Sneak Peek

Complete reveal next week - I'm taking the rest of this week off to feather my nest and spend time with my family. I am so thankful for each of you and the time you take out of your day to spend here.

All I can say about the bedroom is hubba bubba.

Have You Heard?

McMama is hosting a contest over at her blog. She is giving away some way cool stuff. If I win some cool stuff for my "camera" that would mean I would have to buy a camera, wouldn't it? I have a camera that is about 5 years old but it doesn't hold a charge so all the photos you've been seeing have been courtesy of my dad's generosity of letting me borrow his camera. But the custom header alone would be a very cool thing.

I've been very inspired by McMama's story and have had the blessing of praying for her family, especially little Stellan. Go visit McMama and if you have a blog enter her contest!

It's Time to Request Christmas Books

What? You haven't plowed through your Thanksgiving books? Never fear, we haven't either but these snowy days and chilly nights made it easier. I'm not trying to rush past Thanksgiving like many retailers, just trying to be prepared for the Christmas season when Thanksgiving is over. So if you are in need of some Christmas titles, here is the list of what we'll be reading. I'd love to hear what you'll be reading to your littles this Christmas season.

Don't forget that the library has plethora of Christmas CD's.

As a side note, I always love a good Christmas novel for myself. Last year I read Finding Father Christmas by Robin Jones Gunn. It was a very good book. What good Christmas novels have you read?

Great Joy Kate DiCamillo
Olivia Helps With Christmas Ian Falconer
There Was No Snow on Christmas Eve Pam Munoz Ryan
Merry Christmas, Merry Crow Kathy Appelt
Through the Animals' Eyes Christopher Wormell
Little One We Knew You'd Come Sally Lloyd-Jones
Sing Glory, Glory! Jesus is Born Gail Pawlitz
The Nativity Julie Vivas
God Gave Us Christmas Lisa Bergren
The Crippled Lamb Max Lucado
We Believe in Christmas Karen Kingsbury
One Wintry Night Ruth Graham Bell
Hurry! Hurry! Have you Heard? Laura Melmed
The Mitten Jan Brett
Bear Stays Up Karma Wilson
Christmas in the Barn Margaret Wise Brown
Jotham's Journey Arnold Ytreeide
A Shepherd's Gift Mary Calhoun
An Angel Came to Nazareth Anthony Knott
Where Do You Sleep Little One Patricia Hooper
Angela and the Baby Jesus Frank McCourt
The Christmas Tree Alma Ada (an AR book)
The Jolly Christmas Postman Janet Ahlberg (an AR book)
They Followed a Bright Star Joan Alavedra (an AR book)
The Christmas Story Heather Amery (an AR book)
Willow at Christmas Camilla Ashforth (an AR book)
The Shepherd's Christmas Beth Atchison (an AR book)
Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree Robert Berry (an AR book)
The Shepherd's Christms Story Dandi Daley Mackall

If you are interested in more Accelerated Reading books, here is a website that has six pages of Christmas titles alone, all the way up to 8.7.

Men and Their Leaves

I do not get men and their leaves. Can someone please explain to me why one of my neighbors is riding around on his lawn tractor *in the snow*? Because when I asked Mr. Steady he said "Gotta get rid of the leaves somehow." And now here I sit looking out of my lovely new office window and another neighbor is mowing the pile of leaves in the street. In.The. Street. Cars are swerving to miss him. He is mowing leaves in the street. Did I mention he is in the street? Not next to the street in his curb lawn. Not really close to the street. In it. Yesterday Mr. Steady spent about an hour, maybe more, raking leaves. I think he does it more for therapy than to actually move the leaves.

As a side note, I smell paint fumes and that, dear sisters, is a very good smell right now.

What Have You Done?

UPDATED: I didn't realize the bold highlights didn't show so well, so I've italicized the things I've done. Any better?

I copied this from Bonita's blog who I found from The Nester. If you want to do it too, just highlight what you have done and link back to Bonita (don't forget to leave a comment for Bonita). Bonita got to visit with The Nester and Emily yesterday so I am way jealous.

1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland/world

8. Climbed a mountain (hiking)

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea (from the beach)

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

My Everyday Meal

I'm feeling pretty yucky today. Can't decide if it's a bug or what. Consequently I'm not really eating, save for a sleeve of saltines I've been snacking on and a glass of milk I thought might help. But I'm thinking of food. I'm thinking of what I would like to eat if I could.

