TIFFERBOB

Ball Perfect Mason

2011-07-18T08:50:00.000-07:00

I hit the motherload this past Saturday with my sister Amber. We've both been perserving and searching for cheap canning jars. While out garage saling, I'd give my little shtick and ask, "Do you have any canning jars you'd be willing to sale?" I'd either hear they sold some earlier in the morning or no those are too valuable to sale. Until, we went to Dave's house and as we were leaving Amber said, "So, are you gonna ask?"

Dave was having a long conversation with someone and so I finally butted in and asked him if he had any jars. And he said he did, in the garage. He was going to put them out the next weekend for another garage sale. Inside he had shelves and shelves of jars. Some were old mayo jars and we skipped over those. In all, I got 35 Kerr/Ball jars for 28 cents a jar! A couple still had the sticker on the side from when they were last canned in 1979.

Anyone that preserves knows you have to replenish your jars often due to giving away your pears or whatnot to friends and family. So, I was happy to find them. After washing thirty years of dust away and sterilising them, they look pretty good.

Do you believe...

2011-07-14T22:15:00.000-07:00

I have been living on faith and caffeine. These two things go hand-n-hand right? The caffeine carries me thru when my faith wanes. I am a spiritual being having a human experience and a bubbly soda just makes me happy.

I've received a gift recently. A miracle, if you will. Do you believe in such a thing anymore? I do. What is needed for a miracle? Faith and an immeasurable amount of prayers. Or at least, thats what I've found.

But as with most things, there has been a give and take. One stress replaced by another. One door opened, one closed. I can now move in faith, because for so long I was stuck in fear.

"...My actions demonstrate my willingness to be helped. And time after time, the help I need is given to me."

Tomato is a fruit, but it is eaten as a vegetable.

2011-06-11T16:03:00.000-07:00

I canned tomatoes this week. Until a couple years ago I didn't know the joy that preserving brings. I had no idea that jars of preserved fruit could bring so much happiness. Am I crazy for thinking so? Maybe. However, it's nice to put them on the shelf and know they are there for when I need them for salsa, spaghetti sauce, stews, and casseroles.

I'm hoping to preserve some more later this summer from my own yard. I planted patio and lemon pear tomatoes. They are doing well. They are all green right now. I'm hoping the birds will leave them alone this year. I discovered last year that once they started eating one tomato to just leave it on the vine and they would leave the rest alone until it was mostly eaten. I read somewhere that as gardeners we can't expect to reap 100% of our crop. That it would be selfish not to allow the bugs and birds or whatever else some too. I don't know if I entirely agree with the idea, but it does have a nice give-n-take to nature that I like. Now, just don't talk to me about the snails eating my flowers because I'm not as kind to them.

Date Night

2011-06-04T22:18:00.000-07:00

I have the crew (a.k.a. my young nieces and nephews) are over tonight. The boys are giving us a fashion show in Grace's clothes and the girls have been playing eye-spy for too long. I'm not sure either one of them are enjoying it any longer.

My sisters are out on dates with their husbands. It's nice to have family so close. I'm returning the favor, Scott and I went out last night and watched the new X-men movie. It was good. We watched it in XD...which wasn't much different, only louder. We also walked around the mall. A treat for me, not so much for Scott. It was a compromise really, window shopping for me and X-Men for him. We are some crazy married folk.

Goodnight, one of my sisters is knocking at the door.

Outdoor Room

2011-05-16T18:19:00.001-07:00

It's taken me a while to post the finished bench and chairs. They are so fun and cheery. I've been enjoying our new outdoor room. The kids have too.

Grandma’s Irises

2011-05-05T20:43:00.000-07:00

For the past week I’ve been watching the irises bloom around the neighborhood in anticipation of my own. Long story short, my uncle got some bulbs from the old house that my grandma had planted. Then at a family reunion he auctioned them off. My brother bought them and shared the bulbs. I planted and watched them grow.

This week I whispered to the dark purple bud, “I can’t wait to see what your going to look like!”

And as if in response, the next morning it had bloomed.

My grandma’s irises are growing in my backyard. And maybe some day they will grow in my granddaughters garden.

4

2011-04-28T18:58:00.000-07:00

Noah turned four this week. Four came so fast! I know E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E says that, but it's because it's true. Kids grow like weeds on steroids. He was so excited to have his cousins over for a party. He wore his spiderman costume during the party and the night before as pajamas. I love that kid.

Giving me some sweetness.
After the song and candles.

Shooting spiderwebs my way.

My new favorite saying...

2011-04-14T19:41:00.001-07:00

The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off. Sometimes the truth of a situation is so obvious and yet so masked. With multiple diversion tactics, the truth can be hard to find. Some of the things I was taught growing up weren't real truths...they were someone else's truth. And so, it's up to me to find my own truths. Find what I know to be true. And to be completely honest...some of the things I find to be true make me truely angry! But, after I accept the truth for what it is...good, bad or ugly. It's up to me to create a new truth. Not for anyone but myself and that is liberating.

Projects

2011-03-22T19:26:00.000-07:00

I'm redoing some outdoor furniture that my mom gave me. Thanks mom!

Today the kids and I dewebbed, sanded and washed down the two chairs and bench. They need more sanding, but the two pieces of sand paper we had wore-out before we were done. I'll pick some up tomorrow. I haven't decided on the color to paint them. Bright? Mellow white? Blue? Teal? I just don't know.

They need some TLC, but I love a project.

Family Gym

2011-02-20T19:54:00.000-08:00

The kids and I have been working out together. It's an interesting site to see. We don't have enough weights for all three of us...so Noah uses cans of veggies. He complains, but continues to use them instead of being left out. I'm gonna have to borrow some small weights from my mom.

As a side note, Grace has a ton of arm strength. She shocked me at the park. She flew across the monkey bars and then swung right around and came back. Which explains the callouses.

My sister and I are going to do the 12K Run Rocklin race in April. I L-O-V-E races. I love the exuberant energy of the other runners. I love the firing of the gun at the beginning. The patter of tennis shoes on pavement and then getting the medal at the end. It's just a good time.

Any how, the front room is turning into a family gym. All we need now is a wall of mirrors.

Update: Grace has agreed to be my coach. She made me the list above.

An Uninvite

2011-01-21T19:42:00.000-08:00

After telling Noah to pick-up his toys and take them to his room.

He looked at me and said, "Your not invited to come to my birthday party."

To which I replied, "Oh yeah...I'm the person that orders the cake, decorates the house and buys the gifts. So, if I'm not invited then there is no party."

After a long pause and some thought. He said, "Actually, you can come to my birthday party."

And today he told me I could come to all of his parties.

72 Hour Repack 2011

2011-01-12T22:34:00.000-08:00

Noah and I lugged in our 72-hour kits out of the garage to exchange the kids clothes and see what else could be added. Noah helped himself to a two year old granola bar from one of the backpacks while he watched me. I love a child that fends for himself. Less work for me.

I'm glad I thought to change the clothes. Noah no longer wears a 3T or needs pull-ups. Grace is no longer a 5T. Not to mention, Scott's no longer a 34 inch waist.

As you might remember, Scott had us tape together whole sets of outfits. He mocked me when I asked about the tape residue and I was correct. There was some. I am a tactile person. If my clothes are uncomfortable I CANNOT deal. This is why I don't wear belts, large heavy sweaters, long shirts that cover my butt, or big boots. I want to feel comfortable, not contorted. This is why I don't follow many fashion trends. Although, I'm doing okay on the scarf thing. It does feel like someone is choking me at times.

I have issues people...don't judge me. Cause you have some too!

Back on topic, I added some small toys for the kids. I read somewhere that they need a distraction. Noah helped pick-out some Lego's to put in his pack.

Our Own Brand of Crazy...

2011-01-03T20:15:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pictures that portray only a fraction of the "crazy" that happens here in our home.

Grace has carried Noah like this since he was a baby. She hasn't realized he's no longer a babe.

This girl, what a crazy snaggle toothed smile. How can so much joy reside in one body?

I knew this guy was going to have a good sense-of-humor when he was a newborn and would belly laugh in his sleep.

I got a new camera. A Canon 7D...and we are in love. L-O-V-E, sweet love. Don't tell Scott...he doesn't need to know.

Boring Brown

2010-12-26T23:41:00.000-08:00

I'm typing this as my hair color develops. What color am I dying it? The usual...dark brown. Although, I've been thinking for a while now that I would like something different. Cause, I'm on this change kick. Blonde would be so fun....and terrible on my hair. But, I believe hair is meant to be grown, tortured, cut off and grown again. I have a confession to make. I am a big time hair abuser. That's right. I'm stepping out into the light of day on this one.

