Fall

This is a couple weeks ago at the zoo. It was a beautiful day probably 75 degrees. I was looking at the pictures and it was weird because all the leaves were on the ground and the kids are wearing short sleeves. Unusual for Wisconsin.

Free kids meals

I was just thinking if there was any restaurants that would have free kids meals on Halloween and I got an email today from Texas Roadhouse.

Join Texas Roadhouse this Friday for a Spooky Halloween Celebration! Bring in your little ghosts and goblins to fill up on Hand-Cut Steaks and Award-Winning Fall-Off-The-Bone Ribs before a night of trick-or-treating.

Kids that come dressed in their Halloween costumes will receive a free Kids' Meal.* Offer valid on 10/31/2008 only. Minimum purchase of one adult entree per free kids meal required, Ranger Meals excluded

Halloween The Incredibles

Dash-Violet-JackJack



We had a great Halloween but it was very windy making it very cold. We had a really busy day. Rylee really didn't like her wig. Ayden was really funny with her mask. She liked wearing it. We went trick or treating around the neighbor and then to church to watch a veggie tales movie. Ayden won the costume contest for most unusual toddler costume.

Addi turned 2

Ayden was invited to her first birthday party. Addi turned 2 and had a chuckecheese party. Ayden had so much fun as did Rylee and Mason. Unfortunately Ayden blew out Addi's candles for her.

I have a new "man" in my life that I rescued from death row

This is Yoda (previously known as Reggie). We have been looking at getting a new dog. I look at Petfinder.com all the time. Darren was really trying to talk me into a big dog and I just didn't want to do that right now in our life. I love big dogs but I just didn't have the time to deal with one. I also didn't want a puppy, once again the time thing.

So anyway, I went to meet "Reggie" to see what his temperament was. We tried him out for a night and saw that he got along with Maggie (she ignores him) and he wasn't too needy or hyper.

He is so ugly that he is cute. And his ears made us think of the perfect name.

The ladies at the rescue organization and awesome for all they do for animals. They go to Chicago and get dogs off death row(about to be euthanized) and rescue them. In fact when I met the ladies to give them money, they had just come from Chicago with 30 animals in the back of their van.

We are working on house training him (he is doing surprisingly well, way better than a puppy).

A good Fall salad to try

Super easy and very fall tasting.

1/2 cup unsweetened apple juice
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 tablespoons canola oil
4-1/2 teaspoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Dash ground nutmeg
1 medium red apple, chopped
1 medium green apple, chopped
6 cups torn green leaf lettuce
6 cups torn red leaf lettuce
Directions:
In a large salad bowl, whisk the first 10 ingredients until blended. Add apples; toss to coat. Place lettuce over apple mixture (do not toss). Refrigerate; toss just before serving. Yield: 12 servings.

from taste of home website

Freecycle---Why I love it

I love freecycle.

It is the best way to get rid of stuff. Once I decide to get rid of something, I post it and usually it is taken from my front porch in two days. I don't have to go to goodwill I just put it in a bag and it's gone.

I decided I wanted my media holder (dvd's) gone and it was in two days. Darren just moved it on my porch.

Also reading peoples "wants" helps me to go through my junk and give it to someone who needs it.

Plus things stay out of the landfills...

housing market

I have wondered who the people are losing their houses. On Nightline the other night they showed a family in this situation. If you have a chance to watch it i will post the link. The article (video clip) is called Underwater Mortgages.

http://abcnews.go.com/nightline

This to me is craziness. A full time student took out a mortgage for $300+. These are the people that we are going to be helping out with their mortgages...That's a joke!!

Day at Green Meadow Farm with Mason's class

We had a really great time at a farm about 45 minutes away. The cutest was the piglets. Mason wimped out and wouldn't milk the cow. Pictures to be posted soon.

30 POUNDS!

I can't believe it but I finally lost thirty pounds. I have been doing weight watchers since January and all summer I have been so close to 30 and today I finally did it. This is photo is from last October. I am down 3 sizes. I have about 17 pounds until goal.

