It's a Jolly Holiday with LL. *FINISHED* Final Update on pg. 58.

[TarzansKat]

Thank you for the complements , I'm so glad you liked the pics. I got a bit carried away and nearly posted a pic of Niamh with Dale where they look like they've been separated at birth...then I remembered that the reason I was posting pics was to show off the WL and not to amuse myself

You know, I'm sure LL wouldn't mind!
It's hard not to be enthusiastic about family photos! Speaking of which, you updated your siggie! My does your daughter look so grown up!!!

 

[2ScottishPrincesses]

I have been reworking our itinerary and also my must do lists for each park, hopefully I can post something more tonight.

 

[Lady Lallie]

Thank you for the complements , I'm so glad you liked the pics. I got a bit carried away and nearly posted a pic of Niamh with Dale where they look like they've been separated at birth...then I remembered that the reason I was posting pics was to show off the WL and not to amuse myself

Post Them! Post Them!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I cannot wait for your trip! I can't wait to hear about all those firsts. You're going to have so much fun. Just remember, while your mind is wandering...focus on the road! JK, I always think about vacation in the car, working out, at work....well, pretty much all the time!

Thanks! It's going to be so much fun.
I am a great multi tasker

 

[TarzansKat]

Thanks! It's going to be so much fun.
I am a great multi tasker

Didn't you know?

Multi-tasking is in the woman's handbook!

 

[2ScottishPrincesses]

Post Them! Post Them!

I don't need any encouragement...I'm not very good with boundries

What do you think...separated at birth or what ?

[

Okay last one I promise

Sorry if I bored you all....I'm finished now cross my heart.

The new pic of Becci in my siggie was taken when she had a make over and photoshoot last saturday. It was a present from her aunt and uncle for her 12th birthday....yes you did read that correctly her 12th BIRRTHDAY bet you're glad you've got a boy TK

 

[Lady Lallie]

Didn't you know?

Multi-tasking is in the woman's handbook!

It's so true! Last night I was feeling icky so I decided to take a shower when I got home. Since the washer was free in the laundry room, I asked DF to start a load and start dinner. I got out of the shower and he was still "gathering" laundry and wandering around the apartment like he was lost. Dinner wasn't started either! The ball was rolling quickly after I corrected the situation.

 

[Lady Lallie]

Your family is so beautiful! I can't believe she is only 12, I thought about 15. Yikes!

 

[TarzansKat]

It's so true! Last night I was feeling icky so I decided to take a shower when I got home. Since the washer was free in the laundry room, I asked DF to start a load and start dinner. I got out of the shower and he was still "gathering" laundry and wandering around the apartment like he was lost. Dinner wasn't started either! The ball was rolling quickly after I corrected the situation.

I should count myself lucky in that DH is excellent with laundry and cleaning. He also is a better cook than I am, but usually that task falls to me because I'm home earlier. Ah well...every now and then I get really, really good Italian food. That's okay though, I'm the baker of the family. I love, love, love to bake. So if you ever eat at my place when DH cooks and I make dessert...yum, yum! Can you tell I'm hungry right now?

Your family is so beautiful! I can't believe she is only 12, I thought about 15. Yikes!

12!

YIKES!

Wow...you know, in some ways, I would love to have a girl, and in other ways it makes me

 

[2ScottishPrincesses]

Your family is so beautiful! I can't believe she is only 12, I thought about 15. Yikes!

Thank you, I don't know how I ended up with tall skinny girls when I'm wee and....ahem rubenesque One of God's funny little joke I guess .

Yes Becci looks A LOT older than 12....Donny's having kitten's anytime she talks to boys at the moment, I'm afraid it all goes with the territory

 

[Lady Lallie]

I should count myself lucky in that DH is excellent with laundry and cleaning. He also is a better cook than I am, but usually that task falls to me because I'm home earlier. Ah well...every now and then I get really, really good Italian food. That's okay though, I'm the baker of the family. I love, love, love to bake. So if you ever eat at my place when DH cooks and I make dessert...yum, yum! Can you tell I'm hungry right now?

