OK, since I started planning out my first week of school for the boys, I have been told that my scheduled day might be a BIT long for two little guys. Yes, I had them going from 9am-2:30pm. What? They got an hour lunch break and two breaks besides! *Ahem* Yes, I am a slave driver thank you very much! ;)
So I have decided to do over all of that meticulous first week planning. And, am I ever thankful that I procrastinated long enough to avoid planning out the whole month! All I have to re-do is one week.
Oh yeah, the other thing I didn't realize was that Monday is Labor Day. Which means it is a holiday and Daddy is going to be home. No one is going to want to do school if Daddy is home. So we officially begin PHE on Tuesday!
I'm off to see which subjects I have to cut out in order to squeeze it all into a three-hour timeblock. Ha Ha Ha!*laughing nervously and slightly hysterically*
By the time this is all over, I might be getting a new jacket. White, with loooong sleeves and pretty silver buckles....
FIVE IN THE POTTER'S HAND
Friday, August 29, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Planning and Sleep-Deprivation...
I finished planning our first week out last night.....at 2 am! Sigh. I have to find a better time to plan, I will not be a happy or healthy teacher if I am up all hours of the night trying to stay ahead of the game.
I am excited for what we get to study though. We are doing unit studies for the first month. We'll see how it goes and modify as needed. This month's unit study is weather. Each week will have a specific focus on the weather...rain, sun, snow, hail, etc. We will check out books from the library that focus on the weekly topic. And there will be fun crafts and science projects/ experiments we get to do in relation to the focus topic.
So now I just have to get all the supplies together and plan out the rest of the month...lol!
It will be very interesting to see how homeschooling affects my housework *cringe*, hopefully I will be able to keep up with both :)
Thanks to all of you kind ladies who have commented...you were all so very encouraging and sweet!
Off to tackle the dishes before they take over the kitchen...you think I'm joking?
I am excited for what we get to study though. We are doing unit studies for the first month. We'll see how it goes and modify as needed. This month's unit study is weather. Each week will have a specific focus on the weather...rain, sun, snow, hail, etc. We will check out books from the library that focus on the weekly topic. And there will be fun crafts and science projects/ experiments we get to do in relation to the focus topic.
So now I just have to get all the supplies together and plan out the rest of the month...lol!
It will be very interesting to see how homeschooling affects my housework *cringe*, hopefully I will be able to keep up with both :)
Thanks to all of you kind ladies who have commented...you were all so very encouraging and sweet!
Off to tackle the dishes before they take over the kitchen...you think I'm joking?
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
School's Starting...
I won't be posting very much from now on.
My husband and I have decided to start school for the kids the beginning of September.
Potter's Hand Elementary will commence September 1st!
Please pray for the teacher (me) :)
I am little nervous but I am also excited to see how God helps mold my young ones' lives by using me as His tool. It is another adventure and journey that we get to travel as a family.
Don't worry, I will be sure to share how the first week went. For now I have to get things organized, work out a schedule for school, and put together the curriculum. I am going to be busy, busy!
My husband and I have decided to start school for the kids the beginning of September.
Potter's Hand Elementary will commence September 1st!
Please pray for the teacher (me) :)
I am little nervous but I am also excited to see how God helps mold my young ones' lives by using me as His tool. It is another adventure and journey that we get to travel as a family.
Don't worry, I will be sure to share how the first week went. For now I have to get things organized, work out a schedule for school, and put together the curriculum. I am going to be busy, busy!
Friday, August 22, 2008
Centsible Spa Treatments
Here are some fun and frugal items to use for a Pamper-Yourself Day!
Baking Soda Cleanser::
1-2 teaspoons baking soda
1 cup water
Directions:
Mix baking soda and water together to form paste.
Apply liberally to face and neck area. Leave on for 10-15
minutes and then gently wash off with warm water and washcloth.
This helps to minimize the appearance of large pores and is a gentle exfoliant as well.
Oatmeal Nourishing Mask::
Handful of uncooked oatmeal
1-2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
Directions: Mix ingredients together, warm slightly and apply to face and neck. Let sit for 10-15 minutes ( or until face feels tighter) and then rinse with warm water.
Oatmeal provides a gentle, skin brightening exfoliant. Olive oil helps rejuvenate dry skin .
The honey serves as a natural, rich, skin-nourishing crème.
Lemon-Egg Pore Opener::
Make a paste of one egg white and few drops of lemon juice.
Apply it over nose with soft brush (or washcloth). When the
first coat is about to dry, put another coat over the top of it.
Let these dry completely and then rinse off.
Use this to awaken and cleanse pores on your nose!
Olive Oil Face Pack::
A few drops of olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoons of milk
Directions:
Blend ingredients well and apply to face and neck. Let sit
For 10-15 minutes before rinsing off with cold water. For optimum hydration, apply small amount of olive oil to skin before applying face pack. This helps skin retain moisture after pack is removed.
This luxurious face pack will hydrate dry skin.
Stressed Out Skin Cucumber -Tomato Soak::
Slice cucumber and tomato into thin slices. Put into freezer for 7-10 minutes and wash face while waiting for slices to chill. Lie down and place moist, chilled slices on your face and neck being careful to overlap slices. Relax for 10-15 minutes.
