Olivia the Pig

Yesterday I was happy to announce the name of Chad and Marne's new baby girl to Olivia. I told her that I almost named her the very same name - Abigail. Olivia told me that she, too, also loved the name Abigail. She told me that it was a prettier name than Olivia. And then she continued by telling me that she wished she was named Abigail and then said, "well at least I'm named after a pig."

Oh, that was so funny. She was referring to Olivia the Pig - a character for children's books. Her reasoning was so cute. Just to set the record straight, Olivia was not named after the pig. I didn't even know about those books at the time. However, since then we have loved those children books. It's even a cartoon now! Check out this Olivia the Pig website for info and some fun games.

Yummy Drinks

Yesterday, out of the blue, Vivian said, "Sometimes I like being sick". That caught me by surprise, especially because she hasn't been sick for a while (however, I think she may have allergies right now). I asked her why she likes being sick. And she replied, "Because you give me lots of yummy drinks like lemonade." How funny!

Harvard Day of Faith

Day of Faith: Personal Quests for a Purpose - 3. Rachel Esplin from Harvard Hillel on Vimeo.

This is a video of Rachel Esplin at "Panelist at Harvard Day of Faith". She is an example of a young women who's influence is far reaching. I started watching this video and couldn't stop - even though it is 21 minutes. She answers with confidence and knowledge -she seems like a sweet young lady.

What kind of example am I?

Today I am teaching a lesson to the young women titled, "A Righteous Example Influences Others". Sister Ardeth G. Kapp reminds us “When you keep the commandments and follow the Savior’s example, it’s like holding up a light. Your good example helps others to find their way in a darkening world. It takes courage to do what you know to be right even when it is hard, very hard. But you will never lose your courage unless you choose to” (“Stand for Truth and Righteousness,” Ensign, Nov. 1988, p. 94).

I know people are always watching us and our example whether it be postive or negative.

Where am I?

I have lost the drive for a bit to blog. I have been so occupied the last day or so with couponing and the Albertsons sale. I just love all the deals I find.

Also I am now helping Paul with a huge project he is undertaking so that has turned my life upside down for the next couple weeks.

I can't wait to post a picture of all my food storage - it is beginning to be consolidated into one room. I will somewhat try to organize it and then I will capture it for you. It is a little overwhelming. I bought tons of canned tomatoes, chili, tomato soup, cream of chicken soup, pinto/black beans, spaghettios, and veggies that I need to use more regularly before they expire!

Week #3 - Pandemic Preparation

Water – determine drinking the amounts you need for drinking and cleaning. At a bare minimum you should have 14 gallons of water per person.

1 gallon of liquid bleach and disinfectant cleaner

Liquid cleaners (soap, dish soap) – if utilities go out these will be easier than powdered cleaners

2 boxes of N95 masks for each adult in the household – make sure it fits firmly against the face. As long as hospitals keep these in stock, you should too.

I have been couponing again!

Actually that title implies that I stopped - it's really an ongoing part of my life. Monday I was so excited to show Paul my deals from Albertsons. He again begged me to stop with a 3 month everyday supply and a 1 year long term supply. What? You want to take the fun of shopping away from me? Not a chance!

I purchased some coupons online that I held onto until I found a sale this week. I was able to buy Electrasol dishwasher Tabs for $0.49 plus tax for a box of 20! Yes - things fell into place with this coupon (thanks Tami for the heads up). I need 27 boxes for a year supply - considering I run my dishwasher an average of 1.5 times/day. I will have a two year supply when I'm done with this deal! LOVE IT!

Menu Monday

Monday - Olivia requested Baked Chicken, ham and cheese braid (tried it from being frozen - everyone loves it), veggie

Tuesday - Taco Tuesday and Macho Nachos

Wednesday - Chicken Noodle Soup with homemade noodles (using left over Monday night chicken) / rolls

Thursday - Marinated Grilled Chicken, rice, veggie

Friday - Girls night out! (Father and Sons campout)

Saturday - Bertolli Frozen pasta (from a previous sale - delicious), salad, bread

Sunday - Costa Vida Salad (didn't have this last week like I planned)

Mother's Day 2009

Olivia wrote me a note and gave me a geranium to plant!

Porter made some beautiful paper flowers, a photo card, a coupon book (with lots of great things he will do for me...you know how mom loves coupons) and a handmade card!

Corbin wrote a poem about me with a photo he took along with a handmade card! He also made the flower arrangement from things in our yard.

Vivian gave me a tiny purple flower that she picked from outside. Then she gave me a small stuffed dog. She said, "Mom, you can have this because I don't want it anymore." Later she changed her mind and took the dog back and gave me her Nemo purse with Nemo figurines.

And Paul wrote me a beautiful card and made a delicious breakfast (I love Creme Brule' French Toast), lunch and dinner.

Thank you family - I love you!

