Every day is an adventure

If you have followed me for any amount of time, you know I have minuscule experience with homeschooling my now 14 year old son.  I did this for maybe a year or so.  Kindergarten was a great success.  

Homeschool is now the normal.  It is not a success for me using the public education system, and apps.  My nine year old does not have computer skills, she is not tech savvy, not a gamer, and I do not know how to use the apps she has to use, and I did not realize children in our area, do not get physical text books.

This makes it even more difficult for me to understand and help her learn whatever subject we are working in.  I was surprised to find that Internet Safety is considered Language Arts.   I know it is important, but I feel like it needs a session or class all on it's own.  My teenager is doing pretty well with doing his school on his own.  He needs help creating resume's and filling out job applications for a business class.  That is the only class I could ever attempt to help him with, unless I further my own education. The difficulty is that my child has no work experience etc to put on the resume, and the teacher is requiring it be based on each individuals in real life personal history.

We have all kind of gotten to work together to become a team in this home.  My husband taught my daughter, and neat counting trick that is apparently how the schools are teaching my daughter math.  It was amazing that he could understand the technique when I could not.  He and my son, are more tech savvy then I and can find/or access things when I cannot.  

We share one device to do school on between the two kids, as I use my laptop for personal work/writing/making money.  We do not deliver any food right now in our attempt to help flatten the curve.  

I am sitting here today relishing in the fact today that we are blessed.  We have electricity.  I am learning ways to use it more effectively.  My husband and I can later play a game together on his system, I can sit here and write, I can do online surveys, read other blogs to learn new things, and ways of  making money while staying home.  Each day sometimes holds it own unexpected ways, and adversities, but I am blessed that in this home, I have a wonderful husband who's heart is united with mine.  And mine with yours, as we are all doing the best we can living in unprecedented times!

In case you are stuck inside, I thought I would share a view with you from the back of our neighborhood!  Enjoy the view!!!

While everything else is cancelled, walking outside in the neighborhood with my dog and husband is not!  Our public parks are reopening Friday with limited hours, and essential activities for exercise and bike riding only!

Signed
MJ

Let's have some coffee talk.

Bam what?

It is Easter 2020 and social distancing is the new norm.  A most favorite part of my day, is having coffee, with my (new) husband.  I remarried August 2018 to my new favorite 6 ft 3 red head.  He is 7 to 8 years my junior.

As you may or may not recall I am a diabetic.  I have recently made a small transition with my coffee.  Instead of sugar I use Stevia.  For now it is just a small change with my coffee, I tried to do unsweetened creamer with coconut water....so far that is a big no go!  The healthier you eat the more expensive it can be.....so small changes and the great value brand it is for now.

I enjoy having coffee usually at the table, sometimes at the coffee table with my husband, and we play a a couple of mobile games on our phone together.  I love, love, flavored creamers, today it is Chocolate Caramel.  again Great Value edition!  The coffee is cuban....(thanks to that red head I mentioned, he loves cuban coffee.  I am unsure of the brand as we cut it out of the package and store it in a sugar container.

I personally like the taste of coffee, the caffeine is just an added bonus, it is a signal to my body, that we are up and it is time to get going for the day.  In the past if we couldn't have it at the table because of work, we took it on the go.  I don't really have a favorite coffee cup, this is my son's.  Do you have a favorite cup?  Show me in the comments.  I plan to make coffee talk a regular thing, so what would you like to talk about over coffee?  Or what do you and your family talk about over it?  I realize not everyone has a spouse, and sometimes multiple family generations live together.  Lets get together, at this safe social distance and talk!!!!

Love to you....MJ!

ACTIVE

This post is written to participate in the Five Minute Friday writing prompts.  https://fiveminutefriday.com

Today's prompt is the word ACTIVE.

Which is what she wanted to be.  The wave of un-diagnosed chronic fatigue threatened to keep her from being active.  The only thing she had been diagnosed with was type two diabetes, and of course at 5 ft 4 and 253 pounds she was super morbidly obese.

Active is what she was being staying off the couch.  Six weeks ago she spent 18 hours in a county jail facility where you are unable to be active, and this made her reflect on how much time she spent on the couch.  How much time she was wasting not being active.  Thinking of all the things she didn't have access to in that cell made her stay active despite fatigue and pain.  Watching the other women in there sleep their day away motivated her to stay active since her release. 

Active is what she wanted to be in her home and her life.  Actively taking charge in her relationship with Christ, and the way she kept herself instead of letting life idly pass her by.  Active is what she wanted to be with her children, but she could not find a way to relate to them as of recently.

She was active in her relationship with her husband, repenting and attempting to right the wrongs God had shown her in her heart when she had those 18 hours of confined time to reflect.  Be angry and do not sin, ran over and over in her mind.  She was being active and constantly applying that to her life these last six weeks.

She had learned that sometimes it is ok not be active.  Sometimes she needed to listen to her body.  The times she was so emotional, or so drained she could't drive properly causing her to hit something in the highway median, damaging her front end.  When the pain in her legs was to much to walk, she decided it is ok to rest and not be active.

She was also learning to be an active listener with her husband, and she had seen him open up in ways she hadn't before.  She was learning so much about him, and learning that she liked some of the same things that he did, things she thought she had detested. 

Be active.  I encourage you to, in your relationship with Christ, with others.  Actively encourage others, you may be the only one who does. 

