Easy Cake Mix Cookies (4 recipes)

Courtesy of AllHomemadeCookies.com

Easy Cake Mix Cookies (4 recipes)
by Rachel Keller

If you love cookies, but are short on time, try making these delicious cookies which start with a cake mix. You can make a wide variety of cookies by using different cake mixes.

This recipe is so incredibly easy!

Easy Cake Mix Cookie #1
1 pkg. any flavor Pillsbury Plus Cake Mix

1/2 c. margarine or butter, softened

1 egg

Combine all ingredients at low speed until thoroughly moistened. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 for 9-12 minutes. Cool two minutes; remove from pans.

Tips: If using chocolate cake mix, add 2 Tbsp. water to ingredients

If desired, stir in 1 c. chocolate chips or 1/2 c. chopped nuts.

If desired, frost cookies with your favorite flavor of frosting.

For sandwich cookies, spread frosting between 2 cookies.


Cake Mix Cookie #2

About five years ago, I discovered a recipe for German Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies. I have since adapted the recipe and now make many different cookies using this basic recipe. I love the versatility and ease of this recipe!

Yields about 4 dozen cookies

1 box cake mix (any variety)

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (can substitute caramel or peanut butter chips or do a combination)

1/ 2 -1 cup oatmeal (I always put in as much as I can!)

1 /2 cup oil

2 eggs, slightly beaten

1/ 2 cup raisins (optional)

1 tsp. vanilla (optional)

nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients, blending well. If the mixture is too stiff, add a little water. Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes or until set. Cool 1 minute before removing form the cookie sheets.

For altitudes above 3500 feet, add 1/ 4 cup flour to dry cake mix.

Variation: Use white cake mix and add a pudding mix. I added strawberry, for tasty pink cookies. If you use pudding, you will need to add some water (about 1/4 cup). Also, the pudding tends to make the cookies sweeter.


Cake Mix Cookie #3

Yields about 2 dozen.

1 (9 oz.) pkg. yellow cake mix (or your favorite flavor)

2/3 cup oatmeal

1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted

1 egg

*1/2 cup chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips, M&Ms (your preference)

* For a healthier cookie, substitute raisins in place of the chips.

Preheat oven to 375. In a mixing bowl, beat the cake mix, oatmeal, butter and egg. Stir in the chips. Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately remove to wire racks to cool.

Cake Mix Cookie #4


Devil’s Food Cookies
Yields about 5 dozen cookies.

1 (18.5-ounce) package devil’s food cake mix without pudding

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup chopped pecans

6 (1.45-ounce) milk chocolate bars, divided into squares (optional)

1/2 cup coconut (optional)

Preheat oven to 350. Combine cake mix, oil, and eggs in a large mixing bowl and mix well. Stir in the pecans. Drop batter by teaspoons 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from cookie sheets and cool completely on wire racks.

Optional: While the cookies are still on the pan, place 1 square of milk chocolate on each; spread gently to frost. Sprinkle with coconut.

Then there were lights

When I returned home this evening from eating out with my mother, I was shocked when we pulled in the drive way and my wonderful flood lights "popped" on the lovely colors of red & green. LOL. The house was already toasty!! I was never so glad to be home.

Rest of family was at a hockey game, tonight they retired Brett Hulls number. When they got home, they were shocked as well. I kept lights off around house so they would be surprised when they pulled in and the lights "popped" on for them.

Another power Outage.

*sigh* So there was a horrible ice storm (Nov 30). It took many branches and placed them all so nicely all over my yard, fence, roof, and such. One branch, or branches not sure on that one .. took out back gutters, power lines, meter, you name it.

Here is some pictures of the damage ...

PICTURE SLIDESHOW

Thursday (Nov 30) Power went out .. storm hit!!

Saturday (Dec 2) a company came and removed the branches.

Monday (Dec 4) the electrician came to inspect damage. As the electric wire just didn't come lose from the house, it pulled the wiring OUT of the house. Ugh!! Plus another company came to take measurements for gutters, siding, etc ...

Tuesday (Dec 5) They are installing the new electric box that will now run on circuits instead of fuses.

Work & Such

Things have been going very well. I enjoy my job. I enjoy being out of the house. Still having the flexible time with kid is eXcellent!! I got a family member to actually pick kid up the last week & half so I could really pile this check to use for Christmas. But this pay period is over so I will resume normal hours. The down side ...

The other employees do not like the fact their boss (which of course is my boss as well) is my husband. *thud* We should all seen this one coming. Oh well. Most have settled into the fact. But one .. the only female until I got there .. is being the BIGGEST B*tch!! I can not stand her! She threw a big hissy fit to the bigger boss (my husbands boss) on Monday, now things are just a mess and I want to strangle her!! She claims I said something that I never did. But I refuse to play she said .. she said BS.

My hubby has known hers for a long while, they have bowled & golf together I do not know how many years. She has her job because of my husband. But she has the nerve to say LIES & to cause ****!! Makes me want to SCREAM!!

He at first wasn't saying much, what can he say? He is her boss. But he realizes (least I hope) she is up to NO GOOD. Causing grief not only at work but at our house.

Ooops!! Got side tracked with a rant there.

GEA turns 3!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

My lovely niece turns 3 today. I am shocked she has made it this far with a mom like hers. lol. GEA will be at our house later as her mommy couldn't be concerned to even spend her birthday with her. Oh well. We will have a nice time.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY GIRL!!

Sour Cream Pumpkin Bundt Cake

Level: Challenging Rated:

Source: A surprise filling of brown sugar streusel makes this pumpkin-flavored cake a special treat. Save a bit of icing for drizzling over each serving of this wonderful cake!

Estimated Times:

Preparation - 12 min Cooking - 55 min Yields - 16

Ingredients:

• STREUSEL, recipe follows
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 2 teaspoons butter or margarine
• CAKE, recipe follows
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup LIBBY'S 100% Pure Pumkin
• 1 container (8 oz.) sour cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 glaze, recipe follows

Directions:

PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Grease and flour 12-cup Bundt pan.

FOR STREUSEL:

COMBINE brown sugar, cinnamon and allspice in small bowl. Cut in butter with pastry blender or two knives until mixture is crumbly.

FOR BATTER:

COMBINE flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt in medium bowl. Beat granulated sugar and butter in large mixer bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add pumpkin, sour cream and vanilla extract; mix well. Gradually beat in flour mixture.

TO ASSEMBLE:

SPOON half of batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle Streusel over batter, not allowing Streusel to touch sides of pan. Top with remaining batter. Make sure batter layer touches edges of pan.

BAKE for 55 to 60 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in cake comes out clean. Cool for 30 minutes in pan on wire rack. Invert onto wire rack to cool completely. Drizzle with Glaze.

FOR GLAZE:

COMBINE 1 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar and 2 to 3 tablespoons orange juice or milk in small bowl; stir until smooth.

verybestbaking.com

Pigs in Blanket

I found this easy recipe.

P.I..B

Pigs in a Blanket Recipe

Ingredients:

8 frankfurters
8 slices American processed cheese
1 (10 ounce) package refrigerated biscuit dough *** I actually used Crescent Dinner rolls ***

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Wrap cheese around each frankfurter then the biscuit around that. Put on cookie sheet with the overlap of biscuit faced down to hold in place.

Bake in preheated oven until biscuits are brown, about 10 to 15 minutes.

This recipe for Pigs in a Blanket serves/makes 6

So it comes to an end.

Once again my full-time SAHM status comes to an end. I have mixed feelings for this. I like staying home everyday. I like not having to be out everyday.

