Farewell 2009...Happy 2010!!!

As we say farewell to 2009, I just want to say thank-you to all of the people in my life...for being people in my life.

I am so grateful for all of those who are a part of my life...either on a daily basis face to face...or to those I only have communication with via the internet.

Thank-you for being in my life.

You shape who I am.

Every single one of you...in your own way...whether you know it or not.

We all play a part in each other's life.

And I am grateful for EACH and EVERY one of you!

I am especially grateful for ALL of those whom I have gotten back into touch with via Facebook. I look forward each day to connecting with each of you. I work from home...long hours...and LOVE the connection I have with ALL of you! You mean so much to me.

I love you all.

I pray we have the best year ever!

Happy 2010!!!

Melody

Hot Beef Dip

This is a yummy dip that we make frequently for get-togethers or during the holidays. It comes courtesy of my friend Jenna.

Hot Beef Dip

8 oz. cream cheese

1 can/jar olives (black or green...your choice)

1 small onion

1/4 cup milk

1/8 tsp pepper

1 package chipped beef, chopped (such as Buddig)

With food chopper chop onion, olives, and beef. Mix together with other ingredients and bake at 350 until bubbly. Serve with crackers.

Keeping up with the Jones'...

This is my home.
I love my home.
It's not always as big as I'd like it to be. With two growing boys, and a daycare licensed for as many as twelve children...it can be cramped at times.
But I love my home. I love my location. And I feel so blessed to have my home.
When we first bought this home over nine years ago, I had a dream that I was going to move into a cute little yellow house. Sure enough, we got our cute little yellow house!
We put our home up for sale twice over the last couple years, hoping to possibly get into something bigger...but with the market the way it is...nothing happened. I can't say I'm totally disappointed. There are so many things I love about my home, and so many memories have been made here. This is the only home Nate has ever known! He was born two months after we moved here. And Evan was only four years old, so most of my boys memories have been made here in this home.
Something most of my friends know about me, is that I love watching HGTV. A couple of my favorite shows are House Hunters, Property Virgins, and My First Place. I love venturing through houses with people and seeing what's out there all over the country.
Something that I have been noticing lately though, is the "it's not good enough" attitude that so many people have.
As I watch these people stroll through these homes, their famous line is, "It needs some updating."
Ok...it's only human nature to want the best and newest out there.
But let's step back and take a look for a moment.
Is it functional?
Yes.
In most cases, these people who have their noses so high in the air are wanting to make changes that REALLY (in my honest opinion) don't HAVE to be made!
It just seems they look down their nose because the kitchen doesn't have stainless steal appliances (neither does mine). There's no granite counter tops (none in my kitchen either). There isn't tile on the floor (laminates here).
Sheesh! I guess I better get to work! I must have one of the worst outdated kitchens out there!
But...
I sit here and think...
Is it functional?
Yes.
My stove, refrigerator, microwave, and dishwasher all work. They're only around ten years old. They get the job done. They're in decent shape. What's wrong with that? Yes, there's a tiny knick in the paint on my stove. Yes, I found a little crack in the plastic vent of my microwave. They're dated. But should I go out and spend thousands of dollars to "update" my kitchen when everything works just fine? Just so I can have the up-to-date stainless steal appliances? Sure, I'd love them...they're attractive. Do I NEED them? No. Would that be a SMART financial decision. No.
My floors aren't REAL hard wood...they're laminate. Would I like tile? Yes. My counters aren't granite. Would I like that? Yes. Should I drain my account to remodel my kitchen? No. I don't think that would be smart. Everything works...it gets the job done. It's clean. And I think I maintain an attractively decorated kitchen.
The carpet...worn.
The guest bathroom...could be updated.
The walls...could use a fresh coat of paint.
Sure...there are things I could do.
Some...yes, I will.
In time.
As finances allow it.
I guess what irks me though, is these people who go through these homes and so much is "cosmetic". Things they can "live with" until they choose to update...but heaven forbid they live with wallpaper on the walls till they have the money to update. They turn down homes because it's not "updated" to their liking.
Sometimes I look at other people's homes...and I'll admit...the little green monster will come out (jealousy).
I'll think, "Oh I wish our house was bigger. Oh I wish my kitchen was like theirs. Oh for a big soaking tub in my bathroom." And so on.
But you know what...
My home is functional.
My home is clean.
My home is cute (in my opinion...I try).
And I am SO incredibly blessed to have it!
Forgive me, but as I look at so many people losing their homes due to the economy, and the actual homeless people out there...I just wanna smack the people who have their nose so high in the air thinking these homes are below them on these shows. Sheesh.
Will I continue to watch HGTV? Yes. I love it. I will continue to dream, get ideas, and be entertained.
But I just wish everyone could be more thankful for what they have and dream of what they can DO in the future with their home.
Don't try to keep up with the Jones'...it's not worth it.
God has blessed us with so much.
It's almost a smack in His face when we keep wanting more, more, more. It's as if we're telling Him, what He's given us isn't enough.
Be thankful.
He is so good to us.

