Saturday, October 18, 2010

                       

Saturday was a busy day for us.  Madison had two soccer games. Both of Parker's were postponed until the next week.  I guess I am a little late on posting this, because another Saturday has passed since I started this.  Madison has a new team this year.  She is part of the Comets team.  They have three games in all and have won all three.  I am so proud of Madison.  She played so good!  She actually scored in both games!!  Nanny has tagged along with us to all of the games so far.  I know we are about to wear her out.  We have to walk a lot and it hasn't been so cool at any of the games so far.  I just love this picture of her.  I really think she resembles her dad.  She looks like him more and more everyday.

         

          

         

Grammie's Birthday

                 

Last Wednesday was Grammie's birthday and we had a delicious cake.  If you ever need a birthday cake look no further than here in our wonderful town of Cordell!  We are so lucky to have Kris making these cakes here.  It turned out so cute and it tasted good too! 

Supporting America Cancer Society

        

Last Friday night was the Are You Tough Enough? football game in support of the America Cancer Society.  Part of the proceedsof the t-shirt sales went directly to the Cancer Society.  Are you tough enough to wear pink?  We are!  The crowd was covered in pink.  The cheerleaders and football players were in support as well. 

            

Pray for the Children

I hope that we aren't damaging our children.  Tonight completes the first week of doing the Financial Peace Jr. with our kids.  After last weeks lesson, we decided to start teaching our children one of the best lessons that we can other than biblical lessons.  I feel that educating them about how to spend, save, and give is vitally important.  I pray that what we teach them sticks with them and they put it to good use.  We have started the 401 DAVE plan with both of them, giving them fair warning about the purchase of their first car.  We will match 100% of what they save for a car.

Each week the kids have a set amount of jobs and we pay them a wage for a job well done.  It teaches us in the bible if you don't work, you don't eat.  Too many feel that they get a check in the mail because they deserve it.  I feel that if you are capable of working, get out there and work.  Make a wage and pay your own way.

After a full week of this, it seems to be going really well.  Madi and Parker have done a great job.  Both have completed their jobs and got paid tonight.  I would say that they are at minimum wage right now.  Madi's first question, "at $1 a job, how am I going to save $4500 dollars?".  I explained that the wage goes up with the difficulty of tasks.  Parker is just glad that we started this now so he has more years to save! 

Goodbye Squeakers

After show and tell with the frog and keeping him around for several days, I talked Parker into letting the frog go in the flower bed.  He begged for me to  take just a few more pictures so he can remember him.   He was nearly in tears.  Am I a mean mother?  Please agree with me,  we can't continue to keep the frog in a small plastic container.  Parker thinks that I am a meany.  He wanted to keep him as a pet.  I love critters, I just don't believe that keeping animals away from nature is the right thing to do.  I want him to live and that means letting him go. 

 

        

           

Strange Calls

This week was week two in Financial Peace class.   While we were there my phone started ringing.  I dug through my purse, grabbed it and answered it as soon as possible.  I didn't even take time to see who was calling.  I whispered hello and quickly got a look from Dave Jr.  He pointed to the kitchen.  So I quietly walk to the kitchen continuing to whisper "Hello".  Why is no one answering me.  "Hello, Who is this?"  I listen closely.  I can hear a voice in the background but still no one is responding to me.  I began to talk louder, thinking that they can't hear me.  One more time, "HELLO".  I listen close this time and I think I hear something, what is that, who is talking?  I listen really close and guess who it was that I was hearing!  It was Dave Ramsey in the background talking.  I realize that Chris's butt was calling me.  I walk back into the room where Chris is watching the video and whisper in his ear, "Hey Dave, it's your butt calling me! Could you please disconnect the call?"  I laughed so hard.  He is always making fun of me for calling people by mistake so now I can give it back to him now!

The Master Griller

                      

We have a joke around our house about grilling.  Chris always does most of the grilling.  I have tried to compete in this area for a while.  But I will never be able to cook as well as Chris.  I always call him the Master Griller.  He does awesome job every time.  I love it when he grills, It makes dinner so much easier for me.  I just have to throw together a side dish and dinner is served.  (It wouldn't matter if he was grilling slop I'd still love it! (anytime I can get out of cooking!  Yippee!!!)

           

Doesn't that just make your mouth water!!  It was yummy!

