Sunday, August 31, 2008

Stampin' Up

Okay, so I know it is against my "save every penny" philosophy. I joined Stampin' Up, just as a card maker/stamper. I figure with all of the money that I am saving with my freebies and coupons...I have built a small stash for my "spending" fund...I figure as long as I'm good about it, don't go too crazy...it's worth it. Besides, I never get out. I'm always stuck in the house so now I will have a couple of friends to meet with, and a hobby to keep me busy.





On Saturday I went and met with my local Stampin' Up demonstrator, Tina, and got together with a few other girls, and stamped fifteen cards. I learned how to put some cute things together and had some nice "grown up" conversations with other mothers. Ah, to finally discuss with someone the process of getting baby puke out of your hair or off the shoulder of your suit...lovely.

I can't wait for the next meeting, which is a Birthday Bash. I have volunteered to make cupcakes, we get a birthday stamp set, and we get to make about 10 cards. The thing that is really cool, our supplies are already there and ready for us. Which, after considering my own "at home" project, I have realized is a project in itself. You have to find coordinating cardstock, paper and ink, you have to cut out all of the paper and ribbon, organize it in sets (Tina set it up for three cards per package/idea), find coordinating punches and stamps, figure out different techniques and the tools for each look, organize it per bin, and then be prepared for hectic-ness!

So much fun! I have never done stuff like this before. Now that I have my creative juices going, I'm going to attempt to make some last minute note cards for DD's Fall Harvest carnival basket. Will post pictures of my disaster/masterpiece later.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Dave Ramsey is having a Labor Day Sale!!!

So, I must tell you, Dave Ramsey is having a book sale until September 2nd. So get them now. I highly recommend getting the Total Money Makeover and Financial Peace Revisited. I have them and I refer back to them often. I would like to order the Kid's Bundle: FPU, Jr and the book bundle. I would, of course, have to order the Add-On kit for DS...can't leave him out.

Most of the books are about $10.00 during his sale, which is great. Save money to learn how to bring you to Financial Peace, which I am slowly obtaining, penny by penny.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Pet Owners - Beware!!

For those of you who know me - you know I'm a pet lover. Not so much cats, they're just too darn independent and sassy, I guess too much like me. However, I believe in protecting and loving every creature. You should also know that I have my own four legged furry children, one with a drooling problem and another one who, if human, would definitely be diagnosed with some form of ADHD or something.

Anyway, I wanted to share with you the CHAI story - which was forwarded to me by a very good friend who spends her free time rescuing animals. Chai is a 10 year old lab mix, a picture of him further down the blog shows a very happy, inquisitive looking fellow with much love to share. Apparently he got a hold of a toy called the Pimple Ball created by Four Paws, which, when chewed on, created a vacuum in his mouth. This vacuum trapped his tongue and has now caused horrible, permanent damage.

I urge you to check out Chai's story. Read the blog. Do your research about the items you buy for your pets. And if you have this item, please return it to Four Paws and request a refund immediately.

The sad part of this story, Chai is not the only dog to suffer from this product. Others have responded Chai's owner, informing of similar incidents since 2005!! Poor Chai's suffering could have been prevented! So, check the toy bin, or where ever your furry friend stashes their toys, and make sure none of them are dangerous!

Discount On the Couponizer

Have you ordered your Couponizer yet? If not, now is the time to get it. The company is offering a 10% discount! Simply enter STARTNOW into the coupon code box at checkout and receive 10% off YOUR ENTIRE ORDER!

How's that for a hand out...

I love mine. It's stuffed with coupons. And, it gives the kids and I something to do on Sundays. LOVE IT.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Pain Management

For almost the past nine years I have been afflicted with some unknown disability and pain. Over the years, it has been diagnosed as many different things: carpal tunnel syndrom, tennis elbow, ulnar neuritis, torn rotator cuff, scoliosis, cervicalgia, etc. Too many things. From the doctors on base, the VA doctors, my own GP (he's actually an internist, someone who is supposed to have more knowledge about medical issues), numerous specialists, almost all to no avail.

Due to the recent failure of my coping with pain, I called one particular doctor group I had visited over a year ago. I liked this specific doctor. He saw me for less than 5 minutes, made a diagnosis and said "get an MRI" and come back. Well, I got the MRI, got a new job, and had to wait to get some time and vacation time saved up so I could take a whole day to drive two hours to a five minute appointment and then drive the two hours back. YES. Drastic. But I COULD NOT HANDLE THE PAIN.

Surprisingly, I got in within two days to see this specialist. He checked out my MRI report, some additional reports I had, and gave me a treatment plan.

FINALLY. I start a pain management regimen this weekend and physical therapy on Monday. I'm a little apprehensive about the potential pain, however, I am very excited to start getting better.

Wish me luck!

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Back To School!

Okay - so it's been a hectic couple of days!!

DD started fourth grade (can you believe it?!?!?) this year and DS started Pre-K. My babies are growing. I was almost tempted, wait, go back and underline almost, to say that I want another baby. Let me think back to the past 9 years...yeah, I'm good. No thanks.

So it's been crazy. We now have a new routine for when we get home and a new routine for the morning. Surprisingly, we have made it out of the house and I've managed to get everyone to their designated locations and myself to work on time and even early! I'm still having a hard time believing it.

