Great family times

Last night was wonderful! The kids were happy with presents and I was happy with how the party turned out.  I did not cook, instead sent out for pizza.  They went thru 5 large pizza's and 2 family size bread sticks.  So am glad I went with the last minute plan of pizza.  I am not sure I could have made enough mexican casserole for the 10 of us!  Boys sure can eat alot!

After everyone left I sorted thru presents and realized that I only have Trevor one gift wrapped! Oh my goodness I am going to have to go buy him some gifts.  Remember I bought him a gun that was $540.00 but he already got it. With him being only 13 years old there is no way I can not buy him a few more gifts!! So I am going to go buy him some camoflouge items and a couple suits of clothes.  I still need to get Aaron a stereo system and a gas card and he will be completely done! Blake got his christmas present last night which of course was a gun. 

Well this is kinda cool I am at Linda's Flowers and they are doing a live broadcast.  Which it is kinda funny as it is only me and 2 of them in here. They are doing a drawing for $100.00 gift certificate.  I like going into the radio station while they are broadcasting it is really cool to hear and see them do their thing.
Well am going to run

Family Celebration

Tomorrow I am having our family dinner.  My step~dad Kendall is coming also my brother Stacy's children.  Dylan Coby and Kaylee and of course my three sons.  I am going to make a Mexican casserole, salad and garlic toast.  I know not very festive like but they will all appreciate a home cooked meal. 

Tonight I am going to make some candy and cookies.  I have the stuff to make several different things.  My only fear is I will run out of time getting everything finished.  Last night I wrapped gifts for 3 hours.  I still have many gifts that need wrapping.  As a last resort I am going to go buy gift bags and some pretty bows and call it good.

       

Am ready to start being creative again!! Do you have any ideals for some simple and fun crafts? If you do please send my way!!

Frugal Update

Well I am going to have to admit that I have done nothing to be frugal this week!  Not even one tiny change at all!  Now how in the world am I going to get some money paid toward the $4100.00 bill if I am not doing anything different? 

Am going to go Christmas shopping this weekend at Dallas Texas. I can't wait because I have been wanting to go for awhile.  I want to go to Harry Hines Blvd and go to the huge fabric store, a purse store and a western store.  Then will go on to Grapevine Outlet Mall.  Am hoping my friends Leona and Michael Ann will go with me.  I don't have a lot to buy but just want to see what I might have missed for my 3 boys.
         

I adopted a senior citizen for Christmas.  I asked James (manager of the Senior Citizen's center).  He told me to get stuff they could use like dish soap and hairbrush and laundry soap and such.  So I will get that picked up this weekend as well.  The sooner I can get it bought and wrapped the better off I will be.  The gifts need to be there by this coming Tuesday.  I plan on putting it in a basket and making it look cute.


Well I have done nothing creative for awhile.  Although I have been organizing some closets and dressers.  I think that is lifting a load off my shoulders.  Does anyone know how many clothes is too many for one person?  I have clothes in 4 closets and 2 full dressers, that could be a bit excessive I am thinking! Would like to scale down to 2 closets(spring/summer in one closet and fall/winter in one closet) and one dresser.  That would be so awesome!!  Would loe to have this closet from California Closets!!


Isn't this a gorgous closet?  This would take care of my problem for sure!!

This is my comforter set that Mr C. bought me awhile back. I am still loving it very much!! I just need the headboard to go with it!


I am now trying to talk Mr. C. into buying the western bedroom suite.  I haven't gave up yet!  He keeps asking me when did we go western? I just love the western look with the stars.
I am still trying to get my bedroom organized and straightened.  I am proud of what I have got done so far!

Have a great weekend everyone!  I know that I plan on it!! 

Frugal week begins!

I have to be frugal till I get a $4100.00 bill paid off. Not sure I can pay $600.00 a month on it but that is my goal. The sooner I get it done the better! This is where I will say that I am going to start listing some of my items on ebay and craigslist and put books on a website to sell. I have to displine myself and that will bite.  Mr. C says I already pinch pennies even thou he says we don't have.  I haven't used coupons in years so that is one habit I am going to try to start doing again. I already shop Ross's and Big lots and Walls. I also shop wholesale at Dallas Tx, and at Marlow Floral. I always look for the best buy for my money.  When grocery shopping in our rural area we have small grocery store and Dollar General, unless I want to drive 25 miles to Homeland or Walmart. So I feel as if I am a smart shopper to a degree. My craft supplies I do use JoAnn coupons. Also I go to Basket Market in Oklahoma City, it is a huge place that sells Hobby Lobby discontinued items and samples.  It is a awesome place for crafters to shop!
       

