Make a dollar out of 15 cents

As a single person/parent, I find myself in the dilemma of trying to save for those rainy days.  Since its just me, its even scarier to think that I am supposed to have this fund ready and able for all emergency purposes. With this in mind, I am going on an inner journey to see where my money ends up and to discover what changes I need to make in order to find my way back to Comfortville.

Today started off like any other day. I got up thinking about what bills need to be paid and how can I pay them. When I finally sit down to analyze who gets what dollar, I suddenly realize that the more money I make, the more I spend. Mo money Mo problems really starts to make sense to me. Thats when I decide to go on a diet, a full fledge 360 diet. Not only will I keep track of my spending, but also what I spend money on and how can I cut back and save some money. OK, first things first, what do I like to spend money on.
Well for one, I love food so I know I will splurge on food, but this is something I consume on a daily basis. An expensive consumption at that. This will be where I begin. Where I can start to suppress my hunger for spending and eating all in one. So first homework assignment, Whats cheaper - vegetarian lifestyle or meat eating lifestyle?
Here I go! Now I will try to analyze- through the summer mind you- what would be a cheaper, healthier, and long term lifestyle for me and the kids. Now I am no stranger to cooking, but Chef Boyardee never hurt nobody either. I work a 40 hr week and now I am trying to commit myself to A. cooking more than once or twice a week. B. bringing and eating leftovers for lunch instead of spending money and C. NOT Cheating. OMG! This is a main source of where my money goes and if this works, I can figure out how to capitalize off of this by having more in the bank than what I do now, and still eat like a queen. Maybe even lose a couple of pounds, which wouldnt hurt. OK now to analyze some vegan/vegetarian ways and maybe even post some good information to the masses. Stay tuned....

Norah Jones - Sunrise

Just feel so thankful for everything that's happening to me and my family. How could I not see everything wonderful around me.

Special for me and Special for you :)

Currently freaking out! I know God never puts anything on us that we can't handle, but my goodnes, I think I've been through the fire and still standing with a lit match in my hand. My son had his evaluation for Beharioral services on Saturday. Seems that he is very bright and starting to learn how to read. His memory is excellent and his social skills are really improving. Problem is, he has been kicked out of about 5 - 6 daycares in his lifetime due to the autism and behaviors. I finally found a good place for him in Augst 2009, and now he is exceeding them academically and he needs to be in a school environment. Now, I have to go on the school tour again, by myself as a single parent now, and shop for a good academic driven school. Change is sooo hard for him and even harder for me. Will he adjust, will he thrive, even if i like the school  - will they support an autistic child. This drives me crazy everytime! And with no support from the father, its even harder to make these decisions. I don't want to hold him back but changing him around every year, makes his outbursts and adjustments that much more crazy. This is what totally freaks me out!

Mother's Day

Mother's day was bittersweet for me. Sweet because of my kids and my friends cheering me for being a good mommy. Bitter because the person who created the kids with me couldn't even acknowledge, or was too busy thinking of himself, that it was mother's day and could of sent a text or something. It's not like he participates at all or appreciates the fact that the children are well taken care of by one sole parent. As much as people don't admit it, everyone wants to be recognized for their accomplishments. I hate to think in such a dreary way, but if something happened to me, I can't help but think who would take care of my children? They have a father, but that father doesn't know how to be a parent. He barely takes care of himself let alone another helpless human being. Practicing selfless love is an action and can't be replaced by money or gifts. I don't understand why people think they can buy a child's love when they've never done a damn thing for them that means something. Birthday and Christmas gifts are trash compared to real action oriented love. Kissing the boo boos, helping with homework, teaching a skill, something that can last and is tangible doesn't compare to a Barbie doll or a truck. How do you convey this to a grown person and how do you keep yourself from becoming the nagging parent or the all the time disciplinarian in the household. I know when I look back at my childhood, I appreciate my mother more and more because of the tangible things she taught me. Not because she bought me the latest gear or trivial things like that. My entire being would be totally different if my mother focused on the "right now wants". Instead she focused on the "future needs" of her children and that's the kind of parent I strive to be. Comment if you feel me on this one.