http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/ Frugal Living Forums, a frugal living community with emphasis on debt reduction, responsible spending, consuming less, recycling and helping each other bridge the gaps for a sustainable future. en Wed, 22 May 2013 12:42:52 GMT vBulletin 1 http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/ http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/4430-snow-day-organizing-kids-clothing.html Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:58:17 GMT It is a snow day here, no school so the kiddies are home. They are enjoying their time off. We will probably play a game or 2 this afternoon when the baby goes for a nap. So last night I finished the Tightwad Gazette 2 section of The complete Tightwad Gazette, and I started TWG3. There is... It is a snow day here, no school so the kiddies are home. They are enjoying their time off. We will probably play a game or 2 this afternoon when the baby goes for a nap.

So last night I finished the Tightwad Gazette 2 section of The complete Tightwad Gazette, and I started TWG3.

There is a lot of interesting stuff in there, but there is also a few things that does not really related to me because I am in Canada.

At the end of TWG2 there was a section about taking inventory of clothing that are the next sizes up for the kids, so that you know what you have of each item and how much you have of each item, and what you may need in the next sizes.

I have 3 kids and 2 large storage bins, and 3 regular size storage bins all full of clothes, not including coats and sneakers, shoes, boots etc.

So I went through the bins last night, took out a few things that will fit my youngest. Then proceeded to 'take inventory'.

It was a little time consuming to start, but will definitely be easier to keep track of now that I have a chart made.

For example for my daughter, her chart looks something like this:

ROBYN
size 8 size 10 12+
Tee Shirts
Shorts
Pajamas
Jeans
Capri's
long sleeved shirts
Tank tops
zip up hoodies
skirt/skort
other pants
summer coat
winter coat
spring/fall coat
snow pants
wind pants
dresses
summer pajamas

Then I make a tally of each item by putting a tick there in each section for each size. I know a lot of you have probably read the book and already know how to do this, but I honestly never thought of keeping an inventory where I can just look it up before. I mean I have the clothing sorted somewhat so that I can go to the storage bin that I want and go through it, but I think this will be a much easier method.

Then my storage bins are labled, one of the big ones is for Robyn only, and has all girls clothing in it, Then there is a smaller one with shirts just for Dalton (my middle child, 6 year old son does not get much hand me downs), then there is a storage bin with the boys summer clothing, then a large storage bin with just pants in it mostly for the baby but some for my other son, and then one with socks and pjs and other things for the boys.

All the coats are hanging on hooks in the basement, unless they are more then a size bigger then they are put in a bin.

I have not gone through shoes and sneakers and rain boots and stuff yet. There are none in the bigger sizes for my 6 yo, but for my daughter there are a few pairs, and for my youngest there are a lot to go through, I am very fortunate when it comes to him because I get a lot of hand me downs for him.

So Right now I just did the chart on paper, I plan to do up a hard copy on my computer to make it neater, then I will print a copy for my binder and keep a copy on the computer.

Anyway, thats enough babbling for me this morning.

Can you tell that I like it?

LOL ]]> Gibs http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/4430-snow-day-organizing-kids-clothing.html http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/4410-what-day.html Mon, 22 Feb 2010 20:13:33 GMT I feel like I have not stopped since I got up this morning. First I had to go to my grandmothers, and my husbands aunts to get the recyclables that they save up for us, because I wanted to get them all sorted, counted and brought in for exchange. So Once I got them all brought here to the... I feel like I have not stopped since I got up this morning.

First I had to go to my grandmothers, and my husbands aunts to get the recyclables that they save up for us, because I wanted to get them all sorted, counted and brought in for exchange.

So Once I got them all brought here to the house, I had to remove covers. My husbands aunt never removes them but I don't complain because she is nice enough to save them for us, and also because I keep the coke covers for icoke points :)

So I was finally able to get them all sorted and brought to the next town (15 minute drive) to exchange them, I got $36.90 for taking them in.

