Life Is Just Happening

Phew! We have been so busy around here. Life has just happened so fast.

As bad as I hate to say it, I just have to embrace that Fall is here. I was so not ready. I still wanted to enjoy my summer. So many things I wanted to do and didn’t get to. So many projects I needed to get done and well, they are not done. Oh well, same projects need to be done, guess I’ll just have cool weather to do them in. The garden is at rest and kuput.

We are having an abundance of deer on the property. I finally found the culprit to what was eating on my flower beds. This is right out my dining room window. The deer have just been desperate this summer. Some of our oak trees have just now started dropping acorns so maybe this will help keep them out of my flower beds. I awoke at 3 am the other morning with a doe eating on my rose bushes right under my bedroom window, her yearling was lying in the grass. They need to eat too.

The girls and I have just been rocking on every day having fun baking, cleaning and playing. They love to do what ever  I am doing so why not teach them at the same time. They help me make alot of things, breakfasts, lunches and supper. Even treats.

 

They like to help me clean too and they get rewarded with treats like ice cream.

I made these treats one night for the girls. My momma use to make these all the time for our boys when they were little. They are mock ice cream sandwiches. You just spread some whipped cream onto graham crackers ( you can even use the chocolate ones) and store them into a container or ziploc bag and place in freezer. Just pull one out when you want a snack.

Of course they are loving playing with Poppie too.

Just because you need matching pigtails.

Sissy Love

These girls are growing so fast. Caroline is learning so much from big sissy. It want take much to potty train her when it is time. She practices and will give you a high 5.

 

Alot has happened in Dakota and Jossies lives. Dakota finally got the opening to go to Lineman school with his job at our Counties Electrical Company. Two long weeks of climbing school and tests. Yes, that’s him hanging upside down. Made my heart skip a beat. He passed third in his class. We are so proud of him. He will get promoted in November when they have the next opening and they have to fill his position too. Now, he goes through apprenticeship for 4 years. He will get raises along the way. This is a goal he set for himself and he accomplished it.  Jossie is rocking right along in school. She is making good grades and has alot of time to study.

Then this finally happened. Now, long story. Back in 2016 they had a private ceremony for us parents. However, Dakota was working out of town and long hours and didn’t get to make it to the court house on time that day to sigh the marriage certificate. So, the next day, he took off early and went to the court house to sign it but they told him it could not be signed the day after. What? So, the certificate was null and void. For the past 2 1/2 years they would try to plan and prepare and come up with a date, but something would always come up. Someone would have to be out of town or work or school or or or, so they just decided to just get it done. This time we made sure he made it to the court house in time. LOL.

Atleigh is a lover not a fighter, Caroline, not so much. We call her Scrappy.

 

This is us…..

Jossies family.

Dallas is rocking on in school.  This year is already going quickly. He is doing good driving which I am still nervous about. I don’t know what these boys do in Welding class but  it looks like they have fun. lol. They are just too cool for shirts. He is loving welding class and will probably take some extra classes and become certified by our local Tech school.

It was time for dear hubby to do the outage job for the fall so Dallas and I got to take our fall break and go see him.

We took the girls to a Pumpkin Patch and had a good time.

 

That evening Dakota cooked supper for us and then the boys were sighting in their bows for bow season which is upon us.

I had to get Dallas some breakfasts made for easier mornings. I love make ahead breakfasts. This is what I do. I found the neatest trick for eggs. You grease a casserole dish, beat you milk and eggs and pour into greased dish. Bake in the oven until eggs are set. Remove and let sit. Then take a cutter or glass or cup and cut circles. They go great on bagels and biscuits. You can use the left over pieces too. This is easier than scrambling eggs and having them fall out when you try to eat them. Then store in a container or ziploc bag and place in freezer or fridge. Which ever you prefer. Then just take out one and heat it up. Makes mornings easier and healthier. I have gotten into freezer cooking and crock pot cooking and trying to meal prep.  I also love , making meals by shopping from my pantry or freezer first before you make a grocery list. You can find cool ideas on this on YouTube. I love Jordan Page from funcheaporfree.com She is amazing. Check her out on YouTube.