One of my favorite things to eat is a grilled cheese sandwich, with soup this time of year. Brown, wheat bread slathered in butter and filled with cheese, grilled until crispy on the outside but gooey on the inside. I like to eat mine with chicken noodle or tomato soup and dunk the sandwich in the soup.

I would eat grilled cheese everyday if I could. As it is, I serve it more often than Mr. Steady would like. I order grilled cheese when I'm at a restaurant if I feel like it, and truth be told the standard American on white is just as good as any gourmet four cheese on artisan bread. It's all good to me.

What food could you eat everyday if you could get by with it?

Blueberry Salad

Several years ago I was visiting Rachel when she was preparing for company the next day. One of the things she was making was Blueberry Salad. I promptly went home and tried it because I love blueberries and I don't love Jello-O salads.

I think Jell-O salads are a bit weird. Whoever thought carrots suspended in green gelatin was a good idea? And moreover, who eats that? But this one has blueberry pie filling it in. Blueberry.Pie.Filling. Hello? Who doesn't love blueberry pie filling?

As a side note here I distinctly remember in fourth grade receiving the assignment to create our own candy bar. We had to list the ingredients, make a wrapper and we were also allowed to bring in a sample. I made a blueberries and cream candy bar which was blueberry pie filling swirled in white chocolate. And I brought samples - what a mess.

This recipe is from my favorite cookbook, lovingly called "The Pink Cookbook". Some of you dear friends will know exactly which pink cookbook I am talking about. It is a church cookbook and we all know church cookbooks have the best recipes. They also have the strangest recipes. On the same two page spread as the Blueberry Salad recipe is a Buttermint Salad. Really? Buttermints and gelatin? Or Circus Peanut Salad. I keep threatening to try this one. And right under the Circus Peanut Salad is a recipe I am not ashamed to say is another favorite of mine: Cookie Salad. Yes, cookies and salad. Fudge-striped cookies nonetheless. My husband once said he saw a man eating popcorn salad. Now that is just wrong.

Another reason I love the church cookbooks is all the little notes about where the recipe came from or how it was served. Sometimes I "read" cookbooks just to see all those little notes. I've included the little note in this recipe, but gave the original hostess some anonymity.

Ok, back to the salad. Do you love how it's called a salad? Blueberry pie filling and grape jello covered with cream cheese and sugar. Isn't salad supposed to be remotely healthy?

Ok, now back to the salad for real. Here's the recipe:

Blueberry Salad
2 (3 oz) grape Jell-O
2 c. boiling water
1 (20 oz) can undrained crushed pineapple
1 (20 oz) can blueberry pie filling

Topping:
1 c. sour cream
1 (8oz) pkg cream cheese
1/2 c. sugar
1 t. vanilla

Mix Jell-O and water until dissolved. Add pineapple and pie filling. Pour in a dish and chill. Beat cream cheese and sugar, add sour cream and vanilla. Spread on chilled Jell-O. Note: I got this recipe from MR; she served it in individual footed dessert cups.
*I regret to inform you that I did not take a picture of the beautiful amethyst color of this salad before it was attacked at the church carry-in.

Making Your Home a Haven - Day 4

Monica is deeming today Fun Day - sounds like a plan to me!



Someone is supposed to come get our mattresses tonight and what could be more fun than getting rid of twenty year old mattresses? Mr. Steady dropped a load of clothes to the Goodwill today and our bedroom is slowly getting emptier and emptier.



I mentioned my laundry problem to you earlier. During the process of putting away all the laundry I decided to start one laundry basket dedicated solely to pajamas. I think it's a crying shame that we have an entire laundry basket full of just littles pajamas but it is what it is. I sat down and went through it last night, matching bottoms to tops, and separating by seasons. Two more laundry baskets out of the master bedroom. Now I think there is just one basket of craft stuff, one basket of toys (please don't ask how they made it into the bedroom, I think they might have been confiscated at one point and never returned?) and one basket of office thingamaboppers. See, our desk used to be in our bedroom so that is why there is so much office stuff in there. Well, that is why there *was* so much office stuff in there. There is still the matter of a tote of boys' shoes that I need to go through and a bag or two of clothes to pass out. Then a stack of totes filled with littles clothes that need to be put into the closet in the new office and that room will be essentially EMPTY except for what is supposed to be in there! It is coming along - I promise! It will be ready to spackle cracks by this time tomorrow night.

