Showing posts with label Holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holidays. Show all posts

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Our newest addition...Rosco

This year has been a year of many changes. We have never been pet people, much to Random's disappointment. I remember one Christmas, I put the cutest stuffed puppy hanging out of Random's stocking. As I tucked him in that night, I realized he had a great faith. He told me his prayer. "Mom I prayed that God would bring my doggie to life." My heart broke. "Well son, if God brings that puppy to life, we'd have to keep him." I always had a good reason not to get a pet. But I was softening. Miss Kitty, in all of her orneriness had grown on us. Please honey, can we get a cat?

This Christmas Eve, Random ran in the house, "Here Kitty Kitty!" He had found the animal rescue leagues web site. "Don't be silly, Daddy won't let us get a cat." He could hope. He didn't know Daddy had showed up too late to start the adoption. Daddy bought the litter box, litter and a scoop. When Random opened it up the next morning, he knew we were committed. He and Daddy would pick up the kitten the shelter had promised would still be there. Just show up Monday morning and begin the paperwork.

The kitten had a brother. The new owner couldn't bear to separate them. Random's kitten was now on it's way to his new home. They could add him to the waiting list. He waited 15 years to get a pet, his parents finally agreed, only to be put on a waiting list.

Just as Random was leaving, they suggested he see the older cats. It was love at first sight. Rosco climbed into his lap.  It was fate. He had been in the shelter almost 2 months. His time was running out, we sprung him from jail. His previous owner moved into a condo that didn't allow cats. We are so fortunate!

 
 




Thanks for stopping by,



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Thursday, February 9, 2012

Thrifty Thursday: The Birthday Edition

Last week, I celebrated my Birth Week. 


This is what the birth week means: I kick back! Meals aren't fancy, I socialize with my buds, I slack on my housework and I celebrate. I pull out my birth week card when the kids start bickering. My birth week commands peace in the home. We wouldn't want to spoil the moments with petty bickering, would we children?

My birth week is the occasion for everyone to be exceptionally kind to me. I skipped my work meeting, without any guilt. My manager was gracious, in fact, because I warned her, she wished me a happy birth month.

One of the benefits of birth weeks are the freebies. My favorite restaurant, which the Gman does not appreciate, is Not Your Average Joes. I love the funky food. They mix sweet and spicy together in so many cool combinations. My mouth is watering thinking of their buffalo mango pizza. Or their calypso shrimp. Or the bread with dipping oil. Or anything on their menu.

They celebrate my birth week also. I signed up for their emails and they sent me a coupon good for any entree and dessert. How sweet is that?


Of course, I went all out and ordered the grilled scallops over cous cous. YUM! Dessert was a sinful chocolate bomb thing. Not only was my delicious dinner free, I was with two very  special friends. It was a great way to kick off my Birth Week.

Is your birthday coming up sometime in the next year? Celebrate your day tightwad style. So many companies want to bless you and give you a birth week you won't soon forget. Stop by Frugal Living and choose your birthday blessings.

Thanks for stopping by,

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Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Happy New Year With Purpose


I'm not the new year's resolution type. I always fail at that. My only tangible New Year's goal this year is to drink more water. I know I'm keeping the bar low, but I'm succeeding and it's been four days.

Some people chose a word or a scripture to define or apply to their lives at the beginning of a new year. I have been pondering this. Applying a 'word' to my life is my best bet to see much needed change in my life.

What's my word?

PURPOSE

I want to seek God for His purpose in my life.

This means praying more. Yeah!

I want to plan my days to accomplish things with purpose.

This translates to lists and schedules. Yawn!

I want to speak with purpose.

This could mean silence. Ssshhh!

I want to be surrounded by things that have a purpose.

This means purging, blessing others, chucking or selling. Nice!

Asking what's the point of this? Can set me free.


Free from wasted time, gossip, meaningless activities, and clutter.


They have no purpose in my life.


At the risk of being vain and pointless, I'll let you know how it turns out.


What's your word for the year? Will you share it?


Thanks for stopping by,


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Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Wordless Wednesday: The Dorky Christmas Photo Tradition Continues

Merry Christmas!




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Thursday, December 8, 2011

Thrifty Thursday: Christmas and Thrift, Ten Things

If you were able to stand yesterday's post and my whining about Christmas, thank you for returning. Thanks to Little Guy, who has been singing real Christmas carols non-stop, I feel better already. My home is decorated and I am a little more encouraged about Christmas approaching.

Ann Voscamp wrote another great post yesterday. It has encouraged me to get over my ego, my mice, and my clutter. I encourage you to head over there after you read this post.

I'm a person who learns by mistake, so I am well-schooled in today's topic. Let's talk about Thrift and Christmas. I thought I'd post ten ways not to be Thrifty this Christmas. And Yes, I am guilty of all of these. I've gotten overwhelmed by the Christmas Animal at times and forgotten about Jesus.

