Happy Thanksgiving!!

I hope that you have an opportunity to step back from whatever busyness your day holds to really take a moment to be thankful. Even better, tell someone thank you, whether it be a family member, friend, or the Creator of it all. Happy Thanksgiving!

Help for Bloggers

Here's a neat program that could really serve as a help to us bloggers!

Interested yet? Nuance is allowing us to offer our readers a 25% Discount Coupon CODE Exclusive for Dragon Naturally Speaking, but you must click the image below and use this code (DNSMSBG) Together. Code will not work from other sources.
25% off Dragon Naturally Speaking 10 Standard

"This is an excerpt from a white paper discussing how bloggers can earn more money through several different monetization and freelance writing services. It shows that bloggers that utilize Dragon Naturally Speaking can earn more money through these various services and how fast these extra earnings will pay for the software itself.

Dragon Naturally Speaking 10 Blogger Break Even Analysis with TextBroker.com Earnings

I would like to walk you through several different scenarios to help all of us understand better what our words are worth.
I would like to start first by talking about a company that pays people to write. They pay them to write based on the number of words that are written. The company is called text broker.com and they are out of Germany and relatively new. I’m starting with TextBroker.com because the business model is very simple. The models will get more complex as I go through some of the other popular blog revenue sources.

Text broker.com will pay a person approximately 7/10 of a cent for a single word. They charge their customers approximately 1 penny per word. And they sell this service at increments starting at 100 words and go up from there.
That’s what they do; now let’s see how Dragon Naturally Speaking can pay for itself!
So, I’d really like to talk about how much you can earn from them based on how fast you type.
If you type 35 words per minute, and you typed for 50 minutes straight, you could theoretically type 1750 words.
Now at seven tenths of a penny per word, that work would be $12.25 per hour assuming that you take a ten minute break every hour. If you work four hours a day doing this, that would be forty-nine dollars per day.
If you could type 105 words per minute, that would be 5250 words in a fifty minute period of time. At that rate, you would earn $36.75 per hour assuming the same ten minute breaks every hour.

Obviously you can earn more if you can type faster.
If you could type 150 words per minute, then under this formula you could earn $52.50 per hour. That's almost 5 times more than you can earn if you type thirty-five words per hour.
So in this example there is definitely a value in typing faster!
There is a cost associated with being able to type as fast as well. You could go and take a typing class and learn how to type 150 words per minute. That might take you many months of school, and many years of practice.
It's also possible, that you may never be able to achieve that speed with your fingers.
Alternatively, you could buy Dragon NaturallySpeaking and be able to do it before the night was out. Dragon NaturallySpeaking costs $99 for the basic version and $199 for the preferred version.
As I write this, there are coupon code or discount code offers that you can use to save more money off that price. The coupon codes vary from $25-$50 off the price. Typically a bigger discount is offered for the preferred version, which I use myself.
Now in our example, if you bought Dragon NaturallySpeaking for ninety-nine dollars, and you did not use the coupon code to save twenty-five dollars, you would be able type 150 words per minute, and if you could previously type 35 words per minute, then based on the extra money that you could earn by typing faster, you would be able to pay for Dragon NaturallySpeaking in less than three hours of work using textbroker.com.
It kind of seems like a no-brainer. In many ways, it is a no-brainer with one exception. Not everybody writes for textbroker.com.
If you consider how much additional money you might earn by using Dragon NaturallySpeaking, and consider how much more work you could do by being able to type at 150 words per minute, then you might be able to figure out how long it will take you to pay off the software with your earnings.
I will cover a number of other situations, which will highlight this using other examples where people that typically write a great deal, could benefit from using Dragon NaturallySpeaking.
If you have an example that you would like to share, please let me know, and I will be more than happy to share it with everyone. :-) "

Get Dragon Naturally Speaking using Discount code DNSMBG

For more information, the full white paper is available at http://www.softduit.com/mavenmappersinformation/category/software/dragon-naturally-speaking/

Upside Down Cleaning Plan

I've spent much of the last few days cleaning my house, cleaning for family that come to visit once every few months, or every month at most(family I do love dearly, just don't see super often :)). It is nice to have it be out of the realm of yuch into the realm of okay, but really, think how upside down this is. Shouldn't I clean it like this for the people who have to live in it with me, the ones who I hold closest to my heart? Like so many other things, those that live with me get stuck with the "good enough" while I dish out the good stuff to others. Recognizing this is one step - doing something about it a lot more complicated....

One more helping of stuffing, please!

