Don't Be Tardy For The Party

Tuesday and Thursday mornings are to myself and while I should be cleaning the house, this morning I traveled to the small town of Merigold to McCartys Pottery. For those of you who have never heard of McCartys, you are in for a real treat! They have been in business for over 50 years now and if you go in most homes of the Delta and beyond, you can spot a piece or two ( or 200 ) . I was so excited to go today because I hardly ever do. My sweet mother in law treats me to pieces each Christmas and Birthday. Each year in March they have a huge sale...first come, first served kind of deal where people actually camp out for it. Well, I knew or thought I knew people camped out a day or two ahead at the most but to my surprise today I found out there are people camped out NOW.... and have been since the end of January. The sale is the first weekend in March! So to share with you a little about how this works I took pictures....

here is the camper of the folks that have been here for 2 weeks already... they even have electricity hooked up. see?

Below you will see chairs lined up with names on them claiming their spot. The chairs traveled around to the right of this building... I think there are already at least 60 chairs.

This is the grand entrance to the famous McCarty's Pottery. I can assure you...it doesn't look like much but it is filled with beautiful pottery. The McCartys also live here and maintain a beautiful garden that is something you just have to experience for yourself. Oh and there is a restaurant that serves lunch in the "back". Of course everything is served on or in McCartys pottery.

And here are my goodies! These are called gin and tonic cups. I can't wait to serve soups, drinks, coffee or even plant a flower in these. Anytime you receive a brown bag with the McCartys signature , be excited!

~ the wavy black mark represents the Mississippi river and adorns every piece ~

Beans and Rice! Beans and Rice!

So T and I are on our way to the lake Friday and scanning through the stations, we land on talk radio with Dave Ramsey. We have listened to him on and off through the years. Two callers back to back called in to say they were debt free. The first was a 27 year old male newlywed who is completely debt free of $30,000 after 16 months. The second caller was a man in his late 30's, married with 4 kids who just got out of $60,000 of debt in 26 months. On top of that he also managed to pay off his $600,000 mortgage! Before you ask how, I think T and I were so amazed at with what we just heard we started talking about how we have no excuse to be in debt of any form.

We both know that if we just suck it up for 2 solid years we could do wonders with our financial situation.

After many many months of back and forth with money matters and trying to figure out where it all goes, we have FINALLY decided to take the Davesque route and not only get out of debt, but obtain a substantial savings for our family. Spending or not spending shall I say is not one of my strong suits so this will take much discipline on my part. I'm not the most frequent cook either so I know we will save hundreds ( yes, I said hundreds) of dollars just eating out each month. I'm appalled every few months when I decide to get real and look at what we spend where.
Ever since I was pregnant the first time I felt I had to have something good for dinner almost every night. I have not been one to be okay just eating a pot of white rice like T but I'm getting better. I think it has all to do with contentment and the more time I spend with God, the more content I become. Amen to that!
So say a little prayer for me! I will need the encouragement. I hate to miss out on a good deal (must stay away from shopping) or a good meal. Now, just like with any diet, one can't totally deprive oneself from everything so we have made a deal to eat out once a month for big dinners and once a month for small ones..... Any simple recipes you may have are welcomed.
Friends know this, if you ask me to do something that costs, I'm not being anti-social.. I just want to be debt free. Maybe one day T and I can call Dave and scream over the phone.. "We're Debt Freeeeeee!'

Louie Giglio - Laminin

Okay... this is the "Best Kept Secret of the day!"

Best Kept Secret

I love to share new things. You know that thing you come across that you just gotta share with your closest friends? That is kind of what i'm going to do here. I hope you find my tips or findings as rewarding as I do!!

Did you know that the public bathrooms in the back of most Walmart's are really clean?? I mean, they even have fresh flowers in there!

If you are trying to cut back on the calories ( and you love chocolate) a great snack is a rice cake with smuckers natural peanut butter.... sprinkle a few milk chocolate chips and nuke it in the microwave... DELICIOUS!

Did I say that the Hilton Garden Inn in Meridian has the most heavenly bed?

I've been Tagged....

maybe I should go back to school and find a cure for migraines. We just spent $400 on migraine meds for me which will last maybe 3 months.
i love the smell of a clean baby, Torrey after he showers and shaves, and a clean house... I like clean things
people would say I'm outspoken, over the top at times, passionate about what I believe in.
i don't understand why people think it's ok to harm helpless babies and children.
when I wake up in the a.m. i'm usually not quite ready to get up.
i lost my willpower to eat right and exercise. I do good for about a week then , forget it! I love to eat!
life is a gift from God.
my past made me realize what I don't want to be.
i get annoyed when people say they will do something and then don't.
parties are not a good time to try out a new recipe.
dogs are sweet but I'm not a pet person even though we have a dog.I have 3 kids to take care of! I wish them no harm and hate to see any animal hurt.
cats are yuk and they won't stay out from under my carport.
tomorrow is hopefully going to be a day I don't wake up with a headache.
i have low tolerance for fake people.
i'm totally terrified of heights!
i wonder why we are never satisfied with what we have.
never in my life have I smoked pot.
high school was the worst and best times of my life.
when i'm nervous my heart beats out of my chest and I feel like everyone around me can hear it.
one time at a family gathering I was dissapointed.
live each day in thanks and praise.
making my bed is something that gets done maybe 4 times a week.
i'm almost always planning something.
i'm addicted to Fox news and the internet. This includes blogging, e-mail, research, Ebay.. to name a few.

I tag Kristina, Sarah, Memory and Lauren.

J is for.....

Juicy........bet you thought I was going to say Jesus, huh?

When I visit the post office ( and it has been a while) I look forward to seeing Ms Mary and her smiling face. She is precious and she loves my boys. When W was a baby baby, she would come out to the van and say Ohhhhh he's so Juicy! I wish I had an audio of it. I got the biggest kick out of it. I'm assuming she was referring to his fat legs and healthiness-is that a word? Like sweet baby girl sporting the rain boots below. I need to take N to see her. I feel bad that I didn't early on. I was going so much then because I was selling KE's clothes on Ebay. I think I may get back to selling.

Here are pics of my juicy babies...........

KE with her doll, Edy. Edy is now in her hope chest as of this year.

W lovin music at an early age

sweet N posing that Kenny Chesney smile

WOW

I have almost hit the 3000 visits mark since March the 1st. That is unreal to me in my little world. ( and that is not my visits either because I made sure it didn't count when I check my page :)
There must be some folks stalking my blog and not introducing themselves. I know my friends love me and all. Show some love and leave a comment!

Clothes, Clothes, Everywhere!

Why is it I have nothing to wear but SOOO many clothes that my closet looks like it threw up?

I read about a great idea to part with clothes that you haven't worn in 6 months

The rule is to hang your clothes with the hangers facing the wrong way. After you wear an item, hang it up the right way. After 6 months, whatever is still hanging the wrong direction, get rid of it! Sound good to me. I'm going to try it.

TIP: It will help you out when you can't quite remember: Did I wear that top just last week?

THEN... I think we should have a clothes swap! We could all meet and trade out clothes. Just because I don't wear it, doesn't mean you won't! ( I think this stems from me loving to borrow clothes in high school)

N is Almost Walking!!!

Here N is walking while being captivated by Dora on t.v.

Have you ever noticed?

Have you ever noticed that most of the women anchors and guests on Fox News are blondes??

How about that?