Wordless Wednesday {15}

Super buys {14}

Chance will be home for the summer next week and I've got a ton of stuff I'd like to get done before he gets home so we can play while he's here instead of run errands --- so part of my business is working on stuff for Bella!!! One of the zillion projects I had to do today was a flyer for people to post up advertising my business!

Here are my 2 week goals-
1. get together Yard Sale items for Community Yard Sale this weekend
2. Organize our storage building (out with the old, never used stuff)
3. Purge filing cabinet---
4. Do a month menu for the month of July to take the guess work out of our grocery bill.
5. Get some pictures done of new Bella items.
6. Get Dustin a CREATIVE fathers day gift.
7. Plan (and execute) strategies for getting product to boutiques and salons around town.
8. Complete a gift for a friend whose baby girl is due in a few weeks!

Lets see how well  I do at getting this done!

Math Placement Testing {13}

I had (or was supposed to) take a math placement test today for going back to school.  As you know, my plan is to get some sort of degree- or certification in Cosmetology. Well, the only class I didn't have from attending Southeastern was math because I don't think they offered it at the time *weird??* But anyway,  so I began studying yesterday at 3 p.m. for my 5:30 test because I knew I wouldn't have tooooooo much trouble passing it, I mean c'mon how hard could it be, right?  Well, I was wrong!  I found a practice test and began working my way down ... #1- find the answer to this quadriatic equation.  WHAT! #2. complete the problem below and  express in scientific notation; OMGSH are you serious??? And on and on and on... I called Mom and we worked our way through page 1 of 3... (as I silently began to panic)

ML mom of 4 asked in her latest blog, to share about a blessing we have had that we would like to pass on.  My blessing is a wonderful mother, who knows all, hears all, and sees all... just kidding about that.  But she is pretty smart.  I know that I wasn't gifted the the area of arithmetic. But, I was blessed with a servant heart just like hers.  She blessed me yesterday by taking the time out of her busy day to help me RE-LEARN the math that I didn't pay attention to in H.S.



Thank you momma for being so self-less.

Tired {12}

today was a busy day, i am exhausted- the blog will have to wait.

goodnight friendies-

Summertime

Today was a great day, after the storms passed through we all ventured outside to "test" the waters of our little swimming pool.  It was CHILLY!  Both the girls were dying to get in and start splashing around but Dustin and I both were hesitant because we didn't want anyone getting a cold due to the water temperature.  As all good parents do, after much coaxing from both babies, we caved and let them in the pool... they had an absolute blast.  I could only last for about 15 minutes before giving up and heading in for something a lot warmer. :) 

To me, the beginning of summer time is the day that you can actually wear your flip flops out and not be cold... :)
Below is my sweet niece E's skinny little legs. She is modeling a pair of Funky Flops created by Bella.

Grocery Lists {10}

this is something that every man & woman has to do from time to time ---or weekly. :)

Dustin has come up with this neat little sheet we call our "Dashboard" where we keep things like our budget, weekly & month goals, Crowd favorite menu items, grocery lists, "R-A-D" charts (Room a day) Things we would like or want to do with the house... and on and on.

I have found it much easier when making my grocery list to have in an excel spreadsheet that has formula's in it. So, when working with my budget I know exactly where I'm ending up, plus tax.  This spreadsheet is always evolving.  A few weeks ago, before really diving into my couponing I just had basics like Item, Ballpark Price, Actual Price ... Now- I've got  a little better for those of us who  like to use coupons, breaking it down to coupons 1-2-3.  (is this making any sense??) 

Since making this spreadsheet it makes making my grocery list like a fun scavenger hunt, once I get my list sorted out I can then begin looking for my coupons for the items on my list.  I use Coupon Mom to help me find what I need, along with the weekly Sunday paper of course! :)

If you're interested into deep diving into your grocery list-- let me know and I'll send you over my spreadsheet!

Envelopes {9}

Dustin and I have been trying to practice the "ENVELOPE" system of budgeting.
Its actually quite fun, we set an amount that we are going to spend on a certian item like Groceries, Gas, Fun, Tithe etc
and every Friday he goes and withdrawls the money from the bank.
We put it in the specific envelope & only spend what is in the envelope. 

In a world where Debit Cards are the "in" thing- this has really helped us to stay on track.

Today, I needed some fresh new envelopes because mine were kindof worn out... so I decided to make my own!!!

Here's what you'll need:
Envelope
Scissors
Glue
Pencil
Scrapbooking paper
Decorating Items


Unfold the envelope so that you're able to lay it on your scrapbooking paper and trace it out.


My cute paper!!!



My envelope traced and cut out...



Fold over the sides just like the other envelope does and glue it on each side.



And WHALAH! you've got a cute set of envelopes... This envelope shown above is for our "date" night money-- isn't it too cute!