Boots & Dates

It is so cold here in Rhode Island today.

I am missing the warmer weather in Virginia Beach.

I know I am not going to be able to wear flip flops here for as long as I did in Virginia and that makes me sad.  Flip flops are my wardrobe staple.

I need to find some boots.

I want Ugg boots without the Ugg boots price.  I realize my 12 year old thinks I am ridiculous...as she has three pairs of the real deal which she loves (1 pair came from Grammy and 2 pairs came from my sister who doesn't need them living in Las Vegas).  I just cannot see the justification in buying such expensive shoes for myself...

Does anyone have any Ugg-like recommendations? I don't want a heel and I want them to be comfortable.  I would prefer black.

I am going to attempt to straighten Madison's hair for her this afternoon as well as make a few loaves of pumpkin bread.

Madison has Rec Night at her school tonight...which means we get to drop her and a friend off from 7-9 for some middle school fun.  Chris and I are going to go on a mini-date.  In my quest to be as frugal as possible and to save as much as possible... I have decided I want to go to a local hole in the wall BBQ place.  It closes at 8, so who knows what we will do after dinner. 

We lead a wild and crazy life here in Rhode Island.

Thursday Random Thoughts...

~ First of all... I watched Dancing With the Stars this week just so I could see Chaz Bono's performance.  I never watch and I give my mom crap all of the time because she loves this show.   I am pretty open minded and have zero issues with him performing on the show as a man.  I don't have to understand it or like it, but I believe it's his right.  Although we do not have any transgender family members... I have gay family members...and I was never brought up thinking it was weird, wrong, or strange...because it isn't...and I don't.  Madison has been around my gay family members has gone to school for years with families that were "different"... with two moms or two dads or just a mom or just a dad... so it isn't weird to her either.  I guess if you don't like the show now because he's on there... then don't watch it.... but I am not sure why others let it affect them so much.

~ Being a stay at home mom/housewife has always been my dream.   Except now I stay home and my kid is in 7th grade... so while it was fun at first... I am starting to get a little bored.  I am starting to miss my daily adult interaction that I had when I worked as a teacher.  It doesn't really help that I have met like zero people here and have no friends here, so that makes it even more isolating.   Any suggestions on friend making?

~ Being a stay at home mom/housewife and living on one income because now I pretty much make zero ... although I will take this time to shamelessly plug my two current business ventures, Betty Ray's Bakery - great items... but seriously the brownies... amazing and I started to sell Scentsy products.   I am going to be offering a giveaway for each of those businesses in October on my blog... or if you have a blog and are interested in hosting a giveaway for one of those two businesses... let me know!

Anyways... since being on one income I have become frugal... which kind of makes me wish I had been more frugal when we had two full-time incomes.  I have been grocery shopping all of the time to make dinners at home for my family.  Since I have no friends... I eat lunch at home now every.single.day.  I shop sales... and put back things that we do not need. Well on Tuesday I needed paint at Michaels.  The shelf said it was on sale for $1.99, after I paid, I realized I had been charged $3.99.  The old "living on two incomes Melissa" would probably just have not worried about it.  Well the new "we have one income and I am going to make every dollar stretch Melissa", got back in line after checking the price for a refund... that was less than $2.00... and now that I sit here and type this... I may need to go back, because I don't think that girl did it right... I think Michaels owes me more money.

Fun and Free Fridays

Who doesn't love a Friday?

I certainly do.  Today I will be sharing something fun and something free with you.  I encourage you to do the same linking it back to this post and to leave a comment with your blog URL.

Fun
One of my favorite blogs to read is Young House Love.  Recently they did a holiday shopping post where they featured some great items from Crate and Barrel.  So I decided to go on the website because some of the items caught my eye...especially these FUN things-

{Set of 2 Cupcake Cookie Cutters - found HERE for just $2.95}

{Set of 4 Porcelain Measuring Spoons - found HERE for just $2.95}

I LOVE them both...and think that someone is about to place an order at Crate and Barrel.  That someone is ME!

Free

{this is not the one she is offering...but something similar}

Today's FREE item is amazing.  A big thanks to Craftily Ever After for this FREE "JOY" Alphabet Photography Printable. This would be perfect for your home or to frame and give as a gift.  Be sure to check out Jessica's amazing blog for lots of other freebies and craft ideas...it is definitely a blog you will want to follow.

Fabulous & Frugal Fridays

The Fabulous

I am so thankful it is Friday.  It has been a long week...even though I only worked 4 days.  Maddie was sick on Tuesday so I stayed home with her.  I remember when I used to freak out if I needed to miss a day of work...now I look forward to it.

I am looking forward to the weekend - relaxing, lunch with both some current and past co-workers, catching up on all of my shows from the DVR, getting our Christmas cards ready to send out, some baking, and putting up our Christmas tree and decorations.

 

The Frugal

Do you Groupon?  I have become obsessed with Groupon.  You sign up for your city and each day you get an email with a special deal.  I have bought gift certificates to a winery, for a photo wall canvas, a massage, and various restaurants.  If you haven't checked it out..or signed up...do so now.  You will not regret it.

If you have kids then you probably have seen Melissa & Doug products.  I love them.  I love buying them for gifts and they are currently running a special through Amazon today only.  Check it out here. 

  I love the weekends.