Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Look whats for dinner tonight.

Foil-Pack Chicken Fajita Dinner

So I get this free magazine in the mail from Kraft and it has tons of great recipes in it. This is one that I thought it looks so Yummy. Tonight I thought I would give it a try. But I had to run to the store to grab a few things.
But wait! Have you ever had a friend that calls you right when you are getting ready to leave and says, " Hey can you do something for me?" Of course I am someone that can't say no. I say sure. The friend's husband and son need haircuts. So I say sure come on over. But I have to go to the store when I am done. Of course when we are done they don't leave right away. They leave about 30 minutes later.

So I go to the Wal-mart.I grabbed everything I needed to last me till payday. Then I get to the check out and get that cashier that really doesn't want to be there. I get like Sunday papers every week. So I staple all of the like coupons together. Apparently that was a big issue with her. Every time she got to a set that was stapled. She let out a big sigh and rolled her eyes. Then after she got all of the coupons apart she then proceeded to stand there and take the staple out of every one. Come one now just scan the stuff so I can get home.

Did I mention that we were all standing in line. 2 kids and hubby. Then along comes the person behind me who develops an attitude because I had a lot of coupons and the cashier was taking her time and throwing a hissy fit.

Further more our store is a dollar more expensive on just about every product than other stores. Because we live in a small town where there are only 3 stores to choose from.So they raise the price on everything. She should be cutting out coupons too.

Ok so I get home get everything away and this dinner recipe sounds like it is going to take a long time. Because I don't buy boneless chicken. It takes a little longer to cook. So I decide to make this recipe but combine all of the ingrediants in a skillet add the cheese and put tinfoil over it. So the cheese would melt.Here is what mine looked like.


It was so Yummy. It is called foil packet chicken fajitas. But tonight we are calling it Skillet chicken fajita. Here is the recipe Enjoy!

BTW I should mention that before I used my coupons and hubbies 10% discout my bill was $88.69 and after the everthing it was $66.45.. .. So go you know where you mean cashier lady!



1-1/2 cups instant white rice, uncooked
1-1/2 cups hot water
1 Tbsp. TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Taco Seasoning Mix
4 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1 lb.)
1 each: green and red pepper, cut into strips
1/2 cup TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Thick 'N Chunky Salsa
1/2 cup KRAFT Mexican Style Shredded Taco Cheese
Make It

HEAT oven to 400ºF. Fold up all sides of each of four 18x12-inch sheets of heavy-duty foil to form 1-inch rim; spray foil with cooking spray. Combine rice, water and taco seasoning; spoon evenly onto centers of foil. Top evenly with remaining ingredients.

BRING up foil sides. Double fold top and ends to seal each packet, leaving room for heat circulation inside. Place in 15x10x1-inch baking pan.

BAKE 30 to 35 min. or until chicken is cooked through (165ºF). Let stand 5 min. Cut slits in foil to release steam before opening packets.




Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Mike Wins!

Photobucket Tonight was Mike's Cub Scout Packs Rain gutter Geratta. This is the last one for him. As this is the last year that he will be in cub scouts. He is a Weblow 2. Working on his Arrow of Light award. ( The highest award in cub scouts)

There are about 50 boys in his whole pack. There are about 6 in his Den. We raced against all of the boys in his den. Whoever won out of the group would go to the final group and race against all of the other boys that won in their den. I know it sounds confusing.

Let me just say that the race is held outside. It is freezing here in the north . I think it was in the 40's and dropping tonight. I hate to say this but I was really praying that Mike would loose so we could go home to where it is nice and warm.


No such luck here. Mike won his first race. Then he won the next and then the next. He beat all of the boys in his den. Great, now we get to stick around to the finals. As my teeth are chatting away in the process of yelling GOoooooo Miiikkkeee! He won every single race. He went undefeated. He is the PACK CHAMPION!!!
Even though I froze my rear end off. I am so proud of you little man!

Sunday, October 5, 2008

We are home

We have made it home from our trip in Buffalo. So I thought I would catch you all up with some pictures.



My new Niece baby Carla

Thursday, October 2, 2008

We are in Buffalo

We are in Buffalo. My sister is having her baby today and has asked me to come help her with her other children. I love that I can be here to help her. She has 2 children and is expecting her 3rd anytime now. As I am typing this she is having her epidural. Praise God for good drugs.

