Simplifying in February

This year I decided to work on simplifying my life. Its way to chaotic for me most of the time. I admit I am a control freak (I know GASP! What Kim, a control freak you say? Never.) and I am tired of it. I just want to have things simple so I dont feel like I have to control everything. Mostly thats my own issue but.....anyway so this year I wanted to focus on a few areas of our life that could use a little fine tuning. You can see the list on the side column. Anyway for February I picked finances. I figured most of us are doing the tax thing this time of year that it is a perfect time to get things whipped into shape. So for February (f) and this year (y) my goals for our finances are:

1. Pay off X amount of debt (amount set by Dean and I)(y)
2. Get a set filing system and stick to it(f)(y)
3. Arrange online bill pay for all bills and pay on payday.(f)(y)
4. Save $20 every payday(y)
5. No eating out for the month of February to see just how much money we will save.(f)
6. Buy everything we need (other than food ewwww!) used unless it is not available.(f)
7. Stick to our budget(y)
8. Only go to Twin 2 times a month on grocery day. Save all other errands for this time.(y)

We have some big changes coming this year (you'll find out later) so some of this may be a little difficult but I am up for the challange. I am also hoping to put together some info on money saving tips, we'll see if I get there.

On another topic, I am doing great on the 52 book challange and am actually a little ahead of the game. I am in need of a few good book suggestions so give me a hand if you have any. I am thinking of tackling Pride and Predjudice next and possibly some F. Scott Fitzgerald. Who knows. I am game so share some suggestions!

Simplifying in February

This year I decided to work on simplifying my life. Its way to chaotic for me most of the time. I admit I am a control freak (I know GASP! What Kim, a control freak you say? Never.) and I am tired of it. I just want to have things simple so I dont feel like I have to control everything. Mostly thats my own issue but.....anyway so this year I wanted to focus on a few areas of our life that could use a little fine tuning. You can see the list on the side column. Anyway for February I picked finances. I figured most of us are doing the tax thing this time of year that it is a perfect time to get things whipped into shape. So for February (f) and this year (y) my goals for our finances are:

1. Pay off X amount of debt (amount set by Dean and I)(y)
2. Get a set filing system and stick to it(f)(y)
3. Arrange online bill pay for all bills and pay on payday.(f)(y)
4. Save $20 every payday(y)
5. No eating out for the month of February to see just how much money we will save.(f)
6. Buy everything we need (other than food ewwww!) used unless it is not available.(f)
7. Stick to our budget(y)
8. Only go to Twin 2 times a month on grocery day. Save all other errands for this time.(y)

We have some big changes coming this year (you'll find out later) so some of this may be a little difficult but I am up for the challange. I am also hoping to put together some info on money saving tips, we'll see if I get there.

On another topic, I am doing great on the 52 book challange and am actually a little ahead of the game. I am in need of a few good book suggestions so give me a hand if you have any. I am thinking of tackling Pride and Predjudice next and possibly some F. Scott Fitzgerald. Who knows. I am game so share some suggestions!

My boyfriend

So a week or so ago we were driving home and Dean and I were talking. We were joking about something or another and Dean said something to the effect of "Why? So you can have your boyfriend over?" We laughed and then (knowing the kids were listening) I said "I dont have a boyfriend." Caitlin pops up with "Yes you do mom, you have Austin."

UMMMM hmmmmm uhhhhhhh.

Dean bursts out laughing "What!? Who is Austin?" At this point I am racking my brain trying to figure out who in the world Austin is. I keep thinking about Facebook trying to think if someone I know on there is named Austin. I am coming up blank. I am blushing and fumbling and laughing so hard. Then Caitlin pops up again with "yes mom Austin you know the one you have a pictureof." Oh Boy! Now Dean and I are really laughing and I am really red.

Then it hits me....of couse I know an Austin.....my cousin......and yes I have a picture of him.....from his graduation from high school this year. Caitlin carried it around for quite a while because she said " He is a very good looking boy." Anyway the whole thing was hilarious and we laughed for quite a while.

So fast forward to yesterday. Dean ripped out the bench seat in the dining room and in the post sweep there was the picture of Austin. I picked it up just as Caitlin walked in the room. I said "Hey here, its your boyfriend" and Ian squeals "Ohhh is it Austin?" :D

My boyfriend

So a week or so ago we were driving home and Dean and I were talking. We were joking about something or another and Dean said something to the effect of "Why? So you can have your boyfriend over?" We laughed and then (knowing the kids were listening) I said "I dont have a boyfriend." Caitlin pops up with "Yes you do mom, you have Austin."

