I had a gallbladder attack in the middle of Thursday night through Friday morning. I was not sure what it was until it was over. My stomach is still uncomfortable and I have had a headache since Friday morning.
I feel slightly dizzy too. Since I cannot sleep well from the headache, it is causing me to feel anxious and overwhelmed - like seriously overwhelmed. Have to clean the kitchen - OMG - Mount Everest!
It will pass once I get some sleep - this crazy weather with all the high and low front are not doing much to help me. The crazy busy starts again and I think I just have not recovered from the last batch enough.
We are doing an open house for all our friends, co-workers, neighbors, basically every one we know. It is a come and go thing and honestly, I am not too stressed about the actual day - I am stressed about getting the house ready. Of course, I want everything exactly so, and it never will be. The age ole problem o' mine.
I am going to make a list - organize the importance and just go until there is no time or I pass out from this freaking headache! UGH!
This party is tomorrow BTW. Then, I have to get a tooth capped or possibly a root canal. Sigh. At least the permanent cap can be put on the same day, so just one day out. My sister, her husband and little boy are coming this next weekend. My nephew is staying with us for the week, then we are taking him back to my sister's 5 hours away the next weekend. Theater starts back up. My in-laws are going to come at some point as well this month.
My husband commented this morning that we have not had our alone time. He's right - still no alone time with getting the house together. It has either been about the house, the business or the kids - not us. Still. We are trying though. We did grocery shop together as well as shop for Christmas together and alone. Not exactly good for romance, but it was us together.
I also decided to join a workshop for developing habits. Ditching bad ones and enhancing good ones - start good ones, etc. Maybe too much right now, but when is ever a good time?
Ok, I am going to get moving - get this list started and trying to get going. I hope you have something either fun or relaxing for New Year's Eve! We will probably pass out before midnight. LOL I am thankful people do not shoot fireworks so badly out here! There is too much worry about fire.
one husband......four kids......debt......sewing...... saving......cooking......yoga......sweet......chaos......life......
Sunday, December 31, 2017
Thursday, December 28, 2017
EOM - December Numbers
Yes, I checked out for a while. I relaxed, spent time with my kiddos and husband and did nothing, but cook from time to time.
It was a great Christmas - peaceful, happy. The best in a very long time.
Down to the numbers.
There is a big change. Due to an inheritance that came in a couple of days before Christmas, we were able to pay down a large chunk of the debt. It is all pulling up the bootstraps from here on out!
Debts:
401(k) loan for land
October 2017 Start - $42,627
Current - $0
CC#1
October 2017 Start - $30,400.81
Current - $0
CC#2
October 2017 Start - $13,943.95
Current - $0
CC#3
October 2017 Start - $17,279.17
Current -$16,790.73
CC#4
October 2017 Start - $32,855.22
Current - $35,294.16
Truck
October 2017 Start - $21,753.52
Current -$21,277.58
Car
October 2017 Start - $7,013.68
Current -$6,896.78
Mortgage
October 2017 Start - $332,480.00
Current - $332,480.00
Total Non-Mortgage
October 2017 Start - $165, 874.09
Current - $80,259.25
Total Debt
October 2017 Start - $498,354.09
Current - $412,739.25
No more 401(k) loan debt! That feels so amazing! I hated the stress that it put on us for staying at this job (not that we were planning on leaving), and stupidity of it! Done, Done, Done and so help me, we will NEVER take out a 401(k) loan again.
We paid off 2 credit cards as well. Whew! Unlike Dave Ramsey, we are going to tackle Credit Card #4 next. For a couple of reasons. 1) it has the highest interest rate 2) it affects our monthly cash flow the most and 3) we are wanting to pay it off so we can refinance and get away from the bank that gave us the loan - they are a hot mess! They still have not closed our construction loan - threatening us, even though we have converted to a permanent loan. We paid our 1st mortgage payment, but it is on hold - just a mess and it has been like that with them from the beginning. Plus, we feel our rate is slightly too high - 4%. But that is what is standard for a construction loan I hear.
We can get a lower rate and a 10 to 15 year mortgage instead of the 30 year mortgage. We just need to get the debt down a little first. Probably by the end of 2018.
Christmas was done without adding to debt. I am excited about 2018. We are getting back on track! Are you looking forward to 2018?
It was a great Christmas - peaceful, happy. The best in a very long time.
Down to the numbers.
There is a big change. Due to an inheritance that came in a couple of days before Christmas, we were able to pay down a large chunk of the debt. It is all pulling up the bootstraps from here on out!
Debts:
401(k) loan for land
October 2017 Start - $42,627
Current - $0
CC#1
October 2017 Start - $30,400.81
Current - $0
CC#2
October 2017 Start - $13,943.95
Current - $0
CC#3
October 2017 Start - $17,279.17
Current -$16,790.73
CC#4
October 2017 Start - $32,855.22
Current - $35,294.16
Truck
October 2017 Start - $21,753.52
Current -$21,277.58
Car
October 2017 Start - $7,013.68
Current -$6,896.78
Mortgage
October 2017 Start - $332,480.00
Current - $332,480.00
Total Non-Mortgage
October 2017 Start - $165, 874.09
Current - $80,259.25
Total Debt
October 2017 Start - $498,354.09
Current - $412,739.25
No more 401(k) loan debt! That feels so amazing! I hated the stress that it put on us for staying at this job (not that we were planning on leaving), and stupidity of it! Done, Done, Done and so help me, we will NEVER take out a 401(k) loan again.
We paid off 2 credit cards as well. Whew! Unlike Dave Ramsey, we are going to tackle Credit Card #4 next. For a couple of reasons. 1) it has the highest interest rate 2) it affects our monthly cash flow the most and 3) we are wanting to pay it off so we can refinance and get away from the bank that gave us the loan - they are a hot mess! They still have not closed our construction loan - threatening us, even though we have converted to a permanent loan. We paid our 1st mortgage payment, but it is on hold - just a mess and it has been like that with them from the beginning. Plus, we feel our rate is slightly too high - 4%. But that is what is standard for a construction loan I hear.
We can get a lower rate and a 10 to 15 year mortgage instead of the 30 year mortgage. We just need to get the debt down a little first. Probably by the end of 2018.
Christmas was done without adding to debt. I am excited about 2018. We are getting back on track! Are you looking forward to 2018?
Thursday, December 21, 2017
the Goals I ponder..
In a rush late one evening, I just HAD to write a list of goals that were swirling in my head for the upcoming year. With how crazed we feel - out of control and putting out fires rather than proactively living our lives, I feel the urgent need to get on top of things again.
Before we decided to move, we were busy, but had time to sit and talk, go out as a family, send thank you notes, etc.
But since we embarked on the build, and the subsequent move to the "country", we have yet to find that new norm. It did not help that we released the builder before every little thing was done on this house (to save money and reduce our stress), and we all got sick for a LONG time, my back went out (and is now good to go!) and boom, there were the holidays. Whoever said, "Be in by the holidays" was a masochist. Not being here would have made the expectations lower. But whose expectations? Mine, of course.
Yes, I put all the pressure on my self, then fail under the weight - and so it goes, I fall short of perfection, and probably very close to the exceeded expectations of my family and friends. Such a silly game I play with myself.
Back to the original topic - Goals for 2018. I say goals because resolutions are a sure fire way to not make any of it happen and even goal is a little iffy. This is more of a focus. If I don't meet them all, then it is not as big of a deal as if I actually spent the time working in these areas.
So, in effort to bring a little silliness to it - I have 18 for '18. In no categorization or particular order:
1. Exercise for all. Since the build, we just stopped. Stopped moving, stopping caring about it, stopped. I can get us back there though.
5. New Chore Chart that includes adults. I feel the kids think they do all the work (snicker), because they have a chart and we do not. Maybe I am off my rocker, HOWEVER, we have more "things" to take care of here. So, writing it down for us as well, may motivate the majority. We will see how it goes.
6. 15 minute clean ups. In addition or along with the chores, I would like to do a morning and evening 15-minute clean up. Literally, set a timer and straighten up, wipe the toilets and sinks, throw away trash, put away dishes, etc. You can do a LOT in 15 minutes and that goes well, I will cut it down to 10 minutes. I really need to show everyone in the family how to develop a habit of personal organization and understand how beneficial it is. (we used to do this and it was fabulous!)
7. Threaded Lines - 2 posts per week. Ideally, it would be one completed customer order and one small thing I made - key fob, pouch, stuffy, etc.
8. This blog - add pictures to 2 blog posts per week. I love to take pictures and I used to post a lot more pictures than I do.
9. Send one "I'm thinking of you" note per month. It can be either mailed, emailed or messaged on Facebook. I have lost touch with almost everyone and I need to make contact again.
10. Send Birthday greetings to all parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, and close friends. Something I used to do, but that fell away. It was not time consuming either - we keep a bunch of birthday cards, I write them all during the last week of the month and write the date to send in my planner. I stamp them all at the same time and they just go out the date I wrote down. There is on average 2-3 a month - so nothing major.
11. Facebook - Birthday greetings. It takes less than 1 minute to write Happy Birthday on Facebook and there are not even birthdays every day. I know it does not mean a whole lot, but after going one year with getting no Happy Birthdays on Facebook, it really does mean something. This is me, trying to rejoin society a little.
12. Ah, the infamous lose weight. Yep, I am going for 18 pounds this year. Hopefully, with the diet changes and the exercise that will come more naturally.
13. Use planner daily. During the build, I got out of the habit because things changed so much, but it is a lifeline to me! I love lists and I tend to function better with an idea of what it supposed to happen. Sure, I just take some days off (like today), but then I can see what is important and HAS to be done, and what can be put off one day.
14. Bring more "fun" to our family. Oh boy, this year was so serious. We all forgot to be fun.
16. Stick to a monthly budget. We need to do this more than ever! No more impulse buying anything!
17. Respond M-F to at least 2 blogs and 2 Facebook posts of friends. I become a lurker if I am not careful. I know it seems canned, but I will put thought into it. It may be morning, it may be evening when everything else is done, but I will do it.
18. Call my Dad monthly. Since my grandmother died, my Dad has been trying to make a connection with me. We don't talk much. However, neither he or I can understand on the phone very well and have a problem with our speech (as Linda noticed on my last post). What we write or say is not always the same as what we think and sometimes we cannot come up with the word at all. My family is riddled with it. Anyway, I may have to text, but I need to communicate with him more frequently.
That's it - it is really about the connection this year - we became so internal - all of us that we need to bring people back into our lives.
Before we decided to move, we were busy, but had time to sit and talk, go out as a family, send thank you notes, etc.
But since we embarked on the build, and the subsequent move to the "country", we have yet to find that new norm. It did not help that we released the builder before every little thing was done on this house (to save money and reduce our stress), and we all got sick for a LONG time, my back went out (and is now good to go!) and boom, there were the holidays. Whoever said, "Be in by the holidays" was a masochist. Not being here would have made the expectations lower. But whose expectations? Mine, of course.
Yes, I put all the pressure on my self, then fail under the weight - and so it goes, I fall short of perfection, and probably very close to the exceeded expectations of my family and friends. Such a silly game I play with myself.
Back to the original topic - Goals for 2018. I say goals because resolutions are a sure fire way to not make any of it happen and even goal is a little iffy. This is more of a focus. If I don't meet them all, then it is not as big of a deal as if I actually spent the time working in these areas.
So, in effort to bring a little silliness to it - I have 18 for '18. In no categorization or particular order:
1. Exercise for all. Since the build, we just stopped. Stopped moving, stopping caring about it, stopped. I can get us back there though.
- As a family, walking is great, hiking even better, canoeing, etc. We may even set up a calisthenics area here as well as a basketball goal. Make exercise a family fun time.
- With homeschool, I need to give them a 2 credits - so I was thinking a couch to 3K thing, culminating in a 3K run. Then maybe a self defense class, with yoga on the off days.
- We need to plan out all meals, not just dinner.
- We need to all get breakfast and lunch together (me and the kids) If they see me preparing a meal, they will be more likely to do the same or we can all eat the same thing. I did this when they were young, we just got out of the habit when the got in school and never started back up when I homeschooled.
