DH is gone golfing (despite the frigid weather here) so it is me and the kids. I made scalloped potatoes with ham for dinner (MIL/FIL brought me 30# of potatoes that I will need to use on a consistent basis).

The soon-to-be-five year old declared he was "too tired to eat" and excused himself from the table. I guess he somewhere figured out that if you complain enough about dinner, you don't get it, and you have to go to bed.

The tired one has been in bed for a solid 35 minutes. I spied on him and he was sitting on his bed muttering something about "not likin din-ner."

ETA:

Last night the "tired" one took a nap of some sort and returned to the kitchen about an hour and a half later. He was hungry so he ate toast and peanutbutter and had chocolate milk.

Note to self: Option B needs to be added to the list of Scalloped potatoes and ham.

I took today "off" from being telephone support for ongoing life crises for my outer circle (inner circle refers to the family that I've created with DH). "Outer" refers to family of origin, in laws, best friend, etc. Thus, I am one chipper camper - feeling quite like I've cut school or something.

I received two $20 rebate checks from Kraft. Can anyone say "Vacation 2010 Fund is now up to $46.50!"?

I have successfully made it through the money crunch with $4 to spare. We gassed up the cars to the tune of $35. I spent $42 on groceries at Aldi's. I would have had $28 to spare, but I took advantage of a CVS rebate of $15 on the movie "Monsters v. Aliens" costing $19.99. For this great deal, I did have to purchase $20 in Hersheys/Coke products - I bought three bags of Halloween candy for $15 (my mom reimbursed me for 1) and four 2L of Diet Coke - which we will use sparingly. We have entertaining coming up. So with Wednesday and Thursday being NSDs I made it. DH has $10 left of his money which will cover hitting a bucket of balls tomorrow with a friend from work.

I've learned how to say "Yes". We carpool with brother's GF from dance. She drives Tuesdays, we drive Thursdays. Today she called me at 5:45 to say her daughter wasn't going to be at dance and "Should she still pick up the girls?" (my dancing daughters). I got this message after I have carted in my sleeping 3 year old and 4 year old. DH is coaching soccer practice today. I didn't want to load the kids back up, so I called and said, "It would be great if you could get them. Ordinarily I would, but ..." and proceded to explain my situation. She seemed to be taken aback completely - she can always send my brother/the uncle out to get them (I've bailed him out of few tough times once or twice) She did a long pause and said, "Um ... yeah ... sure." Message: You're really expecting me to go out and get them?

The weather here is cold - barely 50 degrees today. Hello, winter? Heat was on in the AM and we've worn fleece all day. Tomorrow is supposed to be up to 63! Wa-hoo - my mom and I are taking the boys on the tram ride at the Arboretum - the membership expires tomorrow and these tix are free leftovers. Use 'em or lose 'em!

DS aged 7 is having his evaluations for the case study for him to receive reading specialist services through the public school (we send the kids to a Catholic school- so no real access to experts). He's a bright kid, but this severe phonological impairment left him behind and he's an early reader compared to some of the other kids. I am quite hopeful that this will really be a year of growth for him as far as reaching his reading potential. 16 months of speech has done wonders, but his phonemic awareness is still at only 25%. We will see.

Looking forward to payday on Friday. DH and I need to sit down and evaluate the inflow and outflow for the month. Have some low-cost things to get done (seal coating the drive ways $210, YMCA classes $150, dog grooming $40).

See, this really was a list of odd and random things!

partner-swapping.

Bad sense of humor crept up with that one. It is a cold and windy day here in the Midwestern state that I live. Only like 55 degrees. My young ones are watching movies - I let them watch TWO - and consequently, my phone is ringing off the hook again. I, apparently, am the complaint department (though DH at work fielded the one from my biological father).

Scenario 1: Bio father and his GF have been fighting off and on for years (ruined a Christmas in fact several years back). Bio father cannot live with her anymore (OK, we've heard that one before). Need to add: He has money, she is a frugal non-spender who happens to be my age.
(DH relayed this story.)

