Believing God

TOS Review: Zeezok Publishing's "Z-Guide to the Movies"

2012-01-11T09:44:00.002-06:00

Do you enjoy using movies to supplement your homeschool curriculum? Or, perhaps you don't homeschool, but like to bring in a little more meaning with some of the movies your children watch? Then the Z-Guide to the Movies series from Zeezok Publishing may be just the thing for you!

I received a digital copy of the Z-Guide for the movie Flyboys. The guides were originally produced for high school students, however, Zeezok has recently introduced guides for younger students; I received the elementary version. I screened the movie myself, as it was not one I'd seen and was rated PG-13 for "war action violence and some sexual content". After watching it, I was comfortable with letting Wonder Boy view it, aside from perhaps one scene in a bordello (there are references to prostitutes in general, and the ladies are wearing period undergarments, but I did not see anything physical aside from kissing). The violence was fairly mild. In fact, Zeezok actually suggests you check out any movies you're considering on a site like Plugged In. If you cannot locate a copy of the movie you wish to use, they are available for purchase (on DVD) through Zeezok.

Z-Guides are available for movies representing most time periods, from ancient civilizations all the way up to the Viet Nam War era. The guide for Flyboys begins with a topic overview and viewing of the movie with 14 review questions to be completed during the movie. Following the handy week-long schedule, there are also oral and written reports, art projects, a crossword puzzle, and reading comprehension activities, amongst others. There are two suggested activities for each day. You can see a sample of a Z-Guide here. Wonder Boy is technically in 6th grade, and I found the activities to be appropriate for him. The Z-Guide even has suggestions for using it with younger students that may not be reading yet, though I don't think I'd show the entire movie to a younger elementary student. Other movies may be more appropriate, however.

I really like how Z-Guides can be used to make a specific time period come alive for your child. Whether your child absolutely loves history or is one that struggles with it, I think Z-Guides would enhance any history curriculum. Z-Guides are available from Zeezok Publishing at www.zeezok.com. You can choose an e-book or a cd, and can even get a license to use the guide with groups. Z-Guides are $12.99 for either format (single license), and movies are priced individually. Classroom licenses are $49.99. Zeezok sells other educational items, including their Great Musician Series and Presidential Penmanship, "a supplemental handwriting skills program for first grade through senior high based on writings and quotes of America’s founding fathers and presidents."

***Note: I received a copy of a Z-Guide for the purpose of my review through the TOS Homeschool Crew. All opinions are my own.

TOS Review: Homeschool Spanish

2012-01-05T23:45:00.000-06:00

Homeschool Spanish is a great way to teach your children Spanish, even if you do not know any yourself. It has audio files, so that you and your child can be sure of pronunciation, even without prior Spanish experience. I was given a copy of the e-book bundle, including the Daily Curriculum Guide. The Daily Curriculum Guide is great, because it breaks down each week for you with any prep work you need to do for the week, new vocab for each day, and activities to reinforce learning. This program is big on reinforcement throughout the day, which I think is wonderful! The book is full of suggestions of ways to incorporate practicing Spanish while you go about your daily life. There is even a section on their website with free cultural links. Activities there include games and puzzles, history, recipes, songs and videos, and even science and Bible verses! I love that the Homeschool Spanish activity book really is an activity book, and not just a workbook with a nicer name. It is full of word searches, crossword puzzles, word scrambles, and cryptograms, to name a few.

True to its name, Homeschool Spanish was developed by a homeschooling mother - who just happens to also be a doctorate in French studies, married to a man from Mexico (which is when she learned Spanish). Rather than being a curriculum written for schools and then adapted to homeschoolers, this program was written with the homeschooler in mind. The book contains suggestions of how to use it with multiple children, as well as how to make use of it in your family's unique rhythm.

Homeschool Spanish is available at www.realhomeschoolspanish.com. It is available in both a downloadable version and hard copy. The downloadable version starts at $49.95. If you are looking for a Spanish curriculum that emphasizes learning through fun rather than stressful grammar exercises, then Homeschool Spanish may be for you!

***Note: I received a downloadable copy of Homeschool Spanish in exchange for my review through TOS Homeschool Crew. All opinions are my own.

TOS Review: Vintage Remedies For Kids

2011-12-19T22:54:00.001-06:00

I first heard of Vintage Remedies a year ago, when a friend of mine excitedly showed me some of the new materials she had recently gotten for homeschooling. She had several books, all written by Jessie Hawkins, founder of Vintage Remedies. One of those books was Vintage Remedies For Kids, which she planned to use as a health curriculum for her children. Imagine my delight when one of the items I was asked to review through The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew was this very same book!

I have enjoyed going through this book very much. Each chapter has a couple of instructional sections for parents, a "Read to Me" section for children, discussion questions, and several hands-on projects to reinforce what the child has learned. While it is geared toward ages 2-6, I feel that it is a little advanced still as a whole for Little Miss, who is almost 2 1/2. She enjoyed the activities I did with her based on the second chapter, "Natural Candy - Fruit", but I felt the "Read to Me" section was a bit too much for her. I feel like, as it is written, that it is better suited toward ages 4 and up. In my experience with children, the lessons need quite a bit of simplifying in order to be used in their entirety with children any younger. However, I do feel that parents of 2 and 3 year olds can use this material to guide conversations with their little ones while doing some of the suggested activities. Most of the hands-on projects are things that little ones can easily participate in and would absolutely love doing. This is one book I really look forward to digging into in a year or so, when Little Miss is a bit older.

Vintage Remedies began as a distance-learning program for those interested in holistic medicine. They have several different levels of instruction available - I am very interested in the Family Herbalist course. They also have books for the homemaker and older children, as well as essential oil blends for sale. Vintage Remedies For Kids is available for the price of $25 at www.vintageremedies.com. I look forward to trying out the book for older kids, which includes recipes for natural skin care, among other things!

***Note: I received a copy of Vintage Remedies For Kids in exchange for my review through TOS Homeschool Crew. All opinions are my own.

TOS Review: Medieval Machines Pack from Pitsco Education

2011-12-08T11:44:00.001-06:00

I do believe that when I saw the offer to review the Medieval Machine Pack, I actually said, "OOH, ME!", out loud. Wonder Boy loves all things military, past and present, and I knew that he'd have a blast with it. I also thought it would be something that Mr. Man would enjoy doing with him. When the box came, I did a happy dance!

The Medieval Machines Pack includes a catapult model kit, trebuchet model kit, and a Siege Machines activity book, as well as a package of Klean Klay (sold separately) to use for projectiles. It did not include super glue, which was necessary to assemble the light-weight wooden models. Enter snaffu #1: It took Mr. Man two hours to assemble the trebuchet kit. He didn't want to let Wonder Boy help, what with the likelihood of WB having some sort of mishap with the glue. Mr. Man finished the trebuchet after WB went to bed, and left it in the living room overnight. Enter snaffu #2: In his extreme eagerness and excitement about said trebuchet, WB tried to use it on his own - and it broke the first time he fired it. Both guys were rather disappointed and frustrated. It may have partly been the glue we used, as the model actually came apart, rather than breaking. Mr. Man said that it seemed like the base needed something to weigh it down, and plans to do so once he reassembles it.

The catapult model was more successful for them. It went together in about an hour, with Mr. Man again doing the work. Wonder Boy was delighted when the catapult launched the ball of clay across the room on the first try. It was surprising how far the catapult fires, especially considering how small it is - it would fit inside a square tissue box. He carried it around the rest of the day, launching clay around the room.

We did not get to try out any of the activities in the included Siege Machines book, as we were in the middle of moving and I did not realize all the materials that would be required. However, now that we are in our new place, we look forward to exploring math and science through military weaponry!

The Medieval Machines Pack is available through Pitsco Education, and can be found at shop.pitsco.com. It retails for $21.95. Other products by Pitsco that I find interesting are the hot air balloon activities and the Homes Across America Big Book.

***Note: I received the Medieval Machines Pack in exchange for my honest review through TOS Homeschool Crew. All opinions are those of myself and my family members.

TOS Review: Artistic Pursuits

2011-12-05T12:01:00.001-06:00

We recently had the chance to review an art curriculum from Artistic Pursuits. I chose to look over Junior High Book Two, as the website stated that drawing skills were covered in Book One. My children are not Rembrandts, but they have already completed another drawing course, so I chose to skip past that. I chose the junior high level because, being in 6th grade, I wanted it to last a little while for them, and not be something that was already too young.

First off, I like this curriculum a lot. The book part of each lesson is short, and geared toward the student. The book I chose covers color and composition, and so gives a bit of color theory in each lesson, as well as a bit of art history or a quick biography on an artist. The lessons move quickly into the hands-on creative part, which my kids loved. They loved trying out pastels, though we had to alter the first lesson a bit - they were supposed to sit outside for an hour, observing and becoming one with nature, and then they were supposed to draw what they observed. This is not my son. Also, being December, they were not going to sit outside for an hour. We just moved, however, so they had plenty of new things to observe from the windows. Wonder Boy and Super Girl were thrilled with the drawings they created, and are eager to do more of the lessons - they've already informed me several times how much they liked it!

The one thing I didn't like about Artistic Pursuits was the cost of the additional materials. I chose to shop locally and support a small business, which may not have been the best idea for my pocket book. I spent $45, and that was just for the initial materials - for one child. My children are experiencing the joy of sharing at that price! The introduction of the book gives a convenient list of required materials, and I foresee spending at least that much more to finish out the book if I choose that route again. There is also the option to purchase the supplies from Artistic Pursuits, which is much less expensive.

Artistic Pursuits produces art curriculum for children ages preschool through high school. The books can be purchased at www.artisticpursuits.com, and are $42.95 per book. There is one book at the preschool level, three at the early elementary level, and two each at the additional levels. The packs of art materials vary based on which one you choose. Artistic Pursuits is definitely one curriculum that I'm glad to have tried, and I plan to continue using it in the future!

***Note: I received a copy of the Artistic Pursuits Junior High Book Two in exchange for my review through TOS Homeschool Crew. All opinions are my own.

TOS Review: Great Commission Languages' "The Easy French"

2011-12-04T10:25:00.001-06:00

French is a language I have wanted to learn for a while. Ever since I discovered that part of my family tree goes back to France via Quebec, I have been interested. Besides, it seemed like it would be easier than, oh, say.... German, which is another language in my family tree.

Enter Great Commission Languages' "The Easy French"! This program is scripture-based, which I love! It is written from the basis that much of the world speaks French - 75% of Africa! - and that in order to reach the people of the world, we need to speak their language. Therefore, the curriculum has you memorize key portions of scripture, such as John 3:16, in French. Scripture memorization and foreign language at the same time? Count me in!

Reading through the introduction to the curriculum, I was impressed. It was written by Marie Filion, a homeschooling mother who has also taught French in public schools. It seems as though a lot of thought has been put into this program. The recordings for the first semester are all in female voices, as language is supposedly learned better when hearing it from a woman's voice first. Also, the accent used is an international French accent, which is also supposed to be easier to learn. As you progress in the program, the accent varies to allow you to become accustom to the way French is spoken in different places. I also love that there is a little section about French culture and some trivia in each lesson. There is also a support forum for those using the curriculum.

This bit from The Easy French's website also intrigued me:

"As a homeschooling family of 6, so are we! Le Français Facile! is nearly 400 pages of non-consumable textbook plus 2 audio CD's. CD #1 is also an enhanced audio CD-ROM. Place it in your computer and you can print (for FREE) over 200 activity sheets, which you then keep in a 3 ring binder as your students consumable workbook. This is great for families with multiple children - simply print as many copies as you require! As an added bonus, because the program is non-consumable, you can send it to our friends at Wycliffe Bible Translators (see page 1 in the curriculum for details) when you are finished with it to receive a credit towards the purchase of the next level, saving you even more money!"

I received Level 1A. It says "Grade 7" in the photo above, but it does not say that on my book. Working through the first lesson, I believe it could easily be done by students in upper elementary grades on through adults. I loved the ease of the lesson, and felt like I retained a lot. I plan to continue on with the curriculum after I finish this level, and hope that at least one of my children will be interested.

The Easy French can be ordered from www.theeasyfrench.com. The new format, which is what I received, is $84.95 per level, and includes an audio cd and data cd in each book. Test and answer books are separate.

***Note: I received my copy of The Easy French Level 1A in exchange for my review through TOS Homeschool Crew. All opinions are my own.

TOS Review: Read Naturally's "Read Live"

2011-11-21T10:20:00.001-06:00

Today's review is a program by Read Naturally called "Read Live". It seems to be designed for a classroom setting, but can be used by homeschoolers as well. The product website states that the program can be used from first grade through adult.

Read Live is a web-based program which allows you to assess a student's reading level, and then walks them through reading lessons. The assessment paragraph that Wonder Boy read was based on Hank Aaron. Baseball (well, sports in general) are not really his thing. However, when he got to the lesson page, he was allowed to choose from about 12 different animals to learn more about. He loves reading about animals, so this was right up his alley. He chose the platypus, partly because there is one in one of his favorite cartoons. The lessons involve several bouts of timed reading, typing, following along while the program reads out loud, and reading out loud themselves. I was pleased that I correctly guessed my son's reading level, and he enjoyed the lessons. I think the nature theme will help keep him interested. I will definitely have him continue the lessons until my subscription runs out.

There were two things I found a bit problematic with the program: the set-up, and the amount of typing. This program is best used by children who already know how to type, as part of the typing portion is timed. A child who does not know how to type will spend a lot of the allowed time simply searching for the right keys. Set-up was a little problematic because it is designed for schools, so you have to set up a school, then a teacher, then a student, then assign licenses to all three. A separate homeschool set-up would remedy this. Thankfully, you only have to do it once.

Read Live can be ordered by calling Read Naturally at 800-788-4085. A 12 month subscription for one child is $149, or you can subscribe for 6 children at $299. Other products include Take Aim! at Vocabulary and Word Warm-ups.

***Note: I received a trial subscription to Read Live in exchange for my review through TOS Homeschool Crew. All opinions are my own.

TOS Review: Keyboard Town PALS

2011-11-14T09:22:00.001-06:00

Keyboard Town PALS is a program designed to teach children to type in one hour. A series of eight very short videos (only a few minutes each) feature Sunny and a host of puppets, the inhabitants of Keyboard Town. The program is designed for children ages 6 to 12. It is also designed to be non-stressful and easily used by children with learning differences.

From the Keyboard Town PALS website:

"Keyboard Town PALS is a unique method that is equally successful for the gifted child, mainstream child and children with learning differences. By associating two unrelated items and linking them in the mind, through story format, your child will easily be able to recall the location of the placement of keys and letters on the QWERTY keyboard. In our revolutionary approach, the keyboard is taught “vertically,” one finger at-a-time, and not “horizontally” across the keyboard. Within minutes your child is typing real words and his/her self-esteem soars as success is experienced. Self-motivated to continue, your child quickly and easily masters the rest of the keyboard!"

I like the idea of many of the features of this program. The delete and backspace keys are disabled and attention is not brought to mistakes. The font and background colors can be changed to accommodate children with dyslexia. The program is quick and easy, rather than multiple, repetitive drills. Keyboard Town PALS was designed and produced by people with many years experience in childrens education, including some who worked on "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood".

However, we had a really hard time getting past the "Sunny" character. We thought it was a bit freaky looking. The other issue was that Wonder Boy, at age 11, thought the puppets were kind of babyish. I would say that this program would be best used by children 8 years old and younger. I definitely think a child younger than 6 could use this if they are reading already.

Keyboard Town PALS can be purchased as either a web-based program for $30 or in disc format for $35. It is available in English, Spanish, or French. There are also keyboard stickers, finger puppets, and other optional items to use with the program.

***Note: I received access to the web version of Keyboard Town PALS in exchange for my review through TOS Homeshool Crew. All opinions are my own.

TOS Review: Bower Books - The Person I Marry

2011-11-09T08:29:00.000-06:00

As the parent of a 10 1/2 and almost 12 year old, I was very interested to see what The Person I Marry, by Gary Bower, had to say to children about choosing a spouse. I received a link to read the book online, but wish I'd received a physical copy as I'm sure the darling paintings by Jan Bower that illustrate the book would be even more lovely when not on a computer screen.

The Person I Marry was created by the Bowers after 30 years of marriage and 12 children. They wanted a way to share the desirable qualities one should look for in a mate with their children who had not yet married. I think it is also a touching tribute to their strong marriage without really being about them specifically.

For the purposes of this review, I had Super Girl read the book. She took her time reading it, and told me afterword that she thought it would be helpful to her when she is older, and that even though the children in the illustrations are much younger than her, she did not feel that the book was too simple for a child her age. Between the beautiful illustrations and the rhyming narration, I feel this book is one that can be shared over and over again with your children as they grow. A very small child would enjoy looking at the children portrayed in the book while a parent simplifies the text for them, and an older child can enjoy reading it with a parent as a segue intend to a discussion about courting. I plan purchase a physical copy to share with my children - I can envision snuggling up together and enjoying this book. My one slight dislike with the book is that the rhyme and rhythm are not always smooth - many of the sentences end in the middle of the line. I think that it would take a little practice to read this book smoothly, as you would want to do if sharing it as a bedtime story.

The Person I Marry is available as a hardback for $11.99 through Bower Books at www.bowerbooks.com. Some other books from the Bowers include lovely board books entitled Mommy Love and Daddy Love, and a Michigan Kids series that would be great for those homeschooling in Michigan.

***Note: I received online access to read this book in exchange for my honest review through TOS Homeschool Crew. All opinions are my own.

BzzAgent Review: Tonka XT Ricochet Trickster

2011-11-07T16:34:00.000-06:00

I love when I get new things in the mail to review, but I really love it when the items are for my kids because they get such a kick out of it! Wonder Boy was thrilled when I told him we'd be receiving the Tonka XT Ricochet Trickster to try out. When it got here and he had to wait for it to charge, I thought he was going to explode from impatience! The next day he eagerly took it over to his friend's house to try out. They had it flying off of the furniture and crashing into things. One neat thing about the Trickster is that it is reversible - both sides of the vehicle look like the top, but with different designs. It's almost like two cars in one!

The Tonka XT Ricochet Trickster requires 5 AA batteries which all go into the controller. The vehicle plugs into the controller in order to charge, which takes about 30 minutes. Once it is fully charged, you are ready to play and perform tricks for 15 to 30 minutes. It is meant for indoors, but I know the boys had it outside, too, and it seemed to do just fine. It's designated for ages 6 and up, and is easy to use.

You can find at Walmart, Target, Kmart, and Toys R Us. It retails for $24.99, which I frankly think is a bit over-priced for the size of it. However, I tend to think most toys are over-priced! That said, I think that most boys that like vehicles would enjoy finding this toy under the Christmas tree!

