Productive~That’s Me

Definition-Productive-1: having the quality or power of producing especially in abundance 2: effective in bringing about >3 a: yielding results, benefits, or profits b: yielding or devoted to the satisfaction of wants or the creation of utilities4: continuing to be used in the formation of new words or constructions.
From the Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Yes, that is what I was today. P-R-O-D-U-C-T-I-V-E! I think I was so excited about the kids going back to school tomorrow that it put me in a productive mood. I got so much accomplished. My daughter and I even moved a piece of furniture from The master Bedroom to the Living room by ourselves. That little girl is strong for a skinny 9 year old.

I was even able to make cookies from scratch. And pumpkin bread. Both of those items are going in my kids lunches. I made 5 headbands. I even watched a movie with the kids and Eric. A cute movie which we had all seen before. Around the World In 80 days. With Jackie Chan! He is so funny and such a great actor.

I even made a Good Dent in my laundry. For those of you that don’t know…I am forever doing laundry. With 3 kids I never really felt like I was backed up in laundry. Once we added David’s clothing…gosh, I always feel like I have laundry to do. I really don’t mind doing it. Or even folding the laundry. I just don’t like the putting up….

I hope my productiveness continues on through tomorrow. However, I may just need to relax after having the kids home for 13 straight days! I am going to have to come up with some fun things to do this summer to keep them busy!

Eric usually goes to the library and studies all day without kid distraction. However, today he decided to stay home and read inbetween playing with the kids and watching movies and television. I think he even needed a little bit of a relaxing day.

It is going to be SO calm and quit here tomorrow……I’m excited. Don’t get me wrong I love my kids with all my heart and soul. But sometimes even mommies need a break.
I am wore out tonight…..but in a good productive kind of way…
I hope you all had a great Sunday.

Holy Smokes….

Where has the day gone….
Wow! I feel like today has just flown by…and I didn’t get much accomplished either.
It is cold here and rainy….Not like spring should be. I guess Tennesseans just have wierd weather. As I bet most of the United States has.
Today, was officially the LAST day of Spring break. I am so ready for the kids to go back to school….
I know now that I wouldn’t be able to make it at homeschooling…this week just proves it to me. For those of you that do homeschool my hat is off to you! Gosh, the patience you all must have…
Not much going on here…
I have had LOTS of headband orders since I started…I make between 3 and 4 a day. I have my headbands on two different auction sites. A yard sale site for my town and a myspace profile for my headbands. Oddly enough, my mom was the first to purchase a headband from me….and since then it has just rippled…which is a VERY good thing.
Yesterday, I had time enough to load up 4 recipes to my recipe blog. One is my all time favorite of Crock Pot Sloppy Joe’s! Yum-O! I think I might have to make it sometime this week.
Now, it is 30 mintues before Eric gets home and the kids haven’t even eaten dinner. I need to start—-yes, start on my laundry. I don’t know how in the world this day has gotten away from me.
Oh what a day! I hope you all had a fantastic Friday….
Hopefully, my blog entry tomorrow will be more on topic and not so random—–but probably not…I feel like I am the Queen of Randomness…
Have a great evening!

Thursday Thirteen #13~"A" Words

I know I am a late getting this in…but I wanted to play along with Thursday Thirteen anyway.

So I decided for This week’s Thursday Thirteen I would tell you my FAVORITE 13 “A” Words.

1. Aimee~My daughter’s name.

2. Amuck~

3. Amazing~One of my Favorite Hymns being with the word “Amazing”

4.Alluring

5. Apple- I love eating freshly cut apples or dipping them in carmel. YUM-O!

6. Aloof-My High School English Teacher used to say this a lot and I guess it just stuck with me.

7. Apathy~For such a little word it has an abundance of meaning.

8. Abundance-Lots of meanings. I really like using this word to express my love to my kids.

9. Aggravate~My children do this quite easily.

10. Art~first they spell my daughter’s initial. And secondly, my daughter LOVES art.

11. April~I love the month of April. And I like the name April. April is one of my favorite months.

12. August-The month my daughter was born.

13. AMERICA!~Last on my list but certainly NOT least….

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Count your blessings….

