I anticipated it last week, and as suspected we've gone over budget in all the categories I'm posting here. Apparently I really need the accountability!
Let's just skip right to it shall we?
Brooke Personal Spending: $125 budgeted - $144 actuals
I have plenty of excuses for this. I purchased an audio book for the Mountain Man Memorial March. I found the perfect Halloween costume on eBay. I had to eat breakfast out on the way to my volunteer gig Friday/Saturday morning because I had to get up too early as it was.
The bottom line is that $125 is plenty of money, and had I used it wisely earlier in the month I could have done all of those things and stayed in budget. As usual, it all comes back to my fast food habit. One of these days I'll break it, or just throw my hands up and give up.
I'm helping a friend move tomorrow, so I'm not sure if they'll be anything added to this one or not. Whatever I go over this month, will be deducted from my starting total next month. Although I was under last month, and that extra money didn't get credited to this month. Hmmm.
Jay Personal spending: $100 budgeted - $124.65 actuals
He typically spends about $80 a month on dip, so I'm guessing the rest of this is beer. Looks like we definitely need to discuss repercussions of going over. We're both spending willy-nilly and obviously not caring that we're going over. This must change.
Groceries: $150 budgeted - $154.04 actuals
I did pretty good on this one if I do say so myself! This will be the monthly total so we're good on it. I went on one big shopping trip at the first of the month, then did weekly fruit/veggie/can't pass up sale runs the rest of the month. That also takes a load off of me time wise, because it means I'm only doing the "my night is screwed" trip once monthly.
Eating out: $75 budget - $81.86 actuals
The volunteer event put this one over too. Friday and Saturday I woke up at 5, drove for an hour each way to volunteer 12 hours daily of my time for a benefit sporting clays tournament put on by my boss's charity.
Since my husband is unwilling to prepare dinner for us, that meant either I had to get home at 8 in the evening and start dinner or else snag fast food on the way home. My choice is obvious, although the situation frustrates me.
I suppose I should plan better and have frozen meals on standby, but if I can be honest it just irritates me that I'm the sole provider of meals for us. Sure he'll fix himself a frozen pizza or pizza rolls if I'm having dinner elsewhere, but beyond that its all on my shoulders. I know this has nothing to do with money but I'm putting it out there any way.
So there.
Moving right along...I'm looking forward to the fresh start of May. I really think that knowing that I'm reporting in to yall is going to help me stay on track.
How are you doing moving toward your financial goals? If you want post then I'd love for you to leave your link in the comments!
Showing posts with label charity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label charity. Show all posts
April 29, 2011
April 05, 2011
Barefoot Blogging
I love shoes.
I have so many shoes I should be too embarrassed to ever buy another pair, but truth be told I found a pair of black boots on sale for $14.99 yesterday and just couldn't resist. After all with my chub + runners calves knee boots that fit are hard to come by. Cute size 9 shoes are hard to come by.
It was as if God dropped them into my lap.
Or something like that. (Or nothing at all like that.)
A glimpse into my closet shoes you that I have far more shoes than any one person needs. No, the camera couldn't pan all the way to the top. There are a couple more rows of fancy dress shoes up top. No, those aren't the only shoe racks in my closet.
Almost sinful isn't it?
Especially considering there are people who'd love one pair of shoes.
Today is the One Day Without Shoes day. Unfortunately OSHA and my employer wouldn't allow me to go barefoot today. Enter Hannah at Peggy Ann Design - today I am blogging barefoot.
Okay I have another confession - my hubby took my camera so I wasn't able to snap a picture of my tootsies this morning. As a good Appalachian girl, I can tell you that I have plenty of barefoot moments in my life. I'm sure the "hick" stereotype of being barefoot came because people like my ancestors couldn't afford several pair of shoes.
My mom even tells a story about how she took her Sunday shoes off one afternoon at the dam and forgot them. She got in a lot of trouble because her family could barely afford the one pair of church shoes and one pair of school shoes they had already bought for her. In the spring/summer she only got one pair of church shoes. "Daily" shoes were a luxury they couldn't afford.
Heartbreaking isn't?
Even more so considering there are millions of people living today without even one pair of shoes.
Please do what you can. Maybe there is a Soles4Souls box near you. I'm planning on going through my closet tonight and bringing in a few for the box at work. Maybe there is a poor section of your county and you want to talk to the principal about buying school shoes/clothes for a child who needs it. Even if its just posting a picture of you barefootin it - please do something!
So tonight, when I sit down on the couch and put my feet in Jay's lap I will be thankful.
Thankful for too many shoes to count.
Thankful for plenty of money in the bank to add to my collection on a random whim.
Thankful for healthy feet that have carried me many miles and hopefully many more to come.
Thankful for a God who has grace me with His love and with a heart to help those in need.
Thankful for a husband who love me so much he built shelves to support my "habit."
Thankful for that same husband who rubs my feet mindlessly while watching TV.
We are so blessed. Please today, if you do nothing else, take a moment to count your blessings. You might be having a difficult day, or even in a difficult season in life, but blessings are there. It might just take a little bit of effort pulling back the weeds to find them.
March 10, 2011
Random Junk Mail Prompts Me to Prompt You to Action
I'm the designated mail getter at my house. Our box is at a weird spot in relation to our driveway and I always drive by (yes drive, not walk) and get it on my way in from work. I'm a weirdo in that I enjoy getting junk mail, I even enjoy bills. No mail is the only kind of mail I don't enjoy.