Tonight for supper is Smoked Sausage (do you call it Smoked Sausage or Kielbasa? And what is the difference anyways?) and Mashed Potatoes.

Hmmm, this day doesn't *seem* very fun does it? Mr. Steady has a standing meeting on Thursday nights. Maybe I'll put The Entertainer to bed early and do something fun with the older two.

Making Your Home a Haven - Day 3

Today Monica's theme is Cared For. Pop on over to see what she has in store for today. She is a busy, busy lady that one.

I still didn't get to my list from yesterday, shocking I know. But I did get to Half Price Books and was able to get a little cash for my stack of books. I also dropped off a few donations to the local Women's Center. Mr. Steady was able to burn two bags of trash so that's out of the house. I *purchased* the thank you notes, does that count for something? I will try, try, try to get them written by at least Friday. I was able to unload a laundry basket of kitchen towels that mysteriously made it upstairs and sat there for who knows how long, in addition to getting two more loads of laundry started. I also worked on a paper that is due for my Communications class tomorrow.

Dinner was French Dip sandwiches and Baby Baked Potatoes, both from Market Day. I recommend both if you have access to order from Market Day. I don't typically advocate ordering from them because I think they are terribly expensive but in their defense I haven't tried very much of their food and is awfully convenient.

We finished up the evening by playing Rummikub with the two older boys after showers. The Reader is just learning how to play and we don't play quite often enough for The Thinker to remember all the rules. The Thinker started in with an awful cough (I think it's allergy related) so that seemed like a good reason to have a couple of cups of tea.

See you tomorrow for Fun Day (sounds like I had my fun today, doesn't it?)

Making Your Home a Haven - Day 2

Today was Clean Day over at Monica's. I started the day reading Psalm 101, something I've been trying to do everyday but have fell far short of the goal.

I didn't get anything done on my list which looked like this:

• Finish bedroom
• Wipe down woodwork in bedroom
• Put away stack of linens sitting in dining room on a side chair
• Fold laundry & keep it going
• Write thank you notes
• Write "Thinking of You" note to G.

I did get to some things not on my list, I emptied three laundry baskets of clean clothes (yes three and I still have two or three more (at least) to do). This is an area I really struggle with: laundry. I either don't do it at all, or if I do do it take forever to fold it, and then if I can get as far as folding it it just sits in a laundry basket and we live out of laundry baskets forever. I did not fold any laundry or keep it going today. I must, must, must do this tomorrow.

I also re hung the boys clothes sorters in their closets. I have some hanging shoe organizers and use it to put each day's outfit in. This way there are no hurt feelings over what shirts match which pants, wearing school clothes when you should be wearing play clothes, and "did you change your underwear today". We had spent a couple of months at my parents this summer and took the organizers over there. I hadn't hung them back up since we came home and mornings have been quite hairy around here.

I also organized some things in our bedroom some more. And there is a list on the chalkboard with assignments to get the rest of the stuff out of the bedroom that is to be completed by tomorrow evening.

So even though I didn't get through much on my list I did feel like I accomplished a few things and will start my day tomorrow asking God, again, to work through me that I might accomplish His will and not simply get through my own to-do list.

Tomorrow Monica is focusing on Caring For our Havens. Check in with her to see what she has planned.

Making Your Home a Haven Day 1

Monica at The Homespun Heart is hosting Making Your Home a Haven week. Today she focused on tidying up and so did we. We worked some more on the master bedroom, this time we went through our hanging clothes closet and weeded out some things. I do this every once in a while but this is the first time Mr. Steady actually tried on clothes to see why exactly he never wears them anymore. Some were too big, some were too small, some we have no idea where they come from or why they are still in our closet. We kept most, gave away some and got rid of a ton of wire hangers left over from Mr. Steady's laundry-service uniform days.

This evening my parents came over for dinner and Mr. Steady grilled pork chops on the grill. He planned the dinner menu and thought of inviting my parents over. We had pork chops, macaroni and cheese, carrots, corn, crescent rolls, cottage cheese and brownies for dessert. It was delicious - thank you Mr. Steady!

