Special Surprise!

I wasn't home when the mail came today, but when I did get home, my sweet Neighbor knocked on my door with a special package for me.  I opened it to find this:

Made especially for me, by Kyleigh.  Isn't it wonderful?!?!  My question is this... Did she KNOW my favorite color is purple?

Thank You my dear friend!!  I will remember your thoughtfulness each day as I reach for my Bible Study materials!

Blessings,

Tif

4th Picture

I got tagged. Read below for the details...

Here is my awesome husband having a great time at Mammoth Mountain at one of the snow parks. I always giggle that the boxes show up hot pink on film when they are really a reddish-orange.

1. Go to the 4th picture folder on your computer.

2. Post the 4th picture in that folder.

3. Explain the picture.

4. Tag 4 more people.

I'm not going to tag anyone - but if this looks like fun to you, please leave me a comment so I can get a peek of your 4th picture!!

Random Fun

So, I got an assignment from my friend Kyleigh. She chose the letter, and I have to name 7 things that I love, each beginning with that letter. She lovingly chose for me the letter P. (Ask me for a letter and join the fun!)

Here is my list of beloved "P" things - not in any particular order...

1. Pancakes - They are filling, they are yummy. My precious husband makes them for me as often as I ask. How lucky can a girl get?

2. Phones - At least the mobile kind, with text messaging. I get delightful texts throughout the day of "I Love You" and "I'm so in love with you" from my best friend.

3. Planes - It's the fastest mode of transportation to take me to Mom's.

4. Pearls - You can read about them here.

5. Peanut Butter - It's just mighty tasty on those pancakes!!

6. Paso Robles, CA - How can you not love the town your best girlfriend lives in?? Not to mention they have fun antique shops and a quaint Farmer's Market with TERRIFIC strawberries!

7. Picnics - At midnight, under the stars.

Pearls - And Why I Love Them

My love affair with pearls.  Have you ever chosen an oyster, had it opened before your eyes to see the beauty-prize hidden inside?

This activity leaves me in awe every time.  Picking through a collection of hideously ugly oysters with foot-long wooden tongs, with an oder that is... icky.  Each oyster is uglier than the previous.  Some are moldy looking, discolored, chipped, "hairy" - with grass-like substance growing on the shell.  It's said that the uglier and hairier the oyster, the more beautiful the pearl inside.

Once the oyster is opened, you can see the inner side of the shell.  It's beautiful! The colors and beauty of iridescence that shimmers in the light.  And then, when you push through the meat of the oyster - you find the most beautiful pearl!  A perfectly shaped, rich in luster, individual treasure.

Did you know that a pearl is created from an irritant in the shell - such as a grain of sand?

I think about people.  How we can be so horribly ugly.  With our personalities, our opinions, our judgements - we can be so unlovely!  And then God chooses us.  He picks us for himself - knowing all of our flaws and imperfections.  When we allow Him a place in our lives, we are left to expose our inner shells - where there is beauty and light.  And when we really let Him into our hearts, we see that he has transformed the irritants of our lives into a beautiful treasure - our hearts.

___________________________________________

Finally, the pictures of the chosen pearls I received in earring settings...  

Below are the beautiful pearl earrings I was surprised with at Christmas.  What is great about these is that the pearls can be removed.  I haven't stopped wearing the gold hoop part since Christmas!  And I know this photo doesn't show it - but they are a beautiful creamy white.

And you can (sorta) see how well they match the necklace Brian got me...

And here is the matching set in white gold with the black twins, which I was supposed to get as a surprise on Valentine's day.  I am taking that into consideration - I have not worn them yet!!
I couldn't keep you in suspense any longer about what these priceless treasures look like!  I'll post my anklet and bracelet soon, too!

Blessings,

Tif

Budget Recovery & Stuff

I've shared how much the month of December threw us off schedule, off balance and off budget.  There were a few things that did this, and one can't be any more responsible for it than another.  It's just the way December happened for us.

Chick-Doodle asked for a trip* to Seattle to visit her Grandma (my Mom) and her GREAT-Grandma (Mom's Mom).  My Mom flew from Houston to Seattle to stay with Grandma so my Aunt could go to Utah and visit with her grandchildren.   Usually I join her when there's a chance to visit these lovely ladies, but this was Chicha-Doodle's time.  I believe there was something in her heart that let her know Great Grandma may not be around much longer.  (She was diagnosed with bone cancer the Tuesday after Chicka-Doodle came home.)  

