Very interesting mulitmedia map focusing on unemployment.
Unemployment Map It does some wild color changing..
God is good, all the time.
04 June 2010
20 May 2010
Surviving..
Survival is such a generic word.
David and I are getting our financial house in order. We are also learning new things to better ourselves and our families. We are surviving the losses in our life over the past few years too. It's all related.
The Survival Podcast is a great resource in this area. Check it out! We have learned many things including solar technologies for the average person to name one.
.
27 January 2010
Final Decisions
Today is the anniversary of the loss of our 1st child, Sydney Ann. This month we had our 7th pregnancy loss, Keagan Rene. After ten years of fertility procedures we have decided on surgery to tie my tubes next wk. Thank you for your prayers in this area. We could not have survived without your love and support through all the losses, we value and appreciate it more than you know.
Love,Christa & David
+8 children in heaven
Love,Christa & David
+8 children in heaven
18 January 2010
10 January 2010
01 December 2009
No spend month - Wrap-up
The wrap-up of our No Spend month somehow got deleted. I will try to pull it together again here soon.
Thanks for your patience.
Christa.
Thanks for your patience.
Christa.
14 September 2009
No Spend month - Week 3
Well, we blew it. Ok, I blew the budget of my no-spend challenge.
Here are few things that contributed to the failure.
First, don't go to the store hungry, it gets ya every time.(Groceries)
Second, really think through your budget before committing to it.(vitamins)
Third, PASS BY THE SAVINGS! (Groceries, again) More than likely you will see that sale again in the future. However, I did not pass the sale, my bread mix was 1/2 off!
Fourth, if you are a caffeine-head like me, then invest in coffee to make at home so you don't end up with a headache out and about (2x Starbucks!).
Fifth, plan your outings so you don't end up somewhere about to pass out due to hunger! (Eating out). Bring along bottled water and snack bars to tide you over. However, I did not plan to get the shakes 3 hours into a "research" trip.
Week Three Spent:
Groceries $63
Starbucks 5
Dry Cleaning 12
Eating out 7
Parking 3
Groceries 10
Vitamins 13
Total: $113
Reimbursable Expense
Home Depot $20
Ways we saved this week:
Another trip to the local library on our bikes. Saved $5.
We saved by visiting friends for a late lunch on Sunday. Though this was not our goal to save money, it worked out that way. We were invited to lunch at 1230 although we didn't eat until 2. We stayed for another 3 hours and continued to eat from their spread. We had a great visit with 4 other couples and didn't spend a dime. Although, I did bring a pan of brownies. For the savings calculation, we did not spend on 2 meals. Saved $20.
Christmas Cards- I began crafting Christmas cards for the coming season. I was able to create 20 cards from my stash of scrapbook supplies on Friday. I plan to do another round of card making this week, maybe not Christmasy this time. :) Saved $10
David and I repaired a hole in the outside of our home this weekend. As crazy as it sounds it took only $20 to liquid nail up 8 pieces of siding around 2 poles, putty and paint them too. We saved the home-owner over $150 in labour for this job.
Other ways we gave back:
I must admit that I didn't do a good job this week of decluttering or cleaning for that matter. I also did not journal any of our progress though this week of the "no-spend" challenge.
I reference you back to "Small Notebook" for awesome inspiration on this project.
Here's Our breakdown:
Spent
Week One: $135
Week Two: 166
Week Three: 113
Total Spent this month: $414
Saved:
Week One: $215
Week Two: 270
Week Three: 185
Total Saved this month: $670
Here's to a no-spend 4th week for us!
Here are few things that contributed to the failure.
First, don't go to the store hungry, it gets ya every time.(Groceries)
Second, really think through your budget before committing to it.(vitamins)
Third, PASS BY THE SAVINGS! (Groceries, again) More than likely you will see that sale again in the future. However, I did not pass the sale, my bread mix was 1/2 off!
Fourth, if you are a caffeine-head like me, then invest in coffee to make at home so you don't end up with a headache out and about (2x Starbucks!).
Fifth, plan your outings so you don't end up somewhere about to pass out due to hunger! (Eating out). Bring along bottled water and snack bars to tide you over. However, I did not plan to get the shakes 3 hours into a "research" trip.
