Photo from this summer- Christmas photo?

Black Friday shopping

Thought I'd post my buys-

I went to 7 stores!

Oldest dd and I wanted to go, we slept, and went at 9:30.

First stop- McDonald's to the Redbox, pick up Wal-E for dh and kids staying home, $1.07 for a one night rental. Did not get food, had a coffee at home before I left.

2nd stop- Grocery store, pick up Hancock for later tonight to watch with three oldest kids, and dog food on a gift card. Total out of pocket, $1.07, GRAND total- $2.14

We then went to Walmart, I got two pair of $8 jeans for ds, I will need to go trade for a different size, but he only had one pair of jeans and one pair of other pants. I think he has grown 4-5 inches this year. I bought 1 yo dd a cabbage patch baby for $10. I bought 2nd youngest dd, age 4, a playdoh set wtih 50 pieces for $10. I bought one of those flash drives that Ariana bought for $9, we have one in the house that 4 people share, it will be good to have 2. X men 3 double dvd for ds for $6. Time in a Bottle dvd for me for $2. 7 items, $55.55 Grand total $57.69 We were in Walmart one half hour, there was one person ahead of us in line.

Next stop- the bakery. A cherry strudel for me, custard stuffed chocolate glazed long john for dd. $1.95 Grand total $59.64

Then we went to Kmart, they were sold out of the knock em sock em toy for $8. I found a great toy for dd age 6, a toy dog with vet things that makes little doggie noise, she will love it, at $26.24. I bought boots for 9 yo dd, at $22.99 and then got school shoes, her's from a year a half ago are falling apart, I got these 50% of for a price of $4.99. She needs black shoes for her uniform. I bought dh 5 pocket t-shirts for $2 each. I bought flannel pj pants for ds for $6.49. Total spent on 9 items, $72.52 Total saved, $42.70 I gave dd her boots right away, I hadn't found any at Walmart yet. She was very happy. Grand total $132.16 We were first in line, no crowd. Three open lanes.

6th stop- Toy R Us. This is where it was crazy, a cop directing traffic, a long wait to get in. No parking, someone stole one spot. I sent dd in, to just get the rock em sock em's. I told her I thought there was a coupon, buy one get one free. She disregarded that while I circled the lot, to focus on getting the last one off a high shelf, she and the worker poked it off with board games, and she paid $19.23 for it. This is something I hope to find for a better price and return. I picked dd up, and we left that place. She paid in electronics, no line, vs long lines at the front. Total spent $19.23 Grand total $151.39

Stopped at home to drop off movie and things. Picked up ds, he wanted to get his present for his sister, who was with us.

7th and final stop- JC Penney's. Ds found a lip balm collection for his sister. I found a shower gel set for dd age 12 at the same spot. These were 50% off, for $10 and $6 after sale. Dd went shopping for clothes. She found a shirt for herself, $6.99 after discounts. I found a long sleeve henley for dh, $14.40 marked down from $36. Both the kids there wanted new pillows for Christmas, $3.99 after discounts. I bought a sleeper for youngest dd, $7.99 after discounts. I bought a set of socks for 1 yo dd, and a pair of tights for 4 yo dd. Everything had an additional 10% off, except the two bath sets didn't ring up 50% off, she took me back to the head of the line and credited and billed again, so I had asked about the 10%, but it wasn't credited. Good customer service, I won't quibble $1.71. Total spent- $66.14, then dd paid me back $7 for her shirt. Actually, I gave her $12.25 for the charge she made at Toys R Us. So I spent $59.14, saved 81.58. This was a good stop. Ds will refund me $6 towards his sister's present, money he made painting this summer. Total oop $53.14.

Total spent $204.53

I have a lot of purchases, and the vast amount of my shopping done in just a few hours, at very low prices. I still have a few things to buy, but it was very nice shopping! I think I'll go next year. I saved about $175-$200, I estimate. Each child now has something from us. Dh, ds, and some of the girls have some badly needed clothes.

