Can I Do It? A Challenge...

I was raised by a frugal mama who imparted her frugalness to me. And after years of being a single mama and having to be frugal to survive, I just can't seem to shake it. No matter how I've tried, I can't justify paying high dollar for things. Well...for most things anyway. There are a few things I spend waaayyy too much money on.

Since I lost my part time job back in June, and considering some very expensive recent events, I have been trying to watch how I spend money and doing what I can to bring in extra money but yesterday, I began wondering if I could go a year without paying full price for anything. So, I thought I'd challenge myself to a year of seeing if I could truly get by without spending full price for anything. Most everything goes on sale at one time or another, and if I can stock up on said item when it does, I will.

Now to be fair and honest, this challenge is for me, not my hubby who can be a little spendthrifty at times. He has been known to pop into a store & bring home things to surprise us or just because he thinks/knows we need something. But my frugal ways have begun to rub off on him so, he tries. Also, we are by no means in dire straits because I lost my job but, we did count on that money and I don't want my job loss to become a burden financially to my husband if it doesn't need to be. So I am committed to doing what I can to stretching our dollars to go as far as possible.

I am also taking into account that some things rarely, if ever, go on sale. Things like milk (we buy lactose free) for instance. Yes, I find markdown milk. And veggies and meat do go on sale but, I won't beat myself up if I absolutely need something and can't find it on sale. I am determined to buy in bulk when items are on sale and use coupons for things I would buy anyway if I have them. I am going to do my best and we will see.

I will probably update weekly to see my progress. If this can help someone that may be having hard times or is just interested in saving a buck or two, then that would make me so happy!

I will share some things I do on a regular basis to save money another time.

Thanks for stopping by! (and wish me luck!)

*I would love to hear about YOUR frugal tips! Or maybe you would like to join me in challenging yourself?!

Mom's Visit and My Etsy Shop is Featured!

My family and I just enjoyed a 4 day visit with my mom who takes a few days each year to come stay with her daughters. A few days with us then she's off to my sisters for a few. It was nice to catch up! Love you mom!

And I'm SO excited to share that Amanda at bigDAYpartyshop just featured my Polka Dot Half Apron - "Barbara" in her rick rack themed treasury!!! Thanks Amanda! Go see her cute party ribbons and banners! You might find just the thing there for your next celebration!

Hope you all are having a wonderful weekend~thanks for stopping by!

Recovering!

From a stressful couple of weeks to be exact. We've all had 'em. Those days, weeks, sometimes even months of unexpected, expensive events that seem to occur in multiples.

The thursday before Labor Day, I awoke at around 5 AM hearing a dreadful noise that I can only describe as the sound that say, a metal zipper or buckle makes when it's in the dryer. It was also thundering, lightening and raining at the time so at first, in my just-waking-up disorientation, I laid there...listening. Again...metal clanging-banging sound. So, I get up to see if my DD is up doing a last minute dryer-ful of clothes so she will have something to wear to school (not uncommon-she is in charge of washing her own clothes and has to be at school at 7 AM, and she's a teenager (; ). Anyhoo, the dryer isn't going. The noise doesn't happen again. I just woke up (I'm NOT a morning person!). So, I fuhgetaboutit and lay back down until I have to get up. Life goes on.

Fast forward to friday evening. hubby retires for the evening, & DD & I are watching t.v. when DD says, "did you hear that?" Well, vaguely. Because when I'm "watching t.v." I'm usually also reading. I just figured it was hubby making noise because he was also awake, reading in our bedroom. Well, goosebumps & adrenaline went on alert & we waited & listened. Again..."there it is again". DD gets up and goes toward the noise to investigate. Again, the noise. She comes back looking like she saw a ghost. For the rest of the evening we wait & listen and finally conclude there was SOMETHING in the air vent in the ceiling. Eeeek!

Let me tell ya, I didn't get much restful sleep the next two nights not knowing what it was. Would it chew it's way through and walk across me in the middle of the night? Would I wake up staring into it's beady, glowing red eyes? Would it eat my puppy? What was it?! My imagination ran wild...

Saturday morning I had the pleasure of greeting hubby with the news and we begin to search out a pest control guy. We found one & he was GREAT- showed up when he said he would & all-that's a rarity in our experience.

To (try and) make a long story short, by Sunday evening, we had to call him out at 11 PM on his day off (double the $!) because hubby saw a possum tail in the vent in our bathroom...YUK! We thought it might be dying since it seemed to have been trapped in there for at least two days trying to get out. Well, the pest man got him out alive, and after a third visit monday morning to set out traps & bait for any other varmints that might be lurking up there, we have had quiet, restful nights. Hallelujah!!!

