Pinching Pennies

Since Tim has been home our liquid assets have dwindled to practically nothing. that's not to say we cant pay our bills or anything but we don't have that extra spending money to do the things we want willy nilly anymore. This was compounded by the fact that a few weeks back we looked at purchasing a home, got all the papers together and I don't want to say the lady laughed in our faces (she was nice) but she gingerly danced around the fact that we have no savings therefore no way to buy a house. I guess I didn't realize what really went into purchasing a home. So now we know how we need to save so we just need to land Timmy a job and utilize all the resources we have.

One of these resources is my mother's never ending need to purge in her retirement. Don't get me wrong, I totally think she needs to do it but unfortunately that means I have to go out to her house a few times a week and help her clean the various closet or cabinet trying to persuade her enough to let go without pushing her over the edge... its a touchy area. However, the nice part about helping her get rid of stuff is that she gives it all to me--- to sell. So on Facebook there are groups you can join to sell things locally in your area. I belong to a few of these groups and have had great luck selling the various items we have accumulated and no longer need. It is a bit tedious but in the end its totally worth it. I try not to list too many items under a dollar because then to try and coordinate pick ups for a dollar its not really worth it.
The weather here has fluctuated quite a bit in the last few months. We have been anywhere from negative 10 to over 40 within a few days. On one of those super cold days I was out making deliveries to my buyers (I find that they buy more that way and frankly I just want to be rid of stuff)and when I was walking back to my car I noticed that the person I dropped off to couldn't get their car started. This is when I remembered those black and red cables I threw on the grage shelves last June and thought to myself... "OH yah, that's what those are for." Luckily the guy had a set of cables so all he really needed to do was borrow "the black mamba's" battery for a bit. I was freezing but had fun making funny faces at his 2 year old daughter through the living room window and soon enough--- their car was running. Good Samaritan Deed of the day completed-- whoo hoo!
I got on a tangent there for a bit but what I was trying to say is that I am discovering different ways to make money these days. I attempted to donate plasma but found out that I am not a good candidate... my veins are too small. That may be in part due to the fact that I drink little to no water--- which I am working on. It just tastes like nothing. Water is boring and I love my diet coke... argh-- change sucks. At any rate I am looking forward to the spring when the girls and I can get outside and at least stretch our legs a bit. I have spent the winter and beginning of my spring doing this "Sift and Thrift" for my parents and for the most part is has benefited us all. Most recently I got them a table and chairs (yes I buy stuff too) for their dining room and I think it looks great. My dad is a little reserved on the subject but he is totally warming up to the idea. If nothing else I can always sell them again online  ;)

Date night--- yeehaaa!!!

 

We started our day with music (my favorite way to spend my morning). This particular instance was of Kyra and her girlfriend at the high school down the street from us (where she will be attending high school in a year and a half-wheew!). They were competing in the solo ensemble which was not something I was familiar with and was trying really hard to understand. Lucky for me AJ and Anna came along so Miss Anna-Banana knew all about this fancy singing/music stuff. I never was a singer and tried at all costs not to play my clarinet (once I figured out it was actual work). However I can understand her passion for the arts and am trying really hard to be a supportive momma.

In the evening Karla came over to our house to spend some time with all three girls and set us free for a date night--- thank you Karla! It is very few and far between when Timmy and I get to do something together without at least one of our angels along ;) So this was super duper awesome!!! We started the night by making a few stops to drop off things that people had bought from me online but in the snow could not pick up for whatever reason. Snow for me is just a prettier way to drive especially because there are usually no people, and those that are out are going super slow. All I have to do is strap on some boots to trudge through the drifts and I am in great shape. So for me (and my hubby) this recent snowstorm was nothin. Which I thought was going to keep the crowds down at Red Lobster... but I was wrong. The wait was 45 minutes... REALLY!!!??? It felt like a million hours (only ended up being 25) but now I get how teenagers must feel... wait for it... there was no internet (WiFi for you more technically savvy folk). How was I supposed to use my smart phone when there is no stupid internet? Talk to my husband you say? On a date night? Whaaaat ??? So we put away the electronics, chatted, and reconnected just like I had hoped we would. I guess married peeps just need to take the time to tell each other they love them. It was interesting how a simple question of "How was your day?" really made me feel that he cared and supported me more than anything else. He has learned to give me my space, hold my hand when I falter and push me to be even better. It also helps that he acknowledges my overbearing, controlling and at times obsessive compulsive habits and loves the sh*t out of me anywhere... I like him a whole lot too.

Big Girl Bed (Again)

 

So we are trying this "sleeping in your own bed" rule again. Hopefully it will take this time. To ensure this we went ahead a got Bella a new "FUN" bed. This bunk bed previously belonged to our nieces Cassie and Kalli and we bought it from Tim's brother and wife as a little incentive to the rule. It also is a nice way to get a little more play room in Katie's room so they can play dress up, ponies and whatever else they dream up. As of right now their favorite activity is to climb the ladder and its gotten to the point that I have had to put said ladder in the bed during the day so they don't fall and break an arm or something. Which then made them start to climb the shelves on the side so I am quickly getting everything organized to alleviate the temptation. My goal is to find a cute shower curtain to run across the opening so they can play whatever make-believe their creative little minds can come up with. So far its been a great investment. Especially seeing some of the cost was defrayed with the sale of Bella's bed (which was originally Kyra's) seeing my two bambinos pretty much used it as a trampoline... so do they make rock-climbing walls for in-home use??? We totally need one!!!

Speaking of snow...

Check out these snowbirds!!!

