Pinch me and tell me I'm dreaming

We have been funtioning fairly well the past 4 years on one income. We have not really denied ourselves of much. We have become pretty budget conscience. It has been pretty amazing that we were able to pull off putting hubs through school, me working and kids staying at home. We are in debt up to our eyeballs but who isn't right?!? But now things have gotten worse, we are watching every penny that is being spent. We have had to make some pretty dramatic changes just to counteract the inflation. I haven't "grocery gamed" very much this summer. We have been munching on our pantry and freezer stash. Except for the milk and bread our grocery shopping as been pretty nonexistent. Even with coupons, groceries are still high. We have also become electricity nazis. Our AC now resides at 75 which is a far cry from 72 where it normally stays. Also lights are completely optional. Unless it becomes an occupational hazard at night, the lights are off and our house is lit by the one of 12 lamps in the house. We aren't eating out as much either. If we do we get the bare minimum, ex...cheeseburger each and share fries, drink something from home. Or we just go somewhere that kids eat free. We have been selling things around the house to buy the things we need. We needed 2 more car seats so we found things around the house and sold them all for a big whopping $160. We have also been selling our books to a used book store for extra cash. I would like to have a garage sale in the next few weeks to add to my "back to school" clothes fund. I go through 2 pairs of tennis shoes a year. Truthfully that will probably be the only thing that I buy for school next year. In addition to all this, my grandmother is not doing well so we know that we will be spending money (gas, food, hotel) to go up there when she dies. So we are having to trade off our river trip and my 10 year reunion for going to Oklahoma whenever the time comes. ****Sorry Sleeza we just decided this today :(

Is anybody else out there feeling this pinch or are we just a bunch of broke monkeys?

Lil-la-polooza

I fall more and more in love with Buggers everyday. She is such a special little girl. I thought I would dedicate a whole post just to her. You know being the second child she does get shafted on the attention at times. We don't do it intentionally but it just sometime happens.

She has come into being 2 years old quite well. She is a jabber mouth saying the funniest things sometimes. One of our favorite things she says is "a good morning" with the sweetest southern belle accent. She says it anytime of day after she or someone wakes up. She imitates and copies just about anything you say from "stupid dog" to "bless you". My personal favorite expression is when she tells you she loves you..."I wub you Momma". That is heaven to your ears when you hear your own child profess their love for you. Buggers is also so caring and nurturing. Hubs called her motherly today. She is always holding her babies, rocking them to sleep, checking on you when you get hurt, and doling out kisses and hugs when requested. The one thing I wish she didn't do was remember spankings. She reminds you when you spank her even if it was a week ago. It's always a great thing when she doesn't let you forget those great parenting moments. She has however perfected the 2 year old temper tantrum. Each performance showcases the "limp noodle arms", the "knees tucked to her arm pits while holding her", the "whiplash neck" and with a grand finale of the "full body throw down who cares if it carpet, tile or concrete." With all that aside she is a little ray of sunshine that brightens our day.

Super Duper Blooper

In the backgroud you can hear the theme song for Super Friends on Cartoon Network and front and center you hear a shout of glee from the 3 year old watching.
Daddy to Bubby: "Who's that?"
Bubby: "Superman!!!!" (imagine sheer enthusiasm and excitement when said)
Daddy: "Who's that?"
Bubby: "Batman!!!!!" (imagine same level of enthusiasm)
Daddy: "Who's that?"
Bubby: "Daddy!!!!!" (again same level of excitment)
Daddy suprisingly replies: "No that's Robin."
Mommy laughs hysterically!!!!!

Do you see the resemblance???????

I don't know maybe the speedos are throwing me off. Too bad I can't muster up that old pic of hubs from his freshman year on the swim team. Love you baby!!!!!

Life's a Beach

We made it back from the beach yesterday. Hubs and I had a great time. I'm in Waco right now with my parents and my kiddos. When I get back home, I will give full details of the weekend...well maybe not the full story :) But for now here is one pic to enjoy!!!

Summer Lovin, Having some fun

We have had so much fun this summer hanging out. We have gone swimming so much that I'm actually getting tan. It's a shocker to see my pastey white skin take on an amber glow. Some kids at school made fun on my white legs a few weeks ago when I wore a dress. And today the same kids noticed my browness and complimented me. You know it must be true when teenagers say it to you...they possess the honest meter when it comes to image especially a teacher's. I hope to work on it a little more this weekend as we head to the beach for 4th of July.

We hit the pool on Saturday pretty early. There were just a few people there. It was so much fun. Bubby showed off his underwater skills for the camera. Buggers has gotten so good on the slide that she doesn't even want you to stand next to it to make sure she pops up safely.







We headed off to a birthday party on Saturday evening. They had a huge double hump water slide set up in the backyard. Bubby didn't hesitate and climbed right up and bounced all the way down into the little wade pool at the bottom. This entertained him for over an hour. He had so much fun!!! Bugs wasn't much into playing on the slide. In fact I threw her in the wade pool and she very angrily said "No wet Momma!" However, she did find her favorite thing at the party...watermelon. This girl can eat some melon. We buy her a quarter of a melon at the store and she eats it in one setting. She will do that a couple time a week. I think it is so funny because that is one of my favorite fruits in fact when I was pregnant I craved it all the time.