NOW, last friday, we had to call out plumbers because of some concerns hubby has had about our driveway that seems to be sinking since we got our house foundation leveled back in May, and a couple of leaks in a couple of our bathrooms. Two full days with two plumbers at work (and they aren't finished yet), our laundry room ceiling ripped out, new bathroom sink & tub fixtures, and the cost of a GOOD NEW CAR later (hopefully insurance will pick up some of it), we are waiting to hear from the insurance adjuster as I type before we can move forward.

Now add in my recent second foot surgery, hubby's back & hip problems (limiting us physically) and the trials and tribulations of raising a teenage girl (she's really a great kid~I just added it for dramatic effect (; ) and you've got just a wee bit of stress.

But, God is still good and blesses us each day beyond measure so, I will cast all these cares on Him & try to trust like a little child. After all, it could always be worse. I just pray that hubby is able to do the same...

If you would like to share/vent any of your stressful times with me, here's my shoulder...& my prayers for you.

Thanks for stopping by & listening!

Cute as a Cupcake!

With cooler temperatures in the air, I've been bitten by the baking bug. I had a box of brownie mix that I recently bought on sale, along with a bit of 'nilla frosting leftover from a previous baking binge, and decided to put on my new cupcake apron & whip up a quick sweet for my sweets...

BROWNIE CUPCAKES!!!

I just made the brownies according to the directions on the box, poured them in cupcake liners, baked, cooled then frosted. Then I sifted a bit of cocoa powder on top.

Quick & easy & ohhh so yummy...

made even better by wearing just the right CUPCAKE apron!

My cupcake apron?~I didn't make this one, I got it in my AVON shop for a price that can't be licked!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hostess Apron~product #632630

And some other cute as a cupcake cupcake makin' accessories:

Multi Tier Cupcake Stand~product #635850

&

Cupcake Decorator Tool Set~product #635864

Get 'em before they're gone!

The right tools can make a big difference no matter what job you're doing.

(if you love AVON, you can sign up on my website to receive regular emails about the latest products & specials! And orders of $30 or more receive FREE shipping! Thanks for shopping with me and spreading the word!)

Thanks, as always, for stopping by! I treasure your sweet comments!

Mornin', Glory!

My sweet "baby" girl proudly brought home a plant that she started from a seed at school. It was just a little tike in an eight ounce styrofoam cup & a handful of soil the first time I laid eyes on it. She said it was a "Grandpa Ott" morning glory. I planted it out back near a piece of lattice and watered it when I watered everything else. Daddy helped from time to time by placing the new little tendrils on the lattice work to help give it a "leg up". And here it is today...

She's so proud of her Morning Glory!

Glad you were able to visit today!

Welcome Autumn! Welcome Fall!

Welcome Autumn...I'm ready for your spicy, wood-smoky scents...

Your rich jewel colors...

I'm ready for your cooler weather...

Welcome Fall!!!

You are welcome here...
Thanks for stopping by~I love "meeting" each & every one of you!

Happy Labor Day!

We hope you enjoy the day whether you get to rest from your labor or have to work anyway.

Because of threatening thunderstorms, we did our grilling yesterday. Burgers, wings, steak, corn on the cob, baked potatoes and watermelon were on the menu. Today we will truly be able to rest from our labor!

How will you enjoy your Labor Day?

Sometimes Only a Cookie Will Do...

and if it's chocolate chip, all the better!

Land O' Lakes Chewy Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cozy Evening at Home...

A little rain...

Some cooler temps...

Make for a cozy evening at home!

Thanks for visiting!

Dollface

This past Mother's Day, I adopted a new furry baby. It had been two years since we lost a sweet, faithful dog that we had had for thirteen years. I took it hard. And no matter how many times Ari asked if we could pleeeease get another dog...I just wasn't ready. The time wasn't right. But then one day, when I least expected it, (sorta like the day the Grinch's heart unexpectedly warmed and grew)...I was ready. We began looking. Our search didn't take very long when...

we fell in love...

with this face...

this little Dollface.

Thanks for stopping by!

Christmas Aprons in my Etsy Shop!

Christmas will be here soon! If you have already begun your shopping, I invite you to please take a minute to browse the cute little aprons I have added to my etsy shop! They make perfect gifts for someone who loves aprons or for yourself! Please spread the word!

Thank you for visiting!

I think I smell cookies baking...