Just a quick update on Andrea.She is feeling better. She has a fever blister on the tip of her tounge whick is making hard for her to eat a few of her favorite things. Pizza, chicken nuggets, and french fries.

We will be back home on Saturday in the evening. I will let you know the news of the baby.
Lastly, I added the follow this blog feature and so far I only have 1 follower. (thanks Jamie)
Wish I had some more! Come on people are you out there?
Ta -ta for now,


Sunday, September 28, 2008

Andrea not feeling well

I was going to post some pictures of Mike's great party last night, but I have been busy cuddling with Andrea. She has had a fever the last 2 days and complaining of her ear and knee hurting. You know how little ones are. Not wanting to be left alone and held all of the time.
If she is not better in the morning I will be making a doctors appointment for her. When I get some free time I will post the pictures of the party.
Ta- ta for now,

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Cartoon Network Star Wars Party

Star Wars™: The Clone Wars™ House Party


About a month ago we signed up to participate in the Cartoon Network Star Wars the Clone Wars House Party. We got a great party package. Complete with the DVD, Darth Vader light saber, sticker, tattoos, masks, and glow sticks.
They only pick so many and we were picked. So tonight is the party. Mike has invited over about 9 of his friends . We will be watching a sneak peak of the first episode of the new animated series. I will post pictures tomorrow and let you all know how it went. So I have to run for now and make our Yoda Soda and prepare to make our light saber pretzels.
May the Force be with you!

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Nothing to Chat about.

Nothing new and exciting has been going on here. Andrea still loves school and Mike could care less.
I have been babysitting for a girlfriend during the week earning a little extra money here and there.
Bill finally got full time at his job. Yippie!! I guess that is something new and exciting. We have been waiting a very long time for this to happen. He was asked this week if he would like the full time opening. The nice thing is that it is on the same shift that he works now so there is no pay difference. Night shift get $1 more an hour.

Are any of you decorating your house for fall? We don't usually do anything. We have a very picky land lady. So picky she doesn't let my kids draw on the sidewalk with chalk. There is nothing we can hide from her considering she lives right next door to me. We live in a quadplex. So all of our apartments are connected. She is right beside me. I have never seen someone so anal about their yard. She is out there almost every other day mowing the leaves. Did I mention that she is in her late 80's. Oh yeah. I think she is just borde out of her mind and can't think of anything else to complain about so that is what she complaines about.

Have you bought or are in the proccess of making your child's Halloween costumes.
I haven't started yet. Mike wants to be the clown from IT. I am not even sure he has ever seen the movie but knows all about the clown. Why is it when a boy hits the age of 9 or 10 they want to be the most scary thing they can think of ? Freaky!
Andrea wants to be Cinderella. What little girl doesn't want to be a princess.
Ta- ta for now,

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

WWFMW

http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/05/25/wfmwbanner.jpg


Today I thought I would participate in Rocks in my dryer's what works for me Wednesdays event.
Let me tell you the new thing that I have discovered. It might not be new to you. It has been around for sometime. But I have just found it. What is it you may ask?



http://www.greatrvstuff.com/uploaded_images/package-b-749085.jpg

Last night was the first time that I used this product and let me just say that I am in love. I made scalloped potatoes from scratch. I used one of these handy little liners. After all was said and done I had no clean up at all. Just a quick wipe down with the rag and it was all done. It saved me so much more time. A good thing to because last last night was Cub Scout night. There is usually no time to spare on Tuesday night.
I would recommend this product to anyone. Don't forget to get a coupon and sweeten your deal.
Ta-ta for now,

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Being Lazy

Did you ever have one of those days where you just wanted to sit in your Pj's all day? Today was one of those days. I just could not get up any energy to be productive. So that is exactly what I did. I stayed in my PJ's all day.
Let's just say that I woke up this morning thinking that I had tons to do. I sat on the couch to read a book . Only to fall asleep on the couch. Then reawaking to the sound of Wonder Pets and Andrea eating her lunch at her table.
Good thing daddy was around, awake and alert.
I didn't even get dressed until 2:30. Only because my friend was coming to pick up her daughter who rides the bus with Mike home from school. Not to mention Mike had his first Cub Scout Meeting of the year this evening. The dream of being in the Pj's all day was short lived.
Now that it is almost 11pm and I am once again in my flannel Pj's (It is cold here) I think I will hop into bed where it is warm and snugly. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day and I will be able to muster up the energy to be productive.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

We have a diagnosis !


