Bettering myself:
Well today I had another day at home-- couldn't get the car out. There is ice under the tires...we tried for 45 minutes and it was a no go. Ugg. I hate Ohio weather. The good news is I got a ton done in the house and that makes me feel good! I did some decluttering in toys and dressers and I cleaned the bathroom and did a ton more stuff. It feels so good to be productive. I feel better about myself when I am productive.
Dinner Tale:
I made Rebecca Dora spaghettios and she gobbled them up...
I made myself 2 scrambled eggs, toast, cantalope, and apple juice.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
New format---update, FTJ, better me, and dinner tale
Well I have been home for the last 3 days...because of snow and ice! That means that I haven't spent any money...YAY! Although I am sick and tired of snow and ice. I spent 45 minutes yesterday and another 45 minutes today getting the ice off the windows of the car...eek...I will see if I have to go in to Shanna's tomorrow. If I do, Bill can get the car out of it's space. There have been so many people getting stuck, it is not funny. My arms will probably really hurt tomorrow...
Forget the Joneses: Day 26-29
Day 26: DeClutter...I am trying to do this for the FlyLady Super Fling Boogie, but it is tough. Will continue to try
Day 27-28: Organize...trying to do this a little at a time.
Day 29: build an emergency fund--- we are trying to follow Dave Ramsey and have built up to $1000. Now we are focusing on paying down debt....
Bettering myself: Okay so I have decided that starting now and going through the month of February, I am going to start a gratitude journal. I will write down 5 things each day that I am thankful for. The purpose of this is to change my negative attitude towards a lot of things.
Dinner Tale: Quick and easy
baked chicken tenderloins with bread crumb coating
corn and green beans
Rebecca would not eat the chicken, but she gobbled up the green beans and corn.....picky child!
Forget the Joneses: Day 26-29
Day 26: DeClutter...I am trying to do this for the FlyLady Super Fling Boogie, but it is tough. Will continue to try
Day 27-28: Organize...trying to do this a little at a time.
Day 29: build an emergency fund--- we are trying to follow Dave Ramsey and have built up to $1000. Now we are focusing on paying down debt....
Bettering myself: Okay so I have decided that starting now and going through the month of February, I am going to start a gratitude journal. I will write down 5 things each day that I am thankful for. The purpose of this is to change my negative attitude towards a lot of things.
Dinner Tale: Quick and easy
baked chicken tenderloins with bread crumb coating
corn and green beans
Rebecca would not eat the chicken, but she gobbled up the green beans and corn.....picky child!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Sunday's dinner
So Bill had to work tonight and so that meant the challenge of making dinner for Rebecca and I....so what I came up with was.....
Chicken Parmesan
I baked 2 Tyson chicken patties. Then topped with leftover marinara sauce from the other night and some mozzarella cheese. Served with leftover pasta from the other night. Rebecca had peas.
It was yummy and easy! So I made my goal of cooking tonight! Go me!
Chicken Parmesan
I baked 2 Tyson chicken patties. Then topped with leftover marinara sauce from the other night and some mozzarella cheese. Served with leftover pasta from the other night. Rebecca had peas.
It was yummy and easy! So I made my goal of cooking tonight! Go me!
FTJ Days 15-25 Catch-up
So I have fallen behind in posting the Forget the Jones' assignments. So this will be a catch up:
Day 15 Prioritize pay down---Bill and I have decided to follow a modified Dave Ramsey approach...smallest balance first then after the Mastercard is payed off go to highest interest instead of next smallest which would be Ball State student loan.
Day 16-Re-evaluate your expenses...we did this and cut back some on Directv service and on money we spent on going out.
Day 17- Avoid Budgeting mistakes
Day 18- Create a budget
Day 19- Create a price book
Day 20 and 21- Create a master meals list and pantry list--- I did not write this down as our space for storage is small so I know exactly what I have in the kitchen.
Day 22- Go on a modified spending freeze...we are going to do this, by only buying necessities at the store
Day 23- Be a proactive shopper---use your price book to help you grocery shop, make a master gift list...--- I do this already
Day 24-25--Get into the decluttering mindset. Visualize your goals and image of each room in your home and what you want it to be. Take a before photo of each space.--- this will be easy as I am also taking part in FlyLady's 5 week super fling boogie. It will feel so good to get rid of stuff that we don't use or need.
