Purging

I have not blogged for a while. Baby Rhea has Christmas pics on her memory stick so I'll get to that soon. 


I'm on Christmas break and loving it! This is a very THANKFUL THANKFUL Christmas season as we have not had a parent in the hospital at this holiday time for 3 years. We truly count our blessings for that. My Momma was in the hospital last year from Dec. 12 to Jan. 3. It was a very touch and go time and we are so grateful she is doing so well this year. 

That being said.....I'm on a mission. I'm a purgeaholic....and it feels wonderful! I bought the DVD by Peter Walsh...It's All Too Much! If you have a chance to read it or view it...it will really get you motivated. My trash cans fill at a rapid pace. 


My mission is two fold.  I have a new granddaughter coming in about 6 weeks and I've got to get things done before she gets here. We are having fun helping Lace and Blake get ready for her. The nursery is going to be darling. Papa Coach is going to help finish painting and odds and ends while Mommy To Be and I finish sewing, etc. on Monday.


Then in January we have new carpet for the entire upstairs coming as well as Grandpa and I are getting NEW BEDROOM FURNITURE! We have never had a matching set so we ordered it from Nebraska Furniture Mart (Do you just love that place???) and it will be delivered after carpet.  It was our Christmas to each other. 


I've also been digging out our baby furniture from our babies to clean and polish to put up. How fun is that going to be? 


Purging is good for the soul! It lightens me! With age comes SIMPLIFICATION.....I'm NOT a hoarder....every moving body in my house might say I am...... but I'm not! I do have too much "stuff" but I don't buy things in bulk and just store them. 

No!

 NO!

 NO NO!

 Definitely NO!

I'm a "hang on to it....I might need it" type. But I'm really getting better!  I have 5 days of vacation left and so I'm using my time wisely! We have had beautiful weather in Kansas for winter and we are loving it! Sunny days, very mild temps. So nice and enjoyable! 


I'll be back soon with a Christmas recap! 


How was your Christmas and are you getting some time off?


Getting to do a Healthy Relaxing Bible study while I'm off....

Here is my verse for today:


2 Peter 1 :5-6   And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

Merry Christmas from the Maddens!

From our family to yours....

 Thank you to Robbin at Down on the Farm....I won 25 free Shutterfly cards!

Wishing you health, happiness, and joy in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ....

Country Girl at Home Giveaway!

My friend, Tammy, is having a giveaway. Click here! It will be a wonderful Christmas present for someone to win! 4 chances to win! How awesome!

A Christmas Giveaway!

It’s giveaway time! I love Christmas and as a thank you to the readers of my blog and friends in blog land, I really wanted to host a Christmas giveaway! 

If Jesus Came to Your House....

My husband and I were in Branson, MO recently and were at the Branson Church of Christ. We go there on a regular basis when we are in town. Their bulletin that week had the following poem on it and I wanted to share it with you. It touched me deeply that morning and I think of it often. I find it very thought provoking! I have been unable to find an author...if you are familiar with it and know any background, I'd love to hear it.

If Jesus Came to Your House

If Jesus came to your house to spend a day or two 

If he came unexpectedly, I wonder what you'd do. 

Oh, I know you'd give your nicest room to such an honored Guest,

 And all the food you'd serve to Him would be the very best, 

And you keep assuring Him you're glad to have Him there

 That serving Him in your own home is joy beyond compare.

But when you saw Him coming, would you meet Him at the door

 With arms outstretched in welcome to your heavenly Visitor? 

Or would you have to change your clothes before you let Him in?

 Or hide some magazines and put the Bible where they'd been?

 Would you turn off the radio and hope He hadn't heard? 

And wish you hadn't uttered that last, loud, hasty word?

Would you hide your worldly music and put some hymn books out? 

Could you let Jesus walk right in, or would you rush about? 

And I wonder if the Savior spent a day or two with you, 

Would you go right on doing the things you always do? 

Would you go right on saying the things you always say? 

Would life for you continue as it does from day to day?

Would your family conversation keep up its usual pace? 

And would you find it hard each meal to say a table grace? 

Would you sing the songs you always sing, 

and read the books you read, 

And let him know the things on which your mind and spirit feed?

 Would you take Jesus with you everywhere you'd planned to go?

 Or would you, maybe, change your plans for just a day or so?

Would you be glad to have Him meet your very closest friends? 

Or would you hope they'd stay away until His visit ends? 

Would you be glad to have Him stay forever on and on? 

Or would you sigh with great relief when He at last was gone?

 It might be interesting to know the things that you would do?

 If Jesus Christ in person came to spend some time with you.