Thanksgiving is just a few days away!! Our family is actually going to be doing two dinners with the works this year. Fun, yes. Good for the waistline, no!! I think that after all of the holiday munching is done, I'll be back online, googling to find out more about top rated diet pills and what else I can do to make the Thanksgiving pounds melt away!!! On the other hand, I could exercise some self control in how much I eat, but you know, I know myself too well to plan on that one!!! Happy munching!

Foster Care rants

I just mentioned a few posts back that we are providing respite for a little boy right now, and I've got to say that the more time that I spend in the foster care system, the more disillusioned I am by it. This child's previous foster parent moved away, and just a few days before she moved, he still didn't have a place to land. We took him to buy the social workers some time to figure out where he was going to land. I knew that they would ask us to keep him on, and some part of me hoped that we could make our home his new "home for now", but two little boys under the age of four are just taking me and the rest of my family a little bit over the top. It's so sad, because I don't know where he will go when he leaves here. Will he end up with another foster care family that will play with him and hold him and wipe his tears, or will he end up in a not so great spot? I wish I had more to offer!!! Arggh!! Anyway, I guess there's no great way to handle all of the kids that are tossed into this system every day. I guess I just need to do my little part the best I can, and remember to pray for the rest....

The Flat Belly Diet

Have you heard of the Flat Belly Diet? It seems like there's always a new one coming out, isn't there? But you know, especially as we near the traditional American overeating holiday of Thanksgiving, I figured I should take a few minutes to educate myself on this one The name itself, well, it sounds like something worth checking out!

This diet stresses the importance of making good food choices, though is not restrictive in the sense of most diets. I mean, chocolate is on the "must eat" list!! It also is specifically aimed at trimming that pesky belly fat away quickly. Catch your interest yet? For a short time, Prevention magazine is giving away copies of their book that includes the details on this diet, only requesting that you register with them, and then blog on your progress. Not a big deal for those of us who find ourselves rambling on here often anyway!! Much of my rambling involves food too, so there you go!
Has anyone out there tried this one already? I mean, really, as far as effort goes, this ones looks really good, but still makes sense. I think I might be visiting the site and signing up, if there's still room. I'll keep you posted!

Over the top

It's been a few days since I've been on here, or really since anyone's been on here! For some reason this site has been flashing a 404 error message, and despite my fumbling attempts to repair it, it just wasn't happening. Then we added another foster care child, this one 3 and a half, just for respite, but it took me over the top of being able to get anything else done, or really even think logically. But, a few days later and he's settled in, so here I go again!!!

Shopping ideas

I am not really creative with shopping ideas, and tighter than usual purse strings make it extra tricky this year. Plus, with the extra munchkin here, along with the rest of life, I just don't have tons of time to shop around for deals. I'm a little bummed about the status of my Christmas list. I just heard about something this morning that makes me a little more optimistic. Kmart
has decided to do their part in helping consumers in a crunch by unveiling an unparalleled assortment of more than 25,000 gifts under $25. They're not just offering generics for this reduced price, but name brands like Craftsman, Celebrations by Radko, Martha Stewart Everyday and more. Yeah!!! They've got all sorts of goodies!

Just with a quick look I found a Barbie globe, which quells the desire for all things Barbie, but has quite a bit of merit as well. Under $25! That would take care of my eight year old. Route 66 girls fashion hoodies and embellished jeans, both just $16.99 each! My ten year old is seriously into clothes right now. That would take care of her. Joe Boxer men’s and women’s two- and three-piece cozy sleep sets, $12.99- $24.99. That would take care of me and my husband.

This is easy, especially when you combine it with the layaway program that KMart offers!

Additionally, shoppers can sign up to receive the latest Kmart news via e-mail that includes updates on special store hours, in-store deals and online-only sales to find the best value during their holiday shopping.

Let me know what you find!

Why is Math so hard?

I was reading a great article by Faith Berens about homeschooling your struggling learner, and wanted to share a few of her thoughts here. This would apply to homeschoolers and school-schoolers alike, just a few tips if Math is just HARD! There is more info available on HSLDA's Struggling Learners resources webpage. Not a plug they've asked me to share, just a great resource from one mom in need of 'em to another!

Things you’re likely already doing:

• Use fun approaches for the basics, such as card games and computer games.
• Use music, movement, rhymes, and chants to help cement memorization.
• Use manipulatives and hands-on materials, such as everyday objects.
• Use a multi-sensory approach to teaching math, such as the Touch Math program.
• Look for workbooks that have large spaces to write in, few review problems, and not a lot of visual clutter.
• Provide concrete materials to build a strong foundation of concepts before moving into abstract concepts.
• Help your child to visualize and provide real life opportunities and situations, especially when working on problem solving and word problems.