Hey Guys!
Last night, after everyone was in bed and the house was quite and it was just me up….
I started thinking how silly it was of me to be depressed about things that I couldn’t control or didn’t have any control over for a few days.
I then got to thinking. I need to be blessed with WHAT I have in the here and now….and not be depressed about what others might have that I might be able to get later on when Eric graduates College.
You know I don’t think we should count our blessings and be thankful for them only on Sundays, Thanksgiving, etc….
I think we should be thankful for our blessings each and every single day.
When Eric Retired our monthly income was cut more than 1/2 of what we usually were paid. Now, I am so thankful that Eric did retire. I am one of the few retired military wife’s that have the joy of knowing there spouse doesn’t have to go into war and the fear of never seeing them again or them getting hurt.
I am blessed that Eric has a part-time job and he has a boss that knows all our situation and is very accommodating to us. Eric is one just a few employee’s that can show up to work when not even scheduled to do so for extra hours.
I am blessed that Eric is going back to college and doing Marvelously well. He is like a dad (he is 41) to some of the other students and I think that some of them refer to him as ‘Dad’. In a joking way.
I am blessed that even though we have only one car…..that we can get around. And I know that this will also change once Eric Graduates college. I just have to be patient.
I am blessed that we have a nice house that is only 2 and a half years old. It is paid for every month. We do not have to worry about where our mortgage is coming from…
I am blessed that my children are happy and healthy. I am blessed that we have food on the table and clothes on our backs.
Even though at the end of the month when it is 2 days before pay day and we only have $2.98 in the bank. I am grateful for the $2.98. At least we are not overdrawn.
I am blessed that EVERY one of our bills get paid every month. And on Time.
I feel VERY blessed and fortunate that I was able to be a military spouse. It takes a special kind of person to be a military spouse. Believe me, it is not easy…..not by a long shot.
I am blessed knowing that I have a husbands that I can count on.
I am blessed with a close neighbor that I just adore.
I am blessed that my children have good decent friends to play with.
I am blessed that my children have grandparents that love and think the world of them.
I am blessed that I have my health and Eric has his…even though with being in the military almost 22 years, he has back problems, arm and leg problems. I am still blessed.
I am blessed with kisses and love everyday from an 11, 9, 7 and 3 year old. Who wouldn’t Love that?
I am even blessed when I hear my kids fighting over what movie they get to watch. To me that means….Hey, they ARE brothers and sister.
I am blessed with every little boo boo my kids my get. Every little hurt feeling and every little angry moment. Those, I can never get back…they are all special and unique.
I am blessed knowing that every morning my alarm clock goes off. That God has granted me a new day to live my life to it’s fullest. To be blessed with the sunshine and the birds chirping.
I need to look back on all this when I am feeling depressed or sad. For that I know….”God, Never gives me more than I can handle.”

I hope you all have a very BLESSED day!

First Day of Spring Break…

Hey Guys!
It is the FIRST day of spring break and already my house is a disaster area!
Actually since the kids had off Friday, it was a disaster area on Saturday.
It is a pretty day today and since it is so pretty Daniel has been outside playing ALL day. Which I am so glad off…..I don’t like to see kids just cooped up sitting in front of a XBOX or WII.
Zachary and David have been playing a lot together. However, Zachary is a little rough with David sometimes. And David has received a couple of boo-boo’s.
And Aimee is beside herself. She feels like she has no one to play with. Her friend across the street is grounded ALL of spring break because she wondered off with her 4 year old sister behind her house in the woods for almost 5 hours and they couldn’t find her. In reality…they only started worring about 1 hour before they came home on there own. I would have worried a LOT sooner than that.

I did teach my kids one of my favorite games to play as a teen and well as an adult also. It is the card game called Skip-Bo.

And they picked it right up. Some of my favorite games are Monopoly, Uno, and Skip-Bo. I never did get into Clue….and I don’t know why? The only downfall with skip-bo is that it is LONG and drawn out. Daniel and Aimee both enjoyed it and asked to play it more through spring break.I guess this week is just as good as any to finish up my spring cleaning. Seeing as my house really needs it now. I think I am getting depressed again and I hate that feeling….