I put away Christmas today after church. I walked in the door and knew it was already time to put it away. Scott and I tug-a-warred the tree apart. I didn't go full tilt on Christmas this year. So...the clean-up was pretty painless.

I need to go wash out my hair...

The Kids and Santa

2010-12-22T21:04:00.000-08:00

These pictures are from Santa's Breakfast earlier this month. I'm terrible at updating...just kick me in the shins the next time you see me.

I'm getting that rundown, tired feeling. Accompanied with a sniffy nose and sore throat. I'm seldom sick. Maybe twice a year...if that. Sometimes, I succumb to it. I take naps and wear pajamas all day. Other times, I try to ignore it. Go along, as if I'm not sick what-so-ever. That's what I have planned this time around. I can be sick on Monday, right? When the gifts are unwrapped and the parties are over. I'm off to take some Ester-C...

Clean Clothes

2010-12-15T18:44:00.000-08:00

My dad says, "That new profile picture you put up on your blog puts ten years on you. I liked the other one better."

To which I replied, "Wow, thanks for the honesty."

And it might, but I like it any way...sorry dad. I'm not changing it, until I'm tired of seeing it.

My Dad came and fixed both my washer and dryer yesterday. The washer was flooding and the dryer squeaked so loud I couldn't run it at night. He fixed the dryer with super glue. Maybe, I should start calling him MacGyver. I told him it was a Christmas miracle, we now have clean clothes. But, in my house a miracle comes with comedy. I reached into the pipe in the wall that the hot air goes out of to grab a big lump of lint. Erm, not lint...entirely, a dead bird covered in lint. Yuck!

I've washed my hand many times and still can't touch my food with it.

Change

2010-12-06T20:42:00.000-08:00

When I start changing things, I want to change everything. From the way I pull the car into the garage to the way I think about my life. My favorite quote right now is, "When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." I love that. Why...because it's true. I don't have to do anything the same way twice...if it suits me. Up until now, I've been a creature of habit, and not all of them good. What's the saying, "the definition of insanity is repeating the same behavior over and over and expecting different results."

I have stopped the insanity. Although, lasting change is hard to obtain, otherwise we'd all do it...right? We'd all be making these wonderful changes and stickin' to 'em. We'd all be at our ideal weight because we stuck to that New Years resolution ten years ago. You get the idea.

What I'm trying to say is...if something isn't working for you, it's time for a change. It may be as simple as the way you are looking at the situation or it may mean doing a major rework of your life. In my case, it's been both. It's been both uncomfortable and refreshing to make so many changes. I'm evolving, nothing is set in stone and I'm learning to like that.

My Girl...

2010-11-04T17:56:00.001-07:00

Grace turned seven this month. Can we stop the clock? I really like seven. Seven brings a little wisdom with an unbridled enthusiasm. A great combination. She told me, "Everyone is good at something!" And she's right.

Happy Birthday my Gracie Girl!

Bo Bo

2010-10-11T14:00:00.000-07:00

I dragged Noah (or Bo at our house) out on the front lawn today with the promise that I would take him to the park if he let me take his picture. He agreed to the proposition.

I love this picture, only because I know why he has that worried look.

Bo's threating to karate chop me if I didn't stop taking pictures and take him to the park.

Nine Years

2010-10-06T18:56:00.000-07:00

Nine years ago today Scott and I were married. I searched the computer for a picture of us together...it's a rarity. This is from the 4th of July. Don't laugh at my hair...I love 40's hair. This is what happens when I try to create a victory roll and don't succeed.

What can I say about Scott and I? In another life we would be world travelers. We both love a road trip. Someday, I'll write up the whole story of when we were newly married and how we lost Popoki (our cat) at a rest stop while moving to Mississippi. Long story short...when I'd given up and was ready to leave without Popoki, Scott knew better and kept looking...and looking and looking. Why? Because he knew Poki was the only piece of home I was bringing with me and he knew I needed him.

So, in another life or just later in this one we will travel more. Just, not with a stupid cat!

Happy Anniversary Scott! Do you think we can make it another nine?

The Good Witch

2010-09-25T22:09:00.000-07:00

I've have tapped into some creative energy and I love it. Although, this has turned into a crafting blog. I'm sorry. I'll refrain from anymore posts about the crafts soon. I don't have an obsession with Thanksgiving...thank goodness. Christmas is another story.

I wanted a witch wall picture to hang with my ladies. So, when I came across the ugly butterfly picture below for $3.99 at Goodwill. I knew I was going to paint my good witch over the top.

The butterfly picture in the process of being painted. I decided after painting the black band to used the butter knife to scrape the glitter off.
Here she is.

Witch Parking, All Others Will Be Toad

2010-09-13T09:07:00.000-07:00

I know. I know, what your thinking...what is this woman doing with her Halloween stuff up already? I couldn't help myself, and if I was completely honest...I put it up about a week ago. I have a sickness that can not be cured...I love me some Halloween!

I edited my witch collection this year. Some girls just didn't go with my black, creme, and orange palete. I'm going to spruce my jack-o-lanterns with some paint and glitter to make them feel more special. I haven't started to the table runner yet. I started a new project in my bedroom, but I will get back to it. I have another month left, right?

We bought a king size bed last summer and never got around to buying a king size bedspread...until last Friday. I found a really nice blue duvet cover with matching shams for $24.98. I love it. The same morning Noah and I found two large matching night stands at Goodwill, $10.99 for the pair. I painted them and the headboard a chocolate brown...very similar to the colors in the family room. Although, I might put some orange in there for some contrast. I went to Mindy's for an impromptu consultation on my colors and she suggested the orange. You gotta love having a sister that can see the whole picture...and that she can.

San Francisco Zoo

2010-09-08T22:57:00.000-07:00

We visited the San Francisco Zoo on Labor Day. Scott and I went the San Fran Zoo 14 years ago when we were dating. I had forgotten that it's right next to the ocean. Although, I didn't forget that we froze our butt's off. So, everyone wore long pants and real shoes.

On the way there, Grace told us she wanted to live all different places with her friends and write books. When I asked her what she would write about she said, "Her adventures!"

The kids loved the train. Scott did too.

Halloween Skirt for Mantel

2010-09-02T14:10:00.001-07:00

I know it's early...to start talking about Halloween, sorry. I finished my mantel cover. I didn't have a pattern so I had to do a ton of math to make this. Thank goodness, I have a rotary cutter and rotary mat. It makes things much easier.

Isn't it cute? I can't wait to get the girls out of their tote. I might make a matching table runner too.

Pear Preserves

2010-09-02T10:18:00.000-07:00

This is what four boxes of pears looks like preserved. It may not look very exciting to you, but after three days of canning I was ready to have them done so I could move on to something else.

I started a new project yesterday for Halloween. It's a scalloped skirt for my large mantel in a black, white and orange check fabric. I'm not much of a seamstress. However, I think it's gonna be adorable with my collection of witches. I have a few other ideas I want to "try" before Halloween. So, I need to get busy!

Pears

2010-08-25T20:01:00.001-07:00

Last Saturday, I drove up to El Dorado Hills and picked up my Oregon pears. I ordered three boxes and also picked up my cousin's boxes. After loading the boxes into our cars there were four extra boxes that could be purchased. Three were bought up fast, and the lone box sitting on the back of the truck had Scott's name on it. So, I wrote out a check and brought it home too.

I got some good advice regarding preserving fruit from my Aunt Mickey via my cousin Roxcy. Her advice was to buy enough so that the family can have their fill on the fresh pears and then they will leave your jars alone. Therefore, the four boxes. She was correct, Scott has already started eating them...green. Maybe, I should have bought five boxes.

I took this picture two days ago and they are already turning. I'm going to be busy next week.

A Day of Decadence

2010-08-24T22:08:00.000-07:00

Today is my birthday. I shopped, I ate and ate some more. I had my eye-brows threaded, ouch! I spent the day with the people I love the most. Thanks, to my family for always making me feel so lucky to be apart of it all.

My mom came over with a cake and helped the kids frost it. You can count the candles if you want to know how old I am. I'm getting to the age that I don't need to tell anymore.

Grace took these first two shots.

Then Scott stepped in and took the last two.
My eyes are saying, "Did you get it?"

Freegan Decorating

2010-08-22T19:02:00.001-07:00

Here is my freegan family room. I'm going for a light, clean look. I'm not finished, but you get the idea.

I'm going to put some new art in the large frame.

Bought these curtains from my sis-in-law for $20. They are a bit short, I'm going to sew a thick band of brown along the sides and on the bottom.

