With the shop closing, there has been quite a bit of discussion about me going back to work. It is a painful thought for me. I enjoy working, I really do, I love interacting with others, and no matter what job I've held, I'm a hard worker who takes pride in what I do. What is so painful for me, is the thought of putting Norah in daycare, and adding to the responsibility of the older kids.
I've been blessed enough to stay home with the kids for several years. I believe it is worth every financial sacrifice we make as a family, and I will never regret not having certain "things" in return for staying with the kids. Don't get me wrong, I do not judge any parent that does make the choice to work, for whatever reason. We are all individuals, so I have no judgement when it comes to a parent's choice. It is all a challenge, no matter what choice you make.
A few years ago, when I was working, Heather, under little supervision was getting on myspace. I found the phone number of a person from myspace that had been contacting her. She believed he was 15 and lived in Maryland. I believe otherwise, especially after calling the number and hearing the adult voice. It was very scary, and eye-opening. This changed a lot of things in our home. I decided to leave my job, and I have never once regretted it.
We have made sacrifices. I was a Claims Adjuster and made a good living financially, but the peace of mind I have being a constant, active parent, is the title that I gladly wear now.
Now, back to the current situation. Our shop is closing, and we are going to be strapped for the next year due to my husband's career change. He has been pressuring me to go back to work, and I've been resisting. I don't want Heather to have all of the extra household responsibilities that will inevitably happen as a result of me not being here as much, plus, I'll be paying half my paycheck on gas and child care.
I've decided to start babysitting. I have come up with several options, and I am hoping to bring in at least $600 a month. This would tremendously help to pay our bills, and I will still be home with my kids as well. I posted an ad today on craigslist for babysitting, and I am hoping to meet some great parents and kids and this turns out well for us all. Click Here To View My Child Care Flyer
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Diabetes & Diet - getting off the insulin and taking the pill!
When Tim was first diagnosed with diabetes, he was hospitalized because his blood sugar was over 800. Normal blood sugar is around 100. Since that time, he has been insulin dependent. When he left the hospital, he was given the pill for Diabetes, Humilin and Lantus, and took 3 shots and 1 pill a day.
With diet, initially we were able to reduce the amount of insulin he was taking to 10 units of each per day, and he did away with the pill. Since, we have been trying to get the class A CDL for over the road truck driving, we realized, he'd have to come off the insulin altogether.
Tim has been working really hard on following the exchange system for several weeks. After his doctor's appointment Monday, we are going to be able to get off the insulin all together. I'm so happy his diabetes should not present a problem to obtaining an over the road job.
I say "we" a lot I've noticed while writing about his diabetes. This is truly a disease that effects the whole family. I can no longer just cook without thinking about a diabetics diet. I can no longer enjoy drinking a coke, without thinking how that effects the picture as a whole. It truly is a challenge.
With diet, initially we were able to reduce the amount of insulin he was taking to 10 units of each per day, and he did away with the pill. Since, we have been trying to get the class A CDL for over the road truck driving, we realized, he'd have to come off the insulin altogether.
Tim has been working really hard on following the exchange system for several weeks. After his doctor's appointment Monday, we are going to be able to get off the insulin all together. I'm so happy his diabetes should not present a problem to obtaining an over the road job.
I say "we" a lot I've noticed while writing about his diabetes. This is truly a disease that effects the whole family. I can no longer just cook without thinking about a diabetics diet. I can no longer enjoy drinking a coke, without thinking how that effects the picture as a whole. It truly is a challenge.
We are closing the shop!
Well, as many of you know, it has been a rough year for us. We stepped out on blind faith to open the shop, and it has been about 10 months and we have decided to close our doors. This will be our last month at Exhaust Pro & Auto Center.
This was not an easy choice, but after a lot of thought and prayerful consideration, we have decided it is the best decision for our family.
Tim has diabetes as many know, and we pay an arm and a leg for health insurance every month. In the last year we had to drop coverage on the family and just leave it on Tim because we could not afford it otherwise. Every year, the cost of the insurance has rose considerably since he developed diabetes. My husband is not overweight, maybe 15 pounds, but definately not obese. Diabetes runs in his family and he became insulin dependent about 2 years ago. Not only is the insurance outrageous, but his medications are $110 a month, even with insurance.
It has been very stressful and worrisome not having health coverage. Furthermore, with a diagnosis of diabetes it is difficult to obtain any decent amount of life insurance.
Tim had been toying with the idea of driving a truck over the road for some time. He asked me how I felt about it, and I've researched it quite a bit. He does not want to stay over the road permanently, but he will need a good year of good experience to obtain a good regional job after he gains the experience. There are many great large companies, that offer excellent family benefits at an affordable price, so this is the route we've decided to go.
This was not an easy choice, but after a lot of thought and prayerful consideration, we have decided it is the best decision for our family.
Tim has diabetes as many know, and we pay an arm and a leg for health insurance every month. In the last year we had to drop coverage on the family and just leave it on Tim because we could not afford it otherwise. Every year, the cost of the insurance has rose considerably since he developed diabetes. My husband is not overweight, maybe 15 pounds, but definately not obese. Diabetes runs in his family and he became insulin dependent about 2 years ago. Not only is the insurance outrageous, but his medications are $110 a month, even with insurance.
It has been very stressful and worrisome not having health coverage. Furthermore, with a diagnosis of diabetes it is difficult to obtain any decent amount of life insurance.
