In the interest of trying to take more interesting photos, I asked my good friend Sarah is she would like to do a photo challenge with me. I told her we could take turns coming up with 5 different things to photograph and then we would have to blog about them at the end of each month. She loved the idea and quickly came up with 5 categories for us to shoot in! Please check out her photos as well here!
The Categories are...
Someone you work with:
This is a photo of an assistant at our school. Her name is Leigh and when Caleb was in kindergarten he tormented her repeatedly. She is so sweet and doesn't hold it against me at all! I love her sense of humor and her kindness most of all!
Shoes:
This is where Owen's boots love to be the most. In fact, the dirtier the place, the better. He even used his own money to buy some "spurs" for them at the dollar store. He thinks they help him run faster. I told him they're a must for all boys who are part cheetah like he is.
Something Blue:
I was at the cemetery taking pictures for my photography class assignment when I noticed this bright blue bear standing out among the gravestones. It made me sad to think of someone losing a child and I started thinking that I would like it to be my picture of something blue. It fits the category perfectly.
Something Historical:
This is the original Pilot Rock School House. It is now out of town a couple of miles and located in a field. I love looking at it each time we drive past it (usually only when we are out looking for animals to hunt). I have been looking for more information about it but I haven't had much luck yet (or I haven't been looking hard enough!).
Mustaches:
I have spent I won't tell you how much time on pinterest and I finally found something that I wanted (and could actually do!) on there. I saw a picture of a little boy with a mustache for his Valentine's Day cards and I wanted to copy that idea. So the boys and I headed out for quick shots in the backyard and we will be using them in our Valentine's.
This was so much fun! Now it's my turn to pick the categories!
Now that I have enjoyed the freedom of 3 snow days in a row, I must confess that I am starting to go a wee bit stir crazy.
The first day was great. I did all the usual snow day things - snuggled back under the covers for some extra shut eye, hung out in my pajamas until 11:00, watched a movie, read some of my Tim Tebow book, tried a new recipe, got caught up on my blog reading. All in all very unproductive and very perfect.
The next day when I got the call saying there was no school I was a little more surprised. Two snow days?! The possibilities stretched before me. I felt like I needed to get a little more accomplished so I cleaned the bathroom, balanced my checkbook, swept every room in the house, washed the window shades, made the boys do some reading and math, reorganized my pantry and each cabinet in my kitchen.
All by noon.
After that I started to hunt for things to do. I played games with the kids, read some more in my book, surfed the Internet for way too long, made some telephone calls to my friends to find out what they were doing to stay entertained. Most of them were pulling their hair out too.
Then I decided to organize my movies.
As I organized I quickly realized that there were a lot that I hadn't seen in a while.
I started to ponder why and then it hit me.
I have a bunch of movies that Mark can't stand.
Now Mark loves a good movie and is even willing to watch (and enjoy) the occasional chick flick.
That being said I believe that Mark doesn't like several of my movies for 3 main reasons.
Reason #1 - They are too mushy for him.
Take Titanic. We actually went to the movie theater to see this and while he enjoyed that one time, he has yet to ever watch it with me again.
He says it will damage his brain if he does...
Dirty Dancing falls into this category. Too long, too slow, too mushy.
Reason #2 - I have made him watch the movie with me too many times.
Lord of the Rings is one of my all time favorite movies - all 3 of them.
Mark and I went to the movies to watch all of them. He even stayed up after a graveyard shift to take me and even though he fell asleep in a couple parts, he did act very grateful to me for waking him up each and every time.
Fast forward a couple of years. My parents gave me the trilogy for Christmas and I made Mark sit down and watch it with me. He started to complain a little bit about Frodo being a wussy and that Sam was the real hero. The following year he decided that enough was enough and I can't even tempt him anymore.
Reality Bites fall into this category.
Reason #3 - His taste simply isn't as good as mine.
Mark loves fighting, shooting, blood, guts, heroes, death, and more fighting.
Think 300.
Mark is all for a lot less talk and a lot more action in his movies.
Now don't get me wrong. I love some of those movies as well. My second favorite movie in the world is Braveheart and Last of the Mohicans is up there as well.
But he also likes movies like Alpha Dog (stupid) and I Am Legend (I wanted to walk out of the theater and I still have nightmares).
Since today was a snow day as well, guess what I did. I watched me some movies.
First Dirty Dancing - love that movie!
