Post attempt number 2

I had a whole post written and decided not to publish it.  To avoid confrontation. 

(sigh)

Be forewarned, I'm rather grumpy today.

I've been blog surfing for the last few hours.  Just looking for some additional excellent reading material written by random people all across the country.  I found a few.  They've been added to my reading list.  I just can't get enough sometimes.

Can I vent now?  Have I been nice for a whole paragraph??

I want to be a stay at home mom.  I want to be with my kids.  I want to homeschool.  I want...I want...I want...

I don't feel any better.  I go through this Every.Single.Year.  This year is worse, because Marshall will be starting school in August.  I wish that we had everything paid off and that Justin's clientele was built to the point that we could visit the subject of me quitting and not working at all. 

I know that some of you don't agree with me and that's okay.  Read my disclosure policy...

My mom told me when Paige was little that the reason she's on my nerves so much is because I'm not with her all the time.  I also feel like the reason that my kids are the way they are is because they've had to go to school.  And I'm not saying school is bad.  Paige has an excellent teacher this year - and she has had some real...um...disappointing ones in the past.  I love the preschool education that both of the kids have gotten. 

I just want so much more for them...

PS...Justin, don't kill me for writing this.  You know that I'm grouchy today...
 

Bradley Family Photos 2010

Included in most of our Christmas cards this year - enjoy!

Happenings

Wow, I haven't blogged in a while.

I changed by template last night, though.  Did you notice?  And, I'm trying to get a new header & button - a little less amateur looking.

I've been reading and reading blogs since I've been on my little hiatus.  I actually started working in a new position and its taking some getting used to.  My blog schedule has completely been sidetracked and put on the back burner.  I'm off this week and I have SO much to do.  I wanted badly to participate in all of the Christmas Home Tour linky's all over the blogosphere, but its just not going to happen...on schedule anyway.  We finished up our shopping today and Justin has been off.  I have 2 & 1/2 days all to myself for the rest of the week.  I have a lot that I wish to accomplish!!!

I bought my first bottle of Mod Podge today.  I know, I know...its amazing that I've relied so much on the "stuff" that I can pick up for $20 at Hob Lob or Trees & Trends and never attempted to do my own.  This bottle has a specific use planned - Ashley over at Our Happily Ever Afters posted pics, and I fell in love with this:

(Photo Courtesy of Our Happily Ever Afters)

Isn't it just the sweetest?  Ours will be a little different and Justin actually cut a board for me and I cannot wait to get started.  After this past week, we need rules posted.  I don't know if its the anticipation of Christmas or what, but my kids have been little monsters...

BUT....I have come to a realization that I'm very happy to have.

I really like being domestic.

Do I confuse you?  Because probably, my post about the Manhattan lifestyle makes you think otherwise.  I just realized after this weekend that I don't like living fast.  Does that make sense?  I actually would rather curl up on my couch than be out until 1 in the morning.  I would rather wear an apron instead of high heels (that may not actually be 100% true, because I don't own an apron and do LOVE heels, but you get the point).  I baked all day yesterday.  I missed spending that time in my kitchen.

And you know what?

Justin said that he likes me best this way, too.

So I will try my HARDEST...not to complain about not having time to keep up with laundry, housework, and meals...and just make the time.  Yes, hunny, I love you.

Now, if I can just survive the next 2 weeks...

Brand Loyalty - 5 a day for $1 a day...

In my experiences shopping, I find that there are just some things that I can't "stray" from.  I'm sure that you've seen from my Budget Review posts that I will buy multiple brands of some items.  But there are others that it really just doesn't matter if I'm getting a great deal, I have to have only my favorite.

So, almost 2 months ago, I decided that I would express my brand loyalty to our favorite manufacturers.  So I threw open the cabinets, freezers, and fridge and started taking a good hard look at the products that we have.  Immediately, I knew that there were some that were questionable...and others that were not!

Part of our $1 Per Day Challenge is that we do have to be somewhat flexible.  We love Scott Brand Toilet Tissue, but when couponing, you have to determine what your rock bottom price is and stock up when you find it.  The problem here in our home is that I just recently started using coupons again (about 4 months ago) after taking a 6 month hiatus.  We still had some non-perishables, but for the most part, I was starting all over.  I've been having to compromise on what brands I can buy while sticking to the modest budget we've set.