     My big splurges is I drive to Elk City and stay  several nights at a hotel every other week.  So I probably will still go but only stay one night. At least till I get this bill paid down. So here I go to frugal land! Wish me lots of luck because this will be the hardest  goal I have set for myself besides losing weight!! Which by the way that weight loss thing hasn't been working out to well for me! Because I haven't put my 100 % into it at this point. 


At swap bot I am in a swap with 12 partners to gain blog followers.  I have so enjoyed looking at everyone's blogs.  So many different styles and so many very talented and creative.  I must I must try harder to be more creative! I tend to like doing easy and fast crafts. 

Well I am going for now! 

Grateful Wednesday

This morning as I was getting ready for the day about 8am I hear this car beeping its horn urgently outside my front door.  I go look out and it is my mail lady.  She normally doesn't show up till 12pm or so.  I say to her why are you so darn early? I have packages for you and wanted to catch up before you left for the day.  It was our new 32 inch flatscreen TV for our bedroom and a new sony dvd player we had ordered.  I just ordered it last week using Mr. C's safety bonus.  Now we are just waiting for the 27 inch flatscreen to arrive.  We bought it for Alisha's room. 

So I am very grateful to our mail lady that is always going above the call of duty for her rural customers.  She has taken very excellent care of me and my precious mail! If I have big packages or lots of mail she will bring to my front door for me.  I realize small town rural carriers aren't all as wonderful as my carrier.

I have bought a plate and glass to make a cute plate stand...When I start it I will make sure to get photos of it.  That is if it turns out like it should.   I also am hunting up old brass candlesticks to spray paint and make a tabletop arrangement.  I seen a gorgous one on a blog and want to try and make one similiar. 
  Thought this was a cute cake stand that I found the photo for off of Stock Photography. 

I am going to take some photos and get them posted soon!!

New tablet

My boys bought me a G Slate tablet from Tmobile for Christmas. I am loving it and seem to be on it too much. I had been thinking I wanted a Ipad but am very happy with this one.


Took Blake to look at guns yesterday. He is wanting a small handgun, I think it a waste of money. He should get the rifle he wants or a assult rifle.  I get the final say as I am the one who is buying it for his Christmas gift.  I am not fond of guns but my boys use them, mainly for target practice or deer hunting.
Truth of the matter is that guns scare me.  I have had my 380 semi~automatic hand gun for awhile now and have yet to shoot it.  Much to my boys dismay.  Blake bought it for my birthday last year.  For Christmas this year he was looking at a pink assult rifle for me.  Really? Can't he just buy me a $500.00 piece of jewelry instead ( I would promise to wear it often)!!  Mr. C would flip out if I came home with a assult rifle, he wouldn't like it very much at all!  Am thinking it would have to stay with Blake.

Haven't been very creative lately.  Have been in several large Christmas Card swaps on swap~bot.  I have sent out about 30 cards so far.  I love to place the cards on the back of a door in the shape of a tree.. It is something I have done for years.  I need to get family Christmas Cards made out and sent as well! 
    
My Bailey Church Secret Sis party is this Sunday from 2 ~ 4.  I have been doing this the last 4 years and so enjoy it.  We spend about $100.00 on our secret sis.  No one really sends anything during the year but brings all gifts to church. It kinda snuck up on me this year. But I do believe that I will be ready come Sunday.   We also take a toy for a child at church and a finger food.  I also am taking our two hostess a small thank you gift. Cherrie and I hosted it 3 years ago and they really gave us some cool hostess gifts. Usually you can either bring a toy or a hostess gift.  It is up to the members and usually they bring both. I am so excited to be part of this wonderful group of ladies.

                                         Peanut Butter Candy Balls

1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 1/4 cup cramy peanut butter
6 oz melting chocolate for dipping

     Blend together sugar, peanut butter, and graham cracker crumbs. Form mixture into 3/4 inch balls.  Chill untl firm.  Melt dipping chocolate in microwave on High for 2 minutes.  Dip peanut butter balls into melte chocolate.  Store in an airtight container.

It is time for candy and cookie making!  My boy's Aunt Ginger (on their dad's side) always made a huge container of goodies for her siblings.  Then Diane (boy's step~grandma) on dad's side would always make fudge and cookies.  Am thinking this should be the year I make some special treats for different family members. Just don't think I could go wrong with this recipe and I know my boys would love it!! 

                          

Monday Ramblings

This is going to be a wonderful day. Mr. C is cooking a Thanksgiving supper for us but especially for his daughter Alisha.  This man is very kind and thoughtful. He tries very hard to do family traditions with her. I remember how hard it was on my brother and I when we were younger and having to be pulled in a million directions.  Mr. C is making sure that his children have memories. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful man in my life. I might better add that he is a awesome cook I do believe he is a better cook than I am. He wanted to make stuffing like his grandma and my grandma made and it turned out super good.  He heated up a spiral ham, green beans and corn, made garlic mashed potatoes and ham gravy, we had cranberry sauce and I made a cherry cake and also deviled eggs.  He cooked all day it seemed and the house was filled with a wonderful aroma. 


