Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Mediacom users??

Hey -- I hear that Mediacom users might be a bit disappointed this BOWL SEASON.  Especially if you live in Iowa.  Mediacom is not going to show the Iowa nor the Iowa State bowl games this year. 

Ouch!

So -- if you are thinking of switching to anything other than Mediacom... We think you should switch to DirecTV.  Ü  BECAUSE...

Right now when you activate DIRECTV(R) service, with the CHOICE(TM) package or higher, we'll both get $100 in bill credits, and you'll get one of DIRECTV's best offers ever.

 
OUR ACCOUNT # is 17353232

Here is how it works...
We refer you our friends to DIRECTV and give you our DIRECTV account number. 17353232

We will receive $100 in bill credits for each friend who activates DIRECTV service.

You our friends also receive $100 in bill credits.

Woo Hoo!!  Sounds like a great deal to me.  LOL  And you?  Ü

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Wayne 2009 Christmas Program Song

Oh... I love watching Kids.  You could watch this over and over and see something new every time. 

Enjoy Grandmas!!


Christmas 2009, Wayne's Program Songs from Jennifer J. on Vimeo.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Friday, December 18, 2009

Thursday, December 3, 2009

CrazySheep!!

I found a great deal for you.

CRAZY SHEEP is having a 15% off for the rest of your life deal.  What kind of coupon is THAT?  You'd better go check it out for yourself.

Crazy Sheep is just starting off and they are wanting to spread the word... that's what kind of a deal it is.  My kids LOVE these DVD's.  They are made by their uncle... but they are funny too.  And they get your mind to think.  That's the kind of DVD's I like.  °Ü°

So -- do you need a sample?  OK -- here is a sample



Another Sample?  You want another sample?  You sound like my kids at COSTCO... ok -- push the cart down the aisle and then back again and you can have another sample.  ::giggle::  I won't tell.



Another sample??? Go find your own.  LOL  They have more on their Web-Site.  Really -- you should check it out. 

ENJOY!!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Singing Sophia

I had such a fun time listening to Sophia sing.  I thought I'd share it with you.

FUN.NY!


Jesus Loves Me sung by Sophia from Jennifer J. on Vimeo.

more singing


Sophia Singing Row Row Row Your Boat from Jennifer J. on Vimeo.

CUTE!!!


Sophia singing Zacheus from Jennifer J. on Vimeo.


Later -- her sister sings too... CAN'T YOU HARDLY WAIT!!??!! 

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

My Niece -- she can sing

I'm an aunt -- doesn't that mean I can exploit the nieces and nephews?  Oh my word... I have a niece Sophia who loves, loves, loves to sing.  But only when she wants to.  So her other Aunt -- Aunt Karen tried the Candy Corn route... apparently -- it was only worth 1/2 the song.  She should have grabbed a bigger hand full.  LOL


Sophia Singing for Candy Corn from Jennifer J. on Vimeo.


Oh we laughed and laughed this past week.  Oklahoma is too far away... wouldn't you agree Becky?

Monday, November 30, 2009

Didn't Blog

I didn't blog much over thanksgiving. 

I had company instead --

Posts will be coming... pictures are loaded.

YEAH!!  I love Thanksgiving... it's when my family gathers at my house each year.  Only 361 more days until Thanksgiving. 

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Knoxville Wrestling Club Fund Raiser

Milo and Mansel are participating in a fundraiser for the Knoxville Wrestling Club.

They will be selling Baker Jo's cookie dough.  The funds are used to purchase uniforms, mat upgrades, and year end prizes for state participants, and entries to team events.

APPARENTLY this cookie dough is really good. °Ü° They skipped this fund raiser last year and the coaches got calls asking when they would be around selling cookies.  The customers looked forward to it every year.  Just... so ya know.  LOL  Each tub sells for $10 and makes 96 cookies. 

Will you let me know if it's OK to bring the boys over... you wouldn't have to buy from both... we'll take turns taking orders.  (Yikes... hazard of having several kids close in age.)

In the past this fundraiser has purchased a new mat, state wrestling clothing, assisted in travel, supplied medical supplies for the club, purchased uniforms and warm ups.  Who cares... but I always like to know what the money is used for. 