* did you know airlines are now charing $75 each way for an unaccompanied minor?  Did you know that with that $75 there is NOTHING different about the service than it was without the $75?  Just thought I'd mention that!  =)

Well, if you were watching the weather at ALL the week before Christmas, you'll know that it was stinkin' cold - EVERYWHERE!  But in Seattle, they had an unusual amount of snow.  This thrills our little princess to no end - only, being from Southern California... she didn't have the appropriate wardrobe for the adventure. So, off to Kohl's we went, (with 30% off everything coupon) and re-vamped her winter clothing* into something more suitable for snow!

* Thankfully, she still fit in her actual snow gear - ski pants, jacket, goggles, gloves and boots, it's was just the clothing she needed to have upgraded.  YAY!!!!

Speaking of snow gear...  My biggest kid (Brian) came across an amazing deal on new snowboard pants and jacket.  Too good to pass up - especially considering his old pants had a tear in the rear that was about two inches long.  Somehow a cold, wet bottom just doesn't sound fun.  So I encouraged him to purchase the new gear for himself.  (This was before we got the request from Chicka-Doodle for a trip North).

And have I mentioned that I love pearls?  I do.  I love them.  But not just any pearls.  They have to be chosen in the oyster, hidden from view until they are dug out from the oyster to reveal the beauty within.  There's a wonderful tradition in our house - on my birthday each year, Brian takes the kids to a Hawaiian store near our house where they have these oysters to open.  Each year, whatever pearls the kids choose for me, goes onto an anklet Brian bought me three years ago.  (And on Valentine's Day, he takes me to pick my own pearl to put on the bracelet he bought to match the anklet.) 

Anyway, each of us has opened an oyster or two over the years for no reason other than to see what we get.  Quite a while ago, Chicka-Doodle opened an oyster with twin pearls.  They are beautiful!!!  They are the same rich, creamy off-white as the pearl necklace Brian gave me just before our wedding.  I mentioned that I'd love to have those pearls set for a pair of earrings - and I picked out the setting!  Well, for Christmas - I got that pair of earrings, set with those creamy pearls!

Well... a few days after Christmas, I got a call from Brian.  He said he'd just received a horrible phone call.  He asked me to meet him at our "pearl store" with the black twins he opened one night while we were on a date.  I was confused, but I did as he asked...

Our sales person from this special place (the only person we've ever purchased from in all 4 years we've been going) had called Brian to tell him she was notified that day that they were closing the doors.*  Brian had secretly put the exact earrings that he got me for Christmas on lay-a-way.  Only these were white-gold, to be set with the black pearls.  Well, Linda had called to tell him he needed to get in to the store THAT day or he would lose the earrings and the money he'd put down on the jewelry.  

He shared with me he was disappointed because they were supposed to be a Valentine's gift along with my bracelet.  He and Linda had the whole thing set up... And it was just as wonderful getting it early.  BUT, I haven't warn them yet!  =)

* the jewelry section of the closed store is looking for a new location, so there is a chance that this will not be as devastating as it could have been to us.  Yippy!  AND that means Linda would not be out of the job she does so exceptionally well! 

So, we found out the sister store is in San Francisco and they are still open.  I've already called the manager there and explained the situation of our tradition.  He invited me to his store.  And, we can take Linda along to do the opening ceremony if we want!

I'm sure there were other things that threw our budget out the window last month, but these were the biggies.  These were what we chose to grab our emergency fund for, to pay off the credit card that gets paid off every month - to not get pounded with finance charges.

And then God did this AMAZING thing.  His timing is so perfect....

Almost a year ago, I had a pretty major surgery.  One big enough that I was flat on my back for two weeks and mostly down for four weeks after that.  My doctor requested Brian be home to help me and to take care of the kids for those two weeks because I was really DOWN.  We applied for FMLA, which would allow Brian to be paid a portion of his salary... we were denied.  The hospital sent off the paperwork without having the doctors signature.  I tried and tried to get my doctor to sign it, with no results.  I gave up and asked Brian to take care of it.   Nothing.

Finally, in December - 9 months after the surgery - Brian was ale to talk to someone who helped us.  We went through the entire process again, only this time with a stamp from Kaiser saying "DELAYED WITH NO FAULT TO THE PATIENT". We weren't holding our breath.  The folks at EDD told us it was pretty clear-cut that too much time had lapsed.  Then, on Saturday...