                                   Heavenly Cherry Cake

1 box yellow or chocolate cake mix with pudding (Duncan Hines)
1 pkg instant vanilla pudding mix
1 container Cool Whip
1 can cherry pie filling

        Bake cake according to directions. Cool. Mix pudding mix with 1/2 the milk called for. Chill. Pour pie filling over cooked cake evenly.  Mix pudding and Cool Whip gently and spread over pie filling.  Chill and Serve.

This is a very yummy cake and so simple to make. Next time I make it I will take a photo of it and post. I so enjoy going thru old recipe books and trying recipes out.  That is how I have found several of our favorite recipes thru the years.

   

Can you believe it is almost December? I am so not ready for Christmas!  I need to get my Christmas Dcorations out and get them up.  I do believe that I will do that Monday coming up.  I won't have much time till Christmas because I am going to be at the flower shop nearly every day.  Not that I mind that means more Christmas presents for the family. 

       

Talk to ya soon!! 

                       

Weekend getaway

Saturday  I went to a family gathering for Thanksgiving.  We had a great time and it was nice to visit with everyone who showed up.  While I was sitting there I felt the need to go spend a few nights with Mr. C at Elk City, Okla.  I came home about 2pm and threw clothes in a suitcase and off I went.  It is a 2 1/2 hour drive for me and I enjoy being alone.  I use that time to reflect on my life or have a loud concert of one in my car.  Am glad my windows are tinted dark or other travelers would see me  singing at the top of my lungs on occasion.  I get to Elk City about 6 pm.  Usually  I take something to work on for swaps and of course I had my journal I am working on for the month of November. I am caught up on the daily entries but have been adding lots of recipes and such to make it more "me".
I finally came home Monday afternoon..  Although I made a side trip to Oklahoma City before coming home.  I went to Kohls and Target and did some Christmas shopping. 
The several days away was awesome and  I do feel much more rested at this point!

Am glad to be back home.

Stressed

Took Aaron to OU Children's hospital Wednesday.  We were there all day 1 pm till after 6 pm.  They did different test on Aaron and it is the infected enlarged lympe nodes near his appendix making the poor guy sick.  They did tell us he would be sick for at least another month till the infection worked its way out of the body.  So looks like to me that Aaron will be throwing up and such for awhile.  But at least we know for sure what we are dealing with and how it is going to affect him.  We have been dealing with Aaron hurting and sick for 2 long weeks and many trips to Dr and several to emergency rooms.

This weekend my mom's side of the family is getting together for our Thanksgiving celebration.  I have to work today and figure out a few desserts I can make that is "WOW" factor.  Wish me luck on that one.  I am thinking about using a recipe that is close to what my grandma use to make all the time.  She always called it the "Better than Sex" cake.  Which always shocked me when she said the word sex because my Grandma didn't talk about S. E. X. ever and here we are eating a cake that has THAT word in it.  I love good memories and that is the top of the list memory for me.  My neice Kaylee is coming over to spend the night with me and to help me with desserts.  We will have alot of fun cooking.  I also want to make a different side dish that we normally have at our get togethers.  When mom and grandma were alive they did most of the cooking.  Which didn't leave alot for anyone to bring.  My Aunt Connie always brought pies and if for some reason you brought one it hurt her feelings.  So this year my cousins Brenda and Belinda seem to be doing most of the cooking and is letting me bring desserts.  Aunt Connie and her children and familys have decieded not to come to this celebration.  It has a lot to do with grandma and mom passing.  I hate that our family will probably never be totally together ever again.  This hurts so many of us and there isn't anything I can do to make it better.  Why? because I am sitting on the fence and can see both sides and why they feel the way they do, and I am not going to take sides because I do not want to lose any communication with any of my family. 

I am almost done with my Christmas Wreath.  The hardest part is getting the ends wrapped around tightly.  I need someone to help me get this done.  I love how it turned out and am proud that I even attempted it.  It is super easy to do except for that last part of getting it closed off. 

My cell phone usually takes better photos but my lightening in my dining room is horrible!  I thought it turned out alot better that I thought possible. 

I used a wire hanger (it needed to be thinner that it was) and bought ornaments from Wal~Mart and the Dollar Tree to put on it.  How super easy is that I ask.  I have to give credit to all the bloggers I have seen that has this on their site as well.  I would have never thought of this on my own!

                                             Swap Bot
I have sent off several swaps as of yesterday and it was $25.00 worth.  Wow that is crazy but that is my hobby and I do enjoy doing it.  Most of it was Christmas Cards and I had one box and 1 flat rate mailer.  I finally got my October Journal in the mail and the 30 day of surprises. 

