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Archive for July, 2006

Time to focus

July 31st, 2006 at 05:26 am

Now that the big party and turning 40 has passed, it is now time to buckle down and focus on money and saving it!
The party was great. A huge storm moved in and set us back as far as setting up and my sister surprised me by having an old friend drop by an hour early, unexpected, but not unwelcome. It was just soooo many people and it is still soooo hot here! Anyway, good time, lots of food and friendship and now moving on...
Dropped DD1 off at camp today. I just worry so much!! I am glad she got to go with a friend, but the temps are supposed to be in the low 100's with heat indices of 110 or higher! And this won't break until Thursday. Keep some prayers for her!
Tomorrow I start keeping my "little black book". I'm hoping I find it easier to not spend than to write something down!
Couldn't make it through without all the friendship and great advice I receive here!! Thanks guys!

I am 40 today!

July 29th, 2006 at 04:20 pm

New adventure, new fun! The big 40 has come knocking! :-) All ribs, barbs and jokes accepted!

Pooped

July 29th, 2006 at 05:39 am

Thankfully its pooped out and not pooped on! :-) Getting ready for the big party tomorrow night. I always get myself into a tizzy to make everything nice. Had the Merry Maids come to clean today. Part gift from SIL and part I paid. Can't say I was overly impressed. Could do a better job myself, but I guess the key is I did'nt have to do it myself!
The family took me out to dinner for an early bday dinner and DH gave me some chocolate, a gc to Michaels and a gc for a professional MASSAGE!! I have never gotten one before and I am so excited! I had to go pick my dad up off the bathroom floor a couple of weeks ago and I did something wrong!! This will be heavenly. We let you know when I go get it!

My little black book

July 27th, 2006 at 04:03 am

Nope, it's not to track all my boyfriends (yes, DH is my only boyfriend, or boy toy? Anyway....) My new little black book is to track my SPENDING! I have fought doing this for a long time - way back to the Amy Dacyczyn days! But I read a story on another web site about someone who still could'nt control their spending no matter what resolve they had or tricks they tried. The only thing that worked was keeping track of spending in a little notebook. So I went to Walgreens and picked out a special one for .50! I guess I will start my goal on Monday, to start my "little black book".

Making a list

July 26th, 2006 at 05:38 am

Making the grocery list. Trying to match up the coupons with the sales. Having another big party this weekend. DH and I are turning the big 4 0 (me on Saturday). Invited all and sundry to the big event! Trying not to go over budget for the bash!

Had a fun weekend

July 24th, 2006 at 06:49 am

My friend and I had a great time scrapbooking! I finished 34 pages. Up to 1996 in DD1's book! Ten more years to go to catch up!! :-)

Exciting Weekend Plans

July 22nd, 2006 at 06:00 am

This weekend is something I have never had before. A "Me" weekend. My friend and I both have birthdays within a few weeks of each other, so this year we are treating ourselves to a scrapbooking retreat weekend! Two full days of scrapbooking, sleeping (maybe) and food and snacks are provided by the coordinator! I won't be far from home, but I am sure I will miss the family! DH has been a good sport about taking over as the family chauffer!
I'm off to have fun! Fill ya in on Sunday night!
(Gotta go finish a freelance job before I go!)

Ebay sale

July 21st, 2006 at 03:36 am

Ebay is having a 20cent listing sale today and tomorrow. Went on and listed about 5 things. DH and I are hoping to raise enough to refurbish the trampoline for the kids. The storm the other day really added insult to injury! Wish me luck!

Here comes the rain!

July 20th, 2006 at 05:57 am

From out of the blue, a GIANT storm hurtled out from nowhere and kicked some butt! Rays wood business could benefit from all of the trees and limbs around here! Thank goodness we finally have rain! I don't know how many days it has been since we've had a good soaking rain, but I know it was about a week or more before the 4th of July.
Did'nt even get to blog yesterday, too tired from working!
Today was a spend day! Almost $100 at Walmart, but DD2 paid me back about $15 for something I paid for her. Two birthday presents and I stocked up on two more gift cards and some .49cent cards for future parties.
Will do some work for second job tomorrow!

