thanks for sharing uncle tony - keep 'em coming!!!

i just had to! :)

generic vs name brand

Ok, Ok, I admit it...

Some may call me a "tight wad" or a "minimalist".

But, there are a few things that I will pay a little extra for. 

For example, growing up my Ma always bought the name

brand chocolate chips and peanut butter. 

My bestie got me hooked on Honey Nut Cheerios w/Peanut Butter.  Until last month I would just always buy the generic brand of Cheerios to save a few cents.  After signing up for a free sample of Honey Nut Cheerios (thanks to hip2save) and tasting/comparing them right after the other, I came to this conclusion:

There.

is. a.

difference.

My list so far as to what I will pay extra for:

-Chocolate/Butterscotch Chips

-Peanut Butter

-Honey Nut Cheerios

What do YOU pay extra for???

bug

This is my nephew.  

He stands 36" tall.  

*Keep in mind he is not even 2 years old!

I LOVE HIM!  I am known as the "loud" Aunt, Auntie H to be exact.

My dad gave me the nickname "bug" when I was little.  People always ask "Why?" or "How did you get that name?".  I always just say I was super small growing up. Today, I learned that in Kindergarten, at age 6, I stood 36" tall...the same as a 1 year old!

Needless to say, my brother-in-law had a good laugh when he learned that! :)

pop

Growing up, it was rare that my family would go out-to-eat.  Even though I adore trying new restaurants and food, I still have a hard time actually making myself go so I can save money. 

To this very day, I cannot order a pop or lemonade or anything that costs money for a beverage choice.  I am not a pop drinker, really at all, but sometimes it would be nice to order a strawberry lemonade or something.  Growing up, that was always a way our family saved money.  Ashley would "rebel" sometimes and pay Mom & Dad a $1 to help...Carly and I would get mad at her, hah! ;)

And...I may have just had an epiphany!  Maybe that's why I don't go to coffee shops much either, because you have to spend money on a liquid...hm?

2 Staples in the Life of Haley

1. NALGENE: I have 3 - one 

at work, one at home, and one to 

travel with and be on the go.  (My 

favorite is my Iowa State colored one! :)

  

2. FLAVORED WATER PACKETS:
Combine a Nalgene and one of these packets, and oh boy, good stuff! 


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My sister first introduced me to these things a few years ago when we lived together.  At the time, she bought the energy/metabolism ones....little did I know they have 2x's the amount of caffeine a can of pop has!  We were out of them for a week and I had multiple headaches...turns out I was addicted to the caffeine and didn't even know it!  Needless to say, I don't buy the caffeine ones anymore.  But, this is a great way to keep hydrated throughout the day.

Grandma Rhoads

Mary Rhoads (1933 - 2011)

Mary Rhoads, 78, of Ankeny passed away on July 1, 2011 at home with her family by her side following a long 13 year battle with Alzheimer's. Mary was born on February 11, 1933 in Clinton, Iowa to Robert and Leona Swanson. She was a lifelong resident of Iowa and participated in scouting, church choir, teaching, college registration and 18 years as a secretary in the House of Representatives. She was a resourceful, fun loving wife and mother, caring deeply about her family and friends.

Left to cherish her memories are her husband of 57 years Cecil; three daughters, Marce (Keith) Huhn of Nevada, Sandy (Mike) Macklin of Ankeny, Susan (Tim) Jennings of Ankeny; two sons, Tony (Jana) Rhoads of Ankeny and Paul (Vickie) Rhoads of Ames, 13 grandchildren, one great-grandchild and a sister, Gloria Izard of Vine Grove, Kentucky. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother, Robert Swanson.

The family would like to thank SouthernCare Hospice for their loving care.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 5 from 5 to 8 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. Both will be at the Ankeny First United Methodist Church, 206 SW Walnut St., Ankeny, Iowa 50023. Burial will be in Ankeny Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association , SouthernCare Hospice or Ankeny First United Methodist Church.

 

Iowa State football: Coach Rhoads' mother dies at age 78

Mary Rhoads, the mother of Iowa State football coach Paul Rhoads, died Friday after a 13-year battle with Alzheimer’s.

She was 78.

Mary and her husband, Cecil, were married 57 years and had five children, 13 grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

Her struggle with Alzheimer’s inspired coach Rhoads to help organize "A Ride To Remember," an annual event in which participants rode motorcycles through Ames in order to raise awareness of the disease.

When Paul Rhoads took over the Cyclone program in December 2008, Cecil Rhoads talked about the bond between his wife and son.

"They were so close," Cecil Rhoads said. "When he'd go uptown or something, he'd give his mother a kiss.

"It didn't matter if he was in front of his buddies, he still gave her a kiss."

The Rhoads family lived in Ankeny.

A visitation will be held Tuesday from 5-8 p.m. at the Ankeny First United Methodist Church. A celebration of life will be held Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.

Instead of flowers, memorial contributions can be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association, Southern Care Hospice, or Ankeny First United Methodist Church.