Stress.......

I'm currently having technical difficulties........the Holidays can be tough, and tougher still when you add illness and death to the mix.  But as in all things you need to remember, more now than any other time, that God has a plan.  We just aren't always privy to the reasons.  In any case, as with all trials and tribulations, we are (weather we see it or not) made stronger for it.  Follow your heart, keep your beliefs close, and share the love in your heart with the world.  You will be better for it.  My Mom always told me someone else out there always has it worse, and she is right.  Take baby steps and everything works out in the end.  I will try to post some more lighthearted holiday themes and links soon! Just thought I would put something out there for others experiencing some technical difficulties like me.  Chin up!  ;)

Short and sweet!

I am not going to be long winded here.  I've been horribly busy lately!  Check out www.cozi.com it's the only thing keeping my head screwed on straight!  LOL!

One of My Mom's puppies

My Mom loves Shi-Tzu's.  Albert is one of the few that she found a home for.  Oh to have the worries of a dog!  He 's just happy to have his bone to chew on.....

My new love......

If you haven't checked out Pinterest.com yet, you absolutely must!  It's a ton of fun sifting through pictures and you can click on any picture and it will take you to where it came from on the internet!  Great for craft projects!

*sigh*

Gotta love it when your laundry day rolls around and your dryer has apparently broke.  So now I am sitting at the laundry mat at 8:30pm washing my husbands work clothes.  Let me tell you from experience.......procrastination doesn't pay!

Finally got a Droid.....

Maybe I can get my mobile posts to work right now LOL!

Here are some new favorites.....

I am so fickle on the internet.......I switch around on what my favorte websites and Blogs are.  I think I just love the creativity SO many people have!  I also LOVE to share, share, share!  =)  My Husband is suprised I don't stand on my front porch to shout out the newest, coolest, thing I have found on the internet.  Perhaps I was a Town Crier in a past life LOL!  Anyhow, here is the list.  Enjoy!

http://www.pauladeen.com/blogs/  Paula Deen's Website 
http://delightinginthedays.com/peace-in-the-kitchen-avoid-toxins/  Make your own Cleaners
http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2011/03/non-toxic-cleaners-you-can-make-at-home.html More Cleaner
http://printables.yourway.net/backyard-barbecue-classics-future-favorites/  In case I didn't post before
http://joggoon.com/fullsite/ Free online books
http://www.tammysrecipes.com/homemade_refried_beans  Yummy recipies!
http://www.photonhead.com/beginners/  Photography for beginners

I think I will stop there for starters......need to organize my favorites list and desktop again.  But make sure you visit Money Saving Mom and check this out http://moneysavingmom.com/tag/31-weeks-to-a-better-grocery-budget-video-series?orderby=date&order=ASC  it's Fantastic!  I am watching it with my whole family.  Oh and follow her recomendation to look at her printable forms here http://moneysavingmom.com/downloads/household-management-forms  I love them!  Great time savers and they help my kids realize my expectations of them too.......I made one for each family member. LOL!  My husband even likes it.......

Cast Iron Cookware

*CARING FOR RUST* Paula Deen cast iron skillet instructions state that if your food sticks or if rust is present, you will need to re-season your pan. Clean your pan with hot soapy water and stiff brush. Warm pan to make it easier. Dry! Dry! Dry! Rub lard or shortening (not veg oil) onto both inside and out. Place pan on baking sheet and place in oven at 300. After 15 min. remove baking sheet, pour out and discard excess grease. Return pan to oven for 1 hour. Allow pan to completely cool before removing from oven and do not wash. Store in a dry place, placing paper towels between pan and lid and other items to absorb moisture, preventing rust.

Here are a couple of cute Mother's Day coupons.....

http://www.redplum.com/pages/ViewArticle.aspx?id=2147484060

http://moneysavingmom.com/2011/05/free-printable-mothers-day-coupon-booklet.html

These are always sweet coming from the kids........no matter what age they are!  =)

I am still trying to work out all of the bugs via cell phone post....

