About Me

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I am so glad you are here. I am a wife a mother, a grand mother. I love to make old things come back to life. I live in a small town in North Alabama. I'm a dental hygienist for the most wonderful dentist. I am a sinner saved by GRACE.I sing in the choir at my church. I was raised in a conservative home that believed it was a sin to be wasteful, so therefore I am VERY frugal

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Yard sale decorating

I hear the beat to a different drummer, obviously.  My daughters don't like my decorating style, but guess who does--ME!  I  LOVE the color red and wanted to paint a wall in my family room, but didn't want to spend an arm an leg for paint.   So,,,,, I went to the Habitat-Restore and bought a gallon of  Colonial Red for $5.00. My husband and I almost divorced over painting that wall.  It was a lot of work. lol
This window frame I found at a yard sale for $.10.  I painted it white and got this delightful tissue paper at a discount store, I think it was Ross, but not sure.  I glued it to the opposite side of the frame, it doesn't look like it here, but it matched  perfectly I love the white against the red. 

I wish I had a before picture of this 100 year old "hoosier cabinet" .  It had 4 coats of paint, white and mint green were among the two that I remember.  It took me 3 months of off and on stripping to get all the paint off.  I placed sentimental things that belonged to both mine and my husband's grandparents on the shelves. It serves as a shrine to honor the wisdom and the good lives of some wonderful, loving people.


Wednesday, March 30, 2011

couponing at Publix

I picked up a few things at Publix today,  1 bag of Lays, 2 packs of Dixie Napkins and plates, 4 boxes noodles, Miralax, aspirin, Smart Balance Milk, Crisco spray, 2 bottles Hunts ketchup, and penny item bleach.

Total $46.11  with coupons  $11.63 + tax = $13.90  Not bad for what I got.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Could you go the restroom before they call your name?

Hello everyone,

I've worked in a dental office for 39 years.  I'm a dental hygienist, I clean teeth.  Now, I'm not sure what the problem is but if I had a dollar for every time this happened I'd be rich.  I walk out to the reception room and call, we'll call her Mrs. Jones.   "Mrs. Jones, I'm sorry I'm running a few minutes late,  you can come on back."  Now, here's the kicker, she grabs her purse, puts her hand beside her mouth as if to whisper and says, "Could I go to the restroom first?"  What am I suppose to say? No, sorry you can't, you've been sitting out here for 15 minutes why did you wait until I called your name to decide at THIS moment you need to GO!
   
Is it something about my voice?  Is it the setting? I can understand about bathroom issues, we all have them.  But, when it happens 4 or 5 times a day, I'm beginning to get paranoid that it's something that I'm doing or not doing, the way I look, I'm not sure.  Even the men get in on the act.  The other day it was Mr. Burgess.  "Are you ready Mr. Burgess, I asked?"   "Hey, hon, let me run in here right quick," pointing to the door of the restroom. 
  
I was beginning to just let it roll off my shoulder and not make a big deal about it until one day I had a kidney infection and went to a Urologist in town.  While sitting in the packed reception room listening to all kinds of meaningless chatter from different men and women, I overheard one woman say in a whisper, "I just can't GO, I mean I feel like I need to, but I just can't."  I spoke up and asked her name.  She replied, "Mildred Johnson."  I stood up and held out my hand to her as if I were about to lay hands on her and "heal" her and said with a loud voice,  "Mrs. Johnson, are you ready?"  All of a sudden she began twitching and moving around in her seat and in a nervous, high pitched voice she exclaimed, "Oh, my, excuse me, I need to go the bathroom."   I REST MY CASE!!!! 
  
