You know, usually I take pride in frugality. I don't have a big problem telling my kids 'no' when it comes to ice cream cones, excessive treats, toys (except for special events), and pricey outings.
Today hurt.
Today I mentioned to my mom that I was out of gas. I haven't had a child support payment since last July, so my cash has been limited to gifts and occasionally buying groceries for a friend with my food stamps and having them reimburse me. Mom wrote me a check for $30 in exchange for doing the laundry (yes, it does sound like I'm high schooler - thanks for noticing!) and I took the kids with me to the bank. While we waited for my cash, Catie started begging to go to Dollar Tree. I told her to calm down - she just kept going on about it. Finally I told her that I would give her a dollar for Dollar Tree if I had change after buying gas.
Before I sound heartless, I should mention that my Saturn Ion sometimes fills up for as little as $27. This time, however, my tank was very empty. The $30 was gone before I even had a chance to ask for a dollar to be held back. I could have asked that only $28 be put in, but I didn't. I put it all in.
Catie took it hard. She's still moaning about it five hours later. For some reason, telling my daughter that I can't afford a trip to Dollar Tree because we need gas cut me to the quick. There have been lots of time when I told my kids we weren't going to the dollar store because it was inconvienient, junky materials, etc. But admitting to them (and myself) that I can't afford a dollar store item stung.
We still go to the library - having the library email me two days before items are due has helped this chronic fine offender turn in her books on time. We go for bike rides on our super-thrifty bikes (that look really good). We bake cookies, bread, and any number of goodies. But that doesn't compare to a bag of Ring Pops apparently.
I try so hard. I make Catie dresses because long play dresses are hard to find in her size. I keep her home on a virtual school because socially and physically school was too much for her. Daniel is easy to care for, but I know the day will come when he turns on me to say that what I do is not good enough.
It would be different if there were money. I still wouldn't take them to Dollar Tree just because, but we would have that option. I would feel like a wise shopper, not a failure, if I walked past the Dollar Tree without buying something.
It's not easy.
I can't wait for this to change.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Ode to Frankenbike
Oh, my poor Frankenbike. So wonderful, so misunderstood. No one loved you the way I did - they ran in fright (metaphorically).
What happened to my bike? Was it torched by angry villagers?
Boy, I wish it had been! What a story that would make! Can I say that it was and have you believe me?
No?
Oh well.
Frankenbike died as a result of peer pressure. The neighbors saw me pedaling around with Daniel perched behind me on the duct tape covered seat and stopped me. They admired my handicraft, and asked me if I would care for a "real" bike seat. The kind that snaps onto a pannier rack.
To quote the jive talkers from "Airplane", my momma didn't raise no dummies. I gladly accepted the offer and installed the new seat. Daniel loved it immediately and said "It's so com-for-ta-ble!" (yes, he pronounced it that way. Yes, he's adorable)
Yet I had a moment of sadness as I pried the Frankenseat off of my bike. It was ugly, but I built it. Still, the new seat is awesome. So what could I do to remind this world that I am not your average big spending cyclist mama? (not that anyone would dare call me that, but I have to defend my honor.)
Well, the bike trailer that I trash picked some time ago has been bothering me. I patched the holes and partially resovered it with old blue jeans, but the exposed parts looked so ugly, dirty and faded that I was a little embarassed to tow it behind me. I like the weight and the way it handles, but it was ugly. Today I changed that. I finished sewing down all of the patches that I had pinned in place all winter, added a large piece of yellow vinyl to recover a badly faded section on the back, and began to paint over all of the faded parts with bright red acrylic paint. Then I started painting little bugs all over the trailer - ladybugs, caterpillars, praying mantises, and a few ants and butterflies. And on the large yellow vinyl section I posted the warning - SLOW. Somehow I plan to post pictures - for now, I'm content with knowing that my trailer is no longer ugly - it's cute!
What happened to my bike? Was it torched by angry villagers?
Boy, I wish it had been! What a story that would make! Can I say that it was and have you believe me?
