Update

I did pretty well today with my internet problem. I had a little insurance problem to take care of so I actually needed the internet for something other than fun.

I found out that my friend is having a little BOY this February! We are so excited and can't wait to meet him. So send some name ideas my way. I like Ascher and Brayden.

Addiction Notice

So, the first step to fixing a problem is to admit you have a problem, right? I am addicted to checking my email/blogs/general online stuff. I can't stop. My nice computer just sits here all day begging me to use it. When I started to think I might have a problem I thought maybe I would write down how many times in a day I used the computer. Then I thought that would be way too scary. So here is what I'm going to do. Starting tomorrow, I tried today but it didn't work, I will use the computer three times only. For no more than 15 minutes at a time. Don't people with addictions always say, I'll start tomorrow? Oh well. I'll start tonight, since I've definitely used up my quota for today after this post I will not check my email until...gasp... tomorrow. And it's only 6:16, and I'll be home for the rest of the night. Is it weird that that makes me a little nervous? Does anyone else have this addiction? I promise to use some of my first 15 minutes tomorrow updating you as to how I did (if anyone cares). I LOVE my computer, but I think I have to get my house is good working order before I can go back to my leisurely internet browsing days. Things to do before I get to spend more time on the internet: keep house really clean on a ongoing basis, get file cabinet organized. Everything else is okay, these are the two things that get forgotten due to my internet use. Oh, and I'll get to go to bed earlier, yipee! Okay, goodnight internet, until tomorrow. : (

Soul Searching

I read this today at Velveteen Mind. I thought it was well written and I hope the same for Samantha, no matter what financial situation we are in when she is in school. With Christmas and birthdays coming up, it is so easy to get caught up in all that. My intention for this year is to now get caught up in that, and to teach Samantha that family and friends, not money are most important. I have to remind myself of this when I find myself coveting that Bugaboo stroller or Volvo.

Here are Velveteen Minds words:

"My response to speculations about our financial situation is always the same. I am not my money.

I don't define myself by how much money I have in the bank or how stylish my clothes are. I don't see myself in how impressive my house is or by the model of my car.

But these things are not me, they are just my circumstances. And my circumstances don't begin to scratch my surface.

Despite my circumstances that suggest that my life is a bit in shambles, I am confident. I am confident in who I am and in who I will be. I am confident in my past decisions and my future plans. I have faith and I have hope.

I am a have in this world, but I just so happen to have not.

More than anything else, I hope I am teaching this perspective to my family. We are not our money.

But then what happens when your circumstances change from mental fortitude toward financial strength? The temptations of the GAP mom will rear their ugly heads and what keeps you from folding? What keeps you from succumbing to the power of the Volvo wagon and the day spa?

The difference is that when I have money again, when my circumstances change and I can breathe again, I want and plan to remember one thing: I am not my money.

As much as I don't define myself by my circumstances now, I do not want to define myself by my circumstances later, no matter how glossy and glittery.

If I do anything right as a mother, I want to raise children who view the world from the same financial perspective. We are not what we have materially.

I would love nothing more than for them to be able to seamlessly blend into groups of both the privileged and the struggling."

Wedding Photos

Here are a few from Katie's wedding this weekend. I lost my camera so have no pics, please send pics my way if you have some!

Dollhouse

I want Samantha to get a dollhouse for her birthday that she ca play with now. She has a beautiful one from her Aunt Katie, but that is when she is older. Tim and I try to limit plastic toys when we can, so are opting for a wooden dollhouse. These are the contenders. Tell me what you think.

They are from Kidcraft, Ryan's Room, and the wierd looking one is from Djeco. I had my heart set on a Ryan's Room house (the plain wood ones). But I think the Djeco one is kind of cool.

Blogging Hiatus

I've been on a blogging hiatus. I'm not sure when I'll return. My camera hasn't been charged in weeks, so I haven't taken any pics. I'll try to get better. Here are some Labor Day pics that someone else took and sent to me. (Thanks Heather!)

We had a busy weekend, but yesterday we did mostky nothing. It was a nice relaxing holiday.