Scenario 2: My best friend is tired of being single and 45 and at this point would be happy with anyone who would have her (she's had a recent weight gain and is a poor money manager - clearly needs someone with money).
(This was her lunch-time call to be)

Scenario 3: Brother isn't happy with his live-in GF. Been sleeping on the couch for a week (gleaned info from gossip). His GF has quite the ego and is manipulative to boot. I suspect she entangled me two weeks ago because she's trying to leave and will deal brother a blow that "Even your sister ..." Brother is 37 and a fun loving guy (maybe needs to mature some).

Here is what I propose:

Brother's live-in GF leaves and goes away. Brother decides to take up with bio father's GF who would be happy to have a fun-loving guy and she'd help him out with his finances by developing a spending plan and coming up with fun and frugal outings.

Best friend can take up with my bio father who clearly likes younger women. She can get out of her condo which seems to me like Dorm Living 101 and move into his big house. He can pay off all her debt, and maybe they'd be happy. She has commented that bio father isn't bad looking for being as old as he is at 61. She's 45 which is in his range of age for companions.

Then they'd all leave us alone. And maybe they'd procreate and have kids of their own to occupy their time and energy and talent.

Money news:

I received $6.50 in rebate checks today. Can anyone say "Birth of 2010 vacation fund"?!

I've posted about the lack of funds sitting in the checking account of Mr. and Mrs.

I'm pleased to report that they money that we parted with was nominal this past weekend. $2 entrance fee for VB game, $3 in coffee for DH (we only have decaf at home and he rebelled on that and stopped at Dunkin Donuts twice using his $.99 coupon), $3 snacks at VB game, $2 paper, $3 gas for the lawn mower, $4 entrance fee for 3rd VB game. I also spent $4 on a Halloween frame at Kohl's using a $5 off coupon. And DS spent his gift card at Target and I kicked in $13 to cover his shortage plus $5 in batteries. All in all, he did a good job comparing items and wanting to know what much things cost.

Tithe to church was in a check already accounted for. Other than that, no major spending.

I spent the morning in the kitchen yesterday and got things cooked for the next two days. I will need to get some milk and cereal and produce, but other than that I believe I'll have money left over at the end of the week. Which is ironic given the panic mode I go into looking at small numbers.

Last night we ate out of the freezer and finished up fishsticks, breaded chicken tenders, popcorn shrimp and almost made it to the neverending bag of French Fries (you know those 5# bags of Sams). For the bedtime snack, it was two kinds of instant pudding and the kids could dress it up with the various 1/2 containers of sprinkles. I did have a major soda crave so I bought a 2L of Cherry Diet Pepsi for $1 while shopping.

I mentioned that I'm in a cash crunch for the next week. Closest crunch I've been in awhile(simply due to poor planning on my part: $2,200 for last real estate tax payment), $900 for car repair, and $750 to credit card. I usually operate with a hugh accumulation of cash and don't count things so closely. There are two checks still outstanding for $200 total.

Result: We're counting pennies.

One of the birthday boys in the house has a $20 Gift Card to Target that he would like to spend today. It was from his godparents who don't buy for everyone (which is fine with us, since we only "gift" our godchild who is one of their kids). We'll head out just the two of us today. I also have a $5.00 off coupon at Kohl's for registering my email address with them. I'd like to get a Halloween frame and might be able to find one with only having to kick in a few dollars.

I did take inventory of the cupboards yesterday and found that I have ingredients for meals for the next four days and only had to purchase random items plus some fruit/salad stuff. The total came to $28.50, and I just received a $30 gift card for transfering an Rx to Dominick's. Still on card: $1.50.

I also hit the Pepperidge Farm Outlet Store and didn't go quite as overboard on our bakery items for the next week. I can usually spend $18 for a family of 7, but this time I was a bit more choosy and our favorite mini bagels were $1 rather than $2 - so total spent there $12.00.

