tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29508498964929325392011-11-27T17:40:18.587-06:00Welcome to our life.Grannynoreply@blogger.comBlogger461100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-14347763338629131382009-11-19T15:41:00.004-06:002009-11-19T15:56:22.899-06:00

Now I don't drink coffee...but my hubby drinks it every day. He is not a light weight either ~ instant coffee with hot water from the tap...maybe microwaved for a minute. (ICK!) Usually no milk or anything else, (again, ICK!) but occasionally he will put a packet of hot chocolate in it. Well, the other day he saw a commercial for the Mr. Coffee Frappe Maker, and that's what he wants for

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-26826873131849792262009-09-22T19:55:00.002-05:002009-09-22T20:10:09.224-05:00

Summer was a busy, fun, sad, exhausting, frustrating, amazing.I will explain it in detail in more posts but here is a quick overview of my summer: I lost what I thought was every friend I had (with my best friend hurting my son and me); reconnected with old friends; Fred/George swam daily and competed in swim meets...and went to State (so proud!!); Made a big difference in our debt; oven broke,

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-64557978270160048932009-05-05T23:54:00.005-05:002009-05-06T00:57:50.071-05:00

As a homeschooler, I do not concern myself much with what is happening in the local public schools. But with the Swine flu confirmed in Texas and public schools closing their doors for at least a week, I have had no choice but notice - it is all over the news. They have canceled UIL competitions and athletic competitions. So, are these kids staying home and not being around other kids? Not

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-57897662711355146852009-05-05T12:05:00.004-05:002009-05-06T01:00:29.598-05:00

I'm not much of a cook! No surprise there to anyone who knows me! Usually, when my hubby gets home from work (around noon) he just says he will make him a quick something, no need for me to go to any trouble (isn't he a sweetie!). I don't know what happened today, but I thought I would make my hubby lunch.We have been trying to use our stockpile. Hmmm, we have chili, Velveeta, and Fritos....

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-12131235547251329602009-04-29T16:51:00.004-05:002009-04-30T14:29:35.460-05:00

Remember Nancy Drew? I read her books when I was a kid. Maybe that is where I got my passion for investigation, forensics, and law! LOL Spent ten years in the legal field before we started homeschooling. Now it is CSI, NCIS, Law & Order, Fringe, The Mentalist, The Closer, etc.About two years ago, my daughter got the first of the Nancy Drew PC games and she has loved them ever since. Here is

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-4633244746463442672009-04-27T14:36:00.003-05:002009-04-27T14:44:58.082-05:00

My daughter is a photographer... :) She aspires to do it professionally. Her photos are great! She has looked into microstock sites to sell her photos, but so far we have gotten the response "Great pictures but not for stock photos."Anyone know how to go about selling photos?They are really good!

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-49109107464098446042009-04-23T15:05:00.005-05:002009-04-23T15:29:35.454-05:00

Well, it's official....we are going to go to Six Flags in two weeks for Homeschool Day. Talked with the kids and we compromised - it was either conference or Six Flags but not both. Six Flags won out!Now roller coasters are NOT my thing. Guess what ~ two out of three Weasley kids love to ride roller coasters! How did this happen!! I must have been taken over by aliens yesterday too because..

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-30735665630167755602009-04-22T16:13:00.002-05:002009-04-30T15:36:37.108-05:00

"How to be frugal" sites are popping up everywhere, Dave Ramsey and Mary Hunt are probably making millions more right now. Google hits - "frugal" = almost 10 million, "save money" = 120 million! Seems to be the popular topic right now.We have been working on getting out of debt for a few years now. January 2006 was our wake up and geturdone month. We stopped using credit cards. We had

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-67162375306353219732009-03-21T11:49:00.004-05:002009-03-21T12:29:13.511-05:00

No, not lima beans! Llama beans...llama poo! Ready to be picked up to be added to my not-yet-formed beds! A friend of mine has llamas and is offering me their poo....isn't that awesome! LOL Llama beans (manure) are a great natural fertilizer and soil amendment. They are lower in organic matter content than manures of most other barnyard livestock (like cows, horses and sheep)--but it still

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-4257993584594868822009-02-21T08:32:00.002-06:002009-02-21T09:07:40.560-06:00

On February 19, 2009, one of my friends passed away. Right now I can't think of the perfect words to say...I will miss her.....She will always be in my heart....