- Bunch errands and appointments so we go out less. Leave most for the weekend.
- Homeschool is morning, TL is afternoon.
5. New Chore Chart that includes adults. I feel the kids think they do all the work (snicker), because they have a chart and we do not. Maybe I am off my rocker, HOWEVER, we have more "things" to take care of here. So, writing it down for us as well, may motivate the majority. We will see how it goes.
6. 15 minute clean ups. In addition or along with the chores, I would like to do a morning and evening 15-minute clean up. Literally, set a timer and straighten up, wipe the toilets and sinks, throw away trash, put away dishes, etc. You can do a LOT in 15 minutes and that goes well, I will cut it down to 10 minutes. I really need to show everyone in the family how to develop a habit of personal organization and understand how beneficial it is. (we used to do this and it was fabulous!)
7. Threaded Lines - 2 posts per week. Ideally, it would be one completed customer order and one small thing I made - key fob, pouch, stuffy, etc.
8. This blog - add pictures to 2 blog posts per week. I love to take pictures and I used to post a lot more pictures than I do.
9. Send one "I'm thinking of you" note per month. It can be either mailed, emailed or messaged on Facebook. I have lost touch with almost everyone and I need to make contact again.
10. Send Birthday greetings to all parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, and close friends. Something I used to do, but that fell away. It was not time consuming either - we keep a bunch of birthday cards, I write them all during the last week of the month and write the date to send in my planner. I stamp them all at the same time and they just go out the date I wrote down. There is on average 2-3 a month - so nothing major.
11. Facebook - Birthday greetings. It takes less than 1 minute to write Happy Birthday on Facebook and there are not even birthdays every day. I know it does not mean a whole lot, but after going one year with getting no Happy Birthdays on Facebook, it really does mean something. This is me, trying to rejoin society a little.
12. Ah, the infamous lose weight. Yep, I am going for 18 pounds this year. Hopefully, with the diet changes and the exercise that will come more naturally.
13. Use planner daily. During the build, I got out of the habit because things changed so much, but it is a lifeline to me! I love lists and I tend to function better with an idea of what it supposed to happen. Sure, I just take some days off (like today), but then I can see what is important and HAS to be done, and what can be put off one day.
14. Bring more "fun" to our family. Oh boy, this year was so serious. We all forgot to be fun.
- The kids love board games, I do not, but I can suck it up every now and then.
- Start High/Low again at dinner. We did this for years and some days are sad, but we were much closer for it. We start with low and end on a high. Sometimes, one person's high brought us all up.
- Cook together - 2 fold benefit - they learn and we tend to have fun in the kitchen. Probably this is a weekend thing.
- One family out per month - camping, movie, concert, bowling, henna, etc.
16. Stick to a monthly budget. We need to do this more than ever! No more impulse buying anything!
17. Respond M-F to at least 2 blogs and 2 Facebook posts of friends. I become a lurker if I am not careful. I know it seems canned, but I will put thought into it. It may be morning, it may be evening when everything else is done, but I will do it.
18. Call my Dad monthly. Since my grandmother died, my Dad has been trying to make a connection with me. We don't talk much. However, neither he or I can understand on the phone very well and have a problem with our speech (as Linda noticed on my last post). What we write or say is not always the same as what we think and sometimes we cannot come up with the word at all. My family is riddled with it. Anyway, I may have to text, but I need to communicate with him more frequently.
That's it - it is really about the connection this year - we became so internal - all of us that we need to bring people back into our lives.
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
Chaotic Life in Full Swing
I did finish the customer's quilts - they loved them, I was paid. Deep breath.
We finished up Christmas shopping on Sunday - or so I thought. We completely forgot about our son's girlfriend! It needs to be small, as we have not met her yet, but I am making a hooded towel for her son, so I feel like we need to get something - any ideas? We know nothing much about her. We give all our kids personal care products for Christmas - so I was thinking of giving her exactly what we give our older kids - body wash, a toothbrush and toothpaste, shaving cream and a couple of gift cards - to starbucks and whataburger maybe.
Anyway, I still need to do that.
I am working on the top secret quilt that I can only do during the day. I should be done by Wednesday.
We sat down and made the decision that we would stop school at the end of this week and not start it back up until January 8th. There is a lot going on that first week of January, so it is pretty much a wash anyway. I will not start the business up until then either. I have 2 quilts waiting for me at that point, but they are not difficult.
In between, I will work on my Nana's quilt for my cousin, Ellen, who took care of her. It is going to be a queen size with 11 - 12 x 12 blocks that will have birds and flowers embroidered on them. There are smaller pieces as well, but they will not have embroidery. It is going to be a lovely quilt, but will take some time.
Also, there are the wolves to get done. This break is not a chance to slow down, but catch up.
I have also made a list of 18 goals for 2018 - cliche, but I was in the mood. Not resolutions, because some can be accomplished quickly and others will need a LOT of work. That will be another post.
Cookies probably will not be done until Friday or Saturday. I don't want them all eaten before Christmas. ;)
Today, DD has to get 2 cavities filled. She auditioned for Must To Do About Nothing, hopefully we will hear the casting before Christmas, but it was not a given. This semester studying Shakespeare lets her go on a summer Shakepeare festival trip. She is very excited!
Ham and Potato Soup for dinner tonight - it is the kids' favorite and college boy is coming home today.
OK, gotta get everyone going - they are moving slow.
We finished up Christmas shopping on Sunday - or so I thought. We completely forgot about our son's girlfriend! It needs to be small, as we have not met her yet, but I am making a hooded towel for her son, so I feel like we need to get something - any ideas? We know nothing much about her. We give all our kids personal care products for Christmas - so I was thinking of giving her exactly what we give our older kids - body wash, a toothbrush and toothpaste, shaving cream and a couple of gift cards - to starbucks and whataburger maybe.
Anyway, I still need to do that.
I am working on the top secret quilt that I can only do during the day. I should be done by Wednesday.
We sat down and made the decision that we would stop school at the end of this week and not start it back up until January 8th. There is a lot going on that first week of January, so it is pretty much a wash anyway. I will not start the business up until then either. I have 2 quilts waiting for me at that point, but they are not difficult.
In between, I will work on my Nana's quilt for my cousin, Ellen, who took care of her. It is going to be a queen size with 11 - 12 x 12 blocks that will have birds and flowers embroidered on them. There are smaller pieces as well, but they will not have embroidery. It is going to be a lovely quilt, but will take some time.
Also, there are the wolves to get done. This break is not a chance to slow down, but catch up.
I have also made a list of 18 goals for 2018 - cliche, but I was in the mood. Not resolutions, because some can be accomplished quickly and others will need a LOT of work. That will be another post.
Cookies probably will not be done until Friday or Saturday. I don't want them all eaten before Christmas. ;)
Today, DD has to get 2 cavities filled. She auditioned for Must To Do About Nothing, hopefully we will hear the casting before Christmas, but it was not a given. This semester studying Shakespeare lets her go on a summer Shakepeare festival trip. She is very excited!
Ham and Potato Soup for dinner tonight - it is the kids' favorite and college boy is coming home today.
OK, gotta get everyone going - they are moving slow.
Thursday, December 14, 2017
Christmas
We went a little overboard for Christmas this year. We still cash flowed it and mostly it was budgeted for, but I wanted to get a little more, so I used my business money. It was only 1 quilt worth, so I am ok with that.
For 2 of our siblings, we got them a Harry and David tower - just a small one during the black Friday events. Cost - $19.99 each
For 7 families, we bought them GreenMarket Purveying Co. Reed Diffusers on Black Friday as well. These are wonderful! A little pricey, but they last about 6 months and it smells wonderful - not perfumey like so many candles and waxes. My favorite is the lemon and cucumber, but we got them a holiday scent. We got them at $16.00 during the sale.
Oh, we also got the kids under 15 gifts, but I made them from my stash, so I am not counting the cost as it was absorbed last year. It is stadium blankets personalized with their names.
For our mother's, I wanted to get them something special - the dad's were honored last year. I LOVE Plum Paper and having been using their planner for 4 years now. They have a new notebook, that is perfect bound and about 5 x 7, so perfect to slip into a purse. I had them personalized and could choose the design. I am putting a Frixion pen with it (they are erasable). Something really nice and personal for $10 each!
DS #1 - Since he is 21 now, he gets what he needs needs more than what he wants because needs are so high. My husband likes to set them up with gift cards - gas, oil changes, food, groceries - about $200 worth. I would like to take him shopping for some jeans and shorts for work - he has lost a lot of weight recently and all his pants are falling off of him. I will spend about $75 more.
DS#2 - He is almost 20! He has lots of needs and very little wants as well. He gets the gift cards - same as above - around $200. But we also are getting him a couple of wants - a graphite pencil, a book and a DVD - Magical Creature and Where to Find Them. Total for wants - $40.
DD - She is 14. She wants so many things, but only asked for one thing. Itunes card. So, that is what she is getting - an itunes card and a Hot Topic gift card - both $100 each. She buys bottoms at Kohl's, but I let her get fun tops from Hot Topic. We are also getting her a really good heating pad. $45 for the extra.
DS#3 - He is 13. Although I am not thrilled he is a gamer, he programs games as well as plays them, so that helps. He is good about it though - never complains when we ask him to get off. So, we got him a Nintendo Switch with 1 game - that was around $350. He is also getting a usb microphone and usb SD card converter. $35 for the extras.
Yes, DS#3 costs more. The others get more throughout the year than this one does, just because his wants and needs are so low. He never asks for anything. My daughter gets all year. She will be thrilled with her Christmas and no one has to know the disparage between the prices.
We have not bought stocking stuffers, but it usually consists of their favorite candy, a flash drive and socks.
Total $1,427. We budgeted $1,200 and I supplied rest. Next year, we are cutting back the Christmas budget to $800. I will have more time to make gifts and we are cutting back on the kids. This Christmas is the biggest they have ever had. Like I said on an earlier post - I think some of it is our guilt for this being such a hard year on our family - losing 2 close family members, living in an RV. It was a lot.
Oh the stocking stuffers, we already have the socks and usb - they were absorbed in the grocery budget (I know, but there was a great sale!). We will get the candy from the grocery budget as well.
I cannot wait to see their faces Christmas morning. We still have the magic of Christmas is our home!
For 2 of our siblings, we got them a Harry and David tower - just a small one during the black Friday events. Cost - $19.99 each
For 7 families, we bought them GreenMarket Purveying Co. Reed Diffusers on Black Friday as well. These are wonderful! A little pricey, but they last about 6 months and it smells wonderful - not perfumey like so many candles and waxes. My favorite is the lemon and cucumber, but we got them a holiday scent. We got them at $16.00 during the sale.
Oh, we also got the kids under 15 gifts, but I made them from my stash, so I am not counting the cost as it was absorbed last year. It is stadium blankets personalized with their names.
For our mother's, I wanted to get them something special - the dad's were honored last year. I LOVE Plum Paper and having been using their planner for 4 years now. They have a new notebook, that is perfect bound and about 5 x 7, so perfect to slip into a purse. I had them personalized and could choose the design. I am putting a Frixion pen with it (they are erasable). Something really nice and personal for $10 each!
DS #1 - Since he is 21 now, he gets what he needs needs more than what he wants because needs are so high. My husband likes to set them up with gift cards - gas, oil changes, food, groceries - about $200 worth. I would like to take him shopping for some jeans and shorts for work - he has lost a lot of weight recently and all his pants are falling off of him. I will spend about $75 more.
DS#2 - He is almost 20! He has lots of needs and very little wants as well. He gets the gift cards - same as above - around $200. But we also are getting him a couple of wants - a graphite pencil, a book and a DVD - Magical Creature and Where to Find Them. Total for wants - $40.
DD - She is 14. She wants so many things, but only asked for one thing. Itunes card. So, that is what she is getting - an itunes card and a Hot Topic gift card - both $100 each. She buys bottoms at Kohl's, but I let her get fun tops from Hot Topic. We are also getting her a really good heating pad. $45 for the extra.
