I love this cartoon!

What really happened on the Hudson

YES... I am alive

The Dickey's are alive and doing well. We survived the Holidays (photos below!) and a rocky BTSchool week. Our new puppy "Ridley" the Doodle Dickey is adjusting well to our chaotic home. Everyone is healthy and 2 of our 3 scheduled IEPs are behind us (and were successful!).

My coupon binder is an absolute MESS, CVS is worried about how many deals I have missed out on and my menu planning has been sketchy at best but starting today I hope to get it all cranked up again as soon we we finish our award winning Pinewood Derby car :-) wish us luck!

Thank you for all of the emails! I am amazed how many people still check-in with me and email me HOT Deals. I love a good deal. I hit the Target 75% Christmas as well as the Target 75% Toy Sale (which is still underway as some is still 30-50%, I know I am looking at some camping gear if it makes it to 75%). So if you are reading this send me your HOT Deals. I may not get them posted but if I don't I will forward them to Jodi at NeverPayRetail she is working on growing her Blog to the best on the web!

PS, If you or yours are Gluten Free - PLEASE EMAIL ME! as many of you know I have considered this for a LONG time but it is so overwhelming to me. I am looking for good Gluten Free products to try before we dive right in. I specifically need help with Pasta, Pizza Dough, Soy Sauce and Breakfast Bars and/or Cereal. Thanks!

Jim Wallis and the 2008 Elections

I think the principles put forth by Jim Wallis on the 2008 elections are well worth considering. Here is what he has to say:

“I am in no position to tell anyone what is ‘non-negotiable,’ and neither is any bishop or megachurch pastor, but let me tell you the ‘faith priorities’ and values I will be voting on this year:“1. With more than 2,000 verses in the Bible about how we treat the poor and oppressed, I will examine the record, plans, policies, and promises made by the candidates on what they will do to overcome the scandal of extreme global poverty and the shame of such unnecessary domestic poverty in the richest nation in the world. Such a central theme of the Bible simply cannot be ignored at election time, as too many Christians have done for years. And any solution to the economic crisis that simply bails out the rich, and even the middle class, but ignores those at the bottom should simply be unacceptable to people of faith.“2. From the biblical prophets to Jesus, there is, at least, a biblical presumption against war and the hope of beating our swords into instruments of peace. So I will choose the candidates who will be least likely to lead us into more disastrous wars and find better ways to resolve the inevitable conflicts in the world and make us all safer. I will choose the candidates who seem to best understand that our security depends upon other people’s security (everyone having "their own vine and fig tree, so no one can make them afraid," as the prophets say) more than upon how high we can build walls or a stockpile of weapons. Christians should never expect a pacifist president, but we can insist on one who views military force only as a very last resort, when all other diplomatic and economic measures have failed, and never as a preferred or habitual response to conflict. “3. ‘Choosing life’ is a constant biblical theme, so I will choose candidates who have the most consistent ethic of life, addressing all the threats to human life and dignity that we face — not just one. Thirty-thousand children dying globally each day of preventable hunger and disease is a life issue. The genocide in Darfur is a life issue. Health care is a life issue. War is a life issue. The death penalty is a life issue. And on abortion, I will choose candidates who have the best chance to pursue the practical and proven policies which could dramatically reduce the number of abortions in America and therefore save precious unborn lives, rather than those who simply repeat the polarized legal debates and ‘pro-choice’ and ‘pro-life’ mantras from either side.“4. God’s fragile creation is clearly under assault, and I will choose the candidates who will likely be most faithful in our care of the environment. In particular, I will choose the candidates who will most clearly take on the growing threat of climate change, and who have the strongest commitment to the conversion of our economy and way of life to a cleaner, safer, and more renewable energy future. And that choice could accomplish other key moral priorities like the redemption of a dangerous foreign policy built on Middle East oil dependence, and the great prospects of job creation and economic renewal from a new ‘green’ economy built on more spiritual values of conservation, stewardship, sustainability, respect, responsibility, co-dependence, modesty, and even humility.“5. Every human being is made in the image of God, so I will choose the candidates who are most likely to protect human rights and human dignity. Sexual and economic slavery is on the rise around the world, and an end to human trafficking must become a top priority. As many religious leaders have now said, torture is completely morally unacceptable, under any circumstances, and I will choose the candidates who are most committed to reversing American policy on the treatment of prisoners. And I will choose the candidates who understand that the immigration system is totally broken and needs comprehensive reform, but must be changed in ways that are compassionate, fair, just, and consistent with the biblical command to ‘welcome the stranger.’“6. Healthy families are the foundation of our community life, and nothing is more important than how we are raising up the next generation. As the father of two young boys, I am deeply concerned about the values our leaders model in the midst of the cultural degeneracy assaulting our children. Which candidates will best exemplify and articulate strong family values, using the White House and other offices as bully pulpits to speak of sexual restraint and integrity, marital fidelity, strong parenting, and putting family values over economic values? And I will choose the candidates who promise to really deal with the enormous economic and cultural pressures that have made parenting such a ‘countercultural activity’ in America today, rather than those who merely scapegoat gay people for the serious problems of heterosexual family breakdown.”