Another Episode of Design on a Dime

My latest project started this weekend.  Chris and I were sitting on the front porch, enjoying quiet time together, when I noticed how dirty the light was.  I talked Chris into taking it down so we could clean it up a little.  I worked on it a while and mentioned painting it. I don't know how a bird had any room to perch up there and leave so much poo.  Sorry, as PW says "Just keeping it real".  

Chris said we should just stop and put it back up.  He said "We can just buy a new one, that it would be alot easier."  I almost passed out hearing him say this.  Since he transformed into his new Dave persona, you never here let's buy a new one.  The real shocker is I was determined to make this light look like new.  I knew it would look better I just wasn't sure how much better.   It was disguisting how dirty it was.  I couldn't believe it once I got it down and started cleaning it.  It is a wonder the porch was lit at all when it was on.  The glass was so filthy, you couldn't see through it.  After I got it all taken apart I convinced Chris to do the spray painting.  I always seem to end up with runs.  It makes me too nervous.  I didn't want to screw it up at this point, besides I am saving money!  Yeah for me.  Aren't you all so proud of my new frugal attitude?  I think that it turned out as good as new! 

Back to School

Chris and I are going back to school this fall.  No, not really.  It is a actually a fun school.   Back in March, both of us read Total Money Makeover, after that we started a plan to be debt free.  (I actually only read 4 chapters but once Chris read it he was transformed into Dave, so I figure part of the book is better than nothing!)  Yep, totally debt free!  It hasn't been the easiest thing so far but a change for the better.  When we started we cut up every credit card and quit using our debit card.  We have switched over to a cash basis other than the money required for bill paying.

When we found out about the classes at the First United Methodist Church being offered, we decided that we would go.  You can never be overeducated in the area of finance.  I think that most adults could stand a little reform where spending is concerned.  I do have moments that living with the new Dave in my life is trying but for the most part it will be awesome to have no debt.  We do live on a very tight budget.  I mean really tight.  Again, I do believe it is worth it.   I do on regular occasion feel like I am going to scream.  I find myself saying to Chris, "If I hear Dave says one more time, I am going to punch something."  I would never do that but inside I feel that way.  I am not a violent person.  At least no yet.  I do need prayers, I need constant help from the Lord above to continue on this journey.  I know it is going to be a rewarding experience and in the end I know I will be thankful.    I also ask for prayers for everyone in our class.  I want them to be successful, to feel educated and to have progress in their financial situation.  I want them not to feel overwhelmed in the process but to feel accomplished!

If you ever get a chance to attend this class, I would recommend it.

Squeakers

                     

More critters at our house this week.  This time it is a frog.  Parker and Madi went to visit Mike and Cindy Sunday evening while Chris and I were at Handbell practice.  Parker always digs around in Cindy's basement and ended up with a frog that he named Squeakers. ??  Who knows what this boy is going to bring home next.  Both of the kids just love this little guy.  My biggest concern is how long will he stick around?  Maybe it will be like the centipede, only last a week or so.  I hope that I can convince them to release him.  And soon!

                       

Tonight, Parker and Madi have been on the lookout for frog food.  They have found several crickets and a few grasshoppers.  After they ate supper, they decided to go out and play with the frog for awhile.  While I am busy typing and getting blogs ready they decided it was too hot outside for the frog and brought him in to Madi's room to cool off.  

I told the kids it was time to get ready for bed.  I thought that they were both headed off to the bathrooms, when I hear them both in Madison's bathroom.  Parker is supposed to get in my shower and Madi in the other.  When I realize that they are both in Madison's bathroom I knew something was up.  I go to the hall and hear them discussing the frog.  I swing open the door as fast as I could to see that the frog is in the sink full of water.  "Mom, he was dirty and needed a bath." 

I never know what to expect next.  Stay tuned for the next event of the Johnson household.  I'll keep you posted!

                     

Design on a Dime

Since we are on a frugal budget, thanks to Dave, I have been trying to use up some old things by making them new again.  I want to share with you a project that I have done.

I don't know if you all know that I buy lots of picture frames. I do.  I confess, I need therapy.  I love to shop Hobby Lobby.  I could spend hours in the frame section alone.  Anyway, on with the story.

I had the pictures of the kids that were taken last summer with the Toucan bird.  I love the colors of the pictures.  They were so vivid and alive.  I wanted to put these out in my beachy room but the frames that I had were just blah!  My first instinct was to rush out and look for the perfect frame for these.  After that urge passed, I decided to make old into new. These two frames were just some cheap frames I had bought at the General Dollar (hehe, that one is for you Cindy) and painted white.  I had actually put them in the garage sale pile to discard of them. I pulled them out and glued shells on them.  I had originally planned to do this back in 2006 after going on a cruise and collecting a ton of seashells.  As procrastination always gets the best of me, I got to this project four years later.  I am so proud of them, I think that they turned out great!

