I took a long break from blogging. Life got really busy! I'm hoping to return to it more now. :) I have a lot to discuss!
My family is still busy, we have a lot going on. I will post an update per child:
Caleb is almost 16! It doesn't seem possible that I am going to have a 16 year old soon! 16 just seems so old! lol! He is managing the girls Varsity basketball team. He loves it! Its a bit more of a commitment than I think he tough, but he's working through it pretty well. He grades improved a lot this last semester after we decided to have him stay after for an hour each weekday except Friday. He has amazing teachers who made a great commitment to Caleb, for that I am so grateful! Unfortunately we are not having the greatest time managing Caleb's obsessive behaviors! :( He is now off all meds that cause weight gain, he's doing a bit better weight wise but needs to start watching his food choices. Unfortunately Caleb craves carbs, could be a genetic thing or it could be a depression thing, often times people with depression or anxiety crave carbs. So we are hoping to decrease carbs and increase protein. The med to control the obsessive behavior is not working very well! :( and that makes it very difficult. Caleb has the ability to be amazing but these behaviors make that difficult to see! :( He comes across very selfish and arrogant. I am struggling with my relationship with him right now. We butt heads a lot! We are very opposite each other and that makes it very difficult. Hopefully we find a way to make it all work. He is my baby no matter how old he gets! :) If we can figure out this behavior stuff he will be taking drivers ed this Spring. So hard to believe were there already! Time really does fly!
Cody: Is doing awesome! He got on the honor roll and missed High Honors by 1 point! He participated in Lego League this year and loved it! He got a lap top for Christmas, he was very excited by that. He loves playing minecraft. He's a good big brother and loves to eat!
Carson: Oh my Carson! He's something else! He is so many different things all at once! He's kind and generous one minute then he's hyper and aggressive the next minute! Hard to keep up with his ever changing moods! He is still on Vyvanse and when its working its great, when its not, not so much! As long as I can keep him stimulated he does pretty good, its when I cant that its a problem. He is still my vivacious little man. He loves his family and really does want to do well! He loves 1st grade now! Especially his teacher Miss Bean. He lives minecraft as well. He got Lego's Lord of the Rings for Christmas and he loves that too. He also loves doing Lego's! :)
Connor: He is such a happy boy! Always smiling and happy with anything that moves or has lights! We have these snowman lights that twinkle and sing, he would stand on upside down bucket and push that button a hundred times! Good thing I love him because it got very annoying after about the 20th time! lol! He is doing amazing in pre-k with Miss Amy. I am grateful she helped me see Connor as not disabled, but as the amazing boy he is! :) He has many people in his life he loves, Miss terry picks him up 2 days a week for Preschool and speech. He loves Miss Chris and Miss Jenn. Connor is doing well and no longer has in home support. Other than the occasional outburst for lack of communication he is doing awesome!
Carly: Oh miss Carly! Our girly girl! She is doing dance and LOVES it! she also loves Miss Amy and going to preschool! She is all ready early reading! She is so very smart. She is very competitive! so we need to work at having her slow down, she doesn't need to first, she needs to do her best work. :) She loves dressing up and being girly!
Cathryn: She is still quite the spitfire! Never a dull moment for her!She is so busy and hyper but loves her babies and is such a good mommy! She is having trouble with her legs, 2 times since Labor Day weekend she has "hurt" her legs, and the first time couldn't bare any weight for the better part of the day and the second time "limped" for the better part of a week. After many X-rays we discovered a genetic abnormality in the growth plate of her ankles. So we are off to see a pediatric Orthopedic in Portland. Other tripping up some, it hasn't slowed her down a bit! She is a typical 6th child and doesn't take any ones crap! lol! She is a mommy's girl though, and thankfully I got another one, I haven't had one since Cody so that's nice!
So there is an update on everyone! I have been so busy! I decided to sell fudge and chocolates for Christmas. I was shocked at its amazing success! :) I was so happy to have such great, positive feedback! I was however extremely busy! I will do it again sometime as it was so successful but I will take a bit of a break! :)
I hope to post more on budgeting, I got way off the beaten path with our budget and really have a desire in the new year to get back on track! We have a really big reason to do it this year and hopefully that's the kick in the pants I need to get it done!
I will concentrating mostly on our food budget, as that is the most flexible and most costly for us!
Have a great 2013 everyone! and please feel free to post your own ideas and comments anytime!
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Thursday, October 11, 2012
UPDATE: THE UPSIDE DOWN WORLD OF ADHD
WOW! What a roller coaster ride ADHD is! My Carson was diagnosed a few years ago. He has classic ADHD with severe symptoms. The beginning of this year went well. Unfortunately we are back sliding pretty bad right now. We Started meds last school year. Vyvanse was his first very successful medication. It was amazing, it transformed my child from a child who could barely participate in the smallest of things, to being able to do just about anything, and with success! BUT, there is always a BUT, the med causes appetite suppression, and hes down 3 lbs, that wouldn't be bad if he had some weight to loose but he really didn't, add that to the fact that he got taller, and now I have a very thin little man! He was having more trouble so instead of increasing the Vyvanse the Dr. added another ADHD med. Well that had bad side effects so we took him off that, and now we are waiting to decide what to do. Yesterday we did no meds to get an idea, and being without anything is just not an option. He's so impulsive and spastic it would be tough to keep him and others safe! Not to mention the ear piercing screaming (for attention/sensory issue) not because he was hurt! We tried to do homework. It took an hour to do one paper, and by the time we were done the paper was destroyed, scribbled on and very messy. His name wasn't even in the right spot or spelt right, and I was sitting with him, guiding him through it. Not to mention at least a dozen times during homework, he physically jumped up onto the table!!! Actually onto the table!
Its not an easy diagnosis to navigate! He is my first very typical ADHD child, I have a lot experience with behavioral issues and anxiety, but this is something a lot harder to handle, because he has no control over it!
We are eating healthy, very limited preservatives and dyes. He is better on this diet than off, but its not nearly enough! We are exploring bulk building foods right now as well.
So for now he is on the Vyvanse in the morning, Dexadrine in the afternoon and Clonodine for sleep at night. We currently do not have any in home support for Carson. He has had it in the past and it might be something we explore again in the near future.
I understand many people do not support meds, I am open to opinions but please do not judge or post rude comments. I too, tend to be as natural as possible, and we held off till he was in his second year of Kindergarten till we explored meds. I hate that meds have the side effects they do, but they have made it possible for my son to participate in life and for that I am grateful!
Its not an easy diagnosis to navigate! He is my first very typical ADHD child, I have a lot experience with behavioral issues and anxiety, but this is something a lot harder to handle, because he has no control over it!
We are eating healthy, very limited preservatives and dyes. He is better on this diet than off, but its not nearly enough! We are exploring bulk building foods right now as well.
So for now he is on the Vyvanse in the morning, Dexadrine in the afternoon and Clonodine for sleep at night. We currently do not have any in home support for Carson. He has had it in the past and it might be something we explore again in the near future.