I put up 3 swaps in our group " Girls Night In 2" and I was very happy with how many actually signed up to join them.  I am always happy if just 1 more joins but was excited to see that I have a total of about 10 ladies participating.

Well I have got to get ready to take Mr. Trevor to school and he doesn't want to get up as usual.  He is so much like me that it's scary. 

Everyone have a blesed weekend!!   Karen

Chili night

What a day it has been for me!  I got up and met my nephew Dylan at Marlow at 7am! Which put me leaving the house at 6:30.  Then I drove on down to Duncan Ok to Walmart.  Was shopping when my stepdad called and told me Trevor and Aaron were both sick..It is now 8:15. I call the Dr. and would you believe they can get them in at 9:15! I call and have Aaron meet me at Grannie's house in Marlow.  Poor Aaron has been sick since Sunday.  He was at Urgent Med Monday, I took him to Er Tuesday night where they said his lymp nodes near his appendix are enlarged to see regular Dr in two days.  Which was today.  Dr. wants Aaron back tomorrow and gave Trevor medicine for his sore throat.  We were in Dr's office for over 2 hours waiting on blood work for

When I got home I unloaded my groceries and put away.  Am glad I didn't have any cold items in cart.  But would you belive I left a sack at the store?  I don't believe I have ever done that before EVER!! I called the store and yes indeed the 4 items was logged and I get to take reciept and pick them out again..I supose that is what I get for being in a rush this

I have put on chili for tonight when Mr. C get's home.  I have already had a taste and its really yummy.  Now if I can get up and do some of the dishes that I messed up in preparing supper.

Chili recipe

2 lbs of ground beef

1 diced onion

2 cans of ranchstyle beans

1 can of hot rotel

1 can of diced tomatoes

1 can of snap e tom or spicy v8

1 envelope oc chili seasoning

Brown meat with onion add to pot with the rest of ingredients.

Had a blast!

Just got back from a weekend away.  I went to Elk City to spend time with Mr. C. Was only going to be gone Saturday night and come home Sunday.  That didn't happen, and I ran out of clothes!  I went to Walls which is a store where other stores fills it shelfs with its discontinues, overstock and such.  I found a Catherines shirt regular $45.00 for only $8.99!  It is more like a dress that you wear leggings underneath.  It is totally cool and hip! I stayed in the room alot because the weather was raining and such.  Although I took my dear friend Nancy to eat on her lunch hour.  Hadn't seen her in many months.  I worked on a journal and feel like it is almost completed, that took a huge weight off my shoulders.

When I got home I wasn't to happy Mr. C's son has a sink full of dishes (I will end up washing).  Not sure why he didn't use the throw~away plates...He is 18 he shouldn't be making messes and not cleaning up after himself. 

It is almost time for me to leave for the flower shop!  I can't wait to get there and see what is going to be happening.  I know they were busy yesterday. Tammie called and asked where I was at, she needed me to come in to work.  That would have happened if I hadn't been 2 1/2 hours away from home.

Today has been a long one already because I got up at 4:00 am and won't go to bed till 10pm unless I get everything done before bedtime. 

Can you believe Oklahoma has had 3 Earthquakes over the weekend? My goodness am glad I wasn't home or I would have been scared to death. NO JOKING!! We didn't feel anything at Elk City.  But wehad many calls telling us about them.  It shook our pictures on the walls at the house according to Brody.  I had no ideal Oklahoma even had earthquakes...Now I know different!

Am outta here....got to get to work!! Karen

Garage Sales

This morning I went to a fantastic garage sale!  I bought 2 pieces of Christmas fabric 3 yards each for $2.00!  They are going to look great in my Christmas quilt!! Then I bought 2 large ziplock bags full of Christmas ornaments for 50 cents each. I am going to use them on a wreath I am wanting to make. I just have to buy a green wreath to put it the ornaments on.  Am going to Lawton to Hobby Lobby tonight so hopefully I will find one so I can get started on that. As soon as I find a photo of something similiar I will post it.  Then when I am done with mine you know I will post picture of it! Am getting so excited with Christmas coming! I know how crazy is that?  We haven't even had Thanksgiving yet and I am worried about getting Christmas done.  At the flower shop we already have customers coming in for Christmas decorations. So that means next week we are pulling down Christmas trees and decorations.  Then will spend a week getting the store all ready.  I can't tell you how many trees we end up decorating.  I am trying to talk Tammie into only 2 large trees and a few small trees.  Lets see if I get my way or not.

Since I am at work I am keeping this short for now..Have a blessed day!!  Karen

New template!!