Hoping you are having fun getting ready for the holidays! How is your shopping, wrapping, decorating, baking, addressing??????

I'm making progress....I'll leave it at that!

The President of The United States Makes a Visit!

Osawatomie, KS is my hometown. It is also where my family and I live and work. It has a population of approximately 4,500. Today the President of the United States visited and gave a speech in our town at my High School Gymnasium. 

101 years ago Teddy Roosevelt gave his The New Nationalism speech in Osawatomie, KS. 

Now regardless of whether you are Independent, Democrat, or Republican, etc..... I FEEL you should honor the office of the President. He is the leader of this awesome country we live in. Doesn't mean you have to agree with policies or beliefs or even vote for him/her.
I personally am registered a Republican.

Today was an honor for our little town to have him visit. Our town has been buzzing for days since the White House confirmed the news he was coming. The Secret Service has been in town for days and securing the High School. Approximately 400 tickets were given out if you wanted to wait in the LLLLOOOONNNNGGGG line to get them! There were a total of over 1,000 in attendance and some were turned away at the door today. And we had a dusting of snow this morning and very frigid temperatures.
Here is a quick recap of the days events....(for my memory mainly!)

Monday - the White House and Secret Service transformed the High School with a Presidential look....they worked all day and into the night.

Tuesday 6:00 a.m - Media from all the KC stations descending and news reports began. Local, county, highway patrol law enforcements began securing streets and roads. Businesses downtown where the motorcade would pass were told to shut down for a short time. Parking lots and streets were emptied of all vehicles. Residents had received notices that they were not to use their streets/driveways. Anyone watching from the streets would have to be 75 feet back.
Areas of the High School were restricted and no entry to them. Students were informed to park at the Sports Complex and were bussed to school. Students were allowed in certain areas of the high school and were able to walk to watch the motorcade and then the speech was live streamed into their auditorium. My husband was one of the teachers in charge of students. Some students were given tickets to attend. My daughter, Darbey, was one.  She is in the Student Council and got to hear the speech. What an honor to see a President in person!

11:30 a.m. - President arrives in KC, MO at airport in Air Force One. Shuttles to our little Miami Co. Airport on Marine One helicopter. Arrives at Osawatomie High School in Presidential motorcade. Pulls into our "wood shop" large garage in his motorcade car. His chef and staff prepare his meal on white linens with china and glassware (Remember...he is in a wood shop area/classroom!!!)

At 1:05 is escorted to the gymansium to give over an hour speech! Leaves gymnasium to exit in motorcade back to small airport, helicopter to KC, then off to Washington DC in Air Force One.

My elementary school watched on TV from 11-2. Some of my class watched, some slept on the floor, some colored!!  


Here are a few pics my daughter snapped!

All in a day in the life of the President! 

For me....it's back to normal tomorrow!! Reading, Writing, and Arithmatic !!

It's the Holiday Season !

Carrie of Farming on Faith posted these fun questions! And I love to read and do these! It lets me get to know a blog friend better and it makes me think about my own opinions of things! Thanks Carrie

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

Wrapped! I think they are beautiful works of art! Everyone in my husband's family loves to get a present from Aunt Michaelene....she is awesome at it! I sit and admire packages and everyone hollers at me, "Mom, hurry up and open it!"

2. Real tree or Artificial?

Real! My husband and I have always gone to a tree farm and cut one with the kids. Love the smell and the memories! We take candy canes with us and play Christmas music on the way. An artificial sounds so appealing as it is less messy and maybe? easier. So I think I'l move into doing both and someday when I'm old and feeble and the kids don't care, I'll just do the artificial. 

3. When do you put up the tree?
Definitely not before Thanksgiving...I'm one that loves the Fall colors so I like to savor that holiday! But whenever I can get all the Fall stuff down and put away and then beg someone to help me drag Christmas boxes up from the basement!

4. When do you take the tree down?
This will sound "Scroogy" but I have taken it down some years on Christmas night! Yikes...don't hate me! But most 

often it's the day after. I love to get out the January snowmen and snowflakes then!

5. Do you like eggnog?
No....my husband does though.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
Easy one! My Mrs. Beasley doll from "Family Affair"...I still have her...Someday I get to show her to my granddaughter! 

7. Hardest person to buy for?
I beg for lists so that helps! 

8. Easiest person to buy for?

My girls....they are so different and they do give me suggestions.

9. Do You have a nativity scene?
Just a table top one! Not fancy not expensive.

10.Mail or email Christmas cards?

Mail!! I love this time of year getting all the Christmas cards. I'm so disappointed if it doesn't have a letter or picture in it! 