DS#3 - He is 13. Although I am not thrilled he is a gamer, he programs games as well as plays them, so that helps. He is good about it though - never complains when we ask him to get off. So, we got him a Nintendo Switch with 1 game - that was around $350. He is also getting a usb microphone and usb SD card converter. $35 for the extras.
Yes, DS#3 costs more. The others get more throughout the year than this one does, just because his wants and needs are so low. He never asks for anything. My daughter gets all year. She will be thrilled with her Christmas and no one has to know the disparage between the prices.
We have not bought stocking stuffers, but it usually consists of their favorite candy, a flash drive and socks.
Total $1,427. We budgeted $1,200 and I supplied rest. Next year, we are cutting back the Christmas budget to $800. I will have more time to make gifts and we are cutting back on the kids. This Christmas is the biggest they have ever had. Like I said on an earlier post - I think some of it is our guilt for this being such a hard year on our family - losing 2 close family members, living in an RV. It was a lot.
Oh the stocking stuffers, we already have the socks and usb - they were absorbed in the grocery budget (I know, but there was a great sale!). We will get the candy from the grocery budget as well.
I cannot wait to see their faces Christmas morning. We still have the magic of Christmas is our home!
Tuesday, December 12, 2017
Working, working
Today is all about work. Because you know, I am working like a fiend - seeing how I am blogging and all.
I really wore myself out yesterday. I worked from about 8 am to 11 pm. It was not all my job, but working with the kids, cooking, running errands. I was wiped. I had to get up early this morning to take K to the ortho. I met with 2 customers while we he was getting adjusted. Then I had my chiro appointment. He told me my lower back was locked - worse he has seen with me - I am not surprised, I have been hunched over and in a lot of pain. After that, we delivered a couple of nightstands to another Harvey victim.
The 2 remaining quilts have been started - one I am laying out for approval today. On the down slope now!
I really wore myself out yesterday. I worked from about 8 am to 11 pm. It was not all my job, but working with the kids, cooking, running errands. I was wiped. I had to get up early this morning to take K to the ortho. I met with 2 customers while we he was getting adjusted. Then I had my chiro appointment. He told me my lower back was locked - worse he has seen with me - I am not surprised, I have been hunched over and in a lot of pain. After that, we delivered a couple of nightstands to another Harvey victim.
 |
| This is what I delivered today! |
The 2 remaining quilts have been started - one I am laying out for approval today. On the down slope now!
Monday, December 11, 2017
Weekly Meal Plan
This week is the last really crazy week. Homeschool, work deadlines, vet appointments, Christmas errands, photo projects, etc, etc.
This morning, the kids had to finalize their A-Z photo project. Let's just say, with a lot of my help, they finished 2 minutes ago. Lost lists, formatting issues, printer issues, you name it. We leave in 20 minutes to turn them in.
I have to make 2 quilts this week with all this - no idea how I am going to do it, but I have to. We will see!
Anyway, here is our menu this week:
Monday - Roast, potatoes and carrots. This was supposed to be yesterday, but we forgot to thaw the roast, so we had today's meal yesterday - tacos!
Tuesday - Mustard Chicken, lima beans, salad and beer bread.
Wednesday - Cajun Pork Loin, yellow rice, tomato-cucumber salad
Thursday - Sausage, potatoes and green beans
Friday - Pizza at home
Saturday - Steak, Baked Potato and salad
Sunday - Ham, corn, Mac and cheese w/ berry crisp for dessert.
With leftovers from ham, I will make ham jambalaya and ham and potato soup. I know lots of potatoes this week - for some reason, we are all on a potato kick!
I am off - have a wonderful day!
This morning, the kids had to finalize their A-Z photo project. Let's just say, with a lot of my help, they finished 2 minutes ago. Lost lists, formatting issues, printer issues, you name it. We leave in 20 minutes to turn them in.
I have to make 2 quilts this week with all this - no idea how I am going to do it, but I have to. We will see!
Anyway, here is our menu this week:
Monday - Roast, potatoes and carrots. This was supposed to be yesterday, but we forgot to thaw the roast, so we had today's meal yesterday - tacos!
Tuesday - Mustard Chicken, lima beans, salad and beer bread.
Wednesday - Cajun Pork Loin, yellow rice, tomato-cucumber salad
Thursday - Sausage, potatoes and green beans
Friday - Pizza at home
Saturday - Steak, Baked Potato and salad
Sunday - Ham, corn, Mac and cheese w/ berry crisp for dessert.
With leftovers from ham, I will make ham jambalaya and ham and potato soup. I know lots of potatoes this week - for some reason, we are all on a potato kick!
I am off - have a wonderful day!
Friday, December 8, 2017
I'm dreaming of a WHITE Christmas...
First a few decorations in our home. This is MOST everything, I did not take a picture of the nutcrackers. I have not really found a spot for them.
This is the view I have from my chair! I keep a pillow on my lap all the time. Such a cozy fireplace - It got cold yesterday and it was the first time we had to turn on the heat. We did run the fireplace all day - it is on the lowest level, so it is not burning too much propane. It heats the house up about 1 degree. I am not in love with our stockings - eventually I want to make them for us. Even though one child has moved out, I just cannot stand to only hang 5. He is with us on Christmas morning anyway.
This is the White House ornament for this year! It is gorgeous - two-sided and actually the eagle is heavy! This is one of my favorite ornaments from the White House collection.
Yes, we keep 3 trees! This is the White House ornament tree. I want to make a burlap or textured skirt. All the ones in the store are way too big for this thin tree.
This is our family tree - the big one. It has all the kids' ornaments from them growing up - some from our childhood as well and just ornaments we liked and picked up over the years. The skirt was appliqued by my grandmother and I think it is at least 30 years old. We have used it for as long as I can remember and she used it on her tree for years before me.
This is the other thin tree. We use this one to display the ornaments from all the states we have been too as well as state and national parks.
A different day, but you can see the fireplace, the bookshelf where we put our nativity that my D's father gave us at our wedding. It is a gorgeous porcelain set.
I love how cozy it feels. We did not buy hardly anything except the red lanterns on the hearth. Not only did I not want to spend a lot of money, but I wanted to get a feel for how we move in this house and what we wanted. I don't buy decor every year, we use what have over and over, so I am a bit picky when it comes to decorating for Christmas.
BUT the real news of the day! IT SNOWED IN HOUSTON!!!!
After L was done with her play (which, I have to say, she was fabulous!), we went to eat as a celebration. It started snowing really hard while we were in there and it covered our car, so we had an impromptu snowball fight. I nailed everywhere and got nailed in the eye! LOL It was a lot of fun.
Here are some pictures this morning from around our house. It was already melting, but amazing! It looked so Christmasy and festive!
All the snow is already gone, but it was beautiful while it lasted! We get it so infrequently and usually, it does not stick like this. Made me just want to sit in a hot tub and drink coffee all day!
This is the White House ornament for this year! It is gorgeous - two-sided and actually the eagle is heavy! This is one of my favorite ornaments from the White House collection.
This is our family tree - the big one. It has all the kids' ornaments from them growing up - some from our childhood as well and just ornaments we liked and picked up over the years. The skirt was appliqued by my grandmother and I think it is at least 30 years old. We have used it for as long as I can remember and she used it on her tree for years before me.
This is the other thin tree. We use this one to display the ornaments from all the states we have been too as well as state and national parks.
A different day, but you can see the fireplace, the bookshelf where we put our nativity that my D's father gave us at our wedding. It is a gorgeous porcelain set.
I love how cozy it feels. We did not buy hardly anything except the red lanterns on the hearth. Not only did I not want to spend a lot of money, but I wanted to get a feel for how we move in this house and what we wanted. I don't buy decor every year, we use what have over and over, so I am a bit picky when it comes to decorating for Christmas.
BUT the real news of the day! IT SNOWED IN HOUSTON!!!!
After L was done with her play (which, I have to say, she was fabulous!), we went to eat as a celebration. It started snowing really hard while we were in there and it covered our car, so we had an impromptu snowball fight. I nailed everywhere and got nailed in the eye! LOL It was a lot of fun.
Here are some pictures this morning from around our house. It was already melting, but amazing! It looked so Christmasy and festive!
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| The forest beside our house off the patio. |
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| Our shed - the roof is green! You can also see the deer blind. |
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| Our home with a snowy roof! |
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| All the bushes were covered with snow! |
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| This is a tree we cut down - I thought it looked cool all frozen! |
All the snow is already gone, but it was beautiful while it lasted! We get it so infrequently and usually, it does not stick like this. Made me just want to sit in a hot tub and drink coffee all day!
Thursday, December 7, 2017
Taking a deep breath
I have a few minutes before I have to get my teens up. I let them sleep in today. D took a 1/2 day off from work today, originally to deliver furniture, but that fell through, so now it is just to take a deep breath.
Both of us are SLAMMED with work. He has projects that have to close out before the end of the year and I have 2.5 more quilts to make really before next weekend.
L (DD) has opening night tonight. I am not sure Sunday could come fast enough - she has 4 full length shows of Little Women. She is nervous and stressed, so I am letting her sleep as much as she wants - let her body heal itself and let her have a clear mind. She is a teen after all.
My back has pretty much been out all week. I am just starting to come out of it - slouched over and cannot stand up straight yet, but the pain is a bit less.
We got a barn cat last night! He is a teen - only about 1.5 years old. Very black - not one hair a different color with yellow eyes. He will not come out of hiding just yet and runs away from us. We are just letting him get comfortable with his surroundings. It is WAY different than a forest. He is in our 30 x 40 shed, so he has LOTS of space though. He ate last night and used the litter box, so that is a good start. His previous owners overfed him, so he is on the chunky side. They gave him people food like pizza! Um, no. I may give him some pumpkin to flush him out a bit before his surgery. He is getting neutered in 2 weeks, so he will be in the shed for that whole time and probably for another couple of weeks when he gets back from surgery.
I am mostly done with Christmas shopping - my nephew I am struggling with and I want to get my husband a little something. I cannot say here because he reads the blog. So, if you do read this sweetie - it is small - like stocking small! Maybe socks! LOL
We kind of splurged on the kids this year. We don't usually - they are maxed at $100, but this year I think we went up to $200. I think it was the rough year and the first Christmas in this house. We just are excited!
I will post more about that when I get these quilts done.
I hope you are enjoying some Christmas music, cookies and decorations!
Both of us are SLAMMED with work. He has projects that have to close out before the end of the year and I have 2.5 more quilts to make really before next weekend.
L (DD) has opening night tonight. I am not sure Sunday could come fast enough - she has 4 full length shows of Little Women. She is nervous and stressed, so I am letting her sleep as much as she wants - let her body heal itself and let her have a clear mind. She is a teen after all.
My back has pretty much been out all week. I am just starting to come out of it - slouched over and cannot stand up straight yet, but the pain is a bit less.
We got a barn cat last night! He is a teen - only about 1.5 years old. Very black - not one hair a different color with yellow eyes. He will not come out of hiding just yet and runs away from us. We are just letting him get comfortable with his surroundings. It is WAY different than a forest. He is in our 30 x 40 shed, so he has LOTS of space though. He ate last night and used the litter box, so that is a good start. His previous owners overfed him, so he is on the chunky side. They gave him people food like pizza! Um, no. I may give him some pumpkin to flush him out a bit before his surgery. He is getting neutered in 2 weeks, so he will be in the shed for that whole time and probably for another couple of weeks when he gets back from surgery.
I am mostly done with Christmas shopping - my nephew I am struggling with and I want to get my husband a little something. I cannot say here because he reads the blog. So, if you do read this sweetie - it is small - like stocking small! Maybe socks! LOL
We kind of splurged on the kids this year. We don't usually - they are maxed at $100, but this year I think we went up to $200. I think it was the rough year and the first Christmas in this house. We just are excited!
I will post more about that when I get these quilts done.
I hope you are enjoying some Christmas music, cookies and decorations!
Tuesday, December 5, 2017
Big Push Week
This week is a BUSY one - lots going on. Where to start...
On Sunday, we delivered furniture to Harvey Victims in the morning - mostly it went ok. We had 5 stops, and one gave us the wrong address, but I will drop it off when I go back down there next week. It is really sad the dire straights some of these people have been in.
