7 out of 18 budgets approved....and DONE!!!   There might be a light at the end of this tunnel.

Immax3 - I fixed the link!  Hmm...I think it works now. Thanks for the heads up!

Hey everyone!   Well 1/2 way through another week.  For me today is the end of my work week this week.  YEAH!!  I do have to work about 2.5 hours tomorrow from home, but that is not much.   Friday is a governmental Holiday.  YEAH!!    I am so looking forward to a quiet restful weekend!

-YESTERDAY-

My ribs are starting finally to feel a little better!  YEAH!   I worked yesterday from 9:00am to after 9:30 pm.  And I wasn't in much pain.  I got a lot done and it felt great.   I got home and hubby had all the kids in bed except for Tommy who always waits for Momma.  I read him one story and he was drifting off to sleep during it.  

I finally figured out my checkbook last night and looked at how we were doing with our savings plan.  Since we have budgeted all our savings, it really has helped us out a lot.   I am not sure if I shared before how we have been doing our savings, but it has worked out great!    I have saved 600.00 for Christmas shopping which we will be doing on Friday.   I also budget $300.00 a month to cover unexpected expenses, which we don't often actually have to use.  This has given us a good picture of what we have and allowed us make a loan to hubby's parents when they need it without a problem.  What a blessing. 

Looks like we might be helping out my SIL and BIL by giving them my old GEO prizm.   They are in need of a different car for a bit.  I am looking forward to getting it out of our driveway.   A blessing to us and them!  Life is good. 

-TODAY-

Took my time getting to work this morning.  I did a load of laundry and put Erik's clothes away.   I also did some more research on all the book titles you all gave me for Erik.  I have reserved a lot of book for him at the library to take a look at.   The Dragon Slayers Academy Series by Kate McCullan - looks very promising.  There are 15 books in the series so I think if he likes these, Santa will buy a few more of them.  Until I get to the library on Saturday I am going to have him read the Magician's Nephew since I have the set of Narnia books.  He isn't too thrilled about them, but oh well.   He needs to take something to his mother's over the weekend to read.  The library will be closed on Friday so I can't get them for him early. 

Took Tommy to daycare and then headed to work.  I stopped at the dollar tree to purchase some Thanksgiving Napkins, but they were out already....OOPS...waited too long.  So I bought my Christmas paper goods we will be needing.    I also bought 5 more workbooks for Tommy.  He is going through about 5 a month.  He loves to do his "homework".   I bought the same printing one three times...he likes to wok on writing his letters so much.   We have moved up to some Kindergarten workbooks since he likes them so much.  I also signed up him at Book Adventures online to take the kindergarten comprehension tests.  I reserved some books at the library for him and will do the Book Adventure thing with him too.  It is the coolest site! Check it out!  I am always telling teachers at IEP meetings about it. 

My last IEP meeting today is at 2:45 and then I will be heading home.  We are having supper at church and going to our classes.  I hope Tommy will separate from me. 

TOMORROW

I am home and want to sleep in a bit.  I still have to get up and get Erik moving and to the bus stop on time.  He gets too distracted to accomplish this on his own yet.   Maybe some day!  Tommy is going to daycare after school and I will get groceries and make my Christmas gift Inventory.   I have a lot of gifts already bought and on Friday the last will be purchased.  I hope to wrap them all over the weekend and be ready for the holidays!  

A long weekend is really needed by us..............

I can always count on your guys...your great!   I checked out the Redwall Series, it is 7th grade level.  It might be too hard for Erik.  I did reserve one of them from the library to try though.  

ilovebakedgoods - I bought the Rule of Four already for Josh...LOL!!  Great idea though.    Hmm.....he is hard to find books for since I don't read the same kind of books as him.

immax3 - I am not sure I even shared how I hurt my ribs....it is stupid!   I was cleaning the bath tub and leaning over the side and scrubbing the bottom.  I turned to scrub the back of the tub while leaning on my ribs and it made a painful cracking sound.  So I guess I am not cleaning the tub for a bit. 

