My "Go-to" Savings Store

A new store is quickly becoming a favorite for my "go-to" savings store! Saving money is a fun game I like to play. Recently, on a trip to this store for essentials I saved almost as much as I bought. My purchase total was $14.31 including tax and my savings were....

Yes! I saved TWELVE DOLLARS and FIFTY-THREE CENTS on things my family uses every day. Do you use these?

Water & toilet paper go together like peanut butter & jelly. Well...if you're a girl anyway. Drink the water, use the toilet paper! I got 2 NINE-double roll packs of Quilted Northern and 72 bottles of purified water for $14.31! 

I used two store coupons. The secret store will be revealed in just moments. I used 2 Quilted Northern manufacturer coupons found here. And my "Go-to" savings store discount card. Can you guess the store by their brand of water in my buggy? Is the suspense building? Are all you coupon clippers foaming at the mouth, sweating profusely and just giddy in anticipation? 

my new favorite "go-to" savings store

Is there a CVS in your neighborhood? I used to prefer Walgreens over CVS for household essentials but CVS has really been treating me and my family right lately. Plus, they have awesome handicapped parking! Be sure to sign up for an ExtraCare card to begin receiving coupons like $4 off if you spend $20. Who can't spend twenty dollars, right? You'll get tons of specials and discounts delivered conveniently to your inbox!

Leave me a comment and tell me your favorite "go-to" savings store. What deals have you gotten lately?

Wheelin' and Dealin',

Tammy

The Happy Handicap

tips

Easy Gluten-free Chicken Noodle Soup

My favorite Gluten-free Chicken Noodle Soup is now yours to pin and enjoy! Easy to make and delicious to eat with only 8 easy-to-find ingredients. The soup is gluten and egg-free. Here's a quick visual of what you will need:

Here's a recipe card for you. Save and print or pin to your best recipes board complete with step-by-step instructions.

Savings tip: Use a broth base powder to create your 6 cups of broth for less than half the cost of ready-to-use.

Make it for dinner tonight and have it for lunch later in the week. The flavor increases the longer it is stored in the fridge. Leave me a comment and let me know if you think you'll be making it soon.

Cooking it up,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap

recipe tips

5 Ways to Get Rid of a Migraine Quickly

My head hurts! While I slept last night a 14,325 pound African Elephant crawled through my ear. This morning he's being chased by a lion with his enormous feet pounding as he runs. Oh wait, Horton just stopped at a river. What's he doing? Spraying water from his trunk right behind my pupils making my eyes run like a faucet. My teeth feel like they were a stage for his Riverdance audition! Is it a migraine? If it's not, it's real close.

According to WebMD, migraine symptoms include a pounding headache, nausea, vomiting, and light sensitivity. They can also include visual disturbances referred to as auras. It is estimated some 45 million people suffer from this type of headache. I have been diagnosed with a migraine including all the symptoms and visual problems. A migraine headache is quite disturbing. How to get rid of a migraine quickly is a hot topic for good reason.

Here's 5 Ways to Get Rid of a Migraine Quickly:

1. Tap away a migraine with EFT. My daughter uses this. I've seen it work very effectively and quickly.

2. Take Feverfew at the first sign of headache. Feverfew can also be taken every day to help prevent migraine attacks. I've personally used this and it works! Please use my referral code 2926490 if you decide to purchase from Nature's Sunshine via the link. Stock up and keep them on-hand.

3. From my daughter's facebook page. She's not put this remedy to the test but I'm impressed she shared it.

4.  Do reflexology on your feet to relieve a migraine. I L.O.V.E reflexology because it works wonders for many illnesses/disorders. Easy to do on yourself and FREE!

5.  Nutritionists and doctors are taking note of our diets more these days and so should we! I get House Calls from Dr. Hyman (not real ones). I subscribe. You can too! 5 Steps to Solve Your Migraines was especially interesting. There's many more suggestions other than just diet changes in this article. However, I know diet changes reverse or stop many ill health effects.  5 Tips for Problem Eyes is my personal journey of how diet changes can improve your appearance.

I am not a health professional. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. They have been evaluated by people like me and you who have migraines and found them to be effective. No prescription required. Minimal out of pocket expense! I hope you find something in this post that works for you.