I understand many people do not support meds, I am open to opinions but please do not judge or post rude comments. I too, tend to be as natural as possible, and we held off till he was in his second year of Kindergarten till we explored meds. I hate that meds have the side effects they do, but they have made it possible for my son to participate in life and for that I am grateful!
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Scary things in our food and what can we do about it?
It is so incredible what is considered food today! I have always had a passion for whole, healthy food. I remember as a teenager buying my own healthy food. Believe you me when I tell you I ate my share of junk! Today it is just unreal what the government is passing off as safe for human consumption. The genetically modified food, food treated with pesticides, hydrogenated oil, high fructose corn syrup, growth hormone, dyes, preservatives. I'm not going to quote statistics or ramble on, but think to back to when you were a kid. It wasn't at all common for a middle aged person to die of cancer and defiantly not a child. Very few people had Autism or mental illness. Obesity was rare and people just wernt as sick!
The connection has to be our food. It makes sense, as that is what has changed the most!
NOW: What do we do about it? This is my biggest question. I, like most of you, live on a limited income. My grocery budget is meager at best. How do I afford to feed my family a healthy diet? I am still in the process of doing my research, and have not developed the answer yet.
I am starting with growing my own veggies and some fruit. I have learned to can. I am raising my own chickens for eggs and my own pigs. I buy from local farmers and find out what they use to feed there animals. I bake a lot more and buy less processed food, which is less expensive. Although baking takes time.
Your food should spoil! If it won't spoil its NOT good for you!
My family deserves to be healthy without going broke to get there! I will succeed! Keep checking in for updates. :)
The connection has to be our food. It makes sense, as that is what has changed the most!
NOW: What do we do about it? This is my biggest question. I, like most of you, live on a limited income. My grocery budget is meager at best. How do I afford to feed my family a healthy diet? I am still in the process of doing my research, and have not developed the answer yet.
I am starting with growing my own veggies and some fruit. I have learned to can. I am raising my own chickens for eggs and my own pigs. I buy from local farmers and find out what they use to feed there animals. I bake a lot more and buy less processed food, which is less expensive. Although baking takes time.
Your food should spoil! If it won't spoil its NOT good for you!
My family deserves to be healthy without going broke to get there! I will succeed! Keep checking in for updates. :)
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Autum, my favorite time of year!
I love Fall, I always have. The clean crisp air, cold nights, turning leaves, picking apples. I love it all!
There is a lot of opportunities in the fall for great family time and money saving activities. I have found that apple picking has become ridiculously commercial and so expensive! :( but there are still some small orchards that don't charge through the nose. There are also great activities, like carving pumpkins, picking unique leaves and doing leaf rubbings, making scarecrows, making apple pies and apple sauce, so many great things to do!
Fall is a time for canning for me. I find it awesome to look at the labor of my work all summer coming together. I look at my ever growing pantry shelf filled with things I grew, and it makes me VERY happy!
Keep watch for some great Autum recipes!
Go out and enjoy all that God has given us! :)
There is a lot of opportunities in the fall for great family time and money saving activities. I have found that apple picking has become ridiculously commercial and so expensive! :( but there are still some small orchards that don't charge through the nose. There are also great activities, like carving pumpkins, picking unique leaves and doing leaf rubbings, making scarecrows, making apple pies and apple sauce, so many great things to do!
Fall is a time for canning for me. I find it awesome to look at the labor of my work all summer coming together. I look at my ever growing pantry shelf filled with things I grew, and it makes me VERY happy!
Keep watch for some great Autum recipes!
Go out and enjoy all that God has given us! :)
Saturday, September 8, 2012
ACCOUNTABILITY
Accountability. The word means: the quality or state of being accountable; especially: an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one's actions. : the quality or state of being accountable; especially: an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one's actions
Oh this is a word I have used and heard a LOT!
As a mom, taxi driver, Dr. of booboos, chef, financial everything, hair dresser, secretary, counselor, teacher, ect., ect., ect. It would be easy to blame someone else for everything that goes wrong in my life! Phew, pass the buck and be done right? Well here's what happens when you do that. The problem goes unresolved! You can not fix a problem in your life unless you first agree to what your part in it is, it would be like putting a band aid on a cut that should of had 12 stitches!
The only thing that can be harder than being unaccountable yourself, is to have a spouse or close loved one that is not accountable. It is hard to say "you know what I screwed up"! but it hurts people around you if you don't "admit" to your part. When everyone takes accountability for there portion, you can come together and start to problem solve, heal and move on.
Making TRUE changes in our life is HARD! We WILL fail miserably from time to time, we just need to get back up and keep moving FORWARD!
Oh this is a word I have used and heard a LOT!
As a mom, taxi driver, Dr. of booboos, chef, financial everything, hair dresser, secretary, counselor, teacher, ect., ect., ect. It would be easy to blame someone else for everything that goes wrong in my life! Phew, pass the buck and be done right? Well here's what happens when you do that. The problem goes unresolved! You can not fix a problem in your life unless you first agree to what your part in it is, it would be like putting a band aid on a cut that should of had 12 stitches!
The only thing that can be harder than being unaccountable yourself, is to have a spouse or close loved one that is not accountable. It is hard to say "you know what I screwed up"! but it hurts people around you if you don't "admit" to your part. When everyone takes accountability for there portion, you can come together and start to problem solve, heal and move on.
Making TRUE changes in our life is HARD! We WILL fail miserably from time to time, we just need to get back up and keep moving FORWARD!
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Summer update:
I thought I would post a small update on our Family:
We had a hard start to our summer. Starting the beginning of June, Cody, Me, Carson, and Connor got Strep Throat! Mid June Cody got a double ear infection, and near the end of June all the kids got the Hand Foot and Mouth Virus! That was the worse! I was very sick with Strep but the sores the kids got in there mouth and on there body paled in comparison! They were so miserable! So not a great start to our Summer.
Things are looking up though!:
We bought a Camper!
We spent the 4th of July week on the Ocean. We went to our very most favorite Campground in the world. Lobster Buoy in South Thomaston. We had a great time. The kids did good and spent most of there time crab fishing! It was emotional being there without Tracy, but she wouldn't of wanted us to go anywhere else!
Now on to plan the rest of our Summer.
I have fallen directly off the frugal bandwagon and married its ugly evil twin brother! Seriously! I have been way to fast and loose with our spending! I let the depression of us all being sick let me take an I don't care approach, and spent foolishly! Mostly on eating out, ordering out and at the Grocery store. My previous post on the guilt of buying juice boxes pales in comparison, I have bought several since!
Update on the kids:
Caleb: He is doing good, his weight is up again so there reducing one of his meds, unfortunately its the med that controls his tics, so we will see. He has gotten really stuck on some things this summer making things difficult but all in all he really is trying. Its been amazing to see how money can motivate him! He's trying to save for Drivers Ed! Scary I know, I cant believe I have a child old enough to do driver ed.
Cody: He is doing really good now that he isn't so darn sick! Poor bugga, he got the Hand Foot and mouth so bad! He is my hardest little worker! I really appreciate his help. He is starting to realize he does more work than Caleb and starting to protest as he should. He has been doing lots of research on Hershey Park and Six Flag's. He's going there with his Grandmother August 14th. He is so excited! He also just got a baby duck he named Daffy.