Do I miss adults? Sometimes. Will the extra money be good? Of course!! Does the kid understand. Most definitely!! So why am I so sad? I donno.

But I still will have most of the free time I have now with kid when he is out of school. So least I won't have guilt over that as well.

For dinner we are having a special treat. PIGS IN A BLANKET. A co-worker was talking to kid the other day about them and he has been begging for them. I found a easy recipe on-line for them. There are so many different types and ways. I don't suppose you can go wrong. *smile*

Monday Madness

Well here we are Monday. Where does the weekend go? Why is it two days in the weekend (ie .. Monday/Tuesday, Wed/Thurs, etc) doesn't go by as fast as Saturday/Sunday? *giggle*

Little Weekend update:

Kid had baseball game on Saturday. Then we went to friends house for their 2 year olds birthday. That pretty much filled the day. Kid cut the grass when we got home, and then we enjoyed another cozy fire outside.

Sunday I had a wonderful day (*note sarcasm*) What was suppose to be a simple day of cleaning up, doing laundry. Turned into yet another flooded basement with backed up sewer. *oy* I have been pushed to my limit with the whole tree, sewer line, rude service people, you name it!! It didn't even last 30 days. Well it was on the 30th day, but they couldn't come out until Monday (today) so it would not be covered and I would have to pay again. WHAT EVER. Hun, your not the ONLY service in the book. I called them back today and told them DO NOT call my house again for my 6 month cleaning. I will be taking my business else where.

Of course the hubby was not home. He is NEVER here when it happens. *growl* But his excuse .. "You always do laundry on Sunday", and your point? He was off fishing, and then went to watch football game.

Back to an earlier post ...

POST 9.5.06

I made up my mind to just move on from the sister/mom/niece/son drama line, and took the job offer I was given. I am sure I will regret the whole thing. But more drama took place while I was trying decide and forced my hand.

So tomorrow I go back into the working mother force. I am hopeful things will go well. But who knows. Only time will tell. Like I said before it is PT, and I still have freedom to come and go. Just more $. Will be nice when Christmas arrives with the growing child, the price grows as well. lol.

Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake

Prep Time: 10 min
Total Time: 3 hr 50 min
Serves: 8


Ingredients

2 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Fat Free Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
Dash ground nutmeg
1/3 cup HONEY MAID Graham Cracker Crumbs
1/2 cup thawed COOL WHIP FREE Whipped Topping

Preparation

MIX cream cheese, sugar and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add eggs; mix until blended. Do not overbeat after adding eggs. Remove 1 cup batter; stir in pumpkin and spices. Spray 9-inch pie plate with no stick cooking spray; sprinkle bottom with crumbs.

POUR remaining plain batter into crust. Top with pumpkin batter.

BAKE at 325°F for 40 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool. Refrigerate 3 hours or overnight. Top each serving with 1 Tbsp. of the whipped topping.

9-11 Five years later

We will always remember.

God Bless!!

I can not believe it has been five years. It just seemed like yesterday I was driving my 1st grader to school, and heard on the radio the terrible news.

Rushed home to be glued to the TV as eveyone else was that day.

Marvelous Weather

The weather here is beautiful. Temps are marvelous. I plan on sitting outside this evening with a book, and a fire, and my swing. But also depends how things go with Homework. Eating right now, and of course s-l-o-w-l-y as possible.

Some other exciting news is I may be giving up my full time SAHM status as of September 19. I was offered a job this afternoon, and I am not sure I can turn it down. I am still thinking, and will make up my mind by the end of the week. I am just not sure I want to give up being at home. Not having niece. I know (Least I feel) I am the only positive thing in that child's life. The only stability that she has. So I have lots to consider.

Well I am off. I want to grab my book and get some reading done while still day light. Then enjoy my fire in the dark. Have a wonderful evening.

Labor Day

I hope everyone is having a safe & wonderful day!!

Kid had a friend stay over last night, and I am still working on clearing out stuff from house. Not sure what is planned for later.

August Update ..

Okay so I have been terrible about keeping this updated. I am going to make it a goal to start getting better at this.

So anyway. This month has been full of bumps, that is for sure. Kid played in his first Golf Tourney (Aug 6). He won a Cardinals t-shirt. But man was it H-O-T that day. The following Sunday (Aug 13) The Kid & hubby was suppose to play in a parent/child Golf Tourney, but was cancelled at the last minute. They ended up with free golf that day and gift cert. for the cost of the tourney.

Fall baseball had started but with rain, and other issues, they had only played 1 game in August. We went to a minor league baseball game (August 21) here in town. River City Rascals.

We took kid to the Overland Fair (Aug 25). It just is so much $ anymore to go to those things. We ended up not eating there, but going to dinner at Bandana's. Smelling all that BBQ made me hungry for that. lol. When kid returned to Orthodontist (Aug 30) this time they let us know they are ready to go to phase 2 and needing to renew contract and pay more money. I am not sure when we will have that $. But I think we should wait until all baby teeth are out. But we will see. Finally after almost the whole baseball season (Aug 30), we got to go see the Cardinals play in their new home.

On the school front .. The kid ended back at his private school. He only last two days at old school. Which I am glad. But it seems (for now) they are getting him extra help with his Literature & English. His grades are fairing. I would like to see the Literature grade go up, but I am sure he is doing the bset he can.

Well I think that is the highlights of the month.

Pick a school already

Today the kid went back to his old school (Garrett). Why? I am not really sure. Other than he wants to get help he needs (LD) Who knows if this will work or not.

Not been the greatest day. Between the *kid* flipping school's. Sister not understanding situation. Just a bunch of stuff. Had lunch with hubby to discuss what we were going to do. Then had lunch with mother. More of a pity-party. Margarita drinking time. lol.

...

School apparently was good. Though not sure what will happen. I think he will end up being un-happy as usual. Homework on first day of school here as well. *shrug*

Stupid Hot!!

Oh my lordy!! It is HOT - HOT - HOTTER!!

Way to hot for me this week. Poor lil ones that have returned to school. Least the end of the week will be a little break.

Updated: 7/31/2006 7:13:01 AM

Scott Connell's WeatherPlus Forecast
Excessive Heat Warning in effect for the most of the area through Wednesday evening...

Today: A few afternoon clouds with a very slim chance for an isolated thunderstorm east and southeast of St. Louis. Hazy, hot and humid. Highs in the mid 90s to 102 and heat indices 105-115.

Things we take for granted ...

Electric ..

yep!! You get so use to walking into a room flipping a switch and there it is. You walk to living to watch TV, yep there it is. The air conditioners that need that beautiful energy to keep you cool in the 100-degree weather being dumped on you. Food kept good by the wonders of refrigerators & the electric that keeps them running. YES!! This is something that we take for granted and miss when gone.

We had a terrible storm come tearing through our great city. Taking with it … or great electricity. We had no power from Wednesday night (July 19, 2006) until Sunday morning (July 23). I was never so glad to hear our machine come on when I called our house for the 100,000 time.

Wednesday (July 19) - Bad storm flew through and took out over 400,000 peoples electric around here. Temps well into the high 90's-100's. We stayed at the house this night as still fairly cool inside from a/c.

