Owner: Duckabush Blog URL:http://www.edgren.com/wordpress/ Join Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2007 02:07:58 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: The musings and ravings of a bloggart family with five children, a homeschooling mama and a computer geek papa; all trying to serve the Lord and survive each day with plenty of laughter (and not too much shoving). Site statistics:Click here
Rachel’s Giveaway 2007-08-19 23:26:18 In honor of Rachel
’s beautiful new room, she is hosting a giveaway. These two adorable little animals need new homes.
Fetch and Ears are good buddies.
Rachel was so drawn to these Beanie Babies that she bought them twice. Although her younger siblings would be more than willing to love Fetch and Ears as their very own, Rachel wishes to share them with you.
Sarah is our Beanie Baby model.
In order to participate in Rachel’s Giveaway, please leave a comment and answer one of the following inquiries:
1) Hippo or Peacock?
2) Ocean or Lake?
3) Why Fetch or Ears would be happy with you in 72.5 words or less.
4) Vacation home — Lithuania or Sri Lanka?
Rachel will pick two numbers (at random) on Friday, August 24th.
As you can see both Fetch and Ears are in excellent condition and still have their original Ty tags.
Thanks for playing!
Kathy
Project 365 - Day 231
My Beautiful Room by Rachel 2007-08-19 00:27:18 Camp was awesome! I had a great time. I’m so glad I went.
Good Bye Harmony Springs! Let’s grab our gear and and get out of here.
When I walked in the house, my dad told me to go put my pillow away. I went upstairs, wondering why my bedroom door was closed. I thought maybe they had cleaned my room. Sometimes when we’re gone Mom organizes and picks up our rooms. I saw a bunch of paint out in the hallway. The boys said they had painted Daniel’s ceiling on Friday. When I opened my door I couldn’t believe my eyes.
My mom was standing (hiding?) in my room with the camera. I was so shocked to see all the changes to my bedroom that I immediately backed up and closed the door. It was unbelievable.
Sarah: “Where did Rachel
go?”
I didn’t think they would do something like that while I was away! The room was gorgeous! The first thing I noticed was the painting and all the beautiful stickers over my bunk bed. Everything looked wo Read more:Beautiful
Decorating the Girls’ Room 2007-08-18 01:32:11 Steps to Decorating
Your Daughters’ Room
1) Send oldest daughter away to camp — this cuts down on the protestations and tears when you declutter and throw away precious pieces of paper, scraps of ribbon, old toys and crafts made from beads and glitter glue.
Rachel conceals her sadness at leaving her beloved family for a week behind a huge smile. She doesn’t look the least bit nervous or worried about camp. What an actress!
2) Take large plastic bin and several paper bags — fill containers with random toys and knick knacks, put everything else in the trash.
3) Trick rest of the children into helping in the finest tradition of Tom Sawyer — do this by saying things like “Maybe I’ll let you paint.” And “Well, I don’t know. It’s awfully hard to paint, we’d have to clean up all these toys first.”
4) Arm oldest boys with rollers and then stand back to watch the paint fly — it helps to fill their rollers Read more:Girls
Gotta Tell Somebody 2007-08-16 23:20:40 When I was a boy, there didn’t seem to be many ‘contemporary’ Christian music artists cranking out CDs. This may have been because CDs hadn’t yet been invented — in that day, it was 8-track, LP record and that latest in audio technology, tape cassette. Or maybe they just weren’t trying hard enough. At any rate, I remember Amy Grant, DeGarmo and Key, the Imperials and 2nd Chapter of Acts. Later I came across Petra and that new punk kid with the weird name, Michael W. Smith. But for a long time, if you wanted to hear something new in contemporary Christian music, you had to wait 18 months for one of a handful of artists to record a new album. Sometimes it seemed a bit of a long wait — I doubt modern kids with their iPods can imagine the barren nature of the soundscape. We old folks also walked seven miles to school in blinding blizzards, uphill both ways.