Uh oh, they just called my name to go back to see the doctor. " I wonder if I have time to go the bathroom first", I heard myself say to the nurse.  When I caught her gaze, I saw it, that look.   Her eyes rolled upward, she slowly shook her head, and then her smile changed quickly to a scowl.  I have a very STRONG feeling, I knew what she was thinking.  Until later,
 Love, luck and laughter,
Paula the Hillbilly

Monday, March 28, 2011

Hello everyone,

I'm 57 and I can't help but think about Methuselah in the Bible who lived to be 969. That was way before Bengay was invented. How did he get out of bed every morning?  But, the more candles that are in my birthday cake each year, the more my heart goes out to older people and even older things.  I don't have a before picture of this old table. But, I rescued it from a place where people discard stuff they don't won't.  All the legs were off and laying on the ground, and one was missing.  It had cobwebs and dirt dobbers glued underneath and my husband, upon seeing me get it out of the back of my car, rolled his eyes, shook his head, and said,"What in the world are you going to do with that?  It is nothing but a piece of dirty junk!"  Well, I had a different vision.  I cleaned and I glued, clamped, and stained, and had a friend to make me a leg for it with a lathe. Here is the end result
I found out from a friend of mine that is is a Depression table.  Just think how good it felt to have a little spring in its step.  Just like I do every time I manage to bend over and tie my shoe and make it back up on the second try!  Here it is with my lovely doily find and some accessories
Notice the container in the middle.  That is ice cream salt and black aquarium rocks I got at Mike's Merchandise for $.50 a bag.  I alternated them and I think it's quite beautiful.  The candles are a yard sale find painted with silver and sponged with black paint to make them look more like pewter.  The kids on top are my 4 grandsons.  That's decorating like a Classy Red Neck if you ask me.  Eat your heart our Donald Trump and family.  It's mine!!!   You can't afford it, because it's not for sale!!!!  Oh, my I've fallen and I can't get up.  What's the number for the nearest Crane Service?   Until later,
Love, luck, and Laughter
Paula, the hillbilly

Ketchup is on sale what do i do with that information?

Today, while we were in town, my husband informed me we needed ketchup.  He saw a price yesterday of $4 and something for two bottles.  Now Wed at Publix it will be BOGO $1.65.  Now if I buy $15 worth of Conagra Products I can get $35 worth of coupons sent to me.  Should I buy enough to get that little deal?  Hmmm  So, I would have 20 bottles of ketchup.  This couponing is really getting to me.  Until later.....
Love, luck, laughter,

Paula the hillbilly
It has been a happy week-end for me.  I got out of bed each morning all by myself and made it to the bathroom in the middle of the night, just in time, so that's a good week-end. At church yesterday, I was talking to a few of my "church friends" before going into the sanctuary and was telling them, "I have a blog".  One guy in the bunch spoke up and said, "I think they have pills for that, now, Paula".  Obviously he is not in the young, hip, crowd!  But you know getting older is really showing up on me.  At choir practice, after rehearsing 3 or 4 Easter songs, (and occasionally I actually was ON key), the choir director looked at me and said, "Paula, you look tired, are you alright?"  I looked around me in both directions and laughed and said, "I do, thank you for noticing."  He said, "Oh, I didn't mean anything  by that , you just look tired."  I said, "well, I DID make a pie this afternoon, made the crust from scratch and everything."  Everyone laughed. One of the members spoke up and said, "Who cleaned up the mess?"  (This person has cleaned my house before,  wonder what was meant by that statement? hmmmm)  I quickly, replied, "I cleaned up the mess, thank you very much." In fact, after dwelling on that question maybe I did get a little carried away with the flour, since it was on the stove, the counter, and the floor, and now gazing at my image in the mirror, I'm pretty sure the flour fog I created in my kitchen yesterday was thick enough that some landed in my hair.  lol  Or is that gray?  Oh, well, God is good and people are crazy.  I hope everyone has a wonderful Monday.  I have some pics in store for later....

Love, luck and laughter,
Paula the Hillbil


This picture means absolutely nothing, just something I crocheted and it just makes me smile to look at it.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

You can use "Part" of something and still get a Hole

I've been operating quite well for the last few years with a small "part" of my brain and considering my age, I think that is an accomplishment! I'm going to show you how you can take a "part" of something and make something pretty out of it. And without a lot of money, I might add.

