Open my front door & this is what I saw!

It was the Haddon Twp. Block Party.



Every year it's on my street, so all I have to do is open up my front door & walk 50 feet & I'm there.



Cheeks couldn't believe it!



He thought it was just for him.



He kept looking out his bedroom window, yelling Ronnie! Ronnie! (He calls all clowns Ronnie, for Ronald McDonald....I think I may hit up Micky D's a bit too much.)

Anyway, they managed to resurrect Elvis:

He was actually really good & such a cheese ball.

I wonder where he got his belt. Do you think it would accent my hips too much?

Of course we know have a Jr. Fireman in the house:

Cheeks got to jump in all the inflatables (tired his tushie out!) & he got to go on the whip.

At first I don't think he was too found of it

BUT

He got into it really fast:

And the best part of the day, besides all the fun, a nice older couple stopped us & asked if we had bought a wrist band for Cheeks yet, so he could ride all day long.

We said no & the lady said "Well my grandson couldn't make it, I already bought one, so I would like to give it to you"

How thankful were we!!!!!! Saved us $10!

What a RAK thing to do. Thank you nice couple.

So um, what did you do this weekend?

Woops out!

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner

How long I have been waiting to say that phrase??!!!???
Winner!
Winner!
Chicken Dinner!
Love it.


Anyway see this:

Isn't it delightful!!! I won it.
Yes, yes, you read that right.
I won it
&
Jo over @ To A Pretty Life made it & sent it to me.

Why?
Well she was having a contest to inspire her for a new saying for a new banner she was doing.
She took my suggestion & someone elses & combined them.
The prize?
A banner with whatever you wanted on it.
I chose Boo.
Can not wait to display it.
I am planning on decorating "officially" for fall this weekend.
Just some tidying up to do first (i.e. remove PSII from downstairs & Steelers banner! LOL)



I also won this:

Sadly, I suck and can not for the life of me remember where I won it.
That's awful isn't it????
I know!



What is it you ask?
It's a Johnny Light.
It lights up the toilet bowl so one can see to pee at night.
Say a toddler learning potty training
Or
A teenage boy with no aim.
Take you pick.



I am so grateful to have won these 2 things & my banner is so cha cha. Go check out To A Pretty Life & tell Jo I sent ya!




Have you won anything lately???
Tell me!!!



Woops out!

Just a babble

Ok, who saw this movie?
Bobster & I watched it last night...I came in after it had been on for like 45 mins or so.
This is really, really good movie!!!


The real reason for my post is, do you ever watch a movie, and the actor is so good at his portrayel of the protaganist that you end up feeling bad for him, even tho. he is technically the bad guy in the movie? This is what happened last night. I felt bad for "Frank". I won't say what happened b/c I don't want to give away anything for anyone who hasn't seen it.
Bobster couldn't believe I felt bad for him.
He's like "He was a drug trafficer"
Well, he was but he still has feelings.
I am a sap, I know. Or pathetic, not sure which.



I made a yummy Chicken Parm last night from the Cooking Healthy Meals for Kids cookbook I got.
It turned out good & it was EASY!
If anyone would like me to post the recipe let me know.
It literally took 15 minutes.
And it's HEALTHY!



Seriously, let me know if you have ever felt bad for the protaganist?
I want to see if I am the only one.

BTW~This is my 400th Blog Post. WoW!

Woops out!

Family......

So I had some bday $$$ last month & saw some good deals at my local Joann's for these cool sayings that are just vinyl clings (I'm sorry Torreh...the deal was too good too pass up!).
I found one that is my philosophy on family.
See:

Tres chic, no?
See the handy dandy black plates next to it?
Picked those puppies up at Goodwill, spray painted them black, bought some dollar store plate hangers & viola.
I am going to put something under the saying tho.
To balance it out.
My mom suggested a shelft.
At first I was like nah
BUT
I remembered got a black shelf from Target in July for a STEAL...normally $25, on clearance for $4! Hello...can you say SPAVE???

