MittenKitten
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Post by MittenKitten on Jan 21, 2013 16:26:59 GMT -5
saverbee: Welcome!
Health front: Everyone is healthy. Cat is doing well, him limp is even getting better. Dog's ear infection is hopefully getting better. I think the dog has too much yeast in his system so I may have to go to a raw diet. At least I don't believe it will be any more expensive then his current diet. At least I didn't have the vet bills. If anyone has any ideas on how to deal with it I would appreciate the input. He has hot spots and gets chronic ear infections.
I have however deduced that I need to go back to the orthopedist and have a cortisone shot in my right shoulder. That will run $250, oh fun.
On a fun note I did schedule our vacation and am very much looking forward to going to Wilderness in WI Dells with the kids, my sister, DF and my mom.
Money: Sounds like you are busy as ever. Your students are lucky to have you.
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moneysquirrel
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Post by moneysquirrel on Jan 21, 2013 22:54:52 GMT -5
Update: 8 NSD and 12 CSDs
Just a quick update. I did spend each day this weekend but all of it was on my wish list items and planned. Also managed to get some groceries in -- not a full list but enough to get me through the next several days. Will have to pick up additional perishables but I do have enough in the pantry and in the freezer to last several weeks. Also picked up Rx -- good for three months. So I should be ok in that area for a while as well. Only other spending I know of this month is all planned spending and coming from saved money for those purposes -- house insurance and the like. I will play the cc points game with them and get the cash back later in the year. The first three months are my most expensive ones -- house insurance, flood insurance, taxes, and the beginning of the medical appointments.
Saverbee and other newbies-- welcome to the group. This is a great group. We may not be as chatty as some of the other groups. Getting NS days takes a mind-set change and it does not happen overnight. It is harder to do than one can imagine. I have been on the thread almost 5 years now and there have been months of great success but also months when I cannot for the life of me get close to my goal. Life happens but I am very aware where I spend and on what. I often hear the voice of the ladies -- is it a need or a want? Lately I had several expenses out of the ordinary -- upcoming activities that require items that I did not have. Things that I will be able to use in the future but needed to purchase in a shorter window of time than I would prefer.
I am glad that I will be back at work tomorrow -- I tend to get my NS days on school days -- usually so tired at the end of the day that I don't make any stops on the way home -- ergo no spending. Weekends are usually my errand days and days when I am in the stores. Therefore my spend days usually are weekend days. Need to train myself to go more often to the gym on those days.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Jan 22, 2013 10:55:36 GMT -5
Rocky Mtn Saver: 9 CSD/7 NSD
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Jan 22, 2013 11:44:14 GMT -5
Update: 8NSD/8CSD/5Spend
Friday we got the car back from the dealership and had to pay for the unexpected repair. That made it a spend. (We have the money in our car fund for this kind of thing, but it wasn't a scheduled repair, so it counts as a spend.) We also made it to CostCo on Friday night before we had to pick the 4y/o we were babysitting up from pre-school. Saturday was a CSD. We went to Trader Joe's and Albertsons (they're right next to each other) for groceries. We spend ~$140 at those two stores, which is a pretty major spend for us at a regular grocery store, but as I reminded C, we didn't shop at all last weekend, and I honestly couldn't tell you the last time we have a regular stock up grocery store run. We've mostly been getting things here and there, since Thanksgiving, as we were focused on what we needed for holiday meals. Sunday, we didn't leave the house. It was fabulous, and an NSD. Yesterday was my annual girls' day out with one of my best friends. We had a couple other people join us. We say Les Mis, went to lunch, and then got pedicures. It was a CSD because all of that spending was planned for.
This should be a quiet week, which will be nice. We have to redo the home inspection part of our home study for the adoption next Monday, so evenings this week will be spent making sure that medications are back in the locking cabinet, the no slip duckies are back on the tub bottom, etc. With any luck, the state now has it's act together, and we should have our "pick me, pick me" books in front of birth parents sometime in March (maybe end of Feb), and our foster care license in April or May.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Jan 22, 2013 12:03:26 GMT -5
How exciting, Shenendoah!!
