The "other" man

Some of you may be needing another man in your life. Might I suggest one to you. This man:



Dave Ramsey

He's been in my (our) lives since 2001 or so. It has been FANTASTIC. He's a financial guy. I know what you're thinking, blah blah blah--I don't want to listen to that crap. But you should, and here's why:

1) It's about Financial Peace. Everyone needs that.

2) He's successful--and his followers are too

3) It's all about getting out of debt, staying out of debt, and feeling secure

4) His plan works

5) He is partially responsible for us being able to survive on so little but having so much

6) (This applies if you are Mormon) His financial plan is SO close to the church's. It is just more in depth and specific.

7) He didn't go to school for this and learn by theory. He learned by a horrible crap experience. So he knows.

8) Just starting his plan, makes you feel better

9) It helps your marriage (reason alone)

10) He's offering a FREE lesson

Hyrum and I went to his LIVE event back in 2001. That is where we learned to have a zero based budget (you allocate ALL and I mean ALL of your income to somewhere), live on a cash only budget (except for bills--we do that online) and how to be frugal and fine with it. I can tell you were EVERY cent that come into our house goes. Seriously, just ask me. At least categorically. And can I tell you how easy it is to balance a checkbook when the only debits on your account are bills. So easy. And using cash is the ONLY way to go. Seriously. It really makes you think about your purchases. Anyhoodles. He has a radio show and a podcast, and books, and local classes (which I am so excited to start in January) and a live event.

Seriously people. At least sign up for the free lesson. And go. Do it right now--I believe it's for the week of April 5th. If you do this, it could change your life. For reals.

I CANNOT wait for the day that I can call into his radio show on a Friday and yell "I'm debt FREEEEEEE"

Culinary Rock Star

I made these. I just had to when I found THE RECIPE. So easy. Fresh Whipped cream, strawberries and blueberries make it even better.

Delish looking eh?



I also posted this on my food blog.

10 years

10 years of marriage this past Wednesday, March 10th.

10 years--that is just crazy, how time flies . . .but also not

Funny what I thought it would be like at 10 years. Funny.

How easy it has been.

How not easy it has been.

I got teary eyed when he gave me these:



How can I ever top that?

I've got 10 years to think about it.



I love you more than anything. But I think you know that.

xoxo Me

(for more pics of us at 10 years look HERE)

Playing Hookie

Annabelle handed me this this morning (the part at the bottom says Parent Comment). At first I was just going to make her go. Period. But then I thought--hmm this could be a good lesson learner. So I told her that it was her choice, but if she stayed home she would work like people do that don't get educations. I was very explicit on what she'd have to do today. And she said she'd rather stay home.

So she has done laundry
Cleaned bathrooms
Cleaned laundry room
Mopped floors with a rag
Cleaned my office
Cleaned her room
Did Math for an hour while I was at the gym (I wasn't going to let her play at the gym daycare--no way)
Done dishes
Cleaned counters
Vacuumed
Changed a poopy diaper--and dressed her little brother.

I just remembered--I let her have a 10 minute break. And it's long over.

Back to work.

It's great to be 8!

She turned 8 today. I almost forgot her donut cake because I've been too crazy with party plans. This girl is the sweetest, most helpful and obedient child. She has her sass, but that is mostly when she's tired or doing math. I love my redhead.

And just hold your breath for the cuteness we'll be making with these supplies:

Sparkley Party

Annabelle is having a girly party. I have some stuff planned out, but I thought I'd ask for more input/resources.

I'm hiring some girls from church to paint toenails and fingernails.

So question is: Where do I get good nail decals for cheap? Or any other fun toe nail ideas?

Also, I'm having them make felt hair clips. They are going to layer two felt shapes with a brad in the middle--then glued to a hair clip. Question: What type of glue should I use?

They are having finger sandwiches cut out into shapes with fancy toothpicks. Where should I get a sandwich cutter that's flower or girly shaped? And if you have one can I borrow it?

I think they may do facials. I thought the peel off kind would be more fun--any tips on that.

Tips on decorations?

