Bargains

It is no surprise that I love bargains. I can remember being little and shopping the clearance racks at Dillards. I also paid $30 for one prom dress and $15 for another. As I said...I love bargains. Fortunately, since we've moved into our new house, I've found several of them.

Bargain #1 - FREE refrigerator

Story: As I was packing up the old house, I realized I didn't want to move the mismatched dishes and cups. I placed an ad on Craigslist and within an hour, 14 people asked to come pick them up. I contacted the first lady and as she was packing the dishes I mentioned that I haven't given away much on Craigslist. She said she had and was about to post a fridge on there. I asked a few more questions, found out it was free and voila...we had a garage refrigerator. It may be old, but it works like a charm.

Bargain #2 - $150 rug for $10 + $42 to clean

Story: After eating at Montana's in Granbury we decided to go in Aaron's Rental. We knew we had to be particular about what rug we purchased because of the dog and cat hair. So...we found a rug that was $150 and decided that that was a good price, but wanted to shop around a little more. When we went outside, the exact same rug was out there. I asked how much it was and the lady said $10 since it had been previously leased. $42 later, we saved approx. $100 on the rug.

Bargain #3 - $125 patio furniture set

Story: Once again, this was a Craigslist deal. I'm addicted. I spend at least an hour every night browsing things for sale. I will never buy a new piece of furniture after seeing what people are willing to sell and at such low prices.

Bargain #4 - FREE chiminea

Story: While moving out of the old house, I commented on the neighbor's chiminea that I saw for the first time. She then asked if I wanted to borrow it (most likely permanently) because she wasn't using it. So you guessed it, I borrowed it!

As long as I live I will be a bargain shopper. I love the feeling of getting a good deal. It's addicting!

Miscellaneous...

I don't even know where to start and I don't have any pictures to make this interesting. I haven't been able to find my camera for a couple of months now. I haven't looked terribly hard for it, but I do feel lost without it.

In the last couple of weeks I:

- Didn't drink as much water as planned, but have gotten better.
- Transitioned from the business world back to teaching. I love my students, team and school. I am so blessed.
- Have attended many basketball games. North Crowley is in the playoffs and typically wins their games by 20+ points.
- Have made some new friends through school and through Donny's school. One of the advantages of Donny being an English teacher is that he works with a team of mainly females.
- Have found a place to take piano lessons, less than 5 houses away from mine.
- Have had 3 days off of school thanks to Martin Luther King day, a snow day, and President's Day.
- Woke up Friday morning with a horrible sore throat and sinus pressure. I had been tired all week and winded when I walked up the stairs at school. Come to find out I had sinusitis and bronchitis. If you've never been to Trinity Xpress Med - I highly recommend it. I ended up with two shots and 3 antibiotics.
- Had a hair dryer catch on fire. Literally. I had to throw it across the bathroom to make it stop burning. Needless to say I bought a new one today.
- Kept the books at the Crowley Middle School vs. Summer Creek Championship.
- Had dinner with two great friends and one of their boyfriends.

AND...graded hundreds of papers!

I hope everyone has a GREAT Valentine's Day!!

Changes

I've said before that I like change. And...my life is about to change dramatically. I have made the decision to return to teaching and beginning Tuesday, I will be a 6th grade math teacher in Mansfield ISD!! I can't wait to be back in the classroom and be on the same schedule as Donny. That being said, I am really excited about this opportunity. However, I am sad to leave all of my friends at Northwestern Mutual.

If you think about it, please say an extra prayer for me as one chapter of my life closes and another begins.

Water Update

Thank you for all of your suggestions and encouragement on my water challenge. I haven't gotten off to a very good start. As a reminder, my goal was to drink 4-20 oz bottles of water per day for a month. So far, here are my totals:

Day 1 - 5 bottles (not too shabby) +1 for my goal
Day 2 - 0 bottles (terrible) -3 for my goal
Day 3 - 1 bottle (still terrible) -6 for my goal
Day 4 - 1/2 bottle (you guessed it...terrible) -9.5 for my goal
Day 5 - 1 bottle (haven't given up yet) -12.5 for my goal

Today is Day 6. I am determined to drink at least 4 bottles before I leave work. Hopefully I can start chipping away at the 12.5 bottles I'm behind as well.

