It's almost No Buying Season...

What is No Buying Season?  You might ask...

Well let me explain our family a little bit.  We give our kiddos a set allowance.  It's not a large allowance, but it's enough that they can save for the things they want and still not go overboard.  So for Austin that's $5.00 per week, for Kayla that's $7.00 per week.  They have to put some back for savings, some back for charity or tithe, and the rest is theirs to spend at will.

However, we have a pretty extensive family and during the fall and winter months with birthdays and holidays all rolled into one big season, it becomes increasing difficult for others to buy gifts for the kiddos when they are already out spending all their dough on the things they want.

So every year starting October 1 - mid February, we declare it NO BUYING SEASON.  If we are out and about and the kids see something they want, it goes on a gifts list that we can then share with others.  The kiddos get to save up their money for events like skating parties or concerts, gifts for others or just plain save it back for a rainy day!

They don't miss it, really.  In fact, they get a little excited at the thought that someone else might buy this wonderful thing for them... AND they get to keep their money!

We try to maintain a healthy balance around here - and we do it...

Only By His Grace,

Billie

Do You give your kiddos an allowance?
Do you celebrate a No Buying Season, too?  What does that look like for your family?  How has it impacted you?

Be sure to join me tomorrow for Magnificent Monday: 31 things in 31 days!

Be Sure to "Follow" Along!

If we get 50 followers by November 1 we will have a giveaway with 2 great prize packages!

3 ways to enter:

1) Become a new "follower" of this blog -- in the side bar

2) Leave me a comment telling me you're "following"

3) If you blog, post a link on your blog about the giveaway and introduce people to this blog!

Brinkley is my...

FISH!  You thought I was gonna say "dog."  Go on, admit it!  You've watched that movie way too many times, too!  It's okay to admit your obsession... I've seen it over 40 times!  

Brinkley is my fish... a few months back I was cooking dinner when the though occurred to me how much I would enjoy having a fish... I'm not great with animals like some people are, especially with aquatic ones.  So I did a little online research and discovered that Beta fish don't need filtration systems, they breathe air from the surface.  How cool is that?

Maybe I could make this work!

So the first thing I did was buy the cutest Goodwill vase I could find!  Yep, a Goodwill vase.  I wasn't willing to spend more for the container than for the actual fish!  That would be silly of me!  Besides, I'm a cheap-o!

So I bought the vase, gave it a good cleaning, and the next day we went to the pet store and I adopted my fish:  Brinkley.  Now, Brinkley isn't as loving as I'd hoped.  He's not much of a lap fish...he doesn't like to be petted... he just wants me to feed him and clean his vase every week.  That's all he expects from me.  And all I expect from him is to swim around and keep me company while I make dinner.  It's a relationship we both agree to!

Every Saturday, Brinkley expects me to clean his vase.  It takes me about 5 minutes.  Here's how I keep Mr. Brinkley happy and healthy!

This is Brinkley in his vase - prior to the 5 minute cleaning 

(excuse the photos...something was awry.)

Every Saturday I use 2 items: a turkey baster (only use this for Brinkley..not my food)

and a pair of ice tongs that never ever get used.

The Water gets siphoned out with the turkey baster,

all the rocks come out using the ice tongs,

then Brinkley gets relocated to a little green dish.

I keep a gallon jug of conditioned water in my pantry at all times so I can refill his vase immediately after cleaning and I don't have to wait for the conditioner to work.  It also stays at room temperature -- which is optimal for Brinkley's happiness and wellbeing. 

So the rocks get washed with Basic H because it's all natural and organic and safe for Mr. Brinkley. One drop is all you need.  The rocks get rinsed and put back in.  The container gets refilled with his conditioned water and then back in he goes.  

See how happy he is?  He's waving at you!

And then back to the baker's rack where he can see everything that goes on.  Brinkley is a secret agent, a spy, you see.  He tells me everything I need to know about the goings on of the day while I'm gone.  (Okay, so a girl can dream, can't she?)

Do you have pets?  Do you know that Basic H is a healthy, all natural alternative to some of the products you may be using?

Check this out:

Wanna know more?  You can leave a comment below, or check out my personal website: abetterwayoflife.myshaklee.com

Be Sure to "Follow" Along!