We received a check from EDD for almost what Brian brings home each paycheck.

God is so good!!!  We got our card paid off AND our emergency fund is back where it started.  What a wonderful God we serve!!

On to other news...

January is a big snowboarding month around here.  Brian went to Mammoth last weekend.  I don't have pictures yet but thankfully, there was no video tape to watch.  Last time I watched video, I watched my husband nearly crack his sternum in half.  I wanted to jump into the television and throttle the guy who got in the way of the rail so Brian clipped his board at an odd angel...blah, blah, blah.  I choose not to watch video anymore!

But...

Here's a pic of Goose with some of his Scout friends at a local mountain for some snowboarding fun this past weekend.

(Goose is the short guy in the middle)

Oh, the freedom of a board - with guys you can be yourself around.  

Side Note:  YEAH!!  No broken bones!!

Blessings,

Tif

Aliens Have Invaded!

A couple of you know that we have recently switched from PC to imac.  That decision was based on a few things, one of the biggest being it's the computer both kids use at school.  I'll tell you about the other wonderful things later - and there are PLENTY to brag about!  

Ok, so, with all this groovyness comes the learning curve... set by our 14 year old imac whiz kid.  Goose was showing me how to do something I was having difficulty with, when we were done, I got up to change out a load of laundry and I came back to this as my screen saver:

I must tell you - I about burst trying to keep my laughter from waking Chicka-Doodle.  Goose and I had a fun time playing with the camera and the different effects to choose from.  I mean, just looking at this - an hour after the fact, makes me want to bust out in laughter all over!  Ahhh, just wait until Dad gets home and is introduced to the slideshow!

This is going to be a fun toy for our family - in many ways we hadn't even considered!

Blessings,

Tif

6 Month Financial Review

Well, it's been a while - thanks for all who have stuck by, waiting patiently with encouragement and support!

I went through a dry season.  Do you know what I'm talking about?  feeling totally disconnected?  from EVERY thing and just about every one?  It hit me hard across the board.  My marriage was strong, my husband and I happy, family life was rolling along with only a few more bumps than usual, my friends were awesome; i just wasn't OK.  I can't put my finger on it still, I just know it was a dry season.  God & I weren't connecting - truth be told, I was not connecting.  In fact, I felt disconnected from just about everyone but Brian, Goose & Chicka-Doodle.  

I'm so blessed to have such fantastic friends and family who stood by me and put up with my funk.  Love to you ALL!!

So, looking back at our finances - I've had the most amazing 209 days.  I have sealed and delivered two car registrations, AAA membership, USPA yearly membership, a parachute reserve pack (plus fun jump & chute pack), full payment of getting our taxes done for 2008 and the MOST mind blowing: 6 full months of car insurance for the two of us!

This is not including the other amounts building up for Brian's 2009/10 Mammoth Season Pass, the lifetime USPA membership (which will put to rest the yearly amounts), and rebuilding the same envelops that have been sealed and delivered.

Another big change is the fact that I have taken the leading role in our household finances.  Brian no longer calls the bank to check activity, he asks me.  It's been quite a learning adventure for me!  God is amazing that he could lay this on my heart to do my best and stick with it for so long that it seems second nature now!  

I NEVER would have thought this all possible!

With the news that we are getting IOUs instead of state refunds, I'm not sure we'll make our (hopeful) deadline of being out of debt by April this year - but we will be MUCH closer than we are now!  That is an amazing feeling!

We have continued with the kids' salary.  They are doing well.  Chicka-Doodle saved enough for her first goal:  an Easy Bake Oven!  She plunked down $19.98 for her beloved oven.  Her next goal was a new stereo (like her brother's) for her room.  About $12 into it, she changed her goal.  (Sit down for this!)  She is saving for a house.  Not a doll house, a REAL house - one to live in!  She's determined enough and frugal enough to pay cash for her first home.  I bet she does it!

She has also decided to upgrade her magazine subscription.  That was $18 she thought long and hard about.  She decided she liked the magazine enough to spend her own money on it.  

Goose did not.  He let his lapse.  He chose to spend his money on Tribe Regalia.  (When I get good photos of him in cape & apron, I'll try to post them.)  He has the same struggles I did with money.  I've tried to share my experience, but it seems he'll have to learn his own lessons.  It breaks my heart!

