Mj's Coming Undone---from all her excuses

I have mentioned Danielle over at Blissful and Domestic before...she is taking part in a Fitness Challenge during the month of April,she talks about it here, and I have decided to join her... ...and Instagram too!  If you want to follow along you can find me with user name undonemjscoming or by my blog name.

Keep in mind Instagram is new to me, but I am going to give it a shot.  I have tried fitness and working on my weight in the past and given up....but it is time for MJ TO COME UNDONE FROM THOSE EXCUSES AND GET IT DONE!

The goal is to be physically active for at least 30 minutes a day.  Earlier this week I shared that I had to stop all of the new diabetes medications.  I do still have some medical testing to undergo, but I am just taking my original meds to treat my diabetes, and it is crystal clear with my A1C being 9.9 that they are not effective alone.  Part of my action plan from my endocronologist was to incorporate 30 minutes of activity in my life daily.  It is a new beginning and I will start tomorrow. 

The truth is, whether you are thin or overweight exercise is important.  Anyone interested in getting moving with me?  Even if you are a chronic pain sufferer you can begin with some good stretching and get moving!

I am decidedly my own kind of beautiful, I will never be the magazine cover girl, and I do not meet the world's definition of beauty, but for the first time in my life I do not care, I am me, and that is a beautiful thing. Regardless of the results of exercising it is a correct step in moving forward to get my health under control.

Sharing Ways We Save

I am so happy to be able to post.  It has been a frustrating, interesting, and busy week.

I had to make a trip to the ER for abdominal pain early on in the week.  The cause could not be identified, but the only new thing new in my life was some of those new medicines for diabetes, so now I have stopped all the new medications, and I do feel 90 % better.

By Thursday I was exhibiting symptoms of another urinary tract or kidney infection....by Friday I could not ignore it, so another round of antibiotics for me it is!

I was able to thankfully accomplish some things to benefit my family this week.

I made it over to the Salvation Army on Wednesday when almost everything is 50 % off.

I purchased 4 shirts for my son, and a jacket for my daughter that will fit her next year....the shirts were 1.50 each and the jacket was $2.20.  The second picture shows unfortunately that I did not clean my eating area lately.....and a beautiful dress for me that I paid $4.00 for, some more picture frames, yarn, two coffee cups, a jewelry box, and a candle holder.  I also found a tablecloth and tissue paper.  My total was $24.00.

I also sold something online this week for $50.00, but we turned around and invested it in some items for our home, like a very large area rug, and a set of very sturdy dishes at a yard sale.  We were also gifted a couple items from the same place, a purse for my daughter, the game of Clue for my son, a stuffed animal, and a small sewing machine.

As a family, we ended up at Walmart and browsed the clearance section when we stopped by for my medicine, and found two very awesome hats for the kids for Easter for $5.00 each, ,my husband got a new pair of bedroom slippers for $3.00, and I got a new pair of sneakers for $5.00.  I love finding stuff like that.

Ace Hardware also has their paint samples on sale for .99....the samples are pint size.  That just happens to be perfect for repainting my dresser....so I bought three for .99 each.

I have been visiting my local Winn Dixie every Monday now that I know they mark down their meats, dairy, and other things that need to be moved on this day of the week.

I spend about $13 to $15 each Monday but I am working on restocking our freezer (it was empty) so this has been a great blessing.  Since I have been making these little trips, I also earn points towards gas rewards and earned $.10 off a gallon and used that when I filled up our van.

I forgot to take a picture of it, but my bestie knew someone giving away a large filing cabinet.  She brought it to me and found and idea on pinterest to remove the drawers and we laid it down on its side to use as laying boxes for my hens once they are ready to lay eggs.  The empty drawers have been tucked under our porch and I hope to eventually fill them with soil and use them as planters for some small attempt at gardening for me again this year.  (Last years attempt was a flop, but we moved and everything.....and we didn't get alot of sun in our yard for the trees.)

So how was your week.  Tell me all about it!  (Sorry the pictures aren't all that great, I changed phones and the camera on this one just does not seem very good.  I gotta work on finding what works with it.

If you are looking for more tips on saving money...I usually share this information along with some other wonderful people over at www.theprudenthomemaker.com on her Frugal Accomplishments post.