Week Three Spent:
Groceries $63
Starbucks 5
Dry Cleaning 12
Eating out 7
Parking 3
Groceries 10
Vitamins 13
Total: $113
Reimbursable Expense
Home Depot $20
Ways we saved this week:
Another trip to the local library on our bikes. Saved $5.
We saved by visiting friends for a late lunch on Sunday. Though this was not our goal to save money, it worked out that way. We were invited to lunch at 1230 although we didn't eat until 2. We stayed for another 3 hours and continued to eat from their spread. We had a great visit with 4 other couples and didn't spend a dime. Although, I did bring a pan of brownies. For the savings calculation, we did not spend on 2 meals. Saved $20.
Christmas Cards- I began crafting Christmas cards for the coming season. I was able to create 20 cards from my stash of scrapbook supplies on Friday. I plan to do another round of card making this week, maybe not Christmasy this time. :) Saved $10
David and I repaired a hole in the outside of our home this weekend. As crazy as it sounds it took only $20 to liquid nail up 8 pieces of siding around 2 poles, putty and paint them too. We saved the home-owner over $150 in labour for this job.
Other ways we gave back:
I must admit that I didn't do a good job this week of decluttering or cleaning for that matter. I also did not journal any of our progress though this week of the "no-spend" challenge.
I reference you back to "Small Notebook" for awesome inspiration on this project.
Here's Our breakdown:
Spent
Week One: $135
Week Two: 166
Week Three: 113
Total Spent this month: $414
Saved:
Week One: $215
Week Two: 270
Week Three: 185
Total Saved this month: $670
Here's to a no-spend 4th week for us!
09 September 2009
No Spend month - Week 2
This challenge is allowing me to think through purchases we are making. In a way it is freeing, because I don't feel the need to browse by the clearance racks. I know our home has more than enough to survive another two weeks and possibly more. Like many homes in America, I have extra cleaning supplies under sinks, I have extra toothpaste and toothbrushes in our overnight bags, I have extra. America has extra. In that mind frame, I also donated some of the "extra" in my home. I didn't count this as a savings or "spenditure". But, it needs to be noted.
Week Two Spent:
Groceries $46
Eating out 16
Starbucks 3
Computer Repair 58
Dog Food 43
Total: $166
Ways we saved this week:
-We put off a special class I was wanting to take. It would have been $125 for each of us.
Savings: $250 (this month, although the class is probably in our future)
-Business lunch savings: I sent David to work with his lunch, then he ate at his desk. I picked him up "for lunch". We drove around downtown, drove out to Memorial Park and sat and watched the squirrels and birds. Saved $20
-Food savings: I cooked a 3 pound brisket (think pot roast) in the crockpot for 24 hours. We had 2 meals this weekend on it and we have enough for 3 lunches this week. I served the brisket over brown rice with a basic salad. Spent $12 on brisket used spices on hand to marinate the meat. Five meals for two for $20!!
Other ways we gave back:
Donated 3 bags of clothes to Salvation Army.
Plus 6 more boxes of books, house ware and kitchen supplies to Goodwill.
Our budget is under attack for the remaining two weeks. I didn't budget for a computer problem, nor did I budget for dog food. Ughh.. Those two alone were $101 this week. This will definitely challenge us to watch our spending over the next two weeks. It can be done, I have watched "Small Notebook" get through a whole month on $250. Here's our money breakdown:
Spent
Week One: $135
Week Two: 166
Total Spent this month: $301
Saved:
Week One: $215
Week Two: 270
Total Saved this month: $485
Week Two Spent:
Groceries $46
Eating out 16
Starbucks 3
Computer Repair 58
Dog Food 43
Total: $166
Ways we saved this week:
-We put off a special class I was wanting to take. It would have been $125 for each of us.
Savings: $250 (this month, although the class is probably in our future)
-Business lunch savings: I sent David to work with his lunch, then he ate at his desk. I picked him up "for lunch". We drove around downtown, drove out to Memorial Park and sat and watched the squirrels and birds. Saved $20
-Food savings: I cooked a 3 pound brisket (think pot roast) in the crockpot for 24 hours. We had 2 meals this weekend on it and we have enough for 3 lunches this week. I served the brisket over brown rice with a basic salad. Spent $12 on brisket used spices on hand to marinate the meat. Five meals for two for $20!!