Will have to go with dh to get things for his family, or he'll go. Will have to see what's on sale as Christmas gets closer, he is not good about shopping sales.

In a few weeks we will buy a tree. They are usually $20-$25.

Other news-

Just saw my sisters and their families, didn't get a whole lot of time with them.

CAPRI went to a pediatric endrochronologist, she has so far just some delayed bone growth, not as many teeth as she should have. She might go to a pediatric gastronologist next, for absorption issues.

TRUE did fine in his fall play, he didn't know his lines quite well enough. IVY was in the plays, also, she had fewer lines, is looking grown up.

TASHA is going to Colorado for winter break, Vienna for spring break.

VIOLET got an award at school for being empathetic and improving on her homework responsibility. She settle right into her homework after dinner.

PROMISE is enjoying her new schol, getting together with her best friend Grace from kindergarten at 7 Hills tomorrow.

CHERISH has one liners, like when Tasha asked her to stop something, she said, "Why, is it slowly driving you crazy?" Things you don't expect from a recently turned 4 year old. Luckily, both her hair, and Violet's bangs are growing out from being self-cut. We have talked now, several times, about not cutting your own hair, mom will cut it whenever you ask.

Have a good Advent season!

It's been a LONG time since I posted.
We have had a month or so of job uncertainty, starting the last day of school when Graham got a job offer in Iowa. Th kids were sad, and we all were relieved when it looked like something would work out in the cities. Those eventually feel through, but it was a month of waiting and not knowing, up until the Friday before Graham left for Iowa.
Our family has a lot of challenges the next few months.
Luckily, Tasha made it back from the Netherlands and is attending a local university and living at home next year, so she will be the other adult in the house. The big kids will be stepping up to help out a lot.
Needless to say, I've been a little stressed with the limbo around here.
Other things- the kids had fun in dance and swimming. True is going to camp for a week soon. We are trying to adjust to the higher price of gas and trying to prepare for higher utility costs this winter.
We have all been blessed with good health this spring and summer.
We are very much enjoying fresh produce from a CSA, although if I did it again I would buy from a farm that delivers to town, the trip out is too far to be cost effective. We just had one of my favorites, beets, and the lettuce has been flavorful and delicious.
Hope everyone is having a good summer!
An updated photo of me and Capri-
Tracy

posted in a forum

Thought I'd copy here-

SUMMER ACTIVITIES

Some things my kids will learn this summer (We don't homeschool and they are off for three months)

Childcare- help with younger sibs

Cooking and canning- all help with these, from three up. Everyone packs pickles and apples. The bigger kids make customized jams. Everyone likes to help with stirring and cooking dinner.

Baking- everyone's favorite. We get out lots of cookbooks from the library.

Swimming for recreation at the pool, three will take lessons, reduced fee

Dance- 3 will take dance camp, $40 with a 75% reduction for free and reduced lunch kids, $10 each

Art- this year two will take darkroom skills. Last year they took fused glass and ceramics.

Reading- we take advantage of the free book clubs at the library, kid, teen, mother/daughter, and teen/ parent. Last year my son was the only boy in the teen/parent, we both agreed we don't like the sad teen girl books that were picked. This year we will do the community reads at least, and read a book with the city. Instead of the book groups, we might do the Barnes and Nobles read, or try an internet book group. Most years two of the kids are in chess club at the library, again this might be nixed this year in favor of more swimming. We usually go to the library at least every other week for books.

Sharing- one Wii, many children

Camping- some years a weekend at camp in a tepee or a wagon at Christian camp, or Girl Scout day camp. This year trying to get ds into a week of Christian classic camp.

Golf- Pat, this sounds genious, ds would like to caddy, I could take him to a few par 3 courses. This would prep him for his caddy interview Feb 2009

Business- the kids helped me run my farmer's market booth last year, they come with me to work at the childcare. This summer we will be posting travel info at colleges, with my travel agent website. Dh will need to make a flyer, we'll go post 'em.