On a different financial note:  We are now the proud (albeit confused) owners of the new imac.  We were able to afford this new "toy" through the account I've built with my three-hour-a-week job.  (thanks AHS!)  Unfortunately, it's quite different from the PC world and we have a lot of learning to do!  Both kids run circles around Brian & I on it!  Just give us a couple weeks... we'll catch up, I'm sure of it!

Thanks, everyone, for being patient and not giving up on this blog!

Blessings,

Tif

Catching Up With October

I haven't posted in a while. It's been one of "those" months. There is no rhyme or reason to the order in which I'm posting these events - simply as they come to mind, and certainly not in order of "importance".

Grocery Shopping

This month has been pretty amazing as far as money spent in this 'envelope'. I have shared that we purchase a store gift card with the monthly budgeted amount and use that instead of cash. It was worked out very well for us. On October 3rd, I Spent $77 from our grocery card...which was left over from September!! And after that purchase, I still have $4 and change left on the card! October 9th, I finally spent the first of October's grocery budget! As of today, I'm still on track to have a carry-over balance for next month!

I must admit, it was no easy feat...I had help...in the form of encouragement from Elizabeth...and her secret to saving money at the grocery store. I won't keep it a secret long - I've asked Elizabeth to do a guest post here to better explain it. (I'm still a rookie!)

Anniversary Party

Goose's Boy Scout Troop celebrated 60 years last weekend. (Pretty cool!) It was quite a production for the boys and the planning committee. Brian and I were selected as the T-shirt committee. That took up so much time and energy we couldn't think straight for two weeks. In the end, Goose's shirt design was chosen by the troop and was beautifully imprinted onto the anniversary shirts by the folks at Big Star Merch. Thanks Taelin! The design was changed from color to plain black for printing restrictions...but understanding the feelings of a 14 year old kid, Taelin made arrangements to make a seperate screen of the design in FULL COLOR - just for Goose!

The party itself was great - even the Mayor showed up for a speech and to shake hands with the boys. And he invited the troop to that week's city hall meeting for a formal proclamation.

City Hall

I have to say, seeing 10+ boys in uniform, being called forward at a city hall meeting to be recognized just does a heart good. The boys were each perfectly behaved, sitting still without fidgeting, and really showed the Troop Pride. Yay Boys!

...And More Scout Stuff...

Brian has been gone the majority of three weekend in a row due to different leadership trainings. I think our fabulous Scout Master is hoping Brian will step in and carry on when his son accomplished Eagle...which will be soon!!! (Way to go CJ!) I admit, I love how dedicated Brian is to Goose and the Troop - but I miss my husband! He's taking off right after work today to do another training - an overnighter! (Chicka-Doodle and I have a slumber party planned in my room this weekend...)

Will We Make It?

All I can say here is this: 2nd grade is kicking our butts!!!

God's Children

Loving Others: Love and Prayers of comfort to fellow blogger, Elizabeth and her family.

Bible Study: If you've been reading my 101 list, you'll know part of my struggle with the Precept Study. Satan has really been trying to edge his way in here...but instead of give up on myself, I've been gentle, knowing if I do my best, it's what God asks...

Freezer Frustrations & Lessons From God

With this handy new trick, Elizabeth has shared with me, it's time we purchase a freezer. Brian had the "extra paycheck" this month, and since we're getting the hang of living by the budget, it was all really that: extra. Our bills for the month have already been covered, so we chose to allocate a portion of the extra check to purchase a freezer to have storage space to stockpile food. ...we just can't decide on the right one for us. UGH! I'm impatient and this back and forth thinking is killing me! Ask for something and God doesn't necessarily give it to you...but rather situations in which you can learn, practice and overcome. That's all fabulous, but I'm impatient to get the lessens done with, too!

Immunizations - Useless Ouch?

I know there are some differing views as to whether or not vaccine shots are necessary...I chose the road of getting immunizations shots for my kids. This includes a Chicken Pox vaccination. Only it didn't work. Goose came home Monday from school, covered in red dots that itch. Oatmeal baths are a blessing from God. I'm itching just thinking about it! The doc did say that because of BOTH doses, Goose has a less severe case than he would have had...oh, that just makes me want to cry.

My (famous?) Cousin

And just as some weird thing... I spoke to my cousin (whom I haven't talked to in more than 10 years) and found out her brother (also my cousin) is a famous stage actor! Ha! Who woulda thunk? Go PD!! I was blown away by the fan-based sites about him - these people LOVE him! If ever in CA, I'll have to go check it out!