Day 15 Prioritize pay down---Bill and I have decided to follow a modified Dave Ramsey approach...smallest balance first then after the Mastercard is payed off go to highest interest instead of next smallest which would be Ball State student loan.
Day 16-Re-evaluate your expenses...we did this and cut back some on Directv service and on money we spent on going out.
Day 17- Avoid Budgeting mistakes
Day 18- Create a budget
Day 19- Create a price book
Day 20 and 21- Create a master meals list and pantry list--- I did not write this down as our space for storage is small so I know exactly what I have in the kitchen.
Day 22- Go on a modified spending freeze...we are going to do this, by only buying necessities at the store
Day 23- Be a proactive shopper---use your price book to help you grocery shop, make a master gift list...--- I do this already
Day 24-25--Get into the decluttering mindset. Visualize your goals and image of each room in your home and what you want it to be. Take a before photo of each space.--- this will be easy as I am also taking part in FlyLady's 5 week super fling boogie. It will feel so good to get rid of stuff that we don't use or need.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Yummy dinner!
So in an effort to cook dinner everynight and to eat less processed food for dinner...I have done really well. Tonight Bill was home, so I decided to try a new recipe...Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings...Oh my God! It was sooooo goooood!!!!!!! I will definitely be adding it to my rotation.
Chicken and Dumplings in the crockpot
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (I used 8 tenderloins) seasoned with sage, garlic powder, pepper, thyme, marjoram, and rosemary
2 tbsp. butter
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 onion finely chopped
1 cup frozen corn
1 cup frozen peas
1 cup frozen carrots
1 tube refrigerated biscuits
Put everything except biscuits in crockpot. Fill with water to cover. Mix together. Cover and cook on high 5 hours. Tear biscuits into chunks and put in Crockpot. Cover and cook for an additional 75 minutes on high. Serve over mashed potatoes.
This was sooooo yummy! Rebecca didn't like it, but it was the first time she had it so maybe she will like it next time....I am doing good on this meal planning thing. Tonight I need to make my menu out for this week. Wish me luck!
Chicken and Dumplings in the crockpot
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (I used 8 tenderloins) seasoned with sage, garlic powder, pepper, thyme, marjoram, and rosemary
2 tbsp. butter
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 onion finely chopped
1 cup frozen corn
1 cup frozen peas
1 cup frozen carrots
1 tube refrigerated biscuits
Put everything except biscuits in crockpot. Fill with water to cover. Mix together. Cover and cook on high 5 hours. Tear biscuits into chunks and put in Crockpot. Cover and cook for an additional 75 minutes on high. Serve over mashed potatoes.
This was sooooo yummy! Rebecca didn't like it, but it was the first time she had it so maybe she will like it next time....I am doing good on this meal planning thing. Tonight I need to make my menu out for this week. Wish me luck!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Travis Omar
4 months ago today, Bill and I lost our son. Travis Omar was born still on September 21, 2008. He had died in my womb. Doctors said that there was blood clot found behind the placenta that may have caused it. We will never know. These 4 months have been hard and painful. Travis, we love you and miss you every day!
New goal: Making dinner for Rebecca and I when Bill is at work
Okay so in an effort to better my life, I have decided that I am worth a home cooked meal and that Rebecca is eating way too much nuked food....so I am trying to come up with really quick healthy meals that Rebecca and I can eat. So the other night I made hot turkey and cheese sandwiches and fruit. I used up the hamburger buns before they went bad! Yay for me!
Today, I made pasta and marinara sauce! The Tastefully Simple marinara sauce is really good and has a kick to it! I got it as a Christmas present. It is yummy! So we had another homemade dinner!
Today, I made pasta and marinara sauce! The Tastefully Simple marinara sauce is really good and has a kick to it! I got it as a Christmas present. It is yummy! So we had another homemade dinner!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
FTJ- Day 14
Okay so todays assignment is to "Get a handle on your debt" and that includes not taking on new debt and figuring out what your debt really is. As far as this assignment goes, we did this not too long ago and it is depressing when you put the numbers down on paper. But I did it myself (with the CCs and we both have student loans.... I haven't used the credit cards in a year so hopefully that helps, just need to pay them down and off (eventually). I hope we can get some of these paid down quickly but it seems like it won't be....:( being in debt is depressing and the only one I have to blame is me.....sigh....
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
FTJ- Day 13
Here we are day 13 of the FTJ project. Today we are supposed to analyze our FICO scores and seek where improvement can be made. We are working on trying to improve DH's. It is a slow process but one that hopefully will be fulfilled.
