God's creation

It was that kind of "rainy but sunny" type of day in Vacaville (you can't really see the sun in the pictures though), and I took some pictures from my phone while I was driving home from base a couple weeks ago. I LOVED the colors in these shots. Click on them to enlarge - the colors and contrast are so great that it almost looks fake!

South Dakota and my new job

I was home a week and then went to South Dakota to be in another wedding. I was the only bridesmaid who wasn't family, but we all ended up having some fun together. It snowed one day while I was there, so pictures were freezing! I haven't uploaded my pictures yet, but here are some from my phone.

Celebrating Fenway's 3rd birthday after getting back from the wedding : )

I found a chiropractor about a month ago because I've been having headaches. The husband and wife working there knew I was looking for a job, and really liked me, so they offered me the receptionist position (so the wife wouldn't have to work). It's only two days a week (they have two offices), which is sort of nice, sort of not. I'm debating getting another part-time job. But this works for now, and it's nice to still have time off to spend with John. It's a 45 minute drive, but since it's only two days a week, and the environment and money is good, I don't mind. I got back Sunday from the wedding night and started working Monday. I've only worked two days so far, but it's gone well. I'm thankful I've found a such a seemingly good situation.

A wedding and a funeral

Life has been busy - mostly from trying to catch up after being out of commission for two weeks (from the surgery) and also after being gone for a couple weeks. I was still on crutches when I flew to WA for my friend's wedding. John took me to the airport which helped a lot.



My grandma was also dying (a couple weeks earlier, she had some blood clots and there was nothing they could do), so after I landed, I also went to see her. It was really weird seeing her that way...I really didn't like it...but it was the last time I ever saw her. It didn't seem like her at all. She died the next day, and because it was more sudden than my other grandparents' deaths, it was hard to deal with. It just didn't seem real. I was thankful I was home with my family though, and even though I had to change my plane ticket to go to her memorial services, I'm glad I was able to be there. It was great spending time with my family. I went to my niece's gymnastics class to watch her. She gets so excited when she's there! I also had fun with Asher.


John wasn't planning on coming to WA with me, but after my grandma died, he was able to get a free ticket from a friend who flies for Southwest. The only bad thing was that he could only come on the weekend (because of work), and my grandma's services weren't until the following week. He came anyway, just to be with me for a couple days, although I only really saw him for part of Saturday. The wedding was on Sunday, so I was gone all day. He came to the wedding, but could only stay at the reception for half an hour before he had to leave to catch his flight. Being in weddings where you don't know anyone is always a bit awkward, and it's basically my life story. I rarely know anyone else in the wedding party, but always try to make the best of it and support the bride. I did get to see some good friends at the reception and laugh like I used to.



The following week, we went to Ellensburg for my grandma's graveside service. We all met at Perkins after the service.

My sister-in-law and I.

The day after the graveside, we had a memorial service at my grandparent's old church. Here are all the cousins (and spouses) that were there. I hadn't seen some of them in years, so it was good to catch up. I was bummed John wasn't able to be there to meet some of them.


It's times like these that you really want your husband - even feel like you need him...but in my Bible study (The Power of a Praying Woman), there's a great verse that has been encouraging me. She makes it personal, saying, "My soul, wait patiently for God alone, for my expectations is from Him" Psalm 62:5. The NIV version says, "Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him." I have to choose to put my expectations in the Lord, and not in other people. John and I's schedules have been pretty conflicting the past month, so I'm happy to finally have some time with him in the next two weeks. He took me yardsaling today and to the outlets - what a good catch I got! Let's just say that my love tank is full right now!

Yard sale deals

John took me to yard sales on Saturday - what a good guy! There were only three listed, but I found two more. One of the ones we went to ended up being at John's commander's house, which was funny. But I got some fun stuff there. Here are all my finds.

Sweater $1
Urban outfitters shirt/dress $2
Forever 21 shirt $2
Purse 50 cents
Banana Republic sweater $1
Loft vest $1
Old Navy pea coat $5
I got this blank ruffled tank at Target for $5. Love their 75% off rack!

Headband debut

I'd been wanting to try making one of these flower headbands, but hadn't done it yet. Finally busted out my crafts downstairs last week so I would have something to do that was semi-constructive. Here's the tutorial I used. I'll be putting them on my bows website Fit to be Tied, if anyone wants to order one.

