Total Saved:
$140
Groceries: Over by $194
- I really am not sure how I got so over in this category. I blame about $10 on the lady who yelled at me last week (led to me buying M&M's, Ice Cream, and Oreos) but I am not sure about the rest. Most likely it is due to the fact that I have been buying lots of local fresh fruits and veggies but then spending the same amount at the grocery store as normal!
Fixed Costs: Over by $14
-Our electric bill was really high this month. This will gradually drop (although then gas will go up as it gets colder outside). Our insurance bill was really high too. This bill fluctuates every month which drives me crazy so Victor has figured out how to get a fixed rate which will help with planning. We add preschool in again in September which will make it tougher to stay under in the fixed category.
Entertainment: Over by $20
We ate out more than normal this month, went on a date, and Victor traveled for reserve weekend which isn't reimbursed and goes in this category.
Household/Unexpected: Over by $450
I probably need to readjust our "expected" costs in the budget as we always spend more than is budgeted for in this column. So of it is fun stuff that could be reigned in but a lot is just day to day expenses for a family of 5.
Medical Costs in August:
$200
Gas Costs:
$232
"Fun: expenses:
-Bought presents for Erik's upcoming birthday and party ($100)
-I had my hair done ($100)
-Victor outfitted the garage with wall hooks so we can park both vehicles in the garage now (just in time for the hurricane) ($200)
-Lots of travel - Baltimore for PA conference, Annapolis for minivan, DC to visit Austin and Terri, Norfolk for Navy weekend
-Gymnastics registration + annual membership fee ($175)
Next month expected expenses:
-Nothing major although we are adding preschool for Erik and possibly Lainey with bumps the fixed cost column by $250
-Hopeful Girls night in DC over Labor Day weekend
Goal:
Get back to saving $500 of his regular salary sometime soon!! :)
Lessons Learned:
I have learned to be extra appreciative of Victor being willing to work 2 jobs while I stay home! If he wasn't in the Navy reserves we would either have to really change our current lifestyle or I would have to go back to work. Saving $150 a month just isn't enough! So, I complain less about the travel the reserves requires as I am thankful for the extra savings and the freedom to stay home with my kids!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Notable Moments
It's fun having kids so close in age because their sense of humor/way of thinking is really similar. The following scenario is similar to everyday occurrences in our house...
Erik: (Picking at his shorts like one would if he had a wedgie)
Me: "Erik, is your underwear bothering you?"
Erik: No mom. I am not wearing underwear today. I just have an itch.
Me: Okay. Did you forget your underwear?
Erik: Yep.
Lainey: (Frantically pulls down her pants!) Mom, look at my underwear! I am wearing underwear today. Isn't it pretty? My underwear not itchy. Erik, you are supposed to wear underwear when you are awake! (Pulls her pants back up and off they go.)
Anyone else have similar conversations in their houses?
Erik: (Picking at his shorts like one would if he had a wedgie)
Me: "Erik, is your underwear bothering you?"
Erik: No mom. I am not wearing underwear today. I just have an itch.
Me: Okay. Did you forget your underwear?
Erik: Yep.
Lainey: (Frantically pulls down her pants!) Mom, look at my underwear! I am wearing underwear today. Isn't it pretty? My underwear not itchy. Erik, you are supposed to wear underwear when you are awake! (Pulls her pants back up and off they go.)
Anyone else have similar conversations in their houses?
Monday, August 29, 2011
Hurricane Irene
Well, I can now say I have survived both an earthquake and hurricane! We are very, very fortunate to have escaped without any obvious damage. That being said the amount of destruction caused by hurricane Irene in our area is amazing and awful.
Everywhere you look there are fallen trees -- hundreds of them within a mile radius of our house. Our neighborhood was left with a few flooded basements, damaged roofs, and fallen trees but no houses had trees on top of them or in them.
The neighborhoods surrounding us were older though with lots of mature trees and almost every lot had at least one large tree down frequently on top of their roof or through the roof. I personally know 3 families who had trees crash on their house. One family had to be rescued from their house because they couldn't safely exit (4 trees fell on their house). Another family had a large tree crash through their kitchen window. Other people had their windows blown out. Our neighbors (at the bottom of the hill behind our house) had 3-4 inches of standing water in their newly finished basement.
