Category Archives: Life

Small Projects Saturday

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Here are a couple of pictures of the small projects that we were able to complete this weekend!

I have really wanted to decorate our front door area. I am really pleased with the results and will be able to change out the flowers in addition to things hanging up as I have time and the holiday changes as well.  I did purchase the planter and flowers and one piece of wood for the letter A.  The pumpkins were made by the girls last year and seem just perfect to start with!

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Matt made this picture frame. I was able to get the picture for the cost of shipping so I definitely did not want to spend over $20 on a frame, total cost less then $5.

FullSizeRenderThis is above our bed.  We had the canvas picture made in the spring but have been waiting until we could agree and complete the rest to make it look finished.  Matt was able to locate both pieces of wood and did the work himself.

 

Next we plan to tackle a slightly bigger project of fixing up a playhouse that we have been given.  The current plan is to bring it here next Saturday and start the make over.

 

 

Thursday Random, Budget Related Thoughts

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I made the comment last week that September was turning into a very expensive month. I am relieved to say that things have calmed down a bit and although it will still be an expensive over all month, I am hoping that we can stay on track budget wise.

As of today, I have spent $380 of our $600 monthly grocery budget. This does include a 120# of chicken from Zaycon food, that will not be picked up until mid-October. I currently am planning to do a freezer cooking day with my BFF on Saturday which will add somewhere between $50 to $100 to the budget. This will give us another 10 crock pot meal for use as well. I am expecting $20 in rebate cards from my stock up of Tide Detergent. I will be using this as they come in and moving $20 into our special saving funds, which I will explain in a minute. I also have $7 left on a gift card from CVS. My goal for the rest of the month is to speed as little as possible on groceries. I will definitely be under budget this month, the only question will be by how much?

Currently we have $240 remaining in our gas budget for the month. I estimate we will need to use at least $180 of this but should be able to hang on to the remaining $60.

I was able to finish out Zach’s clothing needs for the fall by purchasing some clothes from a friend!  She has the next size up as well so if Zach decides to grow I have an option to purchase  without breaking the budget again.

The weather has been very usually in North Carolina this week. Beginning on the 7th, we have not used out central air. I am so excited about this, I have been keeping a close eye on the weather and realized that today (Thursday) was the warmest out of the week. The temperature did get up in the high 80’s and the temperature in the house was sitting at 84, but we survived and with a cold front passing through along with rain, our goal is to make it at least 2 weeks without central air in September. We are usually able to enjoy a lower electricity bill for October and November so this should generate some nice savings for us.

Now for the announcement of where these savings are headed.  We would like to make a trip to Michigan to visit with Matt’s family over the Thanksgiving holiday. However, after much discussion and a hard look at our budget, we agree that in order to make this trip we will need to save around $1800 for the trip. So we are both search for any extra money in our budget in addition to searching for extra ways to earn money. For us this is a lofty goal for an 8 week period but I am excited to see where this challenge leads us!

 

OLD FASHION BIRTHDAY PARTY

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Warning this is very picture heavy!

Yesterday we celebrated Zach’s 5th birthday with a party at Uncle Steven’s and Aunt Tara’s house.

Matt made this sign as a "thank you!" The top says Zach

Matt made this sign as a “thank you!” The top says Zach’s 5th Birthday party.

Zach got a special birthday shirt but I didn’t get a picture of the front!

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I have heard several comments about how much fun was had by all and I really enjoyed it as did all the kids.

We were honored to be joined by family and friends.

 

 

First were pictures with the tractors…

Then came something even better…tractor rides….

Of course we had lots of food. (pictures of the cake will be up Wednesday)…

Opening Presents…Zach loves them all!

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And the rest of the party activities consist of adult talking and the kids playing in the dirt!

The most amazing part of the party was how much fun the kids had just playing and how quickly time pasted!  We did not leave until around 8pm, the party started at 4pm.

Budget Busting Week!

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I had such high hopes for September, budget wise that is.  I discussed in my month end post for August, that I was not going to officially join in on any of the challenges for saving in September but did plan to try and save so I could met several of my year long goals.  However, at a week into September, I feel like I am already falling behind, my only thought is that maybe the rest of the month will get much more less expensive.

The first hit that our budget took this week was unplanned medical expenses. Both the girls had eye appointments on Thursday, which were accounted for but I have ended up taking Kendall to the pediatrician this week as well as Lily to a dermatologist. On Thursday alone, we spent over $175 on medical expenses, which does not include my dentist/cleaning appointment that will probably end up costing around $100 after the insurance pays.

The next hit is in the area of groceries.  My plan was to spend less than $100 besides the huge chicken order that I will be placing this week. I had forgotten that I would need to pick up a few last minute things which ended up being almost $80 including a flea collar for the dog.

Finally, gas, in addition to spending so much on medical expenses by the time we went to three different cities on Thursday, we had put 225 miles on the van. Which means that both the car and van need to be filled this weekend as well. So we will have spent almost half of our allotted gas money for the money in the first week. Yikes!

August in Review

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Blogging:  Goal: 15 per month  Post number 15!  Goal met!  Busy month again but at least that gives me something to say!

Weight: Goal to exercise 3x a week and to be down to 150 by December 2014.   I have only lost 2# this month and definitely have not made it with exercising 3x  a week. I said last month I was rethinking this goal and have decided to increase it to 175 which is the point I stayed between the girls and little kids in addition to the point I was at when I met and married Matt. I know this is probably not where most people think I should be but it is where I am comfortable and plan to stay!

