Still snowy

Yesterday morning, we woke up to find about another 5 inches on the ground, making the grand total 8 inches. I had this all planned out, had the picture of the yardstick in the snow, and some others, and my USB cable has been unplugged from the computer and I can't get the cord pulled through far enough to plug it back in, so the pics are stuck in my camera. It's always something. Back to the snow, Christopher couldn't make it to work. He made it to I-70, but that's as far as he went. Really, it was a bad day to be out, and MoDot had said the night before to stay home and not get out in the morning. So he stayed home and filed our taxes. :) Pa came by with his tractor and bladed the driveway for us, and the kids had a great time sitting in the bay window and watching him. Later on, Christopher's parents stopped by and asked if the kids wanted to go to their house for a while, so they spent the afternoon there. Preston got to ride along in the farming tractor while Keith plowed their drive and Jess and Reid's, which was right up Farmer Preston's alley! Kate chose to stay and play in the snow with the kittens.

Today it was back to school and our normal routine. Kate wasn't too thrilled, but she didn't have much of a choice. We did venture out after school to play in the snow before it melts this weekend. It was just wet enough that it was starting to pack, so we had to make a snowman. And we can't just make any ordinary snowman! I'll wait until I can share the picture before I tell you all about this gal! We need to go back up to Granny and Pa's tomorrow after school for one more round of sledding behind the tractor. With it already being almost February, and this is our first real snow, we might not get another chance this year. It's supposed to be in the 40's this weekend, so bye-bye snow.

Snow plows

For some reason, I've always loved snow plows. Kinda weird, I know, but I just really like them. Preston shares my liking of plows, and watches them drive by- which on the highway, is quite often. We were talking about them today and he says, "I wonder if they will go by and knock down Candy's mailbox again like they did last year." He was so fascinated by this last year!

Long story short, our next door neighbor's mailbox was taken out by the snow plow not once, but twice last year! As soon as she put it back in the ground, just a few days later it snowed again, and it was plowed down. Poor lady! Ours wasn't spared from being hit, but it fared better than Candy's. Ours just got knocked sideways and wouldn't shut right until Christopher messed with it. I can't help but wonder if ours will make it through this storm! Or Candy's!

Snow Day!

Preston's really having fun!
Here I go!

Today was the first real snow day for the year! We've had 2 days off for ice, but that's no fun! We were outside by 10:00, because the kids were just so excited they couldn't wait any longer! It wasn't packing snow, so we decided to go up to Granny and Pa's after lunch to do some sledding.

Since the Explorer is completely worthless in the snow, I knew there'd be no way I'd make it up their hill, so we walked. It wasn't that bad, but by that time, it had started to sleet pretty badly and it was stinging our faces. Luckily, Granny was driving by, saw us, and gave us a lift up the hill. Once there, we did a little downhill sledding, which didn't prove too exciting. Growing up, Seth and I spent many hours being pulled behind Pa's 4-wheeler on the sled, all around his property. Now, the kids and I get pulled (behind the tractor today). I love it, they love it, and I know Pa loves being able to pull his great-grandchildren and see their excitement. So we had a pretty good time with that! After warming up inside and drying our snow clothes in the dryer, we headed home. This trip was much easier, going downhill. I pulled the kids on the road, which was slick enough from the sleet, with very little effort.

We've already gotten the call that school is cancelled again tomorrow. It's been snowing/sleeting pretty much all day, and they say it will keep going until tomorrow morning. It's crazy! I just made a double batch of sugar cookie dough so we can make the pooch pops for Preston's preschool on Friday. Maybe that will keep them entertained enough that they won't want to spend so much time out in the cold! Ha!

It's snowing!

It looks like we really will get a good snow out of this one! They've upped the total to 4-8 inches for our area! I'd like to say that we probably will have a snow day tomorrow, but as soon as I'd type it, they'd end up having school. Isn't that how it always works? As long as the kids get along better than they have today (they've been grouchy tonight), I can handle both of them being homw all day. Christopher's antsy too, since slick roads and an hour's commute, don't mix well. Especially after nearly totalling his car in December on the way to work! And if you're wondering (you know you are;)), we still haven't heard from the other guy's insurance, so no reimbursement for our decuctible or extra rental bill. Our insurance co. did call today to get another verbal recording of the accident so they can go after this guy and his money. I just pray it all works out considering we're the victims here...

So I've jumped the gun on my spring Ebay selling, and have my first round of auctions ending tonight. They're doing better than I expected, so I think I'll go ahead and list some more spring items. Spring selling technically starts in Feb, so really, I'm not too ahead of the game. But it's nice to see some money going in my Paypal account, rather than going out! I love Ebay so much!!!!

