How stinking cute is this skirt?
Not for me, but for Miss Allison. Grosgrain, a crafty blog, is giving one away! Check out the giveaway here!
River rafting
2 weeks ago
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Pay it Forward
So I've seen this idea on a few blogs... decided to go for it.
First three people to comment on this post will get SOMETHING from me SOMETIME before the end of the year. Who knows when or what, but something sometime. Its like a random act of kindness thing. Catch is, you have to offer on your blog this same pay it forward deal. Spread some love. =)
First three people to comment on this post will get SOMETHING from me SOMETIME before the end of the year. Who knows when or what, but something sometime. Its like a random act of kindness thing. Catch is, you have to offer on your blog this same pay it forward deal. Spread some love. =)
To the victor...
go the spoils. Here are Julie's spoils (for those who are interested).
I'm kind of a novice card maker... not quite my forte yet, but I think these turned out okay. =) The one with the flower on it is totally CASEd (Copy And Steal Everything) from a gal who is in a card swap I'm doing, so I don't get credit for that one. But here you go Julie... next time we see eachother (or walk past eachothers houses) and remember, these are all yours.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Economic Cynicism
The more I live with myself, the more I realize I'm a totaly cynic. While I don't have a hard time thinking well of those who I know, I find it nearly impossible to think well of the people in general.
Here's an example. Yesterday I had the noon news on keeping me company while Allison napped. They were reporting on President Obama's agenda for the week, including that he signed the (joke of a) stimulus bill in Denver and then was headed to Arizona, partly becuase of how hard it had been hit by foreclosures. Apparently 4500 last month. Who knew? Anyway, the go on talking about Arizona and talking to some lady (I wasn't really paying much attention), but the story ended on a talking head of this lady saying "The President needs to stop the forclosures here."
WHAT? Okay, I get that times are tough. I get that some people are losing their jobs. I get that some mortgages have adjusted up making payments higher and leading people to get behind on their payments. But while I'm thinking this, I can't help but this "If you weren't so darned concerned with keeping up with the Jones', maybe you'd be far more capable of keeping up with your mortgage."
Like I said, I'm cynical. I just have the hardest time listening to these people whine and even caring. I keep thinking... you did it to yourself. I mean... really, did you need to half or three-quarters of a million dollar home? Probably not. You wanted it. And what else did you not really need, but wanted and bought (often on credit) anyway? And now that you can't afford it, what, someone else is supposed to pay the cost of your self-indulgent want? I listen to "everyone" say that the economy stinks and life is hard. But really... should it be effecting the generally masses this much? I'm mean, the unemployment rate might be getting high, but last I check an 8% unemployment rate meant that 92% of Americans still have a job. Think about it for a second...
I know that some people really are hurting... some people really have lost their jobs and are struggling to make ends meet. But doesn't anyone plan for the rainy day anymore?
What if people set and actually lived on a budget? What if people purchased a house to meet their needs, as opposed to a house that fulfilled their every whim and made them look good the the neighbors? What if people had saved money towards things they wanted instead of putting it on a credit card or financing it? What if people planned to actually save money... planned for emergencies... had money socked away for the what ifs? Would any of this be an issue?
All I know is this: Brian and I don't make a lot of money. We qualify for some state assistance (WIC, and Allison is on CHIP). But what we make is enough. We budget it fairly meticulously, have enough to meet all of our needs and obligations, and even enough to fulfill some of our wants. We have a little money saved for just in case. And this "crisis" hasn't effected us (okay... it might be making getting a job post-graudation a little harder. And now we totally plan to save towards a 20% downpayment on a house, which delays us owning our own home).
Maybe the lesson in all of this is that we all need to follow sound wisdom: Live within your means, save for a rainy day and work (and save) for the things you want. Is it always fun? No. Is it instant gratification? Definantly not! But, it is safe, sound advice.
Here's an example. Yesterday I had the noon news on keeping me company while Allison napped. They were reporting on President Obama's agenda for the week, including that he signed the (joke of a) stimulus bill in Denver and then was headed to Arizona, partly becuase of how hard it had been hit by foreclosures. Apparently 4500 last month. Who knew? Anyway, the go on talking about Arizona and talking to some lady (I wasn't really paying much attention), but the story ended on a talking head of this lady saying "The President needs to stop the forclosures here."
