So a valuable lesson was learned today. When you have homework, you should do it and not wait until right before your class to turn it in! When I told Michael the number I came up with, he gave a look that seemed to imply that I might be under the influence of something and told me I was wrong. I, of course, immediately got defensive, because, hello, I am never wrong. (Ha! I really really hate being wrong!) I immediately started spouting out numbers to him and he is doing the math in his head. When I started running out of numbers to throw out I had that sinking feeling....I might actually be wrong. In this case, I was glad to be wrong. Well I still hate that I was wrong, but the end result of me being wrong was good.
I had over calculated our total debt amount by over 45k. I don't know how. I've been trying to figure it out all evening. It doesn't really matter though, God is good and I have a sense of peace around me in that aspect. We also sat down and put the numbers into our detailed budget. Again, it turned out to be not nearly as bad as we (well I, since he hasn't really been putting much of anything into for a while) anticipated. We still have a long road ahead of us when it comes to paying things off, but we are not going to survive on beans and rice!
I still am a little resentful about being talked into looking at and then falling for the Escalade, but we are only 2.3% above the range that Dave recommends for transportation. Since we are 1% under his minimum range for housing, I'm going to let it go and enjoy the spaciousness that we have with the Escalade. We still have some room to cut back on things if I get the fire inside me to do it and work on our snowball. Right now we are still plugging to finishing up our emergency fund. Craigslist isn't really helping me out much other than saying good-bye to my massage table. (If anyone is in the market for an armoire, a PS2 with Rock Band {complete with 2 guitars}, or a video camera that would be great for a young aspiring film maker, let me know. I'll make you a deal.)
Another thing we did today, because we have been really really bad about slipping with our giving was put it on AUTO withdraw! Now, we have no excuses. God comes first as it should be I know, I know! We should have been doing this all along, but we are now. I feel much better about things all over.
Thank you to those who shared encouragement and prayers. Next time I get into crazy panic mode will someone smack me and tell me to think it all the way through and put it down on paper? Please! Now I'm off to start reading Dave's book "Total Money Makeover."
Oh and on another bright note, Piper is in big girl panties full time! Even at night! We know there will be a few accidents here and there, but we are in it all the way!!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
The one where I want to beat the snot out of something
Ok, maybe not snot because I don't think anything non-living has snot. It has been one ridiculously long week. Financial Peace is taking a lot out of me this time around. Why? Because we are stupid when it comes to money. Tonight was week 3. Those of you have gone through FPU, know what I'm talking about. Week 3. Where you have to turn in the little slip of paper that says how much debt you have not counting your mortgage. I kind of forgot about it so I did it real quick at the beginning of class. I seriously about had a panic attack. How did we get here!?! One thing for sure is the stupid Escalade. From now on, I don't care what my husband says he can deal with my narrow mind. I have enough crazy whims on my own without him adding more.I'm NOT saying it is his fault. I'm not. I'm saying it is my fault for giving in and then agreeing that we could get one.
So I figured out our insane total and tried really hard to hold back the tears that were threatening to overflow. Texted Michael and freaked out on him a little. I didn't tell him the number because I didn't want him to have think about it at work. This week has been pretty busy for him with a lot of kids with flu in the PICU. (Mini detour on thought. I'm usually anti-flu shot because I'm one who gets sick after getting one, Six years of getting one with the military and getting sick each time. I told him if he wanted the girls to get one, then I'd not say anything. He said with so many people having reactions to the shot this year and so many getting sick after getting the shot, he wasn't sure if they should or not. My off topic point: If you think your kids might have the flu, err on the side of caution and have them tested. There are some wicked strains going around.)
So my homework this week...to do all the budget sheets. The ones that say where every penny goes. I'm sure there will be tears and gnashing of teeth, but it will get done and it will be for the better. Right? Say yes. PLEASE!
Sooo with all the FPU wake-ups, Piper's fevers that like to come up when Michael is at work, her still waiting to be assigned a case manage with Sooner Start and her pooping in the floor during potty training (TWICE IN ONE NIGHT), and with Gabbie going through a phase (I hope) of needing mommy to hold her ALL the time, and Allisyn being full of sass and not in a good way, I have a lot of frustration and stress built up. That's just the stuff going on in my house. My desktop has also come up with some sort of crazy virus or something. It was the focus of my anger earlier, but I did not act out on it.
