Hide and Seek Thru a 3 Year Olds Eyes

Last night as I was rushing around the house trying to get baths finished for 5 little boys....two of them decided to hide from me.  I had already looked all over the living room and behind the couches but no Brennon and C.  Almost instantly I hear the giggle of Brennon coming from down the hall.  I headed down the hall and as I instantly entered the room I spied C under his desk.  It was very quiet until Brennon realized I was in the room.  C told him to stay still in his hiding place.  I took a look at the left side of the bed and there on the floor beside the bed was Brennon.  Brennon believed that he was hiding under the bed as C had told him too.   It was quite funny to see them doing this together.  So I asked C why they were hiding....he said:  I told Brennon lets hide so "we" don't have to do our "homework".  I didn't have the heart to tell him that Brennon would have no homework because he was not in school.  By the way, between Jesse and I we got all the boys bathed, homework finished and in bed by 8:30 p.m.  Time sure flies when you are having fun!!!

Too much...Just a little

Busy with a move this past month

So much stuff to deal with

I have been totally amazed how much "stuff" was in our one bed room apartment in Little Rock

I have been even more amazed at how I was going to get all this "stuff" into our one bed room apartment in Monroe.

So I begin but seemed to only be bogging me down

When I would start to pull things out of a box all of the memories would come with it

Such was the case of the small plastic box filled with embroidery pieces that belonged to my Grandma

She was one of two who taught me how to embroidery

I remember her looking at some of my pieces and telling me I needed to be neater underneath with my tying off.....I thought I knew more but as I grew older I realized who was the smartest between us.

Grandma gave me these non-finished pieces way before she had to give up housekeeping.  Most have what I call "old-age" stains on them somewhere

Once again I couldn't garage sell them or throw them away

So that box is in my new craft closet.

I have been able to throw away scraps.  I have given fabric that belonged to me or my mom to my daughter-in-law so that she could possibly use them.  I still think that with all the fabric that mom left behind that all of her girls and their girls could sew with it for at least another 50 years.

So this has been my dilemma of too much....too little

as I touched each piece trying to make too much into just a little

Trying to make it easier when in 50 years I pass over into glory land

 my children will only have "just a little" to go thru and ponder the memories!

Couponing in July

My first stop was Target.  I had just a few items to look for with my coupons.  So here is my savings:  Total was $10.90 and my savings with coupons was $4.  The pens were free.  The clippers cost me 59 cents.  The Glade candles were on clearnace for $2.54 each.  I had two coupons for a $1 each.    Whoop Whoop!!!

 My next stop was Wal-Mart.  I would have had much more but my cashier seemed to think that half of my coupons would not scan.  So after a long process I walked out with a savings of 26.85!  Sweet!  My total bought before coupons was $114.93  after the coupons total due was $88.09.

 The next day we decided to try another WalMart.  I wanted to see if my printed coupons would really work at a WalMart.  So I only shopped for coupon items including diapers for our little one here at the house.  My total that I bought was $84.98.  My coupon savings was $28.50.  The "neat" items that I bought for just a few cents were the:  five pills of Zoloft ---27 cents, finger nail clippers---42 cents, band-aids---46 cents and dental floss was FREE!!!  That my friends was a awesome time to shop with coupons.  I did go and buy  the book:  Pick Another Checkout Lance, honey by the The krazy coupon ladies Joanie Demer and Heather Wheeler,    I hope to have more info the next time I go couponing!!  Goodness ...I had a fantastic savings of $59.35 for the weekend!

Don't Mess with My Rick Rack!

While on vacation this week we ventured over to Fancy Gap, VA.  I had time to see only one of the buildings housing Fancy Gap Pottery and Fabric.  The building I was able to see had all kinds of cotton fabric for only $3.99 a yard.  The two huge bins of buttons were only 2 cents a piece.  They had hoops, which I am still trying to figure out what I can do with them if I buy them, were a bag full for $1.  I found a couple of cool things but the coolest was what is above in the picture.    Rick Rack of all sorts of colors...I fell in love with all the colors. I can't wait til I get home to make something with my rick rack.  If your ever up that way check it out.  More details later on the rest of the buildings!

Chhheeesssseee!!!!

