WISH$S AND DREAM$

I have a WISH LIST. On it I type every thing that pops into my head that I want but cannot afford that day. There are currently 35 items on the list but that number goes up and down. Knowing that I'm carefully planning and not just brushing aside my wants with a can't-afford-it sigh, I get much peace of mind out of this list.

Current Grand Total: $23,875 (I dream big)

I also have two other lists. A WISHES GRANTED list and an NAH...GUESS NOT list. The Wishes granted one is pretty self explanatory. When I acquire the item, it gets taken off the wish list and put here. It's essentially a list of blessings that I am very thankful for. These are purchased with carefully saved money sometimes but a lot of them are gifts and from money / gift cards from holidays and birthdays. This list amazes me how long it gets in a short time. My perspective is that I'm poor but this list suggests otherwise. I started it more recently than the wish list. I get much joy out of this list.

It's grand total is $1,826. That's a lotta cash folks!!!

I love my Nah....Guess Not list. Being on a squeeze-that-lemon-super-tight budget has it good points. This list is proof that I no longer have the luxury to Impluse Shop. The items on this list are things I think I want but after I've slept on it quite a few paydays I realize that I don't want that stuff, no way, not even if it were free, what was I thinking?!? I get much peace of mind out of this list because it is here that I'm reminded that money is no longer slipping through my fingers due to impuse buying.

It's grand total is $2,237. Kinda makes me shiver that I coulda spent that much cash on things I didn't want

For kicks I will share the top and bottom items:

Wish List top item: Alaskan cruise $8,000 (est. cost)

Wish List bottom item: Alarm Clock $10

Wishes Granted top item: Fall Branson Trip $250 (actual costs)

Wishes Granted bottom item: Scrapbook refill pages $0 (a gift)

Nah...Guess not top item: Thoughtful Christmas Gifts $1,000 (don't laugh!!!! I bought gifts, just not ahead of time and not $1000 worth)

Nah...Guess not bottom item: Makeup remover $10

Have a great weekend!

Sarah

Booo Eeeeck!

The trick to making soft yummy cupcakes in my oven is to cook them for only 15 minutes, and not the recommended 18 - 22. I figured that out and these were yummy. The shapes on the top are made out of chocolate and are supposed to be spiders, spider webs, tombstones and ghosts

Abby helping me with the batter

We made spiders out of egg carton bumps. A great 5 minute craft!

Happy BOOlloween to you!

Snack Bath

TODAY'S FANTABULOUS IDEA:

Pancakes aren't usually finger food. But today we made them finger food. Abby wanted a snack during her bubble bath so I poured syrup into the pancake batter, fried them, topped them with a bit of butter and she's snacking away and watching a Strawberry Shortcake DVD.

Football & Zoo

When Rosie sticks her head out the window Lydia says she's "livin' the dream"

My Fox family watching Josiah play 5th/6th grade football for the Grizzlies
Janet, Amy (Go J Rex Go!), Zach, Swana, Tim, & Rex

Josiah, number 8, (2nd from left)

My girls are spending the weekend in St. Louis enjoying time with their Buntain family. They went to the zoo yesterday.

Lydia & Abby at the St. Louis Zoo

I will never forget

image copied from

mommylife.net/.../2009/09/what_were_you_d.html

We Three

This is me on my birthday. I found this picture on mom's camera today.

I wonder if any of us knew our picture was being taken? ? ?

Success!

Ah-ha!!!! I love it when a plan unfolds just right. Well, it's almost to the end of the first week of my new laundry system and when I looked into Lydia's near empty clothes hamper tonight I felt like jumping for joy. All of the problems related to her clothes were solved. Solved I tell you!! No clothes on the floor. Not even a quarter of a load of laundry. No arguing over what to wear. Zero time spent picking out what to wear. I'm definitely going to continue. Abby doesn't mess with her clothes much but I'm going to bring her into the new system. Just not having the daily chore of picking out her clothes will make it worth it.

The really good news is that Lydia really didn't seem to mind. The 1st day she went looking for more clothes but when I explained the new system I never heard another peep.

If I were going to write a book called "Dumb things that smart people do", this laundry story would be my first chapter. Now I'm looking around at what other needless dumb work that I do everyday out of habit. I think I will tackle our drinking glasses system next. Stay tuned.

MONEY SAVER TIP: I quit buying the swiffer wet cloths. They are lovely but I'm not a millionaire so instead I use a rag. I run some soapy water, get the rag wet in it, wring it out and leave some water in it, attach it to the swiffer "mop" stick and mop the floor. I have to remove it and rinse it several times and when I'm done I toss it in the laundry. It's environmentaly friendly too.



Love,

Sarah