***Note: I received the Tonka XT Ricochet Trickster in exchange for my review through BzzAgent. All opinons are my own.

TOS Review: Memoria Press First Form Latin

2011-11-04T09:21:00.001-05:00

Today we are looking at First Form Latin from Memoria Press, written by Cheryl Lowe. When I received the package of materials, I was surprised at how much was in the box - a student text, a student workbook, a test/quiz book, two different teacher's manuals, a cd, dvds, and flash cards. I have to be honest - I have never bought an entire brand-new of anything for our homeschooling endeavors. Opening that box made my head feel a little swimmy - kinda like Christmas, and kinda overwhelming at the same time!

When I was able to sit down and go through the materials, I saw that the teacher's manual actually has lesson plans in it. That seemed lovely, until I really read through it. There was a lot of writing things on chalk boards - which we don't have any more - and a lot of very school-room type teaching. This is just really NOT my style, nor is it my childrens' style. I was really having a hard time seeing myself using this curriculum at all - and then I remembered those dvd! They're not mentioned in the teacher's manual at all, so I wasn't sure what I was supposed to do with them. I popped the first one into my computer, and YES! - it is a video of the lessons being taught!

I sat Wonder Boy and Super Girl down with the first dvd and the necessary paper materials. There are a LOT of workbook pages for the lessons, let me tell you! The kids didn't grumble about it, but they had problems from the first page. The first worksheet asks for "sound symbols", but the text does not refer to any. I had to look in the teacher's manual to figure out what they were talking about. And, though they were working independently on the worksheets, they misread the same instructions. Super Girl, who is usually my more attentive student, had a hard time pulling the answers from the text. Wonder Boy found some of it a little more intuitive, but was a bit dismayed at the amount of bookwork involved.

Overall, I have to say that First Form Latin is not for us. It could have something to do with the fact that it is based on the Classical method of teaching, and we are definitely more Charlotte Mason style. The curriculum is designed for either beginners in grades 5 and up (which was us), or those who have had Latina Christiana I. I would definitely not suggest it for younger students who have not had any previous experience in Latin, unless they are the kind of child that really thrives on bookwork.

First Form Latin can be purchased from Memoria Press at www.memoriapress.com. It retails for $55 for the texts and cd alone, or $115 with the dvds and flashcards included. Other materials available from Memoria Press include complete grade level curriculum packages, as well as logic and rhetoric materials.

***Note: I received the First Form Latin curriculum in exchange for my honest review through TOS Homeschool Crew. All opinions are my own.

TOS Review: Excellence in Literature

2011-11-02T10:45:00.000-05:00

Excellence in LIterature, written by Janice Campbell, is a college-prep literature and writing curriculum with five levels. I was given the first level, Introduction to Literature, which focuses on Western literature. I had Super Girl work with this curriculum because even though she is technically in 6th grade, she reads at a higher level than that, and I thought she could handle the assignments.

Preparing the materials for the first unit - short stories - was easy. I chose to print out the ebook I downloaded. Next was gathering the short stories. Wouldn't you know, there were handy dandy links to each of the stories online, right in the ebook! I was able to print those out, too, which I did, since they were each no longer than a few pages. I was also pleased to see that the material uses a self-guided method, which is how I tend to teach my children at this level. The one thing I did not have was the writer's manual that the material suggests, but after looking over the examples in the back of the book, I did not see the need for it during the first unit.

Super Girl was able to take the materials I handed her, read the chapters from the text and the assigned stories, and write an approach paper with very little help from me. I consider this a success, because she'd never written a paper of any type before. I think that she could definitely carry on with this curriculum with a little effort. However, I believe I will space it out over the next couple of years, and then pick it up in earnest in 8th grade. In fact, this is one of the options the author suggests in the introduction to the book. The curriculum is designed to be used from 8th to 12th grade, but I think it could easily be used by a younger student that is more advanced and needs a bit more challenge.

Excellence in Literature is sold by Everyday Education, and is available at www.everyday-education.com. They also sell other homeschool materials such as Grammar Made Easy and Spelling Made Easy. Excellence in Literature is available in either print books or ebooks, and can be purchased one level at a time ($29 print, $27 ebook), or in a bundle containing all five levels ($139 print, $135 ebook).

***Note: I received a free copy of Introduction to Literature in exchange for my review through TOS Homeschool Crew. All opinions are my own.

TOS Review: Wits & Wagers Family

2011-10-26T09:21:00.000-05:00

My kids are always excited when we get a new game, and it was no exception when Wits & Wagers Family arrived in the mail.

Once we got the box open (the lid is rather tight-fitting), I was pleased to see that set up was quick and the directions were easy. Each person chooses a set of "meeples" and corresponding little white board, and then the players take turns reading questions, which all have numbers as the answers. Everyone writes their guess on their white board, then they are laid out in numerical order. There is one extra board that has "1" printed on it, in case you think the answer is less than the lowest guess. Players then place their meeples on the answer or answers (you can choose up to two) they think are the closest without going over. Points are awarded to whomever guessed the closest, and whomever chose the closest answer. I thought the questions were well-rounded, as there were some that were fairly easy because I knew the correct answer, but yet there were plenty where I didn't have a good idea. We did skip a few, because we got several "How many songs on this Disney singer's cd?" questions in a row, and just got tired of them. I don't recall coming across any that I felt were inappropriate, but we have not gone through the whole deck of questions yet.

My favorite part of this game is that play is quick, easy, and fun. It only takes 15 points to win, and at least one player generally wins several points per turn. I like that if I only have maybe 1/2 an hour, we can play a round or two and the kids are happy that I played a game with them. My least favorite part was that there were no erasers in the box for the little white boards, but we just kept our paper towels in the box after the first time.

The box says that the game is for ages 8 and up. Based on the fact that my 10 and 11 year old did not know most of the answers (or really have a very good guess, to be honest), I'd say that I probably wouldn't play this game with kids younger than them, though anyone that can write and has a good concept of numbers could play. The game is also specified for 3-10 players. There are 5 white boards, so if you have more than 5 players, you would need to form teams. I think that you could play with way more than 10 players if you're going to do teams, and don't see any reason why Wits & Wagers Family couldn't be used as a party game.

Wits & Wagers Family is produced by North Star Games. Other games by North Star include Say Anything and the regular version of Wits & Wagers. There is a "find a store" feature on the website - I live in a pretty rural area, and the nearest store was an hour away. There is also an option to buy it through Amazon, if you click on the "Games" tab. Prices will vary based on the retailer - it was listed for $15.00 on Amazon when I just checked, but that could change any minute.

Over all, I think Wits & Wagers Family would make a great Christmas gift, especially if you give "family" gifts to extended family and friends.

***Note: I received my copy of Wits & Wagers Family for free to review through TOS Homeschool Crew. All opinions are my own.

TOS Review: Always Icecream

2011-10-19T10:02:00.001-05:00

Always Icecream is a cute and fun educational and social website for girls ages 7-12 years old. The main part of the site is the educational games, which cover language arts, math, geography & history, science, music & art, computer skills, foreign languages, Christian education, and life skills. Super Girl tried it out, and one of the things she liked about it were that you earn "scoops" (their version of currency) when you play the educational games. "Scoops" can be used to buy things for the house you create for your "Mini Me" in "MiniWorld", and also to feed your virtual pet. The virtual pet was also a hit with her, as well as being able to design her own items for her house. Girls also earn virtual medals when they level-up in the games, and there are educational videos to watch, too.

What I like about Always Icecream is that it is big on parental controls. You can actually choose which subjects your daughter is allowed access to. For example, if you don't want your daughter using the Christian education section, you simply log into your parent account and uncheck that box. There is a section of the website where girls can interact with each other through moderated chat, and also through "social games" like watching each others pets and buying art work from each other. The "Learning Community" is optional, and I chose not to allow Super Girl to use that part of the site right now. I allow my children to use "safe chat" sites, where they can only choose preselected phrases, but I did not feel ready to allow more open communication with people I don't know, even if they're supposed to all be young girls and a moderator is watching. I do like that if I choose to let her use that option, the site is designed to teach her to keep herself safe online. I have to say, though, that my most favorite part of the site is that there are ABSOLUTELY NO ADS!!! My children do play on a few game sites, and I have never cared for the fact that one click takes them somewhere else. I don't have to worry about that on Always Icecream! Another really nice thing is the report you can view by logging in or via email which details your daughter's activity and progress on the site. You can see what games she's played, videos she's watched, things she's bought or created in MiniWorld, and (if you've enabled the community aspect) who she's been interacting with.

Always Icecream can be found at www.always-icecream.com. There are different pricing options, including monthly at $4.99, yearly at $29.99, and lifetime at $99.99. There is an option of a free trial, which looks like it is good for 12 days. I like the site enough that if my daughter had gotten really hooked while using a free trial, I would have considered getting a one-year membership as a Christmas gift for her.

**Note: I received a free lifetime membership to Always Icecream for my daughter in exchange for my review through TOS Homeschool Crew. All opinions are my own and my daughter's.

TOS Review: Visual Latin

2011-10-17T10:48:00.000-05:00

The latest product I have to tell you about today is Visual Latin. Every year when I make out my wish list for the coming school year, Latin is on it. Every year, it fails to make the budget cut, generally because our budget for schooling is very small. When I had the opportunity to review Visual Latin, I was very excited to finally be able to introduce Latin to my children!

Wonder Boy and Super Girl were unsure what to think when I announced that they'd be trying out Latin. They'd never really heard of Latin. I explained to WB that he'd learn to speak like a Roman soldier (because all things military appeal to him), and while he seemed intrigued, his reply was that he thought Roman soldiers spoke "Roman".

I sat them down with the Visual Latin DVD and printouts of the worksheets. They watched all the introductory clips, then the first lesson. I checked on them repeatedly throughout the session, and they were definitely very attentive. They completed the worksheets easily and without hassle. When I asked them what their favorite thing was about Visual Latin, they said they liked how easy it was. I asked what they didn't like, and they couldn't think of anything. Later I was able to sit down and complete the first lesson for myself. I found the presenter (Dwane Thomas) to be entertaining and engaging. I was slightly surprised at how easy it was for me to figure out the meanings of the Latin sentences that were presented, but some of that may be due to the one year of Spanish I had in school (I seem to remember a fair share of it).

Dwane gives an overview of why you should learn Latin, and I totally agree with his top three reasons: It opens the door to other languages, it opens the door to (better) English, and it helps you think differently. I already believed the first two things, then I heard his explanation of the last. He tells how the Latin word for "stuff" is impedimentum. "Stuff" = impediment! It was a revelation, I tell ya!

I really like the format of Visual Latin, and can foresee purchasing more lessons for my children to do. I think they are at a good age for it, though I know others feel children should learn foreign languages much earlier. I did not find a recommended age on the website, but based on the fact that the lessons involve reading and writing, I'd say that probably about age 8 would be the youngest I'd try these, unless the child was an advanced reader.

Visual Latin is produced by Compass Cinema, and can be purchased at The Compass Store. The price is $80 for Latin 1, which consists of lessons 1-30 on DVD. One very lovely thing is that being DVD, it is non-consumable and can be used for all your students once they're ready (and as long as the DVD format is still useable in the future!).

**Note: I received a free DVD copy of lessons 1-10 from Visual Latin for use in my review through the TOS Homeschool Crew. All opinions are mine and my childrens!

Christmas Helps For a Busy Season

2011-10-12T13:30:00.001-05:00

I don't believe I've said before, but the church we belong to is The Salvation Army. Mr. Man grew up in it, and my family joined officially when I was 15. It is the church that Mr. Man and I were pastors in, and are now working on rejoining as pastors.

If you know anything about The Salvation Army, you know that they do a LOT of social service ministries, especially around the holidays. With all the planning and work that goes into ministries like bell ringing and angel trees, Christmas really gets going by the beginning of October for many Salvation Army officers. The most important thing to me during this time is that my children not grow up feeling that the season was "ruined" for them by how busy their parents were and the lack of time spent together. I know many families see an increase in activities during this time of year, however, whether they are in "the ministry" or not. I'd like to share some tools that may help cut down on some of the craziness, and even help keep the focus where it should be - Jesus!

Photo Credit: stock.xchng

A tool I just discovered last year was The 12-Week Holiday Planner by Sheri Graham and Marilyn Moll. It starts October 1st (whoops!), and has all kinds of goodies in it like check lists (shopping, cards, gifts, etc), menus, recipes, schedules, gifts to make, and more! I'm excited to try it out this year! You can also sign up to be notified of updates to the planner if you choose to buy it!
On a tight budget? There are free ones available, too. The FlyLady has a holiday control journal, which starts before Thanksgiving, that you can print out and pop in a binder. Organized Home has tips on how to create your own Christmas planner, as well as forms you can print out.
I haven't tried it, but the Springpad app sounds like a useful thing. I'm a list-maker (I'm making one right now!), and this seems like just the thing for me - if I had a phone that used apps... I often have pieces of paper floating around with lists of things I wanted to remember or look into later. I'm definitely trying Springpad out!
Jen at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam has a list of quite a few Christmas traditions to try with your family. I really want to do some of them with mine. I'd love to try out something she mentions in the "Candy Cane Trail" post - only opening a few presents per hour. I'd love to slow down the whole morning, and make the kids really focus on what they just opened, rather than flinging off the paper and then moving on to the next present. It just sounds so peaceful! And, lastly...
Do you read A Holy Experience? If not, YOU SHOULD! Ann Voskamp has a way of connecting EVERY. LITTLE. THING. to living a more full relationship with God. One post was about the power going out in their pig barn and her sons working together to keep the pigs from overheating. Somehow, she found a spiritual application in it! And, it touched me! Anyhow, if you sign up for email updates from her blog, there is a link at the bottom of each one for her Jesse Tree Journey, which she wrote with Nancy Rodden. If I do nothing else this Christmas season, I want to make sure I do this advent series with my family. We need it.

I hope you've found something in that list to help you out this Christmas season - whether it is a way to stay better organized or an activity to help recenter your family on the true meaning of the season!

**Note: The link to The 12-Week Holiday Planner is my affiliate link.

LIVESTRONG Day

2011-10-02T09:36:00.001-05:00

My babies and I are wearing yellow today in honor of my brother. It is LIVESTRONG Day, and my brother is a 25 year old survivor. It has been one year since his diagnosis, and 6 months since his last treatment. Today he is only under observation - PRAISE GOD!!!

If you want more information about LIVESTRONG, or want to find help and support for someone with testicular cancer, visit www.livestrong.org.

WINNER!: Little Fishies Pattern Giveaway

2011-09-23T00:07:00.001-05:00

According to Random.org, the winning comment is comment #10: Star! Congratulations! Thanks to all who entered!

***STAR: Please contact me - your email address does not seem to be listed in your profile.

TOS Review: Before Five In a Row

2011-09-18T23:58:00.000-05:00

I was very excited when I found out I'd been chosen to review Before Five in a Row. Little Miss just turned two in August, and I wanted something to use with her on occasion when she gets a little too interested in her brother and sister's schoolwork. I plan the typical distractions I've seen suggested: "special" toys, art, taking turns playing with an older sibling, etc. However, I also wanted some sort of little lesson to do with her sometimes.

When my copy of Before Five in a Row arrived, I eagerly flipped through it. I had an idea of what the format would be, as some friends and I used Five in a Row volume 3 for a co-op years ago. I was pleased to see that we already own some of the books, and knew that, like the volumes for older children, I'd likely be able to find the others at our local library or the thrift store. I actually had a list of the books used with FIAR in my wallet for a while, to refer to while shopping yard sales and such, because they are such good, classic books. Anyhow, I picked 3 units to schedule in my lesson book and checked those three books out from the library.

Our first "official" school day of the year began, and predictably, Little Miss just wouldn't leave her siblings alone. When I explained they were doing schoolwork, she said, "Where my schoolwork?" I showed her a copy of Good Night, Moon, and told her it was her schoolbook. She was thrilled, and I read it to her. I then took the suggestion from Before Five in a Row to talk about shapes. We looked at different shapes in the book, then I let her play with a shape sorting set. The next day, we read the book again, and I chose the art activity. Those were the only two activities we completed, but we read Good Night, Moon several times. Little Miss delighted in pulling out her "schoolbook" and reading it with us, and it was a delight to see her enthusiasm.

Before Five in a Row has reminded me how important it is to read to my little ones. Unfortunately, this was something I had let slip away from me. I'm now looking forward to reading more with all my children, and doing more of the units with Little Miss. One thing I really like about BFIAR is the section in the back that gives a multitude of activities to do with your little one. The other things I really like are the wide availability of the story books that are used and the way the units cover multiple subjects. Before Five in a Row is geared toward children ages 2-4, but would be appropriate for older children with developmental delays.

Five in a Row can be found at www.fiarhq.com. FIAR has products available through the high school level. Some of them are even available as digital downloads, including some of their out-of-print products. I am especially interested in the Fold & Learn activities, nature studies, and Five in a Row Holiday. Before Five in a Row retails for $35 and can be found at Rainbow Resource Center, along with volumes for older students and the companion story books.

***Note: I received a copy of Before Five in a Row in exchange for my review through the TOS Homeschool Crew. All opinions are my own - I REALLY like FIAR!

Remembering Morgan

2011-09-17T11:09:00.000-05:00

Today is the first anniversary of the day we let go of our 4th child, Morgan Daniel. He only made it to 16 weeks gestation, but his tiny little life had a huge impact on our family. Losing Morgan was what it took to bring my husband back to God. It also brought us closer together. I feel totally blessed in this, because I know that losing a child can have the exact opposite effect on a couple. I hate that I have a child I have never held, and whose face I can barely remember. However, I know our family is better for it. If God had asked me to give Morgan up in order to bring about these changes, I don't know if I could have made that decision. As it was, I fully accepted that his death was my own fault, for reasons that seemed completely logical to me. It was only until a few days ago that Mr. Man realized the depth of the guilt and responsibility I felt and was able to help me let go of it.

The thing I struggle with now is a way to remember him. I'd like to do something special on this day every year, as a way to honor his place in our family. Unfortunately, we now live several hours away from his grave. Releasing balloons seems kind of silly to me, and we don't have the financial means to do most of the other things I've thought of. I don't want our kids to forget Morgan, but Little Miss is to young to even understand, and #5 was obviously just born. How do I teach them about Morgan so that they'll understand?

The ways of God are mysterious to man. We can't pretend to understand anything He doesn't spell out for us. But I do know that Morgan's loss was not in vain. God had a plan for him from the start, and though part of it grieves me, I praise God for the good in it.

TOS Review: Big IQ Kids

2011-09-16T10:40:00.000-05:00

If your school-aged children enjoy computer games, they may enjoy Big IQ Kids. I was given access to a premium membership in order to review their site.