Acrodysostosis

You can click on it to read more about it.

This is what they have discovered Andrea has. It is very rare. There are only 70 reported cases known. Well 71 now counting Andrea.

It is where there is achon facial, hands, and feet features . It is not hypo because of the shortening is in the lower part of the extremities.

The down side of this dysplasia is that 75% of the children with it have some form of a learning disability.

We will be taking her to another Dr. to be evalutated for that.
The sad thing is nothing like this is near where we live. We have to drive over 2 hours to see someone just for an evalutation. I am totally wiped out from traveling.

I am thrilled that they have figured out what it is that she has. It has been a long process for all of us. We will now know how to meet Andrea's needs educationaly. and medically.














K Mart Shopping

This was sent to me in an e-mail.
Apparently there are only 100 K- marts doing this. So call yours and find out.

will be doubling coupons 9/4-9/8
You can bring any coupons valued up to 2.00 and it will double to 4.00 off any item. Coupon savings can not exceed price of item. You can only have 6 like coupons doubling and can use a maximum of 75 coupons in your shopping trip.

Ok I did some digging and found a list of all of the stores for you. Thanks to Common Sense with Money

STORE ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP

3018 23222 VALENCIA BLVD VALENCIA CA 91355
3106 7200 ARLINGTON AVE RIVERSIDE CA 92503
3127 5665 ROSEMEAD BLVD TEMPLE CITY CA 91780
3169 249 S DIAMOND BAR BLVD DIAMOND BAR CA 91765
3235 730 S ORANGE AVE WEST COVINA CA 91790
3337 8017 ATLANTIC AVE CUDAHY CA 90201
3363 10870 KATELLA AVE ANAHEIM CA 92804
3368 1625 W REDLANDS BLVD REDLANDS CA 92373
3435 2222 E LINCOLN AVE ANAHEIM CA 92806
3483 2530 S EUCLID AVE ONTARIO CA 91762
3699 20777 BEAR VALLEY RD APPLE VALLEY CA 92308
3708 300 S HIGHLAND SPRINGS AVE BANNING CA 92220
3828 26471 YNEZ RD TEMECULA CA 92591
3834 1000 N SAN FERNANDO BLVD BURBANK CA 91504
4007 5704 WHITTIER BLVD COMMERCE CA 90022
4047 2200 HARBOR BLVD COSTA MESA CA 92627
4191 902 SEPULVEDA BLVD HARBOR CITY CA 90710
4240 19600 PLUMMER ST NORTHRIDGE CA 91324
4281 1162 N CITRUS AVE COVINA CA 91722
4320 10400 ROSECRANS AVE BELLFLOWER CA 90706
4367 1810 W AVENUE J LANCASTER CA 93534
4421 13007 SHERMAN WAY NORTH HOLLYWOOD CA 91605
4432 3001 IOWA AVE RIVERSIDE CA 92507
4474 19330 HAWTHORNE BLVD TORRANCE CA 90503
4706 375 E ALESSANDRO BLVD RIVERSIDE CA 92508
4749 1670 E 4TH ST ONTARIO CA 91764
4987 500 CARSON TOWN CTR CARSON CA 90745
7047 220 W STETSON AVE HEMET CA 92543
7165 940 ARNEILL RD CAMARILLO CA 93010
7175 7840 LIMONITE AVE RIVERSIDE CA 92509
7225 6310 W 3RD ST LOS ANGELES CA 90036
7587 17099 VALLEY BLVD FONTANA CA 92335
7606 16968 MAIN ST HESPERIA CA 92345
7625 5850 S VERMONT AVE LOS ANGELES CA 90044
