Home Improvement

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My husband is very handy around the house.  He has replaced faucets and even our garbage disposal.   He’s replaced many doorknobs, the regular kinds, but not any L-handle latches.  Our son-in-law is very handy around their house, too, and has replaced their kitchen counter and sink, built-in appliances, light fixtures, put tile in one of their bathrooms, etc.  It helps to be able to do the labor and just be out the cost of the materials.  That makes home improvement more affordable in this economy.

Pool Safety Covers

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Most of us have probably heard about young children accidentally falling into swimming pools.  Those are such tragic accidents!  If we had a swimming pool, I would definitely want something to cover pool, such as a pool cover safety net, if we had young children around and no one was swimming.  All it takes for an accident to happen is for a supervising adult to get distracted, even if it’s just for a few minutes.  A pool cover would be worth it to me for the peace of mind.

Gift Idea

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The weeks are flying by!  Before we know it, Father’s Day will be here.  I was thinking of something I wanted to get my husband for a gift but now I’ve forgotten what it was.  If I think of it again, I really need to write it down!  If he were a welder, I might get him some tillman gloves.  If he were a carpenter, I might get him a special tool.  He works on the computer a lot, but I don’t think what I was thinking of getting him was anything computer related.  It was really neat, whatever it was!  🙂

Menu Plan Monday 3/19/12

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Spring Break was wonderful!  Teachers where I teach were counting the hours until Spring Break began.  We all needed a break, students included.  Now, I feel more refreshed and ready to go back and tackle all the state testing that has to be done.

We had a wonderful week with our son home from college.  We did a lot of chilling out, enjoyed having our son’s girlfriend come visit for a day, went to an awesome concert,  watched a few good TV shows, ate at a new restaurant, got take-out at another new small restaurant not far from where we live, traveled to visit my aunt and uncle, ate cookies at a famous bakery located in a really cool historical building, ate Braum’s yummy Frozen Yogurt – Cappuccino Chunky Chocolate, and enjoyed some Raspberry Chocolate Mousse Cake from Central Market.  Hmmm, do you notice how much of the “chilling out” involved food?  Oh, and I forgot to mention that I made banana pudding for when one of our son’s friends from high school came to eat with us.  So, this week will definitely incorporate a lot of healthy salads!

Monday:  Salad with veggies and “turkey bacon”  (we really like this a lot)
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Tuesday:  Chicken enchiladas

Wednesday:  Leftover chicken enchiladas

Thursday:  Salad with “turkey bacon”

Friday:   Fish fillets, fresh veggies, salad

In Memory of My Daddy

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My daddy’s birthday would have been this month, but he died when our son was only two years ago.   Our daughter was twelve, and I’m so glad he got to see her grow up some.  He was crazy about both of his grandchildren and loved them very much.

He was proud of Christi, his first grandchild.  When she was little, she would crawl up in his lap and share whatever he was snacking on at the time.   He was also proud of his grandson.  I remember when our son was a baby, he came up to where my daddy was sitting and talked to him in baby jibberish as if he knew exactly what he was saying.  I remember my daddy saying, “How precious!”  I wish he could see the wonderful young man our son has become and that he could see the wonderful wife/mom our daughter has become and see his adorable great-grandsons and the baby due in September.

After all these many years, I still miss Daddy.  He was a true gentleman.  So, this song  is for him.

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Weight Loss

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Concern about so many Americans being overweight has been in the news for a long time.  There are all sorts of diets and various forms of advice on how to lose weight on the market.  For those interested in a natural product to aid in weight loss, click here.  Before anyone starts any new product or program, they should check with their doctor first to make sure it’s safe for them.

Certifications

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In the job market today, it takes thinking out of the box sometimes.  Some people who have degrees are having to go back to school and get training in another field.   There are all types of certifications out there that can aid in getting jobs such as strength and conditioning certification, etc.  For a teacher, getting ESL or Gifted & Talented certification might help in the job market.  If that’s what it takes to get a good job then it’s worth getting the certification.