7.5 X 7.5

Yes, my envelopes. I love them. I love that I have saved (more than, because I've sealed three envelopes and have already given them to Brain) and have on hand right now... a WHOLE LOTTA cash! (in a safe place, of course!) Please know that I have never collectively saved more than $50. Next month, I will seal the car insurance envelope and hand it to my husband. Wow - that's a great feeling!

I'm done babbling for now. I hope to be more consistent with postings, maybe after October leaves us alone! =)

Blessings,
Tif

Feelin' Groovy...Or At least Confused

I love to read other people's blogs. There are three I read daily - checking back about once an hour to see if anything new is happening. That is ridiculous since one that I read, the author has decided to only post on Mondays. I'm the addict who keeps checking, just in case something sparked her fingers and she decided to post about it on a non-Monday. Another one I read, I'm often surprised by how often a new post will pop up. Sometimes three in a day! (And I say "woohoo" to that!) And still another one, is as sporadic as my own. I find myself feeling disappointed that there isn't a new post. (hint, hint!) Oops! That could be me!

I have no idea if anyone other than the three mentioned above even read this thing. I started it to keep a sort of diary to myself about the progress and growth I experience on this journey of growing up in my finances. I have found that when I'm not learning something new about how to do my finances, I can't find anything to write about. I had decided to keep this blog about my financial journey only. How many times can I post about envelopes? As much as I love my envelope system, even I get sick of hearing about it!

But, who would have thought that I would make "friends" in the process? I certainly didn't! And now I wonder, is there anyone checking this post, feeling disappointed that I'm not writing? So, now I'm struggling with a decision...do I keep specifically to the topic I intended or do I branch out and write about whatever tickles my fancy? (What a funny saying!)

Input would be extremely appreciated.

New Traditions

In my very first post, I described the difference between Brian and me as far as attitude towards money. Our kids are an even divide as well. Goose is just like me. He gets a nickel and he's scouring stores with anything for a nickel or a nickel candy machine, whatever. Some would say money burns a hole in his pocket; it's more of an incineration of his pocket. He not only can't save it, he can't seem to keep from losing it.

Chicka-Doodle, on the other hand, is just like Brian. Her mind thinks in money. She knows at any given time exactly what her savings balance is at the bank. She knows exactly where she stashed the "pretty" $5 bill and exactly where she keeps her "pocket change". She blows my mind.

We have decided to change their allowance from "earn it" to "learn it". We used to pay them according to the completeness of chores. That was all great, but it did nothing to teach them the beautiful balance of save & spend, nor did it teach them any method for accounting.

Ahh...in comes the ENVELOPE system! (My personal favorite)

We sat with each of our kids and explained breaking up income into 4 main categories:

1. 10% Tithe
2. 15% on gifts for others (or supplies to make gifts for others)
   
3. 25% saving for a specific item (Chicka-Doodle wants an EasyBake Oven, Goose wants to save for supplies to make Grass Dancer regalia for Tribe)
4. 50% spending. To include "fun" spending as well as necessary spending (they both are now responsible for their own magazine subscriptions, school lunch (if they choose to have hot lunch vs. packed lunch), and for Goose, Boy Scout Dues each year).

We explained how to determine how to save monthly for something that requires a lump-sum payment (magazine subscriptions) and are in the process of teaching how to prioritize at "crunch" time.

This has been a learning experience for each of us. I'm feeling ashamed of myself for not getting to these lessons sooner (at least for Goose), but am grateful we still have a few years before he's out on his own, where we can implement these ideas.

This has been a struggle for Goose. He really has to think about it and then follow through - which is tough for him. He's doing great though, and we're encouraging his progress, as slow at it seems!

Chicka-Doodle has grasped the concept quite easily. With her, our goal is to loosen the grip she has on her money so she doesn't become a miser. There is a perfect balance, I believe it in my soul...and my checkbook! I've learned I just have to budget giving freely! =)

I am so grateful for the path God planned for me to take this walk with money. He's such a wonderful creator and provider!

Without Further Ado

So, it's been some time since my last post... Admittedly, I was worried that I had nothing of interest to say, so I didn't say anything. This morning, I realized there is a lot I could have been posting about - so, now I am.

"So, now I am"... not as one super-duper-excruciatingly-long post that will put you into a deep, long sleep, but rather, in several smaller posts with individual titles, where you can take a higher quantity of nap. =)

Thanks for sticking with me through this down time.