Working in the Basement!-Going to be a late post!

Hey all-Whoever is out there in blog land! I pray you are having a great day! I got started a little slow-decided to wrestle with my son and look at Ranger Rick magazines. Maybe it was the rain that was coming but I was kinda tired today!

So I am working on the basement picking up insulation from Doug working down there, sweeping, Clorox some things, cleaning bathrooms, clothes then yes attacking the closet. (ANYTHING BUT THAT but I know it needs doing) Thinking of the Sweet Treasures in getting it done. Its going to be a late post. I will announce winner of the Pampered Chef combo special later on!!! Sorry-it will force me to clean!

Bye Now!

Don't forget to sign up fpr giveaway! Deadline is Thursday night!! see image below!

Take the Spiritual Challenge!

Hey All-just want you all to check out my pastor's blog from this week. It is about a 21 day spiritual challenge. I have ideas but still praying on what to do... so go here to read his blog on changing habits for the good! Sometimes I'm good for a few days but when there is no one be accountable to old ones work back in. Let's try it!

Also-I have real people comin' to my house this Sunday. I invited the in-laws over for a fixin'! Pray for them! I need to do better about opening up my house more-so I thought I would change a habit and try for once a month for Sunday company. I also heard this is a great tip for keeping your house up..Crystal from money saving mom invites someone over once a week to keep the house in order! Worth a try and good fellowship!

Pray you have a good day!

Treasures of the Heart! A Mom so Proud! Plus Give Away picture is posted---SWEET- please post by Thursday Night!

Ok you will have to excuse me today, I know I share more often then I should when my children aren't exactly the 99.9 % angels that they are..so I am sharing a positive today! Yes, your eyes are adjusting to the picture, it is a Scooter (sideways) and make-up set. This is part of my treasures for the week! This is why I knew cleaning out the closet was the right thing!!!

I thought I had the treasures all summed up on Friday until the Awana store came about tonight at AWANAS. After cleaning the closet on Friday, I found almost $60 AWANA Dollars in bags stashed in the closet or hanging on the coat racks. If you have girls, you know bags are very important and used alot. If you are wondering what AWANA dollars are, the girls earn AWANA dollars at church on Sunday Nights for Bible memorization! With this money, they can shop at the Awana Store (full of goodies) that the church sets up quarterly. This is a great program sponsored buy our church, go here for more information. So, guess what Sunday nights theme was...the Awana Store! (with $60 extra dollars). It is wonderful and "cringe-ful " all at the same time. Again..EACH DOLLAR REPRESENTS MEMORIZED SCRIPTURE! WOW! Love it! PRAISE! Cringe-ful part-that more toys coming home. So I started praying all weekend. Lord, help the girls make good decisions and show them what to do. Abby for example had $90 dollars-thats alot of toys we are talking! (She was sick for the last store).

When preparing for AWANAS on Sunday, we thought about the family (single mom who has four children that go to Callaway) who's house burned down a few weeks ago. One was in Abby's class and the other is in third grade! Could this be something? Well look what the girls purchased for this family! The scooter was $50 (for Abby's friend) and the make up was $16 (for the third grader)-they were so proud, parents were proud. My TREASURE was seeing the girls sacrificing their wants and respond to the needs of others. A small BIG victory during the season of parenting! Little do they know there is some leverage with this for at least a few days (ha-ha).

The other treasure I had to write about it that I have 5 "gently used"-like that Terry?-coats for Twin Oaks Coat Drive that will begin soon . Its part of the Holy Week activities that the Children's Committee is working on. So start looking for some coats! Is there something in your closet could help someone else? Just start looking-little did I know it would be so many treasures!

Matthew 6:21 "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Thanks for reading! More Treasure posted to the left! Have a great Monday!

In Christ -Becky

Give Away for last week and this Week-Combo special!

Pampered Chef and Walmart Special!!!!