This little boy brings so much joy in my life....to hear my name...Mamie!  I always thought that my three children were the joy of my days but being a Mamie is the best thing ever.  The neatest thing is he is getting older and he knows us when he sees us.  We opened the door to his house late Friday night and he said Mamie ....Pappy  What joy is that!  God has blessed us with him in our lives.  I miss him so much being a state away.  I keep telling myself that God knows best but God couldn't we be just closer to him and all the kids?  Until that time I will be super excited when I sling that door open or bring up the skype to hear our little boy saying:  Hey, Mamie!  By the way, that 8 + hour drive was worth every penny of it~

A visit to Wye Mountain

This afternoon we took a ride to Wye Mountain.   Wye Mountain is famous for their daffodil festival that is located on the Methodist Church grounds.  They have this every year for two weekends when the daffodils come into bloom.  The website is:  Daffodi Festival   The drive out from Little Rock is like 31 miles.   A very beautiful ride for a Sunday afternoon.

If you live nearby you have one more weekend to enjoy the artwork of God.  It was totally an amazing moment to top the hill and see these flowers all over.  Hope you enjoy them!!

A visit from our little monkey.....

This past weekend we got a visit from our grandson....oh yeah and our son, his daddy who had to drive him all the way to see Mammie and Pappy.  He has grown up so much.  He is now 2 1/2 and we could tell how much Skype has helped him to know us more.  Our first adventure was when he went out of our apartment into the Promise House.....o wait! The pantry is located between us and the living area......take a quick right and these pictures tell the story.

 

Cereal!!!

 

 

 

     YES! Mammie let me go back time and time again

~Without daddy knowing~

 

          We didn't just outsmart Mammie but I got at Pappy too.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Thank you John for bringing him to see us!

So we are.......

Counting the days

til his boots hit the ground...

American soil that is!

I love Fall

I love fall. 

I love the smell of wood burning as I pass down the road.

I love a good bonfire with burnt marshmallows.

I love the colors that appear from no where with all the foliage.

 This year I really thought that I would be missing all the colors on the trees.

We have had a lack of rain which caused a lot of the trees to turn brown.

But all of a sudden out of no where God surprised me with all the wonder it all.

Here are just a few pictures of what I enjoyed this fall.

I hope that you enjoy them too!

Call me....Dr. Susan

Yes, it is true
I did deliver a baby at Promise House.

Everyone ask: "O, so you would do it again since you have experience?"
I reply:  "You must be crazy!" 

Our baby did come in less than 7 minutes
But our ambulance made it faster than that!!

Baby and Momma are doing just great!
Although the Promise House midwife is still in shock!

I think that if I ever decided to return to school
that Midwifery classes would be the one I would choose!

Baby weighed in at 7 1/2 pounds
He was 20 1/2 inches long with a head full of black curly hair.

He is beautiful
But then I would think so!

I spare all the details
but believe me it was all real!

This baby will always be special
Since I am the one who caught him and brought him into this world

For those of you that know me well
I did not pass out or panick

cause as the old saying goes:
If God can bring me to it.
He will bring me through it!
Yes, I truly believe it now!

Susan

My First Blog Award

CCL from Crazy Cat Lady Library has given me an award!

This is my very FIRST one!  How exciting!

In accepting this award, the criteria are to:
1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you this award. ~done
2. Share 5 things about yourself. ~done
3. Pass this along to 5 bloggers you have recently discovered and think are fantastic. ~done
4. Contact those 5 bloggers and let them know you gave them an award. ~done

And so without further ado, here are 5 random things about me :

1.  I love to read but time is not a friend of mine.
2.  I collect coffee cups from everywhere but I really don't love coffee.
3.  The color purple has always been my favorite color.
4.  I own a 1965 Plymouth Fury that I drove in high school that still has a great sounding radio.
5,  I signed for my son to go into the Army so that he could fight for my freedom.

And the 5 bloggers \ that I am going to pass this award along to are:


1.  A Mom After God's Own Heart
2.  ACU's, Stiletto Shoes and Pretty Pink Tutu's
3.  Broken TeePee
4.  Kentucky Girl
5.  The Going to be New Me

Congrats!

Susan

Busy As A Bee....O Me!