Cucumber contains natural astringent which helps to awaken tired and sagging skin. Tomato is slightly acidic and helps to close pores which helps prevent blackheads and breakouts.
Butter Lip Exfoliant::
Gently exfoliate lips by applying fresh butter on them and use a wet wash cloth to sweep off dry flakes. Follow up with warm olive oil application.
Avocado Under-Eye Circle Diminisher::
Placing slices of oil-rich avocado under your eyes will help to lessen the impact of dark circles.
Studies have shown that under-eye circles are not caused by a lack of sleep, but rather c congestion of the nasal cavities!
Coconut Oil Under-Eye Crème::
Use coconut oil to hydrate delicate skin around the eyes as well as reduce dark circles!
Tea Soak for Tired Eyes::
Brew tea, remove tea bags and refrigerate for half an hour. Place refrigerated tea bags on eyes for 10 minutes.
Tannic acid in the tea helps to soothe fatigued eyes and skin surrounding the eyes.
Lemon Juice Teeth Whitener::
Rub half a lemon with table salt and a pinch of baking soda will brighten and whiten your smile, as well as ward off bad breath!
This one is a lot of fun to do...if you try it, you'll see what I mean :)
Sugar Exfoliant for Hands and Feet::
Mix sugar with olive oil and gently rub over hands and feet.
Epsom Salt Foot Soak::
½ cup of Epsom salt
1 tablespoon baking soda
Directions:
In large pan of warm water, mix ingredients and soak feet for 15 minutes.
Epsom salts help to draw toxins out of tired muscles and skin. The baking soda will gently exfoliate the foot.
Epsom Salt Scrub::
After soaking feet and calves, exfoliate with Epsom salts on the moistened skin.
Coconut Oil Moisture Rub for Calves and Feet::
Liberally apply coconut oil to calves and feet and massage into skin for 10-15 minutes a day. Do this at night and then place socks over your feet to help skin absorb the nourishing oil.
**DISCLAIMER: I am not a beauty professional, nor do I claim to be. I have tried most of these, however I have not tried all. Please use your good judgement when using any product on your skin.**
These centsible spa treatments are best enjoyed with someone else, so grab your honey (or a friend) and have some spa fun!
Baking Soda Cleanser::
1-2 teaspoons baking soda
1 cup water
Directions:
Mix baking soda and water together to form paste.
Apply liberally to face and neck area. Leave on for 10-15
minutes and then gently wash off with warm water and washcloth.
This helps to minimize the appearance of large pores and is a gentle exfoliant as well.
Oatmeal Nourishing Mask::
Handful of uncooked oatmeal
1-2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
Directions: Mix ingredients together, warm slightly and apply to face and neck. Let sit for 10-15 minutes ( or until face feels tighter) and then rinse with warm water.
Oatmeal provides a gentle, skin brightening exfoliant. Olive oil helps rejuvenate dry skin .
The honey serves as a natural, rich, skin-nourishing crème.
Lemon-Egg Pore Opener::
Make a paste of one egg white and few drops of lemon juice.
Apply it over nose with soft brush (or washcloth). When the
first coat is about to dry, put another coat over the top of it.
Let these dry completely and then rinse off.
Use this to awaken and cleanse pores on your nose!
Olive Oil Face Pack::
A few drops of olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoons of milk
Directions:
Blend ingredients well and apply to face and neck. Let sit
For 10-15 minutes before rinsing off with cold water. For optimum hydration, apply small amount of olive oil to skin before applying face pack. This helps skin retain moisture after pack is removed.
This luxurious face pack will hydrate dry skin.
Stressed Out Skin Cucumber -Tomato Soak::
Slice cucumber and tomato into thin slices. Put into freezer for 7-10 minutes and wash face while waiting for slices to chill. Lie down and place moist, chilled slices on your face and neck being careful to overlap slices. Relax for 10-15 minutes.
Cucumber contains natural astringent which helps to awaken tired and sagging skin. Tomato is slightly acidic and helps to close pores which helps prevent blackheads and breakouts.
Butter Lip Exfoliant::
Gently exfoliate lips by applying fresh butter on them and use a wet wash cloth to sweep off dry flakes. Follow up with warm olive oil application.
Avocado Under-Eye Circle Diminisher::
Placing slices of oil-rich avocado under your eyes will help to lessen the impact of dark circles.
Studies have shown that under-eye circles are not caused by a lack of sleep, but rather c congestion of the nasal cavities!
Coconut Oil Under-Eye Crème::
Use coconut oil to hydrate delicate skin around the eyes as well as reduce dark circles!
Tea Soak for Tired Eyes::
Brew tea, remove tea bags and refrigerate for half an hour. Place refrigerated tea bags on eyes for 10 minutes.
Tannic acid in the tea helps to soothe fatigued eyes and skin surrounding the eyes.
Lemon Juice Teeth Whitener::
Rub half a lemon with table salt and a pinch of baking soda will brighten and whiten your smile, as well as ward off bad breath!
This one is a lot of fun to do...if you try it, you'll see what I mean :)
Sugar Exfoliant for Hands and Feet::
Mix sugar with olive oil and gently rub over hands and feet.