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sheilaincali
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Post by sheilaincali on Jan 22, 2013 12:06:16 GMT -5
Shanen- that's really exciting. I have all my fingers and toes crossed for you guys
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redwagon
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Post by redwagon on Jan 22, 2013 13:04:36 GMT -5
Shanen - so exciting!! Good luck!
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Jan 22, 2013 14:14:45 GMT -5
Thank you, guys, though it's not really exciting. You see, this is the second time we will have had to do this. We did it this summer, but then the state sat on the extra background check for our roommate so long that it expired and now we have to go through it again. Once we actually go in to approve the home study documents and our "pick me" books are in front of birth parents, I'll get excited again. Right now, I'm mostly annoyed with bureaucrats. (Which is nothing against those here who may work for the government- my parents did. It's just that the state employee assigned to our case seems to not care if we ever get a foster license or not.)
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redwagon
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Post by redwagon on Jan 22, 2013 15:50:37 GMT -5
I'm still going to be excited for you because it WILL happen for you guys!
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SaverBee
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Post by SaverBee on Jan 22, 2013 18:20:42 GMT -5
3/15 NSD
A big thank you rocky, redwagon, moneysquirrel, shanendoah, mittenkitten for the warm welcome!!
Extra thank you to moneysquirrel, you are so right in saying that it will not be an easy transition to the NSD way of thinking, it's been 8 days and I've only logged 3 no spend days. I'll have to remember to ask myself whether I'm spending on a Need or a Want, that way I'm not so quick to whip out the cash ...I'm sure I'll still be caving to some Wants but I hope to curb it a bit (especially when it comes to spending on fast food).
mittenkitten ~ a family vacation how fun, have you been to WI before? when will you be going, I'm guessing the weather is cold still, so maybe spring or summer? I love going on trips and try to plan 1 small and 1 big vacation a year, depends on how the savings goes for the year.
shanendoah ~ best of luck on your journey through the red tape, hopefully the worst is behind you and you will be all set soon!
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redruby
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Post by redruby on Jan 22, 2013 20:53:12 GMT -5
Still on budget for all categories in my budget, but due to work related travel I will probably go over in the gas department. But I still feel pretty good because I included a trip to see family and am still under budget. NSD 15
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Jan 23, 2013 10:22:42 GMT -5
Update: 9NSD/8CSD/5Spend
Yesterday went: work, home, dog park, home. No spending. Today should be more of the same. C wants me to put together a list of all the things that need to get done, or that I want done, before we redo the home inspection on Monday. He's pretty swamped with homework and is hoping to get out with some friends this weekend, so he's trying to figure out how much there is to do. (It's not much, since we've actually done this before, more clean up than anything else.)
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Jan 24, 2013 10:41:12 GMT -5
Update: 9NSD/8CSD/6Spend
Yesterday our social worker called and let us know that J has officially been approved by the state, so we really are only the home inspection on Monday away from having the home study process complete and getting paperwork submitted. So the three of us decided to head to a local Irish pub with live music for dinner, making the day a spend. Today will be a controlled spend or a spend. I have to get gas, but that always counts as a controlled day. However, we want to help fund a friend's Kickstarter project, and I don't know if C pledged the money last night or if we'll do it today. I also want to buy a ticket for Emerald City ComicCon. Patrick Stewart is one of the guests this year *swoon*, and we'll have numerous friends with booths at the show, so I'm looking forward to it. I'll only go one day, but that will be more than enough for me.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Jan 24, 2013 10:49:00 GMT -5
Rocky Mtn Saver: 11 CSD/7 NSD Shanendoah, be sure someone asks Patrick Stewart to recite some Shakespeare! It's lovely, sigh.
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Honeylioness
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Post by Honeylioness on Jan 24, 2013 13:53:33 GMT -5
Morning everyone...
