Friday, October 31, 2008

Bookworm Friday



According to Barnett, the Green Editor for KNTV in San Francisco, human beings are saturating their bodies, their children's bodies and their homes with noxious waste, pathogens and carcinogens. Barnett recounts having her blood and urine tested to illustrate how toxins have deeply embedded themselves—her results show positive for bisphenonol A (linked to birth defects and reproductive problems) and perchlorate (an active ingredient in rocket fuel found in contaminated food). The book is divided into seven clean-it-up chapters full of solid information and helpful tips aimed at greening different areas of your life, such as how to best filter household water. Barnett's well-written environmental call-to-arms is passionate and authoritative; her findings correlating childhood illnesses with ordinary—and highly toxic—cleaning supplies is alarming. However, readers will likely find Barnett's claims slightly suspect for the fact that her sensible advice is compromised by her relentless endorsement of Shaklee products (her husband happens to be the Shaklee CEO).

I saw this book at the store and picked it up, We are attempting to go "Green" here on the mini farm..I did pick up some good ideas from this book but I was disappointed by her attempts of pushing her Husband's products at me. Who knows... the products that she is pushing may really work but you can only order the products on-line and not buy them in stores.

Have you read any great "Green" books? Have you tried any "Green" Products that you like?

Thursday, October 30, 2008

A New Collection~Thrift Finds and Shoe Love





I have started a new collection of Blue Splatterware coffee mugs..I have this pot rack above my kitchen island..I haven't decided what to do with it yet but I think that this is a cute start..14 rings on there and 2 mugs down!! I found the second mug at Goodwill yesterday for 79 cents, makes me happy..lol..

While at Goodwill my mom and I found the kids some great clothes, some still with tags on them..at good prices too! These are jeans for all 3 kids ready for the wash.

Now I'm not a shoe gal, Boots for the barn and sneakers but I found these at this upscale consignment store that we peeked into and I'm in LOVE!! They are Eastland and you just slip your foot inside and very soft and cushiony!! I'm thinking an addition of great thick fun socks, I want Blue...lol..

Any ideas on where to find knitted socks in a size 9?

I had so much fun yesterday but sadly didn't find anything that jumped out at me for my library/comp. room.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Whatcha Working On Wed.






When we bought the house one of the things we feel in love with was the built in bookcase, It is such a small room so I also have my computer in here. It is untouched..as in no decorating as begun is here YET!! It is BLAH..so today I'm making it my mission to make it pretty! I'm organizing the books, the majority of them are my DH's but look on top..my prized book collection..NANCY DREWS!! I have the original series from 1-54..I'm always on the hunt for the rest of the series in the original yellow binding..these were my mom's and she passed them on to me..then my Aunt mailed me her series..so I have 2 incomplete series 1-50somthing...I re-read these every summer..We think that the ugly green wall stuff is original to the house to..wonder is I could paint over it? Anywhos...I'm looking for ideas for this small space..I know ya'll have some...share..lol..

I had mail love yesterday..VocalPoint sent me 4 StarKist coupons to share..$1.00 off a StarKist Tuna Pouch. If you'd like one please mail me your addy and I'll get this mailed off to ya.

I also saved $20.00 on my grocery shopping trip with my coupons..WOW..I'm now trying to see if I can beat that..lol..

Have a Great Wed. I'm running to Goodwill and some Thrift to see what I can do for this room!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Horse'in Around~Winter Prep






Yesterday our neighbor came over with a surprise, see that cute light that is personalized with a brown horse and black dog? He made it for us since DH wouldn't take any money for helping out with a computer problem. I ADORE it, it lights up at night and has the softest glow! We are blessed to have such kind neighbors, they called many times when the heater almost caught on fire to see if they could help out.

This is what we have been working on these past 2 weekends, extending the horse fence up to the barn so that this winter we don't have to walk down that steep hill. You can see the white electrical wire going down the hill, we are hoping that it stops HOSS from jumping the small fence. We have to finish a small section here by the barn door and move/re-install the gate, this is where I'll be this weekend..lol..at least this winter we are prepared and hopefully able to deal with letting HOSS out and the never ending mud.