Epsom Salt Foot Soak::
½ cup of Epsom salt
1 tablespoon baking soda
Directions:
In large pan of warm water, mix ingredients and soak feet for 15 minutes.
Epsom salts help to draw toxins out of tired muscles and skin. The baking soda will gently exfoliate the foot.
Epsom Salt Scrub::
After soaking feet and calves, exfoliate with Epsom salts on the moistened skin.
Coconut Oil Moisture Rub for Calves and Feet::
Liberally apply coconut oil to calves and feet and massage into skin for 10-15 minutes a day. Do this at night and then place socks over your feet to help skin absorb the nourishing oil.
**DISCLAIMER: I am not a beauty professional, nor do I claim to be. I have tried most of these, however I have not tried all. Please use your good judgement when using any product on your skin.**
These centsible spa treatments are best enjoyed with someone else, so grab your honey (or a friend) and have some spa fun!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Penny-Pinching Pantry Products
In the interest of getting more bang for my buck, as well as reducing toxins that come into my home, I have discovered the long forgotten world of pantry cleaners. Frugal, safe to use, what's not to like?
Why buy expensive, chemical-laden cleaners when you can find everything you need in your pantry?
Vinegar::
Streak-Free Shining Windows and Surfaces:
1 cup of vinegar to 5 cups of water. Use a crumpled up piece of newspaper to wipe down the window. Works every time! If using this cleaner for kitchen or bathroom countertops or surfaces, follow up with rubbing alcohol for disinfection.
Lustrous Lineoleum:
1/4 cup vinegar to one gallon of water. Take the frugality one step further and use your broom as a mop by tying a dishtowel around the head! Voila! Instant reusable mop!
Grease Be Gone:
Use vinegar/ water solution for getting rid of greasy messes on your stovetop, microwave, or oven.
For more little-known uses for vinegar check out this site.
Baking Soda::
Rug Refresher:
Before you vacuum, sprinkle some baking soda on the carpet. Let it sit for 15 minutes and then vacuum it up. It will make your home smell fresh and crisp. Adding a pinch of cinnamon will give your house a relaxing fragrance as well.
Does Everything Deodorizer:
Does any more need to be said? Probably the most well-known of its uses :) Try using it on a mattress before you put down that fitted sheet. Leave a box of baking soda open in a fridge to absorb odors. I even like to keep a box in my van to soak up those nasty "Mom-I-left-my-apple-juice-cup-in-here-to-rot-for-two-weeks" odors. (In all fairness, I do clean my van, but sometimes they hide the cup and I don't discover it until the "aroma" assails my nose.)
For more baking soda benefits, check out the Arm&Hammer site!
Come back to explore beauty aides you just might have collecting dust on your pantry shelves!
Why buy expensive, chemical-laden cleaners when you can find everything you need in your pantry?
Vinegar::
Streak-Free Shining Windows and Surfaces:
1 cup of vinegar to 5 cups of water. Use a crumpled up piece of newspaper to wipe down the window. Works every time! If using this cleaner for kitchen or bathroom countertops or surfaces, follow up with rubbing alcohol for disinfection.
Lustrous Lineoleum:
1/4 cup vinegar to one gallon of water. Take the frugality one step further and use your broom as a mop by tying a dishtowel around the head! Voila! Instant reusable mop!
Grease Be Gone:
Use vinegar/ water solution for getting rid of greasy messes on your stovetop, microwave, or oven.
For more little-known uses for vinegar check out this site.
Baking Soda::
Rug Refresher:
Before you vacuum, sprinkle some baking soda on the carpet. Let it sit for 15 minutes and then vacuum it up. It will make your home smell fresh and crisp. Adding a pinch of cinnamon will give your house a relaxing fragrance as well.
Does Everything Deodorizer:
Does any more need to be said? Probably the most well-known of its uses :) Try using it on a mattress before you put down that fitted sheet. Leave a box of baking soda open in a fridge to absorb odors. I even like to keep a box in my van to soak up those nasty "Mom-I-left-my-apple-juice-cup-in-here-to-rot-for-two-weeks" odors. (In all fairness, I do clean my van, but sometimes they hide the cup and I don't discover it until the "aroma" assails my nose.)
For more baking soda benefits, check out the Arm&Hammer site!
Come back to explore beauty aides you just might have collecting dust on your pantry shelves!
My Apologies...
To those of you who may have read my blog since I added a playlist, I apologize. This morning I was bombarded by music that was most decidely NOT what I had put on here. I have since removed the playlist because they can't seem to get the songs right. If any of you were wondering what music I had on there it was "Potter's Hand" by Hillsong. It was the inspiration for my blog name :)
Anyway, just thought I would clear that up!
Anyway, just thought I would clear that up!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Cherries Jubilee...a new take :)
My jubilant cherry-frocked almost one year old...
Grandpa and Grandma got her the dress...isn't it adorable on her? I wanted it so badly when I saw it in the store, but it wasn't in the budget at the time. God is so good...He put it on my mom's heart to buy it (and I didn't even tell her about it!) for her granddaughter's birthday. The Lord thinks about the little things too!
And not only does He provide for our needs, but He blesses us with items we want too :)
As you can see from the photo, she REALLY liked the dress!
Standing!
