Pay it Forward

This comes from a blog I read. Amazing woman. She is truly an inspiration. I had to share the story that brought me to tears at my desk today.
Pay it Forward~ Mama Laughlin

Megan

30 days of Thanks~ The End

This was a good thing to do. It was a little tricky at the end, but here it goes.

The final days...

Day 28~ Thankful for Christmas Music on the radio. My favorite time of the year is here!!!
Day 29~ Even though I have already said I am thankful for him, I am thankful for Albert's birth. So I guess I need to say thank you to my mom and dad for giving me such a unique little brother.
Day 30~ I am thankful I took this challenge. It really made me realize all that I have in life. It may not be material possessions, but I am a very rich person. I have been surrounded by a great group of people. The Lord had blessed me beyond all I could ever have wanted. I have beautiful children. I have an amazing man at my side. What a good thing this has been.

I also have to say, this was fun, but I am thankful I am done!

Thanks for bearing with me!!

Megan

Rolls- Yummy Rolls

I received some terrible news. The rolls I have believed were my grandmother's all these years, are not actually from my grandmother. They are actually from my mom's friend. BUT they taste like my grandmother's rolls (which apparently were yeast rolls. I had no idea). So here is the recipe for the Tricked-me-into-thinking-they-were-my-grandma's-rolls Rolls, also known as My Hub's Fave Rolls.

2 cups self rising flour
1 cup melted butter
1 cup sour cream.

Mix all ingredients together well. Scoop into mini muffin tins. Bake at 350 for approximately 20 minutes or until golden brown.

This recipe is not far off from the 7 up Rolls that are all over pinterest. I think they are easier than the 7 up Rolls because no kneading is required.

Also, I forgot to take pictures. I will add some next time I bake a batch. I have a whole bunch of unbaked scoops in the freezer. When frozen I bake them at 375 for 20-25 minutes.

I know without pictures the full effect is hard to acheive, but take my word for it. Make them. Worth it.

Megan

Day 22-27~ 30 Days of Thanks~

Day 22~ Thankful family made it to St Louis safely. Love catching up with my new sister in law!!
Day 23~ Thankful for Black Friday. Saved bundles on Christmas for the kiddos. Also thankful for the generosity of John. He helped make a better Christmas for my kiddos. ♥
Day 24~ Love my hubbies family, and always have a great time with them. Thankful for their warm spirits. Thankful for Funston the 1st!
Day 25~ Thankful for my friend Sarah. Her beautiful soul always brings a smile to my face. I need her in my life so very much.
Day 26~ Thankful we are now vehicle payment free. What a blessing.
Day 27~ Thankful for my momma. Today is her birthday. She is on a dream vacation  with her hubby, but I wish I could make her dinner tonight. Maybe when she gets back???

Couldn't find much time to post these on the days they were due, but I thought of what to write each day. Even if I am not punctual about expressing my thankfulness each and every day, this process has made me think about it each and every day.

Happy Belated Thanksgiving from our home to yours!!!

Megan

Wednesday Weigh in...

I weighed myself on Tuesday this week. Monday weigh in slipped my mind. Our dog was acting sick or hurt, and I had to follow her around the back yard to collect poo for the vet. Needless to say, I forgot to weigh myself. I weighed in at 148 again. Watching my fat content helped. I weighed myself this morning for good measure and to make sure I was posting an accurate weight, and I weighed 147.

30 Days of Thanks~ Day 21

Today I am thankful that today is my last day at work for the week. A long weekend filled with family and friends and stuffing my face is exactly what I want to do. I am looking forward to catching up with my new sister- in- law. See how married life is treating them. I am looking forward to someone bringing a deer tenderloin and munching on it with cheese and crackers. I am looking forward to making and eating lemon custard pie. All good things. Thankful for Thanksgiving.

30 Days of Thanks- getting near the end- Day 20

I am thankful that my dog does not have to have surgery. She has a hernia that we have been watching. Tuesday morning, she couldn't jump, she was lethargic, and she whimpered if she moved too quickly. The vet thinks she has just sprained something in her back. We are hoping she will be all better within a week. Emergency surgery for the dog isn't exactly in the budget at this point in time, so back pain, we can deal with.

