School stuff

In about 8 days, school will be back in session. Man, time flies when you're having fun (or if your not).  I went Tuesday to register Morgan for her JUNIOR year of high school. No really, she is in the 11th grade.  Do you know what that means? It means I am getting OLD. Agghhh. The funny part is Madison is starting 3rd grade this year and the Bubby just turned two. Can you say glutton for punishment? 


Anyway, back to registration.  Lemme just tell ya, that is an interesting spectacle to behold. Like a zoo, but without the cages. I asked Morgan if the students sat around the first day making fun of the parents.  She never answered so I take that as a yes. Not that I am innocent.  I had some definite questions regarding some of the clothing (or lack of) and hair options on the kids I saw. She really didn't need me to go, just my checkbook, but it was good to be there.  There was one outstanding moment, one of those that seem harder and harder to catch. We both looked at each other and said the same thing at the same time and she grins that beautiful grin and says "I love US". Us-her and me. Kinda gives me the warm fuzzies. I am so proud of her. I hope this is an exciting and fabulous year that lives up to all her expectations. This one's a biggie~her first parking pass, first prom, classes off campus~definitely not what we are used to.


After registration, since I had already taken the day off, Madison and I hit the pool.  A word of advice if I may. Don't throw caution to the wind just because it is only you and the eight year old in the pool. I mean a tankini is a tankini for a reason and you picked it for that reason. Like to hide the baby fat you have around the middle (it IS still baby fat, I don't care if he IS 2) . You know those areas that NEVER see the light of day.  Keep it that way. Just because no one else will see does not make it a good idea to roll the top up a bit and expose those pasty pale rolls to the sun for an hour without sunscreen. I assure you, it will not end well.  It will hurt. And your husband will laugh~on the inside if he is smart. Worse than the pain is the embarrassment of the fat roll burn lines. You know what I am talking about. So use extreme cautious and my new motto~if it's normally covered, keep it covered. 


Ok, so to finish up my random musings here, I want to share some back to school stuff I have begun using and tell you a few things we are doing to prep.


Most Mommas are probably well ahead of me on this, but if you haven't already, get back on the school schedule. Bedtime and morning time. Go ahead and start the routines. A checklist can be helpful and there is one here http://blogs.cozi.com/livesimply/morningchecklist.pdf that is great for the mornings and one here http://blogs.cozi.com/livesimply/nightbeforeschoolchart.pdf for the night before. I am enjoying the whole Cozi website and its useful tools.  


Make sure you have all your supplies ready and the groceries you need for all the meals and snacks, cook ahead and freeze (pancakes, fruits and waffles), think of celebrating back to school in some small way like maybe a picnic or summer fun scrapbooking, and we are going to do a private back to school clothes fashion show this weekend.  Maybe your child(ren) would like to make something special for their new teacher. 


I would love to hear what other Mommas are doing in preparation for back to school. Hope it is awesome for everyone!

Just one of those days~and some cool stuff

It definitely started out as one of those days. The hormones in full on attack mode and the caffeine cowering in the corner of my psyche.  It was all going fine until I got to work. Well, I suppose the little things actually started annoying the entire crap out of me on the drive in. You know, getting stuck behind the 18-wheeler and no one willing to let me over, or the big mows the grass on the side of the road thingie in my way (yes, that IS a technical term) and people in general not acknowledging my complete ownership of the road. That's not weaving, that's me marking my territory!


So anyway, I have been mulling it over trying to decide just when my brain turned into the Incredible Hulk. I am now most certain that calling the IRS for the business I work for was my undoing. Y'all~I try to be nice to everyone, really I do. To the point where I wonder if I surpass niceness and and am becoming the doormat. Yet, 5 minutes of electronic menus, 15 minutes on hold listening to baaaaddd music, to get someone who tells me that they cannot help me is REALLY frustrating. I mean really. I guess 20 minutes in the scheme of the universe isn't so bad, but dang it, it is MY 20 minutes and we ARE talking about the IRS-nuff said.  Grrr. 


I was so bad (hangs head in shame). I had to make a run to the post office and the nice civil servant asked how my day was. Typically my reply would be "Great, and yours?"  Instead today I said, "Shoulda stayed the hell in bed".  What did that poor woman do to deserve that? She was just trying to do her job, but here comes Mrs. Hormonal with a stick it where the sun don't shine attitude. 


Well, I fed the hormonal beast lunch and threw another pot of coffee at her and am now back to pseudo normal. I think the beast was mostly just hungry, although she was put in place a bit by this: "We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need." Colossians 1:11 (NLT).    Ahem. Thanks, Lord. I needed that.  (I wonder if maybe I should be concerned that I am referring to myself as two different personalities. Do me a favor, if y'all feel threatened, get me a straight jacket, mkay?)


So now that the beast is properly contained, here is some really cool stuff I found at some of my favorite blogs and want to share!! 


From http://www.shesaved.com/2010/07/e-l-f-cosmetics-50-off-best-sellers-coupon-code.html  Eyes Lips Face….right now…you can use coupon code BEST to get 50% off any of their BEST SELLERS (you will see these in the drop down navigation bar) …they include some great products … and several items for only $1.00!!  However…shipping is $6.95 … so you will want to make sure that you are ordering enough to justify that. This coupon code expires August 17, 2010.