Veggie bites. I love repurposing leftovers. I took left over broccoli, cauliflower and carrots and blended them in a food processor. I mixed in breadcrumbs, an egg and seasonings. Spooned them into nuggets into oil and fried. I also took left over mashed potatoes and added an egg, bacon bits and cheese and  made them into patties and fried them too. I hate to waste or throw away food

 

This is copy cat Olive Garden salad dressing, and trust me, it tastes just like it. YUMMY

I made homemade broccoli and cheese soup with homemade bread.

One celery stalk, three uses. The leaves can be eaten just like salad leaves, of course you have your stalks, then regrow a stalk.

Caroline is not enjoying this pumpkin thing.

Well, that’s got you all cut up in our crazy lives. I’ve got a to do list a mile long and gonna try to get to them asap. Gotta get off here now and get my day started.

 

 

Sorry For The Inconvenience

I am so sorry that PhotoBucket has made a mess of my blog pictures. They are wanting me to upgrade and buy a package. I don’t like this at all. I hate to say it, but WordPress is pressuring me to do the same thing too. All these years I have used these two resources and now they want me to pay. I will be checking into other options. I really hate this, because it may mean me having to choose another host for my blog. Whatever I decide, I will surely let ya’ll know so you can still continue to keep up with our crazy selves.

Question For You

I have a question for all of us WordPress users.

Have you got to the point to where you are fixing to run out of media storage on your free plan and they want you to upgrade to another plan that will cost you monthly?

I am on a limited income and I do not want to pay to put my thoughts in a journal online. I do not use my blog to make money, just post like a journal.

What do y’all do or what are you going to do if you reach that point with WordPress. I do not want to switch to another host.

Where Did Summer Go

I cannot believe its September already.  Where did summer go? Yea, I’m ready for fall but I wasn’t and still not ready to let summer go. I still want to swim somemore. Grrrr……

Oh well, I guess I’ll just have to deal with it.

We have been rocking on though.

We opened up Sept  and Labor Day weekend with the first football game of the season and a skeet shoot. I didn’t get any pics though because I was helping pull the skeet machine. I also had to participate some. Boy, am I out of practice. Oh well, we had a good time.

Me and the girls are on a good routine and rocking on with our days. When weather permits we have breakfast or snacks outside and we just stay busy all day. They love doing what I’m doing no matter if it’s laundry, cooking or cleaning. They are learning and I love teaching. Of course we play too. Caroline has become quite clingy to me just as Atleigh did when she was a baby.  I’m so glad I have a close bond with my girls.

Dallas is doing good in school so far.  We went last weekend to get him a new radio, gps and backup camera all in one to install in his truck. When all the parts come in we will have it put in for him. We are giving him a little more freedom with his truck, just not ready to start letting him drive it to school just yet.

Jossie is doing good in her classes and keeping up really good. Those hours she has in between classes are paying off and she gets alot of her stuff done while she’s there.

I had a procedure done the other day that required my momma coming and staying with me and taking care of me since I was put under anesthesia.  I’m 48 yrs old and my mother still gives me a spit bath. I woke up from anesthesia  and was crying. It ruined my makeup and I asked her to fix my mascara…….👅👆 and here we go. 😂😂😂😂😂😂 guess you’re never too old for mothers love. It took me a few days to recooperate and get over the grogginess. I did nothing but sleep on and off for two days. The test came back normal and they found nothing. So we are back to square one on finding out what is wrong. 🙁

The garden is a mess. The deer broke all my tomato plants down and killed them. They are chewing on my pepper plants now and they even ate my hostas down. 🤦‍♀️ Guess it just wasn’t meant for me to have anything this year.

My parents celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary.  I am so glad God brought this man into my mommas life. They have been good for each other.

I memory of my grandparents for Grandparents Day today. Grandparents Day is always the first Sunday after Labor Day.
I have so many memories that they gave me and I cherish every one of them. I miss them so much and would love to sit down and still talk to them and go visit with them. They never know just how much they impacted my life.
Bennie Franklin Oliver Sr. and Dorothy Rebecca Oliver.

 

Happy One Year To Our Second Granddaughter

We got to celebrate our little Caroline’s first birthday.  The day of her birthday they came and ate supper with us and Poppie made her and Atleigh a special treat. Cotton Candy. I will say it turned out good.