Before you cart me off to the loony bin, I enjoy opening bills because I get that nerdy high when I open them and write them in my day planner (in red ink - to show its money owed.) Then when I pay the bill I highlight it in green (the color of money) to show its paid.
Okay, I'm starting to get a nerdy high just talking about it, and I'm getting myself off track.
Junk mail.
I love it.
I'm not sure why, but I love opening my mailbox to find something. Anything.
One of those random pieces of junk mail is a hemophilia newsletter. If you've read here very long you know my husband is a mutant. (No really - he has a genetic disease that no one else in his bloodline has. A mutation.)
Unfortunately, he's not a mutant in the variety of Wolverine.
Thankfully, he's not one to shy away from the spotlight, and the Medic people didn't think I was too crazy.
Hi Daddy! I promised the Medic workers that I wouldn't get pictures of any one's faces except my father's. Medical confidentiality and all.
The process is really easy. After some paperwork and a quick finger prick (to make sure you're not anemic) you then get escorted to one of these lovely beds. The get you hooked up and off you go. I have tiny little stubborn veins. I've had nurses fight over who has to take my blood. Both times with Medic? They hit me first try with no problems.
Once you fill 'er up, you get cookies, soda, and a free t-shirt. All for giving the gift of life!
Yes, everything around here revolves around University of Tennessee football. *eye roll* but you can't blame Medic. Whatever works, right?
So please, give blood if you can. If not, try to encourage someone in your family who can to do so. Also? Please never take your good health for granted. I promise, for every time you participate in a contact sport, there is a mutant out there somewhere wishing that he could join you.
Before you cart me off to the loony bin, I enjoy opening bills because I get that nerdy high when I open them and write them in my day planner (in red ink - to show its money owed.) Then when I pay the bill I highlight it in green (the color of money) to show its paid.
Okay, I'm starting to get a nerdy high just talking about it, and I'm getting myself off track.
Junk mail.
I love it.
I'm not sure why, but I love opening my mailbox to find something. Anything.
One of those random pieces of junk mail is a hemophilia newsletter. If you've read here very long you know my husband is a mutant. (No really - he has a genetic disease that no one else in his bloodline has. A mutation.)
Unfortunately, he's not a mutant in the variety of Wolverine.
(source)
Okay so the knives shooting out of his hands would be creepy in real life, but I'm talking about Wolverine's ability to regenerate. In fact, my husband's problem is just the opposite. As a hemophiliac, his blood lacks a clotting factor. The result? His body takes longer to heal than your average non-mutant. Sometimes to the point of requiring medication to help things along.
Back to the newsletter. Every month (or is it once a quarter) we're told of the different places we can go have a free meal if only we'll sit through a presentation from a pharmaceutical rep. (Believe it or not the cheapest couple in the world has never attended one of these.)
What I did find out? March is Hemophilia awareness month.
I don't claim to be an expert on the topic, but I know that loving someone with the blood disorder can sometimes be scary and painful. I know the basics about the disease. You and I probably clot in the 90-100% range, my husband clots in the 10-12% range. Even scarier is that he is a mild case, and that there are hemophiliacs who have a less than 1% clotting ability.
I'm thankful that his case is mild. I'm also thankful that since we've been together, he's only had one major injury. (You can read about it here and here.)
As a hemophiliac born in the same decade as Ryan White, I'm glad to say that my in-laws did whatever they had to do to ensure that Jay was never treated with human blood. Having said that I know there are some people where that's just not feasible. One treatment can cost thousands of dollars.
Because of that, I'm asking you to give blood. In my area, Medic is our local supplier when it comes to donating or receiving blood. I don't know if you have a similar organization in your area, but please do some research. Donating to Medic means your family is covered (for free) if the situation arises that you would need a transfusion. And thankfully, due to tragedies like Ryan White's, the blood is highly screened and safe.
One day I was playing around on Facebook and saw a "donate blood and run a 5K" challenge. You guys know how much I love a good race, so my first thought was "I should do that." I had just finished up my treatments for anemia, so it only took a second for me to remember what a bad idea that was.
My second thought? Maybe I could talk Jay into giving for me! Obviously the excitement about the race had clouded my judgment. His blood would be as useful to Medic as tits on a boar hog. (One of my dad's favorite sayings.)
Not one to give up quickly (unless it suits me), I talked my dad into giving. He's a Medic regular - gives on behalf of himself and my mom, on behalf of my family, and on behalf of my sister's family (they won't take BIL's blood because he's from the United Kingdom). I told him that he needed to wait to give until I could tag along and take pictures.
Thankfully, he's not one to shy away from the spotlight, and the Medic people didn't think I was too crazy.
Hi Daddy! I promised the Medic workers that I wouldn't get pictures of any one's faces except my father's. Medical confidentiality and all.
The process is really easy. After some paperwork and a quick finger prick (to make sure you're not anemic) you then get escorted to one of these lovely beds. The get you hooked up and off you go. I have tiny little stubborn veins. I've had nurses fight over who has to take my blood. Both times with Medic? They hit me first try with no problems.
Once you fill 'er up, you get cookies, soda, and a free t-shirt. All for giving the gift of life!
Yes, everything around here revolves around University of Tennessee football. *eye roll* but you can't blame Medic. Whatever works, right?
