I am home alone tonight . Well, as alone as one can get when sharing their space with 2 adult dogs and 9 puppies. I am doing my best to enjoy inspite of the arm pain.

I received a $3 rebate check today, so that will go into the challenge account, bringing that total to $736.22!!

DD2 has changed our cell phone plan (she works for the company) and we are now going to save 1/2 of the prior months' bill or $35 per month. YESS!

I am trying to do some decluttering around here and was able to donate two bags full of books to the dialysis library and two bags full of clothes and other stuff to Goodwill. I bagged everything and put it in the car before I had a chance to reconsider. My closet and dresser are cleaned and organized now...and it sure feels good! But I have a long way to go..if you didnt know, I am one of those domestically challenged prople!- so small victories are huge to me!!

We are all sold out of madrone wood, which seems to be the only wood selling so far. We now have a wait list for 10 cords, so hopefully our wood guy can get us another load. If so, we will make more than we thought and THAT is a good thing!!

My new, lower salary takes effect on Monday, so I wont be able to deposit for the stair challenge until next March when my salary returns to normal. So I am going to get creative. Pop cans, rebates, and a percent of the puppy money will all help...oh, and I am doing some online surveys which sill help too.

However, when I came to this site in March, I had ZERO in a challenge account and after joining, my goal for the year was $500. So I am already pleased with my results.

Puppies eyes are open and they are starting to walk, albeit a little wobbly.They are two weeks today...and that means they will all be going to their new homes in the next 4-6 weeks!!Time to advertise!

I received a $10 bonus for an ING referral and I also received a shipping refund of $13.20 from Insiders Club. Both of these are being added to my challenge account, bringing my new total to $756.42!!!

I received the freebies and coupons a few days ago that I received for winning one of the guessing games that Flash and Jeffrey have been promoting..and as always, Flash delivered way beyond my expectations (THANK YOU THANK YOU)

If you havent joined in on all the fun, you are truly missing out.

Here is an easy link to get to the Grocery Coupon Guide right now to jump in and start enjoying one of the many benefits of this website!

I miss freely blogging and reading everyones blogs! I miss being able to hold a book to read. I miss a good nights sleep. I miss my homecooked meals. And I know this pinched nerve has had its hold too long= because I even miss the old housework routine.

And Im tired of TV and all the stupid "Paid Programming" that is on at 2,3 and 4 in the morning when I cant sleep.

I know it is getting better because I am actually typing this post without my elbow feeling as if it is about to explode...and I was able to go a full 6 hours yesterday without a pain pill.

But being in pain is not only physical discomfort...it is also emotional and financial discomfort.

Financial, because 1. medications and doctors visits and 2. eating fast food because it is too painful to use my arm to cook.

Emotional, because I feel like I am a lump on a log while DH is working his hiney off to process all the wood (thank goodness for famiy and friends who have jumped in to help!) and because I am watching my house turn into a disaster.

I have a whole new respect for someone in pain. And a whole new appreciation for when I am feeling good.

I have gained a little more mobility in my arm this week..and am confident I am on the right track...but out of 40 painpill perscription starting last Thursday, I am down to 4 today...so its either feel better by tomorrow or Im back to the doctor.

end of pity party.

Had enough points to cash out on the survey site so i will add that $7 to my challenge account, bringing my challenge balance to $723.33!!

Love it!

Puppies and mom are doing great. Puppies have doubled in size this last week. They are almost ready to open their eyes and see the world!! They are already getting those legs to work better...and talk about fat bellies...nothing so cute as a fat bellied puppy thats sound asleep.

The firewood business is in full swing. We made just under $1500 this past weekend (that is just 3 days of advertising) and we have already had referral calls thanks to our customers!!

Unfortunately, Ive not been able to help much because of that darned pinched nerve. It has now effected my right arm - I went to the dr and am on several serious drugs...but it is looking like the drugs alone arent going to help. Nothing quite like finger/hand numbness and muscle spasms to kill a good nights sleep- no matter how many muscle relaxers, anti -inflamitories and pain pills you take..

I was able to add that $6 survey check that I received a few days ago...+ I received another $20 CC rewards check...so my new challenge balance is $702.22!!!

I took my friend out to dinner last night to celebrate her birthday. Cost with tip $34.80.

Sometimes, all it takes is a persective on someone elses world to make yours seem pretty darned nice.

Her daughter is entering her junior year at West Point, but was recently diagnosed with Crohn's disease...and has lost an astounding 45 lbs in 6 months...45 pounds that she didnt have to loose. She is home on medical leave right now trying to get stablized.