Have you heard of the Freegan movement? Freeganism is an anti-consumerism lifestyle whereby people employ alternative living strategies based on minimal consumption of resources. Now that being said, you won't find me dumpster diving for my next meal but, I am a freegan decorator. Most of my furnishing have been purchased second-hand at garage sales or at second-hand stores or given to me. I find it is wise both for the pocket book and the earth to get used items and re-purpose them to make them my own.

House Purge

2010-08-21T00:30:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, you just need something different. I've had the color red and an Asian motif since before I got married almost 9 years ago. It was time for a change. Every single red and or Asian item in my front rooms were removed excluding my red Kitchen Aid...that's too expensive to replace. My sister Mindy gave us a red sectional when we moved here three years ago. I was already tiring of the red but, you can't say no to a free sofa. So, I took it gratefully and tried to embrace it. I have also had an Asian motif that I had tired of too but, my hang-up was that if I got rid of it then I wouldn't have much left on my walls. I was in a catch-22. Well, feng shui says that you have to make room in your life for something new to come into it. It's very similar to the law of attraction...if you subscribe to that line of thought.

Long story short, I woke-up and it had to go....T-O-D-A-Y. I couldn't take another day of wanting it all gone. Can I tell you, how much better the house feels...it's like a breath of fresh air. Nothing is in it's original spot, except the kitchen table. I needed a physical manifestation of how I've been feeling lately. It's an ahhhh, feeling. It feels good. It feels fresh.

I've made room for something new...lots of room. Bring on the new!

Good Night, I'm spent. Rearranging the whole house can wear a girl out.

p.s. thanks Rob for hauling that red sofa away for me tonight...your my favorite bro-in-law. Everyone else is a close second.

Country Kick

2010-08-19T10:39:00.000-07:00

What is wrong with me this morning...this is my fourth post just this morning. I must really have something to say or I'm avoiding the pile of dishes that need to be loaded into the dish washer.

I've been on this country kick for the last couple weeks. I grew up on country. My dad always had the radio to a country station in his truck and if my mom wasn't listening to "talk radio" then it was most likely on country too. It's been over ten years that I've regularly listened to it. Scott isn't a fan, but I will tell you a little secret, I'm not a fan of Hawaiian music and I endure it because he likes it and I have even learned to appreciate it. Although, I can't understand a word. I want to know the words...the story. Don't get me wrong, I love me some IZ.

Alright, I'm gonna go load the washing machine and put away the laundry now, with my Dixie Chicks keeping me company. I promise not to post anything else today.

Havanese Puppies

2010-08-19T10:05:00.000-07:00

Nickie called me Saturday and told me her Havanese was having puppies that day. I couldn't resist coming over to watch them be born. When I was a teen I had the wild idea that I wanted to be a labor and delivery nurse after watching my sister give birth to my niece Carly. I even did a internship thru my high school at a hospital on the delivery floor. I got to see a couple c-sections and natural births. I have also been to about half of my niece and nephews births (on my side of the family)...it's such a miracle. So, I was excited when she invited me over to help her mid-wife Moki.

Moki with two of her chocolate puppies, waiting for the next set of contractions. Poor girl.

We placed them in a towel on a heating pad while she had the others. Aren't they cute?

Jam Jamberry

2010-08-19T09:31:00.000-07:00

"Strawberry ponies

Strawberry lambs

Dancing in meadows

Of strawberry jam"

Have you read the children's book Jamberry by Bruce Degen? It's adorable, and reminds me of my Grandma Erickson's poetry. Anyway, Nickie (my sis-in-law) and I have been makin' freezer jam like two crazy ladies. Neither one of us had made it before, so it was a fresh experience for us both.

These are Nickie's cute jars, mine were of the not-so-cute variety.

Noah and Lily played in the backyard. We hosed them down when we were done. They were as happy as a pig in mud.

Remember last year when I canned pears? Well, I am doing it again. This time, I bought three boxes, what was I thinking? I have been collecting jars in anticipation of their arrival from Oregon. Wish me luck!

School has begun...

2010-08-19T08:59:00.000-07:00

Well, two weeks ago anyway. I'm terrible at this blogging thing lately. The house is in disarray, I need to go running, get some pictures developed, Noah is walking around the house in his birthday suit and I am blogging. I have my priorities straight, right?

Grace is repeating 1st grade this year. She started school when she was four and try as we might, she couldn't keep up with the older kids. When we told her, she cried and I cried.

She looked at me and said, "Why are you crying?"

I replied, "Because I know how hard you worked this year...and because that's how we do things around here."

We are looking forward to this year being a breeze. We both need it.

My Normal Randomness With Some Church Stuff Thrown In

2010-07-14T22:56:00.000-07:00

I couldn't take the pink a moment longer. Sorry Mom, your sowing room is adorable, but the pink blog hurt my eyes. I needed a change anyway. Maybe instead of being one of those people with ever changing hair, I'll have the ever changing blog. I mean, it's only my nieces reading this anyway.

Did anyone else cry like a baby tonight when Robert danced to "Fix You" by Coldplay on So You Think You Can Dance? I'm just sayin' it was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. I replayed and replayed it until Grace complained we were missing the rest of the show. Leave it to my six year old, to snap me back into reality. I even voted tonight. I haven't done that sort of thing in YEARS. Not since 2001, the first year of American Idol.

Have I mentioned that two of my sisters are now in my ward? (this is Mormon talk here) I try to keep it to a minimum since it's confusing for others not familiar with the lingo. Anyway, it basically means that they attend church at the same building and same time as me....great right? Well, it is great in every single way imaginable, except for this one little thing...my sisters are super cute and pulled together and this terrible thing happens when we are together. We can't stay serious, and it's worse when we KNOW we really should be. We turn into a bunch of giggling school girls except we aren't, we are grown women. And did I mention how cute they are? I have already seen the comparing glances back and forth from our faces and mannerisms. It's okay, I'd do the same. I love to compare and contrast siblings...who doesn't? They came from the same two people. It's interesting.

Good night, I'm spent.

Pink

2010-06-17T23:01:00.001-07:00

I've been tired of this blog thing for a while now. So, why do I continue you ask? Well, I have these sweet nieces that request/demand a new post nearly every time I see them.

What do you think of the pink? Too much? I tried green and might go back to it. However, I helped my mom paint her sewing room pink last week and felt inspired, I guess. Remind me to post a picture of the adorable tooth fairy pillowcase she sowed for Grace. She lost her first tooth. She is little no longer.

And since this has become a random post:

I once worked for a nice guy named Curtis that would e-mail everyone in our department a "Thought of the Day." And when he was absent I would send everyone a "Deep Thought" by Jack Handey. Deep down, I'm just a clown...something that I try to camouflage. I'm always afraid it's going to be interpreted as being disrespectful or sarcastic. So, for my nieces that I'm sure haven't watched old reruns of Saturday Night Live, here is a "Deep Thought" by Jack Handey.

"A funny thing to do is, if you're out hiking and your friend gets bitten by a poisonous snake, tell him you're going to go for help, then go about ten feet and pretend that *you* got bit by a snake. Then start an argument with him about who's going to go get help. A lot of guys will start crying. That's why it makes you feel good when you tell them it was just a joke."

Here's another:

"Anytime I see something screech across a room and latch onto someones neck, and the guy screams and tries to get it off, I have to laugh, because what is that thing."

2009-2010 School Year Complete

2010-06-12T18:58:00.000-07:00

Grace had such a great year, she made so many friends and learned a ton. The following are pictures from the party on her last day of school.

Grace loved her teacher Ms. Lenney.

Grace with her best friend Jada. Jada took Grace under her wing and showed her the ropes.

Ice Cream

Illustrating her favorite memory of the year.

A Three Ring Circus

2010-05-12T19:08:00.000-07:00

Noah turned 3 at the end of April. Time flies when you are having fun. It's really unbelievable, how fast these past three years have been. Noah fills our home laughter and for that I am grateful.

He had a family party at the park with cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. We are blessed to be able to share these times with them.

Noah's only request was a "Cars" cake.

Noah and his girl Lily.

Carly and Noah with frosting on his face.

The box is always the best gift.

Kaia and Grace, these two are somethin' else together.

Luau in Reno, NV

2010-04-23T16:22:00.001-07:00

Last weekend, Scott and I joined his family in Reno to see his Uncle Kimo perform at the Atlantis. It was very nice to have a day away kid-free and see family from Hawaii. My brother and his wife also attended, but I failed to take a picture of them.

Lorraine, my mom-in-law with her sister Auntie Linda.