If you have a quick-fix migraine remedy that you use, please leave me a comment. Sharing your experience may help someone else.

Health to your noggin,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap

health tips

5 Tips for Problem Eyes

Yes, these are my eyes! They need help! They look like this when I over-indulge. I can help them and you can help yours too! I'm not concerned about my actual eye but those puffy inflamed areas and the dark circles under them. Do you have the same things happening under your eyes?

I believe our diets have so much to do with our health, looks and well-being. I invite you to watch my eye transformation over the next month and join my challenge. Together, we'll prove once and for all how these 5 Tips for Problem Eyes can resolve unsightly puffiness and bags.. If you agree to join me in this challenge, please email me a pic of your worst eye right now (it won't be posted). In four weeks or February 3, I will ask you to email me a picture of what that same eye looks like after following the 5 Tips for Problem Eyes. I will ask your permission to post a before and after pic. If you agree the pics will be posted on this blog.
  

5 Tips for Problem Eyes

1. Drink at least 48 ounces of pure water a day. Only water counts!

2. Avoid all sodas (diet & regular) you can have tea (diet or regular) and Crystal Light. I love Coke and lovingly refer to it as "poison", because it is!

3. Avoid processed sweets. No cookies, cakes, candy bars from a bag or wrapper. You can make your 

own desserts from scratch but please limit them to 2-3 servings per week.

4. Dab a small amount of Vaseline under each eye (not too close to eyeball) before bed on clean skin. Be careful not to get the Vaseline in your eye.

5. Use only oil-based products to remove eye makeup such as Almay Moisturizing Eye Makeup Remover.

Who wants to be kind to their "under" eyes? Let me know if you'd like to join my challenge by commenting or sending me an email at tammy.stafford@hotmail.com. YOU WILL BE AMAZED AT YOUR TRANSFORMATION! The challenge starts tomorrow January 6th.

Can't wait for you to "see" the difference,

Tammy

The Happy Handicap

health tips

13 Things I Learned about Blogging in 2013

1. Health-related posts are the most popular subject on my blog. 

Fast and Easy Ways to Annoy People with Misophonia

Common Burn Remedies you have at Home

3 Surprising Things about Skin Cancer

2. Pin it! Pinterest is my #1 traffic referrer.

3. I need a class on SEO.

4.  People like honest reviews about Pinterest Pins. Reviews save readers time & money.

5. My home decorating posts were not popular. Nevertheless I'm posting my 2013 kitchen remodel shortly.

6. Few people are searching for spiritual encouragement. My Wednesday posts are always spiritual.

7. Folks love recipes for pretty food.

8. It is challenging to engage people and keep them coming back.

9. Extremely difficult to make any extra money blogging.

10. Social media is a must! Don't discriminate networks; join them all.

11. Post every day! (I got serious this year and saw my page views go up from 200 per month to over 5000 views in September 2013 alone)

12. Consistency and knowing what your readers like are king!

13. More people than you might think don't like Elf on the Shelf including me!

Leave me a comment with some things you can add to 13 Things I Learned about Blogging in 2013.

A bit more educated,

Tammy

The Happy Handicap

tips

10 Tips to a Successful New Year's Eve Purge

Can't wait for the new year? Got your heels dug into the pavement trying to avoid the New Year? I'm in the latter category thinking about all the expectations and potential disappointment that I'll suffer at the hands of my own insufficiency. 2014 I'm trying things a bit differently.

I had the idea of a New Year's Eve Purge in the think tank (my shower) the other morning. I've gotten so excited about it I had to share it. A New Year's Eve Purge is the next best thing to sprinkling a supplement on your food to lose weight. The Purge is designed to reduce the stress you're building up trying to resolve to reduce your stress for the new year (say that 3 times fast)! I think it will work. So, please, give 10 Tips to a Successful New Year's Eve Purge a try!

1. Purge resolutions. Don't even think about a resolution! A resolution, broken down, is a "re"-solution meaning...you guessed it, you never get it resolved! Purge all your resolution thoughts before you have them and opt instead to set goals. Goals are measurable and attainable. You can meet 50% of a goal but you can't half-resolve anything. Things are either resolved or they're not! 

