All Region Tryouts

My teenage DS is in the final stages of preparing for his very important All Region Band tryouts. He has made the symphonic band the past two years and was able to achieve 1st chair last year. His tryouts are scheduled for next Monday the 8th, so I would appreciate your prayers for his musical talent and gifts to show through during this tryout!!!

He is practicing everyday and was busy for about 2 hours yesterday after school and is busy at school playing during his band class.

The top three performers in alto sax at the all region tryouts also automatically advance to the all area tryouts which will be held in Abilene this year on January 10th, 2009.

He hasn't realized it yet, but the all area has been realigned, so he will be competing in a different mix of kids than he has seen over the past two years, don't think I will tell him that, it might add in another level of stress.

Christmas Can Be Frustrating If You Are A Little Guy!!!

I think this picture sums up some of his feelings. Maybe it is because my littlest son is a stay at home guy, but it has been awful frustrating around the house the last few days for him!!!

As we have been super organized and have gotten most of the Christmas presents and decorations completed and out, it has only added to the frustration being experienced by our littlest.

There are so many no, no's around, that I will have to take the time to make sure he has some yes, yes's in there. He is not interested in playing with the items that are out that he is allowed to play with, the only interesting things around are the fragile/delicate things.

I caught him trying to open a present yesterday and every ornament on the tree is just calling out his name...

Pray for my littlest...because there are even more things out and about in our home for him to be frustrated with...

Junior Student Of The Month

Wow, I guess I have been kinda' busy...

I have forgotten to mention that my DS recently was honored at his school as the Junior Student of the Month for November!!!

This is what was written in his recognition:

He takes responsibility in the classroom and earns excellent grades. He is very respectful and is a talented member of the Chieftain Band. He is always focused in the classroom.

He is such a joy to have as a son, it's nice to see him being recognized by others as well.

Okay the first one to comment and let me know if scarey is spelled correctly gets a big internet hug!!!

No, really, it is kinda' scarey around my house. I have over 16 packages wrapped and stashed. I was reviewing my stocking stuffer stash and it is pretty well complete. I have only probably three more gifts to purchase and then one more major grocery run before the holidays...

If you are family or friends and know me, you are probably getting chills up and down your spine, it is pretty scarey isn't it. I have never in my life been this far along and organized for the holidays.

I am typically the person in the back bedroom the night before the big day, doing a mad scramble for wrapping. Can I hear an AMEN!!!

So join with me in realizing the historical significance of this moment!!!

My DH says it is so nice around here and he loves it...Who does he think he is kidding, does he think in a million years that this will ever happen again.

Dream on dearest darling!!!

How Did You Do On Black Friday?!?

Thanks to my wonderful family, I had a really good day of shopping. First my family watched over my littlest son (thanks mom and dad!) and let me take my time. I had a detailed list and did not defer at all from my master list. That in itself was a major accomplishment for me.

I hit over 7 different stores, starting at 4AM and finished up about 10AM. I then headed back out that early evening and headed back about 3 1/2 hours later after shopping at WalMart and reviewing and picking up dry product item I could with my coupons. It takes so much time to read, review and decide on buying something. It was a really good shopping trip and I was able to fit it all in the car without having to leave a family member behind.

Then I hit up the local WalMart before we arrived back home for my frozen and dairy products.

My new pantry was stocked to the core!!! Awesome!!!

Then the greatest thing of all. We went to church the next day and heard about a family with three kids in town, whose father has brain cancer, he can't work, the mom is doing everything she can to bring in some income and keep them afloat and they can't even afford any meds for the father. My DH says that their pantry was absolutely empty and there was hardly anything in the fridge. You know you don't even stop to ask if they are in this country legally or illegally, they are in need and we have so much. God must have put that family in Friona for some reason and we hope to have more opportunities to bless that family as we can. Puts it in perspective doesn't it...

Talk about a humbling awakening. Nothing else to do, but load up the Explorer once again with about 100 pounds of our abundant overflow and bless another family with what I was able to be blessed with in my major shopping trips. Sometimes it is hard to let go of something that you take pride in, my husband and I have desired to fill our pantry and cabinets to overflowing, but you know we have so much more ability to restock our pantry easily than the next family. It also lets me remember that my ability to score such incredible deals and purchases is not because of my efforts, but only because of and through the blessings I have received from the Lord.

Please pray for the Zanugio family.

Did You Survive The Holiday?

Jade Fusion – Green and gold offset with dark neutral undertones.

Good afternoon!!! Doesn't that description sound nice!!!

This is a picture of our newly ordered laminate for our kitchen counters. Check out the rest of my posting for more details.

Well we had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. The best thing about going to see someone for Thanksgiving is that you typically don't have leftover turkey concoctions for the next few weeks. I did end up with some leftovers, courtesy of mom. Thanks Mom!!! I do love her dressing and sweet potato casserole. I haven't even told my husband about the sweet potato leftovers, he loves them and I am not so sure I want to share.