Then Titanic - cry every time!
It took me all day to watch those two because I had to make sure the boys were occupied (they had several epic battles in their room involving dinosaurs, action figures, legos, and a snake Owen won at the fair) and fed.
When Mark comes home tonight I'm going to ask him if he would like to watch a movie. I can't wait to see his face when I offer up Pride and Prejudice.
Suddenly you have no plans, no worries about driving or no thoughts on how to keep your sanity during 4 inside recesses (I'm counting before school), and on Wednesdays - no 7:00 am PLC!
That alone is worth its weight in gold. Let me tell you.
But it wasn't a snow day for everyone. My poor Owen had kindergarten still out in Pilot Rock so it was just Mark, Caleb and I who got to have fun.
We went down to the property and checked out the bonus room. We now have stairs going up to it and a partial roof over the top of it.
This weather promises to slow down our builder a little bit but things have been going so fast, I don't think it will matter. This week we are getting in our windows and working on finishing the roof and walls.
Now, it's time for me to go challenge some boys at Mario World. They are having way too much fun in there without me!
Keep in mind she has been married many years (to a pastor) and has 3 children.
Those weren't the things she fell in love with. I left for Europe for 3 weeks and when I got home she was on the phone telling me I HAD to come over as soon as I possible could because she wanted to share her new found love with me.
I asked for details and she wouldn't give me any over the phone.
Not a one.
That girl can be tough when she needs to be.
I eventually showed up at her place and she made me sit down, close my eyes, and hold out my hands.
She then placed a very, very heavy thing in my lap.
It was her new couponing book.
Seriously.
That's exactly what I said to her,
"Seriously! This is what I had to come over and see? This is what you are crazy-obsessed with right now?"
"Yes" was her reply and then for the next 28 and a half minutes she talked non-stop about how she couponed, why she couponed, and how much money she saved by couponing.
She had me at money saved.
I am a lover of a good deal.
A bargain.
A "steal".
I am all about saving money where and when I can.
Within a week, I had my own notebook set up and ready to go.
Within the next week, I embarked on my first price-matching, coupon-wielding grocery trip.
It involved Wal-Mart, which is one of my least favorite stores, but that was ok.
Wal-Mart is now my friend. We have come to terms, Wal-Mart and I.
Here's how I roll:
Step 1: On Sundays I buy The Oregonian which has ad inserts. I then cut them out and file them in my coupon binder.
(I apologize now for the quality of pictures.)
I then cut out any other coupons I see in the regular paper we subscribe to (The East Oregonian) like this one for 10.00 off a purchase of 75.00 dollars or more.
The next thing I do is go through the colored ads that come out each week from individual stores. I just look through Safeway, Albertsons, and Fiesta Foods. As I look through, I write down any items that I need to buy and what sale price they are at.
Then I go through my coupon binder and pull any coupons that match those items.
Then I'm ready to go shopping!
I do most of my grocery shopping at Wal-Mart now when I am wanting to price match and coupon because they are currently the only store in town who will accept other store's coupons as well as price match to any store within a 30 mile radius of Pendleton.
Here's a breakdown of my last trip. I included what the original price was, what I paid for it, and how much I saved per item. You can just scroll down to total savings if you want to!
ItemOriginal PricePrice I PaidTotal Saved
Quaker Instant Oatmeal 2.50 1.67 .83
Quaker Chewy Granola Bars 2.68 1.30 1.38
Eggos 2.53 2.00 .53
Pillsbury Grand Biscuits 1.77 .75 1.02
Milk 3.19 1.50 1.69
Go-Gurts 2.50 1.62 .88
Pop-Tarts 2.25 1.49 .76
Nature Valley Granola Bars 2.98 1.42 1.56
Honey Nut Cheerios 3.00 2.00 1.00
Capri Suns 2.48 1.79 .69
Salad Mix 2.48 2.00 .48
Doritos 2.58 1.46 1.12
Tillamook Cheese Baby Loaf 9.78 5.49 4.29
Razors (women's) 5.78 2.89 2.89
Razors (men's) 6.34 3.17 3.17
Totals 52.8430.5522.29
Now of course, these totals reflect if I only purchased one of each of those items, which I didn't. On those with the best deals (milk, baby cheese loaves) I purchased more than one. I also wanted to make sure that my total grocery bill exceeded 75.00 so that I could take advantage of Safeway's 10.00 off coupon.
