July was a very busy month that included lots of first for us.\u00a0 We spent a week at Ocean Lakes Campground in Myrtle Beach, had the county swim championship, baseball camp, football practice and celebrated E’s birthday!\u00a0 August is just as busy and adventurous\u00a0 as I will be out of town for half the month and then start back to work on the 17th! This summer has been an adventure to say the least!\u00a0 I have enjoyed most of it but as always it was too quick!\u00a0 One big change this year is I will not be participating in the Every Bit counts challenge in August. I have however been working on getting our food storage up to the level that I needed for the school year. One small hiccup was that one of our deep freezers stopped working. It is now going to be a storage place for chicken food and bedding.<\/p>\n
Groceries- Goal $800 per month.\u00a0 We spent $1275.26 for the month of July. I am not surprised at this as we have been enjoying special treats aka lots of ice cream and working on getting food prepared ahead.<\/p>\n
Gas- Goal is $400.\u00a0 Total spent was $552.61 for gas\u00a0 this month. This included taking both vehicles to the beach so I am not surprised.<\/p>\n
Blogging-The goal will be 15 posts per month.\u00a0 This is post 11 for me. This is always a struggle when we are out of town.<\/p>\n
Debit-\u00a0 \u00a0The goal for 2026 will be to pay off the Home Depot Credit card without interest. The first large payment has been made!\u00a0 \u00a0The second large payment is due mid September!\u00a0 \u00a0I have been able to find some lost money this summer so that has been useful as we continue to focus on enjoying life and working on financial stability at the same time.<\/p>\n
No Spend Days- Goal for 10 no spend days a month. Not even going to suggest that I have a clue about this. Nope not even on the clue on this one as we are in the summer and enjoying it! This will become more of a focus once we are back into a regular routine.<\/p>\n
Health\/Exercise-I am no hanging out between 171 and 175.\u00a0 I was finally able to get a shot in my knee but am faced with the reality that I need to have a knee replacement in the future probably less than 5 years.\u00a0 I was able to reduce my blood pressure medicine this summer.\u00a0 Slow and steady is usually a good thing.<\/p>\n
Foster Care- Matt and I completed everything needed for our application on March 31, the actual application was not submitted until May 5 or 6th as of last Wednesday May 27th, we have been approved as licensed foster parents in the state of North Carolina. We began receiving our stipend mid July. Unfortunately this will again be reduced to help cover after school care for the school year.\u00a0 I am so frustrated but what can I do?\u00a0 Our next court date is set for October 20th. This will be a very interesting court date as things should actually change officially during this time.<\/p>\n
I am going to include my weekly update of Summer Goals here as well. It just makes sense. Opps as I read this I realized that I have not been keeping up with the weekly update. This is where we stand at the end of July.<\/p>\n
1. Make and order 8 photo books.\u00a0We have received 2 books. I have uploaded pictures on multiple occasions and had really intended on doing a third book today but I am exhausted so I doubt that happens. July was a very busy month that included lots of first for us.\u00a0 We spent a week at Ocean Lakes Campground in Myrtle Beach, had the county swim championship, baseball camp, football practice and celebrated E’s birthday!\u00a0 August is just … Continue reading
\n<\/em>2.\u00a0 Read a total of 8 books.\u00a0I have finished five books this summer!\u00a0 Not perfect but better than 1.
\n<\/em>3. Make and freeze 12 baked ziti\u2019s- Goal Met! July 2026
\n4. Make and freeze 6 million dollar spaghetti pies\u00a0 This has been very limited so far. I have added 10 jars of spaghetti sauce to the pantry. I doubt this is going to happen.
\n5. Make and freeze 6 pans of chicken enchiladas.\u00a0Goal met 6\/19\/2026.
\n<\/em>6. Either walk or exercise 3 times a week for at least 8 weeks. This has been significantly limited due to knee pain.
\n7. Make and freeze 6 taco pastas.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0goal met 6\/19\/2026
\n<\/em>8. Make and freeze 6 chicken, broccoli rice casseroles.\u00a06\/19\/2026
\n<\/em>9. Make at least 50 meatballs and freeze.\u00a0 I did not get around to the meatball however I currently have 78 prepared meals in the freezer or canning pantry in addition to the 10 jars of spaghetti sauce that is canned!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"