mom-from-missouri's Journal

I have been getting daily newsletters from http://www.justfreestuff.com/
So far, what I have signed up for I have received. Just thought I would pass it on for anyone else to check out.

Planning on doing more beans and apples today. I did up a batch of okra yesterday and we have been eating stuff from the garden at about every dinner. I also got some corn in the freezer last night as well.

We have someone coming today to look at the beagle puppies we have for sale. I hope they buy one.

Make several pints of crabapple jelly and syrup last night. Also picked some beans to freeze.

Got the kids all registered for homeschool coop. It starts next Friday. Tution and supplies total $76--thats for all of them, not each. Not bad for a semester-that incldues everthing. I dare say that is a lot less than a lot of public school families spent on clothing, shoes and supplies.

They meet once a week on Fridays through late November, then they will have their winter program and be done till January. Then we repeat the process.

Tonight we will be processing beans. Green and waxed, and if time permits okra as well.

1. I don't buy paper products such as napkin, paper plates, paper cups or paper towels. I use "real" products and wash them.

2. I plant the largest garden I can manage and harvest a much food from it a possible. This includes several types of beans, corn, tomatoes, watermelon, squashes, okra..... I then can and freeze what we can't eat during the garden season for the winter and next spring. We also have an orchard with various fruit trees, a small vineyard, and blueberries.

3. We try to grow our own meat-this includes beef, fish (in our ponds), pork and poultry.

4. I have my own chickens and ducks for eggs. I sell the excess eggs. During nice weather I let the birds free range (eating worms, bugs...) and save on feed.

5. I watch freecycle and craigslist for free or inexpensive kitchen items. I have obtained numerous items this way including a canner, jars, flats and seals, kitchen gagets, recipe books and even food (a case of soup once-lady bought it by the case then found out she was allergic to one of the ingredents).

6. I shop Aldi's and bulk stores when I can. The best bulk stores I have found to date are the Amish ones. I can get oatmeal, flour and spices in bulk (up to 50 lbs bags) for way less than in the regular grocery stores. I store what I am not using in the deepfreeze to keep fresh and bug free.

7. I bake our own breads, cakes, pies....

8. I take note on food dates and rotate them as necessary so that they do not go out of date.

9. I freeze leftovers for future lunches or meals.

10. I pack my husbands meals for work.

11. I make 'scrap soup'. I have a large container in the freezer that I put leftovers of all meats and veggies in. When it is full, I dump it into the stockpot and cook it down for soup. Usually I have to add either beef stock or tomato juice as a base. Sometimes I also add rice or noodles. It is always good, but since leftovers vary, it rarely tastes the same twice.

12. I will confess, I am a baggie washer.

13. I wipe off used foil and put it in my husbands BBQ locker. When he needs it on the grill, he uses this foil instead of new foil.

14. I save the wax bag liners in cereal boxes. They are great for rolling out dough on, or putting cookies on to cool.

15. I buy limited amounts of cereal. For breakfast we usually eat eggs or oatmeal. Less sugar and less expensive.

16. We make our own potholders from fabric leftovers or from old socks--just cut them into loops (yes, that is what potholder loops are made out of!). We also make our own placemats (good sewing project for teaching beginner sewers).

17. We buy high end appliances for less than the normal costs because we get them at the scratch and dent. You get the same warrenty. What difference does it make that the refrigerator has a scratch on the side when it is slid into the cabinet and you can't see it?

18. I make our own ice for events instead of buying it at $2.19 a bag.

19. We make our own ice cream and popcicles. I also make my own "shake and bake" and dressings.

20. I save yogurt containers and such instead of buying the more expensive tupperware containers.

21. I buy generic on most items, but I also make sure they will be eaten. For example, DH won't eat generic peanut butter on his sandwhiches, but he will eat peanut butter cookies with generic peanutbutter. So, I buy a small jar for him, and the large instutional size for baking and cooking use.

22. I try to combine coupons with sale items, but I also compare this price to the generic prices.

23. I keep my kitchen CLEAN to avoid sicknesses caused by improper food handeling. I have one cutting board just for meat use and it gets cleaned with bleach. I run vinegar with every load of dishes for a disinfectant.

24. I try to bulk bake and bulk cook, then freeze items if need be.

25. When cooking during the winter months, I can turn down the heat a few degrees. Usually when I bake, the kids are all gathered in the kitchen anyway (playing a board game waitin for bowls to lick) and the stove keeps us warm.

26. I don't use a food coop (because I don't want to pay the fees), but I have friends who do, and I can sometimes split items with them (such as a 100 lb bag of flour, or 25 lbs of pecans). Also, since some of them get a rebate at the years end based on how much they bought, then are more than happy to buy an item or so for me when I ask them to( yes, I pay them for it).