No?
Oh well.
Frankenbike died as a result of peer pressure. The neighbors saw me pedaling around with Daniel perched behind me on the duct tape covered seat and stopped me. They admired my handicraft, and asked me if I would care for a "real" bike seat. The kind that snaps onto a pannier rack.
To quote the jive talkers from "Airplane", my momma didn't raise no dummies. I gladly accepted the offer and installed the new seat. Daniel loved it immediately and said "It's so com-for-ta-ble!" (yes, he pronounced it that way. Yes, he's adorable)
Yet I had a moment of sadness as I pried the Frankenseat off of my bike. It was ugly, but I built it. Still, the new seat is awesome. So what could I do to remind this world that I am not your average big spending cyclist mama? (not that anyone would dare call me that, but I have to defend my honor.)
Well, the bike trailer that I trash picked some time ago has been bothering me. I patched the holes and partially resovered it with old blue jeans, but the exposed parts looked so ugly, dirty and faded that I was a little embarassed to tow it behind me. I like the weight and the way it handles, but it was ugly. Today I changed that. I finished sewing down all of the patches that I had pinned in place all winter, added a large piece of yellow vinyl to recover a badly faded section on the back, and began to paint over all of the faded parts with bright red acrylic paint. Then I started painting little bugs all over the trailer - ladybugs, caterpillars, praying mantises, and a few ants and butterflies. And on the large yellow vinyl section I posted the warning - SLOW. Somehow I plan to post pictures - for now, I'm content with knowing that my trailer is no longer ugly - it's cute!
Monday, January 18, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
feeling iffy here
I had an internal debate about writing this post. On one hand, it may help others, but on the other hand it is exactly the kind of post that raises the ire of taxpaying citizens. "Get off your duff, stop mooching, and deal with life the way the rest of us do!"
What is this post?
This week, CVS is offering extra care bucks on several food items, including Cheerios, Nature's valley granola bars, Fiber One bars, and Cheez its. These food items can be bought with food stamps, and the resulting ECB's can be used like cash for nearly anything else in the store, like toilet paper, shampoo, make-up, magazines, Snuggies, dish soap, laundry detergent, etc.
Why worry? "Why should food stamps get you luxury items like brand name shampoo while I have to use Suave?" Yes, I've heard those sentiments. You know what? People will buy what they consider important, and the only spending you can control is your own. I will use those ECB's for Suave, Purex detergent, toilet paper, and the cheapest dish soap available. What others do with this info is up to them. I hope that they will use the ECB's to gain the greatest possible benefit.
You see, there was an article in the associated press recently about people who are getting by with only food stamps, and no cash income whatsoever. I'm one of them. I'd love to have a job, an income, and some independence, but my current situation and calling requires me to stay home with my kids. Every time I need to ask for anything from my parents or fiancee - gas money, pull-up money - I feel like Oliver Twist. It's humiliating, even though they understand the problem. I feel slightly better when I can buy groceries - not only can I pick and choose what I want, I am contributing to the household. Now if I can use ECB's to buy other needed household items, I'll not only be able to choose my favorites but I'll pull more of my weight along.
I just came back from CVS, and I bought all the food items that would garner ECB's. They were
2 pack of Chase and Sanbourne Coffee. $5.99, $1 ECB
2 pack of Cheez-Its. $5.99, $3 ECB
2 pack of Ritz. $6.00, $2 ECB
2 pack Nature's Valley Granola Bars. $6.99, $3 ECB
2 pack Fiber One bars. $6.99, $3 ECB
2 pack Special K cereal. $7.99, $2 ECB
2 pack Cheerios. $7.99, $4 ECB
total SNAP benefits spent - $47.94
ECB's - $18.00
Was this the best deal possible? It depends on your point of view. I could get a much better value for my food dollar by shopping at Aldi. However, now I have $18 that have been translated into money that I can use for toiletry items, overnight pull-ups for Daniel, laundry detergent, and "free after ECB" items.
