One town. One team. One dream.

One town...One team...One dream...

We are in our second third undefeated week of our season. And our "boys of fall" are looking, full speed ahead, for the chance at a State Championship. We're a small town with big dreams, that never gives up.

Football Season...nothing is Finer!!

Labor Day link-up

Congratulations to my blogger friend, Amy, and her Coach on the birth of their fourth child! (Oh, how I know how challenging delivering right in the middle of football season can be!!) Amy is celebrating Labor Day again by celebrating birth stories.
I'm sharing mine again this year.
Click on over for more!

Works for Me Wednesday: Lower Your Bills

Coach has three players that now play for the NFL, so he needs to watch them each week. He also has players that play all around the country, so he needs to watch them, too. Direct TV is the only place we can tune in to Minnesota, Miami, Chicago, California, Texas, Michigan, and so on, to watch his boys. For us, satellite is a necessity. But our Direct TV bill just kept creeping up and up... and on a measly coaching salary, it's getting harder and harder to write that check.

We recently got an invitation in the mail for the DISH satellite network, which was much cheaper than what we are paying for DirectTV. I called the DISH, and got the scoop. They had 90% of what we were already getting, minus the NFL Sunday ticket, but they had something like it, so we could still see most of the games. Since I was a DirecTV customer for 6 years already, I thought I'd give them a call and give them a chance to keep us as customers.

When I called, the representative already knew of the DISH package I was thinking about and the prices. They matched the DISH's current promotion, drastically lowering our bill for the next 12 months, then $17 a month after that ($17 off what we currently pay now). On top of that, we received a credit of a rather large amount! (covering our bill for the next three months!) Guess they didn't want to lose a customer!!

Call your current providers...cell phone, cable/satellite, or other negotiable utilities... See if there's any wiggle room in your current package. Companies would rather lower your payments than lose your business altogether!

Worked for Me!!

Ahhhhhhhhh....{Breathe}

Yes. I'm still alive. Today it is absolutely raining buckets, so I. am. in. Not going anywhere. Actually, I fibbed. I have a dentist appointment this afternoon. But the past few weeks I have been running non-stop.

I have reported to my once-a-year job (outside my home) at our county fair. Thrown a surprise 45th Anniversary party for my parents. Had my sister's three children with us while she went to Hawaii. (Yeah...I know.) Oh, how I do not look forward to teenage years. Started coaching my daughter's cheerleading team. Uniform fittings. Practices. Scrimmages. Back to school shopping. Physicals. Pep-Rallies... You get the picture.

Did I mention it's the beginning of the busiest time for us? Full-blown Football season. Triples, 7-on-7's, scrimmages. Friday Night Lights! Bring it on!

Photo credit

Works For Me Wednesday: Streamlined Bill Paying

Every day runs a little smoother here thanks to our Daily System. Our household runs a little smoother with my home binder, housing all of our home warranties, maintenance/repair sheets, paint color chips, and booklets for baby gear, toys, electronics, etc.



And our bill paying runs a little smoother, thanks to my Bill Binder. I have a monthly calendar with each bills due date. I have files for bills to be paid, paid bills, and receipts. And since I have moved most of my bill paying online, I have a sheet with each website address and our login information, right at my fingertips. It makes it so much easier...when I need to pay a certain bill, I just look up the info on the sheet. No more searching for last month's online receipt where I scratched the password, etc. My Bill Binder works for me!!

Finer Things Friday: Report Card and Conference Time

It's that time again...report cards and parent teacher conferences. Oh, how I remember the excitement, and sometimes the anxiety (oh, yes!), of my parents getting ready the night of parent-teacher conferences at my school. I still recall the way they would come through the door whether the report was going to be good, or, "you have some things to work on..." (You see, I was the little "social butterfly"). Well, fortunately for me, I turned out okay. And my children, they're even better!

Our first grader received yet another picture-perfect report card, and we had another enjoyable conference with her teacher. She is right on target, and is thriving with the challenging enrichment work she is given. Yes, she too is a little "social butterfly" per se, but "continues to be a great example for others". Oh, we're so proud!

And our four year old...he too has made great strides this year in his first year at preschool! What a great conference we had for him as well! He is a "leader" in his classroom, and "will make one super athlete", according to his teachers. (Well, did he have a chance otherwise??!! Coach was thrilled to hear that!!) He counts up to 29... a record!

With two teachers as parents, our children don't have a chance when it comes to "goofing off" in school. They know the importance of education, studying, respecting their teachers and helping others. We couldn't be more proud of our little students!!