Some other approaches:

• Model, model, model the problem-solving process, showing your child how to do it (using color and picture), before having him work on his own.
• Teach math processes “in depth” by using booklets comprised of all of one type of math problem, for instance, subtraction (such as Key Math or Spectrum workbooks). That way a child who is “brittle” in math has the opportunity to really learn a concept inside and out.
• Make a math “template” or example of the math concept/processes as you teach them (I like to use chart paper or poster board from the local teacher store.). Hang this template/example up high so he can readily refer to it. This rich representation with color and pictures will help your child store it in his long-term memory!
• Use color, pictures, and humor (such as silly stories) when teaching math facts.
• Have your child work out practice problems on a white board using different and vivid colors. Make sure the process is firmly cemented before moving into pencil/paper or workbook practice.

Oriental Trading Company

Oriental Trading Company really can't be beat for cheap gifts and party supplies anyway, but here's the frosting on the cake!

Welcome Home

This is another good one by Max Lucado. I've got to tell you that I am really glad right now that this, what I can see all around me, is not all that there is. I'm glad that I am not really home yet. I'm glad that my home is one full of hope, not hopelessness, and joy, not despair. I'm looking forward to being welcomed home.

Homesickness is one of the burdens God doesn’t mind if we carry. God has “set eternity in the hearts of men” (Eccles. 3:11 NIV). Down deep you know you are not home yet.

This is not our forever house. It will serve for the time being. But there is nothing like the moment we enter his door.

Molly can tell you. After a month in our house she ran away. I came home one night to find the place unusually quiet. Molly was gone.

She’d slipped out unnoticed. The search began immediately. Within an hour we knew that she was far, far from home. Now, if you don’t like pets, what I’m about to say is going to sound strange. If you do like pets, you will understand.

You’ll understand why we walked up and down the street, calling her name. You’ll understand why I drove around the neighborhood at 10:30 P.M. You’ll understand why I put up a poster in the convenience store and convened the family for a prayer. (Honestly, I did.) You’ll understand why I sent e-mails to the staff, asking for prayers, and to her breeder, asking for advice. And you’ll understand why we were ready to toss the confetti and party when she showed up.

Here is what happened. The next morning Denalyn was on her way home from taking the girls to school when she saw the trash truck. She asked the workers to keep an eye out for Molly and then hurried home to host a moms’ prayer group. Soon after the ladies arrived, the trash truck pulled into our driveway, a worker opened the door, and out bounded our dog. She had been found.

When Denalyn called to tell me the news, I could barely hear her voice. It was Mardi Gras in the kitchen. The ladies were celebrating the return of Molly.

This story pops with symbolism. The master leaving his house, searching for the lost. Victories in the midst of prayer. Great things coming out of trash. But most of all: the celebration at the coming home. That’s something else you have in common with Molly—a party at your homecoming.

Those you love will shout. Those you know will applaud. But all the noise will cease when the Father cups your chin and says, “Welcome home.” And with scarred hand he’ll wipe every tear from your eye. And you will dwell in the house of your Lord—forever.

Layaway those presents!

Yeah!! Another store is offering a layaway program! With everyone pinching pennies this Christmas, this is such an intelligent alternative to borrowing more money on credit cards. Simply pay off your wish list in small installments, and be left with no debts after Christmas!! I love that you don't have to hide the presents for too long this way as well!

If I were shopping at Sears, and using the layaway program, here's what you'd find in my cart...

For me, actually, or maybe for our family, or from my kids to me, a food dehydrator. We're trying to be healthier, and it'd be great to know exactly what was in dried fruits and jerky that we're munching on. If I could switch my eight year old from slim jims to homemade jerky, that would make it worthwhile on its own.

Nesco Professional Food & Jerky Dehydrator... Reg Price: $79.99 Savings: $8.00 You Pay: $71.99

For my mom, a nice winter coat, just because she deserves a treat, and it's hard to find nice coats in a tall length :).

Covington Women's Plus Hooded Pea Coat

$84.99 each $170.00 each

Save 50 %

thru 11/22/08

For my husband, a suit, because he's never had one, since I've known him anyway, and he would look very handsome in one :).

Covington Perfect Suit Separates - Poly Wool Blend, Black

starts at $49.99 starts at $75.00

thru 11/22/08

These are all items that are a little bit out of my price range to walk into the store and buy today, but if I could spread the money out over the next month, with no interest, and keep these sale prices, I'd be a happy shopper! Hmmm... I think perhaps one of these days very soon I need to venture out, without children, to the mall to do some Sears Layaway shopping!