Thank You,

~*~ Jennifer ~*~

641.943.2350

flavors:  chocolate chunk, white chocolate macadamia, sugar, snickerdoodle, peanut butter with chocolate chunks, M&M candies, peanut butter, heath english toffee, oatmeal raisen, triple chocolate, and last but not least, monster.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Fresh Hair Cut and Color


 


BEFORE
I took a self portrait before I went to Exsalonce Image Design today.  Long, just washed and rinsed... not styled at all.





AFTER
This is at home after Leann worked her magic.  Fresh cut and 2 colors.  Highlighted and a temporary color called cinnamon.  Yummy.  Ü


I can hardly wait to straighten it... I've worn it curly for the last several week... due to root growthage.  LOL  If you have curly hair, apparently the roots aren't as obvious.  At least that is what I've been telling myself.  Today -- NO ROOTS!  Yippee...


I knew that a cut and color takes a while -- so I stopped at the library to pick up my newest read, Wednesday Letters,  before I went. Leann said she heard it was a good book.  I heard is was sad.  So glad I didn't cry at the salon.   Oh I had FUN!  I got to sit and be pampered, Leann brought me an ice tea, while reading a good book undisturbed for a long long time. Now I should be good for another 8 weeks. 

Monday, November 16, 2009

Hand Sanitizer anyone?


















I've created a monster... Mansel carries his hand sanitizer in his pocket. From the time we got from in the house to out by the tree to take some pictures... he felt the need to share his sanitizer with us. ha ha haaa!!! He's a funny guy... good clean fun.
Posted by Picasa

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Knoxville Public Library

Can I say... that our small town KNOXVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY is really fairly decent??

It is!!

I often read blogs.  I have a cousin who recommends good books on her blog... she lives in a big city.  Well - really more often then not our little library has the books she is recommending.  Like Three Cups of Tea, they have it.  Zookeeper's Wife, it's there. 

And NOW -- on my favorite message board ever, someone recommends Wednesday Letters.  I have not read it -- BUT I SOON WILL BE -- because it's on hold for me at the Knoxville Public Library.  How COOL IS THAT!!??!!  Speaking of being on hold.  Did you know you can go to their web-site... find a book, place it on hold, they will find it for you, call you and you can come pick it up after you check it out.  AND... if you are a slow reader... or life starts going in fast forward and you haven't even read the books you checked out two weeks ago, you can RE-NEW them on-line.  There should be no reason for library fines.  LOL  I keep telling myself that as I pay my library fines.  I'm a loon. It's a fantastic service, if you ask me.
Thank you Roslin Thompson, Director, and all your fellow booky friends at the Knoxville Public Library... you are doing a great job!  Keep up the good work.


Come on Knoxville Friends -- give them a friendly shout out!  °Ü°  Let's hear it for the K.P.L.!

Friday, November 13, 2009

Mrs. Sullivan and her 5 sons

Have you heard of the story of Mrs. Sullivan and her 5 sons?  All her boys were on the ship Juneau.  She heard a rumor that her boys were all killed.  You can read the story here.   

There are songs written about this story, and movies made too. I think I'll netflix that movie.  


While were at the memorial service Wednesday someone read Mrs. Sullivan's letter and the presidents response to her


On the way home I talked with the kids about Mrs. Sullivan and why there is now a law that states that all boys of one family can no longer serve in the military. Isn't that interesting?


Well -- if you followed any of the links to the bottom of the pages.. in the small fine print it says... Reference to a "Sullivan Act" in connection with family members serving in the same ship/unit is a popular misconception. The Sullivan Law of 29 May 1911 is a New York State Law dealing with firearms. Although proposed after the death of the five Sullivan Brothers, no "Sullivan Act" was ever enacted by Congress related to family members serving together. Similarly, no President has ever issued any executive order forbidding assignment of family members to the same ship/unit.

WAIT... say it ain't so.  


I left a comment on his blog saying, "Too bad there wasn't as snope.com around when I had my Iowa history handed down to me."  


So -- I went and check snopes.  Good news... there IS TO such a law a rule rather... not really a law... perhaps I should re-word that.  Snopes says, you are except from military service of your siblings or your parents have died in military service.  You do not have to be a sole remaining son, it applies to all remaining sons in the qualified families.  BUT -- this exemption is not in effect during wartime.  Um... that sort of negates the benefits of this rule.



So -- do some reading.  This is an interesting subject. Don't you think?

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Knoxville Wrestling Club

The Knoxville Wrestling Club has officially taken over our lives for the next 5 months. Wrestling is a looooong season, if you ask me.

