Life Unscripted-that moment

When you come home to a Sheriff's  notice on your door that not one but two (yes I said two) child predators moved into your little neighborhood just a couple houses down.  Needless to say we are making sure all doors and windows are locked and our dog will not be sleeping in her crate anymore. She will have free roam of the house because she will alert us to any nonsense.  

I survived a child hood filled with unpleasant memories of being molested.  Circumstances were different for me it was someone in the family I grew up with that hurt me, not an outsider, but I still suffer the after effects of such an experience.  A touch that is correct in my grown up relationship with my husband can bring a flashback of an inappropriate one when I was a child and ruin a moment or change an intimate relationship with my spouse.  It is difficult for me to trust most men around my kids.   

I know these people may never approach my children, but we will be sleeping with doors, and windows locked, the kids won't be allowed to walk to a friends, or play outside without a trusted adult escort even though our yard is fenced in. I am considering black out curtains for each room.  I may be overreacting and overprotective, but my kids are worth it.  I will do all I can to keep my and all other kids from that type of harm.

So here is MJ's PSA of sorts....please know who is around your children.  Know who you are leaving your kids with.  Have a safety talk with your kids.  Ask them if someone has done anything to make them uncomfortable.  I told my kids that their "parts" are their "parts" and that no adult or even other child should ask to see theirs or show them pictures or things of that sort.  I have told my kids to please tell me if anyone ever makes them uncomfortable or does something like that no matter how much they think I trust or care for the person that may be bothering them.  To allow no threat that someone may make against them or us to keep them from telling me about such an event.

Please if your kid comes to you about something like this, don't ask them to lie and cover up what someone has done to them.  Stand up for them and don't choose an abuser over your child.. It won't be easy.  Things may change, moves may have to be made.  It will hurt.  Stand up for your kid.  Let them know you love them.  Protect them.  When what I was experiencing as a child came to light, my "parents" at the time asked me to go tell the detective I had lied to get attention.  I did what they asked because I was a kid, and they were who I lived with, I trusted them.  They didn't protect me.  I hope you never have to face something like that but if you do, make the right but difficult choices.  Your children are worth it.

Surviving

I am sorry that I have not posted lately, things have been hectic, and last week was one of the toughest weeks we had faced since unemployment began in our lives.

As of this moment, my husband and I are both employed, he returned to work just today!  It is a blessing.  We are both trying to hang in there and work at the same time, but child care could become an issue, so we are taking one day at a time..... each day is definitely sufficient in it's own trouble.  I should finally receive my first paycheck after working for three weeks, this Thursday.

I have also had an infection in my lymph system that has been brutal in terms of burning, itching, and swelling.  I finished antibiotics, I may have to follow up with a doctor because all symptoms have not resolved....I am praying it is nothing more serious like cancer or something...so that has kept me up a little and caused some added stress.  All in all though, I am very blessed.  I hope that each of you are as well.  I have to say I appreciate everyone's encouragement....i did break down a little last week....into some tears, but God quickly resolved the things that were weighing most heavy on us at the time.

Thanks for hanging in there....I hope everyone enjoys their week.

xoxoxoxoxox

from MJ

Sharing Ways We Save

We have officially and thankfully survived our third week of unemployment and it has taken me so long to get this post up that tomorrow will make our fourth week!


I don't know if we intentionally did anything to save but our blessings were abundant.
We continue to utilize the library for movies, Internet, and books.  This past Tuesday was the kick off of the summer reading program so we signed up both kids.

When a neighbor realized that my husband was no longer employed he brought us over a turkey and some chicken along with a few popsicles and microwaveable meals.

We utilized the Food Bridge (which is the official name of the food program offered at a local church)

I was able to get the bank to refund a fee of 32.00 to us so we were able to keep gas in our van.

We emptied all nooks and crannies of the house and change banks and came up with 15.00 which we used at Aldi for a few groceries. Wit careful planning we purchased enough for five meals as well as eggs and toilet paper.

