Only a few days

It is amazing how much things can change in a few days.  Sunday I was so excited ready to go to the scrapbook event in ATL this weekend (Thurs-Sun)...now, with the breakout of the swine flu, I'm scared!  I'm scared to go where hundreds of people (last year there were around 600 people) - from all over the country with many traveling by plane - will come together and be in one room, passing supplies around, etc.  And I'm scared going to a hotel where thousands of people will be staying.  And I'm scared of losing my money - or of being scared when I shouldn't be scared.  Crazy.  I'm still pretty sure we are going, but I'm nervous.  Very nervous.  So is Eric.  So I can't really show that I'm nervous or he will get very nervous.  Thousands of people die each year from the regular flu, but this seems to be a bit more serious and all the unknowns aren't helping either.  I really don't know what to do.  And I think that we are so close that I couldn't even get out of the hotel reservations at this point (unless they waived the fee or something)...

Eghhhhhh.  This is almost as bad as the time Hurricane Dennis decided to hit Florida during the week that was supposed to be our vacation - and with a timeshare, you get that week and that is all.  So we only got 2 days of vacation that year. 

Next weekend...

In only 4 days I will be leaving for my yearly Scrapbook retreat/event/workshop/convention!  And this year it is in Atlanta.  I'm so stinking excited!  6 classes, 3 night specials.  I'm so excited!!!  Wait, I already said that!

What I want to do different this year, is to somehow capture all the cool ideas that come to my mind.  Last years event...this is what I wrote afterwards.  Hum, pretty lacking.  At least after the 2007 event I showed some pictures and completed projects...

I'm taking my notebook again this year.  Same one I have taken the last 3 years.  Lets see if I can take a few minutes to savor the moment and actually write some stuff down.  Might also help me sleep to get the ideas out of my head - last year I didn't sleep at night the whole time we were there - from all the ideas and excitement.

Getting back on track

Right now I'm enjoying a nice cup of hot chocolate.  It is only *1* point - and I really wanted something sweet, so cocoa it is.  I've actually been doing really good the last 2 weeks - started working out again AND I'm down 2 lbs.  (Make that 3 lbs)...feels so good to be back on track.

I applied for a Master's program today.  GULP...

Peyton is sick.  Not too bad, and hopefully it won't get worse.  Eric took him to the doctor today and he got some better medicine - and he is 36" tall and 32.5 lbs. 

I (we) planted my garden last weekend.  Hopefully SOMEthing will grow.  I'm growing two types of tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, zucchini, okra, peas, green beans, watermelons, and onions.  Think I went a bit overboard???  We will see.  I don't know if anything will grow...I'm trying though.

April in a nutshell - so far anyway

Ok, April has just flown by so fast so far - seriously I still keep thinking it is March and writing March dates instead of April, looking on the March calendar, etc.  Egh.  This whole year has gone by pretty actually - sigh, I guess that is life.

So - what have we been up to so far this month that I haven't blogged - TONS.  So here is the short version:

1.  Peyton turned 2.5, has started to LOVE cereal, Thomas the Train has made a grand appearance and doesn't seem to be going away, he is starting to talk pretty good and at least attempt to repeat everything we say to him, loving sweet tea (decaf), wanting to go bye-bye constantly, puzzles are back - big time, missing his PawPaw (my dad) like crazy...

2.  Eric is doing much better the last two weeks or so health wise, he finally got on a combination of medicines that seem to be helping.  Still looking for a job - and seriously considering going back to school for CDL training (truck driver license - but only take a local job), or school for EMS training to work on the ambulance.  Eric is playing softball with the church, they had their first game Friday night and they won!

3.  Me...oh boy, this weekend has been great - but last week I had a headache ALL WEEK.  EVERY SINGLE DAY.  Monday and Tuesday were the worst - they were migraines.  I have had my cycle 3 times since March 24th (TMI, sorry) - so I really don't know what is going on at the moment, probably my body trying to regulate and get back to normal after being on the shot...so I have no clue as to when we can really start trying to get pregnant, but I'm not stressing it (not yet anyway).  We had 2 servers have issues last week at work to - and I'm so fed up with certain 'people' at work that I don't know what to do.  My Uppercase side business is pretty much dead right now.  I don't know if I'll make this quarters quota.  Last quarter i barely squeaked by - but I have nothing on the horizon at this point for the future.  Might have to throw my own party!  I had to cancel this months Scrapbooking at church, due to Eric having a game and no one to watch Peyton.  I still had fun though, my friend Sommer from church came over and the boys played while we scrapped.

4.  Family

• Paula had another chemo treatment on Tuesday, and she is feeling very weak and yucky this week.  They will do one more chemo treatment before doing another scan to decide what to do next.
• Our cousin, Kaycee, had surgery on Tuesday to remove her Gallbladder.  She is my age - 29, and it just stopped functioning and it was making her sick.  She is recovering nicely.
• Eric's brother's wife is pregnant with #4.  This is the brother that is distant from the family, we only see them about once a year (if that)...I've been talking to her more on the phone lately - so hopefully they are starting to come around again.  They have a little girl that is a few months younger than Peyton...and two older boys, like 6 and 8 I think.
• My mom finally sold her house!  For a loss, but at least it is sold.  It  has been on the market for over 2 years.  She has to be out by the 1st.

