Our home computer died, unrecoverably dead. Which means my little bit of blogging is now none. I can't share any pictures. I can't share links all I can do is type on my tablet with one finger so this will be short. Not having the computer has been a blessing in some ways. Jay thought it would be a good idea to put all his passwords and some of ours, none of mine into a password generator program. That makes up difficult passwords so people can't hack you. You can access them from your computer but you don't know the passwords either it automatically puts them in. I won't let him touch my stuff with good reason because now that the computer is dead he can't access any of his stuff but I also can't access eBay or PayPal. The bright side is I am saving money not buying things. The bad part is I can't sell anything. I have a bunch of stuff that is summer clothes I need to sell but can not.
I do have my tablet and he his phone so that will have to hold us and have to do. However I will try to hen peck a few posts :)
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Friday, May 30, 2014
The Spring Show2014
Since I had promised both sets of grandparents a blog post on Friday I figured I would do it. I will do a recent one that they missed. Even though I have not posted my Easter pics yet. I wonder if it is to late. There is a lot I have not posted but that's okay. I will get to them sometime hopefully. Instagram is the place to find us now days. It is quick and easy and I love it. Not only do I have an account but I let the big boys have one too. A pretty locked down one but it has been fun to share with them that way.
The Spring show 2014 it was good. The kids, all of them did a great job. The tiny team not so much, true to every event at that brothers school. Unfortunately my camera batteries died there! I was not able to get all the videos of them but 4 particles.
The upper el, middle school and high school did an American Voices play. They would tell some about a few of the presidents and important american, what they are know for there views and influence that had. It was very good. They would sing a song from the time period. Gregory was a greaser from the 50's. He did the Freddie with his slick back hair. He is on the top far left side dancing except the end when he is in the middle.
Sorry if does not play I am having trouble because of copy right laws.
This is the schools 4-12 grades with maybe a few kids missing.
During the hippie decade he held a love sign.
That picture was from the schools website took during a rehearsal because by this time my camera was so very dead.
They sang so many songs but they also sang this little light of mine. I taped it for the tiny team.
Evans group the lower el did a play called go fish. It was cute and they too did a great job. Evan and his best friends were all clown fish. Evan is the one with the silver top hat, his choice in clown attire.
They sang the cutest songs here are snidbits of 2 and a joke by Evan.
The tiny team loves to dance and sing to them too. It's cute.
And here is their schools 1-3 grade. They are so little and so joyful.
It was another great spring show. I am so glad I get to see them and have these memories of the boys childhood performances.
Maybe I will even update you on some other fun thing we have been doing, maybe and hopefully it wont take me a month again. sorry.
The Spring show 2014 it was good. The kids, all of them did a great job. The tiny team not so much, true to every event at that brothers school. Unfortunately my camera batteries died there! I was not able to get all the videos of them but 4 particles.
The upper el, middle school and high school did an American Voices play. They would tell some about a few of the presidents and important american, what they are know for there views and influence that had. It was very good. They would sing a song from the time period. Gregory was a greaser from the 50's. He did the Freddie with his slick back hair. He is on the top far left side dancing except the end when he is in the middle.
Sorry if does not play I am having trouble because of copy right laws.
This is the schools 4-12 grades with maybe a few kids missing.
During the hippie decade he held a love sign.
That picture was from the schools website took during a rehearsal because by this time my camera was so very dead.
They sang so many songs but they also sang this little light of mine. I taped it for the tiny team.
Evans group the lower el did a play called go fish. It was cute and they too did a great job. Evan and his best friends were all clown fish. Evan is the one with the silver top hat, his choice in clown attire.
They sang the cutest songs here are snidbits of 2 and a joke by Evan.
The tiny team loves to dance and sing to them too. It's cute.
And here is their schools 1-3 grade. They are so little and so joyful.
It was another great spring show. I am so glad I get to see them and have these memories of the boys childhood performances.
Maybe I will even update you on some other fun thing we have been doing, maybe and hopefully it wont take me a month again. sorry.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Easter Monday
Easter Monday had to be the most beautiful day of the year. It was gorgeous! The weather was warm, it did not snow, the sun was shinning and the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. With such a perfect day we headed downtown to the Nations Capitol.
Jay and I both had off work so I skipped school and and pulled the kids out of school and took the whole troop to the Smithsonian.
Our main Smithsonian we wanted to see was the Museum of Natural History.
This museum is so incredibly awesome, well all of them are. Another reason we wanted to go that week was by the end of the week they are closing the dinosaur exhibit for the next 5 years. Yes five years. They are doing a complete remodel of it and that is not easy.
Our kids are not that into dinos but they do like them. If they did not have the chance to see them now they won't for quite a while. And Smiley he is having a dinosaur birthday in June so why not get him hyped up now. They had fun, so much fun.
Baby kept running up to us and yelling RAAWW!!
People used to tell me how much these two look a like. I saw it but as their mom I always thought they look different too. And the past few years I thought they were really growing their own looks. However this picture, I do see their close looks but more so I see how much they are growing up. It is not baby looks but I can see the teen looks developing. Wipe the tears from my eye!
one of those two for a throw back Thursday.
It looks like the dinosaur is going to get them!
My little LOVES!!
Even though the dinos were cool the boys are into gems, rocks and stones. So after we saw the dino bones per their request we went to the gems and Hope diamond.
They loved it here.
The kids did so good this day. They were well behaved and such a pleasure! Well minus the tongue sticking out.
A beautiful day!
We made our way over to the Air and Space Museam too.
They had fun there too. And were able to touch so much more stuff.
There were all these tepees on the Mall. Protesting for something and I only know that much cause I saw a stop the pipe or something sign on the ground as we were trying to figure out why they were there. Rule one of a good protest, let people know the cause. Oh well the kids had fun running in and out of them.
Why don't we go down there more often?
Its close, there is so much to do?
Maybe we will. We had a great time and it was so worth it when the kids said so too.
Jay and I both had off work so I skipped school and and pulled the kids out of school and took the whole troop to the Smithsonian.
Our main Smithsonian we wanted to see was the Museum of Natural History.
This museum is so incredibly awesome, well all of them are. Another reason we wanted to go that week was by the end of the week they are closing the dinosaur exhibit for the next 5 years. Yes five years. They are doing a complete remodel of it and that is not easy.
Our kids are not that into dinos but they do like them. If they did not have the chance to see them now they won't for quite a while. And Smiley he is having a dinosaur birthday in June so why not get him hyped up now. They had fun, so much fun.
Baby kept running up to us and yelling RAAWW!!
People used to tell me how much these two look a like. I saw it but as their mom I always thought they look different too. And the past few years I thought they were really growing their own looks. However this picture, I do see their close looks but more so I see how much they are growing up. It is not baby looks but I can see the teen looks developing. Wipe the tears from my eye!
one of those two for a throw back Thursday.
It looks like the dinosaur is going to get them!
My little LOVES!!
Even though the dinos were cool the boys are into gems, rocks and stones. So after we saw the dino bones per their request we went to the gems and Hope diamond.
They loved it here.