27. I don't buy junk food or soda. Yet, we still eat snacks. We make cupcakes, popcorn and our own potato chip. I don't buy chips, candy, gum..(grandmas do that for me!)

28. I wait till the dishwasher is full to run it.

29. I turn off my oven, or burners several minutes before my item is done cooking. Most items will continue to cook in the heat already generated.

30. All my kitchen lights are CFL or LED bulbs to save electricity.

31. Kitchen scraps are given to the animals (chickens love them)-helps save on pet food and feed

32. I cook from scratch, and I bake from scratch.

33. I use our crockpot and microwave a lot--saves energy over the stove and oven.

34. Take advantage of "free" foods, such as nuts, wildberries, mushrooms. Just be sure you know what they are, if they were sprayed, and if its not your land, get permission.

35. We grow our own herbs and sprout our own sprouts for salads. This is one of my kids projects.

36. Try to use resealable and reusable containers instead of foil, seran wrap and such.

37. I make my own "convience items" such as hamburger helper and cookie mix when times are slow. I then store away. Then when needed and its busy, we get those out and just add the last remaining ingredents (wet ingredents) and cook or bake.

38. Remember kitchen items make great gifts (cookies, cakes, spiced tea mixes..) for teachers, delivery people...

39. Keep your appliances clean so they don't have to work a hard to run. This means cleaning burners, heating elements, vents and around fans and drip pans.

40. Keep your windowns and light bulbs and fixtures clean to allow for max lighting to avoid having to use a higher watt bulb.

41. If you can't afford a cookbook, get your recipe collection on line and make your own book or card collection of recipes.

42. I buy very few kitchen cleaning chemicals. I want it safe around my food, so I mainly clean with baking soda, salt, lemon juice and vinegar. All these items are cheaper than remade chemical cleaners.

43. Using your stoves exhaust fan in the summer will keep your kitchen cooler and saves extra work from your AC.

44. I try to do the majority of my cooking during nonpeak hours that are posted by our electric coop. Same with the running of the dishwasher. I normally run it while we are sleeping, as that is when our rates are the lowest.

45. At least once a week we have a meatless meal.

46. Beans and rice are good inexpensive food items that will fill you up.

47. Cheaper (and sometimes tougher) cuts of meat can still be tasty. Marinate them over night, then slow cook them in the crockpot and they will be tender.

48. Watch for meat that is reduced. Use or freeze ASAP.

49. If you really like (or dislike)a food product, email the company. sometimes they will send you a coupon.

50. Make your own compost for your garden or house plants. If you have no room, you can at least crush eggshells and put in water to water your houseplants with.

51. Plan out your menus before you go shopping. While shopping buy necessary missing ingredents to avoid extra trips back to the store(and fuel).

52. When making your kitchen/grocery budget, don't include non kitchen items. This includes items such as pet food, cleaning supplies......They are not items you eat!

53. Drink water at one meal (or more) a day.

54. If you are a coffee or tea drinker, make it at home and take to work with you instead of buying it at work or on the way.

55. If the banannas go bad, make bananna bread. It can be frozen--so can the banannas--just mush them, bag them and freeze them until you have enough for bread.

56. I keep watch over my freezer, pantry and refrig contents. Sometimes I have to change the menu to use something so it doesnt not go bad or out of date.

57. If you purchase a food item and it is bad, or goes bad before the date, or buggy--take it back. Our local store will double your purchase price.

58. Don't buy more of something than you can use or freeze just because it is on sale.

59. Next time you want to invite someone to go out, instead cook and stay in. Rent a movie or play games and you can save quite a bit of money this way.

60. Substitute. I have several that I use--such as white fish for crab meat, or a little vinegar in milk instead of sour milk or sour cream.... Why buy the more expensive item for only one recipe.

61. A baked potato is a great way to use leftovers up. Small amounts of meat, cheese, chili,...make great toppings. It makes for a very good and inexpensive lunch at work or meal.

62. If you buy premade frosting....Put it in the blender or mixer on whip, and it will double in size. That means you can frost twice as much with it, and eat half the calories.

63. We have a diabetic in the family. So, instead of frosting cakes, cupcakes and cookies, we sometimes sprinkle a light amount of sugar (or splenda) and cinammon over the top. Its real good on a yellow cake for a brunch with some fruit.

64. Buy produce and meat when in season. Freeze what you can as it will go up in price during off season.

65. On "pizza" night, we each make our own small pizzas, just they way we want it. Usually saves us about $30 compared to buying pizza for 7 at pizza hut.

66. If you are one of those people who already has everything you need, suggest at birthday and christmas time that you would like gift certificates to your favorite grocery store or resturant.

