Handsome at its Best!

I have had this jacket for months - waiting for LH to finally wear it! He did and loved it and looked so handsome! So grown up! *sigh*

Sharp!
Escorting Mommy to her seat at the wedding!

Ready for the 3D IMAX movie - and snacking on some popcorn too!

Always has to touch it! Can't just enjoy looking at it! It's a boy thing!

Brrrrr! But you couldn't tell he was cold! Loving every minute of it!

Dixieland Delight

We were in Tennessee this past weekend for a short visit with the family and to go to my cousin's wedding. Friday was great as we got to visit with an old friend and her sweet baby boy in Knoxville for lunch as we headed on to Chattanooga or Chagganooga as LH says. I got some cute pics of the boys bonding and will post soon I promise!

The weekend was fast but we did manage to relax and visit with both grandmothers. We got to see an IMAX show Under the Sea at the Aquarium and LH loved it (all except that part of one of the fish snacking on a Dory-like fish)

- kind of scarred him for life. It was 3-D and he had his hand stretched out the entire time trying to touch everything on the screen! It was adorable. We all really enjoyed it! And it was FREE - my aunt can get tickets for most anything downtown, so we were in luck!

The wedding was great! LH looked so grown up and handsome! He had on a madras sports coat that was just too cute for words (and yes I have pics of that too)! He did really well and danced the whole time!

We got back fairly early on Sunday (around 12:30) so we still had the whole afternoon to enjoy. We let LH ride his bike and play outside until he was too exhausted to move. He and daddy took a LONG nap and I enjoyed a few Lifetime/Hallmark movies.

All in all, it was a great weekend! Love my family!

Falling Back

And loving every minute of it.


This is my favorite time of year and it will be a little cooler soon, which I love even more! NOW, this is not to be confused with loving Winter, but just cooler temperatures! I do not love or even like snow! Never have. I opted out of snowball fights, most snowmen building and yes, even sleighriding! It's just not my thing....


I do however, love walks through paths of changing leaves, a hike through the mountains, drives on the parkway, and having homemade soups and grilled cheese sandwiches with a fire cuddled up under a blanket!


With Fall Back right ahead of us (this Sunday by the way), I've finally gotten back into my routine and normal -ish lifestyle of menu planning, coupon shopping and feeling on top of things! I have planned out a menu for the next 2 weeks and have a shopping list ready to go with coupons and sales in mind! I set out LH's outfits for this entire week and mine too! This is something that has taken a back burner, but has me running frantic every morning! Laundry is done (thanks Hubby), and the kitchen counter has stayed clutter free for about 4 weeks now!!!! The budget is holding up pretty strong and I'm finding great deals for Christmas presents and such (so its keeping me in check to our budget and even a little leftover if I'm lucky)!

Makin' a list and checkin' it twice....

For most of you, the Holiday season comes with a lot of anxiety. For me, it's fun, exciting and mostly enjoyable. Usually the shopping alone will do you in, even for the most laid back person.

Not to scare you, but there are 63 days until Christmas. But in all actuality, there are 9 shopping weekends. This is not to scare you, but to just make you aware that the time is looming over us. I know that you are feeling the pressure. How could you not with retailers already decorating and stocking the shelves with tinsle and greenery. I want you to take a deep breath and approach this calmly.


I'm not sure how most of you plan for gifts? I am a budgeter, through and through for all things, including gifts. ALL gifts. We have a set amount in mind for every occassion. We had to! When we first got married, I was barely working part time and we had to get creative. We weren't the only ones getting married, having babies, celebrating graduations, birthdays, etc. We had to come up with a strategy. At first it was hard. We thought we should give a "matching" gift of one received. You know that kind. Same in value or importance. We realized very quickly that we couldn't keep up with that and would have to come up with another plan. We would have thrown ourselves in major debt trying to keep up with the Jones'. We came up with our own plan, budget and system for gift giving. It helps that I am kind of crafty and can make a very personal gift with spending very little money. Remember, it really is the thought that counts.


Even though I rarely leave the gift buying up to the Hubby (with the exception of a few gift cards), he is well aware of our limits/budget for each occassion. Gradually, over the years, the budget has increased and we feel more comfortable in our spending, but it was quite comical in the early years trying to get the most bang for our buck.


With all this said, I think the first step should be making a list - would you expect any less from me? A very detailed list. List everyone you can possibly think of that you would like to give something to or do something for. Don't forget your mail carier, sanitation workers (trash), newspaper person, hairdressers, teachers, busdrivers, etc. These will add to your budget quickly and cause some discomfort if not prepared. Another idea that we have adopted is only buying for the kids with our friends and drawing names with my husband's family ("kids" only with a set limit). We decided that this was easier and saves money. So, now, you need to set a limit for each person on your list. Ours is pretty basic. Once you have a limit in mind, you can start filling in ideas for each person.