Hey everyone.....I know you home schoolers are a great resource for books for my boys!    I found a series that Erik was able to read, Spiderwick.  I bought the 5 book set and he has read them all.  I look on book adventure website and they say these are at about the 3rd grade level.   I also bought him the Artemis Fowl set and Eragon both of these are above his reading level and he can't understand them.  We also have all the Harry Potter Book, but those are too hard as well.  He loves the Lord of the Rings and that type of thing.   So I am looking for some reading suggestions.   Santa Brings a book or two every year for the boys.   Santa tries to promote literacy a lot!    Erik is in the 7th grade, but his reading and comprehension is delayed.

Also looking for reading suggestions for Josh.   Last year I bought him all the Dan Brown book, Angels and Demons, Davini Code and a few others.   He also will read Lamb: Jesus's Childhood Friend or something like that.    He is nearly 18 and is an excellent reader.  He has read at college level since he was in 6 grade or less.  He has read a few Tom Clancy book as well......I have bought him a James Patterson book too.  

Tommy had a very difficult time separating for preschool this morning.  I stayed with him for 45 minutes and he still wouldn't let me leave so I had the teacher just take him.  He cried....but only for a short bit.  I stood in the hall and listened.  Today we brought in a can of soup for the food shelf.   For Thursday we have to decorate our Family Turkey.   He loves to have homework.   

Today I am working as long as my ribs will let me.   I was going to work until 8:00, but I don't think that will happen.  

My parents are coming next week Wednesday for Grandparents Day at Preschool.  It is so nice of them.  It is a 6 hour drive for them to be here.  Tommy will love taking them to school with him!   I hope to have all my Christmas Presents bought and wrapped to send home with them to South Dakota for family there.  We don't plan on going to SD for Christmas.  I prefer to be home for the holidays and have our traditions at our church to do and stuff. 

I am so looking forward to just having Tommy with us this weekend.  I really need a break to rest and heal my ribs.   

YESTERDAY

Last night I got home around 8:00 and I went to bed.  Tommy and I worked on his workbooks (homework) and read a couple of stories.  He was asleep by 9:00 and I turned the light back on and read until 10:00 and then I was asleep.  Hubby put Tommy in his bed and he stayed there until about 4:00 and then he was snuggled up against Momma again.  

Next weekend when Erik is at our house, I am going to have to go and buy him a different winter jacket.   He has a nice one from his mom's house she sent, but he refuses to wear it.  He says he hates it.  I am not sure if he picked it out or not, but I am going to have to take him to pick out one he will wear I guess.   It just is not worth the fight.  Every weekend when I have time to shop, it ends up being the weekend Erik is at his moms.  So hopefully we don't' have any plans for next weekend.  So far we are clear, except for I am busy at church most of the day on Saturday. 

My SIL wanted us to have my niece sleep over this weekend.  As much as I hate to I am going to have to tell her no.  Hubby really wants a quiet weekend since Erik and Josh are gone.  Plus I can't have both Kristen and Tommy sleeping in bed with us when my ribs hurt so much. 

Well time to get ready for my meetings today....Later!

Finally I have some time to post. Well sort of...I am at work still, my supper is heating in the microwave so I have a few minutes.  I just got back from my afternoon appointments.  I am really tired and my ribs hurt alot so I don't think I will be working as late as I had planned.   I have two things I have to get done though before I go home.

Weekend Recap -

Saturday - Hubby and I were at the Alpha Retreat at church from 9:30 until 5:00.  We stayed for the entire time.   It was good.  I am glad we went.  It is hard to give up so much of your day though.  Josh and Amy babysat for us.

SUNDAY - We went to church early to check out their new brunch.  It was ok.   Then we went to service.  I didn't even try to put Tommy into nursery.  He went to service with us.  He does fine.  He sits with his "homework" and is content.  Then we came home for a bit and returned to have our family pictures taken at 1:00.  I had Christmas Card made too.....I am glad I have that all done.  We get our family pictures taken every year for our Christmas cards.  Then it was home for naps.....AAAAAH....that was great!   The evening was spent cleaning around the house and doing laundry.  I made an one point soup that I will be eating this week.   Tommy and I played "old Maid" and just hung out for the evening.  

