Reservations are made!

Well we have been talked into it. Thanks Tonya. We will be attending the Spring Regional in Grand Rapids. This will be our very first LPA event ever. We are really excited to meet everyone. It is one thing to talk to you all of the time on line but looking at you face to face is something else.
There are lots of things that will be going on while we are waiting to go. We have a Easter and then a major family event going on the same week we leave for regional. Everyone will be excited and happy.
Mike will not be traveling with us this time. He had already made plans to stay with one of his friend for the weekend. So it will just be Bill, Andrea, and I.
Grand Rapids is a 8 hour drive from where we live so we will be leaving bright and early in the morning to get there on time for the events.
Can't wait to see you all there!

My new Bargain Find

We were at Walmart the other day and I just couldn't help but look through the girls clearance section. They had regular priced Hannah Montanah and High School Musical nightgowns on sale for 1 dollar. Yeah that was not a typo. I just couldn't resist. You can never find jammies on sale for that price. So I picked up a few for Andrea. Andrea just loves the Hannah show. That and ICarly seem to be a favorite in our house in the evenings.
I scored huge mom points when I got home.

Rachel Ray's Sasauge and Lentil Soup

The other night I made a recipe from last weeks Rachel Ray Show. It sounded really good and quite inexpensive. Which all of you know I am all for. Some of the ingredients I had to substitute because my grocery store did not have them. But all and all I would give it 3 stars.
Minus 1 star because Bill had stomach issues from eating it. He as IBS ( I am sure he wanted everyone to know that) and it made him .....well let's just say it wasn't pretty. So if you are someone with this I do not recommend making it because it has lots of garlic and tomato base. Two things that do not bode well for IBS people.
Of course it goes especially nice with a fresh loaf of Italian bread from the bakery section.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
• 1 pound bulk turkey or pork Italian sausage, regular or hot
• 1 cup lentils
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3-4 cloves of garlic, grated or chopped
• 1/2 pound crimini mushrooms, wiped clean and thinly sliced ( I used the sliced button ones)
  
• 1 baking potato, peeled and diced ( I used 3 medium ones)
  
• 2 sprigs rosemary, leaves removed and chopped
• 3-4 sprigs thyme, leaves removed ( I had to use dried)
  
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 1 bunch kale, thick stems removed and discarded, leaves shredded ( We used half of a small red cabbage)
  

Preparation

Place a large soup pot over medium-high heat with one turn of the pan of EVOO, about 1 tablespoon. Once hot, add the sausage and sauté for 3-4 minutes, breaking it up into small pieces with the back of a spoon or a potato masher as it cooks and browns.

While the sausage is browning, pour the lentils out onto a light-colored plate and sift through them. Discard any small stones – sometimes you find them and sometimes you don't, but better safe than sorry.

To the browned sausage, add the onion, garlic, mushrooms, potato, rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper and the tomato paste. Cook, stirring frequently, for 3-4 minutes.

Add the stock and 2 cups of water, turn the heat up to high and bring up to a bubble. Add the lentils and the kale, stir until the kale wilts in, then turn the heat down to medium and simmer for 30-40 minutes, until the lentils are tender. Serve.

Free Stuff

Get this free tote by signing up here





You can get a free Weber Spatula here just scroll down to the bottom of the page. Good for the first 7,000 people.

There are 2 new buttons on the side of this blog. Both of these blogs are great mom blogs. They both help me help my family by saving money. I hope that you will take the time to check them out.

Feeling Better.

Thanks to everyone for their well wishes. If you follow me on Face-book you would know that Mike was sick the last couple to days also. He had a stomach bug and I had a cough that I just couldn't shake. I am happy to report that we are both well again. Mike will be back in school tomorrow.
Thanks again to everyone that prayed for us.

On another note. Just 4 more days till the end of wrestling season. Can we get a Woot woot!