Remember that once you have an idea in mind for a gift and price range, you're shopping will be easier. This also helps with just regular everyday shopping. I see things all the time that are on sale, have a coupon, or websites that offer free shipping, etc for items on my list that I utilize throughout the year so I save more money. Also, realize that if you planned on spending $50 on someone but find the item(s) you were looking for at a cheaper price, don't feel obligated to get more stuff just to spend the entire amount you budgeted. This is why it is called a limit. You try not to go over it, but if you come in under, great! You aren't getting any less than you had wanted to, so be excited with your savings!


I take advantage of deals throughout the year with places I use the most like Snapfish, Amazon, Shutterfly, and Vista Print. Most of the photo storage/sharing websites offer great deals on free shipping, free prints, stationary, and discounted photo books, etc. that you can take advantage of and make wonderful gifts for parents and grandparents. Also consider magazine subscriptions, books and games when they are on sale or offered with a buy one/get one deal. I love those because I can get one for me (or if I'm in the giving mood, I give away the other).

I'm also a fond believer in simple! Whether this be a handmade craft, store bought item with an extra personal touch or embellishment, a group of framed photos (these are very great gifts for the family), or food items. I don't bake but still love to make foodie items just as a simple and small token! Remember last year?

Check out Money Saving Mom to get great websites that offer coupon codes, free shipping and more.

Don't be scared! Get out there and start planning! Good luck!

Pickin' Pumpkins

I would love to say that I was there to enjoy this wonderful trip to the Pumpkin Patch, but I was working! It was a field trip done with LH's preschool and a friend of mine that tagged along as a chaperone with the class was kind enough to snap a few pics. We were so excited when the permission slip came home because we've been struggling to figure out when we had time to get him up there. It wasn't looking so good this year and I really didn't want to settle for a farmer's market pumpkin, but we would've if needed.

LH is not cooperating these days with photos - closing his eyes, grinning cheesily, and covering his face or turning his back to the camera! It could be a sign that I take too many pictures. Hope he acts much better next weekend when we get our pictures taken as a family! We'll see!

Searching for the perfect Pumpkin. He was a little disapointed that he had to stay in the "kid" patch and couldn't get a big pumpkin.

On a Roll....

With the posts.
Its been a lonely couple of weeks I know, but I'm back on now, so you won't be left to sulk and wait for me to find something completely random to share with you.

Just a few tidbits of what's been happening lately to catch you up:

All the carpet is gone in the basement as of yesterday. I played that one nicely and didn't have to help at all. Hubby did a fantastic job! The trash collection came this morning and hauled it all away! Now comes the fun part of getting the glue off - YUCK! But we are ready for this challenge and I just know it will be well worth all the work Hubby's doing!

I got my test results for the last time I took the test and NO PASS!!! Golly ned, I'm getting sick of this routine! I have now ordered the book to go with the Middle School Math and will be retaking the test in mid November. I've heard of people taking the math tests 5 and 6 times. Not what this girl wants to hear. BUT, this time was much better and I'm not far from the passing grade....much better than the other test I was attempting. We'll see!

Since we've been back, Hubby and I have been competing for time with our beloved DVR. It is quite comical because we were together so much on the ship and honestly do love spending time together, but it was like as soon as we set foot in the house, we went to our separate corners. He was in the man cave (doing all the laundry no less) and I was settled in upstairs putting the house back in order and sorting through mail. Now that it's been about a week, we've gotten a little fiesty over the DVR. I didn't complain the first 2 days back because he was doing ALL the laundry, but then I felt like I had to beg for about 2 hours of tv time to try and catch up on some shows. Now that he's back to work in the evenings, its been easier for me to get caught up, but with that, I've neglected the other aspects of my evening routine. I have a few baskets of folded clothes that need to be put up, bills to pay, books to return to the library, meals to plan, coupons to clip, and not to mention give the house a good scrub, but I can't seem to pull myself away from the TV at night! That's sad! Today is the day...I'm off work early and plan to get all kinds of stuff accomplished! And if not then, there's always tomorrow!

71

Days until Christmas!

Are you ready? I don't know why you wouldn't have started thinking about it...the stores have had decorations out and clothing for the kiddos in the display windows since September!

Have I? That's a stupid question. I've already got half my shopping done! OCD, seriously! I have issues.

What did you expect? My birthday has passed, the cruise has come and gone....I had to have something to countdown to!