I guess that about raps it up...

Savvy Momma

Ok - I bragged earlier this week about my awesome grocery store trip - where I got all the food we will need for approximately 2 week for $93 at Publix buy planning my meals around what was on sale AND the coupons I had.

So - Yesterday I made tacos.  A family favorite.  And I made enough meat to make quesodias (spell check is not helping!) later this week.  While cooking the meat for the tacos, I went ahead and cooked the meat for my spaghetti for tonight!  And I'm making enough spaghetti and meat sauce to freeze half for a quick dinner one night in the future.  Dinner is coming together so fast!!!

Let me tell you, being this organized about dinner and knowing all the meals ahead of time is making me feel so organized!!!  I just had to brag on myself a little.

A new low

Ok - so I have gained some weight back.  Yes.  And now I am back in the plus size section - which sucks because that makes it much harder to shop.  Most stores around here have very small plus size sections.  And it just sucks. 

My new low, yesterday while attempting to shop for an Easter outfit I saw someone that I knew in high school.  We played softball together, and she is still in great shape.  She is probably even in better shape now than she was in high school.  And what did I do?  I tried my best to hide from her.  Yes, that is my new low.  I think she saw me a few times, but honestly, I don't think she recognized me - considering I really don't look all that much like I used to.  I do and I don't, but I can see how someone that hasn't seen me in at least 7 years could maybe not recognize me.

Then afterwards I got mad at myself.  I should have been proud to say hello and show off Peyton. 

So, I don't really know what to do.  I'm eating good most meals, and I'm not stressing losing weight - and I'm not gaining weight.  I even started walking some at work - mini-breaks during the day to help.  Gosh, I wish their was a magic pill to help me lose it, I just want to lose 20 lbs and be where I was last fall before all the holidays and everything.  And then I keep thinking - we are going to be trying to get pg soon, so why bother, but then on the other hand, I want to lose the weight before getting pg to make it easier on me afterwards.

I hate this inner struggle.  Weight issues really suck.  Why can't I just be a skinny girl????  And why can't I not LOVE food???

Getting cold again

It is actually getting COLD right now.  The week of Easter of course.  Peyton has his Easter pictures next Saturday morning, hopefully it will be pretty - as we already had to reschedule once.

Right now - I'm totally getting into trying to save money whenever possible.  I mean, I've never been one to spend money like crazy or splurge often - but I'm trying to get us ready for going one income.  Eric still hasn't found another job - so I started clipping coupons, getting the Sunday paper so I can see where the sales are and plan my menu accordingly, reduce our cell phone bill by about $50 bucks (not sure how long that will last, but we have rollover minutes that we might as well use at some point instead of letting them expire every single month), and we are *this* close to switching back to satelitte (saving $50 or so bucks a month as well).

So today - I saved $26 with in store coupons, store BOGOs, and the coupons that I brought from home!  SCORE.  And besides a few necessities that will be needed to be purchased before my next 'big' grocery run (milk, bread, bananas, etc) - I planned and purchased needed groceries for two weeks worth of food for $93 bucks. 

I also *made* laundry detergent last week.  No, we are not that broke - but it will save about $80 bucks - as it cost $7 to buy the supplies, and I used such a small amount of it to make the detergent that I know I can make it over and over.  And it still cleaned my clothes very well, and they were even soft.  AND it was fun to make!

My head is trying to hurt today.  I know it is from the drastic weather changes (probably anyway).  I hope that this doesn't turn into a 3 day migraine.

Spring Fling

Yesterday we went to the Spring Fling/Easter Egg Hunt at Eric's sisters church.  Peyton had a blast. I didn't think he was ever going to come out of the big jumping tent thing - and he only came out to do the egg hunt - he got 15 eggs - and he hasn't stopped playing with his basket and eggs ever since.  I didn't take my camera - because we were so nervous about going to this event alone (Eric's sister couldn't go with us).  Lots of other mom's with cameras were around though.  I love my SLR - but sometimes it is just too big and bulky - and a nice point and shoot would work fine - however, I'm spoiled by the quality of pictures, so when I use our old Sony Cybershot I get frustrated...

Saturday - Eric also went to church softball practice and Peyton and I worked in the yard for about an hour or so.  After our nap - the whole family went to Hobby Lobby!  I drag Eric along during all the weeks they have the 40% off coupon - and we both use one during check out.  we got Peyton a lot of new craft supplies for his easter basket.  Some washable markers, finger paints, a new stack of construction paper - and some of the color wonders makers and paper.  We also got a metal decorative sign with a nice scripture on it, but we are not sure where we are going to put it, so it might end up going back - we shall see.

I also made a digital mini-album called 'Mom's Brag Book' yesterday during Peyton's nap.  It was from the TheShabbyShoppe and it was a totally an impulse buy.  They had so many cute items in their quarterly new letter (here).  Here is the cover and one of the inside pages...

Church was pretty good today - I'm LOVING the Beth Moore study on Esther.  Ladies - if your church offers it - take it!!!!!!!!  It has been so good so far.