Hi, My name is Carissa...

and I hate drinking water. Really...any liquids for that matter. As a result, I need some accountability. My skin is incredibly dry and it's amazing I'm not dehydrated to the point of needing to go to the hospital. Before today, I couldn't tell you the last time I drank water. It has probably been months and that's not an exaggeration.

So...I'm going to set a goal of drinking at least 4, 20 oz bottles of water a day for a month. The one pictured below is in my office and I am planning on washing and refilling it each day. I'm going to report my results as often as possible. Wish me luck!!

Do You Hate Junk Mail?

If so, check out this website. By clicking on the icon below and filling in a few pieces of information, a document will be created. The document requests your removal from 9 different junk-mail lists. I'm going to try it, if for no other reason than to help save a few trees.

Camp Wolfgang - Urgent Request

A German Shepherd rescue group called Camp Wolfgang , in Ennis, Texas is closing down on October 31st. They have nearly 200 dogs that must find a foster home or be adopted before then or they will have no choice but to euthanize them all. All the dogs are vetted, spayed/neutered, micro-chipped, well cared-for and many have training. If you cannot help by fostering or adopting...YOU CAN STILL HELP!!!

Please forward this information to everyone you know! They do not need or want donations, they simply MUST place all of the dogs. Adoption fees are $75.00, free to verifiable rescue groups.

Current dogs: (approximation) 120 German Shepherds; 2 Akitas; 1 Anatolian/Great Pyrenees; 4 Purebred Rottweilers; 1 Great Dane/Lab; 1 Boxer/Mastiff; 1 St. Bernard/Akita; 1 WolfDog; 45 Other mixed breeds.

Time is of the essence!! If you know anyone who can adopt, accept a dog into their rescue, or help in any way, contact Neisha Livengood, Kennel Master at Camp Wolfgang .

Neisha Livengood
windigo1966@yahoo.com
wally@campwolfgang.com
campwolfgang@yahoo.com
phone: 214-755-1627

Camp Wolfgang
6234 FM 879
Ennis, Texas 75119
www.campwolfgang.petfinder.com

Neiman Marcus Chicken Salad

I made Neiman Marcus' Chicken Salad for a shower I helped host this weekend. This was my first time to make it and I must say, it was delicious. I followed the recipe below, however, I used Tyson's White Canned Chicken instead of chicken breasts. I also added more almonds than the reciped required and less celery and grapes. Enjoy!

2 1/4 diced cold white meat chicken (approx. 4 breasts)
1 c. finely chopped celery1 c. halved green seedless grapes
1/2 c. slivered toasted almonds
2 tbsp. parsley
1 tsp. salt, optional
1 c. mayonnaise (not salad dressing)
1/2 c. whipping cream (whipped stiff)

Combine all ingredients and serve. Serves 6-8.

Monkey Bread

Shared by Natalie Wier

For as long as I can remember, Monkey Bread was present at Wier sleepovers. Thanks to Natalie, I finally have the recipe.

It is designed to be made in a bundt pan. In the picture, however, it was made in an angel food pan because that was all my grandmother had. Forgive the powdered sugar blobs. I took the picture before I smoothed them. Enjoy!

3 cans cheap biscuits
1 stick margaine
2 T. cinnamon
1/4c. sugar
3/4c. sugar
1/2 box powdered sugar ( or 2c)
1t. vanilla
milk

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350. Mix cinnamon and 1.4c sugar together in bowl.
2. Open biscuits, separate, and cut into fourths. Roll biscuits in cinnamon and sugar. Place in a greased bundt pan.
3. Melt butter.
4. Add extra sugar to remaining cinnamon and sugar mixture until you have 3/4c of mixture.
5. Pour melted butter over mixture.
6. Stir and pour over biscuits.
7. Bake at 350 for 30 min.

As soon as its ready, flip it over and add glaze.

For Glaze:
Mix powdered sugar and vanilla together. Add just enough milk to make it thick. Spoon glaze over top.

Baked Spaghetti


Thanks to a recipe on this blog I made Baked Spaghetti last night. It was delicious if I may say so myself and also really easy to make. I took pictures, however my camera isn't working properly.


BAKED SPAGHETTI


16 oz spaghetti
26 oz spaghetti sauce
1 ½ lbs. ground beef
1 egg
8 oz sour cream
1 stick margarine/butter
2-3 cups grated cheddar cheese


DIRECTIONS: While spaghetti is cooking, brown ground beef, drain excess fat and add the sauce. Drain pasta and add the sour cream and margarine. When the pasta has cooled a bit, add the egg. Place pasta mixture in the bottom of a greased 13x9 casserole dish. Top pasta with the ground beef mixture. Then cover with cheddar. Bake at 375 for 30-40 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly.

