Fabulous Friday Favorites

Hello there, Friends!

There has been some discussion that
1) I've gone completely insane or
2) I'm hiding out or (possibly)
3) we've been taken over by sickness at the Troops.

I can truthfully say all of the above.

But not to worry! It's only been ONE WEEK since my last post. And it's SUMMER. And have I mentioned before that we have EIGHT CHILDREN here at the Troops?

I have?

Oh.

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You probably didn't know that's it National "Make everything out of Perler Beads" Week. Been doing a lot of ironing around here.

Which is not a bad thing. Except I haven't ironed any CLOTHES.

And the Perler Beads - love them. Except when they are on the floor. And I step on them. And they stick to the bottom of my feet.

Children are creative, though, I must say. When the attitudes (brought on by extreme fatigue, I'm sure) went South and the TV and computer were taken away, out came the Legos and Perler Beads.

Lots of little pieces.

The TV is easier to clean up.

Well, maybe not.

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In the meantime, I've been working on a Bridal Luncheon for our Sweet Sitter who is getting married next week! Yeah! More about that later. They have a wonderful story that I've been wanting to share with you!

Truly, the vacation pics are coming. They just take forever to load. And since I've been ironing perler beads and rocking a sick (yes, again) Baby Boy, I haven't had time to wait for them.

Really, it's time for another "How the Coach Won My Heart" post. I've been working on it - in my head - while I've been ironing, unloading the dishwasher, scubbing the bathtubs and folding laundry. If only I could type at the same time!

So you can see that my lack of posts is not for lack of material!

But for NOW - here's my Favorite for today:

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The Coach, he has big goals. And he's disciplined. Seriously. The man rises early EVERY DAY. Even if I've been up with the baby all night.

And runs. With the consistency of how the sun rises and sets.

Me, I'm lucky to get a shower on some days.

And even though the Coach's Biay study is awesome, it's more than I can aspire to. At least until the children are all grown.

Several years ago, I purchased this two-year Bible. It's just my speed. Each day you read an Old Testament passage, a New Testament passage, and there are also little devotionals.

And since I'm all about keepin' it real, here, I will be honest and say I have taken more than two years to read through it. During BSF years I just used it on days I didn't have my questions to work on. Just being honest.

And for more honesty, I opted out of BSF this year to stay home with Baby Boy. Because he's our baby. And he's growing so fast! And given the chance to stay home with him or go to a Bible Study, I chose him. You can tell him that, later, when he's 15.

If you want to jump in and post a favorite today, go for it! I know I haven't been consistent with FFF this Summer, so you may not be in the mood. That's OK! Let's be honest - you'll have a few days to work on it while I try to get my act together and post, again!

But if nothing else, please let this post be a reminder to you that no matter how chaotic your life may be (mine certainly is), stay in the Word!

Even if you need (as I do), an easy, short, passage organized FOR you so you don't have to think about it.

Happy Friday!

Fabulous Friday Favorites

I think I have a birthday hangover.

Not that I really know anything about hang overs - I've never actually had one.

But I'm tired.

And bleary eyed.

And the head, it's aching.

Apparently I'm too old to celebrate anything without wearing out.

BUT today is Friday!

And in spite of my impending garage sale, I didn't want to miss another FFF post.

Because it's fun.

And I'm putting off that sorting and pricing as long as possible this morning.

Today's product my not be helpful for everyone.

I apologize in advance.

Three years ago (before we lived in this house), we remodeled our kitchen. One of my bright ideas (I'm just FULL of them, apparently) was to buy a front loading stacking washer and dryer so we could add a pantry where the dryer used to sit.

It was wonderful!

Fast forward to the present, and we LOVE our front loading machines. They wash unbelievable amounts of laundry. Daily. Sometimes all day long.

But one of the draw backs to front loading washers is that they have very tight seals. And with the door closed they do not have any venting capacity.

Which means after a period of time they can develop odors. From mildew. Which I realize is disgusting.

Enter this:

This product keeps the foul smell of a front loader at bay. I just run it through the machine in the evening now and then (on the rare occasion that I don't have LAUNDRY to run through).