Home Another Way

One of the moms in our homeschool group has just written an amazing book, her first published one, that I just have to chat about for a moment... Home Another Way by Christa Parrish. It's a good read, with a nice message, but doesn't fall prey to the predictability of many inspirational novels. I read it in two "after I put the kids to bed but before I fell asleep way too late" chunks, and spent the day in between thinking about what might happen later that night. I was hooked! It's been a while since I've read a grown up book that's not about homeschooling or child rearing, so this was a great treat!!

Thanks, Christa, for putting so much into making this a really good book. I look forward to reading your next one!

Eyeglasses on the cheap

Everything is getting so expensive right now!!! There are things that you can cut from your budget, but some you just can't. Some things you just need, like eyeglasses. Like everything else, however, eyeglasses are expensive.

Internet shopping, however, has revolutionized the eyeglasses industry. You can now take your prescription and shop around for the best deal on glasses online. There is one company that stands out as far as its unheard of cost effective pricing model:

ZenniOptical.com sells Stylish Prescription Glasses Online from $8!!

This is big news, as this price in unbelievably low. There have even been articles printed in major publications about this company and its deals.

When you find amazing deals, if you're like me, you look for the "catch." Often times places that offer super low prices offer them on only one of two items, just to get you interested, and then have inflated prices on the things that you'd actually buy. The old switcheroo.... But, one of the things that stands out to me is that, even with the low pricing, ZenniOptical still offers a huge selection of frames. They also have all different types of lenses: single vision, sunsensor, tinted sunglasses, bifocal and progressive. So you're not compromising on selection in order to get the savings.

Sounds like a win-win, doesn't it?

Let me know if you've had any experience with this company - I'd love to hear feedback from a customer!

Saturday's to do list?

Today's Saturday, the day of chores and running around, yet today my list didn't get too much done. You know, though, I should write a new list:

Do a little bit of housecleaning - well, I vacuumed - check
Do a little bit of laundry - I washed 3 loads, dried 2 so far, folded 1, put away none - check
Change a few pull up diapers - check
Give a few hugs - check
Break up a few fights - check
Give a few kisses - check
Clean kitchen - I emptied sink and loaded dishwasher - check
Clean bathroom - I mopped up an overflowed sink with a hand towel - check
Balance checkbook - I found the checkbook! - check (for now :))
Change out of pajamas - check!
Sit and talk with another grownup - I did it today!!! - check
Do grocery shopping - I can still hope for that, maybe even solo!

You know, now, looking back, it's been a full day :). Yeah me!

Inviting Home

I know I've rambled on before about my husband being a carpenter, so it's no surprise that he really enjoys homes that show that the builders, or decorators, have paid attention to detail. When we were house shopping, it drove him nuts to find house with poorly installed trim, or substandard home lighting. He just felt that errors on the small things reflected the quality of the work in the home overall. We walked away from many homes that I would have put offers in on for that reason.

I've found a website that I know he is going to really enjoy, both on a professional and a personal level: InvitingHome.com. This website is the virtual showroom for an actual physical store. They offer all sorts of amazingly beautiful products, from larger items like furniture down to smaller items like crown moulding and decorative hardware, all of high quality.

Like good stores do, they also offer tons of information and assistance. They even always have an architectural specialist and interior designer on call and available for over the phone consultations. Wow... That would be helpful for someone like me, who needs all of the help that I can get!

So, I know that he'll enjoy this site. The question is, will I show him? I suppose that depends on where this beautiful stuff is going!! Our house? Well, maybe then :).

Lentil soup

I just lunch at a friend's house and we had lentil soup. I've never had that before. When she brought the bowls out to the table, you should have seen how wide my kids' eyes got!! It was actually wonderfully yummy soup, especially on a cold rainy day, but neither of my girls gave it a whirl. It made me realize really how accustomed they are to packaged processed stuff... I'm feeling a little convicted. Perhaps if more of us ate like that we'd be worrying less about our weight, using less diet pills, and just feeling better! One more thing on my list of things to do!!

Christmas commericals

My foster care kiddo just toddled over to me with a toy catalog and asked me if we could have "Christmas with the toys now"... Wow! I'm sure this has already been picked up from the television ads. It's amazing. You can watch a half hour show and see ads for twenty different toys, Seiko watches, new cars, just about everything, all packaged between bites of actual programming. Anyway, guess we need to have a few more conversations about the joys of giving the gifts, and the true meaning of Christmas, and a few less hours watching tv!

" I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time."

- Jack London

What do you think of this quote? It was given in a book I just read about spirited children, and really does describe the mindset of a spirited kiddo, the kind that drives a parent a bit batty. It's a good thing, but not an easy thing, to truly enjoy your life and live it well.... Anyway, your thoughts?

Here's an unusual gift!