(Warning .... this is a long rambling post!!) Yes I know, and I apologize for just dropping off the radar the last couple of weeks. I am trying to adjust to this new routine - like getting up EARLY each morning and having to put on "real" clothes, makeup and shoes.
I come home each night completely exhausted. Not because the work is all that physically demanding but mentally and in some ways emotionally as well. As most of you know I am at heart an extreme introvert. This means that I recharge by being alone. I can "do" the outgoing gregarious routine at work - press the flesh, schmooze who I need to in order to get the information I need - but it wipes me out mentally. Last week was bad because I was coming home and getting hit right away with having to be in "Mom" mode. I am sure a lot of you know how this is played: "Mom, can I have? ... What are we having for dinner? ... You need to sign this? ... Mom did you ?"
So the girls and I had a little "chat" over the weekend and there are some new house rules. The first 20 minutes after I get home are for ME. To unwind and decompress. Change my clothes, watch the news, drink wine .. whatever. THEN I will attend to dinner, homework etc. Next week I will start posting what is for dinner each night on the side of the fridge. Any teenager who wants to eat earlier than 7:00 is free to jump in and start preparing what is listed for that day.
I will say that I am having a bit of a time adjusting to this work environment. After spending seven years with a manager who hovered more than a mosquito on an August night this group takes some getting used to. There is basically ZERO hovering. I was given a laptop and remote access to the shared network drives on second day. Told that if something comes up and I need to work from home, or leave early and work that evening - no problem. I just about fell over in shock. They judge what work has been completed versus just the hours you log as a measure of your value.
I have also made myself a challenge - to leave my desk each day for at least 20-30 minutes and eat lunch in the cafeteria - NOT at my desk. I did that most of the time at my last job and never really felt I got a break at all. AND was in no way compensated to doing so either. The office is located in a lovely wooded area with lots of walking paths and trails so when the weather gets better I want to try and walk at least three times a week.
Right now of course the work load is way under what I was used to - but I can see where it will increase as people get more comfortable with my abilities, I get assigned my own projects and we build the department more. I do though already have my first solo assingment - to choose, install and populate an online document sharing software portal where people can access policies, find and download needed forms and have direct immediate access to the current and new corporate standards we are working on implementing.
********************************************************************************* Now - on the money side of things. Over Christmas I received three generous cash gifts totaling $1300. And I am proud to say that even with losing my unemployment, the gap in time to my first paycheck and still needing to pay some bills and feed everyone - that I still have almost $400 of it left in my emergency fund. So YEAH ME !!!!!
The budget has been incredibly tight this last month or so all things considered.
On a positive note I finally received from the state my last COBRA assistance check - so that is off to the bank.
And I had thought that my first contract payment would be a live check that I would then have to deposit and wait until I could pay some bills. But I checked this morning just for the heck of it and the direct deposit went through today!! I could not believe the balance jump in my checking account. The check is almost 65% MORE than I had been getting a week from Unemployment. I almost don't know what to do with this much "extra" money - though I am sure a few of the utility companies could come up with a thought or two on the subject.
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Honeylioness
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Post by Honeylioness on Jan 24, 2013 16:36:44 GMT -5
A re-post from FaceBook for those who don't have it or I haven't friended yet ... just wanted to share ***************************************************** Okay - this is moving fast:
01/10/13 - First pass by boss to fill out my HR paperwork as a contractor - Administrative Assistant IV
01/11/13 - Title Change per his boss the Sr. VP - Quality Assurance Administrator
01/15/13 - Title I was told to put on my e-mail signature line - Quality Systems Administrator
01/24/13 - Told I was to change my e-mail signature line - Quality System Analyst
At this rate will I be a VP by my birthday LOL
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MittenKitten
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Post by MittenKitten on Jan 24, 2013 19:03:02 GMT -5
SaverBee: We go in February to Wilderness they have 3 indoor waterparks attached to the resort and 1 about a mile away you can drive to. Makes for a nice get away as I live in MN and suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder. Which right now is kicking my butt! I have 3 kids and a stepson (DSS) one who is nonverbal autistic, with lots of issues (6 1/2 YO in Kindergarten) and that makes everything VERY challenging. We do go to a family camp for people with disabled members in the family in August.