Treatment Centers

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Nowadays, there are so many people in our country who are in need of treatment centers for various types of addictions.  There are centers in Texas, and I would imagine in every state in the United States.  My husband and I do a little volunteer work with a Bible-based 12 step program at church to help those trying to overcome their addictions.  It’s very hard for many of them at times, and my heart aches for them sometimes for all of the pain, struggles, and hardships they go through in trying to overcome their addictions.  It’s not easy, but their is hope!

Doctor Visits

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It’s time for me to make an appointment for a check-up with my doctor, so I called yesterday and made an appointment for next month. I don’t have very good health insurance through the school right now and have to pay a lot more than the $30 co-pay I was used to paying before. When you get to thinking about all of the overhead costs that doctors have nowadays, though, like malpractice insurance, property insurance with liability, utilities, wages for their employees, rent or mortgage payments, payments on equipment, etc., no wonder doctors have to charge so much for office calls.

Spring Break

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It’s so nice that Spring Break is finally here.  I’ve been getting caught up on a few things that I don’t have much time to do during the school year plus getting in some extra rest, which is something else that isn’t always possible some weeks during school.  I don’t have any shopping scheduled for this week since I don’t need any clothes, shoes, or carhartt jeans, etc.  One really nice thing is that our son is home from college for a week.  That makes Spring Break fun!

Menu Plan Monday & Recipe for Veggie Soup

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Spring Break is officially here!  Teachers (me included) were counting the hours on Friday until Spring Break began.  My students were almost giddy because they were excited about the break and also about our party that afternoon.  Well, to be truthful, I really don’t know which they were more excited about.  It could have been me telling them about the iced sugar cookies with sprinkles and the popcorn we would have before they went home.  One of my precious students started singing “Happy Birthday” (the whole song) because I always buy iced sugar cookies with sprinkles for their birthdays.  Anyway, it was a joyous occasion for all of us!

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Recipe for Homemade Veggie Soup:

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 cup chopped carrots
  • 1 cup chopped onions
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 1/2 cup sliced potatoes, unpeeled (cut into small, bite-size pieces)  (Karen suggested using little red potatoes and that’s a great idea!)
  • 2 cans beef broth (we didn’t like the taste of beef broth – think it needs chicken broth)
  • 1 jar of pasta sauce  (too overpowering – can of diced tomatoes might be better)
  • 1/4 teaspoon thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • Optional, 1/4 teaspoon (or more) cayenne pepper
  • Optional, 1 – 2 cups bite-size pieces of roast beef, dark meat chicken or turkey  (use chicken with chicken broth)

Heat oil on medium in large pot.  Cook carrots, onions, and celery in olive oil for 5 minutes and then add the rest of the ingredients.  Cover, bring to a boil, and simmer for 30 minutes until veggies are tender.
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Monday:  Homemade Veggie Soup with Chicken
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Tuesday:  Salmon patties, green beans, corn

Wednesday:  Chicken Nachos

Thursday:  Homemade hamburgers, Veggie Chips, carrot sticks

Friday: Pie Five Pizza (have coupon for one free pizza)

Fitness Resolutions

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This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Spartan Race for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

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Spartan Racing is definitely a new revolutionary way to work out with their world leading obstacle courses.  They have something for the beginner with 5k sprint trail races, muddy 3+- mile events with 10 or more obstacles for something more challenging, and  up to more than 40 mile events for those experienced with obstacle courses.  People of all ages can enjoy this new muddy way to stay fit as long as they have the determination and self discipline to be part of this new fitness frenzy.  99.9% of all people who try this event will finish.

Why Spartan?  This race is one that promotes family, community, and overcoming obstacles.  They provide a daily workout, a weekly newsletter, and inspiring blog, and for those who follow the plan and daily tips plus have the determination to never give up, this will become a life changing experience.  Join the more than 300,000 people that will participate this year, but if you’re really interested then don’t wait to sign up as their races do sell out!.

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