2.  Purge BILLS! Need I say more? Purge or pay as many as you can before the end of the year especially if they are health care charges, property taxes or anything that is a 2013 tax deduction. A couple of options to purge bills might be burning your mailbox, training your dog to keep the mailman away from your mailbox or the Joel Osteen method.

3.   Purge a Dream. Book your dream trip now before the end of 2013. I know this works because I did it in 2011. Crazy yet effective. I booked a dream trip to London & Paris with a minimum deposit of $300, saved money for the next 18 months and took my dream trip in July 2013 debt-free and with spending cash!  Go Ahead Tours offers perks for group coordinators. Become a group coordinator and travel free. Be sure to tell them Tammy Stafford sent ya!

4.  Purge your mouth. Say mean things! RIGHT NOW! Your niceness is exhausted from all the family holiday dinners, your grumpy significant other, the cooking, planning and decorating you've done and you deserve it now more than ever! Tell everyone you see you've got a virus so you can VOMIT, SPEW and SPIT chunks of mean, vile, rude, crude, ugliness everywhere. GET IT ALL OUT! Feel better? Ready to be nice for the new year? I thought so....

5. Purge your DVR. Sit down and watch all those old recordings you've avoided all year. Oh...don't have enough hours in this year to watch all of them? Use the D.E.L.E.T.E. button. Don't laugh, your remote does have one.

6. Purge your closet. It's embarrassing but it MUST be addressed. Forget the "turning your hangers backward" trick. You know what you wear and what you don't. The answer to your question is "NO!" Your question is "I might wear that?" Not gonna happen. Donate it. Just so you know, this is not my closet!

7.  Purge your contacts list. We've all got them...people on our contacts list that we have no idea who they are, never heard of them much less contacted them. Don't be afraid to send your unknown contacts to the tomb of no retrieval. If you suddenly remember the contact you deleted is your friend's aunt's boyfriend's cousin who is personal friends with your cardiologist, don't worry 911 is a free call.

8.  Purge your pill drawer. Here's to a great attitude and better health in 2014. Trust your body! Throw away those bottles that expired in 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996...you get the picture. I'm not sure of the proper way to dispose of pills. Don't flush them! You never know when all a sewer monster needs is an aspirin.

9.  Purge your linen closet. Are your washcloths and towels wholly and I don't mean like Sweet Baby Jesus. We've had some of our linens since we got married in 1985 and they are threadbare and wholly! Some of them look more like bibs than something to wash your ribs!

10. Purge your refrigerator. I've saved the best for last not because we could legit eat everything in the fridge, no! Because it always reminds me of one of the 10 sexiest food scenes in a movie. I can't think of a better way to empty the fridge than by having my "Mickey Rourke" spoon feed me or drizzle me with honey. Can you?

Leave me a comment with your favorite New Year's Eve purge or if you must....your resolution for 2014!

Excited to get started,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap

humor tips

The Flu Shot: Cure or Controversy

Have you had your flu shot? I haven't! In fact, I've NEVER taken a flu vaccine and neither have my children. If I could go back to my children's childhood, I would take a religious exemption from all vaccines not because of my religion but because it's the only way I could legally avoid the shots and them still attend public school. The government has us right where they want us. Controlled!

I'm not a doctor or have any medical training other than self-taught through experience and reading materials. I am also self-educated on alternative treatments including herbs, acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, colonics and reflexology. I've personally tried and still use combinations of these fields. I am very thankful for the medical profession since being born with a birth defect of both feet required extensive surgeries and enabled me to walk. I've had 13 surgeries total including lithotripsy, hysterectomy, cholecystectomy, tonsillectomy, two c-sections and shew! I think that's it! I certainly believe in traditional medicine but let it be known my primary prevention and cure of choice are alternative methods.