It's very cold here today and spitting freezing rain, HOSS and Pipen are snug inside the barn and the kids are snug on the couch watching "Dragon Tales"..It's a gross day and It's making me sleepy!

Monday, October 27, 2008

A Broken Toe Weekend and I Won




So last Friday Crystal was home cuse of a stomach bug, in fact we were all home and lounging around in our PJ's all day. Around dinner time she went into the laundry room to throw something away, she slipped and jammed her toes into the door jamb and the corner of the wall..she got up and her toe was all twisted around and she said she couldn't feel it, I almost fainted..lol..ran to get DH who was sleeping and he thought it was just out of joint...After a run to the E.R. and an X-Ray, She BROKE her toe! She has to use a special shoe called a boot and has to go to a bone specialist in 3 weeks to make sure that it has mended together properly. She has to stay off of it as much as possible, we are trying school today but I'm on stand-by if she is in to much pain she may come home. She was bored all weekend laying in bed watching Disney...She wanted to be outside with us. We had to work on the fence for HOSS, more winter preperation!

I have WON the coupons for Dog Treats that I posted about a couple of weeks ago. My dogs will LOVE these!! THANK YOU!!

Any ideas on how to get smoke smell out of a dresser? We have noticed a heavy cigerette smoke smell when we open Abigails dresser and now her clothes have a faint smell to them. We do not smoke and this is bothering her.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Bookworm Friday



I have finished this book this afternoon while the kids took a nap..OMGOSH..It had me crying!! It's a book about forgiveness and Family...It's a MUST READ!! Please read it for yourself and have a box of tissue's handy!

Abigail's Painted Dresser and a New Find





Here is Abigail's painted dresser, We sanded and scrubbed this dresser that we got for FREE from Freecycle...I LOVE Freecycle!! We only had about 5 drawer pulls so we painted those up her fav. color Purple..We still need to grab some more.. She is so happy! The color is Meijers Antique White.

We found her desk at a garage sale for $10.00...This piece is still waiting to be painted and we are going to match the nobs to the dresser.

The matching lamps my MIL bought..They fit better in Abigail's room then my Buffett in the kitchen.

I hope that everyone enjoys their Weekend. We have plans to finish the fence up to the barn. Please hold the rain off for us..lol..

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Whatcha Working On Wed.




Morning All, Blogger is giving me fits this morning, I had some more pics to share but I can't upload them for some reason.

I have joined a Coupon Club here in my town and have received 3 envelopes packed with good coupons and most of them I use, I have went thru the envelopes and am ready to pass these on to the next person now but since we are slow starting up, there is no one to ship these too, only the 2 of us so far.

We have finished painting Abigails dresser and it's now in her room, did take a pic and will share later..It is white with purple knobs, We need to run out to Wal-Mart later and grab about 4 more and paint them but for now she can at least open her dresser. Her desk which we bought at a garage sale is also on the list to get painted to match her dresser..

Remember I said we ALMOST had a fire here Sunday morning and the whole house was covered in heavy smoke? Well, the heating guys came out to look at it, the same ones that put in our new A/C last summer. They openly admitted to DH that something was wired wrong and something on our new A/C is fried too...We are beyond upset...They came out on Monday, told DH that they were coming back out on Tues. and they didn't show or call!! DH took today off again to call them and talk to the manager...We are using 2 space heaters in the house and it was so COLD last night!

Here is a question, because of the smoke..my fabric stinks...I had 2 orders to send off and now the pillows stink..What do I do? Is there a way to remove the smell or e-mail the ladies and tell them that I have to re-do their order? I'm so upset about this,, It's a heavy smoke/chemical smell.

I'll try to re-post pics later.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

My new Siggy!!

I'm playing around with my siggy! How Pretty!







Another Give-Away!

Dani over at http://danisaves.blogspot.com/2008/10/coupon-bag-giveaway.html is giving away this Fab. Coupon Holder! She has a Etsy store that you have to check out, http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6312189....My Fav. is the Pink Posh Coupon Bag.

Monday, October 20, 2008

An Award..Little Late

I have received an award from Terry at http://cidermooncottage.blogspot.com/ Sorry I grabbed it late!