The kids did so good this day. They were well behaved and such a pleasure! Well minus the tongue sticking out.
A beautiful day!
We made our way over to the Air and Space Museam too.
They had fun there too. And were able to touch so much more stuff.
There were all these tepees on the Mall. Protesting for something and I only know that much cause I saw a stop the pipe or something sign on the ground as we were trying to figure out why they were there. Rule one of a good protest, let people know the cause. Oh well the kids had fun running in and out of them.
Why don't we go down there more often?
Its close, there is so much to do?
Maybe we will. We had a great time and it was so worth it when the kids said so too.
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Wiped out
Nothing makes you feel old like being wiped out after a day with your kids. Yes I do say life is catching up with us. Sometimes the go, go, go hits you like a wall. We are not trying to keep up with anyone, nor trying to schedule all daytime hours, nor trying to squeeze every moment out of life we can but we have been exponentially bust lately. (kinda why I have not been on this blog in over a few two weeks and before only to what turned out to be a once a week update.) Life moves fast.
So what is it that has kept us busy?
Work, both of us are working.
School, the kids are back to school, and I am trying to finish this semester. That is always an incredible crunch time.
Easter, we have had weekend after weekend of Easter fun and though enjoyable it takes a lot of planning, organizing, and running.
Tball, I have only 1 kid in an activity right now but that still consumes many evenings.
Sickness, my daughter although feeling well are deep raspy chest coughing all night that keeps everyone up.
Today as I was getting ready for work I took a shower and laid down. I set the alarm because I was exhausted and new I had a few extra minutes. And I am so thankful I set it. Because I fell asleep, hard. I did not wake to my alarm but to my baby crying in her crib because the alarm kept going off and woke her. It is a dark rainy day the kind you want to stay in bed or curl up and watch tv. The motivation needed to get up and going is not there.
I have a few ideas how to work things out better, get more motivated and get moving more. I will share them with you soon. I have learned a few things is my 4 week money challenge of savings and want to share those too. So good things, stores and hopefully helpful advice are yet to come, maybe just after an energy drink.
So what is it that has kept us busy?
Work, both of us are working.
School, the kids are back to school, and I am trying to finish this semester. That is always an incredible crunch time.
Easter, we have had weekend after weekend of Easter fun and though enjoyable it takes a lot of planning, organizing, and running.
Tball, I have only 1 kid in an activity right now but that still consumes many evenings.
Sickness, my daughter although feeling well are deep raspy chest coughing all night that keeps everyone up.
Today as I was getting ready for work I took a shower and laid down. I set the alarm because I was exhausted and new I had a few extra minutes. And I am so thankful I set it. Because I fell asleep, hard. I did not wake to my alarm but to my baby crying in her crib because the alarm kept going off and woke her. It is a dark rainy day the kind you want to stay in bed or curl up and watch tv. The motivation needed to get up and going is not there.
I have a few ideas how to work things out better, get more motivated and get moving more. I will share them with you soon. I have learned a few things is my 4 week money challenge of savings and want to share those too. So good things, stores and hopefully helpful advice are yet to come, maybe just after an energy drink.
Thursday, April 10, 2014
March is over!
Whew we made it through the March birthday madness. We still have both mothers birthdays coming up later in April, but that feels like such a nice break till then. Whew. I am glad it is over and...just glad it is over. My daughters birthday was the last of the March ones. We had a bunch of things planed but the kids were just not their best. We had lots of running to do to, and that all conflicted with my perfect mental image of a sweet princess/ Angelina Ballerina birthday for her. However, she was BEAUTIFUL and still had a great time. More than a few meltdowns from each child and I think at lest 2 from me.
She turned 3. She is a grown up still my baby 3. I am just as crazy about her now as ever maybe more. This girl is AWESOME!
I know it is know almost a month past her birthday but that is because it is truly hard for me to find the time to blog anymore. I try and try but..I am exhausted and always busy. But that is why I love instagram. You don't get the stories but you get a glimps about what is happening and really how many of you read what I right or just scroll through and look at the pictures anyways?
She wanted an Angelina Ballerina cake. I could not find one, I did not have the time money or skill to make one, so I ordered her a princess Faith ballerina cake and she was over the moon she loved it!! She still talks about "my Angelina cake with my head" Although it was a bit weird eating Faith.
And the reason we now have back up plans/relighting plans for birthday cake candles.
They all laugh when it is not their birthday, but when baby blows out the candle on their special day oh they cry. But each of the others did it when they were babies age too.
We went to watch Frozen again. But this time in her new costume from Ms. Ginny, she loves it and still wears it all the time! Thank you. And for the frozen microphone and Elsa doll they were perfect and she loves loves them.
I know this is not the best picture but here is baby watching her brother eat popcorn. If you saw them she was astonished like oh that is how you do it. And below is another bad picture. Sorry it was dark in there. My parents came to to see Faith on her birthday and help me out. Can you believe they had not seen Frozen yet?! How did anyone make it without seeing Frozen?
Yay know idea what my oldest is doing.
And a selfie of me and Smiley! My love boy
The movie was great, again, again x8 or 9 times then. It was so fun to see all the little girls dressed in their Frozen outfits. Girls are such princesses.
It was a nice birthday even with some of the hardships. And truly now nearly a month later I don't remember the stress, I just melt at the princess pictures.
She turned 3. She is a grown up still my baby 3. I am just as crazy about her now as ever maybe more. This girl is AWESOME!
I know it is know almost a month past her birthday but that is because it is truly hard for me to find the time to blog anymore. I try and try but..I am exhausted and always busy. But that is why I love instagram. You don't get the stories but you get a glimps about what is happening and really how many of you read what I right or just scroll through and look at the pictures anyways?
She wanted an Angelina Ballerina cake. I could not find one, I did not have the time money or skill to make one, so I ordered her a princess Faith ballerina cake and she was over the moon she loved it!! She still talks about "my Angelina cake with my head" Although it was a bit weird eating Faith.
And the reason we now have back up plans/relighting plans for birthday cake candles.
They all laugh when it is not their birthday, but when baby blows out the candle on their special day oh they cry. But each of the others did it when they were babies age too.
We went to watch Frozen again. But this time in her new costume from Ms. Ginny, she loves it and still wears it all the time! Thank you. And for the frozen microphone and Elsa doll they were perfect and she loves loves them.
I know this is not the best picture but here is baby watching her brother eat popcorn. If you saw them she was astonished like oh that is how you do it. And below is another bad picture. Sorry it was dark in there. My parents came to to see Faith on her birthday and help me out. Can you believe they had not seen Frozen yet?! How did anyone make it without seeing Frozen?
Yay know idea what my oldest is doing.
And a selfie of me and Smiley! My love boy
The movie was great, again, again x8 or 9 times then. It was so fun to see all the little girls dressed in their Frozen outfits. Girls are such princesses.
It was a nice birthday even with some of the hardships. And truly now nearly a month later I don't remember the stress, I just melt at the princess pictures.
