Mini Spring Break

This week was not [Blount County] Spring Break. However, we did get Thursday and Friday off for Weather Days. So, I took full advantage with antiquing, smelling the flowers, breaking out the yellow box (flip flops), youth activities, and friends! I also got to enjoy my first tomato sandwich of the year! Here are some pictures showing you what we've been up too!! [I try to take pictures of Dan but usually he just sticks his tounge out at me. Please forgive his absence in my recent posts. He's been abnormally uncooperative with pictures! :) ]

Our Young Ladies Day [Purity Day] was focused on I Timothy 5:1-2. The verses state, "Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity." What if we treated everyone as we would our fathers, brothers, mothers and sisters? We also received a pink braclet with Ephesians 4:29 on it. We are to move the bracel from one wrist to the other when our words don't meet the criteria in verse 29. The verse states, "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."

I tried 3 times to get the picture uploaded. It keeps saying the page cannot be found. So, I'll try again Sunday night. Does anyone else's blogger take forever (at least 30 mins to load 3-4 pictures) these days or just not work at all?

When life gives you four leaf clovers, dye your lemonade green...

Well, I completely forgot today was St. Patrick's Day. Luckily, I wore green and didn't get pinched by any stinkers at school. Here's my chuckle of the day:

I was out running some errands and stopped by Chick-fil-A drive thru for a quick, cheap dinner. I ordered a Lemonade and had a coupon for a free chicken nuggets. I drove down the hill and stopped to eat my dinner in Walgreen's parking lot. I looked down and noticed my green lemonade. I was furious... I wanted a lemonade not a limeade!! Then I remembered, it's St. Patrick's Day. They dyed the lemonade green. I'll definitely go back next year just for kicks!

I've also noticed all the beautiful Spring colors lately!!

I've been couponing this week. I combined coupons and sales to get all of this for less than 18 bucks!

If you reep what you sew, I'll get a lot of strings...

**Disclaimer: I realize it's not so smart to begin sewing my trying to make a quilt. It's the only thing I have any interest in making. Therefore, the only thing I'd be motivated enough to try to learn by doing- I'd just give any other project up after 2 hours of no success. Also, if I royally mess up one section, I can just toss those squares. I realize it will take several weeks/months to finish the project. **

I decided yesterday I wanted to finally figure out my sewing machine! Apparently sewing is something taught not learned without someone to aide in the learning portion. After trial and error I figured out you must lower the foot and how to get the thread from the bobbin wheel 'up'.

Nonetheless, it now continues to nest (I think after much research this is the correct term for when the thread gets knotted up - really knotted up- under your fabric near the bobbin wheel area. Not an expert at the sewing terminology.) I have all my squares cut out, washed, dried, and ready to sew together.

Notice I said ready to sew together, not sewn together. This is the problem. My next step is now to seek help.

Not mental help *because after today I almost need it* but with the sewing machine... I'm sure David will have some kind of comment for that.

On a positive note, here are some pictures of what I did successfully accomplish!

I got smart and made a cardboard template. I didn't want to invest in the fancy equipment so I toughed it out and cut out 28 squares out by hand!


Here are the four fabrics I picked out! I love the look of them together. Now to just get them sewn together!!
I did read and study enough to know that you must wash and dry your fabric before you sew it together - unless you never plan to wash it!

My three pieces sewn together. You should see the back, there is soo much excess string from where it kept 'nesting' and I'd cut it and start again. Ha. Someday, I will get such a laugh out of this!

Also, Alex came to eat tonight. I hope he knows how much he really does mean to us. He's like a little brother to Daniel and I and a true joy to be around. I look forward to watching him continue to mature into a Christian young man. We love you, Alex!

He was pitching a fit because Daniel hid his shoe and he was ready to go home. I told him to smile. Appearantly, this was all I was getting. So, I took it!

Simply Wonderful

Daniel headed out to play tennis tonight with some folks from church. I took full advantage of the opportunity to get some cleaning done and do a little organizing!

I hung a rack in the laundry room that's been waiting patiently to be hung for atleast 6 weeks now.

Before

After

I spent some quality time with the hound dog.


Enjoyed my favorite candle while singing at the top of my lungs to my favorite cd, Locke 6. They are some Freedies from Killen, AL.
And cleaned my china.

Oh, and did I mention we ate at Red Robin? My favorite restaurant.

A. WONDERFUL. EVENING.

Air conditioner anyone?

Well, this week has not been the best (financially) speaking. We received a bill from Budget (when Daniel ran the rental truck into the church and put a whole in the roof of the truck not the mention the building) with a total of $1051, the breaks on the 'Stang are kaput, the air conditioner's compressor went out in our new house (but we do have a home warranty!! WOO HOO), and our tags are due for renewal. OUCH!

But to focus on the good things.

After living in a 78 degree house for 2 days, I think Mom could see the stress on our faces after several sleepless nights. So.. what else would she do? She bought us a window unit and told me to go pick it up! We didn't even have to ask for it!

Daniel and I have always had a good relationship with each of our parents. I am so thankful that in a time of need I have people there to help. (Not that this was a crisis or anything, but it's nice to know that people care enough to help without even being asked!)

Who knew something so simple as a window air conditioner could make you realize how blessed you truly are! Each time I look at the new a/c in our window, I will smile a simple smile of gratitude for a lesson taught without a single request being spoken. Thanks, Mom!

Giveaway!

Who doesn't like a give away, coupons, and saving money? WELL, HERE IS A GIVE AWAY FOR COUPONS TO HELP YOU SAVE MONEY, AND THEY ARE ALREADY ORGANIZED FOR YOU!! Thanks, Amanda!!

The old and the new...

I have had my laptop since I was a junior in high school. It hasn't been that long, but it's definitely getting time for a one. I wasn't wanting to fork over more than I had to for this new device. I basically just use the computer to surf the web, blog, and type on word.

So, here's my solution: A NETBOOK! It's a wimpy laptop basically. But the price tag is unbeatable! It's a 9" Dell Mini. The total bill with an extended warranty will be around $260. Don't get me wrong, thats a pretty penny. (Or 2 full days worth of work in my mind.) But, I've been saving birthday and christmas gifts (cash) for years.

I guess that would mean several of you would have 'stock' in my laptop since that's my means of payment! Ha.

Nonetheless, it's amazing where technology has come in the last few years! I'm still reluctantly hoping my old computer will magically cure itself and I can keep my money. (It currently takes 25-45 minutes to load one photo onto blogger usingmy old laptop.) I'll let you know the final verdict. But if I purchase a computer, this one is top on my list!