Tim had been toying with the idea of driving a truck over the road for some time. He asked me how I felt about it, and I've researched it quite a bit. He does not want to stay over the road permanently, but he will need a good year of good experience to obtain a good regional job after he gains the experience. There are many great large companies, that offer excellent family benefits at an affordable price, so this is the route we've decided to go.
Excellent BOGO deals at Kroger on SkinCare
I was in Kroger on Monday soing my grocery shopping. I am getting better at couponing with every visit. I had my list prepared with my coupons, and I brought my coupon box along in case there were any unadvertised sales I had coupons for. Boy, am I glad I brought my coupons with me! L'Oreal skincare which normally goes for $16.97 was all on sale Buy 1 get 1 Free, not only that I had 2 coupons for $3.00/1, which I used 2. I got about $35 worth of great skincare moisturizers and their eye cream for $11. Also, Clearisil was BOGO, and I used 2 $2/1 coupons, I bought some cleansers for my teenager for about $5, got $14 worth of product!
I saved over $60 on my visit to Kroger, almost 1/2 of my total. I was prepared, and I stocked up on sale items. This was my best grocery visit since I've started couponing. I got a weeks worth of groceries and tons of household items and skincare for $65.00 out of pocket for my family of 5!! Yay me!!
I saved over $60 on my visit to Kroger, almost 1/2 of my total. I was prepared, and I stocked up on sale items. This was my best grocery visit since I've started couponing. I got a weeks worth of groceries and tons of household items and skincare for $65.00 out of pocket for my family of 5!! Yay me!!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Deals in the Sunday paper this week
There were 2 coupon inserts in this Sunday's paper, one from RedPlum and one from SmartSource. Make sure you pick up the paper to take advantage of the coupon savings.
CVS, in the Nashville area, is testing a new circular, so it wasn't in the paper, you can view it at http://www.cvs.com/, go to store circular. These deals will only be good until Thursday if you are wanting to take advantage of their sales this week. They really didn't excite me, but here is what I'll be purchasing:
CVS, in the Nashville area, is testing a new circular, so it wasn't in the paper, you can view it at http://www.cvs.com/, go to store circular. These deals will only be good until Thursday if you are wanting to take advantage of their sales this week. They really didn't excite me, but here is what I'll be purchasing:
Revlon makeup BOGO w/ 2 $2/1 coupons from past insert
Pepsi products (actually, Diet Mt. Dew) 12 packs buy 4 at $2.75 get 1 free, final cost $2.20 each
Scotch mailing supplies for eBay, BOGO
Oral B Indicator toothbrush - $1.99, $.99 ERB, coupon $1/2
Maybeline Colossal Volume Express mascara, $2 ERB, $1/1 coupon
Glade Air Freshener $0.88, coupon, B1G1 = $0.44 each
Walgreen's has some great sales this week. Here is my plan at Walgreen's:
Filler Paper, in store coupon $0.39, limit 3
PaperMate Pens & Mechanical Pencils-10 pack, $0.39 in store coupon, Limit 3
B1G1 Free Multipurpose Paper for computer - $2.99/2
Sticky Notes (generic Post Its) $0.39 - Limit 2
Several School supplies (too many to list) - $0.39 each
Scotch Paper Bubble Mailer $0.39 - Limit 6
Pure American Water Bottles - 23 oz. - $0.39 - Limit 3
Dixie Paper Plate B1G1 (in store coupon) - use 2 $0.35/1 coupons
Air Wick Scented Oil Refills 2/$5 - use $1/2 coupon
Air Wick Warmer Free Coupon w/ purchase of Refill
Ban B1G1 Free - use 2 $0.50/1 coupon
Dove B1G1 Free, use 2 $2/1 coupons = $0.49 each, (this shampoo smells so good!)
Aquarium Restaurant has a great coupon for $10 off purchase of $25 or more, also there is a B1G1 Free Admission to Stingray Reef.
OfficeMax, Power of the Penny Sale:
#2 Pencils, 12 Pack - $0.10 Limit 2
Spiral 1-Subject Notebooks, 70 ct. - $0.10 Limit 10
Elmer's School Glue - $0.01 Limit 3
Crayola Crayons, 24 pack - $0.20 - Limit 2
Poly Folder/Portfolio - 2 pocket $0.25 - Limit 2
Bic Round Stic Pens - 12 ct. $0.25 - Limit 2
K-Mart, all apparel & accessories on sale B1G1 50% off, excludes clearance. Also, Revlon foundation, powder, concealer or blush is B1G1 Free.
These are the great deals I found this week, let me know what you find!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Free Nashville Event - Family Day @ the Frist
Visit Frist Center for the Visual Arts on 919 Broadway, Nashville on Sunday, August 17th for a free Family Day. From the hours of 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. you can visit all exhibits at Frist, including Tiffany By Design, Shades of Gray: Four Artist of the Southeast and much more. There will also me hands-on art activities, music and performances to enjoy. This is a great free event your family can enjoy in Nashville.
For more information visit: www.fristcenter.org
For more information visit: www.fristcenter.org
Poor Donelson Warriors - Single C lost again!
Well, we suffered another loss today. Luckily, we didn't suffer as bad as last week, the score was 14-0, LaVergne's favor. Today is the Jamboree so several different leagues will be playing at the Donelson Warriors field. Admission is $5.00, pretty steep, but it covers the officials fees for the year.
My boy's team, the single C's, are all first year players, they are getting better every week, and I'm really proud of them. Good try boys!!! We'll get 'em next time!
My boy's team, the single C's, are all first year players, they are getting better every week, and I'm really proud of them. Good try boys!!! We'll get 'em next time!
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