Then I found a dollar on the ground.

When I got home I put away 35 dollars for the emergency fund, then I added the 1.90 plus the 1.00 I found to my change Jar.

Then I emptied the change out of my purse, I added .06 cents to my penny jar, and 2.30 to my change Jar.

So my new change jar total is 79.75 and my new penny jar total is 6.45.

My New emergency fund total is 80.00 plus when I go to the bank again I plan to deposit the change jar and penny jar money into the emergency fund savings account along with the 35 from the bottles...I have that added into the total but it is not in the bank yet.

Then I had to put a new cap on the overflow of my tub because hubby broke ours the other day. It was cracked every since we moved into this house 3 years ago (well three years this April) it lasted that long until needing to be replaced so I am ok with that lol.

My kids have a blow up kiddie pool that my hubby brought inside this fall, but he failed to clean it....so today I got down and dirty with the pool and did some cleaning of it. It looks a lot better, but could still use a little more cleaning, perhaps I will do it later.

Tonight I plan to finish my daughters bed, the lime paint was not staying on there very well so we are removing it all and going to leave it white. In the mean time if I cannot get it all off and we can still see the green I will paint it pink with some left over paint that we already have.

I have been in the process of slowly cleaning out my basement the past couple of days. I Started yesterday by adding some hooks to the wall to hang coats, they are just ones I purchased in the dollar store a while ago, they are plastic and got 4 hooks on the top and 4 on the bottom, the top ones come out further then the bottom ones. I put two of these on the wall and another that got 5 hooks on the bottom and 5 on the top.

Then I took a little wire shelf that someone gave me that they were going to throw away, I removed the part on the top and added it to the site, and now have three cubby that I can put shoes in, they are joined together and one is under each of the hook shelves, I put my kids shoes sorted, one kid in each cubby.

Then I took all the shoes that are still too big for my youngest son (hand me downs, or my older sons that are too small for him) into a storage bin. Just doing this little bit of work made a big difference for the organizational aspect of things.

Anyway I am off to find something else to complete.

:) ]]> Gibs http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/4410-what-day.html http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/4398-has-been-ok-day.html Wed, 17 Feb 2010 04:41:01 GMT I have read over a hundred pages of the complete tightwad gazette so far. Some of the stuff is geared towards the US so it wasn't relevant to me, but I am learning a few things in the book.

I got some great deals for Christmas 2010 and am ahead of the game for where I need to be right now with that. I am very thankful.

I paid down some debt, not a big amount, but better then nothing. I plan to pay down more on Friday.

I added my first 45 dollars to our emergency fund/we need new windows fund. Not the amount I would have liked to have added but definitely better then nothing.

Tomorrow I have some plans to go through some things in my basement. Hopefully my fling total will get higher lol.

Have a good night everyone. ]]> Gibs http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/4398-has-been-ok-day.html http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/4396-got-my.html Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:12:53 GMT The Complete Tightwad Gazette in the mail today!! YAY. The Complete Tightwad Gazette in the mail today!!

YAY. ]]> Gibs http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/4396-got-my.html http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/4376-my-100th-blog-post-here.html Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:37:29 GMT I just noticed that this will be my 100th blog post. First I will update my totals for some of the challenges that I am in. Change Jar: $61.20 Penny Jar: $2.21 Books....I have read 3 and am part way through my 4th. Fling 2010 in 2010, I have 159 I just noticed that this will be my 100th blog post.

First I will update my totals for some of the challenges that I am in.

Change Jar: $61.20
Penny Jar: $2.21

Books....I have read 3 and am part way through my 4th.

Fling 2010 in 2010, I have 159

Coupon and sale savings:

$38.19 coupon face value
$149.75 Sale savings
$186.20 Sales and Coupons Combined

2010 Debt reduction Challenge:

Stupid small debts;

Debt#1: /$194.82
Debt#2: $107.01/$499.87 = $392.86
Debt#3: $127.50/$475.88 = $348.38
Debt#4: $200.00
Debt#5: $40.00/$450.00 = $410.00

Also of course I have paid mortgage and car payments, but I am not keeping track of that debt on here right now.