This being said, here are the totals for all of the groceries that I purchased that day:
Original PricePrice I PaidTotal Saved
144.44 74.42 70.13
See why I became a believer?
Now couponing is not for everyone nor is for "all the time" grocery shopping. At least not for me.
I love being organized so that part is easy for me, but if you're not organized - trust me- couponing is not going to work well for you.
Also, I only go couponing every other week. Dawn (and other die-hards) go a couple of times a week. I love it but not as much as her.
On my off weeks, I purchase the things I need for meals, mainly dinners, and those special things that I need for certain recipes. I try to stock up on key ingredients during my couponing times but there are still fresh produce things that never go on sale that I still need to pick up.
All in all, I love the fact that I am saving money that I can then spend on other things - like say a new house - or how about a new car sometime in my future? I think that while this isn't for everyone, it is certainly worth a try. Start small and be prepared! Have fun - ask some friends to coupon with you and even go to the grocery store with you the first couple of times!
Also, check out thekrazycouponlady.com
She is simply awesome! And she has videos and everything to help people like me (aka - overwhelmed easily!) get started!
One last thing. If you go the Wal-Mart route like I have be sure not to end up in the next video series by this musician. I'm just saying...
I can't believe all the changes the house has undergone this last week. Truly amazing. It would have taken Mark and I at least 82 and a half days to get that much done. Maybe a day or two less but not by much. Trust me.
Last Wednesday we had one big wall and two baby walls.
On Thursday, the boys and I stopped by again, just in time for Caleb and Owen to "help" lift the last wall into place.
It was great!
When I drove down to the house today, I could see it start to take shape even from the road. The roof is going up and all the interior walls are framed as well.
Here's the view from the back:
And the view from the North side facing the garage:
Here's a fun maze on the inside.
The roof inside the family room:
That is one tall roof...but a very pretty sky today!
Mark and I have walked around and around the house discussing each room. I have already arranged and rearranged all the furniture (and figured out where I want my Christmas tree to go next year!).
Since he could first walk, Owen has always been the one who would go play and then come running back to me for a "fill-up" on love. He had to have a hug, snuggle, or kiss all the time.
As he got older, those fill-ups were less frequent but still a much needed part of Owen's day. He still blows kisses to me every morning when he goes to school, tells me he loves me more than I love him, and gives me kisses when I am least expecting them.
He is sweet.
He is funny.
He is kind hearted to a fault always wanting to pray for people in his class at school.
He loves the Lord.
He also love pickles. A lot.
He's a pesky little brother whose favorite color is camouflage (just like Caleb).
His favorite toy is his new backhoe (which isn't working Grandma!) and his monster truck.
Owen loves to eat pears and could watch the movie(s) Narnia all day, week, year long if I would let him.
His favorite food is macaroni and cheese
and he wants to wear his sweatshirt that he bought in Disneyland every single day. It makes him happy.
Owen would prefer to eat birthday cake for breakfast, lunch and dinner and he sincerely believes it's a food group - the best one!
His favorite animal is a jaguar and he thinks he is part one because he is "nocturnal" and has great eyesight. I'm not too sure about either of those but I'm not going to be the one to burst his bubble.
He loves to sing his own made up songs (often at a very loud volume!) and he also wants to learn how to play the drums.
I foresee a lot of sports in his future.
Favorite holiday? Thanksgiving because "you get to get with your famiwee."
He also has a few speech issues...l's, r's, th's.
I love all of them... I mean wuv all of them.
He still sleeps with his baby blanket but he's "not a baby Caleb! I just doesn't want to hurt "foofy's feewings!"
He is fierce when defending things he loves.
He loves his big brother. To the moon and back.
When he grows up he wants to be...
an army man with Caleb so he can
"fight for our nation."
His words, not mine.
Then he told me if he lives through the war he wants to be a policeman like Daddy.
When I asked him why he doesn't want to be a teacher like Mommy, he told me that it's because "teachers don't do anything hard."
I have failed teachers everywhere. Apparently I make it look so easy, Owen just doesn't get it...
I wish! It's time to educate that little man of mine and show him just how hard teaching can be!
Caleb and I arrived shortly after school was out and Caleb had to go explore his "room" right away. He has decided that he wants to go with an all camouflage room with tanks on one side and army men on the other. Hmm... I think I would have preferred Star Wars but we'll see what I can come up with.
