Budgeting Software Needed

I hate tax time! Every year we get a couple of thousand back from the federal return, but we also end up paying several hundred for the state return. This on top of the already "CHOKING" property tax is going to send us to the poor house! I know there is the whole 'Welfare' package coming in May and I'm really going to have to look into a budget software in order to make it last as long as we can as well as cover every need that we have as well! It really isn't so hard living within our means. We don't have any credit card debt. Both of our cars are paid for. We have a mortgage and that is it! Yet with taxes alone, we are in the poor house! How do other Americans do it when they are drowning in debt on top of the taxes?

Hopefully The End

I just got off the phone with my mother in law. Good news finally! My nephew has been in and out of jail and drug rehabilitation for several years now. He keeps getting back into the drug scene and his father keeps reporting him. I don't blame him, I really do want the best for this boy. But at the same time, he is on his final shot. One more relapse, and he's in prison to finish out his 2 year sentence. I'm not sure I could turn him in with that staring at me. Anyway, enough about me! This boy is out of rehab, and back into a halfway house. He seems to be doing really well and is currently working two jobs. In the last halfway house he was in school and doing really well. This current one doesn't offer schooling, but hopefully when he is out in a month or two, he can get himself back into school. I'm so hopeful for him again, but at the same time, we've been here before. Send him "happy thoughts" if you could!

Heading To Branson!!

I have often heard of Branson, Missouri. My in laws own property there and used to visit quite often. That was before we moved to Chicago, and since the move 6 years ago, we have never even seen the Branson property! It's really not that far of a drive, and with so much fun and entertainment to be had, I'm really starting to wonder if I shouldn't just plan a trip--and then have everyone coordinate their schedules to come along. If they can't, I'm thinking it would be perfect for our little family. Of course, I would want to take part in the nightlife, so I may need to bring a babysitter along as well. But really, other than living right next door--you can't get much more convenient than Chicago!

Loving The "Tech" World

In the high tech world, there are so many things that I would love to own. Honestly, I'd take my own computer for starters. But since I've been traveling so much recently I would love to own a laptop with a mobile router rather than having to constantly rent one. I believe if you add up all of my rental fees, I would have paid for one by now. Sad thought! I should probably start with baby steps and find a nice cell phone to begin with. Yes, I know, I'm the last living person in the world without one!

Hitting Vegas!!

I find it funny. In my life I have lived 6 hours outside of Vegas to the North---or 4 hours outside of Vegas to the South. During each of these stints of existence, I didn't make it to Vegas very often. Now that I'm living 1500 miles away--I seem to be making plans involving conventions, gambling, rodeo's and hotels Las Vegas! It costs far more for me to get out there now than it used to, and yet I never took advantage of it! This past week I was able to be there for a huge food convention, and like every other time--it was AWESOME!!

Kid In A Candy Store

I had a good laugh at my husband over the weekend. I've been starting some "Spring Cleaning" projects and asked him while he was out to pick me up some razor blades. I've been working on the windows and there is some goop squinched into the corners that I'd like to scrape out. He makes it home a few hours later (never can get a 'quick trip' out of him when he goes to the Home Depot)and instead of getting me plain old, run of the mill, scrape goop off of glass razor blades...he brought me box cutter! Now hey, I will admit, I can get pretty crafty with the tools I have on hand, but for this moment...it just wouldn't do! So I sent him back--which is what I think he had planned all along!

A Winter Calamity

As we were driving out of the cul de sac this past weekend we noticed that our neighbors trampoline had bit the dust. They leave it up and together all year long, and this year with all of the snow, the frame finally buckled. It's a death that is just killing my kids! There is nothing in this world they want more than a real life, BIG trampoline--not the mini trampoline we have in the basement. Although, I have to say--they adored that thing for the longest time. But as with all things--they've grown up to bigger ideas of fun! I'm not sure I would ever get a full sized trampoline--both my husband and I were hurt when we were younger jumping on them...it's a wonder we are both still around!

"Wild Man" Off The Market

There is a man at my husbands hotel that is finally getting married. We aren't really sure where he met this woman, but she must be amazing if Doug is willing to settle down. He is a wild man! He's always been so much fun because he's so crazy! He's the type of guy that would have a beer pong table in his living room. We've been invited to the wedding, and my husband even a garnered an invitation to the Bachelor Party (so not sure he's allowed to go!!), but I'm just stumped as to what to get them. Do you go traditional? Do you go wild and crazy? Do you go the easy out with cash?? Honestly, I'm just praying that they register because I'm clueless!

Sick Kids

We have had a house full of S.I.C.K.!! It seems never ending at times, but honestly yesterday was the worst! The flooring in the kids room, the hallway, the kitchen and the entire bathroom have been plastered! I'm about ready to burn the joint down, and start from scratch! But even that is too much work for this overworked body!! Maybe I'll just invent some self cleaning bathroom fixtures and call it good!

The hubby and I have been lucky thus far, but I have to tell you, I just talked to him and he isn't feeling so hot! Here we go again!

Past & Present!!

