We went out last night.
Listened to a guy from high school play.
The atmosphere just wasn’t right.
We hopped on down the road.
Not a beer in sight for me last night.
Witnessed a bar fight.
A broken nose and splattered blood.
That’ll leave a scar.
Asked a couple to get a room for the night.
Sitting with a jealous friend
who plans to get married soon.
I pray it isn’t doomed.
Yeah, that pretty well sums it up.
Last night, we went over to a friend’s house. I was in a chipper mood. I had decided to be in a great mood, to go along with the flow. Justin & I are the only ones from our circle of friends that are married and with a family. Sometimes, I think that changes a person more than I realized. Maybe not. I have always had a tender heart, but things hit a different way after you have a child. I have always been a compassionate person, but now, my heart breaks in two over things. I have to work to keep my emotions in check almost all of the time.
Something was said about Haiti last night. No, I do not know anyone over there. Does that make a difference? Absolutely not. There are mothers who have lost their sweet children, children with no one, entire families gone. As a mother, I cannot imagine the pain they must be in. I can’t comprehend it, but my heart literally aches. I hit my knees and I thank God for what I have and I sob for all that they have lost.
I have heard more than once “Why should we help them? They never helped us. We have people here who need our help!!” I have many questions when it comes to the mindset of those that would ask such things as that. More than anything though, I pray for them.
If we all lived by “I refuse to help them, because they never helped me!” Where would that leave us? In line with the people of Haiti, that is like saying “I refuse to help the homeless, because they never offered me a room to stay in.” No, they did not offer you a room. They don’t have a room! Remember, uh.. homeless? If you truly expect the people of Haiti, living on so little, living in poverty, to help you, then I say that YOU, my friend need help.
To the statement that “We have people here who need help!” You know, it is possible to help the people of the United States and people of other countries. I do not understand that "US vs. THEM” attitude. We are all HUMAN BEINGS. They are no less a human being because they live in such deep poverty. I can help them and I can help people here at home!
Last night, when a remark was made like that, I was shocked. Yes, I have read it all over the Internet, but I never thought I would hear such garbage from someone in my own circle of friends. I am ashamed to admit that I said nothing. I could not put my words together, my mind raced, my heart ached. My heart ached for the people of Haiti, because if everyone thought the same as my friend, they would receive no help. My heart ached for my friend, because that is an attitude full of greed and with little, if any, compassion.
For the ones that say we should help our “own” before helping the people of Haiti; I ask this simple question: “What have you done to help the people of the United States recently?” Is it that you truly believe that, or is that you are too greedy to not only open your heart, but your pocketbook also? Can you honestly say that you are being a good steward of God’s money?
So, the next time you tell me you have nothing to give- just stop. Think about your closet that is overflowing with clothes, think about your biweekly shopping trips, think about the last time you ate out, think about the last time you bought something completely unnecessary.
I am not perfect. I am not a saint. I am a sinner and I do not give as much as I should. I am trying. Trying to open my heart more, open my wallet more, and be a better person. Lord knows, I am trying.
It was 2AM last night when I finally broke down. I started crying lying there thinking about the devastation and how my little boy was tucked into his bed. His little belly was full and his body was nice and warm. There are no many people that cannot say that- not just in Haiti. But me? I am so blessed. There are no words to explain how blessed I have been and continue to be. I ended up beside the bed and on my knees. I was so overcome with gratitude and with sadness.
I know some truly cannot give and if that is your case- I ask that you pray. I ask that you pray for the people of the United States, the people of Haiti, the volunteers, the doctors. I ask that you pray for my friend. I ask that you pray for me.
Oh wait, I’m not sure that theme song really fits.
I am excited. Over what?
How about this?
and this?
Does that make me weird?
Maybe so.
You see, we had a very overpriced Southern Family Markets.
Yep, so overpriced that hubby & I may have gotten into a huge fight over a $5 box of cereal. Seems it just completely slipped his mind that his wife gets cereal for $1 or less, so he bought a few boxes of $5 cereal. Yeah, stupid thing to get into a fight over, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t happen. I can still remember this day (it was back in the summer) and I was ticked.
No more, Southern Family Markets has been replaced. With a Food World. A Food World that doubles coupons up to 0.50! every.single.day. That may not seem like a big deal, but I have always been envious of the couponers who have Kroger or such that doubles coupons every single day. Well, guess what? No more. I have one of my own! *sticks out tongue*
I haven’t made my first trip yet, so I don’t know all of the logistics yet, but I know it is already better than what I had.
