Bartering Making A Comeback

BARTERING: a medium in which goods or services are directly exchanged for other goods and/or services without a common unit of exchange (without the use of money)

Do you remember reading about how some people used to pay their visit to the doctor visit with a chicken? Or that Mrs. Smith baked a couple of apple pies in exchange for a quilt made by the lady down the road? Well, in today's economy, bartering is making a serious comeback in some places.

Back in March when we were getting ready for Goose's wedding, and we had a shower here, a shower there, dinner here, luncheons, etc. The cost for all of these things can be a little mind-boggling at times.

Well, when we went to finally went to get our hair trials done for the wedding, I asked my hairstylist and good friend, A, how much all of this was going to cost me when she was done. I was flabbergasted! Jokingly, I said, "Hey, would you like to barter with me for everything I need to have done to my hair from now until the wedding so I don't have to take out a small loan?" "Hmmm?" she said. "What can you do? What do you make?"

"Let's make this easy," I said. "What do YOU NEED to have done/made?" "Hmmm.....wait a minute, I have just the thing. I need pillows for my window seat re-covered. I have the material and everything. Do you think you could do 5 pillows for me?" "ABSOLUTELY!" I replied! I really think I got the better end of the deal!

Here is a picture of one of the pillows that I re-covered for my friend. We both got something that we needed, and neither of us had to lay out any money.

I think I will see next if my dentist will barter to fix my missing tooth! I'll never know unless I ask!!

A Wonderful Day Awaits

GOD BLESS!!

Directions Home

I was RANDOM BLOGGING a little while ago, and found myself over at Hilltop Christian Acadamy. What a lovely blog full of fun, encouragement, and such a love for the Lord!

Vicki had a post called "DIRECTIONS HOME" that I just thought was wondeful. She suggested that we share this with family and friends, so that is what I am doing.

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DIRECTIONS HOME

DIRECTIONS TO OUR FATHER'S HOUSE.
Make a Right onto Believeth Blvd.
Keep straight and go through the Green Light, which is Jesus Christ.
There, you must turn onto the Bridge of Faith, which is over troubled water.
When you get off the bridge, make a Right turn and Keep Straight.
You are on the King's Highway - Heaven-bound.
Keep going for three miles: One for the Father, One for the Son, and One for the Holy Ghost.
Then exit off onto Grace Blvd.
From there, make a Right turn on Gospel Lane.
Keep Straight and then make another Right on Prayer Road.
As you go on your way, Yield Not to the traffic on Temptation Ave.
Also, avoid SIN STREET because it is a DEAD END.
Pass up Envy Drive, and Hate Avenue.
Also, pass Hypocrisy Street, Gossiping Lane, and Backbiting Blvd.
However, you have to go down Long-suffering Lane, Persecution Blvd. And Trials and Tribulations Ave.
But that's all right, because VICTORY Street is straight ahead!
AMEN!!!!!

SEND THESE DIRECTIONS TO YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY SO THEY WILL NOT GET LOST.
Life is God's gift to you.
The way you live it............is your gift to God.

The Law of the Garbage Truck

I found this over at Christina's Creations and just had to pass this along!
Thank you, Christina, for posting this!

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of the parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly. So I asked, "Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the Hospital!" This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, "The Law of the Garbage Truck."

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets. The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day.

Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so... Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't.

Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!

Author unknown

Have a blessed, garbage-free day!

Don't Let The Next Accident Be You

We really need to make sure when we buy tires what the age is on them. Many big name places are selling tires that are way over 6-10yrs old as NEW tires. These tires are causing accidents that are KILLING people. Don't let the next accident be you. Watch this abc news video on how to read your tires to know when they were made.

ABC News

The next life you save just might be yours........

Feel free to post this on to your blog. The more lives we can save the better.

What's On The Menu

Tonight's dinner on the farm:
Breaded chicken tenders
White cheddar shells
Dill green beans

Dessert:

Peanut Butter cereal - Kiddo's request! :> )

(This menu is subject to change at any given moment!)