If you're like me, you struggle to come up with original gift ideas each Christmas. I have a sister that just LOVES giving gifts. I would like to be that way. I do like to be generous, but I just have no imagination in gift giving. This year, however, I found an unusual gift-giving idea. Check this one out!!

Cryo-Cell is a company that offers some very different gift cards. Cryo-Cell’s Signature U-Cord® and C’elle® Gift Cards provide unique, meaningful, and affordable gifting options this Christmas. These cards offer the unique gift of hope with stem cell preservation that may potentially save or impact one’s quality of life. Cryo-cell offers a few different services that you can purchase these cards for.

U-Cord would be a great gift for a friend or family member who is expecting a baby soon. This service offers a way to preserve vital stem cells that are collected from their baby’s cord blood. These stem cells are known to treat over 75 diseases including leukemia, anemia, lymphoma, diabetes and cerebral palsy.

There is also a gifting option for women who are not pregnant. C’elle is a product that enables women to collect and cryopreserve stem cells for potential cellular therapies that may emerge in the future.

What an amazing gift your gift card could turn out to be! You can offer hope this Christmas season. Also, I can pretty much guarantee you that this gift will not be a double!! :)

Why do I procrastinate?

I don't know about you, but so often I am convicted about things right after I rant and rave to my kids about the exact same thing... So tonight I'm midstream chewing out my ten year old for not completing her Science reading, that is due tomorrow, until after dinner tonight, when I realize that I have also not finished my prep for co-op. Whoops! My mouth closed quickly... If I were judged with the same measuring stick I tend to hold my kids up against, I'd be in big trouble!!! Thank you God for mercy. I gladly receive it, but help me to give it too!!! And, also, help me not to procrastinate so much!!!

New for my blog!

I've found a cool new resource for blog pictures. I had never heard of it before tonight, and I'm bummed, because I've missed adding a lot of great pictures to my blog post. Acobox collects, screens, and hosts quality pictures for bloggers. They offer images that are licensed, optimized, and ready use with blogs. They make adding pictures to your blog easy, taking away the need to download, resize, and upload the image file. Best of all , the service is simple, easy, and free!
Take a peek at one of their quality pictures.

This is a place that I would like to have on hand just for when the kids are driving me a little over the top.... I can imagine myself way up there, in the tallest of the rooms in the tower, just listening to the quiet... I may just print the picture out and hang it in my bathroom, so when I hide in there during the day, for a few minutes I can pretend :).

Anyway, for right now, I am just glad to have something new and fun to use on my blog. Part of why I'm jabbering on about it here is so that I don't lose the link and forget where the site is! Hey - let me know what you think of it too!

Busy Day

We have had a jam packed day, and I just wanted to take a moment to catch my breath by myself, so here I am, rambling to you... We went on a field trip to the planetarium and museum this morning, then, since Dad was off work anyway, ended up surprising the kids and taking them to Madagascar 2. We found that our 2 year old foster kiddo is not quite up to sitting through an entire movie, but he did pretty well. It was funny, though there were definitely a few unnecessary scenes, like the two hippos hitting on each other in a fairly provocative way. Who ever knew I would consider animated hippos to be provocative? Anyway... a busy day. Deep breath. Now on to supper, bedtime, getting last minute things ready for co-op, and maybe even a little laundry. Whoo hoo!!! Do I know how to live or what? :)

Christmas tools!!

Ahhh!!! Do you realize how quickly Christmas is coming!?! I have so much to do in the way of shopping and getting ready - I used to be done by now!!! I'm just lost for ideas this year, and of course, like everyone, my purse is a little smaller this year.

Okay - here's something that might help me out....

I've mentioned before on here that my husband is a carpenter, and you know, so is my father in law. Besides them, just about every guy on my Christmas shopping list is also an avid tool user, a dabbler in building and repairs. Soooo, it makes me very, very happy when I find a big sale on tools. Yeah!!! I'm happy - check it out - Craftsman C3 Tools on Sale!! There are some really good deals there, on the gamut of tools, and the Craftsman brand is good one - great warranty and all. Ok, just now on their website I found this:

A laser level, which even I think is cool, with the included goodies, usually $34.99, on sale for $14.99 That, I think, is very cool. Big savings... Hmmm, I need to check on this and see who I can hook up with this one - it doesn't look like a $15 gift.... Maybe a few brother in laws :). I'm on a mission! Gotta run and work on that list!!

Veteran's Day

Today is Veteran's Day, a day to honor all of the men and women who have served the United States of America, my country, in the armed forces. It is so easy to take for granted all that has been, and is being done, by those in the armed forces. Truly, all of the liberties and freedoms that we enjoy without too much thought have been bought with their toil, tears, and blood. Thank you to all veterans. You truly are appreciated.

