BECOMING DEBT FREE...is it possibe?

Hi everyone! Been a long while, huh? Sorry! Life has been keeping me so busy lately. February has been a month of many appointments. Dentist, doctor, orthodontist, gyno, you name it! Not to mention, Rowan and I have been sick off and on, and I started a new class!
I am quite excited to tell you that I am taking the Financial Peace class at my church, and absolutely LOVE IT! The class is by Dave Ramsey, and I am learning so much. I thought I was doing all that I could to save as much money as possible; in fact, when I signed up for this class, Jamie said to me, "why are you taking a class to be a tight-wad when you already are one"? It was a relevant question!
I am learning that living on credit alone is no way to live, and Jamie and I have said a MAJOR financial goal. We hope to be completely DEBT free in 36 months. That means, no credit card debt, no school loan debt and no vehicle debt. The house will take a little longer, but we are hoping to have it paid off in FIVE YEARS, instead of the 20 we planned.
Living on a budget has proven to be a little difficult for me. I am not a big spender by any means. My weakness, as I have learned, is eating out and grabbing a snack and coffee too often. Now, we will be spending more on groceries and saving in the long run. It's a challenge, but I do treat myself to the occassional coffee every once in a while.
I will keep this blog updated with each baby step we accomplish. For those of you familiar with Dave Ramsey, I am proud to say we have baby step #1 DONE!!! Check!!!

News

Wow, I just realized that it has been a while since my last post. Life has been keeping me busy. Rowan is at the age that he needs constant attention and direction...or redirection! He is a lot of fun. He's learning a lot of new things, and keeping me on my toes.

I think Beau may be the bigger challenge though!

So, I just have to give a shout out to my amazing realtor! I absolutely loved working with her. She was exceptionally patient with me. Well, in December, she helped my brother-in-law and sister-in-law find their perfect house! It was their first time buying as well, and Linda was awesome! Recently, one of my close friends has been house hunting. She wasn't having much luck, and wasn't too fond of her realtor, so she gave Linda Pontnack a call...in ONE day, Linda found them their perfect house! She is amazing!!!!!!!!!! I am so psyched for my friend, Melissa, and her family!

Also...I have to mention my new book. I started reading, Accidental Mother, by Rowan Coleman. I LOVE IT!!! If I didn't have a toddler to take care of, I wouldn't put this book down! It's well-written, and I cannot WAIT to finish it. Next I will read her second book, Another Mother's Life. WOOHOO NEW BOOKS MAKE ME HAPPY! If I only had the time to read....

SCOTTISH TERRIER

So, I really hate to do this, but I am going to anyway. While my husband was home in September, he bought Rowan a dog. We named him Beau (AKA "BOBO"); he is a full-bred black Scottish Terrier. He is six months old, current on all vaccines, and is registered.

I am having a difficult time trying to train him; I just do not have the time to spend one-on-one with him like I should. He is a very lovable dog, loves to be held and cuddled. He is 16 lbs, and probably will not get much bigger.

I am desperate to find him a good home. He is great with the older kids, but my 21 month old is scared of Beau. Beau likes to run and play, and it intimidates Rowan.

Please, if you know anyone who is looking for a canine companion, contact me via a message on here. We payed $300 for Beau three months ago. We have also kept his shots up and have purchased many toys, snacks, food , large kennel, grooming items, leash, collar and all the essentials. I would gladly send all of his belongings with him to the right home.

When I get a chance, I will put up a picture. THANKS!!!

Back to the coupons!

So, now that I have all-day access to the internet again, I am hoping that my thrifty coupon shopping will pick back up. I had a nice stock of meds, diapers, and all things baby and decided I could slack off on the shopping until after Christmas. Then I had a nice trip to West Virginia for three weeks (mid Nov. to beginning of Dec.), and I did absolutely NO coupon clipping that entire time! YIKES! Since I have returned home, I have fallen into the rut of no coupons...I know, I know, what happened!
So, I need to build up my coupon folders again and get back into the savings. I am almost out of my stock of diapers and meds...and,.,,,,,gulp, I paid FULL PRICE for Ny-Quil...that was a tough one to admit!
New Year, new start. Let's get couponing!!!

Happy Saturday!

