Frugal Friday... The Library

I'm always looking for ways to save money, especially where the kids are concerned. Both of my girls love books and we get quite a few at Christmas and on their birthdays. But seriously, how many times do I have to read "Monkeying Around With Chimp and Zee" before I go...well, bananas?

Our town's library is so charming. The upstairs houses the children's books and underneath the dormers are little nooks with murals painted on the walls complete with pillows for settling in with a good read. We haven't been to the library in quite awhile, however. I believe the last time I took Jamie Ruth, we left with her in tears not fully understanding the concept that the books are only borrowed, if only to be brought back to be checked out AGAIN. But now we are a mature 4 and three-quarters, and going to the library was her idea this time. And well, being a Lit major in college, I find the smell of old books intoxicating... so off we went.

Upon arriving, we took a stack of books to each of the three nooks and I read to her for the better part of two hours...amazed at how the time flew. She then picked out seven books to bring home (that I had to carry to the van) and then replied, "And you know what, Mom? THIS time, I'm not even going to cry when we bring them back." I tried not to laugh realizing how much she's grown and how moments like this are priceless. In every sense of the word! Check out http://www.biblicalwomanhood.com/ for more ideas for frugal living .

Things I Love Thursday... Yoplait Light

Okay, I've been on a diet off and on ( more on than off :) ) since the beginning of the year. "The South Beach Diet" is pretty much my "go-to" diet when I want to drop a few pounds because the food is delicious, I don't feel deprived, and basically... it works. After two months of healthy eating, when I do want to indulge, afterwards I feel kind of yucky. So what's a girl to do when she needs a little something sweet?!? I am LOVING Yoplait Light, a delicious, low-calorie, fat free yogurt. Some of my favorites are their Key Lime Pie, Apple Turnover, Boston Cream Pie, Banana Cream Pie... I could go on and on. The thing is, this yogurt tastes like a dessert instead of yogurt and at 100 calories a serving, I can have a snack or a satisfying dessert with zero guilt. Head on over to www.thediaperdiaries.net to check out what other bloggers are loving today!

For Pensive Moments

I found this list in an old cook book the other day that once belonged to Chuck's grandmother. While menu planning, I figured out dinner for the week, gained some valuable insight, and chuckled out loud more than once. Thought I'd share it with you...


For Pensive Moments

A word of advice... do not give it.
Love thy enemies... it will drive them nuts.
To share with a friend is to see twice the beauty.
The recipe that is not shared with others will soon be forgotten, but when it is shared, it will be enjoyed by future generations.
There is nothing wrong with the younger generations that twenty years will not cure.
The flower that follows the sun, does so even on cloudy days.
A loose tongue often gets into a tight place.
One mother can care for five children, but five children cannot care for one mother.
A neighbor asked a small boy if his family said prayers before the meals. "No," he replied, "We don't have to. My mother is a good cook."
People who expect the worst usually find it.
Even a mosquito does not get a slap on the back until he starts working.
Always do right... this will gratify some and astonish the rest.
Happiness is like potato salad... when you share it with others, it's a picnic.
Remember when health foods were whatever your mother said to eat... or else?
Be careful how you live... you may be the only bible some people ever read.
I can keep a secret, but those I tell it to never can.
Delicious food that melts in your mouth also sticks to your hips.
The most difficult meal for the average housewife is to get dinner out.
Even worse than a storm or a riot is a bunch of kids who are suddenly quiet.
One should never question his wife's judgement... after all, she married him.
Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement.
It takes a clever man to know how to agree with his wife in such a way that she will change her mind.

Tackle It Tuesday

Okay, last week I didn't accomplish as much as I had set out to do in the kitchen... big shocker. Anna started having seizures and then, well, everything else gets put on hold until they pass. No worries, though. I'm up for the challenge today!

After watching the latest episode of "Jon and Kate Plus 8" that I had recorded on DVR, I decided to take a cue from Kate and today I will be cleaning out the refrigerator. Just the fridge part, not the freezer... let's not get CRAZY! It shouldn't be that bad considering the fridge itself is only a couple of months old... but boy can it get gross in a hurry! So I'm off to take everything out and clean the shelves before I head to the store tomorrow for groceries. When is the last time any of you have done this? I didn't do it nearly enough with my old fridge... but this one has glass shelves. Maybe I should have considered that before buying! LOL!

Friday: Dinner and a Movie

We had the most fabulous Friday night... all by accident, really. After a hectic week of Anna having seizures, I let Jamie Ruth invite a friend over after school. They had great fun playing dress-up, and when it came time for the little girl to leave, my red-headed baby was heartbroken. Trying to divert her attention, I suggested that I dress up WITH her and we could finish having the tea party that the two girls had started hours ago. Surprisingly enough, she took to the idea immediately, and wished her friend well as she left. Feeling victorious at diverting a meltdown, I also suggested that after Dad came home, and after we ate dinner, we would pop some popcorn, she could pick out any movie that she wanted to watch, and we would have our own "Family Movie Night."

I can't tell you how excited she got as we went to my closet to find a "princess dress" for me to wear. I first tried on the bridesmaid dress from my sister's wedding this past summer. UGGH! Too snug! (Mental note: Make sure I really push it next week doing "The Firm.") The next and only option left: my witch's costume from Halloween. "How about this one?" I asked. "Oh that one's BEAUTIFUL!" (If by beautiful you mean long, black, with jagged-cut sleeves and hem...okay. At least it fit!) I decided to accessorize with a fancy black hat, a string of pearls, and some red and while high heeled shoes (don't ask... an impulse buy last summer!). I felt this complemented her attire of a ballerina tutu, pink belt, white straw hat and blue dress-up shoes immensely. So off we go to spread our quilt out in the living room floor and have some tea until Dad arrives.

When Dad walked in (with Chinese food in hand...yeah, I know how good I have it!), he exclaimed, "Well, HELLO ladies!" I told him that we were dressing up for tea (now dinner) and he might want to go put on a tie. "Really?" he asked. "REALLY," I said. So being the good sport he is, he relented and even let our little ballerina pick out his tie (which he wore over his t-shirt!). I finished his ensemble off with an old hat that belonged to his grand-dad. I'm kicking myself all over the place for not getting a picture of all of us in this garb. Words just don't do it justice. Trust me.

Well, we finished our dinner and popped our corn and settled in to watch the Veggie Tales' "The Christmas Star." It was then that Anna decided (wearing her own tutu) that she was heading to the bedroom. No "Christmas Star" for her! Chuck followed her and Jamie Ruth and I proceeded to camp out in the floor and watch the movie I'd promised. After a while she turned to me and said, "MOM? Thank you for doing this for me. This is making me REALLY happy." Well, I guess you know that my heart turned to butter and I gave her a kiss and told her I loved her. Now if that's not a Hallmark moment, I don't know what is!! Looks like Friday "Dinner and a Movie" might have to become a regular occurrence around here, complete with ties, hats, and dress-up shoes. I hope she cherishes that memory for a long time. I know I will. :)