5 Things I am grateful for today:
1. That I have a husband who loves me unconditionally and who leaves me cards, takes me and picks me up from work so I don't have to drive in the snow, and who vacuums the house for me.
2. for a daughter who is always amazing me by her abilities
3. for days off for Bill
4. for the good dinner that I cooked and that Rebecca even ate dinner! (spaghetti and peas)
5. for good friends who make me get off my butt and work! (Thanks Coralie!)
5 Things I am grateful for today:
1. That I have a husband who loves me unconditionally and who leaves me cards, takes me and picks me up from work so I don't have to drive in the snow, and who vacuums the house for me.
2. for a daughter who is always amazing me by her abilities
3. for days off for Bill
4. for the good dinner that I cooked and that Rebecca even ate dinner! (spaghetti and peas)
5. for good friends who make me get off my butt and work! (Thanks Coralie!)
Monday, January 12, 2009
FTJ-- Days 9-12
FTJ Day 9: supposed to figure out cost of living. I think after figuring this out, we are doing okay. We could be doing much better however made some stupid decisions in past and paying for it now...once we get CC paid off we will be doing much better.
Day 10-11: Make a vision board.....have pics on computer for this.
Day 12: find out FICO score. Did this not too long ago. Mine is okay, however Bill's needs a lot of work. Will be working on that soon.
Okay so I think I am all caught up with the assignments! Yeah! Now just to stay on top of them....
Day 10-11: Make a vision board.....have pics on computer for this.
Day 12: find out FICO score. Did this not too long ago. Mine is okay, however Bill's needs a lot of work. Will be working on that soon.
Okay so I think I am all caught up with the assignments! Yeah! Now just to stay on top of them....
FTJ- Day 8
FTJ--Day 8-- supposed to come up with more low cost or free activities for rest of the FTJ project.....
some of the things that I have come up:
movie night at home--watch new dvds from Christmas including Dark Knight, Hancock
play in the snow with Rebecca
date night with Bill---use gift card for movie and restaraunt
spend day at home just playing games, etc.
Super Bowl party---make it potluck
go visit my parents
go to my sister's basketball game
some of the things that I have come up:
movie night at home--watch new dvds from Christmas including Dark Knight, Hancock
play in the snow with Rebecca
date night with Bill---use gift card for movie and restaraunt
spend day at home just playing games, etc.
Super Bowl party---make it potluck
go visit my parents
go to my sister's basketball game
FTJ--- DAYS 5-7 Dreams
So for Day 5-7 I was supposed to come up with a list of 100 dreams that I have, analyze what they say about me, and categorize them with importance and time frames. Honestly this one was hard in that so much of what I dream about is all tied together. I won't bore you with the list but I found that the list is ambitious and I hope and pray that I will be able to accomplish everything on it at one point or another in my life.
Also for day 7-- we were supposed to pick out 25 goals/ dreams to work on achieving. Many of my dreams are long term...however the ones that I can work on this year are as follows:
1.walk on beach of North Carolina with Rebecca and Bill
2. lose 25 lbs to get below 200 lbs
3. have another baby
4. wear clothes that fit me well and make me feel sexy
5. get the 3rd bedroom organized and cleaned
6. get the basement organized
7. continue to declutter
8. dye my hair or at least get highlights
9. pay off debt and reach financial stability
10. don’t be afraid to try new things
11. get Rebecca potty trained easily
12. give up diet pop
13. get over fear of driving in snow and on freeway
14. be less anxious
15. get over depression
16. take a family vacation every year
17. take more overnight trips
18. see new places in America
19. spend more time with extended family
20. email friends at least once a month
Also for day 7-- we were supposed to pick out 25 goals/ dreams to work on achieving. Many of my dreams are long term...however the ones that I can work on this year are as follows:
1.walk on beach of North Carolina with Rebecca and Bill
2. lose 25 lbs to get below 200 lbs
3. have another baby
4. wear clothes that fit me well and make me feel sexy
5. get the 3rd bedroom organized and cleaned
6. get the basement organized
7. continue to declutter
8. dye my hair or at least get highlights
9. pay off debt and reach financial stability
10. don’t be afraid to try new things
11. get Rebecca potty trained easily
12. give up diet pop
13. get over fear of driving in snow and on freeway
14. be less anxious
15. get over depression
16. take a family vacation every year
17. take more overnight trips
18. see new places in America
19. spend more time with extended family
20. email friends at least once a month
FTJ---Day 4
FTJ--- DAY 4--- Create a family mission statement
Our Mission Statement:
We strive to love each other every day. We strive to encourage and help each other with our thoughts, words and actions each day. We strive to use our time, abilities, and resources daily to help us become a better family.