So please, give blood if you can. If not, try to encourage someone in your family who can to do so. Also? Please never take your good health for granted. I promise, for every time you participate in a contact sport, there is a mutant out there somewhere wishing that he could join you.
"Thanks guys."
February 25, 2011
Fancy Dress Friday
I was sick the week following Valentine's so I didn't post my pictures from the dinner and dance. Hope yall don't mind me posting them a bit late. (Forgive the duplication, those of you who have seen them on facebook already.)
As if you couldn't tell by looking at them, the handsome couple on the right is my parents. Okay maybe "handsome" isn't the right word for the Possum (my father's mustache) but we're a good lookin' crew right? My mom found both of our dresses the week before at JC Penny for under $5.
Seriously.
Here is my goofy friend Kristi giving someone the what for, and Maria smiling for the camera. My parents went on and on about how funny Kristi was that night. Thing is, she's always that funny. That's why we keep her around.
Callie is one of the reasons the dance exists. The other reason is her little brother Cale. They both have Cystic Fibrosis. The Valentine's Dinner and Dance (along with other fund raisers hosted by Cure Finders) raises money to fun research for a cure.
The event was a success! As with most every year, all the tables sold out. In fact, they had to make room for some extras. Sounds like a great problem to have if you ask me!
What would a charity event be without a silent auction? Typically Jay buys me a Valentine's gift at the auction to try and cover for his procrastination. This year, since we'd decided we weren't purchasing gifts, he set his sights on a gift for my Dad's 60th birthday. I came down to the wire, but we ended up getting it!
As you can see it was a great night. Service usually doesn't look this pretty.
As if you couldn't tell by looking at them, the handsome couple on the right is my parents. Okay maybe "handsome" isn't the right word for the Possum (my father's mustache) but we're a good lookin' crew right? My mom found both of our dresses the week before at JC Penny for under $5.
Seriously.
Here is my goofy friend Kristi giving someone the what for, and Maria smiling for the camera. My parents went on and on about how funny Kristi was that night. Thing is, she's always that funny. That's why we keep her around.
Callie is one of the reasons the dance exists. The other reason is her little brother Cale. They both have Cystic Fibrosis. The Valentine's Dinner and Dance (along with other fund raisers hosted by Cure Finders) raises money to fun research for a cure.
The event was a success! As with most every year, all the tables sold out. In fact, they had to make room for some extras. Sounds like a great problem to have if you ask me!
What would a charity event be without a silent auction? Typically Jay buys me a Valentine's gift at the auction to try and cover for his procrastination. This year, since we'd decided we weren't purchasing gifts, he set his sights on a gift for my Dad's 60th birthday. I came down to the wire, but we ended up getting it!
As you can see it was a great night. Service usually doesn't look this pretty.
January 28, 2011
I need your help!
Valentine's is just around the corner and I need a good idea for my man!
We're leaving for Maui the following week, so I'm hoping for a free/cheap idea. Just something that lets him know how much I love him and appreciate his hard work for our family.
In the past I've tried homemade coupon books, and those don't work so well. Unless of course the coupon reads "good for one free load of laundry: washed, dried, folded and put away." In which case the coupon gets redeemed immediately.
But that coupon for a moonlit trip to Big Rock? Yeah still in the envelope from 4 Christmases ago.
Also - what's the rule on re-wearing formals?
Every year (this this will be my 6th or 7th year) I volunteer at the Cure Finder's Valentine's Dinner and Dance. In years past, I've been able to find a good bargain on formal wear. Its two weekends away and I still have nothing to wear!
I had planned on wearing a LBD I had worn at my previous employer's Christmas party, but who was I kidding! That was over 6 years and more than 6 pounds ago!
This weekend I'm going out shopping and hope that I'll find a bargain, but looking for a bargain is usually hit or miss. Tirah has kindly offered to let me borrow something of hers, but since we're not exactly next door neighbors, I worry about postage costs, and of course fit.
What do you think? How many years should I wait before re-wearing the collection I have in my closet from the past 6 years? (Assuming those would fit of course.) While memories aren't that good and no one probably remembers my outfit from 2 years ago, there is a professional photographer on site who does formal portraits that I keep up in my office.
We're leaving for Maui the following week, so I'm hoping for a free/cheap idea. Just something that lets him know how much I love him and appreciate his hard work for our family.
In the past I've tried homemade coupon books, and those don't work so well. Unless of course the coupon reads "good for one free load of laundry: washed, dried, folded and put away." In which case the coupon gets redeemed immediately.
But that coupon for a moonlit trip to Big Rock? Yeah still in the envelope from 4 Christmases ago.
Also - what's the rule on re-wearing formals?
Every year (this this will be my 6th or 7th year) I volunteer at the Cure Finder's Valentine's Dinner and Dance. In years past, I've been able to find a good bargain on formal wear. Its two weekends away and I still have nothing to wear!
I had planned on wearing a LBD I had worn at my previous employer's Christmas party, but who was I kidding! That was over 6 years and more than 6 pounds ago!
This weekend I'm going out shopping and hope that I'll find a bargain, but looking for a bargain is usually hit or miss. Tirah has kindly offered to let me borrow something of hers, but since we're not exactly next door neighbors, I worry about postage costs, and of course fit.