Carson: We ended up putting him back on the Vyvanse and he is doing so awesome! He went from a child who couldn't even participate in the simplest of things to being able to do almost anything! I know that sounds drastic but its true. Ive never had a child respond so well to meds before. He truly does have one of the worse cases of ADHD I've ever seen. He loved the ocean he literally spent several hours a day crab fishing! He is such a joy to have around!
Connor: He is just such a Joy! :) He is happy with the simplest of things! He just smiles all the time! He also enjoyed the ocean! He crab fished with Carson. He really is growing up! He started summer speech with his Miss Jenn, and spent time with his Miss Terri. He still has clenched fist a lot but he seems to managing his sensory stuff fairly well.
Carly: Oh my, I wanted a girl and boy did I get it! :) She is 100% girl, through and through! She loves Dancing, dress up and Peppa Pig! She loves dresses and wants to wear one everyday! She is still a daddy's girl! oh and she hates it when you call her baby!
Cathryn: Oh God love that child! She is a bullet train! She never stops, she is boundless energy! She has found her voice and her attitude! :) She is afraid of NOTHING! I have daily heart attacks, and I don't scare easily! She is developing normally and has amazed us at every turn. With her start in life i never anticipated her doing this well. I am very happy, although thoroughly exhausted! :)
So there it is, a little update on my little family!
We had a hard start to our summer. Starting the beginning of June, Cody, Me, Carson, and Connor got Strep Throat! Mid June Cody got a double ear infection, and near the end of June all the kids got the Hand Foot and Mouth Virus! That was the worse! I was very sick with Strep but the sores the kids got in there mouth and on there body paled in comparison! They were so miserable! So not a great start to our Summer.
Things are looking up though!:
We bought a Camper!
We spent the 4th of July week on the Ocean. We went to our very most favorite Campground in the world. Lobster Buoy in South Thomaston. We had a great time. The kids did good and spent most of there time crab fishing! It was emotional being there without Tracy, but she wouldn't of wanted us to go anywhere else!
Now on to plan the rest of our Summer.
I have fallen directly off the frugal bandwagon and married its ugly evil twin brother! Seriously! I have been way to fast and loose with our spending! I let the depression of us all being sick let me take an I don't care approach, and spent foolishly! Mostly on eating out, ordering out and at the Grocery store. My previous post on the guilt of buying juice boxes pales in comparison, I have bought several since!
Update on the kids:
Caleb: He is doing good, his weight is up again so there reducing one of his meds, unfortunately its the med that controls his tics, so we will see. He has gotten really stuck on some things this summer making things difficult but all in all he really is trying. Its been amazing to see how money can motivate him! He's trying to save for Drivers Ed! Scary I know, I cant believe I have a child old enough to do driver ed.
Cody: He is doing really good now that he isn't so darn sick! Poor bugga, he got the Hand Foot and mouth so bad! He is my hardest little worker! I really appreciate his help. He is starting to realize he does more work than Caleb and starting to protest as he should. He has been doing lots of research on Hershey Park and Six Flag's. He's going there with his Grandmother August 14th. He is so excited! He also just got a baby duck he named Daffy.
Carson: We ended up putting him back on the Vyvanse and he is doing so awesome! He went from a child who couldn't even participate in the simplest of things to being able to do almost anything! I know that sounds drastic but its true. Ive never had a child respond so well to meds before. He truly does have one of the worse cases of ADHD I've ever seen. He loved the ocean he literally spent several hours a day crab fishing! He is such a joy to have around!
Connor: He is just such a Joy! :) He is happy with the simplest of things! He just smiles all the time! He also enjoyed the ocean! He crab fished with Carson. He really is growing up! He started summer speech with his Miss Jenn, and spent time with his Miss Terri. He still has clenched fist a lot but he seems to managing his sensory stuff fairly well.
Carly: Oh my, I wanted a girl and boy did I get it! :) She is 100% girl, through and through! She loves Dancing, dress up and Peppa Pig! She loves dresses and wants to wear one everyday! She is still a daddy's girl! oh and she hates it when you call her baby!
Cathryn: Oh God love that child! She is a bullet train! She never stops, she is boundless energy! She has found her voice and her attitude! :) She is afraid of NOTHING! I have daily heart attacks, and I don't scare easily! She is developing normally and has amazed us at every turn. With her start in life i never anticipated her doing this well. I am very happy, although thoroughly exhausted! :)
So there it is, a little update on my little family!
Monday, July 16, 2012
Thursday, June 14, 2012
I want to live a "Happy Medium" life!....
I have been thinking about this a lot lately. I have had some things happen to me that made me reevaluate my life! I have always been an all or nothing, go big or go home, kinda girl! Everything I've ever done I've gone all out and spared nothing. I get an idea and I run with it to the fullest, until I've achieved my goal or worse there is nothing of me left and I'm exhausted! The way I see these things going in my head is always so great! They go flawless, in my head only good can come out of what I am doing. The reality is always different at the very least and most times the exact opposite!
I WANT WHAT IS BEST FOR MY FAMILY! This statement could not be more true! I want what is best for us! I want us to be happy and healthy. Since becoming a family in June 1996 this has been my constant goal.
Since 1996 I have: Run a licensed Daycare, had Caleb, been a Stay at Home mom, worked for a call center, Day Care provider, had Cody Stayed home again, worked at a Dept. store part time, Stay at Home mom, Day care provider once again, Stay at home mom, had Carson, opened a used children's clothing store, Stay at home mom again, became a Foster mom, had 7 children enter my life and 3 we adopted, and my latest venture is farming, self sufficient lifestyle. During all this time Terry held one Job that he had years prior and will have for years to come, God willing, and pretty much has just been along for the ride.
Living on one income and supporting 8 people is hard work to say the least. When I say I want a "Happy Medium" life I mean I want to be responsible and safe but I don't want things to be so darn hard! Even more importantly I want to stop that outrageous guilty feeling that comes when I am anything shy of 100% spot on perfect with whatever plan I have set forth to do! Like buying juice boxes yesterday for Carson's Birthday! You would not believe the guilt I felt buying a 2.69 box of 10 100% juice boxes. I need for things to be easier!
We started a small farm, we have 12 chickens, (we started with 29, they got sick on 4 different occasions, and then we had 19 left and our dog got into there coop and killed all but 3 that managed to escape, then a great friend of mine gave me 9 more!) 2 goats, 3 bunnies, and 10 Turkeys. We also have a really big garden! We (I really mean I) did this for 3 reasons. 1. Save money 2. Be more healthy and 3. Be less dependant on others (mostly stores) to feed us!
Now having stated the above I need to make clear a few things: Farming is NOT LESS EXPENSIVE at least not for the first several years! Farm animals are extremely fragile! I have the blackest thumb EVER! and I have done almost everything WRONG! I have hundreds if not thousands of dollars invested in this farm. Now I also need to say this: The kids LOVE it, other than the dead animals they have really enjoyed it! I have had to beg on several occasions for them to do there chores but for the most part they have done well.