Thanks for reading,

MJ

Sharing Ways We Save

It has been such a long time since I have posted, but I have longed to deep in my heart, so here I am.  I am working on becoming a better writer and beginning to properly focus on a relationship with the Lord.

I haven't always been pinching my pennies, but it is the season and time of year for me to need to.

We decided to carve pumpkins this year.  I love the idea of a pumpkin patch, and I love supporting local small businesses, or churches.  That being said, at Walmart I paid 13.00 for 4 pumpkins.  I would have been lucky to get one at the pumpkin patch for that price.  We spent 1.00 per pumpkin carving kit.  We pulled out my grandmother's fall wreath which needs some tlc but I don't care you can't tell if you don't look close, and that will be next years project should we be granted another year.  It was my partner's idea to do the fireplace, I wouldn't have thought to place them there.  I also had a whole string of purple lights, but only half work, which was perfect for accenting the fire place.

I used CVS rewards to get Dawn dish detergent and toilet paper.

My daughter received an abundance of blessings, clothes, jewelry.  She used a duplicate piece of jewelry to make a gift for a friend to attend her birthday party.  Zero out of pocket expense for me and free dinner at the party!!!

My son was invited by and paid for by a friend to go to Epcot.  No cost to me...lifetime memories for him. 

We made a pumpkin pie from scratch.

We were blessed with boxes of clothes, and some food...pumpkin pie galore lately :)

My laptop had been malfunctioning, I finally noticed an error code. I looked it up on a Window's website and was able to troubleshoot and repair the laptop!  (SO PROUD OF MYSELF NEVER DONE ANYTHING LIKE IT WITHOUT HELP!)

We bathe the animals in Dawn.

One of our dogs has to wear a belly band to avoid peeing everywhere, I was putting maxi pads in it almost daily or every other day.  That is expensive, so we learned we could roll up and old t shirt to put inside of it to be absorbent.

I used my kids insurance OTC benefit to get a high quality thermometer.  Our dollar store ones were constantly breaking.

That sums up everything I can think of at the moment.  We are doing our best, because life is always transitioning for us for one reason or another.   I pray blessings upon you and your family.  Thanks for reading,

MJ

What does today find you doing?

It finds me doing a budget.  Have you checked yours lately.  I will be honest, because I was an independent contractor for a bit, I have been flying by the seat of my pants, and I know better.  Currently I am delivering pizza at night.  I never know how much I might make.  Starting today though, I have my good old budget binder out.  I am literally writing down each expense and every dime that comes in.

I got remarried almost a year ago and my son is turning 14.  It is also my new husband's birthday.  The new to me car I added to the family a while back has needed unexpected not covered by warranty repairs, and in the Florida heat despite 300 in repairs I have no air conditioning in the car. I tried making one of those portable ones out of a cooler.  Despite what the you tube videos show, it did not work for me at all.

Currently I am also sharing my space with a family of 4 that is experiencing some difficult times of their own.  It's not a big deal or burden for me because we already have the space we live in and have to pay for it.  The electric bill went up 100.00 which could be due to more people or this crazy heat wave that comes and goes here.

I refuse to go to the beach with all the reports about the flesh eating bacteria ( there may be one rare very clean one family discovered that we may visit for hub's bday)  Finding activities for 5 kids can be difficult.  I am not paying to swim at the public pools.  That cash could be used some place else.  A couple months ago I  purchased a trampoline and a slip and slide, but it's been too hot to use them until evening.

I have lost my touch for frugal living, my new partner has never had to live that way despite his limited income for years he was single and only had to care for himself.  Living with a family has been difficult for him to say the least.  (Like borderline divorce difficult but that is a story for a different day.)

I will prayerfully be revamping the blog over the next few weeks.  It is time I start doing something that I love.  Depression has over taken me, I no longer desire to be overweight, and most days I am really forcing myself out of bed.  Maybe I can add a section on self improvement and the things I learn during the process.  I need to find a way to earn money from home that is my heart's desire.  Will you pray with me.  There are 4 adults in this house there must be some creative way we can all improve our situation.

Cutting the Corporate Ties!

Wow it has been so long since I even wrote, I wasn't sure if the blog would still be up...LOL. 

Life has been the roller coaster ride it always was.  I worked a regular job the last 16 months from 9 am to 730 pm nightly  (hours varied daily.)  There were lots of adjustments and sometimes hardships for everyone.

I experienced some personal financial set backs and even working that job and giving it my all, I was still on the brink of losing everything.  I was so worried how I would provide Christmas for the kids, and if I would be able to keep our rental and some nights what we would eat.  I decided as the new year began there would be no more nights like that.

I started looking for a job that offered better pay and possibly better hours.  I didn't find anything but I had started driving for Uber, and delivering for Door Dash and a company called Post Mates.  I was only doing these things on my days off or hours before I had to be at my regular job.  I found that I am close to matching my hourly pay at my corporate job.

After enough drama and what I feel was unfair treatment occurred at my regular job, there was no future, or even acknowledgement there.   Yesterday I cut the "corporate .tie"  I will focus on being self employed with these delivery companies for a bit, and maybe keep an eye out for something I really want to do that will have hours prayerfully conducive to having a family.  I love my family, and I want to be home for a regular meal, not rushing to eat do homework and then go to bed.  I want time to play, make memories, and remember what my hobbies are.  Here is to working for myself for a bit and seeing where this path leads.  I have spent so much time laying awake and being afraid, I am happy I took the leap.  Stay tuned to see where it leads, I hope to post more.  I have a wedding post to share, and birthday post to share, to still give a few money saving tips!

