My New Toy!

:::UPDATE::: A couple of questions were left on this entry about the Seal a Meal being discontinued by Target and whether or not I would be able to still get the bags. The answer is yes, they will still be carrying the bags and they are not discontinuing the Seal a Meal appliance. The new models are all ready in the store and the only difference it the "suck" and "seal" buttons look different. By the way, if when leaving a comment, you could sign your name so I know who you are, that would be awesome!

I have always wanted one of these but have never wanted to spend the money on myself. I was thinking about putting it on my Christmas wish list but now I don't have to! I played hooky from work on Thursday and headed over to Target for some T.P. and other things. Oh, by the way, my boss was cool with my playing hooky. I just told her that I needed a mental health day and that I wasn't going to be in. Since work has been driving us both crazy lately, she just said that she was jealous that I got to stay home and that she would see me tomorrow. Anyway, while at Target, they were marking down all sorts of appliances and putting them on the endcaps. I saw this right away and had to blink when I looked at the red sticker. It says $9.98! YES, you read that right! $9.98! They had 2 and I scooped them both up and put them in my cart. I think I may even have been hyperventilating a little since I rarely get a deal this good! A friend of mine at work and I were just talking about it a couple of weeks ago. I took hers in to her on Friday and she was just as excited as I was!
This picture is my first use of my new toy. I make my lasagna and lasagna casserole with half ground beef and half bulk sausage. I only use a pound of meat in my dishes but I end up with two pounds when I brown off the meats. I usually put it in a freezer bag and smash all the air out of it but it still gets little ice crystals on it since my fridge is a bit old and doesn't seal as well as it should. My new toy sucked all of the air out of it and sealed it with no problem. It is awesome! I can't wait to do more! My mind is racing just thinking of everything I can do with it! This little machine is going to save me time and money. I can make a big batch of meatballs and freeze them in family portions. I can do taco meat ahead of time and all I'll have to do is boil the bag in water for dinner. I can cook off chicken for soups and stews. I can freeze leftovers so if I am going to be late from work all Curtis will have to do is either boil it or microwave it for himself and Allison. Hmm, I get the rotisserie chicken at Sam's Club once in a while and the extra chicken is awesome in chicken noodle soup. This will be perfect for freezing those leftovers. Have I made you think that you can not live without one? I buy my chicken and pork chops from Market Day and they already come in cryovaced but you can buy bulk chicken and such and freeze them in family portions. The possibilities are endless! Oh yum, I just thought of another one...fresh corn on the cob from my Dad's garden in the Summer! Okay, I think I've rambled on enough about this machine! If you have any other ideas, please let me know! I am always up for suggestions that will make my life easier and put good healthy dinners on the table faster!

Have Fun!

"A penny saved is a dollar earned."

B. Franklin

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This Week's Memory Work.

"The Lord has done great things for us and we are glad."

Psalm 126:3

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A Quick Hello, an Update & a Couple of Pics!

I'm stopping in to say "Hi" and to say I miss blogging all week! It's my outlet. It helps me document what's been going on and helps keep me sane!

So, here's what's been going on with me and my gang:
~Allison got a cold. :(
~Allison had Fire Safety day at school this week. :)
~Curtis' car broke down and needs a new engine. :(
~Curtis found a used engine at a resonable price. :)
~The underwire in my favorite bra snapped in two! :(
~I am starting a new venture this week that I am really excited about. :) I'll share more on that later!
~We went to the pumpkin patch today and here are a couple of pics of our day. Boy, was it cold and windy!

Have Fun!

"I've learned there are three things you don't discuss with people: religion, politics and the Great Pumpkin."

Linus (It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown)

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YES!

See what Curtis is reading to Allison?

Yup, the MISSING library book!

He found it in the basement in a box of his car magazines!

I knew it was down there!

Hmm, wonder how it got there?

Neither one of them knows but I am glad it surfaced!

Have Fun!

"Reading is a basic tool in the living of a good life."
Mortimer Adler

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My Daughter's Growing GRASS!

I never thought those words would make me happy! Let's just hope this is the only "grass" Allison ever has an interest in! Anyway, two weeks ago, Allison came home from CCD with this cup with about an inch of dirt & seeds planted in it. They are learning about all of the things God gives them...light, water, earth etc. I thought "Oh great, I hope this thing grows because I don't want to have to explain why God didn't follow through with this little project!" Well much to my surprise, it's growing and growing and growing! I love looking at it every day! It's one of the highlights of my day and Allison is so proud! I think I just may get a rectangle planter and grow some of my own. It just gives me a feel good feeling inside to see it, touch it, smell it. I don't know what it is but I love it! Maybe it's that nature/miracle thing all rolled into one. Who knows but I challenge YOU to grow some of your own and send me pictures of your grass! I'll post them on my blog! Who is game? I'll even supply the grass seed! Post a comment on my blog (please don't post your address in the comment section) or email me (if you have my email address) to let me know you want some and I'll send some out to you! Make it a project with your children, grandchildren or better yet, do it just for yourself! Come on, you know you want to!

Go Have Fun Growing (legal) Grass!

"If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things in nature have a message you understand, Rejoice, for your soul is alive."
Eleanora Duse

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I'm behind...

...in posting Allison's memory work.

This is this week's:

"We are God's children."
1 John 3:2

and this was last week's:

"Teach me your way, oh Lord."
Psalm 26:11

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Have YOU Seen This Book?

This is the book Allison picked out and brought home from the library at school last week. We have looked EVERYWHERE for it! We have spent over 7 hours looking for it. It is gone! I called the school to let them know and they were great about it. They said it really isn't a big deal. I think it is. How do you lose a book? The odd thing is that the paper that came home with it about reading so many books a month is right where we thought the book was. So, I ask you "Where is that dang book?" I am giving up. I am sending in the $5.00 the librarian said it would cost to replace the book. Thankfully, it wasn't an expensive book but that is not the point. We never should have lost it. I thought Curtis was reading it to her at bedtime and he thought I was reading it to her in the living room.

Oh well! Enough time wasted on this book. This week she brought a book of Ponies home. We are treating this one like it is gold!

Have Fun!

The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them.

- Mark Twain

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Look What I Found!

I've been busy and haven't had time to post but I had to stop to share this! I found this while cleaning out a drawer. It is from 1997 and the artist is Stephanie! She would have been 9 years old. Didn't she do a great job?

Have Fun!

"The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection."
Michelangelo

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