It's made a big difference!

For those of you without front loaders (and even those of you with!), check out Magnificent Manager. My Sweet Friend brought me one of the meal planners and a photo frame for my birthday. They are wonderful! And stylish! And useful!

Happy Friday!

Don't forget to add your link - to your post about your Friday Favorite. And leave comments everywhere you go. Because my blog set a new record yesterday (thanks, Crazy Daisy!). And today might be a titch depressing if there are no comments at all!

Fabulous Friday Favorites

Morning, All!

It IS still morning, right? I'm a little out of it - haven't been feeling great. Started antibiotics last night, so I'm going to feel GREAT by later today, I'm just sure of it.

However, life still continues on, whether I'm a bit slow or not!

Today for FFF, I'm going to share something kind of embarrassing. Well, it's not embarrassing, I guess for ME, but the fact that we NEED something like this at our house is gross.

However, I'm all for keepin' it real, as you well know, so here it is.

Yeah, I know. Urine Gone. Told you it was embarrassing. And I won't mention names. But we have one child who walks (and not to the bathroom, if you know what I mean) in his (or her, I'm just sayin') sleep. Frequently. Not every night, but almost. I'm just glad when I FIND where he's been.

And then there is the child who wears pull ups, but they don't always do the trick. I'm just sayin'. Sometimes it's nice to have some help with these household clean up issues.

I really like this product. They should spend more on the spray bottle - it's horrible. But the stuff works. You blot up any moisture, then saturate the area with this and let it air dry. Works on mattresses, carpet, sofas, you name it. I know, now when you come to my house you're going to wonder. . .

So I hope you DON'T need this, but if you do, I'm glad it's available. I bought mine at Wal-mart, but the WWW says it's cheaper at Walgreen's.

What do YOU use and like that you want to tell us about? Leave your link below. Be sure and link to your specific post and not just your blog. And make sure to leave comments wherever you go. Comments make me especially happy when I'm sick.

Happy Friday!

Fabulous Friday Favorites!

For the two of you who noticed, sorry I missed Thankful Thursday!

I was cleaning.

Sad, huh?

I have a lot to be thankful for, too.

Like having my family back together. Like Son (#4) having Fifth Disease but finding out it's not contagious, anymore (that's a story!). Like the fact that one more week of school activities is over. Like that I finally got my new dust ruffle hemmed and back on the bed. AND for a clean house! Or mostly clean. Or at least MORE clean. OH and the plumber came and fixed some pesky problems that have been bothering us since we moved in two and a half years ago! Yeah!

But on to Friday!

I have been trying to talk about items that are relatively cheap and readily available at your local Wal-mart Supercenter.

But this week I have something even better.

When our 2nd through 7th babies were born, we lived in a wonderful old house - built in the 30's - in a charming old neighborhood.

OH how we loved that house! It was full of character. AND next door to my grandfather, our children's great-grandfather and baby boy's namesake. He still lived in the house where my mother had grown up.

And did I mention it was a mile from my parents house? The house I grew up in?

It had a HUGE yard - which always surprised everyone because of the location. The Coach worked on that yard and it would have won any contest you could have thrown at it.

Not only that, but the guys built a playset that my dad designed in the backyard. We had a stone patio that the Coach put in for our cattle tank pool (best thing ever, by the way).

We had a huge deck, too. And some of the BIGGEST trees our plains state has to offer.

And inside it was darling. We painted and fixed up every room. Even gutted the kitchen and half bath and put in all new cabinets. It had a million windows and hardwood floors in the WHOLE HOUSE.

Which brings me to my point.

Let's just say that with the age of the home, the creaky stairs and the hardwood floors that caused children's running to echo, naptime was a challenge.

Fortunately, we had these:

This is a Sound Screen. You can find them here. And I'm sure lots of other places. And yes, you can also find fancy electronic jobberdoos that look really high tech. But here's the secret. This just sounds like a fan. And it's not loud enough that you have to worry about long term hearing loss. Which at the Troops is a legitimate concern.

Anyway, because of these wonderful objects, I could have children sleeping in both the girl's and boy's bedrooms and the baby sleeping in our room. Peacefully. In an old, creaky, loud house.