If we get 50 followers by November 1 we will have a giveaway 

with 2 great prize packages!

3 ways to enter:

1) Become a new "follower" of this blog -- in the side bar

2) Leave me a comment telling me you're "following"

3) If you blog, post a link on your blog about the giveaway and introduce people to this blog!

Your information WILL NOT BE SHARED with any outside sources. 

 This is for drawing purposes only.

Why I trust Shaklee products

Are you asking yourself, "What's so great about these Shaklee products?"

I can sum it up for you in one word: T-R-U-S-T.

I am a frugal girl, and I like to be frugal.  Okay, so I'm a cheap-skate who's in denial.  I just like the word frugal...

But a couple of weeks ago, I decided to spend some of the money I've been hoarding away and buy myself a Coach purse.  I know, I know... it's such an extravagance.  But I bought a small Coach purse.
The price wasn't too small, though.  Not for my frugal standards.

Then on Wednesday I wore a pair of dark navy blue jeans that I failed to wash before wear --- even though the label told me to do so.

Here they are, the nasty culprits!

Then on Friday morning, guess what I found on my new Coach purse?

You guessed it...Denim Dye Fade.  

On My NEW Coach purse?  Seriously?

Because I've dealt with fade before, I thought the cause was hopeless.  

But before I gave up all hope, I grabbed my Shaklee Basic H cleaner and put two drops on full strength.  I rubbed it in, and hoped for the best.

I waited about 5 minutes, wiped it with a damp micro fiber cloth and waited for it to dry!

Guess what I found?

That's why I trust Shaklee products.  They do what they promise to do, and they're safe for all your items: leather sofas, wood cabinets, wood floors, and brand new Coach purses!

Thank you Shaklee!  I'm one happy girl!

Billie Ross

Do you have a tough cleaning problem?  Drop me a line... I'll be happy to talk to you!

www.abetterwayoflife.myshaklee.com

There are three ways to enter to either of these 

fun prize packages.

1) become a follower of this blog. Just use the "follow" link in the right side bar. (one entry)

2) leave a comment letting me know you've followed this blog - 

either by "following" or by email notifications. (two entries)  

If you follow by email notifications leaving a comment is the only way I'll know you've signed up to follow.

3) Place a link back to this give-away on your blog, and leave a comment 

letting me know you've done so. (three entries)

Starting tonight, I'm adding a couple bonus entries.  If you're already added to my list you can still do the following... just let me know and I'll add to your tally.

If you post about this giveaway on your FACEBOOK page, you get an additional entry!  But you gotta let me know you've hyped it.

Second bonus: My sweet friend Cindy B is also trying to reach 50 followers.  If you check out her blog and follow her as well, you get an additional entry. She is the sweetest homeschool mom around!  And her blog is such an inspiration! Her blog is atthefeetofmysavior.blogspot.com

Altogether that's 5 chances to win.  That's quite a bundle of opportunity, folks!

Fantastic Friday: Cost comparison...

So by now everyone knows two things about me: (1) Cleaning is my favorite hobby and (2) Shaklee is my favorite product to use.

Here is why:  (1) They are safe and (2) they are cost effective.

Safety First!  Check this out...

Cost Effectiveness:  Everyone likes to save a little time and money...

The time these products save me is enormous.  I went from cleaning my nearly 4,000 square foot house in 9 hours to cleaning it in about 4 hours.  That's less than half the time!

The  money I save in cleaning supplies is nothing to sneeze at, either!  Plus I don't have to find the space to store window cleaner, bathroom cleaner, floor cleaner, carpet cleaner, leather cleaner, and all purpose cleaners.

But the biggest importance to me is that I'm not polluting my home or the planet.  My kids aren't breathing toxic chemicals, and our home is still seriously clean!

Thanks, Shaklee!  I think you rock!

Today I am blessed...

Only By His Grace,

Billie Ross

Do you have tough cleaning questions?  Would you like to talk more about how you can switch brands?  Visit my abetterwayoflife.myshaklee.com

Don't Forget to "follow" along.  

If we get 50 followers by November 1 

we have 2 excellent prize packages!

3 ways to enter:

1) Become a new follower

2) leave a comment below letting me know you've followed me

3) if you blog, post a link back her on your blog and let me know.  

