A Saturday Post!?

I know, I know.  I never have posted on a Saturday, but today, I am making an exception.  


I need to sell everything on my Etsy shop, 13 Plum Knitting.  I mean, everything.  Shoot, I need to sell things that aren't even on there!  

I currently have 40 items for sale, everything ranging from floor rugs to head coverings, and just about everything in between.  Everything....all 40 items...is 30% off when you use the coupon code MUSTGO11.


I will even throw in a free gift with any order $30 or more!

This sale even applies to custom orders.  So, if you see something you like, but would prefer it in another color, just let me know!


I have somethings that would make awesome stocking stuffers for Christmas, like the sachets and bookmarks.


The dishcloths and coasters would look great paired with a gift basket of home accessories!  The back scrubbers would go great in a gift basket full of pretty soaps and body care items.

Or, you could wrap everything in my totally awesome, re-usable gift bags!


At any rate, this is a great time for you to get a good deal.  Seriously!  save 30% every single thing in my shop!  Won't you stop by (and order!) today?  Oh, and tell a friend!  I'd love if you did that!


Be blessed, everyone!
~Plum

Top Ten Things I've Learned About Parenting...

I don't typically post twice in a day, but today, I thought I'd make an exception!  I hadn't really planned on this, but I am linking up with Kelly's Korner, and am going to share a bit of my parenting advice!


Parents get a lot of advice.  Well-meaning friends, family, and people we see on the street stop to offer their jewels of wisdom, whether it is wanted, needed, or not!  Having been a Mama for 8 years, I've learned a thing or two along the way, with the help of others.  Today, I present to you my list of the top ten things I've learned about raising children.

1. No child has ever been spoiled by being loved too much.  Hug your children every chance you get.  Tell them you love them until they roll their eyes and say "I know mom!"  Embarrass your children by letting them know how much you love them.  Secretly, they are thanking you for it!
2. No parent is perfect.  Concede now that you will never do everything perfectly.  Do the very best you can, and trust that our perfect Heavenly Father will guide and direct you.
3. Don't be afraid to apologize to your children when you make a mistake.  They need to know we are human, too, and, it helps teach them humility.  
4. Be the person you want your children to become.  Actions really do speak louder than words when it comes to parenting.  
5. Its wise to encourage your children to push themselves physically and intellectually, but remember to let them be kids, too.  Playing with friends, (obviously, friends you know, and who's parents you know) is a part of childhood.  Being silly, and using one's imagination is apart of childhood.  Its over too quick; don't force them to be older than they are!
6. Be your child(ren)'s biggest cheer leader.  Even if it is the smallest of victories, turn it into a huge celebration!  If you don't let your children know how proud you are, they will seek that from someone else.  Knowing they are making you proud is what they truly desire.
7. Play, play, play!  Let your kids see you being silly with them!  Run around the yarn playing "tag".  Jump into the pool and splash around with them.  Sing silly songs and dance like no one is watching.  These are the things your kids will remember when they are older.
8. Sometimes, its OK to let your kids have cake for breakfast.  Especially the day after their birthday.  (Admit it...we've all let our kids have a piece of birthday cake for breakfast!)
9. Always, always, always show your kids a united front.  No, you may not always agree with what your spouse says, but don't contradict them in front of your kids.  Kids see more than we think, and if this is something they see on a regular basis, they will take advantage of it.  Pull your spouse aside, later, and discuss the situation, and come to an agreement there.
10. If you remember nothing else about this post, remember this: Pray.  Pray for your children, pray for your spouse, and pray for yourself.  Trust God to guide you as a parent, and remember that He is a true Father.  No one else on Earth will ever love your child like you do, but God loves your children more than you ever can.

Don't forget!  Only 10 more followers needed before I give away this awesome hand-knit, reusable gift bag set from 13 Plum Knitting!  

Be sure to visit SwagBucks!  Its Mega SwagBucks day!

Now its time to do some Language, Math, and history with my Little Flower before Little Man wakes up.  Be blessed, and have a wonderful weekend everyone!

~~Plum

Ready For Monday?

Good gracious.  I don't know where this week went to, but I am glad it went.  I started this week of behind, and never did get caught back up!  I'm ready for Monday, so I can start fresh again, right back on my cleaning schedule, the kid's schedule, and every other imaginary schedule I set for myself!

I want to thank everyone again for your prayers for my family as we said goodbye to my Pa.  Its great to know there are other believers out there who though we've never met, commit to pray for each other.

Flower standing next to my Granny at the funeral.

The good news from this week, is that Little Man is dern near potty trained!  PRAISE THE LORD!  I'm so sick of diapers, and everything else that is related to a bodily function!  It took awhile for him to get it, but we are on a roll, and it can only get better from here, right!?

I apologize for yet another short, not so funny or interesting post.  My offspring think they are starving, so I suppose I should go begin cooking lunch.  Next week, 13 Plum Confessions will be right back to normal, God willing!  Until then, let me remind you of a few things!

Only 11 followers more until I give away that awesome reusable, hand-knit gift bag set!  Click here for more information!