Notice anything different?

I've decided to give my blog a little makeover. Nothing fancy, just something different. Those dots were getting on my nerves! So enjoy my little switcheroo until I again decide that I need to change things up!

Bracing for some nasty weather tonight and what looks like will be a snow day tomorrow (3-5 inches of snow and ice). Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Weekend update

Much of this weekend was spent working on the dollhouse. See, I told you it had standing walls! Actually, there's more done now, and the bay windows are now on, as well as the third floor. As soon as I get the third floor walls painted, we can start on that. Maybe we'll be done by April- at least we better be because we need that table for Kate's party!

And here we have Preston wearing Christopher's jacket from our days at up at Illinois Sate. I found him wearing it over his footie pajamas yesterday! Is it a glimpse into the future? I know they have a pretty good Ag program up there. ;)

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! That about sums up this weekend in a heartbeat! Not very pleasant... I'm ready for spring weather. I looked out the back window this morning at my empty flower patch, longing for it to be completely filled with daffodils, tulips, and whatever that other yummy smelling flower was. Last year, you could smell the flowers long before you ever got to the bed. Only 54 more days until spring... And it looks like we're in for a major winter storm tomorrow. I'm OK with just one good snow for the kids. We need a good sledding, snowman building day.

Friday night, just minutes after sticking a meatloaf into the oven, Christopher calls to say that his cousin and his wife were coming down from Chicago and wanted us to go eat with them. So the meatloaf got cooked and stuck in the fridge for Saturday's dinner. We joined them at Ponderosa for a late dinner. It was nice to see them since it's not very often that they make it down. We just wish they'd brought Chloe with them. Kate misses her like crazy!

Cookies sales ended tonight and Kate ended up with a grand total of 184 boxes sold! Yeah! Not 250 like she hoped, but still very good! Now the task of delivering them next month looms ahead! That makes selling them a piece of cake!

The house

I was hoping to be able to upload pics of the dollhouse progress tonight, but the internet is just too slow (thank you wireless jack...). You'll just have to trust me that it is coming along! ;) It now has 3 standing walls and the second floor glued on. Hopefully tomorrow we can find some time for Kate to help me get the rest of the first floor walls up, and the third floor carpeted so we can work on the second floor walls. Progress right now is coming quickly since we're doing the big pieces. There's a TON of minute detailing that has to be done that will take the most time- siding, window trim, staircase, shingles, and porch railings. It's really detailed. I can't wait to see the finished product and for Kate to enjoy it. The Blueberry family is anxiously awaiting moving day and are still watching the construction from the table. They've been homeless for 4 years now, staying in the drawer and making frequent appearances at the Loving family's home to try to buy their animals. Now Mrs. B. will have her own home to hoard animals! Sorry, you have to know the running story of the Blueberry family!

158 boxes...

So far, that's how many boxes of Girl Scout cookies Kate has sold! She's on a roll! We still have a few people to ask, but the majority of the selling is done. It doesn't look like she'll be making it to 250... She's SOOOOOO close to the next prize level at 175. I plan on buying at least 10 (shhhhh.), so that leaves us with 7 more to sell. Gotta love those GS cookies!

Please pray

If you haven't visited Kelly's blog, please do so. Kelly and Scott's daughter, Harper, was born this past Friday with pneumonia, and is very sick. She was flown to Tulsa just hours after her birth and is still in critical condition. She is improving little by little, each day, but still has a long road to recovery. I know that they have thousands of people praying for little Harper, but every prayer counts! Please take a little time to pray for their family, and that Harper will be strong and healthy. Kelly updates daily when she can, so you can get many more details from her site.

Weekend update

It seems like my blogging has gotten sparse lately- I'm sorry! We've been pretty busy this weekend. I left off Thursday, I think, worried about Kate and her sleepover on Friday night. As predicted, she did call crying, and wanting to come home. Christopher and I both talked to her, and reminded her that if she went, she was going to stay. After that, from what Jenna's mom reported, the rest of the evening was a breeze and I picked her up the next morning to hear her tell how much fun she had! After that, the four of us made a flying trip down to Fairview to buy stuff for Kate's dollhouse that we're building. And by flying, I mean that we left at 11:00 and were back by 3:00. Phew! Hopefully tomorrow night, our internet will be going a little faster and I'll be able to blog about the construction (constantly supervised by the Blueberry family who will be moving in) with pics.