67. Buy 2% milk instead of whole milk, unless you have a toddler in the house on milk.

68. I make my own noodles. Costs 1/3 of the price of a bag of them ready made.

69. Don't grocery shop when you are hungry.

70. Don't grocery shop at convience stores or drug stores where prices most likely will be higher.

71. Don't buy impluse items. stick to your list. avoid items on endcaps-they are usually priced higher.

72. Shop without spouse or children when possible.

73. Try to combine your grocery shopping with other errands to save on fuel.

74. I take a cooler with me, and my coupons incase I find an unadvertised special or meat reduced.

75. Watch store ads, and try to buy what is on sale and plan meals around them.

76. spices can be frozen, if well sealed.

77. Don't fall for all those kitchen gagdet TV ads. Most people who buy all those never use them.

78. Stale bread makes great crutons (just brush on butter and spices, cube it, broil it, let cool and I put in a zip lock baggie and freeze). stale bread also makes good cheesy bread--add shredded cheese to the top and broil. Good for a snack or with tomato soup.

79. Never turn down zuchanni You can make ANYTHING out of it....

80. If you buy a whole frozen chicken, it is usually cheaper than a cut up fresh one.

81. If you are not into making and baking your own bread or rolls, then buy the ones that are already made and frozen. I can get 6 loaves of frozen dough (for loaves) for $2.59. That is cheaper than buying 1 loaf of bread. You can bake them all at once, or one at a time.

82. Label your canned and frozen food with the name and date.

83. If your freezer is not completely full, fill it with a couple of milk jugs with water in them (3/4 full). Helps your freezer to use less energy. Same applies to your refrigerator. Less air space is less to cool.

84. Keep your kitchen clean, organized and decluttered so you are not buying more of what you already have. Store things in the proper environment-away from moisture or heat. If you need kitchen organization ideas, check out some websites or a RV kitchen (they have a place for everything in them)

85. Time is money. So organize your kitchen to save you time. For example, in one area I have all my baking bowls, mixer, flour, sugar..... When I bake, I am not running all over the kitchen. Another corner has the oatmeal, cereal and toaster for breakfast....I know where my items are at. If you get distracted while cooking, you will make mistakes and waste food.

86. When our knives get dull, I have my husband sharpen them. I have a friend who throws them away and buys more....I have had some of the same knives since 1980.

87. If you have a high water bill, or have to haul water, save water in the kitchen. Don't let the faucet just run. If you are waiting for it to get hot, stick a pitcher under it to water plants with, or brush your teeth with. When I was a kid my aunt used dishpans to wash her dishes with. When done, she would then dump the soap water down the toilet (housefull of kids, so it always needing flushing) and the rinse water went to the garden or the houseplants.

88. Wimpy celery and peppers can be revived in cold water.

89. recycle. I save glass jars for several things--one, they make great cups for husband while on the tractor (they have a lid, I can make the tea in them the night before and freeze, so it stays colder for him longer) and good containers to keep or freeze leftovers in , or to freeze produce in. Plastic containers are great for lunches and storing craft items. Some areas pay for trash pickup by the bag, so this can save you in that area as well.

90. An inexpensive way to make kitchen curtain is out of kitchen dish towels. If you want to change your decor, just turn them back into dish towels again. (Real easy, just hem one end for the curtain rod, or sew on tabs)

91. Check out your local farmers market, or check the local paper for ads put in by farmers who have excess produce. Roadside stands can be a good deal also, but if in a touristy area, they can also be a rip off.

92. If you like plants in the house, grow inexpensive ones in the kitchen. Potato, sweet potato, red pepper and pineapple tops are all fun to grow, and are basically free since you eat the rest of the veggie. My kids also like to save avacado pits to grow as well.

93. This one I am always drilling into my kids--DONT leave the kitchen while you are cooking. Usually after burning 3-4 things, they understand that one.

94. I keep a bulliteen board in the kitchen to keep coupons, menus, and recipes on. At a glance you can tell if Thursdays supper is the same as the school lunch that day. I keep this above my baking area. I put my recipes in a plastic protector sheet hanging from it while I mix, so it serves dual duty.

95. If you are bad at planning menus, and great source is the website or newspaper where the publish the school or senior center menus for the week.

96. save small peices of meat and veggies for grilling. bake kabobs out of them. Just freeze till next time you grill.

97. Sometimes my husband will grill or smoke 1-2 weeks worth of meals at once. It saves charcoal and woodchips. We just freeze till ready to serve.

98. Don't call a repair man if your stove burner or heating element go out. These can easily be ordered and you can do it yourself, unless you have the type where they are sealed in glass.

99. Check out your local park department to see if they offer cooking or baking classes. Most do at a very reasonable price, and you get to eat what you cook! If they don't and you are handy in this area, then see what it takes for YOU to teach one. I taught such a class years ago (it was snacks for kids, a cooking class for kids) and make $4 for every student. I had 10 students, so $40 for a 3 hour class. Plus, the park department also gave me a free family pass to the pool good for 1 year.

