4 things that are making me happy (plus one that's not)
My pal Katy does these posts sometimes, and today, I felt in the mood for one. And just like with Five Frugal Things, you can do your own version in the comments.
Happy things first:
1. Joshua got a new job and he loves it.
He worked hard at the pet store and everyone there wanted him to stay (His boss said Joshua was the best worker he's ever had, which made my mama heart proud!), but he found a better opportunity at a local coffee shop, where he can get paid more and has opportunities for advancement.
He's really enjoying the coffee gig so far, and he's busy learning all sorts of new coffee-making skills.
So, yay!
2. Lisey is lovin' her tutorial classes.
I'm really happy about this...I think the tutorial is the perfect in-between sort of thing she needed right now. Hopping into full-time regular school wouldn't have been good right now for a variety of reasons, and the once-a-week tutorial is just enough classroom life without being too much.
She's made a friend in each of her classes, her teachers are kind, the workload has not been overwhelming, and she looks forward to her classes each week.
(A tutorial is a service for homeschoolers which offers classes once or twice a week, with work sent home in between classes. It's a bit like a college class in that regard.)
3. My fridge isn't crazy full.
I am one of those people who really struggles to keep the fridge under control. I love it when there's space and when food isn't hiding out in the back trying to grow mold, but it is a constant battle for me.
At this very moment, I'm winning, so, I'm celebrating that. 😉
I'm in awe of people who seem to easily keep their fridges in good shape.
4. The weather is a bit cooler.
I'm not excited about the days getting shorter or about the approach of freezing temperatures, but I DO like the in-between temperatures of fall days. It's lovely to not be hot or cold, but jusssst right.
5. (the not-happy thing) I messed up S&Z's dance schedule.
This is totally my fault, and I feel bad. They were VERY excited about getting started with their dance class this week, but I had the day wrong, and I only realized this a few hours after the class had begun.
Oy.
In the grand scheme of things, this is not a big deal, and they will have plenty of time to get their dances learned for the spring recital, but it feels really disappointing for them right now.
__________________
Alrighty...your turn! Share some things that are making you happy (and one thing that's not, if you so desire. 😉 )
1: Our mortgage refi that we started back in June finally closed and funded. We are lowering our payments by about $150/month, and with a credit they gave us at closing, we had to pay very little out of pocket, which we will get back from our current mortgage company when they refund our escrow account
2. My teen daughter agreed to come help out at the farmer's marker on Saturdays this month- a guy we buy meat from needed some extra help, so I am working the booth in exchange for free organic, "happy" beef, chicken, and eggs, and the teenager gets to make a little pocket money. And we get 5 hours of just us two time (kind of!) every weekend 🙂
3: While I did have to put on actual grown up clothes and come into the office today, it makes me happy that I am out of work no later than 3pm AND work from home 4 days a week. This allows me to be home when the kids get off the school bus, run errands before the rush, and take them to all of the activities that were a tight squeeze when I worked a "normal" schedule- like 5 pm soccer practices! Grateful that I work for a large corporation that values work/life balance.
4: I had dinner with a friend last night that is an entrepreneur, and she presented a part time work opportunity for my sister, as well as a couple of job leads for my mom- both of which desperately need it. AND, I got to see a friend I haven't seen in almost a year 🙂
Not so happy: I found a killer deal at JC Penney's website for winter coats, so I ordered several to donate to a local charity. When I ordered, they showed in stock, then when ship date came, it showed back ordered, back order date updated a couple times and then they cancelled the order stating no longer in stock.
Such great news about the refi! Woohoo!
Hmmm.... Lets' see what I can come up with.
1. I ate leftover salmon from last night's meal for breakfast. Not exactly what I wanted but it kept me from wasting or having to make something else.
2. I got several samples of shampoo/conditioner from a grand opening of a Dollar General this weekend so I poured them all into a pump dispenser bottle of half used shampoo and conditioner I have already. My kids aren't picky and our hair is easily maintained so we don't require any particular hair care products.
