Price Matching

As I have previously posted, I am doing all that I can to save a few dollars - as we are on a slightly tighter budget these days with one income. For example, this frigid cold winter brought temperatures both inside and out down rather low for a few weeks. SO, Matt and I decided to invest in a space heater since I'll be home and we'd rather not run the heat all day. Other than having to carry it from room to room with me, it worked out rather nicely...like a portable fireplace. :)

As we decipher where else we can save money, I decided that my next project was to be on groceries. Usually I spend about $60 on groceries a week (we don't eat out except occasionally on the weekends) and my goal is to get it down to at least $50. Last week I shopped at HEB and through in-store coupons I save over $10...darn close to my $50 range. I was pretty excited especially since HEB puts the amount you save in big bold numbers at the bottom (this got posted on the fridge - I know I'm a nerd, but celebrate the little victories). Then I heard about the price matching that Walmart offers...now this seemed like an easy task at first but thankfully it only cost me what I have to spare at the moment...time! First Matt and I went and bought a Sunday paper yesterday and clipped all the coupons that we might use now or in the near future. I also had saved all the grocery ads from that week that we got in the mail. I made my weekly grocery list and marked next to each item the place and price it was on sale or if I had a coupon for it. That was the easy part...

Today at Walmart, I walked up and down the aisles with my ads, coupons and list in hand trying to figure out if it is cheaper to purchase the item on sale at Walmart, the generic brand, or the item I have price matched...I'm sure I looked ridiculous as I stopped at the end of each aisle double checking all my resources. Over an hour later I get in line to check out. I put all the items I needed to price match at the end and one by one I pulled out the ad (sometimes I forgot which ad and had to search through the 5 that I brought. oops, lesson learned!) and the nice cashier changed the price for me. I think my best deal was on bagged salad that was $3.78 that I got for $2 for being on sale at Kroger. It all worked out wonderfully except for:

1)the toilet paper that I got the wrong kind ($4.99 for a $12 package did seem too good to be true!)
2)the poor lady behind me that was unaware until too late how long it'd take me and
3)my unnecessary trip to HEB to buy their brand chicken for $1 a pound only to find out that split chicken breasts have bones (who knew?) :( so I had to trek back to Walmart to buy their chicken (again, lesson learned).

But today I saved $9.78 by price matching and was just slightly over my $50 mark. Not too shabby for my first time and buying $10 worth of chicken that will last us a few weeks. I plan on getting this down to an art and it not taking nearly so long!

It's so wonderful to feel productive...

Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Olny 55% of plepoe can raed tihs.

So, are you a part of the 55%?

My Goal

Over the last couple weeks, while being unemployed, I have had time. Time to think. Time to read. Time to pick up some domestic skills again. Time to cut my finger almost off while trying to chop an onion (thank you domesticity). and unfortunately, Time to stress.

I desire this time to be refreshing and a renewal period. I know that I needed it after leaving my job. I don't think I realized how much it beat me up inside. And my sweet, loving, understanding husband saw the impact of those 9 hours I spent everyday at such a place and allowed me to leave it all behind.

So here I sit. Trying to figure out what's next. And it slightly stresses me out, as usual. Now I've had my share of jobs (hostess, Tom Thumb checker, Sonic car-hop, camp counselor, filer/clerical, Kohl's, administrative assistant, waitress, church intern, bookkeeper at a jewelry store, wilderness guide, medical forum counselor, teacher...and I even think I left a few out...) and rarely do I know what comes next. Maybe if I followed a "normal" path (whatever that is) my life wouldn't be so eclectic. But then again, I kinda like it like that.

I mean, my mind has taken me all over the place for my next job...even yesterday I had an interview for a clerical position, got offered the job - for $9 an hour!! NINE DOLLARS! I think I made that before I was even a high school graduate! Plus, it didn't even sound like something I'd enjoy after about a week....And I almost took it. Because I want a direction and something to cling to. Something to define myself by...To feel as if I'm contributing to this marriage.

Which brings me to my inspirational "aha" moment as I was reading Becoming God's True Woman by Nancy Leigh Demoss (one of many books that have been sitting on our bookshelf waiting to be read). One part talks about our goal in life and how we need to define it so we can walk faithfully in it. Yes, it would be nice to have a job that I love and I can utilize my God-given gifts to excel in it (and lucky are you if you have found it)...and maybe that job is right around the corner...but right now I'm a daughter, a friend, a sister, a wife and God's child. And my goal is to look at those relationships and determine how I am to serve.

Right now I'm focusing on my role as a wife. Mostly because it's new and always immediately in front of me. I am Matt's helper. And I LOVE it! (As I'm still learning what that means.) But Mrs. Demoss in her book reminded me,

"What is my goal as a wife?...One day I want to hear God say to Matt, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your master.' As Matt's helper in this life, those words will be my joy."

