Christmas 2012 Recap

As I'm packing away Christmas this week I thought I'd share some pictures of our Christmas, Enjoy!

Abby turned 10 on Christmas Eve

We stayed up late and played games

It was a Great Christmas!

Merry Christmas and 2013 Book List in the Making

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve last night when we celebrated Abigail's 10th Birthday with both Grandma's here and then this morning opening presents and cooking a great breakfast. After Grandma's  left to go celebrate with other extended family we were able to watch new movies (such as Brave) and take a nap and I was able to finish a great book! Since we had our big Christmas dinner last night we ate up the leftovers tonight and then went for a short drive to see Christmas lights in some close neighborhoods.

Since I was able to read a book in my 4 days off from the Hospital I realized how much I missed reading, yes I haven't MADE time to sit and read in months ever since starting my new job. In 2013 I would like to MAKE time to read more. What was your Fav. books in 2012? I'm starting my list for the New Year.

Have No Words Still...

My Family is Praying tonight...

Here I Am...

 We have rented a nice FL farmhouse that has 5 acres, It suits us just fine and in many ways reminds us of our loved house in OH. When we first saw the house and were thinking of renting it we were very surprised with how much it reminded us of home, now that we have lived here for a few months we have realized that nothing will/can replace our house in OH but we are settling in and little by little we are feeling more at home here than at our other rental last year, We have been here in FL for over a year now.

I have decorated little corners here and there and it's taking me so much longer to get finished because I have gone back to work! Full time! So with this new job I have to find a good balance between work and home, It's easier said than done! We hope to be able to buy again a few years from now, if/when our credit recovers.

Inorder for me to post on a regular basis I have made a schedule for myself. I simply can't post every day but I will try to post as many pics as I can of my newly decorated house!

Lets start with these little snippets....

Our front window, I love to decorate using our book collection.

Close up of a Thanksgiving decoration.

A new candle for our new stove.

Little by little I'm making this house a home!

Wow, What a Break

   Hello there! I'm Sorry my break took way to long, I sure have missed blogging.

I'm busy working full time at my new job in the cafeteria at Nemours Children's Hospital and we have settled into our new Rental. 

I'll be posting pics and sharing with ya'll our decorating adventures as I have been bitten by the decorating bug again.

I also have many books to review for you.

I'll see you shortly!

Stitching With Love

It's not a very good pic, taken with my Iphone but it feels so good to be stitching again after taking the year off.

This took me all day while breaks were taken with the kids, tonight we will resume packing..We have found a small house for rent that gives us more of the Country feel that we have been missing.

More updates to come!

Nemours Children's Hospital

As many of you know we moved to FL a year ago because my Husband got a job with Nemours Children's Hospital. It has been so very exciting to see it grow from a shell to now an almost opened working Hospital. Husband had some wireless work to finish up late last night so I went along for a behind the scenes tour, this is me standing on the roof! The soft opening is in October!

You may read more about Nemours HERE

Pinned It, Made It! Monday~Taco Pie

It was Taco night here the other night but I wanted to change it up a tad so I looked up this Yummy recipe that I found HERE

Now I used what I had on hand and I had to fight everyone to take a pic..lol..as you can see there were no leftovers and since everyone gave it a thumbs up I will be making it next week too!

I'm joining Tammy in her New Monday Party HERE

Daddy's Ham Shack!

Today Abigail and Richard helped Daddy build a Coax Tester!

You can read more about my Husband's New hobby, Ham Radio here...Adventures in Ham Radio

Richard is having so much fun since he earned his Call Sign..the kids are learning and meeting new people from all over, as long and as far  as the air bands allow!

He would like me to take the test and I'm thinking about it! Just think I could be talking to ya'll via Ham  Radio one day!

Goodwill Hunting

I found some great finds for my daughter at our local Goodwill. I call it Goodwill Hunting because everything is sorted by color and not by size so I really have to dig in and search for good finds!

I can never find anything Country/Primitive in the housewares, that's just how FL is I suppose.

I hope your saturday is as calm as ours is, I might even curl up with my book and read!