Life Unscripted...Our Spring Break =A total bust

Well the last time I wrote I was hoping to make this past week all about fun and be able to enjoy the week my son had off from school....

We all know life does not come scripted so that we know what is around the next bend....I had a great day last Friday went to the cosmetology school and got my hair colored and cut and was pretty excited.  I got a couple of red box movies and prepared to have 4 kids in the house for a sleepover.  We watched movies ate spaghetti and had a great Friday night.

Saturday morning, I woke up sick...and so did my son bless his heart....he ran a fever and had a nasty case of pink eye in both eyes it turned out.  I didn't get him to the doctor until Monday when he was given an antibiotic and eye drops.  He was sick most of the week.

I ended up having to see a gastroenterologist after all and have a big bunch of scary to me tests to have done in the next couple weeks.  I stopped the new diabetes medicine that was causing pain, but the issue didn't go completely away so we suspect there is an underlying cause.  Let me tell you that fear of the unknown can be crippling and emotionally draining so I have not been in a good mood nor up to the tasks of every day life.

The house is still reflecting the presence of the 4 kids from last week, and that it has been a rough week this week.  Dishes are all over the sink and counter.  I managed to wash only what we needed to use throughout the week.  No one has picked up after themselves.  It just isn't pretty.

Other misadventures for the week included our van needing repair (thankfully though we found a mechanic shop, our insurance paid for the towing and the repair was only 136.00 and we had the cash to do it.)  The stray dog that we took in around the holidays killed one of our our baby chickens and my son was devastated as he was the one to discover it.  He was extremely upset and I still don't think he has forgiven the dog.

Sunday though was sort of a chance at redemption....my daughter and I traveled to a town called Perry here in Florida with my best friend and her daughter for a gymnastics event.  It turns out though that her kids were feeling a little nauseated the past couple days so there were barf buckets for the ride (which thankfully no one needed)  We survived and had a little fun....my daughter got her face painted

 My husband and son had a "guy's day"  They went to the movies and saw the Sponge Bob movie and looked around at the local mall and a couple other shops.  It turns out they had a really good time, and I was so happy that my son got some special one on one daddy time (because my hubby works alot)  and had a little fun on his spring break. (even if it was the last day.)

 I came home to this sweet surprise.  I have not had roses in a very long time.  I was super surprised, my son picked out the necklace and they had cleaned off the table from the weeks disasters and had dinner waiting.  We had for the first time in a while, dinner as a family at the table.

This morning my son comes to me with a big stack of papers that include a fundraiser, spring pictures, and a note saying he needs snacks for fasfa testing that starts tomorrow.....after being off all week, now I have to take care of it all today....so off to the grocery store my daughter and I go....but I did find out the store closest to me does all their mark downs on Mondays so here is to checking those out.  I am sure there will be some dish washing and laundry in there some where today too.....

What is your Monday looking like?

Life Unscripted

It is Wednesday morning, I broke my rule about getting dressed even if I am just going to the bus stop and drove my son down in my night gown.  The side effects of my new medication are kicking my butt.  I saw my last specialist for a while.  I just have to now schedule and ultrasound and get some blood work done.  The blood work has to be done fasting, and I already feel nauseated so I am not ready to have blood drawn too.  Maybe next week.

One of the new medicines is also giving me terrible heart burn and indigestion on top of pre existing stomach issues.  If it doesn't stop I won't be able to take it.  The medicines are working though in less then a week my sugars have dropped from 265 fasting to 150-177 fasting....big improvement...and because of that difference at least five pounds have come off. 

I have looked around in my kitchen, and I guess today will be a make some home made snacks day because I am not shopping until Sunday and I am sure my husband would appreciate some snacks to go with his lunch for the next couple days.

I am making  homemade chocolate pudding popsicles.  I got the recipe here.  Brandy and her blog have been a great inspiration as I have shared before.

 I have some other things that I want to accomplish too but these side effects really slow me down. Friday starts spring break for my son....maybe if I can't get anything done today he can help me next week.  We shall see. 