So, right now even if I don't contribute an income, I still have a place. Building a home. A clean, safe place for Matt to come home to each day. Looking for ways to save a little money here and there. Provide a home-cooked meal each night (ok, maybe not every night...). Help keep the clothes on his back clean. And try my best to encourage him with a joyful spirit after a long days work. So, right now, that's my focus and goal as I wait for the next job...but unlike most other things I have done, this one gets to stick with me for the rest of our lifetime!

New Venture...Tutoring

Due to my recent resignation from teaching, I've decided to pursue a new, yet similar venue for 1) income and 2) my sanity to have something to apply myself to. From my experience, I have learned that many of my previous students seek out outside resources for additional help in my math and science classes. Especially as 3rd grade is the first TAKS test year (so much pressure for those kids!).

I love helping students one-on-one and have many years of experience, so I think that if this pans out it could be an excellent career/hobby/supplemental income!

So, if you know of anybody looking for a (TEA certified) tutor for a 1st-8th grade student who could use some additional help in math and science, please let me know!

2009 Recap

December was a crazy month...which is quite fitting as 2009 was a crazy year...

As I reflect on the past year, I decided to do a quick recap of the exciting events (pictures included for your enjoyment):

1. January - I started off the year getting engaged to a very handsome and wonderful man.

2. January - The Ponca City crew came down for the annual superbowl party and declaration of the Fantasy Football Trophy (my name gets engraved this year! wahoo!)

3. March - Went on a "Last Fling Before the Rings" (titled by our dear mother, we even got luggage tags with the phrase...I can sense your jealousy) cruise with the all the girls. It was a great time...though I learned that cruises are not my favorite vacation.

4. June 20th - I got married to my best friend! (sorry he's not in this picture...I have an entire post of the wedding if you desire to look...)

5. June - Celebrated our marriage in the great city of Zihuatanejo, Mexico. The best vacation I've ever been on.

6. June - Moved for the first time into a home I can call my own. I LOVE having a home!

7. July - We came back just in time to celebrate the marriage of my sister, Caitlin!

8. August - Started back to work...:(

9. September - Celebrated my older sister, Amy, getting married!

10. October - My good friend, Faith, got married! (Lots of weddings this year! What a blessing!)

11. My family grew twice as large in a matter of just a few months (this is at Thanksgiving)

12. December - Still taking it all in...but I quit my job at the school (for a massive myriad of reasons, but the quality of my life is going to vastly improve now). Guess I'll be starting off the new year looking for a new job...

13. Matt and I took a trip to New York City for the Christmas holiday. I've always wanted to go during Christmas time (I had never been before) and it was Beautiful! Freezing, but beautiful! (here we are in Central Park after the monumental snow storm)

14. We arrived back in DFW a couple days before Christmas to celebrate with my family, and then headed to Oklahoma to celebrate with the in-laws. It was wonderful to see everyone and spend time with them, though now I'm finally getting a chance to relax from our vacations!

I cannot believe that tomorrow starts the new year. It will be different than last (and hopefully a little slower paced!), but I look forward to what God brings. I do pray that I can learn to rest solely in His presence again, as the crazy, changing year has wound me up a bit:). I want to bask in God's joy and peace and continually remember that He is faithful. I think it's going to be a good year. ;)

Dickens on the Strand 2009

A couple weekends ago, Kelsey flew into town to celebrate her birthday in Galveston. Due to unexpected snow storm in Houston and various other events, I ended up picking her up from the airport (a day late) and traveling with her down to Galveston to see Caitlin and Karl. We spent the day at this unusual event in downtown Galveston...who knew it was such a big deal! There were people everywhere dressed up from that era in hoop skirts and top hats...I mean EVERYWHERE! Entire families - grandparents, children, wee-ones. It seemed quite ridiculous, but interesting...I tried to document the event, but they just don't do it justice!

We got there right as the parade was starting...

...of course you have your bagpipe band....

....you've got your Pope Saint Nicholas...:)

...you've got your audience...no, they were not in the parade. Just chillin' in their costumes...

...the ship (don't remember the name) from that time period...

...on the ship (it was freezing!!)...

...this is when pre-almost-getting-killed by the "mates" pretending to be sailing the ship while docked...

....and it wouldn't all be complete without an elephant ride. $5 for 20 seconds of excitement...why not?

Thanksgiving Pictures

I finally got some pictures stolen off of facebook from Thanksgiving! We didn't get any in Oklahoma, but these are from my mom's house in Fort Worth...My grandfather likes to bring his "backdrop" consisting of black butcher paper for our annual pictures. Got to love him! :)

The new and improved family!

Then we each got our turn...

Matt and Me

Caitlin and Karl

Amy & Matt Z.

Kelsey and Me -

her stand-in until future happenings
(so she doesn't have to be by herself)

My adorable grandparents - Gramps and Mimi

Matt and I trying to get Mocha to pose for the camera...

it obviously wasn't working out that well. :(