Then on that Saturday,  we had her party at our house. She is too stinking cute.

I swear I am going back in time. Repeating 21 years of raising kids. Atleigh is Dakota Dixon Jr and Caroline is Dallas Dixon Jr. Their personalities match each boy to a T. It is crazy.

I have drug my crock pots out and started using them again. Last night was easy taco soup. I even browned the been in the pot. One dish to clean up.

Strawberry cheesecake muffins, compliments of Atleigh and Caroline.

Keeping them busy.

Somebody fell asleep while coloring. 😂😂😂😂😂 Poppie needs a nap.

So Not Ready

I was so not ready for that alarm clock to go off this morning.  First day of school.

You blink and they are a JR in High School. And this is what you get when they are not in the mood for a photo OP.
🤦‍♀️🔔📚

I am trying to get into school mode, but having trouble. I’m still trying to enjoy my summer. I did however get in the kitchen Saturday morning and baked and cooked a bunch of make ahead breakfasts so Dallas could grab one in the morning and have him some coffee. He likes to get up, have coffee, and eat and piddle before he starts getting ready. Neither him nor I can just jump right up out of bed and just go. You have to let us wake up  first. ☕ He is a little upset because we want let him drive his truck just yet by himself to school. We are still letting him make little short trips here and there but Dallas still needs practice in a crowded situation. And school is definitely crowded. He so wants to get a job too. We can understand this because he wants to support himself and buy his own things. We will have to talk about it more. If we let him, it will come with stipulations.  If it starts interfering with his grades there will have to be consequences.  Next thing is, he wants a gym membership but wants to go in the mornings before school. That’s a no go. We don’t want to take the chance of him being late for school, or getting too tired half way through school and sleeping through classes. He can go after school and meet his brother there. We can compromise. We are having trouble letting go of the apron strings I guess. We don’t just throw our kids into society and say, “sink or swim”. We have to prepare them and we have to feel comfortable. Of course he thinks we are treating him like a baby. I’m sure there will be more heated discussions before we get settled into a routine.

Jossie will be going back to school next week so I will be keeping the girls again. She has decided on nursing school. I have got alot of things planned to fill our days so they want get bored. She has two long days of school and two short days. On the long days, her last class ends at 8:50 pm. Then she will have a 45 minute commute home. The good thing is, she has a 5 hr break in between to which she can stay at the school and have peace and quiet to get homework done and study. She really needs this because we have already been down the road of trying to study and get school work done with two under two at the time. It just didn’t work. This will be great for her. I don’t mind at all. This way she can just come home and concentrate on her family it’s only two nights. The other days she’s done before lunch. She has a year of prerequisites she has to take before she can start nursing school so she will be finished in 3 yrs instead of two. Shes going full RN. 📚🔔😷🥼💉💊

Oh sorry, about those make ahead breakfasts. Here’s what I did and a few tips.

First I made egg bites:

I made my egg mixture and added some things I had on hand. I had bologna,  and cheddar cheese and red peppers. You can add anything you want. Just line a silicone muffin cup or you can just use the muffin tin itself if you are lucky enough to have things NOT stick with you. I use the silicone liners. Line with vegetable, meat and cheese on the bottom, then pour in egg mixture. I baked mine on 350 degrees but can’t remember for how long because I had never made them before so I had to eyeball it and forgot to see what time it was when I started. 🤦‍♀️. I let them cool and they came out so easy. I packaged them 2 to a baggie and put in freezer. Then I made sausage, egg and cheese biscuits. I individually wrapped them too and put them into the freezer.

Next came breakfast burritos.  We love these. Once again you can mix and match anything. This time I had left over tater tots, red peppers. I scrambled some eggs, and added cheese. I put them in the tortilla, folded up both ends and then rolled until it made a packet. I laid it on a cookie sheet and baked on both sides til crispy and it sealed. I individually  packaged them and put in freezer.

It’s so easy to make just one breakfast burrito in the morning anytime. Just make you an omelette mixture with what ever you want and put in a microwave safe bowl and cook for about one minute for each egg you put in your mixture. Just check it and if it needs more time just add a minute at a time til the eggs are done. Then just wrap into a tortilla. Sorry about the bite. I was hungry.