WHAT? Okay, I get that times are tough. I get that some people are losing their jobs. I get that some mortgages have adjusted up making payments higher and leading people to get behind on their payments. But while I'm thinking this, I can't help but this "If you weren't so darned concerned with keeping up with the Jones', maybe you'd be far more capable of keeping up with your mortgage."
Like I said, I'm cynical. I just have the hardest time listening to these people whine and even caring. I keep thinking... you did it to yourself. I mean... really, did you need to half or three-quarters of a million dollar home? Probably not. You wanted it. And what else did you not really need, but wanted and bought (often on credit) anyway? And now that you can't afford it, what, someone else is supposed to pay the cost of your self-indulgent want? I listen to "everyone" say that the economy stinks and life is hard. But really... should it be effecting the generally masses this much? I'm mean, the unemployment rate might be getting high, but last I check an 8% unemployment rate meant that 92% of Americans still have a job. Think about it for a second...
I know that some people really are hurting... some people really have lost their jobs and are struggling to make ends meet. But doesn't anyone plan for the rainy day anymore?
What if people set and actually lived on a budget? What if people purchased a house to meet their needs, as opposed to a house that fulfilled their every whim and made them look good the the neighbors? What if people had saved money towards things they wanted instead of putting it on a credit card or financing it? What if people planned to actually save money... planned for emergencies... had money socked away for the what ifs? Would any of this be an issue?
All I know is this: Brian and I don't make a lot of money. We qualify for some state assistance (WIC, and Allison is on CHIP). But what we make is enough. We budget it fairly meticulously, have enough to meet all of our needs and obligations, and even enough to fulfill some of our wants. We have a little money saved for just in case. And this "crisis" hasn't effected us (okay... it might be making getting a job post-graudation a little harder. And now we totally plan to save towards a 20% downpayment on a house, which delays us owning our own home).
Maybe the lesson in all of this is that we all need to follow sound wisdom: Live within your means, save for a rainy day and work (and save) for the things you want. Is it always fun? No. Is it instant gratification? Definantly not! But, it is safe, sound advice.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Daddy does my hair
Have you seen that onesie? I'm pretty sure its supposed to be a snarky excuse for why hair is undone, or messy or just plain makes you wonder.
In Allison's case, that onesie would be her bragging about how multi-talented her daddy is. Since Daddy stays with her in the morning, sometimes he does her hair (usually corresponds with the days that Allison gets dressed before noon). And I do have to say, daddy does a pretty good job with her hair. Take a look for yourself...
Sunday, February 1, 2009
And the winner is...
I used random.org to choose a number between 1 and 9 for me...
Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:9
Timestamp: 2009-02-01 22:43:03 UTC
Julie wins! You are on a lucky streak in the last few months. But, its kind of fitting. I mean, lets be honest... this is all Julie's fault anyway. =)
Anyway, here's one of the cards Julie will be getting...
Yes, I say one of them becuase I haven't acutally finished any of the other ones yet. Give me a break... I'm in my 33rd week of pregnancy and my swollen ankles can only take so much time sitting and crafting. That, and this kid of mine has decided to place his GIGANTIC (measuring 37 weeks already) head in my ribs, which makes sitting at all kind of hard.
Don't worry Julie... you'll get them eventually!
PS - the second and third numbers random.org picked for me were 7 and 1... so Kristi and April, if I show up with a set of cards for you, you'll know why. =)
Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:9
Timestamp: 2009-02-01 22:43:03 UTC
Julie wins! You are on a lucky streak in the last few months. But, its kind of fitting. I mean, lets be honest... this is all Julie's fault anyway. =)
Anyway, here's one of the cards Julie will be getting...
Yes, I say one of them becuase I haven't acutally finished any of the other ones yet. Give me a break... I'm in my 33rd week of pregnancy and my swollen ankles can only take so much time sitting and crafting. That, and this kid of mine has decided to place his GIGANTIC (measuring 37 weeks already) head in my ribs, which makes sitting at all kind of hard.
Don't worry Julie... you'll get them eventually!
PS - the second and third numbers random.org picked for me were 7 and 1... so Kristi and April, if I show up with a set of cards for you, you'll know why. =)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