So there you go, another long and and rambling, possibly even incoherent blog post from me. At 20 till 11 at night.
So I figured out our insane total and tried really hard to hold back the tears that were threatening to overflow. Texted Michael and freaked out on him a little. I didn't tell him the number because I didn't want him to have think about it at work. This week has been pretty busy for him with a lot of kids with flu in the PICU. (Mini detour on thought. I'm usually anti-flu shot because I'm one who gets sick after getting one, Six years of getting one with the military and getting sick each time. I told him if he wanted the girls to get one, then I'd not say anything. He said with so many people having reactions to the shot this year and so many getting sick after getting the shot, he wasn't sure if they should or not. My off topic point: If you think your kids might have the flu, err on the side of caution and have them tested. There are some wicked strains going around.)
So my homework this week...to do all the budget sheets. The ones that say where every penny goes. I'm sure there will be tears and gnashing of teeth, but it will get done and it will be for the better. Right? Say yes. PLEASE!
Sooo with all the FPU wake-ups, Piper's fevers that like to come up when Michael is at work, her still waiting to be assigned a case manage with Sooner Start and her pooping in the floor during potty training (TWICE IN ONE NIGHT), and with Gabbie going through a phase (I hope) of needing mommy to hold her ALL the time, and Allisyn being full of sass and not in a good way, I have a lot of frustration and stress built up. That's just the stuff going on in my house. My desktop has also come up with some sort of crazy virus or something. It was the focus of my anger earlier, but I did not act out on it.
So there you go, another long and and rambling, possibly even incoherent blog post from me. At 20 till 11 at night.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
We made it!
We made it through another week of Michael working! Yay!
The foster puppy has someone who is interested in seeing her tomorrow! Fingers crossed she gets her forever home. It is bad enough when I have to clean up after the little rat dog, adding a puppy is a bit much.
We are going to try to foster kittens. They can be completely confined in a crate, in a bathroom and be well taken care of. Less, all up in your routine and stealing your socks. Oh, wait, that's my big dog who has started doing that. Any article of clothing, he feels he must pack it around.
We are still waiting to hear back from Sooner Start. I am pretty sure they will be getting a call tomorrow. Our evaluation was before Christmas.
This is an interesting post for any of those who might have kids experiencing growing pains. We are going through this with Alli right now. At least my year of massage school comes to some good now. http://ow.ly/3Cw9b
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
The foster puppy has someone who is interested in seeing her tomorrow! Fingers crossed she gets her forever home. It is bad enough when I have to clean up after the little rat dog, adding a puppy is a bit much.
We are going to try to foster kittens. They can be completely confined in a crate, in a bathroom and be well taken care of. Less, all up in your routine and stealing your socks. Oh, wait, that's my big dog who has started doing that. Any article of clothing, he feels he must pack it around.
We are still waiting to hear back from Sooner Start. I am pretty sure they will be getting a call tomorrow. Our evaluation was before Christmas.
This is an interesting post for any of those who might have kids experiencing growing pains. We are going through this with Alli right now. At least my year of massage school comes to some good now. http://ow.ly/3Cw9b
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
One more night...
Tonight is Michael's last night of his week! Yay!! It has been a long week. Friday was Bunco and it ran late which I came home to a Piper who was
running off borrowed steam. She was running a fever and cancelled our plans to go to Tulsa
for a shower for a friend. Gabbie was also a little out of sorts for being up so late. It took them both a while to wind down to go to sleep. It took me even longer. Then I woke up to poor Gabbie coughing so hard, she spit up...in my hair. It was a first, and it was gross. I couldn't get back to sleep
after that so I started cleaning. At 5 am.
Having foster puppies leaves a lot of extra cleaning.
I dropped them off at the adoption center. Thought drop-offs started at 730...not on the weekends. I stayed out until they opened up at 9, dropped them off, got home let Michael go to bed. Did more cleaning.
