A blessing in disguise.

What a night!
My paycheck has been MIA for a couple days now, tonight Auston and I decided that it had gone on long enough and we decided we really needed to find it. So we start looking in the most obvious places first. After an hour, our house turned completely upside down, we still had NO CHECK! I was seriously starting to stress. We have to pay our rent tomorrow, and without that check I had no idea how we were going to manage that. I had finally given up when we found it in between two video games - hmmm, I wonder who put it there? Auston felt bad enough, so I didn't give him to hard of a time about it.
Even though it caused some serious stress I think that my check disappearing was truly a blessing. During our raid of the house, we found my car fund envelope that I had been searching for for about a year now! it had $15 dollars in it.. Heck yess!! Guess where Auston found it... The trash. How it got in our RECENT trash, when we had been looking for a year is beyond me, but I am not here to ask to many questions. I put a couple dollars into my sealed pot, and the rest I will be putting into savings when I go to the bank tomorrow. :) Auston also found 5 dollars in his jeans earlier today. I guess sometimes money really does fall into your lap.

Auston and I also made paper Christmas ornaments today. It was a lot of fun and I am super excited about the way they turned out. Next year I want the same ones, but I want to get glitter and paint and all sorts of other fun things to decorate them with.

What do you think?

What kind of crafty things do you do during the holidays?

December Goals.

Here are my goals for this month:

- No more eating at work.
       I'm sure I can find a much better way to spend my money than at my own resturaunt. Instead I will start bringing granola bars for when I get hungry.

-Walk atleast once a week
      This way I can start getting myself in a routine and I will be able to successfully walk 2.75 miles a week like I have planned for next year.

- Put $100 towards my move in march
      Most of that funding is coming from my Tax return, but I do need a little bit of a head start.

-Start a "Piggy Bank" that we will not open for one year.
      I want to add a little to it each day, it needs to be sealed off and solid in color so we won't know how much is in there, and we wont be tempted to open it!
"the sealed pot challenge"

-Bake 112 cookies to give away to friends and family for Christmas
      We don't have much money to spare, I think this is a great way to show them that we care though.


Heres to hoping!

Our Menu! And a little more.

Sunday
Mushroom Swiss burgers! with a side of mashed potatoes :) - Absolutely delicious.


Monday
Grilled Chicken Fajitas - I haven't had these in over a year. I am hoping they turn out well!

Tuesday
Homemade Fried Chicken - With Homemade French Fries <3
Not a very healthy meal AT ALL, but Auston loves it, and it really is fun to make!

Wednesday
Burritos! For some reason this week I am really feeling Mexican

Thursday
Grilled Cheese and Chicken soup or leftevers. I haven't decided yet.

Friday
PAYDAY - If Auston and I manage to stick to our menu plan all week ( something that hardly ever happens!) Then I might treat him to a cheap dinner out.
Otherwise we will be doing a little more grocery shopping today.

Also, I have decided that once I have 20 followers I am going to do a "Give away" Probably a giftcard of some sort. So if you haven't already make sure you click the follow button up top, or subscribe to my email feed. :)

I hope all of you have a wonderful day!

Some serious positives.

WHAT A DAY! It was so fantastic, and suprising I still feel a little high off all of the energy. Let me start from the begining:

8:00am : Wake up to go to a boring meeting at work - LAME

12:00pm: Auston and I go grocery shopping! We spent a little bit of money that we really didn't have, but I really feel in the end that it was the right choice. Eating dollar menu burgers everynight, and PB&J every day is really begining to wear on my poor tummy. I accomplished my OGB goal there, we picked up a few canned goods for the local food pantry. Even though we didn't have a lot of money with us, I knew that it would be worth it in the end. There is always someone out there a little bit less fortunate than you. I have been keeping that in mind everyday this month as we have given what we can.

2:30: AUSTON AND I MADE PAPER SNOWFLAKES! He told me he had never done it before and I found that astonishing! It was silly and childish, but we both really enjoyed doing it, so I think it was a great idea.

3:45: I arrive at work. I wasn't schedualed to work tonight, but I picked it up for another co worker. Luckily I was put in a really good section, I was busy right off the bat! I stayed that way all night. The best part however, was when I recieved a $100 gift card!!! We have secret shoppers come to our store, to rate us and see how we are doing. One in particular is from the coca-cola company, you have to reccomend a coke product to them, that and try and see the "item of the month" this month it is bottles of sauces and gift cards. Well, as it turns out, today I was shopped and I (being the amazing employee that I am ;] ) recommended both, so Wham-Bam-Thank-You-Mam, I earned myself a $100 american express gift card, JUST LIKE THAT! God was really smiling down on me today. He must know I need it. 

All in all today was one of the greatest in a long time. I have been truly blessed.
Now its about time I curl up with my love, some dinner, a movie, and a Hot cocoa!
(Dont you just love December?)

Day 3 of OGB.

Yesterday I had to work a double so giving back outside of my workplace would have been very difficult. Instead I decided to try and help out with my co-workers. I began by going out of my way to help others bus their tables and do extra side work, but a little while after we got a big rush and I was confined to my section, feel rather frustrated that I was unable to help anyone other than myself. My next opportunity didn't arise till much later on. Later in the evening as things were slowing down I was content with the money I had made, and knowing that we are all hard pressed for cash I offered a couple of my tables to a coworker who's section was near mine. She accepted. I know it seem's silly but I am hoping that the extra money she made will benefit her greatly.

How did you help someone out yesterday?

Down and back.