Leisure- the backyard is the place for the afternoon, with the sprinkler, kiddie pool at times, sandbox, plastic adirondack chairs for lounging and reading in, or just sunning your face. It's the time for lazy plans and confidences, sending someone in for a tray of water cups or pudding pops. I hope to get our tire swing back up, missed it last year. It's shaped like a horse.

Housework- more time for loading the dishes, learning to do clothes, vacumning, bathrooms, etc.

Walking- evenings are for walking to my mom's , or the big kids bike. We walk to the park and the library. We like to walk back late sometimes and look for fireflies. Grandma usually walks back from her house with us, to help with her blood sugar and to be with us. I love seeing my mom more.

A tad bit of gardening- last year was just chives and patio containers of flowers, and a few tomatoes. This year a little more.

Seeng family and friends- usually we have a weekend at a cabin with friends. This year we might stay at a hotel in town one night, to get two days at the resort. This year we are going to visit dh's family in Chicago, the first time in almost 2 years.

Playing games- poker, life, sudoku, monopoply, family feud, chess, they all come out for the summer. Favorite last summer- Rumicube.

Summer List- We also make a summer list of everything we want to do- from see puppies- the 6 yo, to go on a factory tour, to pick strawberries, to walk around the lakes, to free outdoor concerts, the free rose garden, and frozen custard. We like to go to the 24 hours of free music at Orchestra Hall, usually two or three different very good, sometimes ethnic, music selections at a time, inside and out on the Plaza. We like to go to the Musem of Art-free- and find the pieces that were in Art Masterpeice in the schools every month. We try to do something from everyone's suggestions.

Summer box- a box of things the last day of school- to have fun with- this year a hot air corn popper from a friend, a four person bubble blower and whiffle balls from Walgreens, a dress up box that I'll put together, and a book for everyone. Chocolate lollipops I got for free.

Homework- I'm very bad at this, the kids usually get a Bridging Into ____ Grade, a $13 book avaliable at Barnes and Nobles, and the charter school expects them to do it. I really do not emphasis this at all. They get very few pages done- but they've learned a lot of other stuff. I'm happy with the way we spend our summers.

We love summer.

">" border="0" alt="" />

A photo of the kids on a Sunday morning, Mother's Day.
Things are going okay, lots of questions coming to mind about the job situation.
Everyone is healthy, although Capri got tested for a bunch of stuff related to her growth.
One day in May has no appointments, etc on, hope to keep that one open!
Really looking forward to summer.

May budget-

Income-

Dh's parttime job and unemployment- $511/ week x 4+$2044plus my job- $300 month plus about $40 for a few extra shifts= $2,384

Expenses-

I paid the mortgage- $1346 with the tax refund last month.

Church-$100

Second mortgage $480

heat $167, this is a budget amount, stays the same year round.

elect $90, down slightly.

water/sewer $50

2 cells $20

phone $60, long distance higher, my dh's great aunt died

gas $350, much lower as school is over for dh

dh misc $50

groc, diapers, pet food $300

car insurance $123

internet $61, needed for job search

med payments $200, $132 to the eye doctor

4 credit cards $500

total- $2,551

$167 over budget-

May grocery list-flour, sugar, canning jars, toilet paper, paper towels, diapers, dog food, butter, 3 dozen eggs, 15 gallons milk, kid toothpaste for starters. Items that have fallen into the luxury category include Pam, Baker's Joy, spices, chocolate chips, etc. I haven't bought a lot of food in months. Dinner ideas-curry, spatzle, pasta, homemade pizza, soups and muffins. Fried rice, eggs, pancakes, and nature burgers.

But, school's over for Graham, some driving is over, I cut the gas budget $150 due to this ride, confirmation, Girl Scouts, and choir being over. The baby seems to be gaining weight, I spent part of a gift card a dear friend gave me to stock her up on baby treats, she loves them. May will be concentrated job search.

We will be getting our $3000 tax rebate in May, using it for June mortgage and part for a trip to Chicago in June. We'll have free lodging and will go to some free entertainment, have to budget gas and food. I hope to carry over quite a bit of the check for July mortgage.

