Judicious June Controlled/No Spend Thread

[mizbear]

I am eventually going to switch to a smart phone- I want the convenience- but I abhor touch screens and don't want to listen to DM with her- "This is going to add to the phone bill" (I pay her the extra)- She and I share an account so that we can keep our bill down.

I have done really good on my NSDs, but I did a spend today so that I can do some cooking. I will have DNs for a couple of days and I am also tryin to cook so that I have food already done. I have a terrible habit of not eating in the summer.
Guess what- DB actually gave me money the other day to buy his kids snacks???!!!
Wish me luck- I am working with sharp objects and super glue today- this usually results in injury.

[reeneejune]

Hey ladies! Just popping in to say hello, and I had to share a win that only you all would really appreciate. While doing my weekly grocery shopping tonight, I went down the water isle, thinking about picking up a gallon or two. Tap water around here is . I noticed that they have those brita filter water bottles and it had a sale tag below it. So not only was it on sale for $7.99, but when you buy one, you got a stainless steel reusable water bottle for free! Both items had a regular price of $9.99, so I saved 60%!! It was actually buy any brita filtration product and get the other water bottle for free, so I might go back and pick up a replacement filter for the water bottle and get another free water bottle. ;D I love getting a great deal! (This was at Safeway, just in case anyone else wants to see if their store has the same deal)

[pointy]

Quick update: 9/23 NS and 11/28 No QVC days

[mizbear]

My budget is about to be turned on its ear. My DGM had a stroke around midnite and it has been unanimously decided that if her condition stays the same or worsens that she will have to go to the nursing home to live. DM will have to come live with me. DB has been told he will have to find somewhere to live. DGM can no longer make decisions for herself at this point.
My uncles told my DB that he would have to move so that DM did not have to.
DM likes to spend money and I told her that if she came to live with me that there would be a budget. Believe it or not, she was all for this. She wants to sit down at lunch with me- preferably tomorrow- and crunch numbers so we know what each other makes and what our bills are. And her housekeeping skills must improve. It also means I will have to make some decisions and pare down some stuff I guess- my mother has 6 tons of stuff! It won't all fit.
We will have to wait for a 2 br to be available so we will have to stay in my 1 br for now.

[redwagon]

mizbear- so sorry to hear about DGM's health problems. I wish her the best and hopefully she transitions well to a nursing home. And good luck with the money chat with DM. Even willing people can be resistant.

Paid for our new doors yesterday. That hurt. Luckily I'll get rewards on my card, and I should be able to pay it off by next week or the end of the month at the latest, as I get paid for my freelance project with my old employer. As Dax (kitty) almost opened the front door this morning because it doesn't latch properly, new doors can't come fast enough.

[MittenKitten]

mizbear: So sorry to hear of DGM. I know she means a lot to you. Will be praying for her and your family. What a time to have to make a major decision about where your mom will live also. Your Bro sounds like a piece of work that needs a good butt kicking!

Reenee: congrats, LOVE those deals. I find the Brita filters are SO expensive after you get the system I have taken to buying gallon water jugs and refilling them at the grocery store when I go. Costs 39 cents per gallon to refill and our water is so hard it is gross. I keep looking for a decent deal on them.

Red: Oh man I remember too many of those things, once you make the decision you just can't wait for it to be done. It was like that with our blinds for DS#2s room. After we ordered them I was just praying his curtains didn't fall down. (We took them down the same day the blinds were installed I was very worried the rod would hit him on the head!)

I have decided to go to South Dakota, had a wonderful conversasion with SES. Will be MomKat, DS#1 and myself. Looking forward to it. Also by waiting it seems the hotels got cheaper!

I am also trying to figure out a way to skip giving a birthday party for DS#1. Just way too complicated with friend issues! I have a few ideas to see if they work. One he wants to do a sleepover at the zoo with the Grizzly bears. That will cost $110 and we can go through the zoo the next day paid. My second idea is to have 2-3 friends over for the pool and ice cream. My last idea is to offer him the option of giving him the money I would have spent on the party for his wallet. (around $30-$40)

[muttleynfelix]

mizbear - Hugs. So sorry to hear about your DGMa.

MK - Enjoy your trip to SD.