Another thing I did was take some canned biscuits that dear hubby got on sale at Kroger and opened them, laid them on a cookie sheet and flash froze them. Then when they were partially frozen I packaged them into a ziploc bag and I can just grab as many as I need to make a breakfast. My guys love canned biscuits better than homemade so this is good to get our money’s worth. We also like to have them for supper too so this option works good.

 

I got the chance to hang out with my momma one day. We finally got to go swimming. This woman can out lay any young little whooper snapper.  We love us some sun therapy. We stayed all day long.

Even though school has started, we still plan to do things together. Jossie will not have school on Fridays so we can just hang out by ourselves or all of us girls can get together. Jossie and the girls might like to go somewhere too.

Next I’m going to share some Gmaw hacks with you. It has taken me a month to get this done but I wanted it done. I had watched so many videos on cleaning and organizing vehicles that I just knew I had to do mine. It has made things alot easier for me in my vehicle. I shared all these on Facebook  with alot of my friends who are grandmas and have their grandchildren alot with them. They loved them. It has even helped Jossie with the girls in her vehicle.

The first is:

Gmaw Hack:
Never, ever, ever, under any circumstances leave your house without a diaper bag. I dont care if you’re just going down the road. In case you forget, have a spare diaper bag with just the essentials. You never know when you will have car trouble or something or one has an exploding diaper. Just saying. 🤦‍♀️😬😷🥺

Gmaw Hack:
Portable folding 5 point harness high chair. I had to do alot of research on this one to find the one I wanted.
When we have family cookouts, it is hard for the girls to sit in a big ole chair that does not fit them. We stack pillows or a blanket just for them to sit on but they wind up slipping out. Atleigh tries to sit on her knees but it starts to get uncomfortable after a bit.
These work great in restaurants. They clip onto the backs and bottoms of the chairs. This saves from having to get a high chair and take up floor space around the table. Caroline has got to where she will not stay in a high chair at a restaurant and climbs out. So…..that’s where the 5 point harness comes in. Keep that little booger in. 😂😂😂😂 Some high chairs at restaurants are so low they cant reach the table.
It folds up for easy storage in the trunk and has a strap and handles for carrying.

Gmaw Hack:
Of course, an outing would not be complete without my Gmaw Mobile. Yes, it’s big, but there is no way I’m gonna try to hold or chase two babies. Especially in crowded areas. I do not have all the pieces on it. I just took it out of the back because I was cleaning and organizing my truck. I will do a whole tutorial on stroller hacks to create extra room. 😁

This is Atleighs carseat.
There is a reason for the puppy pads. Potty training.
I use one to cover the carseat in case of an accident. It has a plastic liner so the wetness want get to the carseat cushion. Those things are boogers to take out and wash.
I also have an extra set of clothes in spare diaper bag in the truck.

This is Carolines  car seat. When she starts potty training,  I will use the puppy pads too on hers.

Gmaw Hack:

I would like to go on record as saying I am a genius. I dont care what anyone says.
Caroline is still rear facing and cant watch movies in the truck sooo…
I took her back seat mirror and a command hook and stuck it on my light fixture in the very back. It is facing toward her and it reflects the DVD monitor.

Gmaw Hack:

DVD organizer for movies

Gmaw Hack:
Snack caddies for day trips.

Gmaw Hack:
Back seat hanging organizer. I have little prepackaged nonperishable snacks, wipes, puppy pads, packets of water flavoring for grab and go, sunblock, and some extra batteries for fans.

Gmaw Hack:
For stroller on hot days for outings. Mini battery operated fans for stroller. I use a binder clip and clip it onto the canopy.

Gmaw Hack:
Lap activity/food tray, and neck pillow. Gotta get one more of each for Caroline. Her seat is still kind of reclining so her head doesnt go forward as much when she sleeps. She cant draw or anything at this moment either.

Gmaw Hack:
Atleigh and Carolines backseat hanging organizer.
Toys, sunshades, hat, extra emergency cup, coloring book, coloring pencils and crayons. Carolines  has almost the same except for the coloring book and pencils. She is younger.