Just captured her first pulling up moment! I was typing and the boys yelled "Look Mom, she's standing by herself!" She is growing up so fast :)
Monday, August 18, 2008
Do We Still Trust In God As A Nation?
I just received a forward from a friend that had a link to MSNBC's nationwide poll regarding the wording on our currency.
Do we keep 'In God We Trust' or is it considered a violation of separation of church and state? That's why MSNBC wants to hear from you.
You can take the poll here.
I don't know how much difference we will effect by taking a poll from MSNBC, but I wanted my vote to count. Incidentally, 56% want to keep the wording as is...
Do we keep 'In God We Trust' or is it considered a violation of separation of church and state? That's why MSNBC wants to hear from you.
You can take the poll here.
I don't know how much difference we will effect by taking a poll from MSNBC, but I wanted my vote to count. Incidentally, 56% want to keep the wording as is...
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Weekend Photos
Miss Precious acting coy for the camera...
My Querido and me...
Miss Precious and her namesake, her Auntie!
Pajama party with Auntie!
Miss Precious and me (a sad attempt at trying to get a picture of us together...lol)
*Sniff* Now She's Gone...
Well, she came and now she's gone. She's actually still here but she is staying with my parents before she has to leave on the plane.
It was great to see her again. We mainly just did a lot of talking. Just like old times. Nothing special, just being together was enough for me :)
I miss her already....
Friday, August 15, 2008
SHE'S COMING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am so excited and beside myself with joy...my sister is coming to stay for a few days. She moved up to Alaska very soon after getting married last December, and I haven't seen her since then. We were best friends growing up and I never thought she would move to the middle of nowhere, hundreds of miles away from me! Anyway, I miss her terribly and am soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo happy she is visiting for a while!!
This is a picture of her on her wedding day.....isn't she stunning? :) Do you think we look like twins?
This is a picture of her on her wedding day.....isn't she stunning? :) Do you think we look like twins?
Thursday, August 14, 2008
MoRockin' Out, Finally!
We have our MoRockin' Room done!
As you walk into the room the first thing you see is the lounge area. Rich chocolate fabric covers a twin bed and boxspring. Very handy for when guests come to visit! I used fabric that I was originally going to make a bedspread out of for the boys. It matched the mocha on the walls perfectly! Just tucked it under and voila! Instant low couch!
The pillows are made out of a sequinned and beaded turquoise satin. If there had been more fabric I would have made myself a dress...it is that gorgeous. Photos don't even do it justice. So that you could lounge comfortably, and in an effort to be able to use as much of the turquoise as possible, I backed the pillows with a chocolate courdoroy. As beautiful as the turquoise satin is, it isn't very comfortable to rest your face on!
Off to the right of the couch, is the closet which houses all of the instruments. Mainly guitars, but the kids also have their keyboard in there. We like to encourage musical talent!
I used that gorgeous Bohemian tie-dyed batik, which inspired the whole room, as the curtain. Right now it is just pinned up there on a tension rod. Later on I will actually sew it properly.
Above the closet area is a shelf, upon which I perched an acoustic guitar. It fills the space nicely and adds a certain "something" to the whole look. I hate the whiteness of the closet, so I may eventually paint it turquoise to punch it up a little.
This is just an alternate view of the closet...
And this is the piece d' resistance...we hung my husband's favorite guitar on the wall with a simple guitar hanger. Eventually, we want to do the other two as well!
So, what do you think? Are we MoRockin' out yet?
As you walk into the room the first thing you see is the lounge area. Rich chocolate fabric covers a twin bed and boxspring. Very handy for when guests come to visit! I used fabric that I was originally going to make a bedspread out of for the boys. It matched the mocha on the walls perfectly! Just tucked it under and voila! Instant low couch!
The pillows are made out of a sequinned and beaded turquoise satin. If there had been more fabric I would have made myself a dress...it is that gorgeous. Photos don't even do it justice. So that you could lounge comfortably, and in an effort to be able to use as much of the turquoise as possible, I backed the pillows with a chocolate courdoroy. As beautiful as the turquoise satin is, it isn't very comfortable to rest your face on!
Off to the right of the couch, is the closet which houses all of the instruments. Mainly guitars, but the kids also have their keyboard in there. We like to encourage musical talent!
I used that gorgeous Bohemian tie-dyed batik, which inspired the whole room, as the curtain. Right now it is just pinned up there on a tension rod. Later on I will actually sew it properly.
Above the closet area is a shelf, upon which I perched an acoustic guitar. It fills the space nicely and adds a certain "something" to the whole look. I hate the whiteness of the closet, so I may eventually paint it turquoise to punch it up a little.
This is just an alternate view of the closet...
And this is the piece d' resistance...we hung my husband's favorite guitar on the wall with a simple guitar hanger. Eventually, we want to do the other two as well!
So, what do you think? Are we MoRockin' out yet?
Some Things Found in My Backyard
A dragonfly displaying its bejeweled wings of gossamer...
Luscious, ripe blackberries ready to be picked...
And GRASS!! My husband has worked very hard rototilling the tough Pacific Northwest clay soil, he lovingly sowed the tiny grass seeds, he faithfully watered every day and finally yesterday, he got to mow the backyard. This week the boys will definitely be playing in the sprinkler out back!