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-75352261880495905472009-02-11T09:18:00.004-06:002009-03-21T12:32:12.238-05:00

Do you see those websites that tell you that you can earn money doing surveys? My first thought is always...scam and spam. Well, HotcouponWorld has compiled 19 survey sites that are : legit, pay out, little or no spam, good way to earn extra money. I have only personally tried the first one, MyPoints. I use my points to get gift cards for places I actually shop! I also created a email

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-18654534602816932622009-02-04T09:36:00.004-06:002009-02-04T10:03:24.791-06:00

HotCouponWorld is looking for 5 lucky people to pick their Valentine's wishlist gift this year, up to $50 per prize, and Hotcouponworld pays the shipping!Do you scrimp, save, and devise ways to make sure that those in your family are taken care of? This is the contest you! Hotcouponworld wants YOU to be their Valentine. Pick a gift just for you! You must have your Valentine's Day gift posted no

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-22731104433886358392009-01-31T12:14:00.005-06:002009-02-11T09:40:43.132-06:00

Where did it go! When nothing new is happening, I have a hard time pulling words out of thin air. Nobody wants to hear the same ole thing every week. I went shopping, homeschooled my kids, slept....ooooh interesting!! LOL!! A few interesting and exciting tidbits have happened though, so here I am.1. My son is getting his first apartment!!! ....it's sad...it's great... it's.... he's gone and

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-89629404699248890822009-01-02T09:24:00.002-06:002009-01-02T09:28:01.440-06:00

Well it's a new year. 2008 is over!I have had the flu for...I really don't know...a week now maybe. Whoohoo!Have thought about what I want to accomplish this year.More when I'm better.

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-81393331615136272142008-12-26T22:32:00.002-06:002008-12-26T22:48:54.594-06:00

How glad I am to see December come to an end! Seems it has been a month since I posted last and it has been a crazy month! I won't go into the details of things so here are a few...key words LOL - breaking down, cracking, needing fixed, now needing fixed again, loosing friends, people and companies not holding up their end of the bargain, savings completely gone, and so on and so on.We

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-12719139939125614162008-11-26T10:22:00.002-06:002008-11-26T10:53:14.524-06:00

Hope everyone enjoys their feasts! We are getting ready.Yesterday, the kids and I made Chess Pies, Pecan Pies, Pumpkin Gingersnap Cheesecake, Pumpkin Cake (with my homemade puree), Apple Pie (first time making homemade), Cherry Pie, and Oreo cake (from kid's cookbook).Today, we clean, do the prep work for tomorrow, and make banana bread and maybe a banana cream pie. My hubby will start the

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-89279362914314063842008-11-20T08:52:00.003-06:002008-11-20T09:16:13.722-06:00

Thanksgiving at my house.... I really don't mind the family coming it's the preparation before hand that makes me start groaning. Scrubbing toilets (LOL), dusting, hiding all my crap, sweeping, mopping, cleaning zones (yeah right), probably dusting again (I hate living on a dirt road), and did I mention cleaning the bathrooms. There is a reason I never go into the boys bathroom!My hubby makes

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-16614259094607710312008-11-10T23:09:00.002-06:002008-11-10T23:17:36.488-06:00

Wow! Just got back from Kroger. I don't usually do Kroger (had a bad experience about a year ago)...went to the other one in neighboring town. Took two of my kids with me. Got everything I had coupons for...had daughter watch buggies while my son and I checked out, then took it to the car and came back in to check out again. Did I mention it was absolutely pouring rain outside? LOL Did 9