Beware of Rollie Pollies

Vivian totally freaked out last night when she saw an itty bitty rollie pollie. Does anyone know how to turn this video upright? I can't figure that part out! HELP!

Free Coupon Class

Do you want to learn how to take advantage of those great shopping deals? Check out his FREE coupon class put on by Discount Queens on Tuesday, May 12th- click here. I think this is so great that it is free - I have seen several that charge $5-10 per person.

I am a huge fan of couponing. I take advantage of too many deals Paul would say. I am stocked up on paper towels and toilet paper for a year along with countless boxes of cereal, fruit snacks, granola bars, cleaners, toothpaste, deodorant, pasta, ketchup, chocolate, and applesauce (for a year), and so much more!

There are some deals that slip by me because I don't have time or energy for all of them. You have to be sensible about this or it can take over your whole life. It is an addiction - beware!

First Nickel Auction was a Success

Tonight we held our first ever "Nickel Auction".

There was a great turn out of 16 women - I think everyone had a great time. It started at 7:00pm and lasted until 9:30pm. I think next time it will run a little smoother, this was a new experience for all of us.

I planned on taking lots of photos and video clips, but then I started having too much fun and totally forgot. You should have seen all the stuff that these gals carried into my home. Everyone came with stuff and everyone left with "new-to them" stuff.

Everyone was given 10 minutes maximum to sell whatever they had. After the auction, people continued selling and giving things away! Hit items: blue IKEA bags, shower radio, vinyl lettering saying, scrapbooking paper, baby boy clothes, home decor and more!

I already have things to sell - I brought out a silk tree but forgot to sell it! Now that many of you have a feel for it, start your spring cleaning. I'm sure you will find a lot more stuff around the house. And next time invite your friends. I get a little action "happy" and then wonder why I bought some of the things that I did. It's a bunch of fun.

Next "Nickel Auction" is coming soon - how about towards the end of the month before school is out? What do you think?

Feel free to link this post to your blogs to get the word out!

"This is the best Chili" - from Paul

Today I made this crockpot chili recipe that Paul said was the best chili he has ever eaten! Wow! I thought I better share this easy recipe with you since it got such big reviews from Paul. Three out of four children gobbled it down. Vivian said she didn't like the "potatoes" in it. We tried telling her they weren't "potatoes" they were "tomatoes". Then she said I don't like the "red potatoes". Those two foods are not her favorites. Usually I blend the crushed tomatoes and then she doesn't seem to mind. Click here for the recipe.

It's Never too Late to Begin

I'm still plugging the book "The 5000 Year Leap". It is a must read for every American citizen. If you need a book, I can order you one for $6.40 through the www.nccs.net.

Check out our online book club blog - click on the heart (in the right hand column). April just posted a wonderful 3 minute video about the principles of this book, it is a great overview. I beg you to begin reading this book!

Why don't we have kids day?

While we were coming home from the YMCA after school today, we listened to radio advertisements reminding listeners to buy flowers for Mother's Day. Just then Olivia again asked me the question, "Why don't we have kid's day?" She wondered why everyone was expected to buy their mothers a gift and why children don't have a special day that they receive gifts. Hummm... I think I made a mistake by one year giving the children gifts on Mother's Day so tell them how much I loved being their mother. I thought it was a great idea, but it is beginning to backfire.

I tried to tell them why mothers are special and all the daily things that they do to show us that they love and care for us. I could soon realize that I was not getting anywhere with Olivia - so I just gave up. I know that after becoming a mother myself my eyes were finally opened! I am truly grateful for all that my mother did for me, all that she put up with, all that she sacrificed, and especially all the love and strength that she exemplified and gave me. I love you, Mom!

Nickel Auction - This Thursday!

Date: Thursday, May 7th

Time: 7:00 pm

Place: I will email you that information.

Bring: An appetizer, dessert, drink or snack to share with group.

Requirement for bidding: You must bring items to auction. Each person will be given 10 minutes maximum to sell whatever they have. You sign up to auction in the order that you arrive -so be on time! Bring cash - small change/bills.

PLEASE RSVP at tiffwinward@hotmail.com - I need to know how many are coming, plus I can send you another reminder.

Here is the original post (click here) - it even has a little video to show you how fun it will be. This will be my first attempt at holding one of these - so we will learn as we go.

Bring anything that you want to auction - ANYTHING GOES!

I need some extra help (please let me know if you are bringing one of these items):

paper plates to use for auction paddles

paper cups

paper plates

napkins

Menu Monday

Monday- Sweet and Sour Chicken, brown rice, veggie

Tuesday- Tacos (Corbin's favorite food)

Wednesday- Paul is trying out a new crockpot recipe - Spicy Pork Chili. He is actually going to make it himself! I think he needs to learn how to cook - it's just a matter of reading and following instructions, right?

Thursday- leftovers (it's nickel auction night - so we will have food galore)

Friday- kids dinner - macaroni and cheese, fruit smoothie, and ?