So, yeah, I may be weird. But I am going to save money. Yeehaw!
Well, I can say that I have kept at least once resolution through the month of January. My goal was to read two books per month or twenty-four total for the year. I am proud to say that I have already started on book #3 for the month. I finished both books that Santa brought me for Christmas and started on the one for the Book Club.
Nicholas Sparks has never let me down and this book was no different. As always, I was left wanting more and I couldn’t put this book down until I was finished. A few tears were no doubt shed and this is the usual for a Nicholas Sparks book. The Last Song
My parents went to see The Blind Side when it came out in theaters. It received such rave reviews that I knew I wanted to read the book before I watched the movie. I chose to read The Blind Side (Movie Tie-in Edition)
I am now reading The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families
So, how are your resolutions coming along? Have any good books to recommend?
Total spent: $32.16!
Total saved: around $70!!
Overall it was a very successful trip. I still have 40 coupons for Beechnut meals. Bryson loves the cheesy lasagna. We are now well stocked on cereal for a few months too. I used an assortment of printable coupons, coupons sent directly to me from companies, and insert coupons from the Sunday paper. I am glad to be back at it and I hope to stock our new home for cheap!
There are a lot of new coupons on coupons.com. My favorites are definitely the Huggies coupons, which will score cheap diapers at Walgreens starting 1/24. Click Here
to get started!You may remember this review from a few months ago of So Smart! Baby’s First Word Stories DVD. I thought it was the cutest DVD and Bryson enjoyed it too. So, I was thrilled to find out that So Smart! productions is being featured on HauteLook. Right now, you can pick up DVDs starting at $6.99 and a So Smart! toy for $3.99!
HauteLook is an invitation only shopping site that offers deep discounts on a variety of products. You will find womens, mens, kids, home, and beauty sections to shop from. Click here to get started!
Are you team over or under?
Me? I am team over. Which means 90% of the time, I am pulling from the top, because I am the only one in the house that will actually put a new roll of toilet paper on. I bet that happens in your home too.
Take the poll here.
http://www.cottonellerollpoll.com
Then, come back and tell me which team you are on.
By doing so, you will be entered to win a Cottonelle gift basket!
Winners will be chosen randomly on January 29, 2010.
This post will enter me into a contest to win a month’s worth of Cottonelle over the the Mom Blogger Club.
I just love the free products Walgreen’s offers! Today, enter code FANFREE at checkout and choose to pick up at your local store to score a completely FREE 8x10 collage print.
I have 2 of these from past deals and they are great quality!
Click here to get started.
Offer good 1/13 ONLY!
Tired of paying $4+ for a box of cereal? This is the week to stock up at Kmart!
This week only, you can buy 4 boxes of select General Mills cereal for $6. You do have to buy four boxes to receive that price. There are quite a few coupons to match up with this deal and get some super cheap cereal.
Use any of the following to bring your total down. Depending upon your coupons, you will pay $0.50 to $1 a box.
$1/1 General Mills Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cocoa Puffs, Lucky Charms and Trix printable coupon (IE Link) (FF Link)
$1/1 Cheerios cereal printable coupon (print another set using this link)
$1/1 Honey Nut Cheerios Printable coupon
$1/2 assorted General mills cereal printable coupon
Buy 4 boxes and use (4) $1/1 coupons.
Pay only $0.50 a box.
Thanks Mercedes!
Can I just say that I love this whole “blogging for myself” thing?! I feel no pressure to get a post up everyday, there are no numbers to check, I don’t care if I lose followers. I can’t tell you the last time I have checked statcounter. I’m thinking it was back in November?
Ahhh. It feels good!
Anyways, I thought I would share a few photos from our snow days. Of course *our* snow days are probably quite different than you’d expect. Here in Alabama, we get giddy (well, most of us!) over a slight dusting. We did get more snow that I can remember in years. It started on Thursday and there is still some laying. I *love* it! This wasn’t really Bryson’s first snow, but it was the first one that we were able to take him out to “play” in.
Please don’t call CPS on us.
Yes, we do ride Bryson on the four-wheeler.
He loves it! :)
If you haven’t heard about Swagbucks- well, you must be living under a rock. I came across Swagbucks back in May of 2009. I used it off and on, not realizing what I was missing out on. Starting on October, I used it as my search engine every single day. So far, I have earned $85 in gift cards. That is a large amount of money for no work involved.
If you decide to sign up for Swagbucks or if you are already using it, here are a few tips I have learned along the way.