7639 895 FAULKNER RD SANTA PAULA CA 93060
7653 PO BOX 7047 BIG BEAR LAKE CA 92315
9328 2900 N BELLFLOWER BLVD LONG BEACH CA 90815
3053 77 CHILPANCINGO PKWY PLEASANT HILL CA 94523
3276 250 FLORESTA BLVD SAN LEANDRO CA 94578
3501 261 N MCDOWELL BLVD PETALUMA CA 94954
3531 1500 FITZGERALD DR PINOLE CA 94564
3595 1700 S DELAWARE ST SAN MATEO CA 94402
4340 3771 CLEVELAND AVE SANTA ROSA CA 95403
4349 1155 VETERANS BLVD REDWOOD CITY CA 94063
4457 26231 MISSION BLVD HAYWARD CA 94544
4762 3625 E 18TH ST ANTIOCH CA 94509
7098 5100 CLAYTON RD CONCORD CA 94521
3141 1025 WASHINGTON PIKE BRIDGEVILLE PA 15017
3529 996 W VIEW PARK DR PITTSBURGH PA 15229
3616 875 GREENTREE RD PITTSBURGH PA 15220
3710 300 BRIGHTON AVE ROCHESTER PA 15074
3895 7900 MCKNIGHT RD PITTSBURGH PA 15237
3912 1072 MOUNTAIN LAUREL PLZ LATROBE PA 15650
4010 880 BUTLER ST PITTSBURGH PA 15223
4054 100 TARENTUM BRIDGE RD NEW KENSINGTON PA 15068
4064 1901 LINCOLN HWY NORTH VERSAILLES PA 15137
4429 120 MALL BLVD MONROEVILLE PA 15146
4445 825 BEAVER GRADE RD CORAOPOLIS PA 15108
4770 4041 WASHINGTON RD MCMURRAY PA 15317
4771 601 HANSEN AVE BUTLER PA 16001
4793 1775 S BRADDOCK AVE PITTSBURGH PA 15218
4935 2000 SCOTT BLVD MOON TOWNSHIP PA 15108
4936 99 MATTHEW DR UNIONTOWN PA 15401
7083 2650 ELLWOOD RD NEW CASTLE PA 16101
7120 780 ROSTRAVER RD BELLE VERNON PA 15012
7217 2334 OAKLAND AVE INDIANA PA 15701
7325 2660 CONSTITUTION BLVD BEAVER FALLS PA 15010
7372 451 HYDE PARK RD LEECHBURG PA 15656
9438 720 CLAIRTON BLVD PLEASANT HILLS PA 15236
9770 100 CROSS ROADS PLZ MT PLEASANT PA 15666
3824 2235 E STATE ST HERMITAGE PA 16148
3535 2485 PARKMAN RD NW WARREN OH 44485
4229 4475 MAHONING AVE AUSTINTOWN OH 44515
4233 1209 BOARDMAN POLAND RD YOUNGSTOWN OH 44514
4939 2100 NILES CORTLAND RD SE WARREN OH 44484
7209 15891 STATE ROUTE 170 EAST LIVERPOOL OH 43920
3137 3655 NAMEOKI RD GRANITE CITY IL 62040
3422 2851 HOMER M ADAMS PKWY ALTON IL 62002
3758 1101 BELT LINE RD COLLINSVILLE IL 62234
9331 6525 N ILLINOIS ST FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS IL 62208
9351 7230 WESTFIELD PLAZA DR BELLEVILLE IL 62223
3759 15909 MANCHESTER RD ELLISVILLE MO 63011
4304 1 FLOWER VALLEY SHOPPING CTR FLORISSANT MO 63033
4720 6650 MANCHESTER AVE SAINT LOUIS MO 63139
4743 11978 SAINT CHARLES ROCK RD BRIDGETON MO 63044
7324 20 OFALLON SQ O FALLON MO 63366
7543 4560 GRAVOIS VILLAGE CTR HIGH RIDGE MO 63049
9334 2855 DUNN RD FLORISSANT MO 63033
9338 3901 LEMAY FERRY RD SAINT LOUIS MO 63125
9353 155 TWIN CITY MALL CRYSTAL CITY MO 63019
3850 501 MARSAILLES DR VERSAILLES KY 40383
4232 2520 NICHOLASVILLE RD LEXINGTON KY 40503
4847 1501 PARIS PIKE GEORGETOWN KY 40324
7255 420 E HIGHWAY 80 SOMERSET KY 42501
7354 1710 HIGHWAY 192 W LONDON KY 40741
9503 1300 US HIGHWAY 127 S FRANKFORT KY 40601
9513 PO BOX 2506 CORBIN KY 40702
9651 1455 DANVILLE BY PASS DANVILLE KY 40422
9749 951 BYPASS RD WINCHESTER KY 40391