I honestly have no idea what I was trying to post here.....LOL!  But apparently blogging from my cell phone is not working out so great.......

I hope all of thes web links keep you busy for a while.......I get to start my spring cleaning as soon as the snow stops flying!  I already have my tomato and Herb plants started indoors and I can't wait to start reaping what I've sewn.  Speaking of sewing, I am also working on some sewing projects and hope to post some guides on how you can make it too!

....and here's some more!

Do it yourself puzzles- http://www.puzzles.ca/diy_puzzles.html
Puzzle choices- http://www.puzzlechoice.com/pc/Crossword_Menx.html
Free Sodoku Puzzles- http://www.pdfpad.com/sudoku/
Educational Web Quests (make your own)- http://zunal.com/webquest.php?w=85469
Crafty Mom Blog- http://lewisland7.blogspot.com/2011/03/mommys-projeck.html
Crafty Mom Blog (there are alot of crafty Moms!)- http://cometogetherkids.blogspot.com/2011/03/fleece-flower-petal-pillows.html
Crafty rug made from old T-shirts- http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/hula-hoop-rug-995304/
K-mart Birthday Club- http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/dap_10151_10104_DAP_BirthdayClub-home?i_cntr=1302203594784
Still Checking this one out (Discount stuff?)- http://shopopensky.com/projectnursery
Crafty Mom Blog- http://gabrielsgoodtidings.blogspot.com/2011/02/freezer-paper-stenciled-onesies.html
Free Business and Personal forms- http://www.samplewords.com/
Homeschooler stuff- http://homeschoolblogger.com/webinar/educating-for-success/
Green Living and Mom stuff- http://www.mothering.com/green-living/clothesline
Outdoor Playdate Checklist- http://playdateplace.kmart.com/2011/03/create-an-outdoor-playdate-“fun-kit”/
Teaching Kids Money Managment- http://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/blog/homeschooling/teaching-money-management-part-3/
Coupons- http://dealseekingmom.com/
Coupons- http://www.frugalcouponliving.com/
Coupons- http://www.mommysavers.com/
Sample sales- https://www.swirl.com/sign-in.ep
Kids & Baby Sales- https://www.zulily.com/index.php/customer/account/create/
Kids Sales- http://www.theminisocial.com/
Family Travel- http://www.familyfriendlyamerica.com/
Family Fun and Travel Info- http://www.savvysource.com/psn/web/
Coupons- http://www.couponcabin.com/
Coupons- http://www.couponmom.com/
Coupons- http://www.plumdistrict.com/#
Mom Stuff- http://www.mamapedia.com/
Deals & Coupons- http://www.gaggleofchicks.com/home
Baby & Toddler Entertainment/ Learning- http://www.thejunocompany.com/Home
Free Kids/ Learning Software- http://papajan.com/download/
Water Education Posters- http://water.usgs.gov/outreach/OutReach.html
Heirloom Seed Website- http://www.bountifulgardens.org/
Seed Savers- http://www.seedsavers.org/
Organic Gardening- http://www.groworganic.com/
How to save Heirloom Tomato Seeds- http://www.veggiegardener.com/saving-heirloom-tomato-seeds/
Seed Saver Handbook- http://howtosaveseeds.com/toc-handbook.php
Culinary Herb Growing Guide- http://culinaryherbguide.com/index.html
Herb Growing Blogger- http://theherbgardener.blogspot.com/2008/06/tips-for-growing-herbs-indoors.html
How to grow Specific Herbs- http://www.bonnieplants.com/tabid/128/articleType/CategoryView/categoryId/54/All-Herbs.aspx
Homemade Mom's Blog- http://www.homemademamas.net/
Holiday Website (all Hoildays apparently)- http://www.holidayinsights.com/
Mobile Fun- http://www.momsminivan.com/
Emergency Car Kit Checklist- http://ontheroad.randmcnally.com/2009/10/23/tips-car-emergency-checklist/
Tip Nut Patterns- http://tipnut.com/35-reusable-grocery-bags-totes-free-patterns/  and http://tipnut.com/56-free-apron-patterns-you-can-make/
Tip Nut Laundry Soap Recipe- http://tipnut.com/10-homemade-laundry-soap-detergent-recipes/