Domain names, web hosting - I'm so confused!

Some people seem to think that I know stuff about computers because I've set up a few web sites, but you know what, it's amazing what you can do late at night on a caffeine buzz. I really have very little idea what I'm doing on here!! I am currently trying to figure out what I need to do with my webhosting. I have a few blogs, and one distinct web site, and well, due to doing too many paid posts I guess, the Google ranks are pretty stinky. I'd like to fix them, but I've been told I'd be better off just starting again. Bummer.... It does give me a chance to rearrange some things though. Anyway, I found a neat site that gives lots of options and details about the different hosting choices out there - they even have a part with free domain names!! Oooh - I like free :) Sooo, one of these days when I have a few free moments, I plan to do some changing, rearranging, and relocating. Stay tuned for details, and let me know if you have any pointers on all of this!! Thanks! :)

My Soul Finds Rest

It seems like everyone I talk to lately (including when I talk to myself :))is just tired lately. Some are physically tired, some tired of hard things in their lives, some tired of just life. If you can relate, when you have a quiet moment, or even a moment when you can block out the noise behind you, click on this video and just listen. Just be. Just rest....

Layaway for Christmas

Layaway used to be big stuff when we were kids. I remember almost all of the stores, that we shopped at anyway, had layaway counters by their customer service, or in the back of the store next to the restrooms - important places to be able to locate as a kid!! Anyway, as credit cards started popping up in just about every pocket, the layaway counters seemed to just kind of disappear. The only one that I've really seen stick around through the years is the Kmart Lay-Away program, and this year I bet it's going to be busy!! With the credit market tightening up, and all of the financial uncertainty out there, buying lots of stuff with unsecured credit suddenly isn't feeling too smart. Rewind to layaway! If you've never done the layaway thing, let me sum it up. You go through the store with your cart, just as if you were shopping to check out today. Instead of paying for your cartful of presents today, however, and having to take them home to try to hide them for the next month, you head to the layaway department, ring up your order with the great sale prices, and just pay a portion of your bill. You come back at least once every two weeks and pay a little more, chipping away at that bill until it's done and ready to be bagged up and taken home.

One thing that I see on the Kmart website that I would love to buy is pictured below.
I doubt that I can sell my husband on the idea, but I would love to surprise our foster son with a set of drums. I guess they would be a better surprise for all of us if we had a bigger, more soundproof house. Regardless, the drums would be an example of a good thing to use layaway for: big box = hard to hide, a little bit more money = easier to pay off a little at a time. We'll see...

Anyway - do you have any other tips or ideas for stretching out gift giving money this Christmas season?

A Forever Home

Another good one by Max Lucado...

For the last twenty years, I’ve wanted a dog. A big dog. But there were always problems. The apartment was too small. The budget was too tight. The girls were too young. But most of all, Denalyn was unenthusiastic. Her logic? She’d already married one slobbering, shedding beast, why put up with a second? So we compromised and got a small dog.

I like Salty, but small dogs aren’t really dogs. They don’t bark; they yelp. They don’t eat; they nibble. They don’t lick you; they sniff you. I like Salty, but I wanted a real dog. A man’s-best-friend type of dog. A fat-pawed, big-eating, slurp-you-on-the-face type of dog you could saddle or wrestle or both.

I was alone in my passion until Sara was born. She loves dogs. And the two of us were able to sway the household vote. Denalyn gave in, and Sara and I began the search. We discovered a woman in South Carolina who breeds golden retrievers in a Christian environment. From birth the dogs are surrounded by inspirational music and prayers. (No, I don’t know if they tithe with dog biscuits.) When the trainer told me that she had read my books, I got on board. A woman with such good taste is bound to be a good breeder, right?

So we ordered a pup. We mailed the check, selected the name Molly, and cleared a corner for her dog pillow. The dog hadn’t even been born, and she was named, claimed, and given a place in the house.

Can’t the same be said about you? Long before your first whimper, your Master claimed you, named you, and hung a reserved sign on your room. You and Molly have more in common than odor and eating habits. (Just teasing.)

You’re both being groomed for a trip. We prefer the terms maturation and sanctification to weaning and training, but it’s all the same. You’re being prepared for your Master’s house. You don’t know the departure date or flight number, but you can bet your puppy chow that you’ll be seeing your Owner someday. Isn’t this the concluding promise of David?

“And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Ps. 23:6 nkjv).

Where will you live forever? In the house of the Lord. If his house is your “forever house,” what does that make this earthly house? You got it! Short-term housing. This is not our home. “Our homeland is in heaven” (Phil. 3:20).