What is your favorite thing to bake?
DF is a very good cook! He cooks most of the time but I have certain meals that I make. We are having takeout tonight.
There is a dog in the next building over from mine and I saw him out today and it reminded me of you...why you ask!? His name is Captain Jack! Hehehe. He is the cutest little thing and I have talked to his owner before and they named him after Capt Jack Sparrow. I told him their next pet should be Barbossa. Pirates are everywhere!

 

[TarzansKat]

What is your favorite thing to bake?
DF is a very good cook! He cooks most of the time but I have certain meals that I make. We are having takeout tonight.

DH asked if I wanted takeout Chinese last night. It sounded sooooo good, but I am trying really hard to stick to a budget. We've had a barage of medical bills hit lately since we haven't hit our deductible yet, and although we have the money, I'm trying to cut out the frivolous expenses for a little bit. (And no, my cookie dough doesn't count.)

There is a dog in the next building over from mine and I saw him out today and it reminded me of you...why you ask!? His name is Captain Jack! Hehehe. He is the cutest little thing and I have talked to his owner before and they named him after Capt Jack Sparrow. I told him their next pet should be Barbossa. Pirates are everywhere!

Awww...they named the dog Jack.

That's so great.

Oh, and favorite thing to bake...gosh...

I love to try new things. But I would have to say that my favorite things to bake are bread from scratch, because I love the way it smells (and tastes), and cookies, because I love sneaking bites of the raw dough!

 

[Lady Lallie]

DH asked if I wanted takeout Chinese last night. It sounded sooooo good, but I am trying really hard to stick to a budget. We've had a barage of medical bills hit lately since we haven't hit our deductible yet, and although we have the money, I'm trying to cut out the frivolous expenses for a little bit. (And no, my cookie dough doesn't count.)



Awww...they named the dog Jack.

That's so great.

Oh, and favorite thing to bake...gosh...

I love to try new things. But I would have to say that my favorite things to bake are bread from scratch, because I love the way it smells (and tastes), and cookies, because I love sneaking bites of the raw dough!

Mmmmm...I really want cookie dough. We go out or have takeout about once a week, we used to be really bad about it but we have cut way down. It's such a waste of money but it's nice to do. I was doing really well on a budget before the wedding and then you are at the craft store or wherever spending lots of money so what's $20 more? I want to get back on a strict budget in July.....though me purchasing crocs today didn't help! I went online and found two pairs for $50 with discounts so I decided to go for it, I have wanted some for a long time and if I don't like them I can return them for free.

 

[TarzansKat]

Mmmmm...I really want cookie dough. We go out or have takeout about once a week, we used to be really bad about it but we have cut way down. It's such a waste of money but it's nice to do. I was doing really well on a budget before the wedding and then you are at the craft store or wherever spending lots of money so what's $20 more? I want to get back on a strict budget in July.....though me purchasing crocs today didn't help! I went online and found two pairs for $50 with discounts so I decided to go for it, I have wanted some for a long time and if I don't like them I can return them for free.

In all seriousness, would you let me know how you like the Crocs? I now only wear Merrells which have unbelievable support, but I'm intrigued by all the people who swear by Crocs.

I totally understand about takeout. We used to do it a lot, too, and it was so nice. But since I've made a budget, I try to save our indulgent takeout splurges for towards the end of the month if I know we have a little extra money kicking around. Now, however, that extra kicking money will be kicking its way over to my vacation savings for my lovely Wilderness Lodge fiesta! Last month was just a bad month budget wise. It seemed like everything hit all at once, car insurance, medical bills, etc, etc. Ah well. It's a new month, we start over.

 

[Lady Lallie]

In all seriousness, would you let me know how you like the Crocs? I now only wear Merrells which have unbelievable support, but I'm intrigued by all the people who swear by Crocs.

I will let you know. I am very intrigued by them, have been since they came out. I ordered a cute pair of the mary jane ones and flip flops so not the originals ones but I have to have some kind of girlishness to them. My mom swears by Merrells and she bought the croc flip flops last year and even convinced my dad to wear them and they both love them. She has problems with her ankles too, so they must be supportive for her.

I totally understand about takeout. We used to do it a lot, too, and it was so nice. But since I've made a budget, I try to save our indulgent takeout splurges for towards the end of the month if I know we have a little extra money kicking around. Now, however, that extra kicking money will be kicking its way over to my vacation savings for my lovely Wilderness Lodge fiesta! Last month was just a bad month budget wise. It seemed like everything hit all at once, car insurance, medical bills, etc, etc. Ah well. It's a new month, we start over.