And remember...its Mega SwagBucks Day!  Head over and start searching and win those bucks!  I'll be spending some time there, as I am so close to getting another PayPal gift card!  Waahoo!  Sign up by clicking on the picture if you haven't already.  Its totally free, and who doesn't love that!?

One last thing...my Christmas in July Sale ENDS on SUNDAY!  Score 25% off anything in my shop by using the coupon code 07CHRISTMAS, and get free shipping by using the coupon code JULY11.  This offer applies to custom knit orders, too, so stop by 13 Plum Knitting now!  There are some cute stocking stuffer ideas!

I pray that everyone has a blessed weekend, and I will see everyone again on Monday!

~~Plum

A Short Post

Well, today's post has taken long enough.  I was exhausted from yesterday, so this morning was spent just lounging around the house.

My Pa's funeral was very nice.  Nothing fancy at all, and not too long.  It was nice that the family spent more time focusing on a great life lived in service to the Lord, rather than the loss of a life.  I learned a few things about him that I did not know, including how his brother, who we called Bubba, led him to the Lord.  I was so touched!

It was great to see all the family.  We haven't all been in one place in a long time, and hope we don't go this long again without seeing each other.  Both of my kids did extremely well, given that they had to wake up at 5:30, and spend 3 hours on the road!  By 8, the kids were asking me if they could go to bed, and Barb Wire Man and I were barely able to keep our eyes open.

I'm still trying to play catch up (yesterday was laundry day, after all!), so this post won't be terribly long.

Since I don't have much to write about, I thought I would leave you with a few things to check out.

Only 11 more followers needed before the Gift Bag Giveaway!  Check out the full rules here, and be sure to tell your friends!

If you haven't already signed up for SwagBucks, do so now!  You can start building up points, and will be just in time for Mega SwagBucks Friday!

Vista Print is one of my favorite companies ever.  I get my FREE business cards there, and for the next 2 days they are also offering 140 FREE address labels!  Yesterday, I ended up with 250 business cards, and 140 address labels, and the only thing I had to pay was the shipping.  THAT's a great deal, especially for those of us who don't have a lot of money to spend!  If business supplies aren't something you must have, they are also offering 6 free photo products.  The kids and I once made a picture book for Father's Day for Barb Wire Man, and he loved it.  Seriously...all you pay is the shipping.  The only thing as good as free SwagBucks is pay-shipping-only Vista print!  Click on either offer you want, or heck, click on them both!

They also extended the Chili's and Quizno's offers!

I pray everyone has a blessed day, and also, thank you to everyone who sent out prayers for my family yesterday.  They were felt, and greatly appreciated!  

Plum

Tuesday To-Do

It was another early morning today, and neither Barb Wire Man nor myself wanted to drag ourselves out of bed.  This is a super long and busy week for him at work, and he appropriately stated that today already felt like it should be Friday.  Unfortunately, it isn't, and the week isn't going to get any easier!

My grandfather's funeral isn't until tomorrow, but you know what life with two little ones is like.  We have to leave very early in the morning, and will be gone all day, which means I must get today's and tomorrow's chores and to-do's accomplished.

Most of my cousins will be heading to this part of the world today, so I will be praying for safe journeys for all.  I certainly hate that this is the circumstance, but will be happy to see them.  It has been awhile since I've seen some.  I hate how growing older can separate a family.  Occasionally I find myself missing the days when everyone would show up to Granny and Pa's house for holidays, and we could spend quality time together.  These days, most of my cousins haven't even met my husband, and I have to explain to Flower who my cousins are.  That's just how life can be, I suppose.  Barb Wire Man has a cousin he hasn't seen in over 13 years, so I know we aren't the only family this happens to!  Of course, that doesn't mean we love each other any less.  I love each of my cousins, and I know they love me.  Life can just stink like this at times.

My apologies for such a depressing post today.  Normally I am not like this at all!  Tomorrow it is highly unlikely I will have a post.  So until Thursday, I pray every one has a blessed few days!
~~Plum

Rough Weekend!

Sometimes, weekends just don't come together as planned.

Friday morning I woke up to the beginnings of a migraine.  For me, they start with partial loss of vision,and numbness in my hands, arms, and mouth.  For anyone who has experienced this, you know the worst is yet to come; the pain of the headache.  I didn't want to tell Barb Wire Man, because I knew he needed to go to work. Instead, I took some of my "magic red pills" as I call them, which stops the migraine.  It is wonderful that I can stop the pain, but the pills make me incredibly dizzy, and feel like I am drunk.  I hate that feeling, and it is really hard with two kiddos!  But my sweet little Flower is amazing.  She helped me out tremendously, and took care of me.  It makes my heart happy to see how caring and loving she is!  I plan on having a super special mommy/daughter fun day as a way to thank her!

Saturday morning, I was still trying to recover from the migraine.  Mine last a full two days, with the second day feeling like I am severely hung over.  Thankfully, Barb Wire Man was home, so he let me rest as much as I needed.  I accomplished very little on Saturday, planning to do it all on Sunday when I knew I would feel 100%.