In short, I have seed money for the CVS game. If I use them wisely with coupons, I may even be able to increase my ECBs AND walk home with toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, etc.
Use this knowledge for good!
What is this post?
This week, CVS is offering extra care bucks on several food items, including Cheerios, Nature's valley granola bars, Fiber One bars, and Cheez its. These food items can be bought with food stamps, and the resulting ECB's can be used like cash for nearly anything else in the store, like toilet paper, shampoo, make-up, magazines, Snuggies, dish soap, laundry detergent, etc.
Why worry? "Why should food stamps get you luxury items like brand name shampoo while I have to use Suave?" Yes, I've heard those sentiments. You know what? People will buy what they consider important, and the only spending you can control is your own. I will use those ECB's for Suave, Purex detergent, toilet paper, and the cheapest dish soap available. What others do with this info is up to them. I hope that they will use the ECB's to gain the greatest possible benefit.
You see, there was an article in the associated press recently about people who are getting by with only food stamps, and no cash income whatsoever. I'm one of them. I'd love to have a job, an income, and some independence, but my current situation and calling requires me to stay home with my kids. Every time I need to ask for anything from my parents or fiancee - gas money, pull-up money - I feel like Oliver Twist. It's humiliating, even though they understand the problem. I feel slightly better when I can buy groceries - not only can I pick and choose what I want, I am contributing to the household. Now if I can use ECB's to buy other needed household items, I'll not only be able to choose my favorites but I'll pull more of my weight along.
I just came back from CVS, and I bought all the food items that would garner ECB's. They were
2 pack of Chase and Sanbourne Coffee. $5.99, $1 ECB
2 pack of Cheez-Its. $5.99, $3 ECB
2 pack of Ritz. $6.00, $2 ECB
2 pack Nature's Valley Granola Bars. $6.99, $3 ECB
2 pack Fiber One bars. $6.99, $3 ECB
2 pack Special K cereal. $7.99, $2 ECB
2 pack Cheerios. $7.99, $4 ECB
total SNAP benefits spent - $47.94
ECB's - $18.00
Was this the best deal possible? It depends on your point of view. I could get a much better value for my food dollar by shopping at Aldi. However, now I have $18 that have been translated into money that I can use for toiletry items, overnight pull-ups for Daniel, laundry detergent, and "free after ECB" items.
In short, I have seed money for the CVS game. If I use them wisely with coupons, I may even be able to increase my ECBs AND walk home with toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, etc.
Use this knowledge for good!
Saturday, January 9, 2010
not feeling quite right
Not feeling left, either, wiseguy!
No, it's just that my belly has been acting up, and I don't want to stray far from the bathroom. I've been getting short of breath, a little dizzy, and yesterday in a comfortable warm setting my core temperature dropped about 2 degrees. That really freaked Jake out - he's used to low core temps after a day on a jobsite, but never when wrapped in a blanket watching a movie. It wasn't like a fever, either - my fingers, nose and other extremities were all ice cold.
Other than that, life is good! Jake won an instant game at the Legion to the tune of $350. He handed me $100 so I could get a few things I needed, like pull-ups for Daniel and new undies for Catie. He insisted that I get myself something too, so I have a new top.
Catie had a playdate today!!! She met her new friend in CCD classes, and they hit it off so well I knew we had to get them together. E. came over to play, and I thought we'd never get them apart - this is so wonderful. I had wondered if she would have many friends, or if she'd be able to make friends. Now I know - she'll be great.
Good night, ya'll.
No, it's just that my belly has been acting up, and I don't want to stray far from the bathroom. I've been getting short of breath, a little dizzy, and yesterday in a comfortable warm setting my core temperature dropped about 2 degrees. That really freaked Jake out - he's used to low core temps after a day on a jobsite, but never when wrapped in a blanket watching a movie. It wasn't like a fever, either - my fingers, nose and other extremities were all ice cold.