            

Cheesy Crock-Pot Corn

Here is the recipe I promised in an earlier blog.  Try it sometime.  It is a really good side dish that is easy.  I can't promise calorie free or healthy for that matter.  I can promise you will definitely get a full serving of two important food groups.  Milk and vegetable.  Actually, at my house it would be three, we consider cheese its own food group!

CHEESY CREAMED CORN

Serving Size: 4 (Easy Recipe to Multiply)

1 16 oz. pkg. frozen corn

4 oz. cubed cream cheese

1/8 cup cubed butter

1 Tbsp. water

1 Tbsp. milk

3/4 Tbsp. sugar

2 slices torn up American cheese

Layer all ingredients in slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or until heated through and cheese is melted. Stir occasionally. Stir before serving.

I know that this says 1/8 c. butter, I may have added a little more than that.  If a tad of butter is good, just a little more has got to be better, right?   I add a little salt and pepper.  I just can't cook without adding a little here and there.  Just be very, very careful with your crock pot once you get it all clean, it is way to valuable to live without it! Trust me on this one!

Yummy Tri-Tip

Chris cooked dinner tonight.  It was marvelous. 
#1.  I didn't have to cook.

#2. It was tri-tip. 

I don't know how many of you have tried this.  (you may have discovered this before me) But I just discovered this fabulous meal several summers ago when my relatives from California visited and cooked for us.  (Yes, some good things do come from California.)  It is delicious cooked slow on the grill.  They do a lot of grilling.  All three of the husbands do a lot of cooking and grilling.  They brought this with them because it is one of their favorite things to cook.  They said that they find it at Costco.  Not having Costco here in Oklahoma I have been shopping everywhere, looking for this cut, vacuumed sealed, prepackaged, and pre-seasoned like this.  So last weekend when we went to OKC, while shopping at Sam's a miracle occurred.   I will share the blessed event with you. 

While browsing the meat section I spot it, the sky opened up, the bright lights were shining down from the heavens, the angels began to sing and were shouting Hallelujah.  (This maybe a tad bit over exaggerated.  I do get excited over little things, please forgive me.)  I turn, looking for Chris and spot him over at the next meat counter and I shout, "Chris get over here you are never going to believe what I just found".  I wish I could say he scurried right over to the buggy but I figure I may have embarrassed him.  Not that I made a scene in public!  Not me, ever!  It was so exciting to finally find some.  This wasn't exactly like what they had brought to us.  What they buy is called Santa Maria Style Tri-tip.  This was Peppercorn-Garlic.  No matter what the seasoning it was delicious.  I hope that if you haven't tried cooking this that you do and see what you think. Grill it and cook it on low and slow.  It will get a little more charred than the picture above but that is just how it is when cooked on the grill.  Once the meat thermometer reaches the right temperature, I recommend removing it from the grill, wrapping it in foil and allow it to rest for at least 10-20 minutes if at all possible to wait that long to dig in.  Good luck and happy grilling!

Missing My Slow Cooker

I know this may sound so strange to blog about my slow cooker but I was going to make Taco Soup today and I can't.  The cool weather moving in this morning made me think of soup and easy one pot cooking.   I have an awesome red Crock-Pot just like the one pictured below.  Just one important part is missing.  The crock. 

You see the story begins with a warm, June day, when I started a yummy recipe of Cheesy Crock-pot corn.  It is a great recipe.  I'll share it later.  Anyway, I got it all cooked and headed to the family reunion.  After the corn was all gobbled up I washed it and carried it out to my car.  I put it in the back of the Acadia.  After the reunion, we decided to head to Weatherford for a little shoe shopping.  We got our shoes purchased and proudly carried our purchases out to the car.   Without a second thought, we just popped up the rear door on the Acadia and crash, boom, and a ouch.  You see, traveling had caused the contents of the car to shift.  And opening up the rear door allowed the crock pot to come crashing down onto my sister's foot.  It hurt me just as much as it hurt her.  I have strange love for my crock pot.  It actually saves my life on a regular basis during the busy soccer season.  SO.....................................................

I guess I need to get online a order a replacement part.  I will do that first thing tomorrow, if I don't forget.  I may need a reminder.  Someone text me tomorrow so I remember to get this ordered!