Rocky

This weekend was spent eating, selling, eating, shopping, and more eating thanks to Antique Alley. On Thursday, my Aunt and I set up our estate sale. We sold the last of my grandma's things that had been in storage since February. The only problem is I ended up taking home a carload full of stuff. How could I let someone buy Mr. and Mrs. Claus that had been a part of every Christmas I'd ever had? Unfortunately the rain got the best of us on Thursday. It had rained Wednesday night and everything was soaked. It also rained on us most of the day. Although it was frustrating at times, it was nice not to have to put on makeup or do my hair! We ate dinner at R & K Cafe and I had a grilled cheese with bacon. Talk about a heart attack in a sandwich. But...it was delicious. On Friday, the rain held off and everything went well. On Saturday, my friends Diana and Shannon joined me to do some shopping and sampling of food. We ate barbecue sandwiches, homemade kettle corn, homemade fried pies, etc. We were in food heaven! While we were walking around, we saw a house that had Shih-Tzu puppies for sale. They also had a kitten pouncing around the yard. Donny's been wanting a playmate for Zoe and agreed I could get a kitten rather than getting a puppy. So...I asked the lady if she would be willing to sell the kitten. She actually said I could have it. It was a stray that she found wedged between the screen door and front door during all the rain. I bought a gerbil cage to put him in ( I couldn't find anything else) and away we went. His name was supposed to be Rowdy but I kept calling him Rocky. So...Rocky it is. I was nervous to introduce him to Zoe because she has never been around cats. Plus, she's 70 lbs. and he is barely 1 lb. Zoe got really excited and tried to jump in order to reach Rocky. He did not appreciate that gesture. He hissed and swung at her. Slowly but surely they warmed up to each other. They're still not best friends, but they're working on it. I've included some cute pictures of them 'playing.'

'Maybe if I hide here she can't see me!'

Rocky playing with his mouse

Zoe looks hungry.

Prayers

I've known Mike, Sharon, and Kimberly Conrad since I was in 3rd grade. I never got to meet Kimberly's older brother,Brian, but the article below is about him and his family. They were brutally slain in 2005. The only person that survived was his 10 year old daughter. Please be in prayer for the daughter, as well as Mike, Sharon, and Kimberly, as they go through this trial.

Missouri Man Pleads Guilty to Killing Pregnant Woman, 2 Others in Texas Farmhouse
Thursday, September 03, 2009

LUBBOCK, Texas — A Missouri man pleaded guilty Thursday to capital murder for killing a pregnant woman, her husband and son at a Texas Panhandle farmhouse in 2005. Levi King, 26, entered his plea in Lubbock and then prosecutors began the punishment phase. The state is seeking the death penalty. King pleaded guilty to killing Michell Conrad, 35, her husband Brian Conrad, 31, and her 14-year-old son, Zach Doan. They were found slain in their remote farmhouse. Michell Conrad was six months pregnant. Her 10-year-old daughter survived and called 911. Texas law enforcement officials did not released the 911 tape, any details about how the girl survived or what she might have seen. It was not clear whether she would testify. Authorities have never released a motive for the slayings. Earlier this year, the judge in the case issued a gag order.

King pleaded guilty last year in the shooting deaths of Orlie McCool, 70, and his 47-year-old daughter-in-law, Dawn McCool. Their bodies were found by a relative in a rural Pineville, Mo., home on Sept. 30, 2005 — the same day authorities in the Texas Panhandle discovered the bodies in the Conrads' home. Missouri authorities said King drove Orlie McCool's pickup truck from Missouri to the Conrads' home in Texas. King was caught the same night trying to re-enter the U.S. at the Mexican border in El Paso, Texas. Shortly after investigators brought the truck back to Missouri from El Paso, a name tag with Brian Conrad's name was found in the vehicle. Investigators said ballistics tests linked one of four guns found in the truck to the Texas killings. King was sentenced to two consecutive life terms without parole for the Missouri killings. The Texas punishment would take precedence under an agreement with Missouri.

How Do They Do It?

How do people combine coupons and pay $3.00 for groceries that should cost $50 to $100? Do you use coupons? Do you combine them even when it says you can't?