I hope y’all enjoyed my Gmaw Hacks for the day. The only time I’m helpless is if we are in Poppies truck. There is no way he can fit all that stuff in his and his attitude is:
“If we’re out with the girls and they need something, I’ll just stop and buy it.” 🤦‍♀️

When I get time, I’m going to do a tutorial on how I cleaned and organized my truck. I have always kept stuff in my truck for the phase of life we were or are in at that time. For 10 years of football seasons, 9 years of baseball seasons, 7 years of karate, and now grandkids, everyone has had what they needed for situations.
David has always made fun of me me for having so much in my truck. My motto is:
“I’d rather have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it!!!” Cause that’s how I roll baby. 😁😁😁

Caroline will be turning one year old tomorrow and we will be having her birthday party at our house Saturday since we have more room. This gives me the motivation to get up and get moving and get my house cleaned like fall cleaning now. 🥺😱  . I will take one room and scrub from top to bottom. Crown molding,  baseboards, dust furniture and what nots, blinds, ceiling fans and light fixtures. Then vacuum. Then dear hubby comes behind me and steam cleans. We have decided we are going to steam clean twice a year when he is home. The steam cleaner aggravates my RA and he can do it better.

I would like to say,
I am so NOT ready for dear hubby to be going back to work. This has been one lazy summer and I have enjoyed dear hubby being home. He has spoiled me, pampered me, waited on me hand and foot, cooked, cleaned, played with the girls, worried about me, you name it. Its gonna be hard getting back in the groove. When he leaves, I am going to get my crock pot and pressure cooker out and put them to use. I am going to meal prep and make dinner time easier. Dallas is not as picky about what he eats. But he is sure gonna miss dads cooking. Dad is a whole lot better cook than me. Trust me.

Well, I’ve been on here long enough. Time to get some cleaning done.

 

Found Some Energy

Yesterday was a day I found some energy. All I wanted to do was GET OUTSIDE!!!!!! I needed some sun therapy,  although dear hubby was concerned about the heat index we were having.

I took some Gatorade out with me and all my tools. I hit the flower beds, weeding and dead heading rose bushes. I separated some elephant ears and transplanted them to more pots. Filled all my bird feeders and hummingbird feeders.

Came in and took a much needed shower and took a nap.

When I awoke, I knew I wanted to make an awesome supper.  So….

BBQ chicken, Pioneer Woman mac and cheese,  twice stuffed baked potatoes,  and baked beans which I mostly made for the guys.

For dessert:

I was wanting Pineapple Upside Down cake. The guys wanted chocolate chip Pecan pie.  

Here is the simple recipe. Just mix all ingredients and pour in pie shell and bake. 

I think I’m going to start posting Gmaw hacks. It’s for us Grandmas who have or keep our grandbabies alot.

Gmaws Hack #1:

Neat little trick. Instead of throwing away tons of plastic bags, get some uses out of them. I fold them like little footballs( the kind we use to play paper football with in school when the teacher wasn’t looking lol), then store them in a container ( I use wipe containers since I have plenty), and use them in small trash can liners, in my truck for garbage, dirty diapers on the go, soiled clothes, even barf bags in a pinch.

Gmaw Hack #2:

I’m going to get one of these. I have to make up my mind which one.
Porta Potty…..when you’re on the road and can’t exit quick enough or you don’t like truck stop restrooms, wholah. I know, boys are easier so…..this is probably more for girls. Keep it in the vehicle at all times.

Gmaw Hack #3:

Great little toddler lunches.

There are some women I am following on social media that have helped me alot with getting organized.

Jordan Page from funcheaporfree.com She is also on YouTube.

The Family Fudge on YouTube.  She does videos called Bunches of Lunches. Awesome for kids school lunches or, hey, I eat them too. 😁😁

Check them out, you want be sorry.

I have also been watching crock pot videos and getting great ideas. I love the dump and go ideas for crock pots. Just search it on YouTube.  Incredibly good time savers when you have two little ones under foot in the kitchen. 🤗

I hope you enjoy these ideas. If you have any hacks to make life run smoother with little ones let’s hear them.