This weekend, Michael and I are headed to Baltimore for his 60 day reintegration. (Yes, I know he has been home for 4 months. Apparently the Army can't count!) The best part? It's all free! The hotel is near the Inner Harbor, which is an area I love. It is so pretty there. We do have to do some workshops, but then we get to hang out with everyone that night. It is a much needed break!
I will miss the 'kids' though :(
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
BIG THINGS!
Today, we signed papers to become lot owners! This lot is in an amazing developing neighborhood, and is close to work and our families. We plan on buying the lot, then selling our house, and then building. The builder we went with dropped some money off of their original quote, and added some other things we wanted at no extra cost. We are so excited!
The house we own now isn't in my name because we bought it before we were married, and it would have been too difficult to change my name and get the loan without being married. So today was the first day I signed papers on something this HUGE! I can't wait to start building our dream house. First we have to sell our house, which may take some time, but say a prayer that it doesn't!
Meanwhile, we had an hour delay in school today due to some snow we got last night. It was an unexpected surprise! I had no idea it was even supposed to snow. We also only have one more full day at school this week, a half day on Thursday and then we are off to Baltimore for a weekend getaway with the rest of Michael's brigade. The best part? It's FREE!
Life is good!
The house we own now isn't in my name because we bought it before we were married, and it would have been too difficult to change my name and get the loan without being married. So today was the first day I signed papers on something this HUGE! I can't wait to start building our dream house. First we have to sell our house, which may take some time, but say a prayer that it doesn't!
Meanwhile, we had an hour delay in school today due to some snow we got last night. It was an unexpected surprise! I had no idea it was even supposed to snow. We also only have one more full day at school this week, a half day on Thursday and then we are off to Baltimore for a weekend getaway with the rest of Michael's brigade. The best part? It's FREE!
Life is good!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
I Can Cook!
So week one of planning and cooking meals turned out very well minus one burnt situation in the crockpot! I guess I started it too early, and when I got home from work the chicken was a little burnt! No worries, I just fixed more chicken. See I can improvise.
Not only did I think the meals were pretty good, but Michael did too! That is itself is amazing since he is a pretty picky eater. So, on Friday, I planned the meals for the next week and we went shopping at the base. Between planning our meals, and shopping there, we are able to save a lot of money. No more mid week trips to decide what we want, or eating out!
So, for this week :
Monday - East Chicken Casserole (contains some veggies, chicken, soup, cheese and sour cream)
Tuesday - We were going to have Sloppy Joes, but we made those last night, so I think we are going to grill steaks this night
Wednesday - No Peek Chicken in the crockpot (This seems like a chicken pot pie)
Thursday - Chicken and Spinach Lasagna
Friday - Date Night (We are headed out of town for Michael's reintegration for his unit)
Saturday - Dinner with the Brigade...or whoever we decides to go with ;)
Notice all of the chicken dishes? Two reasons for that : One, Michael LOVES chicken. Two, I started WW again last week, and chicken is better then beef! I was able to find all of these recipes that are weight watchers friendly and sound good, even for Michael. We will see!
Not only did I think the meals were pretty good, but Michael did too! That is itself is amazing since he is a pretty picky eater. So, on Friday, I planned the meals for the next week and we went shopping at the base. Between planning our meals, and shopping there, we are able to save a lot of money. No more mid week trips to decide what we want, or eating out!
So, for this week :
Monday - East Chicken Casserole (contains some veggies, chicken, soup, cheese and sour cream)
Tuesday - We were going to have Sloppy Joes, but we made those last night, so I think we are going to grill steaks this night
Wednesday - No Peek Chicken in the crockpot (This seems like a chicken pot pie)
Thursday - Chicken and Spinach Lasagna
Friday - Date Night (We are headed out of town for Michael's reintegration for his unit)
Saturday - Dinner with the Brigade...or whoever we decides to go with ;)
Notice all of the chicken dishes? Two reasons for that : One, Michael LOVES chicken. Two, I started WW again last week, and chicken is better then beef! I was able to find all of these recipes that are weight watchers friendly and sound good, even for Michael. We will see!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Is it Friday?
Today, I accidentally called a student an idiot. Yes, that's right. In my defense, another student had fallen, pretty hard, and this 'idiot' was cracking up, laughing LOUDLY, and pointing to the girl. I then turned to the boy and said, "Why don't you stop laughing like an idiot, and see if she's ok!"
Then, like any good teacher, I went to the Principal's office to confess! She said, "Sometimes you have to call them like you see it!"
Maybe I won't lose my job after all. Ahhh, tomorrow is Friday!
Then, like any good teacher, I went to the Principal's office to confess! She said, "Sometimes you have to call them like you see it!"
Maybe I won't lose my job after all. Ahhh, tomorrow is Friday!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
How Much?