So, DH and I both ended up with smartphones. The sales lady was talking about smartphones and DH who doesn't like to go into the office while DS is playing in the living room was like I can check my email any where. LOL. DH got really behind on some emails from church and since he is head of 2 committees it ended up kind of bad. There was some info he needed to pass along that he didn't. SO this should help. We shouldn't have jacked up the budget too badly, but I'm a little worried there was some random monthly fee. Hopefully not. I ended up with the LG Quantum and DH got the Pantech Crossover. They both have touch screens and slide out keyboards.

Today we had a fundraiser lunch at church and DH and I drove seperate since he was in charge of the lunch. He left while I was showering and I get out and cannot find my keys to the Nissan. That key is over $300 to replace. I tried to stay calm, but I really starting to panic. DH had left his keys for the NIssan so I just grabbed them so DS and I could leave. I checked the VW when I got to church to see if the NIssan keys had just fallen out of my purse at some point. I was trying to think back to the last time I had used them and I knew it had been 1 week. I get home and I'm starting to really panic. Then I check the diaper bag and there they were! Last Sunday, after the church cookout, I had thrown the keys in the diaper bag to carry stuff back in and I had not gotten them out. What a relief.

[spruby]

Muttley - great that you found the key!

MK - have a great time in SD - good luck on getting the b-day figured out

Red - when will the doors be done?

Mizbear - so sorry about your DGM - I hope the transition goes well. Is here any way for your DM to get her own 1-bedroom or studio apartment where you are? You would be close to help - but you would each have some breathing room. You have a lot going on with school, helping DGM/DM, the DNs, and assorted family drama - you're going to NEED some private time/space.

So I'm a bit bummed - I wasn't going to make the SD meet-up because of a work trip - but it is to Hawaii - so no complaints. Turns out Hawaii might get cancelled so I can be in court in NY on one of my cases (not a lawyer - the financial expert). Blah!!! Not a fair trade at all. I'm not cancelling Hawaii yet - but the odds look bad - so think good thoughts for me!

We have 3 personal trips lined up now - July/August/October. I *really* want to add one in December - but it doesn't make any sense to $$$ wise. If I don't have a new job and a bonus or 3 comes through - we may do a last minute thing if I need to burn off any more leave. Between my comp time for travel and use or lose leave I my 3 trips (18 work days) are covered - I am so blessed.

Hope everyone is staying cool/warm/dry (as appropriate).

[ses]

been a busy few days. My interview was Thursday, I think it went well. It was more like sitting down with a couple of new friends and discussing an area of education we are all passionate about for an little over an hour. Is that too long or short for an interview. I thought the position was for an alternate (substitute) test examiner that might be called in once every 4-6 weeks. Turns out it would be weekly. A few hours one day for paperwork setup and about 6 hours the next day to proctor the exams. I anticipate clearing about $100 a week. A nice addition to my EF, or whatever. I have more trouble spending than not spending now days.
Friday some friends and I had a girls day out for some shopping and lunch. I shopped so hard I only came away with a cherry pitter! Nice lunch, shrimp, and good conversation. It was, however, the first time Calleigh stayed outside without me for the whole day. I had one very excited kitty to see me home, she didn't leave my side all evening.
By Saturday morning things were back to normal and she wanted to play at 4:30am. Finally, I gave in and let her outside about 6 and went back to get dressed and start the day. I got a call from my neighbor to tell my I had a peacock in my backyard. A PEACOCK!! A real one!!! It belonged to a neighbor a few blocks away. I rushed out to keep the cats, especially Calleigh- (the mighty huntress, in her mind) from starting a tussle. I got on the deck in time to see him display his tail feathers and shriek at her. Lord, are they loud. Calleigh was across the yard and running and running inside between my feet before I could even step outside. He paced around the back hedge then flew to the ridgepole of my shed, rested a bit and flew away. I don't know if his "family" ever caught him or not. I really enjoyed visiting with MK about the Black Hills vacation. It is going to be so much fun.
Mizbear--don't forget to take care of yourself while tending to your family. Prayers and good juju coming your way.
Reenee--what a great deal!
Red--doors are definitely expensive---too bad they are so needed!
Muttley--so glad you found your keys. I panicked Saturday when I couldn't find mine and I KNEW they were in my purse. Finding them should qualify as an archaeological dig.
Spruby-- I sure wouldn't be excited about swapping NYC for Hawaii. Is it a done deal, or might you still get Hawaii?
Have we heard how any of our newbies are doing?

