Guest post by Gerard Mcdaniel

My mom is the strongest person I know and it’s been really hard on her since dad died. She loved that man with all her heart and she gave her whole life to him and to raising myself and my brothers – now we’re all trying to do what we can to make sure she’s taken care of now that she’s on her own. One of my brothers is a Realtor so he found her this great house pretty close to me and we all chipped in and bought it for her. I love that she’s close enough I can stop by on my way home from work or just to say hello. My other brother is a construction foreman so he’s going to do some of the updates to the house that it needs – nothing major, just tile work and installing new appliances and all that. I’ve been working hard on the back end stuff like going to electriccompaniesindallas.com/ to get her energy provider all squared away and talking to her neighbors about going by and checking on her every few days. She really prides herself on being independent but it’s been years since she’s lived on her own and she’s pushing 90 so she’s very, very frail. Her health is in remarkably good condition considering her age but she’s only going to be around for so much longer so I want to make sure my kids get to know her well. They’re in college so it’s hard for them to tear themselves away to spend time with grams but I know at the end of the day they’ll sure be glad they did. The one regret I had when dad died was not having told him more often how much I loved him and not going fishing with him more. I think if I could tell him anything it would be that I love him very much and that I hope I made him proud! My mom seems to be proud of us all and I guess that will have to do for now.

I have not been doing too well with my menus but not too poorly on my grocery spending. I do find if I make a menu, I do much better so here goes another week.

Monday- Nachos

Tuesday- Pork Chops and noodles with veggies

Wednesday- Meatloaf

Thursday- has to be an easy quick night, Joel has to play in the band for graduation.  Sloppy Joes

Friday- Homemade pizza.

For the long week, we are going to be on summertime easy meals, burgers, hot dogs and brats on the grill.

For more yummy menu ideas be sure to check out orgjunkie.com

As the end of the school year winds down, I have made it a habit to drop by the school to go through the lost and found bin. I am always amazed at the amount of stuff that accumulates in the lost and found. I do not understand how a child, let a lone a parent can not notice one shoe or an expensive pair of winter boots are missing. There is any and everything from text books to iphones in the lost and found bin this year.

I know we work to hard for our money in this house for any thing to go missing and not put a bit of effort in to recovering the misplaced item. I keep a list for things to go looking for while I am searching bin. This past winter Noah missed places ONE glove, that we purchased on clearance for $4.98 but the original price was $23. So I figure it is worth a minute or two rummage the never ending lost and found bin.

Also I have been searching for a way to permanently labeling our belongings. I have tried Sharpies and they work for a while I want something that can not come off. I am going to purchase the Kidcals to avoid this problem. I love the fact that they are waterproof and have so many cute girl and boy choices. I am hoping to avoid the never ending search of the lost and found bin for next year.

My Readers Save 15% off Kidecals the most durable waterproof labels on the market use promo code: bestlabels at http://kidecals.com/

I was supplied this info to share with you by the  US Family Guide network.

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Bring the flavor of an Italian pizzeria into your home! Totino’s is introducing three new flavors of pizza snacks with their all-new Pizzeria line. The new Cheesy Garlic, Chicken Parmesan and Meatball Marinara are flavors everyone in your family will enjoy. Look for Totino’s® Pizzeria Rolls next time you’re in the freezer section of your local grocery store and bring home the Italian pizzeria taste kids and adults love. In just 60 seconds, you can’t get more Italian!Some times we are rushed for dinner and we love pizza rolls. We tried all three varities, and decided we like the Chicken Parmesan and Meatball Marinara the best. The Cheesy Garlic we did not care for.

Don’t forget to like Totino’s on Facebook and redeem a coupon for 50¢ off on one package of any new Pizzeria flavor (while supplies last).

“Disclosure: The prize pack, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills and Totino’s through MyBlogSpark.”