Small Town Tuesday: 22 ways you might be a small-towner...

This is my weekly installment of Small Town Tuesday. If you have a small-town story (with pictures is even better! ) please send me a message at vash_ii@yahoo.com or on Facebook.

Small town life is unique. It's a close style of living with others that was foreign in the big cities I once called home. 

There are things I experience here I had never experienced before in my life. Some good, some not so good. Below is a list of 22 things I think just might make you a small-towner...

• You have at least four distinct from-the-car waves. Here are mine: 

1. Full-bodied back-and-forth enthusiastic for people I know really well.
2. Open hand, lifted up but not waving back and forth for people I know only fairly well.
3. Hand on the steering wheel with four fingers raised for acquaintances or strangers.
4. Hand on steering wheel and one finger raised if it's somebody I'm not feeling particularly motivated to wave at. I need to work on that one. 

• You have ever wondered why someone didn't wave at YOU. Are they mad? Did they not see me? Were they just distracted? Did they not recognize me? Oy. Anymore I just wave and don't look to see if they wave back so I don't have to worry about it, ha! 

• You're about 2 degrees from being connected to anyone in town, maybe several times over. For example, our next door neighbor is also my son's PE teacher and her father was my husband's coach. Her brother also substitutes for my kid's class. Her son is one grade above Brady and her daughter will be in kindergarten soon too.

• On a related note, you are cautious when mentioning someone because you don't know who the person you're talking to is related to, works with or is close friends with. Not that I go around talking bad about people, but you just don't want something you say misconstrued and repeated! 

• You've ever gone on Facebook and learned some horrifying thing going on in town and immediately reacted to it. In my case it was THERE'S A PRISON ESCAPEE IN TOWN! Which turned out to be false. And also a lost kindergartner on a freezing cold night. My husband joined the town-wide search. Sadly it was true due to neglect but he turned out to be fine and at a neighbor's house. 

• Festivals, potlucks, hog roasts and similar events are big time excitement! Anything different to do in town is a treat.

• You have ever raced up town because the grocery store, liquor store, post office, restaurant or other businesses was JUST ABOUT TO CLOSE! Missing it means waiting until tomorrow or driving a long way.  

• Going to your dentist, eye doctor, physician, karate lesson, swim lesson, the Wal-mart and many other things requires a drive down a long highway. You won't find these things in town.  

• You've ever looked at the night sky and been blown away by stars you didn't know existed when you lived in the big city.  

• Any trip up town means taking care with your appearance because you WILL see someone you know. 

• You say "up town" like it's a big deal but it's only a block away from your house. 

• You know way more than you ever wanted to about everyone in town and you wonder what they know about you. 

• You have ever felt like an outsider :( 

• The town mayor is your cousin. Your kiddo also plays at recess with his grand-daughter who is 2 grades below him. 

• You sometimes forget the world outside the borders of your little haven exist. 

• You sometimes miss the world outside the borders of your little haven, ha! 

• You have seen a deer, fox, coyote, armadillo, raccoon, skunk, bunny or other wild creature wandering around town without a care in the world.

• Or you've woken up at 3 a.m. to hear a pack of coyotes yipping VERY close to your house and you fear for your cat who once came home really torn up, probably from a coyote. He doesn't wander far anymore. 

• Sometimes, it is so quiet you wonder if you're the only person in the world! 

• You never utter, "I don't even know my neighbors!" Everyone in town is so close by we're all neighbors. If I had a problem, there are at least a dozen people I could go to for help within walking distance. Hubby once enlisted, within 30 minutes of calling around, half a dozen guys to move a historic heavy wooden bar from the senior center to the old hotel in snowy weather.

• You know the name of the owner of every single business in town and the name of your postmaster, grocer, firemen, policeman and highway patrol, newspaper publisher, pastors of all three churches, etc.

•  You have donated money to help someone you know well and probably more than once.

My favorite easy salsa recipe

If I had to choose only one food to have forever, my favorite-est thing, it would be chips and salsa. I could eat them every single day.

No chips? Just use saltines!

And ever since my college roommate gave me an easy salsa recipe, that has been my go-to method for 20 years. I make it several times a year whether I buy canned tomatoes or use my garden ones. You can make it with yellow or even green tomatoes!

It reminds me of restaurant style. 