I honestly had a bit of trouble when I originally tried to set up my childrens accounts. My ad blocker was blocking a majority of the site, but it took me a while to realize it. Once I realized it, I was able to turn off the ad blocker and see the full site. Set up after that was fairly easy. One other thing that bugged me was having to sign in repeatedly as I moved around the site. To be honest, the graphics and teaching voices are a bit rudimentary, too.

HOWEVER... that said, I really LIKE Big IQ Kids. I was able to go in and add my childrens spelling lists, and assign exercises for them to do. I was able to alter the math lessons so that they didn't have to complete so many problems at once, which is a good thing for Wonder Boy, my reluctant student. The website also emails me when one of them completes a level so that I can track their progress. I watched Wonder Boy do a lesson in the states section, and I could tell that he was learning from his time spent on the site.

Wonder Boy and Super Girl like that by completing a lesson they earn a game token, which they can then use to play educational games on the site. This had Wonder Boy doing up to 10 lessons at a time, just so he could play the games! They also liked that they could customize their own "buddy" (avitar).

The Big IQ Kids site has two membership options: free and premium. From the website:

The primary differences between the BigIQkids FREE and PREMIUM programs are the ability of the PREMIUM program to monitor the progress of the student and advance that student only when mastery of the subject matter has been achieved. Additionally, PREMIUM members have their progress tracked, saved, problem areas identified and these findings are reported via email to parents and/or teachers. The PREMIUM program offers students customized buddies, full game page access and the ability to save game coins and gaming high scores. These functions help double the fun while mastering core academic subject matter. The PREMIUM program has very LIMITED advertisement an no ads are displayed during lesson interaction.

The premium spelling and states memberships are $39.99 per year per child, and the premium math membership is $49.99 per year per child. The website is designed for children grades K-8, and I think that is pretty accurate. From the progress I've seen in Wonder Boy in a short time and the way he has enjoyed it, I feel like it would be worth it to purchase a membership for an area that he needs a bit more help in. I think it would be even better, however, if Big IQ Kids offered an all-inclusive membership, too. You can try the site out for yourself at www.bigiqkids.com.

***Note: I received two one-year premium memberships in exchange for my review through the TOS Homeschool Crew. These are my honest opinions.

Birthday Giveaway: Fishsticks Designs

2011-09-15T07:00:00.000-05:00

It's my birthday, and I feel like doing a giveaway! This summer I ordered the Little Fishies Undies pattern from Fishsticks Designs. The post office intervened, and when I contacted her, Bonnie gladly sent me a replacement. When the original showed up only slightly mangled and still usable, I offered to send back the replacement, but Bonnie told me to go ahead and keep it.

Today, I'm opening entries for one person to win their own paper copy of the Little Fishies pattern. Here's how you can enter this giveaway:

Follow this blog.
"Like" the Believing God Facebook page (button on the far right).
Follow me on Twitter at jens_busy.
Tweet about this giveaway (one entry per day).
Share this giveaway on your blog.
Share this giveaway on Facebook.
Subscribe to email updates (button on the right).
Add my button to your blog (on the far right).

One entry per item, except Tweeting, which is once daily. Please leave a comment for each entry. The giveaway closes at 11:59 pm (CST) on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2011. The winner will be drawn through random.org and announced on Thursday, the 22nd.

TOS Review - Time 4 Learning

2011-09-14T10:59:00.002-05:00

I was recently given the opportunity to review a children's website called Time 4 Learning. It is a website designed to either supplement what your child is learning in school, or it can be used as a curriculum. I had Wonder Boy try it out. He liked the colorful graphics and the expressive voices of the characters. He didn't like that there was no way to speed up parts of the lesson that seemed a little slow. He would have liked to spend more time on the site if our schedule had allowed.

What I liked about Time 4 Learning was that it engaged my son. He was completing lessons without whining. I don't like that the site requires a paid membership, which is $19.95 per month for the first child, and $14.95 per month for each additional child. This is beyond my budget, even just for one child. If I could afford it, I might consider using parts of it for my son's regular schooling. The other thing I didn't like was that I noticed it made a statement twice in one lesson about dinosaurs and people not co-existing - in a Language Arts lesson. This goes against our beliefs, but fortunately Wonder Boy is used to overlooking that kind of thing. Time 4 Learning has lessons for children ages Pre-K to 8th grade, so your child can enjoy it for years, or it can be used for multiple children at once.

Time 4 Learning can be found at www.time4learning.com. If you have a blog, you can sign up for a free 30 day trial in exchange for a review.

***Note: I received a 30 day membership to Time 4 Learning in exchange for my review through the TOS Homeschool Crew. I did not receive any other compensation, and my opinions are my own.

TOS Review: Pig Pile

2011-09-07T11:01:00.000-05:00

A package arrived in the mail recently, containing a game called Pig Pile. It was sent to me for review from R & R Games. The box advertises it as "The hog wild card game", which was enough for my children to be chomping at the bit. A card game that involves pigs? Yes, please.

They actually played it the first time with Mr. Man - and without me. I was still hugely preggo with #5, and chose to rest instead. I didn't get much resting done because of the uproarious laughter coming from the living room while they were playing. Once they were done, they asked me to play with them next time, because they thought it would make it go easier toward the end, even though the box says it's for as few as 3 players (and as many as 6).

Flash forward to the next day, and I find myself being tutored on the rules of Pig Pile. There is a deck of 80 cards, all with cute, colorful cartoon pigs on them. The drawings of corn on them kept making me want popcorn for some pregnant reason. There are also 40 little plastic pigs. The little pigs were a bit of a disappointment for me - they don't factor into the actual card game, and are only used for keeping score. They are actually not necessary at all. The kids still got a kick out of them, though. Once I had the rules down, we played a few rounds. The cards are dealt out, and the first player to get rid of all their cards wins. I think we may have misunderstood one of the rules, as we seemed to get stuck in a sort of Pig Pile doldrums toward the end of the game. We ended up altering the rules a bit, and it seemed to work out better. The game is supposed to be for ages 7 and up, and I would suggest that, due to the slightly complex rules, that perhaps even 8 or 9 would be better if your child gets easily frustrated with games. I would definitely not suggest it for children any younger than that.

Wonder Boy just told me, "I like Pig Pile. It's fun." We all agree, and it will be staying in our game collection. The box is nice and sturdy, which is always a plus. However, at a retail price of $15.95, it is fairly pricy for a card game, in my opinion.

R & R Games also produces other games that look pretty interesting to me, such as Masters of Venice and Igor - I think Wonder Boy would love that one. I think Super Girl would get a kick out of Horse Fair. All these games - and more! - can be found at www.rnrgames.com.

***Note: I received Pig Pile for free, in exchange for my review, through the TOS Homeschool Crew program. All opinions are those of myself and my family.

What's For Dinner: Tuscan Beans

2011-08-24T19:23:00.005-05:00

One of the recipes I like to make for dinner is Tuscan Beans. I came across the recipe while looking for money-saving bean recipes. This recipe can be made inexpensively, or you can spend a little more on it - it all depends on your budget. It is based on a recipe I originally found on Food.com.

Tuscan Beans

Ingredients:

4 slices to 1 lb of bacon, coarsely chopped
1/2 c chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 (15 oz) cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained*
1 (15 oz) can chopped tomatoes with juice (I use petite cut w/ some sort of Italian seasoning)
1 tsp dried sage
salt & pepper to taste
2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
parmesan cheese, grated

*or equivalent of dried beans, cooked

Directions:

Saute bacon in a large skillet for 4 minutes. Add onion and garlic, saute until bacon is cooked and veggies are tender. Add beans, tomatoes, sage, salt, and pepper to the bacon/onion mixture in the skillet. Heat through, about 10-15 minutes. Taste, making sure to add seasoning if needed (the beans absorb a lot of it). Sprinkle with parsley and parmesan, serve.

The beans can also be baked in the oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until heated, if you prefer that method.

**Photo credit: stock.xchng

Made-By-Me Monday: Special Edition!

2011-08-08T08:00:00.000-05:00

Ok, so God gets all the credit on this one!

On Wednesday night, I gave birth to our fifth child - #4 this side of heaven. He weighed in at 8 pounds and 9 ounces, and was 21 inches long. I thank God for a fairly easy pregnancy, a safe delivery, and a healthy baby! I have yet to come up with a bloggy nickname for him - I'll keep you posted.

Living With Your Parents...When You're Married With Children

2011-07-27T18:02:00.004-05:00

I'm by no means an expert on this, but having found myself in this situation since the beginning of May, I would like to offer some tips on making things go smoothly. Some of these tips may apply to you, some of them may not. Each family's situation is different, understandably. Some general ways to make life easier include:

Offer to help with projects around the house.
Pitch in with chores – especially in areas where your family helps make the mess bigger (like dishes). If your kids had regular chores before, they can continue to do them now. My kids have been reminded several times what a blessing they should see it to have use of a working dishwasher now, rather than having to hand wash dishes. Make sure to keep up after any pets you have been allowed to bring, too.
Be considerate with laundry – Either find a regular time when the machines are not used (Tuesday is a good day at our house), or agree with your parents on a day and time that you will have access.
Talk often about schedules and plans – When we first got here, I asked about my parents' and brother's regular activities, and we update each other almost every day on what our plans are. This helps coordinate meals, vehicles, and babysitting.
Respect set boundaries – If your family has certain areas that have been allotted for your belongings, then keep them there. Our family has 2 bedrooms and a very small space in the basement and garage. Otherwise, our belongings are in a rented storage shed. Mr. Man and I make regular sweeps of the living room to make sure that our things are contained. Make sure your children know if certain areas of the house or items are off limits to them.
Respect set boundaries, part 2 – this goes both ways. As a married couple and as parents, there are going to be instances where you want to deal with an issue privately. Likewise, allow your parents to have their own privacy in their relationship. Remember that if one party does not want to share details, it is not a reflection of your relationship with your parents, but it is simply a part of being an adult and having your own family that you are still responsible for running, regardless of living in someone else's house. If you need to, let your parent know gently and respectfully that they are inquiring about something that you are not going to discuss with them.
Keep up your household rules – Make sure your children continue to act as they should. If you have certain expectations of your children, make sure your parents are aware of them. Also, make sure you are aware of and enforce any rules your parents might have. Work out solutions, if need be.
Talk out problems in a timely manner – Don't allow annoyances or grievances to fester. Remember that you and your parents are all adults, and should be capable of coming up with an acceptable answer to any issues that arise. Having Biblical respect for your parents goes a long way in this!
Mind your children - Remember that, no matter how happy your parents may be to have the grandkids there, you should not assume they are watching your children unless you ask them to. If they are babysitting, be courteous and return when you say you will. Lastly, children are a blessing, but can also be a bit wearing on those who are not used to living with them any more. Watch for signs that your parents may be getting a bit irritated, and give them a break – have the kids play outside, take them to the park, make them have some quiet time in their room.
Help with meals – My mom and I plan dinners. Sometimes one of us cooks, sometimes we both do. Sometimes Mr. Man helps out. Planning dinners together helps with the grocery shopping, as we understandably need to have more food on hand with 9 people in the house.
Help financially, where you can – Obviously, you are probably not in this situation because you have lots of money. Due to my parents' living arrangements, there is not a lot of need for us to help financially. However, we do try to help with the groceries when possible, as this is an expense that greatly increased with our arrival. If necessary, work out an arrangement with your parents as to what and how much you will pay for.
Spend time together as a family - Time together with the entire household is great. But, remember to spend time together with just your spouse and children, too. It doesn't need to cost anything. We often play a game together in the evening, or Mr. Man will take the kids to the park, etc. We also watch educational shows together with the older two children.
Set a time frame for moving out – Set a date, and stick to it. If you need to extend it a bit, talk it over with your parents. Most families I know in this situation (my own included) are not interested in making things permanent. However, it can be easy to get comfortable and forget your goal of having your own household again. Frankly, I love my parents, but don't understand this mindset at all. After being out of the house for 14 years and having (almost) four children, I don't like being cooped up in someone else's home. I'm eager to be in charge of a home of my own again, especially with a newborn expected any day, and I know all of us are looking forward to a bit more privacy, too!

There are several other things that help smooth the entire situation. Respecting each other is huge. Finding ways to serve each other in love is also big. I think the biggest, though, is to cover everything in prayer. It is hard to have animosity toward someone you are praying for. Prayer is not a magic spell, but it does do wonders!

**Photo credit: stock.xchng

Sewing For Adults - and Fun!

2011-06-29T08:00:00.002-05:00

Ok, so I did a list for babies, and I did a list for kids. Now I feel like I need a list for the rest of us!

I put these headbands at Brown Paper Packages on the kids' list, but I also want to make some for me. I think they'd be great for housework and bad hair days!
Amy Butler has quite a few free patterns on her website. They include several quilts (if you're into quilting...I haven't attempted that yet), a couple of scarves, a yoga bag, a portfolio, and a cloth necklace.
There are a bunch of projects to choose from at You Can Make This. Pot holders, oven mitts, table runners, pillows, window coverings, holiday decor, a scarf, and even a mystery quilt!
Homestead Revival has tutorials for a bread bag, a dinner napkin, and a reversible napkin.
I originally bookmarked the "Poppy Top in 10" tutorial at Hungry Hippie, but I've just noticed that she has quite a few other tutorials. I really like the mug rugs! I may make mine a little smaller, though.
I found a large (13"x12"x10") tote bag on All People Quilt. There seem to be a bunch more ideas for the home or gifts, too.
Have a tunic-style shirt (or just a long t-shirt) that you'd like to add a pocket to? Made By Rae shows you how. Just scroll down the left side of her blog - I believe it's the last tutorial. She also has a couple of quilt tutorials and a purse that you might be interested in, too.
Love pin cushions? You'll love the list of pin cushion tutorials at Craft Passion. Be sure to also click on the "Free Pattern," "Tutorial", and "Freebies" categories at the top of the page!
Again, if you like to quilt, Pink Penguin has tutorials down the right side for things such as a wristlet, a lunch bag, placemats, and a tissue box cover. I'm sure you could also use the instructions with solid fabrics, too (rather than piecing them).
I think the "Sailing on the Lake" blouse at Sewing Princess looks so comfy - and easy! There are also instructions for a couple of other tops and things called a "tailor's ham" and a "seam roll" - apparently these are used in ironing? I'm not sure I know what "ironing" is...
Need maternity pants? There's a great tutorial at Grosgrain. I'd like to try these, but would probably make the knit panel rise higher.
Prefer a maternity skirt? How about the one at Pink Picket Fence?
The Prudent Homemaker has a lovely list of tutorials and free patterns that she's found online.
Ok, the gal at Make It And Love It just has a great list of tutorials - some of them are for sewing from scratch, and some of them are for repurposing articles of clothing.
Want reusable grocery bags without the cost? Want ones that are sturdier than those weird it's-not-quite-cloth ones that are often free or $1? Sew 4 Home has instructions to make your own.
Check out mmmcrafts - there is a cute ruffled pillow sham, a messenger bag, and tutorials on how to repurpose trouser-style jeans into shorts, boot-cut jeans into skinny-leg jeans, and how to tailor the fit of a t-shirt.
Are you a fan of glass or ceramic bowls? I am, and often find them second-hand, where they are either missing their lids, or "vintage" enough that they never had lids. I am definitely making myself some of the pot-luck bowl covers at The Cottage Home! I'm planning to try it out with PUL fabric, in hopes that it will keep food fresher in the fridge than just cotton. I'm in love with her other projects, too!
If you are interested in trying your hand at making your own ... ahem ... unmentionables, there is a pattern you can download along with instructions at The L-T Experience (the elastic she uses is fold-over elastic - she doesn't give the name for it). There is also an option for boy-cut briefs.
Want to make your own custom bias tape? I'd love to try this technique at Stop Staring and Start Sewing!
Sarah at Welcome to the gOOd life is just too darn cute, and so very talented! She has all kinds of DIY posts on how to make store-bought clothes more modest, and how to knock off more expensive clothes (like Anthropology) for less.
There are also Anthropology DIYs at Adventures In Dressmaking - you just have to wade through her other DIY posts about her wedding, though some of the things she's doing for it are really cute and creative!
And, last up, there is a tutorial for a pieced shower curtain at Sweeter Than Cupcakes.

I know there are thousands more tutorials out there, and I'm sure some other time I'll do another post. But for now, this clears out my "sewing" category in my bookmarks. Plus, I've been working on this post for a few days, it's getting late, and I'm ready to be done. Kinda like pregnancy, but the labor was a cinch, in comparison!

What's For Dinner: Chicken Meatballs with Sweet Peanut Sauce

2011-06-28T21:10:00.006-05:00

For the most part, since we moved in with my parents, my mom and I have been either taking turns making dinner or collaborating. Tonight was a "my turn" night. I came across a recipe for Chicken Meatballs with Sweet Peanut Sauce in the most recent issue of Every Day with Rachael Ray magazine, and thought it sounded yummy.

Since I can never seem to make a recipe the way it's written, here are my alterations:

We seem to have a plethora of ground turkey in the deep freeze, so I chose to use that instead of chicken.
My mom's cilantro has gone to seed, and the grocery store was out of fresh cilantro, so I used dried, and just guessed the amount.
I used some sort of red spring onion, which I chopped, since that was what I had on hand.
I used Bragg's Liquid Aminos instead of soy sauce. I will probably start out with a little less than the amount called for next time, as it was really salty the first time I tasted the sauce, causing me to add more honey.
I used honey instead of sugar.
We didn't have any peanuts, so I didn't use any for garnish.
I didn't put 1/2 the sauce on the meatballs, as the recipe instructed, as my mom had stated that she doesn't care for peanut sauce. I served it on the side instead.
I also added some garlic to the sauce, as I felt like it needed it, and cooked it on very low on the stove top, rather than microwaving it.

I will definitely make the recipe again. It was all really good, and I can see making the peanut sauce for other recipes, like Chicken Satay. I think next time I will try just baking the meatballs, rather than cooking them on the stove, however. I dished up my own plate by putting the meatballs on top of some rice, and ladling the sauce over top of it all. I doubled the recipe for 4 adults, 2 kids, and a toddler, but I guess I could have made more - the meatballs were completely gone when I went back for seconds!

**This post contains affiliate links.

Photo credit: Kate Sears

Sewing For Kids - A List of FREE Tutorials

2011-05-24T22:27:00.011-05:00

Last week I shared some tutorials and patterns for things to sew for babies. I've still got sewing on the brain, so I thought I'd do up a list for kids, from toddlers to tweens. Some are practical things, some are things you can help your child make for themselves or a friend. Some are just plain fun!

