New Site Design & Button!

I'm so excited! Finally got a new site design I truly like. Took long enough (I can be picky, but who isn't). I have a few thank you's to dish out, since I couldn't have done this without help. Okay, maybe I could have, but it was so much easier just asking (and searching).
So, my thank you's go out to the following: Shelley, from Shelley's Swag, who recommended the site I used to find my template (yes, it's a freebie), Jill, from Sneaky Momma Blog Design, who has some excellent how to pages up for bloggers, both beginning and advanced. Another thank you goes out to Karen. Karen, I cannot remember the name of your site right now, but I will get a link up as soon as I do (sorry for the inconvenience). Karen's site was the source for my button image.
So, if you have a blog, please grab my button and if I don't have yours already, let me know and I'll get it up.

Pur Minerals Giveaway! by Allison from You Have HOW Many Kids?

If you like mineral make-up, then you should definitely check out this giveaway. Have to hurry though, it ends tonight at 9pm Eastern Time.

Allison, from You Have HOW Many Kids? is being so generous as to give away a Starter Kit from Pur Minerals Makeup. You can check them out on Facebook by clicking the link.

The starter kit includes :

4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup (.15oz)

Mineral Glow (.12oz)
Universal Marble Powder (.10oz/3g)
The Chisel Makeup Brush

This is an awesome give away with so many ways to enter. Go check out Allison's site at You Have HOW Many Kids? for more details and all the different (oh so easy!!) ways to enter. And Good Luck!!!

It's Not Bribery, Is It?

Bribery, as defined by Webster's Online Dictionary, is the act of giving or taking a bribe. Okay, next word. Bribe, as defined by Webster's Online Dictionary, is money...given...in order to influence the judgment or conduct of a person in a position of trust; something that serves to induce or influence.

So technically, what I am doing with my girls is bribery, maybe. It could be considered an allowance, who's amount is based upon the amount of chores completed and how well they were done. Chores can included watching little brother for 5 minutes while I take a shower (the 1st in 4 days), taking diapers to the trash (so I can get the new diaper on baby boy before he sprays me, and to save me a trip), picking up toys (there really is no other way to get them to do this. they've told me they'd rather me throw them away before we started this).

So what's the payout. Well, that depends. Never more than $1 each, unless it's something funny, like sending them to dog-pile on hubby when he just layed down, thinking I didn't see him sneak into our bedroom. Most time's it's a few pennies to a quarter. Whatever I find in the wash. They aren't getting rich from this, I can assure you.

They also lose money. Our middle child, Waterbaby, likes to play with stuff. Doesn't matter what it is, as long as it isn't a toy, she wants it. And apparently watching stuff flow down the drain in the bathroom sink is more entertaining than an hours worth of cartoons because I emptied that jar and couldn't replace everything she dumped in a course of 2 days. They also lose money for bad behavior, like back talk or not sharing.

So, what are your thoughts? Do you give your kids an allowance? How much? When did you start (forgot to add, my girls are 4 and 3), do they have to do anything to get it?

Thanks for weighing in on this. Its always nice to know what others in the parenting bubble are doing.

Garden Update

Finally! The garden party has begun. I've been out twice a day for 3 days (couldn't yesterday because of the blisters on my hand) and I finally got one bed done. I know what you're thinking. One bed? Yep, one. With a baby, it's really hard to find the time.

So, our first bed in the big garden this year. We have about 8-10 short rows of Black Aztec corn, and 3 Seminole Pumpkin hills. Once the corn gets big enough, I may plant some pole beans down the south side of that bed. Give the three sisters a try and see how it works.

So, the vine growing out of the compost bin is not a loufa gourd vine. Not quite sure yet. The leaves look like squash leaves, so I'm thinking it's an 8-ball squash. They are dark green and get about the size of a kids head. They are excellent stuffed or cut into chunks and sauteed in butter.

Next step is planting the onions up front and putting in okra, green and yellow squash, water melon, orange melon (can't remember the variety right now), lemon balm (to go in with the squash), wild strawberries going I don't know where, and some more butter beans.

That's about it for now. I harvested some rosemary a while back and it's almost dry. I'm so excited. We've never dried any before, so I hope it turns out okay. I tried my hand at drying mint, but I must have left it up there too long. We'll see if the second time's the charm.

I'll post some photos as soon as the stuff starts to sprout and get pretty. Grow something this year. It'll be one of the most rewarding things you do, I promise. :)

There's a Sucker...I Mean, Customer, Born Every Minute

"There's a sucker born every minute." attributed to P.T. Barnum (by one of his competitors in the circus business). He stated his actual quote was "There's a customer born every minute." Well, the situation that went down today fits better into the first scenario. And guess who the sucker was ladies and gents. That's right, yours truly. 