Other ways we gave back:
Donated 3 bags of clothes to Salvation Army.
Plus 6 more boxes of books, house ware and kitchen supplies to Goodwill.
Our budget is under attack for the remaining two weeks. I didn't budget for a computer problem, nor did I budget for dog food. Ughh.. Those two alone were $101 this week. This will definitely challenge us to watch our spending over the next two weeks. It can be done, I have watched "Small Notebook" get through a whole month on $250. Here's our money breakdown:
Spent
Week One: $135
Week Two: 166
Total Spent this month: $301
Saved:
Week One: $215
Week Two: 270
Total Saved this month: $485
04 September 2009
No Spend month - Week one
Week One totals:
Bus fare: $25
Gas: 35
Eating Out: 25
Massage: 25
B/Lunch/Din@moms 20
Coffee/kolaches 5
Total Spent: $135
Things we did for free this week:
-Went online and reserved/ordered books from the big downtown library. Rode our bikes to the library (no parking fees) and checked out those books. Saved $5
-We cut our hair at home over the weekend. I just trimmed mine, David's cut was a bit more involved. Saved $45.
Other ways we saved money:
-Cancelled subscriptions to 2 magazines. Saved $125
-Cancelled newspaper account. Saved $40
Total Saved: $215
We ended up going up to the lake this weekend. We planned to grill for lunch and dinner while we were there. Instead of buying food along the way, I used an old Girl Scout cooking tip. I created pouches of food ahead of time and we were able to put them on the grill. The basic idea is to assemble these foil packages at home, transport them to the grill, and have an easy meal with easy cleanup.
For the foil pouches I used 4 layers of aluminium foil about 12"x12" in size. I then sprayed the foil with PAM, placed cooked rice, frozen broccoli, diced cooked shrimp, shredded cheese, butter and spices (Italian dressing, garlic, salt and pepper) in the middle. I folded them over and placed in a large ziploc bag. Because I used frozen food items, they travelled and held well in the cooler. These packages can be made up ahead of time and put in the freezer.
Here's a great list of foil pouch recipes on About.com
We are looking good for week 2 of the challenge.
Bus fare: $25
Gas: 35
Eating Out: 25
Massage: 25
B/Lunch/Din@moms 20
Coffee/kolaches 5
Total Spent: $135
Things we did for free this week:
-Went online and reserved/ordered books from the big downtown library. Rode our bikes to the library (no parking fees) and checked out those books. Saved $5
-We cut our hair at home over the weekend. I just trimmed mine, David's cut was a bit more involved. Saved $45.
Other ways we saved money:
-Cancelled subscriptions to 2 magazines. Saved $125
-Cancelled newspaper account. Saved $40
Total Saved: $215
We ended up going up to the lake this weekend. We planned to grill for lunch and dinner while we were there. Instead of buying food along the way, I used an old Girl Scout cooking tip. I created pouches of food ahead of time and we were able to put them on the grill. The basic idea is to assemble these foil packages at home, transport them to the grill, and have an easy meal with easy cleanup.
For the foil pouches I used 4 layers of aluminium foil about 12"x12" in size. I then sprayed the foil with PAM, placed cooked rice, frozen broccoli, diced cooked shrimp, shredded cheese, butter and spices (Italian dressing, garlic, salt and pepper) in the middle. I folded them over and placed in a large ziploc bag. Because I used frozen food items, they travelled and held well in the cooler. These packages can be made up ahead of time and put in the freezer.
Here's a great list of foil pouch recipes on About.com
We are looking good for week 2 of the challenge.
No Spend month - Plan
I am following the basic plan from Small Notebook. She posted her plan for July here.
Our goal is to spend less than $400 for the upcoming month. After following Rachel at Small Notebook, I have done a few no spend weeks here and there. Our challenge is to limit and control our spending for an entire month. I love that Rachel has done this "No Spend Month" annually. She is quite an inspiration.