I think Super Girl and I need some of the headbands at Brown Paper Packages. I know I have all the stuff for them, and they would make an easy afternoon project for us! She also has a cute Memory game you can make, as well as LOTS of tutorials for little girls dresses.
At Infinite Freedom, you can find a free pattern for an American Girl doll dress, as well as a doll quilt designed for a girl to make herself.
Ellie Inspired has shared an apron, a couple of dresses, a beret and sailor collar, and a necktie for little boys. I think her Sweet Apple Frock is adorable!
Find instructions for a capelet, pettiskirts for girls and dolls, another headband, an American Girl doll skirt, and a child's chef's hat at You Can Make This.
If you look down the left-hand side of Fishsticks Designs, you will see tutorials for a tank top, several bags of different shapes and sizes, a fabric garland, and a pillow case, as well as hints on sewing with knits (something I need to look into!).
Made By Rae has a fleece hat tutorial, and she also just posted a cute wristlet pattern.
Make a dress for your little gal out of a men's dress shirt with the instructions at Made. She also has tutorials for several skirts, pants, shorts, and shirts. I think her 90 minute shirt just kept me from buying a pattern!
Does someone in your house believe in the Tooth Fairy? How about this adorable Tooth Fairy pillow? Mmmcrafts also has a cute monkey doll pattern that is free.
You can find all kinds of little bags and pouches at Noodlehead, including a boys wallet and a gun sleeve (Wonder Boy would LOVE the gun sleeve!). There is also a bike bucket and cloth sandwich bags to be made!
Do your kids love to make forts out of the dining table? Then you need the tutorial at Obsessively Stitching! After that, browse through her whole list of other tutorials, including fleece stuffed animals, dresses, a toddler robe out of dish towels!, storage cubes, several other tents of varying shapes and sizes, and a shopping cart seat belt - I need one of these!
Maybe you know a little girl that just "needs" a petty skirt? There is a tutorial at Make It and Love It! Then check out the rest of her tutorials - under "Making & Altering Clothing", there are several projects for kids such as skirts, t-shirt dresses, flag shirts for the 4th of July, making jeans into shorts, and embellishing t-shirts for both boys and girls. Be sure to also check out her "Re-Purposing" category, to see ideas of how to re-use clothing that might be stained or torn, but still has a lot of life in the fabric. And, even though the category is called "Baby/Toddler", there are quite a few things for kids older than that, like I Spy bags, belts, art smocks, and doll diapers.
One thing I've been wanting to make for Little Miss is some felt play food. There are instructions for a few different items at One Inch World - farfalle noodles, lettuce, tomato slices, lollipops, and ravioli - just look down the right side of the page. There are also a few other things of interest - little felt doll chairs, candy corn hair clips, and fillable soft eggs (I would love to have had some at Easter!).
Pink Penguin has several tutorials down the right side of her blog: a wristlet, a lunch bag, placemats, a pencil case, and fabric bins. She likes to quilt and use patchwork - if that's not your thing, I don't see why you couldn't just use solid pieces of cloth of equivalent sizes.
I like the t-shirt ruffle scarf and ruffle necklace waffle shir t at Ruffles And Stuff. There's even something to make for boys on such a girly site - a hat and scarf from a sweater.

I hope you've enjoyed this list, and found something you just have to make! I know my sewing wish list just got longer! If you have a favorite tutorial that you don't see on this list, feel free to leave it in a comment!

Sewing For Baby - A List of FREE Tutorials

2011-05-19T09:59:00.005-05:00

Seeing as I have baby-on-the-brain, with this seemingly all-elbows kid rolling around inside me, I thought I'd make a list of some of the free sewing tutorials and patterns I've bookmarked. Maybe I will manage to actually make a few things in the near future!

First up, there are tutorials for receiving blankets and burpers at You Can Make This!
At Just Because I am Me, you can find instructions for a carseat canopy and chenille burp cloths.
This cute Grow Up Together dress can be found at Bumblebee Grace.
Need a quick and easy bib? Check out this one at While They Sleep.
Cicada Daydream has a bib tutorial that is more appropriate for toddlers.
How about a cute growth chart for a baby shower gift? Kristen @ Unraveled has one!
Check out the instructions for an easy peasy swaddle sheet (and another burp cloth) at My Longest Year.
Don't forget the changing pad! There is also a bath mitt pattern at Sew Take a Hike.
I found a really cute hat at Whip Up. I think it would be even cuter if you tied the corners in knots!
I can't forget this pattern for baby shoes! You can see my own attempt at them here. I will definitely be making some for this little guy!
Heather Bailey also has a pattern for cute baby shoes.
Made By Rae has several free baby tutorials down the left side: newborn pants, tights, a dress, a sun suit, and a bib.
If there is a preemie in your life, or you like to donate items to the hospital, you might be interested in the preemie swaddler pattern from Ellie Inspired.
Make It and Love It has WAAAAAY too many tutorials to list! From clothing to toys to recovering your high chair or car seat, you can find so much there to keep you busy!
Here's a good post about sewing cloth diapers, along with some links to free patterns from Sew, Mama, Sew!
Want to make cute diapers with patterned fabric - that don't leak? Try the quick and easy instructions at Uber Domestic.
If you have some laminated cotton or iron-on vinyl in your stash, you might be interested in this toddler bib at Oilcloth Addict.
One of my internet friends recently linked to this baby gown from Running With Scissors. I love gowns on newborns!
Jan Andrea has all kinds of links to baby carrier patterns and tutorials, as well as other things that are useful when you have a baby (nursing bras, shirts, and pillows, diaper bags, and even a baby-wearing poncho!).
Lastly, Fishsticks Designs has a tutorial for newborn bloomers. I think these could be made up for a boy or a girl, as they are not frilly, but are basically shorts.

Have I inspired you to make something for a little one? Let me know! Do you have a favorite baby sewing tutorial that you don't see here? Share it in a comment!

I know this was a lot of links - I like to link to the original blog as well as the post I'm directing you to. That way, if there is an error or a post gets moved, you will hopefully still be able to find it through the home page. Also, I like to give credit where bloggy credit is due!

Where You Lead, I Will Follow

2011-05-06T06:55:00.003-05:00

Yes, I love Carole King's Tapestry album. I grew up listening to it, and now own a copy of the cd, somewhere, and have it downloaded on my MP3 player and computer. I loved that her song was the theme song to Gilmore Girls.

However, that's not what I'm talking about. I am talking about following where God leads. I posted back in March that we were waiting on news of a ministry position for Mr. Man. We don't exactly understand why, but that position fell through - they're just not hiring anyone for it right now, even though Mr. Man was who they wanted. For a few days after we got the news, we experienced much confusion and hurt. We also plunged ourselves deeper into prayer. What resulted was that we both still felt led to this specific community, and this specific ministry, even if it meant that we both had to be lay ministers, and employment had to be found elsewhere. God had definitely not shut the door on this calling, and we believe we have been lead to step out in faith and show our trust in Him.

SO... ***deep breath***... That means we have moved in with my parents, in western Illinois. Boxes have been packed, the truck has been loaded and unloaded, the storage unit stuffed, and the bank has reclaimed our house. This is a temporary move, since we will not have the funds for our own place for another month or so. However, it gets us closer to Iowa, which is where God's will lays. It means moving while 28 weeks pregnant, which I've never had to do before. It means we are BELIEVING GOD has a place and a plan for us, we just have to wait on His timing. We trust that He will reveal the details as they become relevant, and in the meantime, we will follow where He leads.

***Note: This post contains an affiliate link.

Review - The Curiosity Files: Blue Footed Booby

2011-04-28T21:09:00.006-05:00

In my quest to become part of the Homeschool Crew over at The Old Schoolhouse, I was asked to provide a sample review of the ebook, The Curiosity Files: Blue Footed Booby, from The Old Schoolhouse.

I quickly downloaded all 100 pages of this ebook, and was glad to see that while several outside sources are suggested for further study, they are not necessary in order to use the materials. The product description says this is a "FUN unit study for kids ages 8 to13 and up." Based on what I saw, that sounds about right to me. While kids that are tween and up might find the Professor Ana Lyze character a little too cutesy, I think they will still find the rest of the materials to be engaging. Many of the activities have two skill levels - elementary, and jr./sr. high, as well as activities for further enrichment. There is even an activity included for preschoolers and children with special needs. Subjects covered include: Bible, math, history, geography, literature, writing, spelling/vocabulary, copy work, science, and arts & crafts/hands-on activities.

I do not usually do unit studies, however, since we are getting ready to move next week, I thought it was a good time to try something a little different from our "norm". I liked that, being an ebook, I could easily browse the PDF file and choose what I wanted to use. My children are both at a 5th grade level, so I chose to use the following with them:

"Everything You Never Wanted To Know About The Blue Footed Booby" and the quiz that followed
the Bible study "In The Beginning"
"Blue Footed Booby Age Problems"
"Blue Footed Booby Word Problems"
the elementary level spelling and vocabulary activities
"In The Lab - Anatomy"

My son thought the professor character resembled the teacher from The Magic School Bus, which he likes a lot. Both kids seemed to enjoy the different activities, and easily completed most of the work I gave them. They had a bit of trouble with the last few age problems - but even I couldn't figure them out on my own after a minute or two. The biggest "con" of these materials, I thought, was that while it is absolutely filled with beautiful color photos and illustrations on every single page, this also means that printing out the entire book would use lots of ink. I chose to only print the pages I wanted to use, and to print them in black and white, except for two pages which I printed in full color so the children could see the birds in detail. I suppose one way a person could get around this is to have your child sit at the computer and read the ebook on the screen, while recording their answers on a piece of paper.

I really like this ebook, and feel that it is a very flexible choice - I only used it for a couple of days, but easily could have made it last a week or more. It all depends on how in-depth you want to get, and how many subjects you want to cover. I love that it includes a Bible study, and am still planning to use the writing activities with the kids at some point in the future, as they look excellent! We also still have the "mad libs" and measuring activities to complete - I saved those to do together. I feel like this ebook is definitely worth the retail price of $6.95. Other topics available in The Curiosity Files line are: Cicada-Killing Wasp, Blue Diamond, Dung Beetle, MRSA, Platypus, Puffer Fish, Quicksand, Red Tide, Zombie Fire Ants, and Snow Rollers & Other Snow Phenomena. You can find all of these titles, including Blue Footed Booby, at www.theoldschoolhousestore.com. I don't know about my daughter, but these are all topics my son would LOVE, and I look forward to using them in the future as a break from our "usual"!

**I was provided this ebook for free from The Old Schoolhouse, however, all opinions are my own. I was not required to provide a positive review, and I received no other compensation other than the free ebook.

Pamper Some Body!

2011-04-26T14:08:00.000-05:00

I have been browsing through my bookmarks, and realized I have quite a few DIY bath and body recipes saved. With Mother's Day coming up, I thought it might be nice to compile some of them into one place. These recipes would be good for any gal in your life (yourself included!), or even just everyday use for your family. I haven't tried any of them yet, but I'm working on gathering the ingredients and can't wait to make some of them and replace some of the conventional products in my bathroom!

First up are 9 recipes from Total Beauty. Recipes included are: an egg mask, carrot buttermilk mask, lettuce cleansing lotion (this one sounds interesting!), rose toner, body wash, flower petal steam facial, travel facial towels (I plan to make these with witch hazel and cloth wipes, instead of vodka and paper towels), sesame body butter, and gardener's hand cream.
Make-Stuff has a post with a basic shampoo recipe, variations for oily and dry hair, conditioner, dry shampoo, and even hair gel! I'm not sure I could get Mr. Man to try homemade hair gel. Maybe if I didn't tell him...
A Sonoma Garden has a lot of homemaking how-tos down the left side of the blog, including homemade deodorant, lotion, and chapstick. There are also printable labels down the right side!
The gals at Gooseberry Patch have a recipe for vanilla brown sugar scrub, complete with a cute printable label, too!
I'm really excited about this one! Stacy at Delighting In The Days has a bunch of great bath and body recipes, including belly butter and a homemade vapor rub! I can't wait to make that one!
Leslie over at Crunchy Betty has a plethora of natural beauty recipes! I'm especially interested in her post about using soap nuts, and cinnamon as an alternative for bronzer. One word of warning, though - the image on her blog header is a 1940s pin-up girl, and I know some of you may not care for that. I thought I'd let you know ahead of time!
There is another deodorant recipe at Journey to "Green".
Lastly, have you heard of Made-On hard lotion? Well, they tell you how to make your own on their site! Just scroll down beneath the video for the instructions.

If you have a favorite bath and body recipe, be sure to leave a comment and share it!

Weekly Deals 4-17: Part Two

2011-04-22T16:10:00.008-05:00

I made two more trips to CVS so far, another trip to Walgreens, and a trip to Kohls.

I made one trip to CVS, then got home to discover that the new one they've been working on in town has opened, and they sent me a bunch of good coupons that are only good at that location. One of them was a $10 off $20 purchase! These are my purchases combined: 4 boxes of Cinnamon Cheerios, 2 boxes of Honey Nut Cheerios, a box of Huggies, a 2-liter of Pepsi, 2 water bottles and a 2-pack of small sports bottles (for Easter baskets), 2 bottles of Marvel gummy vitamins, John Freida heat protection spray and shine spray, 2 packages of Thermacare back/hip pads, a notebook (for my bloggy endeavors), a bottle of CVS hair detangler, a bag of CVS caramel cremes, a Physician's Formula mascara and blush, a bottle of Advil, a package of birthday candles, and 2 packages of Orbit gum. I also got two more mascaras for a friend of mine who lives overseas. The gum, detangler, caramels and Pepsi were all free with the coupons from the new store.

I paid $56.04 for all of the above, which CVS says was worth $172.42, which means I saved about 68%. I still have $3 ECB left, too, as well as a coupon for free photo prints.

I received a $10 off coupon from Kohls, which is always exciting! There is no minimum purchase requirement, so you can get a $10 item for free! These shirts are for Super Girl's birthday this week. They were on sale, 50% off $18.99, making them about $4 each after the coupon.

My second Walgreens trip was this morning, since I needed more frosting for Super Girl's cake. I picked up 2 more packages of King's Hawaiian rolls, 3 boxes of Betty Crocker brownies and a box of cake mix, 2 tubes of Aquafresh training toothpaste, 2 boxes of Always Infinity pads, 2 packages of Yes To Cucumbers face towellettes, 2 Yes To Carrots lip balms, a Wet 'N' Wild nail polish, and a tub of Betty Crocker frosting.

I got my total down to $20.94 from $54.24, a savings of 62%.

I also made a trip to my local grocery store, and was able to save about 60% there, too.

Do you play the "drugstore game"? I get all my deals from two places: Hip2Save (she has a great customizable, printable list), and MoneySavingMom. These two gals save me a LOT of time! You can go there to check out this week's deals. I hope I inspired you to save some money!

Made By Me Monday & Pattern Review

2011-04-18T06:00:00.000-05:00

Today I'm going to share the nightgown I made for Super Girl for Christmas, since I haven't done so yet! I intended to make pajamas for all three kids. I got 1 1/2 sets done. There is a partially finished fleece footie sleeper in my packed-up sewing stuff - thankfully it's neutral, so I can finish it for this new little guy!

I started with a flannel I found at Walmart. When I saw it, it SCREAMED Super Girl at me! She loves these colors, peace signs, and doodles/graffiti. I went ahead and bought some, stashing it away for this project.

Next, I looked at the pajama patterns I have, and chose McCall's Easy Endless Options #5744, which is now out-of-print. I decided on View C, a long-sleeved, knee length night gown. Once I had my fabric washed and started cutting, I realized I didn't have enough to do the entire gown from the flannel. [That's what I get for not choosing the pattern FIRST!] I dug a small piece of black jersey out of my stash, which I'd picked up at a thrift store, and made a layered-style sleeve. After I got it put together, I realized that Super Girl would feel like the neckline was a little too low, so I added a triangle of jersey to the neckline to give a little more coverage. It kind of adds to the layered look, too.

Please ignore my door knob, and the slightly crumpled flannel.

I found the description of "easy" to be true to this pattern. There were not many pieces to cut, and it went together quickly. The instructions were good, and it came out looking like the drawing (aside from my alteration of the sleeve). The hardest part was trying to edge the sleeve hems with bias tape, which didn't work, and I quickly removed. The original pattern did not call for this, I just thought it might be easier than hemming the sleeves. I was wrong! I will definitely keep this pattern in my stash and use it again, as the largest size still fits Super Girl, for now. Since the pattern I bought goes from size 7 to 14, I can use it several times for Little Miss in the future, if I want to.

Note: I am not affiliated with McCall's or Walmart in any way. I bought my fabric and my pattern - though I did get the pattern during one of JoAnn Fabrics' 99¢ sales! I am not affiliated with JoAnn Fabrics, either. ;)

Weekly Deals 4-17: Part One

2011-04-17T18:24:00.004-05:00

This is only part one, because there were some deals I need to go back for. After I got to CVS, I realized the new cinnamon Cheerios are included in this week's sale, for which I have a bunch of 75¢ coupons. With the sale and coupons, they will be only $1.25 a box! I also intend to get a few more of the Physician's Formula products (with the $5 coupon I have, it makes the ORGANIC mascara 88¢ each after the sale!), and I'd forgotten my Arizona Tea coupons. This is the reason I really should bring my coupon binder with me every time - something I already know, but have gotten lazy about!

First up, CVS:

From CVS, I ended up with: 4 boxes of Honey Nut Cheerios, 2 boxes of Chocolate Cheerios, a gallon of whole and a gallon of 2% milk, a bag of paper Easter grass, 4 bottles of kids gummy vitamins, a bottle of Osteo Bi-Flex (for my momma!**), a can of Edge shave gel, 2 tubes of Aquafresh kids toothpaste (for my Operation Christmas Child stash), a Schick Intuition razor, a package of Ivory soap (also for Operation Christmas Child), 2 Reach flosses, and 2 Physician's Formula organic mascaras.

I paid $35.08 for $127.87 worth of goods - 73% savings.

Next up, my bigger challenge, Walgreens:

From Walgreens, I brought home: 2 packages of King's Hawaiian rolls, 2 tubes of Luster toothpaste, 3 rolls of Scotch tape, 2 packages of Yes To Cucumbers towelettes, 1 Betty Crocker cake mix, 1 tub of Betty Crocker frosting, 2 Reach flosses, a tube of Colgate, 1 Colgate toothbrush, 2 Yes To Carrots lip balms, and 5 Wet 'N' Wild nail polishes (fillers). There were several more things I wanted, but I was working with the cash in my wallet and ran out. I'm sure someone else would have been able to get a lot more with the cash and coupons I had, but I did the best I could! I'm hoping that when I go back, they'll have more of the rolls - we like these a lot, and I freeze them when I find them for a good price. I also forgot a few coupons, again - ANOTHER reminder to bring my binder!!!

I ended up spending $14.98 for $67.13 worth of merchandise - 78% savings. Much better than last week!

