Monday, Monday.....
Is this Laundry Day? Everyday is. What an incredible weekend we just finished. Anabelle had her friend birthday party. We had a house full of excited kids all about her age. It's been a long time since we had ten 6-9 year olds running through the house. I am so glad that a two hour party means that you get to send them all home except one. Belle wanted a "princess/robin hood" party but forot to tell mommy and daddy, so three kids plus Anabelle, were dressed up in costumes. Carole Holdahl's three kids had amazing costumes on. Her son, CUllen helped make them and is he ever talented! Lots of fun.
Megan had lifeguard training all weekend. Friday 4-10pm, Sat: 8 am-9pm, and Sunday 9 am-4pm. She was exhausted by Sunday. But,,,,,she made it through and will be guarding at the new outdoor water park. She is really excited.
We finsihed a lot of yard work and started gathering things for a yard sale. I have challenged the kids and myself to see if we can see enough "junk" at this yard sale to help with the cost of gas for our vacation... wouldn't that be a hoot! I don't know why I challenge myself this way. My Aunt Rose is very much like this, as is my mom, and I was speaking with Aunt Ro last week and we were laughing at the "game" we play....it's the "Hunt for the bargain,be a frugal as you can game" I love playing this game. I love a good bargain. I love seeing Bob amazed at me being able to feed our family homecooked meals every day and still havea stocked pantry and full freezer at the end of the month. It is truly a challenge. I love to plan meals and scour adds. It's not like we "Have" to. I think the days of beans and rice are still fresh in my mind and there are some days when I miss the simplicity of knowing that there wasn't a cushion in the check book....I still cannot believe that I used to feed our family of five at that time, on 189.00 a month, and we never did without milk, and the basics. Yeah there were a lot of beans and rice days, but we sure argued a lot less. We used to say, "Beans and Rice, and Jesus Christ" that's all we need. And it's true, still to this day, when I really look at the things that occupy my time I still believe with my entire being that those are really the things that we cannot live without.
So...while the yard is looking pretty good, the house is clean and all my laundry is caught up... I think I'll take a bunch of pictures for proof that yes, given the right motivation, we can accomplish much. I think I'll go have a cup of coffee and just sit in the parlor... Oh yeah, The piano man is coming to tune the pianos tomorrow. Robby, Andrew, and Nathaniel will be glad. I'll post some photos later.

Love you!
Mary