New Year, New You?


Ok, here we are...Jan 2014.  I am a self professed Type A, control freak.   Oh, ya give me a empty calendar, a cup of coffee and BLISS!!!  I stared at that empty calendar thinking of all the new exciting things that may come our way this year!!  Summer vacations to plan, birthday parties, long weekends, visits to family and friends!! I truly feel blessed this time of year to have to opportunity to look at a empty calendar and see hope.  I see progress, I see welcome change.  I hope to see 10lbs gone prior to all those future visits and long weekends!!! We have set some goals for this year, I have prayed that they will be obtainable for us.  Our biggest goal this year is to buy a new home.  We have a lovely one to sell, but after many moves with the military, retirement and a new job for the hubby, it is time to settle into our " forever home:"..And believe you me this Nurse is thinking single story so when she is old and needs a walker she doesn't have to move!!  ( I know not all 38 year olds think like this, but a 38 year old Nurse sure does!!)  I know that to get to this goal it will require some discipline from both of us on the budgeting part.  Oh how I would love to blame my hubby for our lack of funds, but alas I was the one who booked the 15 trip to Maui for Christmas ( more on that later).  So as any regretful addict, I again went full on, head first and wrote lists, made meal plans, and planned out every pay where it shall go!!!  Again..Type A BLISS!!!  this year I will blog more ( I hope I have some readers) facebook less, and enjoy every minute.  I wonder if everyone feels this sense of purpose in the New Year?  Maybe I just have too much time on my hands since the kids went back to school.......


Till next time


Jenn

I am not a Stage Mom...but it was pretty cool

ok, so seriously I am not a Stage Mom.  But honestly I can see how one could be.  Who wouldn't want the world to see how great your kids are?? I mean mine are fab, cute, smart, witty, etc.
So I was checking out the local "Kids in.."mag for some fun, free things to do with my kiddos this week.  Well there it was..a casting call (?) looking for volunteers (?),  my kids ages to be in a show that they will be filming today and Tuesday.  I thought about it.....hmm.....then emailed back an resounding "YES".  So we show up to the "location" nice and early, and I guess that when you are in show biz you show up "fashionably late" cause they were, almost 30 mins late!!! Tried my best to keep the kids clean as they ran all over!!  Note: location was a local beach with tons of great stuff to play on and with!!!! 

The Host was this super cute,hyper 15 year old.  He really knew how to get the kids excited and into it!!!  Overall the kids loved it and my son even had a line!! They both did great!!!  So we go again on Tuesday for some more, and hopefully they still have a great time. 
It was exactly what we were looking for today.  Something different, new and fun!!  I guess you never know where the day will take you sometimes!!

Shout Out!!!

I wanted to give a Big Ole "Shout Out" to two of my favorite girls.  They have absolutely no idea who I am, but I love them!!  Creepy? I hope not!!

These 2 Mama's from the South have a great blog/website

crockingirls.com

The recipes they have on their site and in their cookbook are AMAZING!!!  I know it's too hot outside right now to even think about using a crock pot, but let me tell you. The Amazing Pork Chops recipes will change your life!!! My kids ask for seconds!! There are so many different ideas ( example Banana  Bread !!) that you will never run out of ideas!! I have shared this website with so many friends and co-workers and the response was always the same " Thanks"
 

This is not a paid advertisement at all, but hey...if someone out there wants too...LOL!!!

Please check them out!!!

Always
Jenn

Money..ah yes Money..

Ok, so here is the first post on Money.  Disclaimer: I have no idea how to handle money.  But I am trying.

End of post...nope..Lets learn together!!!

History:  I grew up with money...not a lot..but enough to never have to think about it.
Sounds good right?? Not...my Mom and Dad gave me everything...But may have forgotten to show me how to manage money.  Case in point: Me ( 20 years old, living on my own) Phone call to Mom" Hi Mom, so I kinda went shopping yesterday..got some really cute stuff, but now I don't have enough for rent.  Can you spot me some $$$?" Mom: Sure honey.  ( End scene)
Ok, I felt the love.  And I know that they just wanted to help, but....
Here I am. Married 14 years.  2 kids..and DEBT..
Yep, you read it right..DEBT
I know that most people me age ( 30 ish) have DEBT, but mine ( ours) is stupid DEBT.
Bad decisions DEBT.  Example: I know my Van is totally paid for, but man is that Lexus nice......LETS BUY IT!!!!  ugh...mentally kicking myself..
Hubby so sweet, can't say " No" to me ( yippee I guess??) So I made a decision.
NO MORE DEBT!!! NO MORE STUPID DECISIONS!!!  ( I know I know, but lets see)

Plan:  Step 1 Read Dave Ramsey Total Money Makeover.daveramsey.com
  Man he is good!! Fav comment
" When you have DEBT one place you can save money is your grocery bill..I'll tell you what your grocery list will be ...BEANS AND RICE AND RICE AND BEANS!!! 

Step  2 Make a Budget and Stick to it!!
I make a weekly menu so I only buy what I need at the grocery store.  Did you know that 60% of your grocery bill can be made up of impulse purchases?? The grocery store spends tons of money trying to figure out how to make you spend yours!!! Lets out smart them!!

Step 3  Get your spouse on board!!!
This can be the hardest part!! My hubby hates the DEBT too, but sometimes getting him to see that
$500 at Costco is NOT IN OUR BUDGET!!!!  I am working on trying to get him to work with me on this...keep posted on my progress.  His spirit is strong, but his love of Costco may be stronger!!!

So I will post more on this topic ASAP, just wanted to send out a couple of things that work over here for us..

Good luck!!
Comment please!!!
Always
Jenn

Here is a pic of my weekly grocery list.  Sorry for the side pic...

So the idea is to only buy what you need. Remember 60% of your purchases are impulse buys.  They count on that!!! Never buy what is at the end of the isle "on sale" that is never the best deal!! Check out the bottom selves as they put the most expensive things "eye sight" Check out the flyers, do your research!! Out smart them!!! They spend TONS of money trying to out smart YOU!!

HERE WE GO!!!!

ok, ok, first post....what to  write, what to say....hmm.... ( yep I love using the ...) So I just might as well introduce myself and what I plan on talking(?) blogging about. 
I have two great kids..
10 year old boy...loving, kind, still snuggles, still thinks Mom and Dad are the best...
8 year old girl...adventures, fearless, keeps me on my toes, lots of snuggles to boot!!

My hubby retired from the Army 2 years ago..took him a bit to figure out what/where is future is..tried school...tried working for the army as a " civillian"...God had a different plan for us..
Now he works "up North" gone for 12 days and home for 12 days.  Not everyone's "piece of pie" but for us it works well.
 I am an RN. I work only day shifts ( oh ya!!!) and very very part-time ( yep 6 days a month baby!!)  My main focus is my family.  I want to serve them as best I can. 
God blessed me with this amazing family, and I want to make the most of this life with them.

I struggle every day with this...Finding the joy in the "little things"  You see most Nurses are, and yes I am too..very Type "A".  I am always planning, always thinking, always organizing.  Lists are my BFF...
Learning to let go...
not easy.....
Taking the time to "smell the roses" Taking the time to enjoy some laughter. Taking the time to just sit back and relax.
I'm on a huge learning curve
Learn along with me.  Let's find the joy in everyday!!!  Together!!!
Hey, Did I mention that I am trying to learn to knit? Now that takes patience!!!
 So what I plan on taking/blogging about
Family
Money ( how to budget, how to spend wisely, etc)
Recipes
Knitting projects ( this one might take a while)
Everything in between!!
Come join me!!!

Always
Jenn