Also exciting, Tasha returns in June! Will budget for the car trip to pick her up, she is flying into Chicago the week after we are vacationing there. I am excited to see her! It feels like a very long time.

Kind of a random post. Happy May!

News

Graham started school today, I really missed him. Our marriage has gotten a lot stronger with our time together at home. We are committed to keeping it this way.

Other good news, Tasha has been calling on Skype, and this is cheap enough to get caught up. She is really loving living her life right now, with lots of adventures. She goes to Scotland for Easter. She has no real idea of when she plans to come back!

My student loan question, the money question today-

Graham got his financial aid award letter, only loans as he has a bachelor's already.
We could stretch hard and pay his tuition with the tax return, or take out the student loans-

tuition is $4500 for 7 weeks of class

federal student loans offered $3700

tax refund about $8000, $2000 going to dd for college, need some for living expenses, to tide us over in April, May and June.

I think we are too old- 42 and soon to be 44- to take out student loans. We don't know for sure if he'll get a job in this. I would rather pay the bill and be done with it. I still have student loans rolled into the house, I think. I really don't want another bill, we have debt that makes it hard to pay just the bills right now. We have close to $30,000 in credit debt on top of our house.

Any advice is appreciated. Has anyone taken out a loan at our age for school and not regretted it?

We also have lots of educational costs for our kids, this is something we work hard to pay. I try hard not to go into debt for any of these as they are just regular expenses. I guess I view dh's as a regular expense, not something to go in debt for. His job will not improve his earnings, we are hoping in a year and a half he'll be replacing what he made before. I am confident we will make the bills for the next two months, until he is done with class. Then he can work more.

I think I have about a day to decide, with Graham. Will have to pay with loans or put off until 25th, when tax refund is due.

I did do a little more cooking today, with Graham gone. The time he was home I got some other things done, now with kids with me most of the day, with two different naps, it is easy enough to cook. Made lasagna with asparagus, artichokes, and spinach for St. Patrick's Day. Two batches of cookies for a meeting tonight.

Ivy has her first Communion on Maundy Thursday. My baby's growing up.

Looking forward to comments about the student loan, if you have one.

Our new budget

Changes in our budget were needed- I've been working on it since January- so here it is!

January budget Savings March budget

church $100 0 $100
mortgage and
home equity loan $1859 $100 $1759
heat and
appliance coverage $193 $26 $167

elec $107 $0 $107

garbage $22 $0 $22

water/sewer $45 $0 $45

phone $50 $5 $45

cell, 2 $20 $0 $20

gas $400 $50 $350
Graham,
misc. $ $50 $0 $50

credit cards $649 $149 $500
grocery and
diapers $440 $165 $275
car and life
insurance $145 $22 $123

internet/cabl $61 $0 $61
med insurance
and copays $650 $550 $100

totals $4,791 $1067 $3,724

So, things are better. The best thing for us was getting state health insurance to help us out. We tested it the second day, went and got three prescriptions for Graham at Walmart. What would have been $70 last month was $13! $9, $3, and $1!
I canceled my life insurance, the appliance coverage with the gas company, we have cut down on driving, long distance, I used a balance transfer offer, and went from 6 credit cards to four, lowering the minimums by $150. I've been paying down the home equity loan enough that the interest only payment dropped from $500 to $400. While Graham had the severance pay I stocked the pantry and found one free food source, a once a month Saturday pickup in a neighboring town. I went a few times, now Graham and I both go to get bread, produce, and a variety of other food products. I'm not confident I can stay under $300 for food every month, but I think I can for a few months. Our budget is still too high for our income, but with the tax refund coming soon and Graham had a free lance job last month proofreading, we are getting by.

On another positive note, Graham and I are working more as a team. The time off has given us a chance to talk about things more fully and work on our relationship. I think, and I think Graham would agree, that we have never felt closer.

