Relaxing Sunday’s

Life is short, time in this body on this planet is not guaranteed; take time for the love (s) of your life!

Sunday is our hibernation day. We stay in our comfy clothes around the house, do small projects if any, run no errands and see no one but each other. We take the time for a long hot relaxing bath complete with smell good and candles. We always spend the evening, if not the day, in bed watching movies! We promise our time, our self to no one on Sunday, except each other.

It is ridiculous to feel guilty about this. Every person, every couple, every family needs this time together one day a week, that isn't too much to ask. Stop, breath, enjoy, catch up and settle down. The craziness can wait, life can wait. Take this time, cherish this time and make time for the person, people that makes it all worthwhile!

When you make your family your priority, it will be stronger and nothing but good can come from this! 

Banana Crazy

How did we live without Pinterest? 

While scrolling through I came to a post about Bananas and Acne. I know right, who knew these two things ever had anything to do with one another. The blogger explained rubbing a banana peel on your face 2xs a day helped heal, prevent and clear your skin from acne.

Yes, of course, I gave it a try. It instructed to rub the peel on your face where you have scaring and/or break outs until the peel turned black (about 5 minutes) let dry to a crust then wash off. So I incorporated this into my face washing routine. I wash my face, apply banana peel, wash off then use toner and apply spot treatment. I have to say I did notice a difference in the marks left behind from past pimples. They started fading fast! It’s been about a week now and I continue to see fading! Very Promising! 

Here is another bloggers post about it and the reason behind why it works: she suggest you leave it on longer and even over night. I have not tried that yet. 

http://naturesnurtureblog.com/2012/07/01/treat-acne-other-skin-conditions-with-banana-peels/

Click here (or copy and paste)  for some before and after photos from original blogger! 

http://blog.kanelstrand.com/2012/05/how-to-treat-acne-in-4-days-with-help.html

Breathe easy girls—these aren’t your momma’s elastic Wal-Mart “jeans”!

Jag Jeans are amazing! Jag jeans the only jeans where fashion and comfort meet!

 

Just like you, I was skeptical and didn’t expect much when I placed my first Jag Jean order. I am here to tell you take the chance, you will not be sorry! When I got my first pair in the mail and tried them on I literally said, out loud, “Where have these been all my life!” If you’re like me jeans that fit are hard to find and anything but comfortable. I hated the “bump” that showed from the top button but thought there was nothing I could do about it. All these problems and more are solved by Jag Jeans. They do not fit or look like your momma’s elastic Wal-Mart jeans. Ladies do not fear, no one will know!

I wear dark jeans and found the “after midnight” color to be perfect to be dresses up or down. These jeans really have the look and texture of real jeans! They do come up higher on the waist, which I love, think mom jeans with the top of your favorite yoga pants. They are great at hiding a slight belly without pinching, digging in or squeezing. This waist band really does a great job of keeping everything looking smooth under any top!

To say I love these jeans is an understatement!

Keep in mind these are pull on jeans so tighter is better. I also found based on the sizing chart I would wear between a sizes 12-14. Normally I am between sizes 10-12. My first order was a size 12, although they fit fine, I did have to keep pulling them up. So always order smaller and never mind their sizing chart—stick to what you normal wear! 

Having a few bad days is a good reminder….

Of why and what my goals are in my career life.

You know a few bad apples really do ruin the entire batch, sad but true. I work in the metal health field but it’s not the people we serve that cause the overwhelming amount of stress, it’s my co-workers. My doctors have advised me to leave the stressful environment for my own health and all agree I cannot carry a child while continuing to work here. The end was inevitable and is now very near. I have announced this will be my last year but I have not reviled when I am leaving. For now I will keep this date out.

It is too bad this has been allowed to continue, no one should be subjected to this type of environment. 

Focusing on the goals

—Part 1—A three part post

Stating goals and getting into the plan to achieve first goal.

Our major goals for 2014 are:

1—my last year working (financial preparedness)

2—preparing to become pregnant (emotional, financial and so on)

3—get married in a state that it is legal (for tax purposes)

4—final yr of home repairs (need vs. want)

First things first—getting our finances in order for both the pregnancy and one less income. I have a spread sheet with our budget and all its predictable variables.  We are looking at decreasing our expenses and increasing Duste’s income. Both very important!

Decrease expenses—always a goal of mine!

We have gone to great lengths to decrease our grocery expense. We are now spending no more than $25wk for the first 3wks of the month and no more than $200 the last week of each month. With comparative pricing Wal-Mart offers and wonderful apps available we are able to stretch every dollar. For the first 3wks of the month I rarely buy anything that we don’t have a price match for. When we do the big shopping trip we stock up on marked down meat, something our Wal-Mart does on Sunday Mornings, canned goods and other things we use throughout the month. (Oatmeal, cereal, almond milk and healthcare goods)

I also call the phone company and cable company to get introductory rates for their services. They will do this for a year at a time. (Once I get the higher bill I make a point to call again!) I typically save at least half if not more so it is well worth the time to call.

Credit Card Payments—yes, credit cards are the devil but sometimes you have to use them. Recently we had to replace both our laptop and tablet. I got an awesome deal picking one from the sale category and qualified for an allowance towards a tablet. With this awesome deal I got 18months same as cash when I used my Dell Account.  We decided to take advantage of this and I came up with a repayment plan so we would get it repaid well before we are charged any interest. Yay!! I love it when I can take advantage of these offers and they don’t take advantage of me!

I hate debt but when life happens it makes me feel better to have a spreadsheet and be more in control of these things hanging over my head! We will be back to being debt free at least by Sept15Th! However, we will still have a house payment. Although we did refinance for a 15yr loan we are making a goal of paying at least, if not more, one extra house payment a year when we get our tax refund. But, because of needing to make some home repairs we decided to wait until 2016 to start this.

By making all these changes and staying the course it will insure I will be able to stop working the end of this year. Paying down/off our debt will also help us qualify for financing when it comes time for me to get pregnant. (Yes, same sex couples have to go well above and beyond to have a child of their own)

Shew! 

Sweets for my Sweet!

Happy 35^th Birthday to the perfect one made just for me!

We celebrated Duste’s birthday starting on Friday after work. We went out to dinner where we ordered two meals that she wanted and a dessert! (We usually split ONE meal) Saturday we had a Couple Spa Day—which included hydrotherapy, wine with fruit tray and an hour long massage. We followed that up with Chicago Dogs for lunch and a Big Fish sandwich for dinner. Sunday, her actual birthday, we enjoyed a snow day at home that started with present in bed. The rest of the day was spent watching funny movies she loves!

We spoil each other, it’s true, but if we don’t who will?

Since she has lost and has kept off, over 50lbs she was in serious need of some Tshirts. With my sense of humor and the help of talented people on Etsy, she got 3! She has been requesting a cozy for her coffee cup and the tablet I won a yr ago completely died a few weeks ago, talk about good timing, so it all worked out to a Very Happy Birthday Girl! 

We are so lucky to have each other—she’s my best friend and my soul mate. She makes me a better person!