Linked to: Finer Things Friday

Tackle it Tuesday: 30-Day Shred Update

Last week I started Jillian Michael's 30-Day Shred. Here's my update:

I missed two days this past week. A monstrous, debilitating sinus/migraine headache and nausea was a good excuse, then we had a church supper on Sunday, and I was just preoccupied with housework and cooking, and we got home much later than expected, so I didn't get around to it. (Not to mention the time change thrown in...we lost an hours sleep, you know!!)

When I started I measured every part that could be measured, around my thighs, arms, behind, hips, etc...and so far I lost 2.5 inches around my waist (that is where I noticed it's more toned!!), 1 inch off my hips and an inch off the tops of my arms (again, more toned!!) I went from doing no exercise regimen to this...so I think my body was in shock and I saw results. I'm due to start Level 2 on Thursday...I'll let you know how that goes!! In the video Jillian says after 5-7 days you get used to it...well, newsflash, Jillian: There's nothing in your workout this body is getting used to!!! ;) I just look at it as one more thing on my list I have to tackle each day. My bikini...uh, I mean tankini... awaits!!

How's everyone else doing on your 30-Day Shred?

Linked to: Tackle it Tuesday

Tackle it Tuesday...30-Day Shred!

My thighs haven't walked themselves into a gym in years. I lie... I went with my daughters Daisy scout troop to watch her do a kickboxing class last year...does that count? Well then, truth be told, I was only into working out when my husband and I were dating. You see, he was a Gold's Gym rat (I could use his arms as monkey bars he was so built!!), and since he was a coach, the only time I got to see him was after practice, at the gym. So I strategically placed myself on the treadmill that was in direct vision of the door...so he could walk in, b-line it to me, visit for a few minutes, and I could be on my way. (He never knew I arrived there only minutes earlier, worked up a quick sweat, and said my workout was done...oh, what we do for love!) :) In keeping with the no-workout theme, I'm embarrassed to say that I've had Jillian Michaels' 30-Day Shred since last September, and haven't done it for more than a day. (It's a 20 minute workout...I thought, "how hard could it be?" Well, my friends, she isn't the trainer on the Biggest Loser for nothin'... it's tough!!) I'm not overweight, but totally. out. of. shape. The only stair master these cheeks have seen in the past ten years is my flight of stairs in my house. I'm feeling it. With all of the hustle-and-bustle of the holidays I am one that actually loses weight Thanksgiving through New Year's. I'm so busy I either forget to eat, or burn off what I do. This time of year, though, is most difficult. No business, no parties to plan, etc. Just short and bathing suit season...that's the big white elephant in the room. (and if I don't do something soon, I might be that big, white elephant!!) It's time to get to work!!

So...I've said it for all to hear, and I've now become accountable! I've started the 30-Day Shred and will report my progress and any results. (If there are any, and oh, I hope there are!!) (Updated to say: this morning I awoke and can barely lift my arms past shoulder height. Oh Mama... this is only level one. Well, just 29 more days to go!)

How about you...has anybody ever tried the 30-Day Shred? What is your workout routine? Stay posted for my updates...

A Coupon Lover's Valentine...

Last year I made my husband this for Valentine's Day. He loved it. (I was trying to recreate this chipboard album...) So keeping with the theme (frugal and homemade), and being so in to coupons and all (isn't everyone??), it was fitting and so this year I went with the flow and made him an envelope of "coupons".

Coupons entitling him to a "Remember When" back scratch (before kids...when I had the time... and the pretty nails!!), a Romantic Movie night (where he picks the movie...oh, I can't wait...), A pass for a "Guilt-Free" night out (his unmarried coaching buddies will thank me for that!!), and I even threw in a "Wild Card" because I was feeling daring...(can't wait to see what that gets cashed in for!!)

I made a little envelope to go along with them, along with a little note. Just a fun, flirty gift for my Coach. It was fun to make, and didn't cost a thing!!

You Get What You Work For

Winning means you're willing to go longer, work harder, and give more than anyone else.

Any coach's wife can relate to this post...

This time last year we were in the middle of a tough basketball season. A "rebuilding" year. Usually, it takes a good 3-4 years to take over and rebuild a team. Well, today we're celebrating an 8-win run, and a seat at the State Playoffs. We got the 5-seed in Counties, and, yes...we're going to States!!!! God is Good!!
What a great team my husband has this year, and they are walking with their heads high, and full of glory. We're so proud of them! His message to them this season has been "Remember...there is always a little boy in the stands that wants to be just like you, don't disappoint him" and they have risen to the occasion!
Commitment, Teamwork, Responsibility, Focus, Communication, Preparation, Effort, Confidence... That is our Basketball Team this year...and we are celebrating them on this Finer Things Friday!!