Just used HCW data base to find a good majority of 2.00/1 coupons from inserts only. Thought I would share. Not sure how close to free these would be, but I would say pretty close. I am NOT a regular Kmart shopper.
Advil - many different ones
Bayer Asprin
Benefiber
Clearisil
Dove Deoderant
Dove Hair Care
Excedrin
Farmland Bacon
Garnier Hair Care - big bottle
Glad Candles etc.
Gold Bond
Good LIfe dog/cat food
KY
Kens Spray Dressings
Kibbles and Bits
Lysol Spray
Olay facial Cleanser - think soap bars
Old English Aresol
Oust
Pert
Shick Razors
Visine
Some Sale stuff this week
Rubbermaid storage - couldn't really read on line ad, but they are on sale
Dansani 3/11 - 6.00 (1/1 x 3 + doubled) - 3 24 packs for 5.00
NV Granola Bars 4/10
409/Clorox Wipes/Pinesol - 4/10
Ajax/Dynamo laundry soap 4/10 - would make .50 each if the coupons are 1/1
Crest Complete Tooth Brush 1.99 regular - 1/1 doubled = free if it is the right one

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

First Day of School




Yesterday was Mike's first day of school. We was excited but less than thrilled to have his mom taking pictures of him. I guess when they hit the age of 10 everything changes. I remember they day that he started kindergarten and now here he is going into the 5th grade. Momma's boy sure is growing up fast.Waiting for the bus to arrive. Mind you the bus stop is across the street from the house. So all of the kids can see him getting his picture taken. Hehehe. I'm such a bad mom.

Oh come on Mom put that thing away. Your embarrassing me.

Andrea had her first day of Preschool today. She was so excited to get on the bus to go see her friends. She had to wear her new Hanna Montana t-shirt and her Dora the Explorer shoes. This will be her last year of the early intervention preschool. Andrea loves school. Unlike her brother. She would go everyday if she could. She only goes 3 days a week with half days. I think Mike would love to go just 3 days a week.
Although he did come home yesterday saying that he liked his teacher. So maybe this will be a good year. Who knows?

Waiting for the bus.


It's here. I am so excited!

Getting on the bus. "I can do it myself", she says.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Free Samples

Free Mary Kay Mascara click here


Sign up for free Seeds. They will send them to you in the spring. This could be great for kids to plant. Click here

Dryer and Safety Check tool. Click here

Free Sample Of SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener Flavors For Coffee Click here

All of these are from The Free Shoppe







Monday, September 1, 2008

Happy Labor Day!



I would just like to wish everyone a Happy Labor Day! We will be having over some friends for a cookout later this afternoon. Mike is coming home from his dad's. I am sure that we will have lots of fun.
School starts tomorrow for Mike and Wednesday for Andrea. They are both excited to go back. Well I am not sure Mike is. I think when you get to a certain grade it isn't as exciting for them anymore. Mike is more of a free spirit anyway. I think being cooped up inside a classroom all day isn't that great for him.

I hope that you all are enjoying your last hora of the summer.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Sleepless Night and Missing Mike

For some odd reason last night I just could not get myself to fall asleep.
I tried everything.
Well almost I don't do warm milk. EWW!
I read, watched T.V.,and last but not least I got on the computer. Finally I just went to bed and layed there for about a hour. I still was not asleep. So I got back up and did it all over again. Finally at 2:40 I felt tired enough to go back to bed and lay down.
Now the sad thing is I had to be up at 8:30 this morning to babysit. Man you might as well shoot me for volunteering for this job. I am sure I will feel differently after I get some source of caffeine into my body.