Love to you all, be Blessed,

MJ

It is Spring!!!!

Or so they say, I have heard across the nation that the weather has been temperamental.  I guess I have not written much because I really do not know what to write about much lately.  I have saved a little money I suppose.

I salvaged a trash can in my yard and washed it out and brought it back in to use in the house.

I purchased tickets and armbands for the Clay County Fair in advance saving 30.00 overall.

Accepted hand me down bodywashes and perfumes from a friend who is allergic.

The father daughter dance at my daughter's school is next Friday and she had no dress shoes that fit....so on Sears.com a pair we saw a few weeks ago for over 30.00 were on sale for just 12.00 so I purchased those, and she can use those for a bit.  I also purchased a multicolored flower bracelet from a friend who sells Paparazzi jewelry that her father can give her that will last longer than real flowers.

I still sell Senegence Skin Care on the side, and I am working my full time job. If you are on Facebook and would like to join my group you can search up Lady J's Luscious Lip Lounge.  My hours have been reduced, but I am learning to live within what I make, and praying to be sensitive to God's leading and direction in my life should there be opportunities I am not seeing.  A good friend is staying with me helping with the bills and with the kids....this whole situation is a work in progress.

My kids for the first time in a long time wanted to go to the park, so we purchased tennis rackets at the Goodwill for 1.99 each.

My daughter got an award for Perfect attendance the last nine weeks of school.  I cannot believe that school is almost over.  Only one semester left already.

We also participated in a school sponsored Skate night...and though the school receives proceeds from the event, my kids get to do more activities for less money.

It is not money saving but I went on my son's field trip with him to Medieval Times.  It was alot of fun and a bonding experience with him.  My best friend thankfully kept my daughter overnight and got her to school the next day!!!!!

I hope everyone else is working to find joy and making room to enjoy life.  I know we must work and care for other's along the way....but make some memories!  Here is some encouragement if you are feeling defeated like I often do.

Life Lately

It has been crazy per my usual. As you all know I work full time now outside the house. I am so sorry I have not provided you with an update since the hurricane. A lot has happened since then. My little girl turned 7.

Christmas came and went.

We are now into the second month of the new year.

My budget is as tight as it always was. My daughter is struggling very hard to master reading and math in first grade and I struggle to help her with it so that is something that I am trying to take to God In Prayer.

Recently I have to say I've been working very hard on the house finishing the decluttering mission and just trying to get life in order. I had a very dark time a couple weeks ago I actually had to go to my doctor and get some help. Circumstances have changed a little and I have a very good male friend that is helping me out with the children as often as he is able to. My ex offers support and he was doing pretty good for a couple of months but this month he's falling behind a little but God is good I've been working over 50 hours a week. Why all the overtime is good I really do need some time for mental health so I'm glad that the work hours are about to slow down a little.

A few months ago I got a new to me car I am not one to Advocate a car payment but I do presently have one. I hope very soon to start making enough money to pay extra so that I don't have to pay the full term of the loan at least.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2061222220764561/

I officially became a sentence distributor back in November. If you're interested in joining my group in learning more about the product I'd be happy to have you.

I promise to begin posting more regularly and to give you some insights to some homemade projects we've been doing. Honestly with work I haven't had time to be homemade I did not give a single solitary homemade gift for Christmas I did not make one single project I am ashamed to say that everything was commercial this year. However I have come to realize that being creative is a form of therapy for me. And I have been very depressed over the last few weeks but my circumstances are beginning to change. I feel like the medication that the doctor gave me helps. So if you're ever struggling with something don't be afraid to reach out and ask for help and if the first person you asked ignores you ask somebody else don't stop until you get the help you need. I hope you all are well I look forward to sharing more with you in the upcoming days.

Irma

Did u know that is the name of my grandmother who passed away in July last year. This storm approaching has made me think of her soooo much. I even wore the necklace she gave me to work Friday. She was strong and for all the stuff she had been through in life though not practical i thought she would live forever.

It is also funny because I had not seen my Uncle, one of her sons since he moved out earlier this year but he showed up on my door step the weekend that i was really ill.  This week he helped me with the kids since schools were closed because of the approaching weather.  He wants to move back in but that is a story for another day.  Irma June was my grandma's name.  I have just been lost in alot of thought during this storm.

I have been processing why certain people just were not a good fit for my life and why it is best God closed certain doors. Someone used to pour their heart out and say how much they wanted to be a part of my life and when they got the chance they flipped the script and hurt me and i now know they have a love and always have had a love for another person. Why waste all that time pursuing me when their heart lies with another...to the point of a dangerous obession on social media. Some people are just dangerous and liars. Truly disguised as a sheep but in wolf's clothing.  That person turned out not to be a friend. My regret is believing the lies, but thankful for God's protection. Being married so long i lived a different kind of life and i just dont understand the world today.  Not saying that i am sinless or blameless i just see much clearer now.  My dad told me i needed to branch out and make a new network of friends but it is just so difficult.


I am slowly working on moving forward in life as you all know.  So far in this storm we are fine. Heavy rain. Thanks to the love and support from you all and from check ins and suggestions we managed to get prepared for the storm.  We did not evacuafe but should ot be necessary we have places to go.  To pass time we have been baking.