So -- starting 11/11/09... the boys in our house will go to wrestling practice from 6:00 - 8:00 pm 2 nights a week. That may help keep our bathrooms a little cleaner. One should always give thanks in all things, yes?

Wrestling Widow... it's hard to say...

It's a good think I like wrestling. ;)

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

2009 Veterans Day in Knoxville


The Knoxville Community and Senior Center hosted a Veterans Day service at 10:30 a.m. today. I decided that since we hadn't ever done anything to observe Veterans Day in the past... today would be a good day to start. I'm glad I did.  I hope it will be a visual that my kiddos will remember for years to come.



The program consisted of the Knoxville High School Chamber Choir performing, as well as readings by Cheryl Theil and Annie Leonard from The Next Chapter. The KHS Choir sang 3 songs, 2 of which I sang with my choir in COLLEGE! That was fun to hear. I remembered them pretty well. Annie Leonard read the letter Mrs. Sullivan wrote to the president when she heard the rumor that her 5 sons were killed war. As well as the reply written to Mrs. Sullivan by Franklin D. Roosevelt.


There were four veterans who went on the recent Honor Flights to Washington D.C. that discussed their trips.  One of the veterans we know from church.  Mr. De Zwarte said he hasn't had so much honor for being a veteran then since he went on a trip to Washington DC to visit the WWII memorial.  Hy-Vee and Casey's have sent veterans to the memorial this past year on their honor flights.  There were photographs to look at when the service was over. 



Members from the American Legion and VFW also presented taps at the end of the event.  I did ok through this whole service until I witnessed the old veterans crying.  That did me in. 



Refreshments and cookies were provided and they were delicious!  

Thank You American Veterans.  We give you honor today for your service and your sacrifice.


Mr. De Zwarte said this, "I wouldn't give up my experience in the war for a million dollars, but I wouldn't take a million dollars to do it again."  (I'm paraphrasing). War shaped their character, I'm sure.  


Monday, November 9, 2009

17 DAYS UNTIL THANKSGIVING!! Remembering Past Thanksgivings









I tried post 4 pictures... only 1 shows up. Grr... I try again -- there are 4 listed there still... Oh where oh where have my photographs gone? Oh where oh where can they beeeee????

Anyway... we are looking forward to having company here again for thanksgiving. I love family! Can hardly wait... better go clean my house. LOL

Friday, November 6, 2009

Beth and I Agree

My friend Beth and I were discussing candles.  I was at her house making some PUMPKIN dessert.  Oh my heavens... I said, "They should make a candle that smells like this -- this smells delicious!!"  I think I lingered my nose a bit too long over my can of pumpkin pie mix, because she gave me sort of an odd look.  LOL  Oh my... it was yummy smelling!!

She said, "Well -- don't waste your time or money on this candle.  I had a coupon for it and it's horrible.  It doesn't even smell."

I said, "Oh YEAH... I had a coupon for a candle thing that has a holder and you put a little wax thing in it and it melts.. it doesn't smell at ALL."

I went over and looked at what she was pointing and and they were the exact same thing I had bought... just had a different holder.

They are the GLAD Scented Oil Candles.  Even though you get a good coupon for it -- don't be tempted.  You can't smell them at all.  Crazy!!

Just f.y.i.  Beth and I agree on this one.  °Ü°

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Tori Plays the Piano


Tori playing offetory Sunday PM 11/01/09 from Jennifer J. on Vimeo.



Hey MOM!!! Look what your grand-daughter can do. Ü


I'm so proud of her... she doesn't really like playing the piano. Since she is home schooled (but not a home school-ER), I'm counting this as her music... she'll be playing for a long, long time. She might as well get used to it.


Can you tell that she is bare footed? She's crazy... she didn't want her shoes making noise as she walked up to the piano during prayer. LOL It's a short offertory -- but not many people give money on Sunday nights, I guess. She plays 2 songs, I asked her to play slowly... she can really fly through these songs, but I didn't want her to get super nervous and play too fast. She played nice and slowly.


Pretty good for her first every offertory!! Great job Tori!

Mom's Notebook

I'm starting a challenge from the t-tapp forum, and someone mentioned their "notebook".  Ohh... I have a notebook -- buried, lost, perhaps shredded.


I accidently came across it on Saturday.  What in the WORLD?  The very day I was asking someone else about their notebook, I find mine??