Other than that, life is good! Jake won an instant game at the Legion to the tune of $350. He handed me $100 so I could get a few things I needed, like pull-ups for Daniel and new undies for Catie. He insisted that I get myself something too, so I have a new top.
Catie had a playdate today!!! She met her new friend in CCD classes, and they hit it off so well I knew we had to get them together. E. came over to play, and I thought we'd never get them apart - this is so wonderful. I had wondered if she would have many friends, or if she'd be able to make friends. Now I know - she'll be great.
Good night, ya'll.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Bum knee
I think I have myself to blame for this one.
Being a bibliophile extrodinaire, I have a pretty large collection of books. Not as large as my cousins', but more than several people I know. Chrismas day, I had just gotten back my "Twilight" series of books - around 2000 pages of literary junk food - and hung the bag over the back of a tall chair. Catie zoomed past the chair and knocked it over, and the top of the chair connected with my kneecap. I made a few noises of the type you make when you'd like to swear but have small witnesses. It bruised a bit, but I figured I was OK.
Fast forward to today. I must have twisted it weird, because now I can't walk without pain. Bummer.
Good news, my laptop will finally be fixed, and I can pick it up Friday! The computer guy I use is a crusty silent old man who runs a business called Qualitech in Lemoyne. Really, it's such a weird experience, because you walk in the door and he doesn't greet you - his tiny little dog does! It's a small fluffy breed, and very calm even around my kids, so the kids like going there. You take your computer, tell him briefly what's wrong, he prints up a service agreement and tells you "I'll call you when it's ready.". So, in person, not very charismatic. Then he calls me - "Ma'am, your power jack was bent out of shape, not the charger cable. It'll need to be replaced."
"Oh no! How much will that run?"
"$110, but I have a parts computer here - I can replace the jack and double your memory while I'm at it. Sound good?"
"Um, yeah! Sounds great!"
"Oh good, because I already did it." I laugh, he fiddles for a moment.... "oh, ma'am? It looks like your battery is bad too - it's not charging. I can sell you the battery from the parts computer for just $20 more?"
"Wow, OK! I know they usually run around $80 to $100!"
"Yeah, and this one has double the charging capacity of your old battery - you can go twice as long between charges. So, $130."
Can't get those deals at Best Buy! And they don't have a sweet little pup who cuddles your kids while you check out!
Today's moral?
Shop local, support small businesses!
Being a bibliophile extrodinaire, I have a pretty large collection of books. Not as large as my cousins', but more than several people I know. Chrismas day, I had just gotten back my "Twilight" series of books - around 2000 pages of literary junk food - and hung the bag over the back of a tall chair. Catie zoomed past the chair and knocked it over, and the top of the chair connected with my kneecap. I made a few noises of the type you make when you'd like to swear but have small witnesses. It bruised a bit, but I figured I was OK.
Fast forward to today. I must have twisted it weird, because now I can't walk without pain. Bummer.
Good news, my laptop will finally be fixed, and I can pick it up Friday! The computer guy I use is a crusty silent old man who runs a business called Qualitech in Lemoyne. Really, it's such a weird experience, because you walk in the door and he doesn't greet you - his tiny little dog does! It's a small fluffy breed, and very calm even around my kids, so the kids like going there. You take your computer, tell him briefly what's wrong, he prints up a service agreement and tells you "I'll call you when it's ready.". So, in person, not very charismatic. Then he calls me - "Ma'am, your power jack was bent out of shape, not the charger cable. It'll need to be replaced."
"Oh no! How much will that run?"
"$110, but I have a parts computer here - I can replace the jack and double your memory while I'm at it. Sound good?"
"Um, yeah! Sounds great!"
"Oh good, because I already did it." I laugh, he fiddles for a moment.... "oh, ma'am? It looks like your battery is bad too - it's not charging. I can sell you the battery from the parts computer for just $20 more?"
"Wow, OK! I know they usually run around $80 to $100!"
"Yeah, and this one has double the charging capacity of your old battery - you can go twice as long between charges. So, $130."