Then, my Daddy called.

My "Pa" has been very ill for quite sometime.  He was in his 80's, and we all knew the day he would pass away was fast approaching.  I knew as soon as I saw my Dad's number on the caller ID what he was calling to tell me.  Pa had passed away.  He and my mom, my aunt, and my Granny were all there with him.  Although we all knew it was coming, it doesn't make it any easier to come to grips with.  Flower was really upset.  She didn't know him all that well, but she felt a closeness to him, and loved him a great deal.  I talked with my Granny later in the day, and she gave me the best and simplest explanation I think I have ever heard for death.  She said "Pa walked with Jesus all of his life.  This morning, he and Jesus went for a walk, and Jesus looked at him and saw that he was very tired.  So, instead of walking him back home, he invited Pa to come to His house."  If there is a beautiful way to describe death, I think this is it.

Sunday morning, I woke up to another migraine.  I immediately took my medicine.  Some of my migraines are stressed induce, though I don't feel as though I have been under a great deal of stress.  The majority are food induced.  As a kid, I discovered I couldn't eat oranges.  Later, I added to that list tangerines, and grapefruits, and more recently I added pineapple (all, of course, my favorites).  I think I may have narrowed these two migraines down to potassium sorbate.  It was the only common ingredient in everything I had eaten, and I am very careful to make sure I don't consume something that will cause a migraine.  Being a preservative, its in almost everything, so I hope this isn't it, but we will keep an eye on it.

I should be able to post tomorrow, but there will likely not be a post on Wednesday.  Wednesday is my Pa's funeral, so that day will be spent with my family.  I don't normally ask, but if you would, please keep my family in your prayers.  All will be travelling (I live this closest, and I am still 2 hours away).  And please do keep my Granny in your prayers, also.  While we are sad, we know that Pa loved the Lord, and is in Heaven worshiping  him right now.  We know that he was in pain here on earth, but is now complete and whole again.

I pray everyone has a wonderful and blessed week!

Wahoo! Finally Friday With Some GREAT DEALS!

Its Friday, friends!  We made it through another week!  Some of us, including myself, just barely.  It is time to relax now, though, so take a deep breath!  As for my family, we have no plans.  Sometimes, though, that is better than having a weekend crammed with activities!


I want to be sure to remind you of a few deals I've mentioned throughout the week.  Some will be coming to an end, so pay attention!

Don't forget about my giveaway!

I'll be giving away this awesomely fun, bright orange reusable gift bag set.  I have hand knit all three, and the giveaway is open until I reach 125 followers.  Entry is still low, so you have a great chance of winning!  It super easy too...just click here or on the picture, and it will take you directly to the rules!  Right now, I only need 13 more followers, so be sure to let your friends know too!

ANOTHER Giveaway!

This is an amazing giveaway!!  A $100 gift certificate to Magpie Accessories!  I'd love to win this, and entered in just about every way I could!  You can to...just click on the link to find out more! 

Today is Mega Swag Day!

I told you on Wednesday how much I love SwagBucks, because it is totally free!  Fridays are Mega Swag Days, where you can earn a ton more than you normally do!  Save your Swagbucks to earn PayPal cash, music downloads, gifts and prizes, and much more.  

Expiring coupons!  

The Quizno's link will allow you to print four coupons, so that one is a great deal.  And please, go to Chili's for me.  I love their queso, but there isn't one close enough to me!  Both of these coupons will go away on Saturday.  Yes, this Saturday.  So if you want them, you better get them now.

Show a little love!

Last, but certainly not least, my Etsy shop is a little sad.  It is really missing it's viewers.  And buyers.  Mostly the buyers. Stop by, won't you?  Everything at 13 Plum Knitting is 25% off with the coupon code 07CHRISTMAS, and you can even get free shipping with JULY11.  Both are awesome Christmas in July deals.  

I believe that is all for now.  I pray that everyone has a nice, relaxing weekend, spent with people you love, doing the things you love.  As always, I'm out of here for the weekend in order to spend as much time as possible with the family, but will be here bright and early Monday morning to catch everyone up!

Plum

I'd really love to read your blog but...

A few blogging friends and I recently had a discussion about our biggest peeves regarding other blogger's sites.  The annoyances had very little to do with the topics, the design, or the opinions expressed within the blog post.
Nearly all had something to do with spelling and grammatical errors.  But, what can one do?  Leave a comment that says "Look, this could have been an awesome post, but because your period key must have been broken, I can't read it."  Nope.  That's tacky. Or, I could say, "You're an idiot.  Please cancel your account."  Nah...that is even tackier.  So, I began to compose a letter in my head of what I would say.  Today, I will "send" that letter.