A Walk Down Memory Lane

Come for a walk with me down Memory Lane!
And if you have a "Memory Lane" post, head on over to Scottsville to join in on the fun!

Our walk today takes us back to 1930-1931. This is my dad when he was between 1-2. Isn't he cute? And look at that little hat! ADORABLE!!! And YES, he is HUGE! He grew to be 6'11 at his tallest but was a string bean most of his life.

Flyin' High

“Do not be afraid, for I am with you and will bless you!"
Genesis 26:24

On Sunday, Kiddo's Sunday School class went on a flying field trip. They had been waiting for weeks for this day, and it FINALLY arrived!

Their teacher, Mr. G., is a licensed pilot who owns his own canoe business along with his own private plane. So, he offered to take the kids for a FLY around town. They all got to see their houses from high above, except Kiddo....he wasn't sure where our house was. (lol) HOW COOL IS THAT? :> )

From left to right: J, K, A, K, C, Sweetpea, Mr. G., and Kiddo.

Mr. G. giving instructions

Kiddo and his close friend, Sweetpea, got to go up together. :> )
"Hey, look at me....they actually fit!" LOL I love you, Kiddo! :> )
"Co-pilot to Control......Come in, Control......Do I really have to do this?"
(she says behind gritted teeth) lol Just kidding

Born to fly.....I love you, Kiddo!!!

Here they go..............

Sweetpea, waving.............goodbye? LOL This was her first time in a plane.
She did FANTASTIC! :> )

Smiling

Waiting for clearance from the tower.....

And they're off............In Jesus name they go!!!!!

Here comes our precious babies.............
SAFELY HOME!!!! YAY! :> )
(she says while breathing a HUGE sigh of RELIEF!)
WE LOVE YOU BOTH MORE THAN LIFE!!!

What's On The Menu

Tonight's dinner on the farm:
Marinated London broil
Four cheese mashed potatoes
Garden green beans

Dessert:

Nutty Bar ice cream :> )
(can we just skip dinner and go straight to dessert?)

(This menu is subject to change at any given moment!)

Great On-line Math Helper

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They have 800+ videos on YouTube covering everything from basic arithmetic and algebra to differential equations, physics, and finance which have been recorded by Salman Khan. He has also developed a free, adaptive math program available here.

To keep abreast of new videos as we add them, subscribe to the Khan Academy channel on YouTube.

The entire video library is shown below. Just click on a category or video title to start learning from the Khan Academy!

Calculus | Precalculus | Trigonometry | Algebra | Finance | Pre-algebra | Arithmetic | Geometry | Physics | SAT Preparation | Probability | Linear Algebra | Differential Equations | Credit Crisis | Banking and Money | Paulson Bailout | California Standards Test: Algebra II | California Standards Test: Algebra I | California Standards Test: Geometry | Venture Capital and Capital Markets | Statistics | Geithner Plan | Current Economics

Joyous Notions: Joyous Notion's Giveaways

Joyous Notions: Joyous Notion's Giveaways

A Day With My Boys

We decided not to do the yard sale for today. There was waaaaaaay to much stuff to put out for only a few hours, so we have rescheduled it for next weekend, which, turns out to have been better for all of us anyone.

So, since we are FREE today, the boys are taking me to Harrisonburg. We will be going to the craft store to get some essential oils for my soaps, Dollar Tree for a few necessities, then grocery shopping at my FAVORITE store,
Sharp Shopper, to stock up on some much needed staples. I want to try and get a head start on things for the winter. I would also LOVE to visit Country Treasures while we are there. I can so get LOST in this store for HOURS ON END! They have the most beautiful country/prim things around in this area. If we go, I will try and take some pictures so you can see some of what they have.

Who knows....after our busy day, I think there may be some ice cream Rice Krispie Treats Flotzie's in our future!

Have a glorious day!

Not Today...........Maybe Tomorrow?