Join the Ranks...

Hey Everybody, I just got a notice from a friend who asked if I saw that she had signed up to follow my blog via email.  Well, I don't get notices about that.  So if you signed up via email and didn't leave me a comment, I probably missed you.  You can leave a comment below, or on Facebook and I'll get you added to the ranks.

Here's my list so far (first names only)

1- Jennifer M

2- Anna

3- Linda @ coastal charm

4- Jessica H

5 - Cindy B

6- Di R

7- Marsha L

8- Bonnie D

9- Susana G

10- Valerie W

11- Shaun W

12- Mandi A

13- Janet H

14 - I heart my crazy...

15- Jen M

16 - Becky S

17 - Sara

18 - Leah V

19 - Michelle (email)

20 - Esther B

21- Kennet D (email)

22- Dawn V (email)

23- Anonymous (if you win, I'll just post it here and wait for you to contact me)

If I've missed anyone, please know it was NOT intentional.  I really want everyone to have a chance to win.  Some of these sweet ladies have multiple chances to win.

So, if I've missed you, PLEASE let me know.  I don't want to overlook anybody!

Only By His AMAZING Grace,

There are three ways to enter to either of these 

fun prize packages.

1) become a follower of this blog. Just use the "follow" link in the right side bar. (one entry)

2) leave a comment letting me know you've followed this blog - 

either by "following" or by email notifications. (two entries)  

If you follow by email notifications leaving a comment is the only way I'll know you've signed up to follow.

3) Place a link back to this give-away on your blog, and leave a comment 

letting me know you've done so. (three entries)

Starting tonight, I'm adding a couple bonus entries.  If you're already added to my list you can still do the following... just let me know and I'll add to your tally.

If you post about this giveaway on your FACEBOOK page, you get an additional entry!  But you gotta let me know you've hyped it.

Second bonus: My sweet friend Cindy B is also trying to reach 50 followers.  If you check out her blog and follow her as well, you get an additional entry. She is the sweetest homeschool mom around!  And her blog is such an inspiration! Her blog is atthefeetofmysavior.blogspot.com

Altogether that's 5 chances to win.  That's quite a bundle of opportunity, folks!

Labels...

Last week I had the privelege of attending the Secret Keeper Girl Live Pajama Party Tour event with my Kayla.  What a sweet time that was.

It's amazing to me how the things little girls struggle with are often time the same things we big girls struggle with here in girl world.  As I sat there and listend to them impart wisdom to the daughters, it occurred to me that I should listen up, too, because I still need to be reminded and encouraged along the way.

My heart was full of words of wisdom last night that I wanted to pass along to you today.  Maybe you struggle, too, and need a little reminding of God's great love for you.

Remember all those slumber parties you went to as a girl?  Nail polish.  Candy wrappers.  Pillow fights. 

Remember the labels you woke up with next morning?  "Unpopular."  "Friendless."  "Ugly."  "Stupid."  "Uncoordinated."

Those are lables that we sometimes wear as a child.  Unfortunately, we can carry those into adulthood, too.  Even this week, I did something and thought, "Billie!  You're so STUPID!"  But you know what?  Those are labels the world will put on us, if we allow them.  And the more we hear them, the more we start to believe them.

But there is a remedy!  A heavenly remedy! What do you think would happen if we exchanged the lies of the world with the truth of God?

What if instead of thinking, "I'm so ugly,"  We remind ourselves of God's truth?  

Psalm 45:11, "The King is enthralled by your beauty..."

What if instead of thinking, "I'll never amount to much..." we remind ourselves of God's truth?  Proverbs 31:10, "A wife of noble character who can find?  Her price is far above rubies."  

What if instead of thinking, "I'm unlovable," we remind ourselves of God's truth?  

Romans 5:8 "But God shows his love for us that while we were sinners Christ died for us."

Practically speaking, imagine what would happen if you pre-made a month's worth of meals and put them in your freezer.  However, you labeled the chicken enchilladas as lasagna.  Or what if you labeled the chocolate ice cream cake as baked chicken parmesan?  Oh my -- that would me quite the surprise come dinner time, wouldn't it?

Labeling things with the wrong name, can be disastrous.  It can have serious long-term effects and lasting repercussions.

