For more Wordless Wednesday's go to my friend Tiany's

If you have a hard time seeing the slideshow click veiw all images.

 Here are the necklaces upclose.

I had an interesting "Mothering on Monday" planned.  My daughter has been learning about hydroponics.  She has grown some plants and Sunday she got a chance to help sell hydroponic, organic lettuce at the Chattanooga farmers market.  She made all kinds of interesting photos that are not downloaded to my computer.  I guess this is a preview attraction of a future post.

Instead, I will focus on Thanksgiving. 

On Thursday, our entire family comes to our house.  This means I need to be cleaning the house and beginning the long list of items to cook.  Instead, I will procrastinate and post a picture of the fun project that my son made.  First, he cut out a turkey and painted it.  Then he cut out bits of paper and glued them onto the turkey.  The finished project looked like this:

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving! 

    Today is my sweet hubby's birthday. He is the love of my life, except for God of course. He is such a creative soul, and his glass is ALWAYS half full not empty like mine tends to be. He explores what is around the corner, and seeks out future business ventures with glee. My man loves the "chase." I love living vicariously through him. He has taught me alot about optimism.    

     He loves peach pie, but unfortunately peaches are not growing in Indy in November. Nothing but winter wheat is thriving in our cold weather. I'll pick up an apple pie for his birthday dessert tonight.  He has started exercising again. He wants to start his new year of life healthier. I pray that he does not get discouraged.We bought a recumbent bike for our Christmas present to each other, and it sits in our family room so that even I do not have an excuse, right? 

 “We are not doubting that God will do the best for us;

we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.”   C.S. Lewis 

Well, as many of you know from past posts, I married a very frugal man, who's frugality has wore off on me little by little over the years (he is very good for me).

And if you have been following my posts, you also know we have been having several issues with our appliances.  It was wonderful when we first built our home to move in with all new appliances, but that was 12 years ago (seems like yesterday); and with the life expectancy of today's appliances of only 9-11 years, most all our appliances are on their last leg.  We are beyond repairs.  We replaced our microwave earlier this year and now it's our fridge and range's turn and TODAY is delivery day. Woohoo!

Of course, my husband never just runs out and buys something, we have to do a lot of homework beforehand, trying to get the best deal for our money, so this is what we have been up too...

First I make my way to the library and make photocopies of the latest Consumer Report on fridges and ranges.  These are very helpful in navigating through the sea of all those appliances out there and it gives me information on enegy efficiency, measurements, and  tells me what appliance company has the best track record in repairs.  Important stuff to know.

Knowing measurments of what's out there and taking the measurements of my current appliances and actual space has proved to be very important in narrowing down the field as I found out that the builders didn't allow me a lot of room for today's fridges.  Probably 90% of what is out there is too tall with my over-fridge cabinets, and 99% of all side-by-side fridges are too wide.

We then went to 3 large stores (usually the smaller appliance stores are more expensive as they just can't buy in bulk and pass on the savings).  We went to Home Depot, Lowes, and Best Buy.  Now, I have to say price wise, all three are comparable as one might have a less expensive appliance, but may charge more for the cord (sold separately - now isn't that silly or what?) or delivery or something - it's pretty much a wash in the end.  But make sure to speak up and ask for discounts - they usually won't volunteer to give them to you but often will match eachother's prices.  I asked for a discount since we bought both appliances from the same maker and got an addiitional $200 off - the salesman didn't volunteer that discount of course, I had to request it.

For us, fridge size became very important.  I needed something less then 69" tall, plus, we wanted a fridge that DIDN'T have an icemaker or water in the door.  So that narrowed it down to about oh...2 options. lol  Although I love all the bells and whistles like the next gal (probably more), all that gagetry just makes for something more to breakdown in the future and really, will my food keep any better then if I spent a couple hundred dollars more?  So for fridges, I swallowed my vanity and we went with a very basic model.  In fact, I think it's even less fancy then our current fridge (by the same company).  Btw, many models advertise that it can hold the gallon (milk) jugs in the door - but I have to say that our model didn't advertise it, but it does hold them.  Milk jugs need at least 6 1/2" in width and most doors shelves are at least 7" wide.  Also an important factor was energy efficiency.  We were surprised to discover that our new fridge will take HALF the energy of our old fridge (more so because our old fridge runs almost constantily now) plus our electric company is currently giving out $125 rebates if we buy an "Energy Star" fridge, which our new one is. woohoo. 