What do you think? How many years should I wait before re-wearing the collection I have in my closet from the past 6 years? (Assuming those would fit of course.) While memories aren't that good and no one probably remembers my outfit from 2 years ago, there is a professional photographer on site who does formal portraits that I keep up in my office.
December 13, 2010
Tis the Season of Giving
Normally, the Challenges issued to us by Christie O. and the rest of the Sisterhood team via the Monthly Project focus on improving ourselves somehow. Whether it be loving ourselves more, finding our inner motivation, or sharing great healthy recipes.
This month, however, our monthly challenge is taking the focus off us and on to someone else.
Let's face it, if you're concerned about your weight? That means you have plenty of food to eat.
Worried about being active enough? You must not have a strenuous manual labor job.
I don't know about you, but I'm thankful for both of those.
From the Sisterhood:
For this project, all we ask is that you spread the Holiday Spirit, by donating something or doing something, anything, for another person and blogging about it and letting your fellow bloggers know about which charities or projects need help or how they can help in their own communities.
Jay and I have been very blessed. Blessed with a good mind for money, blessed with hands that aren't afraid of hard work, blessed with good circumstances.
Oh and there is always that pooping gold thing...
My goal for this month, and the Monthly Project, is to donate to a different cause each week. I'll be honest, the first week in December was a short week and I'm not sure if I donated at all that week. I probably threw a buck in the can as I passed a Salvation Army bell ringer so we'll just count that.
(I always feel so sorry for the ringers out there in the cold and people just walking past them. Even though Jay likes me to write checks for most of my donations for tax purposes, I don't feel right walking by without dropping something in their bucket.)
Last week we donated to the local Teen Christmas. It breaks my heart knowing that there are high school aged kids out there without a warm coat. Teen years are hard enough without that extra burden. So many people focus on buying toys for smaller kids that I chose to make my donation here. Sure its not as much fun to buy the cute little kid clothes or toys, but this isn't about what's fun - its about meeting a need.
Another need, the most important actually, is the need to hear the Good News of Jesus. The Lottie Moon Christmas offering goes to support International Missionaries as they spread the joy of the Christmas season.
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
I was honored yesterday morning at church to be able to contribute to this fund. If we all lived our lives the way Ms. Moon did, we could truly change the world.
I haven't decided where to give for the 4th and 5th weeks of the month, but I have no doubt something will come my direction. I hope to share it with you when it does.
How are you helping others this Christmas season?
This month, however, our monthly challenge is taking the focus off us and on to someone else.
Let's face it, if you're concerned about your weight? That means you have plenty of food to eat.
Worried about being active enough? You must not have a strenuous manual labor job.
I don't know about you, but I'm thankful for both of those.
From the Sisterhood:
For this project, all we ask is that you spread the Holiday Spirit, by donating something or doing something, anything, for another person and blogging about it and letting your fellow bloggers know about which charities or projects need help or how they can help in their own communities.
Jay and I have been very blessed. Blessed with a good mind for money, blessed with hands that aren't afraid of hard work, blessed with good circumstances.
Oh and there is always that pooping gold thing...
My goal for this month, and the Monthly Project, is to donate to a different cause each week. I'll be honest, the first week in December was a short week and I'm not sure if I donated at all that week. I probably threw a buck in the can as I passed a Salvation Army bell ringer so we'll just count that.
(I always feel so sorry for the ringers out there in the cold and people just walking past them. Even though Jay likes me to write checks for most of my donations for tax purposes, I don't feel right walking by without dropping something in their bucket.)
Last week we donated to the local Teen Christmas. It breaks my heart knowing that there are high school aged kids out there without a warm coat. Teen years are hard enough without that extra burden. So many people focus on buying toys for smaller kids that I chose to make my donation here. Sure its not as much fun to buy the cute little kid clothes or toys, but this isn't about what's fun - its about meeting a need.
Another need, the most important actually, is the need to hear the Good News of Jesus. The Lottie Moon Christmas offering goes to support International Missionaries as they spread the joy of the Christmas season.
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
I was honored yesterday morning at church to be able to contribute to this fund. If we all lived our lives the way Ms. Moon did, we could truly change the world.
I haven't decided where to give for the 4th and 5th weeks of the month, but I have no doubt something will come my direction. I hope to share it with you when it does.
How are you helping others this Christmas season?
February 23, 2010
True Confessions Tuesday - The Valentine's Dance Edition
Happy Tuesday to all!
Wanna here my confession?
- I seem to be eating everything in site
So I'll confess one more thing - then take my pennance for it.
- I've had pictures of the Valentine's Charity Banquet that Jay & I worked and I haven't posted them yet.
As the
Guys are so luck at events like this. Jay has worn the same suit, button up, and tie (I swear I think he only owns one tie) for the past 4 events. This year, however, I bought him a pair of new black dress shoes for Valentine's day. Maitenance and upkeep aren't his strong suits so his last pair may or may not have looked like he stole them off a sleeping homeless man.
The best picture I have of my $12 designer, size 0 dress (not that I'm bragging or anything) is this shot of me and my mom. She and my dad helped out last year and decided to join us again. They had the dreaded coach check job. Newbies always get that job until they move up in the world. My mom, however, said that she really enjoyed it so they might have found someone to take it on every year.
A big thanks to Maria for letting my borrow the necklace. I wasn't sure what would be best with a low v like that. Thankfully she bought out the jewelry store before arriving and had an extra for me to borrow.
