FCAT Scores

We were hoping that the school would announce the FCAT scores at the banquet this year, but since they received the scores on Thursday afternoon I was not holding my breath. This is something that we have been waiting for since the day after the test was completed. Morgan is always a little anxious about how she did and I am very anxious about how she does. This year the test was very important to what happens next year in middle school, as the scores will determine if she is able to stay in the HEART program that she is currently in. HEART is a class of its own in the schools for the children who excel and are ahead of the others.

Well the results are in. The test is scored 1-5 with 5 being the best you can get.

Morgan scored a 4 in Reading and in Science, and a 5 in Math. We are so proud of her. In the last 2 years she has scored 5 in Reading, as this is her area of excellence and she has in the past struggled some with the Math portion of things. So the reversal of this is a surprise to all of us.

5th Grade Banquet

On Thursday we attended the 5th grade banquet at Lake Country Elementary. Morgan is now leaving the Elementary school and will be in the Middle School next year. This is a bitter sweet moment for us. We are rejoicing in the young adult she is becoming and we are reminiscing about the child she has been. We have seen her grow up to be quite a beautiful girl. She reminds me regularly that she is not a little kid now and she is a "tween". I am just glad there is another whole year until she is a "teen".

In all Morgan received 7 awards at the Banquet. We are all quite proud of her. We know that she will do well at the middle school. I am thankful that cousins Mary Kathryn and Donald are both teachers there and will help her along with the move, and hopefully keep her out of trouble.

Great Grocery Savings

This is the shopping trip to Publix last week. We had a very small trip to Walgreens as well. The combo of the trips is pictured above with some things not shown. We spent $62.97 and saved $168.02 at Publix and spent $15.17 and saved $10.33 at Walgreens. This is a totals savings of 57% for the week. Want to know what we bought.
From Publix
Not Pictured: 1 gallon of milk, 1 bag of chicken breasts, 1 pkg of 6 chicken quarters, 1 pkg of cream cheese, 2 boxes of Stouffers French Bread pizzas.
Pictured: 2 pkg of 2 roll Brawny paper towels, Dixie napkins, Glade Sense and Spray, 1 loaf of bread, 2 pkg of Mug Root Beer, 1 pkg of disposable bowls, 1 pkg of Angel Soft toilet paper, 6 pkg of Kellogg's Pop Tarts, 2 boxes Frosted Flakes, 1 box Fruit Loops, 2 boxes of Apple Jacks, 2 boxes of Rice Krispies, 2 pkg of Pedigree DentaSticks, 6 bottles of A-1 sauce, 4 bottles of Kraft BBQ sauce, 2 bottles Webber Grill Seasoning, 6 boxes of Mueller's Pasta, 2 boxes Betty Crocker Brownie mixes, 4 bottles Kraft Mayonnaise, 2 bottles Aunt Jemima syrup, 6 bottles Kraft salad dressing, 2 pkg Dixie paper plates, 6 bottles Ragu pasta sauce, 3 bottles Dry Idea deodorant, 4 cans Bush's Baked Beans.
From Walgreens
10 plastic bowls, 1 pkg AngelSoft toilet paper, 3 pkg Kraft Mac and Cheese Deluxe, 2 Kraft Mac and Cheese bowls. Not pictured 28 pk Zephyrhills water.

Good luck with the savings.

Saying Goodbye

2 weeks ago we said goodbye to Rick and Betty Nations. They were the interim pastoral couple at the church we attend (First Baptist Lake Placid). We will really miss them. We are a family who does not really like change, and this is change. I think it will be good change. Morgan on the other hand has decided that she will now be going to MaxKidz and won't even give Brett a chance (that's a heads up for you Robyn). I look forward to getting to know Brett and Mandy and their 2 kids and hope that they plan to stick around a good long time.
Here are the cards that we gave to Rick and Betty at the luncheon after church. I hope they like them.

This is the card for Rick. I used the Light of the World stamp by Our Daily Bread. The papers and inks are all from Stampin Up. Rick we have really enjoyed having you here and we will really miss you. You have inspired us and you have been able to reach Morgan when many others have not. For this we are really grateful. We pray that you will have a great break and that you will inspire many others at the next church you are at.This is the card for Betty. I used the Baroque Motifs stamp from Stampin Up. All the papers and inks are from Stampin Up. The rhinestones were from the dollar spot at Michael's. We were not able to get to know Betty much, but we thank her for all the support that she gave the church.