100. If you don't buy the paper, check online for coupons. Some will even email you coupons you can print for free.

101. I have kids, and kids sometimes have unexpected company. So, I keep "cheap quick meal makings" on hand--items such as the makings for speghetti or chili hotdogs.

102. Make your own french fries and corn dogs.

103.Asign each family member their own color for the kitchen. We each use one cup all day long. Cuts down on dirty dishes.

104. Esp. those with picky kids or husbands--if you are at a church dinner or event and see your kids or spouse eat something well--get the recipe. beats making stuff they won't eat.

With sugar. I have been making jams, jellies, syrups..... A bag of sugar cost me $3. I added up one after I processed it, and I got (compared to store prices) $28 worth of jelly.

Later this week I will be going into the city and I can get a bulk bag of sugar and save even more. We have apples and crabapples that are ready. So, the only ingredent I have had to buy is the sugar. I reuse my jars every year (some I even got free years and years ago), and I got some flats free off of free cycle several months ago (brand new, still sealed in the box). All are off our trees, so no money out buying the fruit.

We also have been working up our beans--green beans and wax beans. Mostly I am putting them in the freezer, along with the okra. The corn should be ready in a couple of days, and then we will be working up corn also.

This will help feed us this winter.

Whew. I almost see the end. What a busy last few weeks. Church camp, VBS, 4H county fair, church camp again (I go also-I am a dorm mom), family reunion (and we bring back all the little cousins with us for a week or more). Right now we have a house full of little ones. They have been chasing chickens, swimming in the front pond, fishing in the back pond, horseback riding, bike riding, playing board games...keeping us busy.

My next project (after all the kids leave except my own) is to move our homeschool classroom from upstairs to the basement. We are going to use a part that is not finished, so I can finish it anyway I want. It does have a kichenette in one part, and a bathroom off of it. If anyone knows of anything I can add to my "dream classroom", I am open to ideas!

We finally got the garden disced on Sunday. It was too wet to do it, then when it was finally dry while DH was off work, we found out cylinder on the disc had gone out. So, we got another one, then the rains all hit again...

Today I ran the disc over it again, then put in plants. It was too windy to get any seed in-it would have blown away. But, the plants that have been growning in the kitchen and dining room are now in the ground.

So, I have:
18 tomatoes
3 tomato
18 peppers of various sorts
onions
acorn squash
yellow crazy 8 squash
zuchinni
watermelon
eggplant
cucumbers

I still have to get all the seeds in. It will probably be awhile, as we are supposed to have bad storms and rain the next 2 days. Which means, it will have to dry enough to get the tiller in the garden to till because the rain will clump it up.

Seeds will be:
corn, green beans, yellow beans, okra, carrots, sunflowers and I forget what else.

I have potatoes coming up in the compost, so will move them over.

Until this year, I didn't know tomatoes and tomato were two different but very similar fruits.

Well, my aunt has gotten all her test results back. The cancer is stage 4, lung and bone. The doctor did say it does appear to be slow growing. They said with chemo, she could gain 1-2 years. They are recommending 16 chemo treatments, over 16 weeks time. She is thinking about it. It was most likely caused by her heavy smoking for 60+ years.

On the home front, we have decided to sell or trade our 5th wheel for a bumper hitch (which is what we had to begin with). It just has more advantages. Right now we are limited to only being able to pull it with the pickup. The girls are starting to do some horse shows and the pickup can't pull the horse trailer and the camper at the same time, as both are 5th wheel/gooseneck. We are also limited in the pickup with the number of passengers. If we need to, we can pull a bumper hitch with the suburban, or even rent a van if extended family were to go with us. If we get lucky, we can maybe trade even for one 3 feet shorter in a bumper version. Also, it would be easier on the fuel, and we could pull it with the gas suburban instead of the diesel truck which right now is running close to $5 a gallon.

I just talked to my mom, and she just found out her older sister has lung cancer. She is 84. She is having more test run, and we should get more information on Friday.

This is my moms only living sibling. My aunt has always been a very heavy smoker, the only smoker of the family. In fact, she is the first on this side of the family to even have cancer that I know of.

My girls are not taking this well--this great aunt of theirs is also their pen pal, and they like making her little treasures and crafts and send them to her.

At least in my opinion it was an investment.

We have an orchard, with about 12 trees in it and room for about 12-16 more, plus a small vineyard. Each year we try to add more to it. Yesterday we went to Lowe's and bought 1 plum, 1 peach, 3 grapes and 2 blueberrys. We will try to plant them between rain showers today.

I say its an investment, as it will raise the property value of our farm to have the orchard and vineyard, and we also will be getting the fruit to eat, can and perhaps sell.

So far we have several apple, 3 peach, 2 plum.