Can't get those deals at Best Buy! And they don't have a sweet little pup who cuddles your kids while you check out!
Today's moral?
Shop local, support small businesses!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Ahhh, grocery day!
Yes folks, watch me adjust my neon pink leggings and scream at my kids! Today I got my food stamps!
Actually, I'm told that a larger proportion of the population than ever before is receiving the newly-renamed food stamps. Now called SNAP - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the only ones who need to know that you are using SNAP benefits are the cashier and yourself. The benefits are loaded onto a debit card (which is also how cash benefits are received) and a running tally of your balance is printed at the bottom of each sales receipt. No more bizarre looking funny money (which I personally have never seen, but I understand it was very conspicuous), just swipe and go.
Since I got my benefits today, I decided to use them as wisely as possible. I budgeted enough to order several AngelFood boxes for myself and my brother, who is going through a rough patch. (His compter training school closed without warning to either students or their teachers, and he is anxious to see whether he will be allowed to finish school at another location. Meantime, his work hours were trimmed to allow for class and study time.) With my budget in place, I headed to Aldi with children in tow.
Allow me, once again, to state that shopping with two children should only be done at Aldi. The four aisle layout, low prices, lack of brand names (and corresponding jingles), and singularity of purpose lends itself well to shopping with highly distractable children (and adults).
Anyhow, I stocked up on non-perishables. every month I try to buy a cardboard flat of two or three canned goods. Last month it was corn, peas, baked beans and cream of mushroom soup. This month it was tomatoes, and pasta sauce, with lots of doubles and triples on things like peanut butter and pancake syrup. Lots of flour, sugar, other goodies, and we have enough staples to last for a while! The total spent for a VERY full cart load was $135, most of which was shelf-stable. Eggs, butter, milk, bread and meat were the only things that I'll have to buy again in the near future, and I think next months stock up items will be different pastas. I may have to go to Weis to stock up on dried beans - Aldi mainly carries pinto beans - and then I think I'll be pretty close to having 3 months worth of food, even if meals get a little monotonous.
Since I can't wrangle a traditional emergency fund right now, this edible emergency fund seems like a sensible move! I just need to keep rotating my stock!
Stay smart!
Actually, I'm told that a larger proportion of the population than ever before is receiving the newly-renamed food stamps. Now called SNAP - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the only ones who need to know that you are using SNAP benefits are the cashier and yourself. The benefits are loaded onto a debit card (which is also how cash benefits are received) and a running tally of your balance is printed at the bottom of each sales receipt. No more bizarre looking funny money (which I personally have never seen, but I understand it was very conspicuous), just swipe and go.
Since I got my benefits today, I decided to use them as wisely as possible. I budgeted enough to order several AngelFood boxes for myself and my brother, who is going through a rough patch. (His compter training school closed without warning to either students or their teachers, and he is anxious to see whether he will be allowed to finish school at another location. Meantime, his work hours were trimmed to allow for class and study time.) With my budget in place, I headed to Aldi with children in tow.
Allow me, once again, to state that shopping with two children should only be done at Aldi. The four aisle layout, low prices, lack of brand names (and corresponding jingles), and singularity of purpose lends itself well to shopping with highly distractable children (and adults).
Anyhow, I stocked up on non-perishables. every month I try to buy a cardboard flat of two or three canned goods. Last month it was corn, peas, baked beans and cream of mushroom soup. This month it was tomatoes, and pasta sauce, with lots of doubles and triples on things like peanut butter and pancake syrup. Lots of flour, sugar, other goodies, and we have enough staples to last for a while! The total spent for a VERY full cart load was $135, most of which was shelf-stable. Eggs, butter, milk, bread and meat were the only things that I'll have to buy again in the near future, and I think next months stock up items will be different pastas. I may have to go to Weis to stock up on dried beans - Aldi mainly carries pinto beans - and then I think I'll be pretty close to having 3 months worth of food, even if meals get a little monotonous.
