the back of spoon.  These were SOOOO good.  The panko bread crumbs make them extra crunchy.

We made a HUGE amount of strips so you might need to adjust your seasoning depending on your batch.   I just put it in until it smelled good.  I think the onion powder was a big key.

Enjoy and if you make them I'd love for you to come back and let us know what you think.

Speaking of...

My son is saying new things daily.  Sometimes it catches me off guard lol.

I'm going to put a few of the things he has told me in the last week so I don't forget.

I came out of the bedroom one day last week and he was in his high chair.  He pointed to the kitchen and said "get in there and cook".  (he's two and already being a "man")

Daily I now get "i lud you" and it melts my heart and makes my day.

He'll be playing and tell me "mommy hug"  :)

Today his daddy "tooted" to put it nicely... Aiden came running to me and said "he farded ...baaad" and hid his nose in his shirt.

If you burp, sneeze or cough he asks "you aw right?"  you'll tell him "i'm ok" he say "k".   If you ask him if he's alright (after he trips or something) he'll say "I fine".

He is getting so big so fast.

He can now pretty much tell you what he wants to eat.  I say pretty much because most everything is called a cookie.  If he likes it, it's a cookie.  Pretzels, chips, cookies, crackers are all "cookies".  Chocolate milk is "chaulky".  

At night I have started what some might consider a bad habit.  I rock him to sleep.  I love this time of night and when he starts to get tired he say "mommy i wannna wok"  

He likes a few different types of cereal but all are called "searie".

He name most animals in his animal book and tell you the sounds they make.  One cute thing though is chickens are not called chickens.  They are "bawk bawk".   He he wants chicken nuggets he asks for "bawk bawk".  

If we are out and about and he sees the golden arches we immediately hear "fry?"....even if he has just eaten it seems he needs a fry.

I'll admit, my son is a handful.  He is always busy and some days it seems I get him out of one thing and he is into another before I can even think but the joy and smiles he brings sure out weigh the challenges.

Ten Family TV Show's I'd Like To Make A Comeback

This weeks writer's workshop from MamaKat is:
Prompt 1:  A list of 10 old TV shows you’d like to make a comeback.




Shows I miss the most are family shows that we can watch as a family together.  Much like MamKat mentioned in her post. 
Some of my fondest memories growing up were of my grandfather.  He worked out of town and would come home on Thursday nights.  He would take us to the store to buy "pop" and chips and we would go home and all watch the Walton's together.  When he retired we added Monday to our tradition to watch Little House together.  So ingrained in my memory that I even remember the days of the week they were on. 




So, here is my list, in no specific order.


No Ordinary Family


I was excited when I first say this show as it was a fun show we could watch together.  TV exec's don't think much of family shows these days I guess.

The Waltons

(I love that I can now watch re-runs daily on the Hallmark Channel)

Little House on the Prairie

(ditto on what I said above... re-runs daily on Hallmark)

7th Heaven

Land Of The Lost

I remember this from early childhood and loved it.

MacGyver

Mama's Family

Rosanne

Reba

And just for the fun of it:

Wonder Woman

Kids

Yesterday the two kids I babysit, ages 8 and 5 and my son Aiden 2 were all in is tiny room playing.  In his room is a bed and a book case.  There are a few toys in the closet.  I heard tons of laughter and thumps so I popped my head in the door to see what they were doing.  I asked the oldest, Kate, what they were doing. "Oh, we are playing hide and seek."

I laughed.  Seriously.  You have to be imaginative to play hide and seek in a room where you can hide A. In the Closet or B. Under the bed.  

Growing Up

My little man is growing up.  Far too quickly for his momma.  I knew it would happen before he was born, after all,  all of my other children did it.  I blinked and they graduated high school.

Today the crib was taken apart and the twin bed with side rails were put together.  I still haven't gotten him his special bedding.  I haven't decided between trains, Sesame Street, or dinosaurs...he changes his mind hourly.  For now he has the bedding we have on hand.  And his "fee/free" (not quite sure which it is...lol) ... that is what he calls his special blanket.  I don't know why.   I asked him a couple weeks ago why.  He has started talking quite well.  Sentences are coming together so I thought that maybe he could finally answer the question.. "Aiden, why do you call it fee?"   His answer... "because it's fee".    Well that answers that.

The other night I had been cooking.  He was in his high chair watching me in between watching Barney.  I went and used the bathroom.  When I came out he pointed to the kitchen and yelled "momma... get in there and cook".  I had to chuckle as it was a pretty good sentence and such a MAN thing to say. lol

So, tonight I keep going into his room.  Checking on him.  He still looks so tiny in that great big bed.  I keep hoping that things will slow down a bit.  I know they won't.  For now, I'm going to try not to blink.

Save On Shipping @ Nature’s Sunshine

 

Recently I have sent out e-cards and facebook updates to let every one know I am once again selling and using Nature’s Sunshine Products.  I have been exposed to and/or used these since high school as my dear friend’s mom, Anita Fryzel, has sold them  and used for 30+ years.  She is 78 so that must say something for the quality of the products sold.

I want to post this as a tutorial of how to save on shipping.  Upon ordering my first order I mentioned to Dena, Anita’s daughter, that I found it odd that there was no cheaper shipping than 7.50.  UPS and USPS were the same.  She said “we only pay $4 for shipping.”  She proceeded to show me how to save on shipping my next order.