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 3 NS and 4 CS day = 7 NS/CS days
Had a couple of little spend days until today. Today was a big spend day as I replaced the tires on my car. They were overdue and money was put aside for them -- I just hate to spend it.
MizBear--Don't forget to take time for yourself at this stressful time for your family.
MK-- Looking forward to meeting you in a few weeks. Only 2 weeks away.

[startsmart]

Writing this on mom's computer and trying not to look at the broken screen - it's giving me a headache!

almost home after 2 days on the road. Over 350 miles since Saturday morning and I have another few hours to go.

The event was really nice, it was great to see them honor my grandpa who was there in spirit.

Dad won second place!

Best part was since grandpa always won oldest driver (he was 89 last year) my uncle had grandma take the driver's seat to cross the finish line. So, at 91 years old, she won oldest driver to keep it in the family! so sweet.

anywho, I'm red and burned and tired and have leg cramps and will be driving the last leg home shortly. Just wanted to pop in and say hi

[redwagon]

spruby - one of the ones we want needs to be ordered (blinds between the glass. so sick of hearing blinds clanging on the door whenever we open/shut it) so probably not until mid-July. As long as we lock the outside door the cats can't get out of it, but today I popped out to get the paper and turned back to see it opening and one very curious kitty sniffing at the opening. RAN back to the door haha. Boomer got out once in winter but luckily smartly turned back into the warmth. It'll be nice to have an outside door that latches so we can leave the inside one open, get some fresh air, and not have to lock the outside door.

Losing keys is nothing (well, not really, just wanted to share my story. blue's lost his keys twice, by the way... no idea where they went). Blue has a tendency to lose his wedding ring. We were driving to the movies yesterday (yay free pass) and he realized he didn't have it on. We almost turned back then he remembered he'd taken it off because of a callous from mowing the lawn. When we got home hours later (after experiencing wretched service at the theater, we'd never been to this one and probably won't again, which is sad considering it's right up the street) it was right where he left it. Thank goodness Dax and Boomer didn't feel like playing. They steal EVERYTHING! Including swiss army knives, sunglasses, watches, and especially hairties.

Okay, I'm rambling. I really came on to say that I just finished a copyediting test for a MAJOR publisher to try to get freelance work. Steady work from this company would help greatly on my road to freelancing fulltime. Might even be enough, if I assume my current company would give me occasional projects as well. We shall see... send me good juju!

Speaking of, how long getting consistent work from places would make you think I could rely on them? Is that something I should bring up? Ie, "Hi, I am now hoping to do this fulltime can I count on at least one project of x dollars a month?" Not sure how to make that final decision and cut the cord with current employer. . . it's a bit terrifying, even though I know we can switch to blue's insurance etc etc. Need to build up savings, for sure, to cover any slow months...

[reeneejune]

MizBear - As someone suggested very strongly to me when I moved in with my Grandmother (coughstartsmartcough) have an exit strategy in place in case living with Dear 'Ole Mom doesn't work out. The last thing you need is to be stuck with a roomie who spends like money grows on trees, lives like "organized chaos" is an ideal to strive for, and has amazing powers of guilt-tripping courtesy of her status as mom. ;D

I'm currently trying to process the sheer volume of food now sitting in my kitchen. Apparently my mom peeked in my cabinets the last time she was over and was dismayed by my apparent lack of "anything to eat in this apartment!" One full sized cooler, two large paper grocery bags, and a pear box full of food is now awaiting organizing and shelving. Some of it will go directly to the food bank (canned corn ) and some of it I'll have to think on a bit before I can put it to use. Like the two fresh leeks now cozying up to my celery in the fridge. Something tells me there's a soup in my future.

[mizbear]

I have already gotten my back up with my mother and set a few rules- if she comes to live with me:
1. We will go on the waiting list for a 2 BR apartment (I get the larger room when we get it because all of the furniture here is mine and I am established here).
2. My DB will not, can not, does not move in with us.
3. Her housekeeping skills will improve. I'm not keeping the house for both of us. Not gonna do it. It won't hurt her to do housework.
4. We are not eating out all the time. Period. THese places have dishwashers- there is no reason for her not to cook some nights and I can cook others.
5. She will get up every day. And she will not stay in a recliner in my living room in her boxers and tank top all day!

They do have 1 BR apartments here, but she has to come up electric deposit, security, 1st month, etc, etc, etc. She has no savings. If we can keep from killing each other long enough to get a 2BR, I think things will be okay.