I finally figured out how to redecorate my blog.  I love the vibrant red I choose it seems to make my photos pop. Now if I can figure out how to add widgets directing followers to my favorite blogs.  I had been thinking about trying to find someone to help me with redesigning my blog and here I did a okay job by myself. I won't began to tell you how many hours it has taken me to get it halfway figured out. I am not so good with technology.
Lately I have joined several blog swaps on Swap~bot and am enjoying them very much.  I am trying very hard to make my blog more interesting.  If anyone has questions for me please ask. Also if you have any suggestions on how I can make my blog better please let me know.  I am so excited that there is someone out there that wants to read my ramblings about my life.  Am finding some cool blogs and hope to make mine better and better with time.  The last several days I have been looking at lots of blogs and wow it amazes me at how wonderful some of them are to read.  So moving on I hope my followers will enjoy the facelift I gave my blog.

I really love the small towns that have bricks for their streets.  So I just had to take a photo of my feet. Trevor (my 13 year old) thought it was silly but I had fun stopping the car and taking a photo of my feet.  My song for that day would have been these boots are made for walking.  Felt like we had been around the world.

Art Journal

A few of my pages that I was doing in a Art Journal.  I am not a artist but tried to make the pages colorful for my partner.  I went outside my comfort zone and tried doing this and I so enjoyed doing it.



Went and bought Mr. C's son a used truck today.  It is really cute and I am so proud for Brody.  Tomorrow we will go buy new tires for it.  Don't want it leaving him stranded somewhere with a flat.  Then this evening Mr C cooked us a wonderful dinner.  Hamburger patties, homemade mac & cheese, ranch style beans and homemade steak fries.  It was very good and filling.  Although not so good for my diet.  I sure need to get back on my diet and stop eating whatever I want.  Which has been hard for me lately. 

Now its time to go sit down and visit with Mr. C! 

Happy Halloween

Isn't fall weather the best?  The cool weather with the turning of the leaves is amazing.  I do believe this is my perfect season of all time.  I went and bought Halloween candy and we haven't had one trick or treater at all.  That is the worst part of living out in the country.  Although I thought my next door neighbor would drop her daughter by for some candy. I also made up Kaylee (my neice) and Raylee (Mr. C's neice) up a cute plastic tumbler of candy.  Even called Kaylee and told her to come by.  Now I am just kinda sad that we didn't get to see them all dressed up.

Swap Bot 

   
This is my 30 days of surprises for my partner on Swap~Bot.  I hope she will enjoy it as much as I  had putting it together for her.  I cut down lunch size paper bags and decorated with scrapbook paper and stickers and diecuts.  Then I put surprises in the ends of the bags.  Stickers, tea, candle, lip balm and notecards and postcards and such. 

Being a part of Swap~Bot has been totally awesome.  I have enjoyed doing all sorts of swaps.  Although Journaling swaps has to be my favorite! 

Today I spent time with my oldest son Blake.  He is legally blind and can't drive so we ran his errands.  Blake is only 19 years old and his Banker asked him if he wanted to buy a house and land today!?!  That really blows me away. 

I hope everyone had a great and safe Halloween today! 

Productive day!

 

Leona  and Michael Ann
                                                        These two ladies have been in my life since I was 21 years old.  I love them and treasure them as friends.  23 years of  them giving advice, listening to my woes and everything in between.  Michael Ann recently came in for a visit from Kentucky and we managed to get together and have a wonderful visit one evening.  We laughted so much that I think I was crying by the time she left.  Leona lives less than 2 miles from me but we seem to have a hard time getting together.  Not everyone can say they have true best friends but I honestly can say I am very blessed because I have two true friends. 

Mr. C and I went to the drag races and I thought this was a cool and fast car.  We had a lot of fun watching the cars get down the raceway. We went over to the Ardmore Raceway and had a really great time.  Sometimes I feel like a traitor because of my brothers and Blake racing the roundy round.  I usually try to get over and watch them once or twice but I didn't make it this year at all to watch them. 

                                              Today I have been working in a art journal that I am sending out tomorrow.  I am not a artist but I hope she will enjoy the effort I put into journaal. I am hoping to get the photos posted tomorrow.  I have had a productive weekend.  Have 2 big swaps to get out tomorrow.  One is the 30 days of surprises and a Rainy Day swap.  I have one in the box and the other ready to get packaged.  I so love swap~bot!!

                                            Have a great day! 

                                          

Flower Arranging

I so enjoy working at the flower shop.  Flowers are so beautiful.  I find it calming putting together a flower arrangement that someone else is going to enjoy!

I love fall flowers.  The colors are so vibrant and colorful. 

Being at the flower shop has taught me so many creative things.  I am now picking out flowers to make me a huge fall arrangement for my dining room table.  So on my next outing to Basket Market or Hobby Lobby or Market (Dallas Texas) I plan on getting my flowers. I am really excited about getting this project up and going.

