Random Thoughts

You know when you really need a moment to yourself? When Daddy's out of town, and you can hear the dog eating your picky son's dinner off the table, and the kids are watching something you really don't like on Cartoon Network, and the house looks like a tornado hit, and you still say to yourself, "I don't care... I want a little 'me' time RIGHT NOW anyway," ? That's where I am right now.

I want to be organized. Desperately. This is something I've struggled with since childhood. I see my friends' cute, neat, clean homes, and I come home to mine... and I want to cry! And don't tell me about FlyLady. I've tried it. She is a wonderful woman, very smart, funny, sweet, and has certainly helped tons of people... but I am a three-time FlyLady flunkie!! I go and shine my sink. And it stays nice for a few days. And then the next thing I know...

Okay, maybe a slight exaggeration. But you get it. There are too many things that NEED to be done RIGHT NOW for me to feel good about my shiny sink. I know it didn't get this way overnight, and it can't totally change as fast. I think I just get disappointed in how little time & energy I have to devote to this, and then I throw in the towel. Could it be that I'm an OCD slob? Maybe since I've written this down for my friends to see, I'll feel accountable & newly motivated and make the changes I need to!

Well, at least I read scriptures every day. I really do. To the point that if I consider missing a night, I'm so uncomfortable that I have to. At least one chapter. I am grateful to have that bit of peace in my life each day. I guess that shows I am capable of forming good habits, because that's something I used to struggle with, too. I suppose there's a...

Good changes, good food, and good neighbors

Holy cow, November?? That was the last time I blogged? Whoops.

We had a nice Christmas at home, followed by a visit to Hunt & Austin. We got a chance to hang out with lots of family we don't see often enough.

Sugarplum turned two... no more 'babies' in my house :*(

And Little Man is now FIVE! He had a great time at Jumping Party with loads of buddies.

I TOTALLY chopped off my hair... a good foot or so. I love it! It feels & looks so much better.

High five to Dave Ramsey... we paid off our car, and received the title in the mail today! Whittling away that nasty debt a little at a time...

Kyle got a 3-in-one grill... gas, charcoal, and a smoker. It has truly changed our lives! It's amazing how much better food tastes off the grill.. it's been so long, I'd forgotten. So far we've done carribean pork chops & fresh grilled pineapple, and a whole brined chicken... mmmmm...

And... we have a new member of our family...

Meet Leeloo, our 18 month old Brittany (and possibly Springer mix). After talking to a couple breeders, we found her through National Brittany Rescue Adoption Network. She is absolutely perfect for our family! In a week and a half, I've heard her bark 3 times... twice at birds, and once at an ornery dog who started it. She is a total love sponge, soaking it up from whomever is nearest at the moment. She's crate trained & housebroken, and is so good natured! It's great to see the kids with her (and I include Kyle in that). She's already had a great influence on our household.
Which brings me to my neighbors. We are blessed with great neighbors on either side of us... but one has gone above and beyond the call of neighborly duty. A couple days ago, we came home from a long outing to find our yard dogless. One week... and she was gone! After about five minutes of sheer panic (and even starting a very sad "Lost Dog" sign), I thought, "Check at the neighbors." And sure enough, there she was. She'd climbed into their yard over a slightly shorter bit of fence, and fortunately wasn't able to get completely out. A couple things... a Brittany is a BIRD dog, and our neighbors have several pet birds in cages, indoors and out. But they kept her (and she used her very best manners) until we got home. And, best of all, Mrs. Awesome Neighbor took the time to clip out all the burrs Leeloo had gotten in our weedy backyard that I hadn't been able to get to yet. Did I mention that my kids frequent their house, and if I can't find one, I know they're safely next door? Good, good people. I need to bake them something. They are a blessing.
So, that's my sum up since Dollface's birthday. Whew! What a whirlwind!

Thankful...

First, some recent pictures of Halloween, Dolllface's birthday, and our visit with the Lunds...







And now, the latest news...

Kyle's employer is handing out another round of layoffs for the third time in 18 months. Once again, we'll find out for sure in January if he will keep his job. It's actually looking good, but nothing is 100% certain yet.

Dollface has been diagnosed with ADD, and we've started meds. It will take from two to four weeks to see any improvement. And yet, she just won second place in the UIL storytelling competition for her grade!

Little Man... well, he needs to pull his pants up. And he needs to stop picking on Sugarplum. But darn if those big blue eyes don't melt my heart every time I see them.

Sugarplum is managing to be her usual cheerful self despite her nasty cold and resulting "permasnot", as I call it.

I have a headache that's bordering near migraine level, and I'm close to wandering the nearest dark alley in search of someone in a trenchcoat to cure it.

But I'm thankful!