Friday, April 4, 2014
Week 5 Savings
This was another bad week. We spent a lot but some of it will be beneficial in the future. Such as I paid for a camping trip. When we go I will just have to pay for gas and food. I bought Easter shirts for the boys and that does not happen but once a year. I have the girls outfits already. I still need pants and shoes for the kids but no doubt payless will have a BOGO going on. It is funny I used to hate that store and through fits when my parents would take me there. Still am not that fond of there shoes but last time we were there we got awesome deals on socks! Cute socks too.
My splurges
Sickness has been running through the home. I have been working with the girls on no more baby stuff. Faith has been out of diapers for over a year and baby is now working towards it too. Once a child turns 3 they have no more bubas (sippy cups) I took binkies (pacifiers) away form Faith somewhere around Christmas and once we lose them I was not replacing them, plus I am trying to ween baby off them too. We were down to 3. And they are always lost and I search for just 1. With baby being so sick and non stop crying for days!!! I caved and bought 2 more binkies. -$7
New Sheriff Callie Birthday necklaces for the girls for Gracie's Cowgirl Birthday, from etsy -$23
Paid for the reservation for a Labor day camping trip with our neighbors to Raytown Lake! -$150
(non refundable! so lets pray for great weather and good health!!)
Since I sat in front of the computer so much, I found out that Walgreen's had an "EGG"tra special deal everyday this week. Recently we hast years of pictures. Births of babies, holiday, the little moments. This is the second time that has happened. I took advantage of their free 8x10 collage picture deal. And the I ordered a duplicate for my mom made another one too and got prints of all the pictures I used. It cost me -$23 but is really priceless.
Surprises for my kids. But from a thrift store. They loved them -$6
Drive through one morning -$3
Easter shirts for the boys. -$46
Jay
Still he eats out constantly. I made him food and had it bagged up ready to take and 1 day he forgot it, the next he did not have time to eat it, the following day "well it was to old to eat". And other things -$65
He is still trying to figure out his smoker. Bless his heart he is trying but with no success. Everything he makes takes like wood. Yes like you are eating rubbery bark. Our grocery bill is high because he decided he was going to try to smoke brisket. Brisket that was not on sale, brisket that tasted ....not that good. He also tried to grill wings one night they were horrible! And the chicken you saw last week smoking well eating it as a chicken was bad but mixing into other dishes worked better. However I am trying to stay optimistic. He will eventually get it and it will be good, hopefully.
Unavoidables
Groceries -$300
Gas -$143
Dr office co payment -$14
Savings
Family Savings Jar +$20
Pellet/Propane savings Jar +$20
Other Awesome Accomplishments
Advice
I heard this on a radio show (I am a talk radio junky) but they said sit and shop. Add what you want to the cart but don't buy it. You will feel satisfied enough at the end that you don't feel the urge to buy. I have done this for some time now. Especially lately with the girls getting bigger I want to buy them ever piece of American girl I see. Sometimes I spend to much time on the site and look around fill up my cart to the best deal possible but then I walk away. I don't order (usually) and buy the time I distance myself from the website I think why would I spend that much on buying my daughters dolls clothes??!! It is great advice because often you find great deals but when they are erased by the shipping it makes you not want any of it that much anymore.
If we invite you over form a smoker meal, just pass. For now at least, just pass. Or bring over a bunch of delicious sides :)
Goals
Cleaning. I wanted to have my house Easter ready by now. In cleanliness, decoration, spiritual preparation, plans, menus, everything, and nothing is done. So I want to spend time this week cleaning and maybe I can find some treasure to sell. However I did get 10 pounds of Matzos for FREE from grocery store deals!
And as always check out the other savers HERE
My splurges
Sickness has been running through the home. I have been working with the girls on no more baby stuff. Faith has been out of diapers for over a year and baby is now working towards it too. Once a child turns 3 they have no more bubas (sippy cups) I took binkies (pacifiers) away form Faith somewhere around Christmas and once we lose them I was not replacing them, plus I am trying to ween baby off them too. We were down to 3. And they are always lost and I search for just 1. With baby being so sick and non stop crying for days!!! I caved and bought 2 more binkies. -$7
New Sheriff Callie Birthday necklaces for the girls for Gracie's Cowgirl Birthday, from etsy -$23
Paid for the reservation for a Labor day camping trip with our neighbors to Raytown Lake! -$150
(non refundable! so lets pray for great weather and good health!!)
Since I sat in front of the computer so much, I found out that Walgreen's had an "EGG"tra special deal everyday this week. Recently we hast years of pictures. Births of babies, holiday, the little moments. This is the second time that has happened. I took advantage of their free 8x10 collage picture deal. And the I ordered a duplicate for my mom made another one too and got prints of all the pictures I used. It cost me -$23 but is really priceless.
Surprises for my kids. But from a thrift store. They loved them -$6
Drive through one morning -$3
Easter shirts for the boys. -$46
Jay
Still he eats out constantly. I made him food and had it bagged up ready to take and 1 day he forgot it, the next he did not have time to eat it, the following day "well it was to old to eat". And other things -$65
He is still trying to figure out his smoker. Bless his heart he is trying but with no success. Everything he makes takes like wood. Yes like you are eating rubbery bark. Our grocery bill is high because he decided he was going to try to smoke brisket. Brisket that was not on sale, brisket that tasted ....not that good. He also tried to grill wings one night they were horrible! And the chicken you saw last week smoking well eating it as a chicken was bad but mixing into other dishes worked better. However I am trying to stay optimistic. He will eventually get it and it will be good, hopefully.
Unavoidables
Groceries -$300
Gas -$143
Dr office co payment -$14
Savings
Family Savings Jar +$20
Pellet/Propane savings Jar +$20
Other Awesome Accomplishments
- Made a menu plan and stuck to it. (Jay did not)
- vacuumed out my car parents in under 4 minutes with time to spare. Only cost me a buck!
- did not buy coffee this week but took advantage of McDonalds free coffee promo
- Got my first paycheck from the YMCA
- PA is a clothing tax free state so on the boys shirts I found a 15% off coupon, free shipping, and it was tax free, and they were on sale It took the Ralph Lauren shirts from $150 to the affordable $46
- My parents took the boys out to see Mr.Peabody and Sherman, no cost to me-Thank You!
- I had sent the boys to their house to stay a few days with groceries and the boys came back with even more. again thank you. I won't be buying hot chocolate for a year.
- Jay had a few extra $$ in his pay check which made some of that camping trip possible
Advice
I heard this on a radio show (I am a talk radio junky) but they said sit and shop. Add what you want to the cart but don't buy it. You will feel satisfied enough at the end that you don't feel the urge to buy. I have done this for some time now. Especially lately with the girls getting bigger I want to buy them ever piece of American girl I see. Sometimes I spend to much time on the site and look around fill up my cart to the best deal possible but then I walk away. I don't order (usually) and buy the time I distance myself from the website I think why would I spend that much on buying my daughters dolls clothes??!! It is great advice because often you find great deals but when they are erased by the shipping it makes you not want any of it that much anymore.
If we invite you over form a smoker meal, just pass. For now at least, just pass. Or bring over a bunch of delicious sides :)
Goals
Cleaning. I wanted to have my house Easter ready by now. In cleanliness, decoration, spiritual preparation, plans, menus, everything, and nothing is done. So I want to spend time this week cleaning and maybe I can find some treasure to sell. However I did get 10 pounds of Matzos for FREE from grocery store deals!