I'm not sure where to go from here. I know we have stopped growing our Farm! We have what we have and will not be getting more animals. I need to downsize the amount of "stuff" in my life. I really do hope that I have learned from this experience and ones in my past and can move forward. I need to learn my limits and not take on more than I can handle or more than what I can live with and be happy! So we can be HAPPY!
So here is hoping I can a find a "Happy Medium" way of life! :)
I WANT WHAT IS BEST FOR MY FAMILY! This statement could not be more true! I want what is best for us! I want us to be happy and healthy. Since becoming a family in June 1996 this has been my constant goal.
Since 1996 I have: Run a licensed Daycare, had Caleb, been a Stay at Home mom, worked for a call center, Day Care provider, had Cody Stayed home again, worked at a Dept. store part time, Stay at Home mom, Day care provider once again, Stay at home mom, had Carson, opened a used children's clothing store, Stay at home mom again, became a Foster mom, had 7 children enter my life and 3 we adopted, and my latest venture is farming, self sufficient lifestyle. During all this time Terry held one Job that he had years prior and will have for years to come, God willing, and pretty much has just been along for the ride.
Living on one income and supporting 8 people is hard work to say the least. When I say I want a "Happy Medium" life I mean I want to be responsible and safe but I don't want things to be so darn hard! Even more importantly I want to stop that outrageous guilty feeling that comes when I am anything shy of 100% spot on perfect with whatever plan I have set forth to do! Like buying juice boxes yesterday for Carson's Birthday! You would not believe the guilt I felt buying a 2.69 box of 10 100% juice boxes. I need for things to be easier!
We started a small farm, we have 12 chickens, (we started with 29, they got sick on 4 different occasions, and then we had 19 left and our dog got into there coop and killed all but 3 that managed to escape, then a great friend of mine gave me 9 more!) 2 goats, 3 bunnies, and 10 Turkeys. We also have a really big garden! We (I really mean I) did this for 3 reasons. 1. Save money 2. Be more healthy and 3. Be less dependant on others (mostly stores) to feed us!
Now having stated the above I need to make clear a few things: Farming is NOT LESS EXPENSIVE at least not for the first several years! Farm animals are extremely fragile! I have the blackest thumb EVER! and I have done almost everything WRONG! I have hundreds if not thousands of dollars invested in this farm. Now I also need to say this: The kids LOVE it, other than the dead animals they have really enjoyed it! I have had to beg on several occasions for them to do there chores but for the most part they have done well.
I'm not sure where to go from here. I know we have stopped growing our Farm! We have what we have and will not be getting more animals. I need to downsize the amount of "stuff" in my life. I really do hope that I have learned from this experience and ones in my past and can move forward. I need to learn my limits and not take on more than I can handle or more than what I can live with and be happy! So we can be HAPPY!
So here is hoping I can a find a "Happy Medium" way of life! :)
Monday, April 9, 2012
Frugal Summer Activities..............
Here is a place to add inexpensive Summer activites!
THE BEACH! :) Sounds obvious enough but trully can be a great inexpensive Summer activity! Prepare ahead of time so you save the most money. Pack lunches and water in small milk jugs, where you have frozen 1/2 full of water. Bring towels, sunblock, beach toys ect. and have a great fun filled day that cost you no more than gas! :)
The playground.
Sprinkler.
Homemade water slide made with a Tarp! Add bubbles for added fun just use tear free soap!
Rock painting.
THE BEACH! :) Sounds obvious enough but trully can be a great inexpensive Summer activity! Prepare ahead of time so you save the most money. Pack lunches and water in small milk jugs, where you have frozen 1/2 full of water. Bring towels, sunblock, beach toys ect. and have a great fun filled day that cost you no more than gas! :)
The playground.
Sprinkler.
Homemade water slide made with a Tarp! Add bubbles for added fun just use tear free soap!
Rock painting.
If at first you don't suceed, try and try again.........
I have to keep telling myself this. Rome wasn't built in a day! And my family isn't going to magically master frugal living in a day either, or week, month, year ect! I've learned to slow down and lower my expectations of myself and others. I can not change other people, only myself and I can lead by example.
We got audited again this year. I am so bummed as I really thought it wasn't going to happen again this year! So now it is time to settle in, gather all the information up they need (which I sadly already sent in once this year) and fax it. Then wait, wait and wait for my refund! Last year was mid July after getting assigned an advocate! and they told me yesterday to expect the same! So I'm defiantly disappointed.
Although being audited is no fun and lots of work it just drives me harder to find a better way of life and one that does not make me dependant on things like my tax return!
Summer is coming and summer just makes frugal living easier in my opinion, some may disagree with me, but I find it so easy to save in Summer,(it may the years of practice having a hubby that works overtime in the winter!) there just seems to be so much more to do that's practically free! I'm going to open a page for free or almost free (there is sometimes gas involved!) Summer activities.
We are getting our Chickens this week! I am so excited but nervous at the same time! I have a lot of friends that have chickens so they are excited to help me! My next animal to get is a couple of piglets! Caleb is kinda doing that one. Cody doesn't want to get any animal we have to kill. Wednesday I hope to plant all my seedlings, its a little late but its better than never! I'm adding a new recipe to the frugal recipes page. So stay tuned. Hope everyone had a great Easter!
We got audited again this year. I am so bummed as I really thought it wasn't going to happen again this year! So now it is time to settle in, gather all the information up they need (which I sadly already sent in once this year) and fax it. Then wait, wait and wait for my refund! Last year was mid July after getting assigned an advocate! and they told me yesterday to expect the same! So I'm defiantly disappointed.
Although being audited is no fun and lots of work it just drives me harder to find a better way of life and one that does not make me dependant on things like my tax return!
Summer is coming and summer just makes frugal living easier in my opinion, some may disagree with me, but I find it so easy to save in Summer,(it may the years of practice having a hubby that works overtime in the winter!) there just seems to be so much more to do that's practically free! I'm going to open a page for free or almost free (there is sometimes gas involved!) Summer activities.
We are getting our Chickens this week! I am so excited but nervous at the same time! I have a lot of friends that have chickens so they are excited to help me! My next animal to get is a couple of piglets! Caleb is kinda doing that one. Cody doesn't want to get any animal we have to kill. Wednesday I hope to plant all my seedlings, its a little late but its better than never! I'm adding a new recipe to the frugal recipes page. So stay tuned. Hope everyone had a great Easter!
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Our first attempt at farming...
I get my baby chicks next Wednesday. I am excited and nervous! I've doe some research but am most worried about my dogs! We are also getting ready to put on addition to our home! Its exciting! We have pruned one apple tree and cleared all the other trees around it. We have designated our garden plot but I have yet to plat my seedlings, hopefully this weekend we will do that. I really am excited for this new adventure!
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Its been a while!
I got a new computer and because I'm not computer savvy, its taken me a while to figure it all out! :) I love it, my other one was a dinosaur so it seems so nice to have a computer that actually does what I neat it to do!