After Michael woke up, went and helped my mom and sister pack up and move my sister out of her apartment. Thankfully my brother was available to help out because I didn't bring any tools. He came through! It was pretty impressive that she got all packed up and totally moved out in one day. We had some shoe shenanigans to top it off! In between loads from the apartment to my garage,
I picked up Aurora, who did not find her forever home like Ariel did.
My mom and sister stayed the night. My brother hung out and we watched the first 5 episodes of She-ra. It was good memory making evening. Sleep was again minimal and Piper was a crab apple due to not feeling well, causing us to miss church.
Monday I was just off-kilter, but we did make it to Monday For The Master and I went through the first lesson of FPU. This morning I was out of it, but I got the girls to school, the puppy dropped off, and had a nice lunch with some wonderful friends. Michael got up early so I could take a nap. He's awesome like that. So now, I'm blogging when I should be sleeping.
Uncle Dustin reading a story to Alli.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
running off borrowed steam. She was running a fever and cancelled our plans to go to Tulsa
for a shower for a friend. Gabbie was also a little out of sorts for being up so late. It took them both a while to wind down to go to sleep. It took me even longer. Then I woke up to poor Gabbie coughing so hard, she spit up...in my hair. It was a first, and it was gross. I couldn't get back to sleep
after that so I started cleaning. At 5 am.
Having foster puppies leaves a lot of extra cleaning.
I dropped them off at the adoption center. Thought drop-offs started at 730...not on the weekends. I stayed out until they opened up at 9, dropped them off, got home let Michael go to bed. Did more cleaning.
After Michael woke up, went and helped my mom and sister pack up and move my sister out of her apartment. Thankfully my brother was available to help out because I didn't bring any tools. He came through! It was pretty impressive that she got all packed up and totally moved out in one day. We had some shoe shenanigans to top it off! In between loads from the apartment to my garage,
I picked up Aurora, who did not find her forever home like Ariel did.
My mom and sister stayed the night. My brother hung out and we watched the first 5 episodes of She-ra. It was good memory making evening. Sleep was again minimal and Piper was a crab apple due to not feeling well, causing us to miss church.
Monday I was just off-kilter, but we did make it to Monday For The Master and I went through the first lesson of FPU. This morning I was out of it, but I got the girls to school, the puppy dropped off, and had a nice lunch with some wonderful friends. Michael got up early so I could take a nap. He's awesome like that. So now, I'm blogging when I should be sleeping.
Uncle Dustin reading a story to Alli.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Friday, January 7, 2011
Made It More "Me"
Oh my! I'm blogging again AND I'm actually at the computer! Since Gabbie and Piper (break in typing to go get Gabbie) have been really easy going and not so needy this morning, I've had the chance to work on the blog! Allisyn....well let just say we have had an emotional 4-year-old morning. Even with her emotional meltdowns, she is old enough to let her deal with it on her own. It tends to make her mad when I don't sit around and baby her silly tantrums and meltdowns, but she eventually gets over it.
Anyway, I had time at the computer and I updated my layout. Opinions?
So I think I mentioned starting Weight Watchers again. I'm on day 4. Thankfully, I get extra points for breastfeeding. Most days, I need them! One thing I wish they did differently, is to use your activity points before your extra points. I know in the grand scheme of things it doesn't matter, but in my head, it would make me feel better.
The rearranging of things for better organization is going really well. I've got almost everything moved around like I want it. I just have to move the girls computer desk and computers over from the playroom to my office. Now don't go thinking my girls are super duper spoiled (they are just super spoiled) the computers are hand-me-downs from my aunt and they are only used for learning games. I'm setting up the office/craft room as a "learning center." That way when I'm up here on the computer or at the sewing machine they can be doing workbooks and computer games and arts and crafts. Another goal of mine is to cut back on the TV. It's been off more than it has been on today and I like it!
Another goal of mine this year is to work on giving back more. So, I'm volunteering with OK Humane Society. One of the ways we (my family gets to help even if they [Michael] are less than thrilled) are volunteering, is by fostering. Right now we have 2 very rambunctious terrier mix puppies. I'm thinking that we may end up just fostering kitties. Puppies are very "up in your routine" and kitties can be more confined. You also don't have to watch out for puddles and piles. :-( On the flip side, my floor is getting steamed a on a much, much, more frequently.