Megan

Day 16-19- Days of Thanks

Well, we had a productive weekend at my house. My garage looks like a crime scene!! Hubs is supposed to be ridding the mess today. He got a deer Friday. We spent most if the evening Friday getting meat off the bones. Saturday was spent grinding meat into burger, and it was our niece's birthday party. My father-in-law made some spectacular deer jerky with his Jerky Cannon for us. My daughter took some in her lunch today for school. Sunday was church and more meat processing. I cleaned and trimmed all the roasts and got them into the freezer. Plus I separated all the burger into baggies. Ended up with a terrible headache last night and couldn't go to Zumba. SAD!!!

Day 15~ 30 Days of Thanks

I am a silly woman. Today I am thankful for Breaking Dawn Part II. Going with some ladies from my office and my mom. It is almost her birthday, so we are calling this her birthday celebration. Isn't she lucky!? Time to say goodbye to the Twilight World.

Day14~ 30 Days of Thanks

I am a day late! Distractions of life. Yesterday I was thinking about deer. My husband has been hunting, and has not had any luck. But I am thankful he comes home safely. I am always nervous when he is out there alone. I hope it stays that way for the rest of the season.

Day13~ 30 Days of Thanks

Today I am thankful that my kids have great imaginations. My kids don't need electronics or TV to be entertained. Heck, they don't even need toys. They have been playing together all evening completely make believe. They are camping, made a tent, cooked food and even had monsters chase them. I am thankful that in a world of technology my kids can find joy in their own minds.

Monday Weigh In~ I am Frustrated.

149. Now, I didn't eat very well this weekend. Saturday we had some friends over and I stuffed my face. It was a food party. Cake, caramel corn, chips and salsa. All delicious!! Hey, I had diet soda... I deserve the pound and accept it whole heartedly.

Day 12~ 30 Days of Thanks

I am thankful for those that have fought and currently fight for our freedom in this nation. Without the men and women who serve our country, we would not be who we are today. Thank you for protecting us.

Day 11~ 30 Days of Thanks

I had an amazing time with friends last night.


This is a  special lady. I like her husband a lot, too. I was friends with him first, but I am very blessed to have  his beautiful wife in my life. She is hilarious, and always a good time. I am so thankful Jeff found her. I knew she was a keeper the first time we met. I mean that for me, not Jeff.

Thanks for always being there for weekly emails if I ever need to vent about life and the crazy shenanigans I get myself into.

You are a good listener. A quality that is very hard to find in people. I will always do the same for you. Love you, Girl!!!

Day 10~ 30 Days of Thanks

I am thankful for Missouri's crazy weather. I got to open my windows in November, and my kids got to play outside without jackets on. It was nice to open the house up one more time before winter.

Day 9~ 30 Days of Thanks

This girl...

   

Day 8~ 30 Days of Thanks

Well, now that I have gotten through the most important things in my life... I can tell this is going to be much more difficult.

I am thankful for my vehicle. It isn't a sports car, or anything fancy. My grandfather gave me his car when he moved into a retirement home. It has been incredibly reliable. It is a Buick, so it won't die. I have griped about my old person car to my husband on multiple occasions, but truth is, I think I am going to be sad when and if it ever leaves us.

Day 7~ 30 Days of Thanks

Today, I have a very simple I am thankful for the election season to be complete. Hopefully whether your candidate won or lost, all the nonsense will end quickly. I am thankful the phone calls and TV ads are done. Blech!

Day 6~ 30 Days of Thanks

Today, I am thankful for my job. In my position, I see so many people struggling to make ends meet, and the meeting just doesn't happen. I am thankful that I have been fortunate enough to have a steady job in these trying times. Justin and I have not been immune. We struggle, but at least I have small comfort in knowing I have a job. I thank God we have been able to make it so far. I pray He will continue to bless us, and bring us further security.