Our Family is doing well. It had been a very long Winter! We have had gorgeous weather! We were able to finally finish our play yard. This is so nice because Cathryn is not a baby that stays around. It seems nice to be able to relax outside!
I broke down and bought a dryer. Our laundry was piling up like crazy and I was always way behind on it! Also hanging out washcloths, socks and underwear for 8 people proved extremely difficult! So my compromise for myself was that I dry only the smaller things and hang out everything else!
I am really looking forward to my garden! We have a spot all picked out. We are looking to buy a used a rototiller. I also really want to treat my antique apple trees! Hoping to find, mark and prune them soon!
Connor's EEG came back as showing no seizures but something was abnormal. I'm waiting to hear from the Dr. now. They told me not to worry about it, but as a mom you worry!
Carson started a medication called Vyvanse and it has made all the difference in the world!!! He is doing so good! Home life has improved greatly, his school work has improved by at least 80%! He's so proud of himself and so are we!
Caleb had his 15 year old physical. He did well, but defiantly has to get his weight down! So he has become very interested in Basketball and we have set up the outdoor hoop for him. He's also been drinking a lot more water! We are proud of his progress!
I'm currently in the process of deciding where to send Connor and Carly to preschool next year. Its a hard choice because there are two great options. I defiantly want them together this year! Its been stressful managing two preschools this year!
So stay tuned, theres always something going on in the Greenleaf's life!
Our Family is doing well. It had been a very long Winter! We have had gorgeous weather! We were able to finally finish our play yard. This is so nice because Cathryn is not a baby that stays around. It seems nice to be able to relax outside!
I broke down and bought a dryer. Our laundry was piling up like crazy and I was always way behind on it! Also hanging out washcloths, socks and underwear for 8 people proved extremely difficult! So my compromise for myself was that I dry only the smaller things and hang out everything else!
I am really looking forward to my garden! We have a spot all picked out. We are looking to buy a used a rototiller. I also really want to treat my antique apple trees! Hoping to find, mark and prune them soon!
Connor's EEG came back as showing no seizures but something was abnormal. I'm waiting to hear from the Dr. now. They told me not to worry about it, but as a mom you worry!
Carson started a medication called Vyvanse and it has made all the difference in the world!!! He is doing so good! Home life has improved greatly, his school work has improved by at least 80%! He's so proud of himself and so are we!
Caleb had his 15 year old physical. He did well, but defiantly has to get his weight down! So he has become very interested in Basketball and we have set up the outdoor hoop for him. He's also been drinking a lot more water! We are proud of his progress!
I'm currently in the process of deciding where to send Connor and Carly to preschool next year. Its a hard choice because there are two great options. I defiantly want them together this year! Its been stressful managing two preschools this year!
So stay tuned, theres always something going on in the Greenleaf's life!
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Funny things that happen to us!
With 6 kids there are bound to be funny things that happen! I have many stories and here is a great spot to keep em, enjoy!:
Today, I had gotten up a little before 7am, I'm standing in front of my coffee pot waiting for my coffee, when I hear the dogs bark, I look out the kitchen window and there is a police officer on my porch! Apparently Connor had dialed 911! LOL! Thankfully we know the police officer and he was very nice!
Today, I had gotten up a little before 7am, I'm standing in front of my coffee pot waiting for my coffee, when I hear the dogs bark, I look out the kitchen window and there is a police officer on my porch! Apparently Connor had dialed 911! LOL! Thankfully we know the police officer and he was very nice!
Winter be gone, I'm ready for Spring....
It seems like Winter has gone on forever! I want warm weather so bad! I want to be able to get outside and soak up some sunshine! Frugality is just easier in summer! More to do, like: swim, camp, hike, play! I am so excited to start my garden, and prune and treat my Apple trees! Feel the cool grass under my bare feet! Above all else I want to start my Garden! I can not wait to get started on it!
We are also thinking of getting some chickens and a pig! :)
We are also thinking of getting some chickens and a pig! :)
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Harder than I thought:
I was so excited to venture into frugality, and am no where near giving up, but it so much harder than thought it would be!!!!
I think the number one reason for me is that my husband and older kids do not support me. This makes things 100 times harder when trying to be more cost conscious. The second reason would be time! In order to save money it cost you time. With 6 kids and a very busy life I have found this very difficult!
With all this being said, I am just pushing harder now to make this work! I'm trying to figure out ways to save money but not take so much time! I have a very hard time when it comes to my husband and not giving in to his wants and also my kids relentless whining! Mostly it revolves around eating out or going somewhere that cost money. I am also not as organized I need to be, so we forget things, like getting something out for supper, or everyone getting in the car and half of us haven't eaten breakfast. Things like that!
I say to people all the time, if I teach anybody anything its this: Start early! Before your married establish some money ground rules, take a financial class and decide how money will be spent! Also start early with your children! They cant miss what they've never had! My youngest four have been raised in more lean times and are so much more willing to accept frugality then my older two!
OK no need to go on all gloom and doom. Just pray I can recover and go get that place I dream of! I KNOW we can do it, I just know we can!
I think the number one reason for me is that my husband and older kids do not support me. This makes things 100 times harder when trying to be more cost conscious. The second reason would be time! In order to save money it cost you time. With 6 kids and a very busy life I have found this very difficult!
With all this being said, I am just pushing harder now to make this work! I'm trying to figure out ways to save money but not take so much time! I have a very hard time when it comes to my husband and not giving in to his wants and also my kids relentless whining! Mostly it revolves around eating out or going somewhere that cost money. I am also not as organized I need to be, so we forget things, like getting something out for supper, or everyone getting in the car and half of us haven't eaten breakfast. Things like that!
I say to people all the time, if I teach anybody anything its this: Start early! Before your married establish some money ground rules, take a financial class and decide how money will be spent! Also start early with your children! They cant miss what they've never had! My youngest four have been raised in more lean times and are so much more willing to accept frugality then my older two!
OK no need to go on all gloom and doom. Just pray I can recover and go get that place I dream of! I KNOW we can do it, I just know we can!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Just an update.....
Well its been a while since I've blogged. Things have been a little crazy! lol! Cody won his basketball championships! Go Cody and his whole team. They remained undefeated the whole season! Good job Bulls!
Cody won the 5th grade spelling bee! Great job Code man!
Carson continues to do awesome on his new med. Dr. Silverstein is so impressed with his progress! He is doing SO much better in school! He's gotten all green's since starting this med. His work is more detailed and hes so proud to tell me about it! He is loving reading, you could read to him all day! Tonight he spent over an hour, yup you heard right, reading and looking at Cody's Ripley's believe it not book!
Carly is so smart. She knew the number 14 in preschool the other day, totally impressing her teacher Miss Tammy! She also recognizes 9 of her friends names!
Connor is regressing a bit. :( Hes keeping his hands in fists a lot and rocking more. He's also hitting more. Were keeping a close eye on him. We are doing more one on one with him and trying to help him describe his feelings, and relating our feelings back to him. Hopefully its just a small bump in the road.
Cathryn is as busy as EVER! She jumps up and down with both feet all the time. She is talking a lot more. Including saying NO with a really big attitude! :) She also loves her momma very much, so all is forgiven! lol!