My long time friend Mary (& favorite Pampered Chef consultant) sent this picture (last Friday) of the coolest gloves she wanted to give away for Company's Comin'. I have tried and can't figure out how to get the blog to accept it. They are pink kitchen gloves with some polka dots at the trim on top! Cutest Gloves on the block!!! They were part of the Help Whip Cancer promotion in 2008. A donation was made from the sale of these gloves to fund Breast Cancer Research. Double thumbs up! This item is no longer available but new pink products will be coming out soon! I am throwing in a $5 dollar gift card to Walmart to go with it for this week! When Doug gets home I'm going to pick his brain for help on this again!

Need any pampered Chef? I just ordered an ice cream scoop! I have purchased them for family memebers and it can cut through the hardest ice cream, it was my turn now! If you do here's the Link to her website! Thanks Mary for your donation!

Thank you for checking out my blog!

Open House #6- Feel Like I am nesting~

The Living Room Closet-I know the Videos need help but its Little Luke Proof being up high!

The Kids Bathroom-both medicine cabinets are cleared out! Don' t want to know what those boxes are for! "This town needs an _____"-Penguin from the movie Batman!

Girls Hairbow box! Trying to be patient as Abby grows out her bangs. She wants Crystal Gayle Hair-Bless Her heart!

I know its doesn't look like the basement closet or Lukes' Room-but its what I felt like I needed to do. Sure I said, another week not doing the basement --You know I'm crying..NOT!!! We had news this week that the kitchen wall is coming down and floor will be torn up and soon. I just don't know the date yet..I will have to be ready in a moments notice. So I thought I better get some areas cleaned up ready so they can work! I am late posting but was still in organizing mode so I was going with the FLOW! I didn't want to stop the momentum. If its' here then we were keeping it going? You know that feelin! Luke was a trooper and having a ball with it and we still had several little time slots to play, dance, eat and snuggle!

I am learning it is a blessing to staying at home. As a stay at home mom for about 5 years, I was gone a lot. I give thanks that God showed me how wonderful it is to try to make an effort to be at home at least three -four days a week! I was worried about not going to the Y as much and my exercise but when I stay home I work hard doing Step Aerobics (up and down the stairs) playing ball with Luke and Squats with the dusting and picking up. It is also a blessing I'm snacking less on those days so it all works out!

I have lots of good treasures-sorry I didn't post as much this week. I pray you have a great day. I am excited the hubbie comes home today! He's had a LONG Week of meetings so the fam and I are getting ready for his return!

Love to all! Thank you for visiting!

Give away will post when I can figure out how to transfer Picture!

Sorry for the delay-Mary sent me the pic last Friday and I was just trying to get it up and I can't. Any advice on how to do this. I want for you all to see this before I say what it is..its too cute and just perfect Pampered Chef for Company's Comin! I'll keep trying! Sorry!

Treasures in being Flexible!

Yes..I know its late Tuesday and I was supposed to post yesterday but it just didn't work that way. Did I get all the Laundry done, I know you were on the edge of your seat all Weekend..HAHA. The answer is no. I am down to Laundry baskets and I am happy with this. It's good to have goals where would we be with out them.Saturday I was gone all day playing cupid and birthday partying with Granddad! Sunday was busy with church, Awanas etc. Where did the weekend go? Yesterday, was a bank holiday but the hubbie and I ran some errands-(can I call that a date?) then we got Doug ready for a work trip plus he took the laptop so I have to wait till later hours to write this week. So here I am. Like last week with the stomach bug, what I thought would get done didn't. So I found that I need to be flexible and that is ok! God's way is much better!

After struggling last week with what to do after SICKFEST-do I do the basement or Luke's room. It was Thursday night and I decided it was Luke's room the next am. Friday morning, it was nap time and I had it all planned out to work in his room during this time with setting the pack-n-play up in the girls room. WRONG-my plan didn't mesh with Lukes' SICKFEST turned into SCREAMFEST! I give up! Back in his bed he went. Ok Lord, What do I do? The Open area of the Basement came to mind-ok show me what to do Lord! Have no clue what to do! I had 2 hours, I felt I had made the right decision because I found a ceramic valentine plate that Doug's mom or grandma made. So we washed it up and set it on the table for love day! God is Good and the basement is done!

It's good to schedule but be flexible to His Will! See the treasures He has in store for you!