Erik and Lainey's gymnastics class has been canceled indefinitely because there are holes in the roof of the building and the building is flooded. Schools are still canceled.
Erik and I went up to DC yesterday afternoon to see Austin and Terri who are visiting (fun!). On the way we saw 6 large trees toppled onto powerlines dangling over the highway - all within a 5 mile span.
It was an interesting experience. Saturday morning we woke to light rain. By the afternoon there were fierce winds and heavier rain but it wasn't terrifying yet. We lost power around 6 pm. By 9 pm the winds picked up and until 1 AM you could here them swirling around the house, rattling it. It almost felt like you were in a tornado that lasted 4-5 hours. I fell asleep at some point and when I got up to feed Carson at 3:30 AM the winds were still terrible but not like a tornado anymore!
Our power came back on at 9:30 AM on Sunday. The sun came out around noon.
Again, we are so lucky as many people are still without power not to mention all the people who are flooded or digging out from being buried by trees. I told my Dad on Sunday morning that if I had realized how much damage the storm was causing I would have been much more frightened. Good thing I was somewhat naive!
Everywhere you look there are fallen trees -- hundreds of them within a mile radius of our house. Our neighborhood was left with a few flooded basements, damaged roofs, and fallen trees but no houses had trees on top of them or in them.
The neighborhoods surrounding us were older though with lots of mature trees and almost every lot had at least one large tree down frequently on top of their roof or through the roof. I personally know 3 families who had trees crash on their house. One family had to be rescued from their house because they couldn't safely exit (4 trees fell on their house). Another family had a large tree crash through their kitchen window. Other people had their windows blown out. Our neighbors (at the bottom of the hill behind our house) had 3-4 inches of standing water in their newly finished basement.
Erik and Lainey's gymnastics class has been canceled indefinitely because there are holes in the roof of the building and the building is flooded. Schools are still canceled.
Erik and I went up to DC yesterday afternoon to see Austin and Terri who are visiting (fun!). On the way we saw 6 large trees toppled onto powerlines dangling over the highway - all within a 5 mile span.
It was an interesting experience. Saturday morning we woke to light rain. By the afternoon there were fierce winds and heavier rain but it wasn't terrifying yet. We lost power around 6 pm. By 9 pm the winds picked up and until 1 AM you could here them swirling around the house, rattling it. It almost felt like you were in a tornado that lasted 4-5 hours. I fell asleep at some point and when I got up to feed Carson at 3:30 AM the winds were still terrible but not like a tornado anymore!
Our power came back on at 9:30 AM on Sunday. The sun came out around noon.
Again, we are so lucky as many people are still without power not to mention all the people who are flooded or digging out from being buried by trees. I told my Dad on Sunday morning that if I had realized how much damage the storm was causing I would have been much more frightened. Good thing I was somewhat naive!
 |
| Large trees were knocked over like toothpicks! |
Friday, August 26, 2011
Hurricane Warning
We are now under a hurricane warning. Kind of exciting and scary at the same time. Lets hope there is no major flooding and power outages are limited. Our neighbors do have a generator (Florida natives) so we have somewhere to go if need be!
We live only a few miles from the bay but should be protected somewhat by the eastern shore - hopefully!
This week we have experienced an earthquake, a tornado warning, and soon a hurricane. Yikes!
Hurricane Warning for St. Marys, MD
Issued by The National Weather Service
Fri, Aug 26, 2011, 12:52 PM EDT
... HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT...... PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
MAKE THE FINAL PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY. RUSH TO COMPLETION THE HARDENING OF YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS BY CLOSING SHUTTERS AND BRACING GARAGE DOORS.
IF EVACUATING... LEAVE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. GUARD AGAINST BEING STUCK OUT ON ROADWAYS WHEN DANGEROUS WINDS AND HEAVY RAINS ARRIVE. AGAIN... DO NOT STAY IN A MOBILE OR MANUFACTURED HOME. REMEMBER... PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN MOST OFFICIAL SHELTERS... SO CHECK AHEAD WITH YOUR INTENDED SHELTER.
