The drive back to reality

Well, the five or six of you out there who have been reading my blog may have noticed my absence this week.  Like I said in my previous posting, I was headed to Disney with my dad and my sisters, attempting to make something of the last week before eighth grade for my youngest sis.  Tonight we are in North Carolina, and tomorrow I will be home in New Jersey, just in time to start the new job on Wednesday.

Being more of an adult this trip than any of the other times I have been to Disney, I was very aware of the cost of everything involved. . . and I do mean everything. Reason number one I did not update the blog via our "resort" was that I would have had to pay per minute for the internet.  While I was in "the happiest place on Earth" I made a few observations: One, I will purchase plenty of water before stepping foot into an Disney labeled park, resort, store.  Two, I will not even consider taking my future children to Disney before the age of nine.  I know many people will disagree with that statement, but I saw way too many temper tantrums and miserable children to spend a couple thousand dollars on a trip they won't be able to recall when they are a teenager. 

Now wait, before you start to think I'm miserable and should just learn to enjoy myself, I want to let you know that I did.  Disney is a lot of fun, and though I have been there quite a few times, I look forward to going quite a few times more.  I am already planning my next trip down with my husband who has never been before.  I think it is always exciting to go with someone who has never been before.  It is like going for the first time yourself, all over again. 

This time, since I will be in charge of the planning, I am going to do some intense research, in an attempt to get the best bang for our buck.  I will be sure to keep you all informed of great websites and deals I encounter along my planning adventure.  Likewise, if you know of any ways to see Disney on a dime, please share!  As of now, I think we are looking at September 2012, and want to stay at Wilderness Lodge resort.  I am really trying to stick with finding frugal ways to enjoy life.  I have been using coupons as much as I can and have been avoiding purchasing anything at full price.  I think that regardless of how much money you do or don't have, you should be a smart shopper.  People pay so much more than they should for things, but there are too few who put the effort in to decrease what they pay at the register. 

Back to where I started this blog; I get back home tomorrow, and start the new job on Wednesday.  I know there isn't much to say about a job I haven't started yet, but I don't know that I am all that broken up about not teaching this year.  Don't get me wrong, I love teaching, and if I got a phone call tomorrow, I would most likely jump at the opportunity.  It is what I know, and what I went to school for.  However, that being said, I am really looking forward to trying something new.  Who knows, I may find out I love something even more, I won't know unless I try. 

Until next time

Good Morning New Jersey!

Today is going to be a long day.  I probably should have tried to sleep in a little more, but alas. 

He put himself in time out

Rewind a minute, to Tuesday.  The day of my last post, I believe (or maybe it was Monday).  I spent the day down in Delaware, helping out around my parents house.  On my way home I decided to stop at the grocery store to grab something for dinner.  I know myself enough to know that once I am home, I don't really like going back out to run errands. Anyway, I have a plan to come home and get started on this weeks project of painting the bedroom.  Instead, I walk in the door to disaster.  The dog had gotten into the kitchen trash can and decided to paint the house in trash.  You know when you decide to have something unhealthy for dinner, like Chinese food, and you say to yourself "I'm going to regret this".  Seeing the sweet and sour sauce all over our new area rug made me regret the Chinese.  So, instead of painting the bedroom, I was attempting to clean the carpet.  Sweet and sour sauce is a rough stain. 

With Tuesday's evening shot, I decided to start fresh Wednesday.  And, that's what I did yesterday.  It is starting to look pretty good, but I definitely have more work ahead of me today.  Which I better get started on.  I only have a few hours before I have to hit the road, and I haven't packed yet.  My dads plan is to leave around 5 o'clock, and stop somewhere around the Virginia/ North Carolina border tonight.  Can someone explain to me a six day trip to Disney World that consists four days in the car and two days in the park?  I tried to get Chris to consider flying down for the weekend, but it looks like I will just have to plan a trip for us sometime soon. 

Another Baseball Birthday

It was a pretty fun weekend with the husband, as we celebrated his birthday pretty much the whole time.  Saturday we went to the Phillies game, which has come to be something we look forward to every summer.  We have been on a streak this year, seeing a win every time we go.  To keep the baseball birthday going, we had friends over on Sunday to celebrate.  I always love playing hostess, so I made meatballs, pasta salad, and a baseball birthday cake.  It worked out well, even though it was originally planned to be a birthday cookout.  Man, it sure has been raining like crazy the past few days.

When we weren't partying, my dad was up helping get the bedroom closet done.  I am so excited because it is finally time to sand, paint, and call to get the carpet installed!  I will be sure to show you all the before and after transformation of the bedroom.  I am so excited, mainly because I picture in my head how something is going to look, but usually do a terrible job explaining it, so when it is finished, I just hope that it looks like it does in my mind.  It was pretty much the same thing with my wedding reception, and that turned out just like I pictured. :-)

Along the same lines, I have decided that I am going to attempt a "project of the week".  This weeks project is going to be painting the bedroom, and next weeks project is going to be a new fireplace screen for under $30 (Thank you Craigs List). Also on the project list is a job... I need one, and preferably before my next car payment is due.  I had a third interview with a company today, and now I am just crossing my fingers. 

Hopefully I will get one more post up before the impromtu trip to Disney World.  We leave Thursday.  I am pretty excited, mixed with wish my mom and my hubby were going too.  Regardless, Disney is always a good time!