working towards the prairie

Local Fires

We have a large forest fire in our area right now, the Big Bear fire.  We've been watching the big planes fly over all weekend dropping stuff on the fire.  I can't think of what the name of the stuff is, darn!  It's red though. LOL  Anyway, it's now split into 2 fires and the Gov. has declared a state of emergency for our County.  So far we are a safe distance away but a shift in the wind could change that.

Please say a prayer for the firefighters and the people who are dealing with this right now.  I believe there are 1000 people evacuated right now from their homes.

Sunday Happenings

Well, not much actually happening today!   Hubby had to work today and when he left early he took my car keys by accident so the girls and I had to miss Church.  Bummer because I was looking forward to the service. 

So I've been finishing up laundry.  I don't do any laundry during the week because I'm usually to tired when I get home from work.  So all my laundry is done over the weekend.  I'm also getting my binder for the bills organized.  I was trying to make 1 home binder with everything in it but that just isn't working out so I'm switching to a sep. binder for the monthly bills.  Let's hope I can get that one organized!

I haven't blogged in awhile which is something I promised myself I would keep up with.  Things have just been so busy with work, the house, the bills and the girl's schooling.  Sometimes I feel like I'm in high gear and will never slow down. I really need to find a way to slow down.  Isn't that what I really want in life?  I have a mental picture in my head where I'm living in a little cabin in the middle of a big field.  No neighbors to be seen, no traffic on the road.  My lovable Labs jumping through the meadow.  Ahhh, that sounds so peaceful.  Someday.....

The upcoming week has alot going on.  We have a dr appt for Sam because she's been having constant headaches.  I'm not sure if it's vision related (she wears glasses) or nutritional related.  I'm guessing nutritional.  We don't have the best eating habits in this house.  Meg has a school meeting on Tuesday in Los Angeles (my Mom will drive her for me) and then youth group again on Wed. & Thurs., also Spaghetti family dinner at Church Wed. We've also been playing Apples to Apples at night, a game I recommend to families with teens.  It's been alot of fun.

Have a great Sunday!

Mindy

Lunch help needed

I could really use some help in this area.  Mark is a truck driver and  has no access to a microwave or any thing for his lunches.  So, whatever I make him is in his cooler for the day. 

I'm running out of ideas.  Sandwiches have been the main thing and I'd like to have some variety for him of other things to make so that he doesn't get bored and decide to stop at the first fast food place he passes. LOL  It's going to take some imagination since we eat so differently.  He'll eat anything (except peanut items) and I eat next to nothing, so packing my lunch is a cinch.

So any suggestions, recipes, ideas would be appreciated.

Mindy

Ahhhh Saturday

I'm so glad it's finally Saturday!  I'm going to try to work on my binder today, clean the house and make a trip to the library.  I'm making a nice list of books to look for.  All money saving related, so I hope they have something for me.

Here's what I've done to save so far.  I've traded in my big gas hog truck for a small economy car, saving me in payments, fuel and insurance. I've been packing lunches for Mark & I everyday and I'm running out of ideas there! We are going to get the coupon section on Sunday.  I've put out applications for night work but have had no response yet.  I've even put in for different jobs at my company but nothing yet.  It's very frustrating.  I'm hitting the library instead of the bookstore so that I'm not spending extra there.  That's huge for me because I'm a book fanatic! LOL  I'm also cooking more things instead of running out and buying. 

Oh and I'm seriously looking into selling on Ebay.  I'm a little shy about that right now because I've never done it but hey, do what ya gotta do right?

We are trying to follow the logic of pay off the credit cards and then move on to paying off the vehicles, then the house. 

Good Evening

I'm so glad that this day is almost over! I can hear my bed calling to me. LOL  I spent the day working (I work 40 hrs/week at FedEx) then came home and spent 2 hours on the phone trying to set up payment plans for all the bills.  I'm really trying to be proactive with the bills instead of letting things pile up and having a bigger headache down the line, make sense? 

Here's a little history.  I've always managed the finances, hubby thought that since I was staying at home with the kids I would have a better idea on how to handle it all.  I was doing great, even managed to set aside enough for a downpayment on the house.  Well, once we got into the house, my at-home job (contract work) was cancelled so I went outside the home for work.  Hubby decided that he would take over the bills.  Well, he just didn't have a clue about what I went through to manage the money and my kind suggestions to him went unheard.  Finally, last month we decided that I would again handle the finances and here we are.  I'm going to have to rely on hard work and the major power of prayer to get things straightened out.  I'm so frustrated and sick at heart at the state of things right now.  Please pray that I came get things in order for us.

I'm going to start back on coupons, it's been awhile since I've used them because I found that we were buying products we really wouldn't if we didn't have the coupons.  If anyone has suggestions or sites that might help me out, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks and have a blessed evening-

Mindy

Binder Question

Hello-

I've been working this weekend to put together a Home Management Binder and although I've found some great ideas and tips I haven't really come across how anyone organizes the bills.  Are they part of the binder?  Are they kept in another area? 

Can someone please help me out here?  Lead me to some examples maybe? 

