Simply Renee 365 - 2009

Photo 216

2009-08-04T13:31:00.000-07:00

Okay - so it's the LITTLE things in life that make me SERIOUSLY BEYOND happy. Like no longer having to listen the screeching grinding sound of hand held cheap plastic pencil sharpeners. I broke down and bought an official looking sharpener FINALLY (used my rewards bucks, lol!). And let me tell you...the silence of it is GOLDEN!

Photo 215

2009-08-03T13:29:00.000-07:00

Coupons, coupons, coupons - coupons EVERYWHERE. Stop. Needing to be put into the binder BADLY! Stop. Working on that. Stop. ...will finish soon. Stop. Maybe tomorrow...

Photo 214

2009-08-02T13:29:00.000-07:00

I'm in denial - serious denial. We don't discuss it here, lol...

BRANDON is officially a freshman. Here's his schedule for the year.

Photo 213

2009-08-01T13:27:00.000-07:00

We've had an INCREDIBLY busy week this week, but alas - math facts STILL await for our missy Kaitlyn!

Photo 212

2009-07-31T13:26:00.000-07:00

If you ever wonder in your mind what summer consists of at the Camacho house, well, this is the epitome of summer at our house. Strange rescued stuffed frogs hanging from the dining room columns with found safety goggles...for a couple of days. Yep - that's us in a nutshell - NUTS!

Photo 211

2009-07-30T13:24:00.000-07:00

We have a ladies luncheon at church tomorrow. I was asked to create the menu for them yesterday, so I've spent the better part of today finishing them up...

Photo 210

2009-07-29T13:10:00.000-07:00

Today was the first service of Camp Meeting. Thank goodness Tammy had her camera because I wouldn't have had a picture for today. Here was the beautiful girls after church at TGIFridays.

Photo 209

2009-07-28T11:52:00.001-07:00

Cooper - BAD doggie!

Photo 208

2009-07-27T11:51:00.000-07:00

Started & finished putting together a scrapbook basket for a silent auction at church this weekend.

Photo 207

2009-07-26T11:49:00.000-07:00

BUSY day today - to church, to lunch, home from church to drop Thomas & Zachary off, quick shot of Cooper before I left, to Marshall's for a basket, to a baby shower, to church, back home, did a load of laundry...to bed at 10:00. AND WIPED OUT FROM THE WEEKEND!

Photo 206

2009-07-25T11:47:00.000-07:00

Before cleaning at the church, Brandon and I had to run to the school to get uniforms, then to Sam's for some other supplies, then to staples for a quick run on some certain school supplies before the sale went off...can't believe I'm already shopping for those stinkin' supplies!

Photo 205

2009-07-24T09:17:00.001-07:00

These might have been a 'sweet' .50/each...however; if I'm not CAREFUL they'll be true to their name and add a SWEET SIXTEEN pounds to my body! LOVE me some powdered donuts.

Photo 204

2009-07-23T09:16:00.000-07:00

The kids helped me sort a few months worth of coupons yesterday - this is what's left of them on the table to still put up today!

Photo 203

2009-07-22T09:14:00.000-07:00

The kids have been 'dressing' up this week in various costumes. Today's choice - the witch and the Jamaican terrorist.

Photo 202

2009-07-21T09:13:00.000-07:00

Olivia - still my pretty little lady who is the best child I have, lol! (ESPECIALLY this week...when all the others are horrid!)

Photo 201

2009-07-20T09:12:00.000-07:00

Everybody's home today and the messes ABOUND - especially by the front door where it's my most MAJOR pet peeve mess area!

Photo 200

2009-07-19T09:11:00.001-07:00

Zachary spent the last several days at Meme & Papas...love when he comes home and is actually agreeable - especially to photos!

Photo 199

2009-07-18T09:10:00.000-07:00

Finished all the 7Gypsies projects today...whew!

Photo 198

2009-07-17T08:53:00.000-07:00

Picked Kaitlyn up from Girl Scout camp today - apparently they had water only to drink all week - so after a quick stop at McDonald's (where she chose a Frappucino!!) and quick over the shoulder blurry shot we were on our way home!

Photo 197

2009-07-16T08:50:00.000-07:00

Cooper - growing up...

Photo 196

2009-07-15T08:48:00.000-07:00

Today was declared 'hair' day by Brandon - he tried several different styles...hmmmm.....all I can say about that.

Photo 195

2009-07-14T08:46:00.000-07:00

Wrestling between Kaitlyn and Cooper is a frequent sight around our house...apparently she finds pleasure in torturing the poor dog....and apparently he enjoys it?

