What's For DinnerSometimes it is the little things that make me happy and gum is one of those things. I love gum. My grandmother got me hooked when I was little on Wrigley’s Doublemint. For a long time that was the only gum I chewed. About 10 years. (Sometimes I am very brand loyal and don’t like change but I am learning). Over the last year or so I have had to get Winterfresh sometimes because Aldi’s has been out of my doublemint. Five packs of gum for 59 cents is just too good of a deal to pass up. Back to my love of gum. I chew gum constantly and pop it too. My family can find me anywhere in a store because they just listen to the popping noise. I have gotten so bad I do it without realizing it and it drives people crazy!! I chew gum like some people smoke. I can go through a few packs a day, need a piece after eating, and get grouchy if I do not have any. My sweet husband decided to when he went to Sam’s to get me a gigantic thing of gum so I would not run out for at least a while. They changed the look. I thought ok I can deal with this. 
Well Wrigley’s messed around and changed the gum too and I can tell the difference! Not only does it not feel the same when I chew it, it is harder for me to pop. The actual gum when compare to the “old” type is less firm and thinner and I am not happy 
Why do companies feel the need to mess with a good thing? New and improved is not always better. Well at least now when I walk around no one can hear me coming.
1stopmom @ July 19, 2008
Even though I have been blogging for a little while I still consider myself a newbie because I am learning something new every day. There is always something new going on in the world of blogging and sometimes it is a lot to keep track of. I have had a few people ask me lots of questions like what is a blog, how do I get one, where do I get layouts and quotes, what is a rss and stuff like that. Lately I have noticed that i answering the same questions to the same people (you know who you are!). So I came to the conclusion I will post about the blog stuff I learn here so I have a place to send people.
I am not trying to say I am any type of expert, I just want to share what I know. So if you read something that I got wrong, know a better way or have a suggestion please let me know. I am always willing to learn more.
1stopmom @ July 18, 2008
food, frugal, meals, saving money Comments (0)
I have been putting this off but one day soon I hope to jump in feet first. Here are some of the recipes I have found online:
Some people may be ready to start cooking meals ahead of time but are not sure where to start. This site gives step by step instructions.
1stopmom @ July 14, 2008
food, frugal, meals, saving money Comments (0)
Today I was searching the net looking for inexpensive recipes like I do every week. I came across this site called Blogander which is a collection of blogs on different subjects. One of the blogs is called Cheap Eats. It is a guide to eating cheap with tips, recipes and techniques. I think these would be some great additions to your LifeTips . Hopefully you have your own lifetips to keep track of all the frugal information you come across 
Home Fried Potatoes - 70¢ this is for one serving but I think it is pretty easy to change the recipe for your particular family size
Quesadillas - price starts at 70¢ but it varies depending on what you add to it. Super easy recipe Take 2 tortillas, add some cheese that easily melts, layer in a pan and you are done!
Quick French Toast - 95¢ about 2 to 3 servings, 6 slices of toast
Garlic Bread - $1.36 I must admit I am surprised by this one. I have never thought about making my own garlic bread. I always thought it was just cheaper to buy it already made.
Penne Pasta Casserole - $3.42 very easy to make
Bread Pudding - can use any type of leftover sweet bread or plain bread
Ground beef layered casserole - simple to prepare uses potatoes and tomato sauce
Magic Milk Shakes - uses no ice cream! Amazing right?
Lasagna - can be prepared as a make ahead meal, serves 9-10 people
Nothing but Ramen Noodle Recipes!
Taco Salad-takes about 20 minutes start to finish. Ingredients can be found at Aldi’s
Free recipe e-books!
1stopmom @ July 14, 2008
What is Character? As a parent I have heard this word a lot but what does it actually mean? I found a few definitions for it.
Distinguishing quality or characteristic
The state of being held in high esteem and honor
Moral or ethical strength
The combination of qualities distinguishing an individual person
A good reputation
Character is something I would like to make sure all of my children have. But I have no idea where to even start. Luckily I came across this article by Jean Tracy that is full of great and easy to implement ideas.
By Jean Tracy, MSS, “Granny Jean”
Syndicated Writer for IdeaMarketers
Topic: Parents
Is your family life hectic? Do scheduling sports, music lessons, and gymnastics add pressure to your busy life? If you’re wondering how to slow down and focus on your family, look inside.
Can You Build Character without Routines?
Let’s say you created a chore chart. Your kids know what to do and how to do their chores. Let’s also say you drop one child off at gymnastics, another at soccer practice, and the third child off for guitar lessons. You rush home to start dinner. Then you rush back to pick up each child. You come home to finish fixing dinner.
After your family’s eaten, it’s time for homework, laundry, and preparing lunches for tomorrow. You finally get the kids to bed and feel exhausted. The kids are asleep. You look around and see the chores you assigned them aren’t done.
If this happens in your home, do you want to scream? Do you wonder why you work so hard? Do you long for quality family life? Can you see by bouncing from place to place, how chores might not get done? Wouldn’t you rather focus on creating a close-knit family life?
I remember counseling parents who were so busy. They had no time for thoughtful conversations with their children. They wanted to be good parents but got caught up in the rush of life. Being busy seemed more important than being together.
Building character means raising children with virtues and values. It’s almost impossible when you’re family is bouncing around like a rubber ball. Routines stop the ball and give your family a sense of order. Below are some parenting tips for slowing down and raising a family with character.
10 Parenting Tips for Building Character with Family Routines:.
Cut down on outside activities
Replace outside activities with family time
Hold a family game night
Set chore times
Hold family meetings once a week
Teach your kids to help fix dinner
Set a dinner time
Eat meals together
Set a homework time
Set a firm bed time
Parents as Teachers Conclusion:
Bouncing here and there with outside activities creates a busy life. It instills busyness, disorder, and ‘living at the speed of light’ in kids. Things don’t get finished without yelling and hollering.
Slow down, relax. Home life is much more important. Take the time to build a sense of order in your family. Teach your kids the richness of playing and working together. Focus on your family. Why not build family routines that build character too?
###
If you liked this article, send it to your friends. Then sign up for your Free Parenting Newsletter from Jean Tracy, MSS at www.KidsDiscuss.com
For expert family meetings, pick up Jean’s Character Building with the Family Meeting Diary
1stopmom @ July 13, 2008