All of our recreation this weekend is attending volleyball or soccer games for the kids. That translates to $6 in admissions for the schools that our kids don't attend. DH is golfing tomorrow but brother owes me $40 so that will cover the green fees.

We are splurging with a $6 dozen of donuts from Dunkin Donuts this AM. DH is getting the cash from the coin operated washer/dryer - that will cover that purchase.

Here is to a cheap weekend of frugal fun. I have $90 cash for the next week, but I think I can do it!

I don't know why, but I am feeling cranky today - the weather is overcast - rain predicted. Have some stuff that I *should* do, nothing I *have to* do.

I was a single mother the first half of the week with DH and oldest daughter gone to Outdoor Education at a YMCA camp one state over. They had a great time, which I am glad about. The trouble-making girl from last year is know apparently buddy-buddy with my daughter. There is a new girl who is ADHD who is quite a handful, according to DH. I hope the lesson that my daughter takes away from this is that there are people with challenges that she will have to deal with - and to be compassionate, but have boundaries.

I don't think I'd fare very well as a single mother, and I truly admire all that single mothers - especially of multiple children - that juggle. DH makes my coffee in the morning. DH wakes me up when he gets home from working out. DH drives the kids to school on his way to work.

Our days require multiple activities and two parents to successfully cart the kids around. I had to enlist the help of brother's GF who isn't reliable and tried to pull out of her commitment to watch DSs for 1-1/2 hours. Since her daughter didn't go to dance, she left a message "Let me know if you still need me to pick up *N* at dance". I totally ignored the message and boldly dropped off both boys at the designated times. I have to add that I had no other alternative to do it. Thankfully, GF was there and looked a little surprised, but followed thru on the original plan.

As for me, I was headed off to Boy Scouts with my 2nd grader to play with power tools and make a wood birdhouse. It was great fun. Glad I was able to do it.

Tenant paid $900 in cash last night - following the bounced check incident. She will pay the balance of $575 in cash on Wednesday. She claimed it was a new bank and she didn't know how long they held funds. That was true for us at National City. She offered to pay next month's rent in cash.

With my overzealous credit card payment, property tax payment, and car repairs, I have $150 to last one week. This is cutting it pretty close - DH will get the money from the washing machine and dyer at the apartment tomorrow and that usually yields $40-$60 so that is a bit better.

I'll obviously be refraining from spending of any extraneous sort. DH is golfing Sunday, but brother owes me $40 so he's going to pay for DH's green fees.
One car needs gas, we are rather low on groceries (haven't shopped since last Friday). Time to make out a list and head to Aldi's.

Enough of my ramblings. Enjoy your Friday.

Hasn't happened it well over a year.

Note to self: Deposit rent check into savings account and transfer funds after it clears.

Glad that I have a savings account with enough money to simply "point-click-transfer funds".

DH left messages on her cell and landline to pay in cash plus the fees ($15 returned check, $10 fee to transfer funds from savings)

It has been awhile since I've escaped the realities of being a landlord. Right back at me!

$42 credit on returned item (Who knew that Legos can be so miniscule - I should have known that midi scale Millenium Falcon was out of our comfort zone)

$95 payment on credit card (MIL's vitamin purchase)

2008 property taxes finally paid off with $2,213 payment clearing my checking account today! Leading to:

$500 payment to credit card (would have been three times that, had it not been for the dreaded car repair)

I've finally figured out that my net worth usually increases with each dollar amount I pay toward debt. (Given the fluctuation in the market, that isn't always true).

At least I'm moving in the right direction.

Goal for remainder of the year:

Pay off $3,500 in credit card debt. I would love for it to be more, but that is highly unrealistic given that I am sure other "unplanned expenses" will arise.

I don't think that a new couch and new carpeting are both achieveable by the end of the year. At this point, I am simply gunning for new carpeting, a slip cover and some throw pillows!