Influenster Summer Beauty Voxbox 2012

I was sent the Summer Beauty Voxbox for me to review and enjoy. Here is what was inside:

Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Lotion

Tampax and Always Collection

Quaker Soft Baked Bar in Banana Nut Bread

Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Polish

Sally Hansen Nails and Cuticles Hand Creme

Influenster is a great program where you get to try new products and samples and share on your Blog or Youtube, Facebook/Twitter page. You may find out more information here: Influenster

Please enjoy this short Review!

Have you heard of Influenster?

Mother/Daughter Mani's

Mother/Daughter mani's with Zoya's "ZUZA" on a rainy afternoon on the 4th of July!

Still going strong and no chips!! I think I have found my new Fav. nail polish and will def. be ordering more from this company!

Have you tried Zoya polish yet?

Happy July 4th!

Have a Happy and Safe July 4th!!

My 34th Birthday Dinner Table

We have been so busy this Summer with Parks and Crystal's Riding Lessons.

Here we are waiting at the park while Crystal rides.

This week was my Birthday and I turned 34! My MIL came over and cooked a very delish Shrimp dinner and we enjoyed some Sweets!

As a present to me a ordered a couple of items from the Bath&Body Works Sale that is going on right now and I'm waiting on it to be delivered, I will share as soon as it arrives. Hubby let me sleep in and cleaned house for me!

It was a Great Day!

Just a Fun Summer Time Haul

Something fun to share with you while I'm at work today.

Wrapping Up...

We are busy wrapping up the last 2 days of school here.

Crystal has received 2 awards, 

most improved in MATH

most improved in ENGLISH

It was a complete surprise since we knew she was struggling so much and we had many a late night working with her on these subjects.

We are so Proud of her!!

The other 2 kids sadly have to be retained due to low Reading scores, My Husband and I blame it on the FL FCAT tests and am looking for school options for next year. If we can help it they will not be going back to that school next year. It has been a weekly struggle with both their teachers this year.

We are excited for Summer and fresh starts next year!

Saving for a Move

This is how I shop!

Coupon binder front and center!

It takes me longer to shop this way but the savings are very much worth it!

Hopefully in the next month or so I shall have a very good announcement to share with ya'll.

How many of you use coupons?

Comfy Spot

This is my new comfy spot !

I share my comfy chair with Regette, our new-ish kitty. He loves to stare out the window at the birdie who has a nest in the tree right out there. They share a love/hate relationship.

I have filled my bookcase with all of my Nancy Drew books, I have 3 incomplete sets and am always on the lookout to complete at least one. I'm going to re-read them this Summer, it's a tradition!

What Summer Traditions do you have?

I am joining in with these ladies at:

Metamorphosis Monday

MOMumental~ Book Review

One mom's humorous and candid memoir shows would-be supermoms how to create a realistically balanced family life without losing their minds.




~This was a cute book filled with laughable stories that any Mom can relate too. I enjoyed reading this even though my 3 are out of diapers. I have picked up a few good tips here on how to deal with my Tween, which I am glad for!~


Thanks for HandleBar Marketing for sending me this book to read and review, all opinions are my own.

Hello Again Old Friend!

I haven't read a Country Sampler magazine in about a year, very little budget and I thought I would go in a different direction with my decorating since moving to FL but I have found that we miss how cozy and warm our house was when I really enjoyed decorating in Country.

So, here we are back on the decorating wagon!

Country Style!

I'm browsing for fresh,new ideas and searching CraigsList to replace what we didn't bring with us from OH.

I really would like my washboard for my Laundry room, have to pretty up this chore!

While coupon shopping at CVS the other night I spied this gem! I'm loving this NEW magazine and will be saving for a subscription!

Have you seen this one yet?

Simply Beautiful pictures and full of great ideas!

Welcome back my old and new friends!! 

We have alot to catch up on!

Back in the Saddle!

Crystal is Back in the Saddle!

We found such a nice lady that gives horse back riding lessons and even though we have had a horse, it's been over a year since we rode so this is a great way to brush up on horse riding and get our horsey fix in at the same time!

My iphone has decided that it doesn't like to take good pics anymore, I'm looking for a good camera, Any ideas? What do you use?

A Surprise House Guest

So while Hubby was in Radio Shack, We ran into Pet Land where we found a lonely caged cat about 7 months old, he was a Return and the store could not re-sale him, therefore he was FREE!!