Little Gopher said it...

July 18th, 2006 at 05:38 am

Yep.... work, work , work. I am working alot too! But of course with the flexibility for the family! Now, as long as the pay checks do'nt bounce, we'll be okay!
Is anyone else melting?? We are talking 102 with indicies of 110. Yuck! I feel for my mom carrying my thru the month of July back in the "olden days". I think I'll send her flowers on MY birthday! What a lady!
Had to pick up some groceries today, but otherwise no spend. 2 days in a row eating at home!! :-)

Hello Blog Family!

July 17th, 2006 at 06:18 am

We are finally back from vacation! I think hubby and I will consider going to work tomorrow recuperation from vacation! We had fun, got some sun and shopped a LOT! I am stocked for clothes now! I know DH is glaring and unhappy, but hey, he got some much needed shirts too! Picked up a couple of gifts as well! Yum, went to Coldstone Creamery. That place could be trouble, very addicting. Got some good deals while shopping, not just the outlet mall, but Target (but since we were on vacation, I guess we should be fancy and call it Tar-ghay). Got a bra on clearance for $2.98, a new purse for 18.99 and some comfy shorts (went for the mens, as in ladies there was nothing!) for $5.00. Got a really expensive and cute outfit at Dressbarn Women (early happy bday to me!) and a jacket for this fall.
Hubby took the girls boating one day, but most of the time was spent at the pools. Did'nt eat out too bad.
Glad to be back, time to go to bed!!

Slave wages

July 11th, 2006 at 01:56 am

Why do I do these things? I have been working for the past 2 days and it has been busy... I am exhausted and ready for our vacation (ie..family trip, as it is usually NOT a vacation for mom!:-)) So being exhausted, we ate out BOTH nights. DH did'nt lift a finger to make dinner and I left a casserole which if you even mention the word in this house it is met with gags and groans. So I will stick the casserole in the freezer for when we get back from vacation. For heavens sake it is noodles, hamburger and cheese mixed with Ragu! Not exactly gross, actually more like pizza with noodles instead of crust.
Anyway just had to rant... Thanks!

Wild Blue Yonder??

July 11th, 2006 at 01:50 am

Has anyone heard from Wild Blue Yonder? Did I miss something? Are we all still sending positive thoughts??
Just wondering.....

Time for vacation

July 8th, 2006 at 07:56 pm

We will start our vacation on Tuesday. The two youngest have free tickets to Six Flags, so DH and I will use buy one get one. Not sure what to do about DD1? Hate to not use a BOGO for her too, so told DD2 she could bring a friend. Lo and behold, her friend has the free ticket too. Will think on this. Parking is $10 - boo! But we will pack a picnic for lunch.
The next day we head to the lake. Used my bonus money to pay for the condo, so in a sense it was "free". Using survey money and job #2 money for gas. Yikes! Up to $3.00 now!! Bought lots of food (budgeted $100, spent $60, just need to buy a couple more things.) will eat at the condo for MOST meals have 2 dinners out planned. Will take the girls to a matinee show while we are there too. Will do lots of outlet mall shopping. I am drooling to get there! They always have great clearance sales this time of year!
Looking forward to spending lots of time with the kids.

Another No Spender :-)

July 7th, 2006 at 12:52 am

Yep, I did it again!! (((Applause))) Another no spend day - not even gas.... did'nt go anywhere!
I have been really trying to just stay at home. Not easy with 3 bored kids and no pool! But we have been doing it! One more week day down and then the weekend.
Supposed to meet the Bible Study Girls tomorrow for McDonalds, but we'll see...

Liked the mail today!

July 6th, 2006 at 03:15 am

Got a check from NFO surveys today. $20. Will put it toward our gas money for vacation. I have had good luck getting paid from all my surveys and getting my MyPoints gift cards too! Worth the time!