Yes, I really am still couponing...just neglecting to blog about it, LOL!

Yes...I'm still couponing...but with the holidays...I have been neglecting to blog about all my savings. And I have to admit...along with the holidays...my savings weren't as great as I'd have liked them to be. I still couponed and got some really great deals. But you know how it is, there are always extra items at the grocery store you need for holiday cooking that you may not have a coupon for. There's always another gift you have to buy. But...I am back on track! Look out 2010 because here I come, armed with coupons!


I had a great day of shopping today. First off we started at Meijer.
Some of my really awesome deals were:


I Can't Believe It's Not Butter...regular $2.19...on sale for $1.39...used a $1.00 coupon...paid 39 cents. I was able to snag THREE of those!


Bagel Bites...regular $2.19...on sale for $2.00...used a $1.00 coupon...paid $1.00.


Charmin Ultra 12 pack...regular $7.46...on sale for $5.99...used a $1.00 coupon...paid $4.99.


Sargento Cheese...regular $2.49...on sale for $2.00...used a 55 cent coupon...paid $1.45.


Jimmy Dean Sausage...regular $3.99...on sale for $2.19...used a $1.00 coupon...paid $1.19.


Nestle Cookie Dough...regular $2.50...on sale for $1.99...used a $1.00 man. coupon on each (got 2)...stacked w/ a Meijer Meal Box coupon of Save $1.00 on two...and paid 49 cents each.


Those were the best of the best.
My tally was:
Spent: $39.52
Saved: $31.78
I love when I'm that close to saving as much as I spend!!!


Walgreens:

Cascade Dishwashing Soap...regular $5.49...on sale for $3.99...used a $1.00 on two coupon...paid $3.49.

Tuf Paper Towels...regular 79 cents...used a Walgreens coupon and got them for 50 cents each.

Walgreens honey...regular $7.49...on sale for $3.99...got two of those!

LaCross Eyebrow trimmers...regular $2.99...on sale Buy 1 Get 1 Free...PLUS I used a Buy 1 Get 1 Free coupon...SOOOOOO...I got BOTH FOR FREE!!!

My totals were:
Spent: $16.68
Saved: $17.56
I love MAKING money off the stores!


Target...

Chunky Soups were on sale for $1.50...I used a $1.50 off three coupon...so I only paid $1.00 a can...which I think is good for Chunky soups.

Puffs...on sale for $4.49...used a $1.00 coupon...paid $3.49.

My totals:
Spent: $6.76
Saved: $3.06

Christmas Day '09

We had a great Christmas Day. I think the boys loved all their gifts. I surprised the fam with matching Detroit Tigers Crocs, LOL! Couldn't resist this picture!

The boys were thrilled with their PlayStation 3. They've been enjoying the two new games Santa left with it today.

And they always look forward to their stocking stuffers. There's always plenty of goodies to be had in there. We had a lasagna and garlic bread Christmas dinner. We wanted something a little different so we enjoyed an Italian feast. I'm looking forward to munching on all the left-over goodies like cheeseball and artichoke dip later tonight, LOL! We hope you and yours had a very blessed holiday!

Merry CHRISTmas!!!