Today I accompanied my friend on her trip way down south to pick up her daughter for the weekend. We drove 12 hours today! I really think car trips are good for the soul, my soul atleast. I am more talkative in the car and I get everything ff my chest. The trip was crazy and full of laughs and all in all I am glad we made it together. The look on her and her daughters face alone when the saw each other was priceless. I felt truly blessed to be with them. She was kind enough to treat me to breakfast, dinner, AND a late night coffee, I really haven't met someone as generous as her in a long time. When first deciding to go down with her, I felt like I was the one helping her, knowing she had few other people she could lean on. However, after arriving back home, filled with stories of our crazy day, I feel like she was the one to help me. I haven't had a day out with such a kind soul in a long time and my heart is now filled with joy. I feel like today was a successful OGB day for both her and I. I hope that she enjoyed having me as much as I enjoyed being there.

I also donated a dollar to the National Cancer Society.

How did you give back today?

Day one of giving back.

Today is December 1st, therefore, today was day one of Operationg Give Back.
It wasn't a whole lot but after shopping for dinner we dropped our extra change into the bell ringers slot. Now I know to most people it doesn't seem like a whole lot but for us, every penny really does count. I really wished we could have done more, like maybe dropped a five in there, but alas, we just didn't have it. Hopefully the further into December we get the more I and my Love will have to give.

How did you give back today?

12 for the next 12.

I made my goals a little early this year. I have found in the past that if I wait until January 1st then I tend to rush, thinking and picking whichever absurd goal pops into my head without giving it any thought whatsoever, thus, I set myself up for FAILURE! happens every year. ((Sighh))

My 12 goals broken down:

1. Walk 2.75 miles a week.

This will equal 1003.75 miles for the year. Which means I will be accomplishing a Before I die... goal as well as a Year of 2012 goal, 2 for the price of 1! The walking will have to consist of me actually going out and walking, I can't count all the steps I take at work. I have been seriously upset at my lack of exercise lately and I am hoping this will help keep me active.

2. Save $1,000 to donate to a charity of my choice.

I had this goal last year and I failed miserably. So I am taking it up again this year. I really believe in the act of giving to people who have less than I do. I figure $1,000 is a little less than $2.75 a day, I think I can spare that. (This is also a life long goal)

3. Put $2,000 into an emergency fund!

Right now my emergency fund is at $0. We don't have a lot of money so I have never made it a priority, when it really should be. I know $2,000 doesn't seem like a lot to most of you but when you are 19 and living off a waitresses wage, it really is A LOT of money! At the very least it would cover 3 months rent.

4. $5.00 a week into a new car fund.

leaving me with a grand total of ... $1,825! I don't know when its going to happen, but I am sure one of these years my poor baby is going to break down for good, and when that happens I want to have a little bit of money set aside for a new car. At the very least $1,825 will give me a good down payment of something new-used and hopefully eco-friendly!

5. Start an IRA.

I have been putting this off, and putting this off, and putting this off. And I have finally decided I can't put it off any longer. I want to be sitting pretty when I finally retire! So this year, without fail, I will open up an account!

6. Finish writing my book.

I started a book about a month ago. I have it all laid out, now all I have to do is find the time to sit down and write it. So far I have finished the first chapter! Who knows maybe it'll be a hit and I'll get to retire early! :) One can only hope!

7. Volunteer once a month in my community.

I guess this one also goes with my need to give back. I feel like if we all just put one day aside to give back to our communities the world would be a better place for it.

8. Read atleast one book a month.

I love to read. LOVE IT! however, I think this year I have only managed to read, well... half of a book! Life and television always seem to get in the way. So this year I am devoting my spare time to reading! Monk will just have to wait.

9. Use coupons for every BIG grocery trip.

This is really just a way for me to save a couple bucks. Nothing to it!

10. Reduce eating out to no more than twice a week!

I eat at work every single shift! plus I like to get a bagle before my shift, plus on my days off my love always wants to go out and get a cheeseburger. We waste so much money this way. So including my shift meals, breakfast, and fast food, we WILL NOT be eating out more than twice a week this year. Groceries are a much better route I think.

11. Call my family atleast once a week.

My parents live on opposite coasts. I am atleast 1,500 miles away from each of them SO i figure I should keep up more often than I do. Also, in march I will be moving to where my mother is, but I will be leaving behind my sisters and stepmom, I want to make sure I stay in touch with them!

12. Make and give away atleast 3 blankets.

This is personal. I started a blanket 6 months ago. I am about an 8th of the way done, so not only will I finish this one, but I will also start and finish 2 more! That I will then Probably give to family members, or the local shelter.

I plan on posting about my progress atleast once a month! Good luck to everyone else and your goals!

The end.

HAPPY ALMOST 2012!

Operation Give Back.

The Happy Homeowner has started this movement on her page. Everyday in December she will be giving a little back to the community she lives in by committing random acts of kindness. Although we don't have much to give and our deeds won't be as extravegant I also plan on participating. Each day I will be posting about how we gave a little back and brightened someones day. Whether its something as simple as smiling at a stranger.  Hopefully together we can all make the world a better place.

Happy Holidays!

Shame on Me

What a Terrible blogger I have been these past few months.
Sometimes Life just gets in the way. Well I have a NEW new job at a local sports bar. Things are really touch and go there. Sometimes I just don't get the hours I need.

Auston and I have decided to move back home to New Hampshire. I have a much better career opportunity up there and I really cant wait! Plus it will be nice to live close to my mom again. I really do enjoy her support. All of my savings will be going towards our move for the time being. I am really counting on my tax retun to fund a major part of my move.

Currently I am updating my page so that all our goals are current.

Happy Holidays. :]