My life isn't perfect, due to choices I make and sometimes to things that fall in my lap. But I can't deny how blessed I am! I have family near and far that want the best in the world for me. I have a husband who loves me tremendously and couldn't be a better match for me. I have kids that are healthy enough to test my patience, then turn around and do something terribly sweet. I have a safe home for my family, even if the yard is full of dying weeds and I hate the sliding glass doors. I have trials that strengthen me, If I allow them to. And when things get too hard to handle, I have a Heavenly Father who I can turn to for peace.

More on the budget front...

I know, I'm beating a dead horse. We're on a budget, too much debt, wah wah wah, feel sorry for me... Well, actually, things are looking up. With a little finagling, the budget is loosening up. I'm actually seeing a wee bit more wiggle room. I won't be going on any shopping sprees, but I feel encouraged. A little inspired, even. As I told Kyle, it's still painful, but we've moved from, say, Loritab painful to generic Ibuprofen painful. I didn't expect to see a change this soon! I know without a doubt that paying tithing in cash has really helped, too.Those windows of heaven are opening up.

The most wonderful time of the year

Remember this commercial? I always sort of snickered at it, but I didn't have kids old enough to fully appreciate it. Now, I have a soon-to-be 2nd grader & pre-schooler who desperately need to see teachers and friends again... and I am a mommy who needs some fun alone time with her baby.
So, yes, I am one of those bad parents who looks forward to back to school. I feel no shame for it, either!

This summer has had its good moments, don't get me wrong. For instance, Dollface got her blackbelt! I'm so proud of my big girl. Another few years of honing her talent, and she'll be prepared for the dating years.



We've also found out a bit more about our big girl. After a year of counseling, and a visit with a behavioral pediatrician in Lubbock, we're facing either ADHD, or possibly a mood disorder (such as bipolar disorder). We'll have a confirmed diagnosis and treatment plan when we get more info from last year's teacher and her new teacher once they get to know each other. Her next appointment is in late October. I can see the light at the end of this tunnel now. We're finally headed in the best direction to help her.

Aaah, budgeting...

This budget stuff is challenging. I knew it would be. Why else would I have avoided it for 9 years? Now, I've always been a bargain hunter; that comes from my Mom. I get a high when I come across an amazing sale, bogo offer, etc... I feel smart. I've fought the system! Stuck it to the man! I've come to realize there are many generics that are just as good (and sometimes better) than name brands. I've also come to realize, unfortunately, that there are a few items it's just best not to compromise on... either get the good stuff, or go without. Tomatoes, for one. I'd rather spend the $2 a lb. on the greenhouse ones than 79 cents on those huge, hard, grainy pink ones that belong on fast food hamburgers. Another product I now know I can't compromise on are hot dogs.
What? you laugh. Hot dogs? All they are is (to quote an old classmate) 'regurgitated pig parts'. Slap some mustard on 'em, and there you go. A hot dog's a hot dog! But no! If you like hot dogs enough to buy them, and you've never had a Hebrew National... well, you have no clue what you've been missing! They are wonderful. They are all Kosher beef. Blessed by Rabbi's or something. Heavenly. Divine, I say! And they cost anywhere from twice to five times as much as most other brands. About the same as a pound of lean ground beef. So I told myself, hey, I can cut back here. I'll buy cheap hot dogs for a while. Got some turkey ones; less fat and less expensive. I took one bite... and wanted to run screaming, throwing the offending morsel as far from myself and my family as possible.
I now have a choice to make. Good hot dogs, or NO hot dogs. Bottom line. As God is my witness, I'll never buy cheap hot dogs again!

Shaving heads, check... drinking Kool-Aid, check...

Don't worry, we haven't joined a cult. Well, not a bad one, anyway. We just started our Total Money Makeover with Dave Ramsey. Kyle bought said book a few months ago, and he thumbed through it a bit, and I just avoided it alltogether. Then I started reading it.
:::Sidenote::: Those who know me understand it's a miracle if I read for Book Club each month, and I'm doing good if I got halfway through it. At this point in my life, my lack of reading truly is due to lack of time. But I didn't enjoy reading until my late 20's (thank you J.K. Rowling, my own personal Annie Sullivan in that respect) There, I said it. I was reigning Cliff Notes Queen from 7th grade to HS graduation. So sue me.
Back to "Uncle Dave"... I'm devouring said book, and can't wait to go medieval on our debt! If you want to look into it, go to his website, and look for the Financial Reality Check, and try out the Gazelle Budget Lite (a basic, quick-and-dirty free budgeting tool).
I know the Church has always warned us about debt. The problem is, once you realize how badly you're in the middle of it, it feels pretty hopeless. Faith and prayer will point you in the right direction, no doubt. Then you have to ACT. We're finally at that point, and it's scary, depressing... and yet exciting and hopeful, too. Join me! Shave your head! Drink the Kool-Aid!