So, I’m co-coaching our 6yo son’s soccer team this year, and yesterday was our first practice.  Yes, laugh if you will.  I have been! 

In the middle of a penalty kick drill, I noticed the high school football team jogging our way.  Yes, my husband’s team.  I figured they were running laps or something and carried on… until they were on our turf and no longer could be ignored.

I looked at them, teen boys suited up in pads and big grins.  “Are we in your way?” I asked.  Even with the expanse of the high school practice field, junior high practice field, and elementary playground strung together, I new they had “first dibs” on the territory.

“Nope.”  They stopped jogging.  And they started clapping.  For us.  For my kindergarten and first grade boys, who pretty much forgot their own names as their jaws dropped to the prickly grass.

When we snapped to, it was time to kick.

{clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap}

“Nice one!”

{clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap}

“Great kick!”

{clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap}

“Whoa!  Close!”

{clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap}

They cheered for our boys, by name.  And then they turned around and left.

To have the high school football team cheering us on in soccer practice?  To observe my little guys “step up” a notch knowing they were watching?  To witness the pride and smiles?  To relay the whole event from my point of view to my husband who, of course, was orchestrating from afar, and have him exclaim with a laugh, “That’s just what I was going for!”  Uh-huh.  Definitely a Finer Thing.

What Finer Things are you celebrating this week?  Link up and let us know!

Soccer Surprise {Finer Things Friday} is a post from: The Finer Things in Life

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It’s that time again!  Football practice starts Monday.  Early mornings.  Late evenings.  Games on Friday.  Breakfast Saturday.  It’s hectic.  It’s chaotic.  It’s so much more than football. 

Tonight we rewarded the guys who busted it all summer in the weight room with a steak dinner.  This is the aftermath.  Such a fun way to kick off the new season!  Yes, really!

Football season does mean long hours and late nights for my husband.  It does mean he’s not at my beck and call quite as much as I’d like him to be.    It does mean 10 weeks of crazy busyness for the whole family.

You know what?  I’m good with that!  Around here, football season is so much more than the game.  Football is family.  It’s ice cream socials in my backyard.  It’s breakfast at o-dark-thirty on Saturday mornings, dedicated young men sprawled out on my living room floor.  It’s linemen and receivers holding my 4 year old’s dolly because she told them to.  It’s my kids squealing that “our friends are here!” when any of the boys show up at the door.

Football season is a Finer Thing!  (Remind me of that when I’m grouchy and grumbly and dog tired in a few weeks, okay?)

What Finer Things are you celebrating this week?  Link up and let us know!

More Than a Game {Finer Things Friday} is a post from: The Finer Things in Life

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Sno cones at the park.

The dirt had to go somewhere when they dug the mud volleyball pits!

Watching the parade with my snackin’ buddy.

Antique tractors sputtering along, sign of days gone by.

“Grandpa” saw my kiddos playing on the playground and asked them if they would “help him out” and ride in the parade.  Why yes, they would!

Sack races.

Wheelbarrow races on crunchy grass.  (Please God, bring the rain!)

Ready to “throw candy at people” at the second parade of the weekend.

And she enjoyed every minute of it!

Three days.  Late nights.  Mud volleyball. Softball.  Hamburger feed.  Homemade ice cream and cake decorating.  Water games.  Other games.  Two parades. Fireworks. Hotdog cookout.  Patriotic songs blaring over main street sound systems.  Friends.  Busyness.  Bliss.

A Finer Things weekend, for sure!

What Finer Things are you celebrating this week? Link up and let us know!

Where I Come From {Finer Things Friday} is a post from: The Finer Things in Life

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In place of my weekly Weekend Wanderings feature, I’d like to join in Small Business Saturday and highlight a few “mom shops” from around the web.  Perhaps you’ll find the perfect, unique gift for a special someone (maybe even yourself?) and if you purchase, you’ll also be giving a virtual “thumbs up” for the entrepreneurial spirit.

A day to come together in support of the small businesses we love.  The businesses that are the heartbeat of our communities and local economies.  That day is November 27, 2010—the first-ever Small Business Saturday.