Honey: Glad to you now have a job, how long will it go again? I prefer working for those who judge on your work and don't hover, but I can see how much a change that would be. I also need my down time, with the kids that doesn't happen very often, especially with DS#1 being up until 11 at times and sometimes later. Sad to be an insomniac at 9 Years old! Actually I think he just doesn't need much sleep, but our family is full of insomniacs.
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Jan 25, 2013 10:46:52 GMT -5
Update: 9NSD/8CSD/7Spend
We paid into our friend's Kickstarter last night, making it a spend day. I did also get gas.
On a saving money note, we started the refinancing process on our home last night. We currently have a 6% interest rate, so we're trying to lower that. The problem is we really have no idea what the value of our property is. The two online value tools I know of are $70k apart on our value- taking us from underwater by $30k to having $40k in equity. Definitely hope we're closer to the higher one. We don't qualify for HARP, because our loan is not owned by Fannie or Freddie, but the broker we're using does lender paid PMI, so that's likely what we'll go with- unless the value comes back high enough that we can buy ourselves up to 20% equity. No matter what, we should end up saving about $400/month on the mortgage payments. We'll very possibly just keep paying what we've been paying and bring our balance down quicker, but we might also stock that money into savings for everything else we have going on right now.
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SaverBee
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Post by SaverBee on Jan 25, 2013 16:51:44 GMT -5
Update: 5/15 NSD Honeylioness ~ CONGRATS on your new job!! Sounds like quite an adjustment for you at work and having to rebalance work and personal time too, I'm sure you will come up with a happy middle ground for everyone MittenKitten ~ Sounds like a fun place, I'm going to bookmark it! It's great that you take the time to vacation and do the family camps even though it's challenging, I think sometimes we get too wrapped up in the daily grind and it takes a toll on the family, so it's good for everyone to go and unwind a bit. shanendoah ~ That sounds like a good amount of savings once you refi, I think it's a win-win either way if you put your savings towards paying down the balance or putting it in cash savings.
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moneysquirrel
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Post by moneysquirrel on Jan 26, 2013 9:44:52 GMT -5
Update: 12 NSD and 12 CSDs
Good morning all -- just another quick drop-in to update numbers. I am still buried under lots of things to correct this weekend. Hope to get caught up today so I can have tomorrow free from schoolwork.
Honey -- Glad things are on the upswing for you. It will take you a few days/weeks to get you and the girls used to the new routine.
MK -- Hope all of your group are on the mend. I know you are keeping busy as usual.
Red -- Your life is about to change again with the twins getting to dc and you returning to work. New routines for all.
Shan -- Sounds as of all you have been working for is about to happen. So happy for you.
Saverbee and Rocky -- you two have been making progress on the NS front.
Well got to get started on today so I need to sign off and get moving.
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pointy
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Post by pointy on Jan 27, 2013 10:21:47 GMT -5
update: 20/20 NS and 24/27 No QVC days...haven't been doing much store shopping since I had to replace one of my laptops (hence one of the QVC purchases - deal was too good to pass up!), but thankfully I had money saved for a new computer (thinkin' ahead!).
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moneysquirrel
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Post by moneysquirrel on Jan 27, 2013 19:59:25 GMT -5
Update: 14 NSD and 12 CSDs
I managed to stay home all weekend except for church so my NS days went up. I may meet my goal this month after all. I up on also caught up on all the grading of the turned in projects for now. Have new ones coming in this week but every one corrected is one less to do later. I have been trying to go through things and get another box ready to donate. One box is almost full -- hope to get a few more done before I call for pickup. I have several clothing items that need to be replaced -- definitely showing the wear and tear of constant washing -- but I plan to finish out the school year before any major restocking of basics. May pick up an item or two if I can catch a good deal on something that is a warerobe staple. It would probably help if I visited the mall more but that is not my usual habit.
