Sep. 1, 2008 - My Month of Frugality....or something like that!

Ok, I have recently become involved with Coupon Sense--it is a great program, but very addicting!  My problem is that I have been saving money, yet spending more than I should because "It's such a great deal!".

So, I have decided that for the month of September I am going to cook with whatever is in my freezer and pantry and shop only for bread, milk, and other perishables-bare minimum!  My friend  Shani has prompted me to blog about this "adventure".  She knows how addicted I am to food shopping and between you and I, I don't think she thinks I'm gonna be able to do it..hee hee...

Soo, here goes...tonight I made a late lunch early dinner because my hubby and son were going out to do fantasy football drafting.  I made chicken breast, rice and broccoli.  I had tons of chicken left over, so I'm making chicken salad for tomorrow's lunch.

I'll be totally going through grocery shopping withdrawal by the time our cruise rolls around on the 27th, but hey, hopefully my pantry will clean itself out, our checkbook will fill itself back up and I will break my addiction---welcome to the ride!

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Aug. 18, 2008 - Sometimes....

Sometimes, when I get caught up in lifes ups and downs I forget.  I forget to remember how lucky I am.  I know it in my soul, but sometimes I forget it in my head.  Maybe it's because when I feel that I'm lucky usually something goes wrong so I avoid thinking it.  But now, I'm putting it in writing, probably very very stupid.

God has blessed me with so many truly wonderful gifts.  My family is first (my parents and my siblings).  They helped make me who I am.  They are who I turn to when life gets tough and I want to "go home".   Unconditionally, I love them and they love me-forever..  Enough said!

Then there's my husband,  he gave me the beautiful family that I am so grateful for.  He's my friend, my jester, my copartner in crime  and discipline.  I've been with my husband more than 1/2 my life and we've grown up together, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer and in sickness and health.  Then there are my children.  Three amazing, unique individuals whom I would give my life for.  Three people who truly made me who I am, I am so much better for having them in my life, and for being their mommy.  It is truly my most treasured blessing.

There are my nieces and godsons who are amazing individuals that I love like my own children.  They are individuals that I would chose to have in my life even if I wasn't related to them.  I watched them come into this world and develop into these tremendous people that I adore. 

 Then there are my friends.  There are the friends that I've had forever (or at least it feels like it) who live in different parts of the country.  I don't speak to them daily or weekly or even monthly but they are in my heart and thoughts always.  I know that at any given time I could call them, day or night and they would be there for me regardless.  I miss them very much, especially Janet and Samantha...those are the two that are connected at my heart for different reasons.   Then there are my Arizona friends---they are very much like my NY friends in that they are all very different, wonderful, loving people.  The only difference is that they are in my daily life and most of my family and NY friends aren't.  These are the people that know the AZ Tina (who, can I just say is soooo much nicer than NY Tina. My biggest blessing was the Lord leading us here to AZ because our whole life came full circle and became complete when we moved here.  Well, anyway, back to my AZ friends---- Lori is like my Arizona sister.  She and I have had many changes in our relationship over the last 3 1/2 years but I can't imagine my life without her in it.  She and I are SO much alike, yet different at the same time.  I adore her kids and would be lost without her constant support and friendship.   Amy and Donna are my "baseball friends" that have extended into the rest of life!  I talk to them almost on a daily basis and our lives are so intertwined and we are always helping eachother out where needed.  These two women are an amazing part of my life and I love them as if I've known them forever.  Then there is Barbie, who is my dance/cheer/baseball/basketball/all around friend!  God kept putting her in my life until we finally realized that hey, this is my friend!!!  He even put our husbands together 3 years ago at baseball without us even knowing it!  And last but not least is Jen....my YaYa sister.  I've known Jen for 3 1/2 years although we've just gotten close recently.  Amazing, when you let go of others who are bringing you down you are free to explore the friendships that God meant for you to have---I think I've finally learned that.  God puts some people in your life for a reason, season or a lifetime----you have to discover which.

For all this and more I am truly blessed and lucky and I'm so grateful for the peace the Lord has put in my heart tonight.  I hope it stays there, but in case I've ruined it by putting it in writing at least I can read this and remember and hopefully find that peace again.