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

Can't think of one.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?

I have a list! I buy a lot to have on hand plus love those sappy happy ending Hallmark ones.
Grinch, Rudolph, Elf, Wonderful Life, Holiday Inn, White Christmas, and Christmas Vacation to name a few!

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

Nothing comes to mind....but I bet I have!

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
We like to do fondue on Christmas Eve or a warm Baked Potato Soup.  Christmas morning is sausage/egg casserole and Monkey bread.
Christmas Day is Spiral ham, hash brown potato casserole, green bean casserole and of course LOTS of sweet desserts.

16. Lights on the tree?
Oh yes yes yes! Makes a room so cozy! On the mantel, on the house. I love the white but my husband always wants color!

17.Travel at Christmas or stay home?
We always stay home. Our families are here close so that is very nice. HOWEVER...I wouldn't mind going on a tropical vacation some year at Christmas with all my kids someday. Our winters are so cold and snowy, it would be fun to see what sunny and 80 degrees was like!

18. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?

Christmas morning! Santa comes! Stockings first....then breakfast...then presents. But we have a tradition since the kids were little of drawing names between our family and we open those on Christmas Eve. One gift...$10. Now we have in laws and that will be even more fun!

Family + Food + Fun + Blessings = Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and now it is back to the routine tomorrow. I was bummed thinking about it being over but then....I realized....we only have 17 school days left this year! YIKES! And then another vacation! BIG SMILE!


So a Countdown to Christmas will go up in my room and I know the days are just going to fly by. 


Hoping your Thanksgiving was fun and relaxing. Can't wait to read about yours!
Here's a glimpse of ours....

Mama to Be had a craving to make sugar cookies!

Auntie D loves her Niece to Be!

Baby Rhea and Daddy do the carving....

Haley Beth made Mama Lace a shirt!

The girls in our aprons....

It takes us a while to get a picture! Way too much silliness!

Mama and Daddy To Be

 

And NO we didn't do Black Friday....too tired! How about you? Any great bargains?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Over the River and
Through the Woods


Over the river and thru the wood,
To grandfather's house we go;
The horse knows the way
To carry the sleigh,
Thru the white and drifted snow, oh!
Over the river and thru the wood,
Oh, how the wind does blow!
It stings the toes,
And bites the nose,
As over the ground we go.

Over the river and thru the wood,
To have a first-rate play;
Oh, hear the bell ring,
"Ting-a-ling-ling!"
Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day-ay!
Over the river and thru the wood,
Trot fast my dapple gray!
Spring over the ground,
Like a hunting hound!
For this is Thanksgiving Day.

Blessings to you and your family on this special holiday. It is truly a time of  "THANKSgiving" for all the wonderful blessings that God bestows on us every day.  

Most of All Thanksgiving Day brings to mind
the blessings in our lives
that usually go unnoticed:
a home that surrounds us
with comfort and protection;
delicious food, for pleasure
in both eating and sharing;
clothes to snuggle up in,
books and good entertainment
to expand our minds;
and freedom to worship our God.
Most of all we are thankful
for our family and friends,
those treasured people
who make our lives extra special.
You are part of that cherished group.
On Thanksgiving, (and every day)
we appreciate you. Happy Thanksgiving! By Joanna Fuchs  

Ephesians 5:20

King James Version (KJV)

 ²⁰Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

A Little of This....A Little of That!

 The book of James in the Bible is one of my favorite....I can understand the simplicity of the words and yet they are powerful. Whenever I am in "need", I am drawn to this book. 

James .... Chapter 1...
 ¹James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
 ²My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
 ³Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
 ⁴But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
 ⁵If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
 ⁶But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
 ⁷For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.


  The trying of my faith worketh patience.....Amen! Though my faith MAY be tried, it will NOT be stolen by Satan!
I had a few weeks this Fall where I walked to school many days and recited this verse over and over ALOUD!

My #2 Daughter and Son in Law to be are in the midst of "wedding decisions and planning". They are trying to decide the whens and wheres! So exciting! We had a fun afternoon a week ago to do just preliminary "dress trying on". NO pressures, NO decisions....just pure fun! And she looked gorgeous in every one!




Darb had a fun "informal" dance a few weeks ago.....It was famous couples! She and her date went as Marilyn Monroe and Joe Dimaggio. They got 3rd place in best costume! I told her her mole wasn't drawn on big enough and her hair wasn't white enough! HA!

It has suddenly felt like winter is upon us. Fall is leaving us and the frosty mornings and chilly evenings are upon us. The furnace is on, the wood will start burning in the fireplace. We have not had any flurries yet....which I'm happy about but if they do start....I hope we get enough for SCHOOL TO BE CANCELLED! 

