Here I Go Again

I have decided that I want to get back to blogging. We have so much happening, and so much I would like to share. The only problem is that I haven't blogged in so long I don't remember how to do some of it. If you will notice, I did figure out how to change my background! Yay me!! But--now I can't figure out how to get to the place where it will let me change the fonts and colors on my blog. If you can help, please do!! I can't wait to post and include pics, but I need help getting re-started!! Thanks!!

4th of July Festivities

We headed to a friends house where we cooked out and shot skeet. The kids had a ball eating hot dogs and cheetos and drinking kool-aid. They were FILTHY, but hey--that is part of the fun--right?

The older kids had dirt bikes. Some of them took our kids on VERY VERY SLOW rides. Jake was absolutely beside himself!

Then at the last minute we decided to go watch the fireworks show. Let me just say that I had on NO makeup because we started these festivites at 4:00pm and it was so hot I knew I would be sweating anyway! So just pretend I don't look quite so....."lovely".
Needless to say--we came home, took baths, and crashed!! Hope you all had a great
4th!

I Want a new Title

Ok-so I don't know if it is because it is late or because I am getting old, but I am stuck. I am asking for your help! I want a catchy cool snazzy title for my blog (which I am going to attempt to keep updated). I know the couple of you who do read my blog might have some creative energy so I am asking for suggestions!! I want to stay away from anything with our last name because I am paranoid about blog stalkers. I know this might sound crazy, but a girl who lives in my quiet small little town was being stalked by some crazy man she didn't know--who doesn't live in our town. I would just like to remain freak-free if you know what I mean. PSYCHO FREE ZONE!! I am off to bed but will be anxiously checking to see what suggestions you have! Thanks for your help!! Stay tuned for a post about our weekend trip to the lake. I tried to do it earlier today but my computer spazzed out on me!! UGH!

Good night!!

SURPRISE!!

My mother's dear friend Locke had a surprise birthday party for Mom and one of their friends named Judy. It was BEAUTIFUL!!





She served Tomato Basil Soup--which was to die for!! She also made homemade sangria. She used frozen mango to keep it cold! It looked very pretty! I didn't drink any so I don't know how it tasted!!


Our main course was chicken salad and the fancy kind of regular salad (how 'bout that for a great description). It had walnuts in it and she served it with Raspberry Vinagrette. Then for dessert she served mini pound cakes with blueberry sauce and a side of grilled fruit. We put candles in the birthday girls' desserts and sang to them!!


This is Judy Kennedy. Her birthday was in April but do to some very difficult life circumstances we were just able to celebrate it. Please keep her in your prayers as she recently lost her son to a terrible illness.


This is my mama--and yes she was double fistin' some sangria!! Happy birthday to two very special ladies!! Thank you Locke for all you did! A great time was had by all!!

A Very Cool Find!!

You might be asking yourself why in the world I would post a picture of my toilet. Well....I found something so cool. Until now, I had a ring around where the water is in my toilet. No matter what cleaners I used, it looked like a nasty ring and I hated it because my toilet never looked clean. Then a friend told me that her plumber told her about something called a "Scouring Stick". I thought to myself that one day I would try to find the time to see if I could find one. Well, this weekend, as I was grocery shopping at Super Wal-Mart, there they were--hanging on an end cap. It was only $1.88 so of course--I grabbed it.

I got it home and was super excited. It is like a pumice stone. It works better when it is wet. We have those toilets that save water (don't know the official term) so the bowl is not full of water. I got it wet and began to scrub. The stain came right off!!! I am so excited!! For those of you who never got to see the unsightly 'ring around the toilet' please use your imagination. For those of you who did--you can appreciate with me the true miracle working power of the Scouring Stick. I wish I would have thought to take a before picture, but who would have thought that would ever be something I would want ANYONE to see!! I also bought one for my mom. She is going to use it on her toilet that is stained from leaving a cleaner on it too long. (Go figure that leaving a cleaner on could stain your bowl. I would have thought the longer you leave it on, the harder it works and the cleaner the potty--but no!!) Maybe she will let me take a pic of hers before so I can show you the difference it makes. I highly recommend this product to anyone that might be excited about clean potties (as sad as this may seem!!)

Happy Birthday Mama!!

Today is my Mama's 61st birthday! Just want to tell her how much I love her and how glad I am that she is my Mama. Mama you truly are the best I could ever have asked for. I know you had a phenomenal mother who led by example. I only hope I can be half the mother you are to me! Happy Birthday to my Mama and my best friend!!

I LOVE YOU!!!

I'm a Pioneer Woman--NOT!!

I know many of you will be shocked that I am actually posting. I have been working hard to find ways to save money. I thought I would share with my blogger buddies what I am doing with my laundry to save a buck or two. First of all I am (and have been for some time now) using homemade laundry detergent. It is very easy to make, much cheaper, doesn't take as much per load, and for those of you who are "going green" it is better also!! So here is the recipe:

• 1 bar of unscented soap (I use Ivory as recommended)


• 1 cup of Washing Soda


• 1/2 cup of Borax

I use a grater to grate my soap. Then I add the other ingredients and mix well. It only takes 2 Tablespoons per load (and only 1 for a light load).

I make mine in bigger batches just to keep from having to do it so often. I store it in a container that I got when I bought Cheese Balls at Sam's. One of the main differences is that there is not a strong fragrance. If you prefer liquid there is a recipe for that too, but it sounded WAAAAAY to complicated and involved for me. You can add essential oils to the liquid if you prefer scents. I found this recipe on the Duggar Family (18 Kids and Counting) website. You can google it and find the one that fits you best. There are also recipes for making other things as well.

The other thing I am doing is using a clothesline to dry my clothes. I have become quite the pioneer woman. But--I must keep my A/C though!!

What kinds of things are you doing to save money?