Wow! I just read my last post... from almost TWO years ago. I don't know where the time has gone. Oh, wait! Yes I do... facebook. Yikes. It's hilarious looking back. I never did become that mom. I'm not really sure what kind of mom (or woman) I've become, but I will admit that the gym didn't work out and the house is rarely clean.

I'm still home. Troy is in first grade and Addison is in her last year of preschool. Every day of every year is new, uncharted territory. I have gotten involved with a direct sales company that I LOVE. It gives me a chance to get out of the house a little, keeps me busy, and gives me something of my own. I had to admit that I'm the type of person that needs rewards. I have to have something to strive and succeed at and, lets be honest, being Mom is not the most rewarding job at times.

I've also moved in to a semi-caretaker role for my 93 year old grandma. She's still amazingly independent, but now that she's not driving I have jumped in to the role of shopper, chauffeur, and more. There is a lot of drama that goes with that role and it's consumed a lot of the last couple years, but it's worth it. I think I'm teaching the kids an important lesson too.

I have a lot more lots and a lot more to write (and hopefully more often) but that's a quick catch-up of where we are now.

Accepting Who I Am



A facebook poll says I'm Peg Bundy. Hmm...
Not sure I agree with that, but I'm not sure
there is a tv mom that fits who I am.

 Warning: This is an expression of some personal emotions I've been dealing with. Some of this may be offensive to certain people, but that it not the intent. Please proceed with caution.

Last year at this time I wrote a post about my decision to become a stay-at-home mom and adjusting to the new job. As crazy as it sounds, I'm still adjusting a year later. I sort of had a light bulb moment last week. Because I let the holiday weight add back up, I decided it was time to do something drastic. I was going to join the gym. I made an appointment for Tuesday morning to check out one near here. As I dropped the kids off at school, I realized I had become one of those moms.

Financial Goals: 2010 Update

As I look back on our 2010 Goals I'm amazed by how much things change in a year. The goals we followed we smashed. The rest, well... they just seem so insignificant to me now. I see the value in the accountability, but the reality of the time involved in tracking stuff in the blog format, creating a price book, etc just doesn't fit with living life with a young family.

Here are the updates on the 2010 goals that we did focus on:

Goal: Set specific dollar amount to save for car replacement, home improvements, and other major savings categories and track it in side bar. -- We set the amounts early in the year, but didn't track them in the sidebar.Goal: Save 50% of car replacement fund by the end of 2010.- Actually saved 100% of the amount we targeted AND bought a new to us car. Paid cash for the whole thing.
Goal: Save 75% of deck replacement fund by the end of 2010 (other 25% in 2011). - Actually saved 100% and built a new deck in pergola. Paid cash for the whole thing.
Goal: Budget money each month for clothes for the kids, so there are fewer surprises and less temptations. - I got a lot better at separating my categories in 2010. My spreadsheet is a lot longer, but I have separate categories for clothes, gifts, entertainment, blow, etc now that I didn't have in 2009


We also did pretty well at the resolution to have more fun in 2010. Tim actually got to golf more, we took a couple weekend trips as a family, joined the Children's Museum, Center for History, and Potawatomi Zoo, I spent some money on my new obsession - Thirty-One, etc. Overall, it's been a great year.

How did you do in 2010? Did you set goals and stick to them?

Getting back on track!

It's time for a new year and reality check. After a week and a half of having a 2 parent household filled with activities and fun, Tim goes back to work today. The house is trashed. My bathroom remodel is only 3/4 the way through. The Christmas decorations are still cluttering the living room. Oh, and the kids are very antsy.

My plan for today is to get back on plan. The Motivated Mom's calendar is printed and on the fridge, I've dusted off the kid's commissions charts (adding one for Addison), and I'm looking forward to a productive day. In addition to our chores for today, I need to put away the decorations (sort what we don't need or is broken), organize my returns, plan out the rest of the week so I don't forget anything.

This week we'll be hosting FPU Alumni where we'll discuss goal setting for 2011. I'll share those later this week once I have formalized my own. What's on your list for today and the new year?

The Smell of Tradition

As December rolled in, so did the wave of memories and holiday traditions. I woke up Wednesday morning to the smell of apples and cinnamon. As I turned on the light to kitchen, I had a flashback to my youth. On the back wall were two felt Santa's with 24 mini candy-canes decorating their Santa suits, just like the ones my mom had made for me when I was little. On the counter were applesauce-cinnamon ornaments that had been slowly drying for the past couple days. While I love the practicality and savings of home-made gifts and decorations, it's carrying on the traditions that is truly priceless. I LOVE THE HOLIDAY SEASON!!!

ps - Troy's dislike for the candy canes wasn't even enough to damper the cheer in my heart.

Holiday Grand Plan: Holiday Decor Week

I think I missed a couple weeks due to the Thanksgiving "break" and insanity of trying the sell the house. One good thing about the house being on the market is that I have had to do a couple big cleans from top to bottom, so it's staying in pretty good shape. I still feel the need to get back on track with the Holiday Grand Plan.

Holiday Decor Week
I love decorating for the holidays. It's one of my favorite times of year. I love watching the house transform in to a festive place with a smile around every corner!

Holiday Prep:

• Sort Lights - pitch broken lights and inventory remaining
• Updated (outdoor) Lights to LED - done
• Decorate house - inside and out - done
• Make applesauce-cinnamon ornaments with kids - done
• Finish Advent Santa for the kids - done

• Update Master Wish List for kids & wrap up shopping
• Finish Christmas shopping for extended family
• Finalize Christmas plans with family
• Make grocery list for holiday treats (see what can be made ahead)

I am hoping for a little less insanity this week, but I start facilitating my first FPU Class on Wednesday night and we're going out of town again on Friday, so I'll be happy with what ever I accomplish!

A little holiday fun!