But so can NOT labeling things; if we label them correctly.  What if you pre-made that month's worth of freezer meals and DIDN'T label them at all.  That would be equally confusing.  You'd never know what you were getting.  Will it be chicken enchiladas, lasagna, peanut butter pie?

See where I'm going with this?  Labeling yourself with the wrong label can cause confusion about who we are, and where we are going in this life.  But so can NOT labeling yourself, as well.  If we don't know Who we are and Whose we are...we may not function to our fullest potential.  It's just important to label yourself with the correct label!

So today, I encourage you to pull off all those old labels and put on the correct labels of God's truth.  Wear them proudly!

You are a daughter of the King!

Only By His Grace,

Billie

What labels do you wear?  What truths can you exchange them for?

Be Sure to "Follow" Along!

If we get 50 followers by November 1 we will have a giveaway with 2 great prize packages!

3 ways to enter:

1) Become a new "follower" of this blog -- in the side bar

2) Leave me a comment telling me you're "following"

3) If you blog, post a link on your blog about the giveaway and introduce people to this blog!

Wonderful Wednesday: Grace and Bliss... and 31 things

Welcome to Wonderful Wednesday:

How is your new week's resolution going?  Myself?  I'm finding that when I resolve to do something, I get tested on it every time.  Does that ever happen to you?

So my resolution this week has been to find bliss in the everyday situations and to rely on grace in difficult circumstances.

Last Friday night my 11 year old came down with a terribly high fever.  104.3.  She was ok at school on Friday other than a sore throat, but that's common in the Ohio Valley this time of year.  Allergies rock your world around these parts!

Saturday morning I took her to the doctor.  She tested positive for strep.  No big surprise.  She also was diagnosed with mono.  As the doctor was feeling around in her abdominal area, she could already feel the swelling around her liver and other organs.  Apparently mono can cause this!  So, no running cross country for her, no bouncing on the trampoline... pretty much it's been just resting and reading and sitting by the fire.

Her white cell count was 18!  Acceptable level is 10.  At 20 they would have admitted to the hospital.  She's 11 years old, but she doesn't weigh much...she's pretty tiny.

So this weekend the whole house had to be cleaned.  All the laundry had to be done.  The plans we made were obviously cancelled.  So by the time Magnificent Monday rolled around, my heart was a bit down.

But you know what?  Even in all of this, we are so blessed!  Our kiddos aren't ill with sicknesses that can't be cured with medications and home made love.  Our medical bills don't threaten our financial peace.  We are so blessed by grace!  And when I stop to think of this marvelous grace we've been given... I find that place of peace... my bliss!

* * * * * * * * * * * *  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

31 things in 31 days

I want to give you a little pre-holiday season challenge...  I call it 31 things in 31 days.

If we begin October 1 and work through October 31 we can clear 31 unnecessary things out of our life within a short amount of time.  Here are the guidelines: 

       * Pick one thing every day that you haven't used in at least 6 months (unless it's seasonal). 

       * Determine if it can be recycled or repurposed.

       * Determine if it's in good enough condition to be donated to charity or to a clothes closet.

       * Determine if it holds sentimental value to you.

Once you've considered these things and you're convinced that you won't miss this item once it's gone... determine to get rid of it.

Here are some areas to consider:  toys, shoes, clothing, household decor, kitchen utensils and uni-taskers, odds and ends, extra car parts (am I the only lady that has these in the garage?), old coloring books that aren't used any more, books, furniture, kitchen dish ware.  

The list can be anything that gives you that feeling of frustration every time you have to move it out of the way, find a place to store it, haven't worn it for several months because it needs repair...

I try to get my husband and my family involved in this too.  What I find is that by November 1, when I'm starting to put out things for the holidays, my home is less cluttered and I feel more like celebrating the season at hand, instead of feeling overwhelmed by it!

31 things in 31 days?  Can you do it?  Together we can achieve our goals!  

Let's replace negative clutter with positive organization!

Together we live...

Only By His Grace,

Billie

If you want to participate with me, leave a comment and we'll share updates of our progress!

Be Sure to "Follow" Along!

If we get 50 followers by November 1 we will have a giveaway with 2 great prize packages!