Also, the lack of general knowledge they have. I never understood the disparage between the income with education. I am not talking about math or understanding scientific reasoning, just basic household maintenance and repair. Specifically, one family - the parents were in their late 40s, early 50s and had never heard of a L-bracket. They did not know what a wrench was. It was incredibly sad.
Anyway, DD's theater production of Little Women is this week, so we are in the throws of tech week. Also, in photography class, they had an assignment to take pictures representing each letter of the alphabet. They are a few letters short, so that should be fun trying to get along with long theater days.
Oh, she is also a part of a Secret Santa with her theater troop. Only they told us the rules yesterday evening - 4 days of gifts! Wednesday thru Saturday. Geez - when did it get so complicated? Her person is very picky and gluten-free, but does not like candy. So, we are thinking about lavendar sachet on Wednesday, Starbuck's gift card on Thursday (her favorite drink), chocolate covered strawberries on Friday, and a stuffed puppy with reindeer ears on Saturday. Not sure if I will make the puppy or not at this point, but hopefully I can to save money. We will make the sachet as well.
As for work - SLAMMED! I still have 3 quilts and a pillow to make. I made one pillow already and 101 police fobs and one quilt. The person that picked up the quilt ordered a pillow, but it is simple, so I can do it in 20 minutes or less. The hand closing will take the longest.
I am going to try to get 2 quilts done this week. It will be a stretch, especially with everything going on. But that would leave next week with 1 left and then I can work on family things until the new year. I have 2 already in my possession for the new year and the list for graduation quilts is piling up! I am not advertising either! Word of mouth ONLY and most are repeat customers.
Well, I am still feeling pretty good - even with all that is going on, I have been able to sleep until I wake up, which is awesome - it helps tremendously.
Already - grabbing a cup of coffee and getting to work! Have a great day!
On Sunday, we delivered furniture to Harvey Victims in the morning - mostly it went ok. We had 5 stops, and one gave us the wrong address, but I will drop it off when I go back down there next week. It is really sad the dire straights some of these people have been in.
Also, the lack of general knowledge they have. I never understood the disparage between the income with education. I am not talking about math or understanding scientific reasoning, just basic household maintenance and repair. Specifically, one family - the parents were in their late 40s, early 50s and had never heard of a L-bracket. They did not know what a wrench was. It was incredibly sad.
Anyway, DD's theater production of Little Women is this week, so we are in the throws of tech week. Also, in photography class, they had an assignment to take pictures representing each letter of the alphabet. They are a few letters short, so that should be fun trying to get along with long theater days.
Oh, she is also a part of a Secret Santa with her theater troop. Only they told us the rules yesterday evening - 4 days of gifts! Wednesday thru Saturday. Geez - when did it get so complicated? Her person is very picky and gluten-free, but does not like candy. So, we are thinking about lavendar sachet on Wednesday, Starbuck's gift card on Thursday (her favorite drink), chocolate covered strawberries on Friday, and a stuffed puppy with reindeer ears on Saturday. Not sure if I will make the puppy or not at this point, but hopefully I can to save money. We will make the sachet as well.
As for work - SLAMMED! I still have 3 quilts and a pillow to make. I made one pillow already and 101 police fobs and one quilt. The person that picked up the quilt ordered a pillow, but it is simple, so I can do it in 20 minutes or less. The hand closing will take the longest.
I am going to try to get 2 quilts done this week. It will be a stretch, especially with everything going on. But that would leave next week with 1 left and then I can work on family things until the new year. I have 2 already in my possession for the new year and the list for graduation quilts is piling up! I am not advertising either! Word of mouth ONLY and most are repeat customers.
Well, I am still feeling pretty good - even with all that is going on, I have been able to sleep until I wake up, which is awesome - it helps tremendously.
Already - grabbing a cup of coffee and getting to work! Have a great day!
Saturday, December 2, 2017
Numbers for month ending
I am slammed with getting quilts and such done.
BUT, finally getting some energy back - I am able to sleep until I wake, which is doing me more good than anything AND my allergy meds are finally kicking in - I only do a nose spray, so it takes just a little longer, but I like it better - I cannot handle ingesting the meds. Side affects are killer for me. I cannot take much (violently sick).
Anyway. We are working hard to pay down debt and getting a bonus this month helped!
Debts:
401(k) loan for land
October 2017 Start - $42,627
Current - $42,227.50
CC#1
October 2017 Start - $30,400.81
Current - $11,660.90
CC#2
October 2017 Start - $13,943.95
Current - $13,646.72
CC#3
October 2017 Start - $17,279.17
Current -$17,020.17
CC#4
October 2017 Start - $32,855.22
Current - $35,905.07
Truck
October 2017 Start - $21,753.52
Current -$21,753.52
Car
October 2017 Start - $7,013.68
Current -$7,013.68
Mortgage
October 2017 Start - $332,480.00
Current - $332,480.00
Total Non-Mortgage
October 2017 Start - $165, 874.09
Current - $149,227.56
Total Debt
October 2017 Start - $498,354.09
Current - $481,757.56
Ok, when I say we started October - it was mid to late month, so that is why I did not do a Nov. 1 update. Couple of things - so much was paid off due to what we had saved for the closing. Once we closed, we out aside $1,000 and paid down debt with the rest. We also do not have a mortgage right now AND we received a bonus.
The increase in CC#4 is college tuition. Sigh. We will be back to a cash basis with that soon. We cannot log on to see our truck payment (we have to call them on Monday), so I just left it, but I know it went down a couple of hundred. Car payment has not been taken yet, but there will be a payment on the next check in.
The large payoffs will slow down in January, but a large chunk will be paid when I get my inheritance. Come on 2018 - let's get out of debt (non-mortgage)! It is unlikely that we will be able to get completely out debt in 2018, but we are going to try as hard as we can!
I am working, working this weekend to catch up. My energy is mostly back - YEAH!!! I am feeling so much better - sleeping is the best thing.
Hope you all are having a great weekend!
BUT, finally getting some energy back - I am able to sleep until I wake, which is doing me more good than anything AND my allergy meds are finally kicking in - I only do a nose spray, so it takes just a little longer, but I like it better - I cannot handle ingesting the meds. Side affects are killer for me. I cannot take much (violently sick).
Anyway. We are working hard to pay down debt and getting a bonus this month helped!
Debts:
401(k) loan for land
October 2017 Start - $42,627
Current - $42,227.50
CC#1
October 2017 Start - $30,400.81
Current - $11,660.90
CC#2
October 2017 Start - $13,943.95
Current - $13,646.72
CC#3
October 2017 Start - $17,279.17
Current -$17,020.17
CC#4
October 2017 Start - $32,855.22
Current - $35,905.07
Truck
October 2017 Start - $21,753.52
Current -$21,753.52
Car
October 2017 Start - $7,013.68
Current -$7,013.68
Mortgage
October 2017 Start - $332,480.00
Current - $332,480.00
Total Non-Mortgage
October 2017 Start - $165, 874.09
Current - $149,227.56
Total Debt
October 2017 Start - $498,354.09
Current - $481,757.56
Ok, when I say we started October - it was mid to late month, so that is why I did not do a Nov. 1 update. Couple of things - so much was paid off due to what we had saved for the closing. Once we closed, we out aside $1,000 and paid down debt with the rest. We also do not have a mortgage right now AND we received a bonus.
The increase in CC#4 is college tuition. Sigh. We will be back to a cash basis with that soon. We cannot log on to see our truck payment (we have to call them on Monday), so I just left it, but I know it went down a couple of hundred. Car payment has not been taken yet, but there will be a payment on the next check in.
The large payoffs will slow down in January, but a large chunk will be paid when I get my inheritance. Come on 2018 - let's get out of debt (non-mortgage)! It is unlikely that we will be able to get completely out debt in 2018, but we are going to try as hard as we can!
I am working, working this weekend to catch up. My energy is mostly back - YEAH!!! I am feeling so much better - sleeping is the best thing.
Hope you all are having a great weekend!
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
Not bored yet
I know when I am feeling better by my boredom level. Usually, I am a ball of energy - fidgety and constantly moving. I am almost there, but the recover is slow and I am ok with that. My voice is back and sounds smooth, so that is wonderful. Having the ability to speak is highly underrated!
DD and I went and got our hair cut this morning. I took a chance on a local lady that does it out of a little shed on her property. Best haircut I have had in years. LOVE IT! We will start going to her exclusively. She is not too pricey - $20 for a wash and cut. I typically go twice a year, but I really like it shorter, so I am going to go every 2-3 months. My daughter will like that better as well.
I have been trying very hard to take it easier - I did cut and layout a quilt yesterday. It was approved and I have to get it done this week. It is mid-sized, so a nice change from the HUGE ones I have been doing lately.
Other than that, I have just sat around. Literally, I cannot think of anything else I have done. The cold meds kind of keep me in a daze.
Maybe later I will take pictures of our Christmas decorations. They are lovely - the kids run in the morning to turn on the lights - so cute how teens still love the "magic" of Christmas.
DD and I went and got our hair cut this morning. I took a chance on a local lady that does it out of a little shed on her property. Best haircut I have had in years. LOVE IT! We will start going to her exclusively. She is not too pricey - $20 for a wash and cut. I typically go twice a year, but I really like it shorter, so I am going to go every 2-3 months. My daughter will like that better as well.
I have been trying very hard to take it easier - I did cut and layout a quilt yesterday. It was approved and I have to get it done this week. It is mid-sized, so a nice change from the HUGE ones I have been doing lately.
Other than that, I have just sat around. Literally, I cannot think of anything else I have done. The cold meds kind of keep me in a daze.
Maybe later I will take pictures of our Christmas decorations. They are lovely - the kids run in the morning to turn on the lights - so cute how teens still love the "magic" of Christmas.
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
Looking forward
DH and I had a little heart to heart about things. It was all joy, but what I lovingly call growing pains. We don't yell or scream, it is not our style, but there was a healthy debate going on.
Right now, my cup is full so to speak - nerves are raw and I am frazzled. Not a term the docs use - they liked the exhaustion thing, but there you go. I am a little low in iron (working on that) and yep, I need to de-stress.
DH is a little stressed too, but I think his stemming from the debt and the pressure he feels. I feel it too. He is worried about me, too.
Basic Health Needs
1. We bought a blood pressure machine
2. Iron Supplements for me
3. Water - I got lazy about drinking it when I am such a BIG water drinker - dehydration is a problem. So, everyone is helping me. The kids offer to get it when I am busy and I am making a conscious effort to drink more to get back into the habit.
4. Walking - I am struggling to get this back due to the schedule, but we did walk twice over the Thanksgiving break.
5. Stretching - for my lifelong back issues. Nightly - it helps me sleep as well.
In addition to this, we have started back taking vitamins - a multi and vitamin D and Bs. I don't see a great improvement yet, but I slept better last night, so hopefully it is working.
Work - my passion, my love
1. I am going to cut back. This is hard for me because I am more calm when I am working. This is temporary though and I can work as much as I want, just no marketing whatsoever - no pictures, no posts on Facebook or Instagram.
2. The compromise was that I will take in work if people contact me. There are some I know are coming in the spring for graduation. If they call me, then I will take it.
Homeschool
1. Homeschool is not working as we are going right now. I mean the job is getting done, but there is no fun in it and the kids are struggling, I am struggling. Not in grades, in just being consistent.
2. We decided, for sure, to put them a small private school that is designed to work with homeschoolers. They are going for their basics and we still get to do the electives at home. The fun stuff like logic, health, driving, programming, etc. This does not start until fall, so it will take time, but it should take a ton off my plate.
Home - mainly upkeep and repair
1. There is a LONG list of things that are waiting to be done. Some items are on my mind, but not a ton of them. The main one being the staining and sealing of the french doors and the front door. DH attempted to do that, but it did not work, so I decided to hire someone to finish this work. It is an expense, but I have 4 quilts due in 3 weeks, as well a pillow and 100 police badges. I do not have time and we cannot wait because we are going into wet season and heavily fluctuating temperatures with dead, raw wood. They need to be sealed.