How many of you LOVE yard sales? I have to say, I love GOING to yard sales, but I absolutely DISLIKE having them. I always say, "I'm NOT doing this again!" but then turn around the next year and have another one. When will I learn! lol

Cathy, Goose, and I, have had a yard sale planned for a few weeks now. We have everything ranging from clothes, to DVD's, to knick-knacks, to bunk beds. The forecast said that it was SUPPOSED TO RAIN all weekend long. Well, imagine that....the weather man was WRONG! LOL God bless the poor guy. That has got to be one tough job!

Our sale was supposed to be for two days; today and tomorrow, as we have a TON of stuff to get rid of sell. Unfortunately, something has come up in our family which is preventing us from doing it today. So, we will continue to sort some more and pray for sunny skies tomorrow.

HAPPY EARLY ANNIVERSARY!

Last night, my sister, Cathy(she's on the left in the picture) and her husband Frank, went out to celebrate their first year wedding anniversary with a steak dinner at Hank's Smokehouse. They went out now since he will be working on their actual anniversary date. I thought it would be a great present if they could enjoy the evening and then go out to a movie, Flotzie's for ice cream, or something, and not have to worry about the kids, so Skippy and I said we would keep them overnight.

We had brown sugar sloppy joe's and french fries for dinner. We were going to have Dippin' Dot's for dessert but I forgot Skippy had Praise & Worship practice and he needed the car. So, they had chocolate truffles instead. Am I "The Aunt" or what? LOL

After that, they went swimming, played Barbie's, and then a couple of games on the Wii. That's when the evening took a turn for the worse. Kiddo hooked up the Wii and put it on the entertainment center to keep it up off the floor. Our dog, Paws, is old and blind, and sometimes will trip over Kiddo's things on the floor, and sometimes, she can't get to the door fast enough and leaves a little big puddle on the floor. I didn't want the Wii to be renamed the Wee Wee!

Well, to make a long story short, "someone" was not beating a certain part of the game and he got mad, and yanked the controller cord, thereby pulling the Wii off the shelf where it came crashing to the floor. It didn't come apart, but it did push the on/off switch in, making it impossible to turn off....BUT....Skippy, being the techno genious that he is, FIXED THE SWITCH! WAHOO, MY SKIPPY MAN!!!!

Even though my husband fixed the game system, Nemo was still so upset, that he had to go home. Then after my sister came to pick HIM up, Boog decided to go home as well. :> ( I hope Nemo learned a very important lesson today about what can happen when you are angry and have a fit. It could have easily been an very EXPENSIVE lesson to learn

I must say though, we did have fun while it lasted. Perhaps next time there will be a little less adventure!

What's On The Menu

Tonight's dinner on the farm:
Brown sugar sloppy joe
& French fries

Dessert:

Dippin' dots

(This menu is subject to change at any given moment!)

A Walk Down Memory Lane

Come for a walk with me down Memory Lane!
And if you have a "Memory Lane" post, head on over to Scottsville to join in on the fun!

We are going back not to far, to August 2004. We had just finished camping for a week at Cherrystone Family Campground in Cherriton, VA. BEAUTIFUL place to be.

Once you get there, you don't have to leave for anything. They have a mini grocery store, laundry mat, seafood & vegetable stand, boat and bicycle rental, paddle boats, even a restaraunt.

In order to get to Cherrystone, you have to cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel coming and going. This is a picture taken when we stopped on our way back home. Can you tell Kiddo was having a great time? LOL

Brunch and a Swim

Kiddo and I are headed out this morning to spend some time with Gena, Becky, and the girls. We will be having brunch with breakfast burritos, fruit, and almond chicken salad. ( I am bringing that) and then the kids will be going swimming and play their video games.

I am so looking forward to some adult conversation.

See you at that pool! :> )

Peach Crumb Pie

While Bean was visiting, she wanted to make Tex a peach pie. She was a little nervous about the whole thing so she bought 2 jars of Del-Monte Orchard Select Cinnamon Sliced Peaches.

She used a pre-made pie crust, added about a half cup more sugar and a little bit more cinnamon to the peaches, then topped it with a basic crumb topping:

6 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon



















She baked it at 350*, between 30-45 minutes. It was DELICIOUS!! And so EASY TOO!

Great job, Bean! :> )