There is talk in the house about wrestling the spring season also. It is a further drive. Almost 1 1/2 hours each way but Mike really wants to do it. So we are debating on it. I would like to have my spring and summer to myself. Though for the last 2 years Mike has wrestled part of the spring season. It does keep him in shape. I am just not sure. He will be going to a huge wrestling camp this summer and this would keep him in shape for that.
The down side is Mike's dad is the one that would have taken him. (We are divorced) But, he is in Iraq serving in the Nation Guard. I would love to take him but it is 3 nights a week and 1 of those nights we have cub scouts.
Well on with the great debate. We will have to see.
Ta- ta for now,

Drug Recal

I just found out about this. I thought it was important because it is cold and flu season. A lot of people could be taking these or giving them to your children.

DRUG RECALL - VERY SERIOUS - CONFIRMED BY SNOPES.COM < http://snopes.com/> & FDA


All drugs containing PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE are being recalled.


STOP TAKING anything containing this ingredient. It has been linked to increased hemorrhagic stroke ( bleeding in brain )
among women ages 18-49 in the three days after starting use
of medication The FDA recommended that everyone ( even children ) seek alternative medicine.

The following medications contain Phenylpropanolamine :

Acutrim Diet Gum Appetite Suppressant
Acutrim Plus Dietary Supplements
Acutrim Maximum Strength Appetite Control
Alka-Seltzer Plus Children's Cold Medicine Effervescent
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold medicine (cherry or orange)
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine Original
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Cough Medicine Effervescent
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Flu Medicine
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Sinus Effervescent
Alka-Seltzer Plus Night-Time Cold Medicine
BC Allergy Sinus Cold Powder
BC Sinus Cold Powder
Comtrex Flu Therapy & Fever Relief
Day & Night Contac 12-Hour Cold Capsules
Contac 12 Hou r Caplets
Coricidin D Cold, Flu & Sinus
Dexatrim Caffeine Free
Dexatrim Extended Duration
Dexatrim Gelcaps
Dexatrim Vitamin C/Caffeine Free
Dimetapp Cold & Allergy Chewable Tablets
Dimetapp Cold & Cough Liqui-Gels
Dimetapp DM Cold & Cough Elixir
Dimetapp Elixir
Dimetapp 4 Hour Liquid Gels
Dimetapp 4 Hour Tablets
Dimetapp 12 Hour Extendtabs20Tablets
Naldecon DX Pediatric Drops
Permathene Mega-16
Robitussin CF
Tavist-D 12 Hour Relief of Sinus & Nasal Congestion
Triaminic DM Cough Relief
Triaminic Expectorant Chest & Head
Triaminic Syrup Cold & Allergy
Triaminic Triaminicol Cold & Cough

A friend just found out and called the 800# on the container
for Triaminic and they informed them that they are voluntarily recalling the following medicines because of a certain ingredient that is causing strokes and seizures in children

Orange3D Cold &Allergy Cherry (Pink)
3D Cold &Cough Berry
3D Cough Relief Yellow 3D Expectorant

They are asking you to call them at 800-548-3708with
the lot number on the box so they can send you postage for you
to send it back to them, and they will also issue you a refund.
If you know of anyone else with small children,
PLEASE PASS THIS ON. THIS IS SERIOUS STUFF!

DO PASS ALONG TO ALL ON YOUR MAILING LIST so people are informed They=2 0can then pass it along to their families.

To confirm these findings please take time to check the following:
http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/ppa/

PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO YOUR CHILDREN IN CASE THEY GIVE IT TO THEIR CHILDREN OR TO FRIENDS WHO HAVE CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN.

Only 1 more to go!

That is wrestling tournament. I will be so glad when we are finished because that means a much needed break for me. We have been at this since December. I think wrestling is the longest season of all. If we win next week we will go to states. I probably won't happen this year because Mike has a really tough weight class.

Today was a tough day. He lost his first match. It was so close. He lost by 2 points right at the last second the kid got a take down. Mike was winning until then.

His second match he won 14-5. Although Mike was kneed in the groin in the second period he still won. It was a great match. His take downs were great!