My experience with the flu shot and my immediate family has further persuaded me it is not a good choice except in certain situations. My otherwise healthy father had never taken the flu shot. He's 76 and took the flu shot two years ago for the first time. Three days afters, he started showing signs of a stroke and suffered a brain bleed. Google it! Stroke after the flu shot happens more than you might think but no warning is posted on the Center for Disease Control's side effects page. My very healthy Mom (age 73) suffered severe shortness of breath the past two years she's taken the shot. The 2013 flu shot sent her to the doctor's office two times for antibiotics and steroid shots. Although, most doctors are convinced elderly folks should have a flu shot, no exceptions.

My husband, who has pulmonary fibrosis, gets the pneumonia and flu shot. The pneumonia shot did not produce any ill effects. The flu shot always gives him severe body aches. He continually fights an achy body most days due to Anti-synthetase syndrome, an auto-immune disorder. I reluctantly agree with the use of vaccines for individuals with impaired immune systems. We began seeing a functional medicine doctor who practices nutrition and alternative medicine. Functional medicine seeks cause and cure instead of treating symptoms with pills for a lifetime.

Ultimately, your health is your responsibility. Your health is your choice. Please chose wisely by seeking uncensored factual information and the advice of your primary physician. I read a lot of Dr. Mark Hyman's articles who started the Functional Medicine movement. I find them extremely informative and helpful. Read what he has to say about who should take the flu shot in his blog post: The Flu Shot: Helpful or Harmful. 

Leave me a comment with your experiences with the flu shot: good or bad.

Here's to our health,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap

health tips

Can Lavender Oil reduce Skin Bruising?

Tried and True Natural Health Tip #2

Nature's Sunshine Lavender Fine 

This small bottle of oil is close to a miracle worker to reduce skin bruising. I'm not a doctor and my statement has not been approved by the FDA! Please seek health advice from a medical professional. However, I have personally used Lavender oil for years to reduce the pain and tenderness of skin bruising. Can Lavender Oil reduce Skin Bruising?

Case #1: My husband ran into the corner of the bed frame with his shin at a high rate of speed yesterday. After he said &%^*# and almost cried, he said "Look at that knot! It'll be a big bruise tomorrow!" The word bruise sent me to the cabinet for my little bottle of Lavender. I generously applied the oil directly to the accident area. Lavender can be safely applied directly to the skin without a carrier agent or ill effects. Next morning, my husband admitted his knot was gone and he didn't even have a bruise or soreness from a bang on his leg that should have bruised and been sore for at least a week.

There are many brands of Lavender oil. I simply prefer Nature's Sunshine Lavender Fine due to purity, collection techniques and manufacturing worthiness. I maintain a relation with Nature's Sunshine for my personal ordering. If you would like to order please consider using my ID 2926490 as a sponsor. Membership is free with a $40 order and members save at least 40% off of retail price. Sweet!

I also use Lavender oil rubbed directly on my feet to soothe tired and aching tootsies. Being born with a birth defect, I have to pamper my feet quite often. If I take a trip, Lavender is a MUST to help reduce pain and swelling from a day on my feet. The oil will also help cuts and bruising on your feet. I recently went to London and Paris and was so glad to buy a bottle of lavender oil in the gift shop of Westminster Abbey! I had brought my own bottle but wanted a souvenir...ha! I also use Lavender soap to bathe with and cleanse my face from Savonsuds.com.

Do you use Lavender oil? Leave me a comment and tell me your successes with the oil. What do you love to use it for?

Slathering it on,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap

health tips

Nice Inexpensive Christmas Gifts Everyone Needs

SOAPS FROM FRANCE MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD!

Looking for a nice Christmas gift for your office, cousins or Sunday school class? You want something nice but not too expensive. Looking for something unique and fresh? After all, doesn't everyone have enough Bath & Body Works? Experience the luxuriousness of Authentic French Milled Soaps from Savon Suds.

Savon Suds offers nice inexpensive Christmas gifts everyone needs! The soaps imported from Paris makes your skin feel softer, smoother and more lavish. 12 natural soaps to choose from, NEVER any artificial color, scents or impurities. Will not clog pores. Sets available or individually packaged.

Relaxing Collection with Lavender, Honey and Sweet Almond

Each unique soap is filled with health benefits that could help eczema, acne, psoriasis and more. For more information visit Savon Suds and buy some nice inexpensive Christmas gifts everyone needs. I use these soaps personally. They are the best french milled soaps I've ever used. Their fragrance is big and bold yet soft and pleasing. Use soap to accent your decor. One soap will freshen a small bathroom area for months. You and your friends will love them too!