A few months ago we were over at my husbands grandparents home helping his parents clean it out. The fun thing about cleaning out these types of homes is the history you find deep inside. There was depression glass, antique toys and these little old fashioned espresso contraptions. They were so amazing in a couple of ways. One-they didn't look like they would actually work--even when they were new, and two, they were in perfect condition. These were older than my mother in law, and there wasn't a scratch on them. We've visited my mother in laws house since then and have seen these little things sitting on the top ledge of her stove. She love espresso, but hasn't figured out how to work them. Kind of funny. She has these two cool little things, but for her birthday in a couple of weeks we are looking at modern espresso machines for her. One that comes with directions anyway.

It's Tax Time!!

Have you gotten your taxes done yet? Many people go for it early--but we wait just a bit. Not only does that keep our return out of our reach of spending it--you never know just what kind of deductions you can find lying around your house or under the car cover in the back yard! Many people already know that you can make a car donation to CarAngel.com, but not many realize just what this non-profit organization does with the money they receive from the transaction. Here's just a glimpse at one of the video's they make for teens and young people. So far, they've made over 2.4 million of these videos.

Alcohol Rehab

My nephew was finally moved out of jail and into a brand new rehab facility. Well, I guess it's been about three weeks, because he will move out of rehab and into the half way house next week. We are so hopeful for him this time. There are actually counselors that are helping him deal with all of his demons. He went in for alcohol rehab, but is also getting some grief counseling--and honestly--I think that will be the one thing that keeps him out of trouble!

Mission To Argentina

We have a nephew who is getting ready to head out on a mission. That means he will be out of the country for 2 years. These are very common around our hometown--but people in Illinois are shocked to hear about them. This young 19 year old is heading to Argentina and with the rugged terrain--I honestly think he's going to need some pretty tough luggage. You know Swiss Army or something just as durable. He will be fluent in Spanish when he gets home but will be mature beyond his 21 years! It's a sad/happy/proud moment for his family--and we wish him the best!

Spring Cleaning

Do you ever get in the mode of Spring Cleaning? I don't know why they call it that--I generally get it as I'm putting Christmas away. That's a mere 2 weeks into winter--it's not even Mid-Winter cleaning! Today I worked in the Master Bedroom. Our dressers are out of control! Who knew I kept my chemises in my husbands t-shirt drawer! Tomorrow I will be working in the garage. I have the heater all lined up ready to keep me warm when it's nearly 20 degrees outside--but after that--I'm DONE! The house is looking great--and it's taken a few weeks, but when it's all done--it will be amazing!

He's Finally Trained

We are finally finished potty training! Brett just turned three--and amazingly enough--after 10 years of working with poop----I'm finally free of diapers and wipes! Can you even imagine how good that feels? He's got lots of cute little boy underpants to wear, and he's really excited about that--which is really fun to see. He still likes to collect stickers for every time he uses the toilet, but hey, for me--I'm happy to keep it up as long as he needs me to!

Trifecta Of The Worst Kind

I'm sure you've all seen by now--but the "Death Trifecta" has hit again. First there was Christopher Bowman, followed by Brad Renfro and now Heath Ledger. All of these guys were younger than 40 years old, and quite a bit younger than that. It's made me really think about our family and take stock of what we've got. We are older than most of these guys--and live relatively 'safe' lives. We carry car insurance, health insurance, home owners insurance--but nothing to protect our future. How sad is that! I really do need to start looking into some life insurance quotes. If something were to happen to one of us, it would leave the other with some mighty hefty responsibilities with four kids and a house to run!

She Moved To NYC

My sister in law just wrote on her blog about something terrible that has happened in her family. Actually--it's great for one member of the family--but the others are having a hard time with it. You see, her sister just moved from Utah, and is now ready to be counted among the New York movers and shakers! She got a great job in Manhattan and being a single lady--she was up for adventure. My sister in law is having a hard time with the thought of losing her sister to 2000 miles-but for Emily--she's in for some fun!

Traveling Smart

Some of you may remember that last November I traveled to Las Vegas and promptly got sick! Actually I was sick before I even got on the airplane, but because I had failed to purchase travel health insurance I couldn't afford to call the trip off. Most of the time when we travel we don't get this insurance and we've never really needed it. But when you are face down in a rented toilet bowl----my oh my, do you wish you'd purchased the coverage just to be home in your own bed!!

Boys And Balls

Why is it that kids must do the things you expressly tell them not to do? As with every other parent, in every other house, my kids can not walk and carry a ball at the same time. They must constantly toss it in the air or throw it to each other. Last week their harmless little game of catch caused quite a bit of destruction. They knocked a vase off of the mantle (it shattered), tipped over one of our air purifiers and left a big black spot on the wall above the couch! I've told them over and over if I see a ball in the air I will pop it in front of them, and I guess it's just time to live up to the threat!

Insurance Premium Time

January is always our month for insurance premiums. I think it would have been so much easier to space everything out, but in a way, it is nice because it's always the same. I just paid the yearly auto insurance, up next is the home insurance, and after the next paycheck we will take care of the life insurance. I don't mind paying it, and it does save money paying it all up front, but boy does it shatter my budget! We don't go overboard too much at Christmas, so it all works out just fine, but still, if we spread them out a bit it wouldn't be such a bitter pill to swallow every year!