Monday, August 11, 2008
What We Did Over The Weekend...
Saw some of these fly over our house...
Pretended to be pilots....
Hung out with good friends...
Met the local police force...
All in all, a fun-filled, exciting weekend!
Friday, August 8, 2008
Vocabulary
My son, Mr. Independent came up to me yesterday morning and stated:
"Mom, my brudder is antagnizin' me again."
Me: "Your brother is antagonizing you?"
Him: "Yes, he is antagnizin' me with the blanket."
What can I say folks? I love using big words in everyday conversations. LOL :)
"Mom, my brudder is antagnizin' me again."
Me: "Your brother is antagonizing you?"
Him: "Yes, he is antagnizin' me with the blanket."
What can I say folks? I love using big words in everyday conversations. LOL :)
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Watt Wasters Unite!
In an effort to cut down costs, we are evaluating all expenses. Home energy usage being one of them. Just thought it might be fun to see if anyone else will join me in becoming less of a "Watt Waster" (my mother coined that phrase!).
I am going to post our energy usage in kWh (kilowatt hours) as well as actual cost for every month.
We have started the journey by lowering our water heater to 115 degrees rather than the scalding 130 it was at. I am ashamed to admit we haven't changed that since we moved in two years ago. No trips to the burn unit yet...
We are chucking one of our energy sucking fridges.
And we are going to start unplugging appliances like the microwave, computer, TV, VCR and DVD player. According to the electric utilities website these create phantom loads which drain power while not even ON!
So to kick off the Watt Watchers Club here is the current billing for July:
Energy Charges: 865 kWh
Which works out to be about $85.53 in charges
Plus taxes and fees $2.92
Minus a credit of $3.80
Subtotal: $84.65
We are on the average pay plan. Which adds up charges from this time last year and averages them out each month. For right now that makes it easier on the wallet, but if we get the energy usage down a lot, we are going to switch to regular billing.
Average Pay Amount Due: $95.87
According to the handy little graph on the side of my bill, in August of 2007 we used 15 kWh LESS per day. Another interesting piece of information is the average cost per day. In August 2007 it was $1.58 this August they have it projected at $2.72...which is $1.14 MORE.
So will you join me in this frugal adventure?
Photo created by J.N Gallegos
Fine Literature Heard At My Home...
My husband is reading "Around the World in Eighty Days" to our sons. Passpartout morphs into "Pastors Toe" and Mr. Phileas Fogg becomes "Mr. Frog"!
Tonight the story started out like this...
"Pastors Toe farted.." *brief pause while peals of laughter ring throughout the bedroom...
Yes, we have classic literature read at my home.
Tonight the story started out like this...
"Pastors Toe farted.." *brief pause while peals of laughter ring throughout the bedroom...
Yes, we have classic literature read at my home.
Excuse Me While I Go Take A Cold Shower...
Out of morbid curiosity I decided to take my electric company's Online Home Energy Analysis. I found out that there are two main things sucking the money out of our wallet...
Can you guess what the dark green represents? Yep...the water heater. According to the estimate, we are spending approximately $70+ A MONTH! Holy Guacamole!!! And no, we do not luxuriate in long steamy showers. So where is it all going?!
I will be having Mr. Querido check the water heater temperature tonight when he gets home...
Now the second highest thing is the light blue...refrigeration. Yes, our home is blessed with two dinosaurs of refrigerators...probably manufactured close to the vintage of our home...1974. Again, according to the estimate we waste about $30+ a month. Excuse me for a moment while I go kill one of the mastadons... We'll be trying to sell that one off really soon. It has ceased to earn its keep!
What I really, really want is one of these babies:
What I currently have is this:
Oh yeah, vintage almond finish with a pitted surface that attracts dirt like a magnet.
And if I use the savings from only using one energy-inefficient fridge, it will only take me EIGHT YEARS to own one of those slick stainless steel honeys!
So see if your electric company has an online home energy analysis...just have someone, who knows CPR, close by...
Can you guess what the dark green represents? Yep...the water heater. According to the estimate, we are spending approximately $70+ A MONTH! Holy Guacamole!!! And no, we do not luxuriate in long steamy showers. So where is it all going?!
I will be having Mr. Querido check the water heater temperature tonight when he gets home...
Now the second highest thing is the light blue...refrigeration. Yes, our home is blessed with two dinosaurs of refrigerators...probably manufactured close to the vintage of our home...1974. Again, according to the estimate we waste about $30+ a month. Excuse me for a moment while I go kill one of the mastadons... We'll be trying to sell that one off really soon. It has ceased to earn its keep!
What I really, really want is one of these babies:
What I currently have is this:
Oh yeah, vintage almond finish with a pitted surface that attracts dirt like a magnet.And if I use the savings from only using one energy-inefficient fridge, it will only take me EIGHT YEARS to own one of those slick stainless steel honeys!
So see if your electric company has an online home energy analysis...just have someone, who knows CPR, close by...
Parenting is NOT for the Faint-Hearted!
Excuse me while I go start my defibrillator...
Tonight I took Miss Precious grocery shopping with me. When we got home, Daddy picked her up and put her on the living room floor. All of a sudden I hear gagging noises emanating from that room as I put away groceries. I rush over and do a quick throat swipe and catch a small piece of clear plastic sticker. Whew..Heimlich Maneuver avoided!