Is that providence?
Let's change the subject.  How about them HAWKS!!  Wasn't that a great game Saturday?  


OK -- no really... do you have a notebook?


I do... unused, obviously.  I did use it this spring... pre-soccer, then mis-placed it.  I really was looking for it all during soccer season, because it had in there when I was supposed to bring treats.  I had to keep asking the other mom's... "Is it my turn next week?"  I'm a doofus.


Well I'm jumping back on the notebook bandwagon.


I've got dividers...different sections.



  • Bible reading and prayer stuff.
  • T-Tapp (just today.. I updated it today)  °Ü° Nutrition stuff here too.
  • Child training... OK -- now I have no excuse... MUST do obedience bootcamp with them.
  • Housekeeping



THAT's right!!  Housekeeping... 


This is just perfect timing, because I'm re-doing the chore lists for the kiddos.  I'm going to use the goalforit, as I blogged about earlier, for their chores.  I'm working on the store. I'm working on divying up the chores.  I'm working on it... just haven't arrived yet.  I'll do a reveal later.  I'm working on it... really.


Anyway... the housekeeping and the chores sort of tie together.  I found in my old notebook my BOOTCAMP FOR LOUSY HOUSEKEEPERS by Drill Srgt. Heidi Schaap.  She calls herself that... not me.  She's got a blog... it's pretty.  She has a GREAT system all written out for keeping your house decent and in order.  If I would just follow it!  So I'm going to start over again... here I go Heidi.  Oh... look -- she's on facebook too.  


I'm going to put all my stuff to do on my google calendar.  I have several google calendars set up.  I did my menu on a google calendar this month.  AWESOME!  Dan liked one of the new new things I tried this month... so I went to the calendar and chose to repeat that meal every 4 weeks.  Next month I have 1 less meal to figure out.  I'm so excited about that.... but that was a bit of a rabbit trail, wasn't it?  


I have a calendar for medical appointments.  One for sports schedules.  Another one for our music, such as piano lessons and when we sing or play at church.  Each calendar shows up as a different color on ONE calendar.  It's so cool!  Google calendar -- it will now tell me when to dust the book shelves, and wash the curtains and clean off the top of the fridge. I think I'll make this calendar PINK.   If I follow the schedule she thought up, follow her rules, play her game -- I should not have to worry about if my house is clean or not when company comes by.  So guess what that means... YOU SHOULD COME BY!!  I can't wait to see you.




Wednesday, November 4, 2009

goalforit

Are you thinking I can't spell, or my space bar isn't working??  Well -- you'd be partially right, but actually goalforit is the name of a new website that I found Wednesday.


I was struggling with my chore plan again.  


We did home made chore packs... until they get lost tossed.  Who do these kids think I am?  Mommy doofus?  When I find chore packs under MY bed... I know they aren't lost.  LOL  I didn't put them there. And I know I put more than 1 chore in each pack... pulling all the chores out of the pack doesn't mean you only have to do 1 thing a day.  So I printed up a chart to put up on the wall.  TONS of chores and TONS of kids makes for a chart that is hard to read.  Dan was continually saying, "Who does this?"  I'd continually reply, "Read the chart."  He'd continually retort, "Your stink'in chart is too hard to read, so who does this?"  


So -- the other day I googled kids chores.  I found goalforit.  Looks pretty neat.  I've made a chart for Tori so far.  


Some of the neat things are.. they have pre-made chores already with pictures... that way if your kiddos can't read... they can still do their chores.  BUT -- if you have weird chores like feed crickets to the iguana then you can add your own chores to the chart.  


Of course I love this -- I love charts.  It's clickable.  You can add an AMOUNT of Moolah earned to the chore if you want.  I think I'm going to do this.I've never given my kids an allowance before.  Do I get an allowance for breathing?  No.  Do I get an allowance for laundry, or cooking, or vacuuming, or dressing myself? No.  I recently discovered that some of my kids are competitive, and they LOVE earning things.  They'll memorize stuff to earn stuff.  They will do things to "earn" things.  I think I'll use that to my advantage and give them MOOLAH for clicking the button on their chore charts.   I'm going to make the amounts small... and then start collecting things they can buy from me.  I've never done this before.  I think I'll even add things to the store like socks and underwear.  But also fun things like iTunes cards and candy.  If no one ever buys the socks and underwear, I'll give it to them for their birthday.  No money wasted there.