Since Michael has come home, we have been actively looking into building our dream house. We have thrown around different options about whether to search for an already built house, or just build one ourselves. After thinking about all of the things we want in our house, we decided it was much easier for us to just design the house ourselves.
Finding and designing a plan was a challenge in itself, but once we did that and had it just the way we wanted, we took it to three builders to price it out. It is an exciting time but scary! Everything is so expensive. Now is the best time to build, so I can't imagine what the price will be when the market returns, which is why we are trying to do it now.
On a normal teachers salary, I don't know how anyone can afford to build. Without Michael's deployment, there is no way we could afford it. We are pretty good at saving money normally, but without the extra money from his time overseas we wouldn't have a very good down payment, and our mortgage would be outrageous! I guess there is a silver lining to the time apart!
We have received prices back from all three builders :
1. This builder has a lot that is reduced and a good price, but the house is more expensive
2. This builder has a lot that is outrageous (but a good neighborhood) but a $20,000 less house!
3. No lot, but the house is $20,000 less then the first.
We have ruled out #3 as finding a lot in a neighborhood is almost impossible. The first two are in the running. Both are reputable buildings, but the one lot is almost DOUBLE the first. Now we are in a bidding competition! We met with builder #1 today, and informed them the same house plan was quoted much lower, so we will see. I think we both have our hearts set on the first one, so keep your fingers crossed!
If all goes as planned, we will buy the lot by the end of the month, and put our house up for sale! What an exciting time, but also very nerve racking!
Finding and designing a plan was a challenge in itself, but once we did that and had it just the way we wanted, we took it to three builders to price it out. It is an exciting time but scary! Everything is so expensive. Now is the best time to build, so I can't imagine what the price will be when the market returns, which is why we are trying to do it now.
On a normal teachers salary, I don't know how anyone can afford to build. Without Michael's deployment, there is no way we could afford it. We are pretty good at saving money normally, but without the extra money from his time overseas we wouldn't have a very good down payment, and our mortgage would be outrageous! I guess there is a silver lining to the time apart!
We have received prices back from all three builders :
1. This builder has a lot that is reduced and a good price, but the house is more expensive
2. This builder has a lot that is outrageous (but a good neighborhood) but a $20,000 less house!
3. No lot, but the house is $20,000 less then the first.
We have ruled out #3 as finding a lot in a neighborhood is almost impossible. The first two are in the running. Both are reputable buildings, but the one lot is almost DOUBLE the first. Now we are in a bidding competition! We met with builder #1 today, and informed them the same house plan was quoted much lower, so we will see. I think we both have our hearts set on the first one, so keep your fingers crossed!
If all goes as planned, we will buy the lot by the end of the month, and put our house up for sale! What an exciting time, but also very nerve racking!
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Goodbye Vacation :(
Another vacation comes to a close. I am always sad because I love sleeping in and just relaxing on the couch all day, but I have to admit I do miss the kids. Since we had snow days the last two days before break, I didn't get to give the kids their Christmas presents, so I am very excited to be able to do that this week!
As part of my New Years resolution, I have decided I really want to attempt to be a better cook. I tried back in November to plan dinner for the week. Not only does this benefit my OCD self, but cuts down on the time we spend asking each other what we want, and trips to the store thus saving money!
I have planned my menu for the week which includes : hamburger stroganoff, crispy chicken, filets, Italian chicken and pizza! The easy part was planning, wish me luck with the cooking!
As part of my New Years resolution, I have decided I really want to attempt to be a better cook. I tried back in November to plan dinner for the week. Not only does this benefit my OCD self, but cuts down on the time we spend asking each other what we want, and trips to the store thus saving money!
I have planned my menu for the week which includes : hamburger stroganoff, crispy chicken, filets, Italian chicken and pizza! The easy part was planning, wish me luck with the cooking!
Friday, January 1, 2010
Welcome January!
Ah, another month and a New Year. The difference between last year and this year? Waking up and starting the new year with my husband! Wonderful!
We had a party to go to today for a friend of ours who is deploying to Afghanistan next week. I wish just once, we could have a year without saying goodbye to a friend. His family is so sweet, and I know that my husband looks up to him. He has a two year old son who is adorable! It just breaks my heart. I know he is fully capable, but I always worry. Until they all come home right?
Only two more days left on my Christmas break so I plan on enjoying every minute!
We had a party to go to today for a friend of ours who is deploying to Afghanistan next week. I wish just once, we could have a year without saying goodbye to a friend. His family is so sweet, and I know that my husband looks up to him. He has a two year old son who is adorable! It just breaks my heart. I know he is fully capable, but I always worry. Until they all come home right?
Only two more days left on my Christmas break so I plan on enjoying every minute!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