We lost and need to replace cherry and pear.

We also have 2 types of grapes and blueberries, and are planning on putting in strawberry beds in the next week or so as well.

to a nearby college for summer science camp next month. It is for 7th and 8th grade girls, and they only take 40, so she was very excited that she was picked. She had to write some science essays to get in.

I was told by one of the science camp workers that she is one of the youngest, if not the youngest to have ever been accepted to the camp in its history. She met all the qualifications, tested and wrote for it just like the older girls however. They were also impressed that she is homeschooled.

I am finding it a little easier to type now that the stitches in my hand are out, but it still hurts. I've not seen the hospital bill yet, but should only be $75. The dr told me to color and that really hurts--the stitches were across the knuckles and it doesnt want to stretch to hold the crayon.

And I have been playing with it ever since. Its a Bosh front loader. It was on sale at Lowes (for $798-normally $925), then they took off an additional 10%,(bring it down to $718) plus I had a $25 off anything over $250 coupon that came in the mail, and DH donated his $45 birthday gift card to the cause. We installed it last night and I ran the first load (as recommended with no clothing) before bed. This morning I started doing real laundry in it.

It is VERY quiet, although when it spins out, it makes the cold air vent above my desk ping very softly. I went downstairs and discovered the ventwork runs from my desk to right below the washer, so that would explain it.

The most water this particular washer will use per load is 16 gallons--that is if I set it on heavy, extra dirty. If I have it set on a lighter setting, it would use between 6 and 15 gallons.

It also has a water heater built into it if it senses the water is too cold, but I have that feature turned off for now.

It is energy efficent for water, electric and gas. If you use electric for hot water heating, it will cost $17 a year to run. If you use gas hot water, the cost is estimated at $13 per year. That is based on 8 loads of laundry a week. I estimate my costs will be lower, as I normally wash in cold water. And, since this washer is bigger than my old one, I can do 4 loads of laundry a week. (2.5 cu ft vs 4.5 cu ft)

It spins clothes out so well that jeans and towels are just damp. So, they will line dry quicker, and if I use the dryer, the jeans are done in 10 minutes. It used to take jeans 40 minutes to dry in the dryer.

To do the same laundery in the old washer came out to 30,888 gallons of water a year. The new washer will use 3,328 gallons of water a year.

So, the water and electric bills should both reflect a savings.

This is the time of year that students are taking their ACT and SAT tests. It has been over 30 years since I took mine. Here are some tips that I wish I knew then, that I know now. (Having spent sometime in the classroom on the teaching side as given me some insight)

1. The night before the test, eat a good healthy balanced supper, and get to bed early.
2. Eat a healthy breakfast the morning of the test. (Do not eat donuts and chocolate milk)
3. Slow down the week of the test. Many schools split the testing out over several days. During the time of the testing, slow down your lifestyle some—skip the ball practices. Give your brain time to slow down and rest.
4. Take healthy snacks to eat during the test. Foods such as carrot sticks, raisins, granola, non-messy finger food type of snacks.
5. Go to the bathroom BEFORE the test starts.
6. Be prepared. Take plenty of #2 pencils with you, as well as an eraser. Also, have a couple Kleenex in your pocket. If you take a calculator, make sure it is the allowed type.
7. Before hand, review the basics of math and English. The rest of it falls into place much easier if you know your basics. Start your review a month before, not the night before.
8. Stay focused. Keep your mind on your test. Don’t spend too much time on one problem-if you need to, skip it and go on.
9. Remember, tests are repeated each year. Make it your goal to improve your score next year.
10. Don’t blow off these tests. I knew students who didn’t show up to take them. Your college placement can depend on these tests. Some states, such as Missouri offer scholarships, based on your tests results. You may not be planning on college now, but may change your mind in a couple of years.

I called the credit union. The state refund came last week (3 days after it was efiled). The federal is due to be deposited tomorrow.

DH needs to change his withholdings big time. Its April and he has already paid all that we should have to pay for this year in taxes. When we got married, he never changed it-so instead of showing a wife and housefull of daughters, he was still just claiming himself......

So far this week, Monday, Tuesday and today have been no spend days. Friday may be also unless I go buy some plants. I have the planting itch, but its too wet to plant in the garden yet, but I can do my flower pots.

Spent nothing Mon, Tues or today.

In fact, Mon and today I never left the house, so no fuel used either.

Today it has been in the 70's, so I turned off the heat and opened windows.

Tomorrow and Friday should also be ns days, but Sat and Sun we will be out of town for a 4H event, so we will spend some on gas. However, we are staying with relatives instead of 2 nights in a hotel, and I plan on taking a cooler for our meals on the road and while at our event. So, it will be a cheap trip except for fuel.

The all clear sirens sounded last night, so I relaxed some and finally went to bed. We survived rather well.