I have 3 more days of work and then get Thanksgiving Break. I really enjoy the simplicity of the holiday as it's all about blessings, thanks, family, and food! 

We have projects on the agenda for our days off.  Hubby and I are Landlord/Landlady in our second job/life! We own rental properties and they keep us quite busy. TOO BUSY actually! If the economy ever recovers, they will be a blessing....but right now we are just happy to have them rented. 

Also on the upcoming agenda is new carpet in the upstairs level. Big sigh just thinking about what that will involve...moving furniture, pulling up old, putting down new, moving furniture....ughhhhh! But I've got to get my guest room/NURSERY ready for that new pink bundle that is on the way! She is growing like a little weed (Baby....not Momma!). I get to feel her kick and squirm and wiggle in her momma's tummy....she is right on schedule for her ETA (February 13). Lace is looking so cute with her little belly. They are working on their nursery and it's going to be so cute. I'll share pics when it's done.

Last weekend, R and I got away for a quick weekend. It was buffer week for sports. R was done with football and getting ready for basketball. So we took a fun relaxing weekend down to Branson, MO. It was Veteran's Day weekend so not so sure "relaxing" was the word! The town was packed! We had fun though and shopped and ate alot! Weather was awesome! 

And so now we begin the winter season activities and holidays! I'm one of those people that has to get Thanksgiving over before I can think or decorate for Christmas....so my house is still orange, green, red, yellow, and brown! The fall candle scents are still burning ... but after Thanksgiving....the Christmas music comes alive and the pine scents will be lit! 

And here is the million dollar question from me to you......

ARE YOU READY FOR THE HOLIDAYS TO BEGIN????????

I can't wait to hear all your plans for the upcoming holidays!  

Please 

please 

please don't tell me you have your Christmas shopping done!!!!!!!!!

Trick or Treat!

Another Halloween has been survived! My husband's side of the family has celebrated at Grandma and Grandpa's house for YEARS. Our idea of Halloween is eating, talking, watching the kiddos in their costumes, and eating more! It's more of a family fellowship time than anything! Tonight there were around 24 of us...a house full....but also very empty as Grandpa was not there. Each and every one of us felt him being there, but his physical presence was very missed. 

It's so hard when you lose such a patriarch of a family. We have wonderful memories in our hearts and tons of pictures but it's still hard. The holidays will be tough....but this is a wonderful, close, loving family that I feel blessed to be a part of. Here are a few snapshots of a fun evening together.

My sis in law and I usually sit on couch and just talk all night! She always dresses up so cute!

 My great nephew...he was a jockey!

 A great group of kiddos!

 Lacey and my niece who was Mini Daisy Duke!

 Darb and Roscoe!

 The newest member of our family.....Sayge...my great niece....she was the most adorable ghost!

 Grandma and 2 of her grandbabies!

I must say, I am happy to survive another year at school with Halloween parties. WHEW! I felt like I was on the wagon holding the reins of 19 very excited horses ready to run! Their desks, my desk, and their bellies were FULL of sugar! I did good....I ate a salad for lunch! But when evening came....I hit the buckets of candy!

Bargainmania!!!!!!!

I'm a sucker for a bargain! 

I'm a clearance shopper/coupon user/sale consumer! 
I love thrift stores,

flea markets, 

and garage sales! 

And I love love love to come home and share my "bargain" with the fam! They don't seem to get as excited as I do! 
Last Saturday, #2 daughter and I were going to Saturday Surplus and the flea markets for therapy. As we were driving, I saw a garage sale of a friend who I had her daughter in 3rd grade. She has since had another daughter and so was selling her baby clothes! I did a "slamonthebrakes" and pulled in!

It was a beautiful day and so Haley and I sat on the concrete driveway and went through TUBS of baby GIRL clothes! Excellent condition...very gently worn!!  Oh joy to my heart! It was so fun and after much time had passed... the infamous line used in our family came rolling out of Haley's mouth....

"MOM you are out of control!"

So I took a deep breath and stopped! But I could of done more damage! 

Here are some pictures of my adorable goodies I got for my granddaughter-to-be! 

Now I want you to guess what I paid for all these! (That's the game I like to play at my house!) And I'll let you know at the end of the pictures! 

And the grand total......

$21.70

A sidenote....I'm fascinated by "Extreme Couponers"! I would love to have the time to learn to be one! What an awesome feeling to go to the grocery store and spend pennies for such an enormous amount of goods in so many carts. Does anyone do that or do you know the trick to it? It seems like for sure you have to go to a grocery store that doubles coupons.