Any tips or ideas on anything would be awesome.

thanks.

xoxoxoxo

Scripture case

I'm looking for a scripture bag for Annabelle's scripture she will be getting at her Baptism in March. This is the cutest traditional one I've found. Has anyone seen any cute other ones--purse looking or traditional?

Link me please

Shower Curtain

Remember FOREVER ago when I was trying to decide on a shower curtain? Well I never did until now. THIS little number I found at Bed Bath and Beyond. I wanted a shower curtain with either gold or purple. I actually wanted one that was fully purple, but this is the best one I've found. You'd be amazed how hard it is to find a cool shower curtain. I did find a cool white ruffly one that resemebles an Anthropology one, but it was only $30. But I didn't want white. Anyhow, I'm happy because now i have a direction to go in with my bathroom. When I get it done I'll share pics.

Hey--How's Lent?

Well since you asked. It's hard. Mostly because it's a whole lifestyle change. I think the hardest part is not loading up on carbs. I actually haven't missed meat at all. It's just finding things to eat that aren't going to fatten me up.

I have actually enjoyed some of it. I made some brown rice in the rice cooker (oh yes you can) and we had Lemon Pepper White Roughy. It was delish (we are still eating fish-we're just off land animals)

Anyhow, I had some leftover in the fridge and I didn't want it to go to waste. I spotted some zucchini and I thought . . . . hmmm. So I sauteed it with olive oil and onion, added a little sea salt and fresh cracked peppper and put it on top. It was de-lish.



We also tried this recipe for Vegeterian Enchiladas. It tasted so good! Except the flour tortillas made it kind of soggy--so I might try corn next time. I also added some sauteed mushrooms in the filling.

Well I'm off to eat Pasta. It's easy and it doesn't moo, baa or cluck.

Bike Trailer

Does anyone have a bike trailer they don't want? One that hasn't rotted out in the sun like ours?

Let me know.

Michaels coupon

Does anyone have the Michaels ad from last week? The one with all of the coupons on the back? I want one from there. Let me know and I'll swing by and get it.

thanks

Me

I just thought some of you might wonder what I look like recently.

Photo taken by my photography teacher Wendy Schulz

My Mormon Mother Report Card

My Mormon Parent report card results---Big Fat F.

How does one test this?

Well by random chance like . .

When you are at the Baptism preview (the night that the Primary has with all of the 7 year old kids who will turn 8 and be baptized--to get the details on who what where when etc).

As I was saying, . . .

When you are at the Baptism Preview sitting in the FRONT row, and while the Bishop is informing kids on what they will be asked in their interview, asks your daughter, "Who is the Prophet?"

and she

points her arm straight out toward the Bishop and says:

"YOU?"

That's how you know.

For my friends who aren't Mormon, the answer is President Thomas S. Monson.

a Vegetarian Lent

We have joked before about participating in Lent. Mormons don't traditionally do that--but it has been intriguing to us for years. So on Tuesday Hyrum brought up the subject and suggested we give up soda for Lent. I told him that I don't drink much soda, so that would be too easy. So then he said, "What about meat?". Perfect. We've been trying to go meat-less (less meat not actually meatless) Anyhow so here we are. Day two and going strong.

Should be interesting. I foresee some added pounds and a lot of cheese eating.

If you have any vegetarian meals that you love. Please link me or e-mail me the recipe.

I shall keep you updated

Valentines

I just finished making the girl's valentines cards. I got pretty ambitious on Saturday and Annabelle and I made THESE salt dough hearts. At first I just did it to see how they would turn out, and turn out they did. I loved them. So I bought some paint and glitter and got them all cutesied up today. I went to SAS and bought yards and yards of ribbon to use as the necklace part (10 cents a yard. Can't beat that). So each of the girls in their classes are getting little heart necklaces on their valentines cards.




Then I had to make cards for the boys. They just get a snickers or Kit Kat stapled to theirs. Boys don't do salt dough hearts. But they do candy. The one for Snickers said, "You make me snicker valentine". And the other one was for the Kit Kats. It just said, "I think you're sweet, here's my favorite treat". I tried like mad to come up with a Kit Kat rhyme, but I got nothin.

If you're a little behind on the Valentining here is a fab website for FREE yes FREE printable Valentine cards. CHECK IT.