Perhaps I will put a bigger, oval shape plate underneath.
If I use the shelf tho I could prop some pics of the kids on it.
Then again that darn wall is cement & virtually impossible to put nails in.
Really, don't bang the wall because those plates could fall & hit you in the head.
Be careful there Bobster!

I had some black gingham bows that I tied glued to the end of the plate rack but they unglued themselves. I so need to break out the hot glue gun vs. glue dots.


BTW, they aren't really uneven, my living room is crooked.

So Tanya @ The Thrifty Mommy bestowed this award on me!!!

Thank you!

Thank you!

Thank you!

I feel honored & can't believe she thinks my blog is worthy b/c her blog rocks! So, to me, it means a lot.

Now I get to bestow the honor on some deserving blogs.
First up:
Renee @ My Cooking Adventures because it's a brand new blog & it rocks!
Jenn @ Life is What You Make of It because, well, she's Jenn!
&
my final nominee:
Look It's Meg Ryans Mom because she always has fun blog posts!


So ladies, please accept this award & go onto bestow it to other blogs you find brillant.



Also, do any of my 5 readers have words around the house?
I would love to see them.
Leave me a link in the comments & I will come check it out!



Woops out!

20 Little Things to Treasure About Autumn

So The Inspired Room is hosting a 20 little things about autumn that you treasure link party.
Let's start:
1. Scarecrows

2. Craft fairs
3. Yankee Candle Harvest scent
4. Leaves changing color
5. Cool nights
6. The scent of fireplaces going
7. Wearing long sleeves (I'm odd, I know)
8. Building haunted houses

9. New tv season!
10. Oranges, reds and browns for decor
11. Acorns
12. Making heartier meals
13. Pumpkins

14. Starbucks Apple Cider
15. My Mr. Coffee Hot Chocolate Maker
16. Not having to put on the a/c
17. Carving pumpkins

18. Flannel sheets
19. Sweaters
20. Gingersnaps!


Ok, your turn.
Let me know your 20 treasures of Autumn.



Woops out!

A little Friday tag

Mom in High Heels tagged me!

So, here are 7 completely obscure things about me, I know you have all been waiting with baited breath!
1. See those lucious full (yet remarkably pale lips) up there, well when I was little, like 6 I think??? I was running & tripped & hit the wood handled of my dad's gold material rocker, splitting my upper lip like a mo~fo. To make matters worse, weeks later I was riding my Big Wheel when Marc Eisenman was on the back & fell forward causing me to resplit it. Rat Bastard! Anyway b/c of that I have a bump on my lip. Sure, sure, 30 yrs later it's almost disappeared but as a kid it caused my neighbor, Fritzie, to call me "Plunger Lips." I was pretty devasted by that name & have seeked therapy for it. Little did I know my mom thoroughly enjoyed that nickname & tried not laugh at me through my grief strickened tears.


2. My little sister & I are exactly 13 yrs & 6 days apart.



3. I have a birthmark on my pinky toe. Looks like I stepped in poo. Which is what my mom thought & she almost rubbed my pinky toe off when I was an infant. She just laughed & laughed about when she figured it out. (I am noticing a pattern her about how The Nana laughs at me & my "issues")

4. I have a secret (guess it's not now) crush on Chad Kroger from Nickelback. Sure, sure my sister says he looks like Jesus but I just think he is HOT!!!!!!!!! He also reminds me of an old coworker of mine from back in the day...Adam from Thriftway. Must be honest, I always thought Adam was really cute. Ok, for all of you who read my blog & know Adam....no throwing tomatoes at me!

5. I still have my tonsils.



6. I "heart" Mrs. Beasley & had this doll as a kid.
Loved her!



7. I didn't drive til I was 21.



So those are my 7 random facts, not 10 like the post says, only 7.
Now I must tag 7 other people....ready:
1. Preppy Little Dress 2. Carol
3. Erin
4. Lisa
5. Torreh
6. Jacquie
&
7. Tanya


So ok bloggers, go, do your tag, let me know & tag 7 more people.



