Category: Fun

Blogs I Know · Fun · My world

I’ve got a blog and I ain’t afraid to use it!

darcee3 Comments

Ok, time for one of my very, very rare political posts: This is just too good to pass up.

The Anchoress, my tie to all things Opera and Political, is pointing out a small “rebellion” among the Republican members of the house.  To quote: “Today, the GOP asked for continued debate on oil drilling; the Democrats voted instead to adjourn.”  Instead of packing their bags and heading home some GOP members of congress are having a good old fashioned “sit in”  Good for them.  Do something interesting for once. 

 Now, I don’t really bother too much about what they want to talk about and vote for (Energy policy is the topic de jour) but what delights me to no end is poking the eye of the main stream media, the vultures who tell us what to think, what is important and filter the world on our ‘behalf’.  They are not covering this so far.  Even CSPAN has had their cameras turned off.  But this is news!  This is our politicians doing something quite unsual and something that has the potential of effecting us all.   So.. since I have a blog, and since I have a voice all ten of my faithful readers can hear about this too. Take that Main Stream Meida Monster (I feel so like St George now) HA!

 

Update:  Seriously I think if I lived in DC I would grab the sleeping bag and some pizza and head down to support the Reps who are there.   I know I said above that I don’t much care about the actual vote.  I do, I mean my brother and his wife heat with oil – they bought half what they would normally because of how expensive it is.  They are planning for a cold winter.  I really feel for people in the colder climes.  Now, I know that even if something very solid and sensible were to be passed today it would be a while before we would see energy costs coming down, but for crying out loud if this stupid congress can vote to bail out banks and homeowners who knowingly and willingly over-extended themselves (gambled and lost) then we can darn well do something to help out families and small businesses that are getting crushed under these horrible energy costs.  Price caps on oil, I don’t care, but do something.  To adjourn and go home while your constituents are trying to figure out if they can afford heating oil for the winter is obscene.

Update 2: Way to Go CSPAN (I am not crazy for liking CSPAN)  Rep. Culberson is “twittering” this and CSPAN has him linked. 

Blogs I Know · Fun · Homemaking · Simplicity

$100 a week for groceries

darcee4 Comments

I found this article over at Old Fashioned Girl and read the original MSN article. 

A family of four eating on $100 a week for a month I believe.   I agree with a lot of what Amandasaid.  The woman in the story is spoiled and it shows.  She also knows this is an “experiment” not a way of life.  I  had to wonder what their normal diet is like when I read  “By midweek, we were all a little sick of rice and potatoes. By the end of the week, I never wanted to see another raisin, carrot, pretzel or piece of puffed rice again. ”  Seriously?   What kind of snacks do they normally have?  It seemed odd to me.  The article is worth reading at least for the “welcome to the real world” factor.   Nothing ground breaking or even inspiring to me, but it did make me giggle.

Blogs I Know · Fun · Homemaking · My world · Simplicity

Tightwad Tuesday – bulk fun in more ways than one.

darcee4 Comments

Big families mean big fun. But going fun places can be hard on the budget.

Tightwad Tuesday is hosted by Mary at Raising 4 godly men.

One thing we do is invest in memberships to our favorite places. 

For me to take Ashley and the four younger children to the zoo is $40 and it is almost $50 if Kyle comes too.
A year long membership to the Zoo at the lowest family level costs $69.  It is a cost savings of nearly $30 if we use the Zoo twice in a whole year.

For the art Museum it would cost  the kids and I $24 and $34 if Kyle is with us.   The membership is $65 with $40 tax deductible.   Here we only need to go 3 times and the whole year is paid for.

The children’s Museum is $48 for one trip for the kids and I $54 with Kyle and a membership is $80 but only covers four children so we might spend $8 out of pocket each visit, but the pass is still covered after two visits.

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry breaks down like this:  $49 for the kids and I, $60 if dad is with us,  the family plus plan allows for four child and one guest (the other child can be the guest) and costs $115 but comes with some nice perks.  Again two visits and we are covered.

Even our local pool/community center is a deal.  It would cost the children and I $16.75 to go swimming once, the annual pass is $38.25 a month which includes the fitness center, drop in activities and roller skating.   It makes for a good deal considering we love swimming and the center has a lovely indoor pool which we use year round.

The real payoff for these passes isn’t just that they are cost savings, but that they are also incentives to use our favorite places more.  We don’t mind going to the zoo for a couple hours for a picnic dinner after Kyle gets off work when we just have to flash the pass and walk in.  

