May 9, 2008 - We did it!

We made the violet jelly today.  The pictures are all on my daughter's camera and now I will wait patiently for her to download them to "my" computer.  *grin*  Once done, I will get going on my violet jelly post. 

I'm not exactly happy with the jelly, but I will try again next year and see if I can learn from our mistakes.  It is fine really, tastes fine... just with the order they have you combine the pectin in, it tends to clump up and cause bubbles and is really really thick jelly.  But it is pretty and worth the looks on others faces when we share it with them!  LOL. 

We went shopping today and I am a tad bit excited.  I saw they had roses on sale for half price... and I found some climbing blaze roses.  We had these at our other house and I was happy to grab them up at $2 each.  I also picked out two other rose bushes to try and add to our yard, as well as a hydrangea bush.  All for $2 each. 

We got our tax rebate money today.  We also got our state income tax refund back today as well.  So, Later when I sit down to do the bills, I will put a bit extra on that Sears card we are working at paying off. 

That was basically our day.  I enjoyed shopping with my girls and with my DH!  He rarely goes shopping, but he came with and endured shopping with me.  HE says he hates shopping because he always gets stuck... hear that... Stuck with the little one and everyone else gets to SHOP.  Well, I said I needed to look for strawberries (didn't find any) and he takes off with the little one... I had to call him on his cell phone to find him again... he then WALKED away with the little one three more times in the store.  I say, he likes it... he just doesn't remember it later when his back is aching from carrying her around all day.  LOL. 

Warmly, ~Melissa

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May 8, 2008 - Violets are blooming!

Today the yard is covered in violets.  Last year I saw you could make jelly with violets, so I decided I would try this year.  Unfortunately, the lovely jelly is made with purple/blue violets and my yard is full of WHITE violets!  But, we did go out and pick.  We have enough purple violets to make one small batch of jelly. 

We are experimenting with the white violets however as the violets DO have flavor, so we will see what the jelly ends up looking like when using the white flowers, as well.  I suppose I could always add food coloring, but we are trying to stay away from food colorings as my youngest seems to have a sensitivity to them. 

We also thought of mixing half blue/ half white flowers, but we only had enough purple violets to make one small batch... not a smidgen more!  Oh Well! 

I love spring.  I see I have some dandelions popping up as well.  I thought of making a batch of Dandelion Jelly as well, but I don't have enough in the yard right now.  Dh let the horses out into ALL of the back pasture, which is where I gleaned my dandelions from last year.  I'm thinking I'll be lucky to get enough for one batch with what is in the yard.  Perhaps I'll have to head to the neighbors and ask if I can "pick" their dandelions... I'm sure they'd get a HOOT out of that request! 

Well, stop back, I plan to post pictures of the jelly making process as we go.  I just took pictures of our jars of blossoms, but I haven't downloaded them yet.  I will put them altogether from start to finish once we are done. 

Warmly, ~Melissa

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May 3, 2008 - Debt-free Journey...Federal tax refund

I just checked our bank account and surprise, surprise!  We got our federal tax refund back for 2007's taxes.  I was so excited, I paid bills tonight and guess what... it is all gone already!  LOL. 

I am not going to be distraught over that fact.  Instead I will praise God that we paid off our Discover card in full!  While that is a relief, that wasn't ever in our budget, so it did not help the initial plan to get back within our budget.  But it did help me not to have to depend on Dh's overtime as much anymore. 

Next on our to pay off list is our Sears Credit card.  That is sitting at $8341.06.  This is at a low interest, we took advantage of combining bills at one time with lower interest offers.  But it is now time to pay it off completely.  I put $2000 of our tax refund onto this amount, so I am down to $6341.06.  We plan to put money from the tax rebate on this card as well, whenever that comes.  And our overtime money will also go towards paying off this debt as well. 

My next project with our finances is to come up with a budget and make accounts to accomodate the budget.  We are currently in process of refinancing our home.  When that is finished, we will be settled on monthly amounts of all our current bills and I will be able to set up a budget that is current.  We've been switching funds from one thing to another in effort to save on interest that we are paying.  I've found that hasn't really saved me any money in the current state of affairs, but we will be saving thousands from interest paid had we left it the other way.  But since we (both Dh and I) agreed to get debt free... we have been trying new ways to manage our money and I tell you monthly it changes because we find a better deal with interest or a better way to pay for items.   Making up a budget hasn't been easy, especially with all the financial changes.  We hope to settle our refinance of our house shortly and hopefully that will be the last of our moving around of the finances for a while and I will be able to concentrate on a budget and keeping it, rather than moving funds here and there. 