Thursday (July 20) - Still no electric. Now we are on a boil order. No ice to be found. DH's work without power so we all sat around here most of the day dying. I took kid up to library for some relief in the heat. Around 2 we showered for the 10th time and went further south to eat where we knew they had electric and a/c. Then we headed to Movie Theater to stay cool. Saw "Click", "You, Me, & Depree", and "Superman". We thought we might go stay with DH's father but when we returned home to pick up clothes, and dog . I got the bright idea it wasn't toooooo bad and we stayed another night in the no electric, no a/c. BIG MISTAKE!! It got hotter while we were trying to sleep. Temps again were in the almost if not 100's for the day.

Friday (July 21) - STILL no electric. I spent morning dumping out upstairs frig/freezer, & downstairs frig/freezer. Leaving my big chest freezer (hoping). Another storm popped up and hammered us yet again. Just caused more damage. Ripping up signs & throwing tree branches clear cross streets. DH still had no power at work, but had to sit up there in the heat and dark waiting for delivery trucks. Electric was due to be on late this day for us, but didn't happen. So at 5:00 we packed up clothes, dog, and etc .. and head out to DH's dad's house.

Saturday (July 22) - Stayed at FIL. He didn't have cable, so we sat around and watched DVD's. Least had A/C. That most important. Kid was really getting restless. I should have thought to pack up the PS2. So we that evening we went to Chuckie Cheese and he played, and we ate. lol. I kept calling house .. minute I hear the answering machine I was outta there. I appreciate the cool place to stay .. but DH dad & the other upstairs room mate (There are three guys that live there .. 2 upstairs and 1 downstairs which is completed with kitchen/bath, etc, that rent this house from the guy who lives next door to this house) smoke. Kid & I were dying. But never complained.

Sunday (July 23) - I woke up at 8:30 called house .. YESSSSSSSS machine kicked on!! We packed and loaded up and were out before 9:30. It was nice to get back home to MY house. With A/C. Spent day cooling off. Laundry. Straightening house. I threw out all of the deep freezer except a turkey. It was still half frozen.

Monday (July 24) - Did nothing. DH work still no power. But bought some generators to least run a couple things there. But still in high heats.

Tuesday (July 25) - Took Kid to see "Yours, Mine, & Ours" at the free summer series at the theater. Then met up with my mom and niece and had lunch. Looked around mall for a bit, and headed back home. DH still no power at work. I cooked the turkey and fixings, and we had Thanksgiving in July dinner. rofl. I had to take Kid out to finish up school shopping.

Wednesday (July 26) - Started my day doing housework & laundry. Labeling Kid stuff. DH still without power, but they were getting a tractor trailer size generators that will run your whole building size electric. They couldn't be down any longer. We lost our power again about 9 AM. I am not beyond able to handle this crap any longer. I packed up both kids and we headed to chuckie cheese for the day!! DH work was sending over one of the generators they bought early in the week. But when we got home our power was back. Funny thing so was DH work. They just got the generator all installed (the HUGH one) and all set to power it up. They get their electric back. rofl. Now DH is on 12 hour days .. 7 days week. *thud*

Thursday (July 27) - First day of school. I can not believe these babies are going into 6th grade. *sniff* Had to run DH on couple errands. Then back to pick up Kid. He had a great day. But we will see in a couple weeks, when things get going. lol

So it begins.

The first day of school. I can not believe it is here. It has been a short summer that is for sure. ;-)

So now we are in middle school. In our own wing of the school. Changing classes. Looking like a bigger kid than ever. :-) Where does the time go? Was he not just a baby? *sniff*

I pray things go well this school year. I really do.

Happy 4th of July (Happy Independence Day!!)

I can not believe it is already the 4th of July!!

The summer is just flying by.

Have a fun & safe holiday!!

GEA Free

Kid had a family friends child come over last night for a sleep over. So GEA's memaw decided to let the boys have the day to themselves. It was a little more peacefull. Thought we only gained 4 years in age. Went from a 2 year old to a 6 year old. lol So there we times. lol.

That was about the day there. Just stayed in and played. :-)

Kid had a baseball game. They lost. :-( Always next time.

Swimming

If I survive this summer it will be a wonder. lol.

So I try taking both kids, GEA & kid and off we go. Now GEA loves the water, don't get me wrong. But GEA thinks she is as big as my kid and can do as kid. Well it is yet another nightmare to keep her in the shallow end while son is off deep end diving. *oy*

Kid tries to "remember" to come back and play with lil one. But in fairness .. he deserves to go off and be let alone. Another disadvantage .. pool opens noon and by then GEA is had & needs a nap.

We will get this system down. I know we will. But heaven help me until then.

But on a lighter note ...

Swimming was fun. I really enjoyed watching (when I could .. due to GEA) kid go off diving board. He really is getting good. :-)

side note: GEA - Great Escape Artist.

MODOT Day

So today we headed out to meet up with playgroup niece & I are enrolled in. The picked Missouri Botanical Garden. They have a new Children's Garden that is AWESOME.

Awesome that is if you don't have the world's greatest escape artist. *Oy* This child is going to send me into fatal heart failure yet this summer. She can disappear quicker than any child I have ever seen. *thud*

But both kids seem to have a good time. Son wasn't the only "older" child to attend playgroup so he had someone to go off with. Though staying with me and helping with the great escape artist (gea) would had been more helpful. But this is his summer time. So he deserves a break.

After play area. We found a nice shade tree. Had lunch. They played in fountain. To bad kid didn't listen to mom (what do we know anyway ..???) and take his shoes & socks off. They were soaked from head to toe, and had to strip down to get back in my truck. lol. That was the funniest. 11 year old might listen next time. lol. He was so embarressed to ride home in the buffy-buff. lol.

So that was today's adventure!!

Summer Starts

Okay so we start our summer vacation today. First thing on our list of many things to do ..

Movie.

We went & seen Over The Hedge

Very cute. We really enojed it.

Though niece was not as good as one would hope. Let's hope she gets better as summer goes on. To many movies lil man wants to see. I refuse to give in to a two year old.

Time goes

where?


My son's graduation is tomorrow. :( Yes I know only elementary, going to middle school. But I am just floored. It seems like only yesterday I was bring him home from the hospital. Now he is heading to middle school.

I have been hiding in bathroom, laundry room, you name it, all week in tears. I didn't realize how hard it was going to be, and this is just elementary .. what am I going to be like for High School?

Where did May go?

I just can not believe this month is gone? Where did the time go? Time just keeps moving faster and faster.

So what has May brought us?

Not really much of nuttin. Kid gets out of school Friday. Looking forward to summer. Much needed rest. Finally got all long term projects and reports finished. Couple more tests this week. Nothing like working up until very last minute. Kids baseball season in full swing. Though had more rain-out games than actual played.

Well I was all set to do this BIG update .. and I can think of nuttin. Just a busy month of nothing.

Birthday Boy

I can not believe 11 years ago today ...

I brought this wonderful soul into the world.

Happy Birthday!!

Rains .. it Pours

All in a day of the crazy house ....

1. DH forgot to leave my $ so I could take to bank for kids tutition.
   
2. The laundry room backed up, I just had this done 5 March.
   
3. The insurance company needs info brought over to them.
   
4. The niece pooped her pants. *thud* I dontalikepottytraining
   
5. The new addition is DRIVING me nuts!!
   

All in 30 minute time frame!!

Now I am waiting on sewer people.

Have to got to Insurance Office

I am NOT going back to DH office to p/u $ that can wait til tomorrow.

Calgon ... Take me away!!