I thought at first we'd have to have the computer on the whole day long in order to use this -- but there is a way to print the charts off.  They print off 1 weeks at a time.  I think I'll make it someones chore to print off the chore sheets on Saturday night.  This is a beta version of Goal For It... that usually means they are still tweaking the system... I'm going to ask them to let me print the chores off in B&W.  Color is pretty, until you have TONS of chores and TONS of kids... then it's just expensive.


I'm not done making my charts yet -- so we haven't started this at this juncture.  I've got 5 kids to make charts for, and to coordinate the delicate balance of who loads and who unloads the dish washer every night.  The dipsy daisy dance of who fed the dog last and who can get the lid off of the dog food with out help, and who always ignores the animals because that chore is so hard, thus the cats are ravenous and they streak into my kitchen and eat my favorite dip off the counter while I'm not watching.  grrr...


You can be my friend and encourage me in this process if you want.  As you might guess, there are 6 pages of Jennifer's... but I'm the one who starts their name with a ~*~ instead of a J.  Top of the list!! Be my friend!!  I want to steal your ideas walk this journey with you.  °Ü°

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

ACTUAL Play of the Game.

They showed the "play of the game" on TV the other day -- when there were still THREE minutes left of the game.  LOL  It was the lateral pass.  Pretty good -- unless you are an Iowa fan.

Now THIS HERE is the REAL play of the game, if you are asking me!!



GO HAWKS!!

I'm a fair weather fan -- I'll admit it.  It sure is fun to cheer on a winning team!

Monday, November 2, 2009

A Letter to Facebook Friends

My friend Rachel recently quoted this letter on her blog.

What the letter from A Concerned Pastor's Wife says is so right on... I'm going to quote it here too.


Dear Young Facebook Friends,
You have requested me to be your friend on facebook.  I was reluctant to accept, but took the advice of my husband who said that it would be a good way to know what is going on in your lives and to be an encouragement to you.  What I have seen has left me confused, sad, and frankly disappointed.  I see where you say you love God and the Bible is important to you, and I don’t doubt that; I really don’t.  Perhaps that makes me even more sad.  I wonder how certain aspects of training have fallen through the cracks.  I wonder where we have failed in training your parents so that they can adequately train you.  Are you wondering what I am talking about?
I am talking about the manner in which you portray yourself on facebook.  The unwholesome talk that comes from your fingertips; the OMG(taking the Lord’s name in vain); the careless words and chatter that you don’t stop to think about how it is perceived; even calling people “suckers” and telling them “they suck.”  You may say these things in jest but it doesn’t’ change the words, the meanings, or the degradation of your character.
Then there are the pictures you post.  Besides the fact you portray yourself as a narcissist when you post picture after picture of yourself in pose after pose, there are the poses themselves.  To be blunt, you might as well “pimp yourself out.”  I am not sure what the motivation is in posing in a sexual manner, angling the camera so we can see down your shirt, wearing shorts so short that it looks like you have none on.  You fondle poles, you pose as if kissing or licking other girls,  and pose like gang members.  It makes me wonder just what sort of  boys you are hoping to attract with your pictures because I am pretty certain it won’t be the Godly young man that is being raised to be a man, husband, and father.
With a burdened heart , I exhort you to please think about the kind of person you want to be, how you want to be seen, and most importantly how you can glorify God in the comments and pictures you post on facebook.  Take some time to reflect on  “Finally Brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.  The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you. “Philippians 4:8,9
Lovingly,
Your Concerned Pastor’s Wife


Friday, October 30, 2009

Yankee Candle Coupon

Do you like Yankee Candles?  My friend Challice gave me a coupon for $10 off a candle.  That's a GREAT deal.  My coupon expires 11/21/09.  I think I'll get one with one for Thanksgiving week when company is here.... make my house smell purty!

Are you a fan?  What is your favorite flavor?

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Bad Day? Watch this... feel better.



My boys think this is so funny they are imitating her.  The want to watch it over and over again.  Oh me... I think I'd crawl the rest of the way.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Rainy Day Hulu. Who Knew?

Thursday was a rainy cold day -- so my kiddos watched Harold the Purple Crayon on HuLu.



We had never seen Harold and the Purple Crayon on TV... how fun.  No commercials during the show.  The ones we saw were at the beginning and the end and they were for things like iPhones.  Very family friendly.

Do You HuLu?  What is your favorite show?