IF STAYING IN A HOME... TURN THE REFRIGERATOR TO MAXIMUM COLD AND KEEP IT CLOSED. TURN OFF PROPANE TANKS AND UNPLUG SMALL APPLIANCES. FILL THE BATHTUB WITH WATER IN CASE THE TAP WATER BECOMES UNAVAILABLE AFTER THE STORM. THIS IS FOR CLEANING AND FLUSHING PURPOSES. DO NOT DRINK IT.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
East Coast Earthquake
Yesterday, I experienced my first earthquake. This is not something I thought would happen in the DC area! It was a bit scary but quite quick. We had just gotten home. All 3 kids were sleeping so I had just transferred Erik and Lainey to their beds (from the van). Carson was in his car seat on the counter. Suddenly, the house started vibrating and swaying back and forth. I heard a loud thump upstairs. By the time I got to the steps it was all over (30 seconds at most).
No damage here. I was afraid Erik had fallen out of bed but it was just some books that had fallen off of his bookshelf. Quite an interesting experience!
The epicenter was about 90 miles from our house. The earthquake was a magnitude of 5.9. Here are some photos of damage.....
No damage here. I was afraid Erik had fallen out of bed but it was just some books that had fallen off of his bookshelf. Quite an interesting experience!
The epicenter was about 90 miles from our house. The earthquake was a magnitude of 5.9. Here are some photos of damage.....
There was actual damage to lots of houses closer to the epicenter but thankfully, as far as I know, no one was hurt! Now we have to brace ourselves for the hurricane headed this way!
What Kind of Mother ARE you?
Today has been rough. Lainey, for whatever reason, has been really grumpy. She has pretty much cried and whined since 8 AM. Erik has been full of attitude and just plain naughty. We were supposed to go to a friends house this morning but I really, really needed to get groceries so after Carson's morning nap we headed to the grocery store.
Erik and Lainey started out riding in the "car" cart while I carried Carson in the ergo. It was 11 AM (close to lunch) so I gave the kids a snack to eat in the cart. Erik dropped one of his crackers right as we were walking in the store. I asked Erik to pick it up which he did, but then instead of giving it to me he ate it.
Kind of gross, but as anyone with small children would probably know, there are worse things.
As this is happening a disheveled, grumpy old woman who reeked of smoke shouts loudly at me, "WHAT KIND OF MOTHER ARE YOU?? letting your kid eat that off of the floor!!" I turned to look at her just in time to see her retreat in the opposite direction yelling once again over her shoulder, "WHAT KIND OF MOTHER ARE YOU??"
Speechless, I just ignored her and tried to act as though nothing had happened but she had really rattled me and ticked me off. So after about 5 minutes in the produce section I turned my cart around and went to hunt thebitch lady down.
Unfortanately, Luckily for her I couldn't find her. (She entered the store with no cart or basket so I am guessing she was just buying cigarettes.)
I am still more tense than I would normally be but have an answer to her rude question now....
I am a mother who feels blessed to wake up at night with my babies.
I am a mother who spends time each day reading, playing, and laughing with my kids.
I am a mother who happily gave up a lucrative, fulfilling career to stay home.
I am a mother who reminds her kids daily that they are loved.
I am a mother who messes up but always apologizes.
I am a mother who teaches her kids to be kind, humble and giving.
I am a mother who spends lots of time cooking wholesome for my kids (so one bite off the floor won't hurt).
I am a mother who is (sometimes) able to bite her tongue instead of criticizing (still working on that one Victor!).
I am a mother who is not afraid to take 3 kids 3 and under (I have a few more weeks to say that!) to the grocery store by myself.
I am a mother who will teach her kids that it is okay to at times defend yourself in the face of bullies and if that woman had enough guts to criticize me to my face (instead of with my back turned to her) they would have seen a live example of that!
I am a mother who loves her kids and husband more than anything and hope and pray that lady doesn't spend her life as miserable as she seemed to be today!