We, like Molly, are being prepared for another house.

Don’t quench, but rather, stir this longing for heaven.

God’s home is a forever home. “And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Ps. 23:6 nkjv).

From
Traveling Light

How amazingly comforting to know that HE desired us, then HE sought us, then HE brought us into His family. There are so many days when I certainly don't feel desired or loved, though I know that those around me really do love me. They are imperfect people like me. God is perfect, as is His desiring, seeking, and loving. My home with Him truly is a forever home!

Sleepover

Both of my girls have friends sleeping over tonight, and I'm struggling with when to make the littler gigglers go to bed. I want them to have fun, but also don't want super cranky kids tomorrow. I also just want to go to sleep myself!! Hmmm - the wonderful balance of fun and responsible - where to draw the line.?.?..

FreshFunds

I love the different programs where you can sign up to get points for things that you're doing anyway, and then turn those points into prizes, especially now that my kiddos are old enough to do some of the entering part of it. Minimal effort for fun rewards. Found a new one!! It's called freshfunds, and it's sponsored by Chiquita and Fresh Express. You can accumulate points towards prizes or charity donations, and then bid on cool prizes with those points, prizes like a new Apple
MacBOOK (for all us "techi-holics" - I know my family's ready to run an intervention to get me off of online!), an elliptical machine, an ultimate ski weekend for two, and a Nintendo Wii Fit. Chiquita Fruit and Veggie Bites, Fresh Express Gourmet Café Salads, and Fresh Express Packaged Salads are all products involved in this promotion, and there is even a fun little fruit and veggie family, The Sproutwells that are playing alongside of us :).

See you over at FreshFunds :)

MOPS

Have you ever heard of MOPS - mothers of preschoolers? It's a great organization, designed to encourage mothers of little kiddos, and MOPS clubs meet all over the place. The reason I'm thinking of them right now is that my daughters and I just finished volunteering for the childcare portion of a MOPS group today that meets in our church. Three hours of a room full of toddlers and I am whipped! How did I do daycare all day before? Anyway, a good group worth looking into if you are in need of a little mom time... I think they have a special speaker or talk each time, maybe a craft type activity, yummy snacks of course, and well, a few hours without a kiddo hanging on your hip :). I'm sure the groups vary a bunch from one to another, but you can look at the big website at www.mops.org . (This is not any kind of a paid plug, I've just been meaning to blurb about them for a while and it's fresh in my mind right now :)).

Heavy duty pants!

I've mentioned before on here that my husband is a carpenter. That being said, he is a bit rough on his clothes. He is constantly kneeling down, tearing knees out of his jeans, or just being tough on his pants especially. I'm thinking that maybe we need to look into something like 5.11 Tactical Pants. These pants appear to be heavy duty pants, designed for serious outdoor applications. Any experiences with these? I'm big on practical Christmas gifts, so I might try them out for then!

Free Magic Eraser!

I love getting free stuff - I really do!! Mr. Clean is giving away free mini Magic Erasers if you simply register here. You know, those little white sponge type deals that can take just about anything off of just about anything? Good little deals, but a little expensive for my cheap self.. A free one though, yeah!!! It takes three minutes to register and then it's yours! Enjoy!

Money tips

Just wanted to let you know that I've been doing a little series of tips on saving money on one of my other blogs, Trying to Save Some Money. The tips are based on advice from Mary Hunt. Good stuff!! Check em out :).

Vote!!

Tomorrow is a big day in our country, a big election. Hopefully you've registered already (too late now!), so now just be sure to get out and vote!! Times polls are open can be found here, so check it out, make your plans, and don't miss it tomorrow!!

Suit up!

My husband left behind the world of dressing up for work a few years ago. Now he's traded in his mens’ suit for a carpenter's duds. There are not too many occasions for us to dress up for at this point of our lives.... A nice shirt and khakis work for just about everything in our typical week: church, a wedding, a funeral... There are those times however, like a family member's wedding, or a really big night out, when it'd be nice to have a custom suit to pull out of the closet for my hubby. I say a custom suit because my husband is hard to fit off of the rack. He is tall and quite slim-waisted, and pants are kind of a pain to find for him. In order to get a real quality fit, a suit for him would need to be made to measure. That, however, just sounds expensive doesn't it? Something kind of cool that I've come across is a company that uses a new process to manufacture truly made-to-measure suits at off-the-rack prices and turn-around times. They offer the style and fit that you need in the fabric you want. Their suits have a to week turn-around time, which is nice, and start at $495, which really is quite good for all that they offer!