For ranges, I looked for something fairly well-built.  If you open many oven doors, you will quickly see what I mean -- you can just feel the difference.  With some models, I was afraid the oven door was going to fall off in my hand.  I wanted another smooth (glass)-top stove since we use electric and I liked my old one (easy to clean), and was plesantly surprised that the price of the convection ovens are coming down, so I went with that. 

So I guess in summary, in saving money, we made sure we knew what we wanted before we went to face the salespeople that will try to talk us into perhaps something we don't want or need and stuck to our guns; we looked for qualtiy & energy efficiency; and we shopped around and asked for discounts.

I really had to swallow hard my pride and put on my blinders -- ignoring the stainless steel beauties and computerized whatnots that appeal so to my vanity.  They are fun and we could have easily bought into that - a relative even tried very hard to talk me into buying the new Electrolux range ($2,200+), but really in the end, will my food taste any better with those extras?  I doubt it.  I'm not saying stainless steal is sin, I love it.  But the question is do I want to spend an extra $100 or much more for the stainless steal or on something else?  How important is it to me? 

I believe that having money is not so much in how much income one has, but it's all about choices in what one does with what God has blessed us with.  I have friends from all walks of life -- some have very little but live within their means and are quite content, some spend unwisely and are only a paycheck away from financial disaster, and some are millonaires who humbly run around in frayed suits and shop at Goodwill.  Serious questions need to be answered -- how much is enough?  Or as Dr. Francis Schaeffer said, "How Shall We Then Live?"    What does God say?

"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."  Hebrews 13:5

And in my recent Bible reading this really spoke to me...

"...know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?  Whosoever therefore will be a freind of the world is the enemy of God.  Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?  But he giveth more grace.  Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble."  James 4:4b-6

These verses can be applied to many things in our lives, but for me, right now, that means ignoring the magazine ads and commercials, ignore all the flashy gagetry, ignore the desire to appear like some fancy-smancy chef and live humbly before God and man, doing without, not keeping up with the Jones.  Not like a monk, but being real, living below my means so that I have to use or give as God so chooses. 

May God find us faithful!

Oh, btw, here is a photo of my current old fridge & range...

Freezes food at different times of the year and is terribly energy inefficient - runs constantly.

Paint has blistered off back by knobs, oven bakes at whatever temp. it feels like - I have no control!  lol

and here's my new appliances...

Isn't the difference astonishing? lol  This fridge has more door space which I like.

So far I love my new range.  Making lasagna tonight just so I can try out both the stovetop & the convection oven.  All my appliances (except washer & dryer) are Frigidaire (a division of Electrolux).   My old ones were Frigidaire too.

f you would like to join Tightwad Tuesday, please see our lovely hostess, Mary, for details. 

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(  I forgot to say that I have a white one.  Red was the colour I wanted  ((snif, sniff))  but I was able to get the white one for a hundred dollars less. )

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I have to share what has been working for us the last couple years.  Last year and this year I set a goal of what kitchen gadget I wanted to attain through the money I made from the Christmas Craft fair. 

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I picked something that costs a bit more than what we can just easily afford  and the makings from the craft fair made it more easily attainable.  Last year it was our Kitchen Aide Mixer and this year was a attactchment for the Kitchen Aide that makes five differient noodles. 

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 We eat whole wheat noodles and that adds up quickly ( 3 boxes times 3 or 4 dollars adds up VERY quickly)  when we buy them.  Soooo I made it our goal to buy the attachment to make them easily and for very little money. 

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These kinds of kitchen gadgets cost a bit to get them but once you get them it saves you a lot of money and time.  I make a lot of different things with my Kitchen Aide Mixer...bread, pancakes, pie crust, apple crisp ( the crumble part) , and soooooo much more.  This is one kitchen gadget I REALLY recommend.  I have had two friends that have told me that they have had their Kitchen Aides for 18 and 25 years.  WOW , that is what I call good investment !!   If I was to do things all over again I would have started saving up for one a whole lot sooner.  It is very worth it.