**I mentioned last week that I got the Flex-A-Min for my mom, and I picked up Osteo Bi-Flex for her this week. My mom has Rheumatoid Arthritis, and takes joint support products to help with it. She does not have a spending plan with her health insurance, and since these products are over-the-counter, they are not covered. If I can help her out by getting these products (which normally run about $20 a bottle) for $5 or less, I'm happy to do it! My parents have helped us out plenty, and a little here and there is not going to hurt us at all. There are often products like this that can be gotten for very little compared to the regular price, or even the generic - when you use a coupon combined with a sale. Do you know someone who would benefit from the gift of herbal supplements or over-the-counter medicines? I encourage you to go ahead and help them out! Whether or not you want them to reimburse you - that's up to you to work out, but I bet you could find a few dollars in your budget for it!

Do you play the "drugstore game"? I get all my deals from two places: Hip2Save (she has a great customizable, printable list), and MoneySavingMom. These two gals save me a LOT of time! You can go there to check out this week's deals. I hope I inspired you to save some money!

Weekly Deals

2011-04-13T10:29:00.009-05:00

We've been having an interesting week, so I'm getting these posted a little later than I wanted to. I do my drug store shopping on Sundays, because if I don't, I am unlikely to be able to get the ones I want. So, I've had these pictures sitting in my camera since Sunday night.

CVS deals:

At CVS, I got the following: 3 12-packs of diet Mt. Dew, 2 boxes of Rice Krispies, 2 boxes of Raisin Bran, 2 boxes of Apple Jacks, 6 bottles of Honest Tea (I drank one), a bottle of Super Bubbles, a Russel Stover chocolate bunny, 2 bottles of Your Life gummy vitamins, 2 Revlon lip glosses, 2 tubs of Sunsweet bite-size prunes, 2 bottles of Flex-a-min, 8 packs of "5" gum, and 2 different sets of hair "pretties". I also got a 12-pack of Scott toilet paper, but it wouldn't fit on my counter with everything else. The Mt. Dew was on a rain check, the Flex-a-min has already found a new home with my mom, I got the Revlon lip glosses for $1.50 each after coupons (I really like them), and Super Girl needed more hair elastics with this warm weather - the Scunci brand happened to be BOGO 1/2 off, so I also got clips for Little Miss.

After coupons and ECBs, I spent $47.27 for $172.09 worth of items. I saved 73% - not as good as last week (91%!). I don't have any ECBs for next week, but I now have plenty of UPCs to turn in for the Kellogg's cereal rebate. In fact, since you can do this rebate 5 times, I'm on my way to having enough for a second submission. The Raisin Bran is all gone, by the way. I guess that's what happens when you're pregnant and cereal is especially appealing!

Walgreens deals:

At Walgreens, I got 2 bags of Kettle chips (the sea salt and black pepper flavor was pretty good!), 2 bottles of Heinz vinegar, 2 bottles of All laundry detergent, a package of Lansinoh nursing pads, a package of Lansinoh milk storage bags, 2 tubes of Biore face scrubs, 2 boxes of Biore pore strips, 4 packs of Glade scented oil candles, 4 boxes of Garnier HerbaShine hair color, 4 packs of Stride gum, a tube of Lansinoh lanolin, 2 Revlon nail polishes, 3 bottles of Fiber Gummies (I give these to Little Miss), 2 packs of Carefree panty liners, and 7 Snickers eggs. In addition to those items, I also picked up some things for Super Girl's birthday later this month, and Easter - a Crayola notebook with a color changing pen, a book of Lisa Frank stickers, a fashion designer pad with stencils, 2 Littlest Pet Shop sets, and 2 Bakugon sets I found on the clearance shelf (for Wonder Boy). The rest of the gifts were full price, and I don't usually shop for gifts at Walgreens, but these were items I'd not seen anywhere else, and really stuck in my mind for Super Girl. The Lansinoh items had a coupon in the monthly book, and I also had a manufacturer's coupon for each, so I got them for my "after baby" stash.

After coupons and RRs, I spent $109.57 for $227.43 worth of merchandise. WAY more than I usually spend at Walgreens, but I still saved 52%. Not as good as last week's 72%, though.

Lastly, my mom and brother were here Sunday night, so on Monday we went thrift store hopping. I scored big on maternity clothes at our local charity shop: 4 pairs of jeans, a pair of shorts, a skirt, 3 tops, and a light cotton sweater (perfect for summer!). I also picked up a ducky for Little Miss (she loves them!), an enamel skillet and mugs, a small roasting pan, and a Video Now Jr. The video player included a case and 6 discs of full-length preschool shows! I let Little Miss play with it a little when I got it home, but am going to keep it put away for longer trips. It happened to be 1/2 off day, and I got all these things for $34! I was so happy, because I only had two pairs of maternity pants that fit me, and not many more lighter weight tops, either.

Do you play the "drugstore game"? I get all my deals from two places: Hip2Save (she has a great customizable, printable list), and MoneySavingMom. These two gals save me a LOT of time! You can go there to check out this week's deals. I hope I inspired you to save some money!

Tasty Tuesday - Magic Stew

2011-04-05T06:00:00.002-05:00

Welcome! If you're here from the Ultimate Blog Party, please see my party post!

Today I'm sharing a dish based on a recipe in the book Beyond Macaroni and Cheese, by Mary Beth Lagerborg and Karen Parks.** I was fortunate enough to pick this book up several years ago at a moms group - they had a table where you could leave things you didn't want, and pick up things you did. Someone was getting rid of a copy, so I grabbed it. I've used it quite a bit, and would be sad to lose it!

The recipe I'm basing this off of is called "Magic Stew". I have tried to make stew in the past, and have just never been happy with the results. I hate coating the meat with flour and browning it, and then the meat always seems very tough when the stew is done. When I came across this recipe which didn't require browning the meat first, I thought I'd give it one more try. I thought there would be left-overs, but we devoured every last bit! It was really good, and the meat was TENDER! I've made it several times since then, and still have not had left-overs.

Step 1: Layer your cubed meat in the bottom of a casserole dish. I'm using my beloved Pampered Chef pan that I picked up BRAND NEW for $3 at a yard sale!!! I don't know what I'd do without it! Anyhow, I'm using venison as my meat, since it's what I was blessed with, and I'm trying to use up what's in my freezer before our move. The recipe calls for a pound of meat, if I recall, but I'm using about 2 pounds (still aiming for left-overs!).

Step 2: Cut your veggies into chunks, and layer over the meat. I used 4 carrots, 3 large red potatoes, an onion, and a package of sliced mushrooms. The original recipe does not call for mushrooms, and possibly not onions, either (my book is already packed, and I'm going from memory!). It does call for celery, which I have used, and is ok.

Step 3: Pour in your liquid. The recipe uses tomato juice, but I never buy tomato juice. This time, I'm using a can of tomato soup and about 2 cups of broth left over from some Italian beef. I'm using more liquid than it calls for, because I've basically doubled the recipe.

Step 4: Sprinkle a packet of onion soup mix over top - DO NOT STIR! I can't remember if this is in the recipe or not, but I think it is. I know I have done this step every time.

Step 5: Cover with foil, and bake at ~~350~~ 300 degrees for 4 hours. [I baked it at 350 this time, which turned out to be a little too high. The meat was still good, but a little overcooked, and it would have been nice to have had a little more gravy in it.] DO NOT peek at it or check on it while it's doing its thing! I like to serve this with biscuits - my daughter makes great cheese ones!.

**This post DOES contain an affiliate link. However, the opinions posted are all mine. A copy of the book was NOT provided to me for this review - I already owned it.

The Drugstore Game

2011-04-04T21:57:00.004-05:00

Welcome! If you are here from the Ultimate Blog Party, you can find my party post here!

I haven't posted about drugstore deals in a long time, but here's my haul for this week!

First stop, CVS:

I ended up with two boxes of Crispix cereal, two bottles of Crest Pro Health mouth rinse, two Oral-B tooth brushes (for my Operation Christmas Child stash), a bottle of Complete contact solution, a bottle of got2b flat iron spray, two packages of GUM flossers, a Physician's Formula mascara (on raincheck from last week), six bags of Robin Eggs candy, and two bags of M&Ms. I was pretty excited about all of this - the mouth rinse and flossers are for my kids (they actually USE them!!!), the cereal is for making puppy chow and also for this rebate, and I will be seeing if our pastor's wife wants some of the candy.

After all my coupons and ECBs, I spent a total of $7.95 for $86.28 worth of merchandise! And, I still have $5 of ECB left! On a sad note, I have discovered that there are NO CVS stores in our future hometown! The nearest one is an hour away, in the town my parents live in, ironically! So, I guess I will only be doing CVS deals when I happen to go down there for a visit, probably about once a month. This pains me, because I STRONGLY prefer CVS over Walgreens!

Speaking of Walgreens...:

I got two boxes of Rice Krispies (also for the cereal rebate above), a package of shredded cheese, a bottle of bbq sauce, two bottles of Coke (yes, one is missing), three bottles of Purex laundry soap, three tubes of Luster tooth paste, two packages of Always pads, two tubes of Colgate tooth paste, two packages of Olay bar soap, two bags of Brach's jelly beans, two Wonka chocolate bars, four pads of stickers (not pictured), and three bags of Planters almonds. The cheese and bbq sauce was for dinner. The Colgate and Olay are also going in my Operation Christmas Child stash, and the stickers were for a friend. I got the Cokes and Planters nuts because of a coupon I actually picked up at CVS, but used at Walgreens because the nuts were on sale, and since it was a manufacturer's coupon, I didn't have to use it at CVS. I think I can say that with the candy I've picked up in the past few weeks, along with what I got this week, that my kids will have PLENTY of candy on Easter!

I didn't do as well at Walgreens, as far as what I spent. But, then, I rarely feel like I do as well at Walgreens. My total, after coupons and RRs, was $26.83 for $94.53 worth of goodies. I didn't end up with any RRs left over.

Do you play the "drugstore game"? I get all my deals from two places: Hip2Save (she has a great customizable, printable list), and MoneySavingMom. These two gals save me a LOT of time! You can go there to check out this week's deals. I hope I inspired you to save some money!

Are You Here For The Party?

2011-04-01T01:24:00.004-05:00

If you are here from the Ultimate Blog Party, then welcome to my own part of this little shin-dig! You can read my profile up there to the right. A few things you might find interesting, but are just random:

I like pickles, but not cucumbers.
My eyes are green.
I have lived all over the U.S., and went to enough different schools that I could have gone to a new one every year.

Here are some of my favorite posts - some of them may actually tell you more about me!

I'm glad you stopped by, and look forward to your comments! Feel free to subscribe to my posts or follow me via Google Friend Connect - you can find both under my profile!

Be Careful Little Eyes What You See

2011-03-31T21:50:00.004-05:00

Do you know this Sunday School song?

Be careful little eyes what you see
Be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh, be careful little eyes what you see!

I thought of this song while we were in church this Sunday. There was a new family this week. A woman, her teen-aged son and daughter, and the daughter's boyfriend. The daughter and her boyfriend were not what you would call... traditional in appearance. The girl had purposely matted orange hair, with an odd little bow in the front. She had several facial piercings, including a ring in her nose - I mean, like a bull, not a cute little one on the side. The boyfriend had a matching nose ring, and I do believe they both had gauges in their ears. They definitely did not look like most people at our church, and it seemed to me that not as many people were greeting them as were greeting others.

We settled into our seats and the service, and pretty soon it was time for praise and worship. I wondered how many people were surprised when the different-looking girl threw her hands in the air and sang the songs wholeheartedly? She obviously knew the songs, and was very enthusiastic in her worship. At some points, I thought she was so into it that she'd float right off the floor! I confess, I was surprised at first. But, I was quickly humbled, and reminded that God does not look at the physical of our beings:

What matters is not your outer appearance - the styling of your hair, the jewelry you wear, the cut of your clothes - but your inner disposition. 1 Peter 3:3-4, The Message

I did not expect such spiritual passion to come out of that girl. I'd actually suspected that her mother had made her come to church that morning. I was wrong. I was looking at her through human eyes, not the eyes of Christ.

What would YOU have thought, if that girl had sat down in YOUR church? What would YOU have seen?

The Year of Jubilee

2011-03-25T23:15:00.000-05:00

We sang a song in church recently which really touched me. We have sung it before, but it never really spoke to me, other than being an upbeat song with interesting lyrics.

The Year of Jubilee is about forgiving debts. But it doesn't happen every year. You have to wait and be patient.

My husband and I used to be assistant pastors. We reached a point where we became frustrated and discouraged, and we resigned from ministry. This was 8 years ago. Mr. Man went through a long period of anger toward the church and God. He gradually made his way back to a right relationship with God, but not fully until after the loss of Morgan. I gradually came to see that perhaps God was not leading us away from ministry when we left, but that instead He was giving us over to our own selfish desires for a time. We tried to do things our own way, and it hasn't worked.

Flash forward to the beginning of January. We were able to attend a retreat and see some friends from our ministry past. Mr. Man talked for hours with one friend in particular. The friend told him about a ministry position he was looking to fill in the church he pastors. On our way home, we were in agreement that we felt we were being led back into ministry in some way. We prayed about whether we were to try to become pastors again, contact this friend with the opening in his church, or if we were being led somewhere else. Mr. Man went ahead and contacted our friend about the position, and let him know we were interested. The friend asked for time to pray about it. We continued to pray for guidance, but weren't really feeling led anywhere. That was the last we heard from our friend...

Meanwhile, we sang this song in church. It really spoke to me when we got to the line about the Year of Jubilee. I felt God saying THIS is our Year of Jubilee - we have turned our lives back over to Him, and are truly seeking His will and direction for our family. Our past selfishness is forgiven, and we are being restored!

At the end of February, our friend suddenly called, and wanted us to come out for an "interview". Something just "clicked" with both of us - THIS is what God wants for us right now. We both know it without a shadow of a doubt. We were patient and waited on God's timing, and He has revealed at least a peek at His plans. We went out for the interview (an entire state away), and have gone out again for some follow-up stuff. Every question has been answered by God along the way, every wrinkle smoothed out. All that is left is for official permission to come through from the church's headquarters (we already have unofficial permission), and for God to show us what house He has in store for us. As soon as that comes through, we will be moving, and Mr. Man will be working again! That in itself is an answer to prayer, as we were going to move in with his parents - and there still wouldn't have been a job lined up. While I will not be an employee, I will do plenty of lay ministry, and we are both excited to get back to doing what we know we should have been doing all along!

An Announcement...

2011-02-23T22:42:00.001-06:00

We've been keeping a secret from most people. We found out just after Thanksgiving that we are expecting baby #5! After our loss in September, we just were not ready to shout it in the streets or anything. However, I have been to the doctor, and had an ultrasound, and everything looks good!

It's a BOY, due around August 2nd!

Made-By-Me Monday & Book Review

2011-02-01T18:51:00.003-06:00

For Christmas, I decided to make a hoodie for Wonder Boy. I chose a pattern from the book Sewing Clothes Kids Love: Sewing Patterns and Instructions for Boys' and Girls' Outfits, by Nancy Langdon and Sabine Pollehn.** The book: I bought this book because many of the projects looked like things that Super Girl would LOVE to wear, especially if she had helped make them. I loved that it had a wide range of sizes, from 18 months to 12 years, meaning I can use the patterns for years to come, and possibly even make matching items for the two girls. It also has several chapters with great advice on how to construct quality pieces of clothing which are also unique. My absolute favorite page is the one where you can write down ALL of your child's measurements. However, this is also where my disappointment set in. I eagerly measured all three children, and recorded those numbers. I then compared those numbers to the sizes of the patterns. I discovered that Super Girl is just too big for the largest size of these patterns. At almost 10, she is 5' and 108 pounds. I didn't think about it in the store, because she was in a size 12 in commercial clothing at the time. Little Miss is still a bit on the small side for these patterns, as she is a little peanut of a thing. I also discovered that the patterns don't include seam allowances. However, I look forward to making items for Little Miss in the future using these fun and easy patterns. I will just keep in mind that these patterns go up to a size 10, more realistically. Lastly, while the book includes boys in the title, there were only two patterns I'd actually use for a boy.

The hoodie: I wanted something warm, so I chose a remnant of camouflage fleece, as well as a remnant of coordinating green fleece. I picked the fleece up on mega-sale the day after Thanksgiving. I used the "Imse" pattern, which had options for feminine or masculine styling. I chose a straight sleeve and sides, and rounded hood. I embellished it with a couple of old military patches that my dad gave me. The pattern went together quickly and easily, and I was pleased with how it came out. However, I made a size "large", and it will possibly not fit Wonder Boy next winter. Keep in mind that he is still a rather slight boy right now. He is just now growing out of size 10 in commercial clothing. If he has an honest-to-goodness growth spurt, it will definitely be too small.

**Note: This post contains an affiliate link. The opinions expressed in this review are my own. I purchased this book with my own money (ok, I did use a 40% coupon).

HAPPY New Year

2011-01-01T18:25:00.002-06:00

It's 2011. And I'm breathing a BIG sigh of relief. I can honestly say that I'm glad 2010 is over - it was a hard year for us. I haven't shared most of these things here, but some of the things we've been dealing with are:

My husband has been laid off from two different jobs in the past year. He has been unemployed for a total of 6 months, with no end in sight.
We are facing foreclosure on our house. The mortgage company is unwilling to actually, truly try to help us.
We lost our fourth baby in September, at 16 weeks gestation.
My 24 year old brother was diagnosed with testicular cancer this fall.

Through it all, though, I can say that my God has been near. He has provided for us in ways I would have never imagined. It has been a blessing to have my husband home with us and to have the time together as a family that we would not have otherwise had. The loss of our tiny son, whom we named Morgan Daniel, while heartbreaking, has actually brought my husband and I closer together, and ignited a spiritual renewal in both of us. While it stinks that my brother has cancer, it is a type that is 90% curable. I can even say that should he not be in that 90%, he is a Christian, and I know where he will go, should he lose this fight. We will lose our home, but have two sets of parents that are more than willing to allow us to live with them as long as we need. Things could be so much worse. We are healthy and happy, even though we may be struggling financially. We have a roof over our heads and food to eat. We are together. We have Christ, and no one can take Him away from us.

Christmas Cards by Shutterfly

2010-12-06T10:21:00.004-06:00

I confess, I haven't sent out Christmas cards in years. So long, in fact, that I can't remember when the last time was! I don't even give them out in person! Don't get me wrong - I always mean to. I just never get around to it! With a little one that seems to change every day, I find my desire to send some cards out this year to be even stronger! I was excited when I saw an advertisement for Shutterfly's blogger special - in exchange for writing a post about their photo cards, I will receive 50 cards free! I don't know about you, but this fits my budget perfectly!