My sister-in-law Becky and I with the Makaha Sons.

Terry, Auntie Linda, Kimo and Scott

Scott with one of the dancers.

Me and the male dancers. They kindly waited for me to remove my glasses for the picture.

The fire dancer.

Skate Park

2010-04-16T18:17:00.000-07:00

My sister-in-law, Kerrie and nephew were in town this week from Reno. After Brennen endured a trip to IKEA we took him to the skate park before they headed home. The kids thought it was fun. I didn't capture the thirty or so tween and teenage boys. Brennen is in the fluorescent yellow shirt, you can't miss him.

Grace had no fear of all the teenage boys and skated the whole park, except the bowl.

Noah on the other hand, was more tentative about entering. Brennen offered many times to take him around. Maybe next time.

Fashion advice from my tween niece...

2010-04-02T21:33:00.000-07:00

Me: I don't have any idea what's in style anymore. I'm out of the loop. I need some help.

Shelby: You know what is in style? Really colorful knee-high socks.

Me: Really...I have a pair with Christmas colors.

Shelby: You should wear them when you exercise.

Me: When I exercise?

Shelby: Yeah, wear them when you go running. I have some you could borrow.

Me: I might try that...I need to do something different.

Santa Cruz, CA

2010-03-31T18:13:00.001-07:00

Last week, the kids and I went to San Jose with Scott. While he was working, we drove down highway 17 to see the ocean. At first we couldn't find a beach without high bluffs so we drove down the coast a little more and found one with stairs and a small beach. Although, I'm almost certain that it was a dog beach...and I'm not a dog person. Nevertheless, we got our buckets, and I pushed my fears aside and we played in the sand anyway. The following pictures are from the first beach we stopped at.

Noah with Grace's hat.

Grace taking in the view.

I love this cobble stone house.

Us together, getting our picture taken by a passerby.

Noah giving out kisses.

We accompanied Scott again this week and went to the Children's Discovery Museum. It was amazing and I recommend it to anyone in the area. We had five hours of kid filled fun.

Blog Burnout

2010-03-01T19:50:00.000-08:00

I've fallen out of love...with blogging. I have blog burn out. It's not for the lack of interesting things going on in my life because there are plenty of those to share. I just lack the interest to share them. I'm going to fight the urge to delete my blog because next week, next month or next year I might feel like sharing again. Until then, keep blogging. I do read others occasionally.

I Heart Wags

2010-01-25T19:35:00.001-08:00

I haven't posted a coupon deal in a while. Here's today's loot. I spent $2.60 ($2.39 of it was tax) on all the items above and received a $2 Register Rewards back. My total savings was $94.60! I bought 2 Sure deodorants, 2 Pert shampoos, 6 Bic Flex razor packs, 7 Dinty Moore stew, 2 Hormel Chili, and 4 Chex Mix. What made this deal so good was the $10 Register Rewards I rolled from last week.

The kids wanted to be in the picture. My sisters and I were in a small local newspaper recently about how we coupon and the crazy things we do to get a good deal. Grace wanted to reenact the photo my sister and I took in the kitchen for the article.

Monster in the house...

2010-01-24T17:01:00.000-08:00

We have a monster in the house, actually we have two, according to Noah. Both reside in the kitchen/dining area. Noah talks about them regularly. The one above the fridge isn't as frightening as the one that he sees above the dinner table. I'm not sure what brought on all this monster talk.

The first time he saw the monster above the table we were eating dinner. He starting crying and got down from the table and kept asking to go to the car. Then he pointed above my head and said there was a monster. He was terrified and said, "I want dad to fight the monster." At this point, Scott had already left the table to shower and get ready for bed so when he came back out I told he needed to tell the monster to go away. I had already told the monster to scat, but Noah wanted Scott to do it too. In the meantime, poor Noah kept asking to get in the car.

The next morning, he pointed above the fridge, again above where I was standing and said, "The monster flick your hair."

This has gone on for a couple weeks. Last night, while on the computer Noah played with Lego's under the desk area and kept repeating again that the fridge monster was going to flick my hair. Noah and I had the following conversation.

Me: "Is that monster a boy or girl?"

Noah: "Boy."

Me: "Boy or man?"

Noah: "Man."

Me: "What color hair does he have...brown, black, red?"

Noah: "Brown like us."

Me: "What does he want?"

Noah: Peaking his head out from under the desk he looked up and said, "popcorn."

"Popcorn? Well then, we have a hungry monster on our hands."

Too bad for the monster...I didn't have one bag of popcorn otherwise I might have made it.

Loud-N-Clear

2010-01-23T09:36:00.000-08:00

Noah loves his police helmet. Yesterday, I taught him the nursery rhyme Baa Baa Black Sheep and later I heard him singing it into his helmet intercom while playing.

We have been using sandpaper letters (Montessori method) and he's close to knowing the whole alphabet.

I'd like to make him some counting jobs. Until then, we will continue to keep working on the letter sounds...helmet and all.

The Things I Do...

2010-01-06T17:38:00.000-08:00

My goodness, this week was great for couponing freebies. I got Chips Ahoy, Nabisco crackers, Stayfree pads, Johnson's soap and more for free. Matter of fact, the pads paid for my L'oreal blush that I bought at Rite Aid. Which was nice, since I ran out a couple weeks ago and had been using lip liner and Vaseline to make some. I mean, a girl can't go out lookin' all sad and blushless.
And since we are talking about the strange things I do. I chopped off the bottom half of my hair. I'm going to be completely honest and say I had a mullet, mushroom hair, or maybe even two hair styles at once. It wasn't pretty. I told Scott for weeks that I was going to cut it off, I hated the bi-level thing going on. Desperate times call for desperate measures, do they not? I couldn't even wait to make an appointment. I just saw it in the mirror one morning and it had to go. My sister Amber helped straighten out the back. I now have a bob, it's nothing special but a far cry from the mullet I was sportin'.

Christmas '09

2009-12-27T21:38:00.000-08:00

Christmas morning, Noah had no idea what was in store for him. He wanted to cuddle and kept telling me to lay my head back down every time I tried to get out of bed. Although, when he saw the gifts under the tree he said, "Wow"! Grace came running in screaming, "It's Christmas"!

Christmas Eve opening their pajamas.

In their new P.J.s

Noah L-O-V-E-S Lighting McQueen!

Noah's favorite gift, he said the prayer last night wearing his helmet and using the microphone. After we said amen, the helmet said, "Roger that".

Grace and her doll from Santa.

Kissing Cuties

2009-12-14T14:35:00.000-08:00

I know they are going to H-A-T-E this picture when they are older, but I love it.

Boy Scout

2009-11-21T21:59:00.000-08:00

Scott has a friend on Facebook that posts old pictures of Boy Scout outings. I can't tell you how much I love these pictures. It makes me laugh to see Scott so young.

Rite Aid Deal

2009-11-10T21:55:00.000-08:00

My sister Amber helped me with a coupon deal tonight at Rite Aid. I bought 1 7up, 2 Dial Body wash, 2 Herbal Essence Shampoo, 2 Herbal Essence Conditioner, 3 Herbal Essence Mousse, and 1 Herbal Essence Hair Spray. I won't even attempt to tell you how I did this deal because I don't know myself, I blindly followed my sister on this one. Go here for the deal write up, you will need to scroll down some to see it. I paid $2.02 for everything pictured!

We brought along our girls and they pretended to work some coupon deals themselves when they weren't dodging the man buffing the floors. One of these days, I will bring along a camera to videotape the chaos/excitement of the deal getting.

So, go get you some free Herbal Essence hair products!

Sleep

2009-11-09T21:37:00.000-08:00

Child that won't sleep....I have a child that won't sleep and he's driving me CRAZY! He's whining and complaining and is no longer speaking clearly which makes me tune him out. I'm done. I'm done being kind and understanding. I just want him to go to sleep. Yes, I'm aware that this is a rant...sorry folks. Please skip this post if you are looking for something fluffy and happy to read.

Have I mentioned that Grace was colic as a baby? No?

She was and it was complete hell. H-E-L-L, I tell you! When the sun went down my life turned into a nightmare. Around dinner, the crying would start and then Scott would go to bed. I would sit with a baby screaming bloody murder for hours and hours on end. You know it's bad when your neighbor mentions he can hear the baby cry every night. Those were dark days. We had just moved and I didn't have a friend or much family to help. Well, that and I have this thing....maybe it's a character flaw, but I can't bring myself to tell anyone that I am struggling when I am under water. Three months she was colic, it wore me down. I was in survival mode. And then something wonderful happened, one night she didn't cry and a few nights later it happened again...until it only happened a couple times a week.