Now what this is, is a "part" of a table. There is about a quarter of this table intact, you can see the two legs. I found this in someone's barn and immediately thought it would fit at the end of my hall. I took some burgundy paint I bought for $5 a gallon at the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store and put it at the end of my hall. Well, it seemed a bit blah.
Later, I was at a yard sale and found this piece that was broken and I salvaged the "good" part, painted it white and dry brushed it with the burgundy.

Now, all you fancy, rich people, eat your heart out!!!! I think it is beautiful! Now, I am aware that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I even think we have the nicest cars on blocks of anyone in the neighborhood!
I've never been able to draw ANYTHING when I was growing up, but I always wanted to. I found a calender with this picture and it reminded me of places I've been deep in the woods. So, after 483 repaints lol, I painted this to add that little extra something to my quarter table.
The silver bowls in front is from my dad's yard sale collection that mother wanted to get rid of, so she gave it to me and i painted them silver. It may appear to some of you that I'm beyond frugal and maybe a bit stingy! Well, just remember I'm operating without all of my brain! Oh, my someone is going down the road with a chair that looks like it's cut in half. Hold, on there buddy, wait up! Until later,
Love, Luck and Laughter,
Paula the hillbilly

Friday, March 25, 2011

It's okay to buy stool softeners in public

Come one everybody, it's a NATURAL part of life. Everyone needs some help now and then, what's the big deal? I was in CVS when I came across a "friend". To keep her identity a secret we'll just call her Vergy. "Hey, Paula, come here a minute", I hear from the next aisle. I turned the corner and observed my friend in front of the laxatives and stool softners. She whispered, (now I'm parapharasing), "I have a little TROUBLE and I don't know which one to get." I said, "Well, first of all THESE are laxatives", I pointed out. "These are the ones you need," I said, as I pulled a box off the shelf. Now, I'll admit that I have been told that my voice DOES carry quite a bit. Versy like to have had a stroke saying, "SHHH!!!!, not so loud, I don't want everyone in the store to know. Don't talk so loud!" I informed her, it's okay, everyone KNOWS what stool softeners are and nobody cares. She turned her face and said, " I am so embarrased." I tried to no avail to explain to her that every one has PROBLEMS every once in a while. So, I did something that I felt would make amends for my loud voice, I dug through my book and gave her a coupon for the stuff. Whew! now maybe I'm off the hook. Of course, by the time she brought her PRODUCT to the counter everyone probably had her pretty well summed up. But, I do understand her dilima. Don't tell anyone but I'm getting my wig and sunglasses on so nobody will recognize me when I go to the store to purchase some hair remover, (for my chin). Until later.......
Love, luck and laughter,
Paula the hillbilly

Baby gifts that are from the heart, not the pocketbook


When I found the pattern for these "converse" tennis shoe booties, I thought I was going to break my jaw from gritting my teeth so tight. Oh, I just couldn't stand it they are so CUTE! I had a friend who gave me two boxes of thread and yarn that belonged to her mother. I've picked up yarn at thrift stores and yard sales. Both booties and wash cloth is made of cotton so it's really soft. Now if you're like me on a budget, (husband retired me working part-time), then you have to THINK of ways to get gifts for church friends and family that don't cost an arm and a leg. Depending on who it is and how CLOSE you are to them, you can add some diapers or wipes to the gift to bring it up a notch. But next look at these!!!
Oh, my gosh I'm having a smothering spell these pink cowboy booties are to die for. But now check out the cowboy hat.