Roommate Chari's salsa recipe

2 cans whole tomatoes (mostly drained, though I save the liquid and freeze it for soups)
1 can diced green chiles
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 Tbsp dried cilantro or 40 to 60 fresh cilantro leaves (about a 1/3 to 1/2 a bunch)
1/2 to 2/3 small onion
Salt and pepper to taste
A splash of lemon juice

* If you want spicy, add a fresh jalapeno or a couple Tbsp of jarred, or if you're really adventurous a little bit of habanero.

Blend in blender or food processor until desired consistency. 

What I learned from my spending challenge

Back on Oct. 1, I posted that I wanted to start recording everything I bought with my spend-how-I-like cash during a two-week time. I stuck to it pretty well and had a list of where it all went.

Here are the things I learned:

1. I spend a fair bit on Brady-related things. I knew that, but it was maybe a bit more than I thought. In this two-week time it was stuff for his prize store, snacks when we had to make after-school trips into a larger town 20 or 30 mins away, a DS game he earned through good behavior, and the trip to pumpkin patch and corn maze.
2. I spend a lot on extra groceries. I try and stick to a base grocery budget of $60 per week. But in between I use my cash to buy extra stuff on sale or that we want. 
3. I like to buy a protein bar in the afternoons on the way home from work. This is how I avoid my afternoon slump and sugar craving! 
4. Some goes to church every Sunday, not enough probably, but some at least. 
5. A car wash cost me $3.25! 
6. I am happy to report I have started buying Christmas presents early to avoid the crunch/stress/rush. I bought 3 for hubby already.

So, I feel okay about where the money went. However, if I am wanting to sock away some cash each month for a larger purchase like really good new boots or a sewing machine, I'll need to find a place to cut.

If I'm going to continue with the protein bar kick, I probably better buy them in a larger amount at the grocery store rather than at Casey's every day where they are nearly $2! Yikes! And I need to focus more on the Dollar Tree for Brady's prize store items.

I really like keeping a record of this and will keep doing it.

How about you? Did you keep or have you kept a record of spending, and what did you learn?

Guest posting: Parenting is a lot like driving

I'm contributing again today over at One Smiley Monkey on how parenting is a lot like driving sometimes. The twists and turns, the unexpected obstacles and problems. Sometimes the road is smooth and the riding fun. Other times it's bumpy and the wind is blowing and there's traffic and road closures.

You can check out the post here. And thanks for stopping by!

Influenster: Try products free & share

Disclaimer: I was given the products in this post free of charge to try and review from Influenster. I was not compensated monetarily and all opinions are completely honest and my own. 

I want to share something I only recently learned about and have so far enjoyed. I first heard about Influenster when I read this post at the blog, A Beautiful Ruckus.

It sounded like so much fun, I had to try it out! And so far, so good.

Here is what I received in my first box of goodies to try and then share on various social media.

 

Whenever I get a box, I will post what was in it and offer a brief review of the items and also remind you about the Influenster program in case you or someone you know wants to sign up.

Before reviewing the products, here's how you can join. Go to this link at Influenster and request an invite. It may take a little time for approval but it is worth the wait.

The basic premise is this:

1. You request an invite and are hopefully approved. 
2. You sign up for a particular themed box (Mine was the MamaVox Box). 
3. The box arrives and you try the products.
4. You go on various social media - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest - and post photos of what you received and what you thought, making sure to disclose that you received the items for free. You will also take a post-trial survey that is required to continue participating in the program.
5. As you share on social media, you earn more points at Influenster and qualify for more boxes.

Now on to the products.

belVita Soft Baked Breakfast Biscuits 

 $3.69 (I'm not sure how many come in the package, I only received one)

Brand description: "Baked with hearty whole grains, belVita Soft Baked Breakfast Biscuits are delicious, nutritious and give you satisfying morning energy to start your day off right."

My take: This tasted WONDERFUL. Like a cookie. It was Oats & Chocolate. And it honestly did tide me over for a good long while. However, 1 biscuit has 200 calories, 10g sugars and 7 grams of fat, so you'd want to stick with one. But it also has 5 g of fiber and was really scrumptious.

Dr. Scholl's For Her Comfort Insoles 

$12.49

Brand description: "Uniquely designed to provide all-day comfort. They absorb shock and impact on the heel and help protect the sensitive ball of foot area. Best of all they work great in a variety of shoes, including flats and boots."