DGM tried to put a guilt trip on the 4 kids about the possibility of a nursing home yesterday. So I put a guilt trip on the 3 younger kids to head it off- I told them if I bury my mother because they don't have the backbone to stand up to theirs, that if they thought I was mad when my grandfather died because instead of getting to grieve I was out running errands- they haven't seen nothing yet! I will hold them responsible. Sounds harsh I know, but DM and her sister have a POA that my aunt doesn't want to use yet. If something happens to my mother she has to do it all.

I am glad to see everyone is getting such great deals on stuff.
Red- I have my paws crossed on this freelance stuff.
HUGS everyone. Even though I may not mention everyone, I am thinking of all of you!

[startsmart]

working this morning from bed, curled up with blankets, puppies and heating pads. still really sore from a tough weekend.

yay for macbook and my bluetooth so I can just chill here on this call.

I'm afraid I'll have to get out of bed soon though. Shoot.

[mizbear]

I wish I could find an affordable house right now. So much easier to do what I want in a house.
Will have nieces tonight and tomorrow- will probably get nothing done.

[Deleted]

mizbear, have you looked at what it would cost you for a house? But even if you could, do you want to live with your mom for the rest of her days?

[mizbear]

gin- Frankly- NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But, I may not have a choice temporarily. Unfortunately, she only has 2 children and 1 of them is useless. I got her an application for the apartment complex I live in so she could get her own place.

[sheilaincali]

Update: 9/20 $0 days

Been in a funk lately. Having a difficult time getting motivated and staying motivated. I have another chance to go to bootcamp tonight so hopefully it won't rain again. DH said he will go with me even. DS is really enjoying his tennis lessons. They are only an hour every morning but it helps get him out of the house and motivated first thing. He is back home by 10am and staying motivated and keeping busy during the day. Vast improvement over 12 hour video game marathons.

Black Hills Trip: Need to make a decision ASAP. Leaning toward not going and I am sad about that. DH has/had one co-worker that was senior to him and he quit last week. So they are starting to hint around to see how set in stone DH's vacation plans are for the end of the month. With this other guy being gone they will really have to scramble to get the projects serviced while DH is on vacation. Considering cutting it short and just going on a long weekend camping trip here in MN. Not at all happy about it but this guy quitting opens things up for DH to work year round so he wants to stay on the bosses' good sides.

[shanendoah]

Update: 5 NS + 6 CS = 11 of 26. 3 MOANs

Stayed home sick yesterday. My whole body just ached. Took a hot bath, did a whole lot of nothing (other than returning parts to fix a weed eater that couldn't be fixed and buying a new weed eater). Went to bed before 10pm and woke up this morning feeling better than I have in over a month.
DH has decided what program he wants to take classes in and officially switched campuses. Its the same school, but he'll be attending classes on a campus 30 miles closer to where we live, so that will help cut down on the gas expenses. Also, it looks like he should be able to take classes on a schedule that will allow us to remain a one car household, keeping insurance costs down. Now, we need to decide if we want to keep the second car or not.
DC did not get enough money in her 3 day trial to keep the fundraising job. She didn't get the other job she interviewed for because the guy really wanted permanent help (not just summer help). She has filled out paperwork for a temp agency that my company works with, and will look in to getting her food handler's license. We have told her that as long as she keeps looking for work and helping out at our house, we will make sure she has the money for school next year.
That may mean that we take out SL's for DH. I'm hoping we'll get at least something in the subsidized loan category, but if we need to, we'll take out some unsub as well. There's a lot we won't know until financial aid award letters come out. DC also needs to get her mother to fill out paperwork to adjust her family contribution, since her mom is on disability this year, which isn't reflected in the FAFSA from last year. That should help, as well.

mizbear: Thoughts are with you and your family through this difficult time. Definitely remember that you need to take care of yourself, otherwise you won't be able to take care of anyone else.

red: good doors are nice to have. WIth our old screen door, we had the day when our dogs (back when we had bigger dogs) managed to push the flimsy metal panel out of the bottom of the door and go on walkabout. Luckily, it was a hot day,and a friend who was on his way over to our house (we were out doing something last minute) spotted them lying in the shade in a neighbor's yard and brought them home.

mk: I'd so vote for sleeping with the Grizzlies

Black Hills: I hope everyone has a great time. One of these days, I will get DH over to Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore, and the Black Hills. But for now, school.

