Refrigerate Tag

I was tagged by The Miss Elaine-ous Life to post a picture of my refrigerator. Well here it is in all of its messy glory. I almost straightened it up before I snapped the picture, but I thought, "this is real life." So I left it. I shot it far enough away so that the personal numbers and pictures couldn't be made out too well. On the side is a homework sheet for my 1st grader.  I have two digital meat thermometers that are being used more for the magnetic abilities.  The one paper on there that I do look at often is my "21 House Rules" by Greg Harris.  I will post them below.  On the front are many art masterpieces made by two older boys along with a few pics and an invitation to my brother in law's rehearsal dinner.  That is probably way more than you ever wanted to know about my fridge.

The 21 Rules Of This House
by Gregg Harris

1. We obey God.
2. We love, honor and pray for one another.
3. We tell the truth.
4. We consider one another's interests ahead of our own.
5. We speak quietly and respectfully with one another.
6. We do not hurt one another with unkind words or deeds.
7. When someone needs correction, we correct him in love.
8. When someone is sorry, we forgive him.
9. When someone is sad, we comfort him.
10. When someone is happy, we rejoice with him.
11. When we have something nice to share, we share it.
12. When we have work to do, we do it without complaining.
13. We take good care of everything that God has given us.
14. We do not create unnecessary work for others.
15. When we open something, we close it.
16. When we take something out, we put it away.
17. When we turn something on, we turn it off.
18. When we make a mess, we clean it up.
19. When we do not know what to do, we ask.
20. When we go out, we act just as if we were in this house.
21. When we disobey or forget any of the 21 Rules of This House, we accept
the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

I don't get...

"Exquisite Timepieces" aka EXPENSIVE BUTT WATCHES!!! Dh and I were looking through a local magazine pretentiously named, "Elegant Lifestyle" that is delivered to our door for free. I think they got the wrong house. Anyway, on the back cover was an add for a local jeweler who sells Rolex watches. This is the picture of the watch featured:
Dh asked how much I thought that watch was and I guessed $4000. We looked it up and it is averaging $4500...give or take some change. I have been completely humiliated before in a jewelry store as I innocently looked for a watch to give to my love at Christmas. The humiliation came when I spit my coke out on their shiny glass as soon as they told me how much the watch I was looking at was. I think I literally said to the gal, "You've got to be joking, right?"

I have heard that gold diggers hunt for their next millionaire by checking out the watch he wears. I guess I don't run anywhere near those crowds...thank goodness. Even if I did have a lot of money, I would NEVER waste it on an "Exquisite Timepiece." Here is my cool watch:



I mean really.....

Wordless Wednesday

Go to 5 Minutes for Mom to see more WW.

Cheapy Cheap!

Now that I have listed a few items that I believe are worth the extra money, I'd like to list a few items that I, personally, purchase as cheap as possible. First let me say, that the term "cheap" means something different to each person, depending on where they are coming from. I feel like I can get a good "value" from the things below without spending a lot of money. 1. Body lotion. I love the original "Jergens" body lotion with its cherry almond scent. I tend to have dry skin in the winter, so I need a moisturizing lotion, however, I hate greasy feeling lotions. This one is perfect plus it is only about $3.50 for a big bottle with a pump. 2. Makeup. I used to buy all my makeup from the department store when money and time weren't so precious. However, I also used to spend entire days at the mall, which I NEVER do now. I will do almost anything to avoid going to the mall. Funny how things change. I like Almay mascara because it is sensitive for contact wearers, Cover Girl powder, Loreal lipgloss, and Ulta brand tinted moisturizer and eye shadows. I also love Sally Hansen nail polish. 3. Coffee. This one may cause some controversy depending on your point of view. I can't understand paying $5.00 for a cup of coffee at, let's just call it "Moon Cents" when I can buy a whole bag of ground coffee for the same price. Not to mention they burn their beans and make it so strong I end up pouring half out to fill it back up with milk. I personally love "Community Coffee." However, I love some people who think a gallon tin of Folgers is all you need and that I am a "Fancy Pants" for buying that bagged coffee. To each his own..... 4. Shampoo and Conditioner. Again, I used to spend a fortune on salon products because I was told by whomever was currently doing my hair that "Pantene" or whatever other drugstore product I mentioned was the DEVIL. A mortgage, 2 cars, and 3 sons later, I feel like good ol' drugstore Loreal Color Vive does the trick just fine. My hairdresser says my haircolor is holding up great. I have had some awful drugstore products, but this Loreal Color Vive really tames my frizzy due. Well there you have it. I will add more as I think of it. I'd love to hear your suggestions or comments. I am tired now. It is time for some Veronica Mars.....