The Rusted Chain – “I’ll take one of each, please.”  That’s what I want to say every time I visit Beki’s shop.  Not only is her jewelry both simple and elegant (no wild fru-fru here), Beki is a fellow Kansan and is at the top of my “cyber friends I want to meet in real life” list.

From now until Monday night, enter TURKEY25 and get 25% off your entire order at The Rusted Chain! In addition, if you mention “freebie” in your paypal notes (right under the shipping address), shee’ll include a free stamped pendant with your order.  These are pre-made and can’t be custom, but will be a universally appealing word like “hope” or “faith”.

Kelly Joy Boutique offers “handmade flair for girls of all ages.”  I just purchased the above hair clip for my daughter to wear with her Christmas dress.  Can’t wait to show her! Enter code BLACKFRIDAY10 at checkout from now through Saturday night to receive 20% off EVERYTHING in her shop!

I’ve had my eye on this hat from Mimi’s Babies for nearly 3 months.  Not one to pass up a good sale from a quality shop, I bought it tonight!  Merry Christmas, little man.    Mimi’s Babies is offering free shipping through Monday night.  In addition, enter code FINERTHINGS20 for 20% off your order!

Kozy Kiddo offers custom products for mom and baby.  If we lived in Florida (or anywhere that it isn’t freezing for Christmas) I’d be all over this dress for the girls!  Kozy Kiddo is offering several Cyber Monday Sales: dresses 20% off (Regular $17.99), custom nursing cover 20% off (Regular $22.99), grocery cart cover 20% off (Regular $42.99), and ALL ready to ship items 15% off.

Denim Water Bottle Carriers Mini eCourse – In this course you will find the basics of putting together several different styles of water bottle carriers. You will learn techniques such as putting in elastic, embellishing, and how to add two different types of bottoms to your bag.  Through Monday, use the coupon code DENIM to get the course for $4.95 (regular price is $9.95).  This might be the perfect gift for your budding seamstress.

So many quality, creative businesses, so little time!  I could be at this all night!  If you own or know of a small, family-friendly business that should be represented, please link it up below, or leave information in the comments.  Make sure to include any special sales that are offered this weekend!

Small Business Saturday Deals is a post from: The Finer Things in Life

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Yesterday morning I was asked to donate a White Elephant gift for Tiny Town community BINGO night.  If I had anything. Figuring I’d embarrass myself if I showed up with several boxes of items (oh, but I think I could!), I just stuffed a sack full of extras from my “gift stash” in the basement.

Baby boy and I had to come home early from BINGO night, and when the rest of the family arrived, the three-year-old was over the moon about her prize.  “Look what I won, Mom!”  So proud.

Can you guess?

Uh-huh.  It was an item that I had donated just hours before.  Geez, I can’t even give my stuff away!

In addition to 11 BINGO gifts (one of which ended up back in my home, but we won’t count that!), I packed up 30 items for Goodwill and have another box started.  Not stellar, especially after last month’s fail.

October Total: 41

2010 Total: 542

So… I have 2 months to get rid of 188 items and meet my goal of 730 items for the year.  That sounds like a lot, but if I could just spend some time purging in all 3 bedrooms, I’d be set.  Pressure’s on!

How did you do with your decluttering in October?  Link up and we’ll cheer you on!

October Clutter Update is a post from: The Finer Things in Life

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How do you define “small town”?

While we could set a dividing line of population, we aren’t going to. We mean to include small towns and rural areas, outlying suburbs and exurbs. Plus, plenty of people who live in a big city have some important small town connection, whether that’s where you grew up, where you plan to move, where your parents came from, or where your clients are.

If you are excited about small towns and want to be part of the discussion, we want you to join us.

Jeff Pulver’s 140 Characters Conference:  Small Town is coming to Hutchinson, Kansas next Monday, November 1. We have our tickets (I’m dragging my hubby along to help with the baby) and I’d love to meet some of you there.  If you live in or have a passion for small town America, and can find your way to Hutchinson, Kansas next Monday, please do!

#140conf Small Town will be a ground breaking opportunity to look at the effects of the real-time web on the people and the businesses inside of and around Small Towns.

Those of us who live and work in rural America know the benefits and blessings of life in a Small Town.  We also know the challenges, many of which revolve around economy.  I’ve learned first hand how social media powerfully impacts small town living as I’ve grown this blog into a (tiny) business in the last two years right from my living room.  At the conference, we’ll hear from farmers, rural business owners, and small town entrepreneurs.  We’ll learn how to harness the power of social media to help our communities thrive.