Loss of brain cells

*Oy* That is all I can say with the latest of my brain laps. Like I did not have enough on my plate, and then to go add:

I am completely NUTS!! I tell ya. But I got so wrapped up in son .. he just had me writing checks and out the door before I could use the brain I was given. *sigh* I am not sure what I am going to do. Almost a week later and she is still here. I had a couple people interested in taking her but they backed out. I keep trying to tell myself .. maybe this is the way it was meant to be. Maybe there is a purpose. I could return where she came from, but I am too cheap to lose my $$.

I just can't see it. I think I made a HUGE mistake. But since every time I try to find her a new home .. she stays. Driving me INSANE. Like I needed that help. I have a son, husband, niece, and teacher doing that on a full time bases. Why? Did I add another? haha ...

So here she is .. the newest member of this crazy household!!

Time for another TREK

We are having a TREK day.

I am taking neice & kid to zoo. Ride the train. Have a ball. Enjoy the day!! I will post later how the day went.

Enjoy the day!! You just never know!!

-----

They day was good. Until I loss my brain cells and brought home another thing to add to the craziness of this household. SHould have stayed at the over packed zoo longer and NOT went to Wal-Mart that passes the APA.

Fun Ideas that Won't Break the Bank

When the kids say "I'm bored", make some of these fun and inexpensive crafts! Not ready to spend a fortune on supplies? We've come up with some fun projects you can make with recycled materials from around the house. Here are some ideas to get you started!

MILK JUG BIRD FEEDERS

Rinse out an empty plastic gallon milk jug with lid. Cut a window in the front of the jug, and make two small poke holes for the perches. Insert pencils for perches and fill the bottom of the jug with bird seed.


JUICE CARTON CRAYON BOX

Wash and dry an empty cardboard juice carton and cut off the top. Using bits and pieces of masking tape, have the children tape up the entire carton, covering all sides, the more tape the better. Use crayons to color the masking tape box. The tape makes the box sturdier and will make a great crayon holder for their desk or dresser.

ALUMINUM CAN CRAFTS

Paint an empty and rinsed out tuna can with spray or acrylic paint. Decorate with glitter and glue, pom poms, buttons, lace, or stickers. These make cute holders for barrettes, pony tail holders, paper clips, rubber bands, keys, jewelry, or other small items. Using the same ideas, paint a soup or vegetable can to make a pen or pencil holder.

COFFEE CAN WISH BANK

Have the kids cut pictures from old magazines or draw pictures of something they want. Decorate the cans with glitter, the pictures, stickers or anything else you have

around. Cut a hole in the plastic top of the can for the kids to deposit money. Each time they add money to the can, they are contributing a little bit more to the "wish" item. A great way to teach kids to save money!

COFFEE CAN STILTS

Using two 1-pound coffee cans, turn each can upside down so that the plastic lid is on the bottom. Using a screwdriver, poke two holes, one on each side of the can. Using several strands of yarn braided or twisted together, or some rope, thread through holes in cans. Tie off inside the can. Cans can be decorated if you like.

JAR CANDLES

Save the stubs of candles. When you have several saved, melt them together in a double boiler. Color the wax by adding bits of crayon to the mixture. Pour the wax into glass jelly or mason jars or metal cans. Use cotton yarn for wicks, or

you can purchase a roll of wick at a craft store. Decorate the outside of the candle holder with acrylic paints.

MAGAZINE HOUSE

Using an old catalog or magazine, cut out pictures of chairs, tables, curtains, bathroom fixtures and other furnishings. Spread out a newspaper or large sheet of

drawing paper. Sketch an "open sided" house. Have children place the pictures of the furnishings in the rooms of their choice. They can cut out more pictures to redecorate their house, cut out pictures of people, toys, pets, anything they like!

ALPHABET CATALOG COLLAGE

Using old toy, clothing, and plant catalogs, have the kids cut out colorful pictures that begin with a specific letter of the alphabet. Assign different letters to each child.

Have them glue the pictures onto a piece of construction paper. Discuss the pictures afterward.

PAPER TOWEL RAIN MAKERS

Young kids love noise makers. Color, paint, and decorate paper towel rolls. Cover one end of a paper towel roll with waxed paper and close it off with a rubber band. Pour a handful or two of dried beans (split peas work well) in the open end, close open end the same as the other. Poke toothpicks through the rolls at different intervals to add a "rain shaker" sound.

PAPER TOWEL TUBE HOLDERS

Decorate a paper towel tube with paint, markers, glitter, stickers, construction paper and crayons. This becomes a colorful carrying tube. Roll their pictures up and put inside to take to their teacher, grandparents, friends, or relatives. Some special pictures could be for their Grandparents, a special aunt or uncle, or even for a brother or sister.

PAPER PLATE HOLDERS

Using two paper plates, cut one plate in half and place on top of the other plate (turn the half plate to form a pocket over the whole plate). Use a paper punch to make holes going around the outside of the plate. Use scraps of yarn and "sew" through the holes of the plate. Start and end at the top of the plate so that it can be extended about six inches and tied. Have your children color, paint or decorate their

plates. Now they have their very own place to put prized possessions, notes from Mom and dad, special pictures and more.

PAPER PLATE AQUARIUM

Color an underwater scene on the "eating" side of a paper plate. Glue goldfish crackers to the scene, a couple pieces of plastic plant for seaweed, and using glue and a little sand or soft dirt, make the sea floor. Using a second paper plate, cut a circle in the middle. Cut a circle of blue plastic wrap 1 inch in diameter larger than your hole in the plate. On the "eating" side of this plate, glue the blue plastic wrap so that it covers and overlaps the hole on the plate. Glue or staple both plates together with "eating" side toward the inside. Punch a hole in the top and string a piece of yarn through the hole to hang your aquarium from the ceiling.

TREASURE SHOE BOX

Decorate an old shoe box and lid with construction paper, markers, paint, glue and glitter, crayons, googly eyes, stickers, lace, doilies, or whatever else you can find. Be sure to put the child's name inside the lid. This box make a great box for treasures found out in the yard, on the way home from school, or anywhere else your children "hunt".

SHADOWBOXES

Pain the inside of a shoebox with black or dark blue poster or acrylic paint. Alternatively, you can glue black construction paper inside the box. Using white crayons or stickers, make a night scene with stars and the moon on the black background. Get creative, use small plastic toys to create a scene inside your shadowbox, or make your own with construction paper and glue. Cut out small pictures from coloring books and color and adhere to your scene. Hang a spaceship or shooting star with a piece of string and glue.

CARTOON STRIPS

make your very own cartoon adventure with crayons and a pad of paper. At the bottom of a pad, on each sheet, draw a figure (i.e., a dog). The first frame will be on the first page, second frame on the second page, and so on. Change the movement with each page. When you are finished, fan the pages with your thumb to see the show!

CREATE A STORY

If you have several children together, this can be great fun. Give each child two or three pieces of paper. Have them each drawer a picture and write a sentence. When finished, see if they can put it together to form a story. New pages can be created as you go along. A book cover can be made from two pieces of construction paper, a hole punch, and yarn.

NUMBER FUN

Pick a number from one to ten. Write it on a piece of paper. Ask the children to draw sets of things in that number. If the child get number four, have them draw four apples, four trees, four dogs, and so on. Have them color their pictures with crayons and markers.

ANIMAL JUMBLE

Using construction or white paper, ask each child to drawn a different body part of an animal, but to have their animal be a secret. For example, have one child draw the head, another draw the tail, another the legs and so on. let the children pick the animal they want to draw. When they are done have then put the animal together with tape or glue. Have fun coming up with a name for the animal (monk-dog-lion-potamus).