worth the coinage

I will spend a few extra bucks on only a few items. Otherwise, I am very frugal. Here is just a sample of some things I consider "splurge worthy." 1. Toilet Paper...this only took one bad purchase to realize-nuf said! 2. Olive oil. I don't go crazy when buying evoo, but cheap olive oil is so gross. I usually go middle of the road and always buy cold pressed. Costco has a great Olive Oil by Kirkland. 3. Milk. This is one of the few things I buy organic. I like the Horizon brand. I don't know if the ultra pasteurization is good for me or not, but I love how long it stays fresh and it doesn't have that gross "milk" smell to it. I am ruined for life on this one. Can never go back to store brand. 4. Candles. I love me a nice candle. I usually just have one votive burning, but if it is a good candle, that one votive will reach my whole house. My favorites are Trapp, Tyler, and Votivo (Woodland Hyacinth is an amazing scent by them) 5. Chocolate. If I am going to have a piece of chocolate, I want the experience to be "meaningful." I never buy cheap chocolate chips when baking either. However, I have to say that Nestle's chips are as good as the more expensive brands, in my book. I have found the "Lindt" chocolate truffles to be just what my heart longs for. They have a smooth chocolate center that just glides over your tongue like silk. Ok, I'm done. 6. Haircuts/Color. Every time I try to skimp on this one, I am ridiculed by my friends and family. I have tried to skimp on my haircare way too many times. Each time I think, oh I can highlight my own hair. I always end up with white polka dots on my head. Then I have to go to my hairdresser in shame and admit that I, once again, tried to take matters into my own hands and I desperately need her help out of this ugly mess. This rings true with my cuts as well. The last time I tried to save a buck by going to the local hair school, I was mangled by dull scissors. It was scene. 7. Vacuum Cleaners. 11 years ago, a vacuum cleaner salesman came to our apartment door. We had set the appointment because we wanted the free cleaning that came with sale's pitch. He poured salt on our floor and then vacuumed it up with my cheapy Dirt Angel. I thought he got it all until he used his beast of a machine and went over the seemingly clean carpet where the salt used to be. A TON of salt came up. We were sold. He gave us a spiel on allergies and dust and all that, which just made us feel justified to spend the money he was proposing. Then we haggled over the price for what seemed like an eternity, and we humored him when he stepped out of the room to get permission from his manager to cut us such a "special" deal. We fell for it then. Since then, I have learned that we were putty in his hands and that most salesmen use the same tactics. However, I have NEVER regretted that purchase. This machine will suck the smirk off of a flea's face. Yeah we spent a lot on it, but in 11 years, I have never had to replace it. The only repair I've ever done to it was earlier this year, and it only cost $25.00. I know people who spend $200 every other year on the latest cheap vacuum at Sears. Then they complain that their allergies are driving them crazy. We spend so much on our floors whether with carpet, tile, or wood, and then we expect a Wally World special to keep them looking new. I'll get off of my soap box now. Btw, our vacuum is a Tri-Star. In case you were wondering. In my next post, I will discuss what is not worth the extra money, in my humble opinion. Stay tuned!

They're everywhere...