My husband received a 100 check in the mail as a reward for participating in some kind of health program when he was employed.  We were so surprised and sure it is the Lord's provision. It actually looked like junk mail....I am so happy my husband opened it!

We set up a yard sale at the end of the main road we live off of with some others and we made roughly another 100 dollars.

In the kitchen I made oatmeal raisin cookies from scratch.

Our chickens were not producing eggs so we gave them away.

We continue to air dry clothes and keep the thermostat at 79.

As you can see this weeks blessings were abundant and came just as we needed them.  If nothing happens I am to start work on June 22. And the money made should see us through until I can earn a paycheck two weeks later. We are doing blessedly well considering we had no savings as this began. Our landlord is aware of our situation and has agreed to work with us.

During this last week we took a day to play hairdresser and my husband cut my hair,his and our daughters.  We also touched up my color ourselves (i only did this because I think I am suppossed to start work on Monday, but I am still waiting for final confirmation and I wanted to appear professional, we purchased a box of 2.97 hair color at Walmart)

We also have utilized the Summer Food program for the kids.  You can google this and what the program is is breakfast and lunch provided by local schools for kids 18 and under.  Adults can eat for $1.50 but the kids are free.  We have mostly just taken the kids to eat.

 If you ever find yourself in a similar situation do not despair.  You are loved, God sees and He knows what you need!  Thank you to all who read I have made some wonderful friends and deeply appreciate you all.


I wanted to thank everyone for their thoughts,prayers and concerns.  My posting was late this week due to my husband being kept in the hospital for chest pains.  This was a scary time, but I am able to blessedly report that he is fine now, no major issues, and he is feeling much better.

After he came home my daughter ended up needing to go to the doctor too and she needed an antibiotic.  So there has been alot of caring for that had to be done, and we were just anble to get to the library today.  I have alot to learn about posting from a mobile device so no pics this week.  I will work on it. Thank you for being patient with me as I learn and grow!

Sharing Ways We Save

We have now survived two weeks of unemployment. We had a little savings and some wonderful blessings this week.


An Aldi recently opened in our area, we were on the way home from a pre employment drug screen and we decided to stop in.  We were able to make 22.00 go so much farther there then we could of at any other grocery store in our area.  Eggs were 1.29 bread was .85 and tp was .50 for 4 rolls, pasta .33.  (just a couple examples of items we picked up.

In the kitchen, we made hot fudge pudding cake, cinnamon rolls, and biscuits from scratch.  We have gotten creative in the kitchen making meals like lasagna soup, everyone has agreed to have an open mind.  Almost everything has been a hit.

School is officially over, my son's teacher sent him home with some things that have been a wonderful blessing as snacks for the kids, pop tarts, breakfast bars, and cookies.

Friday was National Doughnut Day, so we went to Krispy Kreme and each got a free donut.

My son had a friend spend the night, and his mom sent some chicken nuggets and cake mix, which we used to prepare a mostly free to us meal!  I just made mac n cheese.

On Saturday we had a free lunch at the Sr. Center here in town.  When I went to say thank you to let them know how their service makes a difference in our lives, they blessed us with 4 sandwiches, and 3 cups of soup to take home with some fresh fruit.  (best cherries I have ever tasted!)

I remembered the bread basket that a church does every Saturday, and they were finishing up, but we were still able to get some fresh delicious bagels, a bag of hamburger buns, and a loaf of wheat bread.

We all also went to the library as a family.  We found out we each can get a library card and we got tons of movies to watch.  We will also be participating in free summer reading events.  If you are looking for something to do that doesn't cost anything the library is a great resource!

Lots of board games have been played.  We seem to really be enjoying things, and though there are some fears it is nice that my husband isn't so worn out from his job that he is able to willingly and with a good attitude be an active participant in the family.