Why am I telling you this? I don't know. Maybe to remind myself that things get better. Grace no longer screams for five hours before she falls asleep. Granted, she yells down the hallway for a drink every single night after tucking her in, but that's expected. Things do get better and I'm usually better to have gone through it, usually.

Now I have a two year old to wrestle to sleep. Good Night.

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T22:57:00.000-07:00

Every mother that blogs is composing a Halloween post, and I'm no exception. It was the first year since Grace was three that Scott didn't have to work. She was very excited to have him join us. Also, Papa was at the family gathering and we were all excited to see him too.

Noah was "Tex" the cowboy. When I asked him what a cowboy says, he said, Moo! We visited Grandma Tutu at work to show her their costumes and everyone asked him where his horse was. He told them...in the car.

Yee-haw!

My talented/generous friend Erin lent Grace this incredible mermaid costume that she sowed for her daughter last year. Thanks so much Erin!

I attempted to make this seaweed inspired hair bow. It looked much better in my head.

My favorite part of the dress were these ruffles at the bottom...so adorable.

Just before we headed out to trick-or-treat until the cows came home, or until people stopped answering their doors. Either one.

If the shoe fits...

2009-10-29T22:34:00.000-07:00

I found this cute witch today. She was just sitting on a shelf at Goodwill waiting for me to discover her, my eye went right to her. I've added a few others to my collection this year, but she is by far my favorite. I love the feathers and pumpkin base.

She was only $2.99 and I repaired her missing earring after I took her picture.

And as a side note, my dad is coming back from Alaska after being gone five months, just in time for Halloween! We can't wait to see you Dad!

PSE

2009-10-17T21:45:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I blogged about my obsession/love-hate relationship with Photoshop. I'm a real hands-on-learner and I tinker A LOT! However, I've discovered photoshop tutorials and love the results. Below, are two pictures. The first one I've edited and the second isn't. I can't believe the difference...can you? I need to just sign myself up for a class so that I know what the heck I'm doing!

By the way, this is Lane...my nephew.

Sweet, Silly, Six

2009-10-12T13:25:00.000-07:00

Our Gracie girl turned six! I can't believe how fast time flies...she'll be sixteen in a blink of an eye. She had a big girl party and invited some school friends this year. Although, most of the girls that attended were cousins, she calls them her "house" friends. She is always saying the silliest things.

While watching the news Grace asked, "What's that man saying?"

To which I replied, "He's saying our economy is falling apart."

"Here in the Americas?" she asked.

"Yes, here in America."

"When they come to our house, lets get in our car and leave," she said in complete seriousness.

"Leave? Where should we go?" I asked.

"I don't know but we should get in our car and leave."

"Okay, sounds like a plan," I agreed.

She always has a plan that girl, no matter the situation.

We are blessed to have her big beautiful spirit apart of our family. Happy Birthday Girl!

Twins?

2009-10-04T22:42:00.001-07:00

I'm going against my better judgement and posting some crazy pictures of Grace and I. This post is for my niece Madi, who informed me that I needed to put something new up because she was tired of checking my blog and seeing nothing new...ten year olds! Well, I have to keep my one reader happy, right? Enjoy the silliness!

Sorry and I didn't even bother to edit them!

A Little Batty

2009-09-19T20:00:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time since I did a running post, mostly because there hasn't been anything consistent or note worthy to report. I have been running more now that school is back in session, although not necessarily during school hours. Earlier this week, I went out around 7 pmish and didn't make it back until after dark. I didn't think anything of it, until I opened the front door and found Grace in total distress and near tears. She was terrified that I wouldn't be able to find my way back in the dark. To which I replied, "I can see in the dark like a bat."

And so, tonight when I got back after dark she asked, "Mom, can you fly like a bat too?"

This week two of my sisters and I also started working out together in the morning. Mindy has a rower, bike, and treadmill. We also each have a son three or younger. It's craziness, one of us is continually breaking up a fight or diverting a crisis while the other two work-out. Be that as it may, I really like rowing. It's fun and it works a ton of muscles that I'm not getting while running. Scott has wanted to get a rower for a while and now I'm thinking maybe we do need one. I could row on the days I don't make it out running. I don't know...something to think about.

I Got Paid!

2009-09-18T16:15:00.001-07:00

Today, my sister Amber and I ran to Safeway to work their Buy 4, Save $4 Deal. While wandering the aisles for filler items for the overage we discovered the Ritz crackers were buy 1, get 1 free and then when we applied our buy 1, get 1 free coupon and we had on our hands a screamin' good deal.

I should have paid $2.94 for the items above. However, the cashier scanned the free coupon one too many times, which I brought to her attention but she said it was too late to take it off, oops!

I wasn't going to argue with her and 85 cents rolled out of the change machine! I got paid to take, 2 Rosarita beans, 6 Campbell's soup, 4 Ritz Crackerfuls, 2 Ritz crackers, 6 Nature Valley Nut Clusters and 2 Cocoa Puffs cereal home. You can't beat that!

Plus, yes there is more...my 2 free Capri Sun Catalina's didn't print so I got a rain check for them as well.

Here is my receipt just to prove it!

Boys, boys, boys

2009-09-10T20:04:00.000-07:00

Grace asked me if I wanted to see the boy she liked in her yearbook while I was tucking her in bed. When she found the picture it wasn't what I was expecting...he was older, a fourth grader. The conversation went as follows:

"Grace, this boy is in 4th grade this year."

"I know, he came and helped ME in my class!"

"Was he nice?"

"Yes, and he helped me!"

"You like the older boys, huh?"

"I like all different boys, but I just don't know who to pick."

"Well, you have a long time to figure it out."

Heaven help me, she's only five. Although, I hope she always tells me about the boy or boys she likes.

Speaking of boys, Noah has turned into a little monster. He often walks around the house exclaiming such...in a deep voice, "I'm a monster, I'm a monster!" He is also fulfilling every requirement of a little brother too. He terrorizes Grace from sunrise to sunset.

I don't know what I'm going to do with these two!

Soccer Season

2009-09-08T20:42:00.000-07:00

Soccer has begun. Grace's first soccer game is this Saturday. Scott helped her work out some kinks she was having with kicking the ball. She would run up and do a kangaroo style jump-kick...instead of planting her left foot and kicking with her right. It's the little details that make a difference. I'm learning right along with her...as you might remember last year. Although, I knew when I saw her crazy kick it wasn't right. Thank goodness, Scott knew how to fix it.

Grace correctly kicking the ball.

Noah taking his turn.

Goal!

Another good foot plant with proper kick.

Noah, having some fun.

If you enlarge this picture, you'll see that he also had some fun with some highlighters.

Safeway Steal!

2009-09-01T07:41:00.000-07:00

This week's Safeway score was unbelievable. I bought 10 bags of Fresh Express Salad and Coleslaw, 6 Golden Grain pasta and 2 Sargento Cheese for 22 cents! I gave the cashier a quarter and 3 pennies rolled out of the change machine, it was amazing! I held my composure until Grace and I got in the car and then I said, "Grace, we just robbed the store!" To which she replied, "Did we really?" She looked worried until I told her no, that I had just gotten a smokin' good deal.

What made this deal so good was the $5 worth of catalinas that I used from doing the granola bar and fruit snack deal last week. We're going to be eating a lot of salad for the next week!

Sacramento Tea Party #2

2009-08-28T17:45:00.001-07:00

My sister, Mom and I went to the Sacramento Tea Party today at the capital. The beginning was very moving. They called all the Veterans to the front so that we could thank them for their service. There were so many service men and women that they couldn't even make it up onto the steps.

There were also many farmers and truckers that attended. The government is taxing and regulating these businesses into extinction. Many drove from Solano County, where they have turned off the water pumps that provide water for the farming community. If that makes sense, then I don't know what does.

I brought my camera but forgot the flash drive at home...so the following pictures were taken with my blackberry. Sorry for the graininess.

Myself in front of the Tea Party Express Bus.

My mom in front of one of the many tractors that lined the street.

My mom and I.

Mom and Amber.

Part of the gathering at the capital.

Let's not forget, this country began as a Tax Revolt!

Pears

2009-08-25T09:43:00.001-07:00

My 36lb. box of pears arrived last week from Oregon. My cousin Roxcy has a friend that organized a bulk purchase. I'm going to attempt to can for the first time. Scott bought me a pressure cooker for $1 at an estate sale. It looks well used, he even bought the replacement seal for the lid. He's hoping he gets some canned pears out of it...he loves canned fruit of any variety.