Needless to say eventually we will all be eating and be a little heavier....lol.....I will be praying for everyones safety. Much love to all but one of my followers the dangerous one... and if u read this unsubscribe from my blog and get my photos of your social media you know who you are and i can con tact you but you cannot me.....  I would fix this if we could but i cannot remove you from subscription. Please do the right thing so i can move on. Thank you. Please just i dont need to see anything that reminds me of you. Sadly you have left a long lasting damaging effect.

Everyone else much love and to everyone be safe. Please know that if you comment they have to be moderated now. Only i can see them initially because of certain life events.

One day at a Time

We are surviving.  Last weekend I came down with some really nasty virus and I could not get even off the couch.  It was a tough weekend to be sick and alone other than my two kids of course.  I wanted adult interaction so badly.  It was an experience.  Whatever it was most of the people I was around seem to have experienced similar symptoms, except my kids thankfully!  It was such an emotional weekend but also an eye opener.

I don't know what I have been waiting for, someone to save me I guess.  I want things that are never going to happen. I stopped waiting for someone else to care or provide, don't get me wrong, I love the support I get from you guys, and I do have a couple of friends in my actual life.  What I mean though is I stopped waiting for someone to want to come along and help me, I realized in reality I may not have anyone in my life that I can physically see and touch other than my kids, but I know God hears me.  I got up when I finally could on Monday.  I went to the laundromat.  I spent the day applying for jobs, and I don't remember when but there was a day that I applied for a job I just wasn't sure I would qualify for, and the hours don't really fit with my life needs, but you know what I got it.  I am finding a network of rewards, and a couple of reliable people to help me out with the kids and this is going to work.

My ex for the very first time in a long time after I sent a quiet but very firm hopefully eye opening text to him sent a little support our way.  My tire is now fixed, the kids got a thing or two, and well now I think I need to replace my washer.   It broke while I was sick.  We have this week been rearranging furniture.  I sold two of our reptiles and that netted some extra funds that will now be used get me to work!

I looked through my closet and I have enough professional type clothing to mix and match for a weeks worth of items.  These last two years have really royally sucked.  I learned so much about the world, and men.  Men that are in the world are wild beyond anything I ever knew existed.  They are into things that in my sheltered life I had never experienced.  They make empty promises, tell you they want marriage when they have a woman sitting at home.  This lady is not dating anymore.  It's just unreal and a joke.  I also spent the week getting rid of bad memories.  Throwing out old pictures belongings.  Photos from my marriage and when the kids were born will be remade into something for their baby and memory books.

It is just seriously time to move on and start moving forward it's like I have just been sitting here waiting for something to happen.  Looking for fixes to problems in the wrong places.  Well here my friends is to new beginning, old flames dying, and to doing things we never thought we could!

This weeks savings.

Another week has passed us by.  I can't believe this is the beginning of the second week of school for my kids.

So financially this week....


I was able to get a charge of $10.00 refunded to my account that was not authorized.

Cleaned the house using a vinegar and alcohol mix using old shorts as cleaning cloths.

Made homemade hair detangler with a conditioner sample that I received last week at one of the give aways.

We have been monitoring our online usage because last month we went over, and I cannot afford to go over on anything.

I reduced our Netflix plan saving about $3.00 a month.

We extended the life of our cat litter by adding baking soda.

We are also still air drying laundry, hand washing dishes, and unplugging all we can when not in use.
The thermostat is set at 83 sometimes I will push it up more if we are going to be out.

I cut my son's hair.  We had a bottle of hair bleach sitting in the cabinet, so we did our own hair.

A friend blessed me with some bug traps and spray for indoor outdoor use, we have tiny little wood roaches wanting to take over the bathrooms.

I used collected rain water to help fill the washer when doing laundry.

I had a job interview today and there will be another tomorrow.  Each position is only part time, but I believe it can be made to work if I am offered either one.  I continue to put in applications at any place I can.

I ask that you all say a special prayer today please for someone that used to be important to me and I to them because they are going through some unspoken things that were not meant to happen and which I cannot fix for them.  I tried.

May you each be blessed.  Thank you for those that are following along and have offered words of encouragement.  It means so much!

Attempts at being Frugal and Blessings.

So I should completely take down that last post....that person who wanted to be there for us well that turned out to be bogus and blew up in my face totally. I am officially without income, without a roommate, and in a place I cannot afford.

However my ex told me that all the doors just seemed closed in Florida that maybe it was time for me to move to Delaware.  I am not really wanting to bend to his (my exes )will at the moment. Such a move is not completely off the table if I fail but guess what no job or house there either. I mean my kids could live with their dad, but that leaves me now where and I don't want to be without my children.  So I did go before God and I prayed and I know it's time that I need to be self sufficient somehow to provide for my children.  Blessings abounded this week..  My savings were not of my doing but of divine intervention.

My daughter received a free hair cut at a local church.  A lady offers her services for free to the church that offers the food bridge. I also participated in two back to school giveaways.  These events were a huge blessing.  My son needed pants and surprisingly he is extremely picky and I was able at each event to find him some shirts that fit and the specific type of pants he likes.  I also found a pair of shoes for him.  My daughter was able to select 2 outfits at each event.  Though I don't really feel she needed anything. We did also receive some free food and some school supplies....which was definitely a blessing, because even with those free items, I still spent about 50.00 out of pocket.  I did sell a little jewelry which help offset the cost.  My ex is also supposed to be offering us a little support this month, but I have to wait and see if it makes it.

