So, I've been writing posts in my head the last few weeks, but just haven't had the motivation to write them out when I've been at my computer! I'll try and get there tonight, I promise.
I'm still in settling mode that's for sure {I know Eric could kind of care less about that stuff ;)}. And that's a project, let me tell you...well, at least when you're OCD like me. I'm trying to still get things organized and put away, purge, decorate, etc. It's amazing how much stuff we still have after 6+ trips to Goodwill since packing to move...ok, so maybe my house purchases aren't helping the matter, but I still feel like we need to purge! purge! purge! Our guest room has become the overflow room for stuff that maybe I'll muster up the motivation to organize for a garage sale.
I've always looked forward to "back to school time" since it was always a fresh slate to get organized with everything. I still feel the need to do so every August now even being out of school. This year I kicked off the "school year" with a new planner in hopes to tackle some goals a little better (this week isn't proving to be working well though because I'm just so tired and worn out after work!). I've heard a lot of talk about these
Erin Condren Life Planners, so I ordered one for myself a few weeks ago. I've only had it a few days, so I'll have to get back to you on how I end up liking it.
I've also been trying to organize household stuff a little more, too. (This is where my OCD mentality REALLY comes out) I've started on a home management binder (goal is to have it complete by the end of the week) with everything from general information/emergency info, Lily's information, chore and cleaning schedules, meal planning (something we've been TERRIBLE at lately) budget and bills, shopping lists, you name it. I'll share some more of that soon. We've also been really bad about sticking with a good budget since we've moved in (hello, furniture purchases!), so our goal for September is to get back on the Dave Ramsey plan, complete with our cash envelopes again. And, to encourage that a little more, I even sewed these cute little fabric envelopes -
Trying to get a little ahead on toiletry purchases and certain foods has also been a goal, too (Eric sure goes through cereal and deodorant like lightning!) I'm learning a little more here and there about couponing, and taking advantage of sales with coupon matches as much as possible. (No, you don't need to turn me into TLC...I'm not that bad and crazy!) I haven't been too great about keeping track of all the numbers, but I know we're saving a little more here and there by stocking up on sales. We're in fairly good shape now - enough shampoo and body wash to last us awhile!
And speaking of small stockpiles, I've also been making sure our emergency kits are updated. All the crazy natural disasters that have happened this year scare the bageebies out of me (A friend who is now in NC texted me today saying "I just lived through your worst nightmare!" Ha! - Yeah, I'm paranoid about earthquakes, and I was definitely curled up in the closet several nights this year because of storms and torrential rains pounding on our bedroom windows). I ordered some
emergency kits off of Amazon back in the spring, and then made a few of our own to fill in some of the gaps. (Yeah, I think my mom thought I was a little crazy when I shipped them a large box full during tornado season!) I pray we never have to use them, but it doesn't hurt to have them around.
We've done a few little projects here and there around the house. We cleaned out the entire garage a few weekends ago and Eric re-hung our pegboard.
I'm also attempting round 2 of container gardening this year. I doubt I'll have much luck, but we'll see.
Lily has also been her usual energetic self. I've been getting up at 5:30 AM three days a week to go walk/jog around the neighborhood, and she's always up and pulling me the entire way. I wish I were that much of a morning person. Here are a few cute photos from her recently:
Spoiled dog, let me tell you.
And, lastly for tonight (but not least!) this girl {my
sister} is away in Ireland right now. Off to Austria on Sunday to spend the rest of the semester! It was a bittersweet goodbye when I left Arkansas a few weeks ago, but I know she's going to have a blast.
More updates soon!