Somewhere along the way I acquired a Don Francisco record or two, and was captivated Read more:Gotta
, Somebody
I could never live without … 2007-08-23 01:28:58 I think it’s time for a poll here at the Duckabush Blog. No, not pool, poll. If it were a little warmer I might be talking about pools, but we’re in the pacific northwest and it’s nearing the end of August, all of which means it will soon be raining, rendering the need for a pool obsolete.
Sigh. Let’s not talk about it. I’m not ready for summer to end. And don’t even get me started about the pathetic summer we’ve had this year.
This is my new, amazing George Foreman grill that I love and use almost daily. I need to write a complete review soon.
A poll is just the thing to cheer me up. Click on the one kitchen item without which you would be bereft, devastated, or even desolate. I depend heavily on all of these things so it’s going to be hard selecting just one.
Take the poll
Free Poll by Blog Flux
Two faithful kitchen companions. Without them I would have to, gasp, knead bread by hand and actually chop my own veggies.
And
WFMW–Laundry Strike 2007-08-21 23:57:17 It’s that time of the week again - Works for Me Wednesday!! I know, you’ve been waiting in eager anticipation for the latest hint, tip, or clever pointer from the Duckabush Blog. Well, we aim to please so this week’s topic is … laundry.
True, there might be more exciting areas of life, more spiritual and interesting ones but, really, laundry is the core of every home. Without a smooth-running system for laundry, chaos and naked children abound. Laundry
is an undeniable aspect of life. What to do when faced with such a substantial burden? Outsource it, of course. Isn’t that why we have children? I have worked hard to train my older three in the sophisticated nuances of laundering and, as long as I don’t look too closely, I am very pleased with their work.
Sarah and David can haul laundry up and down stairs, empty the dryer, sort clothes and even pair (notice I didn’t say ‘match’) socks.
When the kids are hard pressed for c
Tuesday Tips for Parenting - First Time Obedience 2007-08-20 23:13:33 As Kathy and I continue to try our hand at Parenting
Tips, this week’s turn has fallen to me. Those of you who read my earlier pointer may see some overlap with today’s offering — indeed, the game we play to teach our children to come when we call is an outgrowth of this parenting principle.
A significant aspect of raising young children involves telling them to do things, or (perhaps even more often) telling them not to do things, as in one of our oft-used obscure movie quotes: “Stop doing things!” (Hint: Steve Martin has a starring role in this 1990 film.) Sometimes I can really identify with the frustration of the FBI agent in that story, thrust into a pseudo-parental role, responsible for a decidedly over-active ‘child’. In spite of the informational trickle-down among the children which a large family enjoys, sometimes it seems as though all I do is give instructions, and a lot of them seem to be the same kind of instructions I gav Read more:Tuesday
, First
, Obedience
, First Time
Tuesday Tips for Parenting - Notes for Pennies 2007-08-28 01:02:32 My, how quickly Tuesday
s arrive. In an attempt to cover up the fact that I hadn’t come up with anything include the children in the writing of this week’s parenting blog, I asked Joshua for help this morning. Our conversation went something like this:
Mom: Joshua, what parenting tip should I cover this week?
Joshua: [Blank, slightly hostile stare]
Mom: You know, for our Tuesday Parenting
blog.
Joshua: [Blank stare followed by dramatic shrug] Again, Mom?
Mom: [Slightly exasperated now] Help me out here, Josh, can’t you think of any interesting parenting tips or hints I could share?
Joshua: [Looking over his shoulder, calculating the distance needed for escape] Hmmm. Um. Let’s see, um. [Long pause]
Mom: Never mind. I’ll figure something out.
Joshua: [Relief etched in his features, exhausted by the effort] Great, good luck.
Mom: [Sarcastically] Yeah, thanks Joshua, you’re a big help.