PET ROCKS

Find smooth, flat or round rocks. Be sure to clean off any dirt or sand and dry completely before starting. Paint with acrylic paints. Decorate faces by using google eyes, yarn for hair, markers, glitter, and any other tidbits you like.

BOOKMARKS

Great for back to school or as a gift to someone you love. Make fun bookmarks with construction paper, markers, paints, and stickers. You can also use glitter, sequins, lace, doilies, buttons, and any other little bric-a-brac you have laying about. Cut strips from construction paper, painting the construction paper will make it sturdier, or you can visit the local library or office supply to have them laminated for longer lasting use. To complete the bookmark, attach a tassel make from strands of yarn.

20 FUN IDEAS THAT WON'T BREAK THE BANK

70 Uses for Vinegar

70 Uses for a Humble Jug of Vinegar
From KitchenCraftsNMore.net

Vinegar for personal care


Vinegar in the bath. Add one-half cup of vinegar or so to warm bath water when bathing and get double benefits: softer skin and a cleaner bathtub with less work!

Hair conditioner. Vinegar makes a simple, inexpensive conditioner for your hair and helps remove the sticky stuff shampoo can leave behind. About a tablespoon will do it.

Dandruff treatment. Simply pour a few tablespoons of vinegar on your hair and massage into your scalp. Wait a few minutes, then rinse and wash hair like normal. Try this for a few days until you see results.

Weight loss. Vinegar naturally helps to remove fat from the body. Apple cider vinegar is especially good for this. Drink some in a glass of water a few times a day. Add a little lemon or honey for a nicer flavor. This will also help reduce your appetite.

Dry skin repair. Smooth a little vinegar on cracked, dried skin to help it heal.

Clean dentures. Soak dentures overnight in Heinz White Vinegar, then brush away tartar with a toothbrush.

Facial spritzer. Mix apple cider vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio in a spray bottle. Refreshing!

Hair cleanser. Use one cup of vinegar in some warm water to rinse your hair after you shampoo. Vinegar adds highlights to brunette hair, restores the acid mantle and removes soap film and sebum oil.

Vinegar for cleaning



Glass cleaner. Mixed with water or simply sprayed full strength on glass and mirrors, vinegar does a great job quickly and easily. Spray on and wipe windows dry with crumpled-up newspapers, and watch your windows sparkle.

Car cleaner. Use vinegar full strength to polish car chrome with a cloth, and see it shine! Use it on your car’s windshield and windows, too.

Clean drinking glasses. Soak cloudy drinking glasses in warmed white vinegar for a few hours to remove the film. Simply wipe clean, rinse and dry.

Clean the washer. Periodically run a gallon of distilled vinegar through your washing machine to clean it thoroughly, get rid of soap scum and clear out the hoses. Run the machine through the warm water wash cycle empty and then add the vinegar during the rinse cycle.

Furniture polish. Make your own furniture polish with one part vinegar and three parts lemon oil or olive oil.

Remove price tags or stickers. Paint stickers with several coats of vinegar and let it soak in. Depending what you are removing them off, most will slide off easily but some may require a little heavier rubbing.

Clean the iron. Pour vinegar into your iron’s water compartment and let the iron steam itself clean. Remember to flush it with water when you are done.

Clean paintbrushes. Simmer paint brushes in pure vinegar, then wash in hot soapy water.

Wash walls. Wipe down your walls with a vinegar-water mixture, which helps absorb odors and clean surfaces.

Remove spots from glass. Use a vinegar-soaked cloth to remove spots from glassware or crystal.

Unclog drains. Pour boiling white vinegar down clogged drains to remove the clog.

Clean jars. Remove odors and stains from jars by cleaning them out with vinegar.

Clean old lunchboxes. Soak a piece of bread in vinegar and let it sit in the lunchbox overnight.

Clean and deodorize the garbage disposal. Make vinegar ice cubes and feed them down the disposal. After grinding, run cold water.

Clean the tea pot. Boil a mixture of water and vinegar in the teapot. Wipe away the grime.

Clean the dishwasher. Run a cup of vinegar through the whole cycle once a month to reduce soap build-up on the inner mechanisms and on glassware.

Clean the microwave. Boil a solution of 1/4 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of water in the microwave. This mixture will loosen splattered-on food and deodorize the microwave.

Remove smoke smells from clothing. Add a cup of vinegar to a bath tub of hot water. Hang clothes above the steam.

Clean eyeglasses. Wipe each lens with a drop of vinegar.

Remove stains from furniture and upholstery. Remove stubborn stains from furniture upholstery and clothes. Apply Heinz White Vinegar directly to the stain, then wash as directed by the manufacturer's instructions.

Natural air deodorizer. Heinz Vinegar is a natural air freshener when sprayed in a room.

Remove rust. Soak the rusted tool, bolt or spigot overnight in undiluted Heinz White Vinegar.

Clean the toilet bowl. Pour in one cup of Heinz White Vinegar, let stand for five minutes and flush.

Brighten fabrics. Add 1/2 cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle.

Natural cleaning wipes. A cloth soaked with vinegar sanitizes kitchen counters, stove and bathroom surfaces. This is just as effective as antibacterial products and does not promote resistant strains of bacteria like commercial products can. This is also a cheaper and greener way to protect your loved ones.

Remove lint from laundry. Add 1/2 cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle.

Remove grease from suede. Dip a toothbrush in vinegar and gently brush over grease spot.

Remove perspiration stains from clothing. Apply one part vinegar to four parts water, then rinse.

Clean coffee or tea stains from china. A mixture of salt and vinegar will clean coffee and tea stains from chinaware.

Clean coffeepots and coffee makers. Vinegar can help to dissolve mineral deposits that collect in automatic drip coffee makers. Fill the reservoir with vinegar and run it through a brewing cycle. Rinse thoroughly with water when the cycle is finished.

Longer-lasting pantyhose. Add one tablespoon of vinegar to the rinse water when washing, and your pantyhose will last longer.

Vinegar for food and cooking



Cheese storage. Cheese will last longer if you store it in a vinegar-soaked cloth.

Whiter cauliflower. Add a teaspoon or so of white vinegar to your cooking water while cooking cauliflower. It will retain a whiter color.

Stretch ketchup. Only have a little ketchup left in the bottle? Add a bit of vinegar and give it a good shake -- you'll have a bit more!

Boiling eggs. Add a bit of white vinegar to the water you're boiling your eggs in, and the shells won't crack.

Cooking cabbage. Add a bit of vinegar to the water you're cooking your cabbage in to remove that stinky cabbage smell.

Fluffier meringues. Add 1 teaspoon of vinegar for every three egg whites, and you'll have fluffier meringues.

Tenderize meat. Soak in vinegar overnight.

Unsticky rice. To cook rice without sticking, add a spoonful of vinegar.

Remove onion odors. Eliminate onion odor on your skin by rubbing vinegar on your fingers before and after slicing.

Disinfect and clean cutting boards. Clean and disinfect wood cutting boards by wiping with full-strength vinegar.

Make buttermilk. Add a tablespoon of vinegar to a cup of milk and let it stand five minutes to thicken.

Vinegar for gardening and yard care



Clean clay pots. Remove white salt buildup on old clay pots by soaking them in full-strength vinegar.

Kill grass. Undiluted vinegar kills grass between bricks and sidewalk cracks.

Kill weeds. Spray full strength on weeds, but be careful not to spray it on the surrounding grass because it will kill that, too.

Deter ants. Spray vinegar around doors, appliances and along other areas where ants are known to gather.

Keep cats away. Sprinkle vinegar in areas you don't want the cat walking, sleeping or scratching.