Ten Ways To Not Be Thrifty For Christmas

  1. Tell yourself it's Christmas as an excuse to overspend, just pull out the credit card.
  2. Buy gifts for co-workers, co-worshipers, or neighbors that will end up donated or at the next yard sale.
  3. Get your kids the latest electronic gadgets, that are unwanted in few months.
  4. Purchase convenience foods for each of the parties you will be attending.
  5. Hide the gifts you bought earlier in the year so well that you can't find them on Christmas Eve.
  6. Neglect to teach your children the true meaning of Christmas and train them to be receivers.
  7. Buy all of your relatives gifts because you don't want them to think you are cheap.
  8. Procrastinate mailing gifts and end up paying 3 times the cost of the gift to mail them.
  9. Forget to buy for someone and find yourself in a stupor, shopping on Christmas Eve.
  10. Decorate your home with the latest trendy seasonal decorations. Reindeer are so passe. Light your home up with a gizzilion lights that are not LED and don't forget a few blow-up lawn decorations.


Do you have any tips for wasting money this year? Please share!

Happy Thursday!

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Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Pour Your Heart Out: Christmas? Bah! Humbug!


Things I Can't Say Today's post is linked up to Pour Your Heart Out from Shell at Things I Can't Say. That's a regular feature where bloggers let it rip. They blog about something that has been weighing on their mind or just plain irritating them. It's like a regular therapy session without the bill. If you read the other posts, you may actually start to feel better about yourself. You might say things like "Thank God! I'm not married to him." or "She did what?" or you may think to yourself. "She hit the nail right on the head. I feel the same way too!"  Anyhow, here's my little whine pour your heart out.


It was the night month before Christmas and all through the house...
I've been thinking about Christmas and I've readied my home for the decorating tonight, but I am far from prepared myself. And I don't think I'll gather enough spirit for the holidays. As a grateful Christian, I should be excited for this glorious time. But no....There are a few three specific things that are standing in my way of this holiday joy.


The beautiful family cards have started arriving in the mail. Everyone clean, smiling, in the same location and looking happy. I love those cards. But they remind me of my failures. The only time this year we were dressed nice and together was at a funeral. Not the Kodak family time. Now that I, the pro-procrastinator, finally have time to consider the photo. Things are in place. Vika has returned to the States. But my hormones have left their mark on my face. The current pimples on my face resemble Mt. Vesuvius. When covered with make-up they look like the snow-capped Andes Mountain region. If I was so inclined I would learn some better make-up techniques from this sister-in-the-acne-trenches. But who has time? At this point my loved ones will receive Christmas wishes only. Maybe a New Years Card?


What to get the little darlings for Christmas? As I descend in the depths of the basement, I observe the piles of unused gifts from the past years. I wonder how I got sucked into this American consumerism and became such a greedy person who hoards so much. I get a little green, not with envy, but with a sudden urge not to add more garbage to the planet. I see the excesses and the waste and almost get sick thinking about it. I think a purging and cleaning of the basement would be a great Christmas gift. I can re-gift the gifts to a different child. I can reload the stockings with knick-knacks. Oh wait, they're much to sharp for that trick.
But my thoughts of re-gifting and cleaning the basement are quickly clouded.


Not A Creature Was Stirring Not Even A....Mouse. I've discovered there are well-fed mice in my basement. They have neatly devoured a whole bag of cereal. I am not scared of rodents. I am scared of their droppings. The thoughts of them feasting on my pantry and dropping wherever they please gives me the eeby-geebies. My zeal for my basement overhaul has just been squashed. After the Gman rids the basement of the varmints, I will revisit that thought. It's not a very Christmassy thought. But it could become a tradition.

SO I will put the gifts and the photos out of my mind. Tonight, I'll focus on the fun of decorating. Maybe next week I'll get excited about the Christmas Season. If I can just get the thought of mice droppings out of my mind.

Thanks for listening,

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Friday, November 25, 2011

Five Question Friday: The Holiday Edition

All is quiet around here so I thought I'd sneak in a blog post. Pops is out shopping, the Gman is at the trampolines with 5 boys, and Grandma is napping.

Happy belated Thanksgiving! I'm the least sentimental person I know, I missed a chance to send Thanksgiving Day wishes to the kind souls who take a moment to read my ramblings. I truly am thankful for you.
 
If you have never read five question Friday, you're in for a treat. This is where I reveal my deepest and darkest secrets or random things about me that you may have never known or cared to know about. It's like a little game, meet the blogger. If you have a blog and want to join, just click on the cute picture below. You will be taken over to Mama M.'s site where other bloggers link up. If you don't have a blog, I'll share mine with you. You can answer the questions in the comments section below. You may even win a prize like an iPad, a Hummer or a gently read book.