Monday Weigh in~

Still 148. This weekend was full of attempting to abstain from the mounds of Halloween candy in my home, especially Mounds. I did very little physical activity this week. I attempted two Zumba classes. Upon arriving to the first one, it was cancelled. I was the only one there. The second one, I was a little nuts, I made my own class time, entered a dark Zumba studio and promptly ran out embarrassed. I will try again tonight. Wish me luck!

30 Days of Thanks~ Day 5

I am thankful for my brother. We do not have a lot in common. He is a gamer (I think that is what he is called). He does the comic con (again, not sure, that might be incorrect), he plays video games, he likes anime. Things that in general do not interest me.

  

Day 4~ 30 Days of Thanks

I am thankful for my husband's family. They were very accepting and slow to judge our very young family. I will be forever grateful for them and the positive attitude, even if it was hard.

Day 3~ 30 Days of Thanks

I am thankful for my parents.They instilled a very strong moral basis for me to raise my children with. We have had ups and downs like most parent-child relationships, but I think we have come out of it all pretty well. I know they have my back and will always love me unconditionally. Even if there is physical distance, I know they are there. They helped me through being a young mother in ways I didn't quite understand at the time, but I will be forever grateful for now that I am an adult.

Day 2~ 30 Days of Thanks

I am thankful for my children. They are bright and beautiful. They fill our house with laughter. In my humble opinion (and unbiased) they are the best kids out there. I couldn't imagine my life without them.

November Menu

◄ Oct 2012	~ November 2012 ~					Dec 2012 ►
Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
				1 Corn Dogs- Pasta- Mixed Veggies- Fruit	2 Little Smokies- Mac n Cheese- Corn- Salad	3 Breakfast for Dinner- Sausage, Eggs, Gravy, Biscuits
4 Mac n Cheese Lasagne- Fruit Cocktail- Salad	5 Roast- Tatos- Carrots- 7 up Biscuits	6 Ham Chowder- Corn bread- Fruit	7 Hamburger Helper- Green Beans- Fruit	8 Sloppy Joes- Applesauce- Corn	9 Salsbury Steak- Tatos- Green beans	10 Crock Pot Mexican Chicken- Tortillas- Rice
11 Chili- Corn bread- Salad- Fruit	12 Beefy One pot Dinner- 7 up Bread	13 Hot Dogs- Mac n Cheese- Corn	14 BBQ- Baked Beans- Corn on the Cob	15 Kabobs- Pineapple- Rice	16 PBJ- Graham Crackers- banana	17 Tacos- Refried Beans- Salad
18 Shake n Bake Chicken- Tatos- Green Beans	19 Smoked Sausage- Tatos- Mixed Veggies	20 Porcupine Meatballs- Salad- Fruit	21 Toasted Ravioli- Sauce- Fruit Salad	22 Grilled Cheese and Soup	23 Pizza Night- Salad- Rolls	24 Chicken and Noodles- Mixed Veggies
25 Crescent Chicken- Green Beans	26 Spaghetti- Salad- Garlic bread	27 Cheesy Joes- Green Beans- Chips	28 Alfredo- Rolls- Salad	29 Cheeseburgers- French Fries- corn- fruit	30 Roasted Chicken- tatos- Green Beans	Notes:

30 Days of Thanks-

We should always be thankful for what we have, but sometimes I think it is important to sit down, and really take a look at what you have to be thankful for. I stealing the trend that has popped up all over Facebook today.

~Day One~

I am thankful for my husband.

The Tuesday Edition of Monday Morning Weigh In

148!!!!!!  I made it!!! The 140's have arrived. I worked very hard this past week. While I did not do Jillian Michael's every day, I did do a much better job of getting a little bit of cardio in everyday. Even if I only had time for a 10 minute sparkpeople.com video. My mamma got a me a 30 day pass to a fitness studio that offers Zumba classes. I heart Zumba!! I went to the first class on Sunday. Kicked my booty. I took a cold shower when I got home, and it helped to minimize the hurty muscles. Still not crazy sore, even today.

Weigh in Monday

Okay, okay, family and friends that fell for my attempt at humor earlier. Don't hate me, I couldn't help myself.