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Aug. 11, 2008 - 1st Day of School

Well, today was Emily's first day of Kindergarten (kinda sorta).  I've never done kindergarten before and I've been apprehensive about it.  I'm feeling much more confident now and not feeling so overboard about it.  However, being that my boys went to PS for Kindergarten I was all over the top about her having pictures of her first day of Kindergarten (I know, I have issues!)  Soooo we made a big deal and I made the boys get dressed and into the yard for pictures (they came in and Richie changed BACK into his pjs, lol)  So, for better or for worse take a look at my princess and her princes on her first day of Kindergarten.....

 

I still think that I'm going to have fun with her and be totally unstructured---it's what has worked for her so far----but at least she has those pictures :)

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Aug. 5, 2008 - Memories

Yesterday was my sister's 12 year wedding anniversary.  Normally this would require a card, possibly a phone call and some good thoughts.  However, yesterday my sister sent pictures to each of us from her wedding.  They've made me a bit nostalgic and I wanted to share them here....

This is Richie (who is now 14).  He was the ring bearer....hard to believe he's now bigger than me.

This is me and my hubby.  Isn't he handsome?  I always love seeing him dressed up--he still makes my heart go pitter patter.  We had SUCH a blast at my sister's wedding.  We danced all night and just had a great time.  I was lucky--no nightmare Matron of Honor gown, my sister chose beautiful gowns.  I loved the color and the style and everything about it.  She was the most beautiful bride I've ever seen, truly.  She was gorgeous, I'll have to see if I have any pictures of her from her wedding (12 years ago I didn't have a digital camera :) )

Now this is the picture that really gets me.  It's me and my brother Tony.  I've been missing him a lot lately and this picture just reminded me how much fun we have together.  I'm lucky to have the relationship I do with him-we really get eachother.  I am also very close to my sister also but you expect that because we're both women.  My brother is really a complex person that not many people understand, but I've always looked at him like my hero.  He has the most amazing children that I am blessed to be so close to.  He's Richie's Godfather and well, I just love him.  I don't know why I'm so weepy about him lately, but I am.  That's why my sister's timing with this picture was perfect (which is what I've come to expect from my sister---she always knows what I need when I need it).  If you look at the songs on my playlist they all have importance to my family.  Obviously, He Ain't Heavy He's my Brother is about Tony and My Sister is for Debbie.  You and Me against the World is about my mom and of course, Daddy's Little Girl is about my Dad.  The rest of the songs are for my hubby and my kids and my Lord.

I hope that my children love and take care of eachother when they're adults the way my brother and sister take care of me.

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Aug. 4, 2008 - Simple Woman's Daybook

Simple Woman's Daybook is hosted by Peggy so if you'd like to join, please stop by her blog and join us! OUTSIDE MY WINDOW...I am seeing a cloudy day matching my mood. I AM THINKING...how pleased I am with myself for the progress in the Messie department. I AM THANKFUL FOR...my children.  Honestly, they are people I would choose to spend time with even if they weren't related to me.  My son Richie is going to make some girl a very wonderful husband some day.  Pray that she will be worthy of his kindness. FROM THE KITCHEN...I see no clutter!!!!  Clean counters, yeah! I AM WEARING...my pjs still I AM CREATING...what I hope to be 3 amazing individuals. I AM GOING...to run some errands today, library, pharmacy etc. I AM READING...Messie No More, by Sandra Felton (Have I mentioned that I LOVE HER?) I AM HOPING... to call my brother back today.  Yikes, he is probably furious with me. I AM HEARING...silence...ahhh.  AROUND THE HOUSE...the results of a productive weekend. ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS...is sitting out on my patio having coffee with Emily in the morning. A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK...baseball, dance, Lori is coming home---yeahhh!!!  HERE IS A PICTURE THOUGHT I AM SHARING...

  These are my parents.  They live in Florida and we live in Arizona.  I miss them terribly and haven't seen them since March.

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Aug. 1, 2008 - My Name is Tina....and I am messie!

Sandra Felton---have any of you heard of her?  The organizer lady?  She is my new best friend!  I just read her book, The Messie's Manual (a Procrastinator's Guide to Housekeeping), can I tell you it was written JUST FOR ME!  Honestly, I feel like it was!  My mom was/is a cleanie (God Bless her, her home is always beautiful and sparkling).  I always felt like there was something wrong with me because I couldn't do what she does.  I worked and worked and it never happened.  Well of course not!!!!  I'm a messie!  I'm not going to tell you anymore because if you're reading this and have the same problem you have to check it out!