I feel that I've turned a corner of some sorts - I'm far less concerned about other people's business and far less petty. All that I can do is worry about my own boat.

DH's minivan died last week and had to be towed 15 miles to our local car repair place. The shop happened to be booked solid for all of last week and I was told that the earliest the car would be able to be looked at was today. We got a call last Friday that the car was indeed fixed and ready to go - to the tune of $900. It was a fuel pump or something of the sort. The $900 included the tow bill of $115.00.

I was able to pay for the car repair in full - $900 from the checking account. No credit card use. I did get money from my father that was owed to my DH - $125.00 Plus the tow job is reimbursible $115.00 - Total OOP $660. Didn't need to call anyone to cover my expenses. Didn't need to go to the EF fund. Didn't need to use the credit card.

I am grateful I could take care of the repair under circumstances that weren't dire.

Party for the sons went well. Despite the bickering and arguing amongst some of them, mostly they were a well-behaved bunch who were cordial and congenial (all that I ask for)

The men all went to the driving range and then golfed. I drove my MIL around shopping on Sunday - she is from a rural area where they aren't such things as GNC or Kohl's - simply Superwalmart. The bad thing about was our area doesn't take out of state checks, so I charged everything on my credit card and I have a post-dated check to cover the charges. Not really a bad thing, but I don't like to break out the plastic lately.

Here are the stupid "isms" from the weekend:

(1) MIL to my DH after he asked for garlic salt. "No. You know that too much salt causes kidney stones."

(2) MIL to me "You go through so much milk because your children do nothing but waste it." She missed the fact that it was the same gallon of milk from yesterday and she found a sippy cup with about a 1/2" of milk in it. This is followed by, "I don't have a wasteful nature." And I do?

(3) This gem is from me.

DH: You know, I think I'm going to be taking golf up with more regularity."

Me: Wow, I'm not sure if we've got room in the budget right now for that.

DH: What do you mean? When I golfed last week, R (my stepdad) paid for me. Today my dad paid for me. It isn't as though this habit is costing us anything yet.

As you can tell, I hadn't documented our weekly spending for several days.

Well, my oldest and DH are off to Outdoor Education experience until Wed. Total cost was $160 for DD, and then about $20 misc for disposible cameras/ponchos/
travel size toiletries. It is supposed to rain, but I bet they'll have fun.

I painted my front doors to the tune of $25 for Behr paint. Makes a world difference and my house doesn't look so drab. DH picked a very nice hunter green. I'd eventually like to get some shutters up the front windows of our second level.

Our painted brick fireplace (cost $50 for primer and paint and supplies) got a lot of compliments from party-attendees. Looks a lot better.

I don't plan on spending any money now thru Thursday - sort of a spending detox!

Let's see if Mrs. can have four consecutive NSDs!

OK ... so today is the day of the party at my house - combo thing for sons 7 and 5 - family and fun.

Best friend has the flu - got Tamiflu and didn't really help. Went to the DR yesterday and has an ear infection and bronchitis to top it off. She was told not to go to work (at a hospital with sick people) today because mostly all of the cases of flu in my Midwestern state are of the H1N1 variety - swine flu.

She wanted to tell me this and to ask if she should come to the party today.

Hmmmm ... old people and kids with asthma who shouldn't be at risk ...

How do you nicely say "Stay home!"?

Gladly my hesitation and prolonged "uuuummmmmmmmmmm......" conveyed my complete tacken-backedness.

She said, "Well, I'd hate to infect anyone there, so I'll bring the gift by when I'm feeling better."

Hallelujia ...

No phone calls yesterday regarding the status of brother's relationship with GF (been in the middle, don't want to be there) or my best friend's financial status.

However, the lunacy continues:

Best friend is the heaviest she's ever been at 175. She had an invasive procedure on Wednesday. She was talking to a Special Ed teacher where she works and mentioned she was having some cramping. Little Special Ed boy said to her, "Is it time for your baby to come?" No. She is not pregnant.