We are still waiting for them to ripen-up.

Gone Fishin'

2009-08-21T20:14:00.000-07:00

Scott told Grace he would take her fishing a couple weeks ago. However, while opening the fishing gear we bought he cut his hand open so that trip was canceled. Although, she didn't let him forget that he promised to take her. This afternoon, we all piled in the car and went down to the river. Stopped at a place in Rio Linda I had never noticed before for some worms and we were on our way.

Grace getting herself a worm to carry around in a small plastic box. Don't worry, I released him when she had moved on to other things.

Noah checking out all the gizmos on the tackle box.

Grace's fishing pole, propped up so that she could play with the worms.

Scott took us to the same fishing hole his dad took him as a kid. We didn't catch anything and that's for the best.

Couponing Craziness

2009-08-16T00:08:00.000-07:00

Alright ladies if you aren't couponing, you are wasting money. I'm beginning to find a trend with non-couponers, many believe that we are just saving pennies on an item or transaction. I can't tell you how many well-meaning people say to me at the store, "Every Penny Counts!" with a smile. What I really want to say is, "No, I'm saving at least 80% or more on average on my bill." We'll let them think it's just pennies, more for the rest of us.

At Walgreens today, I bought:

4 Pamper's Wipes, paid tax only

13 Huggies Wipes, 4 cents, plus tax each

4 SinfulColors Nail Polish, paid tax only

1 Wetslicks Lipgloss, paid tax only

Then I went to Safeway,

I worked three deals of 4 Fruit snacks, 4 Nature Valley Granola bars, 1 Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, and 1 Eat Right Pudding.

I applied a store and manufacture coupon to every item. Then $5 worth of Catalinas printed each time.

Transaction #1 = 7.68 73% savings

Transaction #2 = 2.88 90% savings

Transaction #3 = 3.29 89% savings

And as if that wasn't enough, I went back with my sister-in-law,Nickie and we both rolled the deal four more times. Getting deals this good should be sinful!

Now, I know what you are thinking...what is that woman going to do with 17 boxes of wipes?

Really, what can't you use a wipe for?

Noah is almost completely potty trianed but I still use them on his bottom when he uses the toilet. I will donate some to G's school, give them away at baby showers, they are always good in the car, and I dust with them...the list could go on and on.

School and Lunches

2009-08-11T10:09:00.000-07:00

Update: I fixed the link to kooky culinary and I bought two bento boxes today!

Grace started 1st grade yesterday, she loved it...thank goodness! I loaded the pictures in the wrong order and am too lazy to go back and reload them, sorry.

Grace is a picky eater. I never know what she is going to eat and what she's not. Yesterday, I sent her to school with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich as her main dish. She didn't eat it, no surprise to me. So, when I came across kooky culinary last night I knew it was the answer to our lunch dilemma. When I worked at a Montessori school many years back we had a Japanese student that would bring a bento style lunch everyday. While the other kids ate packaged everything, Natsuki had rice balls with sushi and vegetables with dip. The best part was that she loved it! This morning, I made Grace a makeshift bento style lunch with my Tupperware, but of course I'm gonna have to get the cute containers at an Asian market.

As you can see, she was very excited about not having a PB&J for lunch.

This is what I could find in the kitchen that I knew for sure she would eat. Scott told me his Mom would give him a rice ball and chicken for lunch. So, I went on YouTube and learned how to make rice balls. To tell the truth, I was not a big fan of the PB&J as a kid either. My mom would make me a salad with a McDonald's salad dressing. She was so nice to me.

Grace at her own desk.

I hope she has a great school year. I could tell that I was going to really like her teacher from first sight. She seemed warm and easy-going, my kind of woman.

Birthday/School Starting

2009-08-08T22:07:00.000-07:00

A few times a day, Noah likes to say, "Happy Birthday, Mom!"

It's cute and I have to admit, even though it might not be my birthday, it sure brightens my day when he says it.

Grace starts 1st grade on Monday. I am excited for her and a little fearful too...six hours of learning is a l-o-n-g time when you are five. I never liked school much. It always felt as if it was something to be endured. I will never forget or forgive my second grade teacher, Ms. Sutton for making me sit in detention will the bad kids for months on end for not being able to memorize my times tables. Maybe, she soured me on the whole school experience at a young age. As an act of defiance, I have never learned them.

I've tried to give Grace a better outlook. I hope she has a good and insightful teacher this year, they make all the difference.

Sisters/Couponing

2009-08-02T23:40:00.000-07:00

I met-up with my three sisters at CVS tonight. We got free school supplies and looked like a traveling circus. We have talked about having a little blog dedicated to our coupon adventures or posting our craziness on YouTube. It's always an adventure, that's for sure. I also bought Ragu spaghetti sauce for 25 cents at Walgreens. It's not my favorite, but for 25 cents I can doctor it with some garlic and Italian seasoning.

Speaking of doctoring....Scott cut his hand last night while opening some fishing gear. I tried to convince him to get it stitched, but he thought he could glue it shut. However, in the morning he was ready to go the ER and have it stitched. I dropped him off and he got five stitches. They also said he nicked an artery, thus all the bleeding. He spent all day holding his hand above chest level as directed.

What I save us in coupons, he spends in medical bills.

Questions

2009-07-27T23:34:00.000-07:00

This is the expression I've been getting from Grace lately. She is worried. She has many, many questions about death.

Where does our brain (soul) go?
Will you still be my mother?
Will Noah still be my brother?
Will dad still be my dad?
Do we get to start over?
Where will we live in heaven?
Will Jesus be there?
Can I bring my doll with me?
Even if I die with my doll in my arm?
When does it happen?
Do kids die?
How much longer until it happens?
Will we die at the same time?

The list goes on and on, she is searching for answers and depending on me to give them to her. Although, none of my answers seem to be calming her fears and she dissolves into tears. She has some separation anxiety about death. I finally told her that I plan on living to be a hundred or as old as a tree and not to worry. I then joked that there will be times when she is a teenager that she will wish I would just give up the ghost and croak. She didn't find this funny. She doesn't understand my need to be a bit of a comedian to counteract the on coming tears.

I'm hoping tomorrow she will have some simpler questions.

Southpaw

2009-07-12T22:08:00.000-07:00

It looks like we are raising a little lefty at our house. Noah seems to be left hand dominate. I have tried multiple times to have him color with his right hand. He will for a short bit, then quickly switches over to his left. I guess when the time comes, I'll have to buy a pair of left handed scissors for him to use at school.

Are you a lefty or live with one? What else am I going to need to adjust?

From what I've read, he'll have an advantage of surprise in a fight. He's going to need it, he's a bruiser.

Kmart Doublers

2009-07-11T12:34:00.000-07:00

I said I'd cut back, but I have to share my amazing score at Kmart. I bought all the items pictured above for $5.17! I got 13 All laundry detergents, 4 Reynolds wrap, 1 box of Huggies wipes, 1 Ponds face cleansers, 1 package of Scunci poly bands and 2 Butterfinger candy bars to reach my limit.

We had a family dinner at my mom's last night. Needless to say, my sisters and I started talkin' the coupon talk and we decided to hit the double coupon deal at Kmart one more time. After dinner, I ran home, put the kids to bed, waited for Scott to arrive, gave him his dinner and headed to Kmart to meet-up with my sisters. I ordered the All coupons from Ebay in hopes that they would arrive before the week was over, and they did!

I think we are set with laundry detergent for a while.

Scott & Tiffany, Plus 2

2009-07-07T21:23:00.000-07:00

I have found something that entertains the kids better than "the eight kid show".

I taped Grace and Noah this afternoon and then let them watch it. They thought it was SO much fun. Then I dug out Noah's first birthday party for them to watch. Although why is it, that hearing your own recorded voice is such a strange experience?

Independence Day

2009-07-06T21:40:00.000-07:00

My camera did not come out of it's case this 4th of July, which is rare, but true. Therefore, I have no cute pictures to share. However, we celebrated our nations independence with a parade. I have to admit, I am getting more sentimental with every passing year. I'm just turning into a sap, really. When the float with the P.O.W.'s came rolling by, I had a hard time holding the tears back.

I never thought about having to send a son off to war until I found out I was having Noah. Now that may never happen, but it makes me consider all of the mothers that have and what a tremendous sacrifice it would be. It's interesting, how I view life thru my "mom" eyes.

Later, that evening we barbecued at my sister's house and the guys put on a fireworks show for the kids. Then, we headed over to the fairgrounds and watched the BIG show. And as if that wasn't enough, we came back to Mindy's and did 4 cases of sparklers. Only on the 4th of July, would you give a kid a burning stick to play with.