I do have another debt that I need to add that I have had since I purchased my house...I am slowly paying it down, but am not sure if the exact total right now.

Other wise, I am waiting on a copy of the complete tightwad gazette to come in the mail, I purchased it on Ebay a while ago when I sold a coca cola olympic bear. I really wanted the book and couldnt get it here so I thought it was a good time to get it seeing as it was money that I did not have budgeted for.

On another Note, I was talking to the lady who did my interview and I will be called to work, but they just switched management in there and it could be a week or two, up to a month before they hire....but I will be called. So I will wait 3 weeks and then if they do not call I will be going to apply elsewhere.

There are not a lot of places hireing here right now, so knowing that I will be hired if I just wait, I thought maybe I should wait.

Otherwise, I got some great deals on food and hba products this week.

I also joined the Christmas challenge where we get 12 gifts, one a month or more if u want to...I have some done, but I need to do up a list of what I need, and see exactly what I have and for whom.

Today I spent a lot of time cleaning and organizing, I am expecting to have a fairly large total for the fling within the next few days, I intend to clean out my basement and I have no idea what I will find down there.

Anyway I have to go and help the kiddies with their homework.

I hope everyone is having a good day. ]]> Gibs http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/4376-my-100th-blog-post-here.html http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/4367-new-challenge-totals-jan-30-10.html Sat, 30 Jan 2010 17:34:30 GMT I have read three novels so far: The seance - I forgot to write down the author before I loaned this to my aunt. Cold Pursuit by T. Jefferson Parker Vanish by Tess Gerritsen I added $6.95 in change to my change Jar today making the total: %51.05 I added .16 to my pennies making that... I have read three novels so far:

The seance - I forgot to write down the author before I loaned this to my aunt.

Cold Pursuit by T. Jefferson Parker
Vanish by Tess Gerritsen

I added $6.95 in change to my change Jar today making the total: %51.05

I added .16 to my pennies making that total: 2.03

Today I have a list of about 34 items that I want to get completed, and I am going to be getting rid of some items that are too small for the kids, or we no longer want, they will be going to the goodwill on my next trip in town on Tuesday, so I will add those items to my fling total later on today. ]]> Gibs http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/4367-new-challenge-totals-jan-30-10.html http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/4357-new-challenge-totals.html Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:11:17 GMT Change Challenge: $40.25 Penny Challenge: $1.87 Books 1/100 Fling 71/2010 Got rid of 8 stuffed animals to good will Got rid of an old computer monitor Coupons and sales: Change Challenge: $40.25
Penny Challenge: $1.87

Books 1/100

Fling 71/2010
Got rid of 8 stuffed animals to good will
Got rid of an old computer monitor

Coupons and sales:

Have saved a total of: $76.82

Sale savings: $46.38
Coupon savings: $30.44

Debt paid down:

$234.51

Not including morgage and car or student loans. ]]> Gibs http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/4357-new-challenge-totals.html http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/4350-ebay-complete-tightwad-gazette.html Sat, 23 Jan 2010 18:48:53 GMT I sold a Vancouver Olympic collectors coca cola bear, there are three in the collection, and I had MASKA. She sold for 36 us dollars plus 10 dollars shipping. I got her with my icoke points. So I decided to order the complete tighwad gazette. I have been wanting this book since first joining... I sold a Vancouver Olympic collectors coca cola bear, there are three in the collection, and I had MASKA. She sold for 36 us dollars plus 10 dollars shipping. I got her with my icoke points.

So I decided to order the complete tighwad gazette. I have been wanting this book since first joining this site, and now that I sold the bear on ebay and had enough money in my pay pal to pay for it, and it was extra money i thought it would be a good time to purchase it.