My take: For most ladies these would be great. But with my size 9 foot, they were too short. These were the 3/4 length design so you don't have to cut them and they don't crowd your toes, but my foot either sticks out at the heel or the toes. BUT ... where they do lay against my foot, they are very very comfy. I put them in boots and it makes my foot feel supported and cushioned. I just would get a full size one if I were purchasing.

Pond's Luminous Finish BB+ Cream 

$9.99

Brand description: It's not your ordinary BB! With tone perfecting complex, it delivers the instant results you have come to expect from BB creams. Plus the long term benefit of more even toned skin. How? First it delivers a special pigment system designed to blend flawlessly into skin to immediately conceal imperfections. Then, it keeps working to target the source of dark spots on the skin's surface, visibly fading them over time. 

My take: I had to Google "BB cream" just to know what it was. How sad is that? Apparently it's been all the rage since 2011, but I was oblivious. I have to say, it is my favorite-est thing I got in the box. I don't use foundation nor do I like mineral powders. THIS, I like. It's very light and airy. I don't use a whole lot, but it smooths out my skin, serves as concealer too, my blush and powder stays on better and it also has SPF 15. I'm terrible about using sunscreen on a daily basis, so I love that this has it. This is the item I am most likely to purchase again.

Annie's Microwavable Mac and Cheese Cup

$1.69 for single/$3.29 multi-pack

Brand description: "Introducing Annie's microwavable mac & cheese cups with 100 % real cheese! All of the goodness of Annie's mac & cheese and ready in just about two minutes."

My take: I liked it, but hubby didn't. He said there was a funny taste but I'm thinking it was maybe the organic coconut oil. I like Annie's products in general and it tasted like standard mac & cheese, a good quick snack. The cup has 220 calories, 5 g of fat, 2 g fiber and only 3 g sugar. I think it would be great at work or on the run.

State Fair Fun in Kansas

I'm way late in posting this (it was in September!), but wanted to share a few unique things from our Kansas State Fair. Every state offers local traditions, I'm sure, and a I think a Fair day is a great family outing.

This year I went with my Brady and my Mom (Hi Mom!) and man was the place packed! It took us 30 minutes to find a parking spot.

We did all the usual things: rides, games, rode the gondola, got crazy food and viewed several exhibits. New to this year was going to the ice cream shop in the grand stand to get served by Brady's sitter. He was SO excited to see her working there.

And my Mom won 2nd place in her division for a painting of my husband standing by our Jeep in Colorado.

So here are a few photos of the fun you can have at a state fair and a few little unique Kansas things. It's hard to keep from spending too much but I think we stopped at $35 for the day.

That big one was nearly 500 pounds!

Every year there is a butter sculpture at the Fair. They're so beautiful and intricate.

This sculpture was made entirely of iron tools, nuts and bolts. It was amazing. And it was ... er... anatomically correct.

My Mom's winning picture of hubby! How exciting! Congrats, Ma!

He loves this ride.

He told me he was Luke Skywalker firing on the Death Star.

Getting ready for the jumpy deal.

Wheeeee!

 

Small Town Tuesday: Hog roast

This is my weekly installment of Small Town Tuesday. If you have a small-town story (with pictures is even better! ) please send me a message at vash_ii@yahoo.com or on Facebook.

So I mentioned how we had two fundraisers back to back this month and it has been a blast!

First of all, I got to help make noodles for our church's fundraiser, then I got to attend a good old-fashioned hog roast and then I got to actually eat the noodles I made. Yowza! That's a good month.

The best thing about small town fundraisers is raising money for a local cause. Dang, that feels good.

Second is all the people you get to see. I always run into people I know and haven't seen in awhile, or meet someone new (my husband hates that part because he's afraid he'll forget their name, ha!).

Third is all the glorious food. Which is not so good right before the Halloween-Thanksgiving-Christmas-New Year's Food Fest that's about to hit! But I enjoyed it anyway.

The hog roast was in the Catholic church's parish hall. Several of the local volunteer firefighters stayed up all night the night before roasting a whole hog. My hubby went down to hang out with them for a little while.

They had heaping pans of wonderful meat, beans, chips, tea and dessert. Does it get any better than that?