2010...

Happy New Year to All!!

Wow....can you really believe it's 2010??!! Shouldn't we all be "driving" around in flying cars, having a robotic oven prepare our meals (think Jetsons), etc??!! Or that's what we thought 2010 would be like, way back when!!

We happened to have a super New Year's Eve last night. It wasn't looking too promising early on, with snow, a cancelled babysitter, and so on, but ended up being one of our most enjoyable. Each New Year's Eve since we've been married with children, we have never gone out. We always made a "snacky" dinner, with mini-sized foods, etc., donned our hats and tiaras, and blew a few horns. We danced with the kids, and had our own "Rockin Eve" of sorts. We were pretty much in bed by 10pm. We always had a great time.

Our New Year's Eve "venue"

This year though we were invited by two other couples to join them at a local restaurant for dinner. (One couple we knew, the other we didn't...but turns out I attended elementary school with the husband!!) We dropped the kids by my parents (with snacks, hats, and horns...oh they were thrilled to go to Nana and Papa's house by themselves!!) and had a great night!! We laughed, oh we laughed!! We shared dating stories, wedding stories, birth stories, and family stories. The food was great, and the company, even better.
We picked up our pajama-clad children, refreshed and excited for the new year, and headed home in the blizzard.

Eight years without being out for a New Year's celebration, just the two of us, was too long. This night was just what we needed! We're so thankful, and grateful, to have true, generous friends, old, and new!!

Cheers to the New Year!!

Linked to: Finer Things Friday

Need to Make Some Extra Cash??

Then go to bed with my husband.

No, really...last night I made $2.73 (and a fine tipped pen). This morning I went to make our bed and I found, under the sheets, what appeared to be my tip for the night. The further I dug into the sheets, the more bills I found. Apparently my husband fell asleep in his sweatpants he wore to practice that day (I know...yes, it grosses me out, too, which is why when I found dried out grass pieces, instead of making our bed, I was changing it!!) while watching the Steelers into the night, and his belongings in his pockets were "deposited" into the bed.

So the chambermaid took herself out for a cup of coffee...
Hey... finders-keepers, right??!!

I hope you got a little giggle...now visit here for more Works For Me Wednesday...

With Love, On Our Anniversary...

A marriage anniversary is the celebration of love, trust, partnership, tolerance and tenacity. The order varies for any given year.

Together we've worked hard to get where we are today...Together we've grown in so many ways- and most of all, in love. It doesn't matter where you go in life, what you do...it's who you have beside you. Side by side- year by year.

On Wednesday, November 4th, we celebrated our 8th Wedding Anniversary! Nowadays, that's no easy feat! Since our marriage, we've buried a father, two grandmothers, many friends, and our best man. We've endured three pregnancies and given birth to two healthy, beautiful children. Everything we've shared has only made us stronger, together. I know the future holds even more happiness for us.

My mother offered to babysit for us on our Anniversary and my parents gave us a gift to a wonderful Italian restaurant. We both asked eachother...would you do it all again? Our answer: Absolutely!! We wouldn't change a thing!!
“I don't pretend to know what love is for everyone, but I can tell you what it is for me; love is knowing all about someone, and still wanting to be with them more than any other person, love is trusting them enough to tell them everything about yourself, love is feeling comfortable and safe with someone, but still getting weak knees when they walk into a room and smile at you.”

My husband, and my marriage...two Finer Things I am so proud of! Here's to many more!!