Joshua: [Big smile, racing off to do something eas Read more:Notes
, Pennies
All Down Through the Ages 2007-08-27 09:07:49 Beware: this blog entry has no pictures! Kathy went to bed early without blogging, and so, like an eel, I slither into the vacuum she left. Unfortunately, I have no pictures to share. You have been warned.
About ten days ago I wrote a post (Gotta Tell Somebody) about the powerful and touching Bible stories told in song by Don Francisco, a Christian musician I enjoyed in the 70’s and 80’s. I promised that I would post a review of Too Small a Price (another of Francisco’s songs), but I’ve changed my mind, and that will have to wait.
Yesterday, as we prepared the house for the Small Group Bible Study that often meets at our house, there was a moment of uncharacteristic silence, and I noticed that there was no music playing. This is pretty unusual for us, especially on Sundays when we do much of our cleaning — Kathy and I love to have Christian music to lift the spirits of any who are discouraged.
Because my wife is such a variety chick, we try to h
Daughters of My Heart 2007-08-25 22:04:57 The Lord has generously blessed me with two precious daughters. Rachel, my oldest daughter, was born in the wee hours of the morning, during one of the coldest snowstorms we have ever known. Sarah, my youngest, was born in the heat of the summer, on my birthday; tying her to my heart in a unique and memorable way and vividly illustrating for me that all five of my children are gifts from God.
October 2002 — Pumpkin Patch
I want so many things for my daughters, yet in the midst of those hopes and dreams, I find surprising contradictions.
I hunger for them to love the Lord with passion and intensity so they will go wherever He calls them, and serve Him fully. At the same time, my heart trembles at the thought of ministry taking them into danger far from home.
I long for them to know, with absolute certainty, that their worth comes from the Lord and His love, not from the world or anything external (beauty, wealth, power, popularity). But I also want them to be beautiful, wel Read more:Heart
Virtual Camping 2007-08-25 01:32:42 In spite of two fairly recent camping posts (Enemies in the Gate and We’re Campers!), we really don’t camp much as a family. We do, however, love to shop.
Unlike his father, Joshua sometimes does read directions.
A week ago Kathy and I snuck away with the two youngest children to do a little back-to-school shopping (David and I both scored some fresh boxers, so the trip wasn’t a total loss). While wandering the sports equipment aisle, I came upon this snazzy Eddie Bauer tent marked down to half its list price.
The mists of time close in around me as visions of the Father/Son Camping
Trip swim before my eyes. David’s foot in my face, Joshua’s elbow in my side. Daniel squashed up against the side of the tent but vainly trying to steal my cushy air mattress. It was, shall we say, a little snug. And that was without any of the girls joining us (as if we have any hope of luring Kathy to the Great Outdoors)! I shake my head, and the mists of time clear
In the morning, I’m makin’ waffles! 2007-08-24 00:48:23 Anyone recognize that obscure movie quote? Hint: think animated and braying.
This summer I received an unexpected present - a George Foreman Next Grilleration Removable-Plate grill. Whew, that’s a mouthful. The gift was a complete surprise. I didn’t know I needed a new grill. I hadn’t been shopping and drooling over kitchen appliances. It wasn’t even on my Amazon gift list.
What was I thinking?? Since receiving this wonderful grill, I think I’ve used it nearly every single day.
What? Don’t you take your electric grill outside to the picnic table for photo shoots? Be honest now.
I’ve used it to make pancakes, waffles, grilled cheese sandwiches, lemon pepper chicken tenders, cheese quesadillas, scrambled eggs, fried eggs, and hamburgers. Breakfast is one of my all time favorite parts of the day - when else can you have sweets, carbs and protein all at the same time and call it a ‘meal’? This new grill is PERFECT for brea
Because I Am in Serious Denial 2007-08-31 00:49:26 … And not your regular, every day, run of the mill denial. Serious Denial
. The kind that causes your sister in law to write, concerned for your homeschooled children. “When are you starting school?” she casually asks, perhaps wondering if you have forgotten September is, oh, I don’t know, right around the corner; the time that most people begin their academic studies.