Better late than never....Soldier B's Quilt     

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our girls made the table decorations for the Welcome Back Teachers Luncheon.

The teachers enjoyed the "Whole Hog Cafe" pulled pork, BBQ beans and the Potato Salad

We had a Senior Adult Group come to paint our halls and Club rooms.

Another shot of the rooms.....

We even had help tightening and gluing the legs to our dining room chairs.

Then we had a couple of days off and we are back at work with our girls.

We did here from Soldier B from overseas on Sunday....He is doing well. 

As for me....well, I can say one month down and 11 more to go!!!

Giveaway from Sweet November thru Along for the Ride

I would like for you to meet a new friend, Laura, from Along for the Ride who is featuring Sara, from Sweet November.  Sara is giving away one of her wonderful creations......

on Laura's blog.  So go and check it out!  You might be the lucky winner!

Wordless Wednesday

Name that Care Package.....

 Recently I have been looking for any and all information on sending care packages to my soldier.  I came upon this blog:  Some Soldier's Mom  She was very informational and has some GREAT ideas for care packages.   Read them first then I will pick back up towards the end of my post....see ya in a few!

 

Care Packages

I know a lot of people that read my blog either have family or friends in the military or have an interest in them and/or have adopted soldiers serving overseas... So I offer this list from a private chat group for families of 3ID soldiers. Some will evoke smiles and others are just plain fun and bound to bring a smile to your soldier.

If you really do SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, here are some places you might want to visit to lend a hand:

Adopt a Sniper
Adopt a Soldier
Any Soldier
Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
Fisher House
Foster Care for Military Pets
Helmets to Hardhats
Soldiers' Angels
USO
Wounded Warrior Project

~~~THEME BOX IDEAS~~~
(for the days when you can't think of what to ship)

"Surviving the Sandstorms"- Eye wash; Nasal spray; Chap stick; Bandana; goggles/sun glasses; etc

"Laundry Load"- Laundry soap ('sample size' or Tide tablets kind) to pack in with their clothes..in case there are no washers/dryers; Fabric softener sheets; clean socks and undershirts; Febreeze or All refresher fabric sprays

"Lotta Java"- Tea; Cocoa; Coffee singles; creamer; sugar; International Coffee tins; cookies for dunking in coffee

"Thanks a Million!!"- Things that may "seem" expensive. Ex: Grey Poupon; electronic game of "Who wants to be a Millionaire?" - small amount of cash; wrap items in green tissue paper.

"Hang in There!"- Stuffed animal monkey; Banana bread; Banana chips; Banana pudding (the kind that doesn't have to be refrigerated); Monkey's in a Barrel game; card with a monkey on it.

"A Day at the Beach!"- sunscreen; beach towel; beach snacks; flip flop sandals (shower shoes); aloe vera gel;

"Medicine Cabinet"- aspirin; band-aids; Neosporin cream; A&D ointment; cold medicine; alka seltzer; Rolaids; etc.

"Staying Healthy"- nutrition/health bars (ex: Power bar; Tigers Milk; Myoplex); vitamins; Nutri-grain bars; Gatorade or other sports drink (to stay hydrated);

"MRE/Mess Hall Survival Kit"- restaurant size condiment packs of: BBQsauce, mustard, ketchup, mayo, relish, salt. Pepper, taco sauce, ranch, cheese in a can dip, etc

"Correspondence Carton"- notebook paper; stationery; pens; pencils; stickers (who knows they may even play with these!!); envelopes, address book (filled out already of course); camera (with a note to send back onceit is full);

"Action Heroes"- Power bars; squirt guns; Red Bull drinks; small Army figurines; comic books; Gatorade; Red Bull drinks; etc

"To Be A Kid Again"- silly string; bubbles; small bouncy balls; hacky sacks; brain teaser toys (rubix cube, etc); deck of cards; dominoes; slinky, Frisbee's; Pez w/ dispenser; Nerf balls; sand box toys (pail, small shovel, etc);

"Bathroom in a Box"- TOILET PAPER!!! (the soft stuff); razor refills; foot powder; bars of soap; fresh, clean, soft washcloth; travel size shampoo/conditioner; toothpaste; toothbrush; etc

"Ruck Sack Snack Pack"- packed full of your loved one's favorite snacks ... possibilities endless. Doritos; M&M's; nuts; chips; dips; crackers; jelly beans; beef jerky; gum; etc. (but don't send any chocolate in the summer!)

"Breakfast on the GO"- mutrigrain bars; instant oatmeal cups; small boxes of cereal; pop tarts; Hostess donuts: Otis Spunk Meyer muffins; cocoa; coffee; Tang; cereal bars

"Tube O Tasties"- Just as something different, send a package in a tube instead of a square box. Make sure the parameters are acceptable though.

"Stress Reliever"- back scratcher; bubble wrap; yo-yo's; bubbles; squeezy tension ball; nerf stuff

"Sloppy Kisses"- send a bunch of Hershey's kisses. Bound to be "sloppy kisses!" (forget this in the summer... it's a mess!)

"I'm Nuts About You"- peanuts; cashews; pistachios; peanut butter cookies; any candy or cookies with nuts in them; Nutter Butter's; Peanut Lover's Chex mix; Fiddle Faddle with peanuts, CrackerJacks

"Rock On" or "Charlie ROCK"- pop rocks; music cd's

"Chili Today, Hot Tamale"- hot tamales (candy); small cans of chili; red pepper flakes (like the ones at pizza parlors); salsa sunflower seeds; Cajun flavor Pringles; Spicy chex mix; Boston red hots; peppered beef jerky; taco bell hot sauce packets; Extreme Doritos; chili powder; nacho cheese sauce in a can; Tums/Rolaids, Jalapeño Ritz;

"And this little piggy went to the sandbox"- (foot care kit)- foot powder; Dr, Scholl's boot inserts; foot lotion; foot file; fresh, clean socks; toe nail clippers; scrub brush; odor eater balls for shoes/boots; foot soaks (either include a small bucket or large Ziploc bags to soak feet it)

"How do you eat your OREOS??!!"- regular Oreos; peanut butter Oreos; double stuff Oreos; low fat Oreos; chocolate filled Oreos; chocolate covered Oreos; holiday Oreos

"Muchas Gracias. Nachos Supreme"- Doritos &/or Fritos &/or any corn tortilla chips; Mexican Velveeta; salsa (wrapped in bubble wrap); small can of olives (don't forget the can opener); bean dip; nacho cheese dip; small can of green chilies; jar of jalapeno's (wrapped in bubble wrap); taco seasoning; small paper plates or bowls (so they can make their nachos); taco sauce (especially easy are those condiment packets from Taco Bell); You could also send the sauces from the various Mexican dinner kits (they also have tortilla's in those dinner kits that are sealed so they would probably get there without molding or drying out); Taco Bell Nacho Supreme kit

"Sweet Tooth"- Nerds; Gummy Bears; Laffy Taffy; Bubble Gum; Tootsie Rolls; Lolli pops; (any candy that won't melt)

"Pamper Party" (for females)- Feminine hygiene products; shampoo/conditioner; hair barrettes and scrunchies (same color as their hair); facial scrub &/or soap; facial mask; lotion; shower gel; razors; facial moisturizer; tweezers; nail care kit; toner; special facial products (alpha hydroxy; eye cream; etc)