Christmas Eve '09

We hosted Christmas Eve at our house this year. After much cleaning and cooking...it was finally time to relax. We had a great time. Just posting a few of the many pictures (the rest are on my facebook). We had a major feast between myself, Jess, and mom's cooking and baking. Hot wings, cocktail weenies, meatballs, pizza rolls, chicken nuggets, spinach dip, artichoke dip, cheeseball, potato skins, chex mix, holiday wreaths, magic cookie bars, thin mints, peppermint bark, snickerdoodles, chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter balls, and much more. Here's a shot of mom and all the grandkids decorating their own personal trees. She and dad brought little trees, ornaments, and lights for all the grandkids to decorate and keep their own tree for their room.

Here's a shot of mom and dad opening one of their gifts from us. I think/hope everyone liked what they got. If not...oh well, LOL! Just kidding. It's always fun exchanging gifts with the fam.

Just me being silly...LOL!

I thought this was cute and snapped a picture...Nate and Logan playing video games together.

Mom, Raegan, and Jess hammin' it up while we played farkle. We had a really nice evening together. Good food, fun, and family!

Nate's Gingerbread House

When Nate gets his mind set on something...you're gonna hear about it till...forever. Well, the other day, he wanted to make a gingerbread house out of graham crackers. I really wasn't in the mood for the mess, but I stopped and thought, "What is the harm? It will make my baby happy. And we have all this extra candy STILL sitting around from Halloween he can decorate it with."

So, we drug everything out. I just so happened to have extra frosting sitting in the frig from our sugar cookies, so I let him use that. We dug out a bunch of candy from the Halloween bowl that no one likes or wants to eat, LOL. (I don't know why it hasn't been thrown away yet, but it came in handy!) So he gooped and gobbed his frosting on and then decorated it to his liking.

I was so happy I let him do it. Something so simple really makes a little guy's day. He was thrilled at his 30 minutes of creativity. And we had fun together. :)

Cheese Ball

My mom's cheese ball has been around for as long as I can remember at each Christmas get together. She's made it forever. And now, I have taken over making it.
So here is where the problem starts.
This year, I go out to buy all the ingredients...and it's always hard to find the little Kraft jars of Roka...but after searching in many stores, I find it.
Well, this year...after going to half a dozen stores...I still couldn't find it.
Only to look on the Kraft website and discover that their message board is CRAMMED full of THOUSANDS of angry customers complaining because Kraft decided to NO LONGER MAKE the Roka!!! Do you know how many holiday recipes are now messed up this year? I was so upset. This is the ONE treat I look forward to each Christmas.
Well...
Thankfully, someone posted a "substitution" and I'm hoping and praying it works and turns out just as well.
Many of you have asked for this cheese ball recipe so...here goes...and I hope it turns out well for you with the substitution...and my apologies if it doesn't. :(


Cheese Ball

2 jars Kraft Old English Cheese

1 jar Roka (discontinued, see substitution)
(substitution 8 oz of cream cheese mixed with 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles, mix until smooth/creamy...now because the Roka is only a 5 oz jar, you won't need all of this mixture...only 5 oz. will be needed of this mixture)

2 pkg. (8 oz each) cream cheese

small chopped onion

dash Worcestershire sauce

Mix all ingredients together, refrigerate. Form into a ball and roll into chopped pecans and parsley. Serve with crackers.

Butter Mint Pillows

So I found another new recipe I wanted to try.
Butter Mint Pillows...although I have to admit, mine look more like "patties", LOL!
They are delicious though! Practically melt in your mouth!
All credit goes to Woman's Day magazine. :)

Butter Mint Pillows

1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter
1 box (1 lb) confectioner's sugar, plus extra for dusting
2 tbsp heavy cream or milk
1 tsp mint extract
red and green liquid food coloring

In large bowl, beat butter until creamy. With mixer on low, beat in sugar, cream and extract until creamy and smooth.

Turn sugar mixture out onto a work surface lightly dusted with confectioner's sugar; knead until smooth and satiny. Divide mixture into thirds. Tint one pastel pink (2 drops red), one pastel green (2 drops green), and leave remaining portion white. Cover each portion with plastic wrap to keep it from drying out.

Line 2 baking sheets with nonstick foil. Lightly dust work surface with confectioner's sugar.

Working with one color at a time, roll out 1/4 cupfuls of the mint mixture, using your fingers, into a 1/2 inch thick rope. Cut rope into 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch pillows. Transfer mints to prepared baking sheet with a spatula...be careful, mints are soft and will squish easily. Repeat with remaining mint mixture.