And knowing how hard coupons are to come by for some of our favorites, I decided that I would do a fun little experiment.  In 4 weeks, I emailed the manufacturers of 100 different products.  These items were all already in our home, and were being used (I know that sometimes, couponing strategies included getting whatever you can for a cheap cheap price, but that's generally not how I roll, haha!)

This was tedious and time consuming, but we have reaped the rewards.  Not only was I able to be open and honest about our feelings, I received some very welcoming comments, literature, recipes, and freebies.  I received several phone calls and a wonderful response from the President of Rhodes Bake-N-Serv.

One thing, however, that did not impress me was the "form letter" responses.  You see, blogging has become such a huge part of the social internet that some companies are almost rude when they receive a letter that you are a blogger.  I think it is unfortunate, because my real intentions were not to receive any coupons, free products, or a PR relationship...it was to actually establish the fact that we, as a family on a budget, can still be loyal to our favorite brands.

All in all, this has been a very good experience for me.  I hope that there have been relationships established with manufacturers because of this venture.  And I hope that this post will encourage you to not only save money, but to remember that companies, especially small ones, do appreciate your business.

(Photo courtesy of Rut Buster)

A New Series Beginning and a Tribute to My Faithful Companion

I'd planned on beginning a new "What's in Your Mailbox" series yesterday.

But unfortunately, I had to do something very very hard.  And if you have ever had to do it, you'll understand.

I had to let my beloved Manx, Renegade, drift into an eternal sleep. 

He hadn't been doing well for almost 2 weeks, and I just really couldn't take it anymore.  I'd thought yesterday that he'd gotten a little better, and I decided that I would take him to the vet.

But it was heartbreaking news that I received.  Dr. Brian Heuring is our vet, and he is wonderful - he is always honest and I trust his opinion.  Renegade had been diagnosed with diabetes over 5 years ago, and we have been through episodes where treatment was necessary and life saving.  I knew that if this was the end, that Dr. Brian would assure me and he did. 

I'd never had an animal as long as I'd had Renegade.  He was more than a pet to me - he had been with me through 16 years of my life.  Through his nose nuzzles and purrs, my heart was healed time and time again.  A faithful companion that never judged me and who never cared if I didn't live up to expectations.  I don't feel like I betrayed him, but I feel somewhat guilty that I didn't stay while he was put to sleep.  My selfishness didn't want to remember him dying.

I was apprehensive to do this post, but I'm a day off on my blog schedule and I felt like I needed to explain why. 

So, I'm gearing up for a series that will start next Monday.  It will be titled "What's in Your Mailbox?"  I will be sharing some highlights of the freebies and coupons that we receive in the mail.  If you do not follow a "coupon blog," I suggest the following:

Deal Seeking Mom
Money Saving Mom
Blessings N Couponing (for the Southeast Missouri area)

And the following Forum:
A Full Cup

Coupons can be printed from these sites:
Coupons.com
Redplum.com
CoolSavings.com
Smartsource.com


These are all wonderful outlets to sign-up for free offers and coupons.  Of course, I do not plan to make this a coupon blog...I just wanted to share some of the links and ways that we get offers in the mail.  Our mailbox is literally filled to the brim everyday.  I hope that you'll join me in posting a comment during the new series with your favorites that you receive!

So for now, I'll say good bye to my friend.  He'll be buried tonight. 

Cookie Fun with Meem's

From my last couple of posts, I'm sure you know by now...we've had company!  Justin's mom & dad came to visit this weekend and got to spend some much needed time with the kids (and Justin & I got to go out on a much needed date!!).

On Saturday, I wanted MeeMee to have a special time with Paige & Marshall - and one thing that she talks often of is making cookies with Justin & Aaron when they were young.  Last week, I made 1/2 a batch of sugar cookie dough and stuck it in the fridge.  I hope you enjoy seeing the fun that was had making the cookies.

The Great Pumpkin(s)!!!

Tomorrow night, our little family will watch one of my favorite childhood memories unfold on the screen in our living room.  One thing that I never did do as a child was carve a pumpkin.  I'm sure that to my mother, there were lots of good reasons not to...but I still can't think of any of them.  My kids (including the big one that I'm married to!) had a great time.