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Photos

I have't been able to use Picasa to post photos for a long time.  Blogger doesn't seem to care -- people have been having this trouble since June 2009.  Crazy.

Where do you blog?

Where do you recommend I switch to?

What features do you love the most over there?

Can you hear my frustration?

Monday, October 26, 2009

Granola

My friend Debra recently gave me this granola recipe.  It's GREAT!!  I made a double batch this week -- and I thought of you... my blog readers... I bet you'd love this recipe too!  °Ü°  So you know me... I love to share.


We eat it on yogurt, or as cereal... or just plain, actually -- it makes a great snack!!


5 cups of quick oats -- OK -- so I use the old fashioned oats I get from the co-op
1/2 c dry milk
cinnamon - I put tons on
3/4 c brown sugar
1/3 c EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
1/3 c honey


You can add almonds or nuts of your choice, or dry fruit, or flax seed.  I had nothing exrra -- so I added nothing.   OK -- so I had flax seed, but I was too lazy to grind them.


In a baking pan, mix oats, dry milk, cinnamon, nuts or flax seed, if you choose.


In saucepan mix brown sugar, EVOO and honey.  Bring to a boil, pour over dry mixture, stir well.


Then bake in 350° over for 20-25 minutes ( or longer).  Stirring about every 5 minutes.  To help me with this -- since I am easily distracted... I use 2 timers.  Yes I do too.... quit laughing - but my granola doesn't get burned that way... so there.  


Take out of oven add dry fruit pour out unto waxed paper then cool.  .  Store in airtight container.


It will take about 20 minutes to crunch up... but it will.  Don't eat it all while it's gooey -- it's even better crunchy.  LOL


So -- now tell me how you use granola?  Do you make your own?  What do you add to it?  


ENJOY!!  We love this recipe and hope you will too.


Thanks Debra.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Danielle's 6th Birthday


Danielle turned 6 this year... so you know what THAT means.  She got to have a friends party.  Really crazy -- when I started that rule, I had like 1 kid.  So I never dreamed we'd have a kids party at our house only 2 weeks apart... but that's is what happens when one turns 10 on 08/31 and one turns 6 on 09/15.  THAT my friend is 2 weeks apart.  That is why I haven't blogged about it yet... I'm just now recovering from that much activity in such a short time.  LOL  

They DIDN'T even attempt to swim in September... the water was COLD... so they just ate ice cream cake instead.  LOL  She wanted Subways from Subway - of course, and a DQ Ice cream cake.  A totally CHOCOLATE ice cream cake.  That's my girl... it was delicious.   We normally do a normal home made cake, like you saw that Milo's was.  But for friends parties... we splurge.  In only do them when they are 6, 10 and 16... so you know... that's spread apart... right?  :sigh:  Just about broke the bank... but that's ok... how often do we have a friends party anyway?  I've already figured that the next one will be in 2 years... when Wayne turns 6... then 4 months later when Milo turns 10.  LOL  Look at that... 2 more again in the same year... at least it won't be 2 weeks apart.  Oh wait... 2 more years... Tori will turn 16... in August.  June, Aug., and October... friends parties.  I'd better start saving NOW.  

WHO THOUGHT OF THIS RULE ANYWAY??  Me...

But you know what?  All I have to do is look at that grin on that little girl's face up above and it's all worth it.  Right?  Right.  

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Milo's Birthday

Please ignore the pudgy woman in the video -- I'm not sure how she got in my dining room.  

Milo turned 8 on the 17th.  I'm such a spacey mother that I only put 7 candles on his birthday cake.  What is wrong with me??  See -- I told you yesterday I didn't want my kiddos to grow up -- I'll just put less birthday candles on their cake every year -- see if that keeps them from getting older.  I doubt it.

Well Grandpa and Grandma... enjoy the singing.  (Especially loved Wayne's, "And any more.")


Untitled from Jennifer J. on Vimeo.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Mansel's Party


Mansel turned 10 this summer.  We have friends parts at ages 6, 10, and 16.  So -- he got to have a friends party.  He was so happy.













We have a swimming pool... "easy peasey... we'll have a pool party", I thought.  Just so happens it was FREEZING that day in August.  We had the weirdest summer weather this year.  So... they just did a polar plunge and then played around a bit.  One boy played in that COLD water for a really long time.  Maybe too long?  He was practicing floating... his mother would be proud... isn't he doing a great job?  