Since I can't wrangle a traditional emergency fund right now, this edible emergency fund seems like a sensible move! I just need to keep rotating my stock!
Stay smart!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Puzzling it all out.
Have you ever had a day where it seems like a thought keeps running through your mind, but you can't get it to slow down long enough to figure out what it is? I keep feeling as though limitless possibilities are dancing just beyond my grasp, and all I have to do is step toward them. This is usually the mood I find myself in just before finding myself opening a small business, returning to school, or attempting a large renovation project of some type. I have no major plans at the moment - no projects I plan to commit to besides the wedding, the house, Catie's education, earning some money..... oooohh.
Wow, blogging really is cheaper than therapy, isn't it? I just need to slow down long enough to decide where I want to focus all this energy - one project at a time. I also need to avoid taking a job instantly - I'm nervous about finances, and unfortunately in my manic state I might decide to take a middle-of-the-night job tossing boxes for FedEx reasoning that I don't need sleep that badly.
Reading back over this, it sounds (in my minds ear) like a Chipmunk chittering away! And no wonder - I've had 3 Pepsi Ones today. I wonder if that has anything to do with the speeding thoughts? :)
All the same, I'm going to avoid entering any contractual obligations for a while! At this rate I might start my own 501c3 corporation collecting toiletry items for the less fortunate. Slow. Down. Kelly.
Wow, blogging really is cheaper than therapy, isn't it? I just need to slow down long enough to decide where I want to focus all this energy - one project at a time. I also need to avoid taking a job instantly - I'm nervous about finances, and unfortunately in my manic state I might decide to take a middle-of-the-night job tossing boxes for FedEx reasoning that I don't need sleep that badly.
Reading back over this, it sounds (in my minds ear) like a Chipmunk chittering away! And no wonder - I've had 3 Pepsi Ones today. I wonder if that has anything to do with the speeding thoughts? :)
All the same, I'm going to avoid entering any contractual obligations for a while! At this rate I might start my own 501c3 corporation collecting toiletry items for the less fortunate. Slow. Down. Kelly.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Swagbucks and diapers
Odd combo!
Swagbucks has a $5 gift card for Euphoria Baby available for 10 Swagbucks. Euphoria Baby sells the new line of cloth diapers from Cotton Babies, Econobums - 12 diapers and 3 one-size covers for $50. For 100 searches you can have a set of cloth diapers with no cash out of your pocket. If you can stand to hold off until you have 300 swagbucks, you can diaper your child for free!
Swagbucks has a $5 gift card for Euphoria Baby available for 10 Swagbucks. Euphoria Baby sells the new line of cloth diapers from Cotton Babies, Econobums - 12 diapers and 3 one-size covers for $50. For 100 searches you can have a set of cloth diapers with no cash out of your pocket. If you can stand to hold off until you have 300 swagbucks, you can diaper your child for free!
Bad Mommy
It's days like today that make me wonder why I ever thought having the kids home would be a good idea! Daniel is currently climbing onto the bed, scooching across it, dropping down, running around, and doing it again. He's been doing attention seeking stuff like that all day. Catie has been whining and wailing about having to do schoolwork after 2 weeks of vacation, and keep begging me for a break after five minutes of effort. "It's not fair! Why can't I have a break? (Extend the vowel sounds in your mind for the right effect). This is toooo haaaaard! I don't waaaaant tooooo!" I finally had to use my "back to school" card. If she can't cooperate, back to regular school she goes and THEY can suffer.
Bad mommy.
I know she has problems, I know it's too much for her in school. I know that it wasn't for my benefit that she's home - it's the best move for her. If she were at school today, not only would she get nothing done, the nurse, counselor, principal and teacher would all call me in because her meltdown prevented everyone else from getting things done too. But Holy Hannah, these guys are enough to drive me to illegal substances!
Money saving things I did today - we were out of bread, so I baked two loaves. Tonight I'll be cooking chicken legs that cost $.59 a lb.