I weighed in at 150 this morning. To be honest, I am shocked. Don't get me wrong, I stayed within my 1200-1300 caloric allowance most days, but what I did eat on those days was junk (i.e. pizza, Chinese food, and ice cream).

New Baby...

Cookie Scoop and Pinspired Cookie Balls

I got a cookie scoop!!!! I am so very excited to have a cookie scoop. Oh, the small joys in life.

See? Isn't she a beaut???

Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Crispie Treats

I made these for the fam a couple weeks ago. They were a HUGE hit. I wanted Rice Crispie Treats, but I also wanted Peanut Butter. This is what I came up with. There may be a better recipe out there, but I did this on the fly and with what I had on hand...

Weigh in Monday

151 lbs. this morning. I think that is not too shabby for a week without running. I only had an opportunity to get in a 1.5 mile run on Thursday this week. We just had so much going on. I am not upset or downtrodden over a one pound gain. I lost 6 lbs the first week, which is a TON of weight for one week. I will do better this week, and maybe I can break the 140's. I haven't seen that kind of number in a while.

Pinspired- Pancake Muffins

This is another wonderful Pinterest idea. Use your favorite pancake mix. Pour into mini muffins tins. Top with yummy toppings and bake. Not only do the pancakes all turn out the same, but you don't have to cook them at different times or watch your family eat theirs while you cook yours. No more pancake breakfast in shifts!!!

Knobs

I found these beauties at the antique mall near my home. Lost and forgotten in a bucket in the corner. 

No weigh in this week.

I know, only week 2. We have been sharing the flu in my house. Thursday, my son had it. That night, my daughter joined the party. I was lucky enough to share in the festivities starting yesterday. During church. While singing in the praise band. I did not track food very well this weekend, and any weight loss would not be accurate.

I do have a a couple home projects I will be posting soon. I recently finished my new antique door knob towel rack. That post will be up this week. It turned out great. I also have some good recipes headed this way. See you again soon.

Weight Loss- Week One

6 lbs down!!! I weighed in at 150 this morning. I tried very hard last week, but had a few hiccups. Needless to say, I was shocked this morning, and very excited.

October's Budget Friendly Menu

Tough times have hit most of us during the current economical climate. My family has not been immune. This month I let my menu plan go by the wayside a little bit and just chose the cheapest meals to make. I placed them into a somewhat repetitive rotation in order to ensure all ingredients will be used fully. Nothing will be wasted.

2nd Place Pie... Not too shabby!

My brother- in- law got hitched last weekend. He and his bride are amazing people. Their wedding was a blast, and they had some very unconventional reception ideas. First being a taco bar- AMAZING!!! Second- a pie contest. The wedding party judged pies, and guess what?!?

Getting My Skinny On...

I weigh 156 pounds. I wear a size 10. Whew, I said it, it is out there.

Enough of that...

Bacon Cheeseburger Chicken and 7 up Bread

This is a favorite in my family. I found it through Once a Month Mom . This site was very helpful when I was doing freezer cooking. Several of our monthly rotation recipes will come from them. This site led me to
Bacon Cheeseburger Chicken

7 Up Bread was a Pinterest find. Yummo!! We have a similar recipe that was grandmothers.'s for rolls, but this is simpler. It is easier for an everyday recipe. I will share my grandmother's recipe around Thanksgiving- bake them and you will be the most popular at dinner. But in the meantime- make this...

Better Late Than Never- September's Menu

I look at my absence from my promise to attempt to blog 4 days a week, and think.. I am just living up to the imperfect part of my blog name. I also promised to share my September Menu. Double liar, I am. On snap!! Here it is, one week in! Ha.

Hot Cross Buns

My daughter broke out her recorder the other day and played "Hot Cross Buns" for about a half an hour (blerg!). This prompted the kids to ask about hot cross buns. They wanted to eat them. I decided to oblige. I did a google search and quickly found out hot cross buns are hard. By hard I mean, they require yeast. Mommy doesn't do yeast. I am scared of yeast. I can do baking powder and/or soda. Those are my leavening agents. Needless to say, I redid the search and added "EASY" to the buns. I found the following recipe on cooks.com