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"There are only a few big ways to save money but there are many small ways ....that all adds up."

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Please go visit all these gals and their GREAT Tightwad Tips

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Well, I just got off the phone with the fire department here in Princeton. Just called to say that I would like to be a volunteer fire fighter and if there is anything I could do to help out I would be willing to do it. I got their answering system so I left a message and I am waiting for them to call back. It should be neat to see what comes of this. I don't think I am Legally able to rush into burning buildings until I am 18 but I can clean the trucks and things like that. Maybe they will let me go along for the ride some time that would be cool!

Any way, I'll be sure to keep you all updated.

Andy

I hope you had a wonderful weekend.  We sure kept busy as usual and I am not certain that is a good thing.    But we sure do get a lot of weekend out of our weekend! 

As you know, Friday night was the big game for my guys while Grace and Trevor had a friend over.  Her dad and brothers were also going to the game and she did not want to freeze!  We made cookies and I also made homemade pizza.  Turned out not to be enough, so we had to get an extra pizza from our favorite pizza place.  I am now in the mode of life where I need to double my pizza dough recipe in order to feed us all 5 plus a guest.  A milestone. 

Saturday, Trevor and I braved Walmart while the others went to see a girls basketball game.  Who was smarter?  I don't want to go to Walmart again until after Christmas!  Can you say, ZOO?  Afterwards, the guys went and got hair cuts while Grace and I played with her dolls.   We also hung our outside Christmas lights in the cold, cold outdoors!  They look super nice though, so it was worth it.  Saturday night we all stayed home and watched a movie. 

Sunday, was our normal crazy Sunday.  I would love for that to change, but I can't see how I can serve the Lord in a huge, busy church and have a quiet, restful Sunday.  I am praying about it.  It's only the last 15 minutes or so of Sunday school that does me in.  I spent the rest of Sunday thinking about those 15 minutes!   I think it is just another case of my needing to die to myself and get over it.    All of Sunday was not lost, Sunday evening, we met with our sweet flock group and enjoyed wrestling with the word and praying. 

That brings me to Monday.  This is Home Blessing Hour Day, if you follow Flylady.  Right now I should be finishing my morning routine and will slide into my HBH when the kids are awake to help.  We print out the list and write our names next to our items. 

Morning Routine:

• get up,
• weigh,   (need to be good until Thursday!)
• shower & etc. , 
• wipe down bathroom,
• make my bed, (waiting to strip it down)
• start a load of laundry, Keep it going!
• eat breakfast,
• pray,
• dishwasher,  Ryan
• ask self, "What's for dinner?"   Beef vegetable soup and homemade bread
• cat box
• trash collected Trevor
• computer time (short) 

Home Blessing Hour:

• sweep floors, (me) 
• mop, (me) Go me!!!  This is the hardest thing on the list for me.
• vacuum Ryan, (need to do the stairs today) me
• dust,  all
• mirrors and doors,  Grace
• change master bedroom sheets, me
• put away DVDs and books in the living room  kids
• change cat dishes Grace
• trash collected & put out Trevor
• upstairs bathroom Grace and me

Besides those things, today I plan to do a full day of lessons, bake some bread and get caught up on a ton of laundry.  I am sure that I am forgetting something as well.  Oh, yes, I need to make a quick run to the library. I found a book that I had been looking for!  Actually, Jeff found it.  It must have been in our van for a month!!!    Anyway, I am so happy to have it accounted for.  Does that ever happen to you? 

Have a blessed day.  I will be around when time allows. 

For Today, Monday, November 24th, 2008

Outside My Window...it's 24 degrees and frosty.  So far, it looks like a much nicer day than forecast.

I'm thinking... looking forward to a busy/fun day. 

From the learning rooms...we have a busy 3-day school week planned, but will just do what we can.  Hope to finish our studies on Colonial Days and put together our lapbook - but not sure if we will have time. 

I am thankful for...my wonderful husband and super daughters - I am blessed.     

From the kitchen...

Monday ~ US Geography Presentation Night (Ladybug is making New England Pot Roast and Bookworm made sugar cookies with a stencil of Rhode Island in sugar)

Tuesday ~  Leftovers?  