If you’d like to attend the conference, feel free to use the code 140disc for a $40 discount on your ticket.  If you’re a student, you may register for free.

If you plan to attend, please let me know.  I’d love to meet you!

140 Characters Conference (#140conf) Coming to Kansas is a post from: The Finer Things in Life

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Last week we had reason to make a rare day trip to the city for appointments and errands.  A visit to Borders to redeem her completed Double Dog Dare sheet for a brand new FREE book was in order.  Exciting, right?  A large book store would be paradise to a tiny town girl who has mostly read books only from her tiny town library, right?

Wrong.

“So you’re telling me you have to pay money for these books?”

Sure do.

“What do you do when you’re done reading them?  You can’t bring them back and get new ones?”

Pretty much.  {She wrinkles her nose and raises a skeptical eyebrow.}

“THAT doesn’t seem fair.  I like the library better.“

That’s my girl!  Practical talk from my frugal, tiny town reader is a Finer Thing. 

What Finer Things are you celebrating this week? Link up and let us know!  Please link to your post and not your homepage, and leave a link back here so your readers can join in.

*** And just so you know, I have no issues with buying books.  I just prefer to buy them at garage sales or second hand stores when possible.    And the Double Dog Dare program?  Awesome!  I’m not compensated to say that, I just think everyone should take advantage of that great offer!***

Finer Things Friday: The Library is a post from: The Finer Things in Life

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After a brief but heartfelt announcement expressing our sympathy to a rival school who lost a cheerleader to illness last weekend, we paused for a moment of silence.  Two tiny towns, rival schools knit together by unimaginable grief and a pigskin.

The game went on, because that’s what we do.  We play football, knowing that in the end, the ball isn’t the game. Community, self-confidence, courage, being a part of something bigger than yourself, relying on your teammates; that’s what it’s about.

All the teachers at our Tiny School received an ominous email today.  “The State Board of Education has placed mandatory school consolidations on the agenda.”  It’s not looking good for us, but if I know our people there will be a fight.  A fight to save the atmosphere of tonight.  A fight to save our heart.

We just played our last football game of the season.  There was the usual cheering and laughter and jeering the coach (ahem), but there was also peace.  Peace in the safety, comfort in the simplicity.  We know not what the future holds, but right here, right now, we are community.

Being a member of this community is a Finer Thing. What Finer Things are you celebrating this week?  Link up and let us know!  Please link up to your post and not your homepage.  Also, leave a link back here so your readers can find us.

1. Amy @ MomsToolbox-Being a Fisher of Men! 2. Angie @ Many Little Blessings (Exploring Electronics with Dad) 3. Jen@Balancing Beauty and Bedlam(unveiling the mask) 4. Kim @ Mom Tried It (Mommy Moment) 5. Myra @ Happy Housewife Living Life (Celebrating Fall) 6. Kristin @ Prudent & Practical (Chocolate Cake) 7. Musings of Allyson (Autumn) 8. It Feels Like Chaos (reading) 9. Kate @ A Simple Walk (friendship) 10. Jen @ Cents in Cities (Playing with Food) 11. Lisa@BlessedwithGrace 12. Jean Stockdale 13. ButterYum – Almond Chiffon with Raspberry Whipped Cream 14. Sherry @ Lamp Unto My Feet (Comforts of Home) 15. Tara @ Feels like home (orange cake w/Halloween twist) 16. Amy @ SS&GF (Saffron Tomato Sauce with Chicken and Spaghetti Squash) 17. Kari @ Eating Simply – Braised Beef with Purple Cabbage 18. cindy@cottage instincts 19. Jodi @ one blessed mama (Lincoln’s Laugh) 20. Amy Lynne @ Mom*s Balance 21. haleywynn (epiphany!) 22. Newlyweds (Glitter Pumpkins) 23. Audra – Trick or Treating with Little Man