Photo 194

2009-07-13T08:45:00.000-07:00

Finished up one of my 7Gypsies projects today - using heart die-cuts from the Silhouette machine.

Photo 193

2009-07-12T08:43:00.000-07:00

Kaitlyn decided that Happy Valentine's Day was a little behind the times on the message board - this is her replacement...

192

2009-07-11T08:42:00.000-07:00

Okay - so summertime means not much teeth brushing for Brandon (apparently) and goofy picture requests constantly! Today's picture - kool-aid teeth and tongue

Photo 191

2009-07-10T08:38:00.000-07:00

Experimented with some die-cutting last night and decided to make a few cards with the experiments today.

Photo 190

2009-07-09T08:37:00.000-07:00

My absolute favorite scent of candle - love, love, love it - and it's almost gone! Gotta find some more!

Photo 189

2009-07-08T08:35:00.000-07:00

Jalepenos (to my utter amazement) are growing despite the fact that they've been dug up not ONCE, not twice, but THREE TIMES by Cooper this season! UGH! BUT, yay!

Photo 188

2009-07-07T08:34:00.000-07:00

Got my silhouette machine that Thomas won on eBay for a rather decent price of a steal! ANYHOO - needed it for a few upcoming projects and he agreed to get it. My first splurge purchase in QUITE SOME TIME!

Photo 187

2009-07-06T08:33:00.000-07:00

Kaitlyn decided to paint an empty box she found in my office today. She made it into a 'house' for some of her dolls. TOO CUTE!

Photo 186

2009-07-05T11:33:00.000-07:00

After calling around yesterday and being unsuccessful in rounding up a flag to take a photo copy of one shown in the July CK, Allison found a flag at her church. We headed that way (at least 2 kids with me) and took a few shots in front of the flag! Zachary is a goof-ball, as usual!

Photo 185

2009-07-04T11:31:00.000-07:00

Spent the 4th evening with friends who so graciously invited us to their home (Thanks Allison & Jerry!) Jerry held Brandon down while he was dodging the camera for at least one shot of him for the evening (make it month!)

Photo 184

2009-07-03T11:29:00.000-07:00

MOTHER OF THE YEAR AWARD (quadruplely awarded to ME several times over, lol!) goes to RENEE CAMACHO. For putting the wrong pick-up date on the calendar for her children's last day of camp. Were supposed to be picked up today by 11:00...scheduled for pick-up (per calendar) Saturday @ 11:00. FINALLY picked up Friday at around 1:30. YEAH FOR RENEE!

(photo of Kaitlyn after a shower to wash the camp off)

Photo 183

2009-07-02T11:27:00.000-07:00

Thomas and I have enjoyed relaxing, being together, and playing rousing games of pool (while I LUCKILY smoke him almost every time!) :)

Photo 182

2009-07-01T11:25:00.000-07:00

After spending Monday relaxing (and walking around in Gatlinburg during the late afternoon), Tuesday movie-watching (in between the little work breaks), we went up into the mountains to Cherokee and then back to Gatlinburg with a stop at a short trail in the middle. LOVE the mountain views.

Photo 181

2009-06-30T11:24:00.000-07:00

Thomas had a bit of consulting work to do while we were gone...at least it was done with a view!

Photo 180

2009-06-29T11:23:00.000-07:00

This was the view this morning upon waking up in our cabin in Gatlinburg for a short getaway while the kids are at camp.

Photo 179

2009-06-28T11:20:00.000-07:00

Today was kids SUPER church in the big church. The Sunday School ministry went all out and had the entire sanctuary looking like an island castaway. Zachary and Brayden played (Lord, You are Good) for the offering and Kaitlyn, LeAnna, and Dawson sang a special (How Great is Our God) before the puppets performed. It was a truly wonderful service!

Photo 178

2009-06-27T11:18:00.000-07:00

Cooper absolutely LOVES looking out the windows. So much so that I've had to just resort to pulling up the shades because he gets them all messed up by the end of each day. (pet peeve of mine)...

Photo 177

2009-06-26T11:18:00.000-07:00

I love it when the kids make their own lunches and I don't have to grace the kitchen 3x's per day...

Photo 176

2009-06-25T11:16:00.000-07:00

Coop is content and most content to be outside...and content when outside to be chewing on stuff...

Photo 175

2009-06-24T15:25:00.000-07:00

Sunlight streaming through the weeds makes them look so much prettier, lol! Just experimenting a bit.