2. Everything else, we made a list, and it was agreed I would let it go. As long as we are working forward and a little gets done every week, I am not going to worry. It is time to pass the baton over to my husband and let him lead the home issues for while.
In our talk, I told DH that I was tired of "paying" for the time that I read a book or visited with friends. I need to get to the point where I can enjoy something again, without the pile at home growing exponentially. I think that is when it hit home for him how much I was carrying.
This won't happen overnight, but it will happen. I feel good about moving forward now. Amazing what a good night of sleep will bring.
Right now, my cup is full so to speak - nerves are raw and I am frazzled. Not a term the docs use - they liked the exhaustion thing, but there you go. I am a little low in iron (working on that) and yep, I need to de-stress.
DH is a little stressed too, but I think his stemming from the debt and the pressure he feels. I feel it too. He is worried about me, too.
Basic Health Needs
1. We bought a blood pressure machine
2. Iron Supplements for me
3. Water - I got lazy about drinking it when I am such a BIG water drinker - dehydration is a problem. So, everyone is helping me. The kids offer to get it when I am busy and I am making a conscious effort to drink more to get back into the habit.
4. Walking - I am struggling to get this back due to the schedule, but we did walk twice over the Thanksgiving break.
5. Stretching - for my lifelong back issues. Nightly - it helps me sleep as well.
In addition to this, we have started back taking vitamins - a multi and vitamin D and Bs. I don't see a great improvement yet, but I slept better last night, so hopefully it is working.
Work - my passion, my love
1. I am going to cut back. This is hard for me because I am more calm when I am working. This is temporary though and I can work as much as I want, just no marketing whatsoever - no pictures, no posts on Facebook or Instagram.
2. The compromise was that I will take in work if people contact me. There are some I know are coming in the spring for graduation. If they call me, then I will take it.
Homeschool
1. Homeschool is not working as we are going right now. I mean the job is getting done, but there is no fun in it and the kids are struggling, I am struggling. Not in grades, in just being consistent.
2. We decided, for sure, to put them a small private school that is designed to work with homeschoolers. They are going for their basics and we still get to do the electives at home. The fun stuff like logic, health, driving, programming, etc. This does not start until fall, so it will take time, but it should take a ton off my plate.
Home - mainly upkeep and repair
1. There is a LONG list of things that are waiting to be done. Some items are on my mind, but not a ton of them. The main one being the staining and sealing of the french doors and the front door. DH attempted to do that, but it did not work, so I decided to hire someone to finish this work. It is an expense, but I have 4 quilts due in 3 weeks, as well a pillow and 100 police badges. I do not have time and we cannot wait because we are going into wet season and heavily fluctuating temperatures with dead, raw wood. They need to be sealed.
2. Everything else, we made a list, and it was agreed I would let it go. As long as we are working forward and a little gets done every week, I am not going to worry. It is time to pass the baton over to my husband and let him lead the home issues for while.
In our talk, I told DH that I was tired of "paying" for the time that I read a book or visited with friends. I need to get to the point where I can enjoy something again, without the pile at home growing exponentially. I think that is when it hit home for him how much I was carrying.
This won't happen overnight, but it will happen. I feel good about moving forward now. Amazing what a good night of sleep will bring.
Monday, November 27, 2017
Monday - not much better
Life is just too busy for me to recover.
I am sick again. No voice. This is the 4th time I lost my voice in 3 months. There is too much stress and so busy. We are trying to lighten the load, but things keep popping up and life is just too busy in general.
Having a child in theater leaves no room for rest.
Thanksgiving was OK. It wasn't too bad. I enjoyed watching the parades, but the dinner was not great. I do not like Thanksgiving food, neither do any of us, so this is the last year of it. The turkey on the grill was good though - DH did a great job with it!
Other days were full.
On Friday, we waited until 1pm, then went to Payless for the 50% off sale. Hobby Lobby for a couple of things - like wrapping paper, bows and Christmas Cards at 50% off as well. Some friends came over Friday night and it was a nice visit - I was tired though.
Saturday, DH and I ran errands for hours - it wore me out. It seemed like every place we had to go was to pick up one thing. It sucked, but necessary. I did put on a soup that morning that was wonderful - a bean, turkey and sausage soup - it was fabulous with a spicy kick. I could barely keep my eyes open after eating.
Sunday, we got up early and caught a morning show of The Man Who Invented Christmas - it was good and everyone enjoyed it. I spent the afternoon grading and planning out the rest of the year in homeschool. Then, started reading and collapsed early.
This morning, we got up early because the cleaners were coming. I went through the cyber Monday deals and used one to register my son for a summer camp - $150 off was a fabulous deal. Nothing else really grabbed at me. I updated my calendar and started transferring to the new one coming up. Both are kept out right now because January plans are coming like wildfire.
I registered DD for the next semester theater auditions - Much Ado about Nothing, it includes a summer Shakespeare camp.
Also, DS#2 stopped by before heading back to college - he had been visiting his dad. No voice is not fun when trying to say goodbye.
We sat outside with our new propane heater (gift card purchase) as it was a bit chilly while the cleaners were here. The kids did their homeschool and I answered questions having to repeat frequently as the wind was often louder than my voice.
I also scheduled times to deliver furniture we are giving to Harvey Victims. I think most of my life is really acting as a secretary.
Now we are back inside and I am exhausted. We still have photography class today so I think I am done. I need to get quilts made - like I am seriously behind, but it is no good starting when I am so tired, I will just screw up. I will sleep in tomorrow and then get a good days work in.
There is so much more to say, but I will have to do it another day. I need to get their photos printed and plan this week's menu.
I saw everyone had a great Thanksgiving - I hope this week is even better for you!
I am sick again. No voice. This is the 4th time I lost my voice in 3 months. There is too much stress and so busy. We are trying to lighten the load, but things keep popping up and life is just too busy in general.
Having a child in theater leaves no room for rest.
Thanksgiving was OK. It wasn't too bad. I enjoyed watching the parades, but the dinner was not great. I do not like Thanksgiving food, neither do any of us, so this is the last year of it. The turkey on the grill was good though - DH did a great job with it!
Other days were full.
On Friday, we waited until 1pm, then went to Payless for the 50% off sale. Hobby Lobby for a couple of things - like wrapping paper, bows and Christmas Cards at 50% off as well. Some friends came over Friday night and it was a nice visit - I was tired though.
Saturday, DH and I ran errands for hours - it wore me out. It seemed like every place we had to go was to pick up one thing. It sucked, but necessary. I did put on a soup that morning that was wonderful - a bean, turkey and sausage soup - it was fabulous with a spicy kick. I could barely keep my eyes open after eating.
Sunday, we got up early and caught a morning show of The Man Who Invented Christmas - it was good and everyone enjoyed it. I spent the afternoon grading and planning out the rest of the year in homeschool. Then, started reading and collapsed early.
This morning, we got up early because the cleaners were coming. I went through the cyber Monday deals and used one to register my son for a summer camp - $150 off was a fabulous deal. Nothing else really grabbed at me. I updated my calendar and started transferring to the new one coming up. Both are kept out right now because January plans are coming like wildfire.
I registered DD for the next semester theater auditions - Much Ado about Nothing, it includes a summer Shakespeare camp.
Also, DS#2 stopped by before heading back to college - he had been visiting his dad. No voice is not fun when trying to say goodbye.
We sat outside with our new propane heater (gift card purchase) as it was a bit chilly while the cleaners were here. The kids did their homeschool and I answered questions having to repeat frequently as the wind was often louder than my voice.
I also scheduled times to deliver furniture we are giving to Harvey Victims. I think most of my life is really acting as a secretary.
Now we are back inside and I am exhausted. We still have photography class today so I think I am done. I need to get quilts made - like I am seriously behind, but it is no good starting when I am so tired, I will just screw up. I will sleep in tomorrow and then get a good days work in.
There is so much more to say, but I will have to do it another day. I need to get their photos printed and plan this week's menu.
I saw everyone had a great Thanksgiving - I hope this week is even better for you!
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
Mind Dump
You all are the sweetest people ever! My goodness - the love was felt!
I was able to get some rest last night - I did not even make it to 10 pm and stayed in bed until I was ready to get up. I never sleep through the night, but I felt like I got better sleep than the past few nights.
Slow is the name of the game today. I need to cook a bit for tomorrow, but I am going to wait until -D gets home - we can do it together. Today is prepare the sweet potato pie, bake the pumpkin cake, devil the eggs, and shop for the last minute fresh stuff. Really not bad at all.
I am still drinking some coffee; it is cool in the house and tastes so good (yes, water in between). I need to eat a little, but my stomach is just not there yet. While I was watching some fun gift idea vlogs on youtube, I did a sort of mind dump to get what is in my head out and see in black and white what is bothering me. In my head, it stays sort of like a tornado - one issue bleeding into another issue, bleeding into another - so that it seems much larger and complicated than it actually is. Very cathartic to do this every now and then - at least for me it is.
One good thing - our 401(k) is valued over $90k! I know it is low for our age, but we are so close to $100k I can taste it. We will be there very soon - maybe not this year, but very early in the new year! This gets me super excited!
Back to mind dump
1. Mostly a list of to-dos. Things that really are pretty easy and -D can help me with. They will take several weekends, but they are all weekend projects.
2. Homeschool vs. Business. This is a big one. I am not sure how to manage both or go without one or the other. Something has to give though. This is a major talking through.
3. Christmas - gifts, cards, etc. Again, a quick talk and moving on - it will be simple this year - I think people will understand.
4. My work to finish and gifts to make. I have decided NOT to make gifts for Christmas, BUT there are a few things I need to make as promised - a quilt made from my grandmother's clothes for my cousin (she cared for my grandmother and was executor - they were close), and the wolves for my step-father in-law's family. I also WANT to make my oldest a quilt - as I have made for all my other children and I WANT to make my husband a quilt as I have already started it and family contributed!
Really those are the main categories.
What I am thinking with my business.
I need to make the 5 quilts that are in my office right now. Quickly. Then, I don't stop the business, but go to zero marketing. If something comes in - I will take it, if not, I sew for fun.
Homeschool is very important to us, but them being on a high school level is very time consuming for me as the teacher. They are involved in activities on top of an intense load.
So, this is a big one - balancing them. There may not be a great answer and it may be something we consistently "limp" through.
Anyway! Are you already starting to cook for Thanksgiving? I hope you have a wondeful, drama-free, cozy day with those you love!
I was able to get some rest last night - I did not even make it to 10 pm and stayed in bed until I was ready to get up. I never sleep through the night, but I felt like I got better sleep than the past few nights.
Slow is the name of the game today. I need to cook a bit for tomorrow, but I am going to wait until -D gets home - we can do it together. Today is prepare the sweet potato pie, bake the pumpkin cake, devil the eggs, and shop for the last minute fresh stuff. Really not bad at all.
I am still drinking some coffee; it is cool in the house and tastes so good (yes, water in between). I need to eat a little, but my stomach is just not there yet. While I was watching some fun gift idea vlogs on youtube, I did a sort of mind dump to get what is in my head out and see in black and white what is bothering me. In my head, it stays sort of like a tornado - one issue bleeding into another issue, bleeding into another - so that it seems much larger and complicated than it actually is. Very cathartic to do this every now and then - at least for me it is.
One good thing - our 401(k) is valued over $90k! I know it is low for our age, but we are so close to $100k I can taste it. We will be there very soon - maybe not this year, but very early in the new year! This gets me super excited!
Back to mind dump
1. Mostly a list of to-dos. Things that really are pretty easy and -D can help me with. They will take several weekends, but they are all weekend projects.
2. Homeschool vs. Business. This is a big one. I am not sure how to manage both or go without one or the other. Something has to give though. This is a major talking through.
3. Christmas - gifts, cards, etc. Again, a quick talk and moving on - it will be simple this year - I think people will understand.