Money Saving Tips

I was shopping today and the cashier asked me where I went on the internet to get the good coupons that I had, so I told her about the website that I go to and my friend Robyn was behind me and I shared the site with her as well. Robyn said I should put the link on here, So here you go Robyn. Southernsavers is the site. At the top you will find that they have information for various stores. I use the buttons for Publix and Walgreens regularly. Occasionally I will check the CVS site, but I really don't like the CVS here, so I don't shop there much. Also be warned that if you live in Florida you need to know a few things about this site that does not apply to us. If you see on the Publix area that they have a BOGO (buy one get one free) item, in some states (where the lady who owns this site lives) you only have to buy one and you get it for half price, this is not the case here, you need to buy 2 items. Also if the item is BOGO, Publix will allow you to use 2 coupons for the items, as you are "buying" two of the items. If you click on the printable button beside one of the deals, the sites will allow you to print 2 of the coupons only. As I mostly shop at Publix I have become pretty good at getting the deals, so if you have any questions, just ask and I will try to help you. Also on the site they will sometimes put that with the sale and a coupon an item will be free and you will not be able to figure out how that can be, remember that in the area where this lady is from they do double coupons, also not done here (I have been told that no place in Florida is double coupon due to a Florida law, not sure if that is true).

Last week Don and I went shopping and we spent 160.93 and we saved 90.57, so this can help with the family budget. I will tell you that I am a bit obsessive about this. Ask Morgan and she will tell you just how cheap her mom is. Today the grand total was 27.08 spent and 28.21 saved.

There are items that I will not buy unless they are on sale AND I have a coupon for them. Cereal is one of these items. We always have cereal in our house and it may not be everyones favorite, but they are all decent ones. Last week Fruit Loops and Apple Jacks were buy one get one free and I had good coupons, used 2 of them and got both boxes of cereal for .29 cents. Good deal for 3.29 boxes of cereal. This is one area that I think the price is just to high to buy without a deal.

Above is a picture of the box that I use to keep my coupons. Now you know that this is a bit obsessive.

Happy Saving

Cousin It

Morgan and I were playing around after we used the hair straightener and I put my hair over my face like this and Morgan thought it was really funny. She thought that if I had on glasses I would look like the guy from the Adams Family. The only glasses we could find quickly were these sunglasses. Morgan took the picture.

Police Memorial Day

This is Police Memorial Week and today has been designated as Police Memorial Day. In remembrance of this day I made a card for Bob. Inside is a poem (not the same as below). I made him one last year with the poem below. Hope you enjoy looking.

The Police Memorial Week is a time to remember the officers that have been killed while in the line of duty. I am so thankful that we have not had a lot of that around here. I know that when Sgt. Sottile was killed 2 years ago that was one of the hardest times for many people in our office and in our town.

I am thankful that personally I have not had to face that tragedy and I know that Mom has to feel the same way.

If you have the opportunity this week, stop and speak to an officer and tell them "thanks" for the thankless job they do.

National Police Week

This poem really touched my heart last year and I used it in the card for Bob at the time. When I was making his card this year, I found it again. Just thought that I would share.

"The Final Inspection"

The policeman stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining.
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry badges
can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.

But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep....
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for me here,
Lord, It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't.....I'll understand.

There was silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, policeman,
You've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell."

Author Unknown

UPGRADE

Thanks Suzy for updating your blog today. This inspired me to make mine cuter also. I have wondered about using this site to cutsey it up, but was leary to take the plunge.

Thanks for the prayers

As many of you already know we had a bit of an adventure over the weekend. Friday at about 6 am Don called me to let me know that he was not feeling well and was going to the hospital. He felt like his heart was beating funny and he thought he should get this checked out. Good thing he did. He (we) got to spend the night in the ICU at the Lake Placid hospital. Many people were praying that Don's heart rate would return to normal and that we could go home soon. Well the Lord is good, Don's heart rate converted late on Friday and on Saturday the doctor said we could go home. We found out that Don has 2 cousins who have had similar events recently and we plan to follow-up closely on this. Thanks to everyone who was praying for Don. Times like this make you realize that life is short and live every moment.

Checking In

I just wanted to check in to let everyone know that we are all ok. We have been very busy lately. Last week I went to the big city of Land O Lakes to a conference for work. I had fun, but I remembered that I don't like to go away without my family. I really missed them. Thanks to Don's mom Linda for keeping Morgan while I was gone. Don's work hours don't lend well to me being gone. I came home late last Wednesday. Well I am home now and hope to get things back to normal in this house. Mostly want to get back to stamping.