Once you have placed items in your cart @ www.mynsp.com/juliedriver you can click the link below the shipping drop down box that says VIEW OTHER SHIPPING METHODS.

You will then get the option for MAIL INNOVATIONS for only $4.00.  This may take a day or so longer but if you are in no hurry saving $3.50 on shipping is well worth it!

To answer another question:  JOINING NATURE’S SUNSHINE WHY WOULD I WANT TO?  Will be answered in a separate post.

Have a great day!

Technorati Tags: Nature's Sunshine,herbal products,shipping,saving on shipping,nsp,herbal health,healhty living

Sharing a Favorite Blog: Copperswife

 

I have followed this blog for years now.  So many I’ve lost track.  When I first started blogging in 2003 I started blogging at xanga.com.  That is where I found Copperswife aka Cheryl Linebarger.

Just from reading her blog all these years I have learned that she is a very faithful woman and that her family is truly blessed to have her.  She recently moved her blog to it’s own site and I immediately subscribed so her posts will come to my email and I won’t miss a thing. 

Today’s post and many to follow will help teach people how to menu plan and the benefits.  I love menu planning and have “fallen off the wagon” so to speak.  When I was working full time I had a plan made out a whole month in advance.  This was a great help to the whole family as our teens could see what was there and get a head start and if hubby was home before me he could get dinner started.  Now that it’s just me, hubby and our two year old I’ve gotten bad about having my plan in my head and not writing it down.  This leads to failure as my head doesn’t keep information like it used to. 

Needless to say I am looking forward to her series.  Maybe I’ll learn something that will help me get back up on the wagon.

Check out her first post in the series here:  Meal Planning Intro

You can also follow her blog via Facebook HERE so you are sure not to miss a post.  I am following her on Facebook too just in case my email has issues, one can never be too careful when it comes to a favorite blog!

She gives great information on housekeeping, recipes, recommends great books to read.  Head over to her blog and enjoy!  Thanks Cheryl for years of enjoyable, wonderful posts.  Thanks for all the great photographs and for sharing your family and life with everyone.  You truly are an inspiration to many.

P.S.  Her daughters also blog and yes I follow them too.  You’ll find links on Cheryl's site and throughout her posts to great stories from her daughters. My favorite from one daughter are  her posts on their annual Peep Wars.  You HAVE to check those out on her site Peep Wars 2010 Post

Great Deal On Newsweek $5/6months

When you go to the link it gives you an option for 6 months for $5.  Which is .19/issue!

Not sure how long amazon will be running this sale so hurry up. :)

Don't Tell Mom

Don't tell my mom that I occasionally go outside in my nice, clean white socks! (Oh, don't tell my kids either because I used to holler at them for this)

Two Years Old

My adorable little boy is two years old today.  This picture was taken yesterday.  We got a pool for the yard and he had a blast in it.  It is so hard to believe he is two already.  First words, first tooth, first steps are all far behind us.  Sentences are coming together.  If I sneeze, or cough I hear a little voice say "you k? you k?"  And I reassure him that yes, mommy is ok.  If he burps, toots or even hiccups you hear a cute little "cuse me".   It's adorable when he does it after each hiccup.

As you can see in the photo below, from last week, he is a busy little boy.  He definitely  keeps you on your toes, so to speak.  The keyboard on my lap top is missing the F1-F3 keys thanks to him.  He was setting next to me and literally, in like a half a second grabbed a pencil from the table and whooomp...away flew the keys!

He is also a very curious little man.  I am glad of this.  It will make him ask questions.  It will probably make him ask so many questions that I will get sick of hearing "but why".  In the picture below he is checking out the large pine tree in the front yard.  Maybe he gets that from his daddy trimming trees for 30 years.  I love how when he concentrates his little tongue is clasped between his lips.  I remember seeing my grandmother doing this when I was a child and picking on her that she couldn't do anything without her tongue sticking out.  She would have adored Aiden had we been blessed enough to have her with us still.  My husband tells me I do the same thing when I am concentrating... but I will deny it until I see a photo.  

I can see his imagination starting to emerge.  Below he is attempting to ride his moo-cow.  He is fascinated with cows.  This is a good thing because beside our house is a huge field that cows come to a few times a week.  He loves seeing "his cows".   He'll play in the area off the hallway where his toys are kept and you can hear him talking and making car sounds and it's so adorable.

It's hard to believe it was two years ago that this photo was taken.  Having older children, I also know that it will seem like next week and he'll be graduating high school.

It is, however, good to know that as much as he grows and learns and changes... some things don't change...

He still puts his hands above his head to sleep....

Sorry I've Been MIA .... moved and new family member

Wow!  It's been almost three months since I have posted here!  In three months we have packed up the household and moved to an entirely new state.  We are now in Georgia and I love it here.  We have a large five bedroom, 3 bath home on an acre of land in the boonies.  :)   Even though we are in the boonies we have a small grocery/gas station and cafe less than a mile from us in case we NEED them.  Generally I make a once a week trek to Publix for my huge shopping trips.  I have found I can save a ton of money shopping at Publix and I never would have thought that before!

To learn how I am doing this check out my saving blog :  Clipping2Save

Here are some photos of our new home:

And here is our new family member:

MEET  ABBIE