I'm thankful that Tim and I reached a decision that we're in total agreement about concerning our house.
I don't usually elaborate on stuff in the Thankful Thursday posts, but I wanted to let you know we will not be buying the house. We're simultaneously confident and disappointed about that decision.
What's one thing that you're thankful for?
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
BARGAIN BREAKFAST
We eat a lot of hot cereal for breakfast around here. It's inexpensive, filling, and healthy. Occasionally we get 7-grain from WinCo's bulk section, but usually we just eat oats, also from the bulk section.
The other day I was in the cereal aisle, which is a rare occurrence, and couldn't believe the price of oats there. So, in an attempt to help you save a buck, I'll show you some price comparisons, rounded to the nearest cent.
$.03/oz - Bulk department 25 lb bag or regular bin
$.05/oz - Generic 42 oz. container
$.07/oz - Quaker 42 oz. container
$.12/oz - Generic individual packets
$.18/oz - Quaker individual packets - average, it went from $.16-$.21 depending on flavor and size
That's a significant price difference, folks!!
Now, if you just don't like plain oats, then dress them up a little. Toppings can include milk, fresh fruit, brown sugar, butter, jam, applesauce, cinnamon sugar, or this "syrup" that I like to use. If you like cold cereal more than hot cereal, then use your oats to make granola in your crockpot. I make a double batch and store it in a large, plastic container. We generally use it for breakfast, but sometimes mix it in with yogurt and fruit.
The other day I was in the cereal aisle, which is a rare occurrence, and couldn't believe the price of oats there. So, in an attempt to help you save a buck, I'll show you some price comparisons, rounded to the nearest cent.
$.03/oz - Bulk department 25 lb bag or regular bin
$.05/oz - Generic 42 oz. container
$.07/oz - Quaker 42 oz. container
$.12/oz - Generic individual packets
$.18/oz - Quaker individual packets - average, it went from $.16-$.21 depending on flavor and size
That's a significant price difference, folks!!
Now, if you just don't like plain oats, then dress them up a little. Toppings can include milk, fresh fruit, brown sugar, butter, jam, applesauce, cinnamon sugar, or this "syrup" that I like to use. If you like cold cereal more than hot cereal, then use your oats to make granola in your crockpot. I make a double batch and store it in a large, plastic container. We generally use it for breakfast, but sometimes mix it in with yogurt and fruit.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
TODAY'S PARENTING REPORT
It's 11:00 am.
Two kids are wailing. One is sulking. One has been whining all day. One had poor behavior that embarrassed me in a public place. Three are choosing not to obey immediately. One won't think past himself.
Today I'm fantasizing about kids who make me look like a stellar mom. Pride, though not a good thing, is a much more pleasant thing to feel than frustration and humiliation.
Back to the parenting trenches I go. I need to remember that wars aren't won in a day. I need to focus on today's battles.
Two kids are wailing. One is sulking. One has been whining all day. One had poor behavior that embarrassed me in a public place. Three are choosing not to obey immediately. One won't think past himself.
Today I'm fantasizing about kids who make me look like a stellar mom. Pride, though not a good thing, is a much more pleasant thing to feel than frustration and humiliation.
Back to the parenting trenches I go. I need to remember that wars aren't won in a day. I need to focus on today's battles.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
QUICK PEEK AT THE WEEK
Last Sunday we were walking into the house from our car after church and noticed a couple driving very slowly around our house. I stopped and asked if they needed help. Turns out the woman lived in our house back in the 70's. It was fun talking to her about what the house used to look like, the way she'd landscaped, and the improvements they'd made to the house.
Then Monday night I met another woman. I was leaving the library just before 9:00pm and came across a woman who had locked her keys in her car with the engine running. She was parked right in the outdoor drop-off driveway. So, I called Tim to look up the roadside assistance number for her car, then hung out with her for about an hour while we waited for the locksmith to come. It was fun to get to know a total stranger, someone I'd never have otherwise met. Plus, we provided excellent customer service to everyone who drove up, taking their things to the drop-off slot for them, since they couldn't get through the driveway.
Thursday night we headed to the home of a family from church to watch the Ducks and Beavers duke it out in a civil war game. Lots of eating, cheering, and visiting. Fun night!
Saturday morning was spent running errands. That night we took my grandma to a Christmas concert at Portland Christian Center. It was our third time going, but her first. Then we all headed to KFC for dinner, one of her favorite places to eat.
This morning we headed to church, came home for lunch, then took off again. First we dropped Devon and Naomi off at John and Yvonne's. They baked cookies, went to McDonald's, watched part of a concert, skipped naps, and had a blast. John blogged about their time with our kiddos. He's got a couple pictures on the blog with a link to a whole bunch more. Go check it out! After dropping those two off, we took Silas to The Shed. He spent a few hours eating pizza, playing games, and practicing some carols with other grade schoolers for a performance next weekend.
While the kids were all farmed out to various places Tim and I went on a date. We did some shopping for the kids' stocking stuffers, ate some Coldstone (love the combo of coupons and a gift card!), had an uninterrupted conversation about some decisions we need to make, and just enjoyed each other's company. It was great!