I finish putting away all the groceries and start cooking up my husband's meal for lunch tomorrow. She acts hungry so I feed her. She gags again. And again. Each successive gag is more powerful than the first. I do a throat swipe again and come up with nothing. I pray over her. Another throat swipe...still nothing. She continues to gag. Fortunately, thank God, she can breathe well enough to cry with lusty lungs. I still cannot figure out what is wrong. I go wake up my sleeping hubby and ask him to pray over her, because I think she is gagging on snot. He prays, she keeps gagging. I decide to have him hold her facing the floor in the bathroom (lots of light) and I am going to swab her throat with a Q-Tip.
Let's just step away from all the drama to realize how difficult it is to get an eleven month old baby to cooperate with a throat swab...near impossible. She clamped down on it like a pit bull! I had to p-r-y open her jaws. Ok, back to the drama...
As I do another throat swab (what is this, throat swab #5?)she is face down in her Daddy's loving but so exhausted arms. She screams and then I see it! Stuck to the roof of her mouth is the other half of the CLEAR plastic sticker she had choked on earlier! Thank You LORD...and thank God it had black bold writing on it..otherwise I would have never seen it.
I swiped it out and calmed her down. No more gagging! Just even, peaceful breathing. She fell asleep within minutes.
God watches over our little ones. I shudder to think about if that piece had worked its way down...it was probably big enough to obstruct her airway. He protects us from unknown dangers.
Oh, and just as a side note, I vacuumed my whole living room earlier today. I truly don't know how a piece of clear plastic sticker ended up in my living room within reach of my very inquisitive baby girl. I can only figure that someone brought it in with their shoes. At any rate, God is faithful to reveal that which is hidden...even if it is hidden down my daughter's throat!
Tonight I took Miss Precious grocery shopping with me. When we got home, Daddy picked her up and put her on the living room floor. All of a sudden I hear gagging noises emanating from that room as I put away groceries. I rush over and do a quick throat swipe and catch a small piece of clear plastic sticker. Whew..Heimlich Maneuver avoided!
I finish putting away all the groceries and start cooking up my husband's meal for lunch tomorrow. She acts hungry so I feed her. She gags again. And again. Each successive gag is more powerful than the first. I do a throat swipe again and come up with nothing. I pray over her. Another throat swipe...still nothing. She continues to gag. Fortunately, thank God, she can breathe well enough to cry with lusty lungs. I still cannot figure out what is wrong. I go wake up my sleeping hubby and ask him to pray over her, because I think she is gagging on snot. He prays, she keeps gagging. I decide to have him hold her facing the floor in the bathroom (lots of light) and I am going to swab her throat with a Q-Tip.
Let's just step away from all the drama to realize how difficult it is to get an eleven month old baby to cooperate with a throat swab...near impossible. She clamped down on it like a pit bull! I had to p-r-y open her jaws. Ok, back to the drama...
As I do another throat swab (what is this, throat swab #5?)she is face down in her Daddy's loving but so exhausted arms. She screams and then I see it! Stuck to the roof of her mouth is the other half of the CLEAR plastic sticker she had choked on earlier! Thank You LORD...and thank God it had black bold writing on it..otherwise I would have never seen it.
I swiped it out and calmed her down. No more gagging! Just even, peaceful breathing. She fell asleep within minutes.
God watches over our little ones. I shudder to think about if that piece had worked its way down...it was probably big enough to obstruct her airway. He protects us from unknown dangers.
Oh, and just as a side note, I vacuumed my whole living room earlier today. I truly don't know how a piece of clear plastic sticker ended up in my living room within reach of my very inquisitive baby girl. I can only figure that someone brought it in with their shoes. At any rate, God is faithful to reveal that which is hidden...even if it is hidden down my daughter's throat!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Preposterous Puppies!
I just ran across this story and there are no words to describe how ridiculous this is!
I feel sad for the lady because she obviously had nothing else to live for. People will turn to anything to fill the God-void in them. And people will spend exhorbitant amounts of money to make themselves happy.
What happens when Booger's (seriously, who names a dog that?) babies die? Will she clone the puppies too?
And on a last days side note...how scary that successful cloning is so widely broadcasted on the news. The creation of life is no longer mysterious and wonderful. How long before they try to clone human beings because of the loss of a child?
Man is working so hard to be God. We can take life away with euthanasia and abortion. Now we are so close to being able to say that we can create life. It is a hollow imitation, at best.
I feel sad for the lady because she obviously had nothing else to live for. People will turn to anything to fill the God-void in them. And people will spend exhorbitant amounts of money to make themselves happy.
What happens when Booger's (seriously, who names a dog that?) babies die? Will she clone the puppies too?
And on a last days side note...how scary that successful cloning is so widely broadcasted on the news. The creation of life is no longer mysterious and wonderful. How long before they try to clone human beings because of the loss of a child?
Man is working so hard to be God. We can take life away with euthanasia and abortion. Now we are so close to being able to say that we can create life. It is a hollow imitation, at best.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Addicted to Weeds
My husband is addicted to weeds.
