What A beautiful day!! It was warm, 90 degrees and humidity around 85% most of the day but a nice breeze. I had a HUGE laundry day so I hung most of it out to dry.I dried 1 out of 7 loads in the dryer, mostly socks , underware and the girls shirts and pjs. By the time I had the 3rd load hung out the first was done already. It only took a little over an hour for hubby's jeans to be completely dry. That is almost as fast as the dryer and everything smells so good and fresh. It was nice because when I took a load out I could bring some in and put it away and get the beds fixed again.
I also got the garden hoed before it got real warm. It wasn't weedy yet but want to stay ahead of it so the weeds don't get a chance to get the rule. Everything is up now and looks good so far. I am so hungry for those first goodies out of the garden.
I did some sewing and got 6 skorts sewed for myself. I really needed them as some of mine from last summer where pretty thin in some spots. I went to a fabric store that was having closeout sale and got around 30 yards of various materials for .25- .50 a yard. I decided I can easily store it for a year if I need to for that price. I usually like to have 6-8 skorts for the summer as I don't wear skirts a lot in the summer for outdoors work and play. I also got some of the material for dresses for the girls. I am trying to sew more of our clothes as I find often if you can get fabric on sale you can make it cheaper than buying it. It all depends what you are looking for and if you have a preference of style and brand name clothes. I don't mind gettting brand name clothes but hardly ever will I pay more than $2 for a clothes item with the exception of clearance racks. I will buy new things if they are marked low enough, usually must be $4 or under. I feel I can justify paying a little more for new then I can for used. I do however buy new shoes and sandles for myself and the girls. I feel good footwear is important for them as well. I often watch at Payless for sales. I have paid as little as $6 a pair of brand new shoes.
Well the clock keeps on ticking and my eyes are getting heavy so I know where I must go.

I understand more fully the saying, It either hurts or doesn't work. I really feel that way by the end of this absolutely crazy week. On Monday I spent almost 7 hours mowing yards and planted 3 flats of flowers for Grandma. On Tues. & Wed. I had garage sale so that was those days. I got rid of a lot of things and made about $200. A lot of things were priced $.50 to $1.00 so it didn't add up very fast. I sold 1 item for $50 and a stroller for $20, the next highest priced item was $3.00. I hauled the rest of the stuff off to Goodwill and CAM yet that evening. On Thurs. Rachel and I went to Fort Wayne for her to get her eyes checked and new glasses. We left at 8 and came home around 4 don't remember the exact time. Thur evening Rochelle had preschool graduation, it was so cute with 17 children, 4&5 yr olds singing and doing motions to several songs. I was glad we were able to be there to see it. OnFri I made a run to Aldi and WalMart to get some much needed groceries. Today I spent mostly outside. I actually folded 4 loads of laundry, washed all the dishes and cooked 10# of potatoes for our neighbor all before dinner. I got up at 8:45 so I thought I did real well. I also had the neighbors 3 yr old daughter Esther here from 10:30 - 3. Rochelle and Esther had so much fun playing I didn't find out much from either one of them. Maria was with LaVern so that helped a lot. After dinner I tilled the garden, hoed 3 flower beds, mulched one flower bed and planted 3 flats of flowers. This year I want to plant all white and purple instead of all colors. I also sprayed weeds in the lane and around the swingset this early evening before I went to LaGrange at 5:45. When I got home I made biscuits and sausage gravy and fried potatoes for supper. We didn't eat until 7:30 so right after supper was bathtime for my dirty little girls. They don't care how dirty they are during the day but after supper they enjoy the bath and pajama time before bed time. I am glad tommorow is Sunday, I feel like we all need the rest. We are planning to go on a picnic for lunch so that will be fun. I can barely stay awake so I best head for the bed.

Wow!! What a day! I got a lot more done then I thought I would. By 1:00 I had: washed the van, 3 loads of laundry, ordered our Angel Food box swept out the garage and carried all of the garage sale items out to the garage. The girls slept till 9 which was a huge help. I also washed out some flower pots to get ready to fill them next week. I decided instead of buying hanging baskets I will use the ones from last year and fill them myself. I can do 4 of them for what I paid for 1 last year. I so am enjoying finding places where I can save money and have the same result in the end.
By 5:00 I had everything out for the garage sale and only a few things not priced yet. I put away all the laundry and straightened the house. The worst part was the kitchen which was very sad. I had stacks of dishes, clean ones that is. I have a bad habit of emptying the dishwasher and stacking the dishes instead of putting them away right away. I am pleased with all I got done bet I am also very tired. Need to get some sleep.