I cannot wait to get it and read through it, I have heard nothing but good things about the book since coming here.

And unfortunately I could not get the book anywhere around here. ]]> Gibs http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/4350-ebay-complete-tightwad-gazette.html http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/4341-challenge-updates.html Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:12:35 GMT Well I am going to update my challenge totals and stuff already. As of January 13th I had $20.30 in my change jar and $1.78 in my penny Jar. On January 18th I added 3.30 to change and .02 to pennies, making the totals 23.60 and 1.80. Yesterday was my husbands pay day. So all the change... Well I am going to update my challenge totals and stuff already.

As of January 13th I had $20.30 in my change jar and $1.78 in my penny Jar.

On January 18th I added 3.30 to change and .02 to pennies, making the totals 23.60 and 1.80.

Yesterday was my husbands pay day. So all the change that I had left in my purse and he had in his wallet went into our change and penny Jar.

Combined we added 16.65 to change and .07 to pennies, making our totals

Change: $40.25
Pennies: $1.87

Fling 2010 in 2010: I took 57 items to the good will yesterday making that my first fling and my first total for 2010.

I then paid my mortgage, renewed my liscence.

Picked up groceries.

Today I plan to pay down some debt and pay our regular bills.

I will update some more later on tonight when I do so as my son got a dentist appointment today and I need to get ready for that.

I hope everyone is having a good day. ]]> Gibs http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/4341-challenge-updates.html http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/4335-2010-challenges.html Tue, 19 Jan 2010 01:34:42 GMT I am a little late in geting started this year lol. Here are a few of the challenges that I have decided to take part in this year. 2010 emergency fund challenge 2010 debt reduction challenge 2010 coupon challenge I am a little late in geting started this year lol.

Here are a few of the challenges that I have decided to take part in this year.

2010 emergency fund challenge

2010 debt reduction challenge

2010 coupon challenge

Read 100 books in 2010

Penny Jar

Change Jar

fling 2010 in 2010

I added 3.30 to my change Jar todau and .02 to my penny jar.

I have read 1 book out of my hundred.

coupons I need to add up and post shortly. ]]> Gibs http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/4335-2010-challenges.html http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/4143-my-daughter-just-got-out-hospital-yesterday-shes-7.html Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:27:32 GMT Robyn was a bit off with her asthma all week, in fact I kept her out of school on Monday and Tuesday morning. I sent her back Tuesday afternoon and she had an asthma clinic appointment on Wednesday. During that appointment they noticed that she did not do as well on her testing as on the previous... Robyn was a bit off with her asthma all week, in fact I kept her out of school on Monday and Tuesday morning. I sent her back Tuesday afternoon and she had an asthma clinic appointment on Wednesday. During that appointment they noticed that she did not do as well on her testing as on the previous appointment, so her Dr upped her medications. That night she was coughing more then normal so I decided to keep her home from school Thursday. By lunch time on Thursday she had a fever, 37.9 so we went ahead and gave her some meds for it. It did go down a little and by the time 4 hours were up it was 38. So I administered more meds and this time her temp did not go down in fact it reached 39.2. I then gave her more meds at the time I was suppose to. Called the health line and because of Robyn's history of having pneumonia and asthma and how sick she has been before, and because her breathing was fast along with her heart rate and she was experiencing pain in her chest we were advised to go to the Hospital.

We left here and arrived in there around 11:30 pm Thursday night, we got in to see the nurse and then the Dr. right away. Her temp was still up and they gave her advil on top of the meds I had given to her. The dr said it was likely H1N1, and took the swab for that and administered Tamiflu. Then because of her history sent us down for an x-ray. We came back and he said he couldn't see anything on the x-ray. He called the pediatrician and she pretty much said to administer Tamiflu and to send her home. But the Dr that was on went against that and decided to keep her in a room in emergency all night because he knew she was really sick and he knew her history.