***Disclaimer!!!  This letter is in no way intended for the many blogs I follow!!  All your blogs rock, which is why I follow you in the first place!  The blogs I'm referring to are blogs I have stumbled upon, but do not follow.  It isn't directed at any one blogger in particular, but several I have come across lately!***


Dear Fellow Blogger,
     I would really love to read your blog,  I would, but it causes me physical pain to stumble through it.  I'm certain the point you were trying to make was a very important one, and one close to your heart.  I can tell you must be passionate about your topic, because your thoughts were flying so fast you didn't even have time for punctuation.  That tiny little dot...its called a period.  It may be small, but makes an enormous impact.  By the time I made it through your first paragraph  sentence, I had already forgotten about what topic you were writing.  The first paragraph of your blog...It needed to be 5 sentences at the very least.  I cannot continue to read your blog when I cannot even understand your "sentence".  When in doubt - diagram!
     Spelling.  Spelling, spelling, spelling.  Such a simple task, yet so damned difficult for so many people.  We all make the occasional mistake; even the most professional of authors will occasionally glance over a typo and leave it uncorrected.  Allow me to introduce to you two of an author's best friends - spell check and proofread.  Most programs will actually underline the misspelled words in red, so you can easily identify and correct any mistakes.  All this time you wondered what that squiggly line was for!  Those not immediately caught can usually be corrected by clicking on the little "spell-check button".  (Someone give that inventor a cookie.  Its the best thing since sliced bread.)  Once that is finished, read through your blog. S-l-o-w-l-y.  As though you have no idea what it says.  Trust me...you will find some pretty glaring mistakes.  Like missing words.  (Again, I'm sure it was because you were so passionate that your little fingers were flying faster than your brain could handle.)
     A dictionary should become your closest, most trusted friend.  It will help you spell.  It will help you to understand what some of those words you used (incorrectly) were.  It will also help you come to the realization that "clataclismic" is not even a word at all.  (By the way, the word is cataclysmic.)
   One of my mottos is "Proper English can make a stupid person look wise, but a poor grasp on the English language can make make even the most intelligent of people look like an idiot."
     Again, I'd love to read your blog.  I'm sure you have a lot to offer!  Unfortunately, your blog is like fingernails on the chalkboard of my brain.  Please, I beg you.  Borrow your child's Basic English Language text book, then get back with me.  Have a lovely day.


Signed,
Literate Bloggers Everywhere

I Like Swag!

No, no, no.  Not that kind of swag...I like free stuff! But we'll get to that in a minute!


I drove over to Amarillo yesterday to evening to pick Flower up from Girl Scout Camp.  I was so happy to hear that she had so much fun, and she talked non-stop the entire way home about all the fun things they did.  They sang songs, and rode horses, made crafts, and went swimming.  But, like any Girl Scout, former or current, knows, it was the littlest things that stuck with her the most; the "swinging bridge" they had to walk over every day that was scary (but, like any child of mine, she loved it and purposefully made it swing to hear the other girls shreek!); the frog that kept jumping into their cabin no matter how many times they took it outside; getting to stay up late on the first night and play with their flashlights; how neat it was to hear the coyotes howling while they were trying to sleep, and how one girl thought surely it must be some wolf-man wanting to eat them.  Flower informed me that particular girl should never have come out into the country without her Mama, because she didn't know a thing about being "in the wild"...all she did was complain about how her hair was getting messed up!  We had to call Nana on the way home and tell her about all the fun things she did at camp!  I'm so happy she got that experience, and she is already wanting to go again next year!  I sent her with a disposable camera, so we will have to go through the archaic practice of getting the pictures developed, but we will share them.  (She did tell me that she hopes they look OK...since that dumb camera doesn't show her what the pictures look like she doesn't know if it really worked or not!)


Now, on to some thrifty and free things!  First, here is a great giveaway, from a blog I love to read called Christie Cottage.  (I love to read it, because she is open about her faith, and to me, that is more important than anything.  But today, she has a giveaway of a super cute hand drawn Eco Tote!  She has pretty simple rules for her giveaway, and maybe you could be the winner!


There are all kind of website you can go to to get free samples and the like.  What is so highly annoying about those is that you have to enter a lot of your personal information, i.e. address, phone number, email. Majority of the time, you end up with nothing except free spam e-mail that clutters your inbox to the point of no control.





About a year ago, an old friend told me about Swag Bucks.  Initially, I assumed it was just like any other "free" site, but since I know her and trust her judgement, thought I would give it a try.


Seriously.  If you aren't on Swag Bucks yet, you really need to be!


Swag Bucks is simply a search engine.  We all use search engines on a daily basis, and the only thing we get out of them is, well, a search result.  Not with Swag Bucks!  Not every time, but quite often, a search will win swagbucks, which vary in amount.  These swagbucks will accumulate in your account for as long as you wish for them to.  You can then turn those swagbucks into some cool loot from the Swag Store.  The Swag Store has everything from apparel to school supplies, music to posters, and more.  In my opinion, the best thing they have to offer are the gift cards!  They offer a little of everything, Amazon gift -cards to PayPal gift cards.  PayPal gift cards are my favorite!





I accumulated all my Swag Bucks until close to Christmas time last year, then traded them in on Amazon Gift cards.  I then used those gift cards to buy 3 different Christmas gifts off Amazon.  Honestly, that is free.  Absolutely ZERO dollars out of my pocket, and my daughter got a really cool knitting set!