Chris's New Shirt

While we were going through stuff at Nanny's last weekend, Chris kept saying, "Cat, we have enough stuff as it is. Please, don't keep that."  If I heard that once, I heard it a dozen times.  If it weren't Chris is was my sister saying it.  Chris and I have moved several times since we met and got married.  I think that every time we moved we left stuff behind.  Some of that stuff ended up in one of Nanny's extra closets.  As we were sifting through all of our stuff from her closet, we came across the dress I wore the day of our wedding (not my wedding dress, the dress I wore as we left the reception).  It was a pretty pastel yellow.  Why did I pick out this dress? Not sure.  (It must have been in my genes.) 

While going through all of the stuff, we came across the dress that my mother wore as her going-away dress.  You'll never guess the color!  Yep, pastel yellow.  Not only did she save the dress, she also saved the shirt that my dad wore.  Yep, yellow.  When I found all of these, the sentimental person that I am, I automatically put them all in the "keep" pile.  It wasn't just a few minutes into this keep, discard, donate discussion that I heard it.  "Cat, why are you keeping that again, tell me why?"  So, I started over through the "keep" pile again.  Trying to narrow the stack, I decided not to keep my dress.  I will never need it again and most definitely never wear it again.  I kept hanging onto the dress and shirt that were my parents.  I had an audience at this time.  My mother stood in front of me with the trash bag, Cara, standing next to me saying "TRASH IT!", and Chris on the other side saying "Cat, really?". 

I'm full of emotion from the days events and I guess in a moment of trying to make me laugh, Chris proceeds to put on the shirt of my dads just to see if it fits.   Chris kept cutting up and joking about how cool all this old stuff is.   After he puts it on, he decided he liked it so well, he would just continue wearing it.  After all this ridiculousness I decided not to keep any of it.  I mean really, who needs it?  (I confess, I do)  I can't decide, was he serious about the shirt or joking?  He wore it all night.  He even brought it home and had Paula wash it?  Have I corrupted him?  I'm worried.

        He asked me to take his picture.  I will share it with you.  It cracks me up.  I love my husband.  He is always good for a laugh when I need it the most.  Thanks Chris!

Oh, what a cute shirt!

 

              

Creepy Crawlies

I'm not sure if I have said before that Parker loves all critters.  That includes bugs, lizards, you name it.  He loves them all.  The latest creepy crawly creature that we have had this weekend at our house is a centipede.  My dad and Parker picked this one up south of Mtn. View at my Uncle Ricky's house.  After I realize that the thing is poisonous, I question my dad's judgement.  I know that we are keeping him in a jar with a lid but that is still living on the edge for me.  I probably should have my head examined since I brought him home from Mtn. View.  The things we do for our children.  Parker was ecstatic thinking about show and tell.  He couldn't wait for the long weekend to be over.  I am sad but glad, the centipede didn't make it to Tuesday morning.  Nope he kicked the bucket.  Parker just couldn't understand why he wouldn't eat the grasshopper or the moth that he fed him.  He was just about in tears when he saw that he was dying.  He wanted to release him in the field behind our house.  I told him no way, Jose!  I am not letting him go anywhere.  I tried to explain that he could bite or do whatever it is they do.  Parker is a child with No Fear!    I did dump him out on the concrete long enough to get a picture.  He wasn't feeling well at the moment.  He was on his last leg.  (haha, get it last leg, he has so many!)  I know I'm a dork go ahead and make fun of me now.  I don't care.  I will laugh all by myself.

Beach Getaway

At our last house, I painted my bathroom a beach house blue and put all of my beach stuff there.   I loved the beach feel so much, here at the new house I decided to transform my bedroom into my own beach getaway.  I  used all of the shells I picked up on different vacations, pictures we took snorkeling and our family picture that we had made on the beach last summer.  Today I finished it up by hanging curtains.  I've been on the search for awhile and finally found them.  I love Target!  Just the exact shade I was looking for. 

   

    

    

                  

So now the question is do I paint?  I really like the clean look of white.  But.......the whole house here is white! (Chris said he smells a revamp coming.)  I don't know what to do.  I need suggestions.  Help me out.  Paint or No Paint?

I think the picture taken this evening shows the curtains better.

    

Truck Full of Treasure

       

After cleaning out Nanny's house, I ended up with lots of unique and antique, vintage treasures.  My sister, Cara, would say it's all trash and junk but beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  I, myself feel that I have found a ton of cool stuff.  They don't make good junk like this anymore.