I have a renewed energy that I've never had before.  The kind that comes when you know someone gets you.  Of course I shared it with my cleanie mom and she is soo happy for me.  She also apologized for wiring me wrong, lol (I told her that!)  I seriously want to shout from the rooftops about this woman.  I sent her a comment and I got a personal email back and I want to frame it.  People follow Brittney Spears around, WHY?  I want to follow Sandra Felton around, she's more of a celebrity.

Well, I'm off to clean my counter off *for the last time* because now I know how to fix it! 

Have a blessed day!

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Jul. 28, 2008 - Simple Woman's Day book

Posted in Simple Woman's Daybook

Simple Woman's Daybook is hosted by Peggy so if you'd like to join, please stop by her blog and join us! OUTSIDE MY WINDOW...I am seeing the beautiful sun. I AM THINKING...how lucky I am to have the life I do. I AM THANKFUL FOR...my children.  They are so amazing and so....I'm just thankful! FROM THE KITCHEN...I smell pizza that I just made for lunch. I AM WEARING...my sweat shorts and a t-shirt (decluttering clothes I AM CREATING...a less clutter environment in my bedroom and closet--it's B-A-utiful!. I AM GOING...to go and watch Cheaper by the Dozen with the kids. I AM READING...The Mom You're Meant to Be - Loving your Kids While Leaning on God by Cheri Fuller I AM HOPING...to keep up the pace I'm at for housekeeping. I AM HEARING...silence...ahhh.  AROUND THE HOUSE...my bedroom is almost done, laundry is done, mommy is soooo happy! ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS...is watching my husband and my oldest play baseball together (it happened last night for the 1st time!) A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK...baseball, dance, playdate with my friend Jen and her 3 year old and her 6 month old who I haven't met yet!.  HERE IS A PICTURE THOUGHT I AM SHARING... Emily was pretending she was Cinderella at Disneyland.  She signed an autograph and posed for a picture with Danny.  She even changed her voice--hysterical!

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Jul. 25, 2008 - Watching your children and remembering...

My younger son is having his birthday bash tonight.  He's invited 3 of his baseball friends that he's had for a few years now.  They are really nice boys.  After we spent the day at the local aquatic center we headed home for pizza and the 2k8 tournament on the newly acquired Xbox 360.  It is so funny to listen to boys (real All American, stereotypical boys!) interact with one another.  They are dissing eachother, cheering eachother, teasing eachother and many other interactions).    I'm grateful that he's found such an great group of friends finally with the same interests as he has.  Their parents are all wonderful people with many of the same values as we have.  They're not over the top strict and they're not uninvolved parents who haven't a clue what their kids are doing. 

It brings back memories of my 1st sleepover (of course I was 13---my parents weren't as "cool" as I am... ,my boys have been having them for years) and how my girlfriends and I laughed until we almost wet our sleeping bags (why doesn't anyone bring sleeping bags to sleepovers anymore?)  I know, I'm rambling...it's just been a pretty emotional week and I love having a houseful of kids who are laughing and enjoying themselves.  It makes me realize that sometimes I take life too seriously.

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Jul. 23, 2008 - Balance

Life is all about balance, isn't it?  Well lately I've realized that my life didn't have enough FUN in it.  Too much maintenance and not enough fun.  So, lately I've been forcing myself to leave my house and have some fun!  I feel so much better.

Last night I went to my first mom's night out in 6 months--it was sooo much fun!  I've missed those nights-laughing until your stomach hurts.  Most importantly, getting to be me and not just mommy.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE being mommy---it's my world.  But sometimes I miss being me without the watchful eye of my children (who happen to copy my EVERY move, good or bad!)

So, today we are off to the new aquatic center in town to meet the group and I'm looking forward to it.  The old me would've been like-2days out in a row, no, can't do it.  But the new and improved me says - Heck yeah!

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Jul. 22, 2008 - Lapbooks

I'm so excited!  I've been interested in lapbooks for some time now, however, with two boys school hasn't been overly "creative"  (I know some boys are creative, my boys would rather mow the lawn than do arts and crafts)  Well, now, enter princess Emily and viola!  Lapbooks have a chance!  My friend  Lori and I have decided to put our creative minds and children to the test!  We're going to co-op unit studies and lapbooks.  I have spent the morning printing out oodles of great stuff and I can't WAIT to get started!!!!  I'm hoping Emily loves them as much as I think she will. 

Well, I'm off to play yet another game of One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Go Fish with Emily.  Danny is over a friends house so I am the designated Go Fisher apparently!

Have a wonderful day full of God's loving touch!

 

 

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