And as always check out the other savers HERE
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Spring is no snow
If it wasn't for the snow earlier this week I would say winter is over. But since it snowed, sleeted and iced up, the following days have been in the 50's and 60's pretty nice. I am not the only one who is tired of winter overstayed welcome. My middle son Evan is too. I found this poem he wrote about spring. It made me smile so much.
I love how for N he but NO Snow. He even drew a snowman with the no sign. He is not home this week but I hope he is enjoying the warmer temps, playing outside building his fort.
And there is no snow, sleet, or ice in the 10 forecast.
I love how for N he but NO Snow. He even drew a snowman with the no sign. He is not home this week but I hope he is enjoying the warmer temps, playing outside building his fort.
And there is no snow, sleet, or ice in the 10 forecast.
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Week 4 savings
Oh boy what a week, what a long week. It is Friday as I write this and I know I will not post this till tomorrow because as I write at night it becomes nonsense. Tired ramblings of nonsense. I have every legitimate reason for being tired and I will explain. It also shows up in my spending so lets take a look :
My Splurges
Goggles for my son -$10
New scarf and shirt from an outlet store -$9
And yes I ate out 1 day, so much for that goal -$7
Jay
Random things and eating out ugh not happy about this one, a little is okay but that seems like a lot. And 80% of it is grabbing food at the gas station -$38
Food and more charcoal to try out his new smoker -$45
The birthday girl!!
Oh what a blessing she is. Faith turned 3. I had bought boxes of "Faith" decorations ahead of time on a F resale sight so those were pricy but already paid for. And I did not even use all of them. But I have them for years to come and some can be used for Easter and Mothers day. Same with her dress and her sisters outfit I bought those in fall? Either way they were paid for. Again with her presents her grandparents and grandmother contributed most the presents and I had got her 6 pack Disney princess set on a black friday deal for half price and have never seen it close to that price again. I just had to hold onto it for 4 months. What we did spend money on for her birthday was pretty new hair bows -$13 pizza -$14 and her cake -$27
She also wanted to go see Frozen again. I took all of them plus her grandparents came too to the movies for...FREE. Because it got released on video a church run theater plays it on the big screen for free and it just happened to be Frozen the same night as her birthday. They also give you unlimited drinks and popcorn. It is in a historic theater in MD so a little bit of a drive but well worth it.
Unavoidables
Gas -$75
Groceries -$200
I had to buy these kids school food. They do not have a lunch program so everyday I have to pack a lunch. Plus they are now home for 2 weeks for spring break so some of that was for them being home, which I believe is already gone though.
Savings
This week we were not able to add to the savings jars :( it is okay some week are just tighter than other and I hope we can add some in the upcoming week
Other Awesome Accomplishments
Goals
With my kids home all next week our grocery bill climbs dramatically. I am going to spend some time today doing make ahead meals and meal planning to help curb the cost. But it is their constant snacking that really adds up. To try to catch this blog up a bit on other happenings besides spending and savings.
Advice
I think the reason I made my under $50 splurge spending goal was because I was so busy. Between school, and a lot of time in the lab this week, starting a job, running the kids to a doctors appointment and other places I just had to time to rest. My advice is focus on things you have or can do that are already paid for or free. I believe idle time leads to unnecessary spending. I you sit in front of the computer you have to to web-surf and see awesome deals (which is not bad) but if you pull yourself away and run in and out of stores with a list and a purpose it might help in overspending.
And stop by Rebecca's to read more from the other saving ladies
My Splurges
Goggles for my son -$10
New scarf and shirt from an outlet store -$9
And yes I ate out 1 day, so much for that goal -$7
Jay
Random things and eating out ugh not happy about this one, a little is okay but that seems like a lot. And 80% of it is grabbing food at the gas station -$38
Food and more charcoal to try out his new smoker -$45
The birthday girl!!
Oh what a blessing she is. Faith turned 3. I had bought boxes of "Faith" decorations ahead of time on a F resale sight so those were pricy but already paid for. And I did not even use all of them. But I have them for years to come and some can be used for Easter and Mothers day. Same with her dress and her sisters outfit I bought those in fall? Either way they were paid for. Again with her presents her grandparents and grandmother contributed most the presents and I had got her 6 pack Disney princess set on a black friday deal for half price and have never seen it close to that price again. I just had to hold onto it for 4 months. What we did spend money on for her birthday was pretty new hair bows -$13 pizza -$14 and her cake -$27
She also wanted to go see Frozen again. I took all of them plus her grandparents came too to the movies for...FREE. Because it got released on video a church run theater plays it on the big screen for free and it just happened to be Frozen the same night as her birthday. They also give you unlimited drinks and popcorn. It is in a historic theater in MD so a little bit of a drive but well worth it.
Unavoidables
Gas -$75
Groceries -$200
I had to buy these kids school food. They do not have a lunch program so everyday I have to pack a lunch. Plus they are now home for 2 weeks for spring break so some of that was for them being home, which I believe is already gone though.
Savings
This week we were not able to add to the savings jars :( it is okay some week are just tighter than other and I hope we can add some in the upcoming week
Other Awesome Accomplishments
- I got a part time job at the Y
- with that comes a FREE membership for me. I just have to pay the difference for the family one
- I met my goal spend under $50 in splurges!!!
- Watched a movie at home Friday night cuddled on the couch for free
Goals
With my kids home all next week our grocery bill climbs dramatically. I am going to spend some time today doing make ahead meals and meal planning to help curb the cost. But it is their constant snacking that really adds up. To try to catch this blog up a bit on other happenings besides spending and savings.
Advice
I think the reason I made my under $50 splurge spending goal was because I was so busy. Between school, and a lot of time in the lab this week, starting a job, running the kids to a doctors appointment and other places I just had to time to rest. My advice is focus on things you have or can do that are already paid for or free. I believe idle time leads to unnecessary spending. I you sit in front of the computer you have to to web-surf and see awesome deals (which is not bad) but if you pull yourself away and run in and out of stores with a list and a purpose it might help in overspending.
And stop by Rebecca's to read more from the other saving ladies
Friday, March 21, 2014
Week 3 Savings
Again I blew my goals. I do not think they are that unreasonable, under $50 splurges and no eating out. How hard is that to make? I guess for me it is appearing to be impossible. The rest was not bad but my spending I need to real in, next week for sure. But this is how it went:
My Splurges
Clothes!! Wow I spent a bunch on designer clothes for my kids. And before you say well you don't have to buy designer you can buy from Walmart or target cheaply and save. Well I did save. And I saved BUNCHES. But I still spent a lot for me too, goodbye birthday money. Plus buying better clothes is a far better deal! They wear and wash better, last longer and just look nice. When you are passing down clothes from 4 + girls you need the most bang for your buck and the better clothes with better fabric and that people care more about last longer. My boys, I gave up. They are to old and their clothes now only last for that kid, if they even make it through the season. No I do not have 4 girls,only 2. But since I usually buy them used that is at least 1 prior girl, then my two, then I give my dearest friend all of Gracies clothes that are in great/good shape for free. Sometimes these clothes have only been worn a few times through all girls for pictures or a holiday so they are nice.
