Thursday Thoughts with Pictures

Posted on October 13, 2016 by Sheila

Kendall received her first set of braces today. Based on her mouth and the way her teeth are coming in way early, this is the best options. She will be wearing this set for 9-12 months and then a second set will go on in high school when all her permanent are in place. She chose blue for her color today. Kendall is excited to change colors several times! We are seeing an orthodontist in High Point, he is very informative and goes out of his way to explain and make everyone comfortable with this process. The office staff was also very willing to work with us on payment. My insurance should cover approximately half the cost of these braces. I made a down payment today and they will wait until January for my remaining portion so that we can use our med flex for next year.

This is Lily completing her science lesson today. She is actually listening to a lecture at the same time. Nothing like multitasking at a young age.

I really was in the mood for Chinese food today. After Kendall’s braces, Matt had a couple of meetings for work so we decided to meet for lunch. This was Matt’s fortune, we needed a reminder that God’s is in control and this is what we are supposed to be doing.

I need a change so this afternoon, I went to the hairdresser and came home like this! Next on the agenda is cheerleading and baseball!

September in Review

Posted on September 30, 2016 by Sheila

Personal-
1. Blogging– Post 20 per month. Fail. This is post number 18. This number is slowly but surely going up. We are currently in an extremely busy season with work till 6 most nights for me and multiple practices and games every night.

2.Weight Loss– 175#. No comment.

3. Spiritual– Spend at least 5 days a week, reading and studying The Bible. This continues to be a challenge for me. I need to find a time to set for this but so far not happening.

Personal goals are a failure for the fourth month straight. But on a positive note, things are improving. I know that once things settle down and I get my school groove back it will get better.

Financial-

1. Set aside money each month in every budget category. Fail. We have been able to meet all expenses but this is a huge struggle.

2. Establish and maintain Emergency Fund- Fail.
3. Groceries: Goal is for $550. I knew once Food Lion started their sale that I would be way over for the month. I currently have spent $920 which is close to two months. The good news is that I am going to order fruit trees in October and may make one more trip for sale items at Food Lion but otherwise the month of October I don’t plan on a trip until the end of the month if at all!

4. Gas: Spend $300 a month- Fail! We spent $313 this month including an oil change for the van. In October, the truck needs an inspection and tags so it will continue to be a expensive time.

5. Pay off all Credit Card debit by December 2016- Fail. I am meeting bare minimal payments on everything but really was hoping to begin to get control and reduce this number.

6. Money Making Apps- I am adding this for monthly reporting. Matt and I both are trying to see how much we can earn doing small things. This month has been very successful. Matt cashed out for 2 $25 gift cards from Swag Bucks and 2 $5 gift cards from MPLACES. I have cashed out for a total of $75 in gift cards from Swag Bucks and $20 in gift cards from MPLACES. Total of $145 for the month. Extra money is awesome and helping to work our way back to a budget.

Random Tuesday Thoughts

Posted on September 27, 2016 by Sheila

Zach got a hit and ran all the way to 3rd base last night. He ran and touched home plate! Even a loss is fun when you are learning.
We have been without air conditioning or heat for the past week I think we save approximately $25 a week this way.
All three kids have field trip this month. I am sad to say that Lily’s trip to play putt putt was the cheapest at $15. What happen to “free public school.”
We are continuing to earn extra money to pay toward our next Disney Trip. September has been a great month, by friend we should have earned $100 in gift cards.
I get to speak at Kendall school on Thursday. She is so excited, I hope she will be proud afterwards.

5 Things Friday-9/23/2016

Posted on September 23, 2016 by Sheila

The weather is finally starting to cool off here. This week we went from highs in the 90s to Highs in the low 80s and even some 70s. We decided to turn off our air conditioning on Tuesday night. If we can survive tomorrow, with predicted temps around 85 then we should be good for the rest of the month and hopefully all of October.
I knew this week would be crazy busy but I am exhausted. Monday night we all arrived home around 9pm. Wednesday night is was 8:30pm and Thursday night 9:30pm. Zach’s ball games are an hour earlier this coming week so hopefully that will help.
I am over budget in both groceries and gas but neither are a surprise.
Zach loves baseball. He is actually starting to hit the ball. I am so proud of him for trying his hardest.
My plans for the weekend include getting the October schedule put together and watching television, sounds industrious to me!