It is exciting to see that debt-free counter moving down... Tax refunds can make a big difference if we are faithful to apply it to debt! 

Warmly, ~Melissa

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April 30, 2008 - FINISHED! Quilt Block Exchange!

Well, after getting sidetracked on Monday... I finally completed my last 5 sets of blocks.  I headed out at 3 pm and mailed them off.  I enjoyed the opportunity to share with others in a project that kept me motivated.  Even as simple as this project may have been, I learned some tips as I progressed through my blocks.  My blocks were not perfect...this was a new project for me.  I hope that whoever gets my blocks will still enjoy them with the little imperfections. 

It would have been much easier for me to have cut the blocks a little larger.... but I guess that is part of learning.  I had gotten some clear plastic things for quilting years ago... I finally put them to good use!  (See, I don't even know what they were called! (6 by 12 inch clear measuring pieces.  It allowed me to see if my blocks were ending up the correct size)).   I mismeasured as well and have lots of blocks left over.  However I cut it close with the thread.... I will need more thread to do anything with the leftover squares that I have left. 

I am excited about the blocks I am to receive.  I am still trying to figure out what to do with them.  Pillows seem an easy obvious choice, but I'd like to get creative.  I'm sure my little one would like a doll quilt.  I could even do a small quilt hanging with matching squares.... or maybe a small lap quilt.  We will see what I come up with once I see all the blocks. 

Deanna, thanks for hosting this swap!  It was fun.   ... now back to cleaning out our basement and decluttering the house!!! 

Warmly, ~Melissa

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April 27, 2008 - Quilt Block Exchange ...

Today I have been working on the last 5 sets of my blocks.  So far today, I've sewn the first two squares of each line of the square.  I just marked and pinned the third of each line.  Tonight I hope to sew the lines pinned.  Then I will need to iron and pin together the strips of three to make the block.   It is getting close. 

While pinning and marking the quilt squares, I am listening to some training videos for Homeschool Tracker Plus.  I have been using it already for nearly 6 months, but there are parts of it that I am not taking advantage of... so I thought I'd learn how to better use it.   Of the parts I don't use, I'm not sure I want to use it as I do the same thing with something else and I'm not sure I need to take the time to input it into the program... so maybe I have exhausted my uses... which is fine... I am completely happy with the program and how it tracks my school records. 

I am also baking oatmeal cookies tonight between activities.  Some are plain, some have cranberries and pecans, and others have raisins... Mmmmmm smells so good and I just heard the stove beep... sooo Off I go.

Warmly, ~Melissa

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April 22, 2008 - The Garden...it's time...

We are finally beginning to think about the garden.  It seems late, but with the cold weather and late snows... we hadn't had a chance to get out into the garden and get working on it. 

I see my rhubarb is starting to pop out of the ground.  I hope to split a couple of those bunches and give the roots some room to spread out once again.  The rhubarb did not put out too well and after talking to some seasoned rhubarb growers, they said that if you pick heavily from them, the roots can get bound.  They just need to be split so they have room to spread once again.  So that is my plan for this spring... to split my rhubarb patches up a bit.  Now if I can just find a tool strong enough to do that... last year I broke a handle on my pitchfork trying... I was hoping that perhaps spring is a better time to do it.  It is to rain for a few days straight, so hopefully that will soften the ground to get me into it easier.

Dh tilled the garden.  It took him a while, but he got it done today.  It will rain good this week and he'll likely need to till again before I plant so it is once again soft enough for me to move it around. 