Mary Hunt is a WISE Woman!

Dealing With the Urge to Splurge

When they handed out compulsive tendencies, I ended up with more thanthe standard allotment. I can sit down to watch the evening news andend up owning a pasta machine. I can stop by the mall to look aroundand come out with three dresses I'll never wear, a gift I'll nevergive and several things for the garden. I see what I like and WHAM! Ithink I need it, I'm entitled to it, and pity the poor soul who triesto stop me from having it.While my compulsive tendencies will forever be part of who I am,thankfully, I have found ways to tame them.
PARENT YOURSELF. When tempted to give in to my demands to have what Iwant and have it right now, I ask myself: Would I accept from mychildren the behavior I'm about to accept from myself? Seeing mybehavior as that of a spoiled bratty kid with an intimidated parentwrapped around her little finger usually stops me dead in my tracks.
AVOID "SLIPPERY" PLACES. Alcoholics Anonymous defines a slippery placeas any situation that will provide a tempting opportunity to drink. Myslippery places are stores, television shopping channels, slickadvertisements and mail order catalogs. If I don't frequent them, I'mnot tempted.When I cannot avoid a trip to the store, I plan my route right down towhere I'll park and which entrance I'll use so I can get in and outbefore I have the opportunity to slip. I've also reprogrammed the TVso it doesn't stop at shopping channels.
MAKE SPENDING DIFFICULT. Think of all the ways our culture makesspending money so convenient: checkbooks, credit cards, debit cards,deferred payment, equity lines of credit, electronic transfers and onit goes. I choose to take the convenience out of spending. I carryenough cash to meet my needs for the day. Sometimes it's a pain, but Ido avoid many opportunities to act compulsively.
TALK TO YOURSELF. When confronted with a tempting purchase, self-talk is my lifesaver:If this weren't on sale would you still buy it? If the answer is no, Ipass. Don't you already have something that will do just as well? Iusually do. You don't have to buy this just to prove you can; no one really cares. Reality check. Go home and think about it for 24 hours.I rarely return.
DISCOVER THE CAUSE. I'm learning that many of my compulsive tendencies find their roots in my need for approval. I've also had to admit that spending money is a mood-changer, even an anti-depressant. It was not easy to admit that spending was a mask I wore to hide deeper and more serious issues. By reading good books, talking about compulsive behavior and receiving help from wise counselors, I've discovered why I do the things I do.I can't change who I am, but I've learned how to change the way Irespond. That has made all the difference.

Ok I could crack that I have enough to parent and that I already talk to myself but there is no denying that Mrs Hunt has it going on- I spend sooooooooooooo much less when I avoid shopping (except for that pesky internet children's clothing habit I had to break LOL)

Wednesday's World Wide Web from my eyes...

Lets check a few out... and PLEASE add your favorite post from the last 2 weeks!

Way More 4 Way Less is Calling all Toothbrushes - a great chance for YOU to give back!

Wise Bread writes about Why He Turns Down Free Money

The Simple Dollar has 10 Tips for making budgets successful

LoveLoud has God's reply the the Buffalo Nickel auction - so cool!