Our Mission Statement:
We strive to love each other every day. We strive to encourage and help each other with our thoughts, words and actions each day. We strive to use our time, abilities, and resources daily to help us become a better family.
FTJ-- Day 3
Okay so for Day 3 of FTJ, we are supposed to start writing down 5 things we are grateful for each day...to remind us that we do have things to be thankful for in our lives...
So 5 things I am thankful for:
1. My husband---who took care of me, Rebecca and the house while I was sick. And who works very hard to provide for our family
2. My daughter---who is the greatest 2 year old in the world and who made mommy so proud when she slept all night long in her big girl bed for the first time last night! WOO!!!
3. My family and friends---even though I don't get to see or talk to you all as much as I would like, I appreciate your support and encouragement
4. FlyLady-- without joining her group and being reminded to clean and organize the house would be a mess and I would have so much stuff...but I still have a lot of stuff, but it is easy to maintain the minimum (even Bill did it while I was sick)
5. thankful that we are all on the mend for the most part
I think I really need to do this every day. I tend to be negative about a lot of things and this will help me/ force me to be positive.....
So 5 things I am thankful for:
1. My husband---who took care of me, Rebecca and the house while I was sick. And who works very hard to provide for our family
2. My daughter---who is the greatest 2 year old in the world and who made mommy so proud when she slept all night long in her big girl bed for the first time last night! WOO!!!
3. My family and friends---even though I don't get to see or talk to you all as much as I would like, I appreciate your support and encouragement
4. FlyLady-- without joining her group and being reminded to clean and organize the house would be a mess and I would have so much stuff...but I still have a lot of stuff, but it is easy to maintain the minimum (even Bill did it while I was sick)
5. thankful that we are all on the mend for the most part
I think I really need to do this every day. I tend to be negative about a lot of things and this will help me/ force me to be positive.....
Friday, January 9, 2009
FTJ...Starting again....
Okay so you may have noticed I haven't been on here in a couple days...I have been really sick...had achiness, chills, sweats, fatique, sore throat, etc. for the last week. It has been awful! I haven't been this sick in a loooonnngggg time. Now that I am feeling a little better I can get back on track. Needless to say the spending freeze went out the window...Bill tried, but he bought food out a couple times and he bought me ice cream and 7-up to help my throat. I really had a lot of time to think though and to figure out that I am sick of living like this financially, so I asked Bill if he would cut back on his hobby. He didn't want to but he agreed...he even called Directv to get some things taken off of our package and get 4 of the recievers that he has turned off. I hope we made a good decision and he doesn't get angry or resent me for asking him to do that. I just got so tired of nickle and dimeing our lives, while he can spend $100-$200 on a whim for disks for his hobby. Anyways, so this weekend is going to be a time of catchup for days 3-9 on the FTJ and to get back on track. That shouldn't be too hard to do considering we are supposed to get 4-6 inches of snow. I will post the followups for days 3-9 later tonight or sometime Saturday or Sunday......
Friday, January 2, 2009
FTJ- DAY 2-- Calculate Net worth
Okay so todays assignment was to calculate your net worth. Well let's just say that DH and I are in dire need of a financial overhaul. It is really bad. Hopefully we can get some debt paid off and get a better number.
On the other hand I think I did okay today. I went to Kroger to do our grocery shopping...normally I will spend around $70 or so. Today I only shopped the perimeter of the store...and stopped myself from looking at the sale items from Christmas. And going by my approved list this is what I bought:
2 gallons skim milk
1 gallon 2% milk
pack of hot dogs
pack of pork chops
cucumber
mozzarella cheese
head of lettuce
roma tomatoes
red bell pepper
green bell pepper
bananas
hamburger buns (-.25 coupon)
cauliflower
turkey lunch meat
bottle of diet dr. pepper (FREE coupon)
----------------------
Total: 27.83
I really think I did good. I have to make out my menu now that I have Bill's work schedule. I will be glad when I get paid on Monday and Bill gets paid so that we have some money to pay bills. I hate having a low number in our checking account.
