Still Picking up the Pennies

Today Joel and I went to a fundraiser for 4H. It was a bake sale, hot dog & pop sale and a car wash. We raised funds to help pay for a trip to Lansing next summer. We had fun, spent time with great people and raised money for Joel's trip. I came home and had the urge to start planning, so I made up a quick financial and food plan for most of August. Sunday Pizza Monday egg drop soup and some type of Asian chicken Tuesday Spaghetti and meat balls Wednesday Breakfast for dinner Thursday tacos Friday Pizza Saturday filet minion for grownups and hot dogs for those under agers. I have received in the mail two items that I will be using to give a review on and will have a giveaway in the next few weeks.

The other night I went into my boys' room to kiss my babies good night. I was amazed to find this in the oldest baby's bed!..... Who is this little man in my baby's bed!? My kids are growing up so fast. Sometimes it just seems like just hits me more then others, and this moment was like reality slapping me in the face.

Thank you to the hosts for having me for a cup of coffee. It is exactly what I needed after my mid afternoon nap today. I had to work obscenely early hours this morning.

Last weekend we went camping for the first time this summer. We have down graded from the camper to a big tent. In many ways the camper is easier, the biggest being once you stock it, you don't have to think of all the little things again. I forgot to bring plates, cups, silverware and all the important things like that. Thank God my sister-in-law was camping right next door and we scrounged off her all weekend. In other ways the tent is easier, you don't have to worry about backing the camper just perfectly in to a tight area. You can fit everything you really need in the trunk of your car, if you pack carefully. This past weekend was Christmas in July at the nearest state park. Santa came, with Mrs. Claus standing right beside him. There was a number of activities for the children: bike decorating for the big parade following Santa's sleigh, ornament making, stocking decorating and even a scavenger hunt. The Claus couple enjoying the parade from the best seats in t...

elaine@nmax.net Elaine you win. Congratulations! I hope you enjoy your stickers. A big thank you to UPrinting.com for sponsoring the giveaway! Disclaimer: This giveaway is sponsored by UPrinting, no monetary compensation was given and I will receive stickers for hosting. Check out standard label templates on UPrinting.com.

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I am linking up with Friendly Wednesdays again. It is a great way to meet new bloggers. I am also making no bake cookies today.

Summer is officially half over for my family, and that makes me sad. I love having the kids around all day everyday. We are busy working on county fair projects. I will try to post a few photos of new projects later in the week. It is time for menu planing for the week. It is going to be a busy, busy week as I am working every evening this week and prepping for camping over the weekend. Our meals will be little to no effort this week. Monday - Left over lasagna Tuesday - Pork Chops and Rice a roni Wednesday - Almond chicken Thursday - Breakfast for dinner Friday - camping. Have a great week everyone. For more yummy menus go over to the host of Menu Monday.

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Zenni Optical . All opinions are 100% mine. In a previous issue of Time ["Eyes on the Price", July 4, 2011] it was discussed that a Time editor, Bill Saporito, paid $1,000 for a pair of eyeglasses. I had to laugh out loud when  read this! About three months ago my oldest son needed new glasses. We went to our family eye doctor to get his eyes examined and requested a written prescription for the exact lenses he needed. Then I started a search for the most affordable glasses I could find, but I did not want to skimp on quality. The glasses I would be purchasing will be for my preteen, who is starting to care about looks and fashion, but also a very active sometimes careless person. In the hunt for fashionable, sturdy, budget friendly glasses, I researched a number of sources. One being the eye doctor's selection, the glasses ranged from expensive to more expensive. Then to Walmart, th...

The boys and I just got back from 4H camp. I just so happen to work in the same place that 4H camp takes place. So I get to cook for all the 4H campers, see my boys at meal times and get paid while doing so. I got in over 43 work hours in the course of three day, then I volunteered to spend the night. The first night we dealt with a few home-sick campers, the second night I was too tired to deal with any thing else then my own kids and sleep. The boys both had great times at camp and it was all well worth it. We arrived back at home late on Wednesday night, we laid low and rested for the rest of the week. Now that I am rested up, I am starting to attack some household projects. The first thing that had to be done was bathing the dogs. I am very thankful that our one dog is very mild mannered and tiny. Now she smells much better and looks like the pretty little fluff ball she is meant to be. The last time we took her to be groomed cost us $45, so I think of it as saving of $...

Today I worked for a few hours, with my most fave gal pals, they are so good for my soul AND I get paid to spend time with them. As promised, I took the boys to the beach in return for Joel watching Noah for a few hours(while I worked) drinks and snacks all from home. The boys getting ready to enjoy the beach. My boys and I. Me, enjoying the sun at the beach with a good read, a free book. Noah enjoying the water, before we went to the beach, I warned the boys about going out too deep into the water. The real story about the the depth of the water My favorite moment of the day. Then we came in (instead of going out) for pizza for dinner. I have frugal day planned for tomorrow, Lowes is having a Build and Grow workshop for the kids and they are making tow trucks and you all know I have TWO tow truck wannabees here in my house, so it just seemed like a given that we'd go. Did I mention that these workshops are free and start at 10am? I arranged for two mystery shopin...

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Thank you to the hostess of "Thursday's Cup Of Joe" Blog Hop. Hosted by 3 Princes and A Princess 2 , Yes I Have A Coupon , and The Thrifty Things

So I just cleaned out my fridge and it is disgraceful at the amount of food I tossed out! I need the challenge VERY much. I challenge you to pick a day to clean out the fridge and take a photo of the waste. I am going to clean out my fridge again on Sundays(day before trash day) and PROMISE to take a picture. I plan to stick with this challenge until the end of August. Are you up to this challenge? What day will you clean out the fridge. You can comment on this post and link us to the photo you post of your wasted food on your blog. At the end of this challenge I hope to have no wastage to photo.

It is Friendly Wednesday at savingthosedollars

We are sticking to the plan! No extra trips with the cars anywhere. No drier usage at all, I have even been hanging out socks and underwear on the line. I usually give myself permission to splurge in the area, so that is huge for me. The plan to get in 40 hours a week is just now working out as I thought it would. I am getting more hours then in the last 6 months, but due to unpreparedness on other people's parts it just is not happening. I may be getting more hours as we all work together and get our acts together as a team, the season is young so there is hope. I am submitting time sheets to both jobs with more hours then usual, so I am looking at it as a victory in that aspect. I was able to make payments in full to two bills that had sent me bills with the same amount on them two months in a row. That is also a small victory. My oldest son is spending time with my parents this week. We have been trying to do a few extra special things with the youngest without spending mo...

Swagcode alert to celebrate the 4th of July on the blog good until 5:00PDT.

Go here to request your free sample from Walmart.

Today is the first day of July and Holey Hotness, it reached 94 degrees here. We are sweating like mad. I have been serving iced water in water bottles to everyone. My mother gave me ice cube trays that makes ice for water bottles, today they get our vote for the best invention since the car.