It all started with a simple trip to the flea market. One of mine and hubby's favorite activities when we are childless for a few hours on the weekend. Started off normal, found some really cool stuff that hubby wouldn't look at, so I didn't buy. Really kicking myself for it now...but that's getting ahead. Let me continue...

So, we continue on our stroll, not seeing anything really out of the ordinary. Then someone (a lady, with long blonde hair and sunglasses) walks up and hands me and hubby each a ticket for our "free" chance to win cash and prizes. (Hint #1 that this was a scam....The first one's always free!) So, we go over, take our rolls, and low and behold, we're pretty darn close to winning (Hint #2 that it's a scam, the guy will add up your numbers really fast and all of sudden, you're soooo close to winning...all you need is *x* number of points)

. So, I pay a couple bucks to get another roll and see what luck will bring me...today must have been her day off. A couple bucks and 1 roll (toss actually, some sort of balls in the hole, add up the numbers, get to 100, win a prize type deal. in plain english - The Odds Are On the House!)...anyway, 1 roll turned into more and yada yada yada, I now own a very expensive stuffed bunny rabbit. Now, being that this not an 'anonymous' blog, as in, my family reads this, I will not disclose how much I got taken for. Let's just say I should have known better. 

And what was hubby doing during all of this, you ask? Standing back and watching. You see, he knows, the odds are always on the house. He let me learn the hard way, like normal. If he had been paying a little more attention, I think he would have stopped me sooner, but that's how it goes. Guess we both learned a lesson today. 

So, remember kiddies, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. The odds are always on the house. The first one's always free. And the most important rule of all, because it's printed somewhere, just so tiny you can't see it...NO REFUNDS. 

Well, I hope some of you learned something from my experience today. I know I did. A lesson I will never forget. And I have a large gray stuffed rabbit next to my computer to remind me, just in case. 

I added a couple links through amazon, some good financial sense books (just from what I've heard. I have not read these books, but I've seen the author speak and trust her to give sound advice).

Enjoy your week, and don't let Monday get you down. 

love from the swamps

Getting to Know YOU

 

I am joining up with Mann Land 5 today in her blog carnival. Get to know me, get to know others, and let others get to know you. 

Check her site for the link up list. It's super easy to link up. And you never know, you might make some new friends along the way. :)

The questions..

1. The most expensive thing hanging in my closet is.....?
One of 2 things, depending on how you look at it. The thing I paid the most for is a Bob Marley Hoodie from Soul-Flower which was on clearance (FINALLY) for $38, so $45 with shipping. The other one that might qualify is a designer black wool dress that I bought at Rugged Wearhouse for $2. The original price tag was still on it...for $198! Gotta love a bargain. So, take your pick. :)

2. Have you ever played a team sport?
1 year of softball, 1 year of basketball, 1 year track&field, 1 year soccer (wasn't really a sportsy kid)

3. If you were a bug, what kind would you be?
A gigantic spider. The ultimate predator of insects (and yes, I know, they aren't actually insects...)

4. Where on your body is the worst place to get sunburned? (thanks Ian)
either on the back or bottoms of feet

5. Are you happy?
I'm not sad. :)

6. People are always abbreviating..are there any abbreviations that make your skin crawl when people use them?
FTW, unless they are using the newer connotation "For the Win"

7. Do you love where you live..or could you live anywhere?
I love the area, because it's my home. But do I love our neighborhood...not so much. I want to be a little further out in the country. Gotta have some breathing room.

8. What, if any, extreme measures do you go to to keep yourself from overeating when you're full?
 I don't. When I get full, I stop eating. Unless it's molten chocolate cake, then I just overeat and pay the price later. Because it's so worth it. :)


Well, that's it. Random information about the productive nonconformist. Hope you at least found it amusing. Don't forget to check out MannLand5 to see other answers and add your own. 
 

(Almost) Wordless Thursday

Lunch today, as requested by my 2 little girls.

Sausage patties from last night, half a pear each, and 1 cherry. Milk to drink. 

My kids make me so proud.

Faithful Provisions Personalized Notecard Giveaway

Faithful Provisions is giving away a set of 24 personalized note cards from On Your Time on Etsy.
A set of these cards normally runs about $25, so this is a wonderful chance to win some super cute cards to send those thank you notes for the wonderful gifts you get for Mother's Day (or for sending a gentle reminder that Mother's Day has passed and you haven't heard from whoever...) :)
Check them out by clicking the title of this blog. It will redirect you to their post on the giveaway and ways to enter.
Good Luck!

Are You Sure Your Floor's Are Clean?

How do you clean your kitchen floor? Do you use a sponge mop, an old fashion cotton mop, or maybe you have one of those new-fangled electronic do-hickies that you have to keep buying those expensive cleaning pads for. If you are using any of the above methods, your floors are not as clean as you think they are.