4. My work to finish and gifts to make. I have decided NOT to make gifts for Christmas, BUT there are a few things I need to make as promised - a quilt made from my grandmother's clothes for my cousin (she cared for my grandmother and was executor - they were close), and the wolves for my step-father in-law's family. I also WANT to make my oldest a quilt - as I have made for all my other children and I WANT to make my husband a quilt as I have already started it and family contributed!
Really those are the main categories.
What I am thinking with my business.
I need to make the 5 quilts that are in my office right now. Quickly. Then, I don't stop the business, but go to zero marketing. If something comes in - I will take it, if not, I sew for fun.
Homeschool is very important to us, but them being on a high school level is very time consuming for me as the teacher. They are involved in activities on top of an intense load.
So, this is a big one - balancing them. There may not be a great answer and it may be something we consistently "limp" through.
Anyway! Are you already starting to cook for Thanksgiving? I hope you have a wondeful, drama-free, cozy day with those you love!
Tuesday, November 21, 2017
It is actually Exhaustion
Yes, I have been diagnosed with exhaustion. Seriously. My blood pressure is up. I am not sleeping well. My nutrition is poor, but not because of my eating - my body is literally exhausted.
-D was getting worried about me being so tired, so I went in and yep, an official diagnosis. I have to rest, eat well, take vitamins, exercise (but not to the point of exhaustion) and get the stress down in my life.
So, I think for the rest of the year, we are not going to allow visitors.
I am going to chill out. Just spend as much time at home as possible, not booking early appointments if we HAVE to book them at all. I am not going to take in any more work and Christmas is going to be low key.
I have to track my water intake and keep a food journal, but that should not be too hard.
I was told to get a massage. I am allowed to forgo blood pressure meds right now. There was an unusually high reading for me, but it could be dehydration and the fact I am on decongestants. So, we are waiting a couple of weeks and trying again.
Is anyone really surprised though? I am not. I know I have been running thin. We need to have a family meeting though and really discuss expectations. -D is going to freak, but we will get through this.
Let me tell you folks. Clinical exhaustion is awful. It is beyond tired. I am ready to be myself again.
-D was getting worried about me being so tired, so I went in and yep, an official diagnosis. I have to rest, eat well, take vitamins, exercise (but not to the point of exhaustion) and get the stress down in my life.
So, I think for the rest of the year, we are not going to allow visitors.
I am going to chill out. Just spend as much time at home as possible, not booking early appointments if we HAVE to book them at all. I am not going to take in any more work and Christmas is going to be low key.
I have to track my water intake and keep a food journal, but that should not be too hard.
I was told to get a massage. I am allowed to forgo blood pressure meds right now. There was an unusually high reading for me, but it could be dehydration and the fact I am on decongestants. So, we are waiting a couple of weeks and trying again.
Is anyone really surprised though? I am not. I know I have been running thin. We need to have a family meeting though and really discuss expectations. -D is going to freak, but we will get through this.
Let me tell you folks. Clinical exhaustion is awful. It is beyond tired. I am ready to be myself again.
Monday, November 20, 2017
Completely exahusted
The weekend was very long. I love my elementary friends. Don't get me wrong. It was lovely to see her again after 21 years, however - it completely wore me out.
She did not want to do any of the things I had planned other than shop for Christmas items and decorate. No antique shop, no movie. So, we talked and talked and talked and talked. Her interests are very different from mine. She is extremely opinionated and our opinions are opposite.
She is not intelligent either and has no interest in learning, so it was difficult. I mostly just listened to her. She wants to live in the past and that is just not something I am interested in. However, it was nice to reconnect and talk about childhood a bit. One day would have been good, but she was here for 3. My whole family is just not used to that length. I will do more in the future to curb that.
On to other things, my hormones are going CRAZY! I am in peri-menopause and have been for about 2 years for sure. I am very late and thinking I will skip this monthly visit. We will see - no I am not pregnant. It still feels like I am PMSing though, so that sucks 2 weeks of PMS.
We did mostly set up Christmas decorations though. The big tree needs to go up and I need to organize the Nutcrackers as well as get the outside wreath in shape. The house really looks cozy with the 2 smaller trees, a garland on the mantle and the stockings.
If I have not said before - we have 3 trees. The big one is the family tree with all the ornaments from the kids and our lives over the years. One of the smaller trees has ornaments from all the states we visited as well as the national parks and monuments. The other smaller tree has the White House Historical Society ornaments that come out every year. We have all of them. They are gorgeous!
To recover, I am going to read and nap. Probably nap first.
She did not want to do any of the things I had planned other than shop for Christmas items and decorate. No antique shop, no movie. So, we talked and talked and talked and talked. Her interests are very different from mine. She is extremely opinionated and our opinions are opposite.
She is not intelligent either and has no interest in learning, so it was difficult. I mostly just listened to her. She wants to live in the past and that is just not something I am interested in. However, it was nice to reconnect and talk about childhood a bit. One day would have been good, but she was here for 3. My whole family is just not used to that length. I will do more in the future to curb that.
On to other things, my hormones are going CRAZY! I am in peri-menopause and have been for about 2 years for sure. I am very late and thinking I will skip this monthly visit. We will see - no I am not pregnant. It still feels like I am PMSing though, so that sucks 2 weeks of PMS.
We did mostly set up Christmas decorations though. The big tree needs to go up and I need to organize the Nutcrackers as well as get the outside wreath in shape. The house really looks cozy with the 2 smaller trees, a garland on the mantle and the stockings.
If I have not said before - we have 3 trees. The big one is the family tree with all the ornaments from the kids and our lives over the years. One of the smaller trees has ornaments from all the states we visited as well as the national parks and monuments. The other smaller tree has the White House Historical Society ornaments that come out every year. We have all of them. They are gorgeous!
To recover, I am going to read and nap. Probably nap first.
Friday, November 17, 2017
Company's here!
My sweet DS#2 come home last night. DS#1 came to visit with him and they went riding around - ah, youth. DS#2 came home sick, with a duffle full of laundry. LOL
I stuffed him with soup, some medicine, the neti pot, helped him start his clothes, made him take a shower, then he felt better. He said our new place smelled like home. Isn't that just the sweetest thing!?!
I am letting all the kiddos sleep in this morning, so I can go a little slow. I need to work, but I am having a hard time getting started because a friend from elementary is coming in this weekend! I have not talked to her in at least 10 years and have not seen her in 25 years. Should be interesting. I am not sure what we have in common anymore.
However, she said she was willing to help me out in any way since I have been so stressed lately. I am going to put her to work (not really).
Tomorrow, I think we will shop at an antique type store I have been dying to go to - their sign says, "If you like Chip and Joanna, You will Love Us! We're cheaper!" Cracks me up. We went to Waco and stopped by their store - Magnolia. It is very expensive and crowded oh man. There was a waiting line to get into the store!
Anyway, I would go there, then to Hobby Lobby for a few Christmas things - taking advantage of the sale and coupon, then go see Bad Moms Christmas. Having lunch along the way. Then back to the house, for time in the hot tub and just visiting.
Then on Sunday, I was going to have her help decorate with us. Or make something for her grandkids (embroidery wise).
I am not a go-go-go out and about person. I am a homebody.
Luckily, we have a lot to catch up on, so I don't think there will be lingering lulls in the conversation.
What all are y'all up to this weekend?
I stuffed him with soup, some medicine, the neti pot, helped him start his clothes, made him take a shower, then he felt better. He said our new place smelled like home. Isn't that just the sweetest thing!?!
I am letting all the kiddos sleep in this morning, so I can go a little slow. I need to work, but I am having a hard time getting started because a friend from elementary is coming in this weekend! I have not talked to her in at least 10 years and have not seen her in 25 years. Should be interesting. I am not sure what we have in common anymore.
However, she said she was willing to help me out in any way since I have been so stressed lately. I am going to put her to work (not really).
Tomorrow, I think we will shop at an antique type store I have been dying to go to - their sign says, "If you like Chip and Joanna, You will Love Us! We're cheaper!" Cracks me up. We went to Waco and stopped by their store - Magnolia. It is very expensive and crowded oh man. There was a waiting line to get into the store!
Anyway, I would go there, then to Hobby Lobby for a few Christmas things - taking advantage of the sale and coupon, then go see Bad Moms Christmas. Having lunch along the way. Then back to the house, for time in the hot tub and just visiting.
Then on Sunday, I was going to have her help decorate with us. Or make something for her grandkids (embroidery wise).
I am not a go-go-go out and about person. I am a homebody.
Luckily, we have a lot to catch up on, so I don't think there will be lingering lulls in the conversation.
What all are y'all up to this weekend?
Thursday, November 16, 2017
Morning "Coffee"
Well, this Morning "Coffee" with our homeschool is going brilliantly! I have a cup o' joe and DD has a latte or hot chocolate and DS#3 has a hot chocolate or apple juice.
We start at 9 am, then go over history and literature because they are tied together. Then we work on Latin. 2 days a week we add Science and Logic. After group time, they do their individual work with math, vocabulary, writing and any work left over from the group time.
The morning starts with low energy, moving slow teens, but after a few discussion questions, their energy increases and they are good to go! Math scores have gotten better and their writing is is more mature. The Morning "Coffee" has given us much more than I ever dreamed!
There is a thing going around the homeschool community that has a Morning Basket - consisting of a devotional, prayer, poetry, etc.
Well, we are more secular in our home with school AND my teens want to be adults (like most teen do). So, I thought Dad has morning meetings and most everyone brings coffee to the conference room, so why don't we? It is like a morning-get-the-day-going meeting. I usually have handouts - ie, weekly schedule, declension sheets, graded papers, etc.
It also keeps us on a schedule. I am scheduling appointments and my day around this meeting. Even if I have errands, we just make the meeting short - only doing history and literature, and then I leave to run the errands.
So far this week, we have met every morning and it is getting easier for me and they are loving the consistency. They don't know, but I am training them to get up earlier, eat breakfast and have a morning routine. It is not as early as public schools, but I always hated that they started class at 7:20 am anyway. 9 am is good for all of us.
At this point, I love all our curriculum choices, but science. It is the most difficult one to do and not because of experiments, it is just finding one that is secular and can be taught at home. Textbooks are very dry and not made for homeschool, more for someone with a science teaching background. Homeschool classes in the area do not teach secular science, so we just have to push through. Luckily, -D is doing the experiments with them on the weekends. He lectures a bit, but it is good for them to get used to that!
Today is the first day this week that I am able to stay home the entire day. DS#2 is coming in from college and I have work to do! I am hoping to get 2 quilts finished today.
We start at 9 am, then go over history and literature because they are tied together. Then we work on Latin. 2 days a week we add Science and Logic. After group time, they do their individual work with math, vocabulary, writing and any work left over from the group time.
The morning starts with low energy, moving slow teens, but after a few discussion questions, their energy increases and they are good to go! Math scores have gotten better and their writing is is more mature. The Morning "Coffee" has given us much more than I ever dreamed!
There is a thing going around the homeschool community that has a Morning Basket - consisting of a devotional, prayer, poetry, etc.
Well, we are more secular in our home with school AND my teens want to be adults (like most teen do). So, I thought Dad has morning meetings and most everyone brings coffee to the conference room, so why don't we? It is like a morning-get-the-day-going meeting. I usually have handouts - ie, weekly schedule, declension sheets, graded papers, etc.
It also keeps us on a schedule. I am scheduling appointments and my day around this meeting. Even if I have errands, we just make the meeting short - only doing history and literature, and then I leave to run the errands.
So far this week, we have met every morning and it is getting easier for me and they are loving the consistency. They don't know, but I am training them to get up earlier, eat breakfast and have a morning routine. It is not as early as public schools, but I always hated that they started class at 7:20 am anyway. 9 am is good for all of us.
At this point, I love all our curriculum choices, but science. It is the most difficult one to do and not because of experiments, it is just finding one that is secular and can be taught at home. Textbooks are very dry and not made for homeschool, more for someone with a science teaching background. Homeschool classes in the area do not teach secular science, so we just have to push through. Luckily, -D is doing the experiments with them on the weekends. He lectures a bit, but it is good for them to get used to that!
Today is the first day this week that I am able to stay home the entire day. DS#2 is coming in from college and I have work to do! I am hoping to get 2 quilts finished today.