3.I guess this falls into the not so happy category. My whole family woke up with snotty noses and cough this morning after we finally got a cool snap in the south. Luckily, I buy cough/cold meds when they go on clearance just for these times.we are hoping for a speedy recovery.
4.I recently went through my kids closet to purge things that don't fit and figure out exactly what we are in need of. This weekend my mother and I are going to a however many miles long yard sale in our area. I am making a list of sizes and things we need to carry along. Hopefully, I can score a couple Halloween costumes like I have in the past.
5. I am collecting all the change from our change bowls, cars, couch, etc. around the house to carry with me on the yard sale..so fun!
Things that are making me happy:
1.) My daughter is a few short days away from being completely transitioned off of formula! Even when buying the store brand, formula is expensive! Each bottle would cost around $0.30 or so. Whole milk is cheaper and it's a lot easier to not have to deal with the powdered stuff.
2.) My daughter is also getting better with a sippy cup. We had to try like 8 different ones but finally found a couple that she likes. They are both ones with straws FWIW. She still is too lazy to hold them for very long, though.
3.) Hopefully going to be taking a roadtrip through Vermont this coming weekend. King Arthur Flour is the big place we're going to go to. I need to buy 50 more lbs of flour. 😉
4.) Got some nice overtime from working on a project at work.
5.) Said overtime was used to repair a whole bunch of stuff on my car. Kind of stinks when your car hits 150K miles and everything decides to go at once. At least the car is running well now but I can no longer think of it as a "new" car.
Car repairs are no fun to spend money on. So unrewarding.
Yay for being almost done with formula!
Check Localvore Vermont for a $20 for $10 coupon. I ordered one and we went last weekend.
Hi, I was wondering if there is or was any transition problems from homeschooling to classes for your kids? I imagine homeschooling to be more interesting because you are with your family and you can be included in scheduling and the type of things you want to take where as regular classes, in my opinion, are monotonous and rigid.
Joshua's in his second semester of college classes now and he's handled the transition just fine. I mean, there are downsides to classroom learning (for instance, you sometimes have to sit and listen to people ask questions about things you already understand!), but he is doing well.
Lisey's doing well too, and she's not bored. I think this is probably because she's only there one day a week...that helps to keep things feeling fresh and interesting. And since it's an a la carte tutorial, we were able to pick the classes for her to take, so it's not like she has to take a boring class that covers things she already knows.
1) We're still having awesome warm, sometimes hot weather. We moved south this summer and I have loved the hot, muggy summer! 😀
2) We went to Charleston and area this weekend and had a lovely trip. We didn't spend a lot on the trip either, so that makes me happy.
3) The boxes from moving are dwindling. I got another area cleared/cleaned yesterday. It feels good to make progress!
4) Coffee!
And my not-so-happy:
Homeschooling my daughter continues to be a struggle! Some days are better than others, so there is that!
I love how hot muggy weather is a thing that is making you happy! It does the opposite for me. 😉
1) Water! I just read a newspaper article about how the drought in Northern New England is hurting so many people with old fashioned dug wells like ours. We still have water, and that makes me happy. It is so hard when the well runs dry.....
2) Health! I'm hopefully on the back side of a nasty sinus infection, and it makes me thankful for the joy of being well.
3) Autumn--Like you, I'm loving these in between temps. Not too hot, not too cold. The garden produce is rolling in in the last fall rush. It's a good season.
4) My husband's mechanical skills. He got into his car this morning to find the alternator light on, which is not a pleasant thing, but we are blessed that he can do the work himself.
5) My steam canner--This is the first year I've had this to process my high acid canned goods in and I love it. Using a fraction of the water that I had to use in the hot water bath definitely makes me happy....especially this year!
Hi Kristen!
I've been reading (lurking) on this blog for years and decided to finally come out of the shadows lol.
Let's see
1. We have finally settled into our new home and our loving the space and feel of a family home in the city.
2. Successfully balancing work, school, family, and volunteering. Even though it seems like I never have a free minute to spare, the joy and love I received from all of those people and things make it so worth it.