That's all you can do, start over. DF needs tires and some work done to his truck, bleck. I am not looking forward to that, we are trying to baby it until after the wedding. I am famous for doing really well and kicking booty on the budget and I deprive myself for so long that I crack and then go hog wild and undermine the months of hard work. I am trying a new approach of balance and so far it is working but it will be the real test when I get more serious in July.

 

[TarzansKat]

I will let you know. I am very intrigued by them, have been since they came out. I ordered a cute pair of the mary jane ones and flip flops so not the originals ones but I have to have some kind of girlishness to them. My mom swears by Merrells and she bought the croc flip flops last year and even convinced my dad to wear them and they both love them. She has problems with her ankles too, so they must be supportive for her.

Wow, that's interesting that your mom finds them so supportive. I have actually looked at the flip flop style. They have a very cute one now on shoebuy.com that is fabric on top, and there's a patterned black and white I like. Just not sure if I'm ready to take the Croc plunge.

I am famous for doing really well and kicking booty on the budget and I deprive myself for so long that I crack and then go hog wild and undermine the months of hard work.

I am so similar! I do really, really, really well, and then I have a bad month. But, I am so much better than I was last year, and that's good to me. I've gotten so much better about discretionary spending. I don't know if you've ever taken a look at the Budget Board, but sometimes there's some excellent threads over there.

 

[Lady Lallie]

Wow, that's interesting that your mom finds them so supportive. I have actually looked at the flip flop style. They have a very cute one now on shoebuy.com that is fabric on top, and there's a patterned black and white I like. Just not sure if I'm ready to take the Croc plunge.

I'll double check with her but I don't remember her complaining. She is very sensitive in her ankles. She sprained them both very badly...at the same time...after she told ME to watch my step because I was a klutz. "The last thing we need Leslie is for you to fall and miss the boat." Next thing I know she is on the ground. We missed the boat. Can we say, Karma?
I saw the black and white ones, I bought the charcoal ones with the lighter blue but they have fabric up top as well. My mom got really excited when she saw the fabric strap ones at the store last week.

I am so similar! I do really, really, really well, and then I have a bad month. But, I am so much better than I was last year, and that's good to me. I've gotten so much better about discretionary spending. I don't know if you've ever taken a look at the Budget Board, but sometimes there's some excellent threads over there.

That's where I found the coupon for shoebuy! I have been sneaking over there a bit. I want to concentrate on doing better grocery shopping and getting more bang for our buck. My goal is to get DF's smaller student loan paid off by next tax time as well. It's at about $1,000 so it's very feasible to do. We really want to start trying to have kids and the less debt like that I have to worry about the better. But I also realized this year that we still need to have fun and not deprive ourselves. Granted...two vacations within two months of each other...ehh. We deserve it, we have never been on vacation together so I am really excited...another first!

 

[TarzansKat]

We missed the boat. Can we say, Karma?

Okay, I don't mean for this to be in bad taste, but
Seriously, sounds like something I would do!

I saw the black and white ones, I bought the charcoal ones with the lighter blue but they have fabric up top as well. My mom got really excited when she saw the fabric strap ones at the store last week.

If you feel up to it, post a pic when you get them and let me know how you like them.

That's where I found the coupon for shoebuy! I have been sneaking over there a bit. I want to concentrate on doing better grocery shopping and getting more bang for our buck. My goal is to get DF's smaller student loan paid off by next tax time as well. It's at about $1,000 so it's very feasible to do.

I knew you and I had a lot in common but, sheesh! Our main get out of debt goals is DH's student loan. Our payments were up around $400 a month. Yup, you heard that right. I've now gotten them down to about $233, and they caught on to me and lowered the payment (trying to get my interest, little boogers) but I still keep paying $233. $400 was ridiculous for us, we weren't able to save any money. Our budget is very tight, especially since we have a little one.

And as far as grocery shopping goes, the best advice I can give you is to cost compare between a couple of stores if possible. I have narrowed my shopping down to two different stores, and after about 6 months - a year, I finally have a concept of what "good" sale prices are. Not scam ones, good ones. EDIT: Actually, scratch that. If you're wondering if something is a good sale price, just ask me! At this point, I'm like an encyclopedia of what is reasonable to pay for groceries. LOL!