The last kid was just tough. The kid was way stronger than Mike. I mean he was ripped. Mike was also knead in the groin during this match. He laid on the mat screaming in pain. He worked through it and finished the match. Although the other kid won Mike didn't give up and he didn't get pinned. He wrestled hard the whole match. I was very proud of him.

So we are home now and Mike has been iced down and he has soaked in the tub. He is feeling much better. Now I am on a mission to find him some decompression shorts to protect his man parts from being damaged. You know Mom would like to have grand kids one day:)

Sick

I have been running all week. I think it got the best of me because now I am sick. I just can't quit coughing. I think something has settled in my chest. I am praying that it won't stick around long. I just have to much to do. Please pray that I get better soon.

Thanks,

New Header

I really wanted a new header for my blog. I have been trying to work with a paint.net program. I was finding it very difficult to figure out. I am not a very big photo shop person. So I was looking on the internet for something I could use that had everything and I could just drag and drop.
Well I found one! It is called scrapblog.com. I just love it! You can use the photos that you have on Facebook or Photobucket. It was so easy to use.I created the new header using it. It did take me awhile to figure out how to get it from there to my Blog but, I finally figured it out.
So if you would like to create your own or just play for awhile check it out.

Scrapblog.com

Jamie's Recipe Collection

Over on Jamie's blog. She asked everyone to post a favorite recipe. So I thought that I would post one of Bill's favorites. It was a toss up between my meatloaf and my Shepherd's pie. After a discussion between Bill and I. He thought I should post the shepherd's pie recipe. Here it goes.


Ingredients:

!.5 pounds of ground beef (for a meaty pie use 2 Bill likes it meaty)
8 ounced of shredded cheddar
1 large can of diced of tomatoes
1 can og green beans ( you can use any veggies you want. Bill doesn't like peas.)
1 can of corn
1 box of instant mashed potatoes
1 Large can of tomato sauce

Steps:

Brown the ground beef and drain
Prepare the largest serving of instant potatoes on the box in the microwave

In a deep 9 x13 baking dish add the cooked ground beef, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and vegetables.
On top of that add the mashed potatoes and smooth it out like frosting. Top with cheddar cheese.
Put into the oven on 350 degrease for 40-45 min or until the cheese is golden and bubbly on top.

Take out of oven and let settle for 5- 10 min. Then serve.

This will feed a family of 4 with enough leftovers for the next day. Hope you enjoy it!

New Memeber of the Family

We decided that Mike is ready for his own pet. Since we are not allowed to have dogs where we live the next choice is a cat. We already have one that is mine.
I have had him for a very long time. He is a Persian and gorgeous. He looks like a wise old Chinese mad. His whiskers hang down like a Fu Man Chu. His name is Chubbers and he was the last thing that my mom had given me before she passed away. So he has a great deal of sentimental value to me.




This is wise old Chubbers


We have some friends from wrestling whose cat just had a litter of kittens. We told them that we would take one of them. Hoping for a male. Of course it will belong to Mike. It's food and cat box will be in his room. So it will be his responsibility to take care of it.

It's name it was decided before we brought it home. It would be Bernie from Bernie Kozar the quarterback from the Cleavland browns. Mike is a huge Browns fan.
We were suppose to get a male but, they brought us a female. Mike didn't want to change the name. So her name is Bernice and we are calling her Bernie for short.

Welcome to your new home Bernie!

Look what Daddy brought home

Daddy brought home some great stuff for his girls on Valentines day. We were both quite surprised.Even though I had to be out of the house by 6 am he made my day quite nice.

This thing is huge. Way bigger than she is.


This is what Daddy brought home for Mommy. They are white and black diamond earrings. They are beautiful. This is the first pair of earrings that I now own. That is not from Clair's. Along with this I got a dozen red roses. Daddy is so nice and we love him bunches and bunches.

Finaly back to normal

Well the business of the last few days is over. Things seem to be getting back to normal.