My friends son is in Iraq as is the daughters fiance'.

My friend also has a stressful job that takes way more than 40 hours each week...and then works a second job at a department store.

I gladly treated her to a nice birthday dinner...strawberry dacquiri included!!!

And on my drive home was so very thankful for my frugal, simple life....and for my family's health.

Somehow, my little problems dont seem so big anymore.

Perspective.

Here is mom and pup...too sweet!



and mom and pups feeding

Ahoy Maties!

Todays is talk like a pirate day, me hearties.

Aye, a day of arghs and maties indeed!

Enjoy your inner pirate! Be a little mischevious, let go...have fun!

Argh!

ps...don't forget to save a little money in the process (this last sentence was added just to keep this post on topic...lol)

I have spent today pulling out my fall decorations and starting to decorate the house. I love the gold, orange, reds, acorns, pinecones, raffia and everything else that signifies this season. Autumn truly is a lovely time of year.

It is fun to hear the acorns from our oak trees falling onto the roof, to feel the chilly night breeze, to watch the leaves start to turn.

Soon, we will have windy days that blow all of those leaves off the trees, a beautiful "fall shower".

Afternoon hot tea...orange spice with a few drops of honey and lemon...flannel sheets, a toasty fire in the fireplace.

Lots of baking...I will have to find our Pumpkin Crunch recipe for you guys...it is a pure taste of Autumn in each bite.

Who needs money for entertainment when it is fall? Maybe a tank of gas to see the beauty that nature provides free of charge....but otherwise, entertainment abounds in the trees, the grass returning to green (in the hot months, it is yellow and dry)and in the cooler weather.

DH will soon go hunting. While he is gone, I plan to use some of those free samples of luxury items Ive received over the past several months and enjoy a "retreat" weekend here at home...I may have to spluge on a nice bottle of wine to enjoy...as I watch the seasons change.

Blessed. Yep, I am indeed.

5 hours into puppy births and we now have FIVE black males and ONE black female...

Anna is doing much better now and is actually letting the little guys nurse...

But we still have a few more to go...Im praying for girls or any color but black.

(For some reason, black male labs are the hardest to find homes for...and Im up to five...)

Will post pics when they're all here.

**update- It is now 9:45pm, we just delivered #9!! We now have 5 boys, 4 girls...all black. Everyone is tired...especially Anna...Im not sure if there is one more...but I will stay up with her until I am certain she is done.

September 16 is puppy birthday!! So far we've delivered 4 puppies (we started at 2pm and it is now 5pm)

Anna is not a very mommy-type dog...so I am having to catch them as they come out (she has delivered each while standing up...) and then break them out of their sacks, clean them off and cut the umbilical cord!! (not for the sqeemish, thats for sure)

We have 3 black boys and 1 black girl...and there are still a few left to come!! I will keep you posted!!!

I went to the HS football game last night. I forgot how much fun those can be.

DD3 is on the color guard team and was performing at half-time, so I wanted to be there and watch her first performance.

I got to know the couple next to me...their son was one of the players..number 84. So I helped to cheer him on...

Half time came and they wanted to know which was my daughter....

ummm....
ummm...

all the girls had their hair in buns on top of their heads and were wearing ALOT of fancy, dark eye makeup---and it took me a while to pick her out...but I did eventually determine the one Id once given birth to...lol so much for mothers intuition...

Anyway, the color guard did great...and our team WON 34-0...it was fun.

$6 to get in, $2 for a program. Not bad for a great COLD night out.

Best of all, Anna didnt go into labor while we were gone...(which would have been horrible in that cold weather last night-)And we kept her in the house overnight...but this morning she is back in the pen- pregnant as ever.

Well, we didnt enjoy much 'warm' weather...we went from 90-100s to (today) 54 within a week....It is blustery out there....cold, windy and raining. From tank tops to sweatshirts just like that!!!

Good news, we use alot less electricity in the winter...as we heat this big ol' house with a wood stove. I only had ONE MONTH this year that my electric bill went over budget!! yesss!

I am taking care of GS today...he is napping right now...been a little ball of energy all day...Gramma is exhausted!!

Still no puppies...so she is going to deliver right on time!

I cashed in enough Mypoints for a $10 Starbucks card. All of these cards are going to be gifts...and I know several people who would really enjoy Starbucks!

Still no puppies...so we are down to 3 days. Anna is HUGE and has slowed down today...she also is not jumping up and down...So those little guys will be here anyday.

I made a quick dinner tonight...I had one ciabatta bread left and so I toasted it and layered on some spaghetti sauce, pepperoni, cheese and peppercini's...instant, easy pizza!