It's Been A Great Day!

I love days like this, everything has gone smoothly, the children have gotten along and I have kept the house picked up. We only have about 5 weeks until school starts back instead of wishing the time away I have decided to make the most of it and enjoy every minute with my sons. My dear Mother reminded a few minutes ago that all too soon they will be grown and that I would be wishing for them to this age again, she is a very wise woman!

They wanted a boat for the pool today but couldn't decide how to pay for it, I offered to buy it in lieu of an allowance they quickly agreed and I actually saved about $5 this week!

I'm loving this blog hop, I've found several new blogs to read and follow and I love a good blog almost as much as I do a good book. I hope that you are having a great day!

Commenting Challenge

I stumbled upon a blog that is hosting a commenting challenge, so often I read blog posts and really can relate to the author but I never leave a comment. This week I will be visiting and commenting at least 10 blogs each day, good thing I cleaned the house. I hope to meet new blog friends and discover new blogs to read.

Total Relaxation

Friday evening, I started my weekend alone by watching one of my favorite movies of all time, Sex and the City I have watched this movie at least 15 times and I think I could watch it 15 more. While I was watching the movie I shaped my eyebrows, painted my fingernails and gave myself a french pedicure. Also, I started reading a new book, The Guernsey Literary and Sweet Potato Pie Society.

Saturday morning I attended a baby shower for a first time mother, the home was decorated beautifully and the food delicious. After a champagne toast the mother-to-be opened several lovely presents.I have been praying for some time now to meet some new friends, it was really nice to have been invited to this shower and I feel like I may have met a few people who have the same interests as me.

After the shower I drove to a neighboring town to shop at my favorite scrapbooking store then I came home and watched another great movie (that I've seen a zillion times) and I went to bed early.

This morning I woke up early and gave our house a deep cleaning. I was so excited to see Tom and the boys pull in the driveway, I didn't realize how much I had missed them until I saw them. I'm so thankful for Tom he is truly a wonderful husband & father.

What To Do, What To Do...

Before my husband left for work this morning he woke me to let me know that he was taking the boys to the lake for a guys weekend so I could have a little time to myself. He is such a wonderful husband and father, I'm thankful that he realized I was at the end of my rope and needed a break. The boys were so excited they packed their own clothes, I wasn't allowed to see what they packed, LOL! They called Tom 20 times today wanting to know if he could leave work early, he did and they are on there way to a fun weekend of boy stuff.

I on the other hand have no clue what to do, I have a baby shower to attend in the morning then I think I may scrapbook a little or lay by the pool with a book. I miss my guys already but I really need a break.

I hope that all of you have a wonderful, safe weekend!!!

Book Review

photo from Amazon.com

This is a fabulous true story about the life of the author growing up as an unwanted daughter. It is a very fast read!

Birthday Weekend

We had a fabulous weekend of birthdays! My youngest brother is home on leave from Iraq for two weeks, his wife planned a family birthday party to celebrate his 30th and their two daughter's 3rd & 1st birthdays. It was wonderful to see him be able to celebrate with his children.

Camper to Cottage

Last year for our anniversary Tom & I bought an acre of land at Lake Cumberland, it is a beautiful lot in a small subdivision that is only about a 5 minute walk to the lake. We have a 36 foot, 2 bedroom camper that we have on a permanent campsite but lately we have been thinking about building a house on our land. The camper is great and we love the atmosphere of the campground but during the late fall and winter we can't stay in the camper it's way too cold (we tried it this January) we love this area and hope to retire there one day. I have been pouring over house plans and think that I have found one that we suit our family now and in the future when the boys are married and have lots of grandchildren for us to enjoy.

In order for us to be able to afford to build we need to make some major financial adjustments! We spend way too much eating out and buying stuff that we really don't need, so I have to decided to start saving by not eating out as much. Every time we want to eat out or normally would eat out (i.e. Saturday mornings & Sunday afternoons) I'm going to transfer the amount that it would have cost into my savings account, I already have transferred a $100! I have also decided instead of buying magazines at the checkout I will subscribe to my favorites and save the difference. My grocery bill is OUT OF CONTROL!!! I spend around $900 a month for a family of four, THIS IS CRAZY!! I want to cut this down to around $450. What are your best money saving tips & ideas?

4th of July at Lake Cumberland

Our friends Jamie & Tammy and their two girls spent the 4th with us at the lake, we had a great time eating out, boating, swimming, watching a magic show and fireworks at Jamestown Marina!

Jonah

The boys enjoyed being at the camper and playing with their friends, our campground neighbors are fast becoming dear friends to our family! Their son Zachary and our boys love going to the dock to eat dinner and get flavor-swirled ice creams.

Johnson


Jonah, Zachary & Johnson

Conley Bottom Marina on beautiful Lake Cumberland

Tom is a mine manager for a large coal company in Eastern Kentucky a few weeks ago he told the men if they could go 100 days without a lost-time accident he would let them shave his hair off, YIKES! Before we left for vacation he came home bald! Needless to say we had to buy extra sunscreen, LOL!! Unfortunately, they had a roof fall while we were at the lake and we had to come home early :( Thankfully, no one was hurt!

My love of reading seems to grow in the summer, I guess it's because I have a little extra time on my hands. This is one of the best books that I've read in a long time, it has a great story line and I wanted to cry when I read the last page because I wanted to know the rest of the story.


I hope that each of you had a fabulous 4th of July!!

The Best Pizza Ever!

Red Lobster has the greatest pizza ever!! Lobster pizza, it's laden with fat and full of deliciousness, run don't walk to your nearest Red Lobster!!

We are heading to the lake for a much needed break, I hope that all of you have a great 4th!!!