"Congrats on your promotion"- congratulation party favors; all your loved one's favorites snacks; sparkled cider (wrapped in bubble wrap of course); etc.

"For the Fisherman"- Goldfish crackers; tuna pouches; canned smoked salmon; cans of sardines; gummy worms; Go Fish card game; Field & Stream magazine; electronic fishing rod game; Sponge Bob Square Pants stuffed toy; fishing game toy (made by several different toy companies. Has a small fishing pole with a magnet on the end. Fish have magnets on their mouths)

"Say CHEEEESE!"- disposable cameras; cheese dip; Doritos; Cheetos; Cheesenips; Better Cheddars; Velveeta

"Kick Back & Relax"- Dominoes; playing cards; magazines; books; music cd's; crossword puzzles; jigsaw puzzles; word searches; hand held electronic games; squirt guns; water balloons; bubbles; hacky sacks; Nerf balls; board games (Axis & Allies, Clue, Trivial Pursuit, etc)

"Christmas in July"- wrap everything in Christmas wrapping paper; peppermint flavored hard candies

"Italian Stallion"- Italian cheese Ghardetto's; Pizza-licious Pringles; Pepperoni pizza Combo's; small Boboli pizza bread; pizza sauce (for dipping Boboli); canned Ravioli, spaghetti, lasagna, etc.

"American Classics"- Pez with dispensers; Cracker Jacks; Lifesavers; NeccoWafers; Pop Rocks; Nerds; Good & Plenty; Candy Necklaces; Candy cigarettes

******************************

And if you are sending things to Iraq and Afghanistan and you haven't discovered FLAT RATE BOXES... get them from the Post Office -- no matter how much you stuff in these boxes (about the size of a medium FedEx box) -- it's one price to mail! Don't pay for priority mail for things you send either, they don't get to NY any faster (which is where all APO mail goes to). 

  So...AWESOME....don't you think...so creative that it makes me wish I had been the first one to think of such things.  I do remember a time that our church via a very creative lady...(hint...hint.. Gail!) decorated shoes boxes for each of us on staff for Staff Day at church.  She, Gail, was so decorative with mine.  I only mention mine cause I can't remember anyone Else's.  Yes, I am getting old...er! My favorite color has always been purple and Gail did an outstanding job decorating with that color and music notes which was perfect since I was the pianist!  

Now that I am finished blubbering on and on .....I am wondering if there might be more ideas out there that fellow readers may have thought of...something creative but just what that special soldier might need in a box from the good ol USA.  Post your idea.....I would love to see it!

Mowenackie  posted on Boots in the Doorway :

 "Deployment is such an emotional rollercoaster, isn't it? It can be exhausting!"

I AGREE!!!!

I must be the biggest baby of a mother in the whole world....

We had an awesome visit with our soldier.

Then I hugged him and kissed him goodbye until 6 months from now.

 Keep Calm and Carry On 

Twitter Hop Thursday (July 22)

                  

                                                     


Welcome to Twitter Hop Thursday, hosted by Simply Stacie, The King’s Court IV, Little Yaya’s, and Review Retreat!


Would you like more Twitter followers and be introduced to more neat blogs and businesses out there? Come and join us!!

1. Add your Twitter to the MckLinky (you only have to add it to one and it will appear on all).

2. Click on the Twitter for the four hostesses and follow each of them on Twitter. We will follow you back.

3. Follow as many people on Twitter as you like, but make sure to leave comments with links so they’ll know where to follow you!

Spread the word and add this MckLinky to your blog! Write your own post or copy and paste this one. Below the MckLinky box, you’ll see “Want to be a part of this Blog Hop? Click here for instructions and code….” Have fun Twitter-Hopping along!

Hoooo Hoooo Are You?

Hoo are You? host a question and answer every Tuesday...so here goes!

hoo are you?

Here are this weeks questions!

1. Have you ever broke a bone or anything on your body?  O yeah, stepped in a pot hole and down I went...broke the tiny bone on top of my right foot.




2. What is your favorite drink?   Rt. 44 Sonic Coke but I have to settle for non-cafeine tea, most of the time.





3. When is your birthday! You don't have to tell the year you were born!  April 20th



4. Do you have an allergies?  Do I?  My entire life it seems...some foods still, grasses, pine, cedar and oak trees, mold, seasonal allergies, asprin, penicillin and azithromycin .




5. What is one of your all time favorite movies?  Ice Castles

Follow Friday 40 and Over

 

Welcome to the 8th edition of the

Follow Friday 40 and Over!!

nevergrowingold.blogspot.com

Are you a blogger over 40? Yeah, welcome to the club!

Please join in the fun and get to know your fellow bloggers!!

The RULES to join in are very simple!

1. Grab the button

2. Add your link to the list

3. Visit as many other blogs as you can

4. Follow the ones you like (and comment on their blog to say that you are following)

Let the fun begin!!!

We Had a Surprise Visit

Our former houseparent that taught me some of my knowledge of  "how to be a houseparent" was in town this weekend so she stopped by for a visit.  The kids have grown so much since they left to go to seminary.   They are such a sweet, sweet family!  AND they are expecting one more baby early next year!!!  Yea!!  Thanks for coming to see us!