As I have never ordered from Shutterfly before, I headed over to check out their selection of Christmas cards. I've seen numerous deals for photo cards for free or next-to-nothing, but I never really found any I wanted to pay the shipping for. That changed when I got to Shutterfly's site! They have page after page of card designs! There are options available for one photo, or if a photo collage is your taste, they have quite a few of those, too! It's so easy to customize your design choice with your family's names, and then drop your photo into your card. The cards are printed on cardstock, which appeals to me, as I've received bent photo cards from friends and family more than once. If you prefer photo paper, they have that option, too.

After making six different cards, this is the one I finally chose (except it will have our names and my own children on it, of course!). I liked so many of the designs, it was hard to only pick one! Shutterfly also has many other items you can customize with your photos - what grandparent wouldn't like a mug or calendar featuring their precious grandchildren?

If you haven't gotten started on your cards yet, you can click here and use the code ZP9A-4N4K-TWWZ-EUC5C5 to get 10 cards free - just pay shipping and handling, which starts at $5.99. Hurry, because this code only lasts through December 8th!

* I am receiving photo cards from Snapfish in exchange for writing this post; however, the opinions expressed are all mine.

KT Tunstall Review

2010-10-22T23:32:00.003-05:00

*Note: This is disc is not Christian music. I have not received a physical copy of the disc yet, so I cannot attest to the contents of the lyrics, but I did not notice anything offensive to me during my limited listening (1 1/2 times through).

Thanks to the One2One Network, I was able to review KT Tunstall's newest album, Tiger Suit. I was excited about this opportunity, because I already like KT Tunstall. I've been hooked since I first heard "Black Horse and a Cherry Tree." This new album is pretty easy to listen to, with songs ranging from mellow to peppy. Even the more mellow songs are still upbeat. My favorite two are the opening song, "Uummannaq" and "(Still A) Weirdo".

The One2One site had this to say about the album:

Tiger Suit heralds the beginning of a new musical adventure for KT. Organic instrumentation is blended with dance-friendly textures, the results of which she has dubbed “Nature Techno” to encapsulate the album’s collision of raw, upfront rootsiness and sleek electronic textures.

I can definitely see myself listening to this disc on a lazy Saturday afternoon, putzing around the house, and I look forward to listening to it some more!

*Please also note: These are my own honest opinions. The only compensation I received for this review was a digital copy of the cd mentioned.

A Bushel of Free Ebooks For You!

2010-09-27T19:07:00.010-05:00

Photo courtesy of Dreamstime

I have come across a lot of free ebooks recently. In fact, so many, I decided to consolidate them into one place. I have sorted them into a few categories for you - enjoy! I should have more to post pretty soon!

**Please note - some of these links may expire. If you come across one that does not work for you, please let me know.**

Gifts (or Goodies For Yourself!)
Soaps and Bath & Body Products, by I'm a Frugal Girl, is filled with recipes developed and tested by a gal who used to have a successful handmade body product business.

Gifts in a Jar Recipes & Ideas, by I'm a Frugal Girl - more tried and true recipes!

Check out Bugabong.com for all kinds of free ebooks, including 504 Bath & Beauty Recipes

Cookbooks

Smart School Time Recipes by One Frugal Foodie - full of healthy recipes for kids and grown-ups alike!

Sunmaid has five different recipe ebooks on their site, including two from Gooseberry Patch. You can request to have three of these sent to you in print form (the option will come up when you click on the ebook cover).

Speaking of Gooseberry Patch, they have several downloadable freebies on their site, including two chapters of a "Circle of Friends" cookbook. This looks like something that will be added to as time goes on, so check back!

Pillsbury emailed me a link to an ebook entitled Your Birthday Takes the Cake. It's full of dessert recipes.

Betty Crocker recently sent me a link to their Birthday Parties ebook. It has recipes for all kinds of cute cakes, along with other party food, too.

Check out Molly Green Fresh for all kinds of recipes using fresh produce, and bonus household tips.

Is someone in your family gluten intolerant? Then the Back to School With Jules ebook is for you! This book not only has recipes in it, but also helps parents communicate with their child's school while dealing with a gluten sensitivity. **Make sure to enter "b2s" as the coupon code to get this book for free!**

Bugabong.com has tons of recipe ebooks, all for free - including 65 Tried and True Traditional Amish Recipes.

Educational

Here are four free ebooks from The Old Schoolhouse:

If you are new to homeschooling or still weighing your options, check out Homeschool 101.
Try their Sensational Sunflowers unit study. This might be a fun "back to school" break.
Dr. Ruth Beechick authored Writing Essays, and co-authored Integrating Concrete Math into Everyday Life.
Is your child starting high school? Thinking about how to put your child's records together for college applications? Get Into College may help!

For three free coloring books, go here and scroll down to the end of the post. Dan's Doodles are sure to keep kids of many ages busy!

Math Galaxy has a free worksheet supplement you can download - while not really an ebook, it still might be interesting to you!

One more freebie that is not necessarily an ebook is the Spanish Fun Activity Calendar from Flip Flop Learning. Your children can enjoy learning a word per day, which will string together into a sentence at the end of the week!

Other Categories

Three more great freebies from The Old Schoolhouse:

Time Flies, by Deborah Wuehler, may have been written with homeschooling mothers in mind, but I think it is a great reminder for mothers of all kinds to make the most of their time with their children.
A Baby Shower For Jesus, also by Deborah Wuehler, deals with discontent and disappointment. It's a great resource for those of us who make things stretch out of necessity, rather than simple fun and frugality.
Fiesta of Freebies is full of four months of Jamin's freebie emails, sorted out into categories. Note that some of the links may expire.

Have you ever heard of The FlyLady? She helps many people stay clean and organized. I have used her methods several times (though I'm not right now!), and find them to be very helpful - I can do anything for 15 minutes! You can find her free control journals here - the holiday one in particular is very helpful, I think!

Random Thoughts on Pet Ownership

2010-08-09T08:57:00.005-05:00

When your dog comes to you at 7 am, frantically signally that he wants to go outside, you should NOT get up, kick him out of your room, then flop back down on the bed in hopes that the baby will not wake up 2 minutes later (trust me, she will).

What awaited me when I got up 15 minutes later was a nasty smell coming from the area of the dining room table. Upon further investigation, I discovered that the dog was feeling a bit under the weather and truly could not wait to get outside. He found relief on the area rug. Thankfully, I made a trip to the Yankee Candle store yesterday, and had a yummy smelling candle to light. I am also thankful that the pet stain and odor spray did its job in both removing the stain easily and dispatching with the horrible smell. Following a trip out to the garbage can with the mess itself tied up in a plastic bag, my home now once again smells nice. I think poor Hunter will be spending some quality time outside today, just in case!

Made-By-Me Monday

2010-06-14T10:34:00.007-05:00

I submit to you today one of the two Roman shades I made for Super Girl's bedroom. I will not tell you what was hanging there before [***cough - black bed sheets - cough***]. We have lived in this house four years now, and I failed the one time I attempted to hang curtain rods in her room. My defense is that I did not have a good enough drill at that time. I plead the Fifth when asked about the time passed since then.

Since I am working on moving Little Miss into Super Girl's room, I needed to put something on the windows that would be safely out of reach of the crib. I began with the Roman shade tutorial at What's New?, and this VERY LARGE set of curtains (this is just one panel - it was as long as the twin bed!).

I bought them (and a matching valance set) at a church sale for $2, just for the yards and yards of crocheted cotton trim attached to them. My thoughts for the fabric was to use it as lining for clothing. I realized there was enough to use for these shades. I removed the ruffles, cut up the fabric, sewed the panels together, and added some panels of printed material. I also added sequined trim along the bottom, which I scored for 10 cents a yard. The end result was this, times two:

Super Girl is thrilled with them, and I think they turned out pretty well, too. I used some variegated purple thread to sew them, and I like the touch it adds. However, I think they still need something - like a valance. I still have enough of the printed fabric to make a valance for each side - I think I'll make a set. And, I still have the ruffles, both really long valances, and all that crocheted cotton trim to use for other projects!

If you have a project you'd like to share, post a link in the comments. Sorry - I haven't set the linky up yet!

Tuesday Tag-Along

2010-05-18T10:32:00.002-05:00

Welcome to this week's Tuesday Tag-Along blog hop, hosted by Twee Poppets Review and Giveaway! This is a great way to discover new blogs while increasing the number of followers for your own blog. Please feel free to grab the TTA button for your blogroll to help bring more bloggers to this blog hop!

Without further ado...
Here's how it works:

* Create a new Tuesday Tag-Along blog post. Include the Tuesday Tag-Along button. (You are also welcome to copy and paste these instructions in their entirety, or any portion of this Tuesday Tag-Along blog post!)
* Add your blog name and the URL of your TTA post to the MckLinky below.
* Follow Twee Poppets, the hostess blog listed in the first slot. Twee Poppets will follow you back! (Note: If you want Twee Poppets to follow you back, you MUST leave her a comment saying that you are a new follower and leave a link to your blog!)
* If you can, please follow the blogs in the three slots before you (e.g., if you're number 20, follow numbers 19, 18, and 17). This is not mandatory, but it will help ensure that everyone who signs up gets a few new followers!
* Follow as many other blogs as you want. The more you follow, the more that will follow you back! Be sure to tell them that you're following from Tuesday Tag-Along! You may also want to leave a link to your blog so they can return your follow more easily.
* When you get a new follower through Tuesday Tag-Along, be sure to follow them back! It's just common courtesy. :)

The weekly Tuesday Tag-Along MckLinky opens every Monday night at 8:59pm Pacific Standard Time (that's 11:59pm Eastern Standard Time), and the TTA blog post will be posted well in advance of that time. The MckLinky will be open to add your blog until 11:59pm Tuesday night. You then have all week long to visit blogs and return follows!

There is a new list every week. The link you enter one week will not carry over to the next week's MckLinky. Please link up again each week to join in the fun!

WINNER!!! - Yo Plait Simply... Go-Gurt Prize Pack

2010-05-11T16:05:00.002-05:00

According to Random.org, the winner for the Simply... Go-Gurt prize pack was...

#3, Eunice B.!

Congratulations, and thanks to everyone who entered!

Why the Kids Really Need A Little Red Hen Mama....

2010-05-08T12:50:00.002-05:00

Why the Kids Really Need A Little Red Hen Mama....

Please read this post at (In)Courage, by Ann Voskamp. It really hit home for me. I'll be back later, once I get my house in order!

Made-By-Me Monday

2010-05-03T12:49:00.006-05:00

This week for Made-By-Me Monday, I present to you a pair of pants I made for Little Miss. I wanted some sky blue pants to go with a few of her shirts, but didn't want to pay for them. I rooted around and found a very stretchy maternity shirt I had worn while I was pregnant with her, but didn't actually care for the fit. The color was just what I was looking for!

So, armed with McCall's pattern #3665 and some elastic I salvaged from a fitted sheet, I hacked into the shirt. I came up with these pants, using view F.

Front:
Back:

After ripping out the waist band and making the elastic tighter, I'm pretty pleased with them! This was my first time making ruffles, and I think it would have been easier if I were not working with such a stretchy material - the machine kept flattening out the gathers. After ripping off the first row and pinning it a ton, it came out a lot better!

What about you? Did you find time to be creative this week? Leave a comment with your link to share with others (I'm still working out the Mr. Linky thing).

Simply... Go-Gurt Review and Giveaway

2010-04-28T19:17:00.006-05:00

THE REVIEW:
As a member of MyBlogSpark, I was recently given the opportunity to try new Simply... Go-Gurt from Yoplait. It comes in a convenient tube, like their regular Go-Gurt, however, it does not contain any high-fructose corn syrup or artificial colors or flavors. It comes in strawberry or mixed berry. Wonder Boy and Super Girl devoured them without a second thought, just like I knew they would.

I have to be honest and say that I had already bought Simply... Go-Gurt while at my parents' house. The kids love to have yogurt tubes as a frozen treat, especially when the weather is warm. I just pop the whole box in the freezer. I like that the kids like them, because they are at least getting a little calcium from them. However, I don't like the sugar and all the artificial stuff that's also in them. In the future, I would pay a little extra for the Simply... Go-Gurt tubes, rather than the ones I buy at Aldi. Hopefully I'd be able to find coupons to make up the difference! I also hope they come out with a couple more flavors (hint, hint!).

THE GIVEAWAY:
The first 30 readers who click on the Simply... Go-Gurt widget to the right will be able to print a coupon for their own FREE box! If you're not one of the first 30, you can still print a coupon for $1.10 off. Also...

How would you like to win a "Simplify Your Life" prize pack from MyBlogSpark and Yoplait? It contains a coupon for a free box of Simply... Go-Gurt, a cute mini Etch-a-Sketch, a pretty weekly planner portfolio filled with different note pads, and a seat-back organizer for your vehicle. I have one prize pack to give to a reader of this blog!

In order to enter this giveaway, you need to be a follower through Google Friend or subscribe through a blog reader. Make sure you post a comment letting me know! This is required before earning extra entries.

You may have up to 4 extra entries for doing any of these things (one entry per item):
* Post your child's (or your) favorite healthy snack.
* Post about this giveaway on your blog.
* Tweet about this giveaway.
* Comment about this giveaway on Facebook.

Please make sure to post a separate comment for each entry. The winner will be chosen at random, and the entry period ends at 6 pm CST on Friday, May 7th, 2010. Winner to be announced Saturday, May 8th. Open to US addresses only.

Disclaimer: I received my own "Simplify Your Life" prize pack from Yoplait and MyBlogSpark in return for trying new Simply... Go-Gurt. The giveaway prize pack is also being furnished by Yoplait and MyBlogSpark. Nutritional information is from Yoplait. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Whew!

Tasty Tuesday

2010-04-27T10:36:00.004-05:00

Welcome to my second new theme day: Tasty Tuesday. That's right - recipe sharing! Last night I made a really yummy pasta dish from a little book my mom gave me on our recent visit, Rachael Ray Top 30 30-Minute Meals: Kid Food.

This book has several tasty-looking recipes that I am planning to try. Last night's recipe was "Peasant Pasta". She has a "grown-up" version on her website, but I couldn't find the exact recipe I used last night. Any how, it calls for 1 lb. sweet Italian sausage, 28 oz. canned tomatoes, 1/2 c frozen peas, 1/2 c cream, 1/2 lb. penne pasta, and grated parmesan. I chose to substitute a package of fresh mushrooms for the peas, as I don't care for peas and tomatoes together. This was such an easy dish - just brown the sausage and mushrooms while the pasta is cooking, then after draining the pasta, dump everything else into the pot with the noodles. Cook it for a little bit longer, and - ta da! I took the book's suggestion to serve it with a loaf of crusty bread. This is one recipe that I will definitely be making again! Even my picky Wonder Boy seemed to like it!

Made-By-Me Monday

2010-04-26T18:13:00.005-05:00

Welcome to the first installment of "Made-By-Me" Monday, wherein I post pictures of things I have made in the previous week. This will serve two purposes: to allow me to brag about my crafting accomplishments, and to encourage you to post photos of your own! Because, if you are anything like me, while my dear daughter oohs and aahs over my endeavors, my husband and son are less enthusiastic in their appreciation, and I don't want to bore them with the details. So, let's begin, shall we?

First up, we have a pair of baby slippers. I used the FREE pattern at Stardust Shoes, along with a second-hand flannel receiving blanket and a remnant of fleece. I didn't get them made until Little Miss was already 6 months old, which meant that they were exactly the right length and they no longer fit her now. I have enlarged the pattern and am going to attempt a larger pair. And, you caught me - I didn't make these this week. But, I wanted to share them, anyhow!

Next is a tote bag. I tend to carry an all-in-one purse/diaper bag combo, but that leaves me in a bind on Sunday mornings when I leave Little Miss in the church nursery. I made this bag, and have a smaller matching zip-up bag cut out to use as a clutch which I can then pull out and carry with me while leaving the larger bag with the baby. I used two fabrics I bought on clearance at JoAnn (while they were on an additional 50% off sale), a bit of brown microsuede, and Simplicity pattern #2551, which I purchased for 99 cents on sale. I made view "A".

Here is a look at the inside. There are 4 pockets inside, 2 outside.

I'm fairly pleased with how the bag turned out, though I could have sewn the curves on the front and back panels better - I made the mistake of stretching them straight as I was sewing, so they don't lay quite right. But, it is functional, and it looks decent, by my own standards.

What have you made lately? If you have pictures of a recent crafting project, post a link in the comments (next week, I hope to have a Mr. Linky set up). Share your creative side!

Building on Family Walks

2010-04-21T10:24:00.006-05:00

I wanted to share some of the ways we have built on our family walks to turn them into learning experiences as well as fun family outings. I mentioned in my last post that we had been out of town, visiting family. Our visits tend to last a week or more, and I have found that schoolwork is hit-and-miss when I bring it. This time I tried to take advantage of the weather and some near-by attractions.

On this visit, we found Black Hawk State Historic Site in Rock Island, Illinois. They have a very small (free!) museum on the grounds, which depicts summer and winter homes of the Sauk and Meskwaki (Sac & Fox) Nations. There was also a photo display and video about the park's use as a Civilian Conservation Corps camp during the Depression. On the ride to the park, I read the children some history of the park from the time in between these two periods (which I found through the park's website), when the land was an amusement park. They found the pictures of the rides interesting, especially that of the first log ride.

After browsing the museum and watching the video on the CCC, we headed back outside and enjoyed a walk along a trail to an observation point on the Rock River. We took a lot of pictures of the flowers along the way, and the kids really got a kick out of the rock formations. Thanks to a flier provided by the museum clerk, we were able to identify all but one of the flowers we photographed. I later went over some biographical information on Black Hawk (also from the park's website). Even though the museum features a bust of him, and the park is on the site of his ancestral home, I found there was really little information there about him, specifically.

A couple of days later, inspired in part by a bear claw collar at the museum, my dad helped the kids make necklaces featuring faux bear claws and glass and wooden beads. He also had a few beaver teeth, which were a reminder of a previous excursion to check out a local beaver dam. We discussed materials the Native Americans might have used to make amulets and medicine bags, and the symbolism behind the different items. Later that afternoon, we went on a walk on a local trail and were able to spot flowers we'd identified from our walk at the state park.

Next up in this train of thought: Journals of our walks! I just haven't decided if I want them to be solely of our nature walks, or if I want to include other educational trips we make. Hmmm...

Get Some Air

2010-04-14T16:27:00.006-05:00

If you are here from the Ultimate Blog Party, please check out my party post.

One thing I really missed over the winter was the habit of taking a family walk together. There are a lot of trails in our area, covering many different ecosystems. Before Little Miss was born, the four of us really enjoyed getting out and getting some exercise, as well as spending time together and observing nature. It's also a great homeschool activity, as along with science, some of the trails also have historical features. This spring, especially with the unseasonably warm weather we've been experiencing, we have been gathering the water bottles, strapping the baby into the hiking back-pack, and taking the opportunity to check out trails we've never walked before. We have even found trails to explore while visiting family. My dad has gotten a thrill out of discovering that he has this interest in common with his grandchildren, and it's reminded me of family walks we used to take when I was a child.