Look for the other treasures! Thanks for reading!

Stomach Bug Laundry Pile! Before Shot!

Cleaninging the Basement-A work in Progress!
Yes those are Deer Heads in the back waiting for a home!

Welcome to OPEN HOUSE #5! Happy Love day! Its not what I had in mind but what came about! First the Stomach has hit two of my children this week, just finishing up last night! Many of you asked for a before shot of one of my projects and here it is! Can you believe? Did I do any laundry this week..YES..at least Three LOADS everyday and ran them through twice. Do you ever feel like sometimes you can't get ahead? That was me this week but realize my blessings to have healthy children and know that there are moms (and dads) who don't and have to do this every day! Bless them! So I will show you the complete clean laundry area on Monday cause children are a treasure and so are WASHING MACHINES AND DRYERS!!! What did women do before Electricity? I thought about that this week!

So what was I going to organize this week..and this is what I felt God telling me to work on. Maybe not the closet but I had 1 1/2 hours to work on straightening this area-plus you get to see my ceiling! It's almost done! We are going to have 700 square feet of play room-AMEN! Praise and thanks Darryl!

So thats it-I pray everone has a great weekend! Congrats to Mimi for the CVS Gift card! I will announce the giveaway for this week maybe later on today-just waiting on the pic from MY BUDDY AND PAMPERED CHEF CONSULTANT MARY HENNIG! Mary has a valentine giveaway for you! Stay tuned....

If you want to read a great devotion on what to do during these uncertain times go here!

Happy Love Day!
We are going to try the basement closet again this upcoming week!

Open House #5---Laundry Pile and Staighten Basement!

Pineapple Enchiladas & the Diva Cup

What a great combination! Hahahahah

I was kinda skeptical about the pineapple enchiladas but to the family's surprise they were yummy! A keeper says my hubbie. Here is the recipe if you want to try it. I have been trying to make meals with stuff that is in pantry and this came up at all recipes. God provides! Please read the reviews, someone recommended less pineapple than the entire can and I also added canned chicken and canned peppers. On the side note, I will probably not make it for a while cause the stomach bug is going on in my house and well...I had to clean up after Luke alot last night. You get the point. :-)

The Diva Cup??? Has anyone heard of this? I was reading the Grocery Cart Challenge and she is giving away this for that time of the month. Anyone used this? Looks safe and looks like a good investment-goodbye to the other stuff!

I need prayer for the basement-my attention has been turned away from it this week. I have only spent 30 minutes on it-much more to go!

have a blessed day!

Becky

Menu Planning and Grog. Shopping Day!

Well..I went over budget for the week but hanging in there for the month. I had to buy something for the basement, vitamins and over spent at Kroger. I will try for next week. I look at it this way-at least I'm thinking about staying on budget target. I worked soooo hard on it. Love going to Kroger at 11 am on Mondays--got manager's specials on milk, cheese, yogurt and clearance bread. We don't mind and even freeze the milk for my next baking day.

Even though I had a hard time staying within (I keep telling my hubby to give me cash to shop)-he likes the plastic because we get bucks back on it at Christmas! I guess I rely on that cushion and Mackenzie hasn't been able to go and keep me accountable. At least I'm not in a pickle like Gayle is at The Grocery Cart Challenge . Feed a family of 6 on $38.00 this week? Wow! If she can go this I can stay on line next week. It will be neat to see what God provides for her!

I have been menu planning for a year now, it helps me sooo much. Learning to plan meals that are on sale and not what I was thinking of making. So here is what the Masons will be eating this week.
Monday: Yes, Good Ole Sloppy Joes , potatoes, Peas and Fruit!
Tuesday: Pineapple Enchiladas from All Recipes, bean/corn mix, fruit
Wednesday: Hamburgers (finishing up gift from Omaha Steaks), Broccoli Slaw and fruit
Thursday: Beef and Tomato Soup with crackers..fruit
Friday: Chicken and Bratwurst skillet dinner ..love day dinner.. with veggie mix and fruit
Sat. Take Granddad out for B-day dinner-
Sunday: Ham/swiss cheese rolls and whatever is left for veggie (potatoes) Fruit

Do you menu plan? I know some of you do. Any perks you would like to share! At least you know whats going on in advanced. I do not miss the days of "what am I going to fix" everyday.