So sometime during the night she threw up all over the place, and her temp went back up, and then she woke with severe pain in her chest. They came in and gave her some more meds as well as some ventolin. He then went out to review her x-ray again. He came back in and said that he could see a pneumonia on her lung, but at first was not sure if that was what it was because some asthma patients do have some mucus in the lungs some times. So he decided that along with the Tamiflu for H1N1 he would start her on antibiotics. He brought in some liquid stuff and she threw it up and had a hard time drinking it due to the taste.

He then did blood work, and it came back her white blood cells were elevated so he administered an IV and gave her iv fluids as well as her antibiotics.

She continued to have some pain in her chest and they could hear the decreased entry.

The next morning the pediatrician came in and admitted her to a room. Continued the Tamiflu as well as the iv fluids and meds. Her temp was high then so they gave more meds and Robyn was really weak and needed help to even sit up.

After this point she slept a lot and then started to feel a little better, her temp went back up again Friday night. Her regular Pediatrician saw her on Saturday morning and he said he would probably keep her until Monday. I was really glad when he came to see her because he knows her history, we see him at least every three months at the asthma clinic, and he has been the dr that took care of her EVERY time she was in hospital.

Then last night it came back with her H1N1 swab results, they were NEGATIVE! I was relieved! It was good to know that we were not battling that along with the Pneumonia.

She then went 24 hours with no fever. She still has some wheezeing in her lungs, but she was doing well, starting to eat and feeling better, so he let us come home. She has to take antibiotics for the next 8 days and if she gets sick to bring her right back in there.

I plan to keep her out of school until at least Wednesday and to use my discretion after that depending on how she is feeling.

So far today she has had a headache and she is short of breath when moving around much or walking up or down the stairs. ]]> Gibs http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/4143-my-daughter-just-got-out-hospital-yesterday-shes-7.html http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/4110-cleaning.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 05:11:44 GMT So what has everyone been up to this weekend? I have been cleaning out things non stop since sometime yesterday. Trying to get some cleaning done before Christmas and then sorting through clothes and things that are too small for the kids as well as cleaning out my basement. Also my brother is... So what has everyone been up to this weekend? I have been cleaning out things non stop since sometime yesterday. Trying to get some cleaning done before Christmas and then sorting through clothes and things that are too small for the kids as well as cleaning out my basement. Also my brother is putting drywall up in my laundry room in my basement so its been a busy day or so.

I cleaned the walls in my living room and cleaned the windows and put plastic on them. The windows are really old and in bad condition we plan to put new windows in, in the spring. We were going to do it this summer but then Steven got laid off, so thats all we can do. The plastic will help a lot though.

Then I sorted through a bunch of clothing that was too small for the kids, took some to the good will and gave some away to people who I knew with kids that are smaller then mine.

Cleaned my walls and ceilings in my bathroom and my window up there. Found mold in the closet. Was not impressed about that so I did a bunch of cleaning there. I then moved my towels out of that closet to a shelf in my linen closet because I was afraid it would get moldy again with the towels in there. Less air circulating or something I guess.

Next I cleaned all my cupboard doors and handles, and dusted them out.

I moved my fridge tonight and cleaned under it and there are 4 cupboards up over the fridge that we put a lot of junk and things in so I cleaned out those.

I am currently cleaning our master bedroom. We keep our bed under the window most of the year, but in winter we move it. So I had to rearrange our room. Completely clean the window and add plastic to that. Cleaned out our closets and someone had a box laid in the corner of the closet and there was mold in there. Again not impressed. The two walls that join in the corner, one is the wall shared with the bathroom and the other is an outside wall I guess thats why we got the mold. But I am at least glad that I found it now before it got any worst.

My basement is another place that I have started doing some cleaning in, mostly sorting through the things down there to see what we want to keep and what we want to get rid of. Hopefully I can get that all done soon.