Caleb is doing pretty good. He failed Science for the quarter but passed for the semester. He's been decreased down to one med. and so far is doing really well with that.
I am getting very excited for my garden this spring. We are also hopefully going to be pruning and treating our apple trees! :) I am trying like crazy to convince Terry to let me get some chickens.
I am going to be adding a few more ideas to the recipe and money saving blog. So stay posted! :)
Peace and good savings to you!
Cody won the 5th grade spelling bee! Great job Code man!
Carson continues to do awesome on his new med. Dr. Silverstein is so impressed with his progress! He is doing SO much better in school! He's gotten all green's since starting this med. His work is more detailed and hes so proud to tell me about it! He is loving reading, you could read to him all day! Tonight he spent over an hour, yup you heard right, reading and looking at Cody's Ripley's believe it not book!
Carly is so smart. She knew the number 14 in preschool the other day, totally impressing her teacher Miss Tammy! She also recognizes 9 of her friends names!
Connor is regressing a bit. :( Hes keeping his hands in fists a lot and rocking more. He's also hitting more. Were keeping a close eye on him. We are doing more one on one with him and trying to help him describe his feelings, and relating our feelings back to him. Hopefully its just a small bump in the road.
Cathryn is as busy as EVER! She jumps up and down with both feet all the time. She is talking a lot more. Including saying NO with a really big attitude! :) She also loves her momma very much, so all is forgiven! lol!
Caleb is doing pretty good. He failed Science for the quarter but passed for the semester. He's been decreased down to one med. and so far is doing really well with that.
I am getting very excited for my garden this spring. We are also hopefully going to be pruning and treating our apple trees! :) I am trying like crazy to convince Terry to let me get some chickens.
I am going to be adding a few more ideas to the recipe and money saving blog. So stay posted! :)
Peace and good savings to you!
Friday, February 10, 2012
An update on us:
Well life has been as crazy as ever! Carson started a medication, I was extremely hesitant to do so, and the first day I was ready to give up, but today is day 6 and he is doing awesome! He has leveled out and is doing amazing! He sat and did a Valentines project for an hour last night! and had so much doing it! So I am happy that I worked so hard with his Developmental pediatrician to find a med that was going to work best for him.
I put my back out again! There is nothing that can throw a bigger wrench into my life than when my back is out! I now have a sensitivity to most pain meds and muscle relaxers, so Ive been fighting pain with over counter meds and finally got to the chiropractor yesterday! I am about 40% better today!
This is an update i started a few days ago and am just get finished now. Keep posted for future posts on our hopeful spring ventures of gardening, apple trees and new critters!
I put my back out again! There is nothing that can throw a bigger wrench into my life than when my back is out! I now have a sensitivity to most pain meds and muscle relaxers, so Ive been fighting pain with over counter meds and finally got to the chiropractor yesterday! I am about 40% better today!
This is an update i started a few days ago and am just get finished now. Keep posted for future posts on our hopeful spring ventures of gardening, apple trees and new critters!
Monday, January 30, 2012
Oh the joy of having a non-frugal, spend thrift husband!
I have hesitated to post this, only because I don't like painting my husband in a negative light! He is a good husband and an awesome dad, and he has a ton of redeeming qualities. He is however my biggest adversary in my quest for financial wellness!
Often times when a family wants to make major financial changes for the better there is a spouse who is not as enthusiastic or willing to do so. Some say it is not possible to make the necessary changes with an unwilling spouse, I am here to prove them wrong!!! I am however not going to say its going to be easy!!!
My dear husband is spend thrift ie: A spendthrift (also called profligate) is someone who spends money prodigiously and who is extravagant and recklessly wasteful, often to a point where the spending climbs well beyond his or her means.
My husband is very likely to spend money at a convenience store, throw away things I have saved to reuse, complain greatly when I am given bags of clothes for the kids, very much wants to compare and be like the Jone's, wants the newest best item technology has to offer, LOVES to eat out and would everyday if he could!, hates to borrow anything!, when he gets money he must spend it! I could go on but I won't!
Now I will admit, I used to do a lot of these things as well and still have not perfected my frugality. My weakness was drive trough's. I also have a history of not following through on my budget and holding onto money for groceries and fun things and not paying the bills on time.
I am raising 6 children so i am so very busy all the time, so i will admit he has tripped over a few bags of clothes! lol!
My conclusion: I have to work extra hard to be an example of frugality, and show that it can work for us! I need to be consistent and keep going even through his complaining! We have made all our bills on time this month so far, I think I can keep it up long enough to make him see it is working!
Just say a few prayers for me!
Often times when a family wants to make major financial changes for the better there is a spouse who is not as enthusiastic or willing to do so. Some say it is not possible to make the necessary changes with an unwilling spouse, I am here to prove them wrong!!! I am however not going to say its going to be easy!!!
My dear husband is spend thrift ie: A spendthrift (also called profligate) is someone who spends money prodigiously and who is extravagant and recklessly wasteful, often to a point where the spending climbs well beyond his or her means.
My husband is very likely to spend money at a convenience store, throw away things I have saved to reuse, complain greatly when I am given bags of clothes for the kids, very much wants to compare and be like the Jone's, wants the newest best item technology has to offer, LOVES to eat out and would everyday if he could!, hates to borrow anything!, when he gets money he must spend it! I could go on but I won't!
Now I will admit, I used to do a lot of these things as well and still have not perfected my frugality. My weakness was drive trough's. I also have a history of not following through on my budget and holding onto money for groceries and fun things and not paying the bills on time.
I am raising 6 children so i am so very busy all the time, so i will admit he has tripped over a few bags of clothes! lol!
My conclusion: I have to work extra hard to be an example of frugality, and show that it can work for us! I need to be consistent and keep going even through his complaining! We have made all our bills on time this month so far, I think I can keep it up long enough to make him see it is working!
Just say a few prayers for me!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
What a truly CRAZY life this is!!!!!!
Wow! Lately this statement is truer than ever! I don't know if the world has tilted on its axis or what! Nothing seems to be going the way I have it planned! I see the vision in my head and what actually happens is the exact opposite of that!!! My life has always been a bit crazy but my goodness!
I've been doing pretty good at sticking to my plan. I fell off the wagon yesterday, I was starving and no end in sight to my running around, so I pulled into the dreaded McDonald's drive through. I had Cathryn with me so I ordered, 2 small fries, 2-4 pc McNuggets, a small soda and an apple juice. It came to 7.72!!!! I ALMOST SAID NEVER MIND! Then I thought that might be rude! Note to self: remember to pack snacks in the car! Maybe that will be my next post! Have snacks will travel....
Anyway I must go get 3 babies ready for the day. I pray today is not as crazy as the week so far! Tuesday Carly broke our 42 inch flat screen TV, the only one of its kind we own. Same day I found out Connor got reduced from 4 to 2 days of pre-school. CDS will no longer pay for the 4th day. And many, many other crazy things. But hey that's my life and I wouldn't trade it with anyone! Happy Thursday all! :)
I've been doing pretty good at sticking to my plan. I fell off the wagon yesterday, I was starving and no end in sight to my running around, so I pulled into the dreaded McDonald's drive through. I had Cathryn with me so I ordered, 2 small fries, 2-4 pc McNuggets, a small soda and an apple juice. It came to 7.72!!!! I ALMOST SAID NEVER MIND! Then I thought that might be rude! Note to self: remember to pack snacks in the car! Maybe that will be my next post! Have snacks will travel....