Woops out!

A little fall inspiration

Ah, Pumpkins!
They inspire me, do they inspire you?
Especially when pumpkins are this freakin adorable.
Really they don't get much cuter!!!!



Fall is kicking into high gear.
I found out about Boo @ the Zoo today. I saw ads for Pumpkin Picking, hayrides & haunted houses.
You can keep the haunted houses.
I don't go through them.
I have actually paid top dollar to do those 3 in 1 type of deals at farms this time of year & skipped the house.
Yep.
I am a scaredy cat but I am not afraid to admit it.


I was out numbered this evening.
I had the girlies + Cheeks.
Then the missionaries showed up.
My goodness.....I am exhausted.
I survived tho.
Not by much but I will live.



Cheeks is putting more & more words together to form sentences.
His big sentence now is "I get it, I get it" or when he sees 2 binkies he says "Two binkies! Two binkies!" & then laughs maniacally. (Is that how you spell it, I am too lazy to hit spell check). He is also big on giving kisses & hugs now. I love it!



Oh I forgot to mention I joined the GM Psst Advisory group & today I received a full size Progresso Chicken Broth box. I was so excited & they sent like 10 coupons for $1.25 off future purchases.



So tell me what advisory groups do you belong to? Also, I wanna know...do you do Haunted Houses?



Woops out!

Makes Me Happy Wednesday

Pumpkins. Fall is on the way. Took this pic last year at the pumpkin patch. So fun!
The heat & humidity finally broke (I think for good, at least I hope) & there is a slight coolness to the air.
Yay baby!
Autumn is so my favorite season!!

These two little "divas" are spending the night, along with big brother, Danny.
That means I got to do crafts & then I braided both their hair (which is much longer now...these pics are old). I told them that when they woke up tomorrow & took out their braids their hair would be curly. Well call me Fredric Fekkai b/c I am now their favorite beautician! LOL
BTW, they are twins. Hard to tell them apart eh?



I am also loving Craigslist.
I made $30 bucks today from it.
Woohoo!
Sold one playpen & one gently used pair of Toddler Black High Top Converse.
What I liked about selling the converse was I got exactly what I paid for them, so in that regard I broke even.
Not so much on the playpen but eh, what can you do.



Americas Next Top Model is back.
Watched the end tonight.
I do not know about this Isis chic.
I think she will make it far but I think only because she is transgender.
She takes pretty photos but model material, not too sure.
Not favs for me yet but check back with me in a few weeks.
Of course, Miss J Alexander is back in full effect this season & I love it.
He is my favorite!!!!!!!!!



On that note..........
Woops out!

He likes to party all the time, Party all the time, party all the time!!!! (Thanks Eddie Murphy)

Oh wow!
My sister is so going to kill me when she sees I used this pic.
Muhahaha...give my kid clapping hands that light up & make buku noise again will ya????



Anyway, it appeared last night, that Cheeks was feeling better.
So much so that he awoke at 12am (after his 3 hr nap), ready to PAR-TAY!
Party til 4 in the morning.
Good times.
Yep.
He hung out.
Read some books.
Played with Elmo.
Then, as a final resort, watch the Barrett Jackson Auto Auction.
That puts me to sleep.
Him...not so much.
Finally tho. he had had enough at like 4 so he drifted into a sweet slumber.
Mommy & Daddy know have enough bags under their eyes to travel to Indonesia & back.
Ah, good times.



Thanks for all the tips on saving money at the store.
I will give it all a try.



I am so ready to break out the fall decor.
The weather finally broke, so I am hoping it stays cool.
I should have done it today but was too busy cleaning.
Yep.
I cleaned my sons room.
I must admit that friggin maid does a horrible job so I had no choice but to do it myself.
I am going to have to have a talk with Consuela in the morning b/c I found some huge dust bunnies!!!!



Now I want some inspiration with what to do with my fall decor.
Have any of you decorated yet?
Can you share some pics or tips or links to your blog?
Puhleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeze?
Don't make me beg, not pretty!