Each year there is a special consignment sale in our area. Last years shopping trip with that friend. We look forward to this one each year. We know we are going to spend money there. We, meaning me and all the ladies in the area. Oh yes it is a mad house, when are good deals not? But here is the thing many of you may not know. I live in a Mennonite/ Amish/ little city area and those women show up in droves. In taxis(Yoder toters, but shh don't say that to loud because the friend who watch all 5 of my kids last week so I could have my birthday dinner, to make an easy 11 kids at her house, is a Yoder, it is not the nicest saying but not to mean kinda like redneck), vans, buggies, and cars form 3 states (only because it takes 30 minutes to get to 3 different states). In the romanticized Amish fiction, these women may seen kind, naive, Godly and nice, but in reality they aren't. Godly yes, but you have to be kidding yourself for the rest not all but most I have found to be judgmental, clickish and unwelcoming. The men however do seem to me so much more helpful and kind. And it is not because they are in men to women situations but overall. However if you try to bid against them on anything at an auction watch out! They will win, even when it is against your toddler son. I appreciate their communities but they are out to make money, get good deals and then be left alone to live the life they want.
Off my sidetrack rant, I went there this year and battled those women with my tiny team in tow (that sucked) and the deals were just not as good but I still got 4 pairs of shoes for my for youngest 4, 2 swim shirts/rash guards for my oldest 2, a matching sister outfit to 1 I already have by my favorite Lilly Pulitzer for baby cakes, plus a Gymboree capris sweater new with tags outfit for her, 3 different izod possibilities of shirts for my youngest son to wear to match his brothers and sisters for what was supposed to be a valentines day photo shoot that will now be whenever it is warm, if ever. And a power rangers shirt he will not take off. 2 Dora outfits for Faith, we will never not love Dora apparently, and 3 Gymboree outfits for her. Plus a big outfit lot. It is size 9!! She is in 3 sometimes 4-6 depending on what they are and how they run but certainly not 9. I love this set!! I had quickly grabbed it for that dearest friend, who loves Gymboree, and her oldest daughter is probably a 9 but if not they are dresses so she could go up a size or down. Either way would be nice and they were a steal for the 3 great dresses and perfect jean jacket with bows and 2 matching hair ribbons all for......$25!! I was going to give it to her for the $25 and I would be happy, but it is so stinking cute I thought I might hold it back for my girls and then she would still eventually get it, or I could sell it and make back ALL the money I spent that day. I checked ebay prices. What would you do? Really I am open to comments because I am a bit torn.
But for the whole day: -$81 at the consignment sale and then another -$35 for my oldest son for his new Air Jordans. Oh yeah, you can not beat that price either. I went to an outlet store because he also needed new shoes and there were none his big size 6 at the sale. Total clothes purchases for kids -$116 :) I rock!
Taco Bell and Sonic, This shopping day had 3 other stops included. And we, the tiny team and I, were getting cranky and hungry. I had to quickly feed us. -$10
Yugio card for my oldest -$1.69
Spending money for my oldest on a field trip -$10
My oldest again, going out to dinner with his friends -$5
Sam's Fundraiser. A son, Sam, of my friend was selling pizza for a fundraiser for his baseball team. I bought 6 pizzas. I figured they would be good for a dinner each here and at my parents house one night when they watch the kids. It will certainly make it easier on them. -$37
Jay
eating out and stuff -$35
Unavoidables
Co payments at the doctors. Nothings wrong, not pregnant, birthday check up. -$20
new piano book -$6.50
Groceries -$105
Honestly this bill could have been at least half. I had plenty of food here and a plated delivery this week so I did not need food except milk, fruit and bread. But when I was there on Monday, St. Patrick's Day they had all sorts of deals BYGO's and deals on corned beef so I though I would just pick up a few calzones at the savings, and make an Irish dinner for my family to celebrate. They did not like it but at least they tried it.
Gas -$31
I was home this week no school but that did not stop me from driving everyday. 2 days I had to drive my kids in and pick them up for school. One because of a field trip and two because of another snow day. We live in a different school district then where my kids go so when our district is canceled and theirs is not I have to take them. Oh well I got things done while I was out making use of the trip one day at least.
The bottom left is their school. No snow days for them when mom has 2 four wheel drive vehicles.
Yearbooks for my older 2 -$36
Savings
Family savings Jar +$10
Pellets/Propane savings jar +$10
Other Awesome Accomplishments
Goals
Same ones no eating out try not to spend over $50 in splurges. I am curious to see if there is a week I can actually do it?
Advice
Lets borrow this one from an honorable mom of many Michelle Duggar, mom of 19+ "Buy used and save the difference" Kids need clothes and often. You can find good deals and good swap circles with other moms allowing you to save lots.
And of course to see other awesome savings form mom click here.
My Splurges
Clothes!! Wow I spent a bunch on designer clothes for my kids. And before you say well you don't have to buy designer you can buy from Walmart or target cheaply and save. Well I did save. And I saved BUNCHES. But I still spent a lot for me too, goodbye birthday money. Plus buying better clothes is a far better deal! They wear and wash better, last longer and just look nice. When you are passing down clothes from 4 + girls you need the most bang for your buck and the better clothes with better fabric and that people care more about last longer. My boys, I gave up. They are to old and their clothes now only last for that kid, if they even make it through the season. No I do not have 4 girls,only 2. But since I usually buy them used that is at least 1 prior girl, then my two, then I give my dearest friend all of Gracies clothes that are in great/good shape for free. Sometimes these clothes have only been worn a few times through all girls for pictures or a holiday so they are nice.
Each year there is a special consignment sale in our area. Last years shopping trip with that friend. We look forward to this one each year. We know we are going to spend money there. We, meaning me and all the ladies in the area. Oh yes it is a mad house, when are good deals not? But here is the thing many of you may not know. I live in a Mennonite/ Amish/ little city area and those women show up in droves. In taxis(Yoder toters, but shh don't say that to loud because the friend who watch all 5 of my kids last week so I could have my birthday dinner, to make an easy 11 kids at her house, is a Yoder, it is not the nicest saying but not to mean kinda like redneck), vans, buggies, and cars form 3 states (only because it takes 30 minutes to get to 3 different states). In the romanticized Amish fiction, these women may seen kind, naive, Godly and nice, but in reality they aren't. Godly yes, but you have to be kidding yourself for the rest not all but most I have found to be judgmental, clickish and unwelcoming. The men however do seem to me so much more helpful and kind. And it is not because they are in men to women situations but overall. However if you try to bid against them on anything at an auction watch out! They will win, even when it is against your toddler son. I appreciate their communities but they are out to make money, get good deals and then be left alone to live the life they want.