One of the give aways included plain black back packs.  My daughter was feeling extremely ungrateful.  I told her she could still use her old back pack then.  Well we came up with a brilliant idea as a compromise.  We visited the craft department at Walmart and purchased two containers of fabric paint and she decorated the black bag and her pencil box using the paint and some other things we already had here at the house.

When we were in the craft department, we also purchased iron on patches because I cannot sew to save my life.  We plan on repairing several pairs of leggings, a few of my shirts, and some jeans with those items.  I will show you our completed pile.  We plan to cut fun shapes out of the patches and use the fabric paint as well.

I received some vouchers to help with expenses like gas, though that was driven out pretty quickly, and also to help with rent and electric.  I fought with the state to be reinstated into their work or welfare transition program, and will volunteer the next two weeks and receive some assistance from them for a time.  It appears through these open doors we may be able to maintain our current home for maybe 60 days.  I am in fear of what happens next.  Roommates are not working out for me.  I cannot find another place with out a job.  Daily I am sending out my resume and putting in applications for all sorts of things.  I have decided to start speaking life over my life starting with this:

And My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches and in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:19.

We are working to make each morsel stretch if there is something we do not eat we try to make it fill out a meal for a pet.  We had some freebies for fruitcups and drinks at Chick Fil A as well as a frosted coffee and a cookie.  Also a friend treated us to our favorite local pizza place called Vito's last night for dinner.

The tread on my rear tire blew on my van.  The event could have been so much worse.  We were not traveling fast and the tire did not go completely flat.  A Clay County Sheriff's deputy stopped along with another gentleman to help change the tire.  I did not expect this.  I am so glad it happened though because I had just removed road side assistance from my insurance because I reduced things to the bare minimum to keep expenses low.

Our last electric bill was 218.00.  Completely affordable for me and outrageous.  I was able to receive assistance which helped me get ahead, but we are being super cautious.  Everything is being unplugged when not in use.  I pushed the thermostat to 83 and told the kids to wear shorts and play where a fan is running. I also am washing clothes but shortening the wash cycle to the shortest one, and drying them for only 10 minutes.  They are air drying on my porch now to finish.  I am praying to know how to use every penny faithfully.  From pet supplies to housing if there is something cheaper out there.

My kids are a little anxious but I am putting in applications pretty much daily.  I was gifted 20.00 by a friend for gas, and I also will cash out 15.00 in Swagbucks for gas as well.

I hope next weekend to host a yard sale I have posted many things on facebook for sale with little success. I need to raise the cash for a new or used tire.

I also saw my doctor who prescribed some new medications and for some reason insulin needles are not covered by my insurance and she went to see if any patients had turned in any that were unused and unopened.  I was blessed with 10 syringes.  I am temporarily blessed with state insurance so I can have my medications.

I also cut up the toothpaste container to strain the last little bit cuz my kids are picky and like a certain kind from the dollar tree but I am not going there until I can combine errands.

This week I plan to begin exercising and measuring my food.  Having my diabetes is putting me at risk and I want to be here for my babies.  So no more fooling around.  I am the only actual family they have in this state.

To reduce expenses more, I may drop my cell phone next month. It's already paid for this month and the phone number is on alot of applications.  I pray God opens a door for steady income in the next 60 days.  The state if I can complete their program offers 300 monthly and while wonderful doesn't begin to cover housing.  It will pay car insurance and a power bill with a little left over.  I am choosing though to speak life into our lives.

Meditation on verses others have sent and shared.  What are some of your favorite word of encouragement.

Life Unscripted-Have you ever been afraid to be Happy?

This is my piece of cyber space and I know my posts have been sporadic and my topics widespread.  I just need to write to day....I guess this could be an unscripted post like I used to write.

Okay so my husband and I have been separated for a year now.  We were supposed to file for divorce.  He agreed to sign the papers then changed his mind, but moved out of state with his girlfriend. His choice I asked for the divorce.  He didn't sign my papers though, and now I have to figure out how to file in the state of Florida without his signature and without having to pay someone to help me figure out how to do it.

On one hand I feel guilt because I know God doesn't like divorce.  I have lost friends because of my decisions, and sometimes I simply miss having my family unit I guess is the best way to put it.

I met someone this year that has been there for me in ways that no one ever has.  He wants to be there for me and support me and my kids in every way possible.  He doesn't have alot as in earthly possessions but he prays for us and with me sometimes, is there for me when my moods are dark.  He would absolutely give up every last thing he had for us.  He listens to my crazy health anxieties, and would like to be a part of our family.  When I can't sleep at 2 am I can text him and he answers every time.

I feel guilty though, because I am still married.  I am also afraid because can someone really love us like that. I am the one used to doing all the taking care of everything but this person is offering to give endlessly to me.  I am afraid to explore it fully.  What if it's real and we eventually find a life together.  What if he really gives me all the attention I crave and is really there for me...and makes me happy.

What if it blows up in my face.  So many questions.  I guess thanks for listening.  Sorry this was not a post full of any vital information.  Instead an expression of pent up questions and feelings. I got married at 17 I haven't had alot of other men in my life in terms of relationships.  I have dated twice this year and I didn't like it.

One day at a time I guess.

