moment of truth

the hardest part about a budget is the list.
the grocery list.
the bills are usually the same.
dependable.
reliable.
but the list.
it's the big kahuna.
for me.
ever changing.
needing constant manipulation.
bang for buck!
so the big moment in the store when i look at my list and i see there are no double dipped chocolate covered peanuts on it, i reach the moment of truth.
put some bananas back?
no.
ignore the list?
no.
put them in my cart?
yes.
b/c they were on the running list in my head anyway...
...
and AMY, my clipboard rocks.
thanks:-)

catnip

i remember someone telling me that whatever you make it will never be enough.

unless you decide that it is enough.

b/c you'll always spend what you make.

but dangling catnip in front of a cat never makes a cat happy either.

at least, not if you're not going to give the cat its catnip.

unless they've never tasted catnip.

so maybe you just shouldn't buy catnip in the first place.

too late, your cat's already smelled it walking down the aisle.

you might as well open the bag right there in the store.

and decide it's enough:-)

or you could just let the cat never taste what it now knows to dream about.

mercy, those eyes.

eyes that blink "budget"

went shopping tonight after the kids were in bed.
weird.
the shopping part.
found a red shirt for family pictures on saturday.
tried on a pair of jeans.
didn't know my size.
picked a pair too big.
felt better than trying a pair too small.
i told the girl in the store it had been awhile since i had shopped.
when she asked me how long it had been,
i said 2 years.
she looked at me like i was crazy.
i sounded crazy to me, so it was a fair look.
then as i was trying everything on i thought,
"really, has it been that long?"
really, it HAS been that long.
which may not be long for some,
but it's an accomplishment for me.
and it feels really great.
to not shop.
and then to shop with a set of brand new shopping eyes.
the kind that blink "budget" in the reflection.

14 serves 3 here

every week we make it the way the box says.
every week we get the same amount.
3.
i like mine golden brown and gooey in the center.
the gooier, the better.
just don't give me one all the way cooked.
it's just not as exciting.
but the box says we are supposed to get 14 out of it.
14!
and we get 3.
granted they want you to make them smaller than a floppy disk,
and we like them to rim the plate.
kinda like how i went to the store last night for bananas and milk, but came back with everything i needed to make dinner for a week.
and Popsicles b/c we were out.
and even though it wasn't "on my list,"
it was "on the list" in my head.
the running one that is constantly adding and removing items.
the one that i cannot accurately remember every item on every time i go,
which is why it is ever adding and removing.
it would be much easier to just write it down,
but then i would have to commit it to the list.
it's so much more of a "sus" when it's not "on my list."
kind of like getting 3 pancakes when you're supposed to get 14.
wait, i dont' think it's the same...

even with the thorns.

thorns.
my luck with them knows no limit.
or my UNLUCK i guess.
dr. scout master is going to be absolutely elated.
especially b/c it's in the thorn resistant tube tire that is extra hard to get in and out.
i wish thorn resistant meant that the tire magically beamed the thorns away from us as we walked.
like opposite magnets.
i'm leaving this thorn in.
hoping it will keep the air in.
pulling them out never seems to make things go well.
we'll see how leaving it in goes.
...
i like my shoes b/c they are pink inside and comfy in the feet bottoms.
i bought them b/c they were on sale.

found out i've been wearing shoes a half size too small.
or my feet grew.
except all of my other shoes still fit perfectly.
so i'm thinking i just bought the last pair too small.
guess that explains a lot.
but the comfy had worn out too.
today's gonna be a good day.
even with the thorns.

target practice.

i stood in front of the baby clothes at target on saturday.

with 2 outfits in my hand.

not b/c i was going to buy them.

one for me,

one for hattie's little miss to be.

i stood there b/c i could.

i could buy them if i wanted.

there was money in the budget.

wait, let's say that again.

there's money in the budget!

and then i put them back.

it felt really good.

the best lesson the budget and frugality has taught me?

just b/c you can afford it, doesn't mean you should buy it.

although i am going back to get hattie's cutie pie something.

and i got my shoes.

it was a fun day.

wish list

( i totally staged this picture)

new shoes for me.
on the budget.
but in the middle of the list.
top of list?
rent.
for june.
shortly followed by...
rent.
for july.
then if santa REALLY loves us,
iphone 4's.
that means we both want one.
didn't know i wanted the 4 a month ago.

funny how that happens.
thought i just wanted the 3G.

the cheapest one.
not even the 3GS or whatever the video one is.
but now i have read the email for the 4.
and i think i might not survive without the 4.

did you know it has a camera phone with 5 (count them) FIVE megapixels.
then protein bars for sean.
he said he wanted some.
and since he is the one bringing home the money now, i think it's best he get some.
then diapers.
food.
cheesecake factory and/or sushi dinner night out.
haven't decided if children will attend b/c i haven't decided if babysitter is in the budget before or after my shoes.
this is where the shoes come in.
b/c my feet hurt.
and i love walking.

and i go walking a lot.

have you ever had a wish list of things you really wanted for a long time?

like 3 years?

thirsty camel.

it's the thirsty camel syndrome.

and really, we need almost none of it.

but want all of it.

now for the balance of it.

thank goodness for our budget.
the end.

now...black or white?