Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

In August 2003, I was 22 years old, single and had just graduated college in May. Seminary was the next step for me, and to be exact New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary was the next step for me. I met these 3 fun gals and we've been friends ever since. From Katrina to marriage to death of loved ones, we have experienced the ups and downs of life together. Since we've all graduated from seminary, we try and get together ever few years. We first got together in New Orleans when 2 of the 4 of us still lived there. The next year we got together in Mobile because we were a little more scattered. And in October, we all got together in Tuscaloosa, because we're even more scattered. It was so much fun!!!

It had been 3 years so we had a lot of catching up to do!

 

2012 - 3rd Quarter

Our third quarter update includes July, August, and September. Those three months contain a mixture of ministry, family, and fun.

The second week of July was Music Camp at our church. Since J is one of the Music Ministers on our church's staff he was heavily involved. He actually co-wrote the music for the Older Camp with a friend of ours. The Older Camp had a 70's theme so for the final performance we dressed appropriately.

J challenged the children to learn their music and lines and if they did so a day early, he would dye his beard a color of their choosing. They choose purple! I went to Sally Beauty Supply and the clerk helped me find what I needed. She guaranteed me that it was temporary and could easy be washed out. I was hesitant but she was right and his beard is back to it's normal shade of red.

During the first few days of August, J's mom called to see if we wanted a family-built hutch that she no longer wanted. We needed a hutch to hold some dishes as well we like the sentimental value of having things built by family. We told her to put it in storage and we would get it next time we were in town. She saved us a trip and came for a visit bring the hutch and our 16-year old niece. We had lots of fun shopping, visiting, and of course filling the hutch with our dishes.

We made a trip to Virginia over Labor Day Weekend to visit my parents. There was so much packed into those 6 days it deserved a post in itself. You can find it here.

We also had church directory pictures taken during the 3rd quarter. The one on the right is the most current picture and the one on the left is from about 4 years ago. My how times have changed!

Some other things worth mentioning, but no pictures -

• In August, I went on a staff retreat at a nearby lake house for the ministry I work with.
• In September, J went to the same lake house for his church staff retreat.
• We enjoyed watching the Olympics and we were so sad when they were over. 
• I started teaching a new Women's Bible Study called Brave on Wednesday nights. It's been a great self-reflection and I think the other 15+ ladies have enjoyed it too. 
• J has started guitar lessons with his two students again - they both took a break over the summer.
• J's grandmother, Dixye, also passed away. She had battled dementia for several years. We are so thankful she knew Jesus and is now made whole again. As one friend said: "She knows all the words to the songs again." J made a video tribute to her including pictures from throughout her lifetime. He copied the DVD multiple times so that every family member could have a copy. It was a great work!

A Steal of a Deal #8

Another steal of a deal at Kohl's. I scored 4 T-shirts for J for $8.22. I had a coupon on my phone and a $10 coupon I received in the mail. What a steal of a deal!

A Steal of a Deal #7

At Kohl's, it seems I can either get a steal of a deal or I find absolutely nothing in the store. Luckily last week I found a steal of a deal!! I wasn't really trying to buy anything, but rather I was wasting time before an appointment.

The clearance sections of each department within Kohl's are where I typically look first.

In the jewelry department, I found 2 necklaces - 1 for $4.80 and another for $2.60.

In the kitchen department, I found 4 plastic placemats. If you know me, I love flip flops and actually had received the dish towel that matches these placemats as a gift earlier in the summer. They were each $1.19, I bought 4 so $4.76 total. They will be great for next summer - provided I can remember I bought them.

I also got a bra for $6.80 off the clearance section.

My total was $18.96, but then I showed them a coupon on my phone and I got $1.35 off and then I gave them a $10 off coupon. For all the above items, I paid $8.22. I called J to apologize for spending so much money. :)

Summer Vacation

My parents live in Virginia and we hadn't been there since Christmas 2010. My mom came to Huntsville to visit us for my 30th birthday back in May 2011. It was time for us to visit and we needed to get away. I decided we would visit my parents and capture them and head to the beach for a few days. My precious aunt allowed us to stay at her beach cottage and it was wonderful! It's right on the beach so we were able to come and go as we pleased without much effort. Here's the trip in pictures:

I even got to see my brother while in Virginia, but just for a minute!

Projects for August

For my online quilting class, we created the "Ohio Star Block" and the "Double Star Block". I'm continuing to enjoy making various blocks, but I'm really ready to learn how to put all the pieces together. I have 4 more blocks to earn (September and October) and then finally we can learn how to put the whole thing together.

Double Star

Ohio Star

I made a small receiving blanket for a baby gift this month. I used many of my quilting tips and tricks and made it pretty quickly and with ease. The tutorial said it was a 10 minute project. It took me about 45 minutes, but I think the next time I make one, it will be much easier (and there will be a next time).

To complete the project you use two different size flannel pieces and when you sew the pieces together you end up with a cute border on one side.

I had fun looking at all the cute fabrics, but landed with a nursery rhyme themed that had the colors of the nursery in it - pink, blue, green and brown.

In addition, I made a ribbon banner with the child's name on it. I goofed and didn't realize she was going to have a double name, so a week later I made the middle/second name. It all worked out.

Couponing Update - July

Here's what I got free this month:

• 2 packages (3 bars each) of Ivory soap
• 3 packages of feminine productS

Other deals:

• 6 bottles of vinegar for 12 cents each - 72 cents for all 6
• Milky Way candy bars, there was a sale at Kroger where you buy 2 and you get 1 free, plus I had 2 coupons for 75 cents off 2 - $2.06 for 4
• Smart Balance butter - $3.06 for 4 tubs 
• 1 package (3 bars) of Ivory Soap - 30 cents

I haven't excelled in the couponing department this month. I've saved almost 50% on each trip to the grocery store, but that's only average...and I don't like to be average. The reason for all this is because I'm currently during Weight Watchers and trying to watch what and how much I eat. While I'm not ready to share those numbers yet, I have lost weight each week. I figure it's okay to not excel at couponing, when I'm trying to switch out old groceries for new and old fat-filled condiments for the lesser fat and sugar-filled ones. I'll cut myself some slack this time.