Well the challenge is coming to a close and here are a few things I have learned.

1) I am not good at these challenge things.  I enjoy shopping.  I enjoy spending money.  I am normally pretty good about how I spend my money so I don't believe my little $10-$20 here or there to buy a few goodies will break us or hurt us.  I have been able to pick up a few needed things by going this route.

2) We are not prepared for things that come up.  For example I spent close to $100 getting my boys ready for their trip to Florida.  And even then, I needed another week to really pick up a few more things they need.  I did get some great deals, but I know now what I need to look for at garage sales and such.

3) I just don't like being confined as I felt with the challenge. 

So with that all said, let me say this---I did well.  I was more aware of where my money went and I did choose MANY times NOT to spend money, and I pray this is something I continue to carry on with me.

As for our house---well the cleaning was going well, until life took a crazy turn and now the house reflects it.  I will do better this week and get my house back into ship shape!  I enjoy my home so much more when it is.

The children and I drove down to the dam by our home two times this week.  There were HUGE fish down there.  I think we are going to really take up fishing.  I just need to learn to clean fish!!  And of course I need to get fishing license, until then----Jacob can fish (he is too little to need a license) 

My other three explored the run off area, which looks almost like a little creek.  I, myself, enjoyed reading on my blanket.  It was VERY relaxing.

Today we are spending the day in town.   I woke up this morning and baked 2 pizzas (homemade but with a crescent roll crust) and baked an oooey gooey cake.

Recipe for ooey gooey cake:

1 box of cake mix

1 stick of butter melted

2 beaten egg.

mix together and press into a cake pan (9x13)

Then mix together:

1 box of powdered sugar

1 beaten egg

1 box of cream cheese (room temp.)

Spread this mixture over the cake mixture.  Bake at 350 until browned lightly on top.  Then enjoy.  The orginal recipe called for butter cake mix, we used devil food's.  I not yet tasted it, but it sounds like it will be devine.  And since is has cream cheese most of my family may not care for it---so then it will be "MINE ALL MINE"  *insert evil laugh here*

And all this talk of food (thanks M) has made me hungry.  Hubby still has 1 1/2hrs before lunch.  I wonder if he wants to go early????

The children have a homeschool program to perform this evening so we will spend the day at the park.  I can't wait to check out a lot of books from the library so I can sit and read while they go exploring!

Well off to visit my homsechool blog and up date there:

www.homeschoolblogger.com/toraanne

and if you are bored you can also visit my blog:

www.xanga.com/toraanne