For you, Matthew

Matthew may be my very favorite cousin. Well, honestly it is a VERY close tie going straight across the board between Matthew, Tyler, Abbie, and James. It's just really to close to call.

But, Matthew is going to be the only one interested in these photos and I am posting them specifically for him.

So I semi-successfully got ready for the trip.

Did you know Target has a whole aisle devoted to miniature EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD!?! It is incredible. Totally revolutionize the way you pack. Had to pick up some for Schyler, too, just because the little suckers were so darn cute.

Now I have been to Mexico twice before which, of course makes me an expert on all things Mexican. First thing to school Brandon on: the goodness of the taco stand. Now there were lots of choices such as McDonald's
and this -



"McDonalds" and "Pat O'Brien's". Those are influences from the, um, Scottish...and um, Irish?...um occupation of Mexico. Feel free to cite me as a source for any upcoming book reports, etc.

But we went with this-



and this -



and this -



You get the idea. Our trip pretty much revolved around food. We hit every stand we passed.


Now we also enjoyed the scenery. Such as -

the duct tape on the wing of our airplane.


And lots of -

old men in Speedo's. Word is, Mexico is rampant with that this time of year.


Also,

painted hiney's seem to be a big tourist attraction.


The best part is that I left this -


Arrived to this -


And got to come home to this -



Could I have a better week!?!

Well, well...

I was just about to say - good thing I'm not sitting on the side of the road somewhere stranded, or worse!! Because not one of you would know it. But good ol' Aunt Mollie came through. The only one that cares. She will be the only one not cut from the will. The only one that enquired about my long absence.

I have no excuse for the first week. But the second week...oh it's a good one.

Yep. Last week my husband took me to Cancun. Land of sun and beee-yoo-ti-ful surf. I know. It was a surprise to me, too. And honey, I was freaking out.

Does he not understand what it takes to go away like that?? No he does not. He is a man, after all.

So I immediately begin making my lists:

List A (things that MUST be done)

1. Eyebrows - I am not going to have caterpillars making homes above my eyes in every picture.

2. Color hair - That big straggly gray hair is not going to torment me any longer.

3. Polish toenails - Land of flipflops, here I come!

4. Coupon shopping - Is there a CVS in Mexico?

List B (things that are not all that necessary)

1. Childcare

2. Pack

3. Have someone cover for me at work

So now that I clearly have my priorities in order it was time to get started. I stayed in freaking out mode for a while, but somehow, quite miraculously, things began...falling...into...place.

It was the wierdest thing.

Why was God being so nice to me? I don't know, but as God worked and I prayed the freaking subsided.


*Yes, I'm going to post more later. Do I have some eye candy for you! Have to go get ready for church now...

Bingo Bust

Did you hear what happened?!

Today at co-op, the little kids were playing "Shape Bingo" when a dozen armed county officials stormed in to confiscate the games.

It was awful.

Carnage everywhere.

Goldfish and juice littered the floor. I heard one kid wet his Pull-Up. Unidentified pacifiers and sippy cups everywhere.

You know, it's hard to feel bad for them...I'm always telling those moms - USE THE SHARPIE!! For cryin' out loud.

The adults in charge said they had all the appropriate paperwork, but failed to produce it.

So at this point we don't know if we will be back in operation next week or not.

This could lead to a major economic meltdown. Two to four unpaid workers out of work. Mmmm mmmm mmmm.


*This in no way means I do or do not support gambling in Alabama. But I'm sorry, being a (former) preschool teacher, this is all I can think about with all this blasted bingo talk. I'm so sick of it. Sorry. But I am.

I have completely entered the land of geek - I know I was dwelling there before, but I am now VP.

Why?

I am so amazed at how much money one can save that I kept a spreadsheet through January tracking my expenses.

Told you!

Being that you do not care, I will share my geeky excitement with you anyway and give you my totals:

Total spent: $197
Total saved: $576 so that means...
Total Value: $773 which is...
Savings of: 75%
And I received 2 of 3 $5 rebates. I'm not sure how that figures in.

Woo!!

That spending is a little steep for me, but it included a little Christmas money and gift cards that I bought some jeans and yoga pants with.

Farrah at See Mom Save taught me this stuff. I am FOREVER indebted to her. We go to church with her and she teaches Schyler in her favorite co-op class! I know! How much more can I posssibly owe this mad woman!?!

Farrah's way of thinking is that what we save, we give. And when we are blessed enough to get an abundance of an item, we give an abundance of the item. Such a godly woman! I hope I can be like her when I grow up.

I hope you all know that I truly thank Jesus for His goodness. I do believe that all good things are gifts from God. Especially coupons and sales.

*Sigh* For a minute you thought I was going to get serious, didn't you? I try, really I do.