UMMMM hmmmmm uhhhhhhh.

Dean bursts out laughing "What!? Who is Austin?" At this point I am racking my brain trying to figure out who in the world Austin is. I keep thinking about Facebook trying to think if someone I know on there is named Austin. I am coming up blank. I am blushing and fumbling and laughing so hard. Then Caitlin pops up again with "yes mom Austin you know the one you have a pictureof." Oh Boy! Now Dean and I are really laughing and I am really red.

Then it hits me....of couse I know an Austin.....my cousin......and yes I have a picture of him.....from his graduation from high school this year. Caitlin carried it around for quite a while because she said " He is a very good looking boy." Anyway the whole thing was hilarious and we laughed for quite a while.

So fast forward to yesterday. Dean ripped out the bench seat in the dining room and in the post sweep there was the picture of Austin. I picked it up just as Caitlin walked in the room. I said "Hey here, its your boyfriend" and Ian squeals "Ohhh is it Austin?" :D

One of those days

Ever had one of those days where you wished that your ears were of the velcro variety so that you could calmly take them off and attach them to, oh I dont know, a stuffed animal or something. And if you could do this you could actually for a brief moment have some much desired and needed quiet. Yeah well I know these types of days WAY too often.. I love them, I just wish they came with a remote that could turn down the volume. Its a simple thing really, you would think some mom with 12 kids would have invented one by now. Wait maybe there are ears that velcro on and off (of which you would have to be over 18 to purchase and only with proof that you do in fact have young small kids. We wouldnt want the kids to get a hold of these bad boys, then they would never listen!) and a mom doesnt have the capital to get them mass produced. If you have the beautiful technology I'll invest everything I have!! Email me! NOW! If you have a remote email me NOW! I am a desperate woman. I will do what I have to.

On to more serious topics......okay I cant. Nope nothing serious today, just nonsense because when you are going insane slowly but surely (and very loudly) nonsense is all you can come up with. Off to my padded room. I will in the future discuss somehting of worth. I'll let you know when that is. Quite possibly you wont recieve that email for another 18 years.

One of those days

Ever had one of those days where you wished that your ears were of the velcro variety so that you could calmly take them off and attach them to, oh I dont know, a stuffed animal or something. And if you could do this you could actually for a brief moment have some much desired and needed quiet. Yeah well I know these types of days WAY too often.. I love them, I just wish they came with a remote that could turn down the volume. Its a simple thing really, you would think some mom with 12 kids would have invented one by now. Wait maybe there are ears that velcro on and off (of which you would have to be over 18 to purchase and only with proof that you do in fact have young small kids. We wouldnt want the kids to get a hold of these bad boys, then they would never listen!) and a mom doesnt have the capital to get them mass produced. If you have the beautiful technology I'll invest everything I have!! Email me! NOW! If you have a remote email me NOW! I am a desperate woman. I will do what I have to.

On to more serious topics......okay I cant. Nope nothing serious today, just nonsense because when you are going insane slowly but surely (and very loudly) nonsense is all you can come up with. Off to my padded room. I will in the future discuss somehting of worth. I'll let you know when that is. Quite possibly you wont recieve that email for another 18 years.

Fabric store score

I managed to get some awesome patterns at the fabric store this weekend. Most of them for me which is a first in, well forever. I have been in the mood for some girly stuff lately so all the patterns I got (not all are pictured) were skirts, dresses, and fancier tops. I also picked up the fabric I need for the twilight quilt which was a pretty entertaining half hour. A friend of mine drove over with me and we had a blast giggling at the absolutly hideous fabric selection. I'll take a pick, belive me I choose the best ones that were offered!

Over all I didnt get half of what I wanted but I still have plenty to keep me busy. Add to that school starts on Tuesday, I will be busy for months!

JC Penny is having there winter clearance sale. Friday everything was 70% off. :D I scored some awesome tops for under 7 bucks. I dont normally shop in Pennys but I figured a sale couldnt hurt. It was great and we had a good girl time.

Fabric store score

I managed to get some awesome patterns at the fabric store this weekend. Most of them for me which is a first in, well forever. I have been in the mood for some girly stuff lately so all the patterns I got (not all are pictured) were skirts, dresses, and fancier tops. I also picked up the fabric I need for the twilight quilt which was a pretty entertaining half hour. A friend of mine drove over with me and we had a blast giggling at the absolutly hideous fabric selection. I'll take a pick, belive me I choose the best ones that were offered!