Mr. Preston now has a cold. Thankfully, this winter has been MUCH easier than last year! I do pray that his ears will make it through without getting infected, especially with as much as he's been messing with them. Another infection means another set of tubes. Not the end of the world, but definitely something that I'd like to avoid. I'm happy to report that his chin is now healed and the scab has fallen off. Now, if I could say the same thing about the superglue that won't come off! It looks great! Gotta love that Dermabond!

One more week of Girl Scout cookie sales. I'm not even sure how many she's sold, but I know it's not 250 boxes yet! Christopher's co-workers are making him bring her order form in tomorrow, Dee is taking it in as well, plus we have to make a stop at Grampy's office to sell there because they've heard it's selling time! We still have family to call and neighbors to call on, all before Sunday.

Busy, busy, busy, but I promise to get on here more often!

I am SO mean

Probably the meanest mom ever.

Kate's best friend, Jenna, is having a sleepover tomorrow for her birthday. They've been BFFs since they were both 3, so that's going on 7 years now! Anyway, the party sounds like it will be a blast- they're going to Effingham to watch a movie, then staying in a hotel, and swimming. I could only wish that my friends had had sleepovers like that! Problem is, Kate is terrified to go.

Remember last weekend when I wasn't sure she'd last through the cookie lock-in? This all stems back to her calling wanting to come home everytime she goes to a sleepover. Everytime... Now if this was at Jenna's house, it wouldn't be a big deal. But Effingham's 30 miles away. I'm certainly not driving all the way there to pick her up when she decides she doesn't want to stay. Not to mention when the temps are in the single digits! So I told her that she needed to decide: go, and stay all night, or not go. Earlier, she said she'd go, so I called to tell her mom that she would stay. Then, all hell breaks loose and she is bawling because she's so scared, but really wants to go, and wants me to just come around 9-10 to pick her up. Again, if it was at Jenna's, no big deal. Effingham, big deal.

So I feel like the rotten mom being mean. But really, she's going to be 10 in 3 months. And if she didn't already try to come home everytime she went to a sleepover, that would be different too. That, and I know if she gets that upset arond her friends, they're going to feel bad because she's upset, and that could ruin the whole mood of the party. I remember those days of girly drama at sleepovers and one person bringing everyone down because they're crying. I've tried to tell her how much fun it's going to be, and that she's going to be too busy having fun that she won't even have a chance to be scared. Christopher's talked to her, too. No such luck. She's terrified. I told her that if she doesn't want to go, we would have Jenna over sometime, so it wouldn't be like she was completely missing out. That didn't make her happy either. But I do know, that if she goes, and I do end up having to go get her because she's hysterical (which I can almost guarantee will happen because of how scared she is), then there won't be any sleepovers for quite a while. Again, this happens everytime.

I feel horrible...

My cat has fleas

I keep singing the "My Dog Has Fleas" song in my head, thanks to Zipper... and well, I guess Nonni, too.

So back before christmas, we found a crawly bug on Zipper. I told Christopher it was a flea, but of course, he didn't believe me. He consulted his dad, who, without looking, said it must be a mange mite since her fur was thinning. The next day, again without seeing it, said it could be animal lice (not to be confused with head lice). So we dipped both cats in a permethrin dip, thinking we were done. We kept seeing one on Zipper, even after 3 dips, so I told Christopher that if we saw another, I was taking her to the vet. We went in yesterday, and it was not good. Zipper HATES the vet. If you've had the "pleasure" of meeting Zipper, you know her personality! So they were unable to examine her, but sent us home with Revolution, a flea, mite, heartworm, hookworm, medicine for both cats. They asked us to catch one of the bugs, put it between tape, and bring it in. I took one in today, and da da da dum, it was a FLEA! Lovely...

So our day was spent trying to de-flea our home. After I got Pres from preschool, we set off bug bombs in each room and left the house. We spent the afternoon at Keith and Dee's, doing a little playing and much washing of part of the bedding that we brought along. I can tell you that every inch of this house has been fogged, sprayed, and thoroughly vacuumed. Anything that could be washed, was washed. I think that if we didn't already vacuum once a day, this would've been a much worse situation. We've never seen a flea on anything other than Zipper (not even Nonni), and none of us have been bitten. So I think we were lucky that we keep the house clean enough to have controlled this as well as it has been.

So needless to say, both cats will forever be on preventative flea meds. We figured that since they never go outside, that they were safe...

And now I'm just praying that we got this under control. That, and that they cancel school tomorrow because of the frigid temps. I do NOT want to get out!

Long time, no blog

Another busy weekend behind us! So I think that deserves a re-cap.