He is obsessed with their complete annhialation. The only other kind of homeowner blight that garners the same level of fervor are ants. But weeds are easier prey than insects...they can't move.
I personally don't mind the weeds on our front lawn. They are green and look quite similar to grass, so why not run with it? Oh he does, he goes at them with his little weeding fork. Which is quite comical really because there is a huge expanse of unwanted flora...it's akin to eating a woolly mammoth with a toothpick. But he valiantly fights on. It is probably because he knows that our neighbors are yard pros and could spot a weed a mile off. Blindfolded.
He endures the cramping calves, blistered palms and presses onward and downward...to the roots. Those persnickety, tenacious tap roots. Our yard has weeds with tap roots like a mosquito's proboscis, sucking the nourishment from the defenseless grass blades. But have no fear blades of grass...the Terminator has arrived!
With spray gun in hand he fires with deadly accuracy. The little water suckers don't stand a chance.
I think my husband enjoys weeding because it appeals to the testosterone in him that has urges to go out and kill something. The defender in him rises up and since this is suburbia and there aren't invading hordes to fight, he battles the weeds.
It is a bloody war and he has suffered several battle wounds. With knees stained green and fingers aching, he returns from his crusade, victorious.
My weed whacker. My dandelion slayer. My purslane predator. My clover killer. My husband.
He is obsessed with their complete annhialation. The only other kind of homeowner blight that garners the same level of fervor are ants. But weeds are easier prey than insects...they can't move.
I personally don't mind the weeds on our front lawn. They are green and look quite similar to grass, so why not run with it? Oh he does, he goes at them with his little weeding fork. Which is quite comical really because there is a huge expanse of unwanted flora...it's akin to eating a woolly mammoth with a toothpick. But he valiantly fights on. It is probably because he knows that our neighbors are yard pros and could spot a weed a mile off. Blindfolded.
He endures the cramping calves, blistered palms and presses onward and downward...to the roots. Those persnickety, tenacious tap roots. Our yard has weeds with tap roots like a mosquito's proboscis, sucking the nourishment from the defenseless grass blades. But have no fear blades of grass...the Terminator has arrived!
With spray gun in hand he fires with deadly accuracy. The little water suckers don't stand a chance.
I think my husband enjoys weeding because it appeals to the testosterone in him that has urges to go out and kill something. The defender in him rises up and since this is suburbia and there aren't invading hordes to fight, he battles the weeds.
It is a bloody war and he has suffered several battle wounds. With knees stained green and fingers aching, he returns from his crusade, victorious.
My weed whacker. My dandelion slayer. My purslane predator. My clover killer. My husband.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Paint Expedition from Perdition
Remember this room?
Yeah, well as you can see that was back in March! It has stayed that way up until today...
Take one motivated man...
One can of oops paint for $5...
Add in two trips to the home improvement store which rhymes with "blows"...
After spending $12 and TWO HOURS at said home improvement store, come home with the wrong paint color and mess up the beautiful paint job that was in process.
Go back to OTHER home improvement store, spend $24 and only TEN MINUTES for them to match the paint EXACTLY, bring home to frustrated hubby...
Who works tirelessly to get the room looking uniformly chocolatey...yummmy!
Daddy had a little help...
Yes, we started off with a $5 can of oops paint that was the PERFECT color for our music/media room. My husband started painting and then ran out because the previous light green color on the walls had to be covered twice with the brown.
Armed with the paint lid, as I naively assumed that there would be no issue with matching it, I set off for the home improvement store that had created the oops paint. Oh the bliss of sweet ignorance. Apparently, the lid contained the "ingredients" for a gallon and they couldn't figure out how to get it sized down to a quart. I was told that I needed to get a bigger piece of the paint. Preferably the stir stick dipped into the desired hue. So I not-so-cheerfully leave for my home.
Upon my arrival, I decided that wouldn't it be fun if we all did a Lowe's run? Let's drag the kids along, they love home improvement stores! Hubby decided that was a great idea so we set off optimistically.
The kind lady that was working the paint department before wasn't at the counter any more. There was also a line of three or four people ahead of me. Honey, why don't you take the boys to go look at tools or something? So off they went. And Miss Precious and I waited....and waited...and waited. Finally, after an eternity had passed, it is my turn. I hand her the stir stick and the paint lid. She confidently puts it in the color matching machine and voila! out pops the "perfect" match! Looks a little dark at first blush, but she is sure it will lighten up as it dries. Uses the hairdryer on the stir stick to compare the two colors. Yeah, not a match, let's try again because this is such a fun game! Second try yields the same result. Only this time let's throw in a little employee attitude which consisted of her throwing the stick down in exasperation and telling me that I should go the the paint chips and try and match it myself. We are professionals here!
So, a little even less cheerfully, but by no means rude, however not to happy with the customer service, I dutifully go over to the myriad of paint chips and attempt to pick my perfect match. Hmmm...this is going to be a little harder than I thought. Why couldn't the dumb machine just match the lid? Maybe this brown will work..."Sea Lion Brown"...it looks like I may have found the twin to my oops paint.
