Talk About Tuesday

For some time now, I have been reading a blog called "The Lazy Organizer." I mean really, what could be more me? I'm lazy, and I like to organize.

Lara recently started a new blog carnival called Talk About Tuesday. The basic premise is Show and Tell. Remember in school when you used to take any little treasure or little toy and you were so excited to share it with your friends? Same thing.

Today is my first time to share something. I'm so excited, because it will be so much easier for me. It's a *Brand* *New* website called Save My Coupons.

We do most of our grocery shopping at either Aldi's or Price Chopper. Price Chopper has a Chopper Shopper rewards card that I use frequently. Last night at the store, I saw the notice about Save My Coupons. I'm telling you, it's going to change the way we shop!

Basically, instead of clipping coupons every Sunday, you "click" coupons. Then, the coupons are linked to your Chopper Shopper card, and you don't have to carry paper coupons to the store! They take them off automatically at the register! I'm so excited. I can hardly wait to try it out.

I've clipped coupons before. The first problem was that I was clipping for things that I didn't normally buy or use. The second problem was that I would take the coupons to the store, and either forget to use them, or I would forget to hand them to the cashier! This makes me really really excited. I don't have to forget anything anymore!

Okay, so I just really had to share this with the blogging world. If you have this program available in your area, I would recommend using it.

Hugs,

Melinda

"I am a Christian"

WHEN I SAY, "I AM A CHRISTIAN"

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not shouting, "I've been saved!"
I'm whispering, "I get lost! That's why I chose this way"

When I say, "I am a Christian," I don't speak with human pride
I'm confessing that I stumble-needing God to be my guide

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not trying to be strong
I'm professing that I'm weak and pray for strength to carry on

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not bragging of success
I'm admitting that I've failed and cannot ever pay the debt

When I say, "I am a Christian," I don't think I know it all
I submit to my confusion asking humbly to be taught

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible but God believes I'm worth it

When I say, "I am a Christian," I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache which is why I seek His name

When I say, "I am a Christian," I do not wish to judge
I have no authority--I only know I'm loved

Copyright 1988 Carol Wimmer

10-20-30 years ago

I'm so excited, I've been tagged for the very first time. Sandi tagged me for a 10, 20, 30 year writing project. Once you answer, you need to run over to RelevantBlog, and leave a comment and link on her blog.

10 years ago, I was a newlywed. I had been married for 7 months, and we had just moved to a brand new city to work with a church there. We had 3 months for a Dale to find a job. He was hired Oct. 31. :D

20 years ago, I was in a new school. After being at the same private school for 6 years (K-5th) I had to go to the public school. I was making friends and trying to adjust. Oh, this was also at a time that my mother would let me walk to her office after school. (About a half mile away.) Times have changed. I wouldn't let my daughter walk that far by herself.

30 years ago.... I actually don't know. I would have been around 17 months or so. I think we may have been in Texas at that time. My parents were foster parents for a children's home.

So now I need to tag 12 people. Sandi tagged me, so I can't tag her. Let's see.... Marie, Michal, Amber, BooMama, Teodo, Laurie, Giz, and.... anyone else who wants to play along.

Hugs,
Melinda

Dale is a geek....

But he's MY geek. :D
Hugs,
Melinda

Menu plan Monday

Whoops... I just realized I have the wrong banner up. I like the smiley one a lot better. Oh well. I'll live with it for now. I'm going to eventually make a folder where I have all my banners that I use frequently in it so I don't have to go "is it in this one?"

Okay, now for my menus. I really like doing this. It makes life so much easier.

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Sunday: Roast and mashed potatoes, Tuna Salad wraps

Monday: Homemade Hamburgers

Tuesday: Jambalya

Wednesday: French Toast

Thursday: Cheesburger Macaroni (I hope. I'm making a new recipe.)

Friday: Potato Soup and cornbread

Saturday: I'm going to be in Fayetteville visiting my sister and seeing her photography exhibit. So, that's not planned right now. ;)

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Potato Soup recipe for my family, because this is as close to Granny's recipe as I can get.

3-4 potatoes peeled and cubed.

Place in pot and cover with water.

Boil until fork tender.

Pour out 3/4 of the water.

Cover with milk, add a stick of butter, and heat until milk is steaming.

Add some Jiffy cornbread mix and it's Yummy Yummy for my tummy. :D

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Hugs,

Melinda

I have a poll --->

I have a question I would like answered. It's over there ---> to the side. If you answer yes, please leave suggestions in the comments.

And now, back to separating two arguing girls.

Hugs,
Melinda

I'm so impressed with myself.