Thanks, It has made my day..I love to decorate with what I have..This year looks so nice in my house!

I'm supposed to pass this on to 6 bloggy friends....But since I'm late grabbing it I think most of you have this already so if you don't please consider yourself tagged by me! Enjoy!

My Thrifty Weekend Find

Saturday morning while on the way to grab feed for HOSS I stopped at a new thrift store, wasn't a lot that caught my eye but then I spotted this gem hiding in the back of a bookshelf. It has some words printed on the side there but it's so faded...I'm looking for ideas on what to fill it with...What ideas have you?

UPDATE: So last night didn't go very smoothly..the kids tossed and turned and Abigail moaned in her sleep...We borrowed space heaters from DH's mom that warmed up the hallway and bedrooms. I hope that tonight is better.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Please check your Furnaces First!

We have experienced the most scariest morning! This morning at 6:59 our smoke detectors went off..I got up thinking that the battery had died and opened our bedroom door to a house full of acrid electrical smoke, smoke so thick you could cut it with a knife! I grabbed the kids and loaded them up into our truck and went back to the door and the dogs came running to me, got them loaded into DH's car..confused as there was no flames anywhere..Meanwhile DH was on the phone with 911....the fire dept arrived and went into the house, I stayed outside in the truck with the kids. The fire dept. was here for about an 1 hour searching..still smoke but no flames...

It turned out that when we had our A/C installed the people did not know what they were doing and wired the A/C to the furnace all wrong and the furnace blower was not kicking on so we have a melted mess and no heat! If it had not been for the smoke detector going off..We would have had a major fire and possibly more!

I have opened all the windows even though it's only 60 degrees today and have sprayed Frebreeze everywhere!! The smell will not dissapear!

We are going out to eat because I have a huge headache and we have plans of calling around tomorrow to see what can be done if anything..Might have to contact a lawyer about that A/C Company doing such a poor job!

We are all okay just very shook up, We will see if the kids can sleep tonight.

Friday, October 17, 2008

Bookworm Friday

In the wake of his bestselling Christmas Jars comes a sweetly crafted story from Wright, a Virginia businessman. Jack and Laurel Cooper are two hardworking, loving Christian pillars of the community who die in each other's arms one night in the bed-and-breakfast that they own and operate. The event calls their three grown children home for the funeral, including their youngest son, a fugitive from the law who must face an outstanding warrant for his arrest and confront his one true love, now engaged to another man. As events unfold around the funeral, the three children discover a treasure trove of family history in the form of Wednesday letters-notes that Jack wrote to his wife every single week of their married lives. As they read, the children brush across the fabric of a devoted marriage that survived a devastating event kept secret all these years. It's a lovely story: heartening, wholesome, humorous, suspenseful and redemptive. It resonates with the true meaning of family and the life-healing power of forgiveness all wrapped up in a satisfying ending.

I just started this book last night, wrapped up in a quilt with my sleepy-time tea..It grabbed my attention on the first couple of pages and I was reluctant to put it down. I'll have to come back and add my Booknotes after I have finished this. If you have already read it, was it as well written as the reviews say?

Give-Away at Momstart~Do you have Dogs?

Momstart at http://www.momstart.com/2008/10/dogs-50-value-coupon-giveaway.html is giving away coupons for FREE dog treats...Go over and say HI..tell her Heather sent ya!

Thursday, October 16, 2008

I'm Honored.... Grandma's Sewing Baskets



Lookie What I have! I have been honored with DH's Grandma's sewing baskets! She passed away some time ago, the family has sold the house and most of the contents but it was decided that I would have the sewing baskets. I feel very honored that they would pass these on to me, I didn't know DH's step-moms Mother very well. Inside is some great goodies, ric-rac and lace and buttons galore! I'm looking thru everything like a kid in the candy store..lol..

Thank You All for the kind word and well wishes, today I'm feeling a little better and am on the mend.

I have a great book to share with you all tomorrow for my BookWorm Friday so come back :)

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

It's DEF. Cold Season!!