This is my favorite arrangement so far!  Real flowers have that extra wow factor and these are so pretty. I have a similar silk arrangement on my dining room table right now.  I want a tall and huge arrangement for Thanksgiving.  Which means I might better get to shopping.

I don't normally do swapbot email swaps.  Although I have found that the blog comment swaps have been fun to join.  Am enjoying the comments left by my fellow swapbotters.  I am grateful to my followers and am glad they are still with me! 

Craft day

Here is the kitty cat rag top quilt I am currently working on...Actually I have had it for several years and haven't finished it yet.  It is one of my first rag top quilts I started making and I could see it was imperfect and I think it put me off on getting it done.  I know one of my 4 year old neices wouldn't even care that it isn't as great as it could be.  BUT my work has gotten much better thru the years and I should be proud of that fact.  I taught my self to sew and that wasn't a easy project.  I went and bought a cheap sewing machine and read the manual and off I went making rag top lap size quilts for my neices and nephews. 

Went to Dallas Texas today and shopped a little. It's a 3 hour drive for me but usually well worth the trip! I have been hoping I would find a few pieces of material that caught my eye to start making some small totes for the little girls.  Tomorrow I am going to Lawton Okla to see what Joann's might have to offer.  I want some wow factor going on so when they open it they fall in love with it right away. 

Friday Love!!

Am so glad today is Friday! Of course I work today but I have a project I want to finish tonight.  I have a kitty cat rag top quilt I need to start sewing together.  I will try to remember to take a photo of it because I think it is going to be super cute for one of my nieces. 

Today is the day I start my week without TV.  I had forgot that it is also #15 on my goal list.  Figuring that with TV and internet on (facebook) I am never going to get any projects finished.  I also want to work on some new projects.  Is it normal to have 3 or more unfinished projects hanging around just begging to get done?

I went back and read some of my goals that I had posted on here.  Some of them I have been actively working on since I have posted them.  Some I have dropped the ball and have done nothing.  For instance I had posted I wanted to blog two times a week.  WELL we all know that hasn't happened at all.  Or my goal to save $700.00 dollars.  I think I have saved maybe close to $400.00  Which isn't great but I should have more money saved.  I keep buying items off Etsy, I wish I had found that store much earlier. Have found so many cute handmade items from different sellers.

I have been visiting with neighbors more.  Walking our dead end street I get to visit with each neighbor if they are outside.  I have even walked up to Julie's house and sit down and had tea with her a couple of times. We have even gone as far as exchanging cell phone numbers.  Woo Hoo!  That was #43 on my goal list. 

Yes Goal #49 accomplished...I am now a patient with Dr. Maury over at Lawton Okla! That was such a huge weight off my shoulders.  I really did like him and my next appointment is in Febuary.  Unless I get a winter cold or something.  At least if I get sick this winter I don't have to suffer thru it!

Goal # 10 write 50 letters..still working on it but am really close.  I have 3 pen pal letters going out today:) I think more than 50 goals is too much for me. Some goals just got lost in the everyday life of mine. 

I also have listed that I wanted to attempt a art journal.  I am in a private art journal swap and I am working in a art journal.  I have about 4 of the background pages done.  I am very excited about doing this swap.  One of my goals #46 was learn a new skill but also one of my goals was to do a art journal..So is it cheating to use this art journal for both goals?  I don't think so because doing a art journal is totally new to me.

Last night I took Trevor to Decator Texas.  He wanted to go see his Aunt Stacey and cousins.  So I am thinking it is only about 1 1/2 hours from home.  We leave at 6pm and it took 2 1/2 hours to get there.  I got home at midnight! I think he thought that the kids were also out for fall break and that wasn't the case.  He told me to come get him Saturday evening or Sunday morning.  Sunday Trevor and I had plans to go shoot our guns.  Yes of course this was his ideal NOT mine.  I have had my handgun since May and it has never been shot.  Then he wanted me to shoot his 22...I am so not a gun type person.  So if I get hime Sunday then can I get out of the whole target practice day?  I sure hope so!!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!

Wonderful Monday

I don't normally work on Monday's but today I am here at the flower shop.  I need to run down to Marlow floral and get some fall flowers to make my arrangment for my dining room. I want it to match my table centerpiece.  I thought that we would be busy today with the passing of a long timer here in Marlow, Okla.  So far this morning not one call, which is not normal. 

Am going to look for some fall recipes and try them out.  Then I will post here the ones I like.  Sounds like a great fall project to give a whirl.  Plus feeding the family on new recipes will be fun.