Freshen cut flowers. Add 2 tablespoons of vinegar and 1 teaspoon sugar for each quart of water.



Vinegar for health care



Soothe sore throats. Suffering from a sore throat? Mix a teaspoon of vinegar with a glass of water. Gargle with the mixture and then swallow.

Remove calluses. Try soaking your feet in a combination of white vinegar and warm water nightly, and watch your feet soften noticeably.

Sunburn and bee stings. Soak a washcloth in vinegar and gently apply it to sunburned skin for cool relief. Reapply as needed as it evaporates. Besides sunburn, vinegar also soothes the itch and irritation of bee stings.

Arthritis tonic. Take two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water several times a day.

Jellyfish stings. Dot the irritation with vinegar to relieve itching.

Sinus infections and head colds. Add 1/4 cup or more vinegar to the vaporizer.

Wart removal. Mix one part Heinz Apple Cider Vinegar to one part glycerin into a lotion, and apply daily to warts until they dissolve.

Soothe an upset stomach. Drink two teaspoons of Heinz Apple Cider Vinegar in one cup of water to soothe an upset stomach.

Mosquito bites. Use a cotton ball to dab mosquito and other bug bites with Heinz Vinegar straight from the bottle.

Vinegar for pets and animals



Pet drinking water. Add a teaspoon of vinegar to your pet's drinking water to encourage a shinier coat and reduce odor.

Remove skunk odor. Use vinegar straight to remove skunk odor from your pet's fur.

Stop your cat's scratching furniture. Sprinkle or spray vinegar on areas you don't want the cat scratching.

Fish bowl cleaner. Eliminate that ugly deposit in the gold fish tank by rubbing it with a cloth dipped in vinegar and rinsing well.

Remove pet stains from carpets. Blot up urine with a soft cloth, flush several times with lukewarm water, and then apply a mixture of equal parts vinegar and cool water. Blot up, rinse and let dry.

Website of the Day --Math.Com

Math.Com

If you're like a lot of us needing help with math, check out our website of the day.

Math.Com offers free math lessons and homework help in areas like geometry, algebra, and even calculus.

There are tutorials, practice activites, games, and calculators.

Amazing

what can get done when you trap your child in a library away from TV, phone, playstation, and etc ..

He actually got everythng he needed to (except his science center .. waiting on email from teacher) up until Wednesdays due date. I am so proud of him. No more fighting this weekend. Well ... like I said we are waiting for an email from teacher. He was unsure of how to do this center. But some how I *think* she will not *see* the email until after Monday morning and he has to leave for school, and of COURSE she will mark it LATE. But not that he emailed (with reciept back) on Saturday .. no no .. can't be that. rofl. Whatever!! I will not let this rain on my parade about having all this work completed!!

I am bored out of mind though. I have been sitting here at library for over 5 hours. *yikes* . Least they have internet here and I can do things online.

So that is my happy news!!

5 Ways to Keep Cool

borrowed Creativehomeschooling

1. Avoid using your oven to cook food. Instead, try dishes that can be made in a crock pot, stove top or small toaster oven. If you DO HAVE to cook, pre-make the next day's meal at night, then just reheat in the microwave.

2. Get a DOOR ALARM! These little alarms can be bought for around $20. Whenever the door is open, it makes a very loud and IRRITATING sound until the door is closed. You'd be surprised how fast you WANT to close the door. Works great for winter time too. It's the modern version of yelling, "Close the door, we don't live in a barn!"

3. Place fans IN the windows at night. This is a very effective way to get your house cooled down for the next day. Just opening the windows at night won't bring much of the cool air in. Be sure to get the fans out FIRST THING in the morning and close all windows to keep cool air in! Otherwise, you will be blowing the rapidly warming air in.

4. Take a VERY cold bath/shower before going to bed or throughout the day. The longer you can stand to freeze yourself, the longer you will stay cool afterwards.

Tip! Kids have trouble sleeping from the heat? Try letting them go outside to play in the pool or sprinkler at night, just before bed. It's fun and will get them off to a good sleep.

5. Barbeque whenever possible! I usually grill up enough chicken to last 3 days for items such as: chicken sandwhiches (w/hamburger bun reheated in the toaster oven), grilled chicken salads and chicken pasta (tossed with olive oil, basil, garlic and parmesan).

Website of the Day for March 31--CaloriesPerHour.Com

CaloriesPerHour.Com

If you manage your weight by counting calories and exercising, our website of the day will come in handy.

CaloriesPerHour.Com is a fun, simple website that will tell you precisely how many calories are burned by all the activities in our lives.

You type in your age, gender, weight and height and choose an activity from a list of several hundred.

For instance, a 39-year-old man of average height will burn 318 calories doing 45 minutes of traditional American Indian dancing.

Thats enough exercise to burn off four apples.

If that same man runs for an hour, he'd burn 887 calories--the equivalent of a McDonald's fish sandwich and a small shake.

Found KSKD

Blog Surfing

I came across this AWESOME idea today. I stumbled acrossed Creative Homeschooling blog. I love her site. Among many things, I came across a post about Goal Markers. Here is a list of a few discussed on her site:

Here are some other Goal Marker Ideas.

• Water Drinking: Set out 6 beads each day to drink 6 glasses of water.
• Exercising: Using 2 jars, throw a handful of buttons in a jar. Just commit to exercising enough times to move the buttons from one jar to the other. You'll probably want to start over again!
• Complimentary Words: Set out 5 beads in a day to say that many complimentary words.
• Children's Books Read: Have your children decide how many books they want to have read by a certain time...let them create a goal marker for themselves!
• Random Acts of Kindness: Have your children decide how many GRACE DEEDs ( non-deserving) they would like to try to accomplish for a week and make a Goal Marker for that....how about flowers cut out and taped on a window when completed!

To see all the post please go visit Goal Markers- Accomplishing Goals One Step at a Time.

This is a great idea. I can think of many uses for this idea. I have made a list. I am going to start with one or two with son, and hopes that things improve around here. I will update when I have picked what we will start on and how it is going.

Thanks CREATIVE HOMESCHOOLING!!

CLEAN HEART, CLEAN HOME CHALLENGE!!

Dandelion Seed is having a cleaning challenge!! What a great idea!! I am so excited. If you are interested in joining in click the bottom at top of page. Cool!! I can not wait to get started.

I so want to live without clutter!!

In Memory of ....

KATIE

Dec 5, 1991 - March 23, 2000

My Sweet Katie. You are still missed dearly!!

Happy Birthday my Dear!!

 

Happy Birthday Den!!

Today is my darling husbands birthday!!

Great Quote

We ran into a friend of hubby's the other day at the grocery store. In the course of the conversation, she said something that rang a bell. It touched so close to home. With all my stress. All the back & forth with son's teacher. This friend summed it all up in 4 little words.

"You can't fix stupid" ...

Yep!! That sums it all up. I actually have started feeling better since hearing those words. I plan to live by these words now.

Great Math Game (Timez Attack)

I recently visited JenIG blog. She was talking about this great new computer video game called TIMEZ ATTACK. By Big Brainz. I downloaded the free verision today. My son L-O-V-E-S it. He has been playing it for a while now. He gets so excited at each level passed.

The way JenIG (see full blog on this here) wrote up the game say's it best.

"characters have to walk around and figure things out and then battle against bad guys. In other words, it is fun and has challenging elements that make kids want to play. But here’s the kicker, when you get certain keys, you have to defeat *bad guys* by entering in proper multiplication answers"

"I’ve never seen an ‘educational video game’ that plays like this.