I went to the garden store and bought some seeds and onion sets.  I spent $24.  I was feeling guilty when I realized I was buying groceries and how much money would I likely be saving... a whole bunch more, I hope!  The plan for this year is to harvest as much as possible out of the garden.   I'm sure it will be a trying year, but I hope to can and freeze in abundance.  I thought I did alot of beans and applesauce last year, but we've run out of applesauce a couple months ago and I only have 3 pints of green beans left.  Only a few tomatoes as well.  NOt likely to make it even until this years harvest.  I'm trying to make a pantry plan and a better menu plan so I can actually make sure I will make it the entire year with the harvest... after we've gotten our fill, we plan to bless others with extra veggies and fruits that we have grown. 

I'm looking forward to the garden.  Has anyone tried the garbage can potatoes?  I'd like to try growing them this year if only I had some directions on where to place the can... drainage needed, etc.  If anyone has any suggestions... I'd love to hear them!

Warmly, ~Melissa

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April 17, 2008 - Paperback swap... bargain or no?

I've been signed up to Paperback Swap  for a while now.  At first I really wondered if it was worth the trouble!

I maybe made the mistake of listing 50 items during that first week I signed up.  I wanted to get a set of 5 books for my daughter and by signing up you got two credits, so I needed 3 more.   I wanted to increase my chances of getting these books, BEFORE they were gone.  I was lucky and in the first week, I had takers for 4 of my books.  I was able to get the 5 book set that I wanted (with the freebie credits).  I did leave my list of 50 books up there and Dh gave me permission to list his old comic books cuz they were just collecting dust, especially if I could pick up books for the homeschooling, he was fine with that. 

I have had 17 books requested so far.  Great!  But I have to realize that each time a book is requested... I am paying the postage for those books to be sent out.  Most are around $2.13, but some have been as much as $3-4 and a couple as low as $.80.  I didn't track the postage on the first 13 books, but thought I would start.  I have 4 books tracked for postage. 

I have gotten some nice books in exchange and when I get it for homeschooling, it is a valuable trade in my opinion.  I didn't have to buy it for a price plus shipping, just the shipping.  I have saved quite a bit.  The Paperback swap site tracks how many books you have received and figures your savings at around $4.50 a book.  I'm not sure this is totally accurate, but a savings is being had. 

I am tempted however to swap for "interesting books!"  Books I don't need and books I likely won't get around to reading for quite some time.  And books I could easily borrow from the library.  To me that is making the swap more costly.  That is like buying a pop at the convenience store or a fancy coffee drink that I really don't need and could likely wait until I was home.  Going debt free really is making me examine my motives with alot of things.  Sure some things in life are nice... and yet, we can get carried away in thinking we deserve to have things even when really money doesn't allow for such niceties... especially on a regular basis.   I have to watch my contentment factor.  Am I doing this because I am discontent?  Or am I doing it out of need, desire, or creating a hobby?   Do I have time and expense to do this long term and participate financially without taking money from the regular budget? 

For the time being, it is helpful.  It is ridding clutter of books we don't read and I have been unable to sell.  It also has allowed me opportunity to build our homeschool library a bit and also afford me the ability to get some self help books I have been wanting to get (that would help me down the road) that I just wasn't willing to pay $10-15 a book for.    I will have to guard my heart in upcoming days and watch and see if this activity is continuing to be worthy of its time and expense. 

Warmly,

~Melissa

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April 14, 2008 - Debt-Free Journey...

We are still continuing on with trying to keep paying off our bills.  I updated my debt ticker in the sidebar and it still seems enormous!  We have applied for a new mortgage as our 5 year mortgage (balloon) is up.  They will renew, but at the higher percentage and only for 5 years... so in five years we will be looking to refinance again and hoping the interest is low.  We want to lock in for our last 15 years and hope that we will be able to do that.  We are still waiting on the appraisal, which was done last month.  Perhaps it was a blessing, because the Fed rate dropped again!  I haven't seen this last drop affect prices as far as lowering it further, but perhaps it guaranteed that low rate we were looking at. 

It is a delightful change to be on the same page with DH when it comes to paying off our debt.  We still need to make some purchases, but our first concern is getting to the place where we can manage our monthly budget on his base salary... and not the overtime.  We aren't there yet.  But God is still teaching us...how to get there!

