The Story of the $80 Donuts

In our family, I am the budgetter. I love our budget, I live by our budget. Unfortunately...my husband does not. You'd think after almost four years of marriage he would understand the envelope system and it's most important aspect - "when it's gone...it's gone."

Here's some background: since Danny has been living in Myrtle Beach he's had to use his credit card quite a few times, mostly for tools. But that's another story for another day...long story short, Danny's credit card is not in his possession right now.

I think he had a bad day at work today, made a mistake and now owes the shop donuts. Donuts are cheap! So when he told me the story, I was like "okay cool." Nope...not cool. Hubby doesn't have $20 on him, tomorrow is payday but he doesn't get his check until noontime. And remember the credit card? Yep...I made him keep it at the house.

So, I used my bank account to transfer him $20. There was a $10 fee. And no actual promise that he will have it at 7AM when he has to be to work. So, he looked into transferring money from his credit card (which has no fee) but it's a minimum of $50. Those better be some damn good donuts for $80 friggin dollars.

ALSO! My biggest fear is that none of this money will actually transfer in time, meaning no donuts for the shop. Which means there's potential of him getting in trouble. On the day he's putting in his two weeks. UGH I seriously feel like nothing good can come of this!!

Have you ever had a week when you take a step up...just to take two gigantic steps back? That's been my entire week. I feel like it's going to take forever to catch up with everything. I'm praying this new job takes care of a lot of this, and that my Scentsy business continues to flourish. I took a super part-time job helping a friend, and I'd like something else to bring some cash into the house.

Thank God it's almost the weekend!

Monthly Blog Update...

I know, I know...I say this all the freakin' time! I mean it this time though. Really, I do...I'm going to start updating more!

Okay, so where did we leave off? Danny got the Wilmington job and I was afraid to tell my realtor. Well, more and more people were have interest in the house and I was afraid someone would make an offer. So, I told her. She wasn't mad....at all. She said she was happy for us and that things worked out the way we wanted them to. I've started to unpack all of our boxes and after a long 7 months living out of suitcases, my clothes are finally back up in the closet!

Danny still doesn't have a start date with work though. They hired two more people and said it will be "soon." Hopefully that's true. Because my stress levels are through the freakin' roof. Money is my biggest concern, child support and health insurance. I'd like to go back to being 8. Eight was a stress free age if I remember correctly!

I have been doing extremly well with Scentsy! Some of my team went out to Charlotte a few weeks ago for our Spring Sprint. We got a ton of awesome ideas and got pumped for our next season! And big news!! I'm going to the BAHAMAS for free!! I've been selling Scentsy for less than a year and I already earned a trip and am SO SO CLOSE to being a director. I have 25 people on my team!!

Scentsy is really helping us pay the bills. Which is fantastic. I wish I could find a part-time job that had the perfect hours that let me work my Scentsy business when I want. I think that might be something I start looking into so we aren't so stressed about everything.

In more recent news...yesterday I got out of the shower, thought I had lint on me and turns out it was a tick. It was disgusting. We don't have health insurance which makes it even more nerve wracking. I had to go to a doctor in town so he could get the damn thing out of me. I'm so afraid of infection or something worse to happen. I swear being a hypochondriac is the worst thing ever and it's only get worse with age.

Well, that's it for now. Send some good vibes our way! Please and thank you!

The North Carolina "Snow" Storm

I woke up Monday morning to a text from my Mom. "You need to go grocery shopping NOW. You are going to get 8 inches of snow." I rolled out of bed and headed to Food Lion before having my first cup of coffee. I stocked up on the essentials....salad stuff, frozen meals, and coffee are essentials right? I have little faith in the weatherman and didn't think it would snow. That and I was starting a diet on Monday.

I picked a shitty week to start a diet! I did really good Monday. Tuesday was good...until it was 10:00 and I started craving PB&J. Mom said "that's okay...it's fruit and protein." I didn't send her a picture of how thick the bread and layer of peanut butter was. 

Wednesday morning I laid in bed thinking about my massive to do list. Of course I'll be able to get it done...it doesn't snow in North Carolina. Boy was I wrong...kinda. We have about 3 inches of ice and maybe some snow. I woke up to this mess...

