If You Give a Kid a Camera- Part One

This weekend Paige (my 13 yr. old) took a lot of pictures with one of my cameras. I downloaded them and really liked some of the shots she took. I decided to post some of them and use the title above. I would have never thought to take some of these pictures.

This is a birdhouse that is attached to our back fence. I've never really seen a bird use it. It was there when we bought our house so no we didn't build it.





This is my old rake that I keep close to my compost bin. It stays propped up against the fence like this. I really like this picture. It is my favorite that she took. It made me to remember how long I've had this rake. I actually found this rake on the side of the road probably 18 or so years ago. Keith and I had just purchased our first house and we had hardly any lawn equipment and of course very little money after closing. (That was back in the day when you had to put down 20% to be able to buy a house) When I saw that rake I pulled over, got out and walked back in my dress and high heels to pick it up. I stuck it in the back of my BMW and took off. This was back when we were "D.I.N.K's" (dual income no kids) I was so excited to have a rake. This rake has made many moves with us.

As you can see this is Part One so there are more "If You Give a Kid a Camera" pictures coming that I think you will enjoy. But don't worry, I'll spare you another rake story. I know it was riveting. haha

P.S. Funny Follow Up....Paige read this post before I published it. She was not aware of the history behind the rake. Her response was "You mean we have a roadkill rake."

I thought that was funny. I never thought of my rake as "roadkill".

;)

Peeps

On Friday I went to my daughter's school for a Volunteer Appreciation lunch. As I walked to the front door of the school, I could hear these tiny little chirps. It was coming from the flower container right next to the front door of the school. I took a look inside and found this little bird's nest. There were 4-5 little baby birds in there really calling for their momma. I have no idea what kind they are. They are dark colored with a little yellow patch on their throats.

The nest was hidden under one of the geraniums. The poor momma bird built this nest right next to the front door of the school. I never did see her, but hopefully she was coming back to bring them some lunch. It was a busy time of day at the school and she was probably scared off by all the people coming in and out.

Here are a few blooms I'm enjoying in my back yard right now:

Happy Spring,

ABC's of Coupons

This is a picture of the zipper binder that I keep my coupons in. I'm a coupon clipper, but I am by no means the Queen of Coupons. You know those you see on TV who buy a cartload of groceries and only pay $4.62. That just never happens to me, but I try my best to match up coupons to sales. I take my binder with me to the store if I come across a good deal on an item and I can quickly check for a coupon. I have a Kroger near my house and usually shop there. They double coupons up to .50. So a .50 coupon will become a $1.00 off and I like that.



Now for a peek inside the binder. I have an alphabetical listing of general products in the store and the aisle they are on if I get stumped and can't find something. Next I have an alphabet index that I use. I have tried various ways of organizing coupons over the years and found that by filing them by the first letter of the product name made it much easier to find when I'm in the store.



I use baseball card holders to put my coupons in. I try and make sure the product name and the expiration date is easily visible. It requires some creative folding sometimes. Wal-mart carries the baseball card holders.


In the back of my binder I do have a few tabs that I use frequently and place a variety of different products in them. ie. Pillsbury, Kraft, and paper products and soap/detergent. I'm usually not brand loyal with paper products and soaps/detergents. I buy what is on sale and what I have a coupon for.

I will admit that it takes some time to keep this organized and occasionally I'll fall behind with the "stuffing" part. But over all this binder system has saved us quite a bit of money over the years at the grocery store and drug store.

Also, another tip: If you have a coupon organizer put your name and phone # on it or in it.
I've had the store call me and tell me my binder was there. I had left it in the cart I used and at checkout they had bagged my groceries in the cart in front of me.

Count It All Joy

I spent the last nine months studying the book of Isaiah at a Precept Bible Study at one of the local churches. It was a great group of women of all ages and I learned so much from the study and from them.

I was trying to figure out what to next because our group won't meet again until the Fall. I wanted to keep up my studies. The leader of our group sent an e-mail to all of us suggesting Kay Arthur's Philippians study Count It All Joy.

I went to the website and downloaded and printed a free study guide.

Go to www.precept.org

Then click on Precepts for Life tab and find Current PFL Downloads.

This will take you the free downloadable study guide.

You can also view Kay Arthur's teaching video on http://www.lightsource.com/ . When you go to that website you will have to type in Count It All Joy in the search box to find it. You can view these videos for free too.

Just wanted to let you all know about this great resource. If you decide to do the study let me know. I'm on lesson 2.

