Boot Camp?

I'm thinking about doing a "boot camp" for women. It would be 3 mornings per week...5:30am-6:30am. I want to challenge myself...and get in better shape. I want to tighten up and lose a few lbs. in the process. It's pricey- but when you consider the benefit....it'll be worth it. I'm going to pay 1/2 with my own money (aka "allowance") and the other 1/2 will be gifted to me as a birthday gift from a few people.

http://www.jocobootcamp.com/

Here is the latest pics of the twins. They are pretty damn cute most times. It's really fun and rewarding to experience having two dogs. They love eachother.

Stuff

A lot to talk about ...let's see

First, we are not moving. We decided after a lot of talking and a lot of thought that it is not the right time for us to move- or make such a financial commitment. We signed another 2 year lease for our house and have begun to unpack everything that was packed. It was a very hard decision for us to make, but I'm totally at peace with the decision. I'm giving the house a bit of a makeover to "refresh" everything. It needs a good up and down cleaning...some yard work etc...

Second, thank the Lord my flu is gone! I'm feeling a lot better...although I've got some gunk in my chest, sinuses etc... I bought a netti pot the other day and I'm a believer of their use now. http://www.natlallergy.com/product.asp?pn=1582&sid=GOOGLE&eid=GOOGLE&tid=g_sinucleanse&gclid=CMv9ovf3h5MCFQm6PAodw06eGQ&bhcd2=1209735502 For more information. I'd recommend this to anyone with sinus or allergy problems.

I'm reading/listening to the aftermath of the storms last night. There is some damage in several parts of the city. We did not have any tornados touch down where we live, but they did in many different parts of the city. Very scary. I'm glad we have a basement.

Dogs: Sumo and Sophie are getting along well....they play well together and at times of rest do some of the cutest things. Here is a pic of Sophie laying on Sumo sleeping. I just love them.

That's all for now....TGIF!

The Flu

I have the FLU....this is Day 3 1/2...I have been reminded of just how terrible it is. Last time I actually had the flu was about 7 years ago (probably longer). I hate this. I feel very helpless. My husband has been remarkable at picking up the slack (if you're reading thanks honey) ....I'm going to have to make it up to him.

I pray that my family does not catch this from me.

Ug...

Sweet Sophia...or should I say SASSY Sophia!

Sophie...Sophie...Sophie....how do I describe you? Let's try in 5 words:

1. Sassy


2. Energetic


3. CUTE


4. Ornery


5. Smart

She arrived Friday morning at 5:45 am. We went home and introduced her to our home. She was a BALL of energy. Sumo was a bit freaked out by her initially. She was very dominant...took his toys...took his space etc... Sophie has had no training what-so-ever. I don't think she'd even been on a leash before. Her nails had never been trimmed either. So- we are working on manners. She is learning to sit and wait for things she wants...food, water, toys etc... She is a ball of energy...she is very sweet and loving too. By the end of the weekend...we've adjusted to having 2 dogs. The kids have bonded and are loving every minute of having her. Sumo and Sophie have bonded and he's in LOVE...she could care less..haha

Our New Addition

Sophia

She's almost 4 months old. She was born 12-27-07. She has the same dad as Sumo and her mom is Sumo's mothers sister. Follow?

We will get her either this Friday or next Friday. We are very excited!

We Might Be Moving

Jeff and I found a house that we love! It's in PV ...where we live now. It's 3 beds 2 bath...basement...1 car garage. We are going to do a lease to own. Cross fingers, toes, eyes, hairs etc... I really hope this goes through.

Thinking of a Service Trip

I've always wanted to visit Africa. I think it's a very interesting country....very different from America. The way of life is a lot different than what we are use to....we are extremely spoiled. I have a deep desire to visit but I think it's not right to go "spectate" on the hardship and poverty. I don't want to go to the nicer parts...and stay in a nice hotel either. I looked into taking a service trip to either Kenya or Ghana in summer 09. I can get into the thick of things and help touch some lives in the meantime. I asked Jewel yesterday if she'd be interested in going with me. I think it would be a wonderful trip for her and I to experience together after her graduation. She said YES! I'm so happy that we are going to do this together.

I am going through a company called Volunteer Visions. http://www.volunteervisions.org/ I've done some research and they have a good reputation as far as I can tell. They are also one of the more affordable organizations. We'll have to pay a fee of up to $1,100 for 2 weeks + get ourselves there on our own. Preliminary web searches have revealed that the flight will cost around $1,300 minimum. So- I figure that we will need to come up with $5,500. That seems a little crazy considering it's less than a year and a half away.....but I have some creative ideas that are NOT asking others to flat out pay for our trip.

I'm interested in HIV/AIDS Care in Ghana. Jewel is interested in that too....so I've sent off to recieve more information.

We Almost....

We almost got another dog yesterday. A pure bread female Great Pyrenees named Siah. She is 9 months old. She was living with a quadorpalegic (sp?) that she outgrew. Someone else adopted her.

I saw her ad on Craigslist on Thursday afternoon....and just had a "feeling". I am kind of sad that it did not work out, however....we are really not ready for another dog.

So we wait again. I'm not in a hurry.....it was only her I was interested in.

Awwww....

The Economy Sucks...Good Thing I'm Cheap

I was reading an article recently about the economy. I've been very tuned into this issue because my family is feeling the crunch big time recently. We've been pinching pennies as much as possible to make up for spending close to $600/mo. on gasoline, $550-$600/mo. on food, $350/mo. on heating our house and many others. The article I was reading was posted last week on msn.com. It was basically talking about how each "class" is downsizing their spending. People that normally shop at Nordstroms and Dillards are shopping at Kohls and TJ Maxx. People who normally shop at Kohls and TJ Maxx are shopping at Wal-Mart. People that normally shop at Wal-Mart are shopping at Dollar General stores. It said you will be seeing more Lexus' and Mercedes parked in Wal-Mart or Target parking lots. I'm seeing it.

I grew up in a very financially tight home. I'm use to pinching pennies. I've had a few stints of financial freedom in my life.....which was nice, but most of my life I've been just making ends meet. I'm not complaning about that either. It made me who I am....CHEAP! Wait, I prefer FRUGAL.....that sounds better. I'm not cheap as in....I rip off people on tips....or I buy lower quality items because I don't want to spend the cash on good quality.

The definition of FRUGAL is: economical in use or expenditure; prudently saving or sparing; not wasteful: a frugal manager. <---this is me.

I have the ability to find "deals" on things that we need. I find it more fulfilling to get a GREAT top at the DAV Thrift Store for $3.00 than to get the same top at the mall for $65. It's been a LONG time since I've been willing to spend $65 on a top. Don't get me wrong- I like the mall too.....but I head directly to the clearance rack for my buys.

I believe the economy is in a downswing....I see the evidence every day.....but I hope that the people of the U.S. will buck up and answer the call to be more frugal and wiser with their money so we can get through this recession.