When you mop with either version of the standard mom, not long after starting, you will be "cleaning" with dirty water. When you use those gadgets, you might get a little better job done, but they are expensive, and you still aren't going to get up the tough stuff, unless you are using a super harsh cleaner.

What cleaning agent you chose is up to you. I prefer non-toxic, preferably plant based, cleaners because I have 3 young children running around, and I am sensitive to many chemicals. But that isn't what this is about. This is about the "how" of cleaning laminate floors.

Let me start by saying, I didn't come up with this. I was taught this by someone I know, we shall call her *E*. She use to clean houses with one of her friends. This is how they always cleaned the floors, how *E* cleaned her floor, and now, how I clean mine. ~~The instructions I provide are simply that, mine. This is how I clean my kitchen floor. Probably not exactly like *E* taught me, but it works.~~

You will need:
broom/dust pan
cleaner
hot water
rag(s)
old clothes
shoes

Instructions for a sparkling truly clean floor:
1. sweep really well.
2. spray cleaner onto the really dirty spots on the floor
3. put hot hot water on the rag, get on your hands and knees, and attack the dirty spots. rinse rag as soon as it gets dirty (you can use a bucket, but this goes back to cleaning with dirty water...)
4. once you have all the tough spots done, lightly spray the rest of the floor. you don't need to over spray, or your floor will end up slippery
5. more hot water, back on your knees, and scrub the rest of the floor. rinse rag as necessary.
6. (optional) you can either let your floor air dry, or for an even better clean, you can take a dry rag and dry it as you go.

End result: floors you could eat off of (not that you would, but you could...)

Again, this is how I do it. I just wanted to pass this tip along. And it really doesn't take any longer than regular mopping, if you are mopping to get your floor absolutely clean. Give it a try and see what you think. And, thanks *E* for teaching me this method.

Learning Can Be Fun....And Tastey!

My girls love fruit, so we go through a lot of it. But for some reason, the bag of oranges I bought just sat in a bowl on the counter getting bad.

So, this morning, when my youngest came to me and said she wanted to make juice with her (toy) juicer, I decided, why not?

our oldest, C-belle, taking her turn with the juicer.


our middle one, water baby, taking her turn (notice the Sharpie red 'nail polish')

Finished product (approx 2 cups, from 5 oranges and 1 lemon) and supplies. I wasn't kidding when I said a toy juicer.

The girls had a blast helping, and especially drinking, our homemade creation (it was really good). As I can't stand peeling oranges, I think this might be the next big thing at our house. Guess that means I should spring for a real juicer.

Do something fun, and educational, with your kids TODAY! They will remember it for a long long time.

(one)Love,
from the swamplands

Why Holiday's Make Me Cranky (and a Mother's Day wish for YOU!)

Some of you may not know that my husband works at a wholesale florist. It was started in 1955 by my granddaddy. I am very proud of him and all the work he did so that the business could still be around today. However, that does not mean I am without complaint, or at least, without comment, because there's no point in complaining about something you can't change, but it helps to get it off your chest.
So here's my gripe. For every holiday when it is "an accepted social convention" to give flowers, the preceding weeks are a living hell for me (and others in this industry). Valentine's Day, my husband was at work. Easter Sunday, my husband was at work. Mother's Day (and our anniversary) are a week away, and where's my hubby gonna be? Probably at work. (I left out my birthday, since it's not a flower giving holiday that screws it, it's the company's open house that they have that weekend every year. BAH!)
Now, you say, who am I to be complaining. After all, the job market sucks, I don't have to get up and leave the house everyday, all I have to do is take care of the kids and keep the house clean. Well really? Is that all I do? Is that all any stay at home mom does? "Take care of the kids and keep the house clean." Sounds simple enough, right? (for those of you who are not SAHM's, the rest of us are rolling on the floor laughing our a$$'s off at this. Mainly because it's damn near impossible to do both by yourself.)
These holiday's force me to attempt to do it all myself (or just let it pile up, like it has lately) because when my husband gets home, he goes to sleep. Many times, right in the middle of the living room floor. So, not only am I taking care of the kids and "keeping the house clean" I am stepping over someone every time I want to go into our bedroom (until I piss him off by waking him up enough times and telling him to move), I am taking care of our animals, keeping track of birthdays, appointments (okay, so I'm not so great at those two either), outside time every day (insisted upon by the Mr. in the house) shopping, inventory, meals, bottles, diapers, baths, etc. I am washing clothes and cooking food for someone who doesn't even notice. A zombie. For two weeks (up to 3), every damned flower giving holiday, I live with a grumpy, underfed (not my fault), ill-rested, foul-mouthed (he's a truck driver) slob. I love him, I just sometimes wish they had cots where he worked....
But, by all means, buy some flowers this Mother's Day. I'm sure they will be well received (just don't bring me any, unless I can plant them or eat them). And make sure to be nice to your florist, because if you piss them off, they will ruin everyone else's day that they come in contact with, and if you're in my area, then that probably means my hubby.
Hope everyone has a Happy Mother's Day. And if you get flowers, enjoy them. (said with the most sincerity I can muster right now.) Wishing all moms, mommies, mama's, grandma's, maggies, meema's, grawmy's, granny's, abuela's, and anyone I forgot, a wonderful Mother's day. May you get shown all the love you deserve. Without mothers, we would have no future, for our children are our future.

with (one)Love,
from the swamplands

Packrats Unite. Keep Your Stuff and Make It Useful.