Photo 174

2009-06-23T16:59:00.001-07:00

Harvested the onions (although small) from the garden yesterday.

Photo 173

2009-06-22T17:26:00.001-07:00

We were outside working in the yard this evening. Zachary decided he wanted to grab the camera and take the picture of the day (since the camera was outside with me waiting to be used for that purpose already). I think he might actually make a good photographer one day. He actually went vertical AND positioned her into the semi sweet spot that I like to have my subjects in. :)

Photo 172

2009-06-21T08:49:00.000-07:00

Thomas wouldn't let me get a picture of him that was decent for Father's day...especially of his OUTRAGIOUS tie that I made for him Saturday. OH, well - it's his fault that this is the only picture I had of him...unless Tammy decides to send me the one that I took with her camera!

Photo 171

2009-06-20T20:48:00.000-07:00

Tammy & I had an engagement session at Sylvia's house today. They were out of town, so the kids were able to swim while we did the session (with the dad's sitting in and watching them). They thoroughly enjoyed themselves getting into the pool in a supremely humid day! Perfect weather to be in a pool...just wish I would have been able to jump in, too!

Photo 170

2009-06-19T16:38:00.000-07:00

Serenaded by Brandon as he played around on his acoustic...

Photo 169

2009-06-18T16:38:00.000-07:00

We went to Summerfest 2009 in Ashland City last night and let me tell you...it was HUMID HUMID STICKY HOT!

Photo 168

2009-06-17T16:36:00.000-07:00

The boys played in the torrential downpoar while Kaitlyn joined in at some point. Braden just watched from the front porch, though...too tom-boyish for her?

Photo 167

2009-06-16T12:23:00.000-07:00

This bloom was a foot across...huge!

Photo 166

2009-06-15T14:10:00.000-07:00

It was study day at our house today. The kids have a TON of summer 'homework'. Kaitlyn and LeAnna and Zachary worked on theirs today while Brandon bothered them...ugh! :)

Photo 165

2009-06-14T13:12:00.000-07:00

I didn't feel well this morning so Thomas taught my Sunday school class. I told him everything he needed was already at the church; however, he called about 9:45 and much to my dismay one of the key visuals for the lesson was at home! UGH!

Photo 164

2009-06-13T12:47:00.000-07:00

The hydrangeas are HUGE this year...took a photo in the humid air outside today. Camera was fogged up from the drastic change in temps, but I thought it went well with the polaroid effect I downloaded the other day. Very vintage, lol!

Photo 163

2009-06-12T12:46:00.000-07:00

Zachary got back from a week at Boxwell Boy Scout camp tonight. He was very missed...especially by his sidekick Olivia!

Photo 162

2009-06-11T12:31:00.000-07:00

Our neighbors across the street had a rather eventful 2 days with Judy's surgery and then subsequent asthmas attacks throughout the day. She got home late last evening and since it was such an ordeal I told them I'd fix supper for them this evening. I had strawberries that Tammy bought for us plus some leftover that needed something done with so I decided it was a great opportunity to try out a Rustic Strawberry tart that was on the cover of Woman's Day last month. YUMMY!

Photo 161

2009-06-10T07:35:00.000-07:00

We went to Family day at Zachary's boy scout camp today. It's a wonderful place and he's having a wonderful time...as evidenced by their set-up of hammocks by the lake! VERY relaxing in the breeze on the hill by the lake, if must say so myself!

Photo 160

2009-06-09T08:45:00.000-07:00

They call me the 'wanderer'...they call me the wanderer...I roam around, around, around, around...

And now he's attached to his chain, his chain, his chain...everytime he's outside. Much to his dismay! (note the fact that he's as FAR as his chain will let him go with it straining against his neck at all times.)

AND note that's he's just SO STINKIN' cute...regardless of the messes he pulls!

Photo 159

2009-06-08T08:43:00.000-07:00

Not pictured in this photo: The 3 other times he's dug up these poor, pitiful tomato plants. The dirt all over the deck. The dog sent to his crate. Kaitlyn saying, 'uh,uh...MOM?' Me, yelling at the dog. Yep - not pictured today!

Photo 158

2009-06-07T18:22:00.000-07:00

It was Sunday School open house today and here's a corner of my finished room...love it!

Photo 157

2009-06-06T18:20:00.000-07:00

VERY busy day today...up at church early for prayer, breakfast with my group afterwards, pick B up from camp, go to church again to work on room, B was in a youth drama this evening...finished up the rooms @ around 1:00 that next morning. This was from the drama. Brandon was a preppy golfer looking for an easy religion choice.