As a result of having company the boys and I cleaned up while Mr. Steady cooked and cleaned in the kitchen. The dining room and play room still need some attention but they are livable once again. Now if I can just get my laundry all caught up we'll be doing good. Well, the laundry and the master bedroom. It's getting there - the bed is completely torn down and we think we have someone coming to get the mattresses. It looks weird to walk in a see no bed. It will all be worth it all though!

Tomorrow is clean...hopefully I'll be to the point where I'll be washing down woodwork in the bedroom this time tomorrow. I don't have class because of Veteran's Day but I am meeting a study group in the afternoon. So I'm looking forward to having a few hours I wouldn't otherwise have.

Sock Weather

Can it really be sock weather already? The boys wore an undershirt for the first time today. Once I heard the "rule" that you are supposed to always wear two shirts and socks in months that have the letter "r" in them. Sounds like a good idea, so long as you don't live where I do, where the weather can change on a dime.

When The Reader got off the bus he was wearing only his undershirt. Good thing we bothered to put two shirts on him this morning. He was carrying his shirt and coat...good use for them, arm candy.

Tonight I have resorted to putting on a sweatshirt and socks. If I have to put socks on, you know it is cold. I've been known to wear flip flops in snow before.

I'm not complaining about the cold, or the fact that it snowed yesterday. I like snow, especially when I'm inside in front of the fire or baking a batch of cookies. We're entering into my absolute favorite time of the year!

Gossip

What is gossip? I have been told that if something is true it is not gossip and therefore it is okay to continue to spread. I believe that gossip is any sad or hurtful news about someone, true or not, that will hurt that person if it is continued.

Merriam Webster defines gossip as "a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others...rumor or report of an intimate nature, a chatty talk, the subject matter of gossip."

I found a topical study on Crossroads that states

"Gossip is sharing private information with those who are not part of the problem or part of the solution. When you speak things about others that
you would be ashamed to say in their presence, you are not only disobeying
God's Word (Leviticus 19:16), you are also destroying that person's
reputation in the mind of your listener.
Scripture states that the sin of gossip is not limited to
the spreading of lies alone, but also includes the improper involvement of yourself in another's personal business (1 Timothy 5:13).
Even to participate in the act of gossip as a listener is sin
(Proverbs 20:19). By willfully listening to the one who gossips, you
sanction the destruction of the other person's reputation."

Scripture has a lot to say about gossiping.

1 Timothy 5:13 says "And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from
house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking
things which they ought not."

Romans 1:28-32 says "And even as they did not like to retain God in their
knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which
are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness,
fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder,
debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God,
despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to
parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural
affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God,
that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the
same, but have pleasure in them that do them."

Victorious puts it this way: “Slander” is a word that has an interesting origin. It comes from the word “Devil.” According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, slander means “malicious talk; to spread damaging information; to defame; to speak ill of.” Is it no wonder where slander derives it’s name? Slander is the work of the Devil, and those who slander are on his team. In fact the Bible says that Satan is called the “accuser of the brethren” (Rev. 12:10)....“Gossip” is derived from the idea of “whispering.”...As we can see, gossip is a close cousin to slander, and God’s Word places both in the same cupboard as murder and other wickedness -- sins worthy of death.

Dr. Robbins from Victorious goes on to say "Let me ask, as a Christian do you occasionally slip up and commit a murder here or there? Or how about theft -- do you occasionally burglarize a home or steal things from the store? You may think this is silly to ask. Of course, a Christian lifestyle doesn’t behave that way. But how about gossip or slander? Do you engage in idle talk or rumors about others? Do you participate in bad-mouthing or spreading rumors about others? According to the Bible, which sin is less severe? Murder or gossip? I’m sure you get the message. Paul said, BOTH are sins equally worthy of death."

Sometimes we can dress gossip up as a prayer concern. I've done it before "We really need to be in prayer for Suzy, she and Bob blah, blah, blah."

Now, some of you may think I am preaching to the choir. But in reality, I am preaching as much to myself as other people. Gossip edifies no one and even if you are saying truth, it is hurtful and can be devastating.