Kate made it all night at the lock-in, and had a great time. Now, she did call around 11:00 requesting Motrin for a headache (her usual excuse) but I told her she was fine since the leader had to go get her from running around like crazy to talk to me. She's set her personal goal at 250 boxes! Whoa! She sold around 175 last year, so I guess she's being ambitious! She only has 218 more to sell!

Christopher's car is back in our posession and they did an excellent job fixing it! We're both impressed! They still have to install a new hubcap and weather stripping which didn't come in, but at least we don't have to keep paying $30 a day for that rental. Now it's out of alignment andI have to call the agent tomorrow to see about getting that fixed since the body shop couldn't align it. I guess it's pretty out of whack. But the main insurance co. called today requesting that we fax them the receipt for the rental so that they could send it to the other guy's insurance for reimbursement! Yeah! 39 days worth of a rental (with 4,000 extra miles), that was a hefty bill! We only had to foot $260, but still.

Zipper is heading back to the vet tomorrow. She's not sick, but is still having the bug issue. We've dipped her 3 times, each time with stronger stuff, and no luck. So they said to bring her in tomorrow and they'll do a skin scraping and be able to tell what she has and how to treat it. Why didn't we do that in the first place?!?!?!?!?! Hopefully this will be an easy vet trip, but with Zip, nothing's ever easy!

Wanna make a bet?

So Christopher's car was supposed to be finished being fixed on the 29th of December, just in time for our rental contract through the insurance co. to run out. We call, and supposedly, not all of the parts came in, so they said they'd have it done by this Wed. We called yesterday, and they said it should be done by Friday. Wanna make a bet wether or not it will be done? I'm shooting for no!

This really sucks, because now we're having to pay out of pocket for this rental, so every day is another $30. Plus, our agent still hasn't heard back from the other guy's insurance. He's confident we will get our deductible back, plus reimbursement for the extra rental, but I'm not so sure. That really stinks, because HE hit Christopher, and we can't get our money. We have the check for the repairs, but still, we shouldn't be paying our deductible when we got hit. Ugh!

Birthday planning already?

Yeah, we're planning Kate's 10th birthday already, and it's not even until April! I'd rather have everything laid out now than to wait. That, and her birthday is 2 days after Easter this year, so that throws a kink into what weekend we can have the party, and another weekend for the sleepover. That part hasn't been figured out, but the party details are in line.

She's having a 70's Julie (American Girl) party for the family party. Mexican food (her fav), streamers, tie-dyed shirts, a guitar cake, a peace sign cake, a record player with 70's tunes. Should be a blast! Then for her sleepover, it's another American Girl mystery party. This time, it's Samantha. Can you sense that American Girl still reigns supreme? This is her 4th American Girl themed party in the past year (she had 2 last year). And she's obsessing over the new Girl of the Year doll, Chrissa. I'm debating over wether or not I want to get Chrissa for her (I do), but if we're also getting her a new bed (which means new bedding), that's a lot of big ticket gifts. We'll see, though.

Will she stay or will she go?

Tomorrow is the big Girl Scout cookie lock-in, to get ready for the start of cookie sellling on Saturday. It's always an issue, never just cut and dry. The first year, she goes, and I get a call at 2:00 *a.m.* that she wants to come home. Her leader brings her back. The next year, there are tears, but she stays, and stays all night. Last year, we didn't even make it to the door before an all-out panic attack ensues, and we never make it inside. This year, she begs to go. It's a safari theme, right up her alley, and plus, Addison will be there, so that's even better. But now... she doesn't want to go. So who knows what tomorrow will bring! But I did tell her that this was her last chance. She'll go to any other GS event without any reservations, but the cookie lock-in... there's just something about it she doesn't like.

And did you know, that I still have 3-4 boxes of GS cookies in my deep freeze from last year? I bought WAY too many. Probably will again this year.

The bed must go

For years, I thought that it would be really special for Kate to have my old bed, which used to be my mom's bed. Back at the old house, we really didn't have the room since all of her toys were in her room, but when we moved and had a playroom to put all of the toys in, she got the bed. But good intentions aren't always the best ideas! Now, the 40+ year old bed (wait... how can that be? My mom is only 27) is a PITA. We constantly have to readjust the posts. It's noisy, rickety, and I feel that if she keeps sleeping in it, we won't have this heirloom bed anymore. It definitely won't survive Kate, who isn't exactly the gentlest person with anything!