School? It’s time for water adventures, not school.
Ha! Perhaps ths is why organized, motivated folk accomplish things with their lives.
No, I’m in denial.
Denial that school starts next week.
Denial that my life of blogging until the wee hours of the night is coming to my husband’s negative attention.
Denial that my 15 year college reunion is rapidly approaching and I still have 25 pounds to lose (the same pounds I’ve been working to lose for the last year and a half). Can you drop 25 pounds in 2 months? Is there a Biggest Loser trainer in these parts, avai
A Ferry Ride to Nowhere 2007-08-30 01:02:40 Well, that’s not technically true. Okay, it’s not true at all, but I’m tired and slightly punchy so we’ll stick to pictures and leave the dialogue for another day.
Let’s just walk on the ferry. There are enough children to carry all the gear, who needs a car.
The ferry ride was, as always, a great treat. Who can resist the cool breezes mingled with the smell of car exhaust. Mmmmm.
The girls find a table and hunker down.
We had one lone fisherman with us on the day’s journey. He was determined to catch some fish. Alas we spent most of our time at the beach with barely a fish in sight. His mama, however, caught a good piece of grass. She’s very talented.
Eli was poised and ready to bring home dinner but the biggest fish we saw was from the edge of the ferry. Sadly, those persnickety ferry workers wouldn’t let him cast off.
Once we were on the island, the brave and stalwart walked to the lake (a mile or so) while the caffeine dep Read more:Nowhere
WFMW — Blogging Niche 2007-08-28 23:00:53 Our Works for Me Wednesday post takes a Technical Spin this week.
How many real life people do you know who blog? Of course, that begs the question, are people who blog, real people? Best not to answer questions like that, I’ve found.
Although no one really seems to know an exact number, experts generally agree that there are at least 70 million blogs (see Kathy’s earlier post, Blogs and Connecting). Even if they only average one post a month, you’d have to read 2 and one-third million blogs every day, just to keep up. Assuming it took you 5 minutes to read each one, and assuming you read non-stop without sleep or meals, you’d still only have time to read one blog in 8000.
Look at it another way: suppose your intended audience is limited to United States readers, and suppose that, as has been estimated, only 30% of North Americans read blogs. Assuming most readers keep track of, on average, 5 blogs, your share of the available readership is likely to be Read more:Blogging
Rachel’s Winners! 2007-08-28 13:43:51 Through careful, scientific procedure, Rachel
has determined two winners for her Beanie Baby Giveaway.
Fetch has grown quite accustomed to the life of luxury.
Congratulations to …
Hayley and Ema!!!
Thank you so much for participating in Rachel’s Giveaway. We have worked hard to take excellent care of Fetch and Ears during the past week - plenty of good food and regular exercise. They are easy going little animals with pleasant personalities. They are excited to go on an adventure.
Ears is a bit shy.
Ema, your name was drawn first so you have first choice of Beanie Babies.
Tune in for other exciting giveaways.
Kathy
Read more:Winners
Programming with Turtles 2007-09-23 01:28:03 This week we finally resumed our Home-school Cooperative; and there was much rejoicing.
During the school year (although the semesters seem to get shorter and shorter) we join with about 150 other home-schooled kids for a day of elective classes. The kids get a chance to learn some things their parents don’t know, and to build some good friendships, while the parents (mostly moms) enjoy considerable fellowship and camaraderie as well. Kathy particularly appreciates the chance to swing by the espresso stand, “since we’re on the way.”
And of course, everyone likes recess.
Our five kids look forward to Co-op with great excitement, and mourn the end of each semester deeply. Personally, I think they cherish an educational experience they can come home and tell stories about, something their mom and siblings don’t already know. Besides, who wouldn’t want to star in a Drama production, or explore a course mysteriously named, ‘For Boys Only&rsqu Read more:Programming
, Turtles
Three Princesses and the Pea 2007-09-22 01:18:35 In the original story, there was one princess, up to 20 mattresses, and a single pea. In our little tale, there are three princesses, one mattress and nary a legume in sight. We do have lots of blankets, books, and giggles.
