May 17th was my wedding anniversary. I WOULD of been married for 21 years this past week. It is also the anniversary of my BLOG! It has been ONE YEAR!! Thank you for having me around and for reading what I post. I enjoy writing and I LOVE reading everyone's blogs as well. What a great group of bloggers! Thanks again--

Hello frugal friends! Since I am back to working part time I sense that my budget may be better off. Yes I am earning, but I feel somehow that in turn I am spending less. I am not sure why. I am not in the grocery store as much or running little errands. I seem to be saving on gas as well. Working one mile away sure helps. I take my lunch everyday and never buy out of the vending machine. Usually my lunch is pretty humble and not too exciting. I spend nothing on my work clothes. So far I am preplexed but I do think I am saving somehow somewhere. I am still enjoying my job. I have met more folks in management and that has been nice to enlarge my circle of faces around the complex.

I have learned a few lessons as well.
Keep things simple in your house. Some of these seniors have way too many knick knacks and furniture. Some have so much stuff I worry how they might fall. Throw away junk mail and newspapers. Lots of the residences will not throw away old papers and mail--cluttered tables and counters are messy. Smells matter. If you have a pet....take care of it properly and maintain things. Put unopen cat food cans away---it is simply gross. Fresh air is cheap and does a world of good for everything. Open a window now and then. Fresh air never hurt anyone or anyone's home.
Life is what you make of it. You can walk around all grumpy and mad at the world or your circumstances or you can look at things with contentment and joy---the choice is YOURS! Happy people are fun to be around grumpy people are a BIG turn off. Everyone can use a smile or nice words...they are free and easy to share.

I have alot of graduations coming up which means lots of cash flying out the door. I will have to decide the amount and make that cash amount the gift I give across the board. My dd has her birthday in the begining of June so I will hosting a sleepover party for her and her buddies and of course buying her some gifts. She will be 15! So far I have no idea what to get her. I know she has some ideas, I know she wants a purse she has had her eye on. June is tax time for me. I have to pay my taxes soon. It is a pain but I have to do it. The IRS is not something to mess with. So that will be a chunk.

I have my trampoline coming on Tuesday. I cashed out my CD so I have cash to pay the balance, instead of throwing it on a credit card. The kids seem really excited to get it. I hope they have fun with it. It will be takng up valuable yard space in my smaller backyard.

I have been keeping dinners super simple.
It seems to be fine with everyone. I feel less stressed and we eat very well.
My weight seems to have slowed down a bit. I still feel great and have tons of energy. I am glad my job is physical. I just have to watch and eat healthy. I was told this is normal as my body adjusts. My hair is not falling out as much either. I am so glad. It was pretty scary for a time. Things seem to be getting normal as far as hair loss goes. I am still careful whan I wash it and comb it.
My skin is very clear and I have no other major issues as far as health is concerned. I hope to hear about my insurance soon. I re-applied and asked for a cheaper rate. I hope it does not come back higher. I feel I should get a better rate with all the weight I have shed.

I need to look for a dress and shoes for graduation. I absolutly hate to shop.
I hate to try on clothes....even with an 85 pound weight loss.....I still do not have much luck with clothes really looking great on me. I am not sure why. I need someone from the style channel to help me I guess. I will have to grin and bear it----otherwise I will have to show up to the ceremony in shorts and a tee shirt and flip flops!

Have a good Sunday!

Oh my--I am not too good at writing on a regualr basis. I apologize. Just so busy now that I am working a bit. I am still liking my job and find it very interesting at times. Saturday I had to train to do many jobs as I am the only one around on Saturdays. It was fun ---yet hard work. I felt very responsible to have been given so much so quickly. So far so good. I am looking forward to getting my paycheck with my name on it. I know that might sound lame or silly but it is important to me.

Shopped at the WalMart super center on Friday. I liked it but then I found it was so large it almost overwhelmed me. They have the best prices in town...no doubt...I just felt over over overwhelmed by how large it was for some reason! I got my oil changed while I shopped...that was easy and really helpful. Do you do your regular shopping at WalMart? I am on the fence right now if I am going to keep on going there. I will see. The prices were great....maybe the trip will be better next time.

I have to go to a funeral this week. My friend with cancer passed away on Weds. I am glad she is heaven. I was glad I saw her last week and glad they published a beautiful photo of her in the paper. She was a stunning lady with a pretty face and smile.

I hope you all had a nice Mothers day. We went to the mall and purchased outfits for my sons graduation. Shoes, dresses...you name it. We ate in the food court. For the most part we had a nice day. It felt great to get some things purchased and checked off my list.
It is like preparing to go to a wedding. Just lots of details.

I filled up my van this weekend with gas. It cost me around $75. I am so glad I work so close to home. It is awfully expensive anymore. Everything seems expensive to me and at times it is depressing. I feel grateful for what I have. Yet it seems scary to think too far into the future. Being frugal is so important. I tend to spend on the kids and not so much on me. Isn't that the way it is?

It has been a good weekend....have a good Monday!

Sorry for not writing for so long.....not exactly sure why but just busy! Hello to all!

I did start my job and so far so good. My first day I was pretty nervous. I seem to be doing ok because the first day I trained under another lady....then the next day I was on my own! I must of done OK. I really like it and enjoy being on my own to complete all my jobs. It is a very physical job.....I am never sitting down for too long. I have been making things work in my home as well. So far so good. It sure is different but it motivates me to be very on top of things and to get things done when I can. It is nice to be busy---time flies when I am working and I never seem to dwell on problems or difficulties. My kids seem Ok with it all as well. One day at a time.

We made a big purchase...a trampoline. I decided to spend the money I had stashed last May. Since we are not going anywhere as far as a trip goes.....I decided to make the plunge and purchase it. So we are looking forward to it. It will be fun and entertaining for everyone. I got a pretty nice one and it is the safest one you can get. I should have it by Memorial Day weekend.

As far as money goes and budget.....I have been staying on track. I hope to keep socking some cash away each month. I am working on lowering my health insurance. I just filled out some health questionnaires, so we will see.

I have lost 85 pounds so far. I feel good. I am going to Goodwill to get a few items as I get skinnier. I taught my youngest how to ride a two wheeler....so I am back riding my bike again. I like it. It is fun and I feel like a kid. Good way to burn off calories.

A dear friend of mine is losing her battle with breast cancer.
She was doing great and then boom....she went downhill. I went to see her Sunday and was basically tramatized at how bad she looked. I tried not to cry at her bedside but did. I was too overwhelmed with grief. It was really hard. I am now trying to remember her when she looked healthy and so full of life. She was a dear. I always liked it when she said to me...."I love you" and she would say it with such meaning it felt so special to have her say that to me. She really meant it too. She leaves behind a hubby and two boys who are still young.

Sunday we are going to hose off the front porch and get all the furniture out there. Soon flowers will be purchased and we will be well on our way to enjoying all things on the front porch! There is no better way to relax!

"a wise man should have money in his head, but not in his heart"

"love is a short word but it contains everything"

"he who does not economize will have to agonize"

"opportunities are seldom labeled"