Is it horrible that I love this picture of me but poor Jay looks like he hasn't slept in 4 days? Hopefully the formal photo of the two of us will be a good one of both of us.
And the final photo of the evening was on our dinner break. I was flighting about taking care of some terribly important task and left him alone at our table. Apparently, he found the keynote speaker very interesting.
While I was insecure about the way I looked all night (just in case you missed it - I don't have the boobs to fill out a size 0 dress), the point of the evening was to raise money for a good cause, Cystic Fibrosis research. If Jay's silent auction tab was any indication, the night was a success!
February 04, 2010
This news update brought to you by...
The letter "S" for sleep, and the number 8, for how many ours of said sleep I'd like to get.
This week has been busy to say the least. Jay and his parents have been working at the farmhouse all week. I (sorta) feel bad for not heading there after work and joining them, but there is more at the rental for me to do.
Last night's excitement included shopping for boobs (when you don't have them you gotta buy them), dryell, then never ending food prep.
***Every year Jay & I volunteer at a Valentine's Dinner & Dance to benefit Cystic Fibrosis research. My boss has two children with CF, and we try to help out with as many fundraising events as we can. Since I need a dress every year, I start my search for a great deal every year. Part of it is fun, but at the end of the day the formal dress is just a uniform I need to work in.
I try not to spend too much money, so I hit after prom sales at the mall. I also scope out the formal section at the Repeat Boutique sales. I found this year's dress at Repeat two sales ago. Its marked "designer" and I ended up paying only $12 for it. (Its a size 0 and flares at the waist to accomodate my non-zero hips & legs.)
Background info: Since its a consignment store - all sales are final. Also, the 70% off sales are so popular, they open up the back storage room as a community dressing room. Under garmets are a must!
I got the dress home to try it on for Jay, only it didn't fit in the chest. Apparently I'm a less than 0 chest size. Since I couldn't take it back I was only left with one option - implants.
No, not the surgical kind. The kind that you tape into the dress then tape the dress down. This should be a fun experiment.
***Seriously - dry clean only on a pair of pants I want to take to a consignment store? I'll spend more on the cleaning than I'll make. Dryell to the rescue!!
***My other fun adventure last night had me elbows deep in chicken breasts. Since a lot of the recipes I use call for cubed cooked chicken, I try to bake it in large quantities and freeze for easy use later. That keeps me from being lazy and relying on a can of chicken from the pantry.
Only I've been lazy lately. With the move so close, I'm trying to hold off on going to Sam's club until after the move. Who wants to have to pack and move all that stuff from the rental to the farmhouse? So I was down to 1 can in the pantry and no cooked chicken in the freezer.
I spent around an hour (not including baking time) preparing the chicken to bake. Then once it was done, cutting it up into bite size pieces, dividing it out into 6 servings (my frugalness hard at work - making 3 pounds of chicken work twice as hard), then vacuum seal and throw in the freezer. Not to mention dishes.I was too lazy to hand wash them, so I rinsed them out and threw them into the dishwasher even though they single handedly took up 1/4 of my dishwasher space. A dishwasher that I had just unloaded.
By the time I was done I was ready to crash. Sadly it was just shortly after 8.
***The 12" baseboard materials have arrived and are in the process of being made. Jay showed me the sample yesterday. They are going to look great! The white will really make the yellow of the kitchen and the tourquise in the master bedroom pop.
***We had to get an electriction to move up the outlets. The farmhouse is in two parts - the original house and the addition. The original already has 12" baseboards, the addition did not. The outlets in the addition would have prevented the 12 inchers being installed, so we had them moved up to accomodate the base. While he was there we had him convert them all to white, and add GFI outlets in the bathrooms and in the kitchen.
***Jay is plugging the holes in the under-the-stairs/hot water heater area so that we can use it for storage. There are currently corn cobs under there where a critter (or two or three) has gotten in and had dinner. I don't wanna open my Christmas decorations come December and find said critter.
***Jay's mom worked yesterday on getting the stains off the wall paper. I was a little leary of trying to clean it - I'm sure screwing up antique wall paper isn't hard. I'm glad that I wasn't there when she did it. Saved me a lot of anxiety.
I'm getting really excited. This is really happening. Jay & I are going to have a kick @$$ beautiful house!!! We were hoping to move this weekend, but that's just not going to happen. We've rescheduled moving day the weekend after Valentine's. Hopefully we can have everything ready to go by then.
I know the suspence is killing you. I promise before and after pictures, but you've just got to be patient and wait for us to get to "after".
Sorry for the randomness, but my mind is too tired to focus on just one thing. Hope you're having a great week!
This week has been busy to say the least. Jay and his parents have been working at the farmhouse all week. I (sorta) feel bad for not heading there after work and joining them, but there is more at the rental for me to do.
Last night's excitement included shopping for boobs (when you don't have them you gotta buy them), dryell, then never ending food prep.
***Every year Jay & I volunteer at a Valentine's Dinner & Dance to benefit Cystic Fibrosis research. My boss has two children with CF, and we try to help out with as many fundraising events as we can. Since I need a dress every year, I start my search for a great deal every year. Part of it is fun, but at the end of the day the formal dress is just a uniform I need to work in.
I try not to spend too much money, so I hit after prom sales at the mall. I also scope out the formal section at the Repeat Boutique sales. I found this year's dress at Repeat two sales ago. Its marked "designer" and I ended up paying only $12 for it. (Its a size 0 and flares at the waist to accomodate my non-zero hips & legs.)