Erik and Lainey started out riding in the "car" cart while I carried Carson in the ergo. It was 11 AM (close to lunch) so I gave the kids a snack to eat in the cart. Erik dropped one of his crackers right as we were walking in the store. I asked Erik to pick it up which he did, but then instead of giving it to me he ate it.
Kind of gross, but as anyone with small children would probably know, there are worse things.
As this is happening a disheveled, grumpy old woman who reeked of smoke shouts loudly at me, "WHAT KIND OF MOTHER ARE YOU?? letting your kid eat that off of the floor!!" I turned to look at her just in time to see her retreat in the opposite direction yelling once again over her shoulder, "WHAT KIND OF MOTHER ARE YOU??"
Speechless, I just ignored her and tried to act as though nothing had happened but she had really rattled me and ticked me off. So after about 5 minutes in the produce section I turned my cart around and went to hunt the
I am still more tense than I would normally be but have an answer to her rude question now....
WHAT KIND OF MOTHER ARE YOU???
I am a mother who feels blessed to wake up at night with my babies.
I am a mother who spends time each day reading, playing, and laughing with my kids.
I am a mother who happily gave up a lucrative, fulfilling career to stay home.
I am a mother who reminds her kids daily that they are loved.
I am a mother who messes up but always apologizes.
I am a mother who teaches her kids to be kind, humble and giving.
I am a mother who spends lots of time cooking wholesome for my kids (so one bite off the floor won't hurt).
I am a mother who is (sometimes) able to bite her tongue instead of criticizing (still working on that one Victor!).
I am a mother who is not afraid to take 3 kids 3 and under (I have a few more weeks to say that!) to the grocery store by myself.
I am a mother who will teach her kids that it is okay to at times defend yourself in the face of bullies and if that woman had enough guts to criticize me to my face (instead of with my back turned to her) they would have seen a live example of that!
I am a mother who loves her kids and husband more than anything and hope and pray that lady doesn't spend her life as miserable as she seemed to be today!
Friday, August 19, 2011
Beautiful
Sweet baby watching his siblings
Note the dart adjacent to Carson's leg- dangerous being #3 in a family
Flowers from Erik and Lainey
Jennifer Aniston
That's who my hairstylist said I would look like after today's appointment. Or maybe he was just referring to my hair. Hmm! Good luck either way!
A few things I do recall thinking are....
Still me but I do like my new hair cut/highlights.
Maybe if I was wearing makeup, slimmed out a little more, and was
able to sleep through the night (it's been 4 years!) I would have a chance!
I would NOT trade places with her, that's for sure!
I've had all these random thoughts this week, many of which I thought were blog worthy, but by the time I sit down to "blog" I can't remember what I intended to tell you.
A few things I do recall thinking are....
1- Life with multiple little kids is fun but exhausting. One day this week we were out on a walk/bike ride. Erik had been dawdling a little more than normal (he has inherited the dawdle gene from Victor). I turned around to "encourage" him to hurry because Carson only lasts in the stroller for 25-30 minutes. Before I could say anything though he looked up from what he had been doing and said, "Mom, wait! I stopped to pick these pretty daisies for you." They were dandelions but were appreciated just the same. Someday, when my kids are older and I am able to go on walks alone (because no one will want to come with me) I know I will miss these days when my dawdling 3 year old is on a mission to find daisies for his mom.
2- I'm old. Somehow that happened and fast. Buying a minivan, as wonderful as it is to have, certainly makes me feel old. This morning I was at the dentist and I am fairly certain I was older than the dentist. Really? How did that happen!
3- Kids teach you things. Lainey is funny. She doesn't like to eat breakfast until she has been awake for at least an hour. She will take a couple bites at breakfast time and then comes back for more an hour or so later. She also will not eat the crust on bread. I always thought kids that refused crust only did that because their parents cut it off for them. I was wrong. I never cut the crust off of her bread but she always leaves it behind.