3 ways to enter:

1) Become a new "follower" of this blog -- in the side bar

2) Leave me a comment telling me you're "following"

3) If you blog, post a link on your blog about the giveaway and introduce people to this blog!

Your email address will not be sold or distributed in any way at all.  This is solely for giveaway purposes.

Carrots...

I know fall is the unofficial pumpkin season...but I happen to like carrots!  Don't get me wrong.  I love the pumpkin patch, pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin pie...even pumpkin soup.  But I really, really like carrots, too.

So I was wondering?  Do you guys like carrots too, or is this some strange carrot obsession I have?

Let me tell you a little about carrots:

Carrots are good for overall health and for specialty organs like the skin, eyes and digestive organs.   They are rich in Beta carotene, a powerful antioxidant.
Carrots are rich in alkaline elements which purify and revitalize the blood.
Carrots are high in potassium which balances levels of sodium and helps aid with hypertension.
Regular consumption of carrots is known to increase the quality of breast milk in mothers.
Carrots contain a phyto-nutrient called falcarinol which aids in colon health and reducing the risk of some cancers.

There are so many great recipes that include carrots.  You can put them in a stew, soup, juice them... just about anything!

But this week, I roasted mine.  Guess what?  Everyone loved them, including my children!
They were easy, they were yummy and they were good for us, too... I call that a WIN all around.

Here's how:

I started with clean carrots, that I then peeled with my veggie peeler.  Not hard work at all!

Next, I sliced each one in half at a slant for aesthetics 

Next, I drizzled on 2 TBS of all natural honey, whole cloves and cinnamon sticks.

Added a little salt and pepper for seasoning.  Baked at 400 degrees for 35 minutes.

They were super yummy and the kiddos loved them!  My husband even liked them, and he's not "a carrot guy."

So I'd call this a success!

What kinds of fall veggies do you roast?  What are your favorite recipes?  Leave me a comment or drop me a line!


Only By His Grace,

Billie

Be Sure to "Follow" Along!

If we get 50 followers by November 1 we will have a giveaway with 2 great prize packages!

3 ways to enter:

1) Become a new "follower" of this blog -- in the side bar

2) Leave me a comment telling me you're "following"

3) If you blog, post a link on your blog about the giveaway and introduce people to this blog!

Magnificent Monday: Grace and Bliss

So... why the title Grace and Bliss?

Well, when designing the blog, I knew what I wanted to write about, what I wanted the focus to be, who my target audience was... when I thought about what I wanted to relay I kept coming back to the idea that I wanted my blog to reflect life.

I have been given so much grace... I wanted my blog to reflect that... Grace.  And then I thought of my sweet family, my husband, my sweet children... and they really bring me bliss.  So I wanted my blog to reflect Grace and Bliss... hence the name...

Ephesians 2:8 says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God."  (NIV)

I have so much to be thankful for... I am thankful for grace.  I can't imagine where I would be if not for grace.

My Magnificent Monday resolution this week is to be more observant of the moments of bliss in my life, and to exhibit grace in otherwise difficult circumstances.  I can do this with God's grace.  You can too!

I hope that as you go throughout your week, you will find the opportunities to extend grace and to enjoy the bliss that is your life.

Only By His Grace,

Billie

What is your resolution for this week?

Be Sure to "Follow" Along!

If we get 50 followers by November 1 we will have a giveaway with 2 great prize packages!

3 ways to enter:

1) Become a new "follower" of this blog -- in the side bar

2) Leave me a comment telling me you're "following"

3) If you blog, post a link on your blog about the giveaway and introduce people to this blog!

Enter to Win...

Don't forget to tell your friends about the giveaway!  Check out the full details here.

These prizes are pretty and cool -- not to mention pretty cool!

Remember, you can't win if you don't enter...

Grand Prize package contains:

 Always Anna Crocodile Note Cards

These note cards are white with pink envelopes and black with green envelopes,

 embossed to resemble crocodile hide.  Very Cute!

Pumpkin Spice candle.  Smells so much like fall, you won't believe it! 

A sample size of Basic H cleaner and a bottle to mix it in. 

You won't believe this product!  A-mazing!

Two Chocolate Cinch Shakes!  Yummy!

Two Cinch decadence bars...one chocolate, one peanut butter crunch.. 

perfect for a quick breakfast

All packaged in a sweet little fall bread basket...perfect for your Thanksgiving table!