Saturday- Brats in sauerkraut (in crockpot), pork and beans, pasta salad, chips

Sunday- Costa Vida Salads - we love this!

Week #2 - Pandemic Preparation

Week #2
Oral Re-Hydration formula
Buy it or make your own:
• ¼ teas salt
• ¼ teas Lite salt (near salt at grocery store)
• ¼ teas baking soda
• 2 ½ teas sugar
• Combine these ingredients w/ 1 liter of sterile water. Suggest making up several of these
and save it in small baggies. Store in your kit. Taste before relying on this recipe – make
it palatable for your family.

Thermometer and alcohol to clean it
Prescriptions, pain/fever reducers, vitamins
First Aid kit – make sure hand sanitizer is included

I like to buy vitamins at Costco - plus I think they have a coupon for $3 each bottle. Many stores are out of hand sanitizer - so check the dollar stores. I bought some last week at Dollar Tree.


I need your help:
I don't have a thermometer. I need to buy one. Where is the best buy?

Check out these FREE online courses from BYU

Look at this: Independent Study now offers free courses in different areas of study. These areas include Family History, Family Life, and Religious Scripture Study, such as the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants. Use these courses as a starting point for your personal studies or just to add insight to an area of interest. These courses are not for credit. Click HERE for all the info.

Those that perk my interest include:



CIT 70 — The Citizen's Guide to American Politics (April do you want to take this class together? anyone else?)


FAMLF 71 — Strengthening Marriage and Family: Proclamation Principles and Scholarship




FAMLF 72 - Building a Functional Family











And the Religion Courses - I am excited about this. I think this will help my study!

What classes interest you?

We Need

We need strong Christians who can

persevere against hardship,

who can sustain hope through tragedy,

who can lift others by their example and their compassion,

and who can consistently overcome temptations.

We need strong Christians who can make important things happen by their faith and who can defend the truth of Jesus Christ against moral relativism and militant atheism.

--Elder D. Todd Christofferson

This powerful quote stood out to me when I was listening to General Conference. It was exactly what I needed to hear. Can you and I be that kind of Christians?

Beware of the Signs that Take Away the Rights of the People

Thursday evening Corbin and I had the opportunity to listen to Irving Roth, a Holocaust survivor, speak about his life experience. Irving, now 79 years old, travels around the country telling his story so that we don't ever let this happen again and so that we are aware of the steps that led to this. I thought this would be a great opportunity for Corbin to hear first hand from a survivor and learn what happened to the Jewish people during this dark period of history.

Click HERE to read a brief sketch of Irving's life - he was a teenager during his stay in Auschwitz and Buchenwald.

Here is a link to a video of Irving's Survival Story (this is a long video clip - probably exactly what he told us)

At the age of ten, Irving realized that he was "different" than everyone else - or at least treated like he was. The first step of violation against the Jews was that the Jew's simple, freedoms were taken away. Irving no longer could attend school, play at the park, enjoy his fur coat, or play soccer with his friends. The second violation was the economic oppression they placed on the Jews. The Jews were no longer to own businesses, work in government, lawyers couldn't practice law, etc. and it just got worse from there.

Below is a clip that I recorded (they take forever to upload). Out of all the segments that I recorded I think this one was the most important. Here is his warning to us.

I like this article which talks about adopting a survivor.

I have had the opportunity of visiting the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. - I just couldn't believe how the Jews (and others) were treated. It is just beyond my comprehension. I feel a need to learn about their history. Now I am reading a book by Lorissa Wilfong Holt titled "I Remember...A Memoir of Nazi Invasion Forced Exile and Concentration Camp". And I will be fortunate enough to meet Lorissa when she comes to speak to a book club (she lives nearby). Thank you ladies for inviting me to your special night with her.

One of my favorite books: The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

1st Muffin Tin

Okay I thought the muffin tin idea was really cute and creative (look a few posts ago to all those cute ideas and links). Since we were having pizza tonight I decided to add a muffin tin full of fruits and veggies. Paul thought it was a clever idea. Just pass the muffin tray and scoop out your servings. I decided I need some more muffin tins - the others I have look cruddy. Keep your eyes open for me when your garage sale-ing!

What's the Common Theme?

Can you see the common denominator? Come on you probably can guess it....my favorite color, GREEN! As I was quickly walking through Target, these items caught my eye. And yes, I happened to have my camera- but I felt pretty weird taking these photos. People were wondering what I was doing! I wish I had more time to find some more favorites. I love unique patterns, vibrant color and cool decorations. I really love the colors every Valentines (at Target) -the pinks, reds, greens and oranges all mixed together.

What is your favorite color?

Does it Look Like Us?

While we were at the High School, they had an art show. So Corbin and I stopped to get a quick sketch done of ourselves for a tip. I don't think the pictures look anything like us - Corbin said he could do better. Oh well, it was fun for a minute!