I love the Lord with all that is within me, Bless His Holy Name. The Lord is so good to us and yet we are undeserving of His love. This week was very hectic but a lot of things were accomplished. I still have a lot to do tomorrow. A few of the items on my list are, order Angel Food Box, laundry, clean the house or at least straighten it, wash the van and finish sorting through boxes of items for garage sale next week. I have a lot of things to put on the garage sale and have not started pricing yet. I am having garage sale on Tues. and Wed. When I started going through my cupboards and closets I found a lot of things that we either don't need or simply can do without. I hope to get enough money to pay off part if not all of the bill at the garage where I had my van fixed. In order to pay all of it I need about $1000. I doubt I will have enough but would be nice to have at least $500. I have several items for $50 - $100 so I am praying that those items can sell. If you think about in the next few days, pray that God could send buyers for these items and also for the smaller items. I believe God can do great things. I have learned through some of our financial struggles that God really can answer our prayers and provide in ways we thought nearly impossible. I have learned to say no to that yummy donut or snack when I am paying for my gas. I am also trying to teach our daughters, mostly the 4 yr old for now, that sometimes we have to do without some things that we would like because we don't have the money. Sometimes if she asks for something she first asks if we have enough money, then can we get it? I hope this will help her later in life how to spend her money wisely. I also know that she learns a lot from watching my husband & I in our spending habits. There are times I will get her a little treat but she also knows not to cry or fuss if she doesn't get one. I am very proud of how she has grown up in this area in the last few months.
For now I think it would be best if I would get some sleep so I can get my things done. I will try too find the time to check in tomorrow and let you know how my list is going.

This week has been so busy it is almost driving me to the nuthouse. On Monday I mowed my Grandparents and my parents yard. When I got home I decided to do ours as well. By the end of the day I had been bouncing on a riding mower for about 7 hours. It may sound easy but it still takes effort to have a nice yard. The down side is that I got really sunburned. The temps were mid 70s but a nice breeze so it did not feel that warm.
On Tues I did 6 loads of laundry and odd jobs around the house. I even cooked a real meal for supper, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, creamed peas and of course ice cream for dessert.
Today I planted all of the garden but the plants. I got sprinkled on with threats of rain but was determined to get it done. I also quilted for nearly 2 hours. The poor quilt has been in frame since the 1st part of March and still is not done. My loving husband keeps asking me if I am planning to have it done by Thanksgiving. It is my turn to have my family for Thanksgiving this year. I really expect it to be done by then!
My eyes want to close so I should lay my head on my pillow.

Oh my, I feel like an old lady tonight! We were in Shipshewana today for Mayfest and I did a lot of walking and standing. We had a really good time though, watching the parade, a puppet show,and some old games like tug of war and sack races. We came home around 1:00 because it was really cool outside. It was cloudy, breezy and 60 so it felt chilly.
I have been busy with the usual laundry, dishes, meals and all the other things that keep a mom busy. Next week is quite busy as well. I am having garage sale on the 15 & 16 so I should start getting things ready.
My mind is spinning, yet feels empty. Maybe some sleep would be the remedy.

I was tagged by MaryAnn to do this fun little "game".

Rules: Each player writes 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write on their own blog about these 7 things and include these rules. You need to choose 7 people to get tagged and include their names. Don't forget to leave them a comment to let them know they have been tagged and to read your blog.

1. I love to sew and quilt and do a lot of sewing for others in the family. I also sew dog clothes for extra income.

2. I always go to the bathroom as soon as I get up in the morning, out of habit and nescesity.

3. I love to be outside in the summertime, gardening and flower beds, not usually laying out.

4. My weirdest foods during both pregnacies was dill pickles, Take 5 candy bar and marshmallow swirl ice cream.

5. One day I brought home a 1/2 gal of marshmallow swirl and ate all but about 2 cups of it. No wonder my youngest loves chocolate ice cream.

6. I despise when people do not use their turn signals when driving.

7. I am very much a people person, hardly ever meet someone that stays a stanger for long.

I tag Fannie and 6 others who have not done this.

It's a happy day and I thank my God for the weather. It's a happy day and things are gonna get better. This little chorus was going through my mind while I was sitting on the side of the road, waiting for a tow truck. I was on the way to Goshen when I noticed my minivan was losing power. I decided to turn around and try to make it home. I never got turned around when the van stopped. I was able to get completely off the road. I called my husband and we decided to get it towed in to (and by) our mechanic. Now the neat thing was I 15 miles from the shop and within 45 min of pulling off the road the van was loaded and ready to head for the shop. They took the girls and I home then went to check out the van. I decided I was not going to let it get me down, no one was injured and there was no accident. The girls wanted to play outside so I mowed the lawn while they played. I tilled some of the garden and decided it was to windy to plant. I was only done mowing about 30 min when they called and said the van was done. The fuel pump, belt, and tensioner was the problem. 4 hours after it was broke down we were able to pick it up again. I was expecting to be without a vehicle for at least a few days. They were able to fix itand had all the parts on hand. I felt like God was looking out for the girls and I. I was also glad that the lawn was mowed because we got 2/10" of rain this afternoon.
Tomorrow will consist of the errands I didn't get done today plus more.