Enough pictures....Sassy britches!!!






On Sunday we hung around here most of the day just relaxing and getting caught up on household duties. I let the kids go outside and play. Bubby remembered that we got pop ice at the store the previous day. So they commenced on an afternoon sucking and munching on "crack ice" (as a neighbor refers to it). They were so cute asking for different colors each time. I had a hard time telling them no when I would catch them sitting next to each other eating their popsicles. It made my heart want to melt as quickly as their pop ice was in the hot Texas sun.

I panicked alittle when I looked out the kitchen window to check on them and I didn't see them anywhere. There were sitting side by side outside the dining room window.

New and Not improved

I have created another blog. I had to create one as an assignment for my masters class on technology. And since I didn't want my professor and classmates being linked to my personal one I decided to create a new one. After I created it I figured I might as well chronicle my journey to getting my 2nd piece of paper. So if you are so intrigued to read it.

www.mastermomma.blogspot.com.

Warning: Real honest to goodness nagging, ranting and raving, and the occational meltdowns may ensue at this blog...so read with caution.

Summer Snoozing

Ok I know I haven't updated in a week. I have gone into summer mode around here. Afternoons at the pool, late nights playing Mahjong, secret trips to bargain bins around town, and deep summer cleaning have consummed my days. I have 7 more days of summer school then I will have a full day to fill. I promise more blogs with more interesting content and belly hurting humor.

What you have missed this week?

The kids spent last week with my mom in oklahoma. Seems like they had a good time. I was glad they got the chance to go see my grandparents and my aunt. I have enjoyed being home with them more. I realize how much I miss out while I'm at work everyday. I went through some flashcards with Bugs today. I was so amazed at how many things she was able to name. Her vocabulary is pretty extensive for a 2 year old. She is also soooo dramatic. I call her "Drama" not quite sure where she gets it. Bubby learned how to swim under water on Saturday. He is not exactly aquatic. However on Sat he was swimming under water like he has been a fish in another life. He was so proud of himself. It was really cute to watch him explore and discover his limitations. Bugs is great in the pool also. She got daring and decided she could slide down on her belly on the big blue side. Everytime she comes down she claps for herself.

Hubs is training to be a driver's ed instructor. He has been working on it for about 3 weeks. He is getting close and will soon be doing it for bank!!! It will be nice to have a little extra scratch around here. He has also been job hunting. He has had several interviews and is just waiting for that one special someone to call and make our day by saying "You're hired".

I have been doing the above mentioned day-fillers. As well as I have started my masters. I am not sure why I am doing it. I think I was just in a trench and saw a rope to pull my self out. But those who know me well, know that I have to constantly be doing something. I can not be stale or stagnant in any aspect of my life. Therefore as if I wasn't glutton for punishment enough, I will be taking on this "pot" also. My burners runneth over!!!!!! But i might as well do it now while I have the energy.
Click to enlarget to see Bubby's freckles!!!!



Meet our meatatarian

M&M pops are the best...Melt in your mouth and up your nose



Hubs on "Boys day out"

Like my hat...its from my papa

Afternoon Snooze

Speading the Goodwill

I headed off to the Goodwill Store today. I have been wanting to go for about a year. I decided to headed on over there this afternoon kids in tow. I was so surprise at how big and organized the store was. I was a little disappointed in the lack of furniture options and home decor. I do have my eye on a entertainment center/armoire that they had. It would need some TLC but that is what drew me to the piece. Plus it has great lines and great storage. I'm going to take hubs over there on Sunday and see if he agrees. However I did pick up 3 great deals. I have been looking for a container to replace my "25 cents metal container that I picked up at a community garage sale a few years ago" cooking utensil holder. I snagged this one for only $3.

Bubby spotted this jewel up on a top shelf. Come to find out these are out of production. I have trained him well...a mere $7!!!! It is a flexible flyer with the original logo on the front.

Then a little something for mommy. I have one clutch that I use when we go out even as rare as it happens. This little thing caught my eye and called to me to pick it up. I checked the label and it is a Nine West. I got this for the lost cost of 6 bucks!!!


I then headed over to Burke's Outlet. They were advertising Friday Club which give anyone 49 and under an extra 15% discount on their purchases. I found 2 father's day gifts for hubs, a surfing shirt for bubby and this little sign. I'm not sure where I am going to put it yet but I could not resist getting it.

Jumping jehosetots

Ready...Set


Go!!!!!

Splashtown

On Friday we headed off to one of my coworkers houses for a little end of the year party. He has a gorgeous pool and patio. The kids swam for 4 hours. They loved it!!! Bubby and Buggers got in the deep in all by themselves with their arm floaties and belly rings. Bubby had fun playing with his friend Owen. Hubs had a great time whooping up on some of the guys at poker. He won both times!! I throughly enjoyed myself too. You know anytime you get into a bathing suit amongst your coworkers is always a helluva good time. Thank god for coverups!!!!!