4- Carson almost always flips to his stomach when he is asleep. He HATES sleeping on his stomach though so within 30-45 minutes of falling asleep he is up screaming because he can't seem to figure out how to turn back over when groggy (and swaddled). This happens from 1-3 times a night, in addition to the 2 feedings each night. Thankfully, I have a helpful husband. I am assuming he will enjoy sleeping on his stomach someday but for now it means extra trips to his room when he gets stuck.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Our new Van!
As I have mentioned during our budgeting posts we have a number of financial goals one of which was to be able to buy a minivan without taking on a car payment. We weren't planning on doing this until next spring (or later depending on where it fell on the goal list) but our Hyundai kept costing us a few hundred dollars every couple months. The "maintenance needed" light turned on again on the Hyundai on Thursday. We had just been able to set aside (almost) enough in our project fund to pay for a new van so we decided to start looking instead of spending more money on a car we need to replace soon anyway.
I found a great deal on a 2011 VW Routan. Victor took Friday afternoon off to look at cars. We left Lainey and Erik with Miin and Irene and went shopping. The kids we quite excited to see the new car! It is a minivan which makes me feel quite old but the features are amazing which makes me feel cool! My favorite features are sliding doors, satellite radio, blue tooth phone, lots of storage space, and the rear entertainment system. There are two TVs which come with wireless headphones. For long car trips each kid can pick a video and wear the headphones while I listen to my preferred music on the radio. Pretty amazing!
I'll get better photos of the new van eventually but this will have to suffice for now...
I found a great deal on a 2011 VW Routan. Victor took Friday afternoon off to look at cars. We left Lainey and Erik with Miin and Irene and went shopping. The kids we quite excited to see the new car! It is a minivan which makes me feel quite old but the features are amazing which makes me feel cool! My favorite features are sliding doors, satellite radio, blue tooth phone, lots of storage space, and the rear entertainment system. There are two TVs which come with wireless headphones. For long car trips each kid can pick a video and wear the headphones while I listen to my preferred music on the radio. Pretty amazing!
I'll get better photos of the new van eventually but this will have to suffice for now...
We are very thankful for our new van!
Carson- 5 months old!
It's hard to believe how quickly babies change!
This month has been quick and of course brought about lots of new things for our baby boy. Here is what he is up too..
Sleeping:
- We moved him into his crib a few weeks ago. He has done "well."
-Still swaddled. He usually gets his arms out during the night but the swaddle seems to help him fall asleep.
- He often flips himself onto his stomach but doesn't like that which leads to screaming.
- He will usually give us one 4-5 hours stretch of sleep at night but the rest of the night is every 3 hours or so. A typical night might be 7:30 - 11:00-3:30-7:30. Every night is different though. Sometimes better, sometime worse. I generally require him to go at least 4 hours between feedings at night.
-Carson consistently takes 3 naps during the day. The first two naps are usually 1.5-2.5 hours long and the third is 45-60 minutes. He is rarely awake longer than 2 hours at a time, with the exception of approximately 3 hours between the 3rd nap and bedtime.
Eating:
-Still nursing exclusively. He doesn't enjoy bottles at all but will take them if desperate.
-On Prevacid 15 mg a day which controls his reflux well
Development:
- Rolls well in both directions
-Pushes up onto his arms and can move himself around in a circle (kind of) in an attempt to get toys.
-Can sit up for short periods of time if propped up against something.
-Loves his feet and frequently has his toes in his mouth
-Loves, loves, loves to jump in his bouncer
-Super happy and smiley all.the.time. Wonderful!!
-Very cute giggle!
-Ticklish!
-Loves people and doesn't like being left alone in a room
This month has been quick and of course brought about lots of new things for our baby boy. Here is what he is up too..
Sleeping:
- We moved him into his crib a few weeks ago. He has done "well."
-Still swaddled. He usually gets his arms out during the night but the swaddle seems to help him fall asleep.
- He often flips himself onto his stomach but doesn't like that which leads to screaming.
- He will usually give us one 4-5 hours stretch of sleep at night but the rest of the night is every 3 hours or so. A typical night might be 7:30 - 11:00-3:30-7:30. Every night is different though. Sometimes better, sometime worse. I generally require him to go at least 4 hours between feedings at night.