24. Mother Hen (Sally Mae Bakes!) 25. Parenting the Tiniest of Miracles (Pink Cloud) 26. Laura @ Heavenly Homemakers (Hallelujah!) 27. Cents to Get Debt Free 28. Shelley @MAHM (Planning for the Holiday Season) 29. Monica@DailyDwelling (packing day and answered prayers) 30. The Prudent Homemaker (Using Powdered and Evaporated Milk) 31. Geri@heartnsoulcooking(butter pecan ice box cookies) 32. MomsFrugal (frugal outings) 33. HoosierHomemade(Halloween Treats) 34. Jennifer (Laughing at my boy) 35. DIY Newlyweds 36. RuthintheDesert (English Village Atmosphere) 37. Penny@MyLifeonPlanetMom 38. Iris at The Daily Dietribe: Whipped Sweet Potatoes with Cashew Cream 39. Jenny @ The Zepf Life(Kroger Savings) 40. Jenny @ The Zepf Life(Thankfulness) 41. Amy Lynne @ Mom*s Balance(Part 2) 42. Bonnie @ Life’s Little Details 43. Bonnie @Life’s Little Details 44. Bonnie 45. GoodNCrazy: halloweenn shopping story

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Finer Things Friday: Right Here, Right Now is a post from: The Finer Things in Life

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This is the face of a first grader who

• gave in to the sandman at 10:45 the night before school started
• came barreling out of her room at 6:45 the next morning (fully dressed and with her bed made!), announcing “The 1st Grader’s awake!”
• had an “Everything was awesome!” first day of school.

And this {sigh} is the swelled heart of a mama who is grateful that going to school is a Finer Thing and not a traumatic event for her precious daughter.

What Finer Things are you celebrating this week?  Link up and let us know!  I’ve been pretty forgiving, but this week I’m deleting links that don’t follow the (easy, peasy!) rules.

1. Link to your Finer Things blog post (permalink) and not your home page.  (If you need help with this, let me know!)
2. Leave a link back here so your readers can find us.

1. Sharon (Toes) 2. HoosierHomemade(Summer Vacation) 3. Lisa@Blessedwithgrace 4. Christian Frugal Mama (Frugal Comfort Food) 5. Raise Them Up 6. The Cozy Country Home (A Night with my Mother) 7. Tara @ Feels like Home (flowers)

8. Angie @ Many Little Blessings (Crying About My Faith) 9. A Simple Walk (bunk beds) 10. It Feels Like Chaos (modern medicine) 11. WackyMummy 12. Kitchen Stewardship (Bloggy Best Friend Birthday Gifts) 13. Simply Sugar & Gluten-Free (Simple Oven Baked Brown Rice) 14. Newlyweds (Garden)

15. Geri@heartnsoulcooking ( pear shortcake ) 16. Jennie @ A Welcoming Heart ( Summer Morn’ Tablescape) 17. Amy (I Will Survive) 18. Jean Stockdale (Bears) 19. Bonnie 20. Diann @ The Thrifty Groove (Thrifty = Toys for Tots) 21. Amy Lynne @ Mom*s Balance

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Finer Things Friday: An Awesome Day is a post from: The Finer Things in Life

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People who think there’s nothing to do in a Tiny Town are just plain wrong. (You can disagree with me, but that doesn’t mean I’m not right.) 

Here’s what you do when the big town/city entertainment and conveniences aren’t so convenient.

Top Ten: Two Weeks in Tiny Town

1. story hour at the library – last week they had a teddy bear picnic; this week they’re going on a scavenger hunt in the librarian’s garden!
2. full week of VBS - I taught, my two older kids participated with gusto in their classes, and my little one sang songs and made crafts in the nursery
3. two softball games – check out these easy treats to make for your team
4. softball practice
5. carnival at the nursing home – I don’t know who had more fun; my children, the residents, or myself!
6. magic show at the community center – a yearly favorite; part of our summer reading program
7. crafts at the library
8. city swimming pool opened – not many towns our size still have a city pool; we are thankful for ours!
9. playing at the park – the park never gets old for my children
10. family bike rides on the bike path – family bike rides are something Lance and I dreamed about for years; we’re living our dream!

Bored?!  Tired is more like it!  For the size of our community, the dedication to family life by the city and volunteers is admirable.  We are grateful to be a part.

This post is linked to

• Gratituesday
• Talk About Tuesday
• Top Ten Tuesday

Two Weeks in Tiny Town is a post from: The Finer Things in Life

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