I haven’t even visited a message board that a frequent….just don’t feel up to it….just feel blah about it. And that sadest part is those ladies are just like my family and Jennifer who is also apart of that board is like a sister to me….

And I do believe today is Jennifer’s Birthday…So HAPPY BIRTHDAY JENNIFER!

I hope you have a AWESOME day Jennifer….I am thinking about you!!! BIG HUGS!

Anyway, off to start the dreaded Laundry……What fun….

Hope you all are having a wonderful Monday…

Happy Easter!!!!

What is your Bunny Name?

Hey Guys!
This is going to be a short blog today…I mean very short. Full of absolutely NO content..
My brain is fried for one…
However, since Easter is very close…
I thought I would post this…

What is your bunny name?

Your Easter Bunny Name is

Flopsy Velvet Ears

Get your Easter Bunny Name at Quizopolis.com

And…..

What Color Easter Egg Is Yours?

Red Egg – You are full of love for everyone around you. You enjoy people’s company and always have fun with others.

Find out which Easter Egg is yours at Quizopolis.com

Thursday Thirteen #12~Easter Basket Ideas…

For my 12th edition of Thursday Thirteen.

I thought I would give some Easter Basket Ideas and things to fill those Easter Baskets with.

1. Instead of using Easter Baskets, why not get something to fill that they can use or enjoy.Such as. Maybe a toddler boy get a dump truck to fill with Easter Grass and goodies…or a themed back back for older boys. For Girls Maybe a purse, backpack, or a pretty wicker storage basket with liner (not a easter basket). Or get a tin character lunch box open it up and fill it.

2. For older Teens…why not purchase a cheerleader maybe try to find a megaphone to fill with all her stuff. For a boy that plays football…why not fill there football helmet with football related items.

3. Take a Crunch Bar…or any other bar and slide a $5.00 (or whatever you can afford~for little kids maybe even $1.00) beneath the wrapper for a nice suprise. You can countine this with gift certificates to favorite stores.

4. Instead of candy fill there baskets with Granola Bars and yummy good for you treats instead of candy.

5. Go to your nearest craft store (Hobby Lobby, Michaels) and there they have aprons…by a few aprons and some embellishments. Such as foam paint, ribbon, etc. Either you make the apron for them or have them make it from what they get in there baskets. For boys, there is always T-shirts.

6. Make a basket all in there favorite color. For instants my oldest sons favorite color is red. I would fill his basket with what I could find that he would like in the color red.

7. Books, CD’S, DVD’s are always a good idea for filling those baskets.

8. Puzzles are awesome for basket. And there are so many different character themes of puzzles. Puzzles are a huge thing in our house.

9. Frisbees, Jump ropes, Basketballs, football’s Soccer balls are all good to put in baskets. I am a firm believer in keeping kids Active.

10. Travel Games and Card Games are nice to put in gift Baskets.

11. Pocket Calendars for those Teenagers is good. And if your teenager moves around a lot (parents have jobs that require them to move around such as being a military child) a address book is good for the teens as well.

12. Pens, Pencils, Stationary are perfect for teens as well as the 9-12 year old’s.

13. Don’t forget about the Chocolate Easter bunny, Crayons, coloring books, Yoyo’s, Flashlights, stickers, sun glasses, Play-doh, Jacks, Hairbow, Headbands, Fashion Barrettes, water bottles, barbies, Doll Clothes, make up, scrapbook supplies, picture frames, small photo albums, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, nail polish, Bath Gels, and Markers…The list is endless.

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!More Thursday Thirteen Participants can be found here.