3. Fall weather! I know very shortly these love 60 degree days are going to bitter cold 20 degree days, but for now I will blissfully enjoy my warm fall drinks.
4. Significantly reducing my food waste and eating out. This is now becoming a habit and one that we are loving. Consciously making an effort to eat better and more efficiently is much easier than I thought.
Annnnd the not so good- I was inspired by your previous posts on fixing appliances yourself and thought I could give it a try. The dishwasher that came in the house we bought was missing the little latch that shuts the detergent door. Apparently that latch is not sold separately and in order to "fix" it you need to by the complete assembly. So almost $45 later that assembly was on its way for me to install. However, my moving brain really messed up the address using the numbers of the new address with the street name of the old address, and the part was delivered there. Lucky the customer service rep where I ordered the part from was able to figure everything out and a new part was shipped out free of charge. It really pays to be nice and courteous to customer service reps!
Woohoo! So glad to see you delurk. Welcome, welcome!
Great idea! Happy to hear that things are trucking along (with some natural hiccups along the way, too!)
This week:
1. I made homemade pho and it wasn't awful. I probably won't make it again, but I expected this dish to suck and it was actually pretty all right!
2. While we're reaaaally over-budget on food this month (to the tune of $200, ugh), our home renovation is proceeding on-budget, which was great news!!
3. We're really starting to see progress on our work at the house. It's transforming from a relic from 1967 and into a beautiful, bright, modern home. I love love love our house. 🙂 It's been so much work and I'm so sore, but it's all paid off. 🙂
Making Me Happy:
1. Good health in my family, including my mother (she is in her late 80s) and good friends.
2. That we are prosperous enough to be able to pay our bills and share with others whenever we see an opportunity.
3. The we have plenty of healthy food but rarely have food waste (I find it hard to find the balance between enough and not too much).
4. That I am able to attend yoga classes a few times a week. I am much stronger for it.
One Thing That's making Me Mad:
1. I have friends going through crises. Some are health problems, some are money troubles, and some are legal issues.
Things that are making me happy:
1. My best friend is visiting from Seattle and I got to see her 3 times this week!! I miss her so much and love our time together.
2. While she was here she gave me a much needed hair cut and highlight. It has been years since I had my hair done and I feel like a new person (and look younger too without all the gray!)
3. I also love it when the weather is cooler. Today is overcast, cool and breezy. It makes me so happy after the hot summer we had. I love putting on my pants and warm cozy sweatshirts. I also love sleeping in a cold house with some warm blankets. Ahhhh!
4. My son started middle school this year and I can't believe how much he has matured already. I've been really proud of how he has made the transition from elementary school. All the sudden he is keeping track of all his school responsibilities and doing homework without the drama. It makes me smile just thinking about it.
What is bumming me out:
My daughter with health issues caught a cold, that progressed into an ear infection/sinus infection. She doesn't seem to be able to kick it. This more than likely means she will have to get her adenoids removed which we have been putting off (she has enough surgeries already). Plus it scares me that it could be masking a problem with her shunt (which regulates the pressure in her brain). Now I don't know if her headaches, lethargy, etc. is just due to the cold or a more life threatening issue. Ugh.
1. The chicken noodle soup and challah bread from a local Polish restaurant I had for lunch. There is a big smiley face on my tummy right now.
2. Paul Simon's "Negotiations and Love Songs" on my iPod during said lunch.
3. I am happy as well for Fall. Cooler temps, cozy sweaters and apple picking!
4. 30% off coupon arrived just when I needed to buy a new winter coat so my budget isn't busted.
Not so happy about drugstore.com closing this week. They were convenient and had items not easy to find locally in one spot.
Making me happy:
*My daughter who is a Senior this year got her first college acceptance letter (she's only applied to one college so far!) as well as an offer for the largest merit scholarship that they offer. She was really excited about this!