So tonight, as I'm drooling over a Pottery Barn Teen catalog at this gorgeous zebra print/black dottie bedding, I decide she needs the new bed. Christopher has been on me since before we moved to just buy her a bed. Now I'm on board, and Kate said she'd like it if we got her a new bed for her birthday- a twin-sized trundle bed. So this is my new mission! And as for that TDF bedding... the next time we go to Fairview, I'm on a hunt for a similar fabric so that I can make it. Yes, I am handy with a sewing machine! And I love to sew! The fabrics are so basic that I doubt it will be hard to find. If they are, there's always ebay, and I could turn a sheet set into a cover. And sewing them together to make either a comforter or duvet cover won't be difficult. If it is, I'll call Grandma Lou! She turned Preston's Company Kids duvet into the most darling quilt that I will NEVER part with. It's just TOO perfect!

See, it pays to be thrifty, AND crafty!

School's back on!

The kids went back today after Christmas break. Yesterday was an ice day, so it was nice to get an extra day home. Yesterday I wasn't ready. Today, I was...

$984.18

See that nice little number up there in the title? Any guesses as to what that number might represent? That number, is the amount I have saved in the past year by using coupons! Amazing, huh? Christopher always scoffed at my coupon clipping, and whipping them out at the register, saying, "It's only worth 25 cents! Why bother?" So I decided to keep a spreadsheet and record every coupon I used in 2008, to see just how much I would save. $984.18 is pretty impressive! Think of what all could be bought using that money (or better yet, what debt could be paid down). Or worse yet, that $900 that would've been completely thrown away had I not been thrifty!

I'm proud to be thrifty! I like hearing Granny and Pa call me the coupon queen! I like knowing that what we have is well earned, and that we're able to live the lifestyle that we live on one income, because I'm not to proud to bargain and use coupons! Now that gas prices are back down, I'm going to start going back to CVS. You'd be amazed at what all I can get there for just dollars! We're still going strong on the 6 bottles of Dove shampoo that I scored for less than $3.00!

New year, new money

If you haven't discovered Dave Ramsey yet, get your butt in gear! In the past few months of listening to his radio show, and watching him on FBN, I've gotten completely hooked!

We've always been careful with our money. Credit cards were always "emergency only." We don't buy things if we can't pay for them (except for the cars/house). We pay cash for all of our home improvements. We spend wisely. But somehow we just never seemed to get ahead, seeing those student loan totals creeping down by mere dollars each month. Who knew what his debt snowball could do, and why didn't we ever think of that??? It's so SIMPLE! So right now it's gung-ho to get the "new" car paid off, then on to one of the student loans, then the other. How nice it will be to get them all gone! Granted, it will take us longer since we only have one income, but still... how sweet! It's exciting to do the total money makeover (get the book!), and I think Christopher thinks I'm a little wacko with my enthusiasm, but who cares!

We're also going in Wed. to refinance our mortgage and lock into that sweet 5% interest rate, freeing up even more money each month to pay down that pesky car loan. Now, if that rate would just go down into the 4% range before we lock it in- they're letting us lock it in the day we feel the rates are best...

Happy New Year????

Man, if 2009 keeps going at the rate it's gone so far, this may turn out to be a very bad year.

For starters, I rang in the new year by sitting in the ER for 4 hours Thursday. I thought I had a bowel obstruction. Luckily, it was nothing more than everything being backed up due to my bout with food poisoning, and another cyst on my ovary. I was sent home with a Rx for mag. citrate, a muscle relaxer, and vicodin, and by the time I had the kids in bed, I was feeling MUCH better! I was also sent home with a lovely souvenir x-ray of my compacted colon that Christopher just had to show the kids. I have since fully recovered and for the first time in a week, feel back to my normal self!

Then there was last night... The kids and I had went to their cousin Gracie's swimming party in Hillsboro at the aquatics center. Preston was in the pool, which was only about a foot deep in the kids section, slipped, and cut his chin open on the slide. It was pretty bad, gaping open, and apparent that it needed medical attention. We wrapped him up, and Uncle Kent grabbed him, and we were off. Luckily, the aquatics center is hooked to the hospital, and within 2 minutes, we were in the ER. The dr. came in, and thankfully, said that he would just have to super glue it! I was so glad there would be no stitches! A few minutes later, his chin was closed. That Dermabond is AMAZING! We were in and out in less than half an hour, which I found amazing (compared to my 4 hours). The staff was really great, too! He's doing really well today, and it's not bothering him. The fun part will be in a few days when it starts itching and we have to keep him from scratching it. I did manage to get a good picture of it, but if you want to see his chin, you'll have to stop by and see it in person. Can you believe that I still haven't looked at the Christmas pictures that are on the camera????