Over all I didnt get half of what I wanted but I still have plenty to keep me busy. Add to that school starts on Tuesday, I will be busy for months!

JC Penny is having there winter clearance sale. Friday everything was 70% off. :D I scored some awesome tops for under 7 bucks. I dont normally shop in Pennys but I figured a sale couldnt hurt. It was great and we had a good girl time.

Nothing new

Like you couldnt tell huh. I know I am boring as of late. Nothing to talk about really. Things have been going smooth here. I expect that to change here within a week or so. We start school again on Monday. Oh yippee. Okay really I am not the upset by it and hopefully this semester wont be such a shock to my system. The classes I am taking are going to be alot easier I think. At least not as demanding anyway. Dean will have his hands full with quite a few heavy load classes. It should be an interesting 16 weeks here at the Tubbs party. All of you who have to talk to me on a fairly frequent basis I apologize up front. I may be insane for a while. Sorry.

Speaking of school I will be deleting crescent ridge here shortly. No point in keeping it up as I suck on updating that blog too. Plus homeschooling is one of the things that makes our life so freakin' messy and fun. We love it so why not include it on the family blog ya know what I mean. Plus then some of you who dont read that one will actually get to see some of the fun things we do (when I think to post them that is). I imported all of the old posts so if you are interested you can now read them on this blog.

LOL want any Ian funny. Today I had to take him into the fabric store with me since he needed to use the bathroom for the 3rd time in 2 hours. Anyway we are walking to the very back of the store and at the top of his lungs (Ians quiet voice) he says....

"Hey mom dont you think it would be funny if I was a phonician?" LOL

There were quite a few ladies who laughed with me. We have been listening to the cd's of The Story of the World and the kids love the phonician chapter. They walk around telling everyone they smell like a man from Tyre. (An insult in ancient history apperently. People from Tyre smelled bad becuase of the snails they boiled for purple dye.) Anyway life is interesting around here as always.

Nothing new

Like you couldnt tell huh. I know I am boring as of late. Nothing to talk about really. Things have been going smooth here. I expect that to change here within a week or so. We start school again on Monday. Oh yippee. Okay really I am not the upset by it and hopefully this semester wont be such a shock to my system. The classes I am taking are going to be alot easier I think. At least not as demanding anyway. Dean will have his hands full with quite a few heavy load classes. It should be an interesting 16 weeks here at the Tubbs party. All of you who have to talk to me on a fairly frequent basis I apologize up front. I may be insane for a while. Sorry.

Speaking of school I will be deleting crescent ridge here shortly. No point in keeping it up as I suck on updating that blog too. Plus homeschooling is one of the things that makes our life so freakin' messy and fun. We love it so why not include it on the family blog ya know what I mean. Plus then some of you who dont read that one will actually get to see some of the fun things we do (when I think to post them that is). I imported all of the old posts so if you are interested you can now read them on this blog.

LOL want any Ian funny. Today I had to take him into the fabric store with me since he needed to use the bathroom for the 3rd time in 2 hours. Anyway we are walking to the very back of the store and at the top of his lungs (Ians quiet voice) he says....

"Hey mom dont you think it would be funny if I was a phonician?" LOL

There were quite a few ladies who laughed with me. We have been listening to the cd's of The Story of the World and the kids love the phonician chapter. They walk around telling everyone they smell like a man from Tyre. (An insult in ancient history apperently. People from Tyre smelled bad becuase of the snails they boiled for purple dye.) Anyway life is interesting around here as always.

Speaking of creating

So I love blogs and I especially love blogs that show creative things. Go to one of my fav's Here and check out the giveaway she is doing. She makes awesome pretties. Who knows you may even win! :)

I am off to the fabric store today. I am going to that killer sale and will be stocking up on all the goodies for the below mentioned projects. I. WILL. MAKE. THAT. MACHINE. WORK.

Speaking of creating

So I love blogs and I especially love blogs that show creative things. Go to one of my fav's Here and check out the giveaway she is doing. She makes awesome pretties. Who knows you may even win! :)

I am off to the fabric store today. I am going to that killer sale and will be stocking up on all the goodies for the below mentioned projects. I. WILL. MAKE. THAT. MACHINE. WORK.