Woops out!

Why Bloggers Rock

See that pic?

Those are the Style Sisters.

Totally love their blog.

Why am I posting about them?

Well it seems their brother, a father of 8, was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer.

The sad thing is, he doesn't have health insurance for himself or his family.

Please go visit their blog or go directly to this post to see about donating to help with his medical bills.

This is why bloggers rock.

Everyone pulls together to help out each other.

The blogging community is the best!!!!!!!!!!!

Woops out!

A Post in the Middle of the Day ~ Can't Be

Yes.
Yes it is I.
At 2 in the afternoon, posting, from home.
Why?
Well someone woke up with a fever, runny nose & found out at the doctor, an infected throat.
Poor baby.
Cheekers is down for the count right now.
Sleeping it off hopefully.



As you can see by the above photos some states were hit but Ike.
My house was hit by Hurricane Cheeks.
He likes to express himself with his decorating skills.
Ha!
Just keeping it real folks, just keeping it real.



So, I am coming to ask the blogging community for some tips.
Tips on how to slash my grocery budget.
I have been cooking at home more & I use coupons.
I take my lunch to work & send snax & lunch with Cheeks for daycare.
I need to know how to get my bill to the lowest it can be.
$175 isn't bad after not going for 4 weeks.
Remember, it's me, Bobster, & 3 boys.
So give me some tips.
How do you do it?



Woops out!

P.S. Do you Twitter? I am new at it, so please come look me up...mkw70.

Thank you Dollar Tree

During August I was at Dollar Tree.
I spied these adorable pumpkins, got to the check out line & said "Nah, I will get them later in the season."
I could have kicked myself b/c as most of you in blogland know, these little pumpkins became decorating gold!!!
So I looked & looked & all my dollar stores were out of the creme color ones. I picked up an orange one
BUT
I had to have the creme colored one.
So Thursday I left work early & happened upon another Dollar Tree that I had never been in.
I sauntered in, I scoured, I couldn't find it.
Then
Like a glimmer in the sun.
I saw it.
I heard it.
Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeegggggggggggggggggggghan.
Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeegggggggggggggggggggghan, it called.
Behind some hideous skulls.
One lone creme pumpkin stood.
I snatched that puppy up so fast I think I saw sparks.
Of course, I inspected for any damage & it was pristine!
Then I found the cool $1 candle stick.
Viola!
Instant Autumn Decor.
Ah. I feel so much better now.



So after 4 weeks I finally got the food store today.
Didn't do too bad.
$175.00.
I even had a lady follow me outside & ask me how I got so many free coupons.
I told her about BzzAgent & She Speaks (if any of you go there please use me as a referral ~ mkw70)
I was so happy.
I felt like a good mommy blogger.
I asked if she blogged & she said she couldn't figure it out.
Tee hee.
Poor woman.
Anyway, I felt like I did a good service today!



Then I cooked again.
Oh Jackie, it's becoming a habit.
You are going to have to come out here & get me back into my "Let's eat out" stage.
Anywho, made Hawaiian Chicken.
2/3 c soy sauce
1 clove crushed garlic
2 tbs sugar
1/4 tsp ginger
1/2 white wine or water (I did water).
Combine ingredients & marinate the chicken.
Then bake chicken for 90 mins.
It was too shabby.
All the kids & Bobster said it was good.
I was impressed with myself! LOL
I also made the OreIda steamed mashed potatoes.
Garlic flavor.
Um, not a hit.
I only made them b/c I had a free coupon from She Speaks.
Probably wouldn't buy them b/c they are $3.50 on sale & didn't feed the 5 of us.
Plus everyone said "too garlicy"
Cest le vie.



That it for me.
Woops out!

Are you a P.O.O.P.I.E.???

I am.
I am P.O.O.P.I.E.
What pretell is it?
Well check out The Nester
She is having a P.O.O.P.I.E. party.
It stands for People Opposing Objectionable Pretend Plants In the Environment.
Like it?
I do.