Let air dry at room temperature for 1-2 days until firm enough to handle. Transfer to covered containers.

A pressie? For me?

I had a pretty rough day today...
...and we'll just leave it at that.
Rough day on the job.
So anyway...Wednesdays are always busy, chaotic, and stressful.
Not only do we work till 5:30, but most every week...all our clients are running late.
Then add to that, I swear, EVERY Wednesday, Evan will have a test in EVERY SINGLE class.
So he and Jamie are cramming and studying like crazy in order to prepare...before Jamie makes dinner...
So the we can have a quick dinner...
Before...
Rushing off to church.
Well...
Tonight, we come home from church and the light on my answering maching is flashing.
A knot in my stomach...
I swear, every night I get a message...it's generally a client asking if they can come early, stay late...(sigh)...
So...
I push the button.
And listen...
It's my Avon lady.
I think, "I don't have anything ordered..."
And she says, "Hello Melody, Just wanted to let you know I stopped by and you were gone. I left a little bag on your porch...there's a little gift there for you. I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your business and how nice it's been getting to know you."
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!
How sweet!
I totally wasn't even thinking...
She does this every year.
For the past three years, she's surprised me with a little gift!
So I go out to the porch and there's the bag.
Inside is a gift all wrapped up.
I open it and it's the most adorable snowman watch!
She's just the sweetest gal.
And this just made my day.
Sometimes after a bad day...it's just these little things that come our way to brighten things up! :)

Progress in Royal Rangers...

Tonight, Nate came home with FOUR new badges! He was so excited. Now that he's moved into his new group and started out with his new uniform vest...he's been so anxious to fill it up with badges! On the back he stacked his Deuteronomy, BGMC, and Hobby merits. And he was super proud to have finally gotten his first patch on the front...the White Falcon! We are so proud of you Natee! Way to go! Keep up the great work!

The luckiest child in the WORLD!

I swear...the joke in our family has become "Nate HAS to purchase a lottery ticket for our family!".
The child is luckier than ANY PERSON I know.
If there's a game...Nate wins.
If there's a contest...Nate wins.
If there's a drawing...Nate wins.
If there's ANY luck to be had...Nate will be the winner.
He'll get the prize.
I swear...NO LIE!
Every single time.
If we need something picked, drawn, etc...we're all like, "Let Nate do it!"



So today, here comes Nate off the bus and I see he's carrying this darling stuffed reindeer. "Look mom! Look what I won! His nose lights up!"
They had a "Winter Wonderland" drawing in the lunch room at school today.
Guess who won?
Yep.
Nate got it.
The kids in his class said, "Nate! You win everything!"
He was just tickled pink! He LOVES stuffed animals!
He named him "Rudy"...as in "Rudolph".
And so...he has one more new friend to sleep with at night. LOL!

WELL worth reading...take a moment!

This is my friend Jen.

She is one of the original gals who really got me interested in blogging.

And the other day, she wrote a WONDERFUL post (in my opinion) and I would love it, if you'd all take a moment to read it as well. It's about the age old controversy of "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays".

I think it's wonderfully well written and she speaks from her heart.

Jen is such a sweet gal...

So...

If you disagree...

Don't you be mean to her!

Or I'll come lookin' for ya!!! LOL!

Here is the link to her blog:

http://boveefamily.blogspot.com/2009/12/great-controversy.html

Surprise!

Today, one of my clients walks in with four HUGE bouquets of flowers! She further explains that her brother works in a greenhouse and always brings lots of fresh cut flowers to their family get-togethers and they had an abundance left-over after everyone took some home...so...

I got the benefit on this one! Woohoo! In she came with the most gorgeous cut flowers!

I didn't even have a vase big enough for the first set...so I emptied a pitcher I was using to store all my kitchen utensils in, LOL!

She brought these gorgeous orange and pink ones in this vase and they are just gorgeous.

Fresh cut flowers ALWAYS make my day! No matter who gives them to me! Thank-you J, E, M, and G!!! We appreciate it!

This week's Walgreens run!

I did pretty good at Walgreens this week.