So first, here's a picture of what all the money went for. A newly renovated fire truck! Yay! And after that, I just had to share what a Midwest small-town-event parking lot looks like. They are all trucks, LOL!

We need to have a good fire truck. Closest bigger town is 10 miles away!

I count 8 in this photo. Boy we sure do love our trucks here in Kansas!

Thoughts on the "What's your excuse?" photo

I've seen a lot of discussion about Maria Kang's photo and the pros and cons of it, and wanted to share some thoughts. For those who don't know, the super fit mom of 3 posted a photo of herself in a sport bra and shorts with her young children that says, "What's your excuse?"

I'll admit, the caption on the photo gets to me. As a commenter on another blog pointed out to me, I do not know her personally at all so I cannot and should not assume anything about her. I can only say that "What's your excuse?" comes off sounding judgmental to me with the judgement directed at moms in particular.

And the commenter is absolutely right. I should not judge her either. I don't know her story or what prompted her to post what she did.

But here is what I do know: 

1. I personally do not feel "What's your excuse?' is inspirational. Regardless of its intention, I think it sounds accusatory. I think it is likely to make people who may need inspiration the most just shut down and feel defensive. I think what people hear is not "You can get fit too!" they hear "Why don't you look like me?"even if that's not what she meant to portray.

2. I wish she would have had more of a rallying cry, something like "If I can get fit, so can you!" or "A fit mom's tips for anyone to get healthy," or "It's possible to be a mom and get healthy too!" Because she really does seem to have a great success story.

3. Maybe some people haven't thought about fitness in a long time. But maybe for others, they think about it a lot but are struggling with things like:

• Postpartum or other depression.
• A child or spouse with health issues. 
• An unsupportive spouse or marital problems. 
• A dying parent. 
• A special needs child. 
• Crohn's, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, or any number of disorders. 
• Being a single mom. 
• A disability or caring for a loved one with a disability. 

Now, I am NOT saying people who experience these things are not fit or can't become fit, because of course they can and are. But perhaps for some of them (and I was once a new mom with PPD and my physical health took a back seat for awhile) "fit" or someone else's idea of "fit" just isn't on the radar right now. Or maybe they are physically and emotionally drained in a way we cannot imagine.

I just wish she would have considered those people before asking about excuses. 

4. Weight loss and fitness are HARD. I lost 30 pounds twice in my life and it was not easy. What is like for someone who has 100 to lose? Or has health issues I don't have? I don't know. Maybe it's harder for some people than others. Her statement seems to suggest a level playing field and it's just as easy for anyone.

And a person can be perfectly healthy and still not look like her.  How she looks is not the definition of fit or healthy. I think it's different for everyone.

5. I cannot understand why she is surprised at the backlash. She chose to put her statement out in a very public way, a very personal way and on an inflammatory topic.

6. I have to admit, her push has been successful. People all over (myself included, ha!) are talking about her and her message, and about fitness in general. Now the fitness part truly is a good thing. For all I know it will truly motivate somebody looking for a push of one kind or another.

But I wonder if there was an opportunity missed had she chosen to present her message in a different way, a way that seemed more supportive and encouraging, and less judgmental? There's enough guilt and shame in our broken world. Anything that adds to it - intended or not - makes me sad.

I don't know. It seems as though we have a deep division in our society based on body size, fitness and health. I don't know what the answer is but I think her message highlighted it.

What do you think of her photo and message?

Planning for a healthful Thanksgiving

     

This post is a part of the Fantabulous Fall Favorites blog chain put together by a great group of bloggers. The theme this week is Thanksgiving. Be sure to check out all the great ideas shared at the end of this post!

There is a crazy phenomenon in America that I like to call the Three-Month-Long-Halloween-Christmas-Thanksgiving-New-Year Food Fest. I always end up feeling bad at the end of this.

Heaps and heaps of less-than-healthy food for weeks on end. The Halloween candy in our house gets munched on before Halloween, on Halloween, after Halloween. I've taken to freezing some of it. Out of sight, out of mind.

Then the Thanksgiving and Christmas spreads are eaten for a week afterwards, and of course too many appetizers, hors d'oeuvres (I really don't like that word. I had to Google how to spell it) and mixed drinks on New Year's Eve, plus more food New Year's Day. Ugh.

