31 Days- Overcoming Shopping Bulimia

While I was away this weekend, I realized something about myself! I have shopping bulimia.

I'll explain that in just a minute. First, let me give some background on our budgeting methods. We use a cash budget. We pay bills first, then put back savings, then take out a set amount of cash for 1- groceries 2- "slush fund" (incidentals) 3- my allowance and 4- Clinton's allowance. We only use our debit cards to buy gas. It usually works really, really well. Whenever, we have extras we need to shop for, we save up for it! Like when we went school clothes shopping for Emma, I set aside money for weeks. The reason this method works so well, is because I NEVER go shopping anymore. Like clothing shopping. Because I have shopping bulimia.

Sunday, we stopped at Target on our way home. I just HAD to check out the little girl's clothes section. Then, I just HAD to buy everything!! I shopping binged. I'm serious!

Then, I realized, in the check out lane, mind you, that I had way overspent. And felt sick. Metaphorically, purged.

On the upside, Em looks fabulous in her new clothes!

Acting silly in one of the new outfits!

So how do stop doing this? How do I make it through a trip to target with my friends (because if Clinton was with me, he'd rein me in himself!), and not binge?

This post is linked to a blogging challenge on The Nesting Place at thenester.com! There are currently over 1,200 blogs participating, come join us!

 

Today is the 23rd day of the challenge. Go here to read from the beginning.

I'M BACK! 31 Days- Day 22

I am ridiculously happy right now. 

For one thing, I got back yesterday from an incredible Girls' Weekend in Hot Springs, AR, and I'm still feeling giddy over it! Here are some highlights... (Sorry for the poor quality!)

That's one big monkey!

GREAT pizza and beer at Rocky's! This was my "Jealous?" text to Clinton!

Lemon drops!

She ate the WHOLE lemon!

Yup! Right up in the middle of an Arkansas bar with Hog stuff everywhere! Made my mark!

Tiffany did, too!

Tiff and Me!

Misty and Cassidy!

Last week, I'd have SWORN that my hair wouldn't do this! Cassidy worked some magic on me!

Some fantastic Latin food at Rolando's!

AND the BEST cupcakes I've ever eaten! No lie!

Happy Birthday, Misty!!

It really was a fabulous time together! Already planning one for next year!

The second reason I'm happy is that it is OFFICIAL, we are going on a Disney Cruise in January!!! I say official because it is FINALLY paid for! This is a BIG vacay for us and we've been paying on it for months! I am sooooo excited! Ssh, don't tell Emma, though. She's supposed to ask Santa for it!!

31 Days- Day 17

I took Emma to the dentist today. I had an appointment, also. It was something I'd been putting off, but my month of "overcoming" myself persuaded me to quit procrastinating!

It went pretty good, she was a little nervous, but was pretty much a champ! We BOTH have to go back, though! I have a cavity (ugh!), and Em has the beginnings of one (uh-oh!). The dentist won me over, though, by saying on the next couple of visits with Em, he won't be working on her teeth. He's going to have her come in and "count her teeth". Just basically getting her more comfortable about going there. He did say that he will be giving her laughing gas when he does do the work.

And y'all. I. can. NOT. wait! If she is as hilarious as she was when she got tubes in her ears, we are in for a treat! One thing is for sure, I will be videoing the whole thing! I'm laughing already!

Right now, I'm really having an internal struggle. This is DEEP, people.

I thawed out chicken for supper to make this, Loaded Potato & Buffalo Chicken Casserole. Some of my friends have HIGHLY recommended it and it sounds delicious!

But Paula cooked ribs today. All I can think about is ribs now.

Source: someecards.com via Amber on Pinterest

What should I do? I know what Clinton is going to say, not to go out and buy BBQ when we have food in the house, blah, blah. He's a cheapo. I, almost loaded up Em and went out to get some, my craving is that strong. Thankfully, she threw a fit (yay?), so I didn't go...yet. I thought, post on the blog about being strong and overcoming things, and you'll be about to fight it. It's. not. working. I'll keep you updated on this predicament.

Edited to add:
Immediately after writing this, I went into the living room, still thinking about heading to the BBQ restaurant. And I see this...

Sweet? No. She is, apparently, firmly in her daddy's pocket. Conspiring against me!!

So that's it, all I've got going on for today!

This post is linked to a blogging challenge on The Nesting Place at thenester.com! There are currently over 1,200 blogs participating, come join us!

Today is the 17th day of the challenge. Go here to read from the beginning.

31 Days- My Little Punkin'

Ever since we found out my due date was in Oct/Nov, I've called Emma my Punkin'! I've always loved Fall, but now its an even more special time to me!

I said before that Saturday was a busy day, well, part of the day was spent with my mom taking Em to the Downtown Pumpkin Patch!!

I love this picture, even if it was a little windy!

WHAT is that look??

So many to pick from!

The perfect one! Now on to decorating!

Notice she picked out the pink glitter... of course!

And we had more pumpkin fun today carving/decorating at home with Daddy!