Au revoir,

Tammy

The Happy Handicap

health tips

Is Deodorant a Risk for Breast Cancer?

Introducing a new series of blogs on Monday that addresses health concerns and provides a first hand account of "tried and true" natural health tips. If I recommend a product, I've tried it and it works. Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and none of these tips/advice are meant to diagnosis or treat. If you have a medical condition, please seek the help of a healthcare professional.

Is Deodorant a Risk for Breast Cancer? According to WebMD you shouldn't sweat it and The National Cancer Institute says NO! The fact that they would even publish articles on the subject makes me raise my eyebrow. A fact sheet from cancer.org predicts 300,000+ new cases of breast cancer this year (2013). This figures includes 39,620 deaths. Breast cancer is a huge health concern for women.

The suspected health risk for deodorants are aluminum and parabens which have been found in both malignant and healthy breast tissue. How do we know if these are carcinogens or not? Good question. Some folks immune systems may be able to deal with these troublesome ingredients while others may not. We know this to be true since not every woman develops breast cancer. It's a personal choice to avoid these ingredients.

As a result of a healthy lifestyle and increased awareness, I choose to wear a deodorant that is aluminum-free and paraben-free. My Tried and True Natural Health Tip for Today is Arbonne Pure Mint Deodorant.

An aluminum-free, paraben-free deodorant infused with mint and extracts from white tea, ginger, lemongrass, sage and tea tree that fights bad odor and helps you feel fresh all day. Baking soda and vegetable enzymes help neutralize odor, blocking the effects of odor-causing bacteria and delivering gentle, effective protection.

I use this product personally. I love it! No more offensive smells or allergic reactions, just pure, safe and beneficial results every time. I have been using Arbonne products for over 10 years.

If you'd like to learn more about this product, click here. To save 20% , click here to buy. If you decide to take a healthy step and purchase, I appreciate you using my consultant id 15086884.

An aluminum-free, paraben-free deodorant infused with mint and extracts from white tea, ginger, lemongrass, sage, and tea tree that ¬fights bad odor and helps you feel fresh all day. Baking soda and vegetable enzymes help neutralize odor, blocking the effects of odor-causing bacteria and delivering gentle, effective protection. ( 1.7 oz ) - See more at: https://www.arbonne.com/shop_online/showitem.asp?ProductId=4112&menuId=&withLinks=1#sthash.MEQAYuBv.dpuf

Happy Monday and Happy Health,

Tammy

The Happy Handicap

An aluminum-free, paraben-free deodorant infused with mint and extracts from white tea, ginger, lemongrass, sage, and tea tree that ¬fights bad odor and helps you feel fresh all day. Baking soda and vegetable enzymes help neutralize odor, blocking the effects of odor-causing bacteria and delivering gentle, effective protection. ( 1.7 oz ) - See more at: https://www.arbonne.com/shop_online/showitem.asp?ProductId=4112&menuId=&withLinks=1#sthash.MEQAYuBv.dpuf

An aluminum-free, paraben-free deodorant infused with mint and extracts from white tea, ginger, lemongrass, sage, and tea tree that ¬fights bad odor and helps you feel fresh all day. Baking soda and vegetable enzymes help neutralize odor, blocking the effects of odor-causing bacteria and delivering gentle, effective protection. ( 1.7 oz ) - See more at: https://www.arbonne.com/shop_online/showitem.asp?ProductId=4112&menuId=&withLinks=1#sthash.MEQAYuBv.dpuf

health tips

The #1 Best Class Management Ever for a Substitute Teacher

I was nervous the day I walked into a high school to be a substitute for the very first time. I subbed for a health class which was a relief but I genuinely worried about the students harassing me. I arrived about 30 minutes early, acclimated myself to the classroom and began to pray.