[ses]

Sheila--DH needs to think of the job first, of course. Could you and DS continue to come? If not we will miss you. You have a tough decision, but we will understand whatever you have to do.

[redwagon]

Hoping everyone feeling under the weather or in a funk feels better soon.

sheila - that's great DS is doing tennis. I remember always feeling like I enjoyed my summer vacation more when I was actually UP and doing something with it. That said, sleeping in until noon from time to time was nice, too.

mizbear - thanks for the crossed paws!

My freelance typesetting project that is getting wrapped up this week is driving me batty. The company "fixed" the files (something with fonts) in a newer version of InDesign, then downconverted it back to what I use, but now I can't open it. Doh! Hoping I can work off my last version and then they can just "fix" it again before they print. But I haven't heard back yet. No way I'm paying to upgrade (or buy, I think my copy is "borrowed") at this stage in the game. They can deal. But frustrating nonetheless. And I have to find time to finish second freelancing project for tomorrow, and do my homework reading. FUN!!

Blue's work wants to send him away for a two-week pow-wow with his project team as they launch a new phase. TWO WEEKS. He'd come home the weekend in between, but STILL. I survived last week, but I much prefer having him home. This means I'll have him this week and then not again until July, basically. When he was hired they said he'd travel a few days here and there. Not weeks at a time, in a row. Booooo. Trying to be the understanding wife. Told him to leverage for July 5th off so we can travel back from friends that day. All I know is once we have a family this won't be happening. Not going to be a semi-single parent, thank you.

Test-driving cars Saturday. Beyond excited.

[startsmart]

Yesterday was a no spend - it helps when you're too tired to go anywhere and going out would mean putting on proper clothes...

I might go out today, I do need coffee but I have a gift card

It's hot here and the dogs are still sleeping all day thanks to 48 hours playing with mom's dogs.

[azmom]

2 NSD Sad, I know! Eventually, I'll get it together. Ugh...I'm hoping to keep this week under $100 (including groceries, gas and misc)

School Update:I went and met with an admissions adviser today!! I only need to take 10 more classed to get an AA majoring in Journalism. I have 7 A's 2-B's and one Pass!! Is it sad that these were all obtained prior to the 2000's? Yes, I made sure to double check that they still all apply today. And, I am still upset about one of my B's. I overslept the day of my final presentation and missed class all together. Because it was a Summer class the presentation was basically our grade. My teacher allowed me to make it up but receive one grade less for the tardiness. So in reality it is an A but because I ignorantly set my alarm for pm instead of am it will forever be a B!! That was in 1997 BTW and it still upsets me
Anyhow, so I am in step two of my decision process which is looking up the classes I need and seeing if they are available online and evaluating our schedule and budget. I can wait a year and go back to school full time while ALL of my kids our in school but I kinda want to go with the momentum now and start plugging away now.

Crazy Scary Story: So I had my worse race ever (you can read about it on my blog) SO I decided to get serious about training again and forced myself to go running last night. It was around 9p and I finally hit the pavement. I normally run in the morning, with friends or at the gym but I NEEDED to get in a run just to prove I can be disciplined. Anyhow, I was about a block over and this couple in a car pulled me over and told me their friend daughter was out running about the same time sat night and was assaulted and left in the nearby abandoned golf course! They offered me a ride home but I declined and he was pretty concerned about my safety so he asked if they could just follow behind me. I have never ran so fast~which hurt my poor out of shape legs so bad~ I sent a text to all of my running friend to let them know and my friend called me back and said she couldn't find any news or police report on the incident which then freaked me out because I then thought what if they were trying to kidnap me. Which seemed odd, given the couple and everything but you never know. So I called the police and after an extensive research there was indeed an assault. I didn't know to be relieved I wasn't trying to be kidnapped or not. Still so scary given the incident happened right down the street from what I consider a very safe neighborhood. So now I need to find a running buddy (my friends are way to advanced for my current slacker condition) or run at the gym!

Well Happy No Spending!!

[mizbear]

azmom- So glad you are okay!!! People are crazy anymore. That is why I do not run the trail here. There have been multiple attacks here- both on women and men.
I will start practicing too- I need to get into a habit of running. My cousin wants me to run with him in September, but there is a memorial 5K this fall and then the hospice 5k I always do Black Friday (my late grandfather was a hospice patient). This year is Hospice's 10th annual 5k and 10k and I am trying to get the entire family out to participate.