Background info: Since its a consignment store - all sales are final. Also, the 70% off sales are so popular, they open up the back storage room as a community dressing room. Under garmets are a must!
I got the dress home to try it on for Jay, only it didn't fit in the chest. Apparently I'm a less than 0 chest size. Since I couldn't take it back I was only left with one option - implants.
No, not the surgical kind. The kind that you tape into the dress then tape the dress down. This should be a fun experiment.
***Seriously - dry clean only on a pair of pants I want to take to a consignment store? I'll spend more on the cleaning than I'll make. Dryell to the rescue!!
***My other fun adventure last night had me elbows deep in chicken breasts. Since a lot of the recipes I use call for cubed cooked chicken, I try to bake it in large quantities and freeze for easy use later. That keeps me from being lazy and relying on a can of chicken from the pantry.
Only I've been lazy lately. With the move so close, I'm trying to hold off on going to Sam's club until after the move. Who wants to have to pack and move all that stuff from the rental to the farmhouse? So I was down to 1 can in the pantry and no cooked chicken in the freezer.
I spent around an hour (not including baking time) preparing the chicken to bake. Then once it was done, cutting it up into bite size pieces, dividing it out into 6 servings (my frugalness hard at work - making 3 pounds of chicken work twice as hard), then vacuum seal and throw in the freezer. Not to mention dishes.
By the time I was done I was ready to crash. Sadly it was just shortly after 8.
***The 12" baseboard materials have arrived and are in the process of being made. Jay showed me the sample yesterday. They are going to look great! The white will really make the yellow of the kitchen and the tourquise in the master bedroom pop.
***We had to get an electriction to move up the outlets. The farmhouse is in two parts - the original house and the addition. The original already has 12" baseboards, the addition did not. The outlets in the addition would have prevented the 12 inchers being installed, so we had them moved up to accomodate the base. While he was there we had him convert them all to white, and add GFI outlets in the bathrooms and in the kitchen.
***Jay is plugging the holes in the under-the-stairs/hot water heater area so that we can use it for storage. There are currently corn cobs under there where a critter (or two or three) has gotten in and had dinner. I don't wanna open my Christmas decorations come December and find said critter.
***Jay's mom worked yesterday on getting the stains off the wall paper. I was a little leary of trying to clean it - I'm sure screwing up antique wall paper isn't hard. I'm glad that I wasn't there when she did it. Saved me a lot of anxiety.
I'm getting really excited. This is really happening. Jay & I are going to have a kick @$$ beautiful house!!! We were hoping to move this weekend, but that's just not going to happen. We've rescheduled moving day the weekend after Valentine's. Hopefully we can have everything ready to go by then.
I know the suspence is killing you. I promise before and after pictures, but you've just got to be patient and wait for us to get to "after".
Sorry for the randomness, but my mind is too tired to focus on just one thing. Hope you're having a great week!
September 02, 2009
Weigh-in Wednesday - Shrinking for good
Its weigh in day over at the Sisterhood for those of you non-sisters, we weighed in Sunday to kick off the Shrinking for Good challenge in collaboration with Weight Watcher's Lose for Good campaign.
One way I've proven to myself that I have shrank "for good" is I've moved all the size 8 pants out of my main closet. I've taken them to the guest closet, where most will go to the consignment store to be resold this fall. The others have been tucked away far in the back of the guest closet for "someday".
You know that "someday" when you're belly's supposed to get bigger? While I'm not eager for that to happen tomorrow, I know that its a choice that Jay and I will eventually make. Having plenty of friends with bebes, I know that there are several transitional phases where you're too big for your normal clothes and too small for maternity pants. Not to mention those first few post baby weeks. Okay months, I can be ambitious right?
For these two purposes, my size 8 so-comfy-they-could-be-sweats-but-no-really-their-dress-pants pants are shoved to the furthest part of my library (okay so its my junk room now. Back to that ambitious thing - I want it to be a library) closet.
So I'm done with size 8s.
Period. The end.
And this week I'm a pound closer to my goal.
Last week: 127.8
Monday: 126.8
Today: 127.0
Goal weight (for now): 125
So I went up 0.2 pounds between Monday and today. Complete fluke fluctuation, not fat gain. Aunt Flo is knocking on my door, so it makes me wonder if the 0.2 up would have really been down even more otherwise.
I've been thinking a bit about things, and have decided to stick with my 125 goal for now. When I get there, just work on maintaining. My family has said that I don't need to lose any more, and I'm going to respect their opinion - for now.
But mostly so that I can put all the focus on training for my half marathon. Running 13 miles without stopping. Along the way I'm going to have to learn how to seriously fuel my body.
My half is November 21st, so after that I can maintain my goal weight through the holidays. Stop snickering - its possible!
Then come the first of the year, and the beginning of my 2nd year of healthy living, I'll decide if its worth trying for another 5 pounds. My fitness goal for 2010 is running a 5K in under 30 minutes. Makes me glad that the new year is still several months away!
Getting back to the current challenge, since walking into the food bank with 3 pounds of food would seem pretty puny, I was soliciting ideas for how I could change it up a little.
Melissa suggested I base my donation on workouts. I've decided that my donation is gonna be part total weight loss (not the challenge, but how much I've lost since I started, 10 pounds to date) and part on how many miles i'm up to on my long runs. According to my training schedule that should be 9-10 miles.