There are other ways to win Swag Bucks besides searching, too.  You can complete special offers, watch "Swag TV", take a daily poll, and many others.  It might take a little while to accumulate enough SwagBucks to purchase something, but hey....it is free!


If you don't already have a Swag Bucks account, get one now by clicking here.  (And please do click from blog...that is how I get money to run this operation and all!) Or on any of the other links I have included in this blog.   Shoot, I just realized that I currently have enough Swagbucks to get a $5 Amazon.com gift card, and about 2 weeks ago I got a $5 PayPal gift card.  Not bad for doing nothing other than searching the internet.


Do you Swag?  Leave me a comment and let me know how you like it!  If you don't, then go now.  Seriously.  Go check them out!

I Use Coupons...Its the Cool Thing to Do!

Thank you all for putting up with the numerous blog changes I went through during the last couple of days.  I think I have found something I am satisfied with, at least for the time being!  The lady in the picture?  That was my grandmother, and it wasn't until I put my picture next to hers that I realized how much I resemble her.  The background, well, it may change, but not until I find something that really blows me away with awesomeness!





Anyhow, on to coupons.


I use coupons.  I clip every single coupon that comes in my paper each Sunday, even if I know I am not going to use it.  I keep my coupons in alphabetical order, and used to think I was pretty darn awesome at using them to save money.  That was until that show came on TV.


Holy couponing mama, Batman.


If I had the space to stockpile, the patience to checkout 4 baskets of groceries after spending hours clipping and organizing my transactions, and actually shop kid-free without receiving a rescue me call from Barb Wire Man, I might could be a Coupon Superhuman too.





If there is a coupon for something I really need, or am going to need in the future, you better believe I'm all over that like white on rice.  Just one look in my bathroom cabinet will show you that there was a really great sale on Barb Wire Man's shampoo recently.  He has 5 bottles or so sitting up there, just waiting to be used.  (And for a man who shaves his head, it takes a long time to go through that much shampoo.  Heck, he may start balding before its all used up.)


I wish I could be a coupon queen.  I don't think it will ever happen, though.  I'll print one here and there, and if it is a really great coupon, I may use two or three of them.


So, the question is, are you a couponer?  What lengths do you go to in order to find your coupons?  What is the best deal you have been able to get using coupons?

The ability to print coupons is great for me.  I can search by the things I need specifically, and can usually get at least 2 coupons for the same item.  I have a ton of friends who print and use coupons, so I've enabled the ability to get to some great coupon sites straight from my blog.  It works great...you get your coupons, and the company pays (an icredibly small amount, by the way!) to use my blog space.  So won't you consider getting your coupons through this blog of mine?!


Have a blessed week everyone!  I look forward to hearing your coupon stories!
~~Plum~~

Weekend Recap

Here we are, at the beginning of another week.  How was your weekend?  Mine was quite nice...relaxing!


Before I go too much further, let me apologize for the look of my blog at the moment!  I am in the middle of changing it up, and figuring out how to do some things I have ever done before.  Since the only time I really have to do this is nap time, it might take awhile.  So please be patient while I work on getting it just exactly how I want it!


Saturday, Barb Wire Man caught up on some household things he needed to get done, that he just flat does't have time for during the week.  The lawn looks nice and trimmed again!  Weekends are nice, because Barb Wire Man is at work a lot during the week.  He does get to come home every night, which is a luxury many truck drivers don't get, but he is always worn out.  He wakes up early, and is beat by the end of the day.  I'm glad he has the weekend to recuperate!


We took Flower to Girl Scout Camp on Sunday!  I know there is a lot of debate over Girl Scouts, as to whether it is as good as it used to be, etc., but for her, it is great.  I am her leader, so I can control what is and isn't done or taught in our troop.  She always feels a great sense of accomplishment when she finished a project, and is rewarded.  She is learning first hand that it is possible to do or be anything she wants.  I'm excited for her first camp experience!  I loved Girl Scout Camp growing up!  I made some wonderful friends, and learned so much, and I know she will love it to!  I'll miss her, but I bet she is so busy that she doesn't even think about missing home!


I think....think have little man potty trained!  Well, at least for the most part.  It was like one day he woke up, decided to start using the potty, and took off!  I was beginning to think it was never going to happen!  But, we have made it through several days in a row, using only one pair of NASCAR undies in a single day!  YAY!  We do still have an issue with...ummm....number 2.  But, I suppose it will come just as the first did.  While part of me is so proud of him, and so very, very thankful to be done with diapers, the other part of me is sad. This is just another realization that my baby is no longer a baby.  Nope.  He is a big boy, who shouts "I DO IT!  I DO IT!  NO HELP MOMMY!" all the time.


As so, for now, I pray that everyone has a super blessed week!


~~Plum~~

Back In the Old Days

About 3 times a month, I use my Queen Mother status to enact a TV/Nintendo free day.  Today is that day.


My kids are not very happy with me.  They cried.


I don't care.