To get these patterns for crochet just google: free pattern for crochet "cowboy baby booties" and "converse baby tennis shoes" and "baby wash cloth" . Do them separate of course. I thought everyone might get a kick out of these. Until later.... Hillbilly decorating will be coming up really soon.
Love, luck , and laughter,
Paula the hillbilly

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Update on shopping for a shower curtain for momma

Have you ever been shopping with your mother? Oh, my! Looking for a shower curtain to re-do her bathroom when she doesn't know what she wants or what she likes. Thank the Lord, for my wonderful sister-in-law to fill in the gaps. We were putting shower curtains on top of the shelves to drape down and putting towels at the top to hold them so


we could get a better view of it. We had some women to stop and give us their opinion ( I guess we looked like we could use some help)

But, at least they "tried" to help us, so I've gotta give them credit. We had fun, but I was soooooo tired. So, here's some pics of the curtain we chose. The towels, the picture, towel rack and toilet paper holder that we picked. Thought you might like to peek.
Now, I'm going to be honest with you, I don't know if these leaves are stylish or not? What do you think? Is this classy? What do you think of the green walls and the gray towels? See, my mother is a red head and she LOOOOVVVEESS Green! She greened me out when I was a kid, so I like the color that's opposite on the color wheel----RED!!! Just like me and my mom I'm still doing opposite of what she wants just like I did when I lived at home! JUST THE WAY MY OWN CHILDREN DO!!! And they are GROWN!! My sister-in-law use to live in New York City, she said it looked good,( can't you picture it a former New Yorker helping country rednecks! But I was really thinking on the lines of a shower curtain with snuff boxes or pictures of false teeth. Oh, well, city people just see things differently. lol I'm going to show you some of my own decorating later, so stay tuned. Until then.
Love, luck , and laughter,
Paula the Hillbilly

How to make a box? lol







How many out there have needed a small box to put a gift in and had to go buy one?
Guess what they ALL cost more money than I'm willing to spend. So, I previewed the internet and found this. I've made a hundred of them I bet. Remember, the principle of Jesus feeding the 5,000, when He asked the disciples WHAT DO YOU HAVE? I had some construction paper in red, orange, yellow, pink and green. Fold it diagonally until two sides touch and cut off the excess, which will make a square. Now, fold it in half the other way. Take one pointed corner and fold it up until it just touches the center fold. Do all other points the same way. Then take the points and bring it ABOVE the center fold to the next crease and make a fold. Do all points that way. Take the points and fold to first fold to make a small fold. I hope the pictures show you what I mean. There's is a small square right in the center of this , made by folds cut two cuts right up to the center square turn it around the opposite way and cut those. Fold the points inside and hopefully you can tell after this far. You have a box. You make the bottom a little smaller so, when you get your original square you bring one point to about l/2 from the top and trim around the excess so it is slightly smaller. That way one fits over the other. Walah! You have a box. It is amazing what you can put in that little thing! You could use computer paper it just won't be as strong. Put you a ribbon of some sort on it and you're good to go.
Okay you may now call me cheap! But, who wants to spend money on a box? Not me. That's the way we hillbillies do it. Now, tomorrow, I'll be sharing some hillbilly decorating that is very INEXPENSIVE!!!!! And so much fun. Or at least to me it is. But, you have to remember I don't have much of a life. To work, to church, back home. Repeat. But thank the Lord above that I'm enjoying His Grace today and I'm very thankful for it. I'm shooting for becoming the wife that is spoken of the last chapter of Psalms where she uses her hands, is a seller of purple,(there's no royalty around here though) and she buys a field. (I just don't want a cotton field, had enough of that when I was young) So, if anybody's got any leads on a good field let me know. Of if there's any kings and queens around I'll definitely sell them some purple. In the meantime....
Love, Luck and Laughter,
Paula the hillbilly

My grocery list has changed as I've had more birthdays what's up with that?