Life Lately......

Life lately, has been full of questions.  Trying to make decisions. Investigating things like cheaper rentals, going back to school, applying for jobs, and checking into state assistance for a single mom with no income.

I have sold some of the kids older clothes and will put the money towards purchasing new supplies for school this year.  I have many things for sale but only a little has sold.  Some days I want to throw in the towel, when things do not go my way, but I have two beautiful babies and truthfully for their sake I will never give up.

To save money my son and I recently cut our own hair.  The kids are slowly starting to be a little more helpful because there isn't anyone else to do the things that need to get done.  My son tried to help do the lawn but the lawn mower keeps not starting on us. I keep the thermostat at 80 degrees and mostly wash dishes by hand.  I received a couple of unexpected blessings and letters of encouragement in the mail over the last couple of weeks.  I am super grateful to each of you that took the time to send those.

My son recently turned 12.  His gift from me was a 25.00 amazon gift card which he used to purchase and xbox card, but I earned it through Swagbucks.  My daughter made a cake for him, I supervised but it was a stars and stripes one by Pillsbury.  We refrigerated it and it was delicious.  Someone very special to us had a birthday around the same time and treated us to a day at Adventure Landing where we played in the water park all day, and also had a few rounds of lazer tag.

The kids dad officially moved to Delaware.  We are currently receiving no support, and to be honest I am angry about it.  I know he pays his girlfriends storage what about something, anything to support the kids...

Rant over.  All in all we are doing ok.  I have recently seen a doctor to address some current irritating prayerfully not too serious health issues, and I have been given meds to work on controlling my diabetes better, and if my son's toe isn't broken, we are beginning to run together.  Either way I am trying to move forward from choices I have made and slide out from under the depression that likes to sit on my chest.

We have been making my unique jewelry again.  There is a local art walk on August 2nd and we hope to have as many pieces made as possible in hopes of making some extra cash.  If nothing sells, we still plan on having a good time.  We have made some fun stuff.  If you would like come check it out on facebook  @Youniquelyme Treasures.  Feel free to Like us and follow along...please.  I would be honored.  If  I ever get to 50 likes or followers I plan to do a giveaway!

I hope everyone is having a great summer, ours is almost over.  Happy Tuesday.

It's been a long time.

I tend to get quiet when emotional things happen, and boy has life been emotional lately.  From fighting for someone who doesn't love me the way I need to be loved, to experiencing things with my ex who is now moving back to Delaware.  The kids and I at the moment are staying in Florida.  I have no income or childcare at the moment.  So yeah things have been crazy.

It has been a year since my second mom Belinda passed, and today is the last time I spoke with my grandmother last year before she passed.  You guys have seen me through alot. I have been on a decluttering journey, and I can say that alot of that clutter is gone. I keep house better than I used to, though I am still not perfect.  I feel a little like I have lost my way, though.  I asked for my divorce, I never thought my husband would leave his kids and leave us without support.  Now I do live with someone that has been kind enough to pay the bills while I provide the food, and do what I can to make odds and ends extras during the summer while my kids are out of school.  The truth is I do not know how long this will last.  This living arrangement has been hard.  There has been alot of fighting, I was almost arrested once, but all the dust from that has settled now.  I don't like dating....I will just leave it at that.  I was married at 17 and just had no idea what the world of dating is like especially now. I have had a taste of it and do not like it.

The truth is I offered my ex a final chance to come home and be a family at least, even if that meant he brought his girlfriend, but he is leaving and he was part of my life for over 20 years so I am not handling things well. I am trying to throw myself into organizing my kids rooms, I don't know how long we will live in this house.  Will we move to Delaware too because the kids miss their dad, will I move in with the guy who pours his heart out to me everyday telling me how much he loves me and wants to give me the life I deserve and wants to make my already made family his own?  I do not know.

What I do know is that my husband refused to sign divorce papers, I am not going to wait for him he can't keep me waiting around hoping I will be there if his current situation does not work out.  Don't get me wrong I am no angel.  I have made so many mistakes and I am in my current situation simply based on financial survival.

School is out for the summer though, the kids are getting big.  They each got lots of awards.

We had a litter of kittens

I realized my daughter looks similar to my mom which was a nice surprise

ooop and the princess got glasses.

I am focusing on moving forward. I  hope to blog more frequently now.  Someone I let into my life during this past year just hasn't been very supportive of me or the things I do.  Said things to me like my jewelry will never sell, even though it did, that my dog sitting side jobs were stupid stuff like that and I have felt pretty crushed and depressed.  I forgot myself and my value. I am beginning to remember now. I value the friendship I share with each of you, and perhaps something profound is on the horizon.

Sharing Ways We Save!

I am finally feeling back in the swing of things.

I was very blessed with some savings this week.

The biggest one is that I shopped around for car insurance and found a policy that will save me $354.00 every six months.  I will be going to the agents office tomorrow to start that policy.

I went to Petco to search out pest prevention for my cats and dog.  The items she recommended were 80.00 in store but only $54.99 online.  I only purchased the items for one cat and the dog to see how they work before I buy anymore.  The cashier was nice enough to price match! I also used pet perks and should get some cash back that way.

I saved 20 percent on a haircut at the Smart Style Salon and a Wet brush for my daughter.  (I tried to go to the local cosmetology school but they had a really long wait.)

I made home made deodorant for the first time.  I used it today for the first time.   I don't stink so far though, I have been lazy.

