In The Refiner's Fire

These last few weeks have been seriously busy!  I haven't had time to get more than about 4-5 hours of sleep many nights much less blog, clean or anything else that isn't absolutely vital for our existence and current deadlines.  Buddy had the flu (again), John had a major test, and I had a migraine yet again.  When I was putting together our menu plan for this week, John commented "I don't care what we eat this week, as long as it isn't soup!"  We had soup 5 out of 7 nights for the last two weeks (in spite of what the menu plan said!) and take out or leftovers the other two. *Sigh*  God is very good.  He placed someone in my life at the very right moment who knew exactly what I needed without my knowing. I am currently planning on writing about that on Thursday here so you can know too.  I was able to head into Easter with a clear head and no tension and a smile on my heart and soul.  In terms of productivity, it's been the "crisis of the...

Did you have a good Easter Sunday?  We sure did!  I am so very, very grateful for all of the Lord's blessings - this year especially.  We are eating very well this week: Easter Sunday, April 24:    Breakfast: Easter Brunch at Church    Lunch/Dinner: At a Friend's House: Bring Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting    Snack:  Strawberry Short Cake Monday, April 25:    Breakfast:  English Muffins with Peanut Butter, Bananas    Lunch: Leftovers    Dinner:  Crunchy Topped Tilappia, Golden Beats, Melon-Blackberry-Strawberry Salad Tuesday, April 26:   Breakfast: Oatmeal Muffins with Bananas   Dinner: Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Sweet Potato Fries, Carrots or Tomatoes, Apple and Pear Wedges Wednesday, April 27:    Breakfast: English Muffins with Peanut Butter, Orange Wedges    Bag Lunches:  Apples with Peanut Butter, Cheese Stick, Carrots or Toma...

We've been busy, productive, ill and weary here at our house over the last few weeks. I have had the terrible head cold that's been running around - it lingers.  And, given my lovely sinuses, it had to turn into a sinus infection too.  I'm on the mend, but it's been a long two weeks. John's spend more of the last 4 days at the hospital (working) than at home.  He's frustrated with unnecessary tests, cranky patients, lack of sleep and unhelpful co-workers. The kids have been cranky with endless appetites and not sleeping well - a sure sign they are growing yet again.  Missy's shoes don't fit her again and Buddy's pants seem to have shrunk overnight in the wash.  Buddy lost his glasses about a month ago and we have yet to find them.  We're pretty sure they were lost at school, it's just where at school that is the question!  Ugh. In all of that, there have been lovely,  wonderful and good things too. *Lots and lots of work done a two ...

Saturday at our house is "Errands Day" - we run all our errands including grocery stores, bank, post office, drug stores, and any clothes shopping that we need to do.  Today was the garage sale for our Community Education Family classes group, held at one of the local schools.  I didn't go right when it opened because I knew the crowds would be huge and I didn't want to fight them.  I arrived about an hour and a half after they opened and got several things: For Missy:  Pink Pants, Teal long-sleeve T-shirt, Denim shorts, Navy knit shorts, a pair of red knit pants and matching top, and that really cute white denim skirt pictured on top. For buddy: Brown Corduroys, Tan Pants, Star Wars Lego Pajama, and Spider Man Pajamas. My find of the day!  For Buddy: A 100% Wool suit for $1 These three adorable baby outfits are a gift for a baby shower. Total Spent at the Garage Sale for All of the Above:  $25.50 And the Groceries!  I took $60 out of my $...

The last couple of weeks haven't been so hot for working out.  I pinched a nerve in my neck 2 week ago and last week only got in 2 workouts instead of 4.  This week I have a colossal sinus infection, so I missed my weekend class since I was running a fever.  Today I missed most of class since I did something to my ankle and it hurt to put any weight on it (I did do the arm and abdomen parts though and then went for a walk later today with my family when my ankle was feeling better). That means, unless I drag myself to class at 730am on Saturday, I'll have worked out once this week.  *Sigh*  The good news?  I had to measure myself in order to cut out my Easter dress. Here's what I found: Waist: 3 inches down! Hips: 6 inches down! Left Thigh: 3 inches down! Right Thigh: 2 1/2 inches down! That's a grand total of 14 1/2 inches down!   Whoo hoo! I am so psyched about all of that!  Who cares of the scale says only 5 lbs down (whi...

After my shopping trip this last week, I had $43 and a handful of change for groceries this week.  I spent $42.41 for the entire bounty you see above!  Four of the boxes of cereal are heading to the food shelf.  We've decided to spend roughly $5 each week to bless the food shelf. So this week, cereal it was! Here's what we bought: Store #1: 6 boxes Kellogg's Cereal @ $1.66 each = $9.96 - $1 - $1 - $1 = $6.96 ($1.16 per box) Apple Juice $1.88 2 Loaves white bread $3 2 Hormel Lunch Meal $5 Organic Pink Lady Apples (3lbs) $3.99 - $1 = $2.99 Total: $19.37 Saved: $9.28 Store #2: 20oz Mayonaise $2.99 Palmolive Ulta 23oz $2.00 - $0.50 - $0.50 = $1 State Fair Mini Corndogs $3 - $0.55 - $0.55 = $1.90 2.44 lbs Red Grapes @ $1.29/lb = $3.15 2lb Whole Carrots $0.98 1 gallon Skim Milk $2.69 2 blocks Cheese @ $1.66 = $3.32 - $1 - $1 = $1.32 5 boxes Nutrigrain Bars @ $1.88 ea = $9.40 - $1 - $1 - $0.75 - $0.75 = $5.90 ($1.18 per box) Total $20.04 Saved: $25.09 Store #3: Purex Crys...