The Accidental Pastor's Wife

I made this up one night using what I had on hand. Since we're being so frugal there were no extra trips to the store for ingredients!

1 lb corkscrew pasta
2 tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1/2 head of broccoli, cut into very small florets
3 shredded carrots
1 c mayonnaise
1 c sour cream
2 pkts Good Seasonings Dry Italian Salad Dressing Mix
2 T sugar

Cook noodles according to box. Drain, but don't rinse. Let them cool a bit. Toss with vegetables. Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, Italian seasoning packets and sugar. Pour over noodle/veggie mixture until combined. I like to serve this not too cold.

Our family is taking the plunge to wipe out debt! We're making great progress because we've been listening to Dave Ramsey's podcasts and I read his book The Total Money Makeover. I am INTENSE about this! We spent $254.00 on JUST FOOD for the month of August. Now that doesn't include diapers and paper towels, but for food alone that was IT. I built in another $100 for milk, eggs, and produce in town, as well as any wiggle room I might need.

And so far so good!

Here's a great link from Crystal, the money-saving mom, that she posted today.

The borrower is the servant of the lender!

I realize I've not been terribly articulate lately or attentive for that matter. But my garden is dying, my carpets need vacuuming, my laundry needs putting away...so something has to give and it's usually THIS.

Anyway, I thought this guy was pretty insightful regarding Christians' relationship to Obama, especially since I'd be classified as a "world view" Christian.

Here's the link.

I thought this was a fantastic post. Even though it has to do with children's ministry, the truths apply to all church members.

Here's the link.

Over at Tulipgirl, a website I really, really like, she posted a whole list of helpful articles in dealing with toddlers. I just had to share!

I've been laughing my head off looking at all of Terry Border's art at his website. This photo is entitled, "Ending a Dysfunctional Relationship".

It was a difficult decision which photo to share with you to entice you to head on over there, but after a conversation I had recently I thought this one might make a certain someone's day.

1. $10 roll of quarters
2. A small bottle of laundry soap (or some powdered from home in a ziplock bag)
3. A large mesh laundry bag

I've had numerous occasions when I have been so grateful for these three items while on the road with three children, especially the time when sweet baby girl threw up her nasty Casa Bonita food all over her most special pink blanket and car seat.

I was able to pack just 4 or 5 outfits a piece to last us two weeks while on the road this last time because every hotel has a coin laundry and I'd do it after the kids went to bed. Plus, it felt good to come home with more clean clothes than dirty clothes to deal with.

Works for me!