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-18611138382704754252008-11-06T21:05:00.007-06:002008-11-06T22:07:09.266-06:00

Making pumpkin puree is not hard but it is a lot of work. A special thanks to TennZen and Pioneer Woman for their step by step directions and PICTURES. There are so many recipes out there but not a lot of step by step pictured ones. And people like *me* need those!The steps were simple:1. Cut pumpkins in half, scoop out the strings and seeds (saved seeds for later), cut into big chunks *done*2

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-24803579321925836842008-11-02T17:59:00.004-06:002008-11-04T10:10:32.845-06:00

Look what I got FREE today....Recipes? What do I do with 9 LARGE pumpkins???? There was a sale last week and I got 22 cans of pumpkin for free! LOL Luckily we love pumpkin! I was planning on using the cans for pies, bread, and cookies...mmmmmmmmI do not know what to do with a whole pumpkin...except carve it!! But I want to eat these - is that okay? I know I have heard the little ones called

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-19333752600906685992008-11-02T17:17:00.005-06:002008-11-04T10:09:18.016-06:00

Halloween is one of our favorite holidays! Putting together a costume ... candy ... candy ... candy ... hanging with friends. Fred/George was "just cool mom", Ron was a "guardian" (of what I don't know!! LOL) You can't see Ginny's costume but it was just her goth clothes. She was going to be Edward from the Twilight books, but since she did not go to a party with her best friend, who was

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-9092841890834289792008-10-31T13:54:00.004-05:002008-10-31T14:28:20.746-05:00

As I learn to can, I get excited about what I can put up. I am amazed and in awe of people who put up hundreds of pounds of yummies.Take Angie for example, she has been tracking what she puts up. Path to Freedom challenged people to record their harvest. Angie took that challenge and has put up almost 1,000 pounds! From apples to mung bean sprouts to zucchini! Then there is what she

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-62830472841505135052008-10-26T18:32:00.003-05:002008-10-26T19:44:11.457-05:00

Okay got receipts from last week. Thankfully everything was still in my pouch!!I posted about my 10/19 CVS in the previous post - so this is the remainder of my totals for that daySpent: $5.20Saved: $236.30 - 98%And here is today's totals:Kroger - Spent: $3.75Saved: $44.53 - 92%HomelandSpent: $8.74Saved: $196.19 - 96%CVSSpent: .03Saved: $28.04 - 100%(Spent $11.97 in ecbs and only got $7

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-41450978728301671062008-10-25T08:27:00.010-05:002008-10-25T09:43:46.412-05:00

Found my CVS receipts from last week in my binder.CVSspent: .87saved: $97.20Saved: 99%(1-Powerade, 2-candy bars, 5-2pk. toothbrushes, 2-candy corn, 2-glow sticks, 2-toothpastes, 9-soap bars, 10-excederin, and 1-kleenex)Since January 2008, I have tried to keep track of what I have spent on groceries and at CVS - SPENT in 2008 (so far) CVS: $138.37 Groceries: $963.55SAVED

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-21652374013407070162008-10-24T13:22:00.002-05:002008-10-24T13:32:50.937-05:00

Since I can't give totals for last weekend (see old post), I found the receipts from 10/05. I did not go shopping on 10/11.CVS spent: $36.40saved: $282.95Saved: 89%(I don't usually spend this much but they had lots of clearance that I could maybe use for xmas. I got 2-razors, 2-vitamins, 4-12pk. sodas, 3-Barbie DVDs, 5-2pk. Disney socks, 4-lunchboxes, 10-disposable cameras, 3-3pk. mosquito

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-14320874401076573822008-10-20T21:23:00.002-05:002008-10-20T21:57:19.324-05:00