Happy Birthday America, and thank-you to all the many servicemen and women and all the mother's that sent them.

Potty Talk

2009-06-27T23:20:00.000-07:00

This week Noah started potty training. We are doing it the old fashioned way, straight to underwear, no pull-ups. Grace did it this way and had it down-pat in two weeks. I'm hoping Noah will do as well, but needless to say, he's been wetting quite a few pairs of underpants. Therefore, I've been having him wear some of Grace's while I continually wash his. I should also add, that he can articulate almost everything he wants.

Yesterday he told me, "I don't like girl underwear!"

I about fell over laughing. Poor kid, doesn't want to wear his sister's underpants. And really, can you blame him?

Music-N-Motion

2009-06-21T18:41:00.001-07:00

Grace and her cousins did a week of dance camp thru the high school. They all loved it! There was a performance the last day to showcase the different dances they learned. It was lots of fun to see them dance.
Nana and the girls.

Grace and I after the performance.

Grace doing ballet.

Mix & Match Event

2009-06-17T09:07:00.000-07:00

I know what your thinking, not another coupon post! I just can't help it. There really are other things going on in my life, but this is all I can get my self to blog about. For instance, Grace finished kindergarten, Scott is on the mend from a bout with shingles and went back to work this Monday. Noah got kicked out of nursery on Sunday for pinching and pushing. I don't know what I'm going to do with that kid. And I got my hair cut a few days ago and I still can't figure out how to style it. So, if you see me out on the street please don't poke fun.

Yesterday, was Amber's birthday so after dropping the girls off at dance camp and the boys off with my niece, Kendal, we went out to lunch. Afterwards, she wanted to do a little couponing since we had a couple of kid free hours. First, we hit RiteAid and I got L'oreal mascara for 23 cents and John Freida shampoo and conditioner for 64 cents. Then, we went to Safeway for the last day of their Mix & Match event and I got everything pictured above for $6.44! I bought 2 boxes of Capri Sun, 8 Joint Juices, 6 Propel, and 4 Tree Top apple juices. I saved $32.78 for a total savings of 84%.

All right, I promise to cut back on the coupon posts.

Kmart Bandit

2009-06-10T21:17:00.000-07:00

No really, my sister and I saw a man try to snatch an older woman's purse in front of Kmart earlier this week. We called 9-1-1 and four men chased and tackled him to the ground. I walked back with her to her car and she told me that she thought the man was going to offer to help put her heavy bags of cat food in the trunk for her. That made me sad. However, it heartened me to see so many people spring into action to help her.

Afterwards, we went inside and got some screaming good deals. My total for all these items was $9.96! It's double coupon week at Kmart! I have to admit, I've been there twice this week rounding-up all my free or near free items. I got 2 Kraft barbecue sauces for FREE, 4 Mean Green cleaners for FREE, 4 Oust sprays for FREE, 3 Bic razors for FREE, 1 Listerine mouth wash for .29 cents, 2 Kotex for FREE, and 1 Snuggle for $1. Then I was a big spender and got the 4 Quantum Finish Detergents for $2 a box, plus tax.

We joked on the way home that the man stealing purses just needs to start couponing instead.

Trent's Graduation

2009-06-09T13:49:00.000-07:00

My nephew Trent graduated from high school! We all drove up to Reno Saturday for the ceremony and party afterwards. Congrats Trenton, we are so proud of you!

Papa calling from Alaska, out in the bush.

Trent in his cap and gown. What a handsome guy!

My brother Troy, sister-in-law Kerrie, and nephews, Trent and Brennen.

Myself, the babushka lady, trying to keep my hair from getting wet while walking back to the car after the ceremony.

Nana and Trent.

All the grand-kids, except Noah. He was at home with Scott.

All the 2009 Graduates! Trent from high school. Lane and Kendal from middle school. Brennen from elementary school and Grace from kindergarten. Way to go guys!

Safeway Bandit

2009-06-05T13:48:00.000-07:00

Here is today's Safeway score! I still feel like a bandit every time I climb into the car after getting an awesome deal. My total came to $24 and saved $73.41. I bought 4 Tree Top apple juices, 12 Prego spaghetti sauces, 8 Betty Crocker brownie mixes, and 6 boxes of Hefty bags. Safeway is doing an incredible "Mix & Match" event and then I applied a coupon to every item.

Normally, I'm a Winco or Walmart shopper. However, since I started couponing I have begun to find some CRAZY deals at stores I rarely frequent, until now.

Just letting you know....

2009-06-04T19:52:00.000-07:00

Our postal lady delivers our mail in her LEXUS! I had to do a double take while pulling my car into the garage this afernoon.

Man, I need to get a job down at the post office.

Shingles

2009-06-03T10:47:00.000-07:00

No, not the kind that are on the roof of your house. Scott has shingles. I took him down to the doctor a couple days ago to get a diagnosis since his eye was almost swollen shut. And as if that wasn't enough, he also has a sinus infection too. GOOD TIMES!

A few nights back he was in the bathroom hurlin' while I tried to convince the kids that really there wasn't a monster in our house, it just sounds like there is. Their little faces were so pinched with worry.

He seems to be doing better today. Well enough, to sit for awhile at the computer and play Command & Conquer 3.

It's that time of the year again...

2009-05-27T22:55:00.000-07:00

Yard sale season is in full swing. This past Saturday we loaded the kids up and found some treasures. I bought this vintage dress for a buck and washed and wore to church the next morning.

::side note:: Is it sad that I had to ask my five year old to take this picture?

We also found a basket/box from Hawaii for $1. Noah got a set of Thomas the Train Engine pajamas for 25 cents and Grace got a fish tank with all the fixings for $14. Scott even found a nice golf club to add to his growing collection.

Swimsuit Season

2009-05-17T23:12:00.000-07:00

It must be getting close to summer. Grace has been dashing outside in her swimsuit a lot lately. Noah follows suit and strips down to his diaper or less. She sets-up towels, books, lemonade, toys and endless other items in the backyard for them.

She has been obsessed with the "eight kid show" as she calls it and the episode where they sleep in tents in the backyard. She told me after watching an episode that it would be "some much fun" if I had six babies.

To which I replied, "No, that would be hell."

"Hells?" she asked.

With all the seriousness I could muster I said, "Yes, our life would be hells because most people have one baby at a time because they are so much work."

Maybe, I need to borrow a tent and sleep in the backyard with her to prove that we don't need sextuplets to do fun things.

Friday Night Fun

2009-05-09T09:38:00.000-07:00

I spent last night with these three handsome guys. We ate pancit, raced in the backyard and played with every toy in Noah's room. They liked the old wooden train the best.

Target Score

2009-05-06T21:41:00.000-07:00

Today I went to Target and got twenty FREE bags of Chex Mix! Two bags aren't shown because we got hungry on the way home. I just started couponing and am blown away by the things that you can get for free. I haven't made money off anything yet, but from what I read on other blogs they say it can be done. So, my total came to $1.19 and I had a coupon for the Lysol shown so that the total wouldn't be zero. I made out like a bandit!

Noah Turns Two!

2009-05-01T23:15:00.001-07:00

Noah turned two on the 26th of April! He's growing so fast, wasn't it just last week that we brought him home? There's so much to say about this little guy. He brings untold amounts of joy to our home. He loves sports and anything with a motor. I frequently hear from the back seat, "ride truck" or "broooom, broooom" as a motorcycle passes by. He loves Grace and is one step behind her all day. He has learned that if he asks "my turn" that he usually gets one. And gives unprompted hugs and I love you's. Happy Birthday Noah, we are so lucky to have you!

Couponing

2009-04-29T21:19:00.000-07:00

I just started couponing and last week was double coupon week at Kmart and I can't tell you how many bottles of suave shampoo and conditioners I got for 8 cents.

This afternoon, my sister Mindy and I went on our maiden voyage to Walgreens to work the register rewards. We didn't do so well, we didn't fully understand the need for "filler" items or that you should only buy one item at a time so that each register reward will print. It was a learning experience for us both. Amber was in the car watching toddlers when she should have been inside teaching us all the register reward ways.

However tonight, Mindy and I went back with a determination to work the deal better. Mindy wrote down what items to buy in the sequence that would get us the best bang for our buck. We are learning. I spent $4.03 and received a $6 register rewards that I can use on my next visit. Here's what I got.

When Mom's Away the Boys Will Play

2009-04-21T23:41:00.000-07:00

This is what happens when I leave Noah with his dad for an hour. My poor plant didn't have a fighting chance, but we've laughed all day about it. At least, he didn't cut his hair or finger!