My youngest daughter has posted some wonderful family photos, thank you for taking the time to photograph the festivities and post them for all to see.

My oldest son posted some good photos as well. We had a wonderful extended visit with our son for most of the holiday week. He helped us out immensely in our kitchen remodeling by scrapping up the old lineoleum flooring. It was a lifesaver.

We custom ordered our laminate on our anniversary. You can tell when you have been married for awhile, when you are excited to order laminate for your anniversary gift!!! It has already arrived to the store, so my exhausted DH will be going to pick it up after work and also some wood for building some new cabinet doors and also the wood for the counters.

This is an overwhelming project, but he is an excellent builder, so we are excited.

He is under a time crunch since we are going to be hosting several family members for Christmas so he was up to over 11pm knocking out cabinets and wall sections. We have hit our first major remodeling glitch. He has discovered a plumbing vent in the wall behind our sink. We were aiming to open up this entire area to the greatroom. I don't know if he will build a faux column around it or will be moving the venting. I am voting for a faux column to cover it up, but he is thinking about it. He is typically a perfectionist so he might try moving it, we'll wait to see what he thinks.

I'll try to get some photos posted in the next few days.

It's Almost That Time....

Can you feel the excitement in the air?!? I am not talking about the turkey and trimmings for Thanksgiving....

It's almost time for Black Friday!!!

If you have never experienced this unique phenomenon it is truly something that everyone should be exposed to at least once in their lifetime.

I remember several times that my mother and I have gotten up at around 4:30 to 5:00am just to go to a store and stand in line...to nab the tremendous sale items. The unique thing is that we are never alone. Usually there are hundreds of others sharing the bitterly cold moment with us.

I have the tremendous pleasure of being able to experience this unique opportunity with my mother once again. We will be traveling to my parents for the thanksgiving holidays and I can't wait to see if there is something that we need to plan and grab at the earliest shopping hours...

I must check out Kohl's ad, they have been the best the last few years for really nice savings and gifts...

Check it out and plan your trip.

Black Friday

SunMaid Free Recipe Books

There are some wonderful Free recipe booklets available through sunmaid raisins. I love these recipes and have used several. Order a set for yourself or a special friend. Enjoy!!!
Free Recipe Booklets


Fruit & Sunshine
Naturally Healthy Raisin Recipes


The New Taste of Tradition
Our classic recipes with a new twist!


Recipes for Healthier Eating
Good food that's good for you, too.


Fall Favorites

Celebrate Fall Festivities with Gooseberry Patch.

Family Favorite Recipes
From the popular Gooseberry Patch collection.


Get a free copy of any Sun-Maid recipe booklet. Just click on the booklet you want and enter your mailing address.


Video Library

Thanksgiving Freebies For The Whole Family To Enjoy!!!

Thanksgiving is a special time of year for me and my family. My DH and my anniversary is right around this time of year, plus my mother's birthday and my parent's anniversary. So alot to celebrate, plus it is just a great time of year to get together with all of your loved ones...

Here is a really neat posting over at The Freebie Blogger, organized by Wendi, check it out and grab some of the really neat things for you and your family!!!

Car Insurance Savings

PROGRESSIVE AUTO INSURANCE

I don't think I have ever blogged about this...My DH and I experienced extreme savings on our car insurance during the first part of 2008. We were shocked to receive notice about an extreme increase in our car insurance rates, over 10% more, when we hadn't had any claims or tickets added.

So I took to the internet and did some research and review. I received many online quotes on rates and was about to sign up with a third party for a significant savings on Progressive auto insurance. But wait...why am I going through another individual? Can't I sign up directly with Progressive???

I did a direct search for Progressive and ended up with even more savings by going through their website. All in all, it sure was worth it...We saved over 33% on our insurance premiums. You also receive even more savings by paying it all in one lump sum. So even for frugal me, it was worth it to tap into savings to pay it all in one lump sum, it averaged out to one less payment in the end.

Then the ultimate test, we had a major hailstorm this past summer and my Explorer was beatened to a bluddy pulp. Less than two months after we initiated our policy with Progressive, they worked so diligently and timely for us. My husband was thrilled that we could take it to the Ford body shop and was approved for all repairs with no questions asked...

Then, I expected the big blow to our account, it was time to renew our policy and I grimaced to think about what they would increase our policy too...Drum roll please....NO INCREASE!!!!

That's right, absolutely no increase. I guess I should sign up to be a sales rep for Progressive. I am kidding, I am not receiving any financial benefit by doing this post, just want to tell you about how this has benefited my family personally. Check it out yourself, compare and see....

Plus, for you ecologically friendly individuals, you can select a paperless system with their company and everything is registered and saved on your account online.