chic cheap chick

Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a brand snob nor do I think it's worth paying the the extra $ for high end most of the time. I grew up with conservative parents who lived within their means, so I just am not a big spender. In fact, I was "bragging" the other day that my outfit cost all of $8 (crop pants, flats, tank and shirt). How 'boutcha, now!?
Similarly, Steve is rather stingy. I used to say cheap, but he WILL spend money on nice vacations, "toys" for himself and ususally presents for me and Savannah. But let's not go there right now...
As mentioned, we are wanting to build a house this year. Now I am pretty clueless about the whole thing but know many people who have a very nice home and paid a reasonable price for it. We haven't been able to sit down with anyone yet b/c we've had to cancel 2 meetings b/c Steve had the flu! Apparently, he got some of the 60% of flu virus that was NOT hindered by the flu shot he got this year. Anyway, he talks to some lady today who is with a building company and she says off hand that what we are looking at may cost twice as much or more than we had in mind. So now it's got Steve in a little bit of a tizzy.
I don't think what we have in mind will actually be that much. We're not getting all the frills, granite counter-tops, and double-box ceilings that can push the price tag that high. But dang it, we have been saving $ forever and he he gets a good paycheck and I just feel like we should get whatever it is we want. Within reason, of course.

P.S. Still lovin' the Zumba! That crap is FUN!

the not-so interesting, not-so fun week

Been kinda busy this week. I spent Monday recuperating from being out of town. I spent Tuesday catching up at work from being gone Thursday. Wednesday was a short work day but then that evening was consumed by going to a work dinner with Steve. Thursday was annoying and put me in a bad mood. Friday was a rainy, nasty, cold day of laundry. And today is blah Saturday. Steve is sick and we didn't really do anything besides finish laundry and go outside a little bit.
Fun week, huh? I know...it could always be worse. On another note, we are meeting with a guy this week to draw up the house plans. Scary! Here's what we are working with, but we plan to modify it. My favorite layout was of a house that we didn't love the exterior of. We really like this exterior and figure we can change the inside some. Mainly we are going to extend the kitchen and the garage.
It's one of those things...all your life you think about a. who you're going to marry b. how many kids and c. what kind of house will you have. At least I did. It's so daunting. I don't want to forget anything or wish 6 months later that I had done something different or look at it in 10 years and think that it's "dated." And since we have the luxury of building and not buying, I indeed have all those considerations. Ugh!!

Gummy Worm, anyone?

We are sort in the process of potty training Savannah. She's better at pooping in the potty than peeing. I know, TMI...anyway...Daddy started a while back giving her a gummy worm treat if she went and we make a big deal out of it. Tonight she was in the bathtub and I had to pee. She looks over at me on the toilet and says, "you get a gummy worm!"

It certainly ain't the Lawrence Welk Show

Back home again! I'm tired, but all in all, I had a good time on my trip and thought the conference was worthwile. My aunt, my mom's sister, lives in Jacksonville and I had made plans to see her while I was in town. They picked me up from the hotel and then we swung by their place before going to dinner. Afterwards, we were going to the American Legion to "dance and have a few drinks." What an experience that was!
Where do I begin? For those of you who may be unfamiliar, the American Legion is a social organization for veterans. This one has a bar, pool table(25cent/game), entertainment and occasionally food. They even have a swimming pool and Tiki hut out back for the summer. The room was covered in dark paneling, linolium flooring and cigarette smoke. I was definately the youngest one there, with the average age being probably 65. Even the bartender asked me if I was old enough to drink. I thought, "yeah lady, if I served drinks to 70 year-olds all day, I'd think I looked like a youngin' too." But there wasn't any bingo or knitting going on. Our entertainment for the evening was Vickie Lee. She sounded like Tanya Tucker and Tammy Wynette and looked like a plus size Dolly Parton. In between songs she played, "electric slide," "Cupid shuffle," "the twist" and other songs to dance to...which of course we did. I even two-stepped (I think that's what it was) with 2 older gentlemen. We finally got out of there just before midnight. Crazy! But it was a lot of fun!
These pictures just don't do it justice, but you get an idea...