Still waiting for more papers to come in so I can get all the items together so I can begin work on taxes. Organized the ones I have but missing several major ones.
Hope all of you have a good week. Will try to pop in during the week if I can. Take care, stay well and happy NS days.
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3catslady
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Post by 3catslady on Jan 27, 2013 20:28:47 GMT -5
update: 25/25 NSD, I have made my goal. I want to keep going but I don't know how much I need to get things back on line here at home. My nephew's dad shot himself and died this afternoon. Please send prayers to that family.
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Jan 28, 2013 11:03:53 GMT -5
Update: 10NSD/10CSD/7Spend
I got everything I wanted to accomplish accomplished this weekend. The house is ready for the home inspection this afternoon, and all the paperwork is filled out and printed out and ready to be signed with the social worker.
This morning, I scanned and emailed all the loan paperwork and supporting documentation to the mortgage broker for refinancing the house. Friday was an NSD, Saturday a CSD as we did all of our shopping, including buying a fireplace screen (for the home inspection). I've called Sunday a CSD, though I'm pondering going back to my "gas only" NSDs. The only thing we bought yesterday was gas.
Today will be a CSD as we're going out to dinner for a friend's 40th birthday. He'd happily pretend it didn't exist, but his 4y/o daughter believes that singing in public is a birthday requirement.
3Cats: Hugs to you and your family. Sending healing thoughts your way.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Jan 29, 2013 9:19:54 GMT -5
Rocky Mtn Saver: 13 CSD/8 NSD
Hi all, just poking my head up after spending the weekend moving. Sigh, I hate moving. At least it was local, but it was bad enough. And this morning I woke up to snow but I can't find the snow shovel. LOL, I cleared the front steps with the windshield scraper! Gee, I hope my new neighbors didn't witness it.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Jan 29, 2013 9:21:03 GMT -5
3cats, so sorry to hear about your family tragedy.
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Honeylioness
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Post by Honeylioness on Jan 29, 2013 9:56:04 GMT -5
3cats - so very sorry to hear of this family tragedy. My prayers are with you.
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Jan 29, 2013 10:36:23 GMT -5
Update: 10NSD/11CSD/7Spend
Today should be an NSD. I am scheduled to go have coffee with one of the MDs I used to work with, but I have cash from my fun stash for that, so it doesn't count. I also have to go to CostCo and pick up some food for a work retirement party, which due to CostCo's rules, I'll have to pay for out of pocket, but it's 100% reimbursable, so it won't count as a spend, either.
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redwagon
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Post by redwagon on Jan 30, 2013 9:22:46 GMT -5
3cats - so sorry to hear about the family tragedy.
Yesterday was a spend as i grabbed lunch on my way to the doctor, and also had to buy a train ticket, as my dr is in the city. A nice practice run for starting back to work next week. Ugh. lol. I also went a little crazy on target.com buying baby clothes. Baby girl obviously needed fun-colored pants. And they both needed long-sleeved onesies in 3-6 month size. People aren't buying them tons of clothes anymore (as expected) so now we have to start buying them stuff as they grow. I don't think we bought them anything their first three months, so I can't complain!
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sheilaincali
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Post by sheilaincali on Jan 30, 2013 9:32:47 GMT -5
3Cats- sorry to hear of your family's loss. You'll be in my thoughts.
Red- it's practically impossible to say no when it comes to cute baby clothes. Boring DS won't wear anything cute anymore it's all blue jeans and witty t-shirts. But my niece and nephew are always quite dapper because we are forever picking them up cute clothes and they are still young enough to appreciate them (or in the case of 13 month old DNephew his mom finds them adorable, he could care less)
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