Wedding planning - January, our goal is to book a venue. After we book a venue, we can puzzle out things like music, food, etc. One of the more interesting options is an airport hangar at Capitol City Airport. Apparently they use it as a banquet hall occasionally - imagine running to the car under a shower of paper airplanes!
House repairs - Jake framed in 4 windows and a transom with cabinet-grade plywood this weekend, which will make finishing and trimming much nicer. Woodstove has been kept burning, which keeps the house at a comfortable temp and prevents pipe freezing.
Things that still need to be done on the house-
Sewer line - dug up and replaced
front porch - demo'd and rebuilt
Oil furnace and boiler pipes removed
Gas furnace and baseboard heaters - bought and installed
Downstairs bathroom installed
Acoustic ceiling hung in basement
Berber carpet and padding throughout house
Vinyl floors for kitchen and bathrooms
New stove, fridge and dishwasher
and of course, hanging cabinets, finishing drywall, painting, cleaning, and we only have until September!!!!!
Deep breaths. Calm.
You know, tomorrow night be better. Daniel goes to preschool, and Catie might concentrate. I might be able to find time to write!
You never know.
Bad mommy.
I know she has problems, I know it's too much for her in school. I know that it wasn't for my benefit that she's home - it's the best move for her. If she were at school today, not only would she get nothing done, the nurse, counselor, principal and teacher would all call me in because her meltdown prevented everyone else from getting things done too. But Holy Hannah, these guys are enough to drive me to illegal substances!
Money saving things I did today - we were out of bread, so I baked two loaves. Tonight I'll be cooking chicken legs that cost $.59 a lb.
Wedding planning - January, our goal is to book a venue. After we book a venue, we can puzzle out things like music, food, etc. One of the more interesting options is an airport hangar at Capitol City Airport. Apparently they use it as a banquet hall occasionally - imagine running to the car under a shower of paper airplanes!
House repairs - Jake framed in 4 windows and a transom with cabinet-grade plywood this weekend, which will make finishing and trimming much nicer. Woodstove has been kept burning, which keeps the house at a comfortable temp and prevents pipe freezing.
Things that still need to be done on the house-
Sewer line - dug up and replaced
front porch - demo'd and rebuilt
Oil furnace and boiler pipes removed
Gas furnace and baseboard heaters - bought and installed
Downstairs bathroom installed
Acoustic ceiling hung in basement
Berber carpet and padding throughout house
Vinyl floors for kitchen and bathrooms
New stove, fridge and dishwasher
and of course, hanging cabinets, finishing drywall, painting, cleaning, and we only have until September!!!!!
Deep breaths. Calm.
You know, tomorrow night be better. Daniel goes to preschool, and Catie might concentrate. I might be able to find time to write!
You never know.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Chapped ass!
Man, it's cold and windy enough to make a caribou take cover today!
We've been fairly lucky on weather here - the week before Christmas we got 8 inches of snow, and some sleet on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve - otherwise just plain old cold. But when that wind starts blowing, it's enough to bring tears to your eyes.
CVS couponing continues - my mom and I went armed with a pile of BOGO coupons for Always and Stayfree pads, Alli pills, Nivea lotion and body wash, etc. and still wound up spending $80+ before the extra care bucks came spitting out. Ah well. We are stocked on pads for a while - a good thing for my mama! I have my Diva Cup and love it, but she just isn't comfortable with that whole idea of "internal protection" to begin with.
Jake is very tense and worried about getting the house done - specifically, he's worried that we won't be able to afford all the repairs needed before the house will be done. Please pray for us out there. My prayer has been for either the cash or materials and labor.
Oh, and if you're out there, and you read this blog, please recommend it to your friends! Every page impression counts when you have a blog!
Thanks, and stay warm!
We've been fairly lucky on weather here - the week before Christmas we got 8 inches of snow, and some sleet on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve - otherwise just plain old cold. But when that wind starts blowing, it's enough to bring tears to your eyes.