As to why he was a Return no one was sure, he has his shots and his Rabies tag already, Why spend so much money on a pet store cat and pay for shots/rabies tag and then Return him?

I was talked into bringing him home.

We named him Regete, french for Reject

He isn't getting along with our dogs as of yet but loves all 3 kids and sleeps next to me on the couch during the day.

The dogs and he have to find common ground soon!

Need You Now- Book Review

Darlene thought moving to a small town would bring their family closer together, but it just might tear them apart.

When big-city life threatens their children's safety, Brad and Darlene Henderson move with their three teenagers from Dallas to the tiny town of Round Top, Texas.

Married life hasn't always been bliss for Brad and Darlene, but their strong faith has carried them through the difficult times. When Darlene takes a job outside the home for the first time in their marriage, the domestic tension rises.

While working with special needs children at her new job, Darlene meets a little boy who steals her heart. His widowed father is paying more attention to her than is probably appropriate. Problem is, she feels like someone is listening for the first time in a long time.

The teens are struggling to adjust to their new, small-town life, especially since it seems all their parents do anymore is fight. And fifteen-year-old Grace is coping in a dangerous and destructive way.

Can Brad and Darlene survive the changes they face within themselves and their marriage . . . and find a way to help their daughter before it's too late?

         ~ This book was fast to read and the plot was easy to follow, it was a good book but one that has been written many times by many other authors. I do like how everything tidied up in the end. I will say that the subject of Cutting and teenagers bothered me as I have 2 daughters and I can't possibly imagine one of them doing this and we not noticing for months.~

If you would like to WIN a copy of this book Please leave a comment below!

This book was sent to me to read and review by HandleBar Marketing.

Influenster Palmolive Fresh Sponge

I have received the Influenster Palmolive Fresh Sponge kit in the mail free for me to try.

My daughter does the dishes for us in the evening and I try to do the morning ones if I have time before work, We both like the smell and love how much it bubbles, I'm not sure how much this will actually keep my sponge smelling nice  and keep it mildew free but time will tell.

Influenster is a great program where you get to try new products and samples and share on your Blog or Youtube, Facebook page.

Thanks for sending me this to try Influenster!!

Simple Secrets to a Happy Life~ Book Review

Is it possible to stay full of life, laughter, love, and the Lord through eight decades in this crazy world? Is that even realistic? Yes! There is hope, and Luci Swindoll is living proof.

With heart and humor, this best-selling author and beloved speaker lays out the truths that can help us all become a little more creative, organized, healthy, and happy. This is not a complex prescription for how to become superwoman. These are simple secrets, the wisdom produced by years of walking with God and living well.

We don’t need more tips for “having it all,” but we could all use insight on “having what matters,” and there is no better guide than Luci Swindoll.

Luci has spent eight decades accumulating the stories, memories, verses, and practical tips that make up Simple Secrets to a Happy Life. Whether traveling the world or building life-long friendships, singing in the opera or working for Mobil Oil, every step has taught her a little more about how to love God, love her neighbor, and love herself.

The result is both personal and universal. Organized into fifty short chapters, her reflections form a simple and profound outline for making the most of the lives God has given us.

We could all use a little more joy in our lives, which means we could all use a little more Luci. Visit her through these snapshots of wisdom. You’ll find yourself drawn back again and again.        

~I loved reading and picking up tidbits from this book. Right now I'm feeling overly stressed during the week with my new  job and then coming home to homework and dinner/chores. Reading this book made me stop and find some joy in the day. The chapters are short and sweet and to the point. I enjoyed reading Mrs. Swindoll's stories about her life and what she has learned through out her years. It's an added bonus that the cover is simply cute too!~

BookSneeze sent me this book to read/review, all opinions are my own.

Illusion- Book Review and Give Away!

Dane and Mandy, a popular magic act for forty years, are tragically separated by a car wreck that claims Mandy’s life—or so everyone thinks. Even as Dane mourns and tries to rebuild his life without her, Mandy, supposedly dead, awakes in the present as the nineteen-year-old she was in 1970. Distraught and disoriented in what to her is the future, she is confined to a mental ward until she discovers a magical ability to pass invisibly through time and space to escape. Alone in a strange world, she uses her mysterious powers to eke out a living, performing magic on the streets and in a quaint coffee shop.