The cutest little frog table you ever did see for $2.99 here http://www.spendlessandsavemore.net/2010/07/flower-or-frog-folding-kids-table-299.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+spendlessandsavemore/ksaD+(Spend+Less+and+Save+More)


Really awesome back to school Staples deals here: http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/07/staples-15-and-20-off-in-store-printable-coupons-good-through-saturday.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+moneysavingmom/mNWf+(Money+Saving+Mom)


And just good info here http://frugalhacks.com/2010/07/28/frugal-roundup/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+FrugalHacks+(Frugal+Hacks)


I love all the awesome bloggers out there and hope they don't mind my sharing their info. I am giving them credit!!  See y'all.

Need a laugh~look here!

I literally laughed out loud at this post http://www.suburbansnapshots.com/2010/06/10-reasons-having-toddler-is-like-being.html by Suburban Snapshots and again at the comments.  It also reminded me of a frat partyish incident not so long ago at our house that we affectionately refer to as the Tidy Bowl Incident of '09. This is what happens when I think the Captain has boy child duty and he thinks I do.  Bubby surprised us both. Of course, being the good parent I am, my first course of action was to tell the Captain to keep the boy where he was while I fetched the camera.

Hooked on Phonics sale

I have always heard about Hooked on Phonics products and wondered if they were all they are touted to be. Has anyone ever used these products? Right now they are having a sale and it has my spending instinct on standby. It really isn't in the budget, but I would LOVE to get my eight year old the Hooked on Math.  Hmmm, I did see that they will do a five payment-payment plan.  I am seriously considering the Discover Reading Toddler Edition for Bubby. It looks fun and is only $19.95.

Now may be a good time to try. If you're interested go here: http://www.hookedonphonics.com/on-sale?C1=9

Menu Plan Mondays

I love following blogs and getting information and ideas. I am looking to get my life organized and moving in the direction I need it to go. So in that spirit, I am going to jump on the bandwagon and start my meal plans. I will be linking up to http://orgjunkie.com/ for the  MPM party.

Since I am trying to get my budget under control, most of these will also be relatively inexpensive meals.

Monday~chicken wraps using leftover BBQ chicken breasts from this weekend. All you need is the chicken, tortillas, and whatever toppings you choose. I think cheese and sour cream are must haves. Tortilla chips and salsa.
Tuesday~Shepard's pie (love all in one meals)
Wednesday~Salmon patties, fried taters & onions, green beans
Thursday~Chicken Alfredo (canned chicken and packaged Alfredo pasta), salad & bread
Friday~homemade pizza night with toppings of choice. Hopefully there will still be BBQ chicken leftover because I love that on mine!!
Saturday~Omelets with ingredients of choice. Mine will be turkey and cheese!
Sunday~roast with potatoes, onions, carrots cooked slowly all day. My favorite!

What's on your menu this week? How do you shop~weekly, bi-weekly?

Wild Weekend~Mommy style

Hi y'all. Hope you are having a Blessed Monday. I am coming down from the wild weekend celebrating Madison's (aka Sweet Cheeks) 8th birthday. ALL day Saturday we played with friends and family. Hot dogs, cake, ice cream, swimming, and just chatting around the table. There were about 15 children from 22 months to 16 years. It was interesting to say the least.  I am so Blessed to have the opportunity to spend time with some amazing people. I hope they had as much fun as I did!

Making a wish

Ooh good stuff

Sweet Cheeks' bestie

Yesterday we made the much anticipated trip "to town" for a wallet beating like no other~for a stuffed animal. You know that money sucking viper pit disguised as a children's toy store that lures you in with promises of undying love and cotton fiber fill? Yes, my friends, Build-A-Bear Workshop.  It hides its evilness with such cuteness as monkeys in tu-tus and puppies in cheerleading outfits. The audacity.  $130 bucks for 3 soon to be forgotten , dust collecting, bank account destroying, good for nuttin...{deep breathe} Go ahead and say it-SUCKER. I know you had to.  Sadly, this Momma fell for it. My wallet is NOT happy.  But my children are, even the 16 year old.

Nerd love

I am still a nerd. Really-here's proof. I think this is fascinating.: The evolution of the alphabet. No really, see for yourself.

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More inspiring words from someone else's brain

I stumbled upon Missy @ http://www.itsalmostnaptime.blogspot.com/ today and browsed around. I found this and it touched me deeply. I struggle with this exact issue daily. I hope you will find something in her post.

It's Almost Naptime!!: God thinks you rock the casbah

168 Hours: Don’t Waste Yours | Simple Marriage

I found this post on one of my favorite blogs. Time management is one of the things I can't seem to get control of. That and money. Ooh and housework~which might be under time. Whadda ya think? Either way, my lack of expertise in these areas is clearly indicative of the fact that I should not be the grown up. :) Ok ok no more resignation talk. I just have to take control rather that letting these things control me. I hope you will enjoy this post from Simple Marriage.

168 Hours: Don’t Waste Yours | Simple Marriage