Anyway I must go get 3 babies ready for the day. I pray today is not as crazy as the week so far! Tuesday Carly broke our 42 inch flat screen TV, the only one of its kind we own. Same day I found out Connor got reduced from 4 to 2 days of pre-school. CDS will no longer pay for the 4th day. And many, many other crazy things. But hey that's my life and I wouldn't trade it with anyone! Happy Thursday all! :)
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Budgeting:
Ok, so I have started a budget! I have been very resistant to one in the past. I could never get them to work! But Of course the first rule in getting out of debt and living within your means is you have a budget! So I wanted a way to do mine that would be easy and something I am likely to stick with. I sit at the computer several times a day for a few minutes to check on everything, so I thought something on the computer might work. I didn't like anything with categories or spread sheets, it looked to complicated. So I am just using the notebook on my computer and saving everything to my documents. So far so good!
I do my budget based on every 2 weeks that we get payed. I keep my receipts and record them every few days. I started with our Jan 4th pay period and after recording everything I had and could possibly think of I still had 74.00 unaccounted for! :( So hopefully I will be able to get past that and start being more cautious about every cent spent!
I wish I had started recording my spending before this because by the time I started recording my spending I had already started being very careful where I spent money, so its not a true depiction of how I used to spend money, BUT I saw a lot of areas I can still trim and save money!
My family of 8 ate 3 mostly healthy meals a day for a total of 281.72 now my next step is too keep food separate from everything else. This total includes non food items for the past 2 weeks. Although thanks to my wonderful mom and her care package from Christmas I didn't need many non-food items this time!
I do my budget based on every 2 weeks that we get payed. I keep my receipts and record them every few days. I started with our Jan 4th pay period and after recording everything I had and could possibly think of I still had 74.00 unaccounted for! :( So hopefully I will be able to get past that and start being more cautious about every cent spent!
I wish I had started recording my spending before this because by the time I started recording my spending I had already started being very careful where I spent money, so its not a true depiction of how I used to spend money, BUT I saw a lot of areas I can still trim and save money!
My family of 8 ate 3 mostly healthy meals a day for a total of 281.72 now my next step is too keep food separate from everything else. This total includes non food items for the past 2 weeks. Although thanks to my wonderful mom and her care package from Christmas I didn't need many non-food items this time!
Monday, January 9, 2012
Money saving tricks and ideas....
I want to start a section for Money Saving tricks. We all have things we do to save money. Please feel free to contribute! The only thing I love more than sharing my money saving ideas is learning new ones!
Wash and reuse meat carton trays. I also disinfect them with a bleach/water wash! (I do not usually save hamburg ones, cuz you really cant get all the yuckys out of them!) I especially like the black pork loin ones (of course i get the pork, only on sale for less than 2.00 a lb.!) They were great for frosted Christmas cookies, I just put the cookies on the trays, and wrapped them in clear plastic wrap.
Children do not need lots of Juice! and many get too much! So what I do is I take a concentrate thing of 100% juice (Usually under 1.49) and mix it to a gallon of water. Just keep in mind 8oz of this will not be considered a full serving of fruit, your children should eat 5 servings of fruits and veggies everyday, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. I have a really hard time getting my kids to drink plain water, so this is a good way to get them drink something healthy.
I reuse milk jugs, but usually only once or twice. Once the milk is gone (we go through 2 gallons a day for my family of 8!) I use that jug to make the above listed juice, lemon aid or iced tea. In the summer I fill 3/4 way with water and freeze it for keep food in my cooler cold! (and once it starts to melt you have ice cold water to drink! Also you can cut the bottom off to use as a dog dish (especially if your dog likes to chew up dishes like mine!) you can also cut the top off to use as a funnel.
Hang out your laundry in the summer, and if using your dryer use from 8pm till 7am (I just got this confirmed by Central Maine Power. I hang dry all my big clothes, but dry my little clothes, washcloths, towels, bedding and blankets. I would hang dry a lot more but I do not have the room!
Since this original post my dryer has broke. We have decided to not fix it for now. Terry put up a new clothes line and it fits 2 loads of laundry. I have 3 or 4 a day so at least one load gets hung up in the house. I use clothes hangers and hang them up on the shower rod in the bathroom. Its an adjustment for sure, but truly worth the effort.
I reuse all containers. such as big (and little if we had them) yogurt containers, cottage cheese cont., any and all glass Jars I have. Esp. big spaghetti sauce ones and big pickle ones (usually a boiling hot water bath, takes the smell out and sterilizes them). I do however just keep what i need and will reuse. My collection can outgrow my closet sometimes then I get rid of some.
Make food homemade. It saves money, especially when you get the ingredients on sale or by buying in bulk, and its so much better for you than the over processed snack and meal foods bought for convenience! I really do not find it that time consuming anymore. I can throw together a batch of homemade cookies from beginning to end in about 8 min. (not including bake time of course!) If you cant bake them right away but them on your cookie sheet, throw them in the freezer and cook them later. If you can not cook them by that day, once the cookies are frozen take them off the cookie sheet and put them in a freezer bag and cook them anytime!
My children are not letting mommy blog this morning so I will be back with more tips later. Please share any ideas you have!
Buy used whenever possible! This can save you a ton of money! My general rule is: Clothing at a savings of at least 50% off retail. I try and get at least 75% off retail but if its really good shape its worth it for 50% off! I try and stay at least 30-50% off for any type of equipment, such as rototillers, lawn mowers, power equipment ect. Toys you can usually get really good deals on used. I try to save at least 50% on them.
Buy meats marked down! Today I saved about 30% on hamburger, stew meat and pork steaks! Hannaford generally reduces beef in the morning and chicken in the afternoon.
To use less hamburger in tacos replace some burger with black beans! Tip given to me today at play group by my friend Ersula! Thank you!
When making stew cut your meat up very small, that way your likely to get meat in every spoonful without using too much meat!
Share! If your friends with your neighbor and they have something you only need a few times a year (such as a rototiller or power saw) ask if you can borrow it! Just be sure to take really good care of it, and make sure you refill the gas before returning it!
Wash and reuse meat carton trays. I also disinfect them with a bleach/water wash! (I do not usually save hamburg ones, cuz you really cant get all the yuckys out of them!) I especially like the black pork loin ones (of course i get the pork, only on sale for less than 2.00 a lb.!) They were great for frosted Christmas cookies, I just put the cookies on the trays, and wrapped them in clear plastic wrap.
Children do not need lots of Juice! and many get too much! So what I do is I take a concentrate thing of 100% juice (Usually under 1.49) and mix it to a gallon of water. Just keep in mind 8oz of this will not be considered a full serving of fruit, your children should eat 5 servings of fruits and veggies everyday, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. I have a really hard time getting my kids to drink plain water, so this is a good way to get them drink something healthy.