The New Englander in me wishes people would stop whining! It's s-n-o-w. Not the end of the world. But think about it? We have no salt, no plows, nothing. Base has been shut down for two days, shelves at Walmart are completely empty, businesses are totally and completely closed until who knows when. The ice is so thick that Miley slips and slides on the back porch on her way out to pee. Did I mention snow shovels, ice scrapers, and brushes are not things people just happen to have on hand down here....

So, I didn't leave the house yesterday and I indulged in beer and cheese soup. I won't be leaving today (and I'm craving pasta...) The roads are still crappy. And it's not supposed to get out of the 30's today, so they will be crappy again tomorrow. You'd think I'd take this time to clean the house? Nope...a snow day calls for total and complete laziness!

In case you were wondering....it's supposed to be 70 on Sunday.

....And Things Have Changed Again

Have you been able to keep up with where we are living? I think a lot of people have given up and are probably just waiting for our "this is our new address" post cards. Well....things have changed. Again.

Small recap. In July we put the house on the market and we were going to move to Massachusetts. Had buyers. Backed out. We got antsy and took the house off the market. Danny got a job in Myrtle Beach. We put the house back on the market about three weeks ago. No one has looked at it. Danny interviewed and accepted a job in Wilmington. So the house is coming back off the market. And we are staying.

Seriously. We are staying. I've been living out of boxes and suitcases (because I packed...and travel too much!) since JULY. I've been wearing the same sweaters all winter because all my cold weather stuff is packed. And tomorrow? I'm going unpack all of them and  discover an entirely new wardrobe!

I am so excited that we are staying. Living in limbo is the worst. Not doing a real grocery order because you're not sure when someone will put an offer in on the house and when you'll have  to move out. Not being able to keep anything on your counters and having to hide stuff before people come look at it. Worrying about small cracks, and "is this color right," and having family pictures up. I have lived with NO PICTURES since July. It's awful.

So, it's official. We're staying!

....now I just have to tell my realtor!

Mid-Week Crazies!

It's only Wednesday and it's been a crazy week!

Monday we headed down to Myrtle Beach to find a place for Danny to rent. It was...interesting. Our first meeting was with a 50 year old lesbian who talked with her eyes closed. I'm pretty positive she was high. She had annoying dogs who wouldn't stop barking and the place was s-m-a-l-l. Like, you'd be forced to hangout together. Our second meeting was with a 60 year old grandmother with fibromyalgia. How do I know? Oh, she showed us her infected legs and dirty foot water that she uses for massages. I liked the area though, he would have his own office and room. And I'm all for being secluded! Our third, and final option, was with a guy a little older than Danny who lives with his Boston Terrier. I think we have a winner! So, Danny moves down Friday!

Yesterday my realtor came out. The house is officially on the market. We're going to try to sell it and if we have no traffic, in 30 days we'll put it up for rent too. I've had alot of people showing interest in renting...I just really want to sell! So, if you know anyone who is moving to the Lejeune/Jacksonville, NC area...Sneads Ferry is a great option! It's right out the backgate! I'll post the listing as soon as it's up!

And now? I'm sick in bed. I was sick exactly three weeks ago and now I seem to have the exact same symptoms. TOTALLY SUCKS! Cross your fingers that I get better fast, I have so much to do!!

Lejeune TO DO!

I'm on the short list for a lot of things. I'm not a fan of The Sound of Music or The Wizard of Oz. I was a huge Hanson fan. I can't sleep in a made bed. And the shortest list I'm on? I love living around Camp Lejeune. Contrairy to popular belief there is a ton to do here. You just have to get out and look! Sure, you might have to travel a little...but you only live once. I'd never send you somewhere that wasn't worth it!

Here are my favorite things to do in and around Jacksonville, North Carolina...

• There is always a festival going on! They are constantly advertised on the radio and billboards. Keep your ears and eyes OPEN! My favorites are the Chili Festival at the Harley Davidson on 17 (across from New River) and the Shrimp Festival in Sneads Ferry (straight out the backgate of Lejeune.) Want to stay in Jacksonville? Downtown is home to Oktoberfest, Onslow County Fair, and lots more!
• Explore New Bern. Head north of Jacksonville for the day and you won't regret it. New Bern is home to the Tryon Palace - home of Governor Tryon. If you like history this is a great place for you, if you love beautiful gardens you will love this place. While you are in New Bern try to spot all the painted bears...and stop by The Chelsea for an AMAZING meal!