We had planned to decorate our tree tonight, which the guys all put up yesterday, but everyone was too tired. So, we popped in another Christmas movie from the library and just relaxed. It was a nice ending to a fun, but non-stop, weekend.
Then Monday night I met another woman. I was leaving the library just before 9:00pm and came across a woman who had locked her keys in her car with the engine running. She was parked right in the outdoor drop-off driveway. So, I called Tim to look up the roadside assistance number for her car, then hung out with her for about an hour while we waited for the locksmith to come. It was fun to get to know a total stranger, someone I'd never have otherwise met. Plus, we provided excellent customer service to everyone who drove up, taking their things to the drop-off slot for them, since they couldn't get through the driveway.
Thursday night we headed to the home of a family from church to watch the Ducks and Beavers duke it out in a civil war game. Lots of eating, cheering, and visiting. Fun night!
Saturday morning was spent running errands. That night we took my grandma to a Christmas concert at Portland Christian Center. It was our third time going, but her first. Then we all headed to KFC for dinner, one of her favorite places to eat.
This morning we headed to church, came home for lunch, then took off again. First we dropped Devon and Naomi off at John and Yvonne's. They baked cookies, went to McDonald's, watched part of a concert, skipped naps, and had a blast. John blogged about their time with our kiddos. He's got a couple pictures on the blog with a link to a whole bunch more. Go check it out! After dropping those two off, we took Silas to The Shed. He spent a few hours eating pizza, playing games, and practicing some carols with other grade schoolers for a performance next weekend.
While the kids were all farmed out to various places Tim and I went on a date. We did some shopping for the kids' stocking stuffers, ate some Coldstone (love the combo of coupons and a gift card!), had an uninterrupted conversation about some decisions we need to make, and just enjoyed each other's company. It was great!
We had planned to decorate our tree tonight, which the guys all put up yesterday, but everyone was too tired. So, we popped in another Christmas movie from the library and just relaxed. It was a nice ending to a fun, but non-stop, weekend.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
A MILESTONE FOR NAOMI
Remember when I talked about how the Nomes was tough as nails when getting her shots? Well, we've discovered more proof of her toughness.
From Wednesday afternoon through Friday afternoon Naomi mentioned that her left ear hurt a few times. Very matter-of-fact, a little bit whiny on Thursday night (which may have had a little something to do with all the screaming at the Civil War party we were at). No tugging on her ear. No redness. No pain while laying down.
When she woke from her nap on Friday afternoon I discovered that her ear had drained. A lot! So, we popped in to our ped's office this morning (it also drained a lot during the night) so they could take a peek at it. Well, not only is the left ear infected (but getting better now that it's draining), but the right one is too (she hasn't complained about that one at all).
So, there you go. Naomi's very first ear infection. A double infection, no less. We'll be picking up an antibiotic and ear drops later today to celebrate this milestone.
Let me just tell you that this is a completely different experience than Devon's ear infections a few years ago. Those had us up all night with him crying in pain, six weeks of infections and three different drugs, then a trip to Doernbecher for tubes in both ears.
The Nomes is fine though. She's tough as nails. In fact, we asked to have a shot she was scheduled to get next week done today, just for the sake of convenience. She didn't flinch, loved her pink bandaid, and thanked the nurse when we left.
I think my daughter has a high pain tolerance.
From Wednesday afternoon through Friday afternoon Naomi mentioned that her left ear hurt a few times. Very matter-of-fact, a little bit whiny on Thursday night (which may have had a little something to do with all the screaming at the Civil War party we were at). No tugging on her ear. No redness. No pain while laying down.
When she woke from her nap on Friday afternoon I discovered that her ear had drained. A lot! So, we popped in to our ped's office this morning (it also drained a lot during the night) so they could take a peek at it. Well, not only is the left ear infected (but getting better now that it's draining), but the right one is too (she hasn't complained about that one at all).
So, there you go. Naomi's very first ear infection. A double infection, no less. We'll be picking up an antibiotic and ear drops later today to celebrate this milestone.
Let me just tell you that this is a completely different experience than Devon's ear infections a few years ago. Those had us up all night with him crying in pain, six weeks of infections and three different drugs, then a trip to Doernbecher for tubes in both ears.
The Nomes is fine though. She's tough as nails. In fact, we asked to have a shot she was scheduled to get next week done today, just for the sake of convenience. She didn't flinch, loved her pink bandaid, and thanked the nurse when we left.
I think my daughter has a high pain tolerance.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
12/3/09 THANKFUL THURSDAY
I'm thankful for kids that are cooperative and helpful when we hop in and out of the car for errands about five times in thirty minutes.
What is one thing that you're thankful for?
What is one thing that you're thankful for?
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
NAOMI'S FEELINGS TOWARD ME
She hates me.
.
.
She doesn't enjoy me.
She likes me.
She loves me!!
She has fun with me. And, yes, I know it's the second time I've posted this pic this week, but it's my blog and I can post whatever I feel like posting. Plus, her litle scrunch face is pretty cute.
She likes me.
She loves me!!
She has fun with me. And, yes, I know it's the second time I've posted this pic this week, but it's my blog and I can post whatever I feel like posting. Plus, her litle scrunch face is pretty cute.
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