The only thing worse than being poor is being fat and poor.

The minivan that broke on Tuesday was looked at by the repair shop. They initially said they couldn't get to it until NEXT Tuesday. (Honestly, it is very difficult to be a one-car seven-person family with multiple activities at the same time and date).

Anyhow, they looked at it yesterday, it will be ready today. It is the alternator or something of the sort that is in/near/by the gas tank and will take 2.5 hours to repair. Bottom line: $900 to fix (this includes the $115 tow which is reimbursible by insurance).

Could be worse. It's an old minivan 1998 and will require repair. My father owes DH $100 which I'm requesting NOW rather than at the end of the month. OOP will be ~$685. Not happy, but glad I can afford it - just means $ to debt will be less than normal.

I'm tired of having credit card debt. Seems to me that things are constantly creeping up that require $$ - finally recovering from the $6,200 roof that went on - followed by vacation - followed by back to school expenses.

We're having a party tomorrow for DS7/5 birthday party (ages - not birth order) and it is pretty small (just grandparents, uncle/GF/GF DD, my best friend). I hope that the weather holds up for a nice soiree' outdoors. Keeping it easy - nothing but a deli spread and salads.

Thinking randomly about the budget - it's going to be a pretty basic menu rotation the remainder of the month: one pasta night, one chicken night, one fish night, then will alternate with a meat dish (tacos or chili). Trying to get back to one weekly trip to Aldi's - but still sucked into ads/coupons. My deal for the week: buy one, get one free Hormel entrees plus I have a $1 off coupon.

Anyone here follow Jane4girls and her $800 annual challenge. I don't know how she does it?

I'm procrastinating and rebelling against my To Do list by sitting here typing endlessly. I have about 8 stops to make, but DH is coming home early to clean the carpets and oversee several playdates (we entertain regularly on Fridays after school with friends).

Hope everyone has a great day! Thanks for following the semi-coherent ramblings of a middle-aged (!) woman!

is being able to do a brain dump and move on. OK, I've lived through and processed by "ugh" post from an hour ago.

Time to be a girl of action and get on.

My goals for the day:

(1) Run past Goodwill - two bags of usable stuff
(2) Run past *D* family to donate the pile of really good stuff for fund-raising garage sale
(3) Run past Kohl's to return DH's shorts
(4) Run past party store for costume for DD and candy for pinata
(5) Run past grocery store - last day for yoplait yogurt $.50 (my family of seven ate 30 since Saturday) and OJ
(6) Finalize menu plan for party and inventory cabinets - create shopping list
(7) 3:00 Appointment for DS at Visionworks
(8) Homework monitoring for rest of week

Forgot to add that DH's minivan broke down yesterday. Who knows what it could be on a 1998 Ford Windstar? Fuel jump? Tune up? Wouldn't turn over. Great thing about the situation: DH's boss was able to get him, he got a ride from a coworker who lives in our town, AND WE HAVE TOWING REIMBURSEMENT ON OUR INSURANCE. Wa-hoo!

Ok, I recently resolved myself to rise above gossip. I, apparently, am not immune from being perceived as a "great soundboard" which at present sucks. (Sorry for the word, but it's how I feel)

Quick background: My father no longer speaks to his only surviving sister because of a fight over my grandmother's estate, and the perceived inequity of the distribution of money and property. I have cousins that I don't associate with.
My MIL no longer speaks to her two survivng brothers for the same reason. My child lack the benefit of extended family, and I have one brother and my DH is an only child.

Present situation (1): My brother's original law firm disbanded and recreated itself. Due to poor planning and the loss of the major client, the new firm is going quickly down the drain (can't make payroll). Sadly, brother's financial situation is miserable. He can't make his mortgage and has no money. He borrowed money from my mom and stepdad that he pays back. They sat on three checks (paid within five weeks) and cashed them wiping out his small cushion of $700. They didn't do it on purpose, but paid their bills and could only give him back $250 or something like that. So they are now fighting. This information was gossip (from my father who loves to manipulate to my DH who works for him). *BUT* I'm not supposed to know anything.