*I've been able to spend very little at the grocery store lately. I've been cooking from the freezer and pantry and saving tons of money! Plus adding a little bit of variety to our menu by thinking outside of the box and using the ingredients on hand.
*The weather has cooled off tremendously here the past few days. So glad since it was in the 90's last week, and our a/c was running non-stop. Hope to have a lower electric bill this month.
*My son who is autistic starts baseball this Saturday. He plays for a special needs league and is always so excited when the season starts back, and it's really nice to see everyone else again from the team.
- There are some negative things also going on, but I'm trying to stay only positive right now!
1. I too am loving this weather. Fall is my favorite time of year, and I don't even mind winter, but of course we live in South West Virginia so it's not that awful.
2. I love my new coffee mug I got for work to drink my hot tea w/ coconut oil.
3. I love that our puppies are all healthy and doing well along with mama.
4. I love that tomorrow is fresh milk day. I don't know why but every week I look forward to driving down that long gravel driveway to the dairy farm to get our fresh milk.
5. I love that I have two crock pots now and can fill them both with delicious warm you all over soups and stews soon.
One thing that I don't love is the Redskins starting off the seasons with 2 losses!!! Uuuugghhh!!
🙂
Love this post! Inspired me to come out of the shadows also, I rarely comment but love your blog!
1. In New Zealand, the school year has four terms each being about ten weeks (give or take) with a two week break in between. I'm loving the two week breaks! Yah for having kids at home!
2 My husband is finally supporting us financially after retraining full time for four years! It's very humbling to be supported financially by other people. So spending 'our' hard earned money is AWESOME!
3 swimming lessons and being able to purchase new summer clothes
5 YNAB - our budgeting software
Can not of anything negative apart from that I'm generally sad that NZ hasn't got Aldi or a Costco or IKEA but in the scheme of things that's just minor.
Yay for a job after training! That's excellent.
And I'm excited that you de-lurked!
It's interesting to learn about different schools system. For us it starts end of august to Christmas, 2 week off, then January to June with 1 week off in march. Then they are off from the end of June to end of august and the new year starts.
Love this!
1. Everyone in my family can see, hear, and walk. That’s a huge blessing!
2. My female friends are wonderful. What a supportive, lovely, transparent group of women I know. They’re in different areas of my life so they don’t all know each other, but I know I can pick up the phone to call and cry or celebrate about something, and they can do the same. I often think of them when I hear that supportive relationships are healthy. They’re probably extending my life by several years!
3. We have extended families on both sides who love and support us. We may not spend each and every waking moment together, but we know they have our backs.
4. I have a library just a few miles from my house.
One not so happy … I’m not exercising as much as I should be lately, and it’s having repercussions in several areas of my life.
4 Happy Things:
1. My baby has been smiling at me the last 2 days.
2. I got to use a $10 off $10 or more coupon to get some socks for my baby.
3. I was able to leave the house early enough with my two kids to stop and use a Starbucks gift card to get a latte before my Bible Study after a night of very little sleep.
4. My husband will get home from work a half hour early tonight.
1 not-so-happy thing:
I'd like to walk to the store to get the one thing I need for dinner tonight, but it is supposed to start raining soon... And not stop much for days.
1 ) After not using our dryer for several months and seeing my electric bill drop 150.00 . I bought a clothes line. I spent 65.00 and the savings are much needed.
2 ) I went to the salvage store and spent 50.00 leftover from this months budget. I stocked up on many health and beauty items and numerous household items. Each item is 1.00 so my savings were phenomenal.
3 ) I used last months grocery money to buy a freezer. I used this months grocery money to pack it with meat.
4 ) I got one of my eye surgeries and can see.
5 ) Happily I cannot name one bad thing or annoyance this week.
Rain this afternoon, lovely!
Sweet hubby taught a new songwriting class at our daughter's Jr. High and they both loved it!
College daughter dropped by home to collect crystal's near the old mines by our house for a school project. I hugged her, kissed her sweet face, and did her laundry while she was crystal hunting. A mid- week treat! She lives near campus.