I reuse milk jugs, but usually only once or twice. Once the milk is gone (we go through 2 gallons a day for my family of 8!) I use that jug to make the above listed juice, lemon aid or iced tea. In the summer I fill 3/4 way with water and freeze it for keep food in my cooler cold! (and once it starts to melt you have ice cold water to drink! Also you can cut the bottom off to use as a dog dish (especially if your dog likes to chew up dishes like mine!) you can also cut the top off to use as a funnel.
Hang out your laundry in the summer, and if using your dryer use from 8pm till 7am (I just got this confirmed by Central Maine Power. I hang dry all my big clothes, but dry my little clothes, washcloths, towels, bedding and blankets. I would hang dry a lot more but I do not have the room!
Since this original post my dryer has broke. We have decided to not fix it for now. Terry put up a new clothes line and it fits 2 loads of laundry. I have 3 or 4 a day so at least one load gets hung up in the house. I use clothes hangers and hang them up on the shower rod in the bathroom. Its an adjustment for sure, but truly worth the effort.
I reuse all containers. such as big (and little if we had them) yogurt containers, cottage cheese cont., any and all glass Jars I have. Esp. big spaghetti sauce ones and big pickle ones (usually a boiling hot water bath, takes the smell out and sterilizes them). I do however just keep what i need and will reuse. My collection can outgrow my closet sometimes then I get rid of some.
Make food homemade. It saves money, especially when you get the ingredients on sale or by buying in bulk, and its so much better for you than the over processed snack and meal foods bought for convenience! I really do not find it that time consuming anymore. I can throw together a batch of homemade cookies from beginning to end in about 8 min. (not including bake time of course!) If you cant bake them right away but them on your cookie sheet, throw them in the freezer and cook them later. If you can not cook them by that day, once the cookies are frozen take them off the cookie sheet and put them in a freezer bag and cook them anytime!
My children are not letting mommy blog this morning so I will be back with more tips later. Please share any ideas you have!
Buy used whenever possible! This can save you a ton of money! My general rule is: Clothing at a savings of at least 50% off retail. I try and get at least 75% off retail but if its really good shape its worth it for 50% off! I try and stay at least 30-50% off for any type of equipment, such as rototillers, lawn mowers, power equipment ect. Toys you can usually get really good deals on used. I try to save at least 50% on them.
Buy meats marked down! Today I saved about 30% on hamburger, stew meat and pork steaks! Hannaford generally reduces beef in the morning and chicken in the afternoon.
To use less hamburger in tacos replace some burger with black beans! Tip given to me today at play group by my friend Ersula! Thank you!
When making stew cut your meat up very small, that way your likely to get meat in every spoonful without using too much meat!
Share! If your friends with your neighbor and they have something you only need a few times a year (such as a rototiller or power saw) ask if you can borrow it! Just be sure to take really good care of it, and make sure you refill the gas before returning it!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
XYY Syndrome:
My son Connor has XYY Syndrome. He was diagnosed at 5 1/2 months right after coming into our home. He had characteristics of a child with Downs Syndrome, when I first saw Connor that was what I was sure he had. I loved him from the second I knew we were getting him! I was relieved for him that it wasn't anything more serious.
Connor was our first adopted child, and our 4th foster child.
Connor is now and has always been developmentally delayed. When he came into care at 5 1/2 months, his muscle tone was very poor, he had his tongue out and sitting in his lower lip about 80 % of the time, he had little to no trunk control, he choked on everything, even his formula and eating solids was very difficult he also made very little noise.
He walked by 15 months with the help of a Physical Therapist.
At 19 months old he still had very little speech, he didn't even make many noises. He was just very quiet. He started speech, it was very slow but he now talks. He is hard to understand, and is selective as to when and where he will talk.
Last year he was diagnosed with PDD (Pervasive Developmental Disorder) which is on the Autism spectrum.
As you can see in an earlier post, he got orthopedic inserts and shoes 2 years ago. He wears them a lot better but still doesn't like them!
Connor rocks, flaps, toe walks, and rubs his first 2 fingers together. He responds very well to deep muscle message, joint compressions and brushing.
Connor has a hard time understanding social appropriateness. He laughs when someones being naughty, and laughs when he is being naughty or while being spoken to or put in time out. He is very observant while were out and about, taking things in, its hard for him to go from one thing to next especially quickly.
He does not get mad very often but when he does get out of dodge! Because thing will fly!
He turned 4 in November and knows 5 of his colors, some shapes, and can count to 10 with about 90% accuracy.
We had his follow up visit with his Developmental pediatrician today and she is impressed with his progress and so am I!
I have an amazing support team! Connor goes to preschool 4 days a week at an amazing developmental preschool, Crayon Country Jay Maine, and has a great Speech and OT therapist.
I try very hard to avoid over processed foods for Connor (and all of my kids) and especially artificial dyes and additives.
In September he saw a geneticist and had more in depth blood work done to see if anything else was going on with him genetically. There was. Its complicated and none really affects any different that XYY itself. It was scary at first but his Dr. explained it to me today and I was very relieved!
Connor is a complicated little man, but he is the light of our world! He is almost always smiling his great big smile! and so happy. Right now his favorite toy in the world is his "Birthday" truck! Its a toy hauler truck he got for his Birthday. He doesn't have to share it, its just his!
I'm hoping to help people who have children with this syndrome and PDD. There is very little known about XYY syndrome. I hope to post more info and links. I am posting pics and hope to get some video up soon.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Happy Back to School After Christmas Break Day!
Yay! The older kids went back to school today! Connor will go in a little while and it will just be and the girls! I am very excited! It was a crazier than normal vacation this time around!
I am really looking forward to getting back into our school time routine.
I got my calender out and up. I am really hoping the New Year will bring less appointments! My goal is no more than 3 a week and by summer have it down to 2 or less!
I'm still searching for a good budget program. Currently I am using my own, but that makes me nervous because that's what I have done in the past without success! This isn't my first time around the budget tree! :)
Now that I have shared all these ideas over the last few weeks, its time to actually implement them and stick to my plan when confronted! This is NOT easy for me! And the reason for my failure in the past! I am not taken seriously for this reason!
Time to put on my big girl panties and hold my ground! :)
I must go get Conny ready for school, but keep connected, I have some awesome ideas to share! Have a great Tuesday all!
I am really looking forward to getting back into our school time routine.
I got my calender out and up. I am really hoping the New Year will bring less appointments! My goal is no more than 3 a week and by summer have it down to 2 or less!
I'm still searching for a good budget program. Currently I am using my own, but that makes me nervous because that's what I have done in the past without success! This isn't my first time around the budget tree! :)
Now that I have shared all these ideas over the last few weeks, its time to actually implement them and stick to my plan when confronted! This is NOT easy for me! And the reason for my failure in the past! I am not taken seriously for this reason!
Time to put on my big girl panties and hold my ground! :)
I must go get Conny ready for school, but keep connected, I have some awesome ideas to share! Have a great Tuesday all!
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