Something new I'm doing this year is taking pictures of as much of the plants and wildlife as I can. My plan is to help Wonder Boy and Super Girl make nature journals. We'll make a section for each trail, and use prints of the pictures I take. I will help them identify the species, and let them write short descriptions of them. If there is anything historical on the trail, I will have them include that, also.

I encourage all of you to get out with your family, and get some fresh air and exercise. Many areas have trails of some sort within driving distance, and most of them are free to access. You can often find information on local history and wildlife (along with trail maps) online or at the site, if it is a state or national park. Take along a camera, water, and snacks, and spend some time enjoying God's creations - nature and each other!

Here For The Party!

2010-04-09T12:24:00.006-05:00

Have you heard of the Ultimate Blog Party? I've checked it out in the past, but quickly got sidetracked, overwhelmed, what-have-you. Since I am trying to grow my readership and be more productive on my blog, I thought I would really give it a go this year! Woo hoo - a party without the mess!

For those of you checking in via the UBP, welcome! I am Jen. I am a 32 year old wife and mother of 3. There may or may not be more children in the future. I have been homeschooling my children for almost 4 years now. I am interested in all things to do with the home, the more natural the better. I am learning to sew, I like to garden and can, baking and cooking are fun, and I really don't mind cleaning, especially if I can use natural products. My baby usually wears home-made cloth diapers, and I am nursing for the first time. I try to be a good steward of what I have been blessed with by re-using things, and I love buying second-hand. I enjoy the thrill of couponing and walking out of the store having spent very little while getting a lot!

Most importantly, I believe God. I don't just believe IN Him. I believe the promises He's given us in His word, and I am striving to trust in Him more every day. Some days are easy. I love being home with my family. Others are harder. My husband has been unemployed since February 1st. However, I know that in all situations, my Savior loves me, has the best plan for me, and will provide all I need and more. I think patience is the hardest part of the equation!

So, thanks for stopping by, and please let me know you were here! I hope you'll come back soon!

Hide The Silver!

2010-04-07T10:06:00.003-05:00

I only have a minute, but wanted to share a quick, easy, FREE way to hide grey hairs: try parting your hair differently. I have been, um, "blessed" with a growing amount of silver hair since I was a teen. I am 32 now, and it is beginning to bother me. Especially since I quit coloring my hair a couple of years ago. To add to my frustration, I also have a fair amount of baby hair growing back under my bangs, thanks to post-partum hair loss. Which means I not only have silver hair, mostly congregating near my part, but it is short, spiky, and attention-seeking. Yes, while I do not put on make-up every day, nor do I do anything fancy with my hair, I am vain enough that these little hairs bother me. Out of frustration, I tried parting my hair on the opposite side. TA DA!!! It's like magic! There are hardly any bright, silvery strands on that side, let alone spiky little rebellious baby hairs. And, while I am waiting for those annoying baby hairs to settle down some, I believe I will try one of the home hair color remedies I found on Mother Earth News.

WINNER!!! - Busy Mom's Bible Giveaway

2010-03-31T18:01:00.002-05:00

Well, according to the clock on my computer, it is now past 6 pm. There are no new comments in my inbox. Which means, I am going to announce the winner of the Busy Mom's Bible giveaway!

According to the random number generator at Random.org, the winner is [imagine drum roll here] ...

#13 - Tracysweetangl! Congratulations!

Thanks to everyone who entered!

Shopping at Home

2010-03-30T12:36:00.006-05:00

Hand-me-downs. Most people have been blessed with hand-me-downs at some point in their life. With a husband who is unemployed, I am trying to be extremely frugal and resourceful. Here are a few examples:

Super Girl needed some new tennis shoes. She had outgrown her old ones over the winter, but she was wearing her snow boots 90% of the time, so it didn't matter. Once it warmed up, and the kids began playing outside again, she needed shoes. I thought we were going to have to wait a week to get them, and then I realized I just might have what she needed in my own closet! I had a pair of cute Converse sneakers which, try as I might, just didn't fit my wide feet well (sob!). I had SG try them on, and voila! She is now the proud owner of some very cute, green and pink, like-new (sniff, sniff!) Converse - which should last through the summer, as long as she doesn't out-grow them! Did I mention they were cute? Out-of-pocket cost: $0.

Wonder Boy has also suffered some recent growth spurts. He is suddenly lacking in the "long-enough pants" department. A funny fact about my children is that though WB is about 16 months older, he is a good 3" shorter than his sister. I have been able to pass a couple of unisex jeans UP to him that are too short on his sister. Since they've been inside all winter, the jeans are not really worn. Out-of-pocket cost: $0.

Lastly, Little Miss has not been spared in this growing epidemic (pardon my pun!). I have patterns which I picked up last summer during a sale at the fabric store. I have some t-shirts which are ill-fitting or stained. I am making her some new clothing out of this "found" material. Currently in the works: pants. Next up: a one-piece outfit. Out-of-pocket cost: $0.

So, let me challenge you to think outside the box when you have a need at home. If you can sew, you can possibly make what you need out of old items of clothing or linens you already have. Scrounge in your own and your childrens' closets for items that can be passed on to another member of the family. Check out Wardrobe Refashion for fun ways to make the old "new".

Review: Homestead Blessings

2010-03-26T13:46:00.006-05:00

I recently became introduced to the West Ladies. Vicki West and her daughters Jasmine, Hannah, and Ce Ce are four gals from Tennessee with an instructional dvd series, Homestead Blessings. It seems that some friends of mine have been buying these dvds and passing them around.

The first one I watched was "The Art of Soap Making." It was very hard to not run out and buy all the supplies to make my own soap after watching this video! Topics covered were:

Basic soap recipe

Hand milled soaps

Soap balls

Incorporating herbs, scents, etc.

Finishing and packaging

Soap as gifts

I also borrowed "The Art of Dairy Delights" from my friend. Topics covered in this video were:

Ice cream

Butter

Milking

Mozzarella cheese

Yogurt

As a bonus, you can insert the dairy dvd into your computer and print or save PDF files of the recipes. Upon viewing this dvd, I understand now why cheese costs as much as it does - it takes a lot of milk to get a relatively small amount of cheese!

I like the laid-back, "homey" feel of these videos, and the way that Vicki says "It's a blessing" several times throughout! Little Miss liked the music - she bounced like crazy in her exersaucer every time she heard it! I have already ordered my own copy of their new sewing dvd, and am eagerly awaiting it. I also can't wait to borrow the bread, herbs, and candlemaking dvds from my friends! If you'd like to see clips of all the Homestead Blessings videos, check out Laura Williams' review.

If you'd like to win your own copies of the three newest videos (The Art of Cooking, The Art of Dairy Delights, and The Art of Sewing), then check out the review and giveaway at As For My House. Winner will be drawn March 28th, 2010.

You can also buy your own copy of the Homestead Blessings dvds from Homestead Blessings, Vision Forum, CBD, or Amazon.

Disclaimer: I have not received any compensation for this review. In fact, I do not even own any of these dvds, aside from the one I have on order (which I paid for myself). All opinions are my own.

GIVEAWAY - Busy Mom's Bible

2010-03-19T20:54:00.008-05:00

I mentioned previously that I have a copy of the new Busy Mom's Bible to give away. Well, the time has come!

This is a cute, slim, two-tone pink Bible in NIV. From Zondervan's website:

Packed with one-minute thought starters, this trim, go-anywhere pocket Bible is filled with quick devotional content for when you only have a few minutes to seek out divine inspiration through God’s Word. It is one of the few products of its kind organized around your busy-mom lifestyle, helping you reflect on the spiritual side of life while addressing the real-world issues you’re dealing with as you go about your day.

In order to enter this giveaway, you need to be a follower through Google Friend or subscribe through a blog reader. Make sure you post a comment letting me know! This is required before earning extra entries.

You may have up to 3 extra entries for doing any of these things (one entry per item):
* Post about this giveaway on your blog.
* Tweet about this giveaway.
* Comment about this giveaway on Facebook.

Please make sure to post a separate comment for each entry. The winner will be chosen at random, and the entry period ends at 6 pm CST on Wednesday, March 31st, 2010. Open to US addresses only.

Disclaimer: The only compensation I have received from Zondervan was a free copy of The Busy Mom's Bible to review. I have chosen to use it as a giveaway prize on my own.

A Handful of Blogs

2010-03-18T17:24:00.003-05:00

I have waaaaaay too many blogs on my Google Reader. Especially since I haven't been using the thing for a while! However, I wanted to share a few that I really enjoy.

1. Pioneer Woman. Ree rocks! I want to be her when I grow up, just a little bit. Her posts are always entertaining, and often educational. She covers a variety of subjects - homeschooling, photography, cooking, life on a ranch in general.

2. Hip2Save. Collin is a young, enthusiastic mother of 3 and military wife. She really enjoys the thrill of saving, and always has something awesome to share! She has links to freebies, sales, coupons, etc., and posts weekly coupon/sales match-ups for CVS, Walgreens, and Rite-Aid. Thanks to her blog, I've gotten hundreds of dollars worth of products for free over the past year.

3. Money Saving Mom. Crystal's blog has some things in common with Hip2Save, but she also has posts showing how to cook from your pantry and from scratch. She is a Christian, and I enjoy that she seems to be more about helping her family save money and stretching their budget, rather than focusing on what she can get for free or little money. She is sort of a combination of Pioneer Woman and Hip2Save, with posts about freebies and such, but also about cooking and homeschooling preschoolers.

4. Wardrobe Refashion. This is a blog written by a group of people who have pledged to not buy any new clothing for a certain amount of time, but rather to remake (refashion) second-hand clothing and other pieces of fabric into new clothing for themselves. One member was making a silk wedding dress out of curtains she found at a thrift store! I find this blog very inspirational, and hope to take the pledge in the future.

5. Cake Wrecks. This is solely a guilty pleasure! Jen's readers submit photos of "professionally" decorated cakes-gone-wrong, to which she adds humorous captions. I have often laughed until I cried at some of these creations! Others just leave me wondering, "What on Earth were they thinking?!?!?" This blog is always good for a pick-me-up!

Busy Mom's Bible - FREE, if there are any left!

2010-02-22T15:40:00.003-06:00

Go over here to register for a free copy of the new Busy Mom's Bible in NIV. I got my copy Saturday. I have to say that I do prefer a study Bible, but this is good if you want something with devotions included. There are several different ways to utilize the ones in this Bible - one minute, five minutes, ten minutes, or longer. It is slim, with a cute pink/hot pink faux leather cover. It is tempting to keep it, but I am going to be giving away my copy in another post. Keep watch!

Giveaway Winner...SORRY!!!

2009-11-23T15:06:00.002-06:00

UGH!!! So, my first giveaway didn't go quite as I planned. Life bogged me down, and I forgot to draw a winner! I'M SO SORRY! Any how, according to random.org, the winner of the homeopathic Children's Coldcalm is commenter #1, Michelle. Congrats!

A Good Idea For Gifts

2009-11-06T22:35:00.003-06:00

Last year Mr. Man and I decided we'd had enough of buying Christmas gifts for our parents. Don't get me wrong - they're always grateful, it's just that they don't really need anything, and generally buy the things they want on their own. We felt it laid upon our hearts to give to someone who truly needed it instead. So, we chose to give through World Vision. We already sponsored a child through World Vision, and were thrilled with all the different gifts found in their catalog. The prices range from less than $20 to over $1000, with many options under $50. There are so many things to choose from, too! Fruit trees, animals, clothing, medical care... the list goes on and on. Purchasing our honorary gift was easy. Mr. Man went online during his lunch break, chose the gifts we'd decided on, and was able to print very nice cards to present to our parents. We were very excited to get the new holiday catalog a few weeks ago. We plan to do a gift each month in the new year, as a way to teach our children to care for others. I think the hardest thing to do will be choosing what to do first!

Confessions

2009-11-05T09:54:00.002-06:00

Confession #1: I had oatmeal with chopped fun-size Baby Ruth bars in it for breakfast this morning. What?!? Quaker sells chocolate and marshmallow instant oatmeal for kids, so it's not that weird! And, at least my oatmeal started out organic!

Confession #2: I had the same. exact. thing. yesterday for breakfast.

Confession #3: I have the Christmas music digital cable channel playing on my television.

Confession #4: I played it yesterday, too. What can I say - it's mostly the "classic" Christmas music from the 40s to the 60s, the stuff my parents played when I was a kid. I love it! Any time I find one of the albums they had on cd, I snatch it up. It helps that it's the kind of stuff that's usually in the bargain bins. Even Mr. "I don't like Christmas stuff" Man will tolerate a little Christmas Elvis!

Million Baby Crawl

2009-11-03T10:48:00.003-06:00

I don't know about you, but I am leery of all the nameless chemicals that are in many cleaners. I admit I'd gotten a bit lax in using natural cleaners, but am finding my concern renewed now that there's a baby in the house again. If you've ever tried to find anything out about conventional products, you know how hard it is to get any real information (such as the names of the chemicals used and the effects they have on a person). I signed up for Seventh Generation's Million Baby Crawl, because I feel like we as consumers at least deserve to know what we are using in our homes. I have a feeling that many people would not use them if they understood what they were exposing their families to. Besides - good old vinegar and water is almost free!

Go here to create your own crawler. Perhaps someday soon Congress will take notice and allow people to protect themselves, rather than continuing to protect Big Business.

Free Subscription to Living The Country Life magazine

2009-10-29T08:48:00.003-05:00

Head over here and snag a free 3 year subscription to Living The Country Life magazine. I have received 3 issues so far, and this magazine is packed full of useful info for those who live on farms of any size, just live in the country, or simply wish to!

**Note: At the bottom of the form it says "Yes! I'd like to receive news and special offers from your family of publications via email.", and that this is required. They are published by the Better Homes & Gardens family - just so you don't wonder where on earth this magazine is coming from!

My Very First Giveaway!!!

2009-10-27T19:15:00.006-05:00

I recently received an AWESOME package from Boiron. It contained three full-sized homeopathic products: Children's Coldcalm pellets, Children's Chestal syrup, and Children's Oscillococcinum. This offer was open to moms who have blogs, but apparently it was short-lived. I was excited to pass on the news, only to find the offer is over. So, I decided I will share the wealth!

I am offering up my full-size package of Children's Coldcalm to the winner of this giveaway! You can read more about it and Boiron's other products here. You can also print a $1 coupon good on the three products I mentioned above - the coupon is good through 2012!

In order to enter this giveaway, you need to become a follower through Google Friend or subscribe through a blog reader. Make sure you post a comment letting me know! This is required before earning extra entries.

You may have up to 3 extra entries for doing any of these things (one entry per item):
* Post about this giveaway on your blog.
* Tweet about this giveaway.
* Comment about this giveaway on Facebook.

Please make sure to post a separate comment for each entry. The winner will be chosen at random, and the entry period ends at 6 pm CST on Friday, November 6th, 2009. Open to US addresses only.

More diapers

2009-10-07T16:22:00.004-05:00

Little Miss happily wore the tiny newborn diapers I made for her . . . for a couple of weeks. Then they started getting tight on her. If I had made the wings longer, they would have been fine. It was a good thing that they ended up not being water-proof, though. I was able to squeeze a couple more weeks out of them by leaving them undone and just using the covers to hold the diapers on. I'm not finished making the next size up - I have 11 completed, and 2 more that are partially done - not to mention the numerous pieces that are cut out but still unsewn.

On the left you can see one of the newborn diapers I made. On the right, one of the "size 1" diapers I made. I bought a pattern this time - Darling Diapers Unlimited. I technically made the newborn size of that pattern, also, but it obviously runs so much larger than the pattern I drafted! I made them with pale pink PUL on the outer surface, and minky on the inner surface. There is a layer of French terry (from re-purposed baby towels) sandwiched in between. The soaker (the long thing that lays over top) has 3 layers of micro-fiber inside, with minky on top and some re-purposed t-shirt on the back.

If you've never used diapers like this before, then you can see from the picture above that the soaker, even though it looks too big, does in fact fit in the diaper very nicely. I'm pretty pleased with how these turned out, even though I got to the point were I didn't care what they looked like, as long as they were functional. Half of them have a clover green inner, instead of the darker pink. They work the same, though. Hopefully I can get a few more finished soon. Little Miss still hasn't settled into a routine yet, making it difficult to get much done. I'm half-tempted to just keep washing these twice a day and start on the next size, knowing that I should have them all done by the time she grows out of these ones!

What's For Dinner?

2009-10-06T15:19:00.005-05:00

I have discovered that I shop more efficiently (in regards to both time and money) when I have an idea of what meals I'm going to make. I try to plan the majority of meals around things I need to use up in the fridge, and things in the pantry. I also tend to do my shopping for two weeks at a time. I do not assign meals to specific days, as I find the flexibility fits our life better. Here is my current two-week dinner menu:

* Baked potatoes with chicken alfredo sauce; California veggie blend
* Florentine stuffed pasta shells; tossed salad
* Chicken alfredo pizza (just cheese for the kids); tossed salad
* Applesauce pancakes; bacon
* Tuna melt sandwiches; peas
* Meatballs & rice; green beans
* Macaroni & cheese; carrots
* Meatloaf; mashed potatoes, peas
* Monte Cristo sandwiches; cantaloupe
* Chili; cornbread
* Mushroom soup & hot pockets
* Sloppy joes; green beans
* Baked chicken; carrots
* Little Caesar's pizza

BTW, the picture above is of the beer-can chicken and roasted potatoes I made a couple of weeks ago. They looked so good, I just had to take a picture!

My World View

2009-09-15T18:04:00.001-05:00

Sitting on my porch, holding my baby girl and enjoying the weather.

I am still here

2009-09-12T23:30:00.004-05:00

I'm sure no one was on pins and needles wondering what happened to me, since most of the people who read this actually know me in real life or online. Any how, on August 14th, I gave birth to a gorgeous baby girl. Little Miss was 7 lb, 11 oz, and 19.5" long. She has dark hair, and looks a LOT like my own baby pictures, and her brother's. Except for the dimples. She definitely has dimples, and I definitely never have. Neither has her brother.

Flash forward a month, and I am finding it difficult to do much of anything around the house in the hours after 1 pm or so. Little Miss is fine in the morning, and happy to nap in her swing. However, by 1 pm, she does not want to be put down. It doesn't matter if she's asleep or not - any attempt to lay her down will be met with crying, which will become frantic if she is not picked up soon enough. This means I am spending more time online than I had been in previous weeks. Unfortunately, it is challenging to type with only one hand, so I am mainly just reading. I am enjoying catching up with my favorite blogs, which I've been neglecting for the past 4 weeks. Sometimes, LM will fall soundly asleep sometime after 10 pm, and then sleep for several hours. Tonight seems to be one of those nights. I was actually successful in getting her to lay in her bassinet for the first time in a couple of weeks! Without waking up! Hence the blog post - I can actually use both hands to type with at the moment, as all 3 of my typing teachers taught me!