My 17 year old is considering massage therapy and a science degree for college. I love to see him excited for his future!
Kind of bummer... We cannot figure out our next steps for cars for our family. College daughter's car is 20 years old, reliable, but can't go long distances. No car for our son yet, hubby's car has 180,000 miles on it. My car is new and I travel for work, so i need it. We would like one more really good car to supplement the old cars that can be shared for road trips etc....but we are patient.
Making me happy:
1) Our newly installed landscaping drip system is working beautifully, and for the first time since this latest California drought started (the fourth in my lifetime living here) I have healthy green plants without increasing water usage.
2) My granddaughter now being old enough to recognize our voices when we call or Skype between visits, and comes running from wherever she is to yell a very excited 'Hello' to her Baba and Nana. 🙂
3) Beautiful early Fall evenings that allow us to sit outside for hours after dinner each evening, talking and reading instead of watching TV.
4) Discovering your Chipotle Chicken Enchilada recipe. I served it to rave reviews to my Book Club the other day, and tonight we will be enjoying the last bit of leftovers.
Not so happy about:
1) My third bout of being sick in as many months. Our granddaughter's little sniffles turn to much worse for her Nana!
#2 is precious! My in-laws live 6 hours from us. We see them 3-4 times per year. Skype is a big help in keeping them connected to the kids. What a marvelous tool!!
I love fall weather. When it's crisp, but before it gets cold (which I don't like). Sweater weather. It's perfect for running. Especially when the leaves start changing!
I'm happy about sleeping from 8:30-6:30 last night. Granted, it's because I've got a cold, and my husband took both the bedtime and wake-up duties out of pity, but it did feel good!
I love this exercise!
1. Our little dog is feeling much more energetic and enthusiastic after a number of tests and medication changes.
2. My husband was able to fix a chandelier that was making a weird noise. We found just the right socket replacement and he got it in.
3. My DIL has felt really good during her pregnancy and our granddaughter should arrive in November. Excited.
4. We finally have had a pleasant early Fall day. Yeah for cooler weather.
5. A lovely woman volunteered to take over as President of our Friends of the Library group. I am moving next year and she will be a great replacement.
1) After being in debt for almost a decade, I now have a big enough surplus to cover one year of expenses!
2) I have three new books to pick up from the library tonight.
3) I am done my work for the day, so I get to leave early.
4) I have dinner plans for tonight at a great restaurant that specializes in local foods.
5) (One thing that is making me unhappy) My chronic insomnia is back. Boo.
I totally relate for the fridge thing! I lose stuff in there because there is just too much (1st world problem!). And I also enjoy the cooler temperature. +20 Celsius is excellent in my world!
4 things that are making me happy:
* Brought my 4yo to the pool today (finally!!) and discovered that her fear of water seems to be gone! And that she can actually swim pretty will (with floaters). Woah, when did this happen?!?
* Started a support group for eating disorders (I have BED) and I think I will get some good out of it.
* Planning a fun-filled Thanksgiving weekend with family.
* Season 5 of "Last man standing" is now on Netflix.
* extra ones: my two amazing girls, my hourly salary, my house, my amazing family physician, my friends Lyne and Melanie, my betta fish, good neighbors, our garden, etc. Lots to be grateful for!
One thing that is making me unhappy at the moment:
* some marital conflicts.... 🙁
For my happy moments:
1. September was a three paycheck month so I had a little bit of extra cash. I bought some crafting supplies for some of my Christmas projects.
2. I finished a large project at work and I feel that weight off my shoulders.
3. My 10 year old grandson brought home some really good grades from school ,this week. We have been struggling with his grades.
4. My daughter went to Wednesday night Bible study with me.
For not so happy moments:
My modem for my internet is out and no one has returned my phone calls yet.
The pump went out of my old washer and the cost to repair it was not low enough to do the work. Looks like we'll be washer shopping.
Oh man! No internet??? My sympathies.