 

My parents are just getting back from a couple weeks relaxing in recognition of my father's recent retirement. I guess when my mom retired last year they celebrated by cruising down to Mexico and checking out all the sights and sounds, trying new foods, exploring caves and they even went snorkeling. This year, as par for the course, they started in Austin TX where Mary (my mom's sister) and Carlos live. The four globetrotters went on a Carnival Cruise (I think) to Jamaica and various other stops. They enjoyed the local cuisine, snorkeling and buying $5.00 T-shirts (my mother of course stocked up). I really haven't gotten to hear all the great stories yet but from the sounds of it they had a great time both cruising and visiting with Mary and Carlos. It was a much needed vacation from the cold here in the frozen tundra (literally) and I am hoping they are easing into their shared retirement... they have earned it for sure.

Katie, Olivia and I met my parents at the airport when they flew back into Green Bay. I think they had the most fun watching the planes land (and the planters filled with dirt... they miss their sandbox for sure). AJ and Anna brought my parents vehicle and met us there as well so there was quite the welcoming committee to meet them. A golden tan on both their sun kissed bodies was the first thing we saw and giant smiles as they walked through the terminal. Mom had a skip in her step and couldn't wait to get through the doors when she noticed the girls waiting on the other side of the glass. The girls immediately grabbed "baba" and started darting for the elevator. Luckily at 6pm on a Monday there were literally a dozen people in the airport (including ourselves) so we didn't have to worry too much about them being snatched up. Although I have to say this is a behavior we are working on because once in a while Katie likes to wander off without telling anyone and when you call her she comes back with such an attitude it makes me crazy...
Me: "Katie??? Where are you?"
Bella: "Mommmm" I was right around the corner!!!"
Me: "Maybe you should ask next time crazy baby!!!"
... a work in progress
Kaitlynn told Tim just the other morning that she will be a better listner when she is 5. hahaha which I guess means that the rest of age 4 will be a free-for-all... we will have to watch this one for sure. Although I have to say I am pretty impressed that she can look to the future. At least the girl has perspective!

Mommy Daughter Date

 

Today Katie and I had a little afternoon together where spent time just the two of us... which we have never done before. For the past few months Tim and I have been on the fence as to whether we were going to keep Spunky around not because we don't love him but his health has been declining and we don't want him to be uncomfortable. My mother always said that when the children come along the dog takes the brunt of it and I never really knew what she meant... but now I get it. I feel horrible because I used to treat the "poopers" like a little princess and now I have two little girls that took over that attention. So this only adds to the incredible sense of guilt I have to his impending absence from the house because the girls love him to death. He lets Bella dress him up and lead him around the house like a "fancy little piggy" (my cousin Krissy will understand this) and he is so good with both the girls (as long as they stay away from his junk.. a man has his limits). So today Bella and I took Spunkers to the pet store and he had a little makeover while she and I ran some errands and went to lunch. Which I think was her favorite part because she and I shared a kiddy cocktail (she calls them cat-tails) and had a nice little chat (more her blowing bubbles in her chocolate milk but we communicated and that's whats important). WE picked Spunky up from getting a shampoo and blow-out and he literally looked like a new man. I guess his nails were getting too long and slowing him down a bit... he was prancing around like my 'opl buddy from years ago. Bella even picked out a puppy cookie which looked exactly like an Oreo (and I am pretty sure she snuck a lick to be sure when I wasn't looking). All in all it was a great day running around doing my favorite things--- eating and shopping (with coupons of course)!!!

Alligator Aaahhhhhhh

 One of Kaitlynn's favorite things to do is go to the doctor and the dentists... I know... she is crazy. But for now I am totally encouraging it because it makes the experience easier on her little sister Olivia. A few weeks ago was Via's first trip to the dentist to have her little "Snow whites" checked out. The dentist was impressed with her teeth but mentioned that we have to be careful to watch the amount of juice and junk food the girls consume (he must be in cahoots with the doctor). I blame the grandparents for giving them Christmas candy instead of Christmas carrots. The other concern with her was her use of the pacifier. Since Bella has been a pacifier fiend we have been trying to wean them off together so as not to tempt Katie more than we have to. Via's teeth show no wear or use from the NUK but Katie's on the other hand have been pushed forward a bit--- Sh*t.
Bella sat like a champ in the chairs both for her cleaning and her Xrays (first time by the way). She thought it was pretty cool to wear the fancy apron (lead apron) and have her picture taken. The Diva experience was rounded off when she got to wear sunglasses inside and have a bright light on her... total Bella bliss. Olivia was waaay more interested in the toys in the waiting room (which I totally expected) and did fairly well for the dentist but had to sit on my lap. However I don't blame her because he was such a weirdo. He was  coaching me on how to brush their teeth and I couldn't stop staring at his 1992 bowl shaped hair cut and faded sideburns!!! So whatever information he was trying to relay to me was lost in his terrible hair style... lets talk about 2013 doctor... for reals.

You call this Snow???

 We have been having fun (I say that in jest) shoveling all the snow the past few weeks. I find it incredibly ironic that my parents chose to go on a 2 week cruise that just so happened to be when we get a million inches of snow (not nearly like the east coat though-eesh). Nonetheless there was still plenty of snow dropped here and because they were out of town, the job of snow removal and mail pickup landed on the shoulders of AJ and I (and when I say I, I mean Timmy...I was great at getting the mail though). SO it was pretty much every other day that we had to run out there and get the driveway done (thank you AJ for being awesome) and check out the house to make sure no pipes exploded, there were no burglars and that anything died (there was a gross smell for like two days and I was fairly certain that something small and smelly kicked the bucket-barf). But it cleared up just in time for them to get home so all was well in the end. The girls had fun trying to help clean the driveway and for the most part it wasn't too traumatic for mom. It is always such a chore to get them into their snow gear and then they are miserable when their gloves get wet from the snow and then their hands get cold. I have learned to bring an extra set of everything but by the time you get that all packed up, it ends up being quite the event. Snow is cool... but not my favorite for sure.