As you can see there have been many wonderful blessings that we have received this week.  I also may possibly have a job.  I accepted the offer because they are the only company out of all the applications. (over 20) to call back.  My husband received one call back, but no job offer yet.  The job offer I received is 45 minutes to an hour away from where we live.  It is full time, but will not start until June 22nd which means no paycheck until July 10th.

Another great blessing was that my son broke out in hives, that were really severe, hot, and swollen, we were blessed to find out the kids have Florida Kidcare even though we lost our regular insurance and we were able to take him to the doctor.  Two days later he was in severe abdominal pain, and tears and unable to lay down.  We prayed, and took him to the E.R.  his symptoms improved with some medication and the hospital let  us come home!

It was recital day for our princess and thankfully we had paid for all of that before unemployment occurred and she did great!  We enjoyed wonderful entertainment!

Mishaps.....I almost couldn't complete the pre employment drug testing.  I went in ready to go, and there was not enough product for them to measure.  So I had to wait an hour and a half.  I drank at least a literal gallon of water and still felt like I could not go.  I prayed and asked God to move, low and behold after that I filled the cup, and then wouldn't you know I could go constantly after that.

The stray that found us in December got out on a main road, thankfully he was not hit, but someone else picked him up (a friend saw it but she didn't know our dog was missing so she did not say anything) When she got to the house though and realized the dog was missing she told me how someone had picked him up in their car.  We decided to let that person keep him.

Our electric bill this month increased by another 50.00.  Extremely counter productive in our current situation, but we are doing all we know to cut expenses.  

So how was your week....I hope you are counting your blessings!

I always share this over at the prudent homemaker  and I must give Brandy a special thank you without her list I would not have had some of the things in my pantry to cook from scratch, and she has some great recipes!

Sharing Ways We Save

We have survived the first full week of my husband's unemployment!  There have been many online applications and resume's submitted this week, but no productive employment or interviews obtained yet.


As far as saving, we have tried to be conservative by turning the thermostat up to 79 and using fans when necessary instead of turning down the a.c.

We participated in the food giveaway at the local church, you can participate every other week.  This will help stretch what we have.

For entertainment, we visited the library for books and movies.

We also attended a birthday party where the kids got to play on a water slide and were provided lunch.

A friend paid my husband 20.00 for cutting her dog's hair.

I made biscuits from scratch and they were actually good, I just need to cut them thicker next time.

We have continued to lay our clothes out to dry on the porch and on hangers (broken dryer)  Sometimes they were so stiff that they were crunchy...I have found that a squirt of hair conditioner with a little vinegar and water ( in the fabric softener compartment) softens them and helps with remove any sweat smell since the weather has gotten so warm here.

That about wraps up our week.  How are you doing?

Adventures and mishaps for the week...this guy disappeared for a week.  I shared his information with Animal Control and on Facebook etc.  We were so worried.  It turns out he was stuck in a 60 ft tree on property a street or so over from us.  Someone posted it on Craigslist.  So happy he is back home...thanking God!  (two weeks ago the other cat we adopted from the shelter a couple months ago died)  So  we are really relieved this guys made his way back home.

Sharing Ways We Save

Picked a trampoline (small one perfect for exercising or for kids from neighbors curbside pile) it is now on our front porch.

Officially listed my bracelets for sale in several places one of them is a page here on the blog.... From Trash to Treasure

Made peanut butter cookies and dumplings from scratch.

Received  free medication samples from my endocrinologist when I visited.  I am supposed to restart a previously prescribed medication, and start new insulin.

Had lunch at the Senior Center on Saturday.

Visited the library and borrowed books and movies to watch over the extended weekend.

Met a lady when we went out today and she was no longer going to be a teacher so she gave my kids their pick of books. We also packed our lunch and a couple drinks to avoid spending any money.

In our travels we found one item that I picked up for $2.00 to give our son as a birthday gift.  A documentary on the Vietnamese War.  He is very interested in military things right now.


On the not so frugal end, my husband is no longer employed, and after I thought all my health concerns were clear I have found a lump in my neck that I am going to try and scramble and have looked at next week before our insurance is cancelled.  Prayers that it is nothing....all other tests have been clear, but lumps make me extremely nervous.