Lord, please help me to manage these students with poise and grace without losing my cool and screaming, Amen! Do you ever pray honestly in everyday words? I DO! The holy strategy I received and wrote on the board is :

Yep! Simple as that, God told me to write "I am not a sub!" on the board. I thought "Is this really the #1 Best Class Management Ever for a Substitute Teacher?" I was amazed at the mesmerized looks on those kids faces when they walked into the room and read it. I immediately had their attention and their imaginations kept them occupied for a while. Some of them asked questions right off the bat, some of them made funny faces when they read it and some of them didn't even look my way.

When everyone was seated I gave my introduction. I explained that today I am simply Tammy Stafford. Please don't think of me as a substitute teacher. I suggested I was there to help them. We are equals today and on the same level. I don't know anything about this health lesson but I'm here to learn. I proved my commitment by reading the lesson and answering the questions that was their assignment for the day. I also made a deal that if they respected me and I them, we would review all the answers before the class dismissed. They seemed to like this plan.

My first experience as a sub for high school was a great success! Some students told me that was a clever trick to keep everyone quiet. They say a trick. I say the Trinity! I thanked God as I left the school that afternoon. He is so clever!

Do you pray when you sub or teach? Do you have any proven ways to manage a classroom for a sub? Leave me a comment. I'm anxious to get a few new tricks up my sleeve!

Subbing successfully sometimes,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap

teachers tips

Review of Pinterest Dawn & Vinegar Shower Cleaner

Have you seen this pinned 1000 times?

you pinned it vowing to make it!

Did you?

I did!

 How did I like it? Let me count the ways....

my ultra clean shower!

1. Very, very easy to make

 2. Any Dawn will work

 (not just the blue, I used green with Oil of Olay)

3. Easy to apply

(although my hand did get tired of pumping)

4.  Inexpensive to make

(I'm figuring about .25 or less per clean shower job)

5. Superior to my normal cleaner Scrubbing Bubbles

6. Chemicals are not as harsh as Scrubbing Bubbles

7.  Stores well

The only adjustment I would suggest 

is reducing the amount of Dawn to

1/2 to 2/3 cup per 1 cup vinegar.

The solution was too sudsy and soapy for my liking

especially for my age group lol

 

How many of you clean the shower

when you take a shower?

I've got my hand raised high in the air

doing the selfie wave!

and, I see you blushing!

I will reduce the amount of Dawn because it was

so SLIPPERY when trying to clean.

 

I can see the doctors face now

when 50-year-old ladies show

up naked to the ER.

He asked what happened and

the answer is...
"I fell and couldn't get up!"

and he's like "Why are you naked and soaking wet?"

My "rain" type shower head made

it difficult to get all the suds and bubbles

out of the shower also.

Next time I'll hook a water hose

to my sink vanity so I

can use a spray nozzle!

Ladies, we've gotta have the right tools!

Overall, I will use Dawn & Vinegar Shower Cleaner, slightly modified.

I definitely RECOMMEND this recipe.

Have you tried it?

Leave me a comment with your results!

I'd love to hear your review of Pinterest Dawn & Vinegar Shower Cleaner.

Slipping and Sliding,

Tammy

The Happy Handicap

DIY project humor money matters tips

5 Things the New Grandmom Learned

MY OH MY have things changed! This post could be titled...

The last time I held a baby was some 25 years ago...literally. The lack of any brothers and sisters doesn't offer many opportunities to hold babies. Our family welcomed Lisette Arabella Epperson on November 20th weighing 7 lbs. 6 oz. She's a beaut!

Check out her vintage onesie she wore home. Lisette's mommie Sydnee wore this onesie home on July 6, 1988 and her auntie Sloane wore it home on October 28, 1991.

  Here's a picture of all three of my angels.

What are the 5 things the new Grandmom learned you ask? 

1. Formula is not warmed when given to a baby. Formula works best when fed at room temperature. I was ahead of the curve on this one. Laziness probably but I fed my girls room temperature bottles 25 years ago. But last week, I learned it is OK and I can put all guilt aside now!
2. Belly Button Cords are not cleaned anymore. Researchers have learned that the cord produces an enzyme that heals the naval naturally. Who knew? I like it though! It's like a "Get the cord out of the belly FREE card!"
3. 48 hours is no longer the magical time to leave the hospital after giving birth. You can leave anytime before 48 hours (even C-sections) if the doctor feels you and your baby are ready.  I raised an eyebrow at this but it seems to be working out just fine.
4. No food restrictions when breastfeeding! What? Everyone knows broccoli and chocolate causes breastfeeding babies to have gas. Not any more...I guess EVERYTHING is GMO...for the better?! NOT!!!
5. Babies stay in the room with the parents at all times, you can't take your baby out of the room until you leave the hospital to go home, the mommie and baby bonds best with Skin-to-Skin contact directly after birth and finally, parents and baby benefits from a "Golden Hour" after birth where they spend the first hour together, just the 3 of them.