They got dressed and I told them to go play outside because its still cool, and it will be hot this afternoon.  The following is the conversation I held with Flower:
"But mom....what will we play outside?"
"I don't know, use your imaginations!  Your Aunt and I used to always play outside!  We played house, or school, or pretended like we were pioneers who lived a long time ago!  We made mud pies, or looked at nature.  Just have fun!"
"Yeah, well, mom, that was back in the old days when there was no TV or Nintendo, and your Mom couldn't take it away."


Mind you, now, that I am not yet 30.  And while I am getting older, I certainly did not live back in the old days!  I told my sister about the conversation Flower and I had, and she thought it was hilarious!  She sarcastically said "Times were hard back in the old 90's!"


Where did imaginations go?  How did we get to the point that our children think they must be entertained by something electronic?  I know, but am not in the mood to get on a soapbox today.  (Strange, yes, I know.)


I just want to make my wonderful readers aware, that today, I am going to be a mean Mama.  Horrible, in fact.  Today, my children are going to play outside all morning.  And during Little Man's nap time, Flower and I are going to (gasp) read a book, do a little school work, and even some art.  And after nap time, we will not watch Cars for the 100th time.  We will go outside, and play in the water.  Or, do some puzzles together.  Shoot, we might even play some games!  Or build a tent!


You know, all those terrible things we had to do back in the Old Days.


Just a reminder about the Giveaway!!  Once I hit 125 readers, I will be giving away a gift bag set!  Many of you have already signed up, but for those of you who haven't, just click HERE, or, click on the tab at the top of the page that says "Current Giveaway".  Be sure to enter, and tell your friends!

I think It Is Give Away time!

 But I will get to that in just a minute!!  


Yesterday was a really great day, despite sleeping in until 7!  I got everything that I needed to accomplished finished.  I even cleaned the dining room carpets, had a great chat with an old friend, and my brother in law came to visit!  


When Flower was little, she had a really hard time saying "Brett"....so still to this day, we lovingly refer to him as "Uncle But".  As you can see, the men in Barb Wire Man's family are small men.....ok, maybe not so much.  They are some big dudes, I tell ya, but its good to have boys like this on your side!  They are also genuinely good men; the kind of men women everywhere dream about.  Unfortunately for single ladies everywhere, we Texas girls know a good man when we see one, and my sister-in-law and I snagged them both up pretty fast!  Uncle But has to leave to go see my in-laws this afternoon, but will be back later in the week.

Barb Wire Man is on the left, and Uncle But is on the right.  

I'm helping Uncle But cuff his shirt before his wedding.

  

I do believe it rained a little either this morning or late last night!  It tempted us all evening yesterday, but nothing ever happened.  So it was sure nice to walk outside and see a wet ground, and smell the beautiful smell of rain!  Thank you God!

I did add another new item to 13 Plum this morning.  Your dog would love it!  I was also featured in another Etsy Treasury, which always makes my day.  You can see it here!

And now, for the giveaway!  

Yesterday, I hit 101 followers!  I am so excited!  Thank you to everyone who reads and follows my blog.  It really does mean a lot to me, especially since when I started, I really assumed no one would really find my life very interesting!  I love reading your comments, and try to make sure I comment back.  But, I think I can get to 125 followers pretty quick, don't you?  There are a few different ways to score entries, and giveaway is open to anyone! The giveaway will remain open until I hit 125 followers...so tell everyone you know! 

•  Leave one comment on this posting that includes each of the following things you did.  Each counts as an entry!
• You must follow this blog!  Either let me know you are a follower, or that you just started following!
• Follow me on Twitter!
• FB, Tweet, or Blog about this giveaway, and include the link.

See?  Three ways to enter!  What can you win?  How about one of my Reusable Gift Bag Sets!!?

I will notify the winner in a blog post, as well as e-mail.  So please, please, please make sure I have a way to contact you!  If I can't get a hold of you, then I will re-draw and send the prize to someone else!  Have fun, and good luck!

Ramblngs....

Apparently I looked like a Zombie this morning when I woke up with Barb Wire Man.  


I woke up with him, like I always do, and made his sandwich.  He wouldn't let me pour my first cup of coffee, though, and told me to go back to bed.  Normally, I just stay up, because I get so much accomplished before the kids wake up.  I have maybe 2 hours in which to enjoy a clean house and peace, and I get a good jump start on the day.  But this morning, I did go back to bed and got an additional hour of sleep before Little Man threw all three of his puppies into my bed, and climbed in with me.  He didn't climb in to go back to sleep with mommy, though.  Oh no.  He was ready to play and watch his first viewing of Cars.  


So now I am feeling a little behind this morning.  Its 8:00, and I just now got my first load of laundry in, and am just now sitting down to write.  But, I think I will get caught back up! 


