My Favorite Easy Updo

Being a mom of three keeps me on my toes.  I don't have a lot of time to put into getting myself ready if I want my kids to be fed and clothed each morning before we have to get out the door.  When I'm crunched for time and my hair is a hot mess, this is my go to style.  Here are (hopefully) easy to follow directions to looking like you spent the morning making yourself beautiful when in reality you spent the morning arguing with your five year old about whether or not he could wear a cape to school.

To start, you will need a few basic supplies:  1. cute headband  2. hair tie  3.  (optional) a few random bobby pins

With your hair down the way it would naturally lay, position the headband so that the decoration is over or closest to your part.

With the hair tie around your wrist and using both hands, pull your hair back and gather it at the base of your neck and push up, creating a sort of bubble of hair at the top of your head. 

Use the hair tie to secure your hair however you would like it.  I prefer a sloppy half pulled through look.  Be sure that the pony tail feels tight at the base- it should feel loose towards the top.  Gently pull the hair around the crown of your head to make the bubble of hair bigger. 

Finish off with a good amount of hairspray and use random bobby pins to hold any strands of hair in place that decide to escape from your pony tail.  Three minutes, and your done!

Always Fabulous,

I can't believe it's been so long!

Shortly after I published my last post, I threw my back out.  Meaning, I couldn't walk for several days and was in such intense pain I would rather go through labor and delivery again. But, the good news is my back is slowly getting back to normal and I am feeling better.  So, on to more exciting matters...

We have decided to sell my truck.  Unfortunately, I will soon become a minivan mom.  I have nothing against minivan moms.  My biggest beef with it is that it is seriously hard to feel cool driving a minivan.  I've had mixed feelings about this all along.  We've kind of toyed with the idea off and on.  I've had meltdowns, I've stomped my foot and outright said NO!  But the truth is, we haven't been able to make much progress in a while on our debt because business has been slow.  We're paying our bills and things are going fine, but there has been no extra for the debt snowball.  Isn't it ironic?  We've gotten really serious about paying off debt, and were making really good progress for a few months and then all of a sudden the well dried up.  Add in all of those car repairs we had to deal with last month and it's been a downright crappy spring, finance wise.  So, here we are.  We will be either trading in or selling outright my truck and taking the equity and buying a used minivan with cash. Why a minivan?  We have three kids.  They have friends.  If we ever want to go anywhere as a family again and possibly haul an extra kid or two, it's either keep the truck or get into a minivan.  I am hoping that once I get into that minivan, knowing that it's completely paid for and by my driving it we have eliminated our largest debt, I will drive it proudly.  I think it's gonna be more like I endure driving it until we can purchase another SUV with cash.  That will be, of course, after we are completely debt free, have six months of expenses in an emergency fund and can pay cash for it.  It's going to be a while.  I'll live.  Maybe.

my expedition- more like my 4th child

So, if you are in the market for a 2007 Ford Expedition with about 87,000 miles on it that has been well loved and makes you feel really cool when you drive it, let me know.

*SIGH*

Right this minute, my husband is sitting at a Burger King in a town about an hour and a half away.  Why?  He is waiting for his van to be repaired.  It broke down today and of course, it's not a cheap fix.  Know how much a new fuel pump will set you back?  About $750.  Just what I wanted to spend that kind of money on today.  I feel so BROKE right now.  I am sick and tired of being sick and tired.  You know, this recent rash car repair emergencies (up to $3700 in the last month now) wouldn't feel like such emergencies if we had a nest egg to pay for them.  Sure, we've managed to either cash flow or use our tiny emergency fund for all of them so far, but there is literally just $1,000 between us and going back to the credit cards again.  I don't want to do that.  It pains me to think about it. 

Add all of that to the fact that we need a new water heater, my car needs brakes, the septic needs pumped, the kids all need new clothes and the baby is running out of diapers and I am feeling like a total HAM.  Hot a$$ Mess.  You know why I'm in this position?  Because I put myself here.  I take personal responsibility and total credit.  My husband and I were out chasing the American dream.  With a Visa.  Bad choice.  We know better now.  If we can't pay cash, we don't get it.

In the next year to 18 months I plan to be debt free.  I plan to owe nothing to no one.  I will never have another credit card.  I will never finance anything again.  I am done being a slave to my poor decisions.  Watch out, AMEX I just got angry.   

Always Fabulous,