Coupons

So I have a new passion - Couponing. It started with double coupon Wednesdays at Farm Fresh. I started saving $10 to $15 dollars a trip. So I started looking around on the internet for couponing advice. Well, I will tell you there is plethora of help out there. Blog after blog of coupon match ups and great deals.

One of the great blogs I subscribe to it "For the Mommas (and Dads too)". Shannon has so many great deals and giveaways. Check it out at http://www.forthemommas.com/.

It Is Insanity

Ours is a culture that has long used physical pain as a punishment for unwanted behavior not only in children, but in adults. You actually kill people to get people to stop killing people.

It is insanity to use the energy that created a problem to seek to solve the problem.

It is insanity to repeat the behaviors you want to stop in order to stop them.

It is insanity to model behaviors all over your society that you say you do not want your offspring to copy.

And the highest insanity is pretending that none of this is happening, then wondering why your children are acting insane.

Friendship with God
Neale Donald Walsch
Pages 129-130

Summer Fun

Summer always seems like a busy time. I probably plan too much every weekend, but I just love being outside. Our summer has been filled with canoeing, camping and a couple of festivals.

We also went to Disney World with my family. Now that was an adventure!

Aidan and I relaxing at Blizzard Beach in Florida.

Being a Single Mom and Non-Toxic Paint

So everyone knows I am a single mom. Aidan's dad lives far away, so Aidan is with me all the time. No weekend breaks for me. So I have had to learn to incorporate a 3 year old into my activities.

One example. Painting. I have a gold bookshelf which I am planning on putting in Aidan's room. I bet I could of painted the thing green in less 30 minutes, add a toddler add an hour.


He did a great job, and really didn't get much paint on him. I am an "after the fact mom". I didn't think about changing his clothes until after he had paint on him. Oh well, I guess.

I didn't worry about him getting paint on him, because I found Mythic Paint. http://www.mythicpaint.com/. It is a zero-VOC (volitile organic compound), zero-carcinogenic line of latex paints that I found. You can buy it at ACE Hardware. Lowes and other home improvement places didn't carry it in Williamsburg.

Regular paints which contain lead, mercury, formaldehyde, formaldehyde precursors, crystalline silica or other known toxic materials "gas off" after you paint them. What is scary is that they can "gas off" for anywhere from 1 to 3.5 years. More Info Here. That is a long time to be breathing low level toxic fumes. Thankfully, I don't have to worry it. Mythic's paint tag line is Safe for People, Safe for Pets, Safe for the Earth. You know I am all about that.

Moving In

Well this is the after closing glow from buying my first home. It was a great spring day and I had the sun roof open enjoying the mild weather.


So after 6 years of wanting to own my own home, I did it. This is me jumping for joy in my new bedroom. Yippeee!!!!

What I have to unpack?!? After several days the thrill is kindof gone. Actually not really, but the realization of the work ahead sets in. This room is now the offical storage room. My living room and Aidan's room is pretty good, no boxes. I realize now I don't know where to put all this stuff. I am going to have to invest in a lot of book shelves. I have so many books. IKEA here I come.

Home Closing

I will closing on my first home purchase tommorrow - 3/31 at 3:00. I am very excited. I have been packing for a week and am completely tired. No matter what I do, I am a least 15 minutes late for work everyday. I am going to try to be in bed by 11 pm tonight.

I haven't posted for a while, because blogspot keeps giving me an error when I add pictures. I decided to just leave them out until I can figure what's up.

The weather is turing warmer and I am coming out of hibernation. I can't wait for Aidan and I to start spending more time outside.

It is getting closer

Well here is my kitchen. It is finished now, but I keep forgetting my camera every time I go by. The whole house is actually completely finished, but I have had some problems posting, so these pics are old.

I will be closing tommorrow, 3/31 at 3:00.

I am so excited! The weather is turning warmer and I will be in my new home soon. Heaven.

MarsCon and a Haircut

Before I had Aidan I did so many things. I was an avid volunteer starting from 8 grade on. I was always ready to go. I love going places. Gradually I have been going more and more places, but having a toddler in tow just doesn’t work out sometimes. I really wish I could find some volunteer work that I could bring Aidan along. I know it will have to wait a while.

But I have been attending more and more festivals. Aidan and I went to the 19th Annual Williamsburg MarCon last Saturday. It is a science fiction, space, fantasy conference.

Me and a Storm Trooper

Aidan trying to catch the mad scientists vapor bubbles.

Aidan dueling with an older boy. He kept telling him to give up. It ended in a draw. We spent most of our time at the lego table. Even though I didn't get to go to any games or programs I had a great time and so did Aidan.

Also last week I got my hair cut with bangs.

It has been some time since I had them but I like them.

Christmas

Aidan at Christmas.

The only thing he wanted was a Castle. So "Santa" brought him. "Santa" also spent about an hour putting the whole thing to together the night before.

Aidan making cookies for Santa.

Well after all the Christmas celebration I got sick. I was already tired and haven't got back into the groove of things, and now I have a cold. I still haven't unpacked from visiting my parents over Christmas. And my car is a mess. There is something about winter that just shuts me down.

I refuse to make resolutions in January becuase it simply doesn't fee like a new year to me. I feel new and refreshed when Spring comes around. That is my resolution time.

So I look to the new year with lots of great expectations. I will be in a new house soon and for the first time will get to decorate and paint the walls. I am very excited.

Happy New Year