My Christmas gift

It has happened again...major appliance failure.

First, the outdoor air unit. On the hottest day of the year...August 2009. Got it repaired.
Next, the washer. Small parts...over and over and over...replaced June 2010.
Today, refrigerator...dead. Pretty expensive repair to make...so I've got one ordered. It will get here just before Christmas...so can we say Merry Christmas to me?

I'm just wondering, which one comes next?

I'm so very thankful for spme friends that had an extra fridge that we are borrowing until the delivery...this way I could get what I wanted, not just what was in stock.

Saturday night rambling and thoughts

Well...it is Saturday night, and I am home alone. Normally, I would love to take some time for me, crash on the couch or take a hot bubble bath. Not so. I am past many of the obligations I had to do...but now I am still stuck in the schoolwork rut. So much to do, and not too much time to get it all done.

Mr. Snippity took two of the kids to the movies. One other is with a friend. I could have gone with them, but I just have no desire to go spend that much money on a movie ticket these days. There are plenty of things on Netflix that I haven't seen yet, and plenty of other things for me to spend my money on!

Of course, it could be like one night recently. Sitting on the couch, using the Wii for watching Netflix. My hubby has the remote. I say, just pick something. I suggest a couple of titles that flash by...nothing. I think he looked for about 40 minutes before he finally to watch some action flick. It was crazy! I love to flip channels just as much as the next guy...but seriously pick a moie already!!! So, tonight...the Netflix is all mine! I do not think I will be doing any schoolwork, hahah!

Mr. Snippity has been working many nights lately at the second job...then had about 4 nights in a row off. I was just getting used to him being gone in the evenings and poof* he's back! It is nice to have him home...I am just surprised at how much of an adjustment it is....

I had the opportunity several times recently to be around adults...no kids that I was responsible for! I could get used to that again. Like today, I went shopping with one of my friends, and I even went to the Dollar Tree...and did NOT buy any toys! :) I guess now that my kiddos are getting older, they are more independent, and therefore do not need constant supervision...usually. I left Jedi girl home with Jedi boy while Cinderella was at an event with others. I am really lucky!

Then I realize, while I have some really amazing friends, we really do not get to spend much time together. I need to make time for that in the schedule...but I'm not optimistic about being able to actually do it any time soon. Oh, the life of a busy mother, wife, student, worker, etc...

HT super doubles

Ok, so I went grocery shopping on Saturday. It is super doubles week at Harris Teeter and one of my friends asked if I wanted to go. I haven't been using my coupons very much lately (I blame it on being too busy, silly me!). So, when I had the chance, I quickly scooped up a few coupon flyers and picked a few things. I did pretty good on that trip. Full price would have been about $175, My cost was $90. (Not bad, I thought...since I didn't have time to really plan the coupon deals, and I bought many things that didn't have coupons that were regular sales.). So then today, I had to go on another errand one block over from HT, I figured I would hit it up again.

So...the summary from today! All of the items pictured above, plus one box of oven bags not pictured would have been regular retail $98. I paid $42. All of this is stuff that will get used, and some of it was a bit of a splurge..like the poptarts. I rarely buy them...but my kids adore them. I haven't had very good results with the make your own variety...so for $1.33 per box (after coupon), I think I did pretty decent deals. I even added in a few other items without coupons because I needed them (ranch dressing, for one!).

Now, I need to decide if it is worth the effort to make a special trip tomorrow to get more deals...25 minute drive makes it a challenge...so I probably won't...but I do adore shopping at HT.

Breakfast time!

I really love making homemade pancakes. Recently I even did some modifications to the tried and true recipe! Applesauce and cinnamon made a special flavor for snack time that day.

But, today...today is the post about cereal. I love to cook for my family. Usually they eat pretty much whatever I fix. Lately has been a different story. They want cereal. For every meal. I'm slaving away...and they have already rushed in to the kitchen grabbed a bowl and are pouring the milk.

I love to foster independence in my children, so I just wrap up whatever I was making and send it to school for lunch! :)

Check out a blog by a hilarious lady, my inspiration for this post ;)

Frog adventures

No cute story to this one, except my kids found a tree frog & Jedi boy took a short video of him.

Storm?

It is Thursday afternoon, and everyone has been all hyped up about hurricane Earl. Of course we are making the necessary preparations...but chill out people. Relax already!

bright teenagers

The sky is lit up with crazy lightning...the radar has all sorts of red and yellow blobs blazing....yet it is not raining. Yet my teenagers think it is ok to go for a dip in the pool. Real bright!