So, my goal this year is to try and keep it on the healthy track. These are the ways I want to do that: 

Be prepared

By this I mean mentally and physically. Be prepared to NOT over-indulge. Use portion control. I want to try some of everything but not LOTS of everything. 

I also plan to eat a good, sturdy, healthy breakfast so I am not completely ravenous and uninhibited when I sit down to eat Thanksgiving dinner. 

Choose ingredients wisely

I think lower calorie or lower fat versions of most things are just fine. I plan to substitute skim milk, fat free cream cheese, fat free cream soups, fat free sour cream, fat free sweetened condensed or evaporated milk, and low-cal cool whip.

In many recipes, you can also scale back the sugar and butter, or substitute things like applesauce or canned pumpkin for oil. If you're making a rice dish, use brown. If you're bringing bread, choose 100% whole wheat. If you're making a dessert, at least have it be a fruit one so you get fiber and nutrients from things like apple, pumpkin, peach or berries. I think that's at least somewhat better than plain cookies or cake.

Brady made this in kindergarten and hauls it out every year at Thanksgiving. Isn't it cute? I want to teach him healthy habits even on holidays.

Mindful dishing

We all know the four-portions-of-the-plate rule: one quarter protein, one quarter carbs, the other half fruits and veggies. I'm going to try and keep this in mind when I fill my plate. 

It will help me fill up and fuel my body. Instead of a plate that's half turkey and half potatoes with a side of dessert, I will try and get a nice bit of protein, a starchy carb like corn, potato, grits or hominy, and the rest fruit and veggie dishes.

Go easy on refined stuff

I may just skip bread altogether this year and just go with the starchy carbs mentioned above.

Cooking method matters too

We typically smoke our meats, whether it is turkey, ham or venison, and I like it WAY better than anything fried. If at all possible, bake, steam, grill or smoke rather than fry.

Wait between firsts and seconds

This will be tough, but I am planning to wait a few minutes between finishing my first plate of food before ever thinking about seconds. I may actually get seconds, but hopefully not as much.

Work it off

I want to make certain Brady and I get some physical activity on a day we've splurged whether it's walking, biking, soccer, sledding, whatever. 

Bring your own healthy food

Just like with the Super Bowl this year, I want to bring healthy dishes myself so I can have more of those and less higher-calorie items.

Beware dessert 

I've been trying to avoid sugar more now anyway, but my problem on a holiday is, I eat dessert at lunch, then another piece at dinner, then another piece for breakfast. NO! I don't want to do that this year. One piece of dessert per day, PERIOD! 

I hope these tips will help me avoid the typical weight gain this time of year and overall health slump. Plus I want to set a good example for Brady about healthy eating and restraint while still enjoying the holidays.

What are some ways you guys aim for healthy holidays? 

Interested in more amazing Thanksgiving ideas? Check out these posts!

Creative K Kids - Printables: Verses About Thankfulness with Activity Ideas  

Called to Be a Mom - Giving Thanks for What We Have  

The Paper Vine - Free Printable Thanksgiving Placemat  

Bee Tree Studios - Thankful for Free Journal Cards

Still want more? Head to our Fantabulous Fall Favorites Pinterest Board!

Seeing Kansas in Kansas & triple anniversaries!

We got a really cool treat a couple weeks back that I just had to share. While celebrating our 2nd anniversary, we went out to see the band Kansas on their 40th anniversary tour in their namesake home state playing during the 100th anniversary of the Kansas State Fair.

How neat is that!

Let me tell you, I have always liked "Dust in the Wind" and "Carry On My Wayward Son" but I didn't realize Kansas could rock it out like that! Here are a few photos in case there are other Kansas fans out there who want to see how the guys are doing these days. And here are links to Dust in the Wind and Carry On My Wayward Son since my videos won't upload:

Carry On My Wayward Son

Dust in the Wind

It was a super fun concert. I hadn't been to a concert in years and it was about time! We loved it!

At 42, we felt quite at home in the crowd. And a nice couple with extra tickets gave us theirs for FREE! 

See the grain elevator in the background? I love that!

The guys during the day.

The guys at night.

The guy on the left is Kerry Livgren, who doesn't usually play with the band (he left in the 80s and still lives in Kansas) but came back out to play Carry On My Wayward Son during the Fair performance.