Photo 156

2009-06-05T18:17:00.000-07:00

Today was a summer party at LeAnna's house. This is the epitome of sibling love that Tammy captured...(took from her blog)

Photo 155

2009-06-04T18:16:00.000-07:00

Zachary took this photo of me while we were waiting for Thomas in the car. I was practicing catching sun flare and he picked up the camera afterwards to aggrevate me. He kept saying...'see what it feels like now?!?!'

Photo 154

2009-06-03T18:14:00.000-07:00

Took B to Jr High camp at Lake Benson today - and of course, there wouldn't be any photos from dropping him off because...well, because it's B and because he's 14~!

Photo 153

2009-06-02T18:13:00.000-07:00

My hydrangeas are finally blooming. I was worried about them there for a little bit...

Photo 152

2009-06-01T18:12:00.000-07:00

Zachary - making his usual 'stupid' faces instead of actually smiling for the camera!

Photo 151

2009-05-31T18:11:00.000-07:00

A student from my class got baptized today. He's a very special kid and I'm glad he got the courage to take this step. (I took the picture, but it was on Tammy's camera...had to take off of the Sunday School blog...THANKS, Tam!)

Photo 150

2009-05-30T18:09:00.000-07:00

We spent the day at the church painting my Sunday School classroom. Next Sunday is open house and it's got to be finished and completed by then. My room is the candy shop, thus the jars filled with candy...much to the kids DELIGHT!

Photo 149

2009-05-29T10:10:00.000-07:00

It was Free Senior day at the Nashville Zoo today. Mom & Dad wanted to take the kids, so we obliged the trip. It WAS the perfect weather for a zoo day, though...the best weather I've ever experienced at the zoo. AND just so ya know...Zachary posed EXACTLY the same in every picture I took of him in this series. His face NEVER changed. It was so funny scrolling through the picture to see Brandon & Kaitlyn acting completely dorky and then see Zachary sitting PERFECTLY still with a serious frown on his face...so funny!

Photo 148

2009-05-28T10:09:00.000-07:00

Kaitlyn saw a picture of LeAnna in her hat and wanted to wear her hat in a picture, too...and I, of course, obliged...can't resist free, non-challenging picture taking! :)

Photo 147

2009-05-27T09:37:00.000-07:00

Summer break is officially here and that means many messes in the house...just a view of a little of the mess from my upstairs landing.

Photo 146

2009-05-26T09:37:00.000-07:00

Kaitlyn wasn't home today and I took advantage of my extra time by spending the day in her room...it was HORRID, but now it's NOT!

Photo 145

2009-05-25T09:36:00.000-07:00

Okay - so the $1 Flip-flop sale at Old Navy seriously invaded my home...and took over my MAJOR pet-peeve area...ugh!

Photo 144

2009-05-24T09:35:00.000-07:00

Kaitlyn made these little 'books' out of cardstock scraps on my desk and propped them up here for me to read.

Photo 143

2009-05-23T09:34:00.000-07:00

Lazy Saturday afternoon naps are good.

Photo 142

2009-05-22T09:29:00.000-07:00

Kaitlyn brought her self-portrait artwork home yesterday. Unfortunately for her, her teacher painted everyone's eyes and forgot what color her eyes were...although she DID draw everything and painted some of it...just not sure how MUCH of the painted portion is hers! :)

Photo 141

2009-05-21T14:57:00.000-07:00

I had some serious savings at Publix today! My bill should have been $167.36. Instead it was $39.17. I'm just spending the rest of my budget for May on stockpile items. And saving a little (around $10.00) for milk, eggs, and bread for the rest of the month. THIS was some serious stockpile. SERIOUS, folk! What you don't see in the picture is the 2 300 count packages of FREE Dixie napkins, 5 .50/ea 20 piece Dixie paper plates, 6 boxes of Wheat Thins for .70/ea, 6 boxes of pasta for .31/each, AND the fact that $10 of the purchase was a brisket for later consumption! Seriously - even Thomas was amazed at this one!

Photo 140

2009-05-20T09:25:00.000-07:00

Last day of school!

Photo 139

2009-05-19T13:33:00.000-07:00

The last hurrah of the year - playing at the park day with 3rd grade. Kaitlyn's friends...

Zachary wouldn't let me go to his park celebration though...wahhh....

Photo 138

2009-05-18T13:32:00.000-07:00

The sun and the temp were just absolutely gorgeous today - and we (coop, olivia, and i) enjoyed it!