And we use them still.

Because they are wonderful.

Even with a bigger house that has carpet and hall doors that I can shut for naptime (somebody say AMEN!).

So share with us what YOUR Fabulous Friday Favorite is today! Be sure and link to you specific post. And tell us about something you have actually used. And leave comments. Because we love comments, don't we?

Happy Friday!

And maybe, if I'm not cleaning like a mad woman, again, tomorrow, I'll show you that wonderful old house. Would you like to see it?

Fabulous Friday Favorites!

It's really Friday! I thought it would never come, but here it is. And I'm still tired. But OH the anticipation of only ONE MORE NIGHT before the Coach gets home. I really expected to miss him, but I had no idea how MUCH I'd miss him. Even more sad, is that we have kind of gotten into a new, depressing, life without Daddy, routine. Like we've adjusted. Ugh! Glad he's coming home tomorrow night.

OK. For today's post, I'm really not feeling inspired. But here are two things I absolutely CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT. Well, truthfully, if the Lord called us to some remote area to tell people about Jesus, I'd stock up, but I'd survive without it.

First off: This hand lotion.
My hands really take a beating every day. I've found that keeping them moisturized really helps me fight the other problem I have with eczema. So I put this on every time I'm in the car (at a stoplight or waiting for the kids in carpool lane - not driving, of course) and before I get into bed. It's not greasy (I love Aquaphor, but hate the greasy feeling) and really does the trick.

And then there is Chapstick. But not just ANY Chapstick. THIS Chapstick.
I can't stand to have dry lips. I keep this in the kitchen, my purse, my bathroom, everywhere I might need to grab some.





And that, my Dear Friends, is all I have for you today.

Jump right in with something inspiring! I need it!

Remember to post about something you use and like - and be sure to link to your specific post and not just your blog.

And leave comments wherever you go!

Because they make me happy!

Comments make me very happy!

(do I sound desperate, yet?)

Happy Friday!

Fabulous Friday Favorites

Mornin' All!

Got the men off "dark and early" (as Son #1 told me) this morning. They were sleepy but excited and ready to go.

I was much more emotional yesterday before they left. I guess at this point, it's a done deal. I'll just have to stay busy and sane until they return.

Today I'm going to share something different than my other favorites.

The Coach purchased this online a few months ago.

It's the Jesus Storybook Bible published by Zonderkidz.

He's just finishing up reading it to the girls at bedtime. It's wonderful!

They LOVE the pictures.

The stories are very well written.

They even make practical application of the stories.

The Coach and I decided it's just about right for US! We have so enjoyed reading it.

So for those of you with young children - ENJOY! For those of you without kids, buy it anyway - you'll learn something, too.

"Jesus said, 'Coming home to God is as wonderful as finding a treasure! You might have to dig before you find it. You might have to look before you see it. You might even have to give up everything you have to get it. But being where God is - being in His kingdom - that's more important than anything else in all the world. It's worth anything you have to give up!' Jesus told them. 'Because God is the real treasure.'" from the Jesus Bible Storybook page 255.

Can't wait to see what Favorites you have to share today!

Feel Free to use the FFF graphic above.

Remember to link to your Friday Favorites post and not just you blog site.

And please share something you've used yourself.

And leave comments.

Lots of comments!

Happy Friday All!

Fabulous Friday Favorites

Happy Friday!

What a week!

Just a short post today. There are things to do! The Coach and I are heading out this afternoon for a weekend away together. Alone. Seriously.

And OH the house is a mess. And I promised Rice Krispy treats to the kids. And there's laundry. And food to get ready for them to eat this weekend. And exchanges at Old Navy (bigger jammies for Baby Boy - can you believe it?). And maybe after that I'll sew up that valance for the girl's room.

Kidding.

Just making sure you're still with me! HA!

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SO onto Fab Faves!

I've used self-tanners for years. Many different kinds. Some I loved, some I hated.

This year when I began my quest, I came across this. Instead of spending extra time once a week or so and slathering yourself and having to let it dry and then having it come off on your clothes, you just put this on like lotion. Every day.