Creation hiatus

My sewing machine is on the fritz. I can not begin to tell you how much control I have. I literally had to walk away from that machine last night for fear that I might throw it through the wall. Yes I know, I should probably be doing more yoga rather than making pants if that is my current way of handling stress. Honestly I dont mind my machine. It has been put to work over the years and I think the bugger is giving up. Grrrr...... so I have been searching for a new machine. Okay I'll be honest, I am dreaming of a new machine. And I found one, I think. Here it is.Its not a Bernina but I think it will do the trick jsut fine. The reviews were great on it. So maybe this month or next I will be heading over to Sears to purchase a beautiful new machine.

So I guess now I will have to move onto something else to create with. I have painted every room in the house (except the kitchen) a couple of times, at least. I do need to clean out the shed so that I can move the eliptical glider in that I am getting this month. (Can you say hello buns!) After reading Miss Maries blog, I want to get back into photography but well our camera stinks. I am feeling a little frustrated right now.

I better do some yoga.

Creation hiatus

My sewing machine is on the fritz. I can not begin to tell you how much control I have. I literally had to walk away from that machine last night for fear that I might throw it through the wall. Yes I know, I should probably be doing more yoga rather than making pants if that is my current way of handling stress. Honestly I dont mind my machine. It has been put to work over the years and I think the bugger is giving up. Grrrr...... so I have been searching for a new machine. Okay I'll be honest, I am dreaming of a new machine. And I found one, I think. Here it is.Its not a Bernina but I think it will do the trick jsut fine. The reviews were great on it. So maybe this month or next I will be heading over to Sears to purchase a beautiful new machine.

So I guess now I will have to move onto something else to create with. I have painted every room in the house (except the kitchen) a couple of times, at least. I do need to clean out the shed so that I can move the eliptical glider in that I am getting this month. (Can you say hello buns!) After reading Miss Maries blog, I want to get back into photography but well our camera stinks. I am feeling a little frustrated right now.

I better do some yoga.

Simply Create

I have been in a mood to create lately. I am glad about this because for the last year this desire has been nearly zip. Lately though it has hit me full force and everything that is currently standing in my house becomes subject to my need to change it up a bit. I have ended up with some really great changes in the house. (Blasted camera, I will share soon). The one thing I have been thinking about lately is how nearly everyone has some sort of creating passion. My sis knits, I sew, my mom draws, a friend writes, Dean plays the guitar. I love that everyone is drawn to creating something outside themselves for the pleasure of just doing so.

I laid in bed awake for quite a while last night thinking of all the things that I want to make here in the next little while. As most of you know I love to sew and this week I have added quite a few projects to the "want to make" list. I'll share a few with you.....

Yoga pants. I want a nice comfortable pair and I want them soon. I have a few fabrics that will work and they are being bumped up to the top of my sewing list.

Wrap dress: I love these on everyone else so I thought I would try one on myself. I have no fabric that will work for this dress but this weekend there is a killer sale at the fabric store. Count me there baby.
Curtains: I am going to make new curtains for the front room. I want somthing simple in design like the ones above. I am thinking a very dark red fabric (possibly taffeta) and maybe something with a very small embrodierd random design. Who knows what will strike my fancy when I get there though. This image was taken from this store on etsy..... I love some of the things in this shop!

I also plan on making the twilight mystery quilt. While I know that is a bit cheesy and dorky I am looking forward to it. I havent every made a mystery quilt and I think it will be fun.

Pin cushion Right now all of my pins sit in a little container and routinly get spilled by my helpers. If you are going to have a pin cushion why make it an ugly little red styrofom apple. Lets make it snappy right?

Diaper covers: I made up 5 the other day and they turned out great. They are just the wrong size! So now I will be making some more of these.

I am sure after a trip to the fabric store this list will be much longer, but for now this is good. Now its time to head to the fabric stash. Go on now, go create something for yourself.

Simply Create

I have been in a mood to create lately. I am glad about this because for the last year this desire has been nearly zip. Lately though it has hit me full force and everything that is currently standing in my house becomes subject to my need to change it up a bit. I have ended up with some really great changes in the house. (Blasted camera, I will share soon). The one thing I have been thinking about lately is how nearly everyone has some sort of creating passion. My sis knits, I sew, my mom draws, a friend writes, Dean plays the guitar. I love that everyone is drawn to creating something outside themselves for the pleasure of just doing so.

I laid in bed awake for quite a while last night thinking of all the things that I want to make here in the next little while. As most of you know I love to sew and this week I have added quite a few projects to the "want to make" list. I'll share a few with you.....

Yoga pants. I want a nice comfortable pair and I want them soon. I have a few fabrics that will work and they are being bumped up to the top of my sewing list.