Am going to try a experiment starting Friday.  No TV and no facebbok!  I can't give up swap~bot but I am not on that site 24/7.  What do I want to accomplish by doing this? I want to start a christmas quilt with all the Christmas fabric I have on hand.  Hopefully I will have it done in a week.  It is going to be a simple quilt but hopefully cute.  Then I have Christmas fabric to make oven mitts and such.  I haven't used my sewing maachine in a year so its time to dust it off and get busy!

Well I am going to go and help a few customers in the store!  Have a blessed day!!

Saturday is here!

Today has been a long day for us. We went to eat at our favorite mexican restraunt in Marlow, Okla. Then we stopped by the Dollar General so get some bottled water, and milk and such. Silly me I had left my cash in the back pocket of my jeans. Am glad I had my debit card with me.

Tonight I want to make a veggie Rotini Salad

Here is the recipe I am going to use.

1 package of veggie Rotini 1/2 cup of red onion chopped
1/2 cup brocolli florets 1 cup of cherry red tomatos halved
1/2 cup black olives halved 1/2 cup cubed mozzarella cheese
1 bottle of Itilian dressing 1 tbsp lemon juice

In Medium bowl combine veggies and mozzarella cheese with dressing and lemon juice;set aside. Cook veggie rotini according to package directions drain and rinse in cold water; drain well. Toss with veggies and cheese. Refrigerate 1 hour before serving.

I found this recipe on the back of the veggie rotini. I hope it turns out wonderful. Many years ago my friend Christy Martin use to make this when I would stay all night. I could eat a ton of that it was so yummy. I will not put the dressing it it because I like ranch dressing where as Mr. C will go with the Itilian dressing.

Is anyone watching the new 2 1/2 men tv show? I am and I really do miss Charlie. Although I am trying really hard to adjust to the new character. I feel like the new character is too whiny for me.. I love big and strong men just like my Mr.C. He does have a big soft heart but he is never whiny.

The photo I added is from the drive I take when I go to Elk City Oklahoma. I enjoy stopping at this stop and finally took a few photos.

Does anyone have any ideals for working in a art journal? I am getting sent one to work in and I am not a artist at all! But I am willing to give it a whirl. I think it will be fun and open up some of my creative juices so to speak. Of course I have looked at a million pictures on the internet. I want to make it fun for my partner as well as for me!

I am going to stop here!

Hello October!!

How in the world did September get by me without a single post? I know we did some fun things this last month but I must have not documented anything.

We got Aaron a cute F150 with towing package to drive. He got his driving license on the first try! Woo Hoo!! Am very proud of him! Now Trevor thinks he is his own personal driver. Of course Aaron will take Trevor's money for gas money, just like a real personal driver.

I have been looking for a raincoat with a liner inside to use while working. Luther actually found me one of his that he has never worn. I also found one at Blair that I want to order for $20.00. Which I am still going to order because it is more girly!

Oh goodness I have been taking care of business this morning. Has taken me about a hour to do several things. I always put off paper work and then once it is done I always feel like a huge weight is being lifted off my shoulders.

I am going to run to grocery store and get some items for lunch. Mr. C should be getting home soon. He had a class he had to attend this afternoon at El Reno Oklahoma.

I want to make a simple chicken recipe. Just need to find one first on the internet. Love looking at recipes.

Well till next time...

Birthday

The end of the month

Where in the world did august go? I am amazed at how fast this month has flown by. I must adit I am so glad that school has started back. Gives the boys less time to fight and argue! Trevor is falling behid in his pre~algebra class. At first he loved it but not so much now. I am not a lot of help in algebra, but if he would listen I could get him caught up. We tend to butt heads over homework.

I am at flower shop so I can only say a quick hi before I have to get off of here.
Have a great day!

Getting ready for school tomorrow!!

I am so excited the boys start school tomorrow! Our rural school seems to be starting later than all the schools around here. Took Aaron back to Dr. Giles yesterday and his finger is looking so much better. I also got Aaron enrolled in school. Couldn't get Trevor enrolled because he hasn't taken the 7th grade shot they requires. So I will be leaving work early today and getting the shot for him. He is not going to miss the 1st day that is for sure.

Yesterday was a great swap bot day for me. I had 3 awesome packages in the mail and a pen pal letter, also a box of goodies I ordered from Kawaii Ya. Now the rest of the week my mailbox will be empty.

Have been thinking about getting my sewing machine out and working on a small lap size quilt. I so need to be doing something creative instead of being on the computer playing frontierville all the time.

This past Friday and Saturday night I visited with my friends Leona and Michael Ann. Michael Ann came in from Kentucky and I haven't seen her in 3 years or so. It was wonderful to reconnect with them together. I visit with Leona some as she only lives about a mile from me. Actually I should be visiting her more but just can't seem to get into town as much as I like.

I hope everyone has stayed cool in the extreme heat we have been having. Thank goodness we have been in the low 100 degrees the last few days!