Second Prize package contains:

30 dinner-sized fall-themed paper plates.  Great for snacks for those fall gatherings.

30 dessert / snack sized- fall themed paper plates.  

Yummy autumnal desserts would be so festive served on these!

Two chocolate cinch shakes, 2 cinch energy teas and one lemon-cranberry cinch bar.

Great for breakfasts, a quick lunch on the go, or whenever you need a quick energy boost.  

This prize also contains a sample size of Basic H cleaner and a spray bottle for mixing!

All packaged in this sweet green-lined bread basket - 

perfect for fall gatherings, or your Thanksgiving table.

There are three ways to enter to either of these 

fun prize packages.

1) become a follower of this blog. Just use the "follow" link in the right side bar. (one entry)

2) leave a comment letting me know you've followed this blog - 

either by "following" or by email notifications. (another entry)

3) if you blog, place a link back to this give-away on your blog, and leave a comment 

letting me know you've done so. (another entry)

Together we can reach our goals!

Tell your friends today!

Quick thank you

Hey Everyone... I just wanted to say a big giant Thank You to everyone!

As you know I'm trying to get 50 followers by November 1.

Today I did a total and you have helped me get to 18.  Now, if you look at the "followers" section on the blog, you'll only see 11.  But I have a few people who have told me via email that they have added me to their RSS feed.  I count them as followers :)  Thank you!

I also have a couple friends who just wanted to add me to their shortcuts or to their bookmarks.  I'll take that, too.  Thank you!

So I just wanted to say one big giant thank you for all your help... I can't wait to see which of you lucky folks will win the prizes!  Remember to tell your friends... I know that together we can make it!

Thank you so much!

I do what I do...

Only By His Grace,

Billie

It's Finally Here!

I've been waiting all summer for this moment!  It's finally FALL!

My favorite fall things:

      Cooler weather            Colored leaves          Visits to the Pumpkin patch   

      Pumpkin lattes             Pumpkin pies            Pumpkin muffins with cream cheese frosting

      Parsnips                       Crock Pot meals         Homemade bread 

      Early sunset                 Nights by the fire       Bonfires with friends

      Football games           Rainy days                  Trench Coats &  Rain boots

     Sweaters & scarves     Contemplating the fall days ahead...

We enjoy these marvelous changes of season...

Only By His Grace,

Billie

What are your fall favorites?  Share a comment and let me know!

To join my giveaway, follow the link here...

Prize Packages

I'm hoping to reach a goal of 50 followers by November 1.  Therefore, I'm offering two prize packages in order to help reach that goal.

Grand Prize package contains:

 Always Anna Crocodile Note Cards

These note cards are white with pink envelopes and black with green envelopes,

 embossed to resemble crocodile hide.  Very Cute!

Pumpkin Spice candle.  Smells so much like fall, you won't believe it! 

A sample size of Basic H cleaner and a bottle to mix it in. 

You won't believe this product!  A-mazing!

Two Chocolate Cinch Shakes!  Yummy!

Two Cinch decadence bars...one chocolate, one peanut butter crunch.. 

perfect for a quick breakfast

 All packaged in a sweet little fall bread basket...perfect for your Thanksgiving table!

Second Prize package contains:

30 dinner-sized fall-themed paper plates.  Great for snacks for those fall gatherings.

30 dessert / snack sized- fall themed paper plates.  

Yummy autumnal desserts would be so festive served on these!

Two chocolate cinch shakes, 2 cinch energy teas and one lemon-cranberry cinch bar.

Great for breakfasts, a quick lunch on the go, or whenever you need a quick energy boost.  

 This prize also contains a sample size of Basic H cleaner and a spray bottle for mixing!

All packaged in this sweet green-lined bread basket - perfect for fall gatherings, 

or your Thanksgiving table.

There are three ways to enter to either of these 

fun prize packages.

1) become a follower of this blog. Just use the "follow" link in the right side bar. (one entry)

2) leave a comment letting me know you've followed this blog - 

either by "following" or by email notifications. (another entry)

3) if you blog, place a link back to this give-away on your blog, and leave a comment 

letting me know you've done so. (another entry)

Together we can reach our goals!

Tell your friends today!