Financial Goals:

1.  Pay off all debit by July 2015, except for mortgage.   Updated this goal again this month as other than credit card debit we have a personal loan and after taking a hard look at this we have changed our plan to get all debit paid off !  At this point, I am unsure if we will stay debt free but it is a goal I want to achieve prior to making any other larger purchases.  Goal met for this month.

2. Emergency Fund to $2000.  We are sliding backwards again on this goal. I can’t seem to get my self ahead on this goal. It is currently sitting at $100.

. 3. Groceries: Spend $600 a month . Goal Met  Total spent $600. I had planned to come in way under for the month but with some of the purchases we made at the beach in addition to stocking up on meat. I am glad to report that we did not go over for the month. In September, the plan is to make a huge chicken purchase but little else so I hope to be under for the next couple of months.

4. Gas: Spend $400 a month with any remaining to be move to Auto fund for repairs.  Total Spent $499.72. Goal MET.   I did add an additional $100 to the budget this month for our trip. The amount spent includes a small repair on the van and inspection, taxes and tags for the car!  Hopefully we have gone over the hump with gas spending for the year!

Overall I did meet 4 of 6 goals. This is the same ratio as last month but different goals achieved. I am feeling much more optimistic about our finances so that is a huge step for me.

I have noticed that during the month of September, several of the blogs I regularly read are doing challenges for saving money and/or cutting the budget for the month. I am not going to participate officially with any, but I do hope to place a little more in savings this month. One of the reason, that I am choosing not to join in is that currently our budget does not have any wiggle room. If we stick to budget, than that is huge and means additional savings but in addition we are in the middle of Birthday season and I have already started slowing purchasing Christmas gifts, so no extra spending may be difficult as well.

All Good Things Must Come to an End.

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12219_10202680952493906_414027619574386171_n[1]bu Today, Saturday, is the last full day of vacation for us. We will wake up, eat and pack the van in the morning to head back to real life. Monday both Lily and Kendall will start school and Zach will begin his final year at home.  I have enjoyed the break and since I am much better at sharing in points, I hope you don’t mind.

Kendall was stung by a jellyfish today as we were out jumping waves.  At first, I was not sure what happened because she was crying and saying her legs hurt.  But the fish wrapped itself around both of her legs and she has marks from both ankles to the top of her legs.  I also was stung on the wrist not sure when but thankful no one else has to suffer. Both Lily and Zach were with us jumping waves at the time it happened.

Each day except for Friday, we have had a severe afternoon thunderstorm, I have been most surprised at the fact that the roads are flooding after each one.

I have been spending a lot of time on the balcony, this week because it allows me to enjoy the sounds, smells and view of the ocean without sand.  A summer cold has made it through the family this week so we have been taking afternoon naps and with medicine the kids have been going to bed fairly early so I have sitting outside, reading on the kindle or playing on the computer.  While the kids enjoy eating in front of the television, I prefer the ocean!

One of the things that I started to notice each day was the number of photographers and others taking pictures both in the mornings and evening.  I decided that we should do  one as well.  We hit a couple of beach stores on Friday morning and I found the little girls matching dressing. I had brought Zach an outfit with a yellow shirt which matched perfectly!  I am so pleased with the way they turned out. I will share more next Wednesday. I hope to use these to redo my coffee table along with some of the huge seashell that we found the first part of the week.

We enjoyed the Pirates Voyage dinner show on Monday and decided due to the weather on Thursday to eat at a seafood buffet. All the little kids love sushi and request to eat it but what we didn’t know was that they also love crab legs! Between the three of them they ate two full plates of crab legs. I love all types of seafood but crab legs are a lot of work especially when you are feeding three other people.

At lunch today, we asked the kids what has been their favorite part of vacation and both the little girls said it was our trip to Build A Bear. At least they can agree on that! So I guess that this have to become part of our vacation tradition. 10610502_10202680952253900_5150193151480007674_n[1]

10 Things Tuesday

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1. I am enjoying our  vacation this week at Cherry Grove  SC.  I do wish that Amanda could join us for a couple of days.

2. Unfortunately, we have shared a nasty cold. Kendall is working on day 5, Matt on day 4, Lily on day 2 and Zach started today.  The good news is that we are still enjoying the beach just for shorter period of time and with lots of medicine.

3. Because of the cold, everyone took a nap today.  The little kids all slept for almost 3 hours and went to bed tonight early so hopefully they will feel much better in the morning.

4. This morning on a hour long walk on the beach, we found some of the largest shells I have ever found.  Zach and I found one that is as wide as his hand and as tall as my hand. He carried it the whole time and then when we came inside gave it to me “cause I love you!”

5. The tide is on a very wired this year.  It is going out till around 10am and by 3pm there is no beach left. Because the kids are early riser, we are still enjoying 5 hours and making lots of sand structures.

6. We were able 2 see live star fish and a live crab this morning as well.

7. Kendall found 3/4 of a sand dollar. This is the only “broken” shell they are allowed to keep!

8. Last night, Monday, we went to the Pirate’s Voyage” It was crazy expensive but we all enjoyed the food and the show. It was amazing!

9.  This year, Zach is such a different child. He is getting really brave on the boogie board and is playing alone in the sand and ocean!

10. The condo has both a dishwasher and washer/dryer. I brought paper plates so we have yet to run the dishwasher but have washed 10 loads of clothes all ready.