Right now...

It's very quiet here right now.  The girls have went to youth group, dh went to the chiropractor and I'm here alone.  All day there's been a buzz from the tv, background chatter, radios, etc and I have a headache.  Well, it's not really a headache, more like one of those dull thuds when you know you're still needing to catch up on sleep kind of days.

New Years Eve, we spent the evening with some people Carl works with.  They had a party and invited us.  We had dinner, played some card games, talked and then welcomed in the new year.  I admit, I was ready to leave by 10 because I just like to be home on NYE, but we stayed around.  There was all kinds of food that people brought, but one I'd never seen before, Quail eggs.  They were hardboiled and peeled and just looked like small eggs.  I heard they tasted like it too, emphasis on heard.. lol.  It was a nice enough time though and I was able to meet the people he talks about and they were really nice.

We made up some 'granola' bars today.  I think it's more like oatmeal cookies disguised with the name "granola bars" in hopes of fooling someone into thinking it's healthy.  I think I found the recipe on Hillbilly Housewife but I'm not 100% sure.  I did save it and they were a nice treat. 

Chewy Granola Bars

4 1/2 cups Quaker oats
1 cup of flour
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1 teaspoon of vanilla
2/3 cup butter softened
1/2 cup honey
1/3 cup brown sugar packed
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

 In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, flour, baking soda, vanilla, butter, honey, and brown sugar. Stir in chocolate chips. Lightly press mixture into lightly greased 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 18 to 22 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes and then cut into bars.

Anyhow, at least it was homemade and we know what went into it (most generally).  It's a start.  Fruit would have been a better snack, but we didn't have any in the house.  Next week we will.

So my mom went to the library the other day and picked up some books.  She chose Greatest Secrets of the Coupon Mom and offered to let me read it before she took it back.  I spend $75 a week on groceries and I thought that was pretty good.. lol.  I'm going to try a few of her tactics to see if I can cut the bill any farther.  Worst thing that happens is I lose some time.  Here's her website: Coupon Mom

I watched Wife Swap tonight.  It amazes me how people (some of them) can point fingers so quick on what the other person is doing wrong, but they fail to realize how bad they look when they're doing it.  There was a 15 year old girl on there who was allowed to be a part of the beauty pageant scene and her parents thought she needn't be burdened by homework, chores or lessons in humility.  The other mom made her do a project on famous women and the poor girl spelled America, Amerika.   I don't really blame the kid for the way she acts, her parents empowered it.  But it's just amazing to see what life is like in some people's households.

Well, it's almost time for them to come home now.. LOL.  I started this post over 3 hours ago.  After fixing dinner, watching tv, playing with the dog and reading, I decided to come back and finish it up.. lol.  Now it's almost bedtime, but first I have to finish watching SuperNanny.. lol.