5 Things Friday-9/16/2016

Posted on September 16, 2016 by Sheila

We decided after our long and busy week, we need a treat tonight so we head out to grab some ice cream. I am trying to balance life with budget. Tonight I am really glad to spend some extra minutes with my kids.
Zach and Kendall both had eye appointments yesterday. I have recently been more concerned with Kendall and the degree to which her eyes cross. After discussion with the doctor, unless they cross in the glass, we have nothing to worry about. The really good news is no more appointment for 6 months.
We stopped by 5 below yesterday, all three of the kids got new headphones. As we start back traveling regularly, these are very needed items. I am hoping they will last at least a year.
I don’t have to go or be anywhere tomorrow so my goals including getting ahead with some cooking and working on our new Autumn sign.
Gas prices in our area have jumped by 15 cent in our area. Today, I heard that it was due to a break in a pipeline. I am really hoping they stop. We did feel the van yesterday so only paid $1.97 a gallon.

5 Things Financial

Posted on September 10, 2016 by Sheila

A day late and a dollar short…. so I thought I would share anyway. I can’t even say these are five frugal things but this is our reality.

The first pay of the month was this week. Unfortunately, both our electricity and water bills were both the highest we have had in several years. The water bill was $45 due to a leak. The electric bill $301, mainly due to extreme heat we are experiencing this summer. I saw last night that we have had 53 days in the nineties, our average is 26. The good news is that we are expecting to have cooler this week, which means the end of our air!
We were planning to keep our grocery budget at bare bones this month. We already have a menu plan in place. We did need some breakfast items including milk so I head to Costco. Our membership was due. We also decided to purchase some steaks from Zaycon, so we are still under budget but no where near bare bones.
I am really liking the McDonald app. Today, I enjoyed a large diet coke and Kendall a hashbrown for $1.07.
Baseball is an expensive sport. Zach decided he wanted to try it out this fall. I am really surprised at all the cost associated with it. I did purchase cleats and a helmet from a family at our pool.
After a month of struggling with Verizon, Matt and I both have new IPHONES. They really are a lot faster and easier to read for me. This should be the end of electronic purchases for the year!

Kendall Update

Posted on September 8, 2016 by Sheila

I make a conscience effort to not share more about one child than the others, but this is not always easy! Kendall is laid back and easy with a stubborn streak a mile long. But this week, she is easily the center of attention.

Last Wednesday, Kendall, Zach and Lily were all outside playing with Zach’s new to him ball stuff. Kendall got hit in the head. She is very quick to include that it was definitely an accident!
This meant a trip to the after hours clinic at our pediatrician’s office. There was some debate regarding stitches and/or glue. She ended up with a combination of glue plus the newest and greatest plastic sutures!
Kendall is definitely a rule follower so that meant not getting it wet til Saturday and no trip to Wet and Wild. Today (Thursday) was the big day when the plastic suture were to be pulled off. I am amazed at how well it looks!
The pulling off of the plastic sutures was not all the excitement for Kendall today. She had 2 baby teeth removed this morning in preparation for her first set of braces in October. In true Kendall fashion, she has not complained at all instead enjoyed the day at home and is excited to get her braces and of course a visit from the tooth fairy!

5 Things Friday

Posted on September 2, 2016 by Sheila

Kendall got her first real injury this week on Wednesday. She was hit by a baseball bat. The result lots of blood and plastic stitches. Unfortunately this means that we will not be making a trip to the water park because she is suppose to keep them dry till Saturday and then the doctor specifically said no.
Zach and Kendall both enjoyed their first full week of school. They both were excited to have homework a couple of nights this week. I hope this continues.
We have declared September as a low spend/no spend month with the hopes of getting our budget back on track.
Matt and I both purchased new iPhone and after several weeks of frustration I *think* everything is set. I really like the size of mine because I can read the screen easily.
The weather is beginning to cool down here so. By the middle of September I hope to be able to open the windows and turn off the air.

5 Things Friday

Posted on August 19, 2016 by Sheila

1. Our vacation is coming to an end very quickly. I have enjoyed the time with just family as well as some trashy tv, reading and just wasting of time on the Internet .

2. The kids favorite activity of the week has been digging holes. Each day that have attempted to make a bigger as in deeper and wider hole. Lucky for them that the tide is going out during the morning so they can dig for hours without worry.