I also wanted to share with you some information on another blog I discovered by accident when looking for some free printables to use and decorate my home.  http://www.priorityministries.com/christian-womens-blog/6-scriptural-prayers-pray-husband/

This link has some suggested prayers to to pray over your husband.  I love it.  It was an answered prayer to find this because I have been admitting in my prayers that I am not sure how or what to pray for him.  I have looked around at some of the other messages and videos on this site as well and find them quite encouraging.  They also have free printable scripture art. 


By the end of the day I had to take my son to the doctor because his cheek has been swollen for two days....doctor things he might have been bitten or stung by something.  I made spaghetti for dinner.  We survived the day.  It is now Thursday and I decided to skip the medicine that was hurting my stomach and feel alot better but the downside is the medicine was really working because my sugar was down to 138 this morning.  I am waiting for the doctor to call me back some time today so we can decide the best course of action.  I won't be making anything today.....just taking it easy and washing my sheets that is about it....how about you?

Sharing Ways We Save

This week was busy.

I didn't realize that it was time to take my biggest dog to the vet for her annual check up.  I was blessed in that last years rabies shot is good till 2017.  The dog only needed one shot so the trip was only 15.00.  I also had gotten two coupons in the mail so I got two free doses of Nexguard flea protection (one each for two different dogs.)  I am excited about that.  My husband and I had discussed flea prevention for the animals, and we have so many that we decided not to spend the 600.00 it would cost for the three inside dogs, and instead I bathe them in Dawn dish soap and use a flea comb often.  This will give me a break for a month for two them.

My friend has been continuing to go through her mothers item since she passed 4 months ago.  She allowed me to have a wonderful ceramic trash can that will go great in my guest/kids bathroom.  We have sort of a beachy theme going on in there.  She also gave me a small hamper for that bathroom that is the perfect size for that space to conceal my kids dirty clothes.  She aslo had a whole gallon of paint she did not need and I took that off her hands and will use it on some upcoming projects.

From the same friend we traded/and I purchased for a couple of bucks two items from her for a birthday party we were invited to.  They are gently used, but I think they look great.  We bagged it up in a large paper brown bag that I had on hand .  Better to stimulate a friends pocket than a large chain store.


I finally made it over to the local Salvation Army which has 50 percent off of most items on Wednesdays and I picked up a few more things.  I spent 16.00 for everything.  Some items were as little as .50.  This will probably be the last thrift stop for a bit (I think I mean it this time...lol) because I have some project work to get done, and pictures to hang up etc before I bring in anything else.  At least I am bringing in things I really love.  I found a great Kirklands picture frame new in the box that will make a great gift for my best friend's birthday.  It was 2.50.

We really wanted a stuffed crust pizza, but every time we order pizza out we can easily spend 30.00 if it isn't Little Caesar's, instead I found a stuffed crust pizza in Walmart's fresh deli section.  I spent 8.98 and served it up with apple slices and pop corn.

We also purchased three hens and two baby chicks from a local fb yard sale site.  This lady was the cheapest I could find to get some females.  (Did I mention the chicks we got seven months ago all turned out to be roosters....and all they do is cockadoodledoo even at 1:30 in the morning....).so I found someone that had older chicks that are definitely hens.  She was half the price that our local monthly swip swap farm meet place charges.

Last Friday I saw my endocrinologist, and we have come up with a plan for treatment of my diabetes ( I am so happy in almost 12 years she is the first doctor to give me goals, and she even typed them out for me so I can look at them each day,) that included two new medicines.  The office gave me a card from the maker of the medicine that will reduce my co pay to 25.00.  The other nice thing they did was give me a free sample to get me started.  When I saw my regular physician later that day she gave me another sample of the same medicine.  That in itself was a savings of $50.00.  The new medicine has side effects and I am having some trouble adjusting.  I had meant to get this post up sooner.  Better late than never.

We also went to a local community event sponsored by a historical society of some sort, we did only free things and did not spend a dime :)  We got some great new pics to hang on my kids walls!

I hope that you had a wonderful week and that this week is super awesome and sparkly too!

Getting Stuff Done

Today was a day that the sun shone brightly so I took advantage, and was out at 7 am.  In a little over three hours I had by God's grace gathered all of this up

At least half of it was stuff that was left over by my nephew.  I did finally finish going through all the stuff they left behind.  I found two more shirts for my son, and one for my daughter.  A shirt for my husband, and a box of practically brand new sweaters that will be used by someone I am just not sure who yet.  I also cut a few buttons off some clothes that were garbage.  There were also a  nice small pile of clothes that I gave to my bestie for her daughter.