We are going to strive to only spend money on what is necessary and basic to living. This budget is for a two person household (my husband and myself). Our biggest obstacles will be with groceries as our normal budget for the entire month for food is $400. I will be doing lots of pantry cooking.
Here's the Killingsworth's plan for September:
What's included: (estimates)
Groceries $125
Gas $70
Eating out $50
Entertainment $50
Home maintenance supplies (cleaning, etc) $20
Doctor visits $30
Bus fare to work $55
What's not included:
Rent
Insurance(s)
Utilities
Tithes
Credit card payments
What we have cancelled already:
Netflix
XM Radio
Trip to the country
We are starting with a bare pantry, full freezer, and a bare fridge. I do not have many pointers on this but will refer you back to Rachel's post and updates. She did an excellent job of describing her project and providing links for helpful items. I will update on Monday our progress.
Our goal is to spend less than $400 for the upcoming month. After following Rachel at Small Notebook, I have done a few no spend weeks here and there. Our challenge is to limit and control our spending for an entire month. I love that Rachel has done this "No Spend Month" annually. She is quite an inspiration.
We are going to strive to only spend money on what is necessary and basic to living. This budget is for a two person household (my husband and myself). Our biggest obstacles will be with groceries as our normal budget for the entire month for food is $400. I will be doing lots of pantry cooking.
Here's the Killingsworth's plan for September:
What's included: (estimates)
Groceries $125
Gas $70
Eating out $50
Entertainment $50
Home maintenance supplies (cleaning, etc) $20
Doctor visits $30
Bus fare to work $55
What's not included:
Rent
Insurance(s)
Utilities
Tithes
Credit card payments
What we have cancelled already:
Netflix
XM Radio
Trip to the country
We are starting with a bare pantry, full freezer, and a bare fridge. I do not have many pointers on this but will refer you back to Rachel's post and updates. She did an excellent job of describing her project and providing links for helpful items. I will update on Monday our progress.
02 September 2009
No-Spend month...
September is official our "no-spend" month..
I will put more details here soon..
But, you are now my accountability partner!
I will put more details here soon..
But, you are now my accountability partner!
01 September 2009
Dump Cake aka Apple Cobbler
One of my favourite desserts from my favourite auntie's. I am making this for David's co-workers.
:) Enjoy!
Dump Cake aka Apple Cobbler
Ingredients
* 1 Comstock canned apple pie filling
* 1 box of yellow or butter cake mix
* 2 two sticks of butter, melted
Cooking Instructions
Grease cake pan. Pour pie filling into the pan. Level the pie filling in the pan covering the bottom. Pour cake mix over the pie filling. Do not mix these layers. Pour the melted butter over the cake mix to cover the entire cake. Do not mix these layers.
Bake in a 350F degree pre-heated oven for 30 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes, serve with ice cream.
:) Enjoy!
Dump Cake aka Apple Cobbler
Ingredients
* 1 Comstock canned apple pie filling
* 1 box of yellow or butter cake mix
* 2 two sticks of butter, melted
Cooking Instructions
Grease cake pan. Pour pie filling into the pan. Level the pie filling in the pan covering the bottom. Pour cake mix over the pie filling. Do not mix these layers. Pour the melted butter over the cake mix to cover the entire cake. Do not mix these layers.
Bake in a 350F degree pre-heated oven for 30 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes, serve with ice cream.
22 July 2009
12 July 2009
Back to life.. back to the streets!
We rode our bikes 4 - FOUR times this week! How cool is that? Well, actually, it wasn't very cool at all. Most days the heat index was over 100 degrees. But, we did it!!
Today, we did 34 minutes and 5.6 miles. Much of that was on the street too. This is amazing because I've been run off the road by careless or reckless automobile drivers, so we've been riding almost a year and this week was my first week out on those roads. We did most of the street riding after 7pm and on the weekend here in downtown, Houston. The street riding was much safer than on weekdays 9-7pm.
Anywho.. I just wanted to get the update in, because I am still on my exercise high!
Hugs, Christa..