I returned some items and used the credit to purchase more privacy panels for my home.

I opened a new checking account just to get a credit of $25.00, and they offered me free checks which will save me another $20.00 or so.  I am thrilled because I needed to order some, I will just pay my rent from the new account.!

I also sold an item on Offer Up and made $20.00.

The final, involved creativity, as I recently purchased a  larger dining room table from a friend's estate sale.  The fabric on the chairs needed to be redone.  I have been saving some articles of clothing for quite some time hoping to use them for something.  Re-covering the chairs turned out to be what they were to be used for.

This is how they started out. 

This one was covered with an old pair of pj pants that I happened to love the print on.

This was an old t-shirt with PIG PEN from Peanuts on it.  I couldn't throw it away, so glad we could reuse it for something.  I just love the saying on it.  I still have two more to do.

How was your week?  Anything new and exciting.  Thank you all for you tips last week!

Happy Monday!!!!

So is it a Manic Monday for you?  How was your weekend?

Mine was a little crazy, After not working during spring break due to not having a sitter, I missed some work last week due to developing a health issue that required some medication.  I no longer have insurance, I had to trip to the E.R. where they hydrated me, and pumped me full of some antibiotics.  When i explained I have no insurance, they were kind enough make sure my take home medicine was a free one offered by our local Publix pharmacy.

After all that craziness, I did have to actually work Saturday and they ended up offering me extra hours which I accepted.  Sunday I tried to take a second job and babysit 4 kids, but that almost instantly didn't pan out. I babysat for 14 hrs in what I felt like was an unsanitary, very hot environment.  The guy could use some prayers you all. I know he needs help, but it turns out I am not the super woman he needs for the job. I apparently gave up 14 hrs of my life yesterday, and even paid to feed the guys kids because there was not a way to cook in the house, and it got way too hot.  The kids were super sweet though.  I had to tell him last night that I would be unable to go back.

I think the activities of the weekend, two trips to the zoo for my daughter and babysitting in that hot house may have dehydrated her.  She woke up crying this morning, and not feeling or acting like her normal self.   I was suppossed to work today, but I had to call out due to her needing to stay home.

(How about some Zoo photos for your viewing ing pleasure!)

I am actively looking for a stay at home job at this point.  I am considering taking the leap of trying a monetized blog, maybe selling Lipsense lipstick, or straight looking for some work at home customer service jobs.  I have decided to pray though.  My son brought up the subject of prayer last night.  He felt bad that we couldn't help out the guy the way we thought we could.  He said, "You know we could pray for the guy, Mom."  We both admitted that we have not prayed in a while.  He and I looked at each other and bowed our heads and we prayed for Doug and his boys last night.  I realized this morning that I need to do the same. I don't know how to move forward.  I have some money from tax returns, but I want to use it wisely and not squander it.  I want to invest it or save it for a rainy day.

(Here are some pics of my daughter and I wearing the Lipsense lipstick. It is a long wear, does not wipe off lipstick.  I chose the color Brick.)


I am happy to report and awesome score.  My son is very much into Apple technology.  I am not willing to pay the prices the company would like for that technology.  My son recently was recognized for having the highest reading level at his school.  He is a 5th grader reading on an 11th grade level!  My very good friend in Delaware offered me a deal on her daughter's Ipad 2.  I only had to pay her 30.00 and that is to include shipping.  I told her I would happily pay her the 30.00 plus shipping but she refused.  My son will be so excited, and I wanted to reward him for his academic achievement.

That is probably the extent of my money saving efforts, other than eating all the left overs.  I ate tacos just now.  We have worked hard to keep food waste to a minimum.  We went to the grocery store the other night and spent 200.00 on nothing.

My frugal fails for the week.  I found out my daughter does not like school lunches.  In her stories about her day over the last few weeks, I noticed they involved her and her friends always playing with their food.  She is always starving when she comes home.  It turns out alot of the kids do not like school lunches. I am now packing lunches, so that she will eat.  We qualify for free school lunch.  If the food is gross though, it does not help.

Invested in a lawn mower.   I got to clean this yard up, it was bought new.  Lately I feel like I can't trust strangers when purchasing used items.

Got any good leads on ways to make money at home?  Yes I have read the Penny Hoarder blog.  I currently do Inbox dollars, and Swagbucks.  I also use Ibotta, but when I refer people I don't seem to get the promised bonuses.  I  could use any other tips.  I am determined to rise.

Love to you all.. Drop me a comment, let me know what's going on in your neck of the woods!

Life Lately- Letting Go

It isn't easy.  To let go of mistakes you have made, and relationships in your life that are not good for you.  This week is Spring Break for us, and it has had some unfortunate events, including a pre teen runaway that threatened to harm himself on our property and an invasion of my personal privacy.  The cops were out here alot needless to say this past weekend.  (Yes my kids and I are safe, it was not my child who attempted to run away.)

This week has been spent increasing security around here, pushing toxic people out of my life for good, and moving on.  Admitting to myself who I really am, the mistakes I have made, and learning from them with a renewed commitment to stop repeating them.

I have alot of work to do but I am on a whole new journey to a whole to me, and the people who opted out of my life will be so sorry they missed out on something so great.  Do you know that you are valuable?  Worthy of love, just the way you are?  Don't let anyone push you around, tell you anything other then you are beautiful, or important.