Trash bag and spoon, told me "I'm ready!"

We got inspiration for this pumpkin Cinderella carriage from Pinterest and THIS PIN! Sorry, I wanted to give credit to the original blog that posted it, but the link does not work! So anyway, here's mine and Em's version!

 Just FYI- the white pumpkin was way thicker than the orange ones, and way harder to carve!

Em and Cinderella played while I worked... hmm.

Clinton stole my camera!

Hard at work!

All finished!

All ready for the ball!

We couldn't decide on placement of the mice!

Besides the harder than usual carving, the project was really easy. Just used some sticker jewels from Hobby Lobby! (And Em's toys, of course!) The hardest part was Emma wanting to help! You'd have thought this was HER project or something ;).

Our pumpkin collection!

Em said this was Daddy's silly face!

Nothing "overcame" today, but hey, I posted! 

This post is linked to a blogging challenge on The Nesting Place at thenester.com! There are currently over 1,200 blogs participating, come join us!

Today is the 16th day of the challenge. Go here to read from the beginning. 

Also, linked to the Funky Polkadot Giraffe! Link your cute ideas here, too!

 

31 Days--Oops!

So, I've been MIA the last few days. I do actually have an excuse for Friday and Saturday! I was CRAZY busy those days and just didn't have time before I crashed out for the night! Sunday, I have no excuse. My mom took Em to my Grandma's, so I was home alone. Besides a little work and laundry, the rest of the day was spent on the couch on my iPhone.

I'm about to admit something I am ashamed of. I am addicted to games. Like Bakery Story, Restaurant Story, Cityville, etc. Don't know why I'm so ashamed, but I am. No, I DO know why! I am constantly wondering where the day went, where does the time go? And complaining about being off schedule on here! Hello, Kayla! It goes to the TIME SUCK of the virtual world you're in. Aargh!

Totally disgusted with myself, I deleted everything last night. (This isn't the first time I've done this, hopefully, I won't download them again!!) All day today, I've picked up my phone to check my games, and honestly, I'm strangely sad! I do know that there is so much more important things I need to be doing with my time, so I am proud of myself for that aspect. One more thing OVERCOME. Ha!

I wrote that part earlier today, and then as I was getting online to post, only to see a reminder why I need to stay in the moment as much as possible with Emma (and off my phone!). This article was on the Yahoo! front page, and the video is a very moving reminder that time goes by so fast when it comes to our kids. 

This a video tribute by a man to his son and the 21 years of his life. I'm a little teary over here!

Source

This post is linked to a blogging challenge on The Nesting Place at thenester.com! There are currently over 1,200 blogs participating, come join us!

Today is the 15th day of the challenge. Go here to read from the beginning.

31 Days of Overcoming Myself- Day 11

I originally got the idea for the topic of Overcoming Myself because I am not good at following through with things. Like posting everyday. Take this post for instance. I was totally getting ready for bed, and thought "CRAP, I didn't post today!" And y'all, I really had planned to WRITE, not just post pictures and witty ;) comments. So instead of a good in-depth post, you are getting this little blurb of an apology, all in the name of posting daily.

Sorry.

This post is linked to a blogging challenge on The Nesting Place at thenester.com! There are currently over 1,200 blogs participating, come join us!

Today is the 11th day of the challenge. Go here to read from the beginning.

31 Days- Day 9 & 10

Yeah, so I missed yesterday. Don't even have a good excuse, just forgot.

I couldn't sleep Monday night. So I finally took a Unisom at 1 a.m,, knowing it wouldn't be a good morning... Clinton had to MAKE me get out of bed to take Emma to school. Then he had to drive us because I was in a daze. I sat at my computer, trying to work, feeling like a zombie, until I finally woke up around 11. Clinton took me on a lunch date since it has been forever since we've had a date night! Then we picked up Emma early from school and took her for her special treat!

That's right! She got her ten purple stickers!

We took her to a newish frozen yogurt shop in town. We really enjoyed it and will be making several return trips, I'm sure!

Em had one crazy mixture.

Mine was a little more tame, but delicious!

Happy Girl!

I don't even remember much else about yesterday, I guess I was still pretty zoned out! :/ Note to self- do not take sleeping pill so late again. Ever.

Today, has been good (I took my Unisom at 10 pm!)
Worked out, then went to McDonald's with Misty and her kids! She had a hair appointment after, and I didn't see any reason why she should have to take the kids with her, since Em and I were just going to hang out at home, so I brought them home with me!

Getting Dum Dums from the... eh, better not say it!

Haydon sweeping up!

The princesses loading up their purses!

The kids had a great time together, as always!

I know this post doesn't really cover any of my things I want to overcome. Sorry, I'm just blah right now! I DO have a couple of good in depth posts planned, I just have to get the energy to do them! :/

This post is linked to a blogging challenge on The Nesting Place at thenester.com! There are currently over 1,200 blogs participating, come join us!

Today is the 9th (& 10th) day of the challenge. Go here to read from the beginning.