But, between then and the time I got up this morning things changed.

The metal burn barrels were blown over, the trampoline from the back yard is now in the front yard, part of the girls playhouse roof and soffet is damaged--probably hit by the trampoline, trash is everywhere, a barn door is partly pushed in, and some shingles are questionable. A few trees lost branches also. We got hit with very high winds--in the 55-58 mph range and nothing was damaged. So, what ever hit us after I went to bed was more powerful than that.

And, I managed to sleep through it all. The weather radio was on, but it never toned a warning.

I am glad my car was in the garage--otherwise, the trampoline would have been on top of it--there are marks showing it hit the ground right where I normally park.

The trampoline went up a hill and over a 2 story house to get to where it was now.

Today was the last day to use the book it free coupons from Pizza Hut for the girls. I had another for a free pizza if you bought one. So, we ended up with 5 pizzas for a total of $15. Not to bad. Of course, we could have made it at home for probably $10. Meat here has gone up and DH likes meat lovers, the last time I made a meat lovers pizza at home, I could have almost bought the pizza cheaper after buying the meat ingredents....

It had been storming off and on all day. We had not been home from getting the Pizza more than 30 seconds when it hit. I had just put my car in the garage and boom. I was going to pull the tractor out of the barn and put DH pickup in, but was afraid to for all the lightening. Something about being in a metal barn and driving a tractor with a metal front loading bale spike sticking up in the air like a lightening rod, kind of nixed that idea.

A tornado touched down not to far away--in St Joseph. It took out 1 house and that was all. The house was right in town. Witnesses said it came down, picked up the house, moved it over and dropped it back down on the sidewalk. One person was mildly injured. A good part of NW MO lost some of their electric. Ours flickered, but stayed on.

Last week I completed a storm spotter/tracker class. I was all geared up to make my first report with tonights storm, but we didn't have anything to report. We had hail, but it was under 3/4 of an inch (we only report 3/4 of an inch or more), and we had 55 mph winds, but they already knew that because it was on TV. Actually TV said 60 mph, but my little weather dodad outside said 55.

DH (on nights now) woke up at 4pm, and takes one look at the cows and tells me we are in for a big storm later. He had not checked the TV or radio for the weather--he could just tell by looking at the cows and the way the were acting. The cows predict the thunderstorms very well, while the horses do a better job of advising when it will snow. You may laugh, but you can tell by the way they act, where the go in the pasture and which direction they turn as to what is going to happen weatherwise.

and it felt kind of good. (no fuel used either!!!) Today was also a no spend day. Tomorrow should be as well. However, Friday we may go to the FFA fundraiser in town. It is our towns 175th anniversery this weekend with a parade on Saturday.

It has been cool and raining off and on most of today. In fact. I don't think the sun ever came out. We had light though--the girls have been doing electrical experiments. You know, the old ones where you use a potato or lemon for a battery?? The also were able to get the light to come on with using an egg, a pickle and a lime.

DH is working a 12 hour overtime shift today-acutally, he is working 2 of them this week, leaving him with only 1 day off. He will be one tired pup by this weekend.

DD5 wanted to do a science experiment, but started crying. I asked her what her problem was, and she told me the book said she had to have an adult present and since my husband was sleeping, she could not do it....

What am I? Chopped liver???

The highschool had 4 boys hang themselves almost 2 weeks ago at the school. 2 died. Students have been told they are NOT to discuss it in public. Kids have told me counselers have not been brought it. It has not been on the news. I feel that as a parent and a tax payer have the right to know this. Earlier this school year another boy also hung himself. The boys have ranged in age from 8th grade thru 12th.

I find this rather disturbing in a small town of less than 3000.

Several more families have now pulled their kids out of school to homeschool as a result. One parent told me she has notified the state board of education about the happenings. What is this world coming to?

Yet, it seems like not much got done... I did get the taxes taken it. My new car developed an issue Friday, so it is back at the dealers and they have given me a loaner till it is repaired.

We took a horse Saturday to get shots and a coggins test. It was 4H day, so we got huge discounts--it only cost me $30 as opposed to about $75 elsewhere. Getting the horse to get into the trailer was interesting--it was his first time out this year, and it was very windy--not a good combination to load up.

My sister in law, and dd1 have decided we are having a garage sale in 2 weeks, so that will keep me busy for awhile. They are going to Ireland next month after dd1 graduates from college, so this will go into their trip fund.

I now have $30 in gift cards from Home Depot, so I went by after church and picked up some paint color strips. I am wanting to paint the master bath and put up tile. I have the tile left from my house remodel at my rental to use, but I will need some more for a border-I just have to decided on the color.

My gals have laid several double yolkers, but today I got a triple yolker......