This is the day where I would tell you what I saved this weekend....I know I did good...spent somewhere around $5.00 for about $100.00 in groceries...but can I give you details...nooooooo...why you might ask? Well, see it was not my fault really...okay...see it's like this... I have this really thick coupon book (the TOMB - I think the binder is 6" thick) and I also have this small coupon

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-31577228705062271972008-10-20T09:08:00.007-05:002008-10-20T09:57:07.819-05:00

You are always told to read the recipe thoroughly (check), get everything out and ready (check), measure carefully (check)....LOL! What you forget to do is read the title page (nope) and read the side notes (nope). So I want to make pear jam with my pears. Got my new book, Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving, and looked in the back of it for just plain pear jam. Saw cinnamon jam, no biggie,

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-33054846400258779922008-10-19T17:33:00.003-05:002008-10-19T17:42:46.174-05:00

My next project...My dad is going to come over soon and show me how to use a chainsaw to cut up this pile of wood (that I got off freecycle!). Now I can cut myself with a butter knife...how do you think a chainsaw is going to work?? Just call me "nubbs"! LOLLooks like my storage barn could use a coat or three too! Another project...number 634 on the list! Need to mow too (#635)...sigh...

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-91713893837061754742008-10-19T17:18:00.004-05:002008-10-19T17:31:37.831-05:00

Thanks to Ron over at Homesteading Hickory Hills for the idea...here is the start to my garden - Yep just a couple of pallets (fence?)and a bunch of weeds!Whoo hoo!

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-32436970027753197892008-10-19T16:06:00.004-05:002008-10-19T17:32:58.416-05:00

Have you seen those shows that help packrats purge their houses...like Clean Sweep. They show these really messy rooms, convince people to let go of years of priceless momentos clutter, then clean up, paint it, and make it look all purty. I love those shows!! I can at least resign myself into knowing that my house is not as bad as those people. LOL I am the daughter of two packrats...it is

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-40425032897309495912008-10-16T16:05:00.002-05:002008-10-16T16:08:33.056-05:00

I have been teaching myself to quilt over the past few years. I think I am more of a fabricaholic though! I came across this on one of the blogs I read.http://pigtailsandsnails.blogspot.com/beautiful!

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-60146843835604362412008-10-13T12:32:00.003-05:002008-10-13T13:15:32.418-05:00

I picked pears off a tree last Friday. I searched the web for pictures of pears and they all looked all pretty and perfect...mine don't look that way. So any idea what kind of pears these are? I think they may be Bartletthorrid pics sorryMost look like this and I think they are not ripe yet. I heard that was okay and to just let them ripen off the tree. They are hard still...it's been 3 days.

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-87179197336858473692008-10-11T13:42:00.003-05:002008-10-11T14:26:53.151-05:00

There is nothing more sexy than a man who works very hard, puts his family first, holds your hand every moment he can, crochets, cooks, sometimes cleans, carves (crochet needles, magic wands, hearts, etc), and calls you during the day just to say he loves you and is thinking of you. Just in case you did not know - my husband rocks! :) Good thing he does not read this..he would be embarrassed!

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-48196979699583223002008-10-11T09:45:00.002-05:002008-10-11T11:17:07.962-05:00

My daughter is waiting for.... We are all waiting for...

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-63013356440908251522008-10-10T21:15:00.002-05:002008-10-10T21:20:01.175-05:00

Any idea what kind of mushrooms these are? They were found in southern Oklahoma. Edible?

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-33384629837109482072008-10-08T08:55:00.005-05:002008-10-08T09:06:26.880-05:00

(small)(medium)(large)I think he caught 10 or so that day. You can't tell from his face but he had a great time.

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-13752704802518427872008-10-08T08:50:00.004-05:002008-10-08T08:54:13.935-05:00

Fred/George fishing last week.