If I live until tomorrow, I will be 57 years old. I'm very grateful I've made it this long, but things are not the same with me since I was 21. My grocery list has drastically changed! Since I am a couponer, I can't believe how excited I get when stool softener is on sale! I will go through the roof if I see enemas buy one get one free! And how nice it is that they have flavored laxatives. I now scan the shelves for the best buy on vitamins that will give me the most "energy".I'm even giving my husband Testesterone shots, for guess what? Energy!!!! I can't believe I actually bought a tube of gel that helps "age spots" for my hands, moisture cream for my wrinkled face, I placed it beside my great buy on Advil and Aleve. What has happened to me? In my Bible reading this morning, I was really trying to allow God to speak to me, but I was soooo sleepy. So, what did I read? ".....Don't be ignorant of those who fall asleep....." I couldn't help but laugh, even though, I know He was speaking of those who have died. But when I'm sitting on the couch, with crocheting in hand, and the next thing I remember my husband is shaking me, saying, "honey, you wanna go to bed?" I'm slumped down, my yarn still in my lap and I look at the clock and notice an hour and a half has passed. All you young ones can laugh yourself silly over this, but your day is coming! I just never thought it would happen to me. Well, I've got to get ready for work, now where did I put the Geritol?
Love, Luck, and Laughter,
Paula the hillbilly

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

I'm like Ford, always got a better idea

As everyone that has any religious background knows, this is the season of Lent. A guy that was in my office the other day told me he talked to his wife about what would be a good thing to give up for lent, and he told her, "Honey, I'd like for you to give up griping." lol Isn't it amusing how we all have our own individual, unique characteristics? (Nicely put huh?) I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer, (although I am the most colorful crayon in the box lol) but for some reason, no matter what my husband is doing I always have a better idea. That's why he knicknamed me Ford. (if you remember the old commercials). Well, after much prayer and meditation of trying to decide what I needed to give up for lent, (the list was so long I had a lot to choose from) I decided to do what the Bible says in Thessalonians, "...to live a quiet life (me?), ...mind my own business, and to work with my hands...." So, every time a situation comes up that I wanna say, "well, what about doing it this way," I've been trying to pray. Well, I was really patting myself on the back and thought I was doing good, until we walked over to our neighbors house where he is building a play house for his grandkids. He said he was going to put a stairway inside the house to have a second story and I spoke up and said, "Why don't you put the stair on the outside and you'll have more room inside?" My husband chimed in, "Sorry, she's like Ford, she's always got a better idea." Oh, well, God knows I have tried. But the lesson here is don't give up, keep trying to attain your goals. God will bless you for it.
Love, luck and laughter,
Paula the hillbilly

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Hoarding, greed, or couponing?

I was reading in Colossians this morning. I've read this verse many times, but I did a dumb thing, I asked God to speak to me through His word. He did. I've been couponing for about a year. My how I get excited when I come home with 6 free packs of deodorant or toothpaste. It is a high that is exhilirating. Well, the Word says, "Put to death , therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature... greed...." (there are other things in the list but I'm focusing on greed today) My youngest daughter pointed out to me that if you keep deodorant for a long time it becomes dry and flaky. So, I've been watching what some of the couponers buy on these blogs and noticed they are doing some of the same things I've done. So, I gave some of my stuff away. I realized this morning how I was becoming greedy. So, I want to remind everyone, it's great to get a bargain and get a stash of things ahead. But, I saw one girl on t.v. on Extreme Couponing where she had enough toilet paper in her stash to last 40 years! There are a lot of people who need a little help along the way, so this is a reminder to me and everyone. Let's share!
Love, luck, laughter,
Paula the hillbilly

Monday, March 21, 2011

Hunting momma a shower curtain

Well, my life has just turned from mediocre to off the charts exciting! My brother and sister-in-law are here from Kansas and we are off to find my mother a shower curtain for her to re-do her bathroom. The hard thing is she wants something beautiful and different for $1.00. Well, that does create a bit of a problem. My mother is not frugal, she's somewhat stingy. So, her daughter the saving hillbilly to the rescue. I've got coupons in hand for different stores and we're going to check every clearance aisle we can. Now, I know my mother, she will LOVE whatever is dirt cheap. lol Well, some of you just think you have a life. Listen in my hillbilly life I have the nicest cars on blocks of anyone in the neighborhood! We even mow around ours! Not everyone can say that. "Be anxious in nothing...." So, God's word says don't worry that the lillies of the field don't spin and toil and Solomon in all his slender didn't dress as such. So, I'm asking the Lord to help us find one of "those" kind of shower curtains. Natural beauty , with little cost. Until later
Love, luck and laughter,
Paula the hillbilly

Sunday, March 20, 2011

God's beautiful day

"This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it". What a beautiful Sunday morning. I can't wait to go to church this morning to see what God has inspired our wonderful pastor to teach about. It will be great and I get to see my "church family".