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Christmas Decor obsessed!
My need want to put up Christmas is overwhelming me. I thought I was alone in this, but on Facebook several of my friends are beginning to put up their trees already!
Now, we are literally 1 week away from when I would normally put up decorations. We ALWAYS put it up either on Thanksgiving or that weekend. Since all my kids will be with me on Thanksgiving, I really think we are going to start decorating very soon. I will put the tree up, but we will wait to hang ornaments until Thanksgiving Day.
We are not going to do much outside as noone can really see our house from the road. However, I want to make the front porch charming! What I would LOVE is a sleigh to prop in the corner, but they are so expensive - who knew?
My father in law talked about this once. The years where people really go all out with the Christmas decorations tend to be the years that there are hard times. This year is no different. I truly believe all the talk about Christmas here is because of Harvey.
I know for me it has been a very rough year - just the house building was trying enough, but 2 deaths - a whole generation for me is gone. All my grandparents have now passed. We lost one parent, so it is the start of another generation leaving. I am still seriously underwater with things and trying desperately to catch up.
So, Christmas, for me, is the brightness in this trying year.
How about you? Ready to start decorating?
Now, we are literally 1 week away from when I would normally put up decorations. We ALWAYS put it up either on Thanksgiving or that weekend. Since all my kids will be with me on Thanksgiving, I really think we are going to start decorating very soon. I will put the tree up, but we will wait to hang ornaments until Thanksgiving Day.
We are not going to do much outside as noone can really see our house from the road. However, I want to make the front porch charming! What I would LOVE is a sleigh to prop in the corner, but they are so expensive - who knew?
My father in law talked about this once. The years where people really go all out with the Christmas decorations tend to be the years that there are hard times. This year is no different. I truly believe all the talk about Christmas here is because of Harvey.
I know for me it has been a very rough year - just the house building was trying enough, but 2 deaths - a whole generation for me is gone. All my grandparents have now passed. We lost one parent, so it is the start of another generation leaving. I am still seriously underwater with things and trying desperately to catch up.
So, Christmas, for me, is the brightness in this trying year.
How about you? Ready to start decorating?
Tuesday, November 14, 2017
House Pictures!
OK, I finally took some more pictures of the house. There are still a few more things I want to show you, but not too much more.
Cords and all - our living room. The books are not all up yet and that is my heating pad draped over my chair. There is so much room - this is the largest living room I ever had! The picture doesn't show it though.
BEAMS! I LOVE these beams. They are so rustic and gorgeous. We were told that they came from an old Mennonite barn in Wisconsin.
Our stone fireplace. I cannot have a house without it - this is the 4th house I have put a stone fireplace in. We are going to do something about those wires - just no chance yet!
Another view of the living room from behind the couch looking out to the patio.
This is the front entry and part of my office as looking from the living room.
This is my messy office. The room is a different shape and smaller than what I wanted, but I am going to make it work. Quilts on the ironing board, blue bags with more quilts to make. The embroidery machine I have yet to turn on!
This is the entry from my office. These are raw doors that I have to stain. My list is getting longer.
This is looking back down the house from the entry - the kitchen to the right and living to the left. All our bedrooms are back this way.
I think I mentioned back in August that I was able to take one of my grandmother's chairs and that it was interesting. This is it! It sits in my bedroom. It is VERY comfortable and the fabric is growing on me.
This is the best picture I could get of our bedroom. It is not particularly large, but we do not need a large bedroom.
This is a new dresser that we bought this summer. We are not using it as dresser, more storage and entertainment center, but I LOVE it - semi-rustic and about 4 1/2 feet tall. I got for less than $100 -That may be why I love it so much!
The famous shower in the master bath. Double rain heads and it feels like walking into a spa every day! I literally cannot believe we own a shower like this - never before and probably never again will we have a shower this good.
This is the master bathroom looking from the door to the patio. The shower is on the left, water closet at the end and clothing closet to the right. We kept it smaller because we did not need lots and lots of space. It is actually a very good size for the little time we spend here.
This is our master closet. It is huge to us. There is a motion light and what I could not get a good angle on is all the shelves - both to the left and right. We have a seat on the left with an electric outlet that we charge our phones at night and can sit down to put on shoes, etc. There is cabinet above the seat as well. It is amazing.
This is the view of the patio from the master bathroom door. Our hot tub! So far, we have used it about 3 times per week. It is lovely.
This is the patio from the screen that blocks the hot tub. Our outdoor living room. It is so comfortable. We all have taken naps out here and D and I have morning coffee on the weekends lounging on the sofa.
This is the outdoor kitchen area - complete with sink, pull out trash drawer, soft close storage drawers and cabinet and a mini fridge. This is the grill that we are cooking on turkey in. It is hooked up to the house propane, so no more small tanks to fill!
Our dining room - The table is 7' long and made our of reclaimed teak wood from a boat! The iron work underneath is custom made. The chairs are the ultimate, but they will do for now.
Our view from the patio and living room. So far, we have sees roadrunners, rabbits, deer and a racoon.
It was too dark to get a great picture and no still picture will do this justice. This is our $50 water fountain! It sounds gorgeous and D put a light in it so glows on the trickling water and sends a ripple light on the ceiling above. Very relaxing.
This is the custom stained glass we had made for the actual front door. This is from inside on the patio - the colors shine into the living room in the evening before sunset.
This is the front door of the house.
This is the mostly finished house! You can see the rye grass and clover seed we spread out is already growing! It looks so much better than the crappy dirt blowing and muddy!
This is the house and barn/shed. There is a lot of work on the land to do, but we need to give it time to settle and let the land get fertile. I am not sure trees would grow if we planted them now.
Well, that is it! We love our little home. I it about 2,200sq ft, so not super huge, but big enough. I still want to show you the storage room, laundry room and loft area, but that will come in time.
OH - almost forgot! We are closing tomorrow! YEAH!!! Finally! It really is not closing, because we already closed in May, but it is a modification of the loan. We had to jump through the same hoops, so it feels like a closing. Anyway, tomorrow we sign the papers and then we have a mortgage. So glad to be moving forward now!
Cords and all - our living room. The books are not all up yet and that is my heating pad draped over my chair. There is so much room - this is the largest living room I ever had! The picture doesn't show it though.
BEAMS! I LOVE these beams. They are so rustic and gorgeous. We were told that they came from an old Mennonite barn in Wisconsin.
Our stone fireplace. I cannot have a house without it - this is the 4th house I have put a stone fireplace in. We are going to do something about those wires - just no chance yet!
Another view of the living room from behind the couch looking out to the patio.
This is the front entry and part of my office as looking from the living room.
This is my messy office. The room is a different shape and smaller than what I wanted, but I am going to make it work. Quilts on the ironing board, blue bags with more quilts to make. The embroidery machine I have yet to turn on!
This is the entry from my office. These are raw doors that I have to stain. My list is getting longer.
This is looking back down the house from the entry - the kitchen to the right and living to the left. All our bedrooms are back this way.
I think I mentioned back in August that I was able to take one of my grandmother's chairs and that it was interesting. This is it! It sits in my bedroom. It is VERY comfortable and the fabric is growing on me.
This is the best picture I could get of our bedroom. It is not particularly large, but we do not need a large bedroom.
This is a new dresser that we bought this summer. We are not using it as dresser, more storage and entertainment center, but I LOVE it - semi-rustic and about 4 1/2 feet tall. I got for less than $100 -That may be why I love it so much!
The famous shower in the master bath. Double rain heads and it feels like walking into a spa every day! I literally cannot believe we own a shower like this - never before and probably never again will we have a shower this good.
This is the master bathroom looking from the door to the patio. The shower is on the left, water closet at the end and clothing closet to the right. We kept it smaller because we did not need lots and lots of space. It is actually a very good size for the little time we spend here.
This is our master closet. It is huge to us. There is a motion light and what I could not get a good angle on is all the shelves - both to the left and right. We have a seat on the left with an electric outlet that we charge our phones at night and can sit down to put on shoes, etc. There is cabinet above the seat as well. It is amazing.
This is the view of the patio from the master bathroom door. Our hot tub! So far, we have used it about 3 times per week. It is lovely.
This is the patio from the screen that blocks the hot tub. Our outdoor living room. It is so comfortable. We all have taken naps out here and D and I have morning coffee on the weekends lounging on the sofa.
This is the outdoor kitchen area - complete with sink, pull out trash drawer, soft close storage drawers and cabinet and a mini fridge. This is the grill that we are cooking on turkey in. It is hooked up to the house propane, so no more small tanks to fill!
Our dining room - The table is 7' long and made our of reclaimed teak wood from a boat! The iron work underneath is custom made. The chairs are the ultimate, but they will do for now.
Our view from the patio and living room. So far, we have sees roadrunners, rabbits, deer and a racoon.
It was too dark to get a great picture and no still picture will do this justice. This is our $50 water fountain! It sounds gorgeous and D put a light in it so glows on the trickling water and sends a ripple light on the ceiling above. Very relaxing.
This is the custom stained glass we had made for the actual front door. This is from inside on the patio - the colors shine into the living room in the evening before sunset.
This is the front door of the house.
This is the mostly finished house! You can see the rye grass and clover seed we spread out is already growing! It looks so much better than the crappy dirt blowing and muddy!
This is the house and barn/shed. There is a lot of work on the land to do, but we need to give it time to settle and let the land get fertile. I am not sure trees would grow if we planted them now.
Well, that is it! We love our little home. I it about 2,200sq ft, so not super huge, but big enough. I still want to show you the storage room, laundry room and loft area, but that will come in time.
OH - almost forgot! We are closing tomorrow! YEAH!!! Finally! It really is not closing, because we already closed in May, but it is a modification of the loan. We had to jump through the same hoops, so it feels like a closing. Anyway, tomorrow we sign the papers and then we have a mortgage. So glad to be moving forward now!
Monday, November 13, 2017
Chaos Reigns
I am finally done being sick - still a little drainage, but mostly back to normal. I feel certain it is the new house smells and dust doing us in. I am taking some time to air out the house, but we all have fall allergies, so it is 6 or a 1/2 of dozen.
All in time.
My work office is still not set up. We have not unpacked any boxes in over 2 weeks. We have worked on the yard, and setting up things however.
The kids have photography class today and I have to run to the grocery store for the free turkey my son gets for working at a grocery store. I still took advantage of the buy a ham, get a turkey - now we will be set for all the holidays.
Yesterday the entire day went to making a menu, writing a grocery shopping list, gathering coupons, loading coupons, grocery shopping and unloading. It was a stock up time. I did not have vinegar, spices, lemon or lime juice, flours, baking mixes, etc and most all of it was on sale. We spent nearly 1/2 of our monthly budget on food, but I am not sure how it could be helped. We saved close to 40%, so the bill would have been much more if I did not take advantage of the sale. The spices were buy one, get one free - so that was major! I cannot wait for a garden when I can grow most of this stuff.
We also bought as much as we could for Thanksgiving - things tend to run out here like heavy cream, eggs and baking mixes.
Speaking of Thanksgiving dinner:
Breakfast /Appetizers:
Sausage Balls
Cheese Ball with crackers
Fresh veggies
Dinner:
Rotisserie Turkey (on our new grill, so excited about that!)
Stuffing and gravy
Green Bean Casserole
Sweet Potato Pie - YUCK! I am doing this for my son, but I do not like it.
Fruit Salad with whipped cream
Deviled Eggs
Cranberry Sauce
Rolls
Desserts:
Pecan Pie
Pumpkin Bundt Cake
Before that though, DS#2 is coming home from college Thursday. My best friend from elementary is coming to visit this weekend. DD's play is premiering right after Thanksgiving, so she has more rehearsals. We got behind in homeschool, so we are trying to catch up!
We made a deal with the builder that we would finish the house if we did not owe him anymore. Sigh - it is a bittersweet thing. We are so strapped for time, but I have now have 3 raw doors that need to be stained and sealed. Usually I do that, but I have 6 quilts to get done before Christmas, so I am really hurting for time.
Good news about all this is that it keeps us from spending money! LOL I am too busy to spend money.
