I'm becoming a follower to many this week...I just love this blog therapy! Not Me Monday was created to let other mom's know that no one is perfect!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to http://www.mycharmingkids.net blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.



This week I so did NOT make this sweet little boy clean the baseboards with a Mister Clean Sponge because he did NOT color on my walls.

Nope NOT me and definitely NOT him!

I also did NOT eat this piece of cake with my coffee for breakfast. Because it is certainly NOT on my diet plan.

I did NOT allow my 13 year old to take this sweet 1 year old on the water slide just because we wanted to see his reaction. Because he definitely did NOT know what he was in for.


I did NOT let this sweet boy walk around the house naked w/ only a diaper on (more than once) just because I was too lazy to put his clothes back on after an extremely exhausting diaper change. Nope NOT me!

I also did NOT tell these sweet kids (more than once this week) that there mother had run away so they could stop yelling "MOM" at the top of their lungs to tattle or just to hear themselves yell "MOM".

And when I got too hot at the park I did NOT tell them that there were tons of these bee hives, and they did NOT run screaming to the car as fast as they could.

Those are the things I most definetly did NOT do this week. Head over to MckMama to see what other mom's are NOT doing this week.

Super Steals Saturday

Other peoples trash...my fabulous new treasures!

Today we hit the Goodwill, several garage sales, and a thrift shop. I spent a total of $65 and ended up with many good finds. Of course I didn't find what I was out searching for or it was more than I was going to pay for something used, but all in all it was a good hall.

• New lamp for downstairs powder room - $1.50
• 2 Wine bottle decor holders- $.88 each
• Brand new still packaged in original plastic Outdoor Cooking Set -$35 (I have been wanting to make a yummy Low Country Boil for sometime now and it has tons of other recipes w/ it for lots of yummy looking meals)
• 2 matching pictures for the kitchen $2.50 each
• 1 long picture w/ wine bottles in a shadow box (also for our kitchen) $2.50
• A rod iron wine bottle rack w/ grape vines entwined throughout- $6.95
• Decorative plate (not sure where it's going yet) $2.00
• Trash can waiting to be painted for the downstairs bathroom -$1.91

Each of the kids picked out a few books. And I found several that I can't wait to begin. I'm starting with "A Woman's Secret to a Balanced Life...Finding God's Refreshing Priorities for You". I also picked up several other daily meditation books, surviving life w/ a gifted child, and more purpose driven books. I hope I can find sometime to really sit down and enjoy them.

And we still had time to enjoy the pool!

He loves the water.

Just hangin' out.


Hoping her brothers don't come along to tip her over.

And everyone loves the slide.

Happy Weekend!

Show us where you live - Master Bedroom

So I've started reading Kelly's Korner and I love that she has people show where they live every Friday. I have really enjoyed other peoples rooms and decorating. I am super excited about getting started on a little redecoration around here.

Anyway, I thought I'd join this week by adding my master bedroom.

I hope you enjoyed!

Simple treasures

I have always been a bargain shopper. Never pay full price, always use coupons, shop clearance, and I love hand-me-downs, and garage/consignment sales. I am a bit of a name brand snob, but honestly they do last longer and I always find a deal. Well this week was no exception.

I made the decision a few years ago not to send our children to preschool or pre-k because well I have a degree in ECE and figured why not put it to good use on our own children. They are only little for such a short time and I wanted them home as long as possible. So I started using a homeschool curriculum with Bubby and Tooker and will plan to do the same w/ Monkey. I've been on the hunt all summer for different hands on homeschool activities for Tooker and his pre-k experience. I have wanted a set of wooden blocks like the ones they use in kindergarten and the preschools around here. Melissa and Doug have a nice set but it runs around $50 and isn't that big so I'd need two. Well on our treasure shopping trip to Goodwill this week I found a set hidden in all of the kitchen supplies (why it was there I do not know). $15!!! What a steel! I am super excited and it has enough pieces for everyone to build there own town.

The next hunt...a play kitchen, food, and pattern blocks. Hopefully garage sales will be in full swing this weekend with the weather being so nice.

Great potential...very discouraged...

One day I think -"Wow you look great for having 5 kids" and the next day I see a picture and can't believe that's me. I want to be able to say "Wow I look great because I work hard and just look great". I don't want it to have the clause "for having 5 kids". I know 5 babies can do a number on your body...but I am getting so discouraged with myself over this weight loss or lack there of. After #4 was born I lost it all and then some by the time he was 10 months. Of course I was working hard because my ten year reunion was coming up, and maybe that's what I need a goal of something important coming up. Baby #5 is 13 months and I had lost most of it by the time he was 6 mos. but I have since gained 10 back. I love to exercise and do so as often as possible (at least 3-4 times a week and now that it's summer it's 5-6 times a week). But for some reason I cannot seem to budge the scale. I know that I am an emotional eater and when things get crazy around here I catch myself heading to the pantry. I also know that we ate way too much fast food during baseball season.

So, I am trying to decide if I should join Weight Watchers again or if I should just keep pumping up my workout and watch my calories. I just wish I had the magical answer b/c I know I have the potential. I think that's why I am so discouraged....because I know this body has great potential I just need to get the eating better and show what it can achieve.

I'm a bit of a slacker...

Well I don't keep up with blogging very well. I love reading other people's though. But as I am reading I'm thinking my kids are taking over the house, the laundry isn't getting done, I have yet to make a grocery list, I think the trash is piling over, and is that the dog licking off the baby because I took him out of his high chair without cleaning him?
I love to watch that show "18 Kids and Counting", but after it's over I wonder every week "Does Michelle ever take a break?". Am I the only mom who needs a few minutes a day to just sit and tune everything and everyone out? I need a little smut TV or a good juicy book to take me away from my own reality just for a few minutes.
I love my life and my children very much...but every mom needs a lazy day. So today I am staying in my PJ's as long as possible, I'm going to ignore the dishes, the laundry, and all of the other million things that need to be done.

Here goes...

Wordless Wednesday

Menu Monday

On the menu this week -

Monday-Spaghetti and meatballs along with salad and cheese garlic bread(your choice of chopped up veggies mixed in the meatballs)I also love Grinders Italian seasoning or I use fresh oregano and herbs.

Tuesday-Jo-Lynn potatoes- My aunts family recipe. It's basically cubed potatoes mixed with shredded cheese, sour cream, butter and cream of chicken soup. I also add ham cubes and crumple Corn Flakes on the top drizzle w/ butter.

Wednesday -Sesame Ginger chicken, fried rice, steamed veggies (carrots, string peas, water chestnuts, and broccoli)

Thursday - London Broil on the grill, red potatoes, corn

Friday - Fried chicken tenders, baked mac n cheese, and zucchini and squash sauteed w/ EVOO

I love having this planned out, and the kids know exactly whats for dinner so I don't have to answer that question a million times.