-Carson consistently takes 3 naps during the day. The first two naps are usually 1.5-2.5 hours long and the third is 45-60 minutes. He is rarely awake longer than 2 hours at a time, with the exception of approximately 3 hours between the 3rd nap and bedtime.
Eating:
-Still nursing exclusively. He doesn't enjoy bottles at all but will take them if desperate.
-On Prevacid 15 mg a day which controls his reflux well
Development:
- Rolls well in both directions
-Pushes up onto his arms and can move himself around in a circle (kind of) in an attempt to get toys.
-Can sit up for short periods of time if propped up against something.
-Loves his feet and frequently has his toes in his mouth
-Loves, loves, loves to jump in his bouncer
-Super happy and smiley all.the.time. Wonderful!!
-Very cute giggle!
-Ticklish!
-Loves people and doesn't like being left alone in a room
Carson continues to be a delight!
He is such a wonderful addition to the family!
Grandpa Miin and Grandma Irene
The blog has been silent because we have been busy!
Miin and Irene visited for a few days.
We had a great time filled with long walks, lots of eating, cake baking,
card playing, target shopping, van buying, a date for Victor and I,
and happy kids who got lots of attention.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Mock-Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies
One of my neighbors made these and gave us a few when she came over for a play date. It's been a couple of weeks but they were so good I can still taste them! By far the best cookies I have had in a long while, probably ever. I will make them sometime but can't quite justify the caloric indulgence yet (that and they have nuts to Erik can't have them).
Ingredients
Here is the recipe!
I encourage you all to try it, or better yet make them when you know I am coming over! Ha!!
Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, cold ( no substitutes)
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cup light brown sugar
- 2/3 cup white sugar
- 2 large eggs, cold
- 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup walnuts or 3/4 cup pecans, if desired
Directions
- In large mixing bowl add flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, cut in cold butter until mixture resembles crumbs, add sugars and stir well (breaking up any brown sugar clumps), add eggs and mix until dough forms, stir in chocolate chips (and nuts, if desired).
- Chill dough for one hour (and keep chilled while baking first batch).
- Heat oven to 400 degrees.
- Put half of the dough on an ungreased baking sheet in 7 large balls, bake for 8 -10 minutes, turn cookie sheet around back to front, bake until light golden brown on top, another 5 - 8 minutes. Remove from oven and cool on sheet for a few minutes, then place on wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with the rest of the dough after cookie sheet cools. This should give you a very close approximation to the Levain Bakery chocolate chip cookies.
- If you'd like to make them somewhat smaller I suggest using a 375 degree oven temp so they don't over-brown, though they may not rise quite as high.
Breakfast Smoothies
We have been making smoothies for breakfast quite often this summer. They are easy and healthy!
Blend together:
1 cup of plain yogurt
1-2 cups of frozen fruit
Drizzle of honey
Milk to thin if needed
Yum!
Blend together:
1 cup of plain yogurt
1-2 cups of frozen fruit
Drizzle of honey
Milk to thin if needed
Yum!
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Carson's Stats (Again)
I took Erik in for a preschool physical this morning. While we were there I had them measure/weigh Carson again as it seems he just keeps growing. I was right. In two weeks he has grown one inch and one pound.
Just shy of 5 months...
17lbs 10 ounces (77%)
26.5 inches (82%)
It will be interesting to see his stats at 6 months! He is starting to get mobile (rolls and rolls plus pushes up on his arms and turns himself in a circle) so we will see if that effects his weight gain??
Just shy of 5 months...
17lbs 10 ounces (77%)
26.5 inches (82%)
It will be interesting to see his stats at 6 months! He is starting to get mobile (rolls and rolls plus pushes up on his arms and turns himself in a circle) so we will see if that effects his weight gain??
I love, love, love my sweet happy (BIG) baby!
Notable Quotes
1) Victor was putting Lainey to bed the other night. Lainey was showing Victor different body parts, "Here's my elbow Dad. Here's my leg Dad." She then turned around, pulled down her pants and said, "Here's my butt Dad. Look at it!"