Free Garden Lapbook- http://www.lapbooklessons.com/GardenLapbook.html
Nature Exploration- http://www.arborday.org/shopping/sourcebook/
Printable seed packet templates- http://www.allfreeprintables.com/garden/seed-packets.shtml
Sustainable Living store (not especially cheap but it might lower your electric bill)- http://www.growandmake.com/voltaic-backpack
Cute Calendar Craft- http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2011/01/how-to_make_a_perpetual_button.html
Coconut Oil Claims, not verified or proven factual (currently testing on Diaper Rash, poor baby)- http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-oils/organic-coconut-oil/health-benefits-of-coconut-oil.html
Homemade Sanatizer (read the posts below and you decide)- http://www.livingonadime.com/homemade-hand-sanitizer/
Secret Garden Read book online- http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/113
Build your own Water Fountain- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1VBevZnWF0
Super Cute Cupcake Project- http://www.ourbestbites.com/2011/03/silly-cupcakes-for-april-fools/
Samples/ Coupon Site? (haven't check it out real good yet)- http://www.startsampling.com/samples.iphtml
Homeschooling (has some neat links)- http://oldfashionededucation.com/
Neat Blogger Nature study- http://handbookofnaturestudy.blogspot.com/
Free Reading Books- http://www.readinga-z.com/samples/preview.html
Homeschooling/ Education- http://www.sitesforteachers.com/index.html
Frugal Things- http://www.allthingsfrugal.com/
Lapbook Printables- http://www.homeschoolshare.com/parable_of_the_lily.php
Scholastic Printables and mini-books- http://www.scholastic.com/premium/
Spring Lapbook- http://www.squidoo.com/spring-lapbook
Spring Printables for Lapbooking- http://lapbooklessons.com/Lynn/?p=9
Weekly Journal and other cool stuff- http://www.connectthethoughts.net/journal.php
Science and other Curriculum Stuff- http://science.education.nih.gov/customers.nsf/WebPages/CSHome
Animated Childrens Books- http://www.mightybook.com/art_and_music.html
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology (birds, they send out a neat kit if you sign up) http://www.birds.cornell.edu/celebration/join-us/temporary
Savage Seas (PBS)- http://www.pbs.org/wnet/savageseas/multimedia/wavemachine.html
Famous Landmark Guide for kids- http://www.partsgeek.com/parts/famous_us_landmarks.html
Fema helping kids understand natural diasters of all kinds- http://www.fema.gov/kids/quake.htm
International Tsunami Information Centre/ Education- http://ioc3.unesco.org/itic/categories.php?category_no=158
Albert Einstein for kids- http://www.albert-einstein.org/.index6.html
Math Educators of Greater St Louis (pi day stuff and so on)- http://megsl.org/pi.html
Physics Central Activity Books- http://www.physicscentral.com/experiment/colormephysics/index.cfm
Kids Encyclopedia, Thesaurus, and Dictionary- http://www.kids.net.au/
Radiation in your everyday life- http://www.epa.gov/radtown/index.html
Energy Kids- http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=nuclear_home-basics
Explore Japan- http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/explore/
More about Japan (UCLA)- http://www.international.ucla.edu/eas/japan/geography/geo1.htm
Kicks Club (Christian Based)- http://www.kicksclub.org/
Love this Blog!  Great Sense of Humor!- http://deweystreehouse.blogspot.com/2011/01/revisiting-tightwad-gazette-2011.html
Cute Bib Clip Idea- http://mrspriss.com/2009/06/16/bib-clips-a-simple-diy-for-moms/
Crafty Carseat Canopy Idea!- http://just-because-i-am-me.blogspot.com/2010/02/car-seat-canopy-tutorial.html
Frugal Blog- http://www.thefrugalgirls.com/2011/03/free-for-the-love-of-lasagna-cookbook.html

Ok....I'm a slacker but here is a ton of info for you to sort through on various projects I've been doing.