Recovering

Had my hip surgery last Thursday...everything went well. Thanks to all of you who prayed. God blessed me with a great surgeon, and he was so helpful along the way. The surgery was about three hours, but they did a block on my leg (to numb it) that crossed over to my other leg, so I had to lay there in recovery until the numbness in my good leg was gone before I left. I didn't end up getting home until around 7:00 that night, and I had to be at the hospital at 7:30 that morning, so it was a long day. John's been taking good care of me. He had through Wednesday off after the surgery, but he also had a lot of homework to get done, so we didn't actually get to spend a lot of time together. I was really thankful he was so sweet though. Things have been a little harder since he went back to work. The days are so long because I'm pretty much confined to the couch. I can drive now, so if I have to get out, I can. I've had a bunch of various doctor/chiropractor appointments this week. It's just hard getting around anywhere on my crutches for too long because they hurt my armpits, and it's hard to carry stuff. The last couple days have been especially emotionally hard because I've felt so isolated here...really missing my family and wishing they could be here to help and feeling alone since I don't have a lot of friends here yet...or much of a life so far. John's been working long hours this week, so I've had to do everything on my own, and it just gets discouraging. I get worn out easily. Sigh. John got a call during the night to go to Japan, but as of now, he's not going yet. I hope he can stay here until Tuesday when I fly to WA for a week to be in a wedding. I'm excited to see my family!

Here's me in my usual spot. I like to call this one "Shhh...just go."
At first I really didn't want to rock this motorized cart, and I got A LOT of looks, but I really needed to get out of the house.
My cat is such a lover!! Which is good because I eat it up, but I cannot tell you how much hair is on our floor and couch right now! Seriously driving me nuts!

Smart Shopping

I attended a short class on base called Smart Shopping. I thought the notes might be helpful to some of you:



Shopping Psychology

1. Where are most sale items located? The back.
2. They give you bags to fill in some stores (so you feel like you have to fill them) or they'll start a dressing room for you.
3. Why is sale merchandise often in bins, barrels, or in complete disarray on clothing rack?
It gets your attention to come over because you don't want to miss out on what people are getting.
4. Where are most generic items located on grocery shelves? Bottom.
5. What's located at eye level? What they want you to buy.
6. On cereal aisle and checkout, who is being targeted? Kids. Have a plan so it's not chaotic.

Fast Food

-Red and yellow colors on restaurants names (to attract you).
-Those colors stimulate hunger.
-Green color is healthy.

Retail Schemes

-If you use a cart, you feel like you have to fill it even if you only need a few items. Mentally prepare yourself to only get a few things and grab a basket.
-Mirrors on wall. If you don't like the way you look in the mirror, you'll want to buy stuff to make you look better.

Check out prices

-Compare clearance prices to original prices.
-Check the prices that come up at register.
-Price out accessories and merchandise from "discount stores."

Credit card loyalty discounts

-Sign up now for 10% off now.
-For every $400 you spend, you get a 20% gift card.

What you're really getting!!

-Extremely high rates!!!
-An invitation to impulse buy (it's easier to put it on a card than pay cash).
-More debt (the only way the card is useful is if you pay them off at register).

Is buying bulk better?

-Practical shipping: what will you use? Check expiration dates.
-Comparison shipping: what should you consider? Shop with a calculator to see if it's a good deal.
-Don't go for the gimmick!
-Carry cash and don't go over your limit.
-Don't get to register and be surprised.
-Use your notepad to make a grocery list.
-Use a calculator to keep a tally of your items.
-Kids think "it's just money" when they see you swipe your card instead of cash.

Best time to buy things

-6 weeks after your merchandise hits the floor, on a Thursday evening or Friday morning.
-At outlets, don't buy unless it's on sale.
-Right after a "friends and family sale - this is end of the season merchandise.

1. Big appliances - Sept/Oct
2. Cars - Sept (look at date on car and get a car fax report)
3. Computers - July/Aug
4. Cookware - April/May, Oct/Nov
5. Furniture - Jan/July
6. Jewelry - Avoid holidays, V-days, and Mother's Day (100% of jewelers' profits are during that time!)
7. Linens and bedding - Jan
8. Toys - Oct/Nov
9. TVs and home theaters - winter holiday sales and Jan
10. Airline tickets - depends
- don't buy before 120 days out
-90 days is the same
-21 days is pushing it
-14 days it will go up
- best time to purchase is middle of the week
-8:30, 12:30, 5:30 are times prices are updated
-look for tickets late on Wednesday evenings

Shopping online

www.retailmenot.com

Can the item be shipped to store? It's not free shipping if you have to spend a certain amount to get it.

Coupon Clipping

Where can you find them?

1. Commissary - when you enter
2. Sunday paper
3. Online sites like www.couponmom.com

-double coupons
-store rewards

-get coupon organizer
-make shopping lists
-ask friends about their favorite deals