I trade my Swagbucks in for $5 Amazon gift cards. I bought a few Christmas presents with my gift cards and I plan to use them throughout the year for my wants. This way, I will not feel bad for spending money on that new cookbook (or whatever I want), because it will cost me nothing. I plan to buy Christmas gifts again this year with my gift cards earned through Swagbucks.
Do you use Swagbucks? If so, what do you trade them in for?
One of my goals for 2010 is to find a balance for my online time. This will be an evolving goal as I work my way to the right solution. When I started this blog, I had every intention of doing reviews and giveaways- and it was fun. It still is fun, but I need to be more selective with the products I choose to take on.
The biggest change is that I am taking a step back from reviews and giveaways. If it isn’t something we really want, need, or already use- I will be turning it down. I still have a few obligations to fulfill, but once I am finished with those, you can expect to see a drastic decline in reviews and contests. As for giveaways, those will be few and FAR between. In all honesty, giveaways are only good for traffic and I am not after traffic.
If you are subscribed for giveaways, I suggest you unsubscribe and find another blog to better fit your needs.
Instead, I will be sharing more of myself and my family. I will share our remodeling journey, the moving process, adventures of Bryson’s second year, and anything else I feel like sharing. This will be, more or less, my journal.
I am more content than I had originally imagined with this decision. To begin with, I wasn’t sure what to do. The past few months have been great. We have reviewed some very useful products, some fun products, and a few that I don’t know how we went without before. For now though, I want to focus on myself, my family, and you guys! I want to get to know you, I want to visit your blog, and I hope you will stop by from time to time too.
As you may recall, one of my goals for the new year was to read more. I hope to read at least two books per month. Some will be fiction, some non-fiction. Simple Mom and FishMama are each hosting a “Book Club” of sorts. With the Simple Living Book Club, there is a reading list. With the Booking It Club, the plan is simply to read.
My plan of action is as follows:
As for January, I have already finished The Last Song
Are you joining a book club in twenty-ten? Have any book suggestions for me?
We are [thisclose] to having our home finished. Because I don’t want to share the before & after photographs until we are moved in, I thought I would share a few details with you.
On the agenda for this week:
& before we move in:
It looks like we still have a lot to do, but compared to what we have already accomplished- it’s nothing!
As a mom, I am always looking for healthy snacks that my son will eat and enjoy. I don’t mind giving him a few cookies, but I also want to have healthy snacks available. We were recently sent a few packages of Funky Monkey Snacks to try out.
They were a hit right off. Bryson and I both like them. If he sees a bag of them, he immediately wants to make sure he’s going to get some. So what is so good about Funky Monkey Snacks?
I would like to see these in a few other flavors and even some plain flavors- like just bananas or just apples. These small bites of all natural fruit are a good way to get in a few servings of fruit for kids or adults.
These come in a variety of flavors including Bananamon, Banana with Cinnamon
You can pick these up online at Amazon.com.
We rang in the year 2010 with our best friends and wonderful family.
It was the perfect way to start the year off.
Patrick, Ryan, me, Chris
These three guys have been my very best friends for years.
Bryson rang 2010 in by welcoming sickness.
I had planned to take him to the doctor today. He is congested, coughing, and has a runny nose. His fever hasn’t made an appearance in the past 24 hours thankfully. He is feeling better, so I may wait another day.
Not to mention, I really shouldn’t take him. Because I have PINKEYE! Uggh. I started 2007 off with a horrible case of pinkeye. I will never forget it. Pinkeye in BOTH eyes. I am washing my hands like crazy and trying not to rub. It is only in my right eye right now and I want to keep it that way.
We had another little get-together Saturday night. My crazy husband decided to ride a horse, bareback, at midnight. It was 17 (SEVENTEEN) degrees outside. I sat inside and hoped that he didn’t end up with a broken bone. Then, we made a trip to Huddle House a.k.a. HH at 2AM. I had a shrimp platter with a baked potato and some cheesy eggs. You can’t beat that!
We worked on the house all day Saturday and Sunday. We are getting so close to moving in. I am getting antsy. I can’t wait to share the after photos with y’all! The kitchen… oh the kitchen. It has turned out better than I had expected and I just love it. Bryson’s room is going to awesome and it should be, because hubby has put a ton of time and effort into it.
So, how did you kick off the new year? Parties, pinkeye?
For the first time in many years, I am actually setting a few goals for myself. I will be sharing more information about each one of the coming week, but for now- here’s the list!
What about you? Did you set goals or make resolutions for the new year?