Situation (2) I get a call on Monday from brother's live-in GF on the miserable state of their relationship. He has acted in a way that makes her feel "insecure" and he isn't playing by the "ground rules" that she laid. When I asked if she thought he cheated, she said "No, but ..."

Situation (3) My inlaws were very poor planners with their funds for retirement. They are coming down this weekend for a party for my DSs. I was told to shop for the gifts because it's easier for me and I know what they'd like/need. $50 for each. $50 spent. Now only reimbursed for up to $35 because DH and FIL are going to golf.

Situation (4) My best friend has the flu. She isn't paid for her sick days. She doesn't have enough money to pay all her bills. Mortgage yes - but car/2nd mortgage/credit cards - no. What should she pay? If it was me, what would I do?

So, I'm having a party on Saturday with a bunch of fighting relatives. I'm not gossiping because I'm not passing on the information amongst people. DH and I do talk and I'm glad to say that its been pretty free of any bashing.

I realize that these folks ain't gonna change (my 7th grade English teacher would die if she read this). I need to find a sustainable way to deal with this stuff. And to become immune - I am actually feeling kind of depressed that things are dismal for all the folks that I love.

Ugggh

This isn't a monetarily related post, except for that fact that it saved me a co-pay that I'd have to pay if I had a therapist.

Ugggh

making a difference.

In so much of what I do, the results are fairly benign. I shop and cook for the food that my family eats. The immediate outcome is they don't complain they are hungry. I keep a generally clean house for pleasant surroundings, but don't look in all my closets or under all the beds and stay away from my basement. I do the laundry so my family presents as generally acceptable in the general public. I drive my kids from activity to activity hoping that these experiences will bring them fun opportunities and help them acquire skills or hobbies to continue throughout their life. All of these things can seem inconsequential.

Yes, years in the future my 9% into savings will provide me with retirement funding and the small amounts I fritter away will educate my children. But that seems far away to me at this point.

I posted and commented on other people's posts about my lack of motivation. Laziness? Complacency? Who knows.

I received an email yesterday about a family in our community with two children who have been diagnosed with a disease that is fatal. The children are 3 and 5 and I am heartbroken to think what this family is facing.

Half a million dollars in experimental gene therapy that the insurance will not cover.

Friends of the grandparents of these children are having a Fundraising Garage sale this Saturday.

DH and I are parting with a big screen TV (not a flat one, but it nice and works and has been waiting to be set up in our basement for three years). Going is our treadmill and a Gazelle that MIL gave us years ago. Good-bye to the Rothchild dress coats I was going to give to Once Upon a Child for some sort of small money. I'm parting with plenty of other stuff as well.

If it wasn't such a horribly busy weekend (soccer game, volleyball game, basketball team tryouts, overnight guests for two nights and a big party for my sons) I'd volunteer my time. I will run past the garage sale to see what I can buy or make a donation.

It is nice that I can clear out my own home and hopefully put some needed dollars into this family's hands.

This just illustrates that we should be grateful for our healthy families and reach out to help those who are less fortunate.

I didn't gossip. Big accomplishment here. I realize I am a branch on the family tree that gossips about money, people's money, people's lack of money, people's lack of money management skills.

It bugs me because I know that I'm talked about too. I, at least, don't run around saying I'm poor and expecting handouts. I'm dealing with my pride issues and learning to say thank you.

My brother is apparently in financial straits and is going to be selling a car that he has and doesn't drive much.

Conversation:

Mother: I don't know if you know this, but your brother is thinking about selling his Corvette. He didn't want you father to know.

Me: Oh, I hope he is able to find a seller soon.