Sarah and the girls snuggle in for bedtime. Notice Tarah’s smile.
Rachel was invited to a birthday sleepover this weekend. We were offered Adam (the birthday girl’s brother) in exchange for Rachel. I figured that was a good beginning and so I bargained (I’m quite the savvy shopper) for the youngest sister of the birthday girl as well. Now we were starting to get some where. A phone call or two later and I had managed to snag another 5 year old. In the end, the older sisters all went off to the birthday party and the younger girls came here.
Rachel, having learned from prior Princess Parties, tucked the ladder to her top bunk in my closet. Hmmm. I wonder if she really thinks that will stop 3 persistent princesses, one of whom is already an Read more:Three
, Princesses
A Slice of Our Life as Homeschoolers 2007-09-21 00:53:38 Oh the shame of it all. Yesterday’s post was incredibly short. I hope those of you who grow weary of our pontificating, rambling, tome-like blogging enjoyed the brief respite. Perhaps you were even able to get some work done.
Daniel was obviously mortified.
As for me, I was thoroughly rebuked. Yes, my children, those greedy paparrazzi seeking little stars cannot stand for me to post such sparse works.
“Whoa! That was a short blog, Mom.“
“Yeah, I thought maybe the computer wasn’t loading. Only one picture?”
Even David was shocked.
The little shake of the head, a pitying glance. You’re losing your touch, implied in their looks. The younger kiddos (not yet insatiable blogging readers) patted me on the arm, not really understanding the topic of the conversation but clearly recognizing the subtle rebuke coming from the older children.
This week has been incredibly busy as we throw ourselves more fully into our schooling. PE at the YMCA Read more:Slice
, Homeschoolers
The Three Amigos 2007-09-20 01:14:13 This evening we picked up two of Joshua’s friends on our way to church. Both boys’ mothers are recovering from leg injuries (one had hip surgery). We giggled a bit at the thought of them getting together and hobbling about on crutches or lounging with their feet up while the children (9 of them between the two families) cleaned the house.
When we arrived at church, I hopped out of the running car to take a quick picture. I made asked the boys to stand near each other for the picture. “Pretend you like each other,” I shouted in my best photographer voice.
Can we please go to youth group now, Mom?
“Why is your mom taking our picture?” One of the boys asked.
“She always has her camera with her, it’s just a thing she does these days,” was Joshua’s reply, not embarrassed, just resigned.
I never could get the boys to stand very close. The one where I suggested they put their arms around each other came out looking like Joshua Read more:Three
, Amigos
WFMW–Love & Respect 2007-09-19 00:18:59
Once upon a time … happily ever after.
What happened during the span of those three little dots?
More importantly, HOW do you get your hands on some of that happily ever after fairy dust?
I have no idea.
The beginning of our happily ever after.
But, as this is a Works for Me Wednesday, I’m here for you all. Let’s talk about marriage.
This past month our church home fellowship group completed a DVD study on Love and Respect. I shared just a bit about it in an earlier post but didn’t thoroughly review the material.
Our church purchased the Small Group DVD set featuring 5 DVDS (the seven hour Love & Respect Conference on DVD) and 10 Small Group Discussion Guides.
This conference is amazing! Drop whatever you are doing and head out to get a copy of the series. Go the website and see if there is a conference coming to your area. Don’t delay! Don’t waste time reading other boring marriage books. Get some friends together and go in one t
Tuesday Tips for Parenting - Walk Away 2007-09-18 00:24:19 And introducing our new Tuesday
Tips logo, created just for us by Lisa’s talented daughter, Allison. Thank you, Allison!!
As a father of five children, I’ve had ample opportunity to encourage my kids in the exercise of self-control. I can’t be everywhere, and my wife (who homeschools all five) is often tired of being ‘in charge’ when I get home from work.