After reading this great post by Musings of A Housewife, I was reminded of what happened to me and my mil last night. After a long day with kids and a hectic dinner time, I needed some brain dead time. What better place to go brain dead than the .99 Cent store. I love this place. My mil wanted an adventure too, so she came along. I was able to get my kids their Valentine Day goodies and some cute V-Day table decorations GUILT FREE because they were only 99 cents each. I checked out first. I noticed the cashier was yawning, so I asked her if she was ready to go home (DUH!!!!) and she said that she was and that she was also excited to have Valentine's Day off. I smiled and walked over to the greeting card's display while my mil paid for her items. Three minutes later I walked back to the check out line only to see my sweet mil holding the cashier's hand, discreetly praying with this young woman who had tears streaming down her face. They said goodbye and we walked to my car. My mil then told me that this woman told her that she was so tired because she had been up most of the night with her 4 year old son. After a few questions from my mil, the woman then said her son had "special needs" after having Meningitis, as a baby. It was a miracle that this child even made it through that illness. His name was Elijah because that was the mom's favorite prophet in the Bible. My mil then asked if she was a single mom. The cashier said that although her husband was still at home, that he was leaving them. The cashier went on to say that she didn't know what she was going to do because she has 7 children at home and only makes $6.00 an hour. On top of all of this, her youngest, Elijah, has many needs. That is when my mil reached her hand out and prayed for this woman. The woman told my mil that she needed that so badly, and thanked her over and over again. After hearing this story, on our way home, we prayed for that family again together. I was very touched at how my mil took just a little time to reach out to a hurting woman. Even though she was a complete stranger, this cashier desperately needed a gentle, reaffirming touch from another warm-blooded human being. How many hurting people do we cross paths with everyday? We have so many opportunities to extend Christ's love to the people around us, if we will just look up every now and then.

4 wishes

On the way to lunch after church yesterday, my oldest son who is 6 said to us, "Mommy and Daddy, you know what I would wish for if I had 4 wishes?" #1. I would wish that we had just enough money to pay for everything that we needed so that we never had to worry about making money or going to work. #2. I wish that everyone we knew would know God. #3. I wish that superheroes were real. #4. I wish I could use "The Force" for real. I think that pretty much sums it up. :*)

Get rid of the old...Make way for the new!

My fashion forward friend came to visit me this last weekend. As you know, I was in desperate need for some new clothes. The only problem was that I wasn't in the "mood" to shop or try on new clothes. There is a ZONE that I get into when real shopping success happens. If I'm not in the ZONE, then not much is accomplished. My friend was losing her patience with me. For example, one of the shops that I went into had a line to try on clothes. W ell, I was so put out that I had to wait in line with a bunch of 16 year olds just to try on 2 pairs of pants. My friend forced me back into line. I am glad that she did because those 2 pairs of pants ended up being the only pants I bought all weekend. Here they are. I got them in dark khaki and white.



I couldn't find a pair of jeans to fit me to save my life. It didn't help to overhear my friend ask the saleslady if she could go grab her a pair of the same jeans, only in a 00. Yes that is two zeros. She is sweet and funny so I put up with her smallness. And for whatever reason, my feet decided to swell and NOT fit into any shoes either. Picture the ugly stepsisters trying on the petite glass slipper with their giant hooves hanging over the shoe, and that is exactly the scene that was going on while I tried on shoes. I did find these cute little things at GAP and they fit so well that I quickly bought them before my foot decided to grow again.


I also bought a couple of soft comfy shirts to where everyday. I am really drawn to the nautical look this year. Everything I bought was either Navy, white, or Kelly Green. I then came home and cleaned out my closet. I remembered that Tim Gunn says the "Keep" items must fit and make you feel great when wear them. I threw out 75% of my old stuff and ended up with this pile:
I am going to try to sell some of the nicer pieces on Craig's List. The rest will go to Goodwill. You can't really tell how much is under that pile, but it filled 4 big shopping bags. I need your advice on where to find a really great pair of black heels. I want something timeless and classic. I don't mind a heel. However, I don't want to pay an arm and leg for them either. I completely understand those people on "What Not To Wear" when they get overwhelmed in the store. I felt that. There were so many options, and I didn't really know what I wanted. I will shop more when I get more of a feeling for what I want.