2) At dinner the other night, Victor and I jokingly asked Erik who he thought made the rules in the house. Who's the boss?? Erik's quick response.... Lainey!
2) At dinner the other night, Victor and I jokingly asked Erik who he thought made the rules in the house. Who's the boss?? Erik's quick response.... Lainey!
The boss!
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Blind "Date" Catastrophe
Erik and Lainey take a couple of classes through the park and rec. A new mom befriended me in one of them a few weeks ago. I knew from the start that she was unique but I was friendly with her anyway. Too friendly it seems at she asked for my phone number. I didn't add her number to my phone so I was caught off guard when she called to arrange a play date.
I suggested meeting at a playground but she was very insistent that we come to her house. I explained Carson's nap schedule makes it difficult to be gone for long periods of time so it may have to be a short playdate as she lives 30 minutes from us. She didn't seem concerned, so we arranged to meet at her house around 11 AM a couple of day later.
It was worse than anticipated. Thankfully, Erik liked her older child who is school aged. Here is a list of things that we experienced during the long 1.5 hours we were there...
1- Immediately told to take shoes off (not a big deal we take shoes off at our house too but set the tone)
2- Kids told not to play in one room as something glass was in that room
3- Lainey scolded for playing with a kid size rocking chair -- we have one the kids use all the time, this one was apparently decoration
4- the Mom inquired as too whether or not Erik pees sitting or standing as her bathrooms have wood floors and she insists her school age child sits!
5- Her toddler was hungry but she wanted him to wait to eat. So, he threw a 45 minute long LOUD tantrum.
6-The mom cleaned out an already clean potty seat while we were there
7- The mom wiped down the toilet after her school age kid went to the bathroom
8- The mom unloaded the dishwasher while we were there (first time at her house ever!)
9- The mom told me her previous salary prior to staying home
10- The mom's cell phone ringer is programmed with her husband's voice so that when he calls it says something along the lines of, " Pick up this call!" She made sure to point it out to me when he called.
11- She had Lainey drink out of a sippy cup (which she hasn't used for a year!) which wasn't a big deal except she asked for 2 minutes before if she still used them and I told her no!
12- She talked to me about strange things -- height of the cabinets in her bathroom, etc. She didn't ask me a single question the entire 1.5 hours I was there.
13- She told me prior to moving she never, ever had friends over because she was (past tense) too big of a neat freak.
There were more odd things but I'm sure you get the idea. I luckily get to see her again tomorrow. I don't think she had any idea how awkward being in her house was so I am sure she will want to have us over again. She was gracious but completely unenjoyable. I do have her number in my phone now and will screen her calls. Any other ideas about how to politely back yourself out of a "friendship?"
I suggested meeting at a playground but she was very insistent that we come to her house. I explained Carson's nap schedule makes it difficult to be gone for long periods of time so it may have to be a short playdate as she lives 30 minutes from us. She didn't seem concerned, so we arranged to meet at her house around 11 AM a couple of day later.
It was worse than anticipated. Thankfully, Erik liked her older child who is school aged. Here is a list of things that we experienced during the long 1.5 hours we were there...
1- Immediately told to take shoes off (not a big deal we take shoes off at our house too but set the tone)
2- Kids told not to play in one room as something glass was in that room
3- Lainey scolded for playing with a kid size rocking chair -- we have one the kids use all the time, this one was apparently decoration
4- the Mom inquired as too whether or not Erik pees sitting or standing as her bathrooms have wood floors and she insists her school age child sits!
5- Her toddler was hungry but she wanted him to wait to eat. So, he threw a 45 minute long LOUD tantrum.
6-The mom cleaned out an already clean potty seat while we were there
7- The mom wiped down the toilet after her school age kid went to the bathroom
8- The mom unloaded the dishwasher while we were there (first time at her house ever!)
9- The mom told me her previous salary prior to staying home
10- The mom's cell phone ringer is programmed with her husband's voice so that when he calls it says something along the lines of, " Pick up this call!" She made sure to point it out to me when he called.