1. Is there a special dish you prepare that you are famous for?

Sadly, no. I am one of those Moms who cook to feed the masses. I battle with special diets, picky eaters and major carnivores here. But I humbly admit, my split pea soup has been known to be praised and adored by my friend Cathy.

2. Did you go Black Friday shopping?

Sadly, no. I usually love to go. Since I am spending time in the land of chain stores this weekend, the possibilities are endless. But I am having a mental block. I'm only obsessed with what iPad I can get me for Christmas. Now that's really missing the point. My kids have above and beyond all that they need. Teens with jobs buy their own gizmos. Little guy is on a dinosaur kick, which is not the hot item sold on black Friday. So I'm taking a break this year.

3. What are your strangest holiday traditions?


I don't really have strange traditions. Thanksgiving is different each year because we take turns hosting and traveling. But for Christmas, one thing that may seem strange is that my kids were never ones to wake up early on Christmas. It must be the homeschool thing. That works for the Gman and I since we usually stay up late wrapping.

4. Pecan or pumpkin pie? 


Neither, I love apple pie. This year we had a wonderful pie called lemon surprise. It's like a lemon meringue with whipped cream instead of meringue. To answer the question, my boys love pumpkin, so we always have one.

5. When will you put up your Christmas tree?

Usually the first Sunday in December. Now this is where I do get sentimental. I fawn over the homemade ornaments and the decorations given to us by loved ones. I reminisce over the ornaments picked up on various vacations. I carefully fluff out the lovely FAKE tree with the lights already on it. WAIT! Now that's my strange holiday tradition, especially for those who live in the Northeast. I have a fake tree and I'm not ashamed.




Thanks for stopping by!


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Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Wordful Wednesday: Columbus, Over Achievers and Organized Gluttony

I've mentioned before that I attend the First Church of the Over-Achievers. You know the one where nothing is done without days of preparation  a little planning?  On Monday, our family had a chance to step back in time to celebrate two important birthdays. Not Columbus, but the sweet sixteenth and the 40th birthday of two fair maidens.


Everyone was assigned a team color for the following events. 
This was open to all ages, skills, talents and  inabilities.


The instructions were given by the birthday mom.


The food was prepared and blessed by Sister Smackyourknuckles.


Is that Marco Polo? No, it's Feng Shui. 



Plans were underway to win the spoils of the day.



The treasure box filled with loot added to the competitive drive of the crowd.


The sharpshooters were showing off, arrows were lost and small children remained safe.


The costumes spanned a few continents and centuries.


What does one eat where gluttony is expected?


Venison, turkey and pig were on the menu.


Merlin participated in the gluttony before, during, and after the games.


Everyone was assigned the name of a famous character on their back to guess.
 History was taught, learned and distorted throughout the day.


Happy Wednesday, 

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Sunday, May 8, 2011

It's not always chocolate and roses on Mother's Day

When I was asked if I had a nice Mother's Day, they didn't really want to know the truth. I don't like to lie, and I don't want to appear unhappy, so I should have just changed the subject. Or I could have said the obligatory "Yes, it was nice, thank you."

I've never liked it when bloggers whine. But maybe worse is when bloggers brag. I tend skim those posts quickly. I am guilty of both kinds of posts. But I'll keep this short. My real Mother's Day report:

The Good

I found my lost make-up bag at church.
I had a nap.
We ate delicious tacos for lunch.
There was chocolate for dessert.



The Bad

I needed that make-up.
My nap was cut short.
I cooked those tacos myself.
No one bought me chocolate.

and The Ugly

I fought with my husband.
It's still not resolved.
Our lunch date tomorrow won't be much fun if I don't get over it.

Tonight, I connected with my friend, who has no children and will never have them. My pity party was over. I realized even my worst Mother's Day was something to be happy about.

I appreciate you listening. My brother would offer me some cheese with this whine in the comment section, if he actually read my blog. But I can't whine about that.

Come back tommorrow to read some bragging about my trip to Bloggy Boot Camp Boston. 

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Sunday, April 24, 2011

Easter Wishes

You may have noticed that I haven't made a big deal about Easter. Before the collective gasp sounds, no, I am not an atheist. Actually, I am quite the opposite. I could blame it on childhood baggage, but I won't. I just get a little disappointed that the world makes a big deal about Jesus only two days out of the year. I almost feel like a phony if I jump in on the bandwagon. You don't need to feel too sorry for my family, I did buy some rib-eye steaks and we'll have a small family dinner. Paperboy is enjoying his trip to the grandparents while Statueman is spending the day with very sweet girl and her family. So our day will be simple. I don't go overboard because every day I celebrate that Jesus has risen from the dead.

He is my only hope to overcome the sins that so easily beset me.

He is my only hope for eternal life.

He is the one that gives me the strength to face any hardships that come my way.

