Moderate Couponing

You know that show "Extreme Couponing" on TLC? If not, you need to check it out, totally addictive! These people have 1000's of weekly circulars and spend 30 or more hours a week cutting coupons and sorting lists and such. Then they go to the store and buy hundreds of dollars worth of stuff that always comes out to less than $10. ALWAYS.

So I figured I should try my hand at couponing to see how I could do. This is my grocery binder that keeps blank copies of my standard list and all my coupons, organized by store section.

This week I saved $33 in coupons and in-store discounts! Not bad!

Running Moms Rock!

April's road race was "Running Moms Rock" 5K in Highland Village, TX. It was an early evening run, which is really unusual, and that's partly what drew me to it. However, that idea really backfired when it was 90 degrees with the sun beating down. Worst 5K time ever!! Loved the race atmosphere though. And I got an awesome tech shirt and hat out of the deal! :)

New Job, New Career!

Tim was offered a new position!!!

After discovering that he would not be able to stay with Dillards past June, he had to search out new work. Months ago, before any of this happened, my mom found a job posting on the EMS website (where she works) and brought it to Tim. "You'd be great for this job," she said, "and you'd get your summer's off!" And while I agreed with her at the time, I was also hesitant since taking a job like this would mean: A) I lose my Dillard's discount, B) Tim would be home anytime I was home, C) Tim switching career paths entirely.

When we found out about Dillard's, we realized he needed to apply for anything and everything he could in this economy. The EMS job was still open and that information was seconded by Natalie, who's husband is the Culinary Arts teacher at the school. Tim applied, Tim got and interview, and today, Tim was offered the job!

Irony.

I suppose people who know my vocation will find this to be the most ironic, but I think everyone will see the humor.

I love to sing! I am above average. I love to dance. Maybe a little less talented in that department. So it stands to reason that I'd want to share these activities with Ben.

He can't stand me doing either. Everytime I try, he puts his little hand up to me and says "mommy stop." ( he is literally running from me in this pic)


It doesn't matter what I say, as long as I sing with inflection. - Blues Traveler

Jimmy John's Wisdom

Yes, the wisdom of a company whose slogan is "subs so fast, you'll freak."

Excellent advice and great timing given our current situation.

Happy Early 30 to Mom!

We had so much fun last summer riding in Colorado, that I asked for a bike trailer for my birthday. He looks like a happy camper huh! :)

Race Pics

Here are some scanned versions of my professional race pics:

January - WDW Half

February - Cowtown 10K

March - Dash Down Greenville 5K

12 Races, one year

I made a New Year's Resolution to keep myself running after my January 7th Half Marathon at Disney World. Cause let's be honest, once you've accomplished a goal like that, it can be hard to stay motivated! So, I decided to run one race per month, all year. No specific distance goals, just run a race. Since the shortest race you can really run as an adult is a 5K, that really guarantees that I run at least 3 miles, 3 times a week. I've certainly not been as on schedule with training as I'd like, but so far, 3 months in, I am 3 races down!

Here's January:

And the bottom drops out

You know when you are certain everything is going great and you feel like things are improving? Yep. Me too. And then, I un-knew that feeling at about 5:15 Wednesday.

Being a teacher in this economy is not great, fairly unstable in this economy, lots of layoffs. I find out on Tuesday if I have a job next year as they are letting 26 teachers on my campus go. Not a RIF, excess.

Then, on Wednesday, Tim found out that they are moving all design and creative jobs at Dillards to their corporate headquarters in Little Rock, AR. If he wants to keep the job, we move to Little Rock. Um...yeah, no.

And now, we wait. Wait to see what Tuesday holds for me, wait to see if Tim gets a job or his freelance takes off. Wait, Wait, Wait...