Our Sports Family

My husband taught and coached football and basketball for his Alma Mater for 11 years. When we got engaged, it was announced over the loudspeaker at the State Playoff game that year, when we got married, the entire football team showed up at the church (I knew what I was "signing up" for, so our wedding, during football season, was strategically planned for a Sunday, the day after a State playoff game, and during a bye week, he was back to practice the next afternoon, and yes, I scouted along with my new husband during my honeymoon!!), and the following year, the booster club, coaches, players and their families threw us a baby shower...since I was very pregnant at the State Final game that year (She waited until three days later to arrive!! She learned early to plan around sports!!). They were our extended family. When we moved from our first house to where we live now, we were an hour and some minutes away. It was quite the haul to bring the kids to the games, only to have them last for maybe a quarter, if I was lucky. We slowly made less trips to see Daddy's games. After four years of the commute, and six state championships later, Daddy was ready for a change and a challenge. We would miss our sports family...
Last year he began teaching and coaching at our hometown high school...just eight minutes away!! Our new sports family has welcomed us with open arms. We make mostly every game now, and my daughter sports her cheerleading uniform and cheers with the high school cheerleaders the second half of each game. My son proudly sports his "jersey" (which I made since the 'real' ones were so big, and so expensive!!) that says Coach's Son...he's #00... and attends the teams practice and dinner every night before a game. He looks forward to this all. week. long!!! As soon as we pull in the parking lot, he rips his carseat straps off and yells "Gotta go Mom...I got practice now!!" My husband says he sits through the game film that night and doesn't make a sound. My three year old??!! This is his thing. Last week he was in his glory. His daddy brought him on the sidelines the last few minutes of the game (granted we were winning 40-0, so all were in a joyous mood), but the boys were coming off the field and he was high-five'ing his "teammates", as he calls them.

We took a leap of faith, and it worked out. We've planted our roots, and made our home. My husband summed it up with one phrase... "I feel like I've been there 10 years, they've accepted us so warmly." (And you coach's wives out there know how much that means!!!)
Our sports family...they are truly a Finer Thing.

Fellow Coach's Wives... Unite!!

We coach's wives need to stick together. And every dream of a coach and his family is to be able to say the words "I'm going to Disneyland!!" after a big win. Well, that's just what I'd like to help my friend, and fellow coach's wife, Amy to be able to say after her "big win".
Head on over here to vote for her and her tiny-town lovin' family to win a trip to Disneyland...the most magical place on earth!!

Friday Night Lights

I'm a coach's wife. A coach's daughter. A football Mom. A cheerleading Mom. Yes, aside of watching my children forage around the perimeter of our three acre parcel to gather enough leaves to make a pile to jump in, (since the forest surrounding us is the only place where there's trees), my favorite thing about fall is a football game under the lights. There's just something about Friday Night Football. Crisp air. The band electrifying the fans. Freezing your "touckas" off on the aluminum bleachers. Seeing the steam or "fire" as my three year old calls it rise from the players backs. Why else would I be scouting a rival football game on my honeymoon eight years ago??!! Yeah...that's football!!

Linked to: Finer Things Friday

Score a Touchdown With Your Party Food!!

Being a coach's daughter and coach's wife football and basketball seasons are just a part of my life. (Aren't they part of everyone's??!!) I joke with my husband in July and say, "See you in March, honey!" With football season comes many, many gatherings. Whether it's the coaches all convening after a game or practice... many times after both, players coming by, or an actual planned party with family and friends, good party food is a must!

Here are some of our favorites.

Sandwich Ring:
In the past, for all of our parties (and we love to party here) I have always ordered a hoagie ring from the deli. These run us from $28-$35, whether we need a medium or large. I slice the ring into sandwiches for each guest. Everyone loves them so they were worth the expense. So, I was so excited to get this recipe! I never even thought of being able to make my own!! Leave it up to Pillsbury!!
I often make these sandwiches into a Philly Cheesesteak Hoagie ring... or a Primanti sandwich (a cheesy burger with french fries and coleslaw on top!) a Steeler original!!

Hot dogs en croute: (sounds better than "pigs in a blanket")
I always make these. I've been making these myself with the crescent rolls for years. SO much cheaper than buying 100 of them (frozen) for $16.99, which they cost here, and they taste so much better!! I buy a large pack of Nathan's cocktail franks at a wholesale club for $6.99, then get my crescents for free or .30 cents, usually, with coupons!

Grilled Pizza:
Our last pizza delivery bill when the coaches stopped by was upwards of $75! We won't be having many more at that price! So, we just grill our own. Comes out to be less than half that!

Linked to: Ultimate Recipe Swap

The Town and Country Cafe...