So what have you all done this weekend?? ]]> Gibs http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/4110-cleaning.html http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/3894-my-little-man-sick.html Thu, 01 Oct 2009 03:43:52 GMT Dalton (2) is sick. Started Tuesday morning with a temp that reached as high as 39.2 C (102.56 F), then this morning it was kinda normal and mild, but by 3 this after noon it was gone back up and has reached 39.6 C (103.28 F). We had to get him up at 10:30 pm, strip him off, get some meds into... Dalton (2) is sick. Started Tuesday morning with a temp that reached as high as 39.2 C (102.56 F), then this morning it was kinda normal and mild, but by 3 this after noon it was gone back up and has reached 39.6 C (103.28 F). We had to get him up at 10:30 pm, strip him off, get some meds into him, some liquids, and then give him a cool bath. He is sleeping now, but is restless. The only other symptoms he has is that he has been really tired for at least a month, and he does have a small rash on his back. So I am not sure what this is. Hopefully nothing serious and he is back to himself soon. ]]> Gibs http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/3894-my-little-man-sick.html http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/3877-changed-my-avatar.html Sun, 27 Sep 2009 17:09:48 GMT Just changed my Avatar from ChiChi's eyes (my old cat) to one of me. ]]> Gibs http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/3877-changed-my-avatar.html http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/3863-little-things-small-update.html Thu, 24 Sep 2009 01:26:40 GMT We are almost completely caught up on bills. YAY. Yesterday we started bringing in the wood to fill the wood room before the winter comes. We are almost finished. I actually really enjoyed doing it, to took my mind off things and was a great stress reliever. The fresh air. Just being out side.... We are almost completely caught up on bills. YAY.

Yesterday we started bringing in the wood to fill the wood room before the winter comes. We are almost finished. I actually really enjoyed doing it, to took my mind off things and was a great stress reliever. The fresh air. Just being out side. Working, physical work. It was nice.

Dalton had his developmental assessment, it covers social, communication and other things, and he is on par with other kids his age. But this assessment did not cover behavior.

I am really glad that he did so well. He has come a long way in the past 30 days. I think if we had the assessment a month ago it would have been different, so perhaps it was good that we waited to get this done, because he is doing so much better.

Its like something just clicked inside him and things started to do better. He is still having behavior problems but its coming along. ]]> Gibs http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/3863-little-things-small-update.html http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/3842-exausted.html Sat, 19 Sep 2009 02:24:48 GMT I have been feeling exausted all the time lately, tired and not myself. I hope it passes quickly, its getting old and fast. I have been feeling exausted all the time lately, tired and not myself. I hope it passes quickly, its getting old and fast. ]]> Gibs http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/3842-exausted.html http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/3823-hey-update.html Sun, 13 Sep 2009 18:15:10 GMT well I am back. Summer is over the kids had their first three days of school last week, and go back for their first full week of school tomorrow. It is good to get on a routine. A lot has happened here this summer, we are struggling to get caught up on bills, but we are confident that this is... well I am back. Summer is over the kids had their first three days of school last week, and go back for their first full week of school tomorrow. It is good to get on a routine.

A lot has happened here this summer, we are struggling to get caught up on bills, but we are confident that this is the month we will get caught up, so that is good news for us.

The older 2 kids and I stood in my nephews wedding at the beginning of August, that was fun for us, and cost us nothing (My brother would not let us pay for our dresses or my sons tux) except the gift. Gave them a crock pot, which they loved (she had been wanting one but I did not know that).

I thought a crockpot would be a good gift because they are both in university and it would be something they can throw some food in, go to school and not worry about it till they got home and there would be a meal cooked and ready for them.

We did not have a holiday per say, but myself and the older two kids had to go down where the wedding was a week in advance, to get my dress fitted, and help get things ready for the wedding and all that, so we made sure to do some things down there that were free or next to free.

We visited a lighthouse which cost nothing just took some pictures and stuff, and the kids enjoyed it, and went to two museums, which were 1 dollar to get in one, and a donation to get in the other one.

