Once upon a tacky Topiary

I bought these cute topiaries forever ago when we lived in Niceville, FL. We were fresh out of law school and on a super tight budget...I think I got them on clearance for 2.50 a piece. I loved them back then but over the years, they've gotten that hum drum quality about them (note the green pots that now drive me nuts). I've been busy wasting precious time on blogs such as shanty2chic and tipjunkie.com and have gotten some serious inspiration. I painted the ugly green right off of them, took out the craptastic moss and replaced it with river rocks from the Dollar Tree (I like that store, I'm not gonna lie) and put a super cute bow on it. I think it turned out much cuter!!

Now I want to rant about the supposed frugality of crafting your own stuff. When I read all these blogs about "how cheap" it is to repurpose old things into new things, these craftaholics fail to mention that they already have the paint, the sandpaper, the river rocks, the wood, etc. on hand. They've been crafting so long, they forgot that they actually had to make a purchase at some point to buy all the supplies that us newbies don't already have. Anyway, all my repurposing hasn't been cheap and I wanted to warn any of ya'll who want to join in the crafting craze. It sure has been fun, though, so start blazin' your own creative trail and join in the fun!!

What $19 bought the Tegerdine's

So, I have a new passion...couponing. I've been busy getting the Sunday paper and clipping and clipping away. I even let my kids cut some out (the ones I don't need...like, for dog supplies. My children desperately want a dog...I desperately want my sanity...I let them cut coupons for doggy things "in case I change my mind." I'm mean and I don't care!!) I digress...So, I had my coupons, I had some great rebates that I snagged from a website...don't know the name, sorry, and Walgreens had some great sales...The PERFECT STORM!!! I purchased the above products for...Drum roll please...NINETEEN DOLLARS!!! That's right. I braved Walgreens in Hattiesburg with ALL four kids in tow and MAN, was it WORTH it!!! See all the goodies I got??? I got three boxes of Kellogg's cereal, a bottle of Oil of Olay Regenerist lotion (retail value: $26...I had a coupon and a rebate so it was free), a box of Kleenex, four bottles of Vicks medication, some gum, some toiletry stuff and three boxes of mac and cheese for when the babysitter comes to watch my children (I swear, it's only for the sitter. I cook healthy, nutritious meals nearly every night!!). I was so super duper excited and I can't WAIT to do it again!! Hey, campaigning is expensive and someone has to watch our budget while Joe is blazin' a trail.

Home decor transformations

So, I've been a bad blogger. I knew I would be so I feel no guilt, thank you very much. I HAVE, however, been a very good crafter. I have wanted to spruce up some of my less than aesthetically pleasing decor for some time now and I finally got around to it. This sad, sad little orchid was purchased at a yard sale in Destin, Florida (Yes, I DO yard sale when I go out of town when I should be at the beach soaking up the sun...I love a good deal, as anyone who knows me can attest). So anyway, I purchased this pathetic little guy for a buck and painted and glazed away (see the pretty new pot in the above picture...I have no CLUE how to format these blogs...maybe one day), then I purchased new greenery when it was 50% off at Michael's, added new moss stuff, and viola...much nicer. I intend to post many more transformations as the time goes by...Hey, I need SOMETHING to do while my husband blazes a trail!!

Awesome Volunteer Meeting

Joe has been getting ready for his big volunteer kick-off meeting for sometime now. It's a new year...THE election year...so he really wanted to start it off with a bang!! He set the meeting at the centrally located Western Sizzlin' in Wiggins and hoped that at least 30 people would show up.
We aimed to get out the door by 5:15 pm but the kids had other ideas. "I have to go to the bathroom. I can't find my shoes. I forgot my sweater...." You get the picture; Needless to say, we were later than we hoped.
The first thing I noticed upon arriving at the Western Sizzlin' was how packed it was. Then I noticed all the Joe Tegerdine for Congress signs, the bumper stickers, the American Flags, the truck that appeared to be glass etched with Joe's logo (I'm going to have to check on that...it looked AWESOME), the car magnets, etc. It gave me such a feeling of hope. Maybe we'll have a good turn out, I thought.
When we walked in the room, I was floored. There were easily 50 people already there and we were 15 minutes early. By the time the meeting started, I counted 75 people who were engaged and ready to take back Washington D.C. by storm. These concerned citizens came from nearly every county, from all walks of life and from various life situations, but they were united in one cause...Ousting a 20 year incumbent and getting their voice in congress so the healing of America could begin.
It's not that I have anything against our Congressman personally, but it's time that he come home and let someone who is willing to FIGHT for the cause of freedom take his place. Our Congressman was given the opportunity to debate health care with the House and the Senate recently. Instead, he took off for a rock concert in D.C. When asked why he wouldn't attend the discussion, he commented something about not going to a meeting that discusses a bill he wouldn't vote for (see www.firegenetaylor.com for more info). Well, thank you for your "No" vote, Mr. Taylor, but a "no" is not good enough anymore. Don't you get it??? How about putting your 20-year 6-figure salary to good use and actually DEBATE an issue, or PERSUADE your fellow congressmen and women to NOT vote for this monstrosity. How about REPRESENTING your constituents in S. Mississippi who would gladly stand up to Pelosi, Frank and Rangel? Business as usual has defined our congressman's 20 year career and the Time is NOW to put an end to it!

Oatmeal

So, tonight, instead of making my children a nice, healthy meal, I opted for some good ol' fashioned comfort food (i.e. food that takes me 22 seconds to prepare...what a comfort :) As it is freezing cold in south Mississippi (evidently, no one informed Mother Nature that Al Gore is making a fortune hollering "man-made global warming"), I decided to make oatmeal and toast (my favorite).
Every time I make oatmeal, I think back to when I was a young, blushing bride who decided to make a "delicious" breakfast for my new spouse. I got out Mr. Quaker and cooked it up just like Mom did and was positively giddy imagining the ooh's and aaah's Joe would make when he tasted the buttery goodness that is my Mother's oatmeal. Unfortunately, when it was served, we both went yuck-o and I rushed to the phone and DEMANDED that my Mother spill the beans on how to make her famous oatmeal. My mother waited patiently as I explained that I added the oatmeal to the boiling water, placed a teaspoon of sugar and a pat of butter in the pot and then served it. "Kerry," my mother gently explained, "I add a CUP of sugar and a CUBE of butter, honey. Now run along and make you up some REAL oatmeal."
So, now you see why oatmeal at my house is such a rare treat. I make it properly, just like my Mom and we enjoy a cholesterol laden meal...Thank you very much. I know, I know, I'm supposed to say that adding Splenda and Heart Smart margarine is "just as good," but anyone who knows me knows that I'm a terrible liar so...
Happy eating!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year 2010. This is my first attempt at creating a blog of my very own...Super EXCITING!!! I have been busy researching various blogs out there in cyberspace (namely crafty blogs because that's what I love) and I think I have the gist.

2010 is going to be a stellar year for the Tegerdine's as the love of my life is running for Congress in the 4th Congressional District in South Mississippi. In this blog I hope to detail the trials and triumphs of a Statesman's wife. Of course, since it's MY blog, I also hope to chat about things that interest me: Namely food, kids, crafts and, occasionally, politics. Very soon I'll be posting pictures and such to spice things up, but until then, remember: THE TIME IS NOW!!