I have to tell you, I've made brown gravy 2 times now, and it was SO good, that Dale didn't even use ketchup! :O (That's a shocker in and of itself. We support the ketchup industry. LOL)

I usually just make what I think my family will eat. I finally rebelled, and I made a pot roast! I used an eye of round roast, seared it, threw it in the crock pot along with a (large) can of DelMonte whole new potatoes, a (small) bag of Green Giant baby carrots. And then some minced onions, parsley, basil and garlic. It smelled so yummy while it was cooking.

I am actually enjoying cooking meals for my family and learning new techniques. I'm telling you though... learn how to make cream gravy and you're set!

Okay, I've rambled enough for now. I've got to see if I can get rid of this headache.

Hugs,
Melinda

The couch, part two

I did end up fixing the couch. I put in these 2" long screws. I had 4 of them. 2 went all the way through and bedded themselves in the wood. 2 went through but not all the way down. I also put an "L" bracket on to sort of hold the splintered wood together. And last but not least, I put a clamp on. It's opened up all the way, and then hammered on. *gasp* But it shouldn't be coming off anytime soon. LOL

And that's the saga of the couch. Hopefully, this will last us for another year or so. And next time we buy a couch, maybe we won't buy one from a going-out-of-business sale.

Hugs, Melinda

Renaissance Festival

Last weekend, my MIL came for a visit. We went to the Renaissance Festival on Saturday. These are a few pictures from our time there.

These are of Sweet Pea getting her hair put up in a Majestic Hair Flower. She has so much hair, and it's so thick and fun to play with.

These are of Little Bit (the little girl with the green shirt and the overalls right in front) learning to dance with the gypsys. She wouldn't dance unless they were stopped.

This is the very end of the day. We were so very hot. The Tuesday before, the temperature was about 75 degrees. This day, it hit 90, and it was humid. Little Bit didn't get her nap. You can see how tired she is. Plus I usually don't give her a paci until nap time. It was crowded and we were ready to be home.
All in all, we had a lot of fun. Next year, I'm hoping I can get a baby sitter and just go with Dale. Maybe even get a season pass. Who knows? Maybe I'll even audition. I have a whole year to try to perfect an English accent. ROFLOL

Hugs,
Melinda

P.S. I'm putting some more artsy pictures up on Abandoned Beauties.

Works For Me Wednesday

Okay, my tip for today is probably pretty well known, but I thought I'd share it anyway.

If you have a yucky smelling garbage disposal, cut up an orange and throw it in. The citrus acids help cut the grease off of the disposal parts, and it smells good. If you throw in a couple of ice cubes, you also sharpen the blades at the same time.

Simple, but it Works-For-Me!

Hugs,
Melinda

Heh heh....

I'm not a nerd. *whew* I'm so glad. :D

What works for you, part two

I just realized I had another question: What are some good potty training tips?

Little Bit (age 29months) is showing strong signs of being really ready. (ie, she tells me when she went "poo-poo," and she can sometimes tinkle in the potty, especially if I take her right after naptime.) I know I need to be consistant about it. What worked for you?

Thanks,

Melinda

What works for you?

This edition of Works-For-Me Wednesday is Backwards Day. Instead of sharing a tip that works for me, I ask a question that has bothered me, and you answer. Sounds pretty cool, huh?

So my question is: How do I keep Sweet Pea (age 8) and Little Bit (age 2) from being little alarm clocks? The one time that one woke up after 7:30 was the night that I took Sweet Pea grocery shopping until midnight. Usually, they are both up around 6:45 or 7:00.

This wouldn't be a problem if I didn't wake up at 7:00 to do some morning stuff, like, you know..... take a shower.

Any advice on this subject would be appreciated. And if you have other advice you can give, head on over to Shannon's to see what other questions are being asked.

Hugs,

Melinda

Do you know how to fix this?

This is the underside of my couch. Apparently, I have a broken board in it. No... not broken. Splintered! Any advice is appreciated. I'm tempted to just nail it to the board above it. Regardless, I'm headed to Home Depot after Little Bit's nap.

Help,

Melinda

Menu Plan Monday

Time for yet another edition of Menu Plan Monday.

Sunday: Hamburger Helper, Chicken Nuggets
Monday: Homemade Hamburgers
Tuesday: French Toast
Wednesday: Tuna Fish Sandwiches
Thursday: Quiche
Friday: My mother in law will be visiting, and I'm hoping she'll teach me to make Shrimp Etouffee (the recipe is a link for crawfish etoufee, but we're not making that.)
Saturday: Biscuits and Gravy, Homemade Pizza

Hugs,
Melinda