Off my sidetrack rant, I went there this year and battled those women with my tiny team in tow (that sucked) and the deals were just not as good but I still got 4 pairs of shoes for my for youngest 4, 2 swim shirts/rash guards for my oldest 2, a matching sister outfit to 1 I already have by my favorite Lilly Pulitzer for baby cakes, plus a Gymboree capris sweater new with tags outfit for her, 3 different izod possibilities of shirts for my youngest son to wear to match his brothers and sisters for what was supposed to be a valentines day photo shoot that will now be whenever it is warm, if ever. And a power rangers shirt he will not take off. 2 Dora outfits for Faith, we will never not love Dora apparently, and 3 Gymboree outfits for her. Plus a big outfit lot. It is size 9!! She is in 3 sometimes 4-6 depending on what they are and how they run but certainly not 9. I love this set!! I had quickly grabbed it for that dearest friend, who loves Gymboree, and her oldest daughter is probably a 9 but if not they are dresses so she could go up a size or down. Either way would be nice and they were a steal for the 3 great dresses and perfect jean jacket with bows and 2 matching hair ribbons all for......$25!! I was going to give it to her for the $25 and I would be happy, but it is so stinking cute I thought I might hold it back for my girls and then she would still eventually get it, or I could sell it and make back ALL the money I spent that day. I checked ebay prices. What would you do? Really I am open to comments because I am a bit torn.
But for the whole day: -$81 at the consignment sale and then another -$35 for my oldest son for his new Air Jordans. Oh yeah, you can not beat that price either. I went to an outlet store because he also needed new shoes and there were none his big size 6 at the sale. Total clothes purchases for kids -$116 :) I rock!
Taco Bell and Sonic, This shopping day had 3 other stops included. And we, the tiny team and I, were getting cranky and hungry. I had to quickly feed us. -$10
Yugio card for my oldest -$1.69
Spending money for my oldest on a field trip -$10
My oldest again, going out to dinner with his friends -$5
Sam's Fundraiser. A son, Sam, of my friend was selling pizza for a fundraiser for his baseball team. I bought 6 pizzas. I figured they would be good for a dinner each here and at my parents house one night when they watch the kids. It will certainly make it easier on them. -$37
Jay
eating out and stuff -$35
Unavoidables
Co payments at the doctors. Nothings wrong, not pregnant, birthday check up. -$20
new piano book -$6.50
Groceries -$105
Honestly this bill could have been at least half. I had plenty of food here and a plated delivery this week so I did not need food except milk, fruit and bread. But when I was there on Monday, St. Patrick's Day they had all sorts of deals BYGO's and deals on corned beef so I though I would just pick up a few calzones at the savings, and make an Irish dinner for my family to celebrate. They did not like it but at least they tried it.
Gas -$31
I was home this week no school but that did not stop me from driving everyday. 2 days I had to drive my kids in and pick them up for school. One because of a field trip and two because of another snow day. We live in a different school district then where my kids go so when our district is canceled and theirs is not I have to take them. Oh well I got things done while I was out making use of the trip one day at least.
The bottom left is their school. No snow days for them when mom has 2 four wheel drive vehicles.
Yearbooks for my older 2 -$36
Savings
Family savings Jar +$10
Pellets/Propane savings jar +$10
Other Awesome Accomplishments
- PA has no clothes sales tax so all the clothes and shoes were tax free.
- I returned a pair of shoes I had bought that I was only guaranteed the sales price for but not + s/h and because I stayed on top of them and watched for the credit I got the full amount back +$21
- Gas prices went down a little here
- again ate a lot of leftovers. I had some I really did not want either put I could not refreeze (I think that is gross) and did not want to throw away. So I made a totally awesome chicken cordon bleu form the left over plus all other ingredients I had on hand. Recipe will be up later this week please check back
- I took my kids to school on the snow day. They could have stayed home no problem but I had paid for them to be there that day and they have missed so much because of snow this winter all ready. Plus they very much wanted to go in and pinch people, little leprechauns.
- I don't think I had coffee out once this week!
Goals
Same ones no eating out try not to spend over $50 in splurges. I am curious to see if there is a week I can actually do it?
Advice
Lets borrow this one from an honorable mom of many Michelle Duggar, mom of 19+ "Buy used and save the difference" Kids need clothes and often. You can find good deals and good swap circles with other moms allowing you to save lots.
And of course to see other awesome savings form mom click here.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Spring cleaning- the pantry
Last week we had warm beautiful temperatures, then wind and cold warnings. Windchill's dropping back down to nothing back to the negatives. With the warm temps came open windows and spring cleaning, sorta.
It wasn't by choice. Some how a bottle of apple juice spilled in the pantry. It soaked the floor and everything on the floor. I found it not right away but the same day. So it had time to spill, leak and seap into stuff. wonderful. Cleaning the pantry was something that needed to be done but not something I had wanted to do that day. However now I was forced to. I started to get everything off the ground to clean up the liquid and I pulled a tower of cans the kids had stacked. They are always stacking cans so I thought nothing of it. But they had stacked this tower to hid that they had broke the sport beam holing up the shelf. It had actually been broke for a while and their dad and I just "band aided" it back together so it was so weak. I am actually surprised and impressed they thought to hold it up with cans. As I pulled the can out the shelf and everything on it came tumbling down. It was now an even larger mess, great.
I could not deal with it right then so I mopped up the juice and left it till the morning. Since the mess was everywhere the kids could not get to the laundry room so on top of the food and mess they through dirty clothes!
Right after coffee I tackled it with Smiley. He was eager to help. Sunday he had made a bank at church. They were supposed to do chores around the house to earn money for something. He helped me moves all the cans and boxes out of the pile on the floor. He helped pull the clothes out and take them to the washer. And threw all the trash in the garbage. As we were unearthing layers I would find all sorts of change. Everything I found I gave to him. And he was over the moon. He knows no difference between 1 cent to $10. The more coins he got the more money he had. After everything was moved I was able to sweep and mop the floor. We were surprised by their dad coming home mid day from work so in his time before going back we was able to attach strong railings to the wall. I can't say how wonderful that was! I did not even ask he just said since you have everything out I will fix it right. Smiley replaced all the boxes, bottles and can on the fixed shelf and in front of the bottom space. A kinda odd arrangement but as we watched him eagerly do it for more money Jay said "you get what you pay for". Well he is still cheap, and certainly cheaper than the older kids, but look like I would be redoing it soon. Still I was happy enough.
I did not organize the upper shelves. I had a lot of other things I had to do that day and did not want to get into a project I would not have time to finish. Which turned out to be a good thing because....
A few days later as I was getting some bread from the very top I knocked over powder chicken gravy, Sams club size, and it spilled everywhere on every shelf the whole way down. Ugh!! Smiley just cheered and said YES! Mom now we get to do it all again :)
It wasn't by choice. Some how a bottle of apple juice spilled in the pantry. It soaked the floor and everything on the floor. I found it not right away but the same day. So it had time to spill, leak and seap into stuff. wonderful. Cleaning the pantry was something that needed to be done but not something I had wanted to do that day. However now I was forced to. I started to get everything off the ground to clean up the liquid and I pulled a tower of cans the kids had stacked. They are always stacking cans so I thought nothing of it. But they had stacked this tower to hid that they had broke the sport beam holing up the shelf. It had actually been broke for a while and their dad and I just "band aided" it back together so it was so weak. I am actually surprised and impressed they thought to hold it up with cans. As I pulled the can out the shelf and everything on it came tumbling down. It was now an even larger mess, great.