If all goes as planned that should be 20ish pounds of food to donate. Not to shabby right?
December 24, 2008
Happy Christmas Eve!
I wrote this last year...but posting here for the first time.
This Christmas season, more than usual, I have been overcome with this heavy feeling of guilt. Not for something that I have done wrong, or for something that I should have done but didn’t. It’s a sense of guilt that comes from the great blessings that I have in my life, and even more so a sense of guilt for not always recognizing those blessings.
For example, as I walk out of the store with my arms full of packages – well thought out presents, for recipients who already have more than they could ever need – how could I walk past the bell ringer without dropping a little something in the bucket for those that might not otherwise have life’s necessities? Or while I’m out on the day after Thanksgiving trying to grab up those great deals, the clerk at the Dollar general asks me if I would like to donate a toy for Toys for Tots. After spending what felt like $100 in gas to hit every end of the county, how can I say “no” to paying $2 so a child can have a new toy this Christmas?
Two weekends ago, Mr. Right and I put up my Christmas tree, and once again I did a great job of overlooking how blessed that I am. I put the tree together (purchased on sale last year after Christmas for a very good price) but wasn’t pleased with how it fluffed. I noticed too many bare spots on the tree that I just couldn’t seem to cover up by moving the branches around.
For what I’m sure seemed like an eternity to Mr. Right, I cried and considered not having a tree if that “pathetic” thing was the best I could do. From there I slid into self pity mode. Poor me, I never have anything new. I buy everything on sale. When will I ever be able to have anything nice?
Having no experience with how to deal with the fit of a 2 year old, he ignored me and tried to fluff the tree as best he could. When I finally decided to snap out of it, we put the decorations on the tree. We started with the regular bulbs – antique glass ornaments that were my great-grandmother’s. Then we added the Hallmark ornaments that I have received as gifts over the years, and finished with the tree topper that my mom gave me the first Christmas that I moved out on my own.
It was a real chore to get all the presents – purchased and wrapped in a timely fashion – under the tree. There just wasn’t enough room for them. As I stepped back and looked at the finished product, I realized just how much I had taken for granted.
I was lying on my bed in a pair of $150 designer track pants crying because I didn’t own anything nice. Mind you I didn’t pay $150 for them, but they are “nice” to say the very least. As I was pouting in my room, my wonderful boyfriend was looking after the tree, trying to fix it to make me happy. I remember 2 years ago putting up my Christmas tree all by myself and how sad that it made me that I didn’t have a significant other to share the season with.
Of course I’m blessed, not only to have such a wonderful heirloom from my great-grandmother, but I was also blessed enough to have her in my life for over twenty years. Not many people have that opportunity. And finally, the presents crowded under the tree. How could I not see how well I have it? To be able to buy my family exactly what they want, something I know that they will be thrilled to have…
These epiphanies usually go as quickly as they come, so it wasn’t until this weekend that I had another bout with thankfulness. Friday night was the City’s Christmas party…excuse me “Employee Appreciation Dinner”. The dress code was casual, but I love dressing up and took this as an opportunity to do so. Digging through my things, I found a silver sparkly halter top with a shrug that a friend had given me.
I like to pretend that she outgrew it; realistically I just think that she isn’t the type to wear something like that more than once or twice. While I should be thankful that I have a friend as giving as she is, but realistically I was more excited at the thought of being able to fit into one of her shirts. While I could have passed the shirt off as one that I had purchased new on my own, I took more pride in the fact that I was wearing a shirt formerly owned by someone who resembles a stick insect. (I say that in the most loving, jealous way possible!) Rather than setting for “thanks”, whenever anyone complimented me on my shirt I was proud to let them know exactly where I got it!!
My church has what they call “The Christmas Store” where people in our community who are less fortunate can come and get food, clothing, hygiene items, and toys for Christmas. Saturday morning around 9 o’clock I headed over to wrap the Christmas toys – items with gift tags “To: Billy From: Mom and Dad”. It made me thankful that the Christmas my family was in need, there were people that surrounded us with love and helped us out.
People from my father’s workplace, our church, and our extended family, brought truckloads of food and toys so that we wouldn’t do without on Christmas, not to mention the house payments and electric bills covered by these same people who loved us. I felt ashamed that I knew of that Christmas, but remember nothing of it myself. Thankfully my mom assured me that I have a very good reason for not remembering – I was only 1 ½!
My 4 year old sister and I were blessed that year with gifts, but were too young to understand that the real blessing was the people around us that were so caring. I would be irresponsible for me, now that I’m in a position to help, if I didn’t pass these blessings along.
As I got ready Saturday evening, I was reminded of another blessing in my life – my parents, and my maternal grandparents are all still living and in good health. As I dressed in my black pants and dark sweater to go the funeral home for a coworker, I had to take a moment to thank God for my family’s health – something I continually take for granted.
Just yesterday I was annoyed with my mother for making me even more late for work, ringing my doorbell at 7:59 to drop off homemade fudge and cookies. Just as I was about to electronically comment on how annoying it was, I noticed a friend’s comments on her mother’s deathiversary. How many people out there would love to be late for work because their mothers showed up on their doorsteps, much less baring homemade goodies?!
So let me take this opportunity to say a big MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and prayers that God will bless your life as much as he has blessed mine!