Today, we did 34 minutes and 5.6 miles. Much of that was on the street too. This is amazing because I've been run off the road by careless or reckless automobile drivers, so we've been riding almost a year and this week was my first week out on those roads. We did most of the street riding after 7pm and on the weekend here in downtown, Houston. The street riding was much safer than on weekdays 9-7pm.
Anywho.. I just wanted to get the update in, because I am still on my exercise high!
Hugs, Christa..
06 July 2009
Some hope...
Well, I can't say we will be doing anything in the baby department anytime soon. But, I can say that my follow-up doctor appointment was good. He said that we still have no reason to miscarry in the future and that my odds are that of a normal person. I don't know how that can be, but it is none-the-less. So, we are waiting on genetic testing of the babies and for some follow-up blood work on David and me.
I'm tired of not being normal and of not doing normal things. I know it will be a slow process, but I really want to feel better, especially mentally. God is bigger than this, I just have to continue to believe and trust in that.
Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers.
Christa.
18 June 2009
crazy life.. more pregnancy disaster
Ok, so I promised we'd have an update after today's appointment.
Well, apparently I didn't miscarry this past weekend. All the blood, all the pain, all the clots, all the mess for 3 days.. nope.. I wish this was a good report post, but it is not.
The scan this morning showed the babies still in there, with no growth or heartbeats. I am scheduled for surgery tomorrow and they will be doing genetic testing to make sure we're not creating an extra set of chromosomes or something. I should get those results in 2-3 weeks. That will determine where we go in the fertility process.
Thanks again for following and checking in on me.. it will be another hard week, but I'm not holding on to Jesus.. He's holding on to me..
Well, apparently I didn't miscarry this past weekend. All the blood, all the pain, all the clots, all the mess for 3 days.. nope.. I wish this was a good report post, but it is not.
The scan this morning showed the babies still in there, with no growth or heartbeats. I am scheduled for surgery tomorrow and they will be doing genetic testing to make sure we're not creating an extra set of chromosomes or something. I should get those results in 2-3 weeks. That will determine where we go in the fertility process.
Thanks again for following and checking in on me.. it will be another hard week, but I'm not holding on to Jesus.. He's holding on to me..
16 June 2009
Pregnancy loss
Well, this update isn't one I want post. It needs to be done however.
(TMI warning)
On Saturday in one of our first outtings in weeks I fell ill. Turns out I was starting to miscarry. We made it through dinner at Star Pizza. To my horror, I bled through to the chair. We canceled the rest of our plans and headed home while calling the dr.
The pain was worse than I remember and came on hard Saturday night. The dr said to monitor and go to hospital if looks abnormal. Sleep was allusive and I think I passed out around 6am.
Today is Tuesday and I'm still in bed with cramps and little bleeding. My next appt is Thursday, hopefully we had a complete miscarriage and won't have to go to the hospital for an D&C.
David has worked from home the past two days. I am so blessed. He has also finished work early and then sat with me in bed until bedtime.
My heart is broken and in so many pieces. We saw a heartbeat for the first time in all my pregnancies. The chances of miscarriage after seeing a heartbeat dropped down to 10%. I can't even beat those odds. What is wrong with me? Life is so unfair and so rough. I really don't know how to get through this. I know God is there somewhere. I just can't hear Him through my screams.
What to say, what to do. I am at a complete loss and feel like I'm in a hole with no way out. How do you hold hope with so much loss? Seven babies in heaven. I can't do this.
(TMI warning)
On Saturday in one of our first outtings in weeks I fell ill. Turns out I was starting to miscarry. We made it through dinner at Star Pizza. To my horror, I bled through to the chair. We canceled the rest of our plans and headed home while calling the dr.
The pain was worse than I remember and came on hard Saturday night. The dr said to monitor and go to hospital if looks abnormal. Sleep was allusive and I think I passed out around 6am.
Today is Tuesday and I'm still in bed with cramps and little bleeding. My next appt is Thursday, hopefully we had a complete miscarriage and won't have to go to the hospital for an D&C.
David has worked from home the past two days. I am so blessed. He has also finished work early and then sat with me in bed until bedtime.
My heart is broken and in so many pieces. We saw a heartbeat for the first time in all my pregnancies. The chances of miscarriage after seeing a heartbeat dropped down to 10%. I can't even beat those odds. What is wrong with me? Life is so unfair and so rough. I really don't know how to get through this. I know God is there somewhere. I just can't hear Him through my screams.
