Busy Weekend

I had just typed up my entire post, minus the pictures, when my PC locked up and I had to power it off and on just to get typing again.  I just feel sick!  I thought was I had written was kinda funny and insightful.  OK, so probably not, but it could have been.  My recap now is going to be bullet points.

Friday

• Miche Bag Party – If you’ve never seen one, they’re super cute.  I got one small bag and two shells. (Sidney in red and Jodi).  You’ll have to go to the website to see what I mean.
• Movies with Kristi after the bag party.  Husbands home with the kids, so why the heck not?  If you haven’t already, make sure you see The Blind Side. Great story, and Sandra Bullock’s character is a hoot!  Not a big special effects movie, so I recommend Netflix.

Saturday

• Errands… Bank, Library & Costco
• Jason and I got to go to my friend Rhonda’s house to celebrate her birthday. : )  Happy Birthday Rhonda!
• Skating with the kids

You probably thought Chase was falling here, but the second picture was his recovery!

 

Sunday – My Baby is 16!

• Bowling for Taylor’s birthday with the Aston’s.

Taylor & his Aunt Lyndsey

And last, but not least, Chase playing dress up with Sydney.  I know Jason is going to love this!

Have a great week everyone!

The Bad Economy is finally reaching my house!

I can honestly say I’ve been hiding my head in the sand when it comes to the state of the economy.  Now, my place of employment is trying to pass a bill to make most state employees take one furlough day a month through next summer.  At first, the possibility of having a day off (even without pay) was pretty exciting.  Now, reality is setting in and I have to figure out where to cut back that one day’s salary.  There’s even talk about making some of us take two days off, but I’m being optimistic and praying that it’s only one.

I’ve recently made two change in areas where I have previously spent a ton of money.  I’m a major coffee consumer. I have been known to visit Starbucks almost ever day for weeks and sometimes more than once a day.  Throw in a couple of kid’s hot chocolates every now and then and you’ve got a car payment!  Now, I make a pot of coffee every morning.  That should help, right?

Secondly, I’ve rediscovered the Public Library.  There is no telling how much I’ve spent on books for me and the kids over the past couple of years. What was I thinking??? A friend from work reminded me that the library was just around the corner from my office and said she had started downloading books on MP3 for no charge. I think I spent over $20 on my last book on CD. Why didn’t I think of this?

So… Here’s my question.  What else am I missing?  I need to cut another hundred dollars or so out of my budget each month.  Any ideas? 

By the way, my little ones loved the library, but didn’t quite understand that, unlike Borders or Barnes & Noble, the library is a QUIET place! This will take some practice for us.  We’re such a loud bunch around here. : )

Ready for Spring

OK, so I know it’s a little early for a Spring blog header, but I am just so ready for cheery and bright again.  I’ve been in the Pacific Northwest for 15 1/2 years and this is the first year I remember longing for winter to end.  I can’t complain too much since it hasn’t been a brutal winter like last year.

I’m also starting some Spring cleaning around my house and tossing/giving stuff away. It’s time to clear out all the stuff we haven’t used in years and make the house brighter (and lighter).  Don’t get me wrong.  I love Fall and Winter. I love the feeling of a warm fire, a cozy sweater or a big fluffy blanket. But, I also love Spring. I also love letting fresh air come through my bedroom window, the crocuses staring to bloom in my front yard and an hour or two of daylight after I leave work. 

So, step 1… brighten up my blog…. Check!

My Baby Girl is *5*

I can’t believe my baby girl is 5 years old.  It seems like only yesterday we were running around trying to start my labor before January 1st so we could have an extra dependent to claim on our 2004 taxes. And sure enough, along came Sydney at around 5am on December 31st, 2004.

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Wow… that’s the fastest 5 years ever!  Happy Birthday Sydney!