God set up Matthew 18 so that when we have a concern we go to the person and talk it over with them. If you cannot come to agreement, God set up an action plan to take care of the problems. But what about non-Christians? They are not held to the same standard as Christians. If we, as Christians, demonstrate gossip for the world and they see us doing it, how can we expect them not to do the same?

I don't know about you but I for one do not wish to be separated from Christ Jesus by death just to make myself feel better or make me look better. I am checking my heart and my motives today and taking them before God in repentance.

I know how much gossip and slander hurt. They can rip families apart and devastate relationships. It is not enough to say "Well, everyone knows about this." or "It's public information". Public information does not equal edification.

I am currently taking a class in The Effect of Mass Media. One of my focus papers was on Agenda Setting. Agenda Setting happens all around us and you can be sure that every form of media has an agenda. It is most effective when a person does not have a preset bias or set of values to hold something to. As with mass media, we need to be aware and alert of agenda setting going on in our own neighborhood and conversations

We can ask ourselves four important questions, none more important than the last:

1. Who wants me to know this information?
2. Why do they want me to know this?
3. What do they expect or want me to do with this information?
4. What am I going to do with this information?

Jesus has an agenda too. He wants us to come to Him. He wants us to lift fallen brothers and sisters to Him alone. Please do that today. There is a battle going on all around us.

Under Siege

Dear Friends,

We are under a major spiritual attack tonight, if you think of our family, will you lift us up in prayer? Satan and his army are working overtime.

How Did That Happen?

This I know, our cooking and grocery shopping schedules have been a little hit and miss lately. But even I was in amazement when I was preparing dinner last night and the only vegetables I could find were 1/4 of a bag of frozen peas and even less than that of frozen carrots. They were the only semblance of vegetables in the whole house. I steamed them both up (but not together because that would just be gross) and served them with a cheesy chicken pasta casserole. The bowls were passed once and the vegetables dispersed among the masses. The Reader gobbled up his carrots and then asked for more. Upon being told the carrots were gone he crumbled into a ball of tears and sobs.


Mr. Steady and I looked at each other in amazement. Then, in a moment that cannot be rationally explained, Mr. Steady offered to go to the store, right then and there, to buy more carrots. I can promise you this is not something we usually cave on with our children. I was in shock that Mr. Steady was offering to do this. The Reader quick put on his shoes to tag along.

As they were walking out the door The Thinker asked his dad to pick him up a pound of bacon, "with extra fat on it". Yes, I have a 7 year old asking for extra fatty bacon and a 5 year old who cries because he can't have any more carrots. When you figure it out let me know. I also put in a request for a "C-o-k-e".


Upon their return, The Reader came to me and told me that my cake was on the counter. Cake? It seems daddy heard c-a-k-e instead of c-o-k-e.


The Reader ate two more servings of carrots and we all enjoyed a slice of Peanut Butter Cake. Makes me thirsty just thinking about it.


And never fear, my next shopping trip will find my cart stuffed with plenty of frozen vegetables...and double what I think I might need in the way of carrots. Oh yes, and a Coke.

Does this picture give you some clue as to how hard it might be to say "no" to him?

Get Out the Vote

In honor of democracy I am holding elections for the very honorable position of Globe de la Chandy of the Dining Room. And just like the mainstream media I am going to play mind games with you and my photo editing. Which
globe do you like the best? I've added a poll to the right side for your democratic process thingamabobber.

Wasn't Going to Go There

I wasn't going to talk about the election this morning and I'm not going to. Rachel and Jill said everything that is on my heart.

I'm praying for FirstBorn today for wisdom, on the way to school he was saying that he was glad that Barack Obama was elected because now Jesus is going to come back. And he'll probably be glad to share this information with anyone he meets today. Oy vey.

Wordless Wednesday

Real Makeovers for Real Budgets, Part 2

Earlier this spring I had mentioned flipping our dining room and playroom. One day when my good friends KennyD and Marcella Kay were over the three of us manhandled a dining room suit, a room of toys, an uber heavy reclining couch, and this dresser:

I didn't want the dresser in the new playroom so we temporarily tucked it into a corner in the living room. Then I bought this sign at Hobby Lobby for half price ($15) and ever so sweetly asked Mr. Steady to hang it for me.

