The Toy Box Years: Saving & Giving Challenge - Days #13

The Creators of the Toy Box Years

The creators of the Toy Box Years are my two beautiful daughters and wonderful, handsome soldier husband.

"Nani" (our oldest) is a 11 year old 6th grader who loves Taylor Swift, ballet, books, fashion designing and sewing. Ask her what she wants to be when she grows up and it changes daily to anything from "an artist" to "a teacher" to "a singer/dancer". Nani is also currently fighting a battle against brain cancer -- recently diagnosed in June 2016.

"Nudgie" (our youngest) is a very smiley, very happy, very giggly, very spirited 8 year old 3rd Grader who's favorite toys are anything that gives mommy an anxiety attack - ladders, stepstools, the climbing wall at the playground. Like her sister, she has a love of reading and coloring, loves gymnastics and still provides mommy lots of snuggle time!

"My Marine" is my high school sweetheart. We've been married over 20 years and met when we were 17. (You do the math....) His favorite toys are Blackhawk helicopters, the lawnmower, our steam cleaner, and microbrew beer bottles. My husband is also my hero in that he proudly serves his country as a Blackhawk crew chief (hence his favorite toy!). And need I say that there is nothing hotter than my man in uniform!

All About Me......

Once upon a time I had a career and worked in the corporate world. Once upon a time, I dreamed about leaving that all behind to follow my true calling -- being a wife and mommy.

The first part of my calling was fulfilled in 1995 when I married my Marine (now soldier) and my love. Little did I know that being a military wife would change me in so many ways and that because of that, I would have an extended family all over the world from Japan, to California, to North Carolina.

The second part of my calling took a little doing, but I finally achieved that dream in 2004 with the birth of our first child, followed 4 years later by her baby sister.

So now, when someone asks me what I do for a living - I simply smile and say proudly that I'm following my calling - I'm a mommy and a wife -- and I couldn't be HAPPIER -- I'm living in the Toy Box Years!!

Day #13
* Checked the bank balance today to discover another deposit for My Marine's extra pay. Put that directly into savings. I was very happy to see that account getting built back up again.

* Very unhappy that I missed an autoship payment for my Shakeology. I totally forgot that I even had that set up to autoship and deduct from my account. Contacted them right away to cancel any future shipments/payments. I'll keep the bag that's already been shipped. Between that one and the one I already have, it will last me until after the holidays. (UNPLANNED - $150)

* For the first time in MONTHS, my account has been in the black. I'm very, very proud of that.

* Payday is this week again. I started my grocery shopping list again, as well as some menu planning. I know there are still ways for me to cut back the grocery bill a little more.

Day #14
* Took my trash bags full of clothes to be donated. It felt so good to get the clutter out of my garage AND to know that they are going to a worthy cause.

Now with those bags gone, I have room to start going through the other half of the garage. I told myself that if I clear out the garage, then I can bring my fall decoration boxes down from the attic.

* Over the weekend, my friend shared with me a blog written by a recovering spender. She had written a book about her journey to get out of debt and control her family's spending. I looked it up with the intention of saving it on my Wish List for later......but discovered that I can borrow it FOR FREE with my Amazon Prime membership. I think I'm meant to read this book now.

* I made an appointment for a haircut. I had to do it. My hair is out of control. I was hoping to make it until October, but it just wasn't going to happen. Upside - I'm just getting the cut.....no color.

It's slow going......but I'm good with that!