Today I got to work a little later than planned.  I am in so much pain in the morning it takes a bit to get moving.  That is how it is after a long day of sitting too....I forgot my ID badge so I had Josh drive to my office to bring it.   Gotta love that boy! 

I went to my weight watchers meeting and then was out doing homevisits all afternoon.  I just returned to the office now.  Well I am off to eat some supper and get my two things done so I can go home!  My ribs are killing me!!!!!!!

My week is pretty busy again.......

Tuesday - working late again

Wednesday - Church

Thursday - working from home - 2.5 hours only - get groceries

Friday - HOLIDAY - OFF - Dr Appointments in the morning and then hubby and I will be doing our major Christmas Shopping and out to lunch.  This is our second annual Veteran's Day Shopping spree.   IT is great......we get all our shopping out of the way so we can enjoy the holidays!

No time for a real post....but must report on my weigh in today.  I am down 2.8 pounds.   YEAH!   It was a good week especially considering all the Halloween Candy I ate. 

Nice mixes to keep in the pantry.......

Chili spice blend:

• 7 Tbsp. chili powder
  
• 2 Tbsp. cumin
  
• 1 tsp. cayenne pepper
  
• 1 Tbsp. garlic powder
  
• 3 Tbsp. dried minced onion
  
• 1 tsp. salt

Combine all ingredients in chili spice blend and store in a leftover container, empty spice bottle, or baggie

I have some Chili Mac cooking right now for supper......we will have corn bread twists with it too.   Nice fall meal.

Makes the best hot cocoa handsdown.....

Mom's Hot Cocoa Mix

8 cups powdered milk
1 lb.Nestles Nesquik
1 cup powdered sugar
8 ozs. Creamora

Mix all together. Put in a large container. Use ½ cup of mix add hot water to make one glass of hot cocoa

Happy Friday!!   I am so happy it is Friday.  My ribs have continued to hurt a lot.  I saw the Dr on Wednesday and she said it is either a very bad sprain or a fractured rib.  No use in finding out which since there is no treatment for it.  She did give my pain pills which help to allow me to be able to sleep. 

-YESTERDAY-

I worked for most of the day.  Then I came home and made some supper.  Hubby had a meeting at church so I was in charge of homework and kid stuff.  It all went fine.   Erik got most of his homework done before hubby got home.  When hubby got home I went back to bed and rested and he finished up the homework.   Tommy and I listened to his book on tape and then we went to sleep.   He fell to sleep quickly and hubby moved him to his bed.   I read for a while and finished my book. 

The Pact by Jodi Picoult - 4/5

TODAY

My last meeting today is at 4:30 so I will be getting home a bit late tonight.   Josh has no school today so he is doing a couple of loads of laundry for me and has to pick up his room.  Erik has school today.   He was bummed about that.  

I ran a couple of errands this morning.  I put Erik and Tommy's birthday money into their savings account.   I stopped at Walmart to buy pull-ups and I found a nice pair of dress shoes for work. 

SUPPER: Chicken, Ham and Rice Casserole - Peas and Carrots

-THE WEEKEND -
Saturday - we will be at the alpha retreat all day at church.  Hubby only wants to stay until noon.  We will see how it goes.   I am not sure I will be able to handle sitting all day.  That really makes my ribs hurt.    Josh is goint to watch the kids for us until he goes to work.   Amy will watch them after that until we get home.   It is so nice to have older kids who are responsible so we can trust them to watch the others. 

Sunday - We are going to church early to take advantage of their new brunch meal they are serving.  At 1:00 we are having our family pictures taken for our Christmas Cards.  I hope to be able to go and get groceries in the afternoon.  I might have to take either Erik or Josh to assist me since my ribs hurt so much.   We will see how I am feeling.  

I am not getting as much as I like to do usually.  It is always very hard for me to be laid up and not able to do what I want.  I am trying to take it easy and rest and read as much as I can. 

Hope you all have a great weekend!!!

Household Tips....from Lannie's Letters....

 If you need cake flour for a recipe, take out two tablespoons of flour per cup and replace it with two tablespoons of corn starch.

Keep your yeast in the freezer to keep it fresher longer.