Okay, let me start by saying that you will not find me riffling through your garbage at 3 o'clock in the morning. I'm not looking for some random piece of mail or credit card app. The trash that I like is simpler stuff. And most of it is my own (or at least, from someone in my family).
Jars, old ratty shirts, fabric scraps, old furniture, old buckets or bowls. There are so many uses for these things...there just aren't enough hours in the day to do them all (unless, of course, you forgo all meals and household duties on a 4 day craft binge, but hey, that's your problem).
If you are planning on a craft binge, you will have to get the rest of your ideas elsewhere. Today, I am only offering one, and you may have seen it before. Here it is: Using your old t-shirts to make re-usable grocery/market/shopping bags.
There are many sites with many good step by step instructions on how to do this. Here are the bare bones basics.
Pick the shirt you want to make into a bag. Wash and iron it per tag instructions (or however works for you, it's not my business how you iron your shorts).
Figure how tall you want you bag, and mark a line across the bottom of the shirt (a straight line, please). This is your cut line. Cut this line, and cut the sleeves off. You may also want to cut the neck down the front and back in a semi-circular way, so the opening for your bag is bigger.
Turn the shirt inside out. If you have pins, pin the bottom of the shirt, so it doesn't shift when you are sewing. If you are sewing the seems around the opening and arms, fold them over and pin them too (you may also want to bring the iron out again to help get a good crease, but again, to each his own).
While the shirt is inside out, sew your seams. Back stitch at the beginning and end of each stitch for extra strength. You can also you back across for extra strength. (TIP: remove the pins as you are sewing, right before they are to go under the needle. If you leave them in, you risk damaging your needle. You can do this without stopping the machine, just sew slowly. This will also help prevent crooked seams and tangled threads.)
Turn the shirt-now-bag right side out and enjoy your new creation, knowing you got to hold onto something you loved, and you kept something out of the dump.
Hope you like this idea. If you have any up-cyclying ideas of your own, please feel free to leave them in the comments or on my facebook page.

Duplicate Followings

This is my fault. Apparently I created 2 Google accounts with the same email address (not sure how that got through the cracks, but that's not my problem). My point is, if you have me twice on your followers list, I apologize. I am trying hard to get it worked out. I thought I had deleted the old account, but apparently I didn't.
I will get this worked out as soon as possible. Sorry for any confusion or inconvenience.

Welcome to Motherhood!

A friend said this to me earlier today. It struck me as odd. After all, I've been a mom for 4+ years now. But then I thought about it. What it boiled down to was something out of the ordinary came up and I didn't get the response I was looking for.
This must be a situation stay at home mothers ( and working moms too), go through alot. I haven't had to. Like I said, this was out of the ordinary. It hurt my feelings and pissed me off all at the same time (the situation). But when she said that, and I got over the shock, I realized, she was completely right.
That is a fact of being a mother. You have to put aside your own discomforts, wants, and sometimes needs, whatever they may be, and do what needs to be done. Don't rely on, but be thankful for, help. And most of all, give your children the best you can with what you have.
Thanks for the good advice friend. :)

Updates - Plants, Books, Writing, Sickness, and Goodbyes

First, I apologize to those who are (im)patiently waiting for the plant blogs to start. Between sickness and getting the garden going, I just have not felt like writing.

Second, I will no longer be doing book reviews. I have only done one and it sucked. (the review, not the book). I haven't done a review/report since high school and even then I wasn't very good at it. So, my apologies go out this time specifically to Robert Frasier. My review did not do his book justice. Sorry Rob! If you get a chance, check out his works. He's an excellent writer....me, not so much.

Third, I feel crappy. When I feel crappy I do not write as much.

Fourth, I am very scatterbrained, I have OCD, and I have a very short attention span. The first plant blog is already written, minus the pictures and the medical information. All that needs to be done is to add those and the 1st plant blog will be up. I will not give a time frame, because I do not know when I will feel like finishing it.

Well, that's about all the updates for now. Saying a late "see you later" to a friend who has currently gone off grid and has not given specifics as to when he will be back. We miss you on the boards, and I will miss your comments and insights on my posts.

I will get some new posts up soon. Got the pics taken, just need to get them sorted and get in the mood (for writing!....geez, get your minds out of the gutter!)

That's all for now. And remember, I'm pulling for ya. We're all in this together.