Well, here we go. Piles of paper to sift through each night, multiplication tables to recite, hand writing assignments. reading logs, coloring pads, massive amounts of pencil shavings and eraser scrapings. Smelly lunch boxes, sticky pockets and worn out clothes. I love that my kids are growing and learning, but I sadly look back at times when they weren't so busy, when they were smaller and not afraid to kiss me before class. When I knew all the words to the songs they were singing and the coolest dance was a toss up between the hokey pokey and head-shoulders-knees-and-toes.

So, while I sit here and type, and look up a reading list appropriate for a fourth grader, I reflect a little on my children's growth, who they were, who they are. I know I wonder the same as every parent, "am I doing enough?" I wonder quietly if the books she chooses will change the path on who she is to become. Will the pages he color reflect his decisions tomorrow? Do favorite colors really define a person?

I can sit here and wonder all night long, and miss out on my favorite time of day: putting them to bed, hearing them laugh and giggle about the things they did during the day, the excitement they hold for tomorrow. Listening to them say their prayers; one still reciting and the other as if having a conversation. My goodnight kiss from each of them, the only one they aren't shy about sharing.

"There are two lasting bequests we can bestow upon our children: One is roots, the other is wings." Hodding Carter

Friday, August 8, 2008

My Debt Snowball - Repacked

Okay, so like I said earlier, my world has been going through some transitions. Thankfully, I've made it through. DH decided that he was done with the troubles at his old job and quit. Just like that. I know that I need to be supportive of his decision, and I am, however, I really wish that he would have discussed the situation more with me. I know that it wouldn't have made his situation at work any better, however, if we had discussed it we could have planned and prepared for the situations that followed. Thankfully, he was able to find a position with a competing company and there is not as much stress as the first week of our transition. He also seems very happy at this new place, a lot calmer, not so stressed.

So now that we have started to move forward with our lives, I have had to take on the health insurance for the family, which means that I had to re-draft my budget. At first thought, I did not want to and dreaded it. However, after a little contemplation, I am now excited. This means that there is a change in my snowball rut and it allows me to review my situation, debt, and begin an attack with a new perspective.

Unfortunately, I have built up quite a stack of medical bills in recent months, trying to get an old situation diagnosed and taken cared of. I sat down at the kitchen table, called and got current balances on all of my bills, and wrote them down, smallest to largest with minimum required payment and due dates. I then took out my budget, reduced it by the new insurance deduction, and practically cried. Right now I am still paying daycare fees for two. I know it is temporary, DD starts school in a week and I am hoping that I get her into a free program available at her school. Which will free up a little over a quarter of my income AND some much needed breathing room. But like I said, my budget is actually TO THE LAST CENT. Thank goodness I have my emergency fund and a small savings (I've been hoping to start school soon). So I will be okay until DD starts school. But still, I need to figure out ways to save as much money as humanly possible AND bring more in.

I now have a new grip on my debt, and with the new transition, I know that I will be able to move a little bit faster with my snowball. Not only have I made it by paying for two in daycare, but I am now paying for insurance. I am taking this new transition in life as a lesson. I should have done this a long time ago, but I have realized that I should have been working harder on my debt. Hindsight is 20/20, right?

I was born not knowing and have had only a little time to change that here and there. Richard Feynman

Monday, August 4, 2008

Swiffer Coupon Booklet

Hey - here is a link to request a booklet of coupons for Swiffer products for a total of $27.00!! It says it takes six to eight weeks, so be patient.

Saturday, August 2, 2008

She Eloped!

A friend of mine ran away to get married today. She actually left on Wednesday night. And if I remember right, she and her beau were to be married this evening, at sunset.

I laugh to think about it, running away to get married. Her parents know, and I know. Everyone else will find out when the newlyweds get back. She wanted something private and simple. I completely understand. Because that is what marriage is: nothing else matters except for you and your spouse. Who cares what anyone else says or does. Concentrate on eachother. It is from this moment on, you two together against the world. Join hands and go!

I am happy for her, excited for her. I know to some it doesn't mean a lot, especially for those who only live together. But, it is a big deal. It is a huge committment and despite all the drama and troubles that are so frequently whined about, it can be great.

I wish you the best, my friend. I can't wait for you to get back to see the ring he designed. I hope all your dreams of the past and those to come do come true, and, I hope that this week (and next, lucky you!!) are as relaxing and re-energizing as you have hoped.

Congratulations!

Click-To-Donate Charities

I am a firm believer in donating to charities and supporting certain causes. I have specific charities that I donate to on a monthly basis, some I donate to annually as the money is available. I do know, however, that sometimes money isn't there to donate but the heart still craves to give. So I did some research and found a few "Click-to-Donate" charities.

The first one I found is called Free Rice. It is sponsored through the UN World Food Program. It isn't as easy as your typical "click-to-donate", you have to find a word that correctly reflects the definition of the main word. For every word you get correct, the UN World Food Program will donate 20 grains of rice. Big deal, right? Yes, you're right. It is a big deal. Remember that rice doubles in size, and for those who have nothing, 20 grains means EVERYTHING. So pull out your thesaurus and start expanding your vocabulary!

These links below are actually a grouping from the same site. I've posted easy clicks on the side bar for you to click on - that way you won't have to search for this posting. I'm only posting a few that I hold close; by no means does this mean that I don't support the others.









This link is to Care2. It is another website with a group of charities all centrally located. I like it because it has various charities you can "click-to-donate" but it also has ideas for you to consider on other ways you can help out.

I know that many people have the attitude and belief that they are only one and a tiny voice. But, as I have learned the hard way: one ant is connected to MANY and together they can destroy my kitchen. So band up! Together we can make a difference.

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." The Way of Lao-tzu