All totaled there were 7 bags, one target, and a microwave that are out to the trash pile for this coming Monday.  I am happy the task is off my back, and I no longer have someone else's junk taking up space in my space.  It feels good to get it done.  It has been hot here in the afternoons the last three days so I got up and got my work done this morning.

Apparently there are starting to be little signs of Spring around here.  I found these little fragrant beauties on the ground near our fence line. I don't know what tree or bush they fell off of.

So that was my eventful day and I cleaned out our van a little (I still need to wash it and vacuum but that will have to be another day)

How was your day have you completed anything today or this week that you were putting off.  Come on Buttercup...suck it up and get it done!!!!!!  I know you do alot of things that go unseen, and maybe even unappreciated, but God sees, and

What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did it up in heaven for our Lord God. We should accustom ourselves to think of our position and work as sacred and well-pleasing to God, not on account of the position and work, but on account of the word and faith from which the obedience and the work flow.

 Martin Luther
Tomorrow I have two doctor's appointments, finally seeing that endocrinologist I was supposed to see last year....and my regular doctor for chronic pain in my back.  I also have seen the cardiologist recently.  I got a good report.  My EKG was perfect this time, pulse in the 60's and he does not need to see me for another year.  My skin biopsies came back, and I do have some slightly atypical cells, and will have to have a recheck in six months.  No surgery necessary right now.  I am checking off some of my goals...how about you.  You are beautiful, loved and important.

Sharing Ways We Save

I hope you had a great week.  Mine was a bit of a struggle, since the sun has not shown it's beauty in over a week now.  I did get to watch some squirrels scrounging for acorns in our yard this morning with my daughter and her awe and wonder in the moment was a bit of sunshine in my cloudy day.

This week we made banana bread in the kitchen using a stand mixer my grandma sent back from Delaware with me, it was one of our unexpected blessings.  It is an old model but it works!

I made a trip to Goodwill to drop off some things and picked up a few (counterproductive I know,) The items I picked up though will bring us significant savings versus buying them new.

The rug is for working with my daughter on her alphabet and will also provide a soft place for her to sit when she plays with her dolls or in her toy box.  I purchased several picture frames, because I am always working on something.  I use many personal pictures in our decor.  A couple of power strips we will use for lamps that don't have switches in our bedroom.  Two pairs of shoes for me, one being a pair of Sketchers, and a decorative cross were also among my treasures.  Mr. Cuddles felt the need to photo bomb apparently.  I still need a few more 8 by 10 frames to replace some that are broken, however for a while I need to stop purchasing things until I get my existing projects finished.

My husband was in need of a new bluetooth because he had broken his that fit in his ear.  He really wanted a band one that you could lay on your neck instead.  I looked at alot of places, the fleamarket, the mall, cell phone shops etc, and we could not find one like he wanted for less than $70.00.  I don't know what made me think to check E-bay but I did and found some for 25.00 that included shipping.  He had me order one for myself as well so I could be hands free when driving if I get a phone call. 

I saved 5.00 on our Sunday morning breakfast by using coupons that came in the mail.  My husband likes to go to Shake n Steak on Sunday when the money is there.  I would love to save the money but this means alot to him and we all enjoy it.  When the money isn't there we don't go.


That was pretty much all I can think of this week.  When the weather permitted we did not use a.c. or heat.  I turn off the stove breaker when I am not using it, and other power strips in an attempt to save power.  What did you do this week.  Any unexpected blessings, or while going about did you rediscover some forgotten blessing?

I almost forgot my washer was on the fritz, I really wanted a brand new one, but let's face it the prices aren't ideal, so I looked on Craigslist, and found a gentlman in our area, that sells refurbished washer and dryers, and we purchased a washer and dryer for 225.00 (for the set.) For giving him our old ones he gave us free delivery and 20.00 off the original price.  The gentleman also gave us a 30 day warranty.  (of course i always use caution when purchasing from Craigslist etc)

My husband cut our daughter's bangs.

The little things really do add up!