Notice, I didn't fall for the bait on whether or not my father knows. I didn't ask why he needs to sell it. I didn't ask how much he hopes to get for it. I wonder all of these things, but talk about it ... nope. nah.

I also let my mother buy me expensive toilet paper yesterday without being offended. I picked up nine rolls of the store brand which cost $4.99 (I was shopping with cash). My mother brought over 12 rolls of Quilted Northern for $13.99 and handed me a $10 bill.

I just wonder if my mother is saying to my brother, "Oh, your poor sister must really be poor to be buying toilet paper of such poor quality."

In all this talk about decluttering, I've thought about the things I really value:

(1) My great grandmother's Waterford crystal bowl ("cranberry dish") that she gave me as a wedding gift
(2) My grandmother's Holy Communion misslet from 1929
(3) My children's baptism outfits (worn by myself and DH)
(4) My engagement ring
(5) My collection of Christmas ornaments from childhood to present
(6) My collection of photos (from portraits to snapshots)
(7) A small box of things (rose and baby ring and Mass paper) from the baby that I lost

What are your treasured items?

and I have a cold. Sore throat and sneezing. Highly doubtful that it is allergies. One child had a 99.8 temp yesterday but rebounded and was well enough to go to school.

My day had a thorough and complete list of To Dos. Thankfully, none of them are Must Dos.

So much for Bible Study (who really wants an ill member there), shopping the first day of the new sales at two grocery stores, returning clothing items that don't fit (two stores), doing a round of cooking and mowing the lawn.

I do need to leave the house today to pick up Child 3 at a play date and drop Child 1 and Child 2 at volleyball practice. I do need a gallon of milk so we can have waffles for breakfast.

Other than that, no momentum to tackle the above.

Staved off spending for yet another day.

I've come across my bin of pre-purchased gifts for the upcoming holiday season. I'm getting ready to make my potential list and spread the buying out from Oct to Nov. I try to be done by Thanksgiving.

Anyone else turning an eye toward Christmas now that Fall is around the corner?

Well, I've successfully paid the two big budget lines of the month ($1750 to mortgage and $2213 for property tax payment #2 on the rental property).

My fantasy ended this AM when the remaining kidlet wanted to drink chocolate milk from a sippy cup tucked under his warm blanky. Had the couch of my desires been headed for the living room where we aren't usually hanging out, I would buy it. Living in the family room is a whole nother nut to crack.

This is what I've moved on to - practical and available in a multitude of colors suitable for my life (family room). I'm thinking moss green chenille - and I totally dig that table with the ottomen? All you Grammarians out there, is that the plural of ottoman?

http://www2.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6E.aspx?deptid=57087&catid=57305&grptyp=ENS&itemid=155fb5c&dep=Furniture&pcat=Living+Room&cat=Room+Collections&refpagename=X3%252Easpx&refdeptid=57087&refcatid=57090&cmAMS_T=X3&cmAMS_C=C7&CmCatId=57087|57090

I should add that my furniture budget will be no more than $1,500.

for this sectional. Keep in mind this is for a family room with five children under the age of eleven.

http://www.theroomplace.com/common/product/ProductInfo.aspx?itemid=251784&ChildId=251784&xs=171d07925b2-00aa-4674-89c4-c029abb1c8c6

My last furniture was a four piece set of neutral colored chenille that lasted for five years and cost $800 (purchased floor model). It has held up decently well given the amount of activity it has seen.

I am desperate for a change and the price is about what I can afford. Though I will need some additional seating and tables.

And I've found the perfect drapery panels at Penney's.

Please remind me that this isn't practical. And it is my desire to get out of debt.

I am delusional for the moment, as the newly painted scent is still lingering in the family room. Back to reality tomorrow.

awesome.

Good-bye ultra-ugly dark brick wall fireplace thing in my already dark family room! Hello pristine carmel gloss painted wall to complement my buttercream colored walls.