He is the one that heals, saves, protects, provides and comforts me.
,
He is the one who plucked me off the road of destruction on June 13, 1986.

He is the one who abundantly blessed my life with a wonderful husband and four sons.

He is the one who has surrounded me with so many wonderful friends.

He is the one who has repaired the breaches in my family.

He is loves me with an undying love.

I hope all of my friends and family have a wonderful day enjoying the time together. I pray you keep the hope of the risen Savior in your lives every day.

Daily in love with Jesus,
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Friday, April 1, 2011

Winner, and I'm not fooling


Last week I reviewed "The Crossmaker". Since today is National Atheists Day, the day I promised to announce the winner, here are the results:

Why do I call it National Atheists Day? My dear friend Sabie Baby used to have this bumper sticker on her car until she bought her awesomely cool Honda CRV.

image credit Henry Brant & Co.

Back to the giveaway, the winner is Stacie Frost, she's no fool.



Thanks to all who entered. If you didn't win, don't cry, you can always visit See The Light and buy one for yourself.
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Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Wordless Wednesday: A Few Christmas Gifts







I welcome reader comments with open arms. I also understand if you aren't the commenting or hugging type of person, you can drop me an email at accidentallyhomeschooling@gmail.com.

Friday, December 31, 2010

Ten in Twenty Ten



  1. In February, I finally started this blog. I had been reading great blogs for a while. My son, Statueman had just ended his real paid job as a blogger. I didn't want to compete with him. You see we have the exact same interests on our blog. Football, mixed martial arts, baseball and a deep disdain for Nascar. Of course, I am only kidding, he always blogged about homeschool, faith, family and Nascar bashing. Just like me.
I originally wanted to be the Accidental Homeschool Mom,
but decided I like being TerriG@accidentallyhomeschooling.com.

2. I was miraculously picked to be a part of the The Old Schoolhouse Review Crew. I was put in the Chosen one, Lori's mini-crew. I'll be bloggy honest here. This was not as easy as I thought. I am not talking about Lori's crew, I mean writing reviews. Especially when my keyboard was so schizophrenic. Also, it wasn't easy at first, I have this deep paranoia about being boring. I think I have settled the debate, I would rather be stupid than boring. At least we can laugh about it.                                                                           
3. My three youngest boys had a chance to try downhill skiing for the first time. This is something the Gman, Statueman and I had fond memories of. When it was only the three of us, we skied. This day of skiing was special for us. God willing, we will get back up to the slopes again this year. The boys loved it. Well... Little Guy thinks he loved it, but I have different memories of this.
I am having flashbacks of the crying about the cold. I mean really how can you ski if it isn't cold? Perhaps I have pampered this little one too much.

4. We had a two week vacation camping with Daddy. Usually our camping involves Daddy bringing food and firewood after work day is through. I would spend my days at the pond with the kids. This year Daddy took the whole two weeks off. We left the camp site just one night due to major thunderstorms. This was fine with me, I could blog and the Gman could catch up on paperwork. It was a great week with friends and perfect weather.

5. Random became a teenager! Now I know this sounds insignificant. The reason it is listed in the ten important things is because it is uber important to him. He is one of the most social creatures in the world. Until that wonderful day in August, he had been excluded from the organized teen events that all of his friends were a part of. It was driving him crazy. The fact that he has been acting like a teen for the past few years may have exasperated the situation.

6. I found an adorable pair of comfortable red shoes. This ends my 15-year quest for shoes that feel nice and look great. Well, it doesn't really end, it just slows it down a little. I know I need to get a life but there are sisters who read this blog who totally understand this feat. Sorry for the pun.


7. This was the first year Random and Paperboy flew to Arizona without us. It was a time for trusting God and I'm happy to say, all went well. Little Guy and I flew out to meet Paperboy, while Random and Daddy had a special week home with just the two of them. We are so thankful to Pops and Grandma for bringing us out there. If the Gman wasn't waiting at home for me I could have stayed all winter.


8. Daddy was able to take more time off and join our homeschooling. We experienced a Barry Stebbing three day art class together as a family. We took this class with so many friends. It was a special time of learning together.







9. We had a long awaited visit to see Daddy's family in New Jersey. I love my in-laws. It was great to see everyone gathered to celebrate the wedding. Now I realize I don't get out that much, so I haven't been to many over the top weddings to compare it to. This wedding was so amazingly perfect. The bride thought of every detail. It could not have been any sweeter. It's just a shame the festivities lasted far past my bedtime.

10. My friends and my family showered me with love by voting for me. I stopped feeling silly sharing my blog with people. I have the button to prove it.


What this really means is: I became comfortable in my blog skin. I am over the fear of failure. I thank God for the work He is doing in my life through keeping a blog. I can't wait to see what new things are in store for next year.
"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace
believing, that ye may abound in hope,
through the power of the Holy Ghost." Romans 15:13
Happy New Year!