But, will probably spend some later today. I HAVE to go to the grocery store to get some brocholli and ham for a casserole for tomorrow morning Easter breakfast at church, and I also need another ink cartridge. But, I have several to take and trade it, which will make getting a new one cheaper than having Walgreen's refill the old one.

I also need to go by my sister in laws, as we are going to go through some pictures of DD1 for her graduation party.

Yesterday I was paypaled $25 for a tip I entered at Thriftyfun.com, so I will put that into the challange fund.

In the middle of my last post, I sent the kids outside for a 20 minute recess. They came back in sceaming fire.

The chicken coop was burning. We got it out-used up 2 fire extinguishers and the hose. The hay in it had caught on fire. It appears to have been electrical caused--the cord to a heat lamp (that was not on) was all melted with bare copper showing. It was a fairly new heat lamp also.

We have 4 chickens who are having trouble breathing, and we lost the bedding in it. Structural damage was minor-I probably can find some scrap lumber to do the repair work with. But, the water in it is having trouble draining out, so it may rot it out...

What a day.

No, its not raining money. Thats the price of calf right now, and we had one born on Sunday. We have not messed with it yet (so it could bond with Momma) to sex it, but the girls have decided that since it was born the day before St Pats, it would be Clover if a girl, and Patrick if a boy.

This is the same Momma that last year wandered away from her baby and the neighbors dogs killed it. So, we are keeping a close eye on her this year.

I saw it born, from the office window. It literly hit the ground on its feet, and stayed on its feet till she pushed it over to clean it up. It wanted to eat, she wanted it to bathe. Its a bold baby, wanders around and sniffs at everything. Kind of fun to watch. It is grey, with white circles around its eyes. If I can get it to load, I'll put its picture up.

The teacher I subbed for went back into the hospital, so I will be getting some more sub days next week. I love the subbing and the money from it, but I do wish she was on vacation or something other than being sick. She is a very nice woman and her kids at school really miss her. My younger twins had her last year and loved her. This week is spring break for the schools around here.

What a day (and its not over yet)

First, baby chickens got out as I was feeding them this morning. They are in the basement in a couple of cages. Its just too cold for them to be out.

Then on the way to the school I have been subbing at, I slid off the road (we had a very ice like slick snow this morning). 2 nice men pushed me back on the road.

Got to school. It was only a 1/2 day, but I only had 3 students--the rest of the class is all out sick. The teacher is still in the hospital with her pneunomia, so I have been asked to come back next week, to which I said yes for Mon-Thurs. Friday, we have plans to be out of town. So, Monday night I will pack up my kids and their schoolwork and take them to my parents for Mon-Thurs. They will have time to visit, and I can make some money. (DH will be working, so he and I will both be gone all day). Then Fri, as we leave for our mini trip, I will pick up my girls at my parents. My mom is going on the trip with us, so it will work out perfectly.

So, at the end of my sub run for last week, this week and next, I will be looking at $500.

The school I have been at is a small Christian School (where my daughters used to attend) so I know most of the students. Its a nice atmosphere, but they only pay $50 a day to sub, as compared to the public schools around here that pay between $75 to $150 a day.

Our chickens are now up to laying 10 eggs a day, so I still have 6 who are not laying.....Yee Haw!!!

It was a no spend day, but we are getting ready to go to a party for the church youth group, and I need to stop an get a finger food snack on the way. But, that will be under $7 or $10 at the most.

I subbed for 3rd grade again today. Now my class is down to only having 4 students. 2 are still in the hospital. Tomorrow is only a 1/2 day, so hopefully all will get well over the long weekend. Several at school have pnenumonia (I know that is misspelled).

So, tomorrow I teach there again from 8-12, then I go to my girls homeschool coop and teach from 12:30-4:30. Coop had so many kids sick 2 weeks ago that they cancelled coop. That gave everyone a chance to get over it.

I did break down and spend $1 on a grape soda today...Then I spent $26 filling up my car so I could get back to town tomorrow. $26 to fill it up. The first time I filled up my car after I got it, it cost me $16.32 for 8.5 gallons. Today my 8.5 gallons was $26. At least, I have it to drive and don't have to fill up my suburban for all these trips to and from town on days I sub.

I received a call to sub for today. After I got to the school, I was asked to teach the rest of the week. I accepted and it will work out perfectly with DH days off. We go to homeschool coop on Friday afternoons at 12:30, but the school I am subbing for gets out at noon on Friday for an early out. And, it is located between my house and the coop. Perfect timing.

Only downsize is this is a private Christian School, and subs only make $50 a day. The public schools pay more, but it will still be $200 more than what I would have had if I had not gone. This is the same schools my girls went to last year, so I know the teachers and the students. Classes are small (the 3th grade I have has 8 students, and 3 are out sick). But, I really enjoy being here-kind of like coming home and the day just flys by.

