Less Than Extreme

February almost went by without a blog post. 

This is what's on my mind:

I've been watching Extreme Couponing on Netflix.  I'm tempted to try my hand a minor version of this but I don't really want a huge stockpile.  I only want to get a few extra items of what we need and use.  When we moved I threw out too many boxes of expired food items that we never got around to eating.  I spent part of my day clipping and sorting coupons for a small trip tomorrow.  My closest grocery store only doubles up to 15 coupons (40 cents and under). 


I've been doing a little bit more of a Flylady routine.  Not that you could tell with the pile of birthday toys that my children brought home from their parties this year.  But, my sink is mostly clean. 

I want to cook at home more and am thinking about a refrigerator clean out challenge.  I don't know what's in the back of my fridge and I can't see what's in the back of my freezer.

My Tiny Baby Princess Has Turned Into A Goth Gal

The era of buying ahead when I see a good deal is pretty much over.  My almost ten year old girl -is not having it- anymore.  No more pastels.  No more puppy dog prints.  No more anything cutesy or girly. 

I filled a laundry basket with clothes that she doesn't like.  Yes, I could make her wear them anyway.  She would do it so she wouldn't hurt my feelings.  She is a nice kid like that.  But, I do think she should have a lot of say over what she wears as long as it's appropriate and covers her parts.  She's allowed to express her individuality.  I know what it's like to have to wear clothes you don't like.  It's no fun.

So, I turned to Thred Up to help me find plain black and red clothes for her.  I've always had good luck with my purchases from there.  Today I bought eight kid's items for about $40 including shipping and I ordered a bag to fill with our outcasts. 

There are some pretty good coupon codes for first time users.  If you go through this link we can both get $10 on our next purchases too. 
http://www.thredup.com/r/BTGXTF

Just Checking In- Just Rambling On

Seems as though I'm a once a month blogger now.

We haven't finished cleaning up our old house to sell yet.  It's so close.  I have to tell you that I'm so glad it's the last time I have to clean that house.  Every room upstairs and down has white doors and white railing- so much area to dust and for little fingers to smudge.  It's a pretty nightmare.
Anyway,  my Mom left me enough money that we are financially able to pay off that mortgage this month!  Yay!  And once it's sold that money will hopefully get us enough to pay off our new house.  I just need to push myself to get it done and listed.   Because we've never been this close to being debt free. 

Today I am at home with my sick boy.  I have started searching job ads and thinking about returning to school to get more marketable skills.   I would like to have a part time job to get me out of the house and to make a little money for our retirement/savings.  Honestly, I loved being at home with the kids and I miss having them with me every day.  But, now that they are in school all day it seems like I should be doing more with myself.   Also, I'm not sure how well it will work out since I'm the parent on call for sick days, errands, and the weekends/night when my husband has to work.  His new job is satisfying for him on many levels but the hours he's working significantly cut into family time.  It's a good thing I am home.  I don't know.  I honestly don't. 

Tonight I am in charge of my daughter's Girl Scout meeting.  We're working on a service project by writing letters to soldiers and children in the hospital.   My daughter's new girl scout troop experience is pretty dissatisfying.  They don't get sashes or vests and no one bothers with badges.  This is only our second service project of the year and we've had no field trips.   I really don't want to be in charge of the troop either so I don't feel like I can really complain.  None of the other moms are upset by this lack of organization either.   Anyone have any ideas for me here?  This is our third year with GS and I've always been a peripheral part of it.  My daughter said she's not that interested in doing it again next year because the troop doesn't do much but I think it is such a positive thing and it has helped her meet new girls at her new school.  

Better go check on my sick munchkin.  He's actually in the mood to snuggle today so I am missing out.  So little time left when they'll actually cuddle with me.  Time flies when you don't know you're having fun.  

Still Here. Still Blessed.

I'm still here.  Just been busy as I'm sure all of you have been too. 

I have been a stressed out mess worrying about making this the best Christmas ever for everyone and also feeling so sad that my Mom wouldn't be here. 

Well, Christmas came and it was wonderful.  My brothers came to our house.  We had great food.  I think everyone loved what I bought for them and it wasn't sad at all.  I felt pretty content all day.

My favorite gifts were second hand.  My brothers brought me a bookshelf that I'd been wanting from my Mom's house.  My husband and kids bought me a silver heart locket and a Barbara Michaels book from Goodwill.

I also got an entire bag full of tea and a Walgreens card so I'm all set if anyone gets a head cold.

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday.   I'll try to get back on here soon.  Things aren't quite so bleak in my little corner of the world and I have a lot of projects and decorating I'd like to do in the new house.   I know I haven't posted any pictures of it yet.  Soon. 

A Better Philosophy For Holiday Shopping

I wish I had read Libby Balke's of Bargain Babe Christmas shopping post earlier this year. 

It's too late for me to stick to only three gifts but I definitely think it will be something I do next year. 

This is her variation of the Three Gift Rule:

1. An educational gift
2. An “experiential” gift
3. A “want” gift (this is the wild card, to make sure someone’s top “must have” doesn’t fall through the cracks)

Giving a Little Thanks and Also, Bookshelves

We had a blessed Thanksgiving here in chilly St. Louis.  My brothers came up for the day and we had a really good visit and lots of food.  I think it was my best Thanksgiving in a long time.  I was sad when they left us.

I've been shopping for Christmas since October and I'm about done.  I just have to buy one or two more things for my brothers.  They are so hard to shop for that I'm always shopping for them last.  Any ideas on what to buy two bachelors who have everything they want already?

Hubby and I finally bought bookshelves for our new home so I can unbox my cookbooks and literature.  Right now he is assembling the shelving we bought at Target and it is making my day.  My best deal was a little wire baker's rack that just fits in our kitchen.  We tried a new thrift store in our new town during their Black Friday half off sale so I got it for $10.00.  My beloved cookbooks now have a home and I have a few less boxes on our floor!!!  Also, he bought a new camera for us for $60 to replace our old broken one.  Perhaps that will mean this blog may have pictures again soon.

I've got pizza dough in the bread machine for our pizza dinner.  It's a lazy day at home with the family.  I'll be ready for the kids to go back to school tomorrow but for now, I'm so blessed with this crazy goodness.

RePost From November 2010: I'm Thankful For Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving doesn't get the recognition it deserves. It's a quiet holiday. There are no sparkly tinsel trappings. The fanciest thing you might get is pretty whipped cream swirls on top of your pumpkin pie or seeing the Rockettes on tv during the Macy's parade. It's a humble holiday that lets me spend a quiet day with my family, eating good food, and remembering to count my abundant blessings.

But, we tend to gloss right over it as though after Halloween the only holiday is Christmas. And it's a material filled marketers Christmas- not the holy, simple, yule logged Christmas of yore. Even Black Friday seems sexier than Thanksgiving.

Lately, I've been preferring Thanksgiving. I'm looking forward to a whole day spent with my family when our days are filled up and our weekends are crazy busy with soccer and birthday parties. Christmas, as much as I love it, has become a season of stress and chores. I'm tired already for trying to decide what gifts to give people who have everything (and might turn up their nose at the wrong gift). I have some issues to work out with Christmas. But, Thanksgiving- it's all good with Thanksgiving.