Photo 137

2009-05-17T13:35:00.000-07:00

And yet ANOTHER flower photo - no reason this time...do I have to have one? It's MY camera, lol!

Photo 136

2009-05-16T13:31:00.000-07:00

And another - for the same reason!

Photo 135

2009-05-15T13:31:00.000-07:00

Another flower picture - just because I wanted to take it!

Photo 134

2009-05-14T13:29:00.000-07:00

I finally got a clear (non-rainy) day the other day to plant the squash seeds...and they're already sprouting up!

Photo 133

2009-05-13T19:50:00.001-07:00

Cooper gave me a FRIGHT today. We had an awards ceremony at school and since we were only going to be gone for a little bit AND only 2 minutes away, we left the dogs on their leads in the back yard. When we got back...all that was left of Coop's lead was his collar...there was no COOPER. I freaked...calling him. Walked around the house...walked back to go to the car and start driving when I saw him crouched next to his lead like he was in trouble. AND as soon as he got inside the house he went straight to his crate. POOR THING...but I was glad he came home, even though it smelled like he had fun rolling in something dead and decaying!

Photo 132

2009-05-12T15:45:00.000-07:00

We had to rig up something (we, as in THOMAS) to hold up the Sugar snaps...and he did such a wonderful job (as he stands behind me telling me what to type, lol!)

Photo 131

2009-05-11T15:16:00.000-07:00

After Coop chewed up 2 pairs of shoes that are WELL NEEDED shoes, Thomas and the kids bought me a gift certificate to DSW for Mother's day. I was very surprised and a little upset that the $$ was spent, but I figured it was already spent and he made me go buy some today! I got 2 pairs on clearance AND was able to use an expired $20 off coupon! BLESSED!

Photo 130

2009-05-10T15:15:00.001-07:00

I love my mailbox flowers this year...just abundant perennial goodness! THANK GOD for perennials this year!

Photo 129

2009-05-09T15:14:00.000-07:00

We bought $80 worth of moss last year in hopes that it would cover the cracks in the patio. UNFORTUNATELY, all of it died or never took...except for this ONE patch...

WHAT IS UP WITH THAT?!?!?!?!

Photo 128

2009-05-08T15:13:00.000-07:00

I took Amy on her first official couponing trip today while Destry followed along to snag even MORE deals during Kroger's Triple coupon week!

Photo 127

2009-05-07T12:50:00.000-07:00

Brandon won 2nd place in the Laws of Life Essay Contest in the 8th grade entrants...among 300 entries! Although he didn't want to go at first, he was definitely glad he went when he got the $50.00 check!

Photo 126

2009-05-06T12:48:00.000-07:00

I've redone my coupon organizing system and I must say - although this is a much bulkier system - it pretty much rocks my couponing world! I LOVE being able to see everything at a glance...and yes I DID stop another couponer in the grocery store when I saw her system like this just to see if she TRULY liked it.

Photo 125

2009-05-05T12:45:00.000-07:00

I finally got around to straightening up the extra pantry today that only holds the 'stockpile' of non-perishable foods. Love being able to see everything AND it makes me proud to know that I've bought ALL OF THIS FOOD for much MUCH less than what we spent before budget cuts!

Photo 124

2009-05-04T12:42:00.000-07:00

Kroger Triple Days

Total spent = $8.35 for everything pictured!

Photo 123

2009-05-03T12:40:00.000-07:00

The rain has made the blooms in the front flowerbed simply vibrant. I'm loving it right now!

Photo 122

2009-05-02T17:43:00.000-07:00

My new 'foot' partner...he abides here always, lol!

Photo 121

2009-05-01T11:38:00.002-07:00

Had to dig through old scrapbooks to find a baby photo of Zachary and decided upon looking through them all that I actually still like my old pages. Clean, simple, and easy on the eyes! And I told some good stories! And glad I did, because I didn't remember several of the stories at all. Makes me realize I should be doing this now!

Photo 120

2009-04-30T05:47:00.000-07:00

Me - unfiltered, unaltered, with gray hairs poking up and skin wrinkles showing...taken by B as he held the camera off the desk and just clicked the button.

Photo 119

2009-04-29T17:41:00.000-07:00

Yet another flower photo, because...well...because that's all that is semi-interesting in my life lately, lol!

Photo 118

2009-04-28T13:13:00.000-07:00

Lovely Geranium blooms...

Photo 117

2009-04-27T08:17:00.001-07:00

Still waiting to be planted - and gotta find the room for them first!