I figured my checkbook today and found that I had an item to transfer $1400 to the other account to cover bills.  Well, after figuring the checkbook, I hadn't done that.  I checked the other account (the bill account) and found that I never entered it into that account as well.  This was done on a week Dh had some overtime, yet we hadn't yet learned the art of putting that away into savings for a rainy day.  I would have likely paid it on some bill if I had the chance, but God knew that we would need it just a month down the road.  I thought the money had been spent and was gone... but here it was ... a large amount.  Well, Dh has gotten no overtime for a month... bad news for us until we pay down some bills.  I was just sick about paying bills today as I knew the car insurance of $700 was due.  Where was I going to get $700?  I also need groceries and gas in the car.  Plus the other regular bills that keep coming... Insurance has always been paid off of overtime and we have not been good with budgeting it into the financial picture, but somehow we've been ahead on the budget enough to not worry about that... not this time. 

Finding the money in the checkbook was so thrilling!  Paying bills is such a draining task for me.  I just get so down.  I hate seeing realistically where we sit.  But with this surprise... that I found enough money to cover the insurance, plus paying my daughter back for the groceries she bought the past two weeks (she is in town and every pay check I pay her back), plus paying the regular bills, plus paying my daughter back $550 for the sheep we just bought (and plan to sell in a couple weeks).  Well, Both Dh and I were relieved.  We didn't like borrowing the $550 from our daughter for the sheep, but we hadn't planned on the purchase and yet it was a good buy.   Dh agreed before checking with me about the money situation and we didn't have it in there (well, we did with that lost amount floating in there... but I didn't find it until today).  Anyways, everyone is paid back and my 16 yo says to me... so we're back to broke, right?  LOL 

Well, that is partly true.  I have $200 to make it until next payday, filling two vehicles will run nearly $150... That leaves $50 for groceries.  I have a full freezer, so that will do us with fresh produce and we can use pantry food to fill the rest of the meals.  But to me, I feel rich!  God blessed! 

Dh laughed when he heard the story and he said... you sure have been making alot of mistakes with the checkbook lately... but all have been in our favor... I take money out but when I get distracted, I come back to the bills and take it out again...yet I only write one check... so two entries for one bill... All the mistakes have been a gift... something that has allowed us to get through a tougher tighter time that was just ahead that I didn't forsee... but Someone else was watching over me and my family... whispering to their little minds... go distract Mama... at just the right time... Hmmm, it can't be coincidence.  I suppose it could... I could say I'm getting older and more forgetful... but why do all the mistakes go in our favor?  I could say I don't add as well as I used to, but I've done the bills all along in our marriage and it's not like I LOST my touch, recently.  I can only think that God was watching over us and providing for our tigher days by removing them from our immediate thought and reach by me making extra payment entries in the register. 

Praise to God!  We'll get debt-free someday.  Hopefully sooner than later!

Warmly, ~Melissa

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April 11, 2008 - Declutter Journey: Books

As a person who loves books, I have many.  I didn't need many excuses to get more, either.  Once we got kids... I got more books.  Once we started homeschooling... I got MORE books!  Dh thinks I might have as many books in our house as the local library in our small town.  I'm thinking he is exaggerating just a wee bit, but I do have alot of books. 

I am going through the bookshelves and trying to give up some of these books.  I have started to put my books in order of age... so the kids books are in accordance to reading level.  I have a general reading section, which is compiled of readers that we use as the kids grow in their reading skills.  I have weeded out the readers that were not beneficial in my opinion.  I have ALOT of them, so I saved the best, the character building ones, the ones that are uplifting and the ones that teach of God and the Bible.  The rest, the silly ones, are in a pile to leave the house.    I have a Bible training bookshelf.  Three shelves of books that have Bible teaching resources for the family for different age levels.  I have one set of bookshelves organized for Mom... all books that are resources for me on homeschooling, housekeeping, quilting, crafts, etc.  This is my dream shelf and my study shelf.  It brings smiles to myself, BUT, I limited myself to one bookshelf!!!  Dh thinks that is still too much, but isn't arguing, since this was a compromise!   Another bookshelf has books that have never been read.  This is my to do, bookshelf.  One shelf also contains Themed books... like all the Christmas story books and the Advent books.  This shares a shelf with assorted Bibles in various versions.  We rarely use it, but the Bibles are in poor condition and I don't want to burn them, yet they aren't in any type of giving condition... so I have hung on to them, unsure really what to do with them. 