Then my husband and youngest son joined us on the Friday before the wedding and we had a rehearsal, and rehearsal get together. Then the next day was the wedding.

Then before we came home we took the kids to a beach which was also free, it was just us and one other couple there and the kids enjoyed themselves. Except Dalton who was terrified. He sat by his Dad the entire time we were there and tossed rocks into the water.

Then we drove home, took the longer route (1/2 hour longer) and took the kids to see a train that is in a little visitors area and they really enjoyed that, and this was also free, so we did get to do a few things that week that was free and the kids had lots of fun, so thats all that matters.

On to another topic, Dalton was a really big handful. He just turned 2 on August 14th. We were at our wits end as to what to do......a lot of the things we were going through were symptoms of Autism or similar to the symptoms of Autism, He was having a hard time making eye contact. he did not like being in crowded places, did not like loud noises, he has no fear of things, like the hot stove, heights and other things, he did not like to be told no and would avert his eyes all together and not look at you, Banged his head when mad, pinched, and would bite, even me, and even himself, He hated to be pinned or hugged or held tightly, He lost some of his words at around 20 months or so, but then at around 22 months or so he started picking them up again, and now at 25 months he has a fairly big vocab. THere was so much more.

I was really frustrated, I did not know what to do for him, and I was just at a breaking point. I was second guessing myself all the time wondering if I was reading something into it that was not there, if I was seeing issues that were really not issues.

I finally broke down and called to get an in home assessment, to see if there are problems there....this was right before his 2nd birthday. After he turned 2 we started noticing that he was beginning to make more eye contact and things were beginning to look up, he was doing a lot better and being a better child. Then this past week or so he started going backwards again in somethings.

He does not take No for an answer, he is spitting on the floor, he is a handful. All of which I know can be signs of.....TERRIBLE TWOS! lol.

So of course I still second guess myself, but we got his in home appointment on the 21st of September, and I am looking forward to getting an answer one way or another. Perhaps we are just dealing with some behavior issues.

Either which way, this is what has been going on in our house for the past few months....this is why I have not been here to talk, to chat, to let it out....perhaps I should have done so it may have helped.

But I was at a point, where I was frustrated, steven got laid off, we had no money, dalton was a hand full, and I was getting down...a sort of depression so to speak, and have not been a very happy person. So finally I figure enough with the self pity, and get back to reality.

School and schedules, and routine are starting to get back to normal, and hopefully I can get back to normal, and we can move forward to get thngs under control and help Dalton in whatever way he needs the help..

Thanks for letting me vent and talk. ]]> Gibs http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/3823-hey-update.html http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/3755-update.html Sat, 29 Aug 2009 23:22:32 GMT so much has happened since my last update.... Dh is still laid off, we are really struggling to catch up on back bills because it took about 7 weeks to get unemployment insurance. Hopefully we can get caught up soon. I just wanted to let everyone know i am still around and I will try to... so much has happened since my last update....

Dh is still laid off, we are really struggling to catch up on back bills because it took about 7 weeks to get unemployment insurance.

Hopefully we can get caught up soon.

I just wanted to let everyone know i am still around and I will try to do a better update soon.

Hugs all ]]> Gibs http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/3755-update.html http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/3506-yard-sale-tomorrow.html Wed, 22 Jul 2009 01:29:29 GMT Having a yard sale tomorrow, and the kids are having a lemonade and cookie stand. Should be fun....lol except taking all that stuff out and setting it up... ;) Having a yard sale tomorrow, and the kids are having a lemonade and cookie stand.

Should be fun....lol

except taking all that stuff out and setting it up...

;) ]]> Gibs http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/3506-yard-sale-tomorrow.html http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/3466-finished-robyns-room.html Thu, 16 Jul 2009 23:26:34 GMT Thank goodness!! I just completed Robyn's room, and can I just say that I am super glad that it is done! I just posted the rest of the pictures for those who want to have a look. ]]> Gibs http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/blogs/gibs/3466-finished-robyns-room.html