Hoping to discover an exciting new talent, Dane ventures into the coffee shop and is transfixed by the magic he sees, illusions that even he, a seasoned professional, cannot explain. But more than anything, he is emotionally devastated by this teenager who has never met him, doesn’t know him, is certainly not in love with him, but is in every respect identical to the young beauty he first met and married some forty years earlier.

They begin a furtive relationship as mentor and protégée, but even as Dane tries to sort out who she really is and she tries to understand why she is drawn to him, they are watched by secretive interests who not only possess the answers to Mandy’s powers and misplacement in time but also the roguish ability to decide what will become of her.

            ~I finished this book in 3 days, it was that good! I was hesitant to read this since I haven't read anything else  by Frank Peretti but I was hooked by the first chapter. The storyline just keeps growing and getting stranger, it's full of mystery and wonderment...with a touch of science fiction. I really loved the ending and was happily pleased with how everything was explained and left me with no loose ends and wondering about this or that. It was rather long though at 497 pages but the ending was so sweet that I hated to see it end, really!~

I was given 2 books by Handlebar Marketing for my review. 1 to read and on to give away.  Please leave a comment sharing what is on your TBR list for the month of April to be entered. I will pick a winner on Monday!

I'm Hired!!

I'm so Excited to share with you that I have started a Part-Time job working in a small Vets office.

After about 10 years of being a SAHM and with all 3 in school full time it was time to slowly "fly the coup" so to speak during the day.

I'm learning so much and having a great time doing it!

It is harder than I thought to get used to the schedule, work then come home to help with homework and dinner then bed..

Any helpful hints to make it easier/smoother during the evenings?

Zombies Don't Cry

In the sleepy small town of Barracuda Bay, Maddy Swift leads the life of a fairly typical teenager, but while attending a party one night, Maddy is struck by lightning and awakens to realize she has been reanimated and turned into a zombie. While becoming acquainted with her new "lifestyle," Maddy stumbles upon two unexpected undead chaperones, fellow students Dane and Chloe, who begin to teach her the ways of zombie life, including defending the populace from Zerkers—the bad zombies. Together, on prom night, the three teens must ultimately defend Barracuda Bay High from an all-out zombie Armageddon.

Another Kindle Touch book I have finished reading last night, this one was very "Twilight" like. Easy to follow the plot and you don't even have to think very hard to keep track of the events that are happening which is great for some late night chill time escape reading. There is a follow-up book coming out since this is a series but I'm not really sure if I'm going to seek it out although I would not have any problems letting my 13 year old read this, even though I haven't let her read the "Twilight" books nor will I till she's 30.....LOL

On another note we have let NetFlicks go for now as nothing was grabbing our attention or even some of the new movies were not becoming available fast enough for our liking...What to do now?

The Keeper~ Book Review

A family. A farm. A heart. All in need of repair.
Life on Windmill Farm hasn't been the same since Julia Lapp's father has had trouble with his heart. But that doesn't stop Julia from hoping for a bright future. She has planned on marrying Paul Fisher since she was a girl. Now twenty-one, she looks forward to their wedding with giddy anticipation. But when Paul tells her he wants to postpone the wedding--again--she is determined to change his mind. She knows who is to blame for Paul's sudden reluctance to wed: the Bee Man.

Roman Troyer, the Bee Man, travels through the Amish communities of Ohio and Pennsylvania with his hives full of bees, renting them out to farmers in need of pollinators. A mysterious man who relishes his nomadic life, Roman especially enjoys bringing his bees to Stoney Ridge each year. But with Julia seriously at odds with him, Windmill Farm is looking decidedly less appealing.

Can Julia secure the future she's always dreamed of? Or does God have something else in mind?

This is just a fun book that I read with no real review due on it. I really enjoyed this book and give it 5 stars, I will be eagerly awaiting the next one! Such an easy, simple plot to follow and lively characters.

I read this on my Kindle Touch..still haven't found a cover for it though.

Journey to Paraben Free: SIBU Beauty Facewash

My Journey continues on with the Sibu Cleanse and Detox facial bar soap.