The little girls had the flu, and Capri had an ear infection. Luckily now everyone is better. I did 12 loads of laundry last Saturday, blankets, pillows, stuffed toys, anything to get the house more germ free. Everyone is healthy now.

Cherish has been in a good nap schedule, and when she and Capri sleep at the same time, Promise and I cook! Today, cinnamon rolls, usually cookies. Of course, now that Capri was laying down and taking a nap in her portacrib-this lasted all of two weeks- on Saturday she dug her baby toes in the netting and came walking out- she has escaped the portacrib!

I hear a little from Tasha- she will be in Ireland for St. Patrick's Day and Italy for Easter. She sent photos, she sounds good, sounds like she's having fun. Stay safe, sweetie! We are trying to get Skype on our computer so we can talk for free.

True and Ivy are done with basketball- True's team did pretty well, Ivy's team learned a lot! Ivy played two seasons and is now moving into volleyball season.

I am hoping to go on ski day tomorrow with the big kids, going on the magnet field trip with Promise, making the most of my chance until Graham starts school on March 17.

Violet is busy reading-one of her favorite things to read is Tasha's old collection of Archie comic books! She recently wrapped up a colonial unit at school by making a help wanted poster. I've added a photo of Violet enjoying one of my very old books, a 1942 copy of Twig. She's my third little girl to enjoy it.

That's about all new here. I am contented to have a little slower pace while Graham has been home more, it's actually been quite lovely.

Tracy

Job searches

The job search is going along- we tried a job fair today, not much. Graham scours the internet and has been contacting just about everyone for contacts. I have been trying to find a job that would pay for daycare, so far there is nothing that is scheduled that would pay- the jobs at the job fair today were mostly part-time, on-call or seasonal. I will have to see if there is any daycare that could flex like that in the area.
I am trying to prepare for unemployment days- trying to work with the budget and numbers, it will soon be here. Trying to think of what to stock, how much to save. Luckily we have a well-stocked pantry, and I am hoping we qualify for state health insurance. That is one of my big fears, being without insurance and needing the doctor and our medications. Stocked on my prenatals- still taking them while I nurse Capri, and some allergy meds for True, especially if we can't get shots. They ordered more shot serum, so all we would need to pay is the shots. Tasha stocked on her meds for the trip, and still has a good inhaler for her asthma.
Tasha goes to the Netherlands in a few days, on Sunday. I hope she can do most of the things she is planning, I have no idea about how expensive or easy it is to use transportation there- It seems strange that she will be having experiences so separate from what I've done- I could predict part of what going to Mankato was like, but have no visual picture or idea of this new part of life for her-
Tash, have fun, be safe, take lots of pictures to show your mom!
It also seems so unreachable, there is no way to see her in a little bit, she's going for months. I hope you know I want you to have some grand adventures, Tasha. I also hope you email me!
True seems to be going through a little grumpy phase. Maybe this is hormones for boys, less dramatic, but making an impact. Cherish, on the other hand, is definitely going through a dramatic phase. She wails, she sucks her thumb and plays with her belly button, she wants to be a baby and Rapunzel, and a princess, and a big girl all at once. She wants to play upstairs with her sisters, and have me rock her, and get her pink milk in a bottle, and sneak big girl toys, all in the span of about 7 minutes. She is enjoying the attention of two parents at home more, I think it is helping her, although she is not any calmer. She is going to be an interesting teen.
I have been thinking I want to start a prayer journal for about a year now, but something holds me back. I look at blank books- simple or a little decorated, at Walmart, but can't seem to commit to this simple faith building step. I think I should ask one of the women at church how they do it, I feel I need a prayer journal mentor.
Challenges in the next few weeks- money- we are on our last check before unemployment, plus Promise is aging out of MAC and I am off WIC and I lost my little coffee shop sale all at the same time as the job loss. God provides and will take care f us, I just don't know how, right now. I KNOW that in the posts coming up that everything will have worked out, I just can't see what path will work out to be solutions for us now. In the meantime, another church friend gave us a $20 Cub card yesterday- she gives the kids mittens and hats, she gives the baby clothes, last year she gave us four nice teddy bears to give the kids at Christmas. I think the kindness of friends is God present with us now. That should be enough for now- what's that saying, about a few worries being sufficient for the day? Maybe it's time to slow down and look at the smaller tasks and worries vs the big scary ones-
Small pleasures- True nicknamed Capri "baby hippo" with her 4 big teeth, Graham gave me a long back rub last night, the subzero weather broke, everyone is healthy, the cars are running well, for dinner I made popcorn and cocoa with marshmallow fluff.
Your sister in Christ-
Tracy