I ran in and grabbed four cans of Campbell's cream soups, 2 jars of Lindsey olives, some WalZyr (Zyrtec) for Nate, two boxes of General Mills cereal, and some Dove soap. By the time I added in all my coupons and $7.00 worth of Register Rewards, I came out pretty good.

I only spent $9.69.

I saved $16.22.

Yep, I'd say I did good!

Annual Cookie Baking Day At Geeg & Papa's

Saturday we had our annual cookie baking day at geeg and papa's house. It has become a tradition that one Saturday in December we all go down and bake and decorate sugar cookies. And of course I have to have lots of pictures...which the grandkids love...NOT! LOL!

Here are some more of the grandkids/cousins.

A couple of me and Jess (my sister) in front of one of mom's gorgeous Christmas trees.

This one is one of my favorites of the two of us.

And I think I take after my Grandma Malone in the fact that I have to have one of each possible pose. Here's Jess and I with our kiddos.

And on to cookie baking! Mom always has a station set up for each cousin to roll, cut, and decorate their own dough.

Busy busy busy! Smile for a picture guys! Aunt Melly needs more!

I think Logan had frosting head to toe!

Some of their masterpieces!

And a few more!

Evan with one of his creations!

Ev wanted a picture of this little toy soldier he made before he ate it! LOL! We had such a fun day having lunch, cookie baking, visiting, and taking lots of pictures! Until next year...

What makes you smile?

The older I get...
I realize more that it's the "little" things that really make me happy.
Oh sure...
Who wouldn't love to win the lotto?
Who wouldn't love to travel extensively?
But anymore...
The older I get, the more I realize it's the little things in life that make my day and put a smile on my face.

What makes me smile...

A good candle...first pick Yankee...but hey, Glade is coming out with some pretty good ones now too. I have to say, my whole house smelled of "Creamy Custard & Blushing Apple" last night...and it was divine.

A good lipstick...the perfect color...one that lasts...one that doesn't dry your lips and keeps them moisturized...lovin' the Avon Glazewear Lip Glosses.

A clean counter-top...I love looking in my kitchen when all the dishes are clean and put away, all the mail, school papers, church bulletins, and other "junk" have found their spots and I can actually SEE my counter-tops!

Cute socks...sorry, can't help it...I love warm, thick, quality socks with cute patterns on them. My feet are always cold and there is nothing better than cozy feet.

Homemade guacamole...a new discovery of mine...discoverd I like it...found a great recipe...and I could eat it till the cows come home w/ Doritos!

Great nail polish...PLEASE, this is one I need help with...I LOVE LOVE LOVE having pretty polished nails...but in my line of work, I SERIOUSLY (no lie) wash my hands probably one hundred times a day...is there a "stay put" polish that will last through all these washings? But anywho, great nails totally rock my world!

A good haircut...there is NOTHING that boosts my self-confidence more than a great cut. When a stylist does what I tell her, offers suggestions, and gives me input on how to style...it's great. A good hair day=a happy momma.

Coupons...yes, they excited me. Call me lame. But coupons really make me smile! I don't think I've paid full price for ANYTHING since February...and it's my full intention to continue this the rest of my life!

Magazines...they totally make my day. Seeing a new magazine in my mailbox just brightens my day. If you saw the stacks and stacks of magazines I have by my bed, your mouth would drop open...but I now have so many free subscriptions, I don't have time to read them all. But I totally adore my magazines, LOL!

Pink and yellow...yes the colors pink and yellow make me smile. Especially together. I think they are beautiful together. I told my husband, if I were single and had a house on my own, there would be some shade of pink in every room of the house, LOL!

Sugarless gum...it's a "must-have" in my purse. Addiction!

Fabric softener...Silly, I know...but you try a load of laundry without it...and dryer sheets just don't cut it. When I forget to put the Downey or Snuggle in the "ball" and I get a load of "crunchy" clothes...(shiver)...it's not a good thing.

Holidays...and not just the holiday themself...but the people and places who go out of their way to decorate and celebrate EACH holiday! Valentine's Day, St. Patty's Day, Easter, July 4th, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas...I think I've got them all covered as far as decorations go...I may not have alot for some of the holidays...but hey, they all deserve their "due time". Why not have fun with it?

Fun mail...REAL mail. NOT e-mail. A real birthday card, a real Christmas card, etc...they mean so much more than an e-greeting.