I don't know what is on the horizon for us, we wait.  It's an extended weekend, my husband does have some work leads to look into once the extended weekend is over. One day at a time is all we are doing.  I am sure we will be fine for at least the next month.  We will see what the Lord has for us in that time.

Hope everyone is having a great week.  Let me know if there is some way I can be in prayer or of assistance to you! <3 my readers!

Oh and here are two tips for the week in case you didn't know.  Check your area.  Most Wendy's are giving away a free small Frosty on Memorial Day, and on Tuesday 05/26 most Sonic's are having .50 corn dogs!

  

Sharing Ways We Save

This week we....

laid clothes out to dry on the porch and hung them up in the bathrooms on hangers to dry because the dryer stopped working....(it should save money on the electric bill right, we are hoping that maybe we can use google and maybe repair it ourselves)

Cut $133.00 from our budget by changing cell phone carriers and removing car insurance from the second vehicle we do not drive.  (we may prayerfully consider selling, but we do not know yet.)

Made fudge pops, chocolate chip cookies, and beef stew from scratch

It was our week for the food program at the local church and we received a dozen eggs, bacon, some burger, pasta sauce, a couple canned goods, boxed pasta and to our surprise a bag of snack size Hershey bars that will be great to make some more cookies etc with.  There were over 75 families participating in this giveaway.  I can see we are not the only ones working to make things stretch as far as they can go.  (and yes I know I could work outside the home, but we have tried that and it does not work well for us.  I am currently researching ways to make money while at home but waiting on the Lord's leading.)  In the mean time we are working with all that is available to us.

We also went to the thrift store that allows us to fill a shopping bag for $1 and picked up one pair of shoes in the next size, two pairs of pj pants, and a sweater for the school year for my daughter, and a tank top for my son as well as a camo top that is for a Build A Bear.  He is very into army stuff right now, so i knew he would love it.

We have been pulling pop tabs off all the soda cans we can find to support my new hobby.  We are saving the cans too.

 (This is a latest creation...I am seriously praying about opening an ETSY shop maybe or taking them to a local craft fair or bazaar.  Just charging a couple bucks for them maybe and see what happens.  Sorry that the picture isn't better I used my hubby as a hand model to show a friend...but of course if I post for sale I will use a female model.)

Re purposed a dog food bag as a trash bag.

Redeemed Swagbucks for a 5.00 e gift card to Walmart and another $1.62 from the Savings Catcher App

We bank with a local Credit Union because they do not charge fees for having an account. They also offer a rewards program where you get a point for every $5.00 you spend using your debit card.  We have had the account for a little over a year.  We had earned some points, and I used them to order something for my husband for father's day.  I am super excited.  We have an nice little package to put together for him that will have cost us .75 cents out of pocket so far!

Today a friend treated me to Panera and I found out on my rewards card with them that I have free coffee for a year!  That is super exciting....I can't figure out how or why I have it....but I am excited either way.

We also after weeks and weeks of waiting have our first round of mealworms that we were able to breed ourselves!  I was about to give up and feed the adult beetles to my lizard, when I spotted lots of tiny little baby meal worms.  I learned how to do this on ehow.  We have two lizards that eat the meal worms.  Once I plant some greens we will be able to feed our lizards from our personal stock of things here at home!  That will be so exciting.

Shopped Walmart on Sunday when they start marking down the stuff they need to move, and scored two rotisserie chickens for $1.99 each.  So far one has been stretched for at least two meals.  

The final thing I can think of this week is that we were saving to do a big surprise party for my son's 10th birthday that would have been kind of expensive but worth it.  My husband asks him what he wants to do for his birthday....he says he would be fine with staying home and just having a few friends over.  I can do that....Might as well do what he wants right!

I hope each of you have had a wonderful week.  Everything you do is important.  Don't let anything or anyone tell you otherwise.