Over the years we discovered that many problems facing parents are the result of letting things get out of hand rather than addressing them early. As we have shared before in other Tuesday Tips we are strong believers in the idea that training (particularly in moments of NON-conflict) is key to effective parenting.
“Come closer so I can lick you, Daddy.”
When our kids were little, they all learned that we ‘meant business’ about playing with electrical sockets. We had a carbon monoxide detector in the kitchen that beckoned strongly to little eyes and minds with its intriguing r Read more:Parenting
, Walk Away
Some Pie with Your Ice Cream? 2007-09-17 01:00:06 When Tim and I lived in Michigan, nearly 10 years ago, we often celebrated events with my parents over a TCBY frozen yogurt pie. It split in four ways very nicely, I’m a bit embarrassed to recount, and quickly became a favorite treat. Since it was “frozen yogurt,” and everyone knows yogurt is “healthy,” we had no trouble convincing ourselves a quarter of a pie was an acceptable portion size.
Some children think they can eat the ENTIRE pie themselves.
However, it didn’t take my frugal husband long to calculate the cost per forkful and realize TCBY was making a hefty profit on our festivities.
“I can make an ice cream pie as good as any old frozen yogurt stand,” Tim boasted.
Not being ones to stand in the way of ambition and enterprise, we heartily encouraged Tim to head to straight to the store, offering ourselves as willing victims of his culinary creations. Those were mighty fine, if fattening, days and I must say, we’ve never lo Read more:Cream
Selling Out for Chips 2007-09-16 01:06:08 I’ve long felt that a man ought to have certain minimal standards for a Saturday of leisure. One should not enter lightly into a day of rest and relaxation. Here are a few basic principles:
Sleeping in is a must
No booting up the work laptop
Sugared cereals - preferably several bowls, devoured absentmindedly while perusing some easy-reading fiction (I prefer Terry Pratchett novels)
Hours and hours of uninterrupted computer game playing
Children off visiting friends or playing outside contentedly (no fights, injuries, or difficult questions allowed)
Ice cream for a snack or dessert (or both, if your wife isn’t watching closely)
Pancakes for dinner - no skimping on the butter orsyrup.
Absolutely NO HOUSEWORK, period.
If your blood isn’t fizzing from all the sugar, and if you can still focus your eyes after a hard day of gaming, it wasn’t a proper Saturday, I always say.
Sadly, into every man’s life a little hardship doth occasionally fall. In this cas Read more:Chips
An Affair with the Paparazzi 2007-09-14 18:46:49 My offspring are spoiled - not by sweets, tv, or toys - no, they are spoiled by media attention. Their lives now revolve around the blogging paparazzi and even a brief hiatus is keenly felt.
“What?” My oldest two children said in shocked tones, “you only took 158 pictures of our day at the fair? Were you even trying?”
I flinched at the disgust and pity written on their faces.
“Mom,” my second oldest son said as he came through to read the blog, “where are the rest of the pictures? There are only two pictures here and one of them isn’t of us at all.”
“Yeah, Mom,” another child piped up, “how come you didn’t post more pictures.”
What was I thinking? Such an important outing and I had the temerity to permit a blog to be posted with only one family picture. Sigh. These children have no sympathy for my need for sleep. I guess the fact that their father was the one who actually authored the post canno Read more:Affair
Do the Puyallup 2007-09-13 17:07:10 If you live in Western Washington and listen to the radio, you’ve heard a lot of advertisements about the Puyallup Fair. Their slogans indicate, in my opinion, some recent budget cuts in marketing: “Do the Puyallup” and “Happy is Good” seem to be the front-runners for this year.
One of my deep-rooted parenting fears is that I might somehow, in a moment of inattention, lose one of my children. When we first moved to Washington, Kathy took the older three to the Evergreen Fair while I was at work, but I have flatly refused to go, ever since. I ask Kathy: “There will be hordes of people, and we’ll lose David or Sarah. Which one can you live without?” She’s not amused by that kind of talk.