NestingPlace proves once again that it does not have to be perfect to be beautiful

Check out the ThePioneerWoman's recipes, Mmmmmmm, now that is inspiring!

Saving for our families dreams NEEDS YOUR HELP! Plus she is doing a Coupon Giveaway

Being Frugal questions... Are You Under the Influence?

What kind of shopper/consumer ARE you?

Are you an impulse shopper? Oh I am! Yes-sir-ree! I mean it totally goes against my grain to Coupon and follow Shopping Lists (ok I secretly like making list anyone around me as Black Friday nears knows this is true but I hate sticking to the list - I find it REALLY hard only buying what is on the list. I mean gourmet cheese and oreos are never on the grocery shopping list kwim?) and Budget (sigh! what is a budget, I don't want to see where all the money went that might keep me up at night!).
Don't get me wrong I get a GiddyHigh off of my savings (sumthin for nuthin!) and I try hard to not be wasteful but I really am an impulsive, impatient I WANT IT NOW kind of person. (my MFFs and my family can stop laughing - I confessed it, that is half the battle - Right?)One good thing is I fear debt (I need to fear my limited savings) otherwise I would be in a heap of trouble but the plain ole truth is there is a LOT of room for improvment. I mean I am no Dave Ramsey or Mary Hunt that is for sure! Just like my struggeling prayer life, contentment with living with in my means is a common struggle for me and one of the original goals that led me to blogging.
I read once that thrifty living does not mean "making do" it means doing what you want to do affordably. I totally do that! (meaning I afford it all, it just has been known to be a lil "creative" at times - groan!).
I used to question if I was frugal. Yes, I was/am a Fru-Gal and I LOVE a deal -I mean I really enjoy bargain hunting- and I am thrifty (at least by the above definition) but frugal ?? (unless you are comparing me to someone wasteful - he shall not be named - I was just not sure) but then I realized it is all in how you define it.
Wikipedia defines frugality as the practice of acquiring goods and services in a restrained manner, and resourcefully using already owned economic goods and services, to achieve a longer term goal. Ok I got the 2nd half (Mr J may not) but I really really struggle with the restraint word - in ALL aspects of life.
Yes if I made lists of adjectives that describe me many would not jive (lazy impatient perfectionist - yeppers it is possible just like liberal christian and overbuying coupon clipping bargain hunter I am a one man demographic but that's ok, I am interesting. HeHee) and none would include the word restraint in any form. I am a complex person and simplicity (no matter how attractive it sounds while facing piles of clean unsorted laundry) is just not my bag.
I am a born and bred impulse buyer (hey GG, it's me!) maybe that is why I found this blog post so funny? (I can relate, I too self medicate by avoiding the mall and bigbox stores I can't tell you the last time I have stepped foot in the mall- if only I could avoid Naartjie online sigh)
Seriously I know I have a long way to go but I know how far I have come (pat, pat! no more high interest credit cards for me!) so hopefully some day (sooner rather than later) I will get there (or at least head in that direction at a faster pace?)
If you are reading this and you can relate, give me a holler in the mean time take my poll and share it with a friend.

HeeHee Happy 4th

Beach Book

Unfortunatly I have not gotten to sit on the beach and read (what mother of 3 gets to do that?) but this is/was my book choice.
Have any of you read it? Share your opinion or recomendation!

Hmmmm

Is HE trying to tell me something? Check out my daily verse for today:

Amy's Veggies

Yesterday was a sad day. I have suspected something was snacking on my hard work ... and yesterday my worries were confirmed and then some. First I found a HUGE and I do mean huge Tomato Hornworm eating the Wicked pepper (that I promised to a UCM). I told my neighbor and said come look at the damage and low and behold what do we find. Tomatoes everywhere. My darling daughter, and 2 of our neighbors picked my Romas. Waah and my eldest son picked the flowers from my squash (in the way of his bug catching!) Double Waah! Who needs Hornworms when you have kids right?
They did do one smart? thing (at least Wonderful Wendy says it was smart) they chopped up pepper plants and scattered them to ward off critters/insects. Hmmmm - GG they may be Master Gardeners yet (unless they try another stunt like this!) Mrs. Fisher says they will grow back and if not she will share and Fru-Gal Ann says it is a great science lesson. What a beautiful (ie forgiving) thought. Lord why can't I see the positive side of things? Oh speaking of finding something in the unexpected Union County contacted me about my mystery flower! It is a Mexican Evening Primrose (not a morning glory as we had decided). So now we know :-)
Here are some pics of my garden "adventure"