One Day left of freedom…

Hey Guys!
I have one more full day left of freedom before my kids start there spring break On Good Friday. Really, they start on Monday. They just get Good Friday Off.
I usually look forward to there breaks. But for some reason, this break, right now, I could do without. It is going to be nice not having to make three lunches every morning. And maybe, I can get caught up on some sleep that I so desperately need.
However, Once my seven year old gets up….I HAVE to be up. I guess with everything NOT going right for this year. I am just afraid something is going to happen….
I haven’t heard an update on my Aunt in some time. I think tomorrow, I am going to email one of my Uncles or other Aunts and see what is up.
I do know that her youngest daughter ( a year and a half younger than me, we used to be SUPER close) is expecting another baby girl ANY day now…if she hasn’t had her already. You know you never know WHO you can find on MySpace. That is how I found out all I found out about my cousin…I just searched for her on Myspace.
It is scary what kind of personal information people put out on myspace. I know I blog about personal stuff, but I never use my last name, and I don’t believe I have ever mentioned the town I live in….Only the state. Granted there are a few of you bloggers out there that know what city I live in….
I had a friend tell me one time never to give out my actual birthday on the net. Not even the correct day. She said all that a person needs sometimes to steal an identity is your name and your birth date and year. So with that in mind. I am going to say WHEN it is my birthday—-but not on the date….”Around the date”.
Whew, sorry got off on a little tangent there….
Diet Coke Update~~~Today, I was going about my normal daily routine…when I noticed it was little D’s nap time. When I went to tuck him in and give him hugs. I realized, I haven’t even had ONE diet coke and it was 2 in the afternoon….YAYAY ME!
I actually took a cat nap while David napped. That felt REALLY good. Here it is 11 pm and I am still up. I am shooting to be in bed before Mid-night….Hope I can accomplish that. I have realized that I need my sleep…and I am starting to not be able to function because of being so Tired during the day.
Anyway, I hope you all had a Awesome Wednesday….
More Tomorrow…(Hoping to be stopping by a lot of my favorite blogs tomorrow…)

The Diet Coke Has Got To GO!

Hey Guys!
Last Thursday, I came to the realization that I was “addicted” to diet coke! For the last 3 or so months I have been drinking diet coke a LOT. I do know that for the last 3 weeks. I have had at LEAST 6 cans of it a day….
Not good, I know.
Eric has been trying to tell me to at least cut back some but I just wouldn’t listen. Thing is…I think I have been using it as a crutch. Something goes bad….I don’t go get a beer…I grab a diet coke. I have been VERY VERY moody lately…and somewhat depressed. And I hardly EVER get depressed.
So on Thursday I told Eric, that after this coming weekend..starting on Monday (yesterday) I was going to cut back to 2 a day for 2 weeks. Then after that one a day for two weeks and after that hopefully, I will just have them every once in a while.
I thought I was really in for it…Yesterday went amazingly well. Today, I have noticed myself a little more moody than before. However, this might be it just running it’s course. I did get a slight headache today as well. But nothing I couldn’t stand.
I am being to realize that soda (or pop or coke, whatever you call it in your neck of the woods) really DOES have a bad affect on a persons body if drank in abundance.
Good thing is that I have been drinking TONS of water the last two days…and I can sure tell it.
And I think drinking so much Diet Coke has affected my sleep…. I don’t get to sleep sometimes as late as 2. (I have to be up at the crack of dawn for the kiddo’s). Earliest to bed has been Mid-night. And by 2 in the afternoon, I am just wore out. So hopefully, my sleeping patterns will change as well.
So I hope I haven’t seemed irritable in my blogs lately. I really haven’t meant to be. And If I have I am sorry.
The thing is ….I am the only soda drinker in the house. My kids do not even ask for sodas. Thank goodness. They all rather have OJ, water, or grape juice.
And good news is that Headband orders are starting to roll in at a even pace. Which is good. I have about 10 headbands going out within the next two days.
I tell ya, I don’t have a crafty bone in my body and I am surprised that I even enjoy making headbands. I have found something else I am going to add….Barrettes/clips..You will just have to wait to see them to really understand what they will look like.
Anyway, I hope you all had a Terrific Tuesday.
I know I have kept telling ya’ll that I am going to go to my favorite blogs and comment. With everything going on here it has been hard even to find time to blog. But I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will happen before this coming weekend is up…please just bare with me.
Have a great evening…