I'm sorry I've been MIA...I have a cold that's kicking my butt...How can I keep up with 3 kids, farm animals and a DH while sneezing my head off...not very well!!

I'm slow today so I'll post more later tonight.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

It's Not Normal!!




I was watching "The Starter Wife" last night after the kids went to bed, had wheeler (cat) curled up in my lap and Cocoa (dog) laying at my feet..I walked into the kitchen to grab something and this is what I found when I came back!! Cocoa knows not to get on the couch..I snapped the pic and told her down..she gave me those poor puppy eyes...never mind that we have a huge dog bed for her behind the couch..lol..Wheeler was actually purring too..How funny!


I won a Blog give-away and I got these cute wood blocks in my mail on Thursday! Now they sit on my counter next to A's pumpkin that she got from a school field trip! Thank You so much!

I stayed up way to late last night, DH is in Michigan till Sunday evening visiting his mom and grabbing books for my future bookstore. Very easy weekend, the kids and I will go the the park and just hang outside.

Enjoy your Saturday!

Friday, October 10, 2008

~Bookworm Friday~

In her new novel, Kring (The Book of Bright Ideas) crafts a beautiful, witty story that rings with heartbreak, hope and laughter. Lucy McGowan is a 12-year-old genius with a photographic memory, an even more brilliant brother, Milo (IQ: 180), and a single mother, Tess, living in Chicago. What Lucy has that her brother doesn't is curiosity and people smarts, a quality that propels her to unearth the hidden relationships and buried secrets of her family. An imaginative and headstrong girl, Lucy finds herself on a grim family visit to her sickly, estranged grandfather in Timber Falls, Wis. Witnessing her mom's unshakable hatred for her dying father, Lucy begins to investigate her family's past; her love for the sick old patriarch she knows is challenged repeatedly by what she finds out about the angry, abusive man he used to be. Kring's brilliance lies in her powerful reversals and revelations, taking readers and characters on a dramatic, emotional roller coaster.

As you know I get the magazine ALL YOU, they have started a book club with this being the first book. I usually like to read the fast reading, no plot, fun books...I'm glad that I didn't over look this book, I like how it's written by the 12 year old's point of view. Last night I had a hard time putting it down, You have to keep reading to see what happens next! This book makes you stop and think about you parents before they were your parents...I also stopped and thought about what my kids will think if they get ahold of one of my old diaries..lol.. I'm more that half-way done and by tonight I should be finished. I'm not sure how it will end but it can only get better for Lucy!

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Mommy Style and Hair

Have you ever woken up and looked into your closet and cried? Are you happy with your hairstyle? My day to day wear is Jeans and a T-shirt..today I wanted something more so I put on a White Button down with my Jeans, added a pretty blue necklace that my Sister made me for my birthday. It's not much but around here with 3 kids running around and mucking stalls..lol..I'm at a loss!

I've been thinking about my hair today too, it's very long and straight and I've never colored or had it permed...rather boring really...I'm thinking about getting it cut and donating it, I've heard of ppl doing this for Cancer patients and Wigs. How long does it need to be? I'm not sure but probably longer than mine..I'm going to call around today and see if I can get any info.

So What is your Mommy style? What do you throw on every day? Have any "Glam" it up tips?

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Whatcha Working On Wed.


I Love Freecycle! We needed a dresser for A's room but the ones that I really wanted were so pricey, so after being offered an old dresser from a nice Freecycler, I ran with the truck and grabbed it..it's in VERY USED shape and I was sad at the state of this dresser, not what I had in mind for A's room but after staring at it..DH says..I can work with this!! So out comes the sander and a trip to Wal-Mart for White spray paint! After sanding it down with the help of A.. DH began to spray paint..only to find that the paint was too thin and not covering the dresser like it should..so today I need to go back and get some plain white paint and have a painting party. A is really excited, now she doesn't have to share a dresser with Sissy! I'm looking for some adorable drawer pulls in the shabby chic look-alike. A is really the princess in the family!

We are working in the barn today, Since the horses have been out to pasture the cobwebs have taken over and little things have moved in..It's a rainy cloudy day and now muddy..We have alot of work ahead of us to get ready for winter!