Sacramento Tea Party

2009-04-15T19:15:00.000-07:00

My Mom, Noah and I went to the Sacramento Tea Party. There were many good speakers. Micheal Reagan was there and told a story about his father Ronald Reagan. There were a few people that spoke from the gathered crowd. Niel Cavuto from Fox News was there although we had to leave before he spoke to get back to pick-up Grace. It was exciting to be with so many other like-minded Americans!

Looks Like Trouble

2009-04-11T17:29:00.000-07:00

Noah went for a ride on his cousin's quad earlier this week when we went over to dye eggs. We have three little boys around their age. They are a tornado of energy when they are together.

Bread Winner

2009-04-06T21:23:00.000-07:00

Proof that my kids won't starve, thanks to Roxcy. Even Miss Picky Pants (Grace) liked the bread. We ate it warm out of the oven with butter and honey. Yum!

Roxcy grinding the wheat in her Vita Mixer. It was incredibly fast and loud.

Myself kneading the bread, and trying to look like I knew what I was doing.

We had fun baking bread, but of course the kids had the best time on the back patio.

Noah in his warm bucket of water.

Grace found different ways to sit in her bucket since her legs didn't fit.

Little Joci Jo was just happy to watch the other two crazies!

Sourdough Starter and Some Other Nonsense

2009-04-05T20:22:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, I started a sourdough starter. There are so many stages. Mine was on the verge of death. I was debating on draining the hooch off the top or not (yes, I said hooch) and realized after reading some more that you need to feed the living thing every once-in-awhile. I gave it some flour and warm water in hopes that it gets happy and bubbly again. It's having no problem getting sour though, I can't get the smell out of my nose.

Tomorrow, I'm going to my cousin Roxcy's and she's going to teach me how to make whole wheat bread. We are going to hand mill the wheat everything. I'll try to remember to bring the camera along and take a few pictures. It should be fun, in a baking-survival kind of way. Just don't ask me to bake any bread over an open fire. I'm more of a bread machine girl, throw it in and walk away.

The kids and I went for a walk thru the water preserve near our house between conference sessions today. Noah was fascinated with a ladybug we helped across the path. He spent a long time trying to get her back on his stick. We also picked some wild flowers along the way. Don't tell anyone, but Noah picked two California poppies. They didn't make it home. Nothing survives his destructive little hands. I read the signs about the wildlife to the kids, but should have skipped the one about garter snakes. Grace freaked out and was no longer interested in our short nature walk.

Another Boring Running Post

2009-03-24T21:54:00.000-07:00

Scott starts his new job tomorrow. We are going to have to rearrange a lot of how we do things around the house. Mornings have been our lounge/family time. We have a big breakfast in our pajamas every morning. I don't do any errands or socializing until Scott leaves at 2 p.m. Now, he'll work 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and will make it home just before the kids are put to bed. So, that will be our new family time.

I'm taking Noah out in the running stroller tomorrow. I'll let you know how that nightmare turns out. I bought a used double running stroller last summer and took both kids out once and hated it. I was still at the more walking than the running stage, but pushing fifty pounds while doing so didn't help. I ran three stretches with them and turned around and went home. Grace kept saying, "Do it again Mom!"

Now, I have a single stroller that I got for free. Only needed a new tire. Noah is my more adventurous child so I'm hoping he just sits back and doesn't cause me any trouble, i.e. making me remove my headphones! Who am I kidding, right?

Side note: Hormones are a terrible, terrible little joke on women. I just cried my eyeballs out reading nie nies latest post.

From a Babe's Mouth

2009-03-21T23:56:00.001-07:00

While frantically trying to get Grace to school last Friday I forgot to buckle-up. From the back seat my little Noah said, "Buckle Mama". I can't believe the things he can say or comprehend.

He is turning TWO at the end of next month. It makes me so sad. Is that normal? I didn't feel that way about Grace. Mostly, because I knew she wasn't going to be my last and to be honest, she was a cranky little thing. I sold all of our baby stuff at a garage sale a few weeks ago. I sold the crib, walker, highchair, booster seat and the little blankets (I did keep a couple favorites) and then I went home and felt sad. Again, normal? Maybe, or maybe I'm crazy. I hope it's not the latter.

Shamrock'n Half Marathon

2009-03-17T16:27:00.000-07:00

It's taken a while to post about the race. My kids had the stomach flu, enough said.

The race was awesome and I want to do many more. I learned a lot. First, make sure all equipment is in working condition. Scott's MP3 player was set on timer mode (he must have been using it at work) and I didn't realize it until just before my wave was sent off. Therefore, it got lugged around for nothing. Second, don't drink so much water right before the race. Thank goodness, there were port-a-potties along the way.

Everything was fun and breezy until about mile twelve. My legs REALLY wanted to walk. But the rule I gave myself was that I could only walk thru the water stations to get a drink. It took some tough mental talk to keep from taking a short walk that last mile. I'd tell myself, you want to walk? Why don't you run faster then you can walk all you want when your done!

I also got to run with my friend Jill for a few miles. She had to listen to my commentary of the color of the bridge or how another runner ran with her hands flopped down. Sorry Jill, sometimes I can't shut my mouth.

Scott came with the kids. I thought he was going to bring the camera but no such luck. My parents also came with my two nieces. They held a banner that my sister Amber made on her vinyl machine.

I loved every minute of it. Even when I wanted to walk.

"I decided to go for a little run" - Forest Gump

2009-03-10T19:19:00.000-07:00

I've been running/training for the Shamrock'n Half Marathon this coming Sunday. Nervous excitement hit me today, but I feel ready. I've worked hard to get all the kinks out of my running. I changed the lacing pattern on my shoes to the "Lydiard lacing pattern" to help prevent my toes from going numb. I also, bought arch supports for the knee/hip thing that was happening, per my chiropractor's advice. Which has helped tremendously.

Scott is switching jobs later this month. He's excited, as am I, although it's going to affect my running. I had the luxury of having Scott home in the mornings because he works swing shift at his current job and that will change at the end of the month. So, I can either get up at the butt-crack of dawn and run (which won't happen) or run when he gets home around 8 p.m. (which is doable, but not safe.) We'll see how it works out.

Scott worked on my running stroller last night. He got all the tires pumped and ready to go. But honestly, I hate running with a stroller. It's very cumbersome and hard to maneuver. And really, I like the alone time I get while running.

I need to find a running buddy. Where do you get one of those? Maybe, I would get out of bed at 6 a.m. if I knew someone was going to be waiting on me.

Character Counts

2009-02-28T08:07:00.000-08:00

Grace received a Character Counts Award on Friday. She didn't know she was receiving it and was a little shy. Her teacher said some really nice things about her determination to master new tasks, no matter how hard it might be and her ability to befriend someone feeling down or left out. I had a hard time trying to keep from crying, but I made it without any water works.

Snap, Crackle, Pop

2009-02-25T20:27:00.001-08:00

American Idol is on and Scott just walked in the door with chips and salsa from Chevy's. Does it get any better? Or do I just have low expectations? I think it's the latter.

I went to an athlete chiropractor today. He had many suggestions for my running. He said that I have a short leg which is causing pain in my opposite hip after about mile five. Who would have thunk it? He did pull on my legs some and popped my ankles. Maybe he was trying to even me out. I'm heading to the store tomorrow and buying arch support too. Then we'll see if I can run like the wind blows.

Did I mention I got a massage too? Well, I guess we have some good insurance because it covers 20 visits to the massage therapist. Her name is Jessica, and is now my new best friend. Well, at least for 19 more visits.

Gotta go, I have some salsa and chips to eat!

72 Hour Repack

2009-02-22T18:57:00.001-08:00

While Scott and I repacked our 72 hour kits today, we had the following conversation.

SCOTT: "Roll the clothes up into outfits and tape them."

ME: "Why do that?"

SCOTT: "So, that you can grab a whole change of clothing."

ME: "Won't that leave tape residue later?"

SCOTT: "Yeah, and everyone will say: Did you see what Tiffany brought to wear to the end of the world? She has tape residue on her pants!"

ME: "Shut-up!"

Followed by uncontrollable laughter.

Roller Skating

2009-02-17T21:02:00.000-08:00

We went roller skating tonight. Grace's school was doing a fundraiser. We brought along her two cousins, Chloe and Madi. It was Grace's first time. Her and Chloe inched along the wall most of the time. As we were returning our skates some roller derby girls started arriving. If I didn't have to get the girls home, I would have stayed and watched. Because who doesn't like a contact sport on wheels?