Several friends brought  their appetites.  We had pizza, chips, dip, gatorade and ice cream cake from the DQ.  It was a BLIZZARD cake... oh my heavens.  They are delicious!  


Other friends brought their air-soft guns.  They shot at targets until the pizza was done cooking.  Then Mansel opened presents.  After that he took his new air-soft gun outside and joined the fun shooting at targets.  


I'm pretty sure Mansel had a good time.  I can't believe he is 10.  Something I noticed about him tonight... while we were watching football -- he could make intelligent comments about what was happening during the game.  :sigh:  I just am NOT OK with the fact that my kids are growing up.  I want them to remain babies... until they are about 21... then they can immediately grow up and leave me in peace.  LOL... I know -- won't happen.  So -- if they must grow up -- let's celebrate with some pizza and ice cream. °Ü°

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Sing With Me

I get to see my Sister
On Wednesday
On Wednesday
On Wednesday
I get to see my Sister
On Wednesday Afternoon!!

La la la la la laaa etc...

Woo Hoo!!

Monday, October 12, 2009

10 Free Tests

These are not your vision test, or your driving test, or your speed test... But they are free...if you are in the market for such a thing.

Just thought I'd be nice and share... some day you can come back here and let us know if you passed the test or not.  ;)

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Are we HomeschoolED or HomeschoolERS?? You decide

My friend AMBER (who is a Public School Teacher) says, "You mock yourself... so we feel free to do it too."  (or something like that).  I think we are HomeschoolED...




But will you let me know if we are HomeschoolERS!!?? I have a few friends who may buy our coulottes and camo from us.

Friday, October 9, 2009

FREE $200 Gift Card


I bet you thought I was going to give away a gift card... I'm too cheap for that.  Sorry --

Wowza!!  Here is a girl, and her name is Stephanie.  I don't know her from Adam... but she is giving away a $200 gift card to Best Buy.  

I don't really need anything from Best Buy... but I'll take it anyway.

You know me... I love free things.

If I blog about it -- I get a 2nd chance. So - I'm just using you readers... I'm using you to get a 2nd chance to win something free.  Isn't that horrible??  Why do they ask us to be so deceitful?  Well -- I'm just gonna tell ya -- straight out.  I'm using you to get a 2nd chance to win $200.

How does that make you feel?

After you tell me... head on over to Stephanie's at Totally Together Reviews and sign up for YOUR chance to win the gift card... then you can blog about it and get a 2nd chance.  LOL  Unless you are my friend BETH who only reads blogs and doesn't actually HAVE a blog... then you only get one chance.  (I've been nagging  telling her to get a blog - so I'LL have something to read!)  °Ü°

Oh, I lied -- you can twitter about it... or what ever it is that you call it.  You know -- that place where all the twits gather.  I don't twitter.  It used to be a bad thing to be called a TWIT... now everyone must want to be called a twit while they twitter... who knows?  Not me.  So -- I won't get three chances to win, because I'm not a twit.  But if you are -- then you can have even more chances of winning.

What are you doing here still reading???  Go sign up.  You've only got until November 15th.



If you read only the BOLD and ITALIC words... it can read as quite funny, actually.  If you don't have anything better to do...

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Bow the Knee



THIS is my favorite Bow the Knee song!! (by Ron Hamilton)

I'm going to sing the other version with my friends from church -- I can't wait!! Beth, Tanya and I will be singing the OTHER Bow the Knee. (by Chris Machen and Mike Harland)

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

1989 CHS Football Team Remembered... some more.

FIRST -- there was an assembly. They honored the team... those who could still fit in their old jersies wore them... the rest let their kids wear them. LOL Or their wife -- I wore Dan's. First time I ever did that. I think his girlfriend wore it in 1989, and I wasn't his girlfriend then. I washed it first... got rid of those ex-girl friend cooties.

Each player got introduced... the current football team stood in honor of them. I'm a sap -- I thought that was so COOL!

We got to hang out with the team and EAT. This is Mr Cain... from Cain Super Sires. No lie. We ate some of that pork... and it's good eatin, I tell ya.

What do you think they are doing here? Can ya guess??? Watching tapes... tapes of the old games. Oh me.. it was funny. There were shouts of "WHO'S FLAG WAS THAT??? " A long touch down run... only to not count because of a flag thrown. It was FUNNY!! These grown men can remember minute details of those games played 20 years ago. I'm so glad my man has good memories to talk about, with good friends. We still get together with the Lanes, pictured in the rust colored sweat shirt. We see Mr. Milledge some too... he is critiquing the game with Dan here.