I could not deal with it right then so I mopped up the juice and left it till the morning. Since the mess was everywhere the kids could not get to the laundry room so on top of the food and mess they through dirty clothes!
Right after coffee I tackled it with Smiley. He was eager to help. Sunday he had made a bank at church. They were supposed to do chores around the house to earn money for something. He helped me moves all the cans and boxes out of the pile on the floor. He helped pull the clothes out and take them to the washer. And threw all the trash in the garbage. As we were unearthing layers I would find all sorts of change. Everything I found I gave to him. And he was over the moon. He knows no difference between 1 cent to $10. The more coins he got the more money he had. After everything was moved I was able to sweep and mop the floor. We were surprised by their dad coming home mid day from work so in his time before going back we was able to attach strong railings to the wall. I can't say how wonderful that was! I did not even ask he just said since you have everything out I will fix it right. Smiley replaced all the boxes, bottles and can on the fixed shelf and in front of the bottom space. A kinda odd arrangement but as we watched him eagerly do it for more money Jay said "you get what you pay for". Well he is still cheap, and certainly cheaper than the older kids, but look like I would be redoing it soon. Still I was happy enough.
I did not organize the upper shelves. I had a lot of other things I had to do that day and did not want to get into a project I would not have time to finish. Which turned out to be a good thing because....
A few days later as I was getting some bread from the very top I knocked over powder chicken gravy, Sams club size, and it spilled everywhere on every shelf the whole way down. Ugh!! Smiley just cheered and said YES! Mom now we get to do it all again :)
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Week 2 savings
Week 2 of my scrimping and saving did not go that well. I was surprised how much got spent this week. I did not meet any of my goals from last week to spend under 50 on splurges and no fast food. It was an expensive week.
My Splurges
office supplies. Sometimes you are just out and you need them not really a splurge it was nothing fun. -$8
Secret Sister Gift. found a super cute chunky necklace and matching earrings at target on clearance. -$7
Getting a Garden Going
I am not a gardener. I do not have room to garden but most importantly I do not have a green thumb. I have a black one that is like acid when I touch any living plant I kill it quickly. My family teases me that I only bring plants home to die. It is true. None the less I went to Lowes after searching on pintrest when to sow seeds inside and bought a few packets of seeds and dirt circles that go in a tray I already had. This could be a money saver if it works (which it won't) but with my history it should be considered a splurge or more so just burning dollars. I am starting with 2 different types of peppers hot poinsettias and Anaheim. We eat so many pepper this could save bunches but honestly the are not expensive anyways. Colorful carrots, even my kids said as I threw them in the cart "come on mom you tried this before remember epic fail." brats. Broccoli it was gonna be cabbage too but I could not find any. So instead we got okra which I love and kale which I use a bunch in Zuppa Toscana yum! And I promised my son I will get him pumpkin seeds when it is time to plant them. Plus down the line I am sure we are going to get a patio tomato plant. -$14 (death march playing)
I did not meat my goal of not eating out. I got stuck at school one day hours later than I had planned and was starving. I broke down and stopped by taco bell but the good news was I had put it off so long that it was happy hour at taco bell and they now had a $1 menu for some pretty yummy things. -$5 (okay -$1 was for some much needed coffee from McDonalds. Not much needed McDonalds but much need coffee on my way to school that morning- it was the day, the Monday after time change.- And yes I could make coffee at home, I had made 2 pots for me and the kids, no opinions needed that is a whole other issue- but I was dragging, in fact it is late now Wednesday and I still am dragging, stupid time change! At least it was not from the more expensive Starbucks just across the street or next to my school. Although that would have been better it taste better and I have a gift certificate...there is always tomorrow)
Friday birthday coffee -$3
USB flash drive for my son -$7
American girl stuff for my daughters. Some of it will held back till Easter for the girls hairs, and the rest will be held back to July (if I can make it that long) for my youngest birthday. I did not plan on buying stuff for them or their dolls but there was a super sale and what I got were such reduced prices, you just don't see stuff that low but a couple times a year. And now my baby and her bitty baby's birthdays are done, for the most part. -$58
Jay
eating out -$15
parts for his smoker -$14
A new smoker. Did he need it? In my opinion no. Am I mad, no. Because at the end of the day it will make some delicious food for me. So I can live with it. Plus I found it at Lowes on clearance and told him about it. I had a $25 VISA gift card from my secret sister and he had a $25 check of birthday money so it was only -$8 we actually had to add.
charcoal -$7
other grill things -$20
He went to the store to get stuff to make a cake for me and some ice cream to go with it too. So how does that turn it to -$60????
I have 5 clues...
My Birthday
This week I turned 35. It was a bit harder than some of the others I am starting to feel old. It was not fun. But there were some highlights like watching these 6 try to make a cake, a $60 birthday cake.
The best part was going out to dinner just Jay and I. We had not been out together alone since my birthday 2012. You can not believe how hard it is find someone to watch 5 little kids. You only imagine how expensive it is too. So we never get a date night. Last month we had a horrible experience at Marconi Grill. I had asked for apple juice for my 1 and 2 year old and instead of putting apple juice in their drink they put a cocktail mixer. My daughters were throwing up all over the restaurant would not/could not eat. No one even gave us napkins to clean up, and we still had to pay full price for all 5 meals and drinks even the big mistakes. I was so mad I called when I got home and in trying to make it right they sent me a $50 gift certificate. Have you ate there that barely touches the price but it did cover the tiny teams meals. I had another $25 gift card for them I had got for Christmas so Jay and I took both gift cards and went out on a date, just us. -$75 in gift cards and we only had to pay -$11 out of pocket not bad at all for 2 meals and a bottle of house wine. We went to a different one too.