Successful Party

July 6th, 2006 at 02:40 am

Yeah! Our July 4th party was a hit. The food was great, the weather super and the fireworks were entertaining. Love the day after a party.... Leftovers!
Had planned for a no spend day, but had to get gas. Kept it at $20. It is $2.81 here now.

Getting ready for company

July 4th, 2006 at 05:47 am

Okay, yes I am entertaining yet again!! I figure it really helps keep the house in order!
Got to get off work early today. Picked up the girls from Grammies and we all got hair cuts. Came home and ordered them the promised pizza. Still hungry, I only got 2 peices!
DH took DD2 and DD3 to see the fireworks. Good time for mom to get some things done. I vaccuumed and cleaned the carpets upstairs when I got home from work. While the girls were gone I cleaned DD1's teenage cave!! Looks much better and ready for guests!
I know our water bill will be huge this month, but we have had NO rain. None! I am worried about someone starting our yard on fire, so I am watering like crazy!
Guess I'll go to bed and start on the food tomorrow. Too tired from getting the house ready!
HAVE A GREAT 4TH OF JULY!!!

No spend day!

July 3rd, 2006 at 06:07 am

Wow! Did'nt leave the house today. Was supposed to get near 100. I did go outside to move the sprinklers around. Have to make sure the house does'nt burn down with all the 4th of July fireworks going off!
Did lots of cleaning, multiple loads of laundry, getting ready for company. Cleaned the basement, straightened it, vaccuumed. If you ask me, this should be the place to be! It isn't really finished, but we have rugs down, couches and a TV with a gamecube and toys. It is so nice and cool down there! They are saying it might be stormy Tuesday, so I want an appealing place for the kids to go if that is the case.
I "fixed" the carpet cleaner too! With a psycho peeing dog, it is a necessity to own! A piece broke and I put some tape on it. It worked for about 6 months, then last time it would'nt work!! EEEKK! So I took off all the tape, put on new tape, and it worked like a charm! I will clean the rooms upstairs tomorrow after work.
Told the girls I would treat them to pizza tomorrow night, so tomorrow will not be a no spend day, but I bet Tuesday will!! :-)

Snuck out!

July 2nd, 2006 at 04:46 am

DH and I took the splurge and went out to dinner! We did'nt exactly sneak out, cause DD1 had to babysit the younger ones, but...
Went to the Lobster. Did'nt have a coupon - horrors!
We have not had any time to just sit and have a conversation without getting interrupted lately. Despite yelling at our lovely young ones, they always interrupt! So we splurged on dinner and CONVERSATION! Worth every penny!

June in retrospect/July plans

July 1st, 2006 at 05:28 pm

Well, we did pretty good in June. I finally have figured out a way to budget with DH's new pay schedule! Still overspent a little, will work on that this month. I never did fix the drying rack, so I will move that goal to July.
Did a great job with making dinner at home and not eating out a lot, and my food reserve is pretty good!

July will be a hard month with lots of entertaining and vacation. I have already started planning for each event in the hopes of doing damage control. Will use the money from job #2 for gas money for the trip. I would like to also pay extra on a couple of CC and when I budget for August, I will try to pay most extra to a target one and not spread it so evenly between many of them and see if seeing faster results on one help out. Other than that, I will just try to survive the July heat!!

All the chicks are back in the nest

July 1st, 2006 at 05:21 pm

Ahhhh, at last DD2 is back home and all is right in the world. Reuniting was pretty casual, but there were lots of spontaneous hugs during the day. She was sooo tired and she HATED camp. I was so proud of her for lasting both weeks! What a trooper. She said it was'nt worth it, even for time spent with horses and she won't do it again. We'll see how she feels next year.
We enjoyed her fav dinner, roast beef with cheese potatoes and biscuits and then we hit the mall (only so I could return something at JCP!) and enjoyed our show. (Devil Wears Prada, pretty good. I can never sit still for a movie and this one moved pretty fast and kept me entertained.)
Feels good to have everything back to normal (even the fighting!)