I'm A Domestic Goddess



This is exactly how I'm feeling,
but not sure it will actually happen (WINK -WINK)

 I've given finals, graded the very last paper, and turned in my grades. The semester is officially over, and my summer has started!

For a few weeks, I'm changing shoes (instead of hats) and stepping into the Domestic Goddess role. The one where I cook, clean, wash, and cook some more. It's not a bad thing, actually I've actually been looking forward to it.

I love having dinner ready for my family when they come in, complete with dessert. Clean, fresh clothes neatly folded, and waiting to be put away, makes me all warm inside. My family appreciates it as well, (at least they better)!

I'm also behind on a lot of "Spring Cleaning." The closets need purging, the kitchen is line for a little TLC, and I plan on getting around to my landscaped garden. And I'm sure Mr. Husband can find a thing or two for me to do.

It looks like I've got a lot on my plate. We'll see just how much gets eaten!

Shopping Around For Vehicle Insurance

Year in... and year out, I pay vehicle insurance, without asking questions about increases. I just pay it.

Not this time!

I've started to feel like I'm being had. And I'm not taking it any more! Instead of just dishing out money, I'm shopping around to find better coverage and premiums. I have choices, and don't have to accept just anything. We have good driving records, no tickets, and only one accident (that was me).

I'm a savvy shopper when it comes to buying groceries, and getting the best deals for my quality food. I'm going to parlay those same skills to save money on great, not just good insurance. Look out! I'm a fed up woman, who wants to keep more of her money! Armed with a list of demands, I'm going hunting.

What do you look for when shopping for vehicle insurance?

Elephants & Ivy

Today I'm hanging out on My Blogalicious, check out my post, Elephants & Ivy.

Still... No Green Thumb

Last Spring, I shared that I Do.Not.Have.A.Green.Thumb. In 2011, nothing has changed. I still don't have a green thumb, and that picture is proof!

We received the plant this summer and it was beautiful, full and green. Now it's missing several leaves, and as you can see... dieing slowly. Many plants before it have met the same demise. But I told myself, this time I would do better. And I've tried, really I have.

I have two other plants, both philodendron's. They're no nonsense, and are like roaches. No matter what I do, or don't do to them they just won't die. I love that about them. Now, I'm on a mission to save this poor defensive plant. I'm open to suggestions.

I don't know, why I'm not a plant person. If it were a child, it would be a total different story. Maybe if it cried, talked, or pooped, it would get more attention.

All Hail The Mayor

I am the Mayor of my Wal-Mart!

For a couple of weeks now, I've actively checked in on Foursquare, all over town. I was a little sceptical, not wanting to get into something else. After I learned I could be the mayor of Wal-Mart, I was intrigued, and it was on!

I've collected a couple of crowns, for the branch of my bank, and a gas station I frequent. Someone else held firm to the crown of the Wal-Mart Mayorship, and I wanted it! Finally, this morning, it.was.mine! Bwahahahaha, (insert evil laugh.)

I wrote a short speech, wanna here it? Here it goes... I would like to thank everyone who made this possible. I will take my reign as the Mayor of Wal-Mart seriously, and will rule with honor, dignity, and grace. Thank you, and thank you. (Bowing graciously, waving to my subjects).

Excited about becoming a the Mayor, I tweeted it. TyroneM of Excuse Me While I Ramble  thought it would be nice if the Mayor could jump the line. I'm on it! A Mayor should have privileges. Right?

Do you Foursquare, and what are you the Mayor of?

No Green Thumb... But I'll Try My Hand

Our house is heavily landscaped, (it came with the house), and I've had NOTHING to do with it. It's very beautiful, and really adds curb appeal. I learned that from HGTV!

Since we moved in nearly 8 years ago, all I've had to do is wait for Spring. The flowers, and greenery just come back. It's done so well without ANY HELP from me, and I'm so grateful.

Last Spring, one area started looking a little... hmmm... how do I put it?! Over grown, maybe? It started becoming over run by everything but pretty.

This Spring... see for your self!


There are a few trees sprouting. Do you see the in the middle of the picture? It's just sitting there like it BELONGS! In addition to the tree, rogue monkey grass, and weeds are taking over. And in the mix there are a few perennials.

Perennial fighting to stay alive. Poor thing!

This year I'm going to make that plot pretty again! This is where I should confess. All but two plants I've EVER had, have died on me. The two that haven't died, I have now. They're not alive because of me. I think they have a STRONG will to live.

Mr. Husband keeps the yard well manicured, and looking very nice. Actually, he's anal about his grass! We CAN NOT walk on it! And I'd like to make a contribution to the beauty of our yard.

I consulted my friend "P," who's is a home and garden expert. She gave me a few tips on beautifying my plot.

• Pull up monkey grass
• Mow & hoe
• Spray Grass Be Gone, and wait a few days
• Add pete moss
• And plant!

Sounds simple enough right? We shall see!

Paula Deen Is Coming To Town!

Saturday, while Easter shopping for the two middle girls. I was handed a handbill about the Arkansas Women's Show. And there she was, Paula Deen!!!

Last Saturday, as we passed the Verizon Arena, and the digital marquee, gave me a brief glimpse of her. I didn't know what it was about, but I was excited, none the less.