On a different note, the last few weeks have been really amazing.  A friend once told me that oftentimes the condition of our natural life is a direct result of the condition of our spiritual life.  I think she is so right.  Things were getting a little...rough.  I couldn't figure out where all the negativity was coming from, and I realized I totally was not where God wanted me.  I started seriously praying for His direction, and he certainly made me aware of some things that needed to change.  I got confirmation after confirmation that I was heading in the right direction.  The theme that has consistently been repeated for the last month or so is this: God makes His promise to us.  We are the ones who restrict Him.  We put time limits on the promise that He has given us.  If we don't see that promised fulfilled in the time we think it should, then we automatically assume that God has gone back on His promise.  But He never, never goes back on His promises to us.  It just takes awhile to see them sometimes.  At every turn in the last few months, I have personally seen this play out.  I've read a blog, and seen this message.  I've had a few promises come to pass in my own life, but it would take a book to tell you about all of them.


The fact is this: I'm such a blessed person.  God always makes good on His promises, when we trust that He will perform them at just the right time.  And when those promises are fulfilled, things get really, really awesome.  I do serve a great God.


I re-listed one of my winter hats today!  It is the perfect match to the scarf I listed yesterday. I'd love if you visited 13 Plum Knitting today and took a peek at it!  I was excited to see last night that I was featured in a Treasury on Etsy, which you can see by clicking here.  It is just perfect for me...I love anything black, silver and white!  Those treasuries are one of the best ways Etsy sellers can get more visibility for our shop.  That is accomplished when people view the treasury, click on the different pictures, and leave comments.  So, if you have a few minutes, please do that!  It means a lot to those of us who are featured.  


I pray everyone has a blessed day today.  The week is half over!


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Excitement!

I'm really excited about getting to meet with the ladies from the church this morning!  I think it will be such fun to be apart of a group of women who are like-minded spiritually, as well as in their hobbies!  


Flower is already planning to take her knitting with her, and I am sure we will pack a bag full of semi-trucks, tractors, and cars for the Little Man to play with.


Hopefully, once I get acquainted with them all well, they will let me take photos and write more about them here on Confessions!


Yesterday, I finally buckled down and figure out how to change my blog up a bit.  I've been intimidated by it for some time now, so never really attempted it.  But, I got it!  I found some really great websites and blogs that helped me out.  I hope you like the new design!


This morning, I re-listed one of my winter scarves over at 13 Plum Knitting.   The scarf is a beautiful shade of purple, and would make a great Christmas gift!  So....why don't you go check it out?!  You can get free shipping if you use the coupon code JULY11, and you can get an additional 25% off when you use the coupon code 07CHRISTMAS!  Not too bad, eh?  


One last tidbit...I am so close to reaching 100 followers!  I would love to hit 125 by this Friday, and I really think that is a doable goal!  I am honored that so many people read this, and I appreciate everyone who does!  If you are new, please leave a comment!  I try to respond to every person who leaves me a comment. If you would, please let your friends know about 13 Plum Confessions!  Maybe I will even do some type of giveaway once I hit that mark!


Have a wonderful day everyone!
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Another Week...

Here it is, Monday again.  This was such a great weekend, I really didn't want it to be over!  We didn't do anything at all!  We spent a lot of time playing outside in the water, because it was so hot!


I have been going to the Methodist church the last few Sundays, and while it is so much different than the type of church I am used to, I really enjoy it.  I met a lady at the park awhile back, and she invited me to go.  I honestly don't think I have ever felt more welcome at any other church.  From the first time I went, people went out of their way to talk with me, introduce themselves, and just be friendly.  Flower loves it!  They have a great children's department, and Little Man doesn't even cry in the nursery!  I've never been able to leave him in any church nursery because he throws such a big fit, but he actually enjoys going to play in their nursery.  The message yesterday was wonderful.  It was all about how, so many times in the Bible, the least expected person is the one God uses to fulfill His will.  Moses and was chosen over his older, stronger brother Aaron.  Pastor used the story of Jacob and Esau  to illustrate another point.  You see, Esau was supposed to have gotten the blessing from his father because he was the oldest, But Jacob tricked Issac into giving him the blessing  instead.  Because He is God, He uses our mistakes and shortcomings to usher in His will.


I am most excited about tomorrow!  This church has a group of women that meet each month to...get this...KNIT!  YAY!  I've really been wanting to meet with other knitters here lately, but can't seem to find anyone else who knows how.  (God really seems to be drawing me to this church in more ways than one.)  These ladies knit prayer shawls, and I was so excited when they invited me yesterday morning.  I can't wait!


I'm strange, I know.


Today, I re-listed one of my favorite items from my shop....the maroon shawl.  Choosing from everything I have ever made, this would top the list of my favorites.  Maybe I love it so much because it reminds me of my mom?


So, please, stop by and check it out at 13 Plum!  Don't forget that July offers free shipping by using the coupon code JULY11, and you can get 25% off anything in the shop by using my Christmas in July code 07CHRISTMAS.


Have a wonderful week everyone!


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History in the Making

Just like her Mama, her favorite part was the old clothes!

Wednesday night, I told Flower that if she would help me get caught up on the house work (since we were in Amarillo all day on Wednesday) that I would take them to the museum here in town!  She has always loved museums, and on Thursday morning, she was up bright and early to help me straighten!  I've never seen the girl would so fast, and with such a happy heart!  By 9:30, we were completely ready to go.