Have a good one!

Becky

Filling the Love Buckets: Stawberries and Sacrifice!

Produce Hit at 40 West Food Faire: Strawberries on Sale for $1.25 a Bucket :-) WOW-Get your strawberries for love week-what are some things we can do with those???? Here's one -family friendly :-) go here -thanks Sue Woods for this!
oranges: $1.99, tomotatoes .79 lb, Apples $2.00 don't miss out!

Food Lion: Huggies for yes..$4.50 each (thanks coupons) , cake mix $1.00 each, I love Arnold bread $1.99-no preservatives, some Gerber graduates for free- Off to Krogering tomorrow. Yes, even WALMART. I've been trying to stay away but after pricing for a month there are things I can get in there cheaper! I have $60 bucks left to spend for week in Groceries-Let me be accountable!!!!!! I will let you know.


Its Love Week..Day one!
I am back in motion and feelin good-much better than last week. Who was that person??? I'm getting back into my schedule and morning routine, including devotionals first, making a list and getting busy. This weather has sure helped alot too, Doug and I spent Saturday working on the basement and doing some more cleaning up! Slowly its coming. We even started pricing floor options for kitchen, living room and hall-in between cleaning up from the stomach bug. Yuck- But I'm am thankful for all that I have and going to try to do something everyday to spread the Love!! For 15 minutes can I make a sacrifice of my time and energy for someone else this week-maybe even someone I am having a hard time feelin' the love from? So do you have someone that needs their love bucket filled?

Have a good day and for all you Rocky Mount Folks don't miss the strawberry sale at 40 west!!! Fill those Buckets!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDDAD

Sorry No-open House today!

Big Sigh.....No Open House today sorry.

First-I have had a time with the Heater this week in the basement. It wouldn't work for me at all...and let me just tell you how cold it is down there. Unless you are wrapped up in a blanket you can't stand it. I'm a little behind in the laundry for this too-So hopefully I can figure this thing out!

Second-I must be part BEAR cause all I want to do is hibernate/sleep this week. I am in bed by 9-9:30 and can't get up till 6 ish. I have been up with Luke the last few nights, do not know what is up with this. Been taking the vitamins getting protein-who knows-need more sun syndrome thing?

Third-on my way to the Doctors this am to take Luke to the Doctors with his ear's. So poor thing has had a time shaking this crud since Nov. on and off.

If I can't back to the basement for next week I will go to Luke's closet upstairs in the warm.

Congrats to MIMI Boone who wins the CVS gift card!

Don't forget to buy your valentines for next week-my daughter reminded me last week she needs ones for her class-I almost forgot!

STAY Warm and set those timers

Becky

Treasures in Memories! Watch out Cosmo...here I come!

Give me a T..Give me R..Give me an E..A S U R E S....Yes, I put my old 5th Grade Cheerleading Team Photo and my scary passport to Great Britain in High School. 9th Grade?? I was having issues then, I ended up shaving the back of my head with the famous rat tail..too scary! Now the cheerleading team.. we were something. That was fun for me being aloud to be LOUD!! I remember most of the girls name in the pics--TOO Funny!

Yes, in this Open House lots of my stuff from Growing Up and Dougs I had to go through and toss out some stuff. I think my girls had more fun going through my old stuff and laughing at our pics. Abby picked out a music box that of course had the tune to Memories and Mackenzie pick out some jewlry and nick nacks. The wedding stuff too-I wish I didn't buy so much junk for this event and could have saved for my new floor in my house! Oh Well-learning all the time.

I will post some of my other treasures to the right!

Thanks and have a great day!

Treasures will be posted on Tuesday!-Don't forget to sign in for Give Away (below) this week!

Due to Superbowl Sunday and the annual Mason get together at Mema and Papa House, we will not have Treasures posted today-Sorry! We will be back in full swing tomorrow! Also..a great Love Valentines Giveaway is coming your way-stay tuned for details...!

Have a great Monday!

Becky