Click through on of the links above and "window shop" with me. If I were putting one together for my husband today I'd go with a 3 button jacket, single pleat pants, in a dark grey wool. What would you come up with? It's fun to play with all of the options :).

Anyway, back to kids and school, and the shopping is saved for another day! See you soon!

More joy?

"Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me from your presence

or take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation

and grant me a willling spirit, to sustain me."

Psalms 51:10-12

How easy it is to become so discouraged, so overwhelmed with the "stuff" of parenting, of life... How easy it is for joy to escape me. What an encouragement to know that I am not alone, that thousands of years ago King David was feeling this same way, discouraged, frustrated with himself and his shortcomings, empty of joy. What an encouragement to know that when he asked God to restore his joy, He did. He can for me too....

McCain on Saturday Night Live

I didn't stay up to watch Saturday Night Live last night, but I did want to see how John McCain did. I think he held his own on the show. He seemed to be a good sport...

We've been talking about American presidents a lot lately for our school, and today our conversation turned to how presidents of the past would view the campaigning of today. Spots on SNL and prime time commercials would probably be a bit of a surprise to them (besides the no t.v. piece for many of our country's years :)). Anyway, in case you haven't seen it, here is one of John McCain's SNL clips:

and another:

Judas

Here's someone I've never heard a devotional centered on: Judas! You know, that disciple who betrayed Jesus for a few pieces of silver? The one who ended up hanging himself? Not one that you would think of writing too much about.... This is a good one, though, by one of my favorite authors, Max Lucado.

If God has called you to be a Martha, then serve! Remind the rest of us that there is evangelism in feeding the poor and there is worship in nursing the sick.

If God has called you to be a Mary, then worship! Remind the rest of us that we don’t have to be busy to be holy. Urge us with your example to put down our clipboards and megaphones and be quiet in worship.

If God has called you to be a Lazarus, then testify. Remind the rest of us that we, too, have a story to tell. We, too, have neighbors who are lost. We, too, have died and been resurrected.

Each of us has our place at the table.

Except one. There was one at Martha’s house who didn’t find his place. Though he had been near Jesus longer than any of the others, he was furthest in his faith. His name was Judas. He was a thief. When Mary poured the perfume he feigned spirituality. “The perfume could have been sold and given to the poor,” he said. But Jesus knew Judas’s heart, and Jesus defended Mary’s worship. Years later, John, too, knew Judas’s heart, and John explained that Judas was a thief (John 12:6). And all these years he had been dipping his hand in the treasury. The reason he wanted the perfume to be sold and the money put in the treasury was so that he could get his hands on it.

What a sad ending to a beautiful story. But what an appropriate ending. For in every church there are those like Martha who take time to serve. There are those like Mary who take time to worship. There are those like Lazarus who take time to testify.

And there are those like Judas who take, take, take, and never give in return. Are you a Judas? I ask the question carefully, yet honestly. Are you near Christ but far from his heart? Are you at the dinner with a sour soul? Are you always criticizing the gifts of others yet seldom, if ever, giving your own? Are you benefiting from the church while never giving to it? Do others give sacrificially while you give miserly? Are you a Judas?

Do you take, take, take, and never give? If so, you are the Judas in this story.

If you are a Martha, be strengthened. God sees your service.
If you are a Mary, be encouraged. God receives your worship.
If you are a Lazarus, be strong. God honors your conviction.
But if you are a Judas, be warned. God sees your selfishness.

Home Shopping Network Coupons

Economy, economy, economy!! It's all over the news, the commercials, even our conversations with friends. Even people that never really worried about finances are really thinking twice about spending their money now. What can we do to practically help? We can cut unnecessary expenses, but there are some things that we just really do need to buy. Food, diapers, kind of non-negotiables! I think more people than ever are using coupons right now, with talk of jobs ending and prices going up. It's an easy way to save money while getting the products that you really want. I know that my coupons quite often bring higher quality brand name products down to the same price, or even less, than the generics. There are even a ton of resources available online to help you find store sales and coupons that match up to those reduced products. Love that idea!! Double savings! Also, there are more and more sites springing up that offer coupons online, some that you can print out and use in stores, and some that you can use codes from to make purchases online. Minimal effort for big savings. Hey - I've found a new coupon resource that I wanted to share:
http://www.savings.com/m-Home-Shopping-Network-coupons.html
Check it out and let me know what kind of savings you find!

A line in the sand

This was forwarded to me in an email. Take just a moment and quietly watch the whole thing, without preconceptions... Watch. Think. Pray.



Feedback?

Work from home with an established company!!

I've found a new work at home opportunity that sounds like it's worth checking into...

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Follow the link above, check it out, and let me know what you think. I'll be doing the same...