11- She had Lainey drink out of a sippy cup (which she hasn't used for a year!) which wasn't a big deal except she asked for 2 minutes before if she still used them and I told her no!
12- She talked to me about strange things -- height of the cabinets in her bathroom, etc. She didn't ask me a single question the entire 1.5 hours I was there.
13- She told me prior to moving she never, ever had friends over because she was (past tense) too big of a neat freak.
There were more odd things but I'm sure you get the idea. I luckily get to see her again tomorrow. I don't think she had any idea how awkward being in her house was so I am sure she will want to have us over again. She was gracious but completely unenjoyable. I do have her number in my phone now and will screen her calls. Any other ideas about how to politely back yourself out of a "friendship?"
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
July Budget
We had quite a bit of fun this month and our savings, or lack there of, reflect that!
Total Saved:
Over by $216! (Oops!)
Why were we over??
We spent $800 registering and repairing the RAV (needed new brakes) which was quite crummy! The rest of the things on that list were fun!
Food total: $602
Entertainment total: $214 (this is the first time we have been over in that category)
Fixed Costs: Under by$130
Household/Extra costs: Over by a lot!
Medical Costs: $100
Total gas: $162 - lower than normal
What to expect in August???
We have no huge costs to anticipate although Victor needs new business attire as he no longer fits in any of his old work clothes after losing weight. We are going to try and do some shopping for him this month.
Victor and I both owe the state of MD/VA fees for driving a bit too fast. I talked my way out of most of my fee so my ticket is only 50% of Victors - that is a piss poor way to spend money. Victor was going to originally take pay his (hefty) fee using his birthday money. "Lucky" for him his wife also got a ticket so the amount coming out of his birthday fund has decreased as I already used my birthday money. Not fair for me to get new clothes and him to pay for a speeding ticket when I have a lead foot too! Errr!!
Hopefully, we will be closer to the $500 goal this month! We will see!
Total Saved:
Over by $216! (Oops!)
Why were we over??
| Trip to Kansas | ||||
| Massage | ||||
| Clothes Shopping | ||||
| Car Repair | ||||
| Car Registration | ||||
| Painted 2 rooms | ||||
| Date night - we left all 3 kids and went swing dancing | ||||
| Girls Night |
We spent $800 registering and repairing the RAV (needed new brakes) which was quite crummy! The rest of the things on that list were fun!
Food total: $602
Entertainment total: $214 (this is the first time we have been over in that category)
Fixed Costs: Under by$130
Household/Extra costs: Over by a lot!
Medical Costs: $100
Total gas: $162 - lower than normal
What to expect in August???
We have no huge costs to anticipate although Victor needs new business attire as he no longer fits in any of his old work clothes after losing weight. We are going to try and do some shopping for him this month.
Victor and I both owe the state of MD/VA fees for driving a bit too fast. I talked my way out of most of my fee so my ticket is only 50% of Victors - that is a piss poor way to spend money. Victor was going to originally take pay his (hefty) fee using his birthday money. "Lucky" for him his wife also got a ticket so the amount coming out of his birthday fund has decreased as I already used my birthday money. Not fair for me to get new clothes and him to pay for a speeding ticket when I have a lead foot too! Errr!!
Hopefully, we will be closer to the $500 goal this month! We will see!
Monday, August 1, 2011
First trip to the dentist
I finally took Erik to the dentist this morning. They recommend starting at age 3. He barely made it! Thankfully, the dentist said his teeth looked great. No plaque or staining at all. Spacing looks pretty good at the moment.
Erik was very cooperative for the appointment. I was proud. Lainey and Carson were with me too and also behaved well. Yay!
It was a little chaotic getting there on time this morning. We made it but Lainey somehow ended up without shoes. Good thing it's summer!
Erik was very cooperative for the appointment. I was proud. Lainey and Carson were with me too and also behaved well. Yay!
It was a little chaotic getting there on time this morning. We made it but Lainey somehow ended up without shoes. Good thing it's summer!
 |
| There was a TV on the ceiling - Erik was in heaven! |
 |
| Blurry but you can see how cooperative he was |
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