Sewing!!!

I have wanted to sew ever since I was a little girl, but my mother didn't know how. For the past 2 years I have wanted a sewing machine, but didn't want to invest in something I didn't know how to do. So I prayed about it and asked God if he wanted me to learn, to give me the opportunity. We bought our house in May, and the lady who owned it asked me if I wanted a sewing machine. Of course, I did even if it wasn't the best I could give sewing a try. But the sewing machine she gave me is awesome. It can't be older than 5 years. It looks practically new, it is a Kenmore. Not only did she give me the sewing machine, but a huge bag of fabric and box of all kinds of needles, straight pins, buttons, zippers, etc. I have been so busy unpacking I kind of forgot about it. Friday night I started thinking about it and did some research about sewing. I have learned terms, how to thread it and all the basics. I have even made a few items. I have a lot to learn and I have to work on sewing straight lines, but I know with God's help I can do anything. I have sewn a pin cushion, it is okay but you can definitely see the flaws. Tonight I did a pillow case dress for Haley. I made the pillow case from scratch. By all means, it is not perfect but I think I am getting better. Haley was in the bed when I finished it, but I was so excited I woke her up to try it on. Here are the pictures:

Super Savings Saturday

I have joined Money Saving Mom aka Crystal this week for Super Saving Saturday. This week I went to Kroger and this is what I got:
2 32 oz powerades @$1.00 each used 2 $1.00 of coupons FREE
1 Suave body wash @$1.69 used $.50 coupon that doubles to $1.00 Final price $.69
6 Herbal Essence Shampoo and Conditioner on sale 2/$5 used 3 $3/2 got $6.00 off at register for Proctor and Gamble deal final price: FREE
6 Met RX Big 100 Individual Nutrition Bars on sale for 6/$10 used 3 $2/2 Final price: .66 each(total $3.96)
2 French's Classic Yellow on sale $.99 each used 2 $.50 coupons that doubles to $1.00 Final cost: FREE
2 Turkey Hill teas on sale $1.00 each had 2 $1.00 coupons Final cost: FREE
I also had 1 $3 and 1 $1 off your next shopping order coupon

TOTAL BEFORE COUPONS: $32.67
Total AFTER COUPONS W/TAX: $.72

I LOVE COUPONS

FRUGAL FRIDAY

I have joined Crystal again for Frugal Friday. The best way I have saved money is buy selling one of our cars. I know what some of you may be thinking but just bare with me. When my husband got his promotion he was supposed to get a company car, well that has been 4 months and he still has not got a car. But before we knew that, we already sold his car. Sometimes it is hard not having a car to be free to go when and where I want but it has saved us so much money. With gas prices as high as they are, I just need to stay home. But not just the gas. Think about it, usually for just a standard oil change it is around $20. Minimum a year you will need is 4 once every 3 months but usually more(who doesn't use the miles up before the time). So that is around $80 a year. Next there is insurance, for us it is about $400 a year full coverage. Next is the tag, well say $80(more or less depending on the age and kind of vehicle). Then there is maintenance, that can average so I will just say $250 a year. Add all that up and that is $800 a year not to mention a car payment if you have that debt. So that is and extra $65 a month that could be put into savings. Now of course once my husband does get his company car we are not going to sell our van, but the good news is I have got accustomed to staying home, so hopefully I will not feel the need to go out as much. I know some families, for medical reasons or any other reason, has to have a second car, but I believe most families could make it on just one vehicle. Besides even if I wanted to get rid of my van, we couldn't because I am not allowed to drive his company car. I hope everyone has a blessed weekend.

Fun on the Moon walk!!!

We bought this moonwalk 3 years ago for Hannah's birthday party. The kids love it so much. My husband usually goes out on the front porch and plays the guitar while they play.

Cumberland Falls!!!

This past Saturday we went to Cumberland Falls in Kentucky. It is about and hour and a half from our house. We had a picnic and then took the trail to get a closer look of the falls. We were only there for about 2 hours and we saw a storm brewing up so we had to leave. But overall it was a fun exciting day with our family. In the pictures you will notice the water looks muddy, but that was from the recent rain. The people there said it is normally crystal clear.


















Don't ask my daughter is something else!

Making Your Home a Haven - Refresher Series

1) Refresh Your Spirit
I am starting a book 31 Days with God for Mothers,(Barbour publishing) that I will be going over every week on Making your home a haven series. This week's title is "Time for a break". "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest" Matthew 11:28. We know as mother's it seems we never get enough rest, there is always something that has to get done. But that is not the rest this verse is talking about. The rest this scripture is talking about is what only Jesus can provide. If you rest in Jesus the means feeling secure in Him and allowing His peace to fill your soul. So even though or lives are always busy and wives and mothers, we can find rest in Jesus. Start being thankful for the Lord's promises and His everlasting love for you and allow His love to overwhelm you and... rest.(some are my interpretation but for copyright reasons Used with permission)

2)Do Your Morning Routine
-time with God
-get dressed
-make breakfast
-get the children fed and dressed
-clean the kitchen

3) Take Time to Plan
-Laundry
-dusting
-Kitchen
-unpack one box(I still have boxes of "junk" that needs to be unpacke

4) What's on the Menu for Dinner?
I plan on making beef stroganoff, mashed potatoes, green beans, and biscuits.