I admit.
I have fakes.
Silk flowers but they are nice silk flowers.
Well at least in my opinion.
See exhibit A.
I did this quick today to get into the "Fall" mood.

It hangs on my front door.

This is a close up. I like it. Adds color.

The container it's in is one I bought from Southern Home Living Back in the day.

Loved their stuff but albeit a bit expensive.

Well I am participating in the party, are you?

If so go visit & link your site & leave me a comment letting me know you are participating!!!

Or pretty much just leave me a comment b/c well, I am a comment ho. The first step is admittance, ya know.

Woops out!

I am!

They Say It's Your Birthday!!!!

Happy 37th Birthday Daddy!

We love you.

I love you more than you know.

Woops out!

Do you ever feel..............

Like you have one of these following you?
I do.
Today especially.

Can you stand it!!!!!???

Cheeks is as surprised as I am.

Holy Moly!

I had over 140 visitors to my blog yesterday!!!!

WoW!
Now if I could just keep that pace up on a regular basis.
Tee hee.



I think it is because I posted to all my scrap groups to come see what I did over the weekend.
Woo!
So thank you to all the readers who came yesterday.
Hopefully you come back to visit often.



So, I cooked & baked over the weekend.
Sorry Jacquie.
Couldn't help it.
I had 6 screaming kids to cook for.
What did I make you ask?



Well I made my famous pork chops.
This is all you do.
EZ Peasy really.
Season both sides of a boneless pork chop w/ garlic salt, chili powder & pepper.
Briol for approx 5 mins each side or until the juices run clear....we don't want salmonella poisioning!!!
Then brush with bbq sauce & pop back in the broiler for a minute each side.
Very tasty.
So tasty in fact, that my nephew, bowed to me!!!
Impressive!!!!!



I also made Monkey Bread.
Will post that recipe later.
I must go wake Cheeks up b/c I have to leave for work in a few.



Woops out!

Feast Your Eyes on These Puppies

See what happens when Bobster removes all children from the house for the entire day!!!!

8 hours to myself!!!!

Woo!

(Sorry for the icky scans!)

Another Blogger In Need

Go visit: Silent Auction for Carol Vance Decker



Carol recently gave birth via emergency c-section.
She developed life-threatening hypotension from a septic pneumonia infection.
This caused blood flow to not reach her arms, legs or eyes.
She has had both legs amputated, one arm & has lost vision in her eyes.



Please.
Visit her site.
Say a prayer.



Woops out!

Lookee what I made!!!

That there is a chalkboard.
Made by yours truly.
Oh yes, I can be a crafty biotch when I need to be.


A little chalkboard spray paint.
A canvas.
Some ribbon.
Viola!


Bobster did the spray paint tho.
Altho. this past weekend I did spray paint some dishes I got at Goodwill.
Did them black.
Now I just have to hang them.



Anyway, what do you think?
Cute?
Not so much?



Woops out!

A fellow, kick ass blogger!

Stephanie Nielson, a kick ass blogger, mommy, devoted wife & all around wonderful person, & her husband were involved in a horrible private plane crash on Saturday, August 16th. Thankfully none of their children were on the plane. Only one other person was on the flight & sadly, he passed away from injuries sustained during the accident.



My heart goes out to this family. Christian, Stephanie's husband, has sustained burns over 30% of his body. Stephanie has burns over 80% of body & being kept sedated. The doctors have told their family it will be months worth of recovery. Stephanie will look very different once she has healed.



During their recovery, their medical bills are growing & growing. If you click that button up there, you can donate to the fund to help with their expenses. Their children are with Stephanie's sister in Utah.



You can go here:



To get updates. It's Stephanie's sister's blog.


This button:



will take you to her recovery blog. Here you can see all the benefits going on for her. Including auctions from tons of different bloggers to help raise money for this family.



My heart goes out to this family.
I can't imagine the heartache they are going through & what The Nielson's young children are wondering about, when mommy & daddy are coming home.



So, please, visit the sites above & if you can donate or even offer an auction of something.



Woops out!