This year Kathy was more insistent, and my resistance slowly crumbled. We bought the all-you-can-ride wristbands (taking out a third mortgage on our home to do so) and Kathy scoured the countryside for free tickets to get into the fairground
“I Always Have Something to Say” 2007-09-29 01:07:26 So says my beloved, 11 year old daughter. No doubt she could write today’s blog in her sleep if I would just do the typing for her.
Here Rachel is saying, “I’m cold, stop taking my picture and get me a sweatshirt.
I’m hungry but it’s close to bedtime and I’m trying to be careful not to eat late at night. I had a lovely cup of tea but somehow it wasn’t quite as tasty as the huge bowl of popcorn Tim and the children devoured. Go figure.
We watched The Ultimate Gift this evening. It was a moving tale about a spoiled young man who receives 12 gifts from his deceased grandfather. Each gift (or task) is designed to teach him a lesson about life. There are some intense scenes of peril in the second half but our entire family enjoyed the movie.
The Ultimate Gift certainly made me wonder if I am teaching my children the lessons illustrated in the movie - the gift of work, true friendship, the value of money, how to help others, etc. It is
Barely even a blog 2007-09-28 02:00:04 When you find yourself crafting opening blogging sentences throughout the day, you know it is a sign that blogging has become a serious hobby. I don’t know if that is efficient or obsessed. Hey, that might be an interesting poll.
Kathy and Tim are:
1) Efficient bloggers
2) Totally obsessed bloggers who need to get a life
3) My blogging heroes
4) Who are Kathy and Tim?
Maybe we’ll save that poll for another time. It turns out I actually do need sleep to function well as a homeschooling teacher and mother of five children. Over the summer I could stay up late blogging and reading, sleeping in each morning. With a full homeschooling schedule, that ISN’T a healthy life plan.
All of which to say, I’m not going to blog tonight. No, I’m not. I’m going straight to bed. Someone else can take over the insightful, amusing, creative blogging for today. I’ll leave you with a picture of my younger two cutie pies and a link.
David and Sarah pose f Read more:Barely
Reunion Count Down 2007-09-27 02:58:29 Next month Tim and I head out to our college reunion. We met at school in Virginia, dated for two years and married 13 days after graduation. Although older by five years, Tim was kind enough to delay his education in order to time things just right so we would both be sophomores (me for the first and him for the second) when we were introduced. This fall we return to those beautiful campus grounds to wander, reminisce and feel old.
Where have the years gone?
When did they start admitting high school students into college?
Since I have squandered away the summer months, eating chips, nuts and other goodies with abandon, I find myself facing a reunion heavier (fluffier?) than I’d like to be. When Tim and I made the arrangements to go to Virginia, I thought for sure I would work diligently for months getting ready. “Ah, finally the motivation I need to hit my goal and get rid of those last 25-30 pounds,” I told myself.
Well, sadly that didn’t happen. I
WFMW — Master Grocery Lists 2007-09-26 00:06:03
Tim and I are on a budget. Oh the joys of budgeting: all that money saved because we aren’t out shopping, healthier hearts and slimmer hips because of those hearty home baked meals (none of that yucky fast food), and of course, wonderful family time at home. No pesky movie outings to schedule or babysitters to hire. Ah, yes, it’s definitely a special delight.
So, in honor of Budgeting Is Fun, I thought I would post a simple Works for Me Wednesday blog about grocery shopping.
We did splurge and go to the fair this month - next year we’ll actually plan it into the budget. Heh, heh.
In an attempt to be more organized in my grocery shopping, I decided to try my hand at a little Microsoft Word Grocery
List Magic. MWGLM - it’s catchy, I know. You probably need some MWGLM in your life as well. Don’t worry, I’m here to help.
First I searched far and wide online to find a basic grocery list that would suit my needs. I ended up at Donna Young’s Read more:Master
, Lists
Recommend Site To A Friend
