An Old Dog Can Learn New Tricks

So, I've been reading my new book The Reluctant Entertainer.  I'm feeling like I have gained some new confidence that I to can do this entertaining thing.  It's not hard, or at least it's not supposed to be.  I purchased a new steno pad to take important notes for myself from the book.  I've been going through my own stash of dinnerware etc., I've been making bi-weekly trips to the local thrift stores to see what I can pick up to add to my own (advice from the author).  So far I have found 2 packages of 4 cloth napkins, dark sage green $1 each, clear decorative bottle for flowers $1.50, round red placemats on clearance for .88 cents a piece.  I did notice that I am lacking on the amount of dinnerware I have.  Don't judge me but I only have a service for 4 in my all white cafe style dishes.  If I do have people over what are they supposed to eat on?  I'm hoping to add a few more dishes in the next couple weeks, I also noticed that our fork population has decreased.  ????.  I'm thinking they may be hiding in the boys' rooms.  Have a great week, maybe you'll be the victim, I mean lucky person who gets to be a part of my entertaining experience.  Cheers!!

Finally, My Waiting Is Over

I've been waiting for 7 very long days for the book I ordered to arrive.  One of the blogs I love and follow is Nesting Place and while reading one day she blogged about a book that a friend wrote and was just published.  It spoke of entertaining people and how it didn't have to be fancy, complicated or hard.  I was instantly in love.  I always long to have friends over but seldom do.  There are 1000 excuses I could come up with, like my house is to small, food not fancy enough, not enough seating and on and on.  The book is entitled The Reluctant Entertainer by Sandy Coughlin, her lovely blog is of the same title.  I am the reluctant entertainer and am sooo hoping this will help me venture out into the unknown I desperately desire.  I will surely keep you updated on my progress. Cheers!

THE EAGLE HAS LANDED

I repeat, the eagle has landed.  Yesterday right after lunch I got the happiest phone call from the receptionist at work.  My new sewing machine had arrived.  I quickly sprinted up front to retrieve my prize.  I decided to go with the Brother cs6000i.  It is a moderately priced machine and has 60 stitches and some slightly fancy features.  I was so excited because it came with a hard carrying case and extended table attachment.  Yipee!  I will probably take it for a test drive later this week.  I appreciate all who helped out by giving your opinions and letting me know what you sew with.  Cheers!

Hot Days of Summer

We are planning our first (and inexpensive) outing tomorrow night.  Our local pool is open on M, W & F nights from 6:30-8pm.  The cost is $1 for kids up to age 17 and $2 for adults.  It's supposed to be over 100 degrees tomorrow and I thought it would be a great place to visit.  I don't get in the water yet, maybe another 50 lbs from now.  But I do take my baseball chair and book, I find a shaded spot and just enjoy myself.  Of course I'm bringing my camera to get some pics of the boys.  Cheers.

Couldn't Pass It Up

I found this little baby while cruising the book aisle at one of my local thift stores.  I saw this small, probably 3x4 book on a shelf by itself.  The deep green cover caught my eye and when I read the title "A Christmas Anthology" I knew it had to come home and join my other Christmas books I display during the holidays.  The pages are prestine and appear to never have been cracked open.  Poor little book, I will have to break it in this year.  Whenever I drop off items to be donated I always have to "cruise" the store looking for a deal.  It's been a huge help with clothes since I started losing weight.  I don't want to spend a fortune on clothes until I am a comfortable size.  VIVA LA THRIFT STORE.  Cheers!

Super Summer Debt Payoff Begins Today

I am so excited about this I can't even put it in the right words.  Starting today we are using my paychecks to pay off bills and only live off of Ralph's income.  It takes several weeks of "preparation" and tightening to get the cushion to start.  Although it may seem radical to some but here are some of the specifics we do:  we only eat out every 2 weeks on my payday, the grocery budget has been decreased, our entertainment will primarily be doing things together that are at no cost or the Redbox dvd's and no debiting or atm visits.  Last year we did this but then stopped when Sept came, this year however we are going to keep going until the debt list is all paid off.  So every two weeks when we get to eat out it's a celebration dinner and I announce which bill got paid off we toast each other.  We found a water park within an hour of us which is owned by the city so admittance is only $4 for adults and $3 for kids and you can be there from 12-8 and bring your own food in.  How great is that?  If you are budgeting or paying off bills keep it up.  Cheers!

OH, THE SUMMER FUN WE WILL HAVE

I am so excited and almost giddy about this summer.  Why you ask?  Because it is pretty much open this year.  Ryan isn't playing tournament ball this summer like he has for the last three years, well one tournament in July but that's it.  Wes is going to lacrosse camp and was asked if he wanted to do some lacrosse tournaments this summer.  Generally summer baseball is very intense (practice every night and tournaments on the weekends) and will end around the end of July.  So if your boy is doing this they have played baseball from March 1st to August 1st.  So this summer we only have a few random tournaments to go to and I am trying to think of FUN summer stuff to do the rest of the time.    I am a planner, planner, planner so of course I want to get things on the books to do.  So far we have LAX (abbr. for lacrosse), BASEBALL, WATER PARK, HIGH SCHOOL CHURCH CAMP FOR WES, MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL GAMES.  Not a huge list but fun anyway, we are squeezing some visits with friends as well into some of the tournaments.  I've added a couple baseball pics.  Wes gets one of the biggest leads off a base in hopes of stealing.  He is usually successfull and makes pitchers nervous.  Ryan always rocks it behind the plate.  Those pictures of him are a bit harder to get because I have to stand up and block others view of the game.  Hee hee I don't really care, I have scrapbooking opportunites to get.  Enjoy the beginning of summer. Cheers.