Saturday, March 19, 2011

A chair on the side of the road?

Hello everyone!
"Whatever you do, do as unto the Lord" My husband and I were on our way to church one Sunday morning and I noticed the house down the street from us had furniture and "stuff" piled out on the street. I told my husband, "STOP!" and he said we don't have time. So, I waited until on our way back and then told him to stop. The family that owned the house were still putting stuff out on the curb. I asked the owner why they were doing this. He said his father-in-law had died and his mother-in-law had been put in an assisted living facility, so they needed to get rid of some of this stuff. I went crazy. There was some picture frames, shelves and a wing back chair with torn fabric. I sat in the chair to make sure it wasn't broken and put it in our vehicle. I had recovered some cushions in the past, but had never tried a full blown upholstery job. I researched the internet watched videos. I took off each piece of fabric, labeled it, took pictures a long the way so I could try to remember how they went back on. Here is the result of my work. By the way, I'm not going to give up my day job. But, it is good enough for me. It is in my living room as I write.
Now here is the finished product
Now the good looking guy does not come with the chair! My grandson's dad
I love to give something that has been "thrown out" and "old" new life because Im grateful that is what the Lord has done for me. He took someone that was a sinner and pretty well useless and gave me grace. Praise the Lord! Until later.
Love, luck and laughter,
Paula the hillbilly

Friday, March 18, 2011

Have you ever been in a situation that you needed to wrap a gift and you couldn't find any wrapping paper? Well, here's the hillbilly's solution. First of all I had to think, "What do I have?" I had some construction paper in a drawer. I dug it out. I covered my boxes with the paper. (By the way this was for Christmas, who said it had to be red or green? lol) I made loops, rings, I took a piece of paper and wrapped it in a circle and took my scissors and started cutting little fringe. I taped them to the packages. These gifts were for kids, so do you think they care what kind of wrapping was on there? In a few seconds it will end up on the floor anyway. Other solutions is to take newspaper, wrap your gift and take ribbon and make a pretty colored bow, by making several loopsand taping it to the package. I have even used fabric (from my stash) and wrapped gifts. You may not have any bows. Try twigs, leaves, pine cones. If you crochet, crochet a little flower or put some sort of trinket. The fact that you even are GIVING a gift to someone is the most important part. Use your imagination and you can wrap a gift for pennies. Because let's face it, in these hard economic times, with people losing their jobs and their homes, wrapping paper is a luxury.
Stay tuned for more saving ideas. From the saving Hillbillly, Paula
Love, luck and laughter.

About me

Hi, everyone!

Welcome to my hillbilly blog!  Everyone has to understand I am a country girl.  I was raised wearing "hand-made" clothes, growing our own vegetables, feeding chickens, cows, and pigs, chopping and picking cotton and I was taught that wastefulness was a sin.  Do I need to explain more?  My dad was a highschool football coach and I thought if you didn't like football, you wouldn't go to heaven!  And I married a guy who loves basketball!  So, there you go.  I will be trying to feature some of my ideas of saving money.  Not only do I coupon, but I try to  save money on WHATEVER I'm doing!!

There is a spiritual aspect to saving money.  In the Bible, when Jesus was on a mountain teaching a crowd one day, the disciples came to Him and said the people are hungry.  Jesus said, "What do you have?"  The replied, "only a boy with five loaves of bread and two fish".  Out of that small lunch, Jesus fed 5,000!  So, I ask you,  WHAT DO YOU HAVE?  That's where you start.  When you need something, you first stop and pray and ask God to help you, then you look at what you have and then take time to THINK!  Necessity is the mother of invention!  There have been many things created because someone needed something but didn't have the funds to do it. So give it a try. I will be posting some pictures and some ideas.  So stay tuned

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