Daddy daycare, I think not

I am out of town for a conference in lovely Jacksonville, Florida. Yes, that's right. I'm the one out of town this time. It's been a good trip so far. Let me hit some of the highlights:
-We stopped at the outlets on the way down, of course. Didn't get any fabulous deals but my friend got a pair of cute boots for $15!!
-Day 1 of the sessions were good. I always enjoy getting new ideas, meeting people and being reminded of why I do what I do working with these kids (see previous post).
-The weather has been nice. It was sunny and around 65 today.
-Our keynote speaker was Dr. Maya Angelou. She is awesome. She uses words in a way that makes you think, "Why can't I ever sound like that?" I mean, she used the word "copious" at least twice in her address.
She also spoke a lot about her past and how even one seemingly insignificant person or action can mean so much to so many people. Her unlce Willie was disabled and yet he touched the lives of so many and they never realized it until after his death.
Dr. Angelou told us we have already been "paid for." Our ancestors have already paved the way for us to be who we are and do what we do, so it is our turn to pay it back. "Oh," they'd say, "so you're the one I worked in the sweatshop for..." or "you're the one I did back-breaking work for.." It was all very inspirational...
-I have a really nice, really big hotel room with an AWESOME view of downtown Jacksonville and it's all mine! Ah- peace!

Some of you may be asking, "Is Steve home with Savannah?" Well, sort of. My mom is being a real saint and has Savannah for 2 1/2 days while I am gone. He's really only had her for one evening and one lunch and he even screwed that up!!
I took her to Mother's Morning Out Thursday morning and told him he had to pick her up at noon, go home for lunch and then take her to grandma's. Easy, right? wrong. The lady from MMO called him at 12:15 to ask him if he was coming. Oh- he worked right through 12:00 and forgot!!! If she hadn't called, who knows what time he would have gone to get her!?
So, anyway...I am enjoying the peace and surroundings while it lasts.

Piled away...

Clueless? So was he........... this post has been "piled away."

What the...?

What the shirt actually says...

What Savannah callls it for SOME reason..."My baby Jesus shirt." ???She was fascinated with the baby Jesus at Christmas and even now we must sing "Away in a Manger" (AKA The Baby Jesus Song) when we go to bed at night. But I have no idea why she thinks it is the baby Jesus shirt. Two-year olds - go figure!

Wordless Wednesday

stylin'

"Hello? 3 little pigs? Yeah, we want to build a house..."

As I told a friend, it's that time of year for the "funk." Savannah was sick today with a fever and cough. I heard others have the flu or strep throat. As someone who works in a public school, I'm never surprised at what is going around or that my family or I have gotten the latest crud. Anyway...
I didn't feel like doing much at work today and the kids were getting on my nerves so I surfed the internet a good bit. We are finally (!) starting the house building process, so I was looking for some ideas. I think we have the house plan picked out but it needs some tweaking.
The whole process is really very scary. I only have to decide every single, solitary, minute detail of a major investment that I will have for the rest of my life! Top that off with my personality ("well, I don't know, I'm not sure, I need to think about it") plus Steve's personality ("this is how it is, it costs how much?! and too late I already picked burnt sienna") equals divorce lawyer on speed dial. Just kiddin- I hope.
So if anyone out there has some sage advice, you let me know. In the meantime, say a prayer for us as we get it underway....

"Kid Swap"

We had a good weekend. We "swapped kids" with some friends so we could all have a night out! Friday we went out to eat and had drinks with some "old and dear" friends. Brrr! It was a bit chilly, but we had fun and enjoyed our evening out on the town! It's fun to be reminded that living with someone bonds you to them for LIFE!
Saturday, it was our turn with the girls. Harper and Savannah are BFF, but let's face it...sometimes they act more like sisters! They were pretty good that evening, until Savannah got worked up about sharing the Barbie Princess dress. I mean, look at it! It has peacock feathers!Wouldn't you be upset, too?!?

What the...?

No folks, don't adjust your color settings. This pic was taken about a year ago at a conference. We were just some co-workers having a good time...kicking up our heels!