We really want to start trying to have kids and the less debt like that I have to worry about the better.

I can't recommend this highly enough. You will be absolutely amazed at how much children really cost. And I don't say that to discourage you, I say that, because I really had no concept. It is totally doable, and affordable, but you have to be financially savvy, and I highly recommend getting rid of whatever you can beforehand. You will feel so much better.

We have debated whether or not...well, actually, I have debated whether or not to have another child. I would love a bigger family, DH would have like one yesterday, but financially we are so not there. It is very frustrating, because this not what I always pictured my life would be. But then, I remember, hey, I have a good life, and a healthy family, what am I complaining about? That's a sad human nature, we always want more.

 

[Lady Lallie]

Okay, I don't mean for this to be in bad taste, but
Seriously, sounds like something I would do!

It was funny, it was hysterical actually.

If you feel up to it, post a pic when you get them and let me know how you like them.

Of course!

I knew you and I had a lot in common but, sheesh! Our main get out of debt goals is DH's student loan. Our payments were up around $400 a month. Yup, you heard that right. I've now gotten them down to about $233, and they caught on to me and lowered the payment (trying to get my interest, little boogers) but I still keep paying $233. $400 was ridiculous for us, we weren't able to save any money. Our budget is very tight, especially since we have a little one.

We have three between us, totaling $300. I made my payments lower, they won't be paid until 2019 but to just get DF's gone would make me happy.

And as far as grocery shopping goes, the best advice I can give you is to cost compare between a couple of stores if possible. I have narrowed my shopping down to two different stores, and after about 6 months - a year, I finally have a concept of what "good" sale prices are. Not scam ones, good ones. EDIT: Actually, scratch that. If you're wondering if something is a good sale price, just ask me! At this point, I'm like an encyclopedia of what is reasonable to pay for groceries. LOL!

I can't recommend this highly enough. You will be absolutely amazed at how much children really cost. And I don't say that to discourage you, I say that, because I really had no concept. It is totally doable, and affordable, but you have to be financially savvy, and I highly recommend getting rid of whatever you can beforehand. You will feel so much better.

We have debated whether or not...well, actually, I have debated whether or not to have another child. I would love a bigger family, DH would have like one yesterday, but financially we are so not there. It is very frustrating, because this not what I always pictured my life would be. But then, I remember, hey, I have a good life, and a healthy family, what am I complaining about? That's a sad human nature, we always want more.

They are expensive. I can't believe what some of my coworkers pay for childcare. With DF working overnight, we are hoping to work out opposite schedules so we won't have too, at least not full time. I know if we wait until we are financially ready we will be too old to have kids, I just want to be smart about it.

Side note...DF is having his weekly chat with MIL right now and I want to put my earplugs in...just listening to him talk to her is frustrating at this point.

 

[TarzansKat]

We have three between us, totaling $300. I made my payments lower, they won't be paid until 2019 but to just get DF's gone would make me happy.

Good for you. I have a small one as well, under $60 a month, and I'll be paying that till the cows come home because the interest rate is awesome! DH's are between 7-7.5%. They used to be close to 9% but with prime dropping, that's sort of worked in our favor. Still though.

They are expensive. I can't believe what some of my coworkers pay for childcare. With DF working overnight, we are hoping to work out opposite schedules so we won't have too, at least not full time. I know if we wait until we are financially ready we will be too old to have kids, I just want to be smart about it.

I just want you to know that I do not at all mean to come off as preachy. I just am so open about my experiences, because I hope that if my "wisdom", if it may be called such, can help someone else out, then things I've gone through will be even more worth it. There's so many things I didn't know, or realize, and I'm just so happy to share.

I am very lucky that I work part time, and my mother watches DS for me. Actually, it's become a whole family affair. My mom does her business out of my nana's house, so when she needs to go to work, my nana comes over and stays with DS till my mom is done. I am so lucky. If you can swing the opposite schedules thing, good for you. A lot of people do it, and I applaud them. It seems hard, but totally worth it.

Side note...DF is having his weekly chat with MIL right now and I want to put my earplugs in...just listening to him talk to her is frustrating at this point.

Usually my DH will go in a different room. If not, I do.