Unavoidables
food -$120 (not including the -$60 above)
gas-$105
post office -$7
Savings
Family Savings Jar +$10
Pellet/propane Savings Jar +$10
My sons birthday money went straight into his CD +$25
Other Awesome Accomplishments
My Splurges
office supplies. Sometimes you are just out and you need them not really a splurge it was nothing fun. -$8
Secret Sister Gift. found a super cute chunky necklace and matching earrings at target on clearance. -$7
Getting a Garden Going
I am not a gardener. I do not have room to garden but most importantly I do not have a green thumb. I have a black one that is like acid when I touch any living plant I kill it quickly. My family teases me that I only bring plants home to die. It is true. None the less I went to Lowes after searching on pintrest when to sow seeds inside and bought a few packets of seeds and dirt circles that go in a tray I already had. This could be a money saver if it works (which it won't) but with my history it should be considered a splurge or more so just burning dollars. I am starting with 2 different types of peppers hot poinsettias and Anaheim. We eat so many pepper this could save bunches but honestly the are not expensive anyways. Colorful carrots, even my kids said as I threw them in the cart "come on mom you tried this before remember epic fail." brats. Broccoli it was gonna be cabbage too but I could not find any. So instead we got okra which I love and kale which I use a bunch in Zuppa Toscana yum! And I promised my son I will get him pumpkin seeds when it is time to plant them. Plus down the line I am sure we are going to get a patio tomato plant. -$14 (death march playing)
I did not meat my goal of not eating out. I got stuck at school one day hours later than I had planned and was starving. I broke down and stopped by taco bell but the good news was I had put it off so long that it was happy hour at taco bell and they now had a $1 menu for some pretty yummy things. -$5 (okay -$1 was for some much needed coffee from McDonalds. Not much needed McDonalds but much need coffee on my way to school that morning- it was the day, the Monday after time change.- And yes I could make coffee at home, I had made 2 pots for me and the kids, no opinions needed that is a whole other issue- but I was dragging, in fact it is late now Wednesday and I still am dragging, stupid time change! At least it was not from the more expensive Starbucks just across the street or next to my school. Although that would have been better it taste better and I have a gift certificate...there is always tomorrow)
Friday birthday coffee -$3
USB flash drive for my son -$7
American girl stuff for my daughters. Some of it will held back till Easter for the girls hairs, and the rest will be held back to July (if I can make it that long) for my youngest birthday. I did not plan on buying stuff for them or their dolls but there was a super sale and what I got were such reduced prices, you just don't see stuff that low but a couple times a year. And now my baby and her bitty baby's birthdays are done, for the most part. -$58
Jay
eating out -$15
parts for his smoker -$14
A new smoker. Did he need it? In my opinion no. Am I mad, no. Because at the end of the day it will make some delicious food for me. So I can live with it. Plus I found it at Lowes on clearance and told him about it. I had a $25 VISA gift card from my secret sister and he had a $25 check of birthday money so it was only -$8 we actually had to add.
charcoal -$7
other grill things -$20
He went to the store to get stuff to make a cake for me and some ice cream to go with it too. So how does that turn it to -$60????
I have 5 clues...
My Birthday
This week I turned 35. It was a bit harder than some of the others I am starting to feel old. It was not fun. But there were some highlights like watching these 6 try to make a cake, a $60 birthday cake.
The best part was going out to dinner just Jay and I. We had not been out together alone since my birthday 2012. You can not believe how hard it is find someone to watch 5 little kids. You only imagine how expensive it is too. So we never get a date night. Last month we had a horrible experience at Marconi Grill. I had asked for apple juice for my 1 and 2 year old and instead of putting apple juice in their drink they put a cocktail mixer. My daughters were throwing up all over the restaurant would not/could not eat. No one even gave us napkins to clean up, and we still had to pay full price for all 5 meals and drinks even the big mistakes. I was so mad I called when I got home and in trying to make it right they sent me a $50 gift certificate. Have you ate there that barely touches the price but it did cover the tiny teams meals. I had another $25 gift card for them I had got for Christmas so Jay and I took both gift cards and went out on a date, just us. -$75 in gift cards and we only had to pay -$11 out of pocket not bad at all for 2 meals and a bottle of house wine. We went to a different one too.
Unavoidables
food -$120 (not including the -$60 above)
gas-$105
post office -$7
Savings
Family Savings Jar +$10
Pellet/propane Savings Jar +$10
My sons birthday money went straight into his CD +$25
Other Awesome Accomplishments
- We ate a lot of leftovers again. We spent a lot in groceries but most of that is milk, juice, water, soda. We need to move to tap water obviously.
- A special family I have had in my life forever sent us a package with 4 new books. Rush Revere and the first patriots!! We really wanted that book after we read and loved the first so much. Plus there were other beautiful book about George Washington and Paul Revere and a cute Amelia Airheart one too. These are also perfect for my oldest who is going to Mount Vernon next Friday, George Washington's home.
- in the 4 days since I have planted the seed some of them are sprouting
- The weather has been warm all but 2 days so we used considerably less pellets and a little less propane.
- We took three walks out in the sunshine!
- I filled up my suburban for $76! I had earned enough gas points from groceries to receive $.70 off a gallon! I ended up paying $2.85 a gallon, gas is high in PA
Advice
This sounds stupid but, simply put your trash out on trash day. My neighbors are terrible at this. They never remember to get the trash out the night before or morning of and it seems 3 weeks out of each month they miss it getting picked up. Which forces them to take it to the dump. What a savings it is to use something you all ready pay for.
Goals
My goals for this week are going to be the same no fast food, and try not to spend more than $50!!! I am going to work harder on it this week though. I am going to try too nurture and figure out what to do with those sprouting seedlings.
And again to see how the other mommas are saving cents go here. And thank you all for visiting! Your encouraging and suggestiuve emails last week were so nice.
And again to see how the other mommas are saving cents go here. And thank you all for visiting! Your encouraging and suggestiuve emails last week were so nice.
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Evan turns 9
Evan turned 9 this week. He is now in the count down to the big 10, yes already. He had the longest birthday day. It just kept going on and on, it was so very busy. Here he is celebrating his circle of life with 1 brother and 2 sisters plus his whole class. I really enjoys this every year and it is kinda sad because I don't think they have it in upper el.
Gracie was reconnected with Sweetie Pie. We kept Sweetie Pie over the summer and it is the SAME Sweetie Pie still! (A hamster) She really enjoyed the hamster this summer and was all smiles to see her again.
Evan shared a photo time line of his life and I just love this picture of how he and his brother were sharing Evan's years growing up. But it was a picture of Evan in a diaper,
Me and my 9 year old birthday boy! Oh I love him!!!
And I really like this picture of my parents. They came up and took us all out to Evan's choice of a restaurant for dinner. Delicious as always and a fun time.
oh Faith. Yes she does not learn a lesson. She was bound to repeat the same mistakes.
Yum Lemons!
OMG I don't like lemons!!
Well let me try again to be sure.
They brought out Evan fried ice cream as they sung Feliz cumpleaños to him. He was so happy.
And then they said "we will feed you the first scope", and shoved it right on his nose! He was less happy then.
And after all was said and done we had a small celebration of presents and cake at the house.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET EVAN, 9 year old EVAN!!
Gracie was reconnected with Sweetie Pie. We kept Sweetie Pie over the summer and it is the SAME Sweetie Pie still! (A hamster) She really enjoyed the hamster this summer and was all smiles to see her again.
Evan shared a photo time line of his life and I just love this picture of how he and his brother were sharing Evan's years growing up. But it was a picture of Evan in a diaper,
Me and my 9 year old birthday boy! Oh I love him!!!
And I really like this picture of my parents. They came up and took us all out to Evan's choice of a restaurant for dinner. Delicious as always and a fun time.
oh Faith. Yes she does not learn a lesson. She was bound to repeat the same mistakes.
Yum Lemons!
OMG I don't like lemons!!
Well let me try again to be sure.
They brought out Evan fried ice cream as they sung Feliz cumpleaños to him. He was so happy.
And then they said "we will feed you the first scope", and shoved it right on his nose! He was less happy then.
And after all was said and done we had a small celebration of presents and cake at the house.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET EVAN, 9 year old EVAN!!