Toliet Seat

I am very tempted to post a picture on here but I am not going to!! You are welcome. WHY OH WHY does my son get poop on the toliet seat? Or should I say HOW OH HOW? It's not just a little bit, it is smeared all over!!!! I am sorry but I don't get it. I am going to make him scrub the toilet when he gets home but I don't even understand how or why??? (Then I will really scrub it) It's so gross to go into the bathroom and see that. Rylee would have never done anything like that?! These boys are another breed. Does anyone know how much those toliets are at the airport (ohara) that have the covers that automatically come out? I think I need to invest in one. I think they flush too...don't get me started on that one.

school projects--why I don't like them

I don't like the pressure of having to let the kids do the project yet the teacher expecting it to be good. Not a big fan of homework in general...they've got the kids all day long for crying out loud...and these projects are the worst. At least Rylee gets excited about them and it's not like I am pulling teeth to get her to do them. Rylee has to do a time line and they have given us several weeks but I just wanted to vent on how much I dread them. Thanks I feel better!! Actually I will feel better when the project is done.

Things that bring me joy....restaurant.com

Have you tried restaurant.com? I suggest that you try it. Darren and I like to go to Wine Knot in Kenosha and you can get gift certificates for $25 and you pay $3. There is a slight catch. You have to spend $35. I have done it several times and have gotten tons of food for $12 or so. Last night it was a little more but we each got a "little plate" and then a "big plate". Oh and I got macademia nut crusted halibut and it was SOOOOO good.

Olan Mills

We got our pictures taken for the church directory today. The pictures didn't take too long but they weren't that great. Ayden pretty much looked like a deer in headlight and Mason looked silly but Rylee did a great job. I liked what I picked for the kids to wear so I took some pictures of them on the front steps.

Today was the Oprah Show!!

Today we had a great time at the Oprah show. It was a really neat experience. We got to see an show with Dr. Oz and walked away with a book and a box of nuts. Tracy drove up for just the afternoon and Sara and I drove down. It was a great day away from the everyday.

Harley girl

I tried to get Ayden picture by the pumpkin and she wanted to sit on this Harley trike that was Mason's. The black boots make the picture!!

Things that bring me joy---McDonalds monopoly game

I admit it I am a sucker for those little monopoly pieces. I collect them every year and I am totally suckered into getting the bigger fries and drinks,etc in order to get more of them. I don't know how many years they have been doing it but every year I collect the pieces like I am gonna win big. I even had a mcskillet burrito today (which I hate and had probably a zillion calories) in order to get more pieces. Anyway, I am lovin it...

Racine Children's Theater Play

Yesterday we saw the new Racine Theater Children's play. It was based on a Kevin Henkes book. It was one of the best ones I have seen. Anyone else go?

Starbucks-hot chocolate

Oh my goodness. I had a free sample of the new hot chocolate at Starbucks. It was so good. It taste like I was eating a chocolate bar. They have different flavors that I am definitely gonna try!

Come take a load off

On my new couch...I have to share another Mason story...

Darren saw him jumping on my new couch so he said he needed to clean it with the special cleaner as a punishment. Afterwards Darren asked him where he thought all the dirt came from and he said "From us and all the people that come lay on it naked."

As if people just come in off the street and sit on our new couch naked. Just so you know we don't sit on the couch naked and if we have you over, you can take your shoes off but keep on your clothes please!

my fellow couponers---

You need to run not walk to Kmart with your coupon box. There are many awesome deals to be had...including free toothpaste, anyone need any I got 5 tubes!! Seriously, coupons are doubled up to $2. I will post the deals I got tomorrow. Right now I am tired from spenting FOREVER looking for deals.

coupons i used
vaseline lotion 3.29 -1.50 coupon doubled -1.50 = .29
Suave deodorant 1.79 -.75 coupon doubled -.75 = .25
Colgate toothpast 3.29 - 1.50 coupon doubled 1.50 =.29
2 hunts pudding cups 2.00 - .75 coupon doubled .75 = .50 for 2
Glade carpet sprinkle 2.19 - 1.00 coupon doubled 1.00= .19
Dove shampoo 3.99 -2.00 coupon doubled 2.00 = 0.00
Dynamo detergent 2.50 - 1.00 coupon doubled 1.00 =.50
plus more.....

40 items for $28

something to look forward to

can't wait until Tuesday!

Goodbye summer!

I am sorry to say that Cokes are no longer $1 at McDonalds. I am gonna have to go through a slight little detox.