Okay, that was more than five! But...this new Grandmom feels way enlightened, do you? I'm sure I'll be learning much more and I can't wait to be edge-u-ma-cated some more!

Leave me a comment with your tips and tricks you've learned that all us new Grandmoms should know.

So excited and blessed,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
 

1st grandchild tips

3 Websites for Free Teacher Resources and a Bonus!

My lovely daughters: Halloween 2013! 

Sydnee (the pregnant fairy) and Sloane (a human peacock) are teachers,

a special education co-teacher and music teacher respectively.

I search for free resources a lot

for them and my bloggy self

so I want to share some of my awesome finds!

Hope you benefit from these as well...

 www.lauracandler.com

I love her amazing "free" file cabinet

stuffed full of goodies for every subject

here's an example of a math freebie

with many, many more available

 

image source: http://www.lauracandler.com

www.teacherspayteachers.com

Such a cool concept
it's like ETSY for teachers
and like the rest of us what teacher
doesn't need supplemental income?

image source: tpt.com

 this neat Holiday Grid Math is FREE!
this site has anything and everything
for any and all grades
it's super cool that all products are rated
with 1 to 4 stars 

www.theteacherscorner.net
EVERYTHING IS FREE on this site!
even "music" lesson plans.
I especially like the printable puzzle worksheets
with a word search maker, crossword maker, word scramble maker, etc.
The events calendars are uber informative
complete with info links
Did you know Mark Twain was born 11/30/1835?

image source: theteacherscorner.net

Need a bulletin board idea
many to choose from
listed by month, subject and theme
 for your convenience and planning.
Wanna grab one for December?
Keep them free by following on
GOOGLE+

BONUS: MUSIC RESOURCES
www.hickorytech.net 
I understand how frustrating Music Teacher can get
having little to no budget and
paying for stuff out of their own pockets.
This site has a wealth of K-12 music resources
FREE!

If you use other helpful, FREE sites, please 
leave the links in a comment!

Lovin' on teachers,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap

 

teachers tips

Last Minute Homemade Halloween Costume Ideas

My favorite homemade Halloween costume ever...

and yes, this is me!

as Genie Simmons

picked up all this stuff at a local charity and made this get-up

My 2nd best favorite

again, made from items picked up from a local charity

 When I arrived at our yearly family Halloween party

my nephew was surprisingly dressed as 

Yukon Cornelius from Rudolph! 

One year I was Bo-Peep

my Mom made the outfit with fabric from Walmart

My son-in-law and my daughter were

Beetlejuice and his wife

His outfit is bought but her dress is from a local charity

She made her bangs from the ends of her long hair

by sweeping it over her head (genius)

The next year I was Bo-Peep's sheep! lol

 

my husband was a farmer...

the couple again

as a sexy devil and the

Phantom of the Opera

My younger daughter as a cop

I made both of these outfits by

simply sewing together 1 yard of

knit material and 

cinching the bust

Can you tell we really get into Halloween?

The time of year where we can really be ourselves! lol

I made this Puss-in-Boots from a piece of printed fabric

that I made minimal seams in and 

added a cat pouch or belly in the front!

 as a playboy bunny

again homemade

Do you recognize the other character?

A few from this year 2013

not homemade!

Ever seen a pregnant fairy?

Now you have!!!

You've also found Waldo!

Just a little fun for Halloween

Hope these pics gave you some ideas

for a few costumes that can be

made last minute

with a few charity items

and some ingenuity!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Tammy

The Happy Handicap

Leave me a comment and tell me what your favorite costume ever is, homemade or bought?

DIY project humor tips