What to say, what to do. I am at a complete loss and feel like I'm in a hole with no way out. How do you hold hope with so much loss? Seven babies in heaven. I can't do this.
12 June 2009
pregnancy loss
Thanks for visiting my page and checking in with me.
My appointment today went horribly. It looks like we lost the twins. There was only 3 days worth of growth over the past 8 days and we lost the heartbeat on baby A. I started to cry, but David says we still have hope. In all honesty, he and maybe others have hope, I do not. With 5 miscarriages ending much the same as this one I do not see hope.
The Dr agreed to let us scan again in 1 week (next Thursday) but he is scheduling a D&C for Friday the 19th because there is no hope. I am tired, I hurt, I am crampy, I am lost. Did you know I spent over 6 hours researching OB's in the Houston area in the past 2 days. I can't do this anymore.
I know you are praying.. but please don't comment until after the 20th and it is all over.
Thanks, Christa.
My appointment today went horribly. It looks like we lost the twins. There was only 3 days worth of growth over the past 8 days and we lost the heartbeat on baby A. I started to cry, but David says we still have hope. In all honesty, he and maybe others have hope, I do not. With 5 miscarriages ending much the same as this one I do not see hope.
The Dr agreed to let us scan again in 1 week (next Thursday) but he is scheduling a D&C for Friday the 19th because there is no hope. I am tired, I hurt, I am crampy, I am lost. Did you know I spent over 6 hours researching OB's in the Houston area in the past 2 days. I can't do this anymore.
I know you are praying.. but please don't comment until after the 20th and it is all over.
Thanks, Christa.
11 June 2009
quick prego update..
last thursday, June 4th we were 6 weeks and 2 days along..
we saw heartbeats on twin a. 110!
twin b no yoke sack or fetal pole.. we will rescan next week on friday..
dr isn't optimistic on twin b..
also twin a's gestational sac is about 50% smaller than it should be.. this is another cause for concern.
i'm doing okay, minus a hefty headache..
heading back to bed.. thanks for prayers!
love, christa +2
we saw heartbeats on twin a. 110!
twin b no yoke sack or fetal pole.. we will rescan next week on friday..
dr isn't optimistic on twin b..
also twin a's gestational sac is about 50% smaller than it should be.. this is another cause for concern.
i'm doing okay, minus a hefty headache..
heading back to bed.. thanks for prayers!
love, christa +2
02 June 2009
Oh joy.. pregnancy!
So, I thought I'd give a little report on how we were doing.
I am still very tired and worn out. The doctor keeps saying "take it easy and stay off your feet." That is much harder to do than I thought. We are thinking of getting a small refrigerator for upstairs and a microwave too. I will bring the water filter pitcher and hot tea maker up too. I'd be set then! David has already moved the room around so I can go from a recliner to the bed in one step. Isn't he grand?
I'm not that nauseous. My wonderful doctor already gave me the whole gammit of things to take, just in case. I haven't been that hungry, due to the pressure in my abdomen area anyways. The doctor is worried about that, although I haven't lost weight. So, I've created a week's worth of menus and a grocery shopping list, I just haven't had the energy/desire to make it happen. I know, I know, take it easy.
That's all I have until Friday's report about heartbeats. :)
Hugs, Christa +2
I am still very tired and worn out. The doctor keeps saying "take it easy and stay off your feet." That is much harder to do than I thought. We are thinking of getting a small refrigerator for upstairs and a microwave too. I will bring the water filter pitcher and hot tea maker up too. I'd be set then! David has already moved the room around so I can go from a recliner to the bed in one step. Isn't he grand?
I'm not that nauseous. My wonderful doctor already gave me the whole gammit of things to take, just in case. I haven't been that hungry, due to the pressure in my abdomen area anyways. The doctor is worried about that, although I haven't lost weight. So, I've created a week's worth of menus and a grocery shopping list, I just haven't had the energy/desire to make it happen. I know, I know, take it easy.
That's all I have until Friday's report about heartbeats. :)
Hugs, Christa +2
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