This Christmas season, more than usual, I have been overcome with this heavy feeling of guilt. Not for something that I have done wrong, or for something that I should have done but didn’t. It’s a sense of guilt that comes from the great blessings that I have in my life, and even more so a sense of guilt for not always recognizing those blessings.
For example, as I walk out of the store with my arms full of packages – well thought out presents, for recipients who already have more than they could ever need – how could I walk past the bell ringer without dropping a little something in the bucket for those that might not otherwise have life’s necessities? Or while I’m out on the day after Thanksgiving trying to grab up those great deals, the clerk at the Dollar general asks me if I would like to donate a toy for Toys for Tots. After spending what felt like $100 in gas to hit every end of the county, how can I say “no” to paying $2 so a child can have a new toy this Christmas?
Two weekends ago, Mr. Right and I put up my Christmas tree, and once again I did a great job of overlooking how blessed that I am. I put the tree together (purchased on sale last year after Christmas for a very good price) but wasn’t pleased with how it fluffed. I noticed too many bare spots on the tree that I just couldn’t seem to cover up by moving the branches around.
For what I’m sure seemed like an eternity to Mr. Right, I cried and considered not having a tree if that “pathetic” thing was the best I could do. From there I slid into self pity mode. Poor me, I never have anything new. I buy everything on sale. When will I ever be able to have anything nice?
Having no experience with how to deal with the fit of a 2 year old, he ignored me and tried to fluff the tree as best he could. When I finally decided to snap out of it, we put the decorations on the tree. We started with the regular bulbs – antique glass ornaments that were my great-grandmother’s. Then we added the Hallmark ornaments that I have received as gifts over the years, and finished with the tree topper that my mom gave me the first Christmas that I moved out on my own.
It was a real chore to get all the presents – purchased and wrapped in a timely fashion – under the tree. There just wasn’t enough room for them. As I stepped back and looked at the finished product, I realized just how much I had taken for granted.
I was lying on my bed in a pair of $150 designer track pants crying because I didn’t own anything nice. Mind you I didn’t pay $150 for them, but they are “nice” to say the very least. As I was pouting in my room, my wonderful boyfriend was looking after the tree, trying to fix it to make me happy. I remember 2 years ago putting up my Christmas tree all by myself and how sad that it made me that I didn’t have a significant other to share the season with.
Of course I’m blessed, not only to have such a wonderful heirloom from my great-grandmother, but I was also blessed enough to have her in my life for over twenty years. Not many people have that opportunity. And finally, the presents crowded under the tree. How could I not see how well I have it? To be able to buy my family exactly what they want, something I know that they will be thrilled to have…
These epiphanies usually go as quickly as they come, so it wasn’t until this weekend that I had another bout with thankfulness. Friday night was the City’s Christmas party…excuse me “Employee Appreciation Dinner”. The dress code was casual, but I love dressing up and took this as an opportunity to do so. Digging through my things, I found a silver sparkly halter top with a shrug that a friend had given me.
I like to pretend that she outgrew it; realistically I just think that she isn’t the type to wear something like that more than once or twice. While I should be thankful that I have a friend as giving as she is, but realistically I was more excited at the thought of being able to fit into one of her shirts. While I could have passed the shirt off as one that I had purchased new on my own, I took more pride in the fact that I was wearing a shirt formerly owned by someone who resembles a stick insect. (I say that in the most loving, jealous way possible!) Rather than setting for “thanks”, whenever anyone complimented me on my shirt I was proud to let them know exactly where I got it!!
My church has what they call “The Christmas Store” where people in our community who are less fortunate can come and get food, clothing, hygiene items, and toys for Christmas. Saturday morning around 9 o’clock I headed over to wrap the Christmas toys – items with gift tags “To: Billy From: Mom and Dad”. It made me thankful that the Christmas my family was in need, there were people that surrounded us with love and helped us out.
People from my father’s workplace, our church, and our extended family, brought truckloads of food and toys so that we wouldn’t do without on Christmas, not to mention the house payments and electric bills covered by these same people who loved us. I felt ashamed that I knew of that Christmas, but remember nothing of it myself. Thankfully my mom assured me that I have a very good reason for not remembering – I was only 1 ½!
My 4 year old sister and I were blessed that year with gifts, but were too young to understand that the real blessing was the people around us that were so caring. I would be irresponsible for me, now that I’m in a position to help, if I didn’t pass these blessings along.
As I got ready Saturday evening, I was reminded of another blessing in my life – my parents, and my maternal grandparents are all still living and in good health. As I dressed in my black pants and dark sweater to go the funeral home for a coworker, I had to take a moment to thank God for my family’s health – something I continually take for granted.
Just yesterday I was annoyed with my mother for making me even more late for work, ringing my doorbell at 7:59 to drop off homemade fudge and cookies. Just as I was about to electronically comment on how annoying it was, I noticed a friend’s comments on her mother’s deathiversary. How many people out there would love to be late for work because their mothers showed up on their doorsteps, much less baring homemade goodies?!
So let me take this opportunity to say a big MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and prayers that God will bless your life as much as he has blessed mine!
October 15, 2008
Blog Action Day: Poverty
Go visit Jenn over at Frugal Upstate - today she and the other walmart bloggy moms are participating in this fundraiser to help combat poverty. She is donating $0.10 per every visitor to her site so go check it out! With donations doubled by Walmart, your click will help benefit Project Peanut Butter.
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