Road Blocks and Christmas Tips

Speaking of financial road blocks earlier. Road block "mom I need a scientific calculator for geometry", road block "composition notebook for my block classes", road block "glue sticks", road block "my cleats are to small my toes are touching the end". Me speaking to them "Yer killing me Smalls". We got all items needed for school. I have kept Wes' cleats each year, we only get one season out of them. So it was such a blessing to go out to the garage and find a pair of Wes' that would fit Ryan.

As for Christmas, which I LOVE. This will be the second year we only buy gifts for the boys. Don't gasp, it's easier than you think. We used to buy gifts for everyone, family, friends, co-workers and bosses. Now I knit presents presents with yarn I already have. I baked cookies, breads etc. for my friends and co-workers who are local. This year I think I am going to make ornaments from Christmas cards that I kept from years past. If you know of any good ones, let me know. We also give "services", mowing the yard for grandpa, babysitting for a friend. There are endless possibilities and are usually much appreciated. If you are trying to save money or the thought of the holidays makes your cringe try some homemade things. Cheers!

Hills and Valleys

I feel like we are in the valley part of our debt payoff looking up at the hill before us. We are in the home stretch and I feel like road blocks are coming up right and left trying to get us off track. The concept is simple but sticking to a budget can be hard sometimes. I know it will be worth at the end of the year when it's all paid off. I got a tooth filling this morning and I swear the dentist rocked my tooth around, ouch. It feels like someone punched me in the jaw. If anyone is struggling today keep strong. There is light at the end of the tunnel and his name is Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Lean on him for he is our rock and our fortress. Cheers.

August 2008

August 2009

Look what a difference a year makes, taken a year apart. Wes is almost as tall as Ralph and they are both looking so much older now and not so "little boy".

Breathe In the Fall Air

I have to say I do love the fall season. The temperature is calming down in my neck of the woods it's been a beautiful 80 degrees, I think we've said goodbye to 100 for the year. I love the mornings and evenings, so calming. It's Friday and I'm enjoying my grande, 2 pump white mocha from Starbucks. Friday is the day I treat myself to special coffee, it's part of the budget. Otherwise left to my own devices I would get one everyday almost. Yummm. My goals for this weekend are...hanging my old framed window on my living room wall and attaching hooks to it to make a coat rack of sorts. It doesn't seem like all that much to do but it's sandwiched in between two baseball games tomorrow, one more on Sunday, church and scrapbooking. Enjoy the turning of the season this weekend, breathe in the fresh air and be still. Cheers.

LOOK OUT NAPA HERE I COME

What a great weekend! Went to the Southridge/Kamiakan football game, we won. Of course Wes and Ryan like to hang out with there friends, Ralph and I go to get out of the house and it's pretty cheap entertainment. We are on a budget ya know. The weather was great, a bit of rain Saturday night which we loved. Opened up all of the windows in the house and listened to it and took in the great smell you get from it. Movie date with Ralph on Sunday, we saw Final Destination. It was good but I close my eyes on the yucky parts, I'm such a chicken. I tried P90x with Ralph last night and did the arms, shoulders, back with him. My upper body is tired and I know the pain will be here by Thursday. One thing I am very excited about is a trip to California the summer of 2011. I know it seems far away but not for us. We are hoping to have bought a house around next summer. Then when we go to visit the following summer we will have Sarah Lane take Wes' senior pictures while we are there. I thought it was a grand idea, visit family and friends and have totally neat pics for him. I haven't been to California since we moved away 6 years ago. Look out Napa, I'm coming to town. Cheers.

Off To a Great Start

First day of school for Ryan was Monday, a big 7th grader now. He cracks me up, he's a grand story teller and loves giving all the details. Wes started Tuesday and isn't crazy about honors chemistry already, but loves his sports medicine class. He even made friends with a Russian exchange student (who happens to be a girl). I told him it's tough being smart, what a horrible thing. HA. The boys have been awesome about our budgeting and paying off bills. They are using the same backpacks from last year. I mean really they are in great condition still. New shoes, a few new shirts and some shorts. Cheers today to all of the moms who are home or in the workplace.

Being a Woman Can Be Tough

I only say this because I'm in the middle of my cycle and my guts may fall out from all of the cramping. Aside from that I'm okay. The boys are at Scouts tonight helping paint a church so this means Ralph & I get to go out by ourselves. We don't do it nearly enough, but I sooo enjoy it when we do. It makes me remember how much I love being with him no matter where we are. With all of the frogs I kissed along the way the Lord certainly brought me a prince 20 years ago. This last July 29th was the anniversary of our first date at Sears Point Raceway. I still think he is as hunky as ever. I just need to get my sexy body going again and we'll be even. I really do feel fortunate that I have a hubby that loves me no matter what size, color hair, clothes I am. He's truly a gentlemen (most of the time anyway). First day of fall ball is tomorrow, Wes also starts boxing. Let's get our busy on. Cheers.