On the other hand I think I did okay today. I went to Kroger to do our grocery shopping...normally I will spend around $70 or so. Today I only shopped the perimeter of the store...and stopped myself from looking at the sale items from Christmas. And going by my approved list this is what I bought:
2 gallons skim milk
1 gallon 2% milk
pack of hot dogs
pack of pork chops
cucumber
mozzarella cheese
head of lettuce
roma tomatoes
red bell pepper
green bell pepper
bananas
hamburger buns (-.25 coupon)
cauliflower
turkey lunch meat
bottle of diet dr. pepper (FREE coupon)
----------------------
Total: 27.83
I really think I did good. I have to make out my menu now that I have Bill's work schedule. I will be glad when I get paid on Monday and Bill gets paid so that we have some money to pay bills. I hate having a low number in our checking account.
FTJ- DAY 1 Continued
Revised Approved Spending list:
Groceries:
bananas
milk
bread
eggs
meat (if it is 1.99 a lb or less)
lunch meat
fresh fruit
fresh veggies (stuff for salads)
apple juice for Rebecca
Miscellaneous:
diapers
haircut for Bill
gas for both cars
bills
Groceries:
bananas
milk
bread
eggs
meat (if it is 1.99 a lb or less)
lunch meat
fresh fruit
fresh veggies (stuff for salads)
apple juice for Rebecca
Miscellaneous:
diapers
haircut for Bill
gas for both cars
bills
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Mommysavers--Forget the Joneses Bootcamp Day 1
Okay so I have decided that 2009 is a year when we are going to take control of our finances. I have found an awesome program that I am hoping to follow that will allow me to get a jumpstart on this. I belong to the website...http://www.mommysavers.com. This is an AWESOME website for tips on saving money, living simply, getting deals, etc. everything a mom could want. For the next 6 weeks, the mommysavers site is hosting a bootcamp called Forget the Joneses.http://mommysavers.com/boards/forget-joneses-bootcamp/
Today was day 1 of the program. For day 1 we are supposed to begin a 21 day spending freeze. If we have to spend money it it supposed to be from an approved spending list that we make. Today's assignment was to make the approved spending list....so here goes:
Approved spending:
new vacuum (ours died yesterday)--bought today at Target
bananas
fresh fruit and veggies
milk
eggs
bread
meat (if it is less than 1.99 a lb)
lunch meat
$10 a week discretionary money for DH to use. (today he used it on lunch for us at McDonalds)
apple juice for Rebecca
I am excited and nervous to start this...I really want to gain control of our finances and just learn to live simply.
Today was okay. We went to Target to get the vacuum and got cereal, and goldfish for Rebecca too. These were needs and not wants. Then we went to Walgreens to pick up Christmas pictures that I had ordered. I had gotten them for 10cents each and I had a $5 off your order coupon, so for 60 pictures I paid $1.30 with tax! Yay! ( I know this wasn't on my approved list but I was supposed to pick them up 2 days ago)...Today I did cook dinner at home- Bill didn't want to go his parents or my parents for dinner. So we had...beer battered fish, green beans, rice pilaf and fresh pears ( I used these up before they went bad ! YAY!) Hoping to continue on a forward path.
Today was day 1 of the program. For day 1 we are supposed to begin a 21 day spending freeze. If we have to spend money it it supposed to be from an approved spending list that we make. Today's assignment was to make the approved spending list....so here goes:
Approved spending:
new vacuum (ours died yesterday)--bought today at Target
bananas
fresh fruit and veggies
milk
eggs
bread
meat (if it is less than 1.99 a lb)
lunch meat
$10 a week discretionary money for DH to use. (today he used it on lunch for us at McDonalds)
apple juice for Rebecca
I am excited and nervous to start this...I really want to gain control of our finances and just learn to live simply.
Today was okay. We went to Target to get the vacuum and got cereal, and goldfish for Rebecca too. These were needs and not wants. Then we went to Walgreens to pick up Christmas pictures that I had ordered. I had gotten them for 10cents each and I had a $5 off your order coupon, so for 60 pictures I paid $1.30 with tax! Yay! ( I know this wasn't on my approved list but I was supposed to pick them up 2 days ago)...Today I did cook dinner at home- Bill didn't want to go his parents or my parents for dinner. So we had...beer battered fish, green beans, rice pilaf and fresh pears ( I used these up before they went bad ! YAY!) Hoping to continue on a forward path.
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