DH did the homeschooling today. The girls were playing store when I got home with a pile of real money. They are practicing counting money and counting back change. (I hate it when adults at stores don't count change back to you).

Today was a NS day, except for writing out routine bills which I am doing now.

Just checked the mail. DH had a 401K loan (short term to buy some land with while we were waiting on some other money to arrive). Anyway we paid it off in full when we got the other money and didn't notice that somehow we paid an extra $104. The refund for that was in the mail today. Yee haw.

The microwave repair guy shows up today. He has ordered a part, and he will return next Monday to repair it. Apprently, it is a common problem. It is a contact in the keypad that as worn out....Still, one would think it would take longer than 6 weeks to wear out. (microwave is only 6 weeks old). It is also mostly seen in units over the stove--this is a counter model, so he was surprised by that.

Last month I replaced a refrigerator at a rental house. It came with a rebate. All the signs in the store, the store owner (it was a small sears store, independently owned), and the receipt say I get a rebate on the delivery and install charges. Yet the sears website when I go to enter the rebate, says it is not valid for a rebate. So I called the 800 number. I get these dudes in India who don't speak english.... So, I will try to mail it in.

Today was also a no spend (ns) day. I got a phone call to sub teach tomorrow at the Christian School where my daughters attended last school year. DH is off tomorrow, so he can play teacher with them. Since he is off and will be doing the schooling, he will probably focus their learning in the areas of history, math and chemistry. He is a history buff, and being a chemical engineer he is big on the math and sciences.

So, I will also earn some money tomorrow. I also subbed one day last week as well. I like to get 1 day subbing a week. That amounts to an extra $300-$400 a month.

Tomorrow should also be a NS day. The grocery store had banquet dinners on sale, so I stocked up on them last week. They are good to take on days I teach--often I get a call 30 minutes before I have to leave, so if I have those I just grab one on my way out the door. DH got a day of overtime in on Sunday, so that will show up on next weeks check. It will be enough in overtime to refill the propane tank. (Sunday overtime!!)

I just bought in Jan 9. Still in warrenty. It died. Same problem as the last 2. Flashes F3 on the display screen and you can't push any buttons.
Now for the rotten part (again-I just went thru all this in December). I called the repair number. They will send a man out sometime Mon or Tues between 8 and 5. It can not be narrowed down any ore than that....I can't take it back to the store, but I can take it 37 miles to the repair center in Kansas City, the go back at a later date to pick it up. It won't fit in my little Aveo, so I have to drive the pickup, which is deisel, and if you have seen the deisel prices lately.....if I do the 2nd option, I will have spent more on fuel getting it fixed than it cost to begin with.
Thankfully, I also have a free one I got off of freecycle to use until the repair man shows up.
This is the 3rd microwave DH and I have gone thru since we got married--less than 2 years ago. Its a kenmore. Also, our kenmore washer has failed and the icemaker twice in the frig. They don't make them like the used to.
I called Sears, I was transferred 11 times. No one cares or will take responsiblility. Its only 6 weeks old. Cant they just deliver me a new one??? NO, according to them.
I sent Sears an email, and it came back as undeliverable, even though I used the link off their website.
I will not be buying anymore from Sears.
If I get a call to sub Mon or Tues, I will have to turn it down because the repairman MIGHT show up.....grrrr.

I am going to try and go for 16 or more NS days in March.
Today is day 1 of the month, and is also going to be a NS day. I will have to spend tomorrow however, as DH just informed me is is out of deoderant at work (his job requires he showers before work to be clean, and before leaving due to his exposre to chemicals, so that he doesn't bring home any residue). Our little humbug grocery store here only stocks 2 kinds of dedorant, and the aren't his type. Since we go to church in the city, I will swing by walgreens there and get about 10 of them. I have coupons for $2 off, and they normally run around $3 each. That should hold him for close to a year.

Some may think I am crazy for buying in bulk, but when you live 8 miles from a dinky high dollar grocery store, 17 miles from a so so one, and 24 from an Aldi's and Walgreen, fuel adds up. So, I buy in bulk, combining with coupons when I can, rotate the stock and we have our own "store" in the basement. Our college aged daughters also like to "shop" in the basement when they visit and are broke. My system has saved us many a trip to town for one or two items and many gallons of fuel.

It has been a quiet day. DH is at work, DD1 came by for awhile this morning, DD3 is at a friends house and we got some house cleaning done and a lesson on fractions. Of course, my children feel the only good way to study fractions is to make pizza or cookies and double or triple the recipe. Then they have to multiply the fractions. Well, DH told me the other day he felt we needed a fraction lesson in peanut butter cookies...so, we baked several batches.

I noticed I have a turkey in one of the deep freezers and DH has some wood chips...I think on his upcoming days off he could smoke us a turkey....so, I have it out to thaw.