5) Project of the Day
Main part of the house and Kitchen



This is the entry way, not that bad but it definitely needs to be mopped


Living room needs some tiding up(my coupons are all over the table, I need to organize them)


another living room view


Not too bad except last night pots and pans that I have to hand wash


another kitchen view



I need to eliminate refrigerator clutter like magnets



Breakfast area not too bad

I will update later with after pictures, makes sure to visit Crystal's blog for more Making your Home a Haven.


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First update 12:08 my morning routine is done. All laundry is done except for folding and putting away the clothes. Kitchen is done. I am about to go fix lunch and then start dusting. I will show after pictures later on in the evening. Blessings

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It is 4:53, and everything on my list is complete except going through that dreaded box. Here are the after pictures:



Much better



I got rid of some of that clutter



I even got rid of some of the magnets and wiped sown the refrigerator, hopefully some time this week I will detail the refrigerator inside and out.



Nice and clean dining area




The entry looks nice





The living room is complete



I thought this candle would be appropriate for the day it is called "Heavenly Home", and it smells wonderful. I hope everyone has had a wonderful day "Making their home a Haven" Blessings Delilah

Super Savings Saturday~Craig's list

One way to save money is Craigslist.org. I usually sell all my children's clothes, school books, etc on eBay, but for bigger items you can list them on craigslist for free. We listed our house, car, furniture, and within days they sold. We also found this house we are in now on craigslist. You can buy anything on there for a fraction of the cost. The only thing is you have to watch out for people who will scam you. My poor sister had some video games on there and a buyer sent her fake email supposedly from pay pal, telling her before she could access funds she needed to send a delivery confirmation. Poor girl lost the money she paid for shipping, plus the value of the games. That is why craigslist tells you it is better to deal locally. I only accept cash for the items I sell, because if you accept a money order or a money gram, it could be fake and even the bank will cash it but it will come back on you. For more great tips visit Moneysavingmom.

FRUGAL FRIDAY~EBAY

My frugal tip for today is ebay. In an earlier post I mentioned I bought a coach purse at a thrift store for $3.99, I sold it for $60. Now that is a nice profit. This week I also have all my homeschool items selling and the children's fall/winter clothes from last year that don't fit. So my tip this week is go through your stuff and list it on ebay to make some extra money. With gas prices as high as they are extra money is a must. For more great tips, visit Biblical Womanhood.

Making Your Home a Haven Monday: Refresher Series--Tackle the Bathrooms!

1.Refresh your spirit.

Crystal has encouraged us to pick out a verse, and I chose:

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."

Proverbs 18:10



I love this verse. Is it not the truth. Just calling out to the Lord can give you so much strength and make you feel so safe. I love the Lord with all my heart and want to live my life to serve him.



2. Take Time to Plan

To do:

Laundry from weekend

Dust the living room

Put up China in China cabinet



For dinner I plan on making Chicken Noodle soup with homemade bread.



3.Do something: Bathrooms

my bathrooms are pretty bad from the weekend, they need a good scrubbing. I will update with pictures soon.





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It has taken me longer than usual today to post pictures because this morning around 9 am my sister called me and told me she went to the doctor and they could not get a heartbeat on her baby. She is suppose to be 11 1/2 weeks pregnant, but the baby measured way too big. She said she could tell right away something was wrong because it looked like a blob and not a baby. The doctor tried for a while but could not get a heartbeat. I know all to well what she is going through but there are no words I could say to her. Everyone please keep her in her prayers, tomorrow she is going in for a d & c.



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Here is the before of the sink area:









and the after:



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Here is the whirlpool tub before(I do not know how that piece of paper got in there):





and after:







Here is the stand up shower before:







and after:







I hope everyone had a great day in "Making your Home a Haven". Blessings Delilah

super savings saturday

This week for Super Savings Saturday, I went to Cvs got 4 Bounty Paper Towel packs at $5.49, used a 4/20, 4 1/1, 10 ecbs spent 4.11 out of pocket and got back $10 ecbs(Thanks Crystal for the scenario). Then I went to Kroger and got $176 worth of groceries for $68. I love coupons!!!!(
Thanks to Ellie Kays Shop Save and Share. For more great tips make sure to visit Crystal.