Enjoy the scenery.
Have sports. Will travel.
This year as if we didn't already have enough on our dinner plate, I have become my daughters cheerleading coach for the midget football program. Which means, Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights, as well as some Saturday afternoons, we'll be running from one game to the other, cheering in our own and trying to see Daddy's games, sometimes being in the same town, but sometimes not (as our league was just restructured and some fields are an hour-and-a-half away!) Many families are on the go during this back-to-school, back-to-sports time of year, along with their dining rituals. Did you know that the flat front of a backpack makes a wonderful "table"? (Just be sure the kids keep their knees and legs even...if not, supper's all over the floor!) One way we conquer avoiding the drive thru (oh, wait...no drive thru's around here) the pizza place, or the field snack bar, is fixing our own "Kid Cuisines". I cook the meal before I pick up the oldest from school, then reheat right before we're ready to leave. I use a medium tupperware container (one that a square cake pan would fit in...or smaller if needed), and fill it with supper...homemade chicken nuggets, carrot sticks, buttered bow ties with parmesan, and a packaged dessert (usually fruit snacks or a granola bar), or a square of lasagna and a nice piece of buttered Italian bread with a baggie of salad...less the dressing! (Note: best to avoid any sauces, creamed veggies, corn in particular, unless it's on the cob. These tend to be messier fares. I've learned from experience!!) Pass back a juice box and a napkin, and dinner's done! We're on the road to wherever it is we need to be!

Dinner on the road in Wildcat Country...Works For Me!

Works for Me Wednesday: Our Daily System

Football and cheerleading practice. Boys and girls basketball. Summer sports camp schedules, and vacation scheduling. Three Back to School nights, three sets of Parent-Teacher Conferences. Birthdays, anniversaries, school and sports pictures. You get the picture. Each family has so much going on! Running here and there, how do we make it on time, or even make it there at all??!!

My family and my home would not function if it weren't for our "Daily System". It was my best Pottery Barn purchase to date, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. The only thing that worries me...when the wall comes down in the kitchen to make room for my "forever wanting" island (which it'll soon be tumbling down!!), I don't yet know where I'm going to put it. Operative word: yet.

Component #1: Our calendar. Our brain as I affectionately call it, since that's all we need to look at in the morning to see where we're going, and when. Each of us...even the children. (My daughter had a playdate over yesterday, and the little girl said, "Oooohhhhh...I wish my mommy had one of those!!! She never knows what we're doing...and we're always LATE!!")

Bless her little six year old heart...but kids know. They thrive on structure!!) We have a brain on the wall for all to see, and a book brain for the entire year. No need to go out and buy one...I've done that...they just fall apart after a few months of constant use. I printed out calendars from the computer, punched holes, and popped them into a three pronged folder (one of the perks of having a teacher in the family...we always have school supplies around. Not necessarily in the fashionable colors I prefer, but free. Beggars can't be choosers!!)

This stays in the calendar mailslot so we always know where it is.

Other components: As well as the "Calendar and Notepaper" mailslot to hold our paper calendar and for messaging by the phone, we have a "Mom" mailslot, for important school papers, medical prescriptions, etc, "To be Filed" for paid bill slips, insurance papers, etc, and "Mail" mailslot...for incoming and outgoing, as well as address labels, stamps, and envelopes.

I'm always on the lookout for organizational ideas and tools. Do you have a daily system? What Works for You??!!

Linked to: Works for Me Wednesday

A Night out with Mom

The "Go Green" lady enjoying her night out!!

Twice in one week??!! I don't get out with the girls for over a year, and I've gone out twice in one week!! Last weekend I met my girlfriends for a "Girls Night Out", and then my mother invited me to "Ladies Night Out" with her and her friends. Some of them may be over twice my age, but nonetheless, I had a wonderful time. My mother-in-law was gracious enough to come to watch the children until my husband got home from football practice in order for me to go. (They got to have a night out too...first, grandma was up for a visit, then when daddy got home, they went for supper at Friendly's...their favorite spot!!)

"Ladies Night Out" in the village

One of the local villages closed their streets and hosted a "Ladies Night Out" and all of the quaint little shops opened their doors. Each store offered hot and cold hors d' oeuvres, wine, sangria, champagne and cheeses. The restaurants had special menus and charming outdoor dining with live music. The stores were right up my alley...antiques, country/primitive shops, classic, old-fashioned toy shops, home decorating boutiques, and Vera Bradley boutiques. {sigh}...I was in heaven. The weather was hot, humid, and balmy, but the atmosphere was oh so wonderful! Live bands playing on the green, street singers playing their guitars, and refreshments and free gifts at the little shops. I didn't buy anything, but just being out for the night with my mother was priceless!! A night with my mother...what could be finer??!!

A sampling of the hors d' oeuvres

A sampling of the wines, fruit, nuts...

some outdoor dining...

Barn (or actually mill) picking in the village...I love "barn picking". So many vintage, unique things!

Linked to: Finer Things Friday