I have one large bookshelf that I have emptied and now have filled with books to get rid of.  Some posted on half.com.  Some are posted on homeschool classifieds.  And some are posted on paperback swap.  I have gotten rid of 15 books on paperback swap in the last month.  I am thinking hurray!  But I worry that my shelves will again fill up since I need to swap!  I am considering using this as a way to get gifts for family for Christmas.  This is a bit difficult though because the condition can vary from new to good and it is a guess as to how I will come out.  I have had great luck so far... every book so far in like new to great condition.   I am hoping that my luck continues.  I am trying to figure out my family's likes and dislikes on books and audio tapes.  My fil doesn't read well, from his diabetes, so I am looking for some audio books for him.  My mother loves craft books of any kind, yet she is a book lover herself and finding one she hasn't read or seen is a bit tricky!  My kids... Hmmmm... we already have so many books to choose from, to find one they haven't read that I approve of... is proving more difficult than I once thought!  LOL  Plus any books for them, adds to my shelves at home... I am thinking eventually it will be a blessing.  I have even considered finding some religious books to donate to our church library... a good deal both ways... a blessing to the church and a blessing that my house is cleaner/less packed. 

Downstairs my bookshelves have gotten lighter.  My youngest has been limited to one shelf on the bookshelf.  I found that alot of picture books can fit on one shelf!  And when pulled out they make quite the mess!  Luckily most everyone is patient and loving with teaching her to pick up.  My bedroom bookshelf is becoming lighter.  I am filling it with books I haven't read to keep me reading.  Many of these are self help, study or religious in nature, so I am going through them in my morning devotional time.  I read my Bible and try to read a chapter or two out of these books.  I have enjoyed this renewed quiet time in the morning.  The added bonus of knowing that when I have finished the books, they will likely leave the house... is helpful for my encouragement to keep up with my studies... odd I know, but for me it is helpful at this time.  I do keep the best of the best, so that my older daughters can read if they desire to.  I like to have a shelf with some good reads at a higher reading level. 

I've also begun the curriculum clean up as well.  This week I removed two boxes of books and gave it away on freecycle.  I was unable to sell them on ebay or half.com or even swap them on paperback swap... so out the door they went.  The gal was pleased to have some more books, she will share the extras with the homeschool coop. 

I have some working spots of books I am working on.  I have a laundry basket full of curriculum books of various kinds that I found at a second hand store for 25 cents each.  Writing strands and beautiful feet study's, lots of good finds and a few homeschool help books.  I haven't had time to digest these as of yet.  I don't want to add them to the shelves if I decide not to keep them.  So they are in a basket until I can get to them.  I also have a pile of garden books that I want to put into the shelf upstairs that is holding books I haven't read, yet.  It's getting closer.  I think I could grab a stack of 5-10 and transfer it to my to-do list shelf and make room for a few anyways.  And lastly I have a basket of books that I am pretty sure I want to get rid of, but they have no ISBN numbers so posting them online has been difficult, yet they are good books.  I need a bit of time to either post in lots on ebay or something... that is another to-do pile of books that will go in time. 

The main point in listing all about the books is not to bore you.  It is a point in organization, having a plan, making limits and having a plan that will dig you out of perhaps a disorganized pile of books.  In making different areas for different books, I can limit myself on say... ministry books... (I have one bookshelf that I keep all my SS teachers books, my health ministry books, and my youth ministry books on.  I use these in seasons, so this bookshelf is in an odd place atop of our stairway that is hard to get into, yet looks neat and fills a hole that has otherwise been filled with dirty clothes from the kids... no longer... it has books there!  It's kind of a dead end 3 foot hole by 2.5 feet wide.  )  These limitations give me some sense of goal to work towards.  The organization aspect of organizing my books into topics/needs/age levels, helps me to see exactly how many self help books I have, helps me see how many Bible study books I have, helps me see how many books I have not read yet (keeping me from buying more until that pile gets smaller!), etc.  Once in one section I have been able to really make some hard decisions on ...do I really NEED that book?  Will I really read it again?  Can someone else use the book more than my family?  Do I have too many books that we can't possibly use them all?   All questions I have had to ask myself... and I am becoming more honest with myself as I tarry on this journey.   