•  Do you love wine? If not, you will! North Carolina is home of muscadine and scuppernog grapes...sweet wines. My favorite winery is BY FAR Duplin Winery. The tour and tasting are free. There is a great bistro attached. They also do a ton of events. Live music during the summer, Muscadine Festival in the fall, Christmas shows, comedy shows, magic shows...there is something for everyone!

•  I have been to two of North Carolina's aquariums - Fort Fisher and Pine Knoll Shores. They are both pretty much the same...but Fort Fisher is my favorite. The layout is much more "user friendly" and it seems like you are so close to the animals! Don't forget: if you are military get your discount before you go...no discounts on site!
• Fort Macon is another great historical place. Also a great place to go to the beach or have a picnic. If you can, take a tour...there is so much to learn, you don't want to miss anything.
• There are monuments all over town. Spend a day visiting all of them! 

•  Night Moves in Jacksonville offers pole dancing classes. DO THIS! Your body with thank you (and hate you!) later!
• Have a spa day at Deluxe Day Spa (on Henderson.) Local places are usually more than willing to work with you on prices...they love your business! And this place gives awesome massages!
•  Paint your spouse, paint your pet, or choose one of the awesome designs to paint at Wine and Design (also on Henderson.) Drinking and painting has quickly become one of my hobbies! No artistic ability? Me either! But it's still so much fun!

•  Go kayaking. There are a lot of places that offer self-paced tours...but I'm afraid of getting lost! So, I highly recommend going to Barrier Island in Swansboro. We took a smooth kayak ride out to Bear Island and chased waves on our way back. It was amazing! Like...I want to buy a kayak now, amazing!

• Go to Beaufort. It's a little bit of a drive but there is a lot to do! First, go to the North Carolina Maritime Museum and learn all about Blackbeard. Next, go on the Water Bug tour and try to spot the wild horses! Last, go on a Hungry Town Bike Tour. The couple that runs it are so cute and fun. You ride around town, learn some historical stuff, and end with a beautiful picnic. It's perfect!
• Take a short roadtrip to Wilmington. The Riverwalk is gorgeous and Front Street Brewery is one of my all time favorite places to eat! If you are a One Tree Hill fan there are still some places around that you can visit (as me if you need a list!) AnAnd you CAN NOT miss the Battleship. No really...you can't miss it!

• We never hungout on base much, most of the events are for kids. During the summer New River has a fun water/bouncy house program for kids. You can also rent paddle boats, kayaks, and canoes. Do the Fathers Day brunch on the beach. There is cheap bowling. Our favorite thing to do was the Murder Mystery! Keep checking the events calendar...something fun WILL happen!
• Have a party! There are consultants galore in Jacksonville and we all want your business. Typically, for the hostess, it is free AND you earn goodies. I've had Dove chocolate parties, Tastefully Simple, Wine Shop at Home and lots more. It's a great way to do a girls night!
• Mikes Farm. While I'm not a fan of their food, they do have great events. Their Christmas lights hay ride is spectacular!

• Thursday night trivia at Brewed Awakening on Western Blvd. This is my favorite place for coffee, a fresh lunch and a good selection of wine and beers. I think there are prizes for the trivia winner...but I wouldn't know, we never win!
• The Marina Cafe is a hidden gem. Sure they have fried food, beer and karaoke but it's is MUCH MUCH more. During the summer they do free pig roasts. FREE! There is usually a band and crabbing activities for the kids. AND they do a BYOB sunset tours. Really, it's a lot of fun!

•  VISIT KINSTON. Yes, the news makes it sound scary. But do yourself a favor and go here. Visit the old fire station. Visit the CSS Neuse. And take a tour of Mother Earth Brewery!

There is seriously so, so much to do! This list could go on and on. If you are looking for anything in particular please let me know! I'm more than happy to help!

ENGAGED!

My sister, my little sister, is getting married!!!

 The big day was December 27. My parents went out for the night and said they would be "late." Which I thought was kind of weird! When they got home we played games and Mom said "let's pull an all nighter!" Even stranger. But I went along with it.

At 11:30 my sister randomly FaceTimed me. She screamed "I'm getting married!" And I heard Steve say, "Al spelled ME wrong!" THAT'S when it started making sense! My parents went to Michelle and Steve's while they were out...to help set up for the engagement!!! And Mom wanted me to be awake to get the big news!!

How exciting is that?! And how gorgeous is that ring!!