What I am doing right now...

Following Purposely Frugal's post today, "What are you doing right now?" Right now: I am planning my budget for the next month. I am doing laundry. I am boiling water for tea. I am watering my lawn and garden. I am trying to pay attention to the dogs, so they stop jumping up on me. Ha ha I am reading a few of my favorite blogs and trying to catch up on email.

Oh, hello there!

Where on Earth have I been? I have been so busy with life, I just didn't have time for the Internet. I have just a few minutes and just decided to stop by. How have you been, blogging world? I haven't even read any of my favorite blogs. I really need to catch up on everyone's lives! As for me: I have paid all consumer debt and only owe the mortgage. I have potatoes, beans, herbs and berry bushes planted. I have been going to the gym and am feeling stronger. I have blown my grocery budget for the past 3 months. I still work part time. We have leftovers and sandwiches at least once per week. I am so tired and worn out that some days I want to cry. I've decided that it's time to replace my car and am saving and researching. I plan to get my budget back under control. I went to the grocery store yesterday and came in under budget by $7! I saved $17 with coupons. Today I will plan my menu for the next two weeks. I feel like getting back on track and it makes me happy. Time to prioritize and get my life back. Let the dust accumulate. I need this. I will be back, better than ever!

Misc updates

Since I have been quite absent from my blog as of late, I thought that I'd take a moment for a brief update.

It has been so incredibly warm here lately, but I just haven't had time to turn my garden over. I hope to get to that this next week. I have some herbs and veggies growing in my family room. Quite a few have come up and I talk to them daily. I look forward to the yummy home grown foods that they will provide for me. I'm hoping to get potatoes, peas and lettuce seeds planted within a week.

I'm still enjoying my new work out routine and have lost another pound. My energy level is higher and I just feel happier! That winter blues thing really does exist. Sunshine and exercise have brought me out of my funk!

We are hoping to have the last debt paid off within the month. After that, we will tackle the mortgage with gusto! I hope to be completely debt free within 4-5 years. I look forward to that!

I have not stayed on budget with the groceries. I'm still trying to find a balance between working and homemaking. It is a challenge. One that I plan to conquer. I need to get back to menu planning. Time to get back on track.

Hope all is well with you. Happy Spring!

Just ran out....

I have just used the last Ziploc bags of shredded zucchini, from last years garden. I have soup simmering on the stove. I'm a little bit sad about that. ( the end of my home grown veggies, not the simmering soup. Ha ha)

I have 2 more 2 cup bags of pumpkin left. After that is gone, I will no longer have home grown goodness in my freezer. ( insert sad face here)

I have my seedlings growing, in the family room, and I have high hopes for this years garden. Hopefully, we won't experience such a devastating summer storm this year. I would love to have produce, in the freezer, well into the following summer.

I did what I said I would not do....

Yes, I joined a gym. For so long I was completely against gyms. The frugal girl in me couldn't justify the expense. I didn't want to use sweaty equipment. I didn't want people seeing me all sweaty and gross.

I have a stationary bike, hand weights, stairs to climb and work out videos. I was doing so well. I lost almost 19 pounds on my own! I walked and worked out at home. So, what happened?

I got a job. For that reason, when I was home, I was either catching up on chores or the kids needed my attention. Either that or the dogs and cats needed attention. There are too many distractions. I've tried to work out, and then I would notice I didn't vacuum yet. Oh, and I need to throw that load of laundry in. Oh yeah, gotta take the trash to the curb, etc. I haven't really worked out in months! I feel yucky and tired all of the time. I'm getting cranky. My digestion is angry.

Hubby told me his gym was running a special, to add on a family member. I know, I've not been supportive of hubby belonging to 3 gyms. Why spend so much money, when you can just run around the neighborhood? Yes, I am eating crow. I admit defeat. So, for $10 a month I will now be a member of a gym. Ta-da! Did I like it the first time? I actually did. My preconceived notions of going to a gym were wrong. Its actually pretty fun. And, after 2 weeks, I feel good again. Less cranky. Lost 2 pounds. I'm sitting here, waiting for hubby to wake up, so we can go!

Sometimes, you have to spend money for your health. Sometimes, you have to come out of your comfort zone, and try something new.

You know that it's been awhile when...

You forget your blogs password! Ha ha

Well, I've been beyond busy with work and home life. I am sooooooo exhausted. My to do list get keeps growing. I need a nap.

The good news about being so busy, is that you don't have time to go shopping, thus keeping you on budget. The bad news is that you don't always have time to clip coupons, make a grocery list or plan a menu. Hubby has been great about making dinners, but he will just go to the store and spend $30 or so for one meal! yikes!

My temp job, that was to end on Dec. 31st, is still going strong. Unfortunately, I was just informed that if sales do not increase, I will be laid off. So, here's my dilemma. Am I happy or sad about this news? I'm not too sure. I miss being a stay at home mom and my chores are a bit behind. I also like having the extra money and a place to have grown up conversations. I do enjoy working hard and being part of a team. There comes a sense of happiness and satisfaction with both positions.

I have absolutely no influence on keeping or losing my job. I just can't decide how to feel about this news.

On an unrelated note, my heirloom veggie seeds just arrived. I have been saving yogurt and produce cups for seed starting. I'm off tomorrow. I think that I will start my planting. It's a beautiful sunny and 60 degree day today. It will be the same tomorrow. I know that snow is coming again, in a few days, but I still am enjoying my Spring fever!

Here's to you, Spring. I will be waiting for you!

Time wasters

It is so easy to lose track of time. Mostly, I do that when online. Yikes!

Facebook, Pinterest, email, blogs, You tube etc. You could literally spend hours online! It's a challenge to get other tasks accomplished that way. Facebook has become what soap operas used to be to house wives! Seriously. I'm an addict! Pinterest and my favorite blogs as well.

As of this writing, I am putting myself on an Internet diet. I will spend a total of no more than 1 hour per day, online. That is a total for the entire day. Since I am still working part time, I have less time to complete my to-do lists. I will also scale down the amount of blogs that I follow. If I see another interesting blog, I will have to delete one to make room. This needs to happen.

Gotta go. I have less than 15 minutes left for the day. I want to use that later. Pinterest will be how I end my day.