SEA BUCKTHORN CLEANSE & DETOX

Awaken your skin and wash away a day of stress and pollutants with pure, simple and effective Sibu Beauty Sea Buckthorn Facial Soap. This facial bar lathers thick and rich to cleanse, detox, moisturize and repair the skin while creating a protective barrier against UV rays and cell damaging free radicals.

• Cleans and conditions skin
• Natural astringent
• Inhibits bacterial growth
• Revitalizes skin cells
• Promotes tissue recovery and healing
• For all skin types
• 1 3.5 ounce bars
• 100% natural

Sea buckthorn is known as nature's most balanced fruit. This "Holy Fruit of the Himalayas" has been cherished by native Tibetans for centuries for its incredible nutritive qualities. Over 120 specific studies on sea buckthorn have shown that this little berry promotes health. From sea buckthorn's rare abundance of some of the most powerful antioxidants to being the only plant in the world known to contain essential fatty acids 3, 6, 7 and 9 - sea buckthorn has earned its title of superfruit.

Detailed Description

Awaken your skin and wash away a day of stress and pollutants with pure, simple and effective Sibu Beauty sea buckthorn facial soap. Lathers thick and rich to cleanse, moisturize, repair and detoxify the skin, while creating a protective barrier against UV rays and cell damaging free radicals. It is paraben-free and cruelty-free, and contains NO dairy, wheat, gluten, sodium, yeast or preservatives.

Ingredients

Coconut oil, palm oil, safflower oil, glycerin, purified water, oatmeal, sodium hydroxide, sea buckthorn puree, sorbitol, sorbitan oleate, fragrance orange/lemon, soybean protein, sea buckthorn leaves, titanium dioxide.

Paraben-FREE and Cruelty-FREE. No dairy, wheat, gluten, sodium, yeast or preservatives. Our sea buckthorn is sourced through fair trade agreements with local harvesters in Tibet.

I truly love how this foams up and then rinses away with no residue to clog my pores. I would even enjoy a candle in this scent if they would put one out..lol..It reminds me of orange groves!

If you can find this and want to try an Organic, Paraben-Free product then this should be the one you try! I'm not being paid to say this, just sharing my lucky find!

Yankee Candle! The First in About 3 Years!

Today was a Wonderful day! The best that we have had in quite some time. We drove to Mount Dora and let the kids play on the huge playground there and then walked to the lake's edge and even saw a rare sighting of a Bold Eagle flying right over our heads, swirling in the high winds.

Then we drove to grab some lunch at the Sanford Mall, it was good but not as great as we remembered it. 

As a total surprise to me Husband let me pick out my first Yankee Candle in about 3 years! After about 1/2 hour of all 5 of us sniffing the jars we picked "Sweet Strawberries". I lite it as soon as we arrived home, it gives off a wonderful scent throw that I even smelled upstairs while folding laundry, A plus in my book since this house is huge! I gave it a good time to form a nice wax pool so hopefully it will burn evenly from now on.

I haven't bought a Yankee Candle in forever so I was surprised at how many more scents there are on the shelves now but was not happy that the price had gone up so much. We love that they are made in the USA though!

What is your favorite Yankee Candle scent? Do you change your scents month to month or by seasons?

Beauty for Ashes~ Book Review

So let's start of the first post of the Month with a Book review, I haven't done one in such a long time..Busy and I'm loving my new Kindle Touch but when I saw this one on BookSneeze I had to read it..nothing like an actual book smell again!

She’s a beautiful young widow. He’s a Southern gentleman with a thirst for adventure. Both need a place to call home.

After losing her husband in the Civil War, Carrie Daly is scared she will never have the family she longs for. Eligible bachelors are scarce in Hickory Ridge, Tennessee, but Carrie Daly has found love. Not the weak-in-the-knees kind, but something practical. Still, she isn't quite ready to set a wedding date with Nate Chastain.

Griff Rutledge is a former member of Charleston society, but has been estranged from his family for years. He’s determined to remain unattached, never settling in one place for too long. But when asked to train a Thoroughbred for an upcoming race in Hickory Ridge, he decides to stay awhile.