Lastly, I am missing Mike. I haven't seen him since I left for Du Pont. He went to go visit with his dad. Sure it is great that he is getting some daddy time. Especially since his Dad is leaving for Iraq in a few weeks. Well to New Jersy first, then to Mississippi, he will be home for Christmas, and then to Bagdad after that. But the whole time he won't get to see Mike until the Christmas break.
But I miss him. He won't be home till Monday night. I want to call him but I don't want to call all the time. You can tell I am the overprotected mom right?
Do you think that it is to early in the morning to call?
Telling myself :
Hang strong you can make it. YOU CAN MAKE IT!

Saturday, August 23, 2008

We Are Home!

We have made it home from Du Pont. Everything went as well as we could expect.

The first night that we were there we just hung out in our rooms and relaxed a little bit. It was a long drive there.
Our first appointment was with Dr. McKenzie.
Let me just say that he needs a kid friendly room. You had to wait a least an hour to see him in the doctors office. There are no toys in it. Do you know what that does to a toddler?
We were trying to think of everything we could to keep her entertained. Our patience was growing slim.
Dr. McKenzie thought that Andrea had Hypo. There seemed to be no concerns with her bones at this time. He would like to see her again in 6months for a follow up.
He also gave me the name of a lady that is in LPA that lives close to us. He then took us next door and introduced us to a family that has a 7 year old boy that has hypo. It was nice to meet another family.
We wouldn't discover until the next day that Andrea is not Hypo.

So the next morning we go to see Dr. Bober. As we are waiting to see him in the waiting room. We sit there and here Dr. Bober comes walking down the hall with Dr. Scott.
We shake hands and Dr.Scott leaves. I felt like I was looking at a T.V. star.
We go into the office the same one that is shown on TLC's Kennedy's story.Let's just say it looks bigger on T.V.
But there are toys in there which makes Andrea a happy camper.

Dr. Bober says that him and Dr. Scott have been up all night looking at Andrea's x-rays.
He explains that Andrea does not have Hypo because it is the lower part of her arms and legs that are shorter not the upper parts. Also she has very short and stubby fingers with a trident hand. She has an achon face. Something that is not with the characteristics of Hypo.
They think they have it narrowed down to a catergory.
It is so rare that Dr. Scott has only seen 1 case the whole time that he has been in practice. Dr. Bober showed me an infromational packet and the child looks exactly like Andrea.
We had to take a few more x-rays to complete the set and Dr. Bober sent for the report that was sent to Ceders to the bone dydplsaia study.They aslo sent for her MRI pictures.

We will be anxiously waiting for his report. He too would like to see us again in 6 months.
All in all everything went well.
Dr. Bober gave us a list of the do's and don'ts. No gymnastics ( I already knew that) no trampoline. Watch the neck. Treat her like everyone else.

DR. Bober said something to me that really hit home.
As we were going through our family chart.He was Asking about heights .
I said no they are all "normal". He quickly corrected me and said no they are "average". Everyone is normal. Andrea is "noraml" for herself. Everyone is normal. But as to height we are all just "average". That really hit me.
Andrea is "NORMAL"

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Were out the Door

We are all packed and getting ready to walk out the door. We are waiting on Hollie to come and pick us up. She is one of those friends that you tell we are leaving at 8 so she shows up at 9. lol :)
Hopefully I haven't forgotten to pack everything. I think I packed everything from the potty chair to the portable DVD player.
There is nothing like going into the public restroom with a child that hates the automatic flushes and the hand dryers. She runs for the hills every time.
Ok we have to run. I'll update when we get back on Friday.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Packing for Du Pont


Tomorrow morning we will be on our way to Du Pont in Delaware. We are taking Andrea to see the specialists there. It is about a 6 hour drive for us. Our car is not the best so Hollie offered to take us. She is a friend of mine that is a school teacher so she has the summer off. We are hoping to scope out some of the sites that are in that area. Kind of like a girlfriend's getaway with appointment in between. No husbands and only one child. We should have a good time.
We will be close to Philly. There are a lot of historical things to see not to mention shopping. Who loves a good bargain. Oh I do! I do!

So if you think about us tomorrow say a little prayer that we make it there safely and that the Dr.s will have the wisdom when they see Andrea. Pray that we might get some answers about her condition.

Wish us luck,