Thanks,

Mindy

Can someone turn down the heat please??  It's been 110+ again today with clouds and threatening thunder storms all day.  I wish it would just rain and get it over with already!  I've been spending way too much time online looking at other states and dreaming of a cooler, greener place to live. 

Today we woke up for Church and both girls didn't feel good (I think it's the heat) so we ended up missing service.  I'm sorry I missed it because I think the Pastor was supposed to be back from vacation this week and I'm ready for a good Sermon.  I'm craving one!

Today was spent trying to get a home management binder set up and boy is it proving to be hard!  I wouldn't have thought so but it's taking some time.  I need to find pages, print them out and most importantly FILL THEM IN!  I need to be consistant and really follow through on budgeting and trying to get and stay organized.  Any suggestions? 

My Labor Day is going to be spent Laboring at home.  I'm thinking I can use the day to box up stuff around the house that is really just collecting dust, cleaning the garage up (the new car will fit inside!), laundry and maybe a little baking.  Alot depends on the heat, I just don't do well in the heat.  Then it's back to work on Tuesday.  I'm ready, I had most of Friday off due to a migraine so I know I'll have plenty to do at my desk when I get back.  I also have a couple of applications to drop off on my way home on Tuesday for a night job.  Just temporary but needed badly right now!  Wish me luck!

Happy Sunday Evening All-

Mindy

Happy Saturday! Yippee!

Good Saturday Evening All-

Today has been a great day, even if the weather was humid and up to 110 degrees.  Ugh!  I'm not a heat person but I forged ahead and went out all by myself to find a way to help out financially.  I traded in my nice big truck (which I *loved by the way) for a small much more economical car.  I did it all on my own, first time and I'm pretty pleased with the results!  We will be saving money with less in car payments,less in fuel and less in insurance. 

Mark was working all day and out of cell phone range so he was really surprised when he drove up to the house.  We had been talking about getting out of my truck but didn't think anyone would help.  Surprise! 

It's been a long HOT day and I'm really looking forward to Sunday and Church.  I have to drop Megan for the High School Group at 7am (what happened to sleeping in?) and since I'll be up I hope to get something done around the house. 

I'm having so much fun reading all the blogs, it makes me feel like there are more likeminded people out there then I ever would have thought.  :)

Hello Tuesday

It seems finding time to make blog entries has been hard, but I'm going to make an effort to work on it.  I need to take the time to really learn about blogging and the numerous things I can do if I take the time to look around a little.

We had a great weekend, Saturday was spent gardening (3 new palm trees in) and then we spent a few hours bowling, it was a work gathering.  We had such fun and it didn't bother my back at all.  Now my legs are sore but it's a give and take right?  Sunday we spent at Church and then picked up Meg from the airport in the afternoon.  She did fantastic on her plane ride, it's nothing short of a miracle.  We have battled anxiety attacks and painful shyness in her for so long and with the help of the Youth Group she is finally coming out of her shell.  Her anxiety attacks were the initial reason we started homeschooling her back in 6th grade.  She's now a senior in high school, still homeschooling and overcoming her fears a little more everyday.  Thank you God!

Today I turned in a job application for the new local Bass pro shops, please say a prayer that I'm considered for employment.  We could use the extra earnings right now.  We've also picked up the book Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey.  Has anyone read this?  We are reading it nightly together so that we can both be aware of what needs to be done financially and work as a team. 

A big Thank You to those who've left comments for me, I'm so new to this and hope to catch on quickly. LOL  Every comment makes me feel Welcome!

Have a nice night-

Mindy

Wednesday

Wednesday signals the middle of the week, hump day isn't it?  Thursday starts the downhill side to the weekend. Yay!  Lately things around here have been full speed.  I'm trying to recover from a possible pinched nerve in my back, causing pain to travel down a leg.  It's so painful at times to just sit or stand.  Makes for a long day.  Also the medication the doc prescribed makes me so sleepy that I don't want to take it. It's been about 2 weeks of pain now and I pray it gets better soon.

We have 1 child in Youth Group tonight and the other is packing for a trip to Arizona!  This is her first trip away from home without either parent.  Big step!  She's going to visit her brother (my stepson) in AZ for 4 days.  This in itself is a huge miracle in her life and ours that God has given us.  I'll explain more on that later, the puter is acting up! Ugh! 

Have a blessed night everyone!

Mindy

Try Try again!

Hi! This is my 4th attempt to post my first message, let's hope I don't hit a wrong button again! LOL  Computers and I do not get along. 

My name is Mindy, I'm wife to Mark  (18 yrs) and mom to Megan 17yrs old & Samantha 13 yrs old. We also have 3 Lab's who are just like additional kids in the house.  We live in San Bernardino, CA and have hopes of moving to a more rural setting.  That is totally not where we are at now.  I work for a large delivery service and Mark is a truck driver (local).  Between work and shuttling the girls to different Youth Group activities w/the Church we stay pretty busy.

My main reason for blogging is to meet other likeminded people and hopefully make some friendships.  Also I have been reading some awesome blogs and started to feel like I was peeking in windows by not having one myself. LOL 

Any questions about me? Fire away, I'm ready!

Mindy