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-85291158208806306202008-10-05T21:30:00.002-05:002008-10-05T21:42:08.772-05:00

Went shopping this morning...have not added everything up yet. As soon as I walked in the door, my son gets called into work. Four hours to kill.....go to Target and Walmart to find a large container for sugar...no luck. Does everyone know that Walmart carries canning supplies?! I didn't! They had pickling salt for $1, pickling lime $1, and PECTIN 3 pk for $1.50!!! (expiration date not until

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-17481647539262237022008-10-03T19:48:00.003-05:002008-10-03T20:22:45.492-05:00

Ever notice the older you get - the faster time passes?Ginny went to the unschool park day with her friends. Fred/George played Wonderland on the computer (he's reading!! sshhh don't tell him!). Ron did his college homework and played video games. Hubby worked then slept. I paid bills. Are you excited yet? (*snore*)I have also spent the day looking at other blogs about canning, gardening,

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-15794797777026589362008-10-02T13:36:00.002-05:002008-10-02T14:13:42.044-05:00

When I went shopping on Sunday, I spent more than I usually do....but I got a lot of sugar and canning lids!I spent $89.30 and saved $394.08...that's 82%. I got 154 Easy Mac singles, 6 boxes of PopTarts, 4 cans mushroom soup, 4 cans refried beans, 11 canisters of Pringles, 24 packages of cookies (oh my!), 18 chocolate bars (think s'mores this winter), 10 bottles of juice, 10 Ronzoni meals, 4 TGI

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-4787489332293541002008-10-01T09:14:00.002-05:002008-10-01T09:43:33.994-05:00

With Fred/George, we have mostly unschooled up until now. He is severely dyslexic. He is very bright and has learned so much by unschooling. He is wanting more now and is wanting to learn to read better so here we are. He has picked up workbooks and texts here and there over the years and done well with them if they are read orally to him. But like I said, he is wanting more, so I am giving

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-85602083823918928412008-10-01T08:43:00.006-05:002009-01-31T12:57:29.644-06:00

Our school year is almost over. We school year-round, so our new school year starts in January. So, now I am planning for our new year....and have came up blank! It should get easier every year!! Only two homeschooling this coming year, Ron is now in college.Ginny - Ginny does most of her school on her own. She likes a lesson plan to follow but can deviate from it if she needs too (like

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-43086549822057371602008-10-01T07:58:00.002-05:002008-10-01T08:08:02.815-05:00

Yesterday, as I was about to leave to pick up my two oldest kids from their jobs, I get a phone call from one of my long time friends. I have known her since I was 16 yrs old and trust me that was a long time ago. Time passes way too fast and we don't speak for a while (couple of years this time! How did that happen!!!) but she is always in my heart. Oh it was so nice to see her. We talked

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-14396811497331844342008-09-27T18:28:00.003-05:002008-09-27T18:50:56.986-05:00

House is quite...hubby is at work again (on call at hospital)...Fred/George is fishing, climbing trees, and playing pool (with granny and grandpa at family reunion)...Ron and Ginny are at their friend's 18th birthday party. I should be busy...putting up coupons, searching for deals, cleaning the house,but alas I am here telling you about what I am not doing!!I have clipped my coupons though (

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-48931974062442600652008-09-27T00:05:00.004-05:002008-09-27T00:51:35.844-05:00

Mr. Weasley: This is my wonderful husband. He is my rock and my forever. He is a pain in the ass but I love him still...somebody has too! :) How he is like Mr. Weasley......he loves his family and he works hard to give his family what he can.Ron: My son is 18. He is in his first year of college and doing well. He has Asperger's Syndrome. He is my gentle giant. He graduated from our

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2950849896492932539.post-24058343608473624302008-09-26T01:28:00.002-05:002008-09-26T01:31:57.408-05:00

Well, I have to admit it - I know nothing of html. I have an idea of how I would like this blog to look...have the pictures I would like used (I think...am open to ideas).If anyone stumbles upon this, as I am trying to work this out, and would like to help... just let me know. I could use all the help I can get!!!

Grannynoreply@blogger.com0