Despite objections from the townsfolk, and her fear that true happiness has eluded her, Carrie is drawn to Griff's kindness and charm. It will take a leap of faith for them to open their hearts and claim God's promise to trade beauty for ashes.

   I really enjoyed getting lost in the setting of this book, It was predictable in my opinion but easy to follow the storyline and I started to feel sorry for Carrie although at times I wanted to tell her to "Suck it Up" and deal with what life has thrown at her and look for the small Blessings in life...but that's just me. The closing was cleanly added up and ended sweetly, I liked it!

This book was given to me to read and review by BookSneeze, all opinions are my own.

Somebody is on a Shopping Spree and it's NOT ME!!

Someone stole our account info and is on a shopping spree in France!

It's not Me!!

UUGGHHHH!!!

Horrible End to the Weekend...

It was a 3 day weekend here for us as the kids had today off so yesterday we went to my Sister's Birthday party for her little kids, which was a great get together and so fun UNTIL... We pulled up to our subdivision filled with cops, swat teams and a hovering helicopter shining it's spotlight on our house and all over the sidewalks/backyards...It was about the time we heard gunshots that we all ran upstairs to hide in our bedrooms....Finally about 1 am we heard on T.V. that the man that lives down a couple of houses from us shot his family members, Thank God his 2 son's ran out of the house and are fine. Crystal rides the bus with the 2 boys and is very shaken still...I hope that the school has councelors available for these kids, this neighborhood is so close with each other. Today many of us Moms were standing in the small park crying on each other's shoulders..

You never know what is really happening behind other's doors...

Hug your family tighter tonight!

Please pray for these 2 young boys that now have no Mother or Grandparents, Father is in Hospital and then on his way to jail.

I usually do not post such depressing posts but this one hit so close to home and upset us greatly so please excuse me.

Hug your family tighter tonight!

My Coupon Journey

I have really been cutting, organizing and saving so much money with my coupon binder this year so far! It's a very simple boring binder but CVS, Walgreens, Publix fear me when I enter holding my binder with my coupon match-ups..lol..

Really though I'm doing well saving on Health and Beauty aides, it's food that sometimes I feel like I just am not saving no matter how many coupons I use. Do You feel that too?

Here is my shopping schedule with coupons:

CVS- Health and Beauty aides (toothpaste, ect)
Walgreens- Same as CVS
Publix- B1G1 Free and Silk
Aldi- Everything else (meat, milk, ect.)

Here is a short video where I share with you my Coupon clipping routine, I even watch Youtube!

Please share with me how you save at the grocery store.

Courageous: The Movie

Four men, one calling: To serve and protect. As law enforcement officers, Adam Mitchell, Nathan Hayes, David Thomson, and Shane Fuller are confident and focused. Yet at the end of the day, they face a challenge that none of them are truly prepared to tackle: fatherhood.

While they consistently give their best on the job, good enough seems to be all they can muster as dads. But they're quickly discovering that their standard is missing the mark.

When tragedy hits home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, their faith, and their fathering. Can a newfound urgency help these dads draw closer to God ... and to their children?

Filled with action-packed police drama, COURAGEOUS is the fourth film from Sherwood Pictures, the moviemaking ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. Viewers will once again find themselves laughing, crying, and cheering as they are challenged and inspired by everyday heroes who long to be the kinds of dads that make a lifelong impact on their children.

Protecting the streets is second nature to these men. Raising their children in a God-honoring way? That's courageous.

My Husband and I watched this the other night, We haven't been able to buy it yet but it sure is on the list of things to buy in the near future, he was able to borrow it form a co-worker . I had heard and seen the episode where "The Duggar's" had a small role in this film during a funeral scene so I was aware that a child had passed in the movie and I wasn't sure if we would like watching this because of how sensitive we are but even though it still had both of us in tears it was nicely done and did not focus on the child as much as other movies have done/do. In our opinion this is one of their strongest more emotional movies yet! We both warn you to have a box of tissues next to you while watching this movie. We have all 3 of the Sherwood movies, Flywheel, Facing The Giants and FireProof and now very soon this one. I was glad to see that they had added a few comedy scenes to lighten the movie. I'm not sure if I will let the kids watch this one, maybe our 13 year old but not the 2 youngest. 

Have you seen it yet and what are your thoughts?