This morning I went to the AWS website, to find out more about her visit. She's the featured Celebrity Chef for the event, will have a book signing, and drum roll please... host a LIVE one hour cooking show. How cool is that? My face will be in the place!

I love adding a little Paula Deen to my cooking. And I love her signature, "From my kitchen to yers."

Mandisa from American Idol will be the headliner for that Sunday.

I am so excited to have the opportunity to see Paula Deen, in.the.flesh, and watch her cook live! One of this week's Project What's For Dinner, will be a Paula Deen recipe, for sure.

Shopping With My Teen

My 13 year-old, of 15 days, wanted to shop for a pair of jeans, and t-shirt last weekend. It sounds like a fun time, shopping with my daughter, right?

NO WAY!!!

Here's the problem... she's short, 4 feet, 10 inches, weighs 98 lbs, and has a booty. She no longer fits into the little girl clothes, but not quite big enough for Juniors. If we happen to find clothes in Juniors, they're either way to grown up, or we have do alterations. The pants have to be hemmed almost a foot, and taken up in the waist.

I am not proficient at tailoring clothes. Lets be real, I suck at hemming!

When trying to find clothes, ie... skinny jeans, slacks, dresses, skirts... it ain't easy. Did I mention, she doesn't like ANY THING I like. No matter what I pick up, she frowns. Her sister can come back, pick up THE.SAME.SHIRT, say it's cute, and she's in love with it. What the what?!

Our shopping experience always ends in her getting frustrated, and pouting, me getting frustrated, and fussing! I'd rather have my teeth pulled than go shopping with her.

I try real hard to remember, my days of teen shopping. As a senior in high school, I weighed 98 lbs. thin as a rail, and light as a feather. NOTHING I wanted to wear fit. Shopping with my mother ended in me crying, and she wanting to pull her hair out of my head!

Finally, after going from store, to store, to about four other stores... we found a pair of skinny jeans, that with a belt, were okay. And thank God for Rue 21. They had what seemed like millions of printed T's. There was no major melt down, and we all survived.

The real test is on it's way. We're going Easter shopping soon. Get the pliers, and gas ready. I want it to be pain free!!!

Go Red

SAVE THE DATE

Join me Friday, February 4, and wear your red dress, t-shirt, scarf, or what ever red you have.

The American Heart Association, and the Go Red For Women, will observe National Wear Red Day, to promote heart health.

Follow this link, http://goredforwomen.org/WearRedDay/ to find out more about Go Red for Women, and the National Wear Red Day.

When you wear your red take a picture, post it on your site, and come back here to link it all up. I'd love to get as many people as possible wearing red.

I'm looking for a Sexy red dress!

I've Been Under House Arrest!

The past few weeks I haven’t written one post. I’ve been under house arrest!

May 15, I turned in the last of my grades, and was relieved to have at least a couple weeks break. Since then, my roles have been wifey, and mom. I’ve cooked just about every day, having dinner ready by 4:30, and a couple of occasions 3:30. Not only have I been cooking dinner, I’ve made cookies, two cakes, and a home made peach cobbler.

My wifey/mom duties have extended beyond the kitchen. I’ve washed, washed, washed and washed more clothes. Our dirty clothes hamper is a never ending pit. It’s not like washing is anything new. With a family as large as mine, I don’t have a certain day to wash clothes. That’s an every day chore. With more time at home, I’ve washed more than usual.

Last week alone, I was at the kids schools (4), for two awards assembly’s, a basket ball game, taking the home work left on the kitchen table, meeting with a counselor, and a financial aid pow-wow at the university. That doesn’t include dropping off, and picking up at three different schools, or ball games, practices, and meetings after hours!

That first week when Mr. Husband came home and dinner was waiting, and his favorite cookies were coming out of the oven, the house smelled like clean clothes, he smiled. “You see what you could have if I was at home full time.” I said.

I was joking, and he knows that. There is way more work at home, than at work!!! I’ve enjoyed cooking, cleaning, and running around. My family seemed to have appreciated my efforts. June 1, I’m starting my summer job, and looking forward to it.

Today, I’m freeing myself from house arrest, writing a little bit, and posting. I might even treat myself to lunch.

Best Gift

What was the best gift you either received or gave for Mother's Day?

My Mother's Day Wish List

Commercials for Mother's Day gifts have been abundant lately. Advertisements for flowers, cards, candy and much more are on TV and radio. My kids heard something that sounded interesting to them, and asked when will Daddy be home? I figured then, while they're getting ideas together, now is the chance to let them know exactly what I want.

I could use a lot of things, and want a couple dozen others. Actually my wish list, if you can call it a list, for Mother's Day is very short and simple!

I turned to my children and said, "I want my feet and nails done for Mother's Day."

In the presence of my husband later, I mentioned, I would like a manicure, and pedicure for Mother's Day. There, that was twice. I was once told, If you want people to remember something, it must be said at least three times. Just a couple of days ago, trying to use my raggedy electric can opener, I fussed, "I hate this thing!" One of my daughters said, "That would be a good idea for a Mother's Day gift."

"No it won't," I responded. "I would like a mani - pedi for Mother's Day," There. I said for the third time. Then I reminded them that I've said it before. But of course, no one remembered.

New plan. For the next three days, I will leave subliminal messages. "I want a mani -pedi!" Let's see if that works.