CVS couponing continues - my mom and I went armed with a pile of BOGO coupons for Always and Stayfree pads, Alli pills, Nivea lotion and body wash, etc. and still wound up spending $80+ before the extra care bucks came spitting out. Ah well. We are stocked on pads for a while - a good thing for my mama! I have my Diva Cup and love it, but she just isn't comfortable with that whole idea of "internal protection" to begin with.
Jake is very tense and worried about getting the house done - specifically, he's worried that we won't be able to afford all the repairs needed before the house will be done. Please pray for us out there. My prayer has been for either the cash or materials and labor.
Oh, and if you're out there, and you read this blog, please recommend it to your friends! Every page impression counts when you have a blog!
Thanks, and stay warm!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
aftermath
Well, we survived Christmas and New Years!
Yes, the kids got so many gifts I thought they would never appreciate anything ever again. Yes, the traveling wore us out. But the kids were (mostly) very well-behaved, especially in Pittsburgh, and not only appreciated the gifts they recieved but started cleaning out their toy box giving old toys to charity! I have to say I'm very proud of Catie - she is a ruthless weeder when it comes to getting rid of old toys and books. With my mom's help, she got rid of three laundry baskets full of stuff she no longer used. Daniel mostly watched.
All this clean out was for a good reason (besides helping the less fortunate).For Christmas, my dad gave up his office so my kids could have separate bedrooms. After the wedding in September, we will be moving to our new house, where the kids will have their own rooms as well. Since my kids need time to get used to changes, Mom thought it would be a good idea to get them used to sleeping separately now. It's going more smoothly than I would have guessed, but Daniel did something that just killed me the first night. Mom and I had been talking about how this is like training a puppy to sleep alone - give them a ticking clock to simulate the mother's heartbeat, a warm water-bottle to snuggle with, etc. so they can sleep more comfortably. The kids have shared a room for a long time, and were a little nervous about being alone at night, so I made sure the nightlights were ready to go and their beds were made with cozy linens. Daniel fell asleep that night very quickly, and I went in to check on him. He had fallen asleep with his (ticking) alarm clock under his cheek!
Catie's classroom is now in her bedroom, which has freed up the dining room for... er... dining, and the toys have all moved up to their rooms too! The downstairs is so nice and clean ! Actually, so is the upstairs - the rooms even seem bigger.
Thank you, Mom and Dad.
Yes, the kids got so many gifts I thought they would never appreciate anything ever again. Yes, the traveling wore us out. But the kids were (mostly) very well-behaved, especially in Pittsburgh, and not only appreciated the gifts they recieved but started cleaning out their toy box giving old toys to charity! I have to say I'm very proud of Catie - she is a ruthless weeder when it comes to getting rid of old toys and books. With my mom's help, she got rid of three laundry baskets full of stuff she no longer used. Daniel mostly watched.
All this clean out was for a good reason (besides helping the less fortunate).For Christmas, my dad gave up his office so my kids could have separate bedrooms. After the wedding in September, we will be moving to our new house, where the kids will have their own rooms as well. Since my kids need time to get used to changes, Mom thought it would be a good idea to get them used to sleeping separately now. It's going more smoothly than I would have guessed, but Daniel did something that just killed me the first night. Mom and I had been talking about how this is like training a puppy to sleep alone - give them a ticking clock to simulate the mother's heartbeat, a warm water-bottle to snuggle with, etc. so they can sleep more comfortably. The kids have shared a room for a long time, and were a little nervous about being alone at night, so I made sure the nightlights were ready to go and their beds were made with cozy linens. Daniel fell asleep that night very quickly, and I went in to check on him. He had fallen asleep with his (ticking) alarm clock under his cheek!
Catie's classroom is now in her bedroom, which has freed up the dining room for... er... dining, and the toys have all moved up to their rooms too! The downstairs is so nice and clean ! Actually, so is the upstairs - the rooms even seem bigger.
Thank you, Mom and Dad.
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