Tea Party Texas Style

April 15, 2009

The Woodlands Tax Day Tea Party

Every year Americans are well aware of the date April 15th. We must file and pay any tax balance to the federal government by this day. This year was different. Yes, we mailed our tax forms and payments but also many people across the nation came together for Tax Day Tea Parties. We had one in our area north of Houston. This was definitely a grassroots effort by everyday citizens who are concerned with the direction that our government is going and all the wasteful spending we see happening. Capitalist and people who are hard working and trying to get ahead and provide for their families are made out to be villains for some reason. The philosophy of 'from each according to his ability, to each according to his need.' and a "spread the wealth" mentality is starting to invade the thinking of some in this country.

The Tea Party organizers anticipated between 500 - 1000 people would attend this event. We were blown away by the numbers of people that attended. There were an estimated 6000 people that attended throughout the course of the event. Here are a few pictures I took with my phone. They aren't great quality. There is also a Youtube link that has great pictures also.

This was a peaceful protest.

I was really proud to be a part of American history. I'm sad it has come to this though. We only pray that Washington is listening.

This picture was earlier in the event:

There were homemade signs everywhere. The Youtube videos features many:

There were different citizens and business owners who spoke at the event. A bluegrass band entertained. A sign parade went across the stage. Our Congressman did attend the event, but was only allowed to speak for a few minutes. This was the citizens opportunity to speak and Washington to listen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zX89ZZmTfF0&feature=channel_page

Wanted to give you an idea of what went on in our little corner of the world. Only one local news channel showed up via helicopter to film the event for a couple of minutes before flying off.

Crawfish Anyone?

Saturday night we had a neighborhood crawfish boil. Neighbor Steve boiled the crawfish in a huge pot. (I didn't get a picture...sorry) After boiling the crawfish they are transferred into large coolers to sit and absorb all the spices. Neighbor Steve learned the fine art of crawfish preparation while living in Louisiana. Yes, the main spice you see is cayenne pepper. Like they say...Some like it hot!

After the crawfish have a sufficient amount of soaking time the liquid is drained off and then they are spread out on tables. There was about 100 pounds of crawfish consumed that night.

No, I don't eat crawfish, but I do like the corn on the cob and potatoes that are cooked along with them. The corn and potatoes hadn't made it to the table yet.

There was an egg hunt for the kids. A couple of hunters are shown below.

We have great neighbors and lots of good cooks in the bunch. The weather was perfect and a good time was had by all. Well, except for the boy who had to go to the emergency room after accidentally getting hit in the face by a hockey stick. Eight stitches later....he'll be fine.

Easter Blessings

This is an Easter picture of Paige and Leah from 2002. They won't wear smocked dresses and frilly socks anymore. boohoo

As they got a little older I didn't want Paige and Leah to think Easter was all about new dresses and shoes. I wanted them to understand that we celebrate Easter because Jesus conquered the grave. After His death on the cross and His burial, He rose from the dead. This is what Easter is about.

Isaiah 50:6 Jesus speaking thru Isaiah the Prophet says:

I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheek to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting.

Isaiah 53:11 (NLT):

When He sees all that is accomplished by His anguish, He will be satisfied. And because of what He has experienced, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for He will bear all their sins.

Mark 16:6

"Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.

Have a Blessed Easter!

Love,

An Ozark Getaway

Fourteen years ago these two amazing friends entered my life. Tina and Diane. We met when we all lived in Salt Lake City, Utah. (All transplants to the area due to husband's careers or attending the University there.) Diane and her husband as well Buster and I went on to leave SLC, but Tina and her family are still there. We have always kept up with each other. About a month ago we arranged to meet in north Arkansas (where Diane now lives) and drive to Branson, Missouri to spend a girl's weekend together. I have never been to the Ozarks or Branson so it was a treat for me to see the beautiful rolling hills and some of the trees in bloom. The weather was beautiful.

This is the view out of hotel room window. It's kind of blurred because of the glass. sorry



We did a lot of shopping and found some great bargains at the outlet malls. If you plan to go to Branson...e-mail me. I'll tell you about a store that has incredible savings. I still can't believe the deals I got in that store. Women's clothing that retailed for $165.00-$350.00 you could purchase for $10.00 each. The retail tags are still on them. I promise. It's true! It's worth the trip there just for that one store.

See I told you. I just want to wear them with the tags on so I can show people how much $$$$ I saved. I would never pay those prices for clothes. Anyway, back to the trip.

We also went to the Titanic Museum. We spent nearly three hours going thru this amazing museum. It is a must - see if you go to Branson.

After lots of talking, shopping, talking, eating, talking, touring, talking, relaxing, talking....our time together came to an end and I had to pack up and get back to Texas.

It was a great weekend. Thanks Diane and Tina...LYLAS.

Wordless Wednesday (almost)

Sorry, had to comment that yes, I took this picture here in Texas.
We drove by this sign and I'm thinking to myself..... "I didn't just see what I thought I saw".
I asked Buster to turn around so I could take a picture. Yes, I did read it correctly. Ok. That's just gross.