Graham lost his day job

I feel like we are entering an economic crunch- there aren't many copywriter jobs around.
Here is the budget I sent to the financial advisor we had with our star tribune story, she has kindly agreed to help us with our finances again-

budget-
church $100
mortgage and home equity loan- $1359 + $500= $1859
heat $193- monthly average, budget bill
electric $107, higher due to furnace running
garbage $22
water and sewer $45
phone $45
gas $200
Graham's money, his gas, etc. $250
credit card payments $700
money paid to last college for dd to close out $122
groceries $350
auto insurance and my life insurance $145
internet, needed for work $61 this includes $15 for basic cable, not needed for work.
medical averages $250 with several prescriptions, could be higher this month, asked our doctor to see everyone who needed to be seen before health insurance runs out.
will need to pay some towards Tasha's school. She is going down to her college tomorrow to meet with financial aid.

We will not be spending for gifts, clothes, household, car or home repair, entertainment, dining out, fast food, lattes, vacation, recreation, 401K, subscriptions, haircuts, or any other easily cut catagory. Did spend $5 to park at the zoo, we had free passes, went for the kid's break. (Also $5 for a little tray of chocolate chip cookies there.)

Total- $4449 plus college $.
Will take $ from the grocery budget to take 4 girls out to lunch at McDonald for Promise's 6th birthday, on Thursday. Homemade cake, presents that I held back from Christmas, thank goodness.
Income $4612 this month, one more month of $4612 in Feb, then down to $538 in unemployment a week, times 4, plus my job at $300 a month and Graham's FedEx job at $600 a month, will be $3052. Luckily our tax refund will come in time to keep the payments going for a little, but not long.
We need internet for work, we need the high speed for Graham to send work samples.

We still have those credit card payments.
I can't find $1200 to cut-Graham will work one more shift and so will I as he can pick-up Promise, and we've both applied for jobs, but so far I can only realistically see $200 in additional income, $1000 still to cut/save. Graham is trying hard to find a job, but there really is not one in his field right now, I think we need to save as much as we can to make the unemployment months and first month of work with no paycheck AND no unemployment work.

Small savings- returning 2 Christmas gifts-$100, someone anonymously sent a $50 Cub card, my friend Fran gave us 15 lbs of pasta products, I applied for state health insurance for the kids. Friends at church gave us $25 cash. My aunt sent a $50 check to go towards hosting Christmas- we had 45 people here.

I will figure out taxes this week, refund will be lower due to increased income.

That is what I sent- I know our monthly total seems high, but besides the credit cards, most of the bills seem in line with the cost of living. I am trying to do what I can, applying for jobs and taking any shift I can. Any ideas are more than welcome.
Capri had her first birthday two days after Graham lost his job. We bought her a present and my parents came over for cake. They brought lots of practical presents, she is very low weight, they brought lots of baby food and two packs of Pediasure, sippy cups and a bottle.

Promise's birthday is Thursday, I am giving her a doodle bear my friend gave me last year, she had seen it in my closet before Christmas. I also have a clock for her, and I bought a pony beanie out of the grocery money. She wants to take three friends to McDonald's and back to the house for cupcakes on Thursday, when she is six.

Getting Tasha the money she needs to make this study abroad will be a challenge, to say the least. I hope financial aid comes up with a whole lot of loans tomorrow, we don't have that kind of money.

The high note of this past week was Capri and her birthday. What a delight our tiny girl is!