Austin and Ivy

Donny and I went to Austin this weekend. His grandpa is 92 and decided to travel from Ohio (with Donny's mom) to see his grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. We had a great time getting to visit with everyone. His grandpa brought all of the letters Donny sent to him as a child. In all of them Donny talked about bunnies and the weather. Apparently his grandparents always had bunnies in their backyard and the weather was so different in Ohio than in Texas, it was always a topic of conversation.

We took some pictures before we left, then went to the school to play basketball, soccer, golf, etc. While we were playing basketball, I decided to take off my jewelry. I sat it down within reach of Donny's 2-year-old niece. Unfortunately, the charm that meant the most to me went missing. Donny had it engraved and sent it to me for Valentine's Day. So...we dug through thick ivy, roaches, and lizards for two hours, but never found it. I was/am extremely sad.

Me with Tatum and Jordan

Donny with Tatum and Jordan

Donny tickling Tatum

4 Generations: Tatum, Bobby (Donny's brother),

Grandpa, Donny, Sharon (Donny's mom), and Jordan

Grandpa with Jordan and Tatum

Us with Grandpa

Us with Donny's mom and Grandpa

Sharon and the boys



"Help Uncle Dee Dee" (She made the basket by the way!)

The missing charm. It said "Love Always Donny" on the back.

Guess Who's 21 Today

My 'Little' Sister...

Happy Birthday Brette!

Unlikely Angel

For those of you that don't know my brother, Corey, he is a songwriter in Nashville. One of the songs he wrote, Unlikely Angel, was released on iTunes today!! The artist is Jason Jones who is a part of the Warner Brothers label.

I am SO excited for Corey! If you happen to purchase this song, will you please let me know so that I can tell him?

Another song he wrote, Heroes and Angels, will kick off the Annual Conference of the Veterans of WWII Convention in Las Vegas where he'll also get to meet President Obama.

CONGRATULATIONS COREY!

Update

During Memorial Day weekend I went to visit my first college roommate, Carrie (Peter) Watts. Her parents only live an hour away from Donny, so I spent all day on Saturday with Carrie and her family. Her dad is a farmer who grows sweet corn. Every Memorial Day Weekend, her family sells the corn at Prasek's. It was great to see Carrie's family, many of whom I had not seen since her wedding, 6 years ago. The best part was getting to meet Carrie and Clint's new daughter, M. M's story is an amazing one. One day at church, a lady approached them and said her niece wanted to give up her 5 month old for adoption. She asked if they would be interested in adopting M. 24 hours later, Clint and Carrie were parents!

Here's the precious little girl!

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Also...I am VERY excited to announce that Donny got a coaching job at North Crowley High School. He is moving to Fort Worth around August 1st and is looking for a place to rent. If you know of anyone in the South Fort Worth/North Crowley area that has a place to rent (that is reasonably affordable for one person - $850 or less), please let me know. I can't wait to FINALLY be in the same town after 3 years of a long-distance relationship.

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My dad also accepted a new coaching position and will be the Head Baseball Coach of the East Hickman Eagles in Lyles, Tennessee.

London Andrew

My cousin, Joy, and her husband, Philip, had their first child on May 5th. Joy and Philip met in London while they were studying abroad. They decided to name their first-born London since the country was so special to them.

Meeting London for the 1st time - Forgive my shiny face. They were keeping the room warm, not to mention I bought foundation for dry skin and apparently it made my face REALLY oily.

London Andrew - 9lbs, 3 oz and 23 inches long!

London

Look at that hair!

Joy, London and Me at the hospital.

Joy, London and Aunt Marie

Newport Beach, California

April 17th - 20th, 2009

Mike and I at Sharkeez

Seals out in the ocean

Seals out in the ocean

Mike and I at Mutts

Mike and I on the boat

Birdman at Newport Beach

Brette and I on the way to breakfast

Sisters

At the Dory Fishing Fleet

We anchored in the harbor. This was a sailboat behind us.

Fresh Dead Squid (see the sign)?

Brette, Angelina and I on the front of Mike's Boat

Vacation

Tomorrow Brette and I are headed to Newport Beach to visit Mike. In case you don't know who Mike is, he was married to our mom for about 10 years. When they got divorced, he moved back to California. Part of the time he lives on his boat "Gotta Lime" and the other part of the time, he lives in Palm Springs. So...we're flying out there tomorrow and staying on the boat for the weekend. I can't wait!