I picked up two lamps for $1.00 each at the thrift store (they are a matching pair even!) and Mr. Steady splurged on these lamp shades for me. The shades were $14 each.

I added a black satin ribbon to the sign to give the illusion that it is hanging. I paid $1.99 for the whole spool.

Then I shopped the house and gathered up all the gold gilded picture frames I have. The three in the back were gifts from my aunt, that's my grandmother and grandfather on either side. ($0)

I didn't have enough sepia toned pictures to put into the other two frames so I went through my scrapbook stash and cut pieces of scrapbook paper to fit ($0). Then I added a few other things I found around the house...a black wire basket, a garden finial, and a small wooden box with some doilies tucked in ($0). I bought a bag of small gourds ($3)and am busy thinking up the next thing to fill the wire basket with for the Christmas/Winter season.

I feel like the dresser needs a scarf or table runner or something to that effect but I am not quite sure. I am thrilled with the overall effect and love the soft lighting from the lamps. To me, the best part is creating a cozy little nook for less than $35.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Don't forget to visit Peggy's for more daybook entries.

For today, November 3, 2008
Outside My Window... it is warm and sunny.
I am thinking...that His grace is sufficient for me.
I am thankful for...my loving husband who does projects for me that he doesn't love just because he loves me.
From the kitchen...Cream Cheese Clouds were served for breakfast. They were gobbled up before I could even take a picture.
I am wearing...my "uniform", jean skirt and black tee.
I am creating...still working on my Advent calendar. All the pockets are made, they just need their days sewed on them and to be strung.
I am reading...I just got a new book from the library called Anathema, looks interesting.
I am hoping...to get my presentation and math homework done early tonight so I don't have to stay up late or get up early.
I am hearing...the two older boys chat with each other as they play a game
Around the house...Mr. Steady is steadily (pun intended) working through his "honey do" list and things are looking really nice.
One of my favorite things...the welcoming glow of warm porch lights.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Not too much exciting this week, finishing up the bedroom so Mr. Steady can start painting, going to class Tuesday and Thursday, that's really about all.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Real Makeovers for Real Budgets, Part 1

Do you ever see magazines with promises of "Budget Makeover" splashed all over the cover? Am I the only one who finds it laughable when they call $1,000 a good deal? Maybe if you save up for a while but that doesn't really satiate the instant gratification itch in me.

This week Mr. Steady was trying to stabilize our ceiling fan in the living room. He added a switch so that we can turn the fan and light on separately. While he was up there I asked him to flip the blades over and show me what was on the other side. The side that was facing down had hideous cane stuff, it was so hideous it doesn't even have a name. Then he removed the globes to keep from breaking them. Except then he broke one. Not to worry, the globes were almost as ugly as the blades. I'm sorry I don't have a before picture to do this post justice. Just take my word for it.

Mr. Steady remembered a broken fan I unknowingly purchased at a garage sale some time ago. I knew I purchased it...I didn't know it was broken. He removed the globes from the broken fan because, let's face it, that's the whole reason I bought the fan. Then he switched out the globes.

I think I paid $10 for the fan, he paid $6 for the switch. I am thrilled. I still don't love the fan (I can't stand brass) but I am so much happier with it now and our wallets aren't feeling violated.

P. S. Mr. Steady just said if I play my cards right the brass could be painted - so if you're looking for me, I'm in the back room practicing my poker hand.

I Guess Beggars CAN Be Choosers

So I went to purchase the aforementioned obnoxiously colored cupcakes and to my surprise they were buy one get one free. To my disappointment all the chocolate cupcakes had halloween (which blogger tells me needs to be capitalized but I refuse to give it that much credit) or ghost picks in them. Now typically I would just take what is there and keep quiet. But this time I decided to ask the nice bakery lady if they had any other cupcakes. She asked what I was looking for and I told her something a little less evil. No, just kidding, I asked if she had any with pumpkin picks. She said no but she would change out the picks for me. Trouble was the picks didn't come out so well so she pulled 12 new cupcakes out of the freezer and quick frosted them for me complete with pumpkin pick on the top of each while I completed my shopping. I guess my mom was wrong, beggars really can be choosers.

Yeah...about that

Yesterday I passed Snow White's evil stepmother on the road. She was driving a Isuzu and smoking. Only in America. I'd like to say only in America on Halloween but that would be a lie.