We will be buying the verision very soon. Thanks Jen for the link. It is awesome!!

As a side note, there is nothing graphic what-so-ever in this. When you kill the bad guys they simply flop over or they *poof* disappear. It is neither violent nor gruesome. It’s just fun."

They say it's your Birthday.

Well another year. Another year of getting older, and though I could complain ... I thank my blessings. Another year of spending with family & friends. =o)

Quiet day. Not feeling all that well. Cold getting the better of me. Though my better 1/2 and child took me out to dinner. Was nice. Better half even tried shrimp for a first in his life. So that was awesome.

Medicine kicked in so to bed I go!!

Our T.R.E.K. day

Things went very well considering.

I cancelled my therapy when I woke up as I was feeling under the weather. I didn't want to move out of the house. Then I looked at Calendar .. and there it sat .. circled .. TREK day.

• Oh!
• My!
• But I don't feel well!
• I want to take this sinus medicine and crawl back into bed!
• The house needs care

Yes that all raced through my mind as I stood staring at calendar. So what did I do? I promptly placed the medicine back on the counter. Called son to kitchen, and asked ...

"What are we doing today?" Just you & I. You have my total attention.

As we walked out door and backed out of our driveway .. I knew .. I knew I did the right thing.

We ended up at the $ store. Where son got some dry erase markers, erasers, and color pencils. We did one stop for dad as he asked if we were out and about could we please make this stop for him. Then we grabbed some lunch. We talked. We talked about all the things happening lately, school, kids, etc .. It was really nice. Then off to movies. Kid really wanted to see "Shaggy Dog".

After that .. son knowing I was really feeling awful he did the most unselfish thing I have ever seen him do. He could have said he wanted to go do something else. But instead suggested we go home, snuggle up in my bed & watch a movie until time to go pick-up daddy. I of course snagged on that in a heartbeat!! Of course did I make it through the opening credits of movie? No! *smile* But it was nice to lay there next to son and snuggle up.

It was a nice day. Kid and dad went to hockey game in the evening and I finally took that sinus medicine and went to bed.

In Honor of Missy Gray

CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF MISSEY GRAY
AND JOIN US IN A MOTHER'S T.R.E.K.
MONDAY, MARCH 13TH!

~I will be spending the day with my son~

Hug your children

you just never know

Shoe me

Okay. So kid was just begging again today for some new shoes. He is "bored with them" to quote. So being he has had a rough time lately .. I gave in. So I load him and niece up, ignoring the mounds of laundry, the kitchen that needs order, the living turned upside down .. and all needs to be completed by this evening so they can install floor tomorrow .. but all that and I still load up to buy shoes.

Boy was I shocked when they said ... He did very well. He has almost (a few days shy) had these shoes for a year. WHAT? A year? No wonder he was "bored". ha ha. So when I was complaining about the cost, and replacing them already, and what is wrong with these .. ha ha I guess I got my $$ worth out of the retired pair. I hope we have as much luck with the new ones.

I have to eat crow as well today. I have been forever making fun of these shoes kids have been wearing quite a bit around here now, called crocs. CROCS ha ha Then what does kid do today? want a pair. Lol. *thud* I "guess" they are not that bad. But they sure are ugly IMO. :-)

So all in all, good shoe trip. =o) Well needed and deserved apparently.

A Mother's T.R.E.K.

I saw this on DandelionSeeds blog and thought it was a great idea.

A Mother's T.R.E.K. (Totally Random Events with Kids) is dedicated to mother's who are experiencing a deep struggle or trial in their life. Through their story, we will encourage them, but also be reminded of how important our "trek" as mothers truly is.

I saw this and thought what an awesome thing!! This is really what I think Kid and I really need a day of.

CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF MISSEY
AND JOIN US IN A MOTHER'S T.R.E.K
NEXT MONDAY, MARCH 13TH!

I think this is a wonderful idea. I am at a lose for words on this story. I can not imagine the grief this family is going through. They are in my thoughts and prayers.

Sunday, Sunday

Well I have survived the weekend. Still want to KILL. But taking one day at a time.

Five reasons to smile this weekend:

1. Couple more days and new floor will be in.
2. Got a new computer chair this weekend.
3. Family member showed DH and fixed broken light switch
4. Health & family
5. Roof over head

Five reasons to not smile:

1. Teacher
2. Sewer backed up in basement
3. House in dis-a-ray
4. Knees are bothering me.
5. When said basement backed up ... got all the clothes laying on floor to be washed. So now I HAVE to stay up and wash ALL the clothes.

It's all good. It will all work out I am sure. Just have to figure out what to do & go on from there. This about sums up the weekend.

On reading front. Kid is still reading

'HOLES' by Louis Sachar,

and started 'The Report Card' by Andrew Clements.

Projects this up coming week.

1. Kitchen Floor
2. Try to get some order to at least 2 rooms of the house
3. Get kid out for some fun & relaxation.

Here we go again

I just feel we are on the same repeat course, we were at the last school. Just different thing. Kid no longer wants to step foot in that door. He is so hurt. He loved the school. Loved being there. Loved the kids. Princpal. Everything was so good for him. THEN ...

The teacher from double hockey sticks stuck her true colors out. It just makes me so mad .. she is coming off like a victim, when she is making my child one. But do they believe him oh of course not!! She totally provoked me today, and I snapped finally when she is going to claim she never got his work in social studies. But here my kid has his graded packet. *GRRRR* Ever heard of a grade book, Bi*ch!!

Her statement over and over is "not a babysitter. not a hand holder." But a Language delay child can not stand on his own feet. She claims he is fine. Oh I am so glad I have raised him almost 11 years and all of us since age 2 are wrong and he is just peachy fine!! Glad some barely out of diapers herself child teacher that apparently has a history of crying and hiding in her closet at school because "the kids hurt her feelings" knows better than a parent or dr's or speech teachers. It so grand to know this!!

Oh I am still so mad after way over 12 hours. I just see red when I even think about today. She and that staff totally owe kid and myself an appolgy. But I am sure it will be a cold day in H*ll before either of us see that.

They are on cycle break now. I guess I will do something now. Maybe HS. Maybe another private. Could try to get into a different public school. Something. I just hate to pull him out where he loves (or loved) because of a dang teacher. But I am sure hubby and my rep will follow us through out this school now, and we will be seen as trouble makers. So what is the point?

GRRRRR!!!!!!!!

Living in a Brady Bunch Episode

Mom always said .. Don't play ball in the house ... Mom always said .. Don't play ball in the house ... Mom always said .. Don't play ball in the house ... rang in my ear over and over again as ....

I cleaned up my broke lamp in the family room last night. Catcher Dude and 2 friends were playing ball in the house y/day. After I repeatedly said stop ... *crash* is all I heard. I am still so mad this A.M.

Part of me thinks the parents of said kids should help pay for the broken lamp. But my husband says kid is the one at fault because he knew not to do it. So while hubby is at work today, I get stuck laying down law here. *yeah* for me.

Friday Findings.

Well busy week here. We are getting bids for a new kitchen floor so we have had people in and out all week. Looks like we have settled for a company and they will be coming when kid is on spring break. I am so happy!! The floor has needed to be replaced since we moved in '99.

Also the insurance adjuster came out for the hail damage. We will be getting a new roof this spring. Along with new screens and window trim. The landscaping lights will all need to be replaced as well. So this spring should be a busy one.

Hubby has rode his new bike to and from work the past two days. That is awesome he is trying to get fit!! I am proud of him.