[mizbear]

DGM is cominghome from the hospital tomorrow- her UTI got worse and caused the same neurological symptoms as a stroke. However, now the doctors hve to figure out how to keep her from getting another one with her severe diabetes and severely decreased renal function.

I am exhausted.

So, the reno is back on.

[MittenKitten]

Mizbear: Does that mean Dmom won't be moving in with you? Are they still kicking Dbro out?

South Dakota: Okay so currently we have SES, kcgal, moneysquirrel, sapphire (+mom), myself (+mom). Who else is going? I will be driving my van and have 3 seats open for the things that charge by vehicle like bear country and Mount Rushmore. Startsmart are you coming or unable to make it now? Just an FYI we will be close to the Super 8 in Rapid City but not in it as we have a fondness for pools. Sheila, I am with the others bring the boy!

Puppy has training today and my dad is going to bring his puppy there also. Not sure how I feel about that but I can't change it so it will be interesting.

Also with all the lovely fees and costs coming... We paid for DS#1s karate which is an 8 year contract (costs nothing per month for 8 years) and then changes to a $50 amonth fee. So they offered for $995 to make it where there will never be a monthly fee. That would pay for itself in less then 2 years. So I did it. At least I got them to throw in a free embroidered uniform that is worth around $100.

Now our lawn mower is not doing so well so that is going to cost money if DF can't fix it. And the Shed still needs replacing. Waiting for a nasty letter from the association on that one. And I don't know if DF will be able to get unemployment after the middle of July and while he has been trying hard to find a job NOTHING has come of it. The one a headhunter company may send him for will pay him $13.50 an hour. We are in the red with him making $15 on unemployment plus obviously we will have the cost of gas. Oh and the state may be shutting down which means what I make under DS#2s waiver since I can't go out and work with all his needs will be on hold also, so that is about $1,200 a month......

I am going to go bury my head in the sand now.....

[mizbear]

mk- DB still has to find his own place because DGM is on "probation" this time. Basically if she will play ball with her treatment plan, we will work with her- if not- she goes to the nursing home. But that's right- DM is NOT moving in!!!

My nieces have read my first 2 blog entries and like it! Although the older one says I sound "medicated"- I explained to her that I can't go all bipolar on everyone reading the blog.

Sheds- The shed we replaced DGMs old garage with was an Amish built beauty. They custom built, delivered, installed, and anchored for less than anybody else. Don' know how large you need, but will throw that out there.

I wish I could wave the magic honey wand and sweeten up life for everyone. Instead I will send HUGS.

[sapphire12]

Afternoon ladies -- I've been spending lately, some fun, some required. I'm just blessed to have the funds to cover these expenses. I exceeded my body fat goal by .2. Yeah. I fit in a smaller size on the bottom; yeah. Physical Therapy on my knee continues. I'm getting stronger, but the knee cap still isn't in proper position. On the plus side, the PT was able to align my body. It's amazing the body can get out of alignment and still function. I might be able to resume Zumba on Tuesday, if PT goes well on Friday. Yeah.

SES -- 1 hour for an interview is about right particularly if it's going well and you have something in common to discuss.
MK -- hugs to you. I think you have accounted for everyone that is coming on the trip.
azmom -- good luck with running and be careful.
mizbear -- hugs to you.
reenee -- good deal
start -- take it easy
sheila -- I do hope you and DS can still make it. I also know how much your family is looking forward to DH working full time all year.

Have a good afternoon all.

[sheilaincali]

Yesterday was a big spend day. We found a new vehicle for DH- it's an older Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. We spent about $2,000 less then we got from insurance so that will be heading over to savings. DH is happy with it so that's what's important. Fingers crossed that we don't have any costly maintenance issues pop up.

black hills: still on the fence. Want to go but I feel bad ditching DH to stay home and work while DS and I vacation. We'll see- have to decide ASAP so I will let you all know when we decide.

Rained like crazy last night so boot camp was once again canceled. Rumor has it we should be able to have a rain free day tomorrow. Fingers crossed for that!

MK: DH heard something on the radio that it will cost a minimum of $5 Million to get the government running again if they shut down for even a day. He figures that sad, hang dog looking Dayton will let it shut down just to prove a point.