Till next time:)

Summertime blues

I haven't been on in awhile because of Aaron. We finally got him in the hospital Monday 18th and he got out Monday 25th! It was a long week. Duncan Regional needs to think about getting comfie chairs in the room especially during the night hours for moma's like me who stayed the nights. Yes I know he is old enough to stay by himself but I felt like he needed me with him. He had surgery Tuesday 19th on his finger. He had Mrsa..which is a horrible infection. He was eating away the inside of his finger. He is still weak today but he is so much better than he was.

Yesterday I took Trevor back to OU children's hospital to get his cast removed. He thought was getting it off and was good to go. Well that wasn't the case and he had to get a aircast on for 6 more weeks. That news made the little guy sick all over. Our plans was to go back to school shopping after Dr. visit. He insisted on going home' said he had a bad headache. So he did let me run into Michael's craft store to buy some journal items to use. He didn't even want to stop at Sonic in Oklahoma City before we started the 1 1/2 hour trip back home. That says a lot about how upset he was.

At Michaels craft store I finally broke down and bought my butterfly punch. It was $18.00 and I had been eyeballing it for some time. Last night when I got home I used it to make several punches to use in the new journal I am making for a swap! I ordered a dragonfly punch and hope it arrives soon! I didn't realize how much the punches cost. Although I know they really make cute journal pages and such.

Life is crazy!!

Yesterday I took Aaron to OU Children's Hospital at Oklahoma City. He has infection in his finger. They squeezed some of the infection home and put him on a antibotic and sent us home. He was in pain but they wouldn't give him anything for pain. He did not sleep at all last night. So this morning Grandpa Kendall took him to Duncan Regional Hospital to the ER room. They lanced it open and gave him more antibiotics and pain pills. Finger hurts but he said it wasn't as bad as yesterday. Tomorrow my mom's side of the family is having a small quick get together. This morning my cousin text me and tells me it has been called off. Then at 6pm she text and tells me it is on again. I just tell her I have already made plans. I don't like the whole off then on then off again feeling. Anyways we have to take Aaron back to ER to have the packing removed from his finger. So that will take up some of my day. Work today went well. I was alone for several hours and it was slow. I actually got some projects out of the way. I also worked on swap bot. I have 3 swaps I have to get out in the mail tomorrow morning. We have had 23 straight days of over 100 degrees. Today it said it was 113 degrees. That is just too hot for me! I don't do heat real well. It is 9pm and I need to get off here and get some stuff done before I head to bed. Good night everyone!!

Trevor's Surgery

The pj's they put Trevor in were so cute...but not something he would ever wear. I so had to get some photos of him in them.




Trevor's foot surgery went so good. It only took a hour for the actual surgery and I was very glad to see Dr. Lewis at 8:30 am. We didn't leave the hospital till after 1pm. The entire staff was very friendly and helpful. They made Trevor's first surgery a wonderful experience for us. I just wish that I had some moral support during the surgery. It is times like this that makes me miss my mom and grandma VERY much.

It sure was good to get home today. Both of us was so exhausted that we took a long nap. We had gone to bed at midnight Monday night and got up before 5am to get to the hospital. Not much sleep for either one of us. Am so glad we got a hotel room. Kinda wish that we had gotten a room for both nights. The only draw back is we use a local pharmist in Marlow Ok and Trevor needed his pain medications.

We will probably go to bed early tonight also. Thanks for stopping by and checking my blog. Till next time...

Trevor's upcoming Surgery

I went wild in CLAIRE'S!! I bought all of these items for $1.00 each!! I felt like I had hit the jack pot!! I got The Guide to Astrology reg $10.50, a cosmetic bag reg $7.00, 4 manicure sets reg $8.00, 2 packages of stickers reg $3.50, a plumping lip gloss reg $4.50, and a package of nail polish reg $8.50, 4 packaged cosmetic sets reg $16.00. How cool is that? The total cost would have been $133.50 without tax, I spent $16.33 includes tax. I know I will have some happy nieces come Christmas if I keep finding great bargins to buy.



This is a swap I received for a filled cosmetic bag series 1 part 5. Loved everything my partner sent me! The eyeshadow is exactly the brand and colors I already use! All the great extras she threw in was a hit with me also. I missed out on two of the swaps and I went out and bought them to put in my new cosmetic bag. When the series is over I will put a picture of my filled bag on here. We are currently working on mascara and then one on tools. I love this kind of swap




We go to pre~op Monday and have to be back Tuesday morning at Children's hospital at 6am. He is such a typical 12 year old, he now says he doesn't need the foot surgery. If you seen him walk you would know he is in pain and limps every step he takes. The surgery should only take 2 hours. Another crazy thing is he wants to keep the bone they cut off!? Really?? How gross is that? That is NOT coming home with me!