Education- http://community.thinkfinity.org/index.jspa
Cool Lotion- http://www.dakotasagegifts.com/
Education- http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/edu/
Cloth Diapers- http://a-heart4home.blogspot.com/2011/01/start-cloth-diapering-for-only-20-no.html
Cloth Diapers- http://clothdiapers.blogspot.com/2011/04/almost-free-diapers-how-to-diaper-your.html
Baby stuff- https://www.babiesonline.com/offers/?utm_source=affiliates&utm_medium=cpa&utm_content=homepage&utm_campaign=affiliates
Homemade Car Cleaners-http://frugalliving.about.com/od/affordabletransportation/tp/Car_Cleaner_Recipes.htm
Free Craft E-book- http://printables.yourway.net/spring-crafts-fun-activities-for-families-ebook/
Cool homeschooler blog- http://canadianhomelearning.blogspot.com/
Education- http://114.141.73.122/edresources/classroomeconomist/
Cool Kids vinyl Audio Files (old Stuff)- http://www.kiddierecords.com/mgac/index.htm
Crafty Blogger cute stuff- http://untilwednesdaycalls.blogspot.com/2010/08/how-to-denim-barrete-and-flower.html
Educational- http://www.pocketcollege.com/
Underground History of American Education book- http://www.johntaylorgatto.com/chapters/index.htm
Kids Website- http://www.highlightskids.com/GamesandGiggles/HiddenPics/HiddenPicsPrintable/h8hiddenArchive.asp?qType=more
Educational- http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/index.html
Crafty Bibs- http://www.thimblythings.com/2009/06/01/in-praise-of-denim-bibs/
Cool Math Stuff- http://www.amathsdictionaryforkids.com/dictionary.html
Crafty Slippers- http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/may/18/how-to-make-slippers-from-jeans
Coupon site- http://www.roseknowscoupons.com/viewblog.asp?blogid=4699
Free Puzzlemaker- http://www.discoveryeducation.com/free-puzzlemaker/?CFID=11727955&CFTOKEN=62880595
History Education- http://www.historyplace.com/worldhistory/famine/index.html

I have loads more where this came from but here's a taste.........Hope you find this to be interesting!

Ok, so this is a test blog from my cell phone to see how this is supposed to work......Here's hoping!

Babies grow too fast!

Ok, so between homeschooling, 4-H, babies, and house work, I've been very busy with my 4 beautiful daughters and wonderful husband.........definately not the most devoted blogger.  LOL!  But I intend to work on that and get my husband and children on board with me.  I think it will add some flavor to what it is I am trying to do here.

This summer our family is planting a garden for the first time.  Lots of veggies and herbs.  Hopefully all goes well.......I do not have a green thumb.  Hehehe.  I will have to keep you posted.  The older two girls are taking a free gardening class at Ace Hardware.  It's a great program! 

The older two have also been taking sewing classes through 4-H and have finished their first book in record time!  I am very proud of them for their hard work.  They are moving right along in cooking 101 too.  My oldest loves to cook dinner for the family any chance she gets!

I am thinking of participating in the Farmers Market this summer and selling some crafts that my family have created as well as my Pacifier leashes.  I really have enjoyed making these alot.  My little ones use them and I won't shy from telling you they are practically a life saver at times!  My babies are definately attatched to their binky's in more than one way LOL!  So I want to share the wealth and it is also helpful during playdates so they aren't spreading any more germs than nessesary......

I will close for now, as I am having a bout with insomnia and the sandman is late. =)  But I hope to post more on her.  I have made it so I can update my blog from my cell phone, so I guess we'll see how this goes........