My surviving Romas. A pleasant surprise as last night I thought they were all gone. now hopefully they will be ready before we vacation in <2 weeks.
Mama Hornworm from yesterday. Think it would win a prize at the Amazing Pet Show Friday? (my kids have not let me squish him YET but the 2 smaller ones I found today did not fare so well - someone has to pay for my losses!)
Can you say PICKLE? My family does not care for cukes (except ME, yummO white bread w/ mayo saltNpepper) but we are ALL looking forward to pickles.

Money Saving Mom (one of the best bloggers on the web at explaining CVS, Walgreens etc - gosh knows I am way too ADHD to type it all up) has a great GRATEFUL POST that I think many of you might enjoy.
There have been many hills and valleys in my life that I would not have tackled given the choice. Times when I thought my puzzle piece fit somewhere it did not belong. Ok ADHD moment...got ahead of myself... what I mean is life is like a giant puzzle and everyone has a piece. Looking at my piece will not tell me what the puzzle looks like when it is completed. I can only see my piece, not everyone else's. But God made/sees all the pieces and He can see the completed puzzle. So when you want something and you ask God for it, and God says no or not right now, it's probably because your puzzle piece won't fit there or it won't fit there yet. You may never get it to fit there or you might have to wait for someone else to get there puzzle piece in order. The point is don't obsess over it and be grateful for your piece and the part that it plays. God has a plan and it will work out. Reading about Money Saving Mom's basement apartment reminded me to look back on my life. I grew the most when I was in the midst of those unchosen hills and valleys because it was then that I had to rely on Him and for that I am grateful.

Feed Families in Need - FREE

Denise at the Centsible Sawyer found a great way to feed families in need. Just log on to www.yourfamilytable.com and tell about the things that you do to make the lives of your family better and Country Crock will donate a meal to a family in need through America's Second Harvest. You can read more about it here including how to print a .55 coupon!

Today's Thought

Don't compare yourself to others - they are more screwed up than you think.

2 Blessed 2 Be Stressed!

Stress is stress no matter what stage of life you are in. They say the key is to not live in the perpetual state of "when I... then I will not be stressed." but to embrace each stage of life as a gift from God. Easier said than done...I know ...but I still fall victim?
Starting today I want to trust Him with the stress and use it to draw me closer to Him. My prayer life is weak (not secret there I am vocal about my cruddy house cleaning and lacking spiritual life) I am so bad about taking my problems to people (or hiding them) instead of lifting them up. So today my prayer is not about my frustration with my kids or anger with Jason but that I will be content and enjoy life each day and each stage because later does not equal better and misery gets you no where.

Today's Thought

Loan approval should not be confused with loan affordability.

Thought for the day

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst.”
1 Timothy 1:15 (NIV)
Now I am off to a Baby Shower and Bible Study (where I have not finished my homework:-( The chapter is on letting go but when it got the section on "an organized home honors God" and budgets... well lets just say I procrastinated my time away)

Great Quote

While scouring todays paper for coupons, chatting with Fisgus and planning my shopping "attack" (all provide a great reason to continue my lazy day -I slept till 9:30am!- and not clean my house) I found a great quote.
"Experience is what you get when you don't get what you wanted. And it can be the most valuable thing you have to offer." (quoted from Randy Paush's last lecture)
Now I am off to clean the multiple puzzles strewn thru the downstairs and the pile of Splenda spilled all over the kitchen (apparently my monkey children are not only savages they are NOT frugal.... Splenda of all things! sigh)

The Law of the Garbage Truck

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly.
So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!' This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'
He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.
The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day.
Author Unknown

'Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't.'