"Yes, jails still look like this.  Follow the laws and you'll be fine..."

Hereford really is a pretty small town, but with a little digging, there are some fun things to do here.  Take our museum.  It is very small, and many people have told me not to bother going...but it is  full of some really neat things.  We were the only people there, so we had the full attention of the curator, and were able to learn some really interesting things about our town and county's history. The other things I really enjoyed about this museum was that many things were not behind glass windows, like at most museums.  The kids could touch history.  

A real choo-choo train!!

I will admit, I am a history geek.  So I was constantly reminding Flower "Remember...real people from a long time ago used these things everyday!" and, "Can you just imagine what it would be like to live this way!"  (I think possibly I was more excited than she.)

It isn't hard to believe people lived in dugouts, when you come from an area with no trees!

The best part?  When we walked up to a wood burning stove and the first thing out of Flower's mouth was "I wonder if Nana or Grandma had to use a stove like this?"  Umm, sorry ladies!  I did inform her that you did not have to cook on a wood burning stove!

We had an added surprise that wasn't planned!  

Not too far from the museum is a beautiful Victorian Era home.  Since the first time Flower saw it, she has begged us to live there.  She loves it.  Sometimes we have to drive by it just so she can see it.  The curator informed us that there was a worker there, and if we drove over there, we could take a personal tour!  Flower's eyes were as big as plates, and she was jumping up and down!

Once we got there, the lady doing the work said "Are you interested in renting the home?"  Of course, she meant for the day or for a wedding, but Flower thought she meant renting to live in.  Just as I was about to say "Oh,  no, just taking a tour", Flower said "We certainly are.  How much?"  She was pretty disappointed when I told her no one was allowed to live in the home. 

The nursery was the sweetest I've ever seen!

It was a lovely home.  Everything was made from beautiful wood, and it had that wonderful "old home" smell.  Truth be told, I'd love to live there, too.

There is something about these old door handles I adore.

Mattie loved this old chandelier.  I've been informed that we need one just like this in our living room, too, and that we need to ask Daddy to by us one.  I have a suspicion he won't.

The garden of the E.B. Black house...stunning!

I so enjoyed taking them to the museum.  Flower learned so much...who said the classroom is the best place for learning!

All Is Well

Both of my children are at home with me again, and all is well.  


Little Man and I headed over to pick her up a little early, so I could do some shopping.  I got a new yarn, that I have absolutely fallen in love with, but I'll tell you about that some other time!  After wasting some time, it was finally time to go pick up Flower!


Little Man was so excited when we picked Flower up yesterday, and, of course, so was I!  He was giggly all the rest of the day.  Poor Flower couldn't sit down for two minutes before he walked over, grabbed her hands and said "Come on, Tahtee!! 'Es go play now!!!!"  He sure did miss his best friend!   



Flower could hardly wait for Daddy to come home from work.  In a great stroke of "luck" and a phone call to find out where we where, Daddy passed by us on the highway as we were coming into town!  So, we slowed down, and rolled our windows down so we could see Daddy pass by in his big semi.  We all waved as big as we could, and as he drove by he honked his loud semi truck horn!  The kids were so excited and laughed the rest of the way home about how Daddy saw us, and even honked his loud horn.  Flower laughed at the thought that surely he must have scared the people in front of him to death.  Poor child has my sense of humor.  After he got home, Flower didn't want to leave his side.  She is always like that after she has been gone awhile.  She sits as close to him as humanly possible, and plays with his hands.  (She told me once of how she loves Daddy's hands, because they are stronger and bigger than hers, and they make her feel "all safe 'cuz they are so strong they can take care of us"!)


The rest of the night was spent enjoying each other's company.  Flower was tired.  When asked what she wanted to do, she said "I want to sit on the couch, with you on one side, and Daddy on the other so I can just be by you both.  That is what I missed the most."  


It made me realize that sometimes, we get so wrapped up in planning fun activities for our children we forget some basics.  We want them to have wonderful memories, so we plan trips, and vacations, and picnics, and the list keeps going.  Sometimes, the best memories are made at home, sitting together, and just enjoying each other's company.


Today, though, we are going to the museum!  I hope to take lots of pictures, if they will let me!

I did add these book marks to 13 Plum today!  I think they would make some great stocking stuffers, and at only $2.25, who can't afford them!?  


Like each day this month, I have a new sale!  You never know what the next sale might be, so if you see a sale you like, you better seize the moment, because the sale will change within 24 hours.  Just a reminder, that the whole month of July brings with it free shipping, when you use the coupon code JULY11.  Today, though, you can get 10% off any hair accessory in my shop!  If you don't see a color, or a style you like, be sure to click on the "custom order" link.  Sales apply to my custom orders, as well!


A certain little boy just woke up (at 6:30 in the morning, no less), and is wanting a bitabime (vitamin) and bweafass (breakfast), so I better go.  Have a wonderful day, everyone!  Be blessed!