Yesterday I received my prize that I won awhile back...Sadly the bowl broke in shipment. I adore that Americana plate and the candles smell so nice.. Thanks so Much !

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

You Too Can Have FREEBIES!

Some of you have asked how I'm getting samples and Freebies in the mail...Even magazines! Lately I'm trying to save money and I have started to clip those coupons and USE them! Most of the time with samples in the mail they have a high money saving coupon included. I cut out coupons from the magazines I receive and then donate the used magazines to my local Hospital. Here are some sites to get you started. Enjoy!

http://freebies4mom.blogspot.com/

http://thenestegg08.blogspot.com/

There are even more great sites out there, just look at The Nest Egg's bookmarked sites.

Do you have a Fav. money saving site that you want to share? I'd love to take a peek :)

Monday, October 6, 2008

Monday Catch-Up




Here are the Country Sampler Magazines for those that have asked, I tried to get a good pick of the small tear on the November 2006 issue. Please make an offer if your still interested!



Here is my mailbox Freebies for last week, lotsa samples and coupons...Love getting free magazines in the mail! Have you received any good Freebies lately?

WOW, so this week the kids have off for the Fair (all week)..I'm going to use this time to break out an oldie but goodie...SCRABBLE! Sunday night was the first time we have played with my sister and Crystal..It has been ages since I played and we had a blast!! Do you have any Fav. family games? Please share!

Friday, October 3, 2008

Bookworm Friday

Kelly Rochard is determined to have one last adventure before settling down to married life!

Still, being mugged at the Louvre is not what she had in mind for her long-awaited trip to Paris. Until Will Maguire comes to her aid, and she finds herself completely distracted by the handsome stranger in the Notre Dame sweatshirt.

Kelly can't seem to resist the world's most romantic city or Will, who is determined to show her all its treasures, from the top of the Eiffel Tower to strolls along the Seine.

But will their love last when they're back in plain old South Bend, Indiana, or will they end up blaming their breathless fling on the city of love?


So far it's a good fast read, sometimes I only have enough time to read one chapter a night but the story line is simple so you can put it down and pick back up easily. I like how this one is written because I can really picture the scenes and forget about my surroundings. Kate is a very well written character, I can see myself in her sometimes..LOL..

* SO with the Winter months ahead of us, Let's stock up on those books and magazines and share our finds with one another! Every Friday I'll post a new book that's sitting on my nightstand and my new pick-ups..I'm also including those fav. magazines! Please join in and maybe we will find that one book or magazine that we might have overlooked at the store/Library!

*I'm currently trying to figure out the Mister Linky thingie..Please leave a comment if you are joining in!

Thursday, October 2, 2008

The Enonomy Takes Another One

Today while searching for Something for lunch that could feed our crowd here (DH working from home and my Sister visiting) We decided on pizza, since we live so far out in the country there is only one local pizza shop that delivers and today we found out that after 3 years they have closed their doors..We are saddened by this because we had gotten to know the owners well and they fixed my DH's pizza just right (He can't have cheese). I hope that in the future they decide to re-open.

Do ya'll have pizza recipes to share?

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Whatcha Working On Wed.

I'm still working on this for Kimberly, almost done with the leaves, So sorry it's taken me so long..Helping my Sis out with her new little one is taking up most of my days recently.

I've also been thinking about the economy and how it will effect my Family. Watching the news last night was very scary and had me sitting and thinking about ways to save money while still eating healthy and being able to do some extra shopping, Christmas is around the corner!
Are you changing your spending habits/ways of life due to recent economy? I'd LOVE to hear your thoughts/ideas on this!

I've also put thought into my Etsy shop..When I first opened it I was so very excited and loved to stitch the day away but with the economy and tightening the purse strings I'm sad to say that I have to close my shop for now. I'm offering FREE SHIPPING for today and tomorrow..It saddens me to see my work sitting in a box and not being enjoyed. I'm still Stitching away but will offer my pillows on here.

On a lighter note...My sewing room is achanging and big plans are in the works...Here's a hint.. the color YELLOW !! Will post pics in a few weeks...I'm so excited!

Enjoy your Wed.