These also make great gifts.  My parents have given us zoo passes for  Christmas each year and we love getting them.   If your parents are the type to ask for “hints” memberships are a wonderfully easy solution for the whole family.  Check with your employer (or husband’s employer) to see if the company has a discount arrangement with the institution – some do.  Some institutions also offer discounted rates for lower income families.

The only warning I would like to offer is to check the membership restrictions to make sure that your family membership will cover your family and that there aren’t “black out times” or other restrictions which diminish the usefulness of your membership. 

But next time you are considering a fun outing for your family consider purchasing a membership instead of tickets.

Blogs I Know · Fun · My world

Oh no, not a MeMe!

darcee2 Comments

Yes, I know, next I will be blogging about blogging too.    I found this over at A Wink and a Smile  and thought it looked fun and challenging.  So here we go:

One Word MeMe

1.  Where is your cell phone? pocket
2.  Your significant other?  Work
3.  Your hair? Secured
4.  Your mother? Working
5.  Your father?  Solid
6.  Your favorite things? Aren’t
7.  Your dream last night? convoluted
8.  Your favorite drink?  coffee
9.  Your dream/goal?  heaven
10.  The room you’re in?  office
11.  Your church?  Catholic
12.  Your fear?  parting
13.  Where do you want to be in 6 years? here
14.  Where were you last night? here
15.  What you’re not? perfect
16.  Muffins? please
17.  One of your wish list items?  Buffet
18.  Where you grew up?  ranch
19.  The last thing you did? blog
20.  What are you wearing? clothing
21.  Your TV?  dormant
22.  Your pets? good
23.  Your computer? cluttered
24.  Your life?  full
25.  Your mood? contemplative
26.  Missing someone?  no
27.  Your car?  minivan
28.  Something you’re not wearing? shoes
29.  Favorite store?  fabric
30.  Your summer?  Fun
31.  Like (love) someone?  husband
32.  Your favorite color?  changes
33.  Last time you laughed? today
34.  Last time you cried?  Yesterday
35.  Who will re-post this?  you?

Fun · My world

Saturday at the Cinema

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One thing I have always gotten a kick from is the old time “mental hygiene” films.  They cover everything from What to do if a nuclear bomb strikes to How to know if you are ready for marriage.  Today I recommend this little gem “The New Girl”  it is the rather melodramatic story of a company that hires its first black secretary.   There are a couple of things that interested me.  First, it shows the real fear and discomfort of being the “different” person, our heroine’s mother reads her the riot act in order to inspire her not to give up or give in and most importantly to get herself down to the office and face those people who she fears.  On the down side it rather glosses over the fact that there are some people who’s deep set prejudices won’t go away just because the boss gives them a good talking to.  But overall, considering its time period the film shows the tension of its time and provides a good example of creating positive change and an atmosphere of acceptance.

Have fun

Fun · My world

Becoming a lanky young man

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Christopher is a good big brother

 

Christopher surprised me the other day.  Lately I have been noticing little changes in him.  He reads more than he used to just for his own pleasure.  He has a deep sense of honor and wants to be brave and noble.  He is less emotional, less whiny, more capable of plucking himself up and getting on with whatever unpleasant task he is facing.  But the thing that surprised me was just how tall he is getting.

My little boy is growing up.  His arms are long, his legs are long and his body is stringy long.  He has taken to climbing trees and swinging out of them, riding his bike endlessly and running when ever possible.   I love this new phase.   

Blogs I Know · Fun · My world · Simplicity

Simple Woman’s Daybook — June 16

darcee5 Comments

the Simple Woman’s Daybook
is hosted by Peggy at the Simple Woman.

FOR TODAY June 16, 2008

 
Outside My Window… It is rather grey this morning. The clouds are supposed to burn off. The trees are looking very green
I am thinking… Really I’m not yet. My coffee is still brewing.
I am thankful for… My husband, he is a good dad. I am so thankful that he has a new job. Not only is he happy to be employed, but he likes his job so much better.
From the kitchen… I got my new pans and I will be baking bread and maybe a lemon cake today.
I am wearing… Broken glasses. I need to get these puppies fixed soon.
I am creating… Today I will finish sewing bloomers for Hannah and cut out Sarah’s.
I am going… Slowly crazy?? Today is a home day.
I am reading… The Omnivore’s Dilemma, Laundry, Jonathan Strange and Mr Norell and It’s All Too Much.
I am hoping… That the sun comes back out.
I am hearing… The dogs tags ringing, coffee brewing, birds in the back yard fighting over the food.
Around the house… I am working on my Summer Fling, Today is the Kitchen’s day.
One of my favorite things… Coffee
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Continue working on my fling. Start writing my organization plans. Work on our summer enrichment plans.
Here is picture thought I am sharing…

My guy with baby Josh