Wednesday ~ Salad & Homemade Rolls
Thursday ~ Traditional Thanksgiving Meal at my Mom's  

Friday ~ More Leftovers? (we love leftovers)  
Saturday ~ Thanksgiving at my In-laws
Sunday ~ Probably more Leftovers :) 

I am wearing...usual barnwear -- denim capris, chartreuse top, sports socks, hair is long & wet

I am reading... OT: Isaiah; NT: I & II Peter

I am hoping... Best Buy delivers my new fridge & range Tuesday like they said.  (My fridge has been having issues for a few years now - freezes things at certain times of the year and runs too much - not energy efficient & oven has really had issues the last couple of months - bakes things at whatever temp. it feels like - usually not what the recipe calls for :) both are 12 years old). 

I am creating... we are making our "frugal" Christmas gifts for our Ruby Girls Bible Study girls & moms (can't show them now as some of them visit my blog).
  
I am hearing...the usual...clock ticking and computer engine humming. 
 
Around the house & barn... usual barn & house chores, Monday launday + a whole sheet full of "to do" items for the next 3 days - lots of hussle & bussle around here this week. 

One of my favorite things... being organized.   

I am going...shopping today (woohoo) but have a lot to do at home today too - kicking it into high gear   

A few plans for the rest of the week... Today: clean main level; clean behind fridge & range ready for new appliances to be installed; school; shop for some groceries, Christmas gifts, craft items & clothes.  I want to run over to my favorite store, Talbots, since I hear they are going out of business (sob, sob); help Ladybug make a pot roast and enjoy the girls' Geography presentations.   Tuesday: have to stay home for the appliances to be delivered; do school; make a slew of phone calls on my "to do" list; Wednesday: more school; in the kitchen preparing things  to bring for Thanksgiving; Working on handmade gifts all week.  Then enjoy family and holiday celebrations the rest of the week.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Bookworm's Rhode Island cookies that we will be enjoying tonight.  On Presentation Night, the girls always make a dish representative of the state they are reporting on, well, we didn't care for the selection Bookworm had for Rhode Island as much of it was Clam Chowder type things or Mocha (with strong coffee) cake and I can't have shell fish or much caffine. :)  So we improvised, making a stencil of Rhote Island and using it on sugar cookes.  (The brown edges aren't Bookworm's fault - hopefully the new convection oven will remedy that soon). 

Thanks for stopping!  Have a lovely day!

If you would like to join us in The Simple Woman's Daybook, please see our Hostess, Peggy for details.  You may also visit her for the Mr. Linky to many other Simple Women.

Friday night we attended a local church’s Worship Night.  We lingered quite long afterwards fellowshipping with others.

Saturday was indeed a Sabbatical rest.  We went out for breakfast as a family, and when I got back, I curled up on the couch in front of the crackling fireplace to read a book. Later, I climbed back in bed and took a nap.  I did little of anything and it felt so peaceful. It felt as if my batteries were being recharged. 

Rachel had friends over for trail riding. There were seven of them all together.  Below freezing weather did not stop them from enjoying themselves!  We got pizza later in the evening.

Looking towards this next week:

Monday: Pick up the house from the weekend.  If I get some of this done tonight, it will save me a lot of time on Monday.

Make a Thanksgiving Day grocery list (do this today, too).

Make a Thanksgiving Day plan – as to what can I do before the day of.  Any suggestions?

Go grocery shopping.

Class time – Bible, History, Bible memorization, character, science

Call guitar teacher and change days

Pay bills, balance check book, figure out finances/Christmas budget

Exercise

On the Ranch:

The cords in the chicken coop for the lights and the heated water bowl need a different plan. I don’t like the current way it’s set up.

Roll up all the hoses, put inside.

Put decorative plant bike inside

Get rid of non essential stuff on porch

Move rest of swings/outdoor furniture to inside

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If you have suggestions on what I can do ahead of time before the day of Thanksgiving, please leave me

a comment.  Or, if you have a post, or know of one that has this information, please leave me a link.

As my older daughters have often told me, planning ahead is not my specialty.  I need help!