Kid has had a better week this week. Not so stressfull. They had D.A.R.E. graduation Wednesday. It was fun. Kids essay was not picked as a winner. The winning essay was nice. I can not wait to see and read kids. Anything he manages to write more than 2 sentences is a big accomplishment. *Applaud* I ordered him a special treat for his essay, and trying his best. He tries very hard to over come his language delay. So I always try to boast when he writes anything of length. *Smile*

D.A.R.E. Graduates.

Yesterday was a very good day for him. He got 21/20 spelling words (getting the bonus as well) He worked hard!!

This weekend is a simple one. Basketball Game on Saturday. Birthday Party for Kayla on Sunday.

Homeschool time

I have really really been considering the whole homeschooling thing again. I am just fed up!! I really thought I had searched well and this school was a great fit with kid. Things were going well. Some "issues" but all bearable I suppose. But this quarter (3rd) is just making my hair turn gray again!! Things are certainly getting out of hand. Kid back to wanting to stay home. He had not missed one day of school since it started back in July. Now within a weeks time twice home. *oy* I do not have the energy anymore. Hubby seems to believe it is just the teacher and give it a try still next year. But I am not sure I want to chance it. I just don't know what the "answers" are .. and the more I think .. the more thy head hurts. *smile*

The whole pulling him out and homeschooling sounds so right for us. But also sounds and "looks" over whelming. I am sure once you get started it is fine. Just the whole "getting" started thing. *laugh* I just don't have the answers. I am not sure I want to "hang in" there as hubby suggests for even the rest of this school year. 3-4 more months of teacher, school, and/or both could really do damage to this child. We just seemed like things were on track again from the 3 years of *hell* from past school.

I also doubt myself. I doubt I can do any help to him. That I can "teach" .. what do I know about teaching? I do not have degrees, etc ...



So anyway. That is what is on burner now.

The news is in ...

*drom roll please*



They are all staying here. MIL and her hubby. My Mother and her hubby. They both decided to stay. No jobs lined up. But they are staying. So guess we will see what happens from there.

Website of the Day for February 8--PseudoDictionary.Com

PseudoDictionary.Com

Our website of the day makes everyone's "pseudo English" legit.

PseudoDictionary.Com has thousands of words that aren't in the dictionary, but probably should be.

You can submit your own words, and look up slang words so you can finally understand what your kids are saying.

No News

There isn't any news on the moves to Florida. Though we have "heard" through the grapevine that hubbys mother and her husband are really considering it. But of course she would pack up & be gone and not a word to her son. So we will never know for sure unless the grapevine confirms and tells us so.

God only knows what will come about my mother and her husband. I don't think they will go any where. My mother is to dependant on her 27 year old and vis versa. That will not change. That girl still lives at home .. taking all she can from her mother. Plus she has added another dependant to the household. Having mother raise said "dependant" .. but takes all and full credit with that. ha ha what a joke.

But February 10th is just round corner. So we will see.

Speech-less

Today is the Speech Meet for kid. He did great job. I have to give him his props. He has something in him that his father nor I have. There is NO WAY I could get up there in front of a group of people and do that.

I am so proud of him. He did great. Really learned his lines. Worked well with his partner. They were really good.

Out of three places. He & his partner took second. WAY TO GO!! I was totally shocked. :) He is very proud of his blue ribbon.

Nice day. :)

State of shock

My mother called tonight. My moms hubby's (my stepdad) work is closing in June. They offered him and 9 others jobs in another state!! Oy!!

What a shocker. I can not imagine her being gone. What is more surprising .. it could have been us. Up until 17 months ago my DH worked in same place.

Another shocker .. 2 of the other 9 people ... are my mil and her hubby. Yeppers. Hubby's mother and his step-dad work at same place and was also offered a job in Florida!!

Crazy man ... crazy!!

Should turn out to be interesting 2 weeks.

too be continued.

Ring the tooth fairy

Kid lost first molar tooth tonight. It bled for a while, but that was due to it getting caught, tangled, whatever .. up in his braces. Oy!! But it is out .. and babyhood is growing dimmer.

Kid is SUPPOSE to be working on a state report for school. His state is Nevada. Darling Dana/hiplvmom2 was so kind to send a wonderful packet about the nice state. But has *butthead* I mean kid started? Nah!! Let's just bug the crap outta mom and wait until last minute.

P/T/S meeting are tomorrow. So we will see how his grades are else wise.

Mom, how many overies do you have?

Is what I am hearing across Wal-greens.

Dang! Science Unit!! Kid picks a very public place to announce his new "learns" today.

Then loudly ...

kid: "Mom, do you have eggs?" (As I am checking out at the counter and male kid cashier looks up)

Me: "Sure, a whole dozen at home." (trying to get us out of the very public place kid has picked to start converstation .. )

Kid: "No, you!! Do you still have eggs left in your overies .." (Now cashier is really looking ..)

I got a whole lesson on the way home about "cycles" and "eggs" and "tubes" ...

I just do not remember having science units in school like this when I was in school. I do not remember boys learning girl "things" (cycles, parts, etc) and vice versa. I do remember watching movie .. boys in one room .. girls in another. But I certainly do not remember what all Oy!! What doesn't kill us .. makes us stronger. :)

Dora ..

*G* mom's boyfriends mom passed on really good Dora tickets for Saturday night. I was not looking forward to taking her. The "she-Devil" she is. But she was actually very well behaved. It was a good time. We had our own parking place. That was actually right in front of the door, so we didn't have a long walk at all. The seats were very nice. I wish I had taken my "good" camera, and taken pictures. But oh well .. once again I let myself talk me out of bring it. I brought a click and drop one. We will see how well they turn out.

Daddy took kid to see "Dick and Jane" I was happy he spent some time with him. He doesn't do it very often. But boys will be boys.

*G* spent Thursday Night, Friday Night, and Saturday Night.

How Weird Are You?

You Are 30% Weird

Not enough to scare other people... But sometimes you scare yourself.

How Weird Are You?

Total Rambling Tuesday

today.

today was

today was a

today was a waste.

i really need to start having a goal for each day. i do not seem to be getting anything done. i did mange to do a load of laundry, and dishes. haven't any energy. i did make kids orthodontist appointment, husbands dentist appointment, my orthopedic appointment. i am finally breaking done and having knees looked at. but no surgery!! i will not give into that. boys went to hockey game tonight. of course they lost. bad year to have season tickets. oh well. they had a good time. tomorrow i will call about booking another class. sounds like fun. least evening out.

school has started the "health" unit at school. i am not sure i am really ready for all that. i do not remember boys learning female parts and girls learning boy parts when i was in school. i was shocked to see kid sitting there tonight looking at all the female parts ... oh okay ... so questions??? nothing yet. we will see. i am not making a issue out of this in front of kid. though i am going to read his packet when he goes to bed tonight. i should have done while at hockey game. oh well.

well window in tonight was a lil boring.

Lost 187 minutes of my life ....

I took son and 2 friends to see this today. OH MY!! The first 65 minutes was the L --- O --- N --- G --- E --- S --- T 65 minutes of my life it seemed. I never seen the first Kong movie, and now I know why. Don't get me wrong .. it was okay , but not my first choice.

The upside ... I was able to make 3 very happy boys. So in the end .. 187 minutes worth of pain.

Tonight I did another page .....

It was fun. I am getting more comfortable. Still not to sure .. but I am sure it will get there. Take a long time. But I am having fun.

So it was a fun MLK day. Tomorrow back to the grind. Not sure what this week will bring.