No word on the closing yet. Tick tock.
Well, gotta run - questions to answer for homeschool!
All in time.
My work office is still not set up. We have not unpacked any boxes in over 2 weeks. We have worked on the yard, and setting up things however.
The kids have photography class today and I have to run to the grocery store for the free turkey my son gets for working at a grocery store. I still took advantage of the buy a ham, get a turkey - now we will be set for all the holidays.
Yesterday the entire day went to making a menu, writing a grocery shopping list, gathering coupons, loading coupons, grocery shopping and unloading. It was a stock up time. I did not have vinegar, spices, lemon or lime juice, flours, baking mixes, etc and most all of it was on sale. We spent nearly 1/2 of our monthly budget on food, but I am not sure how it could be helped. We saved close to 40%, so the bill would have been much more if I did not take advantage of the sale. The spices were buy one, get one free - so that was major! I cannot wait for a garden when I can grow most of this stuff.
We also bought as much as we could for Thanksgiving - things tend to run out here like heavy cream, eggs and baking mixes.
Speaking of Thanksgiving dinner:
Breakfast /Appetizers:
Sausage Balls
Cheese Ball with crackers
Fresh veggies
Dinner:
Rotisserie Turkey (on our new grill, so excited about that!)
Stuffing and gravy
Green Bean Casserole
Sweet Potato Pie - YUCK! I am doing this for my son, but I do not like it.
Fruit Salad with whipped cream
Deviled Eggs
Cranberry Sauce
Rolls
Desserts:
Pecan Pie
Pumpkin Bundt Cake
Before that though, DS#2 is coming home from college Thursday. My best friend from elementary is coming to visit this weekend. DD's play is premiering right after Thanksgiving, so she has more rehearsals. We got behind in homeschool, so we are trying to catch up!
We made a deal with the builder that we would finish the house if we did not owe him anymore. Sigh - it is a bittersweet thing. We are so strapped for time, but I have now have 3 raw doors that need to be stained and sealed. Usually I do that, but I have 6 quilts to get done before Christmas, so I am really hurting for time.
Good news about all this is that it keeps us from spending money! LOL I am too busy to spend money.
No word on the closing yet. Tick tock.
Well, gotta run - questions to answer for homeschool!
Saturday, November 11, 2017
Our temp to perm budget
We did sit down and hash out the budget last night. We were tired, but pushed through. There were bills to pay and 2 months of reconciling to do, as well as planning, etc.
There is not a long term plan as of yet - there is too much up the air still - closing on house, finishing with the builder, receiving the inheritance, the holidays, the yard, etc.
As of now, we plan on hitting CC#1 immediately. We paid a little over $2,000 toward it last night, but held off putting all the savings toward it because of closing on the home. We are waiting for that first and foremost. They are in the final underwriting, so hopefully we close this next week. I think we may lose our locked in interest rate, but we will see.
OK, that is the first step.
Second step - Waiting for the bonus and inheritance money to come in. We decided to pay the 401(k) and CC#4. CC#1, #4 and 401(k) are all the largest cash flow items and would be best to pay off as soon as possible. We are not going smallest to largest, according to Dave Ramsey, because of the large amount coming in at once. We decided to go with what would make the biggest cash flow impact. We would like to have all three gone by the end of the year, but that would be VERY, VERY tight, so we will see. I am done with Christmas gift buying, so it just may happen.
We did not go further really because we need to see how the rest of this year pans out.
However, we began saving for irregular expenses - which makes me feel so much more secure.
These include: EZ Tag (toll roads), Home Maintenance/Repair, Medical, Birthdays, Homeschool, Vacations, Car Insurance, Christmas, Electric, Propane, Car Repair, Pest Control, Auto Registration/Inspection, HOA dues, Hair cuts, Clothing, Beef, Trash, and Summer Camps.
With these, we typically can cash flow most everything that comes up.
Our budget will change heavily for a while since living in the country has different types of bills than in the city. Auto gas is a little more, but we have no water bills or septic bills. But, septic must be cleaned out every now and then and I have no idea how much that costs.
So, we have a budget now - feels terrific! A plan for slashing the debt. A beautiful place to live. We are truly living the high life.
There is not a long term plan as of yet - there is too much up the air still - closing on house, finishing with the builder, receiving the inheritance, the holidays, the yard, etc.
As of now, we plan on hitting CC#1 immediately. We paid a little over $2,000 toward it last night, but held off putting all the savings toward it because of closing on the home. We are waiting for that first and foremost. They are in the final underwriting, so hopefully we close this next week. I think we may lose our locked in interest rate, but we will see.
OK, that is the first step.
Second step - Waiting for the bonus and inheritance money to come in. We decided to pay the 401(k) and CC#4. CC#1, #4 and 401(k) are all the largest cash flow items and would be best to pay off as soon as possible. We are not going smallest to largest, according to Dave Ramsey, because of the large amount coming in at once. We decided to go with what would make the biggest cash flow impact. We would like to have all three gone by the end of the year, but that would be VERY, VERY tight, so we will see. I am done with Christmas gift buying, so it just may happen.
We did not go further really because we need to see how the rest of this year pans out.
However, we began saving for irregular expenses - which makes me feel so much more secure.
These include: EZ Tag (toll roads), Home Maintenance/Repair, Medical, Birthdays, Homeschool, Vacations, Car Insurance, Christmas, Electric, Propane, Car Repair, Pest Control, Auto Registration/Inspection, HOA dues, Hair cuts, Clothing, Beef, Trash, and Summer Camps.
With these, we typically can cash flow most everything that comes up.
Our budget will change heavily for a while since living in the country has different types of bills than in the city. Auto gas is a little more, but we have no water bills or septic bills. But, septic must be cleaned out every now and then and I have no idea how much that costs.
So, we have a budget now - feels terrific! A plan for slashing the debt. A beautiful place to live. We are truly living the high life.
Friday, November 10, 2017
Fridays Numbers
I am prepping for our budget meeting. So many things have popped up - like Septic Walk Through, errands and just life.
So, I thought we may have to actually sit down and do the budget tonight. In getting ready for that, I decided to go ahead and post our numbers today.
Disclaimer: I don't want anyone thinking this is how they should work a budget or follow in my footsteps - this is a lesson on how NOT to do your money. I will not tolerate bashing of any kind. We are both pulling up our big girl and boy britches and tackling this debt with a vengeance. Also, I would not trade this house for anything - I love where we are right now and I am owning up to the debt that got us here - I don't blame anyone nor do I expect anyone else to pay it - ever. We have a pretty big shovel (Dave Ramsey term), so here we go.
I will post our plan on Saturday or Sunday depending on when we hash it out.
Debts:
401(k) loan for land - $42,627 (nothing but a bunch of stupid - love the land, hate how we bought it)
CC#1 - 30,400.81 (life gone out of control)
CC#2 - $13,943.95 (some of this is college, some is car repair, and the rest is travel for the family deaths this year)
CC#3 - $17,279.17 (This is the RV)
CC#4 - $32,855.22 (This was mainly what we spent on the house build)
Truck - $21,753.52 (used, but we financed all of it)
Car - $7,013.68 (we bought a good used car, paid 1/2 in cash from what we got in the insurance settlement and had to financed the rest.)
Mortgage - $332,480.00
Total Non-Mortgage - $165, 874.09
Total Debt - $498,354.09
We do have an idea of how to tackle this, we just don't have the specific numbers yet. Around $100,000 will be used to pay off debt by the end of year, between my inheritance, the amount we have saved for closing and a bonus we know is coming. We are paying off the 401(k) loan first. It needs a lump sum - you cannot put small amounts toward it (which sucks). It gives us the biggest bang immediately both in future money and monthly cash flow. CC#1-3 are next. Then, we have to chunk away at the rest. I won't know how much monthly will go toward it until January when we get the new balances on the 401(k) payoff and the social security adjustment.
OK, I came clean. Now we move forward with intensity. Our #1 goal is to payoff the non-mortgage debt by the end of 2018 while cash flowing college and life.
Let's get it going!
So, I thought we may have to actually sit down and do the budget tonight. In getting ready for that, I decided to go ahead and post our numbers today.
Disclaimer: I don't want anyone thinking this is how they should work a budget or follow in my footsteps - this is a lesson on how NOT to do your money. I will not tolerate bashing of any kind. We are both pulling up our big girl and boy britches and tackling this debt with a vengeance. Also, I would not trade this house for anything - I love where we are right now and I am owning up to the debt that got us here - I don't blame anyone nor do I expect anyone else to pay it - ever. We have a pretty big shovel (Dave Ramsey term), so here we go.
I will post our plan on Saturday or Sunday depending on when we hash it out.
Debts:
401(k) loan for land - $42,627 (nothing but a bunch of stupid - love the land, hate how we bought it)
CC#1 - 30,400.81 (life gone out of control)
CC#2 - $13,943.95 (some of this is college, some is car repair, and the rest is travel for the family deaths this year)
CC#3 - $17,279.17 (This is the RV)
CC#4 - $32,855.22 (This was mainly what we spent on the house build)
Truck - $21,753.52 (used, but we financed all of it)
Car - $7,013.68 (we bought a good used car, paid 1/2 in cash from what we got in the insurance settlement and had to financed the rest.)
Mortgage - $332,480.00
Total Non-Mortgage - $165, 874.09
Total Debt - $498,354.09
We do have an idea of how to tackle this, we just don't have the specific numbers yet. Around $100,000 will be used to pay off debt by the end of year, between my inheritance, the amount we have saved for closing and a bonus we know is coming. We are paying off the 401(k) loan first. It needs a lump sum - you cannot put small amounts toward it (which sucks). It gives us the biggest bang immediately both in future money and monthly cash flow. CC#1-3 are next. Then, we have to chunk away at the rest. I won't know how much monthly will go toward it until January when we get the new balances on the 401(k) payoff and the social security adjustment.
OK, I came clean. Now we move forward with intensity. Our #1 goal is to payoff the non-mortgage debt by the end of 2018 while cash flowing college and life.
Let's get it going!
Thursday, November 9, 2017
The No Days
This past week, although my posts have been about the exciting, have been no days.
We stopped homeschool.
I, mostly, stopped working.
The house is a big mess.
And not much has gotten done.
We are still sick. K (DS#3) and I are almost done - the last vestiges of the hacking cough and stuffy nose. We are still taking decongestants and sleeping with humidifiers, doing the neti pot and taking vitamins C & D.
L (DD) is in the throws of it. Poor thing. She got it last.
D and I decided that this week is all about getting us better, so we are doing the bare minimum and getting rest. I am not above thinking it may have something to do with the building dust. We are going to change to the house filters asap and really work at cleaning this weekend - like vacuuming the walls and such, again.
Since we are just resting, we took our new to us care to get looked at. There was a scrapping sound at the back wheel, the cigarette lighter did not work (could not charge cell phones), the windshield washer fluid would not spray, and the trunk could not open from the pull switch inside the car. All of that is repaired now. So, it really feels like a new, new to us car.
I know I keep saying it, but I am really starting to feel like me again. I am home, things are normalizing, I have a kitchen... It really is bliss.
We stopped homeschool.
I, mostly, stopped working.
The house is a big mess.
And not much has gotten done.
We are still sick. K (DS#3) and I are almost done - the last vestiges of the hacking cough and stuffy nose. We are still taking decongestants and sleeping with humidifiers, doing the neti pot and taking vitamins C & D.
L (DD) is in the throws of it. Poor thing. She got it last.
D and I decided that this week is all about getting us better, so we are doing the bare minimum and getting rest. I am not above thinking it may have something to do with the building dust. We are going to change to the house filters asap and really work at cleaning this weekend - like vacuuming the walls and such, again.
Since we are just resting, we took our new to us care to get looked at. There was a scrapping sound at the back wheel, the cigarette lighter did not work (could not charge cell phones), the windshield washer fluid would not spray, and the trunk could not open from the pull switch inside the car. All of that is repaired now. So, it really feels like a new, new to us car.
I know I keep saying it, but I am really starting to feel like me again. I am home, things are normalizing, I have a kitchen... It really is bliss.
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