***Note to self: Make sure to DO STUFF before noon!!! Do not sit around checking emails! There will be PLENTY of time for this after 1 pm! Do the chores first, then the fun stuff.***

Made by Rae Jackpack Backpack GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-09-09T14:07:00.000-05:00

Made by Rae Jackpack Backpack GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

First Try at Sewing Diapers

2009-08-03T08:27:00.004-05:00

First off, let me start by saying that I have chosen to do cloth diapers with this baby in order to save money, and also because I believe it is better for the baby and the environment. However, learning to sew has led me into a whole new hobby, which has me buying patterns (on sale or second hand), fabrics, and "notions". My scrapbook supplies are getting jealous.

Here is the first round of diapers I've sewn. I made a few of the pink ones and the orange ones - I got those fabrics at Walmart. The other fabrics I got at JoAnn. I made the most of the blue farm animal print and the white duck & frog print, 8 each, I believe. The outer fabrics are all flannel, except the orange, which is cotton knit. The yellow inner is fleece, and the blue inner is stretch terry. I loath sewing with french terry. These diapers have a hidden layer of PUL, but I know that they may end up wicking because of the way that I constructed them, so I have some newborn covers to use if need be.

They are definitely newborn-sized, as you can see from the comparison to a disposable newborn diaper.

The duck & frog is my favorite! I intend to buy more of it, to make other baby items. I have enough scraps to make a bib, some booties, and some cloth balls or blocks.

When I began making these diapers, I was convinced this baby would come early, like Super Girl did. At 7#, Super Girl wore newborn diapers for the first 6 weeks, since she was so scrawny that she swam in size 1. Now that this child has made it to her due date, I'm not sure I will be using these diapers at all! It's a good thing I have already started on the next size up!

New Obsession

2009-07-14T13:55:00.003-05:00

Picking up a new hobby while pregnant is dangerous. My brain becomes much more obsessive (I've been dreaming about it), and there are suddenly tons of things I'd love to do "before the baby comes". My latest obsession is sewing. I have wanted to learn to sew for a while, but didn't actually start until a couple of months ago. It all began because I wanted to do cloth diapers with the baby. We can't afford disposables, plus I believe cloth is better for the baby and the environment. The major problem is that there can be a fairly large start-up cost with cloth diapers. My cloth-diapering friends some how convinced me, the sewing dummy, that I could make my own. I have been working on newborn diapers since the end of May. I'm finally finishing them up this week. More on this topic later.

Anyhow, I needed to feel like I was accomplishing something. I needed a completed project. While at JoAnn Fabrics, I came across a bolt of material that was already shirred on the top, and had a fair amount of length underneath that. Super Girl thought it was cute, and asked me to make a shirt for her out of it. Since it was on sale for $1.50 a yard, I thought, "Why not?" I spent at least an hour on Father's Day, "whipping up" this shirt. It took longer than I expected, considering all I had to do was sew it together down one side and make straps. It turned out really well, though - if I do say so myself.

Great Day

2009-07-13T12:30:00.000-05:00

Mr. Man and I somehow agreed (without really talking about) that we needed a family day this weekend. Our family has been the same 4 members for 8 1/2 years now, and it is about to change quite a bit. It seemed like the right time to take a day and just enjoy being together. It was a beautiful day on Sunday, so we took the kids to the local air show.

We had a great time! We got to see a Harrier hoovering over the lake, the Army's Golden Knights parachute team, and the Lima Lima Flight Crew, amongst others. The Golden Knights were probably my favorite. My dad was a paratrooper in the Army, and it just amazes me that he has actually done those things - jumped from a plane, fallen from the sky, successfully landed . . . things I'm not brave enough to attempt in a million years!

We feasted on rib tips, Italian sausage, corn dogs, corn on the cob, and cheese fries. YUM.

After the air show, we rode the shuttle back to the beach we'd parked at, while sharing elephant ears and cake batter ice cream. It was so beautiful out, we decided to let the kids play for a while. They splashed in the lake a bit, then discovered a couple of other kids trying to dig their way to China (or something like that). Wonder Boy ran right over with a cry of, "Hi! Can I help?!?" Super Girl joined them, and they spent quite a while digging in the massive hole and building a wall to keep the water out. Mr. Man and I just kinda lounged on the beach. Sadly, us grown-ups were the ones fully clothed, and we ended up with the most sunburn. It was still a good day, even if the back of my neck is a bit tender.

Google Reader

2009-06-24T14:53:00.002-05:00

Ok, so I confess I have just discovered Google Reader this week. I like it a lot! I can add all these great craft/sewing blogs I keep coming across, and it keeps up with them for me. I added the "Next" button to my tool bar, and can now scroll through the new posts at each blog in their original format - so I can still see the pictures and such. My favorite part? When I run out of new blog posts, the reader congratulates me and tells me I've reached the end of the internet. I just find that rather amusing!

Busy Day, Lots of Errands

2009-06-19T08:41:00.002-05:00

I try to save my errands so I can do them on days like today, when I have a midwife appointment. The midwife's office is 20 minutes or so from my house, and so are some of the shops I need to go to, like the office supply store and the "good" (read: BIG) craft store. I also discovered there is a fabric store a few blocks from the midwife's office. Guess where I'm heading before my appointment?

The kids won't be happy with me later - we also have errands to run out in the other direction this afternoon. I have an appointment to pick up some second-hand homeschool materials we need, and I'm going to make a stop at a new dairy and another fabric store out that way. I figure, I might as well! The kids will probably get a (gross) fast food lunch out of the deal, so they'll at least enjoy that.

I'm hoping today will be fairly enjoyable - the kids tend to get annoying in the van. They pick at each other and bicker. I can always hope they'll behave today, right?

Creative Organization, Part 2 - Master Bedroom

2009-06-17T15:04:00.002-05:00

Moving on to my own bedroom, I will start with the closet. On the closet shelf is my stock pile of toiletries. When I get a good deal on something, I stock up. I've got at least 10 bottles of shampoo up there, which I paid about $0.25 a piece for. There's quite a bit of stuff up there - so much so, that I'm afraid the shelf will collapse if I approach it with anything else for a while! There is also a folding baby tub up there, waiting for someone to bathe in it. Mr. Man's dresser is in the closet - it is one of those tall, skinny dressers - I don't know the technical term for it. Under the dresser are my shoes. I've only got a handful of pairs. And, they were all bought second-hand. The other half of the closet has our hanging clothes in it, and under those is a tub full of Mr. Man's stuff.

Under the bed is a tub full of craft supplies for our homeschool coop this fall. I need to see if I can store it at the church - that would give me more space! There are also some things under there that I'm saving for Super Girl's hope chest. I really could store more under the bed if I had more containers. I'm not brave enough to put our bed on risers.

In the corner is the pack-n-play, which will serve as Sweet Pea's crib. Inside, under the bassinet portion, I'm storing the Bumbo seat I was gifted with. There's more room in there, too. In another corner is the dresser (again - tall, skinny) that used to house craft supplies. I downsized my stash, and have repurposed the dresser for baby clothes and supplies. The cot I mentioned previously is shoved beside this dresser, but it will be going under Super Girl's bed once I get it raised. I have some books stored on top.

Lastly, there is a long, low dresser which houses my clothes. Underneath, there are my geneaology materials. On top, there is a set of plastic bins for diapers, etc. - baby things that I like to keep in easy reach. The remainder of the top has a wipe warmer (filled with cloth wipes, waiting to be moistened and plugged in when baby comes!) and the changing pad from the pack-n-play. There was more room to put it on the dresser top rather than trying to stand at the pack-n-play to use it.

Creative Organization, Part 1 - Wonder Boy's Room

2009-06-17T08:55:00.006-05:00

In my efforts to get ready for little baby Sweet Pea's arrival in less than 2 months, I have been trying to get our home organized. This task may not have been as important - or daunting - if we had been dealing with any amount of baby stuff for the past 8 years. It is also a challenge to do this while spending as little money as possible.

Let me make a side note: Our house is about 2000 square feet. I'm not complaining. Only about 1/2 of that is currently usable, though, due to some water problems we're resolving in the basement. We have three bedrooms. Organizing would probably be less challenging if I could: 1) Use the basement, and/or 2) Shove baby stuff into a nursery. However, my two children happen to be of the opposite sex, and at an age where they really should not be sharing a room, for modesty's sake. Though, they do love having "sleep overs" in each others rooms! Thank goodness for that $5 garage sale cot!

Ok. Now on to some of the possibly slightly unusual (I like to think they're creative) things I've done to create extra storage in our home. These ones might not be so odd, but they get a little more creative as we go:

Both kids have bed risers now. I was fortunate to find one set at a yard sale for $2. Under Wonder Boy's bed: Our large suit case, filled with his winter clothes. Suitcases have to be stored any how, and if you already own them, are less expensive than plastic bins that are sold for "under the bed". He also has a couple of bins of toys under there (Legos and Match Box cars). I still have room for a little something under the head of his bed - I'm sure I'll find something to stash there!
In WB's closet: Two queen-size sleeping bags (on the shelf), bins of baby clothes, and the bin of my "regular" summer clothes. This is along with the shelves that hold an as-of-yet unorganized assortment of model train parts, remote control vehicles, and whatever else WB has shoved in there.
The game cupboard is also stored in WB's room. This cupboard is about 5' tall and 18" wide. Whatever games don't fit in there don't stay in the house. The only exception are a couple of good family games that are in larger boxes. Those are in another location (but I'm rethinking that).

Typing this out has made me realize two things: I still have room under the bed and on the closet shelf, and I really need to get the toy shelves straightened out - maybe I'd find even more room!

You Can't Get Prices Like This at Aldi!!!

2009-05-20T21:16:00.003-05:00

I ran to Kmart tonight - they started another round of double coupons today. I was prepared - I have all my coupons clipped and well-sorted. I started in the snack aisle, because that is the first food aisle, and we are pretty set on toiletries and cleaning supplies for now. Once I finished in the snack aisle, I hadn't reached the 25 coupon limit yet, so I went straight across to the condiment aisle. That way, I didn't have anything that should be cold getting warm while I waited for the kids to finish at church. Here is what I scored tonight:

1 bottle of Tabasco sauce: $.19
1 bottle of Hunt's ketchup: free
2 bottles of Hunt's ketchup: $.25 each
4 bottles of French's worcestershire sauce: free
3 boxes of Triscuit crackers: $.50 each
2 boxes of Wheat Thin crackers: $.50 each
1 box of Wheat Thin Artisan crackers: $.50
3 boxes of Wheat Thin Artisan crackers: free
4 boxes of Ritz crackers: $.50 each
1 jar of Peter Pan peanut butter: $.50
2 bottles of A1 marinade: free

My total before coupons was $50 and change. My total after coupons: $6.19!!!

I plan to make 3 trips tomorrow - I'm trying to see how much I can stock up on in the area of groceries for the lowest amount. Too bad there aren't coupons out there for the necessities, like produce and meat!

Good Deal on Coconut Water?

2009-05-19T20:34:00.002-05:00

According to my online friends, coconut water is excellent for drinking while in labor. It has natural electrolytes, which help keep you hydrated and energized. I was planning to see if my local health food store would order some for me, then Hip2Save posted this deal on her blog. Amazon has these listed at $18 for a dozen 11.2 oz drink boxes. If you sign up for the "subscribe & save" program, it brings the cost down to $15.30 and makes the shipping free. You can cancel this at any time after your order, so you don't have to actually receive the item again. Once you are in the check out, use the code "COCON355" to get an additional 35% off, bringing your total down to $9. That makes these $.75 a piece! I have to admit I hadn't priced them elsewhere yet, but I thought this deal was too good to pass up! Shipping was pretty quick, too - I ordered mine on the 11th, and received them today. I'm resisting the urge to try one now!

Yum!

2009-05-19T16:18:00.005-05:00

I forsee a lot of business coming from my house for the delicias man this summer. He walks around the neighborhood sometimes with one of those old-fashioned ice cream push-carts, ringing the bell on it. Super Girl came running in, wanting to know if she could buy a "popsicle". I figured it was going to be a freeze pop (she only wanted a dollar, and I know how over-priced they are). I gave Wonder Boy a dollar, too. When I saw what he came back with, I hustled to get my own dollar! He had some sort of Mexican ice cream bar - chocolate covered strawberry. I hurried out to the man and his cart, which, thankfully, were stopped across the street. He listed off all the flavors he had, and I chose coconut. He had a lot of flavors, most of them fruit. I mean actual, real fruit. Wonder Boy's had big pieces of strawberry in the ice cream, and mine had nice chunks of coconut. It was SOOOOOO GOOOOOOD!!! I think I'm going to have to start keeping a few dollars on hand this summer, especially since I got 3 ice creams for the price one would be from the ice cream truck. I won't be able to get one for us all the time, but it's nice to know I can let the kids have a treat sometimes at a more affordable price (and with some real fruit in the mix, too!).

Mail Call!

2009-05-19T09:09:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was a pretty good mail day, I think! In addition to couponing, I have been submitting a lot of requests for free samples. They definitely come in handy when traveling. They also often include COUPONS which may not be found elsewhere. Yesterday, all the mail was for ME!, except a piece of junk mail for Mr. Man. Here's what I got:

Samples of new Aveeno Nourish shampoo and conditioner from CVS (included a $1 coupon)
Samples of Aveeno Nourish shampoo and conditioner from Walmart (also included a $1 coupon)
A packet of tomato seeds and a $1 off 5 coupon from Campbells
Another $15 off $50 coupon from Office Max
My MaxPerks card from Office Max (finally!)
Summer Savings coupon book from ConAgra foods (over $10 in coupons and one for a free bottle of ketchup)
A Green Tea Tropical tea bag and $.75 coupon from Mighty Leaf Tea

A few other things I've received in the past few weeks have been: a coupon for a free One Touch Ultra Mini glucose meter, a blackberry sage tea bag from Republic of Tea, Playtex Sport tampons, Kotex overnight pads, Gain laundry soap, Quaker Quakes cheddar rice cakes, Nivea Touch of Happiness body wash, Dove Go Fresh deodorant, John Freida Root Awakenings shampoo and conditioner, Better Than Ears dog treats, and the Huggies Pure and Natural diapers I mentioned before. All but a few of those things included coupons with the sample. Maybe it's a bit sad to admit, but signing up for these goodies has made checking the mail fun again!

Wet Bag Giveaway

2009-05-08T13:03:00.001-05:00

Clothdiaperblog.com is giving away two wet bags from Planet Wise. Go here for details and to enter.

KFC Follow-up

2009-05-07T21:55:00.002-05:00

I apologize to anyone who printed the KFC coupon after seeing it here, and now can't get your free dinner at the moment. My family went tonight - the kids were SOOOOO excited about having their very own coupons! Wonder Boy made it into the door ahead of all of us (big surprise), and came back out saying, "They're not taking any more coupons!" We went in to see what the fuss was about, and apparently KFC was not prepared for the overwhelming success of a coupon campaign that was featured on OPRAH, of all places! We were given raincheck forms to fill out and turn in with our original coupons. We will supposedly receive coupons some time in the future for another free meal AND a drink (which the original deal did not include). My kids were disappointed, and I was a bit flustered because I had not made any back-up plans for dinner. Mr. Man decided it was a fine time to buy some Little Cesars pizza. Thank goodness for those $5 hot-n-ready deals! Hopefully I'll be able to report in the near future that we have enjoyed our free KFC meal.

As a side note, I called my mom while I was waiting in the van at Little Cesars. She had no problem what-so-ever getting her meal, but she lives in a small town, and I suspect there were not as many coupons printed there.

Free Sample of Sunbutter!

2009-05-07T21:42:00.003-05:00

This sample excites me! I have tried Sunbutter before - it came in a snack pack I bought onboard an Amtrak train. It was AWESOME! It's made from sunflower seeds. You can try it now, too - just go here and fill out the form. At the bottom, where it asks for a code, enter this: 0428. Let me know if you like it as much as I do!

A follow-up

2009-05-06T16:26:00.002-05:00

To my post yesterday about rain showers. Mr. Man mowed the lawn Sunday evening, and it looked so nice. After yesterday's little bout of water, I looked out this morning to see that my back yard is in full (yellow) bloom once again!

Gotta Love Those . . .

2009-05-05T14:45:00.002-05:00

Short spring rain showers! They last just long enough to bring the kids and dog inside, and then they're over! They sure make everything smell good, though.

Free meal at KFC!

2009-05-05T10:30:00.003-05:00

Ok, so this isn't all that natural, but it is better for you than the regular fried chicken. If you click here, you can print a coupon for a free 2-pc. grilled chicken meal at KFC. It includes two sides of your choice and a biscuit. You are allowed to print 4 copies PER COMPUTER, but can only print them through 9:59 PM (Central) on the 6th. So, I advise printing out your coupons now, and then using them later if you like. They are good through the 19th.

I don't know about all of you, but Thursday is my really busy day, and now I know what we'll be having for dinner (for free)!

(Thanks, Hip2Save!)

Free sample of organic honey

2009-05-04T12:56:00.003-05:00

If you signed up for the free subscription to KIWI magazine (see my last post), you can request a free sample of organic raw honey or organic amber honey from Wholesome Sweeteners. Simply email them at info@organicsugars.biz, and be sure to put "KIWI" in the subject line.

(Thanks, MoneySavingMom!)

Free Subscription to KIWI magazine

2009-05-04T11:41:00.003-05:00

Get a free one year subscription to KIWI magazine here. I've bought this magazine before, and it's full of articles about natural and organic living with children. There are also suggested activities to do with your children. The issue I bought had yummy homemade ice cream recipes in it. Sign up for the free subscription, and they will email you a link to printable Earth's Best organic baby foods, and they will also mail some to you.

(Thanks, MoneySavingMom!)

Free Huggies Pure & Natural diapers

2009-05-01T13:24:00.002-05:00

Huggies has a new diaper line out - Pure & Natural. They are made with organic cotton. You can get two separate free samples here and here. There are 3 diapers in each sample, in addition to a free plastic zip lock storage bag (good for stashing in a diaper bag) and a $3/1 coupon. You can select from 3 sizes: Newborn, 1, or 2. If you want to do more natural disposable diapers for your baby, but can't afford the more expensive ones, this may be a good alternative for you.

There is also a $3/1 coupon for these diapers that you can print out here.

(Thanks, MoneySavingMom and Hip2Save!)

Double digits!

2009-05-01T12:57:00.004-05:00

Woo hoo! If you look at the widget of the little floating baby, you'll see that I'm down to less than 100 days officially! I know that it could still be longer, but still . . . WOO HOO!!!