The wives wanted pictures of course... so we gathered them around. Coach Hoskins was crazy leader of the team. He is a good motivator! They let him sit in the chair. They were having fun!

Do they look like a football team? Sure they do... good job guys!! You can be proud of your effort!

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

1989 CHS Football Team Remembered

I must confess... when Dan starts talking about his
football days... my eyes glaze.

Oh come on... am I the only wife that does that?
In fact -- I've been known to call my dear husband Al Bundy.

Friday -- I got an education on my husband's football career. His team in 1989, was the first team to get the the State Champion play offs for his school. The First EVER! Wow... how exciting. "they" say that their team lit a fire and started a tradition of excellence in football at Chariton. How cool is that?


1989 Chariton High School Football Team Honored from Jennifer J. on Vimeo.

Friday we went as a family to the CHS Homecoming Assembly, where the team was honored, then we went to the parade, then ate dinner with the team mates who came back home to remember, and then on to the football game. One of the coaches said he will get out the 1989 tapes to show the current team, so they can see what it takes to be a winning team.

I'm glad they kiddos got to see their dad in his prime. Honored, remembered, lauded, praised! What fun. The video is long, but it's mostly so his kids and I can remember this day.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Hair Cuts

My girls got hair cuts.

Dani was the first. She has been begging to have her hair cut like Fran's -- the organist at our church. So -- I did it. I googled "how to cut short hair." Found the word pixie... and then went from there. Apparently Pixie is what it has been called for a while... a friend from church said her mother gave her a Pixie hair cut and she didn't much like being called a "young man."

When I asked Dani about that she said, "I don't care -- I like short hair." We need to call her Danielle to strangers... because if she is wearing her soccer gear and this pixie do... it's hard to tell sometimes.

To me her face is so beautiful, that I would never confuse the issue... but I'm her mommy! Ü


Then there is Tori -- she saw Dani's cute cut... she wanted one too. So -- her long locks are long gone, and she's a pixie too. I really like it. Much faster to get "done".
Here Tori, Milo and Mansel are pictured wearing their dad's old High School t-shirts and jersies. #34!! Go Chargers!!

Tomorrow -- you can see the video of the 1989 CHS Football team being honored at the 2009 Homecoming Assembly in Chariton. Pretty neat.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Blog Recommendation

I have friends that like to READ blogs, but don't like to blog themselves. I understand that -- so I'm doing the readers a favor today. If you are a reader... you need to check this one out.

PrairieFrog Blog... one of my favorites. This week she posted some AWESOME pictures of treasures her children found.

If you read her blog -- don't forget to comment -- I know... bloggers love comments. °Ü°

Friday, October 2, 2009

Do Not Call

Just a reminder...

We recently got a new home phone number.

This winter when Dan's hours got cut we tried to find ways to cut spending. So we decided to eliminate our home phone and the internet and only use cell phones. WELL... IowaTelecom came out with a great deal. $30 for high speed internet and a free home phone line. Crazy cheap, if you ask me.

So we are reducing our cell phone minutes and getting internet at home again.

With this new home phone number came TELEMARKETERS!!! It was amazing how soon they started.

You know -- you hear the weird pause... then they start talking a mile a minute before you can hang up on them.

With one young man this week I said, "Are you a telemarketer?"

He replied... "Well -- sorta."

I said, "Oh, you know I'm not interested."

He replied, "Yeah - I know," and laughed. I laughed with him and said, "I'm sorry."

LOL!!!

So I came looking today for the "Do Not Call Registry"... found it... thought I'd share it. It's permanent now... remember it used to be good for only 5 years. Well -- now it's for.eh.vah! Poor guys...

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Yet Another Colorado Moose

Since we don't have moose in our backyard in Iowa -- we find the Colorado moose so facinating. Ignore the commentary -- better yet... shut your sound off... unless you find bathroom talk hysterical. :rolls eyes: Boys...

Drinking/Eating Moose in Colorado Lake from Jennifer J. on Vimeo.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Good Fences Make Good Neighbors


Milo is a country boy. He climbed this good fence that Grandma and Grandpa Phillips have around their yard and asked...

"What do people have fences for?"

Funny...
Fences are not for spying on neighbors with Milo... not for spying.