Day 60

It was a gorgeous day here....very windy and a little too chilly for my taste, but after all the rain/storms we've had all week, it was outside we go!

We went to the walking trail on Helena Middle's entrance...and on the way in, saw the new high school starting construction.  I'm so happy to get to see my kids go to Helena High!  Jack was fascinated by all the big 'dozers' and 'tractors' at work, so we parked and watched for a few minutes....

Here are a few shots of the walk....of course there are no pics of the end, because it ended in a total meltdown by Jack because he wouldn't walk anymore and I refused to carry him all the way back to the car.  So I'd drag a few yards, stop- leave him there in full on limp  noodle body pile screaming on the trail  walk a few yards to hope he'd come around, go back -repeat-    ugh....................

Day 59

Today I awoke with gratitude and relief that we are all safe and sound.  I never used to fear the threat of bad weather or really even take it seriously. I think all of are now scarred from last years and recent devastation done by tornadoes and all get a little bit of panic down in our gut...because no one ever expected it to happen to them, and we were all shown how very possible it is for it to happen to anyone.
ANYWAYS!  We started the day with one of Jack's least favorite things to do....get a haircut.  He has always had a head full of beautiful thick hair that needs to be cut quite often, and somehow, he has never gotten over hating the haircuts. For that reason, I wait until it is absolutely necessary...and clearly he is past due!

I will say, that he has progressed from a full on restraint to just general dislike.  Maybe the next 3 years, he will progress to no crying!?

E got a trim too....

All smiles when he gets to go to the candy bowl after it's over....

day 58

Today I refilled my dishwasher detergent and thought I'd share how easy it is to make your own detergent!

These are the only things you need:

Borax
Baking Soda
Unsweetened Lemonade (Kool-Aid)
Vinegar (optional)

mix 1 cup of borax, one cup of baking soda and one packet of lemonade...The lemonade's citric acid works as your rinsing agent and keeps the film off your dishes. Use 1-2 tablespoonfuls per load. You can also add some vinegar to the rinse-aid dispenser once  a week or so to give the rinse a boost.  I keep mine in a big mason jar under the sink :)  I have found this combination to work wonderfully...sometimes the silverware is a little dull, but still clean.  This is about 5$ in the picture, and will last a loooong time (like months and months).  Give it a try!

Day 56-57

Day 56 is money...
I wish I had lots of money to take pictures of...or a big bank account balance to share.  But instead, this is closer to my reality: Elizabeth's piggy bank.

I got this bank at one of my baby showers for E....and if you are the one that gave it to me, I apologize for not giving you credit because I've forgotten who it is.  Recently, Elizabeth has started earning an allowance- half goes in here and half she gets to put in her 'wallet' for spending.  So far, the only thing she wants to use it on is the vending machine at church...because Cheezits out of the machine are SO MUCH BETTER than the ones out of the box at home.  She has to make sure no toys, shoes, cups, etc are left in the living room before bed and brush her teeth.  pretty difficult, eh?


Day 57: Something I'm listening to
More often than not I really only listen to 2 things (aside from a scratched up wiggles cd that we can't seem to steer away from)
1) Sirius Satelite Radio Ch 22- Pearl Jam Radio (and Eddie if you're reading this, please know I'm only kidding about listening to anything else because really there's only you XOXO)
2) JJ Gray and Mofro---any and every song they've made
                                             Here's the only case I could find to take a picture

If you like music AT ALL...you better check them out. It will change your life....I cannot even put into words how incredible they are. They come to B'ham only a couple times a year, and if you ever get the chance to go see them....DO IT.  You won't regret it!

I have Jerry to thank for showing me the depths of music in general but especially with these 2 groups.  They move me and change me in ways I can't really describe----I couldn't live without it! (well, not happily or willingly!)

Day 55

Today is supposed to be "night" but my last attempt at night photography didn't go so well...so I'm skipping it. The next entry is "something I ate."  Tonight's dinner for the kids was shells and cheese, oranges and raisins  -Elizabeth's menu of choice. Jerry got home late so he is fending for himself. I am having my favorite meal: cereal!    Here is tonight's choice-

I looooooove cereal. I could eat it multiple meals a day. There aren't many kinds I don't like.  I don't care for cardboard Kashi...but I'd eat it if it was all I had left.  And since last night's post already has everyone thinking I'm a hoarder, let's just go ahead and confirm that thought with my cereal obsession/collection. Cereal  is another item that I will never pay much for, and last weekend, Publix had their annual (or semi annual, I'm not sure) 50% off sale on Kellogg's cereals.  Combine that sale with stacked coupons and you get REALLY cheap cereal, that I am unable to pass up.  My collection grew tremendously after that day, but I promise none of these will go to waste. I don't open more than a couple at a time for variety, so the rest stay unopened and fresh.  So here is my stash....

Cereal party at my house!  :)

Days 55/56

This has been a crazy weekend....I am not doing well with keeping up with the blog, and I hope to try and be a little more committed with it! 
Day 55 is inside my bathroom cabinet. 
My bathroom cabinet also could be re-named "toiletries stockpile" The Smiths will stay clean and fresh when the apocalypse comes.  When I went to my first couponing class, the presenter told us "you should NEVER pay for most toiletries. You should never pay for deodorants, toothpaste, soap, etc.  This class will teach you how."  I swear I didn't believe her, but it is definitely true. I will never EVER pay for those kinds of things again!  Now I've had to start giving a lot of these things away, because I just don't have room for them. I donate a LOT of the stuff I get, that I know I will never use. So don't get all judgey and say I don't need to have this much, okay?  :)

Here's the basket breakdown from left to right: Toothpaste/toothbrushes, floss, etc; Vitamins; razors; deodorant; soap/bodywash, etc


Day 56 Green
I noticed today that our pear trees are blooming...bad news for my allergies, but good news for spring weather!  We have had a crazy mild winter this year, and today was a gorgeous day. Not too warm or cold, sunny, breezy, etc. Here is a pic of the tiny green leaf that is starting to grow. 

Day 53/54

Where I work:
I love my job.  I've said it before, and I hope I always feel this way about it. Is it stressful?  YES!  Do I feel successful every day?  NO!  But I cannot imagine doing anything else. I work with some amazing people every day, and my kids are inspiring in ways that I really can't put into words. This is my 11th year, and 10th at Meadow View. The teachers, staff and students here are my family and I can't imagine every having the desire to leave.

and speaking of school....here is a little video of Elizabeth's first project: a famous American presentation.  Keep in mind, Jerry has a degree in history, and is back in school on his way to a PhD in history---so as you can imagine- No George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, or anyone OBVIOUS like that....I was so proud of her standing up with her powerpoint! Take a look :)
http://youtu.be/vtZJ2CIWLWM