Furry creatures...CATS to be specific...what can I say, they make me happy. I can have the worst day, and Oreo will climb up on my lap...and I start petting him, he lays on my lap...and the stress (temporarily) dissolves.

Accessories...yeah...shoes, jewelry, belts, scarves, purses...you name it...they're fun!

Autumn...the BEST season of the year in my opinion...the colored leaves, the pumpkins and gords, corn mazes, carving jack-o-lanterns, trick-or-treating, spiced cider, caramel apples...what's not to love!

Pictures...I'm no pro...but I take alot of pics...no one can ever say our family won't have memories captured. I get as far as posting them online, developing them to prints...but my scrapbooking skills are a little lacking. Oh well...I'm trying!

Blogging...I love it. Those who read this know. What you see is what you get. This is me. I don't share EVERYTHING. But you get alot. I say how I feel.

Coffee...latte', frappe', mocha, etc...you make it, I'll drink it!

Facebook...being able to reconnect with old friends and family...on a DAILY basis...just walking by my computer and seeing what everyone's up to...it's great.

Ya know...
I could go on forever...
But you're getting the picture...
These are the SIMPLE things that make my smile.
They make my day.
I'm a pretty simple person.
It doesn't take much to make me happy.
What makes you happy?

My "abundance"...

Today we went out and braved the blizzard.

We had so many errands to run...Meijer, Walgreens, WalMart, Old Navy, Target...I got groceries, household supplies, and also made progress on my Christmas shopping.

I got some amazing deals and saved so much today.

And after spending over 3-4 hours out in these sub-zero temperatures...I came inside after unloading the trunk of the car...and as I took all my groceries and supplies and Christmas gifts out of the bags...

I thought...

LOOK AT ALL THIS STUFF.

I am so blessed.

I was slowly warming up...

And thought...

It feels so good to be inside my warm cozy house.

And I looked at all the food and supplies on the counter...

And I thought...

My gosh...

We are so blessed.

We have so much to be thankful for.

I think it really hit me because of this frigid weather.

There are people out there who are homeless trying to stay warm tonight.

I have this wonderful warm home.

They have no food.

I have cabinets, closets, cupboards, and freezers FULL!!!

I looked at some of the gifts I bought today and felt blessed that I can be generous to people.

My Christmas gifts aren't fancy, they're not expensive...

But they are from my heart.

I try to be unique and creative.

But I still am blessed enough to be able to give during the holidays.

Even though my husband lost his job in January and my business has declined this year...

We have managed to get by...and then some.

We live on a budget...a very tight one at that.

But our needs are met...and God always provides.

We are able to pay our bills and provide for our family.

One thing that I consider a true and very real blessing...is everything I have learned from my couponing and money-saving friends and blogs.

These have been amazing gifts to me this year.

I jumped in head-first to all these couponing/money-saving blogs in February right after Jamie lost his job.

And now...

We have probably ten times the food, supplies, etc. that we ever did stockpiled for probably 50-70% less that I ever paid before!

What a blessing!

It has not only been a blessing to our family...but I have been able to share my stockpile with others.

We've been able to bless other people in need, animals at the humane society in need, our boys' school, and more!

I am so grateful to God for blessing our family...so that not only we are provided for...but so that we can bless others as well.

We are blessed to be a blessing!

Blizzard + Snow day = Cookie baking w/ the boys!

Well...two days in a row...snow days for the boys. You know it must be bad because Zeeland NEVER cancels school. We have been under this blizzard warning since last night and I just heard they are extending it from 4pm today until 6am tomorrow. Eeek! And...I GOT THE DAY OFF TOO! Everyone called in today! Woohoo! In seven years, this have NEVER happened! I am so enjoying my day off. I decided to do something fun with the boys...making sugar cookies.

They had a blast cutting out their cookies. Anymore, I do less and less for them. They did really well rolling out and cutting their own cookies.

They still need a little help getting them onto the baking sheet...as they tend to stick and break without mom's help flouring and scraping techniques.

They decided to use colored sugar on some...and frost the others.

Some of our masterpieces!

I promised them they could lick the frosting spoons after we were done. We had a fun time.

We're thinking we may go out and get some errands done now...call us crazy...but we don't have milk for our cookies! Here's to safe travels!