Here are a few pictures of the kids from Andrea's school play where she is a bob cat and Mike with the scorpion key chain his dad sent him from Iraq. His dad is deployed there until October.

I'm a Bobcat!





Deadliest scorpion in Iraq.

A Very Long Weekend Ahead

We have an extremely busy weekend ahead of us. Our home wrestling tournament is this weekend. I have to be there on Friday night to help set up and then again on Saturday morning at 6:30 am. I will be there all day working in the kitchen. Mike has to wrestle in the afternoon. So Bill will be bringing him down for that.

Mike has his Cub Scout Blue and Gold banquet on Tuesday. Of course me and another mom are planning it. So on Sunday we have to make a trip to Erie to get all of the food and decorations. For that.
Then on Tuesday I have to be at the hall at noon to start cooking and decorating.
Bill has to work all weekend plus it is Valentine's day. I don't think that we will get a chance to celebrate with each other.
If you don't hear from me till Wednesday know that I didn't fall of the planet. I am just very busy this week.

Bibbers

When you were born I was so happy and excited to have you. You were our first baby. Even though I had some experience with babies you were all mine and I couldn't give you back to someone else if you started to cry. I had just graduated High School and I was so young. I was so unsure of what life was going to bring.

You were the perfect baby a first time mom could have. You hardly ever fussed. You were laid back and happy. Then came the toddler years and I knew the calm was over. You were very busy. Always exploring and getting into things. I remember when you stuck your finger in the light socket 3 times before you figured out it was a good idea. I learned then that no matter how many time I told you NO! I had to let you figure it out all on your own.

I know things have not always been easy for you. You have been through more things than a kid should at your age. I want you to know that I will always be here when you need a helping hand or someone to talk to.

The happiest moment for me was when you gave your heart to God. That is when I knew that I had done a great job with you. You are such a fine man. You have a great heart,a kind spirit,you are a loyal friend to many.

I pray that you will follow the Lord always and you grow into a fine young man.

Happy 11th Birthday mysweet boy!

I just saw this product website and thought I would share it with us moms with children that have short fat figures. I have been wondering how hard it would be to teach Andrea how to tie her shoes. Holding the laces and everything will be quite a challenge. That is when I found this...



You can go HERE to their web site.

Do you think it will work for our children? I am seriously thinking about ordering it.

Haven't done this in awhile

I know I haven't posted any deals for a while. I just got out of doing it. So I thought I would share some with you. I love reading money saving blogs like The "Cents"-able Sawyer and Your Coupon Buddy. I wasn't quite sure if you all are into reading them also. With this economy I try to do anything that will save me money in the long run. Well here are a few things that I thought you might enjoy.

Northern Cheapskate is reporting a free Grand Slam Breakfast at Denny's on Tuesday, Feb. 3 from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Grand Slam Breakfast includes two pancakes, two eggs, two sausages, and two slices of bacon. Be sure to call ahead because this offer is at participating locations only.

Freebies 4 Mom is reporting that you'll also get a coupon book with your free breakfast. Read the details here.

Freebeezndealz has some great deals. One of them that I thought would be cute to send to Grandpa and Grandma for Valentine's day.

Receive a free 6 pack of Valentine Day cards. Just use the word Valentine at checkout.

Now I saved the best for last. Denise at The " Cent"sible Sawyer is having a giving away! Here is the pic of what she is giving away. Just go HERE to find out how to win it. Of course I am secretly hoping I win.

Andrea's Birthday Pictures

Here are a few pictures from Andrea's party that we had at home. She was really into it this year. A week before her birthday that was all that she cared about. We did end up getting her something electronic.

The week before we took her to a wrestling tournament and the lady there had an I- dog that clipped to your shirt. Andrea thought that it was the best thing in the world. So we went with one of those and a mp3 player. She just loves it.
Not to mention some new earrings that she picked out from Clair's , A soft sweat out fit from Children's Place ( they were having a great sale), and a new pair of K Swiss sneakers. Hers were severely worn.
She is the most stylish girl out there.