So here is a picture of our first foster puppies, "Ariel' and "Aurora." No, we did not get to name these, they came to us already named!
Anyway, I had time at the computer and I updated my layout. Opinions?
So I think I mentioned starting Weight Watchers again. I'm on day 4. Thankfully, I get extra points for breastfeeding. Most days, I need them! One thing I wish they did differently, is to use your activity points before your extra points. I know in the grand scheme of things it doesn't matter, but in my head, it would make me feel better.
The rearranging of things for better organization is going really well. I've got almost everything moved around like I want it. I just have to move the girls computer desk and computers over from the playroom to my office. Now don't go thinking my girls are super duper spoiled (they are just super spoiled) the computers are hand-me-downs from my aunt and they are only used for learning games. I'm setting up the office/craft room as a "learning center." That way when I'm up here on the computer or at the sewing machine they can be doing workbooks and computer games and arts and crafts. Another goal of mine is to cut back on the TV. It's been off more than it has been on today and I like it!
Another goal of mine this year is to work on giving back more. So, I'm volunteering with OK Humane Society. One of the ways we (my family gets to help even if they [Michael] are less than thrilled) are volunteering, is by fostering. Right now we have 2 very rambunctious terrier mix puppies. I'm thinking that we may end up just fostering kitties. Puppies are very "up in your routine" and kitties can be more confined. You also don't have to watch out for puddles and piles. :-( On the flip side, my floor is getting steamed a on a much, much, more frequently.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
New Year New...
Me? I doubt it. I'm not one for making resolutions because I don't tend to keep to them very well. I am starting Weight Watchers again, but I just wanted to wait until after the holidays. I didn't even start until yesterday because there was a pint of Haagen Dasz in the freezer that needed to be taken care of.
I do have a few goals I'm going to strive for and I would appreciate gentle reminders (or an occasional smack upside the head if you feel it's really called for) to keep focused.
First, I'm going to work on being content with what we have. God truly has blessed us with so much, and I need to get out of the "I want" phase so much. I'm not saying there aren't still things that I wouldn't like to have, but I'm not going to obsess about getting them.
The main reason for my first goal, is that I feel I'm not being thankful enough for everything God has given us I'm going to really be more grateful for my blessings.
The second reason also leads to my second goal. Get back on track financially. I'm going to go through FPU again. I need a refresher. These are the things I will need gentle nudges, (or blatant call-outs). If you hear me talking, see me tweeting, or posting about wanting something ridiculous, let me know.*
My third goal is to try to keep things a little more functional. I won't get into everything I've done or plan to do right now. I'll just mention that I figured out the name of my blog from my recent goal!!
*Disclaimer: I'm working it into out budget to get a few electronic things throughout the year, laptop (both of ours are ancient and fried) iPad, (to be used as my laptop) and possibly a NOOK. I'm going to try to sell some stuff to help. (Know anyone who wants/needs a massage table?)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
I do have a few goals I'm going to strive for and I would appreciate gentle reminders (or an occasional smack upside the head if you feel it's really called for) to keep focused.
First, I'm going to work on being content with what we have. God truly has blessed us with so much, and I need to get out of the "I want" phase so much. I'm not saying there aren't still things that I wouldn't like to have, but I'm not going to obsess about getting them.
The main reason for my first goal, is that I feel I'm not being thankful enough for everything God has given us I'm going to really be more grateful for my blessings.
The second reason also leads to my second goal. Get back on track financially. I'm going to go through FPU again. I need a refresher. These are the things I will need gentle nudges, (or blatant call-outs). If you hear me talking, see me tweeting, or posting about wanting something ridiculous, let me know.*
My third goal is to try to keep things a little more functional. I won't get into everything I've done or plan to do right now. I'll just mention that I figured out the name of my blog from my recent goal!!
*Disclaimer: I'm working it into out budget to get a few electronic things throughout the year, laptop (both of ours are ancient and fried) iPad, (to be used as my laptop) and possibly a NOOK. I'm going to try to sell some stuff to help. (Know anyone who wants/needs a massage table?)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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