The walls around here are becoming bare as photos are coming down and furniture is being moved.  Soon yard clean up will commence to make room for something or someone new.  Next month, I am headed out to Orlando, and I cannot wait.  It will be a great escape!

I am ready for a new adventure.  I am ready for respiratory illnesses to be gone from this house, but my view was pretty great on the cold days while I was sick.  I slept in the living room with my daughter in front of the fire place.  I had a frenemy (lol) that was (kind/wicked) enough to stay a night or so to care for my kids because I was just really sick.  Unfortunately, the medications I take prevent me from taking any cold or flu medications to alleviate symptoms.

My ex and I are in negotiations to work together better for the sake of our children, and who knew I would care about the well being of a woman I once hated.  He is with the woman I talked about a couple years ago when I found out he was talking to someone else.  She was a problem throughout our almost 20 years together.

I guess this was just an update. Thanks for following along.  I don't know that I have done much lately to live frugally.  Except cut and color my own hair.  Spring break is low key, with some sleep overs, ice cream, and $1.00 frito burritos from Taco Bell.

How is everyone?  What are you up to..any lessons learned?

Life Lately

Wow I didn't realize that I have not blogged since before Christmas! My deepest apologies if there are any readers still out there!

Life has been crazy, starting over as been harder than I thought it would be, and so has moving on.  I have done many things I thought I never would though, I have spent time with my soon to be ex husband and the girlfriend along with our kids.  I have had two different roommates.  Finding the right one or deciding to move won't be easy. 

I have brain stormed a new blog hoping to be able to monetize it, but I have some studying to do. I would like to find a way to work from home.  This summer school being out will be a challenge, my ex's girlfriend has had cancer for a few years now, and she has admitted she isn't always up for the challenge of the kids.  My ex and I cannot afford day care.  My job is only part time.  I have asked him to review his finances and consider making child support payments and if I can get one of my ideas going I can work from home.  Make jewelry, sell stuff on Craigslist etc.  I am studying lots of other bloggers to see how they do it.  I am not going to give up! Something will work out.

Anyway life lately honestly has involved re arranging and purging and it's bad....see photos below...lol

So pretty much every room in the house has looked like this one.  This one is my daughters new room.  Lol I got work to do...pass me the paint and glue.....lol (does anyone know what movie that line is from?) 


My kids switched rooms, I got a new bed, wedding photos have been moved to kids rooms and closets and hung up for them to always have.  I am working to discover who I am now....I don't like working for someone else, though, I love the company I work for.  I am ordering new curtains and making the place something other than what my husband and I used to share.  Surprisingly that has been hard. I have struggled immensely with depression, anxiety, kids attitudes, and my ex's attitude when his girlfriend temporarily left him.

Anyhow, I hope to begin blogging again regularly soon. Thank you for hanging in there with me.  I hope to be able to give up my part time job by summer.  I will hopefully be posting how I reach those goals soon.

Our Plans for Christmas!

I said I would share the project that I made for my son for Christmas, and I am keeping true to my word!


Here it is.  I took an old frame that I picked up at a thrift store some time ago.  Took the original photo out and turned it around and used it like poster board.  The frame was originally gold.  I was going to paint it blue with a sample I had, but a friend who loves to craft probably more than anyone I know happened to have spray paint.  She spray painted the frame for me and added glitter cuz well everything should sparkle if you ask me.

I filled the frame with photos that my step dad gave us two years ago to my son for his birthday. They are photos taken during his military service time.  I have a case full of scrap book paper that I bought a couple years ago from a thrift store for like 7.00.  I talked to my step dad and since his service was Navy and Army we decided that red white and blue were the best colors to use.

I fished through other stuff I had and we added little details like sparkly back ground behind some photos, cut stars out and added little arrows etc.  Below you will see the finished project.  If you notice the letters that say Navy Man and Army well when i put the glass back in the frame I cracked it.  That was my creative way of hiding the breakage, i don't think my son will know.

I also filled the kids stockings up with some of their favorite treats, and created bags like that for some other kids.

I could not afford the kids school pictures this year with the changes in my life (yes I know I chose those changes,)  but for two gifts maybe three by the time I am done I cut out the tiny proofs I was given to give to a friend, and the kids made a home made photo out of them for their Dad for Christmas!

I will also make peanut butter blossom cookies, and peanut butter balls covered in chocolate as gifts.



For some added decoration to the house, I hung up art things my kids made at school.

For Christmas dinner, we decided to make what I call mock Chinese food.  I make white rice, we add soy sauce, diced ham, and sweet peas.

I also purchased green sherbet and lemon lime soda for Grinch punch.



So may I encourage you, if you need to save money or don't have money to spend this Christmas, look around and see what you may have around the house that you can already use.  Talk with family and friends perhaps they have something laying around that you could make something out of.  You can cut cute photos our of magazines or take family photos and pass them down in a creative way. I mean i borrowed our Christmas tree this year.  We were going to maybe draw one on a mirror or try building one our of books, but someone lent me one.  Don't despair.  Dinner doesn't have to be traditional, do what you can afford. It is the time and memories made that will really be what last forever!  Cuddle up make some popcorn and watch some Christmas movies.



 Here are ideas from Christmas' past.....lol


http://mjscomingundone.blogspot.com/2014/12/sharing-simple-gift-ideas-as-we-get.html

Hope this helps someone and offers some inspiration!