I'd highly recommend an all inclusive resort over it.
ITA!!! 
First off, you are one smart cookie!
I think I will do this. I think I will vomit when I see how much money we save at first, but I think it is an amazing idea! Thank you so much!!!!!
What is the pantry challenge. I think I missed that somehow????
SO, how was the kitchen?
I remembered why tonight I gave it up. I"m trying to cook, the kids are hanging on me screaming, running, crying. Man, all the money I save is going to go straight to Vodka, I sware! (just kidding.... maybe!)
The pantry challenge is something Debbie posted awhile back. It was a "challenge" to not buy anything for the pantry or freezer when you go to the store, instead, try to get creative and use up all your pantry and freezer stuff. The only thing you can buy at the store is dairy, produce, etc. I cheat a little bit, like buying cereal and other breakfast stuff, but it has really helped me to clean out my pantry. I found that I had 5 cans of cream of mushroom soup!!! So one night I made pork chops in the crock pot and just dumped in a can of soup. One down, 4 to go.... Then last night Ally really wanted spaghetti, we had the meat in the freezer, a jar of Ragu in the pantry, plus 1/4 box of thin spaghetti and 1/4 box of angel hair pasta, all gone now! The reason you spent $15 was because you didn't have that reserve. Meat is so expensive down here that when chicken breasts or ground chuck go on sale, we buy a TON of it and put it in the garage freezer. So we usually have at least that kind of meat on hand. And like I said, my pantry was so full of stuff, I mean there's cranberry sauce in there from Thanksgiving!!!! And 6 different boxes of pasta!
So it really helps to try to do this.... I did it for about 4 weeks and honestly only spent about $100 on groceries in that month! And we'd just eat out once a week.
Did Jeff clean up last night? Kinda. He loaded the dishwasher, but just won't wipe down the counters. And you're right, he won't clean because he knows that I will do it. That is the part that upsets me so much. I told him that when he does that he is being disrespectful and "using" me. He rolled his eyes. HOnestly, his dad is the same way so he's taught Jeff that it's not his job to clean house, etc. And he cut the grass last night, but didn't edge or trim. As usual.
Then my SIL called last night. Everything Jeff said to her, she one upped him. He was talking about our outdoor patio/summer kitchen project, she then proceeds to tell him about all this landscaping they're having done... all the while crying "poor." Then he mentions the heat down here, and she goes on about how much hotter it is up there. I think this was the first time that he was really bitter when he got off the phone. Oh, and I asked him where my $35 is that she still owes us for the gift for their parents? Jeff said he thinks they are just going to plant a tree in my honor in their new landscaping. Not funny. It's $35 - but it's the principal. Hmmm, I think I'll email her today.
Tina - I swear I think Ally is 7 going on 17 - she's already driving me crazy with the clothes, the hair, the nailpolish. And the little attitude!
Debbie - where are you????
Laura - How is Beth today?
Cammie - what I was thinking about DVC is that since we usually go on the weekends now that we're so close, we'd be using up points so fast, and we don't usually do deluxe anyway..... like this year, as a "typical" year, we spent 6 nights at POP - $600, then 2 nights at POR $360, then 3 nights at YC - $750, then 2 nights at CSR $300. Total nights 13 - $2000. And the stay at YC is not typical, so we're talking about $1200-$1300 on resort in a year. I don't think I could get 10 nights (including that many weekends!) out of 150 DVC points, and then justify the $13000 to buy in, plus around $750/year in maintenance costs. Know what I mean? When I figured it out before, to buy into BCV or BWV we would need 180 points for that. So there's another $2500 to buy in, plus another $150/year. I think if we're ever in a position to do this, we'd have to do some serious number crunching.
Then after an hour the girls started fighting in the pool. WHY? So I pulled them both out put them both in timeout and then had to hear DD9 ask why she couldn't go in the house to veg infront of the TV for the rest of the day.
hello it's gorgeous outside, enjoy the sun. Why do you want to drain your brain in front of the TV?
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As for the trip, what about ordering a free video for "just the two of us" vacations? Carlos hates the idea of taking the kids, but so many people have told him about the golf, dining, drinking/no driving, things to do that he thinks it would be more fun than Vegas. You know what you can/can't bring up - but I've not met too many people who enjoyed being out to see and having just short ports. I'd highly recommend an all inclusive resort over it. ME TOO! We had spagetti tonight, although meat, pasta, sauce, bread and noodles set me back $15. WTH????
Still coughing though, but it's getting better.
I don't know if you have Kirklands there, but a couple years ago I got a great set of lamps there in a tropical feel. LOVE THEM - like $29 for the set - steal! But.. I think the look will be great - just do airy curtains if you do curtains to pull it together. I think the dark wood will be great - just try to find a distressed look. Hummm.... what about looking online at resorts for the area you like. They will probably show rooms and might give you ideas???? Just a thought.