Organization is the key.  I find that once I go through my books, I will likely have two bookshelves that will be empty... nice wooden bookshelves.  I have wondered what will I do with the shelves when there are no books to put on them?  No worries, I have plenty of craft projects, plenty of items I want to sell on ebay that can sit on one shelf.  I think I will move all the audio books to one of the shelves.  Dh loves to take those in the car when he is on his long road trips.  Having them organized on a shelf rather than packed into a rubbermaid container would be more accessible for him.   If I could not find anything at all to put on the shelves, I would highly consider giving the shelves away.  after all I am trying to reduce the clutter in our home. 

I realize that giving away the books would be an easy way out of the clutter, but I feel strongly that if I can sell the items that this is the best way to show good stewardship.  God says in the Bible to sell what we have and give to the poor.  So that is what I am trying to do.  I am giving it 2-4 months to sell in various online venues, but if it doesn't sell by month four, then I put it into a box for giving away on freecycle... at least that is the goal as much as I can keep track of.    it took me a long time to accumulate all this stuff around me.  I'm sure if I am diligent in trying to sell it, it will take me quite a bit of time to get it gone as well.   Right now our sales are going towards our debt.  Once our debt is gone, then giving to the poor would come easier.   Our stuff is not just treasure in our homes, but it is currently visible bondage to our debts.  This does not bring glory to God.  We want to reduce our debt as much as possible.  We still are giving in other ways, with budgeting from dh's salary, but reducing our debt by reducing our stuff is of highest priority for me.  Once out of debt, then our stuff will be more like treasure and selling it to increase our gifts to God only makes sense at that point. 

Enough rambling.   Happy organizing with your own Books!

Warmly, ~Melissa

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April 7, 2008 - Sheep in... sheep out...

Today Dh went and picked up some sheep.  We were called and asked if we knew anyone looking to buy some sheep.  Dh didn't know, but gave the person some advice on selling them, but said he wasn't looking to buy sheep at this time.  The guy asked if he would pay $500 and pick up the sheep this week. Dh told him that he should be able to sell his sheep for $1000 easily.  Dh offered to be the backup plan for $500 if nothing else came through by the time he had to move.  The man didn't want to wait, his wife was expecting a baby and they are moving and he just wanted them gone.  So, Dh agreed to buy the sheep for $500... His reason for accepting this man's low offer is the fact that he knew he'd have to feed out hay and grain until the lambs were grown up.  This wasn't something he was looking to do.  And we are trying to get out of debt, not go into more debt.  The man sounded desperate and it was more of an agreement to ease their troubles at this time. 

Shortly after we agreed to buy the sheep, Dh got a call from someone wanting sheep.  Dh now has someone coming to pick up between 3-6 of the 8 sheep that we have purchased.  If he buys the 6 sheep, we will likely make a good turnaround of money that we were not expecting to get.  They will be coming in a couple weeks to check out the sheep. 

It is somewhat odd.  Dh wanted to find a great buy on sheep last year and be able to sell them for a good price and make some profit.  It didn't work, we somehow ended up losing money on the deal and didn't even keep any lambs because the mom's were so skittish they were horrible mothers.  This really troubled us.  We wanted to use the money to get out of debt and put some towards college costs.  That was OUR plan... God's plan was different.  

We now are working on getting out of debt with more vigor and more conscious about our spending all around the board.  (Good thing... not sure we would have been that dedicated to this debt reduction if we had gotten a lump sum of money that just made day to day monies go easier).  We got so tight with funds we had to seriously look at our spending and make some honest decisions about our lifestyle.  

Secondly, While I had thought I missed the deadline for my daughter to get her scholarship (hence a big need to sell sheep to get some college money)... God provided a way for her to get that same scholarship THIS year.  All in His timing... it is so awesome!  

Third, now that we are devoted to getting out of debt and have come face to face with some big things in our lives, now that our hearts are set right with our finances... NOW is the time that God sends a little investment blessing our way.   And the first thing Dh said when he found out about the monies was not... NOw I can get... (that's his normal response to a lump sum profit) ... NO... rather it was... what bill can we put these funds on?    All in God's own timing... God is soooo Good to us! 

Warmly, ~Melissa

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