Wrap dress: I love these on everyone else so I thought I would try one on myself. I have no fabric that will work for this dress but this weekend there is a killer sale at the fabric store. Count me there baby.
Curtains: I am going to make new curtains for the front room. I want somthing simple in design like the ones above. I am thinking a very dark red fabric (possibly taffeta) and maybe something with a very small embrodierd random design. Who knows what will strike my fancy when I get there though. This image was taken from this store on etsy..... I love some of the things in this shop!

I also plan on making the twilight mystery quilt. While I know that is a bit cheesy and dorky I am looking forward to it. I havent every made a mystery quilt and I think it will be fun.

Pin cushion Right now all of my pins sit in a little container and routinly get spilled by my helpers. If you are going to have a pin cushion why make it an ugly little red styrofom apple. Lets make it snappy right?

Diaper covers: I made up 5 the other day and they turned out great. They are just the wrong size! So now I will be making some more of these.

I am sure after a trip to the fabric store this list will be much longer, but for now this is good. Now its time to head to the fabric stash. Go on now, go create something for yourself.

Deleted posts and other things.

Most of you will have noticed that I deleted a ton of posts. 88 of them to be exact. That is a lot of random bits from my life that I just wiped away. I wanted to take a way a lot of the personal day to day things from this blog so I moved the family blog over to Our Messy Life. Check it out in the side bar. So now I have this overwhelming feeling to start writing something on here and get some more posts......only nothing is coming. I am at a loss. I hate that!

I am a book lover and always have been. This year on WTM someone set up the goal for 52 books in 52 weeks. Sweet. I'm game. So far I have knocked out 3 books with at least another 6 or so waiting. Not to shabby. I also decided to do the book challege at simple mom. Her book list is actually one that will help us learn new things and grow. I look forward to a year filled with books. Cant complain about that now can ya?

The camera is down yet again so nothing interesting for you visual people. Sit tight though I am googling new ones as we speak!

Deleted posts and other things.

Most of you will have noticed that I deleted a ton of posts. 88 of them to be exact. That is a lot of random bits from my life that I just wiped away. I wanted to take a way a lot of the personal day to day things from this blog so I moved the family blog over to Our Messy Life. Check it out in the side bar. So now I have this overwhelming feeling to start writing something on here and get some more posts......only nothing is coming. I am at a loss. I hate that!

I am a book lover and always have been. This year on WTM someone set up the goal for 52 books in 52 weeks. Sweet. I'm game. So far I have knocked out 3 books with at least another 6 or so waiting. Not to shabby. I also decided to do the book challege at simple mom. Her book list is actually one that will help us learn new things and grow. I look forward to a year filled with books. Cant complain about that now can ya?

The camera is down yet again so nothing interesting for you visual people. Sit tight though I am googling new ones as we speak!

Nothing new here

Its been nice and quiet around here and while that is great and wonderful it hardly makes for much blogging news. Sorry guys.

We had a movie night last weekend which the kids adored. We got a few kids movies but we also watched Mama Mia. The movie is great if you havent seen it. Silly cheesy but still entertaining. The kids absolutly loved the songs and have spent the last few days singing and dancing ABBA style. Oh yes my kids love ABBA! :)

I took pictures of us groovin' after the movie but sadly they didnt turn out. Dont worry though I am sure I can convince them to pose ABBA like for all of you. :)

Nothing new here

Its been nice and quiet around here and while that is great and wonderful it hardly makes for much blogging news. Sorry guys.

We had a movie night last weekend which the kids adored. We got a few kids movies but we also watched Mama Mia. The movie is great if you havent seen it. Silly cheesy but still entertaining. The kids absolutly loved the songs and have spent the last few days singing and dancing ABBA style. Oh yes my kids love ABBA! :)

I took pictures of us groovin' after the movie but sadly they didnt turn out. Dont worry though I am sure I can convince them to pose ABBA like for all of you. :)

Starting anew

So as you can tell I have switched things up quite a bit. Wanna catch up on our life....check us out here. Wanna see the kiddos....check us out here. Need a little of my ramblings....check us out here. :) Naturally Simple is still going but it is taking a different direction. Check me out over there or stick around here and see what kind of messiness we can drum up here at the house!

Starting anew

So as you can tell I have switched things up quite a bit. Wanna catch up on our life....check us out here. Wanna see the kiddos....check us out here. Need a little of my ramblings....check us out here. :) Naturally Simple is still going but it is taking a different direction. Check me out over there or stick around here and see what kind of messiness we can drum up here at the house!