I'll share a few of my favorite things that made its way to my house. 

                   

I know its a little dusty, just imagine it cleaned and painted white.  I think it will make a good bedside table. Nanny and my mom called this a gossip bench. I can't wait to redo it and see the difference it will make.

                    

These are just too cute.  Will I ever use them?  I'm not sure.  They all still work, aren't  cracked or messed up.   Vintage, definitely. Trash, no way.  Sorry Cara that you didn't get these.  Some day you will wish that you had these.  I also made it home with and old trunk and suitcase.  I will share the pictures when I get them all cleaned up.

Labor Day

What is it with Labor Day.  Are you supposed to labor or be labor free.  It seems that for my family and I we always labor.  Why?  I don't know why we don't just sit around the pool, with cute little umbrella drinks, and enjoy the last of summer.  Oh yeah, we don't have a pool! 

This morning we started in early, 9:00 am, give me a break, I at least get to sleep in on a holiday.  We started working outside, in hurricane gust force winds, trimming bushes. 

         Before

Sorry about the smudge on the pic.  I guess I didn't get all the dog slobber cleaned off.  When Lady thinks she is getting her picture made she gets really excited about the camera.  She licked my lense, trying to get her close-up made.  She is so photogenic too.  You'll see her laying around in the last pic.  She is posing for the camera.

         

That's my sexy gardener I hired for the weekend.  He does a great job.  I know I said we all labor, but he did most of the work.  I make a great supervisor.  I did help pick up all of the trimmings off the ground.  But I let the hired help do most of the work!  (LOL) 

         

After.  Doesn't it look so much better.  I think so.  The other bushes around the house also got trimmed up.  Just a little attention to the flower beds make a world of difference.  I am so glad that we had today to get stuff done.  

Last day at Nanny's House

                     

Saturday we cleaned up the last of the old house. It was a great day spent with family, just a little sad.  I have my moments where I am so glad to be finishing up with the move and cleaning everything up at Nanny's house and then I have moments where I can't stop the tears from falling.  I know this is just a new chapter in a long, happily ever after story, but the house holds a lot of memories.  Birthdays, pool parties, Christmas, lots of laughs, tears, and sleep overs.  Too many memories for me to go over in a gazillion blogs.  (is that is even a word, sounds right to me)  I love this old house.  It kinda reminds me of that song on the radio now, The House That Built Me.  Not really technically my house, my home that I grew up in but in a sense I did grow up there.  I spent as many hours there as I did anywhere.  It was home.  And as I sit and tell about how special it is or was to me the tears build and roll down my cheek.

I tell myself it is just a house, the memories are with me. (As long as I'm lucid, which at the rate I'm going won't be long with these heathen children I'm raising.)  I try to move on, happy-go-lucky and remain thankful that I still have Nanny.  She is a true blessing and inspiration to me.  I love her so much.  She is such a special lady and has taught me many lessons about life. 

So now that I've cried enough that the screen is blurry, I'll leave you with the last two pictures taken on the front porch. 

Please everyone, this has to be a great picture, everyone stand still, get in your place, look at the camera, and smile!

              

Thank you God, for each and everyone of them!  I love my family!

The Fridge

I was so excited to show you the new microwave and the new stove, but I forgot to show you the fridge that was with the house.  I'm so glad to have a larger fridge and it is nice to have the old fridge in the garage for extra.     

                      
But now not only do you get to see the new fridge, you get to see the new dent in the fridge too!

                      

I love my children.  Thank you Lord for them.  But sometimes they make me want to scream.  Maybe I should repeat the first part.  I love my children. 

Beauty in the Skies

Last night it looked like we were finally going to get some rain!  The wind picked up and the skies turned dark and the storm moved closer, it moved closed enough you could smell the rain.   It actually moved right over Cordell, but all we received was a small shower.  We weren't blessed with rain but something even more wonderful, a double rainbow.  The kids and I had just come back home from the Village, visiting Nanny and witnessed the most beautiful site! I wished for a wide lens but this picture will have to do for now.  It was a full double rainbow.  I laugh thinking about the kids.  After we got home.  They decided to head back out trying to find the end of the rainbow.  Parker was just sure there was a pot of gold waiting on him.  He couldn't understand why I wasn't willing to go with them and search.  When he returned, he said "Mom, we tried to find the end but we never made it that far! " 

            

I love seeing rainbows.   It just reminds me of what an awesome God I serve, it reminds me of his love, his promises, and his covenant with man.  Genesis 9:8-17