Impulse Purchase

My sweet hubby often falls victim to impulse purchases. He went to Tractor Supply Co. for some horse feed and came home with...

a paddle boat for our pond! I'm thinking this wasn't one of those items strategically placed at the checkout...lol.

I love it! I haven't went for a ride yet...I am waiting to go with Dr. Hubby for the first time. The girls loved it! Super fun!

How Do You Feel About Surprises?!

"Surprise is the greatest gift which life can grant us." --Boris Pasternak

Most of the time I feel like Boris Pasternak when it comes to surprises. But I also think Jane Austen had a valid point of view on them.

"Surprises are foolish things. The pleasure is not enhanced, and the inconvenience is often considerable." --Jane Austen

There is a fine line that divides my feelings on surprises. That fine line is the state of my home. If my house is a mess and I have surprise guests I have a breakdown when they leave. If my house is clean and I feel a little prepared for the situation I LOVE surprises. I can enjoy them completely.

This past Friday I got a big surprise! My Lil Sis and Mom came to visit! Unannounced. My house was clean. Thank goodness. I have been so stressed over the upcoming house auction that I am not sure I could have handled things appropriately.

The girls were so happy to see Aunt Lil Sis. We went to the opening show of Manga Dork's spring musical. Manga Dork peeked out of the curtain and was SHOCKED to see them sitting with us.

The girls love them both SO much. This surprise was a special treat.

Manga Dork {the tall one in brown with white face and orange nose} was fantastic! She was an eagle in Narnia: the musical. It was very entertaining.

My two little ones were so into the play. At the end they ran up to meet the cast. They loved the white witch and the guy playing Edmond. The feeling was mutual cause I ended up with two offers to babysit if I ever need it!

Congratulations Manga Dork on a job well done!

Do Not Drink From That Cup!

I am never alone anywhere I go inside or outside on the farm.

Toby {the Shih Tzu} is always right by my side. I am so glad he came into our world this past winter. He has been such a fun furry blessing to our family.

He is always excited to see us.

He is so laid back and lazy when he is inside. But he is full of energy on the outside.

This photo makes me think of fleas. We give Toby a pill for fleas called Comfortis. I was not comfortable putting the oily medicine at the base of his neck kind because of the kiddos.

Such a funny little face. I can't get too far away or he comes running. He wants to travel with me everywhere. If you ever ride in the Escalade DO NOT drink from the small ice water with no lid in the cup holder. That is Toby's drink.

Do you have a furry partner in crime?
What do you use for fleas?

Signs Of Summer Around The Corner

This is a definite sign that summer is just around the corner. The littles fill up our sidewalks with masterpieces and hopscotch squares. It won't be long before they are soaking in the bathtub cause a shower just won't be enough for all the farm dirt.

Have you seen any signs of summer yet?

Pulling Out Your Hair

A familiar sight in the barb wire fence. Horses that get too close...stretching their necks to get the greener grass on the other side of the fence.

I feel their pain. With my long hair I am constantly getting it caught in things. I have one denim skirt that has buttons on the back pockets that love to let the ends of my hair get twisted around them. They probably look like this barb wire when I take it off...lol.

When was the last time you got caught?

Take A Walk WIth Me

This week is going to be so pretty and warm. I thought I would get out each day with my Nikon and share some photos with ya. Want to take a walk around the farm with me?

This is our back pastures. I am standing at the fence in my back yard. To my right is my driveway off the hill. To my left is another pasture...the one that connects to the dream farm from my last post.

See my shadow? I got tickled when I uploaded this photo cause where I have my arms raised shooting the photo it looks like I have 2 enormous boobs and no arms...lol.

Happy Monday!

A Dream

Yesterday we drove up this little gravel road. It looks like it just drops off from there. But I know what is over that little hill.

It's not far from our home over there. Actually the road is going up the side of our farm...all that green is ours. And here is what is over the hill...

You don't even know all this is over here from the main road.

It kinda reminds of a movie when people are lost in the dessert and they climb up a sand hill and look down the other side and see a town or water...only this is no mirage!

This is a house that is going up for auction May 21st along with 138 acres. We toured the inside. We really liked our neighbors that lived here. They brought us a lasagna dinner when we were moving into our farm 5 years ago. Unfortunately they both passed last year from cancer. I can't believe they are both gone. They built this home 9 years ago. I loved hearing the stories about how they did all the woodwork themselves. It is fantastic. I am glad we went in the garage door cause the front door makes me tear up.

She swam every day in the summer in the pond. The kids went over a couple times to join her. I think if we buy this place we are going to put a bench by the pond in memory of them.

We need a bigger home and planned to build on this year. This would add 138 acres to our 101 acres. The girls are all excited about all the space we would have! I don't dare get too excited. It is alot of money...we have to bid at the auction...it seems like an impossible dream right now. We are praying and know that if it is meant to be...then it will all fall into place.

It's gonna be a long 2 weeks...

Curiousity Killed The Cat

Today at 1:00 we will be doing step 2 in a process that is going to be LIFE CHANGING! I never dreamed we would do this. We are excited, nervous, happy, scared, curious...

Stay tuned...

Nothing Too Extreme...More Like "Extra Mild"

Last night I had a dream that I was one of the Real Housewives of the OC. I was talking to Gretchen {my fave OC girl} about how I felt I needed to make my storyline more interesting or they may drop me next season. lol

Somehow I think my new "hobby" wouldn't add much excitement to my storyline. I am in LOVE with couponing. Have you watched the Extreme Couponing show on TLC?! So crazy! Every Wednesday at 9 and 930!

This past Sunday {5/1} I got my first Sunday paper. I loved going through all the coupons and cutting them so neatly. I also purchased the *All You magazine and cut the coupons from it. On Monday night I gathered my coupon stash {I need to make a binder}, all the store ads, and a notebook and pen. I went through the ads and wrote down the items I buy that are on sale. Then I matched up the coupons to the sales. I made a list with the item name, sale price, and if I had a coupon. I was so excited to go to Walmart the next day...

I loved my kid-free shopping trip {thank you MIL}. I saved $16.35 with coupons and $4.05 with price matching. $20.40 I didn't have to give from my checking account! I reached my first goal of $20! PLUS $2 at Long John Silvers for a quick dinner that night! I was so thrilled!

My best items {in my opinion}

24 oz. Hunts ketchup Reg. $1.24 Price Matched for $1 Coupon for 35 cents Final Price $.65!

Pantene Shampoo & Conditioner Reg. $3.78 each Price Matched for $3.50 each Coupon for $3 Final Price $2 each!

Little Debbie Snack Cakes Reg. $7.50 for 5 Price Match $5 for 5 $2.50 savings!

Do you coupon?

Royal Cuteness

Oh look...it must be a princess...but which one? What a lovely tiara...

Oh my! Look at that ring...could it possibly be?!

It's Princess Cutie!

Both of my little girls enjoyed some of the royal wedding festivities. Cutie sat with me in the living room {not at 4 AM when it actually took place} glued to the tv. She even went to get her tiara. Wild Child said they watched it at school. When I asked her if she saw the kisses, she blushed. So sweet. A real life Disney movie...

I hope Kate is more careful with her ring. Dr. Hubby had to dig that one out of the drain already! lol