Mark and I walked all around the house today talking about landscaping ideas, the back deck, the garden, the orchard, and then more landscaping ideas and we threw in some fire pit ideas just for kicks. It's always fun to dream (since they're free and all).
Our concrete was also poured in the garage today and when we were visiting with our builder, Kevin, he said that I should come by tomorrow for some more pictures because ALL the walls would be up by then.
I think I might just have to make the trip down there.
While Mark and I were out there dreaming, our Realtors, Gary and Patty (who helped us buy the property and sell our old house) stopped by to check out the progress of things. Throughout the time of working with them, we have become good friends and I can't help but feel we were led by God to work with them. We met them through yard saleing (of course!) on the same day that we finally decided to look into this property some more. As we were at their yard sale, Mark noticed that they had a spotting scope for sale and he hemmed and hawed over it for a long time. I tried to tell him that with yard sales there is no mercy for those that procrastinate but he decided to not buy it. An hour or so later he changed his mind and we went back to their house only to discover that the spotting scope had been sold (for the record - I did not say "I told you so" until much later in time, like the next day). Anyway, as we got to visiting with these people, we discovered that they owned their own reality business and had built their own home. We talked for quite a while and when we left, Mark and I couldn't help but comment to each other on how nice they were. Later that week Mark asked me what I thought of the idea of him asking Gary and Patty to come down and do a walk through of our house. He wanted to hear their opinion of what would need to be done to our house in order to sell it and also how much they thought we could list it for. To make a long story short, they came down and our relationship has only grown from there. They have been a invaluable help to us through every step of the way and they are still continuing to help us with building ideas.
The other morning as Caleb and I were walking into school together, he turned to me and asked,
"Mom, are you ready to be a grandma..."
and then he paused while counting out loud,
"I'm 7 now and if I add 10 then I would be 17 and then 4 more years I would be 21 ...so... 10 + 4 is 14".
Then he turned to me again and said,
"In 14 years".
I smiled at him, this funny kid of mine, and said,
"Yes, if you met a girl who was good enough for you. One who was pretty and kind like Giselle in Enchanted. One who would be able to handle the fact that you are, and always will be, my firstborn child. If you met a girl like that then you could get married and then finish college and then
you could supply me with some grandchildren."
Just kidding. What really happened was I smiled at this funny kid of mine and said,
"Sure."
But that's a far less exciting way to end the story.
I want to talk about this child of mine. He is getting taller by the day and a little gangly-looking since he's so skinny. Before I know it, he's going to be taller than me. He is smart and an excellent reader. Over the break he lost another tooth, right in the front, and is now looking a little silly with all the gaps in his mouth. He loves, loves, loves Star Wars and is very imaginative no matter what he is playing. He is sensitive and kind and concerned with being healthy. He is so many things but what I love the most is that he is himself.
His favorite color is camouflage and his favorite toy to play with is his new Star Wars 4-legged walker. His favorite fruit is pears and his favorite TV show is ...you guessed it...Star Wars the Clone Wars cartoon.
When he gets to choose our lunch he always chooses grilled cheese sandwiches with granola bars. He is obsessed with playing Cars Monopoly right now and he and Owen play for hours over and over.
He is wanting a goldfish and he loves to tell jokes.
His best friend? When I asked him, he thought about it for a couple of seconds and then said "Owen".
His favorite cereal is Lucky Charms and he loves soccer above all other sports. Every once in a great while I will let him buy a drink from the store and he always chooses root
beer.
Christmas is his hands-down his favorite holiday and when it's his birthday and he gets to choose the menu, the last two years he has chosen the same thing - corn dogs with my strawberry/pretzel jello salad.
When he grows up he wants to go into the National Guard until Owen has graduated and then the two of them will become police officers and work with their Dad.
I tried to sell the highlights of teaching to him but since I don't get to carry a gun or arrest anyone, he wasn't buying it.
Plus he said Dad has a cool duty belt.
I agreed that the belt was pretty cool.
Then I told him that his teeth better grow in soon or he won't be able to find a girl to marry him. One who was pretty and kind like Giselle in Enchanted. One who would be able to handle the fact that he is, and always will be, my firstborn child. One that he could marry, finish college with andthen
together, supply me with some grandchildren.
Just kidding. What I really said was that teachers are tougher than they look and they are smarter than police officers too.