Strolling over to the paint desk, I find myself behind another two or three person line. After another eternity passed, "Have you been helped yet ma'am?" Why no, I just enjoy standing here watching everyone else get assisted! (Can you tell the blood pressure is rising just a tad by now? Oh and sweet sleeping baby has awakened too!) Yes, kind sir, I just need a QUART of this color. OK, so that's a gallon of the satin interior? NO, just a QUART is all I need.
Seriously, an hour and forty-five minutes later with three very irritable and hungry children in tow (I wasn't aware it would have been this long of an ordeal otherwise I would have brought snacks!), hubby and I escape back home.
He is eager to get finished with the room and starts in. Cries of dismay draw me to the room. It looks like someone had graffitied the wall and we had attempted to paint over it. The color was so much lighter of a shade than the original. I joked about having the graffiti look, but hubby was not amused.
Banished to the home improvement store again. Only this time I hit Home Depot. The most cheerful girl was working the paint area. She matched the paint and had me out the door in less than ten minutes. Only problem was that now I had to fork over $24 for a new gallon of paint to cover the erroneous hue.
Filled with ever-brimming hope and optimism, I hand the paint can to Mr. Querido. He sighs and goes back to the room paintbrush in hand. It is a PERFECT match.
So $41 of paint later, we have this beautiful chocolate cocoon...
Oh and my frugal Friday tip? Be sure if you get an oops paint, make certain you only need that one can to cover everything, otherwise you may end up spending $36 you didn't want to!
Yeah, well as you can see that was back in March! It has stayed that way up until today...
Take one motivated man...
One can of oops paint for $5...Add in two trips to the home improvement store which rhymes with "blows"...
After spending $12 and TWO HOURS at said home improvement store, come home with the wrong paint color and mess up the beautiful paint job that was in process.
Go back to OTHER home improvement store, spend $24 and only TEN MINUTES for them to match the paint EXACTLY, bring home to frustrated hubby...
Who works tirelessly to get the room looking uniformly chocolatey...yummmy!
Daddy had a little help...
Yes, we started off with a $5 can of oops paint that was the PERFECT color for our music/media room. My husband started painting and then ran out because the previous light green color on the walls had to be covered twice with the brown.
Armed with the paint lid, as I naively assumed that there would be no issue with matching it, I set off for the home improvement store that had created the oops paint. Oh the bliss of sweet ignorance. Apparently, the lid contained the "ingredients" for a gallon and they couldn't figure out how to get it sized down to a quart. I was told that I needed to get a bigger piece of the paint. Preferably the stir stick dipped into the desired hue. So I not-so-cheerfully leave for my home.
Upon my arrival, I decided that wouldn't it be fun if we all did a Lowe's run? Let's drag the kids along, they love home improvement stores! Hubby decided that was a great idea so we set off optimistically.
The kind lady that was working the paint department before wasn't at the counter any more. There was also a line of three or four people ahead of me. Honey, why don't you take the boys to go look at tools or something? So off they went. And Miss Precious and I waited....and waited...and waited. Finally, after an eternity had passed, it is my turn. I hand her the stir stick and the paint lid. She confidently puts it in the color matching machine and voila! out pops the "perfect" match! Looks a little dark at first blush, but she is sure it will lighten up as it dries. Uses the hairdryer on the stir stick to compare the two colors. Yeah, not a match, let's try again because this is such a fun game! Second try yields the same result. Only this time let's throw in a little employee attitude which consisted of her throwing the stick down in exasperation and telling me that I should go the the paint chips and try and match it myself. We are professionals here!
So, a little even less cheerfully, but by no means rude, however not to happy with the customer service, I dutifully go over to the myriad of paint chips and attempt to pick my perfect match. Hmmm...this is going to be a little harder than I thought. Why couldn't the dumb machine just match the lid? Maybe this brown will work..."Sea Lion Brown"...it looks like I may have found the twin to my oops paint.
Strolling over to the paint desk, I find myself behind another two or three person line. After another eternity passed, "Have you been helped yet ma'am?" Why no, I just enjoy standing here watching everyone else get assisted! (Can you tell the blood pressure is rising just a tad by now? Oh and sweet sleeping baby has awakened too!) Yes, kind sir, I just need a QUART of this color. OK, so that's a gallon of the satin interior? NO, just a QUART is all I need.
Seriously, an hour and forty-five minutes later with three very irritable and hungry children in tow (I wasn't aware it would have been this long of an ordeal otherwise I would have brought snacks!), hubby and I escape back home.
He is eager to get finished with the room and starts in. Cries of dismay draw me to the room. It looks like someone had graffitied the wall and we had attempted to paint over it. The color was so much lighter of a shade than the original. I joked about having the graffiti look, but hubby was not amused.
Banished to the home improvement store again. Only this time I hit Home Depot. The most cheerful girl was working the paint area. She matched the paint and had me out the door in less than ten minutes. Only problem was that now I had to fork over $24 for a new gallon of paint to cover the erroneous hue.
Filled with ever-brimming hope and optimism, I hand the paint can to Mr. Querido. He sighs and goes back to the room paintbrush in hand. It is a PERFECT match.
So $41 of paint later, we have this beautiful chocolate cocoon...
Oh and my frugal Friday tip? Be sure if you get an oops paint, make certain you only need that one can to cover everything, otherwise you may end up spending $36 you didn't want to!
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