Okay, first, let me use this blog to say I AM SORRY to my wonderful husband...I AM SORRY I WAS GROUCHY with you when you called me this morning! We had a rough night lastnight, and I just wanted to sleep! Rowan kept waking himself up coughing, the dog got out of his cage and pooped all over the darn house, Rowan was in bed with me and peed through his diaper and all over me. In the middle of the night, I had to change clothes, wipe Rowan down and change the bedding. My phone rang 17 times between 7 and 8 this morning, and I was ready to kill someone. THEN, I shut the ringer off on my cell phone, and you called the house phone...which was right next to me. I know, it was no excuse to be angry with you, I was just frustrated...so, I am sorry!!!

Other than all that mess, I have had a really nice day. Jenn and Lee came over to visit this afternoon. It was great to get to spend some time with them. I had an appointment to get my oil changed, and they babysat! That's right, I didn't have to take the boys with me! What a treat!!! Usually, when I take the car in for an oil change, I am chasing Rowan around...by the time I leave, I am worn out...but today was nice. It only took them 30 minutes, and I read a magazine in the waiting room! THANKS JENN AND LEE!!!!

Rowan really took to Aunt Jenn while I was gone, and he sat on her lap the whole time! How sweet is that? We went to lunch at Applebee's, and the boys (for the most part) were well-behaved! Well, except that Rowan smacked the waitress when she wouldn't wave back to him and tried to snatch an old lady's purse...lol

We got home a little while ago, and it is time for Rowan to take his nap now...whew!

I'm BACKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!

It's true folks!~ My wonderful hubby finally sent me the laptop, and I got hooked back up to the internet world today! The wonderful Mediacom man even ran new lines for me so I could have it where I wanted! Yay for nice people!

Expect updates often now!!! WHOOP! Oh, and as soon as I can figure out the pic thing, I will put some of those up too.

Until I get a desk and find a place to put it, I am doing the whole computer thing in my kitchen...good thing we don't use the table to actually EAT! Hahahh okay, sometimes we do...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

BLACK FRIDAY SUCCESS!

This year was the first year, really, that I got out in the madness on black Friday. My inlaws have made a tradition of shopping on black Friday, something that I was never really too fond of. However, this year I was in WV (where my inlaws live), and I couldn't wait to experience it with them! I always hear the crazy stories, and was anxious to make some memories of my own. My MIL was awesome and watched Rowan so that I could do some shopping. First we hit Walmart, then Circuit City, JC Pennies, a couple stores in the mall, Toys R Us, Old Navy, I don't remember what else...We started at 4 AM. We also had lunch at Applebee's, YUM!
I would LOVE to tell you what deals I got, but then everyone would know what they are getting for Christmas! LOL So, that won't work...I will say that I got everything I set out to get and more...SUCCESS!!! Now, I can't wait to do it again next year!
Hope everyone had a wonderful and memorable Thanksgiving!!!

West Virginia

Hello loyal readers! For those of you who have continued to check my blog for updates, I thank you for your patience! LOL I know I have not been so loyal at updating my blog, and am sorry!!!
Anyway, Rowan and I braved the long trip to West Virginia this past Saturday. It is normally about a 9 hour drive...add a baby in the equation, and it is a sure disaster! Anyway, last time we made the trip, I had my hubby and stepson with us...it turned out to be, if I can recall correctly, about a 16 hour drive. So, you can imagine my anxiety when I set out to make the trip with my toddler...by myself! Much to my surprise, it did t take as long as I had thought. We left home about noon, and arrived by 9:00 PM ILLINOIS TIME! I was shocked. Pleasantly so, of course! We only stopped three times: once for lunch, twice for fuel and to stretch. Rowan did REALLY well, only having two screaming episodes, which for him is reallllllllllllllllly an accomplishment!
Rowan has never done well at car rides. In fact, I have questioned if he may get car sick??? Does anyone have any good traveling toddler advice?

ELECTION DAY!!!

Today is the day to make your voice be heard!!! :-) My husband, along with many, MANY, other men and women have fought for YOUR freedom to vote and have a voice! Please exercise your right to vote...

It is 5:04 PM here in Illinois right now, with two hours left to vote! PLEASE GO VOTE!!!

I really want to go into my political views, but I am trying to refrain. I just PRAY for our country right now...we are in desperate need of God right now!!!

God bless you all! :-)

Chilly weather

So, it is getting cold outside...and the nights are REALLY cold and lonely. This weather makes me miss my husband even MORE than usual...I want to jump into bed and curl up next to him and put my freezing cold feet on his legs...he likes that! HAHAH
So, tonight, when you go to bed, ladies...please do this for me...and be thankful that your hubby is here for you to annoy! I sure wish mine was!