I love it!

I was already using lotion, anyway, so no extra time required. And it's a nice, subtle, natural color. No orange streaks.

So go forth and tan. No skin cancer required.

Join us by linking to your post telling your favorite product we need to know about! Make sure it's something you use and like.

Be sure and link to your actual post and not just your site. (and PLEASE use the FFF graphic - MAS designs and I would be so proud!)

Leave comments everywhere!

Thanks for playing!

And have a wonderful weekend!

OH! And because I love your kids, too, here's the recipe for the famous Rice Krispies. Not your standard marshmallow variety, People!

Rice Krispy Treats

Grease a 9x13 pan.

Melt while stirring constantly:
1 C white sugar
1 C Karo syrup
1 C crunchy peanut butter

Remove from heat and pour over:
6 C Rice Krispies

Mix well. (Careful - it's hot! And sticky!)

Plop into pan, and pat down with buttered fingers until even.

Refrigerate.

Melt in a double boiler:
12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
12 oz. butterscotch chips

Pour over rice krispies.

Cool at room temperature, then score and cut into squares.

You can thank me later!

For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. Ps. 86:5

Fabulous Friday Favorites

Happy Friday, All!

What are you going to tell us about today? Something that helps you clean your house? An easy food item that your kids love? Something that keeps you organized? I can't wait to hear about it!

My item for the day is. . .

Clorox disinfecting wipes. I love these! I keep one in each bathroom and one under the kitchen sink. They are great for wiping up the bathroom before company comes (always call me first - or it could be scary!), cleaning off the trash can after 30 people have had barbecue sandwiches on paper plates at your house. Wiping up the floor where someone has dropped their jelly toast upside down, etc.

There is no end to their usefulness!

And if you really get the cleaning bug, pick up some of this:

(O.K. Seriously, could this picture be any smaller? I'm going to have to include a magnifying glass.)

Encase your eye sight is less than 20/20 - it's SprayWay glass cleaner.

We not only have a COMPLETELY GLASS SUNROOM on the back of our house (yes, with eight children who never have clean hands), we also have three sets of sliding glass doors and big picture windows out into our back yard.

I know, what were we thinking?

The windows get really dirty really quickly. I can stand it to a point, but OH MY GOODNESS CLEAN THAT WINDOW BEFORE IT MAKES ME SICK every now and then.

This cleaner is foam - it doesn't drip onto the window sill (if, say, for instance, a child sprays an extraordinary amount of it on the window - which never happens - I'm just saying). And it works remarkably well.

So get to it!

And let me know what wonderful products you love and enjoy!

Be sure and link to your specific post and not just your blog. Feel free to use the graphic on your blog - I'd love it and MAS designs needs the promo.

Happy Friday!

Fabulous Friday Favorites!

Welcome to the first (and possibly last - we'll see how it goes) edition of Fabulous Friday Favorites here at Mrs. Troop.

When I find something I really enjoy, that makes life simpler, easier, cleaner, more peaceful, I'm happy to share it with everyone I know. Sometimes, though, you find out that they knew about it all along and you think WHY DIDN'T SOMEONE TELL ME how great this is?

So here's a place to share. Not so much tips, like over at WFMW at Rocks in My Dryer. This is about products, items, things you like and use on a regular basis.

I started my list here, but I realized there are more things that I want to tell you about!

Every day I start my day with these:

These are GOOD vitamins. They also have a lot of other great supplements at Beeyoutiful. And you don't have to take out a second mortgage or sign up 20 friends to be able to afford them!

Now if I could just remember to take that second one each day!

The other favorite I'll share with you today is this:











This is so yummy (the Peach Tea is my favorite). You add them to a water bottle. They are sugar and caffeine free! If you are a hater-of-all-chemical-sweeteners, these aren't for you. But they don't have Splenda (which makes me sick), they have Aspartame.

I can't wait to see what you post!

*Make sure to link to your blog post and not just your blog site. Also, this is not for advertisements of any kind. These should all be things you've USED and LIKED. Thanks!

Use Mr. Linky below to join the list and be sure and leave a comment when you visit!

Happy Friday!