I must admit to fear and trepidation when DH primed the wall and it went from cave to stark white. But now it blends superbly ... all that is pending is a cosmetic upgrade to the mantle which is at present a dark ugly rustic slab.

New carpeting is ultimately on the agenda. Hopefully by the holidays. And I've been looking at new sectionals and curtain pannels for both my living room and family room. Labor Day didn't yield any particularly good sales. Maybe Columbus Day will, and by then hopefully I will have an additional $600 in my pocket (waiting state income tax refund).

Anyhow the update today cost $30 for supplies. Very economical given the change to the room!

Or so is the wisdom imparted to us by lawyer-brother today at my family's Labor Day Get together.

His law firm deals with divorce (what else is new?) and here are the statistics:
one child 20% of his salary, two children 28% of his salary, three children 32% of his salary, four or more 40% of his salary. As far as spousal support, I wouldn't be entitled to much as I am educated (Master's Degree). I would be entitled to "rehabilitative spousal support" so I can be re-educated to enter the work force. I am also entitled to the house because of the number of kids.

I find this very ironic, because DH and I have never mentioned the "d" word to anyone in the family.

Tomorrow our big venture is to paint our crappy brick fireplace in our family room. It is a 70's house with that dark brick that brings sort of a dungeon-like quality our room that lacks any sort of natural sunlight. Only windows are in the form of a sliding glass door that faces a very shady area in the back of my house. We have no backyard at all, only two huge side yards. Should be a cheap and practical way to brighten up the room.

Have safe Labor Day celebrations!

My 10 year old daughter came home yesterday upset. Apparently one of her classmates insulted my daughter's backpack from last year (DH works in the corporate office of a major office supply retail chain and on Take Your Kids To Work Day the participants receive backpacks filled with tons of goodies).

This girl then proceeded to hold up her backpack (apparently an $85 Vera Bradley bag in the 'newest family of colors') and told M that "this is what cool looks like."

I can't appeal to her sense of maturity because I was one of those kids picked on because of "uncool clothes" and living in an apartment, and I remember how hurt my feelings were.

She is a great friend, daughter and sister. She is a great kid who is smart and gets good grades. She is an accomplished dancer.

What would your response have been?

setting up two separate checking accounts in order to save for different goals.

Both had additional $ incentive offers. I opened both online, so it was pretty effortless.

DH now has a checking account to save for his upcoming/future Corvette repair. It goes in for an estimate on Saturday and I have no idea what it will cost. I opened it with $50, plus the $75 additional to be deposited in 60 days. DH is getting a check from his second job with my father for only $150 - but that is where it is going. There is no minimum monthly fee or minimum balance restrictions for this account.

I opened an additional checking account with $25 and expect $100 to be credited within ten days. This account requires five debit/ATM transactions per month to waive the $6 fee. I plan on using this account exclusively for groceries, and I know I can meet the five transaction requirement.

I have a new system and am attempting to be organized. Well, what else is new?!

I have had to face the reality that all of the money cannot be co-mingled. It just doesn't work for us that way.

Anyone else have to have multiple accounts?

No prepared or convenience foods.

Can she do it? Can she feed a family of seven without boxes of mac and cheese and bags of cheetos? Thankfully, the kitchen is her friend and if she spends everyother day in a planned series of events, it might be do-able.

Tonight it is homemade waffles for dinner and 100% natural maple syrup (a gift from the in-laws). Snacks will be a little tougher - I've got to get some brownies baking.

Can I give up soda for a month and drink nothing but water (flavored with lemon), orange juice or milk? Hopefully my weight will come down a bit (given how dependent I've become on Pepsi to get me thru - and non-diet Pepsi at that!)

I will need to shop more often that I usually do (which has been once a week). Am interested to see how much this will cost. I don't plan on going any place other than Aldi's. I've found that shopping elsewhere plannign according to sale ads and coupons hasn't left a very healthy accumulation of food in the pantry at my house.

It is a NSD for Mr. and Mrs. Good way to start the month!